The Weaving Force: Chapter 48 (Patreon)

Chapter 48:

Vicky:

The Jedi, much as she may have liked them, were not known for their adaptability.

As much as she might have wanted otherwise, the Jedi response to rapid change was typically to balk, or at best offer hesitant caution before tepidly trying to navigate whatever change had come about.

Which kind of explained the current situation rather well if she were being honest.

“It is clear that her teachings are not appropriate for crechelings! I daresay they’re barely appropriate for any in our Order!”

The outraged declaration came from Saesee Tiin and Vicky tried not to glare at the Iktotchi Jedi Master from her place near the entrance of the chamber.

He was through holo, so she was sure he couldn’t really see her at this distance, but she hoped he felt the heat of her glare anyway.

“You are being unfair, Master Tiin,” Master Billaba called through her own holo-channel. There were more holo-attendees than flesh and blood ones, truth be told. The various enclaves demanded their respective Masters be present, and the low number of High Council Masters was being keenly felt more and more as time went on. “Knight Hebert has been instrumental in our own training to prepare for the Sith on Kashyyyk, and her perspectives are not without their merit.”

“There is no Ignorance,” Master Plo quoted calmly, also on holo. “It is a brittle belief that cannot suffer questions or contestation, Master Tiin.”

Tiin shot a heated glare Plo’s way, but before he could say anything, Master Mundi cut in.

“The issue does not lie with questions, Master Plo,” The Cerean said. “It lies with her, spreading her personal beliefs onto young, impressionable minds. She was not raised as a Jedi, she can be forgiven for there being gaps in her knowledge, but if she means to continue teaching crechelings, those deficiencies cannot be allowed to harm the most vulnerable amongst our ranks. I worry Knight Hebert is letting her personal feelings affect her teachings too much.”

“I am well aware of my deficiencies, Master Mundi. Can you say the same?”

Taylor’s voice cut through the room like a knife, dark figure standing tall and proud in the center of the Council Chamber. Master Mundi furrowed his brows, Vicky could see it all the way from here even through the glow of the holo that made up his form. Vicky felt torn between smirking in petty satisfaction or groaning in dismay at Tay’s… Tayness.

And people said she was a bad diplomat!

Clearly none of those people had ever been in a room with her girlfriend ‘playing nice’.

Mundi straightened where he sat, almost puffing himself up. “We cannot have a Crechemaster who considers her personal teachings more prominent than the fundamentals of what it is to be a Jedi.”

“Ask any one of my crechelings to recite the Jedi Code and they will do so immediately,” Taylor countered.

“But a difference there is-” Yoda cut in, little legs crossed over his seat, “-between knowing words, and understanding meaning.”

“Their Masters have half a lifetime to teach them their meaning of the Jedi Code,” Taylor shrugged. “My job is to prepare them for what the Jedi can’t teach.”

“And what pray tell is that?” Master Piel cut in, his one eye’s stare piercing the girl in the center of the room.

“Things Jedi don’t consider. Things that don’t fall neatly into the Code, things that don’t fit that you can’t even see because of that exact same reason.”

Many of the Masters, including some of their usual allies or at least neutral parties, were looking more and more put off by the speech, if not by her words then by the intensity which she delivered them, and their detractors looked caught between anger and almost smugness that Tay was just making their job of ousting her from the creche all the easier.

Luckily, before anyone could cut in, Master Plo offered Tay the lifeline she needed, trusting that his erstwhile student had something to back up her claims rather than just hot air.

“Such as?” The Kel Dor offered, his hand waving as if urging her to continue.

“How many of you so very happily voted to send Siri Tachi off on that multi-year infiltration mission with nothing but an objective and the Jedi Code in her pocket?” Taylor immediately asked. Adi Gallia, went completely pale at the words.

“She completed her mission.” Saesee Tiin argued. “And while her pain was regrettable-”

“She was recovering for years before she stepped foot outside of this Temple again,” Taylor interrupted, grabbing hold of the momentum now and refusing to let it go. “You didn’t prepare her better because you didn’t have the tools to; you weren’t looking for those tools either. Because you’ve been so inoculated for years with no outside opinions or ideas that your teachings in the creche and the Masters afterwards are little more than recycled, regurgitated platitudes.”

“Knight Heber-”

“How many of you thought to go retrieve Anakin’s mother from her slavehood on Tatooine?”

Eeth Koth’s mouth clicked shut.

“Hmm?” Taylor pressed. “Did anyone not want to go for a day’s drive to the Outer Rim to give your newest Jedi Padawan some peace of mind ten years ago?” She shook her head. “You didn’t think of it because it didn’t fit. A simple thing to do that wouldn’t have troubled you for more than a week and a few credits that didn’t enter even the foggiest corner of your mind because you don’t think of things outside the Code. My job is to make sure these kids don’t have this flaw. That they learn to consider practical realities first, and the Code second.”

The Masters held their silence for a moment, many of them squirming uncomfortably. Vicky knew for a fact that many of them hadn’t ever thought of Shmi Skywalker, for many reasons. Some assumed others would take care of it. Some assumed Qui-Gon had made arrangements with the mother.

But not one of them had thought about or cared enough to ask. And for generally good people like the Jedi, the knowledge that they’d been so callous WAS deeply shameful on many levels.

Then the silence was broken when Ki-Adi-Mundi took a breath. “Skywalker’s mother… was not a Jedi concern. While her situation was deplorable, Tatooine is outside Republic jurisdiction, and it was an attachment that needed to be severed as quickly as possible.”

Vicky couldn’t see Taylor’s face, but she could imagine her expression. What she could notice was Master Koth’s eyes narrowing, displeased by Master Mundi’s words.

“...As I said…” her partner answered in a voice so cold it could have chilled the winds of Hoth. “I’m well aware of my deficiencies, Master Mundi. Can you say the same?”

“Let us step back,” Master Windu cut in before the argument became truly heated. The dark skinned master leaned back in his seat. “Knight Hebert. Your knowledge base is not that of a traditional Jedi. This has proven useful, as evidenced numerous times during our own training in the Kashyyyk Enclave.”

Vicky nodded to herself. Good. That was a good sign. For all that Windu was a traditionalist, he did try to give everyone a straight and fair shot.

“But I’m afraid I share some of my colleagues' concerns,” he said. “Crechelings are not Jedi Masters. And while you are correct in pointing out recent errors and oversights in our judgment, I’m uncomfortable with the thought that you would seek to correct such errors, on your own, by targeting young minds who know no better. Isn’t this simply your version of indoctrination? The same indoctrination you accuse us of utilizing and stagnating into?”

Vicky winced.

Shit…

Her eyes swiveled around towards Taylor’s back, wondering how she was going to argue this one.

Frankly, Windu was right; when Tay first laid out her plan, she said as much straight to Vicky’s face.

Not for the first time, Vicky was reminded of the subtle manipulation of the Council Chamber, the circular layout making one feel small and never able to see all Masters at once. It was intimidating if you weren’t used to it. Tay had a better edge than most with her bugs, but with two thirds of the Council on holo that advantage was likely suffering.

Vicky had to wonder what exactly her girl was feeling right now. Her mental shields were like an iron bulwark right now, so thick nothing was getting in or out.

“These flaws can’t be fixed overnight,” Taylor said, standing still in front of the Master, staring him dead in the eye. “Nor can I go to individual Knights and Masters. You start at the foundation. It has to be from the ground up, not from the top down. You all already have your training, your ideas. You’ve acquired the experiences that have let you square the Code with the realities of the galaxy around you. At best, I’d just be preaching to the choir. At worst, talking to brick walls.”

Again, Vicky winced.

Seriously, how was she the one with the reputation for being a bad diplomat?

Filthy slanderous lies!

“The kids are the ones moving now to face the dangers of the galaxy, and they need to be prepared for it. Things are changing for the Jedi. Enclaves across a half dozen worlds, some of them hostile or in hostile zones. Clones who will be moving into active service under the Jedi next month, which is something none of us had to deal with when we were kids, unless I missed a memo somewhere…”

Some Masters did shift uneasily at that, the reminder that yes, that ‘slave army’ that had been commissioned by Sifo was soon going to be their problem to manage.

“...The Hutts saber rattling across the Outer Rim, more recruits than ever being brought in, not only to the main Temple, but to the enclaves as well, which means more diverse backgrounds, more diverse opinions and schools of thought. Even more varied ages. The old status quo isn’t enough.”

“And who’s fault is that!”

The outburst came from Saesee Tiin. The Iktotchi Master stood, horned head framing a set of furious eyes.

“For one thousand years our Order stood, strong and unchanging, uncompromising in our beliefs, our values…” he shook his head. “Then, suddenly, the two of you come along and seek to upend the established order of things simply out of convenience! A girl who stole knowledge while sitting in our home as a guest, and another who supports her every besmirching of our way of life without thought or consideration. And now you want to use the children of a creche as your… your pieces on the board! You go too far!

“Master Tiin.”

“No!” the Iktotchi protested over Master Windu’s call. “No,” he repeated, more softly the second time. “You have allies on this Council, but know that I am not one of them. When the day comes that your custody of the creche will be decided, I will do everything within my power to see you removed from your posting. Train Knights and others in the bowels of Kashyyyk to your heart's content, but I won’t let a radical like you taint the future of the Order.”

His piece said, he barely offered a curt “Masters” before departing with a flicker of his holo image.

Tension had settled over the room, and one by one several of the other Masters shut off their own transponders, leaving only Masters Yoda, Windu and Gallia in flesh, along with the lingering Master Plo Koon.

“I will speak to him,” their old teacher said, his voice carrying that same soothing calm it always did. “Change… does not come easily for Jedi.”

“No, Master,” Taylor said, turning to look at him. “You’ve done more than enough. Don’t get caught in the fallout on my account.”

“You are still my student Taylor; it will never be any trouble. And I do not think you’re incorrect.” His holo flickered off too.

Vicky saw Taylor’s shoulders sag, Windu and Yoda leaning closer to whisper in each other’s ear as Adi stood from her seat to join them.

Her partner turned, walking out of the center of the room and towards Vicky, who offered her a smile.

Vicky felt the sharp wave of relief, an undercurrent of joy and gratitude that was juxtaposed by the expression on Taylor’s face.

“You shouldn’t be here,” she whispered, drawing close.

Vicky started: “I wasn’t gonna just leave you hanging out here alone, Tay, screw that!”

She opened her mouth to protest and Vicky placed a single, perfectly manicured finger against the bug controller’s lips, much to the brunette’s clear, unimpressed irritation.

“I get it, you don’t want me caught in the splash zone. I appreciate it, but it says it very clearly in the contract that I’m free to ignore you when you’re being a well meaning idiot.”

Tay’s stare was absolutely flat.

Vicky answered with a sunny smile.

Before the argument could go further, Masters Windu, Gallia and Yoda began to approach. Vicky leaned over to peek past Taylor’s shoulder, offering them each a smile and a wave.

“Hi,” she said, somewhat unnecessarily.

“Knight Dallon,” Windu nodded.

Taylor seemed to square her shoulders before she turned, facing the three Masters before she crossed her arms. “I didn’t intend for it to devolve into an argument, but I’m not apologi- ow.”

“Hmpf,” Yoda harrumphed, hobbling past her, his stick returning to its primary function of helping him walk rather than rapping impertinent Knights on their shins. “Say, you do, that conflict you did not wish, but ever ready for it you are.”

“Truth be told, we did not expect an apology,” Windu sighed, rubbing at his forehead. “I do not agree with everything you said, but some of it did need to be said.”

“Oh?” Vicky tried not to perk up too much at that, her eyes darting over towards Taylor before darting back to the two Masters “That’s- ah,” she paused, smiling as Yoda clambered up her back to find his usual seat on her shoulder. “That’s… good?” she ventured.

Windu walked past her, “Walk with us, please,” he demanded and though she and Taylor shared a curious look, did as they were asked.

The halls towards the Council Chamber were empty, but that wasn’t unusual. Very few people needed to visit the High Council while it was in session.

Even less so these days, when so many Jedi were off in wholly new enclaves on so many other worlds.

“Some of us on the High Council have been speaking,” Windu began as they reached the elevator. “And… after much meditation, we must admit that we are somewhat ill prepared for so many rapid changes.”

That was not an admission she was expecting, nor was Taylor, judging by the high arched brow she offered as the elevator doors slid open.

Windu stepped inside, Adi following after him. She and Taylor moved quickly to follow.

“If you feel that way-” Taylor began. “-why the dog and pony show?”

Windu’s features scrunched up. “Pardon?”

Tay shook her head. “Sorry, turn of phrase from home,” she answered as the doors closed. “I mean, why even meet with the others on the Council at all regarding my teachings in the creche?”

“Because while we are in agreement that the Council is finding it difficult to adapt to these changes…”

“That doesn’t mean we necessarily agree that your methods are the best solution. Or aren’t simply adding to the problem in less obvious ways.”

“Hmm.” Yoda nodded, his big ear tickling her temple. “Impacts, large and small, our decisions have. Informed we must be of all interpretations. As much information as possible. The ideas of other Masters, in opposition to you, valuable they are. As valuable as your own zeal for your students.”

Vicky could understand that, even respect it. At least they were giving Tay a chance to say her piece in that regard.

Taylor crossed her arms. “Fair enough, I guess. But you’re not telling me this for no reason.”

“No, we’re not,” Adi nodded.

“We’re telling you this so that you’re aware that the younglings in your creche are the best form of advocacy you can convey, to myself and to others who aren’t sure about your methods,” Windu said as the elevator began its descent.

Adi spoke up. “It would be years before your students can demonstrate their aggregate impact on the Jedi as a whole, and that change will not be obvious or even traced back to you adequately.”

“So what are you suggesting?” Taylor demanded, her features scrunching up as she tried to rapidly deduce what they were asking for and coming up short.

“A conclave,” Yoda said. “On Corellia it will be held.”

“Yeah-” Vicky said, though in truth now she was confused by the non-sequitur. “-but that’s like to decide who the next Masters of the Enclaves are going to be, right? You’ll be assigning existing Jedi Masters or ascending Knights to Masterhood so they can take up their postings, right? At least, that’s what I heard,” she shrugged. “How does that affect the younglings?”

“We believe you should take your oldest crechelings to that Conclave,”  Windu said.

Taylor blinked, the elevator coming to a stop with a lurch. “I… don’t follow.”

Vicky was trying to piece it together too.

Honestly, she credited her knowing how Yoda liked to do things that let her put two and two together.

“You want them to find Masters,” Vicky said.

Windu nodded, beginning to step out of the elevator and into the common area. Many of the Jedi of all ranks offered respectful bows and greetings before proceeding on their way.

“As I said,” Adi began, “It will be years before we will truly know the full extent of how your teachings affect us. But a selection of students, older ones, who’s development we can see and measure more proactively…”

“Will let you determine whether my methods are worth the pages they’re written on,” Taylor summarized.

“It will at least be easier to do so,” Adi nodded gently.

“Many Masters and Knights, choose their Padawans by feelings in the Force, they do,” Yoda nodded again. “If many of your students, chosen they are…”

“Then it’ll give her some brownie points against the Masters that don’t want her as Crechemaster.”

“It will at least give them pause,” Windu answered.

Taylor looked at the dark skinned man and, just by the expression on her face, Vicky very much wanted to cover her mouth because bad diplomat moment was incoming!

But, alas, Vicky was too slow! And Yoda’s ear flicked her on the nose, making her sneeze!

He did it on purpose!

“Why tell me this?” Tay asked. “You’ve always been a traditionalist, Windu, and you weren’t exactly thrilled when I got my posting as Crechemaster, so what changed? Why give me a leg up here?”

Windu turned his head, eying her. He was one of the few humans who had a good two inches on Tay’s usual height advantage, which allowed him to very convincingly put on an imperious stare when he wanted to.

“I wish for the Jedi to survive,” he answered succinctly. “The folly of Dyas has cast a shadow across our name. Many in the galaxy call us slavers, our Knights are rejected from setting foot on Republic worlds, more and more there are whispers of war between us and the Hutts, of Separatist factions looking to break away from the Republic itself, and I, as the Master of the Order, find myself… overwhelmed. Unprepared,” his eyes turned towards Yoda on Vicky’s shoulder. “I have help and wisdom in abundance to call upon, but I know many other Jedi do not feel the same way in their postings.”

The man took a deep breath, turning and looking straight ahead. “As I said, I’m unsure if you are the solution or merely another thing causing instability. But I’m willing to… try to give Padawans and younglings more tools to face the galaxy that feels so very overwhelming these days.”

Vicky wasn’t sure what to say to that. She had the feeling Tay didn’t either.

A feeling of… responsibility… a weight, almost, felt settled on her partner’s shoulders suddenly.

“Did that answer your question?” Windu asked.

“It did… thank you.”

The man nodded. “Knight Hebert, Knight Dallon. Good day,” he said, turning with a sharp face.

Adi and Yoda stayed behind.

“That was not easy for him to admit,” Adi said.

“No. It was not,” Yoda said. “But better for it, he will be,” he shifted on her shoulder, his stick booping her on the arm. “Come,” he pointed with the end of the little WMD he flailed around in his tiny tyrannical fist. “To the gardens we go.”

“Excuse me,” she laughed. “When did I become your taxi?”

“Indulge your elders, you will. Hmpf,” he said, haughtily.

“Fine, fine,” she acquiesced with another little laugh.

(X)(X)(X)

Dennis:

The winds howled, whistling sharply, even through the thick starship grade metal of the bulkhead.

The rains lashed down, a hissing pitter patter on the steel and windshield.

The feeling that rose up in his stomach was strange.

He’d always liked storms. Loved them even.

Then he remembered Leviathan.

And he felt guilty and stupid for ever liking storms. Storms killed people, even when not being driven by a sentient force behind the wheel of the natural disaster.

He sighed.

Rugess tapped him on the shoulder, babbling in concern.

He offered his best friend a smile. “I’m fine buddy,” he reached over, picking up the mic for the intercom.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We have completed our landing and I’m pleased to inform you that we’ve reached the greatest vacation planet known to the galaxy – Kamino. Where we have sunny beaches and totally gorgeous alien women. It is not a flooded hell hole, nor are the aliens very long, freaky looking fish people-”

“Dennis!”

The scolding tone made him choke down a laugh that would have gotten him in so much trouble if he indulged it. “Sorry, mom.”

Hannah glared at him and a gloved hand smacked the back of his head, and that did make him laugh. Though not too hard. The back of that hand was still covered in beskar, after all.

The woman checked at her vambrace, which he knew was outfitted with a sonar tac map and a motion tracker. Just in case.

“Be nice,” she demanded. “We’re just here to assess.”

“Yeah. Sure,” he nodded, standing up as he grabbed his belt with his blasters, coiling it around his waist. “Just assess,” he repeated drily. “Give ‘em a fair shake. You know, how they’re doin the same for their clones. Totally free willed and eagerly signing up for the army -clones.”

She glared at him and he realized he wasn’t the only one with a whole mixed bag of emotions here.

“I don’t like this either,” she said. “But Satine and Alexandria trust us to give them an honest assessment, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

He released a breath through his nostrils, almost huffing. “Fine.”

Stepping out of the cockpit he turned to Rugess, “Don’t spool up the guns, but keep ‘em primed just in case.”

Rugess offered a thumbs up.

Marching down the hall to the main living area and straight towards the entry ramp, Dennis wasn’t surprised to find their last passenger already waiting for them.

“Master Ti,” he nodded.

The Togruta Jedi Master turned, looking at him with a hesitant smile.

“Kronos,” she greeted, then offered a bow. “I would like to once more express my sincerest thanks for your cooperation.”

He sighed, scratching at the back of his head. “Look, I get it. The Jedi need a facelift right now and you guys getting a good photo op with a famous slave liberator is gonna make a lot of people give you a second chance. But I’ve told you already, I still haven’t even seen how these clones are being treated and until that happens, and I’m happy, I’m not cooperating with you yet,” he warned.

“I understand,” she assured, the picture of calm acceptance. “But even so, you agreed to come here with me. You agreed to see for yourself before forming your opinion. That’s more than most would do. Even if nothing else comes of this I appreciate that, sincerely.”

He sighed, Militia stepping up behind him, beskar helmet hissing as it sealed over her head. “You’re welcome, I guess.”

The doors hissed open, the ramp beginning to descend, letting in the sound of the howling wind and hissing rain.

“Sunny beaches and gorgeous aliens, everybody,” he said drily, putting on his own helmet before stepping out into the torrential downpour.(X)(X)(X)

HEY look at that its next week! :D

(Honestly now that we're in the clone wars the chaps have just been flowing out I'm having *so much fun* now that the full "divergences" from canon can FINALLY be seen)On the other hand, if the updates suddenly stop its because my Betas have decided to tie me against a pillar far away from my computer to ease their workload. Or they'll kill me. One or the other :)