Turn 07 – The Miracle of a Million
Feite sat on the edge of her bed with her arms resting at her sides while her feet were kicking in a slow alternating style. She stared down at her limbs, and slowly turned over to C.C. who sat at the nearby desk. Her finger tapped on the metal desk while noticing Feite's gaze. "I knew this day would come soon enough, Feite did you hear anything before you lost control of your body?" Feite stopped kicking her feet, and slowly exhaled before nodding. "Yes, I heard a voice…it seemed to know me. It spoke as if it knew what I did, and what I would be doing. Who is this C.C.?"
C.C. crossed her arms over her chest, and leaned back in the chair. Her eyes narrowed while looking up at the ceiling. "The voice belongs to an entity called the White Queen. She is a odd one to understand, and I'm shocked that she'd stretch her mind to one like you." Feite shook her head, and let out an annoyed sigh. "She asked me if I would kill Nunnally…" C.C. stared at the troubled look held within Feite's eyes and she slowly shook her head. "Think nothing of it, that woman has a twisted sense of judging good in a person. Knowing you, the response was no am I correct?"
"Tell me C.C. who is this White Queen. How is she this powerful? I person that can transmit thoughts to me, and force my body to feel pain isn't comfortable for me." Feite's expression turned angered while C.C. simply waved her hand. "Calm down, allow me to better explain this. The White Queen is the most ancient of Geass Witches. She predates even my existence in this world, from what I know she has powers that far exceed my own. It is shocking that she'd forge a telepathic link with you. The pain you felt must have been something done to her body or one she translated her soul to." Feite's brow rose slightly while getting on her feet. "Translated a soul? How is that even possible?" C.C. shrugged her shoulders, and moved her arms behind her head. "I'm unsure of how it is done, but Feite let me assure you the White Queen didn't mean to harm you. If she is testing people of their good, she must be under distress." Feite crossed over to the nearby closet, and pulled her jacket off a nearby hanger. "Distress? Why would an immortal witch that is more ancient than you in distress?" C.C.'s eyes narrow while a devilish grin flashed across her face. "I don't know, but we should keep this a secret from Lelouch. He doesn't need to know of the White Queen just yet."
Inside an empty room usually reserved for recreational arts, Nunnally was propped up in a small physical therapy station. Her arms were gripping the poles while her legs were lightly pressed on a thick padding. A troubled look was on her face while there were signs of struggle in her limbs. "Ms. Lohmeyer, I'm not sure if I can…" Lohmeyer glared over at Nunnally while shaking her head briefly, "My lady, I was given strict orders from your physician Lady Callia A-Holtan." Guilford stared over at her with a pair of sympathetic eyes. "Are you sure we must push our lady to walk so soon? From what I've heard you've only regained your eyesight a month ago." Nunnally let out a pained look while taking a step and quickly collapsing to the mat below. Guilford let out a shocked look while taking a step forward. "Please don't help me…" Nunnally held out her hand stopping Guilford, and quickly started to reach up to the poles above her. Lohmeyer crossed her arms over her chest, and let out a small sigh. "Try to use your legs, remember it's all in your mind my lady."
Feite walked across the lengthy hallway of the submarine with the white queen weighing heavily on her conscience. 'Why should I believe C.C.? Her voice did feel pained, also the pain I felt….' Her breath grew heavy while the feeling of death shot through her body. Her eyes grew wide while her hand shook. "Hey Feite, are you alright?" Kallen strolled down the hallway, and stopped in front of the elevator where Feite stood. "Oh, Kallen…I didn't notice you were there." Feite let out a small grin, and rubbed the back of her head. "Didn't notice me? Man you're losing yourself these days. So I bet you're going to help tune up the Voulge with Rakshata am I right?" Feite waved her hand and let out a deep sigh. "No, for some reason all she wanted was for me to reactivate the CF drive. Since I finished that, all that's left is to supervise the rest of my squad." Kallen held her hands over her lap while the doors leading to the elevator opened. "That is unfortunate; say do you want to help me tune up the Guren? Rakshata wanted to do some configuring, but she's busy refitting the Voulge."
Minutes later, Feite and Kallen stood around the Guren with a set of tools on a nearby platform. "So what do you think about what Zero said?" Kallen pulled her head out of the cockpit to see Feite tuning the joint of the new right arm. "I'm not sure what is going through that fools head. Does he think that the Japanese will participate with what happened back then?" Feite tapped the large wrench on her shoulder and let out a deep sigh. Kallen leaned over the edge of the cockpit, and nodded firmly. "Knowing those that are desperate enough, and with Zero's words they'll flock to the new ceremony."
Suzaku slammed a farming hoe into the soft soil on what looks to be a rooftop of the student council building. "This is hopeless, due to recent events I have to take an absence from school." Rivalz looked over with a shocked look and sighed deeply. "What? Why do you have to take an absence?" Milly let out a loud gasp and shook her head. "What about our garden project?" Suzaku bowed his head slightly, and turned up to the sky. "I'll be back once the first phase if complete." Shirley stood up while holding a small seedling in her hands. "Hey Suzaku, about Kallen…can't you help her out somehow?" Rivalz let out a firm nod, "Hey, there's something known as a plea bargain right?" Lelouch let out a mild grin and got up to his feet. "Apart from world peace, aren't family and friends important too? Can you talk to the Governor-General, like I did on the phone the other day?" Shirley's mouth drooped while she nearly released the seedling. "Eh? You've spoken to her?" Lelouch waved his hand and laughed. "Ah, on the night of the welcome party, I was mistaken for someone else." Rolo looked over from his side of the garden and ran his forearm across his face. "Mistaken huh? You're such a loser Lelouch." Everyone let out a small laugh while Lelouch shot Rolo a small defiant gaze. Suzaku stared at the two while his thoughts quickly became clouded in a thick mist. 'Lelouch have you really regained your memories?'
The Guren's right arm was thrown forward inside the small hanger bay and its many fingers extend and quickly ball up into a fist. Kallen sat in the open cockpit with a smile on her face. "It's response time is amazing, what did you do?" Feite took a sip from a small cup through a straw, and let out a small sigh. Her face was covered with small smudges of oil, and dirt. "Who knows how I did it." Kallen rolled her eyes, and quietly shut down the machine. The Guren's head folded back and the red Knightmare frame reconnected to its maintenance dock. "You are always so mysterious with repairs, and upgrades. Where do your ideas come from?" Feite shrugged her shoulders, and turned up to Tohdoh standing on the upper level. "Hey General Tohdoh, watching us get dirty down here? Why don't you help us do some maintenance?"
Tohdoh let out a small chuckle and shook his head. "I would rather leave it to the two of you. You seem to be well into the process already…." He looked over his shoulder at a laughing Asahina, while the door opened revealing Nagisa. "Tohdoh-san, we've received orders from Zero." He turned back to the pair below him and waved. "It looks like Zero has given our orders. I'll go ahead and look over them with Ogi. You two keep the machine tuning to a minimum. I don't think we will need to use the Voulge or Guren this time." Feite stretched her arms out and waved with her free hand. "I guess so, we'll look at the data later, and continue to prepare the two frames." Kallen let out a small pout, and leaned over the edge. "What does he mean that we won't need the frames?" Feite shrugged her shoulders, and grinned. "No idea, but it didn't mean we should stop preparing them."
Deep within the Chinese Federation several miles away from Horai Island, Diethard stared off from the distance. His eyes were leering over at Horai Island, and the miniscule amount of activity occurring alongside one of its three port cities. "I've made arrangements and going on what you've told me I've already sent over Shinozaki Sayoko." Zero's voice continued through the phone while Diethard let out a small laugh. "The child? Oh you mean Feite Avalon's…. Sayoko was very adamant about bringing the child with her to Tokyo. It would seem that she' taking the guardianship that Feite gave her too…" Diethard's eyes close while letting out a few nods. "I see the logic in that, but Zero I wish to inquire about the father of her child….the child obviously isn't Japanese it looks like a…" The phone let out a small beep while the call was disconnected. Diethard glared up ahead and let out a small growl. "Are the rumors true? I should delve deeper into this subject…"
"So you and Feite had a kid together. That's more of a burden, if you look at it closely." Rolo took a seat across from Lelouch, and leaned over at the chess board. "It's a driving force Rolo, don't mistake Geass with the life of a child. Also you shouldn't speak of it as a child; if you are to be my brother it would make you that child's uncle." Rolo waved his hand slightly and groaned. "It's not my thing to get so tied up in things like that bro. Anyways do you remember the promise you made to me?" He crossed one leg over the other, and pulled over a nearby magazine to take a look. Lelouch turned over with a smile while playing with the king piece on his chess set. "I haven't, I'll protect the school, your life as my brother, and the lives of our friends." Rolo lowered the magazine to his chin level, and nodded. "I guess that sounds genuine. I'll lend you my services….and try not to have you exposed by the Britannians." Lelouch tapped the piece on the arm of his chair, and shook his head. "We also have the problem of dealing with V.V. I think he has something hidden up his diabolical sleeve." Rolo closed the magazine, and took in a deep breath. "Yeah, so I guess we should tread lightly?"
The door opened while Villetta entered the room. She bowed her head to Lelouch and bowed with hands folded over her lap. "I'm sorry Zero, forgive my lateness." Lelouch let out a mild smirk, and chuckled. "Oh, Ms. Villetta if you continue to speak like that you'll blow my cover." Villetta let out a small groan, and took a step back. "I mean what did you want Lelouch?" His smirk turned into a sinister grin while placing the token onto the chess table. "Do you want to see Ogi?"
As the day quickly fell to night, Rakshata walked across the deck inside the large hanger bay to catch a glimpse of Feite tinkering with the Guren. "My it seems that we've switched to help out with each other's projects." Rakshata held a cup of coffee to her lips and took a sip while a smile grew on her lips. "Huh? Oh Rakshata…" Feite poked her head out from the side of the Guren, and rubbed her eyes. She let out a small yawn while the Indian scientist let out a small laugh. "Have you taken a break since Kallen went to sleep?" Feite pulled away from the Knightmare, and shrugged her shoulders. "It has crossed my mind, but I figured I'd try to rival you for awhile." Rakshata shook her head and motioned to the doorway. "You should go ahead and rest. After-all tuning the machines belongs to me the leader of the technical division." Feite lowered the wrench and tapped it slightly over her shoulder. There was a slight bit of uncertainty on her face while climbing down the maintenance ramp. "How is the refitting going for the Voulge?"
Rakshata shrugged her shoulders, and turned over to the machine in question sitting at the opposite end of the hanger. It stood in its skeletal form with no blemishes across its entire frame. "We've completely gutted out the Partisan, and added its parts to the Voulge. I've taken the liberty of discarding the remains, and I sent a work order to Longinus for the weapon systems to be updated." Feite waved her hand and crossed over to the doorway. "Very well….you may want to look over the Guren; I think I may have over tuned it for Kallen." Rakshata stared over at Feite while she exited the hanger. She turned her gaze over to the Red Knightmare, and sighed. 'You are so very much like the pudding earl its gut wrenching.'
Meanwhile on the opposite side of the world, Nina stood in the main testing lab of the gigantic Dallas research laboratory. She overlooked an experiment that she failed to utilize during the Black Rebellion, a Sakuradite infused nuclear device. A piece of technology that Schneizel found interesting and quickly without any hesitation took Nina to work for him. "Where did I go wrong in the calculations this time around?" Nina rubbed her temple while staring down at a computer screen. She matured in the single year of being out of Japan, and working in the laboratory. Her hair was no longer pulled back into an elaborate pony-tail while a pair of contacts replaced her eyeglasses.
The door leading into the control room opened revealing a very extravagant woman dressed in an imperial uniform entering the room with the second prince behind her. "Nina, we've returned…" Nina quickly turned around while her colleagues turn their attention away from the current experiment. "Kanon…Prince Schneizel when did you get back from the European Union?" Kanon looked over at Schneizel and brushed her hand over her chin. "We managed to gain a foothold in the EU by taking back our ancestral homeland. We could have pushed across the English channel into France if we wanted." Schneizel shook his head while walking over to one of Nina's aide, and grabbing hold of a progress report. "If we pushed out past the channel, we eventually would have faced defeat…we faced tough opposition, but we sustained quite a blow to our invasion forces. Everyone wishes for hope that is why by winning we've restored stability to Brittan, and Ireland. I would have rather found a diplomatic way to solve the battle, but it seemed it was already in the E.U.'s cards to fight."
Inside a gazebo in the vicinity of a large estate, Anya sat on the floor typing effortlessly into her compact journal. Her eyes stare over at the text while inside her head she was replaying the battle inside her mind. 'The calculations required to perform such tight maneuvers are reserved to only a few. When did Lady Nonette have time to properly train her in such a way?' A small black paw tapped at the back of her hair causing her to jump in a small amount of fright. "What?" Anya looked over her shoulder, and stared over at Arthur while he meowed over at her. "You're Suzaku's…" She started to gently rub his nose while a small purr exited from the small feline.
"It looks like he likes you, Anya." Suzaku walked up the steps and paused a few feet from Anya dressed in traditional Japanese judo attire. She stared at him with a look of confusion and pointed at his clothes. "Japanese clothes?" Suzaku nodded while taking a few steps to the side. "Yes, I always wear this when training." Anya turned her attention back to Arthur gently stroking the soft fur on his jaw. "Do you miss Japan?" Suzaku turned over to the side, and let out a gentle smile. "You could say that I'm a bit nostalgic, so I'll say probably." She laughed as the small cat rubbed his face against her cheek, and quickly turned over to Suzaku noticing his arrival. "Suzaku, do you know why Feite Avalon is such a strong opponent? He files have been removed from the general database." Suzaku moved his hands against his hips, and shook his head. "Feite has previous experience as a cadet at the Royal Military Academy. From what I looked up a year ago, she was a prodigy…kind of like you are Anya. She received special training from both Nonette, and Cornelia. It was rumored that her talent rivaled that of the late Queen Marianne who was a excellent Knightmare pilot." Anya softly nodded while quickly typing in a small note in her journal. "I see…this will prove difficult, fighting her." Suzaku's eyes held a small bit of sadness while the image of Feite shooting Euphemia flashed in his mind. "I already know that…" He moved his hand over his own eye while picturing Feite's face in his mind. 'I gave her that scar…was it necessary? Because it doesn't pain her, but reminds me of Euphemia…."
Outside the Dallas Research facility, a horse pulled carriage moves alongside a paved road in the center of a large garden. "I'm continuing the experiment…" Nina sat across from Schneizel while Kanon took the seat next to her with a look of uncertainty in her eyes. "I won't waste the helping hand you gave me, Your Highness." Schneizel turned his gaze away from the multi-page report, and stared at Nina. She stiffened up a bit while his gaze seemed to stare deep into her soul. "I..um…during the Black Rebellion…Everything since the first prototype has been a failure, but if you wait a little while longer…" Schneizel turned his eyes away, and his eyes quickly grew sad. "You did this for Euphemia's sake, her name has been written into history in a very unfortunate manner. But I want to believe her, Cornelia, Nunnally, Kanon, and Suzaku are all the same. You believed in Euphie, because of you I am able to see what she believed." Nina let out smile while bowing her head. "Thank you…"
On a table a great deal of information regarding Japanese culture and history was spread out. Several tomes were half read with smaller books on top of them. Aurelia taps the feather tip against her bottom lip as she flipped through a book after book. She smiles reveling in the mythology and history and pauses between readings to scribble notes down. A stack of notes grew larger and larger as time passed on. She was thoroughly engrossed until a loud creaking broke through the silence of the room. The knight of two was quickly alerted to the door behind, and quickly glanced over as if nervous to be caught doing something she shouldn't.
"So this is where I find you…" Azalea entered the room with her arms crossed over her chest. A look of annoyance was displayed on her face while she walked casually to the edge of the table and peered down at the various tomes covering it. "Well, well… you've quite the fascination with Japan before the war haven't you?" Aurelia shot the eldest Avalon daughter a piercing look while holding her head high, and gathering her notes into a leather bond portfolio and tying it. "I find it all very fascinating and as a matter of fact I've asked to go to Area Eleven to support Lady Nunnally. It should be noted that a Knight should know his or her surroundings before entering hostile territory."
"I see, so that is your basis on researching this much data. You know I've heard that Kururugi Suzaku is a native of Area Eleven. As the Knight currently in charge of the Area, you could learn a few things from him." Azalea pushed up her glasses while the reflection from the lights above caused the lenses to shimmer hiding her eyes. She waits, gauging the reaction of the usually reserved Knight of Two. Aurelia stared back at her and sighs as she rises and crosses to a side table to pour herself a glass of water.
"Hmm… which one is he again?" Aurelia sips her water. Azalea smiles, "Surely you know, even one as reserved as yourself would have noticed him. The Knight of Seven?" Aurelia pauses and lowers the glass. She twirls the few ice cubes in the water, "The new one?" She places the glass onto the table. Azalea crosses her arms, "I would understand if you dislike him. Manipulating his way into the Rounds. I despise him for what he did to my family name and more or less to Feite's face." Azalea gently brushes her hand across the front of her eyes, motioning at the grave wound that her youngest sister sustained last year.
Aurelia stares down at the glass, lost in thought, "I had almost forgotten." She glances over, "Kururugi… Eufie's Knight. He has become a Round hasn't he. The Honorary Britannian." She crosses the room and glances down at the most recent article, "He took his father's life as a child. How sad." She tosses the article back down on the table. Azalea frowns, "He is despicable." Aurelia glances back over at her, "Speaking of despicable people, what do you think of Schneizel visiting that little wretch?" Azalea suddenly stood up straight and simply shook her head while scoffing loudly at her friend's comments. Her eyes stared at the fairly large karat diamond ring wrapped around her finger. "Schneizel has spent a small fortune getting her laboratory outfitted with the latest equipment from my research and development departments. The amount spent is enough to field nearly two or perhaps three of Lloyd Asplund's Lancelot."
"That is the folly of royalty, if you don't mind me speaking ill of your fiancé ,my dear Azalea." Aurelia chuckled slightly while she pushed off the table and started over across the room to a large globe set in the middle. She placed her hand on the globe and gave it a quick spin. Her eyes stare down at the map while she quickly jabbed her finger down at Area Eleven. "Is it necessary to spend so much on a weapon that can only be used once? I've seen the theory on the weapon Azalea; do we really want such a destructive force to become the lion set on our flag?" Aurelia furrows her brow as she ponders. "Perhaps I shall see this all first hand."
Suzaku walked down a hallway with both Anya and Gino. A serious look was displayed across Suzaku's face while they moved closer to a meeting room. "So when did we agree to the terms made by Zero?" Gino shrugged his shoulders, and sighed. "I don't know, but I think it's part of being part of the new special zone. Anyway, I found out some good news." Suzaku's serious expression lessens but changes to a confused one. "What kind of good news?" Anya flipped through her diary, and stared over at the two. "Aurelia Bles is coming to Area Eleven to support Nunnally."
Suzaku's eyes widen while turning over to the two. "You mean the mysterious knight of Two that rarely attends meetings, and never even congratulated me at my reception dinner?" Gino let out a small laugh and crossed his arms over his chest. "Yeah, but she barely knows any of us are alive. Believe me I've tried to be noticed." Suzaku crosses his arms. "So she's one of those types." Gino laughs. "Who knows. It seems that way though. Although in her defense she is often working on special projects for the Emperor." He motions, "Like Bismarck. Except..." He sighs. "She's amazingly beautiful and our age. So if she's coming here then I might actually get my chance." Suzaku stares at him in mild shock. Gino shrugs. "Hey wait until you see her. Then get back to me." Suzaku gives him a reluctant look to which Gino rolls his eyes, "Just wait, you'll see. I hear that she has a secret passion for all things area 11 related." Suzaku stares at him. "Area 11 related?" Anya glances over. "She likes to read about this country's past. I was asked to assist her in collecting the necessary materials." Gino elbows Suzaku "Maybe you can help her with her studies." Suzaku shrugged his shoulders, and grabbed the door knob to the meeting room. "Well enough of this, we'll have to hear out Zero's proposition."
A few moments later, Cecile sat in a chair wearing a very revealing red dress with a white sash wrapped around her shoulders. "Umm…should I be here?" She stared over at Lloyd while he sat in a very odd way in the central seat. "You wanted to see Zero, didn't you?" Cecile lowered her head alerting Suzaku to turn over to her. "I'm sorry that we had to cancel your dinner to help out tonight. Everyone else was busy with preparations." Cecile shook her head, "I see…this meeting isn't being broadcast publicly anyway." Alicia glared over at her from the corner of her eye. "Still, you should have had time to change out of that outfit." Cecile bowed her head a few times while her mood lowered even more. "I'm sorry, I'll mind myself." Lloyd turned to the television and sighed deeply. "Looks like we're being connected."
The television filled with static while it quickly connected showing a clear picture of Zero. "Ah, three knight of the rounds, but I don't see the Governor General." Suzaku glared at the monitor and shook his head. "This is administrator level business, so Nunnally has no need to speak with you." Lloyd glanced over with a smile on his face. "Say, there's something I wanted to ask you. Are you the same as the previous zero? Or…" Zero turned over to look at Lloyd and shook his head. "Zero's authenticity isn't based on what's inside of his mask, but on his actions." Lloyd nodded a few times and crossed his arms over his chest. "I see such a philosophy." Gino turned form leaning on a pillar at the rear of the room. "Have you unified the opinions of the Order of the Black Knights? Since you claimed you're going to participate in the specially administrated zone…"
Zero turns over to spot Gino in the corner, and a smile appeared form under the mask. "Yes, we're preparing to mobilize a million people." Cecile's eyes widen while she gasped. "A million?" Suzaku's eyes narrowed while getting up from the chair. "Are you serious or are you plotting another of your vile schemes." Zero chuckled and promptly shook his head. "No, what would I do that? I only have a single condition, and that is I want you to let me go free. I'm sure you have conditions as well." Suzaku's eyes widen while he was nearly sent into a paralyzed state by zero's words. "Think of the pluses, You dispose of Zero through exile. How does that sound?" Suzaku shook his head and threw his arm out. "What of the Order of the Black Knights?" Gino shrugged his shoulders, and sighed. "He is probably going to toss them aside and only save himself." Lloyd yawned loudly, and got up beside Suzaku. "If word leaks to your organization you'd be lynched for sure."
A light muffled laugh exited from Zero while he nodded. "That's why I'm speaking to you in private, so I won't be killed." Suzaku's eyes narrow again while taking a step forward. "Area Special Law, Paragraph 12, Clause No. 8. If we apply that law, then it's possible to exile him using the Governor-General's authority." Alicia adjusted her glasses, and turned over to catch the gaze of an agitated Suzaku. "Ms. Lohmeyer, are you telling me to let Zero go?" Alicia shrugged her shoulders, and sighed. "I only stated the legal interpretation." Zero's laugh exited from the speakers yet again. "How about it? You can announce it at the ceremony. For you it shouldn't be…" Gino slammed his arm over Suzaku's shoulder causing him to buckle slightly. "It certainly doesn't sound bad. If the leader runs away, the terrorist elevens will scatter." Suzaku shook his head, "What about Feite Avalon? She isn't Japanese and is void from being an attendant at the ceremony. I demand she is turned over as an act of faith." Zero shook his head and waved his finger. "Ah, Kururugi you are a smart individual. Sadly Feite Avalon is no longer part of the Order of Black Knights. So I cannot order a woman that is no longer in Area Eleven. I will conclude the meeting now." Suzaku held his hand out and yelled. "NO, it's not…" The monitor went dark while everyone glared over at him.
"That was an excellent performance. I almost thought you were me for a moment." Lelouch lowered a camera while a pair of slender arms removed the helmet showing Feite with her hair tied back using a white bandanna. "So, it did seem that Suzaku knew that I could be Zero." She let out a small chuckle, and ran her finger alongside the lens of the mask. "Will that cause any trouble for you Lelouch?" Lelouch shook his head while packing up the cape and placing it into a nearby bag. "No, it serves a purpose of keeping both Rolo and I free from Suzaku's suspicions." Rolo looked over at the waiting cars nearby and motioned over to them. "We should get over to the place if you wanted to visit Lelouch." Feite looked over at Lelouch and smiled. "Lelouch, I want to give you something." He paused for a moment while staring at Feite remove an orb-like candle from her duffle. "This is…" Lelouch closed his eyes and exhaled softly. "You read my mind…Nunnally should be at the Fuji Mausoleum where Euphemia was…." Lelouch stared at the cursive writing and turned over to the car. "Feite, will you be able to get back alright?" Rolo stared out the corner of his eye, and laughed. "She'll be able to take care of herself, getting to the Fuji Mausoleum is going to be even more of a hassle."
Feite sat in the back of a limousine still wearing a majority of Zero's outfit. The cape had lareayd been removed, but the blouse, and vest was still clinging to her body. The size was smaller than her official uniform, and her breasts had been bound back using several layers of bandages. It was a painful ordeal to do, but she had managed to accomplish that for the moment.
"Do you really think that they will believe that you are Zero?" C.C. sat at the other side of the cab holding her prized stuff animal attained from a delivery promotion nearly a year ago. The oversized yellow creature was in great condition despite being kept locked up inside the walls of the Ashford Academy for a full year. Feite turned to the mask and stared at her reflection in the lens. Her hand moved across it removing a smudge of dirt from the dark tinted glass. "We are only acting this way to gain access to the submarine while the others are busy preparing for Lelouch's little plot for tomorrow." Moving the helmet to the side, the slender blonde picked up a thin data pad off the nearby seat. "We're going to meet up with Sayoko at these coordinates." C.C. looked over at the pad, and shrugged her shoulders. Her eyes looked over at Feite's forehead while something very odd was poking the deepest parts of her consciousness. "I see…"
The night continued onwards with both Lelouch and Feite going their separate ways for the moment. The blonde disguised as Zero stepped out of the vehicle with C.C. in tow and set their eyes on the submarine docked in an old repair bay that was used by former Japanese Navy. A large and crumbling warehouse offered it some cover while small generators were set up around creating a large field to fool the satellites under Britannia's control.
The door leading into the hanger opened while a group of five turned over. A familiar face stood in the center of the room with her hair tied back into a firm ponytail. "It's been a long time hasn't it, Captain or should I call you Zero for the time being?" Feite chuckled while moving her hand in front of the mask, and slowly pulled it off her head. "How did you know it was me Haruka?" The formerly missing member of the autonomous hand of the black knights shook her head, and simply pointed her finger at Feite's legs. "The way you walk, Zero walks with more of a manly style. You're style despite how hard you try its' still on the dainty side."
"Observant as always…" Feite replaced the mask back on her head while the others around them simply laughed at their commander. "I will have to ask how you found your way back to us, but now we have a mission to accomplish. The real Zero has already handed you orders I presume?" Haruka waved her hand casually while motioning to the catwalk leading up to the entry hatch. "Yes, and we're just about ready to leave. Is there anything we should do before hand?" C.C. shook her head, and walked up the catwalk with a thick grin spread across her face. "No, time is short…we should depart immediately." Haruka gave the mysterious woman an odd look before starring over at Feite who simply held up her hand and nodded. "You heard her…"
"So why is Zero having you play the part of his double?" Haruka sat at the helm of the submarine with a look of disbelief spread across her face. Feite stood in the center at the commander's post a few feet away from the periscope. Her arms were folded behind her back, a gesture that was often used by her when plotting a strategy. "Because, unlike a majority of our own members like you who are Japanese. I'm Britannian, so I cannot join the Special Zone...this is Zero's strategy to exile everyone…since no-one knows Zero's true face." C.C. chuckled while lowering the sonar headset off her head. "That foolish man devised an excellent way to get everyone out, including himself." Haruka let out a sigh, and firmly crossed her arms over her chest. "Only if it allows us to retake Japan in the future, I will follow you and him into battle." She let out a deep sigh, before grabbing the helm and slowly activating the submarine's turbine engines. "Shall we leave port?" Feite nodded softly while throwing her arm out in typical Zero fashion. "Black Knights, time to leave port! Our destination is to move to the coordinates programmed into the navigation system, and wait for the arrival of the transports from Horai."
Moments later, the submarine moved elegantly through the waves with a minimal crew on board. The barebones crew burned the midnight oil on their meeting area which would come in the hours to come. Feite stood on the bridge wearing the zero costume, but with the helmet removed. Her hand was resting on her chin while examining a map of the area. "What are you thinking?" C.C. turned back and forth in the chair with her chin resting on her open palms. "I'm plotting the quickest course to Horai, the transport that was promised to us by Xingke is the biggest concern for me. Can it hold a million people?" Feite let out a small yawn while moving her hand across her eyes. She pushed a button turning the display off, and closed her eyes. "Anyway…I'll be heading to bed…I'm sure you're going to as well?" C.C. shrugged her shoulders, and walked over to the helm. "No, I'll stay up for a while, and keep watch. After-all it would be terrible if the ship were the crash if everyone went to sleep."
The next morning came quickly with large amounts of Japanese people filling the area that is to become the Specially Administrated Zone of Japan. An area set up much like a large concert, several monitors were set across around a large podium. The Britannian military placed several Glaive Knightmare in place to keep the peace, and make sure that an assassination attempt would be stopped in its tracks.
Hovering above the large crowd of Japanese, a local news helicopter was recording the event with the reporter speaking into his microphone. "This is the Shizouka Ghetto, the designated area for the Specially Administrated Zone of Japan. Many Elevens have already gathered to witness the ceremony that will begin soon. Because there are over one million present, personal identification will occur after the ceremony. The sheer number of people also tells us that Zero's word still carries a lot of weight for the Elevens."
In a observation craft, Xingke looked out the window at the large gathering. A beautiful Chinese woman sat beside him with her hair styled in a very ornamental four pigtailed style. Her piercing eyes were fixed on him, instead of the event outside. "I'm sorry that you came all this way to pick me up…Xianglin." She shook her head, and moved her hands over her lap. "Don't mention it, more importantly…" Xingke waved his hand casually, and sighed. "I'm just a representative of this ceremony, so we will not be placed into harm. I'm here until a new ambassador is decided. Besides this is an opportunity." He turned over to his aide with a smile on his face. "But, the Order of the Black Knights are…" A look of shock was spread across Xianglin's face while Xingke turned his gaze up ahead at the monitor against the wall of the aircraft. "Yesterday's move is preparation for the future. That…" His eyes widen while moving his hand over his mouth, and coughing heavily into it." He pulled his hand away from his mouth while blood ran down his lips. Xianglin got out of her seat and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Xingke, your…" He quickly interrupted her while a devilish grin appeared on his face. "This is nothing; I only need to last a while longer."
Nunnally's image displayed on the monitors across the Shizouka Ghetto, with a broadcast being transmitted worldwide. "People of Japan, welcome to the Specially Administrated Zone of Japan. I'm very happy that many of you have gathered."
On the main stage Nunnally sat in her wheelchair while a smile of displayed on her face. Her speech was displayed on a nearby teleprompter, as Alicia stood several feet away with a look of disgust on her face. "Please lend me your strength to create a new history."
In a mobile hanger bay several miles out of the ceremony's grounds, Guilford stood beside a Glaive with the surviving members of the Glaston Knights. "Lord Guilford, in your condition…" Guilford shook his head and turning up to the Glaive's charcoal black paint scheme. "The Specially Administrated Zone was Lady Euphemia's greatest hope." The knight shook his head while placing his hands against his hips. "Zero hasn't even showed himself yet, so…" Guilford cut him off while keeping balance using the cane in his right hand. "He has a thing for self-protection. If his safety is guaranteed, he will show up."
Alicia adjusted the microphone and spoke into the microphone in her usual domineering tone of voice. "Before we start going over the matter at hand, we will inform you of the matters we discussed with Zero." She paused for a moment taking careful consideration of those in the front row. "Those who participate in the Specially Administrated Zone of Japan as Subjects of the Empire will receive amnesty for their most severe crimes. But those with crimes of less than class three will have their execution orders rescinded. However it is hard to forgive he who orchestrated the murder of the previous Governor General, Carares. In accordance with Area Special Law, Paragraph Twelve, Clause Number eight, Zero, and only Zero will be exiled." Alicia looked over at Suzaku while he stood at the side of with a few others overlooking the ceremony.
The monitors flickered for a moment while Zero's face was displayed on every monitor and television screen across the area. "Thank you, gentlemen and women of Britannia! I am very grateful of the generous Measure."
Nunnally looked around trying to spot Zero, and eventually stopped at Suzaku. "He's here isn't he?" Suzaku moved in front of Nunnally, and glared at the screen. "Zero show yourself, and we'll escort you safely into exile."
Zero chuckled for a moment and shook his head. "I don't need your help. More importantly there is something I want to ask you, Kururugi Suzaku." Suzaku looked up at the monitor with his eyes full of shock. "What does it mean to be Japanese? To be a nation?" Suzaku turned over to the monitor with a scowl replacing his shock. He clenched his hand and shook it in pure hatred from the words Zero was currently spouting. "Is it the language, the location, or is it the relation of blood." Suzaku shook his head and threw his arm out. "No, it's…" He paused for a moment almost caught off guard by his own response. "Your heart!" Zero nodded while looking over the crowd from his concealed location. "That is what I believe, self-awareness, principles, and pride. In other words, as long as you have a heart shaped by the culture, no matter where you live, you're Japanese." Suzaku shook his head while falling into a deeper form of confusion. "What does this have to do with your exile?"
In the crowd Tohdoh let out a small nod while the various others around him pull out small remote detonators. With each press of the many buttons held within the million Japanese large stacks of dufflebags at their feet start to release a chaff heavy, smoke screen. Alicia's eyes wide while Nunnally's bodyguards quickly rush on stage with weapons drawn. "What is going on?" Anya walked up behind the wheelchair and moved Nunnally out of the way. "There is no time my lady, lets go."
Guilford's eyes trembled while the sensors were blocked completely by the smoke screen. He flipped through several modes while the chaff was blocking all his electronic equipment. "This is no good, all units prepare for suppression." The Glaive that were standing in various positions for crowd control immediately aim their anti-infantry weaponry at the ground.
Suzaku shook his head and threw his hand out. "No, hold that order! Zero hasn't done anything yet!"
In the background the Tristan transforms back into its Knightmare frame mode. Gino also comes up with nothing on his sensors while the strong winds start to push some of the smoke out of the way. "This could be one of Zero's plans to catch us off guard." He gripped the controls while the targeting system continued to move back and forth through the smoke screen. "Even so, unless Zero comes out…"
Near the stage the smoke clears out showing Zero standing in the center. Alicia let out a small grind and walked forward. "Oh…so you were here from the start." She let out a loud gasp while the wind cleared the smoke away showing everyone that was taking part of the Zone dressed in Zero's attire. "Zero is…"
"What a startling turn of events! It's Zero! Definitely, it's the real Zero!" The reporter was shocked while staring at the large crowd of Zero at the ground level, but…"
Gino leaned forward while sweat fell down the sides of his face. "He had an ace in the hole? He turned the overwhelming difference in military strength against us, and is going to…"
On the main monitor Zero threw his arm out, and chucked loudly. "Listen up all Zeroes! This is an order from Nunnally, the new Governor-General. Let us hastily accept our exile! No matter where we are, as long as we have the heart, we're Japanese. Now let us head for our new land."
"Oh, so this is what they planned to do." Lloyd stared down from the observation deck of the Avalon. He let out a loud laugh while continuing to stare at the recent turn of events.
Alicia scoffed while rubbing her forehead from the sight before her. "This is preposterous; they have no means of transporting a million people!" A soldier rushed over with his hand holding his hat from falling off and whispered into her ear. "Ma'am we have a report from the port authority." Alicia gasped loudly while she stared off into the ocean. "It can't be the iceburg ships used by the Chinese Federation?"
"I thought you'd be here…" Feite walked across the deck of the lead vessel where Sayoko stood holding the small child in her arms. She looked over her shoulder and let out a small smile. "She has been very quiet, but I'm sure she misses her mother…" Sayoko looked over Feite, as she was no longer wearing Zero's costume. She wore her Black Knight uniform while stopping over next to the maid. Feite held her hands out allowing Sayoko to hand the sleeping child over. Arcadia mumbled a bit while adjusting herself in her mother's arms. Feite let out a small smile while across the catwalk Lelouch walked down from a stairwell dressed as Zero. "Too bad you're asleep my angel, your father is there."
Lelouch looked down at Feite causing him to nearly lose his composure while still caught in a vice between the confused military, and Suzaku. "What is your decision Kururugi Suzaku? Are you going to cause the deaths of your former countrymen? Or cause yet another massacre staining your name for the so-called capture of Zero!"
Suzaku's eyes were shuddering and his body was paralyzed by Zero's words. The events of a year ago play through his mind. The picture of Euphemia shooting a Japanese man in the chest caused pain to surge through his body. Alicia turned over to him with a look of disbelief. "You call yourself a rounds! If you won't order it, I'll just do it!" She pulled out a gun from a concealed pocket in her gown, and aimed it at one of the many Zeroes. 'I can't let this happen again, should I order the soldiers to shoot? No, Euphemia wouldn't allow such a thing to happen." Alicia's finger tugged on the trigger only for Suzaku to quickly rush over and disarm her. He twisted her arm backwards jerking her to her knees. "What are you?" Suzaku stared at her with a disgusted look, and tossed the weapon across the floor. "Exile Zero! Do not pursue him, or we will be violating the Governor-General's orders!"
Lelouch smiled underneath the mask, and threw his arm out towards those approaching the shoreline. "Did you hear that? Lord Kururugi has order that we be exiled! The anomalies will be exiled!" He moved his hand over the mask, and slowly pulled it up revealing his face to Sayoko, and Feite below. "So let's head for our land of freedom!"
Guilford turned his scope towards the iceberg ship in the distance. He zoomed in and stared at Feite while she held the child in her arms. "We've located Feite Avalon…she's carrying a child!"
Suzaku's eyes widen while touching his headset, and shouting into it. "What do you mean Feite Avalon is…" He looked down at the ship staying afloat in the ocean. "Damn it, she's outside our territorial waters! We can't do anything, or we'll cause Zero to make a counter!"
"It can't be…" Shirley's eyes were trembling at the sight of Feite holding a child beside several of the Zeroes around her. The camera shook for a moment while the reporter continued to detail the story. "Maybe it's someone else's." Rivalz shrugged his shoulders while sitting on the edge of at the couch. "Right Milly?" Milly let out a small smile, and shook her head. "No…Rivalz look at her expression…" The static image of Feite standing beside the Zeroes was paused on the large television. "Feite wouldn't smile like that unless it was really…" Her cheeks reddened while slowly moving her hands over. "The question at hand is her child half-Eleven like Kallen!" Shirley gasped while Milly nodded as well. "Feite is my cousin, and if that is her child…I must hold it!" Rivalz looked at the two of them and shook his head. "She's a wanted criminal you two, I don't think…" Shirley, and Milly glared over causing him to quiet down. "Okay…okay…"
Hours later, the ships were well on their way out of Britannian controlled waters, and towards the artificial island acquisitioned earlier this year. Feite stood on the deck holding the small child causing Tohdoh, Ogi, and the others to simply stare at her form the distance. Her cape flapped in the wind while it rest over her right arm partially covering the small bundle underneath it.
"So who do you think it belongs to?" Nagisa leaned on the upper platform with her eyes fixated on Feite from behind. She looked over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of Tohdoh staring down with his hand rubbing against his chin. He was lost in deep thought while he closed his eyes, and shook his head. "We were told to keep the child secret from Zero, but it would appear that he knew and hasn't done anything…." Asahina kicked off the wall behind him, and crossed over to the railing. "So, do you really think that the man underneath the costume is the father of that child? To me it looks Britannian." Ogi shook his head while taking a sip from his cup of coffee. "The question is does it matter? Feite fought hard for us, and be it Zero's child or not, Feite is still our ally." Tohdoh let out a few nods, and walked towards the doorway to the bridge. "Agreed, but we need to keep a close eye on her….Living with a price on your head will change a person's mind."
"My arm is getting really stiff, Arcadia what did Sayoko feed you while I was gone?" Feite lifted Arcadia up, and stared at the small child's little eyes. The baby let out a small giggle while smiling for a brief second. "My previous little girl, you look so beautiful, you'll probably be more striking than I am." C.C. walked up behind the two alerting them to her presence almost immediately. "What is it C.C?" C.C.'s eyes narrowed while stopping to glance down at the small child. "Zero would like to speak with you in private…with everyone being new to Horai, he wants you to show him what you've been up to in the past year. With the exception of birthing Arcadia…" Feite let out a mild sigh, and started to walk off towards the nearby hatch. "I see, so Zero wants to find out if I've been lazy of not." C.C. crossed her arms over her chest, and laughed. "You've been far too busy, you should even make that devil of a man smile."
Moments later, the automated door leading into Zero's private quarters opened revealing Feite still holding the small Arcadia in her arms. "You asked for me to come Zero?" Lelouch sat in a chair with is back to the door. His secondary mask was pulled up while he snapped his fingers. "Lock the door if you will Feite." Feite turned to the door, and pressed the lock button. The door quickly closed and the small magnetic lock activated. "So this is our child?"
Lelouch turned around and got out from the seat. He tugged at his gloves removing them before crossing to Feite's side. Arcadia's eyes shifted momentarily finding the new person somewhat interesting. "She's not afraid of other people?" Lelouch stared down at her while extending his finger to the small baby's face. Her little hands grabbed hold of the fingertip, and started to suckle at it. Feite smiled while a light hearted laugh escaped her. "My, it's almost as she knows already…" Lelouch gave Feite a dull look while smiling down at the child. "it would seem so…anyway Feite what exactly is waiting of us at Horai?"
Feite closed her eyes and a light sigh escaped her lips while Lelouch gently brushed his finger against Arcadia's cheek while staring over at Feite. "For starters, you'll probably be greeted by the Chief Eunuchs, and undergo negotiations concerning our purposes of being off the short of the mainland." Lelouch nodded a few times, and turned up to the ceiling. "I see, anything on the island I should know about? I vaguely remember you speaking about something…." He paused and turned over to Arcadia with realization hitting him heavily. "A most important gift…" Feite chuckled while shaking her head and slightly rocking Arcadia in her hands. "You are really dull, Arcadia is our daughter, a gift you can giveback…Arcadia is ours forever…the thing I was talking about will be visible in just a few hours."
After several hours of seafaring, the Iceberg ships pushed towards Horai to see the massive artificial island with city's already built around its three mountains. A few helicopters were resting nearby in a clearing besides the dock where the Chinese Federation's delegates were waiting.
The first ship holding Zero, and the command staff of the Black Knights rolled into the dock. The many civilians around the dock were excited to see their new homes while Zero and the others were worried on how the Chinese would use their presence politically.
From the bottom levels, Zero stepped out of the ships interior with Feite following slowly behind. "So, we've finally arrived, and I see…" He looked over his shoulder while Feite shrugged her shoulders. "Time to negotiate with the Chinese, but I've pretty much sealed the rights to Horai for the Japanese."
Zero chuckled a bit while turning over to Kaguya, and the others waiting on the deck. "Everyone, this is Horai Island, our new home where no racial discrimination will be tolerated! This is the starting point for something much greater than the Order of Black Knights! Everyone, let's disembark!"
"Well she does seem rather slimmer, usually Britannian women stay fat after having children." One of the Chief Eunuchs let out a loud chuckle while staring over at Feite. "Well we are talking about an Avalon, they are rather brutish for women, I'm almost appalled that she talked us into lending Horai to the Black Knights. She has a very snakelike tongue; I see why she follows Zero so fanatically." Xingke stood behind them holding apparent anger behind his troubled eyes. 'Talking of Feite in this way is a dishonor, Tianzi sees this woman as her role model. You corrupt official….'