Disclaimer: Still don't own any of it
Cornelia li Britannia was having a bad day.
Not that she had any good days anymore; the Sith had done a pretty good job of ruining her life.
The day began like any other since the occupation began; she would get up, bathe, eat breakfast by herself, and then dress for her morning meeting with her Sith adviser. It was a routine that Cornelia was getting used to, something depressed her every say. She felt like a slave to her new life.
It was thru that slavery that led her to order the arrest of two very good friends of hers. Cornelia knew full well that Tohdoh and Ohgi were not behind the failed attacks on Sith property, but that did not matter to her Sith masters whom felt that any former resistance leader could still be a threat. So as the puppet leader of Earth, the former third princess issued the order of arrest.
The only bright spot was that the arrests had gone smoothly and without incident. When Sith battle droids arrived, Tohdoh and Ohgi voluntarily went with them under no protest. It had almost seemed like they were expecting their detainment at some point, even though no evidence linked them to the propitiators of the attacks. Cornelia felt sorry for Ohgi's wife and three children since it was a good chance that they will never see him again.
"My lady; Administrator Creen is here to see you," a protocol droid said as it entered her office.
"Very well; show him in," ordered Cornelia as she took her seat at the desk.
Her office, where she worked as the Sith-appointed head of state, was located in what used to be the UFN Headquarters on Penglai Island. When the Sith took over and dissolved the organization, they had taken the former headquarters as their own and expelled all outside forces but their own as well as their puppets. Currently, Penglai was the most fortified Sith position on the planet with a full legion of troops, battle droids, and other military vehicles protecting it. It also sported a spaceport for contact with their fleet in space.
The office, which once housed the UFN Secretary General Kaguya, had been stripped of the Japanese design and replaced with a bare look by the Sith. The walls were painted pure grey and the windows had bars on them, the view of the Pacific Ocean was now blocked by the spaceport. The desk was made of metal and faced the only entrance to the room which had guards both on the outside and inside so Cornelia was never alone.
The former Britannian Princess stood as Administrator Creen, her Sith adviser, walked into the room. The adviser was a Twi'lek male with red skin and six feet tall He wore a grey military uniform with black boots and black gloves on each hand. It was rumored that one of the hands was artificial but Cornelia never saw it. Though he was pleasant when he spoke to her, Cornelia saw the cold twisted personality that lay hidden below; it reminded her of her father.
As the Administrator entered the room, Cornelia stood up and gave a respectful bow to the man. In truth, he was the real power and her superior since Cornelia herself was more of a figurehead than anything else. The twi-lek though answered to the Sith Lord, Darth Visez, and relayed any orders for the woman; something that Cornelia was thankful for since she did not like being in the same room with the Sith let alone talk to him.
"Congratulations on a job well done in regards to dealing with the suspected rebels," commended the Administrator, taking his seat opposite of Cornelia.
"Thank you Administrator; I am just happy that the arrests went along peacefully," stated the woman diplomatically.
"Hmm….probably would have done us some good if there had been resistance; better to shoot them now than deal with them down the road," Creen said with a slight frown.
Cornelia bit back a retort and just smiled. It would not do Ohgi and Tohdoh any good if she mentioned her past relationship with them to the Administrator. She might be branded as a suspected traitor as well as locked up, replaced possibly by someone who was ruthless.
Cornelia knew full well that Ohgi and Tohdoh were not involved in the attacks; the sloppiness of the operations was evidence enough. Even her Sith masters' investigations had not yielded any connection between the Ex Black Knights and the rebels. However, the arrests were ordered and Cornelia had to carry them out; regardless of her feelings. Too many lives were on the line not to.
"What is to be done with the two?" asked puppet leader, fearing the answer. Both Ohgi and Tohdoh had been taken out of her hands immediately, leaving her no control over their fates.
"They have been taken to our lunar facility for labor. Commander Abarr always needs more trained workers for the processing," answered the alien.
"I see," was all that Cornelia could say; it did not sound too bad and they were being kept in system at least.
"What steps are being taken so that nothing like this happens again?" asked the twi-lek, looking at the former princess.
"I have doubled the number of troops at all critical facilities around Earth as well as increased the garrison in Japan. All rebels whom have not surrendered have been killed and any leaders that we have apprehended are being interrogated as we speak," informed the middle-aged woman; being a former princess of the Britannian Royalty came in handy.
"Very good; hopefully these interrogations have results; Lord Visez will be informed. I do have other issues to talk to you about," stated the Administrator.
"Such as?" Cornelia asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Lady Bastila has ordered that more of this system be exploited for the Empire. There is to be a shipyard constructed above Mars as well as mining operations to be built on the planet itself. We want you to begin rounding up slaves for labor," informed the twi-lek.
"That will cause some unrest," stated Cornelia in a neutral tone, hiding her anger. Slavery was not a new theme for Earth, especially areas that had been conquered by Britannia in the past, but the Sith brought the subject to new extremes.
"I trust you can take the appropriate measures to deal with any "unrest" that might happen. If a city has to be leveled to make the point, so be it," Creen said darkly; Cornelia just nodded and put on the most fake smile that she could muster.
After another few minutes of Creen talking, the alien got up and left the office which Cornelia to breathe a sigh of relief. Leaning back in her chair, she activated her intercom and ordered lunch. She was due for a long day.
Finding the slave labor for what the Sith needed was not going to be easy. Just about all the POWs from the invasion were already working, leaving the supply of labor low. Cornelia would have to tap into the growing mass of refugees, something that she absolutely detested.
Still it had to be done; if it didn't, the Sith would do it for her.
Cornelia wished Guildford was still with her. After the occupation began and the princess was placed into her new position, she had sent her husband and daughter into hiding; making sure that the Sith could not use them for leverage. She knew that they were alive, but nothing more than that; they had to be hidden from her at all costs.
As she brought up the list of refugee centers around the world, Cornelia knew what had to be done for the greater good.
….
Jeremiah Gottwald watched as the Sith burned the rebel base.
Standing at the top of the hill overlooking what used to be the city of Kobe, the Britannian and his squad witnessed the brutality of the invaders.
Kobe had once been a thriving industrial city, surviving the age of Britannian occupation and beyond. When the Sith invaded, the city's industry had been used to construct knightframes to fight off the invaders. So the city was bombarded by the enemy fleet in orbit, leveling the once thriving metropolis and killing millions.
Kobe had never been rebuilt, making it a city of ghosts. The area around it was a parched and scarred land, making it uninhabitable for wildlife.
The JLF had made the ruins its home, using its last industrial remnants to build itself an arsenal. Knightframes consisting of Sutherlands and Akatsukis were constructed as well as small arms for those who could not pilot a knightframe. There were some aircraft built, hybrids of Sith fighters salvaged from the initial invasion.
The Sith assault had begun a few hours ago, first starting with an air attack from squadrons of fighters descending from space. The aircraft strafed the ruined city, blasting any visible defensive installation they could find. The JLF fought back with their experimental and doing quite well; unfortunately they were outnumbered and fell fast.
The second phase consisted of ground forces moving into the city from assault transports they flew in from the Sith fleet in orbit. Wardroids (both light and heavy), tanks, troops, and Sadows flooded into Kobe; slaughtering every last person in their path. The JLF had very few blasters to defend themselves and were forced to use projectile weapons that were worthless.
There was no mercy shown and any JLF member that tried to surrender was simply shot on sight.
Jeremiah and a small squad of soldiers had actually arrived with the Sith ground forces; merely to observe though and not to fight. It was part of a larger mission that he and Sayako had been assigned in Japan. Lord Null wanted eye witness accounts on how the JLF was squashed; for some reason that Jeremiah was curious to know but could wait until told from his lord.
Dressed in a grey military uniform with insignia indicating he was a Major, he played the part well through his years in the Britannian military. All part of his cover of course along with his men. His cybernetic parts had surprisingly made it easier for him to infiltrate the Sith Military and from what the former Earl could tell, seen quite regularly in the enemy military.
"What should we do now sir?" asked one of Jeremiah's subordinates.
Like many of the people under his immediate command, the group of men had been former Britannian soldiers; former pure-bloods to be exact. Lord Null had gathered many of the world's former militaries under his control in secret though Britannians made up the majority. As a result, Jeremiah assumed direct command over his former comrades by his master.
"CC has informed me that she has recovered her package and the other is already on board the Washington. There is nothing that we can really do here; we'll head back to the enclave since Sayoko is probably done gathering her clan," stated Jeremiah.
"I'll go get the transport," stated a soldier, heading to where the aircraft were located.
While Jeremiah was here, his partner and wife Sayoko Shinozaki Gottwald was accomplishing her mission in bringing her clan of assassins under the control of Lord Null. The young woman's father had recently passed, making her the new leader of the shinobi clan. The clan had been hiding from the Sith for some time now and it was felt that they needed to be taken out of Japan before it was too late.
Anya had been assigned her own mission and was currently with Rivalz in Europe. From what Jeremiah had been told, the two were overseeing the construction of knightframe hybrids in the Balkans. The two would be back at headquarters by the time Jeremiah and Sayoko returned; if nothing went wrong.
The three had lived together on the former Earl's farm after the completion of Zero Requiem; with a desire to retire from the new world that Lelouch had sacrificed his life for. There was also the fact that there was some resentment that Jeremiah and Sayoko had felt towards the Black Knights for their betrayal. He felt that his master did not have to die if his own Knights had not been duped by Schneizel. After learning the truth about everything, Anya had agreed and left the Knights of Rounds as well.
When the Sith invasion first struck the planet, the three had signed on with the local Florida militia to fight off the invaders. They had fought valiantly against the small force that had struck the province; the enemy was only three hundred wardroids and twenty tanks. With Jeremiah leading the militia, victory was theirs until the orbital bombardment had started; then there was only death.
It was only because of HIM returning that the three were still alive.
"I almost feel like we should do something," said one of the men as the group watched a mass of wardroids burn the bodies of the fallen JLF.
"Why? It's their fault and now they are paying for their incompetence. It goes to show you that without "Zero", the Elevens are nothing," snorted another soldier.
A shadow covered the group and everyone looked up to see a Sith Transport coming in to land next to them. It was the same transport that the group had used on the way in, giving them the advantage of familiarity; Jeremiah had made fast friends with the transport crew. The craft landed and the back hatch opened up, extending the ramp. Once the former Earl and his subordinate were in, the transport took off.
…..
Kallen slowly opened her eyes.
She was currently lying on the hard ground and she tired to sit up. Looking around her, she saw that she was in a dark room of some sorts. While she was still dressed in the same clothing as she was in earlier, she also found her self restrained with both her hands and feet shackled. Moving her body the best she could, she moved towards the closest wall and propped her back against it.
As the memories came back, Kallen was once again surprised to see CC again after so many years. After the death of Lelouch, the green-haired woman had completely disappeared off the face of the Earth. There was talk that some of the Knights wanted to look for her; if only to make sure that Geass would never be used again. However, they were overruled by the fake Zero and the UFN leadership.
Kallen was happy with the decision; truth be told, she never wanted to see CC again.
Kallen had loved Lelouch all the way up until the end. She knew that he had felt the same but Kallen often wondered if CC also had a piece of his heart as well. It was a question that she did not want answered; out of fear of the truth.
The room became illuminated when a door opened directly in front of Kallen. The young woman had to shield her eyes from the light since she had spent too long in the dark. From what she could tell, someone had come in and was standing directly in front of the bound Kallen.
"It's been a long time," said the person as she blocked the light that was blinding Kallen, causing her hand to lower.
"I suppose it has CC," said Kallen thru her clenched teeth. For some reason, she could only feel anger towards her former comrade.
The green-haired woman did not appear to have changed in the years that Kallen had last seen her. Her face still displayed the same young look and her hair was still the same length. In some ways Kallen was jealous that the young woman would always be young; it reminded Kallen that she was slowly aging.
"I am sorry about the restraints but it must be done in order to keep you safe," stated CC in a neutral tone.
"Are you sorry?" asked the redhead, not believing CC's words.
"No," CC simply answered with a slight smirk appearing on her face. Kallen just sneered at her.
"So working for the Sith now huh? Are you delivering me to your masters?" asked an angry Kallen; CC was still wearing the military uniform.
"I work with the Sith, but not that ones you are thinking of," the immortal said blandly. Kallen was confused by this.
"What is that supposed to mean," Kallen asked, surprise in her voice.
"You will see," was all that CC said, turning around and walking back outside. The door closed behind her.
The immortal could hear Kallen's screams thru the metal door and she smiled.
"You enjoyed that," stated Milly Ashford, smirking at CC. The former reporter was dressed in a similar uniform as CCs.
"Yes I did," CC answered with a smirk of her own.
"Didn't HE order you to treat her gently?" asked the blond with an eyebrow raised.
"HE has never commanded me and besides, I am treating her gently," informed the young looking woman. Milly let out a small laugh at that.
"While you were with her, there was a patrolling fighter that flew past us," informed the former reporter as the two walked.
"Any problems?" asked CC, taking a sideways glance at her companion.
"No; doubt the pilot would believe that a prison transport could be controlled be the JLF; we sent our identification codes to the fighter anyways," answered Milly.
"That's good; any more activity?" asked the witch.
"Same as before; the military is wiping out all traces of the Japanese Liberation Front and leaving no survivors. I am betting they are trying to make an example," stated the blond.
"Just as HE predicted," said CC with a nod.
The two headed to the bridge, passing members of their cell along the way. The various men and woman saluted and went about their duties. While they were in Japan, a lot of equipment had been picked up from Lord Nul's contacts within the former nation. Milly saluted back while CC just ignored them.
Entering the bridge, they could the blue Pacific Ocean thru the front window. The two pilots (one of them the captain) were at their stations while a third console was manned by the communications officer. There no room for CC and Milly to sit since the bridge was only big enough to accommodate for three crew members at a time.
The transport was more of a converted prison ship that had been acquired through dubious means. The craft was grey, a third of a kilometer long, and looked like bulky 747 without wings and the engines at the rear. Two turbo laser turrets were the vessel's only defensive armament; located at the sides of the transport.
"How long till we get to Camelot?" asked CC, looking at the captain.
"About three hours," answered the man. CC just nodded and walked away from the bridge.
The transport could venture into the atmosphere in order to get to its location faster. Unfortunately, the act would catch the notice of the fleet in orbit since there were strict rules against that. The planet was under a heightened surety for the moment and the mission to deliver Kallen could not be compromised just for speed.
"Have we heard from the Washington?" asked Milly as they walked to the lounge.
"Yes; Nina is aboard and the sub should meet us at the base. Also heard that everything was going well on Jeremiah's end as well," answered the immortal.
"Good; it will be good to see Nina again. I lost track of her after the occupation began," stated the blond sadly.
"It should be interesting for them to meet Null," said CC with a smirk. She was looking forward to the looks on the women's faces.
Milly stayed silent at that. She remembered her own shock in meeting Darth Null; it was something that shook her very soul. The young woman often wondered what CC's reaction had been since she was closer to him than anyone else. It would be interesting to see Kallen back in the game; the tug-of-war would begin once again.
And Milly vowed to see every bit of it; that is if the old crone did not interfere.
…
The robed figure approached the meditating woman with sword in hand.
The woman sat with her legs crossed in the darkened bare room, illuminated by only a few candles at each corner. Covered by a black robe that hid her face, she just sat there in deep concentration. Her withered hands were clasped together and her body sat up straight with the head bowed.
As the robed figure moved closer from behind, he raised his sword above his head with two hands. As he moved, there was no sound from his steps and almost seemed to glide across the floor. He was confidant that the meditating woman did not hear him as he got closer. Finally, when he was close enough, he brought the sword down fast at the old woman.
She suddenly moved quickly, rolling to her right as the sword hit the ground with a loud clang.
The robed man recovered quickly and swung the blade sideways, only to miss the woman again as she rolled a second time. As he moved in for a third swing, the woman jumped to her feet and extended her hand towards the robed figure. Using the force, she shoved the man against the wall and held him there.
As he struggled, the old woman let loose another shove of the force which knocked the wind out of him briefly and dropped the sword.
He then fell to the ground stunned; or so the old woman thought. Raising his hand, he sent a blast of the force at the woman whom was knocked back slightly. He then used the force to recover the metal sword, which he then lunged at the woman with a full swing and going for the head.
However, the old woman activated her lightsaber and the red energy blade sliced the blade in half. She then let loose a blast of force lightning from her fingertips that covered the man. As he let out a cry of pain, she used the lightning to force him against the wall. After another second, she lowered her hand and he fell to the ground.
"A lesson my apprentice; never think you can sneak up on me with a weapon while I am meditating in the Force. I am more aware of things that you can possibly know," informed Darth Carrion as she looked down at her apprentice as he struggled to stand.
"Yes master," said Darth Null as he winced from the pain. His robed was steaming from the effects of the lightning though he was starting to get used to the pain; it was not the first time his master used lightning on him.
"Why use this primitive weapon? A lightsaber would have been more effective," asked Darth Carrion, looking at the broken blade on the ground.
"Activating a lightsaber makes a sound; there is also the fact that the heat from the blade makes its presence known. A metal sword, though greatly primitive, is more silent and stealthily," answered the young man as he stood up.
"I see; very well thought out. Would you have killed me Lord Null?" asked the old woman curiously.
"Of course not master; I still have much to learn," answered the Sith apprentice sincerely.
"That is true my apprentice; I look forward to when you think you are finished," sneered Carrion at Null; he could see her yellow eyes and decaying skin that made him slightly shiver. She then let loose another blast of lightning at the young man, causing him to cry out in pain.
"Another lesson; never attempt to kill someone without putting your full effort," stated the old woman. Null nodded as she stopped her attack and he once again struggled to rise.
The woman turned to leave the room and Null moved quickly to her side. The two Sith Lords walked down the hallway in silence, their dark presence emanating from their bodies. Their section of the base was avoided by Null's subordinates except for a specific few. CC often came by; for some reason she got along great with the elder Sith Lord.
"I have heard from CC and Jeremiah; they have accomplished their missions and are on their way back. Nina has also been recovered as well," stated the young man as they walked.
"Then things are proceeding as you have planned; though I am curious is to why you have recruited this Kallen since she did betray you," remarked Carrion glancing sideways.
"Kallen Kouzuki is an excellent knightframe pilot; she would an excellent asset to my plans," defended the apprentice angrily.
"I sense more than that; your feelings betray you Lord Null," stated the old woman, stopping and staring at the young man in front of her. Their height was about the same; at least that's what Null thought since he had never seen his master without the robe.
"My feelings do not factor into this; Kallen is a future subordinate, nothing else. Anything more dissipated with the death of Lelouch vi Britannia," stated Null with conviction.
"Hmm," was all the Sith Lord said as they continued walking.
"The destruction of the JLF has been completed," said the apprentice.
"As you have planned as well; I am still surprise that you did not save them since they would have added to your growing army," observed the crone.
"The organization was incompetent and not worth my time. The Japanese Resistance Cells, no matter what type, have always been unpredictable in the past. Better for the weak to die in the light of day while the strong plan in the shadows of the night," stated the male Sith Lord with contempt.
"And the Black Knights?" asked Carrion with an eyebrow raised.
"They ended up betraying their leader and would have been wiped by him plans weren't made. The Knights were never anything without the true Zero," Null said with a sense of finality. Carrion let out a twisted laugh that shook Null to the core.
"Very good my apprentice; now you are thinking like a Sith. I am looking forward to CC returning since I miss the companionship," said the old woman.
The relationship between Darth Carrion and CC was something that Null could not yet understand. Not only were the two civil to one another, something neither were for Null, but they almost acted like long-lost sisters. They conversed about philosophy, cooking, human traits, and even politics to some degree. His only theory was that it had do with age; CC was centuries old and it grew increasingly clear that his master was similarly ancient as well.
As they entered the command center, a sphere-like room with a large holo projector in the middle, the various black uniformed personnel stood from their posts and saluted. Both Sith Lords acknowledged their salutes with simple nods and they resumed their duties. A full map of the Earth was displayed on the projector as well as the positions of the warships in orbit. Null had ordered that surveillance be placed on the fleet at all times.
"Report?" ordered Null loudly to the personnel present.
"An Interdictor Cruiser changed its orbital position to fire on Japan; no major cities were hit though various JLF bases were wiped out," reported a young female soldier.
"Anything else?" asked the Sith Lord, not concerned at all and dismissing the news.
"More cargo ships leaving the system full of knightframes," reported another soldier.
"No doubt tribute and not for Bastila's war effort against the Republic," stated Carrions with a sneer. Null nodded and motioned for a continuance.
"Chairwoman Cornelia has ordered the arrests of Kaname Ohgi and Kyoshiro Tohdoh."
"Oh?" asked Null, intrigued.
"Yes; from what our agent has reported, it was carried our by the command of the Sith under Administrator Creen for possible involvement of the JLF's recent activities," informed the young man.
"I doubt they were involved; Ohgi would be stupid enough for such a thing but Tohdoh at least possesses an ounce of real military intelligence. No doubt, Darth Visez and Creen are being cautious," Null said more to himself and Carrion than to the rest of the personnel.
"I agree; both have a history of leading rebels and better to get them out of the way now than deal with problems later," the old woman said, taking a seat at her usual place. There was a table and chair that were specifically set up for her use. There was another chair for CC as well.
"My question though is why not just simply kill them? That was what was done to Schneizel after all," wondered the male Sith. Very few knew that the second prince was dead since it was closely guarded secret in the Earth Sphere.
"Is it important?" asked Carrion to her apprentice.
"No; but it might be an issue later on. I have no doubt Cornelia is involved in some way since she is friends with the little traitors," said Darth Null, anger seeping in his voice.
"Again, be mindful of your feelings Lord Null. Use your anger but don't let it distract you my apprentice," rebuked the elder Sith Lord.
"Yes Master," said Null with submission, turning to her and giving a slight bow.
"Come, it is time for your lessons; I am still unimpressed with your lightsaber training," ordered the old woman as she stood up headed out of the room. Darth Null followed with apprehension.
Author's Note: Sorry that this chapter took so long; my Beta's internet was down so he could not get to me for a while. I do thank him though for his great service.
I am working on the next update; which will feature Tohdoh, Ohgi, Suzaku, and other Code Geass Characters. I also plan to reveal the truth about Null (which is obvious who he is) and how he came to be in the service of Darth Carrion. The update is about ¾ finished and should be up in a few weeks; hopefully, if I don't get distracted.
I hope my fellow Star Wars Fans and enjoying this fic; if I have made errors, pleaser let me know. I like to think myself quite knowledgeable in the ways of the Force and Star Wars, but can make mistakes.
Please R&R!