Dark Prince 3

by Helltanz98

In the wake of the Chinese Invasion of Kyushu Japan hovers perilously close to the precipice. The aftermath highlights both strengths and weaknesses in Japan and abroad. Sawasaki has proclaimed a new period of warring states has come to be, and he may be more right than even he realizes. An imminent threat is faced by Tokyo, as Kyoto's control weakens.

3. Chapter 3 Prelude Movement

Chapter 3

Helltanz's Notes: We're back.

-scene break-

Lelouch swallowed a mouthful of water to go along with his aspirin, before leaving the glass on the counter top, and looking out the window... to its view of the Tokyo skyline... of the Britannian Settlement in the morning. Euphemia had no idea what it really took to maintain this, Clovis for all the impression he gave of ignorance did actually have a clue at least. Still Euphemia's ignorance, and Clovis's tendency towards foppishness were excused by their royal blood... well most of the time. Cornelia had her own quirks as well... for that matter they all did... and that was what worried Lelouch. His intelligence had after all been wrong... the Chinese Baryon cannons, that was nerve wracking... and then there was the presence of the knight of the rounds.

Cornelia made her entrance with little attempt at being discrete, "You made sure to mention that the former head of the Japanese Military Intelligence was subject to an execution order. Why?"

"Why did I mention it? Or Why is there a kill on sight order?" Lelouch responded to the inquiry nostrils flaring, "And why would you ask that now?"

Her eyes narrowed, "You brought surface to air missiles into the settlement. I asked once why you haven't killed them all, but why point out this one specifically."

"To have killed you mean?" Lelouch continued to start at the Tokyo skyline, "What do you see, Cornelia? When you look out over Tokyo? Over any city in Japan? I told you the other day, protecting Hokkaido took precedence." This city... Clovis had only come to be viceroy after things had calmed down... beyond the Fuji mines, and Kyoto, and the centers of Britannian influence there had been ... a hurricane... day to day living... a tumult, chaos, sporadic bursts of street to street fighting."To collaborate with the invaders, it was something the Kokuryo considered," Likely continued to consider unforgivable, but they were more pragmatic than Kusakabe had ever been, even if they had refused to subordinate themselves to Kyoto, "it to be unforgivable... these bombings are probing attacks. Sousuke Uchiwa, or one of his lieutenants, are known for them... because they were used to kill people in Hokkaido." The cities of Japan were a facade, a mask over a conflict that hadn't ended with the war, but discussing that with Cornelia would them nowhere, "Our origins are bleak, ash coated things."

"That doesn't tell why the death-"

"Doesn't it," Lelouch turned away from the window abruptly, "Sousuke Uchiwa isn't unique in being subject to a kill on sight order." The truth was... that while most Japanese who had heard it dismissed it as mere rumor... or exaggeration... "That order extends to the whole Society of the Black Dragon. It was why we founded the Istavaanians to root them out, and stop the threat to our people in Japan."

Cornelia recognized when she wasn't going to get anywhere... whatever Lelouch didn't want to admit was more than just a spate of bombings in the chaos of post invasion Japan. There wasn't likely to be much evidence... searching through the news archives, even if that had been something Cornelia did, wouldn't likely help. Pushing it wouldn't help, it bothered Lelouch enough for him to be verbally combative which said enough in its own right, "If its that severe will it complicate coordination of the defense?"

"Japan is a country of mountains." Lelouch replied. The Hidaka mountains, and others in Hokkaido were bunker like complexes concealing things beyond Sakuradite mines, "There are shelters in place to protect Hokkaido, our production facilities are hardened against enemy attack, and so to are our transport hubs." Admittedly part of that had been footed on Britannia's dime, but largely from illicit sakuradite mining in the early years. "The Kokuryu are unlikely to attack Hokkaido, so no those forces I can commit to here, are here for that purpose alone."

Cornelia frowned, "Do you mean to defend Tokyo or to kill these upstarts." When no answer was forthcoming she snorted, and shook her head, letting the matter drop. "How do you suggest we stop the bombings then?"

"Hokkaido cannot be attacked because the stringency of our internal security, that isn't feasible in Tokyo." Lelouch commented... though in part that surveillance and affirmative border defense, and also to some degree exaggeration of their own ability.

The Viceroy glowered in response, "I asked how we would stop these ants scurrying around, not why not, Lelouch."

"The Tokyo Ghetto are a vast area, never mind the underground network," Both the original Japanese one or the modern Britannian system, which had been put in piecemeal, "The Society targets all parts of the regime, foreigners of all stripes, in addition to collaborators. Either you conform to their idea of being Japanese is, or you die." A goal that they were fulling willing to give their lives to accomplish when they fought which was the problem. "The honorary Britannians are just as much targets as they are potential points of insert for any attack. The Kokuryu will make use of coercion to implement attacks, both as diversion, and direct action to advance their goals." The problem was while an attack on industry or command and control were more likely... the subway system and commercial districts were very vulnerable to attack.

"So why the SAMs then,"

Lelouch bit his tongue, grinding down on his teeth, "The Kokuryu at one point," He stressed the words, "had Japanese ground attack aircraft." It was unlikely of course that such planes were operational, after so many years, but they could fly low enough to avoid radar systems that weren't actively tracking for such types of threats. The more pressing fear was that... given Kyoto had been able to bankroll the Gurren, and that illict sakuradite trading was a lucrative enterprise that they might have purchased VTOL systems... French or Italian had platforms that were low weight enough to be moved around semi easily at least.

-scene break-

There was more to modern war than just knightmares. Preparations were nigh all important, and it was best if from time to time that lesson was refreshed. It was why instead of rows of small arms the tables were filled with television screens and computers. Yes guns had played a part in stamping out terrorist attacks in Hokkaido but it had been more than that.

Chiba glanced around the room, as the various Black Knight Security Forces from individual factions clamored about. She recognized the mark of the Istavaanians and of course the Thorian hammer, and even their fellow Puritan Ardenites, but not the others. It had been Istavaanian and Thorians that had mainly fought on Kyushu's soil. Now though there were others... the Ordo Minoris was a term she had heard remarked from one of the officers.

"There must be other sites like this," Her fellow Holy Sword remarked looking around, "They seem to have been installing cameras throughout various places in the city." That was all well and good for locations within the comfort of the Settlement where electricity flowed freely, and infrastructure was well maintained, but the ghetto would be an entirely different animal.

"Certainly so," Lelouch declared having slipped into their midst like a ghost. The reality of most of this would be intelligence worth because if it came to open fighting then they would have well and truly screwed up somewhere. "having this come down to knightmares would be unfortunate for us, it would mean we failed to prevent it from coming to that. There is a briefing starting regarding that eventuality though," The dark prince gestured them towards one of the doorways, and towards another repurposed warehouse...

It was a spartan layout an inside, with an abundance of folding chairs, and a projector pointed towards one of the walls. Rakshata was waiting, "The Gurren is combat ready," She declared brusquely as more people began filtering in filling the mostly empty space with hundreds of boots scuffing on hard concrete.

Knightmare combat was evolving. While active based defense systems, and improvements to traditional passive systems like conventional armor, had been improving all the time no one had been prepared for such a string of adaptive changes. While active systems had dramatically increased the durability of top of the line units against dismounted infantry the advent of energy barrier technology rendered direct attacks by heavy ATGMs ineffectual... it did little for buildings that might be hit by stray rounds though... and Tokyo had buildings a plenty. "There in lays the issue as traditionally the Kokuryu have avoided attacks encompassing KMF equipped forces." Lelouch declared speaking into the throat mike he was wearing as the lights dimmed showing the smoking remnants of what was probably footage from some skirmish or another in one of Kyushu's towns during the invasion. Urban conflict was a reality, and was the primary reason that most knightmares didn't sortie with heavier weapons too much risk for collateral damage... or such was at least the treatise claim in both Britannian and European war colleges. "Thorian doctrine emphasizes focuses on our heavy assets, and bringing down as much concentrated firepower as possible. Obviously fighting inside of the Tokyo region against a formation who has no regard for civilian life in their engagement terms as we assume the Black Dragons will be operating presents unsuitable planning concerns." Maps appeared of the Tokyo area, "Liaising with Britannian Command is intended to allow us to deploy without being caught up in city traffic," Lines crisscrossed the city, "Teams will be assigned to separate districts, and be expected to familiarize themselves with neighboring districts to reinforce in the event of an attack, but we will be operating on the idea of a quick reaction force," That was when NCOs, and Officers started receiving papers.

In a Britannian briefing there was an inclination to show off, use lots of power point slides and demonstrations in the event it ever had to be shown to those higher up the chain... or if a general like Bartley ever happened to walk in. JLF briefings had incorporated less power point, but still did include it to an extent because it was an effective method to brief an entire squadron at one time. It was similar here, because it was the modern way something that had been propagating since before knightmares had even been deployed to the battlefield. Technology propagates like that, but teams still need solid objectives to do their jobs correctly.

For Chiba, and the Holy Swords this meant coordinating as a part of a larger Istavaanian detachment that included the Gurren near what had been Koto, and Edogawa. From the glances she'd stolen across the way it seemed the Thorians would be detached across the harbor at Ota... which probably implied that Clovis had asked for them. Supporting documents implied that Britannian forces including Cornelia's indivual command would be responsible for the central interior of the city's QRF in the event of combat. Operational Planning did not explicit mention intentions towards Okutama, though the defenses of Saitama highlighted ongoing liaising efforts with Japanese forces in the area as positive, but did not elaborate further.

-scene break-

"Working with Saitama's rebel groups is dangerous," Lelouch remarked, "Or more correctly it agitates Cornelia, and it paints a target on them,"

"From her?"

Lelouch should his head, "The dragons in this case," he replied, "It would be less trouble if they would have joined in full with the Istavaanian but joint operations is the best we can manage." He ran his hand through his hair, "How's the gurren?"

"Its not a problem," Lelouch's look was of a circumspect nature, "Its fine," The red head protested forcefully, "Rakshata did everything she could, and I'm needed here you called me at three in the morning remember?"

The scowl set in, "I'll keep that in mind, but I'd rather avoid a KMF skirmish with the Kokuryu if at all possible to begin with,"

"Why? I mean is it that big of a deal?"

"The Istavaanian were originally created to eliminate the Kokuryu, and while extensively experienced in Knightmare combat this past year, we're talking about fighting someone with comparable professional skill to the JLF." Lelouch muttered, "open fighting is contentious and simply put we need more time to work things out with those in Saitama..." because there was a very good chance with the JLF back," and there was the issue of Kyoto revitalizing the JLF too..."and the Kokuryu on the scene now there would be real competition for influence... and that would make things worse when dealing with Cornelia. "We're going to need to make more personal overtures into Saitama over the next few weeks, not simply intermittently in the coming months."

"When you say the JLF do you mean there might be issues with Kyoto as well?"

He shrugged, "More likely than not, but at the same time its the kind of issue where we're more likely to talk than end up shooting at one another," which all things considered was preferable. It wouldn't do after all to give Cornelia excuse to vent her frustrations on the National Advisory Council in this climate.

"What are we going to do about Ashford though?"

"Cornelia, Euphemia, even Clovis, and Jeremiah are all about... its a target..." whether it was sufficient as such to warrant an attack remained to be seen, but... "Precautions are in place, but those safeguards are all that we can do. If they attack... realistically explosives are a more likely choice than a knightmare assault. Clovis's parties are more likely to be targeted by armed incursion I would think, but even thats not a sure thing."

"You're a noble though, even if they don't know your a prince the student council,"

Lelouch scowled, "Yes Cornelia comes around, and the gossip twitters on," He murmured in irritation, "I've spoken with Reuben to do what we can, and realistically my identity will be compromised publicly quite soon as far as Ashford is concerned. They're not stupid, they'll connect the dots... especially with what Sawasaki said at Kyushu."

"You make it sound like we can't stop them." Kallen said through gritted teeth.

"Its not something the Gurren can fix on its own, you understand that, right?" He replied, "We'll go back to Ashford, and we'll go to class as needed, but we need to account for being ready to deploy if an attack comes. It also means we should be ready to coordinate evacuating Ashford if it comes down to that."

Kallen paused, and reached for her buzzing cellphone... from the expression Lelouch could guess that for once it wasn't her step mother calling, "its my dad... I need to take this." Lelouch nodded, and grabbed a set of papers from the table, and stepped outside of the room.

-scene break-

Lelouch let his head thump against the wall... avoiding Euphemia was a chore... and unfeasible in the long term anyway. There was also the matter of other things on top of that. Cornelia, and to a less urgent manner Schneziel too, wanted access to Hokkaido. Denying either would have been possible for longer... if Cornelia hadn't been let in before, so at some point it would have to happen... In the mean time there was another round of humanitarian aid to supervise... and more strategically construction efforts... running away loomed, but was impractical at this point... besides it wasn't like the torrent of bad news seemed inclined to let up.

The latest news had taken to confirm, but it was evident now... back during the Osaka operations it had been reasonably certain that elements within Kyoto had been funding increasingly extremist rebels group, which had been one thing. It wasn't as simple as checking financial records... Japan's underground ran off a mostly off the books informal economy. There were few computer records to trace or even know about to begin with. HUMINT was difficult to come by... and this was as close to a smoking gun as it was to get... and still not enough to go publicly with... though for that matter Lelouch wasn't sure just what caliber evidence would have to be to be worth taking public given the situation at hand.

The real question was why... Kyoto could be ignorant, but it wasn't likely. A splinter within Kyoto was more likely, but even then, the Kokuryu supporting extremists was one thing, but for both, even a splinter to support the same groups... was complicated. The fear lingered that Kirihara was being cut out from the loop... and if he was how long before Kaguya followed... after all Kirihara could be thrown under the bus as far as the public was concerned.

"You look exhausted," Schneziel declared. "Is it, that bad?"

"Its probably worse," Lelouch replied.

"We'll need to do something publicly, but at the same time," The second prince paused, "We should take care. As its said too many chefs spoil the soufflé as it were. Mr. Reid does seem quite fond of covering the Black Knights, sitting down with him... or given the situation some pomp and circumstance might do well for morale."

"You mean a gala?" He questioned.

Schneziel gave a shrug, "Clovis has the paintings drying to justify one. Inspired by the recent situation he has been," Clovis, truthfully, had been painting like a mad man... when he wasn't otherwise rushing too and fro from other things, "Its as good of an excuse as any to tackle this." Cornelia wanted mass production knightmares, but Schneziel, while not a scientist himself, was interested in research... Lelouch wasn't even sure if the second prince had financed any mass production designs personally... though obviously in the capacity of prime minister he'd sanctioned expenditures for that goal. "Your March system is innovative, Lloyd and I had been talking about detachable high speed flight systems since the Sutherland had come out, but," Obviously, "Had only become practical quite recently."

The eleventh prince turned around and rested his back against the wall, "Yeah, power," He muttered more to himself, "Ambitious developments, oh Lloyd said you had been asking about the Manchesters?"

"Those are the skinnier ones yes?" Lelouch made a vaguely affirmative noise, "Ah I had thought so, obviously there has been extensive proliferation of the Sutherland design over time I was thinking that some comparison might be in order."

Another vague grunt... well if anyone had the resources to throw at that kind of study in this climate it was Schneziel... especially if he could get the privy purse to sign off on it to reimburse him. "I know Cornelia was wanting to look at the Sutherlands,"

"There are so many now, every little variation scattered about, you would think we were cousin Jerry, I dare say," The blonde declared offering Lelouch a cut crystal class of what was probably far too expensive French Brandy, "But each seems to have its merits, that Vagabond of Kyoto, and your Devil, the E, and all the rest deployed throughout the empire. We'll need to pair down, what was it that is said about logistics, eh?"

-scene break-

While Lelouch gathered some much needed sleep work continued at pace. Jeremiah's duty here is as much to the Prince as it is to the Empire. Kyushu's events had unsettled the public, and this fresh round of disturbances ratcheted things up a few notches further up. He could feel it when he walked down the streets of the settlement, but at the same time the citizens looked to his uniform for guidance... and that was refreshing.

The pay bump was also quite nice... or would be once he actually got a chance to spend it... as it was right now there wasn't much to buy. The other bit of the promotion was re organization, and drilling the lads to standard, which Jeremiah enjoyed in its own right. The real advantage though came in insuring Viletta and the other survivors were appropriately promoted as well. The viceroy understood she needed competent officers, which truth be told was something Clovis had never quite grasped during his tenure in the post... too many parties to throw... not that Jeremiah didn't enjoy the occasional bash or even soirée, but there were limits to what was decent after all... and Clovis was far over that line. Still Clovis was just as like to get his way this time, and well perhaps a party was overdue given the resolution of the fighting... at the same there was the danger it painted a target on their back.

"It seems soon,"

"Its not just us, of course." Jeremiah declared, "For the regulars, and the militia its at the Viceroy's pleasure whom to promote, or to recommend, but Prince Clovis will have his say in suggesting his own knights are rewarded." Leaving likely the poor bloody infantrymen to the scraps, but such was the army's way. "As for this thing..." nothing was ever strictly an army affair even if it was for the victory... the nobles and industrialists would come of course, "Well I'd rather face the Chinese than Area 11's high society, but thats our lot."

Cornelia had no patience for the game of the idle rich, and powerful. It had been Clovis's area, his tendency to indulge in the schmoozing amongst the blue bloods. It had always been a troublesome burden. The upper echelons of the military tended to be blue bloods of course. Ring knockers of prestigious academies, and first or second sons of long and distinguished breeding. Jeremiah was not unique in such after all he met both criteria... and yet hearing about textile taxes was as tedious and uninteresting as could be... so he'd avoided as many of Clovis's gatherings as he could... but Clovis was no longer viceroy, and this had been 'real warfare' not simply suppressing the rebels in the area. Not showing up was not an option for anyone much as Prince Lelouch likely contemplated such a course.

At least with Cornelia as Viceroy military dress was to be expected rather than trying to keep up with the latest inane civilian fashion that was 'in' this season... or week or whatever.

"And the snap drills?"

"The Viceroy expects joint operations, and patrols with Prince Lelouch's Black Knights to go smoothly, as such veterans of this," Jeremiah ground his teeth, "weekend war are preferable," Most of whom were enjoying their leave passes at the moment of course... well the knightmare devicers at least... technicians, and regular soldiers were not quite so lucky given the heightened security around the Tokyo Concession.

A knock on the door ended the matter, "Lord Gottwald," The functionary declared, "There is an arrival in the lobby for your signature."

"The Black Knights, then?"

"Prince Schneziel's man, I believe," The junior officer remarked.

"Well, then I am sure it is of great importance if the prime minister wants a signature for his dispatch," Jeremiah declared clapping the other Britannian on the shoulder as he passed through the door. The exact boundaries of the prime minister's authority in the Empire was always rather murky on the best of days. Schneziel's degree of leeway probably even varied day to day, but most of the time the Prime Minister spoke with the voice of the Emperor.

-scene break-

Schneziel didn't expect flying knightmares any time soon. Clovis detested the idea of waiting of course, but one must suppose a flying ship is much more grand... or at least that was how the younger blonde prince looked at it.

Technical issues be damned. The issue to that was they really were an impediment to him... and also probably money... but mostly not having the technical expertise. Lack of building space too, Clovis reminded himself ashe rounded on his litany of retainers, "I don't suppose any of you have managed to get a hold of Lelouch today?"

"He had a meeting with Princess Cornelia," One of the men remarked before a moment's pause, and then pressed "this morning rather. Something about those beastly elevens."

"Still I can't imagine why Lelouch didn't just ask, I mean its not like they're not a nuisance to the rest of us, here in the Settlement as well," Clovis shrugged, "er when you say this morning, when did you mean exactly,"

There was an awkward pause, "Well your highness it was quite early, I'd say they finished they finished about nine thirty. Sir Guildford was dispatched straightaway to the Royal Air Force to discuss patrols around the concession."

"That seems sensible enough," Clovis nodded, suppressing another yawn. "Did she say anything about arrangements for festivities its not like we could dare wait until yuletide?" Naturally of course before anything else could be said the emergency alert system began to wail. "Oh bother what now?" Clovis asked more to himself than anything... after all he hadn't heard any explosions, but that didn't mean anything given his location in the settlement.

Still as Sub-Viceroy he retained significant access to the command and control structures of Area 11, and he had the experience with them to use them... something that Euphemia lacked. Clovis knew how the provincial administration worked, and while that didn't help him deal with Cornelia's personal structures those constituents were only a small part of the greater whole.

As much as a demotion as it was, truthfully the loss was more prestige related. Cornelia ran a militarist, and minimalist day to day structure, which meant the sub viceroy dealt with civilian matters of 'lesser importance'... which as far as Cornelia was concerned was all, or at least the majority, of those issues.

Whatever it was that was going on Clovis could tell it wasn't too serious, "Only the knight police units have been deployed so far." One of his aides remarked shouldering the phone in order to answer the viceroy's inquiries, "They seem to be establishing a cordon."

"What about Lelouch, or Cornelia? They must be doing something." Clovis had been enamored by the knightmares, ever since Marianne had taken him for his first ride on the Ganymede, but he was not the charge into the fray as Cornelia was, and the Viceroy had been quite clear that whatever knights Clovis wished to gather about were to stay out of the way. Clovis might have preferred she had phrased it more tactfully, but he understood... and understood that given the situation he'd need to make improvements to his royal guard, but that took damnable time. "Eupehmia, she's probably at Ashford," With Nunnally no doubt, Clovis thought wringing his hands, "We must not overplay our hands, nor overreact in some way." He said, more to himself, "What can be done?"

Another aide looked up from his phone, "Your highness there have been reports that the Gawain has launched, its not clear where Dame Alstreim is headed." The knights of the Round were free to do as well they pleased after all. "I amend that, Ashford's grounds would be the most likely location given current course."

"oh well thats good news... isn't it?"

-scene break-

Lelouch slid the id card through its reader, and let the pneumatic seals finish before ushering in Milly and his sister, "Lelouch what about the-"
"The Gawain touched down, and there are Cornelia's knights on the perimeter," He scoffed, because he could understand the Glasaton Knights responding, or Cornelia's royal guard, but a knight of the round... it was ridiculous. The Emperor's personal knights weren't beholden to the defense of even a dozen princes. It was suspicious, but who could say really. "There is a vidcom unit in the wall to keep you apprised, just stay with Nunnally, and Sayoko."

Once the seal was back in place and the bulkhead locked, Kallen posed the important question, "So what is happening Lelouch?"

"Separate bombings," Two subway stations in different districts, "but it doesn't make any sense." They were random according to reports, as if the attacks themselves were irrelevant. Propaganda value aside they weren't accomplishing anything of note, target wise or such. "Either way Cornelia wants you, and Suzaku ready to go."

"Shouldn't you shove the pink princess back there to?"

"I would if Suzaku would mind telling me where she was," Admittedly that was probably Llyod's fault, given the confusion of the present, "either way for now we sit and wait." Lelouch glanced at his pager, "Check yours," He spared a glance over at the readout, and grimaced, "I'm calling Cornelia and getting confirmation, before I start a riot."

The Ashford Campus's hangar, truth be told, needed a retrofit given recent trends, it was probably why Schneziel's camelot utilized trailers, but it had the advantage of power supplies for dozens of knightmares. Not much in the way of ammo of course, but that was a result of a myriad of concerns including the security of storing it. Space in the Tokyo Concession was a premium, it was much easier farther north away from the Colonial government.

Kyoto wielded a substantial amount of influence through the National Advisory Council. While such institutions existed in other Areas Japan had the advantage of abundant Sakuradite resources, which of course had been the reason for the invasion in the first place. "Whats going on?"

"Its a distraction, the Kokuryutai blew the industrial rail line," The High Speed Rail link built after the invasion to go directly from the Mt Fuji Mine Complex to the Tokyo Concession area. Whilst there were workarounds the potential economic slow down was significant... and well... "The Fuji mines have stopped communication."

"Are they under attack?"

"If I was... if I was General Uchiwa that would be what I would do." The question became how in depth the attacks against the Settlement, or even Tokyo were... how far they were meant to go, "Get to the Gurren and standby this could get worse." At the same time that could be a feint as well, taking out the road access, and cutting communication as feint to more severe attack against targets in the settlement was likely as well... or it could be intended to just agitate without expending serious manpower; to provoke Cornelia into overreacting.

Kallen went one way, and Lelouch leaned against a wall... Cornelia needed to apprised, air defense zone Tokyo needed to be put on a alert... and for that matter well Suzaku and Euphemia needed to be found... of all the damned times to be off campus... seriously getting Llyod, of all people, to pick them up from a cafe... and then there was still the issue of the knight of the round.

-scene break-