Chapter 73: Cascade
Siri hadn't realized how much she had taken the bond for granted until it had been slammed shut in her face. To always have a connection to Kenobi, gone in an instant behind towering walls. She wont say she had been anywhere near dependent on it, but it had been... nice... to be able to reflexively check on Kenobi's safety, to unwittingly drink in a little calm if she was in a mood. Now She spends far, far to much time staring down the closed bond, brooding, temper shifting between anger or bitterness. She scolds herself as they come out of hyperspace for the next lane jump, she had known, she had known this was the likely end result. Had been preparing for this eventuality, so why does it...
She stares out into space, jaw clenched.
Apparently, she wastes enough time that Kenobi returns to the cockpit, radiating disapproval. "Is there a mechanical problem?"
Her answer slips through her mouth before she can even think on it. "If I destroyed the Talismans, would that matter?"
She wants to grimace at how kriffing pathetic that sounds, how pathetic she seems, at the moment, but doesn't take it back.
"Would it be because you actually regret what you did, or because you think it would please me and get things back to where they were before?" he answered.
For Force sake. "I'm thinking, Obi-Wan, that you don't remember one of the first things I told you in that cell almost a decade ago."
"Which was what?" he posed neutrally.
"That I'm not kriffing capable anymore of caring about the vast majority of the galaxy," she snapped at him, "You are expecting of me something I am incapable of doing."
"Because you drown yourself in the dark and keep smothering and re-injuring yourself," he rebutted, "Because you refuse to try to turn to the light and heal the damage to your heart, your mind, and your soul that you took on during your Sith Apprenticeship, and that, Siri, is a choice."
She snarls, barely keeping herself from pinning him to the kriffing wall with the Force. "Get out."
"Was there a mechanical problem?" he posed again.
She grit her teeth, set the course, and jumped to hyperspace, vindictively enjoying the way he staggered and hit the wall, wincing. "No."
He straightens himself and leaves without further word.
Siri barely leaves the cockpit for the rest of the trip.
"Kenobi, we are approaching Kamino, get your ass to the cockpit," she snaps over the intercom.
He and Jinzler arrive a minute later, Obi-Wan silent and unmoving in the Force, Jinzler radiating a bit of discomfort. Siri considers how to approach the situation with Kamino, finger resting on the stealth field activation. Yet... the Dark Hound appears behind her and trots up, pawing at her arm. She slowly pulls her hand away, considering what she feels, and decides that they were going for the straightforward approach.
She makes a slow, obvious entry into the atmosphere, nose wrinkling at all the rain. She adjusts frequencies until she finally gets one, then decides to throw the Jedi under the speeder. "This is the Scimitar carrying Jedi Ambassadors for..."
The hound whispers a single word to her, and she tilts her head, frowning with bewilderment, but obeys. "...inspection."
"This is Topica City Control, we've been waiting for the Jedi for some time now, we were beginning to think they weren't coming," answered the voice, "I will send you docking coordinates momentarily."
Siri frowns as the comm clicks off. "...expected?"
"Inspection?" Kenobi poses.
"Dark Side nudged me at the word," said Siri distantly, the Dark Hound baring its teeth in dark delight, the Force swirling with terrible, unstoppable motion, "I have a bad feeling about this."
Obi-Wan turns his head towards Jinzler. "Stay close for this one padawan."
"No 'wandering off' and getting lost?" Jinzler posed innocently.
Obi-Wan smothered a smile. "No, not this time. Recon and investigation may be useful, but too many eyes will be on us here."
Siri could offer 'But not on me', but she doesn't. She's here for Fett, nothing more. Certainly not to help the Jedi with whatever mess they're getting into. They land on a platform high over a raging ocean, walk out into the rain, into the raised city and...
Holy kriff that neck is long!
"We are pleased that the Jedi have finally come to inspect their order," greets the long-neck without bothering with greetings, "The Prime Minister is anxious to meet with you."
"We would be happy to meet with him," agreed Obi-Wan.
They walk down halls that are so painfully bright Siri wishes she had lenses for it to slap over her eyes, because its obscene how blinding it is. How... sterile. They are led to a circular room with a single long-neck in it. "May I present Prime Minister Lama Su."
The Jedi bow, Siri stands back, observing.
"And may I present Master Jedi...?" begins the first long-neck.
"I am Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, this is my padawan Lorana Jinzler," introduced Kenobi.
The Prime Minister looked at Siri.
"Agent Siri Tachi," offered Siri, "Currently employed by the Republic Senate."
The Prime Minister nods. "Of course, the Jedi serve the Republic I am told, so their army would be of interest to you."
Siri slow blinks, keeping back her surprise, confusion, and... wariness. An army? An army of clones? "I imagine so."
Four seats descend from the ceiling, and all save the first-long neck take a seat. "You will be delighted to hear that we are on schedule. Three-hundred thousand units are ready, with another million more well on the way."
"That's... good news," said Obi-Wan, glancing around.
Oh yes, sound super excited there Obi-Wan. Subterfuge was not his thing.
"Please tell your Master Sifo-Dyas that his order will be met on time," continued the Prime Master.
"I'm sorry... master who?" asked Obi-Wan.
The Prime Minister cleared his throat. "Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas is still a leading member of the Jedi Council, is he not?"
"Master Sifo-Dyas was killed almost ten years ago," answered Obi-Wan.
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that," answered the Prime Minister, who, feeling through the Force, didn't seem like he actually cared at all, "But I'm sure he would have been proud for the army we built for him."
"...an army," deadpanned Obi-Wan.
"Yes, a clone army, and I must say one of the finest we've ever created."
They made a habit of making clone armies? To who and to where?
"And this army was created for... the Jedi? The Republic?" spoke up Jinzler uneasily.
"Of course young one, master Sifo-Dyas was very clear on his order," confirmed the Prime Minister, before considering Jinzler, "I'm rather surprised a apprentice Jedi would be brought along for the inspection, but I suppose it is good to show youth the units they may be fighting alongside one day."
Jinzler does not appear thrilled by the slight nor the idea of fighting.
"Shall we go inspect these units?" prods Siri.
"Of course," agrees the Prime Minister, rising from the chair, "That is why you are here after all."
Siri gives a thin smile, rising to her feet. "I'm not one for pleasantries when there is business to be had."
Lama Su nods, agreement rippling through the Force. "Indeed Agent Tachi, indeed, we are of similar mindsets."
The long see through hallways they walk through reveal a complex so vast and sprawling, full of platforms that have so many containers filled with liquid and growing fetuses, clones. Her eyes widen momentarily, flickering about in sheer surprise and alarm. Obi-Wan's shields slip in a similar manner, Jinzler no better. This is no small scale thing, the words 'a million more units' ringing in her head. This... this is...
This is it.
She had thought Sidious would have the Republic start a Military Draft to match the Separatists, but this...
All the pieces are on the board.
All they were waiting for was to be discovered.
The Senator had been targeted by design.
Jango Fett just happening to use a Kamino Saberdart is no coincidence.
Kriff, if Siri had waited even one more week, hell, one more day, she could have avoided this.
Sidious's war is going to start soon.
"Very impressive," said Siri to keep appearances.
"I'd hope you'd be pleased," said Lama Su, "The Clones can think creatively, you will find they are immensely superior to droids."
"That's not a very high bar to meet, especially the mass produced type," said Siri in a mild tone.
There is a flicker of irritation, indignation at the slight towards their product. "We take great pride in our combat training and education program, Agent Tachi, if you wish to see simulation results we are more than happy to supply you with them."
"What are those children doing?" asked Jinzler, glancing through a window down at hundreds of mirrored faces.
"Basic lessons around protocol, orders, and military law in the Republic," informed Lama Su, "We instill obedience at a very young age, we have to with their accelerated growth. They are taught total obedience and will take any order without question. We modified their genetic structure to make them less independent than the original host."
Siri feels the disquiet from the Jedi and re-commands attention. "I would appreciate a packet of simulations for viewing to return to the Senate with, details of their training and upbringing, along with any other statistics you would like to... showcase, or believe relevant."
"Of course, Agent Tachi," agreed The Prime Minister.
"Could you explain the 'accelerated growth'?" posed Jinzler.
"We genetically engineered them to age at twice the rate of the template, otherwise it would take a lifetime to grow our soldiers, now, we do it in half the time," advised Lama Su.
"When does the aging stop?" asked Jinzler.
So bloody naive.
Lama Su gives her a puzzled look. "When they expire of course."
Jinzler's fist clenches, even Obi-Wan has to take a deep breath to not respond to the callous phrase.
"It... doesn't stop when they reach maturity?" asked Jinzler.
"Oh goodness no, young Jedi," said Lama Su, chuckling as if the question is silly, "That would require genetically manipulating each and every single clone post maturity, and such a thing is not done lightly. It was not highlighted in the initial contract to try and work towards. If it is something desired for clone longevity then it can be argued in a re-negotiation of the contract if so desired, though it is likely something that will cost an expenditure of a great number of clones to figure out, and may have side effects, as whole-body genetic changes of a grown adult, especially a clone, is a risky endeavor. It will also cost a considerable more credits to do, and will not have instantaneous results as we would have to discover a method first."
"Of course," said Siri, "Though knowing the Senate they are not likely to consider an increase in expenditure."
Obi-Wan gives her a displeased look. She raises an eyebrow, "Jedi Compassion VS Senate Greed, Knight Kenobi, you know as well as I do that the Senate won't agree to it. Speaking of which... payment for the clones is...?"
"Handled of course," agreed Lama Su, "Master Sifo-Dyas handled the original expenditure, any further units after the current order is finished will require a new contract."
Well now, how in the world did Sidious cover up the kind of money that would be needed to fund all of this?
"Could a copy of the contract and payment method be put with the packet you are to prepare?" she posed, "For our newer members of the Senate and Jedi Council who would likely wish to familiarize themselves with it."
"Of course, Agent Tachi," agreed Lama Su, "Though I imagine a new payment method will be needed for future contracts, as the late Magister Damask perished some time ago."
Siri frowns, hadn't they said Sifo-Dyas had handled it? Or had she misunderstood? "Damask?"
"Former Magister of the Intergalactic Banking Clans Hego Damask II funded the effort alongside Sifo-Dyas," explained Lama Su.
And both happened to be dead and unable to be questioned.
Convenient.
"Shame, I would have liked to meet him and discuss his involvement," mused Siri.
Her steps hitched a little when the Dark Side laughed at her words, though when prodded it would not answer why.
"If we could return to a previous topic, you mentioned a 'original host?', posed Obi-Wan, "Who is he?"
"A bounty hunter called Jango Fett," Lama Su informed them.
"Is he here?" posed Siri.
"Yes."
Siri nods slowly. Good, she wants this wrapped up and out of the way.
"Aside from his pay, which was considerable," lamented the Prime Minister, "He demanded only one thing, an unaltered clone for himself. Curious, isn't it?"
"Unaltered?" posed Obi-Wan.
"Pure genetic replication, no tampering with the structure to make it docile, and no growth acceleration," explained Lama Su.
"A son without having to go through the whole normal siring process," mused Siri, a slow, malevolent smile spreading across her face.
A vulnerability. "Is he here as well?"
"Yes."
Good. She had Jango Fett right where she wanted him then.
"We would very much like to meet this Jango Fett," said Obi-Wan.
The first long-neck (still don't have their name, not sure she cares enough to get it), speaks up, "I would be happy to arrange it for you."
They come to the end of a hallway, and look out over a vast array of marching clones.
"Magnificent aren't they?" posed Lama Su.
The Dark Hand trots into exist next to Siri, and leaps a little, putting its paws on the railing as it turns its head and grins at Siri. 'So many lives, all bred to die.'
It laughs and vanishes.
"I suppose that remains to be seen," said Siri.
They are led into a bland white apartment, a single child clone standing a ways in who turns to squint at them suspiciously. The wariness and aggravation makes him stand out immediately compared to most presences she had felt. The Dark Hound trots past Siri and up to the boy, licking at his hand with twisted affection.
'This one will kill many, and lead in so many future conflicts,' whispers the Dark Side, 'Or he will be killed early and die as nothing, worthless.'
The hound grins, blood seeping out of his maw. 'One day, you will hold his life in your hands, and it will be your choice whether to snuff it out. Do you have it in you anymore to kill a child?'
Siri doesn't answer, the Hound barks a laugh and vanishes.
"Ah Jango," their guide greets, turning, "Was your trip productive?"
They all turn to see who can only be Jango Fett walk out of a side room, adjusting a simple blue shirt as he did. "Fairly."
The man stands at attention, cool and collected.
"This is Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, his padawan Lorana Jinzler, and Agent Siri Tachi of the Republic Senate," introduced the long neck.
Fett's head tilts a little, eyes swerving to lock onto Siri. The boy clone's breathing hitches a little. But aside from that no other reaction. How nice to be considered the real threat in the room. "Yes, its a pleasure to meet you again, Fett, though I do believe this is the first time I've met...?"
Jango grit his teeth. "Boba."
"Met your son, Boba Fett," said Siri, slowly smiling, not hiding her malice in the slightest.
"I... wasn't aware you'd met him before," said Obi-Wan cautiously.
"Its when I was investigating the death of Anakin's mother," said Siri, before cocking her head, considering that Fett and Wesell had just been working together even if one had killed the other, "You... wouldn't know anything about a Shmi Skywalker... would you?"
If he had been involved, both his life and his son's were forfeit. She'd kill them both.
"No," he answered firmly, a frown on his face, "The one you were asking about Wesell for at Jabba's?"
"The very same," said Siri, pressing in with the Force, but sensing..., "Its fortunate for you that I sense the truth. Though the fact that you did business with her after I made my intent with the clawdite clear is... disappointing."
"Haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about," said Jango.
"Oh? So it was a different Mandalorian Bounty Hunter we encountered on Coruscant recently?" she said, grinning at the -lie lie lie- coming through the Force.
"I'm hardly the only one," he answered.
She smiled, amused. "I see."
"Your clone army is very impressive," said Obi-Wan softly, but with challenge, recapturing attention, "You must be very proud."
"I'm just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe," answered Jango.
"Hmm," considered Obi-Wan, "And how did you end up meeting with Master Sifo-Dyas?"
"Never did," said Jango, "I was contracted through a third party, never showed his face. I only knew of him and Damask from the Kaminoans."
"Did you happen to get a name of this... third party?" posed Obi-Wan.
"I wasn't paid to ask questions," evaded Jango before diverting, "So, do you like your army?"
"We look forward to seeing them in action," answered Obi-Wan.
Jango's face is stone cold, but his presence in the Force is... a maelstrom. Its rather difficult to get a read on him in that moment. "They'll do their job well, I guarantee that."
There is a double-play in his words, but Siri doesn't know what it is. She's not sure she cares. She needs to finish her assignment and get out. Or just bail out regardless. She feels a noose coiling around her throat and it grows tight.
"Thank you for your time Jango," says Obi-Wan.
"Actually," said Siri, "As a Agent for the Republic Senate, I have several questions I would like to ask Mister Fett...," she smiles, "...and his son. If you would prepare rooms for us and return after...?"
"Of course," said their guide, "I will return in half an hour."
Jango tenses, Obi-Wan sighs softly, Boba fidgets, Jinzler rolls her eyes, and the moment the door closes, Siri flattens Jango Fett to the wall with the Force with a flick of her wrist.
"Dad!" cried out Boba.
Siri raises her other hand, and Boba Fett raises into the air, gasping and clutching at his throat. "I suggest, Jango Fett, if you care for your brat, you think very carefully on how you answer my questions."
"Siri!" snapped Obi-Wan, "We do not threaten children!"
"Jedi don't," she said with ice coldness, glaring at him, "I'm pretty sure you so recently hammered in that I am an irredeemable abomination of a Sith, not a Jedi. Do not interfere or I will report that interference to the Chancellor, and I doubt he will take that well. Am I clear, Knight Kenobi?"
His jaw clenched. "Perfectly clear, Agent Tachi."
"Good," she said, her eyes turn to Fett.
"I'll answer your questions about the Clones," rasped out Fett, "Just... don't hurt Boba."
"I don't care about the Clones," she snapped, earning surprise from the Jedi and Fett, "I was hired on to deal with the assassination attempts on Senator Amidala, nothing more. Who hired you to kill her?"
"Nute Gunray," conceded Fett.
"Stunted slime," hissed Siri, "I do wish I had killed him years ago."
She does a beckoning with her finger, drawing Boba Fett near, and runs a hand through his hair as the boy trembles and gasps for air. "Taking hits on a Senator, that's not putting on a good example for your boy... and you do wish to set a good example... don't you?"
Jango swallows. "I'll drop the bounty, and refuse to do any further work with Gunray, I'll give you everything I have on him, including where he should be at the moment."
"Jango, Jango, Jango," she mocked, "You're hiding something from me. After all, I think your use of the Kamino Saberdart on Wesell was very intentional. You wanted us here, and I sense... you now want us elsewhere. Where and why?"
"Geonosis," he gritted out, "Its where Gunray is."
"Confederacy Territory," said Siri mildly.
Right after discovering the Clone Army.
Oh she sees exactly where this is going.
Sidious wanted his war to start very quickly.
She runs a finger down Boba's face, cupping his chin. "And... no one else was involved with this? Tread carefully, I can sense lies."
"Gunray contracted me," Jango re-affirmed, "It was on his instructions that I use the dart, and to return to Geonosis after I was done here. No one else was involved with the bounty to my knowledge."
"Hmm," mused Siri, releasing her grasp on Boba and let the boy fall to the ground, gasping, his throat purpling, "Truth."
Odd. She would have thought C'Baoth had been involved on Sidious's orders. Or well... there is no guarantee he isn't, he might be being exceptionally cautious as to not create an obvious link between himself and the assassination attempt. He can pass off Gunray's actions as renegade and not state sponsored that way...
Her eyes flicker to see Obi-Wan pulling Boba away, placing him behind him and glaring full force at Siri. She ignores him and refocuses on Jango. "For your sake and your son's sake, Jango Fett, do not get further involved. Stay here, finish your contract, and disappear after."
She walks forward, places a hand on his chest, and leans up to whisper, "Sidious doesn't like leaving loose ends. Your life was forfeit the moment you got involved, extended only so far as he sees use in you. Run and pray Jango Fett, run and pray."
She releases him, watching idly as his feet slid down and touched the floor. "Am I clear?"
"Perfectly," he answered, eyes flickering briefly trying to get a look at Boba.
"Oh don't worry, he'll be bruised, but I didn't squeeze hard enough to leave permanent injury," she mocked, before her voice went cold, "Do not find yourself on the opposing side from me again, Jango Fett. If you do it won't be Sidious who nips you in the bud."
She turns and stalks out.
Obi-Wan comes after her a minute later. "Siri, what he hell was that? He is a child!"
"I don't care."
Obi-Wan grabs her arm, she stops, turns, and glares at him. "Unless you want your nose broken, unhand me."
"You didn't ask about the clones either, did you already know?" he demanded.
The GALL! "How dare you."
She lowers her shields and throws her fury and outrage and truth at him. "I knew nothing about this!"
He cringes at the mental barrage, but steels himself. "Yet you did not ask. Do you have no thoughts on it?"
Perhaps she could have voiced her thoughts on how sketchy this whole army was.
Perhaps she could have voiced the thought of where the hell did Hego Damask get the money for this without anyone knowing, if it was even him since he mysteriously died.
Perhaps she could voice how convenient it was that Sifo-Dyas had placed an order for a Clone Army and then mysteriously died as well.
Perhaps she could have voiced the thought of how absurd it is for Jango Fett of all people to have helped make a Clone Army for the Jedi and the Republic after Galidraan.
Perhaps she could have voiced that this setup smelt of a trap of Sidious design.
Perhaps it would be the right thing to do.
Siri isn't particularly in the mood to do the right thing.
If Kenobi doesn't realize exactly what this is, then his Order deserves to walk into Sidious's trap and die.
"The clones are your mess Kenobi, not mine," she said darkly, putting her hood back up and stalking away back towards her ship.
She'll dial the Chancellor first, then get the Jedi in, more chaos that way if they don't have a chance to prepare.
"...and Fett forwarded the contract to me with his oath to not pursue it anymore," advised Siri, standing in the hold of the Scimitar alongside the Jedi, reporting to the Chancellor and the Jedi Council, "I could have chosen to apprehend and return to Coruscant with him, but he is a mere bounty hunter, and it may conflict with his... other contract at the Republic's expense."
"Yes, this army," said Palpatine mildly, "Masters, did you know of this?"
"No," speaks Master Windu, "The Jedi Council did not authorize the creation of a Clone Army. Master Sifo-Dyas's actions would have had his mastership remanded at best, or more likely, suffered expulsion from the Order."
"Even if his actions were aimed at helping the Republic?" posed the Chancellor.
"The mere existence of this clone arm is an extreme ethical violation," countered Windu, "No Jedi should have ordered this."
"And yet, it does not appear he was wrong," said the Chancellor, "The Separatists have been noted to be amassing droid armies, supposedly to protect themselves, but I ask, from what army? The Republic did not have a true standing army, and we do not technically have one if we do not accept this Clone Army..."
"That is a decision for you and the Senate," interrupts Siri, "My mission, Chancellor?"
Palpatine paused for a few moments, considering. "Would you be capable of infiltrating Geonosis and capturing Gunray?"
Oh she'd hoped he wouldn't say that. "Why not simply make a demand of the Confederacy to hand him over? We have proof Gunray ordered the bounty. If they refuse, it plays bad on them, not the Republic."
"Only if we are believed, they could say we falsified the report," said Palpatine, sighing, "As of the moment, more and more systems lean towards the Confederacy, the word of the Senate, of the Republic, and even of the Jedi, is doubted the further you get from the Core. The Confederacy's propaganda, both true and false, has been effective. Gunray must stand trial for his crimes, and they will not let one of their backers be put on trial by the Republic."
Siri exhales in frustration.
"You are on contract for this mission and are obligated to see it through," reminds Palpatine.
"I am aware, and very much regretting it," she said mildly.
Palpatine raises an eyebrow. "Do you believe yourself incapable of capturing Gunray?"
"No," said Siri, "But I am very much aware I am walking into a slotted role and I do not like it."
"...role?" asked Palpatine.
"This whole thing rubs me wrong, your excellency," she evaded, eyes locking on him, "You are aware, that once the Confederacy learns of this army, they will use any excuse to come after the Republic, whether through war or propaganda. Abducting Gunray could be an ignition that they will use."
"Are we to simply let him, and possibly the Confederacy if this is state sponsored, escape justice?" he posed back, "If we yield here, when will they stop pressing for more?"
"That's not my concern," she mutters, "Get in, get Gunray, get out. Anything else is outside my mission parameters."
"Of course," agreed Palpatine, eyes flickering towards Obi-Wan, "Though if the Jedi see anything of import to report..."
"We will keep our eyes open," said Obi-Wan.
"Good, now I believe you mentioned something about a... packet of information about this Clone Army?" said the Chancellor.
"Before I depart I'll direct them to forward it to the Republic Senate when its complete," said Siri, "I'll leave the ethics on what to do about the clones to those it concerns, Tachi out."
The Chancellor looks like hes about to say something, but Siri cuts the connection before he can. Jinzler snorts at that, while Obi-Wan sighs. "Must you have, Siri?"
"Its been Agent Tachi for awhile now, why drop it?" she snaps, "Send a message to the Prime Minister for the packet and that we can't stay, I'm prepping for liftoff."
Her anger stews, at Kenobi, at this whole situation, at Sidious. For the first time, in a long time, she sits on it as Sidious had once instructed. Simmering it into a cold rage that lurks below the surface. She should know she shouldn't be going to Geonosis, that she should tell the Chancellor to kiss her ass, and then piss off to the far side of the Galaxy. She should, but she's not going to. She could tell herself its because she doesn't want to deal with the consequences of breaking a legal contract, that it would burn bridges she could use later, perhaps even that pissed as she is she has to go because Kenobi would likely get himself killed.
For once, its not the latter.
She feels the eyes of the hound upon her, the Dark Side staring at her in wait. Cold and cruel and primal it beckons her to tell herself the truth. That Kenobi's rubbing the truth between them in her face, and his denial of the concession she was willing to make, has made the chain binding her to Kenobi (holding her back) loosen. The Dark whispers in her ear and asks 'what is it, mine child, that you so desire?'
She wants a front row seat to watch the ignition of the fire that burns the Galaxy to the ground.
She wants to be the one that starts it.
The thoughts makes her purse her lips, close her eyes, and clench her jaw, taking a deep breath, and uncaps the anger. The anger spoils and withers into a hostile flare of fury, enough to briefly draw Kenobi's attention, but then its gone. Booted out into the Force in order to clear her mind.
She rests her head on the controls. "You swore to yourself you would be more than a female Sidious."
She rights herself, straps herself in, and hits the intercom. "Nudge through the Force if you're done with the message."
She gets one.
"Strap in, we are leaving," she orders, flicking it off, giving them ten seconds, the getting them out of that rainy hellhole.