Chapter Thirteen: Escalation

The storm, like all storms, eventually passed.

By the time it did, it had been howling for days. The power was lost during the night of the first, and floodwater seeped into the basement. Lelouch ended up having to sponge up the stuff as it seemed through the cracks and put it into buckets. The water had been coming in so quickly that by the time you'd washed it away, more had come.

Soon they had to work in shifts. No one had any time for conversation, and they all moved away from the windows. This proved a very good thing because several of them were shattered in the winds.

But it did pass.

Now Lelouch looked over some maps of the Tokyo Settlement, with Milly across from him. She looked tired and had not been able to muster up the energy for any mischief. Some general plans had been put together, and they were finalizing some of them.

And then the door opened, and Nunnally entered, pushed by Sayoko. "Oh, Nunnally, there you are," said Lelouch. "We didn't know you were up?"

"Mistress Nunnally was eager to see how things were going," said Sayoko, looking tired. Everyone was tired. Discussions last night had been extensive, and no one had slept well. Kallen had outright missed it.

More than anything, Lelouch wanted to crawl into bed for a bit.

But at the moment, people needed him, so he, and they, would have to push through. They would need to be ready to act as soon as the time came. Rivalz was checking the wind on the deck now. It had lowered a bit, but not too safe levels.

"That's right," said Nunnally. "I thought my big brother had some plan to help people when all this blew over." Then she sensed his exhaustion. "...Is something wrong?

"What are you looking at, Lelouch?"

"An ideal location on the map, in theory," said Lelouch, looking to the map. "Tokyo Tower is on the border between the ghetto and the main settlement. If we were to set up shop here, we could feed both Britannians and Japanese people. It's strategic and would allow maximum accessibility."

"So why do you sound so sad?" asked Nunnally.

"Nunnally I..." Lelouch considered how to say it.

"Most Britannians are racist, Nunnally," said Milly in a tired tone. "If we start giving out charity, someone is going to demand that elevens eat second. If we refuse, there could be an incident, and if we say yes, it'll be betraying our principles."

"Maybe there's a better place," said Nunnally.

"There is," said Lelouch. "We're going to set up shop somewhere the elevens can't get to us easily. Distance should do the rest. Hostile design can be a powerful deterrent."

"What? But why?" asked Nunnally.

"If we serve Britannians and elevens, it will be dangerous," said Lelouch. "No matter how we react, it could wreck things for us. So it's far better if we just don't get put in that position."

"But people can change for the better, Lelouch," said Nunnally. "We have to give them a chance."

"Maybe, but it would have to happen slowly," said Lelouch. "A lot of people out there are... misguided. If we try to force what we believe on them, even if it's right, it'll backfire."

"Also, it won't be right," said Milly. "I'm sorry, Nunnally, we can't serve both races at once. It could be a major disaster."

"Right, well, in a few years, that won't be a problem," said Nunnally. "As long as we treat everyone the same, in the end, people will come around."

"I'm sure they will, Nunnally," said Lelouch. "Sayoko, how are the repairs coming?"

"We've covered all of the broken windows with tarps," said Sayoko. "And also thrown out a number of books that became waterlogged. I'm afraid you never read any of them."

"I was preserving them in case the Emperor decided to ban them," said Lelouch. "That doesn't mean I'm interested in anything they have to say. Alternative viewpoints should be respected, even if you ignore them."

"By which you mean you hardly ever read," said Milly playfully. "And don't want to get caught looking foolish." There was laughter at that, but before Lelouch could reply, a door opened, and Rivalz was on the other side.

"Lelouch, buddy," said Rivalz. "Wind has completely died down.

"We can go out now."

"Right, thanks, Rivalz," said Lelouch. "Get the others and time, then we'll proceed with operations immediately."

"Actually, uh, about that, Rolo was interested in helping out a bit. That okay?" asked Rivalz.

"I suggested it," said Nunnally. "I think he could help out a lot."

"If something comes up that I can use him for, sure," said Lelouch. "We have plenty of allies. Shirley's swim club helps out too."

And so it was that the Student Council ventured out into the Ashford Academy campus. It seemed almost a lifetime since they'd been out here, although it had only been a few days. Many of the trees had been wrenched from their roots; broken windows were all along with it. A car had been sent spiraling into the compass from the parking lot. And the law was strewn with debris.

A glance over to the settlement showed a vast stretch of buildings with no lights on. Power poles had been thrown across the streets, and some of the lower areas had water that was ankle-deep. You could see it on the people venturing out there.

It was impossible to imagine that this world had moments before been a bright one. Then again, it never had been. Security was an illusion.

"Is it over?" asked Shirley.

"I think so," said Rolo. "I've was looking over the internet with my phone before we lost all connection. It was really bad."

"How bad?" asked Kallen, stunned.

"It's not just us, Ms. Stadtfeld," said Rolo. "There's flooding all along the coast, and a lot of buildings have collapsed. There have also been earthquakes in various places, and China has been hit hard. Storms have been rocking the coast all over. Several dams have burst, and the homeland has been ravaged just as badly."

"Lelouch, isn't there anything we can do?" asked Milly.

"I'm sure there is," said Lelouch. "But we won't find out by staying around here. Rivalz, did you get that RV set up?"

"Yeah," said Rivalz, looking a bit glassy-eyed.

"Good, head to the garage and see if it's there," said Lelouch. "Rolo, go with him and get the medical hit there if you can. Check for anyone who is injured or trapped.

"Once you're done, take a walk. I want you to scout out the area surrounding Ashford Academy and get a general sense of how bad things are here."

"What about the ghetto?" asked Kallen.

"The ghetto is far away, Kallen; we can't go anywhere until we have a target," said Milly. "Plus, there are people right here who probably need our help."

"What about us?" asked Nina.

"Shirley, Nina, head to the school and see if anybody there needs help," said Lelouch. "Nina, I want you to write up a report on the damages the school sustained. Bring this medical kit with you, just in case, and be careful."

"Right, of course," said Nina.

Lelouch turned to Kallen. "Kallen, you and I are going to do cleanup while the others carry out their duties. There's stuff all over this lawn, and it's a tripping hazard.

"We'll talk about plans while we do it."

"Right," said Kallen.

And they all got to work, clearing the detritus out of the lawn and piling it. They work gloves, of course, and worked as quickly as they could. Now and then, a hospital van would buzz by on the streets in the distance. Another had to stop when it came to one of the pools of water.

No construction vehicles seemed to be anywhere near, though.

"A car," said Kallen, looking at the broken vehicle. "A car was thrown all the way here?"

"It must have come from the parking lot. Over that way," said Lelouch. "Just be glad it didn't hit the house."

"What are we going to do about this?" asked Kallen, the devastation not having set in. Then again, it hadn't set in for Lelouch either.

"I don't know," admitted Lelouch. "I don't know what the damage is, and I can't make any decisions until I know it. These kinds of storms... we've never had anything like this before."

"Wrath of God?" asked Kallen, laughing nervously.

"Quite possibly," admitted Lelouch.

"You're serious?" asked Kallen in surprise.

"If there is a benevolent god, he has reason to be displeased," said Lelouch. "And it is possible that a lot more people have been praying lately."

"Oh, come on, there's no proof of that," said Kallen. "You really think God came down from heaven and decided to wreck Britannia?

"It's probably due to deforestation or something."

"Well, there is a good way to get evidence one way or the other," noted Lelouch. "Has Babel Tower collapsed in on itself? And how many Britannian Knightmare frames were taken out of service the storms."

Kallen thought about that. "I could uh... ask at the Purebloods?"

"Fine, do that," said Lelouch. "Right now, we have to deal with what is happening around us."

And they did that.

The work started in the early morning before the sun had even risen over the horizon. They worked at it for hours as morning came about. During this time, traffic increased a great deal, mostly ambulances. However, there were also a few noble means of transport that headed for the Viceroy.

One tried to drive through the puddles and got stuck. The noble had been forced to walk out of it. His fine clothes were wrecked and soaked, and he had to walk away.

"Where are the police?" asked Lelouch. "Shouldn't they be... putting up warning signs or controlling the traffic?"

"How should I know?" asked Kallen. "I want to know where the construction crews are. I haven't seen even one out there, and that's a main. Where are they right now?"

No answers were forthcoming.

Eventually, Rolo came back, running up to him at an easy gait. "Mr. Lamprouge?!"

Lelouch laughed. "You don't have to call me Mr. Lamprouge, Rolo. Just because I'll kneecap you in a heartbeat doesn't mean I'll do it without reason."

Rolo stopped and blinked. "Um..."

"It was a joke," said Kallen.

"Oh, right, I didn't realize," said Rolo. "There are a lot of blocks out there that lost power. Entire sections of the city have flat out shut down, a lot of people don't have running water. The construction crews are operating, but with everything that has happened..."

"It will be a while," noted Lelouch.

"However," said Rolo. "I called up the power company. They are restoring power first to the Viceroy's palace and the military, then to the nobility, and last of all to um... everyone else.

"Those are the priorities."

That could be weeks.

People could end up very bad off if they were left like this. The construction crews in the Tokyo Settlement were going to be working overtime. So, Lelouch needed to respond to this crisis. "Alright then.

"Our priority is to help the Britannians first. Find me a spot easily accessible by most poor Britannians but difficult to reach for the elevens."

"What, why?" said Kallen. "Don't the ghettos need our help more than anything?" Oh right, she'd gone to bed first before the discussion. He should have filled her in earlier.

"First, because the roads in the ghettos are going to be all down," said Lelouch. "Holes could have opened up in the street. We're no good to anyone drowning ourselves. Second, if we have both Britannian and eleven customers, sooner or later, there will be a fight sooner or later.

"I want to operate on the principle of 'separate but equal' at least until the races are less hostile. Besides, we've been operating purely in the ghettos for months. Why is it wrong to operate purely in the Tokyo settle for a few days when they need it?"

"What if elevens show up anyway?" asked Kallen accusingly.

"Then we'll serve them like anyone else and pray for a miracle," said Lelouch.

And finally, Rivalz got back faster than expected. "Lelouch! RV is functioning! All systems are working fine. We talked with Milly, and all the supplies we usually use are here. Even the stuff we keep refrigerated in that generator room is good." He paused. "This despite flooding.

"So, would you call that a miracle?"

"At present?" asked Lelouch. "I'd say the miraculous nature of our good fortune is irrelevant.

"Good, get the supplies we have stockpiled and start loading them immediately. Kallen, go with him and help him out."

"Right, sure," said Kallen.

"Um, Lelouch, we might have a problem," said Nina, running up.

Surprised at Rolo grouping himself with them, Lelouch to him with suspicion. "Yes, what is it?"

"Even if we've prepared the RV for our usual number of customers, it won't be enough," said Nina. "We're going to be operating on a much larger scale, over a longer period of time. Usually, you have a strict set of hours.

"But... you could be operating for days at a time at this rate.

"We'll run out of water and then supplies."

Lelouch nodded and moved over to Rivalz. "Rivalz, we've got a problem."

"Yeah, what is it?" asked Rivalz.

"We're going to need you to start making supply runs," said Lelouch. "Once you get the RV to the target location, you run back here right away. I need you to carry the stockpiled rations and bottled water to us. And bring some blankets if you can, some people might need them.

"I think we're going to be run off our feet."

"Right, sure," said Rivalz. "But that's a pretty long way to go, Lelouch. I mean... I'm not complaining, but I could get lost and...

"I really don't want to take that kind of hike."

"Unless there is someone else here who can pilot a motorbike," said Lelouch, "you are our only option."

"I can ride a bike," said Rolo, having walked after him.

"...Do you have a license?" asked Lelouch, looking at him. Rolo seemed too eager to join the team. Of course, he didn't look like he was eager, but his every action conspired to draw him closer. Nunnally could have been an excellent way to get into their graces.

A very paranoid part of Lelouch's mind he had not used in a long time was whirring to life.

Could he shut Rolo out here? The operation had to continue. If Rivalz got lost walking back, it could compromise the whole thing.

"Yes," said Rolo. "Um..."

"Show me the license," said Lelouch. "I'm not getting one of Nunnally's friends to get killed over this."

Rolo showed it to him, and it checked out. There was no possible way Rolo could have known to fake such a thing. And even if he did, it would be easily proven fake. "Fine, you'll do supply runs. Drive with us to the plaza, we'll unload the stuff, and then you go back and forth."

"Right," said Rolo. "Sorry, this is so abrupt.

"I admit I kind of wanted to get involved in all this."

"Congratulations," said Lelouch.

There were other preparations to make. When everything was loaded, they set on the RV. Kallen and Rolo were instructed to put up posters throughout the streets. Mostly they just told people where to go. They wouldn't need supplies for a moment.

At last, they entered a shopping plaza. One of the places the Britannian's had thrown up to serve consumers. Most of the stuff here was of poor quality and far more expensive than it ought to be. Now, however, most of the stores were smashed up with the merchandise broken and rotting.

It was dry; fortunately, the plaza itself was well-drained.

Stepping out of the RV, Lelouch noticed an area for eating, which was empty. Looking to Rivalz, they nodded to one another. Quickly they began finding the scattered tables and chairs and putting them up. A few they salvaged from other restaurants so soon they'd set out a makeshift dining area. Plates, all disposable, were set out, and the water bottles were put out on a portable table.

Kallen and Nina put out the bright signs outside the plaza for anyone passing by. Meanwhile, Shirley began cooking with Milly. At the same time, Rivalz set out the bibles and rations. Not to mention blankets as well. Lelouch hadn't even mentioned the bibles; Rivalz had done that on his own.

He supposed there was no harm, especially since Rolo would be bringing more anyway.

"Rivalz," said Lelouch. "I want you to go with Rolo on his first trip. Make sure he knows the way to this place. And also make sure he gets the inventory right."

"I think I can handle it," said Rolo.

"I'm sure you can," said Lelouch. "But getting adjusted in these situations is hard enough without a disaster-"

And then he stopped. His jaw dropped as he stood speechless at sight.

"What is it?" asked Kallen.

Babel Tower was still standing.

One by one, the lights were going on, and constructions crews, dozens of them by the looks of things, were working. Had... had they bribed someone? Or had it been considered an essential industry? Lelouch had gone to that place many times, soon the prostituted girls and tried not to think about it.

Gambling was important for him to maintain his finances.

But...

"They're rebuilding Babel Tower," said Shirley. "But... what about the people here?"

It had to be a hallucination. Some sort of mass fever dream that all of them were sharing by unknown psychic connections. But it didn't disappear, no matter how many times Lelouch looked at it. The entire Tokyo settlement was being ravaged, and Prince Clovis had...

He was restoring power to the modern answer to Soddom and Gamora before his own settlement?!

"It's uh... well, it does provide a lot of services," said Rolo. "Gambling, food, companionship. And a lot of deals are made there by people. So maybe it was judged as an essential business.

"Nobles do need somewhere to meet about things, don't they?"

"...Quit while you're behind," said Lelouch. "Alright, everyone, back to work. What Clovis or government does is their own business. We've got a job to do, and we attend to that."

Lelouch felt absolutely miserable. Miserable, bitter, and angry as he waited and worked to try and clean up the place a bit before people arrived. It turned out that some of the pipes were working. The water was dirty, not drinkable, but they could use it to clean. He focused the anger and hatred he felt now into working.

It helped him move quickly, and it was more manageable.

But by the time the first people arrive, he felt no happier. Even so, he hid it and smiled in that friendly way he always did. Moving forward, he greeted them as they came. "Welcome, please, to the Ashford Academy Kitchen. If you want a meal, you can just come this way, and I'll seat you. Please, don't mind the other guests, we've got a lot of people here who need help.

"We have water available and rations. If you wish to wait for a more formal meal, Milly and Shirley should finish up soon."

And work began, and oddly enough, was not memorable at first. The people coming here were better dressed and fed. But they were in a truly miserable state mentally, having lost many of their belongings. There were children among them too, and many of them dug into their food with clear hunger.

It quickly became apparent that some of these people had not eaten in days. Their cellars had been filled with water. Or their houses had been flooded. A few told stories of having to flee onto rooftops in howling winds.

They ran out of blankets quickly, and water was a scarce resource. Pretty soon, Rolo was coming with almost exclusively those.

There were more than enough Britannians who needed his help here. Lelouch was in no position to go to the ghetto at this point.

And then the inevitable happened.

A group of elevens, probably Honorary Britannians, came forward. They were better dressed than those they served in the ghetto. But they were recognizable and the people here. They were desperate, beaten, were looking for someone to blame.

Lelouch looked to Milly, nodded, and hurried off.

"Hey, where do you elevens think you're going? We're Britannians; we ought to go first!" said a man behind.

Lelouch stepped between them at lightning pace. "Excuse me sir; I'm really sorry about all this. But this is not a standard situation. The rules we laid out before indicate that people are served as they come. We weren't expecting to have any eleven customers in this location, but we have to serve them.

"If we change the rules for you, we'll have to do it for everyone. And then this entire operation will fall into chaos.

"If you'll just wait a little while, I'll direct you to a location where you won't have to deal with one another. But for the moment, we have a policy of separate but equal."

This seemed to satisfy them. "Right, sure, of course."

Lelouch looked to the men. "Gentlemen, move on in.

"Rivalz, could you find them a place to sit, please."

"Right, of course," said Rivalz. "Let me get you guys to a place you won't be disturbed."

And they hurried off.

Lelouch hoped the Honorary Britannians didn't take it personally. But, he didn't have time to look their way. Because Shirley hurried up, having been minding the water bottles. "Lelouch?"

"Yes, what is it?" asked Lelouch, walking with her to one side.

"We're running low on water," said Shirley. "More people are arriving all the time, and the ones that are already here get seconds.

"A lot of these people were incredibly thirsty; we're liable to run out."

A water filter.

If Lelouch had bought a water filter, he could have purified the stuff they had access to. But it hadn't occurred to him until now, and it was too late. Where was he supposed to-?

This was the plaza—a former shopping mall.

Lelouch nodded. "Get some plastic cups from the RV. When someone asks for water, tell Nina to pour them a cup of it hand them that. Some might be satisfied with just that, so it'll buy us some time.

"Also, get Rivalz to take a look around here for any water filters that we might be able to use here."

"You want to rob the stores?" asked Shirley.

"We're in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, Shirley," said Lelouch. "These places are probably going to get robbed anyway. Leave the money on the table if you really must.

"Just don't use the water filters except as an absolute last resort. I'm not sure the water would be drinkable even then."

But it was all a moot point.

Rolo arrived in the latest of many trips, not looking tired at all. Which told Lelouch he was used to something takin to this. But he simply smiled, congratulated Rolo, and told him to bring lots of water and nothing else. By now, many of the bibles had been taken. They were being read while the blankets were being put to use.

People were starting to talk.

"Has there been any word on the construction?" asked one.

"I hear they finished the Viceroy palace and are moving on to the noble's houses," said another.

"Great," said another. "That means we might have power by the end of the day. Not gonna do me any good, though. My house is wrecked.

"Why are they repairing Babel Tower and not us?"

"Damn nobility don't care if the whole country goes to hell. Not so long as they get their booze and whores," muttered another.

"Don't talk like that; someone might report it," said another.

"Well, let them report it," said another. "What are they going to do? Kick me out of my house? Give me lower priority than a bunch of Sicilian Gangsters. Scum, who didn't even put the work in to become Honorary Britannians?" There were murmurs of agreement and also anger.

"This is uh..." Milly paused. "Bad."

"Excuse me," said Lelouch. "I hear what you're saying, but this kind of conversation isn't going to help the situation. There are huge numbers of people who are trapped, while others lack running water.

"I think that it might be better to focus on improving the situation we are in right now."

"And what do you suggest, schoolboy?" asked a man.

"Well, there are vast pools of water in the street that have not been marked off," said Lelouch ruefully. "So far as I know, the police are making no effort to do so. If something could just put some traffic cones in front of those places, it could save lives.

"Also, given that many places lack water, we have to find a good water source they can get. The one here is tainted, and we've been using prepackaged water we had stored up.

"In addition, given that there are vast numbers of loose wires, some streets will be death traps. If someone could find those areas and mark them off, we could prevent any kids from wandering in. Not to mention, evacuate anyone who is stuck in there.

"Though we might have to knock in some walls."

"Why don't you do that then?" asked someone.

"I would," said Lelouch. "But I'm leading this group."

"...Get me some traffic cones," said a man as he stood up.

"I don't have any," said Lelouch. "But, we are in a shopping mall, and someone is going to rob this place after we're gone anyway. So I think we should take what we need to ensure the safety of the Tokyo settlement."

And that was how everything spiraled out of control.

All of sudden, people were starting to listen to what he had to say. When he gave them suggestions, they followed them. Traffic cones were found, and a number of volunteers went out to put them out—all under the instruction of former police officers who left the force. Most of them had after Milner was appointed. Others, led by people who'd had experience in construction, went off to deal with the loose wires.

Pretty soon, people came to him with suggestions, and he directed them to people who knew better. What had begun as a mere charity was now becoming a large humanitarian task force. Soon people would come out of nowhere for a meal and ask for marching orders. Others would give up updates, on cares left clogging up the streets.

Plans were soon set in place to move them and clear things up, though Lelouch vetoed anything too risky. Instead, he sent people to try and find supplies and equipment—all to perform the necessary tasks of restoring the settlement. At one point, they ran out of food, only to receive donations from people who hadn't lost everything.

By the time Kallen got back from putting out posters, she had looked tired. "Lelouch, I'm back. We've put up all the posters as you wanted. I hear that everybody is asking you for instructions on how to fix the place.

"More good news.

"There are a group of Honorary Britannian soldiers undertaking rescue efforts. But they could use a lot of help."

"We're not in a position to help anyone except ourselves, Kallen," said Lelouch. "I'm still trying to get people out of this area. And if I start telling them to march over to the ghettos, it'll destroy my credibility.

"I'm not the leader; I'm an organizer in a position of influence."

"Great," said Kallen. "So we're leaving the entire eleven population out to dry."

"I can't save every single person on the planet, Kallen," said Lelouch. "You might as well complain that we're not helping starving people in China. There is no point in doing a faraway humanitarian aid mission when your backyard is a flaming ruin.

"What exactly do you want me to do about all this?"

Kallen paused and raised a hand in thought. She considered it, then laughed. "...You're right. There really isn't anything more I can reasonably expect you to do. Rolo, stop, don't go yet."

"Yes?" said Rolo. "What is it, Ms. Stadtfeld."

"I need a lift to the Pureblood HQ," said Kallen. "I'm going to see if I can get us some help from there."

"I'm going too," said Milly. "I want to give Clovis a piece of my mind-"

"You are not going anything," said Lelouch.

"Yes, I am!" said Milly, turning to him. "It's bad enough what is happening in the ghettos. But this is-" Lelouch kissed her, and she stopped as he put his hands on her shoulders.

"Milly," said Lelouch. "There is a time and place for everything. Clovis has chosen to move a certain way. Even if you could convince him it was a bad idea, it's too late now.

"I need you here. And if you do something unwise, it could kill everything we've built.

"All tasks at hand have to be cleared before we do anything else."

"Right," said Milly. "...When power gets back on, I intend to make some phone calls then."

"Good," said Lelouch. "Go ahead, Kallen. We'll hold down the fort here then until you get back. Oh, ask for some more emergency rations while you're there.

"And call your parents. Ask them what is going on and if there is any way to restore power early or help these people."

"You all seem to be doing a pretty good job of helping yourselves," said Kallen.

Lelouch had no idea why people cheered at that.