Chapter 10 A Brutal Demonstration
"Now, Zak, you say that you used this…Jedi trick so that you would not hurt anyone; correct?" Grel asked.
"Yes, all we wanted was to find Master Obi-Wan and take him home." Zak answered.
"But you did hurt someone; didn't you." Lord Grel countered.
"No, I told you, we had no wish to…" Zak began.
"Well, I think that guard you threw against the wall might think otherwise." Lord Grel cut him off.
"I did not hurt him; I prevented him from alerting anyone else of our presence. I only stunned him, he…" Zak started again.
"You're lying again, Zak. You killed him; didn't you know that?" Grel asked accusingly.
"No, he was only…" Zak tried once more.
"He died, Zak." Grel cut him off again.
Zak could not answer; the thought that he may have caused someone's death shocked him.
"Zak, did you hear what I said? That guard died." Grel repeated.
The look on Zak's face changed from shock to triumph; he smiled back at Grel, "No, Lord Grel; you are lying; I can tell this." He said.
"What! How dare you…" Grel stammered. "I have proof…"
"Then present us with this…proof…Lord Grel." The Advocate ordered. "Otherwise, I suggest you sit down, unless, of course you have some legitimate questions to ask of this witness."
"Well, I don't actually have it available, if the Lord Advocate would…" Grel started to concede.
"Either present this so-called proof or drop these accusations, my lord; or I will have you removed from these proceedings." The Advocate ordered, cutting Grel off this time.
"Yes, Lord Advocate. Alright, Zak, you claim that Master Skywalker has a…how did you put it…ah yes a connection with Master Kenobi; can you explain this?" Grel complied.
"I beg your pardon, sir; but I have already explained it. The Jedi are connected through the Force…" Zak was cut off yet again by Grel.
"Oh, yes, this mysterious Force; what if I tell you that I do not believe in such nonsense?" Grel asked.
"Well, that is your choice, my lord; but the fact is it does exist. That is how I knew you were lying about me when you said I killed that guard. That is also how Master Skywalker tricked the guard into taking us to Master Kenobi. The Force is life itself, and some of us have the ability to feel it more than others can. That is what makes us Jedi." Zak answered.
"It still sounds like nonsense to me, Zak. Perhaps you should demonstrate this Force, so that I can see it for myself." Grel suggested.
"The Jedi do not use the Force for entertainment, Lord Grel. It would violate the Code." Zak informed him.
"Oh, come now; surely you can show me something." Grel insisted.
Zak looked to Obi-Wan for guidance and Obi-Wan shook his head.
"No, sir; I am sorry, but I will not do that." Zak answered firmly.
"Well, then I am afraid that I cannot believe in this so-called 'connection' that you claim is between Masters Skywalker and Kenobi. All we have is your word here, son; and that just is not good enough for me." Grel stated with finality. "I have no further questions for this witness."
"I just have one thing to say; if it would be alright." Zak said.
"Yes, young Zak, you may speak." The Advocate answered.
"The Force gives us the ability to do many things. It makes us strong and helps us if we have to fight. We can even persuade our enemies not to fight. We live according to the will of the Force. We are the Force. There are those who choose not to believe that such a thing exists, but they are wrong. Lord Amedda must believe in it; he used it against Master Skywalker when he hit Master Kenobi with that weapon. He knew Master Skywalker would feel Master Kenobi's pain. And finally I want to say that if my master did not have the Force as his ally, he would have died." Zak finished.
"Thank you, Zak. You may go back to your seat." The Lord Advocate said. "Lord Prosecutor, who is your next witness?"
"Master Anakin Skywalker, Lord Advocate." Borlac announced.
"Very well; Master Skywalker; please come forward and take the stand." The Advocate instructed.
Anakin stepped forward as Zak took his seat next to Obi-Wan.
"Now, Master Skywalker; I understand that you are no longer with the Jedi Order." Borlac asked.
"You are correct; I left the Order to be with my wife and our children." Anakin replied.
"And that would be the former senator, Padme Amidala; is that correct?" Borlac asked.
"Yes."
"So you are living on Naboo?"
"Yes, and I am flight instructor with the Naboo air corps."
"Ah, thank you; that was going to be my next question. What is your relationship with Master Kenobi?"
"He was my former master; now he is my best friend. I guess you could say we are like brothers." Anakin said.
"Then he had been visiting you on Naboo and was returning here when his transport was raided?"
"Yes; he and his new apprentice, Zak had been with us for several days."
"And when did you first learn that something was wrong?"
"I had…a…a vision the afternoon the transport was hit."
"A vision? And you saw the raid on the transport in this vision?"
"Yes, but I didn't understand it at the time."
"When did you connect this vision with the transport raid?"
"Not until Zak came to us and told us what had happened; and it was exactly like the vision I had."
"And that was late that night. Can you tell us what state Zak was in when you found him?"
"Well, he found us, actually. But he was exhausted and upset. In fact, he fainted before he could tell us anything."
"Zak said that you were in pain that night."
"Yes, Padme was going to take him to bed when it hit. It doubled me over."
"Zak also said that you believed it to Master Kenobi."
"I beg your pardon, my lord, but I know it was Master Kenobi." Anakin corrected.
"And this is because of the Force connection you share with him?"
"Yes, I was his apprentice for over ten years; over that time it is not uncommon to form a bond such as this."
"Later, you learned that the former Vice Chancellor was behind this. Do you think he deliberately used this bond between you and Master Kenobi to hurt you?"
"Yes, but not physically. He knew that I would not be able to stand by and do nothing while he continued to torture Master Kenobi. He knew that if I could feel what Obi-…Master Kenobi was feeling that I would want to help him."
"So, you are saying he wanted to lure you into a trap using Master Kenobi as the bait?"
"Yes."
"Can you tell us why Lord Amedda would wish to do this?"
Amedda was now glaring hatefully at Anakin. Anakin merely smiled at him and stared back. Amedda looked away; this time, Anakin had won.
"Yes, he was Vice Chancellor under the Supreme Chancellor, Palpatine. When I exposed Palpatine as a Sith Lord after he was killed, all those loyal to him were investigated. Those who knew of Palpatine's plans for the destruction of the Republic and Order 66 were branded criminals. Lord Amedda was one of those."
"Some of those in attendance here are not familiar with Order 66; could you explain that to them?"
"Order 66 was the authorization to kill all Jedi, claiming them to be enemies of the Republic; traitors. This order also included the slaughter of babies and younglings at the Temple."
"And it has been proven that the Vice Chancellor was privy to this information and that he approved of it?"
"Not only that, he was authorized to help execute it. He was to be prosecuted with the other traitors of the Republic, but he managed to escape before he could be apprehended."
"So the abduction of Master Kenobi and this trap that he set for you was his revenge for this."
"Yes, he blamed me because I was forced to kill the former Chancellor in order to save Master Windu's life. All the ambitions he shared with Chancellor Palpatine were ruined and his involvement and knowledge was proof of his treason."
"I see. Before I continue, I would like to extend the courtesy of questioning to Lord Grel." Borlac said.
"Lord Grel, do you have any questions for this witness?" The Lord Advocate asked.
"Not at this time, Lord Advocate." Grel answered.
"Very well, Lord Borlac, you may continue."
"Oh, thank you. Master Skywalker…"
"I think you can call me Anakin. I'm not a Jedi any longer, so 'Master' doesn't really apply to me anymore."
"Alright, Anakin. We have touched on this connection that you have with Master Kenobi. Could you tell us more about it?"
"Well, I have already told you that this bond is strong between us because he was my master for so long; but it also has something to do with the fact that we are still very close. We can sense each other; when I am troubled, he can sense that; and I can do the same."
"And this is through the Force?"
"Yes."
"If I may, Lord Advocate?" Grel spoke up.
"By all means, Lord Grel; what would you like?" The Lord Advocate answered.
"I am still skeptical about this…Force connection. I asked young Zak there to demonstrate the Force and he would not or I think more likely could not. I ask the same thing of Anakin – may I call you Anakin?"
"No, you, Lord Grel, you may call me Master Skywalker." Anakin said.
Light laughter filled the courtroom.
"Oh…I am…sorry….Master Skywalker. Then I ask you, Master Skywalker, will you show us this…connection you claim to have with Master Kenobi?"
"And how would you like me to show you this?" Anakin asked innocently.
"I propose a test."
"A test?"
"Yes; you will turn your back and I will…touch Master Kenobi. If you can tell me where I am touching him, then I will be convinced of this Force connection."
"I am not opposed to this; however, we must also ask Master Kenobi if he will participate." Anakin answered.
"I have no objection, Lord Advocate." Obi-Wan stated.
"Well, you may proceed, Lord Grel." The Advocate said.
"Master Skywalker, if you will please face away from us." Lord Grel requested.
Anakin complied and stood waiting for the 'test' to begin. Grel stepped up to Obi-Wan and touched him lightly on his right arm.
"Right Arm." Anakin said.
Grel then bent slightly and touched Obi-Wan's left knee.
"Left knee." Anakin said.
Then Grel stepped on Obi-Wan's right boot.
"You're stepping on his right foot. You can take your foot off now." Anakin responded.
His final touch was a sharp jab into the back of Obi-Wan's injured shoulder. Simultaneously, both Anakin and Obi-Wan dropped to their knees.
"That will be enough; Lord Grel, you are lucky that I do not have you permanently banned from this courtroom. That last demonstration was hardly necessary. We will take a recess in order for both Master Skywalker and Master Obi-Wan to recover.
And as for you, Lord Grel. If you try something like that again, I will have you detained for assault; is that understood?" The Lord Advocate said.
"Yes, Lord Advocate; I had no idea that would happen; my apologies, gentlemen." Lord Grel replied.
The courtroom was cleared until all that remained were Anakin, Zak, Obi-Wan and several of the Council members.
Anakin quickly recovered; but Obi-Wan was still on his knees when Anakin turned to check on him.
"I'm sorry, Obi-Wan; I should have known he would try something like that." Anakin said.
"It's alright." Obi-Wan gasped and then looked up at him and smiled. "At least you proved your point."
"Maybe, but I don't think it was worth the price." Anakin answered regretfully.
"Yes it was; give me minute, I'll be alright." Obi-Wan assured him.
"You don't look alright, Obi-Wan; you're as white as a sheet." Anakin told him. "I think you should go back to the Temple."
"No, not yet. I'll be fine in a minute; as soon as I get my breath back." Obi-Wan countered.
"Declan will have my head." Anakin said. "I promised that if you looked like you were in trouble, I would send you back."
"Well, I'll take the blame then, Anakin; because I am staying." Obi-Wan replied stubbornly.
"Master Obi-Wan?" Zak said as he squatted down next to Obi-Wan.
"I'm alright, Zak." Obi-Wan assured him.
A few minutes later, Obi-Wan had recovered sufficiently to stand and Anakin helped him into a seat.
Zak had managed to locate a pitcher of water and a glass. Obi-Wan took the water gratefully and finished the entire pitcher.
"I am thinking that perhaps Anakin is correct in sending you back to the Temple, Obi-Wan." Mace said.
"Well, I disagree. I feel fine now; it just took me a moment to get my breath back." Obi-Wan argued. "When I feel I should go back, I will."
Mace sighed and shook his head.
"Very well, Obi-Wan. I am your equal, not your superior; this is your decision to make." He replied. "I just hope you have made the right one."
Then he turned to Zak.
"And you, young Padawan. You have done very well today. The Council will be very proud."
"Thank you, Master Windu. I promised that I would not fail; I am proud that I was able to keep that promise."
"Anakin, is this the trouble you were expecting. I know you said something about a weapon, but were you sure about that?" Mace asked.
"No, the feeling is still with me; stronger than ever; whatever is going to happen, I think it will be very soon." Anakin answered.
