Hallowed Halls: Friend or Foe

[Beta12]

Hallowed Halls: Hearing
Friend or Foe

​

The Force, a mysterious ethereal force that has been a source of conflict since ancient times. Those who could harvest it held within them the primal energies of the very galaxy. Unfortunately, the Force itself was incredibly un-picky with those it chose to interact with. Still was, as far as Charon was concerned. The sheer multitudes of people able to play with this power was enough to make her head spin. At some point down the road they had all gotten into various orders, the two dominate orders ending up being the Jedi and the Sith. The Jedi order, now more militarized than ever, has been the "beacon of peace and justice" in the galaxy for tens of thousands of years. Their holy crusade against the Sith has kept them at bay for a century.

As time went on, and the distant memories of the horrid and oppressive Sith faded, free citizens of the Republic began to doubt their worth. While the Sith grew in the dark edges of the galaxy, the Republic grew complacent with the peace it had finally achieved. A generation of citizens and senators now lived without the memories of those prior, who had gone to war. However, in the past few months, the Republic has interacted more with the Sith than in the previous century. Rumors and wild accusations had grown about the Senate chambers for decades, and now they seem to finally be bearing fruit.

The Border Alliance have attacked the Sith, bombing them in their outer worlds. This attack resulted in the execution of the High Commander of the BA, and soon after the Chancellors husband died in what was assumed to be a botched assassination attempt. New rumors would begin to grow from this. Further atrocities committed by the Sith, provocation brought on by the BA, a senate unwilling to even address the notion of a defensive fleet. All of this, and more, caught on the heels of Sith delegates as they "officially" entered Republic space for the first time in decades.

Just as Sith delegates entered Republic space to address rumors and attacks, Republic delegates left to convey a message of neutrality and peace to the Jedi. However, the Jedi have not sat complacent through these current events. Their own delegates have arrived to approach the Senate with proof of the Sith's malicious intent. The Chancellor, though bogged down in motions and personal tragedy, chose to elect a hearing of three senators to meet these Jedi delegates and hear them out.

A panel of three senators, afforded a cramped but lavishly furnished room, prepared papers and files moments before the Jedi were due to arrive. A small swarm of four hover cameras flitted silently about the room.

In similar fashion to previous hearings, Senator Aren Krass, Senator Owen Hesse, and Senator Nerrane Valloren, would be seated along the long oval table taking up the majority of the room. The Jedi delegates themselves would sit at the square table at the center of the oval. Though the delegates considered themselves keepers of peace, the senate chambers themselves were staffed with extra Senatorial Guard.

@TAC @Kiro @Prudence @Rector_Ras @Lamper @GABA

NOTE: Opps, Krass is the ranking member.

 

[Aren Krass]

Aren Krass glanced around the room, taking in the scene. Across from him, sitting at the small wooden table, were three Jedi who had gone through extreme measures to petition for a meeting. Likewise, he was flanked on each side by two Senators, Hesse and Valloren. His eyes lingered on the later for a moment, an almost indistinguishable frown forming in his tightly pressed lips. His mind flashed back to the Guild hearing where another member of her species had hosed them down with her pheromones. Honestly he thought they should find a cork to block them when they were in formal settings, or at least inoculate the senators. Regardless, he had made sure that his PA, Anders, had picked him up a rebreather unit. Should the Senator begin affecting his cognitive abilities, he would insert the rebreather and continue. He hoped it didn't come to that though.

Behind him were two CorSec Royal Guards, wearing the long flowing robes of formal security, but with Corellian insignia adorned on their chests. They gripped force pike staffs, and had concealed blaster weapons. Aren would not be taking risks with these Jedi. Despite his public stance that they needed the Jedi's help, he was wary of both parties. He knew the Jedi were a necessary evil that must be worked with to abolish the coming threat, he also recognized that just because they hadn't been violent didn't mean they wouldn't be. Anyone with metaphysical powers like that were a threat. When this threat was over, they'd begin figuring how to manage the potential threat of the Jedi. But this was now, and that would be then. As far as the now was concerned the Jedi were friends.
He tapped his fingers on the desk infront of him for just a second, until the desk gave a soft chime of feedback and emitted a soft red glow from the screen,

"For the benefit of official records, and later studying, this session is being recorded. I will inform you should we have probable belief that you are attempting any form of Force Suggestion, Senate and CorSec guards will escort you from the premises immediately. I issue this warning as just a precaution, to prevent any unnecessary hostilities.

Welcome, Jedi Delegates, to Chandrilla. I am Senator Aren Krass of Corellia. It is my understanding that you have gone through great lengths to petition for this meeting, so I will give you my utmost attention during this hearing and ensure that all topics have been covered. I am certain Senators Hesse and Valloren will as well. It was brought to my attention that you propose to have permacrete evidence of Sith aggression and hostile intentions?"

Aren felt his stomach tighten just a hair in anticipation. He was hoping to catch the Sith in an act of aggression. Such a thing would surely begin paving the way for his military creation bill.

 

[Aibhne Tibbot]

And so the heavens sang glory in the gleam of their presence, in ivory so glinting the Light. Oh praise be the Jedi, adored adorning halos. For they bring with them, these messengers of virtue, tidings of hope. Usher in a new legacy, they'd say, one envisioning peace; brought on by the burly backs of their Border Alliance, hands held in unity with those that would move mountains and reshape worlds with the voice of creation. Trumpets sound. Make way. For the watchers of the wild have come so armored. Let this be the day. Let this be the moment that free men saw their shining star so high, and followed it to their greater destiny. The future is here, one blessed by thaumaturgy. Bid welcome, by blinding brilliance. And know your blood preserved. You are saved. You are safe.

Aibhne stuck rigid to the plank of his seat, upright, and glaring intensely into the eyes of his audience; dark circles weighing his pale skin with a peace in its lifelong pain. Shaved head of a warrior's, whose likeness they would remember in their own soldiers, and a stiff pouting lip. His ivory Hósios Sóma armor had bee repaired for this presentation, a flowing white cape fed from the shoulders down his back. His heels glued together held the floor from turning, planted as the rooms focal point. And he dared these senators look into his eyes and see his soul. For there they would find a frightening resilience for their very survival, welcomed or not.

He need not pay his flank any forethought, utter confidence in any Jedi let alone one entrusted by the Jedi Lord himself. Trusted as he was, so they would not fail him. He knew, like himself, that the other would do their utmost to send this wake up call to the representatives of the Core. Despise them as he might, Aibhne welcomed the opportunity to sway the hearts and minds of this body. He was only disappointed at how few he here faced.

His hand over hand, his finger impatiently tapped his wrist for the long awaited hearing to begin. He'd had prepared the evidence, provided their names and in whose name they represented, boarded the prisoner in a viewing cell, and played by their rules every step of the way. He sat to the right, with his ally at his left to the shuttered window; a window in which he'd made clear was to be fortified lest these few be targeted. But the very existence of multiple rooms such as these were a defense in themselves to those who didn't know which room they now occupied. But these walls weren't unfamiliar with assassination attempts, and likely were prepared for anything Aibhne could suggest.

He nodded his head to Krass' opening.

"We do," he answered plainly. Aibhne was far from fluent in the ways of formality. In fact, it would be a great feat for him to accomplish this meeting without offending anyone in even so much as a glance, as his expression always harbored intense and illegitimate ire. A blade, the product of relentless chipping and resharpening.

Aibhne stood. His eyes swept between the three, condemning each equally on behalf of all the disgraceful senators he'd heard in the senate hearing to originally petition the Jedi as though they owned them.

"Senators. Despite efforts to seal us in a picture painted by blood, we on behalf of Jedi Lord Bau Zo come head low bearing the gift of sight. See now, not how we would paint our enemies but how they paint themselves with the lives of your own citizens."

Aibhne waved an arm back to signal the draw of a screen. He'd waste no time in his opening to bring their tragic misjudgments to a head. The lights need not dim, with the shades drawn, as the screen would be clear enough in this light. And he would truly begin, speaking over the edited film.

[beebox3=75%]

_

The recordings began to play. Muted. The docks of Cadinth. A warm social hub in the center of ruin, yet beautiful in its peaceful resilience; outlasting and thriving in spite of war. Citizens worked. Others traded. While others still simply enjoyed a mild day at a shop or eatery.

Then a single cargo ship came into focus, came low, and a figure darted from its bowels. The nearer crowd turned attention towards it. Then in an instant, fuel lines erupted in a brilliant explosion. A huge fire roared, initially flinging charred bodies into the air. The people were in a panic.

Another figure emerged, proud Sith in all colors of red and black. Now both had come into plain sight. Both clearly robed as agents of darkness.

Double doors opened to reveal the Sith, Ryu, in more detail, closer. His iconic crimson lightsaber ignited.

Security flooded the halls from another angle.

A cropped image shown filled with the bloated and marred Sith's, Hausser's, face; grinning maniacally as he watched the flames burn, bodies blistering and smoke rising from the wreckage.

Security proceeded towards Ryu, proceeded to open fire as Ryu deflected the bolts back at them; ripping their subpar armored bodies to shreds.

The angle returned to Hausser's face as he spoke, even more sinister as his lips moved without sound. One of the main cameras used thus far was filled with smoke and obstructed.

The angle refocused on Ryu as shrapnel flew past him, impaling security personnel. And Ryu engaged, sweeping vicious streaks of red plasma through limb after limb; rending flesh from bone and eviscerating the entirety of the security response. Until there was a pause. Ryu stood under a Jedi who'd perched above them.

The Jedi leapt from his perch. But the Sith Ryu ripped the Jedi from the air and plastered his frame upon the pavement.

Next the Sith Hausser was flailing and flapping his arms with hysteria, screaming before he ignited his red lightsaber.

An edited switch of the angle then showed Ryu raising his arm. Then showed a woman who'd been stamping out a fire when a flash of red severed her head from her body, the head smacking to the ground.

Next showed Aibhne rushing in the back doors to the docking facility. It showed him walking over bodies with the ceos and small entourage accompanying him. He gave them a land mine to set as Aibhne went on further inside. Then they ran off. But were apprehended by the distant Ryu, whom held out his hand with the Force and gripped one with a levitating choke-hold.

Hausser ran past Ryu straight into the blast of the set mine. And the cameras in that area were destroyed.

Next jumped to the distant Ryu standing at the end of a hall opposite Aibhne, his back to the camera, Ryu holding one of the facility's ceos captive by the back of the neck. Aibhne looked a captive in his own right from this angle, as Ryu mercilessly ignited his blade through the man and split him in half.

Aibhne charged and the two fought, a flashbang tossed from Aibhn'e hand burning the picture white.

[/beebox3]

Meanwhile Aibhne narrated, watching the senator's reactions as the images flipped between different angles and cameras due to combinations of focus, picture damage or distortion, and change of location.

"Your city port of Cadinth. Your ideal of commerce and trade, modest and pleasing. This is society as it is in your homes. Date and time listed and undoctored."

"Near I was when I heard this explosion. Checking a storage unit with docking officials, investigating theft by their request Authorized documents have been provided in your packets as proof."

"There. The Jedi I was meant to meet, scouting the possibility of aggressive operations such as these. But Sith don't negotiate. They only deceive. They burn. They pillage. They destroy."

"They killed men, women, and Jedi alike. Worked their way into the control room. And attempted to lock down security protocols. Where I intervened. Where I witnessed firsthand what they were willing to sacrifice to achieve their goals."

"There I fought. And there I prevailed. Running through the Sith you see so prominently out of survival and necessity. And taking the other prisoner."

"My comrade has secured a holding for that prisoner," he gestured to the Jedi beside him.

"Behold. The enemy of civilization. See how it speaks, with action, not words."

The screen would then switch to the image of the Sith prisoner Hausser in a viewing cell, bound in all his maddened deformity. Purposefully, they had brought him not only as evidence of the event but also to show them of the Sith's character in his disfigured face. He was an arsonist whom regularly burned his own body. And to demonstrate the mind of a crazed killer, upon Aibhne's comrade's command, a small match would strike from behind a reinforced window in Hausser's sightline; unseen by the viewers in this room. Quickly struck alight, yet just as quickly snuffed out, to play to the Sith's rage; completely helpless amidst a Jedi honor guard. @Narsi

Finally Aibhne would sit, satisfied for his part and for his comrade to proceed with true Jedi temperance and persuasion. Aibhne would not normally be chosen to represent the Jedi. He knew this. To honor his survival alone, was why he was sent here. There was no need to address his near death if not for the good samaritan who'd happened by, the bounty hunter Talia. For it was the Jedi whom needed to be seen as the heralds of Light in this instance. Not mere man. The Force was needed to combat the Force. And clearly here the Sith wielded it against civility and sovereign nation.

 

[Narsi]

He didn't know how long he had been kept. An eternity it seemed, with only drab colors and unyielding walls to occupy him. The guards were no better, emotionless rocks who watched with clear disgust in their eyes. It was all very aggravating. A need was slowly rising inside him, driving him mad with desire. Even now, sitting alone in a cell, he could feel it pulsating inside him making his limps quiver and twitch.

Hausser could barely even do that, so constricting were his bindings. His captors had been forced to carry him into the cell where they had propped him up against the wall before leaving in a rush, wiping their "soiled hands" on the nearest surface. There he was left to wait, all alone save a window opposite from him and a small camera tucked in a corner. Unable to even rub at his old wounds, Hausser instead began calm himself via another way, by straining at his bindings.

His body was still fairly battered from his capture, his rib had stopped aching as had his head but the burns remained. While they had mostly healed, they were tender and by straining against his binds they began to burn slightly. But it was a pleasing burn, one that brought great memories to the forefront of his mind and Hausser closed his eyes feeling the shaking stop as pain flowed through him. Hausser remained that way for nearly a minute before a slight knocking sound rang out, he opened his eyes to the sight of a match burning right outside the window.

For the briefest of moments a slight wateriness could be seen in Hausser's ugly yellow pupils, an example of the unchecked wonder and love that suddenly blasted through every pore in his body. Gazing upon the happy little light he felt his hands and feet grow still, his body relaxed against his bonds, and a perverted sense peace came over him. For a slender second, Hausser felt his soul sing. Then a face smirked at him through the window and the match was snuffed out between two fingers.

For single moment Hausser remained silent, his eyes widening in horror, the shaking returning. Somehow reaching a standing position, Hausser threw himself forward at the window screaming in rage. The door instantly flew open and several guards charged in piling in top of the crazed Sith. Hausser cared not for the guards, his gaze was focused only on the smirking face in the window, waving the spent match about like a taunt. As he was forced to the ground, Hausser began to scream, "YOU WILL DIE! ALL OF YOU WILL D-" He was cut off as a guard slapped a hand over Hausser's foaming jaws. Hausser continued screaming into the guards hand as the pile on top of him grew steadily larger. Deep deep down, he knew that they were provoking him for some unknown reason, that they wanted this reaction. But he didn't care, he kept fighting. All he could see was the flame dying and the desire in him roaring for vengeance.

 

[Kiro]

Nerrane Valloren of Edem had been chosen by her peers within the Senate to conduct the hearing of the Jedi, alongside Senators Krass and Hesse, and as such, the Senator made quite certain to dress for the occasion. While she normally wore robes akin to those she would have worn on Edem, which meant revealing plenty of loose fabric and plenty of skin (or fur) showing and warm and vibrant colours. But today, she had chosen to wear a less revealing and less billowing robe, with more somber and muted colours, and resting above her bosom was the symbol of Elassah, the Edennis head, eclipsing exactly half of a sun and a moon symbol. It was the same kind of robes she would have worn for meeting the First of Edem, or the Ascended, the head of the Edemmian faith.

Upon entering the room she would share with Krass and Hesse, she gave a polite bow to each of the gentlemen, before taking her seat, and inclining her head in a polite nod to their Jedi visitors. Entering just behind Senator Valloren however, was another Edemmian lady, one that wore a simple, but elegant robe that still provided full mobility, as well as a shoulder pauldron of some kind of red metal on her right shoulder, and a metal shin guard on her left shin. In her hand, the second Edemmian carried a simple wooden staff. She was frequently seen with the Senator, and many assumed her to be some kind of aide, but the Jedi visitors would clearly be able to feel what they referred to as the "Force" strongly within the woman.

"Thank you for that wonderful summary, Senator Krass," Nerrane replied with another inclination to the Corellian in that pleasant almost purring accent of hers, before leaning back in her chair and smiling at the Jedi representatives, while the potent mind-altering pheromones of the two Edemmian ladies began to waft about the small, closed, and poorly ventilated room, filling it with the scent of the two ladies; Peppery, with a hint of cinnamon. She sipped lightly from a cup of an Edemmian tea while she listened, and watched, as the Jedi began his tale. The taste of the tea in her mouth quickly went sour, however, as she watched the atrocities committed in the video, as well as the reactions of the prisoner.

"Please, that's quite enough," she stated firmly, holding a hand up to make the Jedi's spokesman to halt his display. "Exa-ah, Jedi, like yourselves may be valiant warriors, and possess constitutions of iron, but please understand that Senators like us rarely serve on the battlefield, and most of us hope never to step foot upon one. We do not make light of your struggle, nor those of our valiant friends in the Border Alliance, but images like these, while they do indeed speak louder than a thousand words, are something none of us would wish to see.

"While I do not doubt the authenticity of your video, a sentiment I think my honourable colleagues share, how can we be certain that the aggressors within your images, and your prisoner, is indeed a Sith? That they are tainted with the lies and pestilence of Jassoch," at this strange word she releases a sound that's more akin to a hissing snarl, before clearing her throat. "Of the 'Dark Side', as you call it, is quite clear, even to a blind fool. That they were a menace and a threat is undeniable. But where is the evidence that this... monster, is Sith, dear Jedi?"

 

[Aren Krass]

Nerrane Valloren of Edem had been chosen by her peers within the Senate to conduct the hearing of the Jedi, alongside Senators Krass and Hesse, and as such, the Senator made quite certain to dress for the occasion. While she normally wore robes akin to those she would have worn on Edem, which meant revealing plenty of loose fabric and plenty of skin (or fur) showing and warm and vibrant colours. But today, she had chosen to wear a less revealing and less billowing robe, with more somber and muted colours, and resting above her bosom was the symbol of Elassah, the Edennis head, eclipsing exactly half of a sun and a moon symbol. It was the same kind of robes she would have worn for meeting the First of Edem, or the Ascended, the head of the Edemmian faith.

Upon entering the room she would share with Krass and Hesse, she gave a polite bow to each of the gentlemen, before taking her seat, and inclining her head in a polite nod to their Jedi visitors. Entering just behind Senator Valloren however, was another Edemmian lady, one that wore a simple, but elegant robe that still provided full mobility, as well as a shoulder pauldron of some kind of red metal on her right shoulder, and a metal shin guard on her left shin. In her hand, the second Edemmian carried a simple wooden staff. She was frequently seen with the Senator, and many assumed her to be some kind of aide, but the Jedi visitors would clearly be able to feel what they referred to as the "Force" strongly within the woman.

"Thank you for that wonderful summary, Senator Krass," Nerrane replied with another inclination to the Corellian in that pleasant almost purring accent of hers, before leaning back in her chair and smiling at the Jedi representatives, while the potent mind-altering pheromones of the two Edemmian ladies began to waft about the small, closed, and poorly ventilated room, filling it with the scent of the two ladies; Peppery, with a hint of cinnamon. She sipped lightly from a cup of an Edemmian tea while she listened, and watched, as the Jedi began his tale. The taste of the tea in her mouth quickly went sour, however, as she watched the atrocities committed in the video, as well as the reactions of the prisoner.

"Please, that's quite enough," she stated firmly, holding a hand up to make the Jedi's spokesman to halt his display. "Exa-ah, Jedi, like yourselves may be valiant warriors, and possess constitutions of iron, but please understand that Senators like us rarely serve on the battlefield, and most of us hope never to step foot upon one. We do not make light of your struggle, nor those of our valiant friends in the Border Alliance, but images like these, while they do indeed speak louder than a thousand words, are something none of us would wish to see.

"While I do not doubt the authenticity of your video, a sentiment I think my honourable colleagues share, how can we be certain that the aggressors within your images, and your prisoner, is indeed a Sith? That they are tainted with the lies and pestilence of Jassoch," at this strange word she releases a sound that's more akin to a hissing snarl, before clearing her throat. "Of the 'Dark Side', as you call it, is quite clear, even to a blind fool. That they were a menace and a threat is undeniable. But where is the evidence that this... monster, is Sith, dear Jedi?"

Krass felt his pulse quicken as the Jedi played the video and revealed that they had a prisoner. He caught himself quickly however, remembering to base himself in reality and fact. The reality of the situation was such: the Sith had taken great measures to hide themselves in the northern wildernesses. why would they now, after so skillfully hiding themselves, send someone so unskilled as to easily be caught by the Jedi, and make such public a scene within the view of cameras. And his skepticism was not uncorroborated, cameras had caught a seemingly unstable Jedi on camera.

Krass glanced to the Jedi who had already spoken, and allowed his eyes to survey all of their delegation,

"I would like to support Senator Valloren's concerns. The Sith have skillfully hidden themselves for a century, and it seems rather unlikely that they would cause something so public, and allow it to be filmed. As much as I would like to find them a hundred percent in the blame for this situation, and many more, I also must address the facts. Those facts are that you, the Jedi, are a part of a religious war against the Sith, and a very passionate one. What I'm saying is, I wouldn't find it above fanatics in your organization to frame the Sith for atrocities committed by insane, or sane, Jedi masquerading as Sith. So likewise, I ask that you provide clear and solid proof that these actions, and this prisoner, are truly members of the Sith Brotherhood."

 

[GABA]

Kyrene knew they were not wrong. Her blue eyes flickered from one Senator from the next, watching their facial expressions, listening to the tone of their voices as they expressed their own concerns. Though the question in her mind was where did they find the Jedi that sat next to her, he reminded her of the more super serious Jedi that would have bossed her around as a padawan.

The young Knight leaned forward in her seat, clasping her fingers together, her nerves still while she projected her words with confidence.

"It hasn't been denied that the individual is not Sith. If you wish to believe that we masquerade a Jedi to play the prisoner we have now, feel free to open an investigation Senator Krass." Kyrene stated, "We wouldn't waste your time, if it wasn't good reason. We do not deny the Sith are our enemies; as Jedi we know what to look for and I ask that your honors, trust our consul on this matter." Explained the young knight. Her nose twitched as she picked up on the slight cinnamon oder that seemed to have clouded the room. Not that she would complain, it reminded her of her birthday in which the cook in the Temple's kitchen would bake her a small spiced pastry.

"The dark side takes many forms," Kyrene continued, "It can be silent or it can be loud, but remember we are only mortals, we all make mistakes, especially when we're overconfident in our successes, your honors."

Kyrene paused, waiting for a response from the Senators, two of them had been fairly vocal, thought with one being Corellian, that didn't surprise her too much. She was curious about the third Senator who had been sitting in silence. Kyrene though, hoped that her Jedi counterpart wouldn't open his mouth since he tended to speak as though he was above everyone else.

 

[Kiro]

Nerrane suppressed the intense urge she had to frown as Krass opened his big, crude, Corellian mouth and began to insult their honoured guests. Instead, she gave the Jedi an apologetic smile while her claw-like fingernails tapped against the surface of the horseshoe shaped desk around which she and her colleagues were seated, before gesturing for an aide to bring refreshment to the Jedi. The Edemmian Senator had a sneaking suspicion that either Krass had forgotten to arrange it, or done so deliberately. It would certainly be within character for the boor.

"Please, dear Jedi," she began, holding her hands up in a gesture of appeasement. "Forgive my colleague's less than diplomatic choice of words. I, for one, do not share his sentiments that you would have concocted such an elaborate farce to pull the wool over the Republic's eyes. The Jedi have a reputation and history of being a most honourable organization. And I know that your prisoner is of the... Dark Side," again there is a slight hesitation before uttering those two ominous words. "But any being that is connected to the 'Force' may be tempted away from the true path, and become like your prisoner. That is not the question. Nor is the question whether it is your duty to destroy such creatures, a duty that I guarantee you that Edem shares wholeheartedly. The question before us, is whether you can provide evidence that this... base creature, belongs to the 'Sith'. Only with solid evidence can we approach the Senate for a motion."

 

[Rector_Ras]

I'm not typically the one to play the good guy when senators sit down and Narrane here seems to make that easy, taking the job up herself. I do wonder however what angle Krass is playing, its simply not how I saw him moving on this after our last conversation.

"My colleagues are more than correct here." I glare towards the female she needs to be answered now or the chance will never come. "The evidence is obviously very concerning and if what you are telling us is in fact true, the sith will be a major security threat. My issue here is that you go through the trouble of not only getting this opportunity, but you bring a prisoner with no proof he is sith? Well no proof other than your philosophical lesson which even you must admit is weak."

Now the great part of watching for a while is that you have an idea of what people are thinking before you make your first comment. The first jedi that spoke is definitely not experienced in political matters, where as the other wont blow her cool nearly as easily. Simply put, if there is truth to be had its easier to get it from him and so its to him I will speak.

"As for you" I turn towards the male "You said "Behold. The enemy of civilization. See how it speaks, with action, not words". I think it spoke clearly with words. It would like us to die, probably painfully. Now why is this worth mentioning? Well of course your playing us, or at least trying aren't you. Put ideas in our heads before we can come to the conclusion before we have the evidence. It wont work here and I would appreciate it if you didn't try such tactics here.

Now lets get right back to the point. Do you Jedi have definitive proof this person or thing is in fact sith."

 

[Aren Krass]

Kyrene knew they were not wrong. Her blue eyes flickered from one Senator from the next, watching their facial expressions, listening to the tone of their voices as they expressed their own concerns. Though the question in her mind was where did they find the Jedi that sat next to her, he reminded her of the more super serious Jedi that would have bossed her around as a padawan.

The young Knight leaned forward in her seat, clasping her fingers together, her nerves still while she projected her words with confidence.

"It hasn't been denied that the individual is not Sith. If you wish to believe that we masquerade a Jedi to play the prisoner we have now, feel free to open an investigation Senator Krass." Kyrene stated, "We wouldn't waste your time, if it wasn't good reason. We do not deny the Sith are our enemies; as Jedi we know what to look for and I ask that your honors, trust our consul on this matter." Explained the young knight. Her nose twitched as she picked up on the slight cinnamon oder that seemed to have clouded the room. Not that she would complain, it reminded her of her birthday in which the cook in the Temple's kitchen would bake her a small spiced pastry.

"The dark side takes many forms," Kyrene continued, "It can be silent or it can be loud, but remember we are only mortals, we all make mistakes, especially when we're overconfident in our successes, your honors."

Kyrene paused, waiting for a response from the Senators, two of them had been fairly vocal, thought with one being Corellian, that didn't surprise her too much. She was curious about the third Senator who had been sitting in silence. Kyrene though, hoped that her Jedi counterpart wouldn't open his mouth since he tended to speak as though he was above everyone else.

"It hasn't been denied that the individual is not Sith."

"So you're admitting that your prisoner is indeed not a Sith?" Krass said, rather surprised the Jedi would admit such.

"As my voting record, as well as any speech I've ever made, will show, I believe the Sith are a threat. I am skeptic, however, to believe that they would show themselves this readily, and this easily as to ruin a century's worth of hiding. I would love to immediately jump on your claims, to support militarization, however I must weight the facts. I must mirror Senator Hesse's Comment, do you have definitive proof that this prisoner is a Sith? Allow me to also state, a confession while in a Jedi Prison is not equal to definitive proof, as that may be coerced, or the product of Force Suggestion."

 

[GABA]

Kyrene's brow furrowed in thought as her eyes shot from Senator to Senator. A silence feel and the soft hum of the repulsors on the cameras could be heard for just a moment. What more evidence did they want? A body count? A secret base? An ID Card to the Sith Fan Club?

"You know exactly what I said Senator. You claim to be a skeptic, and I'm glad, however, to be skeptical of the obvious as it flaunts right under your nose will kill thousands of innocents." Kyrene paused, "Why does it matter how long they have been hiding? If you could feel what I feel when I am near him...its something beyond just a chill...its suffocating, nothing close to the darkness I have felt in others."

The Jedi brushed her blonde hair behind her ear, her mind slowly coming back to the present. She squeezed her hands into fists and released, "And his saber when I held it..." Kyrene stopped herself, they were to rip what she felt in a moment, "Regardless Senators, you have trust us before, we're not asking you to raze systems, we are here to show you the Sith are rising, why do we need to wait until the veil has shed before everyone decides to take action?" she asked, "What more definite proof do you want?"

Kyrene waited for their response, but as she did, she couldn't help but think they already had their minds made before starting the hearing. Though she washed away her annoyance, letting a small exhale past her lips, even if they didn't wish to believe them now, the darkness that mocked them from the outer rim would be here sooner than they would expect it.

 

[Aren Krass]

Kyrene's brow furrowed in thought as her eyes shot from Senator to Senator. A silence feel and the soft hum of the repulsors on the cameras could be heard for just a moment. What more evidence did they want? A body count? A secret base? An ID Card to the Sith Fan Club?

"You know exactly what I said Senator. You claim to be a skeptic, and I'm glad, however, to be skeptical of the obvious as it flaunts right under your nose will kill thousands of innocents." Kyrene paused, "Why does it matter how long they have been hiding? If you could feel what I feel when I am near him...its something beyond just a chill...its suffocating, nothing close to the darkness I have felt in others."

The Jedi brushed her blonde hair behind her ear, her mind slowly coming back to the present. She squeezed her hands into fists and released, "And his saber when I held it..." Kyrene stopped herself, they were to rip what she felt in a moment, "Regardless Senators, you have trust us before, we're not asking you to raze systems, we are here to show you the Sith are rising, why do we need to wait until the veil has shed before everyone decides to take action?" she asked, "What more definite proof do you want?"

Kyrene waited for their response, but as she did, she couldn't help but think they already had their minds made before starting the hearing. Though she washed away her annoyance, letting a small exhale past her lips, even if they didn't wish to believe them now, the darkness that mocked them from the outer rim would be here sooner than they would expect it.

"To be Honest, Jedi Amyntas, I'm not sure what kind of proof we need, as you are the ones that petitioned the senate for this meeting."

He pursed his lips together and glanced between the Senators. Hesse had supported him, but Valloren was siding a bit too much with the Jedi for his comfort.

"I understand the existence of the Force, and I respect it. However, you must respect that it is not a deciding factor for beings such as myself. To me, I must base my actions in the physical, rather than the metaphysical."

He formed a small smile as he delivered the next bit,

"Whenever I think of Senator Tan Prestor (@Nor'baal ) I get a feeling of darkness, but I can't launch a full fledged war against him for this. I respect the sanctity of your Religion, and what you do in your own space, and even in Republic space so long as it breaks no laws, is Jedi Business. However, for the Senate to justifiably launch a war, no matter how much I would like to go ahead and launch one, we will need concrete evidence that the Sith are actively showing signs of aggression, or breaking Republic law, we cannot launch a war into them."

He let the smile fade off of his face and adopted a new, more serious, expression, "I still am concerned, however, at the fact that you have yet to deny that this man isn't a Sith." he motioned to the holo image of the captor. I am finding it awfully convenient that you managed to capture all his carnage, and him, in such a neat manner."

Aren was seriously getting concerned with the testimony from the Jedi. As of yet they hadn't denied attempting to persuade him into believing one of their own to be a Sith. They had their neat holovid, and their neat prisoner, but to him it smelled all to convenient. Convenience often reeked of bullshit. If the Jedi weren't careful, he would return to the Rotunda suggestion aggressive actions against the Jedi for trying to mislead him, rather than against the Sith.

 

[Aibhne Tibbot]

BANG slammed his fist against the table. He hated cinnamon.

"Neat! Convenient?? People died! I nearly died! For you! Those Sith were part of a larger group. With purpose. Wielding these..." he spat as he flexed forth one of the Sith's lightsaber hilts he'd confiscated.

He stood as he tossed the hilt to the floor at their feet disrespectfully, it harmlessly rattling a circular role to a standstill. Absolutely disgusted, Aibhne was brimming with unbridled contempt for these babes who'd not even wipe their own filth from their faces as it spewed forth from their lips; turning their eyes from the very violence that threatened their people, the people they pledged to serve, instead boasting wisdom in their intolerance for knowledge as they ruled through theory and half blind perspective. He'd expected them to be fools and cowards, but to outright mischaracterize the Jedi whose image was cemented in centuries of proven integrity while the Sith here were given the benefit of the doubt after time after time after time they had proven themselves the deeds by which the devil destroys - madness.

"They wore Sith trappings. Reeked of the Dark Side. Used red lightsaber crystals, their skins drained with taint. They attacked as a team, not as some renegades with intension of fortune or fame. They attacked a Republic world, not any other. Their manner of assault, merciless and maniacal. The Sith teach such passion. Look to their history as proof. See no other likeness in this beast than their iconic figures. See the Sith as they rampage inwards through your worlds, trampling your people, those who you deny the respect of watching their deaths."

Incredibly offended that they ask him to persuade them to go to war, as though he was here for anything more than warning them to unify; not lunge headlong into a fight they weren't ready for. Yet even as his intension was pure, his lack of temperance blundered barbarically against his own cause. Years of lessons and caution in his youth thrown to the wind, as it was every time, Aibhne's fervor for peace and order came across as anything but. He had no gift for subtlety nor congeniality. He was a warrior. One who wished to fight for these morons.

"But you don't want to see. You look away from the lives you failed to protect, retch to the reality that is your citizens' livelihood. You sit there asking for a snake to speak. But why else would it hide if not to strike when least expected? For what other reason does it coil, if not to strike? Now is when they have chosen to strike. While you sit there they hector the Agamar Council under their heel. While you sit there they grow bold!"

His arm threw back at the screen.

"They are Sith. These recordings were taken from the port's lenses. Cadinth would've reported their own findings regardless of our voice. But we chose to stand with your citizens even as you do not. War? No. We have come to unify, prepare, and harden your hearts to what beats down your doors whether you'd open them or not. We will stand with your people, where we always have even if you've forgotten. Stand with them! Or see your legs infected and infirm, venomed by the viper. And you'll never stand again."

His expression roiled, standing tall over their resistance to reason. His cheek wrinkled, sniffing several times as his austere eyes searched out the source of that sickeningly sweet aroma; stifling his focus in chance to finally catch his breath... "What-what is that?"

 

[Kiro]

Nerrane sighed as she watched the Jedi whom had first spoken to them throw himself out of a chair and hurl a bunch of metal tubes to the floor with a loud clatter, in a burst of anger just as apprehensive and passionate of the organizations he claimed to oppose so violently, accusing them of being blind and unwilling to see the truth.

"Calm yourself, Master Jedi," the pheromone-oozing Senator stated firmly, her voice loosing some of it's diplomatic tones. "You are being quite passionate about our response. We have never claimed that this prisoner is NOT of the Dark Side. And as for their weapons, there is historical precedence for a number of Dark Side cults to possess these... 'lightsabers', with red blades. I have even seen historical evidence of Jedi carrying such blades, while still being firmly entrenched in the Light. So the fact that your prisoner, and the rest of the assailants belong to a Dark Side cult, LIKE the Sith, is again, not in question."

The male Jedi reminded Nerrane oddly of the males of her own species. Hotheaded, short-tempered, and prone to bouts of aggression if there were no females around to calm them with their pheromones. Compared to his female companion, it did nothing to improve the Senator's view of non-Edemmian males, nor did her two colleagues. "If you say that the Sith wore the trappings of the Sith, that they wore some symbol of emblem unique to their cult, then please, by all means, produce it. That is the sort of unambigious evidence we are looking for. The evidence we can take to the Senate to speak for your cause. To form a potential alliance with your Order to oppose the advances of the Sith, and hopefully destroy them utterly." She stated, her grey eyes firm as they met those of the zealous Jedi. She truly did wish to work with the Jedi, for her own religion, her own faith and the duty to her Goddess and her people truly demanded that any followers of Jassoch, the Deceiver, the Lord of Thirst, which the Edemmian Exalted reported was one and the same as this 'Dark Side', must be eradicated from the galaxy, in Elassah's name.

"Unlike many of my fellow Senators, I do not believe the Sith to be a myth. And I believe it is the duty of all living creatures to oppose adherents of the Dark Side. But I must follow my duty to the Republic as well, just as I suspect you must follow your Jedi Code and your oaths to your own Order," She replies, her voice regaining some of it's earlier diplomatic tones and warmth, while her steely gaze wandered from one Jedi to the next. "But as my fellow Senator said in his rashness, the Senate will not, cannot, accept the metaphysical as evidence, nor would this recording be enough on it's own to sway the Senate, I fear. But produce an insignia or an emblem unique to the Sith, or even a direct confession from your prisoner, taken while under the joint supervision of the Jedi and the Senate Guard, or even one of my own aides if that is more agreeable to you, and I will personally champion your cause within the Senate Rotunda."

She paused to draw a deep breath, before catching the male Jedi's confusion after having drawn a breath as well. "Ah. My pardon, Master Jedi. It is a... peculiarity of my species. Female Edemmians such as myself, and my aide here," she gestures to the oddly dressed, staff-wielding, Force Sensetive Edemmian behind her. "Produce a pheromone that is intended to lower aggression in the males of our species. It has... other, effects on non-Edemmians. Nothing harmful, I assure you. And before you ask, no, it is not something we can stop, nor control in the slightest."

 

[Aren Krass]

Aren's eyebrows shot up in clear alarm and his mouth contoured into a mask of disgust. Behind him the quick movement of robes could be heard as the blue adorned CorSec guards moved closer to the Senator and reached, though not yet unholstering, for their pistols. Behind the Jedi a similar sound could be heard, followed by the snap-hiss of force pikes, jolting to attention.

"Jedi Tibbot control yourself before you must be escorted from the premises. While you find yourself occupying space within our fine senatorial chambers, and you find yourself a present burden upon the air within, I would ask that you dig deep within yourself and find a way to act as if you possess a hair of class, and not waste the air, and the space you so presumptuously consume.

I am merely asking you for solid proof that these beings are Sith. Unlike religious beings such as yourself that find their sense of purpose by something far beyond me, I must find my sense of purpose and my direction in the here and the now."

He halfway stood out of his chair, his face clearly beginning to shift from just disgust, to pure and complete rage.

"If you would like to speak of respect, Jedi Knight Tibbot, speak of it not to me. I was there when the attacks on Chandrilla took lives, I stood in ground zero. I have stood in these halls and called for nothing but security and defense as long as my lungs would support me. As for those I've failed to protect? I can count for you every name claimed by the crisis in the Outer Rim, but doing such doesn't begin to fix the issue. I stand with every citizen in the Republic, and not one moment have I forgotten the danger that our Northern citizens face.

Unlike your Order, however, the Senate follows the rule of law. We cannot simply desire something, and will it be because we desire it. Motions must be made, and passed by a majority. So rather than use harsh rhetoric and your feelings, I suggest you begin to provide tangible evidence, and remember where your respects lie.

Now have a seat, Jedi Tibbot."

The last line was practically spat. Krass had half stood at this point, and was leaning over his desk, hands braced squarely on it.

 

[Aibhne Tibbot]

He stood still. His eye twitched to the sounds of pikes sparking into fire behind, his predatory skull cocking forward to the hands he witnessed reaching for holsters. Brow low, his scornful stare crawled from one senator to the other. He held there for a moment in pause. They dare question a Jedi? List their own births and very existence in happenstance as accomplishments while they waste their experiences with inaction? He was there, he says. As though being anywhere meant anything without successes of change. But he calls. He petitions and lobbies. Aibhne had seen how they call. He'd watched their hearings as they slandered the Jedi, turned their backs on their own soldiers, and gorged themselves on buffets and languished in their shells of safety. To what end? They'd accomplished nothing. But he was there. And that's what matters. Not doing anything about it, but watching. How saintly. How pointless...

Aibhne couldn't even be cordial with the Jedi's supporters among the senate. Especially with that repulsive scent fouling the air. He'd storm out right now if not for a hover camera crossing into view, breaking his focus with returning memory of how he'd watched the senate hearings broadcast. And he realized, this would do him no good. Aibhne all but resigned himself to defeat. He sighed, an empty sadness sinking through his melting temper as it spread into his feet. He staggered back. And he sat down, in disbelief.

"Emblem...?" His raspy voice wheezed. He disliked speaking at such lengths. "An emblem? Do you see any symbol here..?" His arms opened up, looking down at his shoulders and chest; devoid of any such lunacy, no symbol or emblem of the Jedi. "They wear no emblem. Blood is their banner. Yet as much as they wave it about it seems not a strong enough scent to penetrate this fog..."

He cracked his neck left-turned into shoulder shirk as he folded his arms leaning back, closed off; unmoved and stripped of motivation. This hearing was over, his mind locking down. They ignored his warnings, his mention of Agamar and proof of Sith villainy. It wasn't enough. They wanted more of their people to die until victory was so assured their enemy that they could shout their names from the senate floor itself under their dictatorship and dominion. For only then would they have their proof. As the Sith empire pulled its flag high in salute of a conquered Republic. Then their emblem would flap in the wind, when these fools wouldn't even petition a commission be sent to validate the Jedi's claims of Sith on distant worlds.

He'd wait to be excused, for this farce to finish. Or until they goaded him back into banter, as he was easily lured.

 

[Rector_Ras]

"And I have always been told its sith that lash out in anger."

Its not often we get to see someone flare up in front of representatives f the senate. Especially not a jedi. This one was not a good choice, his temper was far to strong and he had little idea of the weight creating a defensive force has. He didn't think about where the money comes from to fund such a fleet and what cuts would have to be made in order to raise funds. He had no thoughts of the poor already unable to eat loosing the little hope they had, doesn't even care really. A fleet is all he could see, the magic fleet to solve all issues.

"Now that we seem to have cooled down may we continue on productive dialogue?" I turn to the female jedi "You have no real proof then? Nothing beyond your words and this video? Nothing we can bring the senate at all? I do want to help you, but you must understand what you are asking is no small task. Defence forces are expensive and we have a responsibility to spend our credits responsibly. We cant throw them away whenever a possible threat pops on the radar or when a religious order decides they want us to.

Further we cannot simply kill another group off because they follow the 'dark side'" I pause to make a quick glance at Nerrane for implying we should do just that. "We are an open, peaceful and accepting republic. As long as their views are not in violation of republic law within republic space we must keep an open mind."

 

[GABA]

Her Jedi counterpart was heated, she stayed seated, resting her finger his forearm, sharing a sense of calm with him. Their definite evidence was soon going to be a body count along their trail of destruction. She felt a wave of defeat from Aibhne and she felt it herself too, they were now going to go in circles in it was continued.

Senator Hesse addressed her, remarking on Aibhne's outburst. It took every fiber of her body not to roll her eyes at his comment.

"Real Proof, in your definition Senators, no, we do not have what you are looking for, next time we will make sure we check his wallet for his Sith Membership card." she replied, a hint of spite rolling off her tongue.

"Though Cadinth and even Agamar are not under Republic jurisdiction, why do you insist on waiting until they are? Be proactive, don't wait until they are here. Being peaceful doesn't mean sitting back and waiting for something to happen, in order to maintain peace, you have to stop the threats against peace." Kyrene leaned forward, clasping her fingers, "We're not asking you to kill off a group, we're asking to start taking action now, support us, support the Border Alliance, add extra security, this is how you can be proactive without militarizing systems." Though she found it ironic they would speak of spending credits responsibly with all the nonsense they have passed in the past few years.

"Ask the what ifs, be better safe than sorry, Senators." Kyrene paused, "If we cannot address the Senate, then we will leave it in your hands to bring up the what ifs. The responsibility now rests on your shoulders. If you ignore our warnings, then the blood that is shed by the sith will be on your hands and you will have to answer to the Republic why did you not act sooner."

 

[Prudence]

Her Jedi counterpart was heated, she stayed seated, resting her finger his forearm, sharing a sense of calm with him. Their definite evidence was soon going to be a body count along their trail of destruction. She felt a wave of defeat from Aibhne and she felt it herself too, they were now going to go in circles in it was continued.

Senator Hesse addressed her, remarking on Aibhne's outburst. It took every fiber of her body not to roll her eyes at his comment.

"Real Proof, in your definition Senators, no, we do not have what you are looking for, next time we will make sure we check his wallet for his Sith Membership card." she replied, a hint of spite rolling off her tongue.

"Though Cadinth and even Agamar are not under Republic jurisdiction, why do you insist on waiting until they are? Be proactive, don't wait until they are here. Being peaceful doesn't mean sitting back and waiting for something to happen, in order to maintain peace, you have to stop the threats against peace." Kyrene leaned forward, clasping her fingers, "We're not asking you to kill off a group, we're asking to start taking action now, support us, support the Border Alliance, add extra security, this is how you can be proactive without militarizing systems." Though she found it ironic they would speak of spending credits responsibly with all the nonsense they have passed in the past few years.

"Ask the what ifs, be better safe than sorry, Senators." Kyrene paused, "If we cannot address the Senate, then we will leave it in your hands to bring up the what ifs. The responsibility now rests on your shoulders. If you ignore our warnings, then the blood that is shed by the sith will be on your hands and you will have to answer to the Republic why did you not act sooner."

Aren felt his frustration growing inside of him. These saber waving fools had no idea how things were achieved. What measures had to be taken in order to add security, or add a military. When he spoke, he did so after weighing each word, and each idea.

"If you will turn the prisoner over to Republic jurisdiction, and allow us to question him, we will determine his identity. As for taking proactive action, we are a legislative body. We have had wars with the sith, yes, but that was a century ago. We cannot pass legislation that you would like based on a war a century ago. Likewise, no bill that I try to push through the senate based on actions occurring outside of our borders will stand a chance."

He glanced at the chrono on the desk for a moment and then glanced back up,

"If you have anything else to offer, offer it now. If you do not, I will conclude this hearing and return to the Senate with my notes."

 

[Aibhne Tibbot]

He was in total agreement with Kyrene. Though his distant stare was only stirred back into attention upon the senators' stupid words. They talked as though free citizens' lives weren't worth wasting a credit chit on. That history served as no basis of reference. But now, Aibhne's defeat changed to reluctance with a stony heart; closed to those whom spouted nonsense.

"We will not turn the prisoner over to your jurisdiction," was all the dejected Jedi offered. The Republic had no jurisdiction, for Cadinth was not under their ridiculous reign. Nor would their questioning do them any good, their murky intensions evident. If they wouldn't believe what was brought to them here and now, then any further confessions would only be clouded by questions of doubt and duplicity. Aibhne only now understood how corrupt this body was, where even those who believed themselves champions of justice judged messengers of the first degree rather than speak ill of monsters in a misevent. "You hear nothing. So end your hearing."

Let them return to their precious banks and count their withheld capital in greed, he chided in introspection. His body leaned forward, begging to rise from his seat; wanting to leave. If they concluded the meeting, he'd stand and summon the hilts from the floor back into his care and leave these dead grounds. For to him, they were dead; hopeless under misguided minds.