Jedi Insurgency 109

Dealing with the aftermath of the Imperial black ops unit, Corvus wrapped up several dealings before he secretly left for Naboo. 

Among the checklist of things he had to accomplish, he had seen off Kota & Poggle, wishing them well in their joint siege of Sullust. The Jedi Master and Geonosian Duke had entered something of a rivalry, and a peculiar friendship was beginning to blossom. The casual racism somewhat reminded him of the relationship between Gimli and Legalos from the LOTR movies. Whatever they had going on between them, Corvus wouldn't touch with a 12ft stick. Fortunately, it seemed to be working out. Falon, and Caleb had left to aid Kota, and would not be joining him on his mission to Naboo. 

As per usual, Corvus had roused the people with a speech before heading out, and had also inspected the factories. Shaking the hand of every ‘retired’ clone, and inspecting the premises for any more surprise black ops units, everything had turned up squeaky clean. 

If the reports were to be believed, their fleet should be fully recovered-either due to repair or new construction-within three months. 

Meanwhile, Commander Pots was drilling with the Eriaduan army regulars, and Corvus had distributed a fresh wave of weapons/ammo/armor/personal shields. It turned out that a lot of that rubble he was collecting could be broken down into ‘components’ and ‘chemicals’ by the workbench. As a result, his cleaning efforts not only cleared out over 25% of the debris, it had also resulted in millions of instantaneously produced weapons. 

Although he was still sort of suspect about the Eriaduan military's loyalty, and didn't arm them with beskar-he could barely afford to field his own men with the stuff as it was due to the high consumption of materials-he was willing to give them a try. The wanton slaughter perpetuated by the Tarkin family three weeks ago, and then the all out, total war of the Empire had really soured many local civilians to the new government. 

To help solidify his image in the people's hearts & minds before he left. Corvus had agreed to a 1 hour, sit down interview with a journalist. 

Currently sitting inside the Tarkin estate at that same fine table, he sat across from the news anchor who had helped propel him to fame in the first place. A black haired, bronze skinned, moderately attractive woman was sitting cross-legged across from him, and a film crew were busily setting things up in the background. One of them gave her a thumbs up, and they were live. 

“Good afternoon, Jedi Master Revan, I am Latesha Star, reporting for Eriadu News Service (ENS). You caused quite the stir these last few weeks. The people want to know. Why have the Jedi acted now? Why Eriadu?” Erris asked in a ‘generic’ newscasters voice. 

Corvus hated this faux polite attitude, and somewhat regretted that he had agreed to this interview. However, he knew how important public relations were. A clenched fist was an effective tool, and a hidden blade in the dark also had its uses. But to sustain peace, one must be willing to engage in dialogue. Without words, violence was the only answer, and as someone who prided themselves on being a Jedi, he preferred to solve matters with the least amount of casualties as possible. 

Hence, this interview. 

“You seemed to have asked me that same question when we first met three weeks ago, Miss Star.” Corvus said in a bantering-like tone of voice. He then looked up and to the left as if he was deeply pondering the question. “The truth of the matter is Eriadu is a gem of industry, yet it was one mired with the cancer of incompetence. With the Quintad removed, productivity, pay, and employment are all up.” 

“So you are advocating for the removal of your political opponents through violence?” Star pressed. 

The corner of Corvus's mouth twitched. He really disliked this woman. 

“You were there when the square was bombed, Miss Star. You were there when the Tarkin capital ship deployed forces that destroyed the grav train station. I did not go into the houses of the Quintad, and kill them.” Corvus shook his head in denial, and spoke as if her words were ridiculous. 

‘Thankfully the Bad Batch are professionals. If anyone had evidence of the murdered Quintad family members at that gala, then he would lose all credibility.’ 

Although Corvus identified as a Jedi, he also was a Jedi Shadow. Peace was the goal, but he wasn't above being flexible when the alternative was all out war. 

“I see. The numbers do support your claim, but what do you say about reports of nepotism? Hard working Eriaduans have poured their hearts and souls into this soil, yet the seized infrastructure has been placed in the hands of clones. Where is the fairness in that?” Star asked, and then the holoprojector on the table began to cycle through various worksites, and showcased dozens of clone troopers dressed in suits working as CEO's. 

Corvus sort of wanted to chuckle, because the vets looked really uncomfortable in those outfits. During his tour, one of the men said he felt like a monkey in a circus. Of course he wouldn't let them come back to the front. Their jobs were rewards that showed he was good on his word. That there would be a future for clone troopers. 

Therefore…yeah, it was 100% nepotism, and Corvus wasn't afraid of saying so! 

“...for all the good we Jedi have done, I must admit, that in the name of security, and the prolonged sovereignty of the Republic, we have wronged many people.” Corvus slightly bowed his head, and spoke softly. “The clones-who are seen as expendable by the public at large-are our responsibility. Their sacrifices are the currency that buys our freedom. I cannot in good conscious allow good men to be used and tossed away like some old toy-”

“Mr. Revan, please stay on topic, we are talking about the rights of Eriaduans her-”

“That is why these men who I trust with my life, who have bled for me, and you, who have had their limbs blown off in the line of duty only to be healed by me, deserve to have a moment of peace. Think about it, Star. Raised for your entire life to commit violence, and now someone is offering them a way out from the only life they've ever known. After the war, if they haven't taken Eriaduan wives, we'll see about shuffling them somewhere else. But for now, I think the statistics speak for themselves. Those boys are doing a damn fine job, and we should all be proud of them.” Corvus replied with a strong conviction in his voice, and refused to allow this journalist to dictate the flow of this conversation. 

Star scrutinized Corvus, and stared at his mask searchingly, to which he sat erect, and gave her nothing else. 

“Your loyalty to the troops has always seemed like one of your strong points. The amount of weaponry provided to them has recently come under review. How do you explain the equipment that has been distributed? They have no markings of being locally produced.” Star then showed images of the unique-old Republic era-weaponry. 

‘This bitch.’ Corvus thought to himself, eyebrow twitching. 

She really wanted to drive a wedge between him and the common people! That or she really was an ‘honest journalist.’ Yeah, honestly, he'd rather be dealing with someone crooked that acted in his favor. Because this? This was some bantha shit! Taking a deep breath, Corvus began to reply.  

“Sorry, that's top secret. All I can say is that Eriadu and the Jedi have a long standing relationship. Some factories simply aren't well known by the public.” Corvus shrugged his shoulders, and held his hands out to the side as if to say ‘what can you do?’ 

“We at ENS will certainly be investigating these claims. It would be excellent for the historical record if this information could be verified.” Latesha Star said energetically. 

Corvus remained silent, then the reporter flipped through a datapad, and moved on to the next topic. 

“So what comes next? Not everyone is sold on working with the Jedi, or the Republic. As you know, protestors have been picketing outside. What will you do to put their fears to rest?” Star asked in a critical tone. 

Corvus actually smirked, thankful that his mask was covering his face. It was finally time to one up this annoying pest. 

“Actually, I have a surprise for you. Our internal investigations show that these protesters arrived after the Tarkin family's downfall. Many of them have sick family members, and are demanding that the Jedi heal them.”

“And why haven't you?”

“Perhaps you had forgotten, Miss Star, but up until yesterday, I was securing the safety of this fair planet. I told you in our first interview, there are only so many Jedi, and we do so much without looking for credit, that we simply don't have time to see to every single individual resident of the galaxy. Asking one doctor to treat more than a dozen patients in one day is pushing it. I may be extraordinary, but I'm only mortal.” Corvus loudly sighed, and said in an exasperated, fed up tone. 

“That’s interesting that you say that. Jedi-ism is on the rise, and many people are worshipping the Force. They are worshipping you Jedi as if you are messiahs, or even some sort of divine figures. And you're saying that despite all the evidence of your miracles, there isn't something more to these claims? That perhaps some are right to be fearful of these unknown powers, and what the Jedi intend to do with them?” Star spoke quickly, and was slightly hushed in her delivery. 

At that moment, a small buzz entered his ear over the comms. “Master, they are showing images of the disfigured Chancellor!” Yon's angry voice came through. 

Corvus narrowed his eyes. This was a live broadcast, and as the person being interviewed, he had no clue about what was being shown ‘on screen’ so to speak. This action, or rather, framing of the Jedi was rubbing him the wrong way. Of course, those were some extremely valid concerns, as Space Wizards were bullshit, and from a certain point of view, the Jedi kind of did have a monopoly on power. However! The Jedi were the least bad option when compared to the overt corruption taking place in the Senate. 

“The Force is like the air we breathe, formless and seemingly invisible. Yet just like the molecules that form this experience we call life, the Force can be felt by any who believe it to be reality. Like the dance of planets around a star, or that of a star around the cosmos, this universe is governed by the forces of good & evil. Of push & pull. Give & take. We Jedi understand a fraction of a fraction of this truth, and harness this energy like a primitive ship borrowing the wind to blow its sails.” Corvus replied with a somewhat cryptic response. He was sure most people would call him out, and have the skepticism of a staunch atheist, yet what Corvus said was the truth. 

He wasn’t out to convert people, and certainly had no goals to expand Jedi-ism. But if a few people happened to get comfort, or reach inner peace/enlightenment from his words, then that would be a pleasant surprise. The Force-as George Lucas imagined it-was open to all people. 

Although it was almost impossible for just anyone to do what a Jedi Master, or Darth level person could accomplish, a basic connection was possible. The Living Force was real, and when everyone died, they would become one with the Force. In a way, this knowledge was calming, so much so, that he could understand why so many Jedi developed into zen-like, chill monks. 

Star didn’t frown, but the Force told him that she was none too pleased with that seeming deflection. Before she could ask anything else, one of Corvus's guard detail gave her a signal: one more question, then it's time to go. 

“Master Revan. You have made yourself well known to the people of Eriadu these last three weeks. Everyone is curious. Who is the man behind the mask?” 

Corvus stared down at his hands, and caught his reflection on the table. 

All the lies and half truths he had told throughout these last few months swirled in his head. The adoption of a new identity, the sudden gruesome deaths and violence…the corpses of children at the Temple, the agonized screams of his victims. It was enough to haunt a man for a lifetime. 

Under the table, his hands began to slightly shake. Squeezing them tight, he found his breath was slightly ragged, and Star had backed her seat up ever so slightly. The barest glimpse of fear began to show on her perfectly ‘professional’ face. 

‘Friend. Strength. Healing. Together.’ His kyber crystal soothed. 

Images of his students, and sounds of laughter were the balm to his soul. 

Perhaps it was a good thing that he cared. What good was an insurgency or rebellion if all it did was install another Palpatine wrapped in different packaging? To him, the people of this universe, the people of Star Wars. They were real. And as someone who had always dreamed of being a Jedi ever since he was a boy, he finally had the opportunity to be that man. 

Clenching his fists, he stood up from his chair so fast, so suddenly, a gale entered the room, and a nearby window shattered as the Force churned around him. 

Robes fluttering, he regarded the news reporter, and smiled. 

“Who I am is unimportant. What matters is what we stand for. Cut me down, and another shall take my place. We men and women, we people who stand for truth, justice, and fairness in life, we are all one and the same.

We are Revan.”