4th of Sea Feilong, year 1025 of the Imperial Calendar
"Argh! This is all your fault!" Ruby yelled in frustration as her hands were cuffed to a metal pole, centralised in a platform atop a small van within a large hangar full of Knightmares. Apparently, the vehicle was to be paraded before the citizenry in some kind of public display.
"My fault!?" Suzaku exclaimed.
"Yeah! If you hadn't stolen my Lancelot we wouldn't be in this mess!"
"Your Lancelot? I thought Earl Apslund was the creator."
"Well, sure he made the core design. And the YS drive. Plus, he made the prototype ME boost design and MVS-"
"It sounds like he made it."
"BUT I helped finalise the design, and upgraded the ME boost mechanism into the ME-CI, and replaced his clunky MVS with the HEGS! I made at least, like, 27%!" Ruby exclaimed before breaking into a mutter, "Hey, now that I think about it I bet I could solve the heating issue in the ME-CI by adding some carefully arranged crystalline water dust to provide a constant stream of coolant directed by hard-light dust field containment to external ports where-"
"Silence!" Another voice demanded, a man with light brown hair dressed in blue to match his sharp eyes, "You are not to speak until we have made the full circuit. This is a day to show Britannia's swift and righteous response to all threats." he explained, attaching what appeared to be metal collars around Ruby and Suzaku's necks.
"You call the execution of your own forces ri-AH!" Suzaku exclaimed, the collar delivering a powerful shock before he could finish.
"Hey! That's-AH!" Ruby followed suit, trying to speak up for the cruelty of Suzaku's shock collar only to receive similar treatment herself.
"… Lord Kewell, do you really believe the collars to be necessary?"
"Of course, Brigadier Schnee. What if these two were to speak out of place in the middle of a national broadcast? We must ensure tonight's event goes on without issue." Kewell responded, before heading off to make final checks of his Knightmare.
"I apologise for this, but Britannia does not take threats against royalty lightly." Winter told the two, "But you'll still have a fair trial-"
"How could any trial be 'fair' after we're paraded about like-GAH!" Suzaku tried to complain, before the shock of the collar cut him off once again.
"I realise the situation looks bleak…" Winter admitted, "But if you are innocent, you have my assurance that you both will be protected."
"A little overkill for protection…" Ruby muttered shortly and quietly enough not to trigger the collar, glancing around the Knightmares in the hangar and shackles binding them to the platform.
"Please just bare with it. We depart in five minutes, and should be done within an hour or so." she stated before leaving to ensure her Knightmare was ready for departure.
"… I'm sorry you got dragged into this." Suzaku whispered to Ruby.
"Eh, that's not really your fault, I guess… But I'm still mad you piloted Lancel-ARGH!" Ruby replied, bitterness about Suzaku's stint in 'her' Knightmare raising her voice enough to trigger the electric collar.
"Try not to be too loud. The collar responds to a vibration threshold being reached, so if you're quiet it won't trigger."
"… How do you know so much about these?" Ruby asked, curious as to why a Britannian military Private would know about the mechanics of a prisoner collar.
"Faun- I mean, Deviant." Suzaku replied, batting Ruby lightly with his cat-like tail for emphasis, "Anyone who wants to be an honourary Britannian has to wear one for a year to 'prove their loyalty'."
"… Britannia seriously sucks." Ruby concluded.
"You're not Britannian?" Suzaku asked, noticing her tone implied she wasn't born in the country.
"Nah, I grew up on the island of Patch – technically the Kingdom of Vale. I just work for Lloyd to get the latest tech. Like, the other day, we were able to cut the energy requirements of Blaze Luminous shielding by-OW!" she exclaimed, her passion for technology creeping into her voice enough for the collar to activate once again.
"When we get out of here I'm gonna make these collars useless with… I dunno, something!" she said, receiving a light shock once again towards the end, "Maybe if I line my clothes with electricity dust in a specific pattern I can get it to generate a localised electrical distortion field…"
"If we get out of here…" Suzaku muttered quietly enough for Ruby not to hear. Looking towards the doors their platform would soon go through he couldn't help but feel a sense of hopelessness, holding no delusions about their chances of survival.
"I've already made a protest. Sadly, they've been accused personally by his majesty – nothing we can do." Lloyd explained to a deflated Cecile and frustrated Marrow.
"Can we continue without them?"
"What!? There's no way we can abandon-"
"They're two extraordinarily talented pilots, so I'm afraid continuing in their absence will be challenging." Lloyd answered Cecile, before moving on to Marrow's point, "And even if we could somehow overturn a royal decree, Area 5's purebloods are all-to-eager to execute a deviant and Valite."
"Why!?"
"Their view is that one of their own could never be a criminal. If a deviant from Area 11 and human private from a 'neutral' kingdom are loathsome terrorists, it gives reason to shut down the honourary Britannian system and minimise diplomatic interactions with other countries."
"Damn it!" Marrow pounded a desk in frustration, splintering the surface.
"Careful, we don't have much of a budget after Lancelot's repairs. I must admit, I'm surprised Prince Clovis decided this – I was under the impression his anti-number and deviant leanings were tepid at worst."
"Yes, he is all for equal-opportunity discrimination. But it seems the pureblood's power has been growing here in Area 5. This is probably an agreement to keep everyone happy." Lloyed theorised, equally sceptical Prince Clovis would decide this purely on personal stances.
"But I agree that we can't just leave them…" Cecile noted, perking Marrow's ears up, "Should we try contacting Prince-"
"Occupied with negotiations in Mistral, I'm afraid. All we can do is await a time that our assistance proves useful."
"We're only two minutes away from tonight's event" said an announcer through speakers lining the road, crowds of people gathered along the barricades lining the street in anticipation of what was to come.
"It's a sight to see. The throngs lining the route, all waiting with bated breath. All waiting for the two Honourary Britannians, accused as would-be murderers of his majesty Prince Clovis, to pass by."
"Camera 5 is a little slow" Diethard noted, giving instructions to correct the issue from his on-site media base, "Talk to me, is your team in position? The studio? Tell them everything's going by the book. Here we go." he stated as the convoy came into view: A dozen Sutherland Knightmares guarding a mobile metal platform atop which two teenagers were restrained.
"I- I can see them now! They have the suspects! Suzaku Belladonna and Ruby Rose are heading this way!"
"Like clockwork" Diethard muttered, Bread and circuses. Never fails no matter how corrupt the people providing them are. And I'm as corrupt as any of them…
"Voices of scorn and contempt grow ever louder, voices bearing testament to a people's love of their Prince. Voices condemning the actions of two terrorists." The announcer described the crowd's reactions, before cameras turned to the presiding commanders, fully on display standing within their Sutherland's cockpits directly in front of the prisoners, "Squadron leader Kewell has been instrumental in the development of this case, as has Brigadier Schnee, currently offering assistance to Area 5 from the homeland. I am told Sir Kewell will be presiding over the trial as acting consul, and rumours suggest he is soon to be directly promoted to serve as Area 5's Area Captain. Oh? What's this?" the announcer reacted to the arrival of an extravagant car in the procession's path.
"Lord Kewell?" a voice asked through Kewell's scroll.
"What's going on here? Is that a vehicle I can see ahead?"
"Yes. It approached the highway from point D-3, and we let it through as instructed."
"Instructed?" Kewell asked, keenly aware that only two people should be capable of giving instructions for this time and place.
Damn Schnee… What is she up to…
"Yes, but…"
"Do you believe it poses a danger?"
"We're not sure sir, but it's-" the soldier stuttered, "It's Prince Clovis' car, sir."
"The Prince's? Well, it appears we have some agitators. Don't worry, make sure they're guided towards us." he decided, before switching the channel to give orders to his squad's Knightmares, "All forces hold here!"
"Kewell, do you know what's going on?" Winter asked as their two Knightmares stopped side-by-side.
"Hmpf" Kewell scoffed, "As if you aren't already aware."
"Excuse me?"
"You ready?" Yang quietly asked her partner from underneath her mask, slightly nervous of becoming the centre of attention in such a fashion.
"No chance to turn back, nor need. The die is cast…" Lelouch replied while adjusting his helmet. The two approached the procession from atop the vehicle's front cabin, hidden by a makeshift frame and their concealing costumes.
"Well this sure brings back memories." Kallen commented from inside the front cabin, aware how similar the setup was to the start of yesterday's events.
"Don't remind me…" Blake replied.
"You think this will work?"
"We'll find out soon enough…"
"It appears a vehicle is approaching the cavalcade, which has stopped in response." The announcer described, "It's- It's Prince Clovis' personal transport!" they exclaimed upon recognising the distinctive white vehicle.
I wonder how Clovis will explain away this one… Lelouch absent-mindedly wondered, hoping Clovis wouldn't frame another of his friends for the vehicle's theft.
"You dare impersonate his highness' transport!?" Kewell exclaimed, furious of the vehicle's existence, "Step outside at once!" he ordered, before the vehicle shifted. The section above the front cabin burst into flames, revealing two masked figures standing inside.
"I… Am Zero." the lead figure stated in a forceful, yet emotionless voice, standing with his cape fully wrapped around him to conceal his entire form.
"Zero?" Winter echoed.
"And I… Am One!" the other masked figure exclaimed, flicking an arm out to the side and bringing her cape with it in a flourish.
Wha- Yang, I swear to Light… Lelouch thought in frustration, infuriated by his partner's sudden choice of alias.
"Who are these mysterious figures? This pair calling themselves One and Zero, standing before a full military convoy?"
"Zero and One? What do you mean, like… Nothing and… Unimportant?" Diethard wondered aloud from within his media base.
Are they Deviants? Vale agents? Or maybe Elevens? Winter wondered, trying to deduce the identity of the masked figures before her. The two prisoners, despite being useful 'enemies' of Britannia, in actuality possessed extremely different backgrounds. The figures before her could be here for reasons related to either one of their captives, or potentially even unrelated enemies of Britannia attempting to make a statement, making identification difficult.
"Are they from Menagerie?" she heard Suzaku mutter from behind her.
"I dunno, pretty high-tech costumes… I think there's some Britannian influence in it… Maybe Vale?" Ruby quietly replied
Evidently this is a surprise for them, too…
"I've seen enough, you two. Now, I'll have you take off those masks." Kewell stated, before 'One' lightly tapped the wall of the vehicle's upper compartment behind them, upon which the walls and roof collapsed to reveal a familiar sphere-shaped container underneath.
That thing!?
"What the-"
"Lord Kewell! We must exercise extreme caution!" Winter exclaimed, believing the container to hold some kind of poison gas.
"Wait, you don't understand!-" Suzaku spoke up, trying to correct his captors false belief but only succeeding in activating his shock collar.
"What's that thing? It almost feels like the design looks confusing on purpose…" Ruby noted quietly.
"Are we getting this? These masked figures – One and Zero – have revealed some kind of device, the purpose of which is unclear. Stay with us and we'll see what these apparent terrorists have to say."
Scoundrels! You've taken every Britannian present hostage, and none barring me are the wiser! Winter realised as she looked around the surrounding area, hundreds of Britannians easily in the device's likely area-of-effect.
"So, do you intend to shoot?" Zero goaded the two.
"I think we all know they won't" One commented.
"Unit 6, amp the sound and get that camera right in his face!"
"Sir, the situation's too hot, we can't-"
"Bah! Amateurs!" Diethard replied, grabbing a camera and running out to get the footage himself.
"… Very well. What are your demands?" Kewell asked.
Their demands? They obviously want the prisoners… Winter surmised.
"An exchange. This, for your two captives."
Of course.
"Out of the question! They're charged with conspiracy to assassinate a Prince of Britannia!"
"No, you're mistaken. These two are innocent."
Oh?
"The one who shot Clovis… Was myself." Zero declared, "And my only accomplice stands beside me." he gestured to One, who raised their hand slightly, pointing their middle and index fingers outwards and flicking their wrist in greeting.
Now this is a performance! Diethard thought in glee.
"Aha~ The real culprit reveals themselves." Lloyd commented.
"Unbelievable!"
"Hey, that means they'll let our pilots go, right!?"
"Wha- What does this mean!?" the announcer exclaimed, "This masked man calling himself Zero, this boorish woman called One – no, we don't know who they are, but in any case, they claim to be the real would-be assassins!
What it means is the situation just became complicated… Winter realised, glancing between Zero & One, Kewell, and Suzaku & Ruby, Kewell technically has higher authority here, so I can't intervene without causing an incident… But I need to keep these two alive, and I don't see a better opportunity materialising…
"For two criminals, two honourary Britannians, you'll save the lives of countless 'true' Britannians. A fair trade, no?"
"Are you quite done!? Using his highness' transport to fool us… Your punishment for insulting the crown will be-"
"Careful. You don't want the public to learn of Orange, do you?" Zero interrupted.
"Yeah, your 'betters' wouldn't be happy about that, right?" One commented.
Orange?
"Orange? What's he talking about?" "I don't know." "Is it a noble thing?" and so on were comments made by the crowd and lower soldiers.
"If I die, it'll all go public. If you don't want that to happen…"
"What are you-" Kewell reacted as the masked figure revealed a single purple eye as part of the helmet retracted into nothing.
"You'll do everything in your power to let us leave with your two prisoners, unharmed."
… Does he seriously think that's going to-
"Right. Understood" Kewell responded while seeming to relax.
WHAT!?
"Men, release the prisoners and transfer them to the royal transport. Schnee, you assist."
"Lord Kewell, you can't be serious!" she exclaimed, before looking back to Zero.
"… Follow your Lord's orders."
Is he…
"Are you mocking me?" Winter replied, a response which generated a reaction from Zero.
Did his eye just flash silver for a moment? She wondered, noticing what may have been a trick of the light as Zero flinched back.
"Let the prisoners go." he insisted.
"Of course, are you ready men?" Kewell replied, directing his subordinates to transfer Ruby and Suzaku to the transport.
Should I allow this? Kewell is technically in charge here, so… No Winter decided, If I don't do something, my guilt will be presumed in relation to this 'Orange' business. That could cast further disparagement on General Ironwood. At the very least, I need to make a show of resistance.
"Men, stop!" Winter ordered, giving the soldiers pause, "We cannot trade prisoners for lives you have held hostage. If you surrender yourselves, Zero and One, then we can authorise the exchange."
"… I'm afraid that won't do." Zero replied after a moment's thought as his eye-cover seemed to re-materialise, "Your investigations and trials need some improvement, after all. Now hand over the prisoners, or I reveal Orange."
"You heard him! Complete the transfer!" Kewell ordered, prompting a pair of soldiers to begin moving Suzaku and Ruby to Zero's transport.
"No! Stand down!" Winter countered. Before she could give further orders or questions, she noticed Kewell engaging his Knightmare's cockpit.
What're you-!? She reacted, diving into her own cockpit as Kewell turned his weapons on her.
"Defying direct orders is grounds for execution, Schnee, regardless of rank difference! This applies to all soldiers! Now hand the prisoners over to the terrorists!"
At Kewell's order, the transfer was complete, though a number of soldiers seemed noticeably conflicted at the turn of events. Engaging her Knightmare's cockpit, Winter transmitted orders to all soldiers present.
"Attention all soldiers, Lord Kewell is engaging in a transfer well above his authority! Any soldiers who continue to assist him will be viewed as traitors!" she declared, whereupon Kewell fired. An expected shot, she used her Sutherland's right arm to tank the bullet, before ejecting it to use as cover for a few seconds.
"Capture Zero! That is an order!"
"No, men, ensure they escape!" Kewell tried to counter Winter's order, sending the soldiers into a grip of indecisiveness.
While the situation suggested Winter was likely in the right, with the terrorists only knowing something he personally didn't want getting out, it didn't change the fact that these soldiers knew Kewell. Most were members of the pureblood faction, of which he was in the inner circle – the idea of him being a traitor seemed inconceivable. Winter, meanwhile, was a Brigadier on loan from Britannia's main military force in Atlas, an outsider supposedly sent to quell the recent White Fang activity. One who had made no effort to socialise or network with the Area's pilots. Between the two, it was obvious which the soldiers would want to side with in such a tense situation, even if her argument seemed to make more logical sense.
Clearly, the terrorists wouldn't let such indecisiveness go to waste.
"Well then, until next time." Zero declared, pulling out a trigger.
"Ciao" said One, as Zero pressed said trigger to open the container behind them, quickly releasing purple smoke.
"Poison gas!" Winter concluded, "Everyone! Ensure Knightmare air filtration systems are active! Evacuate the civilians!"
"I'm not done with you yet Schnee!" Kewell yelled through the Knightmare's comms, taking aim at Winter. However, before he could fire, his cockpit was suddenly ensnared by a pair of Slash Harkens from behind.
"Who-!?" Kewell yelled, before his cockpit was forcefully removed from the Knightmare. The action triggered the automatic cockpit ejection mechanism, which was evidently still functional, and it flew off elsewhere into the city.
"Brigadier Schnee, are you unharmed?" a new voice asked through the comms.
"Yes! You have my thanks! Now then…" she informed the allied Knightmare, approaching the transport. While the smoke obscured vision, she could see a single shadowy figure stood where Zero had been not a few moments before.
You won't get away! Were her thoughts as she quickly trained her gun on the form. She didn't shoot, knowing that even in such a situation it was essential to check your targets before firing. After a few seconds passed and the smoke shifted, Winter noticed the form was more reminiscent of a person, perhaps a young woman, in normal uniform with a visor. Just as she realised her mistake, the form vanished with the smoke.
"Did anyone see them!?"
"Sir, it seems they got away in the panic…" the pilot from earlier reported.
"Dammit! Have our immediate forces make sure the civilians are all evacuated, the second they are I want you all with me! Pilot, I'm making you second-in-command, get the authorities to form a perimeter! You're searching with me!" Winter quickly dished out orders as she began searching one of the nearest areas her Knightmare could fit, aware they only had a limited number of escape routes and every second counted.
"What's your name?" she asked quickly, aware she couldn't keep calling her 'second-in-command' or 'pilot' – proper organisation and communication would be essential here.
"Villetta Nu, Sir."
"Well, Pilot Nu, consider yourself promoted! Let's go!"
"I can't believe that worked…" Ohgi muttered while driving off immediately, having already started the engine so their group could get away. Within the smoke and the panicked crowds, their unassuming van had been parked within one of the many desolate side streets leading to the impoverished sections of the city, hidden away beneath a Britannian veneer of class. After Zero's group had entered the back, One apparently capable of carrying both of their targets with ease in the escape, Ohgi quickly drove off as per the plan.
"I'll say. That was insane…" Kallen commented while pulling out what appeared to be a pair of pliers.
"Wait, what's happen-GAH!" Ruby exclaimed before her collar activated, cutting her question short.
"Keep quiet, and stop moving…" Kallen asked while taking the pliers to the shock collar.
"Hey, these collars are really sensitive…" Ruby commented, quietly so as to not receive a shock, "You do know what you're doing, right?"
"… Sure, why not."
"You have no need to fear, Miss Rose. Nor yourself, Private Belladonna." 'Zero' stated from the back of the car, trying to set their two liberated-prisoners-slash-hostages at ease.
"Oh yeah, we've just been kidnapped by a group of criminals hiding behind visors that're, ok they're kinda cool, led by two criminals in helmets that're totally cool but also 100% evil, and shoved into a black van driving off to who-knows-where, I should be perfectly ca-OW!"
"I said be quiet!" Kallen exclaimed, still working on removing Ruby's collar.
"Zero, what do you want from us?" Suzaku quietly asked, while Blake worked attentively on his collar.
"From you? Nothing, other than your brief co-operation until we can set you free, minus your shackles." he replied, gesturing to his collar.
"Got it." Blake muttered, said collar falling to the floor of the van with a clang.
"… Are you nearly done?"
"Be quiet…"
"So, was it really you that shot Prince Clovis?" Suzaku asked.
"Of course." Zero replied immediately.
"But why!?"
"Because he is a Britannian Prince, an enemy commander. Why would I not?"
"And What about this 'orange'?"
"I'm afraid you'd have to ask your superiors."
"What about the gas? Those were civilians!"
"A bluff to move things along. The result: Two innocent lives go free, and not a single death."
"The results… That's all that matters to you, I suppose?"
"What else is there?"
"What it does to those around you! Those people will be terrified! Do you think an experience like that won't affect anyone!? And how do you know people weren't trampled in the panic!?"
"So you'd rather let the system run its course? Should I have let the two of you be executed?"
"Uhh… I'm happy to not be dead, Mr. Zero, sir." Ruby interjected, holding her hand up slightly as if to ask a teacher in class after her collar had been removed.
"As you should be, Miss Rose. I'm glad that-"
"But that doesn't mean Suzaku's wrong…" she interrupted
"Then what would you have done?" 'One' asked, a hint of frustration in her voice.
"… I don't know…" Ruby admitted.
"We make the country better – change the system from within." Suzaku replied.
"From within?" Zero repeated.
"Any gains made through contemptible means aren't worth anything."
"And what about the lives lost while you do things the 'right' way?" Blake asked, her anger clear, "Aren't they 'worth anything'!?"
"I never said that-"
"But you wouldn't do anything to stop it, right? Too busy 'changing' things and being sure you're right, while the system you're changing massacres innocents!"
"…"
"What? Not got an answer?"
"Not that… It's just…" Suzaku said, clearly unsure of himself, "Your voice sounds… Familiar…"
"We've got company!" Ohgi shouted from the front, swerving the van into an open warehouse to the right as a deluge of bullets slammed into the vehicle's walls.
"Britannians!?" Zero exclaimed, evidently surprised that they'd cut off their escape route so quickly. Considering the time, they should have passed the main encirclement by now, so the chances of a blockade should be slim-to-none.
"No, it's-!" Ohgi called back, before cutting himself off in shock before yelling "GET OUT!" as he frantically leapt out the door.
Following his lead, the group all made to jump out the van's back doors, with Ruby all but being tossed out of the vehicle by One.
"Ow!" she exclaimed after hitting the floor from the unexpected throw. Before she'd even finished her cry, the van exploded into flames and smoke after being hit from the other side, by what appeared to be a blast of red energy.
"Status report!" "Is everyone ok!?" Zero & One demanded, to which general nods and grunts of confirmation that everyone was, in fact, still alive.
As the smoke cleared, armed figures blocked the entrance the group had entered through, while a single figure emerged from the smoke, sword sheathed as he slowly walked towards the group.
"No… no…" Blake stammered, soon recognising the figure in question.
"Hello again, my love. So kind of you to grace us with your presence." Adam Taurus stated, bile rising in his voice.
"You know this guy?" One asked.
"He's, uh…"
"He's her homicidal ex." Kallen filled the group in.
"Wait… That's Adam Taurus! The most wanted criminal in East Sanus!" Suzaku exclaimed.
"That's what I said."
"So, you were the voice on the radio, 'Zero'?" Adam asked.
"Correct. I take it you are the leader of Vale's White Fang?"
"Correct." Adam parroted.
"Excellent. Then I think we can both agree time is of the essence. After we escape-"
"We? There is no 'we'. Soon, there won't even be a 'you'."
"I see. Well, if I am to die, may I ask to at least see the face of my killer?" Zero asked.
Ordinarily, he'd take a more subtle approach, to try and deceive Adam into thinking taking the geass-blocking Grimm mask off was his idea. Should he remain silent, he may even do so himself, after thoroughly thrashing their group. At this moment, however, Lelouch was well aware that Britannian Knightmares could be less than a minute away. While their initial encirclement was likely escaped, their search grid would not be, and signs of a battle would only alert Britannians to their location.
"I'm afraid I'm not taking requests today." Adam replied, turning to Blake, "Save for you."
"Adam, I'm sorry, ok!?" Blake exclaimed, a hurricane of regret, fear, uncertainty, and pressure whirling inside her, "The way I left you was wrong! But you've changed!" she screamed, going on after Adam made no reply, "When we started, we were trying to bring justice to the faunus' oppressors! We stood for equality!" she yelled, before her voice quieted into scarcely more of a whisper, "But now… You don't fight for the faunus. Not really. You fight for your own power, and the power to hurt people who happen to bare a resemblance to the ones who hurt you."
"I fight to erase the faunus' enemies." Adam responded coldly.
"The people on that train never did anything to hurt the faunus!"
"Nor did they make any efforts to help them." Adam rebutted, "They benefit from a system built on the backs of faunus oppression. From turning a blind eye to our people. They may have never hurt any faunus themselves, but many faunus were hurt, are hurt, to give their lives a pathetic sense of safety, security and comfort."
"But-"
"You're absolutely correct." Zero stated to the surprise of all, "But your priorities are highly suspect at best. You bomb a train to get some weapons? Plan to massacre citizens without reason? Your vision is…" he trailed off.
"… lacking."
"You dare…" Adam asked in anger.
"But as much as I'd like to debate philosophy, I'm afraid we're out of time." Zero sighed, aware their Britannian pursuers would not politely halt their search as they discussed the ethics of violent insurgency, "I disapprove your direction, but I believe that with some adjustments we could grow to be allies, in time. Will you join me?"
"You're just like Sienna…" Adam seethed, "Too afraid of getting your hands dirty to-"
"That's unfortunate." Zero interrupted, quickly pulling out a sidearm of dust-infused Sakuradite and firing it at Adam.
I'm aware you're strong, but no Aura on Remnant will save you from- Lelouch thought confidently, before said confidence was shattered into pieces as Adam pulled out his blade and deflected the lethal shot in an instant, before returning the sword to its sheathe. Surprised, Lelouch fired several more shots, all of which were deflected before he stopped, aware his gun was down to one bullet and he had no spare ammo.
"Can everyone deflect bullet's now!?" One exclaimed, evidently infuriated that this was the second time in just as many days that she'd encountered a foe capable of surviving supposedly non-survivable shots.
"Only those with skill." Adam replied.
"We're screwed, aren't we?" Kallen asked.
"But I didn't even get to go to Beacon…"
"UHH, SIR!?" One of the White Fang guarding the doors yelled in a panic.
"Relax, this won't take lo-"
"Found you!" A voice exclaimed through the slight electrical distortion characteristic of Knightmare speakers.
Immediately, all heads turned to the new arrival: A Sutherland Britannian Knightmare quickly placing itself in the warehouse's entrance, scattering the White Fang members previously stationed there.
"Run!" Zero ordered, gesturing towards a window to the side for evacuation while he fired his final shot at Adam. His companions were all-too-happy to follow his suggestion. However…
"Like I'll let you!" Adam exclaimed, unsheathing his sword to deflect the shot while lunging towards Zero at breakneck speeds. While his Aura was likely to prevent the strike from being fatal, Adam's skill was unquestionable, and any prolonged melee encounter was likely to end in disaster. But before his attack could connect, an unlikely ally stepped between the two.
"Suzaku!"
"Fine! You die first, traitor!"
As the sword made to connect, Suzaku began dodging to the right. The movement was fast, but Adam was more than capable of adjusting the angle of his attack to compensate.
What he could not compensate for, however, is the additional Suzaku that formed, two bodies separating from an original position while still connected to a single pair of feet, but each dodging their body in a different direction. Adam momentarily panicked, unsure of which body to attack. Most likely, one would be a duplicate and one the original, but there were no obvious differences between the two: Their forms were identical, and both their movement paths seemed natural. Discerning the 'original' would be difficult even under ideal circumstances, let alone choosing with no forewarning and within a split-second while mid-attack.
The pause was momentary, as Adam's attack continued to intercept the form continuing to dodge to the right. As the sword came within mere centimetres of that versions face, the other Suzaku made a movement clearly intending to move in for a non-lethal disarming.
"Got you!" Adam exclaimed, confident that his 'attack' had revealed the left-Suzaku to be the true form, suddenly twisting his hands and arms to completely redirect the attack towards him. While the strike would be less powerful without Adam's full strength behind it, Suzaku had been kept under duress for hours now, and so his aura was almost certainly on the verge of collapse to begin.
However, as his attack shifted to the left, the right-Suzaku made to grab his arm. Suddenly unsure as to whether his deduction had been correct, Adam paused, long enough for both Suzaku's to grab his arms and attempt to disarm him.
""Sorry, but we're both real!"" The two shouted, pivoting to have their backs to Adam while keeping his arms outstretched.
"Belladonna! Good work!" the Knightmare shouted, speeding towards them.
"Suzaku, what're you-"
"Zero, I can't agree with your methods, but I am grateful. And you need to leave, now!" Suzaku exclaimed, determination in his eyes to bring down only one terrorist leader today.
"I refuse!" Adam shouted, delivering an angry stomp onto the Suzaku's shared feet. The blow threw them off balance, and Adam broke free from their grip, forcing one Suzaku to bend over backwards at an incredible speed, lest he face the blade's bevel. Upon said blade soaring past his head to deliver a slight impromptu fringe-cut, the falling form suddenly re-absorbed into the standing one, which positioned himself between Adam and Zero once more.
"Damn-" was the only word Adam could get out before he was forced to redirect his attention to the Knightmare, quickly deflecting the rapid-fire bullets which strayed close.
"Zero, let's go!" One called after punching through a large window, shattering the whole pane. While Lelouch prayed Bracer-shotguns were common enough that she wouldn't be identified via combat style, he was more concerned with their immediate safety.
"It pays to be prepared." he muttered while activating a smoke grenade and throwing it to the floor.
"Suzaku, you-"
"I need to assist in any way I can to capture the notorious terrorist Adam Taurus. You need to leave." he finished, insistent upon staying.
"Damn fool…" Zero cursed before fleeing towards his companions through the growing smoke, aware of how rapidly the situation was deteriorating.
"A fool, huh? Maybe I am…" Suzaku absent-mindedly replied as he turned back towards Adam, who was slightly free now that the Knightmare needed to reload.
"But this fool will gladly lay down his life if it brings us closer to a better tomorrow..."
Dammit! What the hell is going on here!? Winter thought as Zero's smoke grenade began to take effect and obscure vision within the warehouse.
First Zero, now this…
While recapturing Belladonna and Rose had been her objective for this mission, she was now presented with the main objective of her tenure in Area 5: The leader of Vale's White Fang, Adam Taurus. Did she prioritise their recapture or his capture? Even then, they seemed to be splitting up: Go after Zero and Rose or stay with Taurus and Belladonna? While the decision seemed difficult, Winter decided in a matter of moments.
Taurus is the whole reason I'm here, and if Belladonna assists me here it should work in his favour in a trial. That should keep him alive for a while… she reasoned, aware she still had the General's additional orders.
However, that didn't mean she could simply let the others leave without any resistance.
"Nu!" she called through the scroll radio while reloading her weapon, which prompted Adam to dash towards the smoke. His efforts were stopped by Suzaku, though in this bout it was less Suzaku countering his move and more trying to latch onto the terrorist and prevent him from pursuing Zero's group.
"Sir!"
"I've found them, but there's a complication – Taurus has shown himself."
"What!? So they are the White Fang!"
Actually…
"No, Zero opened fire on Taurus who responded by trying to prevent Zero's escape – by lethal means." she reported, closing in on Adam to deliver a more accurate shot now that her weapon was reloaded.
"What!? How can-"
"Different organisations, factional infighting, who knows!" Winter cut Villetta off, clearly wanting to deliver orders quickly under the circumstances as Adam broke free from Suzaku and ran into the smoke.
"Zero escaped into the west-neighbouring alley, re-direct search parties to my position!" She ordered while firing blindly through the smoke towards the broken window to try and prevent Adam's assumed pursuit.
"Understood!" Villetta confirmed while Winter cut the call.
"Belladonna, are you unharmed?" Winter called through the Knightmare's speakers.
"I'm fine! But Adam's… Wait he's there! On your left!" he called, locating Adam after quickly surveying the room.
Blood… I must have hit him Winter noted after looking towards the injured faunus, grasping angrily at his sheathed sword which glowed with red energy.
I'll have to place the next one with more precision. she thought while aiming the Knightmare's gun towards Adam's head.
"RAAAGH!" Adam cried as he pulled out his sword, whereupon the Knightmare's internal monitor was filled with a red glow.
The last day had not been pleasant for Ruby Rose.
To begin, last night, she'd accidentally stumbled into a dust store robbery in the middle of Vale, while trying to find a specific old dust circuit she was only likely to find therein. Or, more precisely, the robbers stumbled into her.
But that hadn't been a problem – A few swings & shots with her High Caliber Sniper-Scythe Crescent Rose and most of the would-be robbers were disabled, with only their leader Roman Torchwick managing to escape with the help of a particularly powerful semblance wielder. Next was the pseudo-interrogation that had come afterwards.
Things there had also gone well. After answering a few questions, she'd been personally invited to Beacon Academy, the huntsman school she aspired to attend, by the headmaster Professor Ozpin. It had been a dream.
A dream that soon shattered, as Britannian soldiers surrounded her on Vale's streets not half an hour after she'd accepted the headmaster's offer. Denied any chance at speaking to her family or friends(/nice work colleagues), she'd been whisked away to Area 5 on charges of conspiracy to assassinate a member of the royal family. But that was fine, if a little stressful. She was innocent after all, and she was confident the system would soon set her free.
That confidence, similarly, had been shattered within hours as she was told she faced imminent execution for her 'crimes'. Later that night the sentence was mitigated to await a trial, but her interrogator, which for some reason changed from a 'Jeremiah Gottwald' to one 'Kewell Soresi' within those hours, assured her it was but a formality, and that her fate was all but sealed. But she was confident that the extra time she'd been given meant there was a chance she could be found innocent.
Only for that confidence to, once again, be shattered, as she was paraded before the people of Area 5 as a criminal assassin. But she still hadn't done anything suspicious, she'd never even been late with homework – at least not for any of the subjects that really mattered in her opinion – so surely there was still some hope she'd be released?
And then she was publicly rescued from captivity by terrorists.
Hope: Shattered.
This brief recollection of the absolute worst day of her life was all Ruby could think about as the mysterious terrorist 'One' shoved her onto the back of a motorcycle which 'Zero' had somehow managed to barter from the original owners skulking in this alleyway, for the low low price of absolutely nothing.
"P1, you drive. Q2, you accompany him." Zero ordered.
"What!? No we need to go back for-" The black-haired 'Q2' whose face was hidden behind a purple-black visor and was apparently friends – or maybe something else? - with Adam Taurus tried to argue.
"Q2, think!" Zero exclaimed, grabbing her by the arm before she went back to the warehouse, "Taurus is after the two of us. Suzaku stayed to assist the Britannians in holding him off. More soldiers and Knightmares are probably pouring in as we speak. Go back, and you'll be captured or killed."
"But I can't just-"
"He'll be fine." Zero insisted, "Trust me."
While the girl seemed reluctant, Zero approached and seemed to say something too quiet for Ruby to make out. Whatever it was, the girl sagged in frustration, before nodding back to the masked man.
It looks like they really trust each other… Ruby thought, depressed by the fact literal terrorists had what she did not.
"Q1, One and I shall use the secondary escape route and split into tertiary routes to ensure our exfiltration."
"But-"
"I need you to ensure Miss Rose's safety."
"Go!" One yelled, all but throwing Q2 onto the bike and activating the accelerator to force P1 into driving.
Screeching through the abandoned alleyways their escape vehicle fled, giving Ruby a brief moment to actually consider the situation.
Ok, so I'm now kind-of-maybe a sort-of terrorist… she considered, But hey, at least I'm a Beacon student! That has to count for something, right! She tried to justify, part of her still trying to grip onto hope that was almost certainly false, before heaving a great sigh.
It's all those stupid people's fault! I'm innocent! But innocent people don't get captured by terrorists... One and Zero – what kind of names are those, anyway!? She decided, glaring angrily behind at her at the masked leaders in question, only to be caught by surprise as she realised the three were now fleeing a Sutherland which followed them down another alleyway.
The sight gave her pause – yes, their rescue had essentially ruined any chance at her claims of innocence being accepted.
But by that same admission, they had rescued her.
There was no way they knew the inner workings of the justice system she found herself in – most of the people watching seemed to believe they were headed for execution, so it followed that the terrorists would be no exception. They thought she was being unjustly executed for their crimes.
The only way they'd know anything is if they were friends with royalty or something… Yeah, and Yang's secretly a Princess. Ruby joked internally, seeing the all-but impossible odds of such a fantasy.
But in that case… They were just saving two innocent people, right?
"Hey, why'd you save me?" She asked the other two over the roar of the motorcycle engine.
"Huh?" The man, 'P1', replied, apparently not hearing her over the noise. The girl 'Q2' replied instead,
"Why? Because you didn't do anything!"
While Ruby wasn't talented at seeing through people's lies, or lying herself, or any form of deception, or anything social really, she was at least 67% sure she was telling the truth, that they'd rescued her for the simple fact she was an innocent girl in need of rescuing. That was something bad guys didn't usually do.
It was something the huntsman she so desperately wanted to be would do.
67%? I like those odds! She decided, leaping backwards off the bike as she activated her semblance, speeding off in a blur of rose petals.
"Wait! Where are you-"
"Dammit!" Lelouch, or 'Zero', cried as a bullet pierced his aura and shot through the back of his leg.
"I've got you!" Yang, or 'One', called, grabbing him and leaping into a nearby building for cover.
"In reality, I have you both!" a woman's voice called from the Knightmare pursuing them, before crashing through the damaged building's wall.
"Q1!"
"On it!" Kallen replied, grabbing onto the one of the Knightmare's legs with her weapon – a whip which seemed to possess a variable length and numerous dust infusions. While the strength of a single girl was hardly comparable to a Knightmare, a strong electrical surge coursed through the weapon and into the leg, freezing it long enough to topple the frame.
"Damn you!"
"Now I've-"
"No, stop!" Lelouch quietly hissed at Yang, "You can't use your weapons or you might be recognised, or did you think I've neglected my shield because I enjoy being shot!?"
"Hey, I won't judge."
"This isn't the time for-"
Their argument was interrupted by the Knightmare standing up once again and aiming its weapon at them.
"I suppose this is the level of co-operation expected from rabble." The pilot taunted.
"Move!"
"I know!" Yang replied, again quickly jumping to take the two out of harms way at almost supernatural speeds, just as a hail of bullets tore down the wall behind their now-past position.
Yang and I can't fight – just evade. If we could get the pilot out then… No, then I'd have to Geass Kallen to forget, and I'm still not certain why it failed earlier. Perhaps once per person, or once per some unit of time? Once per unit of time per person? Lelouch considered as his eyes flashed sliver to consider all of this within a moment, before briefly shaking his head.
Right now it's not important – I have to win this without Geass. But how do we take down a Knightmare in these conditions? The buildings are too damaged to even try and crush it, we can't move to a superior position for fear of reinforcements, we can't continue along the escape route for fear they'll track us… We could have Kallen distract it, but then she's left behind and our credibility dies. One of us could do the same but then we're captured… Left with no other options, he had to make some sacrifices, I'll have Yang join the fray – her combat style isn't unique, and her weapons are largely covered by the outfit, plus we don't have much of an audience. We'll just have to hope she can't be identified.
"One, assist Q2 and bring down the Knightmare!"
"What, but you said-"
"The situation has changed! Do it!"
"Heh. On it." She replied, immediately using her gauntlets to fly off in the direction of the Knightmare, flying past its shoulder too fast for her opponent to react, while she delivered a blow to said shoulder mid-air.
It's pure-dust weaponry, so not too effective against its armour, but they should be able to cripple it. They just… can't be hit. At all. Lelouch thought, glancing at his wounded leg while trying to assess their surroundings and come up with a plan. Realising reinforcements would be devastating, he sent Clovis a scroll message to try and redirect those forces to positions nearby – far enough to hopefully not notice the fight through the dilapidated buildings, and stay out of the way of their escape route, but near enough that a reasonable false report could be inserted without arousing too much suspicion.
That's all the strategy I can utilise, but we still need to bring down a Knightmare on our own… Lelouch decided, turning his attention to possible immediate tactics instead, Experienced Huntsman can take on Knightmares like these, so it's not impossible… If we could disable its dust-infused Sakuradite weaponry, it would even the odds considerably. He decided, realising disabling a single Knightmare weapon was far easier than disabling the entire frame.
A lesson he'd learned personally not 24 hours ago.
Immediately, he called Kallen's scroll. A second later, she tried to retreat for a moment. While the Knightmare pilot clearly tried to stop her, Yang was proving to be quite a nuisance and bought Kallen some time.
"What!?"
"Focus on removing their weapon."
"How!?"
"If you wrap your whip around the gun and activate the electricity dust, it should generate a disturbance strong enough to disable the internal mechanisms."
"Really!? Are you sure?"
"Absolutely." Lelouch lied, not at all sure whether the induced field would have such a strong effect, "Just make sure to coil the whip around the arm as much as you can. I'll distract them – get ready."
"Got it." Kallen confirmed, getting herself into position to respond to the Knightmare turning its aim on Zero.
It's unlikely they'll want to kill a potentially important captive. With that in mind…
"Heh. Do you truly believe you can defeat us?" Zero taunted, ensuring he was in full view of the pilot and that they'd be in the best orientation possible for Kallen.
"Of course!" The pilot replied, turning to aim at Zero as predicted while Yang was trying to avoid their fire, "Die, wretch!"
… I may have underestimated their frustration. Lelouch realised too late, after Yang had been completely evading the pilots fire for a full minute now. Panic suddenly gripped him as the Knightmare went to fire.
"Move!" A new voice called as Lelouch was suddenly thrown to the side, the Knightmare's fire met with naught but air and rubble.
"Argh…" Lelouch groaned after being pushed to the ground, before looking to see the face of his apparent saviour.
"Ruby!?"
"Yep!" she replied, hurriedly helping Zero to his feet as the two took cover.
"You saved my life…?" he questioned, aware that the two should effectively be enemies.
Saved by my best friend and her only sibling in the same day… Now if only Taiyang would save me I'll owe my life to the whole family.
"Well, you saved my life. And you seem nice… For a criminal."
"Oh, and you've met worse criminals for comparison?" Lelouch joked.
"… I mean, I hadn't until yesterday." Ruby replied awkwardly.
… There's something of note there Lelouch considered, before hearing the sounds of gunfire from the Britannian Knightmare
For another time. He decided, before realising that gunfire had been delayed for at least a few seconds, and possessed the firing sounds more characteristic of a dust-based weapon.
It seems the field was sufficient after all.
"Well, I appreciate your assistance. Now, if you leave quickly, you may escape before they notice you were-"
"No way! I'm helping you guys too!" she interrupted, giving Lelouch pause.
"… You're... helping criminals?"
"Well, I'm returning the favour, I guess." Ruby admitted, aware her actions weren't exactly those a huntress-in-training should choose, "Plus, I feel like if you were killed by her it'd be my fault."
"My actions are my own."
"And taken to save me." Ruby insisted, "I can help. I've even got an idea to take down that Knightmare without hurting anyone."
"… Go on." Lelouch conceded, needing all the help he could obtain at this moment.
"Those Sutherlands are a slightly outdated version – there's a flaw in the escape mechanism: If we can apply enough force to two specific points at the same moment, it'll trigger the ejection sequence!"
"Define 'enough' and 'moment."
"Well… They'd have to be within 400 milliseconds. Punches aren't accurate enough, and I feel like your friend with the whip would have some trouble." she replied, gesturing to the two active combatants they could see fighting the Knighmare through a crumbling wall.
"Meaning 100% of our combatants aren't qualified."
"No! I mean, yes, but if we could-"
"I'm afraid I've already sustained an injury" Lelouch interrupted, gesturing to his still-healing gunshot wound to the leg, "It's not major, but I can't manoeuvrer properly."
"Then… What do we do?" Ruby replied, fear welling in her eyes while Lelouch tried to think of a solution.
I could have one of them… No, we need both distracting the pilot if we want two people to approach without notice. But how could I…
"Where are the points?" Lelouch asked.
"Uhh… Around the cockpit's lining, directly above and below the centre." Ruby answered, pointing towards the two weak spots through some of the gaps in the building's damaged walls.
"Could you reach the bottom point with enough force?" Lelouch confirmed, reaching down to pick up two broken pieces of piping that had been severed in-amongst the chaos.
"Yeah, my semblance is speed, pretty much – I can't attack at my fastest but I should be able to approach fast enough that if I hit it with this it'll trigger." Ruby affirmed, taking one of the pieces and waving it briefly to familiarise herself with the weight, "Do you think you can get the top, then?"
"I'll need some assistance for initial positioning, but I believe so." he replied.
"Then let's take down a mecha!" Ruby yelled excitedly, her silver eyes shining at the prospect.
"Have the units been diverted?" Clovis asked for confirmation, keen to ensure there were minimal issues with the colossal headache his brother's scheme was quickly becoming.
"I have, my lord." Bartley replied, "But are we sure this is wise? If you believe this pair dangerous, I believe this would be the best time to-"
"Show ourselves treacherous snakes." Clovis finished, "This is likely a test of our loyalty, to ensure we will provide support even when such an opportunity presents itself." he deduced.
"But the reaction showed upon Brigadier Schnee's refusal-"
"Suggests our friend may have genuinely encountered a blot in the canvas, true." he conceded, "But if we move against them and they escape, then what?"
"We could claim not to have received the message?"
"And prove ourselves to be liars or incompetent? Perhaps both? No, we assist for now, and will re-assess the situation when this disaster is over and done with. I believe this alliance will be beneficial overall, at least in the medium term." he decided, rubbing his forehead slightly with his thumb and index finger to massage the growing headache, before wincing at the mild pain such a movement generated in his still-healing gunshot wound.
Well, you certainly know how to make an entrance, brother… Dead for eight years, then shooting a crown Prince and rescuing two innocent captives, all the while hiding your true existence and forming a figure to rally behind.
He glanced at the screen with an equal amount of frustration and disbelief.
Within a day.
Clovis couldn't help but sigh at the speed his admittedly frivolous rule had been rudely and thoroughly trounced.
Hold still, dammit! Villetta internally screamed while firing another volley into her two opponents, only for it to be avoided by the agile One, who seemed to jump from floor to wall to wall to floor, even changing direction mid-air just as Villetta thought she might land a hit.
While she'd managed to wrench the whip from the unknown terrorist, it had somehow come at the cost of her anti-personnel dust-infused Sakuradite weaponry. Now left with only traditional dust-based rifles, the battle had evened into one of attrition. Just as Villetta's shots slowly wore down the two obviously trained combatant's auras, so too did there blows gradually dent, damage and destroy her Sutherland's armour.
No… This works to my advantage… she realised upon reminding herself of the situation, blocking an attack as One came flying from a building, but at the expense of a more minor blow connecting with the Knightmare's leg as the other terrorist attacked from another angle.
I've already wounded Zero, it will be difficult for him to escape on his own, and we're within allied territory. A drawn-out battle will see me victorious in the war. That blur which saved him is still a concern, though…
Unfortunately, while her opponents were far from overwhelming, she wasn't granted enough leeway to break off long enough to check on that situation.
Dealing with these two comes first… she concluded, giving her full focus to the fight at hand.
Without her weapon, the unknown terrorist was clearly the more vulnerable opponent, prompting Villetta to focus her attacks there, only targeting One when necessary for defence or they were clearly vulnerable.
This strategy soon saw the balance shift once again: With the other terrorist unable to do more than dodge and flee, One's vulnerabilities only grew with the need to defend an ally on their back foot.
While the terrorist's aura diminished, so too did the strength of One's attacks. Create distance between the Knightmare and terrorist, shoot at them to cause damage and force One back to defend, then reload before they could close the distance. For about a minute this pattern continued, and in that short time the terrorist's aura had been all but erased, while One was running low and, if their expression was to be believed, so was their ammo.
Fools. You thought two amateurs could take on a Knightmare? The anti-personnel weaponry is useful, but it is not the sole source of a Knightmare's strength. Villetta scoffed, her victory growing closer by the minute.
For a moment, One seemed to glance up, before re-focusing on the Knightmare. While the gesture was a tad unexpected, more concerning was One rapidly repositioning to Villetta's right.
Giving up on your ally? She wondered, levelling the gun at the weapon-less terrorist. Before she could shoot, One's momentum snapped towards Villetta.
As if I'm that slow! Villetta quickly turned the gun on One. While they were fast, the movement of the gun was faster.
Villetta pulled the trigger, blasting One at point blank range. While the enemy hadn't been killed, she could see their aura flickering, and she knew no singular attack could ever hope to beat her Frame in its current state.
Best not to take chances though. Villetta decided with a smug grin, rapidly reversing the Knightmare while pulling out her final dust-based sidearm to finish off the foe before her. The dodge proved to be a prudent choice, as One's last blow somehow seemed orders of magnitude more powerful than the rest, the missed punch creating a gust of wind that flew into Villetta's Knightmare and pushed her back against a crumbling building.
I win!
Just as she believed her victory assured, she heard a loud clang ring through the Knightmare. A ringing sound pierced the cockpit, seeming to come from both above and below. Not enough to damage the Knightmare, nor to disorient Villetta, but still a moment of discomfort ran through her, hesitating for but a moment.
A moment which proved to be decisive.
"Ejection System Activated."
"What!? No, cancel-" Villetta tried to interfere, but her order was too slow to countermand the process. Instead, her cockpit flew out of the Knightmare into the night sky.
But how- Zero!? She realised, fuming at the fact she'd been defeated despite what should have been overwhelming firepower.
Are you behind this!?
"We… We did it!" Ruby cheered, still in disbelief that her plan had actually worked.
I mean I knew the flaw was there but the hits still had to be really precise and when Zero was all 'put me on top of the building, all I need do is fall' I was kinda worried he'd screw up the angle and we'd be caught and now I'm actually a traitor and that's really bad but-
"I believe congratulations are in order, Miss Rose." Zero interrupted her adrenaline-fuelled thoughts.
"Oh, no no no no that was just-"
"That was just saving our lives." One interrupted her adrenaline-fuelled speech, slapping her on the back in apparent thanks.
Ow! Dammit, you're worse than Yang… Ruby thought, rubbing her back slightly for emphasis.
"Indeed. You have our thanks, as I'm sure we have yours. But time is short." Zero reminded them, cutting off further discussion, "The Britannians will soon be upon us. Q1, you escort Miss Rose through escape route beta."
"And do what with her?"
"Take her to safehouse designation… F" Zero decided, the safety of each now in question with the chaos preceding them, "As I'm injured I'll only slow you down. One and I will retreat through route delta. We shall contact you soon." he assured Q1, before he and One made off in a direction Ruby was sure didn't align with there's.
"Wait!" Q1 called, halting their retreat.
Wait!? Why wait!? We had trouble with one Knightmare! You wanna try a squad!? Ruby internally panicked, well aware a single Knightmare could likely defeat them at this point, or recognise her at the very least.
"Did you… Did you plan all this?" she asked, everyone's attention now acutely focused on her, "Kewell letting us go, Schnee disobeying, freeing these two, the White Fang appearing, fighting them when the Britannians found us… You've rescued her," she said, pointing at Ruby, "Made sure we couldn't go back to the Fang" she said, gesturing towards herself, "Made sure the Britannians know we're not with them" she said, gesturing back in the direction of the parade, "And probably just started a coup in the military's ranks." she finished listing off the events of the evening, "Did you… Did you know this would happen from the start?"
At her words, Zero shifted from One's support, standing tall despite the wound Ruby was sure must really hurt, while all attention now focused on him.
So cool… Ruby thought despite herself.
"Of course."
A/N:
So the chapter ended up getting delayed by a week as feared because January has been extremely busy for me - next chapter may also be 3 weeks instead of 2, but after that 2 weeks should be the norm again.
I also wanted highlight something 'Successul World is a Nice Rel' mentioned in a review - in the previous chapter, Kallen did not see the Geass effect around Blake's eyes - I don't believe anyone in-universe has observed the Geass effects nor symbol revolving around eyes. I've slightly edited that line to make it clearer that it's just a way to show the audience Blake's been Geass'd, so if you read that chapter after today this note is pointless, but to anyone currently reading I thought it'd be best to clarify that.
Other than that it's just the usual - thank you for reading, and if you've got any thoughts, feedback, questions etc. please let me know in the reviews! As far as I'm aware there were only two questions, and they've been answered within the chapter and this note. I do read them all, even though I don't respond because I dislike how FFN handles review replies, so I'll probably start answering any questions in author's notes going forward.