The Eternal Emperor

The Excalibur drifted closer to Coruscant, its immense bulk casting a long shadow over the planet's surface. The bridge was a flurry of activity as officers communicated with the various ships in the fleet. Lelouch stood at the central command station, his posture relaxed but his mind razor-sharp. Through the vast viewports, the bustling formation of Acclamators, Consular-class cruisers, and Venator-class Star Destroyers shifted in preparation for landing. More ships emerged from hyperspace, blinking into existence in a carefully coordinated ballet of military might. 

The galaxy was at war, and Coruscant—its beating heart—was a planet under siege in more ways than one. The Separatists had struck with a daring infiltration, targeting a key reactor that nearly crippled the city-planet. While the Republic rallied its forces, its true strength lay in the rapid assembly of its fleet, a fact Lelouch noted with cold precision. He was a part of this machine, but he knew how to manipulate its levers. 

Outside, the first wave of ships began their descent, their engines roaring as they breached the atmosphere. Fleets of dropships and gunships followed, bringing with them battalions of clone troopers, heavy artillery, and supplies. The scene below was one of organized chaos. AT-TEs and TX-130 Sabers rolled out of massive cargo bays, while squads of ARC troopers marched in tight formation toward their designated rally points. Each move was choreographed, the efficiency of the Republic's war machine on full display. 

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ARC Captain Bacara surveyed the chaos on the ground, his sharp eyes cutting through the swarm of activity as his Galactic Marines moved like a well-oiled machine. His men were clad in gleaming Phase II armor, each trooper a product of rigorous training and discipline. The Acclamator-class assault ship they were boarding had already begun preparations for the upcoming campaign, its cavernous interior waiting to be filled with the elite force Bacara commanded. 

"Troopers, form up!" Bacara's voice was a calm, commanding bark, carried over the din of the engines and machinery. His men responded immediately, their movements precise and calculated, as if every motion had been rehearsed a thousand times. 

Bacara observed the surrounding troops as well, seeing squads of standard clones, AT-TE drivers, and other specialized units move toward their own transports. The fleet was assembling for something significant—something big. 

"Captain Bacara." 

The deep voice of Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi broke through the noise, and Bacara turned to see the Cerean approaching. The Jedi's presence exuded calm authority, his long robes brushing the ground as he moved toward the ARC captain. His tall frame and distinctive conical head stood out even amidst the swirl of clone troopers and vehicles. 

"General Mundi," Bacara acknowledged with a crisp nod. 

Ki-Adi-Mundi glanced over the assembled Marines with a small smile. "Your men are impressive, Captain. They're well-prepared." 

"They're ready for anything, General," Bacara replied, his voice firm. "We've completed the final training regimen, and they're eager to get into the field." 

"Indeed, couple with everyone else, it's quite a show." 

"Image sir, i imagine its to ensure the people and give them some security after the latest events." 

Ki Adi Mundi turned his head towards the edge of the platforms. A massive crowd had formed, each waving and some even propping their children up, flashing the sigil of the republic so all the troops could see it. "It works. The High General certainly has a sense for everything doesn't he?" 

Bacara hesitated for a fraction of a second. "High General Lelouch is a brilliant tactician," he said carefully, "but his methods… are unconventional." 

"Unconventional," Ki-Adi-Mundi repeated with a slight smile. "Yes, I've heard that word used to describe him before. His vision is broader than most, and his intelligence and wisdom betray his years." 

The Jedi's words hung in the air. Bacara understood the underlying meaning. Lelouch's brilliance was undeniable, but so too was his ambition. The clones, including Bacara himself, were soldiers in the grand chess game Lelouch played. The difference was that Bacara was aware of it—and accepted it. 

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The Excalibur had landed on one of the secure military platforms atop Coruscant, its ramp extending to the bustling deck below. As clone officers and dockworkers hurried to resupply the ship, Lelouch made his way toward his private quarters, the looming spires of the city visible through the narrow slits in the walls. 

The door to his quarters slid open with a whisper, revealing the dark, luxurious interior. Lelouch had chosen this moment carefully—a private meeting with the Chancellor, away from the prying eyes of the Senate. Chancellor Palpatine, dressed in his flowing dark robes, sat in one of the comfortable chairs near the viewport, a glass of Alderaanian wine in hand. He rose slightly as Lelouch entered, a faint smile on his lips. 

"Ah, my son," Palpatine greeted warmly, his tone soft yet laced with the usual undertones of calculation. "I trust everything is proceeding according to plan?" 

Lelouch inclined his head, accepting a glass from the tray on the nearby table. "Yes, Father," he said smoothly, taking a seat opposite Palpatine. "The fleet is getting ready. Coruscant's defenses are being thinned a little. But I suspect there's more to discuss than routine matters." 

Palpatine's smile widened slightly, his sharp eyes gleaming in the dim light. "Indeed. The attack on the reactor was unexpected, but not entirely unplanned. The Senate is in uproar. Many are calling for more drastic measures. The Bank Deregulation Bill has been pushed forward as a result." 

Lelouch took a sip of his wine, the cool liquid gliding down his throat as he processed the Chancellor's words. The deregulation of the banks was a monumental move, one that would allow the Republic to pour even more resources into the war effort. It would strip away the final financial safeguards, granting the Republic nearly limitless access to the wealth of the galaxy. It was a bold, dangerous escalation. 

"I see," Lelouch murmured. "This will accelerate the war… and the Republic's control over galactic resources." 

Palpatine's gaze darkened slightly. "Yes. The Senate is frightened, desperate. They'll grant us anything we ask for now. And we must seize this opportunity." 

"Do say my boy, you have wandered in quite the corners during your time away..." 

Lelouch leaned back in his chair, feigning casual interest. "I've come across something that may be of interest. An ancient artifact, possibly a holocron or a hidden library from the High Republic era. All I know is that it pertains to some form of 'Knowledge' hidden away by the Jedi of that era." 

Palpatine's attention sharpened immediately. His fingers, which had been idly tapping the rim of his glass, stilled. "The High Republic?" he repeated slowly. 

Lelouch nodded, his expression unreadable. "It's the reason I'm planning to use Eriadu as a staging ground. I believe there's something near there—something lost to time. A relic of the past that could prove useful to us." 

It was, of course, a half-truth. The artifact Lelouch sought wasn't just an old holocron or forgotten library. It was something far more dangerous. But Sidious had grown increasingly suspicious of Lelouch's growing influence and resources. Lelouch needed to distract him, to keep him focused on the distant past while he himself planned for the future. 

Palpatine's gaze narrowed, his mind undoubtedly turning over the possibilities. "The High Republic," he mused, his voice lowering. "A dangerous time, yes… but filled with knowledge that could be invaluable. Very well, Lelouch. I will support your operations in Eriadu." 

The Chancellor took another sip of wine, but his thoughts were clearly elsewhere, already calculating the implications of Lelouch's discovery. Lelouch watched him carefully, knowing that Palpatine would never fully trust anyone, not even his adoptive son. The Sith Lord had cultivated layers of secrets within secrets—decades of manipulation that had brought the galaxy to the edge of collapse. And Lelouch was playing a long game, one that required patience and precision. 

"I will say this, my son," Palpatine continued after a moment. "The High Republic was not without its dangers. The Jedi of that time… they proved sometimes more dangerous than the Sith themselves. Be cautious in your search. The past has a way of returning with a vengeance." 

Lelouch inclined his head in acknowledgment. "I will take your advice to heart." 

Palpatine stood, setting his glass down. "One last thing. I know you and Count Dooku have had… disagreements recently. I trust it won't affect your performance in the grand stage." 

Lelouch waved his hand dismissively, a smile playing on his lips. "Dooku is an old man with delusions of grandeur. Our disagreements are nothing more than professional differences." 

Palpatine chuckled, the sound low and sinister. "Perhaps. But remember, Dooku is still necessary. For now." 

Before Lelouch could respond, a knock at the door interrupted them. It was Commander Thorn, standing at attention with his helmet under his arm. "My Lord," he said, his voice formal. "Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and Senator Padmé Amidala have just arrived. They are on their way to see you." 

At the mention of Padmé, a barely perceptible twitch crossed Palpatine's face, his mask of control slipping for a fraction of a second. Lelouch noted it with some amusement. The Senator had been a thorn in Palpatine's side for some time now, her constant calls for peace and diplomacy irritating the Chancellor's grander plans for the war. 

But Palpatine quickly recovered, waving it off as he turned to leave. "I shall take my leave, Lelouch. Entertain your guests, but remember… secrets of the past are as dangerous as the present. Tread carefully." 

Lelouch watched him go, the faintest of smirks tugging at his lips. Commander Thorn saluted before stepping aside to allow Anakin and Padmé to enter. Lelouch rose to greet them, gesturing to the door that led to one of the Excalibur's expansive corridors. 

"Let us take a walk." Lelouch offered, his tone light. "I've had enough of sitting." 

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As they walked through the Excalibur's corridors, the hum of the ship and distant clatter of soldiers resupplying it created an odd sense of calm amid the growing storm. Anakin was the first to break the silence, recounting his most recent adventures with unrestrained enthusiasm. His voice grew animated as he described the battle with the Zillo Beast, a massive creature from Malastare that had wreaked havoc on Coruscant before being subdued. 

"I can't believe I hadn't heard about it," Lelouch said with a chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief. "A creature that size, right here on Coruscant?" 

"It was wild," Anakin replied with a grin, clearly enjoying himself. "You should've seen it. For a while there, we didn't think we'd be able to stop it." 

Lelouch raised an eyebrow. "And the Senate was okay with this?" 

"Not exactly," Anakin admitted, a slight flush coloring his face. "They weren't thrilled, but we had to act quickly." 

The conversation moved to other recent events, including the daring Separatist assault on the Senate—a moment that had seen both Anakin and Padmé taken hostage by a group of bounty hunters. Lelouch arched a brow, amusement flickering in his purple eyes. 

"You, Anakin? Captured by a couple of bounty hunters? Really?" 

Anakin laughed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yeah… wasn't my finest moment. They caught me off guard." 

Lelouch shook his head, a soft laugh escaping him. Tzeentch's voice echoed in his mind, dripping with amusement. 'The Chosen One, brought down by simple thugs. Truly, the Force works in mysterious ways.' 

As they walked, Lelouch could feel Padmé's growing restlessness, her subtle glances toward Anakin becoming more frequent. Finally, with a slight cough, she caught Anakin's attention, signaling to him that they had more important matters to discuss. Anakin cleared his throat, his casual demeanor shifting slightly. 

"Actually, Lelouch," Anakin began, glancing at Padmé before continuing. "There's something we wanted to talk to you about. It's… the new bill." 

Lelouch's expression darkened, his mind immediately jumping to the Bank Deregulation Bill that Palpatine had mentioned earlier. He slowed his pace, turning to face them both fully. 

"The deregulation of the banks," he said flatly. "I assume you're against it, Senator?" 

Padmé nodded, her expression serious. "I am. This bill will open the floodgates for unchecked military spending. More soldiers, more weapons. It will only escalate the conflict." 

"Escalation," Lelouch repeated, his voice measured. "You think that's a bad thing?" 

Padmé's eyes flashed with determination. "Of course it is. More war only leads to more death. There must be a peaceful resolution to this conflict, something that doesn't involve endless violence." 

Lelouch crossed his arms, his gaze cool. "And how do you propose we achieve that? The Separatists aren't going to simply surrender. They've already made that clear." 

Padmé opened her mouth to respond, but Lelouch cut her off. "Senator, the only standing you have to even propose peace is because of our standing military power in the ongoing war. And you want to cut that off. Then when this peace fails because we simply can't resist their military might, who will fight? Already we have civilians fighting to the bitter end with the hope that the clone troops will arrive to save them... and you want to what? Tell them to wait until we finish talking? " 

Padmé's frustration was palpable. "And if we continue this path, how many more will die before it's over? There must be another way." 

"Then find it," Lelouch replied coldly. "As things stand, the Separatists won't back down, and neither can we. You're asking me to support a vision of peace that doesn't exist." 

Anakin shifted uncomfortably, glancing between the two of them. "Padmé, maybe now's not the time—" 

"No, Anakin," Padmé interrupted, her voice firm. "It is the time. The galaxy is spiraling out of control. We can't keep pouring everything into this war. At some point, we have to consider the cost." 

Lelouch sighed, his patience thinning. "Do you ever consider the cost when fighting for your life Senator? When do you decide that you've put more energy than your life is worth into surviving? I guess you've never thought of it, I don't blame you... it's hard to with others doing it for you. Right now, we don't have the luxury of looking for peaceful resolutions." 

Padmé stared at him, clearly disappointed. "So, you won't support us." 

Lelouch shook his head. "No, Senator. I won't." 

Anakin remained silent, his expression pained. He had chosen to stay out of the debate, perhaps knowing that Lelouch's stance would be unyielding and realistic. Padmé, on the other hand, he loved her, but he knew she hadn't seen what an actual battlefield looked like, what the people out there were going through. 

After a tense moment, Padmé sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "I see. Thank you for your time, High General." 

Anakin offered a small, apologetic smile. "We'll meet again later, Lelouch. I'm sure we'll have more to talk about." 

Lelouch returned the smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm sure we will."