Jedi Insurgency 320

Of course, plans do not always go as smoothly as one would hope. 

Just as Jay O-Be was about to leave for his encore, Corvus took a casual glance at his shadow, and foresaw an explosion in his future, thanks to [Shadow Reading]. Furthermore, it was as soon as he took to the microphone. 

Raising an eyebrow, he began to follow the superstar, but before he left the room, he turned to his pirate companion. “Be prepared to run, things are about to get hot.” 

Hondo sagged his shoulders, and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “It's always trouble with you around, Jedi.” 

Corvus paused in his step, as Hondo’s words reminded him of something. Currently, he was incognito. ‘Revan' was out there somewhere, raiding Imperial outposts, and engaging in diplomacy. That famous General was very publicly showing his face around, so to speak. 

If he revealed abilities exclusive to Revan-or his two students-then intelligent people like Thrawn, or his new head of ISB would put two & two together. Therefore, for this mission, he couldn't use any of his shadow abilities, nor could he appear to be outrageously powerful. Imperial spies were everywhere, and they paid informants like it was going out of style. Chancing a reveal at this time would utterly destroy their subterfuge regarding the wedding. 

Therefore, it was fine to reveal that he was a Jedi, but it was best if he showcased strength no greater than that of a Jedi Knight. Otherwise, things might spiral out of control. 

Thankfully, every Knight who was deployed to the front lines was mandatorily taught [Energy Resistance], and some modicum of [Heal]. So whilst Corvus wouldn't be bringing anyone back to life, or regrowing others’ limbs, some minor healing was acceptable. 

Making sure his disguise was intact, he followed Jay up to the edge of the stage. Using a combination of his backstage pass, and [Mind Trick], it was effortless to bypass the security. 

Looking out at the sea of super fans screaming their lungs out, and the dense layer of Zeltron pheromones, he was momentarily stunned in place. Although he was often the recipient of cheers from his brothers, their relationship was one of commander & subordinate, comrades that understood the seriousness of war, and the solemnity of manhood. These people, meanwhile, reminded him of the most primal zealots. Their emotions were so over the top extreme, and bordering on madness, that an ordinary Jedi might go mad due to sensory overload. 

Rubbing his chin, Corvus nodded to himself. A place like a concert could actually be a fun little challenge to test a Youngling/Padawan's sensory abilities. It truly was the ‘find a needle in a haystack’ trick, but on a much more grand scale. Although he was on a mission right now, the teacher in him was always looking for new opportunities to pass on knowledge to the next generation. 

Settling in place, he watched the singer walking around the stage blowing kisses, and saying stuff like ‘I love you’ to random crowds of girls. 

Whilst this was going on, Corvus sent out his own senses, and was searching for any people in the audience, or crew who were hyper focused on the microphone stand. 

Odds were that the people behind this assassination attempt were watching in person. Or at least an operator was. Either to confirm the kill, or they held a detonation device, and planned on doing the deed manually. 

Parsing through everyone present, he ‘saw’ a faint shadow stretching away from the microphone. The invisible hands of fate were intertwined between that microphone, and an almost certain future. Feeling a small headache pulse in his temple, and a small droplet of blood drip down his nose, Corvus followed this strand of shadow fate, and a face appeared in his mind. 

Then, connecting that face with a life signature in the crowd, he had found his lady. There, crouched up in the rafters wearing an orange safety vest, a ‘worker’ appeared to be operating some lights. In reality, the device in her hands was a remote detonator. 

Of course, he could jump up there now, or pull her down, ending this farce before it began. Unfortunately, this war had made him a bit of a bastard, and he was going to wait for the microphone to explode. For one, he wanted the little shit to feel grateful after being saved, and secondly, this assassination attempt will serve to make Jay O-Be even more popular. 

If there was anything that made politicians extremely popular, it was surviving attempted murder. Or even appearing to die. Teddy Roosevelt, Hitler, Franz Ferdinand. Everyone talked about those events dozens, to hundreds of years later. Roosevelt in particular was famous for finishing a speech with a bullet still lodged inside! 

Therefore, for the sake of Jay's political career, Corvus was going to be a bit of a bastard. 

Shortly thereafter, events played out about as one would expect. 

Jay took a stand next to the microphone about to begin his performance, the would-be killer depressed the button on her detonator, and Corvus encased the boy within the protective film of [Energy Resistance]. 

People screamed in fear, and the crowd looked like they were going to mob one another. Although Corvus was a bit of a bastard, that didn't mean he was a complete asshole. Holding out his hand, he cast [Valor] on the tens of thousands of people, subtly increasing their bravery. Fortunately, only those attuned to the Force would be able to ‘see’ this effect, meaning it was safe from the ISB. 

Then, jumping onto the stage, Corvus unclipped a single green lightsaber from his belt-a weapon he had held onto since leaving Coruscant’s Jedi Temple-and ran up next to the super star. 

Holding out his hand, he pretended to focus for a second, and then yoinked downward. The female assassin was unprepared for the fall, and tumbled ungracefully from the rafters. Another scream from the crowd came out, and this time, he held up both hands. 

Arms trembling due to a pretended strain, Corvus acted like he was putting 110% into everything he had, when arresting her fall. When the assassin was 10ft above him, he let her fall, as if he could hold on no longer. 

Rolling forward, the killer showcased her professionalism by drawing a blaster pistol, and unleashing a bolt just as she sprang forward. 

Corvus swiftly-but not too swiftly-interposed himself between the two, and effortlessly deflected the shot back at the pistol. The weapon went flying out of her hands, whilst the killer then reached for her utility belt, and a pair of smoke grenades. 

Unwilling to let this fish go, Corvus ran at her, setting his lightsaber to training mode. He then slashed it through her center mass, making the faux construction worker fall to the ground, paralyzed in fear. 

That entire sequence of events took less than a minute to pass, and by now a dozen or so fans had already formed a human meatshield around Jay, whilst a handful of armored Zeltron soldiers were on the scene. 

As soon as the assailant was captured, and Corvus pulled some cuffs from his-now brown Jedi robes-the crowd erupted in cheers. 

Jay O-Be hid a scowl at having his spotlight taken, and then walked up to Corvus with a beautiful smile on his youthful face. 

“I'm undercover. Call me Knight Luke.” Corvus quickly said in a hushed whisper. 

The Zeltron teen took this in stride, and ‘familiarly’ wrapped an arm around his shoulder. 

“Thank you, everyone say thank you to Jedi Knight Luke for his timely rescue!” Jay exclaimed with a bright smile full of white teeth. 

The resulting roar was quite impressive, yet Corvus didn't allow himself to fall into any thoughts of grandeur. Instead, he was constantly scanning the crowd, and intermittently using Pause to check for any additional threats. He even made sure to glance at the assassin's shadow, checking to see if she might get silenced before they could interrogate her. Seeing that there were no immediate threats, he still didn't let down his guard. 

“There are many people out in the galaxy who do not want to hear our message. They don't want to believe in peace, love, and freedom of expression.” Jay said in a magnetic voice, each word of his had the crowd waiting on him with baited breath. 

Intermittently, random girls would shout at him, and a few guys would cheer, but for the most part, they looked at him like true blue cultists. And credit where it was due, despite facing death, the kid was on point. 

“First, they want to cancel my songs, to silence your voices. When they couldn't do that, they attacked my character, claiming that love deserves to be shared with everyone, that a young Zeltron boy like me cannot even dare to dream of true love! They showed they were hypocrites. Is free love truly free if you don't choose who to love?! So here they came, to silence me. And once I'm out of the way, they'll come for you next. I, we, cannot allow this. That is why…” Jay said in an impassioned voice, and then started to choke up, with tears in his eyes as if he was having difficulties saying the next part. “That is why…I'm sorry, this is so difficult to say, I'm worried it will harm everyone.” 

Jay wore an embarrassed expression, and pouted like he was mad at himself for lacking courage. Various people in the crowd started to shout at him in support, until the entire audience was onboard with what he was going to say. 

“We believe in you Jay!”

“Say it, we're ready!”

“Jay O-Be, Jay O-Be, Jay O-Be!” 

“...I know I'm young, I know my ideas are considered radical by Zeltron standards, but I just can't be silent anymore. That is why I am officially announcing my candidacy for the Zeltron Monarchy.” Jay finally got out, staring straight into a camera with an undeniable confidence that would make even old bastards grumble with respect. 

Corvus was the first to clap. Damn if that didn't sound like generic political talk, but to get it out right after almost dying, and put on an emotional performance like that…the kid was a born natural! A talent like this was worth cultivating. Even if the star saw him like an annoying manager, if that's what it took to get Zeltros to join the Republic as an active member in this war, then that was a sacrifice he was willing to make. 

Once the crowd subsided making their noise, Jay bowed to everyone present. 

“Now if it's okay, I'd like to finish this performance. Killers, politics, explosions, our lives are so short, I won't give in to them. Everyone, together, let's shine on!” 

Gripping the microphone tight, the kid began to sing again, and even started making a new song on the spot about the attack, and Jedi! 

Corvus was momentarily stunned, before deciding to go along with it, and stole a nearby keyboard, and started jamming. 

What could he say? Zeltros politics were just weird like that. 

~~~~~

AN: Not crazy about this mini Zeltros arc. I'll wrap it up this week. Probably going to do a few mini-arcs leading up to the Umbaran wedding, gathering allies/supplies to break through into the inner core. Who do you think could be an interesting surprise guest at the wedding? Ally, neutral, or enemy?