Sorry for the wait folks but here's the next update!
Give thanks to BasileusKomnenos for the beta
"10th generation of Knightmare Frame technology is focused on achieving energy efficiency in response to the Global Sakuradite Shortage following Mt. Fuji mine's destruction during Emperor Lelouch's War of Unification, and the mass-distribution of advanced technologies formerly exclusive to 7th-generation prototypes, custom designs, and command/ace models rather than mass-produced units as intended. […] As well as miniaturization of float technologies allowing for the float coat fra – […] Initial designs were largely interim upgrades of existing older gen models until brand new design could become operational."
- Knights of Steel: The Age of Knightmare Frames, 2047 ATB
"What have we done…"
- Unknown Principality Home Guard at the July 13th Massacre, 2033 ATB
2037 ATB
Duchy of Queenborough (Saskatchewan), Area 2 (Canada)
"Remind me why're we're standing out here in the cold again." A female surveyor grunted, standing outside in the cold holding a detector tool.
"Because we're paid to do so by our boss obviously." Her colleague retorted back while making some adjustments to some deep-earth scanners plugged to their truck. "And having the backing of our new enthroned imperial majesty, we've got generous amount of support towards our mission."
The surveyor snorted out in amusement. "The seemingly long dead prince suddenly returned back to life, and the first thing he does is killing his father and seized the throne while wearing a school uniform. Then he himself was assassinated by his enemies, and a puppet enthroned in his place. Now his long-lost sons arises in rebellion to avenge his father and reclaim his legacy. Either way these are interesting times indeed."
"Don't joke of such things". Her colleague said nervously. "You might get in trouble if the wrong person hears you." Especially when they were still in enemy territory under guise of being 'loyal' citizens of the Principality of Britannia.
"I'm not." the female surveyor replied curtly. "Emperor Charles zi Britannia obviously became weak in his later years, which was probably why he projected such bombastic speeches about his idea of Social Darwinism to cover his own weakness. Then his son in a sick sense of irony killed him in such a fashion as according to Charles' ideology that only the strongest has the right to rule."
Her colleague chuckled in response and said. "Its not like Emperor Lelouch did anything bad. His ascension to throne was quite smooth considering the things his father did during the Emblem of Blood. And with how easily everyone accepted his ascension to the throne it seemed like the rest of the Imperial Family had little love lost for the old Emperor." She then paused to remember some lost details. "Aside for many of the nobility and the Knights of the Round who tried to overthrow him and squashed like a bug."
The female surveyor then looked downwards in sorrow, "Its a real shame what happened to the other royals. I don't think anyone would have thought that the UFN or Schneizel would be capable of such violence."
"Yeah." Her colleague replied somberly. "But Emperor Lelouch defeated Schniezel and kicked the UFN's ass, and then conquered the world avenging the people of Pendragon. He's the most legendary ruler in all of Britannia's history save for King Arthur himself."
"I do wonder what would've happened if Zero failed to kill him… Heh, at the very least the world would be less of a shittier place." The surveyor pondered before resuming her task at hand.
"And now I wonder how many people will die before things improve." The woman holding the detector muttered as she continued roaming. Trying to find something deep within the earth; a sakuradite vein if she recalled correctly that was rumoured to be located around here.
In light of the destruction of the Fuji mine and prior hand of Japan falling under the Black Knight's control. There was an incentive to possibly find additional source of sakuradite within the homeland, sources that was previously known but unable to be mined due to technological limitations at the time and difficult accessibility. Along with possible reserves that evaded Britannia's attention until now, that is if this venture wasn't a fool's venture.
2037 ATB, July 6th
02:04 PM
Somewhere on the borders of Neo-Britannia territory
A pair of Type-05 Akatsukis charged forward with their arm guns blazing, forcing their foes to back away while returning fire with its own gun. The Akatsukis split apart to attack from different directions and split the attention of the heavily customized, mustard yellow Portman Type-2, who now had to choose between which target to take down before the other nailed it.
The devicer of the customised Portman Type-2 – modified in specs in ways unconventional and odd for a marine knightmare frame design – accelerated forward to the left Akatsuki firing at it. Its devicer forcing the Portman 2's custom landspinners to weave through enemy fire at abnormal speed which left its target Akatsuki devicer surprised for a second. Which the marine custom KMF exploited with its assault rifle by firing off a 90mm grenade round at one of its feet. The explosion wrecked one of the Akatsuki's landspinners and combined that with the momentum the black KMF was rolling at, it soon tripped and tumbled down to the ground, rolling across the ground with such force that a leg and an arm were ripped out.
The other Akatsuki pushed more power to its landspinners and sped towards the hostile Portman, managing to destroy the assault rifle with a burst of its arm gun. It then pulled out its collapsible RBS baton; the whirling chainsaw tip burning with intense heat as the 7th-gen Black Knight knightmare swung at the Portman Type 2. Who quickly backed away barely in time for the baton to graze its arm, leaving behind a burning slash on its now damaged, sparking arm.
The Portman reacted by launching its slash harkens at the BK knightmare who managed dodged the anchors narrowly, but at the cost of a chunk of its right shoulder piece being shredded. The Akatsuki too fired back its own slash harken at its opponent, who spun around the flight path of the harken. However the dodge maneuver gave the Akatsuki the opportunity to get in close where it attacked with its blade with more attempted slashes and stabs against the customized marine unit. Who was using all of its power in dodging the attack best as it could, a testament to its unusual modifications and devicer's skills allowing it to last this long.
The Portman then launched both its slash harkens in the brief opening it had at the Akatsuki, though only one managed to land a clean hit on it – tearing a nasty gash on the chest – while the other knocked the RBS baton from the Akatsuki's hand. The Indian-designed KMF then retaliated by summoning up its concealed chest machine guns and opened fire upon the marine unit, along with launching its slash harken. Forcing the Portman back while veering left and right and putting up its damaged arm to soak the rounds, and later ejected once the gunfire was too much. Leaving the damaged amphibious knightmare with one good arm. But the explosion of the ejected arm and the following smoke was the opportunity the Portman needed as it charged forward at full-speed like that of the calvary charges of the Southern Rebellion against Loyalist guns and cannons. Evading the gunfire as best as it could the Portman soon crashed against the Akatsuki that attempted to back away in alarm, where it then fired its slash harkens point-blank range to damage the cockpit module and penetrate through the sparking chest gash to disable the Yggrasil drive – which fortunately did not exploded. The Portman pushed the Akatsuki until they slammed into the wall of a storage building on the outskirts of the town they were fighting nearby. Followed by the Portman using its one remaining arm to slam down upon the cockpit module with a sickening crunch and some spurts of blood coming out from exposed openings.
"That was a close one." Alvar Che Caxrandang breathed in and out in exhaustion, sitting back on his seat. "Come on Jumbles, we still have few more jobs to do." He spoke to his battered Portman Type 2, one he customized extensively over the years to perform at the level he desired from it. To be honest to himself he was still surprised that he managed to customize the amphibious knightmare to keep up with land-based knightmares.
Then the cockpit beeped as his screen displayed a pair of Gang Lus fast approaching from his rear. Their shoulder cannons firing aiming right at him and ready to fire as well as their large claw slash harkens. Alvar had little time to react to the new foes and get his already damaged Portman to turn around in time. But he himself knew there was little he could do other than say his final prayer and prepare to meet his maker.
Only for orange-colored Vincent to come out of nowhere and slashed through the enemy unit with its MVS sword. The orange Vincent then reversed and spun around to avoid the cannon fire before firing its harkens to the ground to propel itself in the air to avoid the claw harkens launched at it. Followed by the orange Vincent folding one of its large arm shields in half and projecting an orange beam that obliterated the last Gang Lu.
Alvar watched in curiosity at the newcomer who just came in and saved his butt. The customized Vincent model turned around to face him. He was soon joined in by handful of modified Gloucesters and Sutherlands with a pair of cannons mounted on their back.
Then his communication came to life as a voice spoke through. "That was impressive, using a customised Portman unit against a pair of Akatsuki and a squad of Gang Lu…"
"I was lucky so far." He shrugged. "The Black Knights seem to be interested in sending in runts and rookies here rather than the real deals. Not that they actually give much attention in this side of Britannia."
"Still, fighting such force with a knightmare designed for marine operation, which you appeared to have modified for land use and was able to fight off better units when normally one would be defeated easily."
"You can thank the folks back at town, they helped me out with getting Jumbles working." Alvar replied to the stranger who he felt was someone important and had a sinking feeling who he might be. "Though no thanks to the Black Knights, I'd be amazed if it could still go on for a day before falling apart."
"We can help with that. Our army could use people like you, someone who was able to use a Portman to fight off the Black Knights several times on his own. I'm not sure if you're aware but your fame has reached the ears of some pretty important people in Neo-Britannia."
"How important are we talking about there? Some big shot cell leader?" The former Number questioned?
"You'll have to see for yourself."
06:38 PM
Blue Base
"At ease everyone, how goes the preparations of our forces?" Arthur Vi Britannia asked as he sat down on his chair. While the officers and staff of Neo-Britannia High Command, after giving the standard salute, sat on their respective seat around a round oak table.
Arthur Vi Britannia was dressed in outfit inspired by the uniform worn by male members of the Knights of the Round, albeit colored in red and black and fancier, and a black robe over it decorated with epaulettes, a modest collar size, and the edges lined with yellow. Along with the personal emblem of Emperor Lelouch – a strange crimson eye surrounded by a pair of golden wings was stitched on the elaborate robe and the uniform's section portion. An outfit that balanced between practical and formality, fancy enough to show Arthur's status as royalty but comfortable enough to wear it in most function.
He wasn't the only one to have a personal royal outfit as Naoto, currently to his left, wore his own royal outfit. Appearing to be a fancier, ornamented version of the uniform worn by Camelot Engineering Corps, coloured in a mixture of red and purple, along with their father's symbol on the chest. Nothing too fancy and simple, but formal enough to show the message he was a Britannian prince to the world.
Overall, their outfit was a perfect balance between casual comfort and formality: comfortable enough to wear in most occasion while signally their status as royalty. Arthur reminded himself to personally thank the designer who made the awesome outfit he and Naoto were wearing. Still, even in their new royal outfit and nearly a month of being the 'leader' of Neo-Britannia; to them, it felt as though they were commoners cosplaying as royalty.
High General Charmalle Finlay was the first one to report. "Preparations is proceeding largely on schedule: the reorganisation of our forces are roughly 63% complete with over half of the Neo-Britannia factions reformed into military units. Regiments that're combat ready being the 1st California Guard, the Pendragon Rifles, the Royal Regiment of Olympia, Merry Daggers, and the White Knights. All of them have been equipped with the refitted and upgraded KMFs, along with the new equipment issued to them."
"Furthermore, the airship fleet is undergoing refit in the existing air yards as well as the new ones brought online. Our inventory consists of a pair of Logres-class aerial battleships and over a dozen Caerleon-class aerial destroyers. Basic systems are still functional, however, because of the lack of extensive upgrades. Our air fleet is in a weak state compared to the opposition; having seen little changes ever since they were first built and deployed." Finlay stated her piece.
"Thank you for the report, High General. One of our research team back in South America is currently working on a suitable solution, Project HALBERD from what I recall." Arthur thanked as the general saluted in response. "Admiral Whyte, what's the status of our waterborne assets?"
A thin-looking man in his mid-40s, one who belonged to the Inuit people in Area 2, responded to his majesty's question. "Not exactly in the best shape your majesty. The years of neglect in funding and resources greatly diminished the already reduced fleet on the western side. All we have left is a handful of naval bases; two task forces worth of destroyers and battlecarriers; and a small fleet of submarines and patrol vessels." He grimly stated.
"Of course, combined that with our intact coastal defence network. Its enough to deter any Black Knight forces from attacking the coast of western Britannia." He then chuckled before pointing out the obvious. "Not that our forces could do much anyway in direct contribution, unless we sail through the Sarras Canal. Though I doubt we'll do much damage in our current state."
"I'd imagine one of our teams is working on that solution, admiral." Colonel Cecile Croomy of the Camelot Engineering Corp answered before saying her own report. "The Rhongomyniad facilities is still in the process of being reactivated and currently operating at half capacity. Despite the best efforts from the White Phoenix cell and the nearby town, the years of neglect from decommissioned left much of it in disarray. Still what we're using is largely older but still intact weapons retrofitted for modern standards. While work is done to manufacture upgraded versions, our manufacturing capabilities are quite limited thanks to the Principality decommissioning most military factories for the last 20 years or so. Though the donations from our new friends have proven to be quite promising, and are being relocated to Plant 42 as we speak."
"I don't know how you and Jeremiah managed to get them to donate them or obtain those in the first place, but I'm not complaining about it." Arthur remarked. "At least not from them considering their stance so far…"
"Policies change all the time, brother, especially in these times and that event a month ago. Still I share your surprise on your generous donations." Naoto spoke out.
"You're right brother, anyway what's the status on infrastructure?" Arthur asked his brother.
"Doing our best we can Arthur, there's a good deal of civilian and military infrastructure that's either barely intact or simply ruined. We're going to need significant amount of resources to restore them back to functional usage. I recommend high priority placed on roads, bridges, railroads and communications." Naoto firmly suggested. "Also, we've been salvaging any useful data in abandoned storage facilities or R&D institutions the Principality didn't uncover for some reason."
"That's good to hear." Arthur muttered before looking at the next person. "Commander Clark, how goes the visit to our neighbours?"
The cell leader of the Devil Dogs in his mid-thirties, with a seemly perpetual hard expression and dressed in some black fatigue reported. "Me and the boys and girls, along with other groups, have been raising mayhem as much as we can with the Black Knights. Taking pot shots at some patrols, sabotaging their equipment, doing recon, and all the usual. Furthermore we made some limited contact with some insurgents within Principality held cities near Britannia."
"Insurgents? What can you tell me about them?"
"Compared to even the worst equipped Neo-Britannia cells, they're more like angry gang members with guns and more… volatile…" He paused. "But they'll aid us in fighting the Black Knights and the Principality, though it is my opinion to keep them at arm's length."
"What can you say a civie with a gun is still a civie." General Owen Nels, former colonel of the Camelot Guard, scoffed out.
"You have something to say!? Because I would like to hear what you just said but louder." Rayden Adwel of the Sons of St. George snarled.
"Not again." Walter Clark muttered in annoyance as with few other officers, both military and militia types including High General Finlay.
"Always the same with you military types, acting as if you did all the work. We pulled our weight just as you did yours, if not more considering many of us had to fight from scratch!" One of the militia commander types growled as did few others.
Arthur sighed in frustration at the sight of what should've been a relic of older times once he arrived to unify Neo-Britannia. For now it was kept under the view for most part, but time to time some of the old tensions resurfaced. Whether in arguments or the rare brawls.
One of the military commanders retorted. "Because we've been fighting wars as a profession for a very long time, long before you took arms. Against the Europeans, terrorists, and the Black Knights!"
"Easy for you to say when most of you had your fancy base to stay in acting all tough and mighty."
"Yes, role-playing military suddenly makes you sol–." Before the sentence could even be completed a gunfire interrupted the tension within the room.
BAM!
Everybody in the room looked to the corner where Knight of Two Anya Alsterim was holding a standard-issue M11 pistol pointed at the roof where a hole could be seen. With her trademark stoic expression the pink-haired woman put her sidearm back into her holster and stood guard as if nothing has happened. Still the gunfire did the job of getting everybody to be quiet and stopping their argument.
The door to the conference room slammed open as Captain Valentina Pelsy and handful of guards looked into the room in response to the gunfire. Looking around if anybody was hurt and who fired the shot.
"You majesty, are you alright?" The blonde asked in concern.
"Nothing serious Captain Pelsy, thought the roof might need some replacement or no." Arthur glanced at the roof. "Along with some thanks to Dame Alsterim in bringing some order back here."
Anya shrugged. "It was getting bit loud."
Valentina looked for a while before nodding in acknowledgement as she and the security guards went back to their post and closed the door.
Arthur Vi Britannia then looked at all the faces of his officers and staffs of the Neo-Britannia High Command. "Now things all quieted down, I have to say I am frustrated with what I saw beforehand… The bickering among you is simply childish; something I thought we have moved beyond. I admit that I don't know everything for why it happened or naïve to think all of it would be forgotten; but I thought that all of you would have at least put aside these differences for the sake of our common goal to liberate our homeland, restore our Empire, and to save my father's legacy." He said with the most regal tone he could muster. "This infighting will not put us any closer to our goals, the reason we haven't made any progress in driving off the Black Knights or defeating the traitors and relics in the east. Along with why the Black Knights have yet to make any full scale assault on Neo-Britannia, who they see us as divided and weak, ripe for easy picking once they finish off the Darwinists. Yet because of this arrogance that they fail to see the emerging phoenix from the west, reborn and stronger than ever to enact its vengeance."
"United we stand, divided we fall. We were once weak and unable to show our conviction to the world, but now we are united as one and posed to show the world our power. That the Britannian people will not bow to the invaders. That we will not stop until the restoration of our beloved Britannia to its former glory!" Arthur Vi Britannia finished as his fist slammed onto the table for emphasis.
Characters
Uther Croomy
- Twin brother to Layla Croomy
- 16 years old
- 5'5 tall
- Male
- Visually based on Athrun Zala (Gundam SEED)
Alvar Che Caxrandang
- Former Number from the Philippines
- 29 years old,
- 5'8 tall
- Male
- Visually based on Yasutora Sado (Bleach)
Walter Clark
- 35 years old
- 5'4 tall
- Male
- Cell leader of the Devil Dogs
- Visually based on Colonel Robert Watts (Halo)
Rayden Adwel
- 28 years old
- 5'9 tall
- Male
- Leader of the Sons of St. George cell
- Visually based on Libertus Ostium (FFXV)
Owen Nels
- 64 years old
- 5'6 tall
- Male
- Leader of the Camelot Guards, Former Colonel of the Britannian military
- Visually based on Ramba Ral (Mobile Suit Gundam)
Admiral Abraham Whyte
- Mid-40s,
- 5'4 tall
- Male
- Admiral of Neo-Britannia's Eastern Fleet and of the Inuit people
- Visually based on Tarrlok (Legend of Korra)
KMFs and Vehicles
Type-05A/H Akatsuki Heavy Weapons Type
- An Akatsuki variant designed for an assault role with additional landspinner attached to the back for support, and large ammo containers mounted near the shoulders.
- Armed with 1x chest slash harkens, 1x arm-mounted 23mm gatling gun, 2x twin built-in shoulder rocket launcher, and 1x arm-mounted heavy linear cannon.
RPI-209D Gloucester II
- RPI-209 Gloucesters refurbished to partial 7th-gen standard, incorporating some design elements of the Vincent KMF. Colored in Imperial blue for Darwinists and Principality; red and gold for Glinda Knights.
- 4.30m tall and 7.71 tons
- Armed with 2x chest slash harkens, 1x chest MG, 1x 25mm KMF-K1 assault rifle w/ GL or KMF-K43 155mm bazooka, 2x stun tonfa, EM Heavy Lance and 2x MVS sword.
T-401 Chuyen
- Basically the canon Chuyen but produced in large numbers. Colored in standard black for the BKs.
- Limited usage among Black Knights
- Armed with the same weapon as the Akatsuki.
Mk6-E4D3 Alexander Type-03 High-Mobility Type
- Mass-production high-mobility type of the manned Alexander Drone variant.
- Limited usage among the Black Knights.
- Armament is the same Alexander-issued weapons with the addition of RBS blades
TK-21 Gang Lu KMF
- Basically the Gheddo Vakka, designed as the spiritual successor to the Gun Ru.
- Used by BK reserve forces and militia units of member-states, often protecting bases and escorting convoys along with high-speed assaults.
- Armed with 2x arm claws/slash harkens, 2x shoulder-mounted 73mm EM cannons, 4x leg MGs.
NS-33B Mink II IMV
- An armoured car based on the Didgori-2 vehicle designed for patrol and internal security.
- Standard model typically armed with a 23mm chaingun turret but can use other weaponry depending on variants.
Type-33 Armoured Modular Vehicle
- Based on the ZBL-08 armored vehicle
- The standard armoured vehicle series designed and used by the Order of the Black Knights. Its modular design allows it to be configured for different roles and environments.
- Standard IFV 'A' model is armed with a 60mm linear cannon and coaxial machine gun.