Skyriver Galaxy
Mid-Rim
Chommell Sector
Naboo System
Naboo
Theed
Royal Palace
Courtroom

"Everyone, this has been a trying case. I understand that normally in this galaxy, such a hearing would not take place but our two galaxies are vastly different in how we see and believe how life works around us." Robert April began. "We tend to follow what those who came before believed and sometimes we form our own decisions later. That being said, in the manner of this hearing of corporation Industrial Automaton vs R2-D2 we hereby-"

Naboo Orbit
USS Enterprise
Admiral's Quarters

Admiral's Log: Supplemental

The final ruling came down and it was swift. In light of R2-D2's unique position, as a droid who is likely more advanced than any droid that will ever exist in this galaxy, the tribunal has ruled that special accommodations be made for R2 while pending the status who might come to our galaxy to seek asylum at a later date. Once again, Samuel T. Cogley has proven to be an exceptional lawyer in how he has defended what is essentially a living machine. While R2 may be allowed to continue working in Starfleet by his choice, the tribunal does not believe it has the power to alter any laws regarding droids in the Skyriver Galaxy for the time being.

It was a heavy decision and one I would not envy. Still, I must commend Commodore April along with Governor Bibble and Boss Rugar Nass for their hard work in this hearing.

End Log

A chime was heard just as Kirk finished his log. "Come."

The door opened, revealing R2-D2. "Permission to enter, Admiral?"

"Permission granted. Please." Kirk gestured, allowing for R2 to roll into his quarters. "I hope you weren't too disappointed by the ruling. Especially since they say you only have rights as a consultant with Starfleet."

"It was a lot better than how I thought it would turn out." R2 replied with optimistic beep. "That Sam Cogley is something else. I haven't met a lot of lawyers, but he was better than I could have imagined."

Kirk smiled. "As well as you could imagine or as close as a droid could come to imagining?"

"A bit of both I guess." R2 admitted. "I never really expected to make such headway considering how the majority of the galaxy sees droids has been the norm for so long, even before the formation of the Republic. To even be allowed the choice of choosing between Starfleet and returning to Cybot like they wanted, it's more than I could have imagined."

Kirk smiled. "Well, when it comes to Sam Cogley I had no doubt in his skills. He saved my career once and he even went on to defend the man who framed me."

"I read about. Ben Finney, a man who was mentor to you once." R2 recalled.

"Yes. A man who was a good officer, loved the service and he would have been a remarkable captain if he had been given the chance." Kirk nodded solemnly. "I would hope history is more kind to him than things were the last time we met."

"I hope history looks back on this as a game changer." R2 replied.

A beeping sound ended the conversation. "Bridge to Admiral Kirk."

"Viewer on." Kirk said and Uhura appeared on the monitor. "What is it, Lieutenant?"

"During the trial a ship emerged from hyperspace and requested landing on Naboo. It's now back in orbit and wishes permission to dock in the shuttle bay." Uhura answered.

"Have they identified themselves?"

"One of them claims to be a Jedi."

Kirk shared a look with R2. "…I'm on my way."

Shuttlebay

Kirk exited the turbo lift, followed by R2 and Spock just as the ship landed. The rear hatch opened and from it emerged what appeared to be…droids.

"Curious." Spock stated, raising an eyebrow.

The droids marched out in formation and then parted, making way for an amphibian humanoid as he exited the ship. He wore Jedi robes and a lightsaber was attached to his belt.

"Admiral, I believe he belongs to a species known as Sunesi." Spock whispered.

The Sunesi are a species of sentient amphibian humanoids native to the planet Monor II. Capable of breathing their world's toxic air, the species was noted for their early metamorphosis they underwent during adolescence. They were not prevalent in the galaxy but they were among the list of species that had been submitted to Starfleet's logs for study.

"You are Admiral Kirk?" The humanoid asked once he was standing before Kirk.

"I am." Kirk nodded.

"I am Jedi Master Aqinos, formerly of the Jedi Order." The Jedi humbly bowed.

"Formerly you say? So I take it you are no longer affiliated with the Jedi, despite calling yourself 'Master'." Kirk noted.

"I do not presume to sound arrogant, Admiral but the title Jedi Master was bestowed upon before me the Order and I parted ways." Aqinos humbly answered. "There was a clash of ideologies and the Order could not sanction my new beliefs."

"And what beliefs are those?" Kirk asked. "You arrived during a very important time and I'm not one who believes in coincidences."

"As a matter of fact, I had hoped to speak with you and the droid R2-D2 regarding the hearing that was conducted down on Naboo." Aqinos then gestured to the droids behind him. "Allow me to present the Iron Knights."

Spock noted the lightsabers the droids were armed with. "Droids with lightsabers?"

"Not exactly." Aqinos replied. "These droids are hosts to an inorganic silicon based life form known simply as Shards."

Kirk glanced at Aqinos. "Shards? You mean living crystals?"

"Exactly, Admiral." Aqinos nodded. "I discovered them nearly a century ago. They came from the planet Orax, deep in the Outer Rim Territories. They lived in large clusters of crystals which grew among the planet's many hot springs. These colonies consisted of hundreds or thousands of individual Shards, each connected in a group mind via their natural electromagnetic communication abilities. This electromagnetic sense was the only one the Shards possessed naturally. Shards reproduced by growing new Shards directly off an adult Shard and could live for millennia before succumbing to natural erosion."

"Fascinating." Spock noted.

"Thank you." Aqinos nodded. "Human colonists on Orax took a long time to discover that the Shards were sentient. When they did, they developed translator units which allowed the crystalline aliens to translate their electromagnetic pulses into audible speech (and vice-versa). Curious about other worlds, some Shards volunteered to be detached from their colonies and attached into specially modified droids. The Shards began to trade mineral rights for access to droids and computer technology, which their electromagnetic sense allowed them to understand instinctively. Shards in droid bodies, disconnected from their group-mind, became insatiably curious, and almost intoxicated by the new sensory experiences."

"And the lightsabers?" Kirk asked.

"I learned that the Shards were capable of communing with the Force though at the time I thought they were only droids." Aqinos continued. "Even before that, there was a rift between the Jedi Council and me on the subject of droids. Jedi normally do not consider droids sentient because droids cannot be felt in the Force, but I felt that was an arrogant way of thinking. When the Council discovered I had pursued my studies into bonding the Force with technology I was excommunicated. I wandered around the galaxy for some time before I encountered these machines that the Shards used and I could feel Force from the droids that the Shards inhabited, and I realized that the Council was likely wrong in certain beliefs."

"And why have you to see us?" Kirk asked.

"Simply put, Admiral." Aqinos replied. "I believe there is much we can from each other."

Naboo
Theed
Royal Palace
Panaka's Quarters

"I apologize deeply, Chancellor. I did the best I could, but I am far from a lawyer." Panaka humbly said as he poured a glass of Naboo wine.

"Now, now there is no need to apologize, Captain." Palpatine said while graciously accepting the glass of wine from Panaka. "It was very close, and you did far better than anyone could have hoped."

"I will have to take you by your word, Chancellor." Panaka sat down. "It was hard to keep the facts straight. That Samuel T. Cogley is rather…unorthodox for a lawyer."

"Unorthodox seems to be popular with the Milky Way." Palpatine softly sipped from his glass. "In any event, this is just one more step into the future."

"I'm sorry, Chancellor. I'm afraid I have trouble understanding." Panaka admitted. "You don't seem bothered by my loss and yet you were supportive of my efforts."

"Oh, by no means should you allow this loss to burden you, Captain Panaka. Given the differences between galaxies, if there is to be a brave new world where both galaxies co-exist, our generation will have the hardest time living in it." Palpatine said. "We must learn and try to adapt as best as possible. While the Federation can say that they've made a difference today it is still rather a small one and we can use that to better ourselves."

"If you say so, Chancellor." Panaka cleared his throat. "I just wonder how much will actually change."

"So do I, Captain. So do I."