AN: I'm not crazy about this chapter, and was embarrassed at a specific part…but it's important to note that aliens aren't humans, and they have their own thoughts/cultures.
That said, TRIPLE RELEASE go back to ch 63
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Corvus eyed the two men as they entered.
The Dug had pale, leathery skin, was half his height, and the limbs that would ordinarily be arms on a human acted as legs, whilst his lower limbs acted as arms. It was a confusing sight to be certain.
Meanwhile, the Gran was about similar in height with Corvus, had a long, snout-like face, three eyes, lengthy cow-like ears, and based on the reaction of his Padawans, smelt like a farm animal.
Before arriving on the planet, he had scoured his flagships' databases, and done some cursory research regarding the leaders, culture, and notable locations. Looking at the pair, Corvus was rather certain the Dug was the Doge of Malastar, an official title equivalent to that of Prime Minister. His name was Nakha Urus, from what Corvus could recall from the Clone Wars tv show, he was an incredibly abrasive, decisive, nationalistic figure. Earlier in the war, the Republic wanted to secure M-Fuel, and deny it to the Separatists. To bring Malastare into the fold, the Doge demanded they destroy the Zilo beast, an incredibly powerful ancient Force Sensitive xenos beast. It was a monster with impossibly thick hide, and was eventually subdued by Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Mace Windu, thus sealing their loyalty to the Republic.
Meanwhile, the Gran was a Senator, Baskol Yeesrim. If one watched Revenge of the Sith enough times, this guy would stand out as one of the weird aliens within the senate chambers. From Corvus's recollection, this guy had lifted his arms, and was cheering very loudly when Palpatine ascended the throne, and announced his new Empire. Interestingly, this guy served as the Senator, and not a Dug person.
It went without saying, racial tensions were incredibly hot on this planet, and considering how pro-Palpatine Gran was, Corvus decided he would fuel the flames, and then act as mediator. Then emerge as the voice of reason. Of course, he could simply put the Gran in his place, but to put it mildly, Nakha Urus was a bonafide asshole who was so full of himself, that he almost attacked Mace Windu over a disagreement. If Corvus was going to work with such a character, he'd rather do so from a position of strength.
"The Gran is right, why have you destroyed the spaceport, and assaulted my city? This is not in line with the Jedi I knew." Nakha plodded into the chamber, and boldly stepped close to Corvus.
"Less than three years have passed since we signed our agreement, Doge. Is the memory of the Dug people so shallow?" Corvus icily taunted.
At the same time, he gently [Mind Tricked] the Gran.
'Dogpile the uppity Dug, put him in his place. Appease the Jedi to get him off your world.'
Weaving a simple prompt-one that didn't necessarily go against the Gran's principles-the [Mind Trick] easily took hold of the alien.
"Yes, yes, the word of a Dug is less than dung. Only through special means can they ve properly, mm, directed." Baskol hurriedly said in an effort to please Corvus, and hurry the conversation along.
"What is the meaning of this insult! We Dug people are loyal! We have given everything the Republic has asked of us, and we are betrayed by violence! Dug people, innocents line the streets of Pixelito. Who are you to cast judgement upon us, Gran, when the so-called Protectorate sat on their hands! And you, who are you Jedi, to insult us so?! What gives you the right?" Nakha pointed his finger up into Corvus's face.
Yon ignited his lightsaber in response. Even Jax was frowning, his icy blue eyes promised violence should the Dug lay hands on Corvus.
"Oh this is going to be good." Crosshair muttered in schadenfreude from the background.
"Is this what it's like to see the shoe drop from the other side of the foot?" Tech added on, whispering to himself.
Despite the threats of violence, Nakha held his ground.
At first, Corvus held a dismissive opinion of the Dug due to his actions and behavior from the show. However, the show was the show, and this was here and now.
"You have guts, Doge. My name is Revan. I apologize for any Dug deaths that occurred during this war. As for what gives me the right? It's this." Corvus held out a dataslate that he had long prepared for such a meeting, and shoved it directly in Nakha's eyes so he could get a taste of his own medicine.
What could he say, he was petty like that!
The blue light bothered the Dug, and he snatched the tablet from Corvus's hands. Looking at the information presented to him, he scrunched his brows, then looked at Corvus in confusion.
Before Corvus could say anything, the Gran began to issue his reply.
"Responding to the Doge, the Protectorate built this city, providing: clothing, housing, meals, and the opportunity for work. In summary, it was us who uplifted you from a race of mud dwellers. Our decision to join the Empi-ahem, Republic was all in your interest. Please, Doge, do not place the blame of this unforeseen crisis on our doorstep." Baskol said in a tone of voice as if he were explaining to a child why they couldn't go out with their friends at night.
Baskol was all but saying 'we own you.'
Nakha's nostrils flared, and he stared the Gran down. Baskol, for his part, was unintimidated, and folded his hands within a voluminous robe.
"Jedi Revan, Malastare is pleased with your visit, and would be happy to refuel your fleet. Please, enjoy your stay, and make yourself at home. I was confused with the sudden attack earlier, and mistook you for a dastardly Imperial. Now I can see you are an emissary of Justice." Baskol bowed his head, and excused himself out.
Yon & Jax looked like they were going to make a move, and stop him, but Corvus subtly signaled for them to stop.
As soon as the elevator door closed, Nakha squinted at Corvus, and sighed.
"You are a dangerous man, Revan." Nakha scowled.
"Do the Dug stand by their commitments? The agreement signed with the Jedi was for Malastare to join the Republic, was it not?" Revan said in an airy tone. Crossing his arms behind his back, he walked to a window, and looked down at the war torn city.
Nakha hesitated, and then joined him.
"If I do this, I want to strangle that three eyed womp rat with my own two hands. It's the least you owe me after what you did." Nakha growled.
Corvus felt a host of emotions from those present. Yon: eager. Jax: watching. Hunter: disgust. Wrecker/Tech: checked out. Pots: neutral. Clip: calculating. Crosshair: schadenfreude.
If he answered yes or no, there were definitely going to be some intangible gains & losses from the close confidants in the room. Heck, depending on how he handled this, it could affect how his apprentices acted in similar situations moving forward.
Honestly, Corvus wanted an easy W, to one and done this mission. Who really cared if a racist xenos slave holder died? Taking himself as a point of comparison, he had killed the Kaminoan Prime Minister, Lama Su in a similarly cold manner.
Exhaling a turbid breath, Corvus decided to use this as an opportunity to put the Dug in his place, and establish his authority without damaging his image in front of his subordinates or setting a bad example for Yon/Jax. While he didn't really care about the Gran's life or death, and didn't have to worry about things like the darkside (thanks to his Prestige class), he had to be mindful about its possible influence on his students.
"Do you want to be the Senator representing Malastare?" Corvus instead countered with a question.
"What is the point of such a question? Of course I do! What games are you playing, Jedi? You want my cooperation, and I want Baskol's head. Simple, no?" Nakha sneered.
"Perhaps you misunderstand, Doge." Corvus said, allowing some coldness to enter his tone. "You already signed an agreement with the Republic, with the Jedi. Whether the Gran lives or dies is irrelevant. Will you be my Senator, or must I find someone else?" Corvus-using [Force Speed]-suddenly shoved his face into the Dug's face, his Revan mask's visor was mere millimeters from the alien's eyes.
Nakha's eyes dilated, and his breathing became heavy. He tried to say something, but words failed him, and a puddle of piss spilled onto the floor.
Having studied the Dug people, Corvus was well aware of their similarities between dogs, as well as their 'pack animal' culture. As a xenos species, it was important to note that they were not human, and the methods of negotiation with them were different than when engaging diplomacy with a human.
'Good God, Obi-Wan, what did you do to become famously named 'The Negotiator.' Corvus thought to himself as he gained an all new perspective and level of respect for the famed Jedi Master.
Under Corvus's coercion, Nakha at this moment, was unconsciously presenting his neck, no different from a hound. In a way, the Gran was correct, these Dug people were still quite primitive. However, this was to Corvus's advantage, as much like a wolf on Earth presenting its neck to his leader, this was a sign of capitulation.
Confusion and awe seemed to be the vibe he sensed from them. In fact, macabre fascination seemed to be the predominant feeling. As if they had just witnessed something freakish.
"What would you have me do, Doge?" Nakha bowed his head low, and addressed Corvus in a respectful-almost servile-tone.
Corvus raised an eyebrow. It would seem he had usurped the position of 'great leader' within the Dug hierarchy. In one swift step, he had not only conquered Malastare as an 'ally of the Republic' but in truth, had usurped its leadership entirely, and accidentally achieved a cultural victory along the way?
"What the frag did I just watch?" Hunter said to himself in shock.
"You haven't seen anything yet. Master has only unleashed a tenth of his power." Yon sheathed his lightsaber, and boasted to the clones.
Jax stared unblinkingly at the scene, committing everything to memory.
"Amazing. Truly a genius of our era!" Tech exclaimed.
"Tch. Should've strangled the Gran here and be done with it." Crosshair said in disappointment.
Corvus felt some sweat go down his back, and wanted to scratch his head in embarrassment. He kind of got carried away there, and accidentally became the planetary ruler of Malastare…but he couldn't tell the guys that, right?
"Ahem, Commander Pots, our ally, the Dugs, are occupied by a malicious slaver force. You know what to do. Please escort Nakha here and see that the injustices done to him and his people are rectified." Corvus said in a serious, threatening tone.
"The Dugs will never forget what you have done for us, Jedi. We will fight for the Republic." Nakha lowered his head.
"Yes sir!" Pots put a power pack into his rifle, and then left the room with the Doge following closely behind him.
"I'll be in contact if you need me." Clip said before hanging up.
"What next, General?" Hunter asked, and had his helmet at the ready.
"Eager for some action? Then by all means, you men have the keys to the city. I'm sure some anti-insurgency cells escaped the recall order, get to it." Corvus said, and pointed at the elevator door with a thumb over his shoulder.
"Ragebar." Crosshair muttered, and bumped Yon as he passed.
"Crosseyes." Yon muttered back with the ghost of a smile.
Corvus nodded at Hunter, then turned to his two students.
"We'll be on Malastare for the next few days securing the planet. This time around, you two played a large role in our victory. Now that we have some room to maneuver, how about you two show me your progress?" Corvus smirked, and ignited his twin lightsabers, then beckoned for his Padawans to come at him 2v1.
"Don't say you'll regret it, Master!" Yon happily ignited his saber.
Jax regarded Corvus, and instead chose to take a kata.
Raising an eyebrow, Corvus regarded the white haired teen's Cortosis-Weave robotic arms, and thought about the notorious Echani martial arts.
One disciple had a Force bond with his kyber crystal resulting in a never before seen lightsaber colors whilst the other dared to fight with his fists…This was getting interesting!
Corvus couldn't wait to see their abilities once they had become bonafide Jedi Knights. Not only to fulfill his quest, but also because he was genuinely curious, and excited to see how they developed.
Ah, was this the pride of a father watching his boys grow up?