Episode 9: Nemesis of the Force Part 10

Skywalker Saga

The Shadows of the Past Trilogy

Episode 9: Nemesis of the Force Part 10

                 The scene shifts to the New Republic attack fleet which has rendezvoused over Manaan.  Aboard the Restoration, in the same meeting room, Poe has assembled all of the commanders and leaders of the New Republic (complete with holograms of some who aren't able to be present) including Rey and her companions and Zelia and hers.  Amelia Zyn is there also, but she is in disguise wearing a cloak with a face mask that covers her whole face.  Jacen, Leia and Chewie stand in the center of the room in front of a podium and terminal.  Jacen is cuffed, standing stoically.  He is finally no longer in his black armor but is dressed in noble attire.  

                Poe immediately addresses the audience.  "Representatives of the New Republic Senate, Military Officers and personnel, members of the jury, and guests, thank you all for your time.  Our present situation with the First Order and Zyn Empire, our enemies, has escalated, but it is nevertheless our duty to ensure that justice prevails.  Standing before you is the individual formerly known as Supreme Leader Kylo Ren of the First Order who is responsible for a multitude of war crimes too numerous to list at this time.  The list of his crimes is presented to the jury and those present."  He gestures at the various terminals in front of everyone.  "As General of the New Republic, I hereby call this military court into session."

                "This is a joke," Jacen says in low tones to his mother.  "I never thought you'd use me as a sacrificial lamb."

                "You agreed to this," says Leia.  "Now be quiet.  We're broadcasting to the galaxy at large."

                "Kylo Ren," Poe continues.  "The list of your crimes has been presented to you."  He gestures to the terminal screen in front of Jacen and Leia.  "How do you plead?"

                Leia steps forward on Jacen's behalf.  "Guilty, General," she replies.  "Guilty on every count.  The defendant, as hard as it may be to believe, has recognized the error of his ways.  After the betrayal of General Hux and Captain Traisl of the First Order, who committed the atrocity of the bombardment of Coronet City on Corellia - all in an attempt to assassinate him and seize his position - Jacen Solo, my son, has denounced his former position and name, rejecting the treacherous ideals of the First Order.  He is willing to accept full punishment for his crimes, even if that means execution.  Let the records show that the individual formerly known as Supreme Leader Kylo Ren is now to be known as Jacen Solo."

                Poe stops her from continuing with a raised hand.  "Are you certain you are well enough to proceed, Chancellor.  After being kidnapped by the Zyn Empire's enforcer, Darth Saydra, and the near-death escape, we can surely provide the defendant with another representative."

                "I am fine.  Thank you, General."  She then collects herself.  "At this time, Chewbacca the Wookiee would like to speak on the defendant's behalf."

                Chewie steps forward to the podium as Leia steps aside.  He begins a series of growls that are all translated over the speakers.  "I've never been good with speeches, so forgive me if I'm not fancy with words.  You know me as you knew Han and Leia and Luke.  I have lived long enough to see the fall of the Republic, the rise of the Empire, the fall of the Empire, the Rise of the New Republic, and now this present war.  During war, many people do stupid things, and many of those stupid things hurt and even crush the lives of others - even the ones closest to them.  During war especially, it is so easy for us to compromise again and again until we find ourselves in a place where we don't even know ourselves anymore."

                "And some of you know that I had sworn a WookieeLife Debt to my deceased friend and companion, Han."  He pauses, tears welling up in his eyes.  "I would honor that life debt even now, for it was transferred to Leia on Cloud City, and she has transferred it to her son, Jacen."  This brings a plethora of gasps from the crowd.  Jacen is stunned and looks at Leia as if totally caught off guard by this.  It is clear that this is a new development.

                Chewie waits for the room to settle a bit before continuing.  "If anyone has any reason to hate Jacen, it is me.  He killed Han.  He has killed Luke's students and so many of my friends and loved ones.  He has tried to kill Leia and Rey and Finn, not to mention all of my other closest friends.  Indeed, he does not deserve mercy or forgiveness, and he does not deserve to live."  This brings an even louder roar from the crowd, but this time Chewie speaks over them.

                "But!  Regardless of what he deserves, I believe he is sincere in his desire to atone.  I believe he has finally realized where his path has led him.  He has no one.  He was betrayed by all, and finally, when he had nothing left and he was about to die, he realized just how terrible he had become.  He saw the depths of his crimes, and he hates himself for them."

                Chewie turns to face Jacen, and his growls and roars become truly heart wrenching.  "I remember the day you were born.  We were so happy.  I held you in my arms.  Even though I don't have the Force, I could sense the power in you.  That power which you honed and strengthened, it is the proof that you are truly repentant.  Even now, even as we stand here, you could use that power to harm and kill and escape from us, but you have surrendered instead.  You are willing to stand before all of these people who you have wronged, and you are willing to receive whatever punishment they decide for you."  

                "I remember how much hope we all had for you."  Jacen cannot help himself at this point.  Tears well up in his own eyes and begin to stream down his face.  Chewie's own fur is wet with his tears.  "We had so many high hopes and dreams for you.  But FORGET THEM!"  His sudden outburst jars the crowd.  "Who cares about all that?  We were so proud of you, but I want you to know that right now, Jacen, I have never been more proud of you.  Your mother has never been more proud of you, and...and I know your father is watching you in the Force right now, and I speak for him.  He has never been more proud of you than he is right now."

                "And why?  Because we all make mistakes.  We all do dumb things.  Han would have been the first to admit that."  This brings sad laughter from numerous individuals including Leia.  "Many of us also do big and terrible things that we regret for the rest of our lives - permanent things we can't take back.  None of that makes us monsters.  What makes us monsters is when we never come to that place where we own up to the evils that we have done, and we never do something to pay for those evils.  It isn't the one who does evil that is a monster.  It is the one who does evil who never owns up to it and willingly pays for it that is truly a monster."

                Chewie turns back to those assembled.  "Jacen Solo, or whatever you want to call him, has done terrible things.  For that he should be punished.  But I ask you to show him mercy.  Do not execute him.  Let him pay for his crimes.  Grant him the ability to atone; to prove to the galaxy that he is not the man he was before.  Give him a second chance.  I'm not asking you to let him go free without punishment.  I'm just asking you to spare his life."

                "Anyway, I say let's not be like other governments who show no mercy to people who mess up.  Let's be the government that everyone wants to be like.  Isn't THAT what we've been fighting for all these years - even as far back as the Clone Wars?  Aren't we fighting to be the people who do better - who rise above evil?  Shouldn't we be the people of mercy AND justice?  It'd be one thing if he showed no signs of repentance, but that's not him.  Jacen is willing to accept his fate, whatever it is."  Then, feeling awkward, he abruptly leaves the podium and stands behind Leia and Jacen as he wipes his face attempting to collect himself.

                A heavy silence falls upon the room.  Poe finally takes the lead.  "Chancellor, does the defense have anything else they'd like to add before we deliberate on Jacen Solo's fate?"

                Leia, struggling hard against her own emotions, says, "Only what Chewbacca said in the end, General.  Moments like these define who we are as a people.  Are we going to be like the vindictive and harsh and cruel governments that we are at war with - like the First Order and the Zyn Empire?  If so, why don't we simply make an alliance with them and end this government and the war.  No.  We are not them.  We fight for justice and mercy alike.  We fight to be the examples.  We fight to unite the galaxy in peace and harmony while fighting for what is right.  Let's make an example of Jacen Solo; of Supreme Leader Kylo Ren.  Let us make a GOOD example of him to show the galaxy what it means to BE good."  And with that, she concludes, "The defense rests."

                Poe nods.  "Then we will take a short recess to deliberate."  And with that, the chamber begins to empty.

                In the hall beyond, Admiral Tanak of the New Republic Navy, an Aqualish male, one of the only survivors of the former New Republic Fleet, hurries to walk in step with Poe.  He was not present in previous scenes, but he was present at the trial.  This indicates that he was elsewhere in the New Republic Fleet.  "Was this trial all a farce?  Have we already decided what Ren's fate is?"

                Poe shakes his head.  "Not exactly a farce," he says.  "The whole point of this is to try to get people to stop and think.  Do they want to be ruled by treacherous people like Hux and the First Order?  Do they want to be ruled by the Hutts or Black Sun or more importantly, the Zyns?  Nevertheless, Kylo Ren WILL receive punishment.  We just may have used his trial to try to gain support from other governments."  

                They round a corner.  "We want the other governments to know that we are officially against the Zyn Empire as well, not just the First Order."  He stops at the end of the hall and faces Tanak.  "We're about to do something incredibly insane, Admiral.  What we need right now is allies, and fast.  If the enemies of the Zyn discover we're also against them, we might just gain their support."

                He opens the door at the end of the hall and continues on his way again, Tanak following.  "As soon as we announce Kylo Ren's fate, Leia is going to get in contact with the Hapes Consortium, Black Sun, the Hutt Cartel and the Corporate Sector Alliance.  She is going to do everything in her power to try to gain their support against Snoke while the bulk of our forces are attacking the Zyn cloning facilities in secret."

                "Her hope is to convince them that Snoke has changed sides.  He is now allied with the Zyn and against the First Order.  Ambassador Cordasi provided us with some evidence pointing to this; that Darth Saydra met with Snoke several times years ago before he faked his death on the Supremacy.  Now we know his secret location in the Unknown Regions.  If we join forces, we can take him out before he strengthens his own power base."

                They arrive at Poe's quarters and settle in.  "We are undoubtedly walking into a Snoke trap," Poe continues.  "We can see that a mile away.  But if Snoke doesn't foresee us gaining additional allies so quickly, we may just spring his trap and catch him in it instead."

                “That’s taking an awful risk, General," says Tanak.  "What if the other governments the Chancellor contacts turn on us instead?  What if they are already working with Snoke?  Black Sun and the Hutts are criminal organizations turned into criminal states.  We can't trust them most of all.”

                “If they are working for Snoke then they’ll likely turn on us anyway the moment we leave for the Unknown Regions,” says Poe.  "It's not going to make a whole lot of difference at this point."

                "What about the Felderra Dragons?" says Tanak.

                "Zelia Harone and her mercenaries?  What about them?"

                "Last I heard they were not on board for the attack on the Zyn cloning facilities.  Aren't they pivotal to our success?"

                 Poe leans back in his chair.  "They had a change of heart.  Turns out, Ambassador Cordasi decided to share something with them, and Leia backed her up.  Seems the Chancellor knew Cordasi previously.  This seems to have convinced them to trust her.  The plan is moving forward."

                Poe leans forward and steeples his fingers as he rests his elbows on his desk.  "Listen, Tanak.  I'm just as worried as you are, but I don't see much choice here.  If we pull these two attacks off successfully, we might just prevent years and years of additional warfare.  We have to take the chance."

                 "I hope you're right, General."

                 Poe takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.  As he does, under his breath, he says, "Me too, Pal.  Me too."

                The scene shifts to Leia, Jacen, Chewbacca, and Amelia in a side room of the trial chamber.  Amelia removes her face mask as the scene begins.  "Do you really think this is going to work?" she asks Leia.  "Will the other governments lend their support?"

                "We have several things going for us," Leia replies.  "Unfortunately, my son has made many enemies.  Publicly sentencing him, and making it severe, will go a long way in gaining support especially from the Hapes Consortium.  The First Order has hit them hard, and Kylo Ren in particular was at the forefront of many of the battles there."

                "The fact that the Zyn Empire has been pushing hard against the Corporate Sector Alliance and the Hutts will hopefully win us their support now that we are announcing that the Zyn are our enemies.  As for Black Sun, I'm not so sure.  I personally don't have a lot of fond feelings towards them.  We have a bit of a past that dates back to the Galactic Civil War." 

                "Still," she continues, "Black Sun has no love for the Zyn Empire.  If they learn that we have a chance of crippling them, Black Sun may throw some forces into the mix to support us against Snoke."

                "Our greatest enemy right now is time.  We simply don't have time to wait.  If these governments hesitate to help us, our forces will be heading out to the Unknown Regions without backup.  Whatever Snoke is planning, if we don't bring reinforcements, who knows how it will end?"

                Then Leia moves to stand before Amelia, a sympathetic look in her eyes.  "But I'm actually not as concerned about all that.  I'm more concerned about you, Your Highness.  Are you sure about your decision?  Are you sure YOU want to go with our forces to attack Snoke as opposed to helping the Felderra Dragons as we initially planned?"

                Amelia looks down, uncertain.  "I have given the Felderra Dragons everything I have at my disposal.  Every code and every schematic I stole before leaving, I have given them all to Kika."  She looks up at Leia again.  "Something inside is drawing me to the fight against Snoke.  I can't explain it.  I feel I MUST go, as crazy as it seems.  I have the training.  I KNOW the Dark Side of the Force.  I grew up with it.  Rey needs my help."  

                "Do you think I'm wrong?" Amelia continues, uncertainty once more taking over.  "Do you think I should still go with the Felderra Dragons?  Whatever you say, I trust you."

                Leia puts her hand on her shoulder.  "Amelia.  Do you remember what I told you when we first met?  The Force is strong with you.  Let it guide you.  Do what you think is right.  If you truly believe that it is right for you to go with Rey and her team to defeat Snoke, then go.  The Felderra Dragons will be fine without you now that you've given them all the tools that they need."

                Jacen then interrupts, laughing.  "You KNOW the Dark Side of the Force?  No.  I don't think you do.  I feel only a hint of the Dark Side in you.  Some rebel against their parents by doing bad things.  You've rebelled against your mother by doing good.  You've shunned the Dark Side and resisted it.  You know nothing about it, not really.  When you confront Snoke, THEN you will experience the true depravity of the Dark Side.  THEN you will know it."

                "It drains you of life and leaves you cold and empty.  You are like a ghost, a specter.  You are a shell of what you once were.  You become devoid of emotion.  The only way you can feel anything again is to tap into the Dark Side and control it - to use it and kill and destroy and dominate.  Only when you tap into your passions do you feel anything again.  Trust me.  You will never be more tempted to use the Dark Side than when you face Snoke."

                And with that, the door opens, interrupting the conversation.  3P0 stands in the entranceway.  "Mistress Leia.  It's time."  And with that, Leia exchanges glances with Jacen, Chewie, and Amelia.  She then gestures to the door, and Jacen leads the way.  Only Amelia remains in the room as she puts her mask back on.

                In the trial chamber, everyone assembles.  Then Poe addresses the audience.  "The jury has made their decision in regards to the sentence of former Supreme Leader Kylo Ren, now to be known as Jacen Solo, son of Leia Organa Solo, Chancellor of the New Republic.  The jury wants to assure all assembled and witnessing this occasion that they in no way considered the beloved Chancellor's relationship to the defendant when making their final decision.  It is based solely on his own actions of surrender as well as his willingness to be tried fairly by this New Republic military court."

                "Having said this, the jury has accepted Jacen Solo's plea of guilty and has sentenced him to life in prison on the Moon of Tra'din.  His sentence will be carried out in one week's time.  Until then, he will be confined to a detention cell here on the Restoration under my command and authority.  This concludes the military trial of Supreme Leader Kylo Ren."

                "The Moon of Tra'din!" exclaims 3P0.  "Mistress Leia!  I am so sorry.  That is the harshest prison in the New Republic currently.  Only Kessel has been considered worse than the Moon of Tra'din."

                "I'm fully aware, 3P0," says Leia darkly as several New Republic officers lead her son away.  "But we don't have time to think about that right now.  Send word to the Archai.  We will be boarding it shortly."  She then turns and exits the chamber quickly with Chewie and 3P0 following close behind.

                The scene then shifts to show the New Republic Fleet separate, and each of five groupings of ships jumps to lightspeed.  Only one small grouping of ships remains hovering over Manaan.