Chapter 5

My bad everyone i posted the wrong story earlier tonight. here is the new chapter.

Long wait sorry about that but I was having a lot of trouble with this chapter and had to give up on it for awhile and step back. With that said I am not feeling that confident about it. I hope in the next chapter to get more into the meat so to speak. Get some action know what I mean but we will see what happens.

Now for the Q&A.

Harshgargckt that is a good idea. Perhaps next chapter I will add something like that.

ChunkyFunkyMunky perhaps but an eternity is a long long time. He has done something just to pass the time. But there was never any romance there. Just passing the time.

Mr. Q I love his character to and to be honest am thinking of being him in at some point. Most likely on and off like you are taking about.

Well that was the end of Q&A as no one really had any questions or ideas to share. Don't know if that is a good thing or not but whatever. I hope you all enjoy this next chapter and for those of you wondering I will be working on Saints of Marvel V2 and The Saga of House Munsö.

Till next time stay safe everyone.

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-978 BBY Ondruth-

All you need to start the flames of rebellion is to strike a tiny spark then watch others fan it into the flames of revolution. Lelouch thought as he watched on from holoscreen as men inside one of his clubs talked about open rebellion against the current government of Ondruth. It was bound to happen eventually, seeing as the corruption of the governing body was getting worse and worse as the years progressed. Combined with the uncontrollable use of Refrain by a staggering 36 percent of the population and you had a powder keg ready to blow. Or would the moment Lelouch let it get to that stage.

As things stood the people of Ondruth were not ready for an open rebellion just yet. While yes talks like this were happening on an almost weekly basis that is all they were, talks. Held mostly by people who had no idea on how to go about starting a rebellion. As was shown by how they at first protested peacefully outside the main government building. Now don't get him wrong Lelouch honestly believed in peaceful protest over violent uprising despite what his past. But when a government as corrupt as the one on Ondruth was in power and showed on multiple occasions having no problems using violence to suppress insurrection then the time for peaceful talks was long sense over. However, the people of Ondruth were not ready to go to war just yet.

Part of that could be blamed on him as while the government was failing the economy in many parts of the planet was doing relatively well. Now owning either directly or indirectly up to 51 percent of the planet's business, Lelouch had done well in bringing wealth back to the masses. Even if that weren't really his goal it could not be denied that thanks to his Dumb AI's he had built up a substantial fortune. That he in turned put back into the economy, resulting in an improvement of people's day-to-day living conditions. Needless to say, the success he was having was unbelievable for most as the turnaround in the economy seemed like a dream come true. It was sadly a dream most didn't get to share in, however.

While Lelouch's business did makeup a lot of this world's economy little of the tax revenue generated found its way back into the public domains and there was only so much he could do on his own. Kouzuki Arms and Armor for example now brought in a total of 1.6 billion credits monthly as their Titanium C light armor sold almost as quickly as they could make it. Something that was not a surprise as out here on the Outer Rim good armor was only second to a good blaster. Mercenaries, bounty hunters, and all matter of scum were coming to Kouzuki Arms and Armor to buy its wears. At the rate business was going Lelouch would have to open back up many of the industrial complexes and mines to fill the orders.

That was for later however as it was not lost on Lelouch that arming such scum would prove problematic down the line. Already Lelouch was seeing reports of the numerous groups who could afford his armor growing bold. Attacking shipping near indiscriminately as the armor proved its worth. Some pirates were even getting the idea of putting a light amount of Titanium C armor on the most vulnerable parts of their ships to give them an edge. Seeing as if you overlapped just enough of it, it could take a few blasts from ship's laser cannons before buckling.

Not that it was a problem for him per say. With the backing of his Hutt friends, most criminals were smart enough not to try anything. As for those few who were not, well it was safe to say his own personal force was far better equipped both in terms of armor and weaponry. Despite his ongoing problems with making an efficient blaster of his own. As it stood his personal guard was comprised mostly of gangsters and of course Xel's Mandalorian clan. Though to call Xel's clan his personal guard would be a bit of a stretch. Sure, at this point she and her fellow Mandalorians more or less worked strictly for him the women had made it abundantly clear that he was not her leader.

"Ah the Mandalorians, such a unique people. They remind me of the samurai a bit. What do you think Tohdoh." Lelouch asks his onetime ally and one of the few people to have seen though the Zero Requiem from the start.

"That they are Lord Lelouch. While their obsessiveness with needless warfare is a mark against them their code of honor is something to be admired." Kyoshiro Tohdoh says to Lelouch.

While his personal feelings on Lelouch were mixed to say the least Tohdoh held no small amount of respect for the immortal demon. After all, despite his methods Lelouch had brought about an age of peace that lasted well past his own lifetime and those of his children's children. And while it could never wipe away the blood that covered the demon's body, especially after he was forced to come out of hiding Tohdoh made it a point to give council when asked. Since his own personal honor would not let him do nothing less.

"That it is, sadly like all things people have a habit of twisting such things to suit their own needs and desires." Lelouch says to the old general. Not that he was one to judge mind you as he had done the same thing countless times over his long life.

"True but Xel seems to follow the Way as they call it with little compromise. Though she is clearly not a full believer in their Creed." Tohdoh says having watch the women through Lelouch.

She was uncompromising and stood her ground no matter what came when she gave her word. But showed on more than one occasion her willingness to do questionable things that would stain her honor if it were for the sake of her clan. A clan that had been on the rise among the Mandalorians since she started to work for Lelouch. Even now more and more Mandalorians came to the planet seeking to join with her clan as word got out about her growing power. There were some who even thought she was looking to become Mand'alor. Though from what Tohdoh had observed that was not the case as while Xel had the will to take the title she lacked the drive. Her goal was smaller and much more achievable anyway.

"That she is not but then she is too practical to be so. Like her people's ability to adapt in warfare, she adapts to any given situation. If I were to become a ruler again, she would be someone I would seek to join my army and most likely lead it." Lelouch says.

"Agreed but tell me Lord Lelouch what is your next move. Your inciting a revolution within your own companies is starting to bear fruit but as things stand any open rebellion will only meet with failure. With their lack of any real leadership, they are little more than an unruly mob." Tohdoh says to Lelouch.

"I know but there is little to be done about it right now. If history has taught us anything it is more often than not revolutions are led by the aristocracy. As the low-class often do not have the education or vision to lead successful rebellions and what comes after." Lelouch says to Tohdoh who can't help but agree.

While the aristocracy was always the ones responsible for the unrest in any given government it was also, they who had to fix it. As they had both the money, political power and military might to see it done. Though what Lelouch didn't say was that those same people often turned into dictators who ruled through fear and bloodshed. Lelouch's own rule when he came out of hiding was much the same way for a period of time. As he used both fear and mass genocide without hesitation to bring the human race to heel. A sadly necessary action as freaky without the complete destruction of Earth and its 10.5 billion population the war they had started may not have ended without even bigger casualties. By the time, the war was nearly over, over 30 billion people on both sides had already died. What was another 10.5 billon lives to stop 10's of billions more from dying? Sadly, the answer was realistically a small price to pay. Yet even knowing that it still saddened Tohdoh to know his belove Japan was gone forever.

What followed afterwards was a time of heavy bloodshed, oppression, and loss of rights that the human race took for granted before they started their ill-advised war. It would take around two hundred years for Lelouch to slowly start to reinstate some of those rights, but it went without saying the time of peace following the Zero Requiem never returned. As both humans and their alien counterparts never truly got along. With xenophobia being a constant problem had to be constantly dealt with. Often in the most violent ways possible any hope for a peaceful Galaxy was nothing more than a dream. Lelouch had been able to keep a somewhat stable peace for a long time but as he had feared the moment Lelouch was gone from the Galaxy it all fell apart.

"Do you have someone in mind Lord Lelouch?" Tohdoh asks.

"I do but he is not ready yet, but he is already making waves in the political arena of this planet. All he needs is some unexpected allies and something to light the spark of rebellion in his heart." Lelouch says as he thinks about the puppet, he will use to overthrow the ruling aristocracy.

Well puppet was not the right word for Count Zemed Nouldi. The young man was so much more than that. While a political idealist and instigator he was not yet a rebellious figure who people would rally behind. But coming from one of the few noble families who held both individual wealth and political power, he was not that far away from being that person. As he, like many nobles and commoners where sick of the crime lords holding such powerful sway over their planet. Add in the heavy drug use by a vast amount of the population and you had a revolutionary in the making. The only thing that was holding him back was there were no laws on the use or selling of Refrain. That and he was the head of one noble house who still held some power. The rest wouldn't support him as they made too much money from the crime lords and still lived in the lap of luxury. Even if they were little more than puppets themselves most of them didn't care.

That was going to change soon, however Lelouch thought as he walked towards a couch and took a seat before turning on Galaxy News. The leading news network of the Republic or so they calmed. Really, they were like any other free press news network that had ever existed. They put on whatever their shareholders wanted and lied about pretty much anything so long as it got people watching. With that said they were one of the biggest networks out there and reached all the way to the Outer Rim and covered the most important Senate meetings. Such as the one taking place right now.

As Lelouch had predicted, the time when selling Refrain somewhat legally was about to come to an end. Once it broke through into the Mid Rim and Core worlds it would be living on borrowed time. And while it was far from being widely spread someone had the bright idea to use it on a Jedi they happened to have captured. Who that fool was Lelouch had no idea but whatever had happened to said Jedi saw the Senate move quickly to vote for the passing of a bill that would see the making, sell and distribution of Refrain illegal galaxy wide. A bill that was going to pass with ease since the Jedi still held a considerable amount of sway over the Senate as a whole.

Not that it would do them any good passing such a law because Lelouch could easily keep them in the dark for some time. His dumb AI's that now numbered at 6 not counting the one he gave to Moorzaggom could easily hack into any number of systems without leaving Ondruth. Then there were the number of false bases Moorrzaggom and Uvisk had set up. By the time the Jedi found that the distribution was on Ondruth or if they found out it would be too late. As refrain would have played its part by then and the real show would have already begun. All that was needed was for Zannah to return with Shanti. Something he knew would be soon as Darth Bane had told him as much once he passed away.

Yes, that was another thing, it would seem that Zannah had finally killed her master. From what little Lelouch had been able to learn of the Sith it was almost given that it would happen sooner or later. As they had a habit of betraying each other on a regular basis. Though in her defense Bane did share a bit about the rule of two with Lelouch. It was a line of thinking that Lelouch quickly dismissed as stupid and idiotic. As from what Lelouch had learned greed was a hall mark of the Sith. While Bane never did it Lelouch was sure that either Zannah or someone down the line would hold back certain knowledge in a bid to hold power for as long as possible. Weaking the Sith as a whole at some point.

Well, no matter, so long as she bought Shanti to him, he wouldn't have to end their little order. Something he was more than capable of doing if he so wished. An eternity was a long time and whether it was her or someone down the line he could hunt them all down. But he doubted it would come to that as while Bane said she was already showing signs of her intelligence he didn't know they had no idea what they had. If they did, they most likely wouldn't be so willing to trade her for the what holocron he had.

-Elsewhere-

"I said don't touch that you little shit stain." Darth Cognus says right as the ship she and her master was on fell violently fell out of hyperspace. Resulting in her being thrown back into a wall when she tried to stop said little shit stain from touching the hyperdrive.

Hearing a giggle coming from the child after she hits the wall Cognus growls in anger and feels the Darkside of the force answer her call. But right when she was about to lash out at the little girl before her, she felt herself lifted and pinned against the ship's roof unable to breathe.

"Cognus what is going on here?" The calm dark voice of her master calls out to her.

"M….master I…. that is…." Feeling her breathing being restricted even more she is unable to say more.

"What have I told you about controlling your anger my apprentice. Especially around such precious cargo?" Zannah says walking into the engine room her own anger having almost reached its own boiling point.

Ever since her former master and her had found the little Poodoo and she had killed him it had been one annoy disaster after the next. It was clear from the get-go that this child, whatever her name was, was different from other children. Now different well you only had to look at what she had been able to do so far to understand how she was different. While the girl didn't have a drop of Force potential inside her she was still chaos given form or at least that was how Zannah saw the child. Behind those bored stoic eyes laid a monster the likes of which Zannah had never seen.

Letting go of her grip on her apprentice, Zannah asks, "I thought I told you to put her in the containment field."

Trying to catch her breath after her master had punished her Darth Cognus says, "I did master but the little monster still got loose. I am not sure how."

Levitating the little monster off the floor Zannah looks into those stoic eyes. When they found the child, she was in an orphanage her parents having died in some accident just months after her birth. Be unlike normal children, the child was unusually intelligent, having been taking apart her toys and putting them back together the moment she got her hands on them. Strange and unusual sure but something Zannah had dismissed as nothing to worry about. What she hadn't considered was that the only reason the little girl was only taking apart her toys was because couldn't get her hands on anything else. The moment she was on board the ship, however, it was a different story.

On the first day the little monster was on the ship she had somehow found a way to hack into the computer system using only a datapad, a couple of electrical cords and bonding tape. How she did its Zannah had no clue but for a moment the little monster had complete control of the ship. And what did she do when she took over, she turned off the artificial gravity in the ship and started to play some force forsaken music that Zannah wouldn't wish on her worse enemies. Lucky that whatever the little monster did was easily fixed or so she thought. It would seem the child had done a lot more than simply take over the ship for a short amount of time to play some music and annoy them. It would seem she has also rewritten some codes in the software. As it was the only way to explain how she got out of the ship's containment field.

The child's ability was honestly astounding if not a bit scary. It even made her think twice about keeping the girl instead of bringing her to Lelouch who no doubt knew about her intellect. Now he knew about it was unknown to her, but it did confirm her suspicions that there was more to his power then what he had shown. And that was worrying as she already knew he could give out powers that were strong enough to slip past a force user's mental defenses. Now it seemed he could also predict when prodigies were going to be born. It begged the question what was the limit of his powers or did they even have one.

Yet while Zannah was wondering about this and questioning the usefulness of the child, she in turn was also questioned. Or perhaps it was best to say she was being studied by the child she currently had floating in the air. It had been four years, four very long years since Shanti had been born into this time period and she had to say that till recently she wasn't enjoying herself. Being self-aware at one years old, she was a genius so surrounded by idiots who also unfortunately knew she was wrong with her. Like a piece or in this case several pieces of puzzle were missing. Thankfully her memories had started to come back the moment she turned four and it all started too together. Only bits and pieces at first but as slow those gaps were being filled. Yet even with the return of those memories and knowing there were still pieces missing she knew that she had no knowledge of the type of people before her. Which made them interesting and new and if it was new it needed to be studied in great detail.

Which was exactly what she was doing. On the surface their unique abilities resembled geass or an evolved version of geass. But after some studying, she quickly dismissed that thought. As while they resembled geass their power source was completely different. Geass worked by tapping into the power of the collective unconsciousness or the power of God. The very creator of the universe and that which held reality together. These people, however, used something else. What it was she couldn't say but they called it the Force. And it worked by manipulating and channeling their emotions to drew forth power from somewhere else. Power they could then use in a number of ways. Just from what little she had witnessed they could pull and push objects away from themselves. Choke someone without touching them, levitating an object or person and most interesting of all shoot a type of lightning from their fingers. Just going by the variety of things they could do, this power of theirs was superior to geass.

Only after forwarder observation did she realize they were more evenly matched than they first appeared. As geass use was more specialized than these Force users. And like with geass it had its own weakness. That being their emotions. Over the last couple of weeks, she had been traveling with them, she had overhead them speaking about the source of their power and now it worked. Now she couldn't pretend to understand what this dark side was or the Force without forwarder studying, but she understood enough to start running tests. Without their consent or permission of course. Knowing that they mostly used negative emotions such as fear, anger and hate made her tests remarkably easy to run. All she had to do was manipulate events in an effort to make them angry and see what happened. Everything from crying in the middle of the night, to screaming her lungs out, to hacking the ship, and even stealing their little light swords and taking them apart when they were not looking. If she thought, it would gain a reaction out of them she did it.

Of course, there was an inhalant risk to doing this as while she was 70 percent sure they wouldn't harm or kill her there was always a possibility they would. But in the name of science Shanti felt it was worth the risk. As she was learning so much from them and the limit of their abilities. It was all about control something the young women among them lacked and the older one didn't. The older women still showed signs of what could be called random outbursts of rage do to her actions but were in truth calculated releases of emotions. Mostly at the expense of her so-called apprentice. It was quite fun to watch honestly. In fact, it was the most fun Shanti had in a long time and made her wonder why she didn't agree to being born again sooner.

Sadly, the fun would had to stop as while they clearly didn't suspect she was doing these things on purpose the older women was smart enough to put it all together sooner or later. Plus, they were about to reach their destination. Which meant she would have to start thinking of more important things than their silly little powers. If there was one regret, she had from her previous life it was that Shanti never got to build a truly functional spaceship. Oh, sure her own work in the field of Kightmare Frame Development had led to a number of breakthroughs that would put man into space. But as far as actual interstellar space travel, she never got the chance.

So, she was truly excited to get started, as while the ship she was on was impressive its software left a lot to be desired. Her Frame Coat system was more advanced in some ways there this ship's software and those were nothing more than a childish design she made on a whim. If she took the basic software of the Frame Coat and updated, it to work with the system the ship currently had it would improve its performance by at least 15 percent. Just thinking of what she could do had her nearly giddy with excitement.

-Back on Ondruth-

If there was one thing that Xel hated more than waiting, it was being at the beck and call of her employer Lelouch. Granted being at his beck and call had massively improved her clan's position among the Mandalorian clans. It was just sometimes she didn't feel free to make her own choices anymore. More often than not she had started to look at things by not how it befitted her clan but how it befitted Lelouch. Who, while instrumental in their rise in prominence, was tied too closely to her clan for her liking. So close were they tied in fact that without Lelouch her clan would more than likely fall back into the mud of obscurely that it had just gotten itself out of. While Lelouch himself would only suffer a minor setback without them at most.

It was a lopsided relationship to be sure, but she was no fool and understood that the Galaxy was an unfair place. Still, she wanted to rectify the situation before he made his big play. Getting out from under him at this point wouldn't serve her clan's best interest at this point. But she could perhaps move them in to a position that made them more equal than the subservient role they currently held. Right now, to most it may not have seemed that way, but time would make it clear who was the master and who was the servant. A position no Mandalorian would accept, and many would fight against. It would be a great fight to be sure but a futile one that wouldn't be remembered for long. And while she didn't fear death or the thought of a hopeless battle, she didn't wish to see her clan end due to a miss calculation on her or anyone else's part. With that thought in please she knew she would have to continue playing the loyal dog.

Still, while she hated playing the loyal dog, she could not deny that what he has accomplished on this world was impressive. While still little more than a criminal backwater planet it was now alive or parts of it were at least. As his businesses had injected no small number of credits into the local economy. Anywhere you went and saw the Kōzuki Arms and Armor symbol you knew you were in a safe zone. Seeing as after the gang wars and the absolute destruction of all the local gangs that didn't fall in line it was understood that you didn't fuck with Lelouch's property.

A perfect example of this was right here on the Spaceport she stood at. It was no secret that Kozuki Arms and Armor now owned upwards to about 20 percent of all Spaceports on planet. What wasn't was that the real number was closer to 70 percent if not more. Making the spaceports and the areas around them some of the safest locations on the planet. With its automatic laser turrets, control my some of Lelouch's Dumb AI's and combination of Mandalorian and Lelouch's own personal guards, they were just not the type of places you hit. Unless you had heavy fire power and armor that could beat Titanium B and A armor. Which most didn't and couldn't hope to afford.

Hearing the sounds of a ship coming down for a landing on the of the private dock she was waiting at Xel watches as the black ship she had been expecting came in for a landing. According to Lelouch the ship held very important cargo, and she was to secure it by any means necessary. If that meant killing the people who were bringing the cargo in, then so be it. So long as the cargo itself was unharmed he didn't care what it took to retrieve it.

On board the ship Zannah and her apprentice were already on guard and had been from the moment they had entered the system. As the force had warned them that they were entering a precarious situation. And while they were not in immediate danger it was telling them that they should stay on guard and be ready to run. Not fight but run and looking outside the ship they could understand why. As a line of battle hardened and highly equipped Mandalorians were waiting for them. It was not a welcome site as just by the way they stood Zannah could tell they all more than likely had experience fighting force sensitives or had extensive training on how to do so. For a moment but only a moment she thought that Lelouch was perhaps planning to betray her. Yet dismissed it just as quickly seeing as the Force only gave off the same feeling she felt when she first met the man.

When the ship was done lading, she quicky moved to the bay doors and step out onto the ramp. Then made her way towards the closest Mandalorian who she guessed was the one in command, "I presume Lord Lelouch sent you?"

"He did. Do you have the cargo?" The Mandalorain in front of her asks in a no nonsense voice.

"I do, do you have our payment?" Zannah asks in turn.

"Frist the cargo then the payment." Xel says in a hard voice that beg no argument.

Zannah could feel the anger of her apprentice rising and in truth her own was to. After weeks of traveling with the little monster her patience had been pushed to the limit. However, she was able to keep her temper as it would do no good to strike out now. "Very well."

Pressing a few buttons on a wrist computer the ships hatch opens again and walks out the little girl that she was requested to bring to Lelouch. Walking down from the ship Shanti makes her way towards them while looking around in curiosity. It was after all only the second time she had been to a spaceport and unlike the last time she got to enjoy seeing the sites. Seeing as that women Zannah was busy betraying her master and killing him. She had much better things to look at.

When she reaches the group of armed guards the lead one bends down and runs a medical scanner over her. Finding nothing wrong she stands back up and motions for of men to step forward with the case holding their payment. Opening it up the Mandalorains let the two Sith see the holocron inside. Even before the case was opened both Darth Zannah and her apprentice could feel the power held with in but upon opening the case, they could truly feel its power. It seeped with the power of the Dark Side of the Force and was old very old. A part of Zannah, a huge part in fact wanted to activate the halocorn now and find out who was inside but controlled herself and waited.

Closing the case after looking at the holocron for a bit longer Zannah looks up with an unreadable expression on her face. Then takes the case from the hands of the Mandalorain before her. To which Xel says, "Can I assume you find your payment acceptable?"

"Yes, tell your employer that this will do. As well as that I will be staying on planet for some time and if he has any leads on where others like it could be found I would like to be informed." Zannah says.

"Very well have a good day, Lady Zannah." Xel says then looks down. "Let us be on our way Miss Shanti we have a hovercar waiting to take you to meet Lord Lelouch."

Nodding her head at this Shanti simply follows with that same bored look on her face she normally has on. While behind her Zannah wonders why they called her Shanti. Seeing as that wasn't her name but then quickly put such questions out of her mind. Too many things were not adding up about Lelouch, things that she could find out about on a later date. For now, she had more important things to do. Like finding out who's Holocrons this was.

So, taking it back inside the ship Zannah headed into the small meditation chamber that was built inside the ship along with her apprentice and uses the force to active it.

An image flickers on and a dark gray skinned man with a breathing mask on his face appears, "Greeting fellow Sith I am Darth Malgus.

-Sometime later-

Deep inside one of the hidden research bases of Kōzuki Arms and Armor Lelouch stands behind a little girl who was currently going over some designs put forward by his scientist. "So, what do you think Shanti?"

Not taking her eyes off the designs before her Shanti answers in a bored tone, "In a few words Lelouch, this is perhaps the saddest excuse for a tank design I have ever seen."

Letting out a sigh Lelouch says, "I thought as much."

During his long life he had ample time to learn about the basics of engineering. And while not on the leave of someone like Shanti even he could see the flaws in the designs his so-called weapons experts had put before him. He just didn't bother to correct them on the flaws seeing as the import thing was to have something ready by the time of the rebellion. It didn't matter if it was any good or not. Though he would prefer to have something better than what was currently available by way of military surplus.

"May I ask why you are even bothering with building a tank in the first place Lelouch? Even with you limited resources you should be able to build a fully functional Kightmare up to the Sixth Generation." Shanti asks as she starts to erase what she thought was completely useless in the tank design before improving it with her own ideas.

"True I could but even the Glasgow would be to advance for the current level of military technology of this time. Even if I cut corners and removed a few features the machine would still be quicker and faster than anything currently available on the market. As it stands, I am a small-time businessman on the very edge of the Republic. Unimportant and easily forgotten about. If I suddenly started producing machines like the Kightmares I would quickly find myself the center of attention that I don't want. At least not till all other objectives have been met." Lelouch says to her.

Having already shared some of his plans with her Shanti just nods her head and says, "Very well, then I will just rework this design to be slightly more advanced than what is currently out there. It shouldn't be too hard to do. A few minor adjustments here and there and a new OS system and the tank will be superior to anything on the market. Which reminds me you have replaced the software running your systems right?"

"I have," Lelouch answers.

"Good, I can't believe how horrible the OS system of that ship I was on was. Have they not even heard of antivirus software? Even with pieces of my memories still missing it took me a few seconds to hack into that ship and upload malware. Then hide said malware inside their core processing unit while leaving obvious codes on how I took control of the ship for a short amount of time." Shanti asks.

"Yes, well that was one of the things I noticed as well. I think it has to do with their over dependence on simple minded one functional droid to run their systems." Lelouch comments.

"Have you run a test yet to see how far the Dumb AIs could get into their systems." Shanti asks.

"I did, it took 38 hours for my slowest Dumb AI to reach the capital of the Republic before it was finally detected by one of their droids and deleted. If it had been Cortana, even at her worst would have gotten through in than 10 hours. At her height she could have crashed all the systems in the Republic in seconds." Lelouch tells her.

"I have no doubt. Before I died Cortana was just a thought. Something me and a bunch of scientists had thought up and written down on a piece of paper. I was happy to know that those were eventually materialized into an actual functioning Smart AI." Shanti says while thinking of the past before she died.

While super computers were nothing new during her time the belief that you could take a system and actually give it a full range of emotions and the ability to sympathize with human emotion was the thing of fantasies. Knowing that she was made and even meeting Cortana after she gained a soul after she had passed away was perhaps the happiest moment in her collective memories. Perhaps that was why she was the first thing she remembered when her memories started to come back.

"Oh, and before I forget I have taken the liberty of giving you main Dumb AI access to the backdoors I created while on board that ship. Sith, such interesting people." Shanti adds as an afterthought.

"That they are Shanti. Powerful no doubt in their ways but conveniently easy to manipulate." Lelouch says to her.

"Careful Lelouch, while the younger one is fairly stupid and rambunctious, I think that has more to do with this Force they kept speaking about. The blonde women on the other had is smart. Not you smart or me for that matter but she is no fool. Try and manipulate her too often and she will strike back." Shanti says to him.

Thinking about this for a moment Lelouch says back, "Agreed but their obsession with power makes them fairly easy to predict. So long as they believe I am of use to them the easier it will be to use them for my own amusement."

Looking up at Lelouch with a confused expression Shanti asks, "Don't you mean benefit?"

"No amusement is the right word. After all I don't actually need them to accomplish my objectives." Lelouch says then starts to walk out of the room. "Anyways have fun with your new toys. Keep me informed of any progress of note."

"Not a problem Lelouch. See you later." Shanti says then happily gets back to work.