Chapter 20 Dena's Admission

Little was said between the two masters as they made their way back to the Temple; each already knew what the other was thinking. They were not pleased with the decision their apprentices had made to defy the law by harboring Boba Fett. In actuality, though, neither could fault Zak's reasoning; but they knew the task all three young men faced would be a difficult and dangerous one. And they, too, faced their own difficult task in explaining the actions of their Padawans to the rest of the Council.

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"Well?" Ferri asked expectantly when Zak returned to the hiding place they had sequestered themselves in.

"Well, they are not happy with us." Zak answered, "We will more than likely have to face the Council about this."

Ferri shook his head, "You'll probably get off with a reprimand; on the other hand after Myrkr…." He trailed off with a sigh still shaking his head.

"Myrkr is in the past; don't kid yourself, I'm in as much trouble as you are." Zak told him.

"Oh, that makes me feel so much better." Ferri replied sarcastically.

"Why don't you just let me go?" Boba asked.

"It's too late for that; if we come back now without you, we'll both be arrested for helping you." Zak answered.

"You should have never bolted in the first place; now we're all…." Ferri began.

"Alright, alright; the fact is he did run, and we can't change that now. We just have to turn this to our advantage." Zak interrupted.

"What did they think about our plan?" Boba asked.

"They think it's risky; but they are willing to go along with it as long as we understand how dangerous it's going to be." Zak replied.

"I don't care; I'd rather die than be sent to some off-world prison colony for something I didn't do." Boba answered.

"I know; I told them that." Zak said.

"So what do we do now?" Ferri wondered.

"We wait." Zak advised, "Boba's escape is probably all over the holo-net by now; the assassin will probably start hunting for him as soon as he hears about it."

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He walked the streets surrounding the government complex; a rumor had spread that the suspect in the attacks on the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor had escaped. A rumor he had just confirmed on a holo-net news broadcast. He debated whether or not to go for his target, but decided to wait. He wanted to see Boba Fett first; he wanted to see the look on Boba Fett's face when the boy saw him. He wanted the satisfaction of knowing Boba would understand who he was before the boy died; and he wanted to leave no doubt that the young bounty hunter had been behind each attack. He smiled to himself as he planned out how he would lure the unaltered Clone of Jango Fett to his death. Yes, he would enjoy killing the boy, and anyone else who might get in his way. Then he could collect his fee and not have to concern himself with being caught.

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"Sit, and tell me what troubles you, Padawan." Yoda instructed as he seated himself on one of the cushions in his private meditation chamber.

"I…I…I know Boba Fett didn't try to kill the Chancellor." Dena began.

"Know this how, young Korliv?" Yoda asked.

"He's a very good friend; I…I just know he isn't capable of it." Dena answered.

Yoda stroked his chin as he regarded her, "Hiding something from me you are." Yoda discerned.

Dena looked down at the padded floor, "I don't think so, Master." She denied.

Yoda shook his head, "For eight hundred years have I been a Jedi; know I do when withholding the truth someone is." He informed her, "Lie to me you cannot."

Dena sighed and fought down a lump that was forming in her throat, "We are very close friends, Master." She whispered.

"Hmm…love him do you?" Yoda surmised, still stroking his chin.

"That would be forbidden." Dena answered evasively.

"I know; but ask you if it was forbidden, I did not." Yoda replied.

"I can't do this." Dena announced as she stood up, trying to control her emotions.

"Know did you that escaped Boba Fett has?" Yoda asked.

Dena opened her mouth and tried to speak, "What?" She finally managed to gasp.

"Yes, he thought found guilty he would be if he stayed for his trial. No alibi does he have to prove his innocence." Yoda informed her.

Dena turned away, leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes, fighting against the tears that determined to come forth.

"With you was he, Padawan?" Yoda asked.

"Yes." Dena murmured, unable to face the venerable master.

"Love him do you?" Yoda asked once more.

"But a Jedi is not permitted to love." Dena evaded the question the again.

Yoda sighed, "No, Padawan; the Jedi must always hold love in their hearts." Yoda told her.

Dena shook her head and looked down at the floor, "Not this kind of love." She replied.

"Hmm…I see; yes, forbidden that is. But perhaps the will of the Force it is, thought of this have you?" Yoda suggested.

"I don't understand." Dena answered as the unwanted tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks.

"Perhaps the Jedi path not your path is." Yoda said, "Perhaps your path and Boba Fett's, the same they are."

"What will my parents think?" Dena wondered shaking her head and burying her face in her hands.

"Understand they will." Yoda assured her.

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The Council was in full session when Yoda entered the chamber followed by the Padawan of Ga'al Heth. All heads turned to stare at the young woman whose face was flushed and her eyes puffy; Master Heth trailed a short distance behind them and followed her apprentice into the center of the Council chamber.

"Padawan Korliv, information has which important may be." Yoda announced as he took his seat.

Dena took a deep breath, closed her eyes and swallowed hard; Ga'al placed a steadying hand on her shoulder and squeezed, "I…I have proof…that Boba Fett…could not have tried to kill Chancellor Organa." She informed them tentatively.

Mace knitted his fingers together and leaned forward, "We are listening, Padawan; please do continue." He prompted.

Again, Dena swallowed, "I…I was the one with him up in that flat." She admitted, the words falling out in a rush.

The chamber was silent for several long minutes as the weight of Dena's admission sank in, "How long have to been meeting with him, young Korliv?" Mace asked.

"Awhile." Dena answered.

"Awhile? Weeks, months?" Adi Gallia asked.

Dena bit her lip and stared down at the floor, "Almost a year." She mumbled.

Gasps and murmurs followed Dena's confession until Ki-Adi Mundi silenced them, "Your indiscretions we can discuss later; at this time, I believe the more pressing issue is that of young Boba Fett and our two missing Padawans." He stated, "However, perhaps you can shed some light as to why you continued to keep your secret after your dear friend was arrested."

"I…I didn't think it would go this far; and I…I didn't want to be expelled." Dena confessed, "What I have done, I know, was wrong, and I'm willing to face whatever the consequences are; I just don't want to see Boba…"

Ga'al wrapped her arms around her apprentice as the young girl's shoulders began to shake, "It appears my Padawan loves this young man and does not wish any further harm to come to him. She is willing to go to the prosecutor and bear witness to his whereabouts during the attack on the Chancellor." She told them.

"That is all well and good; but it does not solve this current dilemma. Young Fett has bolted, and two Jedi have taken it upon themselves to defy the law by harboring him." Plo Koon replied.

"With all due respect, Master Koon; Master Skywalker and I have both spoken with my apprentice. I believe if you listen to what we were told, you will find they have come up with a plan to lure the real killer out of hiding." Obi-Wan said.

"And so we are supposed to look the other way and ignore their disregard for the law?" Stass Allie asked.

"No, I believe they both know what they will be facing when this is finished. However, under the circumstances, would it not be better for the assassin to be apprehended first?" Obi-Wan countered.

Several masters nodded in agreement, "Then I believe we should hear this plan your Padawans have come up with." Mace decided.

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"And you are sure this will work?" Bail Organa asked when he was informed by holo-transmission.

"No, we are not certain of anything at this point; but apparently, Zak and Ferri are. And I see no other solution." Obi-Wan answered.

"Well, I would like to inform the Vice Chancellor concerning the Jedi girl's confession; however, she has convinced herself that Boba is guilty, and she will most likely believe this girl has concocted the entire story just to cover for him. Even her own daughter's word means nothing." Bail said.

"Then it appears it's up to Ferri and Zak to lure this killer out." Anakin replied.

"Yes, I only hope it does not prove to be fatal for any of them." Bail answered.

"We will be there to back them up when the time is right. It all depends on the timing." Obi-Wan said.

"Then I pray for timing." Bail replied.

"As do all of us; rest assured we will do all in our power to see nothing goes wrong." Mace added.

"In the meantime, I would like that young Jedi, Dena is it?...to speak with both Mon Mothma and the prosecutor as well as my defender. Perhaps if Mon hears and sees the girl for herself, she will be more inclined to believe her." Bail said.

"Yes, of course; I see no reason why we cannot send her over there right away." Mace answered.

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"When are you going to finish your assignment?" The rakishly handsome man demanded, "Now would be the perfect time; the news of Fett's escape is all over the holo-net."

"Yes, I know; but I want to time this so there will be no doubt of his guilt. And of course, the boy will have to die at the scene so there can be no question that he isn't the killer." The assassin explained.

"Very well; but you are trying my patience. I want this taken care of; I'm tired of playing the grieving husband." The handsome man replied.

"It will be done before the next sun rises." The assassin assured him, "And then we'll both have what we want."