"War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other's children."
~Jimmy Carter
Time: 14:05:16 (a few days before the International UFN Conference)
Location: Imperial Palace, Pendragon City
"That concludes the meeting, we'll continue this tomorrow at the same time,"
Nunnally sighed and sat back in her chair, the meeting had gone long but now it was finally over. Behind her she could feel Zero's calm presence, it had become a source of comfort to her in years following what she learned had been called Zero Requiem. Since then Zero had almost always been by her side, half as much as her bodyguard then her advisor.
Sayoko approached her, "My lady shall we return now that meeting is over," She asked.
Nunnally nodded, "Let's go," She said as her wheelchair started to move.
In the last few days, meetings had dominated all of her time as the conference grew closer. After the attack on Tokyo, security had become the number one concern as the terrorist Infinity was expected to strike the conference in some as follow up to his explosive appearance on the world's stage. Nunnally was still unsure how she felt about Infinity, while she couldn't agree with his attacking a city, his words haunted her with fragments of the words her brother had used during his campaign. Many others had echoed similar idea as too some possible connection between Zero and Infinity, most simply considered Infinity a copycat of Zero and a lunatic at that, albeit a very dangerous one but Nunnally wondered if there was more to Infinity than what he seemed. Those who knew of Zero's and Lelouch's connection were having similar thoughts as her, Nunnally could tell in private communications between her and Kallen, Kaguya and others.
"Lady Nunnally, we are here," Zero said quietly shaking Nunnally out of her thoughts as she realized they were back.
"Thank you Suzaku," She said using his real name as no one else was around.
Suzaku shifted, his real name never used anymore except by Nunnally.
"If you'll excuse me then," He said starting to leave but stopping when he felt Nunnally grabbed the sleeve of his shirt.
"Suzaku do think Infinity has any connection to my brother?" She asked.
Suzaku was silent for a moment, "If Lelouch had someone like him in his confidence, he never told me about it,"
Nunnally shook her head, "No that's not what I meant Suzaku, do you think Infinity is in the right, is he another hero of justice,"
"I never thought that Lelouch was a hero of justice, so no I don't think Infinity is in the right anymore than Lelouch was. Lelouch may have created this world that we enjoy but I still think he methods were wrong, and Infinity's are just as wrong, things are not as they were before, the current system isn't perfect but it is better," Suzaku said, looked down at Nunnally.
"You are doing a good job Nunnally, don't let his words make you think otherwise,"
Nunnally smiled, "Thank you Suzaku, that means a lot,"
Suzaku nodded, "You should rest for a bit, there will be more to do later this afternoon,"
Nunnally nodded, "Right,"
Suzaku watched Nunnally enter her room, then turned and walked down the hall where another meeting awaited him.
'I will not let history repeat itself again,'
Time: 09:25:56
Location: Japanese Delegation Convoy on route to Pendragon City
"Alright then you all understand your assignments?" Tohdoh said to the group of Japanese forces in front him.
"YES SIR!" The group responded loudly.
"Remember, we are representing Japan at this Conference, I expect all of you to be on your best behavior and show them all the pride of the Japanese military and conduct yourselves accordingly,"
"YES SIR!"
"Dismissed,"
As the group split off to wait in their hangars while the convoy traveled, Kallen sat next to the Guren deep in thought.
~A few days ago~
'Going to Pendragon City, bring me back a souvenir would you, pretty please?' Simon said his normal smirk still in place.
Kallen glared at him, not having a clue why she had bothered coming to see him again.
"Make sure you get yourself a good seat to see the action, would hate for you miss any of it,"
"How do you know that there's going to be action? Did Infinity tell he was planned to attack the conference?"
Simon's face betrayed nothing of his thoughts.
Kallen scowled and turned to go.
"You hope he does show up though, don't you, deep down all of you want him to show up, give you an opponent to fight, a reason to battle, peace is so boring isn't it, war's much more interesting," Simon said, he laughed.
"I won't get your hopes up girl, but I'm sure that something interesting will happen, what exactly it will be who knows, but have fun with it," Simon said as Kallen left.
"Kallen,"
Kallen was jolted out of her thoughts by Tohdoh's voice.
"Yes, Commander what is it?" She asked getting to her feet.
"You know as well as I do, that it is highly likely that Infinity will stage some sort of disturbance or attack upon the conference, I will be relying on you and the Guren in case that the enemies knightmares make an appearance,"
"I will be ready Sir," Kallen answered.
Tohdoh nodded, "Good to hear, make sure you get some rest, tomorrow will be a big day,"
Time: 16:05:48
Location: Grand Royal Hotel, Pendragon City
"A rather nice view wouldn't you say Emiko," Infinity said as he looked out the window to see the city of Pendragon lit by the light of the setting sun.
"It's quite beautiful Infinity," Emiko answered.
"What do you think Nina?" Infinity said giving her a glance from where she sat at the dining table, Tony standing right behind her, an ever watchful guardian.
"It's nice," Nina said without any enthusiasm.
Infinity smirked, "All the world's a stage, if that's true then I suppose Pendragon City, Capital of Brittania and home to UFN would be center stage, if that's the case who do you suppose is backstage Nina,"
Nina didn't answer for a while, "I don't know," She said quietly.
Infinity nodded, "Those who get to walk on the stage often have very little idea of the work done by those behind the curtains,"
"So you're the spokesman for those on the backstage?" Nina said.
"Hmmm perhaps, I suppose I am more like an actor's agent who is trying to help them get out into the spotlight,"
"A show that never changes is boring wouldn't you agree?" Markus said from where he sat on the couch.
"Heh, the elment of change, dats what we ar," Tony said with smirk.
Infinity nodded, "And tomorrow will be the next step in the change,"
He looked out the window again.
"Markus go check on our pieces and make sure that their all in position,"
Markus nodded, "Right away,"
"Tony, take Miss Einstein back to her room, I'm sure she's tired after the long journey,"
"Right Boss," Tony said. He motioned for Nina to stand. Nina stood knowing that it was pointless to try fight. She stared at Infinity for a second.
"You're wrong you know that, this world is different, it has changed, you will lose,"
Infinity smirked, "I suppose we'll see the truth soon enough,"
With that Tony escorted her from the room.
Time: 20:45:12
Location: Cassim Akbar's personal residence (Pendragon City)
"Tell me Donald how are things progressing for the conference," Cassim said reclining on a well cushioned couch.
Donald, adjusted his glasses and began to look thorough his notes.
"All our preparations for the conference are ready and I've scheduled you an appointment with Mr Daiten about two hours before the conference begins,"
Cassim nodded, "How was Mr Daiten mood when you spoke to him?"
"Perturbed to say the least sir," Donald said.
Cassim laughed, "Good, it seems he's beginning to see that his struggles are pointless. Is everything ready for the agreement allowing Karazans entire into the United Arab States complete?"
"Yes sir, the documents have all be prepared,"
"Excellent, this meeting will be the beginning of the Arab States climbing out from under the boot of the UFN and reclaiming our proper place in the world"
Donald smiled slightly, "I look forward to watching your climb Sir,"
Time: 19:45:25
Location: George Daiten's Hotel Room
"I have finished filing all the proper paperwork for our appeal against the UAS," George Daiten said, conversing with the Prince via video link.
"That is good to hear my friend, tell me though do think it will do any good?"
George sighed, "No, your majesty I believe it will do no good, Akbar is paid up with the right people has enough supports on the council to squash any movement we might start, but I feel it is important to show him we will not be intimidated or cowed by him,"
The prince nodded, not saying anything.
"Akbar has asked for a meeting before the conference, doubtless he will once again extend us membership in the UAS, under his terms of course,"
The prince scowled, "His terms are completely unacceptable, we would be basically turning the country over to him if we abided by them, how the UFN can allow such a measure to used I still do not understand,"
"Some complain but Akbar has merely turned a death ear to them and spouted lines of useless rhetoric about what is best for UAS,"
"Best for him, personally you mean," The prince said.
"I believe in his mind the two are not different," Daiten said.
There was silence for a moment.
"Tell me George, anymore word from our sponsor?"
"Not yet your majesty," Daiten said.
"I admit I am becoming concerned about our dealings with this man, the current situation seems more favorable to Akbar then to us,"
Daiten nodded, "But we knew when we agreed that we would have to place all we had with him, our hands unfortunately are tied, right now we can only pray that he will follow through,"
The prince nodded but didn't seem pleased.
"Rest assured your highness I have put certain safeguards into place should he betray us," Daiten said.
"And you are confident that he will do as he said he would?" The prince asked.
Daiten thought for a moment, "He has proven himself a man of his word so far, and despite the current situations favorability toward Akbar, our position in the council has increased as Japan's Sakuradite is inaccessible for the time being, but it will take more than that for us to break free of Akbar's greasy hands,"
"I see," The prince said. He was silent a moment, "My God have mercy on our country,"
"May God have mercy on the world," Daiten said. "For I get the feeling your majesty we are but the first act, in Infinity's grand play for the world's stage,"
"His grand play… let us hope it is merely a drama, and not a tragedy,"
Time: 21:14:31
Location: City Streets (Pendragon City)
Markus walked down the streets of Pendragon, the area teemed with people and shops, stores, and eating and drinking establishments. To look at it one wouldn't think that merely two years ago this place had been the site of one of first uses for the Freya warhead strike.
"Humans…. Like cockroaches, leave even one and they recover like a plague," Markus muttered.
The roar of engines shook him out of his thoughts, he looked up to see the air transports of the Japanese Delegation arriving. He smirked, and put his phone to his ear.
"It's me, ya, the final piece has arrived,"