Volume 1 – Year 26
As the galactic calendar turns to the new year, many across the galaxy look to the new year with hope. A chance to turn a new leaf. A time for change. In the Hassaria System, many saw the installation of BD-17209 as a move towards a brighter future and looked forward to inauguration day with a cautious excitement of things to come.
Sadly, what was to be a history day for the supporters of the Automation Unity Party (AUP) quickly turned to tragedy when it was announced that BD-17209 had been assassinated on transit to the inauguration festivities. Details are unclear publicly, but several private channels have placed the blame squarely on a rogue clone trooper. What was a clone trooper doing in Hassaria and what business did he have with BD-17209, this remains unanswered.
Riots quickly enveloped the city of Elmster on Hassaria III where the post-inauguration party was to be held. The prostates soon turned violent with several droid units having to be deactivated as they pushed through barriers and damaged Confederate production complexes in the city. Others were eliminated by local security forces after the exchange of blasterfire.
Magistrate Siejo Kutol was very quick to release a statement, offering his condolences to the droid’s creators and brothers in arms from both himself and the First Lady of the South, his wife. His heart reportedly ached for those who had put so much time and effort into the AUP and the movement and promised that his office would be there to listen and help in any way that they can. He made a promise to make it an example of the responsible party once identified. He also offered transparency through the Head of States office on the ongoing investigation.
With the response coming through within minutes of the horrible assassination, some outlets found it odd how quickly the statement was posted, with some even posting brazen conspiracy theories on line suggesting the office of the Magistrate was somehow involved. Other, more reputable publications, like the one you are reading, feel this is very far fetched and a dangerous assessment to make. Other non-affiliated groups responded that the response time for the Magistrate was appropriate given the nature of the briefing.
Either way, the AUP will not take this lightly. Some suspect they will offer up a replacement candidate, but some fear that the established government of the Green Glasses Party will see this as an opportunity to squash the AUP efforts, demanding a new election to be held. As this is rather unprecedented, the case could make its way all the way to the office of the Head of State who, in the end, may have to appoint a new governor for the remainder of the term. A date for the memorial for BD-17209 has not yet been set.