The Weaving Force: Chapter 124 (Patreon)

Chapter 124:

Taylor:

“I have no doubt it was intended to kill us. If not for Master Skywalker, it is likely that young Kestis and I would both be dead.” 

Vos’ voice was uncharacteristically grave, matching his expression. He stood beside me, to my left, and on his left was Master Rancisis standing beside Cal. Arrayed in front of us were the various members of the Jedi Council, either present in person or hologram, but every single one of them were here. 

Vicky, and wasn’t it still strange seeing her seated there, had an expression that wasn’t quite anger as she huffed. “Probably losing some ‘wise Council member’ points here but can someone tell me exactly what happened?”

Obi-Wan, half turning but not quite looking at her, answered. “If I were to guess… the Sith couldn’t account for every potential Force echo left on that planet, especially after the massacre he carried out. Such horror leaves deep imprints-”

“So he decided to leave a landmine where we’d find it and lead it right to the only people that might use it.” I breathed. “...Clever bastard, I’ll give him that.”

“How did he know he’d get both?”

“Psychometry is an extremely rare ability.” Master K’Khruk rumbled. “Only one in ten generations, if not rarer. The fact that we have two practitioners is a minor miracle.”

“So he probably thought he only had to deal with one, and was about to get two out of sheer luck?” Her mouth was agog. “That’s… bullshit!”

It was Aayla who answered with a shake of her head, cybernetic eye glinting red in the high sun filtering through the windows. “Either way, our enemy knows us far too well.” She looked around the room. “His trap failed, and it was only by pure happenstance that Master Skywalker was present.”

“How did you even manage to intervene?” Obi-Wan asked his old apprentice.

All eyes turned to Anakin who offered… a sheepish, almost cringe like smile. “Would you believe me if I said ‘The Force wanted me there.’? Cause that’s the best explanation I got for it right now.”

A slight pause.

“Are you saying you have no idea.”

“Yes Vicky, I’m saying I have no idea at all.”

“Well… at least you’ve still got your good looks going for you.”

“Masters, please.” Rancisis didn’t sigh, but I could hear the edge of impatience in his voice and to be fair to him, Cal was his Padawan. “This… debacle has been trying enough already, at the very least let us focus on what we did learn.”

Anakin shrugged. “I don’t know about Master Vos or young Cal, but frankly I didn’t get… a lot of actionable information. I learned that Maul survived the events on Naboo. That’s certain at least. But as for where he is now, or if he even survived things on Dathomir, I can’t say.

“After being cut in half my money’s on the guy going two for two on pulling both feet out of the grave out of spite” It said a lot about the situation and mood that even Vicky couldn’t do more than offer a half hearted smile at her own joke. 

“You were not actually using or practicing Psychometry, Master Skywalker.” Vos said with a careful nod. “Whatever you were doing, likely limited how much information you were able to glean.”

“So you got more details?” Anakin asked, leaning forward almost eagerly. 

Vos nodded. “I did. As did Padawan Cal. We can tell you that the world Maul was transported to after Naboo was Lotho Minor. He or some other Dathomiri might flee there at least temporarily, given Maul’s familiarity with the world. 

“Not the best lead, but better than nothing.” Obi-Wan’s fingers pulled at the tip of his beard. “Anything else?”

“The Dathomir, their males were warriors almost exclusively. Force sensitive but untrained in the Force for the most part. Their females however were trained in many dark side rituals and sorcery. They were the powerful caste of the society.”

Obi-Wan’s eyes narrowed. “And every female we found had their bodies defiled by the Force in some way.” 

“I believe they were absorbed.” I clarified, many of the long lectures and holocron lesson’s I’d overheard through the temple giving me a wider knowledge base of the obscure than I probably had any right to. “If I were to guess…” I ventured carefully- “Sidious took their power, or… devouring it. Such practices aren’t unknown to the Sith, though they are rare. It enhanced his own strength with every kill. If he took mother Talzin...” I trailed off

“Then more powerful, more dangerous, he has become.” Yoda, still glowing blue and small in holo-form said, his features grave but… resolute. Determined. 

“There is one other thing-” Vos interrupted. “After viewing Maul’s memories, specifically regarding the Naboo crisis over a decade ago- I’m almost entirely certain that the Sith is within the Chancellor’s office.”

Many of the Council members tensed in their seats, I didn’t blame them.

For years the Jedi Shadows had been meticulously hunting down the Sith in ‘The Senate’ going one by one, office by office. Literally raking the place and every single staff member from the lowly busboy to the most esteemed of senators and high ranking administrators to find Sidious. 

They’d flushed out many contacts and had a mountain of evidence regarding corruption, evidence that I’d been throwing more and more Alexandria’s way to let her use and expose as she saw fit. 

But the ultimate prize, as it were, was still always just out of reach. Just shy of being caught.

Quite a few Shadows had died in the pursuit already, an eternal cat and mouse game.

Progress had been painfully slow. 

But it had been progress. 

There were only a few offices left on the suspect list. Five or so, last I checked. 

The Chancellor’s office was one of them. 

Naboo was another.

“You’re certain?” Mace demanded.

Vos nodded. “I am.” He leaned forward in his seat. “The way Maul spoke… with his Master, with the Trade federation. Their hooks were in the Chancellor’s offices, they could move things in the senate easily… ‘I will make it Legal’”

The last words were said in an ‘off’ tone, as though in mimicry. 

“Valorum was the Chancellor during the Naboo crisis, not Palpatine.” Depa Billaba said “We should have the shadows focus on staff that have carried over between administrations. The longer serving the better.”

“No- don’t change the Shadow’s orders!” Vicky called before I could. For once, her features were dead serious. “Having them suddenly switch priorities might tip the bastard off.” She looked to Poof.  “Update them, speed them along but let's be discreet.”

I agreed.

“I’ve got to be honest…. the fact that its you saying that is probably more terrifying than the mind trap and near death experience” Anakin joked, laughing as he received a smack to his shoulder for his commentary. 

“We can do more.” I said one hand rising to  cup my chin as I thought. 

Because for once… we had an edge

One we could use.

“Ummm.”

The hesitant voice took a second to place, even for me. But soon enough all eyes turned to the Padawan, haltingly raising his hand to speak.

Cal seemed to gather his nerve, all eyes of the assembled Council focused on him. “Um… I ahh… I think I know where Maul and the other Dathomiri went-

Needless to say, we were all listening very very attentively.

—

Palpatine:

“If the Chancellor finds himself too distracted to tend to his duties, then perhaps the old man should look to retire at long last.”

“The Senator from Mandalore forgets herself!” Senator Aak screeched from his dais.

“You’re right Senator, I apologize.” Alexandria’s voice was an almost sickly sweet poison; her smile belying the smug triumph in her gaze. “It is however, ironic that the Good Chancellor, so committed to his love of democracy, clings so very tightly to the Chancellorship and his … ever expanding emergency authorities.”

The accusation sent a rumble through the Senate, not the first of its kind, not the last… But ever more had she been eroding the solid granite bedrock of faith and support in him, Palpatine. Enough so that now she was bold enough to do so openly, and now there were more than a mere handful who grumbled just as openly in agreement.

Not for the first time, he lamented the timing of the operation on Dathomir. Necessary it was, absolutely- Talzin had been showing many signs  in her manner and in the Force, that she was preparing to move. But still… the timing. He’d spent months staging his absence for a negotiation with the Kaminoans, nominally to extract a better financial deal in terms of Clone processing and to ensure full rights and citizenship to the injured Clones.

The long announcement and public nature of his negotiations were meant to throw off the Jedi’s suspicion.

But it had given her, one of his most dangerous enemies time. Ample forewarning with which to make her moves.

Time she’d apparently used very well, given her brazenness and the Senate’s comparative rumbling, tepid though it might be. 

In spite of himself, Palpatine let a smile fall across his features even through the holo screens, he knew she and she alone could see the simmering rage beneath the surface. “I am committed to Democracy, Senator. Committed enough that I would see this crisis brought to its close. My hold on emergency powers will last only as long as the separatist crisis lasts.”

“A binding legal agreement your word is I’m sure.” She reminded pointedly. “Tell me, how much longer must the Republic and this body endure without a present Executive? Another week? Two? Will your negotiations with the Kaminoans even bear fruit? Would the results be actionable or implemented before the war is even over.”

“You cannot expect the Chancellor to discuss classified negotiations over an unsecured channel. Especially while those negotiations are ongoing! Do you have any sense at all Mandalorian!?” Colandrus of Suntilla sneered.

“What I can expect is that if the Chancellor wishes to demand and hold near absolute emergency powers then we should similarly be able to demand and hold him to an exacting standard of excellence. Him glory seeking across the galaxy for a publicity stunt with Cloners does not meet that standard.”

“Did your bloc not demand Clone citizenship!? Something that these negotiations are covering?”

“And will Kamino dictate citizenship for the entirety of the Republic?” She scoffed. “It’s a show. With no results to be found by the end of it.” She looked at him an open challenge in her gaze. . “Or am I wrong Chancellor?”

She was not. 

Or at least she wasn’t going to be until right this moment. 

If he walked away without results he lost face and clout now, much more so than he would have before. 

So the only choice left was to give her some form of tangible results to silence her faction of naysayers.

But Clone citizenship was not something he wished for. Citizenship meant rights even in the framework of the Empire, at least at the start, and Clones were a valuable resource to not only staff the future Imperial army but to train it going forward, and train it cheaply.

Furthermore, the few clones that had been released from service or successfully petitioned for citizenship, did so through Mandalore and Clan Kryze. The planet and clan she served. 

If he pushed for citizenship legislation, the overwhelming majority of the Clones that applied would likely go through Mandalore, and thus, her allies, flooding her with even greater power, politically, economically and militarily. 

Irritating… For however minor the victory; She’d well and truly trapped him this time and the pointed accusations of clinging to power would long overstay their welcome like a bad odour within the halls of the Senate. They always did. 

Still, he put on his most genial and pleased smile. “I will say that negotiations are indeed proceeding well. And I should have tangible results soon that will satisfy even you my most… formidable of critics.”

“We’ll see.” She said, the triumph in her eyes said that she knew she’d won this exchange.  

Senator Aak spoke up next. “When might we expect your return to Coruscant Chancellor?”

That… was more difficult to answer. 

The truth was, he had moved against the Dathomiri because he had known Talzin was a threat.

Maul… Maul had been an unexpected… complication.

His old apprentice seethed with hatred, and was training an apprentice of his own. Nominally a ‘Rival’

But more than that, one who knew far too many secrets. Secrets he could reveal with nary a word.

He’d sent Grievous and Komari to hunt the Dathomiri to the very ends of the Galaxy. Maul must die and he must die before he got over his hatred, pride and disdain or simply grew desperate and contacted the Jedi directly.

Sidious wished to hunt him personally, he was that high of a priority.

But the longer he stayed away from Coruscant, the more his grip over the senate faltered… the more Alexandria could wrestle power away from him.

And soon enough the Separatists would wish for their pet monster back on their front lines to contend with Dallon. And it was only from Coruscant that he could direct orders to slow the Jedi down, once they realized Grievous was committed elsewhere… they could cause far too much damage. The cowardly neimoidians were already second guessing this war for the hundredth time as it was. 

The problem with returning to Corruscant too soon however, was the Jedi.

Even the dullest of Padawans could have sensed him in the hours after Dathomir if they saw him, bloated o the consumed power of the Dathomiri witches, the Force swelled and undulated around him with the clear touch of dark corruption.

It had taken him days of constant effort and focus to get it back under control again, and he still was not fully confident in the concealment. Certainly not enough to contend with the Masters of the Order, Windu, or Yoda. 

Not to mention other threats as well. He sensed that the fragment left behind in the mind trap had not been successful, he hadn’t sensed a life being snuffed out in its snare. But he knew Yoda and Windu had not been present, called off to other fronts… ‘inconveniently’.

The list of people who could have saved his would be victims was thin. 

But if they could do that, they might have the ability to sense him as Yoda or Windu might. 

So that was yet another wrinkle.

Too many crises at once. Too many problems and fires to smother. He was being pulled in a hundred directions, all of it coming to a head.

But still, he had to make a choice, and ultimately, Maul was one problem. 

Coruscant held hundreds of them. 

He allowed himself to smile ‘comfortingly’ at the imbecilic Aak “Soon, my friend. I believe a week at the most.” A little longer, but best to make Alexandria think her time was running low, it would encourage mistakes.

The Senators bowed, the meeting adjourning, each one winking out of the call as their holos shut off. 

Alexandria did not.

She lingered, and as she remained the last one on the line, she made a show of clapping silently with her hands, mimicking applauding the show.

“You’re off your game.” She declared.

Then winked out, stealing the last word.

Oh one day he would enjoy killing her.

Palpatine lingered in his seat, the ship refueling as he pressed a button on his chair. “Pilot.”

A droid’s voice answered him. “Yes Chancellor?”

“Set course for Kamino.” He declared. He’d have to go and make his demands. Twist their minds to follow his will.

Alexandria would have her victory, but he’d make certain it’d be by the smallest of margins.”

The droid did not question. It simply obeyed, and would be memory wiped before they returned to Coruscant. It and the ships flight history. “Affirmative. Chancellor. Another call is waiting.”

“Who?” He asked. 

“Logs indicate Jedi Council members, Yarael Poof, Victoria Dallon and Master Yaddle”

If it was Yoda, or Windu, he’d have ignored the call, he could not risk it. Not yet. Even Yaddle was a risk.

But… his trap had been triggered. That meant the Jedi had found Dathomir… and far more quickly than he expected.

He’d have to find out how that occured. It wasn’t unforeseen per se. The sheer volume of droid  forces he’d moved along with Grievous and the necessary haste made it very possible that they’d been discovered mid transit. Perhaps even likely.

But if there was some other reaason. A leak, Precognition, or worse… well… he needed to find out.

He calculated the risk. The odds that Yaddle or the other Masters would still be reeling from the trap, possibly tending to someone that while not dead was at least injured and decided that he could risk it.

Or, perhaps he had to risk it.

He opened the channel with his customary smile, for all the world seeming at ease and pleased to see them. “Masters.” He declared, lowing his head in an aproximation of a bow even while seated.

“How might I be of service?”

It was Dallon who answered, grinning smugly, radiating a vindictive sort of joy. She was never one to lie, not very well at least. “We have something we’d like to share with your office Chancellor.” 

His senses twinged at her words. She was telling the truth but there was something more… something he was sensing… or not sensing.

Master Poof bowed next, a calm placid lake hiding everything, if it was a lie, or the truth he could not know. “We’ve discovered some information of vital importance on a recent investigative excursion to a world called Dathomir, Chancelor.”

“Oh?”

Yaddle spoke last, but her feeling in the Force was… off, a thousand different signals going off, too many to pin down the right one, a technique very few could accomplish, he himself being one of them.

But he’d never sensed it from her… or any Jedi.

And that sent his hackles to raising, momentary panic shooting through his veins; though he kept such things hidden. 

“The Sith.” The small Female member of Yoda’s species declared. “A connection to the office of Naboo… found it has been.”

Three Jedi. All giving different feelings in the Force. Chosen, likely deliberately for this very purpose.

He could not tell if it was a lie or the truth.

The game had just become far far more dangerous.

Palpatine… smiled.

Leaning forward, he placed his elbows on the table, hands interlacing infront of his lips.

“I believe…” He said slowly, eyes fixed on the three infront of him. “That starting from the beginning might be warranted… my friends.”

(X)(X)(X)

I am very happy with this chapter. :)I told ya'll that we'd be getting a special POV this chap and this chap had two of my favorite things. A Council meeting and Alexandria and Palpatine playing political fencing :D.