Garbed In the all black, masked Imperial regalia of Inspectorate Agent 007, Corvus was currently aboard the bridge of his flagship, the Herald.
Standing beside him was the fleet commander, Captain Clip, and his two Padawans-once more clad in clone armor-rested on his flanks. Their involvement wasn't mandatory, or needed, but as a guardian, their education was under his consideration at all times.
"Incoming fleet ETA 5 minutes." Clip said from the side, whilst he was hunched over another clone's console.
"What about the damaged ships, are we out of scanning range?" Corvus asked.
"Yes, and our IFF's have been altered. Any casual scan would reveal us to be no different than the fleet that had been stationed here initially. However, there is a trail left behind that has yet to dissipate. To a seasoned clone, it would be obvious that a large number of ships had occupied that region of space." Clip replied, and provided some additional analysis.
"How likely is it for one of your brothers to make a note of this, or bring it to the enemy Admiral's attention?" Corvus said with furrowed brows.
"It will be mentioned, but hardly a point of interest…I do have a suggestion if you would hear me, sir." Clip turned around, and faced Corvus with a salute.
"Enough with the formalities, speak your mind, Clip."
"The damage on the planet & the ships is impossible to hide. As is the space debris from last week's fighting. I suggest shifting blame to the Grans. The ship trails could be explained away as their escape, and as for the defense stations, since they were locally operated…" Clip said in a trailing, meaningful tone.
"Yes, yes! Shift the blame onto the Grans! Their act of rebellion caused so much damage, and we had to respond. Captain, where did you learn to be such an outside the box thinker?" Corvus beamed, and openly praised.
"You could say I've been inspired. I never fought alongside a Jedi before, but now I think I understand what those nerf herders in the 501st were yapping about in the bars on Coruscant."
"Oh? Do go on." Corvus smirked, happy to be praised for once.
"Don't let it get to your head, General, but from the rumors I've heard, your unconventional style, and dedication to the men is similar to the most famous man in the Republic. General Skywalker." Clip said with stoic praise.
However, Jax and Yon, who were standing behind Corvus shifted uncomfortably, and Corvus himself wore a shocked expression on his face. He was just glad he was wearing a mask, because it felt wrong to be compared to the second most evil person in the galaxy…but he chose to take it as a compliment. Anakin had his dark side to him, but he was a good person.
For a moment, Corvus was reflecting on Clip's words. He could see the resemblance. Taking the Captain's words to heart, he knew he'd have to watch himself.
'Perhaps Kina Ha-the ancient Kaminoan Jedi-had more insight into my methods than I would like. Am I truly that much like Anakin or Revan?'
Not wanting to philosophize or think too much deeper on this uncomfortable topic, he didn't Pause, and instead silently waited for the 5 minute ETA to elapse.
Clip didn't take his abrupt silence to heart, and had gone back to monitoring the situation, and keeping his crew at the ready. A word from him, and the fleet would transform from docile friendly lambs, into the wolves in sheep's clothing that they really were.
"They're here." Clip said in a solemn tone.
Seconds later, dozens of sleek dagger-like ships emerged into the void. Slinking into real-space, three Legions worth of Venators & Acclamators began to crowd the area surrounding Malastare.
Watching this scene, Corvus couldn't help but dryly swallow. Palpatine must be pissed. From what he read via reports, this relief fleet was meant to go directly to Geonosis. By using some logical reasoning and deduction, Corvus figured that the prune's Force Storm wasn't as effective as he would like. So he must've flipped out, because he sent three Legions to seal the deal!
'I could probably take on one fleet by myself, maybe even finesse my way into taking one out covertly, but three at once? Not even the enhanced Millennium Falcon could withstand that amount of firepower!' Corvus felt his eyelid twitch as he thought to himself.
"Sir, incoming transmission." Clip professionally intoned, breaking him out of his state of shock.
"Patch them through."
Seconds later, three holographic images appeared on a display. Clip had thoughtfully included a small banner with their names beneath their images. Dressed in Imperial regalia, and wearing the rank insignia of an Admiral were: a tall gaunt man with slick back black hair named Ran Hess, a short fat balding man named Tygon Tyg, and a clean cut no-nonsense well toned blonde woman named Alyssa Dour.
"You are not Admiral Tenant." The bald heavyset man, Tyg said in a lazy, seemingly uninterested drawl.
"Evidently." The pale, gaunt man, Hess sarcastically remarked.
"My sensor data indicates a battle took place recently, both in space and on the planet. Who are you, and what happened?" The blonde lady, Dour enquired in a curt, professional voice.
"Greetings Admirals, I am special agent 007 from the Imperial Inspectorat. As for Admiral Tenant, I'm afraid he was assassinated by Gran rebels. In retaliation, the Imperial forces garrisoned above Malastare took exception to that, and I oversaw the return of his honor." Corvus said in a calm, and succinct tone. Yet at the same time, he acted slightly subservient to lower their guards, and make himself appear as a 'righteous' individual.
"Ah, very good, the honor of the Navy cannot be impugned. You deserve a medal for your actions." Tyg slowly blinked his eyes, and said so more as an offhand remark, than with any real intentions or meaning.
"Hmm, indeed? Then the interdictors are positioned to prevent their escape? Recent contour trails suggest a massive escape from Malastare deeper into the System. Do you require assistance, Agent?" Hess narrowed his eyes, and said in a schadenfreude-like tone. For whatever reason, this man was happy at his failure?
'Ugh. Officer culture sure could be toxic sometimes.' Corvus internally balked, then rolled his eyes at the petty power play.
"Thank you, Admiral, but we have the situation well in hand. Besides, I wouldn't dare delay your mission to Geonosis. The insects deserve nothing less than to meet the boot of Imperial mercy. I am certain a great victory awaits." Corvus lowered his head, and interjected some good ol'fashioned alien racism to deflect, and get their attention off the topic. The absolute last thing he would want, would be for them to investigate Malastare.
"Yes, the bugs do deserve a good stomping." Hess let the corner of his mouth smile, yet his dead lizard-like eyes stared unblinkingly at Corvus. The flattery, and self deprecation clearly did little to throw this man for a loop, if anything, he had become suspicious.
"Enough with the pleasantries. Agent, begin the refueling process. Geonosis is a 6 to 10 day journey away, and our journey from the core has left our fuel reserves low. Do your duty." Dour ordered, brooking no disagreement, and then her hologram disappeared as she cut the call.
"It shall be done. However, the spaceport was heavily damaged during the rebellion. As a result, more than half of the refueling vessels are inoperable. Please be patient as we begin the refueling process." Corvus inclined his head.
"This delay shall not go unreported." Hess solemnly declared before his image vanished.
"I look forward to meeting such a 'Hero' in person, the Tyg family sends its regards." Tyg yawned, and then hung up.
"Well that went well." Corvus sighed.
Using the Force, he could feel that all three of them were somewhat suspicious, but weren't so obtuse as to openly dig into another man's trash.
"It certainly could have been worse. I wish you well during your luncheon." Clip smirked.
'???' Corvus had question marks all over hjs head not knowing what Clip meant by that.
"Oh, you didn't know, sir? It is customary for navel officers to meet for a meal once they're in the same System. Admiral Tyg's words were an invitation. Speaking of which, as the host, where would you like the venue to be? I need to remind you, most meals take advantage of local cuisine, and scenery, I recommend you choose a location on Malastare, but the Herald could suffice if you don't mind losing credibility." Clip said in a light tone, as if he didn't know that each of his words were more troublesome than the last.
Eyebrow twitching, Corvus looked at this straight-faced clone, and he had never before felt so stifled in his life.
"Make the arrangements, we shall meet at the citadel." Corvus said in a defeated sigh.
"Very good, sir. I'll make the arrangements."
Corvus ignored the Captain, and stared out the viewing port at the 150 ships that were clogging the area around Malastare. It was crazy to think that there were hundreds of such fleets somewhere out there in the galaxy.
Clicking his tongue, Corvus realized he'd have to play this next encounter intelligently. As an Agent, he had some leeway, but in terms of official rank, Admirals possessed much more cache. That meant he would have to appear 'lowly' if he was to navigate through this situation. Thankfully, it seemed that the trio of Imperials didn't seem to be on good terms with one another. Corvus intended to exploit that antagonism, and shift any curious enquiry away from Malastare.
Tidying himself up, Corvus turned to Jax abd Yon.
"Diplomacy, words, they are a weapon like any other. Palpatine is a master at wielding this weapon, and it is a tool the Jedi have used for millennia. As Jedi Shadows in training, it is important for you two to recognize when someone is being manipulative with their speech. In the future, I will hold trials testing your abilities in this arena." Corvus said, eying the pair with great expectations.
"I won't let you down, Master!" Yon said in excitement, the mention of 'gaining power' never failing to grab his attention.
Instead of copying Yon's response, Jax voiced his opinion on the matter at hand.
"The bald man, I do not think he is as lazy or inattentive as he first appears." Jax replied, seemingly taking Corvus's words to heart, and was seeking on the spot training.
Corvus mentally clapped his hands, pleased with the teen's act of seizing the initiative, and nodded at him in acknowledgement.
"Many people achieve high ranks based on who they know, or how much money they donate to certain politicians. Based on his words, Tyg is likely to belong to one of these categories. However, just because someone bought their way in, does not mean we should assume incompetence. What made you suspect him?"
"A premonition in the Force alerted me, and when I looked closer, I noticed that his lazy demeanor and somewhat sloppy style were a facade. He ignored Hess's barb, and didn't seem to care for Dour's dedication to refueling the ships. His most important action was to meet with you. Based on formalities regarding naval customs, he likely knew you would host a small party on Malastare…this is just my suspicion, but I believe he wants to take a closer look at the planetary capital. From what I could tell, he seemed to be listening more to his own officers, than the conversation between you." Jax said in a slow, methodical manner.
"What, no way you got all that just from a couple minutes of dialogue. Tyg hardly said anything at all, and what he did say was just generic pleasantries." Yon hotly dismissed Jax's idea.
"Perhaps." Jax gave a one word reply, refusing to be drawn into a debate.
Corvus found the ghost of a smile forming on his face as the two rivals went at it. 'Fire and ice' indeed.
"Now, now, Yon, you know how important a premonition in the Force can be. That doesn't mean that Jax's conclusion is correct, but it doesn't hurt to approach the situation with an abundance of caution. I know you think I can take on any force or fight against the odds, but against three Legions, even I would hesitate."
"Master, what do you plan to do about this delicate situation?" Jax asked in a curious tone.
Yon's posture looked like he was about to say something cutting, but held himself back. Corvus nodded, happy that their latest training had instilled some restraint in the black haired teen. He then turned to Jax, as he offered a simple three word reply.
"Divide and conquer."
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AN: Read upto chapter 198 at patreon.com/KarpQQ (that's 131 ch ahead)
I update there every Mon, Tues, Wed, Th
Publicly on Fridays