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Comeuppance - noun, a punishment that a person deserves. “He got his comeuppance.”
Mace Windu moved through the grand hall of the Jedi temple. He kept his expression neutral and looked neither right nor left as he kept an even pace. He did, though, feel the disapproval emanating from the knights he passed although none showed their feelings. The pre-teen younglings, though, could not cover their fear in the Force as they openly stared at him. All Windu could do was to keep on moving.
Yoda sat still in deep meditation. Unsetting were the events of the last few days. Regretful were the Council’s actions. Flawed was the judgment. How to correct this error was one question. How the Council made such an error was another. Effects on members of the Order were concerning.
Yoda paused in his meditation. In the Force a point called to him, a shimmering point emanating both wisdom and disapproval. No, concern. Attend to it he must.
Letting the Force lead him, Yoda found his way to the Jedi Archives. There waiting for him were Jocast Nu and Tera Sinube.
“Masters,” Yoda nodded at each in greeting. “Something to say, I believe you have. Felt you in the Force I did.”
‘It is alway disquieting when someone leaves the Order. We both worked with Padawan Tano. She was a joy and should have had a bright future in the Order,” remarked Master Nu.
“I imagine she lost all faith is us.” Master Sinube noted.
“In the Council, you mean. Polite you are trying to be,” Yoda responded.
“Yes.” This from both.
Master Sinube continued. “The Jedi have lost two promising members of the order, one to hatred and violence and the other to devastating false accusations. Master Yoda, you, Master Nu, and I have been friends for a very long time. Long have we been in service to the Order. We believe this gives us some latitude, shall we say, in voicing our opinions and observations.”
“Agree, I do. Your honesty and your wisdom we need.”
“To that end,” noted Master Nu, ‘for the benefit of everyone in the Order, we implore the Council members to examine every facet of themselves and the Council’s functioning as a whole and determine their role in one knight’s going astray and,” Master Nu paused to think through her words, “in sending an innocent padawan to certain death.”
“Clouded our judgement was. A dark influence I sense.”
“It was your own arrogance.”
“All of you are bloated with self-importance.”
“You committed a grave offense.”
“We fear for the future under the Council as it currently is.”
“Each of you must take responsibility and not point elsewhere.”
Yoda sighed. “Correct you are. On this I, we, will reflect.”
In his quarters, Master Plo Koon stood with his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed at the milky trails of hyperspace.
“Wolffe, we committed a most egregious sin against Padawan Tano.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself, sir. Judging by the evidence and her own behavior, she did seem guilty.”
“She was innocent, Wolffe.”
“Yes sir.”
Master Plo turned to Wolffe. “And moments away from being sentenced to death. That should weigh on us.”
Us?
“I fear the relationship with little 'Soka is beyond repair, and I don’t know if I can blame her; the betrayal runs that deep. As a Jedi, I should maintain a detachment, but I freely admit I grieve this lost relationship with a most exceptional padawan and admit my own fault. She is blameless; I am not.”
Wolffe inwardly sighed. Little 'Soka this, little 'Soka that. Granted Commander Tano had many accomplishments, but it was he who was constantly at General Koon’s side carrying out his orders impeccably. It was he who inspired his men to be so loyal to him that they nicknamed their whole unit after him. It was he who coordinated the relief efforts on Aleen. It was he who found the hidden message in the-
Plo Koon interrupted his thoughts. “You stunned her.”
“Yes sir.”
“What do you think about this, stunning a person who had once saved your life.”
“I was following orders, sir.”
“Did you have any other motivation?”
Wolffe hesitated. Might as well be honest. “Sir, she was in league with Asajj Ventress, the one who took my eye! And she and Ventress…” Wolffe searched for the words.
“Defeated.”
“Yes sir, they beat us in the street fight. When I found Commander Tano in the warehouse, I had no choice but to stun her.”
“Did she say anything right before you stunned her?”
“She asked me to let her explain.”
“And did you?”
“No sir, she was too dangerous. We also found her right by a crate of nanodroid explosives.”
“And was she guilty?”
“No…no sir. She was not.”
“What are your thoughts on that?”
“I”m not sure what I should think about it, sir.”
“How old is Commander Tano?”
“Seventeen, I believe, sir.”
“Does Commander Tano have much knowledge of the world beyond the Jedi, Clones, and war?”
“I have no idea sir, but probably not much.”
“How long was Ahsoka on the run after escaping from the brig?”
“About 48 hours, sir.
“Do you know if she had had much rest or food?”
“Very little of each, I believe.”
“And Asajj Ventress was going to turn Ahsoka in for the bounty. Ahsoka and Anakin’s reports agree on this.”
“Yes sir.”
“What do you think was Ahsoka’s state of mind at this time?”
“State of mind, sir?”
“How was she feeling?”
“I…I don’t know, sir.”
“Yes you do.”
Wolffe thought for a moment. “She said that Ventress caught her, and she knew she couldn’t fight Ventress off.”
“We’ve established that at this point, Ahsoka was most likely exhausted and very hungry on top of being accused of mass murder and being hunted by law enforcement and the military, by her friends and colleagues.”
“Sir, I’m not sure what you want from me here.”
“To think through Ahsoka’s motive. Given these facts, why would she strike a bargain with someone like Asajj Ventress, particularly since she had considered Ventress an enemy and had fought her in the past? Think it through.”
Wolffe thought for a moment. “Because she was desperate.”
“Do you believe Ahsoka would align with Ventress otherwise? Be honest with yourself.” Master Koon kept his gaze steady on Wolffe.
“No sir.”
“As we’ve established, Ahsoka once saved your life, and you’ve served along side her multiple times.”
“Yes sir.”
Plo Koon turned back to the window. “You are both very important to me, Wolffe. I hope you and Ahsoka can be reconciled one day. I hope we all can be reconciled.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Something on your mind, Cody?”
“Well, sir, I’ll give it to you straight. I worked with Commander Tano several times, but I really didn’t know her well. The 501st boys, though, thought highly of her. Captain Rex did too. The 501st are angry about what the Jedi Council did to her, kicking her out and turning her over to be executed and all. The grumbling has spread to our own boys.”
“We didn’t turn her over to be executed. We turned her over for trial.”
“And you knew what the outcome would be. As it was, the Senate jurors were moments away from condemning an innocent woman, an innocent girl, to death.”
Obi-Wan sighed. “Yes. I spoke up for Ahsoka when the Council deliberated, but during her trial with the Jedi, I sat there and did nothing. I have regretted it every day since. I regretted it even before we knew she was innocent. After the charges against her were dismissed, the Council members offered praise, but she could tell that it was, well, self-serving. Only Plo Koon and Anakin actually apologized. Out of shame, I didn't say one word. My hope is that, if the Force wills it, I’ll have the opportunity to talk with her further. I hope she can accept my apology and forgive me.”
“Maybe you should help the Force out a bit and look for her for that discussion.”
“Good idea, Cody. When we have a moment to catch our breath, I’ll do that.”
“And maybe the Council can consider how they helped create Barriss Offee. What are the odds she’s the only one who feels the way she does. Sir, the boys are questioning the Council’s judgement. This is not good as we go into battle.”
Obi-Wan sighed again. “I know, Cody, I know.”
Early evening. The door chimed. “Come in,” Anakin called.
Rex entered Anakin’s quarters. “You asked to see me, sir?”
“Relax, Rex. Have a seat. Care for some Ryloth brandy? Rumor has it that you have to sip it carefully, or it will knock you off your feet.”
“Thank you, sir,” Rex accepted the small glass and took the smallest of sips.Trying not to grimace, he set the glass back on the table. “Something on your mind, sir?”
Anakin leaned back in his chair and stretched out his legs. “How are things going, Rex? How are the men?” Both men knew what he was referring to.
“They’re still angry, sir, just not as vocal. As you know, Commander Tano was very popular. The men knew that she saw the Clones as people and not property. They’ve shifted now to combing through and discussing every detail of her case. It’s become a popular past-time. The Corries have started talking, you see, and details are coming out. The Corries don’t go to 79’s often, that’s the bar on Coruscant popular with the Clones, but some were spotted in 79’s right after the charges against Commander Tano were dropped. Guys from the 501st and the 212 got them talking over beers. Details about the case then spread quickly. The whole case is seen as, as one Corrie put it, um, sorry sir, a 'giant clusterfuck'. Sorry. The other night, I walked in on several guys discussing various aspects of the case and wondering how the Jedi Council could have gotten it so wrong and how the writers of our show could have left so many large plot holes, things like that. I’m worried about morale, but as long as they’re not openly in rebellion, we might do more harm than good if we crack down.”
“The discussion would just move underground, and morale would get even worse.”
“Exactly, sir. We’re not the only legion affected. Word has it that the guys of the 41st are horrified that their own Commander could have done such crimes. They feel betrayed. Many had thought highly of Offee and now learning that she killed many people including Clones and framed her good friend has made them question General Luminara’s mentoring and Jedi teachings in general.”
“Have they said anything about specific Council members or me?”
By now, Rex was feeling the effects of that one sip. Did Skywalker serve him just to get him to talk?
“To be honest sir, they don’t like General Windu. They’re also coming down hard on General Yoda. They’re not sure anymore about General Kenobi, but mostly those two and General Plo since he participated in hunting her down. Word got out that Wolffe was the one to stun her. There have been some comments aimed his way.”
“And me? You can speak freely, Rex.”
Rex thought for a moment. “The boys are loyal to you, sir, but to be honest, they think you wasted valuable time chasing Commander Tano when you should have been investigating the crimes. Some, well, several think you were disloyal. They think you should have helped her hide while you were investigating. Now, I think to a man they’re impressed by the fight with Offee, through the window and all, but they think she could have been found a lot sooner. Others point out that she might never have been found if Commander Tano had not run. That’s a valid point, sir.”
“You used the phrase earlier, “hunting her down.”
“Yes sir, they see you and the others as hunting her like prey to be slaughtered. Sorry sir, not my words.”
“I was the one who uncovered the truth!”
“Yes sir, some just think you could have done it sooner. Several see you chasing Commander Tano as a betrayal.”
Anakin looked into his glass for a moment. “That what it feels like to me too, Rex.”