Chapter 78 - Interlude: ShadowfeedI (1/2)
Shadowfeedstudio
Raxulon city
Raxus
”Good morning to you all, citizens of the Confederacy! I'm Ryloth Resa and today I want to welcome you all with our first broadcast from Raxus!” A blue Twi'lek woman exclaimed. Her face was hidden by strategically placed shadows, however her voice was know to trillion both in the Confederacy and the Republic.
”Good morning, Raxus! I'm Ull Haber and today we bring you the truth about the war from the center of the free galaxy!” An apparently human male whose face was hidden too displayed his exuberance for the whole galaxy to see.
”Lets start with the topic we at Shadowfeed know is on the minds of you all – the sudden change of leadership in the Confederacy!” Everyone watching could feel that Resa was beaming at the cameras. ”We've been diligently investigating for months before finding out the truth.”
”Indeed, Ryloth.” Ull added cheerfully. ”The results of our investigation are ready and they're why we took the radical step of moving here to Raxus. We at Shadowfeed are glad to dispel some of your fears.” He added in a more somber tone.
”It's regrettable that our agents were able to confirm others.” Resa could be seen nodding in the shadows. ”The former leader of the Confederacy, Count Dooku was arrested under suspicions that he was a Sith Lord.” The Twi'lek said. ”That came as a shock to many. After all, he's been saying for years that the Republic had fallen under Sith control and the Confederacy was the one true hope for freedom in the galaxy.”
”I'm afraid to report that we were masterfully deceived.” Haber spoke in a sad tone. ”Among Count Dooku's personal items seized after his arrest were documents and journals proving that he is indeed a Sith Lord. Even more concerning, he often speaks of a Master who is highly placed within the Republic.”
”We're making the documents our agents managed to copy available to you all to see.” Resa waved a hand and multiple windows appeared around the anchors. ”At this time its our best guess that the Clone Wars were engineered by the Sith so they could seize control of the Republic and crush the freedom loving people of the Outer Rim and those supporting the cause of real democracy and freedom across the galaxy.”
”The sudden appearance of the Republic general Veil, who freely admits that he's a Sith and his war-crimes lends further credence to that theory.” Haber continued. ”The most damning revelations about Count Dooku are fragmented orders retrieved by Confederate slicers confirming that he gave the orders for unleashing the bio-weapon Blue Shadow on both Naboo and Coruscant. Further, it was under his direction that the peace conference on Cato Neimodia was sabotaged and Republic Senator Padme Skywalker grievously wounded.”
”The betrayal by that Sith runs deeper. Our agents recovered data confirming that he persuaded Wat Tambor, the former leader of the Techno Union to make a deal with certain criminal elements in Hutt Space so they could make the Confederacy complicit in the enslavement of millions of peaceful Ryloth citizens!” Resa's rightful indignation shone through her words.
”After Dooku's guilt was proven, the Confederacy Council made the decision to attempt to end this war one last time so we could foil the Sith's plan.” Ull continued. ”Count Dooku was handed to a Republic naval battle group under the command of Jedi Master Rahm Kota more than a month ago so he can be put on trial for his crimes against all free sentient beings in the galaxy.” Haber paused. ”We heard nothing from the Republic since then. Attempts from Confederate diplomats to open talks were rebuffed.”
”Everything our agents could gather and all our sources in the Confederate government agree with one regrettable truth. The Republic appears to have fallen under the control of the Sith. It's unclear how many of the Jedi followed suit like the former Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, who was placed in charge of the Republic armed forces.” Resa took up the narrative. ”This is why the offensive currently carried out by Confederate forces across the galaxy was approved. There could be no peace, no freedom, while the Republic is under the control of power-hungry, warmongering Sith.”
”We all saw what means to lose when the Sith are in charge. Geonosis is a testament for the Sith's brutality and cruelty. Even now, more than two months after that world fell to Republic forces led by the Sith Lord Delkatar Veil, the civilian casualty count is being updated.” Haber reminded the viewers. ”Under the Sith, the Republic thew away all conventions of civilized warfare and wantonly bombarded civilian targets leading to more than four hundred millions of non-combatant casualties to date.”
”Yet, when general Grievous was sent to Mandalore to bring Veil to justice and execute a lawful reprisal, against strictly military targets mind you, he was captured and summary executed by Veil's ally Obi-Wan Kenobi. Even now, Republic propaganda is busy tarnishing the image of one of the Confederacy's most successful military leaders while singing praises to their own pet butcher!” Resa exclaimed full of righteous indignation.
”Fear not!” Haber announced. ”The days of the Sith and their pawns are numbered. As we speak, fleets led by the Confederacy's finest military minds liberate large parts of the galaxy! Forces under the command of admiral Kirst are ȧssaulting Kamino as we speak so they can capture the source of endless Republic manpower.”
”Other Confederate forces fight valiantly to liberate Mandalore and all peaceful New Mandalorians from the war clique led by Veil who took power after a coup following general Grievous attempt to arrest the war criminal.” Resa added.
”We can confirm another news that has been on the minds of many. Duro finally surrendered to Confederate forces under the command of Admiral Trench. The system is being fortified against Republic reprisals and efforts are underway to eradicate Sith influence among the Duro's government. Meanwhile, admiral Dua Ningo finally broke the fanatical Republic resistance at Antar and is consolidating his forces before pushing further into the Core...” Haber continued.
=RK=
”With the galaxy set aflame by the actions of the Sith, many citizens wonder why we fight.” Resa continued after the summary of the current military situation was over.
”It's an important question. Why the people of the Outer and Inner Rim should fight, sacrifice and die to save a decadent and corrupt Republic from its just reward?” Haber nodded emphatically.
”The answer is simple and regrettable. There is no other choice for any freedom loving being in the galaxy. We all know the history of the Sith, even if the details had fallen out of favor in many history classes. While we'll be running a special editorial about the history of the Sith later this week, the high points are obvious to us all. They become crystal clear when we examine the actions of Dooku and Veil, the two Sith we know for certain exist.” Resa explained.
”Wanton senseless destruction. War crimes. Slavery. Those are among their sins. How long before they announce that the Republic is no more and openly replace it with an Empire? How long before they stir the gullible into a frenzy and persuade them that everything that's wrong in the Core Worlds and the Inner Colonies is the fault of the peaceful people here in the Outer Rim? I ask you, how long before they come to put a durasteel boot on our backs because we dare defy them?” Haber exclaimed.
”If given the chance,tomorrow.” Resa answered the rhetorical question. ”We've been showing the galaxy the truth for months now. Bringing Republic propaganda, lies and crimes into the light. We've been doing the same when misguided elements in the Confederacy committed crimes in an attempt to retaliate for the GAR's atrocities.”
”The sad truth is that there could be no peace while the Sith control the Republic. If the Confederacy does anything less than its best to achieve a total victory, it wouldbe betraying not only the ideals it was built upon, but condemning every one of its citizens to life under Sith rule. Our few remaining agents on Mandalore showed us all what happens with those who oppose the Sith.” Haber said.
The Death Watch organization whose only crime was to wish a reform that kept their traditions alive and to support the Confederacy in its defiance of the Sith led Republic hadbeen outlawed and its members hunted down like rabid krath hounds. That's what awaits us all if the Republic is allowed to triumph – every free minded individual in the galaxy wouldbe labeled a dissident and hunted down for daring oppose tyranny!”
Phase 35: The Lost Fleet
=RK=
Part 7
Bridge
Mon Calamari Star Cruiser Liberty
Mon Cala system
This wasn't his place, Gial Ackbar thought. He should be back under the oceans of the homeworld with his prince. Instead, like a good Guard captain, Ackbar followed the orders he hadbeen given.
”How long, captain Rowe?” Ackbar asked the chief engineer in charge of retrofitting the Liberty into a warship.
The much older Mon Calamari looked up from a data pad he was studying and blinked at the interruption.
”We're running out of time.” Gial pressed on. ”The Republic fleet won't be able to keep the enemy off our backs for much longer and the capital might fall withing days. We need this ship ready to fight is way to friendly space with as many people we can cram on board.” Ackbar continued. ”How long?!” He asked again.
”The primary shield systems are good. We still have problem with the secondary emitters interfering with each other and scrambling targeting scanners along the broadside. While half of the turbo-lasers and Ion Cannons are installed and ready for testing, we're only thirty percent done with the Guardian. We need more time!” Rowe exclaimed.
”That's the one resource no one can give any of us, chief engineer. How will the Liberty stand up to Separatist frigates? To a battleship?” Ackbar sighed.
”Oh. That.” Rowe tilted its head in confusion. ”Why didn't you say so? Once we resolve the interference issues, she'll be able to take on a battleship or two even with the limited armaments we've been able to instal.”
Ackbar felt like strangling the engineer.
”Get it solved then. The first evacuees will be arriving tomorrow morning. We'll likely be carrying whats left of the Royal family too, so for all our sakes, I hope that you're right. We'll have to fight our way to friendly space.” Gial said.
Ackbar dismissed the engineer, made his way to the comm station andcontacted the Royal palace. Soon the captain was looking at the tired youthful face of prince Lee-Char, the heir of the Dac throne. The young royal was wore a crumpled blue uniform with only the few medals he had earned during the fighting when he got too foolhardy and actually led from the front to prove his bravery. Fortunately Gial and the rest of the Guard managed to keep their charge alive. At least the boy more or less knew how to handle himself in a scrap.