Red Spider III


In or Out
Tokyo, Japan
Day

In the morning afterwards, they hold a public announcement in Tokyo, Japan, in front of hundreds of millions of people. The place is crowded with people from corner to corner. Though the place has been physically cleaned from the aftermath bloodbath, there is still ire hanging in the air. The people are wary, Ang Mei Ti knows. But she is not called the Red Spider for nothing. Soon enough, these people will see light again.

Today, dressed in an angular white and red gown, she looks just as regal and beautiful as ever. Her hair is pulled back into a pony tail and a golden crown rested upon her forehead. Her sleeves have long wavy red silk on each side, sweeping the floor that she walks on. Her head pieces are black and thick, decorated with similar red silk.

"Aisatsu, Nihon to Buritania!" Greetings, Japanese and Britannians! Her voice booms through the loud speakers. What got people's attention, though, is the fact that she can speak the language of Japanese in perfect intonation. As for those who doesn't understand Japanese, they can read from the real live holograms that are accompanied with accurate subtitles. The same holograms are set live around all cross Japan, so that gatherings from each prefecture can witness her speech. "Watashi wa mada watashi no hito to shite anata no subete ni taisho dekinai riyū ga yoku,node, anata no ichibu ni naritainai kamo shiremasendesu." The reason why I can't address you all as my people yet is because, well, some of you might not want to be.

"Buritania no hitobito wa, watashi wa anata ga korera futatsu no dochira ka o sentaku dekiru yō ni narimasu. Mazu, anata wa Chūgoku no renpō shimin no ichibu ni naru to anata no kazoku ya yūjin to taizai suru koto ga dekimasu. Matawa dai ni, buritania ni modori, haigo ni Nihon no yūjin ya kazoku o nokoshite. Hāfuburitania to shite, watashi wa anata ni onaji sentakushi o teikyō shimasu. Anata no kazoku no menbā no izureka ga karera no buritania no kazoku to issho ni Nihon o hanareru shitai baai, watashi wa sore o kyoka shinakereba narimasen."

People of Britannia, I will let you choose between these two. First, you can become a part of Chinese Federation citizen and stay with your family and friends. Or second, return to Britannia and leave your Japanese friends and family behind. As for the half-Britannians, I will give you the same choices. If any of your family member wish to leave Japan with their Britannians family, I shall allow it.

Her words sounds too good to be truth. But she is buying the people's hearts, and she is winning. Hear what the crows has to say. Some are ecstatic. Some are still surprise hearing her news. Some are crying in happiness, though some still remain suspicious.

"Shikashi, anata wa nani o erabu ka no chūi ga hitsuyōde kudasai. Karera wa Chūgoku no renmei kara suteppuauto shitara, wareware wa mohaya kanzen ni anata o mamoru koto ga dekinai yō ni, watashi no keikoku o nyūsatsu. Anata ga kunan no isshō no tame ni junbi suru hitsuyō ga arimasu." Do be cautious of what you choose, though. Bid my warning, as we can no longer fully protect you once they step out of Chinese Federation. You must be prepared for a lifetime of misery.

Hearing that, the crowds grow wary once again.

"Naze kanojo wa hanashite imasu ka?" Why is she talking about?

"Sore wa, fukō no jumyō o nani o imi suru nodeshou ka?" What does it mean, lifetime of misery?

"Kanojo wa watashitachi o odokashite imasu ka?" Is she threatening us?

"Watashi wa sore o shitte iru! Kore ga shinjitsudearu ni wa amarini mo yoidesu." I know it! This is too good to be truth.

"Watashi, watashi wa anata ga dono yō ni semai kokoro o shinjiru koto ga dekimasen," she says in disbelieve. My, I can't believe how narrow minded you are. This in turn further angers the crowds, but she continues to talk. "Osoraku sore ga gen'in anata to anata no senzo no ue ni futan to natte iru shōgai no doreidesu. Shikashi shinpai wanai, watashi wa anata ni subete o setsumei shinakereba narimasen. Anata wa Chūgoku no renmei kara nukedasu baai wa mazu daiichi ni, anata wa anata no jinsei o yori yutaka ni kuru koto ni naru to omoimasu ka?"

Perhaps it is because of the life-long enslavement that has been burdened over you and your ancestors. But worry not, I shall explain everything to you. First off, if you get out of Chinese Federation, do you think your life will be come more prosperous than it is now?

Her speech gets the people thinking.

"Dono tairiku wa Chūgoku no rengōde wa naku, haruka ni yūbōdesu ka? Anata ga soto ni iku node wa naku, koko ni taizai anata no jinsei o kakeru koto ga dekimasu ka? Anata wa anata ga koko de okonau yori mo, ukeire ōku o eru koto ga hoshō sa rete imasu ka?"

Which continent is much more promising rather than the Chinese Federation? Can you gamble your life going outside, rather than staying here? Are you guaranteed that you will get acceptance more than you do here?

"Watashitachi no tōchaku no mokuteki wa, Nihon o hakai suruga, sai kōchiku shi, sore o kaizen suru koto wa arimasen. Watashitachiha Ajia no tochi o torimodosu kaishi shite irai, sore wa wareware no mokuteki no hitotsu to natte imasu. Watashitachi wa anata no sewa o shi, anata ga anata no jinsei o bakku e rareru yō ni narimasu yō ni, anata no nayami ya fuan no waki ni okimasu."

The purpose of our arrival is not to destroy Japan, but to rebuild and improve it. It has been one of our purposes ever since we started reclaiming the lands of Asia. So set aside of your worries and concerns, as we will take care of you and help you gain back your life.

Ang Mei Ti says the last part with more ease, smiling warmly in the end.

The crowd goes silence for a few moments as they take in her words, before suddenly erupted with a loud cheering.

"Rongu kōgō o ikimasu!" Long live the Empress!

"Arigatō, Kōgō Ang Mei Ti!" Thank you, Empress Ang Mei Ti!

"Watashitachi o tasuketekudasai!" Please help us!

"Watashitachiha, Nihon ni taizai shimasu!" We will stay in Japan!

"Nagaiki Nihon! Rongu kōgō o ikimasu!" Long live Japan! Long live the Empress!

Her charms and words must have reached their hearts, because they are now starting to cheering for her.

"Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress! Wànsuì wànsuì wàn wàn suì!"

Salei watches in awe from the side line as the crows cheers for his mother. He must admit that he could only understand a few words from her speech. But his mother has really turned the tables completely around, as she captures their hearts and trust with her charms and words. He can't believe that all of these people are rooting for her now, when they were just looking so ire and untrusting of her only minutes ago.

What surprises him even more is when they chant the praising words in Chinese. Who knew that these people are aware of the Chinese language as well. Being trapped in their own land does not stop them completely from knowing the outside world and what goes around. Thought when he looks around, Salei notices that he is not the only one that is impressed by the chanting.

When Ang Mei Ti raises a hand, the crowd grows silence once more, this time much more orderly compared to before.

"Watashi wa anata no kettei o tsukuru tame ni anata ni 24-jikan o ataenakereba narimasen. Taizai matawa nokoshimasu. Sore wa anata shidai kanzendesu. Anata wa sore de iru ma, watashi wa mata, ikutsu ka no tesuto o toru tame ni anata o hitsuyō to shimasu." I shall give you 24 hours to make up your decision. Stay or leave. That is completely up to you. And while you are at it, I would also require you to take a few tests. Latoa walks towards his Empress with a box at hand. He opens it and hands over the content to her, which look similar to that of a sunglass. However, it's not one.

"Kono debaisu wa, konpyūta no Chūgoku Rengō no bājondesu. Hai, korera no debaisu wa geitaidenwa, rappu toppu, taburetto o yobidashimasu. Wareware wa kokode wa, sorera subete o motte imasu." This device is the Chinese Federation's version of a computer. Yes, those devices you call cellphones, laptops, and tablets. We have them all, in here. She holds up the small device in her hand for everyone to see.

"Kore wa teleglass no watashitachi no kihon-tekina bājon no shōsaidesukeredomo. Mazu, anata no sorezore ni kore o ataenakereba narimasen. Tesuto o toru tame ni: Wareware wa yuiitsu no mokuteki ni sore o seigen shite iru to shite, anata ga uketoru bājon wa, kanzen'na bājonde wa arimasen." Though this is more of our basic version of teleglass. We shall give this to each of you first. The version you will receive is not a complete version, as we are limiting it to one purpose only: for taking the test.

"Kono tesuto kara, taizai suru koto o kettei shita anata no hitobito wa, tesuto kekka ni motodzuite sai riyō sa remasu. Sore ni kanshite wa, watakushiha suru koto ga dekimasu yō ni anata ga shinjitsu no yō ni sorezore no shitsumon o sentaku suru hitsuyō ga arimasu yō ni, fuyōi ni kono tesuto o ukenai yō ni shiji sa remasu. Anata no atarashī jinsei ga kanzen ni sore ni izon suru yō ni, anata no raifurain no yō ni atsukaimasu. 24-Jikan no kikan ga shūryō shitara, wareware wa hyōjun bājon ni teleglass o kōshin shimasu."

From this test, those of you who decides to stay will be repurposed based upon your test result. In regards to that, I will ask you to not take this test carelessly, as you must choose each questions as truthful as you can. Treat it like your lifeline, as your new life completely depends on it. Once the 24 hours period ends, we will update your teleglass to a standard version.

"Anata ga taizai shi, Chūgoku no renpō no ichibudearu koto o sentaku shita baai, watashitachi wa anata no jinsei ga sewa o sa rete iru koto o kakunin shimasu koto o kokoro ni tomete oku yō ni shite kudasai. Tōsha no kyōkyū wa, soreha shokuhin, irui, matawa iedearu ka dō ka, muryōdesu. Watashitachi wa takusan motte, watashitachi wa anata to sore o kyōyū sa sete itadakimasu. Watashi wa Nihon ni karera no tasuke no te o kasu te kōken o tokuni kansha shitai to omoimasu."

Do keep in mind that if you choose to stay and be a part of the Chinese Federation, we will make sure that you life is taken care of. Our supplies are free, whether it is food, clothes, or houses. We have plenty and we are happy to share it with you. I would like to especially thank the contributors who hand lend their helping hands to Japan.

The stage light turns on a group of people. The people can see lines of figures standing in way-over-the-top fashionable clothing and poised mannerisms.

"Izen no ensei de watashitachi to sa rete iru hito wa, chōdo saikin, watashitachi ni sanka shite iru mono to shite. Taizai suru koto o sentaku suru hito no tame ni, watashitachiha okaeshi ni hitotsu no koto o motomemasu. Nai baai wa tairiku ni, anata jishin no hitobito ni kōken shimasu. Watashitachiha,-kin no ue ni jinsei o taisetsu ni shi, sonoyōni anata suru hitsuyō ga arimasu."

Those who have been with us in previous expeditions, and those who have just recently joined us. For those who chooses to stay, we only ask for one thing in return. Contribute to your own people, if not to the continent. We value life over gold, and so should you.

Empress Ang Mei Ti is about to end her speech, when a figure in white sudden appears and approaches the stage in rapid speed. He sprints through the crowd as they part like sea. How can they not? The man is unsheathing his sword.

Two members of Agents, the Chinese imperial soldiers, begin to move. One unsheathes the sword on his waist, while the other backs him up with a gun at hand. The rest are safe-guarding the audience. They can't have blood spilled on the first day—well, technically they did, but it was before the reclaiming.

As the two men clash swords, the gunned Agent suddenly shoots. The bullet zooms and pieces flesh, drawing blood to the ground. But instead of the man in white, it is the another Agent that gets shot.

What is the meaning of this? Ang Mei Ti progresses quick. Treason?!

In a flash, the gunned Agent points his gun right at her. At the same time, two more Agents head towards the man in white. Ang Mei Ti prepares her stance, a hand already wrapped around the hilt of her own sword. "Latoa, Salei!" she orders without turning her head. The knight moves quick to secure the little prince, despite him already having a group of guards already.

When the rogue Agent shoots, Ang Mei Ti draws her sword, just in time to cut the bullet in half. "Māmā!" Salei shouts somewhere from behind. The traitor shoots again, but she cuts it in half this time too. "Liú zài Latoa, qīn'ài de!" Stay with Latoa, darling! Ang Mei Ti shouts as she cuts off another bullet. For the fourth bullet, however, instead of cutting it in half, she turns her blade and deflects it back. The bullet hits the rogue Agent squares in the eye. The man collapses at the next second.

Suzaku the ex-knight manages to fend of his opponents. He takes that chance to slip through the crowd and up the stage. The bullet the Empress deflected passes him by a meter away. He sprints towards Nunnally's killer and swings his sword with all his might.

A desperate fighter. She can see it in his eyes. How wonderful. She is finally facing a worthy opponent, after all. She is about to face him head on, when she sees Salei enters her line of sight.

Shit! Suzaku is aiming at the Empress when a boy sudden runs towards them. He wants to stop, but it is too late. He is going to hit him, is his thought in the last moment. He can feel his blade cutting through flesh like butter. But when he starts to really look, he realizes that it is not the boy.

The Empress has move at the last minute to protect the boy. One hand is wrapped around the boy's shaking body, while the other grabs the end of Suzaku's sword. Blood is staining her beautiful gown and beginning to drip. With that much amount lost and blade so deep into the flesh, she should passed out right about now. But no, the body remains strong. She stands straight still, with her face half turned to face him.

The look in her eyes, thought, is what shocked him the most. He couldn't see it very clearly before. But they are red like fresh blood and glow like a Geass. He is not sure if it is just because his blood is running cold or if it's the trick of the light. But he can swear that a silhouette of a spider is residing in each of her eyes. And they move. Those creepy long legs are moving, as if they are bout to crawl out of her eyes—those eyes that burn with anger.

"Nǐ zěnme gǎn nǐ—!" How dare you—! She hisses through grinned teeth.

In a swift move, she lets go of her son and lifts he sword with both hands. Suzuka stumbles a little, still a bit shock. But he quickly recovers and begins to fight back. He puts pressure on his sword. Through her bleeding hands, Ang Mei Ti defenses her stance. Then suddenly she pushes the sword to the side, still with her palms closed around each side of the sword. At the same time, Suzaku wears he can hear a loud PANG! of something hard snapped. She pushes the sword to the other side, and another loud PANG! is heard. PANG! PANG! The Empress is only inches away from him. Before he realizes it, his sword is already broken in four different places, a few inches remaining still. He can't believe what he's seeing. She broke a sword with bare hands!

"Diànxià," Latoa approaches the young prince as the Empress and the man in white struggles. After briskly scanning for injuries and find none, he turns to the attacker and pulls out his gun.

BANG! A gunshot is heard. Suzaku lifts his head, only to find one of the Chinese soldier pulling a gun at him. Squatting down to the child's level, the man finds a perfect angel on him. Lower his head, Suzaku notices blood starting to pour from his abdomen. He tries to fight it, but strength gradually leave his body, before he drops to the ground.

"Secure the audience! Get the traitor and this man! I want them conscious and interrogated by the end of the day." She barks on orders simultaneously as her Agents begin to move.

Ang Mei Ti made sure to not aim for the kill-shot when she deflected the bullet. And gun wounds to the abdomen will take a few minutes to settle in. Latoa will hope the man is not dead, or she will be pissed. A rebel and a traitor at the same time? She will want to get to the bottom of this.