A Matter of Perspective (Republic)

[Gorba the Hutt]

@[member="Kira Liadain"] @[member="Antares Windu"]

Dispiteous black eyes stared unwaveringly at @[member="Carn Dista"]. The stout Jedi Master's eyes, set in a face framed by long, thick hair, blazed.

"Hauum, lightsaber?" Orcus looked down at his form, swathed in black robes that stretched tight across his chest. "I have no lightsaber."

"I was unaware that using the Dark Side meant exile. I have been an enemy of the Republic, true. But not of my own choosing. Nor have I committed war crimes." Orcus raised his hands to either side in a gesture of openness. "I joined the Empire seeking to establish peace in the galaxy. I return to the Republic seeking the same. But the matter remains, hauum, of whether or not I am a criminal. The only crime I am charged with is the slaying of a padawan. A padawan who I slew in self-defense. The Jedi attempted to arrest me. An action outside their jurisdiction. When I declined to come with them, this man," he pointed at Carn, "Attempted to murder me. I fled out of fear for my own life." He turned back to @[member="Yusan Fenn"]. "I am a citizen of the Republic and I will answer to the Republic, not the Jedi Order."

Orcus gestured toward @[member="Arumi Zy"]. "He stands as precedent. As for my purpose here, I wish to formally rejoin the Republic and resume my position as a politician in the Senate."

 

[Antares]

He remained quiet for a while while his thoughts pieced together. "What is your reasoning to protect this criminal with your diplomatic immunity?" Antares said when his tired looking eyes bore into @[member="Yusan Fenn"]'s own. "I am not a member of the Coruscant Security Force, as a Jedi, your diplomatic immunity means nothing to me." He said with a shake of his head. "Jedi rules, are not Republic laws." He nodded his head and looked to @[member="Hion the Herglic"].

"Besides, it is a centuries old law that dictates non-Jedi are unable to wear lightsabers. Due to those laws, I will give you a chance Vice Chancellor to step out of my way so that I may do the duty of the Coruscant Security Force, and my duty as a Jedi to arrest Hion."

And then the cocky smirk that was in the corner of his mouth rose just a little more and he said, "and he isn't a diplomat. So you can't do that." From his robes emerged the cuffs that he would be needing to arrest the Herglic, and then it occurred to him that the Herglic was a gigantic beast and pocketed them again. These wouldn't be fitting him.

His gaze found that of, @[member="Carn Dista"] and from the look in his eyes and the telepathic message that was half-heartedly sent to him would let him know that it was time to actually make Republic Command, or the Coruscant Security Forces to be made aware.

He would wait before acting, it would be up to the Vice Chancellor to move out of his way, or Antares would just walk around him to get to the Herglic.

 

[Gorba the Hutt]

@[member="Antares Windu"]

Orcus snorted. "I have no lightsaber, boy. Jedi traditions do not override the laws of the Republic, nor will I recognize them. Stand down."

 

[Arumi Zy]

@[member="Antares Windu"]

" your traditions, rules and laws of your order mean nothing outside of your enclave boy. Outside the Republic is law, the Republic has spoken, the Vicr Chancellor, your higher has spoken" Arumi pulled both of his saber hilts from his trench coat and took a guard stance.
" while he may be unarmed, I am not. If you wish to create conflict where there is order I will answer your call. Then I will chuckle as your Grand Mistress scolds me for sending you to the force" he looked towards the Vice Chancellor " when I came from the sith I took an oath to up hold the laws of the Republic, to forgo my sithly inclinations. If you deem it worthy to grant him the stay you have granted then I am at your disposal. The Jedi are beginning to grow far to confident in their belief of superiority over democracy"

 

[Antares]

For the first time, Antares acknowledged @[member="Arumi Zy"] with a look of someone who realized someone was there for the first time. "The Vice Chancellor is not my higher." He said with a tone of someone who was already tired of speaking to you. "So I request for you to close your mouth." He nodded his head to the man as if to urge him to do it, he took note of his weapons though he didn't even draw his own. He doubted @[member="Yusan Fenn"] would actually tell the man to attack him, so there wasn't really a point.

Antares's gaze turned back to, @[member="Hion the Herglic"] again, "are you diplomat?" Were his only words to the Herglic.

 

[Jorga the Hutt]

Rel Connory, the Junior Senator for Eshan -- the man who'd brought Echani space into the Republic, and designed the Republic's most powerful warship -- sidled up to the Senior Senator for Eshan, his longtime boss, Vice Chancellor @[member="Yusan Fenn"].

"Here if you need me, sir," he said quietly.

 

[Kira Talith]

@[member="Hion the Herglic"] @[member="Bard of the Hyperlanes"] @[member="Antares Windu"] @[member="Arumi Zy"] @[member="Yusan Fenn"] @[member="Carn Dista"]

Through it all, Kira kept quiet, for her only attention was upon the mighty form of Hion the Herglic. The Lorrdian did not have to ask the question, her keen eyes and knowledge of body language could pick up the minute details of agony from him. She was aware of what the armor did to him, and it was with sympathetic eyes that relayed her emotions.

*Flash*

I hate killing, but I believe I have been seduced by the thrill of fighting. ​

It is horrible, I know, but it's the only thing I'm good at. I don't know what to do!​

...don't be ashamed of your past, Hion
Whatever road you took, whatever you did, whatever skills you've forged
... that path brought you here.

The path of the Jedi may not be the most kind, ​

and there will be plenty of difficult choices up a head. ​

But it is a matter of doing what is right.​

​

****​

​

No, Master Kira. ​

The code says that the Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy...​

I never wished to be a Jedi until.... ​

that the Jedi use their powers to defend and to protect.​

...just now, I believe. Hauum.​

Jedi respect all life, in any form. That Jedi serve others rather than ruling over them, for the good of the galaxy.

*Flash*

She too, took a deep breath, her shoulders setting. Her head rose, a there was a serious expression on her face that rarely ever surfaced for the cheerful and energetic Knight.

"As he was my former padawan, he is my responsibility." she said plainly, her voice steady. "If security is an issue while he discusses what he desires within republic court and the senate, then I volunteer my services, as it is well within my juristiction." she told them.

"The code tells us to respect all life, in any form. In the same manner that the Former Empress of the Sith Empire came in front of the Senate to speak, despite being tainted by the darkside, a courtesy was given for those that came unarmed." she said.

"For whatever crimes Hion has done --- yes, a trial for his actions is warranted, but he still has every right to due process -- but not double jeopardy." her lips drew thin, "For that reason, if he so desires to uphold his citizenship as a Republic citizen... then he should be tried for his crimes in a Republic court."

Her gaze turned to Hion, "Only after that would you be able to determine if your validity for a Senate Seat has any ground-- as I do believe another senator in your absence has taken over to maintain the seat. We will also have to contact the Ambassador of Tython and determine if this is within their wishes.... "

The fact that Tython was for the most part, a Jedi dominated world would be a hurdle to overcome.

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

OOC: RP'd with permission of the thread's creator.

IC:

Jaxton propped his feet and turned on the holonews, hoping to find @[member="Simone"] on there somewhere but was unsuccessful, instead seeing news reporters gathering outside of the Republic Senate building. He watched ferociously as a Herglic debated with a young man that reporter kept calling "The Godawan", a name he'd apparently gathered for doing statistically impossible things at the battle of O'reen. Soon enough a bearded man joined the fold and told his forces to surround the Herglic, whose first words were "I come in peace." He smirked, just like the Jedi to avoid negotiations and go right for the throat of the matter. Just like they'd broken two peace treaties before.

Then they attemped to convince the Vice Chancellor to arrest the Herglic for having a lightsaber, which lent itself to two problems. Firstly, the Herglic did not in fact have a lightsaber, and secondly, owning a lightsaber while not being a Jedi was not in fact illegal. He even remembered the old Vice Chancellor Hanna Lissiri getting one and asking the Jedi for a little training in it before marrying the Echani Jedi Master Kaman Vondiranach. Before he left for the Echani Compact that was anyways. Not to mention one of the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor's most notorious bodyguards, present at the meeting, wasn't a Jedi and did his job with a lightsaber. The bearded man continued to speak of being a Jedi Councilor and knowing Republic laws, yet all of his actions and words spoke to the contrary. A fact not missed by the reporters, who having quite a fun time ribbing the man on a galactic audience, they even made notice that #BeardedJedi, #RepublicLaw and #LetTheHerglicLive were trending on Fwitter.

And then Jaxton's jaw dropped. The Jedi 'Godawan' had finally said what many political analysts had been suggesting since the explusion of Ardak Serifen. That the Jedi didn't answer to the Vice Chancellor and politicians of the Republic, saying "The Vice Chancellor is not my higher." The Reporters raged, some even calling for Separation of Church and State, which was spoken of in the same terms as a Civil War. Then the reporter's jaws began to drop as the 'Godawan', politely to his credit, told the Vice Chancellor's body guard to shut up.

The disrespect for Republic Authority was rampant, and there were clear and public attempts by a Councilor of the Jedi Order to circumvent Republic Law to detain and "Dispense Justice" to a man who had done nothing but say "I come in Peace." and offer to cooperate with Republic Authorities. Fwitter was trending like crazy with terms like #OppressiveOligarchs, #NotATheocracy, #DownWithTheJedi and #ReligiousFreedom.

He hoped the blonde haired woman could salvage this situation, if she didn't there'd be riots in the temples before this was all over.

 

[Gorba the Hutt]

The Dark Side swarmed around Orcus, leeching warmth from the air around him. A dive into the blackest depths of an ocean could not be more cold. Eyes, as black and chilling as those ocean sinkholes, stared at @[member="Antares Windu"], then turned slowly toward @[member="Kira Liadain"]. They softened somewhat. Becoming Sith did not make him a compassionless monster. On the contrary, he felt more deeply. He no longer pretended that his emotions did not exist. He no longer fled from the hard truths. Death and destruction were sometimes necessary tools when creating order out of chaos.

His eyes seemed sad, regretful, even hurt. He was grateful for her support, but it was clear that she no longer trusted him. "Hauum, I will stand trial if necessary Liadain, though for what crime I do not know. I relinquish claim to the Senate seat of Tython. I will, however, run for another seat." He looked back at Antares and his eyes grew hard. "You, Jedi. You will not try me. You will not arrest me. The Jedi Council's indoctrinating regime of religious dogma and moral absolutism holds no authority here."

At that moment, three speeders bearing the symbols of various Republic news agencies swerved to a halt not ten meters distant from the confrontation. A gang of reporters leapt out, camera crews in tow, and rushed over to the Herglic, jamming a recording mic in his face.

"Senator Hion, Senator Hion, what do you intend to do once in office?"

"Senator, is it true you murdered a Padawan at the Jedi Temple?"

"Senator, do you intend to bring charges against the Jedi-"

Darth Orcus raised a hand, forestalling the questions. He took in a deep breath, his chest expanding, growing to his full height. He towered over everyone present and cut an intimidating figure, but the reporters seemed more afraid of losing their jobs for not covering the hottest scoop of the day than of a Sith Lord.

"It is true," Orcus' voice boomed, oily and smooth, "A padawan at the Jedi Temple lost his mind, no doubt from the corrupting teachings of the Jedi. He attacked me and I slew him in self-defense. Other Jedi attempted to murder me on the spot, rather than wait for Coruscant Security to arrive. Out of fear for my life I fled the planet." The Herglic held up a fist, voice rising. "It is for this reason that I am bringing charges against the Jedi Order for attempted murder!"

A solid second of stunned silence from the reporters followed his pronouncement, broken quickly as they clamored for more answers, but Orcus turned his back on them and gestured toward @[member="Yusan Fenn"] and @[member="Arumi Zy"].

"Come, we have much to discuss." He headed toward the Senate's interior.

 

[Serah Oricion]

Yusan laughed as he fell in stride with the now returned force user, shaking his head as he spoke. "You know, that is possibly the most... random thing you could ever do, charging the Jedi Order as a whole for the actions of one's actions, its kind of funny that you even said that. But to be serious, i think you should probably stay out of the lime light and away from those that would do any harm, i dont mean to make it sound like you should become a hermit but those who stay in the spotlight normally end up burned." Yusan crossed his hands behind him, the dark Jedi robes ever present on his body. The last time he wore a suit or any type of remotely formal wear was one party he would rather want to forget. It was Robes, Armor, or plain clothes for him and nothing else no matter what the situation was.

He glanced at @[member="Bard of the Hyperlanes"] for a moment and raised a brow, "Ah, hello Senator."
@[member="Hion the Herglic"] @[member="Jaxton Ravos"] @[member="Kira Liadain"] @[member="Bard of the Hyperlanes"]

 

[Gorba the Hutt]

"It was not just one Jedi who attacked me, Yusan. Hauum. They all did. Knights Apparine and Moridena, Master Dista, Knight Ordo, Master Dragonsflame. I believe this to be a serious allegation," he waved a hand, "but that is for another time. I wish to speak business for now. I will stand trial if there is a case brought against me, but I expect there will be none if the Jedi prove as inept in the political ring as they have been here."

He nodded respectfully to @[member="Bard of the Hyperlanes"], then stopped and looked at @[member="Yusan Fenn"] with a frank expression behind his helmet. Behind them hid a wealth of pain from the poison that traversed his system. None knew of the agonized wailing that rose from his private chambers during the night. Rather than attempting to suppress his emotion, he channeled it. The excruciating pain fueled his commitment toward keeping a calm exterior. Within him a hurricane raged, but he put himself at the eye of the storm. His emotions raged around him, but their strength only acted as a force multiplier to his own abilities of muscle.... and of mind.

"I truly wish to see the Republic secure against all threats, Yusan. You know me. Do you truly think I wish only for death and destruction? I want peace. To that end, hauum, I would like a seat on the Security Committee. With my knowledge of the Empire's resources and experience with war I believe that is where I am best suited. Hauum, I am afraid I do not have as much time as I thought. The Orbalisk venom running through my vein is killing me, Yusan. Help me do some good before the end."

 

[Serah Oricion]

"You're asking a great deal of me, including trust in you that you will stay loyal to the Republic. I mean no disrespect but you must know my hesistation in doing such a thing, im already publicly against the wars and attacks on planets that have been done in the past months and the invasion of the Lords of the Fringe only made things worse. Id love nothing better than to say i can fully back you without a second thought but either way my neck is already on the line if it turns out to be bad for me in the end. Even standing there was questionable as i was supporting someone who two months ago i myself would have struck on sight." Yusan walked with a slow careful stride, he wasnt worried, more cautious of what would happen if he went to far in support of this former Jedi. "We would need to speak with Jack Harkness about freeing you of your past, its funny though, he offered the same opportunity that i am now offering you and i never took it. All it would take is one accusation and people would be all over me about my past." @[member="Hion the Herglic"]

 

[Gorba the Hutt]

"This is why we call it the past," Orcus hummed, "Are you the same person you were ten years ago? Two years ago? Experience shapes us, hauum, like stones eroded by the pounding waves of life. You and I are different people than ourselves of yesteryear. We think differently. We act differently. Similar? Hauum, yes. But different."

Orcus clacked his teeth, "But I am not asking you to believe I have changed. I have not changed. When I was a Jedi I fought for peace, until I realized that the Jedi Order was not what it claimed to be. So I turned to other methods. The Dark Side is a power and like all power it can be used for good or ill. You know this. I intend to use that power to continue my pursuit of peace. There is nothing I need to change but allegiance to the nation I fight for, hauum. I fought the Republic because the Republic did not pursue global stability, with its many invasions of peaceful nations like the Galactic Empire of Atrisia. But with the dissolution of the Empire and the removal of Selena Halcyon as Grandmaster I have realized that the Republic has a chance to return to what it was in the days of old, before the Gulag Plague. Peace and security."

The Darth waved a large flipper. "I do not ask you to trust in my loyalty to the Republic. I ask you to trust in my duty to a higher calling. We are all called to a greater loyalty, @[member="Yusan Fenn"]... to do what is in the best interest of the galaxy. Hauum, that is why I ask what I ask and do what I do."

 

[Serah Oricion]

"The Jedi order is certainly not what it used to be, but that is something i cannot change nor you, only something that time can change. I cannot vouch for you having a position in the Security Committee alone, but perhaps there are others that have such wants as to have you prove you are once more with us, that want to return the Republic to the days of old. That much is something i will support you on, though you certainly are going to need be forgiven for your crimes, should someone press charges, and more importantly find a position on the Senate. Ill vouch for you of course, but dont defeat my trust in you Hion, i am not in the mood for Betrayl of late." @[member="Hion the Herglic"]

 

[Gorba the Hutt]

"Of what crimes," Orcus hummed slowly, "Do you speak?"

@[member="Yusan Fenn"]

 

[Serah Oricion]

"You know, the delusions of the Jedi council and how they love to blow things out of proportion, what joy can be found in the crimes they see you guilty of." He smiled and glanced at Hion, in the past months while he still visited the temple he had for the most part come to avoid Jedi, between the constant wars and annoyances of their philosophies he found himself at a singular loss for all reason to talk with them about anything really. @[member="Hion the Herglic"]

 

[Jorga the Hutt]

@[member="Yusan Fenn"] @[member="Hion the Herglic"]

The Bard held his peace as he walked beside and half a step behind the Vice Chancellor.

 

[Gorba the Hutt]

A deep, booming laugh issued from the Herglic. "Hauum, indeed, @[member="Yusan Fenn"]. Well then, I believe I have matters to attend to, including hiring a group of capable lawyers. I will be purchasing an apartment near the Senate. You may find me there. Thank you Senator," he nodded respectfully, "Bard."

@[member="Bard of the Hyperlanes"]

With that, Orcus turned and left the pair. This was only the beginning.

 

[Gorba the Hutt]

delete