Chapter Two: Worlds Colliding

[Akirapryde]

Amassing an Army (Part Two)
Town of Visbin
Outer Rim World of Olivan
Date: 2919 AOK (Six & half Months after Auro’s Birthday)

The scene was chaotic, blood had sprayed everywhere. Things were knocked over, and the large mirror on the dresser was cracked. A body laid half on the bed, as if he had attempted to sit down but missed. The body of the victim was naked, and his chest was covered with blood. The source of the blood had come from a jagged knife cut that crossed the neck. Beyond the knife wound, there were many other knife wounds across the body. The bloody knife rested in a evidence bag on the bed next to the victim.

Next to a chair that had been knocked over, a Republic uniform laid on the floor. The shoulder insignia indicated that the uniform belonged to the Baklid Rangers. Over the symbol of a masked soldier, was a large number three indicating the unit was the Third Baklid Rangers. On the chest of the shirt was a metal hung to a bright and colorful ribbon. The rank on the uniform was that of a Lance Corporal

Master Milani walked in to the crime scene with an emotionless face. She had been briefed on the crime scene. Reports from other members of the victim’s unit stated that there was a fight between the victim and a local prostitute. As she walked in, Master Milani shook her head at the scene. The reports taken by first responders stated that no one was clear on what started the fight. Just that as the transaction was about to be completed, the fight broke out. She walked over to the table next to the chair. She placed a square metal box on the table. The accused had been apprehended just outside of the village.

“I am Master Benedikt Milani, Member of the Grand Jedi Council, Commander of the Twenty-Seventh Strike Division, Senior Jedi Investigator,” Master Milani said out loud for everyone to hear. It was clear that she was speaking to the little metal box. “The victim is not a member of my direct command nor do I have a person relationship with the victim. Therefore, there is no just cause to recuse myself from these proceedings.” She stopped and turned to the others in the room. “Are there any objections.”

The other two Republic offices and other troopers one by one all voiced a no. On that note Master Milani continued, “considering no objections, I will act as judge over this tribunal. Let the record show that on this date, at this hour, I am officially opening this Tribunal.”

She motioned to one of her officers who stepped forward, “I am Captain Fin Enrique, ARC Trooper First Class. Commander 1st Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Strike Division. The victim is not a member of my command nor do I share a personal relationship with the victim. Therefore, there are no reasons to recuse myself from these proceedings.”

Master Milani broke in, “are there any objections?” A moment of silence passed before she continued, “let the official record show there were no objections. You may continue Captain.”

Captain Enrique continued, “I will take my place as witness over this tribunal.”

Master Milani motioned to another one of her officers, who stepped forward. “I am Commander Leon Pe’isk, Arc Trooper First Class, Executive Officer 1st Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Strike Division. The victim is not a member of my command nor do I share a personal relationship with the victim. Therefore, there are no reasons to excuse myself from these proceedings.”

Master Milani broke in, “are there any objections?” A moment of silence passed before she continued, “let the official record show there were no objections. You may continue Captain.”

Commander Pe'isk continued, “I will take my place as witness over this tribunal.”

“Under Republic Law, this Jedi Tribunal has been formed to investigate and resolve this crime,” Master Milani said. She then motioned to everyone, “will everyone please depart the room for a moment. Once everyone had moved from the room she stood in the doorway, “The official record will scan the crime scene and record it for general evidence.”

A green light illuminated from the box and engulfed the room. After a second the light narrowed in to a tight line the ran from the center of the ceiling to the center of the floor. The light slowly move in a large circle as it scanned the room. There were areas like where the body laid, where the beam changed its shape to take in the full scope of the evidence. Once the scan was completed, the box announced, crime scene evidence had been recorded.

Master Milani walked over to the uniform on the floor. She bent down to look at it. The two witnesses followed her as she spoke, “let the record show that the victim was Lance Corporal Seth Matis of the Third Baklid Rangers,” She said calmly. She picked up the shirt and neatly folded so that the ribbon was on top. She placed on the chair. “I had pinned this very medal on him a few hours ago. He was recognized for bravery and valor under fire. Based on the reports of that battle, he saved several his comrades in arms.”

“It’s always a shame to lose a fine soldier like this,” Captain Enrique said.

Master Milani nodded as she stood up. She then turned to the two troopers at the door. “Bring in his friends,” she ordered.

A few minutes later three other Baklid Rangers were escorted in by a trooper. “Your names and witness statements have already been placed in the official record. You have already been read your rights as Republic Citizens. You have waved council. I am advising you that you are under oath. Lying will not be tolerated by this court.” She paused as she scanned their faces.

In that moment of silence, she reached out through the Force allowing it to increase her senses. “You will be honest in answering my questions,” she commanded through the Force. “Do you each understand.”

The three soldiers succumbed to the power of her command, and nodded their heads in understanding. Master Milani continued her questioning, “good. Now Captain Enrique, can you please recite the order given by the Commanding Officer of the Twenty-Seventh prior to arrival in the Olivan system.”

Captain Enrique stepped forward pulling his datapad, “General Order Two Three, Soldier Conduct. At no time shall any Officer, enlisted or support personal assigned to or in service with the Twenty-Seventh visit, linger, or otherwise be in association with places that serve alcohol, deal in prostitution, or any other form of illegal activities as expressed in Republic law, Code of Conduct, or as restricted under Uniformed Code of Military Justice. This order also allows local commanders the authority to expand the restricted locations as deemed necessary due to black market activities known to exist on Olivan. All member of this task force will conduct themselves in a manner in line with the Unified Grand Army Code of Conduct, Republic Law, and in honoring the Jedi Code.”

Master Milani listed to her own order which she had issued to all her commands. “Captain, for the record, Prior to their arrival on world, had the Baklid Rangers received this and all other General Orders which covered their conduct on Olivan,” Master Milani.

“Yes, Master Jedi,” he answered.

She then turned her attention to the three men before her, “were you somehow unaware of this order.”

“We were all told of the order,” One of the men said as he stepped forward, “Master Jedi, that’s.....”

She raised her hand to silence him, “were you here conducting official Republic or Jedi duties?” At that question, she couldn't help but glance at the body.

The same trooper answered, “n....no Master Jedi.”

“Do you deny violating General Order Two Three,” she asked pointedly.

The three troopers looked down, “no Master Jedi.”

“Your admission of guilt in violation of General Order Two Three directly led to the death of your comrade in arms. Had your group not violated this order, he would still be alive and we would not be having this conversation. Due to this, I am sentencing you three to a hundred days hard labor on Korriban.” They started to protest but she wasn't having any of it. “ENOUGH! You choose to violate an order you know. Your actions have consequences”

She pointed to the place by the dresser, “My ruling is final, as such I am finished with you three. Stand over there AND be silent!” The three men moved over to where the dresser was. “The accused will be brought in.”

A trooper pulled in a lovely woman in her early twenties. She had light green hair and was fair skinned. At first glanced, it was impossible to miss the bruises on her body. She wore a simple robe and mud boats. Her clothes were covered in mud and were wet. Her hands were bound behind her back by military grade shackles. Her body as well as her robe was spotted with blood. There were marks on her face as if she had been slapped around recently.

“Are you the arresting party,” Master Milani asked the trooper.

He nodded, “yes, Master Jedi. I found her near the bridge. She was attempting to flee the village. When I spotted her she ran from me. I ordered her to stop, she refused. I was forced to stun her.”

“Are you responsible for these wounds on the accused,” the Jedi Master asked.

The trooper shook his head. “No, Master Jedi. My helmet cam will prove that she had those wounds before I found her.”

Before anyone could say another word the green haired woman spoke up, “he beat me.” She said referring to the dead man lying on the bed.

Master Milani tilted her as she sensed that the woman wasn’t lying. But she was also hiding something very dear to her. “Are you claiming self-defense as a reason for killing him.”

The woman shook her head, “Republic Law is clear in this matter, no clone has a right of self-defense which leads to the death of a sentient being.”

Master Milani nodded, “you know the Law well.”

She nodded, “it’s part of our basic training.” Even twisting the word training for programming caused the woman to shutter. A reaction that Master Milani detected.

The Jedi Master nodded, “good this should be easy then. Let the record show that the accused attempted to flee capture and the charge resisting arrest is here by added to the current charges.”

She then turned to the woman's being held, “for the official record, state your name, model, and manufacture.”

The woman pulled her shoulders, “My name is Tina.....”

She felt the lie as it came from the woman's mouth. It wasn't that the woman didn't believe what she was saying. That much was clear. But Master Milani knew the truth. Before she could utter another word, Master Milani cut her off. “The official record will add perjury to the list of charges.” She paused before giving the woman a nod, “now let's try this again. for the official record, state your name, model, and manufacture.”

The woman scanned the room carefully before she dropper her head in defeat. “My designation is CPL nine two five eight one one. I am a Cynthia Pleasure Line. My manufacture is Bio Technology Industries.” There was pain in her voice as she spoke. The kind of pain that comes from a deep routed shame in being forced to admit a truth you so much want to forget.

Master Milani offered no sympathy for the clone. Her words were hollow and devoid of emotions. “Commander, verify the information this clone has provide.”

Commander Pe'isk stepped forward as he pulled out a scanner. First, he scanned her left hand and found nothing. The he scanned her other hand and found nothing. Finally, he scanned the back of her right shoulder, and detected her ID Chip. The scanner picked up the data chip. The light flashed once the information was retrieved. He turned to the Jedi, “the information is correct and recorded in to evidence.”

Milani nodded, “how long have you been owned by this, um, establishment.” Everyone knew it was a whore house. But even when faced with serious charges, Master Milani wanted to ensure that the dignity of this clone remained intact. It wasn’t that she felt anything for the clone. It was more in honor of the Law. Everyone has a minimum level of dignity that they deserved. Droids and clones, included.

Tina shifted her shoulders, “Almost eleven years,” she answered.

“You don’t appear to be that old,” Master Milani said.

“It is a part of my line. We age normally, but our physical appearance doesn’t change after the age of twenty.”

Master Milani nodded as she walked over to the bed. “You know why you are here,” she said as she pulled out a glove. While the crime scene had already been scanned twice and all evidence had already been logged, she did want to do anything that might compromise her Tribunal. Following the law was the core of this tribunal. She picked up the evidence bag with a bloody knife within it. She walked over to the clone holding the bag, “is this.....”

It was Tina's turned to cut everyone off. “Stop this now. I did this.” She said carefully.

Master Milani detected that she was not being completely truthful. She knew that this clone was being truthful as far as killing the soldier. But there was more.

Tina’s words rang true to a point, but there was hatred in her voice as well. “I am directly responsible for what happened here and his death.” She spat on the body, “I would do it again!”

Master Milani placed the bag on the table, “you don't deny killing him.” Master Milani observed the emotional outburst and choose not to add to it.

Tina squared her shoulders in defiance, “I deny nothing. He was a pig and got what he deserved.”

Master Milani once more detected that there was more to this than met the eye. This clone spoke with passion, and there was no doubt that it killed the soldier. The Jedi Master only listened and allowed the clone to hang herself.

Tina continued, “I am a living, breathing, sentient being. I feel, I have emotions, I can learn, I love, I should have rights.”

Master Milani face turned from the clone, “wrong. You are a highly perfected and costly piece of technology,” she said walking towards the body. “I wouldn’t deny that your programming is impressive. You think you feel emotions.” Something behind the dresser caught her eye.

“You think you can understand emotions,” the Jedi Master said as she reached down and pulled something from behind the dresser.

It was clear that Tina knew what the Jedi had found. She looked down in disappointment. It was a flier for a meeting several weeks ago. Aimed at clones and their owners. In bold letters the flier read, ‘Welā thī̀ reā xyū̀ nı k̄hṇa nī̂ S̄kī khing ca mā’

Master Milani ran her translator over the flier and read the message. ‘Our time IS NOW! The Sky King is Coming!’ She read the flier as it spelled out a meeting that took place a week ago. It also encouraged the reader to raise up against the Republic and the Jedi. “It would appear that your activities have taken you down a very dark path, CPL nine two five eight one one,” Master Milani said as she folded the flier and held on to it.

“CPL nine two five eight one one, I am not here to be anyone’s enemy. I was sent to uphold Republic law,” Master Milani added as she continued to scan the items on the dresser. Blood splatters covered everything. For a trained Investigator like Master Milani, the dresser was a glimpse in to this clones world. She noticed that there were pictures, dozens of pictures of her and a little girl.

The images covered the life span of the young girl. “Your programming is impressive as much as it is extraordinary,” she finally turned to the clone. “Have you had after-market upgrades,” the Jedi Master asked.

Tina nodded as she half lied, “only manufacturer approved.”

Master Milani nodded and noted the half lie. Black-market upgrades were a common issue with clone. Hard to prove and at this stage in the tribunal, it didn't really matter. She had made up her mind. This clone had violated the law, took life and now must be destroyed. It was a sad thing, but it was the law and she had a duty to uphold the law.

Master Milani deeply disliked the whole situation. There was no reason for this to end the way it had to. But the law was clear and she would follow the law. She reached behind her and picked up a picture frame and brought to the front of her. In the image, it was this clone and a young girl on a white sandy beach. “Regardless of what illegal upgrades you have had. Regardless of what you might want to pretend to think or know. You are a highly-advanced piece of biotechnology. Nothing more than biological droid,” Master Milani said as she put down the picture. There was a sense of finality in her voice. As if the ruling was issued.

“NO!” Screamed a little girl as she ran past the troopers. Her sudden appearance caught everyone off guard. “Mother!” She pushed her way in to the room and ran right up to the clone. The clone dropped to her knees so the little girl could hold her. The girl coiled her arms around the clone and held on tightly.

The tension level in the room increased drastically and threatened to spin out of control. Before anyone could react, Master Milani waved her troops off.

Tina set there on her knee with her arms pulled behind her back. She leaned forward slightly as the little girl put her arms around Tina's neck. There were tears in the child’s eyes. “Shhh, you can’t be here” Tina said. There was pain in the clone’s voice now.

Following the girl an older man rushed in. “Terra!” He cried out after her. He turned in horror at the Jedi Master who was well known across the Outer Rim. “Please Master Jedi,” the fear in his voice couldn't be missed. “The girl doesn’t know what she is saying,” he explained. “My daughter lost her mother at a young age.” He put his hands together as if he was pleading with the Jedi Master. He made every attempt to maintain eye contact with the Jedi Master, “T.....this clone is all she knows in terms of a mother. Please ignore the child’s statements.”

Master Milani easily detected the lie. “Captain, scan the child for clone markers.”

Both the man and Tina cried out, “no!” The man rushed forward while dropping to his knees. He wrapped his arms around both the child and the clone. Because of the commotion, the trooper Behind the clone held his ground.

While her face remained blank of expression, it was clear that her patients were being pressed. “Commander seize him,” She ordered harshly. “I have tried to be sympathetic to the plight of clones. But the law is the law. Illegally breeding a clone is a class two felony. Punishable by up to ten years, fines and the termination of clone and offspring.”

Tina looked up with tears in her eyes, “no, she is not my child.” The pain in her voice was clear for Master Milani. Emotions ran so chaotic in the clone that even the most skilled lie detector couldn’t make sense of it. “Please, let them go,” Tina pleaded.

The little girl clearly saw this clone as her mother. This much was true to Master Milani. But that on its own wasn’t a violation of the law. The real question that Master Milani had was, were they biologically link.

Terra cried out, “no, it's my fault. Please....”

The man moved to silence the girl as Tina said, “be quiet.” She looked up to Master Milani, “I am guilty I have confessed to the crime. Sentence me,” she demanded. Her voice broken and filled with anguish.

“Captain, carry out your scan,” Master Milani ordered.

He motioned for the other troopers to take hold of the clone and the owner of the brothel house. As the group was seized, he stepped forward and pulled the girl towards him. The clone tried to continue her anger, but Master Milani detected it. If the child belonged to the clone, than that would give cause to the murder. Which at this point she couldn't identify the reason for this whole mess.

She couldn't identify why the clone killed the soldier. It was clear that there was a struggle, but there lacked evidence of a motive. The clone's body showed the punishment she took from him. The cut on this throat and repeated knife wounds to the chest and face reflect an act of passion and anger. ‘How did this go from a basic business deal to violent murder. What triggered it,’ Master Milani wondered.

As she watched the group pulled apart the child scanned, her mind continued to wonder about how all of this would have played out in a perfect world. This wouldn't need to happen. I would have the clone sent for testing. The child would be tested. The programming flaws would be detected and corrected. ‘But it's not s prefect world.’ Milani thought as shook her head, ‘all this suffering because of a stupid mistake.’ The ARC Captain shock his head.

“The Tribunal is convinced that there is no link between the child and the clone, CPL nine two five eight one one. The child is free to go.” On that command the child was. She ran to her father and Tina who still remained on the floor. “I am not heartless. I light of the care you have given in raising this child. This tribunal will offer mercy. A chance to save your own life.”

The Tina, the man and Terra looked with hope in their eyes. The other Rangers from Baklid had their faced turn with anger. In their minds, they only heard that this clone, who murdered their friend, could go free.

Master Milani continued, “renounce your claims of sentience before this tribunal. Show remorse for the life you took. And I will order you to be returned to your manufacturer for reprogramming and reconditioning. This incident will be recorded and stamped on your data chip. Afterwards you will be resold as second hand hardware with a renewed chance at life.”

Horror crossed Tina's face, “no, never!”

The Terra looked up at the clone, “please. Take it. You will be alive. Please.”

Tina started to cry again, “I would rather die than to have never known you.” She looked up to Terra’s father, “take her away from this.”

“No! Mother! Noooo” she screamed as she fought with all her might to hold on to the clone. As the man continued to pull on the girl, tears flowed from both clone and child. Terra fought and screamed for her mother. Sadly, she finally lost her grip on the clone. Both of them, the girl and the clone were crying, as the girl continued to scream.

The man struggled to pull Terra out of the room. Terra grabbed the robes of Master Milani as she cried. “Please do something,” Terra cried. “You can stop this. PLEASE!”

Master Milani kept her eyes on the clone who was moving to stand up. She heard the child but also knew the law. A murder had been committed and she was bound to uphold the law. “I am sorry. It’s out of my hands,” Master Milani said emotionless.

The man pulled Terra from the room. Slowly her screams faded. Master Milani gave a nod, “CPL nine two five eight one one, have been found guilty of murder. You have admitted to your crime. Denied this tribunal’s mercy. I sentence you, to termination.” She turned to her two witnesses, “are there any objections.”

None of them spoke up. Instead they shook their heads. The Jedi Master nodded, “let the record show that there are no objections. Captain, carry out the sentence.”

On that order, two troopers stepped forward and kick the clone in the back of her knees. This forced her back down on to her knees. Captain Enrique stepped forward as he drew his pistol.

“Any last words,” Master Milani added.

Tina looked the group over as she drew in her last breath. “I will die, a sentient being.”

Captain Enrique leveled his pistol, taking aim at the flesh between her eyes. “Right” he said as he pulled the trigger. The shot snapped the clones head back and knocked the body from the two guards holding her. Even as the body flung backwards, Tina was dead. Her brain burned by the high-energy particle-beam. Her lifeless body hit the floor hard as it slid back slightly.

Master Milani walked over to the metal box as she spoke, “Let the official record show that at this hour; CPL nine two five eight one one was terminated as a direct cause of being found guilty of the murder of Lance Corporal Seth Matis.” There was no hint of remorse or emotion in her voice as she spoke. “This tribunal is official concluded.”