News Brief #15: Assassination Attempt Against the Tarsan Ambassador

Stardate: Thirday, 095-130 ABY/Fringe Info Network (FIN)--Tarsus Bureau

Subsector: Shannekam

"All the news that's fit to transmit."

Tarsan Ambassador's Convoy Attacked!

After the pirate attack on 092-130 ABY, the crippled Tarsan Ambassadorial Vessel, Tangletree Envoy, took an additional day to arrive at Ku Crassus.  Due to the extensive damage on the starboard engine the ship made a hard landing at Cortona Starport, just outside the planetary capital.  There were no reported injuries.

Immediately upon landing, members of Diplomatic Security Team Three (DST3), organized a convoy for Ambassador Heraud and her staff.  Due to the threat of a possible Offworlder Riot, like the ones erupting on nearby Zenya and Zandamak, there were no Crassian security assets available to escort Ambassador Heraud's motorcade.  (Note:  DST3 initiated a formal complaint against the Crassian Government for the lack of VIP security).

The attack occurred just as the convoy approached Cortona's downtown district.  At least three beings, in red armor and armed with slug-throwing rifles, appeared over a tenement roof ledge and fired on the vehicles as they sped by.  (See the topmost image).  DST3 returned fire with their blasters, forcing the attackers back from the ledge.  The vehicles suffered minor damage, but there were no reported injuries.  The Tarsan Delegation arrived at the Crassian Government Building without any further incident.

It is unknown at this time if this incident was related to the pirate attack, or merely coincidental.  In any case, there is unconfirmed speculation that the red-armored attackers are the same, or at least similar beings to the ones encountered by DST3 on Zenya's Gadnek Island.

News Brief #14: Pirate Attack Against Tarsan Ambassador

Stardate: Tuday, 094-130 ABY/Fringe Info Network (FIN)--Tarsus Bureau

Subsector: Shannekam

"All the news that's fit to transmit."

Pirates Attack Tarsan Ambassadorial Ship!

Two days ago, Ambassador Heraud's vessel, the Tangletree Envoy, was attacked by a pirates as the ship neared the asteroid field in the Ku Crassus System.  Due to a slight miscalculation, the Tangletree Envoy came out of hyperspace several light-seconds behind it's escort the armed transport, a YT-1300 light freighter, Gadnek Survivor.

The attack occurred just as the ambassador's vessel was maneuvering over the asteroid field.  Two TIE fighters opened fire, bringing down the starboard deflector shield and causing minor hull damage.

The Tangletree Envoy then plunged into the asteroid field to avoid further damage from the pirate mother ship.  The desperate maneuver brought the ship too close to an asteroid, which smashed the starboard engine (seen in the above image).

Meanwhile, the Gadnek Survivor maneuvered back to protect the crippled vessel, which was now leaking nuetronic fuel.  Apparently the appearance of another starship distracted, or panicked, the crew of cutthroats.  The pirate ship collided with an asteroid as it attempted to outmaneuver the Tarsan transport (seen in the image below).

Despite suffering from forward hull damage, the pirate vessel and its accompanying fighters, were more than a match for the YT-1300.  Fortunately, a small Tarsan task force, consisting of the corvettes Skaig and Skerron, led by the frigate Deft, dropped out of hyperspace.  Now suddenly outnumbered and outgunned, the pirate ship quickly retrieved it's fighters and made the jump to hyperspace before the Tarsan warships could pursue.

It is unknown at this time whether this attack was a random occurrence, or if the pirates were informed of the ambassador's specific itinerary.  It is rumored the pirates belong to the Hidden Dagger Clan and may be responsible, at least in part, for the higher-than-normal ship disappearances that have occurred in this subsector.