The Trial of Jikard Dohaht

In 1249, when the Throllins were asked to join the Supreme High Council, many protested. Many believed the Throllins were advancing too quickly. They were offered a seat on the Supreme High Council before other species who had been around much longer. The Throllins had the most advanced fleet in Syndicate Space and many believe the Supreme High Council bent to them to ensure their engineers would work with the Alliance Auxiliary Fleet.

Jikard Dohaht was named to the Supreme High Council and wasted no time making his presence felt. Within three years, Dohaht had passed several laws that greatly benefited the Throllins. A charming and charismatic man, Dohaht wowed with speeches and interviews. He notoriously let camera crews’ film in the Conclave in places that had never previously been seen. Opinion of Dohaht quickly changed. Many fell in love with the man and his transparency; as he pulled back the curtain on a part of galactic politics traditionally steeped in secrecy. While all High Councilors are of equal status, it was commonly believed Dohaht ran the Supreme High Council.

In 1308, news broke that the BSI had launched an official investigation into Jikard Dohaht. The details of this investigation, including the allegations, were not made public. Unrest set in immediately. Protesters took to the streets, riots broke out across Syndicate Space and reports say tension was felt all throughout the Conclave itself. People stood by Dohaht, declaring him a Martyr, a scapegoat of the Supreme High Council. The word rebellion was whispered across the galaxy.

Everyone was silenced when, after seven months of investigations, Jikard Dohaht was arrested on charges of embezzlement, fraud, aiding and abetting fugitives, drug trafficking and accessory to murder. Additionally, the Throllin Chancellor, several Ambassadors and key businessmen across Syndicate Space were arrested as conspirators.

Syndicate Space was split. Many maintained Jikard’s innocence but hordes declared him guilty already. It was said Jikard was set up by the Alliance to nerf the rising power of the Throllins, but the evidence against Jikard was said to be significant. Civil unrest was felt by everyone.

Dubbed “The Trial of the Eon”, Jikard appeared before the Alliance Supreme Court on Jadaar. A jury of 30 individuals was sequestered for the hearings. Jikard had a team of experienced lawyers with him. He was charged with conspiring with several gangs in the Raging Territories to smuggle drugs into Syndicate Space using Alliance transport ships as well as funding gang warfare in the Raging Territories to profit off the conflict; he was directly tied to several murder cases of prominent political and business people throughout Syndicate Space. Jikard pled not guilty to all charges.

The trial lasted ten months. With everyone in Syndicate Space watching. All four of the other High Councilors were subpoenaed and testified against Jikard. Famously, this led to Zought Ulop, the Kyxolt High Councilor, breaking down on the stand. When cross-examined, Zought broke down crying, he then ran off the stand and attempted to attack Jikard. He was dismissed from the Supreme High Council and held in contempt.

In the end, a verdict was reached. The jurors deliberated for 22 days. During this time, Syndicate Space was on pins and needles. Riots had become a common occurrence, effigies of High Councilors were burned in the streets, burglary, battery and murder rates were rising steadily. Finally, the Alliance declared martial law. A travel ban was enacted across all of Syndicate Space, locking down all speedways and closing all travel ports. Curfews were put into place in every city. “The Galaxy was a celestial time bomb who was burning its own fuse” Wrote Astel historian Dreopopt Zrybrandt.

Jikard Dohaht and his conspirators were found guilty on all charges. Jikard was dismissed from the Supreme High Council and sentenced to life imprisonment. As Jikard exited the courthouse, a reporter attempted to assassinate Jikard with a makeshift knife but was ultimately foiled. Jikard would appeal his sentence many times throughout his life, but never to any avail. He died in prison at the age of 362.

All attention turned to the Alliance. The case was an enormous embarrassment. They had allowed a large crime ring to form in their own organization, they had lost two High Councilors, Civil War was about to erupt, and an assassination attempt took place on their doorstep. Now they had to establish a precedent for a situation they never anticipated. Traditionally, when a High Councilor dies, the species’ Chancellor is asked to take over the role. But because the Throllin Chancellor was also convicted, the line of succession was blurred. Many expected the firm-but-fair Gad Ilua to take his place. The Supreme High Council shocked the galaxy when they announced they would not seek a replacement for Jikard at all. Hamin Cruolz, a soft-spoken feeble man, was appointed the Throllin Chancellor over the much more competent Ilua - presumably because he would play along with the Supreme High Council and not challenge their authority. Jeiflar Joolz, Kyxolt Chancellor was raised to High Councilor following the trial. Since the trial, no new species have been asked to join the Supreme High Council and word from Jadaar is none will be anytime soon.