A/N: Still delays. Eh, biweekly releases is still much better than most writers on this site can manage (especially ones who write chapters this long...). Still, I somehow used to manage so now I feel bad. Ah, well. Hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: Bernard: "The author of this work does not own Code Geass. He owns his own characters. It's that simple."
Katsumi continued to curse and cry as she shook her sister frantically. She would not respond to anything. It was horrible. Katsumi's heart was beating at rapid. She didn't know what to do. She was caught. Now this little girl, this Lucrecia Harrison, was taking them somewhere. She wasn't sure where, but it couldn't be good.
Over an hour had passed. She was about ready to admit defeat, but something in her told her that was a mistake. There had to be a way out. There had to be something she could do, but she just couldn't think. Katsue wouldn't react to light, sound, movement, or anything.
If only they could use their Geass again, Katsumi thought. Maybe that would fix things. If she could rip Katsue's mind from it's current locked state, maybe they'd be able to work something out together. But Katsumi had no clue how to activate their Geass. She didn't even know if it was possible with Katsue like this.
"Damn it!" Katsumi heard herself say. "Why did this have to happen, Sis?" She gave a frustrated growl. "Just what am I supposed to do?" A low whine left her lips. "How am I supposed to reach you when you're like this..."
It was then that the monitor flashed on. The little girl appeared. She smiled an evil grin and gave a high laugh. "You're still trying? How pathetic..." she said. "Can't you just give up already? Admit that you lost?"
"I refuse!" Katsumi shouted. "As long as I still breathe there, as long as Katsue is here as well, hope still exists!"
"What a stupid thing to say," the child laughed. "You have no hope." She continued laughing. "And thanks to the stupidity of you and your sister there, Mistress is going to be able to take your beloved mommy out of the picture entirely."
"W-what?!" Katsumi exclaimed, alarmed. "What have you done with mother?!"
"Oh? You would like to know, wouldn't you?" Lucrecia said. "Well I'm not going to tell you!" And with that, the monitor cut off.
"Damn it!" Katsumi screamed. "Katsue, please, wake up!" She shook her sister relentlessly. "Please... mother needs us..."
She wept. She didn't know what to do. She slouched forward onto her sister, embracing her. She didn't move. She was locked in place. Katsumi had already tried removing her hands from the controls, but even that was hopeless. She was really frozen completely in place.
"Even as close as we are... I still can't reach you," said Katsumi in defeat. "Sister... why?"
Katsumi gave a sigh. It was a silly idea, really but she was blank. She needed a miracle. She very slowly eased her way to the front of Katsumi, slipping under her outstretched arm. She gave a low nod as she looked at her sister's face. Her expression was frozen on, her eyes locked open. It just looked so abnormal. Katsumi let a hand trace down her sister's cheek, colder than usual. She then bent forward.
"Katsue, please feel this..." she sighed as their lips met, her arms wrapping around the girl. Her eyes closed. There was literally nothing between them now. It was warm. Surprisingly warm.
Then it happened. The warmth boiled over and there was a harsh, horribly painful clicking in her head. When she opened her eyes, she was somehow staring at herself. It was like she was looking out from both sides of a mirror at once. She knew what had happened. It had worked. Geass had activated. Katsumi Kozuki had pulled her sister from the child's Geass and now they were one.
The collective of the two moved quickly as the pain subsided, studying the situation. The enemy unit, called Hippolyta had them wrapped up with its chain axe and pierced by some sort of monitor jacking harpoon. Much of Hiodoshi's systems were damaged beyond use. The missile launchers were being blocked off by the chain. It was reduced to one arm. The cockpit ejection system was damaged horribly. Hiodoshi still had power, but there was little to do with it.
But the element of surprise was in her favor. Lucrecia Harrison didn't know she was whole. She would have one chance to get away. She quickly formulated a plan as she paid close attention to how Hippolyta was flying. Then she made her move.
The engine started, propelling Hidoshi downward at an angle opposite that which the enemy was currently turning. This provided some needed leverage. She moved the hand just slightly up, as slightly was all she could do in their current state, and fired some claw beams off. The angle was hardly ideal, but Hippolyta took a glancing hit. More importantly, the chain unraveled considerably.
The missile launcher freed up, she let some missiles blaze. This time Hippolyta took some damage. Hiodoshi was able to break free and move to a safe distance.
"What the hell is this?!" Lucrecia shouted. "How did you break out of my Geass?!"
She didn't reply. Wasting words on this girl was not necessary. All she had to do was get away somehow. She flew almost straight down at high speed. Lucrecia followed her, swiftly.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?! I'm not done with you!" Lucrecia screamed as she fired an MVS Arrow straight at them.
It exploded as it passed them, damaging the left flank armor. The axe came crashing down after that. Hiodoshi moved to evade, rolling briefly before deploying its land-spinners. Moments later it found contact with the ground.
"Just what do you think you're doing down there..." Lucrecia said as she hovered just above them. "Do you want to die that badly?" With that, she launched her axe at the Hiodoshi. The knightmare moved just out of the weapon's path. It hit the dirt where Hiodoshi had been standing. The exceptionally sharp edge caught in the dirt. This was all according to her plan. With the working arm of her knightmare, she smashed the axe even further into the earth, until lit was completely stuck.
"Damn you!" Lucrecia shouted. "But do you honestly think Hippolyta isn't strong enough to remove that?"
Of course the unit was. But it didn't matter. It would take the unit roughly a full second more to free itself than it would for Hiodoshi to make an attack. That was all the difference in the world. Hiodoshi retook the air. This wasn't the time to take chances with a range attack. No, it moved in directly, claw outstretched and grabbed Hippolyta's head forcefully and ripped it entirely from the body, blinding the unit entirely.
But Lucrecia got one more arrow off. It was an explosive one too. A direct hit. The impact sent Hidoshi crashing down backwards as the lower half was ripped to pieces. It landed on its wing pack, which was destroyed. The systems died. Hiodoshi was done.
So was their Geass. The impact had shaken them out of it. Katsumi shook her head. She noticed Katsue doing something similar.
"You okay, sis?" she asked hopefully.
"Yeah... I hope so," Katsue started in a tired voice. "Let's get out of here, Katsumi. She still might find us if we don't hurry."
"Right," said Katsumi, nodding while feeling her head. It was warm and wet, a small cut on the side of her forehead. Hardly something to worry over in this situation.
She began to crawl toward a large hole that had been ripped in the lower half of the cockpit. It was just big enough to fit through. She emerged from the wreckage and turned around, helping her sister out as well. Looking at Katsue, she looked just as cut and bruised as she did. They were lucky they were so close to the ground. If the crash had had any more impact at all behind it they'd both be dead now.
Katsumi looked up. Hippolyta was still up there, flailing around blindly, trying to find Hiodoshi in the dark. They needed to get out quickly. Katsumi grabbed her sister's arm and pulled her along.
"We have to hurry, sis," she said. "It will be hard without Hiodoshi. But we must get back as soon as possible." she shook her head. "Mom is--
"I know," said Katsue. "When we were connected I saw your memories." She smiled quietly. "Thank you... for not giving up."
"Never, sis. You know me," Katsumi said, nodding.
The two ran as quick as they could, not entirely sure where they were going. They were on foot in enemy territory. It was going to be difficult from here, but they needed to make it back home. They needed to be the ones to save their mother this time.
---
Kallen Kozuki had a stern look on her face as she slowly disembarked from her Guren. It was impossible not to have a bad feeling about this. It was a clear trap. Going into the beautiful palace in front of her might be the same as forfeiting her life. Even knowing this, she had no choice. For Katsue and and Katsumi's safety, even her own life was a small price to pay.
Tentatively she stepped away from Guren and toward the Vermillion Forbidden CIty, the palace at the heart of the Chinese Federation. She had flown Guren, Japan's top knightmare all the way here, deep into the heart of occupied territory, completely uninhibited. This was another sure sign of a trap. Recognizing this, she still plodded forward toward the main gate.
A pair of young men were standing in front of it. One was large, muscular and sober looking while the other was small and wiry, with hate in his eyes. They both stared at her. The larger man approached.
"General Kallen Kozuki of Japan," he said in a stern, no-nonsense voice. "I didn't believe it when they said you'd actually show up here..."
This young man was dark-skinned with a distinctly Britannian voice. Neither he nor the other man was wearing the EU uniform or even its colors. Perhaps most surprisingly, not a single weapon could be spotted on either man that Kallen could perceive. Adding it up, Kallen didn't know what to think.
"Who are you?" she asked directly in a dark voice.
"Pfft! You honestly think we're just going to answer your every question," the smaller man said in a fiery voice. "I suppose the brain really must start to deteriorate when you get that old..."
The larger man shot the smaller a disapproving glance before looking at Kallen. "My name is Farris, and this man who fails to contain himself is called Gavin. Our group is not officially affiliated with any established military. It is an entirely private enterprise," he explained in a cold, forced voice. "I'm sorry, but that is all you are permitted to know."
"Heh, you really are weak, Farris. Does her knowing even that much honestly benefit us in anyway," said Gavin, shaking her head. "Poor bitch probably won't be alive much longer anyway." He added, putting his hands behind his head.
Kallen glared at the man. She couldn't do or say much of anything. She knew her position. Until she knew the condition of her daughters, she'd have to put up with whatever abuse this man had to offer.
"Where is the man who called me here?" asked Kallen, brushing off the comments.
"Tch, you think we're waiting around here for our own fucking health?" Gavin chided. "Any moron should know we plan on leading you inside."
"Please follow, General Kozuki," Farris added immediately after the other stopped speaking, the gate opening as he did.
"As you wish," Kallen said, hatefully.
She followed after the two men, feeling hopelessly defeated. She tried her best not to blame her daughters, but she couldn't deny that sentiment existed inside her. She looked at her surroundings to clear her mind. This palace usually felt hollow, but the absence of even the guards and maids who tended to it normally only amplified the feeling, as did the faint traces of blood in the air and on the walls. Every footstep echoed endlessly and left Kallen with a numb pain in the back of her head.
She hadn't been here many times. She hadn't been to the Chinese Federation at all many times. Still most prevalent in her memories were the happenings twenty years ago. Coming to the Federation with Lelouch, while it was still a corrupt body barely favorable to Britannia, power hungry High Eunuchs grasping total control for their own selfish machinations. It had taken her getting captured over Federation skies, but Lelouch had been able to sort that out. He was that sort of amazing man.
Kallen sighed. Lelouch vi Britannia. The only man she could ever say she truly loved. He was also the most extraordinary person she had ever met. His brilliance had made twenty fine years of peace possible in the world. She was positive it would have lasted longer still, without interference. He had sacrificed himself, he had sacrificed the life he could have had, perhaps with Kallen, to make that beautiful world. In every way Katsue and Katsumi wouldn't have been possible without him.
Where was someone like Lelouch vi Britannia now? She couldn't help but think that. Things were at their darkest when Zero showed up in the ghettoes of then Area 11 to command her and her comrades to their first victory in the Black Rebellion. Things looked far darker now. She was considered a hero, but she knew she wasn't on his level. She wasn't enough. Japan, no, the free world, needed a new hope. Someone strong who could set things right. Someone who would make it so that her sacrifice here would not be in vain.
"Almost there, bitch," Gavin snarled back at her forcefully, giving a short laugh.
"You realize coming here was a mistake," Farris said in a quiet voice, to her as they continued.
"To me it isn't," said Kallen. "There are things far more precious to me then my own life. I will protect them, even if that is the price I must pay."
"Ha! But what's to stop us from killing you and everybody you love too? Ever stop to think about that, genius?!" Gavin jeered hatefully. "God, women can be so stupid."
Kallen had thought about this. Of course she had. Still, even knowing she might be double crossed, she had no other choice. It was either do nothing, not even try to save her daughters or do whatever she could. She had to at least try. If these people could not be bargained with, she was still at least doing what she could.
"You should really learn to shut up occasionally," Farris said in a heavy voice to his comrade. Turning toward a small door he glanced at Kallen. "He's in here," he said, opening it.
Kallen had honestly been expecting to be led to the throne room, or somewhere equally dramatic. Instead, she emerged in a rather stark room, large, but small in comparison to most of the palace's halls. It looked like it was the sort of place the servants would come to relax. A man was standing hunched over at the end of it, his hand resting on a cane as he stared at a large TV set.
"Kallen Kozuki has arrived as expected," said Farris sternly to get the man's attention.
"I know, I know," the man said in a shrill voice, giving a harsh laugh. He turned around very slowly.
Kallen studied him from afar. He looked old. His hair was pure white, his body was twisted and mangled, a large eyepatch covered the right half of his face. Something about him was eerily familiar.
"You're looking as lovely as ever, Miss Kozuki. Age certainly has been kind to your beauty," the man said, staggering forward, limping as if his left leg were entirely dead.
That was right. Kallen knew this man. It would be hard to forget one of such horrible visage. It had been sixteen years since the last time she had seen him, sixteen years since the only time their paths had crossed. Kallen couldn't forget that encounter, not when she was indebted to this very man for it.
"And you've somehow managed to become even more hideous with age," Kallen said, bitterly. "Doctor Selwyn, wasn't it?"
"Correct," the man laughed. "This body rots, Miss Kozuki. I am dead. I died twenty years ago at the hands of your Black Knights, at the hands of your Lelouch vi Britannia. It was only by the grace of a marvelous woman stole my spirit from Death's Door and forced my corpse, as broken mangled as it was, to accept it once more. Every day is spent in agony, as I spiral toward what will surely be an early death," said Selwyn. "But I wouldn't change anything."
Kallen was surprised by the story. Being revived from the dead? Surely that was impossible. Even Geass couldn't do something like that, right? But there was something unnatural about this man, something almost inhuman. And now he claimed they had done this to him? She didn't know what to think about that.
"That's a shame," Kallen laughed. "If you'd have just stayed dead, all of this could have been avoided."
"You say that even knowing what I made possible?" Selwyn laughed. "What I did to ease your dark and jaded heart. That heart of yours that couldn't find peace, that couldn't move forward. That dark place in you that had unreasonable demands."
"I can't deny that you have my gratitude for what you did then," said Kallen, closing her eyes solemnly. "It's only because of you that I was rewarded with those two girls..."
This was true. Kallen's heart had been a turbulent place in those four years between losing Lelouch and deciding to become a mother. She was aimless; floating without a direction. Kaguya Sumeragi approached her with the idea; she should have children by way of artificial insemination. Kallen liked the idea. It appealed to her, but parts of it felt uncertain.
The person that was Kallen Kozuki was formed out of the fleeting love of a Britannian noble and his Japanese servant; so much of who she was she could trace back to her parents. She had a hard time convincing herself that relying on some mystery father that she didn't know, much less love would be the best thing for her. She felt bad for questioning such things. Her child would still be her child, regardless of who contributed the other half of the genetic material, but it, for some reason, didn't feel like enough.
She was on business in the EU when she overheard talk of a series of highly experimental research tests in genetics being conducted. One rumor she heard astounded her. A gifted research scientist was working in the field of cellular manipulation and cloning; one example application was the creation of sperm cells given other genetic material. It sounded crazy to her, but she was reckless back then. She had access to some blood-stained cloths. She had his DNA; if it could somehow be used to build something that worked, it was worth looking into.
It was only with much hesitance she had followed the lead to a small EU research laboratory. It was there she met Dr. Alfred Selwyn for the first time. She expressed her position to the man. She had the money, being a national hero and a decorated officer in the Black Knights. He told her he could help her and assured her it was safe. That it would undoubtedly work. It was stupid maybe, trusting someone like that, but her life was empty back then the thought of success far outweighed any complications that could arise. But, sure enough, after leaving that facility, she was pregnant. When Katsue and Katsumi were born, their distinctive violet eyes were enough to convince her she hadn't been taken in either. Regardless, she was satisfied.
"In all honesty, I only did half the work," the man said, shaking his head.
"What? What do you mean?" asked Kallen suspiciously.
"Ah, but shouldn't that be obvious enough," said the man. "If I really could successfully impregnate you with nothing more than the genetic material gathered from some dried up old blood stains, don't you think that the procedure would be more commonplace by now? Why do you think you've never heard about it in anyone but yourself?"
"So it was a lie all along," Kallen said, closing her eyes. This hardly bothered her at this point. She loved her daughters regardless of their genetic makeup.
"Not what I meant at all, Miss Kozuki," the man continued to grin creepily as he looked at her with his cold, dead eye.
"I always thought it was too specialized; too expensive for any sort of practical use," said Kallen quietly.
"And that's where you thought wrong, General Kozuki," a female voice then said. Kallen was shocked. She looked around frantically for the source but found no one in the room. Then she focused on the TV behind Selwyn. On it, a beautiful woman with long blonde hair was displayed. Her expression was pleasant and serene, but something about her was unnerving.
"Who are you?!" Kallen started, abrasively.
"I am called Deifilia Amarantha," said the woman. "I am a long time associate of your friend, Dr. Selwyn."
"I don't..." Kallen started, not sure what to say.
"Geass can do things current science doesn't begin to understand," said Selwyn somberly. "I was dead to my science when the woman before you found me. It was only that power within her eyes that brought me back into the world."
"Geass?!" Kallen exclaimed, stepping back. "Are you saying her Geass was somehow used to make it possible back then."
"Correct, General Kozuki," the woman said simply.
"Why? Why go through the trouble?" started Kallen, not understanding.
"You fascinate me," said the woman. "The hero of Japan; pilot of Guren. A normal girl who did so much. It seemed like such a waste to see such a player drown herself in sorrow and loneliness. In my kindness I thought to give you access to what you desperately wanted." The woman gave a faint laugh and closed her eyes. "Such a strong person, needs a string to pull if necessary. Enough people like you could see even the most finely honed plan topple if left unchecked."
Kallen couldn't comprehend this. This woman was saying that she had made it possible for her to have the children she wanted, all so she could blackmail her over some plan in the distant future? That was insane. No, it was sick. Kallen felt literally ill at the thought.
"Who are you?" Kallen reiterated. "You said you were killed by the Black Knights, Selwyn. You're Britannian, yet your affiliation seem to be with the EU..."
"Do you remember the Geass directorate, Miss Kozuki?" asked Selwyn. "You weren't there obviously, but surely you've heard about it. The bloody massacre your beloved Lelouch vi Britannia ordered that day? His futile attempt to eradicate the loose ends of Geass..."
"You're saying you're...!" Kallen started, her eyes going wide.
"I was a young and healthy research scientist; my brilliance seeing me recruited by Britannia's government immediately upon graduation from the Academy, wherein I was immediately given a sought after spot on Lord Asprius' Code R team," the Doctor gave a long sigh. "When the Black Knights blazed through the Directorate, my body was filled with holes, burnt and mangled in ways most excruciating. It was a true miracle I survived long enough for her to find me."
"Are you part of the Directorate too?" asked Kallen glaring at the woman.
"No," she said simply. "I had an invested interest in them. I knew a number of them quite well. I observed them while keeping out of Britannia's eye entirely. When I learned of Zero's plans for them, I left immediately to claim what I could from the wreckage. Poor Alfred was all I could salvage. There was one other servant of mine that made it through that horror, but I did not learn of her existence until years after, as it was."
"You operated close to the Directorate without Britannia knowing?" Kallen started. "How is that possible?"
"My Geass could simplify things for them. What's more, it could intimidate them. I helped them and they helped me. It was a mutual relationship. They even loaned me four children to look after on my own toward the end..." Amarantha snickered fondly.
"What's your aim?" Kallen asked; sick. This woman had been operating behind the scenes for over twenty years, itself a surprising fact since she looked a good nine years younger than Kallen. "For what have you been manipulating the world?"
"Don't you think you've asked enough of these tangential questions yet, General?" Amarantha started. "Don't you have two beautiful daughters you wish desperately to free from harm?"
Kallen was slowly placated by this. These two had already told her surprisingly much but it wasn't going to be endless. She needed to focus on why she had come here in the first place.
"Where are my daughters?" she asked in a tired, defeated voice.
"We're currently holding them," said Amarantha in a quiet voice.
"Where?" Kallen repeated.
"A small outpost not far from here," the woman responded.
"What do I have to do for them to be set free?" Kallen started in a cold voice.
"Nothing," said Amarantha. "I'm not going to kill you, nor am I going to force you to fight against your will. All you have to do is stay still."
"You want me to give up? You want me to stay out of the fight from now on..." Kallen said, growling.
"More or less," the woman said, giving a short laugh. "Also, we will be taking your Guren."
Kallen was shaking with anger. Killing her was one thing, forcing her to give up not only Guren but on participating in the fight was somehow entirely worse.
"I want proof," said Kallen forcefully. "I want proof that you have my daughters and they are safe. I want proof that you'll set them free."
"You've already seen the live footage of them," said Amarantha. "Isn't that enough?"
"No. I want to see them now, otherwise I can't believe anything you say!" Kallen shouted, shaking her head.
"It's unfortunate, but we don't have any cameras in place there that could connect immediately to here," said Amarantha.
"I'll wait," said Kallen sternly.
Selwyn started to laugh. "There's no need for that Miss Kozuki," he said. "As it is, we have someone here who can show them to you now."
"How is that?" asked Kallen, tilting her head.
"The wonders of Geass," the man said, grinning.
It was then that a woman stepped forward from the doorway. She was a few years younger than Kallen, with long sandy blonde hair. She was dressed similarly to Farris and Gavin, in a simple black outfit, but it seemed out of place somehow, like something more regal would have been more fitting. Something about the woman's face made Kallen swear she had seen it at least somewhere before.
"I-I... I'm here as ordered... Lady Amarantha..." the woman said in a suspiciously defeated voice, drained of energy, like being here was painful for her.
"Very good, Rowena," the woman on the monitor spoke, closing her eyes.
Kallen's eyes shot open. That's what it was! This was Rowena Winfield, Britannia's Knight of Six. Why would she be here? Just what was going on. She was positive that this outfit was attached to the EU, so why would one of Britannia's best be standing before her?
"Don't be surprised, General, I have servants from every side serving me. The EU is under my thumb, but I've recruited from Britannia's knights, Absolution's agents and even your own soldiers," said Amarantha laughing.
"No true soldier of Japan would join you!" Kallen spat, angered by the very thought.
"Oh? And I thought you liked that girl, the way she was climbing the ranks in your organization would make me think she'd be nothing but a true soldier in your eyes," said Amarantha in a smug voice. "Or was it just her Geass that made her valuable to you?"
Kallen gasped. "C-Chiharu! You're the one who had her kidnapped...!"
Amarantha began to laugh hard at this. "Kidnapped? You don't know how wrong you are," she said shaking her head. "Her and my associate Ashlynn, a mercenary who flew with you a while, came to the decision on their own accord. They escaped from Japan and flew to me on their own volition. The poor girl was nothing but serious as she agreed to betray her homeland and serve me in payment for fixing her poor, shattered spine."
"Chiharu wouldn't...!" Kallen stared, clenching her fist.
"Oh, but she did," said Amarantha with dead certainty. "You may not believe me now, but when it is Chiharu Ohgi who leads the coming conquest of Japan, you'll see it is no lie."
Kallen shook her head. Being physically paralyzed was surely hard to bear, but Kallen couldn't see that girl selling herself out to have it repaired. She had noticed the closeness between the girl and "Megami", but that couldn't have been enough to push her into something like this, even if that girl was an associate of this woman.
"You disgust me," Kallen said bitterly to the villain before her.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Amarantha said. "Regardless, Rowena here can show you what you want to see."
"What do you mean?" Kallen asked, looking at the Britannian knight. Selwyn stepped forward.
"When this lovely woman uses her Geass on you, she can connect your eyes directly into any surveillance system she's recently made contact with," said the frail doctor. "She was just at the outpost at which your daughters are being held."
Kallen grit her teeth. It seemed like a plausible Geass power, as far as she was concered. "Very well," she said. "Let me see."
"Right..." Winfield said, stepping forward. Her left eye opened wide and the sigil of Geass burned upon it, and seemingly deep into Kallen's being as she stared at it. Her vision went white.
When it as restored, she was looking down from the corner of a ceiling in a cold metal room. Sure enough, Katsue and Katsumi were at the center of it. They were chained at their ankles to the wall, but sat huddled together, in each other's arms. Both seemed to be sleeping peacefully. Kallen could see them undulating with normal breaths. Their expressions were fairly content in their sleep and they did not look any more beaten up than they had in the earlier feed. The scene was a fairly ideal match to what she was hoping for.
"Is that enough?" asked Winfield's voice, disembodied.
"No, give me a moment more," said Kallen, still observing the scene. She watched as Katsue snuggled affectionately into her sister. She listened to the unconscious purr Katsumi gave and the generic electronic buzz sound being emitted by something in the facility. After a few more moments, she was satisfied. "That's enough... I suppose."
With that, her vision faded to white again. She reemerged in the room of before. She looked at Amarantha.
"Are you satisfied by what you've seen?" the woman asked.
"More or less," said Kallen, closing her eyes. "And you say you'll release them, just as they are now, if I comply with your demands?"
"Just say the word, General, and your daughters will be free," said the woman simply.
"Very well," said Kallen, closing her eyes. "Where do you want me to go?"
"Nowhere," said Amarantha. "This beautiful palace is yours to call home for as long as the fighting lasts."
"I see," Kallen growled. Imprisoned in a palace; such an ironic thing.
"Very well. Bernard, why don't you be the one to call Naida over at the outpost?" said Amarantha, motioning the large man still at the door of the room toward a phone at the left wall. he moved to grab it.
"As you wish," Farris said, nodding and dialing a number on the phone. He spoke into it. "You are to free the prisoners from confinement immediately."
"Is there any way I could speak to one of them?" Kallen asked, giving a faint gulp. "Please... I just want to hear their voices."
"Express that request to Naida, Bernard," Amarantha said softly.
"Kozuki wishes to speak with the prisoners before you release them," Farris said in a quiet voice. After a long pause he turned to Kallen. "Give her a moment to retrieve them."
Around five minutes passed in absolute silence. They were tense. Then the phone was handed to her.
"Hello, girls is that--" was all she got out before being cut off.
"We're sorry," a voice said. Untrained ears would be hard pressed to tell the girls apart, especially when they were as emotionally drained as this voice was, but as their mother Kallen could tell immediately. This was Katsumi's voice. There was no doubt in her mind it was real. "Mother... we made such a stupid mistake... w-we're sorry..."
Katsumi was on the verge of tears. Kallen shook her head as she felt emotions building in her as well. She couldn't find any anger though, just love.
"It's okay, Katsumi. That the two of you are okay... that's enough for me," she said, in a broken voice.
"But mother... that shouldn't be..." the girl sniffled.
"I love you and your sister more than anything," said Kallen in a soft voice. "That's why you must promise me that you'll fight twice as hard. You'll fight for my sake too."
"Alright mother..." Katsumi cried. Kallen nodded, knowing in her heart, her daughters would make her proud.
---
Miya wore a sober expression as she unlocked the door to her apartment and stepped inside. She had just returned from visiting Amelia in the hospital. A lot was weighing on her mind. She was in pain, and not just because she still had bruises from the beating she had received not to far into the past. Her heart was in turmoil.
"Hi, Cynthia," she said as she walked into the apartment, forcing a smile as she greeted the woman she loved.
"M-Miya..." Cynthia said in recognition, with a bit of a twitch. She too forced a smile. her forced smile looked absolutely nothing like the natural smile Cynthia always used to wear.
Cynthia hadn't been the same since that night. Whatever the man in the priest robes had done to her had affected her on such a profound level it just wouldn't leave her. The first few days she didn't speak hardly at all. Now she was talking, but only sparse and disjointedly, and so far only to Miya, and her tone of voice was different; harsher. She was paler and she hardly smiled. Her usual constant laughter was almost non existent.
"So, how are you feeling?" Miya asked, sitting down next to the other and grabbing her hand. This brought a very faint true smile to her lips, if only for a moment.
"Better," was all the girl said in reply.
"That's good," said Miya. She did look better by the day, but she really had a long way to go if she was going to be the same Cynthia as before.
"H-how was..." Cynthia started. She seemed to honestly strain for the name. It was sad. Cynthia honestly didn't seem to recognize anyone but her.
Or perhaps there was someone else she would still recognize, but Miya didn't dare mention him before the girl.
"Amelia," Miya filled in, smiling and holding the girl's hand tightly. "And she looks pretty good, considering she was shot three times. She'll be okay soon enough."
"That's good..." Cynthia said, not smiling or showing any emotion. Miya felt a short pain in her chest, but didn't articulate anything.
"Yeah," said Miya. "And luckily Miss Sayoko wasn't even targeted. Looks like we're all going to be okay."
"B-but... but what if he comes back..." Cynthia started, her whole body shaking. Miya tightened her grip on the girl's hand.
"I discussed that at length with Amelia today," said Miya, closing her eyes. "She thinks we should find protection from the assassins within Britannia. Maybe even join them to defeat these people who attacked us."
"B-Britania...?" Cynthia started, shaking even harder.
Miya looked down. Maybe she shouldn't have mentioned that. She should have thought it through more. Unfortunately, now it was out there.
"These assassins are enemies of Britannia. You know the saying, the enemy of your enemy is your friend? Well, right now it seems the enemy that almost killed us all is the bigger threat to us than the one who have ignored us to this point."
"No!" Cynthia shouted, jumping slightly where she sat and closing her eyes.
"I know what it means..." Miya said in a low voice. "But Britannia has some good people too, Cynthia. The man who saved me and gave me that sword, for instance..."
She glanced at the weapon lying in the far corner of the room. Cynthia followed her gaze.
"I just can't!" Cynthia quivered, her whole body still shaking, trying to rip her hand from Miya's.
"Cynthia..." Miya said in a soft voice, trying to calm the girl. "Amelia and I agreed on the idea. Even Sayoko's coming around to it. It's just we couldn't survive if they attacked us again."
"B-but...!" Cynthia was on the verge of screaming. Miya released her hand and took her into a full embrace. This placated the girl noticeably. She even smiled slightly.
"It's hard, asking you about this, but after everything that's happened, I honestly worry about your safety..." Miya said, hugging the girl. "We need this protection..."
"I-I... I-I... I-I..." Cynthia fought to say something, but was unable. Instead, tears began to leave her eyes. Miya shook her head and raised a hand. She wiped the tears away and bent forward, joining their lips in a brief kiss.
"I'm here for you, Cynthia. I always will be," said Miya softly. "Please don't forget that."
"M-Miya..." was all Cynthia could say as she stayed wrapped in the other's arms.
---
Lucrecia Harrison felt absolutely crushed as she slowly opened the door to her Mistress' room. She was holding back tears. She entered very sheepishly, holding herself in shame.
"Why hello, my sweet Lucrecia," Mistress greeted, tilting her head and smiling.
"I'm sorry!" Lucrecia began immediately. "I failed you, Mistress. Please punish me."
"Oh? It's hardly an issue, Lucrecia," said Mistress shaking her head. "But if you insist, I can think of a few fun 'punishments' to try with you..." she added suggestively.
"B-but Mistress," Lucrecia started, shaking her head and crying. "I let those two get away... I-I failed the mission..."
"It was always a conceivable possibility that the Geass those two received would be one that matched up poorly against your own, Lucrecia," said Mistress, still smiling. "Nothing was harmed in losing those two."
"B-but!" Lucrecia started.
"Kallen Kozuki and her Guren were still apprehended without incident thanks to the efforts of Naida and Rowena," said Mistress laughing. "We didn't even have to use force."
Lucrecia blinked. She hadn't heard this much. She supposed it did seem plausible. The former Britannian knight had a Geass easy enough to exploit. With the right frame, the ability to show someone a vision of exactly what they want to see at the moment could be quite effective. With Naida's knack for mimicking voices, the picture would only be more complete.
"I'm glad you're satisfied, Mistress," she said smiling and tilting her head.
"Of course, dear Lucrecia. It would break my heart to be angry with you," she said, pulling the girl toward her and into an embrace. It was warm and beautiful. Lucrecia cherished it."You did a good job out there, really. Without you, we never would have gotten the footage to bait Kozuki with in the first place."
"I'm glad I was useful to you, Mistress," Lucrecia cooed into Mistress' chest.
"Hehe, precious child," Mistress said as she lifted Lucrecia's head and placed a short kiss at her lips.
"Mistress..." Lucrecia cooed softly.
It was then that a knock sounded at the door. Mistress looked up. "Who's there?" she asked.
"Novak," a low voice replied.
"Ah, Richter, please come in," Mistress said softly. Lucrecia gave a soft pout as the door opened. She glared at Richter Novak as he entered. "What is it you have to discuss with me?"
"I just wanted a clarification on the situation with Kallen Kozuki," the man spoke in a staunch voice.
"Her daughters used their Geass to escape in transit, but luckily after she had been baited to move. Alfred and I, with the aid of Rowena and Naida's Geass, were able to convince her we still had them and would release them in exchange for Guren and her imprisonment. She bought the ruse and agreed. She's currently being confined in the Federation palace," Mistress explained disinterestedly, as if it was tedious.
"And these daughters? Their Geass proved effective enough to take down two of our Geass users and break free from Harrison. Don't they pose a threat?" asked Richter, nodding.
"They're alone and on their feet," said Mistress. "It will be some time before they find a knightmare, and when they do, and when they find out what has happened with their mother, they will jump straight to her rescue, at which point they'll be handled without issue. Meanwhile, we launch the conquest of Japan while their army is comprised of nothing more than a meager pack of wild dogs."
"It does sound ideal," said Richter quietly. "But what of Guren? What are your plans for the machine?"
"We'll work on transporting it here," said Mistress. "I know not who will use it or if indeed it will be used, but at least it is no longer something to worry over."
"Fair enough," said Richter sternly.
"But while you're here, Richter, perhaps you could tell me your thoughts on the coming mission?" Mistress started.
"It's an amusing way to go about things," the man started with a smirk. "It was hard to design a plan that would work in the field for those specifications, but I think I have it."
"I'm glad to hear that," Mistress spoke, closing her eyes and smiling. "I wish you luck, Richter."
"I don't need luck. There is nothing but victory on this particular horizon," said Richer strongly as he turned around.
"You're an amusing man, Richter Novak," Mistress said with a short laugh as the man left.
"Will I be fighting in this operation, Mistress?" asked Lucrecia, looking up at her Mistress, glad they were alone again.
"No, Lucrecia, Hippolyta will not be ready in time," said Mistress shaking her head. "You'll have to stay here and support me."
"Alright," Lucrecia said with a strong nod. She wanted a chance to redeem herself for her failures, but passing up more time with Mistress definitely wasn't worth that.
"Now, child, why don't we see about those 'punishments' I mentioned?" Mistress asked with a gentle smile, her hand coming to rest on Lucrecia's thigh. Lucrecia's heart began to beat swiftly as she grew excited.
"Of course, Mistress," she cooed fondly into the other's arms.
---
Nagisa Tohdoh sat in a small briefing room onboard the Hitokage, staring at the all together meager number of custom pilots Japan had at its disposal. Her daughter Hiromi was there, as were Chinese Federation holdovers Wu Chaowei and Hu Xuemei. And that was it. They were down to three units; Jinketsu, Baofeng, and Tianlong.
"So, General Kozuki really left?" Xuemei growled in a low voice.
"Those little girls.... theirinsubordination jeopardized everything," Hiromi said angrily, slamming her fist into the table.
"I can't say I understand their actions," said Nagisa in a subdued voice. "But I certainly understand General Kozuki's. All we can do is hope negotiations are successful and those girls are in turn returned to us."
"Not having the Guren active leaves us vulnerable," said Xuemei. "I don't like this."
"Why'd Kozuki go and take the Guren in answering these demands?" asked Chaowei. "It'd make more sense for her to take a simpler knightmare."
"The blackmailer specified that she should take Guren. Anything else likely would have been shot down," said Nagisa readily.
"But as a result, right now, would be the absolutely worst possible time for us to receive an attack," said Xuemei in a low voice.
"And this enemy that blackmailed the General knows this!" Hiromi reminded in a stern voice.
"Which is why I wanted to speak with you all," said Nagisa in a low voice. "We're in a bad place. Fighting is inevitable and it's doubtful the same miracles will occur as last time."
"So we're done then?" started Hiromi. "There's no hope?"
"It's not like we can just give up," said Xuemei. "Isn't that your Japanese spirit? You'd sooner die for your beliefs than submit to your enemies?"
"Sounds damn accurate to me, Xuemei," said Hiromi boldly. "Death is nothing if it means standing up for Japan."
"It's a foolish thing to say," said Nagisa. "But I held onto thoughts like that in my youth, as I stood beside your father. They remain within me even now."
"I'm not crazy about the whole dying thing," said Chaowei. "But I'm not going to give up either. If those guys want us out of the way, they're going to have to get through the Ace of the Federation!"
"Then it's settled," said Xuemei. "We fight until the end."
"Right," said Nagisa in a low voice.
---
Ava li Britannia wore a serious expression as she sat at the round table where she met with her knights. She looked from face to face, from empty chair to empty chair.
"Still no word from Winfield and Granville?" she started.
"We've been completely unable to contact them ever since they left for Princess Jacquelyn's wedding," said Knight of One, Gino Weinberg, in a steady voice. "The EU has proven completely uncooperative toward our inquiries while maintaining they know nothing of the matter."
"If the EU has them, isn't that justification to null our alliance?" started Hildegarde Waldstein in a strong voice, backed by a hateful edge.
"There's a strong likelihood the two of them betrayed us of their own volition," said Nonette Enneagram in a low voice. "Besides, making an enemy of the EU at this point may not be wise..."
"May that be, Mother," Margaret Enneagram spoke, standing up and looking at Ava, who nodded. "Recent information I have acquired makes it clear to me that the EU are already a hostile threat."
"What makes you say that, Margaret?" Nonette spoke, tilting her head up at her daughter.
"Lord Moore," Margaret spoke. "I have reason to believe that the unit who took you down in the last battle for Japan was an agent of the EU."
"It seems plausible given the man was clearly not Japanese," said Niles Moore in a stern voice. "But what makes you so certain of that?"
"Because I am positive that the one who shot me down is," the girl replied readily.
"Positive now, are we, Margaret?" Ava said, smirking and laughing. Last time they had spoken, it had only been "probable".
"Yes, Empress. It's changed. I met that enemy pilot again only nights ago in a parking lot in this very city," said Margaret coldly.
"What's that?! Why would such an enemy be here?" Hildegarde asked. Ava was asking the same thing. Something had clearly happened since the last time she has spoken to this girl..
"Ever since their downfall months ago, a small band of Absolution's finest agents have been plotting your death, Empress. One of these agents slipped under my nose and has been posing as a servant in our house for that time," said Margaret in a bold voice.
"Margaret, you don't mean--?!" Nonette started, shocked.
"Yes, mother," said Margaret. "I apologize for waiting until now to tell you of this."
"That sounds similar to what happened at our house," said Astrid, who stood at Ava's side, in a soft voice. Gino nodded.
"So what are you saying, the EU and this Absolution cell are in league somehow?" started Ava, not quite following yet.
"Oh, on the total contrary, Empress," the Knight of Nine started with a smirk. "The EU agent who attacked me in the last fight made an attempt on the life of this Absolution agent, leaving her critically wounded and in the hospital."
"Did you say 'her', Margaret?" Nonette interjected quietly surprised.
"What's more, similar attempts were made on her comrades by other EU agents," said Margaret sternly, brushing off her mother's question.
"My," said Niles Moore, shaking his head, his eyes widened. "Nights ago, I encountered a young girl who claimed to be a holdover of Absolution being accosted by a man she claimed to poses a Geass. It was dark, and my eyesight isn't as perfect as it once was, and the man in question is fairly nondescript in the first place, but in my recollections I find he certainly could be the pilot of the Horse Knightmare that defeated me."
"R-really? So what, do all my vassals have secret rendezvous with dangerous enemies they've yet to share with me?" Ava started, slightly, just slightly annoyed.
"I apologize, your majesty," Niles said in a low voice. "Withholding such events from you is inexcusable."
"You did it to protect the Absolution girl, I take it?" Ava said with a nod. "They may be enemies, plotting my life, but they are also citizens of Britannia. Shielding the citizenry from foreign assassins does not strike me as something needing apology."
"But I don't fucking get it," Ulric Cross spoke up, giving a shrug. "These assassins targeted our enemies? Doesn't that mean they're on our side?"
"Think about it clearly, Mr. Cross," said Niles. "The two units that proved absolutely instrumental in our inability to take Japan in the last fight were piloted by these same assassins. The fact that they interfered with our efforts then is proof enough that they aren't friends."
"Yeah..., right," Ulric said, nodding. "But then why the hell would they be after Absolution people?"
"That remains a mystery," said Margaret. "The Absolution agent with whom I've spoken at length does not know why they were targeted."
"So we have hard proof that the EU is doing something fishy behind the scenes..." Gino started in a low voice. "Where do we go from here?"
"it's a difficult question, Lord Weinberg," Ava spoke coldly.. "Japan is the last stand. It's the only free nation of note that hasn't become a territory of either us or the EU. If indeed a war with the EU is inevitable, it would bode well for us to take its resources for our own."
"And if the EU interferes again?" started Hildegarde.
"It's risky, but I'll have everyone deployed," said Ava. "We'll rely on simple brute force to claim Japan!"
"You'd leave the home front undefended, Empress?" started Nonette, skeptical.
"Japan is the focal point at the moment. It'd be cunning of them to target us while we focus there, but it doesn't fit their behavior up until now. They're as focused on obtaining Japan as we are. They wouldn't have stepped in during the last battle otherwise," said Ava, her eyes narrowing. "A defense force will still be posted on our Eastern coast regardless. It will contain no custom units, but we could find temporary pilots for the Kay and Bedivere Godhand still in our possession should things get serious," she added in a cold, serious voice.
"So you expect a fucking showdown over the skies of Japan, just not necessarily with the Japanese?" Ulric laughed and leaned back in his chair.
"You're totally committed to this," Hildegarde smirked. "But if it comes to a brute strength competition with the EU, do you honestly think we can win?"
"They have an unknown number of soldiers using the power known as Geass," said Ava in a soft voice. "I'm aware of that. Still, I have nothing but faith in my knights. Your spirits are enviable, that is why we will find a way to beat them, I'm sure of it."
"Well, Empress, your faith in us is certainly refreshing, I suppose," said Gino in a relaxed voice.
"But this fight isn't going to be easy," said Ava with a steady nod. "The slightest mistake spells death. I don't want to lose any more of you..."
"Yes, your Majesty," many of the more formal knights said at once.
"Very well," Ava smiled and nodded. "You may be dismissed then."
"Yes, your Majesty," the words came again. Ava looked at them all another time. For the first time in a long time she felt like she at least had some control. Eilith's words still hung around her, giving her strength, as did Astrid standing at her side. She couldn't fail these people. They needed her.
"Empress," Margaret approached her as most the others started to file out. "There's something I'd like to discuss."
"You wish me to meet with this Absolution agent, do you not, Margaret?" Ava said, with a firm gaze.
"Yeah... how'd you know?" asked Margaret slightly taken aback.
"It's the obvious course of action you'd have come to. They're a small group with no backing. Japan is in no position to accept them now, so if they want to be protected from the looming threat of these assassins they really only have one option," said Ava in a steady voice.
"Will you speak with her?" asked Margaret directly.
"Of course," said Ava with a nod. "But not until after this battle. It will be easier for both sides to come to terms when the situation with the EU is out in the front."
"Right," said Margaret quietly. "Thank you."
"What, for agreeing to meet with someone who wishes me dead?" started Ava, shaking her head. "Such sentiments don't shake me anymore."
"Great," said Margaret. Turning and smiling to Astrid, she added, "and Astrid, she told me to tell you she's eager to see you again as well."
"Wait?! You don't mean it's that girl?" Ava started, shocked. This wasn't a girl who simply wished her dead, but one who had very nearly killed her.
Astrid was smiling though. She seemed really elated at this news. "Y-you don't say, Margaret..." she said in a soft voice. "I do really look forward to seeing her as well."
"I'll tell her," said Margaret in a low voice, smiling and turning to leave. "Thank you for understanding, Empress."
"It's hardly a trouble, Margaret. After all, you are someone I can truly consider a friend," said Ava in a low voice. It was true too. For years she had seen this girl as someone immature, clingy and often times annoying, but the girl had grown so much in such a short time. She was now someone Ava could honestly respect.
"You're words are too kind, Empress," Margaret said, shaking her head as she walked away, an obvious blush on her face. Soon the room was empty save Ava and her dearest Astrid.
"You showed wonderful confidence today, Ava," said Astrid in a soft voice.
"You think so?" started Ava, looking over at her beloved.
"Yes. I just hope, for the sake of you and everyone else, that it is enough," said Astrid in a quiet voice.
"It likely won't be," Ava admitted. "But we can't show weakness, just because the odds are stacked against us."
"Margaret isn't the only one of us who has matured," said Astrid in a soft voice. Ava was stunned. Were they so close now that Astrid could read her mind?
"What does that mean, Astrid?" asked Ava, turning to her.
"The change is obvious in Margaret. Miya became part of Absolution and Richter's even gotten married. The entirety of that little student council has matured so much in such a short time, and that includes you and I," Astrid said shutting her eyes.
"I wonder if I've matured enough," said Ava in a quiet voice.
Astrid shook her head and smiled. "I have faith in you, Ava, even if you lack it in yourself. I know that, in the end, you'll make everything work."
"I wouldn't be able to do anything without you," said Ava shutting her eyes. "Please be careful in the battle."
"I thought I told you not to think like that," said Astrid sternly.
"I'm sorry," said Ava, tensing up as she remembered that clearly.
"It's okay," said Astrid softly. "And don't worry. I will come back to you."
Ava smiled up at the girl. Just with those words, she was satisfied.
A/N: Okay, so half this chapter was spent on posturing for the coming big battle and the other half was spent on the Kallen/twins situation. The Kallen stuff was maybe more interesting. Yeah, the thing with the twins parentage was decided way back when I first designed their characters. I knew I wanted it to be, but I was at a loss for a while as to how it could be, as conventional means were out of the question. Having Deifilia and Selwyn behind it grabbed me as a solution. If it seems like peculiarly specific manipulation on Defillia's part, realize now that she's not behind any sort of manipulation. Other than that, Deifilia's link to the Geass directorate was revealed in the scene, which probably didn't surprise. It was kind of an odd scene for a major Kallen fan to write. She gets verbally abused by Lyall and then completely taken in by Deifilia and her minions. The wonderful part of that is the obvious bit that Deifilia could have easily had Bernard and Lyall simply beat her into the ground and lock her up simply, but that wonderful sadistic edge of Deifilia had her decide to instead use her minions to pull of an elaborate ruse that led to Kallen removing herself from the fight on her own accord.
The rest of the chapter was more typical. Cynthia's situation was pretty sad, but other than that it was pretty much a quick glimpse at each of the three sides. Deifilia's scene with Lucrecia was mostly to make abundantly clear what had happened in the Kallen scene, so it wasn't' as focused on the posturing of her forces. Next chapter likely will begin with a Chiharu scene to setup that sides thoughts going in. The woefully undermanned Japanese force is pretty much on suicide mission mode now, while Britannia have correctly identified the EU as the real enemy. Next chapter should be fun.
Anyway, no extras again. Sorry. To accommodate myself, I'm considering switching to a fixed biweekly schedule. If I don't feel like I'm behind all the time, I might be able to actually get some fun little asides out. At the very least it could help my focus.
Again nothing to add to the profile page (and allow me to apologize for not updating it yet. Next chapter should bring a number of new knightmares; I think I'd rather add Hippolyta when I add those).