Chapter 12 Many Secrets

"Do they really think Boba tried to kill the Chancellor, Mommy?" Luke asked, taking a bite of the pallie on his lunch tray.

"Wherever did you here that?" Padme asked.

"I heard it when Haddie and I were sparring on the training floor." Luke answered, "It's not true is it? I like Boba."

"No, it isn't true; but there was something found that incriminated him." Padme informed him.

"In…incrim…what does that mean, Mommy?" Luke asked.

"It means they found something that makes him look like the man who was shooting from the terrace." Padme explained.

Luke shook his head, "Well, it's not right; Boba would never hurt the Chancellor." He decided, "Is Daddy going to try and find out who did?"

"Yes, Daddy and Ferri and Master Obi-Wan and Zak." Padme replied.

"What did they find, Mommy?" Leia asked.

"The weapon the man used to make the platform explode." Padme answered.

"What does that have to do with Boba?" Hadrian asked.

"Well, it used to be part of some armor he inherited from his father; but he got rid of it when he went to live with the Chancellor." Padme told them.

"Why doesn't Boba just tell the Vice Chancellor where he was? Then they'll know he couldn't have done it." Luke suggested.

"I don't know, honey." Padme answered.

"Because Boba was with someone he doesn't want anyone to find out about." Anakin interjected as he sat down beside them.

"But why, Daddy?" Kendyl asked, "Whoosy hidin'?"

"Well, if we knew that, we could solve this whole thing right now, Kendyl." Anakin replied.

"Have you had a chance to speak with him yet, Annie?" Padme asked.

"Not me; but I think Obi-Wan and Zak were going to go over there to try and talk some sense into him. That's where they were heading when the Vice Chancellor's office…." Anakin answered with a sigh and shake of his head, "I just wish we could find out who's behind all this and why they're doing it; no one is safe until we do."

"You're talking about me too, aren't you." Padme said.

"Yes, especially you; I want you and the children to stay here until this is over." Anakin instructed, "And don't look at me that way, it's not just me I'm thinking about this time; our children need you."

By this time, all five children had become suddenly quiet and were looking at their parents, "Is Mommy in danger?" Luke asked.

"It's possible; but she'll be safe as long as she stays here where she can be protected." Anakin assured him.

"Is it because she works for Chancellor Bail?" Leia asked.

"Yes, it appears so." Anakin told her, "Oh dear; Livie, honey, don't cry, we won't let anything happen to Mommy."

Seeing her youngest child upset was enough to convince Padme that Anakin was right; she had more to think about than just herself. Taking Livie in her lap she hugged her tightly, "Don't worry, Baby; Mommy won't leave you. It's alright." She told her soothingly and then looked at Anakin, "You're right, Annie; I wasn't thinking."

Anakin nodded and smiled, then turned to look at each of his children, "And that goes for the rest of you; you will not leave this Temple, is that understood?" He ordered sternly.

Five smaller heads bobbed followed by 'Yes, Daddy' from each of them. Anakin nodded in satisfaction, "Alright, I've got some things to check into; I will see you all later." He said and then stood up and kissed Padme before leaving the dining hall.

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Obi-Wan and Zak waited in one of the private rooms for Boba to be brought in to see them, "Do you think he'll tell us who she is, Master?" Zak asked.

"I don't know, Padawan; I hope so." Obi-Wan answered and then looked puzzled, "Is there something you are not telling me?"

Zak hesitated, "Nothing you need to know right now." He finally replied.

"And just what does that mean?" Obi-Wan demanded, crossing his arms.

Zak looked at the floor, "It means I…it means you don't have to know right now." He repeated.

"I see; so someone has taken you into their confidence and you don't want to break it." Obi-Wan surmised.

Zak sighed and brought his head up to meet Obi-Wan's eyes, "Yes, Master; you must understand." He confirmed.

"Well, if you know who Boba is protecting, and that someone can help prove his innocence, I do not; however, you must do what you think is right." He replied.

Zak sighed again and shook his head, "I don't know if it's right or not; I just know I gave my word." He answered.

"So you are hoping that she will come forward herself." Obi-Wan guessed, "What if she does not?"

"I'm hoping it won't come to that." Zak answered, "Because if she doesn't come forward, I will have to; and then…."

"Then you will lose a friend." Obi-Wan finished.

"Probably." Zak replied.

"I'm sorry you are in this place, Padawan; but I do not think the choice is terribly difficult when you weigh a life against a friendship." Obi-Wan instructed.

"I know that, Master; the choice will be an easy one to make, but the consequences of it will be…sad." Zak explained.

"Yes, for both of you; I'm sorry." Obi-Wan said, gripping Zak's shoulder, "Perhaps you should have thought of that before you promised her your silence."

Zak nodded, "I know." He admitted and then smiled, "Definitely not ready for my trials."

"Not quite." Obi-Wan agreed smiling back at him, "But you're getting there."

The door opened and a guard entered followed by Boba with another guard at his back. The minute he entered the room, Obi-Wan could sense the anger welling up inside him, and when he saw the bloody crease on the young man's cheek, he understood where it was coming from; the Chancellor would not be happy to hear of this latest assault on his stepson.

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"Alright, out with it." Anakin ordered as he walked toward the hall of archives where Del was waiting to help them.

"Out with what, Master?" Ferri asked, feigning innocence.

"You're hiding something; your shields are up." Anakin answered.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Ferri lied.

"And now you're lying; I can force my way in, you know." Anakin reminded him.

"I know; but you won't." Ferri replied.

"Ferri, I…I don't know what to say. I thought you and I trusted each other; why is it that now, you suddenly feel you can't trust me?" Anakin wondered.

Ferri stopped and looked at the floor for a moment, "I do trust you, Master; but this is something…" He started and then sighed, "I gave my word."
Anakin shook his head, "Alright, but you have worked very hard to regain everyone's trust; I hope this is worth losing that." He said.

"I think so; besides, I promised, and breaking that promise would be a breach of trust too, wouldn't it." Ferri told him.

"Yes, you're right, it would be; now you're in a tough spot." Anakin replied.

"Don't I know it." Ferri answered.

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"Who did this?" Obi-Wan demanded, turning Boba's cheek to get a better look at it.
Boba pulled away from him, "What does it matter? It's done." He answered evasively.

Shaking his head, Obi-Wan turned to the guards, "Then you will tell me." He ordered.

The guards looked at each other, "I think it would be best to speak with the examiners about it." One said.

"Then I will do that." Obi-Wan replied, nodding.

"If you're here to get something from me, I don't have anything more to say." Boba informed them.

"We are trying to help you, Boba." Zak said.

Boba shook his head and turned away, "Well, you can't." He answered.

"We can if you tell us who was with you up in that apartment." Obi-Wan told him.

"And you know I can't do that." Boba said stubbornly.

"You can, but you don't want to." Obi-Wan corrected.

"Have it your way." Boba answered, shrugging his shoulders.

"Who is so important that you feel you have to protect her?" Zak asked.

Boba glared at him, "Who says I'm protecting anyone? Who says it's a her?" He demanded.

"Boba, Ferri sensed a female presence up in that apartment with you; we know you were with a young lady, so that must be who you are protecting." Obi-Wan said.

Boba turned away again, "Fine, so you know; but I'm still not telling you who she is." He replied stubbornly.

"Still the same old Boba; we are only trying to help you." Zak said.

"And I told you, you can't." Boba replied sadly, "You're wasting your time here."

Obi-Wan sighed and shook his head, "Very well, but I wish you would come to your senses; I do not wish to see you sentenced for something you did not do." He told the young man.

"I guess that's what I get for…." Boba began and then shook his head, "Nevermind."

"For doing something some would not approve of?" Obi-Wan suggested.

Boba nodded, "Yeah, I guess you could say that."

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"So, Del; how do you like working up here?" Anakin asked as they were greeted at the entrance of the archives by the tall, swarthy Padawan of Jocasta Nu.

"Well, I have to admit that I wasn't exactly thrilled to be chosen by Master Nu at the beginning, but apparently she knew what she was doing. I couldn't be happier." Del answered with a quick smile.

"And what is it that you found for us?" Anakin asked.

Del led them over to one of the terminals, "Well, you asked us to find out who was renting the apartment the shooter was in and the one Ferri sensed Boba and his friend were in…" He began.

"And?" Ferri prompted impatiently.

"And, the shooter's apartment was vacant; so he must have forged a keycard to get in. But the other one…well, look for yourself." Del answered.

Both Jedi looked at the screen Del had brought up, "I don't believe it." Ferri exclaimed.

"I think the Vice Chancellor will have some explaining to do." Anakin declared, "Good work, Del."