Marcelus takes a step forward and performs a deep bow towards the judge and jury before addressing the hall:

"Your esteemed Honor, gracious jury and mighty masters of the Cartel, I am Vandin Brooks, lowly servant of my gracious master and leader of this band of mercenaries. Firstly I wish to issue an apology towards you, my powerful lords of the Cartel and just defenders of Justice. It was neither ours nor our master's objective to cause any trouble to the glorious Cartel. I humbly apologize for that.

Severe crimes have been laid at our feet. Now listen. oh mighty ones, how I will try to defend our actions. In this I will speak the truth and only the truth.

I must confess that I and my band of merry men did in fact raid the Imperial facility in question.

But we are only lowly servants, eager to do our masters bidding. It is not our place to question his decisions, may they be right or wrong, just or unjust, good or bad, not more than it would be a worshiper's place to question his god.

We were tasked to decommission an Imperial listening outpost deep in Cartel territory, here on Nar Shadaa. Our master was terrifying in his wrought. He may not operate any more within the borders of the Hutt Empire but he is still a child of Nal Hutta and follows the Cartels call. The fact that an upstart Sith Empire would dare to scorn their treaties with the Cartel and to humiliate the noble species of the Hutts as a whole with a listening outpost in the heart of the glorious Hutt Empire every day anew felt like an infected wound in our masters body. He had to act to stop this ongoing humiliation.

Furthermore, the Imperials were not only damaging the cause of all Hutts but his operations especially. Our master operates within Republic space and wishes his secrets to stay secrets. He was furious when he learnt that these arriviste Imperials were spying on the Republic's and therefore his conversations.

These Imperials have no right to be on Nar Shadaa. With this raid, we have only put some wrongs to rights, your Honor. We only wished to end this scorn in the Cartel's side, this threat to the wise and mighty Hutts' peace.

But our wise and esteemed master was not excessive in his rightful vengeance. While were tasked to shut the Imperial facility down, we were told to use only as much violence as absolutely necessary.

Yes, we fought the Imperial guards within their building, leaving several of them dead on the floor. I saw no other option to satisfy our masters wishes. It is unlikely that the Imperials would have stopped their operation if we would have only asked nicely.

Once there was a chance to finish our task without inflicting any further causalities, I took it. I asked our remaining enemies to see reason and to lay down their weapons. I promised that no harm would come to them and that they could go freely once this business would have been finished. They accepted to be our prisoners. We are men of honour, we would have kept our vow. My companions even treated their wounded. Unfortunately, it is impossible for me at this moment to fulfill my promise. I have heard that the imperial personnel was imprisoned as well. May I have the boldness, your Honor, to ask for this small boon? Treat them kindly, if you will. They only followed their superiors orders without question like us as it would the right thing to do. Where would we be without this order? The results would only be chaos, anarchy and ruin.

I am surprised to find that one of their masters had the nerve to appear here within this halls. Unnatural beings like this hooded Sith Lord standing next to me defiled the treaty with the glorious Hutt Empire and mocked the Council with their actions. The Hutt council must truly be merciful and gracious to allow such a creature to enter their halls.

Our wise master wished to deal with this affair privately, so that the mighty Karokk would not be bothered. It is worse enough that the Sith Empire humiliated all the Hutts, there was no need to cause further problems to a Hutt.

Unfortunately, this did not go as planned. I can only ask the Cartel's justice for mercy for this failure of mine. If there would be any way to compensate the Cartel for the trouble we caused, we would gladly take it."

With these words, Marcelus bows once again and steps back.

The Sith Lord steps forward in her turn.

"My Lord, most noble representative of the Hutts. You hold the power to judge right and wrong amongst those beneath you, and I ask you now to use that power. These beings are crude and artless villains, who have attacked an installation that was legally emplaced under the treaty my government signed with your esteemed council. More than that, these men are trying to deceive you," she gestures at you. "Do you really believe their cover story of serving a Huttese master? Truly? No. These are servants of the Galactic Republic, and they have come here to sow discord and attempt to bring down the paths to profit of your people.

"They confess themselves that they attacked our base. They attacked our guards without warning, slaughtering them even as they tried to surrender. How else could so few have survived? They claim to have a master whom they serve, yet that master is their Supreme Chancellor, not a mighty Hutt. Our treaty permits us to have bases and installations in Hutt space, yet here they are decrying that right. Do they not also have installations? Would you expect servants of our Empire to attack them? No, for we are honest beings with honest goals. See how they try to tug at your heartstrings, putting forward their prisoners as evidence that they are not evil and asking that they be cared for. Those men and women are not pawns for the game of these Republic scum, but instead proud and courageous servants of a just Empire. Thus I charge it that these beings should receive the full sentence for their crimes - death. Would that it could bring consolation to the families who have lost their soldiers."

OOC: What is the procedure here? Can we just interject or is that crazy rude?

Interject away. Just bear in mind that red is my GMing colour...

Sorry. Habits. Changed it to blue

Rast interjected. "Surely the Sith representative wouldn't insult the intelligence of the Hutts to assume they had not performed at least a cursory examination of the scene? There's more than enough evidence on the scene itself to show that we were fired upon by nearly every soldier in that place, not to mention the wounds that we received in the process.

"Our survival is testament to the glory and wisdom of our benefactor in selecting individuals with our particular skills for his endeavor, for we were the ones who were fired upon without warning even while trying to accomplish the simple task given us."

Which treaty between the Sith and the Republic? As far as I know, the story is happening around the 15th year of the Great Galactic War, so I would assume that there won't be any treaties about listening posts but rather total warfare.

My mistake. It was meant to say bases in Hutt space, not Republic space. They are very much at war, and I need to proof-read my posts.

"Your esteemed Honor, do you see how the Sith are defiling the Cartel's eternal glory once again with their lies in these sacred halls of justice and truth?

We did not slaughter anyone who tried to surrender. In fact, we had to persuade the Imperial guards to lay down their weapons to avoid any unnecessary bloodshed.

Surely the wise and mighty Justiciar had the foresight to claim recordings of any security holo-cams within the facility? Should these recordings exist, they will be prove for my testimony.

I do not know about any Republic outposts in Hutt space - I would be appalled should I find evidence for any. All I know is that our Hutt master told us that this Imperial Outpost contradicts any treaties between the Empire and the glorious Cartel. So I acted accordingly."

"No security recordings of the alleged attack were found in the facility by the time technicians arrived," the Hutt rumbles. "They seemed to have simply...vanished."

"You know as well as I that there are Republic bases in Hutt Space, locations where your spymasters and saboteurs seek to destabilise both the Hutts and the Empire," the Sith continues. "The base that you found was not sanctioned by our government; rather a rogue Moff constructed it to spy on his rivals - and of course, he has already been found wanting by our own courts and treated accordingly."

Who said the second part? A Hutt or the Sith?

I am guessing the Sith.

Yes, me too, but I'm not completely sure...

"She's got no proof of Republic bases or that the Imperial base was the work of a rogue Moff," Rion whispers. "Stay on the attack--point out that the facts show there definitely was an Imperial base, and she's desperately trying to redirect the Hutts with mere conjecture. And even if it was a rogue Moff, the Imperial government still bears responsibility--and who's to say he wasn't the only one involved in this conspiracy? Stress the secretive, data-collecting function of the base--surely it was placed in Hutt space to spy on Hutts, at least in part...if not, why did they put it here? Don't let this turn into a discussion of what we did--it just helps her case."

"As I said, I do not know of any illegal Republic bases in Hutt space as I am not affiliated with the Republic nor do I care about your war. But I do know about an illegal Imperial base, the one I helped to put out of service. You claim that the facility was not sanctioned by the Empire - can this pitiful excuse of an empire not even control its own men? No Hutt kajidic would suffer such defiance of one of its members, especially as the kajidic would still be responsible to keep its members in line in the eyes of the other clans. Furthermore, where is the evidence of your claim? Why should any of the noble and wise masters in this hall believe you after the Empire broke their word and treaty with the Cartel?

Speaking of evidence - your most benevolent Honour, the only ones who could have erased the security data are servants of the Empire. Why would they destroy such evidence? Only if it would strengthen our and weaken their cause. On top of that this strongly indicates, if not outright proves, that Imperial agents are still operating in Hutt space - defying the treaty while we speak. An outrage!

What else did the Empire hide, which other evidence destroy? Why should the Empire build a listening post to spy, as they claim, on the Republic in Hutt space? Where is the proof that this outpost did not spy on the mighty Cartel, glory to its name, and its generous masters? My master claimed that the facility would be spying on his personal operations and affairs, it seems likely that the Empire spied on other Hutts as well.

Your esteemed Honour, the real culprit and criminal in this hall is not this small band of merry mercenaries who only tried to protect the interests of the Hutts but rather this Sith Lord in the other hoverpad and the Empire she represents."

"Our base never spied on the Hutts, just as it never spied on any others. It was merely a legally sanctioned embassy and communications relay for our forces on the borders of Hutt Space. We would, of course, be able to prove this, were it not for the fact that our data had been wiped by the time anybody arrived following your assault," you can feel the knowing stare emanating from beneath the mask. "As for our 'claims' I speak nothing but the truth. Though our Empire of course does not wish to disclose details of internal matters, your worshipfulnesses can be assured that not only has the lawbreaker in our space been dealt with, but that his whole operation has been dismantled. Regardless, however, this man is trying to distract you from the true crime - the unlawful killing and unwarranted assault on an Imperial facility by forces of the Galactic Republic."

"Your worshipfulnesses, esteemed honours, if this facility really was legally sanctioned by the glorious Cartel, its officials surely have a copy of the relevant data and treaties. I humbly ask therefore to lay the mentioned data in front of the honored and merciful jugdes for examination.

I am no military expert, but how could a communications relay on Nar Shadaa, deep in Hutt Space, be of any use for forces positioned on the border of the Cartel's territory?

Once again, you only tell more and more lies, Sith, like a slithering venomous snake, poisoning these holy halls of the glorious Cartel's justice with your breath. How could the base be legally sanctioned as an embassy and communications relay if a rogue Moff erected it in the first place without the approval of the Empire?

You claimed first that your government signed this treaty with the bountiful Hutts, but 'unfortunately' you have don't have any proof for it.

Then suddenly it was a rogue Moff instead - you present no evidence for your claim once again.

First you compare the function of your facility with Republic bases where, I quote, 'spymasters and saboteurs' work, later on you claim the outpost only functioned as an embassy and communications relay. Once again, you have nothing to backup your claims.

If this facility was an embassy, where were the rooms to welcome high-ranking guests? We only found tech equipment and computers. As we took nothing with us, the honoured Hutt Justiciar will surely be able to tell the High Court about the base's internal layout.

As our ID cards proove, my men and I work for a Hutt master. You claim that we work for the Republic, which I strongly deny, but you have no evidence for your claim.

Esteemed judges, your high Honour, since the beginning of this trial, this Sith has only told lies to deceive the Cartel's justice and to discredit a Hutt master's honest employees."

Marcelus steps back and whispers to the others: "Any other ideas how we could attack the Sith or defend ourselves? Does anybody else wish to add something?"

Ashrym shakes his head in response to Marcelus's whispered question. His own response is kept soft and low, "No. I think you've done well pointing out the quick barrage of inconsistencies on her part."

"You did well," Rion nods. "Let's see how she responds." Rion continued to observe the Sith, the wheels turning in his mind, and prepared to deconstruct whatever offensive strategy the Imperial came up with. It was, as his father had observed, what he did best.

"Well done," Jeren says to Marcelus, the words accompanied by a smile and a reassuring hand on the other man's shoulder. "I knew it was a good idea to leave the talking to you."

Rast stayed silent, focusing his attention on the masked Sith. Body language could tell you a lot about your opponent's mental state and reveal weaknesses; at least, he knew this to be true on the battlefield.

"You do not seem to be an expert on military matters under any circumstances, since evidently you do not even seem to understand the need for a communications relay to pass messages from one side of Hutt Space to another. As for the treaty, of course there is proof - it was legally ratified, granting us permission to house embassies, communications stations and other bases in Hutt space. As has been outlined, the base was a communications relay, not an embassy. For them to have formal rooms would be an unnecessary use of space.

"But of course, you yourselves have presented little evidence of your allegiance being to anyone other than the Republic. Some fabricated ID card showing your allegiance to a Hutt in the employ of the Republic does not prove any sort of loyalty to the true Hutt Cartel."

"Tell her she doesn't seem to be an expert on either communications systems or astrocartography, because space is vast and there's an near infinite number of spaces, both in space via satellites and upon other worlds, where they could put a relay...and yet they happened to place theirs in a neighborhood on a Hutt world?

"Also inform her we do not dispute the Empire has treaties allowing embassies in Hutt space. We dispute that said treaty allowed for heavily armed bases with vast information gathering resources...again, why did they choose to put one in Hutt space?

"And our ID cards are proof, far more than she has shown to back up her claims. She is also once again making unsubstantiated claims about our employer, a Hutt, without a shred of evidence. I think she might have crossed a line there....

"Stay on the offense!"

"How dare you to insult our master? He is a Hutt and that means that he answers only to himself, his Clan and the Cartel. Yes, most of his buisnesses are located in Republic space. It is the right of every mighty and noble Hutt to make his fortune anywhere he wishes as long as he does not violate any commands of the Cartel or his Kajidic. It is neither our place nor yours, Sith, to question the decisions or independence of a member of this most noble and wise species.

We have laid evidence of our true allegiance in front of this High Court. The sagacious Judges may evaluate if our ID cards are proof enough. May I ask where your evidence concerning our supposed allegiance to the Republic is? So far I have seen none of it. All your arguments and claims have no basis and no proof. I claim you a liar as you are apparently unable to back up any of your claims with even a shred of evidence.

I am not a diplomat. I do not know whether the Empire has the permission to maintain embassies in Hutt space, but it sounds logically. But I doubt most severly that the Empire has any right to erect and maintain heavily armed listening posts deep in the Cartel's territory. I recall that you claimed that our raid was a violation of the treaty between the Republic, the Empire and the cartel. Wouldn't such a heavily armed facility as the one we attacked be a violation to this treaty in the first place?

As I said, I am not trained as a military strategist. But I still see no reason why a military organization would feel the need to erect a mere communications relay on Nar Shadaa, right on the doorstep of the Hutt Cartel's capital planet Nal Hutta and within the reach of countless holonet relays? On the other hand, it seems to be the ideal position to spy upon both the Republic's holonet and the Cartel's communications. So I ask you, Sith, do you have any evidence to counter these claims?"

"Silence!" booms a voice suddenly - the great Hutt judge raises himself upon his tail, extending to his full height, chest puffed out and blustered with self importance. "We have heard enough. Let the defence make their final statement, and then the prosecution shall speak before judgement is passed."