Jedi Insurgency 163

AN: Thus resumes our regularly scheduled programming.

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After defeating Fett, and handing off a dataslate filled with all sorts of information, Corvus had boarded the Falcon, and took off. 

During his ascent, he noticed a never ending stream of cargo craft coming & going inside Jabba's hangar. Using tractor beams, they lifted the numerous ships that Jabba had collected over the years. With little modification, these vessels could become prime weapons in the hands of insurgents, or rebels. Nominally appearing as yachts, or advanced light freighters, they would blend right in, whereas something like an ARC-170 would be much too conspicuous for a stealth/sabotage operation. 

Further up in low orbit, a dozen freighters were awaiting their cargo. Not only were they here to transport Jabba's collection, but more importantly, were how the stimulants Corvus had produced would be delivered across the galaxy. Using Prince Xizor's vast fleets, and contacts, he was poised to dominate the ‘Spice’ market. Essentially, Xizor was reptile-Jeff Bezos-and his company was a galactic-wide Space Amazon. Imagine, instead of going to a dealer, or bar, that your drug of choice was delivered to your doorstep? And unlike Deathsticks, which were no better than heroin, Corvus’s medicine had side effects no worse than tylenol. 

An unending cash flow, and control of the criminal underworld was within sight! Although it would take some time to become a sizable force, he trusted in the skills/ruthlessness/intelligence of Boba, Xizor, & Hondo. As Vader-in the OT-was well aware, the most important thing to any successful organization, was competent leadership! With these men at the helm, Corvus was confident that he could establish a spy network, fund his army, and cripple the enemy supply lines. 

Whilst Star Wars might seem like it was all about big 1v1's, and decapitation strikes, history proved that these events typically didn't take place until years of conflict had passed. The Great Hyperspace Wars, Mandalorian Wars, or even the Galactic Civil War all took place over the span of years. In fact, the schism between the Jedi & Dark Jedi was known as the Hundred Years Darkness! Whilst Corvus would like to assassinate Palpatine, he had to be realistic. 

If he played this conflict well, there was even the possibility of killing the old prune with an endless barrage of turbolasers. Or even weaken his power by sending a hundred Legions at him all at once. Perhaps it wasn't as glorious as the vaunted 1v1, but against a man as dangerous as Darth Sidious, one could not take any half measures! 

Pleased with Xizor’s promptness, he now turned his attention to the vision of the Lightside Nexus. Feeling glowing in the Force, Corvus didn’t use any map, and followed an invisible trail. The best way he could describe the sensation, would be like a main character in a game following a quest marker, but even that didn't do the sensation justice. Because not only was this phenomenon ‘visual’ but also affected each one of his senses. 

Passing over the Dune Sea, and an endless desert sand, the cool night air whipped around his ship as he arrived on scene. Moving through a shimmering mirage, one moment, everything around him had been unremarkable sand, the next, he was surrounded by an ancient feeling, lush jungle. Like the kind one might find deep within Brazil, the leaves were vibrant, full of life, and happily swayed under the moon's glow. Surprisingly, this ‘oasis’ was quite large, about the size of a small lake! All around this body of water, were many exotic animals, that didn't look like they should belong to Tatooine's ecosystem whatsoever. Birds, mammals, fish, insects, amphibians, and other alien species called this place home! A small mist coated the sky, and a rainbow arched from one side of the lake to the other. 

To a primal human, such a scene must almost seem like Heaven. 

Stepping out of the Falcon, Corvus's boot landed on the loamy soil, and he breathed in the cool air. Moonlight shimmered off the lake surface, and an indescribable calm spread throughout his body. 

The sound of a mother's laughter crested the waves, and the sway of the trees brought cheer to his heart. Without any prompting, a fruit from a nearby branch fell into his hand, and he sensed unconditional love from the plant that had delivered this to him. Glancing at the magnificent wooden structure, he could tell it wasn't intelligent, but was acting solely on the overall vibe of the area. 

Lifting his mask slightly, Corvus took a bite from the fruit, and then closed his eyes. Tears trickled down his chin, as the flavor was identical to his favorite dish back home. Memories of his family surfaced, and for a moment, he lost himself in the peaceful atmosphere of this oasis. 

“The Lightside is a miracle, is it not?” A voice came from his front. 

Slowly opening his eyes, Corvus sensed no malice from the man, and nodded at him in recognition. 

“A'Sharad Hett, I'd recognize those tattoos anywhere. Welcome.” Corvus stated, and gestured towards a space by his side. 

Hett paused in his step, and for the briefest of seconds, Corvus sensed self-disgust. 

‘Ah, right. Part of Hett's character, was that he was salty due to not being a biological Tuskan Raider, he was adopted.’ 

“To be recognized by a Legend of the Order, the honor is all mine.” Hett inclined his head as he approached. 

“I had foreseen your arrival on Tatooine, yet you-along with all other Jedi-should have received my warning. Why are you not waiting on Illum, with the others?” Corvus tilted his head to the side, and asked in a curious tone. 

Canonically, Hett exiled himself to Tatooine, and when he met Obi-Wan, he wanted to team up with The Negotiator, to fight the Empire. Unfortunately for Hett, Obi-Wan saw darkness in him, whooped his ass, and kicked him off the dust ball. From there, Hett would find himself driven to Korriban. There, one of the 12 original Dark Jedi who founded the Sith Order would become his master. Her spirit to this day remained on that evil planet, it was the master of Darkside healing, leader of the Black Legions, XoXaan! 

“I imagine the same reason as you, the Force brought me here, just like it did the day the Temple fell.” Hett began conversationally, but ended the sentence with a bite to it. 

Corvus looked down at the fruit in his hands, and sighed, as he recalled that heart pounding day. 

“...I am powerful, young Hett, but I am no fool. My abilities have always leaned towards gathering others.” Corvus meaningfully inclined his head at the Tuskan man. “At that moment, Anakin Skywalker was an instrument of the Force, there was nothing that could have stopped him.” 

Hett pursed his lips. Clearly, he was displeased with this response, but he was much too polite to press the issue. 

“…what you have accomplished is inspirational. Malastare, Eriadu, your speeches to the clones, all of it has been well documented on the HoloNet, and has become the subject of much debate amongst the survivors on Illum. However, all they do is debate! Waiting for a miracle to descend upon them, as if Tython will fix all their woes!” Hett spat to the side, and furiously swept his hand through the air. “I will not sit on my hands, when the galaxy is on the line.” 

Corvus gently clapped his hands. “Well said.” 

He could see some of the future Darth Krayt in this young man. Growing up alongside Anakin, he was ambitious, and heavily opinionated. The destruction of the Order in canon had collapsed the world view that the Jedi could do no wrong. Unfortunately, Hett suffered from something any good man experienced. He cared too much. 

“It would appear the Force has brought us together for a reason. Our meeting was no coincidence. A man of your talents will be vital to the ongoing conflict.” Corvus bowed his head in appreciation for Hett's skills. Although he wasn't particularly powerful now, his growth potential was absolutely bonkers! Darth Krayt was easily a top 20 Legends character. 

“I had heard stories of your fall, and redemption. Is it true you practice the Darkside?” Hett hesitantly enquired. 

Corvus scrutinized him, letting the cool air from the lake wash over them, before responding. 

“Do you want to learn?” 

Hett hesitated, and then bowed. “Master.” 

Corvus lifted him up with a wave of the hand. 

“You will not be my student learner, nor shall I accept the title of Master from you. I have seen visions of you, Hett, and hold you in high regard.” Corvus said, noting the Tuskan's disappointment. “However, that does not mean I will not put you on the path. On Tython, there are a pair of moons, Ashla & Bogan, Light & Dark. By comparing and contrasting their ebb and flow, one can properly grasp the concept of balance.” 

“Balance?” 

“Yes, balance. The Darkside is often a quick means to power, however, it can corrupt the spirit, and will of the user. Like an addict who repeatedly says ‘I can stop at any time’ those who practice the Darkside will ultimately become changed. By immersing oneself in a state of mind similar to this Nexus, such mental pollution is much rarer.” Corvus explained. 

“So it all comes back to Tython.” Hett bitterly replied. 

“Not necessarily. You can feel it, can't you? The subtle thrum of darkness down below?” Corvus whispered. 

Hett briefly closed his eyes, reached out his hand, and then gasped. A cold sweat covered his forehead, and he snapped his eyes open. The tattoos on his skin seemed to ripple in fear, and he took a deep gulp. Yet despite this, Hett's curiosity seemed to have been piqued. 

“My people have had legends about this oasis for millenia. This is my first time visiting, as I was drawn by the Force…just now, I saw images of something I considered but a fantasy…” Hett mumbled, speaking in a soft, disbelieving tone. 

“A temple filled with old statues. Did you see the machine? What did you see? What do you know?” Corvus pressed, and took a step closer. 

This information was very important to him, as the Force had brought him here. He was curious as to this place's backstory, and if he could learn any clues that might help him solve this mystery. 

“The legends of my people spoke about this oasis. Of a temple that could bring back that which was lost. I sensed the tip of a black monolith in the center of the lake. Perhaps this is the answer we are looking for?” Hett questioned aloud, more so to himself than to Corvus. 

Feeling a premonition in the Force, Corvus turned to his left, and saw a large palm fall from the jungle, and float down onto the lake. Suspiciously canoe shaped, he wondered if it could contain their weight. 

A childish laugh echoed from the Lightside Nexus, and he could only chuckle. 

“It appears our ride has arrived.”