Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
AN: Here's chapter 43! Thanks for all the great reviews!
Forever Destined
Chapter 43: The Verdict
Padme woke up to find the warmth and security of her husband's arms gone. She covered herself with the sheet, as she searched the floor for her nightgown that had been carelessly discarded the night before in their frantic need to be with each other. They were playing a waiting game now and the twelve people that would decide her husband's fate were probably meeting already to discuss the case. Padme slipped into her nightgown and plopped back on the bed. She couldn't imagine them finding him guilty. After all, Luminara presented a much better case. Add to that, grandfather had told them that he sensed the jury's sympathy and general liking toward Anakin. Those were good signs...but that still did not erase the bad feeling she had in the pit of her stomach. There was a very determined Sith Lord out there wanting her husband dead and would resort to whatever treachery he had to in order to see it through.
"Mama!" she heard her little boy call. She looked up, only to see her husband standing there with their twins.
"Good morning babies," Padme said, as Anakin sat down on the bed, handing Luke to her.
"Good morning, my little prince. Can mommy have a kiss?" Padme asked. Anakin smiled, as he watched Luke lean in and put his lips to Padme's cheek.
"Oh thank you, my sweet boy," she cooed. Leia whimpered and Anakin gave her a cold teething ring. She put it in her mouth and sucked on it.
"Oh Leia," Padme said, as she brushed her fingers through Leia's curls.
"She's fussy this morning and I don't think she feels good, so I gave her some of her baby medicine after I fed them," Anakin said.
"Well, the medicine should help take away the pain from the teething," Padme replied.
"We should probably clean up. You want the fresher first?" he asked.
"No, you go ahead and I'll take the twins for a while," she replied. He handed Leia to her and kissed her softly, before retreating to the fresher.
"So, are we all in agreement?" a male, human juror asked. The female human juror carefully read each slip to determine each vote.
"It seems we're all in agreement. The verdict is not guilty," she replied. She pressed a button on the comm system and a carrier droid rolled in a few minutes later. The woman slipped the disk into the droid's slot and it rolled out. It would deliver the verdict directly to the judge. Once he had it, a transport would be sent to fetch them and they would convene to read the verdict. Each juror felt confident in their decision. Each believed that Anakin Skywalker was innocent and if he wasn't, they believed that Palo got what he deserved.
The small carrier droid flew through traffic and soon arrived at the Senate building. As it headed for the judicial wing of the building, it stopped and sputtered. Something was interrupting its signal and rerouting its course. The little droid turned around and headed for the Chancellor's office instead...
The little droid casually rolled into the Chancellor's office, where Palpatine and Tarkin awaited. Tarkin ejected the disk from the droid and placed it in his datapad. The words appeared on the screen and Tarkin read them.
"Not guilty," he said.
"As I predicted," Palpatine said, as he slipped another disk into the droid's slot.
"This should fix the jury's error," Palpatine said. Tarkin smiled evilly.
"This should eliminate Skywalker for good, but Dooku could create a problem," Tarkin said.
"Dooku has no proof and only speculation. He will not find the truth until it is too late," Palpatine responded, as he turned to the expansive panoramic window.
"Is everything taken care of? The jury must not make it to the Senate building," Palpatine said.
"The transport that will take them has a faulty pair of power converters in the engine. Three minutes after take off, they will ignite and the engine will catch fire. The fire will quickly ignite the fuel cell and the vehicle will explode. It will look like a horrible accident caused by improper maintenance," Tarkin answered.
"Excellent General. Soon, we shall be replacing that title with Grand Moff when my own title is replaced by Emperor. With Skywalker dead, my Empire will be realized at last and the Jedi will not stand in my way any longer," Palpatine said.
"I am honored to serve you, My Lord," Tarkin replied.
The twelve jurors loaded the transport single file. Once they were all seated and strapped in, the Clone pilot lifted off and merged into the busy Coruscant traffic. A few minutes later, a warning light began blinking on the console and the pilot could see black smoke coming from the hood. He quickly maneuvered out of traffic, trying to find a place to land. But just moments later, the entire transport exploded in brilliant flames. The burning wreckage fell from the sky, the flames burning intensely.
Low whispers could be heard in the courtroom, as they wait for the arrival of the jury. Just a few moments ago, a dark tremor had reverberated through the Force and nothing good would come of it. Dooku had a bad feeling that grew every minute the jury was late. Something had happened and he had a feeling the Sith were behind it. Finally, after the jury was thirty minutes late, the judge returned from his chambers, the room quieted and the judge spoke.
"I have just learned that there has been a terrible tragedy. The transport that was carrying the jury exploded due to a mechanical malfunction in the engine, which caught fire. All twelve jurors and the Clone pilot were killed. However, since the carrier droid has made it, I have been ordered to proceed with the verdict," the judge stated. Anakin and Padme looked at each other, worry and fear in their eyes. Anakin knew it wasn't going to be good. He squeezed her hand, as the judge began reading.
"On the charge of murder in the first degree...the jury has found Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker-Jinn...guilty," the judge read. The courtroom erupted in gasps of disbelief, while Tarkin and Governor Danae smiled evilly.
"No...oh please no," Padme cried, as she clung to her husband.
"Because Skywalker is a Jedi, his sentencing will be swift. Chancellor Palpatine has ordered that I sentence him today. Knight Skywalker, you have been found guilty of first degree murder. This crime carries a death sentence. Your sentence will be carried out in 72 hours by lethal injection," the judge said, looking pale as a ghost as he said the words he'd been ordered to.
"No! You can't do this! My husband is innocent!" Padme screamed, as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Your honor, I would like to file an immediate appeal. I have reason to believe that the verdict has been tampered with," Luminara protested.
"That is absurd. The carrier droid is programmed to come directly here," Tarkin argued.
"I am afraid he is correct, Master Unduli. Your appeal is denied. Please take the defendant into custody," the judge ordered.
"No, they're not taking you," Padme cried, as she clung to him.
"Angel...look at me," he said. She did so, gazing up into his stormy blue eyes.
"Everything will be all right," he said aloud, while speaking silently to her through their bond.
"Grandfather has a plan. We're going to have to run. I need you to ready the twins. Grandfather already has the droids loading the ship probably. Just listen to him and follow his lead. He'll take care of everything," Anakin told her. She nodded and kissed him desperately, before the guards pulled him from her arms and shackled his wrists. Anakin look at his crying family one last time, before he was taken away. After he was gone, Padme broke down crying in her sister's arms.
"Come on Padme, we need to get you home," Sola said.
"She's right Padme. You should get home and take care of the twins," Dooku said. Padme looked up at him, knowing the hidden meaning behind his seemingly casual words. She needed to get the twins ready, because they were going to run...and it was going to happen tonight...
The battered young woman hung from the shackles, as blood stained her forearms. She screamed in agony, as another surge of electricity coursed through her body. She'd been here for six months now and her tormentor tortured her daily. But she refused to break...and she refused to turn.
"Jedi scum," Grievous spat.
"I'll never...turn. They'll...find me," Serra Keto rasped. Grievous laughed evilly.
"Find you? They think you're dead, foolish whelp. They even had a Memorial service for you months ago. Skywalker was there with his pretty little wife. He doesn't care about you. He loves her," Grievous taunted.
"They...belong together," Serra said.
"Stupid Jedi slime! You don't believe that! I know you're true feelings. You still want him!" Grievous goaded.
"No," Serra protested weakly.
"My Master has seen your dreams. He's always there...and you could make those dreams a reality. Embrace the dark side and fulfill those desires!" Grievous yelled.
"I'll never turn!" she screamed.
"The Jedi don't care about you! They never bothered looking for you. Turn and you can make them pay! And...you can make Skywalker yours!" Grievous taunted.
"No...I'll never turn!" Serra screamed. Grievous turned up the voltage and began his torture session again. The young Jedi screamed in agony.
"Oh yes...you will..." Grievous said, as he enjoyed her tortured screams...
Padme worked diligently, packing their travel cases full of hers, Anakin's and the twins' clothes. Obi-Wan and Captain Typho were loading their cruiser with other essentials, including plenty of food stores. The twins babbled, as they played together in the play pin and Sola watched her sister, wondering if this was the last time she'd ever see her. Padme seemed to know what she was thinking.
"This won't be the last time you see us. Grandfather will get to the bottom of this and clear Anakin of the charges," Padme promised.
"I know. I'm just going to miss you all so much," Sola replied.
"We'll miss you too," Padme said, as she hugged her sister.
"Come on, we'd better finish and get you to the ship," Sola said, as they continued packing in earnest.
Count Dooku arrived at the prison compound where Commander Ackbar was waiting to greet him.
"I need to see my grandson," Dooku said.
"It's past visitation hours...but that's why you're here, isn't it?" Ackbar replied.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Dooku replied.
"I know what you're going to do, Yan," Ackbar said. Yan turned to him.
"Are you going to stop me?" he asked.
"The Chancellor is sending his Red Guards to watch Anakin's cell. They'll be here in an hour, so you better have him out before then," Ackbar replied.
"Thanks Ackbar," Dooku said.
"For what? You were never here," he replied Yan smiled and continued down the dark hall toward Anakin's prison cell...
Anakin quietly laid on his back, staring at the ceiling, as the guard looked in on him. He slowly sat up, as he heard the guard speaking to someone.
"Sir, visitation hours are over. You'll have to come back tomorrow," the guard told Dooku. Yan waved his hand in front of the young man's face.
"You do your job well. You should sleep," Dooku suggested.
"I do my job well. I should sleep," the guard said, as his eyes drooped shut. Dooku gently set the sleeping guard against the wall and took his access cards and keys. He swiped the access card and then used the keys to unlock Anakin's cell after the access card shut off the plasma bars. Anakin stepped out and Dooku pulled his grandson into a hug.
"Padme and the twins are waiting for you. Let's get you out of here. Palpatine is sending his Red Guards to keep vigil outside your cell and we need to be gone before they get here," Dooku said. Anakin nodded, as they slipped into the darkness, shadowing their presence with the Force.
Shmi and Elana held the twins, both freely crying, as they said goodbye. Padme hugged her mother tightly.
"Be careful out there Padme. I wish I would have had more time to atone for my mistakes against you," Jobal said.
"This isn't forever, mother. We'll get this mess straightened out," Padme replied.
"She's right. We'll get to the bottom of this, I promise," Qui-Gon said. Padme hugged him next, as tears slipped down her cheeks.
"You've been the father I always wanted and never had," Padme cried.
"You're my daughter, Padme. And I love you as my own," he replied.
"I love you too, dad," she said. Obi-Wan was next and they hugged fiercely.
"Keep my baby brother in line, okay?" he said., as he wiped one of her tears from her cheek.
"I'll take care of him," she promised.
"I know. He couldn't be in better hands," Obi-Wan replied.
"Take care of Sola and the girls," she said.
"They're my life now. No harm will ever come to them," he promised. She kissed his cheek and then hugged Sola.
"Goodbye, baby sister," she said.
"I love you, Sola," Padme replied.
"I love you too," she said. Shmi and Elana sandwiched her in a hug next, as they all cried.
"You both have been so good to me and you've trusted me with Anakin. I promise I'll take care of him," she said.
"Oh, we know darling. We love you like our own," Elana said.
"She's right. You'll come back to us once this mess is fixed," Shmi cried. Suddenly, they saw two figures approaching briskly. Padme ran to them and hugged her husband tightly, before hugging Dooku.
"Thank you...for not letting them kill him," she sobbed.
"And I never will, sweetheart. You can count on that," he replied. Dooku hugged Anakin again and then handed in a data card.
"This is an account card that contains enough credits for you to live comfortable for the rest of your lives if you have to. It is encrypted and the transactions will be untraceable," Dooku said.
"Thank you grandfather...for everything," Anakin said.
"No Anakin, thank you for making me so proud," Dooku replied. Padme and Sola took the twins, as Shmi and Elana hugged Anakin fiercely.
"I love you mom and I love you grandmother," he said. Shmi sobbed and Elana spoke.
"And we love you too, Ani," she cried. Qui-Gon was next and pulled his youngest son into a fierce hug.
"I love you dad," he said.
"And I love you, my son. I'm so proud of you," Qui-Gon said, choking back a sob. Anakin finally moved to Obi-Wan and the tears were now streaming down his cheeks. He hadn't been apart from Obi-Wan for more than a few days at a time in his entire life. His big brother was always there, putting up with him and letting him follow him everywhere. And now...he wasn't going to be there. He'd always been there to take care of him, patch his wounds, and to offer advice. A special brotherly bond existed between them and Anakin remembered all the good times they'd had together. Obi-Wan was feeling the same things, as he realized how much he would miss his baby brother. Anakin had gotten him through some very rough times. They'd been inseparable for most of Anakin's life and now they were being torn apart by evil.
"Obi-Wan," Anakin said, as he hugged him fiercely.
"It'll be all right, Ani. I'll always be with you," Obi-Wan told him, recalling all the times he'd held his baby brother like this.
Flashback...
Obi-Wan sat forlornly in the gardens, mourning Siri. She'd left him this morning and told him she could not marry him. His heart was shattered into so many pieces that he was sure it would never heal. He sensed someone watching him and turned to find his baby brother there.
"Ani, what are you doing up?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Not sweepy," Anakin replied, with a yawn, making Obi-Wan chuckled.
"Come here you," Obi-Wan said. Anakin toddled excitedly to him and Obi-Wan set him on his knee.
"Why is you sad?" Anakin asked, looking up at Obi-Wan with his big blue eyes.
"I'm afraid you're too young to understand, Ani," Obi-Wan replied. Ani kissed his cheek.
"Make better?" he asked. Obi-Wan smiled.
"Yeah, you made it better. Now, let's get you back to bed," Obi-Wan said.
"Onna sweep in your room," Anakin whined.
"Oh all right," Obi-Wan conceded. Anakin was just too cute to say no to. Obi-Wan walked upstairs to his bedroom and found that Anakin was already falling asleep against him.
"Wuv you," he said sleepily.
"I love you too, Ani," Obi-Wan replied...
End Flashback...
"I love you," Anakin said, as he pulled back from the hug.
"I love you too baby brother," he replied.
"You two had better go. They're probably finding out you're gone right about now," Dooku said. Anakin nodded and took Luke from Sola. He took Padme's hand and they hurried up the ramp. Anakin and Padme buckled the twins in, before Anakin helped her strap in next to them.
"Everything's going to be okay, angel, he said, as he kissed her, before heading to the cockpit. Artoo whirled in greeting, as he arrived.
"Hello Master Ani," Threepio said.
"Hi Threepio. Go get strapped in," Anakin said.
"Oh dear, I do hate space travel," Threepio complained. Anakin sat in the pilot's chair and buckled in.
"Okay Artoo, let's take her up, "Anakin said, as the engines hummed to life and he fired the thrusters. Anakin quickly cleared the atmosphere and began readying the ship for hyperspace. Once everything was in order, he made the jump and their ship disappeared from Coruscanti radar.
Several minutes after take off, five armed Clone Troopers arrived to find an empty landing pad. They would now have to report back empty handed. They now had a Jedi fugitive on their hands and the Chancellor would be none too happy...
Much later that evening, Obi-Wan sat in the Temple gardens by the fountain, deep in thought. Sola was putting the girls to bed and he promised he'd be in soon. As he turned to leave, he saw Siri standing there.
"Hi," she said.
"What are you doing out here?" he asked.
"I came to say goodbye. Ferris and I leave for the outer rim tomorrow," Siri said.
"You sound as if I'll never see you again," he replied.
"Well, you never know what can happen out there. I just wanted you to know...that I'm happy for you. I'm glad you've found love with Sola. I'm just sorry...that you couldn't find it with me," she replied.
"Thank you," he answered.
"So...did Anakin and Padme really go on the run?" she asked.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," he replied.
"Ben...everyone knows that Master Dooku got him out. But you'll be happy to know that everyone is playing dumb. We Jedi protect our own," she replied. Obi-Wan sighed.
"I'm worried about them," he replied.
"They'll be okay. Anakin is strong and he has been taught well," she replied. He nodded.
"It's not fair. They should be here at home with us," Obi-Wan said.
"I know. But everyone's confident that you'll find out what's really going on," Siri replied He sighed.
"I hope so," he said.
"Well, I better go. Goodbye Obi-Wan," Siri said, as she turned to leave.
"Siri?" he called.
"Yes?" she turned back.
"I have forgiven you...and I hope we can be friends," he said. She smiled.
"I'd like that...but know that I'll always love you, even if we cannot be together," she said, as she kissed his cheek.
"Goodbye my love," she said, as she quietly left.
"Goodbye Siri," Obi-Wan replied, as he headed to his quarters, where Sola, the woman he now loved, was waiting for him.
Obi-Wan walked into their quarters in the Temple, just as Sola quietly exited the girls' room.
"Hey, are you okay?" Sola asked, as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He kissed her gently.
"I am now," he replied.
"I'm worried about them too," she said.
"All the more reason for us to keep investigating, so we can find out who is out to get Anakin. The sooner we clear his name, the sooner they can come home," Obi-Wan said, as they went to bedroom to get ready for bed...
Sola sat at the vanity and brushed out her long, chocolate hair. Obi-Wan came behind her and snatched the brush away.
"Hey! I wasn't done with that," she protested.
"Yes you are," he replied, as he began kissing her neck with his wanton hunger.
"Oooh..." Sola said, as shivers coursed down her spine deliciously.
"That feels...amazing," Sola said.
"Well then, allow me to make you feel even more amazing," Obi-Wan said, as he lifted her into his arms.
"I love you," Sola said.
"And I love you...and now I'm going to show you how much..." Obi-Wan said.
In the next chapter, Chancellor Palpatine orders a galactic-wide search for Anakin and tension between he and the Jedi Council increases as accusations are made...