The Eternal Emperor

As they seated themselves, Lelouch glanced at the boy next to him. As Anakin also looked up at him, Lelouch reached out and passed a holo-pad to the young boy. 

"I hear you like piloting, and that you won a very important race that made it possible to bring our Queen here. Though I hear you are likely to join the Jedi at their temple, you are not one yet, so choose whichever one you like. Consider it a gift from me." 

Lelouch watched with a carefully measured smile as Anakin's eyes lit up at the sight of the holo-pad. The boy's initial attempts at polite refusal were half-hearted at best, his eagerness shining through despite his words. Lelouch had always been an astute judge of character, and in this young boy, he saw a perfect blend of naivety, ambition and power. 

Anakin's excitement was almost palpable as he finally accepted the holo-pad, his fingers brushing against the cool surface as if it were a treasure of immense value. "Thank you," the boy mumbled, his voice tinged with awe as he clutched the device to his chest. 

Lelouch nodded, his smile deepening just enough to appear warm and sincere. "You're welcome, Anakin. Consider it a token of appreciation for your bravery and skill. I've heard many speak of your talents, and I have no doubt you'll go far, whether with the Jedi or elsewhere." 

Anakin beamed, the praise clearly resonating with him. The boy was still young, unburdened by the complexities of the world he was stepping into. 

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Piloting is a skill that can take you places few others can reach. The freedom of the skies.... there's nothing quite like it, is there?" 

Anakin nodded enthusiastically, his youthful energy uncontained. "It's the best! I've always loved flying. I could feel it, you know? Like I was meant to be up there." 

Lelouch's gaze sharpened, his interest piqued. The boy spoke with passion, but there was something deeper, an instinctive connection to the universe that Lelouch recognized as the Force at work. Anakin wasn't just a skilled pilot—he was something more, something that could be honed into a weapon far beyond mere lightsabers and Jedi teachings. 

"That's a rare gift," Lelouch remarked, his tone casual but laden with meaning. "One that can set you apart from the rest. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, Anakin. Destiny may sometimes force us, but somewhere within, there is always a choice." 

The boy looked up at him, wide-eyed and full of hope. "Do you really think so?" 

"Absolutely," Lelouch replied smoothly, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "But remember, the path to greatness isn't always straightforward. It requires strength, wisdom, and sometimes, making difficult choices. But with the right allies, anything is possible." 

Anakin seemed to ponder Lelouch's words, his youthful mind turning over the possibilities. The seeds of ambition were there, and Lelouch could see them taking root even now. All they needed was a little water, a little nurturing, and they would grow into something powerful and unstoppable. 

As they settled into their seats for the Senate's next session, Lelouch allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. Anakin was still young, still impressionable, and Lelouch intended to be the one to guide him—whether the boy realized it or not. The connection between him, the Queen, and the Jedi was a delicate one, but it was also a powerful tool that Lelouch could use to his advantage. 

For now, Lelouch would play the role of the benevolent mentor, the older brother figure who understood the challenges Anakin faced. He would be patient, allowing the boy's trust to grow until the time was right. 

The connection between Amidala and Skywalker was a weakness—a crack in the armor of the Jedi, and one that could be exploited with the right pressure. 

As the Senate session dragged on, Lelouch's mind was a whirlwind of schemes and counter-schemes. The Queen and the Chosen One—a pair destined for greatness, perhaps, but also destined to be pawns of the Force. It had chosen its champions, but Lelouch had no intention of letting them stand in his way. If anything, their bond could be the very key to unraveling the Jedi, crushing his master and securing his own rise to power. 

An idea was forming in his mind, a strategy that would take time and patience to execute, but one that could yield tremendous results. If he could subtly influence their bond, manipulate it from the shadows, he could turn the Force's chosen into his personal sword. The Force would have its way. It had basically screamed such at him when he approached the Senator. 

As such, instead of going against it, he could perhaps push it while twisting it in his favor. It would take time, as he had to glance into what the Force had 

His smile deepened, dark and knowing, as he gazed at the young Jedi. 'Yes… that will do nicely,' he thought. The seeds of a new plan were being sown, one that would bring him closer to his ultimate goal. If the Force wanted to play games with destiny, then Lelouch would make sure the game was played on his terms. 

For now, he would bide his time, watching as the bond between Amidala and Skywalker grew. When the time was right, he would strike, turning their connection into a noose that would tighten around Anakin's neck. 

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As the days slipped by, the political tides of the Republic shifted with an almost imperceptible ease. The vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum, a momentous decision that had long been brewing in the shadowy corners of the Senate, passed without the anticipated uproar. The whispers of dissent that had echoed through the grand corridors of Coruscant now gave way to a new order, one that was quietly orchestrated by unseen hands. Amid the undercurrents of change, Queen Amidala returned to Naboo, determined to reclaim her world from the grip of the Trade Federation. 

The liberation of Naboo, a victory that would be recounted in stories and holovids for years to come, was swift and decisive. The alliance forged between the Naboo and the Gungan army was a testament to the Queen's leadership and determination. Together, they mounted a fierce resistance, striking at the very heart of the droid army that had sought to subjugate their home. The battle was hard-fought, with blaster fire and energy shields lighting up the lush landscapes of Naboo, but in the end, the droid forces fell like dominos, one after the other after the destruction of the droid control ship. 

The celebrations that followed were jubilant, the air thick with the scent of victory and the promise of a brighter future. The people of Naboo, both human and Gungan, rejoiced together in the streets of Theed, their differences forgotten in the shared triumph over a common foe. Amidala, ever the stoic leader, allowed herself a rare smile as she watched her people revel in their newfound freedom. The dark clouds that had hung over Naboo for so long seemed to dissipate, replaced by the bright light of hope. 

Yet, even as the people of Naboo celebrated, there were questions that lingered, unanswered and unspoken in the euphoria of victory. Questions that nagged at the minds of those who had been closest to the conflict, questions that cast a shadow over the otherwise triumphant moment. 

Why, upon their return to Naboo, had there been only a single droid control ship orbiting the planet? It was a curious anomaly, one that seemed out of place in the otherwise meticulously planned invasion. The Trade Federation was known for its overwhelming numbers, for its strategy of deploying vast fleets to ensure domination. And yet, when the time came for the final battle, the skies above Naboo had been occupied by only one lone control ship. 

The question was more than a mere curiosity—it was a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit, a loose thread that threatened to unravel the entire narrative. Amidala had noticed it, as had her most trusted advisors, but in the aftermath of victory, there had been little time to dwell on it. The priority had been the immediate survival and freedom of Naboo, and for that, the destruction of the lone control ship had been enough. 

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Lelouch looked at the figures kneeling before him all high officials that stood between the queen and the senate, captain and members of her personal guard, some spies of his master, long since subjugated to serve at his whims, by something much more powerful and permanent than simple force compulsion. 

He was currently in some of the lower levels of the city, right below the Queens residence... he could still hear the celebrations that were certainly ongoing under the moonlight. 

He allowed himself a smile as he heard the report from the captain of the royal guard. 

"My lord. The original data has been altered, drives we couldn't reach have been destroyed, and witnesses have been silenced or otherwise dealt with. All that remains is the contradicting data from the side of the Trade Federation." 

"I'll have to arrange a meeting with a fairly high-ranking member from the Federation. It doesn't need to be immaculate, it just needs to hold up for some years. Once the war is in full spring, no one will have the time to investigate." 

Turning around, Lelouch faced the cell. 

The Neimoidian within had a fearless look on his face as he stood bowing fervently. 

"I believe you arranged everything in order?" 

"Of course, my lord, strict orders were given to the droids to execute all crewmembers. The fleet is flying silent, waiting for the reactivation codes. Confirmation was sent to me shortly before the Queens' return to Naboo." 

"And the codes?" 

The captain rose behind Lelouch, reaching into his jacket and pulling out a holo-pad. 

Lelouch grabbed the pad and checked it over. It had the predicted route of the fleet as they flew silent and kept out of the hyperspace lanes for the foreseeable future. Once everything was in place this fleet may just play the most critical role yet... and even if it didn't, A fleet of 11 Lucrehulk battleships, 6 carriers and 2 droid control ships carrying full loadout of densely packed droids could be put to plenty of uses. 

"Very well, after I leave you shall not remember any of this has happened, not until next time I say 'Lelouch Vi Britannia commands you.'." 

"As you wish my lord." 

"It goes for the rest of you as well." 

"YES, MY LORD!"