Wow, chapter one was pretty good. As soon as I read the reviews, I got to work on the next chapters. I have chapters two and three completed, but chapter three will be edited first. I have seen episode eleven, and there will be minimal changes, such as including Lelouch' s new, kickass knightmare; I just had to put it in, but that will be later on. Despite this, the story will remain as I have outlined it out to be. I really hope you enjoy this chapter, and I apologize if there was any, "out of character," moments I may have missed.
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass. It is the property of its creators and respective owners.
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Chapter 2: Brooding Thoughts
On board the Ikaruga, the leaders of the Black Knights were discussing how to deal with the Brittanian, Chinese Federation threat outside.
"Are we seriously going to fight?" asked Diethart.
"Of course we are!" shouted Tamaki.
"We have to rescue Kallen," said Ougi, "She is our ace after all. On top of that, we are completely surrounded."
"I still think we should have retreated," said Diethart.
"Whatever!" snapped back Tamaki, "You know as well as I do, we couldn't get this far without Kallen. I mean sure Zero came up with the plans and all, but it was Kallen that helped makeallof those plans happen."
"But…" said Diethart, before being interrupted by Rakshata.
"Also, I can't afford to have my Guren in the hands of those Brittanians," said Rakshata before inhaling her pipe.
"Whatever the reasons may be for fighting, if we argue, we are wasting our time," said Todou.
"My thoughts exactly," said Zero entering the room, "Here is our plan."
All eyes and ears went to Zero.
"Todou, you, Chiba, and Asahina will create a diversion. You are to hold off the enemy until our final preparations are complete," said Zero, "Once that happens, Tamaki and myself will lead a counter attack to decimate the enemy, and rescue Kallen."
"And what might these 'preparations' be, and more importantly how long would that take?" asked Chiba suspiciously.
"Several minutes," answered Zero.
"And you expect us to hold off an entire army, and quite possibly the three knights of rounds that they have on our own?" she asked.
"Oda, Nobunaga decimated the Takeda army at the Battle of Nagashino with fewer men if I'm not mistaken," said Zero.
"Those are two completely different situations," said Chiba.
"Do you still doubt Zero?" asked Tamaki.
"I don't doubt his tactical prowess, just his character," answered Chiba, "Do you still intend to keep us in the dark?"
"Who cares Chiba," said Asahina, "As long as we beat those Brits, I don't care what he does."
Before Chiba could say anything else, Todou stepped in.
"If those are your orders we will carry them out," said Todou.
"But Todou…" began Chiba.
"A samurai follows his lord's orders without question. You should know that by now Nagisa," said Todou.
Nagisa hung her head in defeat.
"Thank you for understanding," said Zero, "All hands prepare for battle!"
Todou and Asahina went immediately to their Knightmare units, and Chiba followed after them after sighing in defeat.
"Crazy woman," muttered Tamaki.
"It's understandable," said Zero, "I did, after all, abandon you during the final battle."
"But you got us out," said Ougi.
"It's still not something I'm proud of," said Zero before turning to Diethart, "Diethart, is the connection up yet?"
"It will be momentarily," said Diethart.
"Good work, as always," applauded Zero before he turned to Rakshata, "Rakshata, is it ready?"
"Just stick the key in," said Rakshata before tossing him a knightmare key.
"Excellent," said Zero, "Ougi!"
"Yes?" said Ougi.
"Maximize the shield's output; I don't want this place destroyed before we've finished our preparations."
"Yes Zero!" said Ougi, "Ayame, maximize the shield's output!"
"Yes sir," said Ayame as she raised the shields defensive power.
Everyone knew that once the shields were raised, they wouldn't be able to use their Hadron Cannon. Zero was gambling everything on the next battle as he had always done.
"Tamaki, get your men ready," said Zero, "You need to defend the Ikaruga, defend Todou, and lead the counterattack at a moment's notice."
"You got it!" said Tamaki before heading off.
Zero turned to leave when Ougi spoke up.
"Are you going somewhere Zero?" he asked.
"Yes," replied Zero, "I have preparations of my own to make."
Zero then left the bridge and walked to his room followed by C.C.
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As he entered his room, his mind was racing.
'Soon, I'll beat Schneizel, and if all goes well, I will also have the Chinese Federation on my side,' thought Lelouch as he took off his Zero mask.
"You're nervous," said C.C. curtly.
"I don't know what you're talking about," said Lelouch.
"Don't lie to me boy," said C.C. "Your words betray you're heart. You may seem like your usual self, but in reality you're scared."
"If I want the opinion of an immortal witch, I'll ask for it," snapped Lelouch.
"Why are you afraid?" asked C.C., ignoring Lelouch's response.
Lelouch groaned, "You won't shut up about this will you."
C.C. stared at him blankly, waiting for an answer.
"I've always been good at chess, and other games that require one to think. There hasn't been a person I could beat. All except for one," said Lelouch.
"Schneizel," said C.C.
"Of all my siblings, he was the only one I respected, the only one I called 'brother.'
"Now that you confront him, you wonder if you can win," said C.C.
Lelouch just scowled.
"Don't worry," said C.C., "It doesn't suit you. Just stop whining, and stick to your plan."
"Is that supposed to comfort me?" asked Lelouch.
"Unfortunately," said C.C. before leaving Lelouch alone in his room.
When she did, Lelouch looked at his Zero mask in thought. His thoughts went from the defeat he suffered at Xing Ke's hands, the situation they were in now and finally, Kallen's capture. He folded his hands together, and gripped them tightly.
'This is one victory you won't have brother,' thought Lelouch, 'I will win not just the battle, but I'll have Kallen back as well.'
"Zero! We have a situation!" shouted Ougi over the intercom.
Zero pushed a button on the wall.
"I'm on my way."
Lelouch grabbed his mask, put it on, and left his room.
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Zero entered the Bridge, and took his seat.
"What's on the radar?" asked Zero.
"Enemy bomber squadrons approaching from the Chinese Federation side," said the radar operator, Hinata.
"How many?" asked Ougi.
"About twenty squadrons with…nine bombers in each one," answered Hinata.
"So many…" said Ougi.
"Hmph, I should have known," said Zero, "Schneizel would never get his hands dirty, so he's having the Chinese Federation do the work for him."
"So we don't have to worry about Brittania getting involved?" asked Ougi.
"I didn't say that," said Zero, "If we corner them, there is a good chance they'll ask Brittania for help. When that happens, then he'll have a legitimate excuse to help the Chinese Federation."
Ougi began to sweat.
"Don't worry Ougi, we'll be fine," said Zero, "Just follow my commands, and we'll come out alive."
Ougi began to feel a little better, "Right, sorry for worrying."
"Not at all," said Zero. He then turned to the intercom, "Todou, begin your attack! Take out those bombers! Hold them off until we're ready!"
"Yes Zero," said Todou, "Chiba, Asahina, you're with me!"
"Hai!" shouted the last two members of the Four Holy Blades.
They immediately took off to attack the bombers.
'Now brother, the games begin.'
Thank you for reading, and please review.
Author's note: I got some of the unfamiliar names from Wikipedia.