Jedi Insurgency 233

Corvus watched on in mild surprise as Nute Gunray was summarily executed on national television. He couldn't say he was necessarily shocked, as the green slime had been a mortal enemy of Padmé, and called many hits on her. Confronting the young mother from Naboo like that was just begging to get your neck snapped! 

A small screen on his pod was showing a broadcast of the entire event, and with some HK units given access to creative control-as well as them impersonating some popular GNN hosts-they made sure to pin all the blame of Gunray on Vader. Big banners stretched across the screen making sure to remind the viewers that Darth Vader was the once-upon-a-time handsome war hero, Anakin Skywalker. The same guy who just had footage released of killing younglings was the same guy who just murdered the surrendered Viceroy of the Trade Federation. Vader just so happened to kill Gunray right as the Neimoidian was revealing the treachery of the Jedi, using Anakin & Padmé's tryst as evidence for the Order's misconduct. 

Privately, Corvus saw this as a minor demerit for the Order. Those idiot commentators on the holonet who hated Jedi no matter what would use this as evidence to double down. Perhaps only a small fraction of them would truly blame the Emperor for this. He was willing to bet that they would find a way to spin this narrative into being Corvus's fault. 

However, as stupid as people were, hopefully his own propagandists could successfully form the link between Vader snapping Gunray's neck, and him being the Emperor's designated heir. 

He was about to speak up, and instigate this further, when one stormtrooper-who already had their nerves coiled like a steel trap-lost discipline for a second at the sight of a sudden death, and pulled the trigger. 

Like a nervous gaggle of police officers confronted by an immobile car, or wandering troop of Vietnam soldiers who saw the bush move, the thousand+ troopers who were posted up all around the senatorial chamber subconsciously joined in on the fun. 

That is to say, thousands-perhaps tens of thousands-of red bolts began to descend upon Corvus in a flood. Previously, he had tanked turbolaser fire, and he was pretty sure his physical body-thanks to the Feat, Master Toughness-would be fine. The percentage defense of Master Lightside Enlightenment was pretty good too. However, standing next to Windu, and being sort of close to Padmé, he'd have to erect [Energy Resistance]. Besides, he didn't want to reveal his absurd defenses until he could use them to end a fight. 

A shimmering translucent shield coated his allies, meanwhile, he stood calm as can be with his hands resting behind his back, and stared directly at the Emperor. Although he didn't say a word, his posture said it all. The message sent towards this Dark Lord of the Sith was crystal clear, and it was:

Pathetic. 

Disdain clouded the Force, and before the bolts hit him, Corvus was smug to see that the Emperor had gone completely still. By forcing the Imperial forces to be the first to resort to violence, Corvus, in a way, had won their little game of chicken. 

“Enough.” Vader’s voice boomed outward. 

The black armored mechanical man-with a bright power core looking thing straight out of Iron Man fused to his chest-floated out above everyone. Bright blue orbs of electricity snaked their way around his form, allowed him to fly in the air. Stretching out on hand, he violently clenched his fist. 

Every single one of those thousand+ red laser blasts were held in place. Even as the stormtroopers were still firing, each and every additional shot was halted after traveling a few dozen feet. As if they were flies caught in a sticky web, this beehive looking cone of death trembled in place as they were held in Vader’s grasp. An intense darkness filled the entire room, and many of the politicians & their guests collapsed on the floor, unconscious. As if experiencing PTSD, Padmé was shivering all over, and yet refused to look away from her husband. 

“Anakin.” 

The one word almost saw the Dark Lord lose his focus, and one round escaped his grip, marking a black hole on her pod just inches away from her arm. 

Vision going red, Vader glanced at those people who were responsible for shooting at his beloved, and closed his fist. Reacting to his fury, the accumulated laser bolts all flew backwards, and either incapacitated the stormtroopers, or killed them on the spot. Each and every one of those thousands of elite troops collapsed as the high pitch whine of blasters ended them. 

A nasty stench permeated the auditorium, and no one spoke for a moment. Their deaths emitted an invisible smoke-at least invisible to all non-Force Sensitives. This energy wafted up from their corpses, and entered the artifact attached to Vader’s chest, empowering him ever so slightly. 

Privately, Palpatine scowled underneath the shadow of his hood. Glancing at a red robed Imperial guard, and sending him an impulse through his thoughts, the guard nodded, then pulled out a dataslate. Pressing a few buttons, a mechanism began to tick. 

Vader, meanwhile, was looking down at his beloved, and didn't care anymore. Floating slowly towards her, his heart was a mess. 

“Padmé, I-” He said, reaching his hand out. 

Then an orange fireball erupted from within her pod, completely bathing her in the afterglow of a powerful explosion. 

Vader saw the love in her eyes disappear as the lens in his helmet compensated for the loss of his wife. 

“No. No. NOOOOO!!! NOT AGAIN. You. FIX HER!” Vader roared, turning towards Corvus with the burning fury of a thousand stars. The pain of Mustafar was nothing to this Sith Lord. 

Titanic levels of Force compressed around Corvus, and his [Force Barrier] rippled as Darth Vader attempted to strangle him for all his worth. Corvus felt that his shield was close to bursting, such was Vader’s strength. It seemed that the piece of the Infinite Engine that had survived had rapidly increased his power. If before, Skywalker was new to his crippled form, and could barely exert the strength of a Jedi Master Councilor, now he was at least as strong as an Order Master, in no way lesser than Mace Windu! 

“Fool.” Corvus mocked, then disappeared from sight. 

A second later, he was holding a perfectly healthy Padmé in his grasp, back in his pod. Seeing his opportunity, Corvus decided now was the time to sow discord, to see if Skywalker could be turned. Although he would never forgive him for what he had done, if Vader & Palpatine became enemies now, this would be amazing! He had to try. 

“Your wife is safe, Anakin. It is clear that this is but the latest attempt on her life from your Master. Join forces with me, redeem yourself, and we shall cleanse this galaxy of Darth Sidious.” 

Vader was silent, and although no one could see his face, he was very clearly conflicted, his silence said it all. 

“Do not listen to him, Lord Vader. The Jedi would never accept you after the deeds you have done. You are the heir to the Empire, my son! The Hutts who enslaved you, they are yours to defeat. The Jedi who held you back, it was I who gave you the knowledge transforming you into the man you are now. The Legions within your grasp, you would be forced to relinquish them once the Jedi have seized power. He only seeks to divide us, Lord Vader. Strike him down, and prove yourself as the Crown Prince to our Empire.” Palpatine was quick to play defense, and whispered honeyed word after honeyed word. 

“Anakin, please, this isn't you. Our children, Luke & Leia are waiting for you. They need a father in their lives.” Padmé pleaded. 

Vader turned to Palpatine. “And the explosion?” He asked, demanding an explanation. 

“You sensed Gunray's malicious attitude, did you not?” Palpatine needed only say. 

Vader subtly nodded, then glanced down, and upon seeing Padmé still being held in Revan's grasp, he ignited his lightsaber. 

“Let. Her. Go.” Vader slowly enunciated. 

“There is still good in you, Skywalker. I once fell to the Darkside too. The entire Republic was on the verge of collapse, less than a dozen Jedi remained…and yet, I saw the Sith for what they truly are. Cowards. Manipulators. Slaves to their base desires. I learned much, and am not like the hypocritical, sanctimonious Jedi you have grown up with. Taking a wife, fighting injustice at every turn damn the Senate, this is my Jedi Way. Join me, and we shall reshape the Order.” Corvus said in a persuasive tone. 

Although he would never forgive Vader…terrible men were capable of greatness. Should the Chosen One, and Heart of the Force work for the same team, nothing could stop them! 

Holding out a hand, Corvus did his best to sound sincere, every last one of his 45 points in Persuade was working overtime in an attempt to convince this mercurial Dark Lord. 

Vader by this point was breathing heavily. His desire for power, to be the Emperor warred with his love for his wife, for the children he had yet to see. 

“Master Yoda let her die, Lord Vader. The Jedi will not listen to this outsider.” Palpatine said, referencing Shmi. “Kenobi was responsible for the death of your wife. The only way to secure your children & their future is to be strong. So strong that no one dares take from you what is rightfully yours.” 

Palpatine's sinister whispers once more met Vader’s ear, and although Revan no longer held onto his wife, the Dark Lord couldn't help but imagine this masked man romancing his wife. Charismatic, a proponent of peace, a skilled warrior, famous General…this Revan was everything Anakin Skywalker had been! Who was to say after her death, Revan hadn't used [Mind Trick] on her, or acted sneakily like the Womp Rat he was?! Why else would he mention that the Jedi from his time had no problems with marriage?! 

Powerful Darkside energies swirled around Vader, and various pods in the senate chamber began to shake in place as if they could all come undone at any moment. 

Corvus frowned at this display of power. Checking a chronometer, almost an hour had passed since his arrival, yet the boys hadn't sealed the breech! 

At that time, Palpatine grinned down at him like a villain. Like someone who had foreseen a great deal, and was prepared to watch a show. His frown deepened as he felt that there were some parallels between now, and the end of Episode IV. Except this time, Vader wasn't convinced to join the Lightside, and the Jedi were the aggressors. Unfortunately, they didn't have an army of turbo killer teddy bears to help them out, but with the aid of the HK units, hopefully the attack on the palace ended soon. 

Corvus was considering grabbing Windu anyway, and going, however, Palpatine still gave him the creeps. If Sidious wasn't busy enjoying the show, and manipulating Vader to fall ever deeper to the Darkside, he might make a move. And even with the help of [Shadow Hop], and [Shadow Wrath State] combined, Corvus wasn't exactly thrilled to attempt an escape at the moment. People might not think about Palpatine's speed, given his typical decrepit appearance, but the old man was fast. 

“You. Will. Release her.” Vader finally said, drawing closer. 

Corvus narrowed his eyes. Did he [Heal] Windu now, and try to fight the 2v1, or did he wait for an opportune moment? 

That question was put on hold, as two new auras made themselves known. 

“Anakin, don't do this.” Ahsoka-standing in a floating pod-said, making her appearance. 

Standing next to her with his arms crossed was the Jedi Council member, Plo Koon. 

Corvus grinned to himself, and silently began to calculate in his heart. Once the Darkside Nexus was sealed…could Plo Koon and Mace Windu together be strong enough to end this conflict once and for all?! 

Come on boys, where are you?