The Kings Cometh 22: The Lines are Drawn
"Hieromonk? I am afraid."
The monastery hall was empty of all but them, the boy, with bright brown eyes twinged with red, and the priest of long white beard wearing his robes.
"Afraid of what, young one?"
The boy, no more than six years old, looked down at the cold stone bricks of the floor. His voice was hesitant, tremulous.
"I am afraid of sin. I am afraid of those who commit sins."
The old man's cracked and wrinkled face parted into a caring smile, and he stooped down to place a hand delicately upon the boy's dark-haired head.
"Child, there's nothing to fear," he said gently. "We all sin: The townspeople, the king, and even you and me. We sin because of our fallen nature. That's what it means to be human - to be mortal."
The boy looked up, his eyes meeting the priest's. There was a fierceness there in his young face, as if a great epiphany had sparked something deep within.
"I see..."
"I see..."
Bright brown eyes with a twinge of red looked down upon the USJ government headquarters. There were no Black Knights there. Zero was not there. Hanging in the night sky above from his red Akatsuki Command Frame, R.R. spat in disgust.
"So you're a coward after all, Zero. You're just as cowardly as the pathetic mortals you protect!"
This was the third time Zero had escaped from him, the third time he'd run away! R.R. had to admit though, that plan at Horai had been clever, no matter the trouble it caused him. Once his body reformed from the blast he'd had a frustratingly difficult time geting back to dry land. How did Zero get away to Japan so quickly after blowing himself up though? Clearly he was a crafty one, more I.I.'s specialty than R.R.'s.
The immortal grit his teeth at the thought; his fingers trembled as rage seized him. With a scream of uncontrolled fury, he raised his knightmare's right arm and fired all three of his Radiant Wave missiles into the government building, each one melting through steel and concrete walls and catching huge swathes of it on fire.
The world would burn. If Zero could not be captured in these traps, then R.R. and I.I. would stir up a frenzy, tear countries apart and set them against each other until Zero had nowhere left to run. He'd brought this war upon himself by defying his fellow Code-Bearers, by lowering himself to serve the humans. And when they found him, they'd take his Code and kill him, for it was now completely clear he had no pride as an immortal.
R.R. watched the government bureau burn and spoke to himself gently.
"To sin is to be human, to be mortal. So as an immortal, all that I do is just." He glanced at the red symbol etched into his left palm. He balled the hand into a fist. The world would burn until they had Zero, and then, maybe even a little bit longer, just for the fun of it.
The world would burn.
LLLLLLLLLLLL
Zero's eight Black Knight and one USJ airships, filled to capacity with soldiers and equipment from not only his escape from Horai but also the flight from Japan, were already an hour out over the Pacific by the time the Fortis caught up with them. Zero himself could not be bothered to meet with his sister and mother as the purple and gold frame docked on the Tsugumi's hangar though, instead giving full attention to a very distressed report from Gino, the Knight of Zero having arrived only minutes before from rescuing Anna Fenette. In his stead he sent C.C. and T.T.
Dozens of soldiers were still in the Tsugumi's hangar, tending to wounded Akatsukis or simply loitering as there wasn't anywhere else to go. Every deck of the aircraft was overloaded with people, both Black Knights and now also Japanese civilians, mostly politicians and other government personnel, picked up at the government bureau when Zero stopped there before leaving the country for lost. With all the knightmares and people, there was very little room to angle about, but C.C. powered her way through, unconcerned with the frustrated looks she received from those pushed aside. T.T. on the other hand didn't need to be aggressive, her black dress marking her as Zero's advisor, causing any who saw her to make way.
The Fortis was in perfect condition, with hardly even a chip in the paint. Its lance was back in place as Kallen had retrieved the weapon after leaving Shina's home, but its gun was empty. During her escape she'd been found and pursued by no less than five enemy squadrons, and despite her pilotting skill, she wasn't sure she could handle them all in a frame she wasn't used to with her mom screaming in fear beside her the whole time.
The FIR-12's entry hatch opened.
"How was it out there?" asked C.C. casually as Kallen popped her head out. "So-so? Or pretty hairy?"
Kallen began replying before C.C. even closed her mouth, her own words coming out in a calm tone, but entirely too quickly, with hardly a space between them.
"Everybody-wanted-me-dead.-I'm-just-glad-we-made-it-out-okay."
C.C. blinked in surprise and turned her head to T.T., the former Code-Bearer sharing her bewilderment. They looked back at Kallen and T.T. addressed her slowly.
"Ms. Kozuki-Stadtfeld? Are you okay?"
Kallen jumped to the floor effortlessly. Shina hesistantly came out of the cockpit as well, trembling as she clutched the boarding wire that slowly lowered her down the Fortis' metal body. The whole situation had her shook up, and it didn't help she was afraid of heights.
"I'm-fine," Kallen answered T.T., again quite abruptly and faster than normal. She walked up to the other women, quite a lot faster than was healthy. "Well,-I-guess-I'm-fine-now.-My-eye-was-hurting-a-while-ago,-but-it-stopped."
C.C. narrowed her eyes at Kallen's comment.
"Are you sure you're alright? You're talking really fast."
Kallen raised a brow.
"What?-I'm-talking-normally.-You-two-are-taking-your-sweet-time-with-your-words-though,-that's-for-sure."
C.C. moved in close to the knightmare ace and checked her eyes. Just as she thought. The right was blue and filled with passion, while the left was consumed by a cloud of glowing red power.
"Kallen, close your left eye."
Kallen tilted her head in confusion, faster than was natural for such a movement, and did as was requested of her, shutting her left eye, her Awakened Geass. C.C. questioned her again.
"How about now? Am I still speaking slowly to you?"
"Yeah.-What's-the-big-deal-anyway?"
Shina had finally found her way to the forgiving metal of the Tsugumi's floor and T.T. stepped forward to get her away.
"Are you Mrs. Kozuki?" She glanced to C.C. and Kallen, knowing what they were about to discuss. "We should probably get you to Zero right away."
"Oh, well." Shina paused to look at Kallen and C.C., then back to T.T. "Okay."
"I'll-come-see-you-on-the-bridge-in-a-minute,-Mom."
T.T. hastily led Shina off to the hangar elevator, trying to keep the woman from looking into Kallen's eyes if at all possible. Once they were gone, C.C. touched her fingers against Kallen's own and activated her Code.
In a blank field of white, C.C., naked and Code burning brightly against her forehead and left foot, stood in front of Kallen, also bare of clothes, her left eye shining red. The younger girl scowled and looked back and forth in shock and dismay.
"Ah! What the hell!?"
"Be calm, Kallen. This is the realm of the mind, where two people's thoughts intersect. Communication will be easier and more private here."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. It's not the first time I've been here. Just warn me next time before you use Code on me, yeah!?"
C.C. ignored her friend's comment, growing pensive and beginning to pace back and forth.
"Your Geass has Awakened. You've lost control over it."
"What, seriously?"
"We weren't talking slowly before; you were moving faster to make up for your slowed sense of time."
Kallen put her hands to her hips and frowned, but C.C. cut her off before she could even open her mouth to reply.
"I'm not sure what we can do about it either. Even when your eye's shut you still perceive the world faster than everyone around you, so eyepatchs and contact lenses aren't going to help."
There was a moment of silence between them as C.C. considered what to do. Kallen shrugged.
"Oh c'mon, Pizzagirl." She grinned and her Geass grew brighter. "Lighten up. We've got Lelouch on our side, and if there's one thing you should've learned in the past 700 years, it's that he can work miracles."
C.C. looked Kallen in the eye and let a knowing smile onto her face as well.
"That he can." Her smile grew and the white surrounding began to fade back into reality as she released Kallen's mind from her Code's grip. "You can't control your Geass, but perhaps our Black King can find a way around that. You're lucky to have him. I almost..."
KKKKKKKKK
Nunnally and Rolo sat before Lelouch in his office, the young king staring them down while a beam of mid-morning light shone from the window behind him. In truth, he'd only needed Rolo to be present for this discussion, but with his close connection to Nunnally, Lelouch thought it best to have everyone on the same page. After all, what he was planning was...
"Nunnally, Rolo," he began seriously, "have you heard the news?"
Rolo glanced to Nunnally and she in turn placed a hand upon his.
"Japan is under attack again," the princess said. "It's happening even as we speak."
Rolo looked back at the Emperor. The boy had abandoned his naivite a long time ago, if he'd ever had it to begin with. He knew he held only two points in his favour, without which there would be no reason to keep him around, nor reason even to keep him alive at all. One: He was a good and true caretaker for Nunnally. Two: He had a Geass power that was incredibly useful. Lelouch therefore could have only called him into the privacy of his office to discuss one of those two subjects. He wasn't wrong, but it still came as a surprise when Lelouch answered his sister.
"That's right, and I fear Britannia will soon be pulled into this conflict as well."
At those words, Nunnally's face fell and she nodded.
"I'm sure you're trying your hardest to avoid violence, Brother."
It was only through deep concentration and years of practice that Lelouch was able to keep his head and eyes forward, rather than turning away in shame.
"I am trying. However, we must be prepared for the worst." He steepled his fingers before his face. "That's why I believe it is prudent to have 'every position filled,' so to speak."
What was the Emperor getting at? Rolo couldn't tell. He knew a great deal about Lelouch, from the cheery stories Nunnally told and from hearsay from others who knew him far longer than he. He also knew the Black King was the first to obtain Code Geass, obtaining a Contract from C.C. and somehow acquiring V.V.'s Code some time after that. He knew Lelouch meant to obtain all the Codes for the sake of global security, but his motives were multifarious, and one could never be certain which objective he was pursuing at any given time. Lelouch finally clarified, causing his sister's and adopted brother's jaws to drop.
"The Knights of the Round haven't been fully assembled in decades, since before the reign of the last emperor. Rolo Lamperouge, if you'd accept the honour, I would make you a Knight of my Round Table."
"Rolo!" Nunnally seemed positively ecstatic and she moved her body in close to the stunned boy's own. "This is amazing! Are you going to accept?"
Accept? But wouldn't that mean being away from his princess?
"Nunnally," Lelouch began questioningly, "are you not concerned that if Rolo accepted my proposal he'd be in danger?"
She shook her head.
"Of course not, silly. I know you too well, Lelouch. You'd keep him safe, no matter what. It's just the way you are."
Honestly, Lelouch had expected his sister to oppose him. That's why he'd called for them both to be in attendence. It was ultimately Rolo's decision, but until he said yes, he was in service to his Lady, and going behind her back could yield no positives. But she seemed in favour of the idea, causing Lelouch to wonder if, with all the work he'd been doing, maybe he'd lost touch with his precious sister.
"Well, um..." Rolo considered his options. Being a Knight of the Round would be incredibly demanding, and he'd have to be around people all the time. But Nunnally thought it was a good idea, and obviously Lelouch wanted him to agree to it. But then again, if he left Nunnally alone...
As if reading his mind (and with his Codes it wouldn't be hard to believe that was the case), Lelouch spoke up again.
"The Knights of the Round are the greatest warriors in the Empire and are afforded many privileges. One of those is an excess of leisure time to be spent however the Knight wishes. And should they go on campaign, they will no doubt be surrounded by royals aiding in the war effort."
It was true. If Rolo did join Lelouch's Round Table he'd still be able to see Nunnally, quite frequently even. He might even stop getting odd looks from other courtiers about his closeness to her. But...
"You have to join, Rolo," Nunnally said encouragingly. "Then everyone will be able to see you and love you the way I do."
Lelouch and Rolo blinked in sudden disbelief. Had she just said...? The young man, assassin-turned-servant stood up from his seat and knelt before Lelouch.
"I haven't forgotten, Your Majesty," he said reverently, his head bowed in respect. "Right now, I'm only alive because you saw value in my life and gave it back to me free of charge."
He'd gone to kill Zero and failed, and instead of punishment from his enemies he was given family, purpose, humanity.
"I haven't forgotten how much I owe you. If Princess Nunnally does not object, then I will be your Sword."
LLLLLLLLLLLL
It was just another morning in Mexico City. Christmas was only a few days away and a new year lay right around the corner, and despite the outrage at Zero's supposed treachery, and even despite the news reports just coming in about the Chinese Federation invasion of Japan, people were in fairly good spirits; to most Britannians, the affairs of countries on the other side of the world didn't particularly concern them. One man in particular had a jubilant spring in his step.
Lloyd Asplund was finally being released from the hospital, and he waltzed through its halls grinning to himself, drab gown dispensed with for his familiar labcoat. He could have been discharged far earlier too, but he could hardly pass up the food, or rather, the pudding which was served at every meal. Eventually though, the doctors finished their evaluations, and, convinced he was somehow fully healed from a near fatal wound, turned him out. Not that he minded. He'd thought up some brilliant ideas during his stay. It would be good to get back to work in Pendragon again.
However, there was a single thought that stood out to him. No, more a fascination than a thought. Those Code R fellows that had patched Lloyd up, they certainly weren't proper medical staff. What had they done to him for his health to return so quickly? When Lloyd touched his fingers against his chest he felt slight corrugated swells running along his bones, and could feel a pulse along them like blood or electricity. If he looked in a mirror they were there, circuits built into him, just close enough to the skin to be seen, like veins. And when he touched a finger to the spot where he'd been wounded, he'd get a tingle, like static, and his mind seemed to race with foreign, existential thoughts, often including Jupiter. There was no scar there and no permanent adverse effects either. It was as if nothing had ever happened to him at all.
Oh, what he would give to know the details behind this mysterious proceedure, to know how it was performed and how it could yield such supernatural results. It had something to do with machines, so obviously it was something he should get involved with. But how would he do that? Those curious Code R people left as soon as they'd finished with him, so it wasn't like he could just talk to them directly. And there wasn't an address or number to call either. Perhaps he'd never meet them again and never learn their secrets. A pity.
As the carefree noble made his way through the hospital, he stopped in front of Rivalz's room. The poor kid was one of the few ASEEC workers still stuck in bed, his broken bones slower to repair than a bullet wound. Lloyd's grin grew large and devious as an idea popped into his head.
He pulled his phone, held prisoner by the bothersome hospital staff for the duration of his stay, from his labcoat then dialed a number. The person on the other line picked up, and Lloyd greeted them in his usual singsong manner.
"Lloyd Asplund reporting in, Your Majesty!"
"Earl Asplund, you're alright?"
"Indeed I am." The scientist turned coy. "But I have an intern boy, and it seems he quite isn't. And as you know, I couldn't po~ssibly get back to work for Lulu without the help of such an important employee..."
LLLLLLLLLLLL
In his luxurious office in the Imperial Palace of Pendragon, Clovis was in a tizzy. If he hadn't had enough work to do before, now he was completely certain the world could be ending around him and he wouldn't even notice behind his mountains of paperwork. The USJ was being conquered, (again, and in record time, he noted absent-mindedly), and as a result it fell to him as Prime Minister to deal with the initial political shockwaves as they came. He sat at his desk in front of his computer, one of three set about the room, checking through information on the screen and scrawling it down on papers scattered about to his left and right. Strands of unkempt blonde hair rested upon his mobile, hooked over his ear, and he conversed, as best he could while dividing his attention, with the person on the other end.
"... Intern...? Sure, whatever, I'll send someone over. Make sure you're back by tomorrow morning."
There was a beep from Clovis' computer and a window popped up:
Encrypted Call Incoming...
XX-Decoding...-XX
-From DIETHARD RIED-
Accept?
Decline?
Clovis blinked and stopped what he was doing immediately.
"Remember," he hissed into his phone, "be back by tomorrow! We don't have time for you to be off faffing about."
He hung up, and moved to hit the "accept" button, only to be interrupted and jump in surprise as there came a ring in his ear, yet another person attempting to contact him.
The prince grumbled to himself, accepting the phone call and letting Diethard wait.
"Of all the... Yes?" He listened for a moment then rolled his eyes. "Yes, I know, you dull-witted bureaucrat...! And what do you expect me to do? It's up to His Majesty to decide how to handle it, so bother him!"
He hung up again, this time in even more frustration than the last dozen calls he'd been forced to take. From the moment he got out of bed until now, taking calls was almost everything Clovis had been doing, nevermind the paperwork he was trying and failing to complete all the while, and the many speeches he still had to write for upcoming events, including, most likely, a speech confirming the Empire's position on the Chinese Federation incursion into Japan, whatever Lelouch decided that position happened to be. How did so many imbeciles even have his phone number in the first place!? It seemed Clovis would need to get a new phone. Or twenty, and have specific people reach him on a specific one each. As another ring came from the phone on his ear and he accepted the call, Clovis decided that's just what he would have to do.
"Bugger off!"
With that, Clovis hung up again, tore the phone from his ear, and hurled it across the room, eliciting a gratifying clap as it collided with a wall. With no further distractions, Clovis looked back to his computer screen and clicked his cursor over the "Accept?" button. Not a moment later Diethard's face popped up. The man looked harried, and he shifted his head back and forth to make sure no one was watching him.
"Your Highness," he whispered hastily, "the latest news on the Black Knights is they retreated from Tokyo and are speculated to be coming to Pendragon. Shall we proceed with the operation?"
Clovis nodded hurriedly to the sometimes reporter, sometimes spymaster.
"The plan is already set in motion, no turning back. If Zero does indeed come to Britannia in search of sanctuary he'll have to meet with the Emperor at His court when he arrives. It's the tradition. I'll tip off your newstation in advance of the event and order a nonscheduled changing of the guard so you get in unhindered. I expect you to be there."
The Third Prince then narrowed his eyes and lowered his tone menacingly.
"Don't fail me."
Diethard gave a short nod back and an instant later his face on Clovis' computer was replaced with a message that the call was ended.
Clovis sighed to himself and clasped his hands behind his head as he leaned back in his chair. When had things become so difficult? He didn't remember ever having so much trouble when he was Viceroy of Area 11. He supposed he didn't realize how good he actually had it back then.
There was a ring from across the room and Clovis leaned to the side to stare, disbelieving, at his phone and that it was still functioning. He exhaled softly, a cold calmness falling upon him, and he stood up, marching over to the phone on the floor. In one deft motion he leaned down and scooped the little device up in his hand, and in one more he snapped it in half, thowing each piece at once to either side of the room.
It was at this time the door to Clovis' office opened and Kaguya walked in carrying a bundle of folders. Her hands were full, so shoved the door closed with her foot as she continued into the huge room.
"I think your phone is broken," she said in bewilderment, eyeing its remains strewn to opposite ends of the office then dropping her folders on top of Clovis' desk next to the other stacks of papers.
Clovis allowed himself a moment of smug glee and let out a breath of relief. He shrugged.
"It certainly seems so. I'm thinking of getting a new one."
"Ri~ight," Kaguya rolled her eyes at the prince. "Maybe after we take care of these case files."
The mere mention of the extra work made Clovis shiver. Again, why was it up to him to sign off on these things? Just because he'd ordered the arrest of a few corrupt nobles didn't mean he had to take care of the cases all by himself, did it? The police probably just didn't want to deal with the media attention the action would get. Clovis made a mental note to give the chief inspector who was supposed to be in charge of the affair a piece of his mind the next time he attended the yearly Police Gala.
"Can I get back to you on that?" he queried. "It's almost time for tea, and I didn't even have breakfast."
"Whiner," Kaguya joked back, one hand on her hip and the other wagging a scolding finger.
Clovis felt his spirits fall and almost began to pout until an idea formed in his head.
"We never finished that conversation about love, did we, dear?" Ah, there it was. Clovis could see, Kaguya's ears perked up at the mention of their previous discussion, started but never completed a whole week ago. "What say we talk about it over a pot of tea and biscuits?"
Clovis looked horrible; tired, disheveled, stressed, it was a wonder he'd even bothered to change out of his pajamas that morning considering he hadn't given the same care to washing up or brushing out his hair. All that aside, ultimately it was the hopeful, pleading smile on his face that caused Kaguya to relent.
"I just can't say no to you, can I?" Sometimes, Kaguya thought, Clovis was just a big, lazy, if well-spoken, layabout. She hadn't paid him much mind while they were serving in the Black Knights together, before Charles was killed and peace was achieved. But now that they were working so frequently on the same projects, perhaps her opinion was beginning to shift. It wasn't shifting a whole lot, but it was certainly on its way.
"Excellent!" Clovis threw his hands into the air. "Meet me at the dining room. I've got to make one more quick call."
"When we're done with our little break I expect you to get back to work."
Clovis waved a dismissing hand at the younger woman, now turning back for the door.
"Don't you worry, dear! Some refreshments are just what we need to increase our productivity!"
"I'll meet you downstairs then," Kaguya confirmed as she left the office. "Don't get to woolgathering!"
Clovis watched her go, his face completely neutral, and murmured a reply.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
Once the Japanese princess had left and the door clicked back into place, Clovis bounded over to it and placed an ear against its wooden surface, checking to see if Kaguya was still there. Hearing nothing out of the ordinary, Clovis let out another breath of relief and went back to his computer. He brought up the main screen and opened a folder on the desktop labeled "Documents," then, among almost one hundred more folders opened one labeled "Ongoing." Within this folder was another set of folders and files, and he picked out just the one he needed: CODE RESEARCH.
The screen went black but for a window demanding a password and a green bar beneath it, quickly growing shorter, a timer that would put the computer into lockdown if it were allowed to run out. Clovis typed in a rapid set of keys and the screen brought up a series of windows and files pertaining to Code R, a list of names popping up on top. The prince searched through the names and stopped at one. He clicked on it.
A new window appeared with the image of a rotary phone ringing, then was replaced by "CODE R," lettered in bold orange as a voice, male, came through.
"Sire?"
"The previous proceedure was a success, Lloyd Asplund is in perfect condition. Agent Fenette, I have another assignment for you."
"Of course, Your Majesty, so long as you keep the quid coming. I've got a daughter to put through college, you know."
Clovis paused to think to himself this time before responding.
"She attends a school in the USJ, yes?" he pondered.
In an instant Agent Fenette grew wary.
"That's right. Why?"
"Oh, no reason," Clovis said as casually as he could, years of politicking keeping his tone completely calm. "By the way, don't check the news until after your work is done."
LLLLLLLLLLLL
In their escape from Japan and flight to Britannia, the Black Knights took a route directly over the Pacific, flying over blue waters through the night and meeting the dawn just as they passed into Britannian Hawaii airspace. There was no time to waste, Zero said, so despite requests to land and regroup from his officers, the battered fleet pushed on further east toward Pendragon.
On the bridge of the Tsugumi, Anna Fenette and Shina Kozuki sat together, neither able to sleep from the stress of their situation, and too worried about their futures to hold a prolonged conversation. While the Black Knights and other civilians were crammed in the holds of this and every other warship in their little fleet, these women were allowed some measure of personal space in close proximity to Zero, though under constant watch, due to their ties to Kallen. The girl in question was also on the bridge, keeping to herself, C.C. and Anya, and at some point after extracting Shina had wrapped a white bandage from the infirmary around her head, covering her left eye.
Aside from the crew, the only other people aboard the command deck were Gino and Shirley, and as the sun rose over the horizon, lighting up palm trees, yellow sand and civilization beneath them, they watched the day come together.
"Pretty crazy, right?" Gino laughed hesitantly to the girl beside him. "One minute everything's okay, then the next we're fighting for our lives. Then the next after that everything's fine again."
Through one of the bridge windows the two Britannians, Knight and civilian, watched the landscape pass by below. The Tsugumi was high in the air, but its float systems couldn't support the altitudes of other aircraft, so their view was exquisite, though the scenery moved too fast to make out details.
Shirley didn't say a word to Gino's careless attempt at conversation. Instead she stared down through the window and listened idly to the chatter from the bridge's radios and the operators giving confirmation of the fleet's identities and flight objective.
Receiving no response, Gino considered his next words more carefully.
"It's been a pretty busy night for us all. How are you holding up?"
The orangette turned her head and finally gave the Zero Squad Captain a reply, subdued and lacking her usual cheer, but at least she wasn't in any visible distress.
"I'm good. I'm just glad we're safe now."
She looked upon the Knight of Zero, upon his playful blue eyes and carefully tied braid in his blonde hair. She looked upon his black and green officer's coat edged in red over top a standard uniform. He was the son of nobility and he looked the part too, the very model of a Britannian gentleman. Shirley looked back out the window and gave a half smile.
"Thanks for getting my mom out of there, Sir Weinberg."
Gino blinked down at the girl in light surprise, then flashed a full and toothy grin.
"It was my pleasure, Lady Fenette! Your home might be lost, but don't you worry about a thing. Until the day you can return to Japan in peace, I'll be looking out for you both. You have my word!"
LLLLLLLLLLLL
Within the gold lighted chamber of the Imperial Palace's dining hall, filled not at this hour with electric lights but with shining mid-morning sun, Kaguya sat at her favourite table awaiting the arrival of Prince Clovis, the Britannian Prime Minister having promised to speak with her on a topic she found most personal.
At length Clovis appeared, trotting along light-heartedly with a butler carrying a silver tray of refreshments falling in behind.
"There you are, dear," he cooed, pulling out a chair beside her and crossing his legs primly as he seated himself down. "I picked out the tea, I hope you don't mind."
The butler set his tray down gently against the table. On it were two porcelain cups set upon two round plates beside a sterling pot, and another, larger plate covered in biscuits. The servant delicately lifted the pot and poured its contents into each cup, then bowed, and took his leave.
"No, it's quite alright," Kaguya replied simply, taking a cup for herself. She took a sip. "Is this Chai?"
"Masala." Clovis plucked up the other teacup and brought it to his face, breathing its scent in deep. "I thought we could do with something out of the ordinary."
For a quiet moment, neither of them said a word, only basking in the warmth and prickle of spiced drinks. Eventually Clovis lowered his cup and turned in his seat to better face Kaguya, a content smile gracing his features.
"A nice break, that's what I wanted. And now I've gotten just that. I suppose it's time to fulfill my end of the bargain, yes?"
The prince uncrossed his legs and leaned back in his chair.
"If I recall correctly," he mused, "you asked what I knew about love."
Kaguya said nothing, giving the Britannian royal her undivided attention. He took her silence as cue to continue.
"I know much about love - more, perhaps, than I'd like. I've always been sought after, since my earliest days. I've got everything a woman could want, and as it turns out, that's just the problem. I've thought myself in love before, but the feelings were never reciprocated. My wealth, power, influence, charm, and good looks made all the girls fawn over me, but those were the only things they cared about. As it turns out, being at the top attracts all the wrong sorts of people, even, unfortunately, in the realm of romance.
"Honestly, with the way my father behaved, with all his wives, and along with my own experiences, I might have concluded that love was merely a fleeting but potent cocktail of hormones in the brain. But..."
Clovis faltered for a moment, hesitant to complete his statement. Kaguya looked upon him curiously, expecting him to continue, but he did not.
"But what?" she asked.
Clovis did not reply.
What was he hiding? And why was he hiding it? Kaguya could guess, but she wanted to know for sure. It could have been something entirely innocuous, or maybe something embarrassing. But still, she wanted to know, or rather, she needed to know. What he'd revealed so far all seemed pretty straightforward, but she was finding it difficult to link it to her own life, and her own concerns. Stopping now, at what seemed to be merely be halfway through the discussion, would bother her for the rest of the night, and maybe longer, leaving her to wonder...
With a single thought, Kaguya's left eye glowed red.
"Clovis," she murmured, making note as Clovis' irises were suddenly ringed by a dull orange glow, "I'd really appreciate if you finished your statement. You see, I love Lelouch, and he's agreed to marry me. But something feels wrong. Can you help me?"
Clovis hummed in thought then gave a highly photogenic smile.
"The way Lelouch and Kallen behave around each other is heartwarming, isn't it? It's a true bond, quite beyond what I would have ever believed possible before. To be truthful, I don't think Lelouch cares about you as deeply as he does her. He does care, certainly, I know that much, but it may not be possible for you to ever stand on equal footing with Kallen in Lelouch's heart."
"I...!" Kaguya attempted to protest, but stopped herself, feeling her sprits sink. "I never minded the idea of being Lelouch's second wife. I still don't. But when you put it like that..."
With that, the orange rings around Clovis' irises faded and he blinked in mild confusion before helping himself to a biscuit from the tray laid out before them. The power of Absolute Charisma she'd used on him had given Kaguya the answer she sought, though it was far from the answer she would have liked. Her Geass seemed to her to be a variation on Lelouch's own ability, allowing her to manipulate people into doing what she wanted as many times as she liked, though they would not be single-minded about it, and the results would often vary depending on how the victim interpreted her request.
Clovis resumed his snacking, unaware that he'd been under Kaguya's spell, and she picked up her tea to join him. What a silly matter, she thought. Here she was, confiding in Clovis when the person she should have really been speaking with was Lelouch himself. And yet, it wasn't so silly at all, was it? The Black King had become incredibly busy lately, even moreso with the possibility of Britannia being dragged into armed conflict growing larger all the time. The way it was right now, he had no time for her.
Kaguya brought her cup to her lips, trying to keep her fingers from trembling in despair. The words Clovis had dared not speak but had been forced out of him had shaken her more than she first thought. But nothing had truly changed between her and Lelouch, had it? What Clovis said was mere words, and it would remain to be seen what would become of her relationship with the Britannian emperor. For now, she would have to shelve this subject, until she and Lelouch could be together for a moment, alone and in peace. In the end, it would be his words, and only his words, that actually mattered.
LLLLLLLLLLLL
It was going on noon in the country outside Pendragon when a single black limo drove through the main gates of Prince Schneizel 'the Disgraced' el Britannia's personal estate. Situated far into the California hills, away from the city and its people, Schneizel had built a grand mansion, painted immaculate white and overlooking a well-tended garden that stretched from the front doors to the outer gate. In days past he rarely spent time in the place, either working from the Capital or spending time abroad for diplomatic missions, but since the crowning of Emperor Lelouch he'd been unable to leave, confined there for the war crime of ordering the bombardment of the former Imperial Palace and thereby the attempted murder of hundreds of civilians, including nobles and members of his own family.
The car pulled up before the front doors and stopped, allowing its passenger to step out and revealing the black-clad form of the Emperor himself, Lelouch vi Britannia. From the other side of the car Jeremiah stepped out as well, scrambling around the vehicle to stand by his liege.
"Are you sure this is wise, Sire?" the Knight of Orange whispered down to the king. "Meeting with the Prince?"
Lelouch shrugged and made for the mansion's entrance, Jeremiah following along dutifully.
"We don't have the luxury of being cautious."
As the Emperor and his Knight came closer two maids exited, bowing as they held the doors open. Lelouch and Jeremiah entered, being greeted by a polished floor of gold and white tile beneath the shadow of a long double staircase and a crystal chandalier overhead. Besides the two maids behind them, now closing the doors and waiting patiently in case they were needed, not a single person was near. The mansion was almost ghostly silent, not a servant or guard in sight.
Then came a figure from the top of the staircase. Earl Kanon Maldini, aide and personal friend to Prince Schneizel, slinked down the stairs, an odd look on his face, a mixture of feelings approximating reluctance. He clearly wasn't happy Lelouch was here.
"Good day to you, Your Imperial Majesty," he muttered once he'd descended to the ground floor, more out of duty than respect. "The Prince has been awaiting your arrival quite impatiently since your call this morning. If you'll follow me I will take you to his study."
Lelouch smiled to himself. Yes indeed, Kanon absolutely despised him.
"Lead on, then, Earl Maldini."
With a barely perceptible huff, the effeminate noble waved an arm, gesturing to the upper floor and started back up the staircase. Lelouch and Jeremiah followed.
Upon ascending the stairs and after some time of walking, passing many an empty room and encountering no one at all, the trio came to a huge, open room with a mezzanine overlooking it. The room itself was mostly empty aside from some tables and chairs arranged by the walls, giving it the look of a ballroom lonely for want of occupants. There were three tall windows on the far wall through which the searing white light of the sun shone down, and standing underneath them by a desk that's surface supported a computer and was otherwise covered in newspapers, was Schneizel, his usual small smile resting upon his lips.
"Welcome, Your Majesty," the Second Prince greeted coolly, stepping forward with arms open wide. "My Emperor, how wonderful it is that you grace me with your presence in my very home."
To Jeremiah, Schneizel's words were filled with deceit, and he made an effort not to scowl. Behind that calm face was coldness and calculation without a trace of humanity, the one thing that differentiated him from Lelouch. The Knight of Orange fixed his eyes upon the prince and kept his muscles taut, ready to draw his sidearm at the first sign of treachery.
Lelouch on the other hand felt his face fall upon seeing his second oldest brother. His brows raised despite him, but he refocused himself and smiled just as coolly back.
"Schneizel, my brother, it is well that you were able to meet with me on such short notice."
The two royals approached one another and stopped only a foot away from each other. They looked into each other's eyes, assessing each other, discerning truths from each other without need for words. Schneizel was the first one to reach out his hand. Lelouch took it in his own and nodded and in turn the elder prince let his smile grow.
"For the Emperor of Britannia, I can always clear my schedule."
It was left unspoken that Schneizel had no schedule in the first place. Confined to his mansion, there was hardly anything for him to do anyway. They took back their hands and Schneizel gestured to one of the ballroom tables along the wall.
"Please, come and sit," he offered enthusiastically, veiling his words with his usual calm. "Can I offer you anything? Food or drink? It's almost time for lunch."
Lelouch shook his head.
"I don't expect our business here to last long."
At the Black King's response, Schneizel's mouth twitched downward for a sliver of a moment.
"I see. Then perhaps we should get straight to that business."
The two brothers made their way to the table Schneizel pointed out and sat themselves down, Jeremiah and Kanon following to stand behind their respective lords, arms crossed, glaring from either end of the table at each other. From his chair, Lelouch leaned his elbows against the table and steepled his fingers before his face.
"As you no doubt are aware," he began seriously, "the Chinese Federation is invading the United States of Japan, to the best of my knowledge without the permission of the UFN as a whole. Regardless the reason, regardless if they're justified or not, it is a unilateral decision that will have consequences - consequences that will be felt around the world."
Schneizel nodded along as he listened. Yes, he'd been keeping track of the news. There was little else for him to do.
"There's no need to continue, Lelouch." The prince raised a hand to stop his younger brother. "I see your intentions, clear as day. Britannia will be dragged into this conflict; I've foreseen it as well. You came here to recruit me before that happens."
There was a glimmer in Schneizel's eye, the faintest hint of understanding that only Lelouch could read. The king nodded back.
"How does Grand Marshal sound to you?"
Schneizel raised a brow.
"Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet all at once? You would grant me, Schneizel 'the Disgraced' such authority?"
"You would have complete control over an entire theatre, assuming the worst case scenario of war."
To this, Schneizel glanced back at Kanon, then up at Jeremiah, glowering at Lelouch's side, and let his usual smile grow sly.
"And if I were to refuse such an honour?"
Jeremiah was taken quite aback by this remark, but Kanon didn't seem fazed in the slightest, letting a smirk onto his face. Lelouch's own smile dropped into an irritated frown and he took a deep breath as he leaned back in his chair.
"Schneizel," he started darkly, "I find myself in need of talented individuals and you are among the most talented there is. Before we continue you should know, I didn't come here to ask for your help: I can think of four ways off the top of my head to force you to do what I want. The least unpleasant of these involves waterboarding. I don't recommend you refuse me."
Despite the suddenly dire turn the conversation had taken, Schneizel let out a full laugh, unconcerned by the looks of confusion he received from Kanon and Jeremiah.
"Very well, Brother. Call upon me as you will and I shall do my duty to the Crown."
Lelouch smirked and stood up from his seat, turning to leave.
"Good answer. You'll hear from me again soon."
And with that, the Emperor and his Knight departed, leaving Schneizel and Kanon alone in the prince's study made from a lonely ballroom. Kanon turned to his liege, arms still crossed, and whispered in quiet frustration.
"That little brat! How dare he threaten you in such a way after all you've been forced to endure?"
The nobleman, the only one who Schneizel could currently call friend, addressed his Prince once more.
"This could be fortuitous for us though, Your Highness. The-" Kanon made finger quotations and spoke the next word sarcastically, "-'Reformer' seems eager to give you just the power we'll require to overthrow him."
Schneizel sat in his chair as Kanon talked of treason, and thought to himself. Yes, he had just the plan in mind.
"Poor Lelouch," he said smugly. "He thinks just because I know his true intentions I can't betray him. However..."
LLLLLLLLLLLL
The night had come and gone over Tokyo, and as the sun slowly rose over burning buildings and occupying Federation troops marching openly through the streets, Xingke, hanging in the air in his Shen-Hu, had to wonder if this destruction was warranted.
"Zero attacked us," he reasoned to himself. "It's only right we try to arrest him. But this..."
The Chinese officer stared through his HUD at the scene below and shook his head.
"This level of retaliation? It's hard to believe the Empress would order it. What could she be thinking?"
Come to think of it, Tianzi hadn't seemed much like herself when she'd given the order for the military to move into the USJ and arrest Zero. Her accent... Had her accent sounded almost Japanese? And moreover, Tamaki said the Chinese Federation attacked the Black Knights first, but that didn't match up at all with what Xingke knew. That Zero fanboy was a fool; easily misled, easily controlled. But he was also incredibly honest. There was a conviction in his voice when he accused Xingke of wrongdoing, so filled with hatred and sorrow... Something was wrong. Xingke couldn't tell what, but he could tell.
LLLLLLLLLLLL
The Chinese Federation's invasion of Japan did not go unnoticed by the UFN. As morning came in Penglai, diplomats from around the world, whose duties were ideally to work for global security above the petty ambitions of their affiliated countries, assembled in the UFN Chamber of International Affairs to discuss the situation in the Far East.
"It's outrageous!" shouted one woman from the European Union. "Regardless the reason, military actions should only be taken with UFN support!"
"But the Black Knights are the UFN joint forces." A Britannian man spoke up from another side of the giant enclosed room. "Since the Black Knights are to blame for all this it's not like we could send them to arrest themselves. The Chinese Federation was correct in pursuing Zero on their own terms."
A man sitting in the Chinese Federation section of the chamber stood from his seat.
"The Empress is leader of the Federation, but still has to go through the proper channels for an action of such magnitude."
More and more politicians rose and began to shout at each other, squabbles even starting amongst members of the same national groups.
"If Tianzi had her actions sanctioned we could have ordered an emergency levy raised from UFN member states to apprehend the Black Knights, according to the Charter's parameters."
"The point is that we wouldn't have sanctioned it in the first place!"
"It's highly illegal!"
"The Black Knights are terrorists!"
Every member state of the UFN fielded multiple diplomats, each hoping to represent the interests of a different cross-section of their country. When international decisions needed to be made, these clever men and women would discuss the issues amongst themselves to gradually work out what would be in the best interest of the majority. Then a single one amongst them, speaker for their coalition, would cast their vote against those of the other member states on what needed to be done. It was a splendid system in theory, and it hadn't broken down too badly since its inception, but this day tensions were simply too high for anyone to deliberate normally.
There were five diplomats from Australia present, and they quietly refrained from participating in the rather loud conversation. Amidst the growing anger in the room, the speaker and unofficial leader of their group, a jolly old man by the name Reginald Falk, nodded his head toward the door. Not a word passed between the Aussies as they stood up from their seats and made their way out as quickly as they could. To them the hasty retreat was hardly as cowardly as most others might consider it. To them it only made sense. Australia hadn't been on anyone's bad side in almost a century, and they would take precautions to ensure it stayed that way. If that meant removing themselves from a hostile environment, then so be it.
Unfortunately for them, their exit wasn't as stealthy as they'd thought. Gilles Vavier, French Minister of Foreign Diplomacy and spokesperson for the French representatives at the UFN saw the Australians going.
"Where do they think they're going, hm?" he frowned to himself. He stood from his seat and tweaked his moustache and followed after them.
"Gilles, qu'est-ce que c'est?" asked one of the Frenchman's associates.
Minister Vavier continued on his way.
"Fainéants australiens! Je vais les chercher."
Gilles had to descend a long flight of stairs to get to the main entrance of the humongous room, and once he was out into the main hall, away from the shouting arguments of the people inside, he stomped off in search of the Australian slackers. The noise of debate and anger could be heard even oustide in the hall, and most probably for a good distance past that as well, so furious were the opinions being tossed around.
As Gilles walked along, a middle-aged Japanese man with a cold smile across his face, flanked by five young women, also Japanese, walked past him and into the Chamber of International Affairs.
Gilles Vavier thought nothing of it.
Farther along, after taking a few turns and continuing down several halls then turning once again, he found who he was looking for. Falk and his fellows sat in the Australian conference room around a long table, sipping at coffee and tea. They looked up at the Frenchman questioningly.
"Yes?" Falk asked pleasantly. Gilles scowled back.
"You are representatives of a member state of the United Federation of Nations! How dare you leave pour une pause café!?"
The Australians turned to look at each other for a moment then returned their gaze to Gilles. Minister Falk replied unconvincingly.
"We're conferencing."
"About what?"
Again they glanced at each other, somehow coming up with an answer without speaking. Falk nodded his head as he responded once more, as jovially as could be.
"We're conferencing about Australian things. If you stick around then you'll be committing international espionage."
"Bah!"
Gilles felt his frown could not sag any lower. He threw up his hands as he gave up, and started on his way back to resume the debate with the other politicians. It wasn't until he'd gone down the halls and turned the corners and pushed open one of the double doors to the Chamber that he realized something was very wrong.
The noise of debate had stopped. He hadn't heard it on his way back through the hall and now that he was again in the Chamber of International Affairs he could see, no one was speaking. The hundreds of diplomats stared forward blankly, soullessly, and upon noticing his arrival, turned their heads as one to glare upon him.
"Did you come to a decision?" Gilles ventured a guess.
The UFN representatives responded, almost as one, in varying languages and accents of English, a chorus of voices, speaking in monotone.
"I.I. is our master. Zero is an outlaw. We will bring him to I.I."
Gilles gulped and took a step back. He could feel a drop of sweat running down his head and around his ear. This was... This was an amazing success of diplomacy! That's what he wished was the case. Too bad it wasn't. He turned and ran back out the hall.
As he ran, he spotted Chinese Federation troopers in an adjoining hall, clad in full green bodyarmour and carrying rifles. They saw him too and saw he was running. They raised their guns and fired upon him.
Gilles screamed in fright and ran harder, barely dodging a volley of gunshots that pounded into the wall now behind him. He ran harder, not really sure where he was going. He checked over his shoulder. The Federation soldiers were following him. They fired again and he dove left into a fresh hallway.
Scrambling back to his feet, Gilles looked back behind him again and threw himself through the first door he could find.
"Oi, go away!"
The bathroom? Yes, that's where Gilles was now. And who stood before him other than Albert Sunder, UFN representative for Britannia and spokesperson for the English subsection of the member state. And was that a cat in his arms? Gilles, out of breath and fearing for his life, reached out to grab the other man, not caring who he was or even if he was holding a cat.
"Albert! Albert, you have to help me!"
Albert was not amused with the Frenchman's antics.
"Get off me, Gilles, you weirdo." He moved his arms and the cat fell to its feet. It snarled at the two then pushed open the bathroom door and raced off. Albert, disappointed at seeing his little friend leave, took hold of Gilles' hands and removed them from his person. "And try pronouncing my name right for a change?"
Gilles rolled his eyes and groaned.
"Ehhh, les Anglais... Zer is no time!" His accent was flaring up too. "Zey are trying to kill me!"
"What? Who?"
"Ze Chinese Federation!"
"Why?"
"I don't know!"
Although he wasn't particularly pleased with Gilles in the first place, now Albert was downright irritated.
"You're 'aving me on," he deadpanned.
Gilles glanced over his shoulder at the door, not for the first time since taking refuge in this room, and swallowed fearfully. It was only a matter of time until those soldiers found him. He was losing his patience.
"Oh, pour... AIDEZ MOI!"
"Well, I don't rightly feel like helping you when you shout at me like that."
"What were you even doing at la toilette anyway?"
Minister Sunder looked away and responded slowly.
"I... Well, I was just..."
"You were trying to avoid work!?" Gilles couldn't believe it.
"No, I... I found that cat, and I was going to remove it from the building, obviously!"
Gilles was now the one being incredulous. Albert huffed at the other man's disdain.
"Look, I never wanted to be a diplomat in the first place!"
There was a sound from outside the bathroom, male voices, muted by helmets, calling out orders in monotone in foreign languages, mostly Chinese. They weren't directly outside, but they were getting closer. Gilles grabbed Albert again and pulled him out of the bathroom and into a sprint.
"Tā zài nà!" called one of the soldiers, and Gilles and Albert turned a corner to avoid another barrage of gunfire.
"Mon dieu!"
"What the..." Albert was now running on his own, not being dragged by the French minister. "Why in t'BLOODY HELL are they SHOOTIN' at us!?"
"I told you, I don't know!"
They continued running, but Gilles was becoming fatigued. They stopped for a moment to allow him to rest.
"Well, I don't like getting shot at," Albert growled at his French counterpart, "so make 'em stop, you buggering frog!"
Gilles seemed to consider this as he gasped for breath.
"Do you think we could ask them nicely?"
"... For Chris'sake, Gilles."
Without warning a third voice interrupted them and the two looked up to see Reginald Falk and his group walking along, carefree, down another hall.
"Oh hey, guys!" Minister Falk waved a hand cheerily. "Sorry to say, but we're going back to Australia. Orders from the top, you see. Plane's waitin', so farewell, lads!"
Gilles and Albert gave each other a glance and, coming to a nonverbal agreement, bounded up to and past the other diplomats, who gave them funny looks as they ran.
"Well, I never," Falk laughed. "I didn't know you two were friendsssAOH!"
The Australian representative cut off his words as Chinese Federation soldiers ran up from where the two were previously resting. Now was not the time to ask questions, he figured, and he turned in place and sprinted in the opposite direction, loosing obscenities the whole way. There was a round of gunfire and all four of the other Australians who hadn't reacted as swiftly as their leader fell to the floor dead. The ministers from France, England and Australia continued on, leaving the fallen where they lay.
They continued running, just the three of them now, with Albert at the front. He and Gilles must not have realized in all the chaos how close they were to the building's exit, and it was an extraordinary relief when they finally shoved open a pair of glass doors, separating them from the outside, from freedom. Right outside the UFN building and down a set of stairs was a small blue jet, revved up and ready to go, the Union Jack and Stars on its hull showing its loyalty to the ever neutral Australia.
The escaping diplomats wasted no time running down the stairs toward their vehicle of escape, but the glass doors of the UFN building slammed open once more as the Chinese Federation troops caught up with them again. They raised their guns and then...
"MEOW!"
The cat from before, grey, with a spot over its right eye, pounced and surprised the soldiers long enough for the diplomats to get into the relative safety of the jet. The feline dashed down the stairs after them and hopped aboard the aircraft just as its hatch closed.
"DRIVE! DRIVE!" the three ministers screamed at the pilot, who, in a panic at so abruptly being shouted at, took off without delay. The Federation soldiers on the ground kept shooting at the jet even as it left, their bullets ringing against its hull and punching small holes across its frame.
When they were in the air and had regained their breath, Reginald Falk glared at Gilles and Albert, the look completely foreign upon his grandfatherly face.
"We were getting shot at! We could'a died! What the FUCK did you BLOODY CUNTS do THIS bloody time!?"
Gilles offered a look of disgust to Albert at the Australian's rude outburst. He was met by a shrug from the Englishman.
"Don't mind him. He's a colonial. You get used to it."
LLLLLLLLLLLL