The Trace Which Remains

Chapter 21: ... throwing the darts...

Leia was absolutely enraged.

Dr. Severeth had been gone for more than an hour, and she and Luke were getting worried. Leia had a queasy feeling in the pit of her gut that told her that there was trouble. Pacing around the generator room, Leia reached out with the Force. Myka's presence seemed even more muted than usual, and she frowned. Perhaps he was just doing that to spy- or perhaps there was something wrong.

"We need to go after him."

Luke held up a hand. "Leia, if he's in trouble, it'll be a Lord of the Sith that we have to save him from."

"You don't think I can?" She crossed her arms and stared at him.

Luke sighed. "Right now, I don't think I can. I'm still feeling like crap- better than before, but I don't know if I can fight."

"We have to try."

She saw that the words hit a chord. He had said the same about saving their father. Finally, he pressed his lips together, and nodded.

"We need to inform High Command."

****

"You say that the murderer is a Sith Lord?" Mon Mothma shifted in her seat as the Skywalker twins faced her.

"Her name is Darth Morata, but she is known as a master of disguise, and is likely using another name. She was Dr. Severeth's master until he ran away from her. I'm worried that she found him."

"Would she kill him?"

Luke spoke, shaking his head. "She would try to use him- blackmail him into returning to her service. Sith of Palpatine's type use intimidation and threats against the people that their targets care about in order to control them."

"This is quite serious. Do you believe that this woman is behind the attack... on yourself, Jedi Skywalker?"

"Yes. And also behind a poisoning attempt." Luke rested his hands on his knees, willing them to stop shaking. "Myka said that Morata is a geneticist, and we believe that certain evidence that will be presented in the trial has been forged."

"Then it is likely that she seeks a harsh conviction." Mon Mothma's voice was somber.

"Yes. We need to hold the trial quickly- I have proof of the forged reports, as well as a prepared argument." Leia folded her hands in her lap, clenching so tightly that her knuckles were white.

Mon Mothma was clearly surprised. "You have had time to prepare, even under the stress of recent events?"

"Yes- let's get it over with. Tomorrow, if possible. I need to try to find Dr. Severeth- I believe that he's been kidnapped by Morata."

"And what if he's voluntarily joined her?"

Leia frowned. "Then we do what we have to."

****

"We can't kill Myka." Luke stated firmly once they exited the office. Leia looked up at him, a sharp retort on her lips- but she kept it still.

Instead, she replied, "I hope we won't have to."

"We don't have the skill to face two Sith at once! Especially with me injured and you untrained."

Eyes narrowing, Leia asked, "What do you think I did all the time when I was a girl? Doll parties and dress up?" She grabbed his wrist, throwing him to the floor and planting her knee in his back. "I'm trained in several fighting forms, including swordsmanship. If it comes down to it... I can use a lightsaber."

Leia felt him laugh through her knee. "Remind me not to underestimate you again."

She smiled and let him up. "Don't underestimate me again." She was about to speak again, when she heard footsteps approaching.

It was Dr. Severeth. With a relieved sigh, Leia rushed to him. "Did you find the computer?"

Holding up a worn datapad, Myka grinned- but the grin didn't touch his eyes. "I found it. It has all of her plans- I reviewed it myself. That's what took me so long. I'm sorry."

"You worried the hell out of us!" Luke grabbed Myka by the shoulders, before giving him a brief hug. Leia didn't miss the stiffening of Myka's shoulders, nor the awkward return of the hug.

Leia sighed. "The trial will begin soon- hopefully tomorrow. I'm as ready as I can be."

****

Luke watched as Leia read the file on the datapad, biting her lip. It was almost 19:00, and Luke was busy trying to make sense of what the printout said. Something about "splicing the data from the two samples" and "the subject won't know until it's too late."

Leia finally slammed her near-empty mug of tea- her eighth tonight- on her desk. "Here it is! 'The Granns boy is absolutely clueless- the woman isn't even related to him. It was a simple matter to manipulate his mind- he now believes, absolutely BELIEVES, that the woman that I arranged the death of is his sister.' This isn't even encoded! It's read-only, from the date of 10-30-RD976."

Luke frowned. "Father wasn't even on Coruscant that day! He had gone to Mustafar."

Leia let out a shaky laugh. "It would be difficult to explain how you were an eyewitness to that, Luke."

"I know, I know... but perhaps there's old surveillance tapes, something. Even this file will help."

"I just hope it's enough."

****

The next day began with no surprises, except for the fact that Borsk Fey'lya called Leia at 09:00. "Mon Mothma tells me that you've said you're ready for the trial."

"I am."

The Bothan's voice was tinny over the comlink. "I wish you luck. The trial will begin at noon."

"Thank you. And I hope that you understand if I don't wish you luck."

A gruff chuckle passed through the comlink. "I wouldn't expect you to."

****

Anakin Skywalker hastily dressed in the simple dark blue outfit that he had been given, shaking with trepidation.

He hadn't expected the trial so soon.

He could only hope that it went well.

****

Luke rushed through his shower, before he scarfed a quick egg breakfast down. Leia wanted to speak with him before the trial.

He entered her room wishing he hadn't eaten- his stomach kept trying to remind him what he ate.

****

Han Solo was given a summons by both the prosecution and the defense. His gut clenched around itself as he thought of what the prosecution was planning to grill him on.

He had no idea what the defense had in mind.

****

The auditorium was packed with Alliance personnel and droids, and the hum of conversation filled the air as thoroughly as a thick fog. Anakin Skywalker was ushered in by a pair of grim-faced guards, arms bound. He tried to keep his legs from wobbling as he was escorted to the podium in front of Mon Mothma and the rest of High Command.

The attention chime sounded, and she spoke, her low voice amplified by the loudspeaker.

"Anakin Skywalker, do you confirm that you take legal responsibility for actions committed under the alias Darth Vader?"

Taking a deep breath, Anakin reached with the Force for his two children. They both reached back, their support wrapping around him.

"I do."

"Please state your name, date of birth, and homeworld for the records of the court."

"I am Anakin Skywalker, born on 5-27-RD956 on the planet of Tatooine. By Imperial law, my legal name has been Darth Vader since 1-1-RD977."

The silence was even thicker than the buzz of talk had been. Mon Mothma paused, before stating, "Alliance High Command will now hear the case of The People v. Anakin Skywalker. Anakin Skywalker, you are accused by the people of war crimes, including mass murder, torture, unlawful seizure of property, and unlawful detainment of individuals without benefit of trial. You have also been accused by Mr. Maylon Granns of the rape and murder of his older sister, Yalleigh Granns. How do you plead?"

Anakin froze.

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