A/N: this was a difficult chapter to compose especially with the fight below because this whole chapter is dedicated to the first major battle between PACT and the Black Knights. Lelouch also brings forth what Lloyd and the resources the Black Knights have amassed for them in terms of new weapons and ships to see if they can match PACT enough to make them fight for every inch of the Neutral Rim.
I have also gone back and cleaned up the past chapters and altered the timelines slightly…mostly removing one year off to make things align better with the Sunrider timeline along with other edits here and there. Nothing to go back and read, but just some general clean up.
Before further I'll respond to an review I cannot reply to...
Maybe, but he might make use of the info either way to build up his support base. Naturally he won't share all of it, but whatever can help him in the long run.
True, but that doesn't mean she'll won't join later...and I am being mindful not to take too much away from Kayto.
She might be superior genetically, but everyone has their limits how much can they take.
Probably are, although while that creates opportunities for advancement in the ranks I am sure job security must be terrible the higher you are.
The man has come a long way from his younger days.
I can't reveal too much, but since both Jeremiah and C.C. were involved with Compact at some point its possible they met.
Ok, and hopefully my attempt in this chapter should see if I have improved or not.
Anyway since this is a very big chapter, I am just going to step aside and let you all read it.
Chapter 10
The War Begins
(Galactic Year: 500)
Orbit around the Neutral Rim world of Orion was usually peaceful and tranquil with sometimes a rare problem with pirates battling their small but capable military force, but now orbit around the planet had become a giant battlefield. Ships from PACT began an armed military invasion of Orion attacking without warning, giving the planet's small military little time to react.
All calls for requests for discussion to halt the attack or even offer up the planet in complete surrender to stop their attacks went unheard as PACT's forces crushed Orion's space force. Also though they had fended off attacks from pirates in the past, a full-scale military invasion was beyond anything they were capable of repelling.
The attack began with swarms of missile boats warpping in, small crimson red ships with a dagger-like shape loaded up with nothing but missile launchers. Their small size and speed made them ideal for quickly getting close to their targets and unleashing their payload upon their enemies. Following the missile boats, PACT cruisers accompanying Ryder carriers entered the fray while the space forces of Orion were attempting to recover from the sudden attack by missile boats. The onslaught of missiles had destroyed smaller gunships and patrolling Ryders unfortunate enough to be in their line of fire.
It didn't help matters when their superiors assumed the missile boats were part of attacking fleet of marauding pirates, so they did not deploy their forces fast enough allowing another wave of missile boats to attack the space station that acted as their military headquarters and harbor for most of their armed forces. The Missile Boats were successful in softening them up for an attack from the PACT main invasion force which began their attack the very moment upon exiting warp.
The news of Orion's fall spread like wildfire across the galaxy, but the effects were felt greater at the hideout of the Black Knights.
Lelouch had already called a meeting as soon as the news reached him, but he handled it calmly. He knew this was bound to happen, but for two years to go by before PACT invaded was much more time than he had thought would pass.
It was inevitable, but I am grateful for the extra time we were given.
Donning the mask of Zero, the former Emperor left his cabin to make his way to the assembly hall of their new base, they had established on one of the restricted worlds of the Holy Ryuvian Empire. His hunch had been correct as C.C. and Garibaldi had found a world which had once been discovered by the Ryuvian Empire, but was kept secret from the galaxy at large by its royal family. Lelouch suspected that probably one of the princes had found the planet and used its resources to secure his claim to the throne, so once he had it, he had wiped out almost all traces of the world's existence.
Ryuvia would have strip-mined the planet if they knew about the resource this planet had, but I wonder why the prince who had used it hidden it away?
Based on what Lelouch had learned about the planet and its prized resource they had discovered he believed it was for the royal family to maintain its monopoly and control on Ongessite which the galaxy has been dependent on with it being found in one place in the entire galaxy. Lelouch concluded the prince who probably became Emperor wanted to save that planet as some kind of future bargaining chip with the rest of the galaxy and the nobility, but without any further information, Lelouch could only speculate.
The resource they found in one of the intact remaining space elevators when C.C. and Garibaldi explored it was dubbed Ongessite-0, which was a substance similar to Ongessite, hence the name, allowing it to be used towards the creation of munitions and starship fuel. However, Lloyd's examination of the material revealed it was more potent Ongessite. Lloyd was practically jumping around for joy about discovering this fact, which was a little annoying to see a grown man doing so, but Lloyd in a way wasn't unjustified in his excitement.
I am no scientist, but even I can recognize the value of what we discovered.
It was discovered that the substance was light as silk but stronger than steel, but its actual potency lies in the fact it distorts gravity and electromagnetic fields so predictably that it can be refined into fuel while generating tremendous amounts of power through particle bombardment. Even a minimal amount could produce considerable power where Lloyd noted that a low microgram of it could power a small electronic device for hundreds of years.
This solved the Black Knight's dependency on Ongessite now that they had access to their own source of fuel, so even if Ogress was lost to PACT, they now had their own way of obtaining fuel for their ships and machines. Not to mention the planet's unknown location was useful for establishing a more permanent headquarters. They would still maintain their previous base for meetings with members of the Alliance and for training new recruits. Production of their machines and ships would continue, but during the two years, they had established new shipyards and production facilities around the planet.
The only issue left was providing a name for the planet since it had no name to go by.
After some consideration, the planet had been named Avalon. Lelouch felt it was appropriate considering the legend surrounding the island famous in Arthurian legends where King Arthur would slumber until the time came for the king to return and the fact he was once a king, and he had died before he was whisked away until it was time.
But the battle coming will determine if the Black Knights can rise to the challenge of PACT and the Prototypes or not.
Most of the senior members of the Black Knights had already been gathered to assemble in the assembly room while the rest of the Black Knights unable to be present in the large room would see Lelouch's speech via an FTL holographic transmission. Jeremiah, C.C, Garibaldi, and Lloyd have been already present in the room along with other leaders of the Black Knights and senior members.
Assuming his place upon the stage where he stood before the FTL transmitters so every Black Knight ship could see his holographic avatar broadcasted before them.
"Your time has come." Lelouch began with his arms folded over his chest and his black cape wrapped around his body. "The storm we have foreseen coming is here at last, and soon it will be a war that will engulf the galaxy, so what we do now could decide the future of the galaxy."
Using a remote hidden in his sleeve Lelouch began replaying footage of the battle at Orion on the wall behind him.
"As I am sure all of you have become aware of that PACT has begun its invasion of the Neutral Rim with the planet of Orion being their first target," Lelouch said with a formal seriousness in his voice, but rather he was preparing himself mentally to elaborate on what happened after the battle. "Just as many of us feared Orion could not withstand PACT for very long as their military does not have the means to repel an invasion of such scale."
Pressing the remote again, Lelouch revealed a scene from the battle they had managed to record at significant risk to an agent they had posted, one of the others who had been monitoring the border worlds along the edges of the Neutral Rim and PACT space.
"Compared to other worlds along the edges of the neutral rim Orion was more capable of handling pirates, but such an overwhelming invasion couldn't be stopped. The result was, unfortunately, a foregone conclusion with the planet falling to PACT, but it's what happened after that." The former prince said with a degree of repressed anger before he played another clip, but this time it was PACT ships that took up positions in orbit above the planet before beginning an orbital bombardment of Orion as a way to pacifying the Orion into submission much to the shock and anger of Lelouch's followers.
Lelouch allowed a moment of silence before speaking again to the gathered crowd.
"A planet was already defeated, and they quickly restored to such…brutality." The masked man said, making no effort to hide his anger, a thought that was shared by all members of the Black Knights. "I tell you now we will not stand for this. I will not let such brutality go unpunished, and if they are willing to do this from the onset of their invasion into the Neutral Rim then it's only going to get worse from here, and we'll see a lot more scenes like this."
The former prince made a sweeping motion with his cape as he boldly declared, "It no longer matters if we're ready or not. The storm is here, and we must face it. I don't care if we're outnumbered and outgunned. Now if PACT wants to declare war on us, then it is time we took that war to Arcadius. This is my order to be passed along to the rest of us not able to watch this broadcast. The time has come for the Black Knights to declare war on PACT!"
Despite the overwhelming numbers they would be facing Lelouch couldn't help but smile under his mask as cheers of approval began to rise from the crowd. Their leader was someone who had proved that no matter the odds stacked against them Lelouch had a habit of making the impossible possible.
"Any who commit such atrocities deserve whatever they get. No matter what we will do what we can to defend those who can't fight back, and even if we can't save their worlds they will have to fight every inch for the Neutral Rim. We're going to protect the neutral worlds as best as we can, but when our ranks swell with the numbers to liberate them, then we'll reclaim every world PACT had conquered before going after PACT itself…and may whatever gods exist help anybody who gets in our way."
The crowd erupted into cheers with people cheering Zero as they were confident that in time once they had the numbers and the ships, the Black Knights could not only take back whatever planets the PACT have taken, but they could bring the war straight to PACT and New Eden itself.
Because this broadcast was being transmitted to all members of the Black Knights there was someone who wasn't a member watching it too, not that she had a choice since those watching her wanted to see it.
Her guards, armed with heavy weapons and power armor, were watching the broadcast and they were just as confident as their fellow members while satisfied with Lelouch's ability to lead them. The Prototype L7NN, on the other hand, was quiet as she sat in the new cell that was specially designed to hold her kind after she was transferred to the new ship that would become Lelouch's new flagship and one of the first brand-new Assault Carriers of the Black Knights.
The new Assault Carrier dubbed the Kusanagi-class was based on schematics Lloyd created after studying the past battles of the Black Knights against pirates and other hostile forces. However, he went further upon taking inspiration from the Ryuvian cruisers and ships they found in the graveyard. They were designed to be a perfect marriage of a battleship, and a carrier rolled into one. His time spent on Cera helping them create the designs that would be used to create their own class of assault carrier ships was especially useful as he melded the various innovations they had planned for the first ship. It would've been built had it not been for the politics of the planet that had the project shelved.
Lelouch's ship named the Kusanagi as the first of its class was at least seven-hundred and forty meters in length the vessel was a dagger-shaped behemoth with a sleek design. It had a command tower that was more integrated into the assault carrier itself lacking the conning towers of other vessels to eliminate it as a possible liability. However, like most ships, the bridge of the Kusanagi was built in the centermost section of the carrier where it was very well protected from harm while it possessed an observation deck at the top of its slightly elevated tower that was integrated into the assault carrier giving it a more dagger-like shape.
The purpose of the observation deck was to help in the event of shadow operations and ECM attacks that disabled the numerous cameras along the hull of the ship that provided everything the bridge needed from tactical maps of the area and visuals from every direction. It was equipped with the standard FTL transmission and communication package, but with high encryption protection protocols in place to reduce the chances of transmissions being intercepted based upon recovered communications technology discovered within the old Ryuvian ships with improvements and modifications suggested by Lloyd.
It included advance sensory package created from salvaged Ryuvian ships, although they were used in the Excalibur-class cruisers an improved version of the sensors and package using information and combat data was incorporated into the Kusanagi-class assault carriers. Their Ryder compliment was twelve machines including two custom units with the rest consisting of six BKR-01M Knight units with two BKR-02H Attila and lastly two BKR-03S Cherubim ensuring the Kusanagi was ready for just about anything.
Like the purposed assault carrier, Cera had shelved Lloyd incorporated the idea of including a fully functional engineering deck that included a research and development lab as well as advance and stocked medical bay. There were private cabins for the captain of the vessel and the first officer, but like all other cabins aboard the ship, their windows were holographic images provided from the cameras and sensors outside of the assault carrier since windows were a dangerous vulnerability not included on warships. The only places with windows were the ones in the mess hall and at the observation tower, but during combat heavy armor plates would slide into place to cover them.
As far as armaments went the Kusanagi was armed with three VARIS Triple Cannon batteries, each one was placed along the center of the ship with the first located near the bow of the vessel with the other two were positioned behind one another going along the ascending spine of the assault carrier. These triple cannons were the most extensive application of VARIS technology yet and were capable of much more considerable damage if any ship unfortunate enough were to hit. The carrier also had a total of twenty-four 40mm CIWS guns for defense against missiles and enemy Ryders evenly and tactically distributed along both the upper and lower areas of the ship to ensure a full field of coverage.
Typical with most battleships, it had missile batteries with at least six four-tube launchers on the sides of the ship, three per side, near the observation tower. It had launchers for thermonuclear missiles and quantum torpedoes near the bow of the vessel. It also had additional missile launchers hidden under the assault carrier that could be used for sneak attacks against enemy ships since most battleships had missile launchers along the top of their hull and seldom below. The assault carrier had laser banks as well as it was outfitted with six laser emitters along the uppermost area of the carrier while it had three below for added firepower and defense. Complimenting the assault carrier's defensive capabilities were pulse cannons, although the damage they could inflict would be enough to stop enemy missiles and shred poorly armed enemy Ryders they were not overly useful as offensive weapons so a limit of twelve evenly distributed across but the upper and lower sides of the ship were placed.
Like the Excalibur class cruisers, the Kusanagi also had VARIS cannons, although smaller than the triple cannon versions. These were placed on adjustable mounts, two on each side below its wings, that could be retracted into the hull when not in use for lower defense of the ship with two near the rear of the ship to provide protection from attacks on the ship's stern. Finishing its complement was its primary weapon, a giant Hardon Canon built into the mouth of the vessel at the bow, which doubled as both the launch point for its Ryders and the firing chamber of the Hardon Canon which fired a much more powerful beam with a wide range than previous incarnations.
Few ships could withstand such a shot if struck dead on even with proper shielding.
As for defenses the Kusanagi was equipped with energy shields and thick armor along its hull, but like the Excalibur-class ships, it also had Blaze Luminous shielding for additional defensive capabilities. However, it had been modified to allow for openings for certain weapons to fire provided the enemy doesn't aim for these openings. Its sublight engines were quite powerful in their own right based off of what they salvaged from Ryuvian battle cruisers while its warp drive was capable of highly accurate pin-point jumps thanks to its sensor and state of the art navigation capabilities. It lacked the stealth capabilities of the Excalibur-class, but it was capable of operating on silent run missions, concealing its presence on sensors but not visually.
L7NN said nothing, but no one could deny the Kusanagi-class ships were very impressive regarding its armaments and its tactical flexibility. The Prototype was instead focused on herself as she had spent two years in captivity, although Lelouch would visit her occasionally he typically probed her thoughts through their conversations and made a point to remind her that her sisters had abandoned her unwilling to risk rescuing her.
As a result of the precautions taken around her the Prototype's hair grew longer now reaching her waist as no one was willing to neither trim her hair nor give her anything to cut with concerned she might use it to escape or take her own life. Even though she could have starved herself to achieve that end L7NN was hesitant to do so because knowing she was now cut off from the rest of her sisters if she died, then her mind wouldn't be transferred to a new body. It was promised to her and her sisters when they were created to serve the Alpha Prototype and the first of their kind, whose name L7NN could not remember thanks to some of her memories having been removed of the first one as she was cut off.
Meanwhile, after the meeting, Lelouch and Jeremiah had worked out which planet PACT would likely strike against, or rather they anticipated, which planet would be their next target by the time they had finished mobilizing their forces.
"So Caleb is likely the next target?" Jeremiah asked as the two sat together on a shuttle heading for the Kusanagi.
"Yes, Garibaldi agrees with me. Given their movements and considering the likelihood that they do not want to waste the momentum they have to send a message to the other Neutral Rim worlds to surrender or else." Lelouch said using his holo on his wrist to review the information they were receiving on PACT movements with Garibaldi promising to keep him posted to any changes. "We'll head for Caleb and set up an ambush to give the planet time to evacuate its civilians before we land a team of saboteurs and organizers with supplies and weapons to help create a resistance group on the planet to hinder the PACT occupation until we can liberate it."
Knowing they could not save the worlds from PACT conquest, Lelouch did prepare a contingency plan in which before a planet is conquered. They would leave behind a small group of Black Knight operatives trained in guerrilla warfare and sabotage while being provided with weapons and supplies to last them for a few years provided they are not discovered. They also had the means to train any members of the planet's population who couldn't escape or wished to stay behind to fight back against PACT until their world could be free again.
As an additional precaution, Lelouch used his Geass on each member of the party meant to be left on Caleb so in the event of capture they could never spill any sensitive information nor reveal it to anyone else without Lelouch's expressed permission let alone mention it in idle conversation with one another. Even the FTL transmitter they were given to contact the Black Knights was only capable of sending and receiving transmissions to a specific listening post as a further security precaution to avoid their bases being potentially compromised by the communications being traced.
Each resistance camp will have one listening post in a remote area assigned to them and in the event if one was compromised, then it would be quickly abandoned and destroyed before PACT could find it.
Lelouch would've preferred liberating the planets, but this was the best they could do until that was possible.
"I assume the Solar Alliance is going to do nothing about this."
"Yes, and when we first got word of what happened to Orion I had a meeting with Admiral Grey as we compared notes about the intelligence we received about what happened," Lelouch said, before adding with a look of disappointment mixed with one of someone hardly surprised by the actions of the Alliance. "He'll try to convince Solar Congress to take action against this aggression, but since it doesn't threaten the alliance he is doubtful they will do anything. However, he will at least try to convince them to get the military ready for possible aggression."
"But he isn't expecting much of that is he?"
"No, he is not, but he did offer to help us in whatever unofficial capacity he could. He asked if he could send one of his operatives to us as an unofficial liaison between the Alliance and us."
Jeremiah raised an eyebrow at that news. "Doesn't Garibaldi count?"
"Well, he is a freelancer not an official member of the military," Lelouch said, closing his holo to cross his arms over his chest. "Although part of the reason is that sooner or later the Alliance will have no choice to get involved so they want someone who can observe our battles so that information can be used by the Alliance to plan counterattacks and military strikes against PACT. Not to mention it would help to lay the foundation for better coordination between our groups in the future when that happens."
"But you believe otherwise?"
"I believe this liaison is meant to keep an eye on us and maybe try to keep us in check, so there is likely that too," Lelouch explained, but such a move wouldn't surprise him. First and foremost, Admiral Grey was looking out for his own interests as much as he was looking out for the interests of the Solar Alliance.
He's likely worried we might grow into something far beyond his control that could threaten the Solar Alliance's interests. Lelouch thought, knowing if their positions were reversed he would've done something similar. It's more about keeping an eye on us for now since the defeat of PACT is in his best interests unless he wants to risk using the conflict as a chance to unify the galaxy under the flag of the Solar Alliance.
Lelouch contemplated internally, knowing that was a possibility even if it was unlikely since the Alliance didn't have the forces and resources for such a campaign.
"Despite whatever reservations we might have we should accept, but we shall not bring the liaison to our new primary base as a precaution," Lelouch said after carefully weighing his options. He didn't trust the Solar Alliance, however, he still needed them, and they needed him to deal with PACT.
"I'll make the necessary preparations for the liaison, but first we have business with PACT," Jeremiah said as Lelouch nodded in agreement.
"We shall launch as soon as all ships are ready."
Two days later in orbit around Caleb, a stream of civilian transports was hurrying to flee the planet as the PACT fleet aggressively pushed closer to the neutral world having conquered two neighboring worlds within the last twenty-four hours. Lelouch contacted the government leaders with the Black Knights offering to delay the invasion as long as possible. They were reluctant, but the leaders of Caleb saw little choice, so the people began evacuating. Some ships were fleeing to neutral worlds, closer to alliance space while others were heading into alliance space to escape what they felt was an inevitable conquest of the neutral rim.
A small fleet of Excalibur-class cruisers was lying in wait alongside Caleb's military that had been mobilized. Even though they couldn't stop PACT from seizing their world, they intended to make them fight for it. Their combat strength consists of six of medium-sized destroyers with three Ryder carriers, each carrying a complement of four Ryders each. Altogether they had sixteen DGX-445 Ryders, light machines built for general combat equipped with a laser rifle, a shield and retractable blade for close quarters.
Lelouch had the Assault Carriers including another force of Excalibur-class cruisers hiding in a nearby system ready to ambush the PACT invasion fleet when it arrives, although Lelouch was sure PACT would be expecting them to attack. Their advantage was the fact that PACT didn't know about the advancements they had made along with the new vessels and craft they had produced over the last few years.
At that moment Lelouch was inside the cockpit of his new personal Ryder that had been designed using his past combat data while piloting the Shinkirō and Gawain combined with his usage of the commander type Ryder unit he had used in previous engagements especially the one where he faced L7NN. Lloyd had even used inspiration and information they had gleaned from the wreckage of the Ryder that L7NN had used, which was based upon a formidable Ryuvian Ryder design known as a Nightmare, which Lloyd had heard about as highly combative Ryders used by the Ryuvian Empire.
He had never seen one intact, but he had studied parts of one which Lloyd recognized as being similar to the weapons L7NN's machine possessed.
Like the Shinkirō it shared the same color scheme the Knightmare Frame had, but as a Ryder, its frame possesses long limbs, but it was streamlined and didn't look like something assembled from a junkyard. Its head and sensors were a hybrid combination of the Gawain and Shinkirō possessing four sensor eyes and what appeared to be a crown-like design. The design wasn't a fashion statement, but rather the gold fins on the head and shoulders were actually excellent miniaturized dishes that could transmit and receiving ten thousand petabits combined with its optical scanners and long-range sensors. They were to complement the machine's Druid System and were part of the Ryder's Electronic Countermeasures Package.
Its chest also housed a much more prominent and unmistakably, more powerful variant of the Zero Beam used by the Shinkirō. There was a pair of machine cannons on the sides of the Zero Beam used for close range defense and shooting down missiles. On its shoulders were integrated Hardon Cannons, similar to what the Gawain used, however, they could fire a scattered beam as a defensive measure. Unlike the Gawain however, the canons were on arms attached to the back that could flip over the shoulders when ready for use. Otherwise, the cannons appeared to resemblance wings when not in use.
The lower torso housed a 6-tube missile launcher, which was interlinked with the 4-tube missile launchers, one on each leg, and lastly, the Ryder had storage racks for a pair of MSV swords on its back akin to Lancelot's fashion of storing the blades in rotating scabbards. Then a Super VARIS Mk-III was stored behind the waist in a compact storage mode, but like the rifle used by the Lancelot Albion it could fire kinetic rounds, but it had a Hardon Cannon configuration.
Like the Shinkirō it could use the Absolute Protection Territory energy shield system, but it could conjure a shield from its forearms for a quick defensive measure.
The BKR-X00S Amakusa Tokisada was an ambitious and potent Ryder designed for Lelouch and his combat style, but it also had additional combat options depending on the situation. It stood a towering twenty meters tall weighing at least around eighty tons.
"Hey Lelouch do you have a second," Lloyd asked poking his head into the open in the panoramic monitor cockpit.
"What is it, Lloyd?"
"I thought you should know the liaison has arrived," Lloyd said gesturing for Lelouch to come out because the liaison was presumably waiting outside of the cockpit.
Emerging from the cockpit, Lelouch met with the Alliance Officer who had been dispatched to them, although he had expected someone older he was slightly surprised by how young the liaison was. She appeared to be in her early twenties, possibly twenty years old, with a fair skin complexion with short, wavy pageboy-style dark indigo-blue hair and honey-gold eyes. Instead of the Alliance Uniform, she wore an office-style version of the Black Knights uniform. It consisted of a black naval force jacket with gray trim, a black knee-length skirt, black stockings, and matching shoes.
She in front of her Lelouch noticed she was quite tall being just four inches shorter than he was.
"First Lieutenant Kryska Stares reporting for duty sir," Kryska greeted with a crisp salute.
"At ease Lieutenant," Lelouch replied. "I am Zero, Supreme Commander of the Black Knights and this is Lloyd Asplund my Chief Engineer and Head of our Research and Development. Welcome aboard the Kusanagi."
"My pleasure sir," Kryska said relaxing a bit, "I have been ordered by Admiral Grey to act as a liaison between the Black Knights and the Solar Alliance in an unofficial capacity of course, but I am looking forward to working with you."
"Likewise," Lelouch said before gesturing for Kryska to follow him.
The two descended from the catwalk that ran past the open cockpit of Lelouch's Ryder using the elevator that brought them to hanger floor, but during their descent, Lelouch began conversing with Kryska.
"Tell me First Lieutenant," Lelouch began, "what have you been told of the situation so far?"
"Only that PACT is sending an invasion fleet to conquer the world of Caleb, and the Black Knights have gathered to engage them to allow more time until evacuations complete," Kryska answered with a professional tone.
"That is correct," Lelouch said before explaining. "Our information regarding the tactics used in the conquest of the Neutral Rim worlds has generally remained unchanged. We haven't detected any signs of reconnaissance units since we have arrived, but we have taken into account the likelihood of them expecting us."
"That's why you have your primary force hidden here isn't it?"
Lelouch nodded as the two walked out of the hanger entering a corridor.
"That is right, and once the enemy is occupied fighting our forces in orbit around Caleb and committed we'll warp in from behind trapping them," Lelouch explained. "Our ability to perform pinpoint jumps will put us directly behind them allowing us to ambush them with heavy fire."
"Will the enemy be caught off guard that easily?"
"Maybe or maybe not," Lelouch answered as he and Kryska entered an elevator, "but it depends on the type of commander they have. However, because PACT has been enjoying a string of easy victories, they'll become lax and won't change their strategy. With precise timing we can inflict enough to the point we'll wipe out the invasion fleet and buy more than enough time for the population to evacuate."
"I see," Kryska said as the elevator reached its destination. "If I may commander, could I ask where those cruisers among the fleet here are from?"
Lelouch answered her as they disembarked the elevator, "they are Ryuvian Shikire-class Cruiser we have restored and modified."
"Ryuvian," Kryska said as her composure slipped as a result of surprise, "an actual Ryuvian warship?"
"Yes, because early on we discovered a graveyard of derelict Ryuvian vessels and Ryders we salvaged. A large number were in remarkably good condition other than a severe lack of maintenance." Lelouch explained.
As a precaution out of concern of any kind of lingering overrides or hidden remote control systems resulting in their computer cores being removed and replaced with a new system remade from the ground up. It delayed the time they could make use of the ships, but it was fortunate since Lelouch feared if anyone saw the cruisers they could potentially deduce that their technology used in their machines were being reserved engineered Ryuvian technology which would've only made their enemies and others pursue them more aggressively.
Although I don't see a point hiding it now, Lelouch thought because sooner or later they would have to deploy their restored Ryuvian Cruisers into battle eventually.
Not to mention they would have to destroy the graveyard of ships somehow, although Lelouch had some ideas to consider. It wasn't a concrete solution, but it was a work in progress yet Lelouch knew he would have to do something about it at one point.
"I'll be commanding the battle from my personal Ryder, but Jeremiah will be on the bridge should you have any questions or require anything," Lelouch said as he and Kryska approached the bridge.
The following morning, thanks to an advance recon scout Lelouch had sent out earlier upon arriving in the system alerted them to the approach of a PACT invasion fleet. It was sooner than expected, but the evacuation was nearly finished, and the Black Knights were in position with their ambush ready.
Hours passed, but so far no sign of PACT yet.
"Evacuation of the planet is at ninety percent," a female member of the bridge crew reported aboard the Kusanagi.
"Odd we haven't seen any sign of PACT yet," Jeremiah commented while Kryska stood beside him silently.
As if on cue an alarm was triggered.
"Sir we have just detected enemy contacts emerging from warp around Caleb."
"Enemy numbers," Jeremiah demanded.
"One carrier, two battleships, eight missile boats, and four PACT Cruisers," the male crewman reported from behind his station.
"Did you hear that," Jeremiah inquired while pushing a button his console.
"I did," Lelouch replied while he was in the hanger standing on the boarding platform for his Ryder.
He was using a communication console on the platform to remain in contact with the bridge, but upon hearing that the enemy finally making a move, Lelouch boarded his new Ryder.
"All Ryders are to prepare for launch, but follow the plan and allow the Excalibur and the others to draw the enemy in," Lelouch said reminding his followers through a secured communication channel. "Once they have captured their complete attention we'll flank them from behind in a pincer maneuver."
Lelouch began preparations as he powered on his Ryder upon closing the cockpit, but as the sensors of his machine activated and the cockpit displayed a complete 360-degree view of his surroundings Lelouch cast a disappointed glance at the other custom machine docked next to his own.
Like the Amakusa, the second custom machine was designed for a specific purpose which was the elimination of advance PACT Ryders or more specifically the elimination of others like L7NN.
Studying the remains of the Ryder the captive Prototype had used, and studying the combat footage and data of the Black Knight's battle against it Lloyd began designing a Ryder created to counter them and their highly advanced machines. The new Ryder introduced an unusual design, which was built to be a balance between durability, speed and heavy firepower which included the ability to transform into a flight mode quicker travel across the battlefield. Thanks to the new fuel they discovered on Avalon its fusion reactor could generate more power than your standard high-grade military model, which was essential to its arsenal of weaponry.
The Belial was arguably the most powerful machine Lloyd has designed.
Yet it's likely to collect dust because he went overboard, Lelouch thought feeling disappointed.
Ironically, creating a machine to challenge those biologically superior to humans resulted in a machine no ordinary human could pilot. Using the Prototype's own Ryder as a base, codenamed Nightmare among the Black Knights, Lloyd didn't just improve upon the design but designed the machine to outperform it in every conceivable way along with implementing latest in new and improved technologies developed by his R&D department over the past few years.
The black and red trimmed Ryder stood at an impressive twenty-one meters tall, but aside from its long and lanky limbs, a design feature shared with the Amakusa, for increased mobility it possessed two large thrusters on its back. Not only did they provide powerful engines for quick movement, but in conjunction with its thrusters strategically lined across its entire body creating the fastest Ryder among the machines used by the Black Knights, they served as part of its impressive arsenal.
Its forearms had three integrated weapons alone, one per arm, which included a laser sword for close quarters and that same emitter for the energy blade could double as a projectile weapon of shooting a powerful laser in destructive bursts. Akin to the Lancelot it had a retractable Slash-Harken, which could be used offensively and as a way of navigating a battleground with limited space quickly such as the interior of an asteroid mine or space station. However, the Slash-Harkens, once they have impaled themselves into a target can discharge a devastating surge of radiation, identical to the radiation wave surger once used by a machine created by Lloyd's rival.
The sudden surge of intense heat would overwhelm and destroy a Ryder in seconds.
There were two additional Slash-Harken launchers mounted on rotatable mounts located on the hips. Its chest, especially the lower torso, concealed a plasma cannon and around the collar near the shoulders were a pair of machine cannons for shooting through the armor of weaker Ryders and missiles. The backpack unit housed vertical missile launchers and laser guns, usable in its flight mode for hit and run attacks while the missiles could be used in either form.
The legs concealed a pair of laser blades for surprise attacks using kicks, and for defensive the forearms had Blaze Luminous shields installed. Then for optional armaments it carried, the backpack unit stored a pair of MSV swords in retractable compartments and on the back of its waist was a Super VARIS rifle, an improved variant that was more streamlined and compact for ease of use compared to the models used by the Black Knights.
Its head, with a long curved blade-like plume, contained an extensive sensory package, but lacking ECM capabilities yet it had countermeasures to protect against them.
The Belial could've been a valuable trump card, but it's useless without a pilot, Lelouch thought.
There was nothing Lelouch could about it now, but he was annoyed by Lloyd's insistence to bring it along claiming.
"You never know. I brought a pilotless Lancelot to Shinjuku, and without trying too hard, the ideal pilot was dropped in my lap!"
I doubt it will be that convenient for you this time, Lelouch thought internally.
On the other hand, he did remember the events of Shinjuku Ghetto well enough, so maybe…
Still, Lloyd had done a lot for the Black Knights, so Lelouch thought he could humor him for the sake of cementing his loyalty.
Meanwhile, at the frontlines, the Excalibur led the combined forces of the Black Knights with light cruisers, small gunships, and Ryders similar to the units used by most private groups but better maintained and a higher quality of the machine. Still, the Black Knights and their allies were outmatched, something PACT intended to capitalize on.
And thus playing right into Lelouch's hands.
Just as I expected PACT's successful conquests of the neutral worlds along their borders has made them overconfident.
Lelouch continued to observe the battle from the cockpit of his machine thanks to the bridge crew feeding his machine the latest up to date developments on the battlefield, which has been going so far to expectations. Even so, Lelouch wanted to draw them in further before tightening the noose around the PACT fleet.
A little closer, Lelouch thought with a smirk.
As the opportune moment approached the battle continued, but even with such numbers against them the fierce resistance the Black Knights were putting up forced the PACT invasion fleet to commit more of itself to the battle moving closer to the box the defenders in to finish them off. Four BKR-03S Cherubim units hung as far back as possible using their sniper rifles to begin picking off the approaching PACT Ryders before turning their weapons upon the oncoming enemy vessels. Four Attia units provided massive fire support while they were protected by a dozen BKR-01M Knight Ryders while some were engaging the enemy Ryders.
Lelouch's expression darkened when he saw one Knight unit destroyed by enemy fire appear on his tactical screen.
The temptation to engage now was present in Lelouch's mind, but he restrained himself knowing the time would soon be right.
"All ships prepare for combat," Lelouch ordered, "short range warp on my mark!"
Seconds seemed like an eternity, but when he saw the enemy fleet had closed the distance enough, Lelouch knew the time had come.
"ALL FORCES JUMP!"
As if they were waiting to engage as much as their leader was the Assault carriers initiated a short-range warp reappearing behind the PACT fleet, their weapons were already ready. Without needing Lelouch's order, the Kusanagi-class vessels opened fire with their Hardon Cannon combined with an onslaught of missiles, heavy volleys consisting of a mixture of kinetic and laser. The PACT fleet had no doubt detected the sudden arrival of the Black Knight fleet, but with their attention and weapons focused on the enemies in front of them they were completely wide open against enemies from behind.
They didn't have the time to react when their attack hit them.
"Launch all Ryders!" Lelouch commanded as his machine was already loaded onto the catapult.
The Amakusa was the first launched, but Lelouch was soon followed by Ryders being launched from the other Assault carriers following their initial attack, which has sunk the PACT cruiser, two missile boats while inflicting massive damage upon the rest of the PACT vessels.
The leader of the PACT invasion fleet was already scrambling to recall their forces to defend themselves from the sudden surprise attack, but the Kusanagi was already attacking with renewed vigor as if the Black Knights were determined to avenge the Ryders they had lost during the battle. The PACT carrier was the first to feel the full blunt of the Black Knight's fury as it was scrambling to launch whatever Ryders it had left to defend it while the other ships were trying to turn about to engage them.
However they were trapped between two enemies, so anything they did would merely prolong the inevitable.
Yet at that moment on New Eden…
Inside the room of the former Imperial Palace, which has been converted into a command room with holographic monitors lining the walls where priceless portraits once hung while the expansive round table and sofas had been replaced with computer stations for tactical information and communications. Veniczar S. Arcadius was joined by Fontana while a third occupant was with them, who was without question the most disliked high ranking member of PACT, although he believed otherwise. He was an obese fellow in his late thirties with orange hair, a mustache, blue eyes, wearing a red uniform with a cape.
"By the end of the week PACT will have secured the outlying worlds along our borders, and we can begin expanding our campaign to liberate the Neutral Rim!"
Veniczar B. Cullen smirked in arrogant satisfaction, although Fontana tried to resist the urge to roll his eyes at Cullen's annoying showboating Arcadius was quiet until…
"We are placed at the pace you have worked at both liberating the worlds and integrating them to become part of PACT, but what of the world of Caleb? They should've reported in by now?" Arcadius said knowing that Caleb didn't have much in terms of defense so the invasion should've ended by now, but oddly through the report that Caleb was taking longer than expected.
Cullen was smiling as he proclaimed, "I am sure they are just delayed mopping whatever was left of what had for a meager defense…I'll contact the commander."
In moments Cullen operated a nearby communications terminal to contact the invasion commander, but instead of a pleased PACT command reporting success the channel opened to a chaotic situation on the bridge of the leading PACT battleship. Bridge personnel was in a panic reporting damage across all sectors of their ships along with weapons failing one by one. Smoke had erupted from control consoles fired by sudden power surges while the commanding officer was trying to regain control of the situation.
Cullen and Fontana were stunned by sight, which prompted Arcadius to address the issue.
"Report!" Arcadius roared prompting the commander to realize the leader of PACT had contacted them.
"Veniczar," the commander said with a hint of visible fear upon his face, "sir we were ambushed."
"HOW WAS A PACT INVASION FLEET AMBUSHED BY WORLD THAT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A PROPER MILITARY?!" Cullen roared clearly beside himself with anger, but it wasn't so much at the dire situation the invasion fleet was in it was at the fact he had embarrassed himself before his superiors.
"It…it was the Black Knights," The commander replied before using his station to transmit images of the battle happening around his ship.
Fontana was surprised, although he had known about the Excalibur-class vessels they used the sight of a new and much larger battleship was unexpected, to say the least.
I see, so they were lured in and the Black Knights ambushed them, Fontana said quickly deducing the strategy the Black Knights used upon noticing the PACT invasion fleet was being sandwiched between two fleets of Black Knight forces mixed in with the gunships used by Caleb planetary defense force.
Arcadius said nothing but went to another communication station issuing an emergency deployment message.
"Hold on commander, I have reinforcements already on route," Arcadius said calmly.
We suspected the Black Knights would launch attacks upon our forces, but we didn't expect this, Arcadius calmly thought yet seething at anger upon seeing the new vessels they had.
Arcadius had expected the Black Knights would launch raids upon their forces and supply routes during their conquest, but to actually ambush one of their invasion fleets and be on the cusp of wiping them out was beyond anything she could've expected.
No matter, we made the mistake of sending one against you…now deal with a legion of us.
Meanwhile, for as much damage the Black Knights dealt to PACT they did manage to land some hits upon the Kusanagi where at that moment inside the brig a volley of missiles managed to slip past their anti-missile defenses. The damage on the outside was seemingly minor, but at that moment an explosion followed by a blanketing cloud of smoke. L7NN was aware of what was happening, but yet when the smoke cleared both of her guards were on the floor unconscious before a short circuit caused the door to the cell to open.
Seizing the chance to finally escape L7NN exited her cell, but once she was gone a hooded figure emerged from a maintenance hatch in the ceiling.
"Just need to doctor the security footage and logs, and I'll be done. Everyone is going to be surprised if this works," the hooded figure replied before giggling.
Around the same time, the Kusanagi retaliated and destroy the offending battleship, which was the last of the two to be sunk since the first was destroyed early on when it was caught between another Assault Carrier, the Ascalon, which had gutted it with a well placed Hardon Cannon blast. Its destruction was followed by two more PACT Cruisers erupting into fireballs before the flames of the exploding hulls and escaping atmosphere was quickly snuffed out by the vacuum of space.
Lelouch smiled at the process of the battle as the primary weapon of the Amakusa opened unveiling a liquid prism before it was fired passing through a group of PACT Ryders who evaded it.
"Disappear," Lelouch said before his Ryder fired a beam of energy, which upon hitting the launched prism reflected the beam into multiple directions before shredding apart the enemy Ryders.
Most of PACT's Ryders have been dealt with, so all that is left is mopping up the last of the cruisers.
Suddenly Lelouch's thoughts were interrupted by an emergency call from Jeremiah.
"We have incoming; we just detected new contacts on the scanners!"
"All ships assume defensive positions I guess PACT must've realized something had gone wrong," Lelouch commanded on an open channel.
Moments later another PACT fleet arrived consisting of a carrier escorted by two cruisers, which upon completing its warp jump the carrier wasted no time launching its Ryders. Even though the standard PACT Ryder was among those being launched onto the battlefield Lelouch's scanners detected another Ryder among them…and there was more than one.
"Sir we have detected Prototype Ryders among the enemy forces," Jeremiah said worried recalling how much trouble Lelouch had told him the last one had given them.
"Enemy numbers?"
"I am counting ten…no twenty so far," Jeremiah replied while Lelouch was concerned about how his forces would deal with more than one enemy Ryder piloted by genetically engineered pilots who are basically being mass produced through cloning.
Suddenly a familiar voice recognized by former PACT members among the Black Knights was heard on all communication channels.
"I must say you surprise us Zero," Arcadius spoke, although technically on New Eden, her address to Zero was being broadcast from the newly arrived PACT Carrier. "We suspected you would launch attacks upon our forces, but we never imagined you would be bold enough to attack one of our invasion fleets."
"So you had a special attack force ready for me, I am flattered," Zero replied before on a separate channel to his forces. "Mr. Clark I want you to lead your fellow snipers and take out the lesser PACT Ryders then assist our Excaliburs in sinking the PACT vessels."
"Yes sir," Domingo replied.
"Jeremiah spread our forces out and have them concentrate fire upon the Prototype machines…try to hit their carrier if you can. Hopefully, it will create an opening for us if the Attia and Knight units attacking as well."
"Understood," Jeremiah answered.
Lelouch decided to try and draw out the conversation since his forces and the newly arrived PACT force were not in range to engage each other yet.
If they are like L7NN then I wonder if I can push them to act cocky enough to make a mistake even if their minds are linked, Lelouch wondered.
The former Emperor was deciding if this was an excellent chance to put what he has learned about the personality and mentality of the Prototypes to the test to see if he could create some kind of opening I can exploit.
"Hardly Zero, but we recognize someone like you will be trouble unless we deal with you now."
"I have one of your own aboard," Lelouch said before contemplating your next words, "I would be willing to negotiate a trade for her if you let us leave or does superior beings like yourselves care little for one of your own?"
Arcadius merely laughed, "I see, so the pawn I sent against you two years ago is still alive in captivity. I assume then you must've extracted information about what we are then?"
"Something interesting information to be sure," Lelouch answered.
"An expendable pawn means nothing to us; we can easily produce more to replace her easily."
I had expected this, but I was hoping to use any comradery against them to exploit it.
Lelouch had suspected if the Prototypes were mass-produced through cloning there was little reason the mind behind them would care little for their well being, but if some had some form of individuality like L7NN then maybe there was a slim chance of possibly turning the other Prototypes whoever was leading them. If anything he was hoping to use L7NN has a shield against them if such a thing was possible, but it was apparently clear that wouldn't work.
"So even superior beings treat their own like trash then?"
"Hah they are merely extensions of me they are nothing but puppets to be used and disposed of," Arcadius replied with a cold laugh.
I guess that didn't work, so I suppose we'll do this the hard way.
Unknown to Lelouch and Arcadius the discussion between the two had been broadcasted through the entire Kusanagi; although the crew was confused wondering if there was a short in the ship's systems Lloyd was busy examining the Belial when a firm hand gripped his shoulder.
Even with his mechanical body Lloyd didn't realize what was happening until he was turned around facing a furious L7NN.
"This Ryder…can it fly?"
Lloyd wanted to ask how L7NN got out, but seeing the look upon her face decided against it.
"Yes, but no ordinary human can…oh wait…never mind," Lloyd replied almost forgetting L7NN was genetically engineered to be superior to humans.
Lelouch used the energy shields materializing around the Amakusa to protect his machine from missiles fired from the Prototype machines as they advanced. The Black Knights engaged the newly arrived PACT forces, although the PACT Carrier had launched over a hundred normal and heavy Ryder variants led by at least fifty Prototype piloted machines. Three of them were engaging Lelouch, although the improvements and design innovations for the Amakusa allowed him to keep up with them, Lelouch was finding it difficult to fend off three of them at once.
Any Black Knight Ryder who had attempted to help Lelouch was killed.
On the other hand, the PACT ships weren't fairing as well against the long-range attacks provided by the Cherubim units combined with hit and run maneuvers by the Excalibur-class ships. One of them, however, was attacked and swarmed by the Prototype Ryders and destroyed causing its loss. In the corner of his eye on a tactical display in his cockpit, Lelouch saw a group of Prototypes was moving to engage the Cherubim units to deal with them.
The ships we can deal with, but the Prototypes will be a problem.
"Worry not Zero we'll let you live since we have a great number of questions we wish to ask you," Arcadius mocked on an open channel.
"I won't be that easy," Lelouch said dropping his shields after a Nightmare Ryder took a swing at the Amakusa's shield with its built-in sword seizing an opening.
A second later Lelouch vaporized the enemy Ryder using the Amakusa's shoulder-mounted Hardon cannons before quickly backing away before the other Prototype Ryders could retaliate for Lelouch killing one of their own. From behind another Nightmare joined the battle replacing the Prototype Lelouch had just slain by attacking from behind, but Lelouch used the built-in energy shield on his machine's forearm to block the attack. The remaining two enemy Ryders charged the Amakusa, but they fired a volley of missiles from the shoulder-mounted launcher on their machines before Lelouch promptly shot them down with the machine cannons on his Ryder. The third Nightmare tried to cut off an arm on the Amakusa, but Lelouch delivered a roundhouse kick with his machine following up his counterattack with a barrage of missiles fired from the used leg to batter the Nightmare.
During his attack, Lelouch drew an MSV sword before the Amakusa cleaved the Nightmare through the torso destroying it, but Lelouch didn't have a chance to rest as the other two Nightmare Ryders were upon him forcing Lelouch to parry a swing of its built-in sword with the MSV blade.
Those times fighting pirates since I faced a Prototype two years ago has really improved my skills as a Ryder pilot but…its not enough.
The tactical displays of his machine warned Lelouch that seven more Prototypes were closing in, and his forces despite their advantages over their ships and ordinary Ryders were beginning to see the tide turn against them…until.
"EEAAAHH!"
A fierce battle cry erupted on an open channel as the Belial, the last machine Lelouch had ever expected to see, arrived on the battlefield attacking the seven approaching Prototype Ryders.
The Belial, but how…no one shouldn't be able to pilot it!
The Prototypes turned around to engage the new threat, but yet their pilots felt an unnerving sense of familiarity coming from the machine. Even though its pilot felt familiar what was unnerving was the unrestrained raw hatred they sensed.
With the fury of a bloodthirsty berserker, the Belial tore into the first Nightmare unfortunate enough to be in its path. Attacking with a vengeful ferocity the Nightmare attempted to parry the incoming melee attack with its sword, but drawing its own blade the Belial to the surprise of observers saw the drawn blade cleave through the Nightmare's built-in melee weapon taking most of its arm and shoulder with it. Unlike previous MSV swords, Lloyd was using a new method of running an energy blade along the edges of the Belial's swords to increase the cutting power of the MSVs.
The Prototype pilot was in shocked disbelief before the Belial finished it off by cleaving the Nightmare in two across the torso.
I am suddenly having déjà vu of Shinjuku Ghetto, Lelouch thought, but unlike previous events at Shinjuku where he suffered a tactical defeat at the hands of the Lancelot, he was now witnessing a reversal of those events.
Regardless Lelouch recognized this was a chance to regroup and mount a counterattack.
"All Ryders form up on me and follow," Lelouch commanded before issuing orders to the Kusanagi to relay to the rest of the ships.
More Prototypes began to join the battle realizing the Belial was overpowering their machines, but they were baffled by the mere fact they were being trounced by what the Prototypes perceived as a meager human pilot despite the feeling of familiarity they sensed from it. Maybe it was denial born of pride, but regardless a furious L7NN couldn't help but marvel at the power of her new machine.
"I don't know how they built something like this, but what power!"
L7NN grinned savagely.
"I am not expendable, and I am going to prove it by killing all of you."
It was apparent that two years of captivity had an impact upon L7NN whenever she would admit it or not, but she held onto the vain hope she could escape or if her sisters rescued her. However, she knew that deep down they could make more like her, although L7NN out of a stubborn sense of pride didn't want to admit it. Lelouch would come to her probing her responses to better gauge how the mentality of her other sisters was like if they were indeed identical, but he would mark remarks that would just get under her skin.
If you and others like you are so easily created, then you know they won't give a damn about you and cast you aside. I am sure they don't remember your destination.
Remembering those words only angered L7NN further, but that anger wasn't directed at him it was directed at the other Prototypes whose disbelief she could sense at how they were losing against one machine. Yet they didn't seem to recognize her, which only confirmed what she had feared deep down and what Lelouch had said during one of their conversations.
For beings claiming to be more superior, they seem to think very little of their fellow how they so casually discarded.
Hearing the exchange between Arcadius and Lelouch caused something to snap within L7NN.
With a fierce roar, the Belial fired its slash harkens into the torso of an approaching Nightmare before discharge of radiation began to surge through the entire machine causing it to inflate. Before the Ryder could explode from the overwhelming heat and how much its mechanical limbs had expanded like balloons ready to pop the Belial dragged the enemy machine into an incoming volley of missiles to take the hit. Facing retaliation as more Nightmare Ryders closed in the Belial revealed a surprisingly unusual feature as it transformed into a plane-configuration before rocketing off with a burst of speed.
As the Prototypes were distracted, Lelouch had successfully regrouped the Black Knights beginning a fierce counterattack against the PACT fleet.
Meanwhile, Arcadius alongside Cullen and Fontana watched the battle in silence, but moods varied among the trio.
Even through Arcadius's mood couldn't be read due to the mask Fontana observed out of the corner of his eyes and noticed Cullen was a mix of furious and fearful. The former Imperial Officer was clearly angry his near perfect invasion record was not only ruined; he was afraid he would be blamed for this unfortunate chain of events.
Despite his own surprise Fontana instead examined the machines and ships Zero and his forces were using, but while intrigued by the new type of carrier that was an apparent hybrid of a battleship and Ryder carrier one of the other vessels caught his eye. It stood out from the other ships Zero, and his men were using, because its design was familiar having actually seen parts of the vessel from an archegonial site they had discovered in an asteroid belt a year ago.
They found the remains of what appeared to be a small Ryuvian Fleet dedicated to an escort mission, but most of the ships were small cruisers hinting their mission being secretly given the size of both the vessel and overall force. If such were the case, then it would explain the extensive damage the ships were found in, which archaeologist believed the ships were caught in an ambush.
If the Black Knights found intact Ryuvian Cruisers then could that mean the origin of their advanced weaponry and vessels could the result of reverse engineering their technology, Fontana wondered.
The Belial was now finding it difficult to fend off the sheer number of Prototype because what remained of them were converging upon L7NN intending to overwhelm her with sheer numbers, although it almost worked they made a fatal mistake. This tactic required them to completely ignore the Black Knights, which caused them to overlook those they considered beneath them were crushing the enemy. The last of the PACT cruisers had fallen, and the Carrier was likely to sink soon as its hull was breaching fire and atmosphere because it had sustained critical damage.
The Black Knights were quick to punish them for the Prototypes' arrogance in dismissing the still able Black Knights.
"Don't give them any elbow room," Lelouch commanded joining his men as they attacked the Prototypes.
Unleashing streams of laser fire combined with missiles, kinetic slugs, VARIS shots, and Hardon Cannon fire on top of it upon the Prototypes with their backs turned. Now forced to contend with the regrouped and vengeful Black Knights seeking to avenge the losses they suffered because of their presence the Prototypes were trying to fend them off while fighting the Belial. At this point however the Prototypes realized they had been boxed in by the Black Knights giving the Belial to attack them.
One of the remaining Nightmare units attacked with its blade but was blocked by the blaze luminous shield on its forearm, but the Belial unveiled one of its hidden weapons. A design innovation proposed by Lelouch and implemented by Lloyd was the inclusion of retractable MSV blades within the legs of the Ryder. Typically the legs of a Ryder were used for balance and additional navigation and thrust control, although sometimes missile pods would be attached to them never had melee weapons been incorporated into them.
Creating an opportunity for a surprise attack, which L7NN gleefully made use of as she knocked the offending Ryder away before impaling the cockpit with a roundhouse kick. In that same motion, L7NN used the Belial's forearm integrated VARIS to shoot apart a second Nightmare attempting to avenge its slain kin.
Arcadius and Fontana observed the closing moments of the battle before the PACT carrier exploded cutting their live feed of the fight, but noticing the open communication channel was still open Lelouch as Zero couldn't resist one last remark before the PACT Carrier sunk.
"I call checkmate Arcadius for this round," Lelouch said seconds before the transmission ended with the Carrier's destruction.
"Zero," Arcadius said with barely restrained anger.
Cullen was trying to get more forces to reinforce the small attack force they had dispatched, but Fontana knew Zero and the Black Knights would be gone by the time they could muster a sizable enough fleet to Caleb.
Zero…you and your Black Knights are much more resourceful than anyone could've imagined yet I wonder how you came across such a treasure trove of Lost Technology?
Fontana knew Arcadius was likely asking the same question as well internally, but his superior was no doubt seething in anger over defeat they were dealt.
Our campaign will be a difficult one with such a force on the table, Fontana noted internally.
Around the same time, after quickly collecting their Ryders, the Black Knights fled Caleb's system before PACT reinforcements could arrive. Despite a force of Prototypes arriving on the battlefield, the Black Knights managed to win and accomplished their goal with the evacuation completed, but their victory came at a cost with the loss of one Excalibur-class ship, the Dominion, was lost along with four Knight pilots and two Attia units.
All in all their losses were relatively light given how badly the battle could've gone after the Prototypes arrived. Their other ships were lightly damaged, and they took on some of Caleb's Ryder pilots and former planetary security personal members which should replenish their ranks for the losses they suffered.
Right now Lelouch had one problem he had to deal with…
Standing in front of L7NN, outside the cockpit of the Belial on a boarding catwalk, Lelouch met eyes with the Prototype while around them armed soldiers leveled their weapons at her.
"I am curious how you escaped," Lelouch asked.
"Blame it on stray missiles hitting the right spot on your ship causing a power surge," L7NN answered with a smirk. "I guess your new ships had a slight defect."
"It will be corrected. I assure you."
"Maybe, but I won't be going back where I think I can be useful to you?"
Under the mask Lelouch raised an eyebrow, "are you offering to be the pilot of the Belial?"
"Well do you have anyone else who can pilot this wonderful machine," L7NN asked.
"What assurance can you give me that I can trust you?"
"I want revenge on the others who abandoned me," L7NN offered. "Give me a chance to get at their throats especially at the original who came before them, and I'll gladly kill anyone in your way. It's not much, but how many men you would've lost if I didn't get involved?"
Lelouch contemplated this, although he could have Jeremiah remove the order he had implanted within her before applying a new Geass-induced order. However, that same Geass Lelouch placed on L7NN preventing the Prototypes from regaining control over her so he couldn't remove it.
The decision was not an easy one to make, because he knew some among the Black Knights could take issue with it.
"I have made an alliance and recruited more questionable people in the past, so I'll allow it. However, you are going to have to prove to the rest of the Black Knights my faith in trusting you will not be misplaced," Lelouch warned as L7NN felt his eyes bearing down upon her behind his mask.
"Fair enough…I would call you a fool if you trusted me too easily."
"There will be some concessions I'll ask of you, but for one L7NN is too much of mouthful. From this moment on I am granting you the name, Lynn."
"Lynn huh," Lynn said not seemingly minding the name before a thought came to mind, "I would like to be called Lynn Ashada."
"Ashada?" Lelouch asked having never heard of that surname.
"It's a surname I remember, but one the original of those like me hated, so I am taking it to spite them."
"Very well…"
Sighing internally within his mask Lelouch wondered if this new recruitment would work out, but given how dangerous the Prototypes had proven to be especially if they attacked with more significant numbers on their side Lelouch realized they were a danger he couldn't ignore. He would need every advantage he could seize so Lelouch can win the battles against PACT that lay ahead.
The war had just only begun…
A/N: finally I finished this chapter, and the battle was a real doozy to do because I had never done such a massive space battle before, so I am anxious about the flow.
I do apologize since I tend to go a little overboard in trying to describe the new and original Ryders I have designed for this story, and the Belial I was going to initially name the Mordred, but I thought its chosen name would be a much better choice. Lelouch's own machine was decided a long time ago while I drew inspiration from the past machines he had used to give him something genuinely customized for him.
I was a little hesitant on introducing Lynn into the Black Knights like this, but I was growing concerned about the OCs I had made already, and I tried to give Lelouch a named pilot for the Black Knights with a very formidable machine. It's built to handle Prototypes, but it can be overwhelmed if Lynn isn't careful.
Two years to go until Cera's fall and how far and what more can the Black Knights do? PACT is quite literally going to have to fight for every inch of the Neutral Rim now.
With that done, thank you all for reading the chapter I hope the battle worked out. I'll see you guys' next chapter.
Below are the specs for Lelouch's machine.
Model number: BKR-X00S
Code name: Amakusa Tokisada
Unit type: Command Type Custom Ryder
Manufacturer: Order of the Black Knights
Operator: Order of the Black Knights
First deployment: Galactic Year 500
Chief Designer: Lloyd Asplund
Pilot: Lelouch Lamperouge
Developed From: Type-0/0A Shinkirou, IFX-V301 Gawain, RPI-V4L Gareth, Z-01Z Lancelot Albion, Ryuvian Scout Ryders
Accommodation: single pilot, in panoramic monitor/linear seat cockpit in torso
Dimensions: overall height 20.14 meters
Weight: 80 tons
Armor materials: unknown
Powerplant: fusion reactor, Ongessite-0 fuel cells
Propulsion: unknown
Equipment and design features: Druid system analysis complex; Absolute Protection Territory energy shield system; Electronic Countermeasures Package; Optical Scanners and Long Range Sensor package; ECM dishes and scanner (built into the ornate fins on the shoulders and head, capable of transmitting and receiving 10,000 petabits)
Fixed armaments:
1 x Structural phase transition cannon (Zero Beam), mounted in the chest, can be used in conjunction with liquid metal prism
2 x Type-7 Avenger hadron cannon, mounted on shoulders
2 x MINI-GAU 80 mm machine cannons, mounted in the chest around the Structural Phase Cannon
1 x 6-tube missile launcher, three rounds per launcher, mounted on the chest
2 x 4-tube missile launcher, three rounds per launcher, mounted one on each leg
2 x MVS (maser vibration sword), stored in scabbards on the backpack, hand-carried in use
Optional hand armaments: 2 x Super VARIS (variable ammunition repulsion impact spitfire) rifle, Ryder Assault Rifle, stored behind in the waist in compact storage mode