Jedi Insurgency 170

Deleting Dashar, Corvus glumly looked at the other programs as they disappeared from sight. 

‘Damn, my exp!’ 

“It is a heavy sight indeed.” Krayt spoke up from his side, misinterpreting Corvus’s melancholy for something else. 

Corvus could only nod along, and then turned the topic towards something more constructive. “It truly is. With the cleansing of that Rakatan slime, this Tho Yor now belongs to us.” 

Sitting atop two Force Nexuses, and gathering the accumulated suffering of Tatooine for eons, this instrument of the Force was absolutely brimming with untapped potential. Although it was no Death Star, a Tho Yor was, in many regards, perhaps the strongest capital ship in the galaxy. Requiring hundreds of Force Sensitives to fuel its operation-or perhaps a handful of extremely strong individuals-this new weapon was one that could alter entire battlefields. 

“This Tho Yor…is it so remarkable?” Krayt stroked his chin, and slowly questioned. 

“Extremely so. Although it does not possess planet busting capabilities, it amplifies Force abilities, and can be used as a focus. Imagine my [Heal] being cast on a continental scale.” Corvus smiled, imagining the sweet sweet exp he could farm. A casual fly over a dense plant like Coruscant would probably be worth 5 to 10 levels alone! 

“I see, its potential is indeed magnificent. Should you channel your lightning, or I my push, we could flatten a city. What makes it such a great weapon, is that conventional shields cannot block an attack from the Force!” Krayt exclaimed in excitement, his mind-tempered by 5 years of war-and his possible future conquerors path had him zero in on one of the most destructive features of a Tho Yor. 

Corvus once again nodded along. Over a dozen of these temples had been unleashed upon the galaxy during the schism of the Je'daii. Much like any item of great power, the Tho Yor's had the potential for greatness. It all depended on who used them. He wouldn't be surprised if the new Jedi Order hid any surviving Tho Yor's across the galaxy. Personally, he wouldn't feel comfortable leaving one of these babies in anyone else's hands. 

Grimly staring out at the procedurally generated jungle of the mind prison in silence, Corvus was about to free them from the program, when suddenly, the holographic image of that Kumumgah appeared once more. 

“You are now free of the Rakatan's grasp, are you not? Speak, memory of my ancestors, what wisdom have you come to share with us.” Krayt spoke with narrowed eyes, yet he was not quick to draw his lightsaber. The son of Tatooine may be a vicious combatant, but that didn’t mean he was a raging berserker who ran at every perceived enemy. 

Besides his power, and charisma, what made Krayt such a dangerous individual, was his intelligence. 

L'shara-the ancient program-bowed with a hand covering his chest. 

“L'shara will tell us that the machine he spoke of from before is real.” Corvus guessed with a strong level of certainty. This was the kind of nonsense that always happened in Star Wars. “Won't you?” He then asked, turning to the hologram. 

“Astute as always, Je'daii. I only wish my people had allied with yours. If only we were not so proud.” L'shara sighed, hanging his head in shame. “Yes, we can still bring water back to my home…but the cost, I am afraid, would not be to your liking.” 

By this point, the ancient Kumumgah had slumped shoulders, and had adopted a somewhat begger-like posture. 

“You would have us forego the Tho Yor, so that it can power this operation.” Krayt choked out, clearly warring with himself over which option to pick. 

This man who was not genetically Tusken, and was an outcast in the Order for his tattoos, a man who sought acceptance from both groups only to receive ridicule time and again, suddenly found himself in a position that could define the fates of either group. Clenching his fists, a shadow covered Krayt's expression, and his emotions were muted in the Force. 

As for Corvus, he thought it over, and had come to a conclusion relatively quickly. 

He would save Tatooine, it was the Jedi Way. In no way, shape or form was he influenced by the [Jedi Path] quest! 

But seriously, exp concerns aside, there were many reasons why he would rather use the Tho Yor as an act of healing, rather than destruction. 

For one, it really was the Jedi Way. Such a reason might appear silly when a galaxy-wide war was underway, but a man must have principles to stand by in life. Leading by example was critical to one's credibility. When one talks the talk, they must walk the walk. The Jedi were frequently accused of hypocrisy by the fanbase, and ridiculed constantly. Whilst Corvus was rather pro-Jedi, that didn't mean he was blind towards their criticisms. If he kept talking about ‘how he would make the galaxy better’ without actually doing anything to make it better, then how was he any better than your average politician? So for his own conscience, and to show the galaxy that the Jedi were a force for good, healing Tatooine made the most sense. 

Another reason why this wasn't a terrible idea, is that Corvus would be going to Nar Shaddaa soon, and had no place to hide a Tho Yor. Ideally, he would like to hold off on its deployment until an incredibly important target became available. By using surprise, it would limit Palpatine’s ability to counter it. Tho Yor's, for all their power, were not indestructible. Such a rare asset was best used strategically, not thrown into every battlefield where it might be destroyed. 

Ultimately, leaving the Tho Yor to recharge on Tatooine fit Corvus’s plans perfectly. 

Whilst Krayt was still struggling with his decision, Corvus was happily humming a tune to himself as he imagined the countless experience points that would be heading his way. Seeing that Krayt was beginning to sweat, Corvus decided he didn't want to torture him, and would guide him to the ‘correct’ answer. 

“Do not lose sight of why we have come here, Krayt. The evil has been vanquished, and the wound still festers.” 

“I know.” Krayt bitterly intoned. “But for a moment of selfishness, we could gather the Jedi, pilot the Tho Yor to Coruscant, and destroy the Sith once and for all.” 

“And after we have razed a quarter of Coruscant into nought but ash, and dust, the Order shall receive the praise of the galaxy, yes?” Corvus shook his head, and sarcastically remarked. 

“Blood is no stranger to your hands.” Krayt stated, looking out into the vast expanse of trees with a complicated look upon his face. 

Corvus sighed, and closed his eyes as he recalled the intense emotions of the many men he had slaughtered as they approached death. As a Force Sensitive, killing others was quite the psychological impact. Holding up a gloved hand, the minty green light of [Heal] then spread outward, in the other hand, he ignited a lightsaber. 

“For every give, there is take, every push, a pull. The galaxy is in turmoil. It is our goal as Jedi to protect those who cannot protect themselves. By proving ourselves as the better option, the people-those worth fighting for at least-will see us as the better alternative. Taking their obedience by force is easy, but-” 

“But they already have lost faith in us.” Krayt interrupted. “Their Democracy has elected a Sith. I do not discount your judgement, Master Revan, do not take my forbearance for disagreement. Only, I am reluctant to believe that our goodwill shall be so readily embraced…the people of the galaxy…I find value in protecting them. I only worry that they do not understand the lengths to which we go in fighting for them. That all the sacrifices we made in the clone wars, all the good deeds, have been ignored.” 

Corvus sighed, and couldn't help but nod in agreement. “I see what you are saying, you fear that due to our humble nature, no one will appreciate our restoration of Tatooine?” 

Krayt wordlessly nodded. 

“As much as I agree with your decision, I can't help but wish to wield the Tho Yor as a weapon. At least that way, the results will be apparent to everyone.” Krayt spoke like the bitter war veteran that he was. 

Like many young men, Krayt was experiencing what it was like to be powerless in the face of society. Raised by the Jedi, and told his entire life to believe that if he followed the ‘right path’ as laid out by the Order, he would naturally succeed. 

“I understand where you are coming from.” Corvus sighed, deep with emotion. 

Placing a hand on Krayt's shoulder, he stared the son of Tatooine in the eye. 

“Then let us make such a sensation of our restoration, that the entire galaxy is aware of our generosity!” Corvus held his other arm out, spreading it across the scenery, as if he were painting a brighter tomorrow. 

Krayt's expression was grim, yet with a deep breath, and pursed lips, he ultimately agreed. “I shall follow in your steps.” 

Corvus smiled to himself, knowing that Krayt was still disbelieving. What his tattooed friend didn't know, was that he had access to space lizard Jeff Bezos, and an entire criminal network. Using Prince Xizor, and Jabba's channels, spreading the word would be easy. He only hoped Krayt didn't come to regret this massive publicization, because there were going to be a looot of eyeballs on this soon to be water world. How many other worlds would benefit from terraforming? How many corporations, and governments would kill for said technology? Heh. This would only be the beginning. By getting the Kumumgah AI on his side now, there would be future opportunities to fix other worlds. The potential of this technology was endless! Mustafar, Hoth, Nal Hutta, and a thousand other worlds could become habitable, or fixed due to centuries of neglect! 

As Corvus was fantasizing about how much good this Tho Yor + Kumumgah tech could do, said Kumumgah AI decided to speak up. 

“Then. You two agree?” L'shara opened an eye, and raised his head from a bowing posture. 

“Show us how to operate the device.” Corvus demanded, water shall once more bless this damned world.

Then, with a snap of a finger, both himself and Krayt found themselves in the same room as the mind prison. Behind the Rakatan structure, was a large, alien looking machine. 

“This is what you must do…” L'shara said, detailing the steps necessary to begin the planet's restoration. 

~~~~~~

It began with thunder. 

The twin suns of Tatooine dimmed behind a veil of clouds no one living had ever seen gathered so thick. The wind changed first, cooling, carrying a scent long forgotten. Moisture filled the air, and the soil began to dampen. Then the sky opened up, revealing a kaleidoscope of color. Rain fell across Tatooine, steady and unending, soaking sand that had known only thirst. Dry riverbeds darkened and filled. Cracked ground softened, and the denizens of the desert came out to drink their fill. Moisture sank deep into the earth, forming underground rivers, and the Force moved through it all like a long-held breath finally released.

This was a miracle. 

The moisture farmer stood frozen beside his vaporator in stunned silence, staring straight up at the sky. He laughed once, a broken sound, and then he wept. The machines were still running, but they were suddenly unnecessary. He knelt in the mud, pressing his palms to the ground as if afraid it might vanish again, whispering thanks to something he had never dared believe was listening.

An old woman in Mos Espa felt the rain on her rooftop and thought she was dreaming. She stepped outside barefoot, letting the water soak her robes, her hair, the skin that was lined by decades of sun, and hard labor finally knew the meaning of shade. She tilted her face upward, mouth open, tasting the sky like a child. Around her, others emerged from their homes, and instead of mocking her, mimicked her actions. 

A Tusken child lifted his gaffi stick toward the clouds. Water streaked down the lenses of his mask. It was taboo to remove such an item…until now that is. The legends and tales of old had the Tusken people cover themselves in shame for what they had lost. Today, however? Today was a sacred day, a holy day! The elders did not stop the child from running into the open dunes. The drums were silent that night, replaced by hands striking wet sand in wonder.

The smuggler, grounded by flooded canyons, cursed once and then fell quiet. He had seen strange things across the galaxy, but this, this made his chest ache, reminding him of his home of Corellia. He stood beneath the downpour, letting it soak through his jacket, realizing he was homesick, and tired of a life where he constantly risked it all. Was he crying, or was the world crying? 

That moment that the storm arrived, a child born that hour wailed, then quieted as rainwater trickled through a cracked ceiling and touched their tiny fingers. The midwife smiled, breath hitching, and said softly that this child would never know the word ‘drought.’ Outside, the sound of falling water became the first lullaby of a new age.

By nightfall, the desert shimmered under starlight reflected in countless newborn pools. People gathered without speaking, sharing fires, sharing silence, sharing tall tales, and legends. Word had gone out that the Jedi were behind this miracle, that Revan had healed this broken world. 

Life had returned.

And Tatooine, at last, drank its fill.