The Weaving Force: Chapter 153

Chapter 153:

Dennis

“Come on, I’ve got you.” 

His hand reached down, helping to pull the older Coruscanti man the last few feet up the hill of twisted metal that had once been a building. 

Behind that man, there was another, and another, and another. A column of civilians stretching out for at least a hundred meters. It grew by the minute, more and more people crawling out of the ruins; hearing that some shelter could be found by the ruins of the Jedi temple.

Dennis wasn’t sure how true that was. Right now, the only ship they had available was the Stalker, Rugess must’ve sold several first born souls to the devil to help him keep the stubborn bitch in the air through everything that had happened. But it was flying.

So, he hadn’t even had time to lay eyes on the temple for himself, clear on the other side of the planet. Rugess filled up the Stalker’s bay almost to capacity before leaving, ferrying people there, and then returning, sometimes with more clones and rescue personnel, sometimes just with basic supplies, like food and medicine. 

The Clone commando team that had taken the shield generator with him were still here, now doubling up on rescue duty. They, like Dennis were practically running on stims at this point. 

Some fights and arguments had broken out within the group of survivors, get enough people together in a high stress situation it was bound to happen. But Ventress stomped those down into the dirt quick, even if she had to break an arm to do it at one point. 

The former hero, turned freedom fighter, turned smuggler, turned privateer panned his eyes over the cityscape. 

Fucking hell but did it remind him of Brockton Bay right now. After Leviathan, hell, anywhere after an Endbringer battle. 

Every surface he could see was charred black from fire. It was basically high noon, but you’d never know it from the overcast of black smoke and still swarming insects. The heat was sweltering, almost suffocating if he were being honest. Ash was beginning to blanket the uneven craggy surfaces of the remaining roads and overturned buildings like early winter powder.

There wasn’t a single working light in sight. There wasn’t a single working anything in sight.

A year, a decade, a hundred years. The destruction was so vast he couldn’t even begin to think of how long it would take to rebuild, if they ever did. There were plenty of places back home that could never be reclaimed after Behemoth, or Leviathan made themselves known. 

Whatever Sidious was, it must’ve been bad, he couldn’t even begin to fathom how pissed, or desperate, Hebert must’ve been to draw on this much power, power that, even with her retelling he’d never actually thought her even remotely in the ballpark of. 

You’d think I’d have learned my lesson by now.  He thought wrily.

Then, his gaze settled on someone else.

“Hey, tall dark and Sithy. You good?” He called to Maul, who sat on some pile of rubble that must’ve once been part of a diner or eatery of some kind, what with the sign resting just a few feet away from him. 

The Zabrak was hunched forward, elbows on his knees, arms hanging down, head low, staring at a spot on the floor with what Dennis would deem a Thousand yard stare on almost anyone else. Hard to tell with the blazing orange and yellow in Maul’s eyes though. They always looked crazy. 

The Sith didn’t answer him, so Dennis called him again. “Hey, Maul!?”

This time, the Zabrak noted the call, his head rising as though in a daze, staring straight at Dennis.

“You alright?” He decided to ask again. 

Maul kept staring at him, blinking.

Finally- “He’s dead.”

The words seemed to slip out of the man, like he’d been hit in the face with a shovel and hadn’t fully gotten his head on straight yet.

Regardless, Dennis nodded. “That was the goal.” He reminded. 

Maul shook his head. “It… It never seemed possible.”

In spite of himself, and the situation, Dennis huffed out a snort of what might have been laughter. 

“Yeah.” He said, nodding, if he would have had a drink, or a cigarette, on hand now was about the time to pull out either one out because fucking hell…

 “Yeah.” He repeated. “Yours wasn’t made of gold, but I know the feeling.” A snort. “Doesn’t get any less unbelievable even after a few years.”

—

It was… he couldn’t say. Anywhere from eight, to twelve hours later, that he was finally on his own ship again, taking the vessel back towards the camp that was being set up around the Jedi temple. 

There was almost a literal stream of ships coming to and fro from orbit. No doubt carrying medical supplies, evacuating the injured, deploying more and more troops. Dennis wasn’t an expert on the Clones in the field, but to him it looked like those pre-fab camps on Geonosis, years and years ago. They were deploying and treating this rescue op with their typical military precision and that, from his Protectorate and PRT experience at least, he could appreciate. 

He didn’t move much from his seat in the co-pilot chair, almost falling asleep on it really, Ventress had already opted for a shower and a polite “fuckoff” to anyone who wasn’t him or Rugess, no doubt she was already asleep herself in their room. 

“We’re not flying anymore tonight.” He told his best friend. “We’re setting it down, getting some rest. Tomorrow’s another day.” It was true for Endbringer battles. It’d be true for this too.

The Bith nodded, babbling out his answer.

“I will.” He promised, even as he stood up. “Don’t worry, I wont be long.”

He just needed to check, needed to try tonight at the very least.

It’d be worse not knowing.

Minutes later he was down by the main entry ramp, the gangway lowered, letting the sweltering heat of the damn near cooked surface of the planet wash in, refugees winced and cringed. Those with families held them close where they could, humans, aliens of all types. They each looked equally wretched as he led them out of his cargo bay.

Beyond them, Dennis finally saw it, the destroyed remnants of what had once been the Jedi temple. 

Clone gunships and crews were already working the site, floodlights and heavy digging equipment were already beginning to excavate. Jedi levitated slabs of stone or called for help where they sensed life. 

At the foot of his ship's ramp there were clones waiting. Many of them medics, and those that were armed kept their distance, if only to not scare the crowd.

That however, changed rather quickly, when the guy at the back of the group came out of the ramp.

Dennis heard the high pitched whine of blaster rifles charging, and many of the civilians began to panic at the sound.

Maul stood at the top of the ramp, looking for all the world like he was ready to carve his way through the whole camp. Hell, he looked like he wanted it, if only to give himself a distraction. 

Quickly Dennis held up his hands, addressing the Clone that at least looked to be in charge, frankly; he couldn’t tell Clones apart for shit. They all looked pretty much the same to him. 

“Trooper.” He called. “Codename’s Kronos- Scary Zabrak’s with me and allowed to be here.”

Sais trooper turned his head, glaring ever so subtly through his helmet lenses. “Both of you, stand away from the civilians. Don't move until I confirm.”

Dennis nodded, stepping off to the side to let the Clone medics and rescue personnel begin to sort the mob of civilians out. Maul glowered at the group, doing his typical ‘Sith’ posturing, dick measuring thing before he complied, Dennis didn’t have either the patience or the energy to talk him down; if he got himself shot up, it was his problem.

It took around ten minutes before ‘Confirmation’ came.

Or that is to say, Windu himself showed up.

The master of the order was quite frank when he spoke to the two of them. “I’m surprised you survived.”

Dennis shrugged. “You and me both.”

Windu didn’t seem to know how to answer that.

So he didn’t. “I assume you’ve come to hear news regarding your fellow Parahumans?”

“Mostly-” Dennis shrugged. “Also came here to find out…” He paused, gesturing around them. “News. What the hell happened out there Windu?”

For his part, Maul seemed eager for the answer as well, but Windu would have to leave them both unsatisfied.

“We’re still piecing everything together.” He said. “Our working theory is, Sidious had some sort of weapon, or device that destabilized the planet in some way. Either by hijacking the machinery that manipulates the planets biome; or the core.”

“You think the planetary biome could do this much damage this quickly?” Dennis asked. Nevermind trying to wrap his head around the fact that the planet needed machines to manage things like that at this point.

“Atmosphere, magnetosphere, ozone layer, gravitic regulators.” Windu shrugged. “Yes… it is possible. But as I said, we’re still working out what happened. The damage is…” The man trailed off. “Beyond anything in the planet’s history. Preliminary estimates put the death toll in the hundreds of millions.”

“Jesus Christ." Dennis hissed. 

“Where is your Master, Yaddle?” Maul asked, bringing Windu’s eyes to him. “The Dathomiri were under her command when I left.” The man glowered. “If she has failed.”

The heat of Windu’s anger was portrayed perfectly through his glower before he gestured behind him towards the Jedi temple’s remains. “Does it look as though I could tell you Master Yaddle’s whereabouts anymore than I could tell you anyone else's?"

Dennis winced. “Fuck. What about Miss M? Dallon? Or Hebert?” Shit at this point he’d just about take Lexi.

Windu seemed to take hold of his temper this time as he answered. “Dallon is in intensive care. We’ve stabilized her condition, but she was injured, badly. Master Hebert, Senator Alexandria and Duchess Satine are unaccounted for” The man shook his head. “If you wish, I can escort you to Dallon, if there is nothing else, I have too many other things to deal with.”

That was fair; Dennis had never been a PRT director or Protectorate commander after an Endbringer battle, he didn’t envy those positions and this seemed… a lot worse than an Endbringer battle if he were being honest.

“Thank you.” He said, then followed the Jedi Master’s brisk pace through the camp. 

As they walked, Dennis did see the ‘telltale signs’ of greater, more centralized organization beginning to take shape. Even now at the end of the first day, or perhaps, beginning of the second. He could see the places where lightly injured clones were being sorted away from the more intensive care ones; he could see where Jedi were being set up to either be treated, or to be allowed to decompress. He could see where fresh faces from orbit were beginning to take over the duties of the more haggard, exhausted surface bound people. 

It was all far far too familiar for comfort.

When he was led into the medical tent, it was the smell that struck him, and the temperature. Insulated and air conditioned from the sweltering heat of the outside air, the medical tent seemed to almost have blizzard ready temperatures by comparison. Med droids hovered to and fro, there were less medical clones here, but he did see quite a few Jedi. He assumed they were healers, or at the very least offering their assistance to the clones.

It didn’t take him very long to spot Dallon. After all, who else would have a Mandalorian in full clad Beskar armor standing by her bedside. 

Windu did not escort him the whole way. “Announce yourself to her guard before you approach. I’ll leave you to your privacy.”

Dennis nodded, the man already turning and walking away before he did.

Approaching the bedside the guard watched him. “Kronos.” He said.

Dennis perked up. “You know me.”

“General Dallon made a point that we’d know her friends.” He answered, then turned his gaze away to stare past Dennis..

And that seemed to be that. 

Dennis took a breath. Bracing himself a bit before he really looked at Vicky. 

He felt his chest clench painfully, but kept it out of his voice as he spoke. “Hey girl.” He said, closing the last bit of distance to stand at her bedside. 

She looked so frail. And that wasn’t a word he ever thought he’d associate with Vicky. It was almost as bad as… well…

He felt eyes on him and turned his head, looking at his side.

“Ven?” He blinked at the pale woman, who approached quietly, moving to stand next to him.

His arm reached out, fingers brushing over her arm, stopping himself from coiling around her, knowing she was uncomfortable with public affection most days. “I thought you’d be asleep.”

She glared at him and he got the feeling he was in trouble. “You didn’t show up.” She said as if that explained everything.

She turned her gaze from him to Victoria. “She’ll recover.” The Rattataki declared. As if her word alone would make it so.

Dennis snorted. “She better. Cause if she’s not and we’re left with Hebert on the warpath, I dont want to be in this Galaxy anymore.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re an idiot.”

Dennis shrugged, stopping himself from blurting out the next thought ‘Look what she did to one planet. I aint joking.’

—

He stayed with Vicky comandeering a large chair from somewhere to stay for a bit, and leaving it there for her guard. The man’s armor still had blaster scoring marks. He must’ve been exhausted.

Still, after a while Dennis’ eyes began to droop and as nice as it was for Ventress to be falling asleep on his lap, this chair was fucking uncomfortable.

So he pulled himself to a standing position, Ventress did to. He told the Clone to sit, so no one would steal the chair from them before wishing Vicky a ‘see you tomorrow’ before beginning to head out. 

Then, marching through the camp, back towards his ship, he heard a commotion near the edge of the camp, ready to completely ignore it and just get to his ship and his bed, when a single word caught his ear.

Duchess.

And in spite of what the word meant, he could tell that Ventress knew what it meant too when she squeezed his bicep, bringing his eyes to her.

“Go.” She said; eyes half closed. “Check. Be back at the ship in an hour or I absolutely will fucking kill you.”

He nodded, half chuckling under his breath before he leaned over, giving her a grateful kiss on the cheek and she was so tired she didn’t even mind before she kept going and he rushed towards the commotion before it died down.

Marching around the corner towards one of the medical tents;

There she was.

Duchess Satine Kryze, and next to her-

“Miss M!”

He couldn’t help his shout, startled and concerned immediately as he saw the woman being outright carried bridal style by Aras.”

He was “behind” her from this angle, and to Aras’ right. Some of his worry was abated as she perked up. “Dennis?” He heard her voice as Aras turned to look at him.

He ran closer. “What happened!? How bad are you hurt?”

“I’m fine!” She gave a long suffering groan. “Aras is just… “ She gestured helplessly with her hand. “Being fussy.”

Aras glared hotly at the woman in his arms.. “I am not.”

Dennis’ relief was a cold flood of water through his system. And he had to breathe a bit as he came up behind her. “I’m just glad you’re-” He trailed off, staring at the woman, who finally managed to lay eyes on him.

Or rather.

“Fussy!?” He bit out. 

Somehow he understood exactly what look Aras was giving him even through his helmet. 

Miss M, at the very least, had the decency to wince at Dennis’ tone. “It’s not as bad as it looks.” She mumbled.

“The left side of your face was ripped off and you’re missing a fucking eye!”

“The only reason you’re even conscious is because myself and Imrir gave you all of our stims and medications.”

“... I can still walk.”  She replied mullishly.

Dennis threw up his hands. “You know what. I’m glad we left Bet. Glad. Because God knows I wasn’t gonna find a sane woman on that fucking planet!”

“Hn.” Aras grunted.

“I’m fine! And Sane, thank you.” She protested one more time, and to her credit, her eye was as sharp and lucid as ever. “What about everything else? Sidious? Taylor? Vicky? Alex?”

“Sidious is dead.” He answered, that part was the easy news to give. “Vicky is injured but recovering. Tay and Lexi.” He shook his head. “We don’t know yet.’

Hannah looked to her husband still carrying her. “Lets”

“No.” He growled and was glaring at her, that much was clear enough. “You are going to a medic. We are going to get your wounds treated and then and only then will we go and visit Dallon. She is recovering, a process that you will start… now.”

It looked like Hannah wanted to roll her eyes, but the movement most certainly hurt as her ruined eye didn’t agree with it and she very obviously winced with a hiss of pain.

“Hey, hey.” Dennis snapped at her. “You know how these recovery efforts go. The more people cooperate the faster things go. Don’t be a pain in the ass Civ after an EB battle.”

“This wasn’t an EB.”

Dennis gave her a look and gestured to the planet around their camp. “Same fucking difference.”

“Enough.” Aras cut in and began marching past Dennis towards the nearest available clone medic who was checking on Satine and, now that Dennis looked, Obi-Wan. Good. Dennis was glad he survived too. 

“Trooper.” Aras barked. “Bacta. Now.”

Dennis decided he was too tired for this for now. “Ships open to both of you if you want a bed. I’m headin off to sleep.”

“Have the medics checked you?” Hannah called. 

“I’m fine mom!” He snarked back.

Then a hand clamped down on his shoulder.

Before he could escape, the massive Mandalorian physically manhandled him infront of the medic who was applying Bacta patches to the ruined left side of Hannah’s face. 

Dennis’ vehement protests were promptly ignored. 

“Him next.” the Mandalorian rumbled. 

—

Fay

Juedi Master Fay could sense the younger Masters exhaustion, even as they each persevered for just that little bit longer, pushed their bodies that little bit more. To give one final order, to help in just one more way, to organize one more rescue operation or direct one more excavation team.

She understood of course, time was of the essence, there were many Jedi and clones trapped under the rubble of the temple. Dying, injured, afraid. But none of them would be of any help if they destroyed themselves and their own capabilities before things truly began. 

Rescue efforts, on this, literal planetary scale… it was a marathon, no a sprint.

“How long before we get planetary communications back online?” Windu demanded. 

“The Clones are already deploying emergency relays and buoys in orbit.” Master Tsu-Choi said. “Another hour, two at the most, and we should be able to communicate with more local efforts and coordinate. Across the planet. It will help efforts tremendously.”

“That’s all well and good” Master Fisto said calmly. “But down below, in the depths. Master Hebert, Master Skywalker. We must try to reach them.”

“The damage to the city was extensive.” K'Kruhk answered. “The paths they took to reach the foundries and furnaces collapsed. Falling buildings, or lava flows swallowing whole city sectors.I have every available resource at my disposal scrambling to find alternate paths, but as I said, the damage was extensive. And digging them out…” He shook his head. “We might dig for a century before we make it down there.”

“Could they even have survived?” Master Shaak Ti asked with a wince. “They’re at the very bottom of Coruscant city,trillions if not quadrillions of tons of metal and rock. By all accounts the worst of the seismic activity should have occurred there, not to mention the heat of the lava and unstable core… I-”

“They are alive.” Fay cut in, gently, but firmly. “Both of them.” She nodded towards the younger Togruta. “We sensed Grandmaster Yoda’s passing, and that of the Sith across the world. Powers such as Master Hebert, and Skywalker, we would have felt them as well; across the whole of the Galaxy. They live.”

Master Shaak Ti bowed, contrite. “Of course. You’re correct.”

“Then we must reach them.” Windu declared, glaring at a spot along the holo map. “Master K'Kruhk, Master Ti, Master Daith, I am entrusting the three of you with all available planetary resources we might have or that you need, all legions, all Guard if you wish to utilize them. Everything. Your sole task is to find a way to reach Hebert and Skywalker and rescue them. Master Fay and I will take command of the efforts here at the Jedi temple.

“Understood.” The three Masters bowed.

Fay could feel their tension, their exhaustion. She worried for them, but for now there was nothing she could do to stop them. Even if she tried, they would not listen. Not for now. She could only be ready to catch them when they stumbled, her presence in the force reaching out, pinging off another even more powerful presence with calm reassurance.

Help is coming.

An answer came, several answers, across the planet each tiny mote like moths drawn to warmth, seeking comfort in her presence as she offered it freely.

Help is coming. She promised again. 

—

And down below, in the deep places of the world, Taylor Hebert opened her eyes.

(X)(X)(X)

Hannah: Its Just a Flesh wound.

Dennis/Aras: Its not a flesh wound!

Is anyone surprised, Hannah isn't exactly the best patient? xD

Still; Now I can say that we only have 2-3 more chapters left. Next chapter SHOULD be the end of the "aftermath" part of this where everyone who can be rescued is rescued and after that we'll be moving into the end/epilogue of the fic.

See you all next update :)