Throne of Glass
Holy shit breath of the wild
I couldn't put the game down long enough to finish this chapter.
Chapter ten: Welcome to the Black Knights
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Kallen was absolutely reeling.
She watched the calm and passive blonde dust himself off, rolling his injured shoulder like it hadn't likely been dislocated just moments ago. "I'm really sorry about all of this." Allen told her, brushing away a black armored arm from inspecting his injury. "Primarily because it's my fault we were out here in the first place."
She shook her head, still slightly spinning. "No." She answered. "It's...it's okay." She was still trying to make sense of everything that had just happened. She honestly couldn't believe Allen, the charismatic and cheerful vice-president of her school, was in charge of the Black Knights. Oh yes, she knew all about them, who they were and what they were doing for the ghettos. And she could not for the life of her understand what he would be doing working with them.
"I know it's a lot to take in, but truthfully, I hadn't hoped for this to be my way of introducing you." Allen spoke to her with a sad smile, and she blinked in surprise.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"I've been meaning to ask you to join the Black Knights." Allen answered bluntly. "For quite some time now."
Kallen stood speechless. What the hell was he talking about?! Her join the Black Knights?! There was a million reasons why that made absolutely no sense at all; firstly being why he would have asked her at all. There was no way he knew of her connection to her brother's resistance cell, she was sure of that. "Why me?" She managed to respond.
"I know a bit more about you than you'd like me to." Allen admitted. "It's kind of my job to find people like you."
Kallen's eyes widened as she realized what Allen was referring to. "How do you know about that?!" She hissed.
Allen chuckled at her heated demand. "Like I said, it's my job." He gave her another smile. "And I take it rather seriously."
Kallen frowned at him, folding her arms. She watched the two black armored men standing at attention behind him. The initial shock had since faded. And a wave of doubt soon followed. But now she was beginning to wonder just why he was a part of the Black Knights. She briefly wondered if his position was one similar to hers. It was no secret that Allen was adopted, or in the least had a more complex family history. She would certainly be skeptical had this come in any other way to say the least.
"Well it is pretty late, what do you say we head back to the school? You can think about it on the way alright?" Allen offered her his hand, the good one that is. He felt unnervingly inviting, so much so she simply couldn't refuse. Instead she found herself asking a different question. "Why the school?"
He continued to smile at her. "I have something I would like to show you.
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Ashford Academy; 2015 ATB
The walk was quiet, and uneventful compared to the rest of the night. The two Black Knights had since disappeared, likely still watching their master from the shadows. But it wasn't their eyes on the back of her neck that bothered her.
They had taken the train back into the settlement once they were clear of the ghettos. Though it had still been well over an hour before they arrived at the now empty school grounds. It was dark, and completely soundless save the footsteps of her's and Allen's feet through the hallway. She silently followed him as he moved purposefully through the building, taking her deeper in until they came to stop in front of a door not out of place from any other.
Allen silently opened the door, letting the dim hallway light reveal the emptiness of the room. There were a few miscellaneous items scattered about, but nothing of interest; and certainly not in this case. Kallen sat expectantly, not sure what she was doing here. Allen merely gave his usual smile at her questioning gaze, and continued to the back wall of the room. He typed briefly into a keypad on one of the cabinets, and instead of opening the container, the wall beside suddenly split in two. She jumped at the sudden passage opening up, and Allen chuckled ever so slightly at her reaction. He gestured toward the open elevator with an inviting hand, and she hesitantly entered before he soon followed. The doors closed, and she felt herself slowly descending. And very quickly, her nervousness faded into excitement. And the few moments it took for them to reach the bottom felt far longer. The elevator opened without any sound, and the breath Kallen was holding was instantly taken away.
The entrance opened up into a massive hangar, easily half the size of the campus above. Kallen looked all around the various knightmares stashed into dozens of bays with her mouth hanging open. "Incredible." Was all she could breath out.
Allen laughed as he walked out, his footsteps the only sound in the gigantic hangar. She slowly followed, her eyes anywhere but directly in front of her. "Are they...all different?" She asked, noticing the various frames were not similar, each looking different than anything she had previously seen before.
"Most of them. We have twenty four different prototype models. Though most won't ever hit mass production. And the few that do, won't be sold to the public." He explained with a grin. "If your skills are as good as rumored you may find yourself piloting all of them, till we find one best suited for your talents. They each specialize very differently from one another."
And indeed, Kallen could see the frames vastly contrasted from the others. Larger, smaller, and very unique builds were outfitted with practical to very bizarre armaments she had no clue as to how they worked. "That's just crazy." She commented, passing by a menacing work of metal.
"Most people think it's the military leaders best suited to stage a coup." Allen said. "But you know, the guys building the weapons have a pretty good shot too."
He laughed again, his ever present smile looking a bit more predatory.
"Ashford has been in it since before the Black Knights had that name. Back when they were the Narita Resistance. Or, as you would better know them, the remnants of Japan's former military."
Kallen blinked. "You mean that you're working with the old military?"
Allen laughed. "I don't mean to brag, but you really may come to see it as they work for us. They may make up the bulk of manpower, but even Kyoto holds more cards than they do."
"Kyoto?" She asked, confused by the name.
"Japan's old political power. Really just the Fuji mountains these days, but still pretty resourceful." Expect of course even they were in his pocket at this stage.
"Allen." Another voice called out, prompting them to stop their idle walk through the expansive base. "It's about time you finally showed up."
The one who approached them Kallen quickly recognized. "Suzaku?" She called to him. The Japanese boy was a member of the student council Allen had more or less forced her into joining.
"You're not the first school member to find yourself down here. Though Suzaku has been a part of this as long as I have." Allen told her, and she nodded a response.
"I've been waiting for you." Suzaku told Allen. "I have something to show you."
Lelouch knew from the way that he said it, it wasn't a good thing. He tilted his head to the red head beside him, and Suzaku shrugged. "If you want to."
Allen frowned. "Well, let's see what it is shall we?"
Kallen sighed. It had been a long day already.
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Viceroy's Palace, Area Eleven; 2015 ATB
"I don't think I should have to remind you that Camelot still wants answers to the attack on their facility, your highness."
Clovis sighed at the blue haired man in front of him. "We don't know anything about who is responsible. Haven't they been told this already?"
"Yes, but they don't really seem to care." Jeremiah replied from where he stood in front of the viceroy's desk.
Clovis pinched the bridge of his nose. He really didn't need those greedy fools up in his business, now or ever. Of course they had gone to the OSI to get answers, and now even more operatives were flooding his area. And it really wouldn't bode well if they weren't over his head to the emperor for a solution. It was the Black Knights; that was all there was to it. But Camelot demanded more. Not that there was anything to offer however.
"I'll continue to delay their questions your highness," Jeremiah offered. "But I would suggest that something be done regardless. These 'Black Knights' present a problem for you as well. The elevens have taken to them more and more lately."
Clovis nodded. He liked Jeremiah, he was useful. But unfortunately he tended to unintentionally undermine Clovis' subtle attempts to alleviate the gap between eleven and Britannian. And Clovis couldn't exactly outright tell him not to, without causing a scene at that.
"I know that Margrave, but the OSI is the only way I can quietly resolve this." Clovis answered.
"Perhaps I should hunt through the ghettos and question the elevens directly, surely some of them are part of the organization." Jeremiah suggested.
Clovis shook his head. "That would only prompt them to act more aggressively. The Black Knights have been very defensive up until now. The attack on Camelot was the first time they've done such a thing."
"Then what would you suggest your highness?"
Clovis only sighed. "Allow me time to find a better solution. Tell Camelot we're working hard to locate those responsible."
"Yes, your highness."
With that, the Margrave bowed low, before taking his leave. The prince watched him go, running a hand through his hair before sinking into his chair with a groan. A small snicker reminded him that he was not in fact alone.
"Do you have something to say?" Clovis spoke flatly to the woman sprawled in an armchair in the corner of the room.
"You're in quite the predicament aren't you?" The green haired woman said amusingly. "You might lose your power here before you even get a chance to do anything."
Clovis scoffed. "To say I'd 'lose power' isn't really accurate. But having my father turn his attention on my affairs is not an ideal scenario."
"Why don't you try to work with the Black Knights?" C.C. suggested in a serious tone. "What they are doing is your ultimate goal is one form or another."
Clovis simply laughed. "Are you stupid? Do you have any clue how many things are wrong with that suggestion? Nobody knows anything about the Black Knights. Their size, location, origination, organization; their isn't a single damned name attached to its leadership. And even if I could somehow find a liable person to speak with, I am a Britannian prince for god's sake. How do you think that conversation would turn out?!" He finished with his hands slammed against the desk, his face slightly flushed. The woman gave a small chuckle, amused she got him so worked up. He quickly collected himself, glaring at her. "What would you even know." He muttered.
C.C. shook her head, a bemused smile upon her face. "I merely gave you a solution. How you go about it is for you to figure out."
"I am more or less alone in the palace. No one in my retinue shares the beliefs I now have. I suppose that gives me a bit of cover, but I really don't have any room to do anything." He gave a heavy sigh. "I don't even know what to do right now."
Clovis glanced down at the damage reports Camelot had sent to him. "One problem at a time."
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Ashford Academy Black Knights Headquarters; 2015 ATB
Suzaku guided the two of them through a winding series of hallways Kallen imagined made up another half of the underground base. How he knew where he was going in the identical passages, she had no idea. But eventually they came to a room that the Japanese boy entered. Inside were a few computers, and a server that probably put anything else in the settlement to shame.
"I assume you haven't gone over the entire files from Camelot I sent you?" Suzaku asked Allen, who shook his head.
"No, not more than the first page. I had other things to do." The blonde replied.
"I figured as much. Otherwise you would have said something about this." Suzaku said as he brought up a file from the computer. A larger screen in the room lit up with numbers and phrases Kallen couldn't make sense of, but Allen studied them closely. "I found these emails going between the research center here, and another in the homeland." Suzaku explained. "This one best explains things."
"Test comparisons?" He asked, looking at the two columns of data. "But why is that one so..." His eyes widened suddenly. "What is this?" He demanded forcefully, to which Suzaku calmly replied.
"In light of the increasing international use of knightmares, Camelot created a new project stemming from research in the Sutherland frame. A variant model designed specifically for knightmare to knightmare combat. The RPI-209 Gloucester."
Allen closed his eyes as he took in the information. He remained still for a moment before a sudden outburst made Kallen jump.
"FUCK!" He screamed, slamming a fist against some sort of machinery. "Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT!"
Kallen shrunk away from the boy, mostly shocked by his sudden change of attitude. Never before had she seen him so angry. Suzaku however, remained unfazed to his outrage.
"You mean that everything we just did, was for nothing?" He asked, seething with anger. "That it was a complete waste?!"
A hysterical laughter broke out for a moment, the boy shaking his head. "A variant model." He spoke strained. "So the Sutherland won't even be affected in the slightest. It was pointless."
"The mission was a success Allen." Suzaku said insistently. "No one can deny that. You planned it perfectly, that wasn't a waste."
"I didn't see everything." Allen countered. "I failed to see every possible variable and that is where I failed. Can you imagine the consequences this would have in a more critical situation? The repercussions I would face?"
The words were left in the air as Suzaku watched the furious Allen with a cool gaze. Kallen frowned for a moment before opening her mouth without thinking. "Wait a minute," she interrupted. "You're talking about that Camelot place that was attacked? That was you?"
The two of them both looked at her. "Yes." Suzaku spoke slowly.
"You think that was a failure?" She asked incredulously. "People all over have been talking about that. Up until now everything Britannian has seemed nothing short of invincible. But you proved that wrong." She got in Allen's face, much to the blonde's surprise. "So what if you missed something. You won something else that's worth a lot more than some 'variant frame.' You've given people a hope that hasn't been there in a long time."
Allen continued to stare dumbfounded at her. Just as she had never seen him act so violently, he too hadn't seen what she was really like before. "I..." he started. "I didn't think of that."
Kallen huffed. "Maybe there's a lot more you don't think of than you realize."
"She's right you know." Suzaku added. And Allen barely so much as glanced at him. "And on top of that, you said so yourself that fifth generation frames were going to be staple of every military for the next four years. And we have complete data on our opponent's machine."
Allen still looked like he had been slapped for a moment, before he fell into a sigh. "You're right." He admitted, running a hand through his hair. "It's late, I must just be tired."
He turned to Kallen. "Maybe we should just continue this tomorrow."
She shook her head. "There's no need. You can count me in."
A grin slowly found its way back on Lelouch's face. "Well, at least we end the day on a high note. Welcome to the Black Knights, Kallen."
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Ashford Tower; 2015 ATB
Things had been busy the past few days for Lelouch. Not to say that he wasn't overly excited for what had been going on. He had almost completely forgotten about his foiled plans involving the Sutherland. He simply resolved to bolstering his own campaign rather than rely on sabotage. The Gloucester was an expensive, specialized unit, especially compared to the Sutherland. When his generalized, yet vastly improved frame was released first, he didn't doubt its lower cost would make it a simple matter to outsell Camelot. And his goals were worth a reduced income from selling the frames cheap, after all.
Of course that was only second to the far more incredible discovery lately. Previously, Kallen' skill was a mere rumor that floated around Shinjuku's resistance cell. Lelouch knew she was kept out mostly due to her familial relationship with its leadership. Which he made a point to use in her recruitment. But once he got her in a proper knightmare simulator did he realize what kind of jackpot he had actually scored. Her value ranking with that of Suzaku and himself, without even a single day's worth of proper training. Suzaku himself was a natural, while Lelouch's skill came from his rigorous training and dedication to knowing the frame inside and out like his own hand. But she was on another level entirely. And he couldn't wait to see what kind of potential could be unlocked with real training and experience. It was certainly enough to soften the annoyance he felt at his previous failure.
A sudden knock in the door made him jump, before immediately frowning. He wasn't expecting anyone, and a quick glance at Sayoko beside his desk confirmed that. Even still, he doubted anyone could make it to his office, let alone know its importance without reason.
"Come in." He found himself saying. To which the door opened in response.
In stepped a man who Lelouch had never seen before. He sported wavy hair a unique lavender color, wore glasses, and came dressed in a lab coat, of all things.
"Can I help you?" Lelouch asked the man.
"You're Allen yes?" The man responded, his tone sounding strangely amused.
"I am." Lelouch replied. "Is there something you came here for?"
"Ah, yes, I do hope so." The strange man answered. "My name is Lloyd Asplund. I am the head of the Advanced Special Envoy Engineering Corp of Camelot. Though I should say I don't come on their behalf." He quickly added the last part, seeing annoyance quickly appear on Lelouch's face. "ASEEC is a division of Camelot, but we don't exactly work together, in fact we haven't really done much of anything. Mostly because Camelot refuses to fund my work. I decided to come to you first, before I go and try some other sources, like prince Schneizel. He always seems to support worthy projects."
"Come to my for what, Asplund?" Lelouch interrupted.
"My dream, dear boy." Lloyd responded, in an unintentionally demeaning way. "Camelot doesn't see its value, and I hope you see otherwise. I call it Lancelot. It will be the world's first seventh generation knightmare frame."
Lelouch raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "Like a prototype model?"
The scientist nodded enthusiastically. He produced a document and placed it on the desk for him to see. "Its...pricey, to say the least. And no matter how many times I suggest the idea, Camelot refuses to fund me."
Lelouch looked closely at the few papers detailing specifications. He had to admit it would be an impressive frame, and a very expensive one. The list of parts and research was carefully outlined as well. "This machine would require an incredibly skilled pilot," Lelouch commented.
"Indeed, that alone makes it less desirable to a company that wants to sell hundreds of products. No one thus far can pilot it save the rounds." Lloyd said with a sigh.
Lelouch nodded. That wasn't a problem for him. He had two aces of his own that he knew for certain had the skill to pilot this prototype. It was a powerful, and far more advanced frame. If it was possible...it would be just perfect.
"I just have one more question for you Asplund." He looked back at the man.
"Yes?"
"When can you start?"
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Stadtfeld Manor; 2015 ATB
Kallen gave her bag one final check before nodding in satisfaction. There was little left here she even needed, or wanted. And god forbid she ever had to come back. Time and time again she pleaded with Naoto to take her away, to live with him in Shinjuku. But it was too dangerous he said. As if anything was more dangerous than living with her witch of a stepmother. One of them really would kill the other if she stayed any longer.
She took another look at the photo she always had under her pillow; the last one ever taken of her real family, six years ago. That was something she wished for, but knew she couldn't have. So she was settling for the next best thing. Allen had offered her a position in his black ops division. She would be the first in their knightmare squadron, and could even participate in missions like the one against Camelot if she proved physically adept. And she was moving to their facility to train full time. It was something she had only previously dreamed of. Something she had always wanted. And something Naoto constantly denied her.
She tossed the photo onto her clothes and closed the case. "Sorry Naoto." She whispered, slinging the case over her shoulder. "You missed your chance."
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