The Trial
Less than two weeks later, Anakin found himself again traveling back to Coruscant. Chancellor Organa had contacted him to say the Mas Amedda would come before the Republic Court and Anakin was expected to give testimony concerning what had happened on Champala.
Chapter 1 Return to Coruscant
This time, Padme and the twins were with him; there was no danger and Padme felt that she should be with him. He was not sure how long the trial would last, and was reluctant to be away from them for too long. There was concern that Amedda still had some support in the Senate, and the Chancellor wanted to be sure to end the trial before those who may still side with him could increase their numbers. Organa was determined that Amedda be given a sufficient sentence on a distant prison planet so that he would no longer be a threat. From what the Chancellor had told Anakin, Amedda was claiming to be a political prisoner of an illegal government backed by the Jedi. Considering what Amedda had done, Anakin thought this amusing, to say the least.
The yacht came out of hyperspace above Coruscant and after quickly receiving landing clearance; Anakin put the ship down on the landing platform. When they left the ship, Anakin was surprised to see Mace Windu and Zak waiting for them. Something was wrong.
"Good afternoon, Master Anakin." Zak said as they approached.
"Zak, it's good to see you. Where is Master Obi-Wan?" Anakin asked.
There was a moment of hesitation as Zak looked to Mace for guidance. Mace nodded slightly.
"He was…not up to coming, Master Anakin." Zak said slowly.
"Not up to coming? Why not?" Anakin asked, suddenly concerned.
"He has developed a slight infection, Anakin. Nothing to worry about, but our healers tell us it is best if he stayed at the Temple for the time being." Mace informed him.
"But he seemed fine when I left; how can this be?" Anakin asked.
"It was that blaster wound. Apparently it festered and we failed to notice it." Mace explained.
"Then someone should have contacted me; I had the right to know." Anakin replied.
"Obi-Wan thought it would be better if you didn't know, he didn't want…" Mace began.
"Me to worry; yeah, he thinks he's the only one who can do that." Anakin finished.
"Anakin, there wasn't anything you could have done. As I said, he will be alright." Mace said.
"Well, someone still should have told me." Anakin answered firmly. "He's not always right, you know."
"I am sorry, Anakin. But I do believe it was Obi-Wan's decision to make." Mace insisted.
"Well, he was wrong; and when I see him, I'll tell him myself." Anakin replied.
"I wanted to tell you, Master Anakin. But Master Obi-Wan didn't want me to." Zak piped in.
"That will be quite enough from you, young Perrin. Remember your place." Mace said sternly.
"Yes, Master Windu." Zak said shamefully.
The Chancellor had arranged for Anakin and his family to stay in one of the government suites; and so this was the first stop they made. Anakin stayed only long enough to be sure that Padme and the babies were settled before leaving with Mace for the Temple. There was an uncomfortable silence between the three of them. Anakin was still fuming over not being told and Zak did not want to be chastised by Mace again. Mace, sensing Anakin's anger, decided it was best to keep quiet. When they reached the Temple, Anakin immediately headed for Obi-Wan's quarters.
"Master Yoda and I would like to meet you in the Council Chamber, Anakin." Mace said as they parted.
"Fine, as soon as I see Obi-Wan, I will be there." Anakin replied curtly.
"Anakin, do not be so hard on Obi-Wan, he had only your best interests at heart." Mace told him.
Anakin sighed, "I know that, Master Windu. But someone, anyone, could have told me." He argued.
"He did not want you to coming rushing back here for nothing, Anakin; and you know that is exactly what you would have done." Mace explained, "You could not have helped him. We were respecting his wish that you not be told."
Anakin was silent, he could not agree with what Mace had said, but he could not think of a good explanation. Zak quietly slipped away, knowing that Master Windu would not approve of his participation in their conversation.
"Well, I'm sorry, Master Windu, but I still think you were wrong." Anakin said finally.
"I am sorry that you feel that way, Anakin. I will see you shortly in the Council Chamber." Mace answered.
Anakin nodded and continued on his way. Mace watched him go. He could understand how Anakin felt, but he also understood why Obi-Wan had made the choice he did. It was a difficult and uncomfortable position to be in. He shook his head and went to the Council Chamber.
Anakin stood in the doorway of Obi-Wan's quarters. Obi-Wan was seated on the side of his bed with his bare back towards the door. A healer was tending the wound on his shoulder. The wound was red and swollen with infection.
"It looks worse that it is, Anakin." Obi-Wan said without turning around.
"Not from where I'm standing. Why didn't you contact me?" Anakin replied with a slight edge to his voice.
"Because there was nothing you could have done. I know you; you would have come rushing back here. You have a family to think about, Anakin." Obi-Wan told him, "You cannot just go traipsing off every time something happens here. You left the Order to be with them, not to go running around the galaxy."
"As far as I'm concerned, Obi-Wan, you are part of that family too. You should have told me." Anakin admonished.
"Then I'm sorry, Anakin. I didn't think of it that way." Obi-Wan answered regretfully.
The healer finished with his ministrations, "It looks a little better this afternoon, Master Kenobi." He informed him. "I think the infection should clear up by tomorrow."
"Thank you." Obi-Wan told him.
The healer bowed and left the room.
Anakin came in and sat down on Obi-Wan's workbench.
"There, you see; nothing to worry about." Obi-Wan said as he pulled his tunic carefully over his head.
"That's easy for you to say; have you looked at yourself?" Anakin asked, "You look sick, Obi-Wan."
"Well, I am sick. But I am getting better. Stop worrying." Obi-Wan answered with a reassuring smile.
"Oh, yes, I forgot; only you get to do that." Anakin said sarcastically.
"Anakin, I'm sorry. I should have told you. Let's not fight about this; I'm just not up to it right now." Obi-Wan replied wearily.
"I'm sorry too. It's not worth fighting about." Anakin said. "But you seemed fine when I left; what happened?"
Obi-Wan sighed and laughed lightly, "I was foolish, Anakin. I pushed myself too hard, too soon and I ignored all the signs that something was wrong." He admitted.
"Oh, I see. The great Obi-Wan Kenobi made a mistake." Anakin answered, the sarcasm creeping once again into his tone.
"Yes, Anakin; I made a mistake." Obi-Wan admitted wearily, "Does that make you feel better?"
"No, I'm sorry; that was uncalled for." Anakin said sheepishly. "I just…after all we been through together…to lose you to…this."
"You're not going to lose me, Anakin; at least not yet. And even if you did, I would be one with the Force. Haven't you learned about letting go yet?" Obi-Wan replied.
"It's not the letting go that I have a problem with. It's the how; that's why I couldn't let you rot away on Champala." Anakin explained.
"Well, don't worry; I have no intention of losing to this." Obi-Wan assured him. "But we should go; I think Master Yoda and Master Windu wish to meet us in the Council Chamber."
"Yes, the meeting. Is it concerning the trial?" Anakin asked.
"Yes, apparently Amedda is trying to petition for political asylum. He claims the current administration is illegal and that he is being 'wrongfully prosecuted'." Obi-Wan answered.
"Wrongfully prosecuted? And what about your kidnapping? How does he explain that?" Anakin asked.
Obi-wan laughed again as he started out of the room.
"You mean my arrest, Anakin." Obi-Wan corrected.
"Your arrest? For what?" Anakin asked incredulously.
"I'm a Jedi; an enemy of the Republic." Obi-Wan reminded him, "How could you forget that?"
"He's mad, Obi-Wan; does he really think he can get away with this?" Anakin asked.
"Apparently, he does; and the Chancellor is concerned that there is actually some support for his position." Obi-Wan replied.
Anakin shook his head in astonishment, "Unbelievable. He shot you in the back, Obi-Wan. You had no trial, you were tortured…" He said.
"Interrogated, Anakin." Obi-Wan corrected, again.
"Oh, right. Arrested and interrogated." Anakin echoed in his familiar sarcastic tone, "Well, we have the holo-tape of the whole thing. They won't be able to dispute that."
"True; and the Chancellor is anxious to get this over with as soon as possible. The longer it drags on, the more chance Amedda will have to win others over to his side." Obi-Wan explained, "That is why they called you back so soon."
"Well, I want this over with too. The sooner Amedda is sent off world, the sooner we can all get back to normal." Anakin said as they continued to the Council Chamber.
When they arrived, Yoda, Mace, Adi, and Ki-Adi-Mundi were all seated in the respective seats as members of the High Council. The rest of the Council was not present. Quinlan Vos and Zak stood off to the side, awaiting the start of the meeting.
When Obi-Wan and Anakin entered, Council members stood up.
"Good it is to see you again so soon, Master Anakin." Yoda said. "Sorry I am, though, that under these circumstances you must be here."
Anakin bowed respectfully to Yoda and the rest of the present Council, "I am happy to be here. This is a matter of great importance. It is my place to be here." He answered.
"The Senate hearings begin in two days. We thought it would be wise to meet before then with the Chancellor to decide how best to proceed." Mace interjected. "The former Vice Chancellor must not get away this time."
"How best to proceed? Master Windu, this is not complicated. Amedda kidnapped Master Kenobi. Who could believe otherwise?" Anakin asked.
"Hmm…Some support for Amedda there is in the Senate. Careful we must be when presenting our case." Yoda answered.
"But Master Yoda, surely the holo-tape…." Anakin pointed out.
"Altered it could have been, Anakin." Yoda replied, "Claim that they will. More proof we will need, I think."
"More proof? But there is no more proof." Anakin said.
"Testimony, Anakin. That is our additional proof. All of you, Padme and the Chancellor himself should be enough to convince even our harshest critics. We can win this if we are properly prepared." Ki-Adi-Mundi said.
"Yes, Anakin; and if Obi-Wan they see, convinced they will become of Amedda's treachery." Yoda added.
"Obi-Wan? I don't see…" Anakin began.
"Look at him, Anakin. Amedda is claiming that he was fairly treated. Does he look that to you?" Quinlan Vos answered from the side of the room.
"But I don't think it's fair…" Anakin started.
"Fair for whom, Anakin?" Ki-Adi asked.
"For Obi-Wan. To drag him in front of the entire Senate? It doesn't seem right." Anakin argued.
"It's alright, Anakin. If that is what it takes to convict Amedda, then I am willing to…" Obi-Wan said.
"Well, there must be some other way." Anakin insisted.
"I do not think there is, Anakin. Can you think of one?" Mace said.
Anakin shook his head.
"No, I can't; I just wish there was another way." Anakin admitted.
"Know this I do, Anakin. But no other way is there to insure a conviction." Yoda told him. "And convicted he must be."
