Chapter XXX - On Trial
Anakin didn't know whether to be nervous or relieved that the spirits of the Jedi had taken over the trial. On one hand, Mothma had undoubtedly been out for his blood, and having the late Jedi Council take over had spared him from being executed by the Alliance. But on the other hand, who was to say the Jedi wouldn't order that done anyway? He had personally killed many of the Jedi in this room, and having his own victims be his prosecutors, judge, and jury was not a comforting thought.
Rachel immediately slid off her chair and approached Yoda, ever the fearless, forward one. "Hi, Yoda!"
Yoda smiled. "Hello, youngling."
"You have big ears," she noted.
The tiny Jedi gave soft hoots of laughter. "The better to hear you with, my dear."
"Hey, you sound like the wolf on 'Little Red Riding Hood!'"
"So I do," Yoda replied. "But look like him I hope I never do."
She giggled.
"Watching you I have been," Yoda went on. "Strong in the Force you are. A good Jedi you would make."
"Really?" But her face fell. "If I became a Padawan, I couldn't see Mommy and Daddy again."
"Make sacrifices all Jedi must," Yoda told her. "But your choice it must be. Choose for you no one else can."
She cocked her head. "Maybe. It would be nice to be a Jedi. And maybe I could visit Mommy and Daddy for Christmas."
Yoda chuckled again. "Work that out, Skywalker can. But discuss this later, we will." His expression went grave again as he motioned for Rachel to go back to her seat.
Mace Windu stepped forward, serene as ever. "As the last head of the Jedi Council, I will officiate in this trial. We will now hear the case of the Rebel Alliance against Anakin Skywalker." He turned to Mothma. "Madame Mothma, as head of the Alliance, what is your charge against the accused, and what sentence do you request?"
She folded her arms. "The Alliance charges Anakin Skywalker -- more commonly known as Lord Darth Vader -- with premeditated murder, genocide, manslaughter, torture, infanticide, attempted murder, kidnapping, despotism, and unnecessary use of force, no pun intended. These crimes cannot be forgiven or repaid in any manner. I ask that he be given the maximum sentence -- capital punishment, with the method of execution being decided by the survivors of his cruelty and the families of his victims."
Anakin cringed. No mercy there. He only hoped that, if Mothma was truly granted her wish, that they would not use fire to execute him. He didn't think he would be able to keep his sanity in his final moments.
"Does anyone have anything to add?" asked Mace.
The room erupted with protests, rebuttals, and curses.
"One at a time, please," ordered Shaak Ti.
"He destroyed the Sith Order!" Luke cried. "Doesn't that count for something?"
"He brought balance to the Force as was prophesied," Lucas added.
"And he saved our daughter's life," Diana pointed out.
"I'll admit, we're all biased," said Emily. "But over the Eye of the Storm we've come to know Anakin very well. He's a friend. And there's a good man under all that armor. I firmly believe it would be a more fitting punishment to have him try to repair some of the damage he did as Darth Vader."
"Objection!" Ackbar protested. "There is no way to repair the damage. He cannot bring the dead back to life."
"But he can apologize to those he wronged and help undo what the Empire did -- disband the Council of Moffs and reform the Imperial laws, for example," suggested Wedge.
"You mean give him a position in the government?" Mothma asked incredulously. "That's not punishment, that's lunacy."
"It issss an alternative if the Jedi will not allow ussss to terminate him," Dzi rasped.
"Enough," Ki-Adi-Mundi ordered.
Yoda nodded at Anakin. "Anakin Skywalker, how plead you?"
Anakin drew himself up straight. Despite his dwarfen size, Yoda had a habit of making him feel tiny in comparison. And the Jedi Master could probably sense his fear. He struggled to put the emotion away.
"I cannot, and will not, deny the charges against me. Nor can I offer a plea of insanity. I was of sound mind when I committed these acts. Therefore, I must plead guilty."
Mace nodded. "Is there anything else you wish to say before we deliver a verdict?"
"If I may."
"Allowed."
"I wish to apologize for my actions. For my role in exterminating the Jedi and for my crimes as an Imperial leader. It pains me to know I cannot repair much of the damage I wrought as Darth Vader. During that time I felt justified in what I did, because I was still in so much pain over my wife and mother. Now I know that any tragedy I suffered did not give me license to murder, torture, and oppress.
"I do not expect to be totally forgiven of my crimes. There will always be beings that hate me. That's fine. They can hate me all they want. I deserve it. I only ask that my children not be victims as well." He turned toward them, beaming. "They are extraordinary young adults. Luke has become an accomplished military leader and a promising Jedi, despite my efforts to derail his training. Leia is a respected diplomat and excellent strategist. Let their accomplishments define them, not their blood. Do not let my failings damn them."
The Jedi nodded and whispered among themselves.
"Your apology is accepted by us, but you are still responsible for your actions," Mace told him.
"I understand," Anakin replied.
"Anakin Skywalker," Yoda said solemnly, "guilty we find you on all counts."
Darcy burst into noisy tears. Rachel clung tightly to Anakin's leg. Luke seemed to collapse upon himself as he cradled his head in his hands, while Leia hugged Han and silently wept.
"He killed the worst tyrant this galaxy's ever seen and he's STILL found guilty?!" shrieked Zack.
"Put a cork in it," snapped Jason.
"Thank you, Master Yoda," Mothma said with a slight smile. "Now, Mr. Skywalker, if you will come with us, we'll see to your sentence..."
"Sentence him we will," Yoda said firmly.
She frowned, obviously not happy that the punishment was also out of her hands, then bowed politely. "Yes, Master Jedi."
Anakin realized his hands were trembling. He clutched them together to prevent his tremors from being noticed.
"Your sentence..." began Mace Windu.
Someone sobbed loudly while someone else hissed at their table mate to let go of their hand before they broke something.
"...effective immediately..."
The crowd held its collective breath.
"...is banishment to the Earth system for a period of five standard years."
Anakin blinked, surprised. Had he heard correctly?
"During this time, you may not, under any circumstances save a system-wide evacuation, leave Area 51. You may receive friend and family visits from beyond this system, which will be limited to your children, any children or spouses which they may have in the future, and any non-family that is currently in this room. Immediately after your sentence is completed, you will serve a life sentence of servitude to the Jedi Order, where you will help your son train Jedi and rebuild the Order you destroyed."
"That more fully aid the Order you may," Yoda added, "bestow upon you the title of Jedi Knight we do." He gave an amused smile. "That your second attempt at being a Jedi is successful let us hope."
There was a loud thunk as Mike passed out.
"What?!" protested Mothma. "That's no punishment!"
"Mothma, you wanted a punishment that would fit the crime," Qui-gon said. "We have decided it would be more fitting to have him rebuild the Order than to kill him."
"He's done far more than simply decimate the Order," she retorted.
"Aware of that we are," Yoda replied. "But repentant he is. Another chance we will give him."
"But he's a murderer!" she cried.
"Oh, freeze up!" Amethyst snapped. "I wouldn't be back-talking to the Jedi Council if I were you, sister!"
"Who are we to question the Jedi?" Ackbar added. "I think the penalty is far too light myself, but I must admit that it is at least partially fair."
"If Masssster Yoda decreessss it, I'll not quesssstion," Dzi hissed. "I ssssuggesssst you do the ssssame, Mothma."
Mothma opened her mouth to protest, then subsided, though she still looked angry about the decision.
"Luke," Yoda said, hobbling forward, "easy this task will not be, but fall on you it does. More apprentices you must find. Train more Jedi you must."
"Yes, Master Yoda," Luke replied.
"And you!" He turned to Anakin and rapped his helmet sharply with his cane. "Mind yourself you will. If fall again you do, as lenient we will not be."
"Understood, Master Yoda."
"Uh, before you guys go, can I ask a question?" Steve requested.
"I believe you already have," Ki-Adi-Mundi replied with a rare instance of Jedi humor. "But you may ask another."
"How did Lucas know? About all this, I mean." He swept his hand to indicate the Rebel leaders, the Skywalker family, and the Jedi spirits. "Except 'Jedi,' of course, but still! It doesn't seem right that he would know so many of the details, all the way down to the wrinkles on Master Yoda's face. No offense meant, by the way."
"None taken," Yoda said with a grin. "But when nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not."
Steve chuckled. "Guess not."
Qui-gon smiled smugly. "A good question, Mr. Durrant, but not one easily answered." He nodded at Anakin. "When I first met Anakin, I knew him to be the Chosen One, even if he and others would not accept it. The Force finds a way to balance itself, despite the actions of the living. And it found ways to ensure the balance would be found. Luke and Leia's birth, for example, was instrumental, for without his children to urge him back to the light, Anakin would never have rejoined us."
"What's that got to do with..." began Liz.
"Patience, Mrs. Djedovich," Obi-wan ordered. "Your planet turned out to be a necessary tool for working that balance as well. Consider a moment. If you had been ignorant as to the goings-on in the rest of the galaxy, what would have happened to Luke, Vader, and Fett?"
Cody's eyes went wide. "We would have thought them to be aliens and captured them!" he gushed. "And while we were doing experiments on them, the Emperor would be crushing the Alliance! So by the time they escaped and made it back to Imperial space, there wouldn't be any hope of overthrowing the Empire."
Obi-wan chuckled. "That wasn't what I had in mind, but that's one scenario."
"Or the three of them would have just up and found a way off the planet," Liberty added. "Without the mystery of the movies to keep them occupied here, they might have gone back to the Emperor before Anakin had turned. Luke would have either died or gone to the dark side, and unless Leia had found a way to develop her Jedi powers, the galaxy would still be in the clutches of the Empire."
"So all those sequels weren't a money-making scam like the critics say," Li marveled. "They were necessary to bring balance to the Force."
Lucas was looking rather pale behind his beard. "I never thought my work would save the galaxy."
"Don't think too long on it," Obi-wan advised. "Or it will frighten you away from making more of your wonderful projects. You have a great mind. Put it to good use."
"Yo, what's up, are the aliens here?" someone asked, barging into the cafeteria at that moment. It was Adam Cage, Master of Ceremonies for the two conventions. "Oops, am I here at a bad time?"
"One moment, and we'll be through," Obi-wan told him.
"May the Force be with you," Mace Windu told everyone, and most of the Jedi disappeared, leaving only Qui-gon Jinn and Obi-wan Kenobi.
"I'm proud of you, Anakin, for fulfilling the prophecy," Qui-gon said with a gentle smile.
"As am I, my young Padawan," Obi-wan added.
Anakin looked down at the floor. "I shamed you both. You were counting on me..."
"And you didn't disappoint," Obi-wan said gently. "You brought balance, Anakin. Not as quickly as some would have liked, but it all turned out well in the end."
"Master? Will I ever see you again?"
"On the other side, my Padawan. May the Force be with you, Anakin. And with you, Luke. I know the Jedi Order is in good hands."
"Goodbye," Luke murmured as the two Jedi faded away.
"Freaky," noted Cage. "Um, can I..."
"Do what you came here to do," ordered Ackbar.
"Thanks!" He grinned at Austin. "Mr. Powers, you and your friends are heroes! Congratulations!"
The fans beamed.
"But it is partially your fault we lost our convention center. So I was thinking..."
"Don't tell me we have to pay for it," moaned Emily.
"You break it, you buy it," Sparky pointed out.
"Actually, we've had a sizable anonymous donation that's mostly taken care of costs," Cage replied. "Our donor wrote a check slated for reconstruction of the center on the condition that her identity be kept secret. I promised Melissa Greenwood I wouldn't tell a... damn!"
Austin and Trapper exchanged shocked looks.
"Well, I guess that's blown, but I don't think she'll have a fit over it," Cage went on. "But believe it or not, the check doesn't quite cover the costs of rebuilding. So I was wondering if anyone here had suggestions."
"The Alliance can donate tools and labor," Wedge suggested. "With our modern building techniques, you can have a solid new convention center in a matter of months."
"Rogue Squadron be muy happy to be helpin'," Trigger added.
"And if costs run over Mrs. Greenwood's donation, Lucasfilm will foot the remaining bills," Lucas said with a smile.
Cage clapped his hands. "Terrific! That's settled! With a little luck we can get our hangout rebuilt by next Stellar-Con!" He shot Mothma a huge grin, but her stern return look wilted the friendly gesture. "Okay, so I guess I'll go out and tell the Stargeeks we'll refund their money and they'd better pack up and go home."
"Don't cancel Nova-Con!" protested Cody.
"We've all been looking forward to it," Diana added.
"I know, but we're lacking a venue," Cage pointed out. "There's no place around here big enough to house twenty-thousand-plus rabid fans."
"The Executor," Piett suggested.
"Excuse me?" demanded Wedge.
"The Executor," Piett went on. "It's an Alliance ship now. There are several chambers aboard that should suffice. And our shuttles can transport celebrants from the ship to the planet."
"You're serious?" gaped Brigham. "We can have Nova-Con on a Stardestroyer?"
"I don't see why not," Anakin replied.
Mothma didn't seem to like this idea, but she only nodded. "If it will build good relations with Earth..."
"Oh it will!" Cage assured her. "We got freaks from France, Germany, Australia, Great Britain, Japan, Russia, Mexico, Canada, Ireland..."
A man in obviously Secret-Service-ish attire entered the cafeteria. "Mrs. Mothma? The President of the United States of America is at City Hall right now. He'd like to see you."
"Excuse me," Mothma told everyone. "I must speak with your country's leader and offer a greeting to the... er... Stargeeks."
"Oh, can I give you a quick pointer on Earth etiquette?" Darcy asked.
"What is it?"
"When you're talking to the fans, don't forget to do this." She demonstrated. "This gesture is a symbol of goodwill, and doing it will ensure respect toward you. In fact, do it as often as possible or they'll think you're pretty rude."
"Thank you, Mrs. Akers," Mothma replied before the Alliance leaders departed.
Darcy covered her mouth to keep from laughing.
"Darcy, you just told her to give the Trekkie 'live long and prosper' sign to Star Wars fanatics," Jason said in disbelief.
"I know," she squealed, unable to hold back the giggles anymore.
"Symbol of goodwill, my eye!" Han laughed.
"That was harsh," Leia noted, though she wore an amused smile.
"Hey, she started it," Darcy defended.
Anakin didn't know whether to be nervous or relieved that the spirits of the Jedi had taken over the trial. On one hand, Mothma had undoubtedly been out for his blood, and having the late Jedi Council take over had spared him from being executed by the Alliance. But on the other hand, who was to say the Jedi wouldn't order that done anyway? He had personally killed many of the Jedi in this room, and having his own victims be his prosecutors, judge, and jury was not a comforting thought.
Rachel immediately slid off her chair and approached Yoda, ever the fearless, forward one. "Hi, Yoda!"
Yoda smiled. "Hello, youngling."
"You have big ears," she noted.
The tiny Jedi gave soft hoots of laughter. "The better to hear you with, my dear."
"Hey, you sound like the wolf on 'Little Red Riding Hood!'"
"So I do," Yoda replied. "But look like him I hope I never do."
She giggled.
"Watching you I have been," Yoda went on. "Strong in the Force you are. A good Jedi you would make."
"Really?" But her face fell. "If I became a Padawan, I couldn't see Mommy and Daddy again."
"Make sacrifices all Jedi must," Yoda told her. "But your choice it must be. Choose for you no one else can."
She cocked her head. "Maybe. It would be nice to be a Jedi. And maybe I could visit Mommy and Daddy for Christmas."
Yoda chuckled again. "Work that out, Skywalker can. But discuss this later, we will." His expression went grave again as he motioned for Rachel to go back to her seat.
Mace Windu stepped forward, serene as ever. "As the last head of the Jedi Council, I will officiate in this trial. We will now hear the case of the Rebel Alliance against Anakin Skywalker." He turned to Mothma. "Madame Mothma, as head of the Alliance, what is your charge against the accused, and what sentence do you request?"
She folded her arms. "The Alliance charges Anakin Skywalker -- more commonly known as Lord Darth Vader -- with premeditated murder, genocide, manslaughter, torture, infanticide, attempted murder, kidnapping, despotism, and unnecessary use of force, no pun intended. These crimes cannot be forgiven or repaid in any manner. I ask that he be given the maximum sentence -- capital punishment, with the method of execution being decided by the survivors of his cruelty and the families of his victims."
Anakin cringed. No mercy there. He only hoped that, if Mothma was truly granted her wish, that they would not use fire to execute him. He didn't think he would be able to keep his sanity in his final moments.
"Does anyone have anything to add?" asked Mace.
The room erupted with protests, rebuttals, and curses.
"One at a time, please," ordered Shaak Ti.
"He destroyed the Sith Order!" Luke cried. "Doesn't that count for something?"
"He brought balance to the Force as was prophesied," Lucas added.
"And he saved our daughter's life," Diana pointed out.
"I'll admit, we're all biased," said Emily. "But over the Eye of the Storm we've come to know Anakin very well. He's a friend. And there's a good man under all that armor. I firmly believe it would be a more fitting punishment to have him try to repair some of the damage he did as Darth Vader."
"Objection!" Ackbar protested. "There is no way to repair the damage. He cannot bring the dead back to life."
"But he can apologize to those he wronged and help undo what the Empire did -- disband the Council of Moffs and reform the Imperial laws, for example," suggested Wedge.
"You mean give him a position in the government?" Mothma asked incredulously. "That's not punishment, that's lunacy."
"It issss an alternative if the Jedi will not allow ussss to terminate him," Dzi rasped.
"Enough," Ki-Adi-Mundi ordered.
Yoda nodded at Anakin. "Anakin Skywalker, how plead you?"
Anakin drew himself up straight. Despite his dwarfen size, Yoda had a habit of making him feel tiny in comparison. And the Jedi Master could probably sense his fear. He struggled to put the emotion away.
"I cannot, and will not, deny the charges against me. Nor can I offer a plea of insanity. I was of sound mind when I committed these acts. Therefore, I must plead guilty."
Mace nodded. "Is there anything else you wish to say before we deliver a verdict?"
"If I may."
"Allowed."
"I wish to apologize for my actions. For my role in exterminating the Jedi and for my crimes as an Imperial leader. It pains me to know I cannot repair much of the damage I wrought as Darth Vader. During that time I felt justified in what I did, because I was still in so much pain over my wife and mother. Now I know that any tragedy I suffered did not give me license to murder, torture, and oppress.
"I do not expect to be totally forgiven of my crimes. There will always be beings that hate me. That's fine. They can hate me all they want. I deserve it. I only ask that my children not be victims as well." He turned toward them, beaming. "They are extraordinary young adults. Luke has become an accomplished military leader and a promising Jedi, despite my efforts to derail his training. Leia is a respected diplomat and excellent strategist. Let their accomplishments define them, not their blood. Do not let my failings damn them."
The Jedi nodded and whispered among themselves.
"Your apology is accepted by us, but you are still responsible for your actions," Mace told him.
"I understand," Anakin replied.
"Anakin Skywalker," Yoda said solemnly, "guilty we find you on all counts."
Darcy burst into noisy tears. Rachel clung tightly to Anakin's leg. Luke seemed to collapse upon himself as he cradled his head in his hands, while Leia hugged Han and silently wept.
"He killed the worst tyrant this galaxy's ever seen and he's STILL found guilty?!" shrieked Zack.
"Put a cork in it," snapped Jason.
"Thank you, Master Yoda," Mothma said with a slight smile. "Now, Mr. Skywalker, if you will come with us, we'll see to your sentence..."
"Sentence him we will," Yoda said firmly.
She frowned, obviously not happy that the punishment was also out of her hands, then bowed politely. "Yes, Master Jedi."
Anakin realized his hands were trembling. He clutched them together to prevent his tremors from being noticed.
"Your sentence..." began Mace Windu.
Someone sobbed loudly while someone else hissed at their table mate to let go of their hand before they broke something.
"...effective immediately..."
The crowd held its collective breath.
"...is banishment to the Earth system for a period of five standard years."
Anakin blinked, surprised. Had he heard correctly?
"During this time, you may not, under any circumstances save a system-wide evacuation, leave Area 51. You may receive friend and family visits from beyond this system, which will be limited to your children, any children or spouses which they may have in the future, and any non-family that is currently in this room. Immediately after your sentence is completed, you will serve a life sentence of servitude to the Jedi Order, where you will help your son train Jedi and rebuild the Order you destroyed."
"That more fully aid the Order you may," Yoda added, "bestow upon you the title of Jedi Knight we do." He gave an amused smile. "That your second attempt at being a Jedi is successful let us hope."
There was a loud thunk as Mike passed out.
"What?!" protested Mothma. "That's no punishment!"
"Mothma, you wanted a punishment that would fit the crime," Qui-gon said. "We have decided it would be more fitting to have him rebuild the Order than to kill him."
"He's done far more than simply decimate the Order," she retorted.
"Aware of that we are," Yoda replied. "But repentant he is. Another chance we will give him."
"But he's a murderer!" she cried.
"Oh, freeze up!" Amethyst snapped. "I wouldn't be back-talking to the Jedi Council if I were you, sister!"
"Who are we to question the Jedi?" Ackbar added. "I think the penalty is far too light myself, but I must admit that it is at least partially fair."
"If Masssster Yoda decreessss it, I'll not quesssstion," Dzi hissed. "I ssssuggesssst you do the ssssame, Mothma."
Mothma opened her mouth to protest, then subsided, though she still looked angry about the decision.
"Luke," Yoda said, hobbling forward, "easy this task will not be, but fall on you it does. More apprentices you must find. Train more Jedi you must."
"Yes, Master Yoda," Luke replied.
"And you!" He turned to Anakin and rapped his helmet sharply with his cane. "Mind yourself you will. If fall again you do, as lenient we will not be."
"Understood, Master Yoda."
"Uh, before you guys go, can I ask a question?" Steve requested.
"I believe you already have," Ki-Adi-Mundi replied with a rare instance of Jedi humor. "But you may ask another."
"How did Lucas know? About all this, I mean." He swept his hand to indicate the Rebel leaders, the Skywalker family, and the Jedi spirits. "Except 'Jedi,' of course, but still! It doesn't seem right that he would know so many of the details, all the way down to the wrinkles on Master Yoda's face. No offense meant, by the way."
"None taken," Yoda said with a grin. "But when nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not."
Steve chuckled. "Guess not."
Qui-gon smiled smugly. "A good question, Mr. Durrant, but not one easily answered." He nodded at Anakin. "When I first met Anakin, I knew him to be the Chosen One, even if he and others would not accept it. The Force finds a way to balance itself, despite the actions of the living. And it found ways to ensure the balance would be found. Luke and Leia's birth, for example, was instrumental, for without his children to urge him back to the light, Anakin would never have rejoined us."
"What's that got to do with..." began Liz.
"Patience, Mrs. Djedovich," Obi-wan ordered. "Your planet turned out to be a necessary tool for working that balance as well. Consider a moment. If you had been ignorant as to the goings-on in the rest of the galaxy, what would have happened to Luke, Vader, and Fett?"
Cody's eyes went wide. "We would have thought them to be aliens and captured them!" he gushed. "And while we were doing experiments on them, the Emperor would be crushing the Alliance! So by the time they escaped and made it back to Imperial space, there wouldn't be any hope of overthrowing the Empire."
Obi-wan chuckled. "That wasn't what I had in mind, but that's one scenario."
"Or the three of them would have just up and found a way off the planet," Liberty added. "Without the mystery of the movies to keep them occupied here, they might have gone back to the Emperor before Anakin had turned. Luke would have either died or gone to the dark side, and unless Leia had found a way to develop her Jedi powers, the galaxy would still be in the clutches of the Empire."
"So all those sequels weren't a money-making scam like the critics say," Li marveled. "They were necessary to bring balance to the Force."
Lucas was looking rather pale behind his beard. "I never thought my work would save the galaxy."
"Don't think too long on it," Obi-wan advised. "Or it will frighten you away from making more of your wonderful projects. You have a great mind. Put it to good use."
"Yo, what's up, are the aliens here?" someone asked, barging into the cafeteria at that moment. It was Adam Cage, Master of Ceremonies for the two conventions. "Oops, am I here at a bad time?"
"One moment, and we'll be through," Obi-wan told him.
"May the Force be with you," Mace Windu told everyone, and most of the Jedi disappeared, leaving only Qui-gon Jinn and Obi-wan Kenobi.
"I'm proud of you, Anakin, for fulfilling the prophecy," Qui-gon said with a gentle smile.
"As am I, my young Padawan," Obi-wan added.
Anakin looked down at the floor. "I shamed you both. You were counting on me..."
"And you didn't disappoint," Obi-wan said gently. "You brought balance, Anakin. Not as quickly as some would have liked, but it all turned out well in the end."
"Master? Will I ever see you again?"
"On the other side, my Padawan. May the Force be with you, Anakin. And with you, Luke. I know the Jedi Order is in good hands."
"Goodbye," Luke murmured as the two Jedi faded away.
"Freaky," noted Cage. "Um, can I..."
"Do what you came here to do," ordered Ackbar.
"Thanks!" He grinned at Austin. "Mr. Powers, you and your friends are heroes! Congratulations!"
The fans beamed.
"But it is partially your fault we lost our convention center. So I was thinking..."
"Don't tell me we have to pay for it," moaned Emily.
"You break it, you buy it," Sparky pointed out.
"Actually, we've had a sizable anonymous donation that's mostly taken care of costs," Cage replied. "Our donor wrote a check slated for reconstruction of the center on the condition that her identity be kept secret. I promised Melissa Greenwood I wouldn't tell a... damn!"
Austin and Trapper exchanged shocked looks.
"Well, I guess that's blown, but I don't think she'll have a fit over it," Cage went on. "But believe it or not, the check doesn't quite cover the costs of rebuilding. So I was wondering if anyone here had suggestions."
"The Alliance can donate tools and labor," Wedge suggested. "With our modern building techniques, you can have a solid new convention center in a matter of months."
"Rogue Squadron be muy happy to be helpin'," Trigger added.
"And if costs run over Mrs. Greenwood's donation, Lucasfilm will foot the remaining bills," Lucas said with a smile.
Cage clapped his hands. "Terrific! That's settled! With a little luck we can get our hangout rebuilt by next Stellar-Con!" He shot Mothma a huge grin, but her stern return look wilted the friendly gesture. "Okay, so I guess I'll go out and tell the Stargeeks we'll refund their money and they'd better pack up and go home."
"Don't cancel Nova-Con!" protested Cody.
"We've all been looking forward to it," Diana added.
"I know, but we're lacking a venue," Cage pointed out. "There's no place around here big enough to house twenty-thousand-plus rabid fans."
"The Executor," Piett suggested.
"Excuse me?" demanded Wedge.
"The Executor," Piett went on. "It's an Alliance ship now. There are several chambers aboard that should suffice. And our shuttles can transport celebrants from the ship to the planet."
"You're serious?" gaped Brigham. "We can have Nova-Con on a Stardestroyer?"
"I don't see why not," Anakin replied.
Mothma didn't seem to like this idea, but she only nodded. "If it will build good relations with Earth..."
"Oh it will!" Cage assured her. "We got freaks from France, Germany, Australia, Great Britain, Japan, Russia, Mexico, Canada, Ireland..."
A man in obviously Secret-Service-ish attire entered the cafeteria. "Mrs. Mothma? The President of the United States of America is at City Hall right now. He'd like to see you."
"Excuse me," Mothma told everyone. "I must speak with your country's leader and offer a greeting to the... er... Stargeeks."
"Oh, can I give you a quick pointer on Earth etiquette?" Darcy asked.
"What is it?"
"When you're talking to the fans, don't forget to do this." She demonstrated. "This gesture is a symbol of goodwill, and doing it will ensure respect toward you. In fact, do it as often as possible or they'll think you're pretty rude."
"Thank you, Mrs. Akers," Mothma replied before the Alliance leaders departed.
Darcy covered her mouth to keep from laughing.
"Darcy, you just told her to give the Trekkie 'live long and prosper' sign to Star Wars fanatics," Jason said in disbelief.
"I know," she squealed, unable to hold back the giggles anymore.
"Symbol of goodwill, my eye!" Han laughed.
"That was harsh," Leia noted, though she wore an amused smile.
"Hey, she started it," Darcy defended.