章節 37: Sovereign
The Venator-class Star Destroyer Excalibur was a fortress of steel and command, its sleek, predatory form cutting through the hyperspace lanes toward Eriadu. Surrounding it, a constellation of Republic warships—battle groups led by Jedi Generals and commanders from across the galaxy—formed a vast fleet. At the heart of this armada was Lelouch, standing on the bridge of his flagship, the weight of the galaxy resting on his shoulders.
A dozen holographic images flickered to life in the briefing room aboard the Excalibur, displaying the towering forms of Jedi Generals and Clone Commanders. Some of them were veterans of a thousand battles, like General Obi-Wan Kenobi and General Anakin Skywalker, both present and attentive. Others were less known but equally formidable, such as Jedi Master Quinlan Vos, known for his unconventional tactics, and Jedi Knight Aayla Secura, whose grace and precision in battle had earned her a reputation among her peers. Even Jedi Master Luminara Unduli and her padawan, Barriss Offee, joined the gathering from their posts aboard nearby ships.
Hovering amidst these figures was the holographic representation of Ki-Adi-Mundi, his Cerean features thoughtful as he surveyed the assembled forces. His eyes flicked over the tactical display, where dozens of warships, including Acclamators and Consular-class cruisers, were heading towards Eriadu.
It was a powerful force, one that could crush any Separatist resistance in its path. But as Lelouch well knew, there were always unforeseen dangers.
A soft chime echoed through the chamber, signaling an incoming transmission. Lelouch glanced up as a new holographic image materialized in the center of the room. It was one of the intelligence officers, stationed near the Sullust System. His face was tight with concern, his voice calm but urgent.
"Generals, we've intercepted a large Separatist fleet near Sullust. Preliminary reports suggest the presence of Providence-class cruisers and Munificent-class frigates, supported by heavy droid fighters, though no Lucrehulk class has been sighted yet. They appear to be keeping overwatch on the system, but their exact target remains unclear."
Lelouch's purple eyes narrowed as the tactical display updated to include the Separatist force, now marked in red. The fleet was sizable, though far from overwhelming. His mind worked quickly, running through potential strategies and countermeasures.
Kenobi, ever composed, leaned forward, studying the new threat. "It seems unlikely the Separatists would launch such a force without a specific goal in mind. Sullust is not of great strategic importance to them."
Anakin, always eager for action, crossed his arms. "It could be a diversion. A feint to lure us away from Eriadu."
Lelouch's gaze flickered over the data, his mind racing. "More likely, it's a response to our own convergence of forces," he said, his voice calm yet authoritative. "The Separatists are aware of our gathering here. They know we're preparing for something. Sending a fleet to disrupt movement between the Core and Eriadu would delay our operations and tip our hand to them."
His statement caused a ripple of agreement from several of the Jedi Masters present. Jedi Master Plo Koon, his deep voice measured, spoke next. "Then they may expect us to not ahve an entire fleet this close to them. They are probably expecting mere transports."
"That's exactly why," Lelouch cut in smoothly. "If we show the full might of our forces now, they'll know we are coming and exactly what we are bringing to bear. We need to be smarter than that."
Jedi Master Eeth Koth, standing near the display, stroked his chin thoughtfully. "What do you suggest, General Lelouch?"
"Send a small detachment," Lelouch replied without hesitation. "Enough to engage the Separatist fleet and neutralize it, but not enough to tip our full hand. The main fleet stays the course toward Eriadu. If the Separatists send more forces, we'll still be in position to respond."
Kenobi nodded thoughtfully. "That's a sound strategy. We can't afford to be drawn into a prolonged engagement, not when the campaign is this close."
More of the Jedi began to voice their agreement with Lelouch's plan. Even Ki-Adi-Mundi gave a slight nod of approval.
"It's settled then," Kenobi said, his voice final. "I'll take a detachment to intercept the Separatist fleet. Anakin, you'll lead the assault."
Anakin's eyes lit up with eagerness, but he tempered his enthusiasm with a nod. "Understood, Master. We'll take care of it."
"May the Force be with you." A chorus followed as the transmission cut off.
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As the Excalibur and the main Republic fleet continued toward Eriadu, Lelouch remained on the bridge, watching the battle unfold on the holo-map. Kenobi and Anakin's forces had engaged the Separatist fleet near Sullust, and the battle had quickly escalated into a furious exchange of turbolaser fire and starfighter skirmishes. The Republic ships moved in coordinated strikes, their shields absorbing the incoming volleys from the Separatist vessels. ARC-170s and V-wings darted between the larger ships, engaging the droid fighters in deadly dogfights.
Lelouch observed the battlefield with a cool detachment, his mind analyzing the movements of both sides. His eyes flicked over the Providence-class dreadnought at the center of the Separatist fleet. It was heavily defended, surrounded by Munificent frigates and swarms of Vulture droids. But Lelouch sensed something else—something subtle, lurking just beneath the surface of the battle.
His senses stretched out through the Force, probing the edges of the conflict. There was a presence there—a cold, calculating malice. And then, through the fog of war, he felt it. Dooku's assassin.
The dark assassin's presence was unmistakable, her hatred seething through the Force like a venomous serpent. Lelouch's eyes narrowed as he focused on the sensation, tracking it through the chaos. She was there, aboard one of the fighters, moving all over the place.
"She's here," Lelouch muttered, his voice low.
"Sir?" asked Commander Thorn, standing beside him.
"A small Separatist bug," Lelouch replied. "She's leading this attack."
As the battle raged on, Lelouch continued to monitor the holo-map. Kenobi's forces were pushing through the Separatist defenses, their tactical superiority and firepower beginning to tilt the tide.
Several Munificent-class frigates had already been disabled, their hulls torn open by concentrated turbolaser fire. Anakin's flagship, the Resolute, unleashed a devastating barrage against the Separatist dreadnought, hammering its shields with relentless precision.
But even as the Republic gained the upper hand, Lelouch felt Ventress slipping away. The assassin's presence grew fainter, her dark signature retreating into the shadows. She was making her escape, abandoning the battle before the Republic could finish her off.
"Clever," Lelouch murmured to himself. Ventress was no fool. She knew when to cut her losses.
The holo-map flickered as the final moments of the battle played out. The Separatist fleet was in disarray, their dreadnought crippled and the remaining ships scattered. But Ventress had slipped through their grasp, disappearing into the void of space like a wraith.
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The rumble of the LAAT/i gunship shook the air as it soared toward the massive orbital shipyards of Eriadu. CT-9904, known as "Cross," sat among his brothers in the hold of the gunship, his helmet resting on his lap as he stared out at the view beyond the transparisteel viewport. The planet below was a sprawling industrial hub, its cities filled with factories and starship foundries.
But what drew his attention wasn't Eriadu itself. It was the behemoth looming above it in orbit.
The Subjugator-class heavy cruiser, once a Separatist war machine, had been restored to its former glory—though now, it bore the colors of the Republic. It had been a monstrous sight when they'd first captured it during the campaign in the Outer Rim, a brutal relic of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. But now, under the command of High General Lelouch, it had been repurposed as a symbol of the Republic's power.
Its dark, angular hull stretched for kilometers, dwarfing even the Venator-class Star Destroyers that flanked it. Its massive ion cannons, once used to disable entire fleets, were now fully operational, ready to unleash their devastating power against any enemy foolish enough to stand in its way. The ship's new name, Sovereign, was emblazoned along its hull in bold, gleaming letters.
Cross couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. He had been there during the battle to capture the Subjugator. He had fought alongside his brothers, enduring wave after wave of droids as they stormed the ship's corridors. The memories were vivid in his mind—blaster fire, the smell of scorched metal, the deafening roar of explosions as they fought their way to the bridge. It had been a hard-fought victory, but seeing the ship now, fully restored and ready for battle, made it all worth it.
The LAAT banked to the side, giving him a full view of the Sovereign as it hovered above the planet. Its sleek, predatory lines cut through the void like a knife, and Cross couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation.
They were about to embark on their next great campaign. And this time, they had the advantage.
"Ready for another round, boys?" Cross said, turning to his brothers with a grin.
"Of course, the general always takes us to the best places." Someone said with a laugh and the response was immediate—a chorus of eager voices, their spirits high.
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Lelouch stepped aboard the Sovereign, his presence instantly recognized by the gathered soldiers and officers. Commander Thorn, his loyal ARC trooper, strode forward to greet him, his stance rigid and professional.
"General," Thorn began, his voice low. "Fordo has secured the package. He's escorting it to your chambers as we speak."
Lelouch's eyes flickered with recognition. The package, a secret project of his and Tzeentch, one of the few he couldn't oversee on his own and had to call in many favors to complete had finally arrived. He nodded to Thorn, his expression unreadable, and they made their way deeper into the Sovereign. The halls were sleek and pristine, designed for efficiency rather than luxury, though the towering form of the Venator-class escorts nearby paled in comparison to the sheer scale of this ship.
The journey to Lelouch's chambers was brief, the walk lined with salutes from the troopers they passed. Thorn followed closely, his eyes scanning every corner of the ship as if expecting a threat at any moment. He had been trained to anticipate danger, to guard Lelouch with his life, but even now, Thorn couldn't shake the tension in the air.
When they arrived at the chambers, ARC Captain Fordo stood waiting, his imposing figure standing tall in front of the sealed door. The crimson highlights of his armor glinted faintly under the dim lighting. He snapped to attention the moment Lelouch approached, giving a curt nod in acknowledgment.
"Everything is ready, General," Fordo reported, his voice as steady as ever. "The package is inside."
Lelouch paused only for a moment to glance at Fordo before making his way inside, the doors sliding open with a mechanical hiss. Thorn and Fordo remained outside, standing guard.
Inside the chambers, Lelouch paid little attention to the expansive layout. It was lavish, as was expected for a man of his status—a high-ranking general, an adopted son of the Supreme Chancellor. But none of the trappings of power mattered to him. His attention was entirely focused on the massive, over two-and-a-half-meter-tall package that stood in the center of the room.
The object was a dark, towering slab of metal, unassuming to most who might see it, but to Lelouch, it was far more. He approached it, his eyes narrowing in calculation. The contents of the package represented not just a tool, but a future—a piece of his plan, both hidden and grand in scope.
With a subtle motion of his hand, Lelouch manipulated the controls, and the metal casing began to part with a smooth hiss. The sound of pressurized air escaping echoed faintly through the chamber as the package opened, revealing its contents.
Taking in the sight Lelouch couldn't stop a malevolent smirk from forming in his face.
'Nearly there, just a bit longer.' Tzeentch whispered in the back of his mind.
Without turning back, he called out, "Captain."
The ARC trooper captain stepped into the room without hesitation, his movements brisk and disciplined. He paused just inside the doorway, taking in the sight of the slowly closing pod and its ominous contents.
"Take it back," Lelouch said, his tone calm but leaving no room for argument.
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Fordo's heart thudded once as he stood outside the General's chambers. He had been through more battles than most clones, seen more death and destruction than most could comprehend. And yet, as he waited in the dim hallway, there was an unsettling weight to the air.
When Lelouch called him in, Fordo entered swiftly, his helmet secured as always, though even through the visor, he could feel the strange atmosphere in the room.
His eyes fell on the contents of the package he had brought, what little was exposed as it was closing.
Black and sleek, with a narrow visor and sharp, angular lines. The head peice had a skull-like visage, something about it primal, as though the it itself was designed to strike fear into the hearts of enemies.
Fordo felt a shiver crawl up his spine.
'It works, alright.' Fordo thought to himself.
Shaking off the feeling, Fordo straightened. He had his orders.
Turning to his men waiting just outside, he gave a sharp command, "Get this back to the secure hold. Now."
As he also prepared to move, Lelouch spoke again.
"And Captain..."
"Yes sir?"
"Take good care of it. It's a precious gift for a special friend."
"Understood sir." Fordo responded as he turned to leave.
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