Off Course
Chapter Seven
"…Disappointed, I am, by this body. Failed us, the Republic has. To fight your wars, much have we sacrificed, yet still doubt us, you do. On the front lines, the Jedi fight, your electorates protecting, while only opportunities you seek, manoeuvring, posturing and debasing. No point was there in Padawan Tano's trial, knew well, we all did, that innocent she was, that merely a public relations stunt, it was. Disappointed, I am…"
—Master Yoda, excerpt of speech to the Senate, circa 16 GrS
Evening traffic whizzed by below as the convoy flew away from the Legislative Sector and toward the Temple. For many frontline Jedi, the LAAT/I was often more of a home then their bunks aboard ship or apartments on Coruscant, serving often as impromptu lodging when there were not enough tents or their placement was not advisable. That and their ubiquity had seen the LAAT/I move from a simple deployment vehicle to a military ferry, jokingly dubbed TaxiForce by the Padawans that often flew these runs.
This time, Ahsoka was not at the controls, instead, she was on the receiving end of a Wookiee hug, courtesy of her master.
"Never do that again!" he admonished, "That was nearly a disaster."
"But it wasn't…" she said, voice muffled, "Most of it was under control. At least until Chancellor Palpatine got involved."
Anakin stiffened at that, and a roiling cloud of anger manifested itself about him. "I don't know what had gotten into him." he growled, "I had deliberately asked him to preside at that trial to make sure it was fair!"
Ahsoka snorted. She had never liked Palpatine much, seeing him as a manipulative little shabuir who was adapt at pandering to the passions and prejudices of his senators while cementing his own power and doing nothing of substance for the war. In light of the Council's revelation of Palpatine's true identity, she was not surprised.
"Well, as Master Obi-Wan says, 'he's a politician and they are not to be trusted.'" She chortled in amusement. A moment later, she hummed thoughtfully, "I guess this is also why Jedi are not too fond of attachments; those times when you have to choose between one friend or another. Say, did he lift my bounty?"
Anakin didn't reply for a time, being lost in thought. What Ahsoka said had struck him. Palpatine was a friend, had been one ever since Anakin came to Coruscant. Over the years, he became quite like a grandfather, gifting Anakin with knick-knacks on his birthdays, and taking him to various children's attractions as a treat. He had never asked Anakin to do anything nefarious, save that one time involving Lott Dod's headpiece, but now that he thought on it, he had seldom felt content upon leaving Palpatine's office. Usually, it was small things, like wondering why Jedi didn't allow garbage pit racing, yet at others…
Ahsoka, on the other hand, he had trained her for years now, fought with her on uncounted battlefields, celebrated many victories, and saw her through defeats. She was brash, and daring, and argumentative – Force was she argumentative – and snippy, all the things that had exasperated Obi-Wan about Anakin himself, but still, when it came down to it, Palpatine was a distant figure, while Ahsoka was right beside him. He had grown to care about her, as many masters did, regarding them almost as children or siblings.
When he had come to Palpatine regarding Ahsoka's bounty and possible trial, the old man had told him, "I am sorry, Anakin, but as servants of the Republic we cannot discount any possibilities that could threaten our security."
When it came down to it, Ahsoka was more important than his friendship with Palpatine. It was plain and simple. Yet she was right, what if the choice was not so clear-cut? What if he had to choose between Obi-Wan and Padmé? He did not know.
"Master!" Ahsoka called his name for the sixth time, shaking his shoulder, "Not the time to be daydreaming!"
Coming back to the present, he looked out the troop bay doors to see what had Ahsoka's attention. Soon, it had his attention to. The East Tranquillity Garden atop the Temple ziggurat was teaming with reporters, cam droids, and Jedi. Obi-Wan Kenobi, dressed in his Jedi Dress Uniform, stood at a podium, giving a speech.
"…for thirty five millennia has the Jedi Order stood as guardians of this galaxy, maintaining peace, justice and freedom. From the ravages of the Rakatan Infinite Empire, to the Conquests of Xim, to the chaos of the Pius Dea, the Onslaught of the Sith and the Advance of the Mandalorians, we have been there, holding the line when all others have failed."
The voice reached them on the headwind before they entered actual hearing range, and what it bore rooted pilots and Jedi alike to their seats. On the third year of the war, the Negotiator finally delivered a speech that was longed for by many in the Order and the GAR, driving home truths that needed to be heard by the citizens of the Republic.
"The galaxy is fraught with dangers; there are grim things in the dark places between the stars that would freeze the marrow in your bones if only you knew of them. These threats have the Jedi kept at bay, sacrificing things that you take for granted – family, homes, certainty and security – to keep you and yours safe. Even now, legions of Jedi hold the front in the Unknown Regions, against enemies intent on the subjugation of all life. Let me tell you about the Ssi Ruuk, who power their technology with the life energy of those unfortunates who they come across, or the Killiks, who live as a hive mind and ensnare all who spend time with them, becoming incapable of individual thought, only working for the good of the nest. The Vagaari roam from system to system, in search of resources and conquest, the Ebruchi and Lugubraa beset our west and Northern flanks, while we brace for the Nagai and Yuuzhan Vong, that gather their strengths, intent on storming the Galactic Rims."
The LAAT/I approached on silent repulsorlifts, setting down behind rows of journalists. Out of the crowd, only one person spotted their approach.
"Anakin!" Padmé cried, rushing to him as he debarked, "What is going on?"
"What do you mean?" he said, puzzled. "Has something happened?"
"Something happened? Ahsoka nearly got convicted for treason, Master Yoda is chewing out the Senate for being blithering idiots, Obi-Wan is berating the Republic for its very existence, and you ask if something has happened? Anakin, what is going on?"
Ahsoka coughed slightly, "Senator Amidala, that is exactly what has happened." They turned to her, curious. Anakin had suspected something was amiss ever since his Padawan met with the Jedi Council after her report on the bombing, and her peculiar willingness to go along with the trial, however he was not sure what that 'amiss' entailed.
"Chancellor Palpatine has made one too many advances against the Jedi Order. We were inclined to leave well enough alone as long as it was just posturing and propaganda, after all, Jedi are not desirous of power and care little for public perception, but when Jedi were killed, and I was nearly convicted, things changed. The Council is no longer willing to sit passively by..." Ahsoka trailed off, lifting a hand and nodding at Obi-Wan.
"…Neither I, nor Master Yoda, consider it prudent to speak for the Order as a whole. Some of us – Anakin Skywalker, Mace Windu – yet have faith in the Republic, and in a cessation of the Cold War between the Council and the Senate. However I, at least, have lost that faith. I hereby resign from the Jedi Order."
A collective gasp went up from scores of throats from the humanoids, and other, equal displays of shock, from those with differing vocal organs. For three years, Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi was the spearhead of the Republic advance. The Third Systems Army and its fleets were ever at the forefront of conflict, driving back the forces of the CIS and pushing the Republic to victory. Now, the GAR had lost its foremost marshal.
Jedi were not commissioned officers, their military ranks being tied to their status in the Order, and a resignation from the latter meant an automatic resignation from the former. It was a system devised during the Ruusan Reformation, ostensibly to prevent 'rogue Jedi' from affecting the Republic Forces, but in reality was a system of control over the Order. While good on paper, it also threw a galactic-sized hydrospanner into any campaign where the Jedi were to lead.
"By the action of its politicians, the Republic has failed the Jedi. Yet, even in these circumstances, the Jedi – and our politicians – shall not fail the Republic. Rather than withdrawing the Order's support entirely, we leave it to each of our members to decide, if they can still trust the Republic. Farewell, my friends, live long, fight well, stay alive, and the Force be with you."
Stepping down off his podium, Obi-Wan Kenobi drew up his hood and disappeared into the shadows.
Though, ere the crowd could disperse or begin conversation, a new figure stepped up. Cin Drallig was of average height, strong of bearing and possessed a rumbling voice. The Order's Battlemaster, it fell to him to oversee the Temple Security Force, and to lead the Strategic Command, namely the command structure for the Shadows and the rest of the Jedi Order's military assets.
"Master Kenobi has spoken frankly, and we of the Jedi Shadows are in agreement. The Republic has strayed from what it once was, drawing the Order along with it. If the public no longer trusts the Jedi, no longer values our sacrifices, and no longer supports us, we see no reason to die and bleed for you. When you are ready, call, and the Jedi will answer, until then, I, Cin Drallig, resign." So he spoke, turning and leaving, and throwing the assembly into yet more confusion.
"Obi-Wan, wait!" Anakin called, charging down the mezzanine and desperately needing things explained. The other heard him, stopped and turned to await Anakin, Padmé and Ahsoka. When they caught up though, Anakin did not know what to say. At least, coherently. After some effort, he plainly asked, "How long?"
Obi-Wan looked grim; this conversation he was dreading ever since the inception of Project Esk. He knew, just as Master Yoda, that Anakin would not take being in the dark all that well, and especially not with the temper he was displaying in recent months.
"I am sorry, Anakin. Three years." He said.
"What brought this about?" Padmé wondered. She had long suspected that Palpatine was not the only one weaving conspiracies in the senate; she had often seen Bail Organa managing various cargo transfers that went out a bit beyond his normal work for refugee settlements; shipments of prefab barracks, surplus artillery, ships….
"There is a plot against the Jedi Order," Obi-Wan explained, "A plot to destroy it. The Chancellor's Office is too entrenched in affairs for the Order to handle the situation the normal way, so we decided to withdraw from the scene. We have been planning our exit strategy ever since Geonosis, and Ahsoka's contribution in the last days gave us a footing from which to act. Master Yoda should be finishing his resignation speech shortly. The first wave is already preparing to depart the Temple."
The next question, predictably, came from Anakin, yet contrary to expectations, it was asked levelly, and not in a berserk rage. "Why didn't you let me in on this?"
"Anakin, this project required great subtlety to avoid tipping the Sith off. There is more to leaving the Republic than just walking out the door; we need food, water, shelter, power, defences, it was a delicate operation. To be honest, we only finished our preparations last month."
Anakin's grin was wry, "And as we all know, I am not the most subtle of Jedi. I'd have probably just blundered into the nearest branch of KDY and said 'Yeah, well, we're leaving the Order, could you give us a few cruisers?' And, I guess, not telling me the plan was a good idea; after all, until recently, I was in very close contact with the Chancellor. So, is he, or someone on his staff, the Sith Lord?"
"Palpatine is Sidious." Obi-Wan confirmed. "And before you go haring off to behead him, keep in mind that he has a more advantageous political position. Though, I must say, I was not expecting you to take this all that well…"
Anakin snorted, "To tell you the truth, Obi-Wan, I would not have, had Palpatine not tried to have my Padawan executed. Do you think he just hates Snips, or is he on an agenda?"
"Probably the latter," Ahsoka piped up, "You know how you're overprotective, overbearing and completely ruthless when it comes to people you're close to? I'd figure he'd have been counting on you flying into a rage and either killing some of his enemies, or going to the Dark Side proper."
Anakin looked thoughtful, and then nodded in agreement, "That's probably it. So, what happens now? Want me to pack up and leave?"
"Now," Obi-Wan said, "We start vacating the Temple. Master Windu and Saesee Tiin are going to take over for Yoda and Cin, and the plan is for them to 'buckle down' on the Republic. I'm sure Mace can pull off the 'I am in charge, you do as I say' overbearing act while waves three through twelve evacuate. After that, we'll let Palpatine make his move. As Cin said, no point dying for a populous who thinks they don't need us. We'll come when they're fed up and need rescuing."
"In that case," Anakin proposed, "I will stay with Mace and help him with the overbearing act. I might even see if I can figure out what precisely Palpatine wants."
"Be careful, my old Padawan," Obi-Wan bade, "And may the Force be with you."
He began walking away down the corridor, when Anakin called after him, "Take Ahsoka with you, I don't think it'll be safe for her with all the Sith that is going to hit the ventilator in the coming months. Take care of yourself, old man!"
With a smile, Obi-Wan departed.
The last rays of the Sun bathed the processional way in an ominous red. Along it, four abreast, strode columns of Jedi Shadows, embarking on an A-N124 Nulras deployment craft. At their head was Obi-Wan Kenobi, preparing to lead the liberation of Manda'yaim, and behind them, pacing sedately, came Master Yoda and Ahsoka. From an overhanging balcony, Anakin, Mace Windu, Padmé and Bail watched them depart, wishing them the best, and trusting in the Force.
...and done!
The Jedi's Trial arc is done, and the transitional chapter is done also. The near future holds the Mand'alor arc, and the Baggage of Mortis waypoint. After those, there are two more, the names of which I shall not disclose at present, in order to maintain the reader's curiocity (hopefully).
On another note, I am sooo glad I made that "no schedule" announcement early on in this story. Some things came up in recent weeks, and I didn't have the means or motive to write. And now, I post two weeks later, with a clear conscious!
Now, pertenant notes (only three, for this chapter, it is rather clear-cut)
A Jedi Battlemaster is a Jedi who is the most proficient in the most varieties of combat. Not only lightsaber combat, but also other weapons, and often offensive Force Skills. Whereas Yoda, in his 900 years, would have come to learn many aspects of the Force and swordplay passively, Cin Drallig deliberately studied offense. And, I figured that offense is not just killing people, but killing people efficiently, so he'd have to be a strategist, hence me placing him in charge over the Jedi Military.
Anakin Skywalker was a challenge to write in this chapter, in part contributing to why it took so long. On the one hand, I wanted to have him be all cranky, grouchy and "You betrayed me!" kind of whimp we see in RotS, on the other hand, I had not the time to set up his personality, and whereas in the context of the Star Wars Expanded Universe it would have been understandable, as a stand-alone story, (as most AUs should be), it would have been rather jarring.
As such, I gave him a bit more logic, which is thematically understandable, because Palpatine hasn't had the time to do the "heavy lifting" when it comes to turning Anakin. But rest assured, we're still gonna see more, Angry, Sith-eyed Anakin. I just won't tell you if it's because Palpatine turned him or because he shut down Anakin's favourite hardware store :-)
And lastly, yes, I did just give the Jedi a space version of an An-124 Ruslan for the assault on Mandalore. Partly because I suffered a bit of writer's block, and partly because the sight of Yoda making a parachute jump made me laugh really hard.
As always, tahnks for reading, and may the fiction be with you!
Clean word count: 2,480 | Published: 14/12/14, 0136 GMT