The Past

The mounds of paperwork that arrived at judical offices across the galaxy were all identical carbon copies of legalese churned out by corporate lawyers who had spent hours turning a simple matter into unitelligable bullshit. Page after page of jargon and all inclusive statements acted as a veil for the actual information and claims encoded deep in voluminous breif. Belgardi lawyers knew that the courts would be unable to immediatly open up a space on their docket, so the rambling papers were designed set in motion the legal process without revealing to the GC any tactics or strategies they planned on employing during the course of the trial.

The tactic had worked so well that the GC had even put out a press release stating that no court dates had been set and that the furor of Panacea was over. How the GC had come up with that logic was beyond any of the Belgardi legal staff, who chuckled, noting that they had requested legal dates in their filing, and that the delay had been caused by the terrific amount of time it had taken to find that particular provision. The date presented, was like the rest of the paper, duplicated in every brief ensuring a simultaneous court date to take place in courtrooms across the galaxy. Granted, the first date was simply a preliminary hearing, but Belgardi's lawyers were ready to start the preceedings off with a bang...

Mon Calamari
The Belgardi's most talented team strolled into the courtroom in Mon Calimari as a unit, wearing long trench-coat like jackets and each lugging large metallic cases. The most talented lawyers employed by the company, they were fully prepared to wage what was likely to be the most important legal battle the company would face- if it happened at all.

The atmosphere on Mon Calimari seemed ripe for the trial. Any careful observer could easily see the decline of influence of the Mon Calimarians in the new GC, despite at one time housing it's capital. Ever since a Joren Logan, a human, had been elected as the president of the remnants of the Mon Calimari Republic and the fledgling GC it had seemed as if Mon Calimari had less and less say in the day to day operations of the GC. The rise of the Azguard leadership and the move by Jan Dodona to trade away GC control of Mon Calimari to the Black Dragons had done little to stem the tide of what appeared to be an almost anti-Calimarian movement in the GC. The Belgardi team recognized this and had kept in in mind when asking for a court date in Galactic Coalition space.

Maybe a disgruntled member of the Mon Calimarian judiciary would be more sympathetic to hearing the case, and less swayed by the executive branch of the GC.

Coruscant
The team that marched into the Imperial court on Coruscant was similairly attired, though they gave off a much less confrontational air. The smiled, and moved with a certain comfort in their step. The reason was evident:

The Empire was not the enemy.

Despite the incident at Bespin, the Belgardi lawyers felt much at ease about taking the case to Imperial court. The primary antagonist to the GC, as well as an ardent opponent of Panacea, Imperial court was likely to be highly favorable to Belgardi, or so the thinking went. Whether or not it would hold true remained to be seen.

Ciutric
The Belgardi case in the Black Dragon Empire was filed on Ciutric, primarily due to the large Belgardi presence at the Advanced Defense Research Institute, which was owned and operated by Belgardi as provisioned in the Ciutric-Bespin protocol.

The Institute's own legal team was going to handle the proceedings, but the overall concenus was that the BDE case was unlikely to produce results. Belgardi's close ties with the Empire meant a likelyhood of a favorable ruling, but it was rather obvious that BDE was attempting to maintain a neutral stance with the GC and was not going try too hard to enforce any ruling against them.

Still, a victory anywhere would set a precedent for other cases.


Bonadan
The VC case was going to be one of the more interesting ones taking place. VC would obviously going to be pro-corporation, given its own status as a mega-corporation and the variety of issues that might someday affect it. But a previous face to face meeting between Seth Vinda and Rico Belgardi had been rather unproductive and created some tension between the two companies.

That, coupled with Belgardi's expansion (already there was talk in the corporate world that Belgardi Ltd was becoming the greatest challenge to VC since the CSA's attempted hostile takeover of the company) meant that inter-company relations were rather cool. Despite Rico Belgardi's continual attempts to downplay any rivalry ( he had even been quoted saying Seth Vinda was his "role model") the trial provided an oppurtunity for VC to hurt its competition and slow down it's metoric rise.

Pavo Prime
The atmosphere on Pavo Prime itself was one of anticipation. The Belgardi judges were about as favorable to the company as could be. The real question was whether or not the GC would send anyone to represent themselves there or not.

So, as the Belgardi team sat in the main chamber of the Pavo Prime Superior court, they kept their eyes focused on the doorway, to see if GC lawyers would be making their way in.


The Present

And across the galaxy the same situation started playing out. Belgardi lawyers sitting at their respective desks, reviewing paperworks and making small talk. They were waiting for the GC represenatives to show up, hoping they would make it to the myriad locations across the galaxy as provisioned for in the legal filing. Between glances at the door, they spent time going over their first motion, also one duplicated across the galaxy, which they were ready to implement as soon as the proceeding could continue...

Regrad, along with the Judicial branch, was surprised to learn of Belgardi's arrival in court. Although they had indeed filed for a trial, the court date would have needed approval by a Coalition Legal Council, which Belgardi had yet to consult. It was agreed among those of the Judiciary, however, that as the laws in place were relatively new, and differed greatly from those practiced by many other nations, not everyone would have familiarized themselves with them. They reasoned, therefore, that it was constitutional to skip the Legal Council in favour of this unusual case.

Luckily, the government had had some readiness for these cases, and quickly sent off a copy of the Coalition's Panacea stance to every one of its' embassies. The local ambassadors turned out quickly to meet the court dates, although some had had pre-warning according to the laws of their region.

On Mon Calamari itself, however, where the legal battle would be most decisive, the legal council of government lawyers were far more prepared then this. Proctor, one of the heads of the Panacea project, was brought from his facility where they had been monitoring reports on Panacea to the court, where he was told to expect a long series of trips across the galaxy to testify at countless other meetings.

He joined the legal council just as the head of the government defence, Yawler Juh, a Quarren female whose alien appearance was matched only by her command of the relatively new Coalition legal code - after all, she helped write it.

As other key experts and witnesses seated themselves, the Judge - the Right Honourable Justice Akhanda, Mon Calamari - entered in silence. Without a word, he seated himself in his chair that gave him a commanding view of the courthouse.

After him followed a guard, who said "Please rise for the national anthem."

As the last tones of the poet Good Matthew's immortal anthem died, and everyone retook their seats, the Judge spoke. "We are here today to see to the case of The Coalition versus Belgardi Industries, an alleged copyright infringment charge along with claims for damage and a cease-and-desist order has been heard so far, may the prosecution please make their case."

Across the galaxy, the ambassador for each planet wherupon the Coalition was meeting this legal challenge arrived at their various designated meeting points for their legal encounters. With their folders in hand, each waited for the beginning of their own trial.

Coruscant saw the arrival of Ambassador Johan Hunts, an Aqualish of strong temperment. It was considered sweet irony that an Aqualish would be sent to such a diplomatic capitol, for their mouths were ill-equipped to speak basic. It was reasoned, however, that everyone has a voice, and simply because extra effort is needed to understand it does not preclude one from serving.

Ciutric was a dangerous place, considering the shakey relations between the Black Dragons and the Coalition, not to mention how likely it would be that the Dragons would execute a diplomatic delegation should war break out. But a human, Bjoen Kilfilin, volunteered for the position, and arrived at court.

Bonadan, where the VC could be found, was an odd one. Corporation are difficult to deal with for the Coalition, but VC was approved as meeting various rules of ethics and standards so that they could trade within the Coalition. The ambassador there, a Bimm of small height but vast economic and legal knowledge, also opened his case, and prepared to call upon the VC in all aspects of its' system.

As for Pavo Prime, however, there was no lawyer, no Ambassador to call upon. The galaxy is a large place, and even the Coalition cannot find enough in its' diplomatic corp to send people everywhere. However, they had managed to arrange for an arrival. A very odd arrival, for those which rolled into the Pavo Prime court were droids.

On a trio of treads, an astromech droid set itself at the far side, and a J-9 worker droid - heavily modified, and painted as if it were wearing a business suit - set up a folder upon the desk as if nothing odd were happening.

*

Coruscant


The office of the former Grand Marshall was occupied by several men discussing the turn of events before them.


Grand Moff Zell of the Empire Proper scoffed at the news blotter. "If the little cocksuckers want to inject their population with machines, who gives as shit? I've seen the little fuckers opened up and they're a fucking mess inside."


The Imperial Intelligence Agent named Ciscero was standing to the side listening to the rant while lost in thought. "Do you really think their entire population went along with it?"

The Supreme Commander, Simon Kaine, turned and smiled grimly. "I am sure there were some holdouts. Looking at the data presented to the galaxy at large, there is no provision for removing the machines from their bodies."

Seamus Arliss, of Arliss Industries, took a drink of his rather expensive liquor and commented, "It's the first move to creating a truly cybernetic race. The costs involved must be astronomical. Their economy cannot support the brunt to such action for long."

Kaine nodded to the older man in appreciation of his opinion, "Hence the reports of Coalition expansion efforts. They need to support their growing sophistication and new infrastructure."

Arliss grinned, "It's probably why they also offered the damned thing on the open market. To generate an economic boost and make a ton of money. Altruism is great but it doesn't pay the bills. The Coalition needs to get something back."

Zell spat. "Cocksuckers. We should have ground them to dust when we had the chance!"

Ciscero had walked over to fix himself a drink when he turned, "This infusion of robots into their population might make that easier. The Coalition is nowhere near as sophisticated as the Black Dragon Empire. If anyone has a chance to control the new Coalition technology, it will be the Dragons." He sipped his drink, "Imagine going up against a population with machines inside of them. Do you realize just how many avenues of conquest would be open to us? The idealism of the Coalition will be their undoing."

Zell growled, "I just came from Weapons Development and they have some nice toys for the Dragons. The same applications can be applied to the Coalition so we still have the little fuckers covered. But what worries me is the impact to our population."

"The Citadel is preaching that even the illegal use of Panacea would send them to the devil. To corrupt one's body for the temporary enjoyment of pleasures is contrary to God's plan and a temptation by the Evil One and the Dark Side. The Biogenic Accords makes it clear that any genetic manipulation is banned. These laws have been in effect since Brel's Wrath Virus. Anyone found with Panacea will be arrested and executed privately. The last thing the Empire needs is to deal with yet another potential biological weapon." Kaine remarked.

"Especially from some dumb fuckers across the galaxy! If anyone is going to use biological weapons, it should be us." Zell took the offered glass that Ciscero held out.

"So what do we do with the situation brewing in the Ministry of Law?" Seamus Arliss asked. "Belgardi Ltd is setting up camp."

Zell tossed his head back finishing his drink. "First off, what do those fuckers want? Who the fuck is Belgardi?"

Seamus Arliss smiled, "A weapons manufacturer from what I understand. Largely unknown in the Empire, they have made a name for themselves elsewhere. They think themselves rivals of the Vinda Corporation."

Everyone chuckled at that.

"Evidently, they have an expensive marketing budget to obtain their reputation." Kaine said dryly. "From what I can see, this is some sort of legal matter regarding a similar technology offered by them but on a more exclusive level."

"Meaning they didn't lose their fucking minds and simply toss the plans for making their product to the galaxy eh?" Zell asked for another drink.

Ciscero's eyes narrowed, "Curious that a weapons manufacturer would offer such machine injections for the good of the user."

Kaine nodded to the agent. "A similiar thought had crossed my mind. Which is why the Biogenics Accords holds for both products. Both are banned by the Empire. Obviously our various R&D deparments throughout the Empire will be working with both products to establish safety parimeters. Maybe we can find a use for it if we can figure out an easy extraction method. In any event, the glowing reports from the Coalition are suspect."

Ciscero nodded, "Everything has a side effect."

"And the Coalitions unwillingness to list them could be used in our favor to promote further distrust in their product. Any agency unwilling to even report the bad occurances of their 'new' drug, then we must conclude that said agency is irresponsible."


"Where the fuck have I heard Belgardi before?"

Kaine looked over at Seamus Arliss but said, "Bhindi Drayson's report on the Bespin action."

Seamus eyes picked up at the news but Kaine went no further for Zell's eyes also lit up in recognition.

"Those fucking...!!" he started but took a drink. "I'll give them this. They've got balls coming here."


Seamus Arliss, "If both Belgardi and the Coalition are sending officials to the Empire to argue a case of drugs both banned by the Empire.."

Ciscero stepped in, "Then it stands to reason there may be more to the story or more to their intentions than simple arbitration by the Empire."

Zell nodded. "That's a solid point! We should have the bastards under guard.."

Kaine nodded. "Both Belgardi representatives have been under observation since landing and their craft is under close guard. This is standard procedure with organizations outside our sphere. They seem to have been behaving themselves."

"And the Coalition Representative?" Ciscero prodded.

"There, it is somewhat problematic." Kaine relented, "It seems they couldn't find a representative that could speak basic. He's still in diplomatic customs."

"How can the fucker represent if he can't even speak the fucking civilized tongue?" Zell barked.

Kaine grinned, "Oh, he can speak. Just not very well. It takes a long time and you know how impatient our customs agents are. He'll get through and be observed as well. It seems to be a subtle insult to us sending not only a prominent alien leader but one whose command of basic is less than stellar."

"Fuckers pissed because we banned their fucking wonderdrug?"

Kaine chuckled, "I am curious to see just what both are doing here, what their arguements will be and how the hell it involves us. Obviously, both have never heard of our Biogenics Accords."

"We should bill the damned Coalition for us having to increase our civil agencies to combat increased crime and black market sales. This fucking drug is going to increase our damned crime rates."

Ciscero smiled cryptically, "So, another motivating factor to increase our hold by putting more stormtroopers on the streets. More MP's, more Citizen Watch Programs..."

"Our Legal system is about to take a hit all because some fucking aliens had their brains sun-cooked. I am telling you, Simon, invade now and bring these fucking bumbling shitheads to their knees!"

"Patience, Zell. Remember the New Alliance. They created a society highly dependent on robots and droids. These machines served as their police, their arbiters of law and so on. It was their eventual undoing. When a society becomes dependent on machines, the society will ossify. That is why, in the long term, the Dragons cannot win (as they are now). If the Coalition wishes to take the first steps to changing their society into a cybernetically dependent one, who are we to tell them no?"

Kaine's mouth played at a smile, "And when they fall, we shall be their to 'save' them."


"Gloria fucking Imperium!" Zell gasped tossing his head back. He stared at the glass and smiled, "Damn this is good shit."



Author's Note: Biogenic Accords has also been called Biogenetic Accords