Jedi Insurgency 202

A day after resolving part one of the quest, the Falcon had arrived at its destination. 

Pulling into the Gyndine system, Corvus was unsurprised to see his navcomputer blinking like mad, and the R4 droid brain beeping like crazy. His astrological systems had detected a large mass in hyperspace, and the automatic safety feature installed into all hyperdrives automatically pulled the ship out of its hyperlane. 

There was only one thing that could do such a thing: an interdictor field. 

Stationed near dozens of defense platforms, and a battlegroup of 5 Acclamators & 1 Venator, was an interdictor cruiser. 

The Falcon wasn't the only vessel forced out of hyperspace, as a long queue of ships had formed a line. They were each being scanned, and in some cases, boarded. This was the most effective form of control that a navy could enact upon space travel. Such a scenario was what made an invasion of Coruscant virtually impossible. By picking a planet with multiple hyperlane routes-such as Gyndine-a faction could control its borders, and screen which ships were allowed to pass through, and prevent any enemy fleets from launching a direct assault on some planet deep in the Core. It was a reliance on interdictor technology that made General Grievous's attack on Coruscant so devastating, and surprising. By taking an unknown hyperspace route, the cyborg Kaleesh had completely bypassed these types of checkpoints, and caused chaos & panic amongst the denizens of the Republic. 

Regardless, interdictor ships were difficult to manufacture, requiring large amounts of energy, and space, making them large targets, and typically lightly armed. Despite these ‘weaknesses’ they were incredibly important tools for any intergalactic war. 

As for why he wasn't surprised? 

A quick search on the Holonet told him all he needed to know. Numerous travelers, and merchants had left posts complaining about the delay, but the Empire was adamant in their deployment. Furthermore, he had also contacted one of Xizor's minions-an administrator tasked with providing Corvus with anything he wanted, be it money, ships, muscle, or information-and had received a detailed report on the planet. 

Previously a planet that had declared for the Confederacy of Independent Systems, and secretly ruled by the Hutts, its monarchy had been liquidated in the name of Democracy, and a ‘temporary’ Administrator General from Kuat Drive Yards had been placed in charge. Evidently, Gyndine had been the location of a KDY top secret research facility, and a modest shipyard. Although what was ‘modest’ for Kuat was barely lesser than Eriadu's capacity. If Eriadu could manufacture a single Acclamator every day, then Gyndine could produce an Acclamator every three days. 

This temperate planet with a climate & biomes similar to Earth held a population of over 5.8 billion, and served as an administrative hub for many nearby, lesser systems. During the Great Sith War, and New Sith Wars, it had served as a fortress world. As the Clone Wars progressed, it once again adopted that mantle, and was surrounded by countless space stations dedicated to war. On the ground, several super heavy laser artillery pieces-like what was used on Hoth for the rebel escape-were lying in wait. Furthermore, there were estimated to be tens of thousands, if not a hundred thousand missile tubes near the four primary cities, making a space assault upon this sector extremely unpalatable. 

In conclusion, Gyndine was one of the most important strategic hubs in the galaxy, and served as one of the final gates leading from the Mid-Rim, into the Inner-Rim. 

With the eclipse occurring in 4-5 days from now, Corvus was determined to get some meditation sessions in, and raise part three of the quest [0/100% Meditate on Shadow Wrath State] up a few percentage points. Previously, his body had been on the verge of collapse, but he believed that if done in short intervals, he should be fine touching upon that deadly transformation. The fight against Maul had severely drained him, pressed him to the limit, and made it so that he couldn't focus on the unique aura of the [Shadow Wrath State]. Corvus was confident, but he couldn't say he was looking forward to his skin cracking, and threatening to fall apart… 

In the meantime, he would send his students, and the Bad Batch to scout for weaknesses in the Imperial defense, and be on the lookout for pro-Republic/disaffected Hutt affiliates that could be useful. Although they weren't attacking Gyndine today, setting up the prep work for a future invasion sounded like a job for a Jedi Shadow! 

Since the Falcon was invisible, he bypassed the line of ships, and defensive fortifications with ease. Flying towards one of Xizor's numerous warehouses, he punched in a code, and sent out a broadcast frequency. Moments later, a door opened up, and an empty hangar in one of Gyndine's largest cities was now his hideout. Deciding not to kill one of the most notorious criminals in Star Wars lore was really starting to pay off! Landing his ship inside, he walked out to the central room, where he saw Yon practicing his precog abilities playing a bullet hell style videogame. 

“Where’s Jax?” He asked. 

Yon was hyper focused, and gave Corvus an irate look when his character died. 

“He's trying his hand at cooking something, can't you tell by the smell?” The short, black haired teen pinched his nose, and then hit restart, and ignored him to play some more. 

Corvus's nose twitched, and a foul expression slowly spread across his face. Approaching the small kitchen, he saw the typically taciturn Echani wearing a chef's apron, and squatting down, looking in the oven with a fretful look on his face. Jax's pristine white hair was mussy, and a smidgen of sauce was on his face. 

His lips couldn't help but spread from ear to ear as he took in this uncharacteristically sloppy appearance. “Ahem, the new arm treating you well?” Corvus coughed into his hand to announce himself, and asked. 

“Ah, Master! You're not supposed to be here.” Jax slightly jumped in shock, and quickly turned off the oven light so no one could see what was inside. 

Corvus gently shook his head in amusement. 

Jax, perhaps realizing he was overreacting, silently held his robo-arm out to be examined, and once more regained that aloof, calm demeanor he so often exuded. 

Looking down, Corvus saw that everything was in order. “Tech has done a good job pounding this sucker back into shape. I know it must've hurt something fierce to have your arm ripped off. That Sith Spawn surely tore a nerve.” 

“Tech has been a big help…and this was nothing compared to what you went through during your fight against Darth Maul, Master.” Jax nodded his head in agreement, and then continued speaking in a cavalier tone, as if losing the same arm a second time wasn't that big of a deal. 

“Hmm.” Corvus muttered, unconvinced. His eyes roved across Jax's sloppy attire, then at the faded scar of a healed burn mark at the teen's neck. 

That damned Inquisitor had come close to killing his boy, and now that student of his was acting differently than usual. Not only that, but the girl he was teaching became a traitor, and his other friend was kidnapped. He could see it clear as day, Jax was hurt. Guys like him wouldn't come out and say something, and maybe they didn't necessarily want ‘help’ but Corvus had to let him know that he was here for him. That might cut into his meditation time a little, but since he had to wait for the eclipse, they wouldn't arrive at Coruscant for another 10 to 15 days. He could miss a day of practice to look after the mental state of his boy. 

“Well, you know what, we haven't sparred, discussed philosophy, or just had a moment to enjoy the day together in a long time. Our last sojourn into the city was at Theed, Naboo three to four weeks ago. How about we go into town, just you and me?” Corvus asked. 

“But the food-” Jax muttered, looking back at the oven. 

Some smoke was coming out, and a burnt smell had Corvus feeling a little queasy. 

“Ah, but your Master already booked tickets for the-” Corvus Paused, and searched his memory for the info he had looked up on the Holonet about Gyndine. “-the Gravball game!” He smoothly lied. 

“I didn't know you liked sports, Master?” Jax narrowed his eyes, and tilted his head to the side as he looked at Corvus with suspicion. 

‘Heh heh, yes, that's right, use that brain of yours. Forget your depression, forget about cooking that awful food, and come with your Master to explore the city~’ Corvus gleefully thought to himself with a smirk. 

“Well then, consider this an opportunity to learn more about your Master's hobbies.” Corvus replied, crossing his arms. 

“Sabaak, Pazaak, swoop racing, yes, you seem to have a record for gambling, Master. In retrospect, this seems entirely in line with your character.” Jax said in a flat, analytical tone. The damned brat had a look on his face that was a mix between ‘eureka’ and ‘as expected of Master.’ 

Eyebrow twitching, Corvus never wanted to slap his ‘cute’ little disciple more than ever before. 

‘Insinuating that I have a gambling problem! Tch. How can it be a problem, when I've never lost!’ He internally raged, and unconsciously found himself clenching his fists. 

“If I've angered Master with my comments, I apologize.” Jax bowed his head. “I know that you are also a great craftsman, your hobbies are many, and varied.” 

“Haah, who taught you to be so understanding, and observant?” Corvus sighed, running a hand through his hair. It really was impossible to stay mad at this kid. 

Jax slightly smiled, seemingly content with the way things had played out. “Well, just give me half an hour, and this meal will be ready.” 

Seeing his student's mood increase, a sly smile spread across Corvus’s face. With a flick of his hand, a tiny bout of [Force Lightning] blasted the oven. 

“Oh no, my injury flared up, and I couldn't control myself.” Corvus hissed, and held up his hand, massaging the joints. 

Jax took a deep breath, and stared at him. His icy blue eyes flashed dangerously, like the cold depths of winter. For the briefest of seconds, it almost felt like his student would draw his lightsaber! 

Corvus's lips twitched. That'd be something! Be the first Jedi Master to have his student fall to the Darkside, because he ruined his food! 

The white haired teen then silently hung up his chef's apron, flicked back his hair so that it looked even wilder than usual, and reached towards his side. 

‘No way, is he for real?!’

Jax-still maintaining eye contact-drew one of his lightsabers with the kind of calm that could make a man's blood run cold with worry. 

Licking his lips, Corvus was ready for whatever might happen. He didn’t have to draw a lightsaber, and could spawn one into his hand from his inventory. 

A blue beam sprang to life, and the white haired teen moved incredibly fast. 

Performing a spin, Jax cut the oven directly in half, creating sparks, an explosion of light, and forcing all that dank smoke out into the Falcon. 

“Sorry, my new mechanical hand must've malfunctioned for a second there.” Jax deadpanned, disabling his lightsaber. 

For the next ten seconds, Corvus was stunned into silence until Hunter poked his head in the kitchen. 

“Alright, who's the bloody wanker that's been airing this shite into the ship?” Hunter crankily questioned, like a man who didn't get any sleep. 

Corvus blinked his eyes, and thought his ears needed to be checked when he saw that same mechanical arm from earlier pointing directly at him. 

“We put up with a lot, General, sir. These last four days have practically been sleepless as we plan for the upcoming operation. With all due respect…knock it off.” Hunter did his best not to dress Corvus down, and spoke in the most passive-aggressive tone before buggering off. 

“~~~~~” An imaginary stiff breeze seemed to pass between master and apprentice in that small kitchen as they silently stared at one another. 

“There are no gravball tickets, are there?” Jax asked. 

Corvus looked at the empty palm of his hand, and sighed. ‘Not today, old friend, not today.’ He then turned his attention towards his troublesome student. 

“Maybe there are, maybe there aren't.” 

If Yon had inherited his interest in accumulating strength, then Jax had picked up on his sense of humor. 

“Mn. When Master inexplicably acquires a new gravball team, I'll know who to bet on.” Jax solemnly nodded his head. 

‘Force help me. He's learning.’ 

~~~~~~

AN: His students are catching on to his bullshit!