Off Course
Chapter Six
"Though no major battles were fought that day, the Trial of Ahsoka Tano was perhaps the turning point of the Clone Wars. Not in the scope of military might or strategic development, but as a catalyst for the events to come. While the outcome was never in doubt, the Trial gave the Jedi a firm footing with the public from which to launch their campaign, known to us as Project Esk."
—Jorj Car'das, summarization of notes on the Clone Wars at the behest of the University of Alderaan, circa 33 GrS.
Ahsoka awoke to sweeping ceilings and beige walls of the Halls of Healing. Her back had a dull ache, perhaps from an awkward fall, her limbs felt leaden and something throbbed behind her temples.
On the bright side, she was still alive. Alive, safe, and with friends. Across the recovery room sat her Master, Anakin, with Yoda and Obi-Wan on either side, quietly conversing. As she yawned and stretched, they looked up, and Anakin gave her a cheery, "Good morning, Ahsoka! Feeling better?"
That was an interesting question, as 'better' presumed a relative point of reference. A point of reference her fuzzy memories refused to establish. "Probably," she answered in all honesty, "What did I miss?"
"Mainly your arrest and some theatrics," Anakin summarized, handing Ahsoka a cup of cool water. At her curious look, he elaborated. "Lieutenant Roundel of the Coruscant Guard apparently found you 'in possession of nanodroid explosives.' Naturally, Tarkin was all over it."
Ahsoka groaned, sinking back against her pillows, was that guy obsessed?
Shaking his head grimly, Obi-Wan joined the conversation, "It gets worse, I'm afraid. The Senate has ordered you tried for treason and a whole slew of things ranging from the comical to the absurd."
"Can they do that?" Ahsoka wondered, thinking back to her lessons in policy and politics with Padmé and Chuchi, "I thought Jedi had diplomatic immunity or something of that sort."
"We do," he agreed, "In so far as that no agency has the right to detain or prosecute members of the Order. However, you are being charged as an officer of the GAR, not as a Jedi – a loophole made possible thanks to yet another constitutional amendment overnight."
"My actions – save, perhaps, my escape – were within the letter of the Republic law, near as I can recall it," Ahsoka mused, "What kind of case does Tarkin have?"
Anakin snorted derisively, "A flimsy one. He overcommitted to the offensive, and didn't sure up his footing. The Temple Lawyers are gonna have a field day with this one, if it ever comes to the courtroom."
"Why is that an 'if'?" Ahsoka asked, "Is the Council not going to comply with the Senate on this?" Though the prospect of being on trial did not appeal to her she did see the potential for a public relations coup if it turned out in her favour – if not, well…
"Like hell we are!" Anakin barked, "My Padawan is not going on any trial!"
Yoda, perched on a cabinet, looked amused. "Even those of knighthood, hm? Holding back your Padawan, you are, hm? Jealous are you? Overly critical? Never listen do you? Heard this before, we did."
Anakin was somewhat abashed, "Well, you know what I mean…" he mumbled, waving a hand.
"Know this, I do," Yoda confirmed, jumping down, "Just messing, I was. When eight hundred years old you reach, sarcastic, you will still be. Even so, Young Ahsoka, nothing to fear you have. On your side, the Council is. On this matter, move we will not."
"Perhaps," Ahsoka suggested, "You should…"
Admiral Tarkin flew flailing across his office before thudding into the back wall. Anakin, lightsaber lit, advanced on his crumpled form.
He had left the Temple an hour ago, following his Padawan's harebrained decision to appear at the trial despite the Council's efforts on her behalf. "Public relations my afterburner!" Anakin had growled, storming to a turbolift, Obi-Wan in tow. Never mind. He was going to handle things personally. And he would start with the prosecution.
"Tell me again," he all but roared, "Why you have this vendetta against my Padawan!"
"I have no vendetta, General Skywalker." His target wheezed, "I am merely preserving the interests of the Republic. You would do well to desist, lest—"
"Osik!" Anakin barked, cutting him off, "My Padawan is as loyal to the Republic as am I, or do you question my teachings and integrity?"
Picking himself up and dusting himself off, Tarkin tried to regain the offensive. "I have never trusted the Jedi Order, General Skywalker. They have always reframed from doing what was necessary, and often maintained their own interests above the Republic." He paused, then striking upon an idea, moved to his desk and keyed something in, "Furthermore, I have visual evidence that your Padawan deliberately choked Letta Turmond with the Force during a routine interview. Even if she did not commit the Temple bombing, as you seem to imply, murder of a suspect is a serious matter, which raises a lot of questions."
Anakin watched the footage first passively, then curiously, then he deactivated his lightsaber, slapped his knee in merriment and laughed uproariously. Tarkin did not see the humour, and was about to comment on this unprofessional display, when Anakin overcame his mirth and gasped, "What kind of admiral are you? You can't even differentiate between waving and command gestures! You call that a Force Choke?" Anakin reached out a hand, drawing fingers together in a fist, "This is a Force Choke!"
Gagging, Tarkin was lifted into the air, flailing desperately. Anakin's burst of humour subsided and he turned gravely serious. "I still remember you from Zonama Sekot, Tarkin. I was that boy you intercepted while chasing after Sekotan ships. I was half tempted to leave you behind on the Citadel, but my Padawan saved your life. The very Padawan you are trying to frame and execute."
Even dangling in mid-air and struggling for breath, Tarkin was still defiant. When the Force grip lessened, he laughed as derisively as he could. "You would not have been able to leave me behind on Lola Sayu, your Jedi Principles and the fact that General Piell had only half of the Nexus Route coordinates." After a gulp, he continued, "Like it or not, Skywalker, your Order is not above the Republic, and those who will not serve the Chancellor will be eliminated, just as your Padawan. And there will be nothing you can do." Tarkin would have proceeded onto a maniacal cackle, but the Force Grip tightened again.
"Tarkin," Anakin said, rather smugly, "There is one thing you should know. Master Even Piell was never on Lola Sayu. That was Knight Lenel Piev, and he never had the Nexus Route information, he was tasked with laying minefields along the Janara Approach."
As the Force closed completely on his throat, Tarkin's last thoughts were of failure and burning fleets. His vision began to shrink into a tunnel, and the world began to dim, and the last thing he heard was, "You have interfered with my affairs for the last time."
The courtroom was packed.
Decorated in the new 'Palpatine Style' of inset lights, gaping shafts and rail-less balconies, it would have been imposing to any prisoner. Any prisoner, that was, who was not certain of their innocence and preparing for a blistering defence.
In contrast to the Prosecution, Ahsoka and her lawyers were utterly calm, gazing at their opponents, the jury and Palpatine impassively, and making Ron Hastas pace all the more.
The case of 'Galactic Republic vs. Ahsoka Tano' had now lasted two hours. After the initial absence of Chief Prosecutor Tarkin had been sorted out – normally, the session would have been adjourned, but the extensive Jedi involvement in the case mandated a speedy resolution, as their efforts were needed in the war – Ron Hastas had taken up the offensive.
He was a typical bureaucrat, gaunt, pale, sporting jelled hair and a Coruscanti accent, utterly unimaginative, and more importantly, completely spineless.
The litany of charges he had levied ranged from burglary, loitering, littering and even failure to supply identification, to murder – fifteen counts – reckless conduct endangering life, assault and sedition. The charges were impressive, the evidence was not.
"Let us take a look at your 'evidence' of Ahsoka's possession of nanodroids…" Tera Sinube hummed, "You say she was found in possession of them, Lieutenant Roundel?"
"Correct." Came the crisp reply.
"Were they in her apartment?"
"No."
"Were they in any vehicle owned or operated by Commander Tano?"
Again, a: "No."
"Was she handling them?"
This time, the 'no' was tinged with aggravation and nervousness. It was the moment Sinube was after. Like many Padawans, he had joined the JOP, but after graduating, had chosen to stay on with CSF, becoming quite the expert in criminal affairs. This made him ideal for Ahsoka's defence. "So, how can you assert that she was in possession of them?"
A bead of sweat rolled across Roundel's forehead. "She was found in a warehouse, laying over nanodroid crates, sir."
"How does that 'constitute' possession though?" Sinube pressed, sensing the clone's will begin to buckle. "Per the report, Ahsoka Tano was found unconscious with injuries consistent with a fall. She could very well have been dumped their by a party seeking to frame her, no?"
Trembling, CL-7686 was dismissed with a panic attack.
"Now," Sinube announced smugly, "I wish to present Document Three-Three-Aurek to the court." The central holoprojector, and the smaller units of the jury, lit up with a scientific report. "As you see," Tera lectured, "This is an analysis of the 'devices' found to be the so-called 'nanodroids.' It is evident—"
He was cut off by a frantic Hastas, "Objection! This is a hearing for Ahsoka Tano, not a scientific forum!"
"Sustained," Palpatine droned, "The Defence shall get to the point. I have an appointment with the hairdresser."
"Yes, your Honour," Sinube acceded, "A detailed analysis of the molecular structure of these 'nanodroids' reveals that they lack any and all electronics. What we have here is basic wheat with traces of potassium nitrate and sulphur. Not even charcoal, which would have equated it to the old propellant of slugthrowers."
Viewers both in the gallery and in front of vidscreens the galaxy across laughed uproariously.
The controlled demolition of witnesses and evidence continued for a good six hours, those called by the Prosecution leaving in deep despair or panic, while character witnesses, chemical experts, and further 'heavy artillery' called in on Ahsoka's behalf were left to smugly walk the post-testimony lounge.
The jury had adjourned to deliberate, and Ahsoka stood certain that she had won this day. Not only in her case, but won a battle for the Jedi Order. The Trial proceedings, marketed as "The Jedi's just deserts", had turned into a farcical, one-sided browbeating.
Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, outwardly calm, was seething. Were none of his minions competent? One task. Just one task he had given them: frame the Jedi, convict the Jedi. They had failed, it seemed, utterly.
As the situation stood, that Tano brat would be acquitted, which would not only put his plans back a few months, but would also allow the Jedi Order to respond to the crisis on Mandalore. Not only that, it would also mean that his humiliation of being stuck under his desk in search of Tarkin's business card was for nought! Where was that imbecile, anyway? He ought to have crushed this pathetic resistance, and his plans would be on track.
No matter, he had still one card to play, whether it would avail him in the end, or if he would need to run a few charity dinners to get his reputation back on track was yet to be seen.
"My dear colleagues," he announced sorrowfully, standing, "Some disturbing news has reached me. It appears that some members of the jury may have fallen under the enchantments of the Jedi Council. My audit specialists have informed me of mysterious transactions occurring, and unreported threats being waged. It is with a heavy heart that I must dismiss Senators Mothma, Iblis, Organa, Chuchi, Alavar, Taneel, Breemu, Cadaman, Derlin and Drake."
Dead silence.
In a single, fell swoop, Palpatine had eliminated ten members of the jury, leaving only Orm Fre Taa and Jasso Toryn, who were quite amenable to the Chancellor's point of view.
"I regret to make this decision," Palpatine continued, "But based on the evidence that I have seen presented by Prosecutor Hastas and on the opinion of Senators Taa and Toryn, this court must declare Padawan Ahsoka Tano guilty of treason."
This time, there was an uproar.
"On what grounds!" came a piercing call. The noise abated, and Ahsoka herself stood in her hoverpod. "On what grounds, Chancellor?"
Palpatine staggered back as if struck. For all his planning, scheming and Farsight, he had neglected to cover this one, single point. In his experience, Jedi were either arrogant – which allowed him to conceal his dark nature in their shadow – or timid, which allowed him to pull off most of his political machinations. He had not expected this little bratling of a Jedi to suddenly defy him.
It was a single miscalculation, resulting from a bad night's rest and a tired mind, and it had cost him dearly. At least, it would, if the Jedi regained their momentum. He would not allow that.
"Your evidence, while very … elaborate … was provided by the Jedi Order, and thus its integrity must be questioned in light of recent developments. And I do not think your master would be pleased with your conduct here, has he taught you naught about respect?"
"Her Master," a powerful voice echoed across the chamber, "Is very pleased with Ahsoka's conduct. And furthermore, he is very displeased with the conduct of the Republic Judiciary!"
All heads turned to the main entrance. There lay two unconscious troopers of the Coruscant Guard, and there stood a furious Anakin Skywalker.
"By Paragraph 87, Section 232-Aurek, Chapter 55-7 of the Legal Procedures Act, 887, neither the Supreme Chancellor, nor any individual holding political office may summarily dismiss the jury. The right to petition a dismissal of the jury lies solely with the Chief Justice – who per Paragraph 23, Section 17, Chapter 34-1 may not hold political office. Such a petition must be handed over to the Galactic Court, and duly deliberated."
Anakin took a deep breathe, "In light of these matters, and as a Knight of the Jedi Order – and thereby mandated, among other things, to uphold the law – I reinstate the jury. Furthermore, by consent of the jury, I dismiss this case on the grounds of political bias by members of the prosecution and the Judge."
On his podium, Palpatine sank back into his seat. Only years of politics and Sithness prevented him from groaning out loud and shaking his head. Even so, he could not but cast a furious glare at Anakin Skywalker. For all that he was the most powerful Jedi, and the best candidate for an apprentice, he was quite adept at messing things up.
Bowing his head in concession and departing the chamber, Palpatine could not but wonder what the Jedi had in store as retaliation.
...aaaaaand done!
We have just covered the last of the (reworked)canonical Season Five finale. Now it's off the beaten road and into the wilderness, as it were.
Ahsoka is acquitted, but Palpatine is in Anakin's bad graces, Darth Mall is still gallivanting across Mandalore, and Project Esk has yet to see the light of day.
Further, there is the matter of Ahsoka's display in the fight against Barriss that is yet to be resolved.
Now, pertenant notes:
Tarkin. In A New Hope he and Vader weren't exactly friendly, were they? Basically, Tarkin was cranky that Vader didn't have a military rank but ranked above him, and Tarkin wanted to one day take Vader's place (Palpatine's Right-Hand man.) Vader didn't like Tarkin being a bossy pain in the butt, or his policies (especially on slavery).
In the book Rogue Planet, Tarkin is the head - and mastermind - of the fleet sent to secure Sekotan ships for study, and Anakin just so happens to be in one of them. Further, that ship is damaged by Tarkin's battlegroup, and being semi-organic, the ship dies. More reason for ANakin to have a grudge against Tarkin.
In Season Three of TCW, I really didn't get the "acting like pals" part between Anakin and Tarkin. I was almost expecting a "When we get to Coruscant, lets go buy some drinks at the Outlander" moment.
Between his childhood encounter, and his Padawan being attacked/accused by Tarkin, I doubt Anakin would be too pleased with him.
GrS / BrS. Not sure if I mentioned that previusly, but this is the canonical dating system for this time period. GrS stands for Great ReSynchronization, and BrS means "before" (Great) ReSynchronization. 0 GrS is ~36 BBY, as we have come to know it, and I have come to use it a lot in my writing, as BBY/ABY follows the 12-month Calendar, whereas GrS, BTC/ATC (Before/After Treaty of Coruscant) and BRR/ARR (Before/After Ruusan Reformation) use the 10-month Galactic Standard.
Further, despite the nonsense written in NEC and other Essencial guides, I do not see how Yavin (BBY/ABY = After/Before Battle of Yavin) should be a point of time reckoning. Originally, when the EU was less diverse, the dating system was out of huniverse, using BSW4/ASW4 (Before/after Star Wars Episode IV), and the BBY/ABY calender was included as an in-universe adaptation for that. HOWEVER, Yavin was just a scene of a major Rebel victory. It was not the "rise" of the Alliance, as it was still powerful prior to that, and it was by no means "close" to the end of the war, as the (first) Galactic Civil still went on for 4 more years.
Endor is a much more logical event in history to act as Year Zero in a new calendar, as though, true, various Warlords and whatever still kicked up to about 8 ABY, the bulk of the Empire was crushed there, the Death Star, the Executor, most of the Fleet, Vader, and the Emperor. Yavin was a defensive action, Endor was an offensive action from which the Alliance began to advance.
Alternatively, Timothy Zahn's PE/E date system (Pre-Empire/Empire) is also logical and viable in view of Palpatine's ego.
And as a little - off topic - peeve, I have no idea why some people use the BBY standard in Clone Wars era fics. "Ahsoka awoke, looked on her clock and saw it was July 19th, 21 BBY". That always kills me.
Senators. The ones Palpatine tried to discredit were either members of the Rebel Alliance or were arrested/executed by Palpatine for other reasons. Makes sense to have them be the logical thinkers, right?
Anyhow, I think I'm done rambling, hope you guys enjoyed the read, had a good Thanksgiving, (I believe that was the holiday a few days back?), have a good day and May the Fiction Be With you!
Clean Word Count: 2,550 | Published : 29/11/14, 0204 GMT