AN: Was bored so here's a neat chess exercise. How do you give mate to the enemy king by moving your king? How do you give mate using a piece you never moved? And how do you do both in a single move?
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Chapter 4: Welcome to Area 11
Even with the honor and dignities on the line, the game had began quietly enough. White started off with d4, the solid Queen's Pawn Opening, a small surprise to those who had expected e4 from the normally energetic and aggressive princeling. The King's Pawn was the preferred opening of choice for those interested in wild, swashbuckling games after all. Careless commentators quickly dismissed Lelouch's winning chances, pointing out his lack of chess wisdom. If only they knew.
Straying from theory, white rapidly built up a promising position and had his minor pieces well posted to assault the kingside by move nine. Showing his "youth and impatience," according to one observer, Lelouch struck on the tenth move with 10. Qh5 threatening Nxf6 with check followed by the crushing Qxh7. Obvious. Black responded with the equally obvious 10... Qe7, indirectly defending h7. Was his attack over before it had even begun? Had White emptied his quiver?
After a ten minute think, Lelouch turned to his opponent and asked if he would like to resign. When the stunned gentleman asked why? He answered plainly that he found a forced mate in eight.
11. Qxh7+!
Everyone, including his opponent, thought he had lost his mind. Black happily accepted the "free" queen with 11... Kxh7, not the least of which was because it was forced. 12. Nxf6+, Kh6. Black carefully avoided the terrible Kh8, which would lead to Ng6 mate. But the checks kept coming and with each passing move, the black king was forced inexplicably up the board. The crowd's initial bemusement turned to befuddlement to disbelief and finally to exuberance as even they finally realized what White had unleashed. It was, as Lelouch had boasted, a forced mate in eight.
16. Be2+, Kg2 17. Rh2+, Kg1 and White delivered mate with the picturesque 18. Kd2#.
Lelouch the wunderkind had scored a brilliant masterpiece, one to remember for the ages. A reporter playfully quipped afterwards, "Against His Royal Highness, the Black king castled kingside on White's side of the board, and was dismayed to find it didn't offer quite the same level of protection."
"Lady Euphemia? Are you in here?"
"I'm here, Master Staunton."
The elderly gent smiled at the paused clip of the youthful prince, his face aglow in the aftermath of his historic victory.
"Looking at His Royal Highness's past games instead of studying again?" he asked half in chastisement, but also half in pride. After all, Lelouch was once his student in academics and chess. In retrospect, that was probably why the Third Princess sought him out.
"I'm sorry."
"That's quite alright. This game is a favorite with my other students as well." There was scarcely a Britannian youth, chess fan or not, who hadn't at least heard of the game.
The princess gave a long sigh as the show ended with the chess aficionado crowd, nobles and commoners alike, cheering the young prince.
"I don't think I'll ever understand how he does it. How does he do that?" Even as a neophyte, she recognized finding a mate in eight as being unusual.
"Lady Euphemia, I can safely say that there's scarcely a soul in the entire imperial domain who is a match for Prince Lelouch. It is good and sufficient that we learn from his examples." The elderly teacher paused momentarily to collect his thoughts. Here was a wonderful opportunity to inspire and motivate the normally lethargic princess. "However, I'm certain His Royal Highness realized the strength of his attack even before the queen sacrifice."
The disbelieving expression on the Third Princess's face told Staunton that some convincing was in order. He rewound the game back to move ten, just before the famous sac.
"Look at Master Lelouch's pieces. His knights are well posted in the center; his bishops are aiming at the kingside; his queen has open access to the kingside and Black is completely passive. In short, His Royal Highness had a positional advantage, so naturally he attacked. In chess, winning tactics flow from the superior position just as victory on the battlefield is more easily achieved through superior strategy. Of course, Prince Lelouch also knew when it was proper to attack and when discretion was the better part of valor."
Euphemia held a thoughtful expression. Now it made sense why the game was so popular amongst youthful royalties and nobles in a culture such as Britannia's. Did it not spark the creative mind and teach the killing instinct even in the absence of war? The implication was more than a little disconcerting considering Lelouch's love for the game.
"Thank you, Master Staunton. I look forward to our next lesson."
No matter. Euphemia was determined to be a part of her brother's life. It was why she took secret chess lessons in order to share in his interest. She planned to reveal it at an opportune moment, preferably after Nunnally left for the front. That would give her a freer hand to win Lelouch over.
The Third Princess felt a little bad about swooping in like a vulture behind her half-sister's back like that, but like Cornelia once said, "All's fair in love and war."
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"I think that's all."
Lelouch stated with finality as he finished packing his personal belongings, a painstaking endeavor considering his encumbrance, but he didn't want his servants to handle the more sensitive items, not even Alfred.
"Where are you going, brother?"
The prince spun around and blinked stupidly at his guest, wondering how long she has been standing in the darkened corner of the room.
"I took stealth and infiltration lessons during boot camp," Nunnally answered with a soft smile.
He didn't know that.
"I'm leaving the capital, Nunnally, at least for the time being."
The younger girl's eyes darkened.
"If this is about what Duke Mustow said-"
"It's not. It's just... I tried to arrange a meeting with Senator Cornwell a while ago."
Silvius Cornwell was one of the longest serving members of the commoner lower house, a skilled veteran politician, who has withered countless challenges and a long time supporter of the late Princess Juliet and her progressive causes.
Nunnally asked, "And he refused to see you?"
"He's died."
That gave the younger girl pause.
"Suffered a heart attack apparently. They haven't released this information to the public yet, but I know some people are very concerned."
"You think the Blue Wings is involved?"
"I don't know they aren't involved."
They left the conversation there. It was of tremendous irony that Nunnally became the sibling who was more sympathetic to the group that best represented Britiannia's ideals. For his part, Lelouch had been stunned by the revelation and at the number of Nunnally's friends who either belonged to the group or supported it. Her best friend and subordinate, Marika was an especially ardent devotee of Blue Wing causes.
Turning away, the handicapped prince hefted his bags to one side of the room, an impressive feat. "Nunnally, I have nothing to do here. Most of my contacts in the capital are going quiet and I don't know how long and I'm not exactly a favorite of the court. Plus, you no longer need me around."
"That's not true!" The girl insisted, a hurt expression crossing her face.
Sighing, Lelouch backtracked, "I meant I can't do anything for you. I made some very unpopular statements. It's why I declined to attend the celebratory feasts. And I don't want to be a burden."
"You're not a burden," the girl insisted forcefully. She quickly walked up to her wheelchair bound brother and wrapped her arms around him. "You've taken care of me for so long. Why can't you let me do the same now?"
They both knew why. Lelouch was far too prideful to lie around doing nothing while living off of the charity of others.
"Where and when?" Nunnally asked at last, conceding defeat.
"Area 11. Clovis invited me for a visit a while ago. I figured now is a good time to finally take him up on that offer."
"You sure he isn't just looking for someone to do his job? His administration had the worst performance review in the last quarterly even though his domain contained a very advanced and educated indigenous population."
Since leaving the nest, Nunnally has come to better understand how the Empire and the world worked. Clovis might be one of her favorite siblings, and she'd never forget his generosity and kindness, but that didn't mitigate his atrocious leadership record.
"Perhaps, but it might be good practice for me. My flight's in five hours."
"I won't be able to see you off. I've to fly to Arlington in thirty minutes," Nunnally muttered with a frown before elaborating, "Funeral service for one of my company commanders. He's being posthumously awarded the Silver Cross and Medal of Valor by the Army Chief of Staff."
Nunnally spoke only superficially about her command, but Lelouch managed to pierce together that the ambitious operation had taken a significant toll on the participating troops. Nunnally's regiment and the assaulting 501st of imperial fame were rumored to have suffered close to forty percent casualty. Naturally, this information was kept off the airwaves.
"Ok, don't worry about it. Euphie will still be there to see me off."
Lelouch turned away so as to hide his disappointment. Since Nunnally's homecoming, the two siblings have spent preciously little time together, what with her having to attend multiple functions everyday and the media constantly hounding for her attention. As a result, he missed seeing his sister's frozen expression.
"Euphie knew you were leaving?"
"Yes. She actually suggested I go. She mentioned she'd tell you." Lelouch looked back, perplexed. "Actually, I was wondering why you didn't call."
Nunnally schooled her features. "Hmm, I guess she must have forgotten. But in the future, please let me know directly. Euphemia shouldn't have to do your errands for you," she chided lightly. If Lelouch detected the subtle edge, he didn't speak of it.
"Brother Clovis insists Area 11 is safe, but I'm not so sure. Please, be careful."
Without warning, Nunnally closed the gap and mashed her lips against her brother's. None of the kisses, even the intimate ones, they had shared in the past prepared Lelouch for this. He offered no reaction, much less resistance when her tongue dragged his into a heated duet.
Some minutes later, the siblings broke apart with Lelouch wondering what the hell happened.
"You're a very good kisser, brother."
The Eleventh Prince gave her a look. Why?
"I wanted to let you know I love you. And I've always wanted to try that with you. I'm afraid I need to leave right now or my Chief of Staff will come looking for me."
Lelouch barely managed an "I love you too," before Nunnally bounced out the door. As she left however, he couldn't shake the thought that his sister seemed way too practiced for their French kiss to have been her first.
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"What's on your mind now, Lulu?"
Euphemia giggled at the dark look her question evoked. The two royalties stood next to the rampart to a Gulfstream XT450, a line of luxury private jets manufactured exclusively for the upper crust of Britannian society. Providing the latest comforts and amenities, the wide cabin jet also boasted state of the art armor plating and communications hardware. Its makers boasted that the Imperial High Command could conduct an intercontinental campaign while lounging in its posturepedic seats.
"Nunnally was behaving strangely. I'm worried about her."
Pause.
"I'm sure she'll be fine. She's a big girl now."
"That's true." Though the same could be said of Euphemia. Lelouch looked at his half-sibling, who looked radiant and gorgeous in a frilly, but elegant white and yellow dress. She has definitely grown in many areas, and not just because Lelouch's point of view was stunted by his handicap.
The Third Princess grinned when she caught him eyeing her chest. Lelouch turned away with a flushed face.
"What did Nunnally do? I thought you'd be happy she's home."
"I am. It's just that she's changed so much."
Euphemia moved closer, hoping to capitalize on the situation to steal a kiss, and that was when she noticed; the faint, but distinct subtle blush around Lelouch's mouth. The Third Princess instantly recognized what it was. Her mouth tightened.
That little sneak! She got to him first!
That made her feel a little less bad about her plans. Clearly, Nunnally was no longer a hapless, naive little girl, but Euphie could hardly blame her for doing what she wanted to do herself. The pink haired princess quickly recovered and gave Lelouch a chaste kiss on both cheeks instead. There was little point in copying Nunnally's actions at this point. The younger girl might have won the battle, but the war was far from over.
"Once you are settled, I'll try and drop by to see you, ok, Lelouch?"
"Yes, I'd like that," the boy agreed enthusiastically.
Euphemia smiled. Take that. Last she checked, Nunnally's unit was stationed somewhere in the Mediterranean. Now if there was some way to convince Sister Cornelia to keep it stationed there indefinitely...
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"Good afternoon, Your Highness, I'm Major Eric Manheim and I'll be your pilot for this trip. I want to inform you that we'll be making a brief stop at California Base. The 23rd Highlander Air Group will meet and escort us to Area 11. I apologize for any delay this change may cause."
Lelouch was surprised. He had been told only minimal escort would be available for his trip.
"Why the change?"
"There was a request from higher up to increase your security detail."
Lelouch realized the only person who knew his exact departure time and date and was in a position to influence it was Nunnally. And it certainly was a very Nunnally-like action. A part of him was unhappy. Little sisters weren't supposed to look after their crippled older brother. The world wasn't supposed to work like that! So he was prideful. No one ever accused him of being humble. But at the same time, he was relieved. There was something comforting about knowing that Nunnally still looked out for her big brother.
Of course, the bigger question was how she did it on such short notice. Did she call up Cornelia or Schneizel? Possibly or did she act on her own authority? If so, then Lelouch had to wonder how much influence his little sister wielded.
"Thank you, major. Carry on."
"Good afternoon, Your Highness. Welcome to the Silver Starlight," greeted the stewardess, a pretty blonde who wore a picturesque smile. "We hope you'll enjoy your trip with us."
"I'm sure I will."
Looking outside, Lelouch waved goodbye to Euphemia and to his home.
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The trip across the Pacific was long, but was by no means unpleasant. Lelouch found it surprisingly easy to drift off after a couple of glasses of expertly blended margaritas and sherries. The Bentley quality expanded leather seat also didn't hurt. Before he knew it, the waitress was gently shaking him awake.
"Your Highness, we've arrived at Winslow New Tokyo Airport."
"Oh, ok, thank you."
"My pleasure, sir. It was good to have you with us. Your military escort is waiting outside.
Lelouch blinked. Military escort?
Some minutes later when the young prince stepped outside, he gaped at the spectacle. Arrayed in neat rows was an entire battalion of Imperial Royal Guards, undoubtedly the Viceroy's personal troops.
"Lelouch! My favorite brother!" Clovis la Britannia shouted with joy, blinding him with his impeccable bleached white teeth. "You didn't think I'd let you sneak you into my own backyard without a proper welcome, did you?"
The wheelchair bound prince eyed his brother wearily. Clovis always was one for theatrics, even more so than Schneizel.
"I also took the liberty of inviting an old friend of yours."
Lelouch followed Clovis's gesture and turned to the fashionably dressed blonde by his side.
"Milly?"
Indeed, standing tall and prim by the 3rd Prince's side was the heiress of the Ashford fortune. So the rumors were true. The Ashford clan managed to claw its way from the abyss. Good for them.
"Hi, Lulu. I'm so happy to see you again."
Clovis grinned broadly like a sly fox. "Why don't we go inside and talk. It's getting chilly outside."
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AN: Not a very original idea for getting Lelouch to Area 11, I know, but I decided to stop trying to force it. At least he gets a kiss from both sisters this chapter! Lucky guy! I took the suggestions of some readers and added viewpoints from the girls. I have to say I enjoyed writing them so keep those suggestions coming.
The chess game I used this time was the famous 1912 Edward Lasker vs. George Alan Thomas match. Very pretty mate, wouldn't you agree? The full game is given below.
Event: London, 1912
White: Edward Lasker
Black: George Alan Thomas
1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 f5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. Bxf6 Bxf6 6. e4 fxe4 7. Nxe4 b6 8. Ne5 O-O 9. Bd3 Bb7 10. Qh5 Qe7 11. Qxh7+ Kxh7 12. Nxf6+ Kh6 13. Neg4+ Kg5 14. h4+ Kf4 15. g3+ Kf3 16. Be2+ Kg2 17. Rh2+ Kg1 18. Kd2# 1-0
I alluded to a bit about the dichotomy between wild, sharp chess, usually associated with tactics and slower positional chess. The first is immediate, where as the second is long term. The former is fun to watch, while the latter is where "real" chess takes place. The quote, "tactics flow from a superior position" is from Bobby Fischer. Ironically - but not surprisingly - he is most known for his beautiful combinations and tactical victories, even though he is usually categorized as an "aggressive" positional player.
So I'll really try to empathize this second, long term view in Lelouch even if it ends up being more "boring" and "dry" than canon. The first thing is always to have a good strategy. Actually winning is the easy part.