City on Dantooine destroyed by orbital bombardment!

Date: 160310
Planet: Dantooine
Region: Tasceryn

Story: (Written by the Galactic News Agency, Ramona doesn't write IC).

Two days ago the citizens of Tasceryn on Dantooine celebrated their city's birth. The settlemen had been recently founded, and was all set to receive the Galaxy at large for a night of revelry - frontier style! Booze and a fight club and other entertainment had been organized, and residents and visitors alike were looking forward to a wild party. Galactic civilization was already encroaching on the frontier though, through the presence of Lady Dionne Vao of C.O.V.E.N., whose famous cosmetics lines are in high demand in the Galactic Core, and were sure to appeal to the rougher residents of Tasceryn as well.

Alas, the perils of politics - or, according to some rumor's, a single man's ambitions and machinations - spoiled this. While the city was still gearing up for the festivities an imperial patrol led by Major Arev Basten visited. What exactly happened and why is not known, but after a dispute with a group of locals the patrol came under fire from as of yet unknown assailants, leading to the death of Major Basten while his command managed to retreat.

In retaliation the entire settlement was attacked by TIE Bombers from orbiting ships, causing wide-spread destruction - the entire city was effectively wiped from the planet's surface. Civilian casualties are not yet known, but estimated to be high. At least a partial evacuation was attempted by the local authorities, but it is unclear how successful they were in saving the citizens and residents. The survivors are sure to be in dire need of assistance, requiring food, shelter and medical support.

While confirmed facts - other than the complete destruction of the city - are scarce, rumors are found aplenty. There are claims that the imperial patrol was not on an official mission, but there for personal and very unsavory and highly illegal "business" of their commanding officer. Other sources claim that Major Basten was mutilated - possibly while he was still alive - and that body parts were taken as gruesome trophies by locals. Yet other rumors state that Major Basten had been a war criminal, and was actually eliminated by a squad of storm troopers to avoid a scandal, and that the city was blown up simply to cover this up.

The entire truth has yet to emerge from the fog of speculation, and may never be known. The public has reacted very negatively so far to this retaliation, most Galactic citizens being appalled by the cruel destruction of an entire city in response to the death of a single officer.