Snippet spoiler: None really
The issue of Areas and Numbers has always been more complex and nuanced matter than most peoples from outside the Empire have tended to understand. One of the longest standing myths is that upon conquest of a new land the Empire would assign that territory a number and consign all of the native populace to being similarly labeled. In point of fact historically the matter of racial heritage that underpinned the Empire's degrees of privilege was not rooted in whether a person was from a conquered area, but whether they were descended from western European stock. As such the peoples referred to disparagingly as Fives were those of indigenous or mixed descent in the former Viceroyalty of New Spain, whereas those of pure peninsular heritage, assuming they were not purged in the initial aftermath of the conquest and were willing to integrate, were treated little differently than the average Caucasian Britannian subject.
It was only when the Empire began to expand across the Pacific Ocean that it encountered entire populations with no significant numbers of Europeans and the brutal treatment of 'Numbers' became endemic. In the cases of Australasia, the relatively undeveloped societies that the Britannians encountered were almost completely wiped out via forced labour and the diseases the conquerors brought with them. Japan and the Philippines on the other hand possessed more modern societies with rapidly developing economies. Britannian policy regarding these two conquests was comparatively less brutal than what the aboriginal populations of Australasia endured, but this was of little comfort to the Japanese and Filipino peoples as the Empire effectively looted their respective nations.
It was not until after the Great War that the Empire began a concentrated program of integration of all its subjects, regardless of heritage. The road to this integration was long and arduous and even today a degree of tension exists, on both sides of the historical racial and social divide. On the other hand it is with some irony that most observers regard Britannia as a more integrated society than many of the ostensibly more liberal European nations. For all the lack of official instruments of segregation, there existed considerable societal racist attitudes amongst the European states that were never systematically dealt with as happened in the Empire under the reign of the Empress Euphemia and her successors.
-Of Blood and Iron: The Reign of Euphemia I
Chapter 49
Nosce te ipsum
The screens all about the conference room lit up as links were established with command centers around the world. Seated in the room physically were Cornelia li Britannia, Marshal of the Empire, Euphemia li Britannia, Viceroy of Area 11, and Brigadier-General Jeremiah Gottwald, commanding officer of the Tokyo garrison. On one of the screens sat Lieutenant-General Andreas Darlton, the de facto theater commander for the entire Area. The latter three were attending the meeting as the preeminent authorities of Area 11, both civil and martial.
On another set of monitors were a solemn set of faces seated in a similarly appointed conference room in the heart of Pendragon. Field Marshal Zechs Vander, chief of the general staff, gazed at the other attendees with his good eye, a black patch covering the scarred remnants of his right eye. Seated to his immediate right was General Harold Keith Johnson, chief of the army staff, and to his left Admiral Louis Mountbatten, the First Sea Lord. Immediately to Louis' left was Air Chief Marshal Curtis LeMay, head of the Britannian Air Force. Together the four represented the total sum of the Britannian military, all reporting directly to the Princess Cornelia in her capacity as Marshal of the Empire.
The last of the august personages on that particular set of screens were two rather more youthful men, though in truth one wielded far greater power than anyone else attending the conference. Schneizel el Britannia, Prime Minister of His Majesty's Government, was here as a representative of his father the emperor and as the one that would be responsible for marshaling much of the Empire's civil resources to the prosecution of the war. Seated next to him was Odysseus eu Britannia, Heir Primus to the throne and ostensibly of higher station than Schneizel, but one whose personal authority fell well short of his positional authority.
Quite a few other faces were plastered over other screens, the theater commanders and senior civil authorities of other Areas being directly threatened by the Chinese-European alliance. Tellingly the secretary of state for foreign affairs was not present, indicating either a loss of confidence in the man responsible for managing the Empire's foreign relations or a decision to forgo any possibility of diplomatic resolutions. Those present all deferred to the royals attending and awaited the official start of the meeting.
"My lords and ladies," Schneizel, not Odysseus, began. "We are gathered here today to address the greatest threat the Empire has faced since Napoleon's conquest of the British Isles. I have spoken to his majesty, my father, and He has commanded that we answer this threat with the full force of the Empire's might. I thus come to you to learn by which means we shall instruct our enemies of their folly, and ensure once and for all such impudence is ended."
All eyes fell to Cornelia. As Marshal of the Empire it was her prerogative to respond to the charge laid down by their emperor's representative.
"Your excellency," Cornelia began, addressing Schneizel in his role as prime minister instead of as an imperial prince and Heir Secundus, "we hear and accept the charge laid before us. The enemies of the Empire will rue so flagrantly invoking our ire and will be brought low to their proper place."
Heads nodded all around. The formality concluded, Cornelia proceeded with the actual practicalities of running the meeting.
"Marshal Vander," Cornelia said, "if you would please."
By deferring to the man most up to date on the strategic posture of the Empire's forces.
"Yes your highness," Zechs said. "At present our enemies are pressing the Empire across much of our overseas possessions. The push through Area 12 is almost certainly aimed at preventing us from maintaining a line of supply to Area 18, while the operation against Area 11 appears aimed at depriving the Empire of its primary source of sakuradite. While we seem to have stalled the combined Chinese and Russian incursion into Area 11, the situation on the other fronts are considerably more precarious."
The officers responsible for said fronts grimaced, not that anyone could be happy being in such a situation. Zechs looked over at one of the men, a sandy haired man with a neatly trimmed beard and mustache.
"The Area 18 front in particular has seen a very disturbing development. General Craig, could you please brief our guests on the nature of this new threat."
Lieutenant-General Olaf Craig, commanding officer of the Britannian occupation force in Area 18, nodded grimly.
"Yes sir. The possibility that the training exercise the EU was conducting was camouflage for an offensive against Area 18 was considered and so our forces were on high alert. What we unfortunately did not anticipate was the deployment, in force, of knightmares by the European Union."
Murmurs spread amongst the other attendees. Reports had already filtered down about the EU's new weapon but details had been sparse.
"There are considerable differences between the European, or I should say German, knightmares and our own," Olaf continued. "They are smaller, for one, and they lack the multipurpose hands our knightmares possess. Instead each arm has a cannon mounted on it, and from all indications this knightmare is a superb gun platform. They are able to outpace our conventional tanks and the Germans have obviously been putting a lot of thought into how to effectively engage our own knightmares. They're giving us a Hel of a fight and pushing hard. The Jerusalem garrison has already been overrun, right now I'm trying to make sure the Baghdad garrison can at least conduct an orderly withdraw to Kuwait where we'll at least have some naval support."
Cornelia nodded. While she could not be described as happy with any sort of retreat, the plan Olaf was executing was one she had herself drafted in the case the EU managed to penetrate deeply into Area 18 in a surprise attack. In light of the new weapons, and the potential severing of his overseas supply line, the general was being prudent in falling back to more defensible positions that could be easily supplied by sea.
"The natives have also been getting extremely restless," Olaf continued. "I've had to divert more and more of my forces to keeping order, at this point there's a significant risk of a general revolt. If that happens I may need to execute a Bravo Delta Zulu if I am to have any hope of securing my rear and lines of communications."
A myriad of expressions flickered across the room at that last bit. The last time the Empire had executed a Bravo Delta Zulu was in the final pacification campaign of Area 6. The scorched earth strategy had worked, insomuch as by the time the military was done there was literally no one left able to raise arms against the Empire. In the process they had also burned down a significant acreage of rain forest, making the scorched earth part of a Bravo Delta Zulu very literal. Carrying out a Bravo Delta Zulu would however require a considerable expenditure of ordnance which, given Olaf's current strategic disposition might not be the wisest choice. Then again in the absence of good choices no matter how bad a choice looked it still might end up being the least bad choice.
Whereas the reactions of the military officers was rooted in a degree of practicality the responses from their civilian counterparts carried with them a measure of a different sort of pragmatism.
"Excuse me general," Schneizel spoke up, "but would not the rumor that the Empire was preparing to execute a Bravo Delta Zulu simply incite the general population to resist even harder? An enemy backed into a corner would after all have nothing to lose and everything to gain if their most desperate gambles were to succeed."
"That is true your highness," Olaf said, "which is why I do not wish to resort to such means. At the same time if the general populace does rise up in revolt, it will be my forces that are backed into a corner."
Schneizel nodded, accepting the validity of the point. Euphemia on the other hand remained unconvinced of the necessity of such extreme measures but held her peace. She was not in Area 18 after all and possessed no authority to involve herself in the strategic or tactical deliberations involving it.
"Thank you General Craig," Zechs said. "Now, General Mitford, the situation in Area 12 if you would."
Major-General Thomas Mitford, was in the somewhat unusual position of being one of the most junior officers present. There was a palpable hesitancy as he licked his lips before responding.
"Yes sir. The Chinese have managed to establish a firm foothold on the north of Luzon Island, a foothold that seems to be protected by what appears to be the bulk of their South Sea Fleet. Estimates are that the Chinese have landed close to three divisions. At present they seem focused on securing the mouth of the Cagayan River, likely so that they can use it to more quickly move troops and supplies further south."
Or in all likelihood had already finished securing the river mouth and were even now dispatching forces south, was the conclusion all the other officers drew.
"My own forces are currently still widely dispersed across the Philippines dealing with the active insurgency," Thomas continued. "I have ordered forces to concentrate in Santiago, wherein they will be able to either stem any attempt to break out of the Cagayan Valley or begin counteroffensive operations into the valley. Light infantry units already in the area are currently conducting reconnaissance to determine the disposition of enemy forces and their rate of advance south."
In other words another holding action. For an Empire used to boldly taking the offensive the defensive posture it was now being forced to adopt must have been frustrating in the extreme.
"I have been coordinating with Seventh Fleet to try to put at least some pressure on the beachhead while my forces are concentrated. Ultimately however I will need additional troops to match the Chinese," Thomas concluded.
That much was true, Area 12 had only a reinforced division stationed in it. Zechs acknowledged the point with a nod.
"Understood, general." And then turned his gaze to another screen. "General Darlton, the status in Area 11 please."
"Sir," Andreas said. "At present the situation in Area 11 is a mixture of stable and precarious. The uprising in Tokyo was decisively crushed and a détente has been established with the only other resistance group that could pose a strategic threat. Of the external threats, the Chinese seem to have committed the majority of their forces to the Area 12 operation and do not appear to possess the reserves to make a second landing. Portions of their East Sea Fleet are still in the waters near Okinawa, but it is little more than a token force at this point. There is however a possibility that they may divert some of their assets engaged in the Area 12 theatre northward to threaten Okinawa once more. Should that happen before Third Fleet's assets arrive, the Marines will have a Hel of a fight on their hands.
"The situation in Hokkaido is more fraught. Russian forces have managed to enter the city of Wakkanai and there exists a substantial risk that they will be able to take control of the port. The Russians appear to have committed effectively the entirety of their Pacific Fleet to support the operation. While the Minsk is a substantially smaller aircraft carrier than our own Forrestals, the Russians do have considerably more other surface combatants in the area than the Seventh Fleet taskforce and so possess local naval superiority. If their ground forces are able to take the Wakkanai port, they will likely be able to establish a supply line to reinforce their position in Hokkaido."
Of the officers present perhaps the most visible reaction these assessments elicited was from Admiral Mountbatten. The earl however did not interrupt.
"I will be transferring a battalion from western Area 11 and another from the Tokyo garrison to reinforce our position in Hokkaido," Andreas stated, "but much as with Areas 12 and 18 I will need substantial reinforcements to ensure Area 11 remains within the Empire's domain."
"You shall receive them," Zechs said, neatly segueing the conversation onto its next topic. "There are currently six divisions in the homelands that can begin overseas deployment within the week. Two are being earmarked for each of the major theatres of operation. Furthermore orders have been issued to transfer two divisions of X Corps, with Lieutenant-General Gregor commanding, from Area 10 to Area 12 with immediate effect."
For someone about to receive four divisions of reinforcements General Milton's expression might be considered somewhat ungrateful. Then again that large an infusion of forces was guaranteed to see him subordinated to the new arrival and anyone whom knew of Berthold Gregor's reputation could be forgiven for such a reaction. Then again the promise of reinforcements did not do much to lighten General Craig's mood much either seeing the difficulty getting said reinforcements to him would entail.
"Four more divisions of the reserve will also have completed mobilization within the next week," Zechs continued, "along with a further twelve by the end of the month. All four of the initial wave will be positioned on the west coast, ready to be transferred to either Areas 11 or 12 depending on how the situation develops. Six of the second will however need to be dispersed to our American holdings to replace the divisions that we are dispatching now. The plan for the remaining six will be dispatched to Area 10, and then either to Area 12 or 18 as warranted."
Again, with the unspoken assumption that the line of supply would still be open to Area 18.
"Those are the immediate deployments of our army assets," Zechs said, "but the navy and air force both have some assets of their own that can be brought to bear." The field marshal looked over to his left. "Admiral?"
"Sir," Louis said politely. "At present a taskforce from Third Fleet is already moving to support the portions of Seventh Fleet in Area 11 waters. The rest of the fleet will sail for Area 12 within the month and from there support operations against the Chinese South Sea Fleet and in conjunction with Fifth Fleet provide escort for the troopships destined for Area 18."
That was a mighty tall order, everyone attending knew. As powerful as the Britannian Navy was it still had only so many ships. Still, it did have a lot of ships to begin with.
"Second and Fourth Fleets will be completely mobilized within the month and its active assets are already patrolling the Atlantic in case the Europeans are mad enough to attempt any incursion into the homelands," Louis stated. "Further, offensive operations, will however need to wait until the full reactivation of Sixth Fleet."
Sixth Fleet, a reserve fleet with most of its ships, what there were of them, in mothballs. A significant number were probably not worth the effort of reactivating and the resources would be more gainfully employed in new construction. Either way it would be some time before Sixth Fleet was ready to fight once more. Throughout the discussions of the Empire's naval assets Euphemia kept a composed, neutral expression. It was not yet time after all.
"Thank you admiral," Zechs said, and nodded again to his left. "Marshal LeMay, if you would?"
Air Chief Marshal LeMay nodded. "I've got four squadrons of fighter-bombers ready for immediate deployment overseas. They can be in Area 11 within the next twelve hours. The air element in Area 10 can be in Area 12 even faster, of course, and they include a good number of A-10s. The Thunderbolt might be ugly, but it'll make the enemy's day even uglier."
This time Euphemia almost cracked a smile. She remembered Marshal LeMay only vaguely from her time in Pendragon, and what little she did recall made her sometimes wonder how the crass man ever rose to such heights. Not that Euphemia herself found issue with his bluntness, it was a remarkable breath of fresh air in the stifling formalism that was court.
"Right now the only catch is basing facilities for overseas deployment," Curtis stated. "MacArthur Base can only support a single squadron and Nimitz doesn't have room for both the naval air wing and my planes, whereas Area 12's facilities are even less adequate to support a high rate of sorties."
Then again there were reasons why tact was a useful social skill.
"Mitchell Base is currently at 70% complete," Euphemia spoke up for the first time. "Work on it will be expedited. If there are facilities that are more essential to the maintenance of your planes, I can see to it that they are prioritized over nonessentials such as officer's messes and dormitories."
Mitchell Base, named after a maverick air commodore. Euphemia began to wonder if such characteristics were a prerequisite for advancement in the air force.
Marshal LeMay cracked a grin and nodded. "I shall do so, your highness."
The man at least could take as good as he gave.
"That brings to a conclusion a summary of our current and near-term disposition of our forces," Zechs said. "Further increases in the strength of our standing forces will require a full general mobilization. I have been assured that a motion to institute conscription will be put before parliament without delay," the field marshal nodded to Schneizel, a motion the prince returned. "It will however take time for that manpower to begin making an actual difference in the war, and during that time we must hold the line with the forces immediately available to us, for our overseas possessions that are being so threatened now provide the very means for us to strike back against the Empire's enemies."
This time Zechs' gaze fell on the man on his right.
"The principle difficulty that we face in the current war is the logistical challenge of amassing enough forces and resources to take the fight to them," General Johnson stated. "An entire ocean separates the homelands from both our enemies, and the last time the Empire was forced to conduct such a transoceanic invasion it took the combined forces of the Third, Sixth, and Seventh Fleets to support it. That was however against a single opponent, Japan, a comparatively weaker state than the ones we find arrayed against the Empire now.
"In light of the impossibility of diverting sufficient naval strength to support a long distance invasion, the general staff proposes the following stratagem. A buildup of forces will be conducted in Areas 11 and 17, from where it will be much more feasible to launch amphibious invasions against the Asian mainland. This will allow us to put pressure on the Chinese Federation on two fronts, reversing the current strategic situation the Empire finds itself in, as well as threaten the Far East possessions of the Russian Federation. The Russians cannot ignore a threat of such a magnitude, especially if the city of Vladivostok, their only warm water port on the Pacific, is endangered. This should see them commit at least some assets to attempt to defend, or better yet, seek to retake, the city, which will reduce the resources they can commit against Area 18.
"As for the Chinese Federation, the proposed war plan is split into east and south operational theatres. The eastern threatre will attempt a landing on the Korean peninsula, targeting the port city of Busan. With its capture we would have a foothold that would allow us to advance further inland and credibly threaten Beijing. Considering the nature of the Federation's political system, that by itself should see them divert resources from the southern threatre in order to shore up their northern defenses.
"The purpose of the southern threatre is to secure our lines of communications through the Indian Ocean. At present, and somewhat surprisingly, the Chinese have not attempted to use their southeast Asian territories as springboards for attack on Area 17. Why we are not quite clear on, though there is without a doubt a substantial body of troops stationed in the Malay peninsula. As with the eastern theatre the peninsula will be the target of an amphibious invasion, with the city port of Singapore as the initial target. Capture of the peninsula, plus the repulsion of their invasion force in Area 12, should see the entire Chinese South Seas Fleet bottled up in the South China Sea and effectively take them out of play, which will allow Fifth Fleet to operate more freely. More importantly, it should allow for much easier transit of supplies and reinforcements to Area 18."
The number of qualifiers and things that needed to go right for the proposed war plan to succeed, Euphemia could actually come up with a reasonable estimate. The princess did not find said estimate to be very comforting however.
"Once our lines of communications with Area 18 is secured, we can begin a proper push against the European forces," Harold continued. "As with the Pacific campaign multiple theatres will be employed for the European campaign. They are provisionally named North, Central, and West. The northern theatre will see us advancing through the Caucasus in a drive towards Moscow. West will see us retake Jerusalem and from there advance through the Sinai and launch an attack on the EU's African colonies, with the strategic objective of wresting control of North Africa and access to the Mediterranean. Finally central will target Turkey, with the purpose of seizing the Bosphorus in preparation for an invasion into southeast Europe. With these objectives achieved, all three fronts will then turn towards the heartland of Europe," the genera paused as if to catch his breath, before emphatically stating, "with the final objective of leveling Paris."
Not capture, level. It seemed the age old animosity towards Napoleon for his conquest of the British Isles was still alive and well. Euphemia idly wondered what some of the French descended nobles would say when that bit of the military's war plan became known. The princess fought down a grimace. Nobles like her sister Nunnally, or Lelouch for that matter.
The silence that had fallen at the conclusion of General Keith's briefing did not last long. Cornelia gave a solemn nod.
"Thank you general." She looked at the others. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have before us a blueprint for victory. Let us see that it does indeed lead to our triumph."
Kallen took a deep breath. It did not help. On the other side of that door was several people she had not faced since the attack on Ashford Academy. All of them were around her own age so there was no particular reason for the girl to feel intimidated. And yet, her legs felt like they were about to give out on her then and there. The girl took another deep breath. It still was not working, and she was stalling. With a sigh the girl reached out, and pushed open the door. Heads turned immediately and Kallen found herself under the gaze of the two students already in the room.
"Umm, I'm back?" Kallen said somewhat tentatively.
A blur sped across the room and Kallen found herself suddenly engulfed.
"Woah, Milly!?"
The grip tightened and Kallen found herself in a veritable bear hug. Who knew the Ashford daughter was so strong.
"Kallen, you big idiot, you had us so worried when you just up and vanished!" Milly exclaimed.
"Eh heh heh," Kallen laughed nervously. "Umm, I'm really sorry Milly. I just, well, there was something I had to do."
Milly released the girl and gave Kallen a hard gaze. It was not quite a glare, but it was equally evident that as elated as Milly was to see Kallen the older girl had words. Kallen could only smile weakly. After a long minute a coughing sound interrupted Milly and the two girls looked over at the single male present.
"Milly, I think that's enough," Cole said with a slight smile. "Kallen's probably gotten the point."
Kallen gave the young man an appreciative smile, though the girl knew that she owed him much more than that.
"Well, I suppose," Milly relented, and then turned back towards Kallen. "So, did you find what you were searching for?"
There might have been a smile on Milly's face but the other girl was completely, utterly serious. Kallen sighed.
"Yeah, I think I did."
Milly nodded. "Good." And then maneuvered Kallen around so that the girl was directly facing Cole. "Now, the two of you. Kiss, make up, whatever."
"Milly!?" Kallen half shrieked.
Cole face palmed at his classmate's seemingly complete lack of tact.
A finger jabbed into Kallen's cheek as the girl began spinning about, causing her to cry to cut off.
"You, Kallen Stadtfeld, owe Cole a major apology for the grief you put him through," Milly said, completely deadpan. "And not just that, but also for the risks he took to try to find you."
That caused Kallen's eyes to flare and she looked back over at Cole. The young man simply stood there, giving no indication of just what those risks might have been. Kallen looked back over at Milly quizzically. The older girl however shook her head.
"That's between you and him." And promptly retreated out the room. "Now get to it! Oh and Kallen?" A beatific smile appeared. "You and I have much to discuss as well."
A chill ran down Kallen's spine as the doors closed. With a tired sigh she turned back around and regarded Cole. The young man seemed equally fatigued but did not shy away from meeting his gaze. When he stepped towards her Kallen immediately also closed in, meeting him halfway. Once the two were before each other however they simply stood there, without a sound. As Kallen regarded Cole she could see the worry that had been etched into his face, his immense relief at seeing her alive, and ultimately a hint of sorrow as well. Unsure of what to do, Kallen reached out and took Cole's hands into her own.
"I'm sorry," she said again. "I'm sorry for leaving you like that, and for all the grief I've put you through. You're, a kind person Cole, and I'm very glad to have met you." She looked up into his eyes once more. "And I will accept any anger you hold against me for what I have done to you."
Cole's expression flickered for just a moment, but he did not release Kallen's hands.
"I don't know when it was," Cole began, "that I decided on what kind of woman I would like to share my life with."
Kallen's breath caught.
"I wanted someone whom I would cherish, someone that could accept the affection I showered upon her." Cole smiled somewhat wistfully. "Someone whom understood that such affection was merely an affirmation of my love, not the whole of it."
The girl's heart was now beating much faster. Much, much faster. Kallen almost feared that Cole would feel its throbbing from her hands.
"But most of all, I wanted to share my life with someone whom I could understand." A hint of sorrow crept into the smile. "Someone whom I would never give reason to be lied to."
Said sorrow was now also reflected in Kallen's eyes. She found it harder and harder to meet Cole's and started to look down, but a hand rose and gentle caressed her face.
"Perhaps it is a selfish thing to say," Cole said, "but I was lied to. And because I was lied to, I have to ask myself. Do I truly know you, Kallen? Did I see the real you, when you smiled and laughed at school?"
Kallen's own hand rose and came to a rest against Cole's.
"Yes," she said firmly. "For the first time, in a very long time, I was able to show myself at school. I was able to be myself, the self that I thought had died when the Empire invaded Japan. And, that was because of you, Cole."
The young man said nothing at first, simply staring into Kallen's gaze. There was a clarity in his eyes, of purpose and will. It was a clarity that Kallen found to be of great comfort.
"But that's isn't all there is to you," Cole finally said. "There's Kallen, the girl that I danced with at the school ball and who laughed at my stories. She is someone whom I thought I knew and understood, someone whose dream I found as beautiful as her self." Despite herself Kallen could not help but flush slightly at that. Cole smiled slightly at the reaction before his expression became solemn. "But then there's the Red Knight, the vigilante that has fought against Britannia but also saved the life of the Princess Euphemia. Her, her thoughts and beliefs I cannot begin to grasp, because I have not tasted the grief and pain that she has. And I cannot but wonder whether she would share the pain that would allow me to understand her."
It was a roundabout way of saying it, but Kallen quickly grasped Cole's meaning. He knew the risks of getting closer to her, of becoming involved with her persona as the Red Knight. And he was making clear that the decision ultimately lay in Kallen's hands, for he had already assumed great risk in even getting to this point. To deny that would be to deny his courage, and his genuine affection.
Kallen smiled and pressed herself against Cole. "I do not deserve this. I can promise nothing but trials and tribulations for anyone that stays at my side."
Cole wrapped an arm around Kallen. "I would not ask of anything more from you. All I ask of you is, you."
Kallen sank into the embrace. Her head felt surprisingly clear, even as her eyes began to blur from the tears that gathered within them. Yet there was no pain, no pressure in her head that would accompany any tears shed of sorrow. How long had it been, how long since she last cried simply because she was happy? Kallen could not remember. But it was happening now, and she let the tears run free as she held and was held in turn. It was an embrace she never wanted to be released from.
"Doctor."
Kuroba looked up, trying his best to not look wary at hearing his name called. The gentle smile on Lieutenant Blanche's face made clear he was not entirely successful.
"Her highness has requested your presence at the viceroy's palace," Helena stated.
The doctor spent perhaps a moment digesting the words before nodding.
"Very well lieutenant," Kuroba said as he stood. "Please give me a moment to freshen up."
Helena returned the nod and stood aside to wait. The doctor did not take too long, giving his face a good rinse and making sure his clothes were not too disheveled. It was probably a good thing he had managed to find the time to actually sleep and get a change of clothes yesterday. Once satisfied that he looked at least somewhat presentable he emerged from his office and nodded to the lieutenant once more.
"Please lead the way."
Helena did so and Kuroba trailed after her out of the building. Cleanup was still happening on the hospital grounds, most of it concentrated in hauling away the rubble of the destroyed wing. There were not that many soldiers about now, most having withdrawn to the Concession are actively searching the ghettos for any JLF remnants. Those that did remain however seemed remarkably at ease, Britannians and Japanese alike, and were openly interacting with not just the members of Akatsuki but also the civilians that lived around the Keio medical campus. Kuroba allowed himself a slight smile at the sight before climbing into the waiting Humvee. And then Helena herself followed. The doctor looked over at the nurse.
"Were you also summoned, lieutenant?"
Helena nodded. "Though my own summons came from Colonel Frasier. But since we were both headed the same way, no reason to waste two trips when one will do."
"I see," Kuroba said, before settling back into the seat.
The ride to the palace was remarkably uneventful, even with the security checkpoints they needed to pass. Kuroba was old enough to remember the old imperial palace that once stood on the grounds of the viceroy's palace. It still pained him to see that symbol of Japan's past gone, replaced by the imposing, stale heights of the Britannian palace. Still, this was progress of sorts, his invitation to the palace. Kuroba certainly would have never expected to find cause to enter these halls in the aftermath of the invasion.
"This is where we part ways Dr. Kuroba," Helena said as they passed through the interior security checkpoint.
Kuroba turned to regard the Britannian nurse once more, and to her surprise bowed.
"Lieutenant Blanche. I thank you for everything that you have done for my people."
Helena stiffed for a moment, and then clicked her heels together respectfully. "It has been a privilege and an honor to work by your side, doctor."
Kuroba rose, and was warmed to see the wide smile on the woman's face. He returned it with an earnest one of his own before turning to follow the princess' armsman. The two made their way deeper into the palace, past countless doors that the doctor could only guess the purpose of, past servants and soldiers of whom more than a few gave him curious, albeit discreet peeks. Kuroba did not let the gawking bother him, there were plenty of other things to occupy his mind after all, including just why the princess had summoned him. That answer would soon be given as the two stopped before a pair of doors with two soldiers standing guard outside.
Kuroba's escort knocked and a clear, firm voice sounded from within.
"Enter."
The door opened but the guard did not actually cross the boundary. "Your highness, the Dr. Kuroba as you requested."
"Thank you sergeant. Please show him in."
The soldier bowed, then stepped aside, arm raised to invite Kuroba in. The doctor nodded his thanks and entered, finding himself facing the Princess Euphemia seated upright in her bed. Kuroba felt a slight twinge of worry at the sight. The princess was obviously still recovering from the ordeals she endured at Keio. Should she be entertaining any guests at all? And then the princes looked up at him with a smile.
"Doctor," she said, tilting her head towards her bedside. "Please, have a seat."
Kuroba hesitated a beat before walking over. To be allowed so close to the princess' person was a surprise, not that he was actually alone with her seeing the presence of a blond haired woman standing against the wall on the same side of the bed. After giving her a single glance however Kuroba did his best to ignore her. The princess was the person whom he had come to see after all.
"How may I be of service, your highness?" the doctor asked once he was seated.
Euphemia shook her head. "You have already given much more than any person has a right to ask, doctor, to me and to so many others. Would I be here at all today if you had not been present at Keio that day?"
Kuroba opened his mouth, and found no words came. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts.
"You were my patient, your highness," he said after meeting Euphemia's gaze once more. "It is my solemn oath to give aid and care to any whom needs it."
"That may be so," Euphemia said, "but it simply being your duty does not deprive you to a right to gratitude from those whose lives you have touched. That is the least you deserve, doctor."
Kuroba looked at Euphemia for several more moments before nodding solemnly. Much as he could not deny someone the care they needed, he also would not deny their gratitude. That would have been, insensitive in the extreme.
"Good," Euphemia said. "Then I hope that you will accept from me a token of my gratitude."
The doctor's eyes widened. "I-I'm sorry, your highness?"
"I have been informed, of what happened to Mr. Makabe," Euphemia stated.
Kuroba stared at the princess, his breaths quick and shallow, all that the elderly man could manage.
"I am also aware that a letter was left addressed to you," the princess continued. "No, I do not know its contents, though something tells me your friend sought to explain his, actions, to you."
That was true enough, Makabe had detailed why he finally elected to take his own life. Kuroba however made no move to confirm or deny the princess' words. At this point, he simply could not.
"It is not my place to speculate on the specifics of Mr. Makabe's reasons, to feign such an intimate degree of understanding or familiarity with a complete strange is discourteous and disrespectful not only to the person but also to those whom did know him. And yet."
Kuroba blinked, just now realizing how tightly his chest was wound. The doctor tried to compose himself. It was proving remarkably difficult.
"And yet," Euphemia repeated, "my lack of familiarity with Mr. Makabe does not excuse me from my degree of complicity in his death. It was I after all that placed him in a situation which demanded he choose between his dignity and his freedom."
The doctor felt an urge to protest, that the princess' decree regarding the Fuchu prisoners had been, the thought chopped off. No, the decree had not been fair, it had done exactly what the princess admitted to now, probably intentionally so. Yet Kuroba felt no anger or frustration with Euphemia, the princess likely had been trying the best she could within the limits of her own power and authority. And of this the doctor was certain, the princess was herself painfully conscious of the costs that her limits extracted from others.
"I cannot hold you at fault for Makabe's death, your highness," Kuroba said.
Euphemia smiled gently. And then a firm, determined visage took its place.
"The past is immutable," Euphemia said, and Kuroba heard an echo of the words the princess uttered at Keio. "The future however, I can yet choose how it is written. And it is by my choice, and my will, that I thus decree. All prisoners and former prisoners held in Area 11 for actions of non-violent protest against the Holy Britannian Empire will be pardoned, unconditionally, and freed to return to the lives that were stolen from them, this, I, Euphemia li Britannia, do swear."
Kuroba gazed at the princess, unable to tear his eyes away even as tears welled up within them. And then he bowed, somewhat awkwardly in his seat, but still a bow. His voice was but a rasp now.
"My eternal gratitude, your highness."
End of Chapter 49
It's actually rather interesting seeing the different pairings that my readers are rooting for. There is a definite group that seems to want to see Euphie and Lelouch together, just due to the sheer, well, level of competency that the two are demonstrating here and the belief that the two together would be nigh unstoppable. There is also a surprising number of people that actually support a Cole and Kallen pairing despite Cole being an original (more or less, at least to the Code Geass canon) character. I suppose I can take that as a compliment for how well I've managed to craft him. That being said, I'm finding that I'm writing myself into a hole regarding Cole and Kallen. I have intended roles for the two that I'm actually making harder for them to fulfill with the developments this chapter. Why I'm saying this will become more apparent later.
Yes I'm having fun picking out historical characters to fill various roles. And borrowing shamelessly from other franchises. Note that though I've outlined the Britannian Empire's plans for the war, that says very little about how the war will actually progress. I have also made an explicit point to NOT talk about how the war ended in the opening snippets. The only thing that's obvious is that there is still a Britannia for Euphemia to rule afterwards. What the state of the rest of the world is, is left ambiguous.
The Minsk was technically commissioned in 1978, so I've pushed its introduction up substantially. I think it's justified, seeing the degree of technology we see in the series. The A-10 was also only introduced into service in 1977, but I don't think I'll see too many complaints about putting it in.
I made another mistake a while back, I said the Sixth Fleet was the Britannian fleet stationed at basically the Middle East. It should have been the Fifth Fleet.
I have never heard of The Cold Equations so no my title is not an allusion to it.
When Rommel stated that 1st Panzer would have two knightmare regiments, he did not mean that that was all 1st Panzer would be. If one looks at the force chart for how the Wehrmacht organized its panzer divisions, you will see that they were composed of two panzer regiments, two motorized infantry regiments, and a whole crapload of support units like artillery, antitank, reconnaissance, and so on. As such what Rommel was saying was that in place of the two traditional panzer regiments, 1st Panzer would have two regiments of knightmares, and that's the inference that his fellow officers also made. No modern military has purely homogenous formations, pretty much all of the properly run ones practice combined arms and will complement armored units with mechanized infantry to support them. Even an armored regiment or brigade itself would have infantry elements supplementing its actual armored battalions. The largest 'pure' unit tends to be a battalion.
Also I would be careful about attributing specific numbers to the size of a division and its composite units. This can vary significantly between different countries. For example these days most militaries only have brigades, not regiments, as the organizational level between the division and the battalion, whereas during World War II divisions were generally broken down into regiments, and then battalions. Unless you're the British military, which called its battalions regiments to begin with. Be thankful that I've decided to keep my terminology consistent across the different armies involved instead of insisting on the menagerie that is the real world.
The way Areas were dealt with in the canon anime never made much sense to me. Canada was already a British possession, what need to conquer it? The Louisiana territory was not a British possession, so sure, that might have made sense, but it's not treated as part of a newly conquered area, more as an extension of the existing homeland. As such I'm tweaking the geopolitical boundaries of the Britannian Empire so that anyone who has any understanding of British colonial and American history won't go WTF after thinking about the Code Geass setup for more than five seconds.
Also the notion that the Canadian population would be relegated to Number status didn't make much sense either. Or rather, the notion that the European Canadian population would be. The Native Americans I'm sure got shafted even worse by the Britannian Empire than by the US. But British Canada basically was full of British and French colonists. And while the French descended population might have been looked down upon because of what Napoleon did to Great Britain, I've already established that a large number of French noble families escaped the French Revolution by leaving for Great Britain and then Britannia, so they've pretty much fully integrated into Britannian society. The portrayal of racial relations in Code Geass always felt half-assed and I would say reflects more of how the Japanese people view race than how it is actually dealt with in western nations. Not that I'm trying to claim how it really is in the real world is better or worse, it's just not anywhere so straightforward as 'you were born here therefore you are this place's person' and so on. Anyway, for reference, my own as much for my readers, here is my breakdown of the Empire's expansion. Note from some of the territories I refer to their historical labels to make it easier and simpler to identify the territory conquered.
Area 1 – British North American colonies, aka the Homelands (note, Alaska was also purchased from the Russians in this timeline and is treated as part of Area 1)
Area 2 – Louisiana territory
Area 3 – Greenland and Iceland
Area 4 – The Caribbean Islands
Area 5 – Viceroyalty of New Spain
Area 6 – Viceroyalty of New Granada
Area 7 – Viceroyalties of Peru and the Rio de la Plata (the Falklands were already claimed by the British, it gets folded into Area 7)
Area 8 – Kingdom of Brazil
Area 9 – Hawaii
Area 10 – Australasia
Area 11 – Japan
Area 12 – Philippines
Area 13 – Micronesian Islands (only really claimed by the Empire to set up naval stations)
Area 14 – Polynesian Islands (same as Area 13)
Area 15 – New Guinea (the entire island)
Area 16 – Sulawesi, Lesser Sunda Islands, and Java
Area 17 – Borneo (the entire island) and Sumatra
Area 18 – Middle East
To be frank I really don't think the Code Geass writers thought all that hard when they came up with the area numbers. If I had been doing this from scratch, Japan would not have been Area 11, it would have more likely been Area 13 or 14. And the Middle East would have been more like Area 16. The show is also horribly inconsistent with who controls which territory. I think possession of Indonesia basically switched sides on literally every time it was shown. Yeah, I'll stop ranting now.
I'm, not sure if this would constitute the end of R1 for me or not. It might be this, or the next chapter. Honestly I don't think there's going to be a 'clean' break between the R1 and R2 arcs for me. At this point though I'm not sure it matters. Anyway, feedback and questions always welcome. Pretty sure I've answered every question thus far fielded. If not poke me again.
