Chapter Eight – Impasse
On board Padme's ship, the mood was silent and despondent. Padme was piloting the ship with Anakin who was co-piloting. Obi-Wan was seated with Ahsoka in the passenger seats and at the back Threepio and Artoo were recharging. Obi-Wan had kindly offered to fly the ship with Ahsoka, but Anakin hadn't wanted to just sit still thinking about what awaited him when they arrived at the Temple, so he just focused on flying the ship.
Padme was unsettled herself. Half because she didn't have her usual energy due to her pregnancy and also because she didn't want Anakin to have to go through this, but there was no other option at the moment. All she could do was hope that with Obi-Wan and (If the Jedi accepted it) Ahsoka's support, then they may stand a better chance of avoiding severe punishment. But this was a situation that even she as a politician was almost powerless against. But she was determined not to give up.
When the ship came out of light speed and Coruscant came into view, everyone remained silent as they came closer to the Temple. Anakin and Padme landed the ship on the wide landing platform where they saw that a small welcoming committee was awaiting them.
Anakin and Padme looked at each other, blue eyes to brown, and knew there was no turning back. They powered down the ship and stood up out of their seats. Holding hands, they followed Obi-Wan down the lowered ramp with Ahsoka walking beside Anakin. Behind them followed Threepio, Artoo and the rest of Padme's security.
Down on the platform stood Mace Windu and Yoda who watched them as they approached. With reluctance Anakin let go of Padme's hand and went to join Obi-Wan. Together they bowed to the Jedi masters.
Master Windu turned his stony face to Anakin. "Skywalker, may I ask why you did not remain in the Council chamber as I ordered you?"
Anakin went tight, but Kenobi came to his rescue. "Master Windu, I think we should take this discussion inside and somewhere more private. There is much that needs to be explained."
"A lot more than just that, I see. Much more there is to be told," said Yoda who was eyeing Padme.
Padme was wearing the same tan tunic she had worn when she and Anakin had left. It revealed her pregnancy, and she was guessing that Yoda could sense the child too. No doubt he could, since he was one of the eldest and one of the most powerful Jedi's in the Order. She put a protective hand over her stomach and felt a small nudge against her hand. Yoda's expression seemed to become sad.
The group left the platform and entered the Temple except for Threepio, Captain Tyoho and Padme's guards who had decided to stay with the ship. They knew the Jedi would not see any harm come to the Senator and there was no need for them to come too. Threepio had decided to shut down in the crew quarters and run through some internal checks.
Inside the Temple, they walked in silence until they came to a stop outside of Yoda's quarters.
"I will call the Council to order," said Master Windu, turning and heading off down the corridor.
"You can both wait outside," Obi-Wan told Padme and Ahsoka.
Padme wanted to disagree, but she knew that this was a matter for the Jedi. So as the three males entered the room, she and Ahsoka seated themselves at a stone bench near a tall window. Artoo stopped beside the bench and emitted a sad whirl. Ahsoka gave him a comforting pat on his metal dome. She knew that the little droid was very worried for Anakin, as he cared about his master just as much as his master cared about him. Ahsoka had seen it with her own eyes many times. Like when Anakin had been determined to save Artoo when he was held captive by General Grievous despite Obi-Wan's disapproval. Artoo had been equally loyal when he'd flown Anakin's fighter back to the Temple to get their help when Anakin and Windu had been trapped under debris on the planet Vanqor and approaching certain death. This time however, was something beyond any of the kind of help Artoo was capable of.
"I hope Yoda won't be too disappointed when he finds out," said Ahsoka resting her chin in her hands.
"Ani and I already knew what we were getting ourselves into, but I regret none of it. I wouldn't have wanted to be with anyone else. I've loved him for longer than you've known him, Ahsoka."
"I did sort of guess that there was something more than friendship between the two of you. But I knew I could not tell anyone. I didn't want to hurt Anakin like that, or even you."
Padme put her arm round her and the Togurta leaned into her with a smiled.
"Little Soka?"
Ahsoka whirled round and saw her old friend Master Plo Koon standing at the end of the corridor. Her heart leaped, and in a flash she was on her feet and raced down the corridor and the Kel Dor Jedi Master caught her up in his arms.
"Master Plo," she whispered. "Oh, I missed you."
He lowered her back down to her feet, but kept his arms round her. "I am delighted to see you, little Soka."
When she leaned back to look at him, she felt tears when she next spoke. "I'm so sorry I didn't give you a proper goodbye when I left, it was just…" she found herself unable to continue.
He put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about it, young one."
Ahsoka nodded and smiled, grateful that he held no grudge.
"I trust that this visit isn't just a social call?"
Ahsoka shook her head. "No, another reason entirely."
There was a short pause between them. "Master Windu has called for us to meet in the Council chamber. Will you be there?"
She nodded. "I expect so. There will be a matter which concerns Anakin and Padme." She took a deep breath. "Master Plo, if there was ever a time which Anakin desperately needed all the support he could get, it's now."
He glanced over at Padme and Artoo who were watching them and he seemed to do a double take just like Yoda had done to Padme on the landing platform. Looking back down at his friend, he gently squeezed her slender shoulder.
"Don't fear little Soka. I have nothing against young Skywalker or Senator Amidala."
She sighed in relief at his words. "Thank you. I'll…see you soon." He gave her shoulder a tender pat before walking away.
Ahsoka watched him go with a relieved smile. She wanted to find more supporters, but she knew she couldn't try to find anyone else, otherwise it would look suspicious if she were seen trying to turn all the Jedi Master's opinions for Anakin's sake. But Master Plo was one of the most reasonable Masters she knew, and that he would help if he could. She went to sit back beside Padme and both the females leaned against each other once again as they waited for the meeting to end.
Inside Yoda's quarters, the three Jedi were sitting on the round meditation seats facing each other. Anakin told Yoda about his relationship with Padme and the cause of his sudden flight from the Temple. But he had kept his eyes on the floor the whole time, remembering when he had last been in here, when he had asked Master Yoda's advice about his disturbing dreams. Back then, he had managed to meet the Jedi Master's eyes a few times during that meeting, but now he feared it because he was now trapped. Despite knowing of the Jedi Order rule of "No attachments" Anakin had deliberately disobeyed right under his Master's noses. Now he was stuck in an inescapable impasse.
When the story finally came to an end, Anakin's heart had sunk right down to the bottom of his stomach, and he dreaded what Yoda was going to say and closed his eyes. There was a painful silence and Anakin could feel Yoda's gaze on him, and his strong Force presence surrounding him.
"Broken the code, you have, young Skywalker," Yoda stated in an unemotional voice. Anakin nodded and bowed his head lower wishing his hair would veil his face. "Know what this means, you do?" Anakin nodded again shamefully.
Yoda sighed as though he too was ashamed. "Before the whole Council, we shall bring this. Together we shall decide the judgment upon Skywalker."
This made it no better. The thought of standing before the whole Council and having all of them learn the truth was a million times worse to imagine. Many opinions there would be and most of them would support the Jedi code and agree for Anakin's judgment to be severe. Mace Windu was certainly one of those who would undoubtedly wish to expel him. To think Anakin had just been on the brink of earning his trust.
"Go now, we will," Yoda decreed.
Obi-Wan's palm rested on his shoulder, and Anakin rose up from the circular seat.
Master Yoda led them out of the chamber and the moment they entered the corridor, Anakin heard Artoo beep off to their right. Looking over, he saw Padme and Ahsoka rise up from a bench and approach them with Artoo bringing up the rear. Padme looked to Yoda questioningly, and he looked up at her with an expression as blank as his voice.
"To the Council chamber, we will go. Accompany us, you may," he said and continued leading the way down the corridor. Padme came to Anakin's side and he took her hand. Feeling her skin against his comforted him more than any words could have.
The six of them were not far from the turbolift, which would take them up to the chamber tower when two high voices called from across the corridor.
"Ahsoka!" They all whirled round and saw that it was two female younglings, a Tholothian and a Rodian standing at the far end of the opposite corridor. The moment Ahsoka turned round they both darted towards them.
Ahsoka's expression became one of delight as she recognized the girls. "Katooni! Ganodi!" she cried and embraced both of them happily when they reached her.
"You're back! I can't believe it!" Ganodi exclaimed.
"We thought we'd never see you again," said Katooni.
Ahsoka laughed lightly. "I missed you both as well."
When the three of them let go Katooni said brightly, "Petro, Gungi, Zatt and Byph will be so glad to know you've returned."
Ahsoka patted the little Tholothian's head. "I hope I'll get to see them too. I'd love to hear how well you've all come in your training. But I'm afraid now is not a good time."
They both glanced at the group behind Ahsoka, and their young faces became puzzled at the group's despondent looks.
"Why? What's going on Ahsoka?" Ganodi asked.
Ahsoka smiled and patted her lead too. "Something which you don't need to concern yourselves with." They looked disappointed but didn't try to press her for more information on the matter.
She placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "You run along now and I'll try to catch up with you again sometime soon."
They both nodded and stepped back. "Ok, good luck with whatever it is you're doing," Ganodi enthused.
"Yeah, may the Force be with you," Katooni agreed and together they dashed off.
Watching them leave, Ahsoka said to herself. "May it be with us all." She turned back and went to join the others.
As they ascended in the turbolift Padme asked her, "Were they young friends of yours?"
Ahsoka smiled. "I accompanied them on their mission to acquire their lightsaber crystals, and remained to oversee them construct their sabers. Turns out, it became quite a perilous adventure, which included encounters with a band of pirates and General Grievous himself."
Padme was amazed. "My goodness! You'll have to tell me all about it sometime." Ahsoka nodded in agreement.
The higher they went, the more Anakin felt his fear trying to surface. But even though he knew he had to be strong for Padme and indeed for Ahsoka, this was almost completely beyond his control. Padme's soft hand still holding his was enough to keep him on his feet and encourage him to face his troubles and not flee from them. He looked down at her and she looked up at him and their entwined hands and squeezed.
The turbolift came to a stop and the doors opened. There ahead of them was the double doors of the Council chamber. Now the truth would be told, now judgment and sentence would be passed. Anakin felt as though he were a criminal being escorted to his own execution. It was impossible now to hope for a miracle that he would receive support from any of the Jedi masters.
All this because he had followed his heart and married the woman he loved with all his heart. It was just all so wrong. But he could not think of anything which could get him out of this impasse. With heavy hearts they followed Obi-Wan and Yoda towards the doors.
Author's Notes
Hello there my readers! Hope you liked this new chapter. I have the next two written and the next will be posted once ready. Hope you're enjoying the story so far. Please keep up your support.
Thank You Carrie2sky for BETA Reading!
May The Force Be With You!
LouisaJane007 XX