Nunnally of the Insurrection
Chapter 29
Britannia was almost always at war.
In addition to taking over countries, it was also putting down local resistance and defending it's territory. The Chinese Federation and Europe were constantly skirmishing with Britannian forces, fighting over desputed borders or attempting to seize land.
What much of the world wasn't aware of was how ever extended Britannia was. Only the fact they had advanced Knightmare Frames allowed them to hold on to what they had. And, gradually, the other countries were closing the gap.
'Which is why we're developing the Lancelot,' Nunnally thought as she listened to the teacher drone on, giving a politically approved version of history. Thank goodness he wasn't spouting the 'Japan opened it's borders willingly' fairy tale, or Suzaku would beat him to death.
"Psst," came from behind her.
"Yeah, Rivalz?" Nunnally answered him softly.
"Milly wants everyone together to discuss the Festive Fling," Rivalz told her.
"ANOTHER party?" Nunnally sighed.
"Milly," Rivalz shrugged as if that explained it. And both of them knowing Milly, it actually did explain it...
"Ha," Nunnally conceded that. "I'll try to get Suzaku away from his fanclub..."
Before, Suzaku had, at best, been reluctantly accepted at the academy due to him being born Japanese. Now, after getting a public award he had become very popular... something that pissed Shirley right off. Especially considering all the girls throwing themselves at him.
"He'll probably thank you for the rescue," Rivalz agreed.
Suzaku, in fact, DID thank them for the rescue. "Are Britannians ALWAYS this two faced?" he then demanded. He paused, "No offence."
"None taken," Rivalz smiled.
"Yeah," Nunnally agreed, "and yeah. Don't they remember they were hazing you just weeks ago? Shallow bastards."
Suzaku was a bit startled at her anger, but nodded. "Well, at least it's not as bad as the Nemo fans," he teased.
Nunnally rolled her eyes as Rivalz laughed. "Yeah, that's getting excessive," Rivalz agreed, "she's gotten really popular."
"It's so stupid," Nunnally muttered.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Jeremiah recieved the coded message from Nunnally, which was somewhat bemusing. Still, ours is not to reason why... he was certain that she had good reasons for what she was asking. Besides, the task itself was interesting.
Using a false authorization provided to him by Nemo (Where did she GET pass codes for a Major General?) Jeremiah accessed high level military maneuvers. He then searched for activity along the border of the Chinese Federation, downloading it all.
"Huh. The forces on the border are thinner than I realized," Jeremiah murmured. Mind you, with their edge in technology they were mostly equal, but there was a possibility of them being overrun just by numbers.
As instructed Jeremiah used his 'General' identity to up the priority on all the border reports, highlighting Chinese troop movements. He didn't change anything, just made sure all of it would catch the attention of higher ups.
"Hurry up," Viletta Nu murmured. "We'll have a security patrol soon."
"Just about done," Jeremiah erased the traces of his entry and logged out.
"Pretend you're madly in love with me," Viletta ordered as they cuddled close while leaving the security office.
The two patrol officers saw the two of them, assumed they had used the office for a quickie, and walked on. Both smirked, but otherwise didn't comment.
"Clever," Jeremiah murmured.
"Ew ew ew ew...," Viletta groaned.
"I'm hurt," Jeremiah noted mildly.
"Sorry," Viletta waved it off, "I just.. only want one person touching me."
There was something faintly... worrying in her eyes. She was very devoted to Nemo/Nunnally. Possibly a bit too devoted. Still, it wasn't his problem, he decided as they reached a area free of cameras and microphones.
"Here," Jeremiah passed her the micro data disk, "pass this on to our usual contact. We'll seperate here."
"Of course," Viletta nodded. "Be careful."
They split up, each carrying on with the days tasks.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Run! Run!" the coach urged the students on.
Suzaku casually ran by, legs pumping as he effortlessly passed several students. CC was almost as fast, the green haired girl trotting along.
"GASP... WHEEZE..." Nunnally staggered in the back.
"You're not THAT out of shape," the supposedly 'sickly' Kallen noted mildly as she walked in the back.
"I really, really hate physical education," Nunnally said.
Nunnally wasn't actually in that bad shape, really. After all, she was well aware that her identity as 'Nemo' could be revealed and she might have to run for her life. But being required to exercize and such in cue... ugh. SO annoying.
"On your left," Suzaku called as he lapped them. Again.
"I hate you," Nunnally sighed as she moved to the side.
Suzaku just chuckled as he jogged by.
They finished running, thank goodness, then did volleyball. The period ended, then everybody went to the showers.
"So Milly wants to hold another event?" CC asked, amused. She had enjoyed the last one, including the huge pizza.
As they showered, Nunnally tried not to look at CC's figure. Or Kallen's.
"Yeah. It's a basic festival," Kallen noted, "though unoffically, it;s a celebration of the victory against the Chinese invasion."
Nunnally groaned. "Not another Black Knights event," she sighed.
"There there," CC chuckled.
"Nemo is SO COOL," one girl sighed.
"Agreed," another showering girl noted.
Nunnally just ignored that.
"I HEAR you trying to sneak a peek," one girl yelled as they heard movement near the doorway, "if you don't stop, you'll DIE."
"Bit excessive," Kallen snickered softly.
"Anyway, student council meeting after school to discuss it," Nunnally sighed.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. It's basic science.
Due to reports being given higher priority (plus existing Chinese/Britannia tensions) activity on the border increased. Not necessarily reinforcements, but troops were moved, alerts were raised and a certain amount of maneuvering was going on behind the scenes. When the inevitable invasion did happen, certain royals wanted to be ready.
In the Chinese Federation, there was panic.
"What are they DOING?" one eunuch yelled.
"Presumably, getting ready to launch a reprisal against us for attacking Area 11," Empress Tianzi noted dryly.
"Empress!" several of them tried to scold her.
"Well, it IS true. What chance do we have if they attack?" Tianzi asked reasonably.
"Call the generals!"
Li Xingle was watching as two older men shuffled in. As previously noted, the Federation army was spread out thinly. Worse, they had suffered losses in the Area 11 expedition.
"What are you going to do about this?!" another eunuch demanded.
"They should be asking what will they do," Li noted to Tianzi softly.
"Hmm," Tianzi agreed as 'her government' dithered and argued. "May I make a suggestion?" she raised her voice a bit.
"Yes?" one older general nearly leaped at the rescue.
"I believe we can safely move forces from the south to reinforce the forces facing Britannia on land," Tianzi calmly suggested. "Area 11 itself lacks the Knightmare Frames to attack us, and we could use the forces elsewhere."
The eunuchs were unhappy, but the generals seemed to welcome the idea. They also seemed to appreciate the obvious intelligence of the young lady. There was some arguing back and forth, but in the end they accepted her idea.
"Are we engaging in talks with the Britannians?" Tianzi then asked.
Li watched her debate with pride. She had no ACTUAL power, but still managed to get some things done. And, he noticed, the staffers and such that made up the backbone of the actual government were seeing her and developing a new respect for the lady...
To be continued...