Chapter 3: Inquisition
With her hands shackled in front of her, Cassiopeia walked proudly behind one guard with the other guard following behind her. Despite her resolve that she had nothing to hide from the Jedi Council, she was nervous, although she did not look it. Her stomach would not stop flip-flopping. She was afraid that they would brand her as a traitor and then who knew what they would do with her? Her heart raced. She recalled relaxation techniques that Obi Wan had shown her many years past. She cleared her mind and breathed deeply.
As she proceeded toward her inquisition with the Jedi Council, Cassi took in her surroundings. They were in an abandoned speeder factory on the remote planet Bokabriz. In its heyday, Bokabriz had supported a thriving race of beings, the Darcinians. The Darcinians had been a peaceful race who had made their living constructing compact, sturdy speeders for export to Coruscant. A virile strain of the Jawa flu that was carried by an unsuspecting traveling salesman had spread like wildfire through the un- inoculated population on Bokabriz and wiped them out. Because of the planet's remote location, the calls for help by the Darcinians were received too late by the Senate on Coruscant. The planet had remained empty and silent for generations.
After Emperor Palpatine's seizure of control of the galaxy and murder of the Senators, the Jedi Council had called all of the remaining Jedi back to the Temple on Coruscant through the Force and made the heart wrenching decision to abandon their Temple and Coruscant for their own safety. Moving quickly before Palpatine had issued the order to have them murdered as well, and under the guise of night, the Jedi had fled.
The Jedi were careful to mask their Force signatures to keep the Sith from discovering their location until the Council could figure out a plan of action. There were only five remaining members of the Council still alive: Depa Billaba, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Yaddle, Mace Windu, and Yoda. The other members had been killed at the onset of the clone war. In addition, the number of Jedi whether they were Masters, Knights, or Padawans had dwindled to around 50. The Council had not yet appointed new members to its midst, they had been too preoccupied with mere survival. All 55 Jedi had left the Temple together along with a handful of surviving loyalists who called themselves the 'Rebellion' and they had found their way here to Bokabriz to set up a temporary residence.
The guards and Cassiopeia walked through an over - size door into an immense room in the factory that had been used to store the speeders awaiting transport to Coruscant. All of the Jedi and Rebellion had turned out to witness this event and they chattered amongst themselves but the moment Cassiopeia entered, a still hush fell upon the crowd as they viewed her. Cassiopeia had been well known on Coruscant having served as Padme Amidala's head advisor and counselor for many years and the group now seemed shocked at her appearance.
Chairs had been found and set up throughout the room, although there weren't enough for all of the beings to sit so several stood throughout the room. The Council sat at the head of the room, facing Cassiopeia like a firing squad. When she looked at them, Cassi noted their stone - like faces, no emotions could be read at all on them.
'This is not fair,' Cassi thought. 'I am not a Jedi, I should not be on "trial" by them.'
Over the last three years, Cassi had learned how to mask her emotions fairly well and to keep them from showing. She had used this mainly as a defense mechanism and a survival technique for dealing with Dooku. As she began to withdraw her emotions and hide them deep within herself, she suddenly felt as if an arm had been placed over her shoulders in a show of support and she decided she must be feeling it through the Force. Someone in this crowd was showing her they supported her.
'Look to your left,' she then heard the words in her head. Cassi turned and saw Obi Wan leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest. He smiled at her and nodded his head. Just seeing him and feeling his support, Cassiopeia relaxed instantly. 'Do not hide your feelings,' she heard him whisper in her mind. She smiled at him and nodded back. She continued her slow march up to the front of the room and when she stood before the Jedi Council, her former nervousness had vanished.
"Cassiopeia Aruna Dooku," Master Yaddle spoke first. "You have been brought here before this Council today to determine the status of your citizenship in the Galactic Republic and your actions within the Galactic Empire. If you are found to be guilty of treason against the Republic, you will be put to death. Have you any initial response to make?"
"Yes, Masters," Cassiopeia's voice was calm and steady and her blue eyes sparkled. "I request that my bonds be removed, I have been found guilty of no crime as of yet and I should not be treated like a common criminal."
The Council looked at each other for a moment, unsure if they should give in to her request or not. Then stealthily from within the crowd, a hand waved slightly in Cassiopeia's direction and her shackles fell instantly to the floor. The Council looked around the room trying to determine who had done it. Yoda looked directly at Obi Wan, who returned his gaze steadily and shrugged as if to say he didn't know who had released her shackles but Yoda's ears raised in knowledge and he nodded once at Obi Wan.
"Thank you for your show of good faith, Masters," Cassi bowed lowly.
"Is it true, Cassiopeia, that you are Count Dooku's wife and have been for almost 20 years?" Mace Windu asked her.
"Yes Master," she replied and a ripple of murmur went through the crowd. "But if you will allow me to explain the circumstances.."
"And is it true that you left Geonosis with him the day the clone war began?" Yaddle cut her off.
"Yes."
Several members of the Council looked at each other. Cassiopeia knew that their decision was already made. Because of the atrocities committed by her husband and his cronies, she would be found guilty and put to death, no matter what she said. There was no defense she could give. She sighed inwardly and resigned herself to her fate.
"And you were with him when his ship destroyed the Senate building on Coruscant and murdered the Senators?" Ki-Adi-Mundi questioned.
"I was on the same ship, yes." Cassiopeia said gently.
"And you knew about the legion of troops that tracked down and murdered the remaining Senators?" Depa Billaba asked.
"A legion that was led by a former member of this Jedi Order, yes, I recently became aware of his actions," Cassiopeia replied.
Master Yoda sat quietly with one finger pressed against his lips. The Master and head of the Council was the only one of the Council who had not questioned her yet. He regarded her intently. "Mistress Dooku," he finally began.
"Please, Master," Cassi interrupted him gently. "Please call me either Cassiopeia or Mistress Aruna. Do not refer to me by that name please."
"Mistress Aruna," Yoda began again. "Apologize I do for your treatment since brought here you were. But understand you must our position. In grave danger we all are. Hunted by the Sith we have become. Your finding us on your own causes alarm in us and be certain we must of your intentions."
"My intentions are simple, Master Yoda," Cassiopeia smiled. "I simply request that I be allowed to accompany your group and serve you in any way I can."
"Impossible," Ki-Adi-Mundi snorted. "You are a traitor, Mistress Dooku. You were the head advisor to a prominent Senator and you abandoned your post to join your husband at the beginning of a war he helped to start. We can only suppose that you were in league with him the entire time. In addition, no one ever knew of your "secret" marriage to that traitor until after you left, surely another sign of your guilt."
"No Master," Cassiopeia began, "if you'll let me explain.."
"Surely the Galactic Empire knows where we are now," Yaddle cut her off again, speaking excitedly. "Surely you have a tracking device implanted in you somewhere."
"If I had a tracking device implanted, wouldn't you be able to sense it?" Cassiopeia retorted sharply. She shook her head. "I'm sorry, Masters. I am not in league with anyone in the Galactic Empire, I never have been, and no one else knows where you are. I searched you out for my benefit alone. Please, you must be able to sense my intentions. I swear to you that I have not loved Count Dooku since I was young and foolish and married him. The only reason I left with him was because I felt it was my only option at that time."
"Unbelievable," Depa Billaba said. "You honestly expect us to believe that?"
Cassiopeia opened her mouth to reply but before she could, a voice from behind her spoke, "Masters, if I may," and Obi Wan came to stand beside her and bowed lowly to the Council.
"Obi Wan, you have something to add," Mace asked.
"Yes. Everything that Mistress Aruna says is true. In the days leading up to the start of the war, she had experienced severe emotional stress because of myself and Senator Amidala and without fully realizing the consequences, she left with Count Dooku." He paused and looked at her for a moment. "I know this woman, Masters, and I know she would never intentionally harm anyone."
"Then why, Cassiopeia, if what Master Kenobi says is true, did you spend the last three years with one of the leaders of the Galactic Empire?" Mace asked her. "Explain to us why you stood by and did nothing while he murdered the Senators."
"I did not know until after the fact. You must believe me Masters. I was his wife but I was given no privileges aboard his ship. I was treated as a prisoner most of the time, confined to our quarters with no way of knowing what was occurring. And Dooku would tell me nothing of his actions. I only found out just recently what had transpired," Cassiopeia replied.
"And how did you find out?" Depa Billaba asked.
"I accessed the ship's computer without anyone's knowledge. I discovered the plans."
"Then what?" Depa continued.
"I confronted Dooku and he admitted everything," Cassiopeia replied. "I cannot begin to tell you how shattered I was. My Senator, my best friend, Padme Amidala has been killed. It pains me still."
The members of the Council looked at each other again then back to her.
"We are reluctant to release you, Mistress Aruna," Ki-Adi-Mundi stated. "I for one am not sure I can believe your story. It just doesn't seem feasible that you would leave with Dooku because you felt pushed into it."
"It is true, Master," Obi Wan spoke softly.
"I can vouch for it as well," came a female voice from the back of the room.
The crowd turned and gazed at Padme Amidala-Skywalker standing just inside the door way. Cassiopeia was shocked to see her friend alive at first then pure joy spread through her and she smiled broadly.
Padme made her way to the front of the room and stood on the other side of Cassiopeia. "I'm afraid that my Counselor and I had some disagreements and I pushed her into resigning her post just prior to her leaving." Padme looked at Cassi and smiled. "She is one of the most decent beings I've ever met and I know there is no way she would ever have been involved with Dooku in his plans."
The Council looked at each other again, conferring together through means of the Force. After several minutes, they looked back at the trio before them.
"Given the answers that we have been given here," Mace concluded. "Cassiopeia Aruna is hereby exonerated of any wrong doings and released. This inquisition is over."
Cassiopeia smiled broadly and turned to Padme. "I am so happy to see you, Padme," she exclaimed and the two friends embraced. "How did you escape?"
"That's a long story," Padme glanced briefly at Obi Wan. "We should catch up later. Have Obi Wan bring you to my quarters after you have rested a bit."
"Definitely," Cassi grinned.
Padme embraced her one more time, said her goodbyes, and made her way through the crowd to the door. Cassiopeia turned to Obi Wan and embraced him tightly.
"Thank you so much, Ben," she whispered in his ear.
Cassiopeia was the only person that ever called him by his family-given name.
"I told you I would never leave your side," Obi Wan replied, squeezing her hand lightly. "And I meant it."
Cassiopeia let him go and approached the Jedi Council to thank them.
"A place to stay you need Mistress Aruna," Yoda smiled at her.
"If it pleases the Council, I will show her to her new quarters," Obi Wan stated.
The Council members turned to regard him and some of them looked knowingly at each other.
"That will be fine, Obi Wan. At some point today, Cassiopeia," Mace said, "we need to meet with you regarding Dooku and the Empire."
"Of course," Cassi answered. "Although I don't know how much helpful information I can give you."
"I will bring her to your meeting room later this evening, Masters," Obi Wan said.
"Very good, Obi Wan," Yoda smiled. He reached up to take Cassiopeia's hand. "Welcome you are to join our small group," he said.
Cassi smiled and bowed. "Thank you so much, Master Yoda."
Yoda picked up his glimmer stick and shuffled off with the rest of the Council following behind him.
Obi Wan turned to Cassiopeia. "May I escort you to your quarters, m'lady?"
She smiled at him gently. This was the man she had risked her life to find, and it felt good to finally be back in his presence. "Please do, Master Kenobi."
With her hands shackled in front of her, Cassiopeia walked proudly behind one guard with the other guard following behind her. Despite her resolve that she had nothing to hide from the Jedi Council, she was nervous, although she did not look it. Her stomach would not stop flip-flopping. She was afraid that they would brand her as a traitor and then who knew what they would do with her? Her heart raced. She recalled relaxation techniques that Obi Wan had shown her many years past. She cleared her mind and breathed deeply.
As she proceeded toward her inquisition with the Jedi Council, Cassi took in her surroundings. They were in an abandoned speeder factory on the remote planet Bokabriz. In its heyday, Bokabriz had supported a thriving race of beings, the Darcinians. The Darcinians had been a peaceful race who had made their living constructing compact, sturdy speeders for export to Coruscant. A virile strain of the Jawa flu that was carried by an unsuspecting traveling salesman had spread like wildfire through the un- inoculated population on Bokabriz and wiped them out. Because of the planet's remote location, the calls for help by the Darcinians were received too late by the Senate on Coruscant. The planet had remained empty and silent for generations.
After Emperor Palpatine's seizure of control of the galaxy and murder of the Senators, the Jedi Council had called all of the remaining Jedi back to the Temple on Coruscant through the Force and made the heart wrenching decision to abandon their Temple and Coruscant for their own safety. Moving quickly before Palpatine had issued the order to have them murdered as well, and under the guise of night, the Jedi had fled.
The Jedi were careful to mask their Force signatures to keep the Sith from discovering their location until the Council could figure out a plan of action. There were only five remaining members of the Council still alive: Depa Billaba, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Yaddle, Mace Windu, and Yoda. The other members had been killed at the onset of the clone war. In addition, the number of Jedi whether they were Masters, Knights, or Padawans had dwindled to around 50. The Council had not yet appointed new members to its midst, they had been too preoccupied with mere survival. All 55 Jedi had left the Temple together along with a handful of surviving loyalists who called themselves the 'Rebellion' and they had found their way here to Bokabriz to set up a temporary residence.
The guards and Cassiopeia walked through an over - size door into an immense room in the factory that had been used to store the speeders awaiting transport to Coruscant. All of the Jedi and Rebellion had turned out to witness this event and they chattered amongst themselves but the moment Cassiopeia entered, a still hush fell upon the crowd as they viewed her. Cassiopeia had been well known on Coruscant having served as Padme Amidala's head advisor and counselor for many years and the group now seemed shocked at her appearance.
Chairs had been found and set up throughout the room, although there weren't enough for all of the beings to sit so several stood throughout the room. The Council sat at the head of the room, facing Cassiopeia like a firing squad. When she looked at them, Cassi noted their stone - like faces, no emotions could be read at all on them.
'This is not fair,' Cassi thought. 'I am not a Jedi, I should not be on "trial" by them.'
Over the last three years, Cassi had learned how to mask her emotions fairly well and to keep them from showing. She had used this mainly as a defense mechanism and a survival technique for dealing with Dooku. As she began to withdraw her emotions and hide them deep within herself, she suddenly felt as if an arm had been placed over her shoulders in a show of support and she decided she must be feeling it through the Force. Someone in this crowd was showing her they supported her.
'Look to your left,' she then heard the words in her head. Cassi turned and saw Obi Wan leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest. He smiled at her and nodded his head. Just seeing him and feeling his support, Cassiopeia relaxed instantly. 'Do not hide your feelings,' she heard him whisper in her mind. She smiled at him and nodded back. She continued her slow march up to the front of the room and when she stood before the Jedi Council, her former nervousness had vanished.
"Cassiopeia Aruna Dooku," Master Yaddle spoke first. "You have been brought here before this Council today to determine the status of your citizenship in the Galactic Republic and your actions within the Galactic Empire. If you are found to be guilty of treason against the Republic, you will be put to death. Have you any initial response to make?"
"Yes, Masters," Cassiopeia's voice was calm and steady and her blue eyes sparkled. "I request that my bonds be removed, I have been found guilty of no crime as of yet and I should not be treated like a common criminal."
The Council looked at each other for a moment, unsure if they should give in to her request or not. Then stealthily from within the crowd, a hand waved slightly in Cassiopeia's direction and her shackles fell instantly to the floor. The Council looked around the room trying to determine who had done it. Yoda looked directly at Obi Wan, who returned his gaze steadily and shrugged as if to say he didn't know who had released her shackles but Yoda's ears raised in knowledge and he nodded once at Obi Wan.
"Thank you for your show of good faith, Masters," Cassi bowed lowly.
"Is it true, Cassiopeia, that you are Count Dooku's wife and have been for almost 20 years?" Mace Windu asked her.
"Yes Master," she replied and a ripple of murmur went through the crowd. "But if you will allow me to explain the circumstances.."
"And is it true that you left Geonosis with him the day the clone war began?" Yaddle cut her off.
"Yes."
Several members of the Council looked at each other. Cassiopeia knew that their decision was already made. Because of the atrocities committed by her husband and his cronies, she would be found guilty and put to death, no matter what she said. There was no defense she could give. She sighed inwardly and resigned herself to her fate.
"And you were with him when his ship destroyed the Senate building on Coruscant and murdered the Senators?" Ki-Adi-Mundi questioned.
"I was on the same ship, yes." Cassiopeia said gently.
"And you knew about the legion of troops that tracked down and murdered the remaining Senators?" Depa Billaba asked.
"A legion that was led by a former member of this Jedi Order, yes, I recently became aware of his actions," Cassiopeia replied.
Master Yoda sat quietly with one finger pressed against his lips. The Master and head of the Council was the only one of the Council who had not questioned her yet. He regarded her intently. "Mistress Dooku," he finally began.
"Please, Master," Cassi interrupted him gently. "Please call me either Cassiopeia or Mistress Aruna. Do not refer to me by that name please."
"Mistress Aruna," Yoda began again. "Apologize I do for your treatment since brought here you were. But understand you must our position. In grave danger we all are. Hunted by the Sith we have become. Your finding us on your own causes alarm in us and be certain we must of your intentions."
"My intentions are simple, Master Yoda," Cassiopeia smiled. "I simply request that I be allowed to accompany your group and serve you in any way I can."
"Impossible," Ki-Adi-Mundi snorted. "You are a traitor, Mistress Dooku. You were the head advisor to a prominent Senator and you abandoned your post to join your husband at the beginning of a war he helped to start. We can only suppose that you were in league with him the entire time. In addition, no one ever knew of your "secret" marriage to that traitor until after you left, surely another sign of your guilt."
"No Master," Cassiopeia began, "if you'll let me explain.."
"Surely the Galactic Empire knows where we are now," Yaddle cut her off again, speaking excitedly. "Surely you have a tracking device implanted in you somewhere."
"If I had a tracking device implanted, wouldn't you be able to sense it?" Cassiopeia retorted sharply. She shook her head. "I'm sorry, Masters. I am not in league with anyone in the Galactic Empire, I never have been, and no one else knows where you are. I searched you out for my benefit alone. Please, you must be able to sense my intentions. I swear to you that I have not loved Count Dooku since I was young and foolish and married him. The only reason I left with him was because I felt it was my only option at that time."
"Unbelievable," Depa Billaba said. "You honestly expect us to believe that?"
Cassiopeia opened her mouth to reply but before she could, a voice from behind her spoke, "Masters, if I may," and Obi Wan came to stand beside her and bowed lowly to the Council.
"Obi Wan, you have something to add," Mace asked.
"Yes. Everything that Mistress Aruna says is true. In the days leading up to the start of the war, she had experienced severe emotional stress because of myself and Senator Amidala and without fully realizing the consequences, she left with Count Dooku." He paused and looked at her for a moment. "I know this woman, Masters, and I know she would never intentionally harm anyone."
"Then why, Cassiopeia, if what Master Kenobi says is true, did you spend the last three years with one of the leaders of the Galactic Empire?" Mace asked her. "Explain to us why you stood by and did nothing while he murdered the Senators."
"I did not know until after the fact. You must believe me Masters. I was his wife but I was given no privileges aboard his ship. I was treated as a prisoner most of the time, confined to our quarters with no way of knowing what was occurring. And Dooku would tell me nothing of his actions. I only found out just recently what had transpired," Cassiopeia replied.
"And how did you find out?" Depa Billaba asked.
"I accessed the ship's computer without anyone's knowledge. I discovered the plans."
"Then what?" Depa continued.
"I confronted Dooku and he admitted everything," Cassiopeia replied. "I cannot begin to tell you how shattered I was. My Senator, my best friend, Padme Amidala has been killed. It pains me still."
The members of the Council looked at each other again then back to her.
"We are reluctant to release you, Mistress Aruna," Ki-Adi-Mundi stated. "I for one am not sure I can believe your story. It just doesn't seem feasible that you would leave with Dooku because you felt pushed into it."
"It is true, Master," Obi Wan spoke softly.
"I can vouch for it as well," came a female voice from the back of the room.
The crowd turned and gazed at Padme Amidala-Skywalker standing just inside the door way. Cassiopeia was shocked to see her friend alive at first then pure joy spread through her and she smiled broadly.
Padme made her way to the front of the room and stood on the other side of Cassiopeia. "I'm afraid that my Counselor and I had some disagreements and I pushed her into resigning her post just prior to her leaving." Padme looked at Cassi and smiled. "She is one of the most decent beings I've ever met and I know there is no way she would ever have been involved with Dooku in his plans."
The Council looked at each other again, conferring together through means of the Force. After several minutes, they looked back at the trio before them.
"Given the answers that we have been given here," Mace concluded. "Cassiopeia Aruna is hereby exonerated of any wrong doings and released. This inquisition is over."
Cassiopeia smiled broadly and turned to Padme. "I am so happy to see you, Padme," she exclaimed and the two friends embraced. "How did you escape?"
"That's a long story," Padme glanced briefly at Obi Wan. "We should catch up later. Have Obi Wan bring you to my quarters after you have rested a bit."
"Definitely," Cassi grinned.
Padme embraced her one more time, said her goodbyes, and made her way through the crowd to the door. Cassiopeia turned to Obi Wan and embraced him tightly.
"Thank you so much, Ben," she whispered in his ear.
Cassiopeia was the only person that ever called him by his family-given name.
"I told you I would never leave your side," Obi Wan replied, squeezing her hand lightly. "And I meant it."
Cassiopeia let him go and approached the Jedi Council to thank them.
"A place to stay you need Mistress Aruna," Yoda smiled at her.
"If it pleases the Council, I will show her to her new quarters," Obi Wan stated.
The Council members turned to regard him and some of them looked knowingly at each other.
"That will be fine, Obi Wan. At some point today, Cassiopeia," Mace said, "we need to meet with you regarding Dooku and the Empire."
"Of course," Cassi answered. "Although I don't know how much helpful information I can give you."
"I will bring her to your meeting room later this evening, Masters," Obi Wan said.
"Very good, Obi Wan," Yoda smiled. He reached up to take Cassiopeia's hand. "Welcome you are to join our small group," he said.
Cassi smiled and bowed. "Thank you so much, Master Yoda."
Yoda picked up his glimmer stick and shuffled off with the rest of the Council following behind him.
Obi Wan turned to Cassiopeia. "May I escort you to your quarters, m'lady?"
She smiled at him gently. This was the man she had risked her life to find, and it felt good to finally be back in his presence. "Please do, Master Kenobi."
