Pathways Chapter 4: Plans Being Made, a code geass fanfic

Chapter Four: Plans Being Made

Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass.

Author's Note: Warning story will contain shounen-ai and eventual yaoi… pairings undecided.

～('▽^人)

Euphemia watched in anticipation and trepidation as her sister Cornelia and her loyal subordinates, Gilbert G.P. Guilford and Andreas Dalton exited off their plane. "How was the flight sister?" She asked. It was quite a long flight from Area 18 to Area 11.

"Remember to address me as Viceroy we'll be under scrutiny and must not show competency especially because of the delicate situation here in Area 11," Cornelia smiled warmly at her younger sister.

Euphemia stood more at attention so she wouldn't show she was nervous, "Yes of course Viceroy." She knew she was in for a lecture once they were alone because of the stunt she pulled in the Shinjuku Ghettos.

"Now shall we take you to your quarters Viceroy? You must have had a long flight and want to rest," An administrator from Clovis' committee spoke out trying to put on a smile. For his efforts, he received a gun in the face startling everyone, but Dalton, Guilford, and Euphemia for they're used to Cornelia's ways.

"What I want is Zero! Dead or alive I prefer alive so I can have the pleasure of dealing with him myself," Cornelia said before she lowered her gun with a smirk knowing she gave the impression she wanted to give. She expected no-nonsense out of the soldiers and administrators stationed here. She wouldn't allow herself show any weakness that could be used against her or Euphemia.

～('▽^人)

"Well it is official Cornelia has arrived. Now the real challenge will begin someone like her will be on an equal footing in strategy and tactics," Zero chuckled whilst he watched the news coverage of Princess Cornelia's arrival.

He grinned in excitement about combating against an opponent who had real military experience, but then he suddenly frowned slightly, "I will have to be extra careful during these battles. I can't have her overcome me or we can't count on Kyoto's backing."

Zero turned to face C.C. lounging on the bed in Zero's private room within the mobile command center, a few scattered pizza boxes around her. She hummed quietly then bit into another slice of pizza. After chewing on it, she murmured, "That's true you will be under their watch since I'm sure Ohgi is reporting back to them. It's remarkable how you didn't call him out on this."

"He was in communication with them before when Naoto the previous leader of Ohgi's resistance unit was close to getting financial backing and Knightmares. Unfortunately, he was captured and killed so they hadn't gotten the chance to receive them. From what I heard he was an impressive leader," Zero said.

"Yes, intelligent and charismatic… sounds rather familiar," C.C. smirked.

Zero helmeted head tilted in a semblance of raising a brow, "If it gets the Black Knights to follow me because I remind them of their old leader then that's fine with me. Anyway, we need to plan our next raid on Refrain. For now we managed to stop production in various Japanese populated areas, but it's not adequate we must target the corrupt noblemen selling the drug."

Sitting up far more interested than she was a moment ago C.C. asked, "How are you going to do that?"

"By using the laws Cornelia set into place upon her arrival against them. The noblemen believe she will be too busy fighting terrorists to look in their direction and with the police are either corrupt or afraid to anger the noblemen they can get away with it. All we need to do is force her into a position to realize what the noblemen are doing. She will take great offense to this and punished them severely. She might be a dog to the Empire, but she has her morals she will not let this slide," Zero chortled.

"So you suggest leaking information about one of your operations to Cornelia so she will see the corruption of the noblemen for herself," C.C. deduced.

Zero nodded his head, "Yes and since I already paved the way in cleaning up the Refrain issue to a degree that the Japanese population knows of my involvement. There isn't any way Kyoto can't believe that my goals are to free Japan. However to put the nail in the coffin we need to ensure they all know the steps I'm willing to take to remove it permanently."

C.C's eyes narrowing a bit in a playful manner, "You'll look like quite the hero."

"Well everyone loves a hero," Zero chuckled deeply causing C.C. to snicker hugging her Cheese-kun plushie.

～('▽^人)

Not even a few hours as Viceroy, Cornelia was making strides in her mission to capture Zero. She, Dalton, and Guilford stood over several reports on the masked revolutionary. "Are you sure this source is reliable?" Cornelia gripped the edges of the paper tightly.

"Yes, my Lady they are true. Zero may have spies, but we have some of our own and they have informed us that the Black Knights are planning on raiding a warehouse for supplies to give to the Eleven population," Guilford replied.

Dalton passed a couple of new documents to Cornelia, "According to the warehouse shipping records the trucks will be transporting food, clothing, and medical supplies to various stores through Area 11. It would seem they fancy playing Robin Hood and want to steal these things to give to the people."

"Good work we should be able to arrest Zero. It's a shame that I won't be able to battle in head to head, but this works as well. Let's see the reports state he is always present during his own operations. Very admirable, but this will to his downfall," Cornelia smirked in satisfaction.

～('▽^人)

Suzaku sighed blissfully, having just finished dinner with the Lamperouge siblings. Lelouch, the polite host, and friend escorted Suzaku to the door. "Thanks for another wonderful dinner, but are you sure it's okay for me to be over here so much?" Suzaku asked.

Lelouch merely smiled at his friend, always worrying about him and Nunnally. However, he knew the right words to convince Suzaku into agreeing with him. "Yes, Nunnally will be disappointed if you don't come over every once and awhile. You would hate to upset her," He leered at the guilty expression on Suzaku's face.

"You play dirty my friend, using Nunnally like that. What you're not saying is that you also enjoy having me around too. Why else would you cook my favorite meals whenever I come over," Suzaku teased. It was his turn to smirk triumphantly.

Crossing his arms Lelouch blushed angrily, "Who says I'm the one who cooked those meals?"

"Nunnally and Sayoko told me. You've been asking Sayoko how to prepare traditional Japanese food to impress me or so they say," Suzaku grinned slyly.

"Impress?! I made them because… damn it," Lelouch realized was tricked. "I made them because I remembered all your favorites from seven years ago. They became my favorites too," He whispered glancing down at the ground refusing to look Suzaku in the eye.

Suzaku's eyes glistened with an unnamed emotion. "Lelouch… thank you," Suzaku whispered holding the other's chin, raising his head up so he could look Lelouch in the eye. "You don't know how happy that made me," He softly stroked Lelouch's cheek.

"I'm lucky to have a friend like you. It makes feel like the choices I've made couldn't have been the wrong ones if they led me down the path back to you again," Suzaku smiled sincerely causing Lelouch's eyes to widen in awe before a bright smile formed on his lips.

After a few moments of silence that soon turned awkward they became aware of their position. They had been standing in place, staring into each other's eyes for quite a while.

Quickly they broke apart blushing, another uncomfortable silence passed, but Suzaku was the first to compose himself as he cleared his throat, "I need to get back to the base. I have some tests they need me to do early, but since tomorrow is the weekend maybe we can do something together."

"Sure just call me whenever you're ready. We'll meet someplace and figure things out from there," Lelouch said.

"You're going out without a plan that doesn't sound at all like you Lelouch," Suzaku grinned.

Lelouch chuckled whilst folding his arms, "I've mellowed out these past years I can be spontaneous when I want to be."

"I guess so well see you later then," Suzaku waved goodbye. Lelouch watched him leave all the while trying to get his heart back under control. It was beating a mile a minute ever since Suzaku caressed his cheek.

～ ('▽^人)

Meanwhile Suzaku was going through a similar problem he managed to get back to base, but the entire way he was muttering to himself, which garnered strange looks. "What was I thinking doing that? Lelouch doesn't let people getting into his personal space… except Nunnally. I hope he doesn't think I'm weird," He murmured.

"Oh Suzaku what are you doing out so late?" Cecile asked. She and Lloyd came out of the hanger where they were most likely doing work on Lancelot.

"He was probably having dinner with his boyfriend again. He always comes back around this time when he goes over to his place," Lloyd replied before Suzaku could even form an answer earning blushes from both Suzaku and Cecile.

"Oh I didn't mean to pry Suzaku," Cecile apologized.

"You both have it all wrong!" Suzaku shouted. His face began to redden and his heart beat wildly in his chest at the insinuation that Lelouch and his relationship was anything but platonic.

Lloyd wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, "You know this is later than usual, so did you have some dessert before leaving this time?"

Suzaku could only stutter unable to form words while Cecile appeared guilty for a moment. "Uh… um… what does your boyfriend look like? Is he handsome?" She murmured making both Lloyd and Suzaku gawked at her in shock.

"Miss Cecile?!" Suzaku shouted.

Suddenly Suzaku's phone rang and he answered reluctantly knowing it could only be one person, "Hello? He nervously fumbled with the phone unknowingly pressing the speaker button.

"You left your books over here again. You're lucky we did our homework before dinner. I'll give them to you when I see before class and don't bother asking why I called, because I know once you wake up you'll panic when you're not able to find them," Lelouch's silken voice echoed around them. Cecile blushed at the smooth voice and Lloyd smirked at Suzaku.

"Yeah okay bye!" Suzaku tried to hurry off the phone.

"Suzaku what's wrong you seemed stressed out?" Lelouch sounded a bit concern.

Suzaku stammered, "I'm fine just… um…"

Lloyd couldn't contain his laughter and started to chuckle, which Lelouch heard. "Do you have me on speaker again? Suzaku you've had that phone for a couple of weeks you should be able to use it by now. Honestly how are you in the Engineering Core of the military if you can't operate a simple cell phone?" Lelouch laughed.

"Lelouch," Suzaku sighed at his friend's teasing.

"My so this is the friend I've heard so much about. Hello, young man my name is Lloyd Asplund," Lloyd spoke into the phone, he snatched from Suzaku who looked alarmed.

Lelouch said, "The Earl… I've heard of you. You're head of the research organization Camelot, aren't you?"

Lloyd's eyes twinkled in excitement, "Don't tell me you're a fan!"

"A bit your research and knowledge of Knightmare frames and their systems are fascinating to read. Too bad it's hard to mass produce your Knightmares due to their complexity that and it is difficult to find a pilot with the skills to use it. Your Lancelot is far superior to anything the military has now," Lelouch said flippantly. Knightmare frames always interested him since his mother was an ace pilot when she was Knight of the Rounds. His mother even showed him how to operate it when he was younger.

"From the research I read the Lancelot outperforms most other models thanks to the heavy amount of Sakuradite scattered throughout its frame and in its Yggdrasil Drive, the Core Luminous. Then the two retractable Fact-spheres affixed on its chest, two forearm-mounted Blaze Luminous shields, and four Slash Harken Boosters which can improve their speed and allow them to change direction mid-flight.

Of course one can't forget those pair of Maser Vibration Swords, which oscillate at a high rate to cut through almost anything. I also heard you put the finishing touches on the VARIS particle rifle which can adapt its projectile repulsion output to any situation. I have to say that Knightmare Frame is in a league of its own. Oh sorry I was babbling again I have a habit of doing that," Lelouch laughed nervously, realizing he was rambling.

Eyes widen slightly beneath his glasses Lloyd questioned, "My research really interests you and you understood my research?" He knew the difference between memorizing a report and actually understanding what you're reading. Lloyd could tell Lelouch not only did the first, but the boy also managed to gain enjoyment from reading his research, it was clear in his voice.

"Yes, I even saw how you are making plans to a make a float system. Though I wonder how you plan on making an electromagnetic device with the necessary amount of power that it can suspend high-mass structures in stationary flight. Then moving them through the air at fast speeds it would require precise gyroscopic stabilization," Lelouch murmured thoughtfully.

Lloyd's eyes widen further in shock, which Cecile mirrored. "You followed all my research and grasped the information?" Lloyd asked wanting confirmation.

Shrugging his shoulders though they couldn't see it Lelouch replied, "I read a lot. Lately I can't get my mind to shut off so that's all I've been doing. It's soothing and helps me sleep."

"Suzaku I really like your friend he is very intelligent if he's able to understand my research. I approve of your relationship!" Lloyd smiled. Suzaku snatched the phone back and took it, off speaker.

"Relationship?" Lelouch intoned.

Suzaku could just visualize his friend raising his slender brow at him. "Oh you know my boss he's very eccentric. Anyway I'll see you in tomorrow alright," He practically shouted.

Before hanging up the phone Lelouch snickered, "I'll see you later. Goodnight Suzaku."

"Lloyd you embarrassed Suzaku in front of his boyfriend! You need to apologize!" Cecile admonished. Suzaku just sighed, he wasn't going to convince them that he and Lelouch weren't in a romantic relationship.

"I only wanted to see if the young man is good enough for him! But now thinking better of it, I must say I wondered how you met such a remarkably gifted person," Lloyd chuckled.

"He's naturally that way. He would always be found with a book even when we were little children. I knew him before the invasion we lost touch with each other for years and only recently reconnected. Knowing him all he's been doing was reading he hates physical activity," Suzaku laughed thinking about his lazy friend.

"So what do you have in common? To have a healthy relationship you need to have some things in common," Lloyd advised causing Suzaku to blush.

"Stop it Lloyd we already bothered Suzaku enough," Cecile said grabbing Lloyd by the ear and dragged him away.

"I think I made things worse," Suzaku sighed thinking back on it, remembering Lelouch's interest in Knightmare Frames. Lelouch told him he admired them because his mother was once a Knight of the Round, but he didn't realize that Lelouch's curiosity ran that deep. "Hopefully Lloyd won't make too big of a deal out of this," He murmured heading to his room on the base.

～ ('▽^人)

End of Chapter

Author's Note: Alright, you probably guessed Lelouch is beginning to have a side effect of his Geass though it doesn't mean he is going into the "runaway" state…

I don't think I went into detail about his Geass. If I have to put a name to it then it would be Absolute Mentality.

This Geass unlocks the unused portions of the brain thus achieving and intelligence quotient far above that of a genius level.

As a result, Lelouch can use psychic abilities like telekinesis think of Brainiac with less villainous tendencies. I picked this power because above all else Lelouch is a prodigy his mind is his strength.

Geass manifests differently, possibly related to their inner desires and personality, this is my reason for picking this power.

Based on Lelouch's personality his ability to outthink his opponents and use his mind to solve any problem he finds himself in, his desire to use his mind to protect his sister and all he holds dear.

Lelouch is not physically strong so he knows his mind is his weapon, which I believe this Geass suits him.

Anyway I feel that each person goes through some form of side effect when having a Geass, whether it affects their personality or affects them physically so I choose Lelouch having to occupy his mind constantly to be his side effect, there might be others later…

I hope you all enjoyed what I've written thus far and continue to read my story, until next time!