"That concludes the witnesses for the opposition," the Judge said.  Yasmine sighed, knowing that this was the big part of her defense.  No one yet had found out about the relationship between her client and Commander Skywalker.  "Would the defendant like to call upon any witnesses?"

Yasmine got up and moved from her place on the defense table.  "I would like to call upon Commander Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight."

Murmurs of surprise rippled throughout the chamber.  Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight, a witness for the monster who had destroyed the Jedi Order?  Luke ignored these comments and stepped forward.  He took the witness stand and swore to tell the truth.  He then sat.

Yasmine walked to stand in front of Luke.  "Please state your name and rank for the record."

"Commander Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight," Luke replied.

"What is your relationship to the defendant?"

Luke sighed.  "The man sitting there at the defendant table is—" he stopped as his eyes locked with Leia's.  Continuing, he said, "Anakin Skywalker, my father."

Luke knew his revelation was shocking to all in the room that heard him.  He also knew that this court case was being recorded and released to the media.  He sensed resentment coming from his sister.

"How long have you known the defendant as your father?"

"Just over a year."

"This was after Echo base was evacuated?"

"Yes, it was."

"Did you believe that the defendant was telling the truth at the time you were told?"

"No, I didn't."

"Explain to us why you believed this."

"At the time, my image of my father was that he was once a great Jedi.  General Obi-Wan Kenobi told me just before I joined the Rebellion that Vader had killed my father.  I believed him.  I was never told of what had happened to my father after that.  Just recently, Jedi Master Yoda has told me that I had been to the truth, from Vader.  But the good in my father was hidden from view."

"Objection!  Relevance?"

"Sustained.  Get to the point quickly."

Yasmine nodded at the Judge and turned back to look Luke in the eye.  "After being told the truth twice, once by the defendant, and again by Jedi Master Yoda, is there anyone you have told of your relationship before today?"

"I told my twin, the night before I face Vader and Palpatine one last time."

"What did you tell your twin?"

"I told her who our father is, saying that I felt good still in him.  I said that I could bring him back to the good side."

"And what happened?"

"I brought Anakin Skywalker out of the darkness."

"So, what happened to Vader?"

"He was destroyed aboard the Death Star, with his Master, Emperor Palpatine."

"Can you describe Vader's last battle to us?"

"Relevance?"

"Your honor, I am establishing the fact that this man before us is Anakin Skywalker and not Darth Vader.  As it clearly states in the charges, it is Darth Vader who is convicted and not Anakin Skywalker."

"Overruled.  Answer the question."

"Vader's last battle took place on the Death Star.  It was not a physical battle, but one that was fort within him.  He couldn't bear to see me die."

"If he was still Vader at the time when you were being tortured by Emperor Palpatine, would he have done what he did to save your life?"

"No.  He would have left me to die."

"Why did Anakin Skywalker stop Palpatine from killing you?"

"My father knew why I had given myself up to him.  I was there to bring him back to the good side.  Anakin Skywalker would not be here if I did not go without the love I have for him.  He acted on the faith I have in him.  He had lost his own mother and he didn't want to lose me, too."

"How has your father treated you in the past?"

"He has been able to destroy my life before.  When he told me about our relationship on Bespin, I thought he would destroy me soon after.  I had already lost my right hand at this time.  Father wanted me to join him instead of killing me.  He never wanted to harm me, but he did."

"Is there any other incident like this between you and your father?"

"No."

"If you had a chance to change your father's life for the better, would you take it?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because he's changed for the better already.  I can't force him to change.  He has to do that for himself."

"Thank you."  Yasmine moved back to her place, telling the prosecutor that it was his turn.  The prosecution lawyer stood as Yasmine sat.

"Earlier you said that you had a twin.  Please state her name and occupation for the record."

Luke could see Leia's reaction from the question.  Han placed his arm around her shoulders as Luke replied: "Her name is Leia Organa and her occupation is a senator and one of the leaders of the Rebellion."

Leia scowled at Luke.  All in the courtroom suppressed their surprise.

"Why do you think your father is innocent?"

"Many years ago, my father, Anakin Skywalker, was training to become a Jedi Knight.  He was always going to Palpatine, who was Supreme Chancellor then, for advice.  Nobody knew how corrupt the Chancellor was and he slowly corrupted my father and made him his slave.  All the charges against my father were done under orders of Emperor Palpatine.  During the past two decades, Father had no free will and that is why I believe he is innocent."

"You, yourself, have witnessed the death, suffering, destruction and mayhem the defendant has caused.  How can you say that he was powerless to appose these things?"

"Many heroes of battles will tell you that they have been commanded to do things they are haunted by latter in life.  I destroyed the first Death Star and those millions of deaths I caused when that battle station was destroyed haunt me.  That doesn't mean the actions I did are wrong if I did it in faith of doing something good.  Father may have thought that what he was doing was right.  All he did was what his master had asked of him."

"Could you, please, briefly for the record, explain to us this, 'Force' thing that is supposed to exist?"

Luke didn't exactly know how to answer this question.  He looked at his father but Anakin just sat there.  "You don't know, do you?"  Luke didn't answer, but remained silent.  "I thought you were a Jedi."

Luke finally spoke up, answering the question.  "The Force is all around us.  It's in the air, in the trees and in all living things.  It is what gives the Jedi their strength.  It binds all living things together."

"And why do some people have this 'Force' thing stronger than others?"

"Objection!" Yasmine said.  "Too general!"

"Clarify your question."

"Why can some people use the Force and others cannot?"

"The Force is with all living things, but only the stronger ones are channeled to use it.  The weaker ones still can be taught to use this.  It's not a matter whether they can use the Force or not, it is still with them."

"How are you able to use the Force?"

"It's hereditary."

"How does your sister view your father?"

"Objection!" Yasmine complained again.  "He's asking the witness to speculate."

"Rephrase the question."

"How do you view your father, then?"

"I view him as the Jedi knight he is," Luke replied.

Leon Katynion was frustrated now.  This witness' story could not be undone and picked open.  "Thank you."  He went and sat down at his table.

Yasmine got up from her spot and asked, "Redirect, your honor?"

"We'll have a ten minute break and then you can."