Stage 6: New World Order
* The events in this chapter take place during Stage 5
An hour after the destruction of Narva, the remaining EU forces set up a base camp. Inside the command tent, Zeke was working on a radio. Commander Ryder walked up to him.
"Anything yet?" He asked.
"Nope. Looks like the blast jammed all of our communications. We can't contact anyone."
"Just our luck." Mitsukai said as she entered. "We were only division operating in this desert. Aside from our own wounded, we also have over 200 civilians that have no home. And we still haven't heard from Mjolnir Squad."
Soon they heard the troops starting a commotion. The three of them walked outside and saw three figures in the distance. Zeke put on his goggles and activated the zoom-in feature (that he installed.) He started smiling. "It's Mjolnir Squad!" Sure enough, the three Aestivalis looked worse for wear but were still able to function. They reached the camp and Josh and Marcus walked out of their cockpits.
"You really outdid yourself with these Knightmares Zeke!" Marcus said. "That explosion was right on top of us and we still made it out a-OK!" As he finished his sentence, the arms of his Aestivalis fell off. "More or less."
Alec saw that Cassandra was holding a cockpit in her hands. "Is that one of ours?"
"Nope. It's a Britannian devicer." She responded.
"What! You brought the enemy to us?" Josh exclaimed.
"So I should've just let her die?" Cassandra yelled.
Alec though for a moment. "Put it down." Cassandra did just that as Alec pulled out this gun. Josh and Mitsukai did the same. "Put your hands behind your head and exit the cockpit! We have you surrounded!" The cockpit opened and the devicer walked out. Much to everyone's surprise, she looked like Commander Ryder! When the two silver-haired people looked at each others, their eyes widened. "Stand down!" He ordered Mitsukai and Josh. They put away their guns. Alec looked at the girl.
"Alicia?"
"Alec?" After a few seconds, the girl started to tear up. She ran toward Alec and hugged him, resting her head on his shoulders as tears ran down her face. Alec was stunned but hugged her back.
"It's you! Big Brother! I've finally found you!" Alicia said. At the moment, no one was worried that their commander knew this Britannian devicer. All they saw was a heartfelt reunion between two siblings.
Meanwhile, The Jabberwock as a complete mess. Similar to the Ryder's forces, all long-ranged communication was offline along with the float system. Since their on-board engineers died in the crash they had no one to repair it. The only things that worked was the 6 Sutherlands that survived and the TV. Roylat was currently browsing through the channels.
"So satellite waves can reach us, but we can't reach anyone else." The purple-haired prince said as he was clicked through channels.
"Your Majesty, shouldn't we be coming up with a plan?" One of the helmsman asked.
"The plan is calm down and relax until I can come up with a real plan. Besides with the Float system down, we're not going anywhere for awhile." He clicked through some more until he saw something about a terrorist attack.
"For those of you just tuning in, approximately 2 hours ago the Lake Kawaguchi hotel was hijacked by the Japan Liberation Front. They are believed to lead by Lieutenant Colonel Kusakabe of the now defunct Japan military."
The screen changed to a live feed of Bartley at a podium with several reporters trying to ask him questions.
"Viceroy Clovis has yet to give a statement regarding the hotel jacking."
Roylat sighed. "You were never the military type, Clovis. Taking that position in Area 11 was way out of your league."
The Geass Order headquarters...
The young-looking immortal V.V. was tossing and turning in his bed. "No! No!"
In his dream, he saw Charles take a bullet to the shoulder but he still charged and grabbed the blond-haired woman. He activated his Geass and tried to re-write her mind. In a few seconds the woman stopped struggling. Charles smirked and put her down. However, the woman started to laugh.
"You think you're the first person to try and wipe out my mind?" She turned and kicked him in the face. Charles staggered back a bit and the woman shot him between the eyes. He flew onto the floor as blood pooled around his body.
V.V. woke up with a start. He grabbed his head and shook his head as though he was trying to shake out the vision. But he knew it was no vision as he started to cry. "Charles." He whimpered quietly
Narva...
Despite the revelation that she was the Commander's sister, Mitsukai still opted that they tie Alicia up. Even though Alec protested, Alicia agreed to it. She was currently sitting in a tent by herself with her hands tied behind her back. Cassandra walked in with a tray of food. She was wearing an EU military uniform. "Are you okay?" She asked.
The silver-haired girl shook her head yes.
Cassandra sat in front of her. The sat in silence for a while until Alicia spoke up. "You're the devicer that saved me aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Didn't I already tell you? Our motto is to never leave anyone behind. Besides, I couldn't let a great Knightmare pilot like you die."
Alicia raised her chin up in a smug way. "We'll what did you expect? I am known as the Black Rose: Ace devicer of the Jabberwock crew."
Cassandra eyes widened. "No way! You're the Black Rose!"
"That's right."
"I had no idea Commander Ryder's sister was an ace devicer."
Alicia expression softened. "Did Alec ever mention me?"
Cassandra's smile lessened. "The Commander never really wanted to talk about his past. I mean we all knew he was Britannian but we never knew what he did before he enrolled in the EU military."
Alicia held her head down. "My brother was a well-renowned Spec Ops Captain in Britannia. He was always respectful to both his allies and his enemies, never left any soldier behind and always did everything he could to save civilians. He was the reason joined the military. I wanted to fight by his side. But he dropped off the map after the invasion of Japan. After that, I made it my goal to find him and bring him home."
"What makes you think I want to go home?" The girls turned and saw Alec.
"Because... I thought you wanted to come back with me." Alicia said. "Why would you leave everyone behind?"
"You want to know why I left?" He asked. "It all started during the invasion of Japan."
Seven Years Ago, Just off the Japanese coastline...
Several tanks fired on the Britannian Navy ships. In the main control ship, a younger Alec Ryder stood at the bridge. "This barrage is slowing our advance! We need to open fire!" A Lieutenant said.
"Relax." Alec said with a calm smile. "The cavalry has arrived."
Several VTOLs flew over the tanks and dropped Glasgows. The Knightmares dodged the tank fire and destroyed the tanks with a barrage of bullets. They moved into the coastline city and fought the Japanese forces.
Alec smiled. On of the technicians walked up to him. "Sir! We're receiving an urgent transmission from the Emperor!" Everyone on the bridge gasped.
"Well what are waiting for? Show transmission." Alec ordered.
The bridge screen showed an image of Charles zi Britannia sitting on his throne. Alec bowed in respect. "What is your message, my lord?"
"Captain Ryder, you've exceeded the schedule for the coastline invasion. The Japanese resistance should have fallen five minutes ago." Charles said.
"But we've managed to deploy several Knightmares onto the coastline. We'll have the city in 45 minutes."
Charles though for a moment. "Is the city within firing range of your fleet?"
Alec raised his eyebrow in confusion. "Yes your majesty."
"Then you are to open fire at once."
Alec was shocked by this order and stood up. "But my lord! There are still innocent civilians in that city!"
"Are you trying to say that the lives of foreigners are more important than victory?"
"Then what of the troops we have in the city? We'd be firing on our comrades!"
"You fool!" Charles yelled. "To win a war you must be willing to make sacrifices! And when those men joined the military they chose to live and die for Britannia!"
"But.."
"This discussion is over! Open fire you and your entire crew will executed for insubordination."
The image cut off. The crew on the bridge looked at Alec. He lowered his head so no one could see a lone tear run down his eye. "Open fire."
The several pods opened up on the ships. Missiles flew through the air. A Glasgow turned around and saw incoming missiles. He died without so much as a dying breath. From the bridge, the view of the coastline city burning was an image that would permanently lodged itself in Alec Ryder's memory.
Back in the present, Alec's eyes were watering up from the memory. Cassandra was mortified that her Commander was forced to either choose between his life or the life of his troops. Alicia stared at her brother.
"I... I didn't know." Alicia said.
"That day I swore that would put an end to the rule of Charles zi Britannia and bring that royal bastard to justice." He said as he clenched his fists.
Marcus rushed into the tent. "Commander! I think you should see this!" The three EU officers walked out of the tent. Alicia stood up.
"Hey wait!" She tried to hop but tripped and landed on her face. "Ow."
Josh looked through a sniper scope as he stood the shoulder of his Aestivalis. He zoomed in and saw the monster mechs firing at some Sutherlands and a wrecked Britannian ship. "****!"
"What is it?" Mitsukai asked as everyone gathered.
"It's those monster mechs from earlier. They're attacking some downed Britannian airship."
"It's the Jabberwock!" Everyone looked down and saw Alicia on the ground.
"How did she get out?" Cassandra asked.
"We have to help them! They're my friends." Alicia looked at Alec. "Please."
Alec smiled. "Mjolnir Squad, get ready to mobilize."
At the Jabberwock...
The last devicer screamed as the final Sutherland exploded. A few minutes ago, 6 enemy mechs appeared and started attacking the remaining Britannian troops. Roylat was started to sweat. He clutched his head in his hands.
"There's no strategy against this! We have nothing to fight with! Schneizel, Cornelia, Euphie. I'm sorry but this is it for me." He closed his eyes and waited for death.
An enemy frame aimed its claw at the bridge. A shot rang and a bullet pierced through its arm, blowing it up. It turned around.
"Looks like my aims a bit off while moving." Josh said as his Aestivalis stopped. Marcus, Cassandra and a jeep with Alec at the wheel, Mituskai on the turret and Zeke in the passenger seat zoomed past him. "I'll take the rear." He fired two more shot that pierced the same enemy in the head and chest, destroying it.
"Time for Round 2!" Marcus said as he body checked an enemy and tossed it onto the ground. He started punching the enemy without restraint. He pulled its arms off and smashed its head in with his foot. A blast hit him in the back but he was still standing. He turned and as he was about to attack when a bullet pierced its head. "Thanks Josh!" He launched his arms at another mech, grabbed its head crushed it.
Cassandra pulled out a knife and blocked a claw strike with it. The enemy tried to use its other claw but Josh shot its arm off. Cassandra grabbed its head and shot her arm and the enemy at another mech. She grabbed a Chaos mine and tossed it. The rain of shrapnel pierced the enemy mechs and shut them down.
"This is insane!" Zeke yelled in fear. An enemy opened fire at them but Alec swerved and dodged the fired. Mitsukai aimed the circular Impact Cannon at the enemy and fired. A large blast knocked the mech on its back and the line on its face powered down.
The Britannian Prince was stunned. "The EU soldiers came to help me. But why?"
"Your Majesty!" He heard a familiar voice. The cockpit of Cassandra's Aestivalis opened and Alicia fell out. She got back up and dusted herself off. "It's good to see you're still alive. I'd like to introduce you to someone." She motioned toward Alec and he walked toward her. "This is my brother, Alec Ryder."
Roylat looked at the man in astonishment. He bowed down to the confusion of everyone.
"I thank you for saving my life. I, Roylat li Britannia, the Sixth Prince in line to the throne, owe you a debt of gratitude until I can replay it."
Alec walked up to the bowing prince. "There's no need for that." Roylat looked up at him. "We saved you because that's what the military is meant to do. So you don't owe me anything." He held his hand out. "But I would like to be allies."
"We're supposed to be enemies."
"My enemy was never Britannia. My enemy is those who have no respect for human life. To me, you're just a commander who's lost a lot good soldiers."
Roylat thought about it and he smiled and shook Alec's hand.
A few hours later...
Zeke was whistling he worked on the Jabberwock's float system. The Britannian helmsman were impressed that a young man could understand the technology in a short time. While he and Mitsukai worked with technicians, The rest of the Mjolnir Squad and Roylat watched the Kawaguchi hotel jacking.
"We have just received word that members of the JLF have kidnapped Viceroy Clovis." The screen changed to an image of Clovis surrounded by masked figures.
Roylat sighed. "Well it was bound to happen at some point."
"That your brother would be kidnapped by a bunch of Shakespeare rejects?" Marcus asked.
"The kidnapped part, yes. The masked people part, not so much." He took a sip from glass of wine. "But they must be a new terrorist group. The JLF would never dress up like that."
"I still can't believe that an organization meant to liberate Japan would stoop so low that they would kill innocent children." Josh said with disgust.
"I battled against Kusakabe in the Invasion. I just had this feeling he'd be a sore loser." Alec said.
Location unknown...
In a dark room, Makam bowed down before someone. This man wore a purple cloak with green sleeves, a purple scarf, black shoulder guards, black armlets and white gloves. His face was covered by a faceless chrome mask and a cobalt helmet. (Voice: Frank Welker)
"(What is your assessment on the Earthen military?)" The masked figure asked.
"(Well even though they're forces are split into opposing factions, they can still put up quite the fight.)" Makam said as a holo-screen showed video of his fight with Cassandra and Alicia.
"(But if they are to combine forces, they're fighting strength is almost equal to our.)" Another video showed the Lancelot, a red Glasgow and two Purist Sutherlands fighting together.
"(So the obvious action so to throw their citizens and military in disarray.)" The masked man said. A video of the blond woman killing Emperor Charles. "(And with Decesso's mission a success, the populace will be thrown into chaos.)"
"(Excellent, Lord Trona.)"
Back at the Jabberwock...
On the screen, the new footage showed a large gush of water and a white knightmare landed on the bridge. Zeke saw the frame and had what was know as a "nerd-out."
"No way! Is that a new Britannian KMF? Because it looks awesome!" He yelled.
"That's the Z-1 Lancelot. My older brother's research team built it as the world's first 7th generation Knightmare frame." Roylat said with smirk.
"Well it's aiming at the Britannian Military." Alicia said.
On the screen the Lancelot held the VARIS as Lloyd and Cecile stood next to it. The masked people stood next to the Lancelot as the one with a purple masked walked to the front.
"My dear Britannians. Have no fear. All of the hostages from the hotel are safe and sound. We return them to you unharmed. People! All of this fighting amongst each other is pointless! We stand for all of humanity, regardless of race, religion or ideology! We fight an enemy who could care less about whether you are a Britannian or a Number! The Japan Liberation Front cowardly took innocent Britannians civilians hostage and then mercilessly executed them! It was a meaningless act and therefore they have been punished. We will fight for the rights of all humans! We fight for a world where the weak will not be abandoned! A world where everyone has a chance to live a happy life! The only ones who should kill are those prepared to be killed. Wherever oppressors use their power by attacking those who are powerless, we shall appear again! No matter how mighty, how formidable our foe may be!"
All the people on screen grabbed their robes.
"And we will shall let our enemies know the faces of their foes, and show the world the faces of their protectors!"
Everyone was surprised to see Japanese and Britannian soldiers standing side by side. However, The Ryder siblings and Roylat gasped as the camera zoomed in on the man giving the speech.
"I am Lelouch vi Britannia, Exiled Prince of Britannia! And we are the... THE KNIGHTS OF EARTH!"
"Prince Lelouch is alive!" Alicia exclaimed.
Roylat's eyes started to water. Despite the tears running down his face, he smiled. He saw Nunnaly and Lelouch on the screen and he felt as though all of the darkness the world had vanished. "They're alive! Lelouch! Nunally! They're alive!"
The Britannian Royal Palace...
The sun shined on the palace as the recently appointed Knight of Three Gino Weinberg was running.
"Aw man! I can't believe I'm late for the Rounds meeting! Dorothea is gonna have head!" He said to himself.
The sound of a liquid hitting the ground stopped him. He turned around and his eyes widened. His mouth opened but no sound came until...
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The Knights of the Round heard this scream. They ran toward the scream.
"Gino?" Anya asked. The Knights saw that he was pointing to something. They looked in the direction and saw an image that even Luciano found gruesome. On the walls of the palace, Charles zi Britannia was impaled on each of his palms and one nail going into both of his feet. Blood rolled down his head from the bullet wound. Written underneath him, written in his own blood, was an ominous message.
THIS WORLD BELONGS TO THE VAGAN
Next Chapter: Guren Rises!
I would like to thank AXL999 for beta reading this chapter. Also, the vote for the main theme are tied up! We need more votes to break the tie! See Ya next time!