Chapter 16: The Fall of Skywalker

Kira forged ahead toward the Senate building, the visions she experienced in the Jedi temple echoing through her mind. She pressed onward, only partially aware of where she was going. She reached the edge of the protests much sooner than she expected, and she realized belatedly that security forces had pushed the protestors away from the Senate building and into the city streets. She attempted to push her way through the crush of people, but the resistance and the jostling from the crowd prevented from progressing. The protests had quieted as the crowd watched the beginning of the vote on the Constitution on a massive screen embedded in the wall of an office building.

Kira continued to push her way through the crowd, but something in the broadcast caught her attention. The Senator from Kuat had interrupted the Senator from New Alderaan, and the Senate was in chaos. It dawned on Kira that if the vote were ongoing, Leia would be inside the Senate, and there would be little she could do to talk to her about what she had seen. How could she have lost track of time like that? She knew the vote was coming soon. How much time had she spent in the temple?

As she wondered this, she caught a phrase from the Kuati Senator where he said, "'The genetic information contained in my evidence shows a match with none other than Anakin Skywalker!'" At the mention of the word Skywalker, she stopped her struggle and turned her full attention to the screen in time to hear, "'At the end of the Clone Wars, the Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi nearly killed Skywalker. From that point, Skywalker became Darth Vader. He murdered millions of beings during the Emperor's reign of terror, becoming the galaxy's most hated villain! His children were born in secret, raised in hiding. They hid this secret from the galaxy to further this single political aim: taking power for themselves to perpetuate the tyranny of the Empire!'"

A cold weight settled into Kira's stomach as she heard the Senator's explanation. Had the vision been true? Had she seen the moment of Anakin Skywalker's turn to the dark side? She looked around her and heard the steadily rising rumble of talk amongst the protestors. Turning her senses outward, she could feel the confusion, anger, betrayal, fear, and outrage from the people surrounding her. They were digesting this information, and Kira could sense that the conclusion was rage. She herself felt confused and scared, as if some inner pillar of certainty had suddenly turned to wet sand.

The Senator continued his speech, and the entire street went silent to hear his next words. ""There's more! Perhaps you doubt the Skywalker's sinister intentions? Maybe you see the Chancellor's and the Jedi's track records and think, 'but how could they be tyrants?' Look no further than the chaos in the streets! Brutal suppression of righteous protests at this folly of a Constitution!" Protestors around her muttered and whispered amongst themselves, taking the Senator's comments about their treatment as validation over being brutally mishandled. Senator Bolsko continued, "But there's more sinister evidence yet! At the battle of Jakku, when the Empire made its last stand, Skywalker and Organa found a girl at a secret Imperial base. She has been trained as a Jedi, although she recently nearly killed her own Master! My evidence shows her genetic heritage." Bolsko paused while a new data sheet replaced Anakin Skywalker's genetic information. "The girl they rescued and trained is none other than the daughter of Emperor Palpatine!"

The tidal wave of shock that tore through Kira rendered her motionless. The vision of Palpatine, flesh rotting and teeth decaying filled her mind once again, and his cackle rang in her ears. Even in her darkest dreams she never dared to consider a relationship to the late Emperor. Now the Kuati Senator was claiming that she was the Emperor's daughter. As far as she could tell, she had never met him. But then again, she only met her mother directly a handful of times and only had communication with her through the Force. She could create lightning out of Dark Side energy – a power that only Sith were known to possess. A powerful anger and fear surged in her, which she struggled desperately to suppress.

The news feed cut away from the Kuati Senator to show an image of Kira. She gazed back up at her face on the screen, and her own face appeared sinister, cruel, and full of dark intention. Seeing herself as if in a mirror, the urge to flee overcame her. Behind the urge followed the question, How could they have done this to me?

As she stood frozen by horror at what she had heard and seen, the being standing next to her, a Twi'lek with green skin, turned toward her and stared at her. The Twi'lek then looked to the screen and back to Kira. Recognition dawned on her face, and she shouted, "It's the Emperor's daughter!"

Kira looked into the Twi'lek's eyes and saw her fear and hatred. The people in the crowd surrounding her turned toward her and stared at her. They took several steps back, leaving her standing in a circle of people, all of whom were staring, whispering, and spreading the word. The word spread like wildfire through the crowd, and suddenly there were angry voices shouting about the Emperor's daughter being here. They called for the authorities to get her. One human man lunged toward her, and she dodged him deftly. The Twi'lek called out, "Don't! She has powerful dark magic!"

Beyond the edge of the crowd, she could sense a commotion, and she heard somebody shouting about security approaching. Some of the protestors began to flee from the security, but she could hear others in the crowd shouting, "She's here!" and "The Emperor's daughter is over there!" More people around her began to shout at her, and something inside of her broke, stirring her out of her frozen stupor. She turned away from the security forces and pushed her way through the protestors behind her. The protestors pushed back, slowing her progress as the security forces jostled their way through the other side of the crowd to reach her. Hands clawed at her and voices shouted. Angry, frightened faces were inches from her own. Somebody spit on her, and she felt somebody hit her. Fearing that she was moments away from capture or injury, she reached out to the Force, sending a powerful wave through the crowd that knocked the horde of people back by ten feet.

With the path cleared, Kira ran forward, leaving the shouting and anger behind her. More people stood ahead of her, and she leapt over them onto an awning over a shop. From the awning, she leapt again, landing atop another storefront. With her third leap, she cleared the crowd of people, landing lightly before breaking into a run. She sensed a shift of danger through the Force, and she knew that security forces were closing in. She turned down an alleyway, and using the Force, she broke into a run faster than any security officer could maintain. She cut across several more streets before reaching a small square. She took her bearings and allowed herself a brief pause. She spoke into her wrist comm, saying, "BD-5, are you with the ship?"

A moment later, an excitable warble and trill confirmed that BD-5 was there. She responded, "Start the ship. I'll be there in five minutes." Kira then set off running across the square toward the landing pad adjacent to the hospital. She made satisfactory progress, cutting through various streets. Although she passed countless people, she was moving too quickly for them to notice her. After five minutes, she reached the base of the landing pad, and, through the Force, she leapt up to the top of the pad to see her ship surrounded by half a dozen members of Republic security.

"Kira Palpatine?" the leader of the guard asked.

"That's not my name," she growled.

"You're under arrest," the leader of the guard responded with cold, cruel indifference. The officers fanned out to surround her, and they raised their blasters. Not knowing whether they were set for stun, Kira withdrew her lightsabers, and in a flash, she ignited both blades.

"Get out of my way," she demanded, anger in her voice.

"By order of Commander Specks, you are to be arrested and detained for questioning," the leader ordered, raising his blaster, and pointing at her chest.

"I said MOVE!" Kira shouted, and then through the Force she pushed outward, sending the security forces flying backward.

The path was now clear between her and her ship, and she charged ahead. The ship was ready for take-off, and she slid into the captain's seat. Blaster bolts ricocheted off her ship from the outside, and in disbelief that Republic Security forces were attacking her, she called out to BD-5, "I don't care what it does, get us in the air!"

A moment later, the ship lurched, then rose. The blast from the repulsor lifts sent the Security forces back once again, and with her ship airborne, she gunned the throttle and blasted out into the night. BD-5 trilled a warning about security ships approaching, and she cut a hard right to dart through a cavernous canyon of mile-high skyscrapers. Picking up speed, she came out above the Senate Square, and with minimal traffic before her, she gave her ship full throttle as it shot into the Coruscanti atmosphere.

***

Senator Bolsko's final words rang through the great hall of the Jedi Council as the feed from the holonet showed bedlam in the Senate. Luke Skywalker, who had watched the entire exchange in the Senate with mounting dread, now stood in the center of the council feeling the eyes of the other eleven masters scrutinizing him. Through his senses, he could feel the shock, confusion, and anger from his fellow Jedi, all of whom looked at him as if seeing him clearly for the first time. Before he could speak, he heard Master Melso say, voice constricted with suppressed anger, "Is it true, Skywalker?"

Luke registered the use of his name without the formal title, and he turned to Master Melso. Luke knew that Darth Vader had killed his family, leaving him to survive for over a year on the run from Vader's Inquisitors. Melso had failed his first trial because he had been unable to put his rage at Vader behind him, and it was only through Luke's guidance and support that he had moved past that rage. But now, Melso looked at Luke as if he were ready to strike him, and Luke knew it was only his training and the decorum of the temple that stopped Melso from attacking. Luke looked him in the eye for a long moment, and then, knowing that the truth was already out and that he could do nothing to undo this, he nodded.

"And the girl?" asked Master Rancisis

"It's true," Luke answered, his voice leaden.

"Please explain," requested Master Kcaj, a note of ice in the Jedi's otherwise serene, ethereal voice. Luke knew that Kcaj had lost many friends in the Jedi purge.

Luke looked around at the expectant Jedi Masters regarding him. Some appeared confused and concerned, while some appeared downright furious. Inwardly, Luke marveled at how their training had reached its limits at this revelation. He took a breath, then began his explanation. "Yes. Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader, and he remained so only until the final minutes of his life. He sacrificed himself to save me from the Emperor, renouncing his Sith identity and becoming Anakin Skywalker once again."

Luke took another deep breath, steeling himself to explain the lie. "The galaxy was in ashes. People looked to my sister and me to lead them out of the devastation. We knew that our reputation was all that was holding the Republic together, and we feared what might happen if people learned we were the children of Darth Vader."

"So, you lied," continued Melso, ice and rage mingling together in his voice.

"Yes," answered Luke with a calm that did not quite mask his sadness.

"Is the girl the daughter of Darth Sidious?" asked Master Rancisis.

Luke closed his eyes and looked down for a moment. When he raised his head again, he said, "She is."

The anger and fear of the Masters rippled throughout the room, and Luke could sense some of them were struggling to process and understand his acknowledgment, while others were starting to recognize what they felt was the full extent of his betrayal. It would be difficult, if not impossible, for them to understand his full reasoning, but he attempted anyway. "Leia and I learned of a secret facility on Jakku, and following the battle, we went there to discover the Emperor's purpose. The building had been destroyed, but we found a young girl, mourning over her mother. She attacked us. We debated leaving her behind with a family to foster her, but we feared to what end her power might lead her. We took it upon ourselves to heal her, raise her, and train her." The room was silent, waiting for the rest of his explanation. "We believed that, together, Leia and I could help keep her in the light."

"And Master Tano? Did she know?" asked Master Kcaj.

"At first, no," Luke admitted, "But Master Tano deduced the truth. At first, she objected, but she recognized that Kira's nature was not like the Emperor's. In time, she came to agree with our choice, and she assumed responsibility for Kira's training."

"Not like, but not unlike," said Master Rancisis, holding up his injured right arm.

"Do we not all carry the Dark Side within?" asked Master Junda, attempting to provide a counterargument.

"We do," responded Master Melso, "But not all of us lie to the galaxy and raise a child to become a Jedi who nearly kills a Jedi Master." Master Melso stood from his chair and addressed the Council. "Fellow Masters, given the depths of Skywalker's deception, I hereby motion that we vote immediately on whether to allow him to remain a part of this order."

"But Master Skywalker resurrected this order! He turned Anakin Skywalker back to the light, and together they killed Darth Sidious. We would not be here but for him!" responded Master Junda, outraged.

"Be that as it may," said Master Kcaj. "It is not the Jedi way to deceive others. Nor is it the Jedi way to walk such dangerous paths without the consent of the Council."

"Skywalker, long have you rejected the orthodoxy of the Jedi order. I have disagreed with much of it, but I deferred my concerns in recognition of your reputation and triumphs," declared Master Rancisis, his voice wheezing and frail. "I am afraid I must side with Master Melso. I second his motion to vote for your removal."

"Those in favor of Master Skywalker's expulsion?" said Master Melso, his voice clear, loud, and amplified by the reverberations of the hall. Skywalker looked at him, his heart aching at the betrayal. After everything he had sacrificed to rebuild the order. After everything he had given them. . .

Ten of the eleven Jedi in the hall raised their hands in favor. Some did so immediately. Some did so slowly and hesitantly. Only Master Junda did not raise her hand.

"The council has spoken," said Master Rancisis, his voice faint, but ripe with finality.

"This is a mistake," Luke said calmly.

"Yes, we need Master Skywalker! The threat he told us of!" called out Master Junda, but Master Melso cut her off, shouting, "Your lightsaber, Skywalker."

Luke faced Melso, the other holding out his hand and waiting for Luke to surrender his weapon. Melso wore an expression that seemed to invite a challenge, as if Melso was looking for a reason to attack.

"Your feelings betray you, Master Melso. You seek to harm me," said Luke, his voice still calm.

"Do not attempt to change the subject, Skywalker," Melso replied with menace in his voice. "Your lightsaber."

Luke looked around. Only Master Junda, fraught and distressed, appeared against the motion. The other Masters looked to Luke with no sympathy and no compromise. Luke understood the rule; if a Jedi were excommunicated, he would relinquish his saber for destruction and commit to abandoning the Force. Luke looked back to Melso, who stood still as a statue with his hand outstretched. Melso said quietly, "Do not force me to take it from you."

Luke cocked an eyebrow at Melso but decided against further antagonizing him. Instead, he unclipped his saber and held it out to Melso. Through the Force, Melso pulled the saber into the center of the circle. Each Master except Master Junda closed their eyes and held out their hands. The body of the saber fell apart, the pieces clattering to the ground. The saber's kyber crystal hovered two meters above the ground, slowly rotating in mid-air. Each of the Masters sank deeper into concentration, and the crystal began to glow. Cracks began to show as heat and radiation emanated from within. With a last burst of concentration from the Masters, the crystal shattered into a thousand pieces.

Luke's head fell, his lightsaber destroyed, his life's work undone. Master Junda exclaimed to the Council. "Cowards! This could have been resolved through meditation and penance. I don't condone Skywalker's lie, but he is the greatest of the Jedi here."

Melso scoffed, and Junda shot him a look, continuing, "Yes, even greater than one who was only a second away from attacking his mentor in anger." She then turned toward Master Rancisis, and continued, "How does that fit into your precious orthodoxy if you're willing to allow another Master to act out of anger on something this monumental."

"Master Junda, do not speak out of turn," Master Rancisis scolded.

"I will not speak on this council again," and with that, Master Junda threw her lightsaber to the ground. "I am ashamed." She turned and walked out of the council chambers into the Yavin-4 jungle. The Masters watched her leave, then returned their attention to Luke.

Master Rancisis addressed him. "The council must deliberate the next steps. Remain in your chambers until the morning. We will inform you of our decision on whether to extradite you to the Republic."

Luke took one last look around the room at the Masters he had sought, found, trained, elevated, and fought beside. Some of them looked uncertain and remorseful. Some appeared angry. All appeared resolute in their decision. Accepting their decision and his excommunication, Luke turned and left the chamber.

As he did so, he surreptitiously pressed a button wired into his cybernetic right wrist.

Deep in the Yavin jungle, R2-D2 sat dormant in recharge mode. Having sensed a premonition in the Force, Luke left him behind as a precaution. The droid's antenna shot up, registering an incoming message. The droid's system came back online, and it swiveled its head around, taking its bearings. The droid left the hut, working its way over uneven terrain before arriving at a nearby clearing. In the center of the clearing stood Luke's X-wing, also dormant. R2-D2 rolled to a spot below the droid port, and a mechanism reached down to pull him upward into the socket. The droid then resumed its standby power mode, awaiting further orders.