Over a week had passed since their daring assault on Malastare had occured.
From within the auspices of Pause, Corvus went over the great changes that had occurred on Malastare, as well as his next step.
The men had been honored, their sacrifices noted, and prisoner camps for captured Imperials had been set up.
During this time, the other 10,000,000 clones who had been enroute had finally arrived. Those Class-4 hyperdrives were really too slow. With their reinforcement, Corvus put them to use, and began to construct bunkers, hard points, and reconstruct Pixelito city. As great as it was to have these guys on hand, the transports that moved them from point A to point B were too damn slow. It was like being the strongest man in the world, but only being able to walk to the front door because you've been skipping leg day.
The only small conciliation regarding this matter, was the 23~ capital ships captured during their spacebattle. That was about 500,000 men who could be added to his active forces. So all was not lost. However, the point stood, he needed more ships, and with the orbital bombardment of the spaceport, he needed more armor.
It just so happened that there was a solution to this issue. This last week, whilst he had been busy with administrative work, he had been plotting with Clip, Pots, CF-99, and his students. Additionally, he had been deep in thought from within Pause.
His next target would be Eriadu, the birthplace of Tarkin.
Just 1-3 days of travel away from Malastare, and occupying a prime spot on the Hydion Way, Eriadu served as the primary dry docks, and repair yard for this Sector. Meaning, there were sure to be both new, and old ships ripe for the picking! Furthermore, as a manufacturing hub, this planet was incredibly important to commerce within this region of space, and could be considered as a vital artery to many other planets.
If his stranglehold on Malastare was like grabbing this Sector by the balls, then eliminating the largest Republic weapons, and ship manufacturer in the area would be the deathknell.
To make matters even better, the intelligence reports from the Malastare garrison indicated that the Legion stationed on Eriadu had gone on the offensive at Geonosis. The very same world that had suffered under Palpatine's Force Storm! Practically rubbing his hands together like some cartoon villain, Corvus knew that he was one step away from starting an unstoppable wall of dominos. This plan of his got even better. As they were still under the cloak of secrecy, and on the surface, were Imperials, Corvus was going to fleece them for everything they had. The idea was still top secret for now, but once he revealed it, he didn't think he would lose even 5% of his forces this time!
Proud with his scheming, Corvus Un-Paused, and currently found himself sitting on a beach chair enjoying a cold drink out on a lakeside beach. Out in the distance, a Gran labor center was being built, and the Dugs were financially gouging their former 'owners' for the centuries of humiliation they had suffered as indentured servants. Loud, guttural shouts could occasionally be heard over the open water, but Corvus paid them no mind as he regarded the people gathered before him.
Yon, Jax, Triss, and Omega were present, and had been meditating in a semicircle around him, awaiting a lesson.
Under Jax's tutelage this week-and the 6ish days aboard the Venator during the flight here-Omega & Triss had the skills of talented younglings. Omega, with her enhanced genes picked up concepts quickly, and Triss-given her experience as a Dark Acolyte-understood many of the basic concepts and filled in the basic knowledge that had been left out of her brutal education.
Seeing them watch him, Corvus couldn't help but smile. Yon was like an eager terrier chomping at the bit to learn more, and grow more powerful. Jax was calm, reserved, and looking at the situation as a whole. Triss was gloomy, and refused to meet his eyes, yet she would occasionally glance at Jax. Omega, meanwhile had the biggest grin on her face, and was letting sand trickle out of her hand, marveling at its texture, sight, and sound.
Having a child around who had never experienced sand was a breath of fresh air Corvus didn't know he needed. So often, he was plotting the demise of others, or how to improve his people for war. It was little moments like this that reminded him that he was human, and that his wish for peace had never been stronger before. In fact, gathered like this, embracing nature, and meditating on the Force with others, it was one of the most serene moments he had experienced since his transmigration.
"Before we begin today's lesson, how about you share what you have gained through your meditation?" Corvus asked in a relaxed tone.
"I've been thinking about your lesson on peace, Master, and with my recent studies in the kyber crystal, I think I'm close to unlocking a new power. My breath is almost in harmony, but…" Yon said in a hurry, but embarrassedly glanced at his peers, and shut up.
"Hmm, breathing eh?" Corvus scratched his chin. "How about you observe the ebb and flow of the water on the shore. Breath is the basis for life, a genesis of motion, in and out, yin & yang. Just as your lungs breath air, so too does this planet, this universe, breathe. Often times nature holds the secrets we seek, searching all over the place, the answer is right in front of our faces." Corvus gently gestured towards the lake, and nodded in encouragement.
Yon took a deep breath, and bowed his head. "Thank you, Master."
Corvus smiled, knowing this precocious student of his had a competitive spirit, and didn't like to appear weak or stupid in front of others. "There is no shame in asking for guidance in front of others, Yon." He said, and meaningfully glanced at both Omega and Triss.
The pair of girls still regarded him as a frightening figure, and honestly, he couldn't blame them. Which is partly why they were here now. Fear of an instructor or teacher led to nothing positive. If taken to the extreme, this stance would only alienate them, and enhance their likelihood of falling to the darkside.
Shaking his head, he inclined his head towards Jax.
The white haired teen closed his eyes, and organized his thoughts. Jax was deeply contemplating his experience, and about five minutes later, finally spoke.
"I sensed sadness, relief, and a vast hollowness. As if there was something great and magnificent on Malastare, something primal worth fearing, venerating, and befriending. An ancient tyranny lying dormant, awaiting the proper time to reveal itself. Yet it is no more." Jax said in a measured tone, each word carefully chosen.
Corvus nodded as understanding dawned upon him.
"What you are sensing is the echo of the Zilo beast. A creature of immense power and size, it was Force Sensitive, and once numbered in the hundreds. After the Jedi captured the last known creature, it was placed under Palpatine's custody to be studied…and cloned as a weapon." Corvus described the reason for Jax's feeling, and then ended his sentence on a chilling note.
Jax furrowed his brows, and looked off onto the horizon.
"Don't tell me you think you sense one now?" Corvus said, wanting to joke, but given how observant this student of his was…
"Perhaps. I feel a consciousness deep in slumber. One under deep layers, within dark crags surrounded by a field of heat ever churning." Jax closed his eyes once again, and slowly described.
Corvus slowly nodded. Perhaps it was Jax's fate to befriend a Zilo beast at some point in his future.
"This sensation of ancient tyranny, meditate on it. In the future, when intimidation is necessary, pull upon the feeling, and emit it for all your foes to experience. Often times, the threat of such primal violence can end a conflict before it begins." Corvus instructed.
"Master." Jax inclined his head, and then closed his eyes as he entered meditation once again.
Turning to the two girls, Corvus smiled. He wasn't wearing his mask at the moment, so they actually got to see him emoting, unlike usual.
"The sunshine. It's so bright, and colorful…and stingy!" Omega exclaimed.
"Light is what allows us to see, and is a boon to most lifeforms. Yet when experienced in too large of an amount, it can be quite painful. Much like light, the Force can be drawn upon too much, and can lead to disastrous results. During your journey, think back to this moment, when you stared into the sun, and advance steadily instead of finding ways to cut corners." Corvus advised.
"Is this all that talk I hear about the Lightside and Darkside?" Omega tilted her head, and asked.
"Somewhat." Corvus nodded his head, pleased that Omega was thinking for herself. "Some schools of thought believe that there is a dichotomy between the dark & light. Others think that there is a middle ground, a dusk & dawn if you would, where mixtures of the two become possible. Whatever path you take, young Omega, should be yours alone. Yet this curiosity of yours is a good thing. By asking about the paths of others, we may more solidly form our own ideas." Corvus encouraged.
"Then what do you think?" Omega said in a blunt tone, and looked at him with big, bright eyes.
Corvus looked off to the distance, and watched a pair of birds swooping in and around one another in play, yet never once did they crash or collide.
"To me, the cosmic bodies, and rules of the universe are one grand dance. The molecules react just so, forming solids, liquids, and gases. Whilst the Force acts as the glue, binding it all together. Remove some 'adhesive' here, add a splotch there, and the rules are changed ever so slightly." Corvus said with a wistful expression on his face as he admired the nature that surrounded them. "But as I have told my Padawans, and you two, I am but a single lantern bearer lighting part of the path. It is up to you to reach understanding on your own."
Silence spread throughout the clearing, as if Corvus had said something profound. The animals, people, and sounds of nature all receded for an infinitesimally slow second.
Triss gulped, met Corvus's eyes, and then ducked her head. Omega for her part scratched her head in confusion, and scrunched her brows, seemingly disliking his explanation.
"But why do you describe the universe as a dance?" Omega questioned in a blunt tone that only a child could get away with.
Corvus merely smiled. "Think about it."
The little tan blonde girl pouted, and Corvus almost chuckled. He could 'foresee' a prank from one of her Uncles coming his way in the near future.
"Triss?"
The white haired girl shakily exhaled, and tremblingly began to draw something on the sand with a stick.
Before long, the image of a Zilo beast came into being. Except where Jax approached the creature from academic curiosity, and the pursuit of knowledge, Triss beheld the being through a lens of fear. This terror was reflected in her drawing, as she had transferred her dread through the Force.
Just looking at this creature depicted in the sand, Corvus felt a slight tremor in his heart.
Glancing at the scared young girl, Corvus slowly began to clap his hands, startling her.
"You, Triss, possess a rare, and valuable talent." Corvus said, choosing the word 'valuable' on purpose.
Knowing how out of place the teen felt, and how 'useful' you were was the deciding factor between life & death in Dooku's Dark Adept organization, he very deliberately gave his praise freely.
"R-really?" Triss slowly croaked.
"Of course, not even Hunter can draw that good!" Omega beamed, and rested her chin on Triss's shoulder as she admired the drawing.
"Really, really. Transcribing a feeling or sensation in the Force onto an object is a difficult task, one that can take people years to learn. Yet here you are, already capable of this much. Truly, the Jedi Order would be blessed should you choose to become one of us. An artisan of your talents hasn't been seen in centuries." Corvus genuinely praised, and did his utmost to keep any greed from entering his tone of voice.
The workbench could do a lot, but imbue items with magical properties it could not…well okay, it could modify kyber crystals, and make magic robes, but it couldn't do anything insane like create the conceptual fear of a Zilo beast! Seriously, this girl was practically an enchanter! Artifacts were seriously lacking in the modern Order, and he was practically salivating over her recruitment! If he was having second thoughts after he brought this darksider back to life, they were long gone now!
Just as he was going to continue to boost her confidence, and the lesson, he received a priority message from Clip over the intercom.
"Sir, the shadow of a massive fleet has been detected in Hyperspace. It's estimated arrival is within the hour. The direction of arrival, indicates it's coming from the core." Clip's no-nonsense voice succinctly detailed.
Corvus blinked his eyes, then suddenly stood from his beach chair im a hurry, knocking over his drink, and startling the girls.
"Change our ship IFF's to match those of the Malastare fleet. I want the excess or damaged ships to fly out of the System as fast as their sub-light drives allow. They must not be within scanner range, Captain." Corvus expressed with grave concern.
"It will be done."
Corvus nodded his head, then hung up the call, only to contact Pots.
"A visit from the relief fleet is inbound, ETA 1hr. They should be here for nothing more than a routine fill up and then departure. I don't want any chatter getting through to them. Clamp down on outbound transmissions, if anything looks suspicious, shoot first, ask questions later. If confronted by the Imperials, say that a Separatist uprising took place within the last couple of days. We cannot afford to have our cover blown at this time."
"Yes General, I'll let the boys know." Pots said, matching his urgent energy.
Corvus stretched his back, then turned to the Falcon waiting nearby in a clearing. Just as he was about to depart from Malastare, he was reeled back in.
The question remained. Did he fight, risking the loss of his Imperial credentials, whilst also taking out yet another fleet. Or did he forgo violence so that he could 100% secure Eriadu?
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AN: Read up to chapter 194 at: patreon.com/KarpQQ
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