Lost Family

Epilogue - Return Home

"Are you saying that Anakin Skywalker did not kill those Jedi?" Mace Windu asked.

"That's not what I said," Luke replied, "I'd be foolish to try and convince you that it weren't his own actions and no one can deny that it was indeed done by his hand and with his lightsaber. But what I said, Master Windu, was that Anakin is innocent."

"How do you explain his innocence, if you do not deny what he has done?" Ki-Adi-Mundi asked.

"He was being controlled."

"Controlled," Ki-Adi-Mundi repeated sceptically. "How?"

"Sidious put him under a mind control with the aid of the force," Luke explained.

"I have never heard of such a control," Shaak Ti put in.

"It's an ancient Sith technique," Luke told her hesitantly.

"Then how have you come to know about it?" Master Windu said.

"I studied up on in after the first time."

"The first time?"

Luke gulped. "That time in the chancellors office when we found out he was the Sith Lord," he said quietly.

"Anakin attacked you!?" Kit Fisto exclaimed.

"Yes, but the chancellor already had control over him," Luke said, "at least his emotions. As soon as Anakin had taken one step to siding with him instead of me, he was able to take hold of him."

"I have read about that technique," Jocasta Nu said. "It requires for the person being controlled to give up some part of their own will, loyalty or thought, does it not? And if what I read and what you say is true, then Skywalker would have been under a rather complete control, which requires the willing submission of the victim to the controller."

"So even if he was being controlled, Skywalker would have had to pledge himself to Darth Sidious first?" Plo Koon asked.

"That is what I said, Master Plo," Jocasta said sternly.

"Anakin would never do that!" Obi-Wan exclaimed. He had been released from the halls of healing earlier that day. 

Luke glanced to Han and Leia who were standing at the side along with Artoo.

"I'm afraid Master Nu is right," he sighed. "We didn't see the whole thing, we don't know what exactly happened, but I'm sure that there is an explanation for it. When we got there, Anakin was choking Padmé, and he would never do that of his own free will! I know that for a fact. He'd rather give his own life than hurt her!"

"And why is that?" Master Windu asked and Luke hesitated.

He was spared the trouble of figuring out an answer, when Padmé burst into the room.

"It wasn't his fault," she said while the doors shut. "Anakin is innocent, he would never do something like that!"

"So we heard," Mace Windu said in a cold tone, so quiet that almost nobody caught it. Then he raised his voice, "Luke is already explaining it, Senator Amidala. You may stay here, but you will have to stand aside and let him speak."

Padmé bit her lip, but nodded and turned to Leia and Han.

"Go yet do not," Yoda said suddenly. "A story to tell us, you might have."

Padmé turned back and looked at the little, green master in confusion.

"Know what happened before Luke arrived, we do not," Yoda explained, "Able to tell us you are, hm?"