Sooo... this chapter is a little shorter than the last couple, but I found this had a nice cut off point. Allowing for more action to unfold in the next chapter. Which I of course hope you all look forward to. Things are unfolding and developing nicely, and I hope the rest is an enjoyable read because of it. This chapter is mostly talking, but we've not had as much these last few chapters, soooo... guess the characters kinda needed a catch up with one another.
Also, thanks to a review from Eliza211, a poll will be up on my profile regarding this story. Vote if you wish to give your oppinion.
Disclaimer: Don't own Code Geass. Sadly.
"So LL, that time you spoke of, I presume it's now." CC's voice drew Lelonixia from her thoughts of the day's triumphs and tomorrow's plans, her twin brother and adopted sister walking away once again, this time only until tomorrow where she would see them each once more. "Today has been quite the performance in the end, and even this moment feels scripted. So, you have shown me all you have, and can do, offered secrets, and now you wait on my answer don't you."
Nixie just nodded, it was the truth, today had been a success through and through, but here would be the icing on the cake, the cherry on top if CC would indeed join them or not, if her curiousity won out to apathy. "Yep, quite right, today has been a long tiring day of scripted scenes, each piece scheduled carefully to fall into place. But honestly, and I did swear to be honest with you, while I did leave this moment for you if you have come to a decision, this is the end of my plans for today. I just want to relax with friends and family, of which I hope to add you to the list."
Nixie stretched out as best she could on the ruined sofa of the old world, trying to make herself comfortable as she awaited the response of the lime haired woman, letting her take her time, knowing they had all the time in the world of sorts. Eventually the woman moved to one of the sofas opposite her, Nixie could feel CC's golden eyes on her as she relaxed. "I do not know about being friends, but we will be partners. I agree to your terms, win or lose, I will help you in this game, as long as you keep to your end of the bargain. If I find out you lied to me, I will make you regret it."
All she could do was smile, Nixie simply couldn't help it, she was never going to lie, nor hide anything. She was a woman of her word at least, if nothing more, and the trade off was more than worth it if CC truly did help her as she promised. "I swear CC, I won't dodge any question, and I won't answer falsely. I can't promise to tell you literally everything, because I don't know what there is you want to know or not, so you will have to ask your questions. But I will keep my word. Even the part about... An ending. If you desire that when it's all over." Nixie was less than pleased to bring that up, but she needed to make sure CC knew she hadn't forgotten or would try to play it off, she needed her trust. And now there were no time restraints, nothing to make thinking uneasy, to cause a lack of judgement. This was the time all truths came to the table and CC reacted entirely as she desired.
"Very well. My name. How do you know my name, I have not told anyone in possibly a hundred years. Not trusted a soul. We aren't meant for such things, CC is more fitting for those like us." CC was cold, her mask in place as her voice made her view of Nixie's knowledge quite plain, her name was a thing of the past, something she wanted to leave there. And Nixie would respect that, honestly, she could understand the need for a past and present and future in a persons life, and each stage sometimes meant letting things go.
But a heavy sigh, the weariness of the day catching up with her as she thought how best to answer. "Honestly, I didn't 'know' your name. I guessed. An educated guess, but it was a gamble. The difference between my brother and I is that I make up for my lack of intelligence by knowing the players rather than the game. And this is sadly a game in the mind of those that matter. The good news is, I know all the major players. Your name, CC, you are meant for your name, initials are cold and heartless, but you're neither. The cold and heartless don't feel alone, they don't feel sorrow or curiousity. And you are curious."
Nixe took another breath, before she continued. "I died, a long time ago, but to you it's probably a drop in the ocean really, and it wasn't death like you and I now face. I didn't come back. Not properly. I pissed off a god with my actions, and well, she sent me here into this world with a second life, a life which was never meant to be. I was never meant to be. The world I came from before this one, it had no Britannia, no Area 11, or royal family... Wait, technically it did, but the British royal family was screwed by King James I thiiiink and then the government after the civil war, if my history is correct? Sue me, different life, different world. No code, no geass, no ragnarok. The world was simpler and yet somehow just as much of a mess."
"But it also had such creative arts too. Books, films, shows, stuff called anime, and manga, comic books... And that's probably the only reason LL is starting to grow on me, House of El, alas, a whole world doomed to never know the existence of superman or supergirl from Krypton. But one of these fictional stories is Code Geass, this very world. Everything except my existence. I'm not meant to exist CC, not in the slightest, I don't belong. You have Code, true, but you were born here, you were meant to be. But I wasn't, and now I'm changing things, changing everything, this story was such a sad tale, and if I wasn't meant to be here, it doesn't matter how I leave it either, but I'm going to leave it better than it was meant to be. Simply put, I know your name, not because it even shows up in the series, the writers always left it out, but because that was the name they had in the planning phase. Hence, a gamble." Her words spoken softly, offering up a truth she hadn't shared before, offering up all without a lie, even if she rambled, she did that when she was nervous.
CC was stunned, or thinking, she was just silent as she processed it all carefully. Watching for any quirks or action to deem everything a lie, every word and free her from her agreement. "And why should I believe that? You're taking an awful large gamble on me believing you right now." She was correct, Nixie couldn't deny that, she simply couldn't. But what else could she say if she promised her the truth.
"You're right, it's farfetched, even for us. But, what else can I say when I promised you the truth? I could invent another tale for you if you wanted, but then I'd be a liar, I can't keep my mouth shut either. And in a world where you have gifted the power of mind reading to another, lived hundreds of years, and conspired to slay what you deem 'god', can you write it all off as fiction?" Violet eyes propping open as Nixie's head turned to gaze across at CC, to meet the golden eyes of the girl staring back at her.
"Very well, but I still want answers. You tell me you know all this from another life, yet where did you get your Code, when did you get it? There are only two of us to my knowledge, and now you're suggesting there are three. And what do you know of ragnarok?" Her eyes were piercing as if she felt threatened for the first time by the woman laying across from her, Nixie, who hadn't moved an inch, but her words cut through her air of mystery and any defences she might have had.
"I got my code from Nia, I abused my death in another life, so she made it so I couldn't die in this one. Nia is the entity that sent me here, god or not, she's higher up the food chain at least. I've had it since I was born into this world, I didn't steal it from VV, and clearly you're still alive. The sigil on my head glowed a few months ago, for almost an entire day, my birthday, so I'm willing to bet that's it. I can kiss eighteen rated games and alcohol goodbye." Once more trying to keep things light for their conversation, although CC didn't seem too impressed from what Nixie could tell.
So with a sigh she continued. "As for ragnarok, I'm a little confused on some parts, I wasn't some nerd really. I mean, I was, I am. But, I never read the manga, never studied the wiki's, Code Geass wasn't some fascination of mine, and yet here I am. The collective unconsciousness, in another plain of existence in this world, looks like Jupiter, and you, VV, my parents, you all want to kill it and destroy the world. Well, not exactly destroy the world, but, if I'm right, basically remove past and present, and individuality. And force everyone to live in a dream state of some kind? I'm really not certain exactly. As I said. But it's going to fail, in the series it failed, and it's going to fail here and now too. That world will never come to pass, and if you think of contacting my mother, I will take that as a betrayal of our contract. I'm well aware of her geass."
CC admitably looked shocked, it was clear she had been more forceful with that than she had meant to be. But she needed to get it across that she knew the details, there were no secrets of the past that she wasn't aware of on at least some level, even if she didn't understand entirely. Hopefully CC wouldn't desire to form new secrets in the future either, but that was up to her. "Very well, I care not for if their plan succeeds or not in the end, I just want to pass on my code and die, their plan requires my code. It was simply a means to an end."
"Well, honestly Cera, I want to change that attitude of yours, I get it, I haven't experienced it, but I do get it, wanting to die. Wanting peace. Wanting it all to end. I've literally been there and done that. And got denied, thrown into immortality. I wasn't even tricked, I just got thrown into it. We are in the same boat. But all things end, even we'll end eventually. But seeking death, there's no promise you'll find it any sooner. The only promise is that you won't enjoy what time you have, turning your own existence into the curse you make it out to be." A sad understanding smile was all Nixie could offer her, CC wasn't going to change in one talk, but she hoped bit by bit she could chip at CC's perspective.
"Without death we are cast adrift, a beginning without an end, just random events in time. We are without death LL, you will learn sooner or later what that means, you too are cursed like I am." CC's words dripping with melancholy, the same emptiness Nixie remembered feeling, the apathy for life she still felt at times. She shook her head as she sat back upright to face CC, "You're not wrong, we are cast adrift, like every other soul, we are like thread nailed to a point, our beginning, and left for the winds of fate to take us and carry and unfold our lives. But so is everyone else. We live longer, but the nun who gave you her Code, did she live forever?"
"No. She didn't, she found her escape, her ending, and she was wrong. She was vile and tricked you, and cursed you with geass, she took a child and used you and manipulated you. But the fact is, she's dead. We are immortal, in a sense, but we will end. One day, some how. We will. Our strands of fate are longer than anyone else's, true. But nothing is without end. And random events in time, welcome to life. You think anyone else remembers the linier timeline of events perfectly. You have lived a long time, and you've turned life into a curse, but you did that. Not Code. Code comes to an end, so try to enjoy it before then and maybe you'll stop feeling this way?" Nixie finished, standing as she stretched out her muscles which had fallen asleep.
"So, coming for dinner? I'd be a pretty shoddy partner if I let you starve, and it's time for the Rising Moon to gather properly, first time in two years. Going to be some fine food and tales to tell. Perhaps pizza, homemade even." Nixie smirked slightly as she tried to reel her into going if she dangled pizza on the line, the girl was after all, obsessed with it.
"Since you are responsible for me after that rescue and our current alliance, I suppose I will join you. But I want one thing first. If you hadn't gotten involved, what would have happened? You sought me out for a reason. So before we go, tell me why you have me here." CC's stare was hard as she asked her question, one that Nixie wished briefly, that she didn't get asked. But CC wasn't an idiot, of naïve. She was a grown woman with years of experience with people trying to use her.
Nixie sighed as she struggled how best to put it into words, the timeline was easy, but why she wanted CC here still, that was harder, not so easily put together. "You're in the series. I mean, it's literally called Code Geass, if I was never born, events would almost have been the same, but no Rising Moon, the local resistance group instead would have stolen that truck, but done so less successfully. Lelouch would have accidently been kidnapped by the cell, and eventually when you broke free of your prison, you'd give him the geass of absolute control, in the hope of him one day killing you. He'd fight the enemy here, his forces would have lost due to a player that didn't show up this time. But he'd have won the day by killing Clovis, having put his power to use."
"That's what would have happened today, you'd still be here, still making a contract, still allying yourselves with the budding resistance. But I don't want my brother to have that power, I don't want him to be in that position, to commit the evil he does in the series. Even for the good reasons he means. As for why I want you here, I want to see the same change in you that he manages by the end of the series, I simply want to help. I want you to be happy like you managed before, and if I'm going to change things for the better, I have to accept consequences, one of which, is that I might have otherwise changed your life for the worse. I can't say I'll manage it, but I want to try. Just as much as I do for Lelouch, Nunnally, Penny, Yuuto, Suzaku, Anya, Clovis, and I can really name names all day. This world is my responsibility now, my changes have made it, and I can't fail to make it a better place." They both stood there in silence as Nixie finished, she had kept her side of the deal, there would be a time for more questions and answers. But for now, CC was settled. She didn't know what to make of the younger immortal, but she knew that being her ally was indeed going to be an interesting time.
(Line Break)
The house was empty, pitch black even and looked abandoned, but looks were deceiving, once entered the sound of laughter could be heard from below. Nixie couldn't hold it against them that they had started without her, the mirth she could hear brought with it fond memories and a smile that she simply couldn't shake. CC in tow, the two of them had walked through the once again ruined ghetto to her home, the location she had dropped to Hiro at his post for them all to meet once again.
It was clear to Nixie from the noise that they had found her cooking waiting for them, and likely the alcohol she poorly hid knowing they'd go searching. Violet eyes gave CC a glance, attempting to offer security to the woman who she knew did not care for people very much, golden eyes looking back uninterested as they each descended down a concealed trap door into the cellar below. Lights flickered down the small hallway from the entrance, the door at the end leading into Nixie's true residence slightly ajar and the laughter and tales were all the clearer to be heard.
Nixie took her time crossing the distance, taking a joy in simply listening to them rejoice in their reunion. "So, I tell him not to touch the glowing stuff. What does he end up doing? Yuuto eats it!" A loud groan crossed the threshold as Yuuto obviously had some protests to the story Yuki was telling. "Oh, come on Yuki, one of the lab members spilt it on my food. I didn't even notice." His voice whining in a high pitch as Penny seemed to join in on the fun, her voice clearly entertained with stories of her cousin's pain and trials apart. "How the hell did you not notice glowing pink stuff on your food? What did you think it was, raspberry jam?" Another chorus of laughter going up at his expense.
By this moment Nixie had finally opened the door, and stood there silently, watching her family members crowd around a table, each of them having tucked in to the dinner provided, and bottles of alcohol opened. Her eyes roamed around the room, taking in every change she could find from the people she once knew, refreshing her memories of the similarities they shared with their past. Hiro seemed the easiest to tell, the scar running down his cheek was pink and raised, no longer fresh but stood out against his pale skin. Nixie made a note to ask how that happened.
Rinta was practically sitting in Hikiri's lap as they ate, the two of them as she remembered in appearance, but it seemed two years had changed the relationship between them, and Hikiri's mood had tempered. Nixie couldn't help but beam at them, she was happy they were happy. They weren't the only couple she noticed however, Penny was keeping it low and under the table, but she couldn't hide it from her sister. Her left hand hadn't raised above the table, and like the person next to her, their right hand also hadn't, the shy glances shared. Nixie would bet her last bullet that whoever that stranger was, Penny would see them join the family. The androgenous person while new, looked shy and timid, but also clearly fascinated and happy to be there, likely unaccustomed to the rambunctious attitudes of the inner circle.
Anya had changed a lot as well, gone was all her hair, shaved clean as a ball cap sat atop her head which kept her from noticing sooner. She had aged a bit further, matured, and even scarred. She simply seemed to Nixie to be all the more the warrior Nixie had known was in her from the start, the past two years likely having been rough on her and her team. Yuuto and Yuki beside her were just as she remembered, Yuuto having aged a bit further, the two had likely changed the least out of any of them. And Nixie simply stood there, CC to her other side as she leaned against the doorframe and watched with fondness.
"Boss!" The call cut short one of Hikiri's anecdotes about a heist they had performed over the separation, Anya having spotted her across the table, and they all fell silent as they turned to see their last member arrive and her lime haired guest beside her. "Come on, stop staring, sit, get some grub in you. This is a celebration isn't it?" The woman called out and Nixie simply smiled wider, looking to CC to gesture for her to step in before she closed the door behind them both and locked it. Nixie dragged a pair of seats over to the table as she took one for herself.
"Yeah, I guess it is. Now where's the 'hands off' pizza. Come on, pass it over." Hikiri grumbled before holding out a plate that Rinta took and passed down the line to Nixie, she noticed the 'Hands Off' sign had been partially ignored, a slice missing of the homemade cheesy pizza, but none the less. Nixie hoped CC wouldn't mind. Placing it in front of her guest with a knowing smile. "This here is a good friend of mine CC, she's going to be joining us, seems we also have another good friend joining the family, want to introduce them."
Penny blushed slightly as she nodded, caught out by Nixie's knowing look, "Sis, this is Kuro, I kinda invited them. I hope you don't mind? Kuro's been with us for a while and he's a bit shy, but I think he'd be great with us all." Nixie simply smiled at her sister all the more. Shaking her head slightly. "Of course I don't mind Penny, I'm just glad you're all here and in one piece. It's been far far too long. What was that about pink goo though Yuuto? Something about you not wanting to be here in one piece from how the tale sounded?"
The atmosphere broke out into laughter and jeers at Yuuto's expense as he simply buried his head in his hands and groaned loudly. "I didn't notice! Come on, Yuki. I thought we were bros, why'd you do this to me?" Yuki simply shrugged, his scarf having unravelled a little from all the laughter, revealing his face for once, the grin was a sight to remember. Nixie wouldn't forget today no matter what came. "Oh come off it Yuuto, it's because of that I have to tell them. Wouldn't be very funny otherwise."
The group stayed up until the early hours eating, swapping stories and generally sharing in happy memories as they reacquainted themselves. Nixie did her best to make sure CC and Kuro didn't feel left out, as the group seemed to react just like old times, the day couldn't have had a sweeter ending for her.
(Line Break)
"Your majesty." A voice spoke up from the line gathered before the desk of the despondent royal, the group were his advisors and influencial parties from the country that answered to him, those he could trust and rely upon to run Area Eleven, from the Margrave Jeremiah Gottwald, to Countess Aethelind, and all manner of others who ran similar cities, or had a hand in the management of key infrastructure like research and development or the mining of sakuradite.
There was one missing however, the prince's favourite and loyal servant, the large man having died earlier that day after a failed attack against the native terrorist threat, and Clovis wasn't entirely sure how to handle the death of his friend and personal advisor. The man also ran his military, and left a gaping position to be filled both for the prince, and the military hierarchy. While Clovis still had authority, all the people there who watched the man who had summoned them simply take another sip of his wine knew that he wasn't a military leader, it wasn't his forte, and worse, right now he was in no state to respond accordingly.
"Your majesty, I think I speak for everyone when I say that a great injustice has occurred today. And while we are all grateful that you are unharmed, we need to look at swift retribution against these savages for General Bartley who will be sorely missed in this campaign." Jeremiah was the one to speak up, trying to rouse the prince from his depression and try to bring forward the talk about how to respond. He himself greatly in favour of complete crackdown on the eleven's present.
"You are joking I presume? Retribution with what forces Jeremiah? You would risk leaving the capital undefended in a time like this?" Another of the advisors spoke up, seeking to voice their own opinion to which still the prince was somewhat despondent, watching them through distant eyes with his glass of wine. "What we need is more information, and then precision missile strikes. Crack down harder on the ghettos too. Smoke them out and make them starve."
"Enough. All of you. Silence. I am thinking." Clovis finally spoke up, his voice cutting through any responses from the others, all eyes turned on him as he straightened up in his chair. Setting the glass aside. "Diethard, enact the funeral arrangements, he died saving my life, we'll bury him properly. Jeremiah, you're to guard the procession, I shan't allow the savages a second chance to disgrace him. Earl Asplund, I do not have authority over you like my brother does, but I think it's in all our best interests if you can get your paperweight working, find a pilot, I don't think it matters who. Military operations will resume after the funeral, which will give me time to pick a new general, and reallocate our forces so we do not leave ourselves vulnerable."
Most of the room was actually rather amazed at how well the man had handled the situation, his lazy demeanour had changed, and while not all agreed, they all agreed it was a sign for the better. A round of 'Yes, your highness' from some of the more loyal yes men. "Your highness, I am curious, do you happen to know who's responsible for all this?" The slowly chosen words of none other than Countess Aethelind could be heard, rising up over the chorus of 'yes'.
"Enough! If you have answers, spit them out. You have my brother's favour, snake, not mine. Countess." It was clear to all the prince was in no mood for games, never before had he been so angry or vicious, losing Bartley had changed the prince. And while Countess Aethelind still believed his bark was worse than his bite, being the incompetent fool he was, she at least appreciated his full and undivided attention which her small provocation granted her.
"Of course, your highness. I merely believe I recognise the design of this intricate and elaborate showcase, and if indeed my suspicions are correct, then Bartley did not die saving your life. He was the intended target. The Lunar Spider does not make such mistakes." It took a second, there was silence for a heartbeat, before the yes men turned vocal, each with protests of their own to counter her statement, each believing the Rising Moon destroyed years ago. Wishing all too hard for the Countess's liking. Jeremiah may not like the Countess, but he didn't disagree, she had spent more time dealing with that faction than any of them, and she was a set above the rest of those gathered in cunning.
"I am aware however one of my subordinates in my city claimed they were destroyed, dead even. I never thought so myself, but I did not wish to involve myself in smearing a good noble's name unless I had proof. I will of course bring them before you to investigate yourself, your highness." Aethelind's smile took on a distinctly predatory look, while unthreatening to any present, it was clear to all the gleam in her eye and the sharpness of the corners of her lips showed something was coming to fruition. And Clovis hated being played.
"Deal with them yourself. I have bigger concerns. If you're correct, I will need to think on how to proceed. But we'll first see if you are correct, I task you and Jeremiah with finding proof of your suspicions." He didn't care for dealing with some grubby noble who claimed credit, not now, not when his friend was murdered and his military took such a strike. He wondered at times what she was thinking when she came trying to curry favour with him with such petty measures, but maybe she could redeem herself with this task.
Countess Aethelind simply bowed her head. Her smile growing wider for but a moment as she did, thoughts on how to punish the fool in her city for attempting to compete with her business through such means were set aside for later, she did after all have free reign to deal with him. For now however she focused on the task at hand, one she was quite interested in accomplishing, to return to her game with her prized baby rat. "Yes, your highness, I know just how to lure them out. I assure you, it shan't compromise the city or Jeremiah's other duties, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave and begin preparations your highness?"
A curt nod was her only answer as she was dismissed, the rest left to deal with other finer points in management. The whole concession having started to bore her long ago. Aethelind couldn't help but notice if the man took his job seriously from the beginning, most of that discussion could have been otherwise avoided. With the death of the large oaf, she supposed some good was coming to Area Eleven but only time would tell what opportunities her spy would reveal to her when she finally made contact after all this time.
(Line Break)
"So, Boss, hate to bring the party to a close, but I think we all want to know both how you pulled that shit off, and what the hell is going on now? Two years, and we come back under the radar, with a pre-planned, pre-assigned mission which goes off without a hitch. And you even broke your number one rule, no killing." The room fell silent as Anya put her drink down, everyone turned to look at Nixie, including CC who was silently spectating as she ate her pizza.
Nixie took a moment to set aside her plate and take a sip of her drink. Before resting the cider on the table in both hands, her eyes fixed on the bottle. She missed cider, this world didn't have her favourite any more, in fact, her memories of the old world were fading bit by bit as she became someone new. But she knew she loved the sweet taste of cider in her last life, cool and refreshing, and luckily due to Code, she could enjoy it without getting addled. She pushed her luck for another sip as everyone just watched patiently, clearly eager for her reply.
"Different phase of the moon I guess. I came to knowledge a while ago that our good friend the Countess isn't the only one with top secret toys, and well, I saw an opportunity to pull the Viceroy's out from his treasure chest and use it as a carrot. Over the last couple years you've each been supplying one another with the information required to pull this off. Penny, you got the transport logs, Hikiri and Rinta, you stole the truck. Anya, your team got the demolitions in place. And more. You've been working on your own in your own teams for so long now, but even for all the jobs you did yourselves, a couple you did for me. Remember, I left instructions, you followed them. This was the result." Nixie shrugged, it wasn't hard, but of course, she had foresight in this instance. But even so, two years was ample time to prepare, slowly moving each piece into position her teams had been left instructions in her absence, and unwittingly been supplying one another with supplies and intel without knowing it.
Nixie felt a little bad for tricking them, for playing them like that, but it was only for their own safety. Each 'cell' couldn't compromise the rest this way, minimising the risk should the spy still be among them. And to the rest of the world, even each other, the Rising Moon would have appeared dead. "Yeah, but... Nixie, come on, you still had someone killed right, something's different this time around. Plus, you lured them to the ghetto, we never used the ghettos for cover, you know this." Yuuto spoke up, confusion clear on his face as she nodded.
"I did, and I don't regret it. He wasn't even a soldier following orders, he was a general, a co-conspirator. Took part in inhumane trials and human research and gave stability and support to an unfit ruler. Listen, killing has never been my path, I made an, exception. And I fear it's not going to be the only one okay. Times really are changing. I lured them to the ghettos knowing the risk it posed to the civilians, because I needed to set up a piece on this board that only one other can play, that voice on the radio, he needed to be brought to bare. I had to force his hand or he may never rise up like he was meant to." Nixie looked down again, back to her drink as she pondered how much to tell them.
"That man is a tactical genius, I spent the last two years finding the right leader for this. That was my mission, as you each had yours, this was mine. He's smarter than I am, he can lead armies, nations if he must. It's his destiny to dream big, and achieve bigger. You all saw what he made happen today, I set him up indeed, but the tactics, that was all him. And the cell here, I guess they're my gift to him. The Shinjuku cell is different than most, they're a resistance cell, but they have morals, potential, I guess this was my attempt to set him up with his own cell. To see what he can make of them. Either way, we're back. And we'll do what we can, but if everything goes to plan, the Rising Moon won't be alone. And this time we'll change things for good." The entire room picked up on her melancholy, the party spirit having started to fade with the talk of business.
Nixie sighed heavily, "I just hope it won't change us too much. But war is coming. I don't like terrorism, and I don't like death. But what's coming will be warfare on an open and even battlefield... Probably, that man will make things even at least. I don't know. Future's not ours to see. But that person on the radio, I'm going to meet with them, and they're going to set things in motion, we'll be apart of it, but we need to stay true to ourselves, who we are and what we do. In the end, they're going to need suppliers. You all have a couple days off, get reacquainted, catch up, meet the Shinjuku people. I'll set things up for the next mission. We'll just take it one step at a time. Okay?" Sounding weary and hopeful, Nixie was genuinely asking if they were okay with her decisions. It had been too long since she'd been in charge, too long and her orders were so radically different.
Yuuto was the first to speak up. Nodding. "It's okay. You taught me a long time ago now, that hurting civilians, hurting the innocent, that wasn't right. And we can hurt their infrastructure like you taught us. But I guess it's also about time someone hit their military too. Maybe combined we can lessen the losses to both sides? Even if we took the lead, there's the JLF, Blood Of The Samurai, The Kyoto Group, and so many smaller cells like this Shinjuku group, sooner or later one of them is going to start fighting. Taking part is the only way to manage it isn't it? That's your intention right? To manage the conflict?"
Nixie smirked, smiling as she took another sip of her drink, partially wishing she could feel the effects. But she nodded to Yuuto. "Something like that. I have no illusion of being able to manage anything. But, there's a fractured Britannian superpower, each royal member with their own army, the Chinese Federation, African warlords still struggling to survive, and the EU is entering negotiations at the moment, this world is a powder keg, and we're sitting on top of the most desirable piece of real estate on this planet. I just want to keep people alive you know? If I can leave the world a better place than when I entered it, I'll be happy."
"That's why we have to be careful, killing the viceroy opens up the island to opportunistic scum from inside and out, and change of such a level will bring people looking to secure their position and power. Which could very well mean cracking down on the innocents. The lesser of two evils however is to destabilise the government we have, so, while I'm unsure how we're going to do it at the moment. That is our immediate goal." Nixie offered a smile to the group, glad that Yuuto seemed to be on her side, or at least understanding the situation somewhat.
Anya however was the next to speak up, grinning as she raised her beer in toast. "To a changing phase of the rising moon." A small round of cheers went up. "We're with you Boss. You ain't lost your heart, and that's what most of us were afraid of. Having someone killed. We've all killed before, even under you, but never as a direct order, we were afraid things were different. They are. But it's not necessarily a bad different. Let's see where this path takes us." And like that, the mood lifted, and the celebration resumed, everyone happy to be together once more, the sour note of change having been lifted with reassurances of it being for the better.
(Line Break)
When morning came around, Jeremiah rose early with the first light, a military man through and through he was used to such things. But still, even he required his cup of coffee before enduring a meeting with Countess Aethelind so early in the morning, that woman had a reputation of being manipulative and cunning. The snake of the court, and as a military man, he had no desire for such games, he may be nobility too, but the only thing in common that they shared was neither cared for such titles when there was better work to be done in name of the empire.
He could respect that, Jeremiah truly did, the way she thought through everything, he did ponder from time to time if perhaps she'd move to a military branch and cut out the politics entirely. But she didn't, she remained firmly in the progressive branch of nobility, pushing forward Britannian interests while cutting through the politics with ease, in a way, he couldn't deny the empire needed more like her in that field too. So, with an uneasy respect between the two, he went for his first joint meeting with the woman at her office here in the capital. Entering without delay as he was indeed expected.
"Ah, Jeremiah, punctual as ever. I can respect a competent soul, I see you haven't lost your edge yet. I wish there were more like you." Her words were sincere, at least as sincere as they could be coming from her. Aethelind's tone always left a note of doubt whenever she was giving compliments. "I'm glad it will be us working on this, with any luck, you'll be promoted to the next general. That is something I do sorely hope to see."
"Perhaps Countess, but such positions are beyond my interests. I serve my prince however I may, it is he who shall decide how best that can be done. As of right now, he has decided that I am to hunt down your, theory, with you. A sound theory I agree. But, they have hidden for two years, if it is correct, then proof will not be easy to come by. You know this?" He stood before the desk at ease, his posture clearly portraying his military heritage. The woman offered a knowing smirk at the sight of the formal appearance even at ease, taking another sip from her glass of wine.
"Quite right, right indeed. That rat has escaped me for four years now, sometimes by the very tip of her tail, she's smart, I met her once face to face. Every other time behind a mask, I can't promise they're actually the same person, but that girl, she's smart, very, her cell is small, or started that way, and she makes miracles happen. She tried to stick to the shadows, and understands PR, but just when we started to smear her name and drag her into the light, she vanished. I know it's the same one. I simply know it. So, shall we get started on our plans?" Aethelind finished the glass of wine and set her glass down upon the desk.
"So, to start with, I have a contact within the Rising Moon who'll get us details, information on their moves. With it, I'll entrust you to prepare the military side of things as I will assist in the planning and predictions of their moves. Does this sound acceptable?" Aethelind proposed her intentions, hoping the pair would find acceptable ground to cooperate from, and Jeremiah had no protests, it incorporated both their strengths for the best effect. But what was this about a contact.
"A contact, a spy, I take it this is your plan to bring them into the open? False information, or simply setting a trap based on information gathered from them?" Jeremiah began running scenarios through his head, wondering how best to use the opportunities that this spy could offer them. But of course, it'd all depend on Aethelind, it was her operative, and sadly that left him somewhat at her mercy when it came to how she decided to involve him. But he would do his best none the less, Jeremiah had faith in her abilities, so he would play his part.
"Something like that. They're going to move again, but it may not be for a few days. When they do, I'll find out the details, this needs to be handled with extreme care. I can't jeopardise this operative. They are incompetent, flawed, and frankly a disappointment. But they are sadly irreplaceable for the time being, doubly so given their unique circumstance within this organisation. So we use the information with care so as to not draw attention to their continued presence there." She seemed to sigh heavily as she drew another breath as if contemplating a great disappointment.
"Right, so, I have nothing for the moment, but I'll need you to stand ready to respond as soon as I get word, in case we need a rapid response, my agent isn't the best when it comes down to... Anything. Which includes giving appropriate time for us to mount a true response. So we'll simply have to do the best we are capable of." Jeremiah could do little more than nod, he understood how such operations typically went. There was never enough time, or manpower, or lacking equipment. It was the fate of soldiers on the ground, something he vowed never to forget if he did make it to the position of general. The higher up the food chain, the more impossible the orders seemed to become, he couldn't help but wonder if he'd only add to that.
With little more to speak about, they shared initial plans and responses, open ideas that could be enacted at a moments notice, and how best to communicate with one another. Also some preparations for the security of the funeral, in case the Countess's rats decided it would be a good idea to show up. They were quite thorough with their preparations before the morning was over, and they parted ways.
(Line Break)
It wasn't long after he returned to his own office before Villetta Nu, his second in command knocked upon his door and bid entry. Offering up a message handed to her in private, a hand written note sealed with a wax stamp after it was folded over on itself. Apparently it was given to her by a young woman with expressed orders for its delivery to his hands only, the seal itself the mark of Aethelind's nobility offering all the currency needed to at least ensure it did arrive in his hands.
So there Jeremiah sat in his office as he broke the wax seal, unfolding the piece of paper to read the message someone took such care to get into his possession. 'To A Most Loyal Servant, I write this to you, bypassing my own master, with the knowledge that you seek the ones responsible for the death of General Bartley. My mistress, Countess Aethelind, however does not. I have proof, evidence that she conspires with the Rising Moon for profit, and has been using my intel for her own gain above Britannia, and now it has cost a shining example of a Britannian's life, worse, put the prince at peril. Aethelind has spies everywhere, I wish to meet with you at the enclosed location below. Bring only those you trust with your life. And if I do not like what I see, I shall assume this letter has been compromised and disappear. I hope for Britannia this reaches you safely.'
The thought of the Countess being disloyal was a hard knock to his senses, but Jeremiah couldn't deny the possibility. The woman had profited from notable nobles losses, their assets struck as she delicately avoided Rising Moon and many others, including the internal power plays. If this truly was from her spy, then it was most disconcerting indeed. According to the letter he was allowed to bring accompaniment, but he best not make it too excessive or else his one chance to uncover something may disappear forever. Villetta waited patiently and loyally as he read the letter, and he knew who he'd take with him for this mission.
"Villetta, clear your schedule later, we have an assignment, be armed and ready by eighteen hundred hours, we'll get to the bottom of this Rising Moon business tonight, or drag some scum in by their hair if need be." She simply snapped a salute and left, his passionate command clear as he was already thinking about the possible ways to deal with traitors inside the government itself, he'd need to be careful. But it was his utmost priority. He had already lost one royal on his watch, his greatest failure. He would not allow Prince Clovis's reign here to fall as well.
AN: Sooo, there we have it. Chapter 14. I hope I didn't keep people waiting too long, and that it matches up to everyone's expectations. Again, do tell me if you think any character was a little off, I tried to make it accurate, but I'm now treading in uncharted territory where Nixie's influence isn't as strong, so of course, I do worry if Clovis or Jeremiah or the like act appropriately. After so many reviews, I definitely hope you all enjoy it.
Speaking of reviews, my dear beloved reviewers:
Skittertale: First off, love the username. Skittertale. Secondly, I'm not entirely sure if that's entirely an accurate description, but we'll see. They are definitely a fair bit more shadowy than the Black Knights come to be, but the ties that bind may vary. Who knows, whimsy, it's an ever changing thing.
loop2: Oh yeah, Yuuto completely betrayed her loyalty. I mean, honestly, completely sold her out to peer pressure, a girl who's both younger than him, effectively family, and been taking care of him for the last few years. Even I hate him a tiny bit, buuut, it's what he would do. He's still trying to find his way, or at least, that's how I see it. So he's going to make mistakes. It's partly why I think Nixie would stick him with Yuki, so he can't get into trouble. Plus, I saw an opportunity to do the reveal and took it, even though I agree, it was both risky and who knows how far it could spread. Each of them has had their own team for two years, it could already have been passed on. As for the timeline, what you've seen in Chapter 13 was literally the first two episodes of the series. So, just the very beginning from a different perspective. No need to worry too much, as more major events unfold, I'm sure it'll become clearer. As for the Lunar Spider, I'm not sure that Nixie will part with it willingly, her goal has always been to keep her brother's hands clean, or cleaner than the series which lead to his ultimate sacrifice.
Hisako The Clown: I'm glad you liked it. That makes me happy to hear. As for Hunter x Hunter, I hadn't even heard of that before your review, but since then I have googled it, and I can see a few comparrisons. I'm still unfamiliar with the world of that series, but I did google the Phantom Troope, and the spider theme is similar, but I do hope its different enough. And there'll hopefully be no murdering for positions or the like.
Guest: Same as Hisako, I wasn't aware, but I do hope that you liked it none the less.
Eliza211: You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that you don't think she's a Mary Sue. It's pretty hard when you make a character who's literally immortal. But, I've set a few limitations on her immortality, which I fear may not be entirely founded in the lore of the series. Like how it drains her energy, or the time it takes to heal. But just because she can't die, doesn't suddenly make a ten year old on par with trained soldiers, that's just a beat down that won't end waiting to happen. The only chance she has is to endure, and while the body will endure anything and everything, the mind can only take so much. As for Nixie and CC, I don't know if I'll ship them, I might just leave a poll on my profile and see what people think. If they fancy it, they can vote, and I'll see if I can shift things that way. But I can't promise, characters and such have to flow, and I can't force that. Buuuut... just as Hikiri and Rinta flowed together, and Anya and Yuuto flowed together, and Penny and Kuro flowed together, there's every chance CC and Lelonixia could. This is the first time a pairing has been requested/suggested by readers, so hence I'm going to make a poll. Do tell me what you think. Feel free to PM me, and place your vote.
So, to you all, I hope you enjoyed the read, I hope I kept you interested for more, and wondering what's next. Any questions, any desire to talk I'm always open for PM's. And as always, enjoy, read, review, favourite and follow.
Until next time. Farewell and be kind unto one another.