The Lawyers and the Lawless

1999 short story by Jonathan Hicks

Five years before Episode IV – A New Hope

“Enter.”

The heavy blast-proof door slid upwards at high speed and with a loud hiss. It disappeared into the ceiling, as if it had never been, making the entrance to the large quarters appear as if any could walk in.

Trace Dallagra stepped in, a heavy portacomp in one hand and her electrospecs in the other. Her nervousness was offset by her professionalism and resolve, and as she shuffled into the room dressed in her best official suit she started to relax as the Imperial commander opposite her turned from a wall display and smiled.

“Why, Miss Dallagra.” The officer said his smile out of place on his hard features. “Welcome aboard the ISD Malevolent.”

The two Stormtroopers who had escorted the woman to the quarters stepped back and snapped to attention, remaining on the outside of the room as the blast door slid down. The officer walked forward to shake hands, but Trace shrugged and showed her full grip. The officer smiled and took the portacomp from her.

“Thank you for the invite Captain Terrov.” She said, watching him carefully as he placed the heavy unit on a large display table. He appeared to be well built under his tight uniform, but his lined face and shock of white hair at his temples betrayed his age. “Always a pleasure.”

“Some Leogard caffeine, perhaps?” Terrov motioned to a drink dispenser.

“No, thank, I’m afraid I don’t have long.”

Terrov nodded and motioned for her to sit down on a high backed chair at the table. He sat at the other side and interlocked his fingers.

Trace looked around the sparse quarters. No decoration, no sign of personal belongings. To her right was huge viewing window, showing the glowing curvature of Zelon below. She was startled to see a three-winged shuttle and two TIE fighter escorts shoot past the window and head into orbit. Terrov noticed her gaze and smiled.

“I chose these quarters because they’re right below the main hangar bay. I can watch every ship that comes and goes.”

With a smile, Trace spun the portacomp to face her and lifted the top. It turned on automatically, and she pressed several buttons in a pre-arranged order. A holographic display emerged; first a white line three feet high and then expanding to show the revolving face of an Imperial officer with narrowed eyes and blonde hair.

“To business then.” Trace said, leaning back in her seat. “This man, a certain Lieutenant Hollgus from this destroyer, was arrested three nights ago for assault and murder during an enquiry into a paint attack on an Imperial recruiting post. Since Zelon is only under partial Imperial control, he was arrested by the Chancai Security Forces and locked away for questioning and charging.”

“You waste no time, Miss Dallagra. Are the officers on Chancai sure of his involvement in this crime?”

“They are. They have several images captured on camera seeker and eyewitness accounts from all of the people in the Bar Innocence at the time. What confuses me is why you have asked Dallagra Lawyer Services to defend this man, who is so obviously guilty. Don’t you have your own laws governing military conduct?”

Terrov leaned forward and stared at the glowing, disembodied head revolving before him.

“We do, but there are alternative reasons as to why your company was hired.”

The lawyer shuddered at the menace in Terrov’s voice.

“What kind of reasons?”

“You may do with Lieutenant Hollgus as you wish. He is a fool and will be no loss to my forces. I wish to discuss with you something of a totally different nature.”

Trace closed the lid on the portacomp and grabbed its handle.

“Captain, you called me up here to discuss the trial of one of your own lieutenants and that is all I am at liberty to talk about.”

“Miss Dallagra, I want you to impress on the Chancai Board of Governors why it would be a good idea for an increased Imperial presence on Zelon. I know you have the ear of several seats, and I think you would make more of an impression than a Star Destroyer sitting in orbit and disturbing the locals.”

An outrage! Dallagra screamed inwardly.

“Forgive me saying so Captain,” she said, suppressing the shake in her voice. “but I was under the impression that the Empire were more... forthright in their acquisition of new territory. This underhanded manipulation of bureaucracy seems a little different from the characteristic approach.”

She had let the words tumble from her mouth without considering the implication. She was so used to speaking her mind at board meetings and gatherings. But this was the Empire. What you said and thought decided your fate. She stood from the chair, stock still, and waited for a reproach.

Terrov’s face was expressionless. He stared at Trace with eyes that betrayed no emotion, no reaction to her words.

She waited.

She was surprised when his face took on a small smile, one which worried Trace more than any scowl or words of retribution could have done.

“Thank you for your honesty, Miss Dallagra.” He said with a low, calm voice. “It’s appreciated.”

Trace picked up her portacomp and started to speak, but Terrov beat her to it. “Now let me be honest,” Terrov continued.

“I don’t give a damn about that officer. He was a fool and only got his commission through ‘underhanded manipulation’ and a few well placed friends. Well, his friends are all the way back on Coruscant now. What happens to him is no longer my worry.

“I wanted you up here because I wanted to make you an offer. I know you work on the side for Glann Cipple. Working for a crime lord is not what I’d call an honest trade. A little uncharacteristic for a lawyer, wouldn’t you say? I know you handle extradition and deportation cases to help out Cipple’s people and keep an eye on council rulings when at board meetings to help Cipple out.”

“How dare you...”

“Accuse you of these things? Seven standard hours ago you helped three smugglers get past port officials by showing them the loophole in the customs inspection routine. Thirty-seven hours previous to that you raised questionable data to free a hired hitman also in the employment of Cipple. Eighty-three hours ago you were at a board meeting about illegal importation crackdowns with a transmitter sending details of the meeting to an operative who passed on the relevant information to Cipple. Stop me when you’ve heard enough. I know these things. I know your fondness towards Glann Cipple’s operation and many of his personnel. I also have data regarding a bungled raid on a spice refinery on Cantarr Bi Romou, something your brother Boba was a part of. I could have him picked up and executed at a moment’s notice. Before you refuse my next offer, I wish you to think on that.”

Trace said nothing.

“There’s no point in the Empire simply invading Zelon. The city of Chancai is the centre of trade in the Setnin Sector, and blowing parts of it up would gain us nothing. The whole place will make an excellent source of revenue, and its strategic location in the sector will be worth protecting with, say, two or three garrisons. My superiors do not want a hostile take-over; they want a slow integration into the city. I’m hoping I can count on you to facilitate that integration.”

“I can’t...”

“Miss Dallagra, let me be blunt. You either help us with this operation or I will have you and all your staff arrested for aiding and abetting a known criminal, and then execute your brother for the attempted destruction of property on an Imperial-held planet.”

“What you threaten me with is tiny compared to what’ll happen if Glann finds out about this.”

“Then I suggest he doesn’t find out. Besides, I’m sure Cipple would kill you quickly. I won’t be so kind.”

Trace was sure that Terrov would take great pleasure in taking care of her, her friends and her family personally. She did not give an answer to his offer, and turned for the blast door.

“A pleasure meeting you at last, Miss Dallagra.” Terrov said, and turned to a readout to study other business.

She walked from the room, flanked by the two Stormtroopers, and started her walk to the shuttle bay.

Terrov keyed in several numbers to a communicator after the doors had closed and waited for a response from the other end of the connection.

“Yes.” A voice came from the speaker, but the holographic projector did not show who it was. Terrov knew that only one person ever answered this particular commline.

“I’ve just had my meeting with Miss Dallagra. You were right about her. I’m sure she’ll be very useful.”

“As I said. Did you use the information about her brother? About her dealings?”

“Of course. I think the Imperial take over of Zelon will be a low-key affair. And we have you to thank for it.”

“When your officers came to me I was a little dubious, but even I am not fool enough to resist the New Order.”

“Very wise, Glann. Very wise.”

The Lawyers and the Lawless

1999 short story by Jonathan Hicks

Five years before Episode IV - A New Hope

Histories - Set some five years before the Battle of Yavin, this short Jonathan Hicks story shows the plantings of the initial seeds, which would bring the Empire crashing right through the Setnin Sector. Pitting Captain Terrov and the lawyer Trace Dallagra in a battle of wits, this clever little story also includes a brief cameo by Glann Cipple - showing the depths of his contacts and the lengths to which he would go to manipulate them.

Cast of Characters

Captain Terrov

Trace Dallagra