Belze: *still holding nuts* Goddamn loli's...
R.R: You were asking for it.
Belze: Thank god for the magicl power of Spandex or I'd be screwed right now.
R.R: It never ceases to amaze me how those suits can take so much damage.
Belze: What can I say? The japanese think of everything. Now let's ride.
Chapter 20: Terms and Conditions.
"Zero?" Kallen stammered, the redheaded pilot of the Gurren looking stunned at the Tekkaman's words, even as the rest of the Black Knights looked amongst themselves in confusion, a shocked Tamaki voicing his concerns vocally as he yelled at the Tekkaman over the intercom, Ohgi far to stunned to keep the man from making a fool of himself.
'What are you thinking Zero?' the school teacher wondered, looking at the Tekkaman's image over the view screen 'Didn't you learn anything from the last time? How can you be so willing to trust them?'
While the Knights voiced their displeasure at the current situation, only C.C, Todoh and Kaguya, and a bemused Rakshata held their silence. The Kyoto princess, naturally, was quite prepared to put her faith in her Husband's decisions, and was certain that, when he returned, he'd have more than adequate reasons for taking this risk. Rakshata, naturally, simply smiled coyly, having watched the battle with the Knights, recording the power output of the frames and Tekkaman for future reference. It seemed she'd been right to stick with the Knights, as Zero simply kept becoming more interesting by the minute.
C.C of course, never let anything get past her for long, the immortal witch simply chalking this up as another strategy on Zero's part, one that would be discussed upon in private.
And as for Todoh, the Military Leader of the Black Knights merely stood, hands resting on the pommel of his katana, his eyes remaining as impassive as ever as he listened to the Tekkaman's words.
'After all…' he muttered, his features softening by a scant hair as Tamaki yelled obscenities over the airwaves 'What kind of man would strike out at his own sibling?'
*******
On the surface...
"So you've agreed to the special zone?" Suzaku asked, the Knight of Seven narrowing his emerald eyes at the Tekkaman, who continued to hover before the Knights, his arms crossed and his purple eyes glowing "Do you honestly mean that? Or do you simply see it as a means to wash the blood from your hands?"
"I'm merely offering the Viceroy a chance to plead her case." Zero replied his tone calm and composed, compared to the silent anger in the Knight of Seven's "If she gives me a good enough reason to trust her, I see no reason why I shouldn't accept her offer."
"Is that really all it is?" Suzaku pressed, the Knight reigning in his anger at this scenario through sheer force of will, though it was a near thing "How do we know you won't simply repeat what happened the last time?"
"Suzaku…" Gino admonished, the grim faced Knight of Three cutting his younger comrade off with a stern look, the Tristan hovering alongside the Lancelot, it's lance held at it's side "We need to fall back for now."
"Understood…" Suzaku muttered, seeing the sense in the taller Knight's words, as they had to mount rescue operations for the capsized ships, the Knight sending a dark look towards his armored foe, who watched calmly as the Knights flew off to begin making preparations for the retrieval of their men.
*******
Black Knight's Submarine...
"Zero wants us to join the specially administrated zone?" Shougo wondered, the blue haired, bespectacled member of the Holy swords looking highly skeptical on the matter "What's he thinking?"
"Who Knows?" Chiba muttered, the female sword's arms crossed beneath her breasts as she scowled. She never did fully trust Zero, even after his revelation but she'd given him a bit of leeway when he surrendered official control of the Black Knights to Todoh "Did you know he was considering this, General Todoh?"
"No." Todoh countered, his features stern, but calmly reserved, his katana held in one hand as he waited for Zero to return "However, he didn't say he wanted to join…merely that he wishes to hear the Viceroy out."
"You don't think…" Ohgi began, the former school teacher's features grim as he held his chin, eyes awash with mixed emotions as he looked up at his fellow Leader "You don't think he actually agrees with her…do you?"
"He probably can't bring himself to be suspicious of a little blind girl." Urabe opined, the spiky haired sword nodding in understanding "I mean, she might be just a puppet, but perhaps if WE were the ones pulling the strings…"
"Zero-sama isn't the type to use children as pawns." Kaguya admonished, looking up at the spiky haired sword in disapproval "Perhaps he merely wishes to test the waters, to see if the enemy plans another betrayal."
"Kaguya's right." Tamaki insisted, the redheaded Knight grinning confidently as he squatted on the steps of the conference room, punching his palm "And once he's got 'em off guard, he'll swoop right in and nail 'em!"
"You're half right…" Zero called out, walking into the conference room, dressed in his normal clothes, the Knights snapping to attention at his arrival "Part of my reasons for wanting to speak with the Viceroy is to see just how much influence she has over her position."
"I see…" Todoh muttered, the grim faced Millitary leader nodding his head in approval "If she truly holds the reigns of power, and chose to instigate the zone of her own free will, then it may be that she's serious…"
"But on the other hand," Ohgi realized, the former second in command, now joint commander's eyes widening in stunned realization "if she's simply a puppet Viceroy, being used to garner sympathy…"
"Then we'd be walking into a trap." Zero agreed, his features solemn, even as he moved to extract a beaming Kaguya from around his neck, setting her down gently at his side "However, from my first encounter with her, I do not think she's the type to willingly take part in such an underhanded scheme." He grimaced slightly at the memory of that first meeting "She truly believes that peace can be brought about without fighting."
"So what…you're saying we should trust her?" Tamaki exclaimed, the redheaded, former resistance fighter looking up at the Tekkaman in stunned disbelief "C'mon Zero! She's obviously playing ya!"
"Tamaki!" Todoh barked, the grim faced former Soldier shooting the spiky haired rebel a warning look, silencing him before turning back to face his former commander "What do you propose we do then?"
"I think its due time I had another…chat…with Viceroy Nunnally." Zero muttered, the Knights looking between themselves in confusion as they watched the man walk off, a beaming Kaguya at his side.
*******
Viceroy's Mansion...
"I'd like you to please stick to the prepared manuscript this time." Alicia Lohmeyer instructed, the strict governess/assistant standing over Nunnally, watching her charge like a hawk as the blind Viceroy memorized her latest speech of a Braille pad.
"I was acting as Viceroy…" Nunnally began, trying to explain herself, once again, to the woman her father had assigned to keep an eye on her, only to be cut off once again, as always, by the older woman's disapproving tone.
"A Viceroy is not a king." The stern faced woman countered, looking down her nose at the stubborn child that she'd been charged with watching "They act as official representatives of the Emperor, ruling each area prudently on his behalf." She paused a moment to let this lecture sink in "We will support your attempt to revive the special zone THIS time," she frowned disapprovingly, having not expected the girl's daring to attempt such a thing "but henceforth, please consult with me on such matters beforehand."
Nunnally slumped, her little shoulders dropping slightly as she nodded her head, internally wondering just what good she could possibly do when her so called 'assistant' was hell bent on making sure she did as she was told.
'If it were Cornelia or Euhpie, we wouldn't even be having this conversation." The blind princess noted, flinching slightly at the memory of her elder half-sibling, gunned down by Zero the year before. 'Zero…Lelouch' she wondered, recalling the voice of the revolutionary, and the feel of his armored hand and frame, the memories intermingling with the memory of her brother's kind, gentle hands and voice 'what will you do…will you hear me out…or…?'
*******
Ashford Academy...
"You're taking a leave of absence?" Rivalz asked, looking up at the green eyed Knight of Seven. The Council had been working on the rooftop garden project when the Knight brought the subject up.
"Yeah," Suzaku admitted, the emerald eyed Knight of Seven leaning on the hoe he'd been using to flatten out the topsoil for the garden, looking apologetic "It looks like I'm going to be a little busy."
"Oh?" Milly pondered, the Ashford heir's tone coy as she mock pouted, pretending to be upset with the Knight of Seven as the rest of the council paused in their duties "And what about our plans for the garden?"
"Sorry Milly…" Suzaku offered, smiling apologetically at the blonde senior, knowing she was only trying to tease him, and doing a damn good job as always "I'll be sure to come back and help out if I get a break."
"That reminds me…" Shirley spoke up, the orangette looking up in sudden realization as she turned to regard the Knight "Suzaku, have you thought about Kallen?" she continued at the Knight's look of surprise "Isn't there some way you can help her out?"
"Yeah right!" Rivalz agreed, the blunet vice-president and Milly's erstwhile suitor turning to look at the stunned Knight of Seven with a concerned expression on his face "Like a plea bargain, or something like that…"
"I'll see what I can do…" Suzaku muttered awkwardly, a little caught off guard at the groups eagerness to help the redhead,sighing as they turned back to the task at hand, leaving him to his own thoughts.
'Truth be told…' he muttered, his features growing solemn as his thoughts turned to a different Black Knight…one that had been on his mind since the night of the party 'I think she's more than likely to do so…if Lelouch requests it of her…'
He frowned, recalling that fateful night, how the former prince had coldly talked down to Nunnally, denying her existence as his sibling, only to apparently suffer a minor breakdown when he almost killed her.
'Have you really lost your memories…Lelouch?' Suzaku wondered, not for the first time, as he went through the routine of the day, leaving the academy halfway through the day to attend a meeting with the security council, and later overseeing the deployment of the new troops 'And if you have forgotten…to what extent? Do you even remember that you killed Euphie?' he frowned at the memory of that fateful day 'And if you do…then why? Surely there had to be another way…'
"KURUGI SUZAKU!" a voice called out, the Knight of Seven snapping out of his daze in time to see a man in the uniform of a Britannian soldier charging him, a knife in his hands and a snarl on his lips "TRAITOR! PREPARE TO DIE!"
Suzaku cursed, knowing instinctively that the man was too close for him to effectively dodge. He'd been caught completely off guard, so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't even seen the man coming until he'd called out.
'LIVE!'
Almost instinctively, the Knight of Seven moved, his eyes tracking the path of the blade, which seemed to be moving in slow motion, his hand latching onto the would-be assassin's wrist, flipping him over in a perfect judo throw to land on his back, the weapon dropping to the floor with a clatter.
'What was…' the Knight wondered, his features solemn as his consciousness returned, frowning down at the fallen assassin in confusion, even as soldiers ran up to him, their weapons drawn 'Again…just like on Kamine Island…'
"Sir Kururugi!" the leader of the troop called out, coming to a halt in front of the Knight of Seven, his men pulling the assassin to his feet "Are you alright sir?"
'Lelouch…' Suzaku muttered, even as he ordered the men to take the assassin away 'You used your Geass on me…ordering me to live, despite my own wishes…' he narrowed his eyes 'Just what are you trying to accomplish…Lelouch?'
*******
Prince Schniezel's Research Facility...
"I'm back, Nina." Canon Maldini called out, the personal assistant of 2nd Prince Schniezel el Britannia walking into the lab, his lord following close behind as they greeted the bespectacled leader of project F.L.E.I.J.A.
"Hello," Schniezel greeted, the tall, charismatic Prime Minister and 2nd prince of the Britannian Empire smiling at the short, bespectacled girl as she turned to face them in surprise "It's been a while."
"When did you get back from the EU?" Nina asked, the former xenophobe standing up straighter in the presence of her benefactor. Her hair was done up in an elaborate style that accentuated her features, and she'd lost her formerly shy stance.
"Just a short while ago." Canon offered with a kind smile, the tall brunet walking before his liege as they greeted the other members of the research team "I just completed peace negotiations with the French."
"In that case, you should keep pushing forward." Nina suggested, referring to the rest of the EU, which were still stubbornly resisting the Pax Britannia. Really? What were those Numbers thinking? Prince Schniezel really was to kind to offer them a way out.
"If you press victory too hard or too fast, you invite in defeat." Schniezel countered sagely, accepting a clipboard from one of Nina's assistants as he smiled at her "In every corner of the world, people look for hope. Our victories can trample that hope underfoot…that can true of enemies and allies…everyone has something they yearn for."
"I…I see…" Nina muttered, averting her eyes, chastised despite the gentleness of the prime minister's words, even as she allowed herself to be lead off by Canon, the three of them clambering into Schneizel's coach. "The experiments are continuing," she assured the prince, looking him in the eye as she spoke "I won't squander the faith you've shown in me your grace, I promise."
She flinched as Schniezel looked up from reading her report, looking down at her lap with a solemn expression "I haven't forgotten…during the Black rebellion…" she grimaced at the memory of how she'd tried to kill Zero, back when the Black Knights invaded the academy "my prototype was a failure, but if you give me a little more time, I'm certain I can build one that works."
"You were thinking of Euphie." The prince stated, looking the former xenophobe in the eyes, his expression solemn "You did all of it for her sake." His features turned downcast "History may remember her as a tragic figure, but I still believe in my sister and wish to honor her memory." He looked the girl in the eyes once more "As do Cornelia and Nunnally, and Canon and Suzaku, and many others whose lives she touched." He smiled at her regally, "You believe in her too, and so that is why I place my trust in you."
"Thank you, your highness." Nina offered, smiling up at the handsome, charismatic 2nd prince, her eyes filled with absolute trust and adoration "I'll get it working any day now…" he features hardened suddenly "And when I do…Zero will finally pay for his crimes."
At the same time Nina said those words, a gathering of a different sort was taking place in the Viceroy's mansion in Area Eleven.
*******
Viceroy's Mansion...Area Eleven....
"Should I really be here for this?" Cecile asked, looking around nervously, her hands fidgeting in her lap as she took in the tense atmosphere, wishing she'd come in her military uniform instead of her new evening dress.
"You wanted to see Zero, didn't you?" Lloyd asked coyly, the foppish Earl of Pudding lounging lazily in his armchair, his chin resting on his hand as he smiled at the screen before him, waiting for the man himself to arrive.
"I'm sorry," Suzaku offered, the Knight of Seven turning his head to his female colleague, knowing she wasn't used to such situations "All the other rooms are being used for Special Zone preparations."
"I see…" Cecile noted, the blue haired technician and Suzaku's team support from his days as a simple soldier smiling gratefully at the Knight of Seven "you have to keep this confidential too I guess."
"Is there some…diplomatic reason for that outfit?" Lohmeyer demanded, the sour faced governess looking down her nose at Cecile's outfit, which displayed more of her cleavage and torso than was appropriate...at least for such an important discussion.
"Here it comes now…" Lloyd noted with a hint of bemused intrigue, cutting off Cecile's startled apology as the screen before them blurred into life, a familiar masked visage appearing before them all.
"Greetings…Knights of the Round." Zero called out, the Tekkaman dressed, once more, in the more familiar guise the Britannians were used to, rather than his Tekkaman form "I'm glad we could have this conversation…" he paused, a sense of disapproval visible in his stance "However…I do not see the viceroy among you."
"We don't need to worry here with the details." Suzaku countered, the Knight of Seven's features stern as he locked gazes with his enemy/former friend. 'And I really don't want her to have to see this anyway...'
"I beg to differ." Zero countered, his tone equally stern, brooking no argument, Cecile backing off slightly from the man's tone alone "My conditions were to hear the Viceroy out, if she cannot be 'troubled' to do so, then I see no reason to speak at all."
"Excuse me…" Lloyd cut in, the Earl of Pudding smiling at the masked man, leaning forwards in his seat as he spoke "I just wanted to ask you, are you the same zero from before?" His smile turned coy "Or are you a brand new one? Pardon my suspicions, but the old Zero certainly wasn't as…direct as you."
"I am Zero." The masked man spoke up, his features hidden, but his tone betraying his emotion as he turned to regard the reclining Earl of pudding with a hidden look "Regardless of past or present, that is who I am."
"A philosopher…" Lloyd mused, though internally, he was a little unnerved by the presence the man seemed to emit through a simple video image. It took a lot to make Lloyd loose his cool, usually only damage to the Lancelot managing to make him show any emotion other than detached smugness, but the Earl of pudding found himself unnerved by the man's hidden stare. it was like having a targeting reticule aimed at his forehead.
"You said you'd stop fighting and join in the Special Zone." Gino spoke up, the Knight of Three diverting the vigilante's attention from the Earl of pudding, much to Lloyd's relief "But do you have full consensus on that from all the Black Knights?"
"As I said before, I am not willing to speak on the matter without Viceroy Nunnally vi Britannia present." Zero stated, his tone making Cecile flinch, even as the temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees "And since she's not here…"
"Wait!" a voice called out earnestly, the group turning to stare, as one, at the sight of Nunnally vi Britannia, the blind princess rolling into the room on her motorized chair, her features composed despite her call.
"Nunnally?" Suzaku wondered, turning to look at his childhood friend's younger sister in confusion, only to blink as the viceroy moved past him without a word, her chair coming to a stop just in front of the Knight of Seven's seat.
"Good evening, Viceroy." Zero greeted, Cecile blinking as she thought she heard traces of…tenderness…in the masked man's words, as his image bowed on the screen politely "I trust you've been well?"
"Quite well, thank you." Nunnally assured the man, apparently completely at ease with speaking with her siblings' murderer "I apologize for being late, but the preparations for the Special Zone have been piling up, so I must have missed the memo."
Suzaku flinched at the backhand remark, knowing full well that he'd arranged for the meeting to be kept a secret from the blind angel. Apparently he hadn't covered it up as well as he hoped.
"Be that as it may," Nunnally continued, her features turned towards the screen with an inquisitive expression "Continuing where Sir Weinberg left off, do you have the support of the Black Knights? Will they join you in the Special Zone?"
"They will." Zero admitted, his tone confident and reassuring, Cecile quirking an eyebrow at Lohmeyer's pursed lips, even as Nunnally's shoulders relaxed "Not only that, but an additional one million people have been mobilized."
"A million?" Cecile gasped, gaping at the screen in awe, even as Lloyd quirked an eyebrow coyly, Gino releasing an impressed whistle from the side. It would seem that the Japanese people's support of the Black Knights hadn't diminished as much as they'd hoped.
"I see," Nunnally spoke up, the blind Viceroy smiling at the news that so many were willing to take part, cutting off Suzaku before the Knight of Seven could speak up, her features inquisitive "and will they all participate?"
"All of them are united in their decision." Zero assured her, his tone solemn, almost reverent, but again laced with a gentleness that was surprising to the onlookers "That is, if you can assure their safety."
"Their safety is not an issue." Nunnally assured the masked man, earning a scowl from Lohmeyer, which the former lamperouge felt despite her blindness, but ignored "However…I'm afraid the same cannot be said for you."
"I had assumed as much…" Zero admitted solemnly, the masked revolutionary's tone decidedly grim as he inclined his head in understanding "There's too much bad blood between Britannia and myself."
"Got that right…" Gino muttered, the tall Knight of Three shaking his head with a wry snort, only to flinch as he felt Suzaku's reprimanding glare, as well catching sight of Nunnally's hurt frown "Erm…sorry."
"It is no matter." Zero assured them, his tone firm, as if he were ignoring the Knight of Three's outburst, and the Knight altogether for that matter "The matter is quite simple really…the Black Knights shall participate…" he paused for effect "and I shall allow myself to be exiled."
"Say what?!" Suzaku stammered, gaping at the screen in shock, even as Nunnally looked up in surprise. Even Lloyd seemed surprised by this turn of events, taking his chin off his knuckles to blink at the man.
"It is the only logical option." Zero admitted "To offer me sanctuary within the Special Zone would place the Viceroy in a dangerous position. As a public enemy of the Empire, it would be wiser to punish me, by sending me into exile."
"But…what about the Black Knights?" Nunnally asked, the blind viceroy's features torn between confusion and pleading, as she gazed blindly at the screen, as if she wanted to ask more, but was unable to due to the other listeners.
"She's right you know…" Lloyd pointed out, the Lord of Pudding standing up from his seat with a wry smirk on his face, walking up to stand beside the viceroy "If word of this gets out you'll be strung up by your own people."
"I highly doubt that." Zero countered, the Earl of pudding shivering once more at the absolute certainty in the man's tone "Nevertheless, that is exactly why I've taken the precaution of keeping these talks secret."
"But…" Nunnally spoke up, her voice quavering, her features torn, as if she was struggling both to speak and keep herself from saying the wrong thing, her fingers curling into her skirts as she gripped them desperately "I can't-!"
"Area laws Section twelve, paragraph eight." Lohmeyer spoke up, the grim faced spinster of a governess turning to regard her charge with a stern expression, fixing her glasses as she did so "It is within the Viceroy's power to apprehend subversive or rebellious elements and send them into exile."
"Ms Lohmeyer!" Suzaku countered, the Knight of Seven getting to his feet with an angry, conflicted expression, his emeral eyes locking onto Nunnally's governess' with a glare "Are you suggesting we let Zero go?"
"I'm simply stating the legal basis of action." The bespectacled woman countered, turning her features to the side as she spoke, her eyes closed for emphasis, though Suzaku could FEEL her disdain for his burst of emotion.
"In that case," Zero called out, the gathered Britannians turning once more to gaze at his image on the screen "You can make the announcement at the opening ceremonies." He turned, facing Nunnally head on, before inclining his head in a stage bow, his hand over his heart "Good evening…Viceroy…" his head tilted towards a startle Cecile "And ms. Croomy, I commend you on your choice of dress."
And with that, the masked revolutionary vanished, leaving behind a grim faced Suzaku, a distraught Nunnally and a blushing Cecile, who found herself caught between Lohmeyer's disapproving glare, and Lloyd's wry smirk.
And So Zero pulls off yet another round of Mind Rapery.
Lelouch: God damn I'm good.
C.C: That you are.
Kyugan: What new trials will they face, and how will Nunnally react to Suzaku's attempt at subterfuge?
R&R to find out!