Chapter 7:
Anakin's Trial on Alderaan
As Vader, in shackles, is led to the podium to be questioned, many reporters and media personnel were writing notes and thinking of questions to ask him. The Magistrate brings the gravel down and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, there will be no Q and A at this time, but take your questions to Vader and or Master Kenobi at their convenience after the meeting. I'm sure both of these gentlemen will answer your questions during this time, so listen carefully." Bail signaled one of the bailiffs to dim the lights and shade the windows so that a light would be on Kenobi and Vader.
Bail Organa began the questioning. "Lord Vader, tell us what you've done to deserve what you're experiencing right now". Vader looked up and said, "I've turned to the Dark Side of the Force, fought and failed to defeat my former Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. He cut off my arms and legs on Mustafar." Bail had his hand under his chin, saying, "He thought you had burned to death and left you there?" "Yes. But my current Master, Palpatine, who is really the Sith Lord Sidious, found me and took me back to Coruscant and put me in this suit which you saw via the Enterprise data pads."
Bail stayed on the line of questioning, "When was it that you found that you could no longer be Darth Vader, when did your former self come into play?" "When I saw her and when the Enterprise came to her rescue and took me away to their ship and changed my appearance." Vader pointed straight at Leia. "Princess Leia?" asked Bail. "Yes". "And what was so special to you that appealed you to her?" With unseen tears of sorrow and remorse, Vader stood up, making the chains clank together. "She's my daughter." Gasps all around, even Bail looked surprised. "Your daughter? How do you know this?" "The Force has revealed this truth to me." Vader returned to his seat. Leia was sobbing but had the courage to wipe away the tears, to stand up. Bail recognizes her with a nod as she approached Vader's seat. "You have something to say of this allegation, milady?" the Magistrate asked. "It is no allegation, Father. The Enterprise doctor performed a DNA test on me and confirmed it. However, I have always known, somehow, that I had a father and it wasn't you, King Organa. When I saw Vader without the mask and healed by the doctor, I saw and sensed something different about him. Like he was not who we thought he was. If I can just see for a moment the true face behind the mask, I would know, through the burns of Mustafar that Anakin Skywalker still lives." Bail Organa was trying to keep from getting emotional. The Magistrate asked Kenobi, "Master General, is it possible that we can see what Vader really looks like?" Kenobi approached his selected podium, "Your Honor, I myself couldn't remove the mask of evil, so the Enterprise doctor 'beat me to it' as an old Earth saying goes. It is no mistake to say that Vader will die without this suit. While I was on my exile on Tatooine, my former Master Qui-Gon Jinn told me about netherworld of the Force, not just being one with the Force, but the unlimited powers of Force, of immortality. If I took Anakin Skywalker to Coruscant and had a meeting of the Jedi Council, I could summon them from their homes and conduct the ritual of resurrection." "Even on a living person?" Bail Organa. "That doesn't sound possible. The Jedi Council no longer exists. No offense Master Kenobi." "No offense taken your Majesty, but don't underestimate the power of the Force. It can be done with a clear mind and with concentration on the moment."
The Magistrate stood and said, "I believe that Kenobi has a legitimate claim on the custody of Lord Vader. We request that when this ritual is complete and Anakin Skywalker is truly before us, he will answer for the crimes of his past." Kenobi: "I believe the Force will guide the Council on their own trial against Anakin's turn to the Dark Side." The Magistrate ordered the court to be adjourned. He later approached Kenobi and Picard joined them. Bail asked, "Is it possible that we can witness this 'trial'?" "I believe it would be possible, but I'd have to ask my last remaining Master, Yoda. He is currently on Dagobah." Picard added, "The Enterprise will relay the message to your officers, sir." Bail inqiured about Yoda, "Does he know about this trial?" Kenobi closed his eyes and said, "Yes, I believe the Force has made him aware of this session." The Magistrate put a hand on Kenobi's shoulder and said, "Good luck." "Your Honor, in my experience, there's no such thing as luck." Both laughed. "May the Force be with you, sir."
The crew of the Enterprise returned to their ship and returned to their own galaxy after the trial of Anakin on Coruscant with the member of the Jedi Council.