After everything had settled down, Corvus-having changed into his Revan mask and Jedi robes-found himself within a tasteful office the size of a penthouse suite.
A large water tank the size of a wall was filled with exotic sea critters, and all sorts of statues, paintings, and other 'rich guy' paraphernalia filled the room.
Yet for all this artistry, the room wasn't overfilled. Bail Organa had struck the perfect balance between impressive, and laid back.
Frankly speaking, this was the coziest office Corvus had ever set foot in.
"Please, Revan, take a seat." Bail gestured towards a couch.
Bail then ignored the large wooden desk nearby, and joined him on an opposing chair.
Resting on the couch, Corvus marveled at how soft the upholstery was, and ran a hand along the surface, taking a brief few seconds to enjoy this creature comfort.
After being shot, stabbed, screamed, and flirted at, this was the first time today that he had a genuine moment of relaxation.
"This is a soft couch, I haven't felt anything quite like it." Corvus complimented.
"It is Onderon Silk, quite soft to the touch. The couch is yours should you wish. Nothing is off the table for the savior of my child. However, I know how you Jedi are when it comes to possessions, so do not feel pressured into accepting a Senator's gift."
"The times have changed, Senator Organa. You witnessed that first hand four days ago."
"I was grief stricken when the Temple was attacked. Palpatine declaring himself Emperor, the clones turning on the Jedi. It makes no sense." Bail shook his head, and replied in a lost tone.
"Doubtlessly in your discussions with Senator Amidala, you heard inklings of the Sith?" Corvus questioned.
"I researched my family records, I thought they were destroyed at the Battle of Ruusan a thousand years ago. Is it true then? Palpatine is one of these Sith?" Bail frowned.
"Unfortunately, yes. A thousand years ago, a single Sith survived. That lineage has been bent on the destruction of the Jedi, and the conquest of the galaxy. Palpatine is the culmination of that legacy. He is the revenge of the Sith." Corvus explained.
"So you have come to me seeking an ally. Very well, you have found a friend in me, Revan, and please, call me Bail."
"The Jedi Knights have been friends with House Organa ever since the founding of the Republic. We have fought side by side for eons. It was no coincidence that I arrived here tonight. The Force has brought us together, aiding the two of us in our times of greatest need." Corvhs replied, deliberately sounding like a mystic.
"I believe you, Revan, however I am still having trouble wrapping my head around Palpatine's rise. I mean no offense when saying this, but if the Force is so all knowing, how come the events leading up to this tragedy went unnoticed?" Bail hesitated to ask, yet soldiered through with his question.
"No offense taken, Bail. The Jedi grew arrogant in their power. We believed ourselves all knowing. Palpatine, however, is amongst the strongest Sith to have ever existed. In your records, certainly the name Valkorion has popped up here and there. You may consider Palpatine to be similarly dangerous as this figure of myth and legend." Corvus grimly intoned.
"This is serious." Bail replied, and placed a hand on his forehead, seemingly recalling something.
"Indeed. Which is why I am grateful for Alderaan's continued goodwill." Corvus stood up, and lightly bowed.
"No need for that my friend, what you have done for my wife, for my family means everything to me!" Bail was quick to stand, and held Corvus up.
"By siding against the Emperor, you will place that very same family, as well as the lives of billions on the line. You, Bail Organa, are a principled man, and a just ruler within a galaxy full of scum and villainy. You are worthy of my respect." Corvus nodded.
"You spoke of changing times, what can the House of Organa do to aid the Jedi Order?" Bail questioned.
"There are many Jedi who survived and are in hiding. I wish you to give these to any survivors you come across." Corvus said, and reached into the black doctors bag he had bought with him, then deposited a few hundred Taozin Amulets inside. "They are Taozin Amulets, they shall mask the Jedi within the Force. This way, Palpatine's agents shall have a much more difficult time tracking us down."
"I do not pretend to understand what that means, but if it will help the Jedi, I shall do as you suggest." Bail nodded, then took the bag, and set it aside.
"Other than that, do what you feel is right. Be a voice of reason within the Senate, take advantage of the pending economic collapse to invest, and seize power. Act as the gum within the cog of bureaucracy. Do what must be done to restore the Republic." Corvus said with finality.
"You are rather straightforward for a Jedi, aren't you?" Bail asked with a smirk.
"Spent many an hour with Master Yoda, you have?"
"Haha, yes. Him and many more can be quite obtuse in their reasoning….it can be difficult to discuss politics or anything else for that matter with a Jedi." Bail candidly admitted.
"As I said, the times are changing. I am what the Jedi were before the Ruusan Reformation, and I intend to lead the Jedi back to our roots. If we are to survive, then change must occur. Once we have achieved victory, not only are we going to restore the Republic, but we are going to reimagine it as it should be."
"I can get behind that concept, Revan, but resistance can only go so far. Palpatine is incredibly popular in the galaxy, and he controls both the army and the senate. I'll do my part, but the Delegation of 2,000 are the only ones opposed to him." Bail shook his head in disappointment.
"I did say that an economic collapse is due, did I not? Less than half an hour ago, I sabotaged Galactic Bank. A financial meltdown is underway as we speak."
"Crashing the economy isn't something I expected from a Jedi. That, however, still leaves the clones. I understand that their logistics will be affected due to the economic downturn, but their loyalty is unquestionable. How do you intend to deal with them?"
"The Confederacy of Independent Systems shall become our new partners. Without Dooku or Grievous, they are like Tip-yips (space chickens) with their heads cut off. I am positioning myself to replace Dooku, and have made inroads with their leadership. It is my goal to unify this coalition along with those worlds that the Delegation of 2,000 represent."
"Now that would be a tall order. Many Systems contain planets with multiple intelligent lifeforms. Some have sided with the Republic, and others the CIS. This war, in many regards, is an excuse to exacerbate ancient blood feuds, and put old grudges to rest. Finding an alliance amongst these dispirit peoples would be…challenging to say the least." Bail grimaced as he basically told Corvus that his goal was unrealistic.
"Which is why you shall be the glue that binds them together. Alderaan is one of the ten most influential planets in the galaxy. Do not doubt your charisma, Bail. With your networking skills, and my abilities, I am certain we can bring peace to the galaxy."
Bail closed his eyes, and took a heavy seat into his chair.
"This is a dangerous game you wish to play." Bail eventually got out.
"The price for peace is a stiff coin to pay, yet men such as we are the ones who must bare the burden. You have read what the Sith are capable of. Do you truly wish to raise your son under such a regime? To see him one day grow into a King that begs and scrapes at the hem of Palpatine's robe?"
"You would have made an effective Chancellor, Revan." Bail smirked, dishing out a statement that was one part compliment, one part burn.
"The Jedi have served the people in that role many times. Perhaps I shall fill those shoes someday, but we must focus on the matter at hand." Corvus chuckled along, but brought the conversation about the CIS back to the forefront.
"Very well, I shall do my part." Bail spoke in a resigned sort of way. "It is a shame that I hadn't met you sooner, your skills would have been of great use to the Republic." Bail spoke somewhat bitterly.
Corvus read between the lines, and noticed Bail was likely referencing his wife and her prior miscarriages.
"Healing is a lost art amongst modern Jedi, I apologize for the suffering your wife has endured up to this point. I, however, was beyond the reaches of this galaxy for the duration of this war, and could not help you even if I wanted to." Corvus explained.
"You went beyond the Outer Rim? What marvels have you witnessed?" Bail asked, quick to change the subject.
"Horror. Beyond this galaxy is one dominated by a race known as the Yuuzhan Vong. I have learnt that they intend to launch a galactic scale invasion upon us 30 years from now and have returned to gather support from the Order. Much to my shock, the Sith have returned."
"An alien invader? This is troubling news." Bail said, and took out a silken cloth, then wiped some sweat from his forehead.
"The likes of which intend to destroy all life as we know it. Yes, the Vong are a serious threat no lesser than that of the Empire. I tell you this now, so that we may prepare for the future."
"You weren't jesting about the steep price of peace." Bail morosely joked.
"We are living in interesting times, Bail. I thank you for your friendship, and the support you have shown the Jedi." Corvus said, and then stood up from the comfortable couch.
"If you aren't in a rush, why don't you stay for a time? After I take care of some business off-world, I would be honored if you would join me on Alderaan." Bail invited.
"Thank you, but no. I am responsible for the lives of many Jedi, and I intend to take them to our monastery planet."
"Ah, Tython. I read about it in the records, but when I researched the topic, discovered that the hyperlane to that System is quite volatile." Bail said with some concern.
"The Force shall guide us. On that note, I shall periodically keep in touch with you. Any Jedi survivors you rescue, I shall come to collect. I appreciate your future cooperation, Bail."
"It is me who should be thanking you, Revan, I never thought I would be a father." Bail grandly smiled.
"Then this is where we part ways." Corvus nodded, and turned to go.
Bail stood up as well, but had a hint of hesitation in his gait. From within the Force, Corvus sensed that the man was feeling some guilt.
Corvus smirked behind his mask, he wasn't really ready to go, he had some final parting words to Bail, but he was curious to see what the Senator's reaction would be.
"Yes…take care."
"You are a loyal man, Bail, this is a commendable trait." Revan said, pausing at the door.
"My wife certainly agrees." Bail was quick to smile.
"As would Obi-Wan and Yoda, correct? This matter off-world wouldn't happen to take place on Polis Massa, would it?"
"You are eerily astute, Revan." Bail slumped his shoulders, and let loose a breath, as if he was relieved that he had gotten something off his chest.
Corvus had been genuine in his praise. In canon, Bail kept Yoda, Obi-Wan, and the twins' survival a secret from everyone, even Ahsoka. The guy knew how to keep his lips sealed.
"I have a message for my fellow Jedi Knights, would you care to convey it to them?"
"It's the least I could do." Bail nodded.
"May I have a pen and paper? I know it is archaic, but a man such as yourself doubtlessly carries such curios." Corvus requested.
Bail wordlessly turned around, and shuffled through a desk, then handed Corvus what he wanted.
Nodding in thanks, Corvus got to writing:
[Dark days are ahead of us as the Emperor tightens his grasp around the galaxy. As one who operates from within the shadows, it is my duty to fight the Sith at every turn.
I have taken steps to devastate the Imperial economy, cripple their intelligence apparatus, convince military officers to our cause, and paralyzed the logistics of war.
Gathering a group of survivors from the Temple, I will journey to Tython where the Jedi Order shall return to its roots.
In pursuit of the destruction of Darth Sidious, I have made inroads with the CIS leadership, and will fight against this Sith Empire with everything I have.
Entrusted to Senator Organa are Taozin Amulets. The bearers of these items shall become masked within the Force. Use them wisely, for Darth Vader and a new Order of Dark Jedi consisting of tortured Padawans and Younglings shall be turned upon our Order with extreme prejudice.
If you should decide to become active once again in the galaxy, the planet of Ruusan is a major Force Nexus, and excellent for gathering, training, and hiding out.
~~~~~
(Page 2)
To you, Obi-Wan, I must inform you that Dooku only ever spoke the truth to you. The Sith controlled the senate, yet you turned a deaf ear. It is such a tragedy.
You pulled upon your hatred to bisect Darth Maul, held deep love for Duchess Satine, and loved Anakin like a brother. These attachments and emotions made you a stronger man, and a stronger Jedi.
If you had been born before the Ruusan Reformation, you would be considered a consummate Jedi, a paragon of our ideals. Yet the Ruusan Reformation turned such beliefs into filth, and caused you constant inner turmoil.
You are a good man, Obi-Wan Kinobi. Do not allow the pains of the past to dictate your future. Do not become so engrossed in prophecy that it blinds you to reality. Open yourself to the Force, and know that Qui-Gon Jinn has never left your side.
I applaud you for the fortitude to duel Anakin. If only you had seen it to the end…Vader has been rescued by his master, your work is not finished, Master Kinobi.
If the day should come, I look forward to meeting the famed Negotiator.
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(Page 3)
To you, Master Yoda, when Anakin came to you in fear for his mother, in fear for his wife, you instructed him to ignore such feelings. It is this strict abstinence of feelings which directly led to your own student's fall, and the chain reaction that created the Separatist crisis. You, Yoda are the Order's largest failure.
That being said, I always looked up to you as a grandfatherly figure, just like the thousands of other Jedi who were let down by you. Dooku loved you, as did every Jedi within the Order. We respect your wisdom, and fear your disapproval.
Perhaps it is for the best that you retire on some dreaded swamp planet, and are forgotten by the annals of history. However, your presence would inspire confidence in the survivors.
Come to Tython. Not as Grandmaster of the Order, but as a fellow learner.
In due time, I shall collect what survivors I can, and ferry them to our ancient homeland.
Arrogance has blinded us to the truth for much too long. It is time for the Jedi to become what they once were.
-Revan
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AN: Read up to chapter 74 at: patreon.com/KarpQQ
I update there every Mon, Tues, Wed, Thursday
Publicly on Friday