well if you couldn't tell by the title we have finally reached Ahsoka's trial. all the dialogue from the trial comes from the episode "the wrong Jedi"
i've been writing this chapter and the chapter that comes after this and skip one and the chapter that comes after that all at the same time this week as the inspiration came.
i was kinda stuck as to what to do after the trial and then i watched the lost missions again so yeah.
this chapter also ended up being a lot longer than the others. just had a point that i wanted to get to before the next chapter. that i had already started writing.
so here you go: Lux, the trial, and another comm.

Soniee stepped out of the lift and preoccupied by the revelation about her friend's pregnancy, almost forgot where she was supposed to be going. She started walking absently down the 16th floor hallway, then stopped and tapped her visitor badge.

"Turn around and go back the way you have come," the badge instructed her.

After several turns down identical hallways, she finally found herself outside the door of room 16034.

"You have reached your destination," the badge informed her.

"Well thanks." She mumbled. "Hope you can help me find my way back out of here again."

She stared at the door. What would Lux say? It was her fault he was in here after all. It might be a very short visit. He might kick her out, call for security. She realized she hadn't really thought this through. She only wanted to make sure he was okay. She could have just asked at the desk how he was doing, or even commed from Padme's apartment. Why had she thought it was necessary to see Lux for herself.

"You have reached your destination," the badge said again.

"Yes, I know that." She snapped back at it. And then the door slid open in front of her.

"Ah, I thought I heard voices out there," called Lux. He was sitting up in his bed with a bandage wrapped around his head like a turban. Soniee could smell the sickly-sweet scent of Bacta. The bandage must have been infused with the stuff, doing it's healing work on Lux's skull. But he seemed alright. He even smiled at her. "Soniee, come in."

"Hi," she said softly, forcing her feet to take one step after another into the room. "I wasn't sure if you'd want to see me."

"Why wouldn't I want to see you? We're friends, aren't we?"

"Well yes, but..." She gestured at his turban. "I did that to you."

"I'm told it was self defense." He frowned. "I rather thought you wouldn't want to see me. I apologize. They said that I came on to you and that you pushed me away." He looked confused. "I don't know maybe I'd had too much wine or maybe there was someone else I wanted to kiss and you were just the one who..."

"No, no it wasn't your fault. I don't blame you for anything." Soniee hurried to reassure him. "You don't remember any of it? Nothing at all?"

His brow creased. "I remember being at the party and having a glass of wine. I don't believe I'd had more than one glass though. And then the news got 'round about Ahsoka being hunted in the lower levels. I took it rather badly, I think, wasn't a very good party guest. And then the Chancellor spoke to me. He reminded me that you had just lost your friend. The one you mentioned when we did that chant, Amis?"

She nodded and sat down on the edge of the bed, silently letting him continue.

"I'm sorry Soniee. I had no idea. Palpatine said that you and Amis were..."

"We... it's..." She had almost forgotten the lie she had told Almec and the Chancellor about why she had stayed in Sundari when the rest of the Academy cadets had been sent home.

Lux reached out and patted her hand.

Soniee flinched, but no voice urged her to further physical contact.

"He, the Chancellor, pointed you out across the room," Lux continued. "He said it might be good if I went to speak to you. When I looked for you again you had gone. And then... then... Then I woke up here at the med center." He shrugged.

She nodded, relieved that he didn't recall any more than that.

"What I don't get," Lux shook his head and then groaned and put a hand to his bandage. "Is how you had enough force to push me or pull down that vase or whatever it was you did."

"Force?" Soniee mumbled.

"Are you sure you're not a Jedi?"

"I'm not a..."

He gave her a disbelieving frown.

"I- I was never trained by the Order to use the Force." She admitted.

"But you can use the Force, can't you? Ha! I knew it!" Lux grinned smugly at her. Then his face softened into a look of concern. "So what happened then? Did I actually..."

"No," She denied quickly. "No it wasn't you. I mean it was you but you weren't, you weren't in control..."

"You think someone was controlling me?" Lux asked, alarmed.

"Yes, I mean, that's what it seemed like. I think..." She didn't feel any presence of the voice now so she felt more confident to be honest with him. "I think there's someone, a force user, who knows that I have powers and they're testing me, trying to make me use them, to see how far I'll go. They..." Soniee looked at him uncomfortably. "I think they wanted to see if I would ki- if I would hurt you. I..." she dropped her gaze, "I was trying not hurt you but..."

"Well, we've got to stop them. We'll go to Kenobi or one of the other Jedi. Surely they would know how to make this stop. You must have some idea of who's doing this to you?"

"I." Fear suddenly gripped her. She did have an idea of who was responsible but he was so powerful. If he could get into her head, if he could control Lux, if he wanted to tempt her to do such awful things, what would he do if he was exposed? She couldn't reveal his identity. "No!" she exclaimed and then tried to calm herself, "No, I don't have any idea who's doing it. And-and besides it seems fine today. Look here we are, alone together, and I feel no compulsion at all."

Lux gave her a concerned frown but he let the mater drop. "Alright, well then, tell me what's been going on while I've been out. I know they were... hunting Ahsoka last night. Did they... find her?"

Soniee heard the break in his voice and knew he was worried. It was probably the one thing he'd most been wanting to ask since he'd woken up. "Yes." Soniee began honestly but gently. "Yes, they found her. She's alive and well as far as I know. There was an emergency session of the Senate this morning about what to do with her. They..." She watched him for a reaction, and though he was guarding his emotions admirably, she could sense the turmoil inside him. "The Senate requested that she should stand before a Republic Military tribunal rather than an internal Jedi trial. That it would be more objective." Soniee hurried on believing it better to have it all out quickly and over with. "She was expelled from the Jedi order."

Lux let out a deep sigh of anger and sadness.

"Fox says it will be better for her to have a more objective trial."

"What about Padme?" Lux asked. "What did she say? She's friends with Ahsoka also."

"I haven't spoken to her," said Soniee. "She didn't come back to the apartment after the Senate meeting. Lux, I was told the trial would probably be holo recorded. It might be starting even now."

He turned to his bedside table and rummaged for the controller for the room's holo screen. It didn't take long to find a network that was carrying the trial.

The image of Admiral Tarkin's pinched face appeared and he read out the charges in his hard clipped voice. "Former Padawan Tano, I shall prove that you were the mastermind behind the attack on the Jedi Temple, and that, once your accomplices carried out your orders, you eliminated them one by one. When you are found guilty, I ask the court that the full extent of the law be brought down upon you, including penalty of death."

Lux and Soniee looked at each other and then back at the holo image where Senator Amidala stepped forward as the speaker for the defense.

"So, that's why she didn't come back." said Soniee. "Padme will set them straight." She patted Lux's hand encouragingly and then because he still looked worried and because she was feeling more comfortable in their just being friends with no interference from the Force, Soniee kept holding on to his hand for reassurance.

Padme made her opening statement, "Look at the facts. Letta Turmond called Ahsoka to her cell to reveal the name of the true mastermind behind the bombing of the Jedi Temple. Letta told Ahsoka she was afraid. She told her the mastermind was a Jedi, and before she could reveal the Jedi's name, Letta Turmond was strangled to death by way of the Force. Why would Ahsoka kill Letta with a method that would so obviously tie the murder to her? A Jedi may be responsible for the murder, but that Jedi is not Ahsoka Tano. Members of the court, you are prosecuting the wrong Jedi."

Tarkin walked up clapping, "Well said, Senator Amidala. However, if she is innocent, then why was she seen conspiring with known Separatist terrorist Asajj Ventress?"

"Ventress set me up. My master will prove that." Ahsoka, asserted.

"And where is your master?" Tarkin asked.

Ahsoka gestured with hands restrained in glowing blue binders. "He's trying to find the real murderer."

Tarkin glared at her. "Then maybe he should be looking at you!"

"Hey Soniee," Lux asked, turning away from the holoimage. "What if... Do you think it's possible that Ahsoka did those things that they say she did?"

"What?" Soniee was shocked. "I think you got a knock on the head."

"Yeah thanks." He smirked. "But what if some one is messing with her through the Force like they were messing with you. What if she did all that but it wasn't really her? And what if she doesn't remember, just like I don't remember what I did you you?"

"I suppose that's possible." Soniee had never thought of it before but it made sense, especially when the station announcer made way for the live trial coverage to continue and Palpatine himself began to speak to the court. She still couldn't quite believe that he was the Force user who was trying to seduce her to the dark side but she couldn't think of him as the kindly old ba'buir that she had once believed him to be either.

"I'm sure many of you look at this former Jedi and think, 'Surely she cannot be this murderer or saboteur that they speak of.' And yet, think of all the times we have been fooled by the Separatists, and how they have infiltrated the republic, and ask yourself, 'Is this yet another Separatist scheme, another way to rip the Jedi, and subsequently all of us, apart?'"

"Separatist scheme," Lux mumbled angrily as the courtroom dissolved from the image and an annalist appeared to give his take on the proceedings while the Jury deliberated. Lux muted the sound but left the image running so they could see when the trial would resume.

Soniee had completely forgotten that until very recently Lux and the rest of his planet were a part of the Confederation of Independent Systems.

"You've been careful to distance yourself from the CIS." She broached the subject carefully.

"Wanted to be as far away from them as possible after Dooku killed my mother." He growled. "And Ahsoka fought with us on Onderon to rid our planet of a Separatist tyrant. She'd never be involved in helping them."

"Does it bother you at all that Mandalore is a neutral system, that we don't want to take sides?" Soniee asked.

"No, I - not at all." Lux looked thoughtful for a moment. "The Duchess was one of the bravest people I've ever met. It can't have been easy to lead a people who have a long proud warrior past in peace for so many years."

"It wasn't easy for her." She nodded.

Lux smiled. "And I think you are brave for following in her footsteps."

"Well no, I'm not..." she hedged.

"I mean it," he continued. "I know you came to Coruscant to ask for military assistance but now that that isn't necessary, I think you'll do very well at continuing her cause of neutrality."

Soniee blushed. She was thankful that she no longer had the compulsion to be physically attracted to him. He could be charming enough on his own. She nodded thanks to his complement. "I still don't know that I'm cut out for politics."

He was about to say something else when the holo went back to trial coverage. He turned up the sound and a being from the Jury stepped forward, "The members of the court have reached a decision."

Mas Amedda handed a data pad to the Chancellor and Lux squeezed Soniee's hand almost painfully tight.

Palpatine began to read out the verdict, "Ahsoka Tano, by an overwhelming count of..."

He was interrupted by General Skywalker storming into the courtroom followed by several members of the Coruscant Guard, "Chancellor!"

Soniee actually felt a rush of pride when she saw the red and white armor. Fox wasn't among them with his distinctive black visor but they answered to her al'verde, she knew, and their presence with Skywalker could only mean something positive for Ahsoka. Her master must have found something in her favor.

Palpatine bristled "I hope you have a reason for bursting into our proceedings, Master Skywalker."

"I'm here with evidence and a confession from the person responsible for all the crimes Ahsoka has been accused of." He stepped aside and the guard troopers parted. "Barris Offee, member of the Jedi Order and traitor."

Soniee gasped, "No, it can't be." And then she was gripping Lux's hand.

Ahsoka was just as stunned. "Barris, is that true?"

Her master addressed the Mirialan, "Tell them the truth."

Barris stepped forward and as she spoke it all fit together in Soniee's mind. "I did it, because I've come to realize what many people in the Republic have come to realize, that the Jedi are the ones responsible for this war, that we've so lost our way that we've become villains in this conflict, that we are the ones that should be put on trial, all of us! And my attack on the Temple was an attack on what the Jedi have become, an army fighting for the dark side, fallen from the light that we once held so dear. This Republic is failing! It's only a matter of time."

"Take her away," the Chancellor drawled when she had finished her speech.

Lux shut off the holo but he didn't speak.

Soniee shook her head. "I should have seen it, should have felt it. We spoke about the Order, about the war and she told me not to go back to the hanger..."

She was startled, then, by the comm pinging in her buy'ce and her entire countenance changed. She looked up at Lux practically glowing. It was Korkie! She knew it had to be, even before she checked the ID. Lagos had said she was going to find him and make him send a comm. "I'm gonna take this outside. Will you be alright?"

"Ahsoka is cleared. I'm great!" He grinned at her.

"Okay, I'll see you." She stood and walked out into the hallway holding her helmet in front of her as if it were the most precious of treasures.

When Lux's door had shut behind her she put it on and nearly croaked, "Korkie?"

But it was not his voice that answered. "Soniee Ordo, what have you gotten yourself mixed up in?"

"Momma?" she answered, defeated, only then looking at the ID and seeing that the comm originated from Veeka's shop.

"I traced the ship you flew. Do you know who that kom'rk belonged to? It belonged to Kyr'tsad! Death Watch, Son'ika! Do you hear me?"

Soniee gave a weary sigh. "Yes, Buir, I hear you and... I know the ship once belonged to the Death Watch."

"You knew?" Veeka was frantic. "Did you steal it from the shabuire or have you joined them?"

"Momma! I would never..." She swallowed and tried to collect herself and answer in a way that would make her mother understand without giving away Bo-Katan's secrets. "W-we had an ally in the battle of Sundari. She was once a part of Death Watch but left it before she joined with us. It was her ship and she asked me to fly it since I was familiar with the make and model."

"There's something else." Momma continued and Soniee could tell her mother was pacing now, not assured in the least by her daughter's explanation. "When you were a baby there were rumors that the Duchess was carrying a child... Pre Viszla's child... Now that child would be just about the age of your... There was always some question about her taking in that boy as her ward, even if she did call him nephew."

"Buir, Korkie is not and has never been a member of Death Watch and Pre Viszla is not his father."

"But how can you be sure, Son'ika?"

"Because..." She had promised never to tell a soul, but this was her mother, and Buir wouldn't stop digging until she found out the answer anyway. "His mother told him, and he told me, and that's when I knew it would be safe for me to tell him my secret. It's how I knew I could trust him and he could trust me." She mumbled. "If he does still trust me."

"Have you given him reason not to trust you?"

Soniee didn't know what to say.

"Son'ika, does this have something to do with that boy from Onderon?"

"Lux is a Senator, Momma." She sighed. "And no, he's just a friend." Thankfully she knew that to be true now. "You can't believe everything in those gossip holos."

"Is that what the Kryze boy believes?"

"No... not exactly."

"Soniee Ordo, what aren't you telling me?" Momma asked in that voice that brooked no argument.

"Korkie commed me but... someone else answered it."

"A male someone?"

"Yes, Momma."

"And why was a male someone answering your comm link?"

"Because I was asleep at the time?" And then she decided to just tell the rest it would be easier. "He's the Commander of the Coruscant Guard. He was... guarding me."

Momma sounded incredulous. "The commander of the guard has access to your personal comm link while you are sleeping?"

"He's also kind of in love with me and I have no idea what he said to Korkie but now I think Korkie doesn't want to speak to me and he may have left the safe house where he was staying and I'm so afraid that Almec or somebody is going to find him," she said all in one breath.

"Son'ika," Veeka tried to reason with her daughter. "You said Korkie asked you to marry him."

"He did."

"And what was your answer?" Momma asked.

"I sent him a comm to tell him yes but I don't think he ever got it."

"Does his hearing or not hearing the message change the fact that you said yes?"

"No, Buir, it doesn't."

"Where is he? You must have some idea if you know that he left the safe house where he was staying."

Soniee took a deep breath. "Lagos said something about a seamstress and I'm pretty sure she meant in... Keldabe."

"Ner ad'ika, I will go and look for him but you have to be sure this is what you really want? If you are going to be distracted by the first man in armor who takes notice of you, you may need to re-think your priorities."

"Yes, Momma. I really just want to talk to Korkie and be sure."

"Alright, Son'ika. I'll send you a comm when I reach Manda'yaim."

"Thank you, Buir."

The whole conversation had taken place on the internal comm system of the buy'ce so no one could have heard even Soniee's side of it if they were passing by. She had been so involved in it that she didn't realize that someone had passed by or that he had stopped and was standing there quietly watching her.

"Kriff!" She gasped when she took off her helmet and saw the red and white armor but the pattern of the paint was different and he didn't have Fox's signature in the Force.

The clone laughed and pulled off his own helmet. "Sorry to startle you, Miss. The Commander asked me to come and escort you back to the Senator's."

"Lieutenant Acklay, isn't it?"

"That's right. You remembered."

"Well, I appreciate you letting me test out that bowcaster." She smiled weakly at him. "I didn't expect it to be so light. Thank you for warning me about the kickback."

He nodded and then pulled a small blaster out of one of his belt pouches and handed it to her. "Speaking of which, Commander wanted you to have this."

The elegant Westar fit comfortably in her hand. She checked the charge on the power cell and made sure the safety was on before she slipped it into the back of her own belt. "So I can shoot him in the shebs for being such an over protective di'kut." Then she frowned and bit her lip. She had already injured him once in very nearly that spot.

Acklay grinned, "I'll let you two sort that out when he comes to check on you later. I'm just following orders." He set his helmet back in place. "Ready to go?"

"Lead on, Lieutenant."