Author's Note:
Welcome to my story! As I stated in the summary, I plan for this to become a collection of mostly-canon one-shots detailing character interactions in the CG universe. Many of them will inevitably cast a focus upon Lelouch since I consider him one of my favorite characters in anime, however each tale will be told from the perspective of a different CG character, major or minor. For example, this first chapter deals with how Lloyd and Cecile first met Lelouch after he and Suzaku teamed up in R2. These stories represent how I imagine discussions progressed in the anime when not onscreen. By referring to them as mostly-canon, I mean almost all of the stories should have been possible considering canon events. For all intents and purposes, I consider them canon, even if you may not. Also, I apologize for any OOCness, because it inevitably will occur, especially with the narrators serving as my proxies. So, without further ado, please enjoy Missing Pieces!
Chapter 1: Conspiracy
"Sir Kururugi!" The door guard gave a proud salute as the familiar youth neared his sights. He wore his typical dazzling white uniform indicative of a Rounds, minus the navy cape he donned for formal occasions.
"At ease," the boy replied, glancing around, his face remaining neutral. "Is something the matter, James?"
The guard's heart beat faster when he realized the emperor's associate had bothered to remember his meager name. Unlike many other Britannians, he cared not about the boy's nationality or heritage, both being relics of a distant past. Instead, the guard chose to focus on present matters, notably the rank of the boy before him. A rank he, as well as every other humble soldier of the Empire, coveted greatly. He dropped his arms to his sides. "Yes, sir." He paused as if considering whether to continue. "Sir, we've been wondering…that is, it's been weeks since the Second Battle of Tokyo, and the absence of both you and especially His Majesty the emperor have not gone unnoticed. Forgive my intrusion, sir, but we feared the worst. Does your presence here mean His Majesty returned to the capital as well?"
The knight maintained his gaze, and James suddenly regretted having spoken at all. It was not his place to inquire about the business of royalty. Sometimes the man wished he could just learn to keep his mouth shut. Silently praying for mercy, the guard listened as his young employer replied, "That's exactly what I came to discuss with Lloyd and Miss. Cecile. In private."
James blinked. He hadn't really expected an answer to his question, yet the Knight of Seven hadn't bothered to reprimand him either. In fact, the boy's features barely changed during the interaction, but something was definitely wrong. Did something happen to the emperor? The guard could barely comprehend the thought, yet the Knight of Seven seemed unusually solemn, even for him (the boy's serious attitude had, after all, earned him a reputation as the stark opposite of the similarly-aged Knight of Three). James desperately yearned to hear the answer, but Sir Kururugi's response had dashed his hopes of that ever occurring. Obviously, his ears were not welcome in that conversation between the Emperor's right-hand and the eccentric scientists. Concerned that he had already overstepped his bounds, the guard replied with a simple "Of course, sir."
He shifted sideways to open the door for the young knight when he realized a third person occupied the corridor as well. Slightly behind his superior stood a Britannian boy who appeared about the same age as Sir Kururugi. He wore what seemed to be a black school uniform with golden trim as his raven hair fell into his face. Yet, these features weren't what caught James's attention. Though the unfamiliar boy glanced slightly to the side, the guard could still discern the color of his eyes: a stunning violet. What an unusual color. It carried…elegance. Suddenly, the boy turned towards him, and James froze, a shiver rising up his spine. The gaze wasn't one he expected of a student. It was hard, piercing, predatory, like it could stare right into his soul. It reminded him of someone… The emperor, his mind told him. No, that was ridiculous. No boy's gaze could possibly carry that much power. The man forced himself out of his stupor. "Excuse my asking Sir Kururugi, but will your friend be accompanying you as well? This area is restricted under orders from His Highness Second Prince Schneizel – "
"Yes, I requested to meet with Professor Asplund and Miss. Croomy personally. I assure you, my presence is none of your concern."
The ebony-haired boy's voice carried too much authority. If the guard didn't know better, he would have mistaken the tone for that of Prince Schneizel himself. Who is he? Nobility? Oh well. Maybe one day, he would figure it out. He almost let the two pass, but at the last second he remembered to check with Sir Kururugi first. Was I about to let an unknown minor into the facility based on his word alone? To his relief, the knight gave a firm nod, covering his blunder. "Right this way then."
The pair strode confidently past him. James thought the difficult interaction had ended, at least until the unidentified youth turned to face him. "Oh, excuse me, there is one last thing." The guard froze for a second time as their eyes locked. Once again, he felt the power of the other's gaze, but this time it was accompanied by fear, no, terror as well. The violet irises had disappeared, leaving only an eerie red glow in their place. Red like blood. "You will obey my orders."
Cecile presented the tray of snacks to her boss as he held a roll of blueprints up to Camelot's latest magnum opus, fervently glancing between both models. The woman sighed. Honestly, Lloyd had worked too hard as of late, considering the current situation. What use would a state-of-the-art Knightmare such as the one before them have without a proper pilot? Honestly, it served no purpose at the moment but to take up space in the hangar, catch the attention of nobility who passed through, and distract the professor from more important projects, such as helping improve Britannia's military force as a whole. Not that he'd ever expressed any interest in that endeavor. Lloyd only seemed invested in building single, unique KMFs, perhaps with the hope of outdoing his adversary Rakshata or simply finding entertainment in the spectacle the machine performed while in the midst of battle.
"Lloyd," she spoke softly. He didn't even acknowledge her presence, continuing to hum away at whatever jovial tune occupied his mind. She tried once more, this time with a little more force. "Lloyd!"
That got his attention. The self-proclaimed sociopath turned his head towards his assistant. A sly smile tugging at the edge of his lips as he eyed her up. "My, my Cecile. It's rare to be hearing you raise your voice –" He stopped his words as his eyes finally rested upon the platter she brandished before her. His eyebrows quirked upwards as if considering how to handle them, his smile dropping slightly.
Cecile resisted the urge to frown, torn between anger and disappointment. I always knew he didn't like my cooking! If Suzaku were here, he would- Feeling upset, the woman halted her train of thought, closed her eyes, disobeyed the whims of her emotions, and smiled warmly towards the engineer. "They're for you of course! I knew you must be hungry after working so long on the Albion, so I tried out a new cookie recipe I found online!"
Silence accompanied the pair. Then, Cecile heard Lloyd shift slightly. "You have no faith, Cecile."
Said woman opened her eyes quickly, too shocked to formulate an answer. Her boss still gazing towards the machine, a soft, smug expression of happiness apparent on his face. "Huh?" Was I wrong? Does he actually like my cooking after all? Suddenly, she felt bad for immediately assuming the worst of her employer. Maybe he just isn't hungry.
"You think modifications to the Lancelot Albion are pointless, do you not?" Cecile sighed, realizing that he never had any interest in her food at all. It would only ever be about Knightmares with him. She nodded in hesitant agreement, however, to the question he had posed. "Don't discount our devicer just yet. He's always pulled through in the end, and I don't expect him to stop just yet."
The interaction was incredibly optimistic for Lloyd. "How do you know?" she asked, her eyes pleading for reassurance that the boy she had grown so fond of may one day return. Chances were slim, but perhaps he had truly succeeded in assassinating the emperor. Maybe he chose to report directly to Schneizel afterwards and was currently helping finish negotiations in the former Area Eleven. The territory was once the boy's home-country, after all.
Lloyd turned to her and began to laugh jovially. "Because he loves Knightmares just as much as we do, that's why! The Lancelot's just as much his baby as it is ours! He wouldn't abandon the project without a proper goodbye." In his bout of joy, the man even reached over and removed a cookie from the tray, placing it into his mouth to eat.
The use of "ours" wasn't lost on Cecile, and she was glad to know that Lloyd had finally decided that the Lancelot was indeed a collaboration. And he even ate my cookie! When her partner's feature's twisted slightly in response to the food, Cecile sighed and decided to content herself with only the first victory. Beginning to doubt anyone else desired her cooking at the moment, Cecile began to consume her concoction herself. Delicious!
Just then, the door opened from the other end of the hangar, producing a loud hiss in the process. Cecile turned and promptly dropped her cookies onto the floor. The snacks crumbled upon impact and scattered as the platter itself settled with the ringing of metal. There he stood, just as Lloyd had promised, his clean, white uniform pressed and neat as usual. The brunette's hair curled into his face, slightly obscuring the stern expression he'd commonly worn for the past year. But, his appearance didn't matter to Cecile, who had come to view the boy as much more than an employee or, later, employer. "Suzaku!" she yelled, breaking out into a sprint. The knight had been making his way across the hangar already, so the two met in the middle as Cecile wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. "I'm so glad you're okay!"
Lloyd smiled at the scene, glad not only because his predication had just come to pass, but also because both his assistant and his devicer deserved this "heartfelt" reunion for all of their hard work. Heartfelt may have been a strong word, however, considering Suzaku's expression still hadn't wavered from the serious one he initially wore as he entered. Something had definitely happened to the boy in the last year, and it had broken him. No longer did he express that naïve smile he once did every day after school as he chatted with Cecile about the antics of his friends, the student council. Princess Euphemia's death and his promotion had a profound impact on him, and Lloyd always held a small concern in the back of his mind that the boy's mental state may have become fragile enough to render him an unfit pilot. Yet, the knight proved him wrong again and again, always outperforming every expectation of the Lancelot…
Lloyd lost his train of thought as he glanced down at the mess of Cecile's cooking on the ground. Finally, an excuse to throw out her foul disaster. He pointed to the fallen cookies. "Attention! Someone come clean this up, but use the proper protective equipment! It's a class C hazard!" The workers paled at the code word. Cecile's cooking. They reluctantly pulled on their gloves yet glanced at each other without moving, daring someone to take the lead. "Come now!" the scientist exclaimed, flailing his arms above him. "We don't have all day!"
Oblivious to the insults surrounding her, Cecile squeezed the boy closer to her body, disregarding all formality. "We were so worried about you!" she said in his ear. Were her eyes watering? "I mean, you know Lloyd. He'd never admit it aloud, but I'm sure he thought it all the same." The woman forced herself to pull away and stand face to face with her still stern-faced friend. Her eyes drifted downwards in involuntary subordination. "We missed you, here around the lab. And I'm not just referring to the last month either." When she looked back up again, the knight's features had softened slightly, his eyebrows quirking upwards and his lips unconsciously forming the ghost of a smile that displayed a noticeable emotion: gratitude. He's still there. That Suzaku from before.
Still caught in the moment, Cecile felt like Suzaku's reemergence indicated something else of importance, but she couldn't quite remember what it was. What had the knight left to do in the first place anyway…? That was it. "Suzaku, if you're here, then what happened to the emperor?"
Cecile instantly regretted her words as the boy's expression hardened once more. If only she could preserve his joy for just a little longer. He certainly deserved no less. In response to the inquiry, the knight spoke for the first time. "I think that conversation would be best held in private, Miss. Cecile." The woman followed his shifting gaze to the workers who had begun cleaning up her fallen treat. Already, a few of them had cocked their heads slightly in what may have been subtle eavesdropping. Oh, yes, none of them needed to hear mention of treason. Treason. Still, the word tasted bile in her mouth, but if it was for Prince Schneizel and Suzaku then…
Suzaku stepped in front of her to address the Camelot employees. "Men!" They (grateful for the distraction) halted their task immediately and turned their attention towards their beneficiary. Lloyd frowned at the interruption, but he supposed news of the emperor was a justifiable reason to delay hazard clean up, even if said hazard was Cecile's cooking. "Please wait in the breakroom while I discuss my absence with Professor Lloyd and Miss. Cecile. I will debrief you as soon as I've finished."
"Yes, sir!" they chanted, happily abandoning their unwanted task in exchange for an unscheduled break.
Lloyd watched their departure before turning back towards his assistant and devicer. As the break room door closed, he finally asked the question he'd been holding in since the boy's initial appearance. "Suzaku, aren't you going to introduce us to your classmate at the door?"
Classmate at the door? Cecile turned around, and sure enough, a raven-haired boy leaned against the door frame in what appeared to be the uniform of Ashford Academy. How had she not noticed him before? His eyes swept over her in such a manner that indicated indifference, yet the educated woman knew he was trying to form an impression of her and, probably, Lloyd as well. His gaze was a cold violet (like the emperor, a fleeting thought told her), and it betrayed cunning. Danger signals buzzed in her head, but Cecile pushed the feeling aside regardless. He couldn't possibly be a threat if Suzaku brought him. Still, they were about to discuss confidential information involving treason, information that the student shouldn't have access to unless Suzaku chose to divulge it himself. "Suzaku, is it okay that he-?"
Cecile was cut off not by the boy she addressed, but by a chuckle from the other at the door. She watched as he straightened his posture and strode outwards. "Is it alright that I stay for your conversation regarding the former emperor, Charles zi Britannia? I would hope so, considering it was I who killed him."
That had not been the response Cecile expected. After a quick glance to Suzaku (who sighed and nodded in confirmation of the claim), the woman couldn't help but stare wide-eyed at the mysterious boy and the triumphant smirk that adorned his face in response to his own audacious proclamation. Her mouth hung open considerably, thoughts of shock not very well hidden on her features. Even more surprising, Lloyd mimicked her expression perfectly from behind her. It took a lot to catch the scientist off-guard. This situation however, was an exception. Sure, the duo could imagine Suzaku, a trained soldier and ace pilot with close military connections, being able to maybe get lucky and attack the emperor during a moment of relaxed security, but this scrawny schoolboy in front of them…He barely looks like he could snap a twig. How did he get involved in this plot? Yet, that aura of confidence…Cecile reflexively shivered. Something was amiss with the teen.
"My, my, what an interesting development." Lloyd had snapped out of his stupor and now began to really take in the anomaly before him. He started walking towards his assistant, asking aloud, "Are you one of those young 'irregulars' I've heard mention of, perhaps?" Suddenly, the man found himself within a foot of the boy. "I don't recall ever seeing you in military affairs before. There also aren't many teenagers besides our Suzaku here that would decide to up and murder leader of the world's largest nation." Lloyd's eyes lit up. "How did you do it, then?"
"Lloyd!" Cecile tugged him back by his lab coat until he remained by her side once more.
"Ow! What was that for?" he whined, smoothing his coat.
"You're being rude to our-" she stole a wary look at the boy. "-guest. At least give him the chance to introduce himself first before you demand information of him." Even if he did just nonchalantly claim to have murdered the emperor. And with blatant pride as well. How can he stomach it, being Britannian himself?
The boy looked slightly past Cecile – presumably at Lloyd – with a hint of amusement. "Yes, I suppose proper introductions are in order, Professor Asplund, Miss. Cecile Croomy," he stated, nodding at each in turn. If his knowledge of their identities surprised Cecile, what came after left her completely speechless. The boy crossed his arms over his chest and pronounced, "My name is Lelouch vi Britannia, the eleventh prince of the Holy Britannian Empire."
No one spoke. Cecile heard her heart beat in her ears. Royalty?! She could feel the blush invade her cheeks as she began to panic. Immediately, she bent at the waist begging, "Please forgive us for our disrespect, your highness!" The emperor's own son killed him? Is this just a battle for succession? She looked up slightly to put the prince into her view. What exactly is going on here?
[Suzaku scowled. Even now, he can't help but be dramatic. He had reclaimed the title of eleventh prince so that they could fulfill their plan, but the knight still felt uncomfortable with his 'friend's' expectation of receiving the royal treatment once more, if only to demonstrate his authority.]
The prince – Lelouch, he said his name was – waved his hand dismissively. "Rise. What need have you to apologize when I've removed myself from Britannian politics for so much of my life?" Cecile stood and glanced at Lloyd, who probably had never bowed to begin with. Speaking of disrespect… She couldn't read his expression clearly, but he seemed to be regarding the prince with curiosity, as if he were some scientific novelty. Granted, anyone would consider the boy an anomaly by definition of royalty. His school uniform spoke volumes about where he had been recently. Hiding in Area 11 and attending school with Suzaku…?
Lloyd finally spoke, keeping a straight face as he did so. "A pleasure to meet you, your highness."
A pleasure to… Cecile looked from one man to another, confused. "You mean you two haven't met before? Aren't you always around the royal court since you're nobility, Lloyd? Isn't that how you knew Princess Euphemia before her public debut?" The woman didn't notice the two teens both flinch at her mention of the deceased pinkette.
"Yes, although…" The professor eyed up the prince before him, a look of suspicion apparent. "This one I recognize but can't recall ever meeting in Pendragon." He then addressed Lelouch directly once more. "Exactly which of the late emperor's imperial consorts is your mother, then?"
Cecile was about to snap at her superior for disrespect once more, but she instead found herself pondering his question instead. She did recognize the name 'vi Britannia,' but who… suddenly a name came to her, the syllables forming on her lips before she could think to remain silent at the revelation. "Viceroy Nunnally…"
Immediately, she regretted speaking. The prince's once-smug face wavered in expression for only a few moments before he regained a more stoic composure, but it lasted long enough for Cecile to at least discern the emotion present: pain. He even seemed to turn a few shades paler than his already-light complexion, his brows furrowing slightly as well. A little voice inside her head berated her for her inconsiderate words. Nunnally vi Britannia was among the casualties of the F.L.E.I.J.A. disaster in the Tokyo settlement. Of course her brother would mourn her death. He may carry with him authority and arrogance, but in the end, isn't he just a boy as well? Cecile bowed deeply in an attempt to remedy her mistake. "Forgive me, your highness. I didn't mean to – "
"Yes, Nunnally vi Britannia was my sister," Lelouch stated, interrupting the woman's apology. She nervously stood again as he continued. "She wanted nothing more than a peaceful world for all people, and as such I had planned to deliver her one. However, I believe our own opportunity for peace was stolen from us the day our mother, the late Empress Marianne, was murdered in cold blood and my dear, innocent sister was left both blind and crippled in the aftermath. I confronted my father to demand an explanation of her incompetent security forces, but he disregarded my request entirely, instead exiling my sister and me to Japan as political hostages, a punishment for our 'weakness.'" His eyes shone with a fierce anger that threatened to set the entire workshop ablaze. "When Britannia invaded Japan, Nunnally and I became caught in the crossfire at the Kururugi shrine," he continued, briefly shooting a glance towards his childhood friend. "Since that day, our lives had been fraught with constant war and danger. Conflicting ideologies led to increasing violence between factions until finally…"
The boy paused to swallow, his fury dissipating as he did so. "I was never so presumptuous to assume that we could hide in the shadows forever. I had always planned to one day deliver retribution to the man who wronged not only his citizens, but his own children as well. Recent events, however, accelerated this process tremendously. And now…" A menacing grin emerged along the prince's slim features as he extended his arms outwards. "…here I am, ready to finish what I've begun, with your help of course."
The scientists remained silent at the proclamation for several moments. As Cecile finished processing the prince's tale, Lloyd stepped forward a bit, and Cecile wondered if he was going to ask the logical follow-up question to what they had just been told. What do you want with us, your highness? Instead what came out of his mouth seemed almost inconsequential in the context of the boy's origins. His eyes had grown wider, almost in childlike glee. "You're the son of Marianne the Flash?"
Even Lelouch appeared confused at the outburst, probably anticipating the same question as Cecile. If he expected to predict Lloyd's behavior, this prince still had a lot to learn concerning the eccentric man. The boy stood still with his arms outstretched, his brows tilted slightly upwards. Slowly he lowered his arms to his sides. "Yes…"
"Are you a devicer as well, then?"
The pieces simultaneously clicked together in the minds of the prince, the knight, and the assistant. Of course, Knightmares. What else would matter to the man?
[Some things never change, Suzaku thought. He smiled inwardly as he imagined how Lloyd's non sequiturs would surely derail Lelouch's perfectly calculated plans. Already, the knight could discern his friend's look of slight irritation. Serves him right to be humbled by an unpredictable reality every once in a while. His mood fell as a darker thought emerged. Right now the situation is amusing, but if Lelouch gets too frustrated…I need to be ready to intervene.]
Then, to everyone's surprise, Lelouch lightly beamed, as if he had just received a compliment. "I suppose I could be considered as such, however I am no match for your ace. I am but an above average pilot at best."
Cecile furrowed her brows. When would he have piloted Knightmares? He had been hiding from Britannia for years and seems to have no military ties. Lloyd's single follow-up question addressed just that from an engineering standpoint. He seemed pleased of the prince's response. "Which models have you piloted, your highness?"
Lelouch looked off to the side and answered in a nonchalant manner, "Well, I've controlled the Ganymede during multiple festivals at Ashford Academy over the years."
"But, surely that's not all…? You speak as though you're experienced. And I wonder, if not from the Britannian military, from where are the Knightmares coming that you would pilot?"
The prince stared at the scientist for a moment before breaking into another one of his characteristic smirks. "You certainly are perceptive, Professor Asplund. As for your question, I assure you my time spent hiding in Japan had not been spent idly. Every day, the resentment towards my family, especially my father, grew insurmountably until I finally received the opportunity to change this tumultuous world. Rakshata's supply of Knightmares were but a stepping stone in my own plans."
That name registered immediately with both scientists. Cecile's eyes grew large. "Rakshata, but she's been collaborating with…"
"The Black Knights," her boss finished for her, his expression containing more disdain as he did so. Mention of the Indian woman always brought a sour taste to his mouth. "And I suppose this makes you part of their ranks."
The boy chuckled. "Yes, you could definitely say that."
"You used the terrorists to enact revenge upon Britannia itself." Lloyd stated it as a fact, not a question. No anger lined his voice, but perhaps a hint of curiosity, or was it…admiration?
Lelouch looked directly at the scientist, but chose to ignore the previous remark. "You asked what models I've piloted. Originally, I used a Sutherland and later a Burai. Then…"
The boy laughed once more. "Forgive me, Professor Asplund, though I'm sure you are still bitter over how I pilfered your Knightmare, I must compliment you on your extraordinary craft. The Gawain was nothing short of a masterpiece, and even after its destruction, its parts continued their usefulness from within Rakshata's own design, the Shinkiro."
Both engineers visibly paled at the prince's statement. The Gawain? The Shinkiro? Though the general public may not pay much mind to the names of specific machines, the duo made sure to memorize every possible one they could, including the specs. And those two frames…after the Gawain's capture on Kaminejima, they had only been piloted by one man, the most infamous man in the Britannian Empire, if not the world: the man who had stolen the Gawain in the first place, who had incited a rebellion in a small colony which had soon grown like a wildfire, who had never once revealed his face behind the opaque purple mask, who had apparently perished during the Second Battle of Tokyo. That man…both scientists sensed the immediate danger and instinctively reached for their hidden weapons in their coats. Cecile started to speak, but couldn't finish her sentence because she simply couldn't fathom the idea. "That would make you…"
"Zero."
[Suzaku rolled his eyes at the roundabout way Lelouch had gone about divulging this information to the scientists. They had planned to reveal the identity of his alter ego at some point during the conversation, but of course Lelouch felt the need to turn Lloyd's odd inquiries into a lead-in for a cryptic dramatic reveal. He desperately wanted to berate the former revolutionary himself, but he had promised to remain in the background during the exchange. Apparently his majesty's independence would be necessary to create an imposing image of royalty. Suzaku swallowed his frustration and remained silent, however he cautiously eyed the pair of engineers as they reached towards their weapons…]
Cecile fumbled with her pistol, looking down at her coat briefly. Realizing she'd taken her eyes off the hostile (she tried to remember her minimal military training from years prior but realized by now that she had already significantly botched up protocol, especially when facing Britannia's most dangerous enemy), the woman returned her eyes upwards and froze when she noticed that the Knight of Seven had stepped in front of the revolutionary, holding his arms outstretched as if to act as some sort of shield. He glared at his former guardians. "I will not allow any harm to befall his majesty!"
Cecile felt as though invisible hands had seized her heart and begun to squeeze. Never before had Suzaku looked at her with such…it wasn't hatred, no, maybe hostility. There wasn't a doubt in her mind that, knowing the boy before her, he would stubbornly take a bullet in order to protect his new charge. "But, Suzaku, why would you defend Zero…?" A realization hit her. "He killed Princess Euphemia!"
Suzaku flinched, and Cecile thought she may have made a mistake in providing that grim reminder. But then, his features softened and took on a more somber appearance that reminded Cecile a little more of the naïve boy he used to be, the boy she had grown to love as a mother would her son. "I am well aware of his past actions, Miss. Cecile, and I do not plan to overlook his behavior even now. I do not and never have agreed with his methods, however what he is planning…this is the only way to ensure that humanity can at last achieve the peace it's always desired. I cannot expect you to trust him – I certainly don't as of now and we've been friends for years – but trust me instead: what we are trying to accomplish is for the betterment of humanity, and if I discover that Lelouch has lied to me for yet another time, I promise I will deliver just punishment for not only that betrayal, but for every other sin he has as of yet committed." The woman's eyes widened at the proclamation. "Please, Miss. Cecile, we need your help as well as Lloyd's and I request that you at least hear Lelouch – Zero – out."
The boy stepped aside to reveal his now-grim-faced companion beside him. Cecile glanced between both boys, trying to come to a decision. On one hand, if Suzaku had agreed not only to follow Zero, but to risk his life for him, a man Cecile knew firsthand he had once despised, and certifiably so, then she figured the man had to have some merit behind his plans. Even if she personally feared the revolutionary, she respected Suzaku as at least a friend. Yet…she found it hard to condone all the atrocities Zero had committed: killing Euphemia and Clovis, using underhanded ambush tactics in battle, somehow sneaking collaborators into key government areas, exhibiting a blatant disregard for citizen casualties in battle, stealing the Gawain, kidnapping the Chinese empress, and now slaying the emperor. But hadn't Suzaku set out to accomplish that last goal already, under Prince Schneizel's orders instead? And she and Lloyd had condoned the act as well. She glanced over to her partner, but it seemed as though he had already formed his own thoughts on the matter.
He smiled, turning to Lelouch. "Do you happen to have the Shinkiro with you?"
"Of course, and I planned already to offer it to you as part of our deal. If you agree to work for me, you may do what you wish with the Shinkiro, granted you assist me in developing an advanced Knightmare fleet as well as a few other projects I have in mind. I will provide you with ample funding, of course."
Lloyd's eyes lit up like a child's on Christmas day, but soon he pouted. "Does this mean you expect me to collaborate with that Indian madwoman as well?" Obviously knowing who Lloyd referred to, Cecile ignored his specific question and focused instead on its broader implications. This man had apparently created one of the best fighting forces the world had ever seen, yet here he was requesting aid from the enemy's lead engineers. What exactly is he planning with an 'advanced Knightmare fleet'?
Lelouch pursed his lips slightly. "At the present juncture, the Black Knights and I are not on what would be considered good terms. I pose this deal to you not as Zero, but as Lelouch vi Britannia. In fact, I plan to hang up the mantle of Zero so as to avoid a conflict of interest, since I have already cleared my initial objectives. So, to answer your question, Professor Asplund, you will receive complete autonomy in your work, save my personal oversight and direction. Will that suffice?"
Before Cecile even had a chance to process the new information given, Lloyd had already begun to respond. "Well then, you don't need to convince me any further, your highness. When do I start?"
Cecile sighed, knowing the argument had basically ended, though reservations and unanswered questions still floated around in her mind. "Alright, if both Lloyd and Suzaku are already on board…I guess you can count on my services as well, your highness." The woman gave a small bow as a sign of good will towards the prince, hoping that she wouldn't soon regret her choice.
"Excellent." As she stood, she noticed the prince had already glided past her farther into the hangar, inspecting the weaponry present. Apprehension welled up inside Cecile. What had she just gotten herself into? Treason? Taking orders from an eighteen-year-old tactical genius and former terrorist? When she graduated from the Royal Academy, this scenario had certainly never crossed Cecile's mind. Yet, here she was, and most likely she could not turn back now. There would be consequences... The prince turned back to the group and addressed them. "Now let us begin our business." His violet eyes scanned over the people present. Suzaku tensed. "As my knight stated previously, I have conceived a way in which we can successfully end the constant wars occurring worldwide, stirred by conquering nations such as Britannia. Besides myself, this plan is currently only known by Sir Kururugi and another accomplice of mine. I will be detailing it to you, but it is imperative that nothing leave this room." He glared. "Am I clear?"
The man and woman nodded.
[What Lelouch neglected to mention was that he never wanted to divulge the full implications of either his plans or his past to the two engineers. He would have much preferred to ensure the pair's cooperation by subjecting them to a temporary Geass for the next several weeks, but Suzaku had adamantly refused, going so far as to demand he reveal the full truth to them instead. Lelouch, needing to keep his knight's minimal favor, reluctantly obliged to the request, surprised that the boy had apparently grown so close to the enigmatic scientists during his tenure in the military.]
"Good." The prince retrieved a phone from inside his uniform, checking the screen. He looked upwards again, slightly irritated. "I had hoped that my two other collaborators would have arrived by now to hear this as well, but it seems they've encountered some delay. Excuse me." He turned his back to the slightly puzzled development team and proceeded to dial a number. He held the device to his ear.
"It's me."
A long pause followed as some frantic apologies could be faintly heard over the line. Lelouch narrowed his eyes. "Separately? I recall specifically instructing you to take her in your own frame."
"…"
Lelouch relaxed a little. "At least you tried to stop her, no matter how futile your actions were in cornering that witch. Where is she now then?"
Though barely audible, Cecile thought she may have heard the word 'pizza.'
"Forget it then. It's a lost cause. Next time, provide me with an immediate update." A fervent 'yes, your majesty' could be clearly heard. "Come directly to the hangar when you arrive at the Avalon." Lelouch hung up and turned back around. "It appears as though only one of my other collaborators will be joining us today. He should arrive momentarily." The boy took a deep breath. "In the meantime, would you care to show me the Albion project, Professor Asplund, Miss. Croomy? According to my knight –" Cecile choked at those words but froze as the prince turned her way. He'd heard. Nevertheless, he continued, "-the project is most impressive and – though as you can imagine I've had decent exposure to it in the past two years – I've never been provided the opportunity to examine the Lancelot up close."
Lloyd giddily stepped forward at the mention of his pride and joy. "Please, your highness, no fancy titles. Call me Lloyd. And there's nothing I'd rather do. Tell me, how much do you know about Knightmare mechanics?"
Lloyd and Lelouch began heading towards the back of the hangar, Suzaku following the prince in step. His knight…Cecile swallowed at the thought. Suzaku was Princess Euphemia's knight, not this threatening boy's. Worse yet, that boy had killed Princess Euphemia. Why had he agreed to follow him? Even with their past history of friendship, there had to be another reason. Everything felt…wrong. Cecile eventually sighed. Thinking too hard wouldn't remedy the situation. For now, she had to simply put faith in Suzaku's judgement. Who knew? Maybe Lelouch really would change the world for the better. She smiled at the optimistic thought, watching the three men converse in front of the Albion. Cecile herself had opted to hang back, already understanding the schematics of the machine and knowing that everything she could contribute to the conversation Lloyd would gladly do for her. Their voices echoed, and Cecile finally registered the lack of noise in the hangar. The staff!
Cecile ran up to the trio. "Your highness!"
The raven-haired prince turned and met the woman with not the expected irritation and hostility but instead with curiosity. He raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Miss. Cecile? Is something the matter?"
His voice was encouraging, enticing, and Cecile found herself stumbling to find the correct words, blushing slightly. What was this? Slightly flustered, she attempted to speak. "Well, um…you see… while we're doing this, the remainder of our staff are still in the break room and…" She trailed off, not knowing how to phrase the remainder of her thought.
Luckily, Lelouch nodded. "I understand. You're concerned that your staff may not be willing to commit treason in order to work for the terrorist who killed the emperor. Not only that, but their refusal could also pose an immense risk to the operations occurring here while the information is known." Cecile blanched at his bluntness while his mouth lengthened into a thin, Cheshire smile. "Rest assured, Miss. Cecile. I already have the means with which to resolve this…problem."
Cecile shivered at his predatory look, missing the glare Suzaku shot at his companion. "Lelouch, we explicitly agreed - !"
"A temporary measure, Suzaku. As I recall, our agreement involved only the exclusion of two specific people, for whom you've brought countermeasures already. After our plan has come to fruition, the influence will most likely be lifted, and if not, then Jeremiah will destroy it himself. This is required for both protection and efficiency, do you understand?" Lloyd and Cecile looked to one another. For not the first time that day, they both expressed confusion.
[Suzaku frowned and turned away, frustrated at Lelouch's condescending tone. No, he wasn't happy with the decision, but he had to admit, it was probably necessary for the time being. And the Ascension would likely involve much worse.]
Suddenly, they heard the door slide open at the end of the hangar. Cecile's heart fluttered immediately, afraid that perhaps Prince Schneizel had returned or that perhaps another Knight of the Round decided to pay a sudden visit to Suzaku. Not many people had clearance to enter the workshop at the moment. Yet, who she saw enter may have surprised her even more than the previous two suggestions would have. Cecile immediately recognized the visitor, but as far as she remembered, the man had died in one of the early operations against the Black Knights over a year prior. How did he even gain access to the facility without authentication?
A teal-haired man briskly marched into the room with a sense of urgency. After scanning the area, his eyes finally rested on Prince Lelouch. He quickly fell to one knee and crossed his arm over his chest as his coat settled behind him. Bowing his head, he implored, "Forgive my tardiness, your majesty. Lady C.C.'s whims are no excuses for my own failure in carrying out your orders. Please punish me as you see fit."
Cecile's eyes finally widened as she realized the full extent of the man's presence on the Avalon. Lord Jeremiah is one of Prince Lelouch's other two collaborators?! She supposed this Lady C.C., whoever she was, was the other collaborator mentioned, based on Jeremiah's proclamation. Obviously, her actions were far from predictable, however. Cecile took special notice in what appeared to be a cybernetic device on the man's face, wondering briefly if it came from Rakshata. He's obviously changed a lot during his absence from the Britannian military. How long has he been with Prince Lelouch?
Lelouch stepped forward. "Rise Jeremiah. You've caused no inconvenience nor harm at the moment so you have no need to apologize."
The man stood once more, and Lloyd straightened his glasses as he observed the interaction between the pair with an amused smile. "Hm. So I see those 'Orange' accusations held some truth to them after all." Cecile suddenly remembered the reasons behind Jeremiah's disgrace in the military: allegations of conspiring with the terrorist Zero.
Jeremiah briefly regarded Lloyd's comment with a smirk before continuing towards Lelouch. "Orange is the color of my loyalty." With that ambiguous answer, he took his place beside Lelouch as the scientists and former Knight of Seven gathered closer.
The prince spoke up once more. "Now then, since everyone is here at last – save one irresponsible woman – I will begin detailing my plans for the next few weeks. As I stated before, only Suzaku and my absent accomplice know what will occur. Jeremiah, I apologize for not informing you sooner, but I felt it would be more convenient to do it here in the presence of our other two collaborators." So, Jeremiah didn't know the true nature of this meeting yet either? She stole a look towards the resolute man, his expression betraying little emotion. If anything, she would describe it as pride. Something also struck Cecile about how Lelouch lumped her and Lloyd in as 'collaborators' so casually. Jeremiah and this C.C. woman were already supposedly en route to the Avalon when Lloyd and I accepted his offer. The prince must have known we would agree long before he arrived. The thought made the woman uncomfortable as the boy in front of her continued to leave a more and more dangerous impression upon her mind.
Lelouch continued. "To begin, in approximately two weeks' time, I will ascend the throne of Britannia and become its 99th emperor."
Jeremiah smirked, probably expecting this proclamation from the beginning, and somehow Cecile found herself less surprised than she supposed she ought to have been. After hearing the boy's other audacious claims earlier – that he killed the former emperor, that he was a presumed-dead prince of the empire, and that he was the most-wanted man in the world, the masked terrorist Zero – this seemed to have been coming from the beginning. Usually one killed those in power with the intent of ruling themselves, and this boy certainly appeared to have the capacity and charisma to control a nation. But in what manner?
When no one spoke, Lelouch simply rose a brow slightly. "Really? There aren't any questions?"
Cecile hadn't really been under the impression that they were currently allowed to ask questions. She noticed the prince stared directly at Lloyd while he spoke. The woman frowned. He's already formed a fairly accurate assessment of Lloyd's character, it seems.
Sure enough, Lloyd voiced an opinion as soon as he was given the option. Honestly, Cecile was surprised he'd waited so long. He must understand the threat this boy poses as well, especially with Jeremiah and Suzaku at his side. "Well, your highness, according to Britannian law, Prince Odysseus would succeed Charles in the instance of his death. I don't believe the nobility will take the idea very kindly of a disinherited commoner prince claiming the throne in his stead."
"I understand." Lelouch then turned to Cecile, his violet orbs staring directly into hers. His gaze…Cecile had to admit, it was mesmerizing. "Earlier, you said your staff are currently in the break room. Is that correct, Miss. Cecile?" She nodded meekly, trying to piece together how her staff in the break room connected to him taking the throne with the consent of the nobility. Then, the prince turned to Suzaku. "You may give them what you brought now."
Suzaku closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He reached to his side, at his hip. "Lloyd, Miss. Cecile, please come here." The two approached him carefully, unsure of what was going on. When he revealed what he held, they both quirked their brows in curiosity and confusion. Their devicer handed them each a pair of dark opaque sunglasses. Cecile looked up to the boy's face and nearly stepped back at his expression. It was solemn and determined on the outside, but he soon averted his gaze, and in his eyes, Cecile found another emotion, one much more troublesome: worry, concern. He didn't like whatever was coming next. Suzaku then addressed them in a low tone, almost as if he didn't want the prince to overhear, though Cecile doubted that there could ever be any secrecy in this situation. "Please, listen to me. Put these on and leave them on until Le…his highness leaves. Any time from here on out, if you are in the presence of his highness, please wear these sunglasses. It is extremely important and for your protection. Do you understand?" Cecile met his gaze and noticed that the concern had only grown. He hadn't shown this much emotion since arriving, and now he was desperately pleading them to heed his advice. "Please, I need a confirmation."
Cecile shook her head. "Suzaku, I don't understand what's going on here." His expression sunk. "However, I trust you and can see that, whatever this is for, it is necessary." She placed the glasses over her eyes.
Suzaku released whatever breath he'd been holding and turned towards his enigmatic former-boss. "Lloyd?"
Lloyd twirled the sunglasses in his hand, seemingly torn. "As curious as I am as to what would occur if I didn't wear these…" Suzaku frowned. "…I suppose I'll comply for the time being, especially since the consequences seem less than pleasant." Lloyd briefly looked towards Lelouch before placing the glasses on himself. Cecile caught a brief smile of relief from the Japanese boy before it disappeared. She smiled herself.
Cecile heard Jeremiah's voice speak softly. "Your majesty, you mean you're revealing-?"
"Yes, Jeremiah, Suzaku and I have an agreement." He turned to the remainder of the group. "Since that's taken care of, lead us to the break room." Cecile faced Suzaku, expecting him to take charge, but he shook his head slightly and remained in place. Taking the cue, Lloyd positioned himself in the front of the group instead. Apparently, Lelouch took notice. "Suzaku, I need you to come as well."
The two boys stared intensely at one another. Obviously, their relationship was not as harmonious as they wished it to appear. Then, for just a moment, Cecile noticed the prince shift his gaze towards her and Lloyd ever so slightly before quickly moving it back. Suzaku finally closed his eyes, sighed, and said grudgingly, "Yes, your majesty." He walked past Cecile, not even affording her a glance, and began towards the break room stiffly. Lelouch followed with Jeremiah at his side and the two scientists eventually taking the rear.
Cecile ended up last to enter the break room, a moderately-sized space stocked with a kitchenette and about five separate seating areas. Already, the ten men inside were on their feet saluting the former Knight of Seven, though Cecile noticed some of them direct their interest more towards the anomalous companion in the school uniform rather than their employer. Others glanced towards Lord Jeremiah, who had previously been presumed dead. Cecile opted to remain close to the door as Suzaku approached the front of the room flanked by both Prince Lelouch and Lord Jeremiah, and it seemed as though Lloyd had made the same decision for the moment. She realized that her purpose in this meeting was observance, not interference. What was this about again? Lloyd had mentioned unsatisfied nobles if Lelouch were to take the throne…somehow this felt like it would amount to some demonstration, but since none of the A.S.E.E.C. engineers were high nobility, Cecile couldn't figure out exactly what Lelouch had in mind with this meeting.
Suzaku cleared his throat. "At ease, men." They lowered their arms back to their sides. "I promised earlier that I would explain my absence to you, however I will leave that responsibility with my associate. From here on out, he will officially be in charge of A.S.E.E.C. and I expect you to treat him with the same respect you have provided me. I apologize for the sudden transition, but I thank you for your cooperation and understanding." [Suzaku almost bowed slightly, but caught himself just before the cultural faux pas.] Cecile hadn't officially heard Suzaku pass the department over to the prince, but she figured it was inevitable if the boy truly planned on taking the throne. The engineers, however…their eyes had widened considerably at the proclamation, probably wondering why this was all taking place. They probably all assumed Suzaku was leaving to manage some other affairs for the empire, not that he'd be working under Lelouch…
Lelouch stepped forward as Suzaku stepped back. Cecile swore she could feel his presence materialize in the space, exerting a clear aura of power and control. "I am Lelouch vi Britannia, the Eleventh Prince of the Holy Britannian Empire." If Suzaku's former statement shocked the men, this one shook them right to their cores. Cecile watched their expressions with sympathy; she'd felt just as confused only a few minutes prior. She heard a few of them mumble to each other. Of course, like her, none of them had ever heard of this elusive member of royalty before. However, the lack of a contradiction from the Knight of Seven served as enough proof of his the 'prince's' claim of status.
He continued. "After my mother's death eight years ago, my sister Nunnally and I had remained hidden in Area Eleven, fearing that her killers may soon strike us down as well." This isn't exactly what he told us. "For the last several weeks, Sir Kururugi and I have been attending to a matter of utmost importance: the empire's lack of concern for not only its citizens, but also for the political and military affairs in which it engages itself." By now, everyone was silent, drawn in by the sweeping waves of the prince's speech. "While soldiers sacrifice their lives in battles across both the European continent and the rebellious Area Eleven, Emperor Charles zi Britannia, my father, remains as nothing more than an observer, leaving the true powers to command and govern in the hands of his children, namely my brother Schneizel and sister Cornelia. Yet, as battle rages on, he leaves to resolve 'personal matters' or watches from above in his airship with a scowl upon his face. He refers to conquests, endeavors he himself had initiated, as trivial or trite. A king must lead if his empire is to remain unified, not simply look down on his subjects like a false God as he declares policy nothing but folly."
Lelouch let his words sink in as the engineers looked to one another warily. While his speech overflowed with power and conviction, the prince's ill-spoken words towards the emperor also bordered on treason. That combined with the sudden transfer of authority from Sir Kururugi left an uneasy feeling about the space. Lelouch breathed in and finished his announcement. "That is why Charles zi Britannia is now dead, slain by my own hand."
Silence. Cecile herself had stopped breathing at the proclamation, not quite believing what she had just heard. Then, as the room began to dissolve into chaos, so did her mind. Is he insane? Cecile knew she'd been wary of the boy just a few moments ago – his authoritative composure and prior reputation combined with Suzaku's warnings left a less than favorable impression in her mind – but she didn't believe he was stupid. Now, she feared for his own safety. Admitting to regicide while outnumbered! Aren't royalty supposed to be masters of subtlety and poise? Then, Cecile remembered his estrangement from the court and began to think that perhaps the prince was just naïve. They'll never agree with him if he delivers that information so bluntly. This meeting will have been a waste.
Lelouch waited as the room erupted into commotion, all pretenses of respect and rank lost in the madness. Jeremiah and Suzaku tensed at the prince's side, but Lelouch held up his hand as if to signal their patience. Soon general confusion turned into a nervous silence once more as the men realized one by one, after assessing the prince's stoic expression, that the words he had spoken were indeed true. All of them turned to Suzaku at one point or another for confirmation. Slowly, they all began to realize one terrible fact from the knight's serious manner and desire to protect the prince: the Knight of Seven, part of the Emperor's elite force, had been involved in his murder. No one spoke, probably out of fear, but Cecile could sense the dissention in the room. She assumed Lelouch could feel it as well, but she couldn't be sure after the tactless stunt he had just pulled. A few men glanced towards both Lloyd and Cecile for guidance, the latter suddenly pitying the group for the situation in which they'd been placed. Cecile felt a surge of guilt for hiding behind the sunglasses on her face.
The prince continued as if he had never been interrupted. "Regardless of the empire's changing state, I hope that we can all work together in a harmonious manner – "
"That's all you have to say?"
Cecile turned to the source of the voice, spotting a young blond man standing up in the middle of the group. Eric, she thought, honestly surprised the man hadn't spoken out sooner. He's always been one to speak his mind. Lelouch regarded the intrusion with an icy expression, cold enough to make the man rephrase his statement. "I mean, your highness, forgive my rudeness, but you are admitting to not only the unforgivable sin of murder, but also to the high crime of treason. How can you condemn His Majesty's actions when you yourself claim to have killed in cold blood? Royalty or not, I cannot comply with your request for cooperation, and I believe many of my coworkers agree as well."
Lelouch scanned the group of engineers. "Is this true?"
Several men looked away, intimidated by the boy's glare, but some also nodded their heads in affirmation.
To everyone's surprise, the prince closed his eyes and smirked as he brought his hand up towards his face. "Well, I'm glad not all of you are cowards then. I thought I might have spoken too well earlier, to solicit such a lack of response. Now then…" He removed his hand from his face and held it before him in what appeared to be a grandiose gesture. Cecile couldn't entirely make out Lelouch's face from where she stood, but something in his expression had definitely changed. It was somehow sterner than previously, yet more confident, as if he were the center of the universe and he were completely aware of the fact. It's his eyes. "Lelouch vi Britannia commands you to acknowledge his authority!"
Something was wrong. The power the prince exerted could have been tangible, but even that shouldn't have been enough to cull the already-provoked men. In fact, his declaration should have had the exact opposite effect, infuriating the men even further. Yet, the engineers, all of them including the usually-indignant Eric, gave the last response Cecile could have expected: they stood as if they were one unit, crossed their arms over their chests in a typical Britannian military salute, and proclaimed together, "Yes, your highness!" The voices even contained hints of enthusiasm. Cecile shivered and corrected herself. Something was very wrong.
"At ease, men. You may be seated." They all sat down silently, mechanically as if their movements were not their own. No conversation occurred as it had previously. In fact…Cecile scanned their faces and became increasingly unnerved as she noticed they all wore the same blank expression. Gone was the fury, replaced by…Cecile could only describe it as obedience or extreme docility. Lelouch turned towards her and Cecile tensed. His eyes were inhuman. Though tinted somewhat by her glasses, the woman swore they exhibited an unearthly glow, his pupils lost in their crimson seas. "As you see, Lloyd, Miss. Cecile, there will be little direct opposition once I claim the throne, at least not from any of the nobility present at court for the event," he declared.
Cecile's lips suddenly felt too dry for her to speak or even croak out a question. Luckily, Lloyd took the initiative instead. "That's…incredible!" Cecile wished she could have mustered the strength to glare at her boss for his indifference towards his employees'…condition. "Have you somehow managed to invent the technology necessary to induce mass hypnosis in a matter of seconds?"
Hypnosis? Cecile looked back towards the statuesque men. Hypnosis involved not only subtle suggestion, but also willing subjects. This was more than simple hypnosis, though Lloyd's comparison was the only one currently making any logical sense of the situation. Somehow, the former revolutionary had managed to completely steal their sense of free will. Lelouch had become a puppet master, not only influencing their actions, but most likely controlling them. This act…it was a violation of human rights and decency, not that Lloyd seemed to care in the slightest for those values.
Lelouch simply smirked in response to Lloyd's inquiries. "You may consider it instantaneous mass hypnosis if you wish, however do not mistake my power for a technologically-derived one. In fact, I admit its origins remain unclear even to me, having procured this ability from a contract with a witch."
Lloyd's expression morphed quickly from amazement to disbelief. "Are you saying that this…power is supernatural in origin?"
"Perhaps, if you would prefer to consider it as such."
"Forgive me, your highness, but your claim can't possibly be true. I am a man of science, and as such, there must be some basis for your ability – "
"I am afraid not, Lloyd. My power – known as Geass – enables me to issue one irrefusable command to any person with whom I make direct eye contact." Suddenly, Cecile noticed the weight of the sunglasses resting upon her face and suddenly realized why Suzaku was so insistent that she not remove them.
"Such things don't exist, your highness. It must be some psychological effect based in biology…have you recently been exposed to any unusual chemicals? Perhaps, like pheromones they could – "
"Have you not witnessed enough proof?" Lelouch asked, motioning to their still coworkers. "Perhaps you need more examples?" When no one responded, he continued. "Clovis's sudden lack of security in the Shinjuku ghetto. Rampant Knightmare thefts during early battles. Jeremiah Gottwald's release of Suzaku Kururugi. Zero's many underground moles and conspirators. Suzaku's sudden sense of self-preservation on Shikinejima. Lord Guilford's defection during the Second Battle of Tokyo. These events were all due to my influence. Can you think of any scientifically-based explanations for the erratic behaviors of the numerous loyal Britannians with whom I've come into contact?"
Cecile considered all of these events in her head. A supernatural explanation…surely it was an impossibility, but then again so were Zero's so-called "miracles." The woman finally realized just how underhanded Zero's tactics had been during the Black Rebellion. The obvious surprise attacks and insane plans relying on shock and "luck" that deviated from traditional, honorable battle strategy had been not only devious, but ingenious as well. This revelation though was on an entirely different scale. Zero had been actively using some "supernatural" power in order to rob men of their free will – their ideals, their loyalties, their motivations, their morals – and win battles. The act itself made Cecile understand just how dedicated the prince could be to a cause…but especially how ruthless he could be at the same time. The entire situation was morally inexcusably, but the woman certainly knew she was not currently in a place to voice her opposition.
Lloyd and Lelouch continued their banter, though Cecile's attention shifted more towards the brunette standing rigidly behind the prince. He seemed to be paying no mind to whatever Lelouch and Lloyd argued about, but instead gazed over the entranced workers, a troubled expression apparent on his face. The thought brought comfort to Cecile, that Suzaku was obviously bothered by Lelouch's power as well. He had been so insistent that she and Lloyd wear the sunglasses into the meeting… a horrible thought occurred to her then. If Suzaku hadn't given us these sunglasses, would we have fallen under Lelouch's influence as well? She looked back at the prince, whose eyes still had not returned to their normal violet. On one hand, she was grateful that Suzaku was looking out for her and Lloyd, but on the other hand, if Suzaku hadn't been around (considering the mention of a "deal" and Suzaku's anger at Lelouch's plans for the meeting), would Lelouch have also used his power to…? Cecile preferred not to linger on those thoughts and instead shook her head slightly in order to clear her mind.
By the time Cecile decided to listen to the ongoing conversation between the two men, it had apparently shifted somewhat away from proving the existence of a "supernatural power" to instead examining it. "Your highness, if you'll at least let me analyze your power then and study some of its effects-?" Cecile cringed at Lloyd's implication of utilizing Lelouch's power in an experimental manner, effectively enslaving more people in the name of science. It was times like this when the woman couldn't quite see eye to eye with her eccentric boss.
"Perhaps some other time, Lloyd, but for now, there is another matter to which we must attend." Obviously, Lelouch had tired of this conversation as well. Instead of resuming with Lloyd, the prince instead tilted his head back slightly. "Suzaku, I would never attempt to kill or permanently harm you in any way."
All of the spectators, especially Suzaku, were taken aback at the comment, not quite sure from where it had originated. The addressed boy narrowed his eyes suspiciously, yet still replied, "Of course, your majesty."
Cecile could barely catch what happened next, but what she saw was Lelouch nod towards Jeremiah, who had then lunged towards Suzaku more quickly than she could track. The next thing she knew, Suzaku lied in Jeremiah's arms, unmoving, yet glaring hatefully at Lelouch. Cecile felt her heart pound rapidly in her chest, concern for Suzaku pumping through her. Only one thought entered her mind. He's still alive. Meanwhile, Lelouch disregarded Suzaku completely and instead focused his attention on Lloyd and Cecile, a fact the latter wasn't sure she appreciated. "I apologize for the display, but I need Suzaku immobilized for what I'm about to do. I just had Jeremiah puncture him with a needle laced in neurotoxin so that he remains paralyzed but aware for the next several minutes. I assure you, after that he will make a full recovery in due time." Cecile released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
"I need you to remove your sunglasses."
Cecile froze. Her sunglasses…? As far as she could tell, those were her safeguard against whatever power Lelouch possessed. One glance at Suzaku's panicked expression confirmed her suspicions. "W-why?" she whispered more to herself than anyone else.
Lelouch took a step closer, his emotions unreadable. "My Geass has a few drawbacks in its use. For one, I require direct eye contact, hence why your devicer brought you those sunglasses, for your protection. Also, it can only be used on a person once. After that, it becomes ineffective, and I can no longer issue commands unless I had specified multiple originally."
To Cecile, this last piece of information sounded more like a godsend than a drawback, but she let Lelouch continue anyway. After all, he must have been placing a large amount of trust in her and Lloyd in order to reveal his weaknesses so openly to them. Or he planned to get rid of the threat immediately. "Though I initially planned to have you two wear sunglasses whenever you were in my presence, I soon realized how much of a nuisance that would prove. For that reason, I decided upon a better course of action: I will expose you to my power now so that it will never unintentionally affect you in the future." From the way the prince had proclaimed this, Cecile wondered if he had ever accidentally used his power on anyone in the past. When he said those words, his voice had contained perhaps the smallest bit of…regret?
Cecile tried to look to Suzaku for guidance once more, but Lelouch stepped into her view before she could. "The reason I treated him the way I did was so that he would not influence your decision in any manner. However, I will let you know, as I am sure you've already surmised, that he would not approve of my actions."
Lloyd cocked his head to the side this time. "And I assume you're only revealing this because we're powerless to stop you now?"
The prince made eye contact with the engineer. "Not in the slightest. I know I've done nothing to earn your trust since my arrival. In fact, all things considered, including my reputation and actions with your workers, you probably severely distrust me. I will not force you to do anything in this circumstance, however I will warn you that your hesitance may lead to a greater disaster in the future if I simply misspeak or glance in the wrong direction. I hope that by heeding my advice, we can form some inkling of trust that will carry over into our future partnership, one I expect to be greatly beneficial for both parties involved."
Cecile looked the stern-faced prince up and down. His words seemed sincere, yet he was also Zero. He ruthlessly enslaved and killed his enemies, even his own tender-hearted siblings. How could she believe anything he said? Obviously Suzaku was wary of him – his own friend – though Cecile still didn't entirely understand why the two collaborated in the first place given their rocky relationship. She didn't feel like it was due to the influence of this "Geass"; the knight had protested too much earlier in the meeting for him to have been controlled. Besides her suspicions of Lelouch's deceit, the woman suddenly realized that she and Lloyd hadn't been wearing the sunglasses for much of the meeting earlier. Couldn't he have simply controlled them against their wills then? But, perhaps Suzaku would have –
"I'll agree so long as you'll let me study your power as well." Cecile turned to her boss, shocked that he would even suggest such a thing. Lloyd simply shrugged his shoulders and fingered his sunglasses. "If it'll save me from wearing these dastardly things on a daily basis, I don't see why not."
Lelouch smirked at the scientist's odd request. "Of course, Lloyd. After all, won't you be studying its effects on yourself firsthand?"
Lloyd pouted and deflated a bit. "That's not quite what I meant, but I suppose it'll do…for now."
The prince ignored Lloyd's last implication and instead turned to Cecile, raising a brow slightly in the process. He knows, she thought, he knows that I have to agree now. I can't let Lloyd do this kind of thing on his own. After all, I'm his… "Well then, Miss. Cecile?"
She opened her mouth to reply, but suddenly felt terribly disoriented. Her head began throbbing, and the hangar began to warp around her, the colors blurring together. She closed her eyes together tightly and then tried blinking a few times to fix her senses. When she opened them again, the feeling had passed, but things were different than they had been before. Most notably, Suzaku was no longer lying immobile on the ground, but instead had grabbed Lelouch tightly by the collar and currently glared intensely at him. Cecile blinked once more. "What just happened?"
Lelouch didn't even turn, choosing instead to address his attacker directly. "See, Suzaku? They're fine. I let you watch so now you have my alibi: I've done nothing to harm them or leave any lasting damage."
"That doesn't fix the fact that you broke our promise!"
"No, but now things will be easier for all of us, don't you agree?"
Suzaku grimaced. "That's not the point! You lack concern for any other person on the planet besides yourself! You said you wanted to build their trust, and here you are, breaking mine instead!"
Lelouch didn't respond, and instead the two continued to glare at one another. Finally, Lloyd broke the silence from beside Cecile. "Soooooo, are we still doing the thing with your power then?"
Suzaku snapped his gaze towards Lloyd, his eyes softening. Slowly, he released the prince and breathed in deeply. "It's already been done Lloyd. Lelouch has already exposed both you and Miss. Cecile to his Geass, you just don't remember."
It already happened? Cecile then grabbed at her face. She was no longer wearing the sunglasses, but she didn't remember taking them off. It seemed like Lloyd was doing the same thing. "That was it?" he questioned.
This time, Lelouch responded. "Indeed. No one under its influence remembers what occurred in the duration."
Lloyd appeared thoughtful. "Here I was expecting to feel my body move against my will or perhaps notice that my thought patterns had been changed. And all you leave me with is memory loss? How do you expect me to study this power with such little material to work with?"
Cecile shook her head at her boss's antics then fixed her gaze on Lelouch. "Your highness, if I may ask, what did we do during…during…."
"During the time you lost your memory?" he supplied. She nodded. Suzaku looked away so Lelouch continued. "I told you to remain in place until Suzaku regained full motor functionality." Suzaku turned back, a look of surprise evident on his face for such a brief amount of time that Cecile may not have caught it had she not been so familiar with his expressions. He said nothing in response to Lelouch's answer, but the look he just gave seemed to indicate that she hadn't heard the full story. Cecile wanted to press the two for more information, but she knew better than to try her luck with the duo. Regardless, if even Suzaku was staying silent when he could tell her…she would have to give the prince the benefit of the doubt, at least until something suspicious occurred.
Cecile decided to ask a different follow-up question. "So, now Lloyd and I are immune to your power?"
"Yes. For example, go sit down." She only blinked at him in confusion. "Considering you have not obeyed my orders or experienced any additional effect on your memory, I believe it's safe to say you are immune." Lelouch then swept his hands over his eyes, and they were once more the bright violet he had worn entering the facility. Contacts, she discovered. Though the color still had unnatural qualities, Cecile felt much more comfortable with it compared to the eerie red.
Suzaku, finally calmed down from earlier, stated, "Lelouch, I have a question of my own for you." After the prince said nothing in return, the boy continued. "How was it that could attack me in the first place? I didn't know what you were planning to do, so that attack may as well have been aimed towards taking my life."
Lelouch, instead of answering his knight, faced the two scientists. "You've probably been wondering how I've used my power on Suzaku considering I mentioned him earlier in my examples of people influenced. On Shikinejima about a year and a half ago, I ordered him ambiguously to 'live', a command that's been plaguing him ever since that day."
Suzaku spun angrily towards to the prince. "How dare you! You have no right to - !"
"Right?" Lelouch scoffed. "You asked a question that required background. Aren't you the one who suggested that we leave no secrets during this partnership?"
Suzaku muttered something about a "double standard" but otherwise remained silent. Lelouch kept speaking. "To answer your question, ordinarily I believe you would have reacted to Jeremiah's attack in such a way that it would not be successful. However, Jeremiah did not independently go after you. I motioned to him first, and you noticed after I'd already confirmed that I wouldn't ever make an attempt on your life. You must have believed me so that the Geass didn't take effect and allow you to dodge Jeremiah's enhanced speed."
"You gambled on that fact?"
"I had enough confidence in your ability to detect when I'm telling you the truth."
The knight maintained his gaze as Jeremiah stepped forwards for the first time in a while, bowing slightly in respect. "I apologize for any rough treatment, Kururugi. I was simply obeying orders."
Suzaku turned away once more, and Cecile was finally beginning to understand the extent of the two boys' dysfunctional relationship. They worked together towards a common goal, despite underlying grudges and moral disagreements. Yet…they both obviously shared a deep understanding of one another that probably extended as far back as their childhood during the war. Furthermore, they'd spent the past two years fighting on the battlefield against their home countries, albeit for much different reasons. As much as Suzaku seemed uncomfortable around Lelouch, Cecile couldn't help but notice their similarities as well.
After a small lapse of silence, Lelouch spoke again. "Before we embarked on our minor detour, I believe I was explaining the details of the next few months." He eyed the workers who still sat stone-faced a few feet away. "Let's go back into the hangar. I'll attend to this matter once our meeting has concluded." He left the room, expecting his entourage to follow. Though Cecile felt terrible for leaving her workers behind, she knew that there was nothing she could do for them. They aren't here. Lelouch is the one in control. He could kill them. Then again, if he ordered it, they would kill both Lloyd and me in a heartbeat. The thought sent chills down her back, and Cecile followed the prince out the door.
Lloyd, Cecile, and Jeremiah stood opposite Lelouch and Suzaku, apparently the only two who understood the extent of the prince's plans. "As I stated earlier, I will become the 99th emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire. Yes, Lloyd, the nobles will most certainly reject the reign of the missing 'commoner prince' who committed regicide against the former emperor. However, there will be no resistance from them. Rather, I will efficiently quell it whenever it appears with either my own power," he motioned beside him, "or that of my knight."
He was planning to either enslave or kill the nobility. Cecile knew she should have expected this course of action follow his reveal of Geass, yet the thought still shook her to the core. Suzaku shifted slightly and averted his gaze, but didn't refute any of Lelouch's claims, even regarding his own part. Cecile's eyes widened at that implication. Suzaku was planning to essentially commit murder for the prince, a terrorist he'd been fighting vehemently against for the past two years. Even Lloyd appeared uncomfortable with the idea, a fact that seemed quite strange considering his own disdain for the nobility. Cecile spoke without thinking. "That would make you a tyrant." Lelouch's expression became somehow more serious and Cecile quickly added, "Your highness."
"And that is precisely what I plan to become." Cecile was confused, and she could tell Lloyd and Jeremiah were as well. Who plans to become a tyrant? Don't even tyrants believe their actions are in the right? "My inhumane actions are simply a means to an end, and I certainly plan to deliver upon what I promised from the beginning: a peaceful world." He chuckled a bit, and seemed to focus less on the people in front of him. "Even my own actions cannot be considered inexcusable, however. After all, the only ones who should kill are those prepared to be killed."
Cecile looked at the prince's face, trying to discern his expression. What did it contain, within his regal features and cold, violet eyes? Determination? Sure. Pride? Absolutely. But something else existed there as well. Hope? Resignation? Fear? Maybe a mixture of all three? Maybe none of those at all? Cecile couldn't tell, but she knew at that moment that there was more to Lelouch vi Britannia than met the eye. He was a terrorist, a murderer, a man with the power to bend others to his will, but Cecile could still see the existence of emotion behind his eyes. He was – as hard as it was to fathom – human, just like the rest of them. Lelouch claimed that he would become a tyrant, but here Suzaku was, following him, and here she and Lloyd were, collaborating with him. This boy…this man…he was terrifying, yet Cecile couldn't help but listen to his words as he spoke. Something fluttered in her chest, and Cecile stood quietly in anticipation.
Lelouch smiled, but it didn't extend to his eyes. "I have created an apt code name for my plan, the plan that will lead to the destruction of this ravaged world and the creation of a more peaceful new one in its place. I call it the Zero Requiem.
Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of Missing Pieces! I have ideas for at least nine more stories and hope to continue writing them soon. Please remember to leave a review and let me know if there are any specific characters or instances in the canon CG universe upon which you would like me to elaborate!