The Malevolence (I.5)

A.N: Like... IDK, doesnt seem like (II) to me but it picks up from (I) so... eh...

As the battle for Christophis raged on, Lelouch remained the calm center of the storm, issuing orders with the precision of a master strategist. The bridge of his Venator-class Star Destroyer was a hive of activity, the crew working seamlessly under his command. His violet eyes scanned the tactical display, taking in every detail of the battlefield. Despite the apparent chaos, Lelouch's mind was already several steps ahead, planning for the next phase of his operation. 

Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Plo Koon were preparing to depart on their mission to track down the Malevolence, which had been detected heading toward the medical station in the Ryndellia system. The weapon's destructive potential was undeniable, and the urgency of the situation was not lost on the Jedi. However, Lelouch had his own plans for the Malevolence—plans that went beyond simply neutralizing the Separatist superweapon. 

Before the Jedi departed, Lelouch summoned Captain Fordo to a private chamber aboard his Venator. Fordo, the first among a batch of ARC troopers, had been handpicked by Lelouch to lead a special tactical team. These soldiers, unlike any others in the Republic's army, had been geassed by Lelouch—imbued with a fanatical loyalty and an unwavering focus on their mission. 

Fordo entered the chamber, his armor gleaming under the dim lights. He snapped to attention, awaiting Lelouch's orders. 

"Captain Fordo," Lelouch began, his tone measured and authoritative, "you and your team will accompany Generals Skywalker, Kenobi, and Plo Koon on their mission to intercept the Malevolence." 

"Understood sir. Are we to assist them int akin down the ship?" 

"In a way. You are to wait for the opportune moment to present itself. I have little doubt General Anakin is underestimating his enemy and their prized weapon, in which case their most viable option would be taking down the ship from the inside out. You are to accompany them." 

Fordo listened intently, his expression unreadable behind his helmet. 

"Once you board the Malevolence, you are to make your way to the bridge and take control of the ship. Ignore General Grievous if you encounter him; your mission is to secure the bridge at all costs. The Jedi must not be informed of your true orders. They are to believe you are there to support them, nothing more." 

Fordo nodded, his loyalty to Lelouch unquestionable. "Understood, sir. What are our instructions once we've taken the bridge?" 

Lelouch's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice lowering as he continued, "Once you have control of the bridge, follow the set of instructions I've provided in this holodisk and hold your position. These orders are for your and your team's eyes only, Captain. It'll become pretty clear at that point so you will have to only worry about maintaining your position. Worst come to worst you are permitted to cut all entries to the bridge to buy enough time." 

Fordo accepted the encrypted data chip Lelouch handed him, securing it in a compartment on his armor. "No one will stand in our way, sir. We'll see it through... However, I'd like to require two additional tactical squads." 

Lelouch simply smiled. "It's good to know you are not that arrogant. You can have the Lockdown's and Spider's squads. They'll report directly to you." 

"Sir? I believe they would be invaluable to bringing down the enemy strongholds and holding our strategic points in Christophis... are you sure you want me to take them with me?" 

Fordo had gotten acquainted with the most important elements of Zero Legion, and if you asked him, those two squads ranked among the top along with his. While his squad excelled at versatility, capable of adapting to most situations while preferring overwhelming firepower as their method of choice, Lockdown's and Spider's were heavily specialized, in holding the position and breaking them down respectively. He could fully admit they were better than him at those specific tasks. 

They were hand made for the conflict on Christophsis and essential to any planetary invasions. Sending them in this risky of a mission with no backup... was rather careless. 

And that was when Fordo saw his general scowl in disgust for the first time. "I do not intend to send my men to die because of the Jedi soft handed approach. This is no peacekeeping operation. This is war, and I'm about to remind them of this." 

"As you command, sir." Fordo said as he felt rather invigorated. 

Lelouch nodded, satisfied. "Good. Ensure that nothing interferes with your mission. Failure is not an option." 

With his orders clear, Fordo saluted and exited the chamber, ready to brief his teams on their mission. Lelouch watched him go, a faint smile playing on his lips. 

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The Jedi Generals and their forces prepared to depart Christophis, their focus on intercepting the Malevolence before it could strike the medical station. Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Plo Koon convened on the bridge of Lelouch's flagship for a final briefing. 

"Are you certain we should be doing this?" Obi-Wan asked, his tone cautious. "The situation on Christophis is still precarious. If we leave now, the Separatists might regain control." 

Anakin, ever the bold and impulsive one, shook his head. "We can't let the Malevolence destroy that medical station. It's full of wounded clones and civilians. We need to stop it before it can do any more damage." 

Plo Koon, always the voice of calm reason, added, "We'll be swift, Obi-Wan. Lelouch's forces are more than capable of holding Christophis. And if we succeed, the Malevolence will no longer be a threat." 

Lelouch, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally spoke. "You have my full support, Generals. Captain Fordo and his teams will accompany you to ensure the success of your mission. Christophis is secure in my hands." 

The Jedi exchanged glances, their unease palpable. But they could not deny the logic of Lelouch's words. With a final nod, they turned to depart, heading to their ships for the journey to Ryndellia. 

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The moment the Jedi fleet jumped to hyperspace, Lelouch's demeanor shifted. He returned to the bridge, his presence commanding as he issued new orders to his officers. Christophis had been a thorn in the Republic's side for too long, and Lelouch intended to ensure that the Separatists would never recover their foothold on the planet. 

"Prepare for orbital bombardment," Lelouch ordered, his voice cutting through the controlled chaos of the bridge. ""Target all known Separatist strongholds and concentrations." 

The Venator-class Star Destroyers adjusted their positions, aligning their massive turbolaser batteries with the surface of Christophis. The Zero Legion's ships, already in position, prepared to unleash their devastating firepower. 

The officer at his side reported immediately. "All forces have moved into position, patching you through now general." 

"This is the 'Stalwart', acquiring fire solution... awaiting your command." 

"This is the 'Conqueror', acquiring fire solution... awaiting your command." 

"This is the 'Relentless', acquiring fire solution... awaiting your command." 

"This is the 'Fortitude', acquiring fire solution... awaiting your command." 

"This is the 'Zephyr', acquiring fire solution... awaiting your command." 

"This is the 'Ironclad', acquiring fire solution... awaiting your command." 

The officer received a nod from another clone further on the bridge before turning to Lelouch. 

"General, we have firing solution... awaiting your command." 

"Begin bombardment." There was no tremble in his voice nor was there any change in his expression as he gave the order. 

Lelouch watched as the first volley of turbolaser fire rained down on the planet below. The Separatist strongholds crumbled under the relentless bombardment, their defenses obliterated in moments. The surface of Christophis was scarred by the relentless assault, massive explosions lighting up the planet like a macabre fireworks display. 

The civilians caught in the crossfire were a necessary sacrifice in Lelouch's eyes. The loss of life was tragic, but in war, such sacrifices were inevitable. The greater good demanded it... his greater good demanded it, and Lelouch was not one to shy away from making hard decisions. 

'It is a simple fact that the ones in power make and break the rules as they see fit and the weak are swept by their decisions.' 

Albeit, the voice in his head couldn't miss such a chance for banter.'Weren't you in such a position not that long ago? Now you condemn people to the same fate that befell you. Di you not reject such a world and eventually changed it... and here you are enforcing it. How the tables have turned.' 

'I rejected it... I refused it... Yes... but not once did I say I disagree with it... It is only because the world is such that we have the possibility of changing it, life itself is conflict... Though change is a big word, you cannot have change without a constant variable. I merely hid its true nature behind a veil of fear no one would dare to peak through for a while... hopefully long enough for her to live her entire life in that changed world before it eventually regains its lost course.' 

'This is rather redundant of me as I am the one who chose you, but you are indeed a rare breed... no, dare I say unique. It takes a strong man to deny what's right in front of him. You went even further, saw the world for what it was, denied it, and craved it into what you wanted it to be, temporarily as it might have been...' 

Lelouch simply glanced at the mental projection of the Chaos God, unfathomable as it might have been...