Others See Us (Jedi/Republic)

[Ashin Varanin]

CORUSCANT
JEDI TEMPLE

Je'gan Black Eyes blinked slowly.

"Carte blanche to rehabilitate a fallen Jedi Master, and execute her if she fails? That's only justice if it's public. Make that announcement, make it with the united voice of the Council-" His eyes flicked to the knight representative. "-and you have a prayer of weathering this with your integrity and public image intact. But don't turn me loose to do my work until the left hand knoweth what the right hand doeth."

 

[Aleidis Zrgaat]

CORUSCANT
SENATE BUILDING
BALCONY

@[member="Ashin Varanin"]

Aleidis allowed a faint smile. "When everything in the Galaxy can kill you with a swift slap, you learn to get the most out of every experience life gives." She explained simply, smoothing her robes.

"I doubt we are being overheard. Nobody could have followed me here." Aleidis explained simply. "And if they did, I doubt they care. Despite winning by popular vote, half of the Senate thinks I'm a tool of the Jedi, and the other half believes I'm an incompetent child. At least, these are the views they express aloud." She gestured vaguely, as if to say 'such is life'. "I don't need the Senate to say nice things about me to do my job. They pay attention when I need them to, respect me when it's required, and get their jollies by making jokes where they think I cannot hear."

She turned her dark eyes to Ashin, then, her skin giving a muted glow. "I don't know if anyone has every apologized for what was done to you, ma'am, or thanked you for your service. Please allow me to. It wasn't right, what was done to you. And I can only imagine how hard it was to go on for Jedi with the poison in your veins. I am sorry that it happened. And thank you for doing what good you could. I don't know if I would have been able to reform anything, in your shoes." Aleidis admitted.

"On that note? If you've any ideas for reformation, please bring them to me before saber-rattling?" Aleidis asked with a tiny smile. "I'd very much like to avoid any more wars. And I would like very much for us to be friends, and not enemies."

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh cracked his neck. He felt Syn had overstepped his boundaries, even if he was a rank past him... It was not his right to singlehandedly dictate a decision for his fellow Master and send her off like that, no matter her crime. This was the Jedi COUNCIL, not a dictatorship. They were not the Empire, they were not the Sith. Syn's selfish act bugged him, but Josh had a job to do.

"What Syn fails to mention... Is that should she fail, you bring her back to us" he stated calmly. "If she truly is unable to be redeemed... Then we will hold a second hearing where the death penalty will be one of the possible punishments" he said. "That is my suggestion. Unlike Syn, I am going to allow him to speak and weigh on the decision, as is his right as a member of the Council..."

"But Master Olra'en...." he said, his eyes not leaving those of the Jedi Master. "Even if she fails, if you kill her in cold blood without the permission of the Council... And I mean the COUNCIL, not one person... You will be in her place next for the murder of a fellow Jedi" he said.

"Master Syn, and any members of the Council who arrive during this time period... If you wish to sign off on this finalized version of Matsu's punishment... Say Aye" he said.

Josh's mind wandered to Syn's sudden act of selfishness, taking over the decision of Matsu's fate as if he were the Grandmaster... And he had heard rumblings and rumors... People were right... The Jedi Order wasn't the same anymore... And neither was Syn, a man who before he thought he knew, who he thought he trusted... Syn had acted out before... But never in this measure... Never...

@[member="Syn"]
@[member="Matsu Ike"]
@Je'gan Olra'en

 

[Syn]

Syn gave a smirk and leaned forward a little ignoring Joshua's gaze because he couldn't see it. Then he listened to the boy as he spoke with a grin. He was one of the few who actually had done this before. Je'gan and him both knew some of the truths of the order and the conditions were very... Specific, he couldn't disagree as he had proposed it so his voice came out. "Aye" He didn't need more, if anything all he needed to do was turn his head between the rest in the room taking in the boy he had met briefly. "The conditions Councilor Dragonsflame has given are acceptable and from what I have been told. Master Je'gan is more then enough the man of honor, I trust he will be giving a fair chance to Master Ike."

 

[Marek S'hadar]

@[member="Syn"]
@[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]
@Je'gan Olra'en

Marek could do nothing but silently watch. "Be careful when fighting the monsters, lest you become one…" He muttered, as rolled his eyes under his hood. They were the Jedi Council, they were here to be diplomatic, it was a Shadow's job to be judge jury and executioner, and that was only in the field, against enemies, not here, against friends.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"My vote is Aye for Matsu's time under Master @Je'gan Olra'en..." he said to @[member="Syn"]. "Any questions, or any other measures you wish to add, Syn?" he asked, looking over at his fellow Councilman, giving him the respect he did not give to him. "Otherwise... Due to us being the two represenatives... The choice falls to you. If you wish to request a change of the decision as well, that is yours to request... As is for Matsu, and for Je'gan..."

@[member="Syn"]
@Je'gan Olra'en

 

[Ashin Varanin]

CORUSCANT
SENATE BUILDING
BALCONY

@Aleidis Ijet

"If we go to war, if the Lords of the Fringe ever finish our issues with the terrors of the Unknown Regions, it won't be the Republic we fight. For a time, I thought it would be Atrisia, but they've proven...remarkably peaceful, even though we're expanding in the same regions. No, if we ever go to war, it'll be against the Confederacy. We had to propose and institute a neutral zone to halt their northern expansion. I met with their First Minister -- you remember Aurelia Saelari -- and the woman dripped contempt. She was outright hostile until Exarch Alcori removed her from the situation. Our territory contains Verkuyl, the only world that can challenge the Omega bacta monopoly. I also had a close associate at Polis Massa, one who witnessed Ayden Cater commit the first act of war against the Republic for the sake of pride. Suffice it to say, the Protectorate worries me greatly. Consider that my assurance that my Confederation is not looking at the Republic."

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Je'gan looked to @[member="Marek S'hadar"]. "Well spoken, about repentance. The difference here, son," he said quietly, "is that you and I began as Sith and then came to the Light. We were less accountable than someone who is a Jedi Master first, and then deliberately chooses evil."

His eyes narrowed as he faced the Council. "And that's as close to a correct decision as I've gotten out of a Jedi Council in centuries. Your conditions are acknowledged, and I'll obey them."

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh hears "Aye" from Syn, and nodded, having given his own already...

"Then it is settled" he said. "The redemption of Matsu Ike falls to Jedi Master Je'gan Olra'en...." he began. "A man who I have heard many great things from by a very close friend of mine in Aleidis Ijet... All I can do is hope you live up to your reputation, and can help right the wrongs that have been enacted, Master Olra'en" he said, giving a small bow in respect, probably the only respect that has been shown in this entire chamber for this hearing.

"If she improves and you choose to pass her... Matsu Ike will be pardoned of her charges and given a second chance in the Jedi... But if she does not... You do not kill her, that is not the Jedi way, and we will not allow murder of our own in cold blood... She will instead be brought here, and the severity of her punishment, death penalty included... Will be decided by the Jedi Council, hopefully in full with Darron Wraith and Ben Watts... That will be when her fate is 100% decided" he said.

"Any questions?" he asked calmly.

@Je'gan Olra'en
@[member="Matsu Ike"]
@[member="Syn"]
@[member="Marek S'hadar"]

 

[Marek S'hadar]

@Je'gan Olra'en
@[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]
@[member="Syn"]

Despite his best efforts to think of a reply, the padawan nodded in acknowledgement to the master Jedi. Marek couldn't deny the point he had made, going from dark to light was much different then vice versa. The complications were immense and Marek wasn't one to dwell, so he remained, silent as ever.

 

[Matsu Ike]

Matsu looked and remained silent the entire time. It wasn't her place to speak just yet no if anything any words she had were blown out of the water at the notion of being redeemed by Je'gan. Her eyebrows raised letting the black orbs narrow on her padawan with a questioning look. He was getting good at this and she finally spoke. Letting her words come out. "No real questions, simply when do we begin and may I see my children before I go?" She didn't need much else in terms of her equipment. Let her daughters mind it while she did this. Let her redemption be something to show others. It wasn't like her master this time was going to be flirting with her. "I am more then ready to go with Master Je'gan."

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

He nods slowly at Matsu. Deep inside, he was heartbroken to be sentencing his own Master... But this was his duty, and it had to be done.

"You are free to speak to your children before you go... That we can grant, so long as Master Je'gan goes with you" he said. "He goes as a safety precaution only... He cannot interfere in your interactions with Reiko and Orihime unless necessary" he stated. "After that... You go with him immediately"

"If there is no more questions, and if @[member="Syn"] agrees... This court is dismissed" he finished, taking a breath.

@[member="Matsu Ike"]
@Je'gan Olra'en
@[member="Syn"]
@[member="Marek S'hadar"]

 

[Aleidis Zrgaat]

CORUSCANT
SENATE BUILDING
BALCONY

@[member="Ashin Varanin"]

Aleidis sighed softly and stood upright. "There's a duality to you, Ma'am." She said with a tired smile. "And I think you know it. That makes it fitting that you'd take a load off of my shoulders with one hand, then remind me of another burden in the same breath." Aleidis chuckled dryly. She always got more verbose when she was trying to impress someone. Luckily, Aleidis recognized it quickly and resolved to keep it in check. She was not some hapless teenager talking to giants of the Galaxy - she was the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, and would do well to remember it well.

"I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Protectorate, while you're here. I know you're in a hurry, and everything...." Aleidis admitted with a small smile. "But, well, I suspect you've been among the powers-that-be in the Galaxy as long as I've been cognizant. I've a meeting with the Lady Protector that I cannot delay for long." The Ghostling explained. "And any insight that... well, the friend of a friend, or the grandaughter of a friend could offer, would be appreciated." Notably absent was the advice of a leader to a leader - Aleidis wasn't sure how much or little Desmius-that-was thought of her, and equating the two might offend her. It was better to play nice.

Sure, Ashin was a dangerous, powerful woman who likely had little to gain from helping Aleidis in any way. But Aleidis wasn't helpless. More importantly, she wasn't too proud or lightblind or cocksure to look for insight and wisdom in odd places, wherever she could find it. Being polite and open-minded had garnered her more friends, more power, and more advancement than any illusion or Force skill ever had.

 

[Syn]

"I see no more issues with this. She may see her children and then be off, they will be looked after Master Ike."

The jedi master went back to sitting in the seat before speaking. "There is the other council issues of Kira and Lyra Harper." Witha look of more annoyance the jedi master kept his sigh in. The cyborg was accusing the jedi of treason and after the woman shot several rockets at him he was inclined to not want to judge this. "Master Je'gan whenever you wish you go may the force be with you in this task."

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh took a deep breath. They weren't finished yet...

He needed a break after that emotional turmoil and the drama... Having to look his own Master in the eyes and sentence her to a possible death... That weighed on him harshly, and it would likely plague him for months to come.

He sighed. "Send them in then..." he said. He made a mental note to himself to take a walk outside after this appointment to clear his head... He would now, but he had a job to do...

At the very least, he didn't have a personal stake in this. Hopefully, this would be easier to handle then Matsu's trial.

As the room filed out and prepared for the next trial, Josh looked over at @[member="Syn"]. He took a breath. This would likely be the only time he would get to speak to him before the next session.

"Syn..." he started, taking a gulp of air.

"Do me a favor..." he said. "If the day we have a second hearing comes and the decision is made, between the Council, that Matsu is to be executed..."

He took a breath to calm himself.

"..... Please inform me beforehand so I can leave. I don't think I can handle sentencing my own Master to death, nor be there as you kill her..." he pleaded.


@[member="Syn"]
@[member="Matsu Ike"]
@[member="Marek S'hadar"]
@Je'gan Olra'en

 

[Ashin Varanin]

@[member="Aleidis Ijet"]

"She's a secretive one. When I had arguably the best intelligence agency in existence at my disposal, and very heavily motivatd, they gave me a two out of three chance that she is a Forcer, with some suggestion that she's an illusionist. I sensed nothing of the white current in her, and when I accused her to her face of being a Forcer, she neither confirmed nor denied it. All i know for sure is that someone invaded the mind or memories or privacy of Circe Savan as she died. Might have been Cater, might have been the Lady Protector, might have been someone else entirely, in her inner circle. Too many possibilities and too many secrets. Be careful. Omega lies about things, plays cards closr to the chest. Their strategies feel like mine. That should tell you something. They wouldbe far less pleasant than I am if their secrets were breached. That, too, should tell you something.

"And if you do end up testing that little theory from Impreial Intelligence...do let me know what you discover.^

 

[Aleidis Zrgaat]

@[member="Ashin Varanin"]

Aleidis considered this, discovering that she was more intruiged by the prospect than worried. If the Lady Protector was a Force-user, but wasn't utilizing the Current, than Aleidis had little and less to fear from her. Well - at least as far as a hands-on-the-table duel went. Shady business and political intrigue were far from Aleidis' forte, but she discovered that she was learning quickly. It still made for an interesting little puzzle, something for Aleidis to mull over and put her mind to in the long hours where her daily duties entailed standing, nodding, and waving. Something to mull over, something to plan for.

"I'll take that under advisement, ma'am." Aleidis promised, leaning on the banister again to look out over Galactic City. "Thank you for your insight, Admiral Karrde." She added for good measure, offering the older - and assumedly much wiser - woman a polite, respectful smile. "If I puzzle anything out, should I holocall the middle of nowhere, or shall I expect you to turn up on my balcony like in the Mynockman comics?"

 

[Soeht]

Near the Communications Control room below the Jedi High Council Chambers, Daella read the transcript of Matsu Ike’s trial. Since Daella was not a member of the High Council and just a nobody Jedi Padawan, she was not asked to testify at the trial. She would have been unable to provide an eyewitness testimony to Ike’s actions on Metalorn.

So, Daella remained uninvolved with the trial and simply read about the decision of the Jedi Masters above her.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

@[member="Aleidis Ijet"]

"I could give you my comm number, but there's a simpler way." She pressed her fingertip to a small tattoo, low on the side of her neck, then presented the fingertip. A little bubble of blood and ink awaited. "Touch it, it'll mark you. Nightsister blood trail, plus an alchemical ink made by myself and Ryori Holloway, the Republic's former guardian. You can use it to contact me -- not verbally, but to let me know I'm needed. And most of the time, I'm close enough to a Force nexus of some kind that I can do something...interesting. I spent two years as the guardian of Darth Vectivus' holocron, if that means anything to you.

"Or there's just the comm." She rattled off a number.

 

[Aleidis Zrgaat]

@[member="Ashin Varanin"]

"If it's all the same to you, Admiral, I'll stick with the comm." Aleidis admitted. As intrigued as she was by the idea of nightsister tattoos and nonsense like that, she was wary of making blood contact with a woman who'd been Sith poisoned, who's motives remained a mystery to her. And, well, Aleidis trusted mundane communication. She did most of her day-to-day with it. "...no offense." She added for good measure, glancing curiously at the tattoo in spite of herself.