Old Property 2

Between Karrde's contacts and Mothma's, legal representation on Naboo was retained in the person of Greys Harrow, an experienced independent litigator in her late forties, who specialised in estate matters.

Their first meeting was via holocom, with Luke and Mara in his apartment on Coruscant.

'Jedi Skywalker, thank you for considering my practice. I understand you've been summoned to Naboo.'

Luke repeated the information as he'd recieved it from Mr Delanee.

'I see,' Ms Harrow murmured. 'I am willing to represent you and Madame Deputy Chief of State in this. When will you be arriving on Naboo?'

'Before Luke arrives anywhere, have we really explored all of their options?' Mara interrupted from her chair just at the edge of the com's view.

'Excuse me Captain Jade?'

'They could just walk away. Not contest the removal of Vader's patronage. The villa will revert to it previous owners, problem solved.'

'Obviously I haven't seen Mr Delanee's documents as yet, or done the requisite reseach, but I don't believe that's an easy option.'

'Why not?' Mara challenged.

'You are thinking of Vader and this patronage in the context of the Empire, where he was a powerful man with every means of ofense and defense at his disposal, but we are not before an Imperial Court.'

'I don't understand,' Luke promted.

'Patronages on Naboo were originally designed with very different circumstances in mind. Given that Vader's claim was at least temporarily upheld by the Tribunal Judges, I expect Clan Naberrie will have to prove Vader was undeserving of the patronage in order to vacate it. A lack of response from his heirs would only serve to prolong the case. The level of public scrutiny applied, and the potential for embarassment remain just as high, with the gossipmongers having more time to work. Alternatively, Jedi Skywalker, if you are actively involved, the matter would hopefully be resolved more efficiently. You and Madame Deputy Chief of State would retain the option to return the Villa to Clan Naberrie as a good will gesture, even if Vader's rights hold.'

'The case was dismissed from the Tribunal on a technicality of Jurisdiction. How could Vader's right hold under fair scrutiny and proper procedure? What aren't you saying?' Mara demanded.

Luke was treated to an odd, soothing expression, reminiscent of Mr Delanee's.

'From what you've told me this is a much more complicated case than you think, with potentially far-reaching legal precedent and personal implications.'

'Personal?' Luke queried, curious and confused.

'I do not wish to serve you poorly by speaking further without doing my homework.'

oooooooooooooo

Mara was convinced something vital was omitted from the lawyers' conversations.

Her scan of the local tabloids leading up to the original trial of Delanee and Sons and the tribunal Judgements revealed that the case against Vader and his lawyers was filed six months after the Tribunal began.

It was implied that the delay was as a result of the Naberrie family attempting to gain favour with the current government on Coruscant. The family denied this, and claimed they only became aware of Vader's patronage after the political accusations began.

Pooja Naberrie was quoted in one of the articles. 'We had no reason to suspect any change in the status of our property. We had free access for the duration of Imperial rule, and the staff administration remained the same, except for natrual attrition.'

When the case against Delanee and Sons was dismissed the stories about Clan Naberrie started again, this time suggesting they collaborated with the Empire themselves, gave Lord Vader patronage over their property in exchange for various favors, then attempted to blame on the Law firm when their trachery was revealed.

The hint of Imperial conspiracy gained traction. The political pundits claimed it was the definitive end to Senator Pooja Naberrie's career, perhaps an indelible stain on the Naberrie political dynasty.

Mara changed directions, to look at the opposition instead. Pooja Naberrie was the former Imperial Senator of the Chommell Sector. Mara was aware of her as a rebel sympathizer before the war. After the Imperial Senate disbanded she became a professor of Political Science at the University of Theed. She was married now, the mother of three children under the age of 5. She claimed she was no longer interested in electoral politics, but Mara had serious doubts regarding such persons voluntarily retiring. Of course she would attempt to salvage her reputation.

Clan Naberrie were relatively comfortable economically, but they were not overly wealthy. The Estate in question was a significant asset to them, and a potential income earner. They would not part with it willingly.

These factors were not new. They would have applied just as well when Vader acquired the patronage. Was this indeed a change of heart, revoking Vader's rights for the sake of political expediency? If that was it the Tribunal should have ruled in Vader's favor, but Mara could imagine no Judge wanting that duty in the current climate.

'What're you working on?'

Luke was behind her, wearing an old pair of sleep pants and shirtless, rubbing excess water from his hair. He was working to put his normal curiosity into his tone, but Mara could hear the edge of frustration.

Again she was tempted to offer her Highness a few choice comparitive words on temper and forgiveness, but that would only upset Luke further, so she quelled the thoughts in favor of being there for him.

'How did it go?'

He sighed loudly as he flopped into the lounge closest to the comterminal.

'About the same as our talk after Mr Delanee's call. She's angry that we have to deal with this at all. She wants it over quickly, methods be damned. If I could just tell her the price, she'd pay, sign on the dotted line and walk away. Final.'

'And drag you right behind her, protesting or docile doesn't matter,'

'Yeah. She thinks this will hurt us both, and the New Republic and the New Jedi Order if it gets into the Coruscanti press, and I can't blame her. I just wish she could understand how I feel, or even just respect my decision to keep an open mind,'

Mara nodded and turned back to the console.

'I was just about to look into the history of Patronages on Naboo, so maybe we can be in context with the lawyers next time we talk to them.'

'Sounds good,' he agreed.

'I'm searching, Patronage - obscure - Naboo - here - see Family Property Act on Male Rights RR 845 (155BBY), effective RR 880 (120BBY).' There was a pause as Mara adjusted her search. 'Also known as the Patronage Act, the Act in its entirety may be obtained... hmmm... Know your rights, by Mari-soh Delanee... yes...'

'What's that?'

'An information pamphlet explaining the Patronage Act. Essentially it discusses the rights of males to inherit or acquire property on Naboo.' There was a longer pause as her eyes skimmed the page. 'Wow.'

She turned to look at Luke, now having some idea about the lawyers' reticence.

'Ok, I don't like that look, or that you're shielding again. What have you found?'

He stood over her shoulder and she let him read, waiting for his reaction.

'I don't understand how this applies to my Father. He grew up on Tatooine, and then among the Jedi, not on Naboo...'

'There are rules for purchasing and gifting here too, Luke, and for spouses of every status,'

Mara's last left him speechless. He could remember all too clearly Mr Delanee's insistence that the details of the case were personal, and inappropriate for discussion via hologram.

He stared blankly at the screen for a long time, and then slowly crumpled into the chair Mara had stealthily vacated. She was still in the apartment, and still shielded, whether for his privacy or hers, he couldn't tell.

Almost half an hour later the comforting aromatics of hot chocolate, cafe and.. Whyren's? wafted from his kitchenette, and broke him from his revere.

'Mara?' he hustled into the room just as she placed a mug in a saucer on the bar.

'I figured you could use that,' she said practically, nodding to his steaming drink, and joining him with her own mug.

She'd showered and changed into sleep pants and a fitted top, a clear indication that she intended to spend the night.

'We can talk about it if you want,' she offered as he took his first sip and registered how much alcohol she'd added to his Aunt's traditional bedtime treat. 'Or not,'

There wasn't any flirtation in her offer, despite the obvious physical possibilities of the night. He reached for her in the force, and was surprised when much of her shielding fell, revealing concern for his emotional state at the forefront of her mind.

'What I have right now are questions, and the answers all seem to be on Naboo. Thanks for agreeing to come with me,'

She shrugged in response.

'If you got into trouble for something Vader did, your sister would be calling me to go after you anyway.'

'Too true,'

They finished their drinks in silence, and Mara cleared the mugs and cleaned them.

'C'mon, Skywalker, we've got an early start tomorrow, unless you're not done with things here?'

She was already in the fresher inside the bedroom. Luke sighed, dimmed the apartment lights and followed her. There was nothing more he could do from Courscant. Tomorrow they'd be in hyperspace to Naboo.