When the Great War began the European powers found themselves facing an acute logistics challenge almost immediately. While the armed forces of each nation was nominally able to operate as part of an integrated command and control framework, in truth the degree to which they were standardized was very, very low. While England, France, Italy, and Spain at least used the same 5.56x45mm cartridge for their main battle rifle, Germany and Austria used a 7.62x51mm cartridge while the Russians and several other eastern European nations used a 7.62x39mm round. In terms of combat vehicles, the Russians had just achieved widespread deployment of their new T-72 tanks, while the French AMX-30 and German Leopard were the standard employed by many other European powers. Then there was the new German Hummel, the first operational European knightmare, which for the early part of the war was limited only to the 1st Panzer division.
In terms of air power again the main European powers were split, with the French utilizing aircraft built by Dassault-Dunois and the Russians and their closer allies the fruits of the Mikoyan-and-Gurevich Design Bureau. The Germans on the other hand led a multinational consortium called Panavia that included the Austrians, English, Italians, Spanish, and a few other western European nations to produce aircraft for the respective members. A similar split also existed in the naval assets of the European states, with only the smallest of the European maritime powers not fielding domestically designed and built ships. The sole exception to this was Great Britain, which for political reasons was forced to rely on French and German built hulls as its domestic shipbuilding industry was almost completely barred from building warships larger than frigates or destroyers. It was also expressively forbidden from building submarines of any type.
The situation with noncombatant assets was even more complicated. As each European nation wanted to ensure that their own industries benefited from military contracts, logistic assets were intentionally left to the discretion of each country to manage. The consequence was that every single country fielded their own types of trucks, resulting in the expeditionary force sent to the Middle East having over thirty different models spread across the various contributed units. The fact that the entire campaign did not come to a grinding halt a few months in is a testament to the Herculean effort of General Manuel Gutiérrez Mellado and his staff. By the end of the war sheer necessity had seen the Europeans standardize on two models of trucks for transporting supplies and personnel, both Russian in origin. If nothing else the Russian Federation's massive industrial prowess ensured that it could provide the vehicles in the numbers needed by the war effort, even if spare parts still remained in perennial shortage.
-In Blackest Night: The Great War
Chapter 51
Bellum se ipsum alet
Charles remained silent for what had to have been a good five minutes, staring at the monitor. He then looked over at V.V. The boyish figure had a petulant scowl on his face. The emperor resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Tempting, ever so tempting. But there were more important things to do than saying 'I told you so' to his brother, no matter how satisfying it would be.
"Is there any indication where Lelouch may be now?" he said instead.
"Almost certainly on his way back to France, your majesty," Monica answered. "Indications are he left shortly before the start of the Tokyo Uprising."
"Then there is still a chance to find and neutralize him," V.V. said. "He must be traveling back via the Trans-Siberian railway. We should have the military bomb its trains."
Monica's face went through a variety of expressions, none of which could be termed approving or even terribly polite. It took all of Charles' self-control to not burst out laughing. Despite how unsavory and even thankless her duties could sometimes be Monica always found some way to enjoy herself. It was a testament to the woman's nerve and general levelheadedness, not to mention a remarkably effective method for getting people to drop their guard around her. After all, who would think that such a whimsical young woman was a Knight of the Round, much less a lord inquisitor?
"Bombing the railway would require penetrating deep into Russian airspace," Charles said instead. "The military does not yet have the resources in place for such an attempt."
"Bah," V.V. scoffed. "What good is the military when they prove so useless when the chips fall?"
The knight stopped making faces and regarded V.V. with a flatly unamused gaze. Whatever her sense of humor Monica was still a member of the Britannian military and was not inclined to overlook any such slights, especially from someone with no actual understanding of warfare.
"Had you not killed Marianne this would not be a problem to begin with," Charles noted dryly.
"I had no choice in the matter, brother," V.V. said dogmatically. "She was going to betray us. How much more harm do you think her children would have been if I had let her be?"
Sometimes Charles wondered whether his brother actually believed his own lie. That was not impossible, though if that was the case it said really sad things about V.V.'s mental state.
"Continue with your investigation, Monica," Charles said. "This will not be Lelouch's only attempt at vengeance. We must be ready to act if he rears his head again."
"Yes your majesty," Monica said with a bow at the dismissal.
The screen went blank, leaving Charles alone with his sibling. The emperor settled back into his seat while V.V. continued glaring at the display, as if that would somehow make the ill tidings go away.
"You will need to delve into C's World, see if there are any echoes from Lelouch's actions."
"Nothing has changed since I first entered it," V.V. said in a petulant tone. "I am of half a mind to think your knight is exaggerating what she witnessed. Better that she return C.C. to us so we can examine her to determine the truth of the matter."
Charles sighed. "And do you truly wish for C.C. to be brought to Pendragon, when we do not actually understand the nature of the compulsion Lelouch placed upon her? I would not put it past my son to have devised a particularly nasty failsafe should she be brought into contact with a Thought Elevator. Better that she be left where she is, secured and waiting until we have genuine need of her."
"And you trust your dear daughter with her custody?" V.V. said dryly.
"Euphemia is effectively rooted to Area 11 now, if she leaves she loses the shield that is her popularity of her subjects. And Monica has a detachment of Loki Regiment assigned to keeping an eye on C.C. She will keep."
V.V. still scowled, unsatisfied with someone seemingly managing to thwart him. And in truth that was exactly what Euphemia had done. Not only had she severed their mental link his daughter now technically held possession of C.C., even though Charles doubted the code bearer would still be in Tokyo if she genuinely did not want to be. Which suggested all sorts of interesting things about what the two might be getting up to.
"Euphemia has overstepped one too many times," V.V. declared suddenly. "You have stated that openly removing her is untenable, so be it. All that means is she must be brought low via alternative means."
Charles raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Do not worry Charles," V.V. said with a sadistic smile. "I will make sure none will be able to trace this to you. In fact, C.C.'s newest contractor should serve a useful scapegoat. We can't leave her around to interfere with our plans either."
Without another word V.V. took his leave. Once the doors closed Charles finally let out a snort. If anything he was surprised his brother had taken this long to make an attempt on Euphemia's life. That he still thought he could succeed, especially with another geass bearer now actively invested in his daughter's wellbeing, well if nothing else it would serve as a useful test of the Directorate's test subjects and this Kallen Stadtfeld. And if Euphemia did fall, then she was simply not ready to participate in such higher matters. Time would tell whom would succeed, and whom would stand by his side come Ragnarok.
When the new day started Kallen dragged herself out of bed at 5AM and lined up with the rest of the armsmen in front of the palace grounds. Each morning those armsmen not on duty or on a rest cycle would do a five mile run circling the imperial palace grounds. Kallen had thought she was pretty athletic and in shape for someone her age. The first time she joined in the pace the armsmen set saw her throwing up when she finished. The girl quickly determined to do better.
Today a few new faces joined them, some of whom were armsmen whose rotations had shifted to being awake now instead of resting, including one Lieutenant Armstrong. The man was shirtless again for some reason and if the looks on the others were any indication the rest of the guard were as confused by the lieutenant's habit as Kallen. Two others however stood out even more. One was Laura, a statuesque beauty that was turning a few heads amongst the men even as the women, Kallen included, snorted at their obvious gawking. The other however was a distinctly Japanese woman that Kallen had never seen before. The name sown into her clothes was M. Ackermann, suggesting that like Kallen she was of mixed heritage. Unlike Kallen however she obviously favored her Japanese parent.
Today's run was also set at a brisk pace. In fact Kallen got the distinct impression that every time someone new joined the armsmen would push a bit harder than usual, a sort of light hazing as it were. Ackermann however had no trouble keeping up, and Laura actually seemed to be enjoying herself. In fact by the time they were done she was near the front, her presence almost seeming to spur the lead runner to go even faster so as to not lose face. All of them were breathing heavily when they finished, all but Laura who did not even look winded.
Kallen chuckled to herself. It seemed there really was always someone better. Though she was almost afraid of what someone even stronger than Laura might look like. When all of them hit the showers after the run however it was the newly arrived Japanese soldier that was on Kallen's mind. The question was how to approach her, especially considering the other girl seemed to be intently avoiding meeting Kallen's gaze.
"Hey."
Which left her only one avenue to take, the direct approach. The soldier barely kept the grimace off her face as Kallen addressed her.
"Yes ma'am?" she said stiffly.
"The name's Kallen. You would be?"
A beat passed before an answer came. "Private Ackermann, second platoon, bravo company, 100th infantry battalion."
A completely by the book answer at that. Kallen's lips twitched. It was pretty obvious the soldier did not want to engage with Kallen any more than formality required, but why that was the case was beyond the ability of her geass to discern.
"Ackermann," Kallen said. "I presume you have a first name as well, private?"
Another beat. "Mikasa, ma'am."
It was plainly evident that Mikasa was going to force Kallen to drag answers out of her word by word.
"Mikasa," Kallen repeated. "When did you transfer to her highness' guard?"
The woman's brow furrowed. "Permission to speak frankly, ma'am."
Kallen raised an eyebrow. "Sure, go ahead."
"You're my superior officer, ma'am, and I will accept any legally binding order that you issue. Beyond that however I am not obliged to socialize or interact with you, and I would appreciate if you respected that."
That, was a lot more forthright than Kallen had been expecting. Which was fine with the young woman, at least this way they would not be wasting any time dancing around the issue.
"Would you mind at least telling me why you feel this way, private?"
"Yes ma'am, I would mind."
Or not. Kallen frowned. Mikasa obviously did not want to open up to her and trying to press the other woman on the issue would simply see her clam up even more. The private was also right, all Kallen was legally allowed to demand from her was that she follow orders relating to their respective duties. Just because they were serving together did not require that they be friends.
"Alright private, I'll drop it," Kallen said.
Mikasa nodded, even politely at that. "Will there be anything else ma'am?"
"No private."
Clicking her heels together, not that she was even really wearing heels to click, Mikasa proceeded to the showers leaving Kallen standing there. Kallen glanced after the other woman, a more than mild sense of confusion swirling through her head. She had expected, as a fellow Japanese, that she could easily establish a rapport with Mikasa. That obviously was not the case, though why Kallen had no idea and Mikasa was obviously not going to make it easy finding out. Kallen pursed her lips. That did not feel right. Not just because they shared a heritage, but also because if they were going to fight together they needed to trust each other, and just barely tolerating each other did not engender trust. But this was not something she could rush, and so Kallen found herself forced to adopt yet another rather unfamiliar behavior, patience.
The officer that stood before Euphemia was neatly dressed, well groomed, and seemed remarkably enthusiastic considering the mess that he was now responsible for cleaning up. Then again Colonel Cassius Bright would not have been dispatched from the Homelands to reorganize the gendarmerie, and the colonel would certainly not have brought his family if he thought he was not up to the task.
"Colonel Bright," Euphemia greeted. "You come well recommended, by not only your superiors back in Pendragon but also by those under your command at your last posting in Wisconsin. Based off of those recommendations I have a degree of confidence that you are the right man for this job."
"Thank you your highness," Cassius said. "I will see to it that the gendarmerie is restored to its true purpose, the aid of the people."
Euphemia allowed a thin smile. The gendarmerie's roots came from the informal law enforcement frontier settlers created as the Empire pushed westward after its conquest of Louisiana. Out beyond the formally established provinces, the rare instances of Britannian authority came from the various military units positioned to subjugate the natives. In the absence of a proper policing force however the frontiersmen created their own, a guild of sorts that posted bounties for criminals, helped perform search and rescue, and in general did all of the things that the government should have been doing. In one of the rare instances of the Empire not screwing up a good thing when the territories were formally organized the guild was transformed into a formally recognized agency, the gendarmerie.
Even before its formal incorporation the motto of the gendarmerie had been, "To Project and Serve." That motto had become increasingly strained as gendarmerie elements were deployed to new conquests with the intent of having them assist in the pacification of an area. Witnessing the brutality that the military was capable of, there were several incidents that saw the gendarmerie clash openly with the military occupation. Such open schisms of course had political consequences, with the gendarmerie increasingly subordinated to the military. It was only in the last decade or so that the gendarmerie was slowly regaining its independence, and up and coming officers like Cassius Bright were one reason.
"I will not ask for miracles, colonel," Euphemia said, "though I suspect at times you will think I am. The state of the gendarmerie is however at this point incredibly poor. Its ranks took heavy losses from the Battle of Tokyo and even before then morale was low due to the other incidents."
"Your highness," Cassius said with a confident smile, "you have but to ask and I shall do everything in my power to deliver. Ask of me a miracle, and I will move the heavens themselves to bring about one."
Few were the people that would boast so openly before an imperial scion. Something told Euphemia that Cassius was one of the even fewer that could make good on his boast.
"Very well Colonel Bright," Euphemia responded. "I charge you with restoring the gendarmerie to a state wherein it can take pride in its service to the people once more."
Cassius bowed deeply. "At your will, your highness."
The man executed a perfect one eighty and left the office. Euphemia watched him leave and when the door closed let out a snort of amusement. Time would tell whether the colonel's confidence was warranted. She certainly hoped it would be, as losing the gendarmerie as an effective arm of governance would be extremely inconvenient.
"Rachel," Euphemia said into the intercom. "I am ready for my next appointment."
"Yes your highness."
The doors opened again, and this time it was the petite figure of Kaguya Sumeragi that entered. The Japanese girl bowed deeply.
"I answer your summons, your highness."
Euphemia nodded to the chairs across from her. "Have a seat, Dame Sumeragi."
"Highness," Kaguya said as she obeyed.
Euphemia considered the girl for a few moments. "By all rights, Dame Sumeragi, I should have you arrested and executed for your support of the Japanese Liberation Front."
Kaguya's gaze did not waver. "I did what I thought right, your highness. I have no regrets."
The princess chuckled. "Then you have no regrets in the Akatsuki and Akakishi that you supported openly coming out in my support and helping decisively destroy the JLF?"
That, Kaguya had to admit, was a good point. She refused to lose her nerve however.
"I would not take back any of my actions, your highness."
Not quite as unequivocal a statement as her first, but it got the point across. Euphemia leaned back into her own seat.
"Tell me, Dame Sumeragi, what do you intend to do now?"
"I will continue supporting my people to the best of my ability, your highness," Kaguya said firmly. "Then, as now, there is still much to be done to see their needs met."
Euphemia pursed her lips before cracking a smile. "Good."
Kaguya blinked, taken slightly aback by the princess' response.
"I will soon be granting a charter charging the Akatsuki with law enforcement in the wards outside the Tokyo concession," Euphemia stated. That much Kaguya already knew. "The charter however is only valid if Akatsuki is able to fulfill such duties." The princess' eyes narrowed. "And it explicitly states that Akatsuki does not possess the authority to levy taxes in the wards they police."
Kaguya grimaced. So that was how the princess was going to play it. The girl idly wondered whether Kallen was aware of those particular provisions. Then again the Sumeragi Group was capable of continuing to fund Akatsuki, even the substantially enlarged one that would be needed to police all of the wards outside the Tokyo Concession. This of course assumed the Sumeragi Group was still intact at the end of this meeting.
"There remains of course the matter of the Sumeragi Group's, and your personal, complicity in supporting insurgent activity against Britannian authority," Euphemia continued.
And here it came. Kaguya was reasonably confident that the princess would not dismantle the Sumeragi Group wholesale, she probably had enough on her plate trying to deal with Kirihara Industries' implosion, but there was no doubt that her family's company would face a very stiff penalty.
"I have assessed the monetary value of the support Kyoto House supplied to the JLF," Euphemia said, and it was all Kaguya could manage to not visibly choke at the princess' nonchalant reference to the families behind the stronger resistance groups. "Combined with the revenues your industrial interests earned, it is quite evident that as substantial as the resources committed to the insurgency were, they were still but a mere fraction of the wealth that was being generated."
There was that insinuation again, that the members of the NAC were more interested in enriching themselves than helping their fellow Japanese. Kaguya was getting mildly tired of it, seeing the fact that several of her fellow councilmembers were facing execution for the risks they took.
"I will therefore give you a choice," Euphemia said, "between two sanctions. A one-time fine of fifteen billion pounds to the Viceroyalty of Area 11," to that Kaguya actually gargled, "or a one-time fine of one billion pounds, and a commitment to spend 1% of the Sumeragi Group's revenues on humanitarian efforts selected by my administration."
Kaguya gaped at the princess. The Sumeragi Group, and by extension her own family, did not have fifteen billion pounds in liquid assets. To raise that amount of money would force them to sell off a not insignificant amount of assets. On the other hand accepting the alternative offer would see the Sumeragi Group locked into spending a set amount of revenue year after year, which in the long run would quickly dwarf the one-off fifteen billion fine. Except assuming the princess was serious about forcing the Sumeragi Group to fund humanitarian projects it was likely in Euphemia's interest that the company continue to remain in good financial health, especially since her highness herself would be picking which projects to fund.
"I would be inclined to the latter, your highness," Kaguya said shakily, "save for the lack of assurances that the money so spent is actually performing humanitarian work."
"Fair enough," Euphemia said. "All money that is spent will be publicly documented, and measures will be instituted to provide avenues of appeal and monetary recovery should some of the spending be suspect. I can also put in place a clause that will allow the Sumeragi Group to buy out its obligation for a sum prorated from the amount already spent on humanitarian funding, but no less than one third of the initial fine, with inflation taken into account."
The princess really did think of everything, Kaguya was more than willing to admit.
"And in the case of bankruptcy, your highness?"
"The government will be the preferential creditor, with the debt being the prorated fine value."
She really, really did think of everything. Kaguya reluctantly nodded.
"I accept these conditions, your highness."
The one billion pound fine was still going to sting though, the Group might just have that much cash lying around, but they were still likely to have to sell off some assets to raise more if only to rebuild their reserves.
Euphemia nodded. "Very well. Then the only matter left is your personal complicity in acts of subversion."
Kaguya stiffened. Or maybe it was not over yet. Euphemia gave her a slight smile, likely meant to be comforting but having the opposite effect.
"I have spoken extensively with Kallen," the princess said, "and she has been emphatic about limiting the personal consequences for those that assisted her. I am prepared to grant a great deal of clemency in thanks for her having saved my life twice now, and that clemency will extend to yourself, Dame Sumeragi. This clemency will however come with a condition."
Of course. The princess likely could not just pardon Kaguya outright even if she wanted to. And something told the girl that as compassionate as the Princess Euphemia was, for a Britannian royal, in this particular case she had no desire to let Kaguya completely off the hook to begin with.
"The condition is a simple one," Euphemia explained. "For the next five years you are to spend eight hours each week performing volunteer services at the Keio Medical Campus."
Again Kaguya found herself staring at the princess, though fortunately her mouth was not quite agape. The young woman's feelings were more than a little conflicted. On the surface she was personally getting off incredibly lightly, but it was also evident that the princess had ulterior motives for every single punishment levied thus far. The problem for Kaguya was that she could not discern what exactly those motives might be. How did it benefit the princess for Kaguya to put in appearances at Keio? To imply some sort of endorsement? Yet the Sumeragi family was not looked kindly upon by large parts of the population and that was unlikely to change even after it became known that it was Akatsuki's primary backer. Then again Kaguya personally lending a hand at the hospital might actually help with her family's image problem of being aloof and behind the scenes manipulators. But that brought back the question of how that helped the princess. In a nutshell, Kaguya simply had no idea.
"Do you accept?" Euphemia asked.
Kaguya blinked, realizing that she had been staring blankly for several seconds.
"I do, your highness," she managed somewhat coherently.
Euphemia nodded. "Good." The princess looked over to the side. "Then seeing as that is settled, we should head to our next meeting."
Kaguya followed the older girl's gaze and saw the clock ticking away on the wall. Had the meeting really gone on that long? Either way she stood hastily as Euphemia rose.
"Shall we, Dame Sumeragi?"
The girl nodded. There were two official reasons for her visit to the palace after all. As Euphemia rounded the table Kaguya pursed her lips.
"Your highness, a question if I may?"
Euphemia paused. "Yes?"
Kaguya licked her lips. "What, would have been the alternative sentence if I had not accepted your clemency?"
Death, was the obvious answer. But everything that Kaguya had seen from the princess made clear that her highness was not one to ascribe to the obvious solution. And besides, surely satisfying her own curiosity was harmless enough, right?
The princess adopted a thoughtful expression before shrugging. "I hadn't thought of one." And then flashed a smile. "Shall we?"
Kaguya could only nod dumbly. Not obvious, and quite frankly so far beyond convention that trying to predict what one Euphemia li Britannia would do was likely a fool's errand. And that made the princess all the more dangerous.
As Lawrence and his wife turned the corner the two suddenly found themselves face to face with a rare yet increasingly more common sight in the halls of the palace. Heinrich returned their gaze before finally snorting in amusement.
"I suppose I should have expected to see both of you here," he said. "Been some time, Lawrence, Eve."
"Indeed it has," Lawrence said with a slight smile. "I see you accepted her highness' invitation to attend the conference."
Another snort sounded from the baron before he gave a bemused shake of his head. "I suppose her highness' summons fulfill the definition of an invitation. Though whom amongst the recipients would have the nerve to decline it, hmm?"
"Well, I would like to think I am a woman free to make her own choices," Eve said with a smirk.
Heinrich gave the woman a brief look before letting out a bark of laughter. "Why is it that the only ones that seem to get their way are the women?"
Lawrence cracked a smile but took care with his own remark. "No comment."
"Yes, discretion certainly does seem the better part of valor here," Heinrich said as the three proceeded down the hall.
"Are things well then?" Lawrence said. "Edward and I have been rather worried about you ever since the, matter at Ashford."
"My daughter is fine, if that's what you're getting at," Heinrich said, "and whatever, disagreement, she had with her highness has been sorted out." The baron actually scowled at that. "In fact she's so busy playing knight right now to her highness that I have barely had a chance to speak with her since the Tokyo uprising." And then proceeded to give Lawrence and Eve a very beady look. "She did however find the time to, discuss, matters with your son."
Lawrence covered a cough by pretending to clear his throat while Eve returned the gaze with her usual serenity.
"We are very grateful for what Kallen did," Lawrence said quickly. "Had she not responded to the distress call from Ashford Academy, well, it does not bear thinking."
Heinrich's expression softened, ever so slightly. "Yes. If nothing else, I at least am proud of Kallen standing firm in defense of her friends."
"Speaking of which," Eve said, "might we be seeing more of Kallen? There certainly seems to be a good deal of chemistry between her and Cole."
This time Lawrence was not even mildly successful in covering up the gurgle in his throat whereas Heinrich nearly missed a step. The beady look was back as he regarded Eve.
"We shall see what caliber of man Cole is with respect to that particular matter," the baron said.
"I am sure you will find no cause for complaint for the manner in which we raised our son," Eve responded.
Heinrich blinked for a few moments before his expression became thoughtful. "I am mildly surprised, Eve, that you would not object to Kallen's, adventurousness."
"A lady of good breeding must know when to act and possess the will to do so," Eve responded. "Kallen may be, excessively willful, but it is clear that she has been tempered by her experience. I have full confidence that she will grow into a proper lady." A smile crossed Eve's face. "Call it a woman's intuition."
"The gods save us poor helpless men if we did not have women about with their intuition," Heinrich said with a smirk of his own.
Even Lawrence allowed a chuckle to escape his lips at that. Further quips would however have to wait for another time as the three arrived at the conference room. The presence of the two armsmen indicated that her highness was already present and they wasted no time entering. Sure enough, Euphemia was seated at the front of the table with two of the other attendees also waiting. While as a member of her cabinet Lawrence knew who else would be on the guest list Heinrich raised an eyebrow at the sight of Kaguya Sumeragi. The baron nevertheless made no remark, his attention instead quickly settling on Kallen leaning against the wall, seemingly on guard. After a brief moment Heinrich turned to the princess and bowed.
"Your highness."
"Baron Stadtfeld," Euphemia greeted with a welcoming smile. "It is good to see you again. Please, all of you, be seated where you will."
The three newcomers joined the others, Heinrich electing a seat on the other side of the table. The end result was of course him directly facing the princess, though in all likelihood Heinrich chose that seat because it also allowed him to directly face his daughter. Euphemia gave a bemused smile. Once the others were so accommodated however she began the meeting.
"Thank you all for coming. I have called this meeting to discuss the marshaling of Japan's resources to aid in the prosecution of the war against the Chinese Federation and European Union. Those of you here, while not the whole and sum of the industrial interests in this area, do at least represent a wide breadth of its concerns and I believe can aid me in crafting a policy to allocate and balance the many needs that we will face in the coming years."
The so assembled in this case were, counterclockwise from the princess; Ruben Ashford, seemingly recovered sufficiently from his heart attack to resume at least some of his duties, Kaguya Sumeragi, the young head of the Sumeragi Group and the only member of the now defunct Numbers Administration Council that was not facing charges of high treason, Edward Rochester, her highness' industrial minister, and then Heinrich himself. Next to Heinrich sat Lawrence Kraft, the Exchequer of Area 11, and his wife Fleur von Eiterzental Mariel Kraft, generally called Eve by those that knew the Kraft family with any degree of familiarity. As for why Eve was here, that likely had something to do with the extensive commercial interests she possessed. Like Heinrich Eve was a commodities broker, but her focus was on agricultural and food products, not minerals. Also like Heinrich however Eve likely held a rather disproportionate amount of influence on the local Area 11 markets for a single person. In this case that influence meant Euphemia could simply tap Eve to consult on the food situation in Area 11 and be fairly certain that she would get an accurate accounting without having to reach out to countless individual entities.
"With the commencement of hostilities and Japan's status as an island nation we must take a full accounting of what reserves we possess, of fuel, food, and necessary industrial inputs, and the expected demand as the Empire builds up its forces in the area," Euphemia said. "The general staff intends to use Japan as a staging ground for offensive operations against the Chinese and Russian Federations, which will likely see us absorb upwards of a million or more soldiers, likely even more."
Eve's expression became pensive, a change that did not go unnoticed by Euphemia.
"Is something the matter, Dame Kraft?"
"Please, Eve is fine, your highness," the woman said with a slight smile before her face became serious once more. "And yes, there is a matter of concern. Area-Japan is not self-sufficient in food, your highness, even with the relatively depressed consumption of the Japanese people. If we are to support a significant increase in troop numbers stationed here, we will need to work out the means to feed them."
Euphemia nodded. "Yes, this was raised as a concern during one of the staff meetings. My understanding however is that the agricultural sector of Japan never really recovered after the war, and that a significant amount of arable land is currently laying fallow."
"To an extent," Eve said. "There is certainly room for expansion, but as a mountainous island nation Japan will likely never be actually self-sufficient. The woman's fingers tapped the table in a thoughtful motion. "I can take a look at my records, your highness, and combined with records from your agricultural ministry we can probably come up with some numbers for the untapped agricultural resources and whatever margin will need to be made up from overseas."
The princess nodded before cracking a playful smile. "I don't suppose you would like to take over the agricultural portfolio wholesale, Eve?"
Eyebrows rose all around the table while Eve herself simply returned the smile. "I'm afraid I enjoy myself a bit too much in private industry, your highness."
"Ah, well, a shame," Euphemia said with a feigned sigh. She then looked at the others. "If there is a matter that any of you believe should be brought to our attention, please, do not hesitate to interrupt."
Looks were exchanged and a mixture of hesitant and confident nods answered the princess.
"Then onto the next matter. Baron Rochester, Baron Stadtfeld, how are things looking for the industrial concerns?"
As Rochester's mouth opened an amused chuckle sounded from Heinrich. The industries minister looked over at his friend quizzically but Heinrich shook his head. With a shrug Rochester began again.
"We are already getting inquiries from the various manufacturing and construction firms situated in Japan about meeting any potential needs the military will have. As per your instructions I have contracted two additional firms to assist with the expedited construction of Mitchell Base. At present out stocks of raw materials should see us through the next few months of domestic consumption at least, but until we have firm requests from the military it is impossible to say how long they will actually last."
"I see," Euphemia said, and then she glanced over at Heinrich. "Baron Stadtfeld, any input on this?"
Heinrich rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "The good news, your highness, is that the Chinese and Russian Pacific Fleets don't seem terribly interested, yet, in breaking out into the Pacific proper and commencing commerce raiding. That's almost certainly going to change, though at this point I'm more worried about the Russians than the Chinese since the bears have substantially more modern submarines. The bad news is that, the nature of manufacturing being what it is, it will almost certainly be more efficient for the military to ship in finished weapons and ammo than the raw materials. The native manufacturers are going to have to find niches, things that they can gear up to build here that makes more sense building here than building back in the homelands and hauling it over the Pacific."
Rochester grimaced, as clear an indication as any that there was merit to Heinrich's assessment. Euphemia simply nodded.
"Understood. I will discuss the matter with the military staff. Though at present Japan's own industrial concerns are in a degree of chaos with the effective collapse of Kirihara Industries."
This time grimaces appeared all around, not just on those directly impacted like Kaguya or Rochester. Despite being owned and managed by a Number, Kirihara Industries' holdings and concerns were extensive and their unwinding was causing a significant amount of problems all around. The government had stepped in and was doing what it could to keep the concerns running, a lot of Rochester's time was spent seeing after that, but eventually a more permanent solution was needed.
"Excuse me your highness, but you have not selected a chief executive to oversee the company?" Heinrich asked.
Euphemia chuckled mirthlessly. "Finding someone of sufficient integrity, and whom I have not already, enlisted, has proven difficult." The princess raised an eyebrow. "Are you perchance volunteering, baron?"
Heinrich let out a bark of laughter. "Heavens no, your highness. I did have a suggestion, though. Old Man Reinford."
Grunts, snorts, and outright coughs sounded all about the room. In fact the only two people that did not make a sound were Kaguya and Euphemia herself. The princess looked about in mild confusion.
"Reinford? Are you referring to someone from the Reinford Group?"
"Yes your highness," Heinrich said. "Gwyn Reinford, specifically. He was company president until he retired five years ago. I had dinner with him shortly before I returned to Japan and all indications are he's going stir crazy with nothing to occupy his time."
"Five years ago," Euphemia said thoughtfully. "Is that not when the Reinford Group lost the manufacturing contract for knightmares for the military?"
Heinrich smirked. "And how has the rollout of Gloucesters been coming along since then, your highness?"
Euphemia raised an eyebrow but Heinrich was utterly unrepentant for his flippancy. Behind the princess Kallen rolled her eyes at her father's behavior. Long ignored memories were surfacing and Kallen could confirm, yes, her father was always this way. It was a wonder her mother put up with him long enough to marry him.
"Would he actually be willing to accept a position to reorganize Kirihara Industries?" Euphemia said, staying on topic.
"Probably. Gwyn didn't really want to retire, but the board basically forced him out using the excuse of the lost knightmare contract."
"Very well then," Euphemia said and then looked about. "Does anyone have any reservations about extending Sir Reinford an offer?"
Heads shook all about though interestingly there was a pensive look on several faces as well. No one was offering to share just why they were reacting this way and as far as Euphemia could tell none of them actually thought having Gwyn take charge of Kirihara Industries was a bad idea. For now that was good enough.
"Are you acquainted with Sir Reinford as well, Baron Rochester?"
"Yes your highness," the baron nodded.
"Then please extend an invitation to him to oversee the restructuring of Kirihara Industries."
"Understood, your highness."
Heinrich leaned over towards Rochester and uttered in a low whisper. "Offer to have a few geishas amongst his staff and he'll jump at the chance."
A cough escaped Rochester but he kept his face otherwise expressionless when Euphemia looked over. Heinrich similarly feigned innocence even though a twinkle was visible in his eye. Kallen, having heard with perfect clarity, shot her father a disapproving look. Hopefully he would take the rest of the meeting more seriously and not tempt her to give him a good thumping afterward. Then again this was her father and he looked like he was genuinely enjoying himself. Men, Kallen decided, were utterly inexplicable creatures. Hopefully Cole would take more after his mother. And then Kallen noticed the expectant gaze she was receiving from the woman in question. Then again, maybe she should not be wishing for that after all. The rest of the meeting promised to feel very long, what with the collection of personalities present.
Lloyd grumbled as he and Cécile surveyed the damage to the ASEEC's hanger. Though it was not hit in the initial bombardment by the French cruise missiles the hijacked Gawain had specifically targeted it, likely in an attempt to kill the staff responsible for producing the Lancelot and destroying the tools used in white knightmare's construction. Even though the majority of the staff managed to survive and, not counting the subverted technicians, were cleared by the Knight of Twelve as above suspicion, it would be some time before they were in a position to continue their work.
"How long before we can have the hanger cleared out?" Lloyd complained. "And there is so much equipment that we need to requisition or have shipped in from the homelands."
"Priority is on the repairs needed to return the base to full operational capacity and to receive the reinforcements that will be arriving shortly," Cécile said blandly. "It will be at least a week if not longer before new space can be allocated for us."
Her own mind was distracted by other things, like trying to piece the questions Monica had asked into a coherent picture of where the investigation was headed. Cécile's attempts to find out more were roundly rebuffed, not surprising seeing as she was directly involved with the suspects under investigation, and the woman's frustration at being kept in the dark was considerable.
"Hmm, perhaps I could arrange to examine that red knightmare," Lloyd muttered aloud.
Cécile's ears perked and she looked down at the man in his wheelchair. "The red knightmare?"
"You know, the one that managed to defeat my Lancelot," Lloyd said nonchalantly. "I am surprised that the Elevens could have come up with a knightmare that could match my masterpiece, but if they did it warrants examination."
Cécile ground her teeth. "You want to, examine, the knightmare that killed Suzaku."
The red knightmare might not have delivered the killing blow, but it certainly sealed his fate, leaving the young man dead in mind and spirit if not in body.
The earl looked up at Cécile with a raised eyebrow. "I am an engineer, my dear. If someone has managed to create something of higher caliber than myself, my curiosity will only be satisfied when I have a chance to determine how they surpassed me."
"And it does not matter to you in the least that their demonstration of superiority cost our pilot his life?" Cécile said bitingly.
"Hmm, yes, that is regrettable," Lloyd said. "Finding another devicer of Suzaku's acumen and skill will be difficult. Though there were those two Brigade Cadets that just arrived from the homeland. Perhaps one of them will do."
It took considerable effort for Cécile not to verbally tear Lloyd's head off for his seeming indifference. The problem however that there was nothing seeming about it, the earl really was that apathetic to human life, to him Suzaku's value came from his ability to pilot the Lancelot and any gratitude or consideration Lloyd might have held for the young man was centered solely around that fact. This was something Cécile had known about the earl for a very long time now, seeing as Lloyd was working on his doctorate when she herself first entered the mechanical engineering program at the polytechnic university in Cambridge and she ended up with him as a supervising teaching assistant.
The man was utterly dedicated to his work and there was little doubt of his brilliance. The problem was his almost complete lack of concern for the human cost of his work, whether it be the risks test pilots took in his machines or the ultimate result when the Empire deployed the fruits of Lloyd's research and development into the field against its enemies. Even the factory workers that assembled the knightmares and tanks for the army could at least recognize that what they were building were weapons of war intended to take the lives of others. Lloyd though, all he saw was the engineering challenge of creating a faster, stronger, and better machine.
Cécile had thought that her presence would ensure that Lloyd's obsession would be tempered to an extent, and that she could make the earl take seriously considerations such as user safety. It was why, in some ways, she was almost glad when Suzaku was defeated and Fuchu and she gained the assistance of General Darlton to ram down Lloyd's throat the redesign necessary to give Lancelot a proper ejection system. Now though, all that effort seemed for naught with Suzaku dead. Cécile frowned.
Kallen Stadtfeld, the Red Knight, the leader of the Akatsuki and a fellow classmate at Ashford Academy. Now that the girl's secret was out the court martial that Suzaku was subject to was starting to make sense. Suzaku had discovered her secret, and not told his superiors. And in return she killed him during the Battle of Tokyo. The frown turned into an outright scowl.
"Yes, let us see if we can arrange to examine the red knightmare," Cécile said aloud.
Lloyd looked up at the woman. As tone deaf as he was to things like common courtesy even he could pick out the strange inflections in the captain's voice.
"Cécile?"
The woman looked down at him again. "We will need to request permission from her highness' knight for any such examination, the first step of which is to determine her availability. I will see to it immediately."
Cécile spun about and began heading back towards the temporary offices assigned to the ASEEC, her mind already focused on her next course of action. Lloyd gaped at her for a few moments before blinking rapidly.
"Hey, wait, Cécile! Help push me back! Cécile!?"
End of Chapter 51
Hmm? Armstrong did tear off his shirt during the training scene.
The 3D maneuver gear as shown in Attack on Titan would not be very effective weapons in a modern/contemporary setting. The primary issue is that all it would take is for a soldier to even clip one of the users with a rifle shot and said user would probably end up plastered over the pavement or walls because they would lose control and conservation of momentum would exert itself. While the gear would allow for a significant amount of maneuverability, the difficulty of using it effectively, especially when the enemy has ranged weapons, means it is highly improbable that you could train enough users to actually make a difference in the large scale battle. There is also the fact that the gear isn't set up to be used with ranged weapons themselves, which is a pretty big problem.
The other issue is that 3D gear users would face the same problem as regular infantry in trying to take down armored units like knightmares, namely the difficulty of actually cracking the enemy armor. We saw in the Titan manga they created what were effectively point blank range anti-armor bazookas, and to even use those it was noted they had to be positioned just right. In general while the 3D gear is an interesting idea, it's a solution to a very specific problem that doesn't translate well to fighting any semi-realistic modern weapon, or, really, a modern assault rifle. As tactically useful as the maneuverability is, in all likelihood for it to be put into actual use a military would want a system that achieved that maneuverability without needing basically superhuman levels of reflexes and etc.
If anyone is wondering why I'm even bringing this up, I'm basically responding to a comment in one of the reviews from last chapter. Yes, I do read them.
If anyone has read up on the German preparations for Operation Barbarossa then the opening snippet probably sounds just a tiny bit familiar. Granted the Europeans will get their act together, but whether that will make a difference or not, well, you'll see. Also slipped in tons of Easter eggs into the snippet for those inclined.
We're almost at the point where I can start picking up the pace. I'm aiming for Lelouch to show up again next chapter for those that have missed him. And a remarkable number of you do seem to miss him, despite the fact that he's pretty much an unrepentant murderer in this story.
It's going to be interesting as the story progresses. I've been trying very hard to capture the, emotional depth that results from all the things that have been happening. I suppose at this point I already have a few tearjerker scenes, but there are more in the pipeline that I'm pretty confident will surpass what's already happened. There is a world war going on, after all, and there will be a lot of people dying as a consequence. A lot of people have already died for that matter. WWII saw about 60-80 million dead. Suffice it to say, if the Britannian Empire succeeds in landing forces on mainland Asia and Europe, the death toll is going to climb very, very quickly.
