We Pretend it's Alright
Chapter Six
The First Verdict
Words- 7,476
"Summoned, you have been. In this meeting, your fate as a Jedi, determine we shall, young Skywalker." Master Yoda's words echoed through the large courtroom. The Jedi council sat above Anakin, who was kneeling on a floating platform in the middle of the chamber, magnetic cuffs binding him to the small floor. The Jedi and the Republic had argued for five days over his fate. The Jedi had wished for him to be taken to the temple and tried there, but the Republic had flat out refused to allow Anakin to leave the Senate building, where he would be out of their control and therefore a higher risk of him escaping.
However, a Jedi could not be tried in court for serious charges without being judged by council previously, or without the council's approval. The compromise was the Jedi were allowed a private hearing, but in the Senate Building instead of the Temple's court chambers.
"Much thought, given this have we, young Skywalker. But first listen to your defense, shall we." Anakin looked up at his masters, his face expressionless, and the bruises darkened his face illuminated in the low lighting accustomed with the council's meetings. His recognized Obi Wan under his cloak immediately, and suppressed the slight anger that flared inside of him at the sight of the man who had betrayed him. He took a deep breath, looking down again, away from the council as he gathered his emotions.
"Stand and tell us, Skywalker, what happened the night at the Senate building when three of our own and the Chancellor were murdered." Anakin recognized Master Plo-Koon's voice, though he too was concealed by a cloak.
Anakin got to his feet, keeping his head bowed, and began to speak.
He recounted his meeting with the Chancellor, when Sidious first revealed himself to Anakin, and how after that he had gone to the temple, and had informed the first master he had happened across, which had been Mace Windu. He explained how Windu had then told him to stay behind, and had the gone after Sidious with the three other Jedi masters. He spoke of how he had at first stayed away, as he had been ordered, but eventually went to the senate building.
"Why did you feel the need to go the Senate building?" Master Mundi questioned."Why not let the masters handle the situation?"
Anakin took a deep breath. It was time. He had pondered two things in the past five days of his isolation. One, what was Padme doing right now? And secondly, and more prominent, he debated whether or not to reveal his marriage and impending fatherhood to the Jedi council during his trial. If he didn't, he knew it would come out eventually, just leading to more problems down the road, and it also left a hole in his story. Why he return to the Chancellor's office, if he had no reason to? But if he did, he would surely be expelled from the Jedi order.
"Sidious promised me something." Anakin started slowly, still looking down. He did not notice Obi Wan suddenly lean forward, as he realized what Anakin was about to do. "The chancellor promised to teach me a power that he said I could not learn from the Jedi."
"And what is this power you speak of?" Master Shaak Ti prompted, eyes narrowed in thought.
"The power to stop death. To be able to save someone from dying." Anakin answered, his voice growing softer.
"And why would was this so important to you?" Shaak Ti inquired, curious.
"Because I needed to save someone." Anakin voice was a dull monotonously sound, as the memory of his dreams flashed through his mind once more. He had to believe that he had done the right thing in killing Sidious, that that was what the dreams were warning him of.
But a small piece of didn't believe that. It believed that Padme was still in danger, and that the only way to save her had died with Sidious. If she did die, Anakin didn't know if he could go on without her.
"Trying to save, who were you?" Master Yoda croaked, eyeing him with a knowing look that made Anakin sure that the ancient Jedi already knew.
"I was trying to save someone I loved." Anakin admitted, finally looking up at the council as he spoke, and he saw many eyes narrow at his words.
"Believed you did, die this person would?" Yoda questioned, his eyes possessing that ever present gleam of understanding and wisdom that could be matched by no other.
"I had visions of her death, just like I did before my mother died. After my mother died and I couldn't save her, I decided I would never let that happen again." Anakin fought to keep his voice steady, fighting to stay in control.
"Very conflicted, you are." Yoda observed. "Consume you, your emotions do."
Anakin took a breath to calm himself, hating that the others could sense his emotions so easily. "I'm sorry Masters. I sometimes find it difficult to ignore all my feelings."
"Not ignore, young Skywalker. You must learn to better control your emotions, instead of letting them control you." Master Shaak Ti corrected. "You must not let them influence you, but think with the logic and let the force will guide you."
"I respectfully disagree." Anakin stated, his eyes returning Shaak Ti's stare, and his voice growing more confident. "I believe my emotions are not a hindrance as you suggest, but rather a tool. The force reacts to them, and well I agree that constant unbalanced feeling can be hard to work with, channeling and utilizing emotion has made me stronger, and a better Jedi."
"You say that emotions make you stronger, a better Jedi? Yet you are here because of these so called useful emotions. Because you did not think with logic, because you were consumed by your feelings, you made the choices that lead you to this trial. You, young Skywalker, may have become more powerful, but this does not make you a better Jedi." Her voice was cool, and she continued to stare him down. Anakin did not look away from her gray gaze in till Master Plo spoke.
"This discussion is not the point of Anakin's trial." Plo pointed out, and a few others nodded in agreement.
"If we are to assess Skywalkers status as a Jedi, we must take all factors into account. This view that he has expressed does not reflect the ways of the Jedi." Shaak Ti defended, but then added, "Though I do agree we have spoken enough on the topic for now."
"Thank you." Master Plo turned back to Anakin, and said, "Anakin, did you inform any member of the Jedi order of these… visions?"
"No, I did not wish to share, as in part I feared that it would only draw attention to my connection to this person."
"Why would you worry about that?"
"I doubted the council would approve."
There was a moment's hesitation, before Plo finally asked the question they had been dancing around. "What is your relationship with this person?"
Anakin was silent for a moment, but he knew there was no going back. He had gone too far to turn back now.
"We are romantically involved." Anakin answered, and he as he said this he looked up at the council, unashamed.
His declaration was meet with an eerie silence. Some stared down at him, while others exchanged looks. Master Plo-Koon's head was bowed, and Obi Wan had a bittersweet smile on his lips.
"To what extent is your relationship?" Shaak Ti asked, her voice inquisitive, as she watched Anakin very closely.
"We are rather close, and we married about three years ago in secret." Anakin answered, maintaining eyes contact with the Jedi master. A part of him felt a small weight off his shoulder, a weight that had been there since their relationship began. Hiding his marriage wasn't easy, especially to those closest to him. And he had actually failed at that in many ways. Both Ahsoka and Rex had found out, and now Bail Organa and Obi Wan knew as well… and apparently Ventress?
"You are aware that The Code forbids this kind of attachments, are you not?" Shaak Ti asked, her eyes narrowing.
"I am." Anakin answered coolly.
"And yet you decided to break the code and become form an attachment to this person?"
"Yes."
"Are you aware of what happens to Jedi who severely break the code, Skywalker?"
She was treating him as though he were a small child in caught in the wrong. The way so talked down to him was infuriating, but Anakin did not let his frustration show on his face, knowing it would only hinder him. "I am aware of this."
Shaak Ti leaned back, her face now draped in shadow like the rest of the masters. A murmuring too quiet for Anakin to hear was rippling throughout the council. He stood in silence, and his gaze now rested upon Master Plo, wondering what he thought of this. Anakin had thought of confiding in him a few times, but had always shot down the idea at once. It had always been so important that no one know, but now…
He wasn't going to reveal Padme's identity, but how long would it take someone to put it together? She was the only prominent woman in his life outside the order, and as hard as they tried to publicly distance themselves, it wouldn't be that hard for someone to link the two of them together.
"What happened once you arrived at the Chancellor's office?" Obi Wan's words drew the gaze of his fellow masters, and for the first time that night Anakin's as well. "I do believe we had left off there, correct?" Obi Wan stated, looking at his fellow council members pointedly, silently daring one of them to challenge him. There was silence for a moment before Master Plo spoke up.
"Master Kenobi is right." Plo Koon agreed, nodding to Obi Wan and then looking back to Anakin. "Please continue, I do believe we still have a lot to cover today."
Anakin gathered his thoughts, pulling himself out of the momentary flash of something that Obi Wan's words had put him, and focused again on remembering the details of what had happened.
"When I arrived in the Chancellor's office, Masters Kit Fisto, Agen Kolar, and Saesee Tiin were lying on the floor dead and Master Windu had Sidious cornered on the window ledge behind his desk. Master Windu had his saber to Sidious's neck, and Sidious started to beg for my help." His voice was once again the dull, lifeless monotone that this story brought him too. He sincerely hoped this was the last time he would have to tell it, but that was wishful thinking.
"Sidious tried to gain my allegiance, telling me to think of my wife, and that without him and the powers of the dark side, she would suffer a long and terrible death, and that it would be my fault. Windu ignored what Sidious was saying, and told me that Sidious was too dangerous to be kept alive, something that later I came to agree with. I just stood there, frozen. I didn't know who I should help."
"At what point did you realize that Sidious was manipulating you?" Master Plo asked, his voice still level.
"Sidious tried to attack Master Windu with force lightning, but Windu was able to defend against it, the lightning then striking Sidious. Sidious then started begging for my help, telling me to think of my wife, that I would be condemning her to die, and Windu ordered me to his side. At that second, I listened to Sidious, I thought of my wife. It was then that I realized just what it would mean to her if I turned dark, and turned against the Jedi and the Republic. It I turned to the dark side, it would of destroyed me, and in extent her as well."
The council was silent as they waited for Anakin to finish, all entranced by the story.
"Masters, I almost never became a Jedi because I was told I had to much fear inside of me. The first time I ever arrived at the Jedi temple, I was turned away. A nine year old salve that had never been off Tattooine before, because of the fear that I felt."
"Skywalker I fail to see how this is relevant that the events in question." Shaak Ti interrupted, leaning forward.
"Let him speak." Master Plo countered, giving Shaak Ti a pointed look. "This is his trial, and he has the right to defend himself the way he chooses."
Shaak Ti leaned back, an impatient look on her thin face.
"Continue." Master Plo said, and Anakin did.
"As I was saying," And here he shot a small look of contempt at Shaak Ti. "My whole life as a Jedi, I have dealt with having stronger emotions then other Jedi, and here was the ultimate test of that. My fear had indeed driven me so close the dark side I will admit. But it was an even more powerful emotion that brought me back. My love won out over my fear. I told Windu I was with him, and started to move towards his side."
"Then how did Master Windu end up on the streets below, if you were helping him?" Shaak Ti asked, and others nodded agreement, curious. "The fight should have been over there. You both together should have been able to overpower the Chancellor."
"The Chancellor wasn't as defenseless as we believed. The window had been shattered before I arrived, and when Master Windu looked at me when I spoke, away from Sidious, as I believe he thought the Chancellor was subdued, Sidious attacked him with force lighting, and threw him from the window."
"So we are to believe that Master Windu was overpowered simply because he looked away?" Shaak Ti asked incredulously, her voice disbelieving.
"Believe what you want. That's what happened." Anakin shot back, a steely demeanor in his eyes and voice. "As someone who has been attacked with force lightning many times, I can confirm that it is almost impossible to resist its effects if you are prepared, let alone unsuspecting as Master Windu was."
The corner of Obi Wan's lips lifted at Anakin's words. It wasn't that what he said was anything to smile about, but the memories of all the missions and battles they had fought together in came flooding back to him when Anakin mentioned the fact that he had been attacked with force lightning so many times. The man certainly did have a knack for getting electrocuted.
"Anyway, after Master Windu was thrown, Sidious attacked me and we began to duel. The whole time he screamed all sorts of things about my wife and her death at me, trying to get me to give into my hate and fear, and therefore back under his control. At one particular comment, something inside me broke loose. It wasn't due to hate or fear, but more to do with the force. It was a supernatural feeling, almost as if I became one with the force, something I hadn't felt since…" Anakin trailed off, and looked down, suppressing his thoughts of Mortis, the force planet that often consumed his thoughts.
"Regardless, something rose up in me, something I can't fully explain as I don't fully understand it myself, but before I realized what i was doing, Sidious was thrown against the wall, and collapsed to the ground, the back of his head shattered and bloody."
"And after this you just… left?" Master Shaak Ti asked, her voice no longer hostile, but softer and more curious.
"Yeah, probably not the best choice, but I wasn't thinking clearly. I was in a state of shock. I could barely walk out of the building, let alone think of how to handle the situation."
"And you went where?" Master Mundi asked curiously.
Anakin paused. What should he say here? If he told them he went to Padme's it would be pretty obvious that she was his wife. But she was his alibi, and he hadn't prepared another answer for this. Plus, it was most likely going to come up in future of the case anyway, wouldn't it?
"I, umm, went to Senator Amidala's apartment, and explained to her all of what happened." He noticed a few Jedi exchange looks, and he didn't like the expression on Shaak Ti's face.
"You went to the home of Senator Amidala?" She asked, though the hostility was still at a minimum.
"Yes." Anakin confirmed, keeping his voice steady.
"And why did you go to Senator Amidala's apartment, why not return to the temple?"
"Well, we are old friends, and-"
The sound of Obi Wan coughing interrupted Anakin, he looked up his old master, wondering why he had interrupted him. The look on his face was one Anakin had received many times. It was a face of exasperation, and he knew Obi Wan was nonverbally telling him to quit the charade. Basically, if Anakin didn't tell them, Obi Wan could not promise that he wouldn't.
"Well, I suppose that isn't entirely the truth." He took a deep breath, mentally psyching himself up for this, not really sure what fresh hell this was going to release. "You see, Senator Amidala and I… we, eh, might be involved"
"Might?" Obi Wan interrupted, giving Anakin the same look as before.
"Ok we are married, she is my wife, and she is the person that I was trying to save." Anakin explained hurriedly, avoiding eye contact with Obi Wan, and instead watching Master Plo's reaction. But he could not read Master Plo's expression, nor any of the other Jedi Master's.
To try and break the awkward silence, Anakin immediately started talking again, attempting to act as if he hadn't said anything shocking. "And after I talked with her-"
"You are married to Senator Padme Amidala of Naboo?" Master Aayla Secura questioned, speaking for the first time, and disregarding Anakin attempt to steer the conversation away from this matter.
"Yes, I am." Anakin confirmed. Master Secura had not been on the council before and he guessed she had been appointed along with a few others now that there were four empty seats to fill.
"Isn't Senator Amidala with child?"
This was not going well for Anakin.
We Pretend it's Alright
(The night before)
"Sir."
Padme did not turn around at the call, sure it wasn't directed at her. It was such a rare occurrence that anyone would address her in that way, that she didn't even give a second thought to the voice at first.
"Sir- umm, Madam Senator."
This stopped her. Not only did he address her, but she now recognized the voice. Padme lowered her hood and turned around. Standing just in front of her was Rex, Anakin's trusted Captain, and someone she had also come to know quite well.
"Captain Rex, so good to see you." Padme greeted, offering a smile that she usually reserved for happier times. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Yes actually." He returned her smile, but it was only half-heartedly. She noticed his glances around the hall, and that he seemed a little on edge. "Would you mind if we talked in your office?"
"Not at all, please follow me." Padme agreed at once, now curious as to what had the clone so tense. She quickly led him back down the hallway she had just walked through. It was past eleven in the evening now, and the halls were light dimly, most others already having left the building. It had been three days since her first meeting at Gehlert and Gehlert, and she hadn't gone home at a reasonable time since, and not to mention getting a good night's sleep. With all the stress, and the size of her stomach at this stage of her pregnancy, she often found it very hard to get comfortable.
Plus she missed having Anakin next to her, which affected her more than she would have expected. It wasn't as though they had regular correspondence with both of their schedules, and it wasn't as often Anakin was able to spend the night. Perhaps it was that she knew exactly where he was, or maybe it was just the hormones, but she found herself increasing missing her favorite Jedi more and more. She hadn't been to visit him for the past two days either, and that certainly didn't help.
She had been extremely busy with the case, and other senate business, as she was the leader of severs committees, and helping Bail with the upcoming election. No to mention the fact that she was seven and a half months pregnant, and wanted nothing more than to be laying on a beach on Naboo, her feet up and Anakin at her side, holding her tight. But right now that fantasy was as far away as Naboo was.
"So Rex, what can I help you with?" Padme asked kindly as she sat down on the purple couch in her office, Rex sitting down on a chair across from her.
"Sir, the 501 is desperate for news about General Skywalker." He started and Padme noticed as he spoke the small scar of the top left hand side of his head. She remembered seeing something similar on another member of the 501, and she made a mental note to ask Anakin about it. "We haven't been able to find anything out besides that he has been arrested for murdering the chancellor and some Jedi. It doesn't seem like General Skywalker to do something like that for no reason. I know the two of you are…" Rex hesitated, and Padme gave him a reassuring nod, telling him it was alright to continue, "Well, close, and I thought you would be the best person to come too."
"Well," Padme started slowly as she placed a hand on her abdomen, "you certainly are right about me and Anakin being close, and I am heading his case." She leaned forward, and he followed suit, staring determinedly at her.
"Rex, you have always been loyal to Anakin, and a good friend whom I trust completely. This may not be the wisest move on my part, as if the wrong people found out what I am going to tell you, it could be very damaging to Anakin's case, but I trust that you will protect this information."
"Of course Sir, I am honored you trust me enough to share this information."
"Yes, and might I remind you that Padme is fine. You are so involved in our lives, I admit it feels strange to hear you call me sir." She teased lightly.
"Sorry Sir- I mean, well, force of habit I suppose." He gave a slight smile and Padme proceeded, as any sense of discomfort ebbed away.
She gave him an overview of what had happened in the Chancellor's office, omitting the details about Anakin's need to save her from dying, and more focusing on the events. It wasn't that she was worried about Rex knowing about her and Anakin's relationship, as she and Anakin where both pretty sure that both Rex and Ahsoka had figured it out. She just didn't mention it as she didn't want to give out to many specifics this soon in the trial. She then explained the legal situation they were in, about the Jedi trial and that Anakin would be soon moved to max facility.
"Max?" Rex asked, "He's certainly not going to have a lot of friends in there."
"I know, I just hope he can stay out of trouble. The last thing he needs right now…" Padme trailed off, staring unfocused out the window, her eyes filled with worry and slightly wet.
"I'm sure he'll be fine." Rex reassured her, though he felt a bit out of his element. Comforting upset, heavily pregnant senators was certainly not in his training, but he did his best. "General Skywalker can handle himself. Most will be scared to mess with him, or they'll respect him because they think he's on their side now. Either way, he'll do just fine."
"You're right of course, I just… I think I just need to sleep." She said, giving a watery chuckle, and Rex returned her smile, standing up.
"Of course, I've kept you too late, it's almost midnight." He helped her to her feet. "Sir- um, Senator Amidala, will you allow me to escort you home? You might be a target for people looking to get at General Skywalker, and in your condition and at this hour, it would be wrong for me to let you leave her unguarded."
Padme was rather taken aback by his words. "Oh I'm sure would be fine, but I would certainly appreciate the company." She smiled, and he returned it, and the two made their way out off her office, and down to the main hall, all the while discussing the upcoming trial lightly.
"Proving he didn't kill the Jedi will be relatively simple, the hard part will be convincing people that Palpatine did, and that he was a sith lord, hell-bent on destroying the Republic." Padme explained, as they approached the front doors. "We are going to have to rely on character witnesses for a lot of it."
"Who are you planning on using?"
"Well, a lot will depend on what happens with Anakin's Jedi trial, but certainly Master Kenobi, and a few other Jedi masters hopefully. We are also planning on asking you, and a few other members of the 501. I have a few senators I need to talk too, but I just hope it will be enough. Anakin doesn't have that many people close to him, especially since Ahsoka…" She trailed off, and a silence fell over the both of them.
"Have you heard anything from Commander Tano recently?" Rex asked, trying not to impartial, but Padme could hear the sorrow in his voice. Anakin wasn't the only person hurt by Ahsoka's decision to leave.
"No. Anakin tried the old Jedi frequency they used to use again, right before his arrest, but I've been monitoring it and there has been no response." The senator responded sadly, as she flagged down a taxi that was approaching.
"I heard from a member of the 356st legion she might have been spotted on Garel three months ago, but none of us were ever able to follow up on that. But now the 501 has no general, and are numbers aren't what they once were." Rex sighed, as they both entered the taxi. "I'm not sure what will happen to us. Our legion has been ordered out of combat, and most of us are all waiting around for something to do."
"Do you think they will disband you?" Padme asked worriedly, hoping for their sake that wasn't the case.
"I'm not sure what they'll do, but we are sick of doing nothing, that's for sure." Rex said, a frown on his thin lips. His face was scrunched in thought, and after a moment he asked, slowly, "Sir, would Commander Tano's testimony do a lot for General Skywalker's case?"
"Yes, definitely, and she can speak from the point of view of a Jedi as well." Padme explained, wishing now as the prospect of having no other Jedi testifying seemed more possible that she could find Ahsoka.
"Would you say that finding her could be classified as Senate business, and authorizing a group of my men to leave Coruscant with the mission of finding Commander Tano and bringing her here to testify a possibility?" He asked, a sly smile on his face as the taxi slowed as it approached Padme's apartment complex.
A smile spread over Padme's tired face as well, and she paid the driver, before stepping out of the speeder, followed by Rex. "I certainly believe that something along those lines is possible. Can you bring me tomorrow morning by ten a list of clones that you are bringing, and just a basic pre-mission report that I can sign off on. It will be a private republic mission, and if anyone questions you, you can tell them that it is in Senate ordered mission in preparation for Anakin Skywalker's trail."
"Excellent Sir, thank you. I shall have the report for you tomorrow by ten. Shall I bring it to your office, or…?"
"I will be having a meeting here in the morning, so if you bring it up to my apartment that would be fine.
"Top floor, number sixty-seven?" Rex double-checked, still smiling and all right going through lists of men in his head who he was thinking of recruiting for this mission.
"That's right. I'll see you in the morning then Captain."
"Of course Sir, and thank you again. Are you sure you don't want an escort up to your apartment?"
"Oh no, thank you. I'm sure I'll be fine. And no thanks necessary, it's you who are doing me a great service. Good night and good luck." She said, and he wished her a good night as well, before setting off the bar he knew many of his fellow men would be.
Padme watched him watch away for a moment, before heading into the building, and up the elevator, back to her apartment. The prospect of this mission excited her, but she also knew that there was a very slim chance it would be successful.
As she got into bed twenty minutes later, she debated whether or not she would tell Anakin about the mission when she saw him tomorrow. Eventually she decided against it, as she didn't want to risk him getting his hopes up, and being once again crushed by the weight of Ahsoka's disappearance. It would be too much to burden him with right now, as he had enough other things the worry about.
We Pretend It's Alright
(Resume Trial)
An instant chatter broke out amongst the council at Master Secura's words. Anakin could not make out what anyone was saying, but he didn't need to know what they were saying. If they hadn't made their decision before, they certainly had now.
"You and Senator Amidala are expecting a child?" Master Mundi asked, the shock evident in his voice.
"Twins actually." Anakin muttered, thinking he might as well put it all out there now. No use in trying to hide anything at this point. A small smile formed on his lips as he spoke, despite the circumstance.
"Were you planning on telling the council of your impending fatherhood?" Master Ti asked incredulously, exchanging a look with the master next to her.
"We hadn't really decided what to do yet." Anakin said halfheartedly, before adding with contempt in his voice, "But it doesn't matter anymore, does it? You know now, and you will make your decision based off the information I have shared. Do you have any other questions masters?"
"All, that will be, young Skywalker." Master Yoda said calmly, with that all knowing tone that always present in his voice. "To make our decision, enough we have. Review your case, the council will. Return tonight, we shall. Judge you then, we will." Master Yoda declared, before bowing his head, his eyes closed and appearing to be deep in thought.
Following his statement, four guards entered the room, and Anakin's platform zoomed back towards the entrance, where he was bound, and taken out of the room rather roughly.
"Individually on this matter, think. At the temple in five hours, confer we will. At day's end return here to young Skywalker, we will." With that statement, the Jedi masters all collectively stood and exited the chamber, some grouping to discuss with each other. Obi-Wan soon found himself walking next to master Plo-Koon. The two masters were not particularly close, but Obi-Wan knew Anakin often sought guidance from Plo-Koon.
"Did you know?" Plo-Koon asked Obi-wan after a few moments of silence had passed between them.
"I found out a few days ago." Obi-Wan admitted, keeping his gaze forward. "But I didn't honestly expect him to disclose it all here." Obi-Wan trailed off. "What do you suppose the council will decide?"
"Well, personally I do not wish for young Anakin to be expelled from the Jedi Order, but it cannot be denied that he did break the code to quite an extent."
"Jedi have had relationships before." Obi Wan pointed out half heartedly.
"Yes, but not to the emotional depth that Skywalker has taken his too, nor did they sire children." Plo Koon added, and Obi Wan had to agree with him.
"That you are right about. I just can't help but think that by expelling him from the order will be something we will later come to regret." Obi Wan said, as they walked down the front steps of the Senate building, which was not a pleasant feat. Groups of citizens still lined the bottom of the steps, along with numerous reporters, making passing through here very unpleasant.
"Are you going to try to persuade the council in favor of Anakin staying in the order?" Plo asked after another few moments of walking silently.
"I wish I knew. Anakin is like a brother to me, and I truly believe that he is a good Jedi, and good person. But I cannot ignore that he did break the code he was sworn to uphold. Nor can I promise that he wouldn't do it again. I know Anakin, and he will choose his family over the Jedi." Obi Wan admitted, feeling the weight that now always seemed to be on his shoulders. "I wish that I could say differently, but that's the truth."
"But we also cannot forget that he killed Sidious. Had he not, the havoc Sidious would of wreaked could have destroyed the galaxy. "Plo pointed out.
Obi Wan nodded, but did not reply. He certainly did not wish for Anakin to be expelled from the order, but honestly did not see an alternative outcome. Not only would this possibly push Anakin closer to the dark side, but it would drive more a wedge between them. Not to mention that it be very unlikely that Anakin would receive any help from the Jedi in his upcoming trial if he were expelled, something that he could definitely benefit from, especially because his case was so intertwined with Jedi and Sith affairs.
The group of Jedi Masters slowly separated as the group made their way back to the temple. Members went off in their own directions, with their own destinations in mind, in till Obi Wan found himself walking alone with Shaak Ti
"What do you think of Skywalker's testimony?" She asked, her voice neutral and her head facing forward as they walked.
"I believe him, for a few reasons, but I can understand those who would doubt points of his explanation. Do you doubt what he says?" Obi Wan inquired, keeping his voice light and conversational.
"I do not believe he is lying to us, but the circumstances of Master Windu's fall seem questionable to me." Shaak Ti turned her head, and her bright grey eyes watching for Obi Wan's reaction to her next words. "Skywalker will be expelled from the order, Master Kenobi. He has broken the code, and dabbled too much with the dark side. He is too much of a risk to have in the Jedi order."
"I do not doubt that the council will expel him. He has strayed too far from the path of a Jedi to ignore. However, he is extremely powerful, you cannot deny that. The force reacts to him in a way I have never seen before, and he is right in saying that in his case, his emotions do make him stronger. But I cannot deny that it risk that comes with that. But can you answer this?" Obi Wan turned to meet her gaze. "What risk are we taking by cutting him loose from the order?"
Shaak Ti frowned, looking away from her peer's blue gaze and instead up the Temple they were now approaching. She did not answer his question, and Obi Wan made no further comments as he moved away from her, heading up the front steps of the temple, intent on heading to his quarters to meditate.
We Pretend It's Alright
"The council has made its decision." Master Secura's voice echoed throughout the Chamber as Anakin stared up at her expressionless, waiting for her to say the words he knew where coming. "Anakin Skywalker, as of today you have been expelled from the Jedi Order for breaking the code that you swore to uphold."
Anakin bowed his head. He didn't know what to feel, what to say, what to do. All the thoughts that had been circling around in his mind before he had received his verdict were gone. He was left with a strange sense of emptiness, something he couldn't quite describe.
"However," Anakin looked up, but there was no glimmer of hope in his eyes. "The Jedi council has decided to support you in your upcoming trial. We will be contacting your lawyers, and explaining to them that although you are no longer a Jedi, you still will receive our aid, as this case is heavily intertwined with Jedi affairs. "
That would be a relief to Padme, even if it did little for Anakin. Having the Jedi's support would be huge in this trial, and if they hadn't had it…
"But as of this point, you are longer under the protection of the Jedi Order." She added, and Anakin nodded.
"I understand." He said quietly, still looking down at the ground. The anger he had expected to come hadn't. He was not mad at the council. He had made his choice, and so had they. A sense of loss filled him suddenly, and felt overwhelmed. What was he going to do know? His whole life had been dedicated to the Jedi order. He was a general, a leader. What about the 501? What would they do without him now that Ahsoka was gone as well?
"Do you have anything else to say?" Shaak Ti asked, and Anakin looked up at the council.
"I am sorry to have failed as a Jedi in your eyes. I never meant to betray the order, but I made my choice, and you have made yours. But," And his voice grew in confidence as he spoke. "I do not regret the choices I made regarding my family. Perhaps this is an opportunity to create a new life for myself and my family, and I thank you for giving me this chance." Anakin honestly did not know where that had come from, but it did reflect how he felt. This was the end of one chapter of his life, but the beginning of a new life with his family, if he lived through the next few months that was just beginning.
"May the force be with you Anakin." Obi Wan found himself saying, and he sincerely meant it as he looked down at his old padawan and friend with grief, hoping this would not be the last time they say each other.
"May the force be with you Master." And the ex-Jedi gave his former master a small smile, though he still did not know how to feel about what Obi Wan had done.
The platform Anakin stood began moving towards the entrance of the room as a large group of clones entered the room. He held eye contact with Obi Wan in till he reached the main floor, and his cuffs were detached from the platform. After making sure that the cuffs on his hands and feet were secure, the clones surrounded him and they began to move, leaving the chamber, and starting down a dark hall they had not come through. As the continued to walk Anakin realized they were not going back to the lower levels where he had been kept before.
"Where are we going?" Anakin asked casually, and he stumbled a bit as a trooper pushed him forward, as he was evidently walking to slow.
"Be quiet 95746."
Anakin did not recognize the clone's voice, and he rolled his eyes. It wouldn't kill them to give him any information, but he supposed Olingen had ordered them not to tell him anything. They walked in silence for another few minutes, walking through back halls that looked like they not seen the light of day for many years. Anakin briefly wondered what time it was, but refrained from asking, knowing it would be pointless.
He had been hoping that Padme would have been able to see him today, but as of yet she had not. If she did not come today, it would have been three days since she had last seen him. He had meet with a Helgo Gehlert the past few days, expect for today, but it wasn't the same as being with Padme for obvious reasons. Right now he really needed to talk to someone. This was all a lot to take in, and he didn't quite know how to handle himself.
Anakin was taken out of his thoughts as he walked into the trooper in front of him, and bounced back, rubbing the bruise on his shoulder.
"Watch where you are going 95746." But Anakin knew that voice, and he could hear the humor in Striker's words.
"My apologies." Anakin smirked, as he rolled his shoulders back, trying to relive the soreness. "I'll be more aware of where I am going next time."
"That's enough out of you." A different clone said, and Anakin fell silent as he looked around. They had entered a gray room, with little in it besides some benches and spare parts. The large door in front of them was what interested Anakin. He could hear voices coming from the other side of it, and what sounded like a ship. But Anakin didn't have to wonder for long as the door opened upwards, and the group moved through it, the clone behind him nudging him forward one again.
They walked into a large hanger, and Anakin found himself surrounded by clones on all sides, and saw to his horror that waiting at the entrance of the shuttle he had heard was Olingen, as if this day couldn't get any worse. Four of the six clones that had escorted him peeled away from the group, and he was left with two leading him towards Olingen, and they each grabbed one of his arms as he had started to slow down, not wanted to be any closer to Olingen then he had too.
"95746, how nice of you to join us." He sneered, and Anakin had a strong urge to throw him out the hanger door.
Anakin did not reply. He still had not spoken to Olingen, and he doubted he would ever give him the satisfaction of hearing him speak.
"Still not talking, are you? Well, will see how you feel after a couple months in max. I just hope you'll be physically able to talk next time I see you." She said with a menacing smile that Anakin did not return.
He was pushed forward again onto the shuttle and the anger that had finally come to him was overpowering. He could see the ramp onto the shuttle begin to shake, and he tried to calm himself and regain control of force abilities. The last thing he needed was any trouble if they suspected he was trying to escape, or hurt anyone.
Anakin refused to look at Olingen as he was escorted past him and onto the shuttle, all ready full of ten armed Clones. Once on board, Anakin was pressed down into a seat and locked in. The last thing he saw before the door of the shuttle closed was Olingen's sinister smile, and striker nodding to him behind the Senior Undersectary's back.
AN:
Hi everyone! Here we go a new chapter and… the Jedi Trial! I do my best to write characters, but I do have my own take on different characters. So let me know what you liked, what you think could use some work, or whatever else! Please review though! It really helps to get other people's opinions and I could really use 'em.
Also, quick question, what character would you like to see in this story?
I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and had a good holiday!
Till the next chapter!
-Diamondgirl3;)