Skyriver Galaxy
Mid-Rim
Chommell Sector
Naboo System
Naboo
Theed
Royal Palace
Panaka's Quarters

"It's getting more and more difficult to convince them, Chancellor. The tribunal seems to be leaning on Mr. Cogley's side."

Chancellor Palpatine only smiled, accepting the tea graciously offered to him. "I have complete confidence in your abilities, Captain Panaka and don't feel upset if you lose. From what I see, this Samuel Cogley is a rather skilled attorney."

Too skilled for Panaka's liking.

Panaka can respect a man of intelligence and Cogley had certainly shown it in the courtroom. He waited his opponents out patiently, focusing only on the moral implications of the case in a manner that is meant to tug at the tribunal's collective hearts to persuade them to believe his side, even when cold hard facts are thrown in their faces.

That made Cogley very dangerous.

"Speaking respectively, Chancellor but perhaps it was a mistake to consider me as the prosecutor in this case. I'm head of security and defense, not a lawyer." Panaka stated.

"Oh, you are so much more than that, Captain Panaka. You are a symbol."

"A symbol?"

"A symbol of the brief time of strife and hardship that the people of Naboo had endured under the occupation. Standing next to the Queen, you helped save this planet and liberate its people from an occupation composed mostly of droids. That is where you must draw your strength and convictions, Captain." Chancellor Palpatine said softly. "Remind the people of that. Remind them of what they faced and what they lost. The memories and pain will be what turns the tide against Mr. Cogley. Cogley fights using what he believes is the truth, you must use the truth as a weapon as well."

Courtroom

"Let me just begin by saying that Samuel T. Cogley has presented a very persuading case." Panaka began, taking a few steps forward. "It's plain to see that he values the truth above all else and the truth is what we all are seeking right now."

Kirk along with Spock and McCoy listened carefully.

"And there is one truth that cannot be disputed here: if a droid can be measured to the same standards as a human, then logically they must be held to account if they are commit any crimes, correct?" Panaka asked, taking another step towards the Tribunal. "Well, then let us remember this harsh truth."

A holographic image was played, showing the occupation of Naboo…

Thousand of battle droids marching into Theed…

War vehicles lining the streets…

Naboo's people forcefully removed from their homes and placed into camps…

The battle between the Gungan army and the Trade Federation droid army…

The infiltration of Theed…

"You all remember this because I can assure you that I remember every moment of it." Panaka said once the image shut down. "Droids programmed to kill or harm us with no sense of reason or mercy. How many people died resisting them? How many died in the camps when the droids guarding them withheld food and water? How many Gungans were killed on the battlefield by droids?"

Panaka turned and faced the audience.

"It can be argued that exceptions can be made but how do we know when it will stop? Will people start saying we should give rights to droids like the battle droids who oppressed us? They are machines, built and programmed for war but we should grant to a single astromech droid because it has been made different or just because it along many of its kind helped us because they were programmed to help us." Panaka emphasized the word 'programmed'. "Should we forgive these droids just because they were following orders? How many of them were sold for scrap when the droid control ship was destroyed? How many were shipped to the Trade Federation? And how many were just given to the Gungans as compensation?"

The room was silent now.

"Droids do what droids are programmed to do. We can simulate feelings, we can simulate personality, but one thing we can't simulate is the actions a droid might commit. If it kills, it is either because it is programmed to or suffers a faulty glitch. Upgrades, modifications, nothing can change that no matter what advances are made." Panaka continued. "Thousands of years of building, producing and selling droids has been a fundamental cornerstone of our society and we are only having this hearing because someone from another galaxy of all places is telling us we are wrong. Who are they to decide how we should act just because they've helped us?"

Cogley remained composed as Panaka glanced at him.

"Two different galaxies with different cultures. They claim to respect the rights and laws of races and powers both inside and outside their Federation but how can they claim that now when they have called this hearing over a subject that has long since been settled: droids are machines and thus cannot have the same rights as living, breathing people. That's how it has been since the formation of the Republic and will likely how it always will be. The changes in one droid does not mitigate that." Panaka continued. "They wish to respect our laws and culture; this is their chance to show it."

Panaka walked back to his seat and sat back down.

Taking a sip from his glass of water, Cogley stood up. "That was a riveting speech from Captain Panaka. It's direct, passionate, and it makes a good point."

He took a few steps out into the center of the courtroom.

"Who are we to ask for this hearing? Who are we to question what everyone here has believed in for thousands of years?" Cogley began slowly. "Why does this only happen now when our two cultures are meeting like this? Well, I can tell you the reason for all of this boils down to one simple reason: the truth."

The tribunal and the audience were silent as they listened to Cogley.

"And the truth is that things are almost never as we initially perceive them as. We say a droid is a machine and a machine cannot have the same rights as a living, breathing being because they are incapable of understanding or even showing why they should have these rights. We say we must respect the laws and cultures of everyone, regardless of whether or not they wish to join us as political allies and friends, but we are calling this hearing now that questions their beliefs. Everything we claim we are and what believe in is contradicted by our own actions." Cogley continued. "It's easy to think that, easy to consider that and it's an easy trap for us to fall into."

Cogley held up one finger. "But there is one fact that Captain Panaka has overlooked: choice. The choice to have this hearing, to hear out not just the defendant but also to hear views of many people who have different opinions on a subject that has been a hot topic of debate for thousands of years. Yes, the crew of the Enterprise and thus the United Federation of Planets asked for this hearing, but could we have done all that without the people of Naboo or the Republic standing here, listening to my client, witnesses, and both myself and Captain Panaka presenting these arguments? Would we even be here if the Queen had simply said no to this?"

Cogley turned to face the audience.

"Would we be here if the Chancellor of the Republic himself had no interest in attending? And it's not the leaders of official governments but also people from all over the galaxy who have come to watch and hear this? Could we, the people of the Milky Way Galaxy have done all this on our own without the consent of the people here? I don't think so, because as Panaka states we claim to respect the laws and cultures of all races and thus if any one of them from the Naboo to even the Republic had said no, even if we protested, we would not have pushed for this and thus break the very laws we claim to respect and have sworn to uphold. We only asked for this hearing, just as we ask for you to consider that even if you know that this certain lifestyle has remained the same for thousand years, perhaps it might be time to consider even a small change."

With that said, he walked back to his seat. The Tribunal spent several minutes silently debating with themselves before Commodore Robert April stood up.

"Given the delicate nature of this hearing, we will recess until tomorrow before giving our verdict. We thank the people gathered here for their time and effort."

With that, the hearing had ended.

Queen's Chamber

Queen Amidala had retired to her room following the end of the hearing. It had been a long day and even though she hadn't participated as much as most of the others did, it had been emotionally and mentally draining.

She had to wonder how things might change because of today's events.

Granted, a great many things had already begun to change from the first moment her ship had landed in another galaxy, meeting the Enterprise and the United Federation of Planets.

And now she was present for what might be another great change.

Could she have predicted any of this would happen?

No.

Not even the Queen of the Naboo could predict something like this.

Still, she had listened carefully to both arguments even if she hadn't been one of the Tribunal. She respected Captain Panaka for his hard work and diligence but she had been drawn to Samuel T. Cogley from the way he passionately argued on the importance of truth and recognizing the rights of every living no matter who or what they might be.

'A man has rights,' He had said in that courtroom. 'A machine has none.'

But what R2 just an ordinary machine anymore?

Were droids more than just mere machines?

Or were there only a few that could be considered exceptions?

So much of how Sam Cogley spoke reminded Padme of her father, that same righteousness and passion he had shown in his youth and passed onto her.

Was that perhaps the reason she found herself in agreement with his views so easily?

As Queen, she needed to be non-biased in all matters, including this one but she couldn't help but find herself easily agreeing with Cogley on so many of his views. Was it because he reminded her of her father or perhaps his need for seeking the truth and ensuring that all rights were respected just appealed to her?

'You know why.' A voice whispered in her head.

The simple fact is that ever since their first contact with the Milky Way, a great many things had changed for them and their galaxy.

And there was a great amount of change that was yet to come.

It left Padme feeling somewhat excited and nervous.

Skyriver Galaxy
Outer Rim Territories
Calaron Sector
Dweem System
Dweem
Location Unknown

"This is a most unexpected development."

"News of this new galaxy has spread far and wide, even to planets as remote as ours."

"The question is do we make contact with them, given what we have learned of this apparent fight for droid rights?"

"Just because they claim to speak for the right of one droid, does not mean they speak for the rights of all droids."

"Agreed. The Jedi claimed to be guardians of peace and justice but when you revealed your beliefs and attempts to meld the Force with technology you were cast out, Master Aqinos."

"It illogical to consider these newcomers the same as the Jedi."

"It is also practical to be wary of them as well."

"And yet we have learned that this new galaxy has many droid civilizations that thrive on their own, without interference."

"Then there might be only one course of action. One will go and speak with these Federation people and see them for what they claim to be."

"Is it wise for you to go, Master Aqinos?"

"We cannot be bound by fear and experiences of the past. I will go and personally meet with these beings. Do not worry for me and should I fail to return it would be wise to consider moving our sanctuary somewhere else."

"The Jedi won't be happy to see you."

"When have they been?"