Jedi Insurgency 329

Arriving at the outskirts of Merson, Corvus was surprised to witness the Black Sun fleet driven off into retreat by another ragtag flotilla! 

They didn't retreat into hyperspace, but after losing a few ships, the Black Sun forces were forced to give up their position to another force! Furthermore, this wasn't a sole group belonging to one IFF, but a scattered super fleet made up of a dozen different forces. 

It appeared that the scum of the galaxy really disliked authority. Or at least, being under the authority of others, when it came to imposing their own will upon others…heh. 

Witnessing this scene, Corvus could only curl his lips in amusement. From an outsider's perspective, it was easy to form the false belief that Maul-in another timeline-controlled the entire underworld. However, while directing the Black Sun, Pyke Syndicate, and Hutts was significant, but could hardly account for the quintillions of sentient beings that populated the galaxy. 

Among the data Xizor had sent over earlier was also a packet containing a list of the participants in this little tournament. Cockroaches & other assorted filth from across the galaxy were apparently too bored robbing others, and had come to try their luck, and lay claim to a Mid Rim planet along a juicy corridor. Making enemies? Hah, the tolls & resupply point would pay them off within a year! 

Flying low into the atmosphere, he was greeted with a sea of green. As was typical of Star Wars, this planet was almost entirely composed of a single biome. Merson was a world made up of endless jungle, and a tree that was just as crazy as bamboo. Bamboo, of course, being such an insane plant, that it could grow through just about anything. Therefore, there were no mega cities on this world, and durasteel structures were exceedingly rare. 

Instead, the major ‘port’ city was dubbed Woodplatform Town, because a group of labor droids had cut out a section of the endlessly growing shoots of wood, and made a relatively flat town out of it. This place actually held a lot of novelty to Corvus, and he wondered if Kina Ha would like it. 

Through the Force, Merson felt alive. Like it wanted to endlessly grow into space, and poke a hole into the stars. Truly a unique vibe… 

Finding a wooden garage belonging to the Falleen Prince, Corvus parked his Umbaran stealth craft, and began his stroll to the venue. 

On such a primitive world, there wasn't a single ad on display, but there were a few bars with tv screens, and a handful of holograms. Foot traffic was actually pretty dense, but it was obvious most people were offworlders between jobs, or here for the event. After all, what civilized person would want to live on tree fort world where access to the HoloNet was spotty at best, and your only companions were hardened criminals? 

Of course, Corvus quite appreciated the nature vibe, and as a tourist, enjoyed the all wood aesthetic. His every step made the springy, yet sturdy walkway bounce, and painted signs depicting images like blasters, tits, or syringes did a good enough job of advertising their wares. Along the way, he even bought a pair of dice. 

The people he came across generally wore scowls, and he had witnessed two robberies, and five separate murders in a 3 mile walk, but what could you expect when an entire planet was being gambled on. 

Corvus had been looking forward to some people trying him, and giving him some free exp, although unfortunately, whenever someone laid their eyes upon him, they would either look at the ground, go the opposite direction, or briskly walk past. Which was really funny, because these scum often glanced at him with a-dare he say-perverted glimmer in their eyes. 

Catching a Rodian wearing a cowboy hat, glancing at him, reach for his blaster like he might quick draw, then shake his head like he had talked himself out of something stupid, Corvus did the natural thing, and walked up to him. Upon noticing this behavior, the bug-eyed greenskinned alien blinked, then tried to act nonchalant, and stepped aside, likely assuming Corvus was going to enter the saloon door that the Rodian had been blocking. 

Unfortunately~ 

“Howdy stranger.” Corvus said in an overly familiar tone. 

“O-oh, you must be cosplaying as Revan. Almost gave me a heart attack.” The Rodian wiped some sweat from his brow, and rested a hand against a nearby pillar for support, as if he had just survived some great calamity. 

“How do you figure?” Corvus asked in curiosity, and tilted his head to the side. 

“Tsk. Such a big fan cosplaying as him, and you don't even know the basics?” The Rodian clicked his tongue, and gave him a look of disdain. Crossing his arms, the green alien slowly explained his reasoning. “It's simple, really. Revan doesn't go anywhere without his personal bodyguards, students, or a Legion of troops. Besides, ‘howdy?’ Please. As if the Jedi Order Master would speak in such a low class manner.” 

“I guess you really have me figured out. You look sort of familiar, do I know you?” Corvus asked, and scratched his chin in thought. The cowboy hat had thrown him off, but that bright orange vest & green pants combo was quite iconic. 

‘You wouldn't make me shoot first now would you?’ He cheekily thought to himself. 

“Heh. Even in a backwater like this, some can still recognize Greedo, son of Greedo, father of Greedo.” The Rodian stated with pride, and an upturned mouth. “Just for that, I won't put a blaster between your eyes, stranger. And a word of advice. I would change out of that outfit if I were you. The smarter ones wisely do not wish to challenge the man who could slaughter thousands without blinking. But there will always be someone dumb enough, or greedy enough to go after that bounty. Without the Force, I fear it is only a matter of time before someone takes aim at the back of your hea-” 

Just as Greedo-he must be the father of the one in Episode IV-was about to finish speaking, a solid slug was shot from a sniper at the back of Corvus's head. 

Without turning around, Corvus used the Force to redirect the bullet back the way it came, through the lens of the gun, and deep into the mercenary's brain. 

That shot seemed to act as some sort of signal as a group of assassins, mercs, and bounty hunters all gave it a try. 

A yellow, female Zabrak with a rebreather in her mouth jumped out of a nearby waterbarrel, her clothes sopping wet as she lunged at his back with a cortosis weave vibro-switchblade. Water ran down her horns, blocking her eyesight. A casual wave of the hand on Corvus's part saw her slip forward, tank a stray blaster shot from a Mandalorian on a jetpack, and then stab the Human who was hiding under a nearby plank dead. 

“Die, Jedi!” The Mandalorian roared, sounding incredibly fierce, yet his actions were contrary to his words, and he ran away towards a heavy thicket of jungle. 

Corvus had simultaneously deflected or reversed a dozen+ other shots, killing all of his attackers. Although there was a good amount of coordination, about 18 extras had thrown their lives away attempting to fish in the muddy waters. 

Holding out his hand, and then pulling it back with a twist, the Mandalorian was dragged back onto the scene. Despite having gone half a mile during that brief fight, he had been drawn back as easily as a strongman drawing water from a shallow & abundant well. 

“You can die with honor, or I can crush you like a can. Choose.” Corvus lazily drawled. 

The Mandalorian screamed like a raging barbarian, appearing like he was going to lunge, when he suddenly took to his knees and started begging for his life. 

“I'm the last of my clan, please, Master Revan, I only wished to save my legacy.” The Mandalorian blubbered. 

Corvus felt the corner of his mouth twitch. Truly stereotypes existed for a reason, but this guy was doing the exact opposite of what most people thought of when they said the word: Mandalorian. 

“A waste of Beskar.” Corvus sighed. 

Upon hearing this, the coward grit his teeth, and launched the nearly point blank missile at Corvus that was pointing out of his jetpack. 

Corvus [Shadow Hopped] an inch to the side, and the missile flew out of control, blowing up off in the distance at a random location. Watching the smoke curl up from a new area, and sensing the rapid mobilization of gangsters, Corvus clicked his tongue. 

Was he finally going to get his wish? Was free exp going to come knocking at his door? 

Unfortunately~

“O-oh, Master Revan, it was you! Carry on then, carry on.” A fully armored 7ft tall, jacked bald guy repeatedly bowed as he and his crew retreated. 

“...” Corvus wordlessly sighed, then kicked the Mandalorian's shoulder, knocking him over. The Beakar made a thud noise, and the guy inside didn't move a muscle, playing dead. “...seriously? Whatever. Go inside and get me a drink.” Corvus said, pointing at the saloon doors. 

Hearing this, the mercenary got up, and disappeared like the Road Runner or Speedy Gonzales. 

He then turned to the incredibly nervous, yet outwardly composed Rodian. 

“So, Greedo, are there any other discrepancies I should be aware of so I don't get my cosplay wrong?” Corvus asked nonchalantly. 

“To think that even you, Master Revan, have heard of me. Truly, I die with no regrets.” Greedo whispered, and tilted his cowboy hat in salute. 

“Walk with me.” Corvus replied, ignoring the man's nonsense. 

“...you do not wish to claim my head?” Greedo hesitated to ask, stumbling forward to catch up. 

“Contrary to public belief, I am not a murderous psychopath.” Corvus said, rolling his eyes. “Just what have the Imperial propagandists been reporting on?” He tutted. 

Greedo conspicuously ignored the piles of still cooling meat that were tragically lying nearby, and cleared his throat, eagerly nodding along. It just so happened that they passed by an open air bar at that moment with the HoloNet playing a news story at full blast. 

“...and this is but the latest in a string of massacres perpetrated by the war criminal, Revan. The peacekeeping mission to Axion was ruthlessly slaughtered by the self-proclaimed peace keeper. Just watch as he brutally chops off the heads of a dozen people using a sewer cap.” The reporter said in a sickened tone. 

The image was incredibly graphic, and in such a clear image, that Corvus couldn't deny what was being shown. He had to admit, war was hell, and they couldn't really blame him for wanting to end it as fast as possible. Besides, he wanted to test & see if a Captain America shield made of Beskar would be viable…just because Jedi abandoned physical shields, didn't mean it wasn't worth experimenting with. 

Shaking his head, he led Greedo towards a giant wooden pavilion with all sorts of colorful banners, flags and standards outside. 

Gathered around a casket full of booze, and another casket full of Spice were the main participants of this venture. Among them, sloshing his drink around, and offending everyone was Hondo Onahka. 

Corvus grinned. He did intend to give this planet to the Weequay for all his dedication, loyalty, and service. Setting up this tourney was the perfect venue for generating fame. However, a small part of him wanted to beat the guy at cards again. 

What could he say? Perhaps some of the allegations weren't false!