A/N: Wow two chapters in one day! Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 9
The Talk
It had been three weeks since Sidious' shuttle had exploded. The small Federation fleet had left Coruscant to return to the Federation. The Agamemnon had returned with the temporary Federation ambassador. A permanent ambassador would be selected at a later date. But until then the renowned and most famous ambassador Spock would liaise with the Republic Diplomatic Corps in negotiating a treaty.
Anakin Skywalker had been called before the Council. They had confirmed that he was indeed married in secret to Senator Padme' Amidala. His fate as far as the Jedi were concerned would be decided today. Captain Keller and Ambassador Spock met him just as he was going to enter the chamber.
"Captain, I didn't expect you back so soon." he said
"My ship was assigned to transport the temporary ambassador to the Republic. Anakin Skywalker, this is Ambassador Spock."
Spock raised his hand in the customary split finger gesture of Vulcan. "Greetings Jedi Skywalker."
Skywalker, having studied Federation history extensively returned the gesture. "Greetings to you as well. Your reputation precedes you."
Spock nodded in acknowledgement. "I've been informed that the Jedi Council may expel you from their Order."
"Yes. I am married and the Jedi Code specifically forbids us to marry. They see attachment as something that will lead to the Dark Side." replied Skywalker
"And yet you have not. I have review the Jedi database. In all their years of existence, not one of the Dark Jedi known as Sith had family or friends. It's seems illogical to assume that attachment will lead to the Dark Side if no Dark Jedi ever had family or friends." said Spock.
"Perhaps, but the Code is extremely strict. I have already spoken with Captain Picard of the Enterprise. He helped me fill out an application to Starfleet Academy and is willing to sponsor it in the event I am expelled from the Order." replied Skywalker
Spock nodded "A career in Starfleet is very rewarding. As a Jedi you kept the peace. In Starfleet you will still keep the peace albeit with a little more leeway in terms of your personal life. But the Republic is in the middle of a war. I have studied your battle record. It is impressive. Expelling you especially now will do nothing but hurt your war effort. I am prepared to speak on your behalf."
"As am I." said Keller
Skywalker smiled. "Thank you. Thank you both. But even then I don't think it will do much good."
All three of them entered the Council Chambers.
"Captain Keller. This is a Jedi matter. You are not required to be here." said Windu
"I have come to speak on Skywalker's behalf Master Windu. Ambassador Spock has also agreed to speak." replied Keller
"Allow them to speak on Skywalker's behalf we will."
"Anakin you are in violation of the Jedi Code by marrying Senator Amidala. Do you have anything to say?"
"Only that I do not regret marrying her. If the Council does expel me, I am prepared to transmit an application to Starfleet Academy. I can still find purpose in my life."
Windu nodded. He was well aware of Skywalker's plans and approved. "A prudent course of action Anakin."
"Captain Keller, a statement you wish to make?"
"Yes Master. Since I met Skywalker, he has been most helpful to the Federation and the Republic. I've studied his war record. He is the most successful commander you have-"
"And the most reckless." said Windu
"Don't mistake bravery for recklessness. In war you do what needs to be done, regardless of the cost." replied Keller
"We will take his record into account when we render our decision. Ambassador Spock, you wish to make a statement as well?" said Windu
"I do. Forgive me for questioning your Code, but it is illogical to assume someone will turn to the Dark Side simply by forming an attachment. In all your history not a single Sith or Dark Jedi has been recorded as having a family or close friends. In fact the relationship between Master and Apprentice is a type of attachment is it not? Skywalker was apprenticed to Master Obi-Wan Kenobi for ten years before the start of the war. In those ten years he formed an attachment yet never once turned to the Dark Side. Furthermore by expelling Jedi Skywalker now, in the midst of a war, you deprive your military of a capable commander. I submit that if you decide to expel Skywalker, then you must delay his actual expulsion until after the war is over."
"Thank you Ambassador, Captain for your thoughts. We will take them into consideration. Please wait outside with Skywalker." said Windu
The three men bowed respectfully and left the chambers.
It did not take long for the Council to make its decision. Anakin was called back into the Chambers and stood in the circle.
"Anakin Skywalker. It is the decision of this council to expel you from the Jedi Order...after the war. You will retain command of your detachment of troops. Once the conflict is over you will be expected to return all items belonging to the Jedi Order including your lightsaber. Personally I wish we didn't have to do this. But the Code is clear. Perhaps in time. Another council will...revise the Code. But until that time the Code must be honored. You may return to active duty and wait for your next assignment."
Anakin was surprised to say the least.
"Correct the Ambassador was, illogical it is to expel a capable commander from the battlefield." said Yoda
Before anyone could say anything else, the all the Jedi grimaced at the same time. They heard via the Force the cries of the dying.
Keller and Spock entered the Chambers and helped Skywalker up. "What happened?" asked Keller
"A great disturbance in the Force...thousands of voices...cry out they did in terror." said Yoda, struggling to breath amid the pain "Silenced they were."
Then without warning Keller combadge beeped. "Agamemnon to Keller."
"Go ahead." he repiled
"We've just received a priority one signal from Starfleet Command...The CIS have attacked a colony near the rift. Over 50,000 people were murdered. Starfleet has ordered all ships to alert status. They've also asked me to inform Ambassador Spock to negotiate a military Alliance with the Republic. Our current orders are to protect the Ambassador at all costs. Then when the fleet arrives, a small detachment will escort you to the rift and carry the Ambassador back to Earth. Starfleet has already reinforced the defenses around the rift to prevent any further incursions."
"How bad were our military losses?" asked Keller
"We lost a dozen ships at the rift along with a pair of Ambassador-class heavy cruisers in orbit over the colony. They hit us with almost a hundred ships sir, but we gave as good as we got. We destroyed the majority of their fleet before they jumped to hyperspace to the colony and killed all but one as they attempted to fight their way back to this galaxy."
"Did Starfleet say when the fleet would arrive?"
"They said the first few ships will be there within a week. Most of those were the ones that were here earlier and equipped with hyperdrive. Starfleet is working as fast as it can to refit as many ships as possible. The Klingon Empire is also sending warships and Starfleet has shared the hyperdrive technology with the Klingons. Starfleet Command wants some recommendations from you about how to integrate the fleets."
"I'll consult with the Jedi on this. Keep me informed. Keller out." turning to the Council. "The CIS probably thought they could intimidate us into not assisting the Republic. But instead of intimidating us...all they did was royally tick us off."