Political News

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Khoss Knylenn Assumes Power on Kuat

As many of you are aware, the last month for Kuat has been one of struggle and difficulty. The destruction of the Mandator, with the presumed death of Olenna Kuat, and the subsequent civil war has left the world broken and bloodied. However, there are some on the world still intent to rebuild and repair their damaged reputation.

With the support of the majority of Kuati noble families, Khoss Knylenn has officially taken control over the government. His first order was to call for a general ceasefire between the few remaining loyalist forces, and his own opposition group. So far as we can tell, the guns on Kuat have fallen silent, for now. While the fighting may have stopped, security is still tight around the planet, as Khoss aligned forces continue to move to secure key infrastructure facilities. To their credit, they do seem to be providing actual security, and are ensuring the infrastructure is online and operational.

Within a day of assuming control of the government, Khoss and representatives from all of the noble houses--except Kuat--have come forward to proclaim an end to the inheritance exemption that kept the Kuat family in power on the world for so long. A new representative council is also being formed, where all families will share equal representation, with the population being promised the chance to elect additional representatives to the council. This news has not been taken well by the only remaining member of the Kuat families core group--Mace Kuat.

Mace Kuat, along with Colonel Trax Schrew of the Kuati Defense Forces, are calling on the other members of the noble families to stop these moves, claiming them to be illegitimate and illegal under Kuati law. So far, this has just been an exchange of words, however Colonel Schrew has taken command of the remainder of the Kuati Armored Rapid Response Force, and is currently holding the largest military outpost on the world. This outpost, some 20 km to the south of Kuat City in one of the worlds low lying mountain ranges, hosts nearly ten thousand infantry, with armored vehicles and air support. While small in comparison to the entirety of the Kuati military, it is quite possible that this force may choose to continue fighting in the near future.

As for Kuat Drive Yards, it has been reported that the Ubrikkian government has officially seized all facilities of Ubrikkian Industries, ending the relationship with Kuat. In addition, a significant amount of facilities in the Kuat system itself are still under de facto control of the Techno Union, though many facilities previously contested by the various families have come back together.

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Kuat Crisis Over, Work Resumes

Earlier this morning, the Techno Union officially announced that they were handing over Kuat orbital facilities back to the hands of Kuat Drive Yards. The peaceful hand over has been coordinated with the new coalition government, and has gone well so far. Within hours, the entirety of Kuat facilities within the Kuat system were back in the hands of Kuat Drive Yards overseers. Personnel who had been under protective custody since the start of the civil war have reported that they were treated well by the Techno Union overseers, however, they are still happy to be back under the purview of the Kuati government.

Of note, while the majority of Techno Union forces have begun exiting the system, a small detachment will be remaining behind on a permanent basis. This new "Asset Protection and Recovery Division - Kuat Office" will be remaining to provide protection for Techno Union owned assets, and is working in cooperation with the Kuat government.

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Supreme Chancellor and Minister of State Visit Brentaal

Good evening gentlebeings, we go live to the main passenger terminal in orbit of Brentaal IV, where Supreme Chancellor Frix, and Minister of State Sartha, are arriving. Their stated purpose for this trip has been to address the rising concerns over Brentaal's handling of a supply situation in the Core Worlds.

We go now to Bormean Sector correspondent, Bruna Hregh.

"Thank you Nathaniel, as you can see, there's quite a crowd here at the space port even though it is nearly 2100 hours local time. Many are here to voice their concern over the new regulations in Brentaal, that are causing long delays in the shipping of goods, while others are here to protest the involvement of the Supreme Chancellor in what they view as an internal sector issue."

"The Supreme Chancellor's ship has just docked. We've been told he will be issuing a statement to the crowds as soon as he reaches the statio... excuse me..."

*The correspondent looks off camera, her face going pale. Red lights begin to flash and klaxons blare. The screen freezes and begins to fade, before returning.*

"Uh... we've just been informed that the systems primary communication hub has been damaged by an apparent collision. Communications are dropping throughout the system, but we have switched to an independent transmitter. Security forces are moving across the station and attempting to get people..."

*A female Rodian screams and points out a window behind the crew. The camera pans just in time to see the bow of a freighter plowing into the transparisteel window of the station. The screen goes white in a flash, before the feed is cut.*

We are back in the studio now... it seems we've lost the connection to our field reporters... We are trying to get them back now...

Oh... my gods... we are receiving reports that an explosion has destroyed the primary passenger terminal! The Supreme Chancellor's ship was caught in the blast! 

Communications with the Brentaal system are gone, but we are receiving reports of multiple explosions across Brentaal IVs orbit... What is happening!?

*The screen goes dark, replaced by a "Please stand by" message.*

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Alsakan Ends Recruitment Program

After a private meeting with the Alsakan government, where a retraction of our previous reporting on their large scale recruitment program was demanded, the producers here at Holonet News would like to issue the following statement.

"While the Alsakan government has demanded a retraction of our previous reporting, I have declined to provide it. We here at Holonet News are dedicated to providing the most up to date news, from across the galaxy, to you our viewers. Being pressured into violating our own reporting standards by Sector governments, and even the late Minister of State, would go against our mission. That being said, we will also acknowledge that the Alsakan government, on paper, had requirements in their program to prevent their recruiting program from taking active duty members of defense forces, or those with standing obligations, from their home sectors."

Shortly after their meeting with our producers, the program was officially terminated by the Alsakan government. We do believe that in this situation, the results of the program simply got out of hand, and that there was no ill intent by the government of Alsakan.

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BREAKING NEWS: Panic at the Jedi Temple!

We are receiving reports from across Coruscant that a disturbance is happening at the Jedi Temple. Our information indicates that approximately 30 minutes ago, a large ground shake occurred, with monitoring stations reporting that the Temple was the epicenter. Witnesses in the area at the time described the shake as sudden and violent, and also described sensations of fear, dread, and nausea that they could not explain. Some have even claimed to have heard disembodied screams as the shake occurred.

During the shake, an odd phenomenon was recorded--bolts of brilliant blue lightning could be seen emanating from the temple itself, lancing into an otherwise clear sky. After the shake, many Jedi were observed fleeing the temple grounds. We have reached out to the representatives of the Jedi Order for comment, but have received no response at this point.

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Brentaal Crisis Averted

Today marked the conclusion of relief efforts in orbit of Brentaal IV, where a combined fleet from the Grand Army of the Republic and the Azurite Defense Forces worked together to save the planet from further tragedy.

After the apparent attack on the system by explosive laden freighters, several orbital facilities were heavily damaged, and posed a significant threat to the planet below. As the gravity of Brentaal IV began to drag down the orbital facilities, the planet enacted emergency protocols, beginning evacuations and attempts to get people into sheltered areas. The Bormea Sector defense forces began to react, but were slowed by issues with communications and the panic that comes from having a system attacked. Thankfully for the people of Brentaal IV, the GAR and ADF arrived to provide aid.

Flotillas of Carrack-Class Cruisers and Valor-Class Cruisers moved quickly, arriving at Brentaal with little time to spare. The Brentaal government eagerly accepted their offer of assistance, and the combined fleet got to work. Utilizing the large amount of tractor beams on their ships, the fleet began the slow work of dragging the massive orbital stations back into stable orbits. After days of around the clock work, the Brentaal government announced that the orbital plane was clear once again.

As the chaos over Brentaal IV begins to calm, the Republic is hard at work trying to determine what exactly happened.

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Panic on Coruscant!
New disease discovered near the Jedi Temple...

Panic is starting to spread on Coruscant as the Grand Army of the Republic begins a lock down and quarantine around the Jedi Temple. These new quarantine rules are effecting an area nearly fifty-five kilometers away from the Temple. Official statements on the disease itself are sparse, however, we have heard numerous first and second hand statements regarding it.

According to our information, this new disease presents as a cancer, and begins by attacking the central nervous system of the patient. Symptoms include loss of motor control, seizures, and nerve pain. In addition, the immune system response to these new cancer cells is uncharacteristically extreme, causing fevers, internal hemorrhaging, and weakness. The most troubling aspect of this new disease, is that it seems to effect all species equally. From our sources, initial signs of the disease can occur within five days of "infection"--we are using this word loosely as the cause of this disease is not known. Within a week of initial symptoms, the majority of patients have experienced permanent damage to their central nervous system, leading to neuropathy, long term pain, and limited mobility. There have been no officially reported deaths.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one of the doctors leading relief efforts on behalf of the GAR, sent us this statement... "We have no idea what's causing this. We've ruled out infection, we've ruled out exposure to known radiations, and we've ruled out a virus. These cancerous cells start spreading dramatically, and quickly, unlike anything we've seen. And the lines about no deaths? Lies. Unless we get to a patient within the first five days, they're gone. The scary thing, the disease doesn't kill them, blasters do. After the approximately two weeks of the disease running it's course, people go insane. They're changed by the growths in their body and tend to attack anyone around them without question. The mysterious thing, some are recovering, and seem perfectly fine! We have no idea what is actually going on here."

Another, who was working with an apparent Jedi Healer group during their analysis of patients had this to say... "I've never seen a Jedi with that look on their face. I watched them examine twenty patients, getting more and more concerned with each one. By the last patient, they had a look of panic and horror on their faces. They spoke amongst themselves and then left, to report to someone higher up. I haven't seen them since."

Needless to say, the huge amount of questions surrounding this new disease, and the GAR response, are leaving many concerned. Numerous senatorial delegations have been spotted leaving Coruscant, and spaceports across the planet are reporting large numbers of people trying to leave the world as quickly as possible. The transport infrastructure of the galaxy's capital is being overwhelmed, and the panic is spreading.

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REPUBLIC LOCKDOWN

In an unprecedented move, newly elected Supreme Chancellor Vos has initiated a mandatory lockdown. This move is in response to the new diseases reportedly spreading through Coruscant and Devaron, which according to our reports, is nearly 80% fatal. Unexpectedly, this lockdown is not restricted to just Coruscant and Devaron, but appears to be for the Republic as a whole. Many Senators, especially those from the mid and outer rim have been fielding hundreds if not thousand of complaints from their constituent governments, and many are outright refusing to adhere to the "draconian measures being presented by the Supreme Chancellor."

Those who have begun the lock downs have initiated severe travel restrictions. Hospitals and medical facilities across the Core are working around the clock to screen people showing even the slightest symptoms for the disease, and hundreds of millions of sentients are finding themselves in quarantine. 

To make matters more complicated, we've received reports that military forces from Alsakan, the Tapani Federation, the Coruscanti security forces, the Techno Union, the Grand Army of the Republic, and even the Bothans are mobilizing. Many of these entities have forces enroute to Coruscant to assist with an unspecified military operation. This has led many to speculate that this is not a disease at all.

Henrick Dusel, a merchant in Coruscant's mid-levels, said this... "It's obvious they're hiding something! This is an attack by the Sith, I just know it, they're back to burn Coruscant to the ground again and these 'leaders' are just trying to keep us locked inside so we're easy pickings!! I bet they're involved with the Sith... especially that Azurite bastard Wellyhac! Where are his forces? The most active military in the galaxy is suddenly too busy to rush to Coruscant... I SEE THROUGH YOU AZURITE BASTARDS! Just want to save your strength so you can take over!" Mr. Dusel continued to spout profanities and conspiracy theories so we cut the recording.

Many other conspiracy theories abound, from this being a simple ploy for the Supreme Chancellor to seize power, to others concerned the Jedi have unleashed some hideous force monsters on the galaxy and are using the "sith" as a scape goat. Needless to say, none of these are substantiated at this time. Plus we do have evidence of this disease, as the number of cases continues to grow. The fear and anxiety across the Core is palpable. Many shops are reporting bare shelves as people begin hording supplies. Shelf stable food like "travel biscuits" are now being sold for 10 times their original cost, as people with large supplies of the food are trying to profit off the panic.

With no set expiration date for these emergency measures, we are left to wonder how long we will be in lock down, and how far this disease will spread.

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Republic Members Respond to New Plague

As the world of Coruscant descends into panic, many governments around the Republic are finalizing responses to the rise of this new disease. Within Bothan Space, the government is responding by initiating quarantines and screening against the "Devaron Cordyceps," the parasite originating from Devaron that seems to be the only contagious version of this new disease. The Bothans seem to be ahead of the game, and have instituted a large scale system for screening traffic that has traveled through either Coruscant or Devaron. So far, there are no official reports of the illness being discovered, though rumors are spreading that several infected individuals have been intercepted. After the broadcast of the battle outside the Jedi Temple, and reports from Devaron itself, it would seem the Bothan population has rallied behind their governments efforts.

In the Axum system, the government of the Azure Sector has been working at a rapid pace to prepare for the worst case scenario. The Office of Naval Intelligence, the Constabulary Service, and the State Medical Service have all begun working around the clock to begin programs for screening, identifying, quarantining, and containing individuals who may have been exposed to either variation of this disease. With funding flowing from government coffers, their preparations are being completed in record time. The rigid and stern people of the Axum system are taking new requirements and the threat of the disease spreading to heart, and many are submitting themselves for voluntary testing and quarantine as it seems necessary. Further out in the system, ten new quarantine facilities are under rapid construction on the moons of Phlors Rex and Phlors Regina. These facilities have taken over defunct mining operations, and are being transformed into medical quarantine facilities by the Azurite government.

Even the Trade Federation has begun work to prepare for the worst. While they have not engaged in wide spread testing or quarantines, the Trade Federation has issued a Level 3 travel advisement, recommending against traveling to Coruscant or Devaron unless absolutely necessary, and passports have been revoked for individuals from effected regions. In addition, shipments of medical supplies and hospital staff have arrived on Coruscant from the Federation, and are working to reinforce the strained hospital system on the Capital world.

Corellia is also responding to the situation, transforming former prison barges into the quarantine facilities. Mandatory quarantines and screening has been implemented and individuals trying to bypass screenings are being tracked down by CorSec. So far there are no reports of the disease spreading to Corellia.

Finally, the situation on Coruscant. As panic spreads throughout the galactic capital, public services have been overwhelmed. Trillions of sentient beings are succumbing to panic as hospitals are overrun, spaceports are jammed with people trying to escape the world, and people attempt to escape the effected area. To make matters worse, reports of the mutant force beasts being seen across the city have begun to pour into security offices, as they have seemingly broken quarantine. The Jedi Temple, sight of the battle, remains burning with plumes of dark fog pouring from the openings created by the Grand Army. Reports of new cases of the illness as far as the Senatorial Residence District abound, as the previous limit of the infection seems to have been surpassed. Senators from across the galaxy are enacting emergency plans and attempting to flee the world, as the Galactic Capital slowly decays into a city of death and horror.

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BREAKING NEWS: Senate Being Evacuated

We have received confirmed reports that the Senatorial Guard and Ailon NovaGuard are enacting a full evacuation of the Senate District. Transports bearing the markings of the Senate are launching every few minutes from the districts primary spaceport, with a destination of safe zones on the moon Centax. Riots are breaking out around the spaceport as individuals who reside in the district attempt to flee on the ships, however, they are not members of Senatorial delegations and are being prevented by the NovaGuard from entering the port. Weapons fire has been reported around the perimeter.

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Grand Army Evacuates
Panic consumes the Capital...

*The normal background for the news, the Coruscant skyline, has been replaced by a well manicured beach with bright sun and tropical plants.*

Good evening gentlebeings, we apologize for the change of scenery... following the order to evacuate the Senate, our producers and administrators called for a general evacuation of the majority of Holonet News staff. Instead of coming to your from Coruscant, we now come to you from the vacation world of Hesperidium, until we can be sure of the safety of our personnel on the Capital.

In the days since the evacuation of the Senate, there have been trillions of sentients fleeing the world. Anyone with a private spacecraft has been working to get off planet, violating travel restrictions and quarantine to escape what they see as a dire fate. To make matters worse, we've received reports that the Grand Army has been lifting the family members of service members off world and taking them up to orbiting ships. They are also evacuating the last of their sentient command and support staff, leaving only combat troops and droids to protect the galactic capital. According to our reports, all non-essential GAR personnel are being ordered to Anaxes, where the Azurite government has promised safe haven and support in establishing secondary command and control facilities.

Rendili has joined the group of worlds enacting strict quarantine and screening protocols. They have begun rounding up any individual traveling to the world from effected areas, and screening them for the parasite or cancer that are afflicting the galaxy. Their military has also enacted a series of strict security measures aimed at stemming the flood of individuals from other Core worlds who may be affected by the disease.

On Coruscant, the situation grows dire. People who can are fleeing the areas affected by what everyone is calling the "Jedi Curse." Gangs are taking over large swaths of territory and instituting their own quarantine and security protocols, outright murdering anyone who shows symptoms. The number of cases has entirely overwhelmed the medical services of the world, and people are resorting to new "miracle remedies" to fight the disease--typically bought at a high price from less than reputable sources. To make matters worse, sightings of the force mutants are increasing exponentially, with attacks being reported hundreds of times a day. Holo recordings have been captured showing packs of beasts hunting in the lower levels, attacking sentients and dragging their unconscious forms away.

Those with the means to leave the planet, are doing so. With the volume of people fleeing Coruscant, there has been no hope to maintain any semblance of orderly evacuation, or screening prior to escape, leading many to speculate that there are several infected who managed to flee the world. Refugees are spreading around the galaxy from the capital. Already, the Centax moons are overwhelmed. The resort moon of Hesperidium is already waving away ships not belonging to high influence individuals or government officials. Reports indicate that over 100 billion beings have already fled the capital, with transports heading to the Techno Union world of Foerost, to Metellos, to Alsakan, and towards Tanjay.

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More Evacuations...

Good evening gentlebeings, tonight's report covers additional evacuations from Coruscant as the situation seems to be deteriorating on the world. We have received word that the Alsakani forces, creditted for holding the line during the battle of the Jedi Temple, have been airlifted off the world by the Grand Army of the Republic, and are heading home to Alsakan. Coruscanti Security forces are attempting to fill the gap, and working with the Ailon NovaGuard to try and hunt down the roving packs of mutants. 

In more distressing news, we have received confirmed reports of the more intelligent variety of mutants, being labeled as Sithspawn by some, being located in starports attempting to flee the planet amongst refugees. The individuals that have been caught have either been killed by security forces or have fled back into the undercity. Reports from the undercity are dire, as spottings of the mutants continue to increase, and are now coming from across the planet. Coruscanti Security forces have expanded their quarantine zone, now covering an area one-hundred kilometers from the Temple, and are apparently acting independently of the Republic government. 

The refugee crisis from Coruscant is only getting more serious as the days go on. Word has reached us that nearly ships overburdened with passengers are still lifting off of the world, breaking any attempts at quarantine. The Coruscanti defense fleet, once again operating outside the authority of the Republic government, has been seen forcibly returning ships to the world in an attempt to stem the flow of potentially infected individuals. 

Tragedy struck in orbit of Foerost several hours ago. A passenger freighter, requesting permission to land on the world, was engaged and destroyed by ships of the Asset Protection and Recovery Division of the Techno Union. Official statements from the Foerost fleet have reiterated that the world is not accepting refugees from Coruscant or Devaron, and attempts to violate the security zone of the planet will be met with deadly force. Estimates indicate that the passenger ship was loaded with a minimum of 2000 civilians, and had been warned off of its approach numerous times, getting within minutes of atmospheric reentry before it was engaged by the defense forces. Since the incident, those ships with enough fuel have turned around and are heading elsewhere, though at least two dozen passenger ships remain in the Foerost system outside of the security zone of the planet.

Meanwhile in the Alsakan system, the government has engaged in an extensive plan to begin screening and accepting refugees. Mandatory quarantines are being enforced for all ships coming to Alsakan from Coruscant, with supplies being delivered to those ships needing them. In addition, several droid operated passenger liners have been set up in the staging area, and are being used as makeshift quarantine zones to alleviate the burden on ships that were carrying too many passengers. In addition to travel advisories being issued by the government, these methods are working to at least control the flow of individuals to Alsakan. 

Governments across the Outer Rim are also responding to the possibility of refugees traveling from the Core to their worlds. The Mandalore Sector has put strict travel restrictions into place in an attempt to stem the flow of potentially infected individuals. They have also gone so far as to prohibit the transfer of goods between the Mandalore Sector and both Coruscant and Devaron. In the Epsi Collective, a mandatory fourteen day quarantine has been instituted for all visitors to the Sector. Several quarantine stations have been set up in system and are serving as screening and holding facilities during this time period.

One of the governments undertaking extraordinary measures to assist with the refugee crisis is the Lantillian Sector. Reports indicate that communications have been sent across the Sector in an attempt to secure places for refugees to settle, at least temporarily. These measures seem to working, and temporary housing facilities are being set up on numerous worlds within the Sector. Already, billions of sentient beings have been flocking to the sector, and are undergoing screening. The initial screening efforts found themselves quickly overwhelmed, but secondary facilities in isolated regions on the surface of the planet are also working.

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With Open Arms
Azure Sector aids refugees...

The chaos on Coruscant seems to continue to gain momentum, as more and more reports of mutant attacks come in. Many have fled parts of the world, with the Senate district becoming a hollow shell of its former glory. Now only military forces and mutants operate within it's boundaries, boundaries which seem to be entirely under the effect of the odd radiation spreading from the Jedi Temple. To make matters worse, infection rates seem to be dramatically increasing with less exposure than previously. This has resulted in all organic troops in the district wearing heavy biohazard and radiation shielded equipment.

While the situation on the surface of Coruscant deterioriates, another pressing issue is happening in the Core. As the estimate of refugees fleeing Coruscant continues to move upwards rapidly, we can now increase the minimum evacuees from the world to 250 billion sentient beings. As worlds like Alsakan put forth efforts to try and deal with the incoming flood of beings, others like Foerost have strictly forbidden refugees from entering their space. One world, however, is attempting to welcome refugees with open arms... the Azure Sector.

Since the first evacuation from Coruscant, a small group of high ranking military personnel have relocated to Anaxes, and are apparently coordinating relief efforts with Azurite command personnel. In addition, a large portion of dependents of the GAR forces from Coruscant have opted to remain on Coruscant, being assured housing by the Azurite government. The remainder of GAR forces that were evacuated have since moved to Alsakan. A surprise move, was the move by BoSS to follow suit, with their main headquarters being at least temporarily relocated to a tertiary block of the Citadel, along with archives and equipment. Due to the diffused nature of BoSS, and the quick acts of the Azure Sector, disruption to BoSS services have been minimal. 

In addition, several new colonies are going up on moons orbiting Phlors Rexus and Phlors Regina in record time. Estimates indicate that with the funding from the Azure Sector, they could be looking at a minimum of 25 billion permanent refugees being housed in the new colonies as well as being integrated into the Azure Sector's existing population centers. As news of this has broken, many people being turned away from Foerost, or others tired of waiting at Alsakan, have begun moving to the Azure Sector.

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Violence on Corellia

As the rest of the core is working to come to grips on the continuing Coruscant crisis, the world of Corellia is having to deal with other issues. As strict quarantine and screening protocols are being put into place on one of the galaxy's most prosperous trade worlds, the government's police force--CorSec--is hard at work rooting out corruption. Taking advantage of new inspection requirements, it would seem the CorSec has taken it upon themselves to eliminate one of the most notorious criminal enterprises from their space--The Black Sun Syndicate.

The Black Sun is known for having it's hands in most every major criminal enterprise on Corellia, and has maintained this status for decades. Now, however, they are finding themselves with their backs against the walls as efforts by CorSec is clearing out the criminal element. While there is no doubt that these efforts have been effective, sadly they also mean that blaster fights breaking out in the streets of Coronet City has become fairly common place. CorSec will not be slowed however, and with over 2000 arrests in the last month, seems to be well on its way to ridding the world of the influence of the Black Sun.

The Corellian Sector government has fully backed these action with the establishment of the new CorSec Anti Corruption taskforce. "We have built a portfolio of the crimes and corrupt links between this syndicate and Corellin citizens, as well as number of officials who have been removed from their posts during this operation. I was to make it very clear - corruption will no longer be tolerated in the Corellia Sector. We have toppled the Black Sun, and will continue tp pursue corrupt individuals and organizations. Make no mistake, we will find you, and you will answer for what you have done." said Oldo Blannka, the lead of the new taskforce.