Geonosis (I)

The vast expanse of space above Geonosis was filled with the rumble of war engines, as a massive Republic fleet dropped out of hyperspace. Venator-class Star Destroyers, Acclamator-class assault ships, and a myriad of smaller vessels filled the black void, positioning themselves for a full-scale invasion. The Separatists were dug in on the surface below, and this wasn't going to be a simple fight. Geonosis, the arid desert planet, was alive with the hum of defensive shields and the sinister promise of the droid factories churning out armies for the Confederacy. 

Aboard Lelouch's flagship, the air was tense. The bridge, typically a well-oiled machine of military precision, now felt almost like a battleground itself. Around the central holo display, where the intricate surface of Geonosis was projected in full detail, a group of a dozen or so Jedi Generals were gathered. Among them were Ki-Adi-Mundi, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker, all looking over the map as they discussed their strategy. 

From his seat positioned slightly above the holo table, Lelouch watched the proceedings with a detached interest, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. The Jedi were here to "support" him, but he was no fool. He knew they were also here to keep an eye on him, to ensure he didn't employ any of his more radical tactics. He knew they viewed him as a maverick—dangerously unpredictable, and, in their eyes, often too close to the edge of what was acceptable in war. 

The Jedi were engaged in a debate over a rather straightforward plan of attack—one that, in Lelouch's opinion, was simply a waste of time and soldiers. They were discussing a multi-pronged assault with ground forces, supported by waves of LAAT/i gunships to breach the enemy defenses and neutralize key targets, all while avoiding civilian casualties. It was a standard plan for the Jedi, who always sought to minimize loss of life, even in the heat of battle. 

The clones of the Zero Legion, positioned along the edges of the bridge, watched the Jedi with guarded expressions. Their hands remained close to their weapons, ready to act if necessary. They respected the Jedi as warriors, but their loyalty was to their general—Lelouch vi Britannia—and all it would take was a single word from him for them to act. 

Ki-Adi-Mundi, an imposing Cerean with a long, white beard, turned toward Lelouch, his eyes narrowing slightly. "General Lelouch, we have proposed a feasible strategy to engage the enemy forces and capture their key installations while minimizing casualties. What is your opinion on the matter?" 

Lelouch leaned back in his chair, his face calm, a hand resting on his chin as if deep in thought. After a moment, he spoke, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. "My opinion? It's simple, Master Mundi. We get around the shield with an Orbital Kinetic Strike." 

The room fell silent, the tension thickening as the words settled over the Jedi Generals. A murmur of disbelief spread among them. 

Ki-Adi-Mundi's eyes widened. "Orbital Kinetic Strike?" he repeated, his voice tinged with a mix of shock and incredulity. "You mean to suggest crashing one of our ships into the planet's surface? Into the factory itself?" 

Lelouch nodded, his eyes cold and calculating. "Precisely. An Acclamator-class assault ship, fully loaded with depleted reactor fuel cells, would serve as a perfect projectile. The impact would obliterate the factory and any surrounding forces. The Separatists' defenses would be crippled in a single strike, leaving them vulnerable to mop-up operations." 

Outrage erupted among the Jedi Generals. "That would cause untold destruction!" shouted Plo Koon, his gravelly voice echoing through the bridge. "Countless lives would be lost in such an act, not just the Separatists but civilians too!" 

Luminara Unduli's usually calm demeanor cracked as she added, "This is not how we conduct war, General Lelouch! We are not the Separatists; we do not resort to such atrocities!" 

While the Jedi Generals continued to voice their disapproval, Lelouch remained composed, watching their reactions with an almost detached amusement. Anakin Skywalker, however, seemed caught in a moment of conflict. His expression was serious, and there was a flicker of agreement in his eyes—Lelouch could see it. Anakin knew the practicality of the plan, understood the cold logic behind it, yet as a Jedi, he couldn't openly support such a radical approach. 

Beside him, Obi-Wan Kenobi's brow was furrowed in deep thought. Unlike his peers, he remained silent, listening intently. Lelouch sensed a lingering doubt in the Jedi Master's mind—a curiosity, perhaps, about the potential effectiveness of such a strike. 

A slight smile crept onto Lelouch's lips. The Jedi were idealists, but even they could not ignore the efficiency of his proposal. Sensing the conflict between master and apprentice, he took a moment to relish the irony. As the Jedi Generals caught sight of his smile, their frustration only grew. 

"Enough of this!" Mundi snapped, his voice carrying authority. "We will not entertain this... barbaric suggestion any further." 

Lelouch's smile turned into one of helplessness, a façade to mask his true thoughts. He raised his hands slightly, palms outward, as if surrendering to their decision. "As you wish, Master Jedi. I am merely offering a solution that spares lives on our side." 

The debate continued, but it was clear that the Jedi were firm in their decision. They began to plan for a standard assault on the Separatist base, discussing entry points, the placement of their forces, and coordination of the LAAT/i gunships. 

Lelouch, seeing where this was going, slowly rose from his seat. His presence commanded immediate attention, and the room fell silent once more. His voice, calm but resolute, cut through the air. "I will not deploy my troops to be slaughtered for a plan that serves no purpose other than to satisfy your notions of restraint and morality." 

The Jedi Generals turned to face him, their expressions a mix of disbelief and anger. 

"What do you mean by that?" Plo Koon demanded. 

Lelouch's eyes narrowed. "I mean precisely what I said. I refuse to waste the lives of my men on this futile endeavor. If you wish to proceed with this plan, you will do so without the support of the Zero Legion. My fleet will maintain position and observe." 

An uproar of objections filled the room, but Lelouch remained steadfast. He had made his decision, and there was no turning back now. 

One by one, the Jedi Generals filed out of the briefing room, frustration etched across their faces. Anakin lingered for a moment, his eyes locking with Lelouch's. There was a silent understanding between them, a shared recognition of the difficult choices that war demanded. Obi-Wan followed behind him, his expression unreadable, but Lelouch could sense the lingering thoughts in his mind. 

As the Jedi Generals left to deploy their forces, Lelouch turned his attention to the bridge crew. His voice was low but carried the weight of authority. "Prepare a secure holo-conference with Coruscant," he ordered. "I have a feeling the Senate will want to hear about our Jedi friends' decisions." 

"Yes, sir!" the communications officer responded, moving quickly to comply. 

Turning to another officer, Lelouch gave his next command. "And have Captain Fordo prepare a platoon of the Zero Legion for emergency boarding engagements. They are to be on standby for my orders." 

The officer saluted sharply. "Right away, General." 

Lelouch moved to the observation deck, watching as the LAAT/i gunships launched from the Jedi vessels and descended toward the planet's surface, their formations tight and determined. The Jedi were about to engage in a battle of attrition, and Lelouch could already see the needless losses mounting. A scoff escaped his lips as he watched the scene unfold. 

----------------- 

Fifteen minutes had passed since the Jedi began their ill-fated assault on the Separatist stronghold on Geonosis. The tension had grown palpable as the reports streamed in. Lelouch stood in a darkened room just off the bridge, waiting for the holo-conference to begin. His eyes were fixed on the tactical display before him—a live feed of the battlefield unfolding below, with data from various points of conflict continuously updating. 

Finally, the holo-projectors flickered to life, and the figures of Chancellor Palpatine and the members of the Jedi High Council emerged. Their blue-tinted forms hovered in a circle around Lelouch, all facing the tactical display he was about to present. The Chancellor's expression was calm but expectant. The Jedi Masters, however, wore varying expressions of concern and frustration. 

Lelouch, maintaining a composed demeanor, initiated the tactical display. The room's lighting dimmed further as the holographic projection of Geonosis and its surrounding battle zones filled the space. Red and blue markers represented the Separatist and Republic forces, respectively. As the data streamed in, a grim picture was painted. 

"Chancellor, esteemed members of the Jedi Council," Lelouch began, his voice steady yet laced with a hint of cold resolve. "The situation on Geonosis has deteriorated rapidly in the last quarter of an hour. As you can see,"—he gestured to the highlighted markers—"three Jedi Knights have already fallen. Their transports were shot down before they could reach the designated landing zones." 

The Jedi Masters exchanged looks of alarm. Master Windu's brow furrowed deeply, his mouth set in a stern line. Yoda's eyes narrowed, his ears twitching as he sensed the grim reality unfolding. 

"Five more Jedi including Obi-Wan Kenobi," Lelouch continued, "are currently holding defensive positions here, on the way towards the eastern pass." He zoomed in on the display, highlighting a group of blue markers clustered in an open area with little to no cover, surrounded by a sea of red. "But their position is being overrun. Droid forces are closing in fast." 

A collective murmur spread among the Council members. They knew the significance of such losses. The death of a Jedi on the battlefield was not just a tactical setback but a blow to the morale of their troops and the Republic as a whole. 

"Ki-Adi-Mundi and Anakin Skywalker," Lelouch continued, shifting the display again, "are unaccounted for." He emphasized his next words, allowing them to hang in the air. "Presumed MIA or KIA." 

Master Windu's stern expression only hardened, his eyes locked onto the tactical feed with a grim intensity. 

"Casualty reports continue to mount," Lelouch continued. "Nearly half of our walkers have been destroyed, with more continuing to fall. We've already lost close to 2,000 troops. And let me remind you, gentlemen, that not a single major city on Geonosis has fallen yet." 

He paused, letting the gravity of the situation settle in the room. "If we continue this course of action, the casualty numbers will only rise. This is but one planet—one system. If this strategy is maintained for the entire campaign, we are looking at tens of thousands, if not more, in losses." 

The room fell silent as his words sank in. The Jedi Council members, accustomed to deliberation and restraint, were visibly shaken. Even Yoda seemed more contemplative than usual, his ears drooping slightly. The weight of their collective indecision had resulted in a costly start to this battle. 

Lelouch's violet eyes scanned the holographic faces around him, finally settling on the image of Chancellor Palpatine. His stare was intense, unwavering. "Chancellor," he said, his voice calm but commanding, "I request permission to proceed without oversight from the Jedi Council members." 

For a moment, the room was silent. The tension was palpable. The holographic forms flickered slightly, distorted by the charged atmosphere. 

Chancellor Palpatine, who had remained silent throughout the discussion, finally spoke. His voice was calm, almost soothing, but there was an underlying edge to it. "General Lelouch does have a point," he began, carefully choosing his words. "The losses are indeed troubling. And we cannot afford to squander the lives of our soldiers or our Jedi in prolonged engagements that do not guarantee swift victory." 

The Council members shifted uncomfortably. It was clear that the Chancellor's words carried a weight they could not ignore. 

Palpatine continued, "Perhaps it is time we allowed General Lelouch the freedom to execute this campaign in his own manner. After all, he was appointed for his unique approach to strategy. His successes thus far have demonstrated his capability. And the Republic needs victories." 

He paused, his gaze falling upon the Jedi Masters before him, as if assessing their reactions. "While I have the utmost respect for the wisdom of the Jedi Council..." he said slowly, "High-General... I grant you free reign." 

"Chancellor," Windu interjected, "we cannot simply—" 

"This is a war, Master Windu," Palpatine interrupted, his tone firm yet polite. "And in war, there must be decisive action. General Lelouch, the campaign is yours. Proceed as you see fit." 

A small, satisfied smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He turned to his communications officer. "Inform Captain Fordo to board Jedi General Mundi's Acclamator and assume command of the troops stationed within for immediate evacuation to my flagship." 

"Yes, sir," the officer replied, quickly moving to relay the command.