I decided that after finishing this episode, I will improve a bit until chapter 6 resumes. As to what I will do when Season 6 starts, that remains to be seen. Anyhow, sit back and enjoy.
Chapter 5: Republic Courts
Starkiller stood alongside Ahsoka as they were both being led to the courts. Starkiller considered fighting out, but that would probably be a big mistake. Doing so would probably put a price on his head. Besides, Starkiller felt like he had a duty to stand and protect Ahsoka now that she was no longer a part of the Jedi order and she no longer had anyone reliable to talk to. Maybe, somehow, he could get them out of this mess. Until an opportunity presented itself, Starkiller chose to go with the flow.
The doors opened to reveal a large box room. It was very plain-looking. There were only a few platforms and the floor extended a few meters below. Assembled members of the courts sat in booths on one side of the room. Starkiller cast a glance at Ahsoka, who looked at him. He didn't know what to do. She felt hopeless and seemed to be reaching the end of hope. He didn't blame her.
Starkiller and Ahsoka stepped onto a platform. There was the sound of a staff beating of the floor. The platform moved to the center of the room. To Starkiller, this was like torture. He could live with being confined in jail, but this was worse. Being watched, judged, and hated by other people was not something he liked.
A door opened on one side of the room. Padme walked into the room and walked towards where the railings met at the center. From the opposite, Starkiller watched another man enter. He recalled that this was Admiral Tarkin. He was their opponent in this battle. Starkiller regarded him carefully. He walked with a neutral, yet determined face. He walked straight, typical of military officials. Starkiller disliked military leaders. They saw the force as something of a joke. They disrespected the ways of the force.
Starkiller directed his attention towards the balcony from which an older man entered. Starkiller immediately sensed something familiar: the dark side of the force. And it wasn't just any wielder. It sensed…familiar somehow. Ahsoka turned to look at Starkiller with a look of questioning. Realizing that this was not the place to be expressing his concern, he quickly resumed his attention to the Chancellor.
"Ahsoka Tano and Starkiller, you have both been charged with sedition against the Jedi order and the Republic itself. This court will decide your fates. Prosecutions, you may begin your arguments.
Admiral Tarkin stepped forth. "Former Padawan Tano, I shall prove that you, along with Starkiller, were the masterminds behind the attack on the Jedi Temple and that once your accomplices carried out your orders, you eliminated them one by one. When you're found guilty, I ask the court that the full extent of the law be brought down upon you, including penalty of death."
Starkiller looked to Ahsoka. She looked frightened, and though she didn't show it, furious. He gave her a slight nudge and looked at her with a firm, but meaningful. Glance. Ahsoka could tell what he was "saying." Stay strong, no matter what.
Padme stepped forward. "Look at the facts. Letta 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 was strangled to death by the ways 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. And Starkiller was not involved in this mess. He is just as unsure about whom the mastermind as you all are. Members of the court, you are prosecuting the wrong Jedi's."
Tarkin did a mocking clap. "Well-said, Senator Amidala, however, if she is innocent, then why was she seen conspiring with known Seperatist terrorist, Asajj Ventress?"
"Ventress set us up. My master will prove that." Ahsoka spoke with the same confidence Starkiller had motioned to her earlier. Starkiller said nothing, but he was secretly proud that she was strong, even in the atmosphere.
Tarking turned towards Ahsoka. "And where is your master?"
"He's trying to find the real murderer." She was still stander her ground.
"Then maybe, he should be looking at you," Tarking countered.
Ahsoka had a look of anger and hatred. Tarkin was not giving in. Starkiller was also angry, but he didn't let it show as much as Ahsoka did.
The Chancellor stepped up to speak. "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 yourselves, is this yet another Separatist scheme, another way to rip the Jedi and subsequently, us, apart?"
Ahsoka bowed her head. This was getting ridiculous. Now the Chancellor was getting in on Tarkin's side. This is supposed to be the Republic? It seemed to be more like the Empire, looking for excuses to eliminate anyone they could. Starkiller saw no difference between the two.
The room was silent for a moment as the court members discussed and voted. From the booth that the members of the courts sat, a court member rose. "The members of the court have reached a decision." Starkiller watched him tap a button on the device he held.
The Chancellor was offered the same device, which he took and looked at it for a second, then rose. "Ahsoka Tano," the Chancellor began. "By an overwhelming count of –"
"Chancellor." Starkiller and Ahsoka turned to see Anakin at the far end of the room.
The Chancellor turned his attention to Anakin. "I hope you have a reason for bursting into our proceedings, Master Skywalker."
Anakin stepped up to the platform. Behind him, there were four Jedi Temple Guards. Someone was in between the guards. "I am here with evidence and a confession from the person responsible for all the crimes Ahsoka has been accused of." For a moment, there was silence. Starkiller watched as Anakin moved to show the person behind him, guarded by Jedi Temple Guards. "Barriss Offee, member of the Jedi Order, and traitor."
Starkiller was slightly surprised, but not very surprised by this revelation. He sort of already knew it was Barriss, the way she avoided answering Ahsoka's questions directly, the way that the warehouse had been set up. Ahsoka would never expect the murderer and the saboteur to be a friend, someone she trusted. It was a clever plan, but it had been foiled.
"Barriss, is that true?" Ahsoka seemed like she didn't want to accept it, to accept that her "friend" had betrayed her and set her up.
"I did it, because I've come to realize what many people have come realize in the Republic, that the Jedi are the ones responsible for this war, that we've lost our way that we have 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 is 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."
Anakin took her and placed her in between the four Jedi Temple guards.
The Chancellor dismissed them. "Take her away."
Without so much as a nod, the Temple Guards led Barriss towards the door. Anakin turned to look at Ahsoka. He smiled at her. She smiled back, happy that she wasn't a criminal now, but soon, she dropped her head. Starkiller looked at her, questioning. Why was she acting so down? Wasn't she happy that she wasn't being charged anymore? Maybe she was reminiscing about the loss of a friend. Who knew? Starkiller just left her to her thoughts.
Starkiller stood a few feet away from the assembled Jedi Masters and Ahsoka. This was the first time he had been in the temple. He had been in that replica temple created by Kazdan Parratus, but this was the true thing. While the Jedi Masters kept an eye on Starkiller, they did not show a sign of uneasiness around him. Ahsoka had explained who he was, and they were willing to accept that. Starkiller wanted to thank her, but he instead listened in.
"Ahsoka," Anakin said. "I'm so sorry… about everything."
Although he couldn't see her face, Starkiller didn't need to see it to know that she was upset about Barriss.
Master Plo Koon spoke next. "You have our most humble apologies, little Ahsoka. The council was wrong to accuse you."
"You have shown such great strength and resilience in your struggle to prove your innocence," Master Saesee Tiin added.
"This is the true side of a Jedi Knight."
"This was, actually, your great trial. Now we see that. We understand that the force works in mysterious ways, and because of this trial, you have become a greater Jedi than you would've become otherwise."
There was a pause before Master Yoda spoke. "Back into the order, you may come."
"They're asking you back, Ahsoka." Anakin reached out and in his hand, Ahsoka could see her padawan braid. "I'm asking you back."
Starkiller could see her hesitating. Why was she faltering? Starkiller could only speculate at what was holding her back. For a long time, she looked at her braid. She held out her hand and instead of taking the bracelet, she closed Anakin's hand around it. Anakin looked surprised and shocked.
"I'm sorry, master, but I'm not coming back."
She then turned to leave. For a moment, Starkiller remained where he was, then he quickly followed her. As he moved by her side, he left her to her thoughts. Still, he had many questions. Why give up being a Jedi? It was something that she should be proud of, something that should be embraced. Ahsoka continued to look in the same direction with the same expression. As they walked through the Temple and outside to the view of the city, Starkiller's thoughts flew back to Darth Vader's betrayal. Although Anakin had not betrayed Ahsoka, she was in the same predicament as he was in a way.
"Ahsoka!"
She didn't stop to look behind her. Starkiller stopped and turned to see Anakin running towards her. Ahsoka kept walking and Anakin ran past Starkiller.
"Ahsoka, I need to talk to you."
She finally turned to face Anakin with a sad look in her eyes.
"Why are you doing this?"
"The council didn't trust me, so how can I trust myself?" She crossed her arms and turned her head away from Anakin.
So she renounced the Jedi Order because of self-doubt? How could she go all this way to prove her innocence to just give up now?
"What about me? I believed in you. I stood by you." Anakin seemed to be only angered by her logic.
The same sad look showed in her eyes. "I know you believe in me, Anakin, and I'm grateful for that, but this isn't about you. I can't stay her any longer, not now."
"The Jedi order is your life. You can't just throw it away like this. Ahsoka, you are making a mistake."
"Maybe, but I have to sort this out on my own, without the council, and without you."
Anakin remained silent. Then he looked the opposite way, acknowledging her decision. "I understand. More than you realize, I understand wanting to walk away from the order"
"I know." Ahsoka began walking again. Starkiller took off after, stopping only to face Anakin. "I will look after her."
Anakin looked Starkiller in the eyes. "You must promise me that she will come back."
Starkiller nodded. "I will, Master Skywalker." With that, he turned to catch up to Ahsoka. Anakin remained where he stood, wondering what his padawan was out to do now. She couldn't be out alone like this. Of course, she had Starkiller with her, and he was no doubt a powerful force-sensitive warrior. He could look after her.
When will you return?
Starkiller and Ahsoka set off to clear their minds of what has just transpired, but what will happen, I have yet to determine. Leave comments to suggest what I should do for the next chapter. Also, when season 6 resumes, I will figure out how to tailor the story accordingly. Please favorite and follow, so I know that you're all reading and liking this story. It keeps me motivated, and thanks to the supporters I have already. I will include the names of the people who help me create the next chapter. See you all in a bit. Peace!