Chapter 51
We all wear masks my dear, who you are as a lover an enemy a friend are very different people.
Vivienne
The Devil
Ashford academy, Primary Settlement, Area 11 2017 ATB
Cecile rubbed her forehead in exasperation. She was walking down an elegant hallway with Lloyd and several 'assistants from the lab in tow. She was really hoping Lloyd was still managed to look cheerful and not bored.
The Scions of the noble house of Pudding had not universally been men of science but those of the line that had gone in that direction had often been rather interesting individuals.
Lloyds forebear had obtained his noble title for his sheer ability at coming up with more sophisticated weapons with which to arm the north during the war of brothers. The Brittanian Civil war which saw possibly the greatest emperor of the time along with the greatest chancellor of the commons Abraham Lincoln. Overseeing a civil war against the south for the use of Slavery.
Yet genius and madness were sometimes very close. One of Lloyds forebears had died of old age convinced he was in love with a speaking pigeon that fired death rays from its eyes. Another had blown herself up in her attempt to create heavier then air flight. The survival of the family line was down to the more level headed members of its lineage.
Lloyd had always appeared more of the absentminded professor then mad scientist until earlier.
The recurring damage to the Lancelot had been eating away at Lloyd and the frame had spent the past several days in a state of near disassembly as the earl bent his entire genius towards increasing its capacity for sheer destruction. When he was finished she wasn't sure which made Suzaku more ill at ease. Lloyds cackling or the Lancelot itself.
She had never been worried about the Earl of pudding injuring himself in the laboratory. Even in the more manic moments he was meticulous about safety however unsafe he may appear. She just hoped Lloyd would not do anything too dangerous or embarrassing while in a social situation. Especially one involving the young Milly Ashford whose first appearance in Lloyds lab had been wearing a dress.
They came to a doorway. Next to it an attendant was offering out small half masks that covered the eyes. Evidently there was a theme and Cecile made sure that Lloyds glasses fit properly over his bright green mask before they opened the door.
A large room had been turned into a banquet hall. A table covered one side with all manner of food on it.
Everyone was wearing a mask. A lot of them were in fashionable renaissance style. Some porcelain. Others with long nosed leering masks of commedia dellarte and some just in normal animal masks.
While Cecile and Lloyd began to mingle on the opposite side of the room Lelouch observed their entrance with C.C at his side
Lelouch was wearing a mask done in bronze. The image was of a handsome male face. With an aquiline nose. One eye was made of reflective glass that mimicked the sheen of the metal. The other was a transparent panel that showed his real eye behind it. Two devils horns curved upwards from the mask. A wig of white hair covered his ebony locks. He moved amongst the party goers one charming compliment at a time.
C.C had a more complete disguise. Her green hair had been died blue, she wore a face mask done in pale white. Its only ornamentation a pair of golden angel wings on the forehead. Her full length dress matching her now sapphire hair.
Her amused voice came from behind the mask. "You certainly take to the mask wearing well Lelouch."
"Sometimes I wears disguise to relax like being a ramen salesman in Nagasaki."
His voice shifted to sound like an older man. "Hey kids its Kimbei the friendly Ramen man. Who wants some fresh Hibeki Tunnel dog Noodles." He could practically feel C.C's amusement. "Hey everyone needs to take a break now and then."
The band struck up a dance number. Lelouch and his sapphire witch slowly circling across the floor with others. Even as Suzaku walked up to welcome Cecile to the party.
Lelouch broke away from C.C and began dancing with someone in a crimson dress and tiger mask. The only thing visible of her was her eyes. Blue eyes. "A silver tongue devil how appropriate for you Lelouch"
Lelouch concealed his surprise the tiger lady was Kallen Kouzuki. "Am I about to be manuevered into an unpleasant encounter with the wall Kallen? Or an accidental knee to my groin?"
"Not today. You know I've heard conversations that suggest Luthur has a personal problem with The Earl of Pudding who is here as a guest." Kallen looked at him and behind her tiger mask her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Worried he will start a fight?"
Lelouch grimaced. Well Kallen must have found out about one of Luthur's many rants about Lloyd. Then reached the conclusion that it reflected personal knowledge of the man. Reminding once again just how smart Kallen really was.
"It's not Luthur or Lloyd we're worried about its any of Lloyds security detail seeing Luthur."
Luthur wore a white business suit with a black wooden skull mask over his face. The mouth of the wooden skull was open allowing Luthur to pop some small finger food in. He stood away at a side table his head orientated towards the oddball scientist that had entered the ball room.
Kallen looked through the group of coat wearing assistants who followed the oddball scientist. They had all put on fox masks "Let me guess. They are in disguise?"
"Exactly. I know what you're thinking Kallen and yes there have been three attempts since he came here." Two had been aborted before contact when recon revealed the enemy's defences to be too good. The third had been stopped by the Earls security detail and the pointman had taken a poison pill rather then be captured.
Kallen looked at him. Then at the Earl and his completely unconcerned expression. She came to a prompt conclusion.
"They don't bother telling the earl about it."
"Why would they? Lloyd is a brilliant scientist but would you ever put him in charge of his own security? Come now he is one of the greatest leaders in technical development. Do you really think he would be allowed to just drive around in a van with his assistant in an area experiencing insurrection? No he's shadowed by guards constantly. Most are assigned from the knights of the shield but some of whom have been watching over him since he entered school. Family retainers you understand." Lelouch laughed. "Probably the only reason they stay. Being on the Earls guard detail may be a great honour but it's also one of the most aggravating security assignments in the empire."
Kallen broke away from Lelouch turned and immediately began dancing with Luthur who she had sensed approaching from behind. "And those are the ones that would recognise you because they were around whenever it was you met him before."
Luthur led Kallen into the opening steps of a San Francisco Jive. "Yes. At the CERN project all those years ago. I was still a teenager when we first met but facial structure is much the same. Them recognising a scientific wunderkind who is supposed to be extremely dead would draw unwanted scrutiny. Thus I wear this delightfully cheerful mask."
Lelouch tilted his head as the dance number ended. He made a slight mocking bow in Luthurs direction.
"Well I'll go speak to the good earl in your place Luthur after all he never met me personally."
Of course there were many in the Inner Circle now who were suggesting to forget kidnapping and settle for overwhelming destruction. Blow The Earl and his protective detail away with a high yield explosive of the kind they had not released to the 'public' arsenal. The revelation that Lloyd had already taken his shield technology to a more sophisticated level then that shown in the Lancelot was troubling. The fact that he'd managed to engineer a completely different form of heavier then air levitation was worse. It had led to a great deal of brainstorming in the strategy sessions especially since the idea that ASEEC may already be on its way to constructing a fleet of such vessels was forcing them to revise their own air supremacy doctrine.
Still the idea of just killing Lloyd did not sit well with Lelouch. For one all those other methods had too high a risk of collateral damage. Also Lloyd if captured would be an incredible resource.
Luthurs objection was that if Lloyd was dead when Luthur found a way to overcome those annoying energy shields he would be unable to gloat about it. When it came to his rivalry with the Earl of Pudding Lelouch suspected Luthur had lost objectivity.
As Lelouch walked towards the Earl he noticed someone else. How strange It seemed Lloyd had paired up with.. Milly?
"Greetings lord Lloyd Asplund. Earl of pudding. Enjoying the party so far."
"Well I'd rather be blowing up things in a lab but social convention calls for such things as this. Still who are you supposed to be behind that shiny fright mask."
Lelouch smiled beneath his demon mask. "How refreshingly honest of you." He made a slight bow of his head. The bare minimum he could get away with. "I am Lelouch Harkin Lamplerouge. Of nowhere in particular."
"Well you certainly don't have boring friends sweety." Lloyd remarked to Milly who suddenly looked flustered.
Rivalz noticed it as well. "Hey Milly how do you know this guy?"
Lloyd spoke up before Milly could. "We're to be married."
Rivalz jaw dropped "What say it's not so."
Milly now looked even more uncomfortable. "Lloyd."
Lelouch was also taken aback. Beneath his mask both eyebrows raised in utter surprise. Five seconds passed while his mind realigned itself from the sheer shock. Another two while he resisted the urge to exclaim what the fuck? One second while he took his breath. "Okay I admit that had not entered my calculations in any way." He looked away from Rivalz whose brain was still in WTF mode and nodded respectfully to Milly and her fiancée. "My compliments to the pair of you. I'm sure you will be very, very …. Intrigued with one another."
Regaining his composure Lelouch walked towards a raised platform. Reaching out his hand for wineglass on a side table. He stepped up onto the dais. Tapping his wineglass to gain everyone's attention.
"Against my better judgement I am having to make a speech." Lelouch reached up and gently removed his golden demon mask. The white wig remained affixed to his head concealing his real hair colour and if anyone looked closely they would see he was wearing blue tinted contacts.
"Suzaku Kururugi has been a truly interesting friend in the time I have known him. I know some people did not think well of Suzaku when he first arrived at Ashford. I know that number has changed significantly upon learning just who the pilot of the Legendary Lancelot was.
I can't really express what it meant to me to see him fighting against the black knights. Staring down that fear inducing slayer Shinigami without a waver in is voice."
"Yet he has earned the right to be called a honorary Brittanian. He has conducted himself with a devotion to honour and forthright conduct, worthy of Lancelot du Lac." Lelouch paused for a moment while they took in his words.
"I will not state whether he has gotten everything that he truly deserves. Yet I fervently believe that a time will come when not just this school but all of Area 11 will be able to fully appreciate all the incredible things he has done." Everyone was silent for a few seconds before Lelouch spoke up in cheerful voice.
"Now enough solemnity all of you. The world isn't going to end." And then he bared his teeth in a wide grin that in other circumstances might be construed as malevolent. "Well not today anyway."
Lelouch attached the top half of his golden demon mask to his face raised up a glass filled with red wine and toasted Suzaku Kururugi. "Cheers" before tilting the draught back in one swallow. He stepped down from the dais as everyone clapped in appreciation.
C.C whispered softly to Lelouch through the communicators in their masks. "So is there a reason you are being so incredibly nice?"
Lelouch spoke back through the link as he crossed the room toward her. "I know you've been reading the reports Diethard sends me. And the Crowmothers data lines sent to my room." All of which is carefully edited before I leave it where you can find it. When he was close enough he whispered in C.C's ear. "Come now we share a bed I'm not upset by you reading my mail."
"You've seen it the subtle tension. Even here in the settlement there is fear. They hear the sound of curfew. They see the images of Cornelia destroying terrorists. The numbers of marching men. Yet even with all that it does not end. The constant low level attacks the elusiveness of my troops the scenes of horror that Luthur now paints across their screens. The fear is everywhere. But it is not complete."
C.C turned her blank white mask towards Suzaku who was being quizzed by a irate Rivalz as to whether he had known about Milly's engagement.
"Him?"
"Suzaku has a annoyingly ability to inadvertantly stumble into scenarios where his actions have far greater consequence then they ordinarily would. Without any design on his part Suzaku has become a figure of hope. To both Elevens and Brittanians. The fear that Luthur and I project is diminished by the idea of the White knight coming to save the day. The idea of the honorary Brittanian who became a personal knight diminishes the resolve of those who have not yet utterly rejected Brittania.
It is counterproductive to kill him. I must utterly destroy the idea of him. I will tear aside his mask and reveal his weakness to all. Then there shall be despair."
"No regrets?"
"I've destroyed better men then Suzaku for lesser reasons then these C.C." Lelouch looked across at the people congragulating Suzaku. "And it's not just for an old friendship that I'm throwing him this party."
There was something different about C.C. "These past years in Ashford Nunnaly has been safe. She has been among friends. But soon it will end. And Suzakus brief time in her life shall end also. But for now I'll let her enjoy this for the little time it remains."
"So you acting so normal around suzaku. Being nice to him. It's for her.
Lelouch watched Nunnally carefully following Sayoko across the room to Suzaku. Whereupon she gave the knight a big hug. She spoke. "I'm so glad you made it back safe Suzaku. Now you don't have to come up with excuses as to why you aren't around."
Lelouch sighed. "This is all for her. Well. People rarely do anything for only one reason. I am honest enough to admit to myself that She is not the only reason that drives me to do all that I do. But she is the greatest." Lelouch let out a breath. "For her we will shake his hand, call him friend and let her think that all is as it once was when we first met him. In the garden of Genbu Kururugi."
Shirley walked by interrupting Lelouch's sombre musing. "Hey guys did you see where Kallen went?"
Lelouch looked around and saw that Luthur had vanished also. "Well it took them long enough."
Shirley looked puzzled. Lelouch ignored her and walked across the room to embrace the friend he was going to destroy.
The Reaper
In the secret chamber below Ashford Luthur carefully removed the black mask and placed it on a side table. He removed his white jacket before pulling up a small copy of handwritten notes. Nina had mentioned something she was working on and Luthur had been hoping to find out later that day. He smiled slightly before turning his attention to Kallen who had also decided to take a short break from the party with him.
"The last time I heard a speech with that many double edged compliments was just before we came to Ashford. It was at a hotel in Hong Kong three and a half years ago. It was like this such fine company. Such music."
Kallen picked up the sparring rod from its stand and gave it an experimental twirl. She had removed her dress for the training undersuit she had worn beneath. "Now you tell me what happens next." Kallen could figure out when Luthur was pausing for dramatic effect.
"The next morning half the people in that party were dead or kidnapped. Three generals had been assassinated. Two tiny island nations in the south pacific were destroyed. And the restaurant was on fire. Actually the whole building was on fire. Pity they made such delicious plum pork."
"You and your brother have led interesting lives."
"To serve the cause of Zero Lelouch and I have gone to many strange places and met even stranger people. And we've destroyed far better men then my dear brother up there."
"You'll have to tell me about that sometime."
"I will Kallen." Luthur's smile turned grave. "Whether he knows it or not Suzaku will serve the cause of Zero and then what is left shall be mine. Although I imagine what remains afterwards may no longer be Suzaku."
"What will you do? With what is left of him?"
Luthur looked pensive a frown crossing his face. "I don't know."
A whistling sound came in the air and Luthur ducked as the end of the staff passed his head.
"Enough talk. You're not going back up there until I've beaten this depression out of you."
Luthur grabbed his own staff from the weapon rack and blocked Kallens next strike she leapt in the air over his own wide swing as he tried for a leg sweep. Then rolling across the floor before rising and using the staff to vault into a high kick.
Luthur leapt out her way and danced towards the training mats edge even as Kallen circled. He laughed and removed his jacket showing only a simple bare vest beneath. He twisted at the staff and separated it into two sticks with which he deftly lashed out to attack. "You can try Kallen."
They moved into a series of fluid combat moves. Striking, parrying and dodging. For an age there was only movement, hisses of displaced air, the clacking sound of wood on wood and faint gasps of pain as barely blocked strikes kissed flesh leaving bruises.
Then he knocked the staff from her hands. But it was a feint. With his arms down she grappled with him and bore him onto the floor. Pinning him. Her hot breath ghosted across his face as she settled her weight.
"Come on you can do better." Her eyes bored into his own unflinching.
Luthur grabbed the back of Kallens head and kissed her. Her eyes were focused intent. She pulled back her lips and grinned at him in triumph.
She sank her teeth into his shoulder worrying at the join between his real flesh and the synthetic muscle. "Off all of it off." With her hand putting pressure on the release points the seal binding The fake skin was removed and she ran her fingers over the smooth vinyl like surface of the arm cable. She gently traced her tongue down the black myomer cable. Pressure sensors and nerve relays interpreted this a lightning edged shivering until she ran up again.
He rolled over and pulled the upper part of her suit down.
Her nails dug furrows down his back even as he left small teeth marks along her breast. She flipped him again pinning him against the training mat. But while she held one arm up his other reached down between them.
She snarled at him even as she pulled them both upwards. Drawing blood as she bit him. Digging her fingers into the flesh of his shoulders as he pushed her upright against a workbench. Lips locked together her legs wrapped around him.
Then they fell to the floor again.
The Pudding
Lloyd being thoroughly bored had wandered off down a hallway when Lelouch was making his speech. Only to encounter another person with little time for socialising. Nina Einstein was sitting at her desk working away at her computer. The mousey little researcher looked up and spoke softly in surprise.
"Oh did I leave the door open?"
Lloyd's eyes narrowed as he looked at what Nina had been working on. "Yes you did but what's this a uranium isotope?"
"You can recognise it? Most don't pay much attention."
Lloyd looked briefly at a picture of Nina alongside an extremely large young man. The pair dressed in steampunk like scientist costumes. There was something rather familiar about his face. There was another picture of Princess Euphemia next to it. Fairly recent in fact.
But then his gaze was drawn back to the fascinating diagram on Nina Einsteins computer. "Interesting. I can almost see what you're suggesting but. Wait. Yes. Yes its brilliant why this would explain the mass differential the distortion around the initial implosion caused by ….. If you implemented a trigger event here and yess here then "
Nina was now over her shyness and getting caught up in Lloyds enthusiasm. "Yes but the problem would be getting enough purified Plutonium to make it work. Although maybe with enough centrifugues"
There was a knock at the door and Lloyd turned to see Cecile and two of his assistants. Looking slightly annoyed for some reason. Well Lloyd didn't care to find out anyway.
"Hello Lloyd you're wanted back at the party."
"Oh Cecile you really should look at this. In fact get ready to take DICTATION!"
"Oh no."
War
The Obsidian spire, The hidden City, the Deep roads, Area 11
In a hidden chamber sealed beneath tons of Earth the Conclave of the dead met to discuss the day's business. However meaningless the term day mattered in their subterranean realm around the black table the work of maintaining their hidden civilisation continued.
"The feast of the emperors ascension approaches. So the Chaplain corps shall be heavily involved in preparing the festival of commemoration."
"As useful as the high chaplain is i am just as glad he is not invited to this meeting. He may not be interested in burning unbelievers but his fondness for burning Brittanians is a bit unhealthy."
That said the conclave turned to more mundane matters involving food distribution and the personnel reallocation leading up to E Day. While the Crowmother let her thoughts wander back to the chaplain corps.
The Japanese emperor had been taken alive by the Brittanians precisely because his religious significance in Japanese Culture was recognised. Given the importance of Sakuradite reserves and the proximity of China there had been a plan to integrate Japan as a protectorate nation then as a fully pacified Area.
Then the emperor had died
By all accounts his death by heart attack had been a natural one. Not that it had mattered to an enraged populace convinced the Brittanians had poisoned him.
In an attempt to repair that damage the bodies of the last emperor and his family had been interred with respect in a mausoleum.
Then the Conclave had arranged for the bodies to be removed and the tomb destroyed. They had also left evidence that the desecration had been carried out by an extremist Brittanian group with tacit support from the Governer's office. The massive religious outrage had thoroughly destroyed any chance for reconciliation. The governor had been replaced by Clovis who had been far easier to work around. Still it had put paid to any attempt to integrate Japan and Clovis had overseen its redesignation as an Area.
Yet interring the bodies of the Last emperor and his family in the Hidden City had done more then restore morale. It had led to a semi religious revival.
In the 1600's when Japan had isolated itself through the policy of Sakoku one of the motivations had been the rebellions and civil unrest caused by Spanish taught Christians. There had been legitimate belief that the Spanish were using the Christians as a fifth column to overthrow the Shogunate.
However some converts influenced by the Englishman William Adams had reinterpreted their own incomplete knowledge of Christianity. What had happened was an integration of Christian beliefs into Ryobo Shinto. The amalgamation of Buddhism and Shinto beliefs unique to Japan. The result would have been described as utterly heretical by any Catholic or Portuguese who might have been able to enter the country. That particular sect of Christos Shinto had avoided the persecution of Christianity that had been standard throughout the Edo period. Yet it had always remained a small Sect mainly because its followers were not given to excessive proselytization or any implication of violence against other faiths being acceptable. Also because they did not treat Eta as pariahs. Eta were considered unclean in Shinto and buddhism due to their contact with blood and the dead. Serving as tanners , undertakers and executioners. Christos Shinto held that eta were in fact under the patronage of Azrael the angel of death (depicted as a female samurai in white robes with wings of night) and provided they ritually purified themselves after performing their duties they were not unclean.
Until Takuya a decorated soldier whose injuries required cybernetic augmentation that precluded him from covert surface operations. Who also happened to be a chaplain (which was distinct in some way from an actual priest) of the Christos Shinto sect.
With the remains of the Last emperor and his family now safely ensconced in their own special Tomb Cavern. He had immediately promulgated the idea that the last emperor had ascended to join the Kami (which in turn was seen as identical as the ascension to sainthood.) Thus freeing the divine descendant of Jimmu from any earthly control. What had been a very minor sect of Ryobo Shinto had become very popular for the angry and motivated people hiding beneath the earth. With the ultimate plan to retake the surface world taking on an almost prophetic vibe.
Personally Ligaea thought they hadn't crossed over into utter fanaticism. There was no pressure to convert the unbelievers after all. Or any attempt to imply holy war. But it was a rather terrifying manifestation of semi religious nationalism. She had heard Takuya's firey oratory and honestly he could outdo Zero when it came to whipping a group into frenzy. She had seen him at the martialling grounds. At the work halls. Zero had not opposed Takuyas efforts for in the earlier days before the construction of the supercaverns maintaining morale in an underground nation with its cramped conditions had been difficult.
With E day so close the burning fire that had been kept alight was being stoked to a conflagaration of murderous intent. The various images of angelic samurai with wings of fire being found around the place were rather well done admittedly. Ligaea was just glad that the Soldiers wrath was exceeded by their discipline.
The crowmother turned her attention to the next item on the agenda. Then sighed in exasperation. From feeling alarmed about the possession of Mind control some members of the conclave wanted to know why they weren't using more of it. One being the operative known as Reckoner who was in an argumentative mood. His crimson mask patterned in swirling black patterns.
"I have read the use of the Judas protocol. I still believe that usage of the Influence could be directed at more high profile targets."
"We know now how to detect the neural realignment that Zeros use of the Influence creates. Luthur willingly submitted himself to its power in order to provide a baseline.
Therefore the possibility that the Brittanians might also learn how to detect it must be countered. It is impractical for a larger scale use of the influence even if it was possible. Especially considering it is single use method that renders the user immune."
Reckoner shook his head. "Thus not providing us with large scale defence against it should any of Clovis scientists duplicate its work. We have still failed to apprehend them despite searching all the locations Clovis data provided."
The crowmother countered "You are all regularly checking yourselves for signs of the Influence. There being none this line of speculation is pointless. The only device capable of unleashing the Influence is kept on Zero's person at all times. Key material and data from Clovis project remains in our possession and sealed within the Black Vault. All ongoing research in the matter is likewise sealed."
At this doctor Shoni spoke up. Faint luminescence appearing on her own mask. "The Black Vault was created for a clear reason. Wherever this technology that Clovis uncovered originates I would rather it stay buried. Thus the fact that most of those listed in The Judas protocol shall either die or be taken prisoner by us soon after the fulfilment of their orders is a result of careful planning. Not lack of will Reckoner."
War spoke up. His rumbling voice ecoing about the chamber. "Considering what has been released from the Black Vault classification already the implications of what still remains behind its ebon doors should incline you to respect it. Trust in Lord Zeros judgement on this matter."
"Yet he has also placed the recent intelligence breach under the Aegis of the Black Vault. Is this an attempt to conceal his own failings? He invoked Yamatai protocol upon himself. He gave temporary command to the Lady Kami instead of you Lord War. Crowmother you above all others should appreciate the significance of this. As head of intelligence the elimination of this M should have been your responsibility not Zero's task to take upon himself."
Ligaea sighed. "The Lady Kami is a recent addition to this conclave yes. But in her brief tenure she proved more then up to the task. Lord Zero had no way of knowing how M had obtained his information and her independence was an advantage in that case."
The lord of Blades spoke. "She is not a pawn of Kirihara which is why it makes sense for Lord Zero to cultivate her. She has influence and power that will serve us well in stabilising post E day Japan."
The red masked man countered. "Oh and what if his reasons for that are more personal?"
War slammed his metal fist on the table a literal iron fist to the crowmothers silk glove "Let it be clear comrade that my trust in Zero is absolute. None of us would have come this far without his leadership. It is good that our noble lord allows discussion and even questioning of his acts. But to question his motivations is less savoury. We all know his ambitions. We all share them. I will not stomach suggestions he would allow hypothetical secondary motivations to override the primary."
The Grey masked figure of Famine interjected. "War enough. You've made your point."
Ligaea raised her elegant hand towards War who nodded his head in agreement. Before turning her attention to the Conclave. "I understand your concerns regarding the recent intel breach. If Cornelia had been made truly aware of just what is lying beneath her feet she would be screaming for every resource imaginable and the Brittanians would be digging straight down instead of hunting for us in train tunnels and mountains. Her operations have brought her into proximity of only one Nexus. It is being fortified in preparation for an attack and we will seal its connection to the Deep roads if necessary. Whatever the wretched M told her he did not reveal our deepest secrets."
War laughed. "I doubt he would have been believed if he had."
Ligaea gently rubbed her forehead. Covering for Zero during his absences was always trying. "If Cornelia seizes a Nexus she will still be denied entry to the deep roads. The babushka is frayed more then we intended at this time. But it was meant to be taken apart soon anyway." She paused. "In any case Lord war has an update to provide on our strategy against the primary settlement upon E Day."
War nodded and then a new hologram of the multilayered Arcology appeared.
"By combining surgical use of the Influence with our retrieved schematics on the arcology earthquake protocols I have developed a new strategy for the assault on the primary Settlement. It shall be operated in conjunction with the Mistbreak device. Lord Zero has concurred if nothing else we will finally be able to witness an organised Brittanian response to it use."
A gas masked figure spoke up. "The Mistbreak. Intriguing. Will it serve as a delivery mechanism for the Cacophony?"
Famine shook her head. "Negative following a cost benefit analysis the long term collateral damage use of the Cacophony would create has been deemed unacceptable … at present. Lesser manifestations shall be employed." She looked at her list in front of her. "Some already have in point of fact."
War coughed slightly to regain attention. "On Lord Zero's orders I have initiated the activation of Oyster Bay, OniKaze, Heavens Bastion and Outer Hades."
Holographic files appeared in front of each Conclave member.
"In the case of Oyster Bay Captain Valors strike force has begun their pre operation deployment. They cannot be aborted now without initiating an unacceptable breach of the Babushka. We are charging down the mountainside and events will only accelerate from here."
The Lord of Blades moved to the next order of business.
"In any case per Lord Zero's orders we must pull our forces back from the western coast. We have caused enough havoc to allow the Government in Exile their opportunity".
A figure in an admirals uniform of the Japanese navy responded "Our sensor bouys in the Sea of Japan have detected their launch under the cover of storm. The Chinese Federation will soon begin their invasion through their disposable proxy. They remain ignorant of our true designs and in wasting their opportunity against Cornelia they will be unable to interfere with E Day. More we will be rid of any challenge to our own legitimacy when Lord Zero takes the reigns of government."
The Crowmother acknowledged the admiral "The eunuchs have invested a great deal in the insurrection forces in Japan. No doubt hoping to pick up the pieces. The realisation that it they who have been our pawns will not sit well with them. "
Ligaea allowed herself a mocking smirk. "Still the Chief Eunuchs are above all else interested in preserving their own hides. Pragmatism trumps outrage. They may realise eventually how we used them. Removing the threat of Brittania off their coast and suitable compensation should more than alleviate this."
Authors Note
Derain: It took a while to get here. And what fun we've had. If it wasn't for that computer error I could have gotten in two posts in August.
Now after rewriting this part so many times. I can finish establishing the subtle plot threads and get on to military action violence. And more fun time with Scientific Violence. Back to blowing stuff up thank you very much. Drawing ever closer to the day it is made undeniably clear that Lelouch has always been the scariest mother &%*%$ in the room.
Lelouch Says: I hope good things happen to you
Lelouch Means: You will die screaming …. and on fire.
Derain: Plus I am reposting this story to Spacebattles with some … editing of certain sections.
C.C: Well someone was paying attention to Kallen's actions.
Derain: Hey Lelouch was only clueless with Kaguya. Does not mean he couldn't figure out where Luthur and Kallen were headed.
BRANNOTH: Well that was interesting.
Luthur: Huh we threw Suzaku a party I expected you to be promising doom upon him and horrible pain.
BRANNOTH: Are you kidding Lelouch already did that.
Suzaku: Wasn't he complimenting me?
Derain: Both actually. The mask of Zero is not the only mask Lelouch wears. But he knows, Kaguya knows and Luthur knows what lies below them all. Lelouch still thinks of Suzaku as a friend of sorts. That won't stop him crushing him when the time is right. Every time that Lelouch removes a mask literally or metaphorically something epic happens. Usually something terrible.
