DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything.
Ferus kept his head down and his arms buried in his cloak. He could feel Obi Wan's Force presence next to him but it was very weak, disguised to feel like a non-Force sensitive being. He had done the same to his own presence so that they could sneak into the Senate building.
Anakin and Padme's trials were scheduled to begin within the hour. After Ahsoka had returned with her disturbing report, Obi Wan had decided that they would all be present for the trial. Pieter and Rex had gone on ahead of them. Rex wore his Clone trooper uniform right down to the standard issue blaster tucked into its holster at his waist. He was to infiltrate the guard troopers surrounding the prisoners and if he got the chance, to try and talk to either Anakin or Padme. Pieter was disguised as a reporter, so he could enter the Senate building unchallenged hours before the trial was due to begin. Obi Wan, Ferus and Ahsoka were going to blend in with the small crowd of civilians that were allowed to watch the trial live.
Obi Wan and Ferus were near the front of the crowd, keeping their heads down but eyes still searching the area for any sign of trouble. Ahsoka was somewhere behind them but Ferus wasn't as familiar with her presence so he just had to trust she was alright.
The crowd of civilians moved eagerly through the Senate building, friends whispering to friends, trying to guess what the punishments would be. It hadn't taken Ferus long to figure out that all of these civilians were Separatists. They obviously believed that Anakin and Padme deserved whatever punishment they were going to get. After overhearing a rude comment about Padme, Ferus had to grit his teeth and release his anger into the Force. After that he steadfastly ignored the whispers.
When they entered the Grand Convocation Chamber, the group broke into two and seated themselves in the two waiting pods. Obi Wan and Ferus found themselves separated from Ahsoka but she gave them a subtle nod to let them know she was fine.
Ferus glanced around the giant chamber, searching out the reporter's pod. It wasn't hard to locate. Most of the pods contained only two or three Senators who were ready to help pass judgement so besides the two civilians pods, only one other had a small group within. It was below the civilian pods and slightly to the right, on the same level as the podium in the centre. As usual, Ferus couldn't feel Pieter's presence through the Force due to his strange ability but he spotted Pieter's mess of dark hair easily.
Nearly fifteen minutes past before the Emperor and his entourage made their way onto the podium. Besides Palpatine there was Anakin and Padme and eight Clone troopers. Ferus silently hoped that Rex was among them.
The eight Clones moved to the lower level of the podium and silently stood to attention. Both Anakin and Padme joined Palpatine on the upper level, flanking him on either side. Ferus watched them carefully, trying to see if either was injured in any way.
From what he could see they looked physically fine. Padme was wearing a plain white dress that reached her knees, her hands bound behind her back. She looked a little defiant; her head held high so she could make eye contact with the Senators but Ferus noticed the anxious glances she flicked towards Anakin. Her husband was on his knees beside the Emperor, his hands bound the same as hers but he was also bound to Palpatine by a chain leash. His head was bowed and his shoulders slumped in defeat. Ahsoka hadn't been exaggerating about Anakin in her report. He looked exhausted and beat.
Ferus felt Obi Wan stiffen beside him but didn't acknowledge the older man. They had to appear indifferent like the Separatists they were seated with.
"Today is a victorious day for us. The Rebellion has been against the order and peace I am trying to give this galaxy since the beginning. They have ruthlessly murdered many of our representatives, all of them brothers, fathers and sons callously taken from their families. Not only that, they have destroyed countless buildings and infrastructure that has cost us millions of credits - credits that could have been used to improve our schools and hospitals instead of rebuilding them."
Ferus narrowed his eyes at the lies the Emperor was spouting. He tuned out the rest of Palpatine's "justice" speech and instead scanned the room. Many of the Senators and civilians were nodding along with the Emperor's words while the other's simply looked bored. He glanced once at Ahsoka but he couldn't see her face under her hood. Pieter was absorbed in his role, studiously taking notes and seeming to pay a great deal of attention to everything that was said.
Ferus looked over to the small group of Clones but as they were all wearing the same uniform, he couldn't tell which one was Rex. That was until he noticed one of them tapping casually against his blaster. They all had their blasters held against their chests, ready for use at any moment. This Clone was standing no differently but his fingers seemed to tap out a rhythm against the weapon. A grin touched Ferus' lips.
Before they'd left, the small group had agreed on a wordless code they could use to communicate in case of a situation like this one, where they were separated but still within sight of each other. The code was an old one that Obi Wan had suggested. As the years passed and technology advanced in leaps and bounds, the old hand signals and motions had been long forgotten. But not by Obi Wan. Rex, raised as a soldier, knew these signals better than even the Jedi, who had also had to learn them in their training.
It took a couple of minutes for Ferus to decipher what Rex was trying to tell them. After realising that Rex was just repeating the same thing over and over, it was easier for Ferus to put the symbols into words and words into two sentences.
No contact made. Boss shows no sign of resistance towards anything.
Ferus sat back, frowning. Anakin had never been a quitter, never gave in and always fought hard for absolutely anything he believed in. His love for Padme had proved stronger than anyone could imagine, allowing him to resist the tempting pull of the dark side and the influence of Emperor Palpatine.
But looking at him now, no one would believe he was the same man. There was no fight in him and he didn't even look once at Padme. That was the most worrying thing. Ferus' resolve hardened. Anakin needed their help and he needed it quickly.
"But the Empire is not a vengeful one," Palpatine was saying. "We will not lower ourselves to the standards set by the Resistance. While many of you may believe that we should afford them the same punishments they so readily give to our warriors, which is not what this Empire is about. So neither Padme Skywalker nor her husband Anakin Skywalker will be issued with the death penalty. To do so would not only martyr them to their followers but we will become no better than them. No, they shall receive the punishment most suited to their crimes."
Palpatine paused, eyeing his captivated crowd. Ferus could feel the anticipation in the air as hundreds of ears strained to hear the Emperor's verdict. Ferus even found himself leaning forward as though that would help him hear Palpatine's words before he'd spoken them.
Once Palpatine was sure he had everyone's attention, he delivered the final blow.
"Anakin Skywalker," he paused again, glancing at the young man at his right who hadn't moved during his entire speech. "Padme Skywalker." She raised her head higher, her face impassive as Palpatine faced her. "You have both been found guilty of treason and countless other minor infractions to which you are to be sentenced with life imprisonment."
The Senators and civilians immediately started clapping and nodding their approval. Ferus swallowed hard and clapped along with everyone else. He could see Obi Wan doing the same at his side. As the crowd celebrated, Palpatine and his Clone guards escorted Anakin and Padme back into the depths of the Senate building.
That night, Pieter, Ferus, Ahsoka and Obi Wan sat in silence in their abandoned apartment. They were all deep in thought, trying to come up with a solution to this seemingly impossible problem. How were they to rescue Anakin and Padme when there were only five of them and they had no idea where either prisoner was?
The lift opened and Rex stepped out. He was still wearing his Clone attire but his helmet was tucked under his arm. Four sets of eyes turned in his direction as he entered the silent living area.
"Did you get the chance to talk to Anakin or Padme?" Ferus asked.
Rex shook his head. "No, it was too risky with those seven other guards there with us all the time. But I did overhear something a little bit helpful."
After a moment of silence Pieter sighed. "And that would be...?"
Rex grinned. "I know where Padme is being taken."