A/N: Well, I never thought I would upload anything here, but the kids insisted. . .
This year I taught a class on media literacy in our homeschool co-op. For the final exam, I wrote a series of articles covering the destruction of Alderaan and the Battle of Yavin for the students to analyze. They enjoyed the articles so much, they wanted me to post them here. [Any teachers out there who want a copy of the exam questions can PM me and feel free to use or adapt it for their own classes.]
Unfortunately, FF cannot support the newspaper-style formatting, so this has lost some of the visual impact. C'est la vie...
The Empire Times
The Official Source for All Galactic News
04.10.00019
Page A1
Rebel Insurgents Attack Space Station: Emperor Declares Attack Terrorism
Pabiks Cango and Letitia Ekstetter
Empire Times
IMPERIAL CITY – The Emperor announced with great regret today that an advanced mining and research station was destroyed on 04.06.00019 by the Rebellion in an act of terrorism.
The station, designated DS-1, had been under development for two decades, according to the statement. Designed to extract ore from asteroids and mineral rich planetoids, the DS-1 was equipped with an enhanced laser capable of striking a small target with precision. Although the station was developed for peaceful use, the project's developers recognized that the powerful laser could be misappropriated as a weapon and could potentially be used to destroy an inhabited planet. For this reason, the designers included a full complement of surface-based weapons and accommodations for Imperial Naval personnel to protect against any attempt to board and hijack the facility.
As the station operated primarily in remote areas, His Majesty's government determined to place the station under the protection of the Imperial Navy, in order to prevent splinter groups or criminals from commandeering the station. It was staffed not only by the miners and researchers who carried out its primary mission, but by over 1 million members of the armed forces under the command of Grand Moff Tarkin. Due to recent concerns over increasing terrorist activity by insurgent groups, the station's defenses were augmented by several squadrons of TIE fighters.
Four days ago, as the station passed through an unidentified system en route to its next assignment, the DS-1 was attacked by the Rebellion, a splinter group that employs terrorist tactics in a vain effort to restore the failed and ineffective Galactic Republic. The Emperor, who served as the last Chancellor of the Republic, recognized the chaos into which the Republic had fallen and courageously led the effort to form the Galactic Empire.
In the nearly two decades since, His Imperial Majesty has restored peace and order to the galaxy. The subjects of our glorious empire have not known such prosperity and security in centuries. Every loyal citizen of this empire condemns this cowardly attack on a research station, intended to increase the galactic supply of metals such as duranium and paristeel, as well as rare minerals required in the manufacture of everything from electronics to high-grade building materials. The loss of this station will be felt for decades, as the economy of the Empire will now suffer from shortages of these vital materials to fuel economic growth.
His Imperial Majesty announced in the statement that he will not rest until he brings justice for the lives lost on the DS-1.
"This Empire has pursued a policy of peace throughout the galaxy. We will not negotiate with terrorists, bent on destabilizing the order and security that this Empire stands for. I have given orders to Lord Vader, the only survivor of the attack, to hunt down and destroy this Rebellion. In this unprovoked attack upon Imperial citizens, soldier and civilian alike, the Rebellion has roused the nexu. We will never forget and we shall never rest until the Rebellion is destroyed entirely."
For more coverage and analysis, see p. A5
Mining Station Experiences Accident
Trenc Rince
Empire Times
According to a statement issued by the Imperial Navy today, the DS-1, a mining and research station, suffered a catastrophic accident on 04.03.00019 as it traveled through the Alderaan system, en route to open up a new star system for ore extraction. Tragically, the entire planet of Alderaan was destroyed in the resulting cataclysm.
The Imperial Navy is conducting an investigation into what caused the catastrophe. It is believed at this time that the accident may have been the work of saboteurs who adapted the specialized laser to destroy the planet.
Although the motives of any such alleged saboteurs are unknown at this time, this act of destruction may have been intended to draw attention to the Rebellion and create sympathy for the Rebel cause among the star systems of the Empire.
It is thought that one of the saboteurs may have been the disgraced Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi. According to the official statement released by the navy, Darth Vader, who was aboard the DS-1 at the time, confirms that the Jedi Kenobi was sighted on the station the day Alderaan was destroyed. Such Jedi involvement in the alleged sabotage, if confirmed, would cast an even more sinister light on the plot, as the Jedi have long been known to have conspired against the lawful galactic government
Grand Vizier Sate Pestage stated in a press release late last evening, "The heartless destruction of Alderaan and the loss of its resources is a tragedy for the galaxy. Our thoughts are with those impacted by this dreadful event. The Imperial government and military are investigating the situation in order to prevent any such events in the future. The Rebellion will not prevail in destabilizing our glorious Empire that has brought peace and safety to the citizens of the galaxy."
Darth Vader Found Alive
GNS - Lord Darth Vader, missing in action and presumed dead following the alleged terrorist attack on the DS-1 on 04.06.00019, has been found alive.
Imperial High Command issued a statement that he personally led the TIE fighter wings in defending the DS-1 from the Rebels who attacked it. It was believed he had perished in the battle, as all other personnel aboard the station died when it was destroyed. However, the wreckage of his fighter was located yesterday.
All information regarding the location of the enemy action and Lord Vader's subsequent crash is classified. An unidentified source familiar with the situation would only state that the action occurred in the Outer Rim and that Lord Vader was injured very slightly. He has been hospitalized but is expected be released shortly.
The same source indicated that it is likely the Emperor will task Lord Vader with destroying the Rebellion once he is recovered.
Senate Dissolved
Kwam-Tol Gudd
Empire Times
An official announcement from the Speaker of the Senate confirmed today that the Imperial Senate has been permanently dissolved.
Rumors of the dissolution had been circulating for several days, and with this statement, the scuttlebutt has become fact. The Senate, the final remnant of the ineffective Galactic Republic, has been increasingly redundant in the years since the establishment of the Empire, but Emperor Palpatine has been reluctant to do away with the last vestige of the once-glorious past.
Bowing to pressure from the increasingly vocal opponents of the Senate, the Emperor reluctantly announced that the dissolution has become necessary to the effective functioning of the galactic government. The representation and governance of star systems has devolved to the sector Moffs, granting official recognition to the de facto state of affairs.
