Jedi Insurgency 099

After rescuing Jax from the enemy ambush, Corvus swept through the city outskirts in a circular fashion, and acted as a menace wherever he went. 

Thanks to the powers of invisibility, he frequently appeared out of nowhere, wiped out a squad, then disappeared to pull off the same maneuver somewhere else. 

Grenades suddenly had their pins removed/buttons pressed, artillery tubes unexpectedly had their munition reverse, squad leaders ordered their men into certain death, snipers were [Mind Tricked] to shoot friendlies, and amidst all this chaos, Corvus embraced the chaos of Form VII, and his twin lightsabers became a whirlwind of glowing blue death. 

Additionally, even though he was sore or mentally fatigued, he technically did not require food or sleep thanks to his Kotor 2 System, and abused that to his advantage. He became an unceasing demon, and mercilessly cut down clone after clone. When he needed rest, he would close his eyes, and Pause, and when his body was much too tender after moving at high velocities, he would cast [Valor]. He literally didn't stop for a second, and was a man of perpetual motion. 

In short, the initial surge into Eriadu City had fizzled out, and Corvus was now within the Forward Operating Base (FOB) for an update on the war effort. 

Standing inside the command room was Jax, Yon, Hunter, Echo, Pots, and the hologram of Clip. 

The war room's holographic table hummed softly inside of a dimly lit bunker. Rain tapped lightly against the durasteel reinforced concrete, and the gentle thud of artillery shells in the distance made ripples in Corvus’s cup of water. 

Standing at the head of the table, Corvus beheld every man in the room with a keen eye. His senses were on edge, searching for any deviance or flaw. The Darkside had come to Eriadu, and anyone could be susceptible to its whispers. 

Clone Commander Pots stood resolute. His armor was soot stained, showing his willingness to fight on the front line. His beskar armor even had a scorch mark on his breastplate. Raising his hand for a crisp salute, Pots began the meeting. 

“General, sir. Eriadu City’s defenses held through the night. We repelled the initial wave of Imperial forces. Civilian casualties were minimal, and the shield generators are still operational. Due to our air superiority, tactical placement of mines, bunkers, and your help, our losses were light. It's estimated 90,000 men were KIA, and a further 50,000 await your healing touch. The enemy is expected to have lost triple that number. At the moment, a full five Legions are encircling the city, yet they have made no move to enter. Every hour, more transports carrying Imperial Army regulars are dropping off men.” He stoically reported.

Corvus slightly inclined his head, absorbing the information. “Eriadu City is the focal point, yet this isn't some backwater like Malastare. We focused many of our defenses in the industrial south. How are we on that front? 

Pots tapped away on a console, and a topographical map bloomed to life, then rotated, showing the southern hemisphere.

“I was getting to that.” Pots continued grimly. “Imperial forces have begun to reallocate their troops now that they know Eriadu City isn't so easy a nut to crack. Their main push now targets the industrial centers down south, especially Port Kelnar, Frasta Works, and the Rydel Shipyards. They’ve landed at least one full Legion, and four more are on the way. We believe they’re looking to cripple our long-term production.”

Corvus gave a small nod, though his brow furrowed slightly, and he drummed his fingers across the holotable as  “It’s a logical strategy, one we expected and prepared for.” He said, voice low but firm. “But something doesn't feel right. Almost as if our defense was too easy.” 

From the far side of the table, Hunter leaned forward, arms crossed, his keen senses plainly unsettled.

“Doesn’t smell right.” Hunter muttered in agreement. “They hit hard in the capital, then suddenly pull away and go for factories? That’s not how they usually play this. It feels like a smokescreen.”

Corvus’s eyes narrowed. He stepped back from the table, and closed his eyes as he reached into the Force. Jax & Yon, who were standing behind him, placed their hands on his shoulder, and by using their Bond, helped improve his search. 

The command center’s noise faded away, the distant rumble of artillery became inaudible. In the silence of his mind, Corvus let his consciousness expand outward to the great beyond. It began to encompass the continents, the oceans, then high above the planet itself.

During this exploration, he felt a shadowy tentacle curl at the edge of his perception. It brought with it a familiar rage. In an instant, his vision twisted.

An ethereal black mask emerged from the void, and floated in his psyche. 

For a moment, the pair of consciousness regarded one another in the void of space. 

Their minds clashed for the briefest moment, raw power rippled between them across the stars. Corvus almost felt himself buckle under Vader’s unrefined, sledgehammer-like manipulation of the Darkside. Corvus, meanwhile, used his understanding of the Path of the Jedi Shadow to slip underneath Vader’s scorching assault. 

Vader’s presence was a storm of anguish and domination, fire encased in armor, whilst his own was like the blinding last ray of sunlight during dusk, intangible, and about to vanish as day turned to night. 

Their dual presences reached a stalement. Vader was unable to reach him, whilst Corvus pretended to be strong, that through his subterfuge, he ‘might’ be able to psychically strike Vader should he lower his guard. 

“It seems we are at an impasse." Corvus’s voice cut through the void like a whisper on the wind. His tone of voice carried with it a cheeky laugh at Vader’s expense. The Dark Lord had expended so much effort to crush his psyche, yet his attempts to strangle Corvus’s mind were like fists trying to pick up water with the squeeze of a hand. 

“You feel it, don’t you?” Vader’s voice echoed through the connection, distorted by the modulation of his breathing. “The doubt. The fear. You're no different from the rest of your kind.”

Corvus smiled to himself, his mind remained steady, he was unwilling to reveal himself with an emotional outburst. “I fear what you have become. That I might share the same fate, played by the whims of a perverted old man.”

“The Emperor does not say it, but he fears you.” Vader sneered. “I do not.”

Vader’s presence then began to fill the void with a crushing, domineering might. 

“Which is why you fled the other day?” Corvus mocked. 

“You had your chance to kill me. You hesitated. I sensed it was to save another. For all your supposed long life, haven't you learned? Love, honor, friendship. They are weakness. Only power remains. Only the Darkside is supreme. Join me, Revan, and together, we shall overthrow the Emperor, and rebirth the Jedi Order into what the galaxy deserves.” 

Corvus’s expression remained composed, though he was somewhat at a loss at Vader’s sudden turn. The Dark Lord wanted him dead, that was certain, but was that a hint of grudging respect he heard? Was Vader acknowledging him?! 

“You are mistaken.” Corvus said softly. “The Jedi Order was a tool for good, once upon a time. It can be again, but not under your misguided management, Skywalker. I am not a weapon driven by hate. Mercy, love, the bonds between our friends, students, teachers, and family, it is not weakness. Those are things to be celebrated.”

“Mercy is the path to extinction!” Vader roared, the Force flared with sudden intensity. “I will end your Order. One by one, you shall fall. You could have stopped me at the Temple, you could have stopped me yesterday, yet here I am. You speak of love & friendship as if the Jedi hadn't spat on those beliefs for the last thousand years. Where were you when they needed reform! Where were you during the war! WHERE WERE YOU-!!!!”

-where were you when I needed you- went unsaid as the space between minds thundered and cracked under Vader’s unstable emotions. 

Corvus tilted his head slightly. Through the cold fury, he saw something else, it was desire. A need. A hunger for something more wrapped in pain.

“You want what cannot be taken.” Corvus said. “You crave healing... the gift of restoration. But the Force is not a tool for vengeance. It requires patience, discipline, and the willingness to do what is right.”

There was a flicker of light from behind the mask. A flash of longing, sorrow, and love lost entered the void like spring rain, it was swift in its downpour, here and gone in an instant. 

“If you had stayed, you would have been a Master on the Council. A husband. A father. A man made whole. The Hero of the Republic, and future Grandmaster. The reason, Vader.” Corvus spat. “The reason I have revealed myself, is that the Order once more faces destruction at the hands of the Sith. What you did at the Temple was inexcusable. What you did to your own wife and family, unforgivable! You, Vader, are the instrument of your own destruction. Nothing more than a tool and pawn in Palpatine’s schemes, your lust for power has blinded you to the truth. It is not me who is weak.” 

Vader’s rage began to surge like an unstoppable mega tsunami, crashing through the mental link. “SILENCE!!!” 

The vision then shattered, and he found himself back in his own body. 

Corvus’s eyes snapped open. The table flickered back into view. The room was still, save for the slow turning of tactical displays. Hunter watched him with a sideways glance, concern hidden behind his habitual stoicism. Jax & Yon, meanwhile, were sweating buckets, and were on the verge of passing out. 

Corvus inhaled slowly, grounding himself to reality. 

He could still feel the echo of Vader’s hatred.

And he knew this was only the beginning.

“Well gentlemen, I anticipate the Imperial advance will soon make another assault upon Eriadu City.” Corvus said with a dry laugh. 

“This is the Vader character you briefed us on?” Pots asked. 

Corvus nodded. “The very same. Don't get cocky, and when you fight him, the most important thing is not to think too much. Nothing less than an entire battalions worth of explosives, high powered turbolasers, snipers, overwhelming firepower, and starfighter/artillery support are all the ingredients needed to push him back.” 

“Push, sir? That seems like overkill doesn't it?” Hunter frowned. 

“You haven’t seen General Skywalker, uhh, Vader fight before, Captain.” Echo said with a grimace. “The man is unstoppable, and incredibly clever. I wouldn't bet on even three battlestations being enough to contain him.” 

Yon, meanwhile, was shaking like a leaf, to which Corvus placed a hand on his shoulder, and cast [Valor]. 

“You boys do not worry. I do not want either of you to face him. Even me, as I am now, I have no confidence to take him on in a head on fight. Vader can be defeated, but a wise Jedi knows himself, and he knows his enemy.” 

“Of course, Master. Should you change your mind, I am willing to face him with you.” Jax replied in a brave tone. His expression showed a hint of fear after experiencing Vader’s aura, yet he was willing to boldly charge at this sense of dread if it meant aiding Corvus. 

Yon, meanwhile, barely calmed himself down, yet his gaze was a thousand yard stare. 

Jax punched him in the arm. 

“Oi, what'd you do that for!?” Yon scowled. 

“Do what?” Jax replied, his face a perfectly blank mask. 

Yon's fists twitched, and some color began to return to him as he began to scrutinize Jax with a minor amount of ire. “You wouldn't be so cocky if we had our sabers drawn.” He huffed. 

“So what if we did?” Jax shifted his blue eyes over to regard Yon as if he didn't have what it took. 

“This nerf herder…!” Yon's eyes widened. 

The boys only quieted down when Corvus coughed into his hand. His lips twitched, and he could only shake his head. Jax was a good lad, but danggit Yon! He didn't know if it was a good thing that his black haired apprentice was so easily riled up…at the very least, he wasn't some depressed super emo. The powers of a chunii teen were truly extraordinary. 

During this brief interlude, the holographic war table shifted again, and changed from terrain maps to orbital schematics. Lines of red marked Imperial movements above the planet, while thin blue lines traced the positions of the Republic fleet.

Captain Clip's blue holographic form had remained silent during the entire meeting until this point. Cleared his throat, he stepped forward to remind everyone of his presence. 

“General, sir, the orbital theater has been quite dynamic since the onset of the war.”

Clip then brought up a grid detailing the Eriadu system. A timed map-detailing the enemy movements since the beginning of the battle up to the current time-showed red dots swarming over the planet spreading like a slow infection.

“Our fleet was forced to pull back to a defensive holding pattern near Eriadu’s third moon. We lost most of our battlestations, along with 70% of our defense platforms. A hard loss.” Clip paused, his lips were pressed in a firm line of displeasure as the data played out in front of everyone. 

Corvus sighed, wondering if his gambit to lure in the enemy down a narrow chokepoint had worked out. Hopefully their losses weren't too bad, both him and Yon had been doing some good work in the enemy's flank. 

“What about the enemy?” Corvus asked. 

“The Empire paid dearly for their bold advance. They committed too heavily, and overextended themselves.”

Clip gestured, and a new image came into view: the wreckage of shattered Venator-class Star Destroyers drifting amidst the battlefield. Fires blinked out one by one in the void, leaving only debris.

“They lost 18 Venators out of the 50 that were fielded, and 8 more were crippled. Their starfighter wings put up a hell of a fight, but without carriers or command ships, they’re disorganized. Additionally, the Eriaduan Homefleet is still intact, though scattered. We can regroup. Our total losses aren't as bad as we had anticipated.”

Corvus nodded slowly, studying the patterns. “So they gained some ground, but we still have a chance is what you are saying”

Clip allowed a faint grin. “A pyrrhic victory, sir. They bled for every meter. With both you and Vader out of the fight-due to substantial damage to both your craft-the playing field is even. It's anyone's game at this point, yet the Imperials are desperate to land their troops. Transports are vulnerable, this shall be our chance to cripple their fleet.”

Hunter crossed his arms, squinting at the hologram. “No Venators means no hangars, right? So where are their starfighters landing?”

Clip’s brow creased. “Nowhere. That’s the thing. The ARC-170s, the V-wings, they’ve got nowhere to dock, nowhere to rearm. Without rest, fuel, or weapons, the enemy pilots will be useless, their numbers advantage-when it comes to starfighters-would be rendered useless. This was what made the General's strategy so brilliant. However...” His words trailed off into a frown. Silence fell over the room as everyone wondered what had the Captain so hung up. 

Commander Pots straightened suddenly. His eyes widened as realization hit him like a stun blast.

“That’s it! That’s why they’re after the southern hemisphere! That’s where the old planetary hangars are. Civilian spaceports, military airfields, cargo stations, that's the kind of infrastructure they need to field ground-based rearmament zones!”

Pots jabbed a finger at the southern continent, and highlighted four major cities well known for their manufacturing capabilities: Port Kelnar, Frasta Works, and the Rydel Shipyards. 

“If they seize those locations, they can turn them into makeshift starfighter bases. It’s not ideal, but it gives them somewhere to cycle their wings. They’ll use those sites to refuel, rearm, and launch again. With their numbers, that changes the space battle in their favor.” Pots explained. 

Everyone in the room shared a look. They held the advantage in space thanks to their risky gamble, but that could all vanish like a puff of smoke unless they were proactive in their defense. Sitting on their hands, waiting for the enemy to come to them…that wasn't an option. 

Corvus saw that victory could be grasped from this point alone. If they had total dominion over the skies, the Imperial troops would stand no chance. 

“They’ve got some smart heads on those shoulders. If they can hold those fields, they can keep the pressure up in orbit. And with the city drawing all our focus...” Hunter tapped the edge of the table with his knife, and frowned. 

Corvus’s gaze darkened, and he stroked his chin in thought. “We’ll lose the initiative at this rate.”

Pots stepped forward, there was a heightened urgency in his voice. “Sir, we need to reinforce the southern hemisphere immediately. If we lose those sites, it’s over. Our fleet won’t be able to hold this System, not without air superiority.”

Clip nodded sharply. “I’ll redirect what’s left of the Eriaduan Homefleet to screen above the southern hemisphere. We’ll cover your deployment.”

Corvus turned back to the table, hands clasped behind his back. His mind worked swiftly, calculating the time it would take to redeploy ground units before the assault on Eriadu City began. Then he thought about Vader, and how he was 100% certain that the Dark Knight would launch an all out attack on Eriadu City…or was he? Despite the anger and rage, that man was still Anakin Skywalker. Underneath the shiny black armor, and flowing black cape, he was the same old clever, roguish bastard he always was. It would be an Anakin maneuver to do something…unexpected. 

Corvus couldn't help but put a hand on his forehead, as he worried about the future. With Thrawn in the wings, and the threat of Vader, could he really afford to reroute men out of the capital??? 

‘If I were Anakin Skywalker, what would I do?’

“They’ll strike the city to keep us distracted.” Pots murmured. “But their victory will come in the south, that is, unless we stop them.”

Corvus’s gaze met Hunter’s. “Take the boys with you. Recon those sites before they arrive. I want explosives rigged, but you are not to set them off unless absolutely necessary. Those facilities will be critical to the war effort in the coming months.”

Hunter smirked. “On it, General.”

Yon silently looked at him, to which Corvus ruffled his, and Jax's hair. 

“You boys stay safe, and play it smart. Look after one another, and come back in one piece.” 

“Yes, Master.” (x2) 

Clip gave one last glance at the tactical display. “I’ll see to the orbital screen. If they want a refueling station, they’re going to have to fight for every meter of landing strip.”

Corvus nodded. 

The briefing then dissolved into rapid coordination between Clip & Pots. Orders flew out left and right, and a flurry of activity began to buzz around the command room. 

All the while, the slow pitter patter of rain began to pick up in speed & tempo. 

A storm was building. 

~~~~~~~~~~~

AN: “Corvus tilted his head slightly. Through the cold fury, he saw something else, it was desire. A need. A hunger for something more wrapped in pain.”

This scene with Vader's pain makes me think of the song Touch, by Daft Punk.