CNN News Special Report: The FALL of Olivan!
Coruscant News Network
Broadcast from Coruscant
Date: 2919 AOK (Two months, BEFORE Auro’s Birthday)
Bail: “Good evening to all the citizens of the Galactic Republic. I am Bail Organa.”
Sinya: “And I am Sinya Lefe. We are continuing our special coverage of the Fall of Olivan. Just in case you have not been following the disastrous Jedi Operation to reclaim their Temple on Olivan, allow us to recap.”
Bail: “Just about a year ago, a group of misguided Jedi led by four malicious Jedi Commanders seized the Temple on Olivan. A provocation move meant to strike terror in the hearts and minds of all Republic Citizens. This tragic event led the world leaders of Olivan to declare their independence from the Republic. While a limited number of voices in the senate demanded our beloved Chancellor to react with force, Chancellor Syrdash exercised great restraint.”
“However, the Jedi Grand Council being led by Grand Master Dooku did not have such wisdom. They ordered Master Milani, the Commander of the Jedi’s 5th Legion, to liberate the Temple on Olivan with the Twenty Seventh Jedi Strike Division. The Twenty Seventh Division was one of three heavy division that made up the Jedi’s 5th Legion. Even while the Chancellor sent her own son, Lord Sembla to Olivan to negotiate for peace, Master Milani blazingly moved to attack Olivan.”
“While no one will ever know, who fired the first shot, what will go down in history is that Master Milani commanded the Jedi Task Force that led to the events which unfolded. History will always remember Master Milani as the commander directly responsible for the death and destruction that followed. The Jedi’s mission started off in disaster when Master Milani’s own flagship, the Jedi Cruiser Resolute, was blown from the space above Olivan. This triggered one of the bloodiest conflicts that the Jedi had been part of in over six thousand years.”
“A conflict that Chancellor Syrdash went to great efforts to keep the Republic out of that conflict. Being sympatric to the suffering that was coming, Chancellor Syrdash dispatched Lord Sembla and his elite 2nd Battalion to Olivan to provide humanitarian relief to the innocent lives on Olivan. Chancellor Syrdash gave Lord Sembla clear orders, remain out of the conflict between the warring factions.”
Sinya: “With great reasons. Olivan was a disaster before the Twenty Seventh entered the system. Chancellor Syrdash saw this mistake long before the Twenty Seventh arrived in system. Sadly, the Jedi didn’t realize their mistakes until it was too late. In what should have been an easy situation to resolve through negotiations, instead conflict ensued between the two factions.”
Bail: “And what should have been an easy operation, led to very bitter battles in and around the Capital City. After nearly a month of none stop combat and serious losses, the Grand Council authorized Master Milani to call upon local reinforcements from Baklid. Baklid VI has been a long time Outer Rim ally to the Jedi. One of its ranking rulers, Queen Sinya Chalco was once a Master within the Order. Baklid deployed over a hundred thousand troops and dozens of warships in support of Master Milani’s forces on Olivan.”
“These reinforcements did have a drastic effect in the trajectory of the war. Thanks to the support of these additional troops, Master Milani was able to press the Olivan Militia out of the Capital and drive them north. At the same time, she was able to drive the Olivan Jedi also known as Rogue Jedi, back to their seized Temple. While the Capital was far from secure, with the Militia on the run Master Milani was able to turn her attention to her primary mission of liberating the temple.”
“Unfortunately, the arrival of Baklid forces on Olivan had a negative effect on Olivan. an ultra-extremists group known as The People’s Liberation Army. This barbaric group become more commonly known as simply the Partisans. They were responsible with a series of brutal terrorist style attacks on not only forces belonging to the Jedi, they also carried out attacks on Republic forces under the command of Lord Sembla.”
Sinya: “While there are debates regarding when the Partisans actually took to the fields of Olivan. Many historians will look back at Olivan and at the Partisans as the major factor that changed the course of the conflict. The Partisans upped the level of brutality within the conflicts. They targeted not only Master Milani and her forces, they also targeted Lord Sembla and any Olivanee that gave aide to either faction. They were savage in punishing their own people for what they considered was a betrayal of Olivan. But more importantly the Partisans changed the nature of the conflict on Master Milani and her Jedi.”
“Master Milani’s grand strategy from the beginning was to prevent the Olivan Militia and the Rogue Jedi from being able to join their forces. After driving the Olivan Militia from their own capital, and preventing serval attempts of the Rogue Jedi from joining the battle, Olivan appeared to be a conflict that was nearing its conclusion. And this left the Jedi completely unprepared for what the Partisans were bringing to the battlefield on Olivan.”
Bail: “Despite capturing the Partisan leader, named Jenna, Master Milani was not able to shift the change in the battles back to her favor. In a lack being able to unlock what the Partisan Leader held in her mind, Republic Intelligence requested through the Senate to have the Partisan leader transferred to their custody. As a result, the Partisan leader was official transferred to Lord Sembla’s custody. This act, caused a number of protests to be lodged by Master Dooku. This even triggered a heated debate within the Senate between Chancellor Syrdash and Master Dooku.”
“As the Jedi were using procedural maneuvers within Senate, the Partisans attacked Jedi Forces across the Capital and doing so forced Milani to change her final moves from liberating the Jedi Temple on Olivan to directly confronting the new threat within the City. This drug out the conflict for months. These attacks also caused a profound effect on the Twenty-Seventh’s over all moral and caused a large number of losses. While the precise numbers will never be known, it is suggested that the Partisan losses were extremely high.”
“Unfortunately, not high enough to remove them from the battlefield. However as Master Milani’s forces continued to suffer rising losses, and facing a regrouping of Olivan’s Militia in the north, she sought and received permission from the Grand Council to further expand the conflict. This only compounded the Jedi’s miscalculation of the conflict on Olivan. During this time, the Jedi made several official requests through the Senate for direct Republic support. Each request was killed in the Senate by Chancellor Syrdash and her leadership collation.”
“Lacking support from the Republic, Master Milani was forced to bring in the Jedi’s Fifteenth Heavy Division and placed her Seventh Heavy Division on ready reserve above the world. With the Fifteenth protecting her northern flanks, Master Milani was able to turn and completely face the Partisans in a series of brutal battles for Control over the Capital. As the months started to drag, Milani was no closer to making ground in the Capital than she was when her last group of reinforcements arrived.”
Sinya: “Up until this moment, Lord Sembla, and his 2nd Battalion, had largely been left out of the larger conflict. Only falling victim to local terrorist attacks and suicide bombings. It was through Lord Sembla’s superior leadership skills, that allowed him to keep his forces out of the conflict. It must also be noted that Lord Semble’s ability to reach out to local leaders and create a zone of calm and peace greatly helped minimize attacks against the 2nd Battalion and allowed them to further their humanitarian mission on Olivan.”
“However, this stalling tactic could not hold back the wave of violence that had been unleashed upon Olivan. While the forces under the command of Master Milani were clearly the favorite target of the Partisans, the 2nd Battalion took a number of losses as well, most notable was a suicide attack on Base Camp Mercy. This attack left a bitter scare on the 2nd Battalion’s moral. Though despite these attacks, Lord Sembla was able to still keep the 2nd Battalion relatively neutral in the conflict. With the conflict continuing to grow out of control, Master Milani made a critical mistake.”
Bail: “Jenna had been transferred to Republic custody for transfer off world and questioning regarding the sweeping crisis in the Outer Rim. Lord Sembla had made the wise move to keep Jenna on the Vengeance till safe transfer could be established. There are confirmed reports that Master Milani made a request to interview the Partisan leader Jenna back at her headquarters.”
“While we are unclear as to what happened between Lord Sembla and Master Milani, what is known is that as a result of Master Milani and this transfer, the leader of the Partisans managed to escape. Outraged over the escape, the Security Council had called a special investigation in to the escape. A source close to the investigation said that Master Milani’s personal aide Jedi Knight Sha Koon has been linked to the escape. Rumors of incompetence has been floated in the investigation. However, it must be noted that this information is not conclusive.”
“It also must be stated that Knight Koon’s incompetence occurred only hours prior to Battle of Acfall Heights. Many have linked the timing of the escape as a trigger event for the Battle of Acfall Heights. As many of you might already know, the Battle of Acfall Heights was the only major engagement that the Republic’s 2nd Battalion took part in. During the battle, Lord Sembla led his forces on a grand rescue mission of Jedi Master Kali Demaya.”
“During this heroic battle, the 2nd Battalion fought back wave after wave of Partisan fighters, while Lord Sembla led the rescue mission. According to reports, despite their best efforts Partisans were only to inflict limited casualties. To say it was Lord Sembla’s finest hours, would be an understatement.”
Sinya: “During the Battle of Acfall Heights, an unknown group unleashed a destructive computer virus that crippled Republic and Jedi communication. While Jedi forces on the other side of the city were crippled and suffered heavy losses, Lord Sembla deployed an asset known only as T.O.D. to help them overcome this new crisis. According to sources within Republic Naval Command, this asset allowed the Republic forces to neutralize the virus and throw back the Olivan offensive.”
Bail: “Naval Command is being tight lipped about this asset, only identified as T.O.D. What is known, is the timely leadership, action and wisdom taken by Lord Sembla helped change the tide of battle. Lord Sembla and is forces were able to rescue Jedi Master Demaya and her group. In contrast, the Partisan losses were estimated at well over ten thousand fighters. It was clear that this battle would shape future perceptions of the 2nd Battalion. This was proven by the Partisans failing to mount any measurable offensive against Lord Sembla or his elite unit.”
Sinya: “If only the Jedi had Lord Sembla leading their forces on Olivan.”
Bail: “If the Chancellor’s son was leading the forces on Olivan, Lord Sembla would have shown the same level of compassion and diplomacy as his mother. There would be no conflict on Olivan.”
Sinya: “Agreed, hours leading up to the final battle for Olivan, Lord Sembla made an impassionate plea to Master Milani. It was recorded that a number of members of Lord Sembla’s team reached out to Master Milani. It was clear that Lord Sembla was attempting to bring an end to the conflict. We have an exclusive from Naval Command. Lord Sembla, through his prized asset T.O.D., learned of a pending trap that was targeted at Master Milani and her forces. He tried to convince Master Milani to stop this conflict. Can we get that up for our viewers?”
Quote:This is your last chance to avoid a bloody war. Withdraw your forces now. They using your aggression as fuel to destroy you. Do the right thing or be purged.
Bail: “A chilling warning from a man with a heart of gold. To hear him use such strong words speaks volumes of how much he desired warn her. How much he had tried to stop this senseless conflict.” Looks to Sinya, “I can’t imagine what Lord Sembla must have felt in seeing the truth, knowing the truth and being unable to stop the death around him. Lord Sembla showed true courage.”
Sinya: “Courage runs deep within his family.”
Bail: “Agreed. Ignoring numerous pleas from Lord Sembla, Master Milani rushed headlong in to a foolish battle. A battle that she had no hope of winning. It was during this final battle that Lord Sembla saw no choice but to request that his unit be withdrawn from Olivan. An official order was issued by Naval Command ordering Lord Sembla to abandon his mission on Olivan. Just in time also.”
Sinya: After calling in the last of her reinforcements, Master Milani launched a final push to liberate the Jedi Temple on Olivan. After a long brutal five-hour battle, Master Milani was able to achieve her primary objective. However, her victory would be short lived. With her forces near exhaustion and depleted, they were not ready to face a new threat.”
“Under the command of a man calling himself the King of the Heavens, a massive droid army landed on Olivan and crushed Milani’s forces. We have since learned that this man is none other than Graff Tirrel, Grand Son of slain Chancellor Sephon Tirrel. Nearly two years ago, Graff Tirrel was found guilty of attempting to assassinate Chancellor Syrdash. It was assumed that his transport was lost in space after his ship suffered a hyperspace mishap.”
“Caught completely off guard, the Jedi forces were unable to fend off the droid army. It was an epic battle, and we must recognize the courage of the Jedi forces during their final battle. In the end, it was a hopeless battle that Milani’s forces couldn’t win. It is rumored that Master Milani was killed by Graff Tirrel in single combat. With their leader dead, and hopeless outnumbered, the surviving Jedi forces on Olivan were forced to surrender.”
“After the battle, Lord Sembla reached out to Mr. Tirrel and asked for a meeting. Lord Sembla managed to do in a few minutes what Master Milani wasn’t able to accomplish in nearly a year of conflict. Lord Sembla secured peace on Olivan. According to reports coming out of Naval Command, Lord Sembla made no concessions or accepted no guilt that belonged to the Jedi. Instead, he received assurances that no Republic world would be targeted by Tirrel’s forces. More so, fifteen hundred survivors of Milani’s forces were allowed to leave Olivan thanks to Lord Sembla.”
Bail: “With peace finally secured on Olivan, the final body count in terms of Jedi losses has been completed. The Jedi lost their entire 5th Legion. During the nearly yearlong conflict, three hundred fifty thousand Republic and Baklid lives were lost. The Jedi lost eleven Venator class Star Destroyers, six Acclamators class assault ships, ten Arquitens class light cruiser. There were a number of ships from the Baklid navy lost as well, though we don’t have those numbers currently. What is now being called the single largest defeat the Jedi has suffered in recent history, has many in the Senate screaming for an investigation.”
Sinya: “Within days of the Republic full withdraw from Olivan, Graff Tirrel launched an brutal attack on Olivan’s closest neighbor, the independent world of Baklid VI. After the massive defeat that they and the Jedi suffered on Olivan, the Baklid military was in no shape to mount a defense against Graff’s forces. While there were sparse battles in and around the capital, the world largely fell without any serious conflict. Sources on Baklid claims the attack was a liberation of slaves working within Baklid’s mines.”
Bail: “Call it what you want, invasion is just what it is. An invasion. This Graff is a creation of the Jedi and their incompetence in the Outer Rim. Now they have unleashed this monster upon the innocent worlds of the Outer Rim. The Rogue Jedi of Olivan have recognized Graff Terril as their official leader and now call him General. How many worlds will suffer because of the Jedi’s mistakes.”
Sinya: “We may not know how many will fall, Bail. What we do know, is that currently the Jedi Academies on Ammuud, Bonadan and Kamar have all declared their separation from the Coruscant Temple. These Academies have all recognized General Graff as their military leader. As a reaction to these events, the Chancellor has placed Republic forces on Sembla and on Telos on full alert. The Jedi have placed their commands on Fray, Lorrd and Cadomai on full alert as well.”
Bail: “Military analyst close to the Olivan investigation suspect they know what the Rogue Jedi will do. They suspect that the Rogue Jedi’s next move could be in a series of conflicts around the Tingel Arm to secure their holdings in the Aparo, Wyl, and the Corporate Sectors. These battles could resemble small brush fires forcing the Jedi to deal with these battles on an individual basis. What I know, we have not heard the last of this monster known as General Graff.”
Chapter Three: The Brush Fire Wars
