Supreme Chancellor Delivers Declaration Of War!

[Jenno]

This is Gyro Nein reporting for HoloNet News Network.

Earlier today the next Supreme Chancellor was elected into office. Supreme Chancellor Victoria Aspen Naaden was granted the position after a landslide victory, which many have placed on her pro-War position and her to-the-point announcements and answers she gave in many of her interviews.

A few hours ago she made her first formal speech as Supreme Chancellor and with her new power declared that the Republic would not sit idly by as trouble on the Outer Rim worsens.

Here is that speech which was delivered only a few hours ago:

[Kella]

The hologram flickers for a moment, before snapping into focus. All is rendered in that blue, ghostly light, but many gather around to hear the inaugural speech of the new Supreme Chancellor. Some don’t even know her name; while others shove ahead to get a look at the human they’ve heard so much about. Some gaze at the holofeed in wonder, while others bear expressions of disgust. The only common ground between them is the rapt attention with which they observe the decider of the fate of the Galaxy…


Supreme Chancellor Victoria Aspen Naaden walked to the podium. It was a step she had practiced many, many times. It was confident, but not arrogant, a posture of leadership, but not superiority. As shallow as it was, first impressions were invaluable, and that was simply how the world worked. Naaden centered herself behind the podium, gently resting her hands on its sides. Fifty-five years had not been kind to her wrinkled face, and sharp, owlish eyes peered at the audience. There was sternness in her expression, a fire, tempered by a subtle softness. Her audience would not perceive these subtleties, would not know why it was that she slowed her step just enough to make the deep violet of her Veda Cloth tremble, would not watch the precision with which she set her shoulders. They would simply see a quiet confidence—they would trust her words and not know why-- and that was the beauty of it all.
“People of the Galactic Republic,” Naaden had to pause to allow the customary applause to settle. “I come before you today, for the first time, as Supreme Chancellor.” The crowd was like a living organism, and as one, it let out another cacophonous cry. “And I thank the graces of the people for choosing me for this position. But let us remember that the power of this Republic does not lie with me. It does not lie with the Senators. It lies with the people that make it the unshakable Republic it is!” Another roaring cheer. “Without you, the people, the Republic is nothing. And it is at this time that we see a specter, a shadow, creeping towards the Republic.” A hush came over the crowd.

“It is subtle. It is silent. And it is as deadly as any foe this Republic has ever faced. Already it has swallowed Dantooine, Mygeeto, Mon Calamari. You may ask me ‘Chancellor, are you speaking of the Sith?’ And my answer to this is ‘No’. The shadow that so threatens us, is doubt. Doubt in who we are as a Republic, doubt in our abilities, doubt in who our allies truly are. It is this shadow that has paved the way for the Sith, for their fires and their destruction. You have heard the whispers of those planets which have defected, caught within the beguiled lies of doubt. And now this very doubt threatens us. But hear me when I say this, and hear me well; This Republic Shall. Not. Fall. On the dawn of this Collaboration, a cornerstone was laid; a cornerstone which is still firmly rooted today; unity. Doubt cannot fell us if we are one! And as we cast out the doubt, we can see the right and proper course of action. The Sith threaten our peace, they threaten our homes, and they threaten our Lives. And as we push aside the fogged glasses of doubt, we can see that they must be stopped. We must fight back with the ferocity of a Mother Rancor. But we do not fight for the sake of the battle, we do not fight to show our power, as so many are fond of claiming. We fight to protect that which we hold dear. We fight to protect our peace! Our Unity! Our Freedom!” The roaring and thundering of the crowd became so great that Naaden had to pause. She let it settle again, like sediment to the bottom of a pool. And then she began to stir them up again.

“This threat is one that cannot be ignored. It must be met with temperance, strategy, and determination. But know this, my brothers and sisters. This Republic has not fallen for twenty-thousand years, and it shall not fall now!” Naaden’s gaze became intense as she looked out at the roaring crowd, passion etched in her voice. “This ought to be a season of celebration. However, it is instead a time of tribulation, and trial. When the inevitable conflict comes, those who are able will mount up with rifle and cannon and defend our Republic, as is according to the proper time for such things. And those who cannot, your duty is just as important, and far more immediate. For while your brethren fight against the Sith, with their ships and their armies, you shall fight that war against the shadow, that war against doubt. Arm yourselves with courage, with determination, and with passion. Fight with these things, so that hope may never perish from this galaxy. We fight for Peace, we fight for Sanctum, we fight for freedom, and we fight for Republic!” Naaden again waited for the roaring to calm.

“I hope the remainder of the ceremony be pleasant, for you. I regret the brevity of this address, but there are pressing executive matters I must attend to. People of the Republic, let us always be one!” And with that, Naaden stepped back from the podium and bowed her head to the people of the Republic. And then, with a step swift and purposeful, she stepped out of the limelight, the roar of the crowd fading behind her, steady and overwhelming like the pounding of the ocean. There was a meeting she had to attend.

A meeting to make preparations for war.

[Jenno]

And there you have it, the uncertainty that once hung over the future of the Republic has been cleansed by Chancellor Naaden. With troubles on the Outer Rim bubbling to critical level, the Republic will answer the cries of help from planets ill equipped to defend themselves from a possible invasion.

Reports have been confirmed about the organisation of military forces as well as a request of aide sent to the Jedi Order, despite the uncertainty regarding their involvement with the previous Supreme Chancellor’s murder, though a reply from the Order is still pending. Nonetheless the support for Chancellor Naaden continues to grow as we head almost certainly into a period of war.

In the words of the Spreme Chancellor, ‘This Republic Shall. Not. Fall’

Gyro Nein wishing you all a good evening.