STAR WARS: RETROSPECTION- Trials

"I do not recognize the name, but I refer to many attempts that have been made on Svidrigailov's life. Solo artists rarely make a repeat performance against the Pirate Lord. The situation is never in their favor, always his.

"I do recall a Jedi making the attempt once. I do not know what happened to him."

"I think I do," Xavier says.

"So if I need help to pull this off, where exactly will that help come from?"

Trax pauses.

"Do you know how many slaves are kept in the hold?"

"I'd assume a lot more than there are pirates." Xavier says.

"Precisely. But the pirates are the ones holding the guns and instilling the fear. If the fear is removed and the slaves were to, say, revolt... you would have a formidable force behind you, Master Jedi."

"I am no Master Jedi,....yet" Xavier says.

"Hmm that would be a very powerful force but fear is powerful."

Not to mention you're unsure if a slave rebellion was in the plans. You will be freeing them, yes, but you put them at great danger if you bring them into battle against hardened criminals who kill on whim...

"But you are unique," Trax says. "You can end the fear that oppresses them. Show them that if they let go of that fear and they will rise up against their terrible masters.

"Besides, you will need help. No one man can fight all of Svidrigailov's crew by himself."

(I'm starting to get a Gladiator feel going here)

"I may be "unique" but these slaves will be going against hardened criminals willing to kill. Do you think it is worth their lives?"

"Where would you rather die, Jedi? In the field of battle, fighting to defend lives or ideals? Or would you rather perish at the whim of a cruel owner, or from overexhaustion from being worked to your limits? I know I would prefer the first..."

At this moment, the door to the room hisses open. Frost steps in, still wearing all of his robes and gear.

"What are you doing?" he asks Trax.

"Putting the rebellious one back together, sir," Trax replies, not daring to look at the Pirate Leader. "Otherwise he would have been..."

"Shut it."

Trax falls silent as Frost turns to inspect you.

"So, we meet again," he says. The breath mask warbles his voice.

Xavier thinks on Trax's words. It was an easy decision for him. He would fight for ideals, and the future. As a jedi should.

The Pirate Leader walks in gives Trax a hard time then turns to and speaks to Xavier.

"So we do"

"Quite a show you put on in there," Frost snarls, the breath mask over-accentuating the venom in his voice. "I half expected you to fight back, considering how you faired against me. Pitiful that you didn't..."

Frost turns to Trax. "Leave us."

Trax bows stiffly, then takes his leave of the medical bay, leaving you alone with Frost.

Xavier doesn't return an answer to Frost. He just focuses his silver eyes on him following him no matter which way he moves.

"The silent type," Frost says. "Excellent. It would make your cries for mercy more rewarding than the average pathetic soul that dares to cross us. I'm almost positive that you will attempt your heroics again..."

"Like I said I slipped and fell," Xavier replies.

He isn't even following Frost anymore. Xavier has picked a spot on the wall and is content at looking at it.

"Do you think I am dull, boy?" Frost snarls. "I have senses beyond your comprehension. Your little accident plainly read as an attempt to distract the crew from the Senator's daughter to me..."

Empathy can suss connections between people. A useful ability, but not quite so useful when used against you, in this situation...

Xavier keeps looking at the wall.

"Why does it matter to you either way?"

"It's suspicious behavior for new property," Frost says. "I want to know who sent you."

"No one sent me, I just happened to be on the planet when you came down."

"Wrong place, wrong time kind of deal."

"Liar. How stupid do you think I am?"

This is a unique situation that you doubt many Jedi have bee in before, Xavier. You're trying to lie to someone who can sense that you're lying, just as you could sense that someone was lying to you.

"Ok then let me take a more direct route with you. I am here, I do not wish to be like I am now. That is all I will tell you of who I am and what I am like."

Once again Xavier doesn't look at him, just the wall.