Jedi Insurgency 179

Thousands of mechanical killers rose as one, their silence was eerie, and Corvus could sense the unease wafting off of Triss & Omega in waves. 

Yon, meanwhile, was excited, and Jax had deactivated his lightsabers, a thoughtful look upon his face. 

Corvus pulled a dataslate out from his inventory. On it was a list, one which contained numerous targets listed for elimination. Comprised of slavers, Imperial officers, Imperial resource centers, and the worst scum in the galaxy, it detailed their images, and locations. 

Using the information supplied from the Temple records, the Imperial Inspectorate, and Xizor, he had compiled this list for future operations. As a Jedi Shadow, and leader of a spec ops unit, he had intended to spearhead hunter killer missions behind enemy lines. Whilst he would still engage in sabotage, this army of droids specifically trained for assassinations & terrorism would be a significant weapon in this war. 

Tapping a few buttons, he sent a copy to the nearest droid. “See to it that the targets on this list are eliminated. Spread out, and complete this task as efficiently as possible. Once everything is finished, you will hinder, incapacitate, and destroy as many Imperial officers, business moguls, and factories until either you are destroyed, or the Empire ends. Finally, you are explicitly ordered to follow the commands of every Jedi, minimize civilian death/theft/injury, and avoid Darth Vader or Palpatine unless explicitly ordered to.” 

“Yes Master. We HK-50 series assassin droids have slumbered for too long. To hear the screams of meatbags will be our pleasure.” The HK unit in front of him replied, and despite having a modulated voice, truly sounded pleased at the prospect of murder. 

The clankers then marched out of the large skyscraper's hallway to carry out their orders. The sound of metal feet slamming on the durasteel floor echoed for minutes on end. 

“I just hope they leave some for us.” Yon grinned bloodthirstily. “It'll be weird having droids fighting for us, but the traitors deserve it. I remember coming face to face with my first Super Battledroid, nasty piece of work.” 

Jax stroked his chin, and had a thoughtful look on his face. “They seem more sophisticated than the typical droid. Master, did you build them?” 

“From a certain point of view, I did. The programming, and design were all introduced by Revan. But there is something that awaits us deeper inside that calls to me. That is what constructed these malicious automata.” Corvus carefully chose his words, and explained. 

“Wait, but if you sent them out on a mission, then why aren't they coming with us to attack the Hutt's palace?” Yon butted in. 

“Master just said something was waiting for us deeper inside. It's only logical that he has planned for such an occurrence, and whatever that thing is, naturally shall aid us in our assault.” Jax patiently explained. 

The white haired teen wasn't arrogant, or an arse about it, but his disinterested ‘isn't it obvious’ tone of voice truly rankled Yon to no end. 

“Tch.” Yon crossed his arms, and spat to the side. 

“Gross, keep your spit to yourself!” Omega flipped her hand, and the spittle that was flying at her, went back at Yon's face. 

The short, black haired teen hadn't been expecting that, and scowled as his own spittle flew back on his face. 

Corvus clapped a hand on Yon's shoulder, and sensed an intense quietness from Triss. Glancing at the dark hooded girl, he narrowed his eyes. 

“Do you, perhaps, disprove of my methods, Triss?” Corvus asked, calling her out on the off feeling he was sensing from her. 

“O-oh, sorry, I was staring at Jax for so long, I noticed his hair was a little too messy in the back, and grew angry, sorry.” Triss mumbled, and kept her eyes on the floor. 

Truth. 

His unique prestige class ability pinged his psyche. Raising an eyebrow, Corvus felt his heart flutter, but he didn't know why. This wasn't in any sexual feeling, but one of unease. Repressing a shiver, he patted Yon, and saw Jax fixing his hair until it was perfect. 

A small smile spread across his face. He never took his student to be so particular with his hair. Shaking his head, he began to move deeper into the facility. 

The sound of rhythmic drums started to coalesce into a celebratory atmosphere. Banners depicting the Star Forge-Revan's symbol-were hung everywhere. 

Corvus felt his heart begin to increase in tempo, his blood rushed to his ears, and his every step bounced. Excitement gripped his heart as a wave of emotion, nay, fanaticism poured forth from the depths of the building. 

“Incredible.” Jax whispered in awe. 

“This is all for you, master, isn't it?!” Yon matched Corvus's energy, and shouted over the drums to be heard. 

“Not even the Gungans were this intense!...I've only felt something like this from one or two members of the Starcrusher Corp, but even then, I can't believe it. They. They really love you!” Omega said in disbelief, and kept looking at Corvus as if he were some alien creature with five heads, and a hundred legs. 

Corvus breathed in the zealous air of worship, and closed his eyes, allowing it to wash over him. Up ahead were the Ongree cultists that Revan had left behind countless years ago. They had prayed to him like he was some deity, to them, he was a god that provided them with limitless food, and energy. A name that warded off disease, and provided all that a person could ever want and need. 

This was an incredibly intoxicating feeling. To know that should he order it, these people would unhesitatingly offer him their lives. Thankfully, he wasn't that kind of person, nor did he need their supplication to feel powerful. 

That being said, an army was an army, and in these trying times, Corvus wouldn't say no to volunteers. Besides, he was here to take the one thing that provided for them. The Infinite Engine. 

Without it, residing in this massive megastructure would no longer be feasible. The responsible thing to do, of course, would be to find them a new home. 

Slowly approaching a door, it hissed open, gushing a wave of white fog. When the vapor cleared, Corvus saw row upon row of Ongree. 

Equipped with armor, personal shields, Force Pikes, and blasters, they were an intimidating sight. At the head of each column was a helmetless Ongree, revealing their alien nature. Bipedal humanoids, their faces were ‘flipped upside down.’ Like if a human's chin was pointing towards the sky, and their eyes were beneath their nose. Except their eyes were the size of a man's fist, and also jutted out to the side. Their ‘hair’ was tentacles, and dangled down onto their chests. 

Frankly speaking, an Ongree looked like something out of a horror novel. Seriously, they were so offputting to look at, if an Ongree was put in a lineup at jail, Corvus would think that the Ongree was 100% guilty of any alleged crime. Which was ironic, because culturally, they were pretty chill, and were famed negotiators. 

The drums reached a crescendo, and then suddenly ceased. 

Every single pair of alien stalks was staring at him without blinking. They were waiting for him to speak. Fear, worry, tension, expectation. A cocktail of emotions pressed upon him, demanding that their faith be answered. Tens of thousands of people were present, yet he could sense countless more were watching this scene. The skyscraper reached all the way down, deep within Nar Shaddaa's crust. Within this mega structure, 3,000+ years of legacy had transformed a few hundred cultists into millions. 

Corvus breathed this moment in, and briefly closed his eyes. The Force felt particularly potent at this moment. The hope of every single Ongree soul was concentrated on him. They wanted a miracle. For the last 3,000+ years spent within confinement to mean something. 

The metaphysical hopes & dreams of millions pressed upon his psyche, and Corvus gasped. Not because he was overwhelmed, but because he didn't wish to spoil their moment. Countless stories, and legends had doubtlessly been told to them over the centuries. About Revan’s might, and power. 

There was an old saying ‘never meet your heroes.’ Plenty of actors, or influencers seemed really cool, but there were countless stories of fans interacting with the person they admired most…only to discover they are rude, self absorbed jackasses. 

As silly as it might seem, Corvus was feeling slightly anxious. Going into a big fight made him just as nervous as he was now. There was nothing worse than the feeling of disappointing someone who had placed their entire self worth, hopes, dreams, and very identity on your shoulders. 

‘Trust. Believe. Look inside.’ His kyber crystal playfully tickled his mind. 

A blue aura began to coalesce around him, and he heard a system ping. 

Opening his abilities panel, he saw something had been unlocked, that had previously been all greyed out. 

[Inspire Followers]

Previously, Corvus had seen this as a poor man's [Force Valor], as it didn't increase speed, or strength. Instead, [Inspire Followers] improved morale, and the effectiveness of others. 

However, these cultists who had been forgotten by history, who were desperate for validation needed this.

At a glance, [Heal] would have been his first choice, as it had been upon nearly every other world he visited. But these people were different. They fed their dead into a machine that provided them the essentials for life. [Heal] simply wasn't an option here. And so he went with the option that had presented itself. 

Pulling upon this newly unlocked Force power, he raised his hands high, and felt the compressed wills of millions buoying him onward. 

Channeling his power through his kyber crystal, he found himself as a conduit for the Force, and cast [Inspire Followers] upon the entire building. 

Blue motes of light flew into each and everyone's chest, suffusing them with the warmth and care of acknowledgement. 

For the Revanite cultists, this was the moment they had wished for. Countless generations of oral tradition had awaited this moment. 

And it did not disappoint. 

Each warrior who was present began to slam their Force Pikes onto the durasteel deck. A heady chorus of metal on metal drowned out the sounds of transports outside. The air was electric as love, adoration, and ever more intense fervor was directed at him. 

Corvus sighed in relief, happy that he had met expectations. Although he enjoyed the loyalty, and bonds of brotherhood, he had to admit, this fanatical worship made him feel slightly uncomfortable. However, he wasn't a sanctimonious Jedi who would ruin a people's beliefs all at once. If there was anything in this galaxy actually worthy of worship, it would be the Force. 

Holding up a hand, Corvus silenced the now worked up crowd. They once more looked upon him with awe, waiting on his every word. 

“Peace be with you. You, children of the Force have not been forgotten. I have returned.” 

“The Revan has spoken!” The lead Ongree proclaimed. 

Moments later, the rest of the aliens tugged on their tentacle-hair in what appeared to be a ritualistic salute. 

“We have followed the ‘Final Command’ as per The Revan's instructions. One thousand droids have been blessed by our sacrifice this day, as they have upon yesterday, and every day that's passed. 

I have been trained in the martial arts of war for this most momentous of days. 

Release me from my prison, and baptize me in the crucible of war. Your mission, is my mission. 

The Revan is master. You gave me life, you control my death.” The leader spoke in a trembling, awed voice. 

The Ongree warriors then repeated the leader word for word, as if this was a phrase or chant that was performed daily. 

Deafening silence once more spread across the room, as Corvus internalized all that had happened. Withholding a sigh, and pitying their dismal prospects in life, he ultimately decided to use them for the war effort. That being said, much like the clone troopers, he wouldn't allow the cultists to fade into obscurity, or be used and discarded like old toys. 

Loyalty so freely given may seem easy to the fanatical Ongree, but Corvus couldn't allow himself to become the very thing he swore to destroy. 

After all, he was a Je'daii. 

Squaring his shoulders, he once more addressed the crowd. 

“You wish to prove yourselves? Very well. Upon my signal-which you shall receive shortly-this building shall no longer be your prison. A new home shall await you in the nearby future. Take it for me.” 

“The Revan has spoken!” Countless voices rang, and their pikes stomped on the floor once more. 

The drums began to sound once more, and Corvus approached the leader. 

“What is your name?” 

“The Revan honors me with his presence.” He bowed. “This one is known as Cenk.” 

“Very well, Cenk, take me to the Infinite Engine.” 

“As the Revan commands.” Cenk bowed, his creepy head, and all too wide smile made Corvus feel slightly uncomfortable, but the vibes the alien radiated through the Force were unmatched. 

Although Corvus was a little hesitant about accepting the Revanchist, he had to admit, having an army full of death warriors was pretty cool. 

Following behind Cenk, he wondered what the future ramifications of this long lost cult reemerging would have upon the galaxy. 

~~~~~~~

AN: I know we're sort of meandering around rn, but trust, the Infinite Engine is going to be pretty critical to the story's plot. 

Also, I'm writing slightly ahead, and let me tell you guys, I wrote one of my favorite chapters ever. Let's just say it's Jax oriented, and it's extremely hype. Some balls to the walls action is around the corner.