Jedi Insurgency 110

Spending another week on Eriadu so that he could heal all of the wounded, and injured-as well as wait for the Falcon to be repaired-Corvus had finally departed for Naboo. 

Taking the Falcon, and leaving his fleet behind, he had no intention of conquering the beautiful planet through military means. The trip would take about two and a half days. Journeying with him this time around were Obi-Wan, Yon, Jax, Triss, Omega, and the Bad Batch. To fit so many people on the ship, the cargo holds had been converted into rooms. 

During their stint in hyperspace, Corvus was busy mentally mapping out his plan. 

First off, it was important to analyze Naboo, its people, and its place in the galaxy. Reviewing some info from a database, as well as cross referencing it with his own knowledge, he got to work. 

Positioned in the Galactic South, it was classified as a Mid Rim planet, but was borderline Outer Rim. As evidenced by the short trip from Eriadu, it could be imagined how close it was to this change in classification. Personally, Corvus wondered if someone had been bribed at some point to keep Naboo in the Mid Rim. From what he could gather, the people were quite proud of themselves. Furthermore, the reputation of belonging to the Outer Rim was a stigma that saw many planets fall into obscurity. 

Population-wise, it was relatively small, and concentrated in a few urban centers. Everything was walkable or ergonomic, and the place was lush with wild places. The database claimed that there were less than 50 million people in total. 

In terms of economy, there was practically zero industry, farming, or production of goods. However, they were extremely rich in plasma. Powerful weapons like Wookie bowcasters used this substance, and it could also be used to form shields. The red energy projection in the Phantom Menace during the final duel was made of plasma. Besides that, it could also be used to form bridges. During sieges, it was common for fortresses to have choke points that ended in a chasm or empty gap. To cross from one point to the other, plasma bridges were a tool often deployed by the defender. 

Tangentially related to the economy, was the culture. The people of Naboo prided themselves on art. They were a liberal arts college's wet dream. With such a small population, and oodles of free money from the sale of plasma, the people practically all became art majors. As such, they placed a high value on artistic expression, and were incredibly prideful with their works. 

In fact, upon using his Bond credentials to access the ISB network, he learned that there was quite the conflict between the nobles who owned the plasma mines, and the nobles who owned the colleges. On the surface, the conflict appeared to be between middle class actors/artists/writers vs the working class miners. At least, this was how the common citizen was tricked into picking sides between the two factions. In reality, the leaders within governed would always end up being the same names, and same faces controlling power whilst the common people bickered over stupid things like who had the best voice in Naboo's Got Talent. 

Furthermore, the recent emergence of the Gungans had brought new tensions. When Padmé gave them a seat on the Senate, it was deeply unpopular. Previously, there was a sort of balance, where each faction had a seat at the table. By dividing power like this, it meant that the miner barons, and art lords were both vying for only one seat. It was political chaos! 

Padmé may be pretty, and a great advocate for peace, but she was also a naive ideologue. Corvus respected her for her ideals, and extreme kindness, yet when dealing with men like Palpatine, kindness was a sin. To add fuel to the fire, she was a child when she granted the Gungans equal representation. And she was also the one who initiated the vote of no confidence that ousted Chancellor Valorum, paving the road for Palpatine’s rise. 

Now what she did was probably seen as the right thing to do by everyone involved, but it wasn't the correct thing to do. Personally, Corvus thought that the Nabooian's were a little crazy, what with their penchant to elect child monarchs. The only way this made sense, was that the leaders of the two factions could use a young, impressionable queen to further their own agendas. It was quite ingenious. Shift any blame of mismanagement onto the minor, wash your hands of them, then hoist up the next political sacrifice. The more he thought about it, the more sinister Naboo's ruling class seemed to him. It was no wonder that such a planet could produce someone as vile as Sheev Palpatine. 

Besides the ongoing political turmoil-or perhaps because of it-the ISB notes that he was privy to reports that a new operator had stepped in to calm the situation. There wasn't any information about this operator, but it seemed that the Empire was preparing for something big. 

Coincidentally, with the news of Padmé's passing, elections for a new Senator were about to begin. It was precisely for this very reason that he had decided to make a trip to Palpatine’s homeworld. 

Stepping out of his room, Corvus patted the walls of the Falcon, and said a silent thanks to the ship. Perhaps it was nothing more than a ‘blasted hunk of junk’ but this iconic light freighter had seen him through three major naval engagements. Walking with a smile on his lips, and a positive spring to his step, he entered the lounge area. 

The place was dimly lit, with a single overhead fixture casting golden light into the room. The kids weren't present, and most people were asleep. Hunter was present, and was silently sharpening his knife in a corner, whilst Wrecker was stuffing his mouth full of food. Grabbing some grub from a nearby container, he took off his mask, and made eye contact with the last person occupying this space. 

Across from him, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi was perched stiffly on the edge of a bench, his food went untouched as his focus was solely dedicated to a data slate. The lines around his eyes had deepened in recent months, and there was a tautness to his posture that had Corvus worried for the famed man's mental health. 

Corvus sat on the oh so comfortable couch he had been gifted by Bail Organa, and lazily propped up a foot on a crate. A plate of grilled nuna slices, mashed tuber-root, and a heaping side of sauteed fungus-beetles steaming in front of him. He chewed with deliberate satisfaction, eyes gleaming beneath the shadow of his hood. 

The food looked weird, but it tasted pretty damn good. He had stocked up on the stuff when he was making demands to Bail way back on Coruscant. Taking full meals into his inventory, he always had some premium gourmet food to chow away on. Crunching loudly on a fungus-beetle, he leaned over, and caught a glimpse of Obi-Wan's screen  

“Whatcha got there?” Corvus asked between bites. 

Obi-Wan errantly stroked his beard, and was so deeply lost in thought, he hadn’t registered Corvus's words to his face. 

“...What was that?” Obi-Wan said with some delayed speech, his eyes never leaving his screen. 

“Your food has gone cold, Kenobi. What's so important that you're sacrificing your health?” Corvus said in one part jest, one part concern. 

Obi-Wan furrowed his brows, and seemed as if he was debating whether or not he should speak up. 

“Your ability to resurrect, your long life. I have never heard of such things beyond legends. Forgive me for being presumptuous, but what is the process by which you achieved this? Such wisdom would do well to heal not only the Jedi Order, but the galaxy at large.” 

“Would you like to learn?” Corvus softly asked, and stared Obi-Wan directly in the eyes. 

Cerulean blue orbs gazed back at Corvus, as Obi-Wan did not look away. Instead, he was drinking in the expression on Corvus’s face, to see if he was playing around. On Corvus’s part, he was dead serious. With the [Mentor] ability, it was possible to teach people who weren't his disciples. It was a serious pain in the ass, as it required continuous eight hour tutelage to teach a percentage point of a skill. But it was possible. 

“I fear such abilities are beyond me.” Obi-Wan slightly shook his head, and politely declined. 

Corvus smiled, and shrugged his shoulders in response. “Do not sell yourself short, Obi-Wan. You of all people should know that the Force is not all power or affinity.” 

Looking at the man across from him, although he was only in his mid 30's, the pressures of war had placed a heavy burden on his shoulders, and he could already see some white flecks in his beard. However, for all that had weighed him down, Obi-Wan was not helpless. He had dueled Dooku a dozen times, practically slew Maul as a Padawan almost-Knight, and defeated Anakin. He wasn’t the most powerful, but he was the most dedicated. It could be said that he was a genius of hard work. Corvus was optimistic that he could teach him just about anything given enough time. 

“I appreciate the gesture, but I was merely curious. You are most generous.” Obi-Wan again dismissed him. 

“...very well. At the very least, you should consider learning [Energy Resistance] or [Force Barrier]. As someone so defensively minded, I think these two abilities would complement your fighting style well. Alternatively, [Force Valor] augmenting your stamina might be quite effective when wielded by you.” Corvus replied in an academic tone, as if he were proposing a thesis to a classroom, and Obi-Wan was both the subject matter, and the audience. 

“I shall consider it.” Obi-Wan said with a wry smile. 

Shrugging his shoulders, Corvus let it go. Although he would love to augment one of the Orders best Masters to be the best he could be, you couldn't lead a horse to water. Scooping up a big portion of his mash, he closed his eyes in pleasure as he took a bite. 

Opening his eyes, Corvus gestured broadly with his fork as he spoke. “So what really was on that tablet was research on Naboo,  correct? Have you put any consideration into my proposal?”

Obi-Wan frowned, and stared down at the dataslate once more. It was as if his gaze could shoot out Deathstar lasers, he truly was uncomfortable. Yet Corvus was amused by this expression, and began to speak between bites of food. 

“You’d win the seat without contest, Obi-Wan. Naboo adores you. You killed their Sith invader. You’re practically a native son. When Boss Nass, and Queen Amidala released that friendship orb, you had been named as the honorary Guardian of Naboo. Although it holds no powers, the prestige is real, and most importantly, you are legally recognized as a citizen, thus qualified to run in the race!”

Obi-Wan blinked slowly, and responded in his famous sarcastic, dry tone of voice. “Ah yes, nothing says ‘local hero’ like bisecting someone in a power reactor.”

Corvus grinned, unbothered by Kenobi's wit,  and gave him a wink. “Semantics.”

“You’re asking me to join the Senate.” Obi-Wan said, the words he spoke were filled with disbelief. “The Senate, Revan. I’d rather be dropped naked into a Gundark den.”

Corvus raised his eyebrows, unimpressed. “You’re exaggerating.”

“Am I?” Obi-Wan leaned forward, his voice low and sharp. “Palpatine sits on the throne like some ghoul out of a storybook. Wielding the power invested to him by a democratic vote, and maintaining absolute power via emergency powers, I am likely to face an army of clone troopers the second I step foot in the Senate chamber floor. The Senate is a puppet show, and you want me to climb onto the stage and dance for the audience?”

“More like take the stage and steal the spotlight.” Corvus replied around a mouthful of fungus-beetle. “There’s still some life in the institution. Not everyone’s fallen in line. A strong voice like yours could rally those who remain.”

Obi-Wan scoffed. “A strong voice? Revan, I’ve been out of public view for three months. I’m a marked man. Only you and Master Yoda are more wanted than me. I’m surprised you didn’t paint a target on my chest before suggesting this suicidal campaign.”

Corvus chuckled, and tapped his fork against his plate as he took in The Negotiator's flustered countenance. “Oh, so my bounty is higher than yours? It seems you have some catching up to do, haha!” Corvus slapped his knee, and guffawed. “You do have a flair for martyrdom, Obi-Wan. It’s part of your charm.”

“That wasn’t meant to be a compliment.” Obi-Wan muttered.

“Anyone that prune headed bastard wants dead deserves praise in my book.” Corvus shot back with a wink. “Look, politics is just another battlefield. Different weapons. You know how to fight, you know how to lead, and like it or not you’re a symbol now. The holonet still replays your holofootage from Umbara and Saleucami. Jedi Master Kenobi: the General who never lost a battle. You don’t think everyone calls you something as silly as The Negotiator for nothing, do you?”

“It is not silly.” Obi-Wan said quietly, and met Corvus's eyes with a hint of annoyance in his voice. 

Corvus didn’t respond to that. For a long moment, the only sound was the hum of the ship, the occasional rattle of the vent system, and the scrape of Corvus’s fork against his plate.

Then, in a softer tone, he added, “You believe in democracy, don’t you?”

Obi-Wan looked up.

“You’ve preached it for years, right?” Corvus continued, his voice firm. “Justice. The rule of law. The people’s voice. Well, now the people are voiceless. Someone has to speak for them. If not you, who?”

Obi-Wan stared at him, jaw tightening. “You’re manipulating me.”

“Absolutely!” Corvus said cheerfully. “With great skill, I might add.”

“I’m not a politician.”

“You weren’t a General either. Until you were.”

Obi-Wan leaned back, and exhaled sharply through his nose, glaring at the overhead lights as if some other solution could be discovered to this predicament. 

“This is madness.” Obi-Wan covered his face with a hand, and muttered. 

Corvus's lips quirked. He wanted to say something cheesy like ‘No! This. Is. Sparta!’ But he couldn't very well deck his newfound friend in the chest with a kick, now could he? 

“I’ll be assassinated before I reach the Senate floor!”

“Possibly.” Corvus said, swirling his tuber-root mash with evident satisfaction. “But imagine the headlines.”

Obi-Wan closed his eyes. “You are taking an obscene, perverse pleasure from this.”

“I am.” Corvus admitted. “It’s nice to have someone to share the weight of the Order and speaking melodramatically, the weight of the galaxy with. I'm actually very happy to have you, Obi-Wan.” He said with as much sincerity, and genuine good will as he could muster. 

“I think I liked you more with the mask on.” Obi-Wan remarked as Corvus’s smirk was free for all to see. 

“So what's it going to be, hero? Are you in or are you out, Kenobi?” Corvus ignored Obi-Wan's slight barb, and held out his hand to seal the deal. 

After a long silence, Obi-Wan finally  muttered: “Fine. I’ll run.”

Corvus’s grin spread from ear to ear, and he shook Kenobi's hand. Although he was a little silly at the moment, his next words were said without levity, and were more serious than anything he had said thus far. “Don't worry, you won't have to be a full time Senator. We can introduce Padmé's body double, and hand maiden as your proxy, there is precedent for this. You only have to make a scene, what we are doing is sending a message.” 

“Force help me.” Obi-Wan added under his breath.

“To Senator Kenobi, may the Force be with him!” Corvus cheered. 

Obi-Wan buried his face in his hands.

“What have I gotten myself into?”