Epilog: Repercussions

A sentient could barely hear its own thoughts over the intense din generated by the combined voices clamoring for justice. This wasn't the only war-crimes trial being held, but it was the only one everyone really cared about, the one everyone wanted to see. Jedi, soldiers, HoloNet News reporters, Republic leaders, and common citizens representing nearly every known species from all over the galaxy had been converging on Coruscant for weeks to finally gather here, at the Galactic Court of Justice, to witness the trial of the millennia.

HoloNet News had been all over the story from the beginning. It was a common joke that star HoloNet News Reporter, Stella Regal, had known about the impending trail before the accused was even formally charged. For weeks, Stella and other reporters had swarmed Coruscent, interviewing senators, Republic officers, Jedi, local residents, and members of the steadily growing throngs of off-worlders to get whatever scoop they could. And the viewers, the people who couldn't afford the pilgrimage to see events as they unfolded in person, ate it all up. The ratings were though the roof. Everybody in every home, cantina, and storefront were tuning in.

In a segment that may have made Stella's career, the bold reporter attempted to interview a Sith prisoner, a dark jedi, and one of the few survivors from the battle of Rakata Prime. The intrepid reporter, bombarded the Sith known only as 'Vlad' with a plethora of intrusive questions. Asking everything ranging between 'What made you fall to the dark side?' to - simply to fill time, no doubt- 'Are your undergarments also black?' The hostile Vlad mostly just gave sarcastic answers, the displeasure in his voice steadily escalating to outright fury as the interview progressed. The interview came to an abrupt halt when the enraged Vlad, no longer attempting to contain his fury, began thrashing about violently within his force cage. The reporter retreated several steps as the enraged Sith shouted all manner of nasty threats directed at the reporter, his Republic guards, the Republic itself, Jedi, and - if Stella had heard him right - gizka. It made for an entertaining soundbite.

As his sedatives kicked in, the Sith mumbled something about, 'True Sith' and 'impending doom.' Before he could be asked to clarify, he slipped out of consciousness. He has since refused any further comment leaving people only to speculate as to weather the Sith was simply making another idle threat, or if there was really more to it, and if there was, what.

A week prior to the trial, newly elected Republic senator Vince Wulf issued a statement in his press conference. He vehementlydemanded the immediate death of all of those responsible for the atrocities that had been unleashed upon the Republic over the years of war. He made it a point to clarify that he was a strong proponent of the execution of the one particular Sith everyone was there to see.

Admiral Dodonna, the hero of Rakatta Prime however, while being interviewed by Ms. Regal, implored the court to show lenience on 'the accused' in lieu of her contribution to republic victory. Some Republic soldiers and Jedi shared the Admiral's view. Jedi masters, however, refused to comment.

The Admiral, almost immediately following the Republic Victory, assembled her forces on the newly discovered planet Lehon for rest and an impromptu celebration. It was there she publicly awarded nine of the ten crewmembers of the Ebon Hawk with the Cross of Glory. One crewmember however, was conspicuously absent.

For days HoloNet News showcased footage from the battle and the ensuing celebrations all day everyday, pausing their coverage only for the occasional Czerka commercial. Images of joyous crowds celebrating on every planet and on every capital ship were broadcast. Key players in the battle gave speeches and interviews. They were instantly famous war heroes. It was revealed in one interview with Commander Carth Onasi, that there existed a tenth crewmember, a Jedi, who'd refused to appear in public celebration or meet with any member of the press was responsible for finally defeating Darth Malak and was, in his opinion, most responsible for Republic Victory. According to Commander Onasi, this Jedi was also offered the hero's cross, but declined for reasons the Commander couldn't elaborate on.

Rumors abounded of the mysterious tenth crewmember. Many sentiments insisted that the elusive Jedi was whatever species the spreader of the rumor was. Others however, insisted that the hero was of some unknown or long forgotten race. Radicals claimed that their savior was 'the chosen one' who would herald in a new age of justice and peace. A minority however disputed the claim that there ever was in fact a tenth crewmember at all.

Everyone wanted a name: mothers so they could name their children for the hero, radicals, so they could name their newfound cult, skeptics so they could research the existence of the last crewmember, and reporters, so they could get the scoop before anyone else and boost their careers. Then somehow, the truth was finally leaked. All hell broke loose.

The news suddenly turned sour yet it retained its appeal. Sentiments continued to watch as images of rioting, mass panic, and public outrage, and reports of assignation attempts on various authorities dominated the Holocast. The public was shocked. How could their hero, the hero , be the villain ? Mobs called for the immediate execution of the villain, expressed disgust for the Jedi, and even a few officers of the Republic as rumors of conspiracy and deception spread like wildfire.

A man, a woman, a human, a zabrak, a gizka, some even speculated that the villain was in fact a droid. Nobody knew as the villain had yet to appear before cameras and the people who knew for certain had kept their mouths shut. Some insisted that it was the villain who was behind the creation of the Star Forge. Others questioned whether or not the villain really did kill Darth Malak. There were unconfirmed reports of Malak being sighted throughout the galaxy, most particularly on Coruscant. Nobody knew what to believe admits the chaos and confusion of hearsay and delusion.

Shortly thereafter, the trial date was announced. The trial would take place before the Supreme Court on Coruscant. It would be public and members of the press would be allowed to record the proceedings. Immediately the Galaxy was hooked. Sentiments from all over scrambled for any information they could get about what would surely be the most infamous trial in Republic history.

Finally, the courthouse doors slid open. An entourage of heavily armed Republic soldiers and Jedi Knights escorted the criminal inside. The view of the light and crowd behind them gradually shrank as the massive doors slid shut behind the procession. For a brief moment there was near silence, save for the sound of the precession's footfalls reverberating within the large stone-floored room.

Ignoring the taunts and jeers of the crowds and the paparazzi's demands for attention, the accused silently strode down the hall and took her seat. She focused her gaze on her fingers, which she'd gently laced together and set atop the desk before her. The Chief Justice called the court to order. Stella Regal fidgeted in her seat. The cameras were rolling. Darth Revan's trial had begun.