Chapter 32: Escape from the island.
Chiburijima island, 1:00 pm
Another British aircraft had just landed near the black knights' base camp. From it came Euphemia, Darlton, Bartley, Villetta and the student council in full force.
"Can we really trust them? In the end they are still terrorists ... "
"General Darlton, they are now our allies. We have to collaborate with them, willy-nilly."
"I know, Princess Euphemia."
At that moment the group was joined by Cornelia, in the company of Zero and Dietard.
"Welcome." The masked man greeted them.
"Thanks, Zero!" Euphemia exclaimed, earning a dirty look from her sister and the two generals.
"Until the crisis is resolved you will be our guests."
"Very kind, even if it makes me strange to be." Darlton said.
"And it makes me strange to welcome high British officers."
"Is it just you?" Cornelia intervened.
"A freighter loaded with civilians and a few dozen soldiers should arrive soon." Bartley replied.
"Well."
Looking at the others, Lelouch noticed Villetta and the student council's members.
Bastards…
He thought, clenching his fist.
"Dietard, show our guests their tents."
"Agree."
"Zero, can I talk to you in private?" Euphy asked.
"Okay, follow me."
Once in his tent he took off his mask, asking:
"What do you want to tell me?"
"If Suzaku is here on the island."
Lelouch shook his head.
"I don't know where it is, and I don't have time to look for it. I have to make this place safe."
"I understand ..." The pink-haired girl looked down.
"Do you know that Nunnally is dead?"
"Yes, Shirley told me."
"Did she also tell you that she and the others abandoned her?"
"Abandoned?"
"When the high school was invaded by the aliens, they ran away from it, leaving it there and sentencing it to certain death."
The girl was amazed, hearing that revelation.
"They just told me she was killed!"
"Because those selfish cowards left her alone!"
"You look at such petty individuals! How could they abandon a defenseless girl?"
"And unfortunately it's not the only loss I've suffered in the last few hours ..."
"Who are you talking about?"
"Kallen."
"I know her?"
"Remember the island of Kamine when we met Suzaku and the other one?"
"Ah, the one who insulted me ... What happened to her?"
"CC broke her neck."
"Why?"
"Because she had discovered my true identity. I ordered her to leave her alone, but she killed her anyway. She hoped to do me a favor by killing her and putting the blame on Cornelia. Then, when I found out that the culprit was she tried to blame me, without success. Now she is a prisoner, awaiting execution."
"I understand…"
"She was my best pilot, without her ..." Suddenly he stopped, staring at someone behind Euphy.
"What's up?" She asked.
She turned, meeting her gaze with Cornelia, her sister, who was looking at her furiously.
"…You knew it?"
"Know what?"
In response she received a slap in the face, which left her stunned. It was the first time ever that her older sister beat her.
"Don't lie me, Euphy! You knew who was behind the mask!"
"Yup…"
"Since when?"
"I…"
"Since when?!"
"Since we met on the island of Kamine ... But I already suspected him after the events of Lake Kawaguchi."
"And why didn't you tell me?"
"He is our brother ..."
She received a second, stronger slap, which made her lose her balance.
"It is no longer ... Not after what it has done! He's a dirty terrorist!"
She drew her sword in anger.
"But now I'm going to kill him!"
"Don't do it, sister!"
"Euphy, STAY OUT OF IT!"
Having said that she tried to pierce Lelouch, but Lelouch stepped aside, kicking her in the side and making her fall to the ground.
"Cornelia, even if you kill me you won't change the past!"
"I do not care…"
She stood up, staring at the half-brother with pure hatred.
"You killed Clovis ... And betrayed your own homeland!"
"It is exactly the opposite! I am the betrayed! When my mother was killed ... When I was sentenced to exile together with Nunnally!"
"SILENCE!"
She threw her sword against him as a spear. The young man avoided her, but was punched in the stomach which made him fall to his knees, aching.
"Ugly asshole ... While you were rotting in this fetid land I was making bones on the battlefields! I'm an expert warrior, you can't compete with me!"
She started to hit him again, but she felt severe pain in the back of her neck, and after a few moments she passed out.
At the same time CC was still in her tent when she saw Todoh enter, brandishing a katana.
"Your time has come. Do you have one last wish?" He asked her.
"A cup of hot coffee, please. There should be a thermos there." She replied, pointing to a blue plastic container.
"Agree."
He took the thermos, a plastic cup, filled it and then handed it to the sentenced woman.
"Could you untie my hands? Otherwise it's uncomfortable .. "
"Okay, but don't be smart."
When she had her hands free CC took the cup of coffee and sniffed it.
"What a delicious aroma." Comment.
"Now drink, I don't have all the time!"
"After you!"
Having said that, she threw coffee in Todoh's face, making him cry out in pain. While bringing his hands to his eyes, the man was attacked by the girl, who with some well-aimed blows made him collapse on the ground, passed out.
And now let's get it out of here.
She thought.
Being careful not to get noticed, CC came out of the tent.
First I need to get a knight uniform.
So she entered a nearby tent, where luckily she found Ayame, who was turned away intent on listening to the radio.
"In a statement from Lhasa, young army officer Li Xingke AKA Shinku announced the death of the Grand Eunuchs, effective holders of power in the Chinese Federation, and declared himself regent on behalf of the young empress Tianzi, becoming de facto the new leader of China. According to his statements, the now deceased oligarchs would have been killed by an alien bomb ... "
Approaching her victim, she beheaded her cleanly, using the sword she had stolen from Todoh. Without hesitation, she undressed her, leaving her naked. She smiled when she saw the streams of blood gushing from her neck, now severed.
When she came out of the tent she wore a uniform, a pair of sunglasses, and had put on a wig, the same one she had used to travel to China. Now nobody could recognize her. Cautiously, she crossed the camp, but suddenly saw Ohgi and Tamaki running in her direction. Instinctively she stopped, fearing the worst. But the two passed her, headed for who knows where. She resumed her journey, leaving the base camp and reaching the area where the two shuttles had landed.
Now I can leave the island undisturbed ... I don't even know where I'm going, the important thing is that it's far from here.
She boarded the first aircraft and sat in the pilot's seat. After a few minutes the airship rose in flight, heading east.
