<font color=silver>Coruscant - Former Capitol of the New Republic

They were back.
Outside the gates, barred now after the last incident, to the monolithic Republic House. Hundreds, no, thousands of people of all races. Humans, Bothans, Rodians, Wookies… all were crowded around the gates to Republic House, their voices rising in an angry outcry to the leaders of the New Republic.

The leaders that hid in their offices, not willing to face the crowds of angry protestors, not willing to be seen for fear of reprisal. New Republic security, the Military Police, had been called in the first time. They had cleared the protestors away. But they had returned, despite repeated warnings of stricter punishments.

This time, the Military Police refused to interfere. The government, came their mocking reply, had gotten themselves into this mess.
They would have to find a way to get themselves out.

From her own office, just above the gates, Senator Joan Beosketch looked down upon the crowds. She could see why they were upset, angry. Enraged, even. Only hours ago the New Republic had, in all but true formality, declared war with the Galactic Defence Initiative. The same group that had fought with such courage against the Jutraalian Empire and that strived to wipe terrorism out completely. And in all this, they had gone so far as to accuse the GDI itself of terrorism.

It was no wonder that the people were so angry. She knew that the situation was the same across the worlds of the Republic. Corellia, Sernpidal, Caamas, Csilla… all were close to uprising. Uprising against the new doctrine set forth in all but word by the New Republic. The doctrine that stated that all who may be a threat to the Republic should be eliminated, and that the Republic should hold dominion over the galaxy.

There was no denial that the Republic’s government had gotten itself into some mess here. A mess that some saw as inescapable. The New Republic had signed its own death warrant. The Battle or Eriadu had yet to begin, neither side having fired a single shot, and already the people were in an uproar.

Senator Beosketch took a moment to raise a set of small electrobinoculars and look at the signs that the protestors had crafted. Down With the Republic! and End the Tyranny! were much in evidence. The Senator lowered the binoculars and sighed.

“Yumi,” he said, turning to the young woman who was her aide and confidant, “Please schedule a press conference for tomorrow afternoon. I must address this issue,” she turned back to the window, “before this matter gets out of hand.”

<font color=silver>Coruscant - Republic Plaza

The speaker was young, at least Yumi assumed he was. He was dressed, swathed, in a thick cloak that hid all his features save his mouth. The mouth that spewed the words that Yumi hated, yet knew were true. At least in a sense. He had the voice of a young man, anyway, and he moved like a young man.

And what has the Republic done for us? He cried. The crowd, caught up in his words, screamed in agreement. Nothing! That's what! They hide in their precious towers, sqaundering our hard-earned money and letting the true terrorists, those who resurrected the Death Star, walk free! This time the roar from the crowd was so loud that Yumi was sure the ground was shaking.

And just when we think they've done enough, they attack an innocent party and call them terrorists! Of all the pathetic, ill-thought-out masks in the book! And what's more, they employ former Sith Lords, people who have murdered thousands, hundreds of thousands, and they welcome them into the fold as brothers, entrsusting them with the most powerful weapons ever concieved! And Gash Jiren went so far as to set Ahnk Rashanagok, the man who betrayed the Republic at Dantooine, free! The crowd screamed their approval, their roars echoing from the towering skyscrapers that cast the plaza into shadow.

And our leaders? Leia Organa Solo, the Jedi Warrior who would rather practice her magic tricks than lead this Republic to its salvation? I ask you, what has this Republic done for us?

The reply came from the front, building in volume and strength as it caught on among the thousands in the plaza.

NOTHING! NOTHING! NOTHING! NOTHTING!

It became a chant, filling the air in the plaza, deafening all within its radius. The screaming built up to its climax, rattling the windows of nearby skyscrapers, where curious occupants looked down, and some began to join in.

And, with a startling suddeness, it stopped. An erie silence took the plaza as the massive holoboards around it began to glow, not with advertisements or other dribble, but with the image of a grisly scene and a solemn newscaster, placed side by side.

Tradegy has struck today in the midst of a great conflict of words between the Galactic Republic and the Galactic Defence Initiative. The Ynar Lines Globe-class Super Transport Lady Eriadu was destroyed as it attempted to enter the Eriadu system, where New Republic warships currently face off against those of the Galactic Defence Initiative.

The Liner, returning from Bilbringi, struck the Abolisher fields raised by Republic warships before her emergence from hyperspace. The wreckage was found by GDI scout ships three hours ago.

Lady Eriadu was carrying three thousand passengers and 617 crew. All hands were lost. This terrible tradegy would not have come about without the presence of New Republic Abolishers in the system, who failed to send out a general alert informing all craft of the appearence of these lethal fields.

Several dozen other, smaller civilian vessels are also missing, presumed lost, in the Abolisher fields.

The outcry was tremendous. Three thousand dead, all civilian, in a war that no one save Admiral Elegark Mnar thought was worth fighting. It rose to a shattering pitch, and became a chant.

End the violence! Down with the Republic! End the violence! Down with the Republic!

Yumi had seen enough. She turned away and, no longer able to withhold her tears, began to cry. Of those three thousand, her mother and sister had been on the Lady Eriadu. Her precious Republic had failed her. Her Republic had killed them.

<font color=silver>Coruscant - Republic House

"That bad?" Yumi nodded, frowning deeply. Senator Beosketch, having known Yumi for nearly two decades, knew immediatly that something was wrong.
"Yumi," she said, her tone softening, "what is it?" The other woman turned away, a new wave of despair sweeping over her.
"The Lady Eriadu," she bit out, "they killed everyone. We killed everyone." The Senator nodded once, slowly. The Lady Eriadu had been destroyed only hours before, destroyed by the Abolisher fields that the invading New Republic fleet had put in place. The ship had been carrying more than 3000 peeople, among them Yumi's siter and mother.
"And I can't help but think: maybe the protestors are right. Maybe what they say, about the Republic, is all true." Senator Beosketch looked in horror to her aide.
"Yumi..." she said quietly, taking her aide's arm.
"I know. I know!" She yanked her arm away. "But what if they are, right, Joan? What if they're right about the Republic? About the corruption?" She let out a long breath and turned back to the senator. "What if the Republic is no more than a bunch of corrupt politicians and power-hungry fleet commanders?" Joan Beosketch took her aide and held her at arms length, turning her around as she did so.
"It isn't, Yumi. I promise you, it's isn't that bad." As the Senator walked away, Yumi said under her breath, "Not yet, Senator. Not yet."

They had it all wrong. Kamon, a New Republic Admiral umong other things, stood at the back of the protestors. He was getting tired of their yelling and screaming about what they knew nothing of. They claimed the Republic had done nothing for them and that it should be destroyed. Kamon knew this was not true.

The citizens of the Republic knew that what they were saying was not true as well. Kamon pushed his way into the middle of the protestors. Drawing on the Force, he used it to enhance the loudness of his speech.

"Yes, you are right that a terrible thing has been done this day," he began. "But you do not know the full extent of what is going on here."

The people of the Republic backed away from him and made a circle around him.

"I am Admiral Kamon Vondiranach of the New Republic Navy. I am also the Prince of Tholatin and a Rogue Jedi Knight. The actions that you perceive as being the actions of the Republic are in fact actions of an Admiral that was given no orders except by Chadd Fearsons, the leader of the Jutrallian Empire. Yes, Admiral Mnar is a traitor and a pawn being used to further the cause of the Jutrallian's."

"I personaly was not informed of his plans as he has claimed has happened. My faction, the Tholatin Republic, is allied with the Global Defense Initiative. I support them in many thing. I will support them in taking down Mnar, if what i have been told through my intelligence agents is true. Rest assured, Mnar will not go unpunished. He stole a fleet that did not belong to him, but to the Republic. I hope you now understand what truly is going on. I must leave now so I can meet with Supreme Commander Isstal and Mnar. I go in peace."

Kamon turned and walked through a stunned crowd. Apparently they had understood the true extent of what was going on. As Kamon exited the crowd, a cheer rose from it. Kamon smiled. <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Mission accomplished.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

<font color=silver>Coruscant - Republic Plaza

It is the turning point! No longer do we live in fear of our New Republic oppressers! The way to freedom is clear! We must cast of the shaskles of the Republic and embrace the light brought to us by the System's Commonwealth! Long live the Commonwealth!

<font color=silver>Coruscant - Republic Plaza

The speaker was back. The man, swathed as usual in his heavy black cloak, stood in front of the crowd that had gathered there, in the largest plaza on all of Coruscant.

The are was so large that the sunshine that would normally only penetrate this deep whe it was directly overhead could be seen, sweeping across the space.

And all that space was filled. Filled with screaming protestors, men and woman of all races and ages that had found within them the strength to rise up against the Republic, their government that was slowly rotting from the inside out.

This, he yelled to them, is the turning point! the Republic has heard our voices, and they are afraid! They do nothing to keep us at bay, nothing to stop us! They are afraid of us! The Republic will learn that their oppresive manners will not go free in this galaxy! They will pay the ultimate price for their lack of vision!

The words were darker than usual, more somber and less controlled. But they whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Hundreds of thousands of people, crowded into the plaza, screaming in barely controlled rage at those that opposed and oppressed them, all behind a mask of a fair government.

It was the turning point.

<font color=green>Coruscant - Republic House

And what, I pray, does the New Republic think it is doing in attacking the Galactic Defence Initiative?

The voice came from the full-size hologram of Admiral Hiram Drayson, of the Galactic Defence Initiative. Yumi, who was taking the place of the absent Joan Beosketch, shook her head.

I do not know, Admiral, what Admiral Mnar thinks he is doing. The attack was certainly not authorized by the Supreme Commander or the Chief of State.

Drayson's hologram frowned deeply at that.

So we're dealing with a rogue Republic Admiral with a large portion of your fleet?

Yumi, frowning deeply, nodded.

That is the situation, Admiral. I only wish that the people of Coruscant saw that the Republic saw this as you do. You have no doubt heard of the protests that have been rocking this world since the beginning of the attacks.

The GDI officer nodded.

The people need reassurence, Yumi. I doubt very much that they will believe anything you say until the attack is called off, and Admiral Mnar is punished for his actions.

Yumi nodded deeply, her eyes travelling to the crowds outside. They were, if possible, even larger now, louder. And every day they gained more momentum, drew more people into the fold that was their protest.

I do not know what the government intends, Admiral, but I share your hope that Admiral Mnar's actions will not go unpunished.

The officer nodded again, a smile coming to his face for the first time, though only briefly.

Yumi... if Admiral Mnar does not cease his actions against us... if we are forced into a battle, we will have to defend ourselves.

The senator's aide nodded.

Of course, Admiral. Let us hope it does not come to that.

<font color=silver>Coruscant - Senate Hall

What, she asked, her eyes blazing, the hell is going on? First you break a no-fire agreement and attack a peaceful faction for no better reason than your own gains. Then you let 3000 innocent civilians die due to your own commander's incompitence and fail even to send a note of apoligy to the victims! And all while the galaxy is supposed to have returned to a state of peace!

The others in the senate murmer amongst themselves, looking at the holo of the lost starliner Lady Eriadu, a tradegy that had unfolded only days before. The ship had ploughed straight into the Abolisher fields raised by the idiot Elegark Mnar, a pawn of the Jutraalian Empire.

And why? What reason does the New Republic have to launch an unprovoked attack on their brethren, indeed one of their greatest supporters? Power. Their own need and lust for more power. A Republic in name only, for the Republic is long dead. And in her place lies only deciet and lies. Deciet, lies, and terror. The New Republic has fallen, and in her place stands a New Empire.

<hr>

Coruscant - Republic Plaza

It was getting worse.
A quarter of a million citizens today filled the plaza. Screaming. Shouting. Outrage against the corrupt forces of the New Empire. Against their Fleet Admiral, who defied all logic is permitting an assault on the former Republic's most favourble supporter. Outrage at their Chief of State, who would allow such an occurence to come to pass. Outrage that Leia Organa Solo did not stop this madness and cut down Eleagark Mnar, the man who betrayed every ideal that the Republic stood for, where he stood.

It was akin to the fires of hell as the protests that had rocked Coruscant came to their climax. Two hundred thousand in Republic Plaza alone. And in each of the other hundred plazas within a hundred kilometres radius a further fifty thousand.

Five million citizens of the New Republic, screaming their outrage against the attrocities commited by this New Empire. Five million citizens.
Five million individual persons, all come together against this new threat.
Five million who wished to see the peace returned, as it rightly should have been.
Five million.
Five.
Million.

<font color=silver>Coruscant - Republic House

It was becoming difficult to count. The number of protestors outside number over a million. A million protestors here alone, and counless more such demonstrations outside Fleet Headquarters, Starfighter Command, and Army Command, to name a few.

Millions upon nameless millions of citizens. Citizens who were fed up. Citizens who wanted and deserved a change. Citizens that wanted to the see the tyranical rule of the New Empire end, and the shining light be brought forth.

In the last three days, the economy of the New Republic had boomed. And several dozen small civilian transport companies had made more credits than they had in their entire histories.

In the last three days, 2.6 million beings left Coruscant via civilian transports. An estimated 980 000 followed in their own ships or via rental ships or with hired pilots.

Hardly a dent in the endless masses of Coruscant's population, but the fact that among that number had been thirteen senators and over a hundred other important figures had pushed Coruscant into a slump.

Not enough, however, to end the protests. Still now a million beings filled the space all around the expansive Republic House, yelling jeers to senators or aides as they passed. The balconies all around were filled with protestors, as were the streets and floating platforms. Travel within a kilometre of Republic House was impossible.

The Military Police had again refused to intervene. The protestors had as of yet broken no laws, only excersized their right of free speach. The right that the New Empire had twice ordered them to remove.

Coruscant, as a whole, was on the brink of destruction. At the drop of a pin, the entire thing could come crashing down. The results would be disasterous.

The pin, the New Empire's assalt fleet at Eriadu, was that pin. And it was about to drop.

The Darkstar Terrorist Ship had been traveling for nearly three days in Hyperspace, avoiding several Military Bloccades, and the masses of Civilian traffic fleeing from Coruscant's deadly riots, initiated when the New Republic declared war on the Galactic Defense Initiative. Thoughts of death, destruction, and mass murder were all that Thydin thought of as he casuallt stepped into the cargo hold of the Carrack Cruiser, which he liked to call the Angel of Death. Careful procedures to remove any identifying tags that might link the ships that followed the Carrack were put underway months ago, and the time had finally come to use them.

As Thydin stepped up to the large warheads conceled under large black tarps, he couldn't help but grin as his men, all of which wore black, unlabeled jumpsuits began unloading the cargo, and getting them ready for the attack.

"Mister Thydin Sir, the Coruscant System will be coming up soon." one of them mentioned. Thydin nodded his head as dark thoughts plagued his mind.

The Largest Terrorist Organization in the Galaxy was about to make themselves known...



So it's true... Thydin thought as he stood in the shadows of a large skyscraper just outside of the Republic House. Hundreds of Thousands of protesters gathered, enranged as the riots began turning into a full scale revolt. He liked it. It pleased him to see such anger and frusteration in the innocent people of this system.

As he stood, a man approached him from behind, one of his black opperations officers.

"The warheads are im place, and ready to detonate on your order, sir."

He nodded and casually stepped out into the sunlight just behing the large crowds, which at this puint were faced the other way.

"Order the detonations." he said as he casually turned around to face his officer, a strange grin smothering his face.

"Yes sir...."

Moments later, a loud explosion ripped through the base of one of the massive skyscrapers that dominated the immediate region. The sound of shattering glass, the screams of citizens as they fled... it was all a welcoming sound to Thydin. A sound that he loved to hear. The sound of death.

The towering mass of concrete, metal, and glass shattered at the base, and the tower had gone into a dangerous lean, metal bars snapping like twigs unter the pressure. In a matter of moments, the building would come crashing to the streets below.

Meanwhile, two blocks away, another explosion ripped through the streets from just outside of a speeder, ripping through a busy shopping district dominated by upperclass shops.

Another explosion at the Cryonics Industries Embassy ripped a small section of the building down, but doing little damage. Mass panic would soon erupt.



The Cloaked Sith Infiltrators, which had been loaded with three Proton Warheads each were ready for there orders. Terrorists dedicating there lives to the Darkstar Organization would soon die for there cause as the cloaked Infiltrators prepared to enter hyperspace within twenty meters of the Shipyards, the cordinates directing the ships to go straight through them. On a private radio wave frequency, the order was given as Twenty Seven Sith Infiltrators executed there orders Ten shootting into the first Shipyard as the Proton Warheads exploded, ripping through the thick construction metals. Moments later, two other Shipyards were hit in the same fasion, as simular explosions ripped through them. Ten hitting one, and seven hitting the other.

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Carrack Cruiser
27 Sith Infiltrators


3 Shipyards
Estimated: 765,762 Casualties


1/3 of it's Embassy
100 Metric Tons of Durelium
Estimated: 11 Casualties


27 Sith Infiltrators
27 Suicide Pilots