The Ballad of Mona Lisa [Corvus]

[Disciple]

Ossus​

Jedi Temple​

[member="Corvus Raaf"]​

There's nothing wrong with just a taste of what you paid for.

He'd left his ship behind in orbit. It was being sent back out to the Outer Rim on autopilot, its beasts left away from the light of the Jedi. He would not be so lucky. Striding up the steps of the Temple of Ossus, he cast his whirring, mechanical gaze across the exterior. Yes, the Jedi were curious beasts. So tangled in strings and niceties. But they would serve a purpose.

One he was unable to accomplish alone.

Passing through the archway, his massive body clanking and grinding with every step and sway of his arms, he caught himself staring down at a child. A wookiee child. He so loved children. So innocent.

So pure.

They knew nothing of the horrors they would grow to fight one day, and they did not care to know. That perplexed him. Puzzled him. He even envied them in some ways. Once that innocence was gone it never returned. Once you were awake, there came no more sleep. "Where is your Grandmaster?" He asks, taking a knee next to the child. Anyone could know a Sith when they saw one.

There was a sureness to their movements, an arrogance to their voice. A hint of class, a whiff of danger. Disciple was the embodiment of Sith ideals, even in his new form. Or so he liked to think. He received no response from the child, who simply blinked. It was likely the perplexing idea of a Force-sensitive droid that was throwing him off. "No matter, child. I will find her on my own."

Pushing himself up, he brushed his chest off out of habit and strode further into the temple. The Force-signature he left in his wake was unmistakable. Sith. It wasn't broadcasted, but the Masters were no doubt picking up on it as they focused in on the new individual. She would be notified, of that he had no doubt. And in fact, he made it halfway through the entry hall before being stopped by several very concerned looking Jedi.

"Yes? Oh... right. How did it go?"

There was a pause, and then an aristocratic chuckle. "Ah! Yes. It slipped my mind for a moment." His tone darkened. "Take me to your leader."

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus was taking a class of Younglings on the thorny issue of honouring the law whilst fighting Sith. Some of the questions were challenging to say the least and a persistent young Rodian was about to ask what sounded like it was going to be a killer when there came a knock at the door.

A Padawan entered and bowed. “Corvus, theres a Sith here to see you.”

“Thank you Aramel,” she replied, bowing back. This mark of respect she found it impossible to give up, but all of the Jedi here referred to her by name - she insisted on it.

Was she surprised at the statement? If she was she didn’t show it. Of course there had been a few false alarms before - although she sensed this time it was for real. But since that episode at the barbecue on Yavin IV, Corvus was typically relaxed when on home turf. Sith assassins tended not to be this brazen or foolish.

Except Balaya…how could she forget that rather uncomfortable episode? Her hand went to the scar above her right brow from the Force Whip. Endured on these very grounds.

But that was then and this was now. Did that make any sense? Possibly…to Corvus it did. Regardless, she made her way quickly down to the main entrance and waved away offers to accompany her as she did. But she gave a few instructions over a comm-link she held in her hand as she walked. “Clear the area as a precaution. If he was intent on mass murder I suspect he’d have started by now. It is a he isn’t it?…What do you mean you’re not sure?…Oh, OK, I understand…sort of.”

By now the aura was palpable and turning a corner she saw the Sith in the flesh. OK, maybe not flesh. Another dodgy judgement call required. In person? Marginally better. Oh dang it, this just wasn’t working was it?

“Before I tie myself in knots verbally, let me introduce myself and clarify exactly who you are. I’m Corvus. And you are…?” She was calm but relaxed would be a stretch. She had the Force on speed-dial and her index finger was definitely poised.

[member="Disciple"]

 

[Disciple]

For all he'd heard about the Jedi and their masters, he should have been unsurprised by an attractive young woman being the one in charge. He was fairly certain the majority of the Jedi roster was bright eyed, blonde bombshells with more naivety than a newborn babe. In understanding of what was standing before them, the hall was mostly cleared, save of course for those meant to be keeping an eye on him.

A job now fallen to the dark haired vision before him.

Physical pleasures had long ceased to be his thing, but he could acknowledge good genetics where he found it.

"A Raven? Here?" The droid gave an aristocratic chuckle. "How amusing. Does that make this temple your Unkindness? Oh, the irony. This is absolutely delicious." The droid hardly moved, its arms just hung limp at its side, body swaying faintly back and forth in a manner the suggested a relative lack of coordination.

Settling himself down, the components around his eyes clicked and locked, zooming in on her to commit her appearance to memory. "My name is Disciple, one of the last of the True Sith." He looked down to his body. "Though not anymore. It was... time for a change.

And I believe, Grandmaster, that it is time for the Sith to change. This unity of purpose has been driving me up a wall since they last skulked from their hideaways on Dromund Kaas to threaten the Mandalorians. Sith are meant to fight, claw, impede.... each other. They were not meant to conquer the stars. They were meant to conquer each other.

Because you see, Raven. You see, there can be only one. One most powerful. One in control. One atop a mountain of his enemies, sent to Chaos by his own hand."

A whistful 'sigh' escaped the droid. "But alas the glory days are no more. So here I stand in your nest, watching your brood scurry and scuffle while the wolf claws at the base of tree. What would you do with me?"

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

“I prefer conspiracy - but each to their own.” Was that a smile? Quite possibly. If a Sith mass murderer could be described as sassy, Corvus would like to lay that particular epithet on this one.

Corvus listened to the name. For an historian, she was typical. Ask her the titles of everyone who participated in the Ruusan wars, or what Revan had for breakfast and she’d rattle off the answer in a heart-beat. Pose a question that couldn’t be measured in centuries and she struggled. Ask her to name current Sith Lords unless she’d faced them in battle? In fact, she wasn’t even sure of half of their titles - there had been so many.

“True Sith? As in…? Oh, beyond the Rule of Two. A rule of…One?” Corvus nodded. She was a great student of Bane - and openly copied some of his training techniques. But this Sith took his philosophy one stage further. Of course, being potentially immortal might solve the whole apprentice thing - unless he created copies of himself. And she had to check it was indeed a ‘he’ before she committed a faux pas.

“But shouldn’t you be…you know…off reducing the number to…well, one?” Her mind was racing. On the surface he was offering himself to the Jedi as a tool to help bring about the end of the Sith, which any normal person would have simply accepted as the best offer they’d ever received. Corvus, alas, could never be described as normal.

“You see, the thing is…there’s an old saying. The enemy of my enemy isn’t necessarily my friend. Does that translate? Just because you wish to reduce the Sith in numbers and I wish to see their reign of oppression end, it doesn’t precisely make us bed-fellows - metaphorically speaking.”

This was proving a little more challenging than the Rodian’s likely question and things were moving a little swiftly for her. “Shall we go for a walk?” Fresh air. That would help. No doubt about it.

[member="Disciple"]

 

[Disciple]

"The enemy of my enemy is a timebomb." He retorts blandly, still all sorts of amused. She had a head on her, good. Blind acceptance of any offer did not bode well for the Jedi in the long term. Even a partial pause to think was better than none. "But no, True Sith as in... I was Red. Born on Ziost. I lived through the vast majority of the Republic, and as I told a little head-tailed Raven a few days prior... I strode the stars before her planet even knew what the Republic was."

His tone, as ever, was gentlemanly. A bit smug. But he wasn't boasting. These were facts. He was ancient. "I was Pureblood. Sith before there were... 'Sith.'" He looked down to a hand, rolling it over to look at the back of his palm and then back again. His head shifted, rising to look at her again.

"A walk, if satisfactory for you, will be so for me." She was allowed to lead the way.

This was not his nest, his landing pad. She needed to know he wasn't here for some long con to kill her in her sleep. She hadn't even registered as being on his radar until he'd realized what he had to do. She was as safe as could be with him.

So they could walk.

He would humor her. As she would humor him.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus nodded. “I'm sorry, I misunderstood…I appreciate what you meant now. You are a true Sith by race.” She wasn’t sure how much of the person she was walking with was still Sith and how much had been created, but there was no value in that debate, plus it would have been rude to mention.

“I like walking, it helps me to think. So tell me…what is it that you propose?” In truth there were hundreds of questions running through her mind, but this was a catch-all opener that could demonstrate where the conversation was likely to head.

They walked towards the Meditation Pavilion, it was Corvus’ favourite spot on Ossus. They certainly attracted a few stares as they walked but Corvus bowed as she past Jedi and smiled at them, as if she were simply out for an afternoon’s stroll – and just happened to have a Sith Lord for company. Truth is, it was becoming more and more a regular occurrence.

[member="Disciple"]

 

[Disciple]

"Race is a funny thing. One that holds no meaning for me now." The droid says, looking down at the backs of his palms for several moments. A walk, how quaint. It had been many, many centuries since he'd last found walks to be calming. But he could recall the time when it had allowed him time to collect his thoughts, understand where he was going, why he was headed where he was.

Perspective was the greatest treasure to the mind beset by doubt. There came a smile to the droids face, one made curiously human by the design of his head. So many moving parts, all allowing for realistic movements for the pronunciation of words and the expression of emotion. A human replica droid without the flesh, more or less.

She was an interesting sort, however. He would give her that. She knew what he proposed, but still she asked. "My offer is what you would expect. An enemy in your midst for the purposes of understanding your enemy. Even by expert alchemists I am considered above and beyond their peer group. Their toys are child's play, mockeries of the science but... effective.

I imagine that is all they aim for; perfection. No beauty, only function. A sad state of affairs. No pride in the appearance of their work."

He would wet his lips if he could, but he couldn't, so instead they simply twitched upward in one corner. "But you knew that already. You just wanted to buy time to think of a reasonable response. So what is that response, Grandmaster. Which of your thousand questions will you ask next? Or shall I just take them from your mind and answer them in time?" The Jedi around them did as Jedi did.

Smile. Be polite. Courteous. Disciple paid them little mind other than a harsh glare whenever one lingered their sight a little too long. How annoying. But he knew where this pavilion was, and knew where they were headed. He had been here before, in time.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus nodded as the Sith spoke. “You either overestimate my cognitive power or fail to understand how I operate. I suspect I have an inkling of what you are suggesting but I never assume. In truth, I suspect you have neither over or underestimated me. Rather you are seeing how swiftly I will respond. A test perhaps?”

“All I can give you now is my opinion. A decision like this would need to be authorised by the Republic itself. We are Jedi – and this Order serves that Republic. Yes, we believe in doing all we can to be peacekeepers for the entire galaxy – but we know or limits.”

“But there is no point in me playing games with you. You’re too intelligent for that and we both have better things to do with our time.” Her voice was still light and friendly. This was not a confrontational exchange – but rather an honest and frank one.

The Pavilion was in the distance now. As it was when GrandMaster Skywalker visited here – except for the brick her younger sister had removed! “The intelligence you can offer would be invaluable – albeit it would require verification. There is one Master that I would like you to meet regardless. [member="Kian Karr"] is someone who’s opinion I trust on these matters.”

“What question do you think I should ask you next? I am curious to see how well thought through your plan is.”

[member="Disciple"]

 

[Disciple]

"I don't think you really want me to verify my knowledge of Alchemy." He says dryly, regarding her with something approaching wry amusement. Really the only way to test that knowledge - at least for him - would be having him do something alchemical. But he was a biological alchemist, and they didn't want him to be experimenting on a corpse or a beast. Neither of those fit the Jedi mold.

Ooooh, maybe they'd ask him questions.

Question games were always fun.

There was a pause in the droids step, however, as he regarded her momentarily. "Did I just hear that the Jedi weren't making their own choice without consultation? Impressive. The children are growing up."

Continuing after her, however, the droid gave a thoughtful noise. "Who is Master Karr? I am not familiar." But her next question got a thickly amused laugh from the droid. Again, almost condescending in nature. "What question should you ask me next?" He says.

"It's not about what questions you should ask me. It's about what answers you think I'll give."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled as the Sith spoke. He had a dry sense of humour and she appreciated that. And she was a combination of pleased and surprised at his comment about consultation.

“A Jedi who thinks he is more important than others only demonstrates that his opinion is to be ignored. Said by someone who graced both sides of the divide and he was right. Kiskla set us on a course of meritocracy that I intend to maintain. No individual should make such decisions. And if that means we’re late bloomers, then so be it.”

They were almost at the Meditation Pavilion now. “Master Karr is a Kel-Dor. Perhaps that might help place him? But no matter, it is his insight I appreciate, not his notoriety, or lack thereof.”

Once more she felt he was playing a game – but one she was prepared to participate in, her patience allowed for it. But her demeanour was still relaxed, as if out for a stroll with an old friend.

“Which single Sith represents the greatest blow to that Order if they fell?” Was it a question she had prepared? Not at all, but it was the first to reach her tongue, so she went with it. And having asked it, she was now extremely curious to hear the answer.

[member="Disciple"]

 

[Disciple]

There came a bark of laughter at that, even as they took the last few steps to the Pavilion. "Do you think me a fool? The name of the game for them is unity of purpose. One Sith, One Goal. Rather ironically, that means killing 'One Sith' isn't going to do more than agitate them. They've proven that even their Dark Lord can be killed without consequence."

A facsimile of a human smile appeared on its lips, smug and pretentious. "No, the question you should be asking isn't 'who' to kill but 'what.' The answer to that is simple, little flower. Their momentum."

Yes, momentum. The key to all conflict. "You've already slowed it considerably. Now you have to turn it in your favor. You need deliver them a body blow from which they shan't recover. The next time you clash over a world, you must defeat them solidly. Because cutting the head of a hydra means only more will grow in its place... but fighting it with blisters that cauterize the wounds on entry? That's how you win. They don't need to bleed, you see, because they're used to that.

They need to be brought low.

Then you'll be in their minds, and the squabbling will begin." Mediation pavilion, for sure.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus listened and learned. For all of her studies – maybe because of them – she was never going to presume she knew it all – and this view of the One Sith was truly enlightening. If this meeting provided nothing else, the insight she was gaining was invaluable.

And news that the Dark Lord was dead was another nugget she tucked away for later.

“Momentum…” She repeated the word, trying it out for size. “Momentum.” She clearly enjoyed the taste as she came back for more. “They seemed particularly agitated on Kashyyyk – desperate almost.” She considered the Sith’s words and her own recollections.

“Which makes the next confrontation all the more vital. If we lose, they regain that momentum. If we win, well…”

She remembered the words she’d read so often and spoke them softly to herself. “Power is its own purpose. To share it is to dilute it. Your Order will yet turn on itself.”

She looked the Sith in the eyes, “The Rule of Two was validated but The Rule of One replaced it. And where has it got them? If we can plant that seed of doubt, they shall turn on themselves. It is…inevitable.” There was no passion in her voice, nor in her eyes. This was no fervent plea of a zealot, but rather the calm and logical response to facts – and more importantly, history. “The Jedi were once blinded to believe they could simply wipe the Sith off the face of the galaxy. It almost cost them dear. Perhaps we stand at a point in time when the boot will be on the other foot. Not to end this conflict forever, that is a fool’s wisdom. But to turn the tide and let them do what they do best – fight amongst themselves.”

[member="Disciple"]

 

[Disciple]

"They key to beating the Sith..." the droid repeats, "...isn't in trying to beat the Sith. It never, truly, is. It's about letting them beat themselves." She was more a droid than he, but some Jedi were simply like that. Violet eyes locked on mechanical, clicking red ones, and Disciple gave a slow nod. "Now you're learning. See, it isn't so hard when you put your mind to it."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus continued to nod and sat in the Pavilion as they'd reached it now. "Of course, the next question is if we should strike or wait to be struck. The longer they go without action, the less their momentum becomes, so there is value in waiting. But a strike would be unexpected - although it might galvanise them?"

"Not that I have a say in either of the two options - only the Republic hierarchy can decide to attack and if the One Sith choose to invade, I see that as another outside of my control."

"So, what is within my gift? We have a trio of new allies that might be potentially disheartening to the One Sith when they find out. Each brings their own variation of intelligence and in one case a limit to the production facilities available to the One Sith. And I include you as one of the three. Tell me, what is your USP as they say in the marketing world. What is it about you that the One Sith would find most disheartening if they knew you were planning to do it? What can you do to help them to turn on themselves, or at worst, desert the sinking ship?"

[member="Disciple"]

 

[Disciple]

"Outside of your control, yes." He says with a slow nod, offering no advice in either direction on that front. Opting to stand as she sat, Disciple simply stood with mechanical stillness next to her, scanning the Temple and those Jedi who wandered by. "I am no silver bullet." There was a faint irony to that statement he wouldn't get into. "I have always served at the nature of my own whim, and the idea of me opposing them is probably not anything they'd be surprised about.

They may worry about what I would do, as I believe I am termed... oh, what's the phrase." His eyes clicked, crystalline mind going as he sought what he was looking for. "Batchit crazy. That's it. What they'd most be worried about, I'm sure, knowing me... is simply the unpredictability I am known for. That or my Alchemical skill but I don't consort with other Sith if I can help it, and as such am a relative unknown.

I am not here to discuss USPs, as that implies I have an interest in business. I do not. I have an interest in lifecycles... and ending them when they've gone on too long."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus sighed. It was the first outward sign of the turmoil that was going on in her head. “I’m pragmatic, I’m optimistic and I’m a Jedi - but not in that order.”

“As much as it’s not my decision, I shall have to have an opinion. Can I readily agree for a Sith to help us defeat the Sith? Does the end justify the means? You have no desire to be redeemed - at least not how I would classify it. I can and will always hope that is possible, but I refer to the practical side of me again.”

“You understand me, I know you do. You appreciate the dilemma I face. But I’m in no position to shrug my shoulders and pass the decision to someone else. I need to make a recommendation and can’t afford to sit on the fence.”

She faced him. “Tell me, what do you propose - specifically. And what, if anything, do you need in return?”

[member="Disciple"]

 

[Disciple]

"I propose, Miss, what I have already proposed. A helping hand. An extra blade. A bit of snarl to go with your bark, if you will. Redeem me, don't, who knows. The wheels keep turning until they fall off, and who knows when that'll happen. Nothing is out of the question given time. So, to put it most succinctly...

Room to operate; that's what I'm after. But I don't need anything from you in return, necessarily. I doubt Jedi could provide what I'd want given a thousand lifetimes, simply because I want what I want, I just don't know what it is until I see it.

Except the Sith thing. Those guys suck."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Kian Karr]

"Sir....." Came the voice, gulping loudly as the young padawan gasped for breath. They had clearly run the entire way to Kian Karr's quarters and had thundered on the door until Kian had answered it.

"What is it padawan?" Kian asked crouching down to be at eye level with the young one. Kian remembered this padawan and knew well enough to know that she wasn't one to exaggerate things or have flights of panic such as this.

"Sith!" She gasped. "......Grandmaster Raaf is meeting with a Sith!"

________________________​

​

Kian was off in a moment. He wasn't concerned for Grandmaster Raaf....he trusted her to be able to handle herself...but he was very curious as to why a Sith had come to Ossus and why they were meeting with the Grandmaster. While not invited to the party, Kian decided he would crash it none-the-less. It hadn't taken him long to catch up to the two and for a while, Kian watched the two talk. It seemed non-threatening....almost cordial. Finally stepping forward, Kian waved to the two as he walked toward them.

"Greetings." Kian said eyeing the Sith through his goggles but addressing the Grandmaster.

"I hope I'm not interrupting....but I thought I'd say hello."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]
[member="Disciple"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus stared into space. Her overwhelming desire was to say no. The end never justified the means for Jedi. The Code made no specific reference to the Sith - as she often pointed out to people - but there was something inherently awkward about the situation. But were her misgivings about the Code or how she would be perceived?

'The GrandMaster that did a pact with the Sith' didn't have a great ring to it. But neither did 'The GrandMaster that turned down a real chance to deal a crushing blow to the Sith.' She was between a rock and a hard place with this one - but then, it went with the territory, so she could hardly complain.

And there was also an old saying about gift-horses. And there was another horse too. A very large one that contained lots of soldiers. But before she could respond, she was aware a familiar face was about to join them. “Ah, Kian, this is Disciple. Disciple this is Kian, Master Karr. Our guest here has volunteered to help us fight the Sith. The only unusual aspect to the offer is the fact that he’s a Sith too. I'd appreciate your perspective.”

[member="Kian Karr"] | [member="Disciple"]

 

[Disciple]

[member="Kian Karr"] [member="Corvus Raaf"]

"Ah, the Jedi you wished for me to meet." Disciple turned red lenses towards the newcomer, eyes scanning him briefly in a manner curiously befitting the smugly thick politeness of his tone. "How sweet of you to join us." There was a moment where the droid made a motion in the center of its face where it's nose should be. Almost like it was trying to sniff.

It had no nose of course, but it seemed a reflex. "Hrm. Curious. Will need to build the ability to smell into this body. I do miss the smell of fear. Heart palpitations, stench of sweat and adrenaline. Yes. Smell will be good." That wasn't directed at anyone. The droid was talking to itself in an almost giddy fashion.

"Ah! Yes. Where were we? Oh, yes. That's right. Potentially shaking hands with your mortal enemy. Take the leap, don't. It's a lose-lose. My favorite kind of situation really, right behind win-lose but we can't be so lucky all the time. Third is probably win-win, as I can't say I'm a fan of everyone getting what they want but hey! Beggars can't be choosers."