1208, A Change in One Minute
Onderon, Capital City Aiziz.
In the plaza before the Unifar Temple, the planet's administrative center, a broad platform had been erected, complete with an ancient guillotine.
The sharp blade gleamed coldly. A red carpet had been laid beneath the platform so that when blood flowed down, it would blend into the carpet's color.
Large numbers of battle droids had been deployed around the platform. A row of B-2 Super Tactical Droids stood at the front in silence, their blaster cannon-equipped right arms folded against their chests and already charging. Even more B-1 battle droids were massed beneath the platform, forming an impassable wall that kept the watching citizens outside.
More than a dozen drones hovered in the sky, filming the platform from different angles. Once the Judgment began, detailed footage from every angle would be broadcast live across the entire planet.
The judges of Onderon's High Court had already taken their seats at the tribunal on the other side of the platform, waiting for the prisoner to be escorted up for his ceremonial trial.
However, the public trial, which had originally been scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. planetary standard time, had inexplicably been delayed.
At that moment, an argument was unfolding inside the Unifar Temple's throne room.
"This is absolutely the wrong decision! I firmly oppose the release of former King Ramses Dundup!" Onderon's regent, Sanji Rush, roared in fury.
Yet the Super Tactical Droid standing before him, General Kalani, did not yield in the slightest. He stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly in his flat tone, "Releasing Ramses Dundup is the established strategy. I am only here to notify you. The public trial has already been delayed by ten minutes. Please stop making a nuisance of yourself."
"No!