Chapter 13: Battles On Both Sides
Although frightened at what the outcome of this court's decision would be, Padmé forced herself to stand tall and fierce, not willing to bow down to any threat that comes her way, especially Admiral Tarkin, who the senator always held distrust for because of his brutal ways that would usually cost the lives of clones'. It is clear that the clones of the Coruscant Guard under his command also shares her views but wouldn't dare voice them as there will likely be consequences if they do, due to the friendship between Admiral Tarkin and Chancellor Palpatine.
Still, though, Padmé wasn't going to allow her husband to be convicted and disregarded for the rest of his life. She had loved him too much to do that. Anakin doesn't deserve this.
As much as she had tried to stand tall, her ardor in defending her husband was clearly going on death ears except by the 501st and a few members of the 212th who had been allowed to stay out of risk that 'the dangerous criminal' escapes again.
As Padmé looked around the room, she had seen the worried faces of Bail Organa and Mon Mothma, the two of them having believed Skywalker, before her glance falls on the faces of the Council.
'Kriffing hypocrites,' Padmé thought to herself in resentment and hatred for the Jedi Council after hearing them so cruelly disregarding her husband, ignoring all of his years and service towards them. She had noticed Obi-Wan wasn't there. Well, at least he is currently trying to find the mastermind behind this whole thing.
"Look at the facts. Letta Turmond called the Jedi to her cell to reveal the name of the true mastermind behind the bombing of the Jedi Temple. Although Tano was supposed to be the one to go, Anakin Skywalker was the one who had gone in her stead. She told Anakin that the mastermind was a Jedi, and before she could reveal the Jedi's name, Letta Turmond was strangled through the Force. Why would Anakin kill Letta with a method that would so obviously tie the murder to him? A Jedi may be responsible for the murder, but that Jedi is not Anakin Skywalker. Members of the court, you are prosecuting the wrong Jedi!" Padmé shouted at the court with determination, not willing to back down towards Tarkin's accusations so easily.
After that, everything became silent for a moment until the sound of clapping was heard, and the Senator turns to see Admiral Tarkin, him clapping his hands mockingly.
"Well said, Senator Amidala. However, if he is innocent, then why was he seen conspiring with the known Separatist terrorists Asajj Ventress?" Tarkin asked calmly, staring at her, waiting for her to answer that.
Suddenly, the sound of laughter was heard, and everyone had looked around to find out who was laughing at a time like this when their eyes fall on Anakin Skywalker, him still laughing, despite the situation. At that moment Padmé had wanted nothing but to reach out and slap her husband in the back of his neck so she would be able to knock him back to common sense.
"Hmm, I have questions for you, Admiral Tarkin, since you are degrading me every way possible. I assume I have the legal right to defend myself because that's basically assault," Anakin said, staring at the acting Chancellor, who is currently the judge instead of Chancellor Palpatine who normally is for cases like this.
The Vice-Chancellor looks shocked and surprised but nodded, motioning for Skywalker to proceed, just as the members of the court lean forward slightly, eager to see how far this would go. It's clear Anakin Skywalker was not going to take this laying down and is now on the verge of snapping.
"You know, I was originally loyal towards the Republic first and foremost, but now, now I see why all of them left the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic. It's because of people like Admiral Tarkin who is a disgrace to not only the Grand Army of the Republic but to society as a whole," Anakin spoke, causing everyone in the court to begins murmuring and several outcries along with a shocked look by Tarkin soon followed with a glare.
"Anakin..." Padmé begins speaking, knowing that this was going to get gravid with her husband fighting back.
With the power that no one had ever expected, Anakin spoke, his voice sounding out in the whole courtroom.
"I'M NOT DONE TALKING! I LISTEN TO TARKIN AND YOU WILL ALL LISTEN TO ME!" The whole courtroom became quiet because there was something about his voice that made the hairs on even Tarkin's head twist. Turning to the said man, Anakin watched his face with a sneer. "Is it not true that you unnecessarily waste the lives of men on your assignments? I mean come on, at least, the 501st and the 212th has good generals who try to avoid casualties, but you, you Tarkin is a disgrace. Your own men don't even respect you, they only fear you because of you being a puppet to the Chancellor. If anything, you need to stand trial for your crimes."
Tarkin's face reddened out of embarrassment before he replied with anger and gritted teeth, "They are clones, they are meant to be expandable!"
Immediately, all of the clones in the room glares at Admiral Tarkin, including Commander Fox and his own men. Rex wanted nothing more but to bust a cap in Tarkin. Cody and Boil wanted nothing more but to slam him to the ground and leave him with a broken jaw. Kix, Jesse, and Fives had wanted to jump him. Appo and Sergeant Fox wanted to shoot him down without hesitation and leave his body to rot in a backwater planet.
And at last, Commander Fox and Commander Thire wanted nothing more but to brutally shoot Tarkin down and leave him to rot in a cell.
"Oh, shut the kriff up," Anakin spat out in response, rolling his eyes and waving his hand in the air, causing everyone in the court to gasp. "I wonder how long Commander Fox and his men have to deal with your tactics. You remind me of Master Krell. No, wait, you are worse."
The Jedi Council's eyes went wide as they had each known what happened to Krell. He secretly embraced the dark side of the Force and began undermining the Republic Military's war effort in hopes of gaining Count Dooku's attention, to ultimately become his apprentice and assist in the fall of the Republic.
During the Battle of Umbara, Krell temporarily replaced Skywalker as the commanding officer of the 501st Legion. When his soldiers discovered their general's secret allegiance to Dooku, the clones mutinied against Krell's command and moved to arrest him for treason. Despite killing multiple troopers while attempting to escape, the fallen Jedi was captured and taken in imprisonment by his own men. Although his subordinate, Clone Captain CT-7567, was the one who decided to execute him, it was ultimately Krell's strongest supporter, trooper "Dogma," after questioning Krell as to why he was performing these actions, who stole a blaster from Fives' holster and killed him for betraying the Republic.
That is what Captain Rex and Sergeant Appo both told the Council what happened, and to this day, Master Krell had done his damage to the clones of both the 501st and 212th.
Tarkin glares at him with narrowed eyes before turning to the judge, "Judge, I fail to see how this is relevant to the case."
"Master Skywalker?" Mas Amedda inquired.
"Ah, yes, let me defend myself against a biased trial," Anakin replied humorously, a dark chuckle coming on his lips, causing members of the court to become quiet as they had waited anxiously.
It was clear that Anakin Skywalker is going to fight back with everything that he got.
Obi-Wan and Ahsoka went to Barriss's room. Both were quiet and apprehensive as they had arrived at the room. They had both known that they would have to watch the newly deemed Jedi Knight closely as she poses a risk due to having too much evidence placed against her.
The Jedi Master had heard much about Barriss Offee and find her an interesting Jedi as she was trained to be exactly like her master.
Barriss formed a close relationship with Luminara during her training. She eventually obtained the rank of Jedi Knight, becoming one of the finest Jedi that the Jedi Order has ever had. Barriss was initially the opposite of Ahsoka, as Barriss was polite and mild-mannered while Ahsoka was impulsive and headstrong. Barriss occasionally teased her friend about their differences, but nonetheless agreed that they were good friends.
However, with their suspicions and evidence, it appears that she had turned towards the dark side and is now framing someone else for it. In some sort of dark way, Obi-Wan hopes it was Barriss or he would possibly never see Anakin as a free man again.
Ahsoka had decided it would be best for her to stay hidden and make sure Barriss don't catch them both off guard and the Jedi Master agreed, assuring that she stayed far just in earshot but not to be seen.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes and tightened his fist before ringing the doorbell, receiving an "Enter" from the woman inside, allowing him to enter the room, sensing a faint presence of the dark side that the Mirialan appears to attempt to keep hidden. It wasn't working so well as a Jedi Master can see pass the dark side by time-to-time.
'Except who the Sith Lord is in the Senate,' a voice said in the back of Obi-Wan's head, nearly causing the Jedi Master to roll his eyes and facepalm, aware the Jedi Council does try to figure out the identity of the Sith Lord and finding clues which would lead them towards him in due time. Dooku's information towards him had caused him to grow more doubtful of the state of the Republic, but now, that is not the time.
"Barriss, I need to talk to you," Obi-Wan said as he entered the room, sensing the Knight's uneasiness at just seeing him, moreover fortifying his suspicions about the Mirialan. Barriss just has to be the terrorist. She has to be.
Waves of anger pass through the Jedi Master, even worse than when Qui-Gon was murdered by Darth Maul. Why did she frame Anakin? Now his Padawan has the dark side surrounding him and he might lose him forever. There is no way a person would be able to recover from this traumatic experience and be the same afterward. How would he pick up the pieces of helping Anakin now? Would Anakin even want to be around the Jedi Council anymore?
"Master Kenobi, how may I help you?" She greeted calmly, trying to pass off the shock of his arrival by a simple polite greeting, standing up.
The Jedi Master casually walked in with his hands behind his back, a gesture that Cody had tended to copy, having been influenced by him. The commander of the 212th always got inspired by him and tends to be a lot like him which is why they were suited to be in the same legion together.
Using the Force to pull the lightsaber hilt of Barriss towards him, the words of Ventress ringing at the back of his head.
"I was told you've spoken with Anakin before he was arrested. What did you say to him?" Obi-Wan interrogated, making sure to ready himself for a Force pull of his lightsaber just in case Barriss snap at any moment. If she has Ventress's lightsabers hidden somewhere, she is dangerous.
"We have been friends since he'd arrived at the Temple. I was only trying to help him. I hope I'm not in any trouble," Barriss replied evenly, shrugging slightly, trying to act somewhat shock.
"It's no trouble," Obi-Wan assured, shaking his head comfortably as he continues to inspect the lightsaber hilt, sensing her growing more and more uncomfortable, trying desperately not to be caught. "I just need to know what you told him and have you told anybody else."
She shook her head as the Jedi Master turned towards her, "No, I thought I had a clue for him, but I really couldn't tell him anything. Who told you I spoke to him?"
Obi-Wan stares at her eyes and saw fear along with pity and bits of sadness, hearing her voice beginning to cracked, and that she was on the verge of snapping. It had taken years of meditation for him to not grow infuriated as fury burned inside his soul.
"Ventress... she told me..." Obi-Wan informed the Jedi Knight, thinking about ways to apprehend her peacefully without a long battle that may only waste time, but the Jedi Master honestly doubts that it would be that easy. Barriss is strong for her age and can match many in the Temple beside a few Knights and Masters and of course the members on the Council.
"Ventress? Is she the one who the Council says is behind all of this?" Barriss asked him, slipping up again as she wasn't supposed to know about Ventress teaming up with Anakin just yet. Not anybody except members in the Council and the ones who went to apprehend Anakin along with the ones who is behind his trial in the Galactic Republic but that information hasn't spread yet because many people would be outrage and interfere with the case.
Obi-Wan nodded, holding the lightsaber in his hand, preparing for potentially using it against its creator if she tries anything. "That's what the Council says, but I think they're wrong. Ventress believes someone else is involved."
Barriss's eyes widened nervously as she had taken a few steps back. "And you believe her?! Who else it could be if not her? Surely not Anakin."
"No, I don't think it was Anakin either, I think both Ventress and Anakin is telling the truth, but..." Obi-Wan paused for a moment, sensing her reaching out her hand for a Force Pull, "there's only one way to find out."
The Jedi Master activated the lightsaber and rotated at the female Mirialan, the lightsaber in his hand being intercepted by two familiar red blades of Asajj Ventress but hold in the grip of Barriss Offee.
"You really should surrender, Barriss, so you wouldn't have to force my hand," Obi-Wan said mockingly, having a trait to mock his opponents, but Barriss appeared to grow more infuriated and strike at his leg, only to be countered by the green blade of Ahsoka Tano before the Togruta outstretched her leg and kicked her former friend out of the room.
Ahsoka jumped at her and quickly ascended on the blades that the Mirialan was clutching, preventing her from running off, "You really should have gotten rid of them instead of having them trail back towards you! Common sense!"
"I think they suit me," Barriss said darkly before kicking the Togruta in the torso, causing her to fall back.
"Barriss, come back here!" Ahsoka shouted out for her former friend, chasing after her along with Obi-Wan, not willing to allow her to escape, now knowing that she was behind this.
"Okay, Admiral Tarkin, I would like to clear up glaring issues before we continued. Now, we have all agreed that the bomb was in fact an Abyssin named Jackar Bowmani who had been feed Nano-droids by his wife. What you all don't appear to remember is that I have been on Cato Neimoidia and other planets to fight off the Separatists during this time." Anakin addressed, causing mutters to start forming as people started thinking with common sense, each knowing that Anakin Skywalker was with the 501st, fighting off the battle droids of the Separatists.
Understanding that he now had the full attention of everyone in the room, Anakin had decided to speak strong and brave, not willing to back down because it was time for him to make that pathetic Council and the Galactic Republic realizing the mistake that they had made.
"Okay, so now everyone's thinking with the terms of common sense instead of immediately assuming my guilt. Adding on the fact that I wasn't on Coruscant, I was with my apprentice, Ahsoka Tano, and my master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You can go ask them. I have been with them this whole time. You can even ask the men in the 501st and 212th. How the hell was I supposed to organize an attack against the Temple without being there in person? Unless I can travel from one point of the galaxy to the other than I'm afraid that there is no evidence," Anakin continued bluntly, glaring up at the Council, wanting to see their expressions and watch them realized the big mistake they have made.
The Admiral's eyes went wide and his face had gone ghastly pale white, his lip curled up into a sneer, and his fists clenched up at his sides. Obviously, the people were getting conflicted and are rethinking their decisions to convict Skywalker, some even grabbing the datapad and changing their choices.
"But what about your holoprojector? Plus, who's to say you haven't managed to convince Sergeant Appo, Captain Rex, or anybody in the 501st in coordinate of bombing the Temple? They are obviously very close and loyal to you, so who's to say they didn't go rogue?" Tarkin inquired, trying to shut him down, receiving glares from the men in the 501st.
"Oh, don't be ridiculous. Rex and Appo would never be willing to slaughter their brothers and the Jedi alike. Besides, how am I'm supposed to contact anybody when I'm always on the move with defending attacks from the Separatists? Same for Rex and Appo. Besides, some men in my legion are loyal to the GAR before they are loyal to me. They would have definitely reported me if I had shown any signs of treason. Oh, and about your pathetic claims of my holoprojectors, it's only Jedi or my men's standards. If I had used that to bomb the Temple than I would have been caught because conversations can be recorded." Anakin scoffed, allowing a smirk to come across his face, having enough of laying down and willing to fight back. He'd fought back against the Jedi Council, he will fight back against Tarkin and the Galactic Republic.
"What about your communication links? Surely, there is something interesting on them," Tarkin said abruptly, seeing that he shouldn't have pushed Skywalker this far, and now the young man was going to fight back.
"As I had previously stated, Tarkin, all calls are recorded so the Jedi Council would have heard me. If you want to hear each of my conversations with my men and the Jedi then fill free to checking them out." Anakin replied, shrugging carelessly, determined to make people see his side of things.
"You were removed from the Jedi Order, were you not?" Tarkin snapped, his displeasure gurgling up precariously close to the exterior.
Anakin didn't even stiffen. He had no longer care for those hypocrites in that Order besides a vast few. If anything, being expelled from the Jedi was a dream long come true.
"I was removed today. Up until a few hours ago, I was a Jedi Knight and General of the 501st. Now, this exhausts me since you have no evidence now, let's move on to the time where Letta spoke to me," Anakin glances up at the Vice-Chancellor, "I would like to address another issue. Can we please see the security recording which is somehow tying me to being guilty of the crimes of murdering Letta?"
Mas Amedda was honestly confused and stunned about the argument. This was supposed to be easy, and Tarkin was supposed to guide enough evidence so Skywalker would be convicted. Now, he himself doubted the members of the court would accept preposterous evidence and charge on that one, but there are still charges left.
He had no choice but to nod towards Admiral Tarkin who savagely called up the security recording and showed the video of Anakin 'choking' Letta, everyone watching it with bemused eyes.
A grin came across Tarkin's lips as he turned towards Skywalker, "See, the second the woman was lifted, Skywalker raised his hands as well. Clear evidence."
'Ignorant fool,' Skywalker thought to himself bitterly but still amused, knowing that he has a testimony to back himself up.
"That's not how a Force Choke works, Admiral," Anakin replied smugly before turning towards Padmé, communicating with her through their bond. Padmé was Force Sensitive so he had taught her how to place up barriers, a Force Bond, and abilities she feels was necessary but without reaching too far.
"Judge, I believe Master Skywalker should be able to demonstrate what a Force choke is. After all, we are hearing Tarkin's side, but what about Skywalker's?" Amidala pressured, having witnessed her husband Force choking people in the past and knowing that it is not how a Force Choke works.
"Judge, he had already murdered a prisoner, what if he does the same with anyone else?!" Tarkin shouted in outrage, growing more and more infuriated with Padmé Amidala and Anakin Skywalker due to them continuing to destroy this case in every way possible.
"Senator Amidala, Skywalker, I am inclined to agree with Admiral Tarkin," Amedda declared grimly.
"Don't worry, have Commander Fox watched me. I would test it out on Tarkin in the stunning distance so if Tarkin starts choking, and if 'I'm going to kill him as I did to the prisoner', you would be able to stop me. I have no lightsaber to fight back. There are highly trained Jedi Masters who would be able to stop me easily." Anakin said, not willing to back down until the motion is a pass. It is going to show the entire Republic and Jedi Order how wrong they were and he was going to get out of here a free man. He was doing it for Padmé.
Mas Amedda looked grim but nonetheless nodded, nodding towards a few of the Coruscant Guards just in case Skywalker attempts to try anything. If he doesn't allow Skywalker to explained, it would not look good in the courts and they might vote in his innocence.
Anakin raised both of his hands as he'd done in the recording at Tarkin, and all in the court watched, expecting for Tarkin to start choking as the woman did in the recording, but Tarkin didn't even budge, much to everyone's surprise. He felt his grin rising as he senses the shock and full gasps in the court, even from the Coruscant Guards and the other troopers that were in the facility.
"Everyone in the courts, as you can see, I'm attempting to use the Force yet Tarkin isn't budging..." Anakin said smugly, feeling strides of victory rising in the air as he glares at Tarkin with a dark smirk, him returning the stare with a glare. "Now if I tighten my fist like this..." Suddenly, Tarkin begins gasping and was in a similar position as the woman was in her cell. At the sight of it, the Coruscant Guards raised their guns as Anakin keep him levitated for a few moments to allow the victory of it all coming in before releasing the admiral and causing him to fall back on the ground on his feet, allowing him to cough madly. "Do you all see how it was so different? I can't believe I was the only one in the Jedi Order that knows how a Force choke works after years of 'wisdom' and I had to rely on concentration. If you each replay the video and look at my expressions, you can clearly see I wasn't concentrated on choking the woman and was frantic. Now, let's go on another topic."
Ahsoka jumped towards the Mirialan once again, swinging her green and yellow lightsabers to matches against the female Mirialan, attempting to cut through her defensives, but quite frankly, the two were somewhat equal in lightsaber combat so the best she could do is catch her former friend off guard and seize the advantage when the time comes.
Ahsoka rolled back when Barriss lunged the second blade towards her before quickly attacking once again, sensing Obi-Wan approaching and hacking his lightsaber towards the Mirialan, who was forced to block her green blade and Obi-Wan's blue to prevent herself from losing this battle.
"Surrender, Barriss," Ahsoka demanded, not wanting to hurt her despite everything she has done. She had cared for both Anakin and Barriss, and now one of them had turned to the dark side and framed the other.
"Never! Open your eyes, Ahsoka, see what the Republic has become!" Barriss shouted, glaring at her former friend with flames burning in her eyes before pulling back and using a casual kick that knock the Togruta back, causing both of her lightsabers to deactivate and flew away from her. Now, with one opponent, Barriss begins tapping against the Jedi Master's blade but Kenobi's defensives proven to be as powerful as her former master had put it as.
She kicked him in the chest, causing him to stagger ever-so-slightly. Although Barriss could have continued her assault against the Jedi, she decided to utilize the one who was down because Kenobi was too powerful and could defeat her. Barriss seized the chance to strike her former friend down, despite how much it would hurt her. Ahsoka knew too much, and hopefully, she would be able to exhaust Kenobi out as she had done towards Skywalker. She had highly doubt that was possible, but she would possibly be able to escape.
Barriss jumped towards Ahsoka, who rolled to the side, and used the Force to knock Barriss against the wall before pulling her green lightsaber hilt towards her and activating the blade, jumping and crashing down against the Mirialan, causing their blades to reflect off of their faces.
"Why did you do it, Barriss?" Ahsoka inquired, trying to push her former friend down. "Answer me, Barriss! Why?! Why against Anakin?!"
"You would never understand, Ahsoka," Barriss replied simply.
Obi-Wan lunged towards Barriss, deciding to use a little of Ataru that he had remembered that he'd used against Darth Maul, but the Mirialan jumped back and glared at her two opponents. Obi-Wan decided to use the Force to toss the lightsaber towards her, but she quickly saw this and destroyed her former weapon, causing Kenobi to activate his own blue blade.
"Anakin and I trusted you and you'd betrayed us!" Ahsoka snarled, glaring at her former friend, not willing to allow her to get away with this. Why didn't Barriss just go to her? They could have surely done something and maintain their friendship.
"I've learned that 'trust' is overrated. The only thing the Jedi Council believes in is violence." Barriss snarled.
"I will show you violence, Barriss."
The Jedi Apprentice outstretched her hand and called for her second blade, not willing to back down.
To Barriss's surprise, Ahsoka was on her in a second, swinging her lightsabers in a downward arc to catch her off guard. Barriss barely had enough time to parried her assaults of the angry Togruta as she countered and sends blow after blow against her former friend, pushing her offensives; but still, Barriss had been able to send her own attacks, causing the battle to fell in a stalemate.
The Togruta begins lunging towards her with Kenobi attacking from the right. She had known that her grandmaster had wanted to do more and could have defeated Barriss already, but there is a risk of him accidentally killing her so he had held back and allowed the Togruta to send her own attacks.
Obi-Wan advanced on the Mirialan, having sent a few strikes after strikes at the young woman, not willing to stand down against the Jedi Knight that had turned towards the dark side. The Jedi Master pushed her back with the Force.
Barriss begins running, causing the two to chase her and begins slowly pacing her just as the Jedi Sentinels appeared, double-bladed yellow lightsabers activated at seeing the battle.
"Cease hostilities!"
Barriss attempted to retreat in another direction only to see two more Jedi Sentinels, and can only jump towards the window, cutting the glass with the two lightsabers.
"Barriss!" Ahsoka cried, chasing after her, not willing to allow her former friend to escape.
The Mirialan was running now, causing the two to chase after her, knowing what would happen if they don't catch up towards her soon. The trial is going to be over soon, and Anakin would be convicted for the crime another Jedi had done.
Suddenly, the sound of another lightsaber activating was heard, and Barriss had to parry a blue blade coming down on her. Ahsoka looked in shock as she hadn't expected someone to just to appear and now forcing her former friend back, her appearing to struggle at the figure's blows, but buying enough time for Obi-Wan and Ahsoka to approach and begins hacking away at Offee, along with the person who had just joined the battle.
"Admiral, you said so yourself that there is recording devices in every room of the facility when you were interrogating me. Not to mention, it's a highly guarded facility and it should have cameras in every corridor. Now, tell me, were there any security cameras when I supposedly slaughtered the Coruscant Guard?" Anakin was now interrogating the admiral, not willing to allow this fool to get the best of him and was going to cause everybody in not only the courtroom but across the galaxy who had believe in his guilt take back their words.
He can feel the Jedi Council watching from above, their eyes full of uncertainty and confliction now, realizing that they rushed the case without hearing Skywalker's side of the story or looking at the facts and evidence.
Tarkin was unable to answer, his face becoming as red like a crimson lightsaber, allowing the amusement to come from not only Anakin and Padmé but from the 501st, and even Commander Cody, who all was watching with smirks, seeing that Skywalker was tearing up this case.
"Admiral Tarkin, were they even reviewed?" Padmé added a statement in her husband's words, now finding secret joy as they knew this was going to be the last straw for the court. Tarkin didn't answered and looked down on the ground with embarrassment, but Padmé wasn't going to back down. Tarkin had pressed too far and now was going to feel the same embarrassment Anakin felt. "Were they reviewed, Admiral?" Padmé pressed furiously but a victorious grin was across her face.
Tarkin sighed and looked down, a defeated look across his face. "No," he confessed, earning more gasps from the courtroom as they had each had realized that the evidence that was supposed to be completed wasn't and this was a sham that should get Tarkin arrested and charged for obstruction.
"Ridiculous!" Someone yelled in the front seat, standing up out of rage.
"This is preposterous!" Another one added from the back in equal rage.
"The evidence should be relooked!" One more declared.
"This is a bogus and corrupt trial that we cannot do!" One more added.
Soon, people started getting up from their seats and yelling at each other about how the so-called evidence was just one-sided, and that this was a ridiculous and unnecessary trial while others were defending Tarkin's claims.
"Order! Order!" Amedda shouted, his voice vibrating across the court, silencing any protests as people started retreating to their seats. He knew that the Chancellor is not going to be happy and that he had wanted something with Skywalker which appeared to gone foiled on his part, but he had no choice but to dismiss this trial. This is not a full trial, and they would voice for his innocence anyhow so this would retract a less waste of time. "On behalf of the Galactic Republic, we apologized to Anakin Skywalker for the inconvenience and how the case was one-sided. We're going to review the case and is going to place you into a cell that would have better requirements and refreshments. The case is dismissed for now."
Amedda banged the grovel down against the desk sternly but firmly, dismissing the court, as Amedda turned and marched out with the red royal guards following from behind.
Anakin turned towards Tarkin and gave him a victorious grin, glad his name was cleared and that he would receive better treatment so the investigation can continue, but still didn't know who the person behind this was. At least, the case was dismissed for now, and he would be sent towards a better cell which would not completely be like the normal cell he was placed in for the last days, but one where he would be able to feel the Force again and be able to feel the little peace he has left.
Anakin then glared up at the Jedi Council and saw them shuffling and retreating from the courtroom, not even sparing him a second glance. He would never forgive them besides the ones who had voted in his innocence.
Commander Fox, Commander Thorn, and Commander Stone appears to be trying to lead the people out as peaceful as possible, witnessing the tension in the room, and knowing that charges would be filed for disorderly conduct if some people go too far.
He had noticed newly deemed Commander Thire walking up with Captain Fordo, appearing to be uncomfortable. Anakin knew they were the few in the Guard that had believed him.
Fordo hit a few controls that levitated the pod to where Anakin could walk off freely, a few men from both of their battalions going as far as even getting on the pod and helping him off, having witnessed people tripped due to having handcuffs around their wrists.
"Um, General Skywalker, if you would come here for a moment so I can remove your handcuffs," Thire ordered, falling in the stance the clones' usually fall in, not treating Anakin like a clone and civilian, but as a clone commander and general.
Anakin nodded and walked up as Thire draw a pen style key from his belt and freed him of one cuff on his left hand before freeing him of his other on his right, thus finally removing his handcuffs as a whole, holding them for a moment before pocketing them, appearing to fully trust him unlike Fox.
"Follow me," Thire said respectfully, motioning for his men to stand behind Skywalker, knowing they have to take him to an exact facility where the cells are luxurious that would be like a five-rated hotel and where he would receive better treatment.
In fact, Thire, Jek, and Rys is in charge of the facility so they would be able to ensure his treatment. If anyone there wrongly treats Skywalker, they will arrest them for assault and emotional trauma, clone or not.
As protocols state, the men raised their guns in the air behind him, marching the grim former Jedi Knight that was currently staring down out of the courtroom and hopefully to a better place than he had witnessed for the last few days.
They also secretly wanted avoid the reporters from humiliating him further. If anyone tries to push pass the guard and assault them to ask Skywalker something, they would be charged with assault and emotional trauma too so this should be smooth and easy on their part.
Ahsoka was surprised to see a familiar Rutian Twi'lek female Jedi Master, who was hacking away at the Mirialan now, causing Barriss to fall back, even with her second blade. The Jedi Master was able to push Barriss back, but not potentially truly harming her.
"Master Secura, what are you doing here?" Ahsoka inquired, parrying another strike from Barriss, surprised to see the Jedi Master who was one of the most powerful Jedi in the Order.
Her skill wasn't surprising. Prior to the Clone Wars, Secura learned the ways of the Force as the Padawan of Quinlan Vos so that had allowed her to touch limits of the Force and lightsaber combat which some masters still frown at. There is a reason why Secura was sent on many missions from the Jedi Council and why she is rarely ever on the planet of Coruscant.
"I had sensed a disturbance in the Force, Ahsoka. I am one of a few who had believed in Anakin's innocence." Aayla informed her, pulling back and twirling her blade in her hand before releasing attacks on Barriss left and right, each of the attacks the young woman struggle to block.
Quickly, Obi-Wan ran up and send a few blows that were blocked from her, and soon she had kicked him off the platform where he had landed in front of the initiates and Master Sinbue, who immediately activated his white lightsaber, obviously sensing the tension.
"Look out!" A youngling gone by the name of Petro cried out, pointing towards Barriss.
She ascended towards him, and Kenobi quickly blocked her assault before pushing upwards, rolling to the side to dodge a strike as Aayla and Ahsoka jumped down and begins assisting him with attacking Barriss, but really, the Jedi Master didn't need assistance as he was pushing Barriss back.
Ahsoka motioned for Master Sinube to lead the younglings away and can only keep her lightsaber in front of her protectively with Aayla, should her friend tries to go as far to harm children.
However, Master Kenobi was keeping her on the level and a good distance away from them so she highly doubts that Barriss would be able to penetrate past his impressive defensives, and she was proven correct as Barriss made a foolish strike, causing the Jedi Master to swipe upwards, releasing the lightsaber from her grip and allowing it to fly several feet away. Barriss disregarded the saber and again clashed with the Jedi Master, but Obi-Wan was pushing her down now, causing her to stare at the Temple Guards before swiping upwards with a shout of rage, producing a rare side of the Jedi Master.
Obi-Wan swings down at her, blocking the strikes that Barriss had made before raising his blade over his shoulderblade and bringing it down. The Jedi Knight jumped towards him and the two clashed for one moment when the Jedi Master reached out a hand and Force pushed her towards the wall, prompting her to crash and release the saber.
Kenobi, Tano, and Secura jump towards the Jedi Knight, aiming their blades at her neck, lightsabers inches away from her skull.
They simultaneously announced.
"In the name of the Galactic Senate of the Republic, you are under arrest."
Arthur's note: Long chapter I know, but I had wanted to have Anakin vs Tarkin's claims, and Ahsoka, Obi-Wan, and eventually Aayla fighting Barriss.
I know Aayla coming in was unexpected but I feel like Aayla would have been one to believe Skywalker because they had clearly fought beside each other offscreen so likely she has a sisterly bond towards him.
Obi-Wan may seem somewhat limited at the beginning of the fight, but I feel like he would have destroyed Barriss if he was trying to kill her so I feel like he would have blocked strikes until a chance comes for him to subdue her as the Soresu form is supposed to be.
I had made a fair number of thoughts of how I should have Anakin's trial go, and I decided to have Anakin actually destroy Tarkin's claims. Not only do I hate Tarkin but I feel like Anakin wouldn't have bowed in submission as much as Ahsoka had. Anakin struck me as someone who wouldn't take the knee easily and would have pointed out all of the facts. Some of you may hate how I did it, but I'm doing it a comfortable way for me. I had also wanted to take different directions.
May the Force be with you all always.