((NO-ONE OTHER THAN MYSELF OR CROZEUS MAY POST HERE. IF YOU DO, YOU FACE TRIAL UNDER OBSTRUCTION OF THE COURSE OF JUSTICE. EXEMPT FROM THIS, OF COURSE, IS THE EMPEROR))
The Procurate entered the court alone with a somber look on his face. His long judicial robed billowed about his feet. Taking a seat, he gestured with his hands for the spectators to sit. Clearing his throat, he nodded at the bailiff to bring in Crozeus. He leaned back in his chair as the accused was brought forward. He watched as he was put in the modern wooden chair on front of the judge. Aequitas stared at him.
"Crozeus", he said, loud enough for all to hear, "You are here on the charges of Disorderly Conduct, Solicitation and Murder for your role in the incident on the Interdictor, the Aggregator."
"From viewing holorecordings of the ship, the reasons for the said charges are the following:
-Disorderly Conduct. You are brought here on this charge because of your blatent disregard of the property of an Imperial Order.
-Solicitation. You are brought here on this charge because, from the recordings, you ordered the pilots, knowing that they could not refuse because of your rank, to land in a crowded area, thereby putting lives at risk.
And finally,
-Murder. You are brought here on the charges of murdering stormtroopers on board the Aggregator."
The Procurate put down his papers. "What say you?"
High Prophet Crozeus
Crozeus looked terrible. He hadn't washed for days, his hair was matted and unkempt, and tears stained his face.
"Procurate, I plead guilty to the charges of Disorderly Conduct and Solicitation. However, I deny the charge of murder. It was not my wish for the troops to be killed. I wish to plead for manslaughter."
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas nodded. "Crozeus, your admission to Disorderly Conduct and Solicitation was wise. I will look favourably when deciding on that." He cleared his throat. "However, you plead not guilty to murder? Very well, but first let me give you the reasons why you should be."
He picked up his papers again. "Upon retrieving your weapons, some troops exited the turbolift. They cocked their weapons, most likely to attempt to re-arrest you and you used Force-Lightning on them. You then flung them out of the way. Manslaughter? I think not."
The Procurate looked at the defendant. "Then, when you entered the bridge, you killed some of the men there too. You expect me to let you away with manslaughter when you killed twice in a small space of time?"
Aequitas peered down at the Prophet. "Do you still plead not-guilty when faced with such evidence?"
High Prophet Crozeus
Crozeus bowed his head under the gaze. "I am a servant of the Dark Side, as are you. I was weak, and needed strength. Killing those men served their purpose - to help me, and I am far more important than them. Yet, I will compensate their families. They do not need to suffer. I accept that I let my emotions rule me, and I forgot that I was not facing Sith who could easily stand up to such a thing."
He sighed, a long, shuddering breath. "I doubt there are many Sith who wouldn't have done the same. Look at Darth Bane. He killed a father and his children to keep him alive. I killed soldiers."
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas scoffed, "Darth Bane did not have me around. He did not reside in this civilised Empire! Your emotions should be under control. You are a Prophet. Killing those men was an illegal act." He brushed his hair aside.
"Yes, you killed soldiers. Soldiers who are needed to defend this Empire. You are lucky I am not trying you on the charge of Treason! When you hijacked the ship, no, an Imperial ship built to defend the Empire, you could have let enemies through. Think about that!"
He flicked through a paper quickly before landing on the page he was looking for. "Also, Crozeus, you are a member of the Council of Justice. You, moreso than others, should know that Manslaughter is not included in Imperial Law. You either commited Murder, or you did not. You yourself said we are Sith. There are no grey areas."
Aequitas took a drink of water. "Crozeus, do you plead guilty or not guilty to murder, I ask you again after hearing all the evidence."
High Prophet Crozeus
Crozeus nodded solemnly. He looked up, yet now there was a fire in his eyes. "I plead guilty."
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas smiled. "Good, I retire to deliberate. I shan't be long." He looked at the Bailiff. "Stay here with him. Keep the spectators here too." The bailiff grunted and instructed the the spectators to stand as the judge left.
((I'll return as soon as possible with the verdict))
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas entered the cold room once more but before the audience could stand, he waved them away. He took his seat and took a drink of water. He put it down with a smile. "Crozeus stand."
Aequitas grinned at him wickedly. "Crozeus, you are found guilty on the charges of Disorderly Conduct, Solicitation and Murder. I hereby pass my judgement.
But first:
You are a member of the Order I love dearly, despite what has occured recently. You are also a valued member of the Empire.
That is all I shall say. Now:
I am aquitting you on the charges murder and solicitation. We'll pretend they never happened, although I order you to pay compensation to the victim's family. This is because the Supreme Prophet interfered, mind you.
You are on one month's probation from this date.
You have 2 days to appeal with the backing of a dark lord. Though I suggest against it.
Case Closed.
Have a nice day."
With that, the Procurate stood up and left; leaving the spectator's bewildered.
High Prophet Crozeus
Crozeus nodded, and the baliff allowed him to exit the hall. As he marched out, he could not stop the feeling of dread inside him.
