Chapter Nine: The Trial of the Century
Disclaimer: See Chapter One
Hey everyone, sorry it has been a bit. IRL, Other fics, and this chapter being difficult is what took me a while. Last Time: A New Dawn for Mandalore, Satine reclaimed her throne and announced the rebirth of the Warrior Ways. This time, the Trial of the Century.
Coruscant, Galactic Senate Building
The next day had come fast for everyone that had known what was going on. The Government district of Capital City on Coruscant was abuzz with activity. Coruscant Climate Control had provided a perfect day over the District by sweeping clouds aside and moving the orbital mirrors into place to provide maximum daylight. Senate plaza was refurbished by maintenance droids and the Core Founders' statues were polished. Coruscant Police and Coruscant Guard Clone Troopers had blocked off entire sections of the District. Police and Clone Snipers were everywhere, Bomb Squads were called in and security hovercams were tripled. Reporters from every major Holonet news outlet were all over, along with Documentarians, freelance journalists and others being out in force. Everything going on made it hard for Senatorial and Representative Aids and Assistants were left to fend for themselves as air transport was hard to get. Whatever available, on planet Jedi Knights and Padawans were stationed throughout Senate Plaza, even some Masters were around. Despite being keepers of the Peace, the Jedi Council had ordered the Jedi that were assigned to this duty to keep a hand on their lightsabers in the event of trouble.
When word had got out that the Supreme Chancellor had been arrested by the Jedi Order on charges of High Treason, the Republic Senate went into an uproar of confusion and terror, the same could be said of the denizens of the Republic. What could the leader of the galaxy that was trying to see the Republic through the war have done to warrant the Jedi overthrowing him? The only good news was that there was a temporary ceasefire between armies of clones and droids so that the Senate could figure out what was going on.
As Midday approached a still air fell on the crowds that had gathered outside the Galactic Senate building, and then it happened. A Republic prisoner transport that had left the Jedi Temple had landed on one of the Senate's docks. Hovercams, both security and media, hovered on it. First out of it, came several high ranking Jedi Generals, among them were the well-known Anakin Skywalker, the poster child for the war effort, the Hero with no Fear and Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Negotiator, along with Skywalker's Padawan, Commander Ahsoka Tano, followed by their respective Clone Officers. After them came, Masters Yoda and Windu, and several Jedi Temple Guards, sabers active. Then came the prisoners, first unknown to the public, a red and black tattooed Zabrak, and after him came the Supreme Chancellor, in his dark Sith robes. Despite where they were in the building, everyone could hear an uproar from the plaza below as they saw the Chancellor being led into the senate in binders. Following the Sith were the back guard of the Jedi escort. As the prisoner guard walked into the Senate, many Jedi from the plaza were called into the building as additional support. The Order was not taking chances with Sidious as a prisoner.
Normally, a criminal trial would take place at the Galactic Courts of Justice, some even before the Supreme Court, like Viceroy Gunray. Military trials were held at the Republic Center for Military Operations nearby. However, it was an agreement between the branches that charges of treason against Senators, Representatives, and Chancellors would be handled internally by the Senate.
As he was perp-walked into the Senate, Palpatine's eyes shifted over the gathered Senators and guards, especially his Red Guard, seeing them as useless. He saw Senator Amidala and Representative Binks of Naboo with looks of disappointment and horror in their faces, they knew. Jar Jar had guilt in his face for being manipulated to give him emergency powers. Alongside them were Senators Organa and Mothma, thorns in his plans that once he had declared the Empire, would have had them arrested and executed. As they passed by them, Anakin waved briefly at Padme, who nodded back at him. They knew that it was highly likely that Palpatine was going to blow their relationship into the open. They were ready for that.
He and Maul were marched to the empty pod reserved for Alderaan as Senator Organa did not need it that day. Once the Senate had been gathered, the Chancellor's podium rose out of the floor.
As the Chancellor's podium raised in the Rotunda, Sidious had to roll his eyes. It was Senator Bail Organa on the podium, next to the Vice Chancellor Mas Amedda, and on the other side, to Organa's discomfort, Sly Moore. Organa hadn't had the time to have Sly Moore replaced as Senior Advisor, plus given the situation with him being recommended by Master Yoda, he had to be careful right now.
He looked at both Amedda and Moore, hoping they could do something about this. Amedda looked like his hands were figuratively tied. Palpatine locked eyes with Sly Moore, and realized that she was of no help to him. The Dark Side told him that something he did in the past to her was gonna come back to haunt him during this trial.
Amedda called for order in the Senate chamber, and the Senate, for once, calmed down. Senator Organa stood to speak to the Senate, "My fellow Senators, we know why we are today. Today, we must undertake a solemn duty to determine the truth and lies in the accusations against the elected Supreme Chancellor of our great democracy," He began his speech. He knew he had to be careful how he worded this, considering how many Senators were in some form in Palpatine's corner on many political issues. While true, that for a while he was not a fan of the man for some of his policies with the war, he had to admit the man got things done. Now, he knew the truth. They just had to prove it. "It is at the request of Jedi Grand Master Yoda, with the approval of the Senate that I serve to oversee this trial. For those unaware, when the Ruusan Reformations passed and the Jedi Order was placed under the Judicial Forces, the Republic agreed that the Order could nominate a Senator to serve interim, with the Senate's approval until a new election could be held, in recognition of their service to the Republic in its darkest hours. In times when the Republic was basically no more for a period of nearly a century, and for trying to keep the Republic together for multiple centuries before that." While the New Sith Wars lasted about a millennium, the Republic had basically ceased to be during the last century of it, and the Jedi led the Republic as Chancellors for four hundred years. Palpatine rolled his eyes, it was the one of the few things he hadn't gotten a chance to undo yet. "Now, onto the grave matter at hand. The Interim Chancellor recognizes the speakers of the Jedi Order and the defendants, Chancellor Palpatine and Darth Maul." The Pod usually set aside for Alderaan detached from its dock and floated up toward the podium where the hovercams got a good look at the pod, for both the holonet and for certain Senate pods that had a hard time seeing things.
"Supreme Chancellor Palpatine," Organa addressed him first. "You have elected to refuse your right to a litigator. Is that correct?"
Sidious glowered at Organa, but answered the question. "Yes, I did refuse it."
"Very well. Chancellor Palpatine, you stand accused of High Treason, Attempted Assassination, Multiple Successful Assassinations, Attempted Genocide, Blackmail, Bribery, Corruption, Coercion, the plotting to overthrow democracy, Multiple counts of inciting war and violent conflict, and crimes against agents of the Republic's Judical Forces. Many of these classify as crimes against civilization." When Bail had first heard from Padme what the Chancellor had been behind, he couldn't believe it, but as it began to make sense, he was horrified and sickened by it.
Sidious grit his teeth on that last one, he knew he couldn't use the religious matter on the deaths of Jedi because he made them military officers of the Republic and the fact that the Order was part of the Judicial Forces, legally, meant that they were agents of the Republic.
Organa turned to Maul. "Darth Maul, normally your crimes, which include involvement with many of these previous ones, including multiple murders and running of crime syndicates, would be handled either by the Courts or the Jedi, but you are here at your own request to provide evidence against Palpatine, is that correct?"
"It is, I am both an agent and a witness to his crimes. I only seek to see him go down with me for his crimes and the death of my brother," Maul's deep voice rang out.
"How do you both plead?" Organa asked, as if knowing how this was going to go.
"Not Guilty/Guilty," came the response of the two Sith Lords. Maul bore no shame for what he did in Sidious' service, and wanted it known that he did those things.
Oh, by the Force, Bail thought. This was going to take all afternoon. "Master Jedi, Lord Maul, please present your evidence." Bail took a seat on the podium, he already needed a break.
It took several hours for the Jedi and Maul to go through the evidence they had gathered against Sidious. Everything from the Battle of Naboo, The Clone Wars, the Yinchorri Uprising, The Eriadu Trade Summit, the planned use of Order 66, nearly every dark deed they could connect to him, they did. It was a bit impressive, how much research they had done, over the past few days. They even dug into the assassinations of his predecessors as Naboo Senator and Chancellor, they couldn't exactly pin Vidar and Valorum on him, but he was glad they didn't know about the Gran Protectorate Massacre. Also, it seemed Maul had looser lips than he thought. What really hit him was when they brought out the superweapon plans that he kept in the private office. The DS-1 Orbital Battle Station plans, the idea of which horrified many Senators, 'Death Star' as someone had called.
Sidious tried to defend himself using every trick and legal loophole he knew of, however, thanks to Maul's testimonies, they had him dead to rights on a lot of things.
Speaking of Maul, he started to grow a bit concerned about something, he hoped that Maul wouldn't mention the kidnapping he had a young Maul perform. However, that fear would prove correct.
The entire time Maul was giving his testimony about the early years under Sidious, leading to Naboo, Sly Moore had just been staring at him with a long blank stare in recognition of him from her past. When Maul had kidnapped her from Umbara and took her to that Sith tomb, she realized that the man she had pledged her service to was behind it all. "You back-stabbing traitor!" Sly Moore shouted at the Sith Lord, which took the Senate by surprise. Sly moore normally stood in silence and rarely said something that was not a quiet advisement to Palpatine.
The Senate watched as Sly Moore brandished a small Umbaran vooktar knife from under her shadowcloak and called the Dark Side into her. The Jedi in the chamber looked directly in her direction. Sly Moore leaped from the Chancellor's podium, blade in hand ready to strike both Sith Lords down. A Force Push from Yoda sent her flying. She had to use the Dark Side to cushion her landing on the senate floor, where Clone Troopers had been waiting and took her into custody. They brought her to an overview platform to explain why she did what she just did.
"Senior Aide Moore, would you mind telling us why you just tried to attack the criminal defendant?" Senator Organa's voice called up to her.
"I was kidnapped from Umbara by that one as a child," she indicated Maul, "tortured by the spirits of dead Sith Lords, and was rescued and nursed back to health by Palpatine. He made me into what I am. Now I see it was all planned out from the beginning."
Maul remembered that mission, "Right, I remember now, I was young too at the time when you made me do that." Sidious cursed in the Sith tongue.
When he found his voice, Senator Organa called for a small recess so the Senate could cool off from that. He himself retreated to the office below the podium for a small drink of something strong.
Most Senators went to the food courts to have something to eat, based on the time. As for the Jedi around the prisoners, they were temporarily relieved by Senate guards and other Jedi.
At recess, Mace went aside with his former padawan, Master Depa Billaba, whom he was glad was at the Senate that day, and they had ducked into a corner to talk privately. It was only around Depa that Mace let the facade fall and let his inner self out a bit. "Enough is enough, I have had it with these nerf herding Darksiders in this nerf herding Senate!" He said in a burst of annoyance.
Depa provided some control for her former master, "Mace, you need to calm down." Depa was one of the few allowed to call him by his name. Sure they were both of the same rank, and council members, but Windu was both her former teacher and the Master of the Order, second only to the Grand Master.
"You are right, Depa," Mace shook his head. "This needs to be done soon," He told her. They then went and joined Master Yoda and Kenobi for something to eat. Anakin was nearby sitting with Padme, 3PO and Jar Jar.
After the food recess and the Senate was gathered again, it was time for the first truly major crime, the Battle of Naboo. Maul told the Senate everything he knew and was present for when his master would give Gunray orders to launch the blockade and later the invasion and when he was dispatched to track down the queen.
Said former queen detached Naboo's pod from its dock and floated up toward the podium. "Interim Chancellor," Padme called out as they approached.
"The chair recognizes the Senator of the sovereign system of Naboo," Organa said. He knew Padme would have words about this whole thing.
The pod turned toward the other pod, "How could you, Palpatine? Do such a thing to your homeworld? Was it just to put yourself into the Chancellorship? You manipulated me into calling for the vote of No Confidence in Chancellor Valorum."
"Did I really manipulate you? What I told that day was true, Amidala. The Senate was and still is full of bickering, squabbling delegates, and the bureaucrats were in charge then, and the Trade Federation was paying off a lot of Senators to strike down any proposal they did not like." Palpatine told her. It was true what he had said that day, so he didn't lie to her, he just told her what she needed to know to do his bidding.
"Objection, I object to the accused's statements" the voice of Senator Lott Dod said.
"The Chair does not recognize the Senator of the Trade Federation at this time." Dodd and Organa had a history. Bail knew Dod was in league with Viceroy Gunray, and there was nothing he could do about it, any time it was presented to the Senate. Even after Padme brought the proof of the droid foundry on Geonosis from Dodd's mansion.
"Quiet Dodd, you would not be here still if not for me," Sidious stared at him to remind him that he was the reason he was still in the Senate. Dodd returned his pod to the dock.
"Our people starved and died because of the Federation, and it was all for your gain!" Padme said.
"Gungans died fighting machineek, Federation du Trade droid army," Jar Jar had to catch himself as he had started to slip into common Gunganese, "yousa got oursa blood on yousa hands!" Gungan Representative Jar Jar Binks also spoke up.
"Oh yes, I remember your orders, Master, to Gunray: Wipe them out, All of them." Maul said, confirming the charge of the attempted genocide of the Gungans.
"It was a military conflict, not genocide," Sidious said. Technically a loophole, but not much of one.
"Ordering there to be no survivors is a military crime in this Republic," Padme said.
Jar Jar continued his points against Sidious. "Yousa manipulated mesa to convince Senate to grant you emergency powers to start Clone Wars!"
Organa inputted as well, "I remember that day, in your office. I remember after seeing Master Kenobi's message from Geonosis, the Vice Chair to my side declaring that the Senate must vote Palpatine emergency powers, and him asking what Senator would prose such an amendment and Amedda saying "If only Senator Amidala was here, I remember looking at him in confusion as to what he was on about. Representative Binks was just trying his best."
"I saw an opportunity and I took it," was all Sidious had to say about that, then turned the tables on the Delegates of Naboo."Oh do not speak condescending to me about my secrets, my dear. Considering your secret marriage to Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, these past three years." There it was, out in the open and now all over the Holonet.
The Senate erupted into chaos for a moment, Padme looked around, he looked past Sidious at Anakin who looked a bit sheepish, but supportive of her, and that was what was important. The looks she got from Organa, Mothma, Chuchi and a few others made her feel better. The real question though is if Queen Neeyutnee or perhaps her successor would let her stay as Naboo's senator after this. Jar Jar placed a hand on her shoulder to support her.
The shouts of Order from Amedda finally cut through the noise and the Senate got back on track. "Master Jedi, You said you had other witnesses to later, more recent crimes?" Bail asked the Jedi in the pod.
"We do, Senator Organa. It is my pleasure to introduce Duchess Satine Kryze of the Sovereign system of Mandalore, who will be testifying over hologram." Obi-Wan introduced her. The communication terminal of the Chancellor podium beeped. Amedda checked it to confirm it was Satine, and then let it play.
The hologram of Duchess Satine materialized for the Senate to see, and to say there was concern was an understatement. To see a fully armored Mandalorian on the holo was a concern. Even more a concern when the warrior removed its helmet to reveal Satine's face. "Your Republic Chancellor has committed what would be considered an act of war against the sovereign system of Mandalore. However, I do not wish to see war between Mandalore and the Republic like ages past. In the course of only 24 hours, I survived not one but two assassination attempts on my life, once each by both Sith Lords."
"You were an armored combatant when I fought you," Sidious defended himself. Maul didn't even try, he knew it was an assassination attempt. "You interfered with a personal matter and engaged me in combat as a warrior."
"You violated the neutrality of Mandalore by coming to my world uninvited and have nearly killed me and my sister, Bo-Katan." Satine said, as Bo stepped into shot. Then Satine made the announcement that shook the Senate a bit, "Bo is the new Minister of War and Defense. I hereby announce the revival of Mandalore's warrior ways. However, do not panic, we will serve alongside the Republic," Satine knew the fallout over this with the Council of Neutral systems, but she would deal with that later. "I take my leave." The hologram faded out.
"Your next witness, Master Jedi?" Organa asked.
"The next witness may cause some outrage, but his testimony is vital. I know he is watching this trial and if he would be so kind as to call in," Windu said, deliberately avoiding saying the name so as to not panic the Senate.
The console beeped. Amedda checked it, and was puzzled as it said it was coming from Serenno. "Who is it?" Organa asked. Amedda whispered the name in his ear and he turned to the Jedi in confusion before telling Amedda to let it through.
Then Hell was loosed in the room as the hologram appeared with the visage of Count Dooku, with his regal cape around his arms. He appeared as the noble head of state of the Separatist Parliament. "Count Dooku, are you here to provide testimony?" Organa asked, as he was not informed about this beforehand.
"Arch-traitor!" a Senator said.
"I am." Dooku used his more persuasive tone of voice. "Lord Sidious is behind everything, including the war. In the wake of the Battle of Naboo, Viceroy Nute Gunray told me everything that had happened." Dooku spoke at length about Sidious' plan to destroy the Republic and how he needed an enemy to point at and allow him to overthrow democracy. However, Dooku was careful to try to avoid revealing too much in order to keep the CIS together. It was Dooku's testimony that proved most damning against Sidious.
"So, as is Sith nature, huh, Darth Tyranus?" Sidious had no hesitation in saying Dooku's Sith Name now. If no one was on his side, he will take them down with him.
"Indeed, Darth Sidious." The hologram looked right at Sidious. Dooku also used his testimony to also ruin support for the Republic's war effort and faith in the Jedi Order. "The Sith funded and created an army of Clones for the Republic to use against the Confederacy. We made it seem like a Jedi placed the order and then took over the project. It is now that I announce that the Clone War is now a true war against two sides. I will allow the cease fire to hold for now as I need to get things in order, but soon enough, we'll be back to war," Dooku's hologram disappeared.
There was chaos in the Senate hall, it seemed that time seemed to slow as hundreds of Senators began shouting in outrage for one reason or another. Some were shouting how they couldn't trust Dooku's testimony, others countering the disbelievers by the way it seems that Dooku was no friend of Sidious anymore. Eventually Amedda could get the Senate to order again to focus on the task at hand.
"In the wake of the latest testimony, I determine that we have heard enough evidence to signal our verdict. Esteemed Senators of the Republic, please enter your vote on your terminals." Organa seemed like he needed something strong to drink and that he needed this to end soon, as he felt ill. The Senate entered their judgments. It was a landslide to say the least. Organa breathed a sigh of relief. Despite the fact that the last testimony nearly caused an issue, he was glad that most of the Senate could see logic or were swayed by something said here today.
At last, with the votes tallied, Amedda gave the count to Organa. He took a breath and gave the verdict. "Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, the Senate finds you guilty of these crimes against civilization. You are henceforth removed from office, placed under arrest, and due to your crimes against military officers, we leave you in the hands of the noble Jedi Knights to render the sentence of execution. Darth Maul, we leave your fate in the hands of the Jedi as well."
As the guilty verdict came down, Sidious started blasting every Senator he had dirt on, trying to take down anyone he could with him. Every piece of blackmail he knew about them that he had in his pocket he put out there. Needless to say, the Senate would need some restructuring after this.
When at last, Bail could take no more, he declared the Senate to be on holiday for a few days and sent everyone home. Pods returned to docks, the podium descended into the floor. Sidious and Maul were hauled away by the Jedi to the transport.
"Masters, if you don't mind, I need to go talk to Padme, now that the secret is out there," Anakin told them.
"Go ahead Anakin, but be back soon, as we need to deal with them," Obi-Wan granted his permission. Anakin headed for Padme's office as Obi-Wan and every other Jedi left for the Temple with Sith prisoners in tow.
Padme's office
As Anakin walked into his wife's office, to say he was expecting the party of Senators there, was half true. He knew a few would be there, but not as many as he thought. At the least, all of them were those he knew were friends of his wife. Among them were Senators Organa, Mothma, and Chuchi. All of them were having a drink of Naboo wine. "Padme," he called to her. Everyone turned to him. Padme set her drink down and walked over to him, and hugged him. She needed his support right now, with the secret out there. Not as bad as others that got blasted by Palpatine, but still there was a bit of a controversy. "How bad is it," he asked her as she broke the hug.
"Well, compared to some of my contemporaries, minor, but there will be fallout. The Queen has yet to call me, but I know she will." She sighed. Anakin knew that would be a problem for her. "I haven't even looked at the Holonet." Anakin blanched a little in thought about the journalists talking about this. He was hoping that Palpatine's news would drown that out. Padme thought for a moment. She needed a moment of humor in this hard time. She turned to the other senators. "Well, everyone. Meet my husband, renowned Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, hero with no fear." Many of them laughed in humor. 3PO approached with a tray of wine, and Anakin took one.
Turning to Organa, Anakin had to give him the Order's thanks. "Senator Organa, on behalf of the Order and myself, thank you for overseeing the Trial."
"It is the Republic that owes the Order its thanks for saving it from a dictatorship. Though, I feel like I have aged a few years in the span of a few hours," Bail said and took a drink.
"So what happens now, elect a new Chancellor?" Anakin asked.
"Among the first things, yes, and many Senators being outed and replaced, no doubt," Organa said.
"You would be the best choice, by far," Anakin said, based on the little he actually knew of how the Senate worked.
"He may be the only choice, Knight Skywalker," Chuchi spoke up.
"Not right now, guys. I have gotten enough stress on me from today," Bail dismissed the talk of him ascending to the Chancellorship.
Mon Mothma spoke next, "Well, in light of this. It seems the Republic and Jedi Order will be more linked. You chose a fine person to love, Master Jedi."
"That reminds me, dear, is Threepio still technically Naboo's Ambassador to the Order?" Anakin asked his wife.
"I think so, I remember Queen Jamilla naming him that." Padme shrugged. In an effort to relax a bit, the gathered Senators and Jedi Knight talked about their relationships, and habout how Anakin and Padme kept their relationship "hidden" all this time and about how they were married and all that.
To Padme, she was glad that her friends in the Senate were supportive to hear about her relationship with a Jedi.
"Knight Skywalker," Bail started to ask. "If I may ask, doesn't the order forbid relationships?"
"Call me Anakin, Senator Organa, and yes, they do, officially. However, the Force is telling me that that is probably about to change soon," Anakin answered his question.
"Probably for the best," Organa answered.
When, at last, they were all a bit drunk and tired, everyone retired for the night and returned to their homes. Anakin had to return to the Temple like Obi-Wan said. The galaxy had been shaken that day. The truth about everything was out there. Many Senators had to answer to their home sector governments about their actions and many were outright replaced in the span of a few hours. Padme knew that she would have to answer to the Queen in the morning, but that was not an issue right now. Her thoughts turned to her husband and how the Order is going to deal with the fact they are married, as well as the fact that they know about the Tusken massacre. She also thought about her parents, considering she never told them about their marriage, and it was now all over the Holonet.
There you have it, everyone. This was probably the hardest chapter to write, so far. I know it is going to get harder from here with some of my plans.
If you are wondering about the assassination of Valorum, that was his original fate in Legends, before TCW. Since this is a Canon/Legends mix that diverges before S6 begins, I don't need him to show up for anything to do with Sifo-Dyas. Also, did you catch the funny reference with Mace Windu. Actually a double reference.
The idea of the Jedi nominating a Senator was something from the fact that the Jedi have in the past taken over the Senate in times of crisis, and I did not want that, as it might undermine a few things, and such.
There are probably a few other things to explain, but I am tired so I won't. Ask in the comments or reviews and Ill address them next time, whenever that is.
Next time is either just about the fallout of this chapter or it is Anakin on trial before the council.
The Emperor is out. Peace.