<font size=4>Tholatin assault on Carida thwarted
Tholatin fleet retreats in disgrace from Carida, Imperial fleet celebrates "flawless" victory</font>

After several sketchy reports of a major fleet engagement in the Carida system, the New Order has announced a stunning military victory over the forces of the Tholatin Republic.

According to Imperial sources, Tholatin leader Prince Kamon Vondiranach himself oversaw an assault on the Imperial-held world of Carida. Tholatin warships arrived in the system earlier today and opened fire on the Imperial defenders.

Some people will recognize Vondiranach as the man who assaulted the Empire's stronghold on Fondor in the leadup to the Imperial/Jutraalian war, leading to the events that broke the Rogue Empire apart and threw more than half a dozen <img align="right" src="http://desktopstarships.com/SwImages/swnoescape.jpg" height="250" width="250">leading factions in disarray. The Tholatin Republic is also known for its blockade of the Commenor system before the fall of the Holy Demosthesian Empire, resulting in the deaths of several IDTech empoyees.

In an ironic twist of fate, it was Admiral Bhindi Drayson (formerly of the HDE), the officer responsible for the ambush of those Tholatin forces outside Commenor, who was charged with the defence of Carida. Bhindi Drayson was a leading figure with the Demosthesians before their fall, and was well known for her anti-Tholatin stance.

In an exclusive interview with INS, Admiral Drayson said this, "I truly believe that these events are proof of the New Order's righteousness. Many have tried -- and failed -- to bring about the end of the Empire. The fact that the Tholatin Republic was so entirely defeated here is assurance to me that we are indeed the destined rulers of this galaxy."

The battle lasted less than two hours, according to crewers present during the engagement, and resulted in the destruction of no fewer than eight Tholatin warships.

One crew member, serving aboard the Imperial flagship Osciliath said, "We gave them many oppertunities to surrender, but they refused. In the end, the Admiral ordered us to lower our gravity wells to the enemy could retreat. Otherwise the rest of them would have been wiped out, too."

Out gunned by a sizable Tholatin task force, the Imperial fleet held their own and managed to destroy several enemy craft, effectively routing their fleet, before Captain Davian Essian brought in his own force -- the Super Star Destroyer Righteous Fist -- to "deal with the remaining Tholatin threat." A consolidated Tholatin assault had caused damage to one of the Empire's Star Destroyers, and Essian thought it neccessary to preserve that vessel.

The battle quickly turned into a route for the Tholatin forces, with several more vessels being destroyed before Admiral Drayson ordered the lowering of the artificial gravity wells, allowing the remainder of the Tholatin fleet to escape the battle.

Drayson has been awarded a Medal of Honour for her performance, and is under review for a possible promotion. Despite her young age, Drayson achieved the rank of Admiral under the Holy Demosthesian Empire, a rank that she mantains in the New Order.

-INS (Imperial News Service)

President Griff calls Imperial claims 'laughable'

"Bhindi Drayson and her entourage of INS reporters can call the Tholatin attack on Cardia whatever they want. Parading a small victory over inferior numbers with overwhelming numbers around over the entire holonet borders on pathetic, I would have thought Drayson to have more class." The President said today, in a press conference.

When asked about the legitimacy of the Imperial claims, Griff responded that the Empire has a secure hold over the Holonet, and they will use it to every advantage.

Griff also says that the Tholatin atack was merely the begining.

"So Tholatin lost the first time, it doesn't really matter. The Empire's days are numbered, and I encourage Drayson to pretend that she actually matters in the scheme of things. I encourage her to continue to allow her ego to grow."

Griff also concluded with this statement: "Famous Imperial commanders have all had huge egos. And look where they are now: Dead. You will never win, Bhindi Drayson, you will never win."

<font size=4>Empire dismisses ludicrous claims
Anti-Imperial lobbyist’s false accusations discredited</font>

In a direct response to yesterday’s article regarding the recent Imperial victory at Carida, ‘President’ Griff of the Outer-Rim Sovereignty released a statement to the press in which he said that “Parading a small victory over inferior numbers with overwhelming numbers around over the entire holonet borders on pathetic, I would have thought Drayson to have more class.”

The President of the Sovereignty has made his anti-Imperial views apparent for some time, and is currently labelled an ‘enemy of the state’ by the Imperial High Command. Griff has repeatedly made claims about the Empire and its forces, including unfounded accusations of corruption. In response to his statement regarding the Battle of Carida, Bhindi Drayson had this to say, “ORS is anti-Empire. Of course they’re going to try and demean the lives of the Tholatin soldiers who were killed in the attack on Carida. And of course they’re going to try and claim that the Empire won by numbers, or by chance. It’s a good thing the people of this galaxy are smarter than the President, and have long since stopped listening to him.”

Griff went on to say that “the Empire’s days are numbered” and “famous Imperial commanders have always had big egos”, and that these commanders are all now dead. Clearly, judging by the continued survival of men such as Daemon Hyfe, Simon Kaine, Theren Gevel, and Telan Dessaria, these claims are utterly groundless. In closing, Griff declared that Drayson would “never win”, to which she replied, “I just did.”

- INS (Imperial News Service)

President Griff's office had no comment, stating it was too busy with important things than to bother with Imperial fools with delusions of grandeur.


- Bakura News Service