Chapter 20 — Justice for the WickedPart 1
Canto-Bight
Justice on Canto Bight was swift.
After being arrested they were before a judge within 18 hours – their rooms and ships ransacked, the droids taken for forensic investigation.
With their in-ear comms the police had evidence that all of them were part of the crime – and under Canto Bight law designed to penalise criminals who ganged up to cheat the Casinos – every member of a criminal group would suffered the penalty for every crime that group committed.
“Mr. Kohl,” The Judge began, it was sparse just before sunrise – the courts operated non-stop in line with the Casinos they largely catered for – fast justice deterred offenders.
“Following the presentation of overwhelming evidence, audio and visual recordings, DNA traces…you are found Guilty of attempted Theft, Destruction of Property, and interference with a Legislated Security System, trespassing grad four, and Attempted Rape and Murder,”
“I would NEVER!” Kohl yelled back
“Would you like to add Contempt of Court as well Mr. Kohl!” The middle aged Bothan Judge with light blue dyed fur cautioned.
“And the possession and use of a prohibited weapon in licensed premises. The sentence for these crimes is in total 13 Years and eight Months of indentured labour at Deep Locke Correctional facility…alternatively you may remit your sentence on payment of 100,000 credits per month to be served coming to 13.8 million credits and exile from Canto Bight Independent System for not less than 25 years,”
On Ten Month Canto Bight anything could be bought with enough credits Arnor sighed, knowing that she, Talia, Julwynn and Chillum would all get the same sentence exactly as part of the criminal group…and M’Tzigon would struggle to find 69 million credits to buy them out.
And Arnor was certain that the only audience in the gallery, the three sisters and Cha flanked by two black killing machines, would make sure they didn’t escape.
“Any further outbursts Mr. Kohl…I thought not. The next will be Talia Cam, step forward,”
Talia did so, but couldn’t help looking to Vesi and the girls, they looked utterly shocked, disappointed and horrified she had betrayed them. She turned to face the judge…14 years…but it was true they had broken the Law, were anyone to do what they had on M’Tzigon they would’ve been imprisoned too.
“Your Honour,” The prosecution investigator stood up
“We have a Formal Minute here from the Fresia Rim Diplomatic Mission, might I forward it to you now?”
“Please do Counsellor,”
Talia glanced to the girls as the Judge read, then briefly conferred with an aide.
“The Free System of Fresia has formally requested the Independent system of Canto Bight turn over to their judicial officers the following offenders – Cam, Talia, Mack, Arnor, Chillum, Du-an, Kohl, Julwyyn, and Kohl, Balnard – under the Canto Bight External Affairs Act subsection 154 Extraditions on the basis that their offences were committed substantially against Persons and Corporate bodies who are citizens of the Free System of Fresia.”
The Judge then paused looking over all the ‘offenders’
“I am satisfied with this request and approve the transfer to occur in not less than three days after which the sentences imposed by this Court revert to an Exile for each offender of 25 years from Canto Bight.”
Arnor could feel Cha’s smile burning the back of her neck.
<<<<>>>>
Flanked by Night Shrouded warriors they were taken to the Casino’s hangar, waiting for them were their possessions neatly packed into their luggage, along with Mutt and Vegan.
“We will remove your restraints,” Sophi informed them
“If you try anything…Vesi won’t save you again.”
Talia’s hands tingled as the blood rushed back into them.
“Well Mrs. Mack it seems our game is at an end…” Cha slithered up beside Arnor
“Unfortunately for both of us…you’ve moved from the Junior league to the seniors by comedy of errors…” stepping back for Sophi to approach Arnor felt more than a little regret that Cha was leaving the scene…the devil she knew was far more preferable to this Devil she didn’t.
“Take them to the ship, I’ll be along shortly,” Her guards ushered them for except Talia who Sophi guided away,
“Wait where are you taking her!” Arnor protested, the Black Guardian simply pointed where she was to go – she wouldn’t leave Talia behind, Arnor’s fists balled.
“I’m not scared by the likes of,” she challenged the implacable soldier,
“Move or you will be moved,” Sophi said without emotion.
As much as it rankled…Anor had little choice.
<<<<>>>>
You can’t trust them.
They’re mean and nasty.
She said she was your friend.
She was though wasn’t she?
Maybe…not anymore.
She’s still nice, she didn’t want to do it.
It’s the others, they’re bad.
They made her do it. Vesi listened as she sat within the Circle around the hearth. It had taken a lot to convince her Aunt not to come here…she had seniority and would’ve taken control, but Vesi convinced her that they were alright, and her Aunt trusted them – it was the Outsiders she didn’t trust.
What will you do?
Forgive her, forgiving People is nice…
But she’s not People, you don’t have to forgive her…she tried to hurt your sister…
Maybe she could be your friend again if she apologises…
Maybe…Talia could only here a distant whispered conversation as she was brought into the room before the guard vanished into the Shadows it sprung from. She was sure it was still there somewhere….
Vesi stepped out of the Circle, a gentle shimmer of blue across her form as she passed through and gesture for Talia to sit.
“Why Talia…why?”
Talia didn’t know how to answer…it was her mission…yet they were her friends…
“I thought you were my friend…did everything I could to make you feel welcome here, offered to get you whatever you wanted…all you had to do was ask and I would’ve seen if we could get you the trinket…”
Vesi shook her head as Talia remained in shamed silence, Vesi reached out a hand to her.
“Why did you let them use you like that…they’re not true friends who ask you to lie, steal, attack people…”
“It was…our mission was to get the holocron…” she said quietly
“And you didn’t think to just ask…We’re your friends Talia…or we thought we were…”
That reminded Talia,
“Where are the others…”
Vesi paused,
“They weren’t our friends…Sophi will deal with them now.”
<<<<>>>>
The molten pieces of Chillums hold-out stun blaster dripped to the floor.
Julwynns mouth was wide open. Balnard remained stony but if he had a Force presence Arnor was sure it would be screaming shock. Chillum seemed to fare the best at the sight, he’d seen a lot more than any of them, and was less shocked than intrigued at how it was possible.
The last remnants dripped from Sophi’s hand like mercury – her hand simply held it one moment and it boiled the next, a small pop as the battery exploded.
She stepped forward, no longer in a dress but in Blood Red armour that had a sick glisten to it. She was wearing a helmet too, but the first shock had been seeing it vanish so they could see her face with an illusion Arnor didn’t dare try to break.
She stood over Chillum shaking out the last burning drop that hissed on the ferrocrete between his feet.
“What were you going to do to her? Why did you want to knock my sister unconscious? Rape her, mutilate her, kill her? Speak willingly human or I’ll make you talk.”
“I would never hurt her, she was about to…”
“To strike the woman who had lied her way into her room, to defend herself, yes she was.”
She shook her head
“How can I trust your intent, you came to steal from us, what else did you intend you lecherous vile creature.”
She stared deeply into his eyes, he felt a burning at the back of his skull spreading forward
“You’re not scared of me are you misogynist…what about my Aunt…no…my Mother…no…my father,”
Despite himself there was a micro surge in fear at the last name – socialization in a society where men were physically stronger on average making the patriarchal threat more potent.
“There it is…you’re scared of my father…that is wise…” she turned back from him
“My father has splattered more potent creatures than you under his boot without even noticing…and you had the temerity to try and abuse his daughter… ”
“We had no intent on sexually assaulting anyone, you know that!” Arnor wouldn’t let her accuse her father of crimes he would never commit
“Really, Old man breaks into girls room, stuns her unconscious – what do you think happens next Arnor Mack?”
Arnor swallowed back her protest, finally seeing how it looked from the outside looking in – Chillum had been in her room a floor above Balnard and the holocron, arguably there was no reason to shoot at Mari.
“You’ve already proven a willingness to lie and deceive, how can I trust what I sense as the truth from you? You may be mind-wiped programmed assassins for all I know,” Sophi went on.
Arnor bit back…it was true…Arnor couldn’t assume Sophi could see the truth perfectly…all her accusations were defensible.
“What has given you the right to come into Our Business, try and steal our possessions, and assault Our family!” she went on
“You gave as good as you got in the auction” Arnor snapped recalling the flashback to Namman Cha’s goons beating her.
“We did no such thing – if you fainted it was because of the trauma left behind in your own mind – we did nothing – we never needed to – you Outsiders destroy yourselves, and hurt real People in the process.”
Outsiders…real People…what did that mean Chillum wondered…who was
In and
Out?
“You felt Cha was ‘dark’, or ‘evil’ and didn’t want him getting some mystical box the contents of which you don’t even know…confused fools”
“Quit the blathering, if you’re gonna kill us be done with it!” Balnard yelled
“I’m not going to do anything with you…you have a far more terrible judge to face…”
“Who?” Chillum the most controlled asked
“Talia.”
<<<<>>>>
“What are these missions costing you Talia? First your husband, then your body – it’s disgusting sending you to seduce Cha – now your friends, your morals – your very sovereignty of self?”
It was a hard thing to say – because it was true – what was she really doing here except hurting herself – why were they even investigating Cha?…because Karmack thought he was bad…because he cheated at cards and bought a holocron they wanted…
“We’re the criminals…” Talia said quietly, they came here trying to steal something
“I’m sorry, We shouldn’t have done that…”
“You can’t apologise on behalf of the others Talia,” Vesi’s eyes were high looking down upon her, but she let out a soft breath.
“What do you think?” Vesi turned her question behind them Talia following her gaze to Mari
Her mouth twisted in thought,
“Hmm…The Goddesses said it’s nice to forgive…and you were a good friend to us on M’Tzigon…I forgive you.” Mari held out her arms expectantly as Vesi prodded Talia to hug her
“It’s not sealed until you embrace each other to reconcile physically as well,” Talia did so happily, a sense of relief flooded over her as she fell into Mari arms, Vesi encompassing them both from the side.
“You have to think seriously about what you want to do Talia,” Vesi went on
“Stop being used by other people, just a follower, first used by the traffickers, then the Mak’tor…you need to make your own decisions…and we’re happy to support you with whatever you need.”
Vesi was right, too long she’d been an observer in her own life…just going along with things, following not leading – her own desires left behind and ignored as her doubts.
“What will happen to the others?” she asked firmly, they gave her an odd look and didn’t reply – this was up to her.
“I’d appreciate it if you let them go to return to M’Tzigon,”
<<<<>>>>
“That’s it? You’re letting us go?”
“I’m not letting you go…” Sophi said dismissively as Talia entered looking a head taller.
“I’m doing a favour for a friend,”
Arnor could only wonder what trick they were up to now as Talia approached.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine” the younger woman replied
“We’ll go back to M’Tzigon together tonight,”
“Together?”
“The Wayfarer is being sold at a Police Auction to cover court costs…Vesi will try and get it back,”
Arnor didn’t like this, every step they took was into deeper debt to those girls and whatever…society…was behind them.
“You have to be out of the system in three days” Cha broke in
“Or else things come off a head…So you get to enjoy my company for even longer Mrs. Mack…”
“I wouldn’t want you to go out of your way Mr. Cha…” she kept herself saying anything worse
“Oh but it’s not…I have a delivery for the good General Cliff….,” her eyes followed his hand as a transport she couldn’t recognise the make of lowered a platform.
Red Machine eyes stared back at her.
<<<<>>>>
M'Tzigon
[/i]
Leaving Csilla and Chiss space was much easier than entering it, so easy in fact Ry suspected her Grandfather had expedited their departure. Only two border checks and even those were perfunctory at best.
Leaving her family had been less tense than sad. They still didn’t seem to take her choice not to live in the Ascendancy seriously, were convinced she would come to her senses and return, that Ken was a mere fling with an alien before finding a real man – a Captain or Colonel in the CEDF.
It was true things with Ken were strained, chasms they had glided over in the first flushes of passion had resolved from the mists – difficult questions and issues that they needed to seriously consider hit them all at once.
Had it been painful for her – yes – would there be even more difficulties and stress as a result – yes – but you can’t change what you don’t acknowledge – and this trip had forced them to do a lot of acknowledging.
Perhaps that was good even if it felt bad – full honesty was rarely warm and fuzzy…
As soon as they came out of the last jump at the edge of the system on the main in-bound jump exit from the Corellian Trade Route offshoot to the Deep Periphery Ken was at the cockpit door Ricky trailing behind with the top of his dome still open beeping furiously as to why Ken had run off with him unfinished.
“What’s happening…” he said leaping into the co-pilots seat his face gaunt and terror stricken –
“what, noth…” she paused realising he must’ve felt something in the force, then as light began to filtering real time she saw what was going on.
A vast line of ships ahead were in neat orderly rows, overwatched by two refitted Old Republic Light Attack Cruisers, a CR-90 Corvette hovering just within range as fighters flew scanning missions over the queue, their blinking red lights indicating active scans.
“Vessel designate MT-1443-28 Gryphon you will proceed to these co-ordinates to await inspection before entering further, failure to comply will be considered an act of aggression,” A terse woman’s voice came over the open channels.
“And here I was thinking we’d left home…” Ry sighed.
<<<<>>>>
It took nearly two hours in line to reach the choke point where ships were and boarded- and hope Ken’s rank and the Gryphons status as a Men at Arms Vessel might expedite things was lost as the docking hatch hissed to reveal six power armoured Marines.
Having just been through nearly a dozen Chiss inspections since leaving M’Tzigon weeks ago, the Men at Arms were almost laughably inept in comparison – professional and detailed to be sure but nowhere near as scrutinizing as Chiss.
“So…Koawan
Mack…” the Sergeant leered at Ken through the plated visor holding his indent card.
“Glad I get to be the one to bring you in before your Clan can do any more damage,”
“Bring in? What are you,”
The Sergeant produced a pair of stun cuffs
“Please make me do this the hard way,”
“That’s enough!” a crisp voice cut in from the docking port
“Koawan Mack, I am Lieutenant An’ne’Krey here to inform you that you are to be detained immediately on Lunar Base Crystom until debriefed,”
The lieutenant had a thin face but piercing eyes
“As for your companion…she will be detained pending an interview with Customs officials,”
“Chiss Schutta,” The sergeant whispered
Ken bit back any response that might make things worse.
Ry glanced around the body cramped living area, Ken with his sabre could easily take the Sergeant and other marines – heck even without it he could use the force to slap him,
Instead ken nodded grimly and extend his arms
“
Mack scum,” The Sergeant sneered as if the word Mack were now more insult than scum as he slapped on the cuffs the servos in his mechanized arms audible as he clamped down on Ken’s wrists,
“I don’t know what has happened or what is going on,” Ken added lowering his arms “But as a Knight,” he emphasized
“I’m more than happy to follow orders – even if i don’t understand them,”
Ry felt proud to stand beside him then, compared to his aggressive reaction at the party with was a major turn around
“Follow orders! A
Mack, That’ll be the day,”
“One more word Sergeant and you’ll be sharing the cell with Koawan Mack,” the Lieutenant cautioned.
The Sergeant awkwardly moved his suit behind Ken and gestured him forward, his heavy rifle in Kens back as though he were a prisoner of war,
As Ken stepped forward he turned and flashed Ry the warmest smile he had ever given her
‘
I’ll be fine, you’ll see’ it said without words
<<<<>>>>