Ok, so we can forget about making a deal with Karokk.

Our best chance is probably claiming mitigating circumstances and offering compensations to the Cartel.

Should we offer anything particular?

What about hiring a Hutt lawyer? Should we do that or not?

Should we try to apologize to Karokk? Or offer him compensations? He could be a powerful ally.

"Hutt lawyer sounds good to this unit!" Tee-Nine lets out excitedly, "Prosecution = Manipulative sleazeballs. Defense should be ≥ Manipulative sleazeballs."

We could hire a Hutt lawyer, but do we actually have time for such a thing? As far as I can tell, Hutts seem to be the kind of people (?) who want to get things over with -trials included probably- as soon as possible. They might see it as stalling for time. When is the trial supposed to happen by the way?

I don't think you would have time. The rumours going around the prison as Jeren returned were that a particularly ornate sail barge had recently arrived at the Palace of Ultimate Justice - where you are incarcerated - which likely contained the judge for your trial. You're not likely to have long now.

Yeah, it's finally time to move the story line along!

In IC post #246, we were told to use fake IDs that had already been prepared for us, with the implication that this was done pre-mission and we already know what to say. So, presumably, that is the fake name that Marcelus used. What is attached to those identities that the Republic created? Since those are what the Hutts will check (otherwise we face genetic testing per the same post, which the Republic did not want), what is attached to those identities? We have to roll with whatever that is, I believe.

Ah, I totally forgot about the fake IDs...

Attached to those IDs was, as I have outlined, employment with a Hutt in Republic space, who ordered you to go into one of his rivals' 'establishments' and take it out of business.

I'm away this for most of this weekend, but you'll need a plan by Monday.

I'm away this weekend, as well. Sorry for the short notice.

Since I established as part of my background that Rion knows something of Hutt space, I wanted to check on a few things.

At the start of this adventure, the need for secrecy was stressed, lest the Hutts find out the Republic was operating in their space To be clear, it is a violation of Hutt law for the Imperials to have a base of that nature, correct? Furthermore, wouldn't the Hutt Justicar who captured us be required to do something about said Imperial base should he discover it? I'm a bit unclear on this point since Karokk willfully ignored it...it's only a crime if he chooses to make it so?

If we use the cover story but claim our Hutt master was looking for payback against the Imperials rather than the Hutts, does that buy us any leniency in Hutt law? Particularly given the fact that the Justicar seemed willing to overlook said base, even though since he was hanging around outside of it he clearly knew it was there? If we raise this question, we will just be executed for impudence, or does the Justicar have some accountability? If we ask such questions, is it possible the judge might allow it on the grounds the Justicar may not be doing his job?

In short, are there any clear legal cornerstones guiding this process, or is it all up to the whim of the Hutt judges based upon how entertaining we are?

Karokk was not involved in the legal system. He owned the real estate on which the base was built, but he was hardly expected by the Hutts to keep an eye on all the affairs occurring within. As for the justicar, he didn't know the base was there until the Hutt forces were summoned to it.

As for legal cornerstones, the case comes down to how persuasive an argument you make when put against the judge. There will be social checks at certain points, the dice for which will be influenced by what you say.

Who summoned the Justicar? How on earth could he mobilize such a large force so quickly? We have any answers to those questions?

Furthermore, even if Karokk isn't part of the legal system, isn't he expected to obey the law where it concerns treaties with foreign powers? If every Hutt crime boss can ignore or break treaties freely, then what's the point of the treaty? Treaties are supposed to stipulate what the signatory nations can and can not do in certain circumstances. If the Hutts are going to violate the treaty openly, then it isn't binding.

Who summoned him - You don't know

Why did he have such a large force - Don't most police forces have some sort of rapid response force, loaded up with all sorts of SWAT teams and the like?

Karokk's perception of the law - He didn't know who was there, so he wasn't knowingly influenced by the treaty.

The question isn't why does he have access to a large force, but rather how he managed to assemble such a large force within minutes and get them into position. He would have had to have known about the intrusion immediately after it started and have had those troops prepped and ready to go nearby. If he makes a habit of stationing a rapid response team near the Imperial base, then it seems unlikely the Republic wouldn't have warned us about it, since it's way too big and ostentatious to hide effectively. The fact he just happened to have one there right at the moment we went in--not to mention the issue of how he was alerted in the first place--is the mystery here.

Should we get a Hutt lawyer?

What's our plan?

I think it'd be best if we act spontaneously to counter the prosecutor's speech.

Points in our favor:

- The Imperials violated the treaties with the Hutts and had no right to be there at all

- The Imperials spied on the Hutts as well as on the Republic (maybe parts of the information gathered by Tee-Nine could show that?), so our Hutt master had every right to act against the Imperials

- We only followed our masters orders (I think there's one thing that Hutt's really hate: servants who don't follow orders)

- We did not kill everyone but took prisoners

- We treated the prisoners well (we even treated their wounded)

- We did not destroy the facility completely

On top of that, it would probably speak in our favour if we offer some sort of compensation to the Hutts (maybe we could help the Cartel performing some kind of mission) in exchange for a milder sentence (exile, I'm looking at you).

Another point speaking for us would probably be if we try to get the Imperials out alive as well (that's at least what Marcelus would do --> he feels responsible for his prisoners).

Would it be possible to make a bargain / an alliance with Karokk? He probably got some trouble with the Cartel now. Maybe we could back him somehow in exchange for some help in the trial?

So, the group are agents of Vodal the Hutt and were sent to take care of the Imperial presence, its illegal existence being an affront to the treaties signed between the Hutts, the Republic and the Empire, as well as a quite the insult and flagrant disregard of Hutt laws. Heck, they were positively snickering at how the Hutts never knew they were there in direct violation of the treaty. And how Vodal the Hutt knew? Well, it is not his servants' place to ask such things, only to serve their magnificent Master.

Why is there a Jedi mediating? Well, that is what the Jedi do, is it not? Being neutral and diplomatic fellows, they are asked on many an occasion to act in such a role.

The other things are the points FeBommel mentions above. And we also have the data retrieved if push comes to shove.

Anything else I am missing?

If we're going to stick with this "agents of Vodal" thing, I strongly feel we should emphasize that we were targeting the Imperials, as it wouldn't constitute a threat to any of the powers-that-be amongst the local crimelords. And since we're supposed to be amusing, it probably would be better to go after the Sith than Karokk or the Justicar, as that might entertain the Hutts without angering them. I definitely agree we should avoid going into further details about Vodal's specific plans by stating he doesn't bother to explain himself to us--keep the focus on the Sith (who conveniently showed up) and Imperial crimes.

If we intersperse such attacks with profuse apologies to the magnificent Hutts, and possibly an offer of service to make things right, we might have a shot of getting out of this--assuming my suspicions about the inopportune timing of the Justicar are simply my over-thinking it.

Jeren could make an opening statement of sorts, a way to get the ball rolling so to speak. And then he could pass said ball to FeBommel's character to speak, being the leader more or less of this "group of faithful servants to an illustrious Hutt, servants whose place is not to question the orders of their superior but to act on them in the efficient manner befitting their great master". Besides, FeBommel's character is a bit more trained in the relevant skills if I am not mistaken.

Also, murder could be argued that it was on a sort of self defense, as the Imperials did not exactly welcome the group with open arms. The main goal was to take care of the Imperial presence quietly and not necessarily bloodily, as Vodal -nice guy that he is- did not want to have the Hutt in charge -Karokk- lose face by making his ignorance (and, dare we say, perhaps lack of competence) of the Imperial presence in his domain common knowledge.

What the Justicar found after he searched the place should also perhaps be mentioned. Capable Hutt that he is, he must have searched it after all, right? Surely evidence of what the Imperials had going there must have been found during that search. After all, he is competent and capable and wants justice and law to prevail, right?

Sounds good?

Sounds good to me

Sounds like a solid framework. When the Sith accuses us of working for the Republic, make sure to deflect said accusations and then immediately counter with descriptions of how well-armed and dangerous the Imperials were, not to mention the breadth of the data they were gathering. Emphasize the sinister nature of the operation, one which was conducted in Hutt space. Keep her off-balance. Probably not a bad idea to throw a few witty barbs in to entertain the Hutts--just make sure they're never the butt of the joke.

Not to distract from the matter at hand, but having just seen TFA I can conclusively say that it is absolutely, completely, awesome. And since I'm in such a good mood you can each have 5xp for free. This can be added on during the lull now if you want, or banked. And then go see the film. It's amazing.

Not to distract from the matter at hand, but having just seen TFA I can conclusively say that it is absolutely, completely, awesome. And since I'm in such a good mood you can each have 5xp for free. This can be added on during the lull now if you want, or banked. And then go see the film. It's amazing.

T-minus 23 hours for me and my son...

Thanks for the XP btw! Picking up a rank in Cool. Still have 5 XP banked.

I first saw Star Wars when I was six, and it blew me away. Now, I'm going to take my six-year old son to see a new Star Wars movie, and he's practically bouncing off the walls in excitement...

Just had to share.

Thanks for the XP! I'm going to save them once again.

I'll probably get to see the new film on saturday, but I don't have any tickets yet. I was simply too busy with christmas preparations...