Jedi Insurgency 333

Arriving into the Neutra system, Corvus was just in time to witness the near continuous bombardment of Neutra Four's planetary shield. 

Shimmering a faint blue wherever the Republic turbolasers struck the surface, it reminded him of fierce rain splattering against a windshield. Having done some research before, he could tell that the shield was on its last legs. Becoming more & more transparent, it would become only a matter of time before they pierced the bubble, and began to land their troops. 

Landing inside the ship Pots was on, he marched his way to the bridge. Along the way, countless men of the Starcrusher Corp would slam their fists into their breastplates, and nod as he passed them by. He sensed an unyielding confidence in these veterans, especially those who had survived the hell that was the Siege of Kuat. 

By this point, Corvus had also seen some people of varying heights, and sensed a difference between troopers. The Starcrusher Corp had no further means to produce clones, and quite frankly, he wasn't 100% sure he wanted to do something so immoral either. Forcing kids to grow abnormally fast, and then training to fight & die really didn't sit right with his conscience. 

And that was why he sensed so many different body types. When a brother from Kamino perished, he was now replaced by an Eriaduan. Tens of millions of men & women had volunteered from that planet, whilst there were only a few million clones loyal to him throughout the force. 

Saluting a pair of stalwart guards before the bridge doors hissed open, Corvus promised to himself that he'd find his brothers a life worth living after the war was over. Be they clone, man or alien. 

Stepping onto the command deck, he noticed a gaggle of officers surrounding a massive tactical display. Occasionally one of them would note some tactical data down, then update a dataslate in their hands. People were shouting out orders, asking for confirmation, and relaying information every second. Corvus breathed in the busy atmosphere, and slowly spread out [Shadow Battle Meditation]. The Force technique not only let his teammates work better together, but also allowed him to ‘absorb’ their surface understanding of the situation through a sort of osmosis effect. 

Why learn with words, or your eyes, when the hive can transmit all the knowledge on a battlefield? Pleased with this subtle application of the ability, Corvus observed the battle map on the Holo display. 

Red markers ringed the enemy positions, whilst blue markers gathered in the high orbit, where the coalition fleet waited for its opening.

The alliance itself had begun with Padmé Amidala’s work. It was temporary, and neither the Wookiees nor the Trandoshans pretended their old grievances had vanished. But she had persuaded them to stand together against the Empire, and Corvus was grateful for all the help he could get. 

Across from him, Jedi Master Jaro Tapal watched the map with his arms folded, his broad shoulders, purple cat-like appearance, and lengthy height made him standout. 

Pots, meanwhile-sporting a new cybernetic implant, an eyepatch of all things-was smoking a cigar, his other eye narrowed as he observed the map. 

“The Imperial commander expects us to make the northern ridge our first landing. It is the obvious route, as it holds a commanding view over their starfighter hangars.” Tapal noted, glancing at Corvus. “For this assault, we'll need someone who can move fast, and hit hard.” 

A low growl sounded from the Wookiee liaison at the far console. Tapal turned and answered in Shyriiwook, his jaw opening wide as he softly roared. The Wookiee snorted, and squeezed a fist, eliciting a bone crunching sound effect. 

“He says they can take it, but that he doesn't want his men to be cannon fodder. The ridge is the most optimal zone for attack, but conversely, the automatic defenses have been concentrated there.” Tapal noted, seemingly asking for Corvus's opinion, although it appeared the composed Jedi General had already formed an opinion on how things should proceed. 

“I see that a localized shield is defending the area.” Corvus said, stroking his chin in thought. “However, to launch, refuel, and rearm their starfighters, the enemy will need to very briefly open their shields. It is my recommendation that we deploy a squadron of our own to meet them. This is but a distraction for our gunships to blast their way down the middle during this brief window. At that time, the Wookiees shall strike.” 

He moved two fingers along the holo display, sliding a blue marker into place. 

“The Wookiee companies will approach the north in force, visible from orbit. They will draw the reserve battalions and the artillery crews toward the ridge. Meanwhile, the Trandoshans will move through these ravines in small hunting groups. Once the guns turn north, they will mark the shield relays and the command post. The gunships attacking from above, meanwhile, will only serve as a feint, and shall reinforce other battles whilst the Wookiees & Trandoshans tear the Imperials limb from limb.” 

The Trandoshan captain beside the map clicked his claws against his chest plate, clearly pleased to be recognized. Corvus returned the gesture, a hunter’s salute recognized among the captain’s people.

“Among my people, your name is spoken with respect. A hunter who has personally claimed over 100,000 warriors isss a champion amongst champions.” The Trandoshan hissed in a pleased tone. 

“Your scouts must be cautious, and scan for mines.” Corvus said, glancing at the lizard alien's fate lines. 

The captain’s yellow eyes narrowed, then shifted to the map. “You have hunted this ground before?”

“No, but the Imperials have had time to train competent officers. Their new doctrine is meritocratic in nature. Only the most competent rule them now.” Corvus heavily intoned. 

The captain considered the route, then gave a short, satisfied hiss. “A good hunt.”

Tapal glanced at Corvus. “And a good reason to keep our hunters from racing ahead of their allies.”

The Wookiee liaison rumbled again, and thumped Tapal on the back with a friendly, meaty thump. Tapal replied in an alien tongue, appearing the smallest bit embarrassed. 

Corvus could sense that the giant furry animal had most definitely made a lewd joke. 

Pots gave a quiet chuckle, and sucked on his cigar. The clone Marshal watched the pair of Jedi organize the two races who most hated one another, and was all too happy to yield the proverbial dance floor. Negotiations? Talking fancy? Bah! Give him a blaster, some targets to kill, and a direction to go in! 

Tapal turned back to the map, pointedly ignoring his Wookiee friend. “Our students are in position?”

“Yon and Cal reached the southern relay station three minutes ago.” Pots said. “They’ve confirmed the garrison is moving its mobile reserve north. They’re holding until the Trandoshans identify the command post.”

“Cal will want to help the locals before the fighting begins.” Tapal said, pride warm in his voice.

“Which is why Yon will make sure he remembers the mission. The boy can heal any of the innocents.” Corvus added on. 

Tapal gave him a sidelong look. “You make him sound like a seasoned commander.”

“He is learning from the best.” Corvus grinned back. 

“Cal is learning from a brave one.” Tapal said, ‘humble’ bragging. “He will run toward trouble if he thinks someone is trapped there.”

Pots looked up from his console, and clucked his tongue. “The boys'll be fine. Yon has a competitive spirit, and from what I've studied about Cal, he isn't one to give up easy. Say…you ever think about having that kid train as a Shadow?” 

Right when Tapal was about to offer a sharp rebuke, and Corvus thought he'd have to play defense, a new signal pulsed on the map. The Trandoshan scouts had reached the ravine mouth. Another icon appeared beside theirs: two small green marks from Yon and Cal, moving along the base's southern access road.

Corvus placed his palm over the map. For a moment the room’s steady hum seemed to fall away. He felt the pressure of the shield grid, the nervous concentration of the scouts, the distant movement of thousands preparing to meet one another. Then he lifted his hand. “The Imperials are shifting the reserve, they have seen the Wookiees’ approach.”

Pots checked the tactical feed. “Confirmed. Three companies are leaving the central barracks.”

“Too soon. Much too soon. They’re trying to catch the Wookiees before they reach the ridge.” Tapal said with a frown, his deep baritone filling the room. 

“Then we let them try.” Corvus moved the northern markers a little farther forward. “If we have the Wookiees hold short of the artillery zone, there will be an opportunity. Make them commit, but do not engage until the Trandoshans are clear of the ravine.”

Tapal considered for a moment, then nodded. He reinforced the order by explaining the reasoning in Shyriiwook. The answer came back at once: a deep, confident roar.

The Trandoshan captain gave a sharp series of clicks to his own officers. Their markers split into three groups, moving forward at a faster pace. 

At that moment, a voice crackled through the comm. “This is Yon. We have eyes on the relay station besides the hangers. Imperial technicians are still inside, and the locals are sheltering in the lower service level.”

Tapal leaned toward the transmitter. “Can you secure the civilians without casualties?” 

“We can.” Yon replied. “Cal’s already found the service entrance.”

A second voice cut in, breathless but steady. “There are six workers down here. They’re frightened, but all right. We’re moving them to the west tunnel.”

Tapal’s expression softened. “Good work, Cal. Keep them away from the fighting.”

“Understood, Master.”

Corvus watched their markers continue along the road. “Tell them not to touch the relay until the Trandoshans have marked the command link. If the Imperials see the grid fail too early, they may lock down the whole complex.”

Tapal relayed the instruction, but a bout of static had them waiting for an agonizingly long two minutes. Eventually the connection stabilized, and the conversation resumed. 

“Yon says they’ll wait.” Cal reported. “He also says I owe him for getting to the entrance first.”

Pots shook his head, smiling. “Young Jedi, already negotiating debts in the middle of a campaign.”

Watching the feed continuously update in real time, Corvus witnessed the northern Imperial battalions cross the ridge line. The Wookiees withdrew in a hurry, letting the enemy believe the pressure had driven them back. As the Imperial artillery rotated to track them, the Trandoshan groups emerged from the ravines behind the gun crews.

The Trandoshans struck with lethal precision, sniping the guards & gunners down one by one. A Wookiee unit swung around from the ridge, charging back into the frey. The Imperial troopers were surprised, but quick to unload on them. However, the big guns were now in the hands of the Trandoshans. As the first rounds soared through the sky, the Imperials were happy that something stronger than a standard issue rifle was bearing down upon the furry monsters. 

That is, until a squad of Imperials took a direct hit. 

Blood, limbs, and the charred smell of disgust flew out into the air. 

Upon seeing this, a charging Wookiee lowered his bowcaster and pointed toward the next Imperial position, and began to take the enemy apart piecemeal. 

Tapal watched the two markers advance together. “That is what I wanted them to see. Strength that can trust another strength.”

“They will have to see it more than once.” Corvus said, shaking his head. “Trust between these two won't be easy.

“If war is what it will take for this millenia old rivalry to simmer down, then war is what they shall have.” Tapal sternly stated. 

The Trandoshan scouts reached the command post. Their signal flashed on the map. Yon and Cal moved at the same instant, cutting the relay’s local feed while the scouts severed its uplink. The Imperial shield defending the most populous city flickered once, twice, then failed. 

Pots raised his voice across the bridge. “Shield is down. Fleet, you are clear to begin the landing.”

Corvus’s hand moved across the map, directing the first transports toward the southern plain. Tapal sent the Wookiee companies forward to secure the landing zone, while the Trandoshans took the perimeter and hunted down the remaining gun nests. They moved with different instincts and different calls, but their units began to anticipate one another: Wookiees drawing fire, Trandoshans flanking the shooters; Trandoshans pinning a patrol, Wookiees closing the road behind it.

“Well then, Master Tapal. Shall we?” Corvus gestured towards the doors leading off the bridge. 

“After you, Order Master.” 

Corvus smiled at the big cat, and nodded at Pots as the Marshal slammed his own helmet over his head. 

It was go time.

~~~~~

AN: I stayed up way too late reading Five Kingdoms military Chinese fiction, so here's an early release.