Jedi Insurgency 104

AN: In this story, Wis is “mana regen” and Int is “spell power.” I say this, because in Kotor 2 it's different. 

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Flying towards the Corellian cruiser that Rahm Kota was aboard, Corvus was suddenly startled by a series of text that flashed in the corner of his eye. 

[Jedi Master: 

1) Reach Level 50 in Path of the Jedi: 50/50

2) Master One Lightsaber Form: 1/1

3) Raise a student to Knighthood: 1/1

4) Raise a Force Ability to tier IV without system assistance: 1/1

Reward: Jedi Master (low)

+2 all stat points]

Eyes going wide, he immediately entered Pause to process this information. 

Somehow, someway, his System had recognized one of his students as a Jedi Knight! This was cause for celebration! After gaining 0 exp for the last month, he could finally advance again! For these five weeks, he had healed millions of people, and slaughtered tens of thousands of Imperials, yet these acts hadn't raised his level one bit! 

Now, now he had breached the level threshold of 24, and was now level 25, he could once more place ability points into his Force powers! Currently at 13 points, he rushed to upgrade most of his core abilities to tier IV, leaving him with 4 floating points in case of an emergency. 

([Force Suppression IV], [Slow IV], [Valor IV], [Heal IV], [Force Barrier IV], [Force Aura IV], [Speed IV], [Push IV], [Energy Resistance IV], [Lightning IV], [Beast Trick I] [Revitalize II])

After handling that, he took a satisfying glance at the improved stat panel: 

STR 11 -> 13

DEX 20 -> 22

CON 16 -> 18

INT 15 -> 17

WIS 15 -> 17

CHA 13 ->15

It was difficult to quantify how much a single point changed him, but it was significant. For example, if he wanted to cast a Tier I [Force Push] he could cast 40 of them before tiring out. Meanwhile, he could only cast 10 Tier IV abilities in a row before requiring some time for his FP bar to recharge. However, the recharge time had been reduced from 60 sec to 45 sec, and the power behind each Force ability was multiplied by 0.25x for each additional point in Intelligence. 

Lastly, upon completing the quest, Corvus’s aura within the Force had been elevated. Now, whenever someone sensed him, or he deliberately exposed himself, he would have the mystique of a Jedi Master. 

Un-Pausing, Corvus took a deep breath, and reached out his senses to his Padawans, and felt a slight change in Jax. 

‘Proud of you.’ Corvus sent through their bond. 

‘....’ Wordless embarrassment came back in response. 

Corvus couldn't help but grin to himself. He couldn't wait to see how Jax was doing, and to spar with both him and Yon. The last week had been incredibly stressful, and they didn't get to spend much time together. Preparing for the Imperial arrival had occupied almost all of his time, and fighting on separate battlefields had made the most amount of sense. 

‘But before I can reunite with my precious students, I need to take care of this ornery asshole.’ Corvus thought to himself, and narrowed his eyes as he closed in on the Corellian cruiser. 

Rahm Kota was a much beloved Jedi from the Force Unleashed video game series. The man served as the mentor to the anti-hero protagonist, Starkiller, and was a key figure to the Rebellion in the Expanded Universe. Kota was somewhat of a hot head, and disdained clones. It was this disdain that saw him form his own battlegroup made up of volunteers, and the reason why he had survived Order 66. 

Now it seemed that Kota was here to act as reinforcements. However, his posturing towards the CIS was extremely alarming! 

Kota wasn't exactly the model Jedi. Yeah, he was extremely kind, and held compassion in his heart, but he was sort of like a wild west sheriff at the same time. A great war time leader, Kota was sort of like your angry grandpa that had seen and done some shit. Not exactly the type that the “venerable” Masters on the Council liked to associate with. Hence, his popularity with the fans. 

Yet that very same ‘Devil may care’ attitude was really busting Corvus’s balls! From what he could tell, Kota wanted to test his character or some shit. But this alliance with the CIS was much too fragile to be pulling that kind of shenanigans! 

Grinding his teeth in annoyance, Corvus punched his ARC-170 to the limit, and piloted it at the Corellian cruiser's hangar, where he sensed the Jedi Master. 

Landing inside a large room the size of a football field, Corvus decloaked his ship, and jumped down onto the flight deck with a thud. 

The hangar was virtually empty, save for a shaggy, almost sloppy looking, bearded middle aged man, a blonde, wild haired man in his late 20's, and a child that he recognized as Caleb Dume. 

“Well I'll be, the mystery man was a Jedi Shadow all along. You owe me 20 Creds, Falon” Kota slow clapped at Corvus's entrance. The shaggy man toothily grinned at the Knight by his side, and wore a smirk. 

The Knight, Falon, pinched the bridge of his nose, and sighed. “Please show some proper decorum, Master.” 

“Bah, I doubt the Shadow minds. Isn't that right, Mr. Revan.” Kota asked. 

“Call off your ships. The siege has been lifted.” Corvus stated in a serious tone. 

“Now why would I do that? That fleet is commanded by Poggle the Lesser. We lost many a fine Jedi on Geonosis. Aren't you supposed to be the Order's dagger in the dark? Why would you complain?” Kota guffawed, as if what Corvus had to say was completely ridiculous. 

“The Order is fractured, the remnants of the Republic unwilling to stand for what is right. Poggle is an ally of convenience, a necessary evil to eliminate the Sith.” Corvus hurriedly explained, and speed walked until he was face to face with the famed General. 

Every second that ticked by was an opportunity for the Jedi aligned fleet and the Separatists to escalate this conflict beyond repair. He had to end this, and fast. 

“Now hold on boy, I said hold on! Don't go thinking you can sway me or scare me into supporting you because of the Sith! The Separatists are guilty of genocide, multiple genocides as a matter of fact.” Kota said, and crossed his arms as he remained unconvinced. 

Falon looked like he wanted to say something, but a sideways glare saw the man shut his mouth real quick. The blonde sent an apologetic look Corvus’s way, and remained silent. 

Caleb Dume, meanwhile, was staring at Corvus with a mixture of fear, and hope. 

Stepping closer, the boy hesitantly held out a hand. “Is it true what they say on the Holonet…that, that you can heal the crippled, and even, even bring back the dead?” 

Corvus regarded the blue eyed, brown haired skinny little boy, and sighed. [Revitalize II] had room to be upgraded, but he doubted it would be able to resurrect anyone who had died for more than a day at most, if that. It was a strong ability, but came with many restrictions. Perhaps he wouldn't be able to help the long-dead until he hit max level. Even then, that was only speculation. 

“My apologies, young Padawan.” Corvus bowed his head. “Whilst I can indeed resurrect those who have perished, I can only do so after their recent demise.” 

Caleb wilted like a flower in Winter, and took a step back as if he had been physically struck. 

Shoulders slightly slumping after having crushed a kid's hopes & dreams, Corvus was quick to square them once more, and stared Kota down. The bearded, unkempt man had an unreadable expression on his face, yet his crossed arms and aggressive posture said it all. 

At that moment, a loud voice sounded over the hangar's PA system. 

“General Kota, sir, we are in position. The fleet is ready to engage on your command.” 

Kota glanced at Corvus, then opened up his comms, and smirked. 

“You have my permission, begin operations in 15 minu-” Kota said, then dodged backwards as Corvus’s lightsaber sliced the communicator in two. 

“This alliance with the CIS will determine the fate of the galaxy, Master Kota. I cannot allow you to jeopardize the war against Darth Sidious.” Corvus declared. 

“There you go dropping the big scary S word again.” Kota spat, and ignited his lightsaber in response. A verdant green gushed onto the scene, and glowed off of his weather worn face. “Well, Shadow, are you going to kill me to keep your friends in the CIS alive?” Kota flourished his blade, and taunted. 

Falon, meanwhile, took Caleb and stood at the far end of the hangar. 

Corvus ignited his second saber, and set both to training mode. Whoever was struck by them, would suffer extreme paralysis, as if they were hit by a taser. Flourishing his blades, he applied the full suite of buffs to himself, and then charged at Kota. 

“Haha, all bark, and no bite!” Kota ran at Corvus at matching speeds. 

As they closed, Corvus turned invisible one to two seconds before their blades were about to meet. 

“Sonuva-” Kota got out, and then he did the unexpected, and did a forward somersault flip. 

Corvus, who had juked to the right with the intention of slashing Kota in the side, and ending the fight in one move, was annoyed that his surprise maneuver had been avoided. 

Not only that, but when Kota dodged, he seemed to have had something else in store for Corvus! Leaving the clip of Kota's belt, a smoke grenade went off, and thick billows of ashy grey clouded the air. 

“Didn't see that one coming, did you, Shadow!” Kota's voice mockingly called from Corvus’s left. 

Corvus was surprised to see the bearded man toss out his saber in a wide arcing throw into the smoke. 

Raising an eyebrow, he wondered if the older man was trying for a lucky shot, and was simply fishing in muddy waters. Whatever the case may be, he had left himself exposed, this was his chance! 

Entering Pause, he analyzed his thoughts, and determined his next step. 

Now he could run at the position where the saber had been thrown from, and try to hit Kota before his lightsaber returned. However, this was likely a trap. The old man was clever like that, and it was possible he would pull some Wiley E Coyote shit on his head, and drop something from the ceiling. Rahm Kota may be an oddball, unconventional Jedi, but it was because of his unconventional tactics and wisdom, that Corvus couldn't afford to play around here. 

Ordinarily, when dealing with an ‘invisible’ opponent in such a confined space, he would go hogwild with [Force Lightning]. Now would be the perfect time to see just how far his lightning hands could go. However, he wasn't prepared to burn any bridges just yet. If word got out that he was actively using Darkside abilities, his stock amongst the surviving Jedi would surely go down. 

Therefore, he had to be smart about this. Instead of running at where he thought Kota was, it was much better to unleash AOE nonsense, and liven up the scene! 

‘Don't blame me, you old coot! You started it!’ Corvus thought to himself with a sly smile in his thoughts. 

Un-Pausing, he retrieved dozens of sonic grenades from his inventory, and tossed them all over the place. 

As soon as they exploded, an invisible wave of noise washed over him, breaking his invisibility, and causing his [Energy Resistance] shield to ripple. As it was Tier IV, it barely suffered any tears. Becoming visible wasn't much of a worry to Corvus, because what happened next was music to his ears. 

“Gah!” Kota's voice was filled with pain. 

Corvus didn't have long to relish the sound, as an overwhelming [Force Push] cleared the smoke, and revealed his form. 

Kota had requipped his lightsaber, and was upon him. 

The sound of their ensuing collision was seismic. Energy blades shrieked against one another as they clashed, each strike was a hammer blow of Form VII’s raw, explosive ferocity. Kota led with a downward arc that would have shattered a lesser defense, but Corvus spun beneath it, one saber parrying while the other slashed low at Kota’s knees. The veteran Jedi countered, backpedaling with surprising agility, and launched a retaliatory thrust that forced Corvus into a retreating guard.

Narrowing his eyes, Corvus realized that much like him, Kota was a practitioner of Form VII. His strikes were predatory in nature, and often seemed random, yet carried with them calculated risk. Although they both wielded this form, their ‘hunting’ methods differed. Kota was much more wild, like a male lion, dominant, and in control. Whereas Corvus mimicked the tiger, strong, yet favoring strikes from blind spots and sharp angles. 

After a half-second's respite, they were upon each other again. 

For minutes, they moved like blurs. Acting as two forces of nature, the air began to warp as their powers in the Force seemed to bend the universe. Not only did their weapons collide, but so too did their mental energy, and their souls as they put everything they had into this fight. 

Sparks flew as sabers struck durasteel, cutting gashes into the floor, and errant drops of molten slag dripped across the hangar bay. Every blow was meant to end the fight. There was no room for the cheap kind of finesse that a sword dancer might display, only through survival, through dominance would a Form VII practitioner emerge the victor. 

Kota’s strength was overwhelming. He fought like a warhammer, he was heavy and relentless. The bearded man poured his will through the Force in broad, crushing strokes. Corvus met him with a predator’s grace, using dual blades to weave a tapestry of attack and defense, turning Kota’s momentum against him with precision honed across countless battlefields. 

A brutal shoulder-check from Kota sent Corvus staggering, his heel caught on a loose cable, sending him backwards. Seconds later, a green bar of super heated death came down towards the crown of his head, but Corvus caught it between both sabers in an X-block. A shower of sparks rained down on him as he was pressed against a durasteel wall. Kota's saber melted the metal behind his back, and the orange substance slowly dripped down upon his [Energy Resistance] shield. 

The force of Kota's strike drove him to one knee.

Seeing weakness, Kota pressed harder.

“You're no savior. Just another weapon waiting to fall into the wrong hands.” Kota gruffly taunted between heavy breaths as he worked his saber to press down even further. 

Corvus looked up, sweat dripped down his forehead, yet he refused to give in. “I kneel for no man.” 

With a burst of raw Force energy-an ability he had discovered whilst trying to learn [Force Repulse] on his own-Corvus surged upward, sending Kota skidding back. His twin sabers flashed like twin arcs of lightning, cutting a whirlwind path around him. Kota blocked one, then the other, but Corvus’ assault was unrelenting now, each strike of his was faster, tighter, more dangerous than the last. 

Kota stumbled to the side, clearly off-balanced. Seeing this, Corvus seized the initiative.

He spun, blades whirling, and delivered a high feint with his right saber-Kota raised his guard to block-and then brought the left blade in low, grazing the veteran’s thigh with a hiss of electrical shock. 

Kota grimaced at the contact, and faltered.

That was all Corvus needed.

In one fluid motion, he swept both sabers up in a cross-slash, disarming Kota with a crack of colliding plasma. The green blade flew across the hangar, deactivating mid-air, and clattered to the floor. Corvus stood over Kota, breath steady but ragged, both sabers pointed downward.

Kota dropped to one knee, holding his leg, but raised his chin defiantly.

“Do it.”

Corvus stared at him in silence, then extinguished both blades with a hiss of finality.

“I didn’t come here to kill you.” Corvus shook his head. 

Checking the time, he realized 15 minutes were about to pass within a second. 

Kota wore a big, shit eating grin as Corvus lifted him up by the collar. Right as he was seriously considering beating the sloppy Jedi Master up, and attempting a [Mind Trick] the intercom sounded once more. 

“Stand down. All hands, stand down. The drill has been completed. I repeat, all hands, stand down.” 

Upon hearing this, Corvus roughly shoved Kota to the ground, and stared blankly at the ceiling lights in the hangar. 

“Heh heh, acuh, heh.” Kota stood up, and held a sore rib, coughing between laughter. 

Corvus unblinkingly maintained his staring competition with the hangar's ceiling lights. 

This was only the beginning, he could feel it. 

The Jedi were a strange assortment of kooky characters. What with Yoda having a propensity to troll people, Obi-Wan's biting sarcasm, Mace's intense desire to follow the code, and Luke's obsession with blue milk, the Jedi were all a little strange. 

….by the Force, just what had he gotten himself into?! 

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AN: I kind of think of Foghorn Leghorn (from Looney Tunes) when I wrote Rahm Kota…it's probably because he uses “boy” a lot in his cutscenes.