Private Innocence is the first casualty of War

[Kres Garjzla]

✦ FIELD REPORT ✦
"Reporting the facts, no matter the cost."​

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Tags: Serena Harth

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War was never easy to report on. Some might have thought it was. It was easy news. Easy to keep people updated on the loss of life and destruction going on in the Galaxy but more likely than not, it ends up becoming some kind of political peace. Placing one side or another at fault. Of course, there were people at fault for every war, but it wasn't Kres' job to report on that. It was to simply state the facts. Because the Truth was real journalism. It separated the wheat from the chaff. Those who could hold their tongue and those who couldn't. Yet it was times like this that Kres struggled to stay neutral. Seeing the exhausted faces huddled around the space station, waiting to be sent off to somewhere else as refugees...It tugged at her heart.

There were citizens from various different worlds now under the control of the Empire. Kres wondered if there were any from her homeworld...She took in a deep breath, trying to her emotions steady. Don't let her emotions get in the way of the Truth. Her eyes darted around the station for a moment, narrowing ever so slightly. There were other reporters here, it was clear as day. Some like vultures, ready to pounce at a moment's notice for someone to interview to further their own agenda they wanted to push. Agendas. The idea of them just disgusted Kres. Either way, she turned herself around to face the droid she was using as her camera-man for the day. More often than not, she normally stuck to written articles, but this was different.

"Hello, this is Kres Garjzla, reporting from this space station, where as you can see there are dozens of citizens making a mass exodus from their homes whilst they can. Where will they go next? Will they find refugee amongst the various "big players" in the Galaxy? Will they try to find safety amongst the unknown reaches of space?"

It was quite...apparent that Kres was avoiding the specific topic at hand for why all of these people were leaving their planets. Their homes. Faced with the threat of the Galactic Empire, and retreat of the Alliance, it was no surprise that people would be losing faith in their own safety. Their own security. But that was technically an assumption. Kres had no facts to back that up and so she'd stay neutral. Her Truth was not the Galaxy's Truth.

"This brings me to my question I have for you all viewing. What would you do if you were in these people's shoes? What threats would convince you to leave your home? Who would you turn to for help?"

Another part of what journalism should be about in Kres' eyes. Making you think. Letting you to come to the answers yourself, instead of directing you to an answer. She cleared her throat for a moment, looking over towards the droid before giving it a quick handsignal to turn off the camera. They weren't live fortunately. Kres would take the footage she'd get from today to edit over it, add a few graphics. In this moment however? She had to find someone to interview, a frown on her face as she looked over the refugees

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NOTES TO EDITOR:​

Spoiler: OOC Notes

N/A

 

[Serena Harth]

"One thing is certain: war has come to the heart of the galaxy. The Empire has struck a devastating blow to Coruscant, terrorizing trillions. And now for the first time in a long time, the fate of the Galactic Alliance seems… uncertain." Serena turned to her interviewee, a bandaged-up Twi'lek woman with righteous indignation burning in her eyes. "Thank you, and give my wishes to your family. We will see those responsible brought to justice." The woman exited to the left, and Serena swiped her hand in front of her neck, signaling for her camdroid to cut.

Sometimes Serena wished there was more she could do to help people in a crisis like this. But she wasn't a fighter like her parents. There was no rushing into the front lines for her. All she'd do is become another body on the pile. This was where she could make a difference. Spreading the message. Getting the word out. And, if need be, spurring the people to action.

What frustrated her the most is that it seemed no one was prepared for this worst case scenario. The Alliance was utterly stunned by the attack, and had already lost control of several crucial Core Systems. She wanted to throw blame at the bureaucrats for their complacency, but at the end of the day, it wouldn't change the desires of the Empire. Perhaps this was inevitable.

Whatever the case, right now, people needed a banner to rally beneath. Not a further sowing of divisions. The enemy was here, and they were a threat to all free peoples in the galaxy.

Kres Garjzla​

 

[Kres Garjzla]

✦ FIELD REPORT ✦
"Reporting the facts, no matter the cost."​

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Tags: Serena Harth

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Kres glanced over towards the sounds of what sounded to be an interview currently coming towards an end, raising an eyebrow to herself. It had seemed...competent to say the least. Sure, it was possible that some of it was hyperbole. Terrorizing trillions, whilst something that was completely understandable to say may have struggled to have actual evidence backing it. It was possible that there were quite a few people who were happy with the idea of the Empire being in charge. People would believe they have brought peace, freedom, justice and even security to the Core. Of course, Kres didn't believe any of that for a moment...but to state otherwise, at least on air, would invalidate people's beliefs.

"Who exactly is we?"

She spoke up, making her way over towards Serena, giving the Zeltron a small raised eyebrow. It was an honest question at the end of the day. Some might have thought that Kres was being antagonistic, but she saw as well as Serena that the Alliance was faltering against the Empire. It would be hard for the Alliance to have everyone's faith, especially with how spread thin they were. It was only a matter of time in Kres' eyes that the Alliance would have to pick a side of their territory to secure. Everything east of the Core or everything west.

"And what form of Justice?...I don't ask any of this to be confrontational. I'm curious as to your opinion."

It was small moments like this that let Kres get a feeling for how other people in the Galaxy thought. She kept her opinions more often than not to herself. Neutrality was what she always tried to express, both in her writing and her expression.

"Traditional justice in the form of the law? Or through taking matters into our own hands?"

And even then, what counted as taking matters into your own hands? Kres had heard reports of the Lightsworn. Those who took the fight to the Empire, striking key strategical points, whilst also doing their best to avoid collateral damage. Though she also knew there were reports of rebel groups also targeting civilians in Empire space. It would be interesting to see what Serena thought.

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NOTES TO EDITOR:​

Spoiler: OOC Notes

N/A

 

[Serena Harth]

Serena was rather proud of the interview. Sure, it's not the kind of piece that could win a war, but winning hearts and minds was a good first step. People needed to see what was happening. See the faces of those affected.

"Who exactly is we?"

Serena blinked, looking around for the source until she noticed the other woman who had now approached her. Kres might not have meant what she said antagonistically, but the question made Serena raise an eyebrow, unsure of how to react to it herself. Kres continued to ask more questions.

"Am I playing interviewee now?" She chuckled incredulously, "Alright." Might as well play along and see where this goes.

"Well, 'we' is the people of the Alliance. Or any who align themselves with galactic democracy. As for your other question: Whatever form it must take, I suppose," Serena had her answer quickly, "To be frank, there's not much to be done by word of law, at least not yet. The Alliance is at war, and historically, empires don't exactly quit while they're ahead."

"I think those willing to fight should join up with Alliance armed forces. Barring that-- Individual acts of resistance may seem small on their own, but they add up. Any act of old-fashioned civil disobedience can inspire another. Chop at a tree enough times, and eventually..." She made a pop noise with her lips, "You'll make the chop that knocks the whole thing down, right?"

Serena's head lolled toward her shoulder, "Why? You have other ideas to share with the class?"

Kres Garjzla​

 

[Kres Garjzla]

✦ FIELD REPORT ✦
"Reporting the facts, no matter the cost."​

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Tags: Serena Harth

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"No, no. This is off the record. I am...curious."

Kres waved her hand somewhat dismissively. Off camera, she allowed herself to be more expressive. More opinionated. Which of course, she was somewhat showing as she folded her arms along her front, listening to Serena's answers. They weren't answers that Kres necessarily agreed with but it was admirable at least. Not entirely something that she expected.

"No. I don't have any ideas myself. I was just curious as to see what your opinion was on the matter. Your...Truth for lack of a better term."

She kept an arm folded along her front before lifting up her hand holding up her index finger, about to go over what she thought were somewhat "flaws" in the idea.

"I don't think it would come off as a surprise to say that the Alliance may not have many "people" under it's influence for much longer. Though the idea of those aligned to democracy bringing the Empire to justice does sound suitable. However that brings me to another one of your points. Individual acts of resistance. Should those acts end up causing the suffering of innocents and the loss of life, should they not also be punished?"

And this was exactly the kind of mindset Kres had that made her no friends. Her...habit of being a contrarian. Her habit of always having to point out the other side of the situation.

"There have been reports of Chiss attacking locations related to the Galactic Empire and it's leaders. Even setting bounties on them. Are these the kind of acts that should be inspiring the people? The kind of acts that put fear into the hearts of many? Is it alright since it is a case of "fighting fire with fire"?..."

For a moment, she trailed off her gaze falling elsewhere as she nibbled at the corner of her lip. A small nervous habit of hers as she was thinking over the words she had been saying herself before Kres sighed.

"...I apologise. I said this was off the record, but I am acting as if this is an interview. I shouldn't be trying to poke holes in your view."

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NOTES TO EDITOR:​

Spoiler: OOC Notes

N/A

 

[Serena Harth]

Serena didn't totally buy this woman's explanation. Most people weren't quite so fascinated in another person's opinions without having something they wanted to push themselves. But she took the opportunity as a challenge to herself as much as anything else. "They might not be those people's government anymore, but those people might still consider themselves a part of the Alliance. Loyal to it, if nothing else." Kres made a point to emphasize the potential damages to civilians that could come with open rebellion. "Resistances are always messy. It can be difficult to separate freedom fighters from the anarchists who simply blanket themselves in the cause. I would never condone direct harm against citizenry, nor is it conducive to the fight. Should the acts be punished? I like to think so. In the same vein that we would hold any military accountable in any war," The last sentence was laced with a hint of skepticism. There were innocent casualties in any war, but many people took that truth on the chin, simply because the war was conducted 'normally'. "But following through on that punishment might be difficult, given the circumstances."

To Kres' second point, Serena shrugged, "Bounties are placed on criminals all the time. Imperial warlords shouldn't be held to any different standard if you ask me. Sounds like the Chiss are a step ahead of everyone else who has a bone to pick with the Empire."

"...I apologise. I said this was off the record, but I am acting as if this is an interview. I shouldn't be trying to poke holes in your view."

So this lady was some kind of journalist herself. Serena figured as much. "You know if you wanted to get the scoop on what happened, there's plenty of first-hand accounts to pick from. Why settle for me?"

Kres Garjzla​