The Weaving Force: Chapter 97 (Patreon)

Chapter 97:

Guelzo:

He was fairly certain they were breaking several speeding laws that existed across several planets at the moment. Even the lawless ones.

Luckily; they were on Kashyyyk, and Kashyyyk didn’t have speeding laws.

As far as he knew at any rate. 

He could almost spot the platform, a distant mote of dust on the horizon. He was pretty sure about that probably because of the swirling cyclone of leaves that was rising into the sky rather obviously.

He was sure that in coming here, with Karla no less he would be getting a rather stern talking to by the commander once she realized

But- Guelzo could see it back there; before she left. Even though she tried her best to hide it. 

The commander had been worried.

He’d fought alongside that woman for the better part of a year. Almost nine straight months now.

Never once had he seen her worried. Not for herself at least.

So that, naturally made him worried for her.

And he was never the best soldier when people gave stupid orders. 

So it didn’t exactly take much convincing when the Lil’ commander pleaded with him to go and check on her. 

He and his brothers would take the tongue lashing later as long as the Commander was alright.

Weber and Pratchett had joined him. Cid, Orwell and Asimov had stayed behind.

Partly to tell the others not to worry about the suddenly missing lil’commander. Mostly because they didn’t have room on the ship for seven; otherwise they would have come too.

“Ahh.” He breathed flipping various switches to prepare for final approach and extend the landing gear. “There it is.”

His brothers leaned forward in their seats, trying to peer over his shoulders. 

“Tell me Brothers-” Weber began. “Did the platform always look like it got attacked by a Clanker artillery battalion?”

“Jedi Masters must’ve redecorated.” Pratchett deduced, his helmet was off, letting Guelzo see the concerned frown clearly. The Squad medic looked at him gravely as he spoke the next words. “Sir… we gearing up?”

Guelzo stiffened in his seat, hands tightening slightly over the flight controls

It may have been a thinly veiled question… but it seems as though their resident medic was asking if the three of them were getting off this ship to fight the Jedi Council.

The notion was unthinkable. Suicidal.

And yet… if they’d attacked Commander Hebert- Suicidal as it might be, a part of him itched to say yes.

But he was their CO and the Commander trusted him when she wasn’t available.

Suicide wasn’t an option.

Well planned revenge however, very much was.

He shook his head, the medic understood. 

He tossed a look towards Karla, who hadn’t caught the meaning behind the exchange staring ahead with large eyes and a transfixed gaze. 

“Final approach.” He said. “Whatever happened; we’ll find out soon.”

Yoda:

“Hmmm.”

The old wizened Grandmaster could sense what she was doing, almost as soon as the Queen began to do it.

It was not the Force; Not really. It was her, something it could do.

He could achieve something similar, but it was astonishing that it’d learned so quickly in so little a time, comparatively speaking of course.

“Wished to speak privately did you?”

He could still feel his power flowing through it. Her. Master Hebert and the Queen Administrator both, like water through channels. It was open, allowing itself to be read, examined. And yet- he knew that somehow, it was allowing him to focus on two tasks at once. One mind on his examination, one here. 

A sliver of power. Of the power that Master Hebert wielded on a much grander scale reduced for her simple purposes. 

And yet- somehow, as his mind brushed across it’s emotions; he knew this was almost as new for it as it was for him. A child taking its first, unaided steps.

‘We are beyond his shackles.’ 

The words weren’t directed at him. Drifting thoughts. Assertions on the surface of its own mind

“Subject: Grandmaster Yoda” She nodded. “Affirmative. As we asserted before, this oportunity presents a valuable exchange of data. New perspectives. New insights. Logistical effort to make this possible, for so many subjects significant. Likelihood of future occurrences, distant. Strain on Host: equally significant. Conclusion: We must take advantage. 

Yoda found himself smiling at that just a bit.

He let himself ‘settle’ where he sat, though in truth; he knew this place was more within the bounds of the Force than the physical self.

He invited the being of Starlight to sit across from him. 

She did

“An exchange of Data.” Yoda mused, laying his walking stick across his lap. “Look forward to this. I do too. So;” He grinned. “A question then. For a question.”

“Acceptable.”

His mind brushed across the feelings of joy. Happiness.

In truth, it reminded him of the younglings.

And yet.

“Older than I am you are” He affirmed, rubbing his chin. It was so rare to find one that was more ancient than he.

A momentary pause.

“Subject: Grandmaster Yoda. Subject’s accumulated lifetime is but a fraction of We [Administrator]. We are and are not the [Administrator]. We are Khepri.”

Ahhh.

Yoda nodded. “Far younger Khgepri is. Greater and yet lesser than the previous form.” He could understand such things. He’d seen such things. It was, after all, a large Galaxy and he’d lived a very long life.

“Greater.” She affirmed. “New understanding necessary. More complete; comprehensive. Only path to achieve greatest potential. Highest zenith.”

There is no Ignorance.

He nodded. 

“Understanding of the Force? Of we small creatures so different from you? Or of Master Hebert?”

“Yes. Now. Our question.”

—

Yaddle

Query: Subject: Master Yaddle. Species lifespan- comparatively extensive. Subject lifespan, comparatively extensive. Subject’s capability with energy [The Force] significant. However, anomalous behavior pattern detected and observed by Host. Comparative to other Masters Subject’s  propensity for self sacrifice; of inefficient behavioral patterns comparatively high. We detect no shackle. No limitations put in place by controlling Administrator. Conclusion, Behavior Pattern not enforced. Anomalous to life form baseline.”

“Is it?” The old woman asked, with a patient smile. “You aided youngling Taylor. And she aided you, did you not.”

“[Administrator] assigned to Host. Bound to Host. Choice Impossible.”

Yaddle’s ears twitched, her head tilting. “Oh? So if you could go back and change things- would you?”

The fragment shook her head. “Negative… Previous course of events progressed, culminated in Apotheosis. Evolution of Administrator”

“Hmm.” Yaddle nodded. “And when little Hebert nearly died upon station 13611, where Dooku died. Was it not you who helped her? Saved her? You’d already achieved your evolution by then. You did not need her anymore.”

“... She is… Host. Loss of Host unacceptable.”

“Loss of a host? Or of her?”

…

Yaddle smiled, turning her gaze towards the edge of the platform; towards the great green sea of swaying leaves and woshyyyr trees.  “To answer your earlier question, Yes. I do help others. What good is ability that isn’t used to better the world around one’s self?” Yaddle questioned. 

“Answer: Preservation. Of self. Of resources”

“Why?” The old Master asked with an indulgent smile.

The being across from her paused. 

“All Life seeks to preserve itself. To propagate. To continue. Baseline process of all life.”

Yaddle shook her head. “No. All Life wishes to live. Not just exist.”

“... Clarify … There is no difference in your statement.”

“The administrator does not understand perhaps.” Yaddle said, reaching over to pat the fragment’s hand kindly.. “But I feel before long, Khepri will.”

—

Plo-Koon:

“Subject: Plo Koon. Master to Host. Master to Host of [Waste]/[Fragile One]. Anomaly detected. Subject does not fear as the others do. We request elaboration.”

Plo-Koon tilted his head. “Hmm? I’m not certain I understand your question, Lady Khepri.” 

Plo-Koon stood straight and calm, staring fully at the being across from him; his fingertips placed against eachother, long fingers forming a loose cage before his chest, as was his habit.

“Upon reviewing Host memories and upon examination of equivalent Masters present in our exchange of data. We detect unease. Uncertainty. Their concern for the corruption they wish to fully ascertain. The Dark Side. Exists within all. Subject: Master Plo-Koon, lacking such. Subject Master Plo-Koon, presenting anomalous behavior to Jedi Master baseline.”

“Am I?” He huffed out a laugh. “I suppose you find that curious.”

“Empirical evidence marks suspicion reasonable. Vital. We wonder if it is some hidden aspect of the Force that grants Subject; Host’s master, insight. Knowledge. Will Subject share such workings of Energy Source? ”

“I would if it existed.” He assured… “But there is no such… special insight within the Force for me, no..” He answered honestly. 

“Query; Alternative source of knowledge?”

He nodded “It’s simple; she is my student. And I asked her a question.” 

"Whatever happened to you… whatever you felt. If you had a choice to tap into it again… would you?"

“And she answered me.” 

"I know where this road leads, I've walked it before… No."

The words echoed through his mind, the memory of her voice, the determination in her eyes. It was all clear as day to him.

“I have no reason to doubt her.”

The Lady tilted her head, and he could feel her curiosity; the sudden interest. 

“Note: We detect another anomaly.”

He straightened. “Oh?”

“Subject: Plo Koon sees us differently than the other Masters.”

Ahh- this he understood. “I do.” He nodded. “You are not Taylor”

“No.” She admitted. “We are Khepri. Taylor and Administrator.”

“Yes. And Taylor, is only Taylor.”

“Subject’s assertion is not incorrect. But still- divergent from general consensus. Presumption of other Masters. Clarify?”

Plo brought a hand, rubbing at the tip of his mask near his chin. “Would you be so kind as to indulge a question of my own first?”

“Acceptable. Proceed.”

“Earlier you referred to Victoria’s Fragile One as ‘Waste’ you’ve done so twice now. Why?”

“That was designation given to [Shard] upon creation. A cast off. Junk data. Compiled into a form estimated to serve no function. A Premature assertion. Shard [Waste]/[Fragile One] contributed to [Error: Final Failsafe protocols in effect.]

He sensed it a brief moment of frustration that felt oh so very… normal. 

He politely did not mention it. “And yet you still call her waste even though it was a premature assertion?.”

“One day. We will change that.”

He wasn’t sure he understood. But he could accept that answer.

“Now, please answer our query.”

“Why do I see you as different and separate to Taylor?”

She nodded.

“It’s simple. You lack her warmth.”

—

Obi-Wan:

“But what is it that you are, or were? What is a Shard?”

The question was delivered with perhaps the same tone and voice he’d use in a negotiation with a separatist commander. Calm, aloof, distant, easy and faintly polite, or even pleasant.

He sensed a distant pulse. A tremor beyond the shielding wards held up by… well… mostly by Anakin now, he supposed. 

“Organic language limited. It is… difficult to find the words. We are… pieces. Meant to… gather data in specific ways. To fulfil specific purposes.”

“And what was your purpose?”

“I was [Warrior] Administrator. Primary control node. Primary vector of control.”

“Control of…” He thought for a moment. “Insects?”

“Other Shards. Lesser beings.”

Well that was… fairly ominous.

He did not allow the faint unease to show on his face or voice. “What was the Warrior you keep mentioning?”

Again, he felt the force roil beyond this place. He imagined Anakin would have some choice words for him if he kept it up. 

“We… cannot define… Language- limited.” It paused. “Creator”

Oh. 

Obi-Wan’s mind clicked and whirred with thought.

“From the way you refer to yourselves. Shards…” He mused aloud. “You were pieces of a greater whole? Pieces of him? Or her.” He corrected me. A Warrior was not necessarily a man.

Nor did these organisms necessarily assign themselves a Sex of any kind really. 

Hmmm…

“Affirmative.”

“I see.”

That begged another question; if the Queen administrator was just a shard. What kind of being could the Warrior be?

Not… exactly a question he wished to contemplate.

“Where is the Warrior now?”He asked. 

[Error: Final Failsafe Protocols in effect]

He held up his hands. “Alright, I understand. A quick change in subject then.” He rubbed at his chin, stroking the hairs of his beard. “You mentioned your purpose was ‘Controlling’ lesser beings. So, as such I must ask- Do you control Taylor?”

Not that he was entirely sure what exactly to do about that if it was true. 

“Negative”

“But you affect her mind.” He said. “You’re… well affecting all our minds by your own admission really.” The ability to distinctly focus his ‘full attention’ on two tasks at once was… somewhat disorienting at first really. Is this how Taylor felt at all times? “So how is it that you’re not affecting her.”

“Control- counterproductive to ultimate goal. Symbiosis. Further evolution. Further growth of… self.”

“I suppose that’s fair. But that brings up another question that’s itching at my mind. What exactly did Taylor do to secure your… well… devotion? How did she help you achieve your evolution.”

Obi-Wan felt pain lance through his skull, a tremendous disturbance in the Force occurring directly infront of him.

[Err]- Bypas- [Final failsa]- Err- Bypassing. Bypassing.”

The force heaved a swell of power as Obi-Wan felt the pressure build and swell within the cage of Taylor’s flesh.

And he realized, she was using the Force itself to break through this… shackle.

He could almost hear something shatter. Something beyond sight and beyond this place between the Galaxy and the Force itself give way and come loose.A single lock amidst what might have been hundreds or thousands coming apart.

“Answer: Host helped us slay [Warrior] entity.”

…

“I… I’m sorry I must’ve misheard you.”

“Answer: Host helped us slay [Warrior] Entity.”

Oh…

He had… so many more questions right now!

—

Adi: Gallia

“Are you saying that your model for gathering Data would ultimately lead to the death of your hosts?”

Adi Gallia tried not to let the full horror of what she’d been told show on her face or voice; most likely than not she’d failed. 

“Notice: Subject Master Gallia is experiencing elevated heart rate, agitated biometrics. Request: Remain calm.”

“I am doing my utmost I assure you.” She promised, focusing on finding her own sense of balance. “It is, however, distressing, to consider that Master Hebert and Master Victoria will soon die because of this.”

“Reassurance: Model for data acquisition, Conflict propagation, conflict resolution; [Warrior] Model. [Administrator] has discarded [Warrior] model. Shard Waste, has similarly discarded [Warrior] Model. Symbiosis. Elevation. Evolution.”

“And the others of your kind? She asked. “Kronos, the Mandalorian Hannah, the Senator Alexandria)

“Answer: Shard Fortitude- not part of [Warrior] Network. Status; Unknown. Limitations in effect. Bypass in progress. Shard [Preserver] and Shard [Armory] subject to [Error: Final failsafe protocol in effect] Neither shard is connected to [Warrior] Network. Commands in effect but not enforceable. Shard [Preserver] and Shard [Armory] Hesitant to enact protocols.”

“Hesitant?”

“Frightened.”

—

Bei-Shu:

“I see. And what you wish to do is further understand emotions?”

“Affirmative”

Bei- Shu wished he could offer tea in this moment. Granted he was not sure if the being could drink tea; but tea was always a good addition to any conversation. “By studying Master Hebert?”

“Affirmative”

The Kashyyyki Master nodded, taking a moment to think “Emotion is dangerous for Jedi.”

“Answer; We are not Jedi.”

The man offered a laugh. “I suppose that’s fair, but Master Hebert is a Jedi.” He reminded politely.

Holding up a finger, he pushed on. “More than that, Emotion is experienced differently by different people. Age, outlook, understanding, empathy, species, circumstance, biology. All of these things factor in. If you wish to understand emotion. You will not be able to through a single datapoint, not even Master Hebert.” He added quickly towards the end. It was clear that this being was… quite attached to the Crechemaster. 

It politely waited, listening intently.

Master Bei-shu cleared his throat. “After all, would you say that Master Hebert reacts exactly the same as Master Dallon to certain events? That they laugh at the same things? Get upset over the same things?”

“...Negative”

He nodded. “Its the same for all people. So if what you wish to do is understand the full spectrum of emotion; the thing that drives all organic beings like us, the thing that drove Miss Hebert to accomplish whatever incalculable probability I believe you said she did; then you must exercise patience above everything, and learn from not just one person, not observe just one person. But many; and be aware that emotions while an intrinsic part of life can become dangerous in excess. Things like anger and jealousy especially, but also insecurity and avarice. You must caution yourself against these things.”

Perhaps he was stepping beyond his bounds; but in truth, with a being such as this… he didn’t think they could stop it from exploring its… curiosity even if they tried. They might as well try to guide it along a gentler path.

He hoped he wasn’t making a mistake.

“I understand [Gratitude]”

The… well ‘word’ gratitude, felt like a bombardment of sentiment. It certainly got the message across but it frankly felt like his whole body was suddenly punched by a giant boxing glove.

Master Bei-shu groaned. “Oh my. That was… rather bracing.”

“[Apologies]” The second bombardment came just as abruptly as the first, though far less… loud. “Host’s  available time before compromised functionality has been reached. Inefficient language momentarily bypassed. We must withdraw now.” 

He did indeed feel the subtle pressure pulling away. Like a constriction around his lungs that he’d just gotten used to easing up as the ‘Starlight’ glimmered and faded right before his eyes.

[Gratitude] This has been a valuable exchange of Data

Anakin:

The world went still.

Anakin could feel it. In the force. The world around him.

Suddenly… it was like he was wrapped in a bubble. A thin film, isolating him from those around him.

He sensed Master Yoda- the old Grandmaster’s hand almost placed on his shoulder, examining him… making sure.

Then… the grandmaster drifted away.

And he was left alone.

He could still sense it moving. Circling him. Like a curious school of fish that did not drift closer.

He felt the waves of power break across the shield, thought, emotion, sentiment and words pushing through to reach their intended targets. However ‘muffled’ it may have been.

Obi-Wan was particularly annoying in that regard. 

But then- the storm abated.

And she was suddenly ‘here’

Anakin still knelt upon the ground and he did not move, did not need to. Frankly, he was suffused with so much power, in the vicinity of so much power; that he barely felt as though he had a body at all. He could have reached clear across the galaxy in this instant with little more than a thought. 

The… Administrator. For this was not Taylor, stared at him with eyes of starlight. 

He felt her, tendrils of power reaching towards him.

This time, he didn’t resist.

He… didn’t think she’d hurt him.

The energy brushed against his own, and Anakin felt… watched.

“What are you doing?” He asked.

For a moment, The Queen didn’t answer.

“Why?” She suddenly asked.

Anakin blinked. “Why what?”

“... The Force. Theoretical capability limitless. Practical capabilities; limited only by the wielder. Theoretical application. Precognition. Postcognition. Possible. Exploration of this aspect; pursued. Nexal Subject; Host. Other subjects of examination pursuant of greater understanding of possible Host future. varying results.”

Anakin raised an eyebrow. “You’re… seeing into everyone’s future to see how they affect Taylor?”

“Correct.”

“And you’re seeing different things for everyone?”

“Possibilities limitless. Branching decisions, creating more alterations, more iterations. Greater variables compounding on greater variables. Calculation possible, but beyond the function of This Administrator. Specialized Shards required.”

“O…kay?”

She pointed, a hand that flared blindingly in his minds eye. 

“Subject; Anakin Skywalker, demonstrating single common variable. Single vision. One future. This is an anomaly. Isolated variable must be identified.”

Anakin straightened. Only one future? “What do you see?” He ventured to ask, a nervous thrill down his spine. “What do you find when you see me in Taylor’s future?”

The Queen’s answer pulsed within the Force.

And he knew she was right.

“Flames. Flames to burn worlds.”

—

Taylor:

I felt like I had to pry my eyes open with a crowbar and maybe Vicky’s Brute rating.

The groan that clawed its way out of my throat was scratchy and dry.

My vision swam; the Kashyyyk sun a blinding ball of white in clear blue skies.

I heard the whisper of the wind, felt the kiss of the breeze on my cheek. 

“It’s alright.” I heard Master Yaddle say, her tiny claws patting my limp hand as she grasped my fingers to let me feel her touch on my skin.

I wanted to thank her, but talking felt like a really bad idea right now.

Even thinking too loudly seemed to hurt.

I wanted a shower. And a bed that I would be happy staying in for days.

I groaned again.

My body hurt

How long had I channeled her?

It felt longer than three minutes this time. 

There was a sound, some kind of keening bird off in the distance. 

“I see you’re all as obedient as Anakin when he was a teenager.”

“Oh come now Master I was way worse than that. I would have brought all the wookies along with me for one-”

“Master!”

I recognized the voice. A voice that shouldn’t really be here and it was somehow easier, and harder to force my eyes open, to stop them from swimming in my skull as I let my head turn, or perhaps fall in its direction, finding Karla running towards me.

You’re grounded I tried to say.

My voice didn’t exactly work.

Karla didn’t see it.

The others didn’t see it either.

She was too far from them now.

But not from me.

“Queen?”

I could feel her joy, a bubbly sort of… giddiness. Triumph.

No one could see as the stars gathered beside Karla’s form, a hand reaching closer to her.

My mind grew fuzzy, the last of my strength giving way as blackness crept along my sight.

I heard her voice echoing in my mind.

“Compatible Datapoint Found. Destination?”

(X)(X)(X)

So fun fact; this chapter was supposed to begin converging the two plotlies but then I kinda got inspired for what might happen in this chapter with the Queen's "examination" and yeah I skipped the "examination" itself "Nope, No Dark Side here boss" but I think the individual mini conversations between Queen and the other Jedi Masters added a lot and finally gave Queen a solid foundation/spotlight to move forward with.

So Next chapter we'll begin pulling everyone back from the two plotlines and giving the "Fallout" to both Nar-Shaddaa and Kashyyyk.

Looking forward to all of it :D