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Offshore Job	By : dschinny Category: Star Wars (All) > General Views: 3310 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Star Wars movie series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter 3 – Court Martial (First hour day 28)
Kal was about to press the door buzzer to Vau’s quarter when Ord’ika came running “What is it, lad?”
“I knew there was an empty slot in that backpack, Kal’buir… it took us a while to find the missing ordnance. Turned out that Oost booby trapped Harada’s door frame. Prudii is disarming the device as we speak, Jaing is going over the security protocols again to find proof. Seems that there are some more loops after all.”
“I see.” Kal acknowledged. He was pleased how his sons, especially Ordo had devoted themselves to the mission “Accompany me,” he fulfilled Ordo’s deeper wish in return. The boy was a little overprotective and would never be at ease while he conferred with Vau, especially not when ‘Lord Mirdalan’ was around. Like a miniature sized attaché he would take care of the details. “Prudii can hand it in when he’s done.” They entered the elevator with the antigrav slide full of evidence.
The main lights were off and Vau stood in front of the large picture window in pensive mood, his hands clasped behind his back, his tall slim silhouette clad in black armor. On the wide desk that stretched along the wall that parted the circular quarter on top of the tower into two halves, his pair of sabers gleamed in the light of a small reading lamp. Ordo halted the antigrav slide in the middle of the room as Vau turned to them. “Leave everything on the slide,” the prosecutor ordered and walked over to the table his helmet beside the open case with the sabers. “Caf?” Kal nodded and their host went for the kitchen.
It seemed that nothing was ever hurried with this man. Ordo stepped back as Mird appeared from the shadows under the desk to sniff around the antigrav slide. Vau returned with two cups and inserted the datachip Kal handed him into the projector of the desk. Ordo was amazed how this long time adversary and his dad could bridge their differences once the mission required it.
“Fett just provided me Harada’s testimony.” So that was what Vau had been listening to while he looked like he was just standing in the dark. The lights of the holographic projection came up over the table. Vau twisted the bubble of light between his large gloved hands and to his direction, multiple screens appeared, stretching as wide as his arms were long. Skirata’s team had been busy. “I would like to go over the evidence with you privately before we move all this into the sergeants’ room.”
“We can get started. The last piece of evidence concerning a booby trap at Harada’s door will be handed in.”
Vau checked the chrono “Make that soon.” His voice suddenly sharpened and a predatory look appeared in his eyes. Before going into detail, he overlooked all aspects. Skirata had done a good job and he had few questions left. Gilamar had handed in a short medical report on Oost’s injuries, but a file on Harada was still missing. “Has Dr. Gilamar seen to Ms. Harada already?” Vau inquired.
“Fett said she wasn’t injured when I asked him the same question.” Skirata answered.
Vau could imagine why, but hating surprises, he summoned Gilamar nevertheless to grill him beforehand.
Another of Skirata’s Null-ARCs showed up, carrying the disarmed explosives in a box. “Sorry Kal’buir. Jaing says there are no visuals in the security record of Oost or anybody else wiring it to the doorframe.” – “Leave it with me.” Kal acknowledged and Prudii left as silent as a shadow.
Vau summoned Davin to check for fingerprints and residues. A danger for the facilities’ safety like a bomb in a public corridor would make the final count in his indictment of attempted murder. Fett wanted Oost dead and he would deliver.
Gilmar arrived and Vau got right to the point:
“From my vantage point, I’ve noticed Oosk talking to you when you made the arrest. What did he say?”
One look at the prosecutor’s desk made clear to Gilamar for whom the bell tolled. The doctor cringed. On one hand, he valued confidence when it came to patient’s talk. On the other hand, he was neither defendant nor confessor and Oost had been talking out of turn when he asked him to cut up is victim. When he found himself between two chairs, his loyalty belonged to Mandalor. “Even after I treated his injuries, Oost did not realize that Harada was still alive. He requested me to do an autopsy on the body of the ‘traitor’ as he called her and said with reference to her pregnancy that he could smell that ‘Fett’s linage was contaminated by her’… whatever that means.”
Vau inclined his head. He could imagine several things to wind from that, but it could backfire as well. “Would you repeat that in front of the court?”
“Yes. It’s what he said.”
“Why didn’t you go and check upon Ms. Harada?”
“Medical examinations on Ms. Harada have been classified as private beforehand. Since neither Harada nor Fett requested one specifically, I let it go.
“Good. Be in the sergeants’ training room by midnight.” Vau dismissed the doctor just when Davin arrived with his journeyman protector tools-of-trade.
“I just finished with the doorframe, it was positive.” Davin handed over flimsy and a data chip with the evidence, then put himself to work on the evidence on the slide, straining his ears.
“A bit sloppy.” Vau continued his conversation with Kal. – “An explosion would have erased any fingerprints. He was probably in a hurry, certainly provided plenty of distraction at that hide-out.”
Davin sidled up to the table “Positive again. Considering the ruckus after the attempt, anybody could have stepped into that trap. Visitors, investigators, curious by-passers… even Fett himself.”
“Let’s hope he doesn’t have a Plan C.” Vau drawled and gave Davin a look from above. “That would be all for now,” he gave Skirata’s subordinate a cold dismissal, already flipping through the material as Davin went to the elevator. In his mind, he compiled his indictment and listened to Tomoe’s voice again; her fear, her concentration and finally her resolve seeped into him like the warmth and slightly bitter aroma of the caf. He would see her again, soon.
On the other side of the holographic table, Kal Skirata pondered the difference between a fair investigator and a prosecutor being an ass. Both probably did a good job; at least they fulfilled the tasks Fett had given them.
“Let’s go and see what story Ward comes up with,” Vau faced up and grounded the holo-projection, “We will keep things simple,” he handed out his mission’s base line and Skirata picked up the code within. A blink later, he donned his helmet, flipped the case with his bes’kade closed and went around the table to follow Skirata and the antigrav slide into the elevator.
The mask of the prosecutor’s helmet was impenetrable for Ordo and he secretly hoped it would be the same with his own helmet. He was fine with being ignored and allowed to learn.

“Wake up, Tomoe,” Jango shook her awake with a firm hand on her shoulder. Everything about her had been so soft and pliable, now she nearly banged her head on the edge of the table as she sat up and rubbed her bleary eyes. He pulled her back in the last moment and ruffled her hair with a contrite smile “Time to go, Cyar’ika.”
“The court martial,” she remembered and scrambled to her feet. “I need to get dressed.”
“You are dressed.” - “That’s a bathrobe.” She protested. Jango stood and looked her over. There was a slight protrusion under her belt, it appeared that she had returned her knife at the first possibility. Good. “It covers you from neck to ankles.” – “Can I at least use the fresher?” – “Be quick, we have to be there in five.” Tomoe rushed for the bathroom to freshen up, Jango reached for his helmet. She returned to his side in record time, hair tied back with a ribbon, her face still wet from the cold water she had thrown into her face. ‘No makeup for once.’ He thought with a smile and tilted her face up to kiss her. “Follow me closely until we enter. From there, Rav will guide you through protocol.”
He replaced the helmet, squared his shoulders and walked out, escorting his main witness on tonight’s case impartially. The sergeants’ training room was already filled with armored and non-armored Cuy’val Dar. Skirata had put the evidence on the Ops-table and was taking the role of the court officer.
"All rise, the court martial is presided by Jango Fett, Mandalore." Skirata’s order was accompanied by clanking armor and the hiss of helmets’ environmental seals. There wasn’t a salute, but the few who had found one of the few seats stood, chatting circles broke into orderly lines and the attention became complete.
Fett took his position of honor behind the Ops-Table and watched Rav walk up to Tomoe, accompanied by Isabet. As he had told her, she fell in step with the two fully armed women fluently who guided her to a position on his right side. To his left, Vau was standing on the prosecutor’s position. He checked the charge sheet and the list of witnesses; it had been updated with Davin and Gilamar, they were standing at the right side already. Fett spotted Priest who kept some distance to the ladies for once but was ready to testify should the case require it.
Fett revealed his face after anybody else. The slight thud when he placed his helmet on the table was audible through the room which had fallen utterly silent.
“Seargent Apma, please escort the accused.” Omitting the doctor-turned-witness, he sent another fully armored Cuy’val Dar on the detention level. B’arin Apma replaced his helmet and left.
Tomoe stood in the ranks, a shiver running down her spine. Until this time, she had never seen the whole gathering showing faces deliberately. This was a special occasion. She denied to look down herself self-consciously, but her eyes darted around the room. Not everybody in the room wore beskar’gam, but three fourths did and they clearly looked like the backbone of the assembly. There were people like Davin and Skirata who did not wear armor, but Tomoe knew the old mercenary’s iron skin was stowed away somewhere. She wasn’t fooled by Kal’s civilian looks or anybody else’s. In this room, every single person was a deadly specialist in his or her way …and she realized that circumstance no longer excluded her.
Oost entered escorted by Apma, with Ward as his counsel on his other side. They took position in front of the judge’s table. His claws were shackled and the judge made no order to remove them. Oost spotted his target just a few steps away and indeed, it was very alive - still. That limping old court officer wouldn’t be much of an obstacle, but his escort and the armored and armed-to-the-teeth training sergeants of Epsilon and Zeta Companies backed up by Sergeant Priest would be. Oost knew that his counsel wouldn’t support him taking action. The Trandoshan inhaled, his reptile tongue testing the air. The little female had washed off the scent of the sea as well as the bacta. There was still that deceiving scent of predator emanating from her.
‘No talking of eggs’ Oost reminded himself. Even he could spot underneath that single layer of fabric that she was an exceedingly unnerved mammal. The air became tinged with her fear as he kept looking her over. His paws were tied but she looked like a delinquent for a trial since she did not appear armed. The scent of human mating wafted over to him. It wasn’t on his target but on the yellow-armored woman by her side… and it was not Fett’s but Priest’s mating scent on her. Priest still hovered behind his mate. At the same time, his prey didn’t get to mate with their leader again to ensnare him once more. ‘Good.’ Since the trial would keep them busy a big part of the night, she was likely to return to her own quarter. ‘Better.’
Fett opened the hearing by recognizing Sergeant Oost, listing some of his major merits in the Cuy’val Dar and asking for his ability to stand trial. Afterwards, he had the prosecution read the charges. In his indictment, Vau listed charges for attempted murder as well as dangerous modification of facility-property, outlined the circumstances of the case at the landing platform nine then listed by which paragraphs this was punishable.
Fett advised the defendant of his rights and Oost informed him that his defensive counsel would do the talking in the examination… and Ward told the story differently:
Oost had waited for the traffic in the corridors to go down in the evening before testing a prototype. A modification, alright, but he had not been aware of a danger. The panel had been a bit on the heavy side but proved easy enough to install and once it was in place, it caught no attention. When Ms. Harada passed by the second time, apparently confused, Oost had unlocked the panel to ask if she required help. The panel fell over by accident and he had tried to get a hold to steady her. A misunderstanding ensued, she drew blank and tried to butcher him like an animal with that sword of hers. He had tried to defend himself with his blaster which malfunctioned and she had stabbed him again before making a runner. Being a hardy Trandoshan, he had pulled the blade from his entrails and followed Ms. Harada on the landing pad. He had shown her his own blood on her blade and asked ‘why’ and she had just jumped off the edge of the platform. Still concerned, he had stayed there despite his injury, tried to spot her again and call in rescue.
Yes, Oost admitted that he had used a lethal weapon on that corridor. After Ms. Harada attacked him with an equally lethal weapon, that should be seen as proportionate self-defense. He had accepted the possibility of killing her in that instant, but he had not intended to kill her, let alone in malice or for base motives. He was sorry that he didn’t ask for approval to test the prototype beforehand, but he had not expected it to be dangerous. It was just a piece of kit that had fallen over and while Ms. Harada didn’t appear to have suffered injuries from that, he was genuinely sorry that it scared her. As his defensive counsel, Ward proposed compensation for damages and a fine.
Unsurprised, Fett opened the gathering of evidence. Together with the audience, he watched the footage the prosecutor displayed with a narration of a different kind. Afterwards, they went briefly went over the collection of items found in the corridor and the landing pad. Since nobody denied the use of weapons and damage, this was done in a moment. Vau stressed that a skinning set was found in the makeshift hide-out, and additional containers to preserve tissue, then harped the base motives of furtiveness and cruelty that made it attempted murder.
Fett suppressed a sigh “Before this encounter degenerates into a tiresome third-person narrative, we will now take questions.”
Prosecution and defensive counsel locked jaws on the first charge of murder and this time, Oost had to answer himself.
“Why didn’t you call rescue?” – “Com-frequencies were hampered, I kept on trying.” – “Did you put up a scrambler with that panel?” – “No.”
“Did you know that Ms. Harada was pregnant?” – “Yes. We were informed in the meeting held after her defection.” A grumble went through the audience at Oost’s forward speech. Ward smiled inwardly. If Vau had a plan B to make it an attempted double homicide, it wasn’t a promising one. Fett would stick with the law, otherwise he hadn’t called the gathering.
“Where you aware that Ms Harada wasn’t to be attacked?” Vau put his foot down immediately – “Yes.” – “Did you try to kill her?” – “No.”
“For what did you bring the skinning knifes?” – “I always have them in my pack.” – “And the containers?” it took Oost a little longer to answer, “same.” – “How? They are too big to fit into your backpack.” – “I can strap them on top.” – “Can you name somebody who has seen you with those containers on your pack on a daily basis?” – “No.” – “For which purpose did you bring them tonight - only?” – “I considered to go fishing afterwards.” Oost spun out his tale; he had planned to pull something from the sea, just not a maritime life form. – “Did you bring fishing equipment with you?” – “No.” – “How did you plan to fish then?” – “I don’t know, maybe I forgot.”
Fett then called for Ms. Harada’s testimony. While the first time had helped to sort out herself, the horror was still fresh the second time she retold the event from her point of view. Vau’s narration had been ice-cold and clipped, now things came to life. Wards would have loved to interrupt the flow with some questions, but the judge let her talk away. He had to hand it to her, she remained all reasonable and matter-of-fact which made her testimony just the more dangerous for his client. She even managed to include the dialog on the landing pad. “He did not ask me ‘why?’ or anything. He said that he was ‘Taking care of a problem here.’ And then he said ‘no’ to me two times, first when I told him that I was no problem but a colleague, second, that I was pregnant from his leader.”
Finally, Fett allowed questions. “Did you fall or jump of the platform?” – “I don’t know. I think I must have slipped when I reached the edge of the platform.”
“Where you confused while walking the corridor?” – “Yes, I had lost my way because of the wall-panel inserted into the crossing and my comlink failed to help me navigating.” – “What did you feel?” – “I felt embarrassed.” – “And angry?” – “No, just embarrassed that I was unable to find my way on my own.”
“Why did you attack Oost with your sword?” – “Because I was attacked by a being that had thrown a wall at me and lashed out at me with enough force to shred my chest plate. He did not try to steady me.” – “Which material was that chest plate?” – “Steel.” – “Where is it?” – “I dropped it while swimming. It was heavy, together with my soaked clothing it could have drowned me.” – “Under these conditions, we have no way to tell about damage and material quality in first place.” – “It was punctured, which is visible on the footage.” Vau had already enlarged the area and put it on screen.
“You said a ‘being’. Do you have difficulties accepting non-human colleges?” If her jaw hadn’t been clenched since Ward’s first speech, it would have dropped now. “I… don’t think so.” She appeared to be rather upset at his question, but that wasn’t really much of a surprise considering what he had just inferred about her.
It was then, like by chance, that Lord Mirdalan got bored and decided to wind through the legs of the Ops-table and take a stroll through the room, sniffing up the attendant crowd. As the head of the Strill pushed into her hand, Tomoe was already listening to the next question intently and gave the cowl of sandy gold fur an absentminded scratch.
Laughter erupted in the audience and Tomoe looked over her shoulder to see what was wrong.
Fett called Gilamar’s testimony next, asking for the type of injuries he had attended. “An inch deep cut on the arm and six inch stab wound in the belly, your honour.” – “By this sword?” – “This or a very similar one.” Fett passed the right to question to Vau. “After the treatment, did Sergeant Oost ask you to perform an autopsy on Ms. Harada?” - “Doctor-patient-conversation is confidential,” Ward jumped in. Falling silent, Gilmar looked at Fett who suspended confidentiality for the sake of ascertaining the truth. – “Yes, right after he was informed that she was found,” – “Did he presume her dead then?” – “Yes.” – “Thank you.” Vau cut short and made sure that Oost’s questioning of Fett’s linage did not come to attention.
Vau let Ward ask some more questions to point out the severity of the injuries Oost had suffered. Then he made his move:
“Now to the second charge, ‘dangerous modification of facility-property’.” He opened the box with the uprooted booby trap and arranged the wiring on the Ops-table in plain sight “This explosive device was found on Ms. Harada’s door. Sergeant Davin did the fingerprint-analysis which points to the accused on both, the doorframe as well as the device. In the backpack, slots for this type and amount of ordnance are vacant.”
Utterly surprised by the turn of events, Ward paled and looked at Oost who did the Trandoshan version of a shrug, his tail twitching, ‘Could have worked.’ This made his defensive counsel really wish for a time-out “Your honor, I would like to have a word with my defendant in private.” - “Request rejected.” – “In this case, I need to step down as Sergeant Oost’s defensive counsel.” – “You are not dismissed yet. Sergeant Vau, please continue.”
Once Vau named the type there was an intake of breath in the room to prove his specification of the blast perimeter was redundant information with this audience. “This hidden device could have killed everybody in Ms. Harada’s apartment as well as ten meters down the corridor in both directions. It was set at a movement of her door, endangering not only Ms. Harada but also anybody in her company, visitors and by-passers. That Sergeant Oost did not confess this after his first failed attempt to murder Ms. Harada proves his ongoing resolve to kill her by design, not by accident. He included this court action into his plan fluently, using it as a mere diversion. Therefore, nothing he said so far can be taken seriously.”
Fett turned his focus on Oost, “It appears that you have surprised your defensive counsel utterly. What do you have to say at this point in the examination?”
“I admit that I planned to kill Ms. Harada, but not for base motives.” - “What was your motive?” - “To take out a treat to the mission. She defected and continues to cause disorder. She tried to kill you and you did nothing to bring her to justice. Are you aware that she contaminated your linage, by that tainted your honor?”
“My family-internals are none of your concern,” drawled Fett, “but I can I assure you, my intentions towards Ms. Harada are strictly honourable. Aspects of our mission are addressed in operational meetings or with me if confidentiality is required. Since you were not deployed, ignored the chain of command and therefore cannot claim to uphold order, what was in for you, specifically?”
“To serve with my honour intact under a leader who is capable and deserves my faith.”
“You did - until you tried to kill a colleague. Tell me: what does your faith has to do with not fulfilling your job description?”
“I was bested by you once, your honour, and I have tried to win back my lost merits ever since, while augmenting new ones for my afterlife. This woman took everything from you, at the same time, she is obviously unable to take over the helm. Ending her would have returned my merits in full for my afterlife, restored order in Tipoca city and allowed you to stay in command.”
“So much for matters of religion.” Fett concluded dryly and very in command, “At which time did you plant the device?” - “Planted around 1730, primed after 2130. I do care about collateral damage and did not endanger your son who follows the traitor around most of the day.”
Fett asked prosecutor and defensive counsel if they had further questions, then invited the final speech of the prosecution.
Vau raised an elegant eyebrow at Wards “The truth has many facets." He had a curious half-smile on his face as he summed up the findings then recommended dismissal from service and a death penalty executed by hanging of the platform to drown with the next tide.
Ward used the time to gather himself together and adjust to the new situation. The pleas in his final speech were changed from not guilty to guilty of attempted homicide and dangerous modifications. He recommended incarceration until the project was finished.
“Sergeant Oost, you have the last statement.”
“I have no pain and no guilt. I did what I felt was necessary. Now do what you must in the hope this brings you some closure. If I was to ask for anything, I would like to die by an honourable blade like hers and not rot away slowly while I watch my project fall apart.”
Fett went to deliver his judgment. It had been more than a decade that he had used the formal terms required and he took his time to enunciate them clearly: “Having been found guilty by this court, it is now my duty as the military judge, who is presiding at this court martial, to determine the sentence.
This court constitutes the ultimate means to enforce discipline in the Cuy’val Dar, which is a fundamental element of the military activity in the formation of the GAR. It is through discipline that an armed force ensures that its members will accomplish in a trusting and reliable manner successful missions.
The prosecution submits that a fit sentence in this case is a capital punishment. On the other end, your counsel for the defence recommends that the court impose the punishment of imprisonment until the end of our term.
The fundamental purpose of sentencing in a court martial is to ensure respect for the law and maintenance of discipline by imposing sanctions to protect the facility; to denounce unlawful conduct; to deter the offender and other persons from committing the same offences; and to separate offenders from society where necessary.
When imposing a sentence, a military court must also take into consideration that a sentence must be proportionate to the gravity of the offence; as well as proportionate to the responsibility and previous character of the offender; that it should be similar to sentences imposed on similar offenders for similar offences committed in similar circumstances; and lastly, all sentences should be increased or reduced to account for any relevant aggravating or mitigating circumstances relating to the offence or the offender.
I came to the conclusion that in the particular circumstances of this case sentencing should place the focus on the objectives of denunciation and general deterrence.
Here the court is dealing with an offence for an act of two cases of attempted murder and dangerous modifications on the facility. I would say that the testimony of Ms. Harada was a key element on sentence. She clearly established the scenic occurrence before the court in a factual manner.
In determining sentence, I shall accept as proven all facts, expressed or implied, that are essential to the court’s findings of guilty. I have also considered the facts of the case as disclosed in the evidence and materials submitted during the trial, including the testimony of Sergeant Oost’s treating doctor and Sergeant Davin’s analyses.
Through various testimonies before the court, it is clear that Sergeant Oost is a smart and an intelligent person. He is very skilled, and up to the day, he was considered a hard and good worker at the unit. As I mentioned earlier during my exchange with the accused, something happened in his mind that triggered the murderous attempt. So far the problem that trigged that situation remains unknown and unresolved. Also I consider the fact that Sergeant Oost is aware of his failure and tried to come out with the truth in the end. I think it is a positive attitude.
In arriving at what the court considers a fair and appropriate sentence, the court has considered the following mitigating and aggravating factors:
The court considers as aggravating the objective seriousness of the offences. The offence you were charged with was laid in accordance with §211 of the criminal code, this offence is punishable by death. Also you were charged with offences in accordance with §310 and section A of §315 and §319 of the GAR Constitution Act; these offences are punishable by imprisonment for no less than one month up to a life sentence.
The court has considered the subjective seriousness of the offences, and for the court there are three things:
First, the breach of trust. You deliberately provided false information. Becoming unreliable in the Cuy’val Dar is something very serious. We could not count on you in order to perform the task and the mission. Also staying in the breach of trust, there is a responsibility aspect. Through the evidence it is clear that you did not care about the collateral damage. You might have thought of it as some kind of deployment - I am not saying you were - but from what I heard and what I have seen, your original task and duties to the GAR was not your priority at that time, and it is part of the breach of trust and must be considered as an aggravating factor. Moreover, you had an opportunity to amend yourself and you did not.
Second, there is furtiveness: attacking a non-suspecting victim from a hideout, then leading it on into the next trap by telling the court a story of an accident. There is cruelty: the try to get a hold on the victim alive and cut it up for freshness of tissue and skin. There is the danger to public safety: planting a bomb facing into a public corridor where everybody, including your commanding officer and his family walks by.
And finally, there is the premeditation. Once you had been arrested, you were warned of the consequences. This was not something that happened out of the blue like this; it was not sudden. It is something that required some planning, and for that reason I have to consider this set of facts of supporting premeditation as an aggravating factor too.
There are also mitigating factors that I considered:
The injury you received through Ms. Harada’s self-defense. The fact that you had to face this court martial - I am sure it has had already some deterring effect on you and also on others. The message is that the kind of conduct that you have displayed would not be tolerated in any way and will be dealt with accordingly. Your usual dedication was more than appreciated and that your performance at work has been excellent despite what has happened tonight. It disclosed that your problems with Ms. Harada were not professional, but personal in nature. Also I have to consider as a mitigating factor the fact that you have problems with religious beliefs. It is part of the picture, it is there, and it is something you are fighting with, and it must be considered in that way;
It was suggested to me to consider dismissal from my service. If I understand correctly from the prosecution, it would serve to denunciate the fact that you were not fulfilling your role profiling in a crew responsible to shape the GAR. From a working perspective, you betrayed your unit, your peers, and the confidence of a number of people around you, and I herewith dismiss you from my service.
Now as you heard, the prosecution came with the proposal of death-penalty, which should be used as a sanction of last resort. A death-penalty is adequate only when any other sanction or any combination of sanctions is not appropriate for the offence and the offender. Here in this case, considering the nature of the offence, the circumstances it was committed, the applicable sentencing principles including the aggravating and the mitigating factors, I conclude that a death-penalty would appear as the appropriate and the necessary punishment in this case. If military members like you start to take their own decision on who they kill based on personal and base motivation, the GAR is clearly heading into big problems. We will use this experience in order to help others who could find or put themselves in a similar situation.
Now the question is what type of execution? The military justice system has disciplinary tools which seek mainly denunciation and general deterrence and re-instil the habit of obedience. It is clear that the court wants to send the message that such conduct is clearly unacceptable and may constitute a threat to the efficiency and morale of the whole Cuy’val Dar if such a thing is not discouraged. The GAR must be in a position to accomplish their mission at any time and in any circumstance, so the swiftness of the sword contrary to what was suggested by the prosecution would clearly reflect that message.
FOR THESE REASONS, THE COURT:
FINDS you guilty of the first and second charge on the charge sheet for an offence under paragraph §211 of the criminal code and §310, section A of §315 and §319 of the GAR Constitution Act.
SENTENCES you to death by sword
MAKES the order for taking Gamma Company out of your office and DISMISSES you from service.”
Finished with his speech, Fett nodded in Harada’s direction. “You can fulfill his wish.”
Still dumbfounded, Tomoe picked up her sword from the assorted evidence carefully and pushed the sheathed blade under her belt vertically. She wished she had turned the upper layer of the sash once to push the katana through the narrowed section horizontally. It felt too tight and uncomfortable. Her hands were sweaty. She tried to dry her palms on the narrow skirt of her yukata. Preserving her last scrap of modesty had been on her mind, not when and if she could arm up again. Too late. Walking up in front of the judge’s table, with one hand on the sheath and the right resting on the hilt, she turned to Oost who stood in eerie silence. Beheading this giant would need a perfectly centered, two-handed strike.
‘But enough of the technical details,’ she ran his last words through her mind again. This wasn’t about obedience. It was about a… wish. Taking a half turn, she addressed Jango as well as Oost and the whole audience. “I believe that the defendant suffers from a mental illness,” she tried to lower the stakes.
“I won’t command you.” Fett inclined his head at her profile, immaculately elegant as usually, “We’ve got no mental facility here. It was his decision to attack you and he knew the consequences. But you have done enough for a day, Ms. Harada. Stand back.” Fett raised his gloved hand to the prosecutor’s side, “Sergeant Vau, proceed with the execution.”
“Kneel.” The prosecutor-turned-executioner walked around the table.
“I kneel to no man.” Oost stated and stood proudly, his claws still in manacles, still eying the woman who had taken Fett down. He would not mess himself in the face of death.
Vau took two fluid steps forwards and the first blade slashed over Oost’s legs just above the knees, slicing sinews. The tall Trandoshan fell and Vau’s left-hand saber came down on the back of his neck like lightning, severing scales, tissue and bones with a sickening sound, to a strap of skin that prevented the head from rolling off. Greenish blood gusted from the neck, a large puddle forming at their feet. Vau’s stern look down at Harada said ‘Behold, this is how it’s done.’
To Fett’s satisfaction, Tomoe neither flinched nor stepped back. Maybe one day, when her moralistic attitude had worn off a bit, she would be ready to uphold the law in his favor.
Fett continued his rulings “Oost’s personal belongings go to Sergant Vau,” the heir barely looked up at the routine decision and continued to clean and sheath his pair of sabers “Gamma-Company will be trained by Sergeant Harada.”
‘Has he gone crazy?!’ The room went as silent as a grave. Even Vau cocked his head with renewed interest.
“Yes, Sir.” Tomoe bowed deeply to hide the blush of expiration rushing on her cheeks “I will need their curriculum,” she demanded levelly.
“You will get all the help and information you need. Your first obligation will to prepare Gamma Company for their full range exercise scheduled in two days.”
She wasn’t permitted hand-to-hand training but demanded to run a full-range exercise now? It dawned on her that she had no idea of military tactics; fear of impending failure was choking her, impersonated by the faces of clones in the ward. Nevertheless she had to start somewhere. Certainly, Jango knew about her limitations? She had to trust him and - especially now in front of the whole gathering - she had to display her obedience. There would be time for questions later. “Who will be the opponent?” she inquired levelly.
“Devildog Company.”
She looked around, her throat tight.
Priest just winked and smiled. Set right in front his own company in the alphabet, Oost’s Gamma Company had been a hard opponent since its formation. Now, beheaded and with the new girl put into leadership, it was ready for the picking and his own company would excel.
“Yes, Sir. Sergeant Priest.” Tomoe bowed to her assigned opponent in polite recognition and stood with her hands down by her sides, waiting to be dismissed.
“Sergeant Gilmar, take the body to the morgue and chill it down.” The commanding officer closed the gathering. Aware that Tomoe wasn’t done yet, he watched her step up to Vau. Jango pocketed her comlink and gathered the remaining evidence and flimsy into a box for disposal. His expression was one of mild interest what the little one would do next.
“Sergeant Vau, this grease monkey is in need of your help.”
Vau looked down on Tomoe in careful consideration, weighting the risk of pick-ups becoming habitual against the chance to make a proper dent in his fat, boisterous colleague. With the slight gap in the alphabetical order separating them, there was less than a ten-percent-chance for them to meet in a proper battleground otherwise. Did she know? While she displayed the submission of a good pupil, that certain firmness in her stance implied that she realized the full potential of her offer. To him, that made it just sweeter.
It was enticing enough to agree on the spot, but Vau was not a cheap negotiator “What do you offer in return?” he asked just to see if she had the nerve to think of something - otherwise he would get the point across that she had very little to offer and must try harder. “I’ll shine your boots afterwards?” he winked a raise “for a week?” – ‘higher’ – “a backrub?” – “I could get that for free.” – “No longer,” Tomoe reigned in expectations.
It seemed that Dred had been the last to exploit her truly generous offer. Good. “A private backrub then, thirty minutes minimum and beforehand.” By now, Isabet was ambling over, with an alternative proposal no doubt. Their listeners with tuned audio enhancers had to pull their minds from the gutter. Vau put his challenge up where it belonged before Harada’s proposal made this exercise a free-for-all. “…for Lord Mirdalan.” – “Will do,” they finished their low voiced bantering.
“Granted.” Vau’s baritone drawled while he watched Priest’s smile drop with relish.
“Thanks.” Tomoe bowed and turned to leave with the wave of colored sheet metal filing out of the double doors. Fett squared his shoulders and followed in discrete distance. Vau ambled out after helping Gilamar to dump Oost remains on the antigrav slide. Passing by Fett’s quarters, there was a solid thud on the inside of the door. He didn’t have to switch to penetrating radar… by the sounds of it, Fett reclaimed his evasive mate savagely.
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Offshore Job

Chapter 3 – Court Martial (First hour day 28)