Here is the next chapter and it will differently point of view of how people felt about the trial of the Bothans. This chapter gave me some trouble and not sure I am fully happy with it but it is what I came up with.
Luke had been on Bothawui for the last 2 weeks. It had been a few months since the meeting between Fel'lya and Luke on Yavin 4. The Ruling Families had agreed on having the trial on Bothawui with Halla Ettyk being the prosecutor against the Defendents. One the Bothawui government had the names they were then able to look into what happen with Caamas and the shield generator. They spent over 3 months gathering evidence.
Once the trial was due to start Luke sent Corran and several Jedi to Bothawui to add as security and to make sure it was a fair trial. Luke had just arrived the day before the trial was to start. He was just there to watch so he sat with Elegos A'kla and a few other Senators that arrived from Coruscant to watch the trial. Some of them were from planets that hated the Bothans and wanted to make sure the Bothans paid for their crimes.
A few of them had arrived with a fleet of war ships that were sent away or face destruction. It was decided that no fleet of ships outside of those under New Republic control were to be allowed in Bothawui space. It took the damaging of one to realize the New Republic was serious about no fleets outside of those authorized to be there.
Luke watched as the last of the defendants was led away. All had been found guilty. He noticed that all had felt some remorse at what they had done. None had truly known what Palpatine had planned. It had been decided the Caamas people would have the say on their punishment. No one could argue with that. Though there were those who called for their deaths and said if they were not executed, they would take matters in their own hands.
"Master Skywalker."
"Yes, Senator A'kla."
"How did they feel to you during the trial?"
"They felt remorse. I do not believe they ever thought their actions would have led to the destruction that accrued."
"That was what I thought as well. They took responsibility for their actions when they all spoke as one and pleaded guilty. We could have skipped all this if not for those who hoped to use this for their own agenda."
"As much as I wish we could have done this without all this it was better for it to be open. Had we done it the other way, I feel the Bothan people would have suffered. Now it is all out there in the open with all parties agreeing to let your people to decide their fate."
"It is not a task we wished for. We understand why it has to be this way."
"I wish it could be another way as well. Have your people made any decisions on what they might recommend?"
"They wait my report on those who committed the crime against us. That is why I am glad that you came so that I could ask you about them. I will add it to my report. I cannot say when we will decide."
"Tell your people that they felt true remorse for their actions and now that the truth is out there are willing to accept whatever punishment they may face. They were also relieved for the truth to finally come out."
"I will tell them." A'kla looked around the court room as those who came to watch leave. "I feel that there are those who may not like our decision on the matter."
Luke let out a sigh as he too looked around. "Yes, but all you can do is what you feel is right. The Jedi will stand beside the Caamas people on this."
"Thank you, Master Skywalker."
Luke then stood up and headed out of the court room. He was met with reporters from around the galaxy who yelled out questions. Luke raised his hand to quiet them. "The truth has come out and those who committed the crimes have all pleaded guilty for those crimes. The prosecution has also brought forth all the evidence of what happen all those years ago. The Caamas people will decide the fate of those who took part in the destruction of their planet. I ask everyone to respect their decision on the matter. Now if you will excuse me, I have things to do."
Luke left them still yelling questions. He gave a small smile as they were paying so much attention to him that it allowed Senator A'kla a chance to leave without the hassle. He knew that some of the senators would give their own views on the trial, some would be positive, but some would use it for their own agenda.
L/M
Mara was on Lothal with all those that had been frozen in carbonite. It was decided to let them come here where it was hopeful they could start a new life. With Lothal being far out on the rim it was not as well known as Yavin 4. The Lothal government was more than happy to welcome them and even fond some families for the children to stay with.
All of the children had wanted to continue with their training and would take up classes in the Lothal Jedi academy once they had time to get use to a galaxy that had changed so much. Till then they would just try to fit into their new lives and a new home.
Mara's mother and sister were also moving to Lothal and would take up residence at the jedi compound next to the academy. A house had already been built for them, and they were getting settled in.
Mara was staying long enough to help them and the others before returning to Yavin 4. She wanted to go with Luke to Bothawui for the trial, but Luke said with the trial going on that now was the perfect time for them to move everyone. She knew he was right. With everyone watching the trial no one would notice them move all the children.
It was also decided that Master Windu would stay for a while to make sure everyone settle in OK before he too would return to Yavin. He wanted to stay on Yavin and help Luke and his staff with training. He would be taking up light saber training. He would also teach a little history on the old Jed Order. Luke felt that to keep from making the same mistake over they needed to understand the past and why things were done the way they were.
Currently Mara, Master Windu and several others were watching the trial going on Bothawui. As it ended Sabine turned to viewer off.
Master Windu spoke first. "So much destruction in such a short amount of time. I visited Caamas several time during my time as a Jedi. The Caamas people were some of the most peaceful people in the galaxy."
"Palpatine most likely feared them above all others because they were so respected. They were everything he hated. What's even worse is that there were other planets that faced similar fates. We may never know all the atrocities he committed." Mara told the group.
"What will happen now that the trial is over?" Ezra asked.
"Luke hopes that this will stop others from using Caamas to hurt the Bothan people or settling their own grudges on others. I hope so as well but fear if those who committed the crimes are not punished to their satisfaction then they will take further action against Bothawui." Mara stated.
Hera spoke from her spot in the corner of the room. "I dough they really care about justice or the Caaas people. They are just using this for their own means."
"That is Luke's worry as well. That is why he is leaving a few Jedi in Bothawui space for a while. General Cracken is of the same mind on the matter as is Admira Ackbar. The New Republic military and intelligence will be watching things closely for a awhile."
"Will there ever be true peace in the galaxy?" Sabine asked from her spot next to her husband.
Ezra turned to his wife. "I dough we will ever see the whole galaxy at peace we can just do our best to help those who need us."
"I will be heading to my ship. Luke will be contacting me soon to let me know how things are going and when he will be returning to Yavin." Mara told them as she stood.
"How much longer are you going to be able to stay Mara?" her mother asked.
"It depends on what Luke says but I will probably need to head back soon either way."
"You are always welcome. "Ahsoka told Mara.
"I know and I'm sure I will return if for no other reason but to visit my family. I know Luke wants to come out here also. Maybe we will have time soon."
Everyone started to leave and head to their own home after Mara left. All thinking the same thing. Will this quiet thing down or is this just the calm before the storm.
L/M
After leaving the court room Luke headed to Fey'lya office that he had on Bothawui. Once he arrived, he took up a seat at a table. Seating at the table also were members of the New Republic Senate and members of the Ruling Families. Fey'lya sat at one end while a monitor hung from the wall on the other end. Garvisom came up on the monitor a minute later.
Fey'lya stood " Chief of State Garvisom, thank you for attending this meeting."
"This is where I am needed at the moment. Master Skywalker, what is your take on things. Will this calm thing down?"
"I believe for the most part things will calm down. That is for those who truly wanted to see justice upheld. For those who only wanted to use this as a means for their own goals, we will have to see.
The trial was open and fair. We could have done nothing else to insure that. Many from other governments that came to watch have voiced their approval of how the trial was conducted."
"Has Senator A'kla said what his people will decide?"
"Not as of yet. He and I spoke for a minute after the dependence were led out of the court room. He will speak to his government, and they will decide when they themselves know."
"Master Skywalker, do we know when that may be. Our people are still under threat." one of the Bothan's asked.
"He did not know. He just stated he wanted my feel of the defendants, and he would add it to his report. He also said he agreed with what I felt which was remorse." Luke gave a tired sigh. "They don't want this. I believe they feel the one truly responsible is already dead and justice has been served. We all here can agree that the Bothans that stood trial these last two weeks were just pawns in a bigger scheme that Palpatine orchestrated."
One of the senators asked, "Do you think they will pardon them then?"
"No, but I don't think they will seek the death penalty either."
"Regardless of what the Caamas people decide, the Bothan government will be making them help pay for any reparations to the Caamas people."
"That is your choice. Has the Bothan government and the Caamas government come to an agreement?" Garvisom asked.
"Yes, we have with the Jedi overseeing the negotiations. We asked Master Skywalker to provide Jedi oversite. It was felt by both sides that the Jedi would be impartial and fair."
"I had Master Streen and Kirana Ti oversee the negotiations. They reported the Bothan Government offered more than the Caamas government wanted. The Bothans gave a fair offer, but the Caamas don't want the Bothan people to suffer any hardships because of the actions of a few.
We have also had other governments offer help in trying to restore the planet so that one day the Caamas people may return if they wish. While the planet may be restored the different plant and animal life may still be lost forever. I don't know the details to this. I was just told in passing."
"So now all we can do is wait and see. I will keep the New Republic ships over Bothawui for the time being. I don't want to see all the work we have put into what peace we have for it to fall apart now."
"The Jedi will be staying for a while also. We were asked to help for the time being."
"When you have time Master Skywalker, I would like to meet with you. I have heard rummers you plan to break away from the New Republic."
"I will try to meet with you in the next couple weeks. I will contact your office when I head that way."
"Thank you, I have other matters to attend too at the moment. If things turn worse, please let me know so I might help."
With that Garvison ended the transmission. Fey'lya thanked everyone and they all left but Luke. Once it was just the two of them Fey'lya spoke.
"Thank you, Master Skywalker, for all your help. If we had not gone with your plan things might have turned out worse."
"That is what the Jedi are supposed to be here for. To help the different governments work things out peacefully."
"May I ask, are you planning on the Jedi being separate from any government?"
"If we were ever to make that move, you and the other members of the Ruling Council would be notified when we made a decision."
Fey'lya gave a chuckle. "When you are ready to make that move, I will support you in this. I owe you that much for all that you have done. I can see how the Jedi being separate can only help."
"Thank you, Senator. When the time is right, we will let you know. Now if you excuse me, I need to contact Mara and let her know I did not get myself in any trouble."
Fey'Lya just laughs. "I understand. Have a safe journey home."
Luke left after that and headed to his ship that he came in so he could make a secure comm call with Mara. He wanted to see how the move went.
L/M
Luke was talking with Mara and had just finished bringing her up to speed on the trial.
"So, all went Well?"
"Yes, other than some Bothans feeling they should have been allowed to handle this on their own and the New Republic should have stayed out of it."
"Not everyone will ever agree. There will always be those who will have their own opinion on matters and feel they are the only ones right in it."
"I know. As long as we can keep things from getting out of hand, we will be fine. How are things there?"
"Everyone is settling in fine. We met the families the second day here and they spent the first week getting to know the children before they took them home. So far everything seems to go well.
My mother and sister are also settled in. They got a nice house right at the Jedi compound. It is built around an old radio tower."
"I will need to visit but I got to head to Corscant in the next couple weeks. Garvison wants to talk about the rummers he has heard about the Jedi breaking free of the New Republic. I am not sure if he would support such a move, but Fey'lya said he would when he confronted me."
"Does he know or just suspect?"
"I believe he has put enough peace to the puzzle together to know but I did not confirm it. Just told him if we did that, I would let him know with the rest of the Ruling Council."
"Well, that is one less thing to worry about. When will you decide on the time?"
"I still want to meet with all the master's about it first. I would like Ahsoka and Bridger there as well. Even if they do not follow the same path we do, it will still affect them."
"I will let them know. We need to meet before we head to Corscant. That way you can let Garvison know. I believe he will be more supportive of the move than others. Your sister will not be happy about it."
"No, but she chose not to join the Order, so she has no vote."
"You think that will stop her from telling you what she thinks."
"No, she will say her peace and I will tell her that the decision lies with the Order on where they feel they need to go. Of course, she won't like that either."
"She will try to talk you out of it."
Before Luke could reply there was an explosion, and he was thrown from his chair.
So ends another chapter. I hope you all like it. Luke seems to get himself in trouble again. The question is why it happen. Was it because of the Jedi's role in the trial or was it attack on him personally.