Opening arguments took the better part of an hour. The defense intended to prove Anakin Skywalker, while responsible for the deaths of the Jedi, had been acting only under orders of Palpatine and was as much of a victim as the rest of the galaxy. The prosecution, led by one Blade Folsech, intended to prove Darth Vader was an inhuman monster. He was the first to call a witness.
"I call Admiral Firmus Piett to the stand," declared Blade, his dark brows low and smug over green eyes.
Anakin flinched visibly as his former commander was led forward. Piett? Was he captured? Did he defect? When did this happen? He threw a pointed glance to Nic Twosuns, who looked unconcerned.
Piett- looking decidedly uncomfortable now that he had gotten a good look at his former superior -stated his name and and took the stand.
Blade strode forward as Piett settled in. "Well, Piett. Would you state your occupation for us, please?"
Piett sat ramrod straight, ever the Imperial aristocrat. "For the past twenty years I have been in service to the Imperial Navy. Most recently I was second in command to the flagship Executor."
Blade nodded. "I see you used the past tense there; are you no longer in service to the Empire?"
Piett pursed his thin lips before nodding. "That is correct, yes. I now serve as an informant to the Rebellion."
Murmurs of surprise echoed about the room. Even Anakin was visibly shocked. Piett was the consummate Imperial, always going by the book, enjoying his station and a firm believer in the Empire's ideals. Something drastic must have happened for him to switch sides so abruptly.
Blade lifted his own eyebrows, as if surprised with everyone else. "Rather a quick turnaround, don't you think? Especially for one with twenty years of sevice under his belt," he pointed out. "What made you change your mind?"
Piett sighed. "I saw that the Empire has run its course. It would be pointless and deadly to continue in service to a dying organization."
The prosector frowned. "Wouldn't that make you a traitor to the Empire?"
The admiral squirmed. "I suppose so. But much as I value my station, I value my life far more."
Of course. Anakin nodded in understanding. As ambitious and loyal as Piett was, he was in no hurry to check out just yet. If he honestly believed there was nothing left to fight for, he would graciously retire, especially if threatened with death. No one would blame Piett for that...except perhaps the now-dead Emperor.
Blade shrugged and turned to continue his questioning. "While serving aboard the Executor, you were under the command of Darth Vader, were you not?"
Piett nodded. "I was."
"And how would you describe Vader's personality?" Blade asked with a frown.
"I...don't feel qualified to answer that," faltered Piett. "While he was my superior, I did not know him as anything but my superior...and the apprentice to the Emperor."
"Very well. I'll rephrase. In one word, could you describe Vader's command presence?" Blade wanted to know.
"Fearsome," answered Piett promptly.
In the defendant's box, Anakin grimaced. Unfortunate, but true.
"Fearsome is quite a strong word. Are you saying that Vader was feared?" Blade asked, not without sarcasm.
"Very much so."
"By his own officers?"
"Yes."
Blade lifted his brows pointedly. "By you?"
Piett resisted before nodding. "Yes."
Blade put his hands behind his back and began to slowly pace in front of the witness box. "And why was Darth Vader so feared? I mean, other than the fact that he was a Dark Lord of the Sith?"
The former Imperial supressed a shudder. "He was easily agitated and seemed to have a very short temper."
Blade whipped around and walked the other way, listening intently. "Could you elaborate?"
Piett shifted in his seat. "The main reason Darth Vader was so feared was the simple fact that failure often meant death."
Along with roughly half the room, Blade cringed. "Death? You mean, he would order the execution of any officer who failed him...even once?"
"Once, twice...it seemed to depend on whether or not he was having a bad day." Piett shook his head. "Often he would carry out the execution himself, in full view of others."
"Really. And how would he execute people?" Blade leaned in and rested his elbow on the witness stand.
The Admiral glanced very breifly at Anakin before continuing. "Strangulation, either directly or through that mystical energy feild he claimed to have contact with...the Force."
Further murmurs of fear and dismay rippled through the room. Anakin grimaced and closed his eyes. Yes, I strangled them...a deed that often haunts me.
Slowly Nic shook his head and regarded the onlookers. "Strangulation...indicative of wanton cruelty and malice. Doing so in the presence of others indicates complete lack of conscience." He returned his gaze to Piett. "And how many officers would you say he strangled?"
"I can't say, sir, but during the search for Skywalker, the average seemed to be about three or four a month," estimated Piett.
"So many. Always high ranking?" Nic wanted to know.
"Not always, but often. I myself was promoted to the rank of Admiral after the death of Admiral Ozzel in this manner."
"Must have made for an alarming promotion rate."
"Yes, but..." Piett frowned. "Only the coldest man would consider the killing of a fellow officer to be a necessary evil."
"And did he ever show remorse for those he had killed?" Asked Nic pointedly.
"Not that I ever saw. They were used as examples to prevent further disobedience."
Blade paused to give another meaningful glance to the onlookers. "Thank you, Admiral. No further questions."
Hubec, still digesting this information, glanced at Twosuns. "Mr. Twosuns, would you like to cross-examine the witness?"
Nic shook his head. "No, your honor." He ignored the scattered whispers in the room and remained in his seat.
Hubec flinched, then shrugged. "Very well. Thank you, Piett, you may step down."
Firmus Piett did so promptly, pausing only once to look at Anakin, shudder in revulsion, and then continue back to his seat.
Anakin sighed. Piett spoke the truth. Darth Vader did commit the murder of over 100 Imperial officers. He glanced at Twosuns with a slight frown. I would have thought there would be a cross-examination. Oh, well. I don't suppose Piett could have told them anything positive about Vader.
"Counsel, you are free to call your next witness," encouraged Judge Hubec.
"Thank you, Your Honor." Blade surveyed the audience like a hungry beast, choosing which one to devour next.
And so the trial continued.
Blade called a grand total of five witnesses to the stand, including two other former Imperial officers who had served under Vader. All testified to Vader's cold nature and casual murder of those who crossed him whether they were under his command or not. Twosuns made no cross-examination. Finally, in the interest of keeping decent hours, Judge Hubec called a recess until the following day at noon. One by one everyone filed out of the courtroom.
"Looks like that's the end of it for today. Let's go, Leia." Han rose to his feet, worked a kink out of his neck, and headed for the aisle. He got several steps before realizing Leia was still in her seat. Han frowned at his wife and tapped her on the shoulder. "Leia?"
Leia, who had been staring down at Anakin as he consulted with his attorney, flinched and turned to Han. "Hmm? What was that, Han?"
"You comin?" Han asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh. Yes, of course..." Leia bit her lip and glanced down at her belly. To her, it was obvious that her shape had changed and why. This was the reason she waited until Anakin had been led away to even rise from her seat. She did not want the risk of Anakin looking over his shoulder and seeing her belly.
Han slung his arm around her waist, concerned. "You all right?"
Leia nodded quickly. "I'm fine. Let's see if Luke needs any help." To avoid any arguments, she headed down the steps to meet Luke, who had just begun his slow hobble upward. It was an old building, and there were no ramps or lifts up to the entry doors.
He offered a faint smile to Han and Leia as they met him. "You go ahead. I'll be a while." Carefully the young Jedi hitched himself up to the next step. Behind him, Artoo gave a concerned whistle. Luke chuckled. "I'm fine, Artoo. Just a little slow."
"Do you need any help, Luke?" Leia threw an anxious glance to the brace on his leg.
"No, thanks." Luke rose to the next step. As if to mock him, his foot slipped, making him stumble backward against Artoo.
Instictively Han and Leia both reached for him, though he waved them away. "You sure about that, buddy?" Han asked quietly.
Luke gave an embarassed laugh. "Guess not." He blushed deeply as Han got on his left side to help him hobble up the stairs. He then redirected his attention to Leia. "Leia, are you all right?"
Leia lifted an ironic eyebrow. Only Luke. "I should be asking you that."
"You already did...twice, I think."
"Point taken. But I'm fine."
Luke focused a concerned eye on his sister. "Are you sure? You seem...troubled."
Another understatement. Leia groaned softly. "Is it any surprise?"
Luke shook his head. "No." He turned away with a sigh. "The trial doesn't seem to be going very well."
Han squeezed his brother-in-law on the shoulder. "C'mon. It's just the first day."
"I know. I suppose I thought the defense would be more active," admitted Luke.
"Maybe he's just tryin' to get a feel for how the prosecution thinks." Han shrugged.
"Maybe..." Don't focus on the negative. Luke shook off his unpleasant thoughts and turned back to Leia with a tentative smile. "How's the baby?"
"Fine. I just wish it wasn't so obvious." she lowered her voice nervously.
Luke's shoulders fell sadly. She's still worried about Anakin finding out. "It isn't yet," he put in. "Not really."
Leia frowned at him. "I'm not so sure. Just the other day, someone I've never met asked when I was due. I didn't even tell her! If a complete stranger knows just by looking at me...and Anakin has the Force."
Han let go of Luke's should as they reached the top of the steps to put both arms around Leia. "You worry too much. Women just notice that kinda stuff. Sides, how's Anakin ever gonna find out if he never sees you?"
Leia shook her head. "I don't know." Maybe he's right. Maybe I do worry too much. But the nagging fear would not leave. The trio turned to exit the courtroom.
The conversation lagged. Han, Luke, Leia, and Artoo all left the room- and, soon, the building -behind. As Han left to find the speeder and bring it around so Luke would not have so far to walk, Luke hung back with Leia.
Luke's face held concern and his voice was low. "Leia, please don't think I'm pushing, but...you really need to tell Anakin what's going on. I think your keeping the secret is the reason you're so uneasy."
Leia bit down on her lip and turned away. "Maybe you're right," she admitted quietly. Her fear did not take kindly to that statement, but her was conscience eased by the statement. A truth withheld was as bad as a lie.
Luke rested a gentle hand on her arm. "Then tell him. It's not going to hurt anything...and you could stop worrying about him finding out."
No, no...please, I can't tell him! I know I should, but- Leia shook her head. "I can't."
Luke's brows knit in confusion. "Why are you still so afraid of him?"
For a moment Leia wondered how Luke had known. He can sense it. She closed her eyes and let out a ragged sigh. Luke had not believed her when she had told him the fate of their mother. Why bring it up again? "Luke...it's only been a few months since I found out who he is. It's going to take time to get used to the idea. To be honest, I don't know if I can ever do that."
Luke grimaced. She wouldn't be so afraid of out Father if she'd just take the time and get to know him...who he really is. "Have you spoken to him at all?"
"Once. It was shortly after I was released from the Infirmary."
"Have you seen him since?"
"No, and please don't ask me to. He'll see..." Leia laid a protective hand over her stomach. "Or maybe he can sense it. But I don't want him to know...not yet."
Luke opened his mouth to make further argument, then closed it with a sigh. I'm not going to get anywhere by pushing. She'll have to come to him when she's ready.
The thought had crossed his mind that Leia might never be ready. It was Luke's fervent hope that Leia could at least make peace with their father while she still could.
The way things were going, Anakin might not have much time left.
A/N: Sorry this is taking so long! I can only check my e-mail once a week now and this writers block has been utter murder. More comong soon! Hopefully it'll be done by the 4th of July.
