The disclosed implementations include a method performed by a data intake and query system. The method includes receiving a search query at a search head, the search query including a branching operation between sets of data, generating a first subquery and a second subquery corresponding to the sets of data for execution by a search node, generating instructions for an intermediary node to combine partial results of the first subquery and the second subquery and instructions to concurrently communicate the subqueries to a search node, and executing the query by providing the instructions for the intermediary node to the intermediary node and the subqueries to the search node, the intermediary node receiving sets of partial search results for the subqueries, performing at least a portion of the branching operation on the partial results, and communicating the combined results to another intermediary node or the search head.