TNO Initiates Blockade of New Holstice

A brown-haired human sits behind a wooden desk with the words “New Holstice News Network” emblazed on it in golden letters. He weakly smiles and wipes a bead of sweat from his brow. His blue eyes pierce through the camera lense and to viewers across New Holstice, and the galaxy at large.

“Today, Imperial Special Forces initiated a blockade of our planet of New Holstice with a military fleet including star destroyers, interdictors, and a rather large battleship. This just comes after Imperial forces ravaged and massacred an entire village of civilians: men, women, and children. Tonight we will take an overview of the effects of this blockade and what many theorists think its ramifications are in overall strategy by the Galactic Empire to dominate and coerce the region at large. I now hand it over to reporter David Rising.”

The camera switches over to a raven-haired man with golden-rimmed glasses. He stands behind a large white building: the New Holstice Parliament.

“Thank Bob. The blockade launched by Imperial forces has set many things into motion here at the New Holstice Parliament. Many of the representatives here today have been skeptical about the intentions of this Imperial fleet, much like how they were when the Confederation fleet first arrived. However, where the Confederation has shown its good will to the people of the New Holstice and abided by the laws set forth by the New Holstice government and enforced by law enforcement officials, the Imperial fleet thus far has not. In initiating this blockade, Imperial Forces broke several international and New Holstice laws including the following: contempt of the government, the sovereignty of the planet’s spaceways, neglect of announcing the said blockade, neglence to both private and public properties, wrongful search and seizure, assault, and neglect of the welfare of the people of New Holstice. Initiating a blockade is also considered to be an act of war.

Now, the most obvious thing about a blockade is the act of stopping all traffic to and from the system. This obviously has a grave impact on not only the planet’s economy, as imports and exports are completely stopped. Mercantile and other businesses that dependent on foreign trade are already seeing losses in the stock market as investors become rightfully skeptical to invest money in what appears to a business that cannot make money. Can a factory export parts across the galaxy when their ships are stuck in system? Or better yet, can a factory even make parts without the proper raw materials and components derived from foreign trade. We’re starting to see the ripple effect here as it affects other business, and the stock market is beginning decline. From the business men heads to the factory line worker, people are growing disgruntled by the blockade. Polls show leanings of the affected people to the Imperial rule down as the blockade demonstrates tangible proof that Imperials are cold-hearted and uncaring to civilians, as if the clone trooper massacre and the subsequent damage they wrought wasn’t enough.

Interesting enough, there has been a recent mad grab by consumers to grab items deemed to now be commodities: food and weapons. The first to survive, the second for personal defence against the Imperial marauders which now have a history massacring innocent civilians. There is talk amongst the streets of various militias and rebel groups starting to form to combat what many guess will be an Imperial invasion. The government officially has condemned these groups, saying that the actions are “premature and unlawful.” But many have lost patience with the government, saying that it should act fast to perform its duties to the people; and thus end the blockade. Back to you Bob.”

“Thank you David, next up, we’ll talk to our senior military correspondent Jacob Wales.”

The image flashes to an aging man standing next to several soldiers of the New Holstice Defence Force. He quickly brushes a strand of his thinning hair out of his face.

“Thanks Bob. This new blockade has put the military on high alert. Many think it will end in invasion, and thus conventional resistance would be futile. Thus, it would seem logical for the Defence Forces to go underground and wage an unseen guerilla war much like that waged by the Rebel Alliance on the Empire. While higher authorities have declined to comment on that idea, troops and war materials have been seen leaving key military bases for what seem to be random parts of the planet. When asked of their destination, authorities replied that the “troops are just taking part in some field exercises.” Interestingly enough, many couriers have been seen picking up the personal belongings of soldiers and shipping them back home; lending credence to the idea that those so-called exercise’s might take some time. When questioned about the likelihood of an Imperial invasion, senior military officers declined to comment, but assured everyone that the military forces would fulfill their duties and obligations to the people if it did come down to a fight…”

Less than one hour later

The man stood before the holocam in full business dress. His hair was perfectly set in place. In general, he was what one might call non-descript; he was simply the face that reported Imperial news every now and then. The lights clicked on, and the camera rolled.

"Good evening. Less than an hour ago, a report was issued by the New Holstice News Network indicating that Imperial forces, specifically the Imperial SS had instituted a blockade of their planet. In doing so, they claim the SS has violated international and planetary law. They also have attempted to connect this blockade with the recent tragedy that befell the planet.

"In one respect they are correct, for the two events are related. The Imperial SS, which has through treaties been establishing itself in the nearby region, discovered through their stellar intelligence that a group of Imperial clones had gone rogue and massacred over 60 men, women, and children on New Holstice. In a statement issued by the head of the SS, Colonel Wesley Vos, he claims that this revelation shocke him and his men."

The clip of Colonel Vos's statement played. "I was simply horrified when I heard what those claiming to be Imperials had done. I intend to hunt these men down myself, and will accept aid offered by any planet or galactic government, even the Galactic Coalition or the Contegorian Confederation, in doing so. These murderers must be brought to justice."

The reporter came back on. "However, the Imperial SS is a small organization and does not have the resources to supply New Holstice with aid. A request was sent back to Coruscant for a convoy to be organized, but with the recent pacification of the Onyxian Commonwealth and the tension with the Galactic Coalition, the Empire's resources are being stretched now." That was only partially a lie; the pacification and the tension were using up valuable resources. The reporter continued, "Nevertheless, the Empire has been working on getting a convoy together to send to New Holstice.

"In the meantime, Colonel Wesley Vos and his men left to hunt for the criminals in order to bring them to justice. Scouts were sent to New Holstice in order to warn the SS in case certain governments attempted to take advantage of the plight of the people of New Holstice to convert them to their personal way of thinking. Sadly, the Contegorian Confederation decided to take its own piece of the pie.

"SS scouts reported a massive Confederation battlefleet arriving in system. Reports indicate that there is even one large command ship present. Commander Jarred Smith, the SS officer in charge of the fleet, was not available, but his designated representative General Liam Zhu agreed to speak with us."

The scene cut to General Zhu in his office on Echtabahn. "My expertise may be in politics and ground warfare, but why else would a command ship be sent unless one planned on occupation? Obviously both Commander Thrahn, the lead scout, and Commander Smith believed this to be so. Thus, despite their disadvantage in numbers, Commander Smith headed for New Holstice in order to save the planet from Contegorian treachery, which I myself have personally experienced."

The reporter spoke again. "It is true that Commander Smith powered his interdictors' gravity wells when he arrived in the system, but he has no intention of restricting trade with the planet of New Holstice. His intentions are only to keep valuable supplies from falling into treacherous Contegorian hands. It is also true that the Imperial Guard has arrived in-system to provide much-needed support for the outnumbered and outgunned SS fleet. Even with the Guard there, the fleet may still be outnumbered. I ask again, why would the Confederation bring such a large fleet to New Holstice unless they planned to invade?

"The SS purposes are clear. First, to deal with the rogue clones and bring them to justice; second, to aid the people of New Holstice in any way possible; third, to prevent the Confederation from brainwashing the people of New Holstice and forcing them to join the Confederation. It is true that the Contegorians brought bacta to New Holstice, but at what price? Should the Imperial SS allow the people of New Holstice to be deceived into giving up their freedom for a bit of bacta? I think not.

"This is Jerry Randlett, reporting for INS."

Contegorian Confederation Press Release

A brunette woman, in a white gown, sat at a greel wood desk. Behind her were the jungles of Genon. She flashed a white, toothy smile as the camera swept over across the studio to center on her.

“Good evening gentlebeings, I am Ariel Rassnach, Secretary of the Press of the council. Recently, INS released a report in response to the neutral world of New Holstice’s news report. Undoubtedly, many of you have seen both them due to the freedom of speech and information so prevalent in our society. And undoubtedly, there are several errors and several, shall we say, interesting comments.”

She motioned to left side, where a holo-projector showed an image of the Confederation fleet orbiting over New Holstice. It zoomed in to show the multiple Styria Galleons huddled around the massive bulk of the Star Defender Revanche.

“This is live feed from the Confederate fleet visiting New Holstice. The Revanche is clearly visible to everyone; a testament to our Confederation’s industry and strength. But perhaps more importantly, you can make out those ovoid craft. These are Styria Galleons, transporting Bacta and other supplies to New Holstice, which put out a call for general aid. One which the Confederation responded to along with several, other worlds. The supplies gathered, especially Bacta, have been a valuable commodity during these perpetual times of crisis and bloodshed. As you may well know, this trip occurs out of Confederation space, and due to Bactas relative rariety, the Confederation fleet assigned its expeditionary force to ensure the safety of these relief supplies to the people of New Holstice. For we would not have pirates or rogue Imperials confiscating these supplies for their nefarious people.

We find General Zhu’s claims of a Confederation invasion ridiculous and unfounded. If the Confederation was interested in an invasion, why wouldn’t it have invaded already? Does it make any sense to spend several days in orbit not invading or attacking a planet if your intent is to capture it? Moreover, when has the Confederation ever fully invaded a planet that has committed no wrong to our people? The same cannot be said of Imperial forces, even the SS. Recently, the SS forced the neutral planet of Centares to accept Imperial rule or suffer destruction, and TNO forces are infamous for invading planets everywhere that are neutral. It would seem that Imperial forces have a vociferous appetite for destruction and conquest. The Empire of today continues to keep that Palpatine’s philosophy today.

Interestingly enough, INS claims to have scouts in that system before the Confederate fleet arrived. What would scout ships be doing in a neutral, populated system that doesn’t have any enemy presence? Perhaps having hospitals is now a reason for SS security concerns. In all seriousness, why the scout ships be there unless it was to conduct a full-scale invasion of the planet or at least be observing the planet in speculation of conquest?

And what is this treachery that Zhu speaks of? Perhaps it is providing relief to victims of Imperial aggression. Perhaps Zhu’s treachery is our fleet’s respecting and obeying the local laws. Perhaps our treachery is spending our money in New Holstice marketplaces and businesses. Zhu’s claims are ludricous. What is treachery? Here’s treachery. Treachery is allowing Imperial stormtroopers to arrive on planet, and then having them in cold blood execute 60 men, women, and children. Children. This is not an isolated case. There are countless demonstrations and documentations of Imperial forces bombarding planets to death in massive holocausts. Does Alderaan ring a bell? Our history of the Confederation speaks for our commitment to life and our value of liberty. We ask you to take a look at what the Empire has cherished.

We find the SS and Imperial claims that it cannot render aid completely ludicrous. If a fleet consisting of a several thousand meter long battleship with accompanying star destroyers and lighter ships be assembled, how come several bulk freighters cannot? Or why not even have those warships deliver supplies if there are no other ships available. Surely the great and vast resources of the Empire can at least spare a shuttle with foodstuffs as some sort of measure of aid. No, the Empire cherishes above all else power. And with that power, greed. Unless anyone else can explain for the forceful and continual accumulation of neutral planets by the Empire.

The SS stated purposes may be clear, but they are just words. Words are nothing with actions to back them. We do not know if the Imperials are truly hunting the clones or not. For all we know, it could be one of their many elaborate ruses. We find two particularly interesting: render aid to the New Holstice government. Perhaps they can start by obeying the said government’s laws and not undermining its authorities in these matters. If the Empire is truly interested in helping these people, it should give and not make false promises. Lastly, the Confederation has expressed no interest in absorbing New Holstice into its membership. We do not actively seek out memberships like some governments, but instead have governments come to us for the very reason to show that we aren’t forcefully twisting people’s arms into submission. Moreover, if the SS’s claim is that it isn’t interested in stopping and hurting New Holstice’s economy’s blockade, why doesn’t it do anything about it? Why does it continue to strangle the economy to death when with a touch of a button by some Imperial commander, it could be revived.”

She nodded.

“We will continue to update this situation as needed in order to preserve the truth.”