"Seems like the fire has been lit." Shin said having watched Zero & Luke's broadcast from the shuttle as he then brought out a holo-projector and placed it on the ground as the hologram of Argos appeared.
"Nice work out there gentlemen, you had them all fooled, maybe even fooled me. Maybe you should probably get a job in Hollywood for those five star performances. I think I heard that Disney and Lucas Films might be hiring!" Argos playfully smiled at them for pulling a perfect performance on their foes.
Shin chuckles as he bows to Argos "Thank you my lord it was fun while it lasted!" Durge folded his arms and nodded in agreement with Shin.
"But besides that have you claimed what you were assigned to? You know the Sakuradite." Said Argos as Yansu nodded as Sai then said showing the crate to Argos.
"We have collected the fuel source so the Leviathan can fly high!"
Argos smiled "You have done well all of you I'm very-"
Just then an alarm went off as he gasped and an officer came over "Lord Argos come quick this is urgent!" Argos was confused but nodded and said to Shin's group.
"Gotta go, something new just came up, get those resources to Leviathan and then return here for further orders."
Shin's hologram nodded as Argos turned off the projector as he ran to the control room where he was greeted by Am, B-2ON, PROXY, Karre and R-Duo as the astromech droid was scanning through the satellites in space.
"What's happening, what's the situation?" Said Argos wanting answers as R-Duo beeps at Argos as B-2ON then said. "R-Duo said he detected a large star ship entering the atmosphere."
"Get me an image now!" Said Argos as the droid beeps displaying the image on a screen of the massive star destroyer entering the Earth's atmosphere.
"That little plan of ours went pretty well out there!" Said Zeb as the rebels were heading back to the Ghost.
"Yeah it did and I was glad we were able to rescue those hostages without any casualties." Said Luke as Rex nodded in agreement on how well they were out there on the field after announcing the Black knights after Kallen's group had retreated to their base for the night. While Zero returned to Ashfold to rest for the night.
Just then Lop's ears began to twitch as she heard something as she said.
"Everyone, wait do you hear that?" They stopped walking as they looked at Lop.
"Is everything okay Lop?" Sabine worried for the young girl as Asami then said until she might release what Lop was saying her padawan did have incredible hearing due to her being Lepti as it hit the Jedi knowing what she was hearing.
"We're not alone!" They gasped as something was moving in the darkness as they looked around for what it was. Chewie roared as he readied his bow caster.
"Always thinking with your stomach." Said Han as he rolled his eyes as the noise was getting closer as it was coming from behind them.
Everyone gasped to see what was following them once it stepped into the light.
"An imperial probe droid!" Shouted Leia shocked to see the droid as it opened fire at the rebels as they took cover from the incoming blast attacks as Han, Zeb, Hera, Sabine, Chewie, Rex all shot the droid at the same time right as the droid blew up.
"We didn't hit it that hard, it must've had self-destruct!"
Sabine looked at the remains as it sparked with electricity and said "And there's a good chance we know who sent it!"
The Falcon and Ghost crew gasped as Luke then said in a serious yet horrified look "The Galactic Empire!"
Upon hearing that The Ghost and Falcon crew ran back to the Ghost and flew back to where the Falcon was.
Castle Weisswolf
"Huh?!" Joe Wise almost gulped his sucker as he saw the rapid beeping on his glass monitor.
"Is something wrong, Joe Wise?" Dr. Sophie Randal asked.
Joe went to type to see the disturbance, and his eyes widened.
"What is it, Joe?" Kate Novak asked.
"One of our satellites…" Joe started typing again and looking through the screen. "It's picked up something!"
"What is it?" Anna Clemont asked from her position, looking very concerned.
"Is it heading for the EU?" Ferilli Baltrow asked.
"No, it's…" Joe Wise looked again. "It seems to be… appearing through the atmosphere on the other side of the globe!"
"What?!" Sophie exclaimed.
"You're saying it's coming from space?!" Anna questioned.
"I'm not sure." Joe said. "But… it's definitely not a satellite, it's many times bigger…"
"Put it on the screens!" Anna asked, and Joe sent the readings to everyone's monitors in the room. When it did… Everyone had a look of shock on their faces at what they were seeing.
"This… This…" Hidla Fagan stuttered.
"This reading is impossible!" Chloe Winkel said.
Anna was frozen for a minute. Could it be they had done it. Either Britannia or Euro-Britannia had perfected the space-flight program they had been trying to achieve with Project Apollo. Because of what the satellite was picking up… it was…
Anna quickly got up and started to depart the room.
"Anna! Where are you going?" Sophie asked.
"I'm going to contact Leila!"
Chinese Federation
Meanwhile, a similar situation was happening in another superpower: The Chinese Federation.
One of the loyal aides to the Chinese Empress had been called when the Satellite Division detected something from their own satellite.
"What on earth is happening?!" Zhou Xianglin asked one of the division experts at his computer in charge of one of the Federation's satellites. "Can you detect where it's coming from?!"
"It somehow entered Earth's atmosphere… and it seems to be heading towards…"
Ashford Academy
"As you know, after Napoleon Bonaparte's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, and the establishment of what is now Europia United in what was once our former motherland, Queen Elizabeth III retreated to Edinburgh, in 1807. Unfortunately, revolutionaries arrived to arrest her, and the queen was forced to abdicate the monarchy. Thus, this event is known today as the Humiliation of Edinburgh."
Mr. Keshner explained as he taught the topic of the week: The Humiliation of Edinburgh.
"It would seem Elizabeth's fate was sealed, had it not been for the valiant effort of Ricardo Von Britannia, Duke of Britannia, and his most trusted friend and Knight of One, Sir Richard Hector in rescuing Elizabeth and bringing her to the east coast of what is now our beloved homeland."
Lelouch sat at his seat, and he took note of Kallen putting her attention on the topic, at least not spying on him with her mirror.
"STOP EVERYTHING!"
The teacher and class stopped, as they all turned to see Rivalz had slammed the door open, and his face looking exhausted.
"Rivalz?" Rai said, confused.
"What is this?" Mr. Keshner exclaimed. "Mr. Cardemonde! We are in the middle of…"
"Sorry, Mr. Keshner…" Rivalz said, almost shaking. "But I'm not the only one. Something is happening! Everyone is gathering outside. Right now!"
Kallen widened her eyes, and so did Lelouch. What could be happening outside?
Soon, all the students started rising from their desks and walked out of the room.
"Where are you all going?! Class has not been dismissed yet!" Mr. Keshner exclaimed to no avail.
Soon, all the students were filing through the hallways, before they came upon the middle-school group.
"Nunnally!" Lelouch exclaimed as he saw Sayoko wheeling in Nunnally.
"Lelouch! What is going on?!" Nunnally asked. "They're saying something is happening outside."
"I don't know, but we'll just go and see," Lelouch said, and he nodded to Sayoko as they decided to follow the students outside the building.
Before long, almost everyone from Ashford, including the student council, were outside. Lelouch, Rai, Sayoko, and Nunnally were the last ones to come out, and they were met by hundreds of paled and shocked expressions from everyone.
"What's happening?" Lelouch said, before the young man looked in the direction everyone's heads had turned… and he couldn't believe his eyes.
In the direction of the wide-open sea east of Area 11, emerging from the grey sea of clouds above was a ship unlike anything they had seen.
completely made of metal from top to bottom. It was in a shape that was far distinct from any other designs from their world.
Hovering over the Tokyo Settlement was a Star Destroyer.
"Wha… What…" Nina could shudder and freeze in complete fear as she hugged Milly. "It…"
"What is that?!" Rai asked in complete shock and horror.
It's so so…" Milly could barely blink with the widened eyes she had.
"What the hell?!" Suzaku's eyes widened as plates.
"Never seen anything… like it…" Kallen felt the same as the red head felt trapped in place.
Sayoko's eyes widened like never before as she gazed at the thing in the sky.
"What the hell is that…?" Lelouch could barely keep composure as to the vision he beheld in the sky.
"Big brother, what is it?" Nunnally asked, the girl feeling the shock, fear, and near-panic everyone around her was feeling.
And it was not only the students of Ashford Academy witnessing it but all of Area 11.
Am was moving around the Regime base as the likes of Argos, Shin, Durge, Sai, Karre and even PROXY were confused on why she was in such a good mood today.
"OMG OMG OMG!" Am shouted over and over as she was juggling many things all at once such as brushing her hair, brushing her teeth, even placing her armour on while using the force.
"Goodness what has gotten into Mistress Am this morning?! She's acting like she's gotten the gig of a lifetime!" Said PROXY amazed at how Am is multitasking and she was getting dressed so fast then her usual routine.
Julius then said putting on a fancy cape "Trust me PROXY if you think that's crazy then you should have seen her at Taylor swift's concert last month."
Flashback
Am is at Taylor swift's Concert yelling at the top of her lungs as the performance was spectacular as she was wearing a bad blood shirt "I F***** LOVE YOU!"
Argos and Julius are also seen trying to pull the woman back to prevent her from jumping onto the stage..
"Simmer down girl, you can get her autograph after the concert okay?!" Argos shouted comically at Am.
End of flashback
"Those were great times!" Argos sighed happily at the memory.
"We're wasting time, come on! Everybody out the door now let's get to the palace already!" Am said impatiently pushing Argos, Karre, Julius and PROXY out the door despite the laters trying to even protest.
Leaving Shin, Durge and the Nightsisters completely confused on what just happened.
The ghettos, the Eleven population could only cry out in shock and stopped what they were doing as the behemoth of metal was hovering the sky.
Some started to panic. Some ran to their homes for cover. Some started falling to their knees and started to pray. Some gathered their families to find cover. Some could only remain petrified and stare at the ship.
In another part of the ghetto, standing on the roof, the Kozuki Resistance stood petrified at the sight as well.
"My God…" Inoue gasped.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!" Tamaki cried out with his lungs.
"Did they build that straight from Britannia?!" Yoshida exclaimed.
"It's…looks to be entirely out of metal!" Minami gasped. "So… you think it's not Britannia?" Sugiyama stuttered.
Then Oghi however spoke up saying "No it's the Galactic Empire, the ones that Asami and Lop told us about when we met them!"
The five gasped in horror as they saw the massive star destroyer.
There was an even bigger uproar in the main streets of the Tokyo Settlement as hundreds, if not thousands of people stood in shock and horror at the massive metal ship in the sky.
Some citizens started crouching on the ground with hysteria. Others continued looking at the ship, while taking pictures and videos with their phones.
One group in particular, went on the move to get off the news van, as Diethard with a crazed look went to turn his camera on and point at the cloud of the next wonder of the world.
"Mr. Diethard…" An assistant said behind him, as the young man looked petrified at the sight in the sky. "Is that…"
"I know…" Diethard could hardly contain himself at the massive ship coming out of the clouds. The sight of it. The size of it. It was unlike anything he had ever seen. And now he would be able to record this moment. At the same time, he felt shock and excitement coursing through him, and he felt his mouth forming into a crazed smile.
Just what was it?
Cornelia, wanting to see what was going on, grabbed a walking cane not caring if she was still injured as she grabbed it tightly as she was ready to leave the hospital room she was in right as a medical droid came over.
"Madam, with all due respect you are still badly injured from your battle with Skywalker and you must rest. It has only been one week!" Cornelia however said.
"Well I'm going out there to figure out what's going on. I am their viceroy. As soon as I learn what it is, I'll return! And besides, the leg is slowly acting with the rest of me anyway."
Millennium Falcon
"You gotta be kidding me!" Han exclaimed, as he, Hera, Sabine, Asami, C.C, Lop, Lando Ra-7, Rex, Leia, Luke, Chewie, and Threepio looked in horror at the channel on Artoo, TD and Chopper's holo changed to show the appearance of a star destroyer. A Galactic Imperial Star Destroyer on what was supposed to be the news broadcast of Area 11.
Chewie roared.
Zeb cursed out "Karabast! We lead the Empire to the planet!"
"Artoo!" Threepio exclaimed. "Please tell me you and Chopper are not bringing up an old recording?!"
Artoo beeped crazily.
"No!" Luke said before he dashed for a set of binoculars and made his way out of the Falcon.
"Luke!" Leia cried out.
Am was trying her best not to have a heart attack or pass out from excitement as she held out a paper bag while those aboard the Viceroy palace were either afraid or shocked at what they were saying
"What…" Darlton uttered. "What in God's name…" "What the hell is that?!" Guilford said.
Julius then said "It's not from the homeland and it's not property of the Regime that's for sure just look at the size of that thing! It's even flying as well."
"Acting Viceroy, don't you think…" Darlton tried saying. But Julius raised his hand as he saw Am having a massive grin on her face as the one eyed man said.
"Deploy the Gloucesters! Man the defences! I want every soldier on high alert and prepare all of them for battle if the worst case scenario occurs!"
Carlton gasped at that "What worst case scenario but Lord Kingsley-" Julius glared at the man.
"I'm sorry did I stutter Sir Darlton? DEPLOY FOR BATTLE! TO ARMS! NOW!"
"Lord Kingsley we have just detected something deploying from the massive unknown ship!"
Luke exited the ramp of the Falcon as he was joined by the others to get a good look at the Star Destroyer still hovering over the sky.
"It really is…" Luke could grimace.
Hera then said fearing the worst as she saw the ship "No worse they followed us here from our galaxy to this one."
Chewie roared.
"You said it Chewie we're in big trouble!" Lando said worried while C.C was mesmerised at the ship in the sky on what the other's Empire looked like
Luke held up his binoculars to get a good look at the star destroyer. It was when he zoomed up, he noticed something descending out of the hangar.
"What do you see Luke?" Rex said to Luke and passed the binoculars to the Captain to get a good look.
"It's another Probe Droid!"
Viceroy Palace
"What?" Guilford exclaimed. "A black drone?"
"Yes, Sir Guilford," An officer said as he observed the black-like machine descending out of the giant ship's hangar and descending. "It seems to be… making its way… towards the palace."
Guilford took the binoculars and saw it. He lowered them, a determined look now in his eyes. "Get me my Gloucester."
Guilford rolled in his Gloucester, accompanied by a few other Sutherlands as they made their way towards where the black drone stopped. When they finally stopped in front of it, they aimed their guns on the strange machine that floated in the air. To be honest, it looked a bit disturbing. The drone looked more like an ugly, black bug with little, dangling legs and an ugly black eye staring back at them.
"Sir Guilford? Should we fire on it?" A Sutherland pilot asked.
"Not yet," Guilford said as he continued observing the drone. A moment passed then suddenly, the drone started projecting something out. It caused the Sutherlands to almost fire, till Guilford stopped them. "WAIT!"
The black drone soon projected out a blue-static figure in front of them. The figure of a human man. In a military uniform of some kind.
"Who is that?" A soldier asked.
"A hologram?" Guilford said, he then thought for a moment, before deciding. "Keep aiming your guns at him." He ordered before he had his cockpit opened. The Head Knight of Cornelia made his cautiously towards the hologram of the man. He almost felt nervous when the hologram took notice of him.
"Uh…" Guilford didn't know what to say. "Can you… are you…?"
"I can hear you and understand you, if that is what you are trying to understand." The hologram said, and Guilford almost baulked back.
"Who… Who are you?" Guilford asked, almost cautiously. "Are you…" He pointed at the ship in the sky. "Are you communicating with me from that?"
"Yes, indeed." The hologram nodded at the man. "I wish to apologise if we have caused any panic or confusion, but we mean you no harm. I am Admiral Frimus Piett."
"Are you from the Homeland?" Piett shook his head before saying to the man.
"No. Who we are not, our ship we are not of or have any relation to the Holy Empire of Britannia."
"Who are you? Are you?" Guilford asked a different question to the man.
"We are not of any other nation you know of. My master will explain it to you."
"Your master?" Piett nodded
"Yes. We wish to have permission to land our shuttle so that we can negotiate."
Julius then sees Euphie enter the room "Sub-Viceroy what brings you here? I'm not sure if a call was given for your sudden arrival." Euphie then said "I just wish to return this to Karre."
She shows Karre's lightsaber as Julius and PROXY gasped to see the weapon as Karre came over and said taking back his weapon.
"Thank you kindly. You should head back to the palace in case this gets ugly!" Karre said as Euphie nodded as she then left before he was lifted off the ground by Julius who slammed him into the wall.
"You gave Euphemia your lightsaber, have you been secretly training her in secret without our knowing?!" Julius questioned almost in anger at the boy.
"I couldn't say no she needed a teacher and I thought my failure with Naoto who I failed to save back then I could see this as a chance of redemption to make up for it." Karre said back.
"But Karre you don't understand if anyone else knew that Euphie was trained by you she could be punished for wielding a weapon like a lightsaber or worse the Emperor could erase all memories of her like she didn't exist from all those around like her friends and family just like Master Julius did a long ago your taking a dangerous risk!" PROXY declared.
"Euphie & even Merrybell are innocent and I won't have either of them become victims in our war with that cursed old man I just can't!" Julius said not even hiding in his fears & worry for them if they get dragged into their battle as Karre gasped.
"You don't want what happened to you back when you tried to train your brother & Suzaku to happen to Euphie & Merrybell?" Julius then puts Karre back on the ground as he nodded.
"Yes they're the only family members I want to keep safe. I want to keep you safe as well Karre, both of us do." As he referenced PROXY as the droid nodded in agreement before Julius com-link rang as he picked it up.
"What Guilford? I'm in the middle of something here with Karre." He listened. "I see. Alright, then gather Darlton and we will join you shortly."
Julius then received a message from Cornelia declaring she will be joining her knights.
"Oh, no…" Luke said as he looked through his binoculars.
"What is it, Luke?" Leia said.
Luke was ready to hand it to Leia, until Han took the binoculars for himself. The smuggler looked through them, and his face turned grim when he saw what had descended from the hangar of the star destroyer above.
"What is it?" Leia asked.
"A Lambda-class shuttle…
"Looks like they're sending in the negotiator party." Lando said as he was using his own binoculars.
Asami gasped as she felt a great disturbance in the force suddenly shift to the dark side as she held her head.
"Asami?" Luke replied with worry as he went over to her as the woman said "I fear onboard someone we know is onboard strong in the force."
Everyone gasped in horror minus C.C "No you don't mean!" Leia said in worry as Asami nodded seriously.
"Lord Vader, are you sure you wish to trust this empire of Britannia?" Piett asked Vader who simply said with a glare as they were aboard the shuttle with a squad of stormtroopers.
"No Admiral, the truth is Britanana is a means to an end. As soon as we find and capture Luke Skywalker, Zero and these Jedi who have been hiding from the empire for so long, we will destroy Britannia with an iron fist and replace its government with the Galactic Empire!"
"Oh I see, so we're only pretending to be their allies until we get what we want and then we destroy them without a second glance. I like this plan of yours!" Piett said understanding now with a smirk on his face.
As the shuttle was heading to their destined location.
Viceroy Palace
"Everyone get into position, we only get one chance at making a good impression!" Am shouted giving commands to the troopers of the Regime or Britanana trying to make the place nice for their guests.
"Aha…" Lloyd said as the man looked from his miniature glasses to get a good look of the shuttle flying towards them. "What an intricate design."
He smiled as he observed the vehicle.
"Is that why the acting Viceroy and her allies are gathering the royal guard. She's preparing to meet with them?" Cecile asked.
Lloyd then said "There's always a coin-toss especially we have never seen this kind of craft before. Nor do we know who they are."
Cornelia came over limping wearing her regular attire as she held onto her cane as she was joined by the Regime's best troopers, some even wearing Cornelia's colour scheme.
Tension was already, even with the sight of the far-greater mothership that floated above in the sky. There was still the chance things could turn ugly.
Soon, the aircraft folded its two wings up like a bird as it landed slowly down on the strip. Cornelia had never seen a design like this before. She couldn't pinpoint the style belonging to either the EU or the Chinese Federation. When she looked back at the triangle airship in the sky… she thought it remote that either nation would have been capable of building something as massive as that. The ship was perhaps two times greater than Schniezel's flagship, the Avalon.
"Alright everyone, be sure to use manners. This might be our first time interacting with aliens after all." Argus replied.
"Don't give me orders, Director, I outrank you." Cornelia said with a glare at Argos. "All units stay alert, you will fire when necessary."
"Yes madam!" Carlton and Guilford replied.
Euphemia stood on an upper level of the palace as she felt her friend Karre was observing the landed shuttle. Euphie felt great concern for her sister. Although Cornelia was a warrior and had her most loyal guard with her…Euphie couldn't help but have a bad feeling about this.
The Lambda-class shuttle let out some steam before the underneath part of it opened and extended a metal plank to the ground.
Am brought out another paper and started to blow into it trying to remain calm while the Regime troopers and Royal guards pointed their weapons on instinct.
"Hold your position!" Cornelia declared
She turned her focus back on the craft ready for what was about to come next.
Then came the sound of footsteps. Marching footsteps. Descending down the ramp came the sight of soldiers clad in white armour and helmets, carrying black weapons they were almost similar to the Matrix troopers.
Everyone almost baulked at the sight of the pale clad soldiers marching out of the shuttle and splitting in two. The two rows then stood on both sides of the shuttle's entrance. Coming behind them and making his way between them towards Cornelia and her royal guard, was a man in a grey-green uniform, with black boots and with a badge depicting several red and blue squares.
"Princess, that's him." Cornelia heard Guilford on her com. "That's the man on the hologram. The one I spoke to."
"Is he now?" Cornelia said, before deciding. "Keep your guns on them should he be a threat."
Cornelia limped over while Argus and Am followed from behind as Argus had to drag the girl with him.
Argus then said "State your business stranger, are you the man that spoke with Sir Guilford?"
"That is correct." He spoke "And who are you lot since we already know the viceroy."
Argus then said with a mocking bow "Of course my names Argus of the Royal Regime you can say were also part of the Britannia Empire."
Argus points to his allies and friends "Besides me is Am loyal Sith Acolyte the best Knightmare pilot in the regime." He then moves his attention to the others.
"The man with the eyepatch is my son Julius Kingsley. The robot standing in the middle is our droid PROXY." The droid gave a wave "And lastly Karre he's also a Sith Acolyte mister?"
"Piett Admiral Firmus Piett."
Cornelia narrowed her only working eye suspiciously. "You seemed to know a lot about me despite just meeting today Admiral. And about this region. Question is I know little to nothing about you. Who exactly are you?"
"My lord will gladly explain it to you."
"You lord?" Cornelia raised an eyebrow.
Piett stood back and stood next to the stormtroopers. They then shifted to face each other and stood obediently across from each other. Descending down the ramp at last… was the black-clad dark lord.
"What the…" Darlton froze in place. "What the hell is that?"
"It… It…" Guilford stuttered at the sight of the black-clad individual on his monitor walking out of the shuttle towards Cornelia. "It looks like a man. In a cape and like Zero?"
"But he has black armour…" Darlton spoke. "And… what's that over his face?"
Am had a massive grin on her face as she was struggling to hold back a scream.
Cornelia froze in place at the sight of the black-armoured man walking towards her. She didn't know what in the hell she was seeing. Was this the lord? This man dressed in some sort of armour and cape? Like an armoured knight? Why did he almost remind her of Zero?
Normally there were very few times. Very few times Cornelia li Britannia felt unbelievable shock and even disbelief. She was not someone to react so much to anything much.
But what caused the ex-goddess of victory to feel any sort of shock was the amount of power this person has. She felt heartless and ruthless. Something that can cause her to freeze in place her widened eye to shake.
She knew even at a young age that the world was filled with dangers. Dangers that had to be abolished by the sword if peace were to be established. Instead of becoming an aristocratic princess of the royal court like her entitled eldest half-sister, Guinevere, she went on the path that would lead her to become the warrior she was today.
As the dark lord came closer, Cornelia heard a hoarse sound. A sound that sent ice down her back. She realised the coarse breathing was coming from the dark lord. She then saw and almost widened her eyes when his shining-black inhuman mask became clear. It completely devoured his face, as if it was a contagious mask.
Before she realised it, the masked lord stopped right in front of her, staring right at her with emotionless glass eyes. Cornelia could only stand in place. It was like looking at a twisted-black version of a Knight of the Round during the 19th Century.
Before long, the dark lord placed his hands at his hips before finally speaking.
"Argus Kingsley & Cornelia Li Britannia."
Cornelia almost shuddered at the very sound of his voice. It was unlike anything she expected. Yes, it was deep, but there was a sort of sinister and pragmatic tone that caught her off guard. It almost echoed a bit because of the mask?
"Yes that would be me" The Viceroy said, straightening herself. "And you may be?"
Argus only gave a nod knowing that was indeed his name.
"My name is Darth Vader." The masked man said. "Lord and Supreme Commander of the Imperial Forces of the Galactic Empire."
"What?" Darlton spoke out while in his Gloucester.
"Galactic Empire?" Guilford said baffled.
"Empire?" Cornelia said, before narrowing her eyes. "What are you talking about? I have heard no such thing in my life. There is only one empire and that is Britannia. State your business. Who are you?"
"WE are the Galactic Empire," Vader said. "It is understandable you have no knowledge of our existence, nor did we of yours due to not being from this galaxy before."
"What? What on earth are you babbling about? The galaxy?" Darlton demanded.
"The ship above is a space cruiser, a Star Destroyer," Vader gestured at the warship still hovering in the sky. "One of my flagships is the Devastator."
"I can see that, but I don't believe in space. You are telling me you are out there? From the stars? That is fictional nonsense." Julius came over giving a glare to Vader who replied with.
"It may be incomprehensible, since it is possible that your planet has not yet had the technology to have living beings travel beyond your atmosphere. But… that is not vital as of now."
"All I see is a metallic warship hovering over my city. And a squadron of soldiers ready to do battle no doubt at your command. Unless you came here to goad me to surrender."
Cornelia unsheathed her sword-gun and pointed it at Vader. "I don't waste my time with such talk! The fact remains if you are not of Britannia then you and your army are intruding on territorial ground of the Holy Empire of Britannia! You don't think you can scare any of us! You think your bizarre appearance can frighten me?! You are dead wrong!"
With Cornelia aiming at Vader, the stormtroopers looked ready to aim their weapons on the Princess while the Regime troopers also did the same, almost mimicking the Stormtroopers as they were targeting the white troopers.
Vader held out his hand to stop his troopers from firing. He gave a look towards Piett, who nodded. Piett waved to the stormtroopers to hold their ground.
"I understand your doubt, Viceroy," Vader said, not deterred at all by the sword-gun pointed at him. "I can admire your steadfastness and will for battle but there is no need for us to be adversaries. Not when we share a common enemy."
"Common enemy?" Cornelia raised an eyebrow.
Vader nodded in agreement as he looked at Cornelia's scars, her robotic leg and arm along with an eyepatch over her right eye.
"I can assume you fought Luke Skywalker and was humiliated for it?" Vader said Cornelia nodded reluctantly as her hand was over her eyepatch.
"Yes he did this to me. I was once known as the Goddess of Victory. My title was well known and feared by many until Skywalker made me a joke and robbed me of my title!"
Argus then said "Skywalker isn't working alone he's accompanied by three others, two of them are Jedi under the names of Asami & Lop and Zero, a masked man who is serving alongside the Jedi."
Vader then declared "Allow me to explain why my army and I are here in your palace."
"We have much to discuss, much more appropriate from where we are standing," Vader gestured at both their multitudes, and the more-than noticeable tension around them. "You have my word Viceroy."
There were sharp glares before Cornelia then said lowering her sword gun "Very well we shall discuss this inside."
Argus nodded "Agreed but however I'm afraid your men in white are gonna have to stay outside if that's alright."
There came a tense silence amongst the Imperials. Lord Vader turned to Piett and nodded.
Piett handed his blaster to Guilford when he got out of his Gloucester, the knight looking at the strange design of the captain's gun. He then turned to Vader, who after a moment went to his belt and handed a strange metal cylinder in the knight's hands. Guilford almost shook at the look of the weapon. The handle or whatever it was it looked almost like a weapon similar to the ones Am, Karre, Argus and even Julius have on their belts.
"Follow me," Cornelia said to Vader and Piett. "This way." They both nodded as Am said, jumping up and down like an excited fangirl.
"OMG OMG OMG! It's really you! You're really here!" Vader looked confused, saying.
"Can I help you girl?" Am then said standing in front of Vader "I'm a huge work of your work Darth no Lord Vader I heard all sorts of stories about you your like my hero in fact my armour was inspired by you!"
Argus then pulls the girl back saying with an apologetic look on his face "Forgive me but Am is a big fan of your work, your lordship."
"I see." Vader replied as the Stormtroopers stood guard as they stayed behind as some of the Regime troopers came over trying to be friendly and start conversations.
Euphemia could only worry. Although she felt relieved it didn't turn into a shootout, she could only wonder what her sister and Karre were doing.
She then felt her phone ringing.
She answered it as it was a call from Karre.
"Euphie, we're escorting the visitors to the hangar where we can discuss the negotiations."
"You're…You're going to talk with them."
"Yes and your sister is also here. She told us despite being injured she didn't want to miss this event."
"Shouldn't I be down there to help you and my sister?" Euphie asked if she could help as she did some training with him.
"Not at the moment for the time being stay put with the doctor Aspulnd and Miss Cecile ." Euphie nodded as she turned the phone off.
Instead of going to the Viceroy's conference room, Cornelia had the 'visitors' come to one of the hangars of the palace. The hangar had a wide space, enough for her royal guard to bring their Gloucesters in to guard her as she sat in a chair across as did the Regime members from where Darth Vader, Piett, and few other stormtroopers were standing.
"You prefer to stand?" Cornelia asked Vader, who didn't answer her. "Very well, then." There was a small pause. "First things first. Why don't you let go of the mask?"
At that, the atmosphere then became thick, but Vader remained still. "I'm afraid I cannot fulfil that request because it is a part of my life support system."
Life-support system?" Cornelia raised an eyebrow.
"So, the mask is not only for show?" Guilford said, as he along with Darlton stood next to the princess.
"We have not come here to talk of appearances," Vader said, with a part of his voice sounding on edge.
"You are called the Supreme Commander?" Cornelia asked. "A man with a disability holding that kind of rank?"
"Continue to judge and we will not be getting anywhere, Viceroy."
"First of all you claim yourselves to be an empire? This Galactic Empire?" Cornelia asked.
"Yes. Serving under the rule of my master. Emperor Sheev Palpatine."
Argus glared at Vader when he mentioned that name "So I see so you were assigned here by this Emperor Palpatine to our planet and hunt down Luke Skywalker and others aiding him?"
Vader nodded as Julius then asked "I still find it hard to believe the existence of another empire other than Britannia. And that you claim that you're from space? How come we have never heard of your existence before? Why here and now?"
"Our existence of the other may be due to the fact that we of the Galactic Empire come from another galaxy." Vader said.
"That is insane." Guilford said. "From where the world stands now, interstellar space-travel is not within our reach yet."
"Space travel. People in space." Darlton said. "That's the stuff from movies and comic books."
"On your planet, perhaps but even the poorest civilizations in our galaxy had aeons worth of technology far advanced than what you have now." Declared the Sith Lord.
"Aeons?" Guilford said.
"You said we share a common enemy." Cornelia said, with an impatient look. "One of the men who murdered my brother and the one who gave this scar." She gripped her hands together in anger. "The one called Luke Skywalker."
Yes." Vader nodded. "Luke Skywalker is a rebel commander. A member of the Rebellion, who we the Empire are at war with."
Julius then said "I see judging from their broadcast around last night and their debut when they rescued Suzaku they mentioned they were a part of the rebel alliance. The Rebel Alliance are a faction of cells across our galaxy. People who are dissatisfied and ungrateful of the peace we had spilled blood for after the last war. They are responsible for the death and destruction of billions in their quest for liberation."
"Billions?" Guilford exclaimed. "That… that's so many…"
"That is why this act of war cannot be tolerated," Vader said. "They are to be brought to justice."
"Then why?" Cornelia stood up. "If this war against your empire is your galaxy, why come here? Why was my brother murdered by these rebels prior to their announcement?"
"In the past years of hunting Skywalker, he is most often seen with a few certain individuals."
The dark lord held up a com to display a hologram of a woman's face. "One of them is Princess Leia Organa."
"Princess?" Guilford, Darlton, Karre and Julius questioned.
"A Princess? Her?" Cornelia raised an eyebrow as she observed the face of the woman on the hologram. "Does that mean her father is…"
"She was of the House of Alderaan. The populace of Alderaan betrayed the Empire and had been supporting the Rebel Alliance in secret since the beginning. Even before then, Princess Leia's father and herself were senators in the Imperial Senate who opposed Emperor Palpatine's rule. She now stands as one of the Rebellion's effective generals."
"General, you say? And a politician?" Julius said, now amused by the idea of another princess with a similar occupation like Cornelia. "She sounds quite a woman."
Vader had the hologram change to the face of a man. "This is Han Solo. A smuggler who had joined the Rebellion years back."
"A smuggler?" Darlton said.
The hologram changed to show the figure of something the Britannians did not expect.
"Who is that?" Guilford asked, confused by what he was seeing.
"More like what is that?" Cornelia said, baffled by the holo depicting what appeared to be some hairy-faced individual?
"This is the Wookie, Chewbacca," Vader said. "He is the partner and co-pilot of Han Solo."
"Wookie?" Corneila said.
"Chewbacca is an alien native from the planet, Kashyyyk," Vader said. "His race are humanoids who have a vengeful distaste towards the Imperial Authority."
"You mean that thing is an alien?" Guilford asked.
"Not some sort of fur costume?" Darlton asked.
"So, besides humans, I assume this galaxy of yours is filled with different types of alien species?" Cornelia said, recalling the ridiculous movies depicting extraterrestrial life."
Vader then switches the image to a green skinned woman with long tails at her back.
"Is this supposed to be?" Argus looking at the other woman in the image.
"General Hera Syndulla daughter of the late Cham Syndulla she leads a squadron of her own rebels called Phoenix the members of her squad are former imperial cadet Sabine Wren a mandalorian of the Mandalore system."
Vader shows an image of Sabine before changing the image to a lasat "This is their muscle a lasat he is known as garazeb zeb orrelios."
"Interesting with those muscles he can almost wallop a squad of Martiax without mercy." Argus replied as Vader changed the image to a man with blind hair.
"This is former Imperial ISB agent Alexander Kallus, now a traitor to the Empire."
"You said he was formerly once an agent of your empire?" Julius asked the question as Vader nodded.
"Indeed Kallus was the top of his class, the best student to Admiral Yuleran until a mission went wrong and caused Kallus to betray the empire. Luckily we managed to find a replacement for him, an agent assigned by officer Giden."
Vader switches the image to a man with a white beard "And this is Captain Rex a former Clone trooper captain who had served Luke's Skywalker late father in the Clone Wars before faking his death and emerging years later working alongside the rebellion."
"Such interesting armour it is almost like some of the Regime's best armour our craftsmen make back at the base." Argus almost smiled at the design of the armour.
Vader then switched the image to a brown skinned man wearing a blue shirt and a golden cape.
"And this was the man who aided the rebels in fleeing to your planet. He has a track record of getting on the Empire's bad side from time to time; he is known as Lando Calrissian."
"There are millions of different species throughout our galaxy," Vader said, causing a bit of shock to the Britannians while some of the Regime members raised a brow almost intrigued by this info.
"Each with their own culture and language. As for your planet, we have observed that only sentient species are humans. It would explain any doubt you have towards any foreign sentient beings."
"These are all the comrades of Luke Skywalker and in this rebellion?" Cornelia asked. "What about Zero?"
"You again refer to the other man besides Skywalker, responsible for your brother's death and for your humiliation."
"Correct. Do you know who he is? What does he look like behind his mask?" Cornelia questioned, with almost utmost anticipation and Vader's response was a shake of his head.
"Figures not even you know who the man behind the mask is." Karre sighed at that statement as Am then said.
"Karre show Lord Vader respect, he's a national treasure!" Vader was almost impressed by Am's loyalty to him despite meeting the girl a while ago, perhaps the Sith Lord could use her in the future and perhaps as his new apprentice.
"The group that had travelled with Luke Skywalker when they fled the galaxy aboard the Millennium Falcon."
"The Millennium Falcon?" Cornelia asked.
"It is the ship captained by Han Solo. This is what it looks like,"
Vader changed the holo of Lando's face, and it was replaced with a model of the YT-3000 series spacecraft.
"What?" Cornelia said, almost blinking her eyes.
"What is that?" Guilford said, leaning his head closer.
"This is the unmistakable visage of the Millennium Falcon? Clearly the title is a misnomer for something such as that," Darlton said. "It doesn't look anything like a falcon."
"More favourably…" Cornelia bites into her lip. "A piece of junk. You call that a spaceship?"
"Looks can be deceiving viceroy this ship accommodates in speed and manoeuvring Imperial pursuits. Han Solo used this craft for his illegal deals of smuggling to avoid Imperial authority. Now it is an asset of the Rebellion for its secretive missions against the Empire." Piett explained as Vader nodded as he then spoke.
"About a week ago, we pursued the Millennium Falcon near the border of the galaxy. Barely anyone or no one at all travels beyond the limits of the galaxy we knew of, until instead of choosing to be captured the Millennium Falcon used synthetic lightspeed beyond the border."
"Lightspeed?" Karre was surprised to hear that.
"Allow me to explain," Piett said. "Since the civilizations of our galaxy span far and wide, it would take so long for spacecraft to travel to other planets at normal speed. So, for millennia, hyperdrives were invented in order for ships to dive into hyperspace. A form of fast travel if you will."
"That kind of technology exist?" Cornelia questioned.
"It is what allowed the Millennium Falcon to escape us," Vader said. "And no doubt… led them to your galaxy. To this planet. To this region you call… Area 11."
"And then later Hera's Syndulla's group followed suit as they flew to the planet in their footsteps after finding the person who granted the falcon crew a rare type of hyper fuel that brought them to your galaxy."
"That explains everything we saw last night in their little debut starting with how Luke was about to remove some of my troops blasters from their hands like it was nothing
and I'm guessing you have the same skills as that of young Skywalker, Asami, and Lop along with my best minions."
Argus glances his look at Am, Karre and Julius as they nod. Vader found this quite strange; it was as if he knew about the force but that would have to wait.
"That is correct, Director observe!" Vader said, before he suddenly stretched his black gloved hand towards Guilford. The knight yelped when the silver-black cylinder escaped his grasp and flew in the air back to Vader.
Cornelia, Darlton, and the Britannian soldiers baulk back in shock as the cylinder telekinetically goes into the grasp of Vader's hand.
"What the hell?!" Guiford exclaimed. "What the hell did you just do?!" Cornelia almost screeched.
"The power of the Force is just as your director described viceroy." Vader said, and a second later, the crimson blade of his lightsaber blasted from its hilt.
The sight caused the Britannians to almost panic and aim their guns on the dark lord.
""What's the matter with you, it's like you never saw a lightsaber in your life?" Argus replied as Julius, Karre and Am all active their lightsabers pointing their weapons as their red blades glowed.
Vader was surprised again on how they had lightsabers even noticed Argus had a lightsaber on his belt as well as the man then said.
"After the hotel jacking Skywalker and Zero mentioned Jedi something you're familiar with?"
Vader nodded as he turned off his lightsaber and placed it back onto his belt.
Yes," Vader said. "Long ago the Jedi were an organisation who wielded the power of the force and lightsabers of their own. As the Jedi Order once served the Empire, but they were a corrupted branch and sought to betray the Empire. In response, the Jedi were eliminated. Expunged from the face of the galaxy."
"Expunged?" Darlton said, clearly looking a bit disturbed.
"And Luke Skywalker?"
"He may have inherited the power of the Force, but he is merely a boy. He is misguided to believe he could revive the Jedi Order. And he believes the destruction of our Empire is necessary." Vader explained to Karre.
"You… have the power of this force as well." Cornelia pointed. "Even a lightsaber as well just like Asami and Lop when they arrived on Earth. Does that make you one of these Jedi as well?"
At that, there came an insurmountable tension in the area, even Piett could feel as he glanced at Lord Vader.
"I am what the Jedi could never hope to be," Vader said. "My only duty is to serve my Emperor and to bring his enemies to justice."
Cornelia narrowed her eyes even further. "And what do you seek?"
"I want Luke Skywalker. I want his comrades. I want the Millennium Falcon and the Ghost. So that I may dispense justice for the wrongs they have done." Vader declared.
Cornelia snarled before slamming her hands onto the table almost in outrage "NO! We want Zero and Skywalker. They are guilty for murdering my brother Clovis and Skywalker is guilty for running my title as the goddess of victory. He should have killed me when he had the chance! I will make him regret sparing me that day!"
Cornelia giggled almost like a madwoman who had just escaped the asylum hellbent on only revenge and only carrying for her own needs and not the needs of others as Sir Dalton and Guilford shared a glance at her in almost worry for their viceroy before Argus said.
"Regardless of your demands, your evilness. I understand if you must uphold your duty but we must fulfil ours as well. The fact remains that you are standing on Britannian territory. This Emperor Palpatine whom you serve does not hold authority here. The one who does is Charles Zi Britannia of the Holy Empire of Britannia."
Julius growled hearing that name as Karre and Am held him back.
"Not even the viceroy will agree to share her prey with you after her humiliating battle against Luke but considering our soldiers are still recovering from being attacked by a dangerous hunter we would enjoy your company. After all we had our fair share of dealing with two Jedi who were the likes of Asami & Lop the moment Luke Skywalker and his allies came into the fray we were screwed from the start."
Vader nodded "Agreed it'd be unwise to underestimate the power of Skywalker. I cannot say much of this Zero, but it would be unwise to underestimate him as well. Whoever he is, it seems there is a reason why Skywalker chose to ally with him. And if you were to go against him, you would be going to fight them blind."
"What are you suggesting Darth Vader?" Sir Guilford asked the Sith Lord who responded with.
"I propose an alliance." That caught everyone in the room by surprise while Am's eyes sparkled with joy.
"An alliance?" Cornelia rose from her chair. "With your armada I'd rather show you the door! Then let me help you out."
Julius chuckles saying as he swirled his glass around smugly at her "Temper temper viceroy with the way Vader is being so calm about this ordeal you wouldn't stand a chance against him."
Argus nodded smirking "Agreed an alliance with Vader's army might shift the tides of war in our favour. We can't afford to fight amongst each other. Why not use this to our advantage? But the only way for this alliance to be official we will have to take you to the Emperor and see what he says about it!"
Vader nodded and then said almost like a joke "By all means take me to your leader!"
"Ugh it's too bad we can't even see what they're even talking about and even hear what they're chatting about!" Said Asami, annoyed at this.
"There it is!" Lando said as he saw said as he used the binoculars to see the Lambda-class shuttle returning to the hangar of the Star Destroyer.
"Really?" Han said. "So, soon?"
Chewie roared.
"It looks like whatever happened between your Empire and this one doesn't seem to be good." C.C said as she was munching on her pizza.
Zeb growled in worry "This is bad, who knows what the two empires are even talking about!"
"I didn't want to think about it," Leia said. "That somehow… the Empire would try to track us down… and what would happen if they did…" Leia placed a hand on her face.
"Yeah…" Luke looked to the ground in complete worry. "But I didn't think it would happen so soon but it has…"
He could only assume what Lelouch was thinking of this right now no doubt he, along with everyone in Area 11 had seen it. He could tell Zero's alter ego was not taking it well at all.
Look!" Rivalz pointed at the ship. "There it goes!"
"It's… It's turning away!" Milly said, as everyone gasped as the Star Destroyer made a complete turn and started flying to the east. Everyone gasped when they caught sight of the three enormous blue engines at its rear.
"Are those… engines?!" Nina trembled, barely comprehending it.
"I never knew engines that could be that huge!" Shirley trembled. "Or so… advanced…"
"And I thought the ship was massive but I thought so wrong," Rai declared as he held Shirley's hands.
Lelouch could look with wide eyes and open jaw. The young man was standing still as if he were in a frozen wasteland.
He then felt a warm hand taking hold of his.
"Big brother?" Nunnally asked. "You're shaking."
"I'm alright, Nunnally," Lelouch said as he kneeled to her level. "I'm just…a little…shocked…"
Only Nunnally could not see the unbelievable sight of the ship in the sky. It helped Lelouch at ease, knowing his sister didn't need to feel the shock and fear everyone was feeling, even Sayoko looked petrified at the sight.
It was a sight that will no doubt change the fate of the world. It will change the course of history as they know it.
As soon as the situation began he had to tell Luke about what occurred while Kallen thought the same thing to inform Asami about it.
What looked to be an architecture that dated back to ancient times. Everywhere around it was a far-stretched infinity of clouds with a golden sunset shining through.
Standing at the edge of the stone balcony, overseeing the world below was a man whom many would consider the most great and powerful on the planet and the most despised of them all.
This was the 98th Emperor of the Holy Empire of Britannia.
Charles zi Britannia.
Approaching from behind, what looked to be a young boy, with flowing pale-blonde hair that reached to his feet and pink-violet eyes. He was dressed in robes of purple and white, befitting that of a royal. His expression was almost mellow and casual as he looked at the Emperor.
"Am I interrupting you, Charles?" He asked.
Charles only smiled. "I was just conversing with Clovis, actually."
His face turned serious. "It seems you are not the one interrupting. Something else seems to have interrupted the presence of our very world and I thought the rogue Shin would be a problem."
The boy's face turned a bit serious. "Yes. It seems things are about to get more complicated than we need them to be. About now the space cruiser is moving from Area 11… towards Pendragon."
I see. Then I assume I must return to welcome our unexpected visitors." Charles said as he started walking away from the edge.
"Charles," The boy said. "You know what this could mean. It may change…"
"This will change nothing," Charles said, his brow almost hardening. "We should have expected it when Zero and Skywalker revealed themselves to the world. The project must commence."
The Britannian Emperor smiled a bit, as he looked back at the boy. "Trust me as I trust you V.V. And soon Ragnarök will commence."
Before the current emperor left the room as V.V directed his attention to the project.
Oh boy, that was a big chapter I keep writing. I think I'd be here for a while and it looks like Vader has made first contact with the people of Britannia and learns the impact his son has had on the current viceroy.
And it seems Am is a massive fangirl of the Sith Lord. We even get some cameos of wZero Unit in the EU, from Akito the Exiled. At least one of the characters from the Chinese Federation, Zhou Xianglin is a loyal aide to Li Xingke.
And it also seems Julius doesn't want to get Euphie & Merrybell hurt in his crusade against Britannia; it would seem he has a heart of care for them.
Anyway I think that wraps up the chapter see you soon for the next chapter RGGAM out!