Beyond our ideas of right-doing and wrong-doing,
There is a field. I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,
The world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phrase ‘each other’
Doesn’t make sense any more. “Stop acting so small.
You are the universe in ecstatic motion.”
― Rumi
The Dragon’s Tooth sat on a private, covered pad, completely powered down. The total hangar space allowed for five total ships, but there were only three others present. The Dragon’s Tooth faced the exit, which seemed like a reasonable tactic. Why take time to back out or rotate and proceed out, when you could turn around and park and then fly straight out. Plus, the aft stairs now faced the hangar’s internal exit that lead to the upper terrace of a medium size building that was broad in length. He stared out the cockpit window, through the hangar opening, and at the next building over, which at his level, was luxury suites. Even without the Force or the aid of any of the tech of his ship, he could see the people going through the routine of their lives. He watched them, fascinated, but no more so than he would have had it been an entertainment video. A woman entered a suite and a toddler ran to greet her. A man emerged from another room, bringing the woman a drink. There was love in that suite. In other suite, a man was being sick into a toilet. The same suite, a man was asleep on the couch, and something dark ran across the ceiling, something G didn’t consciously pursue. In another suite, a woman was making a holographic video, transmitting to her followers. Another suite, an elderly man sat next to alien creature, petting it, watching a holographic novel. Another suite…
“Are you okay?” Freya asked.
“Yeah,” G said, pulling himself out of the world of others. He sighed. “Sorry. Day dreaming.”
“I never know if its day dreaming, or you’re channeling one of your invisible counselors,” Freya said.
“There is so much noise on this planet, I will struggle to hear the counselors,” G said. “And when I do, it feels like they’re shouting at me.”
“Is it frightening?” Freya said.
G thought about it. “No,” G said, reflecting.
“There are much scarier things than ghosts.”
“I would like to see a ghost,” Freya said.
“Umm,” G said. He powered down all of the Dragon’s Tooth’s systems. He then closed his eyes and reached out with the Force, switching off hidden toggle switches in impossible to reach places, so that no one could steal the ship. More specifically, less likely to steal the ship. He had the toggle switched added to the ship, and they could only be reached by someone who had the ability to find them with the Force and activate them remotely. His mechanic thought he was crazy to have them installed, because if they ever malfunctioned, it would take several hours to remove all the panels and conduits and wires just to get them. But that also meant, for a non- Force user, it would take them hours to get to the same switch, and that’s assuming they knew right where they were, and so, the intent was met: the Dragon’ Tooth was a really difficult ship to steal.
“What’s the plan?” Freya asked.
“I thought we would walk around and just see what walks up to us,” G said. “So, you have no plan,” Freya said.
“Trusting in the Force is a plan,” G said. “If you say so, Master,” Freya said.
“Oh, you vixen. You’re using Master in a kinkier context, aren’t you,” G said more than asked.
“It probably wouldn’t hurt to have a social pretext as a form of distraction, perhaps even an alias, as you’re not too fond of going around in the open as a Jedi,” Freya said.
“Umm, interesting point,” G said. “You’re not suggesting I buy a cape?”
“You’re not fond of capes,” Freya pointed out.
“I am not,” G said.
“Then no cape,” Freya said. “Would you be open to a suggestion?”
“Absolutely,” G said.
“I think we should go to a club,” Freya said. G raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
“Not just any club, but a really expensive, wild ass club,” Freya said.
“I am still listening,” G said.
“Well, in the holonovels, people always start their missions at a club. Rich people have connections, and you could use some more connections,” Freya said. “Also, organics require socialization for optimum health, and you could stand to practice being social.”
“Oh, you had me sold until you added that last part,” G said.
“You don’t think you need to practice being social?” Freya said.
“I do okay,” G said.
“Your best friend and servant is a Luxury Droid,” Freya pointed out. “So?” G said.
“Perhaps you should call me Master,” Freya said.
“Do you have a whip?” G asked, playfully.
“I am programmed for whip play, if you require that service,” Freya said. “I can provide you with just the right amount of pain that doesn’t result in permanent damage, or visible signs of abuse.”
“On that note,” G said, standing up.
“Where are we going?” Freya asked, following him.
“To the club or to buy a whip?”
“To the club,” G said, amused but not biting.
“You have one in mind or do we need to find a map?”
“I know all the elite players clubs on 60 worlds, and I have passes for each included with my original purchasing price,” Freya said. “The passes are old, but they will be honored.”
G motioned for Freya to lead the way. As he passed Red, he told the Droid he was in charge. Red whistled happily. He and Freya departed the ship, and as they walked away, G used the Force to close the aft stairs. One of the techs interrupted their departure to enquire if he wanted any special services, but G declined and tipped the tech generously. A happy tech is always a good thing to have round. Freya also gave him a service number so that she might be reached if he needed to contact them in regards to the ship. As they walked away, G inquired about the number.
“I have internal communication capabilities that are accessible on the sixty worlds I referenced previously, and the airtime was also included in the original purchase price,” Freya said.
“Freya, you continue to amaze me,” G said, as they rushed to hop onto a tram. There might have been a little Force action to keep the door from completely shutting. “I am still a little perturbed that you think I need practice socializing.”
“Feel free to demonstrate your skills, any time,” Freya invited.
G bit. He turned to the closest person to him, a young human female. “Hello. You are amazingly bright,” he told her.
The girl didn’t know how to respond, just kind of forced a smile and moved to other side of the tram.
Freya chuckled in her awkward sounding laugh that drew attention.
“I would reprogram that laugh of hers,” a man behind him said.
“But I like her laugh,” G said. He blinked. “Are you taking images of her without my permission?”
The man retreated and jumped off the tram as soon as the door opened.
“Yes, you’re very social,” Freya said.
“Should I have not called him out on making holos of you?” G asked.
“On Axxila, photons are free,” Freya said.
“What does that mean, exactly?” G said.
“People can take your still or video without your permission, as long as its limited to personal use and not rebroadcasted or shared,” Freya said.
“So, why did he blush and get all nervous?” G asked.
“Because he is a freak and trying to do it stealthily is how he gets off and you blew his cover,” Freya said.
G made eye contact with a woman and smiled. She put in her earphones and closed her eyes. He looked to Freya.
“Okay, so there are some complexities that I don’t grasp, but it will be easier at the club, because people are there to meet people,” G said.
After being at their hookah table for ten minutes with no activity, Freya offered, “Perhaps you should go mingle.”
“No,” G said.
“You have accused me of being too aggressive. We’re going to sit here and drink my drink. When someone is interested, they will approach.”
“Perhaps I should go mingle, then,” Freya said. “You want to mingle?” g asked.
“I am just saying, the odds of someone visiting your table might increase if you weren’t sitting with a Luxury Droid,” Freya said.
“But I want them to meet you,” G said. “Them who?” Freya asked.
“Whomever it is who finds us interesting,” G said.
“Yes, because so many are flocking to you,” Freya said, laughing her special laugh. “G, you should allow me to go mingle. I will bring you someone interesting.”
“Really,” G asked. “You’re programmed to help hook your owner up?”
“Of course,” Freya said. “G, organics should be with organics for optimum health. You need socialization and intimacy with organics. I function as a sexual surrogate in the absence of compatible organics, helping you improve socialization, heal after trauma has decreased libido, improve confidence, and improve overall health functioning. Yes, you will get the health benefits and release for being intimate with me and getting regular massages, but it will never reach the benefit level of being with another organic.”
G sipped his drink. “Alright, you’re going to have to explain that one to me.”
“You’ve studied anatomy and physiology and even esoteric remedies, you already know everything I will tell you,” Freya pointed out.
“Pretend we’re practicing being social,” G said. Freya laughed. People looked in their direction.
G leaned over and whispered.
“It’s working. Those girls over there are looking at us,” G said.
Freya put a hand on his knees. “G, they are not communicating interest in the same way that you are interested,” Freya said. Freya sighed. “Why is being social and physically intimate with compatible organics necessary. You, sir, are not just a body. You are a chemical electrical conduit, a river and whirlwind of matter. You think of your physical essence is all there is, but there is a cloud of particulate matter that surrounds you. This cloud consist of your DNA and RNA and bits of broken cells, even full, living cells and full dead cells, and neuropeptides and chemical messengers, and pheromones, and the flora and fauna that lives on you and in you is also in this cloud, jumping from debris of you back to you and onto others in their exploration and drive to spread; it’s a perfect mirror of transpermia, life moves from planet to planet the same way it moves from body to body. Same above, same below. Notice, I haven’t even begun to describe your energy body, I am still working on the macro and microscopic physical level that is more than just the complexities of your personal smell. This cloud has a living, effective range of about four to six feet, with discernable barriers and boundary layers, and it is so specifically you that a sampling of the air with the right instruments could identify you by just this cloud better than a finger print, and that’s without DNA sampling. All organics have this. I don’t. I am a machine, sterile and static. Organics are alive and messy and reactive and so when someone says they don’t feel the chemistry, that is more than just them saying they aren’t psychologically compatible, it literally means that subconsciously they recognize they are not chemically compatible with you, or your flora and fauna which is equally individualized and adapted to you, just like ever island or planet has its indigenous creatures. And, chemistry is chemistry, and mixing chemistry enhances reactions and turns things on and off helps regulate the over health of the system. People mingle even at a distance through heart energy, a clear magnetic field that encapsulates you extending ten feet out, an electric field that protects and buffers the flora and fauna. Your heart also extends rays out to people you want to connect with and receives rays from others, but usually the closer they are, the better the reactions, and there is the healthy exchange of flora and fauna between passing people. It’s like planets crossing paths in the night and the atmospheres mix and the electric fields interact, and life happens, changes, becomes stronger. Of course, humans have lost the nose and taste for such subtle nuances. For example, humans are nowhere near as good as Wookies at recognizing chemical smells. Humans can do it, but it has been mostly rendered to subconscious automation, and the soaps and the deodorants and hormones and perfumes have impacted the game.”
G seemed to be puzzling it through. “Are you saying I smell bad?”
“No, G, I would not have allowed you out in public if you offended,” Freya said.
“I am merely bringing your awareness to the first level of complexities. Eye contact is as crucial as foreplay, in fact, it is foreplay. Your visual impact is limited to your ability to communicate visually, both through subtle telegraphing and responding. And you, Sir, are as about as subtle as a Rancor.”
“Oh, I am offended,” G said, pouting.
“Sir, you stare. It’s intense. It’s like hitting people with the Force choke hold,” Freya said.
“Really?” G said.
“You come on pretty strong most the time, and the people you have managed to hook up with, well, they like that level of intensity,” Freya said.
“Here, you need to practice subtle.”
“Maybe I don’t want to play that. Maybe the game blocks genuine interaction, because it becomes more about the game than relationships. Maybe I want someone more direct, someone like me?” I said.
“Then we will continue to sit here and play your game,” Freya said. “Because it is all games. But, that is okay, too.”
“I bet, I can draw a female to me,” G said.
“I am sure you can. Is that your only criteria, that she be female?” Freya asked.
“Pretty much,” G said.
“I think we should add criteria,” Freya said. “Why?” G asked.
Alarna Byrnes sat down at the table. She smiled, pushing her red hair out of her eyes. “Hello, Son.”
“Mother,” G said, flatly. “That’s why,” Freya said.
“So, what brings you here?” both G and Byrne asked simultaneously.
“Oh, you go first,” Alarna said, graciously.
“I came to mingle,” G said.
“You always bring your sex doll to find dates?” Alarna asked.
“Maybe if I had been raised by a mother instead of a Droid, I would be more socially advanced,” G said.
Freya laughed. Alarna stared her into silence, then turned back to G. “You’re going to have to learn to let that go.”
“What do you want, mother?” G asked.
“To start with, I want my lightsaber back,” Alarna said.
“Well, I am sorry. I have loaned that to someone,” G said.
“What kind of Jedi are you? You don’t loan lightsabers out,” Alarna snapped.
“Well, I do,” G said. “I am changing the rules.”
“You can’t change the rules. These rules have been around for thousands of years,” Alarna said.
“And, where are the Jedi now?” G asked. “That’s not the point,” Alarna said.
“It is the point. And who created the rules? The First Jedi! It’s not like some pompous ass god shit the rules out on marble and said follow these or else,” G said.
“I don’t like your tone,” Alarna said.
“Mother, you’re a Sith. You should be happy I am not just recreating the Jedi social structure and protocols,” G said. “Besides, you can make another lightsaber.”
Alarna placed her new lightsaber on the table. G blinked. He almost thought he heard that music he had heard in the past, like a hundred stringed instruments pouncing. The patrons in the club continued doing what they do, unaware of the tension that just went up at his table.
“What else do you want?” G asked. “I want my ships back,” Alarna said.
“I am using them,” G said.
“All of them?” Alarna said.
“I employing the Imminence as a front to discourage attacks against Dathomir, and the Dragon’s Tooth I am using personally,” G said.
“Well, you’re not going to be needing either any longer,” Alarna said.
The fight began so quickly that few people had time to register what had happened. Even the few that had been looking, it moved like a blur, taking time to process. Someone might have seen the table throw itself at the Luxury Droid, sending it flying across the room. They also would have seen the two people standing, their chairs flying back with as much force as the table had flown. They all heard a very distinctive sound of lightsabers that probably none in the club presently had ever heard in their lifetime outside a historic video, and consequently, that sound hadn’t given them the sense to run away. It was the loud retort of G’s lightsaber that got drew everyone’s attention, though, as if a small bomb had gone off. But when they saw the two locked in battle stance, a shiny gold lightsaber blocking a ruby red lightsaber, and the serious looks the combatants held, the patrons and staff fled in all directions towards the nearest exits. Freya placed the muzzle of her weapon against Alarna’s forehead.
“Why does your lightsaber make noise?” Alaran asked.
“I don’t know,” G said honestly.
“You’re going to let your sex doll shoot me?” Alarna asked.
“I am kind of surprised she didn’t,” G said.
“G, she’s your mother,” Freya said. “So?” G asked.
“I thought you might want to kill her,” Freya said.
The local law enforcement suddenly rushed in, weapons raised, surrounding the threesome. Their response time was due to the fact they had an office right next door. Officer Mons, who G remembered well, held point, giving him pause to reflect over the ways of the Force. “Put your weapons down and come peacefully,” he directed.
“Hello, Officer Mons,” G said.
“Put your weapons down,” he repeated. “I like the gold blade,” Alarna said.
“Thank you, mother,” G said.
“I think that’s the first complement you have ever given me.” drama.
“You’re trying to kill your mother?” Mons asked, drawn out of his protocol and into the “Mons, I am hurt,” G said.
“I would never kill my mother.”
“Do you want me to?” Freya asked.
“No one is killing anyone,” Mons said. “Disengage and power down your weapons.”
“On the count of three?” Alarna asked.
“Sure,” G agreed. “One.”
“Two,” Freya said. “Three,” Alarna said.
They each took a step back. As soon as Freya lowered her weapon, Alarna used to the Force to push everyone back. Freya and law enforcement flew across the room, while G held his ground, and they re-engaged. Several blade parries and strikes caused G to retreat, until again, they were grid locked. Freya was back in the mix before law enforcement were back on their feet. The weapon went back to her temple.
“You’re in surprisingly good shape for someone your age,” G said.
“Are you flirting with me?” Alarna asked
“It’s just something I do,” G said. “You’re disgusting,” Alarna said.
“It’s an expression of affection,” G said. “That’s disgusting,” Alarna said.
“I like his affection,” Freya said. “That’s more disgusting,” Alarna said.
“Mother, your bias is due to a history of abuse and neglect. Allow me into your heart, allow me to love you, and you can begin to forge your way out of the hate and fear that has dominated your life,” G offered. “Allow me to express the love for you I have held all my life, but have had to suppress.”
A silence followed, as if she were considering, and the law enforcement seemed curious, as if waiting to see if love would win. Someone peeked out from behind the bar.
“I am confused. Are you speaking about familiar love or sex?”
“I personally make no distinction between the two. Love is love, kindness is kindness, affection is affection,” G said.
“And that’s another reason you must die. You’re an abomination,” Alarna said.
“I am love,” G said.
“I am older than you!”
“So?” G asked.
“I am your mother,” Alarna said.
“That doesn’t mean you’re not attractive,” G said. “It doesn’t mean I can’t touch you, hug you, or be close to you. All of that is an expression of love. Even if I blinded myself, I would still know you are attractive. The sound of your voice, your smell. I am naturally drawn to you.”
“That’s because you are sick and twisted,” Alarna said.
“The fact that I found a way to love in the absence of you, says something about love.
The fact that I offer you love now, says something about us. The fact you couldn’t kill me then, says something about the Force, and it’s why you won’t be able to kill me now. I am here to teach you to love. I am here to…”
“To bring me back to the light?” Alarna interrupted him.
“Of course not. Light Side, Dark Side, the sides don’t matter, it’s all one with the Force,” G said. “The sides only matter here, on the physical plane. I am inviting you to go higher, to rise above the duality and the illusion and the game…”
“You fuck machines and have incestuous relationships with family,” Alarna said. “I am not following you anywhere, but to the grave.”
“You left me on a deserted planet with only Droids for companionship, so desiring to be with machine is more than just anthropomorphism, or even misplaced attachment,” G said.
“That makes sense,” Mons said.
“Stay out of this. I didn’t leave you anywhere! You were supposed be dead!” Alarna snapped.
“I thought you were over this whole killing me thing,” G said.
“I needed time to regroup and having thought it over, I remembered why you need to die,” Alarna said.
“No one need die today,” Mons said. “Why don’t you both just disengaged and power down your weapons. You clearly have lots to discuss. Let me facilitate a dialogue between the two of you.”
“I will never…”
“Mother,” G interrupted. “I love you.”
“I don’t l…”
G blinked, using the Force he pulled the trigger on Freya’s weapon. As his mother fell, he caught her lightsaber and powered it and his own down, flipping the hilts over to hand it to the non-business ends to officers even before they knew they were taking them. Mons signaled, and law enforcement moved in closer taking the lightsabers from him and the weapon out of Freya’s hand. One of them popped an emergency restraining bolt on her, while two others bound G’s hands behind his back.
“I can’t believe you killed your mother,” Mons said, disappointed.
“I just stunned her,” G said. “She’ll be alright.”
One of the officers confirmed.
“So, you’ll understand and forgive me, too,” Mons said, and then stunned G at point blank range.
“Sir, we had him in custody already,” his second said. “Yeah,” Mons said.
“This is the new protocol for Jedi.”
“Oh,” the second said. “Come along, Droid.”
“Hey,” Ten said, as Corissa caught her throwing the last few items into an antigrav chest that looked very similar to G’s.
“Isn’t that’s G’s,” Corissa said. “He said I could have it.”
Corissa nodded. “So, you’re heading out, then.”
“Yeah,” Ten said.
“Were you going to say good bye?” Corissa asked.
“I was hoping to avoid it, actually,” Ten said. She saw the micro flash of pain cross her mother’s face, even though it was there for only a second. She decided to address it. “Mom, I don’t want to say good bye because this is my home. I’m not really leaving home. I’m just connecting distant points to home base.”
Corissa seemed to accept the response.
“And I don’t want to see you cry,” Ten added.
“I will try and contain myself,” Corissa said, her expression too complex for anyone to sort out what she was feeling and thinking. “Know where you’re headed?”
Ten smiled. “Yeah, I thought I’d see if I could do the Kessel Run in less than 14 parsecs,” Ten said.
Corissa rolled her eyes. “How many times do we have to go over this? Parsecs is distance not time, and using the vernacular expression of substitution muddies the science. But more importantly, hyperspace geometry is fixed. Dozens of people have made that jump and not mapped out a shorter distance.”
“Rumor says it was done in less than twelve, so either people’s calculations are off, or hyperspace is more fluid and complex than our math allows for,” Ten argued.
“Rumors! There is a rumor that Vader had a pink cape, I wouldn’t waste my time looking for it,” Corissa argued. “Do the calculations the way I taught you. No short cuts! And no blind jumps. Always do your math before going into hyperspace.”
“Yes, mother,” Ten said, feigning resign. “I’m a good pilot.”
“I know,” Corissa said.
“And if Vader had a pink cape, I will find it,” Ten said. The two of them hugged.
“I love you, Ten,” Corissa said.
“You said you wouldn’t cry,” Ten said.
“I’m not,” Corissa said, wiping the tear from Ten’s cheek. Ten stepped away first.
“Come on, Pink. And bring the chest.”
“Say goodbye to Jordeen before you leave,” Corissa called after her.
“I don’t like good byes,” she called back.