bridgescribble | Planes, trains, automobiles

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Planes, trains, automobiles

The Traveling Meme

You're on your way from point A to point B, and you've chosen one of the many forms of communal conveyance to do so! Let's see what your trip looks like today.

Train: The Orient Express if you're feeling fancy, your standard intercity line if you're not, but no matter how humble the train there's always a little bit of romance to the rail.
Plane: It may be the type of travel we least look forward to. Go ahead and stuff your character in coach--unless they're one of the blessed few who can afford knee room in business class.
Ship: The heyday of the grand passenger liners, a tall ship (preferably with a star to steer her by), or the ferry.
Bus: Whether it's a school bus, a Greyhound, or your regular commuter ride... we know you're not wearing the seatbelt like you're supposed to.
Stagecoach: Some old-timey fun!
Airship: Listen, JRPGs had it right when they decided these should be a normal thing.
Spaceship: For that sci-fi feel! To boldly get Ubered where no one has Ubered before.

Scenarios

I brought a book for a REASON: You're just trying to make this journey in peace and quiet but for the person in the seat next to you....
Stalled: Well, now you're really not there yet, because your mode of transport has stopped working--thrown a wheel or can't get off the tarmac or lost the breeze. Better figure out something to do in the meantime.
Stand and deliver! Dammit, it's bandits, or robbers, or some other kind of ne'er do well--or maybe you're the one pulling the heist.
Running: Not literally, obviously, but you're trying to get away from something bad. Let's hope it's not catching up to you a few seats down....
Disaster! This isn't just inconvenient, it's catastrophic! Good thing you're here to save the day, right? ...Right?
Actually having a nice time: It's just pleasant to sit and look out windows while someone else does the steering, you know?

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[Now came time to put forth the only card Maul had left. He'd tried to get this far with Ahsoka but he'd underestimated her loyalty to Skywalker. Perhaps if he'd told her when she'd said she'd help him, it might have changed things. Or perhaps not. The "kindly old man" mask his master wore in public was completely unbreakable. Even Maul had been fooled by it time and again in his youth, stupidly loyal to a man who never gave a damn about him in return.]

His name is Sheev Palpatine.

[Either Rex would believe him on that point or he wouldn't. It sounded absurd on the surface. The Supreme Chancellor, the man who had been so vehement about not letting the Republic be torn in two? The one who had always been so compassionate and selfless when it came to serving the systems of planets that were under his control? And yet...he'd stayed in office far longer than his term should have allowed. His power had grown substantially, always through the legal means of voting in the Senate, but nonetheless he controlled far more of the governmental body than any other person in charge ever had. The odd fascination he had with things that could produce great power or be turned into weapons. The cracks were there if one only knew where to look.]

What?

[ Rex stumbles back at the revelation. And yet, he believes it. Fives had said it- he only hadn't understood at the time. Still, the affirmation, the reality, drops on him like an overwhelming weight. Rex tears his helmet off, gasping, as if he can hardly get oxygen into his lungs. He looks back at Maul, shock on his face, but no trace of denial. ]

The Chancellor. He really is involved. I was warned about him, by my brother, just before he was executed, but I didn't understand.

The Jedi visit and speak to him all the time. How do they not know? I thought they can sense it in the Force.

[So the clone believed him. He hadn't been certain he would. Maul wasn't sure what good it would do for Rex to possess this knowledge. Palpatine had made certain all those who knew his true identity had their days numbered. He wasn't surprised whatever clone had learned his secrets had paid for it with his life.]

The Sith learned long ago how to conceal our dark signatures in the Force. We would not have survived if we remained out in the open. No one can tell anything is amiss with him, not unless he wants them to. Can you not tell the difference in mine?

[On Mandalore, Maul's signature had been muted, like trying to see what lay beyond thick smoke or fog, thinking what was being seen was merely a small campfire. Unable to access the Force right now, what had seemed small before was revealed to be more like a wildfire blazing out of control and consuming everything in its path. Even to one not sensitive to the Force, the difference was noticeable, given just how dark Maul's presence really ran.]

[ Maul's presence certainly carries a weight and chill to it, but Rex thought that was because of the unease he inspired, especially to someone who didn't have the powers of a Jedi to protect themselves. ]

Clones aren't sensitive to the Force. The Kaminoans made sure of it.

[ Was that decision made to keep them all uniform, good soldiers? Or was it connected to the Chancellor? Everything he knows suddenly has to be questioned. He can feel sweat beading on his forehead. He doesn't know where to start with all the questions welling up. Concentrate. His eyes go back to Maul's. What matters now is this conversation and learning everything he can get out of the prisoner. ]

I... I can tell there's a difference, but I don't know if it's what you're talking about.

More’s the pity.

[He idly wondered if a clone could ever be created that was Force-sensitive. It was hard to say just what caused a person to be able to access the Force, but if it had to do solely with genetics, it would never happen with any clone.]

That difference even a layman like yourself can feel is exactly what I am talking about. If I could access my powers right now, I could shield myself to such an extent no one would ever be able to tell of the darkness in my Force signature. It is the same with him.

[Hence why Palpatine had pulled off acting like a decent person for his entire life when in truth he was the biggest monster the galaxy had ever seen.]

[ The enemy hidden in plain sight, and with the power to order destruction on a whim. The Chancellor could decide the time had come to execute the Jedi any time, and soon Maul and all he knows would be locked away in the furthest reaches of prison.

Rex feels unsteady, like he's about to start quaking. He clenches his fists, trying to hang on to his composure. He wipes the sweat from his brow, stepping towards the door with the urge to run to find help, but turning on his heel to pace instead. ]

I have to do something! There- There has to be a way to prove who he is! I can't stop this alone. If I can convince one of the Generals...

[ Rex stands straighter, as if the confident posture of an officer will make his words firmer. He has doubts Maul likes the idea, but he has to try to convince him. The galaxy depends on it. If he could get him talking this much, maybe, just maybe... ]

You should talk. Between what the two of us know, we can convince General Skywalker, and he can help find the proof needed to convince the Counsel and the Senate.

[It looked like this clone was forming a plan. Maul just hoped Rex could keep it together. If he started losing it, then telling all of what he do was for naught.

He shook his head at the mention of Skywalker.]

Kenobi would be better. I don't trust any Jedi that is friendly with my master.

[He'd heard enough talk during his trial to know Anakin Skywalker and the Chancellor were friends. Maul knew all too well how his master could manipulate someone by showing them kindness, faux though it was.]

We don't have much time. I've no doubt Sidious will find a way to silence me permanently once I am imprisoned.

[ Rex's expression falls at the realization that Maul is right about his General's relationship with the Chancellor. He takes a slow breath.

General Skywalker had been the Counsel's first choice to visit the Chancellor's office when he was on Coruscant, and he threw Palpatine's name around in some political settings. Rex had never asked how close the General was to Palpatine, but it makes sense to call them friends. For Anakin, the revelation will be an even deeper betrayal. He can already imagine the shock and anger to follow.

Rex can agree with going to Kenobi instead. He gives him a nod. ]

I should record what you have to say, and I'll urge General Kenobi to have you moved under a different name, strictly need to know. I don't think there are many places he would deem secure enough to hold someone with your power, but I'll do what I can.

I need to pull some files from reports that will help prove this is all true, but I will bring General Kenobi here as fast as I can. I'll have one of my own men take over watch here.

[ He's about ready to run out the door, every minute precious now, but he has one hesitation. ]

I'm surprised you're willing to help. Were you only silent during the trial because he was there?

[Maul was still actively plotting for his own freedom. The more he was transferred around from place to place to keep him hidden from his master, the more chances he'd have to eventually escape. But first he would work on his revenge against Sidious for taking away everything from him: his family, his power, his happiness, and his life. This was as good a way to do it as anything else.]

No one would have believed me had I said it then. To the galaxy at large, he's a kindly old benevolent leader. His mask is nearly impenetrable and all I would have looked like is a lunatic with an irrational grudge. I'm surprised you believed me at all.

[It was only luck that had led Maul to speak with the one clone whose unique life experiences would have led him to realize the signs which all pointed in one direction: back to that of Chancellor Palpatine. Anyone else would have thought him just a liar trying to say whatever he could to get their guard down so he could make his escape.]

A year ago, I wouldn't have. And I know better than to call you trustworthy even now.

[ He hasn't forgotten that Ahsoka turned down whatever offer of allyship Maul had offered her. She must have had good reason to consider it, but an equally good reason to say no.

No, they have a shared enemy, but he fully expects there to be complications to come. And that makes it all the more urgent to get a recording of Maul's testimony- before those complications come. ]

But everything my brother uncovered that the Kaminoans weren't talking about, everything he tried to start explaining before he was executed on the Chancellor's order makes sense with what you've told me. And you had no way of knowing what I witnessed, but the stories match. We may not be allies, but I can't ignore it.

[ He's not going to let go of the chance to make sure Fives' death was a sacrifice that meant something. ]

[Maul knew better than anyone about how the ties of loyalty could bind two people together. He had loved his family above all else and his master had taken them away from him. His soft voice became passionate, full of old anger and pain.]

He took away the only ones I ever dared to care about. My family. And for that, I will see my revenge through. He will lose everything as I have lost everything.

[He nodded towards Rex.]

I leave things to you.

[Perhaps this was the start of the downfall of Darth Sidious. Maul dared to hope for a moment it was.]

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Planes, trains, automobiles

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School finals finally out of the way

Woo hoo!!!

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