Lelouche had many roles to play, but the role of Zero was becoming increasingly common in his life. With this role came many responsibilities, foremost of which was managing the mutant terrorist organization, The Black Knights. It had only been a few short weeks since he had been mixed up in all this, gaining some semblance of trust when he ended up entangled in a Black Knights operation as a civilian. The leader had died during the fighting early on, and it was looking to be a rout for the terrorists, but Lelouche was given an opportunity, by a new friend. Cheat death, accept the contract, and finally be given the power to change the world. And he was no fool, he took it. Now, with his new power, he'd end the strife between Mutants and Humans, in the only way he knew how. When one side can no longer fight, the other side claims victory. So he'd force the MRD, the U.S. military, and any other organization dumb enough to oppose him into submission, and with his new power, he could create a new order, where petty conflicts like these no longer needed to exist, and where him and his younger sister Nunally could live in peace. Even if that meant sacrificing his own Humanity, becoming a monster to everyone else. He stood by the edge of the docks in his outfit. A black formal outfit, complete with a cape and helmet that covered his entire head. It was flashy, but it was what was needed. The Black Knights needed a leader who was strategically minded, gifted even, and on top of that, charismatic and with an eye for showmanship, because most of all, they needed support from other mutants and organizations. He watched from his spot as the few men and women he had unpacked from the trucks they had brought. This would be their new base. The MRD had managed to smoke them out of the last one, but with Lelouche's new power...
A young woman with long green hair approached him. She wasn't wearing the Black Knights uniform, but rather, long white robes.
"So how did you manage to secure this location", she asked gracefully.
"How do you think? The power you bestowed upon me should help me complete my objective much faster than I ever could have without it".
"So you always planned on something like this?"
"Of course…but I was merely waiting for the right time…and this is as good as any".
"You're welcome", she replied.
"I'm not going to thank you…I haven't forgotten that I have an end of the bargain to uphold…the fact you never told me what it was, only alerts me that it's in equal and opposite of the power you bestowed".
"Very acute", she replied, "but what is your plan really? Lead a rag-tag group of mutant terrorists to victory to topple a foreign government? You're not from here, nor are you a mutant".
"It goes much further than that", Lelouche replied, unwilling to elaborate, "You never bothered to explain your goals…I don't need to share mine either".
"How shrewd", she replied, "But be careful what you do…we are partners…I can't have you dying without fulfilling your end".
"That's what I have you for".
"I'm not going to go out of my to take a bullet for you every time someone points a gun to your head", she retorted.
"But you also won't let me die…" There was an uncomfortable silence until Kallen walked over.
"Zero…we're almost finished moving everything in".
"Good. Tell Ohgi to follow you to the O.B. I want to talk to you both there", Lelouche replied in sign language. Kallen obeyed and left. It was difficult using sign language to communicate, but there was no other option with Kallen, he wasn't about to take of the mask, and she couldn't lip read him with it on. But he did have a solution that would solve him having to quickly learn the phrases he wanted to say to her.
"Have you used the power on her yet?"
"No", Lelouche replied.
"I have a feeling it's not because you actually care about her".
"I only have one shot per person…I'm not about to waste a future opportunity like her…I have a feeling she'll be far more useful than most before the end".
"You just don't know if it'll work on a deaf girl".
Inside the warehouse, the small band Lelouhce commanded was setting up. It was mostly boxes of weapons, ammunition, and explosives. How had they been managing without him? Yeah sure a most of them were mutants, but there were some humans too, and overall they were small in number. If the MRD pressed hard, they could easily destroy the Black Knights. Lelouche would need to establish some order, and begin covert operations in the area. Funding would be no problem, but they needed numbers and equipment. Many mutants would struggle just fighting a Scout Sentinel. Perhaps they could create something specifically for fighting Sentinels. But he'd have to figure that out later. He walked up the catwalk stairs. The "Observation Box" at the top would be his office, so to speak. As he entered, he noticed they were standing around uncomfortably. Probably had just had a private conversation. He sat down at the desk, folding his legs.
"Ohgi, I understand we had a supplier?", he asked, projecting his voice to give off an aura of command. Ohgi nodded, his curly hair bouncing a bit.
"Two actually. Chapawhachi Industries, and Basitin Arms Dealers. We got a good deal with the latter, Keith's brother was our contact".
"Keith?"
"Yeah, he's our covert operations specialist, Basitin trained". Lelouche nodded. The Basitin Islands were a PMC owned military government with a dubious reputation for fielding all kinds of ruffians, from mercenaries, to assassins.
"I'd like to meet him, is he here right now?"
"Yes sir, he's with Tamake, checking the perimeter". Lelouche scoffed to himself. He wasn't sure what to do with this 'Tamake'. He was arrogant, which would be fine if he wasn't also ignorant. He was probably annoying the hell out of Keith, just dodging the manual labor of moving equipment inside. Perhaps Keith would just kill him. If they could only be so lucky. "Well, tell Tamake to take over for Keith, I want to speak to him now.
"yessir", Ohgi replied, leaving the small office.
Lelouche got up, pulled a box out from under the desk and set it on top, opening it up. Inside was a small device that looked like it was worn on the wrist. It had an audio input microphone, and a screen. He flipped the switch on it, and it lit up. Picking it up, he handed it to Kallen.
"This is for you…so you can know what I'm saying", he said to her.
"Thank you", Kallen replied as she read the screen and put it on.
"It can do much more than that, but I'll explain it later". Kallen nodded, occasionally glancing at the screen. "I understand you have infiltrated the school?" She nodded again. "Good. I have another informant close by as well…I'll be using the two of you for our goals. I have it on good authority that Penny Chapawachi will be joining the school soon. You just need to befriend her for now, I've already arranged for the two of you to receive the same room".
"Yes sir".
"Now…about that muscle we spoke of".
"The Xiao-Long twins?"
"That's them. They've…taken contracts with us in the past?"
"That's correct".
"I'll need to get in contact with them…can you arrange a meeting in an hour?"
"Yes sir", she replied.
"Good…I'll leave you to that. Dismissed". Kallen left the room promptly, Leaving Lelouche to contemplate things as he looked out the window into the warehouse, watching his men buzz around like worker ants.
