Grand Admiral Thrawn
Empire of the Hand
Imperial I-class Star Destroyer Admonitor
Actions: @Sidheach
- Continue peacekeeping, defense and exploration. It's our primary mandate.
- Continue diplomacy, trade and resource gathering. Our economy and influence must expand.
- Continue the refugee aid and social welfare programs.
- Continue adopting the new designs that have gone into production.
The court was varied in its composition, both geographically and specially. Judge Niaval, a Mon Calamari, was from Obroa-Skai, a former professor before Zsinj's armies took over. Judge Thul was an Alderaanian, who had been trying a case on New Plympto when the Death Star happened. Judge Viak'tlaa was a Neti, who had been a member of the Republic Judiciary since before the Battle of Ruusan. Judge Thronk, a Gran, and Judge Tambak, a Skakoan, were both former members of the Confederacy of Independent Systems' Supreme Court, and had been in hiding for the last two decades.
The assemblage of legal minds was unprecedented, even for such a case as this. Admiral Jaeffis himself. The Butcher of Harrin, the man who would betray anyone and anything for his own gain. It was an open and shut case, but the court on Eriadu assembled regardless. The prosecution was carried out by the Attorney-General of the New Republic, former Rogue Squadron pilot Nawara Ven, while the defense by respected Bothan lawyer Eramuth Bwua'tu.
Bwua'tu did a surprisingly good job, in fact. Despite his client's tendencies to try to rant to the Republican viewers that they were just as bad as he was, Bwua'tu managed to get the court to drop the crimes against civilization charges, and the charges of using child soldiers or poison weapons. Ven, his Rogue Squadron comrades in attendance, delivered an eloquent speech of his own, and, after a four day trial, and another day of deliberation by the jury, the court came to a decision.
It was Nia'val that delivered the final verdict. "Admiral S. Jaeffis, formerly of the Galactic Empire, formerly of the so-called 'Crimson Empire.' The jury has found you not guilty on the charges of crimes against civilization, on the usage of poison weapons, and the usage of child soldiers. The jury finds you guilty on the charges of crimes against the galaxy, on conspiracy to commit crimes against peace, on planning, initiating and waging wars of aggression and other crimes against peace, on contempt of court, and on crimes of apartheid against non-humans. The sentence is to be life imprisonment without parole at Sunspot Prison. Do you have any final words?"
The Restoration needs a loan. We'll repay it shortly- it needs to be a very temporary arrangement. I've discovered that there's a saboteur who believes that money is an imperial construct and has been acting accordingly. We've gotten rid of them, but we need an emergency loan with decent interest and a six-month repayment period.
A funds transfer from the Friendly Loans Company will be forthcoming, secured upon deliveries of lommite and other commercial concessions as discussed.
From: King Kyp Durron
To: Cronese Alliance @Sidheach
Why do we need to spill one another's blood when together we are strong? You fight for our worlds independence, just as i do. The crown i wear is one granted to me by those i defend, not as a symbol of tyranny, but one of unity. I ask of you, dispel your preconceptions and let us step forth together into a new age.
From: King Kyp Durron
To: Queen Leia Organa @Kristopherw
Private
As a fellow monarch, it is in our peoples interests to speak to leaders of other nations. I would be honoured if you would meet with me.
To: King Cron of Tion and His Esteemed Counsel @Sidheach From: SRI Civilian Products
We here at SRI would like to congratulate the honorable king on his, and his people's, hard-won freedom from the colonial grip of the corporate sector. In addition to humanitarian aid with recovering from the crises, we would like to offer discounted, bulk rates on civilian goods (Not including our Soulful product line) to help jump-start the Tionese economy and help you re-enter the galactic scene as a peer.
In addition, if the Tionese people desire to re-arm we are prepared to offer weaponry and ships to help them defend themselves from future encroachment, with the noted bulk discount. This deal will include a personalized war droid mount for King Cron himself, in recognition of his military victories and splendid personal valour.
Excellent, the shipment will be on its way shortly.
Actions:
Non-enteched civilian goods, humanitarian supplies, weaponry, and warships. King Cron himself receives a customized, semi-sentient, non-enteched war droid aesthetically patterned after a reptilian Tionese predator.
Similarities to the Basilisk are, of course, completely coincidental.
The attack on Coruscant marked a watershed moment for the reform movement spearheaded by the Regency council. Before Dak Eden unleashed the fury of the Purity on the fleets above the throneworld steps forward had been faltering, abortive, or dogged at every turn by the specter of the unassailable Deep Core and its dark master. It was impossible to know whom to trust, and every report from Imperial Intelligence and the ISB served only to confuse matters more as presumed loyalties were called in to question and the breadth of the conspiracy took on galactic proportions. Eden's reach was as insidious as it was pervasive and the careful game of cat and mouse required nuance and care to ensure more of the Imperial command structure was not subverted by his extremist agenda.
All that ended in the hail of turbolasers as masks were pulled back and the council was afforded every opportunity to juxtapose their political opponents' positions and rhetoric with the smoking Coruscant skyline. The blackmail was over, the die had been cast. Unable to leave the line in the south, Supreme Commander Sloane addressed the Empire via the Holonet while sanitized excerpts and images from the Prakith Report were declassified for propaganda use. The enemy was among them, but they would be cut out. The cancer of treason, lunacy, and blind fanaticism that drove the wanton destruction of Coruscant and the purge of the Deep Core was reviled at every turn while the contributions of near-human citizens and visitors to Coruscant were lauded in the media. Still rather condescending and patriarchal in its attitudes, the coverage opened the door a crack for the formalization of the 'sister races' theory in to Imperial law. Touting expanded civil rights, access to social programs and most importantly admittance to select military academies and units, the Coruscant Affirmation of Sorority opened opportunities for a vast swathe of near humans that would have been unthinkable just a year ago.
To cement the CAS and further undermine its detractors the Empress made several appearances throughout the damaged ecumenopolis. Accompanied by her handmaid, members of the various near human communities that rose against the clone invaders and the former Grand Vizier Mas Amedda, she cut a imposing, yet compassionate figure. The carefully managed photo ops drove home the division between the camps, recasting the soulless monsters of Eden's crusade as the Other, while those that bled and died for the dream of the New Order were redeemed from their baser state.
Stronger as one, safety, opportunity, and order for all.
-The Imperial 9/11 happens
-Sister Race status given to a broad swathe of near human subtypes, allowing them to join the military in greater numbers and with more opportunities for advancement as well as general improvements in access to government services
-A post-collegiate officer training program is established to help deal with surge of enlistments in the wake of the attack.
-Bevan Umbrakal, Director of Foreign Affairs on the Regency Council retires, citing health problems following inhalation of dust and smoke during the attack and a desire to be closer to his family on Humbarine. He is succeeded by former Grand Vizier Mas Amedda.
From: King Kyp Durron
To: Queen Leia Organa @Kristopherw
Private
As a fellow monarch, it is in our peoples interests to speak to leaders of other nations. I would be honoured if you would meet with me.
Yes, I think a meeting between us could prove enlightening. I have a friend who may wish to speak to you also if you'd be willing.
To: Ky'enai @horngeek From: Leia Organa Private
I have been contacted by King Kyp Durron. I do not know much of him beyond his use of a lightsaber in combat and his reported desire to free people from oppression. Perhaps he could provide aid in your quest against the Ssi-Ruuk. I await his reply on the matter of a guest but perhaps you would like to join me when I meet with him?
From: Ta'a Chume Queen Mother of the Harpes Consortium.
To: Cronese Alliance @Sidheach King Kyp Durron @Dovahsith
Fellow leaders returning to the Galactic stage in such turbulent times is a harrowing experience , but yet there is also a call for unity. Considering the devastation in the Galaxy should it not, as leaders for whose idiological divide are less then one that calls for the total Destruction of the other, not there be a moment where one should debate about Peace?
Hapes wishes to Welcome you both and open Diplomatic and Trade relations with you. And is willing to present a neutral ground should you request one to find peace in our time free of certain parties that would be problematic for either of you to encounter.
"Businesspeople of the Galaxy, I come to you today to offer a token of friendship from the Confederacy.
It is no secret that the Galactic Economy has been suffering in these trying, conflict-filled times. Fondor destroyed, and Corellia suffering under the tight grip of the Imperial fist. Eriadu and many more choking under the strict regulations of the New Republic! And now the Corporate Sector Authority, once a bastion of free enterprise, crumbles beneath a leader who does not understand what keeps the wheels of business running. To this I say, no more! Corporations should not suffer under juntas, never knowing when their industries will be nationalized, nor demolished by warring factions! They should not languish underneath a byzantine rulebook, struggling to make a profit as they are forced to squeeze through loopholes to survive! They should not be forced to labour underneath an incompetent, who treats treats corporations like armies and calls foolish conquests 'acquisitions'. They should be free!
I say to you, the Confederacy is where you can be free! You know us well; we have always been, from our inception, supporters of those who were cast aside by the Republic. Those not willing to sell their pride to a Senate of bureaucrats, who wanted freedom from stagnation and hegemony. We will not cast you away or bully you into submission. We will not hinder your attempts to make your own way. We will support you, as we have supported ourselves! We will defend you, as we have defended ourselves! The Empire asks you to serve in silence; the New Republic asks you to jump through it's hoops. The Confederacy asks of you but one thing - that you recognize the health of the Confederacy is the health of all those who reside within it, and that you endeavor to preserve that health.
The Confederacy hires expert protocol droid 7-LOM, whom has an excellent reputation, as Chief Secretary of the Confederacy. 7-LOM has realized that a government job is far more lucrative, or at least less dangerous, than being an enforcer. This position mainly involves writing, and giving, speeches, something the droid takes to with relish.
Chief Secretary 7-LOM gives a rousing speech, during which he makes several dramatic gestures that show off his nice Confederate-assigned cape, and reinforces its position that there will be no federal regulation of commerce.
Serv-O-Droid, Inc. is bought out by the Confederacy, for a somewhat depressingly small sum.
Much like in the Northeast, the New Republic would seek to press the advantage against the Empire. Situated at Devaron following the prior year's campaigning, during which the New Republic repelled an Imperial assault upon the world, Admiral Sien Sovv would choose to give the Empire little time to breathe with a new offensive being planned even as the Battle of Coruscant occurred. With his Imperial counterpart, Admiral Alde, awaiting reinforcements at Belazure, Sovv would take his forces up the Corellian Trade Spine and seek to push the Empire as far back as possible before it could reinforce Alde and launch a counterattack back down the Trade Spine. In this, Admiral Sovv would be successful with Tapani Group quickly driving through Kelada, Enisca, and Bryexx before attacking Admiral Alde at Belazura while he awaited reinforcements from the Core Worlds, forcing the Battle of Belazura as result. Once again, Admiral Sovv would drive the Empire back, making great use of his new Liberators to dominate the space above Belazura, and force Alde onto the run.
Confident, and buoyed by word of Admiral Garm Bel Iblis' success elsewhere, Admiral Sovv would continue to press on, driving up the Corellian Trade Spine while Admiral Alde fought a fighting retreat. It would not be until the New Republic reached Chasin, where Admiral Alde had reconstituted his forces, that it would be stopped with Death Squadron and several supporting fleets arriving to reinforce the Admiral and drive the New Republic back. At the Battle of Chasin, the two roughly equal forces would collide with the Executor suffering heavy damage, the Super Star Destroyers having become the primary target of every B-Wing and Y-Wing bomber in the New Republic, before forcing the New Republic to withdraw back to Condular. With the New Republic having pushed up the Trade Spine, and were now within spitting distance of Corellia, Admiral Alde would make the decision to pursue the New Republic to Condular in the hopes of recovering momentum and potentially even pushing back down to Foless.
Sending the Executor back to Corellia, where it would undergo much needed repairs, Admiral Alde would engage the New Republic at Chasin inconclusively before being forced to withdraw back to Chasin himself. Combined with Bulwark Rar having withdrawn, thus leaving the New Republic's flank in the Tapani Sector secure, the New Republic has since gained a significant advantage in the theatre with Admiral Sovv being poised to strike at Corellia provided reinforcements are supplied. The Empire, on the other hand, has found itself in an all too familiar situation with the Rebels encroaching once more and worlds such as Corellia coming dangerously close to the front line, a situation which none in the Regency Council enjoy and one that has only served to embolden the Corellian Resistance.
Summary
Admiral Sien Sovv drives up the Corellian Trade Spine to Chasin before being forced to pull back to Condular.
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Raid on the Core
The Kuat Drive Yards
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At the same time, Admiral Garm Bel Iblis would embark on one of the New Republic's most daring offensives to date. With the defenses at Denon proving too strong for the New Republic Starfleet to penetrate at this time and with the desire for blood following Eriadu at a high, Admiral Garm Bel Iblis would advocate a bold and daring plan meant to force open a new front that would divide the Empire's forces even further. Disguising his movements as mere preparations for a strike on Denon, Admiral Garm Bel Iblis would quietly take his fleets out of the former Crimson Empire and make his way to the Kashyyyk System, picking up reinforcements from Bothawui along the way, in anticipation of his new offensive. With his forces in place, Admiral Garm Bel Iblis would carry out a cruel imitation of Supreme Commander Sloane's own tactics, advancing down the Trellen Trade Route in the hopes of breaking out onto the trade route that connected Kuat to Commenor. It would be a daring attack, the sort that the Admiral had only dreamed about before rejoining the New Republic, and one for which the Empire would be wholly unprepared with but four fleets remaining behind in the rear to fend off such attacks.
Pushing past Umbara, which would only be hit as hard as necessary to cover their flanks, and then liberating Virujansi where the locals would welcome the New Republic with open arms following the safe return of the Rajah, who had been forced into hiding by the Empire and had remained with the Rebel Alliance and later the New Republic as a result, before coming upon Zeltros where more determined resistance would be encountered. Seeking to blunt the Rebel offensive before it was too late, High Admiral Oxtroe would lead her small force, but some four or so fleets, to Zeltros where she would mount a determined defense against Admiral Garm Bel Iblis and the New Republic offensive. Outnumbered more than two to one, Oxtroe's efforts would amount solely to a glorified delaying action with the New Republic breaking through and chasing Oxtroe to Commenor where the Imperial defenses would prove to be far more stalwart than they were at Zeltros or any other world before it.
Seeking only to push past Commenor, rather than seize the system outright, the Battle of Commenor would focus more upon the defenses present in the system and Oxtroe's fleets rather Commenor itself. With a force surprisingly similar in composition to an Imperial fleet, Bothawui having taken to producing Imperial Star Destroyers due to a lack of viable native designs, the clash between the New Republic and the Empire at Commenor could almost be mistaken for one between rival warlords with Star Destroyers bombarding one another while TIE Defenders and X-Wings zipped about between the laser fire. Nevertheless, Commenor's defenses would not be strong enough to halt the New Republic entirely with Admiral Garm Bel Iblis forcing his way past the system and traveling up the Kuat Way to Kuat itself where the Admiral hoped to cripple the Imperial shipyards in retaliation for the attack on Eriadu. Unlike Commenor and Zeltros, however, the Raid on Kuat would amount to little more than a hit and run with the New Republic damaging the Kuat Drive Yards and a number of ships still under construction before pulling out and retreating back the way they came.
Fearing a counter-attack from Denon, Admiral Garm Bel Iblis would then withdraw back to Rasterous where the New Republic has taken control of the local shipyards and begun preparing for the inevitable Imperial counter-attack.
Summary
New Republic fakes preparations for an attack on Denon and attacks down the Trellen Trade Route.
Umbara neutralised, Virjuansi, Zeltros, and Rasterous taken.
Commenor attacked shortly before raids on Kuat are launched.
New Republic now holding at Rasterous.
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Raiding in the South
A Turbulent-class Star Destroyer
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Not willing to spend all of six months getting hammered away at by the New Republic, Supreme Commander Sloane would engage in some raiding of her own. Using a mixture of volunteers and imprisoned Edenites seeking to avoid a certain death sentence, the Supreme Commander would carry out a series of raids deep into New Republic territory in the Galactic South using Turbulent-class Star Destroyers as the vessel of choice. Although significantly less flashy or exciting as the campaigns launched by the New Republic, these strikes would nevertheless serve to tie up New Republic defenses with ships being forced to peel off to deal with the raiders and protect infrastructure. While Eriadu itself would remain out of reach, these so called Tu'katapacks would quickly gain a reputation within both the Empire and the New Republic as quick-thinking raiders with a knack for avoiding destruction and, more importantly, as the bane of civilian shipping which Tu'katapacks operating out of Ukio would take particular glee in targeting.
On a minor note, Moff Yittreas would be discovered dead by Captain Sal shortly after Imperial forces arrived in the system, apparently having come down with a case of laserpoisoning, who has since requested a replacement from the Imperial Centre who would prove capable of carrying out the Moff's dying wish to serve the Empire loyally, faithfully, and unswervingly.
Summary
Imperial Tu'katapacks raid New Republic space.
Moff Yittreas comes down with a case of death and bids his successor serve the Empire loyally super incredibly wholeheartedly loyally as his last dying wish.
Actions
-Continue diplomatic efforts to bring the sector worlds into the fold.
-Continue patrol and anti-piracy and anti-slavery operations and assist various militias when possible.
-Continue investment in industry on Lok and the Karthakk system.
-Begin recruitment effort for the protectorate military from other worlds in the sector.
-Expand training facilities in the Karhtakk system.
The belief that the Sand People would prove to be no further nuisance would be dashed early on into the year as the Sand King and the Tusken Raiders continued to attack Hutt possessions across Tatooine. Equipped with weapons smuggled in by unknown sources, Drakkus' men would find themselves unable to discern who was behind the smuggling with even Talon Karrde proving unable to put a finger on the source, Sand People raids would only intensify until they reached the point of all out war. Downing ships they flew to close to their encampments, seizing fortified emplacements including the former palace of Jabba the Hutt, and growing in number with every passing month, the Tusken Raiders would only grow bolder as they pushed the Hutts back inch after inch, attack after attack, in pursuit of the reclamation of their homeworld.
The Battle of Mos Eisley would prove to be the tipping point with the Sand King himself leading an assault on the settlement, attacking it with slug throwers, blasters, and several captured landspeeders which had been equipped with repeaters and turned into makeshift armoured vehicles. Unprepared for a proper battle, the criminals and mercenaries had never been hired to do anything more than break legs and fend off the odd raid, the defenders of Mos Eisley would find themselves overwhelmed and soon captured as the Tusken Raiders seized Mos Eisley and added it to their growing domain. Similar such stories would be repeated across the planet as the Tusken Raiders continued to attack and dislodge the Hutts all over Tatooine to the point where Drakkus the Hutt's influence on Tatooine is now limited to a handful of locations that the Tusken Raiders have yet to assault.
Although this uprising has proven distressing to the Hutts, particularly to Drakkus the Hutt who has lost face over the affair, it has proven endlessly fascinating to sentientologists in the New Republic who have, after painstaking negotiations, managed to gain limited access to Tatooine in order to observe the Sand People and their interactions with their new subjects. Observations by these sentientologists would suggest that the Sand People, or at least the Sand King, have proven to be relatively gracious victors, taking in freed slaves and indentured servants, orphaned children, and the like while demanding little more than a modicum of tribute from moisture farmers and subjugated settlements. At locations such as Mos Eisley, the Tusken Raiders maintain only a minimal presence, often segregated from the general population, in order to maintain order and fend off attacks by the Hutts and have left the management of those settlements to older, more dignified residents vetted by former slaves and servants who serve as the Tusken Raiders' eyes and ears amongst the populace.
Of the Sand King himself, however, little is known with the new ruler of Tatooine remaining an aloof figure to outsiders. Constantly on the move in order to avoid being killed by assassins employed by the Hutts and in order to maintain the loyalty of the clans and his new settlements, all that is known to date of the Sand King is that he is more reasonable than many of his kith, with some stories suggesting that he once "walked among the stars" so as to explain his worldliness, and that he claims descent back to the kumumgah. Aside from this, few can agree on much about the Sand King with some saying he speaks only Tusken while others say he speaks both Basic and Huttese as well, that he wields magic and a sword made of burning light, that the Sand King is actually a woman masquerading as her dead father, along with the usual claims of infinite wisdom, fiery farts, and the ability to shoot lightning from his eyes.
Summary
Tusken Raiders seize most of Tatooine using smuggled weapons provided by an unknown source.
Yes, I think a meeting between us could prove enlightening. I have a friend who may wish to speak to you also if you'd be willing.
To: Ky'enai @horngeek From: Leia Organa Private
I have been contacted by King Kyp Durron. I do not know much of him beyond his use of a lightsaber in combat and his reported desire to free people from oppression. Perhaps he could provide aid in your quest against the Ssi-Ruuk. I await his reply on the matter of a guest but perhaps you would like to join me when I meet with him?
From: Ta'a Chume Queen Mother of the Harpes Consortium.
To: Cronese Alliance @Sidheach King Kyp Durron @Dovahsith
Fellow leaders returning to the Galactic stage in such turbulent times is a harrowing experience , but yet there is also a call for unity. Considering the devastation in the Galaxy should it not, as leaders for whose idiological divide are less then one that calls for the total Destruction of the other, not there be a moment where one should debate about Peace?
Hapes wishes to Welcome you both and open Diplomatic and Trade relations with you. And is willing to present a neutral ground should you request one to find peace in our time free of certain parties that would be problematic for either of you to encounter.
From: King Kyp Durron
To: Cronese Alliance @Sidheach
Why do we need to spill one another's blood when together we are strong? You fight for our worlds independence, just as i do. The crown i wear is one granted to me by those i defend, not as a symbol of tyranny, but one of unity. I ask of you, dispel your preconceptions and let us step forth together into a new age.
"First they came for the bees...and got stung."
---The Galaxy-famous tagline of Space Bees
A new holofilm is sweeping the Restoration and expanding its reach into New Republic space. Revenge of the Space Bees from Alderaan is, despite the words of detractors, likely to be an instant classic. The film opens with a view of the remains of Alderaan, actually filmed on-site, while the audience boos and jeers the empire that destroyed such a wonderful planet. Then, jeering turns to cheering when it is revealed that the asteroids of Alderaan are giant hives, and that the sentient lifeforce of Alderaan has transformed into swarms of angry, killer space bees. The empire, foolish as it is, attempts to fight the Space Bees, but the bees fight back, and you can be sure that they'll bee victorious. Most agree there hasn't been a movie causing this much buzz in ages. After they defeat the Imperials, the bees create a giant hive on Coruscant and turn the Imperial fleet into royal jelly. Honey is distributed to the waiting masses of the galaxy, and the holofilm ends with a short interview with Akar Prost. "We are all bees now," he says to an audience bathed in patriotic tears, "we will all need to make honey for our friends." Following the end of the film, donations have surged to the Commonweal, which helped make the film a reality by donating extras and some camera equipment.
Using the best techniques available to modern holofilms, Revenge of the Space Bees is a cinematic masterpiece. Although critics, especially in the Republic, call it "gauche", and "I can't believe they went to Alderaan's remains to film this", most agree that the film is a stirring call to action for the galaxy's freethinking sophonts. More importantly, the film helps illustrate the ways in which the participatory democracy of the Restoration permeates through every aspect of daily life. Before the release, cross-planet polls and plebiscites helped poorer citizens get transport to large theaters where they could watch the film for free. After its release, children from across Restoration space organized multi-school outing events to other planets, dressed in bee costumes and handing out food aid to the vulnerable. Besides being quite possibly the best film ever made in the Outer Rim (though it may soon be out-classed by the in-production Sovereign Immunity, a multi-million credit feature jointly undertaken by the Restoration and the Republic), the public reaction to Space Bees is an expression of the civic community that the Restoration helps nurture.
~A message from the Commission on Revolutionary Culture of the Restoration
Though the young king would like nothing more than to mount his new Basilisk Droid and fly off into the void to massacre those responsible for the abduction of his brother and the death of his parents, his advisers have patiently and repetitively making the point clear that Cron is in no shape to fight the Empire, King Kyp Durron officially states his kingdoms neutrality in the Galactic Civil war so to preserve his peoples lives and to offer safe haven for worlds within the Tion Cluster unwilling to be drawn into the conflict.
To: The people of Malastare @Sidheach
From: The Fey'lya Campaign
The candidate would like to hold a townhall meeting on Malastare, to be broadcast live on the Republic Holonet. Are there volunteers to contribute questions to the candidate to the meeting?
