Chapter 24 Facing the Council
"Tinkering again, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked as he approached Anakin's fighter.
"Why aren't you still sleeping?" Anakin asked.
"Because I'm rested; I told you it might only take a couple of hours." Obi-Wan answered as he picked up a spanner and handed it to Anakin.
"Thank you; you're drawing on the Force again, you shouldn't be doing that." Anakin said, using the spanner to make an adjustment.
"There's no reason you can't as long as you rest in between; I've done that." Obi-Wan replied, "I think you might have tightened that down too much."
"No, I haven't; how long will it be before you get some proper rest?" Anakin asked.
"I'm rested, Anakin;" Obi-Wan assured him, "that looks like it needs lubrication."
"Yes, I know; you're so stubborn, and if you're not careful, you'll end up in the medical center again." Anakin told him.
"That was different, I was sick; I'm not sick this time." Obi-Wan argued, "Have you seen Ferri since Zak hit him?"
"Yes; he needs help, but he won't admit it. I'm not even sure if he wants it." Anakin answered.
"How do you think the Council will vote?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I don't know; but right now I just can't see him continuing his training, he's just not trustworthy." Anakin replied.
"But I really think he's sorry about what happened." Obi-Wan pointed out.
Anakin stopped what he was doing and turned to look at him, "I agree; but that doesn't mean he might not just turn around and do it again. Besides, I offered to help him work through his insecurity and he pretty much refused." He said.
"Pretty much?"
"Well, yeah; he said he'd have to think about it. That doesn't sound as if he thinks he needs help." Anakin explained.
"So your vote is going to be against him." Obi-Wan surmised.
"Right now, the way things stand, yes." Anakin confirmed, "Unless he admits that he needs help, I don't think he'll ever change."
Obi-Wan nodded, "You're probably right." He agreed, "What a waste."
"I know; I understand he has an interesting talent too; what a team he and Zak would have made if he hadn't let his jealousy get in the way." Anakin replied.
"I can't understand how that could happen; he was raised just like the others, why would he show this jealousy?" Obi-Wan wondered shaking his head.
"Ferri's jealousy has its roots in his insecurity; I'm wondering if….no, nevermind, I'm sure Yoda is already doing that. Ferri probably just slipped through the cracks." Anakin said.
"Possibly; but do you think there's a way you can detect that insecurity early and deal with it?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I don't know; maybe; it might be something we should think about anyway." Anakin answered.
"That would mean you'd have to spend more time at the Temple; I don't know how you can do that with your obligations on Naboo." Obi-Wan told him.
"Ah, well, I guess in all the excitement, I forgot to tell you; I've been sacked." Anakin replied.
"What? Why would they do that?" Obi-Wan asked.
"For going to Myrkr to rescue Boba Fett." Anakin explained, "Apparently, they have gotten tired of me 'deserting them', as they put it, all the time."
"That's ridiculous; have they forgotten that you were the main reason the new separatist movement failed?" Obi-Wan asked.
Anakin shrugged, "You and I were." He corrected, "But you know, it doesn't really bother me that much; I've been thinking of submitting my resignation anyway. It's just that I would rather it had been my choice instead of theirs."
"Why were you going to resign? I thought you liked being part of the Air Corps." Obi-Wan asked.
"I did for awhile; until…until I finally realized where I truly belong." Anakin answered as he looked at Obi-Wan eye to eye.
Obi-Wan smiled, "With the Jedi." He said.
"Yes, I'm just sorry that it took so long to figure out that you and the rest of the Council have been right all along." Anakin replied.
"And what about your family, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Padme is taking a position with the government and will be spending a great deal of time on Coruscant; we've decided that it would be best to just live there and go back to Naboo for visits." Anakin told him.
Obi-Wan clapped him on the back, "The Council will be pleased to hear that…and I am…I am overwhelmed, my brother." He replied as he put a hand on Anakin shoulder and squeezed..
"You once told me that the Force would find a way for me to come back to the Jedi; and now it has." Anakin said.
"Yes, it has." Obi-Wan answered.
When the frigate docked on Coruscant an hour later, Breha and Gemma were there to greet it. Along with them were two members of the Jedi Council, the Vice Chancellor, Mon Mothma and a surprise; Anakin's family had journeyed from Naboo.
Anakin could sense their presence even before they had docked and rushed forward to meet them as soon as the boarding ramp was lowered; he embraced Padme and their baby son as the twins wrapped their hands around his legs. He kissed Padme passionately before turning his attention to Luke and Leia; scooping them up and hugging them tightly, "You didn't tell me you were coming to Coruscant." He said.
"Well, I decided that I needed to get started looking for a place to live…besides, I think Master Yoda is anxious to see Hadrian; and I wanted to see you." Padme explained.
"I'm so happy you did; what does Master Yoda think of our newest arrival?" Anakin asked.
"I wanted to wait so that we could introduce him together." Padme answered.
Anakin smiled and nodded, "I'm glad you did." He decided and then looked over at the two masters waiting on the platform, frowned and shook his head.
"What is it, Annie?" Padme asked.
Anakin sighed, "Something happened on Myrkr; the missing piece to my nightmare." He said.
"And that has something to do with why two Jedi masters are here?" Padme asked.
"Yes, I really shouldn't discuss it until I've talked with them." Anakin answered.
"Alright; should I take the children and go back to the suite to wait for you?" Padme asked.
"No, I'd like you to come to the Temple with me; would that be alright?" Anakin asked.
"If that's what you want, Annie; but I wish you would tell me what this is all about." Padme replied.
"I will, Padme, I promise; as soon as I can." Anakin assured her.
Obi-Wan walked down the ramp with Zak following close behind, "You really should have waited until you were stronger to come here, Padme; you've only just had your baby." He said as he reached for the baby in her arms.
"Nonsense, I'm fine; and I thought it was time for Master Yoda to see Hadrian." Padme answered, relinquishing the baby to him.
"Yes, I know he's eager to; and to see how much bigger the twins are getting." Obi-Wan replied and then handed the baby back to her and then looked toward the two waiting Jedi, "I'd better go talk to them."
"I'll come with you." Anakin offered, kissing Padme, hugging and kissing the twins before setting them down and then kissing Hadrian's forehead.
"I wish one of you would tell me what this is all about." Padme said.
Obi-Wan looked at Anakin and then down at the ground before looking back at her, "Betrayal; Anakin will explain it all later." He told her, "Come, Zak."
"Master Kenobi, I am relieved that you and your Padawan are safe." Adi Gallia said, as she bowed, "And Master Skywalker, it is good to see you again; you have been sorely missed."
"It's good to be back." Anakin told her, bowing in turn.
"We were shocked and saddened to hear of this, Master Kenobi; a full Council meeting has been called and will convene as soon as possible to hear the complete account and decide on how best to proceed." Ki-Adi Mundi added.
"It's more complicated than it seems on the surface, Master Mundi." Obi-Wan replied.
"It always is; we are here to escort young Cortis back to the Temple." Adi answered.
Obi-Wan sighed, "I understand, but I think it would be best if he were not separated from Master Maru at this time." He advised.
"Very well; the Chancellor has arranged for a shuttle. Will your family be coming with us, Master Skywalker?" Ki Adi asked.
"Well, I…I would like them to, if it's alright." Anakin admitted.
"Of course! Your family is always welcome, Anakin; you are one of us." Adi reminded him.
Anakin smiled, "I'm just beginning to realize how true that is." He told her.
She gave him a puzzled look and then smiled back…and lost her smile as she looked past him toward the frigate. Obi-Wan and Anakin both turned to see Clive Maru coming down the ramp followed closely by his apprentice, who stared at the ground in front of him as he walked, apparently unable to meet their gaze.
With a heavy sigh, Clive steeled himself to face the two masters, "Master Gallia, Master Mundi; I cannot tell you how sorry I am to have allowed this to happen." He said as he bowed to them.
"We do not lay the blame on you, Master Maru; but we must discover why this happened. We are here to escort you to the Temple, not pass judgment on the incident that occurred on Myrkr; that is the Council's place after they hear from all concerned. A special session has already been called for and will convene shortly after we arrive; then we will see what young Cortis has to say for himself." Ki Adi replied.
Ferri shuddered.
Bail appeared at the head of the boarding ramp and Gemma broke away from Breha to run up the ramp and wrap her arms around him, "Didja find Boba, Papa?" She asked as he lifted her up and hugged her.
"Yes, Baby; and brought him home." He answered.
"I knew you would, Papa….but where is he?" She asked.
"Dr. Averill is going to take him over to the medical center and you and Mama can see him there; alright?" He told her.
"Alright, Papa." She agreed and put her head on his shoulder, "Me and Mama sure missed you."
Bail smiled and rubbed her back and he carried her down the ramp, "I missed you too, Baby." He replied.
"Is he alright, Bail?" Breha asked as Bail lowered Gemma to the ground to embrace her.
"Oh, he is a little worse for wear; they treated him very badly. However, Haris said he will be alright." Bail answered, "He is going to have him transferred directly over to the medical center and we can meet them there."
"Chancellor, it is good to see you back and safe. I will officially relinquish the power you granted me as soon as possible." Mon Mothma said as she bowed to him.
"Thank you for seeing to things here, Mon; I know it was not something you did willingly." Bail replied.
"No, only because I, like the majority of the people, did not want to lose you. I would be happy to function as Chancellor if I am ever elected, however, I would not relish taking over that office if something were to happen to you." Mon Mothma told him, "When your boy is settled, I will meet you at your office."
"Very good, Mon; and thank you again." Bail said.
"My pleasure, Bail; I'm just glad things worked out." Mon told him as she bowed again, "Shall we go? I have a shuttle waiting; it will have it drop me at the Senate complex and then take you to the medical center."
Bail nodded in assent and followed her to the waiting shuttle.
The short trip to the Temple was a quiet one but for Hadrian's soft cooing and the twins jabbering to Zak about anything and everything. Ferri sat in the back next to Clive staring out the view port, trying to shut everything out. When the shuttle came to a halt in the Temple docking bay, Yoda and Mace Windu stood waiting. Anakin ushered his family off and took Hadrian in his arms, kneeling down in front of Yoda, "My son, Hadrian, Master." He announced.
Yoda touched the baby's head and closed his eyes, "Yes, strong in the Force he is; a great Jedi he will make if called to that path he is." He said and then looked at Anakin, "As it has called you, Anakin; ready you are to return to us, hmmm?"
Anakin smiled and nodded, "Yes, Master." He replied.
"Welcome you are, Anakin Skywalker; waiting for you we all have been." Yoda told him, "Lady Skywalker, good it is to see you again."
"Thank you, Master Yoda; it seems that you will be seeing more of us since we will be moving back to Coruscant." Padme answered.
"Yes, sensed that in your husband I did. Remain here if you wish until over the Council meeting is." Yoda replied.
"What is that all about, Master Yoda? It sounds serious." Padme asked.
"Hmm, serious it is; and explain Anakin will after the Council meeting." Yoda told her as Obi-Wan stepped out of the shuttle with Zak, "Master Obi-Wan, an error I made in choosing Master Maru to assist you in your search. Misjudged I did the extent of Ferri's trouble with your Padawan and sorry I am."
"It was not Clive's fault, Master Yoda; but let us wait to discuss it in front of the entire Council." Obi-Wan suggested.
"Yes, ready the Council is; waiting for you they are." Yoda said.
Adi Gallia and Ki Adi Mundi stepped down and, after a moment, Clive Maru joined them; after a delay, Ferri appeared in the doorway staring in shame at the floor. The change surprised Mace Windu; this was not the same boy who had stood his ground defiantly after the shower incident, "Step down, young Cortis." He ordered.
Ferri gulped before stepping hesitantly down, "I…I'm sorry." He whispered with a dry mouth.
"Yes, you should be; and you will answer for it to the Council. You will come with us now." Mace instructed.
"Anakin? What happened?" Padme asked as Anakin handed their baby back to her.
"After the Council meeting; I've got to go now." Anakin replied as he turned to follow the rest of the present Council members.
Padme shook her head, still trying to understand what had happened to cause the entire Jedi Council concern, "We're hungry, Mommy." Leia complained.
"Oh yes, alright; why don't we go down to the dining hall and see if we can find something." Padme said.
"He did a bad thing; he did a really bad thing." Luke said, shaking his blond head.
"What did he do, Luke?" Padme asked as she led them toward a lift.
"I dunno, but it was something really bad." Luke told her.
Clive and Ferri stood in the middle of the Council Chambers before the full Council while Zak waited in the antechamber. Clive's face was grim; Ferri could not meet the eye of anyone in the room.
"You have committed a serious offense, Ferri Cortis; betrayal is a serious breach of trust, and it will now be up to the Council to decide what should be done about it. Before we can do that, however, we must hear, from you, why." Mace said sternly.
Ferri swallowed hard, trying to find his voice, "I…" He croaked.
"Speak up, Ferri; you must have had a reason." Plo Koon told him.
"Y...yes, M…master." Ferri answered haltingly and then looked down and whispered, "I…I was jealous."
"Jealous? Of what, young one?" Ki Adi asked.
Ferri gulped and closed his eyes, "Zak Perrin; I was jealous of Zak." He admitted.
"And you would be jealous of this Padawan for what reason, Ferri?" Luminara Unduli asked.
"He…I…" Ferri stumbled on his words before finally realizing that he could not hide the truth from the entire Council, "Partly because Master Kenobi chose him instead of me."
"I see; so is that why you also betrayed Master Kenobi? As revenge for choosing another Padawan over you?" Depa Billaba asked.
"No, I…I didn't think it through; I never meant to…." Ferri trailed off, fighting tears.
"Never meant to what, Ferri? Involve Master Kenobi?" Eeth Koth asked, "But you did mean to betray young Zak Perrin?"
Ferri shook his head, "No, I…I wasn't thinking; I…knew after….I was scared…the woods…I couldn't feel the Force…I was confused." Ferri stuttered as he covered his face with his hands.
"So, you were confused and just made a mistake?" Mace asked.
"Yes, I realized afterwards how wrong I was….I'm so sorry." Ferri cried.
"Is that all you have to say for yourself, Ferri Cortis?" Ki Adi asked.
Ferri nodded, "Yes, Masters." He said.
"Very well; Master Maru, did Ferri admit to you what he had done?" Mace asked.
Clive sighed and shook his head, "No, Master Windu; I didn't know until after Anakin's arrival." He answered.
"Anakin? Did he tell Anakin what he did?" Stass Allie asked.
Clive shook his head again, "Not freely, no." He admitted.
"Anakin? Perhaps it is time for you to tell us your side of this tangled mess." Mace suggested.
Anakin nodded, "I must admit that I…I did something I should not have done." He started, "I probed Ferri's mind without his cooperation or permission."
"Did you have a reason to believe that Ferri was holding something back?" Adi Gallia asked, leaning forward in her seat.
"Yes, Master Gallia; but that still doesn't excuse what I did." Anakin answered.
"Perhaps not; but why don't you go on." Adi urged.
"Well, after learning that he had led them into a trap, I knew that I would need to find it in order to help them." Anakin explained, "And that's when he told me that he thought he knew where Boba Fett was being held."
"So, in wrongfully reading Ferri's mind, you discovered another of his secrets?" Ki Adi asked.
"I don't think it was a secret, I don't think he realized he knew until after I probed his mind." Anakin said, "Then he opened his mind freely to me so that I could see it."
"While probing someone's mind is a serious breach of ethics, it is sometimes necessary and justified; I think Master Skywalker in this instance showed proper judgment." Eeth Koth put forth, "In any case, he is not the one standing before the Council."
"Agreed; I would like to hear from Zak Perrin; have him come in." Mace instructed.
Zak entered the Chamber and walked into the circle, "How feel you, Zak?" Yoda asked.
"Fine, Master." Zak answered.
"And what of young Cortis?" Yoda asked.
"I feel sorry for him." Zak replied.
"Even after you nearly died because of him?" Stass Allie asked.
"Yes, because I know why he did it; and he knows how wrong it was." Zak explained.
"Tell us, Zak Perrin, did you strike Ferri Cortis? Or did he run into a bulkhead?" Plo Koon asked.
Zak looked at his master, shook his head and looked at the floor, "I hit him; I lost my temper." He said and then looked back at those Council members he was facing, "I know it was wrong and I am willing to face the consequences of it."
Yoda nodded, "A lost temper can be a serious matter; seek counsel with your master, you must so that find your temper you will." He said, "So, forgiven Ferri you have, hmm?"
"Yes, Master." Zak answered.
"And trust him you do now?" Yoda asked.
Zak knitted his eyebrows together and wrinkled his forward in thought, "No, Master; maybe I will in time, but I don't right now." He finally replied.
Very well, I think we have heard enough; we are ready to make a decision. Master Maru, you and your apprentice may wait in the antechamber until the decision is made; Zak, you must also leave, however, it might be better if you did not wait with Master Maru. You may go to the lower Council room. Master Kenobi, although you have no vote on this matter, you are free to stay if you wish." Mace said.
"I will stay, Master Windu." Obi-Wan replied and then looked at Zak, "Wait for me in the lower Council room, Padawan."
"Yes, Master." Zak bowed and exited the chamber.
"We will leave you to it then, Masters." Clive said as he bowed.
Ferri bowed, "I am truly sorry, Master Kenobi." He added as Clive guided him out.