Amazing how one you currently feel strongly for or against fills your mind enough to make up all sorts of stuff, isn't it?
Disclaimer: Code Geass belongs to Sunrise. If I had my way, Diethard would've died before Cornelia did. (Okay, so it did happen :p)
September 14, 2020atb YTV Channel 6, Tokyo, Japan
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to our show. I am your host, Ichiro Tanaka. This week, in commemoration of the Great Battle of Mt. Fuji, we are having as guests key persons that helped restore peace in our region. Tonight, we have as guest the man who documented the entire conflict from the death of Prince Clovis la Britannia up to the Mt. Fuji battle - Mr. Diethard Reid. Mr. Reid, welcome to our show.
-It's good to be here, Mr. Tanaka.-
As a fellow member of the media, Mr. Reid, I couldn't help but be amazed at your accomplishment. I mean, being right at the heart of the action as one of the core members of the Black Knights...!
-Ah, Mr. Tanaka, you flatter me. I have been waiting for "The Story of the Century" to come along for a long time. I was only lucky enough to realize that Zero was it at first sight.-
Not at all, Mr. Reid! We've also managed to gather that in the year that Zero was presumed dead, you were the one managing the remnants of the Black Knights, while negotiating asylum with the Chinese Federation to boot! However did you manage that Mr. Reid?
-Just this one thought, Mr. Tanaka: The show must go on.-
-.o.O.o.-
2017atb - First Decisive Battle of Tokyo, Ashford Academy campus
"Where's Zero?" asked Nina Einstein holding a detonator in her trembling hands. "Tell me. Revenge for Euphemia-sama..."
The hearts of everyone present in Ashford Academy at that moment seemed to stop momentarily when her thumbs slowly pressed the button. A click echoed in that silence. Luckily that's all that was heard in the following moments, until...
"Cecile-kun!" shouted Lloyd Asplund, being the first to realize the danger was past. The Sutherland unit piloted by the one the Earl called moved quickly the Ganymede unit that carried the bomb.
The show must go on.
"Now's our chance! Get Rakshata and her team then take escape route seven! Yes, I know that's away from Ougi's group. Staying together won't do us good right now. Hurry! Have someone contact Kaguya-sama's security and tell them to meet us up at the northeast quadrant of the Saitama ghetto."
-.o.O.o.-
With just that phrase to go on, you managed to escape to the Chinese Federation with the Black Knights' lead scientist and Princess Kaguya?
-It wasn't as easy as it sounds, Mr. Tanaka, but yes, the show did have to go on.-
It had never occurred to you that Zero was actually executed?
-Not at all. Even though he disappeared during the heat of battle, I sensed that Zero won't be so easily caught. After going to safety, it was all a matter of waiting for Zero to show himself again.-
And the broadcast system that Zero used in his return speech a year later?
-That, I put in place long before Zero came along. I was waiting for a special occasion to use it on, and Zero's comeback was one such occasion, don't you agree?-
Ha-ha, indeed. About that, one of our viewers would like to know if you coached Zero's gestures when he was making announcements and speeches?
-Oh-ho-ho, not at all. I can't take credit for that. Remember that he was already into theatrics since he rescued Kururugi Suzaku. I didn't become one of the Black Knights until after the Lake Kawaguchi incident.-
Yes, of course. Moving along, the Black Knights went under the radar - so to speak - since all those "Zero's" went into exile towards the Chinese Federation. What have you been up to all that time?
-Whatever the situation calls for, Mr. Tanaka.-
2018atb Chinese Federation
The show must go on.
Diethard Reid turned in his seat to speak to the person in the monitor. "Ashford Academy?"
"Yes," replied Zero. "Sayoko Shinozaki is to remain in Area 11 and maintain the ruse at Ashford Academy at least until we establish our alliance with the Chinese Federation. Details of her mission there are to be kept from the rest of the Black Knights."
"Understood."
"You've found quite an agent, Diethard," said Zero after a pause.
"One does one's best, Zero."
-.o.O.o.-
-Though not everything goes as one plans them to be.-
-.o.O.o.-
"Kallen! Don't give up! I'll get you back! Understand? Don't do anything foolish."
"Understood. I won't give up. I..." the line went dead.
The show must go on.
"I suggest that we retreat," proposed Diethard, then further explained his reasons for saying so. "One's personal feelings must not come in the way of making decisions."
Zero fell silent, weighing what was just said. Then, finally, "We will settle this battle! All units, take your positions!"
Diethard was shocked. His suggestion was the logical choice. Zero explained that with the existence of the Shen-hu, so does the possibility that India had betrayed them. He hated to admit it, but Zero's conclusion was a logical one, too.
-.o.O.o.-
Ah, by that you meant the Second Battle of Tokyo, correct? The destruction of the Tokyo settlement shocked the whole world. The Black Knights lost Zero, to boot. How did you manage to cope?
-Yes, yes. The loss of Zero was a great blow to us. It had been tough trying to decide when and how to announce his death.-
Really? How was it difficult to announce that he was wounded in that blast and died of his injuries?
-.o.O.o.-
Diethard Reid closed the door to the entrance of the fourth warehouse behind him. He had just left the group that was in the meeting with Prince Schneizel and Princess Cornelia. The rest of the core members of the Black Knights were furious with the Prince's revelation. While he knew most of those mentioned, he couldn't help but feel betrayed when he found out about the Princess being aboard. But, no, there must be a reason; Zero's silence at the battle for Tokyo revealed that much, so this must be something similar. Besides, the element of surprise was Zero's best weapon. He had to think of something before...
He strained his ears to better focus on the source of a sound. It was music, like from a music box. Following it to its source led him towards the Shinkirou, and to the boy sitting near its foot. Whatever was making the sound, the boy was holding it.
"It's Rolo, isn't it?"
The music abruptly stopped as the boy turned to him, noticing his presence for the first time. He was aware of the boy's abilities, thanks to reports from Sayoko. He should think carefully about what he would say to the boy if he wanted to stay alive. Hopefully, right now, he and the boy wanted the same thing.
The show must go on.
"Listen, Zero's life is in danger."
It had been half a day since Rolo escaped with Zero on the Shinkirou. Thankfully, the boy had kept to his part of the plan. Now it was his turn to play his part.
"There is no other choice. We have to declare Zero's death."
The rest of the Black Knights in the know protested, but he persevered and finally managed to convince them. Zero may never know what he intended, but, if he did survive and manage to turn the situation around, he was confident that he'd understand. It was all he could do.
The show must go on.
-.o.O.o.-
-Of course, we had to consider what the announcement would mean to our troops. There are many of us who had family and friends who either lived or worked in the Tokyo settlement. Adding Zero to their losses could demoralize them completely and cause lost forever.-
Of course, of course.
-However, after much consideration and an ample amount of time, we finally decided to announce it.-
Whoo! I had no idea being PR officer for the Black Knights was so much work. I hear you only wanted to be the one to record Zero's exploits.
-My, my, Mr. Tanaka. Don't tell me you never had to give an arm and a leg for a story or two?-
Oops! I seem to have forgotten I'm talking to a fellow member of the media, ha-ha. By the way, why did you decide to stay with the Black Knights? With Zero gone, that should have concluded your documentary masterpiece, wouldn't it?
-.o.O.o.-
Diethard Reid sat cleaning and bandaging the cuts and bruises he received from an angry Ohgi Kaname. He really couldn't blame the man - he was genuinely in love with Villetta Nu. Maybe he should re-think his blackmailing strategies; who knew when he would need them again.
His thoughts drifted to their meeting with Prince Schneizel the other day. He thought the prince was acting a little too relaxed. His half-sister was in that explosion and yet he was completely composed. Princess Cornelia was within the Ikaruga when that FLEIJA bomb went off, so she probably wasn't aware of the damage. Prince Schneizel, on the other hand...
Yes, he was definitely hiding something, and Diethard Reid was just the man to find out.
After all, even if the star wasn't present, the show must go on.
-.o.O.o.-
-Zero was the biggest thing to happen in years and he died without achieving his goals. My chronicles won't be complete if the world never knew why that happened, would it?-
No, of course not.
-So I asked Prince Schneizel to take me aboard. The man who fell the mighty Zero deserves airtime as well, doesn't he?-
-.o.O.o.-
"Absolutely not!" shouted Princess Cornelia. "If you think you're coming near another member of my family, you-"
"I don't mind at all," Prince Schneizel cut in. "All I ask is that you report the events as they are, Mr. Reid."
"But, Brother..."
"Thank you, Your Highness," bowed Diethard. "You will not be disappointed."
"Also, I trust your judgment on what can and can't be aired."
"You are too kind, Your Highness!"
"Not at all. I know a good asset when I see one," the Prince explained. "Prepare your things, Mr. Reid. We leave for Cambodia shortly."
"Yes, Your Highness," answered Diethard, bowing and turning to leave.
That was too easy, he thought. He must need me for something. Cambodia, eh? Reports from my informants tell of a laboratory being built there recently. I wonder if that's where we're headed?
Hours later, his suspicions were confirmed. The base in Cambodia housed a laboratory dedicated to mass-producing the FLEIJA bomb and installing them into the flying fortress Damocles. With the Emperor and Zero both disappearing in Kaminejima, Diethard was made to wonder what he intended to use the fortress for.
After being guided to the quarters assigned to him and a (too) short tour of the facilities, he was summoned by Prince Schneizel.
"Mr. Reid, I believe you are aware that I brought you along for a reason other than media exposure, correct?"
"Bringing a reporter to a top-secret facility rather makes that obvious, Your Highness."
"Ah, perhaps I am losing my touch," answered the Prince, smiling. "But, actually, having shown you what card I have up my sleeve, I would like to ask for one of yours."
"One of mine, Your Highness?" Diethard asked, blood turning cold. Did the Prince figure out he let Zero escape? "Of what use could I possibly...?"
The question went unfinished and the Prince gestured to the guard at the door. "I heard you did some recruiting for the Black Knights before the Battle of Tokyo. I'd like your help in convincing one person to my cause. Seeing that you willingly approached me I'm convinced that you can make her understand the... situation. Ah, here they are."
With that he turned around to face the new arrivals. The wheelchair was the first thing he noticed, and his eyes widened when he saw who was sitting on it. Still in the state of disbelief he shifted his gaze to the one pushing the wheelchair, and was presented with yet another surprise.
Governor Nunnally! Sayoko!
And right then, he knew, that the show wasn't over yet. The show would still go on.
-.o.O.o.-
Yes, we did hear that you vanished along with Prince Schneizel and Princess Cornelia during the month after the Second Battle of Tokyo. Was he preparing that flying fortress ― Damocles ― during that time?
-Yes, that much I can say.-
I've been wondering how they reacted to Emperor Lelouch's claiming of the throne. Could you tell us about it?
-They were expecting something like it to happen. Or, at least, it seemed that whoever the Emperor was, Prince Schneizel was planning on using Damocles.-
He had plans for both Emperor Charles and Emperor Lelouch?
-Just whoever shows up as emperor, I believe. They started putting their plan into action almost as soon as the broadcast ended.-
-.o.O.o.-
Zero - no, Lelouch - was alive and finally revealed himself. What he expected to accomplish by joining the UFN was anybody's guess, but at least they now knew that he would be at Ashford Academy for the Council. Things would be moving quickly from here on out. There was no time to waste. The climax was about to begin, and he couldn't have the hero of his story at too great a disadvantage. It was time to begin the next act.
The show must go on.
"Sayoko, you know what you have to do."
"Yes, Mr. Reid. And Lady Nunnally-"
"I know."
"Understood," replied his former agent and departed through the exit they had been preparing for such an event. He was playing a dangerous game, he knew, but his own rules changed during his time here.
Spending a month in this facility with the blind girl helped him understand his former leader just a bit more. A heart so pure and yet with a strength far greater than that of Princess Euphemia, he'd lay down his own life to protect her. It was no longer just the honor of recording the exploits of Zero, anymore. The Black Knights have always fought with the power of their hearts, Zero once said. He understood it now, if only a little.
An alarm blared in the distance. If this went according to plan, Sayoko would have been long-gone by now. Time to play his part. He only hoped the prince hadn't taken notice. He hoped his luck would hold out until the end.
-.o.O.o.-
And they launched a FLEIJA warhead over Pendragon. That attack at the imperial city was definitely one for the books, wasn't it?
-Yes, it definitely was very impressive, having been altered from the original designs to become more destructive.-
And captured the attention of not just Emperor Lelouch, but the whole world. Was it true that Prince Schneizel wasn't just planning on using all those FLEIJA warheads to defeat the young emperor, but to hold the whole world hostage?
-Yes. As a matter of fact, he was. Hearing about it right now, it sounds preposterous. But being around one of the two master strategists, it sounded brilliant. Victory was certain.-
But planning what you did at that time...
-Yes. Hearing it all brought to me both a sense of great admiration and great fear. I wanted to run away right then, but not being on his side at the moment was lethal, as Princess Cornelia unfortunately found out first-hand.-
It really must have been frightening, seeing the Princess - one the Empire's greatest generals - to be killed just like that...
-Oh-ho-ho, it was. You had no idea how hard it was to keep my act up afterwards. Whatever look I must have had on my face, I believe it was seen by many as excitement. However, I was actually fearing for my life.-
Hold that thought, Mr. Reid. We will continue after this short break.
Date last edited: 2018-01-28.
New format for the interview portions inspired by The Themis Files.