Jedi Insurgency 198

Piloting the Millennium Falcon away from the sight of Vader's fury, Corvus sighed in relief, as he regarded his ally, rival, frenemy, and lover, Sev’rance Tann. 

It had been several months since they last met in person, and she had filled out well. Leaving prison had done well for the pigmentation on her skin, and her glossy black hair was fluffy in ways he couldn't describe. 

“Have you seen enough, or are you trying to get us killed by flying directly into the incoming TIE.” Tann slowly drawled, adjusting the co-pilots controls, so that the Falcon veered slightly to the left, evading a swarm of starfighters. 

Corvus wore a wry smile under his mask, and gently moved the ship back on course. “I must say, Supreme Commander, after spending several months on campaign, you've proven yourself to be an-mmm-valuable asset to this conflict. A true blue, fine product of the Chiss Ascendancy.” 

“Naturally, however, I am much more than a product of my upbringing.” Tann scoffed, once more slightly adjusting the controls to bypass a slew of turbolaser fire. “However, perhaps I should take you to the Ascendancy myself one day. If you think you've seen the ‘true-blue’ depths of the Chiss, you would be sorely mistaken. We must rectify that.” Tann declared, like a dictator already making future plans for her subordinates. 

“Oh yes, I see you are in need of re-education, Supreme Commander.” Corvus lightly tutted, and gestured towards the bruise on her neck where Vader had choked her. “If anyone deserves rectifying, it is you.” 

“Hmph. Your arrival-whilst timely-was a wasted opportunity. The optimal path would have been to have wielded those cultists, and sent them at Vader. Securing the Infinite Engine was the priority.” Tann scowled, dropping the somewhat serious/playful persona to express some very real criticism.

Corvus slowly exhaled a deep breath through his nose. She had a good point. If he had been willing to use the Ongree as expandable meat shields, then the clone troopers would have been stopped, preventing Vader from offering a sacrifice. Furthermore, he could've planted explosives during the chaos of the battle, and absconded without having to risk himself. Instead, he had allowed his weakened state to insert doubt into this operation. Without the confidence of strength, he was like a guy nervous on his first date, unable to perform. 

Lastly, he truly had been reluctant to flood the battlefield with the Ongree. Although they were Revanites, and were happy to throw their lives away for the cause, they were, at their core, brainwashed cultists. It was one thing to wield a soldier, or even a limited number of them, but to risk losing all 10 million+ Ongree on a maybe wasn't something that sat right with him. Corvus had promised them a new home, he would not go back on his word. He refused to be a hypocrite, like the modern Jedi Order. 

…But like hell he would admit that outloud! Give this evil blueberry an inch, and she'd take a mile! Like an overeager boyfriend pushing his girlfriend to do ever more risque acts, Tann would seize any perceived weakness of his, and slowly needle at him until she proved herself to be the dominant one in this relationship! 

Corvus verbally scoffed at her acidic remark, and condescendingly shook his head. 

“Since you couldn't defeat him in the 2v1, you wish to pile the blame upon my shoulders? Perhaps a duel under my lightsaber will straighten that attitude out.” Corvus offhandedly remarked. 

“And you are so certain you are the one who shall come out on top? You may try to hide it behind your pretty words, and smooth tongue, Revan, but I tasted weakness upon your lips.” Tann dangerously smirked, yet at the same time, a fraction of worry spread through their Bond. 

‘Damn, she noticed my debuff.’ Corvus gripped the controls extra tight as he performed a barrel roll. 

However, he was also touched by her smidgen of concern, knowing how difficult it was for his evil blueberry to express herself like that. 

Reaching out a hand, he deposited a glove into his inventory, and gently ran the back of his index finger across the exposed skin of her bruised neck. 

‘Soft.’ He unconsciously pulsed in the Force. 

Tann was about to slap his hand away, when she was forced to juke the Falcon in a violent maneuver as a trio of missiles came screaming overhead. 

Corvus's hand didn't stop in its adventurous exploration, and gently brushed against her hair. The sexy Chiss shivered uncomfortably, unaccustomed to opening herself up like this to others. Touching a piece of burnt, sliced hair, he morosely sighed. 

“You've had it hard…thank you for coming. You're really something special, Sev’rance Tann. I'm fortunate to have you in my life.” Corvus said, voice full of sincerity. 

Tann had a tight expression on her face as she juked & weaved the Falcon with an ever growing amount of skill. Although they were invisible to the outside world, the sheer amount of lasers, ships, and weapons flying through Nar Shaddaa’s lower atmosphere was rather extraordinary. Oftentimes in war, many people killed someone else, and didn't even know it. The saying ‘bullets don't have names’ was quite applicable to their situation, and even though they were in a safer position, since they weren't actively being targeted, the closer they drew near to the Executrix, the more concentrated the firepower. 

Eventually, Tann couldn't even scowl at him, her hands were so occupied. However, his words seemed to have dealt critical damage, and her cheeks blushed purple. For a brief second, the haughty child of the Ascendancy, the noble born commander of a thousand worlds, was like a teenage girl discovering love for the first time. 

“Ahem, as we were discussing earlier…” Tann began, brushing imaginary dust from her sleeve, and acting as if he hadn't thanked her at all. “The Confederacy’s Outer Rim fleets are consolidating near the Hydian Way. Production on Baktoid’s heavy assault platforms has exceeded projections by thirteen percent. We are preparing a counteroffensive.”

Corvus adjusted the Falcon’s vector toward the looming underbelly of the Executrix, where he used several TIEs as cover. A squadron soon fell apart due to Hutt lasers, keeping them hidden for yet another crucial minute. 

“Against which sector? Don't you think it wise to lift the sieges first?” Corvus asked, playing along with Tann's topic change. He knew she had become embarrassed, and didn't want to press his luck. 

“The Mid Rim corridor.” Tann promptly replied. “Onderon serves as our staging ground. As for the sieges, hmph, the best defense is an offense. How long can those fleets remain bombarding planetary shields whilst we threaten Coruscant?” She smiled like a viper that was about to strike. 

“Your seizure of Onderon was quite brilliant, Supreme Commander. Obviously, it was a necessary objective, what with the shipyards, and vast quantities of foodstuffs. But it was how you took it that was so impressive.” Corvus began to nakedly glaze her, as he knew this egotistical genius tactician was weak to flattery. 

Tann’s chin lifted a fraction, as if she were a Princess holding court, wishing for the praise to continue. 

Corvus did not disappoint. 

“You utilized orbital feints to draw off the planetary defense grid, then deployed stealth armor divisions through the Dxun jungles, and drilled underground. I saw your exposé and pictures all over the holonet. I am certain many a man would be jealous to discover that I get to share a cockpit with such a brilliant, beautiful mind.” Corvus’s tone carried genuine approval as he recalled her tactics. 

Sev’rance Tann had a bit of a hobby to pose for the camera after every victory. Perhaps in her strategic mind, it was perfectly normal propaganda. But Corvus knew that for the sweaty nerds on the holonet, it was a different kind of morale booster. 

Tann preened almost imperceptibly, her lips curving in a satisfied, aristocratic smile.

“Of course it was brilliant.” She said, with a faint huff. “Did you expect otherwise? The Imperial commanders defending Onderon were…pedestrian. Predictable. I simply corrected their delusions.”

There it was, that ‘ojou-sama’ attitude. Tann really had an air of a noble prodigy tolerating living amongst lesser minds. And the worst part was, she had the skills to back it up! 

“Of course I cannot claim all the credit for this galactic dance we call war. Case in point, Naboo. Your ability to muster those sculptures, painters, and designers into turning on the Empire was simply…sublime. A true work of art.” Tann flashed a rare look of approval, sending some of that ‘glaze’ back his way. 

“It was…a masterpiece.” The words seemed as if they were physically dragged from her throat, yet she meant every one of them. 

“High praise.” He good naturedly smirked. 

“Do not grow accustomed to it.” Tann replied sharply, although that said, a faint flush darkening her cheeks had returned. “I am merely acknowledging competent work when I see it.”

Outside the viewport, the Executrix swelled larger, its hangar bays glowing like open wounds. They would arrive shortly. 

Corvus’s senses flickered outward again, seeking Jax and Yon through the Force. During Tann's fight with Vader, he had sensed that Jax was in mortal peril…however, their Force Bond was strong, and he knew that the young teen had not perished! 

At the moment, his two students were struggling mightily together against a foe, and were both exhausted, however, it seemed that they were on the cusp of victory. The men of the Bad Batch were all there, but he couldn't sense Omega or Triss. 

Experiencing equal parts relief and concern, he hoped the traitor had been slain. Otherwise the secret of the Jedi gathering on Ilum would be revealed. And for Omega, although she somewhat annoyed him, and sort of came across as a teen telling an adult to change their politics, she was a good kid. Her sunny personality was a much needed balm considering the brutal nature of this conflict. Hopefully the little blonde was merely unconscious…

Of course, whilst he was reaching out, he felt him. Vader's power was slowly rising, and looking through the rear POV of the Falcon, he witnessed the diabolical cyborg crush a corvette with the same ease that any grown man could crush a soda can. 

Corvus’s calm fractured for half a heartbeat as he felt that presence spike again, his growing control over this newfound ability was incredibly startling. 

Just as he was learning new techniques-such as the Shadow Wrath form-his opponents weren't remaining stagnant. The Chosen One wasn't going to be stifled in this timeline, as per Skywalker's usual growth pattern, war would be the crucible through which he forged his strength. Corvus couldn't help but worry about the future.

For a brief, tense moment, he locked hands with Tann, and stared into her eyes. Sharing the burden of a galaxy in flames, he felt that as long as they continued to train, and kept their wits about them, not even this new and improved Vader could stand against them. 

“Oh, for the love of the Force, are the two of you finished admiring each other’s tactical brilliance, or are you going to kriff one another already?!” Ventress finally couldn't maintain her silence in the back anymore, and snapped. 

“We are discussing military operations.” Tann stiffly replied. “This is serious business, not that I would expect you to understand that.” 

“It sounds like flirting to me.” Ventress shot back. “The galaxy is on fire, Skywalker is becoming stronger than ever before, and you two are trading compliments like nobles at a Coruscanti gala!”

Corvus blinked, and a smirk slowly spread across his face as Tann withdrew her hand from his, as if he were ‘lava’ and the flight controls were ‘safe.’ 

“Flirting? With him?” Tann snorted, her eyes widening slightly in outrage. 

“Don't mind her, Supreme Commander, I think she's simply jealous of our achievements.” Corvus stated in a humorous, taunting tone. 

“Yes, little sister, jealousy does not become you. Besides, if you want a seat on the armrest of the throne, a place shall always remain open.” Tann meaningfully stared at her. 

“Unbelievable! My big sister and her ancient boyfriend are a pair of lewd obsessed perverts, what have I done to deserve this?!” Ventress hissed to herself as she retreated to the Falcon’s central hub. 

“Honesty, she has no appreciation for the subtleties of conversation.” Corvus tutted, and piloted the ship into the Executrix's hangar. 

Tann unexpectedly ran a finger across his inner thigh. “Mnn, right you are, General. She wouldn't know the front side of a lightsaber if it hit her right in the face, but I'm willing to learn under a superior officer.” 

Her words were whispered huskily in his ear as she rose from the co-pilot's seat. 

Corvus felt himself stiffen as he realized the implication of her words. Turning around, he caught the ghost of a smile on her lips, and glimpsed her perfect ass saunter towards the ramp. 

‘Damn, that is one fine, ahem, evil blueberry.’ 

Just as he was about to disembark, he looked out the Falcon’s window, and sensed the arrival of his apprentices. 

It appeared that their duel was over. 

~~~~~~

AN: In case you speed read past it, Jax didn't actually die, as Yon/Triss had suspected~ I'm kind of off screening their fight with the space elf chick, I feel like they've had enough screen time, and it's time to get back to the MC's POV.

Anyway, next week will see a return to Jedi Artisan, so look forward to it!