Corvus had accepted Vekk's surrender by sheathing his lightsaber, and held out an open palm.
The Mandalorian was on his knee, and looking up at him between great gasps. Their duel had winded him, and the veteran mercenary was wearing scuffed armor. Generally speaking, Vekk was exhausted.
Sensing some unwillingness from the man, Corvus chuckled. "A true warrior knows when to bow his head. As my follower, I will not treat you wrong. Pay and a chance at something more are what I promise." He said in an encouraging tone of voice, and hinted at something that he knew each 'true son of Mandalore' desired.
"You Jedi are wiley types. Who is to say you won't find time to lock me in a prison? Not now, no. But by the end of the war, someone will need to take the blame. In galactic conflicts such as this, collateral damage is inevitable. Who better to use as a scapegoat than a lowly, dirty, Mandalorian." Vekk spat, the hurt of experience, and weight of history pressed upon his shoulders.
Entering Pause, Corvus internally sighed. It wasn't easy to be the villains of history. To the average Star Wars fan, Mandalorians were the cool, rugged bounty hunter dudes who took no shit, and went gunslinging like some space Clint Eastwood. But in reality, they were a failed Empire that tried to expand every few centuries, only to have their shit kicked in by the Republic.
On top of that, they had a strict warrior culture and code, yet it was constantly under threat as younger generations, understandably, wanted to experience lives of peace. War and shooting things was a man's romance, but in reality, how many guys would truly go out and put their lives on the line for some credits? Merc work or bounty hunting was dangerous, and most Mandalorians didn't own beskar armor these days.
They were a slowly dying culture that thrived on war, and perished to peace. From a fans perspective, it was pitiful. But as a Jedi, Corvus wouldn't mind if these ornery folk turned in their blasters for a hoe. That being said, Vekk brought up a good point, they were the villains of history, and often times, they deserved such a title. Just because their actions were 'honorable' didn't mean they weren't extreme. Oh, you 'honorably' attacked me during the day, and killed me after announcing your presence. Such a noble warrior!
Honestly, after hearing the disgust in Vekk's voice, Corvus was tempted to turn on this squad. Or at least tell them to get lost. Mandalorians were a handful to corral, and he didn't doubt for a second that he had their loyalty. The days of Mandalore the Ultimate were long gone. Boba Fett, and the former Death Squadron were evidence of that. Hell, when they jumped him with Tarkin, their indiscriminate attacks had cost many a life. Wielding this crack squad of professionals was sure to grant many gains, whilst on the PR front, they were guaranteed to cause many headaches.
But that didn't mean that they couldn't be useful. They almost killed him, afterall. That wasn't something just anyone could do. Additionally, such a dangerous unit would make for an excellent black ops team. Corvus couldn't be everywhere at once, if he was to wage war on a galactic scale, then he would need all the help he could get.
He had made up his mind.
Leaving Pause, Corvus took a deep breath, and gave Vekk a meaningful look.
"So long as your actions going forward include reports that show your willingness to reduce collateral damage, then I will never see you suffer in the court of public opinion." Corvus declared in a serious tone.
'Besides, it'd be quite hypocritical of me, and the Jedi, to throw anyone under the bus considering the amount of 'war crimes' we have committed.' He thought to himself with a wry smile.
Vekk glanced at his men, and a quick discussion seemed to pass between them on a closed comm network.
"...very well, but we have conditions." Vekk slowly agreed.
"Excellent. What, may I ask, are your demands?"
"A million creds annual pay, a spot on your ship-we go wherever you go, we're following you, not some lacky-and that you challenge Darth Maul to a Taung blood duel."
After Vekk finished speaking, his men all nodded along.
"A million credits, I can do. Following me is a little tricky, as there are many Jedi secrets outsiders cannot know. In this grand scale war, men such as you are needed on many different fronts. As for Maul, he will be ousted from his perch in due time." Corvus said lightly.
When he saw Vekk clench a fist, seemingly unsatisfied by his response, Corvus held up a hand, forestalling any further conversation.
'Sheesh, even with such a high Persuade, this guy is being a pain in the ass. Why is recruitment so difficult? Every other guy in the stories just had to beat an honor-bound warrior, and they would become best friends for life. Good to know that even on the brink of death, there'll be idiots who don't know what's good for them. I've been quite kind sharing the purse, perhaps it's best to show this mercenary brained idiot the fist.'
"I just defeated you in solo combat, and brought your clan members back from the grave, do not presume to make demands of me. Sparing your life, and believing in your so-called honor is already pushing the limit. Commander Vekk, just because I covet your military might does not mean I must beg or grovel." Corvus glanced at the kneeling man, and retracted his open palm in favor of placing his boot on the Mandalorian's shoulder.
A Basilisk Wardroid nearby hissed, taking a step forward. The other mercs half raised their guns, unsure of what to do. Jax, Yon, and the Bad Batch once more readied themselves for combat.
"What are your intentions, Jedi?" Vekk whispered in a gravely tone.
"Play along if you wish to truly restore your people. I have an ancient stash of beskar that the Jedi have confiscated over the eons." He lied (as claiming to be able to reproduce beskar at will sounded unrealistic). "If you want a shot at the throne, listen to my arrangements." Corvus leaned close and whispered back, and then he began to address the crowd.
Vekk's eyes went wide with disbelief at the mention of beskar, and Corvus casually waved his hand, working hard to caste [Mind Trick] in an effort to make himself more believable.
"Clan Keldau. You have listed your terms, you have heard my counter offer. I know you sneaky womp rats hope Maul and I kill one another so you can 'restore Mandalore' or whatever. You overestimate your importance. Accept the offer, or piss off. I cannot afford to waste another second listening to this bantha shit." Corvus lazily drawled, and then kicked Vekk down, and began to walk towards a wobbly landing Millennium Falcon.
"Master, you're not going to leave things like that, are you? They tried to kill you!" Yon ran up to him, and harshly whispered.
"Leave'em alone kid, they lost more than their lives this day." Hunter spat.
"Haha, ain't dat the truth! Cowards each and every one ovem!" Wrecker's voice boomed.
"Give us gear like that, General, and you'll never hear a complaint from me again." Echo ran to catch up, and said with an almost fawning expression.
Jax was the last to follow behind. The darkness in his pupils receded, and wintry ice blue took their place. He silently regarded the Mandalorians, and memorized their appearance.
The mercenaries silently watched on as Corvus and company boarded the Falcon, then disappeared into the city.
"After all that was said…Commander, are we really not signing up with him?" Sergeant Osik asked.
The rest of the troop had their heads bowed, unwilling to meet Vekk's gaze.
"Kriff it, the Jedi rubbed me the wrong way. He speaks sweetly, and even tried to manipulate our sense of honor. Trust me brothers, I wanted to give him a chance, but his honeyed words held a mysterious quality to them. It is only thanks to my strong will that I resisted him. The Jedi's tricks were just as the ancient texts warned." Vekk said in a hushed whisper.
To that, the men of Clan Keldau all made a symbol with their hands to ward off evil.
However, unseen by anyone else, Corvus had slipped a small comms chip into Vekk's grasp before his departure. Both men had implicitly said nothing, yet the understanding was clear.
Vekk would be working for Revan, except it would be off the books. Already, a text message was blinking on the communicator, detailing his first mission.
"Gear up boys, we have a new client lined up, and something tells me we won't have time off any time soon." Vekk told his men. He glanced down at the chip in his hands with complicated emotions in his heart, yet the fires of ambition had been ignited in his soul.
Clan Eriadu was in serious decline. They only had 13 full sets of beskar, and after this latest scuffle, their gear was in serious need of repair. Production was slow, and what most men wore were antiques passed down from father to son. This cache that Revan mentioned.. it would be a game changer! Entire clans would flock to his banner if he could supply them with just 5 sets!
Only…the price for his loyalty was infamy!
Vekk had seen the Jedi's desire for discretion. As an old head in the game, he had experienced many different employers. Revan, heh, he was a shady guy, not to be trusted. But at the same time, he had done something spectacular like resurrect the dead!
If Revan wanted them to play the role of villains, then so be it. For Mandalore.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boarding the Falcon, Corvus was supported by his two Padawans, as he truly was exhausted beyond belief. Once the effects of Valor had left his body, he felt like a man who had spent the last 48hrs awake thanks to an unhealthy amount of coffee.
"You two did a, aaah, good job." Corvus yawned.
"So this is why you didn't want to fight! You were very clever acting so tough, Master. I'll have to give it a try sometime. This must be another lesson about achieving peace! Truly too powerful!" Yon excitedly babbled.
Corvus coughed into a hand. He didn't know how the short, black haired teen managed to turn that event into a lesson about power, but it wasn't like he was entirely wrong??? Well, at least it was in the right direction. Peace was power afterall.
Jax silently looked at him, and for a moment, he opened his palm, and had a look of concentration on his face. Seconds later, Corvus felt the minor effects of [Force Valor] take hold. It wasn't substantial in power, but was in line with what a Padawan should be capable of.
Feeling himself gain a very small modicum of energy, Corvus smiled at the white haired teen, and ruffled his hair.
"You rascal, when did you learn that?" Corvus praised, and stood up without either of their help.
"I've always been watching Master. It is impossible not to learn." Jax bowed his head, and replied in a genuinely humble tone.
Corvus nodded his head, that made sense. The effects of [Mentor] were always active. With Jax's unhealthy obsession of watching everything he did, it only made sense that some of his skills or abilities would rub off on him.
Yon, meanwhile, had his mouth wide open in shock. He silently glared at Jax, and then ran to his room in a huff.
Rolling his eyes, Corvus hobbled into the central room with Jax on his heels. As soon as he entered the central room, he was forced to move to the side as the human-missile, Omega, rammed herself into Wrecker's embrace. Snot was dripping down her nose, and tears fell like a waterfall.
"Ack kid, wots this abou?" Wrecker awkwardly patted her on the back, and had a clueless look on his face.
"You could sense it then, huh?" Hunter grimly said.
"Uh-huh." Omega sniffed, and rubbed her tiny blonde head into Wrecker's armor.
Corvus took off his mask, and smiled at the scene. Hunter met his eye, and slightly inclined his head, to which Corvus replied in kind. Respect was earned, and he had certainly gained a few notches after what he had done.
"That light, my scanners didn't pick up a frequency. Would you care to demonstrate it again for me?" Tech, apparently, couldn't hold himself back anymore, and questioned Corvus.
"Ah, leave the General alone, Tech, he's exhausted enough as it is." Echo spoke up in his defense.
Corvus happily nodded at Echo, only to see the man get down on a knee, and grab the hem of his robe like he was some beggar in ancient times.
'What the-?!'
"So about that beskar. I know you're a master craftsman, and I saw you knick that honorless cur's helmet. General, I, I'd shine your boots everyday if you could make us fully kitted Mandalorian armor." Echo begged with stars in his eyes.
Jax silently Force Pushed Echo back a step, and stood between them like he was his bodyguard.
Corvus awkwardly coughed into his hand, as in his impression, Echo was quite diplomatic, and a good people person. Who knew he was such a Mandalorian fanboy?
"I'll look into it, but don't hold any great expectations." Corvus replied, and then disappeared into the cockpit.
It wasn't that he couldn't make beskar armor, it's just that the cost would likely be astronomical. Just kitting out one Legion in tritanium took almost 10 Legions worth of basic clone armor in materials! For example, if a clone chest piece cost 1 'component' to make, and a tritanium chest piece cost 10, then Force knows how much a piece of beskar gear would cost!
Shaking his head, Corvus wearily took the co-pilots seat, and then gestured for Jax to sit next to him with a grin.
"So you've been watching me, eh? Show me what you know."
The white haired teen confidently took his seat, and began to go through the pre-flight motions.
Corvus began to grin from ear to ear. One of his dreams was to have a whole squadron of Jedi Ace Pilots. Just imagining having six Anakin/Luke's as his wingmen, it was a scary thought!
"Where to, Master?" Jax asked.
"Take us to the Herald, I have an important announcement to the men."
Jax wordlessly nodded, and the Falcon lifted up into the sky. The sun was rising, and the light of dawn shone upon Eriadu City.
Breathing in the sunshine, Corvus looked down on the people he had saved, and felt a smile blossom on his face. Their emotions were positive, and carried with them hope for the future. In fact, every resident who had had their vision, hearing, limbs, etc restored was like a beacon of joy. Those who had relatives cured of cancer or other diseases were celebrating. A national day of partying, and family get-togethers seemed to be kicking off.
This was it. This feeling of doing good. He didn't need a camera to show off to the masses, or people bowing to him in person. Simply knowing that they were healed was enough to buoy his weary spirit, to let him know that even though he had made some dark decisions on his path, it had led to this. That this was what being a Jedi was all about.
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AN: Read up to chapter 230 at: patreon.com/KarpQQ
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