_{This entry is related to our event "The Battle of Ziost"}


"
Holonews, your source for the all the Galaxy News!

==After several standard days of battle over the planet Ziost, and on the ground, The Republic Forces finally withdrew their presence from the system, after what has become one of the most controversial attacks in the history of the Republic.

==The move on Ziost was allowed by the Galatic Senate in a limited comittee several days ago, under the pressure from Jedi Grand Master Illessar using the arguments that according to various intel, it was the main base of operation for the Sith, and the origin of their growing influence in the Galaxy. Even though his proposed tactics were criticized and somewhat isunderstood, especially coming from a Jedi, the motion ultimately was approved, and the assault was ordered.
The first few days of the battle already showed that the Republic's objective of taking the Sith down from the source would not be an easy one to accomplish as the Republic forces, and the Jedi, ran into several problems and heavy resistance from the Sith and their growing Empire. (see previous report for details on the first few days of the battle.)

==In spite of a rough start, the Republic forces  seemed to gain the upper hand when Major Naydo Malesyn and his squad were able to land  and secure a forward position for the rest of the Republic forces , before moving on to the main communication facility which the first wave had failed to destroy the day before. Major Malesyn encountered heavy resistance from the already established defenses but ultimately suceeded in taking the Sith's main communications, costing the life of Corporal Ade Ross, one of Malesyn's squad members.
These actions provided the Republic with some temporary relief  as Sith communications were disrupted, hence damaging the Sith's global defenses and organisation for a time.

==But the battle around the Sith Academy was still taking lives on both sides even after Dark Lord Orexis had been confirmed dead, and after Darth Canis took control of the Sith's defense strategies.
Darth Canis's main focus appeared to be the protection of the Sith archives and library, as well as securing information and various valuable items away from the Republic troops, rather than the protection of the Capital of the Academy itself, which seemed to be mostly lost at this point.

==Jedi Knight Cade Jenaro lead a force toward the Library situated inside the Academy when he found resistance from Sith Jeston Dalik who wiped out most of Jenaro's squad before engaging the Jedi himself. Sources say that Sith Jeston Dalik called for reinforcements, which presented themselves in the form of Sith Coda Dalin, who is said to be related in some way to Darth Letalis, Orexis's former apprentice. But soon after, Sam Costo came to Jenaro's aid.
Even that was not enough as the Sith were able to delay the Jedi long enough, allowing the library and archives to be finally secured by the Sith, and all valuable material to be taken away. Early reports say that Sam Costo was forced to escape, while Cade Jenaro was taken as a prisonner.

==Meanwhile, it has been reported that Grand Master Illessar, after defeating Dark Lord Orexis, returned to his flagship above the planet to supervize the war effort as reports were situating the main Sith fleet to be on its way from Korriban in order to help repel the Republic forces.
On Coruscant, and in many other Republic systems, public opinion regarding the attack on Ziost seemed to be largely divided between people being largely hostile to the Sith and supporting the Senate's (and the Jedi Order's) decision while others criticized these actions as being rash or unnecessary especially in view of the turn of events. Many called for the Republic forces to withdraw before more blood was shed, but the Galactic Senate was not able to reach a decision until the battle was effectively over.

==As casualties grew on both sides and no positive outcome seemed possible for either the Sith or the Republic in spite of their relative superiority, Grand Master Illessar transmitted an ultimatum to Darth Canis, who had put herself in charge of Sith operations. Some inside sources report that Grand Master Illessar was not ready to withdraw until he had made his point to the Sith Empire, even if it meant ordering an act that would make any Jedi shiver.
In an attempt of mercy, or a last call for peace, Jedi Illessar gave a cease fire order for the length of one standard hour in order for the Sith troops and civilians to evacuate the city, before ordering the orbital bombing of Ziost's Capital and the Sith Academy nearby, effectively reducing that part of the planet to nothing much more than a pile of rubbles and smoky ashes. As the bombing ended, the Sith fleet arrived just in time to pick up the remnants of the Sith as the Republic Fleet left the scene, avoiding any further conflict.

==Such an order was welcomed with a cry of outrage from many factions within the Galactic Senate, as they claimed that this was not the way the Republic should handle things, while others did not hide their surprise of Illessar's order, which was comented on as "not the Jedi way".

Analysts suggest that while the original idea of attacking the Sith Empire at its root before it had any real opportunity to expand even though many territories in the Outter Rim have already sworn alliegiance to the Sith, the way it was handled could have been more subtle, and better prepared as to spare as many lives as possible.
Others suggest that by executing such a demonstration of power, the Republic sent the message that they would not stand by and wait for things to go bad before defending themselves, as it has been seen in the Republic's history before.
The Sith Empire, on the other hand, is actively using such a rash move for their propaganda against the Republic and have sent several messages accross the Galaxy denouncing the poor attempt at control by the Republic, and its frustration when facing someone who simply doesn't agree with them.

==Grand Master Illessar has for the moment denied any comment and rejected all our attempts at communication. We have tried contacting several other Jedi, including Council members but our demands were always met with the same response. We were not able to contact any Sith operatives at this point.

==Sources say that Darth Canis seem to currently be in charge of the Sith who were able to flee from Ziost, though she does not seem to have claimed the title of Dark Lord yet.
Meanwhile, other sources report that Darth Tractatio's main ship is currently serving as temporary, and mobile, training facility for the Sith, which makes it more difficult to find than the previous one on Ziost.

While the Sith Empire appears to be broken, many claim that the Battle of Ziost is far from being a clear Victory for the Republic, even insisting that this move would probably be the starting point of an open war between the Republic and the Sith Empire, something that the Republic had wanted to avoid from the start.
Many fear that the Sith will regroup under Darth Canis, which would lead to more attrocities, as our previous report pointed that Grand Master Illessar and Sith Darth Canis had some sort of relationship during the past few months.
"

_{Characters cited:
Major Naydo Malesyn, by *FacePalmNinja
Non Playable Characters, by ~astro999
Cade Jenaro, by ~emotionalshadows
Jeston Dalik, by ~sithman91
Coda Dalin, by ~ARealBastard
Sam Costo, by ~Blue77277
Corrin Illessar, by ~SanguineAngel
Darth Canis, by =lycansei
Darth Tractatio, by ~GarrustheSpectre}


The whole team of #JediOrder would like to thank all the players who have taken part in our room-wide event for the past 4 days. The participation was incredible, and we really hope you enjoyed taking part in it.
Your RPs are deciding what the story will become in the days and weeks to come. Will the Sith Empire sit back and wait to
see what happens? Will the Republic keep their devastating momentum and hunt the remaining Sith down? Will the Sith regroup and counterattack?
All will be revealed soon, through your RPs!

We can't wait until we are able to set up a new Event, and we hope that when we do, even more of you will participate!