Jedi Insurgency 174

After Corvus asked them to speak, Yon glanced at the other participants in the call, and even Jax appeared to show some reluctance. Hunter, meanwhile, raised an eyebrow. 

“Ya sure you want us airing your dirty laundry, mate?” The Clone commando asked. 

Thinking back to the Jar Jar incident, Corvus realized it probably wasn't in his best interest to share the activities of the Jedi Order's black ops. 

Bail Organa-being the sensitive politician that he was, and likely someone familiar with the dark side of war, what with his ability to manage terrorist cells during the Rebellion-loudly cleared his throat. “I believe we have heard enough in this meeting. I look forward to your continued good news, Revan. Until next time.” 

Bail's hologram winked out, and then all that was left were Rahm Kota, and Jaro Tapal. 

“What's wrong, don't trust your comrades?” Kota asked with a ‘grin’ that was all teeth. 

“I must admit, I am weary of this subterfuge, and yet, Master Revan must have his purposes. The Council did not share everything, nor do the both of us know one another's deepest secrets.” Tapal spoke up, defending Corvus's position. 

“Half the reason we got ourselves into this mess was because the council kept us ignorant! If I didn't mistrust the clones, I would have been shot in the back!” Kota all but growled, a deep mistrust entered his voice as he glanced between Corvus, and his students. 

Tapal held his silence, and gently looked to Corvus, interested in hearing his opinion. 

“Have you ever met a Jedi Shadow before you met me?” Corvus inquired. He did not raise his voice, nor was he talking down to Kota. It was an honest, simple question. 

“Are you trying to say that I can't now? We-Tapal and I-are both Masters fighting in this war, and my reinforcements saved your life, old man. I did you a favor seizing Sullust, I deserve to know the truth. This backroom bantha shit stinks, and as much as I want to trust you-and I mostly do-I know what one rotten fruit can do to the batch.” Kota spoke in an abrasive tone, and folded his arms across his chest. 

Corvus could only silently chuckle. There was the curmudgeonly asshole who had become a fan favorite in the Force Unleashed. Just because he was a great fighter, and ride-or-die kind of ally, did not mean he wasn't a firebrand. 

“It's hard to believe Master Yoda taught such an energetic student.” Corvus sighed. 

“And it's hard to believe an ‘old man’ like you can't learn from the mistakes of the past. Either we sit in on this conversation, or we walk.” Kota demanded. 

Yon was about to erupt with expletives, and Jax was about to voice his displeasure, when Corvus held up a hand, silencing them. 

“I asked you, Master Kota, if you had ever spoken to a Jedi Shadow. I asked this question, because I want you-both of you-to understand the nature of my sub-sect. Although we are Jedi, we very much stray from the orthodoxy.” Corvus spoke slowly, making sure his every word was absorbed by the thick-headed saber monkey. “And Kota, while I value your assistance, do not presume to give me orders.” 

“Bah, cloak and dagger nonsense. We were never a clean order, and were filled with hypocrites from the start. Let's hear what the boys have to say!” Kota waved off Corvus’s criticism, and turned to Yon. 

The short, black haired youth glared at the bearded, middle-aged man, and furiously chewed on his noodles. His unceasing staring at Kota conveyed his intense displeasure. 

Kota, meanwhile, had a big shit eating grin spread across his face. It appeared pissing off other people was one of his favorite pastimes. 

“Go ahead, Yon, what do you have to report?” Corvus nudged the teen along. 

“Nothing much, Master. I destroyed a Pyke Syndicate Spice freighter on Christophis which contained an estimated 50 million credits worth of merchandise, and pinned the blame on the Shadow Collective. I poisoned the Vigo on Rodia, and tossed the local Imperial Admiral into a reactor along the way. Using the Admiral's stolen credentials, I sent a commando squad after the local slavers, and killed them too.” Yon spoke with pride as he slurped his noodles. Taking a deep gulp from the broth, he continued his report. 

“I then made my way to Syvris, where the Vigo had set a trap for camouflaged intruders. Thankfully I learned how to breath in space, and separate myself from the vacuum, because the poison mist could've been deadly. Once they moved in to investigate, I snuck past them, and used stolen Spice-from the Pyke Freighter-laced it with poison, and pinned the blame on them. Now, I am on Nar Shaddaa, awaiting your arrival.” 

“By the Force, boy!” Kota spat out his drink, and exclaimed. 

Tapal-who was still hovering above the ground in pseudo meditation-furrowed his brow. 

“Hah, good job lad! You might've outdone us this time!” Hunter gave a thumbs up, and spoke encouragingly. 

“It was nothing. I am sure you brothers have achieved great things for my Master.” The Padawan saluted. 

Yon-who ordinarily still had a bit of distrust in clones-was clear who was more loyal to his Master, and closed ranks with Hunter. However, he was still a bit of a cheeky little shit in his delivery. 

Corvus could only shake his head, and then clap his hands in praise. “Well done, Yon. Each one of your targets has been taken care of, and you have accomplished more along the way. I am proud of you.” 

His pride pulsed through their Force Bond, and Yon beamed at the praise. 

“So this is what the Jedi Shadows get up to, eh?” Kota muttered, stroking his beard. “Heh, good riddance!” 

“Master Kota?” Tapal questioned. This time, it was the large purple Lasat's turn to grow uncomfortable. 

“You heard me, Master Tapal. These bottom feeders have been suckling on the people's teat until there isn't any milk left. I say good riddance!” Kota slammed his arm down, breaking yet another item within the dilapidated, wartorn office he was in.  

Corvus rolled his eyes. Well, at least the saber monkey was easy to please. But the issue is Master Tapal. Such a stern, upright warrior was difficult to read…however, he had trained Kal in the event that the clones betrayed them. So perhaps it was a little ignorant to view him as a simple minded, honorable warrior. Anyone who could prepare for such an eventuality was a person who held great wisdom. 

“You are right to be concerned, Master Tapal.” Corvus agreed with him, silencing Kota's outburst. “Our line of work is not pretty, but it is results oriented. For generations, the Jedi Shadows have hunted down fallen Dark Jedi, and destroyed Sith texts or artifacts. Targeting gangsters, or politicians was never the focus. However, now that total war is upon us, now that the Republic, and our very Order is near its collapse, desperate times call for desperate measures. To ensure peace in the galaxy, the malignant tumors of society must be removed.” 

Tapal seemed to struggle with himself. His convictions must be strong, because Corvus’s high Persuade, as strong as it was, wasn't infallible. 

Ultimately, the Lasat sighed, and could only shake his head. 

“Whilst I disagree with the premise, I am not blinded to reality. We, all of us, are wartime Generals. The amount of lives that have been ended due to our orders is astronomical. I have witnessed the cruelties of this conflict, and the desperate nature of a man born into poverty forced to choose between fighting for a tyrant, and going hungry. The Jedi Order cannot continue on this ignorant path, we can not remain ignorant. I do not like what you are doing, Master Revan, but now knowing what I know, I cannot condemn it.” Tapal spoke in a heavy, regret filled tone. 

It was evident that the Lasat was hurting. That the very tenants he had been raised on were being called into question. Yet reality was much more different than theory. Real, lived, life experience had taught these war time Jedi more than any book, or lecture. 

“I am sorry that this galaxy is so grim, that we cannot fix everything with a wave of our hand, a word from our lips, or the threat of violence if need be.” Corvus said, referencing the [Mind Trick], their diplomatic skills, and their lightsabers. 

“Sometimes, the reality is, that change can only happen through action. Although my methods are suspect, they achieve results. For example, if I was unwilling to destroy the Tarkin family, and the leaders who poisoned Eriadu, we would not be having this discussion right now. The Galactic South would still 100% be in Imperial hands, unlike its current contested state, and the Imperial economy would be roaring at full output. 

Trust me when I say I wish to do nothing more than to learn the intricacies of the Force on some lost world. But I cannot. A fire burns within me. A fire that screams for justice. If I do not do good-if we do not act like true Jedi-than who will? With great power comes great responsibility. We have failed the people of the galaxy time and time again. I have failed them. 

No longer.” 

Tapal was stunned, and Kota whistled in appreciation. 

“Oi aways feel tingly when the Big Boss speaks.” Wrecker rumbled from within the sauna. 

“He does have a way with words.” Tech added. 

“Masters, I apologize, but can you keep quiet for a moment?” Jax whispered in the call. 

Everyone's attention came back to the white haired teen. Previously, he had been spelunking through a sewer, now he found himself within a pretty pink boudoir. Fancy silk lace was everywhere, and an incredibly attractive blue skinned, blonde alien girl. Corvus recognized her as Senator Riyo Chuchi, Princess of Pantora, and daughter to the character cameoed by George Lucas. 

“Jax, you've returned!” Riyo sprang from her seat, and rushed to embrace the white haired, blue eyed teen. 

Jax was stoic as she gushed over him. 

“I am sorry Masters, but my report will have to wait. I have a rescue to conduct.” Jax spoke in a succinct, matter of fact tone, before hanging up. 

Kota wolf whistled, and Hunter shook his head with a grin. 

“Lucky bugger.” Echo added on. 

“That's the third one this mission, I reckon.” Hunter agreed. 

“Statistically unlikely, the odds of rescuing one princess, much less two in the span of two weeks is-” Tech began, only to be interrupted. 

“The lad doesn't miss, Tech. Trust me on this one.” Crosshair-the bald sniper-begrudingly praised. 

“As…eventful as that was, we would be interested to hear your part in this mission?” Tapal paused in his speech, and then turned to the Bad Batch with a question. 

“That's classified. All you need to know, General, is that we took care of business. Good hunting to you Boss, we'll be there when you need us.” Hunter saluted, and without another word, disconnected. 

“Hah! He got you good, Tapal. Maybe those clones ain't half bad.” Kota smirked, and then hung up. 

“...I look forward to meeting you in person. Those ships & soldiers will be put to great use, I can assure you that. Until next time, Master Revan.” Tapal performed a Jedi salute, and winked out. 

Corvus leaned back in his comfortable Alderaani couch, thankful that he didn't have to deal with that prickly asshole anymore. Kota was good people, but much like dealing with an overly opinionated relative, any conversation that dragged beyond half an hour could get grating. 

Taking a sip of his drink, he smacked his lips in satisfaction. Today was a productive day, only he couldn't help but feel like he forgot something? 

A second later, a sharp-migraine inducing pulse-pierced his mind through one of his Force Bonds. Oh yeah, her. 

Heh heh…turns out he had been leaving Sev’rance Tann on hold for the last couple of hours. 

Whoopsie! 

He had a perfectly valid reason for that! Discussing the future of the war was vital for their operation! She couldn't possibly hold it against him, right? 

~~~~~

AN: Jax truly is the silent protagonist. Dead master, childhood friend dies in his arms, loses a piece of his body running away from the genocide of his hometown, finds a new OP teacher, and the second he leaves the homebase, he has a new party of heroines throwing themselves at him as he accidentally rescues one after another. Meanwhile, Yon is the rival fuming on the side-probably-complaining that all those icky girls are slowing Jax down.