Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars, nor am I making anything from this besides... it's just for fun! :-)
Warnings: A few minor swear words and minor violence. (It will get worse later on...not much though)
PG-13
Story: Maria makes plans to see her father again only to be greeted by an old friend. This is also a little shorter than the first. Also, part of this goes by my theory that Palpatine and Sidious are one, so please don't take offense. Part 2 of 4. More parts later!
Daughter of a Jedi:
Trail
Maria watched the suns rise in the western sky. For about two years now, she had been living with Owen and Beru. Both of them were kind enough to let her stay, and she did her part by helping with some of the farming and solving problems in Mos Espa and Mos Eisley. She was known as a healer and peacemaker in this region. Her encounter with the dark side, that dominated most of her life, took much time and work for her to overcome.
Not too long ago, she had saved up money to charter a way out of Tatooine, so she could visit her father and his apprentice. Later on, the money got stolen leaving her stranded. Her plans were to in about a week, she would pack up and go to Coruscant-- there she would get a room and stay there for as long as she could. But, her plans were shot, so she needed a new way to get some fast cash.
"Maria!", Owen called out through the house somewhere," could you go into Mos Espa and pick up some power converters?"
"Sure." She went to Owen, who gave her some peggets, then began her journey there. She preferred to walk then take a speeder, and Mos Espa wasn't that far away anyway. Maria walked in through the gates of the town. People and aliens of all sorts were all around making their way through the crowds to attend to business. Despite her light clothing of light lavender and blue, she still managed to fit in with the locals.
She entered Talbee's shop hearing the bell sound as someone enters. The alien stepped out from the back and greeted her with a friendly smile. He was a strange creature from Malastare, she thought, who was very paranoid. Many times before, she had watched him while waiting for a part; he looked over his shoulder about twenty times and held two blasters and had a security system that could protect the Chancellor.
What can I do for you? , he spoke in his foreign tongue.
"Have any power converters?", she asked while looking around as if to buy more.
How many?
"Three."
He went to the back of his shop and pulled out three converters. She handed him the money, took a box, placed the converters in and with a nod, exits the shop. She began to walk back and felt as if someone was watching her; Maria looked around feeling an old cold presence. It's nothing. Jeeze now she was getting nervous. One of Owen's driods came up to her. She set the box down and watched it take off. There wasn't much to do, so she headed into a bar and asked for some water.
It was so crowded. Why though? She had just forgotten the pod races were going on in a few days. Maria had long since lost her saber, but took the time to build another. She kept it in a holster on her left inner thigh, which was covered by her dress. It was concealed enough to the untrained eye but still there just in case. Her water was untouched since she ordered it. Maria took one sip and heard ranting a raving. Two aliens were arguing about something each in their own language. She was about to head out the door deciding not to be apart of the bickering.
"We ask a Jedi about this!", a man yelled in basic. He walked to Maria stopping her before she could reach the door.
"Let me through.", she demanded.
"You are a Knight aren't you?"
"Correct."
"We have a problem. My buddy here says this guy cheated him on a pod racing part. He received the part only come to find out it didn't work." Maria walked to the aliens. She turned to the first one, "Is this true?" He nodded. She turned to the second one, "What's your side of this matter?"
He spoke and was translated, "He came in asked for a part and I gave it to him. It wasn't broke when it was in my possession, so he must have ruined it."
"May I see the part?", Maria asked. She was handed a busted engine binder. She saw scorch marks. Through the force, she sensed it's age. It had been broken before. It seemed like the part had been damaged, repainted and sold again. It is illegal in most cases but not this far from the government.
"My judgment is that you will replace this binder seeing it had been damaged before." The alien reached for a blaster, but was quickly contained by the crowd.
"Respect the Jedi's word." Maria left only to have her arm caught by another creature by a red Twi-Lek that was standing by the door.
"I have an offer for you.", the Twi-Lek said in a very soothing voice. She never did like Twi-Leks much, but she had made an oath when she came here not show venom to aliens or people but to respect them.
"I'm not interested.", Maria said yanking her arm away as she began to walk again. The Twi-Lek walked faster to catch up with Maria's quickening pace. When she reached her side, she began again.
"You need some cash, and my master is willing to let you have some." Maria stopped knowing that this wasn't going to stop till she talked this over.
"How would you know if I 'needed' any cash? Also, what would I have to do? Nobody in his or her right mind just hands out cash these days. Unless, there is something that has to be done in return."
The Twi-Lek looked around as if she was being watched or was watching to make sure no one was following. Maria didn't know.
"Come here tomorrow at dawn, and I will lead you to Jabba who will lend you some money."
Jabba? The Hutt? Maria shook her head, "I will not borrow money from a treacherous villain like Jabba. He will send hunters after me when I don't repay the money with a substantial amount of interest."
The Twi-Lek persisted, "He won't. He sent me here for an offer with no interest and no worries. He's willing to offer you 20,000 for your trip there."
Maria needed the money badly. She nodded. The trip back home gave her some time to think. This isn't good. Oh why didn't she get out when she could? She saw Beru outside waiting for her and gave her a hug. This was the closet thing to a mother, Maria thought, she would ever have. When she met up with her father, she would ask him about her mother.
Evening hit, Beru, Owen and her were at the dinner table eating. Maria pondered the offer. When her chores were done, she laid down to rest.
***
Dawn approached faster than Maria thought. Maria couldn't believe she was actually going along with this. She headed out early with her saber ready. When she arrived at the bar, she waited. The Twi-Lek was late. This was a useless waste of her time. Maria headed out to find her arm caught, again, by the same Twi-Lek.
"Ready?", she asked. Maria nodded. She followed the Twi-Lek. Some time later, they had by what Maria thought reached their destination. The Twi-Lek opened the door that had a code on it and looked at Maria.
"Just follow the path. When you get to a blue room, hit the palm panel, and you will have a talk with Jabba. Good luck."
Maria was gone but didn't hear the Twi-Lek mention 'Jedi' at the end of her sentence. She walked cautiously through the path. Guards lined the entrance; they looked at her but made no move to stop her. She was expected then. Something wasn't right when she entered the blue room. There should be more to this. Maria stood in front of the panel. Here goes. She pressed it. The floor beneath her slide open, and she tumbled down through a tunnel and fell out into a pit. Maria slowly got up to notice she was in a deep pit; the bottom was lined with sharpened bones with the top the same way except for it crossed over to form a barrier. She looked around and saw a bag. As she reached for it, she heard a deep laugh. A trap and she fell for it... literally.
Maria looked up to see the disgusting slug with the red Twi-Lek from before and a translation driod. She was in the clutches of a criminal lord who probably didn't care whether she lived or died. She remained calm and dusted herself off while waiting for an explanation.
Jabba spoke then was translated by the driod, "Jabba welcomes you. He says that the peggats down at your feet count out to 20,000, but he request you offer something in return." Maria was trapped and the thoughts of what she might have to do sickened her a bit. She had to go along with this until she thought of an escape plan.
"What would I have to do?", Maria asked. Jabba spoke again.
"You must provide a show for him and his guest.", the driod translated. Maria was disgusted. She knew Jabba's taste for women and the indignity he put them through. Then again, she wasn't the average female.
"I will no such thing.", Maria said adding an edge to her voice. Jabba spoke and this time he used 'Jedi' in his words.
"You don't have much of a choice, Jedi. Jabba has seen you around here performing your deeds to the people. It is strange for one of such high honor to be seen here." A few whispers went through the crowd and Maria felt like a circus freak.
"I do contain that power, but that doesn't make me a Jedi. It, also seems that with a place like this, there needs to someone to bring justice to the unjust. Besides, why does his majesty wish to insult me and place me here when I could easily escape?", she said still calm.
There was a small laugh from Jabba then words translated, "Because you will be the main attraction as you fight for your life."
Jabba laughed again a pressed a button raising a door behind her. Emerging was a creature several times her size. A rancor. Cheers went through the crowds above. Maria ignited her lavender blade. More cheers went out from the crowd. The creature towered over her swinging down at her; she jumped from side to side avoiding the swings. She was about to slash at the creature when a rope caught the handle of her saber. A man from the top dressed in black stole it from her.
Maria swore and dived rolled passed the creature. The rancor grabbed some spikes and threw them at her. With nowhere to hide, she ducked and dodged the spikes. She used the force to leap up and caught the spikes overhead; with her feet she kicked and placed them in small holes. The rancor below was swinging at her, but with each time she drew her body closer to the overhead frame.
Ha! She outwitted him! He grabbed a cub from the dark room he came from, which is now closed, and swung it, knocking the spikes next to her. Maria lost her gripping and fell hard to the ground. As she slowly got up, the rancor grabbed her. Maria struggled. She was to be eaten alive. She called upon the force to bring her a long spike. At the right moment, she stabbed the creature's lower jaw.
Maria fell as the monster went to fix it's wound. She used the force to run up the wall, flip twist and once again grab the spike frame. Balanced now Maria saw the creature swing at her again. She began to dodge and climbed up to a hole that was made earlier. She let her feet go and pulled up through the hole and balanced. Through the force she called the peggets to her while flip twisting off the frame to the secure platform. She turned around to see Jabba and his court staring at her.
"I will not be your entertainment anymore.", Maria stated in a threatening tone. She walked out; strange there were no guards coming after her. A driod began to follow her.
"Jabba wishes you a safe journey and thanks for the ent--", before he could finish the sentence Maria threw him back. She walked unharmed and looked down to check for her saber. Gone. It occurred to her that a dark man took it. Maria didn't give it a second thought thinking she could easily make a new one. She walked until she was pulled off the main road. The figure covered her mouth and pinned her against the wall. Maria would swear her day just wasn't going to get any better.
"Long time no see, Livia.", a familiar voice whispered to her. It was Maul.
"I do go by that name anymore. What do you want, Maul?", Maria asked hoping it wasn't what she thought it was.
He grinned and took his gloved hand and touched her cheek, "Names don't change who you were. You don't know how hard it was not having your company around, so I came here to see how your 'Jedi' lifestyle was going."
She shrugged his touch off with disgust, "Better that yours I bet." He pulled out a saber, her new one, and ignited the blade. He took the blade and wavered it around staring into it. What is wrong with him? Drunk? Or just insane?
"Here to kill me, Maul? You know it will do no good.", she asked staring at her own blade.
Maul's eyes stared at her for a minute then disignited the blade. He handed it to her. Maria took it and held it a moment. Were they to battle?
"Nice how they treated you back there.", he was implying the pit of death from Jabba's place. His words seemed to get more dramatic as he spoke.
"Jabba's a crime lord-- I expected such from the likes of him. Why have you really come here Maul?"
Maul got a look in his eyes. What was he thinking? She wondered why she didn't just run home. He finally answered, "Things haven't been the same since you left. I missed your presence." Maria thought for a second. Missed her? Twice he said that now. One conclusion... he had lost his mind.
"Still a slave of Sidious-- when will you learn."
Maul brought his dark face close to hers and whispered, "Probably never." With that said he kissed her deep and passionately. She shrugged away and stared at him speechless. She began to leave when her arm was caught.
"Come back with me.", he said almost pleading. He had said this before, but now it seemed so much softer. If she didn't know where they would be going, she would have taken him on his word.
"You know that part of my life is gone, Maul. I shall never return to the dark side."
"Not even for us?", he asked still keeping his calm composer. Us? There was no 'us'? What is wrong with him? Love? He continued, "Livia, please, I do care for you."
"You follow the dark side, Maul," she said folding her arms across her chest, "you are incapable of love. What happened to your bloodlust?"
"Still have it."
"Maul, why not come back to Coruscant with me and turn back to the light side? Sidious hasn't destroyed your soul completely.", she asked extending her hand.
He shook his head, "No, I will never be weak as you Jedi are." She could sense he was a bit heartbroken. Maria turned and walked off. Was he nuts? Or actually sincere? She pushed through people till she was on the open sand then kept going till she reached home.
***
She didn't step in to see Beru and Owen just yet. Maria sat on a hill watching the suns set. A beautiful site actually. Her emotions had taken a twisted turn. What had gotten into Maul? Love? It didn't make sense with him. Did Sidious talk him into it, or did he come here on his own free will. She had to get out of this place as soon as possible. She hurried inside to pack. Beru was they're cooking in the kitchen.
"How was your day, Maria?", Beru asked but Maria didn't answer. She had to leave tomorrow morning. Maria threw original outfits, new clothes, weapons, and such in. Maria went to Beru, hugged her and mentioned that she was leaving early tomorrow. She headed of to her room and laid down in bed.
Maria ran through the market place trying to find a charter out of here. She stepped into a bar and sat down. Her pack was light on her back and her saber was still in it's place. She talked to a few people about jobs, but nothing set so far.
Maria was getting desperate. Finally, a pilot tapped her on the back. She turned to face him. He had long sandy colored brown hair and green eyes. He wore a flight uniform with an insignia of the Republic on it.
"I heard you need a ride to Coruscant?", he asked her.
"Yeah.", she answered very dully.
"Well come with me. " He helped her out of her seat and led her to the hanger, "I have a ship for you to charter out."
Maria nodded, "How much? I can offer 15,000." His eyes widen.
"All right hop aboard if your ready. Sorry, my ship is old. It will probably take about a week to get to Coruscant." Maria thought about this. She didn't care; she just wanted out.
"Sure that works." With that, they took off. Seven days. She would do some thinking along the way. But, for now, she would go back to sleep.
***
Qui-Gon was up half the night. He, Padme' and Jar Jar had stayed at Anakin's house for the night. Tomorrow was the pod races; the bet he made with Watto would get the Queen out of here and to Coruscant. He felt sick-- for the first time in his life, he wished her could have started over. Obi-Wan had always been like a son to him, but now he has his own daughter alive and well.
She looked so different in her last massage; her softer looks along with a look of peace, which was on her once stern face, showed a different side of her. Maria had saved them, practically earning her the title of 'Knight'. He would request this idea to the council. After twenty years of darkness, Maria seemed turn to the light with a natural ease. As unlikely and unreal as it sounded, it did make sense. She escaped the dark side because the actions she did were never her choice but another's. He wondered where she was. In her transmission she gave no idea to where she was. Probably knowing Maul would use that to track her down.
***
The next afternoon after collecting the new hyper drive and Anakin, Qui-Gon sat in the ship staring out into the darkness of space. His mind was left to wander until his faithful apprentice showed up. He sat down across from him.
"Everyone is asleep, Master, but tell me, what troubles you these nights?"
"I wish for this mission to be over. I miss my daughter even though I only knew her for a few days. It makes me anxious to know her life and to understand it."
"That doesn't sound like the way you usually talk. Parental instincts kicking in?", Obi-Wan said jokingly. Qui-Gon smiled. Obi-Wan was right; the night the dark warrior took her away he felt helpless. Obi-Wan continued, "Maria will be fine; you two have come too far now just to have one of you be killed. She's tough-- she dealt with the dark side for 21 years."
Qui-Gon was silent. Morality had hit him hard when he dealt with the dark warrior from earlier. He did not want to lose his daughter with now being the only chance to start over.
"I'm going to rest. You should, too, Master.", Obi-Wan said mimicking his master's tone. Qui-Gon laughed and did lay down in one of the available bunkers. Calming his nerves, he fell asleep.
***
He awoke almost before anyone else. Coruscant was ahead and full of fast pace actives. They landed on a platform where Senator Palpatine waited for them. The queen filed out first, then Anakin and Jar Jar with he and Obi-Wan last. When the interviews were over, he and Obi-Wan headed to the Jedi Council.
Moments later they were standing in front of Mace Windu and Yoda telling of there mission and of the dark warrior. He brought up Anakin and his request for the boy to be tested.
"Bring him before us then.", Mace said.
"I have another request. About two years ago, I discovered my daughter, who had been a captive of the dark side, " he chose his words carefully, "I wish for her to be tested and knighted for her deeds."
Mace leaned forward with his hands folded in front of his face, "The same one who attempted to murder Bail Organa?"
"Yes, but she didn't complete the mission. She instead saved me from a dark warrior. I think that deserves something. Maria had followed the dark side for 21 years; then resisted it.", he persisted. He always went against the council's wishes. Sometimes for the good, and sometimes for the bad.
"Strong her past crimes were, Master Qui-Gon.", Yoda put in. He would not give up.
"Consider it, please." Qui-Gon left with Obi-Wan following behind in step. He didn't have high hopes for his plan.
After spending a day at Coruscant, the queen decided to head back to her home planet. He didn't want to leave fearing missing his daughter's arrival. As a Jedi though, he would protect the queen.
***
The trip was long and boring. Maria had no idea where to find Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. She would try the Jedi Council first.
"There it is, Coruscant. "Where would you like me to drop you off?", the pilot said turning to face Maria.
"The Jedi Council towers." He flew to a landing site near there. He touched down while Maria got the payment together. She paid him and stepped off the ship. Coruscant was busy with its usual traffic; Maria made the trip the council and entered the building. She took a lift to the rooms and looked around a bit lost. She noticed in an open room a small green creature.
"Hmm... lost you seem. Help you I may.", the creature told her. She walked inside a room.
"I'm looking for Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.", she stated plainly.
"Oh yes... take you to them. But, first", he paused and directed her inside the large room," how feel you today?"
Maria smiled and looked around, "Tired from the dull trip."
"You mind wanders-- a lot happen to keep you distracted?", he asked.
"It is just some past events that bothered me and a growing excitement to see someone."
"Oh yes father... yes... very excited.", he said with a laugh. Maria kneeled down to his eye level.
"How do you know he's my father?", Maria asked very curious.
"Talk to the Council he did. Asked you to be knighted he did also."
"I will need to thank him later. Could you take me there?"
He walked out of the room and entered the halls again. With his small cane, he pointed to a room at the end of the hall.
Maria nodded thanks and walked past the creature to the door and knocked. Obi-Wan came to the door with his still short hair cut and same Jedi look.
"Maria! I wasn't expecting to see you for another week. Glad you could make it.", Obi-Wan told her. She hugged him then was lead inside.
"Obi-Wan, I know this will sound rude, but where's your master, my father?", Maria asked. Obi-Wan's zeal energy turned to sadness in a second. He sat her down and kneeled in front of her.
"On our last mission, Qui-Gon was killed by a Sith lord. There was nothing I could have done."
Maria felt her heart skip several beats. Her father dead? By Maul? She tried to hold back the tears. Obi-Wan knew that this was hard and embraced her while she cried.
She pulled back with tears in her eyes, "How was this Sith dressed?"
"He was dark, short and with an elaborate tattoo or design on him. Even after I killed him there still wasn't enough time for me to help Qui-Gon." With the description, she felt her anger rise then subsisted. No reason to be angry with someone who is now dead.
Maria looked at Obi-Wan and smiled, "It's not your fault, nor do I blame you. It's just," she sighed, "I never got to see him after our last encounter." She wiped her tears away. Obi-Wan the got up and went to his dresser and pulled out Qui-Gon's cloak.
"I thought you might have wanted to keep this.", he said handing her the cloak. She took it and unfolded it feeling the fabric between her fingers. Whether or not she became a Jedi, she would keep Qui-Gon's cloak. While folding it, a boy, dressed almost as Obi-Wan, was stepped in. Obi-Wan got up and stood behind the small boy.
"This is my apprentice, Anakin.", Obi-Wan introduced. Maria smiled and introduced herself as well. Later, on Maria got a room across from Obi-Wan's and Anikan's. She couldn't believe it. After a few days of sending out her letter her father is now gone before she could get to know him. Sidious had won this battle. In her grief she would be in the weakest stage, and with her defenses down, he could tempt her to the dark side. Or was that even it? Maul was dead too; strange how just a week ago she saw him before he killed her father. A gentle knock raised her from her deep depression. She got up to see Obi-Wan standing in the door.
"I have been asked to take you to see the council." With that she followed him. Why did they want to see her? The creature mentioned something Qui-Gon had said. Was that it or something else? She entered the room alone. Maria stepped towards the middle facing a dark skinned Jedi and the same green creature that helped her.
"Maria, two years ago you were here after Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan saved you.", the dark skinned one began.
"Yes."
"Also, while you were here you tried to assassinate Bail Organa." Oh no they remember. She thought it best to go with it.
"Yes."
"You also stopped a dark warrior from killing Qui-Gon that claimed to be on your side."
"Yes." She wondered where this conversation was going.
"For that act you were asked to be considered to be knighted by, Qui-Gon Jinn, your father. For over coming the dark side the Council grants you the title of "Knight". Maria smiled. Jedi Knight? Amazing. She bowed in respect and was dismissed. She saw Obi-Wan at the door.
"Congratulations. Your father would have been proud."
"I know."
***
Maria was walking through a desert. She hated deserts. The sands began to rise to form tall around shapes around her then froze there. People began to sit in the raised parts of the sand. A tall old man sat in the highest chair calling out 'Order! Order!'. Was she in a court? The sands rose next to her forming chains to hold her hands and feet still.
"Livia, you are charged with murder how do you plead?" Livia? She didn't go by that name. She struggled. The sun overhead seemed to grow hotter and hotter while the chains grew tighter.
"I plead innocent. I have not murdered anyone." Roars of disappointment rose in the crowds. The jury was the entire council itself even Obi-Wan sat with them. He had a dark look to him. She had never seen him this way. All of the jury joined in a chant repeating 'Guilty! Guilty!'. What the heck was going on?
"Is it true you tried to have the Senator killed?" , a voice from the jury rang out.
"Yes, but I never completed the mission. I stopped to save my father."
"If you had killed the warrior before then your father wouldn't be dead now." He was right. She felt her tears come back.
"It's not my fault!", she yelled.
"It is Livia; because of you, your father is dead. You followed the wrong path and ended up killing those that meant something to you." The words cut through her like stabbing knives. Each one slowly and painfully taking away her last shred of emotion.
Maria wished the voice would stop. She didn't cause this. Everyone is in control of their own actions and no one else.
"Livia, you once followed a dark path; isn't true once a Sith always a Sith. Isn't true that you wanted cold revenge.", the voice said mockingly. Maria shook her head. These accusations were false.
"At one time I wanted the things you described... not anymore. I saved my father's life. This freed me from whatever hate bonds I was tied down with." The bond around her ankles and wrist grew tighter and wrapped around her arms and legs. The judge stepped down to face Maria. He reached for her face, touched her cheek then clutched her throat. She gasped.
"As I said before," he paused, "you will not escape your punishment." A wave of dizziness hit. She felt as if she would die on the spot. Just too much pressure.
Maria realized who it was. When he let her go, she tried to tell them, but their yells of justice over powered her cries. Obi-Wan stepped down from the jury box. His eyes didn't hold the same innocent blue glow, but now just empty with black hatred. He ignited his saber.
"Traitor.", he whispered and thirsted the saber into her heart.
***
Maria screamed and woke up in tears. What the heck just happened? She had never had a vision that bad. Obi-Wan busted in and ran to her. She stepped away from him remembering his actions in the vision.
"What happened?", he asked. Maria had calmed down and sat back down on her bed.
"I had the most horrible vision."
Obi-Wan sat down beside her, "What was it about?"
Maria shook her head, "It's too hard to explain. I'm fine now."
Obi-Wan got up to leave then paused at the door. When she nodded for him to go, he shut the door behind him leaving Maria alone. Her nightshirt gave her no protection from the cold night air. She walked to her balcony and looked out to see the city still bright with lights. Maria had a strange feeling in the back of her mind. Some one else is here. Something dark was here. She called her saber to her and opened her door. The halls were dark as she expected.
She heard through the force a small cry. She cautiously walked down the hall and found the source. The door to the room was cracked open and she peeked in. Two figures stood directly opposite of one another. The one to the right was dressed in dark carrying a saber and a dagger. An assassin! She looked around to see no one else lurking about and dashed for the room hitting the dark figure with the side of her foot. He fell, and got up quickly bringing the dagger in contact with the flesh of her shoulder.
Maria winced and ignited her blade, so the figure did so also but didn't attack her. It ran to the other man, the hostage, and stabbed him in the chest. Maria jumped to the figure to strike him, but she was paralyzed by lighting that coursed through his fingers. Every nerve in her body was on end and in deep pain. She fell gripping the ground. He grabbed her saber and threw it out the window and took the dagger in his hand. He slashed two marks on the hostages' faces the exited himself leaving the dagger. Maria got up and went to the wounded man.
"Th-Th-thanks for.... the help.", he told her. She grabbed some of the drapes on the window and ripped them. She dried the blood up. It was too late, for his life had slipped away. She looked at the bloody dagger; her eyes widen. It was hers! Someone had broken into her room. About the time, Obi-Wan busted in along with guards. He was in total shock.
"I know what your thinking and I did not do this.", Maria said still holding the dagger. Royal guards of a greenish blue color took her away. Obi-Wan remained in shocked, but took a look around the room then the window. They will try her for this crime; he had to talk to her.
Maria was cleaned and dragged into a cell. She was now in a plain white dress with no insignia to make the judgment fair. Maria looked out the small window of her cramped quarters. There was no way they would believe her case. She leaned her head back. Someone's coming. It was Obi-Wan. He nodded to the guards then came in and crouched down in front of her.
"Maria, what happened?", Obi-Wan asked concerned.
"After you came in to check on me, I went to balcony and tried to calm down a bit. I sensed another person of a dark power and a cry for help. I grabbed my saber and walked down the halls to a room. There were two people in there, the guy that was murdered and a dark warrior. I battled the warrior, but lost, and he took off after stabbing the guy through the chest and cutting his face.... with my dagger."
"You're going to put on trail, Maria; all the evidence points at you, and I guarantee they aren't looking for more people to blame.... just you."
"But, I didn't do it. Were there any witnesses?"
Obi-Wan shook his head sullenly, "None. It's your word against the evidence."
Maria looked at the ground, "Then, I'm as good as dead aren't I?"
Obi-Wan sighed, "I can't help you too much. I can vouch for your innocence, but it's you who has to convince them. If things get bad, I may be able to get you out of Coruscant."
Maria didn't want Obi-Wan to lose his honor for helping her, "I won't let you take me from here; if I run, they'll defiantly assume I did it. I have to face this trail. Whether it is for the worst or for the best. Who was the guy that was murdered last night? I didn't get a good look at him."
"Senator Sibbio." Maria knew she couldn't win this. Only two years ago, she tried to kill Organa; they weren't going to follow her in this one.
"Who are the judge, jury, and prosecutor?"
"Judge and Prosecutor is Chancellor Palpatine with a jury composed of four Jedi and six senators."
Maria's heart sank, but she was a knight; the Jedi would have to believe her story. She pondered another question before Obi-Wan got up.
"When's the trail, and what is the punishment?"
Obi-Wan gravely answered, "Tomorrow beginning at dawn, and the punishment is death or carbon freezing." He left leaving Maria alone to think. Carbon freezing? Like in her visions. She couldn't find the connection between this and the visions. She silently wept and wished Qui-Gon was here. She needed someone to comfort her. She remained in her seated position only to bring her legs up to her chest. Night would be coming soon-- she needed rest for the bout tomorrow.
***
Maria was up when dawn arose. Guards came in and moved her up. They bound her ankles and wrist together. She wore a collar around her neck with a chain that let the guard lead her out like an animal or slave. She entered the court, which had the jury on the left and judge and prosecutor on the right. Like a criminal, she was placed on a platform for everyone to see and gawk at her. Maria kept her head high not allowing them to see her fear.
Things got silent. An old man with dark blue and green robes stood up and began to speak, "People of Coruscant! We come today to try Maria, also know as Livia, for the murder of Senator Sibbio. She is guilty until we of this court find her innocent of this crime." He faced her now, "What is your name, rank and heritage."
Maria spoke confidently, "Maria a Jedi Knight to the Republic. Parents are deceased now."
"Who are you parents child?"
"I have no knowledge of my mother, but my father is Qui-Gon Jinn, a Jedi Master." Maria wondered why this was important.
Palpatine gave this some thought and faced the jury, " We found our dear Senator dead at the hands of this woman. The guards present at her arrest said she still held the bloody dagger that cut the flesh of our dear senator." Muttering went through the crowds. This guy could turn a phrase quite well.
"I did hold the dagger, but that doesn't mean I killed him. I had been in my room. I suspected something was up and saw the senator dealing with a dark warrior. I proceeded to help, but I came too late the senator was dying after a stab in the chest."
Palpatine got a bit annoyed for her speaking out of term but continued, "Why is it no one else saw this warrior?"
Maria was annoyed, "He escaped through the window when I went to help the senator."
"The medical office says that he was stabbed with a saber and this is what was found on the scene." He pulled out a saber. It was her older one that she had lost before.
"Is this your saber?", Palpatine asked knowing the answer to the question.
"Yes."
"And the dagger?"
"Also, mine." Cheers and cries went out through the crowds behind her. She was losing this match badly; she was now more than ever determined not to let this guy intimidate her.
"The prosecution rest. Maria, if you can find someone to vouch for you, then you may have them speak." She saw Obi-Wan get up from his seat.
"I will.", he said and joined her side.
"As a respected member of the Republic and Jedi Master, I would like you to ponder a moment the evidence." He turned his attention to the dagger and saber.
"Each of these items could have purposely been used to set her up. This saber for instance. She lost this saber two years ago in a battle. How would she have it now to kill then senator? Also, the dagger maybe hers, but it could have been easily taken out of her room and used by another."
Palpatine turned to Obi-Wan, "You also entered with the guards. What was your fist reaction when you saw her with the bloody dagger?"
"'What happened?'"
"You mentioned a battle two years ago," he paused then went on, "This woman at that same time was after another senator, Bail Organa. That crime was prevented." He turned and faced Maria, " Do you deny this, Livia?"
" I deny the fact that my name is no longer Livia but Maria."
Palpatine persisted, "So, you do admit to the crimes years ago?" Before she could answer Obi-wan intervened.
"The point of this trail is not to try her for the crimes of her past but to prove her innocence or guilt now." The crowds were in an uproar. Maria shook her head.
Without skipping a beat Palpatine went on, "The guards during the night of the crime said you were covered in blood."
"I was helping him, but since your prosecution wants my head on a plate, assume what you want. If you help someone that has a bloody wound, you will get some on you.", Maria answered with a touch of anger.
"He was dead; why help him?"
"He wasn't dead on impact. He died slowly in my arms. That's when I took a look of the bloody dagger."
Obi-Wan thought of something, "The medical analyzed the blood on the dagger correct?" He paused for an answer then continued, "According to this, some of the Maria's blood on it."
"You point, Jedi Master?" Palpatine said with a bit of sarcasm.
"Why would she give herself a wound? She didn't because someone else did. There must have been a quarrel and whomever she was fighting had her saber from two years ago. When they fought, he left it there to frame her and used her dagger, also. It all fits together."
Palpatine shook his head, "But, there are no accounts of anyone else being present in the room. She could have easily given herself a wound to fake everyone out to think she's not apart of this. So far Kenobi, you have provided a new way of looking at the evidence hoping to make it sound better than it is."
Obi-Wan sighed and noticed something on Maria's arm. It looked like a dark bruise in thin strands.
Obi-Wan raised the attention again, "I can see how the dagger could have been self-inflicted, but, " he held up one of Maria's arms, "these looks like it would be impossible to be self-inflicted. I only heard of accounts like this in old Jedi stories where dark warriors, Sith, could send energy through someone leaving these marks." Gasp went through the crowd, and Palpatine came to look at the wound still not convinced.
Palpatine smiled, "But, the Sith are exist, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan's eyes narrowed, "That's what I thought, but both Qui-Gon and I faced a warrior of such. We suspected that he was a Sith."
"But, he's dead."
"There could be more."
"I thought the Jedi had gotten rid of the evil, insane, and vicious Sith? Oh well, in any case, he deserved to die anyway." Maria felt a flash of anger.
"The warrior that killed my father wasn't any of those things you described, Chancellor. He was just... damage, like I was before.", Maria said with confidence.
"So, you defend their cause?", he kept on opening her up for a trap.
"I never said that. I'm saying warriors like that aren't crazy. They have been lead astray into believing a false truth. So much, in fact, that they believe nothing will help them except for corruption of others. Also, no one deserves to die-- my father didn't deserve to die, nor did Maul, the dark warrior. Death is never an answer. Never has or will be."
"Thank you for that seemingly useless inspirational speech.", Palpatine said sarcastically.
Maria hanged her head low. It was no use. Obi-Wan was trying and so was she, but the crowd would not sway to her side. She raised her head up to also see the jury taking amongst themselves. They didn't believe her. She wondered why Palpatine was enjoying this so much. It reminded her of her vision, but not as bad, not yet anyway. She decided to say just one more thing.
"I came back to Coruscant despite what happened two years ago to visit the only family I had. I had no intentions of killing anyone. When I was gone those years, I made sure to rid my soul of whatever darkness there might have been. I was made a Jedi Knight by the council. They knew my intentions; they sensed no betrayal or deceit. I ask that you look at me not for what I did in the past, but what I'm doing to help the future." The room was silent. Had she brought up a point that even Palpatine couldn't disagree?
"If there is no more, the court will decide Maria's fate tomorrow."
With that she was put back in her cell. She sat down not wanting to think about her punishment. Maria had come here to visit her father, he was dead, and now she was going to be killed for a murder she did not even commit. She tried to relax knowing that worrying would get her nowhere. She saw the bruises and placed her hand over them and began to heal. In a while they will be gone. She had relaxed when she sensed someone coming. Palpatine, himself, was here no doubt to gloat.
"You will be punished tomorrow; feeling nervous?"
Maria sneered, "There's a chance I might be found innocent." She knew that wasn't going to happen but anything to shatter his confidence.
"I had hardly recognized you since I last saw those years back." Saw her? They had never met.
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh Maria don't you get it!? You never came back to receive your punishment two years ago. But, you'll pay tomorrow." With that he left. Sidious! How could she have been that blind? She needed to talk to Obi-Wan. Everything now made sense. In her dreams, Sidious wanted revenge. He's going to her put in carbon through the system! The court was over, and he had won. He knew for sure there was nothing she could do.
Her chains had been taken off earlier. She used the force to see through the circuits and used some energy to block one of them to her door. With a push, Maria is out and with no alarms sounding. She walked quietly through the room to see guards.
With the force she makes them believe that they heard something in the distance. With the distraction she ran through the halls. Where was she? Top floor: prison level. She needed to get down and fast. Guards were everywhere; she had to try the window in a dangerous climb down. She stepped out and was faced with a narrow ledge. She let the force flow within her and began to climb down using ledges and windows to support herself.
She broke into another window and stepped inside. Maria's uneasiness had returned. Someone was near. Palpatine emerged from the shadows.
"I expected better from you, my dear."
She dashed to him only to be hit by mega volts shooting from his hands. Extreme pain threw her backwards and to the ground. She tried to get up, but only to face more volts. She stood up almost falling over again and crocked something to Palpatine, "Why don't you just kill me and be done with it?"
Palpatine smiled, "Because I'm having too much fun."
"So, that's why you sent me years ago to kill Organa; you wanted to make sure you could get Chancellor." She gripped her side and still faced Palpatine.
"Actually my dear I knew this was going to happen. See, you would lead astray from the dark side, but in order to get you back I will put you through as much anguish as possible. Then, you will yield to the dark side. The visions you have been receiving have been done when I entered your mind at night. Each one worse than the other to make you feel confused then with strong emotions as hate and fear to follow."
Maria couldn't understand what he meant. She stepped farther away from him groping for the window edge. Finally she mentioned something, "Why me? You took me away from my farther then had Maul kill him. Why?"
Palpatine grinned a wicked grin, "So, you could feel hate." The last words she heard as someone came up from behind her knocked her hard in the head. She fell to the ground.
"Take her to the freezing chamber and wait for me there." The guards took Maria's body away and Palpatine looked out the window to his future empire.
***
Palpatine requested that Maria be frozen in her dark suit as she once did when she still followed him. The guards lowered her body down to the freezing chamber then began the process. About a minute later a block of carbon came out with Maria positioned feet slightly apart, arms by her side and head facing forward.
He checked the status on her; good she was alive and very well preserved. She would return to the world of the living terror to all those who faced her. He had foreseen this. She would be one of his greatest assets... along with another.
***
Obi-Wan woke up as soon as dawn approached. Things were not going as well as he hoped. His master's death was hard, and now Qui-Gon's daughter was to be killed for a crime he was sure she didn't do. He also had a strange feeling that something wasn't right. After getting dressed he left his room and went to the prison levels. There was a huge crowd.
"What's going on?", he asked to no one in particular.
"The prisoner is missing." Missing? How could that be? He suspected there was more to it. Before he could investigate, he got a call from the council. He headed to the council after picking up Anakin at his apartment. He walked in calm and bowed to Mace and Yoda.
"Yes?", he said not wanting to deal with this at the moment.
"We have a mission for you two, Master Kenobi.", Mace said. A mission? Now? He had to help Maria.
"I promised Maria to help her threw this case.", Obi-Wan said almost pleading.
"This mission must be done quickly. Maria's missing, and you and your padawan have a mission. We will send word if she is found and the verdict. Also, the Chancellor strongly wishes this mission to be done."
Obi-Wan began his protest then decided to leave it. He bowed then left. He and Anakin had a mission to do, and he hoped things didn't get worse.
End of part 2 of 4.
Please read and review. If this goes good, I'll put up the other parts. Please any questions or comments contact me through e-mail titling it "FanFic". Thanks.