Audacity chapter 25.
Had some problems with the order of my chapters, I just got through fixing it so it should be ok.
*I guarantee you people I'm back and with a vengeance, I'm doing my damnedest to keep up with my writing and so far it's turning out all right. I just recently noticed that has disabled the ability for anyone to post links on the profile page… Because that totally makes sense. If this weren't the case I would post chapters 2 and 3 of the audio book version of this. Whatever, if this site ever decides to return the public's ability to post links than you can count on seeing them.*
Response to review by: XT3. Shirley's return will be quite eventful, this I guarantee you, so go ahead and speculate all you want. However, I guarantee you one thing: I'm going to absolutely surprise everyone with what happens.
Response to review by: EVA-Saiyajin. Cypher's relationship with his allies is going to be significantly less formal than with Lelouch's and the Black Knights. So you can expect incidents like this quite frequently. As to the matter of grammatical errors and missing words, you can attribute that to the fact that I failed to edit that chapter before posting. I did have my wonderful beta patch it up though.
Response to reviews by: Anon and Atrile. Gentlemen, I feel the need to inform you that 'The closer you get to the light, the greater your darkness becomes.' Expect it, anticipate it's gleefully if you will, for there will be much light and everything that follows.
Response to review by: LEGENDRY. With my characters heavy ambitions, I can't imagine Euphemia getting much of anything done. At least not along the lines of anything productive. So you can genuinely expect him to grasp for power in every way possible. Whether it be getting his own, or removing another's.
When it comes to Gray Jack, I will say is his powers and limitations are as numerous as his odd personality quirks. If you would take notice you will see that he follows the belief of lack of proof is not proof of lacking, he thoroughly understands that person perceives a reality based upon information they have. And as long as he can feed someone the proper information, even if it's wrong he can force someone to believe it. As to what it may or may not be… I can say nothing more.
I will say this though, there is an unyieldingly deep and dark reason behind his existence as well as his motives.
Super-duper awesome sauce line break.
God dammit I'm dreaming again… I thought angrily as I surveyed my surroundings, or lack thereof. I could see my body just fine as well as anything on my person, my Ashford uniform included, however anything outside of that was absolutely pitch black. Not a single object was visible, however it was comforting that I could feel the floor despite the fact it was smooth and featureless. I decided searching wasn't going to get me anywhere so I simply sat down and crossed my legs, determined to wait it out until I woke up. This however, proved to be rather annoying after about an hour. It finally got to the point where I became impatient and yelled out.
"All right! Dammit what's the point of this!" there was an echo, long and hollow. At least by this I could determine there was a ceiling. I clenched my fist and teeth several times in further frustration.
"I see you at least have some patience." Interjected a smooth angelic voice to my left, I flinched inwardly and snapped my vision to where the sound had come from. Just about anything failed to surprise me at this point, I was used to the crazy bull shit… However what I saw was interesting. A female being wearing archaic white robes with bleach blonde hair well past her shoulders stood before me, her womanly features stood out in the darkness… Then again so did anything.
"Sup?" I question calmly, although on the inside I was in a bit of turmoil trying to figure out whether or not she was a threat. I then reminded myself that it was a dream and cast those thoughts away.
"You can be articulate when you want to, but I see now is not one of those times." I narrowed my eyes slightly. Aside from her mouth she had yet to change posture at all, she'd yet to move an inch in any direction as far as I was concerned. That meant she was comfortable, she felt secure- apparently I wasn't a threat.
"Are you here to the nag me for my vulgarity, or you can explain what the hell's going on?" her face scrunched up slightly from what appeared to be disapproval.
"You really are a strange one, to demand answers when you have nothing to offer." I stood and raised myself to my full height and bearing try to look as imposing as possible.
"Look lady, I got no idea what the hell is happening and you don't even have the common decency to say hey guess what we are at so and so's place, that's why you can't see anything… But no! Instead you want to nag me like a housewife and tell me I have nothing to offer as well is insult the fact that I'm not articulate to your liking." I paused for breath. "Frankly, you're starting to piss me off." I said darkly. The woman pinched the bridge of her nose lightly and mumbled something about being forced to work with me, as well as how vulgar and disgusting humans were. But shortly afterwards she regained her composure.
"I'm here to help you, as to why you're deserving of help in the first place… That's not my place to say, regardless. I see you've sold your soul, although for only a limited amount of time and under very specific conditions." I nodded and crossed my arms in confirmation.
"The only being left that can still pull that off would be Gray Jack. I assume he is your caster?" I didn't answer her question immediately instead my thoughts were in a flurry of confusion.
Caster? Only being left? What the fuck is going on.
"Okay lady, I am really really really confused right now, so pardon me if I'm not on key with you. I need a little bit of explaining if I'm going to have a whole conversation right now."
The woman breathed deeply and exhaled slowly, almost as if she couldn't stand me being around her, but otherwise she nodded and began speaking softly.
"From what I've been told, Gray Jack as taken you away from where you rightfully belong and inserted you elsewhere, the Lord in all his divine glory has decided that you are worthy of assistance. Which mind you is incredibly strained right now so you should indeed be very grateful." I put both my hands up signifying for her to stop.
"I'm sorry, did you say the lord as in God?" Her eyes widened sudden and she began to reprimand me.
"Thou shalt not say the Lord's name but in praise human!" She said quickly with a hint of anger. I couldn't help myself, I straight up began laughing. Full out. Unrestrained. Laughing. "What is so funny human?" She demanded.
"You're an angel! I call bullshit! Angels are supposed be nice, tell God that I request nicer assistance… One with bigger jugs if he can." I said sarcastically motioning towards my chest. What was the worst could happen? She could kill me, yes. But then Gray Jack would just collect my soul, so it wasn't really an issue. The Angels face became beet red as she clenched her fists forcing her knuckles to turn white despite her already fair complexion.
"Of all the brazen audacity!-" I cut her off.
"That's it! That's just it! I am already fucked! So why bother helping? If you wanted to do something you should've done it before this happened, because according to what I've heard God is supposed to be all-powerful… Good job catching this one with your all-powerfulness." I then returned to my seated position chuckling darkly.
"Look lady, unless you can kill Gray Jack, or at least get him restrained permanently, then there is no way we can work anything out. Not to mention as you previously stated, I have nothing to offer you." I paused briefly to think while fondling my chin. "And on top of all that, I'm a terrible person! Why would you even waste your time with me? All in all this seems more like a trap that an opportunity to gain anything."
Her gaze was cast downwards; her voice was softer than earlier, her tone was almost somber.
"You are only helpless… You are only beyond saving… Because you allow yourself to be. Such is the fate of beings of your nature." She said cryptically. This caused me to arch an eyebrow but otherwise I said nothing. "Our time here grows short. I will guard your memories of our contact from that monstrosity… But in the future I expect you to be better behaved."
I smoothed out my features and stared at her blankly.
I have no way of telling whether or not this is a trap of some sort… Hell, it's possible Gray Jack is doing this just to mind fuck me… If not, this gives me some valuable information to trade, assuming this really is an opposing force to him.
The illusion of my dream began to waver and my vision of the woman began to fade.
My eyes opened looking at the same thing I had fallen asleep to, the ceiling. I turned to my right and saw a lump of blankets with dozens of green strands poking out. I rolled my eyes irritated; CC had snuck into my bed. However this was the first time she had done it while I was in it.
I suppose if I want to stop her from doing this in the future, I should develop some form of deterrence. I smiled wickedly. Engage pervert mode! I thought while barely restraining mischievous giggles. Reaching over with my left hand I pulled off the thin blanket to see her once again scantily clad in one of my button up shirts and a pair of underwear. She was facing me, her body was scrunched up, almost in the fetal position. I had to admit, she was rather cute when she was sleeping. Then again I knew once she wakes up, that would change.
I poked to the squishy flesh of her left breast and felt the emphatically wonderful feeling of… Nothing within me.
"Nah… Not feeling it." I said losing interest. Well at least that determined I'm not physically attracted to her. I thought blankly as I extracted myself from the blankets and quietly dressed myself in my Ashford uniform. Once dressed my mind began to wander.
Geassing Euphemia is all well and good. And is simple enough once I make contact with her again… But that's the main issue here, just how am I going to make contact again without being shot on sight?
I began running scenarios in my head. No matter which way I cut it, the likelihood of me coming into contact with her without her wanting me to would be nigh on impossible… At least without force.
That's it! I could fake my surrender… Then again that would make me look bad in the eyes of the public, especially if I killed her afterwards. Dammit!
I began walking towards the kitchen to eat breakfast with Nunnally.
Euphemia could be the least of my problems, at least logically speaking… She was the sub Viceroy before becoming Viceroy, this insinuates that she wasn't prepared or qualified for the job before I killed Cornelia. So I suppose it's all possible they would send someone else… Someone who is ruthless and less forgiving.
I sat at the dining table, I could hear noises in the kitchen but there was no one at the table.
So putting her under my Geass could prove to be rather pointless if she's not the one in charge, although it could possibly be used as a gateway. But for now I should focus on gathering support from the Japanese. Someone had to of been funding the terrorists as well as the liberation front.
I couldn't stop the sigh that escaped me. Leaning my head's weight on my arm I stared out the window, lost in thought.
I should probably consult Ohgi, he would probably know who supported the other terrorists. My mind ran a quick circle as I realized something. Then again, it's very possible that terrorists were funded from the inside or at least someone with heavy ties with Britannia. Because there's no way they could have gotten a hold of a knightmare without external financial assistance.
My frown deepened as I realize what that could mean.
Then it's very possible this organization, if it's only one, will come to me and not the other way around… But if they do this they're liable to try and take control. Or at least that's what I would do if I was some super shady resistance group benefactor.
"What's wrong Lelouch?" Said Nunnally from over on my right. I jumped slightly in response and looked at her with a bit of shock. "You've been staring out the window looking kind of grumpy for the past five minutes."
A guilty smirk adorned by features.
"Just thinking… About stuff… And things." I found it adorable with the way she looked at everything such a determined intensity, it seemed as if every time she viewed something, she understood how it was… not just what it looked like.
"Well that doesn't tell me much of anything now does it?" She said while holding her hand over her giggling mouth. I smiled genuinely and stretched both of my arms, unable to suppress a yawn.
"Ah… but who else other than Cypher himself could be so nondescript?" her calm features halted slightly.
"So you are Cypher… If so, why did you kill brother Clovis, and Cornelia?" My expression hardened as I prepared an explanation.
"Clovis is easy to explain, the power of my Geass, came from CC. Clovis was doing inhumane experimentation on her in an attempt to pilfer her powers and use them for his own selfish purposes." It looked as if she was about to say something, but I held my hand and stopped her.
"And that's not the worst part, he was willing to 'liquidate' and by that I mean inflict genocide upon all of Shinjuku just cover up his experiments once they were stolen from him and taken there." I explained with a cold tone.
"T-then what about Cornelia?" My expression became stoic.
"She was the enemy; she was willing to duplicate the exact same circumstances in Saitama just to draw me out." If it wasn't before, Nunnally's expression changed to one of shock.
"No… She wouldn't do that. Cornelia is strong-"
"Was strong." I corrected.
"That doesn't matter!" She surprised me by raising her voice, not that it was that loud. "You killed her along with the men she fought with…" I surveyed her dismayed figure, she looked like she wanted to withdraw into herself, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Do you hate me?" I asked simply. She stopped her near sobbing posture and seized up for a moment as if confused.
"No… Of course not… I just don't agree with the way you've done things." I arched an eyebrow.
"Well, that's a matter of opinion now isn't it? You must realize that you can't change the world with just kindness alone… You need force, force and the ability to apply it where need when needed." I said while holding back a smirk. She pondered what I said for a moment, seeming at odds with herself, until finally she said two words that I myself could never know to be more true.
"You've changed." The simplicity of the statement almost rocked me, to think that I had caused a little girl, a crippled one of that, so much distress, so much unnecessary heartache.
I really was starting to hate myself, but I couldn't give up now.
"That may be, but I'm not going to stop. Giving up now would only insult those who've already died." She clenched both small fists in frustration, until finally sheleveled with me.
"Please, promise me you won't hurt Euphie…" I considered it for a moment; ultimately I decided leaving her alive was something I could easily accomplish.
"I can't promise you I won't hurt her, but I won't kill her if that's what you want." For some reason, an unbridled feeling of anger washed over me. On some sort of base level I couldn't help but feel like I was doing something seriously wrong. Almost as if the fiber of my being is rejecting the reality I had created and decisions I had made.
My musings were interrupted by Sayoko, who had just entered with breakfast stating.
"Breakfast is ready now." I nodded to her, thankful for the change in conversation.
"Actually, I'm not hungry Sayoko I'll be heading out ahead of time." Nunnally said clearly depressed. All Sayoko could muster was a blank stare of confusion while bowing politely and saying goodbye.
I opted to eat breakfast in silence; I barely even tasted the food, regardless of what it may or may not have been. In fact, the only reason I even indulged in the first place was because my body required it.
Stressful conversations aside, I still seriously needed a way to contact Euphemia… I needed to arrange a face-to-face meeting of some sort, preferably one with a moderate level privacy. The way I saw it I had three main ways of going about this.
One. I could try to use force to get myself close and get the command across, but obviously that had its own inherent dangers and complications and required just as much information gathering does any of the other options I had available.
Two. I could try to sneak into the consulate again, despite how difficult that will be. After making inside it would be near trifling matter to Geass an escort to her private quarters where I could simply wait until I had an opportunity to use my power. I didn't even necessarily need to go to her quarters I could have whomever I Geassed take me directly to Euphemia. I was starting to like that option the more I thought about it.
Three. I could make a public announcement regarding my desire to surrender or what have you, possibly a plea to cooperate or something of the like. This had a high potential given Euphemia's expressed personality. It was no more dangerous than the stunts I had already pulled… But then again tricks like that can only work so many times.
There's also another serious issue I've overlooked. Obviously she's been given the position of Viceroy, therefore I'm sure there are some duties and obligations that of which you must upkeep. Fight in the way of them with my demands for materials and freedom to move about, and she could get replaced. Sooner than later if it's inevitable.
The research I had done on the Imperial family was minimal regarding individuals, save for the Emperor himself. I was familiar with their promotional system as well as their state of government: typically anyone who proved to be too weak for their position would be either removed or killed. Usually replaced by someone that the Emperor himself deemed strong enough to hold the position.
I could always appeal to the emperor after I Geass Euphemia and take over its materials. I can't imagine him denying my request to become Viceroy if I've shown I have what it takes to hold this area by the balls right under the nose of everyone. I frowned deeply. This thought was by far the most complex in it's order of operations. Logically speaking it will be rather simple to appeal to the Emperor in that sort of way, considering the fact that he himself was the maker of the phrase and belief 'Might makes right'.
Worst-case scenario I end up controlling this country from the shadows as planned, at least until I build up enough military strength to confront Britannia. It's doubtful of the Chinese Federation or the EU would come to my assistance until I prove that I can beat Britannia down with one hand and offer them piece in the other.
I groaned audibly and grit my teeth and frustration.
This is all one cluster fuck of crazy bull shit, one slight misinformation in any way could cause this to go careening in the total opposite direction than I want it to.
Grabbing two fistfuls of my own hair I applied pressure to my ears until the entire world was but a mute hum in the background. I strained my mental capacity, applied scenarios, variables, known personalities. Anything I thought could prove a factor in my ability to get close to Euphemia. I pushed the thought to the brink of insanity running in circles in on itself, compiling seemingly useless data into a coherent thought that provided a base to build upon.
And then finally.
"Option three it is then, I'll use two as Plan B, and one as plan C."
I pushed the chair away from the table and stood, I still had to collect my mask and hopefully the Beretta from Outlooks.
Douglas should have it finished by now. I thought as I made my way outside towards the outskirts of the campus.
I decided to walk this time, for it would give me more time to think. I lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply to calm myself, it took the edge off things but it didn't erase my worries completely. To a point I now understood why people took drugs to wash away their worries. Alcohol I had yet to try, but I wasn't in any particular hurry. As I had predicted a long walk gave me plenty of time to think or otherwise let my mind wander.
I wonder what I can get out of Jack with this new information, it's quite possible he's listening to these exact thoughts and the thoughts that were- Wait stop thinking about it! You might ruin it!
I found it very difficult to cut a thought in half and simply drop it like that, but for the sake of my personal gain I did it anyway.
However this is rather valuable information… should I recollect the years on my soul that I've given up? Perhaps I could go for another augmentation… maybe even another power, assuming he has that capability.
I snorted at the absurdity of my thoughts and took another drag of the cigarette.
Come to think of it, he's been incredibly wishy-washy with explaining how he does certain things… Hell I should say everything; he has yet to explain a single damn thing at least along the lines of how he's doing it.
I paused at a crosswalk, waiting for the signal to turn red so I could cross.
I guess I won't know until I confront him about it.
I pushed those thoughts aside for later as I continued walking peacefully.
*Outlooks*
Once I had arrived at the nondescript business in the lesser part of town I walked right in as if I owned the place. Douglas was behind the counter as he had been last time; he was checking things off on a piece of paper with a clipboard underneath. As soon as he saw me the red rims on his eyes lit up.
"Ahh, Mr. Lamperouge. The material as you have requested and have under your name have arrived."
"Excellent, let me see them." I said while walking up to the counter and placing my arm on it to support myself.
The first thing Douglas introduced to me was an ordinary lockbox for a handgun. He opened it up and presented to me my Beretta 92 G Elite. I noticed six spare magazines embedded into the foam to the right of the actual firearm itself, plus the magazine already within the firearm. I also noticed that every magazine was loaded with full metal jacketed rounds, I couldn't help but idly wonder as to why he had chosen those in particular.
However my thoughts were quickly interrupted once he presented the ceramic masterpiece I had come to call my mask.
The mask appeared to be no different than it had been the first time I laid eyes on it. Sadistically smiling skull with sharpened teeth and a dull eggshell color for a background. However something new presented itself to me as I turned the mask around to put it on. The first thing I noticed was that it was slightly heavier; the second thing was purely visual. On the inside as I looked through the eyes, everything appeared slightly tinted, not to the point of sunglasses however it was noticeable.
I pulled the mask off slightly to inspect it further. I noticed a dark blue button on the right side of the chin piece; it was facing me once I put the mask on and had a slight impression in the middle. So logically I did what everyone does when presented with a strange button… I pressed it. There was a quick and sharp.
SHCK.
Sound as I realized both eyes had retracted their tinted lenses and resumed the way it had been before it had been upgraded. I pressed the button once more only to have the exact same result but in reverse.
Satisfied, I said farewell to Douglas with my new supplies in hand. I hid my mask in the front part of my waistband, as for the case I simply carried it. It's not like it was too heavy or anything like that.
The only problem is I don't quite have the space for this thing, I already have the Glock and model 36… I would consider giving it to CC had she not already stolen one of my firearms.
I pondered the situation as I began walking towards my newly christened headquarters.
I don't want it to just collect dust… I could always give it to Kallen. Then again she did say she already had a firearm. It doesn't matter I'll just give the order and have her carry it around all the time. I can't have her being unarmed if something ever happens and she's on her own.
*Seekers headquarters*
This time when I walked in like I owned the place, I could honestly say I did in fact own the place. It brought a smile to my face when I saw the first floor. The entirety of the first floor was now completely empty save for the several Knightmares and pallets of supplies. All the rusted pipes and pieces of metal had been removed; there were still holes in the floor from where things had obviously been bolted down in the past, but I wasn't concerned about that.
I noticed there were only five or six people other than myself within the warehouse. Nobody noticed I had entered which I immediately frowned upon. The cause in the lapse of security was fully apparent once I got closer to the cluster of people around the elevator. I could hear Tamaki complaining loudly, his voice echoing due to the hollowness of the machine. However I could not see him physically, which led me to assume he was working above the elevator near the cables.
"I said I need a crescent wrench! Arggh! If I'm gonna fix this elevator I'm in a need the right tools and I don't need to give Cypher another reason to bitch at me!" I smirked slightly at Tamaki's antics.
"Don't worry, I'll still find something to bitch at you about!" I yelled to him, startling everyone. There was a loud clang from the sound of tools being dropped. Four the men whose name I did not know explicitly gave me a formal greeting. The others I recognized, one of which was Oghi himself.
Good, I expected to find him here.
"Ohgi, do you know where Kallen is?" Oghi blinked twice but quickly regained his senses and replied.
"S-she's at school right now. I told her to go unless something was happening." I quirked an eyebrow at the statement.
"So you're the one who makes her go to school?" A look of apprehension was quickly donned by Ohgi.
"I wanted her to have a normal life as much as possible, her late brother did as well. Look if it's a matter of her ability to fight with us-" I cut him off in an attempt to stymie his worries.
"No, I agree with you, she should get a proper education and what have you. It's good for her. I was just checking to see where she was, and now that I'm here, I guess I should see how things are going as well." Oghi looked dumbfounded for a moment; but shortly after his expression was replaced with that of determination.
"We finished cleaning off the first floor, now working in getting the elevator working so we can hide the supplies better."
I crossed my arms and nodded pleasantly. I noticed Tamaki had poked his head out of the service opening at the top of the elevator.
"Good, good… does anyone care to explain to me as to how I simply walked in here and nobody noticed?" I paused to gauge their reactions. "I mean damn! The door was unlocked of all things. For all you guys could've known I could've been a Britannian raid."
"I'm sorry, I will work on a security detail as soon as possible."
I nodded once more.
"It doesn't need to be anything too fancy, just lock all the major entrances have at least one person keep a lookout. It's not like I'm mad or anything… shit happens."
Looks of relief were abundant amongst the men.
"Is anything I should know?" I asked hoping there was nothing. As it turns out just that much was true. Nothing required my attention. Not yet at least. I then bid my allies farewell and set off in search of Kallen once more.
She's gonna carry this damn thing even if it kills me.
I thought with an air of determination.
To be continued… even if it kills me…