Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 05_ Allies - Christie Golden [88]
The other Sith emanated the same dark miasma. He was an older human, very distinguished looking, with pale green eyes. He, too, wore traditional Sith robes, and walked about half a meter behind the female. Both drew up to the podium and bowed deeply, then stepped to the left and stood at attention, hands clasped behind their backs.
The door opened again. Jaina heard the soft humming sound of a repulsorsled. It bore a particularly corpulent and unattractive representative of the Hutt species, and seemed to be straining to do so. The Hutt’s sled moved forward to the dais. He looked around, his eyes almost buried in folds of dark blue, glistening flesh, then waved one of his stubby arms in what was clearly intended to be a gesture of respect and ended up merely looking like flailing. He strained for the controls, then moved the hoversled to the right of the podium, opposite the two Sith. Darima got to his feet, holding firmly to his staff.
“Captain Leeha Faal, of the Winged Dagger,” he said, addressing the woman, and then, “Captain Vyn Holpur, of the Starstalker. Captain Holpur, you have several charges levied against you. You have been accused of violating the no-technology zone of the Fountain of the Hutt Ancients, of killing several guards who attempted to defend it, and most disturbingly of all, of physically damaging the Fountain itself.” His voice broke on the last charge. “Captain Faal, it is our understanding that Captain Holpur answers to you, and therefore you are here as well. The same charges apply to you, as Holpur is under your command.”
Both Sith nodded. “We understand,” said Faal.
Darima turned toward the Hutt. “Tooga Jalliissi Gral, you are in charge of the defense of this world, including that of the sacred Fountain. Considering all that hinges upon protection of the Fountain, one might have thought that it would have been a top priority for you. Yet you have failed to protect it from those who would desecrate it.”
Tooga, to his credit, seemed to be taking the proceedings very seriously. As well he should, Jaina thought. He rumbled, “These are grave charges, Chancellor, and I hope that I will be able to prove the Hutts innocent of dereliction of our duty.”
Darima nodded, and gestured to one of the other Elders. He moved forward. “Six standard hours ago, the guards of the Fountain of the Hutt Ancients reported a vessel approaching …”
Jaina listened with horrified fascination as the Elder gave the Klatooinian version of the events. A recording of the warning the guards issued was played, but it offered very little insight. When Lando inquired and asked if there were any recordings of the actual violation, he was told that it was considered blasphemous to even direct such technology upon the Fountain within the one-kilometer zone.
Jaina sighed.
Darima rose when the Elder was finished, and regarded the two Sith captains. “Captain Faal, Captain Holpur, you may speak.”
“Thank you,” said Faal. She moved forward to stand directly in front of Jaina and Lando. Knowing it was fruitless but having to try anyway, Jaina reached out in the Force to get a sense of the woman. There was nothing; she was, of course, adept at hiding her presence in the Force.
“There are certain facts in this case that I would like our two … judges, I suppose? … to be aware of,” Faal continued. Jaina couldn’t help but notice that Holpur stayed where he was. He, too, was blocking his presence in the Force. Jaina thought she could get more information from a potted plant.
“The first is that our vessels have been here for several days. We have violated none of your rules, and indeed, we have been useful in actively preventing