Jedi Insurgency 122

Corvus was taking a small walk around the chamber with Obi-Wan, Jax, and Yon, leaving the clones to reconnect, and restart the LAAT. During their walk, Corvus was setting explosives everywhere, and collecting any remaining specimens from the Marakami orchids. By the end of the day, this damned place would be nothing but a msmory. 

“...and that's all I know about the virus. Once we reach top side, I intend to sweep Theed, and hopefully purge the city of any traces of the disease. I'll also put Tech on the job of working on a vaccine.” Corvus concluded, and finished dropping a lore dump on his fellow Jedi.

Jax & Obi-Wan appeared contemplative at his words, whilst Yon looked like he had several burning questions. Whilst they had their own thoughts, Corvus had his own musings on the matter. 

‘Once Tech has a basic idea, I wonder if I can help? My Computer stat is quite high, it allowed me to modify the AI for the basic battledroids. Perhaps I can work on data that already exists? This is worth looking into.’ He mused to himself. 

“Master, you already explained that the Blackwing virus was of Sith origin. What I want to know, is who that big foreheaded guy was. Why did you let him go so easily? Between you and Master Kenobi, surely he could have been defeated?” Yon pressed. 

“I too would like to know the answer to those questions.” Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, and spoke in a critical tone. 

“That big foreheaded guy was a Muun, Yon. Such ignorance will embarrass Master in front of the other Masters.” Jax quietly added from the side. 

“Whatever!” Yon hotly replied, his face coloring red with embarrassment. “Master?” 

“Hmm, you doubtlessly heard me recount the tale of ‘Darth Plagueis the Wise.’ The Muun in question was this Sith Lord. The Master to Darth Sidious, aka Sheev Palpatine, Plagueis is a master of bioscience, and particularly skilled in erecting barriers, healing, and his signature ability, the Force Wave a more advanced or Darkside rendition of Force Push. There was a possibility we could take him, but Crosshair's permanent demise would all but be certain had we chosen to do so.” Corvus explained. 

“More visions? You are quite well informed for a millenia year old fossil.” Obi-Wan ran a hand through his hair, and sighed in exasperation. 

“Master will save the Jedi.” Yon spoke in his defense, and the way he spoke, it was as if he was agreeing with Obi-Wan. But instead of sarcasm, he was dead serious. 

Jax silently nodded along, wholeheartedly agreeing with Yon's sentiment. 

“You two. It's bad enough that he breaks so many of our rules, but you were both Temple raised. What has the Order come to?” Obi-Wan clucked his tongue. 

Corvus let out a small chuckle once he overheard Obi-Wan's exasperation. 

“As the student of Qui-Gon Jin, I don't think you have much of a leg to stand on.” 

“I can hear the smirk in your voice. Are you going to keep hiding behind that mask, or can we continue with the story? What more can you tell us about this Plagueis?” Obi-Wan pinched the bridge of his nose, and rolled his eyes at Corvus & his student's childish antics. 

“Right! How did he know that there was an escape pod? How was he reborn! These clones can barely be called half formed!” Yon exclaimed, and pointed towards a nearby bacta tank that had gone undamaged. 

Glancing at one of the tubes, a malformed creature that looked more like Gollum from Lord of the Rings than a Muun was floating inside. 

“I have no concrete evidence, but the clone must've been one of the more complete specimens. Brought to life-or perhaps placed on life support-by the Blackwing virus, it bypassed the most difficult stage of successfully cloning a Force Adept. I wonder if Plagueis will collapse in the coming days due to cellular deterioration, or if that cursed flower had stabilized his genes.” Corvus speculated, more to himself than the group. 

“And the escape route?” Yon pressed. 

Corvus raised an eyebrow, his student really wanted to make sense of this wacky adventure of theirs! 

“As for why he knew about the secret escape? He was a clone. Unlike the Jango clones who were curated by the Kaminoans, and born as infants, these Plagueis clones are adults. It is reasonable to assume that they are exact replicas, with the same memories as the original upon time of creation. Meaning this laboratory was likely once set up by the Muun, and only came into play now of all times.” Corvus said with a frown, as now he was curious as to who had activated the research facility. 

Walking up to a computer with a giant monitor that wouldn't look out of place in the Batcave, or a supervillain's lair, he began typing away. Using his high Computer skill, he hacked into the system, and started looking at the research notes. 

Who knew, maybe he would discover Plagueis’s key to immortality? 

Unfortunately, this wasn't a kyber crystal, and he couldn't find any files relating to Sith magic, or any Force powers. However, he did discover who was behind Plagueis’s return. One Doctor Nuvo Vindi, a blue skinned alien, and known megalomaniac scientific genius. Their research on the cloning process, and genetic enhancements was grotesque, and macabre. Yet the results were inspiring. 

They desecrated thousands of innocent people in their pursuit of knowledge, and had actually discovered the cure for cancer. It was unbelievable that such good could come from this twin pair of disaster stars, but he could see their logic. Cloning was such a difficult process, he imagined unwanted mutations were one of the most difficult hurdles to get past. Furthermore, plenty of amazing technologies had been invented on Earth in the pursuit of an army being more efficient at killing. Airplanes, internet, surgery, and so much more could thank their rapid advancement to military funding. 

Shaking his head in pity at the victims who had suffered to birth this formula, Corvus downloaded the info, and then started work on a second copy. He wanted to see if his Computer skill could enhance this knowledge. Just because it was a ‘cure’ didn't mean it was foolproof. According to Plagueis & Vindi’s experiments, the efficacy of their elixir was at 45% to cure victims who already had cancerous mutations. Why not see if he could improve that number? 

Fingers tapping away, he edited several strands of code, and changed several different pieces. Although the System was doing all the work, and he didn’t understand the science or principles behind his work, Corvus was optimistic. Once he had time, he intended to run some clinical trials, and if it proved successful, he would release the formula to the public. 

Nodding his head, and smiling to himself, he was glad he had invested in Computer early on. That and Persuade had gotten him through many different difficult situations. Now he was about to do something good for the galaxy. Being a Jedi wasn't all about laser swords, meditation, and mediating deals between governments & the rich. At its core, being a Jedi was to do good. 

Pulling away from the console, he was met with the curious gazes of his fellow Jedi. 

“What has you in such a good mood?” Obi-Wan asked. 

“It must be something good, you were tapping your foot, and spent almost an hour on there!” Yon both exclaimed and complained with a pout. 

Corvus glanced at Jax to confirm this outrageous slander. He hadn’t been occupied for that long…had he?!

Jax slightly inclined his head. “Don't mind Yon, he's just miffed that you ignored his questions.” 

“Tch.” The short, black haired teen crossed his arms, and walked away. 

Corvus's lips twitched. ‘Teenagers! Although I was a bit of an ass of I did ignore them like that. Sometimes the tism really just puts me into hyperfocus mode.’ He thought to himself, and scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. 

“Tell you what, after this mess is settled, we'll go on a tour of Naboo, see the sights, and enjoy the food.” Corvus said, like a parent telling their kid that yes, after they cleaned their room, they'd go out to eat.

Yon didn't turn around, but the teen had a bit of a spring in his step. “You promised~” 

Jax's wintery blue eyes sparkled. “I'll go see if the LAAT is fixed.” 

‘You too, Jax?!’ Corvus thought to himself as he watched his typically calm student practically sprint towards the clones to check up on their situation. 

“Battle after battle can wear on the spirit. Do not begrudge them this chance to unwind. We owe them this much after what they have gone through.” Obi-Wan spoke up, breaking Corvus from his fugue. 

Nodding at the bearded Jedi Master in agreement, he thought about it, and Kenobi was right. If they weren't training, preparing for combat, or engaged in a fight, there was precious little time to just hangout and do nothing. In a way, it reminded him of his past life. With both parents working, he probably only saw them for one, maybe two hours a day after getting home from school. As a kid, you don't really think about it, but the older you get, you come to miss those moments. Then, one day, when your parents pass, you can't help but think ‘if only I spent more time with them.’ 

Letting out a sigh, Corvus felt a tear well up in his eye as he recalled all he had lost due to this transmigration. He wasn’t one to get sentimental or sappy, but his losses from Earth reminded him why he had to fight so hard now. He was making a real, genuine family with these people. Endless training and battle was no way to live. 

“I look forward to exploring the wonders of Naboo…the boys have earned a week off.” Corvus nodded again, and said. 

“Being a Master is not easy, much less a one during a war. If you ever have need to talk about your troubles, my door is always open.” Obi-Wan clapped Corvus on the shoulder, and walked away. 

“As is mine.” An invisible, ethereal voice tickled his ear before disappearing like a brief gust of wind. 

Corvus could only shake his head and chuckle. Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, they were good men. 

Whilst he was lost in thought, the sound of an engine purring to life caught his attention. The LAAT was giving it all she had, and began to sputter, and warm up. 

“There we go!” Wrecker’s loud voice boomed across the chamber. 

“Never doubted ya Tech.” Hunter grinned, and slapped the super science nerd on the shoulder. 

Adjusting his glasses, Tech beamed at them with a wide, childish grin. “It was nothing.” 

“Pay up, Hunter, that's 5 creds.” Crosshair held out a hand demandingly. 

“Heh heh, Hunter here bet you wouldn't finish for another hour.” Echo laughed, and said to Tech. 

“Why I never!” Tech wore an offended look on his face, and turned away from Hunter. 

“Tech, it's not like that!...Echo bet we would have to walk back!” Hunter, seeing that Tech still had his feelings hurt, threw Echo under the bus. 

“Oi!” Echo pushed Hunter. 

It was to this scene of brothers feuding, and being jovial with one another that Corvus returned to. Even Jax & Yon had joined in on the fun! 

“Ah, General on deck, it's time to go!” Echo saluted, and loudly proclaimed. 

Hunter also sharply saluted. “Ready to go, sir?” 

“You never saluted in the past, why now?” Wrecket asked in confusion. 

Echo & Hunter both elbowed the big lummax in the side in an effort to shut him up. 

“Let's go lads. The people on the surface need us.” 

“Never a dull moment with you around. You heard the General, take her up!” Hunter ordered, and slapped the side of the LAAT. 

“I'm still not talking to you.” Tech replied in a cross tone as he took the bird up. 

“Oi!” Hunter tried to get a word in edgewise, but was elbowed by Wrecker, almost falling over. 

Everyone in the back of the shuttle laughed at the scene, and a good mood fell over the group.

“We're past the danger zone, sir.” Tech's voice came over the comms. 

Depressing a detonator, the chamber that they had been in collapsed as the preplanted explosives went off. 

Corvus had a big grin on his face as he caught the tail end of their interplay. He wouldn't trade this for the world.