Jedi Insurgency 293

Spending the rest of the night practicing his new skills & abilities, Corvus had summoned a meeting in the High Council Chamber the next day. 

Appearing as holograms, Rahm Kota, Taron Malicos, Krayt, Jaro Tapal and Keira had already been deployed. Meanwhile, Mace Windu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Shaak Ti, and Kazden Paratus had remained alongside Corvus on Tython. Meanwhile, Quinlan Vos couldn't make it, as he was at a critical moment deep in meditation. 

“Ahm in the midst of a battle here, boy, can you keep it brief?” Kota-with his thick Outer Rim accent-said in a brusque tone as he parried aside an incoming lightsaber. 

“Please. If it is an emergency, Master Kota, we shall not disturb you.” Shaak Ti bowed, moving to press a button, and disconnect the call. 

“Do not touch that button, woman! This foe, heuh, is, nothing!” Kota said between heavy breaths as three more lightsabers came stabbing at him. 

It became apparent to Corvus that the old man was battling one of the Grievous clones. The type that had Sith inscriptions on their armor, making direct Force attacks much more troublesome. Steepling his fingers, he observed Kota's shadow through the call, and foresaw that this distraction had a chance of costing the middle aged man his life. Without waiting any further to deliberate, Corvus flicked a hand, forcibly canceling the line. 

“Kota will be most displeased at that.” Windu commented, leaning comfortably back into his seat. 

“I share his enthusiasm.” Keira bluntly stated, to the surprise of none. She then gestured to the distance where a shielded city was currently being pummeled by blasterfire, her intent to charge it seemingly apparent to everyone present. 

In the time that the High Council had gotten to know her, they had learnt one solid truth: she was more of a battlemaniac than that crass old man! 

“No one doubts your…fervent desire to restore the Republic.” Master Ti soothed. “We are simply appreciative that you are not accepting this call in the heat of battle, despite prior notice.” 

The green skinned Mirialan tomboy silently inclined her head, her face a mask of calm. However, her posture was like a big cat ready to pounce. The woman was ready to go! 

“Ahem. Although I am not so eager as to throw myself into the meat grinder, I too have commitments. I've linked up with the Wookiees…and much to my surprise, the Trandoshans. We are due to link up in the Umbara system within the hour. So please, let this meeting have a sense of brevity.” Tapal said, the big cat-like alien's baritone was full of charisma as he glanced at Corvus. 

The other masters also looked to the Order Master, awaiting his response, wondering why he had gathered them. 

“A new power is rising in the galaxy. Several, as a matter of fact. I have seen the return of Exar Kun, the rise of ancient Sith on Korriban, and a fleet of unknown origin surfacing on Dagobah. I fear my earliest allies during this campaign, the Eriaduans are in danger of being overrun. Meanwhile, our allies in the Core cannot advance deeper, stuck in quagmire like sieges. All the while, a thousand fires burn across the galaxy.” Corvus stated in a serious tone, allowing everyone present to understand the gravity of the situation, whilst also sending out a file regarding Exar Kun, as very few modern Jedi would know about this ancient figure. 

“Troubling news indeed. You are struggling due to your attachments. To help your friend, Bail Organa defeat the evil at hand, aid those who first supported your return to the galaxy…or what you left unsaid, is to reunite with your first army, currently bogged down on Kuat. This is a dilemma.” Windu said without judgement, laying everything bare. 

“An attack on the Core is not wise this moment. The choke points have been mined, and Interdictors have closed off any points of access. Large fleets would have their shadows detected in hyperspace long before reaching a destination. I advise against sending a large contingent to aid Bail Organa. A Master, and a squad of Knights should suffice.” Malicos advised, scratching his long, unkempt beard, glancing at Obi-Wan. 

“Do not drag me into this, Master Malicos, I have just begun instructing the first class of Younglings. Simply because I count Organa as my friend, does not mean I must be the one to reinforce him. That being said, I must concur with your conclusion. Someone must go, but not Revan. I nominate his student, Jax.” Obi-Wan tactfully pushed himself out of the lime-light, sounding particularly noble with his heavy Core accent. 

“The boy has enough skill, and the connection is there. This shows the Order's sincerity. I second this.” Krayt spoke up with a whisper, his figure hidden in shadows. Beyond his form, the sound of an Imperial intercom sounded throughout some base or installation. 

“Let him lead Zork, Linyin, and the other newly initiated Knights.” Keira suggested. 

“Not Yon, I have other needs for the boy. However, this plan has merit…very well, this shall be so.” Corvus spoke up, tacitly agreeing with the plan. As for Yon, he would send the little terror on another campaign of war crimes. Deployed together with a squad of HK's, they were sure to ‘make magic’ happen. 

“The matter of Eriadu. I am afraid you must let it go.” Windu said with some sympathy. 

“Indeed. We all sensed that great power rising. The awakening of hundreds of millions of souls…this is something that must be.” Obi-Wan agreed. 

A second later, Kota's hazy blue hologram came back into view, and he was standing over the melted remains of a Grievous clone. His armor was scorched in several places, but the boyish glee, and whoop of delight confirmed his victory. He had connected seconds before, receiving audio input, but had no output. Now that his image had resolved, he was free to speak. 

“Sod it all. When you took the reigns of Order Master, we all started to discuss grand strategy, and where to deploy Jedi willing to fight the good fight. I'm but five days away from Eriadu, I'll face this challenge.” Kota boasted. 

Corvus shared a look with the other occupants in the room, and then looked to Shaak Ti. If anyone could diffuse this firebrand, it was the cool purity of the red-skinned Togruta. 

“Master Kota, we all felt that presence. He is something on-par with Master Yoda. With all due respect, your forces amount to a million men. This-” 

“So we'll hold out! Revan had bunkers, droids, and factories built to fight Vader. Those structures are still there! Tens of millions of Eriaduan recruits are still preparing to mobilize. Give me any ordinary, flesh & blood trooper, and I can make him kill just as good as any so-called elite clone. Mark my words, I can hold Eriadu until reinforcements arrive.” Kota spoke in a braggadocious tone, and was full of vim & vigor. “Sides, raw power ain't all there is ta the Force, m'lady Ti. Master left his holocron to me, and one spec of my wisdom is greater than an ounce of ‘his’ power. Problem with you council types is ya lack courage! I am reinforcing Eriadu, no matter what anyone says.” 

Corvus let out a long sigh, and peered deeply at Kota's shadow. The result was…inconclusive. There was a mighty fight coming for him, and death was a distinct possibility. Yet there was something else, something that eluded him. Not victory, no, but peace??? Frowning to himself, he couldn't tell. The possibilities were endless, and it was difficult to speculate. However, there was one detail that might save Kota's life. 

“When you confront your foe. Challenge him to a duel of honor, one that avoids the bloodshed of the common people. Eriadu can be lost, but should not suffer for our hubris.” Corvus spoke, feeling as if his words were cryptic like some ancient Jedi, yet felt helpless due to the future flux. 

“Hmph. Pedantic like my Master…tch. Very well, I'll try it your way, Revan.” Kota snorted. 

“Then you are free to advance onto Kuat. Congratulations are in order.” Krayt said in genuine happiness. 

Although the son of Tatooine was generally reserved, and did not interact at all with the other High Councilors, this tanned master respected Corvus from the depths of his heart, listening to him alone. 

“Thank you for your well wishes, Krayt.” Corvus inclined his head. 

Even if Krayt gave him a bit of a headache, the young man had leapt in power considerably since his meditation at the Force Nexus on Tatooine, and then since the ‘Great Learning’ had begun as the Jedi return to Tython was being dubbed. 

“Yes, yes. Promise one dozen Sentinels to the mission, Order Master.” Kazdan said happily from within his overly large power armor. 

The small shark-like alien grinned a row of sharp teeth, trying to appear useful, seeking validation. Although his Shadow Heart had been purged, at the end of the day, he was a tinkerer that wanted other people to show appreciation for his toys. 

“That is most gracious of you, Master Paratus. Might I suggest this unit travel with our students reinforcing Organa, instead?” Corvus said in a gentle, guiding tone. 

“The children can handle themselves, I object. These Sentinel droids should be sent to guard solo Knights or Masters out with their Padawans. We Jedi are stretched thin enough as it is. Groups of Jedi are capable, but as demonstrated by the betrayal of Order 66, we are at our weakest when alone.” Keira succinctly stated. 

“By that metric, a dozen should be guarding you too, no?” Obi-Wan sarcastically muttered. 

“A splendid idea!” Shaak Ti clapped. “Our friend, Master Keira is always pressing herself deeper and deeper into the enemy line. As a healer, I shudder each time I hear of her exploits. Each single Jedi out on patrol must have a squad accompanying them. Even the Order Master.” Shaak Ti said with a sugary sweet smile. 

Feeling a few smirks of schadenfreude from his fellow councilors, Corvus knew he couldn't simply fob this off. The idea was sound, and if he spoke against it now, he'd be indirectly taking away guards from Minty Green Tomboy. Which was an absolute no-go! In essence, he had been out-politicked by the one person he had least suspected. Shaak Ti…that crafty Red Hot Cinnamon Momma! 

“...I agree.” Corvus said woodenly. 

“An ingenious idea, Master Paratus. Cal is resourceful, but I shall rest easy knowing I am not his sole protector.” Tapal boomed, bowing towards the much smaller alien. 

“Heh. My boy needs no protection. Adversity is his strength.” Kota sneered in descent. 

‘Poor Caleb Dume.’ Corvus thought, his lips twitching in amusement. 

“It's settled then.” Windu declared. 

“Oi. No it bloody well isn't settled then. This is a council, ain't it? Krayt, Malicos, Kenobi, speak up, will'ya?” Kota said irately. 

“I defer to the Order Master.” Malicos smoothly intoned. 

“Master Revan has my support in all things.” Krayt resolutely stated. 

Kota grit his teeth, then glared at Obi-Wan who was silently stroking his beard. 

“Oh don't mind me. If it's a debate you want, then by all means, have at it.” The ‘Negotiator' said, his blue eyes glittering with bemusement. 

“Kriff this. I've got a battle to wrap up. I'll be saving your precious Eriadu in the meantime. You owe me Rev-.” Kota huffed, then, before he could finish his statement, Shaak Ti canceled his call once more. 

Corvus couldn't help but share a look with Windu. The middle aged dark-skinned man shook his shoulders, his head of white dreadlocks shaking, barely hiding his inner thoughts. 

“What can I say? The girl's got style.” 

Corvus centered himself from Pause. It was going to be one of those days, he could feel it. 

“Very well, next topic, Korriban…” 

~~~~~

AN: To clarify once again. No, we are not romancing Red Hot Cinnamon Momma. Although I do have someone in mind~ 

If anyone saw the Atlantis movie, or is curious, you can search Windu's last line on YT for context, lol.