Read Online Star Wars: The Last of the Jedi, Volume 5 by Jude Watson - Free Book Online

said. “They’re to conduct
the trial of Roan and Dona. If we went directly to the ship, we could fly right into the cargo hold. We could pose as the team and get aboard.”
    “Wouldn’t the real team contact the ship when the ship never showed up for them?” Oryon asked.
    “We’d have a couple of hours. We could free Roan and Dona and control the ship,” Solace said. “This idea is so new that Roan and Dona are the only prisoners. It’s
mostly staffed by droids.”
    “Yeah, a new model of security droids,” Trever pointed out. “The ones with dual laser cannons.”
    “Not so easy,” Oryon said.
    “I didn’t say it was easy,” Solace said. “But it’s our only chance.”
    Trever stirred nervously as Solace guided the ship to a landing hangar inside the Imperial ship. He had no idea what a law clerk actually did, or how a law clerk would speak or
act. He had no doubt that a law clerk would be smarter than he was. Maybe it would be a good idea to keep his mouth shut.
    Oryon spoke to him in a soft voice. “The trick is to believe you are what you say you are.”
    “That’s some trick.”
    Solace activated the ramp and turned to them. “Just follow my lead,” she said.
    They walked down the ramp. An Imperial officer waited for them.
    Solace nodded at him shortly. “I am Judge Bellican. This is Attorney Tomay Alcorn and clerk Sam Weller.”
    “First Officer Dicken. Follow me.”
    The officer led them to the cockpit. The captain sat in the control post. He stood as they came in and Officer Dicken introduced them. “We understood that you’d meet us at the
spaceport,” Captain Tran said.
    “Change in plan,” Solace said. “There are compelling reasons to speed up the trial.”
    “I’d like to see the prisoners,” Oryon said.
    “They’re in lockdown. The trial will begin in five minutes.”
    “That does not give me enough time to prepare a case—” Oryon said. The plan had been for them to release Roan and Dona as soon as they could.
    He was interrupted by the captain, who gave him a sharp glance. “But these are standing orders for the ship. All prisoners will be tried immediately upon the arrival of the legal team. The
point of this new system is speed and efficiency. I understand you’ve already prepared the case.”
    “Of course, but there are always last-minute details.…”
    “I was fully briefed by Senator Sauro. I expect you were as well.”
    “Yes,” Solace said quickly.
    “Then a droid will see you to the courtroom. First Officer Dicken and I will act as witnesses for the official record.”
    There was nothing to do but nod. Solace and the others left the cockpit and followed a protocol droid into the hallway.
    “What are we going to do?” Trever hissed.
    “Exactly what we’re supposed to,” Solace said. “We’re going to try Roan and Dona.”

The courtroom was a small conference room with no chairs for spectators. Why would there be? The trials were designed to be conducted in secret, with the prisoners escorted as
quickly as possible to prison. Stormtroopers and security droids were lined up against one wall, no doubt to keep any possible agitation from turning into violence.
    Solace sat in the judge’s chair, on a slightly raised platform at one end of the room. She quickly familiarized herself with the controls. “I have the capability to activate the
droids,” she whispered to the others. “That should come in handy.”
    Two tables faced the judge, and Trever and Oryon took their places at one of them.
    Captain Tran and First Officer Dicken hurried in, followed by a law droid, who took its place at the other table.
    The captain and the first officer stood at the back. Obviously they didn’t think this would take long.
    “Let’s hurry this along,” the captain said. “We’ve got to finish this and make it to the Nunce system to pick up a load of prisoners. My job is to fill up the ship,
and the sooner I do it, the sooner I get a better