Author's Note: Yo. Chapter 19 here.
For those who haven't been paying attention, this is chapter 19. As in, not an interlude or 0.5 chapter. That's how I do it.
Computer troubles have been plaguing me so this chapter was delayed until I (somewhat) fixed them up.
Now, I have a question for all of you. Some of you might have read RoseDragonWitch's story 'Warm Memories and Brotherly Bonds', a story for One Piece? Yes? Well, I would be interested to see if someone would write one for Canon Code Geass, showing Kallen and Lelouch's former allies his life. I'd do it myself, but eleven stories is a bit much for me as it is.
PM me if you accept.
As always, Read, Review and check out my other stories.
Disclaimer: Code Geass isn't mine.
"Kallen"-Speech
'Lelouch'-Thought/mental communication
"{Die}"-Geass Command
"Halt!"-Loudspeaker
"Roger."-Radio/Walkie-Talkie
Chapter 19: The Lake Kawaguchi Incident
Later That Night
Hanger, Colonel Todoh's JLF Base
Kyōshirou Todoh stood with the three remaining Four Holy Swords as the large truck and trailer entered the hanger, although this confirmed something for him.
Zero had refused the offer to join the JLF.
'Still…this leaves the question of what Zero gave the truck and trailer to Urabe for.' Todoh mused to himself. Six men did not require a truck to transport them back when they already had an extraction route prepared.
This meant, logically speaking, that Zero had sent some manner of gift with them to try to appease the hurt feelings of those in the JLF who would take offence to his refusal.
'Very astute of him.' Todoh had to give Zero credit in anticipating the likely reaction to his refusal. However, that begged the question of what he had sent along with Urabe. Ammo? Spare parts? Rations?
Urabe and his men dismounted for the cab of the truck and lined up in front of him, saluting him sharply.
"Colonel, we have returned from our diplomatic mission." Urabe said simply.
"Good work." Todoh returned the salute, "Might I ask what Zero sent back as consolation for refusing our invitation?"
This startled all four of his personal guard, but Urabe recovered quickly.
"As expected, you are quick on the uptake, sir." he replied with a chuckle, "Furukawa, Natsume! Open the doors and show the Colonel our gift from Zero!"
"Yessir!" the two soldiers replied and moved to the doors of the trailer. Pushing a sequence of buttons on the two pads that operated the doors opening mechanism, the two soldiers hid their grins as the five Sutherlands were exposed and the jaws of their superior officers dropped almost in unison.
"Sutherlands…" Chiba breathed.
"Not just any Sutherlands either." Urabe said with a grin, "These are RPI-13V models, with enhanced servomotors that put them just shy of Cornelia's Gloucesters in terms of strength and improved Landspinners that increase their speed. Not to mention the extra parts, weapons and ammunition to keep them in working order for a good while."
The Sutherland, in a similar manner to the Glasgow, had many variants. The RPI-13V model was used almost exclusively by the Mobile Battalion known as 'Victoria's Pride', Cornelia li Britannia's personal forces, and pushed the Sutherland's strength and speed to the absolute limits of the frame's durability without sacrificing any armour plating.
"And he just gave us five of them." Todoh said in mild amazement, "Are they for the Holy Swords' use?"
"Hai. He was rather firm that they were four our use, as well as your own." Urabe replied, "I am prepared to give you my report once we retire to a more secure location, Colonel."
Todoh nodded. "Very well. You five, brief the mechanics on the machines, then take a well earned break." he instructed the five men who had accompanied Urabe.
"Yessir! Thank you, Sir!" the men replied.
Todoh led his Four Holy Swords to a conference room and sealed it shut. Calling it a conference room was a bit much - it only had a standard-issue military collapsible table and a handful of foldaway chairs - but it was just enough for foot patrol briefings. It would also do for this preliminary debriefing.
"Urabe. Your opinion of Zero?" he asked after they all were settled.
"Highly charismatic, a master orator, an object of mystery to his subordinates, yet he explains everything after the fact." Urabe replied, "He is fair with his troops, but if they step out of line, he doesn't hesitate to punish them. He kicked out ten 'Frainer just as I arrived. He is also surprisingly casual with the troops, but maintains a sufficient amount of distance that discipline isn't a problem."
"Who the hell is he?!" Asahina practically hissed, "Someone like him can't have just appeared from nowhere!"
"Unknown." Urabe replied, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at the man's tenacity.
"Hmm. Asahina does have a point, Colonel." Ryōga Senba put in, "For all we know, he could be an agent of the Chinese Federation or the Euro Universe."
"At the moment, there is no evidence that would indicate he is either." Chiba said reluctantly, "Chinese Federation commanders are generally lapdogs of the High Eunuchs and are arrogant and disdainful of those under their command, with the predictable results. Euro Universe commanders are usually politicians wearing uniforms; they have next to no actual military experience and are far too free with human-wave tactics, which doesn't match up with Zero's noted modus operandi of defeating the enemy with as few casualties as is physically possible."
Todoh nodded in agreement with Chiba's analysis. He could always count on Chiba making an accurate analysis of someone based on what data she had available to her.
"What about Zero's command-level personnel?" Todoh asked, "As well as any other personnel of note."
"There are more than a few." Urabe replied, "To start off with Personnel of Note, there are two other masked people under his command. One is called Aegis and dresses like a shinobi, complete with a kodachi. Her mask/helmet is that of a Han'nya. She is Zero's primary bodyguard as was hyper alert for any signs of treachery from us, which is understandable, considering a disgruntled Refrain addict attempted to assassinate Zero immediately prior to the Yamato Alliance voting to join with Zero."
"Tch. Grandstanding." Asahina sniffed as he adjusted his glasses, "Using such cheap tactics to intimidate people…it only shows how shallow his tactics are. What about ranged weapons?"
"Throwing knives, shuriken and the like." Urabe replied, "At least, that's all she wore that I could see. Don't be complacent about her lack of range though; she apparently used Ninjutsu against that Refrain addict and almost cut him in half even though he couldn't have missed at the range he shot her at."
This made Todoh raise an eyebrow slightly. "Ninjutsu? What sort?"
"Kaname Ohgi said that Zero called it Utsusemi." Urabe said with a frown, "Isn't that supposed to be the Body Replacement technique?"
"Indeed." Todoh nodded, "The technique is actually an optical illusion whereby you dodge to one side and allow the attack to strike something else rather than your body. A speed technique, in other words."
"No human could dodge a bullet from close range." Chiba objected.
"Actually it is possible, theoretically." Senba put in, "As long as you read the timing of the shots, the direction of the barrel AND you jump to the side at the last possible second, just as the trigger is fully depressed. The amount of physical fitness, kinaesthesia and reaction times would have to be ridiculously high though."
"We'll have to table this discussion for now, but she is indeed one to note." Todoh stated, "Who is the other masked person?"
"Augur. I couldn't tell if Augur was male or female because the outfit the guy wears is similar to that of an old-fashioned European knight. Her mask is a rather disturbing cyclopean design." Urabe replied, "Unlike Aegis, Augur is primarily Zero's advisor and sounding board, backed up by the fact Augur wears no visible weapons. Both Aegis and Augur rarely stray from Zero's side, except on the battlefield, where they are usually key parts of any plan he executes."
"Two more masked people to which we have no idea who they are." Asahina grumbled, "What next?"
"What is it about Zero and his compatriots that bothers you so much?" Todoh asked curiously, "No prevaricating or avoiding my question if you please."
Asahina sighed. "We've been fighting the Britannians for seven years. We've fought and bled for our country, losing comrades in the struggle…and this poser wanders in and starts acting like he's such a big shot!"
'Jealousy, pure and simple.' Todoh concluded with another sigh before gesturing at Urabe to continue.
"Other than Zero's advisors, the cell has two Second in Commands and a Third in command." Urabe said, "Kaname Ohgi is a former schoolteacher and was the best friend of Naoto Kōzuki. He took over his cell after Clovis captured and tortured Naoto to death. He seems competent at his job, but I haven't seen him in battle, so there isn't much I can say for that part."
"He at least maintained the discipline instituted by Naoto Kōzuki, so he does have some leadership skills." Chiba mused.
"The other Second in Command is Mamoru Takagahara, the Sleeping Dragon of Kantō." Urabe said seriously, "He is well respected by everyone and was Naoto Kōzuki's martial arts sensei. He is an experienced commander and is more than capable of holding his own in a Knightmare battle; although I think we have something of an advantage in experience there."
"The Sleeping Dragon…so he's decided to make a move." Todoh said solemnly, "He rarely moves without a purpose. It will be interesting to see what his plan is."
"The third in command is a bit of a troublesome one." Urabe said grimly, "Her name is Kallen Kōzuki, a Britannian/Japanese Halfblood and Naoto Kōzuki's younger sister. She is, according to both Zero and Mamoru-san, one of the most gifted Knightmare pilots and martial artists of her generation. Mamoru-san trained her as well, and did an excellent job of it, as I could tell just from watching her walk across a room. She is well respected by her own cell, but some of the former Yamato Alliance were severely disrespectful to her, namely the 'Frainers, which made Zero throw them out quicker than he had expected to have to."
"Unsurprising." Todoh said with a snort, "In an army, disrespect to superior officers cannot be tolerated. Zero was correct to get rid of them as swiftly as he did. It's actually a wonder why he let those idiots stay as long as he did."
"I actually asked him about that just before we left." Urabe replied, "Zero said that he wanted to see if any of them would reform themselves with their ringleader dead. He wanted to be fair. Unfortunately, none of them were all that grateful for his generosity."
"Refrain!" Senba spat out in disgust, "That accursed drug has done almost as much damage to the Japanese people as Britannia itself!"
"I agree." Asahina said angrily, "It's the damn Brits and their criminal cartels that create and ship the stuff! We should strike at them!"
"We are in no such position to do so." Todoh said firmly, "Any raid we have attempted since Cornelia arrived and tightened up security has failed dismally; we will not be raiding anyone until we improve our skills to the point that we can pull off a raid without having it foiled. Now, how is Zero's group organised?"
"At the moment, they seem to be engaged in having their skill assessed." Urabe replied, "At least, the former members of the Yamato Alliance are. I think any formal organisation will come after that."
"That makes a great deal of sense." Chiba said thoughtfully, "Kami knows that the Yamato Alliance didn't do any sort of training until Mamoru-san started taking them in hand. Knowing just how bad they are will tell Zero exactly which areas need the most work."
"Plus it gives Zero a good excuse to keep the former members of the Kōzuki Group in charge of the day-to-day operations of the new group." Senba added, "He may have rid himself of the low level and obvious troublemakers, but that doesn't mean to say that there isn't someone laying low, waiting to cause trouble at the first opportunity."
This had the whole room nodding in agreement. The Yamato Alliance had been the worst resistance group in all of Japan and had attracted all of the scum that had been thrown out of other groups. That only ten of them had been thrown out as of yet was a miracle.
"Overall, Colonel, Zero's group is still in its early stages, but has immense potential." Urabe finished his report.
"Hmmm. Well done, Urabe." Todoh said with a nod, "Now, to move onto the actual mission, did Zero give any reasons for refusing to join us?"
"Hai." Urabe replied, "There were three reasons that he gave, although I suspect that your original guess would be a fourth. Reason Number one was that he is not willing to abandon his subordinates. He knew that any that joined the JLF along with him would be assigned elsewhere to prevent him from building up a clique of warriors.
Secondly, to put it in Zero's own words, he had no interest in necromancy."
"Necromancy?" Senba asked in confusion.
"It's a western magical art involving the communication with and raising of the deceased." Todoh said with a frown, "I take it in this case that Zero is equating the former Japan to a corpse and the act of attempting to revive it as necromancy?"
Exactly." Urabe nodded, "Zero was very passionate about this point. He stated that the Japanese people have gone through too much at the hands of Britannia and the drug Refrain to return to what had once been Japan. He spoke about creating a new Japan that retains all of our traditions and incorporating what has befallen us, forging something greater than what once was."
"He's impressed you." Todoh noted.
"As I stated, he is a master orator." the Captain replied, "He is able to covey his belief via his words, which makes others believe them more easily. Even knowing it was being done, I couldn't help agreeing with him. Japan as it once was cannot return."
This shocked his fellow Holy Swords and made them start arguing heatedly with Urabe. Todoh sat back and thought about everything Urabe had told him thus far for a moment before slamming his hand on the table, silencing his subordinates instantly.
"Enough! Urabe is entitled to his own opinions." he stated forcibly, "We are not Britannia, who forces all to believe as they do. Urabe, what was the last reason that Zero gave?"
"He said it was because the JLF did not look far enough into the future." Urabe replied, obviously grateful that the other three had fallen silent for the moment, "He asked what plans the JLF had in place for if we drive Britannia from Japan. I admit, I had not considered what we would do, and we have received not information that such a plan has even been conceived or is in the works."
"I see…so to Zero, we are mired in the past and too focused on the present, unable to look beyond the here and now." Todoh chuckled slightly, "I see. By the way, did Zero or any of his subordinates mention the new name for their group?"
"It's still in the works apparently." Urabe replied, "Permission to go for R&R, Colonel."
"Granted. Take a rest; you've done an excellent job." Todoh nodded.
Urabe stood up, saluted and walked out of the room, leaving Todoh and the remaining members of the Four Holy Swords behind.
"Opinions. Chiba?" the Colonel asked calmly.
"Urabe is a very level-headed man, not usually given to flights of fancy." she replied thoughtfully, "For Zero to have had this sort of effect on him is…disturbing, to say the least."
"Agreed." Asahina said with a frown, "We should make sure he wasn't drugged or something."
"I doubt that Zero would stoop to such a level." Todoh disagreed, "He knows full well that if we discovered that he used something like that on Urabe, we'd descend on him and his group with every asset at our disposal. No, he is no fool. This is solely due to Zero's charisma and skills of persuasion."
"We are due for a medical in the next week or so." Senba said thoughtfully, "That will confirm if any traces of drugs remain in his system beyond a shadow of a doubt. We should table this discussion until then."
"Agreed." Todoh said firmly, effectively closing the subject, "I should start writing up my report for General Katase. He…will not be pleased by this."
The three members of the Four Holy Swords nodded sombrely. Katase was not going to be pleased about this. That didn't even begin to describe how…vexed Kusakabe and his ilk were going to be.
Todoh felt a migraine come on at the thought of it.
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Three Days Later, After School
Student Council Clubhouse, Ashford Academy
"We're going on a trip!" Milly declared loudly.
All of the Student Council looked at her before, as one, turning to look at Lelouch, Milly's leash-holder.
The raven-haired boy sighed. "Who is this 'we' you speak of?" he deadpanned, "Moreover, where are they supposed to go, when and why?"
Milly pouted at her childhood friend. "'We' as in the Student Council of course! Who do you think I was talking about, silly Lelouch. As for when and where…next week on August the 17th, there's the Annual Summit for the Sakuradite Producing Countries at the Lake Kawaguchi Hotel Convention Centre. We are going to see it!"
"B-b-b-b-but that's outside the Settlement!" Nina protested in a panic.
"You'll be fine Nina." Milly said reassuringly, "There's plenty of security at Lake Kawaguchi because it's such a tourist hotspot. We'll be fine."
"I have to take Nunnally to the Ashford Hospital on that day, Milly." Lelouch informed her, "And Kallen has to go for a treatment on that day as well."
"I do?" Kallen asked in confusion.
"Yes. Somebody rang the Student Council office and identified himself as your doctor, a Mr Nemo." Lelouch said with a nod, "He said he would give you a ring tonight to arrange things with you."
"Oh. OK." the redhead recognised one of Zero's alias' that he had informed her of, so she was glad they had operations that day.
Anything to avoid having to pretend to be a sickly weakling in public!
"I have to go to my job in the Engineering Corps that day too." Suzaku put in, "Something about testing a new system."
"Celesta?" Milly asked in a resigned fashion, knowing what her answer would be.
"I have a family obligation that day." C.C. stated drolly.
"So it's going to be me, Shirley, Nina and Rivalz on the trip." Milly was pouting grumpily at over half of her Student Council ditching her.
"Err…I have a makeup test then…" Rivalz said with a droop to his figure. He was mentally berating himself for missing an opportunity to get close to his love interest because he fell asleep in the middle of his Political Sciences Class!
"A girls day out it is!" Milly said without much of a flicker in her expression. Rivalz slumped to the table, utterly defeated by Milly's indifference.
'Ouch.' Lelouch thought with an internal wince. That had to have struck a critical hit on the boy.
"It's been a while since I left the Settlement!" Shirley, as opposed to Nina, was looking forward to the trip and was already planning what souvenirs to get her friends, "What do you guys want for souvenirs?"
"Ummm…sweets?" Nunnally asked shyly.
"Whatever you like." Lelouch told her, "You know me well enough that I trust your judgement on such things."
This comment cued Shirley's usual reaction to talking to Lelouch, flushing to the point her face resembled a tomato, and one could almost see steam billowing out from her ears as she hit her overload point and fainted.
"Lelouch, do you have to keep making the poor girl faint all the time?" Milly scolded him as she caught the orangette's boneless tumble to the side with the ease of long practice.
"I don't do it on purpose, Milly." Lelouch replied mildly, "Just about the only thing that wouldn't make her faint would be if I insult her, and that would just make her run off in tears. Do tell what I should do in this situation?"
"Take her on a date as an apology!" Milly suggested immediately.
"Not what you would like in her position, what I should do to stop her from fainting." the Exiled Prince clarified dryly.
"She has to get more used to dealing with you one-on-one." Milly said thoughtfully, "I'll see about pairing you together for a project or something. That ought to make her get used to you…and maybe you could accept one of her not-so-concealed date offers one of these days. She gets all worked up about them and then depressed when you refuse."
"She has bad timing." Lelouch protested, "The last two times have been when I had to take Nunnally to the hospital. Before that, she had to cancel due to a family emergency and the time before that the event was cancelled. Not my fault."
"It's like someone's deliberately trying to stop her from having a date with you." Nina put in softly.
"I doubt it. It's just bad timing is all." Lelouch scoffed, "Never attribute to deliberate malice what you can ascribe to bad luck or negligence."
"This is a surprise. You never usually believe in superstitious things like luck." Milly commented as she lightly slapped Shirley's face to bring her around.
"I won't go so far as to say that I believe in them." Lelouch demurred, "Let's just say that recent events have forced me to admit the possibility that what we can see in the here and now isn't everything. I do not know if luck truly exists or not, but if it does, leaving it to random chance is not something I would like to do. I make my own luck."
"…You are stubborn beyond all measure, aren't you?" C.C. concluded flatly.
"Please; call me sufficiently determined." Lelouch smirked.
One Day Later
Lieutenant-Colonel Kusakabe's Quarters, JLF Main Base, Narita Mountains
Josui Kusakabe sat at his desk with a cup of sake in his hand, silently brooding. His face twisted in rage as he recalled the briefing that Todoh had given the high-ranking members of the JLF two days previously.
'That bastard Zero!' he raged in his mind, 'How dare he just turn down an offer -an obscenely generous one to boot! - such as that!?'
More than the offer being rejected, the fact that the offer had been to give the masked man Zero the same rank as him rankled. No, even more than that; that the offer had been made at all deeply rankled!
Chugging back the sake, he absent-mindedly refilled the small cup from a bottle he had on his desk as he continued to brood.
'At this rate, the JLF will become second-place to that grandstanding fool Zero.' he thought as he nursed his sake, 'Seven years of blood, sweat and tears, all for nothing! If he resurrects Japan, there is no telling what he might do! The chance for the Kusakabe family to rise to prominence might be lost completely!'
Before the fall of Japan, the Kusakabe family had been one of the medium-level players in Japanese government and society. They had brokered some deals that had been quite profitable and had mingled with some people of influence, but had always fallen short of the level of wealth, respect and prestige that the present-day Houses of Kyoto had once taken for granted.
He had been selected to join the Imperial Japanese Army, in an effort to make connections with other Mid-level and High-level Families and Clans. The elders had created a long-term plan to eventually usurp the behind-the-throne control that the Six Houses possessed and lead the land of the Rising Sun into a golden age of prosperity.
The invasion and subsequent conquest of Japan had dashed all the hopes of the family. To the best of Josui's knowledge, he was the only remaining member of the Kusakabe family, the rest having died in the invasion, which meant he had the duty to carry on the legacy and intentions of his predecessors.
He was good enough to be promoted up the rank ladder until he hit his current rank of Lieutenant Colonel, but then…he stopped. He couldn't be promoted higher than this because of Todoh. The so-called 'Miracle Bringer' had earned a reputation for tactical brilliance because he had won Japan's only victory in the invasion, and General Katase had quickly made him his second in command when the JLF had been founded and nobody had been promoted to the full rank of Colonel since.
"Damn your eyes, Todoh!" Kusakabe growled aloud. He'd show him….he'd show everyone that Josui Kusakabe could flawlessly pull off an operation just like Todoh. He'd do it, by Kami! He'd let the world know that the Japanese Liberation Front was still alive and kicking!
The Sakuradite Conference in a few days time, while little more than an excuse for those damn Brits to rub in the fact that a hefty chunk of the precious mineral came from Japan, was also the perfect stage for his plan. He'd contacted all those in the JLF who felt the same way as he did and had formed a large force made of about seventy soldiers, five Burai and, best of all, one of the prototype Raikō units.
The Raikō was, in the opinion of most Knightmare pilots, too large, too unwieldy and entirely unsuited to deployment in the open field. This much was true, it had to be admitted, but Kusakabe looked past the failings of the unit and saw the true potential of the Raikō. In an enclosed space, as long as there was sufficient time to charge the main cannon, the Raikō's coilgun would destroy…no, annihilate any human or Knightmare foolish enough to enter its sights.
Josui Kusakabe made an ugly smirk before he tossed back his sake again and stood up. He had people to see and a building to hold hostage.
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17th of August 2017 ATB
Indoor Shopping Centre, Lake Kawaguchi Hotel/Conference Centre
"Princess Euphemia!" the rather frazzled maid hissed quietly to her (rather badly disguised) mistress, "This is a bad idea! The Viceroy will punish you and fire me!"
"She will not do any such thing." the pinkette replied as she strode down the corridor, her maid pursuing her like a mother duck trying to get one of her brood back in line, "Lord Jeremiah and Lady Villetta are proof enough that my sister can be reasoned with."
Ever since the Battle of Saitama, Jeremiah and Villetta had been under virtual house arrest in the Area 11 Administration Building, but no actual disciplinary action had been taken against them. Euphie was confident that within the week, her sister would come to her senses and stop overreacting to her overprotective instincts.
"Both of them are in the military, and Lord Jeremiah is of the Nobility!" her maid retorted quietly, "I am a lowly commoner!"
"You are also my personal maid, and Cornelia has no right to fire you." Euphie hissed back, "Put it from your mind and enjoy the tour."
The maid sighed as she looked at her stubborn headstrong mistress. Trying to stop her from running off and doing what she wanted was beyond her; Dalton or Guilford were the ones who could stop Euphemia from charging off recklessly, but they were still busy with the cleanup from the Saitama Incident, thus allowing Euphemia the chance to sneak out of the building and take the monorail to Lake Kawaguchi, towing her behind her like a kite tied to one of the carriages.
"Just…don't take off your hat or glasses…please?" the maid practically begged. Euphie had tied her hair up and wore a green cap over her distinctive pink tresses. Combined with her sunglasses concealing her violet eyes, she did hide who she was, but also made herself stand out by acting furtively.
Suddenly, screams rent the air, making the maid instinctively step protectively in front of her mistress. The sharp bark of gunfire echoed throughout the large shopping centre as uniformed figures of the Japan Liberation Front poured from staff entrances and exits, overwhelming the security guards and then pointing their weapons ant the terrified Britannian civilians nearby.
"Attention, Britannians!" a voice boomed over the speakers, "This is Lieutenant-Colonel Josui Kusakabe of the Japan Liberation Front! We have taken control of this building. We have raised the bridges and have placed armed guards on all exits to the building. There is no escape. Surrender to the nearest JLF soldier and your safety is, if not guaranteed, decidedly better than the alternative. All JLF soldiers have permission to fire at will at the slightest indication of resistance."
Euphemia paled. The JLF were making a move…and not even one of her sister's informants or spies had caught any signs that this was in the works. Heads were going to roll in the Area 11 Internal Security Department when Cornelia got through with them.
"Oh dear." she whispered as she allowed herself to be hustled into the central building by the JLF soldiers, along with a crowd of frightened tourists, "Oh dear."
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Next Chapter: The Order of Black Knights
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