Hello, again all!
So as we last left off, the last two chapters were quite Obi-Wan centric which was deliberate of course. For God's sake the man needs a few wins here and there right? XD
We're about to swing back over to another beloved character. In fact, it deals with something a couple of you asked about at the beginning of the story: what will happen to Ahsoka?
Well you're about to get the answer, in time anyway. Let's do a quick mailbag.
Haywire Eagle- Lol, the space mullet was something else, wasn't it?
dragonagegirl- I had a feeling this chapter would leave you screaming hehe. I think Obitine is a vastly underrated ship.
OdeClock- You know I often keep in mind that Luke and Leia were incredibly close as I write this. We don't see as much of their relationship as we'd like in the sequels but she's a big influence on him. He doesn't like to think about his past, but he misses his sister and his family. It's what drives Luke in this fic. And I quite agree Obi-Wan and Satine deserve to be together.
ThyDevoutBeliever- He deserves that W in a big way.
AllegroGiocosco- It really is a battle of wits between Luke and Sidious at the moment. And the biggest irony about Maul is that when he's right, nobody tends to listen. In the actual show, he was the only one who properly predicated what would happen and even tried to prevent it. I can reveal that this is not the last we will see of Maul.
ImperialMayor- So glad you are continuing to enjoy it :)
JumpingToaster- Very happy you have enjoyed it! Believe me, my own dissatisfaction with the Disney Prequels is what partially inspired me to write this story.
Wandering Scion- Luke, in my opinion, is a lot cleverer than he looks but you are right in that his prior knowledge is the only reason he's able to counter Sidious properly. It is indeed a dangerous game, especially with the New Prophecy. Glad to see you enjoyed :)
Sw-0608- Indeed, he does. Thank you for the review as always:)
UnOriginal2Tall- I personally don't agree with that theory but I can see how some might believe it to be possible. But you also like trolling me so I'll take that opinion with a proper grain of salt ;)
Ander Arias- Hello, there! Haha in all seriousness I'm very thankful you like the story:) Time travel stories are my favorites too and it's not easy to find good ones, which is why I hope to do this concept justice. That Maul is trying win over Obi-Wan just as he did Ahsoka in the show was deliberate for many reasons, but chief among them is that the timeline has become disrupted. It will only be disrupted further by these 'ripples' so to speak. Thank you for your review!
I couldn't get to everyone today so I'm sorry if I missed anyone in my responses but I will try to do so in the next mailbag.
Thank you all for your support as always:)
Onwards!
"When you've been falsely accused of serious crimes as often as I have, you learn to recognize the oncoming inevitability of the next one."- David A. McIntee
Chapter 17. Framed
Luke Skywalker was a powerful man. Gifted beyond measure in the Force, capable of great physical feats, equipped with a keen mind and years of experience as a Jedi Master. By some miracle, he'd managed to bend the laws of space time itself and now faced an opportunity to change the past for the sake of a brighter future.
But even for all his power, strength, and foreknowledge he could not control everything. And the more time he spent in the past, the more that fact became increasingly apparent.
The preliminary steps already taken had produced amazing results. In the span of a few months, he'd befriended or earned the trust of Ahsoka, Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Padme. Though no doubt there were detractors on the Council, Yoda also seemed to like him despite not spending much time with the Grandmaster as of yet. Even being physically older than all of them (minus Yoda) there were moments he felt like a nineteen year old in their presence, utterly delighted and mesmerized. As tangible figures that were able to interact and share their thoughts, hopes, and feelings, he loved them even more than before.
Legally liberating the clones also brought a great amount of pride and relief. His mentors and relatives were not the only people he'd enjoyed connecting with. Jesse and Fives were particularly enamored with him but he was also quite fond of Echo, Tup, Kix, even Dogma. Captain Rex taught him several battle plans, codes, and strategies involving the fight against the droids. And over the course of many battles and skirmishes over the next month, he'd become quite adept at winning them. Taking after his father, he protected his men and never asked them to do anything he would not do himself.
As for playing matchmaker with Obi-Wan and Satine, that had been half out of desire to see the couple finally be happy together, half deliberate on Luke's part. It was part of the overall plan he'd already set in motion: reform of the Jedi Order. Unlike in the original timeline, Anakin could not be isolated this time around when Sidious made the attempt to turn him to the dark side. The choice between leaving the Order or saving Padme combined with mutual distrust and resentment essentially sealed his soul to the Emperor.
Luke's hope was that by Obi-Wan embarking on a forbidden relationship of his own, Anakin would be more inclined to open up about his feelings and fears instead of burying them. The two could understand each other in a way not possible before. Though he had a reputation for being a stickler, Obi-Wan was not dogmatic and did not always agree with the Council. By exposure to a different way, a better way of being a Jedi, changes could be made that were unthinkable before.
At least, in theory.
Truth be told, he knew the galaxy, his family and friends, were nowhere near out of danger yet. Their fates could just as easily end up like in his own time once more: broken, in exile, corrupted, or dead. The clone troopers, despite legally their own persons, still carried inhibitor chips that would force them to comply with Order 66 when that inevitably came down. And Sidious, ever present yet fully hidden like a black phantom, was no doubt watching his every move as well as the Jedi Council.
I should never have insinuated I knew more than I did that day in his office
Luke could feel it; the cold, growing darkness taking shape in the Force, however subtle. Its tentacles extended ever farther into the fabric of the galaxy, creating misery and pushing the war into new worlds, taking countless more lives, expanding the design of Palpatine's demonic ambitions. The drivers of the conflict remained in place.
Though he never showed it publicly, there were days the Last Jedi stressed heavily over his burden. How could one change the future without changing so much that prior knowledge of historical events no longer became relevant?
Maul had been a classic example. He'd not been anticipating a conflict on Mandalore this early. He briefly considered going after the rogue Sith himself but decided against it for multiple reasons. But adaptation proved to be key. Republic invasion had been called off as Maul had somehow disappeared, leaving Prime Minister Almec in charge, who renegotiated a treaty of neutrality with the Chancellor. While this was not welcome news to the Duchess, her presence on Coruscant was a positive one for not only Obi-Wan but for Padme as well, the two quickly becoming fast friends.
Luke knew he couldn't get too far ahead of himself and harkened back to Yoda's warning that the future was always in motion. That to keep focus on the here and now an equally important aspect of being a Jedi.
Yes, thus far Luke Skywalker had been able to control most things. He couldn't imagine that control would slip away at the drop of a lightsaber.
In the aftermath of the clones being given full citizenship within the Republic, under the law the terms of their service changed. No longer obligated to fight by compulsion nor controlled by the Kaminoans, each man was given a choice: to leave the army or sign a reenlistment contract that would last two years at a time.
Those who'd worried the clones would bolt the minute they received a taste of freedom were sorely mistaken. A handful did resign their posts, but the overwhelming majority stayed on including the 501st in one particular touching display of loyalty.
Anakin and Luke were prepping the men in the main hangar before taking off, each row and column standing at full attention. The law having just taken effect, new orders had come in.
"Now, as required by Republic law, we are obligated to inform you all that you no longer have to serve in the Grand Army of the Republic if you so choose," Anakin said to them. "Any man who wishes to leave, let us know now. No one here will think less of you. However, if you'd like to stay, step forward."
The simultaneous echo of thousands of boots doing just that rang out.
"I think we have our answer," Luke said with a knowing smile.
"It was never a question," Rex chimed in. "You both helped win our freedom. The least we can do is repay it in kind."
"We're with you to the end," Jesse reasserted.
Luke couldn't help but swell with pride. They were truly the best soldiers he'd ever come across, a sentiment echoed by his father.
"And we're proud to serve alongside you once more. Now let's prep the fleet for Cato Neimoidia. I'll schedule a debriefing while en route."
Rex put on his helmet and signaled the men.
"You heard him. Let's get moving, double time!"
As the usual hustle and bustle took place Anakin and Luke took time to have a pre battle chat, one they'd begun to be accustomed to at this stage in their relationship.
"Cato Neimoidia," the latter muttered. "How many purse worlds does the Federation even have?"
"Nine to be exact," Anakin laughed. "But this one is by far the wealthiest and most important strategically. Viceroy Gunray has a redoubt there along with a good chunk of his personal fortune. There's enough money on that planet to fund the entire droid army by itself. If we take it, it's a serious blow to the Confederate war effort."
"Sounds like we'll have our work cut out for us then."
"That's an understatement. The place will be heavily fortified so it's important there are no let ups."
Luke nodded.
"I'll tell Jesse and the boys."
A thought then occurred to him as he realized someone was missing.
"Where's Ahsoka?"
"Pfft, I don't even want to know what she gets up to half the time."
"Might be important to know. She's your padawan after all."
Luke recognized straight away Anakin was joking as a smirk played around his lips. It had become a part of their rapidly increasing banter they shared as a group.
"Actually she's on security detail for Padme..er.. Senator Amidala. Special assignment."
The middle aged man frowned in response, ignoring Anakin's minor slip up.
"Seems a bit odd. The Senator usually dislikes any extra security." He was still getting to know his mother in many ways but one thing he'd learned quickly is that she did not like to be belittled or seen as fragile by the virtue of being a woman.
"In this case it's necessary. She's been getting death threats from Separatist terrorists lately and she's far too important to the Senate and the Republic for us to lose."
The statement was again one of the more obvious indications of the love Anakin had for his beloved Padme. No doubt he probably ordered the detail himself.
"That's despicable," Luke replied, playing like he couldn't sense his father's true feelings.
"Agreed. All the more reason to end this war as soon as possible. Today is another step towards that."
He noticed the underlying growl in Anakin's tone. Little in life made him more upset than people threatening his wife.
Yes, all the more reason to end this soon, Luke thought, once more trying not to think about Darth Vader.
Anakin had indeed been correct in his assumption that the Separatists would not give up Cato Neimoidia without a serious fight. Surprisingly enough, the battle in the air took less time than the one on the ground. With two of the galaxy's best pilots leading the way, the Banking Clan Frigates and Federation Cruisers were dispatched with relative ease.
"That's what I'm talking about!" Anakin whooped as the Separatist ship exploded behind them.
"I think that one was my kill," Luke responded, unable to resist his father's joyous competitiveness.
"Hey you took out the Cruisers, I took out the Frigates. It's only fair."
"Since when do you care about 'fair'?"
"Touche, Commander Luke."
Soaring through the air, the blond observed the surface below. The planet was covered in various forests rich in flora and fauna with low hanging wispy vapor clouds. However, the cities were located on large man made bridges that resembled hammocks in between towering rock formations. It would be an extremely beautiful place were it not wracked by war.
"Rex, we have control of the skies. How's the situation on the ground?" Anakin asked through his headset.
"We've established a foothold at the western and eastern ends of the first city bridge. But there's been heavy resistance! We're bogged down!"
"What kind of resistance?" Luke inquired. Rex never sounded that panicked unless it was something truly serious.
"Spiders."
Oh so it's that kind of serious
"We're on our way Rex," Anakin told him. "Just hold out til we get there."
"Yes, sir."
"R2, circle back around fifty klicks east."
Making their way back they soon landed on the main platform. The Republic had indeed secured the first checkpoint leading into the city but the streets, marked by tall buildings and narrow in width were causing problems. Luke and Anakin ignited their lightsabers and ran as fast they could two hundred yards to the east dodging and deflecting incoming fire.
"What's the situation, Rex?!" Anakin yelled over the noise as they took cover behind one of the city corners where it forked out into two lanes.
"The Seps are clogging up the streets best they can but the main problem-"
There was a loud explosion fifty yards to their left.
"-is that," the Captain said pointing to either side.
Two towering Spider walkers lumbered towards them firing off their cannons to deadly effect. They weren't accurate but their blast radius packed a wallop.
"There are multiple snipers on either side taking out anyone who attempts to shoot them down with our rocket launchers. We've got no heavy artillery like we did on Christophsis, the streets are too narrow."
To Luke's observation, the Spiders were slim enough to fit through but unfortunately any AT-TE tank would not be able to do the same.
"Lieutenant Vaughn is on the other side. We need to link up with him in order to take the center," Rex continued. "Control of these two avenues is crucial to breaking through."
Anakin thought for a moment. If anyone alive were capable of a quick plan on the fly, it was him.
"Luke and I will take out the Spiders. Rex, take two platoons and take out the rest of the droids."
"Echo, Fives, find out where those snipers are. We'll draw their fire when charging those spiders. Use the rocket launchers to take them out," Luke added.
"Good thinking," Anakin praised. "Wait for us to draw the fire. Take out the snipers, then lead the assault."
"Yes, sir!"
Nodding, the two Jedi were able to read each other almost perfectly well. They knew exactly what to do.
"See you on the other side."
"Like that's ever in doubt."
Luke sprang into action charging straight into the line of fire, taking out a few battle droids along the way. He leapt in the air landing on one of the turret guns extending out from the massive droid. It swiveled around, haplessly trying to shoot it's target to no avail. He stabbed it in one of its red eye sensors, jumped over to the other side and sliced it's main leg in two.
"Up there! Two on the tenth floor of the main building. Three to the right on the seventh!"
Multiple rocket launcher blasts shattered the snipers to smithereens. But as Luke landed back on the ground he saw the weight of the disabled spider was about to crush 2nd platoon...including Fives and Echo.
"Look out!"
Calmly, Luke reached out and used his full power in the Force to slow the fall, preventing it from hitting any of his men just in the nick of time. Slowly and carefully, he tossed the broken down machine to the side, crushing a few more droids while 2nd platoon finished up the rest.
"Thank you, sir. We owe ya one," Fives told him.
"We owe ya one big time," Echo echoed.
"As I always say, you'll never have to," Luke said with a smile. "Now let's go link up with General Skywalker. I'm sure he's already waiting for us."
"Sir!"
The droids now dispatched, he and the rest of the men moved easily through the street where sure enough, Anakin awaited on the right side.
"Ah, took you long enough," his father told him teasingly. "My platoon's been waiting for at least two minutes."
"Eh, more like fifteen seconds," Rex said with a shrug.
"Come on, Rex, you didn't have to spoil it."
"Erm, sorry sir."
Luke shook his head but smiled all the same.
"Don't mind the General, Captain. He's just upset a certain someone broke his record for droid kills in a single day last week on the Antion system."
"Which I'm definitely going to retake by the end of this campaign," Anakin said cockily.
Tup shook his head, elbowing Hardcase.
"Those two, I swear," he muttered while his companion snickered.
Rex interrupted the banter, tapping his helmet to receive a transmission.
"Good news, sir. Captain Vaughn has broken through. We're on our way to victory."
"Excellent, but remember, this is only the first of four of these bridges we have to take. Let's take the rest of the battalion and clear out any remaining droids."
"Yes, General."
Rex motioned for the men to press onward but before the Jedi could lead the way, an incoming message beeped on Anakin's comlink and a holographic image of Master Yoda popped up.
"General Skywalker, Commander Ahch-To. Return to the Jedi Temple immediately you must."
"We're kind of in the middle of a battle right now, Master," Anakin said slowly, not quite able to say 'no'.
"Important, it is. The Temple hangar has been bombed."
Luke could see on Yoda's face immense sadness and disappointment. He could sense reluctance from the GrandMaster. Something was off.
"That's...horrible," Anakin said, completely shocked. "Do we know who did it?"
"Yes. That is why you must come back to Coruscant. Padawan Tano it was."
If his father had been shocked before, the last sentence made his jaw drop. He wasn't the only one.
For the first time since arriving in the past, something occurred that Luke Skywalker hadn't seen coming.
In truth, Luke was aware the temple would be bombed. What threw him off was the timing and that Ahsoka had been framed so soon.
He recalled the ghost of his father informing him of the incident.
The bombing of the Jedi Temple was a turning point in the war for everyone...and for me especially. Originally, we thought the wife of a munitions expert named Jackar Bowmani who worked at the temple committed the deed, feeding him nano droids which turned him into a living bomb. But then, Ahsoka was set up to make it look like she was the Jedi who planned the entire operation. A padawan by the name of Barriss Offee fell to the dark side, killed twenty six people and nearly sent my padawan to face execution. I caught the real culprit, but by then the damage was already done. The Council expelled Ahsoka before hearing her side of the story, and though she was invited back, the betrayal proved too painful for her to stay. She resigned from the Order and I didn't see her again until the last month of the war. By then, there was no stopping Palpatine
The memory brought several questions back to the present. For one thing, he'd planned to prevent the bombing from happening but it had occurred a week out from the original timeline. More concerning was the status of Ahsoka. How had she been framed so quickly? What of her security detail with Senator Amidala?
Luke had to consider the possibility that by now the timeline had been altered to the point where several divergences had already or were happening. He'd been in the past for about three months and done enough to cause several ripple effects on those around him, no doubt. But the ultimate trajectory remained the same: Palpatine patiently prepared to execute the final stages of his plan: the war, the clones, the destruction of the Jedi, birth of the Empire and the fall of Anakin Skywalker all in motion. But could he even be sure the orchestrator of the attack was still Barriss?
He calmed himself, embracing patience before jumping to any conclusions. The Council would tell them what they knew. He could not say the same about Anakin, who's fear and indignation practically radiated off his body.
"Hey, relax," he told his father in the most soothing voice he could muster. "Stress doesn't help anything."
They were walking towards the turbo lift to the upper chamber of the Council meeting room. Luke had to speed walk in order to keep up with Anakin's enormous power walking strides.
"Stress? My padawan, your friend, is locked up in a cold, lonely cell somewhere and you ask me not to stress?"
"I am just as concerned as you are."
"She's innocent," Anakin continued to insist for the fifth time. "I know she is. She has to be."
"And we'll get a chance to prove that. Just be as calm as you can and let's hear what happened from the Council."
He could still feel the urgency in his father's body but he did manage to take a deep breath and try to temper some of his strongest emotions.
"You're right. I just don't see how Ahsoka could do this."
Luke looked away just as they stepped onto the lift.
"Believe me, I don't either."
Of course, Luke knew Ahsoka was no more capable of killing innocent people than Darth Sidious was of taking care of a womp rat. But he needed answers on what happened in order to clear her name and what steps to take next. In order to do that, they'd have to be somewhat compliant with the Council...hopefully.
Finally arriving all of the members of the Council appeared to be grim, sad, or a combination thereof. Even the normally stoic Mace Windu seemed the tiniest bit shook.
"We understand this is unwelcome news for you," he finally stated. "It is for every person in this room."
Luke looked towards the hologram of Obi-Wan, currently away fighting General Grievous in another system. He wished he were here right now.
"What happened?" Anakin asked. "I don't understand. This bombing happened at the Jedi Temple, shouldn't this be for the Jedi to investigate?"
"We attempted to do so," Ki-Adi Mundi said sadly. "But Jedi were not the only ones killed in the explosion. Many clones and temple personnel were also caught in the blast. Therefore, the Chancellor sought to intervene immediately."
"He took the investigation out of our hands," Sassee Tinn added. "Instead Admiral Tarkin is now in charge."
Luke's body went rigid with cold fury. Wilhulff Tarkin may not have been a Moff in this time yet, but he was a cruel, calculating, ruthless man without scruple. That he should be put in charge of something like this was a disgrace.
"Inspected the scene, he did," Yoda continued. "Found evidence of explosive nano droids in the main hangar."
"That still doesn't explain how Ahsoka was behind it," Anakin countered.
Mace and Yoda looked at each before continuing.
"Multiple witnesses came forward, claiming Padawan Tano orchestrated the attack. When her room was searched, the same technology used to bomb the Temple was found by her bedside and other items," Windu continued.
"And what about her security detail with Senator Amidala?" Luke asked carefully.
"She never showed up, I'm afraid," Plo Koon stated sadly. Everyone in the room knew he'd been responsible for finding Ahsoka in the first place and the two shared a special bond. "More damning, she also was caught on a security camera five minutes before the blast walking around in the hangar."
"This is all still premature. And no one here at the Temple tried to help her or point out this was all done extremely quickly?" Anakin pointed out, his voice rising.
"The evidence appears to be overwhelming," Koon responded, bowing his head. "And there is more, I'm afraid."
Anakin's face turned fearful.
"What?"
"Admiral Tarkin has demanded that we expel her from the Order so she can be tried as a civilian by a Senate tribunal as opposed to the Council," Mace finally revealed.
The implication was clear enough. Jedi had their own way of dealing with criminals and malcontents in their own order but the death penalty had been outlawed thousands of years prior. This was not so with Republic military regulations. Anyone who deserted or found guilty of murder or treason within the army could be subject to execution, which included Jedi.
"No," Anakin whispered. "You can't let them."
Luke placed a calming hand on his shoulder, feeling his father's tense body loosen.
"I'm afraid there may be little choice," Kit Fisto told them. "The Chancellor and Senate have jurisdiction over her case now. And we cannot disobey either."
"But nothing has been decided," Mace added, tempering any expectations. "As of now, Ahsoka Tano remains a part of the Jedi Order. There will be another time to discuss this matter. Meeting adjourned. And may the Force be with us all."
Holograms disappeared and the physically present masters left one by one but Yoda stayed behind.
"Skywalker, Luke...a private word I wish to have with you."
The two men looked at each other but said nothing for now. It was clear the Grand Master had something else in mind. Only when the three of them remained did he speak.
"Dangerous and disturbing, this revelation is," Yoda said gravely. "Suspicious these circumstances are."
"Are you saying you believe Ahsoka is innocent?" Anakin asked, hopefully.
"Not sure what to believe, I am," the wise master replied. "But too convenient this investigation has been. The truth remains hidden."
Luke gazed down at Yoda, wanting to interpret what he was saying correctly.
"Are you implying you want us to investigate this for ourselves?"
"Say that, I did not. But the dark side has played its hand in this, yes. Feel it, you can?"
They both could. The Force was cloudier than ever. It put Luke on high alert. Obi-Wan and his father had told them Barriss Offee acted alone but could the circumstances have changed?
"Yes, Master. Something is rotten about this whole scenario," Anakin declared.
"Then find the rot, you must. Delay the Chancellor and Tarkin for as long as possible, I will. Go and discover the truth about this tragedy."
Blue eyes met each other in a knowing side glance.
"We won't let you down, Master," Luke said.
"Let me down? Know nothing I do of this matter. Clearly guilty, Ahsoka is. Good day."
He gave the smallest of winks as he began walking out the door.
"You know, sometimes I wonder if Master Yoda doesn't have a peculiar sense of humor," Anakin observed.
Remembering the time the Grand Master forced him to stand on his head for two hours on Dagobah for the crime of being annoying Luke resisted the urge to laugh out loud.
"I'd say you don't have to wonder."
Luke felt as though he was starting at square one. In the previous timeline, Barriss Offee, who'd been a Jedi Knight at that point had framed Ahsoka of her own volition after becoming disillusioned with the order and the war effort. In a simple repeat, he'd have confronted her already.
But the circumstances surrounding the bombing were completely different this time. For starters, Barriss had not been knighted yet and remained apprenticed under Luminara Unduli. Then there was the timeline itself. The bombing occurred weeks prior to the original date. And there was also the fact that Ahsoka had actually been seen at the scene of the crime and been arrested as the primary suspect right away instead of being framed later for killing a witness.
No, something about this had completely diverged. For the first time Luke felt he could not rely on prior knowledge or assume a Jedi was behind the fatal attack. So going back to the drawing board became the only option.
The first step for the two Skywalkers was getting the data on the explosion. Anakin went to speak with temple droid ISC-Russo while Luke headed to the Jedi medical facility to interview those in recovery. However, he found a less than receptive audience.
"I can't fathom why any Jedi, especially Ahsoka Tano of all people would do this," one human male maintenance worker stated in disbelief. He had a patch over one ear and a broken arm but otherwise appeared fine.
"I can't either," Luke told him. "But we're not sure of anything at the moment."
"Wasn't she already arrested?"
"Her case is pending," Luke said, using legal garb. "But she definitely was here before the explosion happened?"
"About five minutes before, yes."
Luke ran a hand through his blond hair in frustration. Nothing about this made sense. Ahsoka couldn't truly have gone bad.
"Was there anyone else near the gunship that apparently exploded? Anyone with a black hood or robe?"
He was hoping that someone of the description of Barriss Offee would come to mind but the man shook his head.
None of the other injured workers appeared to know much else or be that interested in speaking with him. But before he was about to give up, a hand tapped his shoulder. A male Abyssin with green skin stood tall with one eye bearing down on him. The cycloptic species were known for being violent and bloodthirsty but this one seemed kind, almost friendly.
"Master Jedi, there was one other in the area when the explosion went off," he spoke in a deep, guttural tone.
"And who was that, my friend?" Luke responded, sensing his gentle nature.
"La Su Ten."
"Do you know him well?"
"We are best friends," the Abyssin said with a sad look in his single eye. "We're munitions experts and work on the gunships together."
"And where is he now?"
"I thought he died in the explosion, sir. But for some reason no one has been able to find his body. He's currently missing."
Luke remembered the honorary funeral held for those who'd died in the explosion. Something occurred to him then and there not thought of at the time. The official tally of the dead was twenty six but the caskets had been lined up in five rows of five.
Strange. Why should twenty six have been killed yet only twenty five bodies found?
"What's your name, friend?"
"Jackar. Jackar Bowmani, sir."
"I thank you for your time. Rest well."
Luke pressed his comlink as he received a message from Anakin.
"Any luck?" his father asked.
"Not much down here. What about you?"
"Come back to the morgue. ISC-Russo and I found something interesting. An anomaly."
Luke supposed a minor lead was better than nothing at all
"Be right there."
Anakin and ISC-Russo wasted no time in showing them the said anomaly. It was a grisly sight to behold. It was a blue skinned hand.
"Is that-"
"A hand from one of the dead maintenance workers, yes," Anakin finished for him. "But that's not the weird part."
"There are nano droids all over this hand," Russo explained.
The sickening realization dawned on Luke.
"He was the bomb," he blurted out. "The droids were inside of him."
"Precisely," Russo affirmed. "And we've been able to identify his remains."
"La Su Ten," Luke finished.
"How did you know that?" Anakin asked sharply.
"Because I just spoke to one of the workers who survived. He was best friends with Su Ten. They were both munitions experts. Told me that he saw him right by the gunship before the explosion. After Ahsoka had already left."
Excitement dawned on Anakin's face.
"That proves it! If the bomb was Su Ten that means it Ahsoka didn't physically place the nanodroids in the hangar."
"A nice explanation but I'm afraid it will not be enough," Russo told them in his blunt robotic tone. "Nanodroids can leave residue on bodies after an explosion. Tarkin could just as easily say the bomb originated in the gunship after Padawan Tano planted it there, especially since this is all that remains of La Su Ten. She will need a stronger alibi."
Luke realized he was right and began working his mind to think of a solution. A defeated silence punctuated the droid's point. This would be far more difficult than originally imagined.
"We have to go see Ahsoka," Luke finally said aloud. "The only way we'll be able to get a better sense of what's going on is if we get her side of the story."
"I'm afraid that will also not be possible," Russo cut in, bursting their bubble in a drawling monotone. "Admiral Tarkin has ordered that no one be allowed to see her. Only authorized personnel and security."
Anakin folded his arms and gave a confident smirk, one familiar by now to all who knew him.
"That's where being a Jedi comes in, Russo. I think we got this."
Of course, receiving permission to visit Ahsoka was easier said than done. No one questioned their entrance to the prison, red marked shock troopers saluting as they entered and made their way through the facility.
But upon entering the cell block that held her, they ran into major road blocks.
"We're here to see Padawan Tano," Anakin announced loudly as they walked in.
Commander Fox, head of the Coruscant Shock Troopers, lay inside a glass panel which overlooked the cell currently housing Ahsoka. Unsurprisingly, he did not relent.
"Sorry, sir. But Admiral Tarkin has ordered no one be allowed in at this time," he spoke, parroting Russo almost word for word.
"I heard. The Admiral and I are good friends. I'm sure he wouldn't mind if her master and legal guardian popped in to say hello."
"Again, sir. I'm sorry. I can't allow an exception. This is a military investigation and under his jurisdiction."
Anakin suddenly lost his cool, something Luke had hoped wouldn't happen.
"Who the hell do you think you're talking to, Commander," he growled, clenching his fist so tight the leather could be heard snapping. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm a General in the Grand Army of the Republic and I outrank you. Now. let. me. In."
He punctuated the last word with a finger against the glass. The situation was rapidly getting out of hand. Luke had prepared for something like this to occur but the sheer tenacity, the anger emanating from his father frightened him once more. The look Anakin gave Fox was that of pure, black hatred. Black as the suit worn by Vader.
Luckily he had a back up plan. Before the clone could order security to order them out he twitched his left hand ever so slightly.
"Commander, there's no need for such hostilities."
"There's no need for such hostilities."
Anakin glanced beside him, anger subsiding when he figured out what Luke was up to.
"We only mean to check in on our friend and nothing more. I'm sure we could be allotted ten minutes."
"I will allot ten minutes."
"Thank you, Commander."
The Jedi mind trick did the trick so to speak. Fox pressed a button on the control pad and the red containment field vanished, allowing them in.
"I had planned to do that," Anakin said sheepishly.
"Right... that's why I thought of it."
They had little time to jest, the second they entered the cell both men were engulfed in an enormous hug.
"Master!"
"Hey, take it easy, Snips. It's alright. I'm here."
Luke also received the affectionate gesture. He knew the Togrutan was tough but she looked on the verge of tears.
"What's going on?!" she asked frantically. "They haven't allowed me any visitors or anyone else to talk to. One moment I was going down to join Senator Amidala, the next I'm being arrested for blowing up the Temple!"
"Calm down, Ahsoka," Luke said, placing a hand on top of her shoulder. "We're here to help but we only have about ten minutes. I had to do," he waved his hand to indicate a mind trick without admitting it on a security camera. "This in order to get in here."
"The Chancellor and Admiral Tarkin took control of the investigation," Anakin continued to explain. "They aren't permitting the Jedi Council to conduct one of their own or become involved at all. Since clones and civilians died, the official explanation is that this falls under Senate oversight."
"But I haven't even been allowed to explain or defend myself! They took me away before I knew what was happening."
"Let's start from the beginning," Luke said backtracking. "Tell us everything that happened to you leading up to that day."
Ahsoka took a breath and began retracing the steps in her mind.
"I woke up and did my usual meditation routine along with some lightsaber training. I was due to join Senator Amidala at one of the civilian platforms in the center of Coruscant. Then I received word from Captain Panaka that the security detail was going to meet me at the Jedi hangar instead."
Anakin frowned.
"That's strange. Why would she do that?"
"I could only assume it had something to do with...you," Ahsoka finished lamely trying not to imply she knew anything about their hidden relationship. "In any case, I thought it was weird but went down to see just in case. I waited about five minutes for someone to show up and left."
"That explains why so many witnesses claimed they saw you in the hangar. That doesn't explain how nanodroid technology got in your room," Luke mused.
"Someone's setting me up! They must have broken into my room!" Ahsoka insisted. "You have to believe me!"
"I believe you one hundred percent and so does Luke," Anakin reassured her. "But we don't have enough concrete evidence to disprove the circumstances pointing in your direction."
The padawan pursed her lips.
"And what about the Council? Isn't anyone trying to defend me?"
"Master Yoda is doing his best to delay the trial. But...Tarkin is asking them to expel you from the Order so you can be tried as a civilian."
Hurt spread across Ahsoka's face like a child who'd been told her parents had left her on the stoop of a front door.
"They wouldn't."
"I hope not," Luke said. "That's why Master Yoda is having us investigate this unofficially. He thinks there's more to it. But even he might not have the power to prevent Tarkin from having his way."
The Togrutan sat on the steel bench in disbelief. For the first time, Luke could see the seeds of distrust and betrayal planted within the teenager's mind, exactly what he'd been trying to prevent.
She's becoming bitter. The damage might already be done
"I can't believe they might do that to me."
Mentally kicking himself for not doing something sooner, Luke decided he needed to bend the rules. If nothing else to keep what little faith Ahsoka had left in the Jedi.
"Anakin, distract Commander Fox for another minute or so. I need a private word with Ahsoka."
The brunette looked towards his padawan to indicate if it was alright, and she nodded affirmatively.
"I know it wasn't you," he put it plainly as soon as they were alone.
"Well, yeah. You wouldn't be here right now if you didn't believe me."
"I didn't say 'believe'," he corrected. "I said I know."
Ahsoka's eyes widened at the implication.
"But...how…"
"There isn't much time to explain," Luke said quickly. "I just need you to trust me."
"Do you know who's really behind all this?"
"A theory...at the very least, I know you're innocent and I will get you out of here."
Ahsoka at first appeared as though she didn't know what to say to that. When words finally came, they were not minced.
"When this is over, if you do succeed. Promise me one thing. That you'll finally tell me everything and who you really are."
"Agreed."
Luke turned and left before Commander Fox realized he'd been bamboozled. Feeling foolish and conflicted, he supposed at some point he'd have to reveal his secret to somebody.
He just hoped there would be a secret to tell by the end of this saga. For if Ahsoka Tano were sentenced to death by military tribunal, it spelled doom for them all.
Hmmm so it seems that there might be someone different behind the bombing of the Jedi Temple this time around...but the question is, who or whom? And what motivations do they have?
Next update will be at the end of the month!
~The Wasp