Code Geass: Nunnally of the Insurrection
Three:
"My son," Emperor Charles glowered from the view screen as his voice boomed, "I am very disappointed in you."
Clovis gulped as he faced his father, his blond hair and clothes as neat and tidy as possible. Not that the Emperor would care, but being well dressed made him feel a bit better. "I most humbly apologize," he said, bowing his head.
"Not only did the resistance in Area 11 find out about your labs," Charles continued, "but they stole CC from you as well."
Clovis' head jerked up as he looked at his father, wide eyed. "You knew?" he asked softly.
Charles gave him a frowning look as he said gruffly, "Of course I knew. I expected you to be discrete in your researches, but instead you nearly shouted it to the world." He sighed, "And now I must decide what to do with you."
Biting back his first response Clovis thought about his situation as rationally as he could. "You need to remove me as Viceroy," he said with as much dignity as possible.
"Indeed?" Charles looked at him thoughtfully, prompting him to go on.
"My impulsive move on the Shinjuku ghetto will turn the Elevens against me," Clovis said to him frankly, "and my failing to destroy it will make the Purebloods my mortal enemies too. I would only be a hindrance as Viceroy."
"Well reasoned," Charles conceded the point. He studied his son thoughtfully, "Whom would you suggest as a replacement?"
"Cornelia and Euphemia," Clovis admitted, feeling more than a bit humiliated at having to name his replacements.
Charles looked intrigued, "I would have expected you to suggest Schneizel."
"If this was a purely military situation, I would," Clovis said with a shrug. "We need to do two things: deal with the rebellion and win over the Elevens. Cornelia is just finishing up a successful campaign in the Mideast and is a very effective military leader. On the other hand, Euphy can present a softer side, and win over the Elevens that way."
"Hmm," Charlies nodded thoughtfully, "what you say has merit." He then looked at Clovis as he asked, "And what am I to do with you?"
"I will accept whatever punishment you see fit," Clovis said bravely, hoping his father couldn't see his fear.
"Don't be a fool," Charles sighed. "Yes, I am removing you as Viceroy, but I cannot be seen punishing you, either. It would damage the power of the Empire!"
"Sir," Clovis nodded.
Charles thought a moment, "You still have the Narita research base?"
"Yes," Clovis nodded, not even wanting to guess how his father knew about that, too. 'I seriously underestimated him,' he admitted glumly.
"Go there and take your lackey General Bradly with you," Charles commanded, "while you may have lost CC, your research does... intrigue me."
Clovis bowed, "I'll do my best."
"Do not fail me again," Charles said grimly before he cut the connection.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
The medical ward was filled with Britannian troops, young men and women who had participated in the attack on Shinjuku and paid the price. After the destruction of the Knightmare Frames the rebels along with the Shinjuku survivors had mauled the ground troops, using stolen weaponry and strength of numbers to drive them out.
"Well, isn't he a lively one?" Lloyd Asplund murmured as they stood looking down at the unconscious boy. The light purple haired man looked at his companion as he asked, "What are we doing here?"
"Read the file," Cecile Croomy said, her blue-black hair falling down near her shoulders.
"Suzaku Kururugi," Lloyd read. "Shot in the head, but the bullet just grazed his skull... lucky boy!"
Cecile sighed at her boss' dramatics, "Keep reading."
Lloyd did then his eyes widened. "He's a Devicer?!"
"Yes sir, though admittedly only in a simulator," Cecile sounded proud. "I thought...."
"We can steal him away from the regular forces," Lloyd grinned, "brilliant!"
"Not steal, exactly," Cecile sighed. "He's unconscious, and the doctors aren't so sure of his recovery."
"Put him under the control of our experimental weapons unit, Camelot," Lloyd ordered briskly, "if he wakes up, we can use him. If not, no harm done."
"Yes sir," Cecile agreed as she pulled out the already completed paperwork. "Just sign here."
"You are a marvel, my dear," Lloyd noted wryly as he began signing.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Ohgi blinked as he looked at the young woman, "Nemo?"
Kallen Kouzuki nodded as they sat in the ruins of the Shinjuku subways, the base for the local resistance. There was enough concrete and rubble above them to block out the best enemy sensors, and with the civilians gone it was the best headquarters they could manage.
"She called herself Nemo," Kallen said, "obviously an alias."
"It's from a old book, right?" Tamaki asked.
"Captain Nemo," Ohgi agreed, "and it's Latin for no man or no one."
"It's odd," Kallen shook her head, "I get the feeling we've met somewhere before."
"Is she Japanese?" Yoshida asked curiously.
"No, I think she's Britannian," Kallen said, frowning. 'Why would a female Britannian soldier turn on her people and help them?' she wondered, 'It made no sense!'
"Maybe she was sickened by the attacks on Japanese civilians?" Tamaki guessed.
"Either way we can't worry about that now," Ohgi sighed. "For now, we're going to stay in these tunnels, but we'll need a new base soon. With the ghetto cleared of people the Britannians might be more willing to bomb Shinjuku to get us out."
"We'll start scouting," Yoshida nodded.
"Kallen, you're going back to school," Ohgi turned to her to say.
"But Ohgi!" Kallen yelped.
"Your brother Naoto would want you back there," Ohgi told her gently, "besides, you need to keep your father happy, too."
"Humph," Kallen scowled at the mention of her Britannian father whom she despised. Still, she needed to maintain her cover if the resistance needed a undercover agent and that meant posing as a demure, quiet student. Damn it.
"And if anyone hears anything about this Nemo," Ohgi addressed the whole group, "tell me! If she's half as good a pilot as Kallen thinks, we could really use the help."
"And while everyone is looking for Nemo," Kallen muttered, "I get to go back to Ashford Academy. Lucky me."
To be continued....