26
Having sorted out Hadiya's problems and stayed on the planet for another half a takeda until things got past the danger point, she and I breathed a sigh of relief and turned our attention to solving my problems. Having contacted Dalien and my mother, who was halfway to Kalimar at that moment, we began to listen to what a brilliant mind had come up with.
And what he had come up with was trouble up his own arse. Dalien didn't want to give up the idea of sneaking as many people into Tython as possible, thus compensating for the weakness of each sect member with their numbers. What can you do, they're not a military organisation. Mum was silent, her business was the action on the planet, not how we would get there. But the general look and the gesture of massaging the bridge of my nose spoke for itself. But Hadiya did not keep silent and, in her usual manner, expressed everything she thought about the mental abilities of one particular type, his gender and non-standard body composition.
And suggested an alternative idea, where we are a small group, under cover of cargo, without landing on the planet landing directly into the Old City. Its scheme is at the Stargazers, mum has already noted where and what stands there. Now we had to decide who would be in the group. We have twenty seats. Of those twenty, three seats were reserved for me, Mother, and Dalien. Another six to his scientists. The other eleven have been assigned to Hadiya's goons, who she'll hire for the job. The Stargazer fighters weren't touched, unlike the locals, they weren't involved in the constant skirmishes. Plus, the soldiers included sappers, since Dalien had warned them that they would need to blow things up.
When the details on gear, equipment and household trivia were settled, a date was set for the meeting and, consequently, the start of the operation. I have five taqedas to complete the pilgrimage and gain hunter status.
«Now that we've sorted that out, Shade, tell me, what are you wearing? - Mum changed the subject.
«Oh, this? Hadiya gave it to me. She was preparing it in case I graduated, but she needed it now.
«О!
«Why?
«No, just... I just wanted to check with the designer.
«Um... I'm the designer, but I can tell you the craftsman who made the set," Hadiya cut in.
«I'd appreciate it.
«Ma... Why don't you?
«Why not? - She looked surprised. - You look very respectable, you're a sight to behold.
«There! That's what I told him! - Khadija, sensing the encouragement, said the same thing. - But he didn't, he stubbornly refused.
«Ahem... Girls, if that's it, I'm out of here," Dalien cut in.
«Of course," Mum nodded, while Hadiya just dismissed it.
«I had to talk him into it too...
«Okay! - I interrupted Hadiya, realising where the girl was going. - Let's finish the business, and I'll go pack. Mum, what about the alchemists?
«Nothing. The council is stumped. Tsikuna was certainly not happy, especially when she learnt that I would not be involved in the case, they were going to assign a team to investigate. They were more concerned that someone had come forward who dared to represent the Order. Hadiya, are you sure it was the same killers?
«Yes. Three Force-gifted men. I calculated their plan, and I admit, if it weren't for Shade, my clan would be in a lot of trouble, not to mention me. If it had worked, I would have been the last one standing, the Ryo Clan would have demanded compensation, the false Je'Daii would have made a record of it, and then there would have been a sawing-off, just as I'd done with the Shi Clan. It's a working machine," she shrugged her shoulders.
«I see.
«Mum, why do you need Kalimar?
«I'm looking for Stargazers, remember? - she was even surprised.
«Oh... Yeah, right.
«I saw Dalien's sister, by the way.
«Oh! How is she?
«She'd do anything to stop the cult.
«What do you mean, completely? - I'm tilting my head.
«Yeah.
«Mm-hmm, great! All we need is a split within the order....
*♪ Looking at Hadiya ♪
«...or an interplanetary war.
«Don't look at me like that, I've already placed an order with the Allies to build warships.
«Hadiya...
«No, I'd rather have them, they can always be mothballed, sold, dismantled for parts or rebuilt.
«I don't mind, build them as you wish.
Mwah, - they kissed me on the cheek.
«All right, ladies. I'm off to pack. Hadi, are you coming with me, or are you staying here?
«I'm sorry Shade..." the girl bit her lip. - I can't leave now.
«It's okay. Then, as soon as everything is over, I'll fly myself... And I'll bring Wes with me, because how she's there alone and without me....
«Oh, you can forget her somewhere, - Hadiya wrinkled her nose.
«Do you dislike Vessira so much? - Mum was surprised.
«I don't dislike her. I don't want to share Shade.
«You'll have to," I said, getting up. - I told you, I'm greedy, I won't give away what's mine," and I flicked Hadiya on the nose and headed for the door. - See you later, Mum.
***
When I told Hadiya that I was going to pack, I was talking about a small backpack, so I could take it to the spaceport and find a hitchhiker. And then I could not even think that my appearance in front of her in such a way would cause such a strong reaction.
The girl in her usual manner, waving the mode and in raised tones, sincerely indignant, indignant, swearing at the order, again indignant, but already my financial situation....
«Hadi... I don't understand, why are you boiling? - I'm stopping the flaming girl.
«You are my husband!!!
«Reputation again? - I sigh
«No! I've already accepted your disregard for your reputation. What pisses me off is the fact that my husband doesn't have his own ship and has to hitchhike! I'm not even talking about the fact that you have mice crying on your balance sheet!
«Hadiya.
«Silence!!! - stomped that lady. - You. You must have. Money! - Stabbing at me with a knife. - And a ship! Otherwise, I'll just stop respecting myself.
«Yes, but if you do that, my self-esteem will suffer, - I take my finger away from the point and, standing next to her, put my arm around her waist.
«?" she raised an eyebrow.
«In my understanding - it is a man should take care of a woman and the financial state of the family, not the other way round.
«Oh, don't do that? - She twisted out of the embrace and, again standing in front of me, poked her finger in her chest with a knife clenched in her fist. - You are my husband. Full stop. A named one, but that's just for now. When you finish your training in the Order, get your status, whatever it is, then I'll give you some of the companies you like.
«Hey, Hadi, what are you doing? My job is to wave my iron and make a stern face. I can't manage!
«I'll teach you. And I'll show you how to find the right people to delegate some of the work, you'll know their loyalty better than me.
«Hadiya, this is a bad idea. A very bad idea," I faltered. I've never been threatened like this before in my life.
«How else are you going to earn money? - she tilted her head.
«I was thinking of following in my mother's footsteps. She's a loner in a less-than-safe job, and I'm fine with that.
«You can't build, can you?
«You never know, there's building and sometimes there's saving. And most importantly, it pays more than well. And sometimes she goes into the wilds for ancient artefacts or other finds, which is also highly paid - at least by the same collectors from Kalimar. Yes, on your background - this money is a drop in the ocean, but I do not aspire to wealth or power. I have other interests, and the proceeds are more than enough to keep me going. As for you... Well, yes, such an income looks funny against your background. But to take funds and sit on your neck... - I shake my head. - Hadiya, you already help more than you can imagine, your efforts have even made me feel conscience, though I've never felt that way before.
«Mm-hmm... Okay. I'll tell you what. While you're studying, all your expenses are mine.
«But.
«All of them. Expenses. Mine. - she stared at me, picking a hole in my chest with a knife. - You're busy right now, so how much money can we talk about? So please shove your BSD down your throat and just accept my help. Or else I'll be so offended that you'll regret it," the point went from my chest to my chin. - Tarhan?! {? }[Got it?!]
«You could have just said, 'Take it and don't fuck around,'" I snicker, looking at that serious face. And listening to her emotions, I realise that she wouldn't have backed down under any circumstances. Not even if I tied her up and locked her in a wardrobe. It wasn't about her or her ego, which she can tame, it was about me. And for me, that little girl'd really go Tyrton on the bollocks, no kidding. - By the way, when did you become interested in the Togrutian language?
«And when I met you. You don't notice it yourself, but sometimes you switch to your native tongue right during a conversation.
«Yes? - I raise my eyebrows in surprise.
«Yes. Now come on, I'll show you your new toy, - they took me under the elbow and dragged me along.
«Heh.
The vessel Hadiya had intended to provide me with was a bit peculiar. "The Curator" turned out to be a small, elongated sausage-like ship, six crew members, with a pair of medium laser cannons on the sides and four small kinetic guns standing in pairs above and below. There were frontally directed bomb and torpedo bays in the bow, loaded with quite powerful incendiary and proton projectiles. Humanity? Nah, not heard of it.
The ship was operated by two pilots from a bridge jutting out from the top of the centre, just in front of the kinetic turrets. There were two gunners on port and starboard, one mechanic, and one coordinator in charge of target prioritisation. In general, I would call him a captain, but the first pilot is in charge of the ship, and this one coordinates with the other ships and commands the guns and generally, as it were, "on hand".
Further, the "Curator" can carry a small landing group of twenty creatures, but for landing is required to personally descend to the planet, which in some conditions is problematic to do. As for landing shuttles... There are no spaceships in our area that have hangars on them, except for two very specific models. The first is the Sleeping Ship, the second is essentially a tanker that is physically incapable of landing on a planet. And that is, their ships don't so much go into hangars as dock on the side. All other ships, even cruisers or frigates, are relatively small in size, at least when compared to my memories... And I somehow don't trust them anymore, it's been so long. The same triangle of empire may be considered "unattainable fiction" here, stupidly because it is physically impossible to build such a giant.
Comparing the Curator with other ships, I turned my nose up a little. You don't look a gift horse in the mouth, of course, but I still want a ship like my mother's. The BFG alone is worth it. It's also faster. And more manoeuvrable. And prettier. And it can only be controlled by a gifted person, because it's Tython-made, and that's a special micro-control of the ship, when you literally feel the ship as a part of yourself. I wonder if you built your own ship. From start to finish... And all the parts to it. Well, at least hypothetically, what would happen then? Shit... It would be interesting to check.
But that's not the point. "Curator" was losing by many articles not only to Tython ships, but also to others, as it was an old model. But it was solid, reliable and time-tested. It was also comfortable to fly on, which was the first thing Hadiya considered when she handed the ship over to me.
I was seen off in the best Chicago tradition. With the honours due to the husband of the Lady, a pair of "bodyguards" and a guard of honour. No, Hadiya's got a thing for show-offs, but in her line of work, it's a must. It's PR.
I meditated on the Force Barrier as we flew. It's a useful thing. It cancels out the force flow directed at you within a certain range. Jolts, Force blasts, strangulation, basically any kind of brute direct impact. Something more complicated doesn't hold, but you don't need it, because many people don't bother and hit you directly with the Force. It's cheap, simple, effective - and doesn't require any special skills. Against the general background, of course.
Given the fact that one live bomb in the face of a red-faced Sith was able to make me stop by brute force, I realised the imperfection of my own technique and that it must be improved. I wonder if there is a technique that avoids the effects of the Force. Like a protective coating from which the Force drains away like water from varnish? Hmm...
Leaving that question at the end of the list, I return to meditating with the Force Barrier. A small translucent sphere of air with flowing white streams hung between my hands. How do I improve it? Making it stronger is not an option, I'll create a prison for myself, although if I make the barrier directed, maybe something will work. What else can I do? Mm... Try to make several layers? No, that's not a good idea, they're more likely to interfere with each other. Maybe try to combine it with the Tutaminis technique? That's not it either, then it's more like toutaminis that we're going to expand to a barrier... Unless, of course, I don't fall off in the process.
I haven't figured out how to improve it, but I've come up with another trick. If you compact the walls and surround a stranger with a barrier, it will cut him off from the outside world. It's like a prison. True, it takes as much dope to maintain it as three and a half of me, and if the object will kick, then the final number is squared. But on the whole, it is also a promising development, when it is necessary to disarm a gifted person without harming him, with complete safety for others.
When my brains flowed out of my ears from trying to find variants of what I could do with all this, I decided to switch. I actually have unexplored material on hypergate, which I haven't even opened yet. So, having brewed a cup of vork, not as tasty as Hadiya makes, but still, and having collected sweet bars to it, I lay out my computer and, having connected a flash drive to it, download the material.
So, what have we got? It's files on the battery, it's some drawings, it's reports... Oh, pictures! Let's start with those.
Pfft!
«Pfft, pfft, pfft! - as soon as the pictures loaded, my eyes went wide.
Thankfully, my reflexes were quicker than my brain and I caught the splash halfway to the screen. Putting the mug away and tucking the vork back into the mug, I lean over the monitor.
«Ashrnahrahar..." I whisper, flicking through the pictures. And that's because I've seen it before. There, at the bottom of the Gorge. Exactly the same writing, the same instruments, the same architecture. The only difference was that in the Gorge there was a huge hall, where even a truck could move apart, and here it was a relatively small space... But the layout of the equipment was very similar.
Does that mean there's another gate beneath Enil Kesh? But bigger. Much bigger. It would appear so. I wonder if Dalien knows about it. No. I don't think so. Then it would be all over the planet. You can't hide a find like this, especially right under the noses of the Je'Daiyans. And considering the Je'Daiyans can't go down to the bottom themselves.
Then what? This place has been closed for thousands of years, hundreds of experienced Je'Dayi have gone mad trying to get to the bottom, and I didn't even notice I was there, survived, and even made it back. How did I even do that?! I can't figure it out. Hmm... And suppose I didn't go down? That the visions just didn't let me go, and that hall is... Well, say, a hypergate that I'll find somewhere in the future? Then the other question becomes, what's at the bottom?
Scrolling through the memories of the visions gave me a merciless headache. Covering my eyes and rubbing my temples, I tried to relate the connection between what I saw and what I know. But... It didn't work. At least not all of it. I realised that without Dalien, this whole hypergate thing was going to go downhill fast - and that couldn't be allowed to happen. If only because he and his men are the only ones who know anything about hypergates. But beyond that... How will these monsters come? Where are they coming from? Could it be the gate's creators? No, I've seen pictures of Kwa statues, and they're nothing like those things.
And yet the Republic... What does it have to do with Palych and clones - I did not even close in my heart. The maximum that I could think up crazy theories was that the gate would somehow break the space-time continuum and take us to the future. Or, conversely, from the future will be dragged to us. Or nobody will be dragged anywhere, and a bridge will be formed between different time periods. Whoa... Stop... What the hell is a bridge?
That's enough! First I have to finish my training, deal with Dalien, and then, if all goes well, I should go to the Gorge again and make sure I'm not glitching. Right now, I think we should meditate. Yes.
Inhale, exhale. The Force is with me, it's inside me, it's part of me... Where was the holocron?
***
Vur Tepe. Tython's largest, a temple forge, famous throughout the system for its craftsmanship. Built on a volcanic mountain, the forge harnessed the energy of the volcano to its own ends. Weapons and armour come out from under the hands of local craftsmen, cars come out, ships come out. More than eighty per cent of all manufacturing facilities on the planet are concentrated in this place. In essence, Vur Tepe, is one giant forge.
As soon as the ship landed on one of the landing pads and the ramp opened, I heard the distant rumbling of working shops. Right next to the ramp I was greeted by one of the local craftsmen. He was a tall, muscular Cathar, wearing trousers, no outer garments, with a large mane of hair and a mechanical right hand coming from his collarbone.
Facing him with a glance, I walk down the ramp.
«May the Force be with you, Master," I take off my mask and bow courteously according to tradition.
«And with you, traveller. Hm..." He glanced at me, then at the ship behind me. - You're a modest man.
«Heh. But I can share it.
The Master appreciated the joke and, with a chuckle, invited me to follow him.
«Welcome to Vur Tepe, traveller. I am Master Rahnar.
«Shade Aero.
«I know who you are. Your group was trained by me.- Trained? - I cling to the word, turning to the Cathar.
«They left about fifteen days ago.
«I see.
That's a shame. Though, on the other hand, it's understandable. It's been almost five taqedas since I left here, four of which were flights. I wonder if they'll come up with a hyperdrive soon. I've been travelling through space longer than I've been running around planets.
«Let me ask you, what was your purpose in coming to the temple?
«М?
«Formality, or personal interest? Not everyone likes the heat of the furnace, the rumble of the hammer and the filigree working of metal with the Force. So if you're here for tradition, I'll show you the basic material right away and not waste my time or yours.
«Master, you are insulting me," I sincerely resent it, not shying away from showing it with emotion, to which the Cathar responded with interest. - I am very interested in learning more about your craft. And what's more, I have ideas that I would like to try to implement here.
«What is it that interests you?
«I'm a very knowledge-hungry person myself, I'm interested in everything. How you work with metals, how you concentrate the Force, how you use Force Forging, how you connect electrical mechanisms with Force-powered mechanisms," I nod at his hand, "How you process Kaiber-crystals and strengthen armour with their spraying. I have a lot of questions, but also very little time, so I sincerely ask for your help with this.
«That's commendable... And unexpected," Rakhnar muttered confusedly, glancing at my animated face. - But I don't understand your time limit. Finish your wandering and return to the temple.
«I'm afraid I won't have much time for that when I'm done," I replied evasively, figuring that if things went the same way, it would be dangerous for me to be on Tython at all.
«Okay... But what you're asking... You won't learn it. It's too much material.
«I'm not going to hone my skills now. I want to understand the principles of the processes, manufacture new armour with your help, test the theory of new weapons and move on. I just need to understand the theory, and I'll come back for the practice, if anything, at the end of the journey.
«As you wish. But it's a lost cause," he shook his head.
«I'm too stubborn, and I won't give up what I have.
«Then we'll start right now," the master said. - And at the same time we'll see what you're worth.
We began with a natural excursion. Rakhnar showed us where the workshops were, what was being created in them, and also briefly sketched out explanations of the details. The shops themselves were... Different. Different at all. Where one shop had a ceiling height of twenty metres and housed huge foundry industrial furnaces, the other looked like an ordinary school classroom, in which they were engaged in the manufacture of small, almost jewellery parts. And somewhere there were small rooms designed for one particular craftsman. So to speak, "personal workshops".
All the materials, from which the forge made things, were imported in huge quantities, ready for further processing. When during the excursion the master showed me one of the warehouses filled to the top with ingots of steel, and another one with textiles, I had to pick my jaw up from the floor.
The training started with the master telling me about the varieties of steel, properties, peculiarities, good and not so good features. Since there was a lot of material, I followed the good old tradition - I took notes.
As the theory was voiced, the master alternately gave me a pure piece of alloy to "feel in the Force". At first I could not see the difference, but with the help of joint meditation with Rakhnar, I felt it. It is difficult to convey in words, but each "kind" of metal had its own smell, taste and, however strange it was, sound. And when a master works on a new masterpiece by means of Forging Power, he is like a cook or a musician listening to his own sensations, evaluating the sound of alloys, adding or removing something... That's why it's impossible without a little creative streak.
When I drew out a simple table of elements indicating who likes or dislikes whom, we moved on to the next stage - making a blank for the necessary needs. Since I was going to remake the armour, we combined pleasant and useful. The master took out twice as much material from the warehouse and on the first one he showed me how and what to do, on the second one I tried to repeat it. It was... horrible.
«How's your imagination? - Rahnar unobtrusively clarified, twisting with the Force in the air what should have been an armour plate, but instead is a multi-coloured, wavy, curved piece of scrap. It was like a child had piled different colours of plasticine together and made a scone.
«It's relatively fucked up," I scratch the back of my head, looking at this shit.
«How's that? - he raised an eyebrow, turning his attention to me.
«I failed absolutely every test at Bodhi Temple.
«...
«But in battle, I can surprise you with an unconventional technique, and in principle, I include imagination in solving the tactical problem! - I'm trying to justify myself.- Yes...
«Master, please don't look at that thing like that. I'm embarrassed enough.
«Okay, let's do it a couple more times, - he drew the line and shoved the plate into the furnace. When the scrap was red-hot, he used Force techniques to separate the different metals and we repeated the test.
On the fifth try, when the plate was shattering like ashes of paper, Rahnar started squinting at me very strangely. On the ninth attempt, when I somehow managed to change the molecular structure of the alloy to resemble jelly, the Master stopped squinting, but scratched his mane thoughtfully. They made a drawing for me, on which I tried to work further. Now I began to get a plate. But it was as fragile as glass....
On the twenty-second attempt, Rakhnar broke off pieces of my work in the manner of biscuits. And on the thirtieth, he couldn't stand it and asked me, "How am I doing this?" when the fusion turned out to be another piece of shit.
«Shade, I don't understand," he shook his head, throwing away another of my billets, as such slag was not even suitable for recycling.
«Master, can we go to extreme measures?
«Like what?
«Joint meditation.
«I'm not very good at it, but let's give it a try.
Done and done! I was crushing another ingot, with Rakhnar watching me closely. It's a strange feeling, to feel a stranger inside you who sees with your eyes, feels your emotions and feels the world with your hands.
«Stop!" he said suddenly, coming out of his meditation.
«М?
«Shade, I don't get it. You've been trying to use both the dark and light sides of the Force on the metal all this time?
«Yeah.
«Oh..." he put a hand to his face.
«What's wrong with that?!
«I told you, Power Forging uses the light side of the Force.
«Mm-hmm.
«And the dark side destroys the structure of the metal from the inside, and together with the light side you get... Well, you saw what happens.
«You didn't tell me that.
«I'm telling you now. Change the balance inside you, and let's repeat the process.
«I don't think I can do it.
«Why not?
«I don't use a particular side, favouring the Unified Force.
«Erm...
«Anyway, I don't know how to immerse myself in an aspect.
«Suppose... What about together through meditation?
«I had to do that in Akar Kesh and it didn't feel right.
«Hmm... What if I turn to the Dark Side through you?
«You could try," I said, tapping my chin thoughtfully.
Once again immersed in meditation, I feel someone else's energy trying to pass through me. But when I tried to deliberately switch to a certain side of the Force, it didn't work. I just couldn't physically create a misalignment within myself. My essence, the very Force within, was actively resisting it. The two energies, which I had carefully woven together throughout my life, had intertwined and now did not want to separate. Moreover, twice I went through a kind of "hardening", after which the connection became only stronger.
So now not only I could not switch, but also the dark side, which was coming from the Master to me, passed through a kind of filter and the output was the Unified Power. Yes... That's a real number, now I not only keep the Unified Force inside me, but also filter out the external one.
«Erm... Master, I have a problem.
«What is it?
«I still can't summon the dark side.
«It's okay, not everyone can do it easily, I know at least two gifted people who can't do it easily...
«No, you misunderstand me. I can't change the balance within myself," I mumble, my eyes downcast with embarrassment. - And also, everything that you try to pass through me becomes the Unified Force, - at the same time, taking the test sample in front of me with two fingers, I raise it to eye level.
«O_o?
«I've spent my life trying to combine both energies. At the same time. I did it, now I can't separate them. I can't even filter yours anymore.
«Oh, the Force.
«Something like that.
They glared at me, sighed, glared again, muttered something and, glowing with either anger or indignation, laid out a stack of small ten-gram cylinders in front of me and, with the order: "practise", they withdrew. Now I understand why I made the masters at Qigong Kesh clutch their heads.
But I won't be me if I just give up like that! So, I gathered my courage, snacked on a candy bar, and with renewed enthusiasm, I set to work. Time after time I got shit in my hands. Time after time, the Force gave the metal the wrong properties. It got so ridiculous that I was so busy that I was already asleep in the workshop.
Rakhnar didn't return until a few days later. He looked at my results, thought of something, and left again. But this time he was gone only an hour, then he brought out a small blue kyber crystal.
«Master? - I rubbed my tired eyes and looked at the katar.
«Tell you what. Change the mission. You know that to strengthen equipment, crystal dust is added to the same alloy, - he showed the crystal. I nod. - After that, such reinforced armour acquires other features. If before the dark side destroyed the material to some extent, now it was absorbed into the armour like water on paper. It was the dust that imparted this property.
«Shall I fuse the crystal with the bar?
«Listen," he shook his head and twitched his ear. - It's not a quick process, it's painstaking and difficult. An apprentice would not be able to do such work, because the light side has to maintain the integrity of the structure, and the dark side has to saturate it. Moreover, it is only taught after you have learnt to smelt blades, as it is very, very difficult to fuse a crystal into a structure. To make it easier for you, I'll try to briefly outline the procedure for creating a blade: first you take a billet of a high-carbon metal, such as durasteel, and forge it into a blade shape.
«But I haven't forged it yet.
«Yes, you elementary alloy can not make an alloy to forge from it, - menacingly looked at me from above, and continued: - After giving the desired shape, the Force is directed into the blade, changing the structure of the metal and strengthening its molecular lattice. This process hardens the blade and sharpens the cutting edge, and prepares the blade for the next step. After the blade is forged, the master, and ideally its future owner, places an energy crystal in the hilt, not necessarily a Kaiber crystal, but any other crystal that is sensitive to the Force. Then the master unites the crystal lattices of the crystal and the blade together through deep self-immersion in the Force and meditates until the blade, the crystal and the Force become one. It is this procedure that allows us to channel the Force into the blade, which causes it to glow. This process is hard enough, both mentally and physically, but it is what you have to do now.
«You mean, first make the metal capable of transmitting and storing the Force, and then shape it?
«Yes.
«Do you think it'll work?
«I have no idea, but it's worth a try. You'll have the persistence, as well as the strength. I think so. The main thing - don't strengthen the metal, you only need to weave the stone into its structure, - I was handed the crystal. - Otherwise, you'll make a piece of iron that can't even be sent to the secondary.
«And how can I strengthen the metal after that?
«Make a durasteel alloy first! At least.
«I see your point. What about alchemy? - he raised an eyebrow. - I mean, there is a practice of using alchemical composition for certain purposes in the same processing.
«No. I'm not letting you in there yet," the Master said flatly, seeing what kind of mess I could make of it.
I took the new cylinder in one hand and the crystal in the other and gradually sank into meditation. Rakhnar stood nearby and did not interfere. The materials in my hands took off and began to circle clockwise at an equal distance from each other.
To my surprise, the stone responded cheerfully and absorbed the Force very readily, making it glow. At that moment the process began. The stone was smoking and gradually melting like a piece of ice, and the "smoke" was being absorbed by the cylinder.
How long I sat like that, I have no idea. Just set myself a clear task and went to fulfil it. But, and when it was ready, in the palm of my hand was a piece of ordinary iron, soaked in the Force.
«It worked... - I exhale with relief. And then I realised how much I wanted to sleep and eat. Thanks to Rakhnar, he knew something like that, and so there was a tray of cold food waiting for me on my desk.
And when I had satisfied my hunger, I lay down right there, for I was too lazy to go anywhere else. I woke up with a jerk, from the rustling.
«Good morning," I heard Rakhnar's voice from the side.
«Aha..." I rubbed my eyes and looked at the thoughtful cat. - I did it.
«I see.
«What now?
«Now it's a meltdown. Same as before, but now you try to glue everything to this bar. You got it?
«I'll try....
«Come on," they clapped me on the shoulder.
Before I started a new job, I walked to the shower, changed my clothes, ate again from scratch, raked up some candy bars and only then returned to work. This time the process of creating the alloy went much better and faster. The metal filled with my Power willingly obeyed any command and accepted any material. Now I had a plate that was really a plate and behaved like a normal metal. That's it - what a blessing!
«Rakhnar... - I call the master who accepts the work.
«М?
«And this... Do you process everything like this?
«Do you? Of course not! Ideally, every apprentice should be able to create their own weapons and armour. But that's just ideally, in practice it's what you get. That's what we do when it comes to specific one-off pieces. Or jewellery. Or something like that, when it's easier to do it by hand than to make a mould, then cast it, and so on. Otherwise, we have ready-made alloys. And if it's a big job, like a serial spaceship, we cast the segments, we have the moulds, then we use Force Forging to stitch them together to make a cast structure. That's why there are no rivets, bolts or welding in Tython ships. Then again, those same ships don't need to be drunk with the Force like a sword, for example, so it's much simpler.
«I see...
«So, we have the billet now, - he spun the plate. - The only thing left is to harden it and somehow strengthen it with the Force.
«What do you mean, "somehow?!"
«Literally. We've gone the other way round, and I can't wait to see what happens in the end. Scientifically speaking, we went up the arse.
«Is that scientific?
«And understandable.
«Shit... But it worked!
«And that's the most amazing thing of all! - he raised his finger.
So, we continued fiddling with the plate trying to strengthen it, but it wasn't that simple. The metal, in the structure of which the crystal is already intertwined, was not quenched and when heated it did not show the properties that it should. The attempt to strengthen the molecular structure with the help of the Force itself failed completely. I couldn't influence the result! Yes, I could change the shape, I could play with this stuff like plasticine, but neither I nor Rakhnar could make it stronger.
But there's a silver lining. Once damaged, the plate could easily be returned to its original shape. Deformation? A hole from a laser? A cut? No big deal, a light application of the Force and it would heal or straighten right before your eyes! Considering that it was still metal and had natural strength, the result was satisfactory.
However, neither Rahnar nor I had figured out how to use this stuff in practice, so we decided to put it aside for later, not to worry about it, and to take the ready-made alloy.
So, with a new batch of durasteel on my hands, with Rahnar's help I got hardened armour plates, strengthened by the Force at the molecular level. I reinforced them with crystals. At first Rakhnar objected that it was WAY too wasteful to use a stone for each segment, but after paying for expensive consumables (Thank you, Hadiya), I calmly finished the job and got a complete set. Now the next step is to fix it to the fabric. And the fabric, purely by the way, also undergoes the procedure of strengthening by the Force.
Already guessing what awaits us, so conducted the experiment. I didn't fail! I mean, the fabric I was given honestly changed its properties to oak.
«You know, Shade, somehow I don't think this craft is yours," Rahnar said with a wistful look, exhaling as he tapped a piece of cloth on the table like a stick.
«I'm still going to try!
«I know.
«Master, how about this... Shall we try Alchemy?
«Without me. As you wish, but without me, because personally, I won't let you anywhere near the reagents.
«Why are you so adamant? What if something interesting happens? - I got a look at you. - Why?
«No.
We are standing, looking at the result of my labours, thinking. Then I came across an "unsuccessful" sample plate.
«Master... I had a brilliant idea, - I finished my sentence in a cheerful tone and was already mentally rubbing my hands together.
«Well surprise...
Nodding at the plate.
«Um... Shade, fabric isn't metal," I was looked at like an idiot.
«So? What does the Force care if it's metal or cloth? If you fix a structure in the Force, it will self-repair if torn.
«Hmm.
«Yes, the strength will be lower than if it had been reinforced. But under the circumstances, it doesn't matter! It's reinforcing the host - one. Self-repair - two. The fabric will be extremely pliable - three, that is - it can be perfectly fitted to fit like a second skin. On the other hand, it's a natural Force Barrier. In order to influence an object in such clothes - it will be necessary to make more effort. In my opinion, the pros outweigh the one major disadvantage.
«I'm convinced. Let's try it," Rakhnar nodded.
We didn't make a garden, but took the ready-made clothes that Hadiya had given me. We took out the original plates, sewed in new ones, and then began the process of reinforcing them with crystal dust.
When everything was ready and I tried it on, two things happened at once: first, I really felt stronger, and moreover, I didn't want to get out of it. And if I called on the Force, it responded a little faster than before.
The second thing was that, despite my clothes, I could feel the touch as if they weren't there. It was strange, but very interesting. When Rakhnar made a cut in the cloth for the sake of experimentation, I could feel as if a hole had been made in me.
«It's clear.
«What "clear"? - I turn to the master. - I personally don't understand anything yet.
«Because of the fact that you soaked the cloth with the Force... And also your own, it's as if it's connected with your own aura. It's the same principle I use to control my hand and get tactile sensations from it," he raised his mechanical body part.
«Erm...
«I was expecting something like that, but I wasn't sure.
«Why? Hasn't this been done before?
«Strangely enough, yes. No one would ever have thought of doing that shit before," the Cathar grinned.
«But it's pretty cool!
«I don't disagree.After some more tests with the upgrades, they left her alone and moved on to the next stage. Since we were talking about Silo-mechanics, we continued to develop it. Admittedly, I didn't understand much of it, as it required a technical background, which I didn't have. But! Rahnar had gathered it for me, provided it on the holocron, along with the techniques for Force Forging and the properties of metals.
However, looking at Rakhnar, something was bothering me....
«Master.
«Yes, Shade?
«As I look at your hand, I wonder. Is it possible to build a droid using a combination of the Force and technology?
«Erm... No, more likely than not.
«Explain?
«Let's say you built a base. A hull. The first problem is getting it to move. Without electricity, you need a constant supply of Force. And that requires a living thing. But let's say you've managed to power the structure. I don't know how, but you did. I can't even imagine what kind of programming you'd have to put in to make it work properly.
«But ships fly.
«You fly the ship! A droid is a droid. You give it a command, it carries it out. I can imagine if you created a shell and tried to control it remotely. It's already fantastic, but it sounds more real than what you're saying. It's even more realistic if you move from an organic body to a mechanical body. That's a realistic thing to do. Hypothetically.
«Mm-hmm, I see.
«Why?
«Just checking.
«There's something wrong with your imagination," he shook his head.
«Mm-hmm. Master, one more question.
«Go ahead.
«Remember what I said about weapons?
«Let's say," he eyed me suspiciously as I reached across the desk and pulled a pile of papers out of a drawer.
«Look.
The Cathar came over and picked up the top sheet with a sketch of a sword drawn on it.
«And what is it?
«An energy sword.
«What's what?
«Don't give me that look, I'm serious.
«Shade, can't you think of something simpler?
«But it could be real!
«What makes you so sure?
«I know it. I can feel it.
«If you know for sure, can you tell me how it could work?
«Well... There's a focusing crystal in the centre," I show one of the sheets.
«Mm-hmm, beyond that.
«I don't know the rest.
«Are you kidding me?!
«I really have no idea! They gave me the finger at Enil Kesh and referred me here.
«Oh...
«Master, I know the Force is energy. Lightning, flames, forging, all that. But what if it could be channelled, focussed and held?
«I have no idea. I know how a laser gun works, but from what you're saying, it's using a completely different principle... Or maybe I don't understand something.
«I don't get it either. But my gut tells me it's real!
«Given what you're getting away with, yes.
«That was hurtful.
«There's no offence to the truth," he said. - No, Shade, I have no idea how it could be realised.
«Too bad. Maybe there's someone who can help at the temple?
«There is one... Or rather, one. But before you can finish the idea, she'll send you out the door asking you to keep your mind on your work.
«Shit. Shit!
«What's a pancake?
«It's a dish," I mumble, putting the sheets back. - What's next on the agenda, Master?
«Next... Basically, I can count it as a pass.
«Er, no! I'm not leaving here that easily.
«For some reason I thought so.
«How do you operate a ship of our design?
«Oh. Can't you ask me something simpler?
«How do you focus the energy in the kyber crystals?
«Mm-hmm, come on. To explain how the J'Daii interacts with the machine, you need an example.
«Heh-heh-heh.
Yeah, I was literally tearing Rahnar apart, shaking the poor Cathar out of his head. What I couldn't understand went into the holocron. What I did understand, I put into practice. Now, strangely enough, I was at the helm as first pilot for the first time. When Rakhnar saw my salvation in this, he demanded that I pass the fighter test. Of course, he regretted it later, as I had to sit as co-pilot for backup, but in the first moments... Oh that happy face of the Cathar. I just physically couldn't help but snap at him.
While training, I spontaneously remembered the words of some Jedi from the future about flying being for droids. Whoever the Jedi was, Rahnar would have agreed with him, for I was able to fly immediately. Intuitive control, a connection to the Force, some of the grounding my mother had given me, plus the theory I'd acquired here, it all worked, and eventually I felt the machine like an extension of my body. The technique itself told me how and what to do, I just had to refine it. But it didn't stop me from getting off and doing various pirouettes.
After that Rahnar thought twice about what I should do next time. But when I saw that I was stuck in Vur Tepe, sorry, already the fourth takeda, I was horrified and frantically ran to pack my things. Rahnar, the bastard, signed the paper about my departure with his mechanical hand and let a farewell tear of joy. Bastard. But nothing, nothing, I'll be back for sure!
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