"You went to sleep the night before meeting Xingke, and woke up again almost two weeks later?"

"Yes, Master Lelouch."

"Raise your head, Sayoko - something odd is at play here. We should have checked in earlier as well; instead of merely assuming that tightened security from recent tensions delayed your return."

"More concerning is that someone attended the meeting as your replacement." Kirihara coughed. "My contacts within the Long March report increased levels of insurgent activity corresponding roughly to Xingke's movements. In addition, royalist sentiment has been stirred within Luoyang by the leak of documentation surrounding marriage negotiations between the Empress and Prince Odysseus."

"Someone has co-opted our plans for a coup." Nunnally frowned. "Different players, but the same moves."

"More curious is how the meeting proceeded at all." Kaguya raised an eyebrow. "A substantial amount of information was exchanged in the lead-up. Now, a Japanese replacement is possible - but Xingke was expecting Sayoko specifically."

"After I was alerted to the situation, I ordered a full review of internal security logs." Kirihara added. "Which led me to this discovery on my manor's CCTV footage. Observe."

"You have to be joking." Kaguya blinked. "A box of confidential documents and he just handed them over to someone wearing a balaclava and a Guy Fawkes mask, who walked straight out the front door?"

"I had the guard in question detained and interrogated." Kirihara affirmed. "He pleaded full innocence, even when confronted with the video footage. He honestly believed that he was passing the negotiation brief to his superior and colleague of over twenty years. I would think him a liar - if all the passersby who witnessed the departure had not reported the same. Not just that it was someone they knew - they all saw the same person."

"But the cameras didn't." Lelouch scowled. "A power that can affect the minds of living beings but struggles against machines - that sounds rather like my Geass. Anyone come to mind?"

"Don't look at me." C.C. shrugged. "I ran the Geass Directorate's research and development team - V.V. was the one who actually gave out contracts and directed Black Ops. I don't know anyone with such a power - but that doesn't mean much."

"So that's likely at least one Geass user with ties to the royalists." Nunnally surmised. "Possibly a second to induce Sayoko's extended sleep - though that's more tenuous. Clearly, China will be more difficult than expected. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing - I always wanted to travel abroad."

"Oh my. Lelouch has grown into such a handsome man."

"Could we please not?" Oldrin sighed, hand twitching as she contemplated changing the channel. "I'd really rather not witness you drooling over another half-brother."

"But Schneizel is so mature and dreamy; and Clovis is vain but damn does he know how to look good. Lelouch too - he's got that perfect mix of boyish charm and inner fire."

"Come now, Lady Zevon - personal taste aside, such momentous events are undoubtedly worthy of reflection and consideration."

"Of course you'd find them interesting. Planning a trip back home, Grand Master Shaing?" Oldrin snarked, latching onto the first target to present itself.

"Oldrin." Anya sighed. "Be polite to our host."

"Euro-Britannia and the Order of Michael are my home, Lady Zevon." Shin Hyuga Shaing refuted; unruffled by the jibe. "But I cannot deny an interest in the new Japan - it is an occurrence without modern precedent, with the potential to shape the future of Britannia and the world in years to come."

"Speaking of the future, I have a bone to pick with you, Princess."

"What's wrong?" Marrybell grinned toothily. "Did you not enjoy your vacation?"

"I ask you to explain my prolonged absence to my colleagues and peers." Toto forced through gritted teeth. "So why is it that I returned home three weeks later to a pile of presents marked 'congratulations on your baby boy'?!"

"I thought you hated Britannian tradition." C.C. couldn't resist prodding, an infuriating grin on her face as she drank in the tension.

"I do. But that doesn't mean I have to like this."

"It wasn't even my idea." Suzaku protested, as Kallen continued to glare. "Nunnally knighted me right out of the blue - have you ever tried saying no to her?"

"But you're still the Knight of Zero." Kallen growled, clenching the Guren's key in her fist. "I'm Q-1, the Ace of the Black Knights and Zero's right hand, you weren't even officially a member!"

"Jealous, are we? Don't worry - there are other ways to get close to Lelouch, though I would advise moving fast. Kaguya is on the prowl, and even Shirley will gather her nerve sooner or later."

"Who said anything about Lelouch?" Kallen huffed, throwing her arms up in exasperation. "He doesn't wear the outfit nearly as well as you."

In the following silence, Kallen had a blessed moment to truly think about the words that just left her mouth.

"Oh my, I had no idea you felt that way." C.C's grin had gone from infuriation to outright predatory. "Clearly we don't know each other nearly as well as expected - care to accompany me to my room and deepen our relationship?"

"I… I…"

"Don't worry about it, Kallen." Suzaku laid a comforting hand on the rapidly reddening girl's shoulder. "Nobody here will judge you for your sexuality."

"Why did she hit me?" Suzaku groaned, holding an ice pack over his eye. "You're the one who teased her into confessing."

"A gazelle doesn't have to outrun the lion - just the slowest amongst their peers."

"A lively bunch, aren't they?" Shin remarked, sipping tea as he watched Toto chase her mistress around the vast indoor park, Oldrin trailing behind them.

"Don't I know it." Anya groaned. "Seeing them now - nobody would believe that they will be heading up Britannia's consolidated anti-terrorism unit. Once I'm done training them anyway - however many years that will take."

"Would that be the opinion of Anya Alstreim?" Shin whispered, raising an eyebrow. "Or Marianne vi Britannia?"

Marianne spun around - crimson eyes widening as she came face to face with an altogether too familiar sigil.

"Geass - the Power of Kings." Marianne gasped. "How?"

"I had family here in Euro-Britannia." Shin smiled fondly, "A mother and a sister - not by blood, but I loved them all the same. Ours was a modest life - but we were happy for what fate had granted us. One day, our mother explained that she was going to remarry - a man of considerable means and station. Being protective as I was - I looked into his background in the early days of engagement."

"Why am I getting a bad feeling about this?"

"So much death in the days that followed - enough to paint our humble abode red. It was only as I held the bodies of those I loved that I realised the truth. Life is a curse - a promise of pain and suffering - only death promises true release. In that moment I saw paradise - with that realisation came the power to grant true relief from mankind's curse - to grant the Geass of the world. My journey has been difficult - but I am validated at every step by those I have slain. Many are the ghosts that walk beside me - but never before have I seen someone like you - two in one, the dead tethered to a living host. Your presence is most… Curious."

"So you're a ghost-loving nihilist who wants to bring about the extinction of mankind. Well, that's a relief." Marianne leaned back as tension drained from her limbs. "For a moment, I thought you were one of Vincent's. As for my current status, it's complicated."

A loud splash announced Marrybell's introduction to the heated pool.

"Charles will undoubtedly be holding a meeting on the subject soon, though - I hope you can accompany me, you would find it most enlightening."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Were you really engaged to Suzaku?"

"It was our fathers pushing the idea, mostly." Kaguya pouted as she signed another expense form. "I wanted nothing to do with it at the time - Suzaku was nice enough, sure, but very traditional in his upbringing."

"By which you mean dull." Milly laughed, downing her tenth cup of coffee as she signed and stamped the application for a Vi Britannia Fan Club.

"Madame President!"

"That's not my title anymore, Shirley." Milly tutted. "You may address me as Countess Ashford of Kyoto."

"You only got that by threatening to post pictures of Lelouch in a dress on the internet." Kaguya smirked. "Nicely done, by the way."

"Lelouch owed C.C. the Crossdresser's Ball - for something that happened during your meeting, in fact."

"Is that why he chose Kyoto specifically?" Shirley wondered as she finally tore her eyes away from the application - even in photo form, Lelouch in his Zero suit was strikingly handsome.

"I'm sure it crossed his mind; but mostly?" Kaguya shook her head, her smirk widening. "Lelouch had very low opinions of two thirds of Kyoto. A Britannian noble claiming the city as her fief will have them rolling in their graves."

"For all material purposes, the Special Administrative Zone of Japan is to be considered lost to Britannia."

"Pah - this ain't like you. Are you sure you're not too soft on the brat? All the Elevens in the world couldn't stand against the Empire - just let me at 'em!"

"Lord Bradley, we are not beginning a campaign against the exporter of four-fifth's Britannia's Sakuradite intake." Schneizel explained patiently. "Baron Gordiengo already suggested a sustained bombing campaign against Japanese infrastructure - my father had him returned to his estate for a period of reflection."

"All five pieces of him." Dorothea Ernst snorted.

"Alright, alright, I get it." Luciano Bradley spat. "Still doesn't explain what we're doing here though. I thought we'd be going home for a bit before shipping off to crack some heads in Europe, not touring these shitholes."

"Japan remains under Britannian rule in name only." Schneizel shook his head. "A single declaration from either side would make secession official. In such uncertain times, Britannia's other Areas may themselves find the notion of rebellion appealing. This tour is necessary - amongst other measures - to remind the world that we remain the pre-eminent superpower."

"This does not become you." Kanon commented. "You never cared before precisely who you killed."

"If you have to know, I was due to attend the annual meeting of the Army Widows' Association."

"You were going to go thank grieving families for their sacrifice?" Dorethea raised an eyebrow. "Pull the other one."

"Of course not." Bradley sneered. "The thing is; family members of enlisted soldiers are far more likely to join themselves - a long history and immersion in the culture, the ole sprit de corps sees to that. There's no better recruiting ground than someone already one foot into the forces, and has just lost someone they loved to the enemy. Talent, rage, hate and grief? Give me someone with those and nothing to live for, and I can train monsters out of them. Doesn't hurt if they're young and nice to look at as well - the Valkyrie Squadron has no age requirements."

"And here I thought you had a hint of decency in you." Dorethea sniffed. "I shan't make that mistake again."

"It might not be at the meeting itself, but what's stopping you from approaching such individuals at a later date?" Schneizel inquired.

"Nothing, normally, but this time? That bitch Anya beat me to the punch - took all the best with her to the Angel Squadron."

"The Knights of the Round are permitted to resolve disputes through duels of honor." Kanon pointed out. "If you truly desire those recruits, you are entitled to challenge Lady Alstreim for their allegiance."

"Let me clear one misconception between us." Bradley laughed in his face. "A Knight of the Round does not fear death. That does not make us suicidal."

"I'm surprised you didn't order accelerated testing. Most Britannian generals would be chomping at the bit for such a weapon."

"Most Britannian generals don't have to worry about the bill." Nunnally snorted. "They have a trillion pound budget to take care of that for them. The Special Administrative Zone however boasts much less impressive coffers - between integrating a heavily divided workforce and reconstruction of the ghettos, there is not much available by global standards for arms development. We can just about manage on knightmare innovations - since the groundwork for that was done years ago, but a nuclear arsenal and associated delivery vehicles? Quite frankly, producing more than a handful of FLEIJA at once would bankrupt us. At current projections, it would take decades to accumulate a stockpile large enough to make a difference in a world war unless we had the industrial and economic base of a superpower behind us, and if we had that…"

"You would already be in a position to win by traditional means, and would have no need for the FLEIJA." C.C. finished wryly. "The old chicken and egg, I see."

"That's not to say Nina's discovery is useless either. The combined Sakuradite-uranium hybrid model leaves immense potential for cheap energy generation with a limited footprint - which will be vital to restoring some semblance of civilisation to the ghettos. Not having to divert efforts to building huge numbers of power plants will reduce costs drastically going forward. We'll continue looking into counters to the weaponised aspect as well, of course - always good to have an actionable blueprint in case Nina's discovery does not prove to be unique to the world."

"You seem to have things well in hand." C.C. pouted. "Not going to leave anything for me to do?"

"Weren't you still tracking down the Black Knights?" Nunnally smirked. "Want me to do a flyover of the settlement to help?"

"Most have already been recovered and accounted for." C.C. shrugged. "Largely worse for wear; but then a straight week of alcohol-fuelled debauchery will do that. The last stragglers should be cleared from medical in the next day or so."

"Arrange an assembly for the end of the week. It's time we plotted the course of the Black Knights' future."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"If you saluted Cornelia like that she'd have you shot." Nunnally giggled.

"...Let's just say that Charles really got his money's worth with a Geass that can rewrite memories."

"Is this really necessary?" Rolo coughed as he pulled against both the hospital bed's restraints and Clara's Geass, a futile battle he knew all too well.

"This is for your own good." Clara chided. "You're running yourself ragged; between consolidating control over Zilkhstan, training the younglings and researching the World of C. Over three hundred activations of your Geass this month. Rolo, that's more than you needed most years - you know the strain it puts on your heart, that's why V.V. limited your mission rate!"

"I'll be fine." Rolo took a deep breath and tried once more to rise; he made it halfway before nausea saw him collapse back into his bed.

"Really now." Clara deadpanned. "You, sir, are on medical leave, effective immediately. Toto learned more from V.V. than any other, and is nearing breakthrough on the Geass Enhancer; once she returns from Euro-Britannia, you'll be the first to receive treatment. Until then, me and the new girl can take care of things - so you stay in this room, do I make myself clear?"

"...Yes ma'am."

"I'm to be a sacrifice, then."

"My apologies, General - but Britannia was most insistent. They are willing to brush aside the offence and continue with the marriage - but only if all perpetrators are brought to justice. With Sawasaki perishing at the hands of the Black Knights; that only really leaves you."

"...I understand." General Cao sighed, rubbing his sore wrists - only just freed from the chains. "If my life is the price for my people's prosperity, then I give it gladly. Just please, get as much arable land as you can in the treaty - our population is already stretched to breaking point, and I fear the worst."

"We know. Now, I understand that few in the military have a positive opinion of us; you call us vain, greedy and self-centered, and you're largely right." Gao Hai scoffed. "But we do want to remain in power with our heads attached to our bodies. The lives of the masses will improve following the alliance with Britannia - there will be no more starvation; that we can guarantee - out of self-interest if nothing else."

"You will be granted a proper execution by firing squad." Cheng Zhong added. "None of that barbarian nonsense for a General of the Federation. Until then, you will have every luxury bar your freedom - enjoy these last months; it's the least we could do for your long years of service."

"...Thank you, sir. May the Empress reign for ten thousand years."

"You want to enlist with the W-0?"

"Well, yes. I am grateful for those who nursed me back to health; but a gypsy caravan will not stay here forever, and I cannot continue to impose on their generosity now that I am well again. I had heard that there was a call for recruits to join a knightmare unit stationed at this base."

"I see you've written down here as foreign? You could pass for a Euro, I reckon."

"I'm not actually sure." Leon confessed, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "But they found me unconscious close to Ardennes in the wreckage of a knightmare frame. I must have taken a nasty blow to the head, because I can't remember anything before that. Even my name was scraped from a dog tag."

"Ex-military then." The recruiting sergeant wrote on his notepad. "But no idea from where - and not much hope for finding out, given the Council turned their nose at a Union-wide database. Security issue, they called it, bah. I suppose you've no idea how you fare in a frame, then?"

"I haven't had the chance to try since waking up - but whenever I think of piloting a knightmare, it just feels… Right to me."

The sergeant took a long, leisurely tug of his cigar, sizing Leon up.

"Now, if you really want to enlist in the W-0, I won't stop you. But even though I don't know for sure; I reckon you're a european. The right kind'a fella, if you know what I mean, so I'm gonna give you a word of advice. Don't."

"But sir-"

"The W-0 is a unit that exists only because Europia United is sick of war." The sergeant whispered, leaning close and giving Leon a blast of tobacco. "Couldn't stomach good men coming back in body bags anymore - costs 'em votes, each one. So the powers that be? They came up with a great idea - start a foreign legion, make 'em sound all elite, offer access to the deprived refugees filling the slums across the Union, and send 'em out to die. The most dangerous missions, new and untested gear, deep behind enemy terrain. Why not? It doesn't matter if they die, they're only foreigners."

As though someone had let the air out of him, the sergeant deflated, slumping back into his seat.

"This unit is a deathtrap, son - if you've any good sense, you'll stay clear of the W-0."

"...Thank you for telling me that." Leon sighed. "But I still want to enlist. I may be Europian, but I've no memories or way to prove it. I've tried enlisting at other bases; but they all require proof of citizenship, references and good character, and I haven't got anything. I don't have any other real skills either - it's this, head back to the caravan, or join the bread lines in the refugee camp. Please, sir."

"...Alright." The sergeant gave up, a bitter smile on his face. "The top brass are away, some fancy diplomatic bash or another - but I'll book you in for testing - see if you really have the chops even with your brain run down. Just don't say I didn't warn you, and try to stay alive out there."

"Who are you?"

"Oh? It appears you've progressed far enough to see me."

"How long have you been in my bedroom?"

"I have always been here and always will be. I am the caretaker of space and time - you may call me the Dimensional Supervisor."

"Invisible to cameras and most humans - no signs of life to my Geass." Lelouch frowned. "I suppose that makes you our filmmaker. Why appear before me then? C.C. not available to take delivery?"

"How cold." D.S. pouted - then she was behind Lelouch, straddling his shoulders. "Do you know how many faithful would give their their own arm or leg for an audience with God?"

"I can't recall any scripture portraying God as an unholy mix of C.C. and Milly Ashford." Lelouch retorted, making to throw her off - but his arms passing straight through her translucent form.

"You naughty boy!" D.S. gasped. "Our first date, and you already want to be inside of me?"

"Can Charles see you as well? Because if he's had to deal with this for sixty-odd years, the Sword of Akasha doesn't seem so extreme anymore."

"Oh, I'm sure he knows I exist - from the writings of his ancestors if nothing else. Can't say I've ever spoken to him - or his brother for that matter. No, it's not usually safe for me to appear before mortals - I'd have come after Shinjuku if it were possible. Such an impressive evolution of your Geass - congratulations were clearly in order."

"I'm afraid I don't follow..."

"At the moment of convergence, you wanted the power to control your own fate. That can be interpreted in many ways - the Ragnarok Connection took into consideration the methods by which one's mind could be compromised, and the perfect counter. The basic form of your Geass - The Absolute Mind - is protection against all mental interference. Whether that means preventing past trauma from affecting your reasoning or decisions, to more overt immunity against mind-altering substances or abilities."

"What does that make all my uses of Geass then? A happy accident?"

"As I said; an evolution - the awakening of additional abilities that complement the original. Geass represents the imposition of will upon the Collective in order to alter reality - as such, whilst every starting point is unique, each is only really limited in scope and potential by the prowess of its wielder. That you discovered one such variant in the heat of the moment was impressive - albeit an incredible strain on your Geass that only a genius mind could absorb. This contributed notably to the onset of rampancy - yours being amongst the fastest in human history."

"What if I hadn't managed all of that? Mental resilience hardly helps being shot full of holes by the royal guard."

"It worked out alright in the end, didn't it? Don't think too hard about hypotheticals - you'll go mad that way. Here, take this and go have some fun."

"...I should stop paying C.C. for these." Lelouch murmured - alone once more - as he examined the disk in hand. "She clearly doesn't do any work for it."

"Not that I'm being ungrateful, getting to come back to Japan, but I still have to ask…" Ryo Sayama trailed off as he disembarked.

"Why are you so interested in these negotiations?" Ayano Kosaka concluded bluntly. "I thought you hated politics."

"I do." Leila Malcal agreed. "Quite frankly, I know little of economics and couldn't care less about trade negotiations. No, I'm only here to see one person."

"Who might that be?" Yukiya Naruse wondered.

"The green-haired woman who saved my life, when I was just a child."

"The senior member of the Black Knights we saw on TV?" Akito Hyuga raised an eyebrow. "You sure you should be talking about this?"

"Ten years now, and she hasn't changed a bit - the only thing I can remember of that night, where I lost my parents." Leila clenched her fists. "If anyone knows the truth of those events; it's her - I can feel it."

"Just remember, we came here on our own initiative." Akito warned. "Whatever else is hiding in this delegation - we have no part in it. Keep that in mind if you want to strike any semblance of a good relationship."

"I know, Akito…" Leila sighed - turning her head - pretending not to notice as black-clad men unloaded weapons by the barrel.

"I know all too well…"

"Good morning, my Black Knights! I hope you're all in good spirits - non-alcoholic, preferably."

Laughter mixed with groans greeted Lelouch as he took the stage for the first formal assembly of the Black Knights under the Special Administrative Zone.

"There has been much to celebrate; and equally much to do on the Britannian side of things, so we've given you all some well-deserved time off. Now though, the house is more or less in order, which means it's time to discuss the future of our organisation."

C.C. pushed Nunnally up the ramp, silencing the faint whispers that had arisen.

Well now; seems my display in the Siegfried had an impact.

"With the formation of the Special Administrative Zone; the first stage has been completed - the revival of Japan." Nunnally paused, taking the cheers in good humour. "Now begins the hard part - of turning Japan into a world leader - all whilst staving off the attention of the three superpowers. In that respect, those of you here today stand at a crossroads - two paths, two legacies lay before you."

"On the one hand, you can continue to serve as part of the Black Knights." Lelouch offered. "Now a recognised paramilitary organisation under the SAZ charter, your role will of course involve defending from overt attack - as we did against Sawasaki - but also extend to training and leading the next generation of soldiers, as well as the judicial and counter-insurgency roles formerly filled by the Knightpolice. Your status grants you great respect amongst the population - all the better to begin the arduous process of finally healing the scars of the Invasion - transforming Japan from a colony into a nation once more. Those who choose this path will become the founders and protectors of the new Japan - with all the wealth, glory and influence that entails - our legacy in the light."

"We expect that most of you will choose this path." Nunnally added. "But equally, we recognise that this will not be to universal satisfaction. Everyone in this room has known suffering and loss - for some, to such a degree that revenge trumps all else. Those who have acted unilaterally upon such impulses have been removed for insubordination - for the Black Knights could not afford our own Kusakabe - but the underlying desire still remains. For those to whom this applies; there is a second option open to you."

"Battles between world powers today are rarely overt - far more enduring is the shadow war - a parallel world in which names are forgotten and life and death deniable. If Japan is to secure a future for itself, we too must enter this arena." Lelouch sighed. "Now; make no mistake, that will be nothing like our battles thus far. The work will be gruelling, merciless and monstrous. You will find yourselves shedding the blood of innocents - committing acts no better than the worst Britannia has to offer. You will be immersed in secrets of the highest order - which you must be prepared to defend with your own life and those of your companions. If captured or exposed, Japan will disavow you. If slain, none save your peers shall know or mourn you. There is no glory or reward to be found here - save for the chance to strike against those who have wronged you; in one word? Vengeance."

"Those who seek this path will officially be listed as resigning from the Black Knights to return to civilian life. The Order of Nemo will be your home for the remainder of your life - you will become Japan's blade in the shadows, the ghosts in the night - our legacy in the dark." Nunnally smiled mirthlessly.

"You have one month to make your decision, before the roster reorganisation is finalized. You are permitted to seek counsel amongst your fellow knights, but I strongly advise that your final decision is one that you alone can be satisfied with. For once the choice is made; there will be no turning back."

"For the last time, I'm not the lost princess of Liechtenstein! Her Geass makes herself invisible; mine erases all knowledge of my existence from the world."

"I fail to see the practical difference." Clara grunted as she pushed over another containment module. "Empty again. Rai, no surname?"

"Never heard that name before. Keep going."

"You're sure that the last piece we need is down here? We've been going at it for days."

"I received my own Geass in these halls - many of my memories are questionable, but this I could never forget. Now hurry up."

"Some gratitude would be nice." Clara grumbled as she began the search anew. "Could've left you to rot inside that pod…"

"I am grateful." Clara jumped as at the faint whisper - right over her ear.

Long, blond tresses mingled with her own as her assailant emerged, a pale blue glow in her eyes.

"But it's also been far too long since I saw my brother; I'd really hate to keep him waiting any longer than necessary. Rolo's health is declining rapidly as well - so you really don't want to delay."

"That feels so strange." Clara complained. "A moment ago I knew you only by your voice - now I can remember weeks spent together, all blended seamlessly together. There's no holes in my memories - none of the imperfections that Toto would leave. What a frightening Geass you've unlocked - Laila la Britannia."

AN: With this brief glimpse into the developing situation, the Liberation of Japan arc officially draws to a close. Next chapter will see the response (amongst others) of Charles zi Britannia, as the battle moves to the world stage proper and the Superpowers make their intentions known.

On that note, the next chapter may take slightly longer than a week - both due to a period of planning for the next arc, and the fact that I have some dental work scheduled and don't necessarily trust the quality of my writing under the lingering effects of anaesthetics. Until next time!