<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Jutraalian Grand Inquisitor is found behind a podium, his typical guards flanking him. The symbol of the Jutraalian Empire has faded, leaving low lights to illuminate the officer. <!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

" As the galaxy is aware, the former Emperor of the Rogue Empire and now Emperor of the Jutraalian Empire, His Majesty Lord Fearsons, has been ill for some time.

" Such, however, is a misnomer.

" He has been ill, but not from a natural disease. He has been recovering from a wound. A greivous wound to be precise, inflicted by a nearly successful assassin.

" This method of killing was found to be unique, and very commendable. A Kaminoan dart was fired from close range at Emperor Fearsons.

" The rogue and dangerously idiotic man has been identifed, and traced by (Jutraalian) Imperial police to the planet of Eriadu.

" Thusly, as said planet is not within the sphere of influence we demand his capture extradition from those responsible for this planet's rule and care.

" This is the Galactic Defense Initiative. If this criminal is not handed over without delay, the Jutraalian Empire foresees no alternative than to take him by other means.

" Know this, galactic citizens and those of Authority. Those withn our sovereignty have a high sense of honor and integrity, despite such propoganda and opinions to the contrary. A new era has dawned, as has a bolstered sense of duty and honor.

" We shall not stand by and allow the would-be murderers of our leaders to escape into the safety of a rival. If that means smashing down the brricades of territorial distiniction, then so be it.

" Victory may lie with the most powerful...

" But Justice rests n the talons of the those most dedicated."

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The image faded and the symbol of Jutraal adorned the screen once again.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Press Release from the Mon Calamari Republic.....

We find that it appaling that such a large and what should be honourable factioin like the Jutraalian Empire must resort to such lies just to give them the moral high Ground when they attack the Galactic Defence Initiative a faction which aims to keep peace in the galaxy even if it means killing some people. This is a bald-faced attempt by The Jutraalian Empire to give them another reason besides revenge against GDI for helping it's enemies in the Battle of Tholating to further their mandate of Galactic Peace extremely degrading and we wish that Emperor Fearsons and his advisors especially his Grand Inquisitor take a nice long look at their motives so they can maybe realize that they aren't as honourable as they think they are.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Grand Inquisitor was informed of the recent Mon Calamari press release and slammed the crystalasheet on his desk. He quickly smmoned those who needed to be, and made his own reply.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

" In response to the recen derogatory remarks by those of Mon Calamari, I would challange its leader, Toritho, to a duel of honour if he wishes to test m own morals and dignity.

" On an official and non-personal note, I would call upon the citizens of the galaxy to look at the facts before passign judegment on the Galactic Defense Initiative, or the Jutraalian Empire.

" We will not attack Eriadu unless the cirumstances force such action and the results are unavoidable. We ask the justice-loving GDI to rapidly apprehend the said criminal, whose dossier and location were transmitted to earlier today, and any hosile action can be avoided.

" It will also be noted, tht any action taken by the Jutraalain Empire into GDI Space will not begin hostily. We will fire upon no ships, and activate no fields of interdiction. We will drop battalions of our Military Police to the surface, apprehend the criminal no matter his location, and remove him post haste.

" No shots will be fired against GDI personnel, and certainly not their civilians. Ther may be, unavoidably, shots directed at the captive should he resist. He will be felled, and taken to Despayre for sentencing, alive or passed.

" Under no circumstances save hostile fire directed at our ships, will we fire pre-emptively at any warships of any sovereign power that arrives or is there.

" The answer to sustained peace is clear: turn him over."

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The viasge disappeared.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

A soft sigh escaped Supreme Commander Isstal's lips as he stepped up, once more, to the podium.

"Citizens of the galaxy," he began. "What you have just seen is a bold-faced lie, generated by the so-called Jutraalian Empire in an effort to lower the position of the Galactic Defence Initiative among you, the citizens.

Propaganda has always been used as a tool for evil, and lies an excuse to do battle. As a peaceful faction, the GDI would never stoop to such levels as assassination in order to stop an enemy. Indeed, if it is possible, we will always attempt to take an enemy leader alive, so he may be properly punished and imprsioned for his crimes.

The Galactic Defence Initiative had nothing to do with the near-death of Emperor Fearsons, and to be frank, we here do not believe that Fearsons was ever afflicted with an illness to begin with.

What we have here is an obvious attempt to take away the peace we strive for. I call upon you, the citizens of the galaxy, and our friends and allies across the galaxy, to support us in what may come.

The Rogue Empire, and I call it here by its true name, has committed grave atrocities in the past, and will continue to do so.

I warn the Viscount del Forza that the landing of any Rogue Imperial soldiers on our planets will be deemed unacceptable, and any persons violating this will be arrested without question.

Good day."

TNO concurs. If TRE attempts to land anything on a GDI planet, it will be regarded as an illegal act of aggression, and a penalty will be enacted that will be reflected in TRE's reparations payments when they're finalized.

Oh yeah. And they'll get booted out of GDI space, and we'll likely retaliate elsewhere as well.

Stepping up to a Podium in th eMakeshift conference room of Serenity Palace on Dreena, the Queen of the Divine Order begins to speak.

"What next? The Rogue Empire changes it's name, thinking that it will make every murder they committed okay, and left in the past. If I may quote this from the Press conference I just heard....

'We shall not stand by and allow the would-be murderers of our leaders to escape into the safety of a rival. If that means smashing down the brricades of territorial distiniction, then so be it.'

Any act of aggression by the Jutraalian Empire will be taken as a direct Declairation of War by the Divine Order. I have sat by on the side lines long enough in this conflict. You speak of would-be murderers, and how you will not allow them to escape.

What would the Jutraalian Empire do if The New Order took such action against your murderous, and trecherous ways? You would cringe, and hide as you do now, praying that they do not attack you, and crush you under their iron fist, as they should.

Be warned, the Divine Order has had enough of your Demands, and Hostility. You seek peace, yet you threaten to attack planets over one single solitary person. If you seek peace, then work at it."

When Queen, red faced with anger, stormed out of the conference room, tossing her papers down as she did.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The holocron kicked on, and Metropolis stood, his silver lightsaber shining in the light against his rugged brown robe. His arms were crossed in front of his chest, his agitation blatantly obvious.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"I've had all I can, or will take of this. This war has gone on long enough. Viscount, look at what TRE has done...millions of lives have been, and are being lost. You're Emperor is dying. This is ridiculous. Does the Emperor have to be murdered before the insanity stops? I've heard enough of TRE wanting peace. I've seen TRE's notion of "peace". This is getting out of hand faster than anyone, can keep up with. Know this: As long as innocent lives are being lost, I will fight this war, for the CORRECT side. Even if the Council of the Alliance doesn't agree, I will still fight. As a Jedi it is my duty to stop this insane loss of innocent lives. Stop with the threats, be they of lost lives, lost trading, shipping, etc. I've had enough."

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote>Quote:<hr> "In response to the recent derogatory remarks by those of Mon Calamari, I would challange its leader, Toritho, to a duel of honour if he wishes to test m own morals and dignity."

-Viscount del Forza<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END-->

Savage and beastly -- precisely what I would expect from an empire which hunts down and slaughters entire societies for pleasure and conquest.

I could've sworn that challenging someone to pistols at dawn went out of style with ancient human society, but I could be wrong. I suppose I should expect nothing less from a group which springs from the Empire, a facist regime which has carried on the fine tradition begun by ancient human culture of rabid xenophobia and persecution of that which is alien.

Though even they seem to have, to one degree or another, moved on from that practice. You, on the other hand, Mr. Del Forza, seem a primitive beast who places misplaced principles of "honor" above human life. Even if this is simply a tragic misrepresentation, what a delightful example to set when firmly in the glare of the public eye.

Idiotic, offhand personal comments have no place in politics.

-Viryn Quell,
Freelance Author

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Inquisitor stood again, his posture not diminished or face any less formal.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> They d oteem to understand honor, in any of its forms,<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> the Viscount thought, stepping behind his growingly-ubiquitous podium.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

" I pose this directly at the Galactic Defense Initiatve. At absolutely no time did the Jutraalain Empire accuse your sovereign government of supporting or leading the assassination attempt on our Emperor.

" We have, however, stated that the criminal tha most likely acted independently, has sought refuge on your world. We ask as a formal shw of courtesy between our two states, you apprehend this criminal and turn him over to us at your earliest convenience.

" Peace in a galaxy filled with machines of war, men of battle, and minds of destrction is a mere illusion, possssed only by those happily deluded souls wo dream.

" In this galaxy, we must strive for all that we can ask: a temporary or lasting cessation of hostilities betwen to fueding parties. For no matter where on is or how long one's personal peace has lasted, there will be a conflict, battle, or some sort of strife somewhere beyond your grasp of vision or knowledge.

" Victory as well is impossible. One can only eliminate one's enemies, and smash his allies into complete submission. However, there will always be some one plotting against him or activating his own resources to campaign against him.

" While some citizens speak to a highly-evolved sense of honour as barbaric. I retort that it is better for a society to possess a conceivedly barbaric sense of honour than no honour at all. When personal dignity gives way to greed or submission and cowardice, then life becomes far from worth living.

" And, on a galactic note about honour, if a duel between people is barbaric, why are the Jedi not ostracized for their random and frequent bouts with others who tote them mono-e-mono?

" The Jutraalian Empire strives for peace, as do we all. Attaining it is impossible, thus we strive for what we CAN achieve...what we all aretrying to achieve.

" Mark my words: one is remiss to think battle will never be joined again. But between those with the power to murder millions at the depression of a lever, we will do our best to avoid it.

" On an internal note, we are becoming aware of those who have truly committed atrocites against the citizens of rival, allied, or neutral states. Those responsible, no matter rank and station, are being investigated, and in some cases held for trial. Those who wish may submit to us their own lists, and we shall extradite them post haste.

" That is to say, our Emperor, and any member of the Imperial Family is above suspicion. He is our leader, yes, but in this case, responsibility for action does not ascend that high.

" We bid you farewell."

"The Jedi are keepers of the peace, Del Forza. It is OUR JOB to fight, when necessary. To PREVENT the loss of lives, that you call honor. Do not knock the Jedi. That is a battle you will surely lose. I, as a Jedi, have had enough, as is blatantly obvious by the rest of the galaxy's gripes of this war. TNO has done a noble thing in opposing Rogue Imperial forces. STOPPING the loss of lives that one Chadd Fearsons is bent on doing...taking the entire galaxy will NOT happen. Do not declare war on the Jedi. It will be a grave mistake, I assure you."