Fiction Activity

Competition
You Can't Handle the Truth!
Textual submission

Precourser: https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/acc/acc_battles/1124

The Justicar, a Dark Lord of the Sith, one of the oldest who still remain in the brotherhood. His stature, even at his age, was as impressive and as powerful as his history Atticus had read about. He turned his eyes to Marick Tyris, the Voice of the Brotherhood, and the prosecutor of Atticus’ trial. There was no jury, there was no audience or defendant; just Areticus, the Voice, and the man who will decide his fate.

“Court is now in session,” the Justicar proclaimed, “Areticus Horatio Aldebrant Altainatus, Esquire…”

Areticus rolled his eyes at his full name being announced as the Justicar continued, “You have been charged with defiance against clan Plagueis, the Inquisitorius, and the Dark Council. How do you plead?”

“Not guilty,” Atticus said with what strength he could. His body was badly damaged, but recovering. His left arm and right leg were in casts, with a head bandage and eye patch on his head, and he was wheeled in by a droid operated wheelchair.

“And why is that?” The Justicar asked in response.

“My actions on Hoth were done for the benefit of the Brotherhood. My discoveries would have given us assets that would make our economic structure and military production bountiful. Although I am guilty of utilizing Plagueis funds to cover the initial costs, the gain from the expedition would have made those expenses marginal.”
“If I may, your honor,” the Voice asks stepping forward, “I do believe Areticus’ behaviors are with the best intentions for the brotherhood and his clan.” Areticus raised an eyebrow at the Voice’s remark. “However,” he continued, “The charges are from his defiance from questioning by a Grand Inquisitor, the and violent resistance upon a Dark Council member.”

“Yes, because I’m sure you took quite the beating,” Areticus scoffed sarcastically.

“That’s enough,” the Justicar said with a booming voice, causing the other two to fall silent. “Areticus. The details of your primary charges are in regards to your conflict with the Voice. Your intentions do not exclude you from your secondary charges of utilizing clan funds without the approval of your Quaestor. Nor do your intentions make your violence against the Voice an excuse.”

Atticus took a pause for a moment, “Why not?”

“Excuse me?”

“Why is it that I must be put on trial for fighting the Voice?”

There is an air of silence, with the Elder and Grand Master looking at him as if he were an idiot.

“My lord, I see before me a Dark Lord of the Sith. As you know by my background, I too aspire to follow the ways of the Sith. It is with that, when a Sith has shown weakness, they are deserving of death.”

“Do you feel as though the penalty of your crimes should be death?” The justicar says.

“I believe that my fate was decided by the Voice the moment I decided to fight one who was stronger than I.”

The Justicar turns to the Voice, “Very well… Marick, what punishment would you decide for Areticus here?”

Marick raised a brow and looked to Areticus, “I suppose, my lord. A slap on the wrist. He looks to be punished enough. His expedition lies in ruins as well as his body.”

Areticus breathed a sigh of relief at seeing the Justicar shrug and exit the room. He looked to Marick with the best nod he could manage from his position. He felt both relief and disdain for the decision Marick made, for Areticus would have not been as merciful.