OBI-WAN KENOBI DEAD

[Ritterin Sophia]

Galactic Empire Times

CORUSCANT — Obi-Wan Kenobi, the mastermind of some of the most devastating attacks on the Galactic Empire and the most hunted man in the galaxy, was killed in a firefight with Imperial forces near Alderaan, Darth Vader announced on Sunday.

In a late-night appearance in the East Room of the Imperial Palace, Lord Vader declared that “justice has been done” as he disclosed that agents of the Imperial Army and stormtroopers of the 501st Legion had finally cornered Kenobi, one of the leaders of the Jedi rebellion, who had eluded the Empire for nearly two decades. Imperial officials said Kenobi resisted and was cut down by Lord Vader's own lightsaber. He was later dumped out of an airlock.

The news touched off an extraordinary outpouring of emotion as crowds gathered in the Senate District and outside the Imperial Palace, waving imperial flags, cheering, shouting, laughing and chanting, “Hail to the Emperor! Hail Lord Vader!” In the alien protection zone, crowds sang “The Ten Thousand Year Empire.” Throughout the Sah'c district, airspeeder drivers honked horns deep into the night.

“For over two decades, Kenobi has been the Jedi rebellion’s leader and symbol,” the Lord of the Sith said in a statement broadcast across the galaxy via HoloNet. “The death of Kenobi marks the most significant achievement to date in our empire’s effort to defeat the rebel alliance. But his death does not mark the end of our effort. There’s no doubt that the rebellion will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must and we will remain vigilant at home and abroad.”

Obi-Wan Kenobi ’s demise is a defining moment in the stormtrooper-led fight against terrorism, a symbolic stroke affirming the relentlessness of the pursuit of those who turned against the Empire at the end of the Clone Wars. What remains to be seen, however, is whether it galvanizes Kenobi’s followers by turning him into a martyr or serves as a turning of the page in the war against the Rebel Alliance and gives further impetus to Emperor Palpatine to step up Stormtrooper recruitment.

In an earlier statement issued to the press, Kenobi boasted that striking him down could make him "more powerful than you could possibly imagine."

How much his death will affect the rebel alliance itself remains unclear. For years, as they failed to find him, Imperial leaders have said that he was more symbolically important than operationally significant because he was on the run and hindered in any meaningful leadership role. Yet he remained the most potent face of terrorism in the Empire, and some of those who played down his role in recent years nonetheless celebrated his death.

Given Kenobi’s status among radicals, the Imperial Galactic government braced for possible retaliation. A Grand Moff of the Imperial Starfleet said late Sunday that military bases in the core worlds and around the galaxy were ordered to a higher state of readiness. The Imperial Security Bureau issued a galactic travel warning, urging citizens in volatile areas “to limit their travel outside of their local star systems and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations.”

The strike could deepen tensions within the Outer Rim, which has periodically bristled at Imperial counterterrorism efforts even as Kenobi evidently found safe refuge it its territories for nearly two decades. Since taking over as Supreme Commander of the Imperial Navy, Lord Vader has ordered significantly more strikes on suspected terrorist targets in the Outer Rim, stirring public anger there and leading to increased criminal activity.

When the end came for Kenobi, he was found not in the remote uncharted areas of Wild Space and the Unknown Regions, where he has long been presumed to be sheltered, but in a massive compound about an hour’s drive west from the Tatooine capital of Bestine. He had been living under the alias "Ben" Kenobi for some time.

The compound, only about 50 miles from the base of operations for the Imperial Storm Squadron, is at the end of a narrow dirt road and is roughly eight times larger than other homes in the area, which were largely occupied by Tusken Raiders. When Imperial operatives converged on the planet on Saturday, following up on recent intelligence, two local moisture farmers “resisted the assault force” and were killed in the middle of an intense gun battle, a senior Stormtrooper said, but details were still sketchy early Monday morning.

A representative of the Imperial Starfleet said that military and intelligence officials first learned last summer that a “high-value target” was hiding somewhere on the desert world and began working on a plan for going in to get him. Beginning in March, Lord Vader worked closely with a series of several different Admirals serving onboard the Death Star to go over plans for the operation, and on Friday morning gave the final order for members of the 501st Legion (known commonly as "Vader's Fist") to strike.

Kenobi and a group of his followers were eventually captured while fleeing the system, and taken aboard the Death Star, which was in the midst of surveying the recent environmental disaster on Alderaan. Darth Vader called it a “targeted operation,” although officials said four tie fighters were lost because of "mechanical failures" and had to be destroyed to keep them from falling into hostile hands.

In addition to Kenobi, two men and one wookiee were killed, one believed to be his young apprentice and the other two his couriers, according to an admiral who briefed reporters under Imperial ground rules forbidding further identification. A woman was killed when she was used as a shield by a male combatant, the Admiral said. Two droids were also reported missing.

“No Stormtroopers were seriously harmed,” Lord Vader said. “They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, I defeated my former master and took custody of his body.” Jedi tradition requires burial within 24 hours, but by doing it in deep space, Imperial authorities presumably were trying to avoid creating a shrine for his followers.

Lord Vader has denied requests to present photographs of the body, describing them as "too gruesome" for the general public.

Woohoo we finally got 'im!

[Havok]

Classic!

[TOSDOC]

I heard waves of suicide bombers attacked and destroyed The Death Star right after this happened. I wonder if the Empire will cover that up.

[Nephtys]

Listen, just because someone believes in the force doesn't mean he's gonna fly a plane and blow up a space station. Jedi is a religion of peace.

[Ritterin Sophia]

Listen, just because someone believes in the force doesn't mean he's gonna fly a plane and blow up a space station. Jedi is a religion of peace.

That's what all the Bathrobe Brigade says, and then for some reason our Head of State is hideously scarred by their terrorist attacks.

[AMT]

Listen, just because someone believes in the force doesn't mean he's gonna fly a plane and blow up a space station. Jedi is a religion of peace.

If you don't like the Empire, you can GET THE HELL OUT! We don't cotton to people who side with Fanatics!

[Metahive]

Yeah, I'm so going to found my own empire...with blackjack and hookers! You can stick to Emperor Pimplyface and Lord Asthma Wheeze, losers!

[Darth Tedious]

Yeah, I'm so going to found my own empire...with blackjack and hookers! You can stick to Emperor Pimplyface and Lord Asthma Wheeze, losers!

Sounds like the Happy Fun Time Alliance all over again...

[Ritterin Sophia]

The comments section is a gold mine!

"Why won't lord Vader show us HIS body?!"
"This is just a hoax to distract us from the real issues! Why doesn't Lord Vader show us his Birth certificate? Would his birth name hint towards his hidden Jedi agenda?"
"Sadly, even this victory likely won't satisfy Vader's critics -- they can't stand that he is black. "

[Omeganian]

Oh My God, They Killed Kenny!

[Nephtys]

The comments section is a gold mine!

"Why won't lord Vader show us HIS body?!"
"This is just a hoax to distract us from the real issues! Why doesn't Lord Vader show us his Birth certificate? Would his birth name hint towards his hidden Jedi agenda?"
"Sadly, even this victory likely won't satisfy Vader's critics -- they can't stand that he is black. "

Don't tell me you never wondered? I hear Vader was born on Tattoine! With the terrorists! He's a manchurian candidate waiting for a moment to destroy the empire the instant some young Jedi comes knocking.

[Ugolino]

All of you rebel-lovers disgust me. They';re terrorists, plain and simple! Just look at the Jedi cult! They started a galactic war! If it wasn't for them, all these dissidents wouldn't have surplus DC-15s to rebel with!

[PhilosopherOfSorts]

I heard waves of suicide bombers attacked and destroyed The Death Star right after this happened. I wonder if the Empire will cover that up.

Oh, please. Do you really think the rebels did that? The Death Star was clearly an inside job. It was a 120km across, had hundreds of meters of armor plating, and planetary grade shields, but we're susposed to believe two proton torps took it out? Fired from an Incom T-65, through a two meter exhaust port? Yeah, right, the T-65's targeting computer can't even hit a target that small. The Death Star's reactor went up in a controled detonation. To what ends, I don't know, but isn't is suspicous that one of the only survivors was the Emporer's right hand man, Darth Vader?

[Purple]

You can't be serious! Don't tell me you are one of those nut jobs that claims that it's all a conspiracy launched by the Emperor to make us believe the rebels are on the attack so that they can justify the invasion of the outer rim to take over the operations from the Huts! I have heard this idiocy a million times and I am telling you it is just insulting to all those brave stormtroopers and personnel who died protecting your life from the rebel scum!

[Lord Relvenous]

You can't be serious! Don't tell me you are one of those nut jobs that claims that it's all a conspiracy launched by the Emperor to make us believe the rebels are on the attack so that they can justify the invasion of the outer rim to take over the operations from the Huts! I have heard this idiocy a million times and I am telling you it is just insulting to all those brave stormtroopers and personnel who died protecting your life from the rebel scum!

Look at the ring, man. In an uncontrolled demolition there would be no ring. But what did we all see that morning? A big ol' ring with the explosion.

[Darksider]

Bah. I heard the version on the holonet with the ring is a fake. The ring was digitally inserted by rebel propagandists.

[OmegaChief]

I personally don't think Kenobi is dead, I mean where's our proof?

Exactly no pictures just a bunch of reports from people who I'm pretty sure died when the Deathstar wentup (Suspicious). Clearly Kenobi is either still alive or died years ago in exile and Vader is just using this to up his approval rating.

[TOSDOC]

I heard waves of suicide bombers attacked and destroyed The Death Star right after this happened. I wonder if the Empire will cover that up.

Oh, please. Do you really think the rebels did that? The Death Star was clearly an inside job. It was a 120km across, had hundreds of meters of armor plating, and planetary grade shields, but we're susposed to believe two proton torps took it out? Fired from an Incom T-65, through a two meter exhaust port? Yeah, right, the T-65's targeting computer can't even hit a target that small. The Death Star's reactor went up in a controled detonation. To what ends, I don't know, but isn't is suspicous that one of the only survivors was the Emporer's right hand man, Darth Vader?

Friggin conspiracy theorist. I seriously doubt your "insiders" could plant that many explosives in the structural supports under a small moon's worth of drywall without anyone noticing what was happening. My brother just showed me one of the original tapes of the attack, magnetic tape, mind you, so I know it ain't doctored, and you can clearly see their own "Red Leader" crashing his T-65 into the station.

[Prannon]

Whether you're glad he's dead or not, at least they've quit talking about that stupid royal wedding on Naboo. How is that sh*t newsworthy?! Bunch of rich people playing dress up while our troopers are dying. Though the new queen's sister is HOT.

Amen. I was starting to go crazy with all that stupid coverage. Has anyone heard anything about Mon Calamari? I was checking out some forums and some pro-rebel guy was talking about how everything was going to change because the Calamari were on their side now. Wut?

[Purple]

Just where did you get that information? It ain't from this board to be sure. Seems awfully suspicious to me too that you would just happen to meat some guy that just happens to tell you stuff like that.

You should report who ever posted that and what ever board it was posted to imperial intelligence and let them examine it. You would not want to end up spreading rebel propaganda here now would you?

[Alien-Carrot]

Amen. I was starting to go crazy with all that stupid coverage. Has anyone heard anything about Mon Calamari? I was checking out some forums and some pro-rebel guy was talking about how everything was going to change because the Calamari were on their side now. Wut?

The Calamari? What are they gonna do, hit me with that fish?

All the Calamari have is pleasure cruisers. Hell, they can't even work well with the other native species on their own home planet, how do they expect to work with other xenos against the empire.

I'm telling you, we have absolutely nothing to worry about from the Calamari. Except mabye food poisoning.

[doomboy536]

The Calamari? What are they gonna do, hit me with that fish?

All the Calamari have is pleasure cruisers. Hell, they can't even work well with the other native species on their own home planet, how do they expect to work with other xenos against the empire.

I'm telling you, we have absolutely nothing to worry about from the Calamari. Except mabye food poisoning.

Yeah, but I heard that the Calamari won't allow weapons inspectors to come and prove that they have no Weapons of Mass Food Poisoning.

[JME2]

Finally saw this and I'm LMAO.

[CaptainChewbacca]

The rebels are scum, pure and simple. They're a bunch of radical forcists who are trying to tear down our society, and they hate us because of our Imperial Strength. My brother died in the snow on Hoth trying to catch that bastard Skywalker, so don't tell me they don't mean us any harm.

They fire a goddamn ION CANNON at a walker. Who does that? Not people who believe in the Interstellar Accords. Interrogation Grid all of them, I say.

[TheHammer]

I personally don't think Kenobi is dead, I mean where's our proof?

Exactly no pictures just a bunch of reports from people who I'm pretty sure died when the Deathstar wentup (Suspicious). Clearly Kenobi is either still alive or died years ago in exile and Vader is just using this to up his approval rating.

It's official, the Rebel alliance announced his death. Who will replace him is the question. Charismatic up and comer Luke Skywalker? The Emperor approved him as being put on a targeting list, but maybe if he turns himself in he'll have a chance.