Imperials Seize Republic Vessel, Crew

Kanz Sector, Outer Rim — The Imperial Remnant has seized a New Republic vessel, and its crew of 92, for allegedly trespassing on Imperial space in violation of the recent peace treaty between the two factions. This, despite findings that the ship in question did not, in fact, do so. The Corellian Gunship Pioneer was on a training exercise when, reportedly, it encountered the Imperial Star Destroyer Marathon, skirmished with it, and was summarily captured. Remnant officials have demanded an apology for the incident and the resulting deaths of 23 of the Marathon's crew.

"The Empire condemns the actions of... the gunship Pioneer, and demands both a clarification of this incident and an apology," said the Imperial Minister of State, Walther Fiske, in a statement to Ponc Gavrisom, the New Republic's Chief of State. "The Galactic Empire is profoundly disappointed and displeased with this incident," Fiske went on, "and does not feel that this is an auspicious beginning to the new era of accord to which the Empire has graciously committed."

Fiske also referred to the incident as a "heinous event," denounced "the stubborn and belligerent individuals who pervade [the] Senate and ceaselessly cast aspersions upon the Empire," and suggested that the New Republic fleet required "more discipline and restraint." A classified report on the incident by New Republic Intelligence contends that Pioneer was in neutral space, and was fired upon first by the Star Destroyer Marathon, according to an official familiar with the report. Minister Fiske would not respond to the The Coruscant Journal's request for comment.

"I most heartily apologise for the deaths of your crewmen," Gavrisom said in response to the Imperial allegations, "This is quite unacceptable. I shall have an investigation launched into this torrid affair and attempt to [discern] what possessed New Republic crewmen to fire upon an Imperial ship during a time of peace." The Chief of State also noted that "this is not the policy of the New Republic military, and not a failing thereof, simply—seemingly—a very serious mistake by an officer of our fleet, which will be investigated to the most stringent standards."

The latter remark refers to Admiral Kieran Nadia, the Inspector General of the New Republic Defense Fleet, who was present on the Pioneer at the time of its capture and is believed to be in Imperial custody. Gavrisom and Fiske are reportedly in discussions on the release of Admiral Nadia and the rest of the Pioneer's crew, possibly in exchange for Imperial prisoners held by the Republic. The Coruscant Journal will continue to follow the story as it develops.