The Weaving Force: Chapter 89 (Patreon)

Chapter 89:

Taylor:

“And you have the lesson plan ready for next week’s examinations, yes?”

“Miss Taylor, yes, you’ve asked five times now.”

Siri was patient, understanding she didn’t usually give in to exasperation.

But then again, I wasn’t usually one to… fret.

If Vicky could see me now she’d probably poke a bit of fun. Then do something stupid or distracting to make me feel better.

But I couldn’t help it. I was worried.

I had no illusions on what rested on the result of this… thing on Kashyyyk.

The Jedi wouldn’t kill me. Even if I was a straight Sith, the Jedi didn’t execute their enemies.

But banishment, exile was on the table. Certainly removing me from the Creche at a minimum.

If I had to leave, or if I chose to leave… I had options. The other enclaves, Mandalore or Kashyyyk at the absolute least. 

Those weren’t bad options. 

Vicky would come with me, that much I knew. It might break her heart to leave everyone she cared about here. But she’d do it.

The kids though…

This might be… the last time I would get to see them

For once, my somber emotions must’ve been writ large across my face because Siri’s features softened, one hand unclasping itself from her tablet to place itself on my shoulder. 

“Miss Taylor- it’s gonna be alright. Everything will be fine.” She assured me.

I almost wanted to snort.

I appreciated her trying to reassure me; but she didn’t have the full picture.

No one in the temple did.

Rumors circled wildly amongst everyone, from the crechelings to even some of the Masters. Some thought I was being officially censured, others thought it was a new top secret assignment with the clones, becoming a Jedi shadow, exiled. 

On and on the speculations went and the Council, I was sure, kept quiet because they weren’t exactly sure what their options were.

Siri, I was sure, had her own ideas as to what might be happening, and was likely basing her reassurances off of faulty information.

So while I appreciated it… I couldn’t quite let myself believe it; not yet. Not until it was all over and done with and the final decision was made. 

I took a deep breath, and as if to put an accent on my thoughts I could sense others beginning to approach; the first to arrive… was my squad.

Guelzo marched in first and he and the others were dressed in their full armor; helmets too. 

Their weapons were holstered but very much on them. 

Even Cid, now with a bionic arm, fresh out of the med-wing was standing shoulder to shoulder with his brothers.

With me. 

It was a statement and a potentially dangerous one at that; given everything.

Guelzo straightened. “Commander. Noble team’s ready to go on your order.”

A loaded statement… and even if I appreciated it; I had to reprimand him- just a bit.

“At ease Lieutenant.” I said as neutrally as I could. “We’re not dealing with Separatists today.”

“Ma’am.” He nodded, straightening as he clasped his hands behind his back, the rest of the squad fanning out to wait by the wall beside the door as though ready to escort me through the Jedi temple like an honor guard.

Then, the doors opened again, and Master Plo now stood at the doorway.

My old Master took a moment; his eyes passing over the assembled clones around the room. If he caught the ‘message’ I couldn’t say. If he did catch it; then I also couldn’t tell if he approved or disapproved of it.

He folded his hands into his sleeves, the picture of Jedi tranquility. “We’re ready to depart Taylor.” He said. “Do you need more time?”

“No.” I answered, shaking my head. I turned to leave, ready to walk out with him before I turned one last time to Siri- “You remember that-”

“Yes.” She interrupted, giggling as she held up a slip of paper I’d written out for her.. “Be sure to place Dong-Tu-Ne with the basics group- and that Shervis volunteered to be there with him so he wouldn’t feel bad.”

I did not blush.

The wind slightly taken out of my sails, I racked my brain for anything I may have forgotten, anything that might have slipped through the proverbial cracks- just incase I couldn’t come back here. 

But there was nothing- and after a moment, I sighed, regaining my usual calm, stoic facade. “Alright then.” 

Siri stepped forward, offering me a hug, much to my relatively mild surprise. “It’ll be alright Miss Taylor. You’ll see.” She promised. A reassurance thrumming through the force.

I huffed out a breath, one hand rising to give her a half hearted hug back.

I hoped she was right. 

As she pulled away, I turned and marched out beside Master Plo; Noble team following right behind us. 

—

Plo-Koon

As he and his apprentice made their way through the Temple, Plo was not blind to the eyes that followed them; whispers dogging their every step as Knights, Padawans and Masters all gave into their speculation and curiosity. 

Even after Taylor returned, and he had no doubt she would return, he doubted the rumors would subside. More likely than not it would be exacerbated.

Five Jedi council members were leaving the temple on a single assignment with her at its center. Nothing like this had ever happened before. Fear, uncertainty and doubt clung to the minds of all within the temple right now and placing himself in their shoes, with their limited perspective, he could not rightly blame them. 

But still. She was his apprentice and with her promise that she was not tempted by the luring Dark that had brushed against her… he had every confidence she would not disappoint him.

She never has, after all. 

Even so, he couldn’t help but allow his thoughts to drift to the clones at their back.

Noble team was not assigned to this mission; in fact it had been a surprise that he’d found one fine morning that they were on the ships manifest for passengers. He had little doubt that Asimov, the team’s slicer and communications specialist had something to do with that.

They were Taylor’s squad. And they were stating that to the Council openly.

Even he wasn’t quite sure how to feel about that. His emotions were very much conflicted between being ‘touched’, that she had earned their loyalty so thoroughly, and dismayed that their opinion of the Jedi was so low that they felt they needed to defend her from them. 

He was reminded, in this moment; that for all their physical maturity- these men had only lived for a scant ten years. It must’ve been natural expected even- to be so protective of those they’d grown to care about beyond their clone brethren. 

Still; for all their flaws, for all their differing opinions, no Jedi would harm Taylor or Victoria in such a way that they would need to be… defended.

He hadn’t mentioned anything because, frankly, he wasn’t sure how. And even if he were; it was not a discussion to be had within the walls of the temple, nor was it something to approach with haste. 

He needed to meditate on this, perhaps with Master Yoda, Windu, or Yaddle, and with Taylor herself. 

They marched on- walking in what felt to him like a tense, heavy silence.

Perhaps it was the temple, perhaps the looming voyage itself, taylor’s nervousness, the Jedi’s disquiet.

Perhaps it was all these things. 

He couldn’t help but almost sigh in relief as they escaped the cloying, claustrophobic interior of the temple, leaving it along with the eyes and whispers of the various onlookers behind them.

Approaching the dockyard, with the ship that would carry them to Kashyyyk, he was not surprised to find the Council members already waiting for them; Masters Yaddle, Yoda, Kenobi and Galia along with Taylor’s Padawan… his grand padawan, he reminded himself; Karla.

He truly should take the opportunity to interact with the child more. The war and responsibilities had pulled him away but she should know that he would be there for her should she or her Master need anything especially in light of the tragic events on Illum. Both her and Iskt, Victoria’s Padawan.

But back on the current subject at hand there were people on the launch deck he… didn’t quite expect or understand why they were present.

The first was a Master he did not recognize, a Kage, if he recalled the species correctly, standing besides the young Karla with a comfortable ease and even laughing just a bit as Master Yoda thwacked him in the arm with his glimmer stick.

And then, standing across from Obi-Wan-

“I’m telling you, I can help in this.”

Master Kenobi was glaring at his Padawan; his arms crossed, and expression seeming rather… less than impressed. 

“I recall rather vividly mind you my former Padawan that the Council’s undertaking is distinctly top secret. So please, enlighten me by the Force what exactly you think you’re volunteering for, you who are so privy to council meetings?”

Anakin’s cheeks flushed, shuffling awkwardly besides his own Padawan. Somehow the image just made him seem that much younger. 

Then he very much did not help his perceived lack of maturity when he pointed, avoiding eye contact with everyone around him, towards his Padawan. “Snips heard some rumors and snitched.”

Little Soka blinked, not comprehending what her Master had just said for a second before she balked with a double take that sent her montrals whipping around her head as she snapped her gaze back towards her Master. “I did not!” She screeched, and then promptly kicked Skywalker in the shin

“Hmm. Knight Skywalker.” Master Yaddle interrupted the antics, floating closer on her hoverchair. “Sense I do, that something; you wish to say. Knowledge you have- kept it secret you did.”

The young Knight ceased rubbing at his ‘wounded’ leg; not quite meeting Master Yaddle’s eyes as his expression shifted, almost guarded before he flickered his eyes over to Taylor at Plo-Koon’s side.

I think I sensed it once.” He admitted. “That thing. The one hiding inside you.”

The Queen administrator?

He wasn’t speaking to Yaddle, or to Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka looked confused eyes shifting between her Master and Taylor but not daring to speak up.

“When was this?’ Taylor asked; Plo-Koon knew her well enough to 

Anakin hesitated again, then stiffened his spine. “Back when we lost Master Dooku.” He said and Obi-Wan shifted. 

There was a stirring of surprise from everyone, himself included as he remembered that terrible day, the day they first encountered the Sith. The day they lost the Master that had been warning them ever so fervently.

The day

“When you nearly died.” Anakin finished the thought for him. 

Taylor did not move at his side, did not speak. 

It was Yoda who broke the quiet before it could fully form. “Hrm. Truthful you are being, and yet tell us before, you did not. Why?” The Grandmaster’s voice was not harsh, but it did carry a tone that would brook nothing but the full truth now. . 

Anakin still didn’t meet anyone’s eyes, staring just above their heads towards the temple, like a clone trooper delivering a grim battlefield report. 

“I didn’t know what it was.” He admitted. “Master Taylor had just saved my life… I didn’t want to make any more problems for her by making it seem like there was something wrong with… her after what happened.”

“And why would you think we would jump to that conclusion?” Adi Galia asked, as gently as she could, the knit of her brow betraying how troubled she truly was by the assumption. 

Anakin seemed like he was struggling to find a way to answer-

Master Yaddle, did it for him. “More than simply sense it you did.” She determined.

Anakin winced and that was answer enough.

The silence was heavy then he sucked down a breath. 

“I don’t know what it did.” He said. “I know it… tried something. I fought it off.”

Taylor, for once lost her facade in her surprise. “You what?”

He did not blame her for the astonishment. 

He remembered the Queen administrator.

That vast, ocean of power.

For Skywalker to have ‘fought it off’ alone, while he was still a Padawan. 

It was… dare he say impossible. 

And yet…

His words did not ring hollow in the force. At the absolute least he believed his claim. 

The young Knight turned to Obi-Wan. “And that’s why I can help here.” He insisted. “At least let me come with you just incase!” He pleaded. 

“It’s not my decision Anakin.” Obi-Wan reminded before sighing, turning to his fellow Council members, Plo-koon included. 

“Masters?” He questioned, hands now clasping behind his back. “Anakin as always has my full confidence; stupid as he might be sometimes.” The Soresu master sighed. “If it were up to me I would allow his request.”

“And his Padawan?” Galia questioned. 

“I see no reason Master Hebert’s Padawan should be deprived of a peer on this journey.” Plo-Koon answered with a nod. “I believe I agree with Master Kenobi. The journey will also give us more time to discuss Skywalker’s impressions of the Queen administrator. Now that he’s deigned to trust us with the information. 

His words made Skywalker nervous, but Plo-Koon meant them; heading to Kashyyyk, to commune at last with this most powerful entity, they needed all the advantages and knowledge they could scrounge together.

“I don’t know what’s going on.” Plo-Koon’s sharp hearing picked up little Soka’s whisper towards Karla, the little twilek leaning over to whisper back-

Taylor was still quiet at his side, staring at Anakin.

When she finally spoke, that neutral, expressionless mask was back in place. “Alright then lets-

She stopped, and Plo noted a momentary confusion on her features before-

“PLEASE DON’T GO!”

The scream was shrill, and… young. Plo Koon caught a flash of genuine terror carried in the force and the voice itself as he and the others turned towards the source, only to find a small Zabrak child running towards them, tears streaming down his face. The clones, almost in reflex drew their weapons before they realized who was rushing them; but the child ran past them, heedless before he tripped, falling face first into the walkway; more children now rushing after them.

“A-Dur!” Taylor cried, moving forward towards the boy, her robes pooling around her as she reached towards him.

The boy threw himself at her, crying into her skirts as his little arms wrapped around her.

“Miss Taylor, please don’t go.” The boy bawled miserably.

His student’s expressionless, stoic mask fell away, the lines of her face growing so soft she seemed almost a wholly different person as she gently wiped the distraught boy’s face

Other children ran towards them now; the little Zabrak’s actions having spurred them on. All varying ages and species, He recognized them from different Creche’s as well, not just her own. 

“Don’t take Miss Taylor away!” One of them cried and once again, Plo did not know how to feel about it. A swell of pride and joy, tinged with the melancholy that the Council seemed so cruel to those far removed from it.

The students all clambered to reach her, and Taylor struggled to embrace them all.

One child, a chiss girl, marched up to Plo-Koon, her small, cherubic face scrunched up in determination before her tiny foot lashed out to rather firmly kick him in the shin.

It did not hurt, of course, but if Plo-Koon would have had eyebrows they would certainly be up to his hairline.

“Zalaya!” Taylor chastised with an embarrassed, watery laugh.

“Leave Miss Taylor alone!” The now named Zalaya protested, her fist clenching and rising to strike him again.

Luckily, one of the Nobles, Prachett he was sure, reached over, grabbing her arm to stop her and rescue Plo from the five year old’s considerable wrath. “Easy there lil shiny. Maybe don’t go hittin’ this one, eh?”

The little girl turned and promptly kicked Pratchett  in his beskar armored shin for his efforts, before turning away and joining the hug pile around his student.

Many of their handlers approached now and the profuse apologies from the Padawans and Knights that had lost control of their creches were nearly lost in the wind.

Somehow, despite the eyes of a quarter of the Council and clones and perhaps even half the Jedi temple, in this moment; somehow Taylor made it seem like it was nothing more than her, and these children in this walkway. A moment entirely their own. 

With gentle words and soft reassurances, a side of his student he’d never fully seen bloomed across her whole being. She set their troubled hearts at ease dried their tear stained cheeks, it was beautiful to see.

She and the Force itself around her was beautiful to see.

Plo watched; and if any doubts were harbored in the farthest corners of his mind; they were once more expunged completely.

She was his student.

And she had never once disappointed him. 

There was no reason to think she would start now. 

—

As the children were finally ushered back to the temple. She stood up, and Plo walked to her side.

He pretended not to notice. 

“They love you.” He said.

“Mh-hm.” She nodded, not speaking.

“Oi Pratchet.” The fully helmeted Guelzo barked. “Got something in my eye, over here.”

The team’s medic reached into his first aid kit, pulling free some clean wipes. “Here ya go. Commander, do me a favor and give these to Guelzo, He’s all the way over there!” He reached over, placing them in Taylor’s hands to give to Guelzo.

She didn’t.

Guelzo and the others didn’t comment.

Plo nodded after another beat of silence. Affirming it for the both of them “I’m glad… and proud”

Again… she did not speak. Only answering with the softest of sounds and a nod. “Mh-hm.”

(X)(X)(X)

Okay; I know that I said last time that there was gonna be an Alexandria with Palpatine buddy cop scene here in this chapter, but this scene just fucking stole the show for me and I was like. "Yup... I'm gonna end it with this. I can stuff Alexandria in the Nar-Shaddaa chapter coming up next. It might clash with them being on two wholly different planets but FUCKIT!

Yeah- this last bit with the kids was kinda born out of whole cloth from nothing. It was not planned, it was not prepared; I was just writing up Anakin wanting to go on the road trip when it hit me like a fucking train and said "We're doin this"

And I went with it!Hope you all liked the unexpected dose of WAFF :D