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"Hello everyone! Welcome back to the Galactic Broadcasting Channel. My name is Andira Gut'irez, and I'll be your host on this new and exciting show on the GBC. We'll be covering everything from galactic politics to riot racing in the Outer-Rim, to Ronto ranching on Tatooine and spelunking with gundarks on Vanqor. We'll be joined by some incredible guests including celebrities, politicians, Jedi, and maybe even a Mandalorian if I can wrangle it. I'm so excited to be hosting my very first show on the network, and I hope you'll stick around as we all learn more about the galaxy together.
"Let's get started, shall we? Those of you who keep up on happenings in the Mid-Rim might have heard about the recent Trade Federation Blockade of Naboo, a peaceful world known for their rolling hills, stunning forests, incredible artists, and massive sea monsters. Now, you might be asking yourself, how can a giant corporation blockade an entire planet without any repercussions? I've been asking myself that question as well, and I can confidently say that I don't have any clue. Rest assured, the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, Chancellor Valorum, has sent two Jedi Knights to serve as ambassadors and cool the situation down. We now go live to the Jedi ambassadors aboard the Trade Federation's flagship orbiting Naboo."
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"Hello? This is Andira Gut'irez of the GBC. Is anyone there? Hello? I'm hearing static...Jim can we get a video feed? What do you mean we can't display the feed? HAHAHA the Republic transport was destroyed? That's ridiculous, that would never...oh...oh dear. Umm, everyone in the audience, it seems that the negotiations between the Jedi ambassadors and the Trade Federation went a little sour. I don't think we'll be able to report on the goings on there. But don't worry, we'll just move on to our first guest, Blio Bibble, nephew to Governor Sio Bibble of Naboo. Blio Bibble is a diplomat here on Coruscant representing his home world of Naboo and advocating for the planet in front of different tech NGO's. He's made it his life's work to further develop the communications systems outside of the Galactic Core and build on the work done during the High Republic era in connecting the galaxy. Mr. Bibble, it's a pleasure to have you on the show."
"Thank you Andira, and congrats on the new show. Best of luck to you."
"Thank you Mr. Bibble, I appreciate it. Let's jump right in, shall we?"
"Yes, let's."
"So, what can you tell me about the current blockade around Naboo? I mean, why is the Trade Federation, a galactic corporation, able to do something like this? Surely the Senate could tell the Trade Federation to leave?"
"Excellent points Andira...yes, you'd think the Senate would do that, and indeed they have the power to make that happen if they wanted to, but right now there isn't the political will in the Senate to stand up to corporate greed. I'm sure plenty of Senators are making money off of this dreadful blockade. And the Supreme Chancellor won't speak up either. Sending ambassadors only legitimizes the actions of the Federation. We need leadership willing to stand up and send a message that a single corporation cannot have this sort of power. Almost seventy years ago, Supreme Chancellor Ursula Roosvelti broke up the galaxy's largest corporations, and the people of the galaxy were better off for it. We need that sort of decisive action and pro-people mentality now."
"Indeed. And Mr. Bibble, have you heard anything from your family back on Naboo? How has the blockade affected them?"
"Well, Andira, it's been hard on them. Last week my uncle, Sio Bibble, Governor of Theed, was telling me that the people are going hungry as food shipments are being blocked. Most of Naboo's food is grown off world on a nearby moon, and the blockade is making it impossible for those shipments to go through."
"It must be hard living on Naboo right now. One last question before we let you go Mr. Bibble, how likely do you think an invasion is?"
"While things are certainly tough for the people of Naboo, I am hopeful that the Federation won't resort to invasion. As long as there are no communications disruptions, there won't be an invasion."
"Let's hope there aren't any communications disruptions then. Thank you for joining us Mr. Bibble, we all appreciate it."
"Thank you, Andira."
"Now, let's chat with the Queen of Naboo herself to get her perspective on the ongoing situation. Queen Amidala is the recently elected queen of Naboo. At age 14, she is one of the youngest queens the planet has seen despite its extensive history of electing queens who haven't yet finished middle school. Queen Amidala, it's a pleasure to speak with you."
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"Hello? Queen Amidala? Of Naboo? Jim! Can you patch in the Queen please? What do you mean you can't? Communications disruption? But...that can only mean one thing...Breaking news everyone, it appears that the Trade Federation has decided to invade Naboo, breaking all sorts of galactic laws, and begging the question: if a planet can't back out of a trade, what hope do any of us as individuals have? Anyway, next we'll chat with our field reporter, Antonio Barconi, at the Galactic Senate, but before that, here's a quick word from our sponsors."
*Brief Static*
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*Brief Static*
"And we're back! For those of you just joining us, I'm Andira Gut'irez of the GBC. Naboo is today's main topic of conversation as it appears that the Trade Federation is indeed invading the planet. Just like many of you, this came as a surprise to me. I didn't even think Naboo had any trade agreements with the Trade Federation, but that's galactic politics I guess. One day, you're a member planet of the Galactic Republic, and the next you're invaded by a corporation that for some reason also has a seat on the senate, which begs the question, are corporations people? For more on this, let's check in on our fantastic news anchor, Antonio Barconi! Antonio, it's good to see you! Can you tell us where you are?"
"Hi Andira! Yeah, I'm at the Galactic Senate right now where the senators all just met to talk about the Naboo crises."
"How was the meeting?"
"Honestly, confusing. I'm not sure if you've ever been to a Senate meeting before, Andira, but most of it is trying to hear what's going on as everyone shouts from hover pods vying for control of the room's air space like a swarm of mynocks. Supreme Chancellor Valorum called for decorum, but this is not the right forum for that. It's like mistaking fool's gold for aurum if you ask me."
"Wow...Antonio, did you come up with those rhymes on the spot?"
"Oh not at all, Andira. I have a list of prepared rhymes with me wherever I go. You never know when you might need them."
"Well, that was impressive. Great job. Did you get the chance to speak to any of the Senators?"
"I did, Andira. I chatted with the senator from the Trade Federation."
"And? What did he say?"
"I can't tell you. He brought me into his office, had his battle droids point their blasters at me, and forced me to sign an agreement. All I can say is that the official position of the Trade Federation as stated in the Senate session this morning is that there is no proof of any invasion, despite the lack of communications to and from the planet, the destruction of the ambassador's ship aboard the Trade Federation flagship, the precedents of Federation invasions throughout the galaxy over the past 200 years, and the video being broadcasted right now of the invasion from our ships orbiting the planet."
"Jim, can you roll that tape now? Thanks."
"As you can see, Andira, the Trade Federation is sending out transports filled with battle droids on the planet's surface. They're being escorted by vulture droids. Most of the transports are landing in the forests and swamps and other conservation areas protected by the planet. There are plenty of open fields surrounding Theed and the other cities, but the Trade Federation seems intent on knocking down as many trees as possible on their way to invade. But again, according to the senator, there is, and I quote, 'no proof'."
"Thank you, Antonio, for your reporting. I really appreciate it."
"No problem, Andira."
"That's it on Naboo for tonight, but before we go I wanted to share that Ben Quadinaros, intergalactic podracing star from the Tund System, has just qualified for the Boonta Eve Classic! Quadinaros has long been a favorite on the racetrack and has pulled off some spectacular wins this season. On Malastare he managed to win by a margin of twenty minutes on a racetrack that takes only half an hour to complete. How the Toong managed that is anyone's guess, but here at GBC, we're excited to see him out on Tatooine. I may not be a Jedi or have any of their Force prediction powers, but I think we can all say with confidence that Quadinaros is on his way to an absolutely spectacular win in the Boonta Eve Classic. You can put money on that bet right there. But that's our show, and I'll see you next week. Andira Gut'irez, signing off."
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