Rebel Factions Fractured Over Ord Mantell

Ord Mantell, capital world of the Bright Jewel sector, is a known shadow port

ORD MANTELL - Hostilities erupted in the Bright Jewel sector this morning, as Imperial Navy formations emerged over Ord Mantell in an operation aimed at bringing law and order to this chaotic sector of the spinward Mid Rim. Predictabily, internecine squabbles divided separate Rebel and criminal factions, while Imperial officers imposed discipline on their juniors.

Taking an already crime-ridden world in the Mid Rim by surprise, the Imperial Navy emerged out of hyperspace over Ord Mantell in the Bright Jewel sector. Typical of the fractious Rebels in the region, different factions chose to train their turbolasers on one another than the Imperial lines of battle.

Canth Walden, a notorious rebel warlord, who was driven from the Corellian Sector some months ago, was identified as one of the Rebel factions over Ord Mantell. His first act was to narrowly drive a rival Rebel warlord from Ord Mantell's orbit.

Meanwhile, Lord Xenos II, an Imperial commander of the far north of the Outer Rim, brought swift discipline to a junior Imperial officer whose line of vessels proved to be insufficiently prepared to bring Imperial justice to the Rebellion. The result of this was hailed as a victory for Imperial discipline and good order.

Disturbingly, one fleet of Hammerhead corvettes opened fire on an Imperial line attempting to inspect the vessels for contraband. The hammerheads, suspected to belong to a criminal dealer in arcane data, only known as Shmitty the Dataslicer, was able to outmaneuver the Imperial line, and escape Imperial justice. Lord Xenos has been tasked with bringing the dataslicer to heel.

Ord Mantell is the capital planet of the Bright Jewel system of the eponymous sector at the crossroutes of the Celanon Spur and Entralla Trade Route. A world known as a shadowport for smugglers, crime syndicates, and other alien thugs, is a likely den for different Rebel factions. The Bright Jewel Rebels, whose mutual enmities are frequently greater than their hostility towards the Empire, are considered a mere nuisance for Imperial order.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Moff Mikael Hasselstein of the Corellian Sector

Mikael Hasselstein, Moff of the Corellian sector

CORELLIAN SYSTEM - After months of soothing news silence, Moff Mikael Hasselstein opens up about the challenges and successes of governing the Corellian sector and defeating the Rebellion there.

After a successful career of managing the HoloNet News Group, Hasselstein took on the challenge of governing the Corellian sector and maintaining peace, security and prosperity on this sector of the Core Worlds. Despite some Rebel attempts to instill terror into the peace of mind the citizens of the Corellian sector normally enjoy, Moff Hasselstein is happy to report that the Rebels are being driven from the sector, and its citizens can breathe easy once more.

In order to ease the minds of the Corellian sector's citizens, Moff Hasselstein agreed to an exclusive interview, after many months of maintaining news silence in the sector. Below is a transcript of the interview.

HNN: "Moff Hasselstein, thank you very much for being willing to sit down with us for an interview. It is a great honor for us to interview someone of your exalted station."

MMH: "Oh, please, think nothing of it."

HNN: "First off, can you tell us why there has been a news silence in the Corellian sector for these many months."

MMH: "Of course, of course. As you now know, there has been a little bit of a Rebel insurgency in the sector. The insurgents do what insurgents do. They crow about some small temporary successes that they may have had, and make a gundark out of a midge-fly. That serves to unnerve the citizens, who have a hard time putting the Rebel activities into perspective."

HNN: "So the Rebels did have some successes?"

MMH: "Well, they would certainly call them that. But in perspective, there were some small fleet actions in a few systems. We decided to withdraw a few Imperial flotillas in the interest of not allowing collateral casualties among the citizens."

HNN: "Some might criticize you for not assuming that citizens of the Empire would willingly lay down their lives for the Emperor and galactic pride and security."

MMH: "That is true, and it was taken into account. The Emperor does inspire that sort of feeling among His subjects, but we decided that it simply was not necessary in this case. If they still wish to do so, they may volunteer for the Stormtrooper corps, which is willing to take in able-bodied patriotic citizens."

HNN: "And now, is the sector safe from the insurgency?"

MMH: "Admiral Arno Vross and I recently had some glorious victories over the Rebels, including against the inhuman Admiral Theia, and the traitor Iago Yueh. I also anticipate good news from the Talfaglio system soon. With any luck, they will have learned their lessons, and will have crawled back to the Outer Rim, where their terrorism will not impact fine Core-World Imperial subjects."

HNN: "Well, we rejoice that you have the Corellian sector well in hand. How do you respond to reports of a Rebel insurgency also emerging in the Bright Jewel Sector?"

MMH: "I cannot comment on it before learning more. However, I have faith that our Imperial forces shall be victorious. Any commanders who fail us will be swiftly retired and replaced by more capable officers."

HNN: "Thank you for being willing to speak to us, Lord Hasselstein."

MMH: "Oh thank you for that title, but I am merely a humble servant of the Emperor. It was my pleasure."

Moff Hasselstein Breaks Off Attack to Save Civilian Lives

Star Destroyer Relentless and fleet depart Nubia to avoid collateral damage

CORELLIA SYSTEM - Imperial Navy forces return from front line after heroic attempt to liberate Nubia. Moff Hassestein, commanding, refused to destroy Nubia to save Nubia.

The fleet personally commanded by Moff Mikael Hasselstein of the Corellian sector returned to Corellia today after a heroic attempt to liberate Nubia from the rebel scourge that has plagued that world ever since a patrol sighted Rebel forces active in Nubian space.

Moff Hasselstein broke off the attack for fear of collateral damage on the planet.

"The Moff would have pressed the attack, but for the threat to the lives of the civilians, whom the Rebels used as human shields," an aide told HNN.

Moff Hasselstein was unavailable for direct contact, but his aide assured HNN that all was proceeding according to plan.

Meanwhile, citizens on Corellia were outraged that the Rebellion would stoop to the cowardly tactic of hiding behind civilians.

Nubia, a relatively rural but industrial world, was a peaceful planet until the Rebellion put the lives of its inhabitants at risk by infiltrating the populated centers with a military base. The base included the planetary ion cannon, which the Rebels usurped from the legitimate Nubian authorities, who are being held hostage by the Rebellion.

"While planetary bombardment would have easily cleared the Rebel stronghold," the aide told HNN, "the Moff thought it unconscionable to subject the civilians to such an ordeal."

Some among the stalwart Imperial ranks question Hasseltein's decision, asserting that the Moff ought not to have allowed a few civilian lives prevent the liberation of the whole world.

"It's simple," one junior officer, who preferred to remain anonymous, told HNN. "WWVD. What Would Vader Do? That's all you need to live by."

Understanding the proper chain of command, HNN immediately reported the junior officer to his immediate superior, who has scheduled the officer's disciplinary hearing and probably transfer to the Outer Sector Patrol Fleet commanded by Commodore Iago Yueh.

In Memoriam: Civé "Howlrunner" Rashon

Civé "Howlrunner" Rashon

CORELLIA - the Imperial Navy pays its respects to one of its finest TIE fighter pilots, Civé Rashon, affectionately known by her squadron as "Howrunner", and to her superiors as OS-72-1.

Rashon was the squadron leader of "Obsidian Squadron," a squadron of TIE fighters known for their capacity of pursuit and hard-hitting flight formations.

Her service came to an abrupt, tragic, but proud end in defense of Corellia, as a vicious rebel leader known as Kiza Bætti was beaten back from defiling this noble Core World.

Her wingman, Dodson "Night Beast" Makraven, known to his superiors as OS-72-2, remembered her fondly:

"She really was something," Makraven told HNN, "Even though our squadron had had a rough time of it in the battle over Vagran, she decided that we needed to be in the thick of it again."

Obsidian Squadron, under Rashon's leadership, had suffered casualties in a recent battle in the Vagran system, which allowed the Imperial Navy to defend this peaceful and wildlife-rich world from Rebel thugs, and to even build an Imperial garrison there to keep it safer still.

"While we could have used a refit," Makraven continued, "Howlrunner told our superiors - even Moff Hasselstein himself - that it was worth foregoing on the refits in order to build that garrison."

The Empire honors Rashon this day, and vows to continue her mission of keeping the galaxy safe from the Rebels who seek nothing more than the wicked destabilization of galactic civilization.

War Continues to Rage in Corellian Sector; Imperial Navy Optimistic for Victory

Victorious, the Relentless and Interdictor, vessels of Moff Hasselstein's Sector Group Command, orbit Corellia, defending the world from Rebel incursion

CORELLIA SYSTEM - The forces of the Imperial Navy continue to safeguard the loyal citizens of the Empire in the Corellia system, as Rebel attacks are thwarted and Rebel outposts in the sector continue to be rooted out.

This was another proud day for the Imperial Navy. While courageously defending the sector capital of Corellia from barbaric Rebels under the command of Kiza Bætti, Imperial forces further put additional pressure on Rebel outposts on the Drall, also in the Corellian system, and in the Sacorria system.

The defense of Corellia has broadly been deemed a great victory for the Empire. Inhabitants of the sector's most populous world witnessed the disabling of a Rebel cruiser in their skies, as well as the wreckages of destroyed Rebel fighters raining down on their landscape. Though some losses were bitter, the Empire's loyal citizens can rejoice that the Imperial Navy kept them safe once more.

Meanwhile, as the Rebels attempted in vain to attack the Corellian system's beating heart, a line of Arquitens cruisers continued to seek the elusive Rebel outpost on Drall. According to Imperial Intelligence, the outpost's location will soon be discovered, as the cruiser line was met in orbit by Rebel vessels under the command of the infamous Rebel warlord, Mysh Theia.

At the cost of a single light command cruiser, the newly-minted Commodore Iago Yueh disabled numerous Rebel corvettes. The fighter losses are still being counted, but agents with the Commission for the Preservation of the New Order (COMPNOR) deem the results to be favorable.

By victoriously engaging Theia's forces, Imperial retribution has begun for her countless depredations against decent Imperial citizens. The COMPNOR agents have declared it as no accident that the force was lead by Yueh's flagship, the Hand of Justice, which shall return to Corellia for needed repairs.

The Imperial Navy further anticipates news from Sacorria, where another strike at a suspected Rebel outpost took place.

Young Rising Star Given Battlefield Promotion in Corellian Sector

Former Lt. Commander Yueh of the cruiser Hand of Justice promoted to Commodore of the Outer Sector Patrol Fleet

CORELLIAN SECTOR - With the administrative demise of the previous commanding officer, Moff Hasselstein has promoted Lt. Commander Iago Yueh of the Command Cruiser Hand of Justice to Commodore of the Outer Fleet Patrol. A great deal rests on the shoulders this young scion of Coruscant.

Last week, Lord Vader visited the Corellian sector in order to bring morale and discipline to the fleet officers and crewers doing battle against the Rebel incursion into the Core Worlds. In the process, the head of one fleet command was removed through executive action on the part of Lord Vader.

In order to replace the vacancy, Moff Hasselstein has promoted an ambitious young officer, Iago Yueh, native of Coruscant, to the post of patrol fleet commander.

In this new role Commodore Yueh shall have to seek out Rebel outposts hiding in the various corners of the Corellian sector. Rebel presence has been detected on several worlds throughout the sector, such as Nubia, Polanis, Duro and Corfai, but also within the Corellian system itself.

While Imperial Security Bureau (ISB) officers hunt for Rebels on the surfaces of these planets, the Imperial Navy patrols the orbits, launching probe droids and fighter patrols.

Yueh has benefited greatly from his birth on Coruscant to influential parents, his performance at the Prefsbelt IV Naval Academy, and the personal mentoring of the late Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin - whose tragic death in a shuttle accident robbed the Emperor of one of His most faithful and inspiring servants. Soon, Commodore Yueh will be tested against the despicable mettle of some of the Rebellion's most cruel and infamous commanders - Mysh Theia, Canth Warden, and Kiza Bætti.

Effective "Community Policing" on Ord Mantell

Elite stormtrooper, engages in "community policing", enjoying the fruits of winning the hearts and minds of the populace on Ord Mantell

ORD MANTELL - Imperial authorities once again delivered another world from the scourge of the Rebellion's operatives. Responding to a tip from a private concerned citizen, Imperial stormtroopers cleared out a Rebel safehouse on Ord Mantell yesterday.

Responding to positive stormtrooper engagement with the local populace, a concerned citizen on Ord Mantell informed Imperial forces of the presence of a Rebel safehouse yesterday. Imperial forces swiftly descended on the Rebel location, clearing it with requisite force.

While the Rebel cell managed to barely escape, the surrounding populace was satisfied with the stormtroopers' elimination of the Rebel cell in their midst, especially given the minimal collateral casualties.

With the Rebellion increasingly becoming an enemy within the Empire, instead of merely a nuisance at galactic civilization's outskirts in the Outer Rim, Imperial forces have increased their vigilance and engagement with local communities.

Ord Mantell girl tells stormtrooper about parents' questionable conversations in return for candy

The Stormtrooper Corps' new strategy of "community policing" has borne fruit as citizens become more vigilant about the Rebel presence in their midst, and more forthcoming with tip offs to the Imperial authorities. Some loyal citizens have provided stormtrooper patrols with information on their own neighbors.

Especially children are comforted by the friendly presence of storm-troopers seeking to keep them safe from Rebel "meanies".

Children had previously been interrogated with the assistance of droids, same as adults. The new approach, using candy rather than interrogation droids, has proven to be more effective in eliciting useful information about disloyal activities of neighbors, friends, and even family.

"You'd be surprised what you can learn about the neighborhood in return for a Fizzyglug," patrolman TK-621 told HNN. "The bully on the corner was proven to be a Rebel Intelligence officer. Before [NAME REDACTED] narc'd him out to me, I thought he was just some moof-milker."

With the Rebel threat spreading among the galaxy's malcontent population, citizens are eager for an Empire willing to connect with them for the greater good of a peaceful galaxy with quieter streets.