Knight to Echo Eight - Star Wars RP: A Galaxy At War Forum

Knight to Echo Eight

Alyn_Stark

Date: Thursday, 12 Jul 2012, 0:31 AM | Message # 1

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The Kinyov Province Police Forces came in squads to several places just after Alyn Stark's rousing speech to the people. One squad showed up at Harald Lennon's Democratic Party headquarters and one at his home, with a third on patrol just in case he was not located at either of those. All squads were carrying warrants for Lennon's arrest on the charges of inciting rebellion on an Imperial world, acting in a manner contrary to the betterment of Imperial citizens and the much less published charge of treason against the Emperor. In such a case as they did find him, the ranking officer would politely request that Lennon accompany them to the local precinct area where he'd be placed in temporary holding for the time being while he received legal counsel, if he wished.

Alyn Stark
Lord of Kinyov
Senior Captain, Retired, Republic Navy
Head of House Malos (former)
Licensed bounty hunter
Majority shareholder, Lorrd Engineering
Owner, Stark Defense Conglomerate
Civilian Medal of Honor recipient
Representative, Lorrd (10 BBY-9 BBY)

Harald_Lennon

Date: Thursday, 12 Jul 2012, 2:20 AM | Message # 2

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The Kinyov Police were captured in several spots as they stormed into the locations of a peaceful democratic movement that had only ever advocated peace. The camera systems in these places were naturally transferred to the galactic media and local media to allow coverage of the moment.

Harald Lennon sat having a cup of tea with his wife in their fairly unremarkable middle class home in one of Qatamers suburbs, he stood as the death troopers marched in to arrest him - faceless as ever. "Thus died freedom of speech.." said the older man to bis wife "Hello chaps. Well I'm ready to go, I can't say this is unexpected. Ever has it been the way of tyrants to arrest those who call them to account, even through the most peaceful measures. Well, no need for a fuss boys. I'll come quietly."

Paparazzi and press generally would crowd as he was lead out of the house by the people he had described as death troopers, wearing a shirt with "Freedom of Speech" written across its back. Within hours there would be protests, even if many did not like Lennon, they believed in freedom of speech and to arrest a political opponent on such trumped up travesties or a charge was likely to cause an outrage across the sector.

Naturally he would request to be allowed his own attorney - and if allowed would call him and have him sent.

Harald Lennon
____________

Chancellor of Lorrd University
Egregious Professor of Political Science
Owner of the Kinyov Guardian and Lorrd Daily News
COMPNOR Member and Donor
Founder Member and Primus Inter Pares of the Kinyov Democratic Party

Alyn_Stark

Date: Thursday, 12 Jul 2012, 8:24 PM | Message # 3

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Showing up at the party headquarters, asking as to his whereabouts was hardly storming in. There was no kicking in of doors or brutality in this matter, so the cameras were more than free to capture officers of the law executing their duty. Unless Lennon also had reporters surrounding his house twenty-four hours a day, the arrest, which was made in the early evening, would not be all that widely publicized.

Lennon was treated respectfully by the police forces, even as he was placed into a holding cell. He was told he would be appointed a Lorrdian defense council, as per the laws of Lorrd, who would assist Lennon until the trial. It wasn't long, however, after the word of protests came, that a police force lieutenant came to Lennon's cell.

"Mr. Lennon, due to the issues that arose earlier in the week between your own party and the fellows who spoke for Lord Stark, we're going to move you to a more secure location. You'll be taken to a more comfortable holding cell at The Passage. If all goes as planned, you'll be moved within the next day or two."

Harald_Lennon

Date: Friday, 13 Jul 2012, 4:36 AM | Message # 4

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As with most famous people - he did have reporters around 24 hours a day - especially such a prominent politician and media personality. The footage of the old academic being lead away by the Lorrdian "Death Troopers" the most popular news publication in the Kanz Sector would run rolling news on the arrest. The lack of evidence presented was notable and the Lennon media played this element up, calling this a simply act of political violence which vindicated the argument that Lennon had always made.

As the man entered Lennons room he was quietly drawing, a small hobby he liked to while away the hours with, he seemed placidly unconcerned and smiled as the man entered, nodding as he spoke. "I object in the strongest terms possible to being moved to a "more comfortable cell" - are you charging me with the crimes you arrested me for? If not, am I free to go? If I am charged, please list to me the exact crimes I am accused of - youve accused me of treason against the Emperor at my arrest - this is outside your jurisdiction. I would also like to see the attorney appointed for me also.

The protests went home after the initial days protest. Their point was made and after a completely peaceful candle lit vigil in which the following message Lennon had lodged with a local attorney in the event of his arrest for treason was run. However, hunreds of letters and holomessages would begin to arrive at the Lorrdian prison at which Lennon was being held pledging support. Holomessages by the tens and then hundreds of thousands would begin to bombard the Lorrdian Government each hour expressing outrage as the Lennon Media (also prevalent across other Sectors) ran his "Arrest Address" and also unfavourable coverage of Alyn Starks government. The fact the story was now circulating so widely would cause within 48 hours it to begin to be mentioned on the Galactic news channels. The holonet pettion also began to run virally our of control with the story's spread..

"People of the Empire and Kanz Sector, I`ve been arrested now. And it seems that on Lorrd there is no freedom of speech to criticise the Lords who are leading us down the path of war with our neighbours. Peace is what I call for, and that is what threatens Lord Stark so much - I do not call for armed revolt, that is exactly what he would like me to call for but I do not and never have. I am a man of peace, I have spent my life advocating the betterment of all men and the Empire and equipping the next generation to become a competitive part of this Empire we live in.

It's likely that under the present system dominated by the Lords I will die (either after conviction on trumped up charges or in a mysterious accident) or be incarcerated indefinately for speaking my mind. My friends, I have a very important message for you; that is not to let this lead you toward violence or disorder - peaceful and legal resistance to tyranny is a far more effective and long lasting solvent for the way the Lords have imposed their control over us.

I can promise you, that despite the allegations I have never committed treason against anyone, and that this arrest of myself is a sheerly political act to attempt to discredit myself - but it will not. I urge all beings across the Kanz Sector and the galaxy generally who believe in Justice, the key virtue of the Empire - to write to the Lorrdian Legislature and Moff Shirnoq to request that this obscene decision be reversed and an attempt be made to shed this shame which Lorrd brings upon itself.

Maybe this generation will not be free of the Lords, but I am confident in such a free and fair society as the Empire we can only expect the ideas of brotherhood and justice (as expressed in the Declaration of the New Order) will demonstrated that we only owe true fealty to the Empire and it's fairly elected ruler. We owe nothing to the Lords on Lorrd, as we owe nothing to the Argazdan slavers. I know in time, and with hard work, Lorrd will be free, peaceful and serene - a beacon of hope which will demonstrate that we can be better than the Argazdans, as lovers of peace. That is why I love the Empire gentlebeings, because the Empire is the state that had the courage to unite men, to protect them and bring justice uniformly applied - as my arrest demonstrates, Lorrd is at present an aberration from that Imperial ideal.

Lorrd ought not to be split, it ought to be united in the face of illegitimate arrests or violence. The conflict with the Argazdans has been perpetuated for too long; let us set it behind us and move ahead as a peaceful and industrious people, people producing more than the war machines of Alyn Stark.

If war comes - do not take sides. Peacefully refuse to serve in any war that sets one ethnic group against another, by all means continue your normal jobs but violence only begets violence (as is demonstrated by the fact that we're talking about a conflict with Argazda a hundred generations on from our original conflict).

At all times, you should, if you believe in the ideals of the Democratic Party, comport yourself with dignity, passivity and never resort to violence. I urge Moff Shirnoq and the Empire to intervene directly in all cases of Argazdan-Lorrdian violence and keep the peace - if both sides are firing - both sides should be disciplined by the Empire. The war on Slovo should be stopped now, and the involved parties arrested as criminals breaching the peace of the Empire.

Let us always remember what unites us, the Empire and Brotherhood of all men, and shun all those who would divide us or force us to go and kill men because they happen to be a different ethnic group. As ever, do not meet violence with violence, injustice with injustice, to my supporters that is all I ask, to maintain peace, harmony and dignity while protesting firmly, legally and consistently at injustice against you and I."

Alyn_Stark

Date: Friday, 13 Jul 2012, 9:38 AM | Message # 5

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There was no lack of evidence; inciting rebellion on Lorrd was in itself a serious charge, as was acting contrary to a manner of the betterment of the Imperial populace. Destabilization and protests were the sign of the times, and the tenets of the New Order did hold strongly on Lorrd, which was, in a major way, already a testament to the New Order's ideals.

The lieutenant who came to visit Lennon nodded slightly as the man objected to the transfer. "You are being charged with inciting rebellion on Lorrd and with acting in a manner contrary to the betterment of Imperial citizens as a breach of the tenets of the New Order. The charges of treason against the Emperor have been dropped in order to keep this matter Lorrdian-internal. You will be allowed to speak with your appointed defense council in forty-eight more hours. The Lorrdian justice system, as you know, has a seventy-two hour hold where no action other than confinement is taken. However... you do have a visitor."

The officer departed the room to allow, of all people, Alyn Stark to enter.

Lennon's speech would be met with some criticism, as well as disbelief. Nobody assumed the man would die in prison; Lorrd's justice system did not advocate quick death trials or the murder of convicts easily; that the man would make such an assumption was an affront to the world's justice system; one not taken lightly. While Lennon's media outlets would be slandering Lorrd, other larger media outlets, those controlled by Houses Malos and Volmen, would be doing their best to counter-act. House Garth, though, was strangely silent so far through their media outlets, choosing to wait.

When he spoke of war between the Argazdan and Lorrdian people, many were unsure of what he meant. True, Lorrd was aware of the fighting going on between mining guilds at Destrando City, but word of the attack on the Lorrdian convoy and its destruction had not yet come in. Lorrd, after all, had no space presence at Slovo.

Harald_Lennon

Date: Friday, 13 Jul 2012, 5:26 PM | Message # 6

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Lennon didn't have much choice but to meet Stark. He stood politely upon the man entering his cell - he didn't have anything in particular against the man himself rather he was in opposition to the mans office itself - it's arbitrary nature. As mentioned previously he had stated that Stark might make a good President of Lorrd but the fact remained was that he should be elected to that office.

"Hello Alyn, how can I be of service?"

Alyn_Stark

Date: Friday, 13 Jul 2012, 7:20 PM | Message # 7

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Stark appraised the older man for a long moment, then sat in one of the cell's two chairs, thinking carefully on what he wanted to say. While Lennon might not have anything in particular against Stark, Stark had been the verifiable target of some very personal attacks; attacks that had left him on the defensive for a good minute while also balancing word of an angered Argazdan presence alongside representing Lorrd, submitting bills to the Senate, running three legitimate businesses and overseeing a criminal empire. Above it all, it had left him very little time with his fiance, which strangely perhaps, angered him more than everything else.

"You say you are innocent, Harald, and I ask you this: who is innocent? No one is innocent. Is it even relevant in the galaxy today?" Stark shook his head tiredly. "Your lawyers all clamoring for your release and petitions across the Outer Rim sicken me. Out there right now, a killer walks again, freed by evil men in a dark charade." Were such things happening? Oh, it was true, sadly. Very true. "Out there now, some mother's selfish pride that leads to her child's homicide; can she be to blame? All the while, your suited vultures circle. Some father's cruelty turns into a murdered family and you preach about democracy. Is the galaxy insane? And all the while, your people, your defenders are ready to embrace their lies with their devious smiles."

Stark paused for another moment, then closed his eyes as he continued. "Innocent until proven guilty... presumed innocent, justice fails again in this masquerade. Out there, Harald, some poor battered woman is trembling while her lover is drunk again. When will the torture in her web of shame end? Is death the only way? Worst of all," Stark's voice rose slightly, "A child victimized with the crime politicized for the counselor's gain. The rabid media, not unlike the media you control congregates. That poor child's tortured memories and a pervert's fantasies for everyone to see. I ask you again, is the galaxy insane? All of this, this parasitic devastation I see on my holoscreen."

Stark composed himself for a moment, then took a deep breath. By the Force, he was tired! "Your corruption, Harald, is like a cancer growing inside. You owe this world, you owe Lorrd an apology. You may have been taught all your life that the truth is easy to hide, but you'll face your judgement another day... and you'll suffer eternally.

"So call off your dogs. Call off your rabid lawyers and your even more terrible media that only reports what you perceive as the truth. The charges of treason against the Emperor have been dropped. You may go to trial or you may not. You did incite issues on Lorrd that are contrary to what the Empire wants. I commend you for your persistence. You are a tenacious man, Harald... and for that much I will see certain changes are made. You'll get some of what you fought for, but I want you off my world. You've already been stripped of your chancellorship. Someone powerful is backing you, I can tell that much from the ISB personnel who followed you and your pull with COMPNOR. But if all goes well and you are released without trial, which I feel may happen, get off my world. Take your wife and go to Imperial Center and become some bureaucrat.

"Go and live out your years happily, Harald. Leave Lorrd as it is. The system works, as much as you may dislike it. You may hate my position as lord of the Kinyov Province, but I'd die a thousand deaths before I let people in this province and all of Lorrd go to tyranny. I've bled for my world and for the Empire and-" Stark sighed again and rubbed his temples. "Just leave, Harald. Leave Lorrd. That's how you can be of service. Your ideals here are disruptive and upset the order that the people have come to trust in. Just leave."

Harald_Lennon

Date: Saturday, 14 Jul 2012, 1:24 AM | Message # 8

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Harald was taken aback by the bizzare and ethically myopic speech given by Alyn Stark. It was not hugely convincing by any standards - "Was anyone innocent?" this was the kind of language used by two bit dictators and genocidal maniacs since time out of mind. However, despite his amusement he did not allow it to show in his body language or laugh in the face of the Dictator.

"Alyn, you sound more like a man trying to convince himself than convince me. You preach a creed which I doubt deep down you truly believe. I don't believe that you find justice nearly so abominable as the words you speak imply..You are a young man with a great deal of power, and no doubt responsibility, you come here, with all your menaces and power to demand I leave the world of my birth? I will not do that Alyn - I will not leave the people I love, nor my home any more than you would.

Now, you could threaten my wife and family - put them in prison or execute them too perhaps? All of it is within your power. You could probably even just take the sidearm of a guard and put a round through my head and escape prosecution for my murder - except you know it would not profit you. The Democratic Party is under my leadership a peaceful movement which has little or no potential for civil disturbance.

And you know what would happen if I was exiled? You think the party would die? I doubt it.. instead you would be feeding the fire, just as coming to my meeting kindled it and arresting me lit that kindling... however, if you do see your way to taking the dignified action and assenting to democracy I would guarantee that I would support no movement to oust you from your house and property. I would quietly return to my academic work - you Alyn Stark would be remembered as a hero to the state of Kinyov Province, the enlightened Lord who brought about the start of rule by the people.

Exile me, execute me, imprison me.. all of these will only have the impact of hastening the end of your dynasty; it is mathematically probable that unless there is a peaceful change now there will be a violent one in around the decade. I honestly don't want violence to come to Lorrd - by the time that violence came I would likely be dead of natural causes anyway.

The question Alyn Stark is what kind of man do you want to be remembered as? One who stepped on the head of a fellow Lorrdian who merely sought for all to have equal power in how his state was run... or one who's enlightened mind freed the people from their traditional bonds and because of this wisdom was elected and re-elected as the Governor of Kinyov Province. and perhaps all Lorrd?

If you take the path of riteousness, I can guarantee you that you will make a friend of Harald Lennon, and neither I nor my supporters will prove an obstacle to you."

Alyn_Stark

Date: Saturday, 14 Jul 2012, 6:36 AM | Message # 9

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The way the justice system worked on some worlds in the galaxy, as well as considering the highly-overpaid lawyers that seemed to get certain beings off the hook for terrible crimes, it was quite possible to ask the rhetorical question of 'who is innocent?'

"I find justice when it is not carried out correctly to be abominable. It is for that reason that I would never threaten or execute your wife or family, throw them in prison for a crime they did not commit or even murder you in your cell. Regardless of what you may think of me, that's not who I am in the slightest. I have not even demanded to leave Lorrd. I have asked, in the best way I can.

"I will have you know, Harald, that you are incorrect about there being a warlike change. I assume you refer to House Garth and its personal dislike of me? One House would never move against any of the others... even if two Houses were aligned. None of them are foolish enough to upset the balance for so little gain in power. Garth hates me, Harald, not House Malos. Me, the last surviving blood member of that House.

"As for this position? Lord of the Kinyov Province? I never asked for it. When the mantle of responsibility came, I stepped to the plate. Nonetheless, I have given it some thought. The title of 'lord' is outmoded. I intend to change it to 'governor' and see that elections are held for the position every four years. Even if I were to support your ideals, it would appear acting in that manner would be contrary to my good graces.

"COMPNOR members scattered your protestors not long ago. Your protestors have been likened to rebels and subversives. It has even been publicized that you are 'suffering from exhaustion' that has caused your more 'rhetorical excess.' Within the next three days, a very pro-Imperial rally will be held which I have been invited to, alongside Moff Shirnoq. Surely you understand what this means? The Empire wishes this system to stay as it is. I am a man of the Empire, Harald, and I will not go against its wishes for my world. I cannot as a loyal Imperial citizen.

"You believe I wish to be elected governor of Lorrd? President, perhaps, to use your terms? I don't want that, Harald. It is more than enough that I returned to politics as the Lorrdian Representative. It is not my wish to govern an entire planet, nor has it ever been. I will not step on your head, now or ever, but the balance has shifted. You have no more supporters, or at least very, very few, and none of it was my doing. Granted, Miss Riley wrote a very touching letter that I was unaware of that won her the love of the people, but that is not the same.

"There is no obstacle here, no exile, if you do not choose to leave. I simply look at the larger picture and hope you see what will happen if these ideas continue along this path."

Harald_Lennon

Date: Saturday, 14 Jul 2012, 6:57 AM | Message # 10

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"Well, having a complete communications blackout I have no choice but to take what you say at face value. Even if the Empire is desirious of the system staying the way it is then that does not change my opinon. Your ancestors and mine Alyn were slaves under the system of Slavery the Argazdans forced upon us - I am not doing what I am doing because any hidden puppet masters make me Mr Stark - I am doing what I am doing because I believe that it is right and proper to do so.

You may delude yourself in any manner you see fit as regards your reasoning for wishing to remain as an unelected Lord, but history will judge you as a ruler who was offered the chance of becoming the most enlightened of the Lords ever to rule and threw it away - not because he feared the Empire's ruling - we both know that you are a man who is hardly a "zealot" of the New Order; you will simply be using that excuse to cling to power. I know that is wrong - you know that is wrong..

If the Emperor or his duly appointed representatives ask me to cease - I will happily do it. I would also sleep much more peaceefully in my bed knowing the Kinyov Province had a democratically elected Governor rather than one who was not.

If you choose to light the torch of democracy in the Kinyov Province, then I can retire happily. We can both appear on stage att this "rally" you propose, shaking my hand with my full endorsement for Governor of the Kinyov Province."

Alyn_Stark

Date: Saturday, 14 Jul 2012, 7:19 AM | Message # 11

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"This rally, this COMPNOR rally, Mr. Lennon, I did not propose it. I'm afraid you cannot be released in time to attend it. Within forty-eight hours... well, a little less now, your appointed Lorrdian defender will arrive and you will be able to present your facts to him and, at that time, you will be able to choose a Lorrdian attorney if you wish to not utilize the Lorrdian defender.

"An unelected lord I mat be, presently, but whether or not that will change is in my hands. I am sure history will judge me harshly as a lot of things, but by then, I'll be dead, and my reputation isn't likely to matter too much to me. While I may not be an extreme zealot of the New Order, such as the honorable Governor-General Tu'Rot of Acherin, I am certainly a supporter of the New Order. I don't need any excuses to cling to power, for I do not cling. I exercise it in a responsible manner.

"When this change is implemented, you will be the first to know, I'm sure."

Harald_Lennon

Date: Saturday, 14 Jul 2012, 7:22 AM | Message # 12

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"I merely wished to offer. If you want to add my name in support of the declaration of such an announcement - you may do so. Once I have my attorney I will instruct my media interests to support such as well (or you could carry the messae for me).

Either way.. I think we both know which way mutual pleasure and profit lies."

Alyn_Stark

Date: Saturday, 14 Jul 2012, 7:25 AM | Message # 13

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"Indeed, Mr. Lennon. Indeed. I will leave you to your thoughts."

Stark rose, nodded once and departed the room, leaving Lennon alone for the time.