The regular news hour begins in the most unusual fashion, something that
has never happened before. There is no catchy music, no dramatic
lighting, and the incessant smile of the human announcer is also absent.
Instead there is a grave, serious expression on her face. "Good
evening," the woman begins, "I'm Jenneane Malroney, and you're watching
Galactic 10 o'clock. Tonight's top story: A Grand Moff's death - was
there a trial? Or was it a grave error?"

She casts a nervous glance to her left, and then continues. "Here to
present us with the facts is Lady Zerona Corinth, of COMPNOR Department
of Information." The camera angle widens and shifts left to encompass
them both. Tonight's guest is in stark contrast to our familiar
announcer. She obviously skipped her appointments to wardrobe and
makeup, wearing a rankless, awardless black uniform that cuts high at
the neck. Her face is pale, maybe more so under the studio lights, and
she wears a very intense expression on her face, which eases into nothing.

Malroney looks mildly uncomfortable, and then dives right into her
interview. "Lady Corinth, thank you for joining us. I understand you
have recently arrived back from the Thrax sector, right on the heels of
the death of Imperial Grand Moff Kirov Quel-Droma. What can you tell us
about your findings?"

The pale woman begins to respond, but her voice is so low and soft that
the sound has to be adjusted, and the beginning of her response is lost.
"..dispatched a small force to investigate the circumstances of this
tragic event, and retrieve the body of the late Moff Quel-Droma. What we
found was most contrary to the earlier statements of the rebel leader,
Avatar," her eyes flicker and she nearly spits his name, as if it is too
foul to linger on her lips.

"Would you say the findings indicated that there was an unfair trial?"
asks Jenneane.

"I would say findings indicate there was no trial," Zerona responds
bluntly, and shifts her attention directly to the camera, leaving the
viewers with the uncomfortable feeling she is staring right at them.
"The preliminary findings revealed that the time between the original
trauma inflicted during his apprehension and the actual time of death
was very brief... our forensic investigators are estimating less than
five minutes, but it isn't an exact science." She blinks. "It could be
less than four."

The announcer looks a little confused by this and then continues, "I..
see. So then you're saying that.." she clears her throat and looks at
her notes to quote an earlier report, "a 'High Command Tribunal' was not
established?"

"If it was, Grand Moff Quel-Droma was not present at his own trial,
which makes it not a trial at all. Additionally, as Alissma has
officially denounced the act, it was never approved by their own
leaders, despite Avatar's personal alliance-" she stops herself "-excuse
me, former alliance to their religion."

"Are you suggesting the rebel leader would act against even his own
allies to strike at the Galactic Empire in any way he can?"

"I don't have to suggest anything," Zerona blinks slowly, her expression
blank. "Though it has often been suggested in reverse. However -- the
"evil" Empire that the feeble rebel alliance seeks to topple could only
ever be supplanted with a regime of deceivers and traitors such as
Avatar and his accomplices have clearly proven themselves to be."

"So the only question this thorough investigation leaves us is: Hey,
Who's the bad guy, here?" Jenneane seems amused by her wit.

Zerona does not. Or maybe she doesn't get the joke, as her expression is
still as bland as ever. "In relation to that, I am permitted to say a
suspect identified as Marinko V. was found at the scene, taken into
custody, and sentenced for trespassing in a restricted area."

"And what, Lady Corinth, would be a fitting punishment for those who
commit crimes against the Empire?" Jenneane leans forward slightly, as
if anxious to know.

Finally the Lady Corinth's composure cracks, just slightly.. just
enough. Her left brow twitches and her chin pulls backward, a wrinkle
appearing across the bridge of her nose as her expression begins to
twist into a violent one. "I have nothing more to say," she states
plainly, and stands up, abruptly exiting the studio and view of the camera.

"Ehr.. and.. there you have it," the stunned announcer says after an
awkward pause. "Now.. for a short break and then we're back with the
galactic weather report."