Jedi Insurgency 295

Saying a few final goodbyes around the Temple, Corvus-alongside the men of the Bad Batch, and Yon-set off in the Millennium Falcon. Thankfully, Yoda had teleported more than just living beings, and a few ships were included back during the raid on Coruscant. 

Flying from Tython in the deep core to Illum was projected to take two days. By now several Jedi had made the trip back and forth, as they had gone out to collect the prospective new members from Xizor's minions. This particular hyperplane was incredibly unstable, and shifted-much like a fault line on Earth-quite frequently. It was only thanks to the ritual performed in the crystal caverns on Ilum so many months ago that this route was discovered. 

Already, there were slight variances between that route, and what the navicomputer suggested. In several months or within the decade, this hyperlane would no longer be serviceable. By then, they'd either have to abandon Tython, like their forefathers had done several times in the past. Or hold another ritual on Ilum to establish a new path. 

Worries about the hyperplane aside, Corvus's current goal was to relieve the siege on Kuat, and link up with the Starcrusher Corp. Reading intelligence reports sent by Clip, Xizor, and Hondo painted a grim picture. 

Although Pots and the men were holding out, they had suffered many losses and wounded. It appeared that their fighting style had evolved around Corvus's own presence. They had become accustomed to taking the more risky approach to combat. When the leader can heal just about anything, and was one quick call for a resurrection away…yeah, they had lost a lot of good people carrying that doctrine into the Kuat theater. 

At the moment, the Falcon was close to Illum, just a few hours out. From there, the flight to Kuat was about 8 to 9 days away. The journey was so long due to Illum being in an awkward position. Situated to the left of Coruscant some ways, it was practically in the westward Unknown Regions. Funny enough, the most expedient route to Kuat had them bypass Coruscant's hyperlane of all things. Thankfully, the Falcon was completely cloaked in his invisibility, so no Interdictor would detect him, and pull the ship into real-space. 

Off to the side, the men of the Bad Batch were training with the same floating ball drone droid that Luke did in Episode IV. Wielding training sabers, and wearing that big dumb helmet, they looked especially stupid as the training bolt hit their kneecaps. Hiding a wry smile, and noticing Yon's pleasure at their suffering, he couldn't wait to instruct them. However, he had scheduled a call with Clip, and was waiting for it to go through. 

After moving to his private quarters and waiting on hold for a few minutes, Clip-Admiral leading the Starcrusher Corp's fleet-answered. His blue hologram saluted, revealing a clean shaven head, and a stern, no-nonsense countenance. In a way, he reminded Corvus somewhat of a mix between Crosshair, and a competent Imperial Officer. Stern, cynical, analytical, his mind was always working towards the fleet layout. Grand visions of strategy weren't his foray, but if you wanted someone to outmaneuver a fleet in real time, or adjust to the enemy's position, he was your man. 

“General, it is a pleasure to see you once more.” Clip said in a respectful, professional tone. His salute was crisp & sincere. 

Corvus peered into the man's shadow, catching fragments of his past. Glimpsing Clips's surrender way back on Kamino, and catching sight of his daring raid on Kuat to relieve Pots…it was truly stressful how harrowing those engagements had been. 

“Admiral.” Corvus returned the salute. “I apologize for my absence. I wish…I hope my departure didn't cause the men to lose morale?” 

Clip studied him for a moment, and a slight crack formed in his mask. It was microscopic, but to a powerful Force Sensitive, it was particularly glaring. 

“...I see. For what it's worth.” Corvus said with a sigh, bowing his head in shame. “I am sorry. I should have been on the front with you.” 

For a solid minute, silence reigned between the two men. Eventually, Clip released a sigh of his own. 

“Chin up, sir. We chose to follow you. Always remember that. Those promises you made? You've honored them. Everyone knows what Clone Force 99 asked of you. What you did on Coruscant, to rescue one of your own? That was legendary.” Clip stated, holding his chin up high as if he had been there, and was reminiscing about past glories. “You, General are the face of the Starcrusher Corp, your glory brings glory to us all. We could not be more proud to name you General. Not because you are some Jedi or ancient war hero, but because you are our brother.” 

Corvus felt a tear roll down his cheek, as he processed Clip's words. Taking a bow, his spirit blossomed in the Force like a radiant spring. Deep down he had harbored immense guilt for what he saw as ‘abandoning’ his own personal Legion. What he did was tantamount to being Ceasar, and departing to Rome to handle political matters whilst leaving behind his beloved veterans in the army to get slaughtered by the barbarians. 

It was a heartwrenching experience, and one that had been constantly eating at his heart. Loyalty and the oaths that bound him were what centered him in this mad galaxy full of super weapons, immortal Sith, and cosmic horrors. Without it, he was but another warlord murderhobo fighting for territory simply for conquest's sake. His oaths had taken him to Coruscant, yet as a result, his Legion, his brothers had been left to fend on their own. 

Clenching his fists, Corvus bowed again to Clip. “Thank you, brother, thank you for setting my head straight. I have been reading the reports you sent me, and I have been fretting over this siege nearly every night.” 

Clip's proud look settled into a grim line. 

“Your assault on Coruscant was inspirational, showing to the galaxy at large why you are worthy of leadership, validating our choice. Because of that attack, countless groups have risen in resistance, we are no longer a single Legion screaming our defiance into the dark…that being said, I won't sugarcoat it, General, this siege is getting ugly.” Clip slowly explained, speaking in a near monotone the entire time. 

There were moments of passion in him-mostly in the eyes-especially in the eyes. When speaking of their pride, there was a happy glimmer there, but much more pronounced was when he spoke of grim tidings. Clip, for all his serious demeanor, truly cared about his brothers, just as much as Corvus did. 

“Let me hear it from your lips. What has happened that a line of text upon a dataslate cannot share?” Corvus asked, leaving behind his surging blossom of energy to match Clip's serious demeanor. There was a time and place to show happiness or joke around, but when it came to the men of the Starcrusher Corp, he would never joke. 

“The Empire is starting to deploy Force Sensitives. They're nothing we can't handle in small numbers, but there's something peculiar about them.” Clip frowned, and then pressing some buttons on his side, replaced his own image with footage from a battle. 

Shining onto the scene, Corvus saw a disfigured Human male with boils on his face, and a hump for a back wielding a red lightsaber. Next to him was another Darkside Adept with a tiny right arm, and atrophied right leg, likewise wielding a red lightsaber. Figure after figure, it was clear that they had some serious defects. However, witnessing the speed only a Jedi Knight could exhibit from them, Corvus could only narrow his eyes, and treat this footage seriously. 

“Scanners have identified some of the less disfigured Sith as belonging to the Jedi Order…we have found more than one of the same person amongst the dead.” Clip explained, his voice laden with heavy implications. 

Although they weren't technically Sith, he didn't correct the Admiral, as it was a good enough label for those rejects. Instead of fretting over that, instead, Corvus frowned at the revelation. The Bad Batch had dealt serious damage to Coruscant's cloning facilities, and Kamino had been glassed, the Empire should not possess such technology!...after several minutes of introspection, he recalled a name. 

“Byss. They must be cloned on Byss.” Corvus said with certainty. As he named that planet, he knew that there were a handful of other research planets critical to the Empire, yet he couldn't remember them off the top of his head. 

“Perhaps a target to raid in the future, General. However, the inclusion of these Sith has made defense increasingly difficult. As you know, Commander Pots enjoys offense, and counter attacks. Both policies offer spectacular results when victorious, however, forced to go to ever lower levels, I fear the Empire might just box them into an insignificant corner, and glass the sector with turbolasers.” Clip said, sharing his concerns. 

“Hmm, this does not bode well. And thus far, communication is totally cut off? We don't even know the status of the Legion, correct?” Corvus asked. 

“I'm afraid so. The only known means of communication is through word of mouth, paper notes, usb chips, and curiously enough…graffiti.” Clip explained, however his voice took a strange turn as he muttered that last word. 

“What was that at the end there?” Corvus asked, equally perplexed. 

“Graffiti, sir. Your ‘Pirate King’ has come up with many different creative methods of contact. Asking for certain types of supplies, reinforcements, or signaling for a face-to-face meeting is all coordinated through gang signs, and wall art.” Clip unconsciously saluted, somewhat uncomfortable with the unorthodox discussion. 

Corvus blinked for a second before he realized what was taking place. Witnessing Clip's discomfort, he realized how genius this plan actually was. Trained to follow regulations, the rank & file Imperial clone troopers wouldn't notice a thing. Then take the arrogant Imperial Officers who were 9/10 times from the Core-the parts with megacities where graffiti was so commonplace, it meant nothing to them-then you had the perfect recipe to maintain contact! 

“Hondo, you beautiful sonuvabitch!” Corvus exclaimed, slapping his thigh in joy. 

“Sir?” Clip asked quizically. 

“You don't need to understand all that went into it, but with Pirate King Hondo handling matters, I know that Pots won't be running out of food, ammo, or medical supplies anytime soon. However, as you said, due to the advent of the Sith, they are being driven into a corner, like rats. We must rescue them as soon as possible.” Corvus said with determination. 

“The fleet is ready to mobilize when you are. However, we've lost several Acclamators, and the Empire has parked two Legions worth of ships above Kuat. With you acting as a spokesman, perhaps you could ask the Alliance to lend a fleet or two to back us up?” Clip asked, a small modicum of embarrassment breaking through his calm veneer. 

Corvus slowly nodded along, realizing that as the de facto tools of the Republic, clones still maintained a stigma. That is, they were disposable, faceless nobodies. To the galaxy at large, clone troopers remained as the lowest class of ‘citizen.’ Looking deeply into the hologram, his heart ached for his brother. Corvus internally promised himself that he would find a way to extend their lives, that they would have a chance at living normal lives. 

“I've heard your concern, Clip. I'll let the other members of the Alliance know that the Admiral of the Starcrusher Corp has called upon their aid, and that after all he's done for their lazy asses, they had better well answer for it!” Corvus raised his voice in a huff, then saluted Clip in dismissal. 

“...heh. It was good to hear your voice again, General. I look forward to seeing you again in the flesh.” Clip said, saluting as well before his hologram flickered off. 

Sitting roughly back into his chair, Corvus leaned back, stared at the ceiling. 

Those mother kriffers better send a relief fleet, or so help me, by the Force, I'll…