The Perfect Jedi • Anakin Skywalker

Ch 35: The Great Trial

"The Senate requests that Ahsoka Tano be indicted for acts of treason against the Republic" Tarkin said in a hologram.

"A fair trial Padawan Tano will have in accordance with the Jedi tradition" Yoda said.

"Ah, yes, Jedi tradition" he said. "I'm afraid, Master Yoda, that the Senate believes that an internal Jedi trial would seem biased. Therefore, the Senate asks that the Council expel Ahsoka Tano from the Jedi Order so that she may be put to a Republic Military tribunal, where she will receive more impartial judgement."

"What?" I said. "We can't do that. Ahsoka will not see a fair trial if the Republic is the one that does so. They all have made up their mind before it's even brought to trial!"

"Organa!" Mace said.

"And who would represent Ahsoka in this tribunal, admiral?" Obi-Wan asked.

"That would be up to the Council, general, but I would recommend someone outside the Order" Tarkin said.

"Of course" he said.

"The Council will act as they deem necessary" Mace said. "Thank you, admiral."

The transmission ended as I looked around.

"We cannot do what Tarkin suggests" I said. "We need to stand together with Ahsoka, not against her."

"And yet there is evidence that she is indeed the mastermind behind the attack on the Temple" Ki-Adi Mundi said.

"She was found in possession of nano droid explosives"  Saesee Tiin said. "This alone is enough to convict her."

"Everybody in this room has had the pleasure of fighting alongside her, do you really think she's capable of doing something like this?" I asked. "Because I don't. She's one of the most loyal Jedi I have ever come across. She's not a traitor!"

"I understand your sentiment, Luna, but if the Council does as you suggest, it could be seen as an act of opposition to the Senate" Mace said. "I'm afraid we have little choice."

"Hmm" Yoda sighed.

"Master Yoda, we can't expel her" I said.

"To the Chamber of Judgement, summon Skywalker and his padawan, and in our decision may the Force guide us" he said.

I slowly walked beside Obi-Wan as we entered the Chamber of Judgement. I stood in my spot, zoning out as I already knew what we were to do. I looked to Mace as he told me what I was to say. Soon Ahsoka was brought up on a lift with Anakin below with a guard. I looked down to her, not wanting make eye contact. I glanced at Anakin as his eyes pleaded.

"Padawan Tano, serious charges have been levied against you" Yoda said as his voice echoed. "How plead you?"

"Not guilty, master" she said. "I would never take the lives of innocents. The values of the Jedi are sacred to me."

"There is evidence to the contrary. You were alone with Letta Turmond when she died. Can you explain this?" Mundi asked.

"Someone used the Force against her" she said.

"Which brings us to Ventress" I said. "Can you explain your association with her?"

"We had a mutual understanding. I thought she was helping me" she said.

"Did she help you acquire the nano droid weaponry found when you were apprehended, the same devices used in the bombing of the Temple?" Mace asked.

"No, I was set up and deceived, as you are being deceived now" she said.

"The question is, Padawan Tano, who is deceiving us?" He asked. "Ventress, you or someone else?"

I looked down, wanting to yell at the other council members.