Star Wars Chronicles: One Galaxy Away

This was a tongue-in-cheek "news column" I did on another site.

GENERAL

Space Station Near Completion

Author: Jax Pavan

    GALACTIC CITY, CORUSCANT - Representatives of the Imperial Military Apartment of Advanced Weapons Research announced today that the DS-1 Orbital Battle Station is in the final stages of its construction. The main brain child of the Tarkin Initiative has been the talk of the galaxy for the past decade, with little on the project being made public. Today however, Director Orson C. Krennic showed much enthusiasm in bringing forth this announcement at the Avenue of the Core Founders in Imperial Plaza.

    "This will be a day long remembered," said Krennic as he stood in front of the stature for Core Founder Tyler Sapius Praji. "In time the galaxy will know it does not pay well to mess with the Empire. Any system that stands against the Emperor will receive swift and just retribution."

    When questioned on the technical details of the battle station, Director Krennic fielded such queries to scientists of the Tarkin Initiative. In response to a question on the station's purpose, lead scientist Dr. Galen W. Erso stated: "The DS-1 is made to provide a sense of security to the galaxy. While its primary weapon may be capable of destroying entire planets, we assure you that that is not its primary purpose. We value our galaxy's protection over its destruction."

    "It is our hope that the orbital station will be an open place to all," says Erso's colleague Vlex Onopin. "We hope to install play areas for children to enjoy. We already have a slide that leads into a pool. There's even a live dianoga that you can pet and cuddle! All we need to do is clean out the waters and it will be an ideal place for families to spend their summer vacation."

    When concerns were raised over the DS-1's informal moniker of "the Death Star," Director Krennic was quick to assuage such concerns. "It's just a name," he assures the public. "Some of our project names can be a bit unwieldy, so we need something quick and concise to use when discussing them. Dr. Erso insists on using the name 'Stardust,' but I am much more fond of Governor Tarkin's suggestion. Besides, when those Rebel scum hear the name 'Death Star,' they'll think twice before trying to oppose us."

    Prior to the announcement, Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin (Seswenna Sector) was asked to commen on his namesake division's pet project. The Eriadu-born governor simply stated: "I have great confidence in Director Krennic and his team. We have been working on this project since the final days of the Republic and I have nothing but high hopes for our little battle station."

Palpatine: "Jar Jar Is My Friend"; Naboo Senator Receives Medal of Honor

Author: Jax Pavan

    GALACTIC CITY, CORUSCANT (17:5:23) - Today marks the one year anniversary of the First Galactic Empire. It was here on this day that Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine made the Declaration of a New Order, reorganizing the failing Republic into a new, stabilized Empire. Across the galaxy, celebrations are being held and honors are being received; however, none are being as talked about as the one announced by His Imperial Majesty himself today at the Imperial Palace.

    "I owe much to Senator Binks," said Emperor Palpatine as he sat upon his throne, flanked by Grand Vizier Sate Pestage and his enforcer Lord Darth Vader. "Were it not for his bold actions, I would not be where I am here today."

    It was four years ago, on 13:5:21, that then-Rep. Jar Jar Binks (Naboo), sitting in for the absent Sen. Padme Amidala, moved for the Galactic Senate to give emergency powers to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, enabling him to create the Grand Army of the Republic and wage war against the Confederacy of Independent Systems (CIS). Since then, Binks has been honored throughout the galaxy as a hero of the Republic-cum-Empire.

    "Jar Jar is my friend," Palpatine said in his speech prior to bestowing Sen. Binks with the Hero of the Empire award. "Were it not for him, we would all be pawns of the Separatists."

    Upon taking the stand, the Gungan senator stated: "Mesa berry, berry grapeful! Palpy is bombad ruler. Wesa should all be berry, berry grapeful."

    Sen. Binks is scheduled to join the Emperor and his inner circle for a celebratory dinner at the Imperial Palace. Lord Vader has reportedly declined to join them, stating that: "Senator Binks clearly has me mistaken for someone else. I do not know of anyone named 'Ani' let alone one who bears any resemblance to me. I understand that the Clone Wars has taken a toll on all of us, but he should know better than to refer to someone by the wrong name."

BUSINESS
Banking Clan Raises Concerns Over Blockade Proposal

Author: Sylvia V. Tarson

   HARNAIDAN, MUUNILINST - Earlier this Taungsday, Imperial economics experts met with representatives of the InterGalactic Banking Clan to discuss Emperor Palpatine's plans for an Imperial blockade around the Gordian Reach, where rebel operatives are suspected to be hiding.

    Yars Tonith, spokesman for the Banking Clan, expressed his concerns over the projected budget for the blockade. "This is beyond ridiculous," opined Tonith. "This far exceeds any of the Empire's other projects, including that Death Star you always seem to be working on," the banker stated, referring to the Tarkin Initiative's pet project the DS-1 Orbital Battle Station.

    Imperial representatives have remained resolute in these negotiations however. "The Banking Clan will supply the funds if they know what's good for them," declared Ars Dangor, standing in for the Emperor in these talks. "If they do not, we shall procure a different means for funding, even if it means forcing the rebels themselves to pay for it."

    The Banking Clan is expected to reach a decision later this week. Chairman Garsh Vapeet had originally expressed opposition to the proposal when it was announced last month. However, he has since changed his views following a personal meeting with Emperor Palpatine himself. "It's really not too huge of a loss for us," the chairman said as he stood shaking and looking pale outside the gates of Harnaidan last Benduday. "If His Imperial Majesty desires the funds, he shall receive them. So long as it means keeping those rebel scum out of our sectors."

EDITORIALS
In Sheev We Trust

Author: Jax Pavan

   There have been many men and women and other who have sat in the Officer of the Supreme Chancellor in the Galactic Republic's 25,000+ years of existence. But there have been none that we can trust as much as Sheev Palpatine.

   Some may scoff at the prospect of a Rim boy ever surpassing the likes of Tarsus Valorum or Dorian Janarus. But Palpatine manages to exceed such expectations and more. Barely out of his teens when he entered the political scene on Naboo, he climbed out of the Apprentice Legislator program to the role of ambassador under Senator Vidar Kim and continued to work his way up. After Vidar was assassinated, Palpatine was sworn in as Senator of Naboo. Before anyone knew it, he was nominated for Supreme Chancellor during the Naboo Crisis and, well, the rest is history.

   Now, Palpatine has not been without his critics over the years. Some were quite outspoken when the Emergency Powers Act was passed to extend his term in office indefinitely, and even more so when Representative Jar Jar Binks pushed for even more powers to be granted to him in time for the Clone Wars. But what those critics failed to realize was that Palpatine was not just the leader we needed at that time, but the leader we deserved.

   For too long had the Republic stood by while system after system left to pursue their own agendas, eventually amassing into a force to be reckoned with. Previous Chancellors such as Valorum, Kalpana, and Frix had idly sat by, concerning themselves only with the Core Worlds and its neighboring regions. But Palpatine is from the Rim; he knows of the plights and perils that lurk beyond the Core's borders. He knows that greater control and regulation is needed to provide peace and security to the galaxy. And he knows how to do just that.

   That's why he more than any Chancellor needed the power he has now: he knows how to use it. Valorum, Kalpana, and all those before him... they didn't know the first thing about fixing the galaxy. They barely knew how to fix a door let alone a city let alone a planet let alone a galaxy!

   But Palpatine knows how to do just that. He knows how to keep a system in line, or two or even three thousand. And he definitely knows how to fix a door.

   So don't listen to the naysayers and the critics. They are all just rebel propaganda, trying to deter you from the magnificence that is the new era our Republic has entered; the new, Imperial era. Don't put your faith or trust in any of them. Put your faith in Sheev: He will fix your door.

"Unlimited Power" Is Rebel Propaganda

Author: S. Cyrus Keldon

    People across the galaxy are talking about Brox Valasen's newest book, Unlimited Power: The Inner Workings of the Chancellor's Office. The thing is, no one should be giving this piece of rotten rebel filth any sort of attention beyond pure derision.

    Valasen had been a long outspoken critic of Chancellor Palpatine from the day he took office. During the Separatist Crisis, he participated in a protest on Senate Plaza and was sentenced to five years in prison after he spat in a Judicial Officer's face. Now he has been released and is armed with his "magnum opus", which he began concocting during his time in prison and has finished in the months since.

   Unlimited Power shows quite blatantly that Valasen has absolutely no idea how the government operates and is based on little more than second-hand misinformation and misconceptions of how the Supreme Chancellor goes about his every day business. He knows nothing and should not be taken as a reliable source of information.

    The following is an excerpt from Unlimited Power and only shows how clueless Valasen is:

"No less than a week after assuming office, Chancellor Palpatine tasked Vice Chancellor Mas Amedda with running the day's senate session while he flew back to Naboo to participate in a speeder race in the streets of Theed. Apparently it had been the Chancellor's life-long dream to become a professional racer and only entered the political scene because his estranged father had forced him to. 

    A friend of mine whom I spoke with the day I was released told me that she saw a man who bore a striking resemblance to our beloved Chancellor cruising through the aisles of Theed in a state-of-the-art, fully customized JG-8 luxury landspeeder, racing alongside his close friend and confidant Kinman Doriana. She said she could not believe her eyes at what she was seeing."

    Now this right here is misinformation at its fineness. Chancellor Palpatine is a respectable and dignified man who cares about how the public perceives him. He wouldn't be caught dead driving something as hideous and crude as the SoroSuub JG-8. The Narglatch XJ-2 is far more stylish and much more akin to the Chancellor's taste. Perhaps Valasen's "friend" had mistaken the two models and perhaps it was actually Kinman Doriana who was driving the JG-8. But that is a benefit of the doubt I am not willing to give Valasen, let alone one of his "sources".

    Here's another fine example of Valasen's conceit:

    "I had the pleasure of speaking with a retired Senate Guard two weeks after my release. Apparently the "blues" have been phased out for these new red "Royal Guards", with masks that hide even more of their face than Senate Guard uniforms do. They have zero identity, zero personality, they hardly even speak. At least Senate Guards could be personable when they were off-duty or something. But these new "reds" don't seem to get any kind of break. All they do is just stand there and look intimidating, giving government buildings even more of a totalitarian feel."

    Now this right here is just finding things to criticize for the sake of criticizing. Why would you need to relate to a Senate/Royal/whatever Guard? Their job is to protect the Chancellor. That's it. They're not here to socialize or to look pretty. The fact that one would even think otherwise... it's clear at this point that Valasen is just grasping at straws. Would he have said any of this if it were Valorum or Kalpana still in office? I think not!

    And last but certainly not least (in terms of sheer stupidity):

    "Does anyone remember Sei Taria, Staff Aide to Chancellor Valorum? Or how about former Vice Chancellor Parsh Var'syk? Has anyone heard from either of them since Palpatine took office? The last thing I ever read of Taria was a gossip editorial about her alleged affair with Valorum, which estranged him from his wife and family. And there's virtually nothing on Var'syk in the Galactic Hall of History even though there's plenty on past Vice Chancellors. Does no one else find this suspicious? Does no one else find it odd when a clerical worker is fired after no more than two weeks and proceeds to fade into obscurity? Or when protesters vanish without a trace with no more than a half-hearted letter of sorrow sent to their families? Is no one else concerned by this?"

    And here we have Valasen resort to fear tactics; the sort that Separatists would typically use to persuade their followers. Has it not occurred to Valasen that perhaps these people want nothing more than to return to their normal lives? Not everyone wants to be a celebrity. Besides, they've had more than enough to get all the attention they needed; now they just want to return home and swim in the money they've made. And of course Valasen would come to the defense of protesters, having been one himself. The government doesn't have time to address each and every "disappearance".  They just arrest them and have them serve their sentence before returning them to their families, acting as if they had never left. Again, Valasen is grasping at straws; very small, very thin straws.

    In short, Unlimited Power does not deserve your money or your attention. It is shock and titillation on its cover and rebel propaganda at its core. Any bookstore should think twice before putting this filth on its shelves.

Why Star Tours Spacelines Is Terrible

Author: S. Cyrus Keldon

   Have you ever been on Star Tours? If not, then count yourself lucky. If you have, well then, this piece might just be for you.

   I like to travel a lot. When I'm not working here at One Galaxy, then I'm planning a leisure trip to Spira or one of the Old Tion worlds. It's a great way for me to wind down and cool off. But the thing about vacations is that you have to have the means of getting there. Now, if you have your own personal yacht or freighter that can get to Tatooine in one or two lightspeed jumps, then you're all set to go. But not all of us have that luxury. Some of us have to use public transportation.

   This is where Star Tours comes in; allegedly the best intergalactic spaceline there is. Well, if Star Tours is the best they've got, I'd hate to see what they consider the worst.

   Last week, I planned a trip to Cantonica and decided to go with Star Tours. I had never used their service before, so I thought it would be worth a try. It wasn't. It was a horrible waste of time.

   First, my flight was delayed by two hours because the stupid droid clerk didn't know how to spell "Cantonica" and was trying to find a planet with a misspelled name that didn't even exist. After what felt like forever, they finally sorted things out and got us all on board. But my misfortune did not end there.

   After we were seated, it was another half-hour before we took off because it turned out the stupid pit droids had forgotten to refuel the blasted StarSpeeder! Honestly, I don't know how these people program these blasted robots but they're evidently not doing a good enough job. Finally, the ship was ready and we took off from Coruscant... though not without nearly crashing into a watchtower along the way. Whenever I find whoever idea it was to make droid pilot, I'm going to strangle them.

   Needless to say, at this point, I was rather anxious when we made the jump to lightspeed. I wouldn't put it past them to accidentally plot a course straight into a star or black hole. To keep my mind off things, I decided to order a meal for myself. This turned out to be a mistake, as the "food" tasted like it had been made out of plastic. Judging by the competence of the staff so far, I wouldn't be too surprised if that was indeed the case. Another point of annoyance were these rambunctious kids behind me who kept kicking my seat. I told off their parents not once, not twice, but five times and yet still they did nothing to restrain their animals! Nor did the flight attendant do anything! Of all the nerve!

   But that's not the worst thing that happened. No, that would be when we finally came out of hyperspace... and flew right past Cantonica! Those fools had miscalculated the jump! We had to double back around and nearly collided into an asteroid on the way. Finally, we got to our blasted destination and I found a hotel as soon as possible before I snapped and strangled someone.

   I didn't trust Star Tours to bring me back home in one piece, so I bribed someone at Canto Bight Casino to take me on their space yacht back to Coruscant. Luckily, that someone was a Imperial Senator who was scheduled for a session on Coruscant anyway. I then promptly submitted a complaint to Star Tours Spacelines, though I have yet to hear back. I have heard however that my experience was no exception and that plenty before me have had numerous misfortunes with Star Tours. That more than anything tells me all that I need to know.

   So in closing, I would not recommend Star Tours to anyone, not even my worst enemy. If you're planning a vacation, save up for a personal freighter or find some more trustworthy spaceline service. But don't go onto Star Tours; you might not make it back.

Finis Tempus: The Rise and Fall of the Valorum Dynasty [UNFINISHED]

Author:

   Allow me to take you back nearly a thousand years into the past. It is the year 965 BrS, at the very end of the Draggulch Period. The Sith have finally been vanquished and the Galactic Republic has risen from its own ashes. Reconstruction is already underway and systems are slowly but surely returning to the Republic. At the helm of all of this is a man named Tarsus Valorum.

   The House of Valorum was already a politically influential family during the Republic's Dark Age. Tarsus, however, was the first to do something productive with his family's power. For the last four hundred years, the Republic had been ruled by the Jedi as they waged their war against the Sith. When Chancellor Sarin Vaa was assassinated, Jedi Master Valenthyne Farfalla was in line to succeed him. However, the Lord Farfalla declined the position in favor of taking a more active role in leading the Army of Light. As such, Tarsus Valorum was elected in his place, becoming the first non-Jedi Chancellor in four centuries.

   Once the Sith Wars had come to a close, Tarsus spearheaded the movement to decentralize the Republic's power, dissolving its military and pushing forth a series of policies that drew sectors and systems back into the Republic, restoring it to the glory it had lost over the last millennium. After serving a second term, Tarsus stepped down to serve as an ambassador under his successor, Chancellor Nyla Junara.

   Of course, this would not be the last time a Valorum would serve in a position of leadership within the Republic. Forty years later, Tarsus' son Tullius was elected Chancellor and continued to push the reformations his father had begun. While another Valorum would not become Chancellor for another nine hundred years, members of the bloodline would continue to hold great influence over the Republic: Senator Laeca Valorum helped to bring the Merrick sector back into the Republic while Admiral Titus Valorum prevented a civil war from breaking out in the Mirrin system.

   Eventually, around 165 or 65 BrS, Eixes Valorum was elected Supreme Chancellor. Rumors continue to this day that he only won the election thanks to the manipulations of Chairman Caar Damask of the Intergalactic Banking Clan. However, such rumors are unfounded and most are convinced that Eixes' victory was due to his family's prestige and nothing more. In any case, Eixes was known primarily for his sense of style, something which Coruscant would lack for decades until Thoris Darus entered office.

   And finally, that brings us to Finis Valorum, who was sworn into the office of Supreme Chancellor with a millennium-worth of family history weighing on his shoulders. The public knew very little of him, other than that he had been Senator of the Lytton sector and was close allies with the Tarkin family. Were it not for his name, Finis likely would not have gotten as far as he did without the support of the Tarkins. As such, many of his enemies saw him as a mere puppet for the Senate to control.

Hokey Religion: The Rise and Fall of the Jedi [UNFINISHED]

DISCLAIMER: The following is a piece by a guest writer who has no affiliation with One Galaxy Away beyond the publishing of their piece. Their views and opinions do not reflect those of One Galaxy Away. We do not in any way, shape or form support the Jedi Order and their affiliates.

Author: Ivon Yarza

   Let me take you back 25,000 years into the past. The Republic had not yet been formed. The only rule the galaxy knew was that of the Infinite Empire, vicious slavers that terrorized system after system. It was during this era that those that would become known as the Jedi would arise.

   Historians have endlessly debated on where and how the Jedi Order first came to be. Some believe them to have been formed from the ancient Order of Dai Bendu, others correlate them to the Followers of Palawa, and even a few have connected them to the Chatos Academy. Regardless of where the Jedi originated, by the time the Republic first arose in 25,018 BrS, the Jedi had become the sworn protectors of peace and justice in the galaxy, serving the nascent Republic in its earliest days.

   Because of the Jedi's prevalence in the Republic since Day 1, the mystical force that they believed in -- "the Force", as it was so creatively named -- became one that even non-Jedi believed in. Perhaps the reason for this was because people were fearful of what the future held, the rule of the Infinite Empire still fresh in the history records. They needed something to believe in, someone to protect them. The Force was that something, and the Jedi were that someone.

   Now, were the Jedi successful in their role of defending the galaxy? Well, that's been up for debate for ages.

INTERVIEWS
Interview with Grand Moff Tarkin

Author: Ted Yost

   Ted Yost is with us today to provide us with a one-on-one interview with Wilhuff Tarkin, Grand Moff of the Seswenna Oversector. Tarkin has been infamously guarded about his past, so we here at OGA are more than proud to be granted the opportunity to give you, the reader, everything there is to know about the galaxy's most respected governors.

TED YOST: Thank you for joining me here today, Tarkin. The weather here on Alderaan sure is lovely.

WILHUFF TARKIN: Indeed. Shall we get down to business then?

YOST: Oh, why certainly. Now then, I understand that you've been hesitant to divulge details of your history in the past, is that right?

TARKIN: Correct. I have always seen it as unnecessary to go into such details. All it does is satisfy the needs of those who insist on placing their noses in other people's business. Not to mention that it leads to judgments that would not have been made otherwise.

YOST: I see what you mean. So, why have you decided to open up today?

TARKIN: Well, I decided that perhaps it wouldn't hurt too much to share some details. Besides, when you're in a position such as mine, some extra publicity doesn't hurt, and since I'm already in the Emperor's good graces, I don't see how it could damage my reputation.

YOST: Of course! Now then... it is widely known that you hail from Eriadu, a planet out in the Outer Rim. Has your upbringing in the Rim affected your career at all?

TARKIN: Not necessarily. In many ways, Eriadu is a Core World in everything but location. I have found it easier to associate with someone from, say, Coruscant than I would with someone from Tatooine. In my mind, it's not so much a matter of where your from as much as it is who raised you.

YOST: Ah, yes. You were born into the prestigious Tarkin family, the first pioneers of Eriadu. Has that helped you in any way, in getting to where you are now?

TARKIN: Well, naturally. Name recognition is always the first thing that people look for in choosing their celebrities. Just look at Finis Valorum. He was only elected Supreme Chancellor because three previous ones shared his name.

YOST: Didn't the Tarkins help Valorum get elected?

TARKIN: Pardon?

YOST: I'm pretty sure I read that the Tarkin family help push the election in Valorum's favor on the condition that--

TARKIN: Don't believe everything you read. My father's cousin Ranulph was very critical of Valorum during his administration and they were intense rivals in the Galactic Senate. Anyone who says otherwise is either lying or terribly misinformed.

YOST: Ah. My mistake then. Anyway... what was living on Eriadu like? Was it as safe and comforting as, say, living on Alderaan or Coruscant?

TARKIN: On the surface, it may have seemed that way. But understand that Eriadu had been an untamed wilderness when my ancestors first discovered it. My father made it a point to teach me survival, sending me out into the jungles with my great-uncle Jova. It was a harsh experience, but one I'm proud to have undergone.

YOST: Hmm. Sounds like an interesting family get-together.

TARKIN: Oh, you have no idea. My father called in relatives from all across Eriadu -- even those that had moved off-world -- to come and teach me discipline, obedience, and other such traits. By the time I was seventeen, I was already learning space combat.

YOST: Space combat? But the Republic didn't have a military at the time.

TARKIN: It didn't, but Eriadu did. The Outland Regions Security Force was a paramilitary force dedicated to protecting Eriadu and the Greater Seswenna from pirates and marauders.

YOST: You fought pirates?

TARKIN: In a sense, though don't get any ideas. I wasn't some swashbuckling hero who saved princesses and cut down villains with a laser sword. I was simply doing my duty.

YOST: Still, I think many would find it a surprising and interesting detail for someone as high up the chain of command as you, and especially at such a young age. Did you ever make it into the Republic's own Judicial Forces?

TARKIN: Yes, I eventually made it into the Spacefarers Academy in the Sullust sector. In fact, it was there I first met the Emperor himself, when he was but a mere Senator of Naboo. He offered to help me get into the Judicial Forces while advising that I make a career change to politics.

YOST: And you took his advice?

TARKIN: Well, no. Not at first. I got into the Judicial Forces with Palpatine's help but found it difficult for myself to fit in. More times than not, I would get myself into fistfights with other cadets, something that my superiors did not approve of. In any case, I was given the opportunity to prove my worth at Halcyon, where I witnessed first-hand the worsening state of the galaxy. That was when I decided to take Palpatine's advice in joining the political scene, in the hopes that I could help change the galaxy for the better.

YOST: I take it that was when you became Governor of Eriadu?

TARKIN: Correct. I am more than grateful towards our Emperor; without his backing, I perhaps would have never gotten to be where I am now.

YOST: Several worlds in the Outer Rim fell to the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Separatist Crisis. Was Eriadu ever in danger of sharing the same fate?

TARKIN: Perhaps if someone else had been in charge. Count Dooku actually approached me in person during the Separatist Crisis with an offer to join the Confederacy. I didn't hesitate in turning him down; I owed Palpatine far too much than to turn on him like that.

YOST: I see. And you left the office of governor to serve in the Republic Navy during the Clone Wars, correct?

TARKIN: I still held the title of governor, but yes. I wanted to prove to Palpatine that I would remain loyal to him and I made sure to keep in close contact with him throughout my service.

YOST: And what were your views on the Jedi? At any point did you suspect they would one day turn against the Republic?

TARKIN: I have long maintained the belief that the Jedi were ill-suited for leading our forces in the war, and their rebellion has only proven my point. They existed outside the Republic's hierarchy and were better suited as peacekeepers, as they had been for over a millennia. That's not to say some Jedi weren't capable of leadership -- General Even Piell proved his worth at Lola Sayu -- but in general I saw their independence more as a weakness rather than anything else.

YOST: Well then, it is fortunate that the Emperor has recognized your skills and appointed you as our Empire's first Grand Moff in reward. Have the responsibilities of this new title taken its toll on you yet?

TARKIN: No, and I doubt it will ever. My duties as Grand Moff are no more different than mine as Governor of Eriadu. The only difference is in the scope of my reach.

YOST: Well, I have full faith in your capabilities. Anyway, I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Thank you for joining me on this lovely day.

TARKIN: You are welcome, and you are correct, Alderaan is a very lovely place to visit. It would be a shame if something happened to it.

YOST: That it would. This is Ted Yost from One Galaxy Away, signing off.

Interview with a Zerumian Warlord

Author: Ted Yost

   Ted Yost is back with us today with an exclusive interview with a member of the recently-discovered Zerumian species (as detailed by Karesa Laroona and Tyro Bhalava), where we will receive a closer look into their culture and history.

TED YOST: I simply cannot express how much of an honor it is to meet face to face with a real Zerumian. For so long I had doubted Tyro's discoveries, but to meet one in the flesh... it is certainly a humbling experience. May I get your name, sir?

WARLORD: Hzh'vkh'hassderek'xinba.

YOST: Er... could I get a shorter version? Never mind, I'll just have the editors figure something out. So, uh, what's it like being a warlord among your people?

XINBA: We do not use such mundane words to describe our greatness. Among my people, I am the Seventh Eternal Sovereign Lord of the Fifth Nation, First Son of the Ghk'rok'hassderek'xinba Flag, and Grand Admiral of the Valtheran Fleet. What do you have to your acclaim, human?

YOST: Uh... I was Champion of the Potato Sack Race in high school.

XINBA: Anything else?

YOST: ...Not really.

XINBA: That's what I thought. You humans are so underachieving; you could not possibly comprehend the accomplishments I alone have made for my race.

YOST: Well, I mean, I'm not really representative of my entire race.

XINBA: Oh? Then who is?

YOST: Uh, no one? I mean, maybe the Emperor but he's not--

XINBA: Then let me speak with this Emperor of yours! I am sure he would be far more worthier of my time then you, Champion of the Potato Sack Race.

YOST: --Except he's not available right now. I'm afraid you will have to make do with me.

XINBA: Oh? Well then, you leave me no choice, Champion, but to challenge you to a duel!

YOST: A- a duel? What are you-- hey! What are you getting up for?

XINBA: On your feet, Champion! Prove to me that your acclaim is equal to mine!

YOST: Put away that sword! I'm not going to fight you!

XINBA: Then you admit that you are a coward? Pity. It has been a while since I last killed someone with some fighting spirit.

YOST: Killed someone--?! SECURITY! GET THIS LUNATIC OUT OF HERE!

XINBA: No one can save you now, human! This is between you and me, for better or for worse, until death do we stand.

YOST: JAX, I SWEAR TO THE STARS IF YOU DON'T SEND SOMEONE IN RIGHT NOW, I'M GOING TO QUIT! I MEAN IT! THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS WEEK--

XINBA: Please do not raise your voice in such a manner. It is unbecoming of a "noble" champion, such as yourself.

YOST: THAT'S IT! I'M OUT OF HERE!

XINBA: Do not flee from me, Champion! Do not tarnish your name with such cowardice!

JAX PAVAN: What's going on here?

YOST: Jax! Thank stars! This... this loony-bin is trying to kill me!

XINBA: I challenged him for his title of Champion of the Potato Sack Race. Considering it is his sole title, I would have expected that he would fight for it with all he had.

PAVAN: ...This wasn't part of our deal.

XINBA: I am altering the terms to our agreement. It is in my people's culture that--

PAVAN: Well, we're not with your people right now. We're with our people. We don't challenge each other to the death... least of all over something like a potato sack race.

YOST: Don't give me that look. I was fourteen, okay? They were having an event and I was trying to impress my date--

PAVAN: Yeah, yeah, nobody cares. Tell you what, how about we all just go into the lobby and get a coffee or something. Something to calm our nerves.

YOST: Oh, yeah, like this guy needs any more caffeine. He just tried to kill me!

PAVAN: Honestly, Ted, I could not care less. Let's go.

XINBA: You may have won this day, Champion. But trust me, there will be a time where there will be no one around to save you. And when that day comes, I will surely claim what is rightfully mine.

YOST: ...This is all off the record, right, Dave? We're not publishing any of this, right?

DAVE (TRANSCRIBER): Right.

INVESTIGATIVE

THE CASE OF HARX JALVON (Thom Farvon)

The Case of Harx Jalvon

Author: Thom Farvon

DAY 1

   On Primeday 7:16, Harx Jalvon was found dead in his apartment at the junction of Taung and Zhell Street. A burning hole in his chest indicated that he had been shot and that it was not self-inflicted; Jalvon had been murdered.

   Before his death, Jalvon had been a prominent public activist, having founded the People of the Galaxy movement in the years leading up to and during the Separatist Crisis. Jalvon's movement was aimed towards keeping the various societies of the Republic united. While he had been a supporter of Chancellor Palpatine, he criticized the government's inability to keep the seceding systems from leaving and often led protests outside the 500 Republica. In many ways, he was seen as the next "Brox Valasen" and was only able to avoid arrest because of his calm, controlled manner of handling things.

   That said, Jalvon was known to have his fair share of enemies, namely rival groups such as the Liberation Party and the True Society. Either one of them could have been behind Jalvon's murder, or it could have been neither of them. And I was determined to find out the truth.

   An autopsy report led police to ascertain that the wound had been made by a BlasTech DL-44 blaster pistol. Given that eyewitnesses claimed to have not heard such a weapon go off, it is likely that the suspect had modified the blaster with a silencer. DL-44s were largely favored by smugglers and pirates, making it an interesting choice for an assassin who did not wish to be heard. In any case, DL-44s were commonplace and thus it would be difficult to identify the suspect based on only that.

   I spoke with another member of People of the Galaxy, who has chosen to remain anonymous. They stated that Jalvon had an "intense" rivalry with Liberation Party leader Olis Karzoni, although the intensity was more on Karzoni's part than Jalvon's. According to two news reports from the HoloNet, Karzoni has been repeatedly on record stating that he would "make Jalvon pay". Naturally, these claims made Karzoni an ideal suspect and I knew an audience with him was needed.

   I learned that Karzoni had been arrested a month ago and was incarcerated on Megalox Beta, although he continued to control his party through third parties and bribes. Traveling to Megalox Beta, I spoke with the warden of MB Sector-A, where Karzoni was said to be held. That was when I learned a particularly shocking piece of news:

   Olis Karzoni was dead. He had been murdered in his cell two weeks ago, long before Jalvon's murder.

   I knew then that this case would be far more complicated than I had first thought....

DAY 2

   Earlier today I visited Cara Jalvon, Harx's sister and only surviving relative. She told me what I already knew, that Jalvon had plenty of people who wanted him dead including Olis Karzoni. When I told her Karzoni had already died, she appeared surprised but did not inquire further on the subject.

   I won't lie that it crossed my mind that Karzoni's death may have been arranged by Jalvon and that Jalvon's murder had been retaliation from Karzoni's followers. However, without any evidence to support that theory, I pressed on with the case.

   I began digging through any documents and news reports I could find on Jalvon, scouring for any names that were directly tied to him. One that jumped out was Ulla Veer, another member of Jalvon's movement who was rumored to have been Jalvon's romantic partner shortly before his death. Veer was a Falleen, a reptilian race known for using their pheromones to manipulate people. Tracing her name, I eventually discovered that Veer worked at the Galaxies Opera House in the Uscru District. Making my way over there, I requested an audience with Veer only to find out that she had gone home for the night. I asked for her address, even showing them my credentials, but they refused to cough up.

   Needless to say, I was starting to grow suspicious. Returning to my files, I decided to seek out another member of Jalvon's party, a Nautolan by the name of Gir Pasto. I tracked down Pasto to a seafood place in the Bindai District, which of course was closed for the night. Luckily, I was able to touch with him through a local regular and will be having an in-depth conversation with him tomorrow.

DAY 3

   My conversation with Gir Pastro today was rather enlightening. While he could not shed much light on either Jalvon or Karzoni's murder, he did have quite a bit to say about Jalvon's rumored partner Ulla Veer. Apparently most in Jalvon's movement did not think much of Veer and saw her as something of a "gold-digger", only using Jalvon to raise her own status. No one had seen or heard from Veer since a week before Jalvon's death; Pastro suspected her of simply running off with Jalvon's money.

   When I asked Pastro if he thought Veer was the one who killed Jalvon, he told me that he wouldn't rule it out of the realm of possibility.

   This made me even more determined to get in touch with Veer. I hit up the Galaxies Opera House again and requested her contact information. Once again I was denied; either they didn't believe who I was or they'd been paid off to keep quiet. I was inclined to believe the latter. Either way, I was determined to get what I want.

   Approaching the matter from a different angle, I sought out another performer from the Opera House -- Boss Basso of Naboo -- and pretended to set up a quick interview with him. During the interview, I asked him about Veer and he directed me to an apartment complex in the Wicko District. When I got there, I asked to see Veer for an investigative report. That was when the owners told me that Veer had moved out and did not know where she had gone.

   This case was growing fishier by the second. I realized this would require far more intense research than I had initially believed....

DAY 4

   First thing in the morning, I returned to the scene of the crime, which had still been taped off by the police. I studied everything I could -- the position of the body where it had fallen, the place where the murderer would have been standing. I looked over pictures of Jalvon's body, trying to determine the murderer's height from where the blaster shot was. It could have easily been Veer, just as it easily could have been anyone else.

   I decided to speak with Jalvon' room-servant, Jan Kadir, who had been the one to discover his body. Kadir had been unavailable for questioning earlier, claiming to have been "traumatized" by the sight. I was finally able to get a hold of him and he told me that the blaster wound had still been warm when he found Jalvon. This gave me a better indication as to when the murder took place. Returning to the apartment, I asked the front-desk clerk for a list of people who had checked in around the given time of Jalvon's death. The clerk only had two: Harx himself and a woman by the name of Diana. Both had checked in around the same time, less than a hour before the approximated time of the murder.

   I asked about Diana but the clerk told me she no longer lived at the apartment and did not have any further information. To say I was starting to get frustrated with the case would be an understatement to say the least....

   Fortunately, at that moment, Gir Pastro contacted me and delivered a piece of interesting news: Ulla Veer had been found on Hosnian Prime and had been arrested for fraudulent credit. I wasted no time in requesting a chance to meet with Veer one-on-one and I was granted my wish after I showed the authorities everything in my investigation so far. Sitting down with Veer, I quickly cut to the chase and asked her about Jalvon.

   Apparently, Veer's charges of fraudulent credit had been because, just as Pastro had suspected, she had ran off with Jalvon's bank account after his death. However, while she couldn't care less that he had died, she had not been the one responsible for his murder nor did she know of anyone with any plans or cause to kill him. In fact, the reason she had left Coruscant so quickly was because she was afraid whoever had killed Jalvon might have come after her or someone else in the POTG movement next.

   When I asked her about Diana, she suddenly went cold and refused to speak to me again. That was when the guard told me my time was up.

   After this enlightening conversation, I decided that Veer was no longer a suspect, or at least not a primary one. Now I had a new person to track down: Diana.

DAY 5

   It's over. The case is closed.

   I did my digging and found out that "Diana" was the alias of an Imperial agent in the Security Bureau. She had been assigned to Jalvon's apartment to monitor him, seduce him, and then kill him. That explains why Veer acted cold about her; Diana had been courting Jalvon, leading him to ignore Veer.

   I can only assume that another assassin had been sent to kill Olis Karzoni. With the leaders of the POTG and the Liberation Part both dead, their movements no longer had direction and thus no longer pose a threat to the Empire.

   This wasn't murder. This was a job. Harx Jalvon was a threat to the Empire and was eliminated as such. Nothing more to it than that.

REGIONAL
Speeder Chase on Corellia

Author: Sylvia V. Tarson

    CORONET CITY, CORELLIA (22:5:25) - Imperial patrol officers reported a speeding violation from an M-68 landspeeder earlier this Benduday. The vehicle was occupied by two Corellian teens -- one male, one female -- as it sped through Coronet City, trashing the streets and nearly running over several passerby.

    Officer TK-525 had been filling in a parking ticket for a nearby vehicle when he spotted the suspects driving at speeds that far exceeded the enforced limit. Taking pursuit on his C-PH patrol bike, TK-525 chased the suspects through Coronet City. However, the male driver performed evasive maneuvers and used his landspeeder to knock the officer off his bike, resulting in a minor head injury. By the time reinforcements were called, the two suspects had already made it to Coronet Spaceport.

    Less than an hour later, Lead Transport Security Officer Falthina Sharest raised security at Coronet Spaceport. The apprehended suspect, identified as Qi'ra (age 18), was cross-identified as the female passenger of the violating vehicle. Authorities failed to locate her male cohort however, and the suspect refused to identify him.

    "It's these scrumrats, I tell you," commented a representative of the Corellian Security Force. "All they're good at is giving us all headaches and putting the public safety at risk. If you ask me, I say we just round them all up and throw them into the recruitment offices. The Empire could always use more cannon fodder."

Independent Droid Maker Earns Cybot Galactica's Ire

Author: Sylvia V. Tarson

    Cybot Galactica has been producing droids for many centuries and is one of the galaxy's two largest droid manufacturers, matching only Industrial Automaton in terms of quality and quantity. Their 3PO protocol droid is their perhaps most well-known model, although there are others that are equally as recognizable. In particular is the WED Treadwell repair droid, whose design is apparently so well-done that independent droid makers trying to make a profit can't help but imitate it when producing their own models.

    Walter T'turb is a moisture farmer from Tatooine who has been working with droids since he was a child. He is perhaps most fond of the Treadwell due to their vast array of tools, which can come quite handy when fixing moisture vaporators.

    "Hydrospanners, arc-welders, torque wrenches... it's got everything," says 50-year old T'turb. "I don't know what I'd do without my little buddy."

    In spite of the praise he gives it however, even T'turb feels that there is room for improvement when it comes to Cybot's famous helper droid.

    "A friend of mine just bought a whole bunch of droid parts from these Jawa traders," says T'turb. "I've been tinkering with droids since I was five, so I cobbled together something out of a broken Treadwell and a Gonk droid and came up with something that I am rather fond of."

    Images of T'turb's invention are currently unavailable but can be described as such: It uses a GNK power droid for its outer casing with a Treadwell's tools built therein. Its head is made up of two Treadwell heads, giving it larger optical sensors (which T'turb claims gives it better vision capabilities). For mobility, it uses treads from an as-yet unidentified model of droid as well as a pair of arms from an unspecified digger-type droid.

    "I call it the MVH," says T'turb, the acronym standing for "Moisture Vaporator Helper". It is T'turb's wish to acquire a patent for the makeshift droid and produce it at mass quantities. Cybot Galactica, on the other hand, has a bit of an issue with such a prospect.

    "Were the 'MVH' made of purely Cybot-produced parts, we may have considered pursuing a partnership with T'turb," says Cybot representative Evlyn M. Crea. "However, given that it utilizes parts from a GNK droid -- a product of Industrial Automaton -- we simply cannot allow such a cobble-pot of intellectual properties be produced at mass quantities."

    T'turb remains determined however and has already began pursuing deals with local third-parties to get his invention into people's homes. "It's tough living out here on Tatooine," says the moisture farmer-turned-droid maker. "People like me have gotta make some sort of living if we want to survive on this ball of sand. If Cybot doesn't want my creation anywhere near the Core, where they get most of their business, then fine. But I don't see the harm in selling some to my neighbors or even just the local spaceport."

    "It's more complicated than that," says Crea. "While there may be some unwritten loophole that T'turb could squeeze through, we at Cybot Galactica simply feel it would be easier for all involved if we simply nip the situation in the bud now before it can become more headache inducing."

    Walter T'turb is expected to cease all business pursuits regarding the MVH by the end of the week. If he fails to comply, Cybot plans to file a lawsuit against him.

    When asked if Industrial Automaton would be in pursuit of similar actions against T'turb, representative Mo'neb simply stated, "It's a Gonk droid he's using. If it were an R2-unit or something, then sure, we'd be getting our lawyers out. But it's a Gonk droid. Who even uses those anymore? You can just get a power converter from the Tosche Station if you're that desperate for a power generator. They're cheaper plus they don't make any annoying sounds."

    Mere hours after making this statement however, Mo'neb was terminated from his position by Industrial Automaton. I.A. President Julynn Kentas is expected to provide a revised statement at noon tomorrow.

Jedi Apprehended

   Citizens are still shaking after the harrowing events that led to the arrest of Jedi Karas Var-Tin. Members of the 501st Legion are still awaiting the arrival of Inquisitor Jerec to properly detain Var-Tin while citizens are ushered back to their homes.

   From what Imperial officers have gathered, Karas Var-Tin had been a Jedi Commander during the Clone Wars and was stationed in the Outer Rim with his master, General Har'voo Ba, when Order 66 was issued. While Har'voo Ba was gunned down by clone troopers, Var-Tin managed to escape and eventually made his way to Bestine Four, where he has been hiding as a local shop owner.

   Var-Tin's cover was blown when a retired Republic soldier recognized him while visiting his shop earlier this Zhellday. Var-Tin immediately made a run for it while the authorities were alerted. After a long, harrowing chase, troopers of the 501st cornered Var-Tin at Gasha Square, where he was summarily stunned and apprehended.

SPORTS
Dankko Verrimuch Announces Retirement

Author: John Antilles

   It is a sad day for podracing fans, especially for those of legendary podracer Dankko Verrimuch. The 54-year old Anx pilot has been racing pods since he was nineteen and become a household name after his hallmark victory on Ando Prime in 4:3:22, less than a year after Anakin Skywalker won the infamous Boonta Eve Podrace.

   When asked for his reasoning behind his retirement, Verrimuch stated: "I've been racing for over thirty years now. I'm now what's considered middle-age for my race. My kids aren't getting any younger, so I would like to spend my remaining years watching them grow and become successful in life."

   What has Verrimuch fans most upset is that his long-time rival, Ur-Nat Welk-um, has recently beaten the veteran pilot's record with his narrow victory on Ord Ibanna. Since then, fans of both pilots have been getting into violent scuffles, whether it be at events or simply in the streets. Verrimuch declined to comment on such incidents, stating that: "It's time for me to move past such petty conflicts. We all just need to grow up and get along. I've moved on; so should you."

   In contrast to Verrimuch's fans, Ur-Nat Welk-um himself has expressed much joy upon hearing the news. "About time that old timer threw in the towel!" the Aqualish racer laughed when he was interviewed outside his resort home on Glee Anselm. "His era is over; it's time for the new blood to rule the streets!"

   Despite Welk-um's harsh words and the violence between them and his fans, Verrimuch's fanbase has nonetheless stood strong, even as the Empire has begun to gradually shut down several podracing events, slowly but surely outlawing the sport itself. U.R. Grate, a senior at the University of Agamar as well as the unofficial head of the D.V. Fanclub, has recently announced a gathering of fans on Agamar and has even invited Verrimuch himself to the event.

   "We here at the D.V. Fanclub want nothing more than to remember the good times," says 22-year old Grate, who has been watching Verrimuch's races since he was 10. "Like my father always says, don't be upset it's over, be glad it happened."

   In addition, Grate expressed his wish to deliver a message from everyone in the fanclub. "From all of our hearts, we would like to thank Dankko for his thirty-five years of racing. Or, to put it short: Thank you very much, Dankko Verrimuch."

BEYOND THE GALAXY

Ardan-Gaea: The Zerumians

Author: Tyro P. Bhalava

   The Zerumians are an ancient race from Ardan-Gaea, their history dating as far back as the Age of the Ancients. Created by the Great One Kronon, they served as their Time Lord's heralds in the fight against the Majin and played a hand in banishing Majin Zarak to the Beyond. Because of this victory, the Zerumians were given the impression that they would help lead Ardan-Gaea's society into a new age of peace and prosperity. Such wishes were never fulfilled however, as the Zerumians were immediately forgotten by history and banished to the wilderness of Ardan-Gaea, forgotten by all including their creator.

   This greatly angered the Zerumian leader, Valtheran, who pushed his people into building a kingdom that would be isolated from the rest of the world, with the intention of one day seizing Ardan-Gaea for themselves. As time went on, as the Zerumians slowly built their empire, two subsets of Zerumians arose. The first was the ruling class, those who had served Kronon directly and fought against the Majin. The second was the warrior class, those born afterwards that the rulers treated as servants while also holding them up as "the future" of their race.

   At some point Valtheran perished and he was succeeded by a subsequent line of rulers, the first of which was Sfear. Although the Zerumians were isolated from the rest of the world, Valtheran was still a figure of legend for his role in the War of the Ancients. Later on in history, a following of people would secede from the Kingdom of Morcia and establish a cult that worshiped Valtheran, becoming known as the Valtheran Tribe. Meanwhile, Valtheran's own flesh and blood Paladar would reclaim the throne from Lord Paladin and begin pushing the Zerumians towards conquering Ardan-Gaea.

Earth Chronicles

Author: Tyro P. Bhalava

   One Galaxy Away is pleased to announce that contact has been successfully made with the galaxy that astronomers discovered last year. The specific planet which contact has been established with has been officially designated Sol Three by the Nosaj Association of Scientific Advancements, although the native humans seem to call it "Earth", which ... isn't all to imaginative.

   In any case, the Imperial Senate has authorized us to send a correspondent to this new world, which shall be none other than yours truly, Tyro P. Bhalava. I look forward to meeting the people of Sol Three -- I mean, Earth -- and exploring their culture and society.

   Keep checking this section as I chronicle my adventures here on Earth and provide you, the reader, with what you really need to know!

Day 1

   Greetings, my friends! This is Tyro P. Bhalava here today to tell you that I have successfully and safely landed on Sol Three, also known as Earth. I am still not certain as to where exactly I am on Earth; the signs around here use a typography that I am not familiar with. Perhaps it's a more archaic form of Galactic Basic or Aurebesh. If only Karesa was here for me to ask.

   In any case, the native humans seem decent enough. They were kind enough to give me space as I tested the gravity of the planet and waited patiently as I adjusted to their specific accent. I take it they've never seen a Duros before, because some of them were looking at me as if I was some freakish creature. I understand some worlds can be humanocentric but they really should keep an open mind!

   Anyway, the lead Earth ambassador -- Gerald, I think his name was -- told me he would accompany me on my tour around the world and help educate me. I very much look forward to my adventures here with Gerald! I'm sure Gerald is just as excited as I am.

Ardan-Gaea: The First Age

   The world of Ardan-Gaea was first discovered by Republic astronomers in 97:6:6 BrS. Over the course of the next century, explorers and intelligence officers gathered as much information as they could about the planet before the expedition was shut down in 13:5:21 due to the outbreak of the Clone Wars. The following has been composed by our journalists Karesa Laroona and Tyro P. Bhalava with the help of experts who were closely involved with the expedition in its latter years.

Age of the Ancients

   According to local legend, Ardan-Gaea was created by the Ancients Ardan and Gaea, king and queen of the First Pantheon. They brought life to this new world and filled it with lush, beautiful flora and fauna. For a time, Ardan-Gaea was a peaceful world that knew not of the concept of war. That is, until the Majin arrived.

   The Majin were once the Second Pantheon of the Ancients until their leader, Xal, was corrupted by darkness. Taking on the name Majin Zarak, he led his forces to conquer Ardan-Gaea out of spite of his parents, who had denied him a place on the First Pantheon. Beautiful landscapes were tarnished as his legions moved from land to land, raiding villages and conquering lands. In time, Majin Zarak had established his own kingdom, Xenotome, and baited the First Pantheon into attacking him. Thus began the War of the Ancients.

   The War of the Ancients was said to be beyond chaotic and it was considered a miracle that Ardan-Gaea managed to keep even a shred of its beauty when it was over. After what seemed like an eternity of fighting, the Great One Kronon finally managed to defeat Majin Zarak and sealed him away in the Beyond, an inter-dimensional prison reserved for only the greatest of evils.

   Following the war, the remaining Ancients oversaw the restoration of Ardan-Gaea and saw to the establishment of its first kingdom. Once their work was considered done, the Ancients left for parts unknown, leaving the people of Ardan-Gaea to fend for themselves.

The First Age

   The Kingdom, as it was simply called, was ruled by the House of Oamon during most of the First Age. For the first century, the Kingdom lived in relative peace, with the worst conflicts being petty disputes between villagers who couldn't decide who got to use the well first.

   It would not be long before crime began to escalate however and things started to fall apart. Vizier Keldor, adviser to King Oamon V, fell into disagreement with the ruler, accusing him of not doing enough to prevent the crimes and left the Kingdom with a group of followers to establish their own, which they named Ankoria.

   From the day news of Ankoria's creation spread, a secession occurred within the Kingdom, with more and more villagers moving over to Keldor's domain each day. In short time, two kingdoms came to dominate Ardan-Gaea's landscape, with Ankoria in the east and the now-renamed Oamon Kingdom in the west.

   It was not long before war broke out between the two kingdoms. During this conflict, Keldor took on the name Lord Mallake and, while unbeknownst to anyone during this time, had fallen under the influence of the Majin, allowing him to tap into their dark energy. Nonetheless, the Oamon Kingdom managed to gain the upper hand by exploiting Mallake's greatest weakness -- his lust for power -- by luring him towards the Thustran Forest with the promise of a well of power left behind by the Ancients. Mallake fell for the trap and was taken prisoner by Oamon's forces.

   The war ended with a treaty signed between the two kingdoms, after which Ankoria renamed itself Morcia -- the Ardan word for peace -- and adopted its new status as an extension of the Oamon Kingdom.

   The struggles were not yet over, however. The use of the Majin's power by Mallake brought the attention of two other kingdoms located up north, where the Elven and Dwarven Kingdoms ruled. They moved their forces south to investigate and were disturbed to discover the Oamon Kingdom; for the longest time, they had thought themselves the only two races on Ardan-Gaea.

   From within his prison, Mallake's still-potent dark powers influence the Elven and Dwarven Kingdoms to attack Oamon and Morcia. In the midst of the chaos and confusion, Mallake broke free from his prison and gathered his remaining followers, establishing the True Knights of Ankoria.

   The War of the Five Kingdoms was short-lived but nonetheless chaotic. King Oamon V was killed in battle and his sole heir had been kidnapped earlier on, leaving no one to take the throne. Leadership of the Oamon Kingdom was left to Maos, captain of the guard and Oamon's nephew, who found out that Mallake was behind everything and managed to convince the Elves  and Dwarves to cease fire.

   Enraged by his plans falling apart, Mallake and his Knights made their attack -- a foolhardy move indeed, for they were outnumbered by the now-united forces of the four kingdoms. Mallake was killed by Captain Maos and the surviving Knights of Ankoria surrendered, ending the war.

   With Oamon's heir presumed dead, Maos was chosen to take the throne of Oamon. The newly named king's first move was to propose an alliance of the kingdoms. To signify this, a golden crown was forged, holding four gems that represented each kingdom. However, an unforeseen oversight was quickly brought to Maos' attention: If there were to be an issue that two kingdoms agreed on but the others didn't, there was no one to break the tie.

   It was a difficult decision, but one all four kingdoms grudgingly agreed to. Thus, Ankoria was reestablished as a kingdom, with rulership given to Drakus, the leader of Mallake's remaining knights. With Drakus being put under close supervision and a fifth gem being added to the Corona Unitas, the Five Kingdoms were officially established and the Second Age began.

The Corona Unitas

King Maos I of Oamon (Diamond)
King Orlaan of Morcia (Sapphire)
King Lativus of Lativia (Emerald)
Queen Fluvia of Barania (Topaz)
King Drakus of Ankoria (Ruby)

MEET THE STAFF

Jax Pavan - News/Editorial Department

   Jax Pavan (Coruscant, age 50) may share his name with 582,797,753 other men in the galaxy, but he is one of a kind. Born and raised on Coruscant, Pavan has spent all of his life in the big city and has pretty much lived the dream.

   A staunch supporter of Sheev Palpatine, Jax Pavan loves the Empire and everyone in it. He’s even one of the few who will defend Senator Jar Jar Binks, seeing him as a true hero of the Empire.

Pavan has been working for One Galaxy Away since it began publishing in 16:7:9 and is one of our most prolific writers.

   Pavan lives on Coruscant with his wife Julia. His oldest son, J.B. Pavan, currently works for HoloNet News.

John Antilles - Sports Department

   John Antilles (Dantooine, age 32) only signed up to talk about sports. He has never been much one for politics, which causes some of the other editors to look down on him, particularly Jax Pavan. Still, Antilles isn’t much bothered by them, so long as he gets to write a piece on his favorite podracers or grav-ball players.

   John doesn’t talk much about his life, other than that he grew up on a farm on Dantooine. He lives with his wife and two sons on Coruscant.

Tyro P. Bhalava - Beyond the Galaxy Department

   Tyro Pyrvus Bhalava (Duro, age unknown) is a explorer, spacer, and journalist, making him an ideal member for One Galaxy's recently created Beyond department. Appointed by the Imperial Senate to explore the newly discovered Sol III (AKA Earth), Bhalava is eager to explore the various societies and cultures on this new world.

Thom Farvon - Regional Department

   Thom Farvon (Corellia, age 37) is our investigative reporter. Always determined, he never gives up on a case and will stop at nothing until justice is served one way or the other.

   Farvon lives on Corellia with two akk dogs he tamed from the wild and a wild nexu he keeps in a cage. He also has a acklay head mounted on his wall. He's single, ladies.

S. Cyrus Keldon - Editorial Department

   Shelby Cyrus Keldon (Hosnian Prime, age 75) has been writing for One Galaxy since day one and has been consistently critical and negative of pretty much anything he writes about. His political leanings have always been vague, though he’s been considerably less negative of Chancellor Palpatine than any of his predecessors.

   Cyrus lives on Hosnian with his wife and their pet tooka.

Karesa Laroona - Editorial Department

   Karesa Laroona (Bar'leth, age 38) is a former history teacher from the University of Bar'leth. Rescued from slavery by the Jedi, Laroona has lived most of her life on Bar'leth and pursued a teaching career for several years before making the shift to journalism. She is appalled by the state of the galaxy and even more so of the Jedi's rebellion against the Republic, having long looked up to them for saving her life.

   Laroona prefers to write mostly historical pieces in the hopes of educating One Galaxy's readers and perhaps preventing the galaxy from falling into a similar state of decline at any point in the future.

   She currently lives on Bar'leth with her human partner and their adopted child.

Sylvia V. Tarson - Business Department

   Sylvia Varla Tarson (Alderaan, age 45) was a reporter for the HoloNet during the Clone Wars, being there on the front-lines alongside Republic soldiers. Since the war’s end, she’s shifted focus to less intense subjects, mainly handling One Galaxy’s Business department while still turning in the odd Regional incident for old time’s sake.

Ivon Yarza - Guest Writer