Slayers of the Old Republic

Book VI: Manaan

By Michael Weyer

Faith's eyes slowly opened and it took her mind a few moments to follow her back to consciousness. As usual, she became aware of her surroundings quickly. She felt the cool touch of satin that showed she was naked. She felt the warm heat of someone next to her. And as her eyes focused, she saw Carth lying next to her.

"Crap," Faith muttered as she slowly sat up. She was somewhat surprised she was so clear-headed. Evidentially, the alien liquor somehow managed to skip over the effects of a hangover, which she was grateful for right now. At least, she thought she was.

She instinctively looked around for her clothes, reaching to throw on underwear and pants. She was reaching for her shirt when she heard Carth stir and quickly slipped it on. It struck her how for once she was actually feeling modest. It was a somewhat disconcerting notion.

Carth opened his eyes and it took a moment to focus on her. He stared with what looked like the same thrown expression Faith had. "Um…hey. Morning."

"Morning." It was lame, Faith knew, but it was all she could think of to say. She watched as Carth rolled over and glanced away. Once again, she was annoyed at this sudden burst of decorum. Damn, I'm turning into some middle-aged maid she thought to herself.

Carth managed to pull on his pants and shirt as he turned to face Faith. "So, um…how are you?"

"Okay," Faith remarked as she slipped on her boots. "I, um…this is…It's…" She shook her head. "Dammit, I hate being at a loss for words."

"I can tell," Carth said with a slight smile. "I just…I haven't been with anyone since…"

Faith knew what he meant and looked down. "Last guy I was with was two years ago and it wasn't…well, not exactly a slow-starting relationship, ya know? And before that…well, I've never been the whole flowers and dinners girl."

"Somehow, I'm not all surprised," Carth noted. He pulled his jacket on as he looked carefully at Faith. "Is that what this is? Just a one-night thing?"

"Honestly? I got no damn clue," Faith said, throwing up her hands. "I'm….I just don't know if I can handle this, Carth. I'm sorry but I don't."

"Wait a minute," he snapped. "You've been laying out so many hints and come-ons to me since we met…"

"Yeah, flirting is one thing but getting serious is something else!" the Slayer fired back. She closed her eyes. "Dammit, I….can we just get out of here and figure this out later?"

Carth opened his mouth, then shut it and nodded. Feeling more than slightly relieved, Faith walked out of the suite and he followed, both with their minds at a whirl. They exited the hotel and headed onto the streets, adjusting to the new light. "Let's just get back to the ship before we're missed too much," Faith said.

"Hey there!" Mission's voice came from behind them. Faith and Carth both shut their eyes and grimaced before turning to see Mission and Zaalbar standing before them. The Twi'lek had a knowing smirk on her face while the Wookie merely rolled his eyes. "About time, you two."

"Don't start," Faith snapped. "You got that? Just don't start." She tried to calm herself. "They send you two out to search for us?"

"We volunteered," Mission confirmed. "Jolee's busy. Seems that buddy of his, Sunry, got arrested for murder and he's gone to help him out."

Faith and Carth were thrown. "Murder?" Carth stated. "That old Republic officer? It's got to be a mistake!"

"Or a frame-up," Faith remarked. "We'd better go check this out."

"Sure you don't want to shower first?" Mission asked. The smirk grew. "Or did you do that together?"

Faith gave her a cold look and Mission's smirk vanished as she felt very grateful the Slayer didn't have that extra lightsaber with her right now.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The judicial building for Ahto City was a large and round white structure, open to the public. Jolee had pretty much strolled on in, although he did need to show his lightsaber in order to get to the main room at the center where the judges gathered.

Approaching the judges panel in the center rotunda reminded him a little too much of approaching the Jedi Council as a young man, bringing back some bad memories. He never liked dealing with law enforcement, either. Law had little to do with justice, but try telling it to a constable. Already, a Sith officer and a Republic one were arguing loudly.

"The Republic respects the peace of Ahto City, your honors. But the Sith are a violent people who leave violence in their wake. I have three soldiers in the infirmary!"

"If the Republic soldiers were more capable, they would not have suffered such serious injuries." The Sith laughed. "Are my soldiers to be punished simply because they won a fair fight?"

"I hardly call three against six a fair fight, your honors!" the Republic man stated. "The Sith are cowards who attack only when they have the advantage of superior numbers!"

Different singers, same old song, Jolee thought tiredly.

The judge in the center of the panel, a thin-looking Selkath, looked refreshingly annoyed with the squabbling pair. "I am aware of the Republic's indignation. However, witness reports clearly state that your Republic soldiers were as willing to engage in violence as the Sith in this case."

"They were provoked, your honors! The Sith goaded them into this fight."

"Threats and taunts are insufficient provocation in the eyes of this court. Words can be ignored - which is what your men should have done. I find both Republic and Sith to be equally at fault for this preach of the peace. I should throw all parties involved into Ahto City jail, but since no Selkath were harmed in this foolish conflict, I will show mercy and levy a fine of ten thousand credits to both sides. This court is dismissed, though I warn you that further disturbances will not be viewed with such leniency."

Both of them groaned. Well, for being a bunch of law-bound bureaucrats, Jolee could develop an appreciation for these Selkath. As he passed by the Sith representative, he spoke in frustration. "Manaan should treat us Sith better - their day of reckoning approaches. They say everyone on Manaan is equal. It would seem, though that the Republic is a little more equal then the Sith. Neutrality? Ha! That's a laugh." He stormed past Jolee and out the courtroom door.

Almost on cue, the Republic representative passed by him and also felt the need to make a comment to anyone in earshot. "I'm sick of hearing about Manaan's neutrality. Manaan would already be under Sith control, but we haven't had one word of thanks from the Selkath . Why can't the Selkath see what the Sith are really like? They should ban them all from this planet. It sounds like a coward's excuse not to fight, if you ask me." Again, storming past, the Republic man went right out the same door. Jolee shook his head. It was downright amazing how similar the two sides were sometimes.

He approached the bench. The tired-looking judge in the middle addressed him. "I am Judge Shelkar acting on behalf of the official government of Manaan. It is my task today to answer the needs of off-world citizens of both the Republic and the Sith Empire," he said.

"Sounds like you got your work cut out for you," Jolee couldn't help noting.

Shelkar gave the Selkath version of a sigh, which sounded more like a gurgle. "The governing bodies of both states seek to keep an amicable relationship with our world in order to facilitate the exporting of kolto. I do not delude myself into thinking that either of your states hold any great love for us, but we are necessary so we at least keep our autonomy. I try not to concern myself with intergalactic policy. I find it stretches the letter of the law too much for my tastes."

"I was told to come here by the constables. I have questions about a pending case."

"If you have legitimate grievances with another party, then you should speak to me. You should first, however, consult the Republic embassy before pressing formal charges. Is there something you wish to bring to my attention?"

"There's a human man, name of Sunry Gensbrem. I hear he's been arrested for murder. Is that so?"

"Yes," Shelkar said. "A real tragedy, that is. Sunry is known to us as a hero of the Republic in your perpetual conflicts with the Sith empire. While he may have been severely injured in the line of duty, I personally hold him in high regard."

"Speaking of that injury, your honor, has it been taken into consideration?"

"In no way does his disability hamper him, though. Rest assured that my personal regard will not affect my judgment. While emotion may rule the Republic Senate, the cold hard hand of the law rules here on Manaan."

"Fair enough. Now, the constables mentioned an Arbiter...?"

Shelkar thought about this. "In Manaan legal tradition, the defendant can have an Arbiter who tries to prove his innocence in court. No one has stepped forward for the task as of yet."

Jolee let out a breath. It was now or never. "Your honor, if it's possible, I would like to act as his Arbiter."

Shelkar scrutinized him carefully. "As a member of the Jedi Order, I believe you would suit the position well. So be it. You are appointed arbiter in the case of Sunry Gensbrem versus the Sith Empire. Your name and position have been recorded in our files. I will now inform you of the pertinent facts in this case. You have a limited amount of time in which to investigate and organize a defense of your client, and I suggest you use it wisely."

"Hey, Chrome!" Jolee turned to see Faith, Carth, Mission and Zaalbar enter the courtroom. One look at the rumbled way the clothing they'd worn the previous day hung around the two humans and Jolee knew what had gone on. But that was something that was their business, he had much more important matters at hand.

Seeing Shelkar frown, Jolee quickly spoke. "They're with me."

Carth nodded to the judges and looked to Jolee. "We heard about Sunry. What's going on?"

"That's what I'm about to find out," Jolee said as he turned back to the judges. "What can you tell me about the circumstances of this murder? What is it your teams found?"

"Mr. Gensbrem was seen leaving a hotel in the visitor's quarter, leaving behind a dead Sith woman - Elassa Huros. A Republic medal was found clutched in the victim's hand. He has been charged with murder and is being held in the Ahto City prison facilities. Due to his poor health, he is being kept in a solitary holding cell. You may find the prison across the plaza from the court."

"I'll speak to him," Jolee said. "What is it I have to know about Manaan law?"

"There are five of us who sit on this panel and we judge all cases. We are all equal in rank, and we all can be interviewed by you, Arbiter." And with a bubbling-sounding sigh, Shelkar added. "And while we Selkath do not believe in violence as a solution, we sentence murders to death. It will be a quick and mostly painless death - but death still."

When you step in it, Sunry, you step in it big-time. "Is there anything suspicious about the case?"

"Yes, there is something that has been bothering me: the medal that was clutched in the Sith's hand. I find it most odd that such a blatantly incriminating piece of evidence would be left at the scene of the crime."

"Can you be certain it's Sunry's medal - or that it wasn't planted at the scene?"

"We have analyzed it, and while it does not appear to be a replica, I still have my doubts. In the midst of the crime, Sunry could well have lost it. I have seen much more improbable things happen in my tenure to the courts. Simply because it was real does not mean Sunry would have overlooked it being in Elassa's hand."

Jolee thought this over. "Thank you. I'll interview the other judges."

"Since this is also your first case, and you are an off-worlder. I feel compelled to add 'good luck' as my final missive."

"Yeah, I'll need it."

It took only a few moments for him to get a read on the other judges and give himself an idea of what he was facing. Jhosa was a little more gray than green, and he moved slower. Jolee guessed this to be signs of an advanced age, even if he wasn't sure if that was actually the case. After looking over the records that authorized Jolee access to the court, he began to speak.

"Since you have been designated Arbiter in the Sunry case, I shall answer any questions that you might have. Sunry is a former Republic officer who is highly regarded by your people here on Manaan, and even seems to maintain some sort of relations with them still. If he is as capable as some of the Republic citizens still believe him to be, he is certainly capable of actions that would result in this murder."

"But it almost seems too heavily stacked against him, doesn't it?" Carth pointed out.

"Well I have often wondered, if Sunry were so innocent, why was he fleeing the scene of the crime? Why would he be running if he had not committed the crime itself, or was at least aware of what had occurred? This case seems fairly obvious and simple to me. Your Republic types stick together, however, and I assume you will go to lengths to defend him."

Carth bristled and was about to fire back a comment on the Republic's merits when Jolee broke in. "Well, I'm actually more in agreement with you on this matter. I've seen enough posturing and foolishness from both sides, and I'm too old for any of it."

"Both empires are at fault for this current conflict. The Republic in the past for laying the foundations upon which the Sith Empire grew. And the Sith now, obviously, for starting this war. But no matter the wrongs that had been done in the past, the Sith have no cause for renewing hostilities. It almost seems as if they just want to conquer everything!" Jhosa finished writing his statement on Jolee's datapad and handed it back to him. "I believe the Republic has the right to defend itself and drive the Sith back to where they came from. Unfortunately for them...and perhaps for us...they do not seem to be doing a good job of it so far."

Naleshekan, the third judge, was one of the rudest people Jolee had ever encountered. "Do you think his Republic masters would let someone so valuable go so easily? I think not," he said with a slurring sound that was probably a huff. "I think Sunry maintains his contacts with the Republic and seeks to escalate the situation here. I find this case to be fairly straightforward. Sunry is from the Republic, Elassa from the Sith. The great empires battling now live out their conflict through their minions, too."

"Well, that's one theory," Jolee said.

"I do not buy the Republic line that this is some epic battle between the 'good' Republic against the 'evil' Sith empire. The Sith Empire is merely an expansionistic power, much like the Republic was early in its history. It is simply the turning of history, where the old is swept away by the better new."

"I'll...remember that..." Jolee said, forcing himself to be diplomatic, a talent he hadn't had needed for two decades at least and never had much of in the first place.

Duula was worse, topping Nakeshekan's heights of arrogance and overt Sith support. "I find the idea that a half-human cripple like Sunry could murder someone as obviously competent as the Sith Elassa questionable at best. A man who can barely walk killed a Sith warrior in her prime? Preposterous! But I would not put it past the Republic to try and arrange such circumstances to see her dead. The Sith are much more straightforward about their intentions."

Jolee glanced behind him to see Faith's jaw set. He was sure she was biting her tongue so hard, it was on the verge of being cut in half. Duula went on. "I think that there must have been another there who killed her. Perhaps one of the 'witnesses.' I do not know the reason for the medal clutched in Elassa's hand either, but it may have been that she fought them off, even as she died. I think this may be the work of some Republic conspiracy and I am not afraid to say so! If the only means I have of hurting the Republic is through Sunry, then so be it!"

Jolee didn't know what to say to that comment - at least not anything that would help Sunry's case. "So, not a friend of the Republic, I see..."

"I believe the Republic is an institution in sore need of change. It has gone on too long and the Sith are the fresh wind of change blowing across the galaxy. I do not believe the false stories of the evils of the Sith Empire. They are nothing compared to the oppression and stagnation that the Republic represents at its core. If given the power to decide, Manaan would join with the Sith, forcing the Republic to accept the new face of the future. But, sadly, it would appear that I am wiser and more farsighted than my immediate superiors. I am relegated to civil judicial matters. I will judge in this case, and I will find Sunry as guilty as he is charged to be."

"So nice to meet an impartial judge for a change," Jolee grumbled.

"Impartiality is one thing, blindness is another."

"You said it, not I."

"It's up to you, off-worlder, to prove the human's innocence. I simply doubt you will be capable of doing so."

Fortunately, the last judge, Kota, knew what the term "manners" meant. She wasn't afraid to use them, either. However, she was just as vocal in her support for the Republic as Duula and Naleshekan were for the Sith.

"Sunry...yes... If the Republic had more individuals like him right now, I do not believe the Sith would be so great a problem for your people."

"Ah, perhaps," Jolee said. "But the best war can do is create more of the same."

"Spoken well, Arbiter," Kota said. "I find it questionable that a man with such a reputable past as Sunry would murder a Sith woman, especially from behind. But knowing the Sith, there was probably some deception involved. They seek to do the same to us here. There has been much pressure by the Sith on our government - and even on the judges themselves - to deliver a guilty verdict in this case. But the letter of the law is absolute and will not be compromised for Sith power-games."

"That so, huh? Well, I've seen enough of both to weary of them."

"I find this great battle being waged across the galaxy to be both disturbing and, ultimately, tragic. For all of its faults, your tottering Republic has benefited the majority of the galaxy for many millennia. To see it fall into ruin in such a short time..." She wrote her statement on Jolee's datapad, as the other judges did. "I do not like the Sith, that I make no effort to hide. I will even admit that if given the option, I would rule that we should join the Republic. But I must remain impartial and rule on this case as the law requires."

Jolee nodded. "I better get started then. Thanks for your time." He turned to head away as Shelkar called out for the next case. A group of guards and a pair of robo droids herded Buffy, Bastila, Vance, Juhani and T3-M4 into the courtroom. Jolee stopped and stared in surprise at them.

Bastila closed her eyes and groaned when she saw him. "What are you doing here?"

"I was here on another matter," Jolee said with a cocky grin. "But it looks like I'm getting a better show than I thought."

"We're here all week, 7:30 show is different than the 5:30 show," Buffy remarked as the group was led in.

As they passed by, Faith couldn't help but get a jibe in. "Wow, B. Brings back memories. Only last time, I was the one being led to jail."

Buffy just glared at her as the group was brought before the judges. Shelkar checked the datapad and nodded. "You are accused of breaking into the Sith embassy, causing destruction and the possible deaths of Sith personnel. We cannot confirm the last as the Sith refuse to share details. However, these are all enough crimes to merit severe punishment by our laws." He clicked the pad and started at the information there. "You refused legal representation?"

"That is correct," Bastila said, taking charge quickly. "We are prepared to defend ourselves. We were investigating the reports of missing Selkath youths." That was, partly, right.

Jhosa sniffed. "We have heard of those reports. What does that have to do with your case?"

"Everything," Bastila declared. "Your honors, we have proof the Sith have been attempting to corrupt the Selkath youth, to use them in a plot to overthrow the Manaan government!"

That caused a chorus of high-pitched gurgles as the judges reacted. Duula leaned in, eyes narrowed. "You bring serious accusations, human. Where is this supposed proof?"

"Here, your honors!" Everyone turned to see Shaelas and Shasa at the front of a group of Selktah. The Jedi recognized some as the youths they'd found in the Sith base, the adults presumably their parents. Shasa stepped forward and motioned to the Jedi. "These Jedi found us at the Sith embassy. The Sith told us all that they could teach us the ways of the Force, to better our world and people! They have been training us for months. They told us it was for the good of Manaan and we believed them. But then…these Jedi told us the truth. They showed us what the Sith are like, that they kill us in 'training exercises' and torture and were using us to take over our own world for them!"

The judges were upset once more as Duula clapped a fin to his table. "You make accusations but where is this proof?"

"If you examine the datapad we had on us," Bastila announced. "You shall see for yourselves."

The pad was brought forward and the judges examined it. "This…is troubling," Shelkar spoke up. "I call for a recess so we may examine this pad and make certain it is genuine."

As the judges rose, Jolee moved to the pod where his fellow Jedi stood. "I'd love to see how this develops but I have to get going to help an old friend out." He turned to walk off only to find Faith falling in step with him. He stopped and stared at her. "Girl, what are you…?"

"I figure you can use a hand," Faith said. "I was with the Taris authorities, remember? 'Sides, maybe an outside view of Sunry might be a help."

Jolee had to admit she had a point and nodded. "All right." They took a few steps and he stopped again to face her. "Sure this isn't so you can avoid talking with Carth?"

Her look was answer enough and he couldn't help but chuckle as they exited the courtroom.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Well, I have to say, this is the nicest jail I've ever seen," Faith intoned as they stood in the detention center. Indeed, the area was as clean and white as the rest of the city. There were various pods set around with bars to hold troublemakers, although most were empty. After seeing Jolee's authorization, the Selkath warden reluctantly trotted Sunry into a questioning room, leaving the two of them alone. The years had been pretty bad to Sunry, and it was more obvious now. He moved with a shuffling gait as he stared in surprise at the other man.

"Jolee! What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to get you out of this mess. The courts went and made me Arbiter for your case."

Despite the circumstances, Sunry managed a laugh. "Just like old times, eh Jolee? You come swooping in out of nowhere to save my tail from the fire."

"You saved my wrinkled butt more than a few times as well, friend, if I recall," Jolee's mood sobered, remembering what was at stake here. "But there'll be time for catching up later. Right now, we need to focus on the case."

"Well, I guess if you're going to be appointed my Arbiter, you'll need to know what happened," Sunry said. He looked away from Jolee and out the narrow window behind him, his hand shaking so that drops of water hit the floor. The prison windows still had bars on them – mostly for psychological effect, Jolee guessed. He could hear the tinny hum of a modern forcefield backing it up.

"I might as well start from the beginning," Sunry told him slowly, slumping in his cell. Faith found it amazing that while Jolee carried himself with the air of a man thirty years younger, Sunry seemed far older than he was. "The case is a complete frame-up. Anyone looking at the evidence could see that - or so I thought." He shook his head like he didn't have the strength to lift it. "But the Selkath seem to think, well that there's enough to go to trial."

"And what were you doing at the hotel with a Sith woman young enough to be your daughter?" Jolee folded his arms.

Sunry jolted up in his seat as if someone stuck him with a bantha prod, stammering out his words. "Well, I was at the hotel, I admit. And I did meet Elassa there that night, but it's not what you think!" Sunry looked around shiftily, his voice dropping to a whisper as he leaned across the table, smiling. "I...I was working with Republic intelligence. We were pretending to feed information to the Sith while I turned Elassa into a double agent working for us." He slumped over again. "It was going well, too...until she turned up dead." Sunry paused for a moment, sliding back in his seat again. "Maybe the Sith found out and had her eliminated."

Faith knew Jolee wanted to believe Sunry but something didn't seem right. "Well, it's not one I'd put past the Sith, but there is the matter of you being at the scene of the crime, my friend. The Selkath courts might understand espionage, but murder?"

Sunry sighed in exasperation. "Let's look at the facts they've given: Elassa was brutally killed. Think about that. She was a Sith, trained in battle. I'm just a crippled old man!" He held out his hands to demonstrate the violent tremors. "The neural damage was bad enough, and age has just made it worse! How could I kill a Sith warrior at close quarters, I ask you!"

"It does seem a little suspicious, yes," Jolee admitted. The war injuries and old age had greatly compromised Sunry's mobility, but Sunry's body was still in better shape than his mind believed. "And what's this about the medal found at the crime scene?"

Sunry snorted, not even hiding his disbelief that Jolee would ask. "Would I leave my war medal behind if I killed someone? Even I'm not that stupid!"

Jolee rubbed his chin. "No one said you were, Sunry. That was the first thing that sent up an alarm about it. I know how you got that medal, and I know you've spent the rest of your life paying for it."

Faith broke in. "I gotta ask, was there any forensic evidence around? Skin, clothing fibers, hair samples, anything like that?"

Sunry shook his head. "It's a public hotel. With all the people going in and out, anything was contaminated by the time the authorities got there."

Jolee rubbed his chin. "Hmm…I have to say, Sunry, it's not looking good. I'll do my best but some of the judges already seem to have made up their minds about you."

"I wonder if the Sith have been putting pressure on people to get them to convict me. It wouldn't surprise me after all. They've had it in for me since the war," he said, almost rhetorically. He leaned in again. "You should ask everyone at the hotel about that. They might admit to helping the Sith under pressure."

Jolee stared at his old friend for a long time before nodding. "Yeah, I'd better get to that." He rose to his feet and turned to the door. "I'll get at the bottom of this, Sunry."

"Thanks, Jolee. I feel a lot better now that you're the one on my side!" He chuckled. "Tell Elora not to fret too much, okay?"

Jolee snorted. "Like I can stop that?" Sunry managed a smile as the two exited.

Faith was quiet until they entered the main street. "He's lying through his teeth."

Jolee glared at her. "Nice to see you not judging him too quickly."

Faith shook her head. "Jolee, I may not be a good liar but I know one when I see him. That guy was holding more than a few things back."

"Maybe," Jolee allowed. "But I promised to help him and I will. Not just because he's my friend. I said I would and I intend to get to the truth."

"Better be sure it's something you want," Faith noted. Before she could go on, a man in a dark suit appeared before them. He had a thinning head of hair and his face was like a fox's, his eyes shifting about. "You, Jedi! I hear you are investigating the Sunry murder trial, are you not?"

Jolee and Faith exchanged a look. "Yes. You have information for me, or are you going to stand there and look mysterious?"

"This case is not at all what it appears to be. Many currents, might I say, flow beneath the surface. This murder is much more complicated than it may first appear. Sunry and Elassa are proxies for their governments and both sides wanted the other to fail. You can see the journey by the footprints? You understand, yes?"

Jolee rolled his eyes. "Talk plain, man. I'm too old for someone to babble riddles at me."

"Hmm...dear, dear. I'm saying that they both had something to do with it. They've both kept their hands in this from the start! If you want to get to the bottom of this murder, you might seek information from both the Republic and the Sith, likely in their embassies."

"Oh and they'll welcome us with open arms, right?" Faith snapped.

Jolee was also dubious. "And just why should I believe someone like you, hmm? Someone who just talks up to me on the street..."

"Why believe me?" the man replied. "Because you've no one else to trust? Not Sunry, not the witnesses, and certainly not the judges. Heed my advice, Jedi, and you may yet find the truths in this murder." With a final look around, he headed into a side street and was gone in moments.

Faith just stared at the spot he'd been. "For the first time ever, I'm finally understanding what it must be like to get to know Angel."