Everything Lelouch knew about war, he had learnt from chess. Always have an exit strategy for any engagement. Never underestimate the power of pawns. Confidence is nine tenths of the battle.

And always predict your enemy's movements.

It was no use having an utterly brilliant plan for situation A, B and C, if your opponent went and did Y.

The problem, however, was that with chess you didn't have allies. You had pieces to be played. There was no real attachment to the king, the knight or the pawn. You could appreciate their value, and know that they depended on you, but they were not there for you when you were weary, and they did not yank you out of danger's way.

They did not eye you suspiciously, and lick their lips as they wondered if you were worthy to lead them or not.

They did not turn up in your dreams, disastrously naked, and proceed to hold you down and tear off your mask.

Nor did they hit you.

There were only two players in a chess game: You and the enemy. There were no others, no friends to sit beside you and lend you their strength.

There were no collaborators in chess, and thus it did not belong in Lelouch's war. You only goaded the enemy, only those you wished to crush did you glance at through lidded eyes, and taunt. You were not supposed to engage with your own pieces. You were not supposed to attempt to provoke them into being something more.

Kallen was his pawn. He should use her, place her down carefully, and leave her to follow his orders. No, she was more powerful than the normal pawn, with her Knightmare and her flare for fighting. She would be more akin to a queen piece.

She was his queen then. But she was not, and could never be, his equal.

He only wished someone would tell her that.