One living quarters on the Curator.
When the festivities were over and the people began to disperse, Vessira was waiting for me in my quarters. Ruffled, suspicious, angry and resentful. Very offended, but I can't quite put my finger on why.
«Well? What do you mean? - she crossed her arms over her chest as I crossed the threshold. Closing the door behind me, I sigh and place the helmet with the help of the Force on the bedside "bollard" protruding from the bulkhead. This is going to be a tough fight...
«That's the way it's going to be, Wes. Soon I'll be leaving Tython one way, and I'll be sending you the other.
«You want to break up? - The question made me rethink my own words, and give myself a smack in the face. Except... Looking at Wes, her serious face and feeling her emotions, she couldn't believe her own conclusions.
«Oh... Angel, my wingless angel, what's so stupid? - a little flare of indignation, I hugged the kitty, but felt a slight resistance. - No, of course not, you can hear my echo, - and in confirmation of the words, I raise warmth from my soul to the kitty. Outwardly Wes didn't show it, but inside she was clearly relieved.
«Then what?
«I just need to sort out some family... small problems that stretch back to my father. Don't worry, kitten," I put my hands on her shoulders.
«Shade..." I got a reproachful look.
«What?
«Don't try to fuse me, I can hear the echo of your fear for me, you don't have to hide it. Where are you going?
«To solve a problem.
«Where? You. You're going?
«Vessira, don't make a serious face, you're not Hadiya, it doesn't suit you. And don't try to pity me, I won't tell you anyway, and you either stay here or I'll send you in the opposite direction... Yeah, I'll probably send you, especially since you haven't been home in a while too.
Wes didn't answer. She stands there, glaring, but gives up and exhales:
«Shade, I know exactly what you mean. Whatever you want, I'm not leaving you alone.
«But I'm not alone! I'll have my mum with me.
«All the more reason! - she burst into flames with renewed strength.
«You don't believe in me that much?
«No, I do, and even more, I believe in the teacher and her knack for finding trouble. I haven't forgotten how we crashed on Krev-Keur!
«R- crashed? - I flinched.
«Oh... Anyway, never mind. I believe in your talent for finding trouble.
«No, no, no, no, no, no. Tell me more! - I'm grabbing the confused katara by the ear.
«Well... I'm a little overzealous when I say "crashed". More like an emergency landing.
«And yet! - I'm giving the katara a hard look.
«There was a pirate outpost that a research team stumbled upon, and we stumbled upon it too. But we landed well, even then we were able to take off and make our way to the space transfer station and wait for help there.
«Weight.
«We agreed to keep quiet! So as not to make you nervous. In fact, I'm calling the shots here, you hear me? - I was clawed off my head with a claw, glowing with righteous anger. - You've been talking to some smart people, and now you're just talking rubbish.
«Heh.
«Tell me where you're going before I dial Hadiya! - I'm a little shaken.
«She knows.
«How?!
«How... As an accomplice," I shrug my shoulders. - But indirectly, - and under the dazed look I add: - You know, financing, providing equipment and other small things.
«And you're telling me not to worry about you?! - Force-soaked claws pressed down on me, puncturing the fabric just between the plates and digging into my skin, pressing my back against the door. - You're talking about the problems your mother's involved in, and Hadiya's sponsoring it all. And I'm not even talking about the fact that the leader of the Stargazers sect, a terrorist organisation that the Order is catching, is a disciple of your father's, who you and your mother sort of flew in to chat with. Yeah, really, why should I care, pfft, bollocks, it happens every day, YES, SHADE?!
«Weight... - I wrap my arms around the arms of the hysterical katara.- How can I not worry about you, you tell me? - tears appeared on her face and her grip loosened.
«Wes, I'm sorry," I wrapped my arms around her head and pulled her to me. - I'm sorry for making you nervous....
«Don't decide... do you hear me? Don't decide for me... when you're trying to shield me," she whispered with a quiet sob. - It's my decision to be there for you. Your mum spent her whole life regretting when she let your father go. I won't make her mistake.
«Eh... Wes. What am I supposed to do with you?
«Accept it. Or send you away.
Picking up Katara in my arms, I walk to the bed and, lowering myself down, sit the girl on my lap.
«That's it, angel, that's it. I just don't want you to get in trouble because of me. After all, even if you're on the other side of the system, you can still be indirectly hurt because of me, just like the others. Just because they're my friends and you're family.
«I know. I can hear you wanting to keep me safe. But no. I'll be there for you. End of story.
«Okay," I hold her palms against my chest with one hand and press the other to my chest with the other. - Have it your way.
«Sniff. W-where are you guys going?
«Old Town.
«?
«There's a hypergate we want to activate. Well, not me, Dalien, but now I'm involved.
«But why?!
«We need to watch Dalien's back. Also, we need to test his theory about the Hypergate in practice. I trust him, Wes, he's a very smart man, especially since he's spent most of his life working on this. And if all goes well, we might have a chance.
«A chance at what, Shade?
«Salvation. I had a vision. War would come to Tython, and in that vision, Dalien was dead. He never achieved his goal. The Order killed him for fear of the Ancient technology. I remember the wounds on the Phantom's body, the kind only a Je'Dai blade can leave. And if it's true, if Dalien's right, I want to keep a back door in case there's a big problem.
«But Shade, that's-- That's--
«Yeah. For that, my mother and I would be enemies number one, not of the Order, but of the Tython system as a whole. Or nearly so. And since you're my... loved ones, a certain percentage of the glory will fall on you. But! You can always say, "I didn't know" and get away with it, cos I didn't really tell anyone. It's better than what's waiting for me.
«And you're telling me not to worry?
«Yeah. You're right, a girl's heart can feel it. And you're tied to me, too," I sigh.
«Shade, can you live normally? Like everyone else?
«Alas... And even if I did, you and I would have nothing.
«M," Wes bit her lip and looked away.
«'Well, my angel...
«"Don't be angry?" - snorted.
«Eh, no, get angry, but in another way, - letting go of her palms, I put my hand on her head and scratch behind her ear. - You're in your right.
«I'm so right.
«Wes, look at me," she turned her frowning face toward me. - I don't think you need it anyway. Je'Daiy live a long time, and you're too young to be getting in trouble like this.
«You're a fool," I interrupted, sighing sadly. - You've grown up, you've cooled down, you've wised up, but you're still a fool. I told you, Shade. Cathar girls love one thing. All their lives," she took my right hand and held it in her palm, pulling it away from my head. - When your mum was talking about how... walking, I didn't understand it. Or rather, I did, but my very nature, my nature turns away from such an attitude to the partner with whom you sleep.
«What about your... well, natural inclinations?
«That's not how it works. Until you find a mate, they're expressed in predatory instincts. A certain wildness, aggressiveness, sharpness. This is because while you are alone, you have to be able to take care of yourself, find food, protect yourself from others. But then, when you find a man, this responsibility is transferred to him, and your body gets the command to reorganise and prepare for procreation. Hence, as you say, the slips.
«I see," I nod, continuing to comfort Wes.
Suddenly the conversation died down, and Vessira, with her eyes closed and leaning against me, just listened to the Force within her.
«Shade, I don't want to," she interrupted the silence. - I don't want to wake up to the pain in my heart. If you're gone, I'll feel it. And if you're involved in this, I'll be there for you.
«And the Order?
«What about the Order? I don't care about the Force and its knowledge, I care about you.
«That's not what I mean. If anything happens, I won't just wait for them to kill me, I'll fight. Can you raise your hand against those you now consider comrades?
«I'll raise it against anyone who dares threaten my family.
«Eh.
«What is it?
«I just remembered Hadiya.
«И?
«That one would drown the entire system in blood and nuclear ash.
Wes just smiled a little at that.
«It's not funny, by the way. I may be crazy, but I'm not crazy enough to start a civil war," Wes shrugged. - Yeah. First my influence, then my mothers, now Hadiya...
«They're all bad people, always teaching me bad things," Vessira joked, hugging me to her chest and resting her cheek on top of my pumpkin. - Eh, Shade... how are you even going to do this? When are we leaving?- We're leaving the other day, as soon as we get this place sorted out. I have to wait for the Council to authorise me to go on a mission.
«What kind of mission?
«Didn't I tell you I was assigned to Hadiya?
«Oh, that's what you mean.
«Well, as soon as I get my orders, we'll be on our way. As for the plan, it'll be very quiet and very discreet.
«Oh! So you expect to come back?
«Actually, yes. I was just describing to you what happens if we don't die in there, the hypergate doesn't go off, but we get burned.
«Oh, so they can still explode?
«No-is-certain.
«What a-okay," Wes shook her head with a smile. She didn't have the energy to be outraged or surprised anymore.
«'Yes... So our chances of complete success...'
«About zero?
«Slightly below average.
«Shade, optimism and common sense are not synonymous.
«You're just saying that because you don't know what the plan is. It's perfectly calibrated, after all, it's been worked on by the greatest tacticians of our time. The first is presumed dead for twenty years, hiding from the Order and leading an entire sect. The second is slowly taking over Chicago. And then there's me and my mother, to deal with the power issues. It's going to be okay, Ves...
Katara sighed, shook her head, and, covering her eyes, kissed him. Somehow the kiss stretched imperceptibly, and when it broke, I was whispered to:
«It doesn't matter what happens in the future. Let me enjoy the present...
***
Wes and I stayed in the temple of knowledge for twelve days. I don't know what the council was worried about, but I didn't care. On the third day my friends started to leave. I saw the Twins and Ramira off first. Gris flew out after them. That left me and Wes alone.
Interestingly enough, I never made any new friends in all the time I'd been wandering around, which wasn't surprising, after all, I'm far from sugar. Ramira was swamped and her social circle was forced down to me. Wes was able to interest me by sticking up for Rami. Wookiee already knew who I was, heh, after moving to Tython, he'd seen me studying with my mother. The twins, on the other hand, were drawn in by our miraluka... Eh, may she be in the Force. Anyway, people just got used to my antics. I saved Hadiya, and she had to tolerate my company for a few weeks, but Irbis... I was forced on him against his will, so it doesn't count.
On the other hand, I've never been too complex about not having someone to chat with, I've, heh, always had something to do. Yeah, lying there and reflecting on the ceiling is something to do too!
So, after my friends left, to waste no time, we went to the library. I was looking for information on the Kwa and everything to do with them. Who they were, where they came from, where they went, what was left of them, and so on. Ves helped me a lot in this, in particular, while I was digging in the archives, pestering the librarians.
Quite by chance, in search of information, she was brought to the lower levels of the temple, to the catacombs of Kva, on which Kalet was built. The oldest and least used records were kept there. And some of these records are stored on such funny... Let's say, floppy discs, that to read them - you need to be steamed with the appropriate device.
The purpose of my search, in addition to generalised information, was specific information on the Kwa ruins. Where they've been spotted, what exactly stands there, and so on. Hyperwraiths on this ground came up at once, just straight away, and they have a very specific location - the Old City.
I also found references to other Kwa cities, but there's even less data on those. Frankly speaking, we have only four places on the entire planet, where excavations were actively carried out. That's Kalet, that's the Old City, that's Vur Tepe, which also happens to be in ruins, and that's Anderon, a city buried in the jungles of Tython. All the other finds could be loaded into a starship and transported to the science complex. Not in one, but in two trips for sure.
But I was distracted. Wandering downstairs, Wes noticed a relic of the ancients left on Tython. It turned out to be Kwa's holocron. A functional holocron, please note, but for some reason that one was undecipherable. Since the discovery of the levitating blue crystalline octahedron-shaped medium, no one has been able to open it. Therefore, the holocron is kept in the library in the hope that someone will be able to learn the secrets of the ancient device. But it wasn't the shape of the holocron that caught our eye.
The holocron was an exact copy of the To Yora, moreover, it had the same symbols on it, and it was suggestive. Having considered that ancient mysterious and incomprehensible flying ships, which had something to do with Kwa, were at least worth paying attention to, Ves went to pester the librarians for data on these particular ships. Besides, these ancient things used to bother me back in my younger days.
Except... Wes had found almost nothing on them until I left. Even the material they were made of remained a mystery and could not be analysed. The only thing that was known about them was that they smelled wildly of the Force. It's like each ship is its own source of the Force. And that's it. There's no electricity, no devices of any kind. It doesn't need recharging, nor does it have any panels to collect the same stellar energy. Thankfully, a rough schematic of the To Yor was included, but...
But according to the same schematic, the ship couldn't fly. It didn't even have engines! And I'll tell you more, it didn't have room for any equipment. Yes, it had closed sectors that were physically impossible to get into... At least according to the schematic, but the rest of the space was reserved for passengers!
The only thing I could think of was that this thing was powered by the Force itself. Let's leave out the "how?" and "why?" questions and just accept it as fact. What's in it for us? Hmm.
And that's when I had an epiphany. That Yor is generating the Force! One Force, not dark, not light, but, damn it, One! Even if I don't take into account what technologies can be built on this base, how many answers will he give me about the Unified Force itself???
I'm seriously considering stealing the To Yor from Tython. But... He'll wait. After making the necessary notes, we had to finish our research due to the order from above. Or rather, the order came to me, Vessira was free as the wind.
So, after packing our things, we left Tython. Ahead of us was Chikagu, with Dalien's ship lurking in its orbit.
It was probably the first time I'd ever felt so good since I'd left the house (there must be centimetres of dust lying there). The quiet, peaceful atmosphere, the measured hum of the engines, the feeling of safety, and Wes...
Katara walked around the ship like she was at home, completely oblivious to the presence of the crew. In her eyes, we were alone, and no one could disturb us. Walking barefoot, in a top and shorts around the ship, purring and humming with happiness, she made me feel like a junkie again.
You're sitting in the galley, making yourself a brew, and then the airlock opens and your favourite kitty comes in, glowing with happiness. Purring and humming something under her nose, wagging her tail, she quite casually climbed into the fridge and pulled out something that looked like sour cream. It seemed like nothing, moreover, Wes doesn't even try to play in front of me, but nevertheless I forgot about the kettle and just enjoyed the picture, inwardly spreading a puddle.
And coming to the table with hidden spoons, near which I was just standing, they gave me a kiss, pulled the drawer away with their tails, took the tool and as if nothing had happened they marched to the exit, continuing to purr under my nose. The Power of One, take pity on me, I'll soon go to you from such a dose of cuteness multiplied by beauty.
The ship's crew, who had got used to us on Tython, took it with stoic indifference on their faces. Their business is to watch the ship and follow orders, that's all. What the master and his woman do is none of their business. Although... At the evening meals in the mess hall, people gathered to listen to a story or two.
Otherwise, we spent a lot of time in the cabin, sitting opposite each other and meditating. In-depth joint meditation is a very useful and effective thing, by the way. Not only does it allow you to look into the soul of your companion, but also to know their state in the Force, to strengthen your bond, and to train one technique together. Or simply exchange information directly, bypassing words. Colour, taste, smell, touch, in essence, you were transmitting a full set of data to your interlocutor, the main thing was to keep it short, otherwise it could easily be "overloaded". When we were on a pilgrimage, we often stayed up like this before going to bed, just to open up to someone, just to feel the warmth and care, to be alone.
In general, joint meditation is a difficult thing in itself. It requires at least a little bit of trust in the interlocutor, and the stronger it is, the deeper you know each other. Over the years, we were able to establish a really strong connection, the side effect of which was telepathy and the thread that was formed linking us through the Force. Now, to hear the interlocutor, if he does not close, as I did, so as not to make her nervous, you can find out his location, physical and moral state. But that was just the beginning, we decided to go further.
We tried to connect two minds, synchronise the flow of thoughts so that two different bodies could act as one. This technique was called Combat Fusion. Zeng and Feng use it all the time, but they are twins, they can sense each other without any Force. Besides, they don't have the problem that Wes and I have - namely in using the Force.
If with our minds we could hear each other, feel each other, hold each other with an iron grip, then synchronising two completely different approaches to the Force was... problematic. When she tried to use my techniques, Wes would start to shake, both physically and mentally. Admittedly, it looks a bit creepy when your hand turns grey and cracks, and you sit and giggle, offering your interlocutor something that could not be physically thought of in a sane head. I had to rescue you, throw off the "mind meld", and pump you back to a normal sane state.
A roughly similar situation happened to me. Trying to split my power into two streams and use only one caused me a hell of a lot of pain. It was like being torn in two, like your very soul was being torn apart. When we went too far, when tears came out of my eyes, when the control went away and Vessira screamed and lost consciousness, the experiments were stopped.
So we flew the rest of the way without training, just enjoying the pleasant company of watching something interesting together. The only thing was that Wes was interested in my "parade" costume. She could already see that the fabric was quite self-tightening, and she remembered my feelings from being in it. No, she had her own set, but it was more traditional, when you wanted something that stood out.
So, in no time at all, we flew to Chicago.
«Oh... - Wes saw through the cameras what was waiting for us outside.
Hadiya, as usual, had organised a whole procession, in two rows, and this time they even laid a red mat. Tiranka Chikagu herself, with bodyguards and a couple of councillors stood directly at the entrance to the fortress.
«Don't mind her, it's business as usual.
«Normal? - The katara turned around.
«Well, it's Hadiya," I replied, as if that explained everything. - Though, yeah, you're not familiar with her quirks.
«А?
«Hadiya loves publicity, and she takes every opportunity to show off. And since I'm her husband, however tentative on paper, she tries to organise a proper reception for me. I don't care, you know how unpretentious I am, but it makes her sick. "That my husband should travel by hitchhiker?! Never!"
«Is that why they gave you "The Mentor"?
«That's right. Although, I'd be happy with a hunter fighter.
At those words, I put on my mask, put on my hood, and turn to leave.
«Shade, what are you up to? - Wes was at my side as soon as I stepped out into the corridor.
«It's nothing like that. Just a little prank, the usual. Hadiya's making a show of it, making a big show of it, and I'm breaking it all over my knee with my behaviour.
«Won't that make her feel bad?
«М? - I'm looking at the katara.
«Well, you know, won't it hurt her reputation?
«It won't. I have a reputation of sorts, let's just say one that Hadiya uses to scare the rest of us.
«М?
«Let's just say I'm a bit of a last resort. When a girl's in danger and she won't leave, I come in and solve the problem radically. When the Shi clan tried to absorb her clan, I came along. Now the Shi clan doesn't exist as such. When the Ryo clan tried to kill her, I also showed up, so where's that clan now? Yes, I fool around, I act inappropriately, but still, in the eyes of the enlightened, I am the shadow that stands behind Hadiya and will take off the head of anyone who dares to cross her path. And the fact that I am behaving strangely, I have the right to do so, after all, she is my wife... Albeit nominally.
«And the fact of the matter?
«There was no ceremony.
«I see.
On my way out, I use the Force to push the button that lowers the ramp.
«Hmm... You know, it's easy to get used to this," Wes whispered.
«I bet it's not?
«I know you'll win, - I was pushed with an elbow and wagging my tail, the first went forward.
Humming, I follow.
«Welcome home," Hadiya began, making a brick face, set in a high-pitched tone, but....
«Hi, Hadie," Wes hugged her and pecked her on the cheek, causing the twi'lek to gasp in shock. And the mask turned out to be a very useful thing, hiding surprise so conveniently underneath.
Letting go of the dazed girl, Wes handed her over to me for another hug.
«Hi, Sunshine," I squeezed Hadiya to the point of squeaking, then let her go and took her by the waist and led her into the corridor. At that moment, the first councillor grabbed the dazed second under his arm and dragged him in the opposite direction to us, followed by the academic guards, pretending that they didn't see anything at all.
«What the hell just happened?! - Hadiya came to her senses as the door closed behind us and looked at Wes.
«I'm just happy to see you, what's the big deal?
«...
«Hadie? - I called out to the hovering twi'lek.
«So..." she shifted her gaze to me. Her eyebrows furrowed and Suspicion showed in her eyes. - I thought I understood where the legs were coming from. Shade, how many times have I told you not to do that?! - Sheid, I've told you not to do that before! - You put Vessira up to this, didn't you?
«Sunny, you're accusing me of something I would never do," I take off my mask and let go, making her levitate next to me. - How can I put someone up to anything? I'll do it myself! - At that, I duck down and kiss him on the lips, suppressing a rush of new indignation.
Eventually, my take and Hadiya shuts down the embarrassment, indulging in the pleasurable sensations.
«'Ahem, can I come with you?
«Ves-" the twi'lek turned on her, stealthily stepping between me and the katara. - You can't! - The only thing was that her emotions were giving up her fun. - What are you doing here anyway?
«She'll be part of the case," I sighed. - I couldn't talk her out of it.- Somehow I thought you would," Hadiya nodded.
«So you made room for her in the squad?
«Well, not specifically for her, but yes, I did.
«Thank you.
«Don't mention it. And I'll feel better knowing that there are two gifted men beside my beloved, not one and a half.
«One and a half? - I raise an eyebrow.
«Dalien's group of scientists includes a pair of gifted men who are also his bodyguards. From what I've seen of Stav Kesh, the two of them can hardly do anything to Vessira. So I'm glad you're with us, Ves," Hadiya said without a trace of sarcasm, and Ves nodded lightly.
«N-yes. Where is Dalien himself?
«Here, in the fortress.
«And Mum?
«She'll be here in about seven days. Come on, I'll show you what we've done.
We met with Dalien before we took a tour and introduced the future fighters. And in his company we went to look at the equipment, the ship, the weapons and the guys that Hadiya would provide us with for the job.
---
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