Ch 28.

The table's content stood before him and Lellouch was feeling lightheaded as all the technical aspects of the new technology was explained by Lloyd, not that Lellouch was incapable of understanding it, but he had been reviewing so much new tech that even he was becoming overwhelmed.

"The new tunnel would be half submerged, standing just below enough the ocean's surface to not be affected by the water, but not low enough to be crushed by water pressure. This would allow mass trade and transit across the Bering Strait."

"Can it be built within the year?" Lellouch asked Lloyd.

"If you give me a blank check perhaps your excellency." The scientist said sarcastically.

To which Lellouch whipped out a blank check that had the name Republican treasury on it to a stunned Lloyd, who was having trouble perceiving that this was happening, even while he took the check from Lellouch.

"What other super projects have been on the drawing board for years now?"

"W-well Boeing has had a flying wing idea for 10 years now. The plans are for a super civilian transport aircraft that is basically just a giant wing. Currently up to 500 passengers can be carried by a 747. The Wing would have the capacity for over 1.000 and have even cheaper tickets, but the design was always put on the backburner because it would mean building a whole new landing facility and specialized maintenance wing in almost every major airport. The cost of which would be-"

Lellouch immediately whipped out another blank check, stunning the scientist.

"What else?"

"W-well there is the old 'cover the Saharan dessert in solar panels'."

Once more another blank check poppet out from Lellouch's hand.

"Anything else?" Lellouch asked casually.

"Well, there is the Laser Launch system for satellites. The idea is that we use a special laser to put objects into space, therefore we eliminate the need for big rockets."

At that Lellouch tossed him another check.

"If you think of any other project that's practical and only stopped because of the massive costs involved, let me know." Lellouch said before he walked away from Lloyd.

"T-this is so surreal. Did I accidently smoke from Laksharta's pipe again?" Lloyd muttered to himself as he pinched his cheeks to make sure he wasn't on drugs again, like that one time in college that ended with mystery of the pineapple that remained unsolved to this day.

Xxxxxxxxx A week later xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The reason for this seemingly irresponsible spending spree from Lellouch was about to be revealed as Lellouch entered the meeting room where Kaguya and Xingke where seated.

"No one from the EU?" Lellouch asked.

"To many who claim to be in charge." Kaguya replied with a smile.

One that no doubt meant ' me and Xingke both conquered half of the EU and that's why there is no representative from them'.

"Of course." Lellouch said, unfazed by that as he sat down.

"So what is the reason for this meeting Supreme Chancellor?" Xingke asked.

"The vote is tomorrow."

"But is it not simply a formality at this point Lellouch-kun? Otherwise why would you have gone on such a spending spree last week? You know the one, where you used the majority of the money from the Republic, so was to avoid giving us financial aid, which is guaranteed in the constitution of the Commonwealth." Kaguya said cheekily.

"It's also a Scorched Earth tactic. You burned through your funds in a way would give Schneizell pause from whatever plan he's cooking of. After all, no king will fight for a land that is worthless. So this is your way to buy more time by making the Republic and by default the Commonwealth an inadequate prospect for conquest. That's why you also chose projects that could be completed in a year. Long enough to prepare, but short enough that the projects don't become a money pit." Xingke added.

"I have no idea what both of you are talking about." Lellouch said with a grin, and the other two replied with a good-natured chuckle as well.

They all knew how to play the game and play it well.

"My intentions are purely to develop the Republic. After all I was elected on the promise of 'peace, jobs and brotherhood'. The projects will provide jobs, strengthen ties, and serve as a symbol of what humanity can accomplish when we are not trying to kill each other. But if you are looking for hidden agendas. Then I might suggest that you Xingke look into the massive wave of stock market purchases that the Kyoto group have been doing recently. I think you shall find that several international companies have new majority shareholders. And that you Lady Summeragi look into the stockpiles of food and sakuradite within the yellow sea coast, you know, the ones near Chinese airbases and fleet ports." Lellouch countered.

"Those are all just mere coincidences." Xingke replied.

"Yes, coincidences nothing more. Really Lulu-kun, you sound like the whole world is against you." Kaguya added.

"Not against me, merely that I am part of a 3 way tug of war."

Lellouch said and of the 3 power players for global dominance, each sized the other two up. The Lion of the Republic, the Dragon of China and the Japanese Goddess of Victory all fought a 3 way silent battle of wills.

"A good thing too that it's all mere coincidences. For you see I just 'discovered' a dreadful fact. It seems that there are several series of republican pound bills that are 'counterfeit.' These series." Lellouch said and handed Kaguya the tablet that showed them.

Upon reading them Kaguya's eyes widened for a moment, before she regained her poker face composure.

"It seems like these bill series are the same ones as the majority of the money that was used to buy goods from the Kyoto group and are currently in circulation in Japan."

"Yes they are. And I predict that if word gets out that such a travesty has occurred, it could plunge your group into financial ruin. Wouldn't you agree Xingke?" Lellouch asked and turned his gaze towards the most powerful man in China.

Kaguya quickly realized that she was being threatened with a financial attack if she didn't partner up with Lellouch against Xingke, so she turned her gaze towards him. Now the balance of power was 2 sides against the 3rd.

But now it was time for the Dragon to show his claws.

"Yes I'd agree. Forgive me for my late reply, my mind was on the offer to open up factories in China, the offer that I will soon make to the Republic's chiefs of industry. I am sure that they will be more than happy to move their facilities to a place where the wages are much lower than the Republic. Will you forgive me Lady Kaguya?" Xingke threatened Lellouch with removing the jobs he created for the Republic, thus having him deal with both a potential rebellion form the working and middle class for letting such a thing happen or a rebellion from the rich for denying them that.

Xingke then turned his gaze towards Kaguya and this time it was Lellouch who switched sides, now Japan was caught between the Republic and China.

At that the Princess of the Kyoto group smiled and replied with:

"My, my such an interesting day this is. It's like when Kirihara-san came to me earlier and said that we may have to shut down the sakuradite refineries so as to perform 'maintenance' on them. He also clearly stated that we could keep enough production to meet the demands of one big customer, but that's about it. Shocking news, wouldn't you say gentlemen?" Kaguya replied with a smile, threatening both of them with keeping the sakuradite away from one side.

This had the potential to stop both countries in their tracks. For China was still recovering from famine and the Republic was still building back its industry.

Lellouch and Xingke then glared at each other, while Kaguya smiled as once more the balance of power shifted, now two of the 3 superpowers where against each other and the 3rd was watching with gleet to take advantage of such an opportunity.

"Yes it is. A very interesting day indeed. I mean it's not every day that the Republic has so many projects going on that it needs to buy in bulk huge amounts of sakuradite for its super projects."

Lellouch said and then looked at Kaguya.

"In bulk?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, in considerable bulk." Lellouch replied and this made Kaguya grin.

"Also, I've been viewing a few films recently. And I must say that there is a 'demand' for movies, but the cost to make them keep ballooning upwards. So I was considering moving production to China. You know, save cost on films, ensure that they are profitable, even provide countless jobs from the Hollywood music industry towards the Federation." Lellouch said to Xingke.

Who leaned forward and resting his chin on his closed right fist said:

"You had my curiosity, now you have my attention."

"I will of course 'consider' allowing such a move, provided I hear no word about moving Republican industry to China. And will of course need considerable bulk of sakuradite for said industry, provided that the mineral we are guaranteed a quota before any other country."

"It sounds like a reasonable request." Kaguya replied.

"Agreed." Xingke added.

"Good, and since we are all being so reasonable. Perhaps you could reduce the stockpiles on the Yellow Sea coast, as an act of good faith. And you too Miss Summeragi can sell back the shares you bought." Lellouch said to both of them.

"Now why would be so 'accommodating'?" Kaguya asked with a smile that could frighten entire armies to routing.

"Because those actions mean a lot of paperwork for me. And I am so busy with the super projects that I think I will give the responsibility to distribute the Titans to Jack Churchill instead. You know, I give almost 100 titans to him before any reach you." Lellouch replied casually.

"A strange idea you have Chancellor. Of giving a mad bagpipe playing claymore wielding Scotsman a sheer monopoly on the most powerful weapons on Earth." Xingke challenged.

"Well, considering the fact that the Chinese Federation is tied by land to the EU, that Japan is so close that a Titan's cannons could bombard it's major cities from Korea and that there is an ocean between Mad Jack and the Republic, I think that both of you can see the method in the madness." Lellouch replied and with this he knew that it was checkmate.

"We will eagerly await the first film crew to arrive in China."

"And the first shipment of sakuradite will be ready as soon as the first payment is made."

Xingke and Kaguya replied.

"I thank you for your 'cooperation'. Now that we have that out of the way. I would like to discuss our plans for countering Schneizell. It's only a matter of time before he attacks in the open. As such we need to properly counter him." Lellouch added.

"It stands to reckon that a united military front is necessary for such an action. The Republic, Japan and the Federation must stand as one. It stands to reason that the EU will be where he reemerges, they are currently 4th and are still drunk from being the first superpower. We will a proper battle plan and chain in command for the coming war with Europe." Xingke replied.

"Might I recommend that we also establish a clear line of command with our forces. We cannot have officers overlapping in authority. But I feel that our officers would be 'prickly' from being under outsiders. Thoughts?" Kaguya asked.

"Why don't we create a temporary military organization. One whose ranking becomes active for wartime, and in peace time the ranking returns back to each countries' military, the Commonwealth will need troops to defend it." Lellouch said to them and Xingke and Kaguya looked at him, once more they engaged him in a battle of mental fortitude.

"You are asking for an army which will be under the direct command of the Commonwealth, under you're command." Xingke challenged.

"And also for us to pay for it ourselves." Kaguya accused.

"You did wanted me to become Chancellor. We'll this is what a Chancellor does. I believe the appropriate phrase for this turn of events is: 'be careful what you wish for, cause you might just get it.'." Lellouch replied smugly.

Kaguya and Xingke glared at him for quite some time, before they both then smiled and leaned back in their seats.

"Yes, yes we did. As such we must now see our deeds to the end. But a parting word 'Chancellor'. The appropriate phrase is 'we dig our own graves.'" Xingke replied before getting up and leaving the room, in a surprisingly cheerful manner.

"Don't mind him too much. The Chinese have a flair for the poetic in their posturing. While we Japanese prefer the dramatic, I do prefer western media myself, particularly the saying of 'can't see the forest because of the trees.'. See you later today for tea and cakes with Kallen, Shirley and I believe her name is Miss C.C-san" Kaguya said and gave Lellouch a shameless peck on the cheek after inviting herself to an evening in his home, before leaving.

Lellouch was left flabbergasted from their reaction. Why where they so accepting at the creation of an organization which he will lead and they pay for?

What did they have to gain from a new organization that….and then Lellouch recalled how easily he passed the new laws in the Republic because the politicians there became greedy for new posts in the Commonwealth.

A new military organization meant an additional income and prestige from the members that were already in the military in their respective country. Xingke and Kaguya could use this to turn themselves from the first amongst equals, to the supreme rulers in all but name of China and Japan respectively.

At that Lellouch massaged his head from the headache he felt was coming on from realizing that he once more had a pyrrhic victory on his hands, just like at the Kyoto conference, that seemed like a lifetime ago.

Now Lellouch's future path was clear, he was currently the most powerful man alive, but soon either Kaguya or Xingke would defeat him, or perhaps both would team up and go together. Whatever the future brought, one thing was certain and that namely he was the architect of his own downfall.

"We are the architects of our own fate." Lellouch said in a half amused lament.

Yesterday was now gone, tomorrow was election day, and today he would still have to deal with Kaguya invading his home, the last bastion untainted by his political life.

Before that happened, Lellouch drafted a proposal for the new organization. Size, the balance of how many officers came from each country, budged, reserves, supplies, potential battle plans, all that was missing was a name.

Since he was the last one left in the meeting room, protocol said that he could have the first go on proposing the name for this new organization. Which he doubted the other would have much interest in debating.

It was a small and insignificant victory, but small victories against the system was what kept him going. Especially since he was now one of the creators of said system.

So Lellouch named the new army and then got up to leave.

And that was how 'the Order of Black Knights' was born.

xxxxx

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