Author's Notes: Aw, nuts… I just found out from the "Episode III" preview in a recent Star Wars magazine that Passel Argente's aide is female. That's the first edit "Eclipse" is gonna need once it's done, then. Heh. I've done a twist on a courtroom scene here, but I've no idea how they work, so I just let my imagination create this one; it is in another galaxy, anyway.
Revision 16/9/04: Palpatine's forename is now good ol' 'Cos' – PadawanMage pointed out that Finis is actually Valorum's name, and, let's be frank, I don't think they'd share the same name, unless you like huge coincidences. It could be the 'John Smith' of Star Wars, but, hey, I won't risk that…
I must also thank history for inspiring me in general for this part - Henry VIII and Charles II, I bow to you. :D LOL. There's nothing like the past to tell you how to work certain situations in your stories.
On a side note, I am going to university this coming Friday, the 17th September, so I may or may not be updating as quickly as I'd like. Hopefully the stimulus of doing work again will make me write faster! Heh. Anyway, stalk me at Live Journal (User: Jurious) or something if you wanted to keep posted. Apart from that, please enjoy the loooooooooong chapter!
Kynstar: I wish Dooku lived next door to me… Unfortunately, he doesn't. I'm so glad you've enjoyed the rather extreme past few parts of the story, and I'm surprised that I managed to make you cry. I'm doing something right… Enjoy!
Ms8309: I think I've got Anakin's complete turn to the Dark side figured out, now. I just need to get it written.
PadawanMage: My most in-depth reviewer continues to burst the 'Submit a Review' box. Wow, that was a large one! I don't have every chapter down till, but I've got most of it planned, so hopefully I can set myself a prior-to-RotS target for completion of this story! And I've not actually got any nasty reviews or ought – which I am quite surprised about, personally. Anyway, hopefully more of your queries will be answered in the following chapter – though I bet you'll have more to ask by the end of it.
Leela74: Hey, don't apologise! No one has to read my work – I'm just happy when you have the time! And thank you for such kind comments – I hope I can continue to entertain you with my twisted tales.
Audreidi: Wow, criticism! I'd like to hear who you think was out of character and why – "Eclipse" is a constant work-in-progress and I do plan to go back and revamp it all once it's done. If you can help me in any way, I'd appreciate it. I don't get much help when it comes to writing this, not having a BETA, so I turn to the reviewers when I can. Anyway, my thanks for your review and I hope you continue reading!
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Brabantio: Though art a villain
Iago: You are -- a senator
"Othello", I, i (William Shakespeare)
---
"ECLIPSE"
Part 30
Everything was surreal, from the peaceful vista that greeted Padmé outside the windows of the Theed palace, to the complex situation of her 'relationship' (for want of a better word) with Count Dooku. Who, it seemed, was keeping more things from her than she thought; he was to speak against Anakin in the Republic Courts. From a distance, via hologram, but still, he was as good as there. Padmé found it ironic that he considered speaking out against Anakin in a court that was part of the institution he was trying so hard to crumble, but she didn't mention this to him. This wasn't about the war - this was about the downfall of a Jedi. It was the Order on trial, not the principle, and it only meant trouble in Padm's view.
Politics was a dangerous thing.
"How did they find you?" she settled herself with asking him as she leant in a doorway, arms folded, giving him a glare.
"Oh, they know I'm here now," Serenn shrugged as he cast his cloak about his shoulders and set the clasp in place, "It's all out about Naboo now. Unsurprisingly."
"Why can't I take part?"
"You?" he smiled, glancing at her, "Why, Padmé, would it look good for the Confederacy if, at this case, I spoke against Anakin, whilst you spoke for him?"
She gave him a stinging 'Very Funny' look and glanced away with a huff.
"You're very temperamental at the moment," he growled, "What's wrong now?"
"Did I say anything?"
"Your mouth didn't," he conceded, running a hand back over his head to flatten his hair, "But your face did." His eyebrows rose briefly in gesture before he walked briskly passed her.
"You expect me to be happy here, mulling about like a lost kaadu?" she said, catching up with him.
"You have a choice in whether you 'mull about' or not. And you made the kaadu comparison, not I."
"It's been painful for me, joining this 'movement' of yours. You could at least give me something to do in it, other than rush after you like a lap dog."
"I seem to recall that you were desperate to come home not long ago," he sneered, "Well, you're here now. Why don't you make use of your time before we have to leave again?"
"You don't let me out of your sight! How can I?"
"I haven't even been here for the past few days - what was your excuse then?"
"Fear!"
"Fear?" Dooku's anger abated to a mere curiosity, "You're afraid of me?"
"I'm afraid of what you can do…" she admitted, swallowing, "Though I won't let you use it against me any more."
"Then why the fear?" he pushed on.
"Because I remember. And I can't forget."
Comprehension dawned in his eyes and he nodded, "Of course."
"And no apology you give me will change that."
They stared at one another for a moment before he gave her a parting nod, "I have to go," he said. He began to walk away, but suddenly turned back and looked over his shoulder at her, "Are you coming or not?"
She nodded glumly, "I'll be along shortly."
He made another of his bows and continued on his way.
---
The Battle of Sullust was lost. And Boba found that he didn't care. Passel Argente had conceded defeat; he just hadn't had the tactical advantage, considering his army was positioned down on Sullust, whilst the Republic had had the free run of space, bar the few Confederacy star cruisers there - and, despite the fact that it had, when all the layers were stripped down, been nothing more than a diversion, the magistrate was still more than a little peeved. Boba had, thus, kept his distance from him.
They had fled from Sullust and were now hovering in orbit somewhere near Ord Mantell, though Boba had no idea why. He guessed that they were waiting for Dooku's next orders. And he continued to pray that he would be allowed to rejoin the Count, or at least get away from Argente.
"Poggle has contacted us," he overheard Passel tell his aide as he sat across from them, in an open doorway to the bridge, "We have several more battalions of droids now on the way."
"Good old Poggle," the aide replied, "I knew he'd waste no time in getting his foundries back up and running."
"Yes… and we're going to need as much backup as possible if the Count keeps playing his diversionary tactics."
"It worked, though, didn't it?"
"Yes… but for how long can he continue to fool the Republic in such a way?"
"If lives and planets are at stake, they will fight, regardless. You know this."
"Indeed… You are right."
Boba rolled his eyes - wars were becoming complicated. He thought a war was just about two armies and a few battles. Since when were there diversions, treaties and lulls of inactivity involved? He'd just take a gun and blow the brains out of the leader of the opposition. He rose his arm and imitated a firing gun, aiming at Argente, his aide, and several impassive Battle Droids in turn.
---
The Courts were foreboding places - they were large, dark rooms, filled with row upon row of seats along each side, with several raised platforms (not unlike those used in the Senate chambers, except they were immobile) arranged within the centre, the highest being that for the judge, the others for the accused and the so-called 'orators'.
It wasn't long until every seat, and every other plausible space in the court, was filled with people. Everyone wanted to be part of the upcoming case, everyone wanted to see what would happen to this apprenticed Jedi, one of the first in an age to go on trial in a court. Even the boundaries of Separatist and Republican had been lowered a little for the day, and word had it that Count Dooku himself was to speak on behalf of the Separatists on the matter. It was his underling who had been slaughtered, after all.
Outside of the entrance to the accuser's dock, Anakin tapped his toes idly upon the floor. He was flanked by a pair of the court guards, both of which wore the same outdated blue uniform and raised headdresses of the old senatorial guards. These sentinels were becoming more and more scarce as the new wave of scarlet-clad senatorial guards were ushered in.
There was suddenly the sound of footsteps in the hallway. With a slight crease to his brow, Anakin turned to satisfy his curiosity. Approaching him from down the corridor, flanked by a pair of his own scarlet bodyguards, came the Chancellor. The elder man's hands were clasped before him and his gaze was as benign and drained as usual.
As he came within range of Anakin, he gave him a long stare.
/Trust Me/
And with that, he was gone.
Anakin pondered on the words he'd heard within his head, looking at his feet for but a moment, before, his thoughts interrupted, the doors opened before him.
The first thing that hit him was the sheer noise - he'd never heard anything like it! The stands below and around were filled to bursting point with people of all ages, species and walks of life, and virtually each and every one of them were jeering, booing and hissing at him. If they'd had tomatoes handy, Anakin was sure he'd be covered in a red puree by now.
He paced out, up the narrow walkway, to his raised dock. Despite the noise and disgruntlement, Anakin couldn't find the room within himself to actually be bothered about it all, and this kind of attitude immediately put the Jedi - the chosen scapegoats of the matter - in a bad light.
High up, in the uppermost dock, a Dug, of all creatures, took its place as judge. Anakin threw it a scowl - Dugs, as he knew all too well, were usually beings of the underworlds, indigenous to the Outer Rim. Corruption was undoubtedly prevalent in the Republic if some lowlife Dug had managed to squeeze its way up the ranks of the courts and become a magistrate.
As the crowds then settled, the judge peered over the edge of his box and placed a small monocle before one of his eyes; "Let us begin," he announced in a deep monotone.
---
Padmé stood back a little, out of range of the holoprojector plate, whilst Serenn took his place directly upon it. He glanced back to her, sensing her clear discomfort; "You do not have to speak," he said.
She met his gaze, "Don't you mean, you'd rather I didn't?" she muttered sourly.
He gazed at her a while longer before, nodding, he turned back about and, with a wave of his hand, brought the opposing holo-proj' plate to life. An image of the courtroom came into focus before them; the chamber was overcrowded, filled with denizens of the capital and beyond, and the tense atmosphere, even from this far away, had no trouble in making its presence felt.
Padmé backed into the wall at the sight of it, her stomach doing a flop; "Anakin," she sighed.
Serenn heard her, but he merely glanced downward, running a finger over the deep cut still present on his palm. And then he waited.
---
"Anakin Skywalker, you have been brought before this court on charges of misconduct, including the acts of theft, damage of property and murder. Evidence pertaining to your crime has already been presented to the jury, whilst the hearing today shall aid in the determination of your fate. You will be judged upon evidence and beliefs, given by various Orators, before the jury will judge you finally in private. You may also have the opportunity to make your own plea, should you wish, and the jury may be permitted to request further evidence, orators or time, should they feel the need. Do you understand the proceedings, Mr. Skywalker?"
Anakin gave the Dug his surliest stare. He felt eyes on him from every nook and cranny of the hall, could see the likes of Mace Windu and Ki-Adi Mundi hanging on his every move and word as they stood in a raised gallery near by.
"I do," he said, loud and clear.
Everyone murmured, as he expected they would.
The Dug made a little cough, one that somehow commanded silence in the room over again; "Very well, then we shall proceed. Please may the Orators take the stands - Master Mace Windu, Supreme Chancellor Finis Palpatine and Count Serenn Dooku."
Now the court did burst out in unabashed banter. Anakin looked across to the row of raised stands, a similar height to his own, three of which were suddenly occupied by a trio of very diverse characters. Climbing into the first stand came Master Windu, making his way up from his gallery. There were two empty stands between him and the next individual, Chancellor Palpatine, who came up from another direction to take this stand. On the dais by his side, a holographic Dooku fuzzed into focus, stepping provisionally into the scenario. They were indeed the most unlikely-looking group.
Anakin looked over each; Mace had an expression grave with concern, his heavy eyes telling of his anxiety; Palpatine looked his usual, weary self, though Anakin could see beyond the guise to the genius within - and those eyes told him that, no matter what the outcome, he would be in safe hands; and Dooku - well, Anakin was puzzled by the man this time. He expected a churlish, arrogant glare from the man, but he was merely met by a stern, solemn stare. Either way, he couldn't help but think that it should be Serenn stood up here on trial, not him - he'd committed crimes just as, if not more heinous than what he'd done.
Then the thought hit Anakin suddenly of a clear absence in the court - Master Kenobi. His mind told him that he was better off without his interfering mentor there, but a very small part of him, a part almost overshadowed by the dark in his soul, piped up in protest that this was not a good sign.
"Commendation or condemnation - give your verdicts," the judge suddenly warbled, breaking Anakin's concentration. Ani saw that he was looking first to Mace.
---
Padmé had perched herself on a seat now at the back of the small room in which the holo-proj' Serenn was using was housed. She shook her head with a disapproving sigh as she watched the judge. The courts indeed did take longer to decide things than the senate - and when one witnessed the way in which they dealt with things, it was often no surprise. None of it seemed fair or logical.
Her eyes soon wondered back to the shaky hologram of Anakin; he looked different, as though his edges had been sharpened and honed. In fact, he didn't look much different at all, but something made him seem that way to Padmé. She sighed and leant her head against the wall, waiting for the trial to continue as Mace took the stand…
---
"Orator One: Your name and occupation."
"Mace Windu, Jedi Master and Council Member."
"Your testimony on the defendant's behalf?"
"Guilty. Though I wish to alleviate his sentence, despite the crime's severity."
The Dug raised his eyebrow, and nearly lost his monocle; quickly shoving it back in with his foot, he stared down at Mace and said, "But sentence has not yet been passed. How can it be alleviated?"
Windu blinked slowly in return, clasping his hands at the small of his back; "I feel that there are few sentences except one with which this boy can be penalised. Knowing the severity of this sentence, I therefore ask to alleviate it, your honour, should my intuition be correct."
The Dug made a slight shrugging motion, and gestured for Windu to continue; Mace nodded obediently, and went on; "I admit, that the charges under which this boy has been arrested are true, but I must remind you, on his behalf, that he has been under considerable strain as of late. His friends and allies have been put through combat in this galactic civil war and it was for the good of a comrade, and a comrade alone, that he ran astray and attempted to take justice into his own hands. Though I understand that he is still culpable for his crime, I ask that his penalty not be one of the most lethal variety. He is the Chosen One and he still needs time to grow and learn."
Much of the court was sneering and jeering at Windu, something he wasn't accustomed to. He gave the room a general look of condemnation before he looked back to the judge and gave him a bow.
Anakin snuffed - he had no idea why Windu was sticking up for him. He guessed that he should be grateful, but he really couldn't care less. Whatever anyone said, he was still to be expelled, if not worse… And if Mace got his way and somehow prevented his suspension, he'd walk out anyway.
The Dug turned his long skull in the Chancellor's direction; "Orator Two: Your name and occupation."
"Cos Palpatine, Supreme Chancellor."
"Your testimony on the defendant's behalf?"
"Guilty."
The court audience was tentative about the Chancellor - one could feel it in the very foundations. His action today could well decide the allegiance of many who were beginning to sway toward the Confederate movement.
"I am the Chancellor of a democracy," he spoke carefully, his pale eyes betraying no hint of the plotting and intrigue Anakin was certain was going on within his mind, "And every individual within that democracy must be counted as equal. Be he Jedi, Chosen One, or no, he must face whatever punishment befits him."
The crowds seemed to concur, on the majority;
"Give him the death penalty!"
"Down with the Jedi!"
"Take away their privileges! All Jedi should pay!"
"Silence in the Courtroom," the Dug warned, glaring at each side of the dark chamber before he returned his eyes to Palpatine.
Mace was meanwhile looking at the Supreme Chancellor as though he'd never seen him before - he knew as well as any in the Order of how close Anakin was to the Chancellor, and he'd counted on a little more support on his behalf. His face was nothing compared to Anakin's, however, who was gaping in horror at the man who had just said 'Trust Me', and who he in turn had trusted.
The judge had turned to the final speaker now; "Orator Three: Your name and occupation," he said over again.
"Serenn Dooku, Political Leader of the CIS."
Anakin glared at Dooku with a renewed jealousy - so, the Chancellor had chosen his precious Separatist puppet over him, had he? Then so be it. He would make them both pay…
"Your testimony on the defendant's behalf?" the judge continued.
"Guilty."
---
Padmé closed her eyes as she heard Serenn's declaration; guilty.
Words from the past came back to haunt her, as they often did:
/Wake up, senators, you must wake up. If you offer the Separatists violence they can only show violence in return/
And hadn't they just?
---
"Whilst we all agree that we are indeed in the midst of a war, the way in which this boy went recklessly against all command and authority and murdered my colleague in cold blood tells me that he is culpable for the crime and open to face all consequences. His crime also brings into question the control that the Republic, and indeed the Jedi, have over their kind."
Murmurs traversed the stands; Mace eyed Serenn cagily.
"How am I to be sure that my colleagues will not become victim to another Jedi's wrath? How are the Republic to be sure that the Jedi won't turn on them when the situation suits it?"
More whispers.
"That's a foul twist of the facts at hand!" Windu shouted, giving Serenn an indignant glare, "And is irrelevant to the case."
"Is it? You obviously couldn't control this Padawan, how are we to know that you can control all the others?"
Mace's gaze tightened on Dooku - he'd used the 'we' term, so now the people were on his side. He was using his political charisma against him, and there was very little he could do about it.
"How are we even to know that this Jedi wasn't being used under order from his superiors to do this foul deed?"
"That's preposterous!" Palpatine shrilled in disgust.
"Is it, Chancellor?" Dooku relayed, "I think the people have a right to know how their war is being fought, whether it is with undercover Jedi or secret clones…"
'The people' were getting uneasy - what if the Count was right, what if the Chancellor and his Jedi were indeed doing things their own way and playing them all for fools, whilst getting their own form of justice in the progress?
Palpatine smirked smugly; "Ironic you say such, Count, when you have to resort to building a droid army underground."
"If it is the only way in which I can fight a decaying Republic, then so be it!"
The crowd followed the rally with interest. Anakin was scuffing the floor with his foot, frankly bored.
"This is not the case at hand!" Windu snarled, thumping the edge of his box with his fist, "We are here to judge Anakin and his crimes, against the Republic, should there be one. And, as far as I can see, he has made no crime against the Republic, only against the Confederacy."
Point to Mace.
The crowds were uncertain now and tried to get their head round this, whilst the gears of Serenn's mind whirred and clicked and he prepared his next move. He stared for a while at Mace, rather impressed by the Jedi Master's determination to save Anakin from the harshest of condemnations. And then, finally, he spoke, in a low, dark tone; "Your Honor, this is absurd. This boy should be judged as we are all judged, he should not receive clemency due to the mere fact that he is a Jedi!"
The crowds turned back to the separatist, concurring with low whispers.
Serenn pointed at Master Windu, "A colleague of mine has been murdered and all the Jedi can say for the boy is that he is free to do such as long as the Republic doesn't suffer?"
"He has been disturbed, as we all have, by recent events!" Mace protested, now leaning over his box in the direction of Dooku's hologram, "The battles - in which he has been a valiant participant - have stretched him to the limit and, clearly, have brought about adverse side effects!"
Serenn was just as quick to rally a response, though; "Well, it so happens that I, too, am disturbed by 'recent events'… but I don't go out of my way to kill those responsible!"
The Chancellor swallowed as the crowd rose to support the Count with raised hands, erupting with a cheer.
"If this is the Republican idea of justice, to give advantage to those in the Jedi Order, then I am disgusted by it and can only stress further that the Republic is too rotted and corrupt now for improvement - it simply requires demolishing and replacing by a new, stronger institution!"
More cheers from the host. Anakin was losing patience, wanting to just get his sentence and go, whilst Mace looked so deeply betrayed, it was almost heart-wrenching.
"Well, I think it's time the Chancellor faced fact!" Dooku went on, "He is being controlled by a Jedi Order that is obviously placing its own kind above the law, as well as the welfare of the Republic and its peoples!"
"Down with the Jedi!" someone yelled from the anonymous rows of the stalls.
"Well I say that he needs to make up his mind as to which he holds closer to heart - the Republic or the Jedi - and, if it is the latter, then he should rethink his position!"
"If the Count is implying that I hold prejudices against my people…" Palpatine spoke up in his most haughty voice.
"He is implying just such!" Dooku bellowed, in full swing, "And if the 'Supreme' Chancellor wishes to prove his impartiality, then I beg him to condemn this Jedi just as any murderer should be condemned!"
"I have already stated this!"
"In words, but in nothing more -is this statement going to be as empty as the rest of your so-called Republican policies? Those that promised improved trade, equal opportunities and - we may laugh at this - justice?"
"It is for the jury and not myself to judge -" Palpatine ranted on, whilst Mace added to the discussion with his own disputes:
"The Jedi are far from favoured in the eye of the Republic!" he spoke up, "How you can say such when you know so yourself is beyond me!"
Serenn looked smug, his eyebrows only rising in response, just inciting Mace's irritation further.
"Order! We shall have order!" the judge finally called, bringing the room back to a controlled silence; the three orators looked to him petulantly; "Count Dooku, must I remind you that you are here on the kind terms of the Republic," the Dug stated, "And not to exploit your position by using the court as a political platform."
Serenn bowed curtly.
"I think we have heard enough. Would the jury please retire to make their verdict. We shall recommence in a day's standard time. Orators indefinitely dismissed."
----
As dusk gave way to night, the Chancellor stared out across the cityscape of Coruscant. Mas Amedda, his senatorial aide, stood behind him, and was giving him a most grave look.
"You must break away, Excellency," he muttered hushly, "You can no longer afford to be connected with the Jedi corps, not one that stands up for mindless murderers simply because they are one of their own. What kind of justice is that?"
Palpatine blinked steadily, heaving a great sigh, "But the Jedi have served us for so long, friend." He shook his head, "I cannot cast aside centuries of faithful service because of one foolish Jedi and a disillusioned Republic who'll turn to anyone for hope, now, can I?
"But if you want to have any hope of survival as Supreme Chancellor, your Excellency, then you must break away," Amedda insisted, "The people are baying for Jedi blood. Their Order is an old-fashioned, outdated institution, which no longer serves the Republic with the efficiency it needs. This Republic needs a new kind of institution - the Clone Troopers are just the beginning. They ensure our safety far better and competently than these obsolete warriors. You've said so on occasion yourself."
"Then what for the Jedi?" Palpatine asked, "What shall be their fate?" He turned to Mas Amedda slowly, fixing him with his crystal-blue gaze, "They've done so much for us…"
Amedda sighed and shook his head, "Let the Force's will be done," he said, "If they are no longer required…"
"You'd have me destroy them?"
"Well, no… not unless they agree to some terms, to some new way of life."
"You mean to exile them?"
"No, of course not. Surely new roles could be found for them, roles where they served as every other citizen does, earning their own wages, paying taxes."
"And do you think they will be willing to adapt to this kind of regime so quickly?" Palpatine queried, "Can you possibly believe that the Jedi, some of which have been part of their Order for over 800 years, would willingly give it up for an office job?"
"But think of the rewards! They could have families, belongings, everything they've never had before!"
"Which has been ingrained into them as against their way of life since they were born? No, the Jedi will never adapt so easily."
"Then they must suffer as all species do when they cannot keep up with the times. They must become extinct."
Palpatine gave Amedda a long, hard stare, before, reluctantly, he nodded and returned to his window gazing.
"Be bold, your Excellency," Amedda continued, "Win this war without the Jedi. Throw aside the old, corrupt institutions - you and you alone have the right to rule this democracy. You do not need a decadent old religion to preach to you how to rule! You know, and you know well. Become the sole head of your state, make your people proud to be part of your… your 'realm', your 'kingdom', your 'empire', or whatever you would call it!"
"Throw aside the Jedi?" the Chancellor asked with the air of someone who thinks his friend may possibly have gone mad.
"Yes," Amedda persisted.
"Rule without council?"
"Well, with a select council, of course, as you've always done - keep your closest and most loyal allies near by - just cast aside these Knights who believe they know better."
"You make a bold proposal, old friend."
"You can do this, Excellency. You must do something. If you do not act, if you leave things as they are, then the Republic will turn on you, the institution will collapse, and they will turn to Count Dooku to make it right!"
"And you believe that the Count would also, seriously, overthrow the Jedi?"
Amedda nodded seriously, "I have no doubt. He has hinted at nothing but this from the start of his campaign."
"But he was once a Jedi. You think he has guts enough to destroy the very establishment that made him what he now is?"
"He had no qualms about fighting his old Jedi friends back on Geonosis, or so I have heard. He's had no qualms about putting a Jedi on trial, along with the rest of his institution. This is why the people turn to him - he is a new hope, a bright light in the dark. His future holds prospects and justice. You must make the next move, your Excellency - make it before Dooku does, and make it as bold a move as any he has yet pulled off, and you won't just win this war, you'll win the hearts and souls of your entire electorate."
After a long pause, the Chancellor muttered quietly, "I will ponder on the matter, Mas. For now, please leave me."
Mas Amedda bowed, his elaborate cloaks billowing about him, "As you wish, your Excellency."
Palpatine listened until the doors closed behind his aide and he was, once again, alone. He then stared at his reflection in the window and smiled.
TBC…