Darth Zero: Pox Aurora
Boy, did this take a while to be published. I really have no excuse for it other than, well, holidays and relatives. Still, this might be an interesting enough chapter to at least hold you over until the next inevitable one, theories and speculations abound. Come to think of it, this just might rival Entry 03 in terms of length. But before we get into the nitty gritty, meaty goodness, let's take a look at some of the reviews people left behind.
Persius12 – To be honest, I think they're going to be OVER prepared if you know what I mean. Not too sure if C.C. would be an ally of the ancient sith lord, considering what it did to her in the last chapter, but the two younger sith lords? Maybe.
And let's just say that in a future chapter, if not the next chapter, Chuck'll be seeing something like that first hand ;P
Patjeeson – Glad that you liked the story so far, though Nunnally was less teaching Lelouch a life lesson and more teasing him about it. As for Darth Daemonious, well let's just say that he wasn't one of more favored of Sith Lords due to such a philosophy.
Guest – To be honest, I doubt that these chapters would go faster even if I did do these review replies last. Still, I am honestly curious to see if anyone else prefers these to be at the start of a chapter or the end of it. Verdict anyone?
Geasszero – *singing* You're welcome! Bonus points for those who get the reference first.
RageAgainstTheDying – Eh, it's more like an archaic way of saying things, to show just how ancient this sith lord is. Besides, the statement "wiles of the devil" is more or less pronounced the same way as will and whills yet mean a totally different thing.
And speaking of anachronism….
Disclaimer: The basic intellectual properties that inspired this story are not own by the author. Instead, the franchise that is Code Geass is owned by Gorō Taniguchi, Sunrise, Bandai Entertainment and Funimation. Likewise, Star Wars is owned by Lucusfilm, Disney and formerly George Lucas. Please support the respective official release of each property however possible.
Entry 04: Trials of Living and Cosmic
Aboard its personal warship as the vessel traveled through hyperspace, the shadow was in contemplation upon the observation platform as it meditated and became one with the Force. The two Sith apprentices have become skilled enough and knowledgeable enough to perform the next step in their training. Still, they must prove themselves with one more task in the Living Force before they could even approach this next step. It was fortunate that there was a period in their planet's local year that would not be cause for concern with their extended absence.
It was unfortunate; however, that there were two other passengers that forced their way onto its ship before it could even react properly. So now it must endure these stowaways through the Unknown Regions and into Sky River Galaxy proper. One was the queer immortal that it had encountered all those years ago, the memory of her death by the manipulation of the Cosmic Force still fresh in her mind and all such resentment it had beget. Normally, the local immortal would not have had a care or even a need to sneak aboard the spacecraft, what with a heavy preference to keep her distance away from the ancient Sith Lord from a great distrust. However, she only followed because the other stowaway had boldly done so.
"Mama! I'm fine!" Nunnally complained as Marianne cleaned her face with a damp cloth. Oh how wretched it would be to have a doting, overprotective mother on a long, long spaceflight.
"I'm only making sure your face is clean, Nunnally." Marianne half scolded. "Who knows how sanitary this spaceship is after all these years of disuse?"
"Madam," The shadow's personal droid began "I must protect in such an allegation! We droids pride in ourselves in efficiency and order in terms of cleanliness and hygiene! No droid worth their parts would ever allow any pathogen to exist onboard an otherwise sterile environment. Could you imagine the kind of damage simple mold would do to complex starship circuitry and wires?! Unfathomable!"
"I'm still getting used to YOU," Marianne pointed at the droid before she gestured to the rest of the observation deck "And the fact that there is a spaceship is able to fly right into the face of-…. Oh, what's that word…?"
"Special Relativity?" C.C. answered.
"That's it!"
"Well your planet's 'Special Relativity' is what allows us to shunt spacecraft into hyperspace in the first place." The droid answered. "Why, it would be impossible without it!"
"A technology ancient even in my yesteryears," The shadow added. "Thus, it would be more than prudent in the assumption that it is indeed possible, with the only limitation for your world be through scientific and technological advancement compared to the civilizations of the Sky River Galaxy." It then stood up from its meditation position. "Still, there are far more important tasks to perform in the meanwhile."
"Meaning…?" Marianne probed.
"My apprentices must now prove themselves worthy to take the next step to become Sith Lords." The ancient Sith answered cryptically.
"We are ready, master." Lelouch answered as both he and Nunnally bowed towards the shadow. He replied with a simple gesture for the vi Britannia siblings to follow, and by consequence the unintended passengers of this hyperspace flight.
Soon, the group arrived at one of the larger hanger holds of the warship, four impossibly large cargo containers were upon the far side of the expansive space with a musky, foreign odor permeated the air and assaulted the sense of those alien to the cause. The shadow then turned towards the apprentices "I assume you both are familiar how one is able to tame the wildest of beast with only the aid of Bendu?"
"Animal Bond, yes Master." Lelouch answered, much to the chagrin of Nunnally.
"The both of you have tamed various small animals to strengthen your knowledge of this skill; birds, vermin, insects, felines. But now you must put this knowledge to their limit to prove your knowledge of the Living Force is great enough to progress upon your respective paths as Sith Lords." And with a gesture, the ancient Sith opened the containers to set free the contents within and it was with the reveal of their contents did Lelouch and Nunnally not only realize their test, but also the origin of the foul smell.
Rancors; bull rancors to be exact. Each one radiated frustration and anger that even Marianne could feel deep within her bones, and also a hunger for both flesh and carnal. "These bull rancors have been sleep deprived, starved, and flooded with the scent of a rancor in heat. They will be difficult to calm down, let alone tamed." The ancient Sith Lord then force pushed both C.C. and Marianne out of the cargo hold as it walked through the armored doors. "My master had me face a single bull rancor to prove myself and I had done so successfully in but a single of your months; I expect you two to do better." And with those words, the armored doors closed shut and sealed before Marianne could render any vain attempts of aid as the vi Britannia siblings were set alone to their own devices to tame bull rancors that were in the foulest of moods.
"Karabast…." Lelouch cursed.
"Lelouch! Nunnally!" Marianne frantically screamed as she slammed her fists against the blast door.
"Isn't that a bit extreme?" The code bearer nearly shouted to the shadow.
"If I had appraised my apprentices to not be ready for this test, then they would not face such a challenge." The ancient Sith lord explained. "If the Whills of Bendu decree their success, then they will succeed. If it be failure, then their fate is that of death and oblivion."
"…Get them out…"The shadow and C.C. turned towards Marianne whose form radiated rage and desperation. "Get my children out of there now-!" Her threat fell upon uncaring ears as she was lifted by the throat through the manipulation of the Force as the shadow brought the Imperial Consort towards it.
"If you wish your offspring, my apprentices, to succeed in this endeavor, then pray to whatever impotent gods you believe in that they succeed." And with equal nonchalant as its tone, the shadow dropped Marianne to her knees and walked away. C.C. almost immediately rushed to her side as the former Knight of the Round gasped for precious air.
Several days had past onboard the shadow's personal warship. Marianne had not moved from her position from the blast doors in defeat and despair. Her form more gaunt and ill from the lack of hydration and nourishment her body desperately needed to stay alive, yet she felt no hunger nor thirst, only the dread of whether or not her children still lived.
C.C., for her part, was quite disappointed that the interstellar spacecraft did not serve pizza.
It was then did the shadow returned from its meditation with a serving tray. Both the immortal code bearer and the geass user spied upon the content of the tray, which was little more than a small cup of water and a paste one can only suspect is used to treat the starving and malnorished without killing them first.
"Eat. Drink." The ancient sith lord ordered.
"…I'm not interested…" Marianne answered.
"Trust me, I've tried." C.C. countered in her usual tone. "She can be quite stubborn if she needs me."
"If you do not value thine own life, then ponder the value of thine offspring if you should expire before they complete their test." The shadow answered.
"…Why? You have already killed them…" Marianne countered as she looked away.
"Not yet I hath not." The ancient sith lord countered as well. "If you leave my apprentices the memory of your passing in such a manner, they will be distracted from their training and they will fail. If it is not the training and tests that will end them," The shadow then ignited its lightsaber. "I shall end such misery."
Such a declaration was enough to elicit a powerful response from Marianne as she struggled to stand up upon her feet. "Y-you can't! They're your apprentices, my children!"
"It is with this very lightsaber that I have slain my master long ago. Though she hath raised me as I was but a babe and trained me in Bogan, my master was weak and plagued with cowardice which allowed her to betray the Sith Empire to the enemy in selfish desperation. It was by this treason that I had deemed her unworthy to be Sith and struck her down." The ancient Sith lord then turned towards Marianne with cold eyes. "If I could strike down the closest thing in my very existence to a mother for high treason, I will have no quarrel in the slaying of the very same apprentices that I have trained by my hand if I deemed them too weak to be Sith lords. I sense their strong affection towards you, this link will override any obligation towards their training and their assent to become Sith Lords if are overcome with such misplaced grief. So live for their sake, and I will have no reason to strike them down myself. If, as Bendu whills it, they perish despite your own will to live, then you have my leave to suicide." And with those words, the shadow walked away and left the two stowaways to their devices and to ponder such a revelation. Though with great hesitation, Marianne then surrendered to the shadow's command and had her fill of food and drink in order to survive for the sake of her children who still struggled with this test placed upon them by their master.
C.C., meanwhile, still wanted to eat pizza.
Nearly a week had past and Marianne had recovered to her usual, health self, though still eagerly and fearfully awaited the fate of Lelouch and Nunnally on the other side of the blast shield doors. The immortal code bearer stood as close as ever to her contractor as the ancient Sith lord approached. Before either could even question the shadow's presence, rhythmic knocking was heard from the blast doors of the cargo hold.
"A-are they alive?" Marianne pondered out loud as the shadow, with but a gesture, released the locks upon the blast doors and revealed the four bull rancors in an almost docile stance. Atop the two largest of the bull rancors sat Lelouch and Nunnally in seeming mastery over the extrasolar beasts, triumph even though their faces displayed less than victorious.
The bull rancor then lifted the two Sith apprentices down to the ground as gently as any beast with offspring. The vi Britannia siblings then approached the shadow, though with notacble limp in their strides and radiated aches and pains as Marianne noticed the ragged look of their cloaks and attires.
"You both have exceeded my expectations, my apprentices." The shadow congratulated. "Neither one have waivered in your commitment to both Ashla and Bogan and to succeed me as Dark Lord of the Sith."
"Thank you Mast-AH!" Lelouch yelped in pain as both he and Nunnally attempted to bow respectfully despite their injuries.
"You both have my leave to the medical section." The shadow ordered. "Once you both have emerged from the Bacta Tanks, we shall arrive upon our first stop in our current sojourn." The vi Britannia siblings bowed, or at least attempted to bow, yet again before they turned to head towards the medical section of the warship.
"'Bacta'?" Marianne questioned aloud, to which C.C. responded with a shrug. The shadow, meanwhile, ushered the four bull rancors back to their cages with only the Force.
"I'm not surprised that you are ignorant to such advancement." The droid answered. "Bacta fluid is a wondrous medicinal substance that allows one to heal from major injuries through the promotion of organic regeneration. Much more superior to Kolto fluid in both the short, and the long run." The droid then turned to itself. "Though admittedly a recent acquisition to the ship; Kolto and Bacta equipment are so horribly incompatible."
"Like those medicinal springs that were favored in the early era?" C.C. questioned.
"Though it sounds like this version works." Marianne mused.
"Apologies, but I'm not sure of the reference made." The droid noted, ignorant of the culture and history of their homeworld.
Barely a day had past when the vi Britannia siblings emerged from their Bacta submersion were they summoned to the observation deck by the ancient Sith Lord. Before them, beyond the blaster-proof transparisteel windows, was the emergence of a planet as the personal warship was shunted out of hyperspace. Naturally, Marianne and a reluctant C.C. were with the vi Britannia siblings.
"Where are we, master?" Lelouch questioned.
"One of many worlds beneath my aegis that finance my coffers." The shadow answered as it pointed towards one of the moons of the planet. "There is mined Sansana Spice, Ranite, and Lommite." It then pointed to another of the moons. "Upon that moon is found Zersium, Hibridium, and upon its sub-moon are veins of Neutronium and Stygium crystal deposits. But the true prize lies upon the planet below."
"What is it, master?" Nunnally asked as well.
"The world is rich in Kaiburrite, for which springs forth are precious, precious Kaiburr crystals." The shadow answered. "But these Kaiburr are unique, for this world is a vergence of bogan and thus the kaiburr crystals are attune to the dark side of the Force. Even those with no sensitivity to bendu can feel the presence of bogan; the accumulation of echoes forged from a thousand years of galactic atrocities and horrors. But that will not be your test, yet an obstacle just the same." The shadow then turned towards the vi Britannia siblings. "Present your lightsaber crystals."
With great confusion, but with ever obedience, Lelouch and Nunnally dismantled their training lightsabers and revealed the crimson crystal within. In a flash, the crimson crystals flew into the grasp of the shadow. "Tell me, how were the Sith that preceded you gain their Kaiburr?"
A question so elementary, Nunnally was able to recite the answer. "If not the corruption of Jedi Kaiburr crystals stolen in battle, then with their creation with Kaiburrite and Sith Alchemy."
"Yes, and both of you have done such with these false Kaiburr crystals." The shadow then held the crimson crystals with its fingers. "Do not forget that the Kaiburr are alive in a sense. It is why false Kaiburr crystals shatter after every other duel." With only slight pressure, the crimson crystals shattered. "Just like homunculi forged by Sith Alchemy, one cannot bring forth a true kaiburr crystal into being with bendu when there was no life at such a genesis. With the world before us, there is but a third alternative, one exclusively enjoyed by the Jedi in ages past and long denied by the Sith; the harvesting and bonding of one's Kaiburr crystal."
Lelouch and Nunnally were familiar enough with the Jedi concept of younglings searching for their kyber crystals to form the heart of their lightsaber, the color of the blade decided upon the type of link the force user had with the kyber crystal, and how such a pairing is found by how each crystal 'sang' to them. It was Lelouch turn to ask. "How will we find our own?"
"Like Jedi Kaiburr, Bogan Kaiburr will be cold to the touch to those not destined to be its master." The shadow explained. "For Bogan Kaiburr you are meant to bond with and construct the lightsaber of your own design, if they cannot kill you with illusions then they will drive you into insanity. If you overcome such dangers then you are worthy to be their master; that is your test."
Marianne was shocked from such a revelation. C.C., for her part, was more subdued. "And here I thought that whole 'Rancor taming' issue was harsh. This is much worse."
"The path of the Sith is not for the faint of heart." The ancient Sith lord countered. "One either becomes strong from such adversity, or simply counted among the dead."
"And you're going to send them down there?!" Marianne exclaimed.
"Alone." The shadow stated. "This is a quest that must be done in isolation, without distractions or obligations to distract them from their goal." The shadow then turned towards Marianne. "And you cannot be planetside."
"And why can I not be?" Marianne asked in defiance.
"Though you are not strong enough to utilize the bendu, you are sensitive enough to the force that the collected horrors of such a bogan maelstrom upon this planet will drive you mad." The shadow then leaned closer to Marianne. "And I believe that we have discussed what my actions will be if you are compromised in any way." The veiled threat immediately silenced the imperial consort.
Later that day, the trans-atmospheric shuttle had landed upon the planet. The location determined by the senses of the vi Britannia apprentices through the Force. From the loading ramp emerged the ancient Sith Lord and the vi Britannia siblings.
Lelouch turned towards the shadow an inquired. "How long do we have until we find our kaiburr crystals, master?"
"Until you die." The shadow then tossed a ration pack to each of the vi Britannia siblings. "You both have enough nutrient pellets for a week and enough water for only the first day. Rare do most species of both galaxies survive beyond a week without water. If I return a week hence and either one of you is not present, I will take what survives and leave the other stranded. I will not wait any longer."
"But master-" Lelouch began to speak.
"I WILL NOT WAIT ANY LONGER." The ancient dark lord of the Sith commanded. It then turned and headed back up the loading ramp, but before it closed the Sith Lord spoke once more. "Do NOT disappoint me." And thus the shuttle returned to orbit and the vi Britannia siblings left to their own devices.
Nunnally then reached up and patted her elder sibling on the back. "Don't worry Lelouch; I'll make sure to bring back your corpse for mother."
Lelouch, in turn, playfully punched Nunnally in the shoulder. "I'll be mindful to do the same for you." And the two siblings went in opposite directions in search of their first, true kyber crystal for their first, true lightsabers.
Upon the twilight hour of the planet, Lelouch knew that he must make camp for the night and continue the journey at dawn. His master, the shadow, did not supply himself nor his younger sister Nunnally any camping gear to survive the night. Yet he knew that he had no need of it, the Force will guide his hand to a suitable location to survive the night.
Soon enough, he found a small ravine that would make due with its outcropping to serve as adequate shelter. Some in-stu resource allocation would allow the outcropping to be an even more hospitable camping site, an action made even easier with aid from the Force. There was little fauna upon the surface of the planet, let alone the ravine, but enough kindling was found to build a fire for warmth in the impromptu hut, enough to belay fatal exposure to the elements but not enough to make it comfortable. Just enough so that he may survive the night and continue the journey, though with enough energy to continue was debatable as he drifted off into nocturnal slumber.
Then the visions began. "Surrender quietly,- -!"
"How dare you con us like you have!"
"We know all about your- -power!"
"The legendary hero- -died in battle before realizing his ambitions. But his gallant life will live on in legend!"
"Everyone trusted you!"
"- -and- -even died for you!"
"Please, just answer me!"
"- -! So, you really are…"
"Take aim!"
"All the sins you've committed…!"
"You're a monster! Despicable! Cowardly!"
"NUNNALLY!" Lelouch exclaimed, force lighting at hand until the truth settled in his mind that it was but the phantasms of a dream as he bore witness the first rays of light, the dawn of a new day. With a heavy sigh of relief, he pulled himself off his makeshift bed and out of the impromptu hut. "It must not be far now."
The triple sun was now overhead as Lelouch was forced to take shelter against the sweltering heat in the shallow shadow of a nearby rock face. He knew he wasn't too far from where his kyber crystal was hidden as the visions became even more frequent, more torturous. Though he knew that this was all the work of the bogan kyber, manipulating all that he could sense, it did not mean that they were any less strenuous psychologically.
He looked down at the canteen, already halfway empty despite his best efforts to starve off heat exhaustion and dehydration. If he recalled his facts correctly, it was worse to try and conserve water with small sips and long periods in between than to take what is needed to extend one's water supply, to stay in shadows and to rest as needed, but this planet has made such a task exponentially more difficult.
Still, he would survive as he extended his senses to find a dead reckoning towards his final destination, where his bogan kyber was located.
"Lelouch... Why…?"
Just then, Lelouch gripped his chest as his heartrate spiked suddenly, as if someone had just ripped the pulsing organ violently from his body. He doubled over and breathed rapidly and ferociously, on the brink of hyperventilation with eyes widen in primal panic. He had no idea what kind of vision that was, but it was a clear sign that he was very close to his destination if the vision had that kind of physical effect on him. Yet in that same flash, Lelouch saw glimpses of a craggy cave within a rift valley. He turned north-west ward and saw a break on the horizon; the very same rift valley he had foreseen.
Soon enough, it was only an hour before dusk when Lelouch reached the mouth of the rift valley. Already his body was wrecked with the phantom pains of illusionary wounds caused by the dark side visions. As much as basic survival demanded that he make camp while he still had daylight, the phantasms may not allow him to live long enough to see the next day; he had to locate his kyber crystal or else he may not survive the following day. He might not even survive the night, but he will push himself to survive long enough to not only find his kyber, but to master it.
The last embers of daylight faded as Lelouch found the craggy cave, the kyberite and kyber crystals that lined the wall ever present. He knew that what he sought was deeper into the cave, perhaps even at the very heart of the cave system.
Yet, a terrible thought plagued his mind as he dwelled deeper into the cavernous darkness; the moment he set foot through the threshold he was no longer plagued with visions and illusions. Perhaps his force-destined kyber thought to lower his guard into complacency and attack when he was at his most vulnerable? Either way, it would not be long now as he descended deeper and further into the cave system.
Turn by turn, bend by bend, Lelouch found many a kyber crystal but none were the one that produced such horrific visions. Each one was cold to the touch, but he instinctively knew that there was no need; his destined kyber would not allow him to touch it without one more attempt. Still, he can feel that he was close now-
"LELOUCH!" Lelouch spun around reflexively, force push ready to execute, as he faced a ghostly apparition that gave him mixed reactions. A friendship betrayed and animosity freshly ignited as the phantasm pulled the trigger of a Sakuradite-powered weapon. A wave of force manipulation wafted away the vision as if it were but a puff of smoke, but not quickly enough as the future Sith Lord suffered a scratch upon the knuckle of his thumb as if he were struck by the kinetic round. He recoiled in surprise and pain as the scratch slowly bled crimson.
Such a natural reaction did not last long as Lelouch spied a kyber crystal before him; deep within his very soul he knew that this was what he searched for, nearly died in the attempt. Before the living crystal could perform another vision, he closed the gap and enveloped the desired object with his hands and almost immediately focused all of his emotions, his anger and sorrow, his pain and suffering, his joy and happiness, his mellow and contentment, his knowledge of both the light and dark side of the force in balance, all focused into the kyber crystal in his grasp. He felt it fight back as it bombarded his mind with flashes of possible futures, terrible futures, but he would not be deterred. He will survive, he will keep his sanity, and he will be this crystal's master. Such a nexus of conflicting force abilities radiated and then erupted from such an epicenter.
Many trials and tribulations did Nunnally suffer through before she reached her destination. The brutal death of her mother before her very eyes, the bullies who chastised her for her disabilities she had not gained, the sins of her siblings and the crimes of her father the Emperor of Britannia, her brother's suicide, all were swept away in defiance and denial as she reached the very heart of the cave where her destined kyber crystal was held.
Or rather, kyber crystals as she found stalactites crown two kyber crystals that were at the very heart of her psychological torture. As she approached, she was faced with phantasms of what she can only presume to be older forms of her elder siblings Lelouch and Euphemia.
"Come to me, Nunnally." The Lelouch apparition called out.
"No, Nana, come to me." The Euphemia phantom countered. It would appear to be yet another test for Nunnally, or perhaps misdirection? A way for her to lower her guard and choose one so that the other would strike the final blow and be unable to counter before it was too late? Still, she had already chosen as she extended her hands towards both and used Force Pull to bring the two kybers into her grasp. Phantom protests of unfairness were thrown to the wayside as she poured her dominance into both crystals as she brought them close to her chest. The conflict so great that the cavern had cracked from such power and will alone.
The designated time had arrived and the trans-atmospheric shuttle landed at the designated spot. The ancient Sith lord descended the ramp and found that its apprentices not only alive, but bore their bogan Kyber crystals, with the plural sense towards the younger of the two despite Lelouch's chagrin towards the prospect. The shadow could only chuckle in amusement before it declared loudly "Thine both art now worthy to bear the title of 'Darth'! Henseforth, how shall either of thee be proclaimed?"
Lelouch thought back to the terrible visions he was plagued in his quest to find and subjugate his lone kyber crystal, a single name rang the truest among all of them. "Let me be known as Darth Zero, master."
"And I shall be known as Darth Nemo as well, master." Nunnally replied as well.
And there we have it! Lelouch and Nunnally not only have their Kyber Crystals, with emphasis on the plurals for the latter, but also gained their sith names. Even over those visions that, I'm assuming a good chunk of you have realized by now, are visions of Code Geass canon. With this glimpse of the what-would-be actually alter their fate and be better prepared? I wanna say "yes" but I have been wrong before.
Of course, Marianne isn't happy with how it all went down or how many times her children have been so close to certain death. And boy, is she not gonna like what the shadow has planned for future lessons. Still, will she relay what she had learned to the Geass Directorate?
With V.V. involved, I highly doubt that.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to touch this again or any of my other fanfiction projects for at least a month; no access to my computer until then due to certain family obligations. Then again, you guys waited this long, what's a month?
As always, flames and brutally honest reviews are unnecessary. I already know how short this chapter feels and disjointed all the scenes are, I don't need help in that department or any others I probably have missed. It's a long list.
Oh! Speaking of short, here's a little surprise for those who had made it this far. I wasn't sure where to put this, and I internally debated on if I should make this into a separate chapter but then I went "what the heck, I'll just make it a singer". Enjoy.
"I still don't see why you have the need to give my children an army, a CLONE army to be exact." Marianne complained as the group walked through the many corridors of the Kaminoan cloning center that comprised most of Tipoca.
"Few Sith Lords worth their salt are vacant an army for them to command without just reason." The shadow responded.
"Plan to conquer a galaxy?" The immortal code bearer inquired.
"The directive of the army will be up to the discretion of my apprentices once they succeed me." The ancient sith lord replied as they turned another corner and were met with an individual donned in armor. "Greeting, Mandalore. I trust that there art no issues with the army, or art there be but another cause for concern?"
"The First Order came snooping around." The armored individual, revealed to be female, answered.
"On the army, no doubt." The shadow mused.
"First Order, master?" Lelouch inquired.
"Defeated remnants of the last Sith Empire, vain in their attempt at the restoration of such galactic power." The shadow answered.
Marianne turned towards the armored individual before she asked the ancient sith lord. "The original, I assume?"
"Of the clone army? Nay. Though the genome of her," The shadow cleared its throat before it continued "'grandfather' was used as template for the creation of the Clonetroopers of the so-called Grand Army of the Republic, only the Mandalorian training is needed. The stock, however, be varied from numerous hosts from thine own world. The strongest in fact." The ancient sith lord then gestured the Mandalorian to lead them.
"They keep on asking if we can bring the actual hosts to Kamino rather than just tissue samples, my lord." The female Mandalorian reported.
"Such an action would raise more alarm than solutions."
Eventually, the group was lead to a room where several First Order Stormtroopers, a Stormtrooper in shiny silver armor, and a red-locked officer were in a "debate" with the Prime Minister of Kamino and several staff. The First Order officer then took notice of the group at the corner of his eye and turned to approach them. The Mandalorian raised her carbine blaster, but was halted by the shadow's outstretched arm. "I see that YOU are the ones who 'reinvigorated' the economy of this planet with your order of a clone army. Seeing as this facility was once, if only the briefest of moments in history, an imperial facility and thus under the auspices of the First Order, I am placing you all under-"
The words barely left his mouth as he felt the air squeezed out of his throat. The others in the group flinched as the stormtroopers raised their blasters when they found that their blasters were forcefully turned towards their own heads, triggers slowly depressed. With a hand still raised, the ancient sith lord approached the First Order officer. "'General' Hux I presume? What title or rank you hold matters little to me, and yet hath the falsity to believe that such was enough to intimidate me as if I were mere prey?" It then leaned towards General Hux and whispered in a threatening growl. "You do not know what power IS, boy….!" And the shadow released its hold upon the First Order stormtroopers and General Hux. "Do not presume to believe that thy shalt meddle in my affairs again; this is but a warning. Hope that there be not next time."
General Hux gasped for air as he struggled back upon his feet and lead the First Order Stormtroopers away, but not before he cried out. "Th-the Supreme Leader will be notified of this!"
"And he will do nothing." The shadow countered before it turned towards the Kaminoan Prime Minister. "Apologies, Prime Minister, I expected not such spoiled children to stir up such a row."
"N-no offense it taken, my lord." The Kaminoan Prime Minister responded. "The First Order have done many a 'visit' of intimidation in case their leader is in need of a clone army. And I must say, I cannot thank you enough for your order. There has been no need for such large scale cloning since the end of the end of the Clone Wars and the rise of the Galactic Empire and our economy had faltered greatly."
C.C., for her part, pushed Mariannes chin to close her gaping mouth at the mere sight of these extragalactic beings. "You've seen a rancor, this shouldn't surprise you at all."
"And how is my clone army?" The shadow inquired. The Kaminoan Prime Minister gestured the group to follow.
"On time and with great expectations, my lord. Though I am curious as to the base design of each trooper."
"Base design, master?" Nunnally asked.
"During the clone wars, Clonetroopers fought against Battle Droids, novel creativity versus efficiency and reaction. Yet none have ever pondered to combine the two into a hybrid unit that will not only have the strengths of the other, but also compensate for the weaknesses of each." The shadow answered.
"How so, master?" Lelouch inquired as well.
"Each clonetrooper is paired with a droid that unfurls into an amplifier exoskeleton to increase not only the individual strength, protection and endurance, but also heavier ordinances and proprietary control interfaces."
"Not to mention all those odd vehicle designs." The female Maladorian added. "Rather odd to see walkers with arms and a huge humpback."
"'Humpback'?" Marianne barely asked as she still was in the process of recovery due to the shock of a sapient extragalactic species.
"Thine shalt hath be more familiar with such a model, as thy hath piloted a precursor." The ancient Sith lord cryptically explained as they passed by a group of unmasked clones that underwent martial training below. Soon enough, the group have reached an observation balcony and watched as the clone troopers below drilled and paraded with their droid counterparts.
"Magnificent, aren't they?" The Prime Minister of Kamino noted.
Marianne, for her part, felt uneasy as she recalled the faces she saw earlier and this large group of clones before her. "Bismark and Nonette are NOT going to be happy when they find out about all this…"