Originally posted by Tptmanno1
Ok I have ANOTHER idea!
How bout we abandon the government ship and leave it with a distress signal blaring. Then we all jump on Xeth's ship and wait. Then when the Pirates come, we use xeth's ship to attack and board thier ship and go to plan A when we just try and kill most of them off and interogate one or two of them.
I think we should do something sneaky or stealthy, I think we'll get more info that way.
"Master?" says Sunda. "If these pirates are fighting like insane fanatics to the death, then can we really rely upon us taking prisoners? Or even repelling an attack? It might be that either they kill all of us, or we kill all of them..."
Sunda has a maybe precocious but maybe also slightly worrying instinct for tactical situations, Roan.
-
The reason no protocol droid was present at the hearings is because no-one thought for one moment that anyone would need one. They checked all the obvious things involved- those bringing the case, those defending the case, those with an input to make into the case... the idea that one of the Senators didn't speak standard was not considered.
A droid is eventually brought, strolling rather camply into the toom. Nebb speaks again.
"I was objecting to the terms to which the case was being brought, using terminology and making assumptions that do not necessarily make sense to everyone in this courtroom."
"You feel the case is not being presented correctly?" asks Xian.
"I am sure whatever case that exists is being made with all due skill and adroitness in presentation. However, I am a man of politics and law, not finance and war. I do not believe it is possible for the court and Senate to make a fair judgment on these matters unless all terms and events involved have been fully explained to the satisfaction and understanding of us all."
"I am not sure what specifically you are meaning, Senator."
"Consider the representative's opening statement we just heard. This contains a number of such matters. What were the exact nature of the goods and routes of the trade lanes being taxed? What was the nature of the dispute? Why were the tax rates being risen? What was the objection to this rise? How was the Naboo government involved in this protest? Why were they the target of the blockade? What effect was the blockade intended to have? On what grounds were military intervention either legal or illegal? On what legal grounds were the Jedi sent to the Naboo system? Even in these earliest times of this hearing, the points that must be understood by all are many. As your honoirable presence has already made clear, it is important that every single thing is done correctly."
"I am not sure of the practicality of this measure," says Xian. "Viceroy, you are the authority on most of these matters. What is your opinion?"
"Why," says Gunray, "you could not hope to understand even the basics of this dispute without an intimate knowledge of tax and trade practice alongside Trade Federation policy in the last decade."
"In that case, says Nebb, "I think it would be appropriate if before we move onto the consequences of the founding principles of this matter, the Viceroy enlighten us as to these founding principles themselves, lest the entirity of the rest of the case be based on inaccurate and amateur assumptions."
"Are you insane?" says Gunray. "The basics of those matters will take me all day to explain. At least!"
"Your honour," speaks Nebb, "I do not believe that there is any legal principle under which the effort and time involved in getting to the truth in any way makes that truth undesirable. As a representative of the Senate, I must insist that all truths be thoroughly exposed in this matter. I am sure my honourable associate agrees with me."
"What?" says Riordan. "Oh, err, yes, well... as well to be thorough, I guess."
Xian looks thoughtful for a few seconds, then sighs.
"Very well," he says. "Viceroy, this court must ask you to explain the principles that the Senator has asked about."
A sullen mood of resignantion settles over the courtroom.
"Master, is there somewhere else I can be?" whispers Jeb.
"I was taught to kill a person in self-defence rather than risk the life of myself or others, Master," says Sunda. "I am not sure how easy I would feel trying to take suicidal fanatics alive."
-
"Yes... but I thought this was meant to be all over in a day, Master..."
The next eight hours at the court- with a lunch break, mercifully- are staggeringly dull, and it is also a rather warm day. But final;ly, after hours of explanations and questions and counter-questions and points of order and translation qualifications...
... you are finally back to where you started just before Nebb first spoke.
At which point, Xian has to announce that the Court is done for the day.
"This hearing will reconvene tomorrow at 10. It is now adjourned," he says, punctuating the point with a knock of his gavel.
"Then maybe you should let us do that part, young one," Xeth replies.
"Now, I am for letting the ship float in space with an emergency beacon blaring, but then comes the problem of other ships coming by to help. It would risk other people's lives, but maybe we'll have to risk that."
"Marios, could we have reinforcements, just in case?"
As far as I am concerned, Roan has the final call on this one. Time pressure is not exactly critical but you cannot take this long over all decisions.
-
Outside the courtoom, the crowds slowly begin to disperse, whilst all those still around talk over the events of the day. Nebb, it seems, got away very quickly.
"My my," comes a cultured voice from behind you, Gundy. "Master Kellan Gundark... what an unexpected and pleasurable surprise. And Marcus also? An august gathering, I see."
Addressing you now, smartly dressed and with charming smile, is the unmistakable form of Kir Ascar.