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Star Wars AU The Triumph of Darth Plagueis: Episode Fourteen – Clones Wars Part 5 The Trial of Bail Organa

By

Celgress

The Bridge of the Malevolence, somewhere in interstellar space

The Sith cyborg General Darth Grievous, supreme commander of the droid arms of the Confederacy, knelt down on one knee before a hologram of the Grandmaster of his Order Darth Plagueis. Grievous' amber eyes gleamed in anticipation of new orders, praise or both. Plagueis hadn't directly contacted Grievous since ordering the raid on the Jedi Temple. Kneeling besides the General was fellow Sith Darth Avengia, aka Asajj Ventress, her trademarked sour look plastered across her otherwise attractive features.

"What is your bidding master?" the two Sith asked in near perfect unison.

"Lord General Grievous and Lady Avengia I was most pleased with the outcome of your previous mission" said the hooded visage of Plagueis. The two lesser Sith beaming at the compliment they received from Plagueis. "In spite of my own and Lord Tyranus' best efforts there are still those in the Republican Senate who inexplicably believe in the innocence of disgraced Senator Bail Organa, chief amongst these is Senator Padme Amidala of Naboo. These stubborn detractors are doing everything in their power to slow down and otherwise obstruct both the investigation and the judicial progress. Organa's trial opens tomorrow thus the situation must be remedied at once."

"What do you propose master?" Avengia inquired.

"Yes merely tell us what must be done and we shall do it?" Grievous added.

"I appreciate your enthusiasm my disciples" the hologram of Plagueis said with a brief chuckle. "It is high time we gave the pesky Senator Amidala something else to worry about. General I want you to manage a surprise invasion followed by a short term occupation of the planet Naboo. Avengia I wanted you to command the ground forces. Besides securing the capital Theed your primary goal is the apprehension and subsequent detention of as many members of Senator Amidala's family as possible. Once your missions are completed the two of you will give a news interview outlining the demands of the CIS for the return of Naboo and the release of Senator Amidala's family to the Republic. You're only demand being the unconditional release of CIS spymaster Bail Organa into the custody of Count Dooku. The operation must be launched within the next three standard solar days. Do not disappoint me."

"Thy will be done master" said the lesser Sith bowing low. Without any sign of acknowledgement the hologram of Plagueis blinked out of existence.

Crousant

Newly minted Jedi Master Obi-wan Kenobi feared this was a bad idea. His current Padawan Katooni had begged him to let her attend the opening day of former Senator Bail Organa's high treason trial. In spite of his better judgement, after two weeks of Katooni's excessive cajoling, Obi-wan had relented in his objections to her being at the trial. Obi-wan was painfully aware his Padawan was having a very difficult time coming to grips both with the attack on the time and the resulting loss of her classmates. More than one night since the massacre Obi-wan had found himself consoling Katooni after a particularly vivid nightmare. Obi-wan feared Katooni would never emotionally re-center herself.

Thank the Force for Siri. If it wasn't for his love, yes his love, Obi-wan didn't know how he would have gotten through the past three months. Even though Obi-wan knew it was technically wrong, it was against the Jedi Code, still he had come to depend upon Siri. While the two hadn't yet been fully intimate, they had come close on several occasions. One time only being prevented from taking their relationship to the next level by one of Katooni's aforementioned, all too frequent, nightmares. Besides being Obi-wan's rock Siri had become a default mother figure to Katooni. A maternal influence the girl desperately needed.

The Jedi Order itself was changing. One of the side effects of the changes seemed sadly to be a lack of emotional control. Obi-wan had been shock when in a Council meeting, only his third, after Bail Organa's arrest the always cranky yet coldly logical Mace Windu briefly lost control of his own anger. Windu had violently argued that Organa should stand trial before the Jedi Council not the Senate. The crux of Windu's argument being it was the Order which had suffered the most from Organa's alleged treachery rather than the Republic as a whole. Shaak Ti disagreed contending that due process must run its' course. The one on one debate between the two ended with both getting out of their seats. It was only the intervention of Yoda which had prevented the situation from spiraling further out of control. Nerves were certainly raw that much was certain. Many of the new, physically older, recruits were very vocal at their displeasure and even distain for the strict rules of the Jedi Code. The no emotional attachments clause was especially decisive. Many of the new recruits had lovers, even in a few cases families, which they were unwilling to give up. While the Council hotly debated how exactly the situation should be handled many pre-existing Jedi, in particular the younger knights, were becoming increasingly envious of the new recruits' ability to freely pursue romantic and familial relationships without consequences. Obi-wan certainly wasn't looking forward to the eventual Council sessions where these matters would be resolved. The entire situation was a mess and it made Obi-wan feel like a galactic sized hypocrite.

"Hear ye, hear ye. The People of the Second Galactic Republic vs. Bail Prestor Organa of Alderaan on the charge of high treason against the state will now commence" announced the chief ceremonial officer of the Senate. A rotating post currently filled by a male Quarren. "Who speaks for the prosecution?"

"I do" said a green skinned male Twi'lek named Bib'Calmin rising from the prosecutor's box.

"Who speaks for the defense?" the Quarren asked.

"I do" said a female Rodian named Jetdowa who stood in the defendant box besides Bail Organa.

"Then I declare this trail has officially commenced" said the Quarren. "Chief Prosecutor Calmin you may now give your opening statement."

Seated in the special section reserved for Jedi Siri, who was sitting to his right, squeezed Obi-wan's hand. The Jedi masters exchanged quick looks at each other than two worried looks at Katooni, who was seated to Obi-wan's left, her attention riveted on the spectacle unfolding before them. Both Obi-wan & Siri knew in the heart or hearts it was going to be a long, hard trial.

Nothing much happened the first day. The proceedings were filled by the opening arguments. By the end of the day things looked worse than ever for Bail Organa. The Prosecution stated it would enter into evidence clandestine holo recordings of the defendant meeting with top Separatists including Nute Gunray, General Grievous and even Count Dooku himself during which he passed on Republican top level defense secrets, along with hidden transfer of credits and resources from known CIS organizations into several shell companies belonging to the Organa Family.

That evening Obi-wan, Siri, Katooni, Anakin, Ahsoka and Padme all met for supper at their favorite bistro. The mood in the booth was rather somber. Everyone was enjoying each other's company, as much as possible, when Ahsoka spoke up.

"I think they should've let the Jedi Council deal with Organa, not the Senate. You know they'll let him off with a slap on the wrist. They always protect their own."

"Ahsoka" Siri gasped in shock.

"What is that supposed to mean Ahsoka?" Padme said obviously annoyed at the Padawan's comment.

"Look I like you Padme" Ahsoka began. "Even you must admit the Senate has a certain reputation when it comes to corruption. I'm just saying Organa should be tried by a less tainted body."

"Why so you can kill him?" Padme asked her brown eyes flashing with anger. "In spite of always preaching forgiveness the Jedi want revenge not justice, admit it!"

"If he did what he's accused of, yeah he should die" Ashoka said crossing her arms just below her chest. "Need I remind you Senator I lost my best friend Bariss, because of what that man did. Everyone at this table has lost people they cared about because of his actions."

"Snips that is enough!" Anakin said slamming his hand down hard on the middle of the table. Katooni flicked at Anakin's clear display of anger.

"I should've known you'd take the side of your 'best friend', the dear Senator my master" Ahsoka said glaring dangers at Anakin and Padme. "You always take her side. I'm your Padawan for Force shake, yet you choose her over me every time! I need some air. I'll be at the Temple if anyone needs me." Ahsoka got up and quickly left the restaurant.

"I want to go home master" Katooni said a mixture of fear and sadness in her young eyes. "I'd don't feel good."

"Oh Katooni" Obi-wan sighed. "I'm sorry, but we have to go. I hope we can do this some other time, hopefully with better results." Obi-wan said offering Padme & Anakin a weak smile. Then he, Katooni & Siri left.

"Nice meal" Anakin grumbled tossing aside a rolled up napkin.

The next day was filled by more opening arguments. The third day of the trail was to be the first day formal witnesses would be called however that never happened. Early in the day an emergency recess was called because of 'breaking news'. Arriving at the Jedi Council chamber Siri & Obi-wan were shocked by what they learned.

"What you are about to see was broadcast mere moments ago on all major holo news outlets" Mace Windu said his expression, if possible, was more serious than usual.

In the center of the chamber an image of Grievous flickered into life. "Greetings citizens of the Republic I am General Grievous supreme commander of the Confederacy droid armies. The forces under my command have occupied the planet Naboo. I demand the immediate release of Bail Organa into the custody of Count Dooku. Unless my demands are met within the next two solar days I and my lovely colleague Avengia will began executing members of the ruling elite, starting with the immediate family of Naboo Senator Padme Amidala." Avengia stepped into the holographic image holding an ignited lightsaber in one arm and the terrified Ruwee Naberrie in the other. "Grievous out, end transmission."

"Can we get anyone there before the deadline?" Shaak Ti asked

"No too far away our closest agents are" Yoda said shaking his head sadly. "Give over Bail Organa we must."

"With all due respect Grandmaster, we cannot hand over this traitor to the Separatists. It would set a terrible precedent" said the usually jovial Kit Fisto.

"I agree" Windu said. "We must stand firm."

"And allow innocent people to die?" Siri said in disbelief. "Surely there must be another way?"

"Bail Organa must pay for his crimes" Windu retorted.

"At what cost?" Obi-wan countered.

The debate both between the Jedi and in the Senate went on long into the night. In the end however it was agreed by both bodies Bail Organa would be turned over to the Separatists in return for Naboo. The Senators for their part conceded so because mounting a full scale invasion of Naboo would be far too costly at the time, nearly the entire fleet having already been committed to operations in the mid and inner Rim. In spite of protests by Bail Organa himself the date, place and time of the exchange were quickly agreed upon. Even Organa's former staunch allies, like Padme, had now turned against him. The disgraced former Senator soon found himself aboard Dooku's personal command ship.

"Count Dooku" Bail said flanked by two electro-staff wielding MangaGuards on either side.

"Ah former Senator Organa it is wonderful to see you again. I do hope the Republican guards were gentle with you while in custody. I've heard rumors the clones can often get carried away when interrogating traitors" Dooku said with a knowing smile.

"You slim you framed me!" Bail snarled lunging forward only to be caught in the back by two electro-staffs. Bail fell before Dooku's feet in agony.

"Correct" Dooku said simply. "If you wish to survive I strongly suggest you embrace your new reputation. Think of it as life imitating art. Otherwise your new career shall be a short one. If such an eventually occurs who will safeguard the continued happiness of your loved ones, hmmm?" Laughter filled the room followed by the agonized shrieks of Bail Organa as Dooku unleashed a torrent of force lightning upon the helpless man.

To Be Continued