THANKS FOR ALL THE REVIEWS!
Shoutouts:
Jedi from Rohan: (knowing laugh) Hopefully Elf with a Lightsaber will be up and running again in one form or another.
Kynstar: Well, we'll see about that, won't we? Mwahaha… You might know what Palpy's plotting…or it might be something totally different…
NathanPostmark: :D Yes, that's it, just… :D
Luke and Anakin Skywolf: Aww…thanks again to all you Skywolves. The confrontation was a difficult one to think up, but once I got the idea it just…came. You know. ;)
Zsych: Yes…I sent you an email with my answers to these issues. Hopefully it got through. But for anyone else who's taken up these questions, I have one thing to say: Never underestimate the power of the Force! Vader knew what he was talking about. And hopefully I'll be able to counter that "lazy bum Jedi" image.
g: Hey, thanks for your reviews on my fics! I can't stand insipid romance crap myself, so obviously (hopefully) I wouldn't write it. There are a rare few authors in this world that have the ability to write more practical and realistic romance without focusing the story on it. This sort is occasionally necessary, as it is between Han and Leia for this fic, so I will put my best efforts forward at avoiding the dark path, as you so accurately put it.
Okay, now that that's done, time for chapter the Tenth!
That's right, the tenth chapter! To mark the occasion, I'd like to ask the reviewers to rate this fic out of ten, and say why. Yes, I know you all hate the "why" part, but it's to make me a better author, and in turn, produce a better fic.
Interludes and Meditations
It was interesting, sometimes, how the galaxy could produce such peculiar humanoids.
Mara watched the first Chiss boy typing madly at the input pad by the main computer. The second was running DNA tests, and the third conducted a quick test of her reflexes. All three were flawlessly identical. Even more unusual, Chiss were rarely seen among the Rebellion factions, or the Empire, for that matter. They generally kept to themselves in the Unknown Regions, content with their own government.
Of course, there were always the deviants in every population, and the Chiss were no exception, as was proved by this efficient trio. They each couldn't have been much older than fifteen SY, but moved with a quick and experienced assurance.
Mara's foot automatically flung itself into the air with a solid tap from the tool in the youngster's hand. He nodded approvingly.
What mystified her was the absolute lack of spoken communication. As soon as one made an observation, the other would record it with little delay.
The question was irresistible. "Are you three Force-sensitive?"
They all shook their heads before continuing with their work. The one testing her reflexes smiled uneasily at her. "I am the result of an experiment conducted by a Chiss expelled from the society. Since I also could find no acceptance because of my…uniqueness, I came here."
"What about the other two?"
The smile grew more genuine as the glowing red eyes regarded her. "They are also me. I speak to you through one of my mouths. These three bodies are all controlled by me; you might say I'm the overmind."
She stared back for a moment, a fascination growing. "You mind telling me how this result was accomplished?"
He gave a helpless shrug, and tapped at her other knee, which gave a responsive kick. "I'm not sure. My creator has disappeared somewhere into the Outer Rim Territories, for all I know."
"I didn't know such a thing between different bodies was possible," she said simply. "Do you have one name, or separate ones for all three bodies?"
"Just one. Cayth'raw'nuruodo." He smiled again. "You're one of few who aren't extremely disturbed at my…er…split personality."
Mara tried not to roll her eyes at the implicated double meaning.
The one at the computer turned, and smiled as well. "You have just been accepted into the organization. Welcome to the Alliance, Mara Jade."
"Thanks, I guess."
Han had almost finished loading up. If all went as planned, he'd soon be off to Tatooine with a goodly sum of credits to console Jabba the Hutt. Part of him was anxious to break away from the Rebellion for a while…but part of him was sorry he had to go. Which was why he was sauntering down the halls in the main cruiser on the way to Leia's chamber.
He'd done a lot of thinking over the past few hyperspace trips. About bonds, mostly. Loyalties, friendships…and another kind he'd tried desperately to steer clear of since Bria. There had been a few women after that, sure…but none of the permanent kind. Not like this…
He suppressed a shudder at the insinuation as he walked on. She was mainly the reason he was staying around, and he hadn't even realized it for a good while. Han wondered at how the presence of one woman could make him stick around with a faction he didn't even believe in.
Or did he?
Shaking his head at his own thoughts, Han arrived at the door to Leia's room, and paused unexpectedly.
How would she handle this? Would she brush it off indifferently, or worse, pretend to care? Or would she really, truly be concerned?
Only one way to find out, he told himself. She's harder to predict than a sabacc hand.
He pressed the buzzer, waiting expectantly for a couple of moments, resisting the impulse to look around and see if anyone was staring at him, his gaze casting itself to the floor.
The door opened, and he looked up—
It was Luke.
Han raised an eyebrow. "Hey, kid…you all right?"
Luke's eyes were unusually blank. "Uh…yeah. Mostly."
Han sighed. "Am I interrupting anything? Or can I come in?"
"Um…I guess." Luke woodenly took a step back, and exited the room before the door closed behind him, leaving Han to enter alone.
It was only a few paces into the bedchamber, but they seemed to stretch out into parsecs. Han certainly didn't profess to be taken in with all that hokey Force stuff the general had been teaching Luke, but it was almost as if he could feel something was wrong.
That intuition was confirmed when he saw her sitting on the edge of her bed, gazing out the viewport to the stars outside. She turned at his approach and he very nearly took a step backwards. Where Luke's expression had been vacant, hers was filled to the brim with horror; it was written across her face by the trail of still-wet tears that ran from either eye.
Leia seemed to be a moment in collecting her wits through the fog of emotional exhaustion; she quickly dried her eyes with the hem of her sleeve and smiled bravely up at Han. It almost broke his heart.
"I didn't expect to see you here," she said in a thick voice, as if that explained it all.
"What's going on? Who died?"
She sighed, the intake of air catching in her throat several times. He knew then she'd been crying for a long time. "No one died, Han, that's the problem…" A fresh bead trailed from the corner of her reddened eye. He was surprised she had any moisture left in her.
Surprising himself, he quietly walked to the bed, sat down behind her, and began to massage her back with slow firm presses of his hands. Great. I should put off my departure a few days, just in case she's going to freak out on me.
"Maybe it's just the let-down," he speculated in a deliberately soft voice. "You've been through a lot, lately—"
"No," she snapped, startling him, "that's not it at all. You don't understand…" Her voice trailed off miserably.
"Understand what?" he asked, finding a tight knot near the back of her neck and starting to gently tease it out.
"How it feels to find someone you're fighting against should have been one of your closest allies," she mumbled. "How it feels to let the whole Alliance down by my very existence."
He shook his head. "You're right, I don't understand. I have no idea what you're talking about. You're the best leader the Rebellion's got, and plenty of allies to go along with it. If you'll recall, your very existence is basically what saved Artoo and the Death Star plans and therefore Yavin IV from being blown to subatomic particles, and all the Rebels on it."
"By the man that should be my worst enemy."
"What, Vader?" Han rolled his eyes. "Don't delude yourself, sweetheart. He is your worst enemy."
If her motion was smooth or not, Han couldn't decide. She seemed to turn her upper body in a blur, endowing him with the hardest slap he could ever remember receiving.
Surprised, his hazel eyes widened as he put a hand to his cheek, which he imagined had started turning a wonderful shade of vermilion as soon as her palm left it. "Hey, what'd I say?"
Her heated glare mellowed as her posture sagged and she glumly turned back to face the wall on the other side of the room. "I'm sorry. You're right; you don't understand."
"Well, maybe you can help me, then," he encouraged as he returned his hands to work out the stubborn knot.
She only sighed again.
"This isn't anything…Imperial, is it?" he questioned, ready to dodge another blow.
But none came. "I…it's…yes. It's very Imperial."
He almost tiptoed around the subject. "…Vader?"
Han could see the tightening of her jaw from his position, and that was answer enough for him. "Okay…what did he blow up now?" Han almost cringed at his own words. Funny how he was brave enough to race down a hall full of stormtroopers, brave enough to pull off a suicidal rescue mission, brave enough to assist in destroying the Empire's most valuable weapon, when he was afraid of a slap coming from one little princess. Though he might be on the receiving end of something more substantial if he ever called her that.
"My ideals, that's what he blew up," she muttered. "Did Luke tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"Vader's his father, and to make it worse—"
Holy Hutts… Han thought he might go into shock as he interrupted. "His…father? But how? I mean… You aren't going to tell me Vader's my father, too, are you?"
Leia laughed bitterly, a astonishingly cold sound that chilled him to the bone. "Wouldn't that be interesting. No, Vader's only got two children."
Then Han almost did go into shock, and thought, Make that holy flying Hutts. "Did Kenobi tell you this?" he demanded.
She nodded numbly.
"Good. Wait here while I kill him." He rose, almost feeling angry enough to make good on the threat.
"Han!" Leia's sharp voice startled him. "It's not his fault. If you're going to kill anyone…" Her voice betrayed her.
"Well," he conceded, "that's what the whole Rebellion's here for, right?"
Han knew then that he'd permanently joined the Alliance, for better or worse.
For the first time in her life, as she walked down the sterile metal hallway, Mara wished there would be a small stone to kick along. No such luck here.
A strong (but morose) presence touched her senses, and she looked up to see Skywalker slowly coming her way. It looked as if he could benefit from a small stone as well.
He looked up at her, evidently feeling her approach as well; she was surprised to see his blank face where usually was an openly earnest expression. "Have you seen Ben?" he asked.
She paused. "Oh, Kenobi. No, I haven't…" A thought tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Let's try the mess hall. Wherever that is."
A barely noticeable spark of humor flared up and slowly died in his blue eyes, and he nodded once. "This way. Why do you want to see him?"
She realized then that she had no idea. "I…it's nothing important. Honestly, Skywalker, what's eating you?" she demanded. "The food isn't that bad, is it?"
He frowned, speaking without really thinking. "I just feel bad for Leia…and for me, too, I guess, now that we both know…" He sighed heavily.
"Oh, the relation can't be that bad of a thing," Mara remarked.
Luke was startled then as he came to a quick conclusion. "You know? You know about it?"
"Of course. Kenobi told me, just in case he wouldn't make it out of Cloud City." She shook her head. "Why are you so distraught about it? You'll still get along just fine."
"Easy for you to say," he snapped. "You don't know what it's like, discovering a thing like this, having it upend everything you believed in, everything you hoped for."
Mara shook her head. "I know what it's like," she argued. "More than you know. Besides, there'll be someone else. It's better to know the truth. Just think what could have happened if you hadn't found out until it was too late."
"Too late?" he barked, enraged. "Too late? You think this isn't late? I'm over twenty years old, and only now do I really know who he is. It's late, all right."
She was taken off guard, a rare occurrence, the like of which seemed to be happening more often than not lately. "What? He? I thought you were talking about the princess."
Skywalker stopped in his tracks. "Oh…you thought… No." He shook his head. "No. This is something else entirely."
She looked at him closely. "Then who is this you were talking about?"
"I…" He flushed. "It's not important."
Mara snorted. "Important enough for you to burst a blood vessel over. That's what one would generally classify as Important."
He sighed. "Not now. You have other things to worry about."
"True enough," she conceded, and followed after Skywalker as he continued down the passage toward the mess hall. "You can tell me later."
If food alone could decide, the Rebellion would have won over their Imperial foes long ago. Obi-Wan's mood reached a new height for the day as he finished off his third plate of a tiny piece of medium-rare nerf steak and scalloped tubers. Though a bit chewy, the steak outshone Imperial mystery meat by a dimension or three. He wondered how the Alliance could afford the expense; perhaps they had smuggling connections that would help to lower the price considerably. Or maybe he'd just run into the officers' mess hall.
An elegantly dressed woman with short dark hair, perhaps in her late thirties, might have passed by if she hadn't caught a glimpse of his face as he looked up. "My," she exclaimed softly, "you're the spitting image of an old friend from the Clone Wars. Might you be a Kenobi?"
A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he stood. "Genuinely so. It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
Her pleasantly surprised expression grew mystified.
Obi-Wan shook his head. "It's a long and strange story, Mon Mothma. Must I reintroduce myself?"
Mon Mothma lifted one eyebrow. "You sound like the general himself. Is his reputation so well-deserved that he arises from his grave to check up on us every now and again?"
He shook her proffered hand good-naturedly. "It's a delight to see you again. You look as young as ever."
She laughed quietly. "I might say the same for yourself. This is all very interesting; you'll have to fill me in on the details sometime later, I'm afraid. I was cutting through the mess hall on my way to a meeting. Would you care to accompany me?"
Obi-Wan shook his head, and spoke softly, for her ears only. "Thank you, but I'd prefer if my identity remained a secret, among friends only. It could prove dangerous to reveal it this early."
"I understand. Such is a rebel's life; that's one of the reasons the meeting's being held." Mon Mothma nodded genially at him. "I hope we'll have the opportunity to talk later."
He smiled and watched her exit before turning pensively back to his near-finished meal. She seemed relieved to forget her cares for a moment in the name of a light conversation. I wonder if the Alliance's situation is worse than I thought, he mused silently to himself, his earlier good humor rapidly diminishing within. Sliding back into his seat, he wove his fingers together and rested his chin on them, planting his elbows on the table. His table was not far from the massive viewport at one end of the mess hall, and he was afforded a view of the coldly glistening stars as they hung in their accustomed tapestry.
The sight was soon interrupted, however, by a familiar redhead settling into the seat opposite him. Obi-Wan smiled ruefully, knowing most men would have preferred the change in scenery, when all he could think about was his hindered solitude.
"You know what's coming," Mara said.
Obi-Wan noticed Luke hanging back a little way off. "I know: I still have much to explain. Very well; what did you want to hear?"
She leaned forward and pitched her voice lower. "What's this deal about Vader? Skywalker here and the princess seem fairly distraught."
"Hmm." He leaned back and sighed. "I've already trusted you with one piece of information; I suppose another, no matter how shocking, couldn't hurt. It's a…family issue. Between all three."
Mara's green eyes widened slightly. "And they all know about this?"
"Vader doesn't know about Leia. And that's the way it's going to remain," he said firmly, then beckoned to Luke.
The young commander came forward hesitantly, as if afraid he was going to hear something else that would drive into his already faltering spirit.
"Sit," instructed Obi-Wan. "Luke, I believe you made a promise to an old friend of mine a little while ago."
Luke nodded numbly.
"Good. I wish for you to keep it. You're going back to Dagobah."
Luke's mouth opened in protest. "But I need to stay for—"
"Leia will be fine," Obi-Wan cut him off. "She has enough support here. You need to consider your own recuperation for the time being, and I can think of no better place. It's not exactly a hospital, but my Master will know what to do for you, even if you doubt it at the time."
Mara had maintained a vaguely interested expression the entire time. "And what about you, Kenobi?"
Obi-Wan shook his head. "I'm not going to Dagobah." Both Luke and Mara caught the roguish glint in his eye as he remarked: "I've got a better idea."
Darth Vader had been accessing much information dealing with quantum physics recently. His education on the matter had been makeshift at best; educational focus at the Temple had been more inclined to general mathematics and linguistic skills. The few things he knew for certain on the matter had come directly from comments and remarks made on the part of his own Master and a few others.
He remembered quantum mechanics had always been one of Kenobi's interests; the ideas presented would often fascinate the Jedi and sometimes send him into several days of extensive research on the presented matter. It was no surprise to Vader that Kenobi, out of all the others, should have employed teleportation. He'd developed a frustrating infamy with the librarians; often the matter he wished to view was somewhat obscure and extremely hard to dig out of the archives. Though the irritation had softened over the years, Jocasta Nu had rarely been much more than politely civil to Kenobi, as far as he remembered. Often at the ends of such sessions her patience wore thin enough to jab a mildly snide comment or sharp assurance of nonexistence of an archived item at Kenobi, likely to attempt to hasten his retreat…though that never worked the way she wanted.
Such studies had simply been one of his Master's private eccentricities, a thing to be tolerated. At the time, there hadn't been much more Padawan Skywalker could have done than that.
But now it was time for Vader's interest to pique. This ability could be a veritable weapon in the hands of a Force-sensitive…especially if the skill extended to teleporting other various objects than one's own person. Vader could not suppress a silent awe (and apprehension) at the power this could mean.
So, resolutely, he picked up on his meager studies, where they had left off decades ago in a different world.
Cayth'raw'nuruodo's fourth person stood with a flawless posture beside the door, and gestured extravagantly to the waiting pilot. "Milord Jabba will see you now, sir."
The pilot nodded gratefully, wearied and uncertain from the long wait, and stepped into the large chamber.
The young Chiss quickened his pace as he came back to his reception desk. Playing majordomo for a Hutt, he'd discovered quickly, was an…interesting job. His blue ears picked up on many the tidbit of casually spoken information in the antechamber just outside, what he found a valuable source for storing up knowledge.
Poor Dielo, his predecessor, had met her fate aboard a vessel when it was attacked by mercenaries bent on assassination. Unfortunately for the mercenaries, Jabba hadn't actually been on board; in fact, he'd been alive enough to be stirred into a rage at the destruction of his favorite pleasure yacht and the loss of a dependable majordomo, the like of which was in short supply. Cayth'raw'nuruodo had been working hard to achieve his irascible employer's appreciation, even though he was planning on leaving within the next few months. The happier the Hutt, the looser the slimy tongue, which the young Chiss had already found to be a reliable, if crude proverb.
"I can't believe it." Mara stared down at the control panel of the little armed passenger ship, which had a maximum occupancy of three.
"Still?" Her sole company shrugged. "Neither can I. But if there's one thing about Jedi I've learned so far, it's that they're unpredictable."
Sometimes, she thought. "What's Dagobah like? As in climate and life forms and such."
"Warm, humid, basically a jungle planet. It's got lots of swamps. And lots of semi-intelligent to stupid life forms to go with it, too." Luke shrugged. "Not exactly an ideal vacation locale, if you ask me."
"Tell me why this Master Yoda chose to isolate himself there."
Luke frowned in thought. "Actually…I really don't know. You'll have to ask him when we get there."
Mara sighed in disbelief. "You were here before and you didn't think to ask him that? To find out his motive?"
"Well…no. I didn't really think of it. It's a good question."
She had to stifle a groan. "Now how about you tell me why Kenobi's sending me along with you in the first place."
"He probably thinks it would be a good training experience for you." Luke smiled thoughtfully at her. "Master Yoda's a good teacher…despite the fact that he's one of two left in the galaxy."
"I never agreed to be trained," Mara explained with stretched-out patience. "Maybe this'll be a fun exercise for you, but I can think of several other things that have a higher demand on my attention."
"Such as?"
"Such as establishing myself with the Alliance. Such as establishing some other connections as well, supposing anything goes wrong with the Rebellion's ideas of conquest. Such as strangling the Emperor with my bare hands and burning down the Imperial Palace."
"Good luck," remarked Luke. "Let me know when you've nullified the Coruscanti defenses and I'll come in my X-wing to help."
"Thanks," she said gravely. "Don't forget a spare lighter, just in case mine runs dry."
"I'll remember it." He cocked his head a bit then, and looked straight at her. "Ben sent you in for Jedi training, right? You're going to need a lightsaber."
"I'll cross that bridge when I get to it," she muttered. "What is it with you Jedi and lightsabers? They're not the only weapon in the galaxy, you know." Just a really convenient one, is all, Mara thought to herself.
Luke's hand moved pointedly towards his blaster on his belt. "I know. It's just the weapon of choice. Not to mention it's really unique."
"Which Jedi have also been for a while. You start waving your saber around in public, and people are going to notice. More importantly, the Empire's going to notice."
"Too late for that," Luke remarked with false cheer.
Mara snorted. "Understatement of the millennia. Vader's got a neon target spray-painted all over your butt."
A smile twitched across his lips. "That's an interesting way of putting it. I think you'll find Yoda's a lot harder to pin down and paint targets on, though."
"Really. How effectively can a single…" Mara trailed off. "What is he, anyway? Kenobi never told me."
Luke frowned. "Uh…I'm not sure. I guess we can tack that on to the list of questions for him when we arrive. If he even knows," he added, half-joking.
Mara glanced over their ETA. "I'm going to head back to the bunks for a quick nap before we arrive."
Luke nodded absently, staring out at the hyperspace patterns. Mara would have to make it quick, all right—the Alliance's group was hovering in the Outer Rim not too far from Dagobah, but far enough away, as Dagobah and Hoth were in relatively close proximity to each other, with the gas planet Bespin not far off.
He thought it interesting how the three planets that had probably most affected him in the past little while were so close together, and arranged in a near-straight line that pointed to the Core, and to nowhere in particular in the other direction.
That's where I'm headed, he decided, one way or the other. To the middle of everything, or to nothing at all.
A droid. There will be a practice droid from the storage across the hall in this room, approximately three meters from the door, intact with no parts in the wrong position…
There was a sharp bang of displaced air as the requested droid suddenly materialized a few centimeters from the floor and crashed down into various pieces.
Vader locked his hidden eyes on the pathetic piece of machinery for a moment. Perhaps he was trying too hard, thinking of too many specifications. Some things simply came along better if one was relaxed, like meditation.
He worked on calming his buzzing mind, on settling back into the chair.
There will be a practice droid in this room before me.
The bang resounded louder this time, from a closer location. Vader looked down to see the intact droid suddenly activate in total confusion. He speculated briefly of what such a trip would do to one of the bumbling officers just outside his chambers, then swept the idea away. It would create a chaos he didn't need to deal with right now, not in the midst of so many others. The Rebellion, Kenobi's sudden return…and at the moment especially Luke. Those three alone were enough to deal with, not to mention Palpatine's perpetually disagreeable mood and Xizor's increasing attempts to win loyalty to the previously mentioned Emperor (or so it appeared).
One at a time. He had to stick with his priorities, or everything would collapse on him. Luke. The truth has just been revealed to him; he will no doubt be staying close to Kenobi for a short while at least. That was a definite advantage, despite the pair's combined powers and Luke's inevitable instruction. The two of them would send off a signal strong enough for Vader to at least select the vague sector the Alliance might be in.
The practice droid, forgotten and bewildered, moved hesitantly toward the door, its metal feet clicking out a steady rhythm on the burnished floor.
Locking the door, Vader stood with his lightsaber in hand. Some practice might clear his mind better than anything else, he decided, and he might as well take advantage of the fact that he'd teleported the specific type of droid in here.
Sensing movement from the receptors arrayed all around its head, the droid turned to meet its aggressor and flicked on the built-in lightsaber attached to the end of its right arm.
Vader swept in mercilessly, immediately noting the droid's slow responses. His hand darted in, taking just enough time to adjust the dial on the droid's torso to the highest setting.
Whirring with renewed activity, the droid came in for a round attack, attempting to use Vader's poor position to its benefit. The Sith lord was ready, though, more than the droid knew, and thrust his blade into a half-defensive motion, sending the droid head over heels.
Disgustedly, he snapped off his lightsaber as he put an extra Force push into the droid's descent, scattering mechanical brains across the floor with the intensity of the impact. It was too unrealistic, fighting against these machines. He could predict their every move, and could easily hold his own from the total lack of mental attack. The only thing the droids were good for was developing his lightsaber techniques. And while Vader knew all too well how vital that could be to one's survival at times, it wasn't something he felt he should be focused on at the moment.
Perhaps it would be best, now, to settle into a lengthy meditation; some things had a way of revealing themselves while he probed the stars in thought.
And after that, he'd order better practice droids.
"Is that all you have at this time?" The unshakable voice came through clear and smooth, as well as the image on the screen.
"Yes, sir. I've sent you an encrypted filing of my recent observations from both the Rebel Alliance and the Hutt kajidic Desilijic, as usual. I trust you'll find them useful, sir."
The Chiss at the other end of the transmission gave a single nod. "Well done, Cayth. What about your other extensions?"
"I'm looking for ideal employment opportunities, sir. It shouldn't take long. I've already made contact with Black Sun and a few of the former members of the Bounty Hunters Guild. What do you suggest for my last extension, sir?"
"Look for something among one of the major smuggling organizations. You'll find abundant amounts of information once you're deeply rooted."
"I'll look into it immediately, sir."
"Very good, Cayth." Favoring him with a brief smile, the Chiss on the other side signed off with a flicker of the screen.
Cayth'raw'nuruodo sat back with a sigh as his seventh and last member turned to head for a new course in the Outer Rim, close to Nar Shaddaa. No doubt he'd be able to make connections there.
Closing this pair of eyes, he gathered himself together from all seven, taking advantage of a rare moment of complete solitude, his consciousness hovering in an indefinite place between each extension. He noticed body number six, as he'd designated it, was suffering from what seemed to be dehydration, though it was quite mild. The order to drink water channeled into the extension, which went on his way to fulfill the demand.
Cayth often thought that his consciousness automatically took on new layers of thought processes for each extension he picked up. Right now, each body could take on two layers of thought if all seven employed their brains thus, or the resources could be pooled to one extension in particular, which was a rare happening, as at least two of the bodies generally needed to be mentally active.
Musing, he wondered how it would feel to devote one's entire mind to a single body. Limited, no doubt. But then, they wouldn't know the difference, would they?
An oft-felt feeling of loneliness washed through all seven of him, and the one that had conferred with his superior let out another weighty sigh.