Jedi Knights of Justice
"We have now arrived with the objective of beginning our mission. Are preparations done on your end Kingsley?" Shin said as Julius was listening though his holoprojector, while Durge and Jean were next to Shin.
"I'm about to deploy the troops into action. Once you do your part of the mission. May fortune favour you Julius out."
Once he turned his holo projector off Julius sees an army of troopers all mumbling to each other about why they've assembled here today.
"Units line up!" Shouted Julius as the Regime troopers, each in uniform, all snapped into line while holding their respected weapons at attention.
Julius then addressed those assembled before him as he walked down the middle.
"You have been assigned to this mission by the Royal Regime's Leaders. This mission against our everlasting one true enemy Britannia! Now some of you may survive and live to fight another day; the rest will perish in a blaze of glory."
Julius then said as he looked at them "Scratch that NONE of you will survive to see tomorrow but don't let get in your way if you fall in battle do it with honour."
He then shrugs, "Or don't bother coming back here UNDERSTAND!?" His last words echoed as the Matrix, Pyro, Executioner and Glide Packers all shouted with voices hidden by the loading of weapons.
"YES LORD JULIUS! TO VICTORY!" As the troops marched, Julius then looked at the Regime officer.
"You get their ships ready for take off, we leave for the battlefield now!"
"Yes sir!" The officer nodded to the higher up.
The ramp of the Ghost lowered thus allowing Han, Asami and Lop to bring Ohgi, Kallen, Tamaki, Minami, Inoue, Sugiyama, and Yoshida inside.
"Whoa!"
"What the heck is all this?" Tamaki said.
"Please step right in and don't be shy now." Han said.
"Where are we?" Ohgi said as he and his friends stepped into the lounge of the Ghost.
"You like what you see?" They turned and widened their eyes to see Zero by the dejarik board with Leia, Luke, Chewbacca, and Artoo nearby.
"Zero!" Kallen said. "Leia," Ohgi said.
"Skywalker!" The others exclaimed.
"So what is this place?" Tamaki asked.
"Welcome aboard a real life starship." Said Luke as he dropped the bombshell "A ship?" Minami said.
"A modified VCX-100 light freighter, called the Ghost," Han said.
"The Ghost?" Kallen said.
"From now on…" Leia said as she stood up. "This is where we will meet and plan."
Asami then said to the group "This will be our headquarters. That is until we establish a proper base."
"No kidding…" Inoue said in awe.
"This is nothing like Asami and Lop's ship. This," Sugiyama said as he waved his arms around, "this is next level!". They were all standing inside a spaceship. Literally standing inside a spaceship.
"Is that graffiti on the walls?" Yoshida murmured as he looked at the numerous paintings on the metal walls. He looked to see multiple stormtrooper heads in rows, and not far was a golden-firebird.
"So, this is your ship?" Ohgi said.
"Actually, it's my ship," Hera said as she stepped in, revealing herself. "Solo forgot to elaborate on that?"
"Whoa!" The Kozuki Resistance looked shocked by Hera's Twi'lek appearance.
"Who are you?" Kallen questioned.
"Your face is green!" Tamaki pointed out. "And... What's wrong with your hair?!"
"I beg your pardon?" Hera was offended by that.
"There a problem?" Zeb muttered as he stepped out and revealed himself.
"WHAT THE HECK!" The Kozuki members baulked again at the sight of Zeb's hulking appearance.
"Whoa, he's huge!" Minami said "Another big guy…" Inoue said.
"He can speak?" Yoshida stuttered in shock to hear that. "Ugh…He's a lot uglier than the furry guy!" Tamaki said.
"What?!" Zeb gritted his teeth, and he began walking menacingly towards Tamaki. "What was that?! Say it to my face!"
"Zeb, calm down!" Sabine said, as the rest of the Ghost Crew and Lando entered the lounge.
"What the…?" Kallen looked confused.
"We're not here to start a quarrel," Kallus said.
"Yeah don't waste your rage on that nobody!" Said Lando, nodding his head towards Tamaki, who scoffed at being called that.
Rex and Hera took off their helmets as Luke said "Take it easy there they're with us, this is Commander Rex, veteran soldier and once a servant of the Republic."
"The Republic?" Ohgi said, almost in awe.
"And you are?" Kallen asked the unmasked Sabine.
"Sabine Wren, The daughter of Clan Wren. Nice to meet you."
"Right…" Kallen said, ready to extend her hand. "My name's…"
"Pleased to meet you!" Tamaki bumped in between Kallen and Sabine, looking at the slender Mandolorian woman with hearts in his eyes. He quickly took her hand to shake it.
"Name's Shinichiro Tamaki, but you can call me Tamaki. I'm the second-in-command of the resistance, and just so you know I-YEOH!"
Tamaki was forced away from Sabine when Inoue grabbed the hothead by the ear. "Are you really trying to embarrass us?!"
"Ow! C'mon!" Tamaki pouted in pain while Lando laughed.
Chopper then came rolling in. "Whoa! Another robot!" Sugiyama said.
"This one's orange instead of blue," Yoshida said.
Chopper beeped. "I don't know what he just said?" Minami said.
"He said it's a pleasure to meet you all," AP-5 said as he stepped forward, surprising the men.
"Whoa! Is that, are you a cyborg?" Sugiyama asked.
"I am an RA-7 protocol droid," The protocol droid said. "I am called AP-5."
"Oh, good, at least you can speak our language," Yoshida said. "Let's all start over," Luke said, and everyone's attention became focused on him and Zero. "Let's start by introducing each other."
Han nodded and said as he pointed to Lando "This is Lando Calrasian. Like me he's a smuggler. He is also ruler of Cloud city. That's where we're from."
Lando chuckled and said with a smile."Thank you Han, it's a pleasure to meet this little rebel group that's friends with Zero." Inoue and Kallen smiled as if he was very friendly while Oghi and Tamaki just glared at Lando as if jealous of the man.
Leia then said "And this is Phoenix Squadron…" she gestured at Hera. "Led by General Hera Syndulla."
"General?" Ohgi widened his eyes at Hera. "You're a General?"
"And you must be Kaname Ohgi. I heard you are the leader of this resistance branch," Hera smiled. "It's nice to meet you."
"Uh… of you people…" Kallen said. "Are... you friends with Zero and Skywalker?"
"These men and women are members of the Rebel Alliance that exists beyond the stars," Zero said. "They crossed light years to join our battle here."
"What?! You're serious!"
"This ship here is General Syndulla's personal freighter, and it has seen a lot of action," Han said.
Lando then said "And I've been a small guest onboard this ship. She's not like the Falcon but she's got taste, that's for sure."
"Until we can find a suitable base of operations…" Leia said. "This ship, which is one of the very first to spark the flames of rebellion, will be our headquarters."
The Kozuki members looked in shock and observed again the metal hull of the ship they were in. Simultaneously they all muttered.
"Seriously?!"
"This will be our base?"
"A spaceship?"
"I always dreamed of being on a spaceship!"
"Anybody other than me noticing how a lot of people are fitting in this small room?" Kallen asked nervously.
"Are you guys sure?" Ohgi said to Zero, Luke, and Leia. "Bringing our group in with yours?"
"You wouldn't be here if we weren't so sure," Zero said.
"If we are going to take the fight to Britannia then we need all the help we can get." Leia said.
"You got a TV in here?!" Minami said in awe to no one in particular, staring at the plasma screen hung up on the wall.
"Zero said on this planet you have plasma screens to watch broadcasts instead of holo's," AP-5 said. "We decided to accommodate our new comrades."
"Cool. And it's even a good 60-inch one…" Minami said as he picked up the remote and turned on the tv.
"How are things looking on the scene?"
"Huh?" Minami, Zeb, Sugiyama, Yoshida, Dak, and several others looked confused
"What's going on?" Sabine said.
"I'm here in front of Lake Kawaguchi Convention Center Hotel," The news lady said. "The hotel jackers have identified themselves as the Japan Liberation Front."
"Japan Liberation Front?" Zeb said, confused.
"Members of the Sakuradite Allocation Meeting, most notably Chairman James, were taken hostage as well as several tourists and hotel employees." The screen showed footage taken by the hotel-jackers to show all the hostages surrounded by armed men all stored in a meat-locker with hands above their heads. "This footage was taken by the perpetrators, in it you can clearly see Chairman James and even some students."
Zero looked in surprise, as did Kallen as they recognized the faces of Shirley, Rai, Milly, and Nina among the console. "From the Student Council?" Kallen thought. Even Luke looked in surprise.
JLF Headquarters
Tohdoh and several of his comrades watched the broadcast as well and were not pleased at all.
"The leader of the group claims to be Lieutenant Colonel Kusakabe and Atsushi Sawazaki of the new debunked Japanese Military…"
Tohdoh slammed his fist on the ground. "Those imbeciles!"
On the Scene
Am boarded her personal transport along with several soldiers. Even Suzaku and the Special Corps had gathered around the hotel as Diethard Ried's news unit continued to broadcast. The news report lifted her microphone and continued to relay the scene to her audience.
"Sakuradite, an essential component in the manufacture of high-temperature superconductors, is a vital strategic resource that directly affects world security. Area 11 is the largest producer of this material, providing 70% of the worlds' total supply. Here at the yearly national meeting of Sakuradite producers, it will be determined how this resource will be disturbed among the world's nations…"
Cornelia was watching from her hospital bed. Anger swept over the entire body, then came the feeling of helplessness.
Inside the hotel lobby a large man stood and shouted.
"I'm Kusakabe of the Japan Liberation Front!" He exclaimed to his gathered hostages. "This stand we're taking is for the freedom of the countrymen of JAPAN! Even though you are not soldiers, you are still Britannians! You are the ones who rule and oppress us! Sit still and be quiet! If you don't…" Kusakabe let the threat sit in the air.
Rai glared at him. Despite what this man said, he could tell that he really acted no different from the Britannian royal family, particularly the Emperor. Next to him, Shirley looked down as her eyes darted around with fear. Rai put a comforting hand on her shoulder, silently telling her that everything will be fine.
"Taking hostages is disgraceful." Asami said completely disliking what JLF has done.
"Well they're easily the biggest Anti-Britannian force in Japan, and now they're pride's hurt." Ohgi stated, though his tone indicated he wasn't too happy with the action himself.
"Probably because we've been doing the most damage to Britannia recently, and we're just a new group to everyone." Said Han trying to show his maturity, but his frustration spilled over in his stance.
Lop then said "Shouldn't we be working together to fight the common enemy in front of us?"
Oghi then said "It's not that simple Lop. Some of those people are actual terrorists. Terrorists who have tried to hurt innocent people; Britannia just chooses to lop us all in together with them."
"I really don't know whether to feel happy or sad about this, because they're all gonna end up dead." One rebel stated with little emotion in his voice.
Asami glanced over to Kallen who said nothing, but her eyes radiated worry. She actually did come to care about some of her classmates in the Student Council, despite the fact that they were Britannians themselves.
Luke could feel the same emotions coming from Lelouch, even though his features were hidden behind the mask. He too was worried; those were his friends in there, not to mention Rai. Despite the fact they have been unable to help him regain his memory, Nunnally had already grown quite attached to him; if he got hurt, she'd be devastated.
Zero felt a buzz in his pocket and took out his phone to see Rivalz was calling him. He glanced at Luke who nodded that he should take the call as Zero stepped out of the Ghost.
"Hello?"
"Lelouch! Are you near a TV?!" Rivalz frantically exclaimed over the other line, fortunately no one else heard him.
"Yeah, I'm seeing it right now."
"Oh man. Those guys got the Prez, Shirley, Nina, even Rai! What are we gonna do?!"
"Rivalz, calm down." Lelouch tried to urge him. "Calm down?! Our friends have been kidnapped by terrorists!? How can I be calm?!"
"Panicking is not going to help them." Lelouch said in a strict-yet-calm tone. "As much as I hate to admit it, there isn't anything we can do. The military is there, so all we can do is have faith and hope everyone will be safe."
Rivalz seemed to calm down before speaking again. "Okay you're right I… I'm sorry I snapped at you."
"Don't worry about it." Lelouch told him. "I gotta go. Talk to you later." Lelouch hung up. As his helmet closed his face was completely riddled with fear and worry.
The Deveastor
"This is disgraceful ! Even in another galaxy, rebellions are here; on this planet!" Ciena spat out the words in disgust.
"But regardless, we have learned more information about this planet than I thought." Piett said right as a black R2 unit left the scene after collating the information from the probe droids scattered over Earth.
"We have learned that this planet has its own Empire known as the Holy Empire of Britannia!" Enric Pyrde explained.
"How ridiculous! There's only one Empire. That's ours." Ronadam said before Vader glares at him.
"No one asked about your opinion Admiral." Vader calmly, yet with a veil of threat spoke to his crew, "Tell me about this planet. And about its leaders and how this planet is governed"
Pryde cleared his throat and said. "As my fellow officers and I went through the channels the probe sent us, there have been talks of different sorts of nations. Different names. One talked about tensions between Britannia and a Federation of some sort. And another was how a princess… a second princess still laying siege to another federation they called the Middle-Eastern."
"Princess?" Piett asked.
"Yes." Pryde nodded. "Heirs to perhaps… the leader…" The man did not use the term 'Emperor.' "Whoever rules this Britannia. Even this channel coming from the area this probe droid is currently residing is called: Area 11."
"Area 11?" Darth Vader said.
Pryde had the black R2 unit change the hologram to show a newswoman, who had a news-screen playing beside her to show the smoking ruins of a city.
"If you are just joining us the massacre of Shinjuku was planted by none other our own now currently deceased Third Prince and Ex-Viceroy Clovis—"
"Lord Vader?" Admiral Piett asked, as he and the other officers noticed the dark lord flinch at the mention of that name.
But Vader somehow blocked out the voices trying to reach him only hearing the words from the reporter, and just said. 'Clovis'...
"What exactly is going on here?" Asked Anakin to Padme.
"You have to get me out of here," the woman's pure voice said. "Clovis is—"
"Clovis?!" Anakin's eyes widened instantly at that very name. "What exactly does Clovis have to do with this?!"
"I can't explain it here."
"How could you ever put your trust in a man like Clovis after what he did?!"
Anakin thought back to when Padme had been poisoned. Padme was working under the guise of renewing her friendship with Clovis. In truth he was a serpent working with the enemy, and Padme needed proof. Anakin remembered as his heart was breaking watching Padmae inch towards death, how the serpent had looked at Padme with real concern and tried to find a way to get the antidote from the one who poisoned her.
"Clovis La Britannia!" Vader finally spoke, trying to keep his rage in check. He had hoped to never say the snake's name again. "And You might be right Admiral Piett. I believe the Rebels may seek refuge not with Britannia; but those against it."
"Indeed." Ronnadam agreed. "They are all about disrupting order and security. That is if this Britannia is anything like our glorious empire."
The channel turned to something else, and then there was something that caught Vader's attention.
"Stop right there!" Vader called out, and the R2 unit froze the image. "What is that?" Everyone looked at the frozen footage of soldiers walking alongside some sorts of machinery?
"What is that?" Ronnadam questioned.
"Are those droids?" Piett asked.
"They do very much look like…" Pryde said.
Vader didn't know what the towering machinery were, but the way they looked was more humanised than Imperial weaponry, and the weapons they appeared to have in their hands. It was nothing short of interesting to him.
With a flick of Vader's hand, the R2 unit restarted the feeds, scrolling through channels until Vader raised his index finger.
"The hotel jackers have identified themselves as the Japan Liberation Front. Members of the Sakuradite Allocation Meeting, most notably Chairman James, were taken hostage as well as several tourists and hotel employees." The images showed all the hostages surrounded by armed men all stored in a meat-locker with hands above their heads. "This footage was taken by the perpetrators, in it you can clearly see Chairman James and even some students."
"What's this?" Pyrde asked in surprise at the broadcast.
"Sakuradite, an essential component in the manufacture of high-temperature superconductors, is a vital strategic resource that directly affects world security. Area 11 is the largest producer of this material, providing 70% of the worlds' total supply. Here at the yearly national meeting of Sakuradite producers, it will be determined how this resource will be disturbed among the world's nations…"
"Interesting keep this channel running. I wish to learn more about the situation. Perhaps even Skywalker will emerge from hiding to prevent this tragedy." Vader said to the officers.
"All bridges connecting to the hotel, with the exception of the main one, have been destroyed." One officer reported to Am as she sat in Cornelia's command chair. "Our attempted approaches from the air and water have been unsuccessful. There's only one route left that will allow us to develop a possible hostage-rescue plan."
The main screen projected a three dimensional image of the hotel and the environment around it as her officer continued to report.
"The main utilities tunnel runs directly beneath the convention centre hotel. Basically we would go in through this route, destroy the foundation block, and submerge the hotel. Since the tunnel was built to handle supply deliveries, it should be able to accommodate Sutherlands. Even if the enemy has taken precautions, it should be no problem. They've been using sub-standard weaponry so we should have no problem evading them."
Am nodded.
Just behind the mobile base, Matrix troopers, Glide packers and some Sutherlands slide down into the massive tunnel via a set of tow cables. Once placed quietly into the tunnels, they sped silently on with the intent on completely destroying their enemies.
On large LED screens a pair of JLF soldiers sat watching the tunnels as the enemy troopers turned on their blaster's lights, heads constantly scanning. THE JFL soldiers watched as their enemies piloted what appeared to be a combined-re-model of four Glasgows that supported a massive cannon on top.
"Enemy detected! As expected, they're moving through the underground tunnel!" said the first soldier into his head set.
"Roger that! Raiko, secondary start-up! Both quad-linkage legs locked! Super-Electromagnetic-Shrapnel-Cannon confirmed!" came the reply.
"Super-Electromagnetic-Shrapnel-Cannon FIRE!" The second JLF soldier pulled the trigger, and the massive cannon on-board the unconventional Knightmare Raiko shot a large projectile that broke off and exploded, sending multiple smaller projectiles shooting towards the raiding party. The explosion completely tore apart and destroyed their enemies in an instant. All that remained were the helmets of the regime troopers floating in the water.
Kusakabe and several JLF soldiers saw the result from their occupied room. "One shot! Yes!" One soldier exclaimed enthusiastically, high fiving the man next to him.
"It works!"
"The Raiko was a complete success!"
Kusakabe turned with a smug grin towards his detainees. "What do you think of that, Britannian pigs?!"
Julius shouted in shock. "We just lost contact with the squad! I think they were wiped out."
"Wiped out?!" Darlton questioned in surprise.
"It looks as though they modified several Glasgows into a linear cannon!" One officer reported.
"Then there's no way we can break through!" Shouted a woman watching her screen.
"What do we do now?! If we release the political prisoners as they demand…"
Am then said in an eerily calm voice, "As your acting viceroy we will not surrender to their demands."
Guiflord walked up to her and whispered. "But Princess Euphemia, she's…"
"Yes, I know and one way or another we will save her. The last thing I need is Cornleia screaming at me because she thinks I caused her only sister to be killed."
Darlton turned to Am. "Thus far, it appears that none of them have discovered that fact. If they learn that Princess Euphemia is among the hostages, they'll undoubtedly use her as a bargaining chip. She went there to observe, therefore she is not officially registered along with the other guests."
"Let's hope it stays that way!" thought Am and she turned back to study a set of blueprints.
Millennium Falcon
With Lelouch and the others having left to meet with the Kozuki Resistance at the Ghost, C.C. and Threepio had been left back at the Falcon. There was no way they would make the already dilapidated ship another headquarters for all the rebels to meet up. Especially if it meant for all rebels to travel all the way here near the school.
"Yes, yes, I know…" C.C. spoke into the air. "I'll do my best. I'll try to look out for him, but I'm not his guardian. It seems that role has already been filled. What? Luke is alright. You're worried about him with Lelouch is that it? He…He's that kind of man, he's just young and too idealistic. But on the other note he's much better than his father." Cc paused for no one, " he does have his mother's heart"
"Miss C.C.?" Threepio approached her, causing the girl to cease talking. "It sounds like you are concerned about Master Lelouch and Master Luke. I'm sure they'll come back safely. Though if I'm honest, I had wished to accompany them. I fear for Master Luke's safety sometimes. But at least Artoo went with them."
C.C. looked on amused. "Thank you, Threepio." She looked away putting her hand into the pocket of her dress, making sure it was still there.
"One way or another I'll have to start his training and prepare him for what's coming."
Lloyd adjusted his glasses and murmured "I see…" As Julius told him, Cecile, Suzaku, Karre and PROXY about the situation.
"Can't the Special Corps offer any assistance in the rescue operation?" Suzaku asked.
"I already asked them, but we're an irregular unit and they don't acknowledge our chain of command." Lloyd answered. "Besides…" He threw another pebble across the lake.
"It's too risky to entrust the operation to an Eleven, is that right?" Suzaku assumed.
"Yet I'm sure that you are aware that Princess Cornelia is very discriminating against Britannians and Numbers." Lloyd told Suzaku.
"So the Japanese still aren't being accepted enough into your structure." PROXY asked as Karre nodded and said.
"That's not right. How can people find room to grow if this army isn't allowing them." He then throws his pebble and skips a few times to vent out his rage.
"If I might ask you, I have also heard some rumours going about." Lloyd spoke to Karre who allowed him to speak. "About how you & Princess Cornelia of all people went up against Luke Skywalker and lost!"
Karre nodded then said. "It's true we both had excellent skills in the battle; But Luke was unlike anything I have ever seen." He paused and spoke with reflection in his voice,"When I was a kid the stories of the Jedi would horrify me. They warned of how dangerous the Jedi all were. But yet Luke… He was different. He showed compassion and mercy. Nothing like the stories I was told. Have I been scared of the wrong thing this whole time?"
Ceclie then said to Karre. "And what happened to Princess Cornelia?" Who responded by lifting his hand over the right side of his face to prove a point.
"Believe me she didn't take losing lightly. Maybe I took it too lightly, and that makes me afraid Princess Cornelia's pride took a major blow after that. Apparently she has never lost a battle before. Hence the title 'Goddess of Victory',
"Yet she was not only defeated and lost the right side of her face when Luke swung his lightsaber at her. She still feels that burning rage even now and is not thinking rationally, otherwise she would have used more effective tools she currently has at her disposal. As opposed to only relying on Britannian soldiers. I worry that once she's fully recovered she may even forsake logic entirely and choose to kill anyone to lure Luke and his allies out into the opening as well as forsaking the lives of the hostages. Should she be here?"
PROXY shrugged while Suzkau and Celcie were shocked to hear Lloyd didn't really care, "Well it's not everyday someone can topple the so-called goddess of victory and live to tell the story to the grandkids and even deliver a painful scar to them mentally and physically."
In an upper apartment of the mobile base, Lelouch, Leia, Han, and Luke watched on a computer the ongoing news of the situation. The reporter was interviewing a man, who was the father of one student council member.
"She was only sightseeing! Shirley is still a student! But these criminals act indiscriminately! Savages! I won't forgive them! I want to know if my daughters alright! She hasn't done anything wrong!"
"This is quickly becoming graver than it already is," Leia said.
"We can't sit back and do nothing," Luke said. "We have to do something."
Lelouch's own face filled with worry, he was also concerned for not only Shirley's safety, but the rest of his friends among the hostages. Sure, they were able to evacuate everyone in Saitama before Cornelia attacked but no one was watching back then. Here, the whole world is watching! Not to mention all those resistance fighters they recruited aren't ready. They all knew Cornelia agreed to Luke's deal about not involving civilians but she could still just sacrifice the hostages anyway. So what was taking her so long to make a move?
Unless! He put back on his mask as his allies followed him back into the room where everyone else was.
Luke then said breaking the news out loud. "As you all know, a sect of the Japan Liberation Front has taken over the Lake Kawaguchi Center Hotel and have taken at least two dozen Britannian civilians hostage. As of yet, there have been no negotiations made between them or the Britannian military being led by Cornelia and her allies from the Royal Regime!"
"If that happens then the JLF are screwing themselves," Tamaki said.
Asami then said "I will not just sit on the sidelines to watch those people!" Lop nodded, agreeing with Asami.
"Neither will I!"
"Who said anything about doing nothing?" Zero said, causing everyone to look confused.
"Zero, are you saying…?" Kallen said.
"Yes," Leia said. "I know all of us have just come together and met but if we don't act now together innocent people are going to die."
"Captain Rex," Luke said as he looked at the clone veteran. "You fought countless times with the Jedi, both during the Clone Wars and along with Jarrus and Bridger. What would they do in a situation like this?"
Although Rex didn't expect Luke to ask him this question, the clone trooper understood what Luke meant. "No matter how impossible things looked… the Jedi I knew who were not only my generals, but also my friends… that didn't stop them from saving others in need."
"No matter the cost," Hera nodded.
"Even if we have no relation to the hostages or the crisis at hand," Leia said. "We cannot stand by and let them suffer."
"Even if the Japan Liberation Front is against Britannia, the very thing some of us here dedicated their lives to fight against…" Han said. "What they're doing with civilians is out of line."
"We need everyone's help if we are going to save them," Luke said, before he glanced at the Kozuki members. "Including yours."
"Luke… Zero… Leia…" Ohgi rubbed his head a bit unsure. "I understand what is at stake but why come to us?"
"Yeah, you seem to have a crew of your own already," Inoue said.
"You guys are the ones with laser swords and robots…" Sugiyama said, looking down. "And… we just…"
"We're just a small resistance cell…" Kallen said, looking down.
"Wrong!" Zero said, causing everyone to look at him. "From this day forward… you are no longer a resistance cell! Today the Rebel Alliance will enter into a new alliance! An order of knights who uphold the spirit and code the Jedi Knights. Of the old oaths sworn during the days of the Republic!" His gloved hand formed into a fist. "Guardians of Peace and Justice!"
Lando then said "But if we're gonna save those people we're gonna do it with class and style along with really great blasters!"
Lando snapped his fingers as Zeb came into the room as he laid a crate in front of the rebels before he opened it to reveal blasters inside it.
Lake Kawaguchi
Night had fallen and there had been no change to the situation. Kusakabe and his sect of the JLF still had the hostages, while Am was still wondering what to do knowing she wouldn't want to put Cornilea's sister in danger.
PROXY then noticed something out of place and said. "Karre, where is your lightsaber?"
Karre's mouth went dry. He tried to lie knowing he'd given his lightsaber to Euphie earlier.
"Ah, I've misplaced it. Maybe I forgot it back at the base."
PROXY then replied "Have you truly misplaced it because I believe-"
But before the droid could say it Suzaku replied with "Karre you might wanna take a look at this!"
The soldier showed them all a screen filled with a pair of JLF soldiers and a hostage.
"What are they going to do?!" Cecile questioned, not trying to conceal the worry in her voice. .
Karre's eyes widened as he realised what they were doing. "Don't you dare!" He yelled at the screen. But it was too late. The soldiers pushed the hostage off the roof and everyone could only watch in horror as he plummeted to his death.
"NOOOOOOOO!" Suzaku screamed. Karre only closed his eyes and grimaced. Though a part of him expected something like this, it made it no less pleasing to the eye.
Devastator
The Imperial Probe Droid broadcasted the holo signal for its masters in the Deveastor "Our demands have gone unanswered!" It showed Kuskabe speaking to the Britannian military via private communications.
"This is just twisted and wrong!" Nash shouted in horror at the projection. "This scumbag sounds like Saw Gerra!" Cienna said. She was ready to leave the bridge to jump into her Tie fighter and kill him.
"No!" Said Vader calmly. His strong tone stopped her "We are only watching, there's no need for action. Yet."
Hospital
Cornelia growled, anger written all over her face. "I don't care if you give into their conditions even once, then you are simply legitimising terrorism!" She then realised, and worry moved across her face.
"Euphie…"
Back at the mobile base Am noticed an officer who ran into the room looking exhausted. "M-my Lady Am it's them!"
"Them who officer?" She asked until she realised the officer was talking about Zero and Skywalker.
"What do you freaking mean vans three and five were stolen? What was Gibson doing?!" Diethard fishing was ruined.
"He said that when he realised what was happening, it was too late!"
"Huh, then where are the Vans now?"
"Both are driving straight through the military."
It was true. The stolen news vans drove though the road with Matrix troopers scanning the area as they saw two individuals standing on the front of the vehicles.
"We spy the two fugitives Skywalker and Zero permission to open fire?" While another one was preparing the rocket launcher.
"No, stand down!" Darlton ordered over the radio. "We'll capture them after they're surrounded." The other Matrix groaned, annoyed at his superiors. He wanted to use his launcher.
Inside the first van, Kallen drove, with Lando and Han next to him.
"So, this is it, our first real mission." Ohgi spoke from the rear. "I know what the plan is and all but still… I don't know whether to be excited or terrified right now."
Lando then said, while loading up his blaster rifle and placing some smoke pallets onto his belt, "Well sometimes you just gotta embrace the role we were just meant to play."
"This stinks that we're driving straight into enemy territory. I've got a bad feeling about this!"
Han then said. "You get used to it kid."
Ohgi then looked at Lando and asked. "So have you ever seen Zero without his mask?" Lando shrugged.
"Nope but it doesn't matter to me." Lando winked at Han saying. "The others they don't trust Zero. Not one bit. Not even a little, but I can trust Han, Chewie and even the friends he made on his trip."
Tamaki then said. "When they said this was our first mission, stealth wasn't what I had in mind. And worse it smells like a dead cat in here."
Zeb growled and grabbed Tamaki and slammed him onto the other side of the van. "Wanna say that to my face bub!?"
Yoshida then whispered as he got in between the two. "Hey save the fighting for our real enemies!"
Just before the van could make it to the bridge, multiple Executioners troopers along with Guilford, and Darlton in their respective Knightmares blocked off their route. It wasn't long after, that the entire convoy was completely surrounded. There stood what looked like Cornelia's Gloucester.
But when the cockpit opened up it was Am instead of Cornelia, surprising Luke and Zero.
"Luke Skywalker. Zero. We meet in the flesh. I apologise for deceiving you. I'm afraid that Viceroy Cornelia could not be here. Sadly she is still recovering from your little battle. You really did a number on her." Am chuckles.
"So I see. Are you going to arrest us? Or will you allow us to pass so we can rescue the hostages?" Zero asked a question to the acolyte.
Am pondered Zero's question while Karre looked on worriedly at her brother . She knew her brother did treasure Euphie and her friendship before saying.
"Very well I will allow you to do what you please! Take a squadron of our troops for backup"
Am as she ordered the troopers to let them pass. She pulled Captain Kyle aside and whispered into his ear. Am then shouted her orders to a group of Matrax troopers to accompany the heroes as backup. She then sent the same orders to troopers in Knightmares.
Kusakabe then said. "You saw Skywalker and Zero! Are they both here?" The soldier nodded, Sawazaki interjected with," If the Jedi are here, there's then no doubt Lop and Asami are here aiding them alongside Britannia. What are we going to do?"
Kusakabe shot a fierce look at Durge who had been quiet for a while. As he folded his arms as Sawazaki spat angrily at the thing. "I don't know why Lord Shin sent you here with us if all your doing is just-"
Durge, sick of him talking, grabbed him by the throat and lifted him towards the ceiling. In a high pitched voice. Sawazaki stammered. "I-I mean whenever you're ready!"
Durge growled as he tossed Sawazaki aside, leaving the room menacingly.
"Move the gear up. We are riding!" An Assassin droid shouted as a legion of the IG Assassin Droids mounted speeder bikes. Durge threw his leg over and sat comfortably onto one of the bikes. The smell of the speeder, the feel of the throttle in his hand; How it took him back. His mind went to the battle where he fought against Obi-Wan Kenobi and his army of Clone Troopers born from the DNA of Jango Fett in the Muunilinst system in the outer rim. The memory made him almost smile.
Each droid boarded their respective speeder and held onto a lance in a jousting position. It may seem primitive against an army such as this. Durge smiled as he thought to himself Zero and Skywalker's little minions wouldn't see what was coming. A droid handed him a lance and he took it.
Durge then floored it on his bike causing the droids to follow suit.
The sight of seeing the Jedi exiting the vans caused the JLF soldiers to lower their weapons. Zero then said as he stood side by side with Lop and Asami. "My comrades and I are here to speak with Lieutenant Colonel Kusakabe & Sawazaki."
The soldier nodded. Asami and Lop handed their lightsabers to the soldiers with a grimace. Rex stiffened at the thought of handing over his weapons, but it was what he had to do to allow all of them to walk into the hotel. As the comrades walked through the larger glass doors, Han kicked the van open and the others in the van exited silently.
"Now's our chance, let's go!" Whispered Han as the other rebels nodded. They went to put their plan into motion.
Just then some of the Matrix troopers heard a noise. A rumbling coming along the ground straight for them. They turned to look into the distance and they saw Durge and his army of metal soldiers charging at them.
Durge and the droids then lowered their lances so that they could attack as they raced into combat, wiping out the troopers with ease.
Matrix troopers raised their weapons and fired, attempting to shoot Durge. But the Bounty hunter brought out his blaster and shot each trooper in the head, knocking them down.
Durge looked up and saw the Knightmare's up ahead. As the hunter slammed his lance into the knightmares, they exploded with a loud bang. Durge unleashed a mighty roar that was heard across the land.
Kyle spoke into his ear piece. "Skywalker, someone's eliminating our forces." Luke couldn't hide his surprise. He had bought his bio-scanners and saw someone leading an army of Assassin droids and a man he never saw before. "Who, Who is that?"
Rex gasped. Locking eyes with Durge through the screen, "It's him!" Luke turned to him "You know him Rex?"
Rex nodded to the younger man. "He's Durge, he's fought many of my brothers in the Clone Wars, he even fought against General Kenobi and your father as well. I can't believe he's been on Earth this whole time."
Luke's eyes widened in surprise to hear that Durge knew his father. "And he's the most dangerous bounty hunter in the galaxy, he's worse than any bounty hunter you've met!" Rex's voice was heavy with dread.
Luke hummed to himself before bringing out the suitcase that stored the Clone Trooper. The metal case displayed the rebels logo on the armour.
Luke then said to Rex and Sabine in a serious voice. "Gather some of the rebels and mount up!"
"Wonderful! I want to thank you for that lovely order, lady Am!" Lloyd exclaimed in joy as he heard his next set of instructions. He turned to Suzaku, Cecile, PROXY and Karre.
"Good news folks, the Viceroy in charge has granted us the green light for the Lancelot. PROXY and Karre to march into battle!"
Karre then said. "I guess Am needs us to be the distraction to create an opening for her forces as we are now engaging Durge's forces."
"Right on the nose there!" Lloyd continued to laugh. And looked at PROXY saying "And also try not to die on the field PROXY. I do wish to examine you."
Cecile could see the droid was uncomfortable, so she stepped in between the two of them. She said to Lloyd."Lloyd you can't seriously be…" As Cecile tried to protest, Suzaku interrupted her.
"Miss Cecile, I'm ready! Please let me do it! If I use the Lancelot along with Karre and PROXY's ability to shapeshift we'll be able to give the hostages an opportunity to be saved, I'll do it. Even if it means being a decoy."
Karre nodded. "Agreed and I have no intention of becoming one with the force yet. Our foes will face the sting of our power!" PROXY nodded with him.
"If I'm going in I need a knightmare!" Karre said to them with a grin.
Meanwhile; all the hostages continued to sit in the food storage room with a couple of JLF soldiers guarding them. The four Ashford students sat close together with Nina being the most frightened as she shook and whimpered with Milly holding her close to comfort her as best she could.
Nina happened to glance up at a JLF soldier. "An… Eleven…!"
Rai grimaced at that. "Uh oh."
"What did you say?!" The angry soldier scowled to Nina, causing her to whimper even more.
"Not Elevens! We're Japanese damn it!"
"Yes, we're aware of that! Just lay off her!" Milly exclaimed to the soldier.
"Then correct her!"
"Give her a break will you?!" Rai exclaimed. "She's terrified right now you damn Britannian-wannabe!"
"What?!" The soldier's face curled with even more fury, as the second soldier came in as well.
"You heard me!" Rai angrily said. "You say you wanna take a stand for your country's freedom! That's the same thing the other guys do! They preach to the people that they are the good guys when they keep killing innocent like what you're doing now!"
"Shut your damn mouth!" The soldier grabbed Rai and pulled him up by the shirt.
"Stop it! Leave him alone!" Shirley tried to stand up only to be kicked back down by the second soldier.
As the scuffle occurred, Euphemia, wearing civilian clothing and a pair of glasses as a disguise tried to stand up to defend them, but one of her disguised bodyguards grabbed her by the wrist and shook her head, telling her no.
Euphemia was not good at following instructions, so she did the opposite, and pulled out the lightsaber she was given and was ready to turn it on.
"Don't you dare compare us to those pigs!" The soldier shouted to Rai who only glared in defiance.
"Why not! I'll say it again you Britannian wannabe!" Rai exclaimed in defiance.
"I said shut up!" The soldier was about to shoot Rai.
Milly, Nina, and Shirley were about to scream until.
Everyone heard the noise of a lightsaber turning on. The red blade slashed the soldier's hand as the man screamed in pain while dropping Rai to the ground as Shirley went to his side.
Euphie held the lightsaber as she pointed the blade at the soldiers "I demand you take me to your leader right now! Understand?!" Euphemia demanded.
"W-what!?" The soldier exclaimed, holding his right hand as he whimpered in pain.
"You're addressing Eupemia Li Britannia." She took off her glasses to reveal her face. "The Third Princess of the Britannian Empire!"
Everyone, both soldier and civilian gave audible gasps at this revelation. No one had expected this at all. Some of them were still shocked she was using a weapon. Euphemia turned the lightsaber off and placed it on her belt.
She turned to Rai and gave a soft look. "Young man, are you alright?"
"Uh… yeah." He said automatically, not over his shock. "Wait Euphemia as in…Lelouch and Nunnally's sister?!"
The soldiers with Lop and Asami fell to the ground, knocked out. The two Jedi bent down to retrieve their lightsabers from the men. They headed into a nearby room. They took seats in front of several computers, their fingers whirling across the keyboards. Something then caught Asami's interest.
"Seems like some of the Sakuradite is gone, looks like the Regime have suddenly decided to take some of the fuel." Asami wondered aloud.
"Ah Master, I think I found something." Asami moved over to the Jedi to see a blueprint of a massive ship that could also be used for space travel.
"What is that thing?" Asami said in shock, looking at what appeared to her to be a dreadnought on the files, a fleet killer you could say codenamed the Leviathan.
"I'm not sure but I think this whole thing is a big distraction so the Regime could steal the sakuradite for this Levithan project they're talking about. It feels like they've been making it for many years."
Asami then said in a serious voice as she placed the image of the Levithan onto a USB so she could show the others what they found, "We must show the others about what we found now. This looks like it was all set up by the Royal Regime."
As they stood to meet up with Zero the doors opened. Yansu stood there armed with her lightsaber.
"Jedi!" Yansu said as she saw the two rising from their chairs. Acting on instinct the two Jedi grabbed their lightsabers but Yansu force pushed them into the computers damaging them before fleeing the room.
Recovering from the blast, Lop and Asami decide to give chase.
Meanwhile; Zero stood in front of Kusakabe and Sawazaki, surrounded by several armed JLF soldiers who kept their weapons trained on him in case he tried to pull anything, but Zero wasn't intimated in the least.
"You have no intention of joining me?" Zero asked Kusakabe.
"Well is it true?" Kusakabe questioned, seemingly ignoring Zero's question.
"Is what true?"
"That your friend Skywalker-san defeated Princess Cornelia in battle robbing her precious title of Goddess of victory?"
Zero's answer was swift "Yes it's true Colonel; however I'm not using him for my own selfish goals because he's my ally, someone who understands me better than anyone on Earth. Just like Master Asami and her student Lop."
"So I see." Sawazaki replied.
Zero questioned the pair "That didn't answer my question. You have no intention of joining us?"
"Remove your mask and reveal your real face to us. It's disrespectful not to…" Kusakabe demanded.
"I understand." Zero nodded. "But before I do, I'd like to ask you something. What exactly do you hope to accomplish by this action?"
"Gain attention!" Kusakabe answered. "I want this country and the world to know that the Japanese aren't dead yet!"
"How stale." Zero sighed in disappointment. "You people are obsolete, there's no saving you."
"What?! Why you little…!" Sawazaki exclaimed.
"Explain what you mean by that Zero." Kusakabe stated.
Elsewhere Durge's forces were making quick work of the Regime's enforcers. Durge smiled and graced his face, until one of the droids was impaled by a lance that didn't belong to them.
Durge notices and spies Captain Rex along with Sabine Wren and some rebels from Satamia. Leading the charge was Luke Skywalker wearing the clone armour. These rebels pointed their lances down ward and charged at their enemy.
"There you are, little Skywalker!" Muttered Durge as he charged at the Jedi and his allies. It was a massacre as droids and people flew off their bikes. Durge charged at Luke who's helmet flew off the blond boy's head as the Jedi brought his lightsaber down and slashed, Durge's bike exploded.
Luke leaped off his bike turning to Rex and Sabine. "Go help the others with the bombs, I'll take care of Durge!" Rex and Sabine nodded as they led the rebels away from the fight. Durge emerged from the flames undamaged.
"What does it take to put that guy down?!" Exclaimed Luke as he put the pedal to the medal on his speeder bike but Durge caught it.
Durge then said to the young Jedi. "You know it's been over a century since I last fought a Jedi and today I get to kill one!"
Luke glared at the bounty hunter. Durge charged at him. Luke brought out his lightsaber and slashed the bike apart and then stabbed him in the torso.
All was quiet until Durge just laughed at the young boy "Was that supposed to hurt, Jedi?!"
Luke gasped in total horror. Durge was unaffected by the lightsaber. He throws a punch to the face of the young Jedi.
"It's time masters!" PROXY said as he jumped onto a knightmare Karre was piloting. Suzaku plugged in some information into the Lancelot.
"M.E.E Boost…Lancelot & Pendulum launch!" Suzaku shot the Lancelot forward, right behind the Pendulum.
The soldiers in the Raiko saw the incoming enemy signals and prepared to fire with their unconventional weapon. In less than a second, they fired their weapon.
Karre smirked, saying. "Fish in a barrel!"
He thrusted the Pendulum's hands out as it unleashed repulsors at the Raiko and into some of the soldiers.
"Take them down!" A soldier shouted unaware of who was behind them..
A voice behind them said. "Hello there!" The JLF soldiers gasped to see PROXY who transformed into Obi Wan Kenobi and began slashing the soldiers before going over to the control panel.
"Karre, Suzaku the Raiko cannon is deactivated repeat the cannon is now offline!" PROXY said in Obi wan's voice until he noticed some blinking lights appearing on Raiko's scope.
"Master, I think you're about to have company!" Proxy exclaimed in worry.
But it came too late as the Lancelot was sent flying across the area by none other than Shin in the Vercingetorix who then said through the speakers.
"Greetings warrant officer I'm afraid this will be your final resting place as you join the innocent people gathered here to die along with you!"
Karre growled and was ready to intervene until Jean got in the way armed with a Sutherland.
"You won't stand in Lord Shin's way!" Karre growled figuring this would happen.
Meanwhile the rebels split up doing their parts as part of Zero's plan. Opening to the door to the hotel's boiler room, Lando stepped in with Inoue and Kallus.
"Alright everyone get those bombs into place we need to be outta here as soon as Ohgi and his team rescue the hostages!" Inoue and Kallus nodded as they began placing grenades onto the pipelines.
In another room Tamaki opened the vent to the air conditioning system with Han and Zeb.
"Here's the place!" Said Han right as Zeb opened a bag allowing Tamaki and Hera to see what's inside.
"What are those?" Hera said. "The best way to complete a mission!" Tamaki then said almost liking the idea. "Whoa real detonators?!"
Zeb chuckles, "They sure and the best way to finish the mission. By blowing stuff up!" as he tossed a grenade to Tamki who smirked at the enjoyment.
Zeb chuckles, "They sure and the best way to finish the mission. By blowing stuff up!" as he tossed a grenade to Tamki who smirked at the enjoyment.
Once they tossed the bombs in the places they needed to be, Hera got on the coms saying. "All teams sound off, situations?"
"Squad A, all set Hera."
"Squad B, the bombs are in place in our location."
Hera smiled as an assassin trooper began to slowly pull out his vero-blade, ready to strike Hera. Zeb and Han shouted.
"Hera, look out!" Hera dodged just in time, as they all see the Assassin trooper doing back flips before entering a battle stance.
"What the heck is that?" Tamaki yelled in shock to see one of the assassin troopers as Han then said getting out his blaster.
"My money's on one of the Regimes troopers and I think this one has to be an assassin!"
Hera then said "All squads stay on alert the Regime may have sent a few of their assassins to work for the JLF."
Zero gasped saying. "Regime!?" He turned to Kusakabe and his soldiers. "How did you know the Sakuradite Allocation Meeting was taking place here?!" He demanded.
"What?!" Kusakabe questioned.
"You knew exactly where and when this meeting would be taking place! How?!" Zero demanded once more.
"Uh the information was leaked…" One soldier answered.
"By whom and why?!" Zero demanded.
"I… I don't know… we just got it and…"
"YOU FOOLS!" Zero exclaimed to the JLF soldiers. "You stupid incompetent ignorant fools! This was all a trap! Orchestrated by Britannia's allies to draw out myself and the Rebels!"
Kusakabe growled at this as Zero continued. "But what's even more pathetic, is that in your stupidity you've become the very thing you claim you fight against! Persecuting and executing the weak and helpless for your own personal gain. You're no different than the rest of Britannia! You're exactly like them!"
"What?! How dare you!" Sawazaki shouted
Kusakabe, having probably lost all remaining rationality, took out his katana. "Zero, THERE'S NO POINT TALKING ANYMORE!"
The slit in Zero's mask opened as he activated his Geass. "DIE!"
In less than a second, Kusakabe turned the katana blade on himself and stabbed himself while Sawazaki and the remaining soldiers took out their guns and shot themselves in the head.
Back on the battlefield Luke was avoiding some punches before the bounty hunter broke Skywalker's defence and delivered several punches to Luke's face. Causing Luke to slide across the ground.
Durge then fired mini darts at the Jedi who used the force to block the attack. Durrge then tried to fry the Jedi with his flamethrower but Luke used the force to crush it.
Durge was getting annoyed at how Luke was adapting and decided to slam him into the ground with his fail right as the Jedi's lightsaber flew out of Durge's chest.
Luke grabbed his weapon and slashed the fail as he charged at Durge as the hunter tried to bring out his blasters but Luke slashed at them, not wanting to give the bounty hunter a chance to counterattack.
Durge then brought energy shields to fight Luke as the two battled across the field before Luke finally managed to break his defence by slashing his arm off but he didn't stop there he slashed his chest and then his legs with Luke looking exhausted from fighting the dangerous bounty hunter maybe even dangerous then Boba Fett.
Luke then grabbed his comlink saying. "Zero I just had a massive round with a dangerous hunter called Durge. I don't know how long the Gen'Dai will stay down. Have you dealt with your situation?"
Zero then said. "Negations have failed, it turns out the Colonel and his allies were only puppets to the Regime this time!"
Luke chuckles. "Oh I see you get the easy job and I get stuck with the dangerous one!"
"Somebody had to watch our backs. I'll open the window so you can come on in!" Said Zero from his position.
Luke smiled as he saw Zero literally open the window to the floor he was on. The Jedi did a force jump as Zero caught his hand and pulled him into the room. Durge began to assemble himself due to his incredible regeneration ability.
"Thanks!" "No problem!" The two friends exchanged words until they heard a voice saying.
"Colonel, what's happening?!" The lead soldier took Euphie by the arm as he opened the door, and the room inside was dark. "Colonel?" He stepped inside with Euphie in his grasp. "What's—"
Before the two were flung onto the ceiling knocking them both out. Luke then said "If you don't mind. I'll be taking guard of the princess from now on!"
Euphie gasped in awe to see the Jedi that defeated her sister. "You're... Luke… Skywalker…" And then looked at Zero who then said.
"It's alright. The Colonel and the others committed suicide once they realized that they were merely pawns in an even greater game."
Zero looked towards his half-sister. "Euphemia, you were willing to sacrifice yourself for the Commoners? You haven't changed."
The pink-haired princess looked in surprise at what he just said.
An Assassin trooper screamed in agony as he was shot by Han. Han opened the door to the hostages.
"What is happening?!" The hostages started exclaiming. As Chewie came into the room roaring.
With that the hostages still on the ground screamed. Nina cowered at the sight of the Wookie, while the student council looked in confusion.
Kallen was very relieved that she was about to get her friends to safety, she also worried that they might recognize her. She hoped that with her visor as well as her change in hairstyle, she might not be recognized. But they would recognize her voice, so she wasn't going to speak.
She walked up towards the door handle and pulled out a gun to shoot it off, unlocking it and allowing her to open it to reveal all the hostages, including Rai, Shirley, Milly, and Nina, all looking up to them in surprise.
"It's okay." Ohgi assured them. "Don't worry, we're not with the JLF, we're gonna get you all out of here."
All of them looked in surprise. "Who are you…?" Shirley asked, still fearful.
Ohgi turned his shoulder to reveal the rebel alliance emblem that they all recognized.
"You're with the rebel alliance." Rai said as Ohgi nodded to him.
"And we are choosing to help you," Leia said as she stepped forward. "At least one of you was executed mercilessly by the JLF. We don't want anyone else dying tonight."
"And it is our duty that innocent civilians are brought safely out of the crossfire," Rex said. "What these men did bringing into their battle doesn't make them soldiers."
"And you have families who are worried about you, and want you back safely so we're just doing our parts as rebels after all." Leia said.
Lando then said to them as he knew what to do to calm the hostages' minds. "Listen, I understand that you're all very scared right now, but I promise we are not here to hurt any of you. You all have families, right? Well, we're going to see them again. I give you my word, we're going to get all of you out of here, safe and sound." His tone seemed to calm many of them as he offered his hand. "Trust me."
Rai looked back towards the hostages, particularly his friends. He could tell that this man was honest and was truly here to help them, and if he offered a chance for them all to escape, Rai would take it to make sure his friends would get home safe. The white-haired young man smiled as he took Lando's hand.
"Thank you!" Was all Lando said as the group began to get the hostages out of there.
Yansu and her nightsisters began to retreat to their shuttle with the stolen sakuradite, when suddenly an assassin trooper was sent flying in their direction. It had been defeated by the two Jedi chasing them, both with their lightsabers on as their green and yellow blades shined in the room.
"You're not getting away this time, Nightsister!" Asami shouted as she pointed her lightsaber at the woman. Yansu just laughed at her thinking it was only a joke.
"It'll take more than the likes of you to stop me!" Yansu said, smirking at them. She smiled to herself thinking the young Jedi were not powerful enough to beat her.
Lop countered her inner thoughts with a quippy comeback to the witch. "Let's put your theory to the test!"
Yansu scoffed. "Such boastful talk for a clan that's extinct, let's see how well you fare against my sisters?"
She snapped her fingers as two Nightsisters armed with lightsabers charged at Asami and Lop, one had a regular lightsaber and another one had a cross guard.
Lop and Asami engaged the two nightsisters. As the Regime shuttle began to fly off, Asami tossed a tracker onto the ship before it flew out of range. With that dealt with, the Two Jedi continue their battle with the Nightsisters in front of them. Their foes proved to be no slouches.
Asami and Lop dodged each of the sisters' attacks before finding a weak spot in the sister's attack and delivering the killing blow.
Asami and Lop looked exhausted. Lop holstered her lightsaber before leaving the hangar bay.
Back in the hotel room, Euphie stood across from where Luke and Zero were standing.
"I heard you were appointed Sub-Viceroy, Your Highness," Zero said.
"It's not an appointment I'm happy with," Euphie said, almost narrowing her eyes.
"Because your sister, Cornelia, is now Viceroy," Luke said.
"She took the position after the death of my brother, Clovis…" The princess cringed at that; Luke could understand why she was looking uncomfortable.
"Whatever your relationship with your half-brother was, he grew up far from a saint," Zero said, catching Euphie's attention. "Not after he ordered the genocide of everyone in Shinjuku."
Euphie shuddered at that. "So… It…it was true." She looked down. "That… Clovis really…"
"He did it in order to cover a mistake he made," Luke said. "He was willing to gun down even the last child to do it. That's why we had to stop him."
"So is that why you killed my brother?" Euphie asked.
Luke and Zero stood silent at that.
Luke sighed before saying. "We are sorry if we have caused hurt to you and your family… but if we could have done it again, we wouldn't have wanted to kill your brother. Even with what he had done."
"In the end…" Zero said. "Clovis gave us no choice. He was willing to shoot us down if he had his way."
Euphie gasped as she was ready to draw out her lightsaber. "So you killed him in self-defence?"
"You on the other hand seemed to be a different case, Euphemia," Zero said. "Even though you are a child of the Emperor as well, you were willing to give yourself up for the sake of the hostages. Why?"
"Because they are innocent," Euphie said. "I couldn't stand by while they were being mistreated so harshly by these men. I wanted to negotiate for a peaceful solution that would guarantee the safety of the hostages."
"Even if it meant sacrificing your own?" Luke said.
"Yes," Euphie said without hesitation.
Luke looked surprised at the pink-haired princess's declaration. While Lelouch behind his mask, looked unsurprised, with a smile. Soon, Luke's surprise turned to a smile.
"You're smiling?" Euphie questioned.
"It's because it seems like you are a selfless woman, Your Highness," Luke said, surprising Euphie. "Your willingness to put others above your own is more than admirable. Most of all it's very honourable."
"Unlike Clovis, who begged for his life so pathetically and like a snake was willing to shoot us down when we weren't looking." Zero said with distaste and almost disappointment.
Zero then noticed the lightsaber she was holding.
"And why do you have a lightsaber?" He asked as Euphie then said.
"Oh, it was given to me. You see, he may look a bit dangerous but the truth is he's very sweet when you get to him. I am tired of being on the sidelines. So I asked my teacher to instruct me on how I can use the force to help others. My abilities are slowly developing. He told me this weapon was his life and it became mine. It was lucky I was able to use it due to my training with him.
Luke then said as if understanding Karre a bit more than some Sith Acolyte as he smiled at Euphie "Sounds like he's a great guy when you get to meet the real him under the helmet."
Suzaku was pushed into a corner by Shin's brutal skills as Karre then used the Pendulum's sword to slash at Shin's knightmare. This got his attention as his knightmare was damaged.
Karre was having trouble fighting two opponents at once until PROXY said to Karre "Master Karre you might wish to move, Suzaku's going to deliver a powerful blow!"
Karre nodded as he moved out of the way just in time for Jean and Shin to see Suzaku unleashing the VARIS shot straight at the two Euro-britannians. With their knightmares badly damaged, Shin and Jean retreated.
"Nice work!" Karre said from his knightmare. PROXY jumped onto the pendulum's shoulder as the two knightmares flew out of the tunnel towards the hotel.
On the sidelines Lloyd smiled at his creations the Lancelot and the Pendulum even if the Pendulum was still in early development it worked as clean as a whistle.
Karre then said as he gasped seeing who was there. "Suzaku hold your fire!"
"But why would…" Suzkau looked in surprise, down below to get a good view of a certain masked man looking out the window. "Zero!"
Luke, Zero and Euphemia looked in surprise to see the Lancelot alongside the Pendulum and PROXY.
"Suzaku!" Lelouch voiced in surprise to see his best friend looking at him whom had no idea who was behind the mask before getting back to the situation and said.
"To anyone listening Luke and I need a pick up now!" Luke then turned on his lightsaber as he then said to Euphie.
"You know how to use a lightsaber?" Euphie smiled with a nod as she turned on the lightsaber as its red blade shined Karre gave her and said "Indeed!"
"Great because we're heading to low ground!" The two began to cut the floor as they kept going down before seeing Asami and Lop on speeder bikes.
"Get on!" Asami shouted as the three jumped onto the bikes right as Zero then pulled out a device and then pulled the trigger causing the entire hotel to explode.
"EUPHIE!" Cornelia screamed in terror from her bed as the medical droids held her down knowing her treatment was not done yet.
"MY FRIENDS!" Suzaku cried out and Lancelot jumped toward the collapsing building.
"SUZAKU NO!" Karre then pulled the Lancelot back with the force to prevent him from doing something very foolish.
Devastator
Having watched the entire event from the probe droid showed the footage of the building collapsing as those onboard Vader's ship had no idea what to say after what they all saw.
"Oh god that was awful!" Nash said horrified.
"How could anyone survive that?" Ronadam asked in horror.
Vader however didn't care about the hostages. He doubted it was the case. He saw the mysterious person working with Luke pushing a trigger that no doubt detonated the multiple explosions. This was obviously his and Luke's doing. What was their endgame?
The dark lord then noticed a ship sailing across the water though the Probe Droid.
Meanwhile in Van #2, Diethard and his subordinate looked over the monitors.
What about the cameras in Van #3?" Diethard asked.
"I told you the rebels took them," The man said.
"So, let's hope we pick up a signal from them," Diethard said, feeling irritated about not having a clue what the heck was going on with the blown-up hotel. "Was this… what they wanted to show us, destruction?"
"Karre, can you hear me?" Am's voice came from Karre's knightmare who nodded saying. "Yes Am. I'm alright and so is Suzaku. His mind on the other hand."
"I couldn't rescue them. They're dead, I failed! NOT AGAIN!" Suzaku slammed his fist on his controls in frustration and grief.
In the news van, the monitor came on revealing both Zero and Luke Skywalker.
"We got it!" Diethard exclaimed.
"My dear Britannians, have no fear. All of the hostages from the hotel are safe and sound." The screen shifted to reveal all the hostages on a multitude of lifeboats across Lake Kawaguchi, including Rai, Nina, Shirley, and Milly; even Euphemia and her bodyguards. "We return them to you unharmed."
Karre sighed with relief in his cockpit. "They're alive!" Suzaku exclaimed with joy as he saw it from his cockpit.
"They're alright!" Rivalz exclaimed as he saw this on TV as well.
Cornelia snarled from her bed. "Of all the brazen audacity! If my forces attack you, those people will quickly become your hostages, won't they?!"
"We do this not for leverage or for power! The hostages were innocent people taken against their will and were treated unjustly for being Britannians! We seek to do the same for all people who are unjustly treated so unfairly!" Zero said.
"You may call us terrorists, murderers, and thieves but in truth we stand to fight as guardians of peace and justice! Just as long ago in a galaxy far, far away the Jedi Knights served as guardians of peace and justice!" Luke said.
"There! It's Luke Skywalker!" Piett exclaimed, and everyone on the bridge stood in shock at the sight of the rebel they all dreaded and despised. His voice was easily recognisable.
"The rebel commander!" Ronnadam exclaimed in disbelief.
"The rebel pilot!" Ciena's shock turned into anger. "The one who…"
"Who destroyed the Death Star!" Nash finished for her.
"Yes…" Ciena thought as she gripped her fist in anger. "The one who killed millions. The one who killed Jude."
"So it's true…" Pryde said. "The rebels are indeed on the planet."
"Zero and Skywalker…" Berisse said, still as she was almost baffled. "Are they working together?"
Though they couldn't see it, no one on the bridge was more satisfied and delighted as Darth Vader was as he looked at the screen. The dark lord felt his lips behind his mask curling into a smile at the sight of hearing Skywalker's voice on the screen. His senses were right.
Of course, they were. He had found Skywalker. And it seemed he had made a new accomplice with him. That made Vader all the more curious about this…Zero.
Coming in between them, Artoo played a holo for camera monitors to see the holo of a familiar Jedi master.
"Who's that?" All Cornlleia asked as the Medical Droids began to treat her.
"It's a holo of someone!" Said Nash as Vader then said breaking the silence onboard. "One man who escaped the Empire for many years, the Master of Anakin Skywalker, Obi-wan Kenobi!"
And he was right as Artoo displayed the image of his old master on the monitor. The part of his mind that was still Anakin Was happy to see Obi-wan.
Everyone everywhere looked in confusion at the image of an old man on their TV screens and phones.
The holo-recording of old Obi-wan Kenobi started speaking:
"For over a thousand generations…"
Lamperouge Residence
"The Jedi knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the old republic…"
Nunnally and Sayoko listened closely to the old man's voice. The latter felt a strange sense of drawing to the man's recorded voice. The girl could feel the wisdom and age in his words as he talked.
JLF Base
"Before the dark times…"
Tohdoh and his comrades listened closely to what the recorded holo was saying.
Lake Kawaguchi
"Before the Empire."
With that recording of Obi-wan Kenobi stopped.
"For thousands of years, the Jedi Knights swore to serve the Republic and all those who were helpless!" Luke said.
"And without warning they were betrayed by the treacherous Emperor Palpatine of the Galactic Empire! Ordered to be slaughtered with extreme prejudice and without mercy! Thus allowing the Empire to reign greed and injustice throughout the galaxy! And now the Galactic Empire will soon be among us and seek to spread its hand on the people's earth as well! And aid those who bath in the carnage and deceit towards greater power! This we will not abide any longer!" Zero said, with anger almost lacing his tone.
"From this moment and this moment forward! An alliance is made between those who fight to restore the Republic and a new nation that will uphold the code of the Jedi Order of old!" Luke said.
But right away, a multitude of lights shinned around him to reveal not only reveal Zero, Luke, and Artoo, but also all the other rebels who stood side by side: Han, Leia, Chewbacca, Hera, Sabine, Rex, Zeb, Kallus, Chopper, Lando, Asami, Lop, Ohgi, Kallen, Tamaki, Minami, Inoue, Sugiyama, and Yoshida all previously from either the Kouzuki Resistance Cell or the Yamato Alliance. All of them, besides Asami, Lop, Luke and Chewbacca, wear visors similar to Zero's styles. Rex and Sabine didn't need them as they wore their respective helmets. They wore black jackets that proudly adorn the combined symbol of their new alliance.
"People! Fear us! Or rally behind us as you see fit! We are the Black Knights! And from this day forward we stand alongside the Rebel Alliance to restore the Galactic Republic!"
"You gotta be kidding me…" Nash scoffed with disbelief.
"Black Knights, hmm?" Gideon said, looking amused.
"You heard me right! Let it run!" Diethard argued on his com concerning the broadcast. "What?! Responsibility?! I'll be the one responsible for this!"
The Regime shuttle
Onboard the shuttle Kyle, Yansu, Jean, Shin and Durge who had recovered from his fight with Luke all listened with serious looks on their faces
"Colonel Kusakabe betrayed the trust of his comrades and cowardly took innocent civilians as hostages and started to execute them without mercy! Viceroy Clovis la Britannia acted the same way when he ordered the deaths of countless innocent lives in Shinjuku Ghetto! We cannot stand by to allow such cruelty and let those who commit them go without punishment!" Luke said.
Unknown location
Somewhere else, people with hoods covering their faces were watching this announcement.
"We will not repudiate fighting, but neither will we stand for one-sided slaughter of the weak by the strong! The only ones who should kill are those prepared to be killed!" Zero said.
The one in the middle smiled as if this person knew the real identity of Zero and was proud of him for finding the courage to strike back against the people who took everything from them.
Pendragon
Britannia imperial palace
Also watching the broadcast in his private quarters was Charles zi Britannia who watched the same broadcast.
"Wherever oppressors abuse their power by attacking those who are powerless we shall appear again! No matter how mighty they may be! No matter the weapons and ships they have! No matter the power they hold in the dark side!" Luke proclaimed. That last statement caused the Britannian Emperor's eyes to narrow very much at the Jedi.
Zero then walked to the centre as Lop brought her lightsaber and turned it on as her green blade shone as she lifted it above Zero's head.
"Those of you with power FEAR US!" Zero raised his hand from his cape.
Asami then turned on her lightsaber as its yellow blade shined through the night as she lifted her above Luke's head who proclaimed as he stood next to Zero.
"Those of you without it RALLY BEHIND US!" Luke proclaimed as he ignited his lightsaber, unleashing the glowing blue blade out.
"The other two and Luke they've got!" Nash said with widened eyes.
"A lightsaber!" Ciena said, now mesmerised by the sight of the weapons. "Just like the tales mama and papa used to tell me about the Force."
Darth Vader crossed his arms and almost narrowed his eyes at the old weapon. That very lightsaber. The lightsaber that had been made to replace the one lost on Geonosis. The lightsaber that had been made for a time of war. So many who had been slain by that blade regardless if they were good or evil.
"We, the Rebel Alliance and the Black Knights stand as Guardians of Peace and Justice! We will stand in judgement of not only this world but for all the worlds that exist here and across the galaxy!"
"The Spark has been lit!" Luke proclaimed as he lifted his lightsaber to meet Asami and Lop's lightsabers very high for everyone to see. "And the Rebellion is reborn!"
Then, all of the Black Knights and the rebels joined in a chorus to speak three more lines:
"LONG LIVE THE ALLIANCE! LONG LIVE THE REBELLION! MAY THE FORCE BE WITH US!"
Onboard the Devastator Vader heard it all. While also surprised to see that two Jedi were alive all this time and were on this planet the powerful sith lord kept still, watching the monitor of Luke, Zero, and the newly formed guardians of Justice chanted words of rebellion. Words of the Jedi.
And even worse the hologram of Obi Wan for the people to hear.
The sound of Obi Wan's voice caused Vader's blood to boil, yet it also brought peace. Deep inside his dark mind,Vader was happy that it was keeping Luke's dreams and ideals alive.
"Lord Vader, what shall we do?" Ronadam asked.
Vader turned to address those standing before him. "Recall all the Probe droids on the planet back at once and prepare a shuttle to Area 11!"
Admiral Piett then said, trying to contain his excitement and nerves. "At once Lord Vader!"
"The Rebel Alliance has made their presence known to this planet, and now it's our turn. Prepare the ship to enter the atmosphere and make way towards the area the probe is in."
"Captain Ronnadam," Vader addressed his trusting captain.
"Yes, sir!" Ronnadam answered, looking at the Dark lord.
"Prepare my shuttle, and TIE Fighters in advance."
"Understood, my lord," The captain said and left.
Vader then turned his attention on the blue globe ahead. After hours of observing they would finally make their presence known not only to the Britannian Empire but to the entire planet.
It was only the beginning.
The engines of the Devastator roared to life and finally moved through space as it made its way towards the unsuspecting globe home to billions, who at the time were unaware of the massive metal starship that was heading straight towards them.
In a matter of hours the destiny of the planet would be changed forever. Their view on the universe soon to be shaken by the arrival of new visitors.
The Galactic Empire was coming.
AND THEY WERE HERE TO STAY!