Chapter 3 - Uncovered

Author's Note: Anakin needs a hug. :) But then, what else is new? Lol.

~ Amina Gila

Most likely, if Fives told Rex exactly how he managed to find General Skywalker long before the Coruscant Guard, or the 212th, or any of the other clones out looking for him, Rex probably wouldn't believe him. So he doesn't ask. Instead, with an overwhelming level of annoyance, he follows his (very exhausting) little brother into the area where he somehow tracked their General to.

"You shouldn't have come," the General informs them right off, predictably. The alleyway they're in is dark, shadowed, and he's concealed by his cloak.

"We heard what happened," Fives says, dodging the comment entirely, "How can we help find out who's really behind this?"

"I warned him of the risks of coming out here," Rex replies, grudgingly. It's not that he doesn't want to do whatever he can to help Anakin, too, but they don't want to make this worse. If it appeared that the 501st was involved somehow, that would be... bad. "But is there anything we can do, sir?"

Anakin sighs. "You can tell Ahsoka to search the recordings at the Temple. There must be something there related to the hangar that was blown up, I don't know. She'll have to start somewhere. But you shouldn't have come out here."

"I know, sir," Rex replies.

Fives still looks very unrepentant, not that Rex expected otherwise. "We had to do something," Fives objects, "We didn't know if you needed our help."

"Well, thank you," Anakin replies, "For coming. Even if it was dangerous."

"Is there anything else we can do?" Rex inquires.

"Stay safe," Anakin replies, "You need to go. If you're spotted here, it'll only drag you into this, and this situation will become far more complicated."

Rex glances at Fives for a moment. "We'll speak with the Commander." They really do need to go, before someone sees them.

"We could smuggle you somewhere less... visible first," Fives offers.

"It's fine," Anakin assures immediately, "Don't risk yourselves for me."

"You would have done it for one of us," Rex replies.

"Yes," Anakin agrees, "But we must be careful not to make this worse. See what Ahsoka can find, and I will continue the investigation on my end."

"You're investigating out here?" Rex asks. Of course, he is, though. It's not even a question. Anakin wouldn't've run from the prison unless there was something else going on.

"Is there any way we can help with that?" Fives queries. "Anywhere we can... take you?"

The General hesitates for a moment. "I must get to a warehouse on level 1315. I suspect we may find a lead there."

"We can take you there," Rex offers. It's risky, but he doesn't know how Anakin would ever get there on his own without getting spotted.

"Alright," he concedes, clearly reluctant, "But after that, you must leave. I will search it on my own."

**w**

Anakin isn't surprised Rex and Fives came to find him, even if they really shouldn't have. It's dangerous, and he keeps his hood pulled low over his head as they fly to the right level in the Underworld.

Sometimes, being around Fives is... hard. Anakin never knew Echo very long, but they were still... close.

Not as if thinking about it will change it.

Anakin has tried his best to shield Ahsoka from the worst of the war. He has tried. He doesn't think he's managed it very well. There was only so much and so well he could keep her away from the sheer brutality of war that he was so accustomed to.

Much of the time, he couldn't understand her reactions. He knew it was... bad, but violence has never phased him. Anakin has seen people blown up in front of him as a child. He doesn't remember it happening on Nal Hutta – the slavery system there was different – but it happened on Tatooine. He had just gotten there, and he saw... someone trying to escape.

He was three years old, or thereabouts. It's not like he knows his exact age. No one does. Not his mother, who was too sick after he was born to know anything for a while – his birth had... strained her. Badly.

He grew up with a bomb in him. Anakin spent years knowing his masters could blow him up if he ever outstepped his line in society. That there would only ever be one place for him – down at the very bottom. Unlike so many other people, Anakin doesn't care how the clones are considered property or – or whatever it is the Republic calls it. They're people. His men. He's supposed to protect them, but for what so often feels like is the first time in his life, that loyalty isn't... one-sided.

Most of the time, Anakin was able to shake off the even momentary shock of death. Lola Sayu – the Citadel, Echo, was one of the only ones that fazed him. The ship right by him had blown up and so had he, and there was...

Blood.

A lot of it.

Anakin saw far too clearly – at the very least, his legs were... ripped off in the explosion. It was... bad. And Anakin felt Fives horror as much as his own.

If not for Obi-Wan's interjection, urging everyone to keep moving, Anakin doesn't think he could have that time. He'd fallen into a sort of numb automatic afterwards, part from shock, part from exhaustion, as they trekked across the endless, barren terrain. And all that time, all he could think of was how he left Echo there and that one of their best was... gone.

It never sunk in until right afterwards, when the five of them gathered – Anakin, Ahsoka, Rex, Fives, and Cody. Sometimes, Anakin could swear that it feels like they and Echo ran the entire war.

Obi-Wan plays his part too, of course, but he's on the Council, and he has far, far more important things to do than hang out with them or the clones or with anyone really. Besides, he's a far better Jedi. He doesn't get attached to people like how they did.

Fives was the first to break down. Then Rex – Anakin himself had only stayed somewhat stable through sheer willpower. He doubts Cody ever cries, about anything – he's so much like Obi-Wan in that way – but he was there, and Anakin could feel his grief. He'd stuck close for as long as he could to comfort the others.

And Ahsoka.

She'd stayed calm the longest, but she broke down the moment the door closed behind her and Anakin when they left – he'd sensed her resolve shaking. And she was exhausted. He had to carry her to her room – what phased Ahsoka most was the brutality and violence of Echo's loss, not that he was gone.

She's a far better Jedi than Anakin is, too.

Ahsoka hadn't worked with him the way Anakin had. She's friends with the clones, but it's... different for her. She can't see them the same way Anakin has.

Ahsoka has never – until Zygerria, when he again failed to protect her – been at the lowest level in society. She has never been in the same place Anakin has, buried forever in the knowledge that he's... property. That he will only matter if he works for bettering others. Anakin accepted that a long time ago – it's what forged so much of his life as a Jedi, but still, it's... wrong.

And the first people who have seen him as something more than that are Rex and Fives and Cody. And Echo.

But still, he understands that, and he won't drag them into danger for him, no matter how much they want it.

Anakin waits until Rex and Fives disappear into the shadows before entering the warehouse. He doesn't know where, exactly, he needs to look, so he just starts making his way through the level, searching for anything... mouse or nanodroid related.

But... there's something nagging at his senses. Something dark. He can feel traces of the Dark Side here, and it feels recent.

The Dark Sider was here, recently. Which means there probably is a trail of some sort here, something he can start working with.

There's a sudden movement behind him, and Anakin looks up sharply, scanning the room. He doesn't see anyone, but someone is close by, even if they're shielding well. But something's about to happen –

A sudden, deafening explosion rings out, along with a blinding flash of light, and Anakin ducks back, shielding his eyes from the brilliance.

He can feel the heat against his skin, as the flames lick across the crates only a short distance from him. This was a trap, wasn't it? He knew that from the start. Maybe leaving the information about the warehouse was... intentional.

The flames are spreading rapidly, and he ducks back barely in time as something else explodes, nearly flinging him across the room from the force of it. The fire's light is too blinding to see properly, but he's almost certain he sees a figure disappearing into the shadows.

It's likely, anyway – this couldn't've gone off unless someone was here. But he doesn't have any way to follow them, unless he can find a way to go around, or –

The fire's probably destroying any remaining evidence, too. He breaks into a run, trying to find a way to circle around the fire, although the only way to do that is by cutting through the wall with his lightsaber, and going in search of the fleeing presence. Putting out the fire would help, but he has no way of doing that when it's so massive already. It was set up... very well.

Anakin doesn't make it much further, though – the smell of smoke is making it hard to breathe out here, and the smoke leaking even into the halls out here is making it harder to see in the darkness – before he senses someone approaching.

A group of clones round the corner, from the 212th, stopping short and raising their blasters when they see him. And... trying to escape would be pointless. This was his last lead, and it's up in flames.

He raises his hands in surrender as the clones move closer.

"General," Cody greets. He sounds a mix of uncertain and wary. He doesn't understand what's happening, either, and he's rightfully wary.

"Cody," Anakin acknowledges. They knew each other well, perhaps in some ways better than Cody knows his own General. "Is Obi-Wan here?"

"He's on his way. What... is the cause of this?" He gestures down the hall, to where the blaze is probably still spreading.

"There was... someone else here," Anakin explains, "I was investigating when they blew up most of the crates in the room. Did you see anyone else?"

Cody shakes his head. "Nova, Wyler, secure the perimeter and search for signs of anyone else." He turns back to Anakin, feeling clearly uncomfortable and apologetic in the Force. "But I am here under orders to take you into custody."

Of course, he is. Anakin already knew that. He's not surprised, either. Going back now would defeat why he came down here in the first place, but Anakin has no further way of finding information. Not anymore than the clones themselves would find. And... surrendering now, he has to grudgingly admit, would look much better than continuing to run. Now that he's had a little more time to think it through, he can see that. Though his presence just as much endangers everyone. "I know," is the most he can say.

It's not as though they're any more comfortable with what they have to do than he is with the situation.

**w**

At least they finally have Anakin back and he cooperated with the... arrest, so that should be one point in his favor, but that does little to make Obi-Wan less annoyed. "What," he demands, "Were you thinking?"

They're in a gunship, on the way back to the Jedi Temple now.

"I told you," Anakin replies, tiredly. He looks worn out, unsurprisingly. It's... been a long day for everyone. "I was following the trail."

"Did you find anything?" he asks, frowning. At least something better have come of this, because finding him at the warehouse directly involved in the crime... doesn't look very good either. Especially not when it was mysteriously destroyed, along with any recoverable evidence.

"No," Anakin replies, deflating a little, "But I sensed the Dark Sider at the warehouse before everything exploded."

"That does little to help us."

"I know."

"The Council does not believe you guilty," Obi-Wan tells him, finally. At least, most of them don't. It's not something he needs to leave Anakin stressing over. "But we must prove your innocence to the Republic now." And somehow find who's really behind it at the same time.

Obi-Wan has the feeling things are going to get more complicated very quickly. He knows Anakin enough to know that this isn't real, but no one else will. The Council... is uncertain. Undecided, because there's too much evidence that points towards it, though logic says otherwise.

"The Senate does not believe General Skywalker will be given an unbiased trial if he is tried by the Order," Tarkin declares, and Obi-Wan can only listen with growing alarm at the words, "Therefore, the Senate asks that he be expelled, and put to a Republic military tribunal, to receive a more impartial judgement."

What?

No, they can't do that. They can't throw Anakin out of the Order. But they're walking a fine line, and Obi-Wan knows that far too well. "Surely we cannot do as Tarkin suggests," Obi-Wan objects as soon as the hologram fades out.

"And yet, there is evidence that he may be involved," Mundi argues. "He was arrested at the site where nano droids were being stored."

"He was investigating," Obi-Wan counters. Why, why did Anakin have to run? If he hadn't, things would never have gotten this far. Probably. "We discussed this already." He wishes this never happened, that he'd been able to – somehow – stop it.

Obi-Wan knows that his emotions, his attachment to Anakin, is likely clouding his judgment, but he refuses to accept that Anakin could be guilty. But he is also a Council member, and Obi-Wan needs to put the Order ahead of everything else.

He can't risk the Order for one person. And the Republic will give Anakin a fair trial. Even so, he doesn't like this. It's so, so wrong. They should never be put in this kind of position. Anakin is one of their best Jedi.

"I understand your sentiment, Obi-Wan," Windu interjects, "But if the Council acts as you suggest, it could be seen as an act of opposition to the Senate."

"And a senseless one when Skywalker will still be given a fair trial," Shaak Ti agrees.

"That he did not find any tangible evidence makes this complicated," Plo points out. "We have no evidence to present to the Senate to free him of suspicion."

Other than individual testimony, that's the biggest issue.

But they can't just expel Anakin. Obi-Wan knows he needs to be thinking about this from an unbiased perspective, though, hard as that is. The Senate will give him a fair trial, just as much as the Council would. They don't have any legitimate reason to refuse. Legally, that's not really a choice they can make, without adequate explanation.

Tensions between the Council and the Senate are at an all-time high right now, and they can't risk worsening it, not even for Anakin. Obi-Wan knows that, but it still hurts. It still feels like they're betraying him.

They... aren't. Anakin will understand that. Any Jedi should. The purpose of being a Jedi is the willingness to sacrifice oneself for others, and Anakin has always been good at that. Anakin has always understood that. He's never hesitated to do so.

That doesn't make Obi-Wan feel much better about it, though.

That doesn't make it sit any easier with him. They're going to expel Anakin. And there's very little Obi-Wan can do about it.

"To the Chamber of Judgment, summon Skywalker," Yoda decides gravely, ears drooping.

**w**

Anakin can't shake the sinking feeling he has. He's had it since this all started, maybe even before, and he doesn't like it.

He's escorted to the Chamber of Judgment by Temple Guards, even if he's not restrained. It's... He doesn't know what's about to happen, but he has a very bad feeling about it. The Council knows it's not him, though – Obi-Wan assured him of that – so things should... work out, right?

He doesn't want to push his luck though. Anakin knows the Council has always been wary of him, especially more so as the war progressed, and their views started... separating. The Council is focused solely on what it takes to win, on destroying the Sith. Anakin sees how many Jedi are slipping because of that.

He did himself, back before the war.

He used the Dark Side after his mother died, and he did things he will regret for the rest of his life. And from then on, Anakin could only turn closer to the Code, to the Light.

Palpatine always told him to follow his heart. That's what he's trying to do.

And considering how there are times he has to ask himself if the Order is... falling, somehow, Anakin can't say he would be surprised if the Council did suspect him. He couldn't... blame them, either. Whoever did this did a very good job. He should have seen it coming, should have tried harder to avoid it.

He could have.

But he didn't.

That does little to stop his unease as the platform he's now standing on rises, to the center of the chamber. The Council members are seated in a semi-circle at the front, and something about the lighting almost looks like it's designed to be unsettling, even if he knows it's not true. He's never comfortable in front of the Council, but something about the light right above him makes it feel even harder to... be small. Even if he shouldn't have anything to be so worried about.

He didn't do it, but somehow, standing here in front of the Council, still makes him feel... guilty. Like he did do something terribly wrong, even if he didn't.

But he has in the past, so would it really be that hard to believe he did now?

Calm, Anakin reminds himself, trying to expel his nervousness into the Force. He needs to stay calm. A true Jedi wouldn't struggle so much with such a basic thing.

"Knight Skywalker, serious charges have been levied against you," Yoda speaks. Anakin glances up, momentarily, looking to Obi-Wan. His expression is even more... tight and closed-off than it was before, and he instantly takes that as a bad sign. "How plead you?"

"Not guilty, Master," Anakin answers, immediately, "I would never attack the Temple." It hurts that he even has to say it – this is his home.

"There is evidence indicating otherwise," Mundi says, "You were alone with Letta Turmond when she died. Can you explain this?"

He's just... asking, right? Not accusing? Anakin can hope. "I sensed a Dark Sider," he replies, "And the clones mentioned they saw someone leaving the scene, but no one has gotten a clear visual. Whoever it was, they killed her."

"And you were unable to prevent it?" Master Windu inquires. Somehow, Anakin thinks it's not until right now that the reality of the situation comes crashing down on him. They know him, but they... they have no reason to believe anything he says.

"It... happened too fast," he responds, evenly.

"The mouse droids that took out the power at the prison were the same as the ones involved in the Temple bombing. And the same as one recovered in your room. Can you explain this?" presses Windu.

What?!

They found a mouse droid in his room?! How could that have happened? Unless – unless this is more of a set up than Anakin thought. Is someone actually trying to frame him? He distinctly remembers the mouse droid rolling around outside his cell before everything happened, for no apparent reason. And he doesn't understand what's happening here.

"I had no knowledge of this until now, Master," Anakin says, finally finding his voice, "I don't know how that's... possible." Because it shouldn't be. No one should've been able to get into his room. And if they did, it's... it's obvious this was made directly to target him, though he doesn't know why. It's not as if any Jedi should have something... personal against him.

"And you were apprehended at the original location of the nano-weaponry, weren't you?" Mundi adds. He sounds suspicious unless it's just that Anakin's so afraid they actually think he did it.

"When my padawan and I were looking into the case, we determined that is where Letta obtained the nano droids used in the attack. I thought if there were any clues there, I would find them."

"What caused the explosion, then? That destroyed all remaining evidence."

"I saw someone there, but everything exploded, and I couldn't give chase."

"In all these instances, you are the only one with any knowledge or sightings of this Dark Sider, except once," Mundi says, bluntly.

They don't believe him, do they? Or at least Mundi definitely doesn't. Anakin's gaze darts to Obi-Wan, who only briefly meets his gaze before looking away. And Anakin can sense, clearly, how Obi-Wan is... upset. Uncomfortable. And that only happens when something is very wrong. Suddenly, he has the feeling this is about to go very badly.

Obi-Wan believes he's innocent, but he's the only one, isn't he? At least he's the only one certain of it.

"Is there any tangible evidence you can give us, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asks, finally.

Is there?

The truth is, he doesn't really have anything, beyond circumstantial evidence that they collected. And his word. And that's what makes this so complicated. "No, Master," he replies, quietly.

"Clouded, this matter is," Yoda murmurs.

"If we looked further, I know we could find... something. Someone must have planted that droid in my room," Anakin adds.

The Council members exchange glances, as though there's a silent communication passing between them. He can't say why it makes a knot of anxiety twist so sharply inside of him. They've... already made a decision, haven't they? And they wouldn't be acting so grim if it was something... good.

"We will look into this further," Windu replies, "But I am afraid we must take action now."

Anakin swallows hard, dread slowly creeping through him. This is bad. He doesn't know what they're about to do, but it –

Obi-Wan's pointedly not looking at him again, and there's a moment of nearly unbearable silence.

"Reached a decision, we have, though not in total agreement, are we," Yoda states.

"In the Council's opinion, Knight Skywalker has committed sedition against the Republic, and thus he will be expelled from the Jedi Order," Windu states, grimly.

Anakin feels frozen, almost detached from his body, as the words filter in. They're... what? They can't be – He can't be hearing this right. It's –

Windu keeps talking, undeterred. "You will be turned over to the Republic courts to await your trial. Henceforth, you are barred from the Jedi Order."

They –

What?

He still feels numb from shock and disbelief as the platform lowers, and the Temple Guards move forwards to stand on either side of him, to escort him out. How could they do this? How could they...

He glances up at Obi-Wan again, wishing he'd say... something. Anything. Just something to contradict this and tell him that – that they didn't just throw him out of the Order.

This... is a crime that does have to be tried by the Senate, though, since it was sedition against the Republic. It's not a personal matter that the Jedi even have jurisdiction of, but that doesn't make the shock any less. He just... never dreamed things could actually go this far. Especially not after Obi-Wan had assured him that the Council didn't suspect anything.

But this...

He feels numb. Completely empty. Something inside him broke, and he doesn't think he'll be getting it back.

The Council had many reasons to suspect him, yes, but they never... took time to consider the evidence. They never did any of the things that they ought to have, and Anakin can't understand it. He doesn't know how he was dragged into the middle of something so deep, but he should have seen it coming.

He should have been more careful, should have... something.

But he failed, and the Jedi – that he spent his whole life devoted to trying to serve and be one of – just... expelled him.

He can't even begin to process what that means for him now, or for the future. Assuming he'll even get a future now.

The Temple Guards lead Anakin out of the chamber, and he follows, numbly. Ahsoka is pacing back and forth outside the chamber when he comes out, though his mind feels so frozen right now, it barely registers that she's even standing there.

"Master?" Ahsoka asks, warily, looking between him and the guards, "What's... happening?"

He should say something, but it doesn't feel he can process her question enough to even respond. He doesn't even know how he could tell her that – that the Council threw him out, and that... she's not his padawan anymore. She doesn't have a master anymore, because he's not a Jedi. It's...

Force. Ahsoka. What's going to happen to her? "Ahsoka," he says, voice sounding strangled even to his own ears.

She steps in front of him, blue eyes filled with confusion and worry. "What's going on?"

"They – they found me guilty," Anakin tells her, pausing. The Temple Guards pause with them, though Anakin has no doubt they're going to make him keep moving any moment.

"What?!" Ahsoka shrieks.

"It is... for the Senate to decide now," he says, voice strained. The implications are clear enough.

"What?" Ahsoka demands again, incredulously. "How – how could they do this?"

Anakin doesn't have the answer to that. Or he does, because they were only doing what was in the best interests of the Order, but that does little to help, or change what they just did. "I don't know, Ahsoka, I don't know."

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