We have reason to believe that Mr. Novak has made use of bribery, and his command of the Force, to assume his position as Minister of Defense, a position he has used, along with his fleet, to conduct clandestine missions across the Outer Rim, the true nature and purpose of which remains unknown to us and even to Druckenwell's own government.

Senator Ryuun himself has expressed his grave and sincere concerns to us, and to New Republic Intelligence, regarding Mr. Novak's undue influence in his government, and his misuse of the vessels comprising Druckenwell's fleet, some of which, according to the Senator, go missing for days and weeks while "phantom warships" with no transponders are sighted across the Outer Rim, and incidents of mass killings and abductions by such warships (and the droid armies they transport) are reported. From the evidence gathered from such incidents, the vessels and droids in questions match those under Mr. Novak's command.

We also have evidence that, most recently, Mr. Novak and the men and droids under his command have been responsible for the murder of Ewoks on Endor, a world and a people to which the New Republic owes more than it can ever repay. A report on this, and the other incidents to which I've referred, is being compiled and will be presented to the Ruling Council this afternoon.

Thanks to Senator Ryuun's diligence, and the tireless work of New Republic Intelligence, we are only beginning to know the extent of Mr. Novak's activities and intentions. But this we do know; that Mr. Novak has used bribery and coercion to secure his position, that he has abused that position to commit what may be atrocities across the Outer Rim, that he has refused the integration of his vessels and droids into Druckenwell's defense force (and thus commands an unlawful private army), and that he has, by his own admission, established a "New Sith Order," deriving its name and its customs from an order that believes not in peace, but in war; not in coexistence, but in "the death of the weak."

And this we know for certain, above all, that these acts must not be abided in a free society, if it is to remain free.

As of this hour, I have ordered the New Republic's 3rd Task Force to assist Druckenwell's government to secure the planet, its people and its institutions in the wake of the apparent assassination attempt on Mr. Novak that occurred this morning. With the cooperation of Senator Ryuun, and members of his government, we will restore to the people of Druckenwell what is rightfully theirs; their defense forces, their government, and their freedom to live in suspicion of neither.

The floor is open to discussion and debate.

Eli Fitzgerald
Chief of State