The Weaving Force: Chapter 35 (Patreon)

Chapter 35:

Bail Organa.

This… was not a call he’d expected to have a month ago… hell, a week ago he hadn’t expected to have this call.

Just this morning he figured he perhaps imagined it as some sort of fever dream.

But… no. This was certainly happening.

You couldn’t blame him for his disbelief. Satine was a good woman; but her stance on pacifism was… extreme, even by Alderanian standards.

This act was very much unlike her, and skirted the possibility, if not the probability of very real violence on the proverbial horizon.

“I must admit-” He began somewhat hesitantly, sitting at his desk, a holo conference call arrayed across the table in front of him. “-while I sympathize; I do have some concerns, Duchess.”

“As do I.” The president of Corellia, Aranos, chimed in. “I am willing to support your efforts against slavery in the outer rim. I believe we are all in agreement here on that-” He nodded towards the other dozen heads of state. “-But what you’re talking about… it acts outside the laws of the republic.”

“Not entirely.” Satine answered, voice calm and posture straight and poised. “The Republic does not directly regulate trade agreements between sovereign planets so long as they abide by the core tenets of the Republic trade charter. It is, after all, how the trade federation has gotten away with so much recently.

Many eyes darted towards the Naboo queen; the memory of the trade federation’s blockade and invasion was still relatively fresh in many minds. What happened on Naboo hadn’t sat well with many- the fact that it was legal -even less so.

Seeing the attention drawn to her, Amidala, the young Queen for at least a handful more years until her second term expired, spoke to Satine directly. “Is this not premature?” She asked. “We have no reason to believe the republic would take issue with your rescue of slaves. Why are you so convinced that they will seek to harm you economically that you’d go to such lengths; as to secure our economic aid preemptively?”

A fair question… if perhaps a naive one. He forgot so often that Padme was so very young and idealistic.

The logic behind Satine’s actions was sound and not at all premature. There were many core worlds that benefited from the slave trade.

If they formed enough of a power bloq that they could push through sanctions… Mandalore would have no choice other than to reverse course almost immediately on how they were dealing with Outer Rim slavery and the Hutts.

“I concur with the young queen.” Orn Free Taa, nodded, his rather prodigious… chins… jiggling. “Why not go through legal channels? I am in full support of Mandalore’s desire to help my people and end slavery of the Hutts but not if it comes at the expense of your good name and standing-”

“We are an outer Rim planet ourselves, senator.” Satine cut in easily. “You all know how I’ve worked to rehabilitate my people. Help them move beyond their blood soaked past. The Hutts actively undermine those efforts, hiring Mandalorian Mercenaries to fight their crime wars. Or as enforcers.”

Her features darkened. “I would rather send them a message sooner, rather than later that Mandalorians are no longer their pet kath hounds, to be let loose whenever they wish something mauled. I know the republic would wish for a far less… disruptive approach to these negotiations. They cannot sanction the Hutts in a meaningful way to force them to negotiate but they can sanction Mandalore. I’d rather avoid such; especially given the inherent virtue we’re… trying to defend.”

‘Fighting ‘ Bail thought. ‘That’s the word you’d rather not use.’

He had to wonder what had changed. What part of Satine or Mandalore had shifted recently that caused her to take up a fight.

Satine paused, taking a breath. “I am not seeking to circumvent legality. Nor do I wish to cause any in this estimable gathering undue harm to their standing- but neither am I willing to let Hutt crime lords dictate to myself and others as though they are Masters here. If queen Amidala and Senator Taa are correct and the Republic will support us then this agreement is merely a formality. But if the Hutts bully enough into believing their threats of open war that they’d take a more cautious approach, my people would be grateful to know that we do have allies in the Republic that understand and support us with more than just words.”

She turned her attention onto Senator Taa. “I know you of all people Senator will advocate on our behalf when the subject arises in the halls of the senate, and eventually you will convince that estimable body of the logic and rightness in what we do, but in the meanwhile how many more will be enslaved? How long will we languish in inaction?”

Very long. Bail had devoted his life to the Republic, to the Senate. But  he was not blind to the Republic’s many many flaws. Interminable gridlock being one of them when some put their minds to it.

Taa blushed his cheeks darkening to purple rather than blue. “I well, of course Duchess. I would wish nothing more than to support you.” He nodded, and again his chins jiggled. “And… it is as you say. Merely a formality when the republic supports you…” The Twi’lek’s jaw set. “Yes. I’ve decided. I will support this agreement. Ryloth will aid Mandalore economically should they need it.

An empty promise… Ryloth did not have enough economic strength to support itself but it was a symbolic victory regardless.

The President of Corellia, the Chancellor of Bothawui and the Director of Kuatt each shared a look, an entire conversation passing between the three before the Kuatii director spoke.

“I will also agree to this measure.” He answered. Bail tried to reason out why he might. Perhaps trade disruptions had lessened with the hutts hiring so many mercenaries and pirates to safeguard their slaves?

“Let it not be said Corellia didn’t do its share to fight slavery.” President Aranos nodded. “We agree.”

“Bothawui agrees as well.”

One by one, the various leaders agreed or disagreed. Most fell in line with the consensus. Only Balmora and Ord Mantel wished to steer clear of things.

“I still believe this is a premature stance… but the crime of slavery is a blight on this galaxy. And I am willing to do my part to see others freed.” Queen Amidala answered with a solemn nod. “I agree and add Naboo to your proposal, Duchess Satine.”

Finally, all eyes fell onto him. Alderaan was one of the most stable, and economically prosperous worlds in the galaxy. With his stamp of approval, there would be no viable way the Republic could sanction Mandalore significantly, not without making it politically… obvious where they stood on the subject of slavery.

Thus, his own agreement, he was fairly sure would render the entire thing moot…

The senators who wished to stop the Duchess would need to find some other weapon, besides economics.

“Alderaan agrees.” He nodded, offering the Duchess a small, barely there smile, almost like a joke between old friends.

He was fairly sure she understood, as she smiled back; just a hint, before it was gone.

“Thank you sers, and ladies.” The Duchess bowed her head just a bit where she sat.

—--------

On the other side of the line, as the conference call came to a close, Satine let out a breath she hadn’t even known she was holding before she opened her eyes, staring at Alexandria who stood at the other side of her desk.

“It's done.” Satine said, then her features scrunched up. “How did you know Senator Taa would agree?” She asked. “I thought… well-”

“He’s a puppet.” Alexandria answered with a shrug. “Sending the ‘short notice’ message, didn’t give his puppet master any time to prepare or give him marching orders. Taa himself, believe it or not, is actually rather well meaning.”

Satine raised a rather incredulous eyebrow. Senator Taa’s corruption was… well known… by everyone. “You’re not serious.”

“He’s just incredibly stupid.” Her advisor shrugged again. “Still. That task was pivotal. With our finances secure we can push towards the next stage.”

Satine’s lips pursed. “And that would be?”

“Get clan Wren onto Ryloth.”

(X)(X)(X)

Taylor:

“The seditionists elements were rounded up and dealt with most effectively. Forgive me for saying but from previous missions undertaken with your order; such a thing is unusual for Jedi.”

“These separatists were planning to cause significant harm to your planetary security forces. As such we deemed that there was sufficient cause to engage with an appropriate level of force.”

It was a willow, thin man that spoke to Master Windu.

His name was Tarkin.

Former military, a politician now; assigned by someone somewhere to ‘oversee’ things.

Apparently, we’d dealt with the problem before he could arrive.

Which according to what I’d heard from my Bugs across the building, impressed him and irritated him in equal measure.

Impressed because, as he said, he hadn’t thought we’d act so… decisively.

And irritated because now his report would be far less detailed when he returned to his boss.

“I showed up and the insurgents were already dealt with” wasn’t quite as impressive as the alternative- after all.

“I’m hardly complaining master Jedi.” The man answered drolly. “Merely commenting aloud.” He didn’t look up from his datapad. “Minister Q’ou-”

“Yes Overseer Tarkin?” the Minister straightened, damn near snapping to attention, his heels clicking.

“Whilst this cell has been taken care of; I trust efforts are continuing to investigate the locations of any others?”

“Yes sir.” Q’ou answered with a nod. “Prisoners are being interrogated, and their computers examined for any information on the other cells.”

Tarkin turned back to Windu. “Will the Jedi be staying to excise the rest of the insurgency? Or will you be departing?”

“The Jedi order will stay as long as it’s needed.” Windu answered immediately.

Tarkin offered a curt nod. “Excellent. Having you here will lead to a heightened sense of caution and fear among the rebels; it will make those still with them rethink their stance on fighting.”

Or desperate. I thought, but didn’t say. I knew better than most; desperate people were dangerous people.

“Why are they fighting?”

It took me a moment to realize I’d spoken aloud, but when all eyes turned to me; I shrugged.

“We were told they have legal means to leave the republic if they want. People don’t fight without a good reason.”

“Good reasons are relative.” Tarkin answered waspishly “There was a vote on the matter, years ago and again last year. The consensus holds, the majority wish to stay aligned with the republic. The rebels clearly disagree and took to violence to meet their goals.”

Things were rarely that clear cut, rarely so simple, but I was hardly going to get into an argument on the subject without actual tangible information to back me up, otherwise I’d just be setting myself up to make an ass of myself.

I felt tiny claws brush across my forearm, I turned and looked down to Yaddle. “Walk with an old woman Padawan.” She asked. “Leave Master Windu to this task, we should.”

I hesitated, just for a moment, sensing without the force where exactly this walk was going to take me and feeling unsure if I was ready to deal with talking about my… my breakdown yesterday.

Then I sighed.

There was no point in running away. Best to just deal with it.

I nodded, turning and marching away from Windu and Tarkin and opening the door for Yaddle and following the old woman out.

As we walked through the clean steel halls I took a deep breath.

“I suppose you want to talk about yesterday?”

“Do you?” She asked instead “Help, it might. I might.”

I let out a small breath of air through my nose, not quite a snort and not quite a laugh.

…

“I don’t know.” I admitted.

“Hmmm.” I saw Yaddle nod beside me. “Difficult it has always been for you- to share your secrets. A cage you’ve made of the steel bars formed of them. Safe it keeps you. But alone… sad as well.”

I stopped walking.

I felt Yaddle do the same beside me as I took a deep breath, my head slowly tilting upwards to face the ceiling as I grit my teeth behind my lips.

“I suppose you told Windu what happened yesterday?”

“No.” She shook her head. “Personal. Private, it was. Senses something wrong he does. But not what. Your secret I will keep.”

“Didn’t you just say secrets are a cage?” I asked turning to face her.

She met my eyes with that same calm, kind patience.

“How would I know to describe it- if my own secrets I did not keep once.”

The startled laugh I let out was hardly a humorous thing, more a bark of startled noise at the implications.

Yaddle didn’t seem to mind. After a moment, she reached up, grabbing hold of two of my fingers, all her tiny hand could comfortably grip before tugging me along to walk with her.

She led me through the halls, until finally, we stepped into what I knew was the mess hall here.

It was empty now- food wouldn’t be ready for at least another hour when the lunch rush hit. The windows were large, offering a great deal of natural light and an almost airy quality to what would otherwise be a utilitarian place.

Of course the Jedi would find a good ‘meditation spot’ as a first priority.

Yaddle sat down on one of the long bench seats. We were far from any eavesdroppers and even beyond my own local awareness through my bugs, the wide open room gave little chance on anyone sneaking up on us.

“Here- we may speak if you wish. If not, enjoy the sunlight we may.” She said, closing her eyes as she did indeed, turn her face up, towards the window where the sun shone down with warm brilliance.

I sat there with her. I sat in silence.

I wasn’t sure I’d talk. I really wasn’t. A part of me would just rather fail than risk it.

But this wasn’t something I could talk about with Vicky. It wasn’t something I wanted to say to Master Plo- to hear the disappointment in his voice.

If this were another life- that false life… Lisa would have just known. I wouldn’t need to speak. But Lisa wasn’t here. And the Jedi weren’t that kind of mind reader.

…

…

“I thought I’d handle it better.”

I felt Yaddle’s ear twitch, her head turn ever so slightly.

I pressed on, forcing myself to keep talking before I could rethink it.

“I was… I just-” I let out a breath.

Yaddle seemed to understand. “You wore that mask- because it represents a part of your fear. You’re disappointed in yourself.”

“It's… not just that.” I confessed.

We fell into silence again.

“Who was the mask, youngling?”

…

“Skitter.” I finally said. “Her name was Skitter… sometimes- Weaver. The worst times, Khepri… But yesterday- it was Skitter.”

Yaddle didn’t speak, seemingly content to let me gather my thoughts. Or maybe- she just knew better than to interrupt.

I shook my head, my eyes burned but I refused to let the tears fall. “Like… this is the mask and that was the real thing-” I breathed. “Have I just been… pretending? This whole time?” My breathing shook. “My Kids, the temple, Vicky? Is it just a ghost trying to be real?

Yaddle’s hands reached over, grasping my own in her claws, gently uncurling my fingers as she turned to face me fully on the bench.

“Look at me youngling.”

I took a deep breath, forcing the shudders across my body through subside as I turned to look at the tiny green woman.

Yaddle reached up, her small hand just barely able to reach my cheek.

“I do not know these ghosts that haunt you.” She said. “I do not know Skitter. Or Weaver. Or Khepri. I only know Taylor. She is the one here. Not them.”

“But it was so easy, Yaddle.” I gasped. “It was so easy to become her again.”

“Many things we do- when called to violence.” She answered. “Easy you say it was- perhaps. But if so easy it was, why is it that only pain you feel now?” She asked; then shook her head. “Wish to be better, Skitter does not. A hold over you she does not have. Know this I do.”

“How?” I scoffed.

“Because watched you I have. And if she did speaking, with your own voice you would not be.”

“That’s different-” I argued.

“No.” Yaddle’s hand tensed where it cupped my cheek. “No.” She repeated; putting every ounce of conviction I’d ever heard from her in that single word. “Faced your fears you did. Overcame them you did. Only in your mind is the difference, because for yourself it was not.”

I sucked in a breath through my teeth, clenching my eyes shut.”Spying on me?” I asked, if only to buy time to gather my thoughts.

When I opened my eyes again, Yaddle was smiling, a gentle, wry twist of her lips.

“Observed I have.” She nodded. “...Inspiring- it was. Overcame your fear, you did- to spare her the pain that you know.”

A kind way to  put it…

But I wasn’t so selfless.

I didn’t want my friend to change. I didn’t want her to know… and become someone else. Like Emma had changed… like I was now changed by what I knew.

I wanted Vicky to stay Vicky

Promise me

My voice had broken when I made that demand. Pain and genuine terror cutting me down to the bone after over a year of not hearing my own voice.

And she did. She did promise.

And she was still Vicky because of that promise. Still my best friend.

That wasn’t inspiring… It was selfish. Cowardly in a way. Maybe Yoda. Maybe Yaddle herself, would have found a way to tell Vicky the truth. To help her after they did.

I wasn’t that brave.

And this whole mission just went and proved it.

My eyes closed again and I sighed, releasing my breath through my nostrils as I shook my head. “I can’t do this.”

“You are stronger than you know.”

I opened my eyes, meeting Yaddle’s gaze.

“What if I’m not?” I demanded. “What if you’re wrong and when this is all done I’m not me anymore?” I shook my head. “I don’t want that. I’d prefer you just take the lightsaber and make shit less complicated for everyone. It’ll at least be quicker that way.”

She twitched, surprised; but rallying quickly as she gripped my fingers tightly.

“Help you I will… Lose yourself, I know you will not”

I shook my head. “I… won’t risk that.” I said. “Fail me if you have to.” I thought for a moment, remembering what that would mean and feeling my insides rankle at the thought that I just… couldn’t do this. “I don’t want to let down master Plo, or Vicky… But I’d rather be me as a Padawan, than be a Knight as the thing that wants to take my place.”

Yaddle’s eyes grew sad, and when she reached up towards my face, I pulled back; wary.

She stared at me for a long moment- the silence stretching between us.

Her hands retreated. “Secrets are a cage…” She said. “But fear… is the slave master Padawan. Don’t let it control you”

I looked away from her. I had to.

A part of me, perhaps, agreed with her.

The other part of me was afraid it already did.

Suddenly I felt a vibration in my pocket.

My holo?

Reaching over I fished the thing out of my pants very few people had this number. Council members, Master Plo and Vicky.

I answered.

The image of Master Plo emerged on the comline.

“Ahh, Taylor. Good.”

“Master?” I asked, features scrunching up in surprise, Master Yaddle also looked curious, her features growing slightly concerned.

“There isn't much time.” He said, and my concern immediately grew.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m afraid a situation has arisen that concerns Master Galia’s Padawan. I informed her, and thus-”

“Whatever it is, you told Vicky.” I concluded, standing up.

He nodded. “Indeed. Knowing your fellow Padawan, she will wish to involve herself.”

“Where?” I asked; previous troubles forgotten. If Vicky was jumping headfirst into doing something stupid, I wouldn't let her do it alone.”

“We are on our way to Utapau.” He answered. “If you wish to join us- go soon.”

(X)(X)(X)

And so now you all know why Tay started to speak again.

It's happening :D

Soon though; I'm not gonna pretend that next chapter is where Tay and Vicky will finally meet Dennis and co, but we're inching closer to it bit by bit...We're gonna have fun. :D

Also I will remind everyone that there is a discord where you may discuss the Patreon chapters without fear of spoiling it for anyone if you wish https://discord.gg/j4WnQgsX