Chapter 30
The cell doors opened to reveal Mon Mothma standing in the center. Luke Skywalker sat in the corner of his jail cell, handcuffed to the wall next to him. "Now that you have been detained, I was hoping we could strike a deal Skywalker", Mothma said in a monotone. "We both know you didn't have to go this extreme to get me", Luke replied, "And you know, as much as I do, that there will be no deal". Mon Mothma signaled the guards to release him from his chains. The guards did as they were told and released Luke from his chains. Luke rubbed his wrist as they were purple for the lack of oxygen his good hand was getting. "Why don't you join me for a walk, Master Jedi?", Mothma invited. She gestured towards the exit, waiting for Luke to follow. Luke cautiously followed Mon Mothma towards the exit. The guards that were guarding his cell followed in suite.
The two walked towards a small garden located near the north exit, the old jedi temple visible in the background. Luke observed Mothma's body language as they walked through the small jungle filled with exotic flowers. She was cautious, no, scared. But of what? Surely Luke's presence didn't create an uncomfortable feeling towards others. Luke then set his eyes the corners of the garden. He noticed several armed guards with their weapons ready in case if anything happened. "You know, all of this really isn't necessary", Luke smugly said, "Even with all your guards, its no comparison to the force". Mon Mothma quickly turned to face the young jedi. "It's just a precaution", she stated.
"Now", Mothma started saying, "I wanted to discuss in private, the future you will have here with the Republic". Luke took in her words for consideration before speaking his mind, "I will start talking, as soon your guards leave us to have this 'private' conversation", Luke said dryly. Mothma's expression displayed a bit of worry, so Luke decided to change his tone a bit, "I'll keep my handcuffs on if that makes you comfortable", he added. Mothma's expression calmed down a bit, she signaled the guards to leave them alone. The guards reluctantly walked away, still very cautious around Luke. "Now, can we speak?", Mon Mothma asked the young Jedi. Luke nodded as the two continued walking through the garden.
"Why are you doing this", Mothma spoke,"Why are you not following the only tradition the jedi of the past were known to do? Why hide the truth of what happened aboard the second Death Star", Mothma stopped for a brief moment before speaking softly, "I know about your relation with Darth Vader, Luke. He is your father, Anakin Skywalker, isn't he?". Luke froze in his path, his faced turned paled. How did she know?, Luke internally panicked, How? Who told her!? Inside her own cell, Ahsoka could feel Luke's disturbance, she instantly got worried about Luke's sudden outburst of emotions. "Luke, are you alright?", Ahsoka asked him through their bonds. But Luke didn't respond to her, he just pushed Ahsoka's comment to the back of his head. He held his breath as Mon Mothma kept talking about the laws Luke had broken when he decided to run.
"How", Luke said interrupting Mon Mothma's speech. Mon Mothma looked at him puzzled for a moment, "How what?", she asked. Luke held his breath, did he really hear this? Or was it all his imagination? No, I definitely heard her say it, Luke told himself. Luke took of breath of confidence before he spoke up. "How did you know...", but Luke paused again. He noticed someone. In the background, far from the garden stood a hooded figure, the figure stood at least six feet tall. "My boy", the figure said in a raspy voice. Luke's eyes widen, the figure was talking to him through the force. No physical movement coming from his mouth. "Who are you?", Luke questioned the figure. There was a sudden flash that lasted for a few seconds, and suddenly, Luke's surroundings had changed.
There was no longer the beautiful garden or Mon Mothma next to him. They were replaced by several hooded figures chanting an ancient language. Lightning flashed across the sky. The figure standing in front of Luke was replaced by a giant throne made of stone. There sat a man, covered in white shiny armor. "We will meet one day, Skywalker", the man on the throne said, "Unfortunately, it would be some time until that day arrives. In the meantime, I come to warn you", the man stated as he slowly got up. "Warn me? First, I like to know who you are, what is this place? How do you know me?", Luke demanded. But the man simply ignored Luke's desire for answers. "You will be betrayed by the one known as Ahsoka Tano, she will become the lady of the Sith. She awaits until you finally lower your defenses to her" , the man declared as he walked closer to the young jedi knight. "No", Luke responded in horror, "The Sith have been wiped out. Ahsoka would never turn to the darkside". The man let out a deep laugh as his eyes started to glow yellow. "She is consumed by the darkness that lies within her. She has resurrected an ancient threat, known as Marka Ragnos. She desires your death! I suggest you hurry to free yourself and seek to eliminate this threat immediately!".
A sudden flash brought Luke back into reality. He glanced his surrounding to welcome the sight of the garden and Mon Mothma with her hands near her blaster. "Master Skywalker, are you alright?", asked the Supreme Chancellor. "I'm fine", Luke said trying to sound convincing. "Can you call an emergency meeting Chancellor Mothma?", Luke said in a hurry. Mothma was surprised to hear that Luke had agreed to her terms. Sure, he did zone out for a bit, and was very pale when she mentioned Vader, but there was no other way. Mothma grabbed her comlink with a small smile, "Lieutenant Holdo, please inform your superiors that we'll start an emergency meeting immediately", she said while looking at Luke, "Alright, let's go and set things straight once and for all".
Coruscant- High Command Senatorial Building
"Let the record show that Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight, has turned himself over peacefully to the New Republic. What happened on Mandalore shall not be mentioned in the history records", the commanding voice of Wedge Antilles stated, "Let the meeting begin". Luke stood in front of the Republic High Command. His gaze fell on Leia, who had a conflicted, yet worried look on her face. "Master Skywalker, you are aware of the laws you have broken these past few weeks. What is your defense?", asked the Mon Calamari, Admiral Ackbar.
"I know that my actions may have been seen in the wrong way", Luke began, "But my standpoint is clear. I won't enlist my Jedi Order as part of the New Republic. But I've decided that it would be a smart choice to become close allies, and I assure you all, that if the New Republic is ever attacked by a hostile threat, I will do everything in my power to protect this government which I helped established". Many aboard the high council started murmuring between themselves. Mostly in negative thoughts.
"Why have you not changed your viewpoint?", asked General Airen Cracken. "If I say that the Jedi Order becomes part of the government as its been done in the past, how long will it last?", Luke asked in a sincere tone. "Are you accusing us that we will ever turn against you?", Cracken asked again. "No, I'm not accusing anyone", Luke quickly defended, "But how long until someone as corrupt as Palpatine decides to bring both parties down. We won't be here forever, this may happen years after we all die, I'm just trying to protect both sides in the long run", Luke explained.
The High Council all started murmuring again. And from what Luke could here, they started talking in his favor. A loud banging echoed the room, as Mon Mothma used her gavel to bring everyone back together. "Order!", Mon Mothma shouted. Everyone immediately fell quiet to allow Mon Mothma to speak up. "Master Skywalker and I have agreed to terms that I believe the committee members can agree upon. This treaty will allow Skywalker's Jedi Order to independently establish itself apart from the New Republic, but will help whenever the New Republic is in any trouble", Mon Mothma said as she raised her voice for a vote, "All in favor, say aye, all opposing say nay".
Leia was the first to shout out aye, followed by Lando Calrissian, Wedge Antilles, Gial Ackbar, and lastly Hera Syndulla. However, others started to shout to oppose the treaty. These were Baccam Grafis, Airen Cracken, and Pitt Onoran. There was a sudden silence to the opposing sides as Mon Mothma called in lieutenant Holdo to count the vote. The 18 year old apprentice to Leia Organa walked over to the Chancellor, giving her the voting results. Mon Mothma read the results, with a hint of a smirk in her face.
"Judging by the number of votes, which was by a landslide, the New Republic Council has decided to accept Luke Skywalker's proposal in having the Jedi Order as simply a close ally towards the New Republic", Mon Mothma declared as Luke let out a sigh of relief. Good, be thought to himself, that's one less thing to worry about. "You're forgetting one thing, I'm afraid", the voice of Airen Cracken said. Everyone in the room stared at him, not saying a word. "What am I forgetting Cracken?", Mothma asked the elderly man.
"What happened aboard the second Death Star? Skywalker didn't truly say anything other than the fact that he is hiding something. After all, this is why we even called him hear in the first place", Cracken stated to the rest of the council. Luke instantly went pale again, would Mon Mothma tell them? If she knew that Vader was his father, would the other high commanders know? The only ones to actually know were Lando and Leia. If his secret was out, and if they knew that Leia was his sister, it would bring danger to his entire family. Not to mention his nephew Ben Solo, who was probably wrapped in the arms of Han back at the apartment. "Now hold on there", Lando spoke up, "We've already covered this in the previous case. Skywalker said what happened wasn't shown in the film presented to us".
"But was it the truth?", Cracken argued. He gave his attention to Mon Mothma who had a conflicted expression planted on her face. "Chancellor Mothma, what do you say about this?", Cracken asked. Mon Mothma set her eyes on Luke, and then at Leia. What was she going to do? Both of the twins were kept hidden from her, not even Bail Organa mentioned Leia's true origins to her. She wanted to outright expose them, to show the galaxy that the heroes of the rebellion belong to a man that betrayed the Republic. But her gut was telling her not to say anything. Padmé was her best friend, she would've trusted her with the secret. And Anakin, he was manipulated by a corrupted man. Would she really endanger a family that has gone through so much just for the sake of it?
No, Mothma said to herself, the Skywalker's have already dealt with so much pain. And if they were Padmé and Bail's wishes to keep that a secret, I will not betray their wishes. "What ever happened aboard that Death Star will forever be a mystery. But I can assure you all, that we can trust Skywalker, the footage from a few weeks ago has been viewed as a trap from the surviving imperials", Mon Mothma finally declared. Luke and Leia let out a huge set of air that they didn't know they were holding. We're going to be ok, Luke thought to himself in relief, Our secret is safe.
"From this point forward", Mothma continued, "All charges against Skywalker and his companions are now dropped. Case dismissed".
