Chapter Thirteen: The Diplomat
It was mid-morning now in the longest day of Lelouch's life.
One thing after another came in. News of injured people came to him, and he had them moved to the hospital. Vehicles were salvaged and repurposed to carry teams to clear out streets. People were medical experience were assigned to deal with people injured on the job. Though thankfully, there were a few of them.
But Lelouch had to account for every possible problem. And one of them was the border between the Tokyo Settlement and the Ghetto. So he'd gone through the people he'd made contact with and put out a call for former police. When he hadn't gotten any of them, he'd put out a call for gun owners. Milly managed to supply a lot of former police uniforms by raiding some of the undamaged clothes. However, it had taken some mixing and matching.
Now they stood a rough approximation of an army, doing their best to stand to attention. Some were former soldiers and actually did very well.
"Attention!" said former Police Chief Aklan, a burly, white-haired man who was wearing his old uniform. He gave Lelouch a glance that said he didn't think much of his troops. Lelouch tried not to appear intimidated.
Most police were drawn from war veterans. Aklan had gotten to middle age in a career where most people die young or leave. So he decided to treat lightly. "You men are all gun owners, and many of you have some military experience. While this would ordinarily be a task I leave to higher matters; we've run out of time. Captain Milner and his forces are nowhere to be seen, and no word has come down on when they will be.
"Public order may soon break down, and so we are going to have to provide it for ourselves if that happens.
"To this end, you will be split into two groups. The first will patrol the streets and assist anyone in need. Make your presence known and make sure people know Britannia has not lost control at least until Prince Clovis can resume control.
"The second group will be tasked with the defense of the settlement. Criminals have established a parasitic empire over the elevens. It is one that has caused us serious problems before now. Given the current situation, I'm concerned organized crime may use this opportunity.
"You will be posted along the border, and your task will be to make them think twice about invading.
"This is Security Force Captain Aklan, former Police Chief of the Tokyo. Some of you already know him. He will elaborate."
"Alright, listen up, men," barked Aklan. "None of you have had the proper training to make arrests or do any kind of raid. All we need right now is a lawful presence. The uniforms on you are costumed, but they'll seem much the same at a glance afar. That'll be enough to deter most problems, and the guns should do the rest.
"Each of you has been assigned to a squad with someone who has done police work. You are to trek through the streets and take up a visible position at key chokepoints. Then you stand there and demand anyone who passes by give up their guns and be on their best behavior."
"What good is that going to do?" asked one.
"Most of the eleven criminals who might take advantage will be looking for an easy mark," said Aklan. "Numbers are cowards if they don't have a position of advantage. The moment they see armed men on the border, they'll be chased off. Of course, it won't work indefinitely, but it should buy time for order to be restored.
"Last of all; Don't shoot anyone who isn't a threat. If somebody gets killed, we're liable to get a resistance group down here. This is more a bluff than an actual checkpoint. We can't afford to have a pitched battle when the streets aren't even movable.
"Other than, so long as they disarm, let them through." He had not approved of the last one, but it was a calculated risk. With tensions being what they were, Lelouch doubted anyone would give up their gun. Let alone to a police officer. "Understand?"
"Yes, sir!" They said.
"Good," said Aklan. "Then get to the transports."
The transports, as it turned out, were several moving vans and a number of delivery trucks. All had been stripped down for maximum space. They went into them, getting in as best they could shut the doors, and drove off.
Lelouch, more than ever, felt foolish. Like he was a child pointing a toy gun at a Knightmare frame. "Thank you for your assistance, Captain. I'm completely unqualified for this position. I doubt they'd have taken me seriously."
"In that case, you're still more qualified than Milner," muttered Akbar. "Thirty years as an occupation police officer on a dozen fronts, and I get forced into retirement by a thug. Either way, I'd appreciate you don't give me any orders in my own area of expertise." There was a warning in his tone.
"I wouldn't dream of it, of course," said Lelouch.
And he immediately hurried away.
By this time, the soup kitchen had run its course. Milly and Shirley had used their last supplies and were no longer cooking. Instead, they'd recruited a large number of people. They began cooking on portable grills with batteries. They were also trying some solar cooking, which was well, because they had many more clients. Shirley oversaw that the food was all made to avoid allergies, while Milly was on other tasks.
Nina was some distance off, documenting their supplies as they came in. Meanwhile, Rivalz was undertaking salvage operations. "Milly, what's the status?"
"We've managed to salvage safety equipment to help the clearance teams," said Milly. "Masks, gloves, rubber coats. It isn't professional, but it should help them. We've already sent them out and equipped people.
"I made contact with the local firefighters. They've accepted the offer of assistance."
"And the search for a warehouse to shelter in?" asked Lelouch. A lot of people didn't have a home to return to.
"Rivalz is taking charge of that," said Milly. "They've got search teams scanning the area."
"Good, good," said Lelouch.
"You're getting pretty good at this," noted Milly in amusement.
"Well, once you've been held up at gunpoint, you start to learn how to work all the angles," said Lelouch, feeling tired.
It was at this point that a motorcycle drove into sight. It moved slowly forward, and Lelouch saw Leila Malcal, dressed in a blue coat with white lace. "Lelouch Lamperouge, I presume?
"I'm something of a fan of your work."
Lelouch moved forward before murmurs could start, offering a hand. "...Leila Malcal, a diplomat of the EU. I'm honored you have such an interest in me, but we're a bit busy."
Leila took the hand. "Ah, yes, I see that. I've come here to observe the post-disaster situation with my own eyes. I wasn't expected such a well-ordered response from civilians."
"It's not really that hard," admitted Lelouch smiling. "I made a few suggestions and did what I could to help, and everyone started asking for directions. Most of the time, they already know what needs to be done, so long as you put them in their field of choice.
"Where have you come from?"
"My lodging in the governor's palace," said Leila, looking at him with calculating eyes. "We were reduced to emergency power, but it has since been restored. Prince Clovis assures me the worst has passed."
Lelouch choked, finding it entirely believable, but knowing he couldn't say as much. What was she doing out here? "...Is that a poor attempt at humor, Leila Macal?"
"Perhaps not in those words. But the government seems to have little concern for what happens out here," noted Leila. "Perhaps it is merely their true disposition showing in a time of crisis.
"Clovis plans to resume his festival."
"Festival?" asked Milly, coming up. "What do you mean festival? Half of the settlement is underwater? I mean... I'm all for bread and circuses; I used to love throwing parties. But is this really the time?"
"I did think it in poor taste," said Leila, and Lelouch guessed it was a calculated decision. She had chosen to wait for him near a lot of other people. "But many people paid money, or favors or other more important things to attend. So Prince Clovis may feel an obligation to those he gains legitimacy from. He is calling for replacement supplies from all across Area 11, even Taiwan.
"Vast effort is being put into ensuring it goes uninterrupted."
"That's a lie!" said a man. "There's no way Prince Clovis or the nobility would do that! She's an EU diplomat; she's trying to turn us against one another."
But there were doubtful murmurs among some. Negative feelings had been very high. And as those murmurs happened, some of the more patriotic looked on in concern. This situation had to be brought into hand.
"You may believe what you will," said Leila. "Wait for the lights tonight, if you doubt me. I have an invitation right here." And she raised one, and Lelouch saw it. It was freshly printed out, labeled for this very day. It must have shown on his face because murmurs got worse. "Alright, quiet down, everyone. All of you, go see if one of the existing teams needs help.
"Whether Clovis is holding a small gathering with a few friends has no bearing on what we are doing right now. It is probably an event where they will discuss their response to the crisis. We're not the only city in need of help; maybe some other areas are so bad off they can't spare anyone for us.
"What is happening in that meeting, however, is irrelevant. Attend to the task at hand and speculate when lives are not on the line. Now get back to work."
They nodded and moved off, and Lelouch led Leila away from the main crowd. She was calculating now, trying to figure out how likely a rebellion was. If Area 11 were somehow seized, the EU would want to know about the colonials.
"Does Prince Clovis realize how this will look?" asked Lelouch. "This could severely damage his image. Do you know what you did by making that announcement?"
"I do not think he has considered how it will look," said Leila. "Given that throwing lavish parties and being praised seems to be one of the things he is best at. It may be considered a triumph of the will."
"Satan's fall from heaven could be considered a triumph of the will," said Lelouch. "These people are trying to save lives. They've been working together, on a scale never seen before, to save their city.
"And you are distracting them with rampant conspiracy theories!"
"Are they not complicit in the actions of their society?" asked Leila. "Shouldn't they know what they have done?"
"Aren't you?" asked Lelouch. "The Bolshevik's got into power on an EU ticket."
"Of course, I am complicit," said Leila. "I am fully aware that I am complicit in many unjust actions taken for my government. It does not matter if they were not my choice. Because I am associated with the EU, I bear the shame of their crimes.
"Do they not benefit from Britannia and do nothing to help those less fortunate?"
"How many people do you actually know who have been victimized by Britannia?" asked Lelouch, curious.
Leila opened her mouth.
Then she shut it because she was the adopted daughter of the EU's business elite. People who secluded themselves in riches, appointing their pet favorites to power. There were rumors they were planning to cut a deal with Britannia. Now they were just dragging out the war for maximum profit. "I know of them."
"I know quite a few," said Lelouch. "Myself included. That's why I started a soup kitchen and how I got here. I don't want anyone to suffer the way I suffered, the way those close to me have suffered.
"Now, I don't have any more time to spare on this. So do you want to help me save the Tokyo Settlement?"
Leila shifted under his gaze. "Yes."
"Good," said Lelouch. "Can you get a meeting with Prince Clovis?"
"I ate breakfast with him," said Leila.
"Then could you Prince Clovis to try and get him to change his mind about his priorities in this operation?" asked Lelouch. "Take some construction crews from Babel Tower and send them down here. Maybe make civilian housing a higher priority.
"Nobles generally have houses less likely to get flooded anyway.
"They're in better areas."
Leila shifted uneasily. "Are you asking me for a favor?"
Was she trying to recruit him or establish him as a contact? "I am asking you to do the right thing.
"Until the Tokyo Settlement is back online, I can do nothing for anyone outside it. Getting some basic power back to major places the common man uses will help a lot. And it will also improve his image, people are not happy right now, and they are looking for someone to blame.
"Just make a few suggestions; if he ignores them, fine.
"If you don't want to do that... I'm not going to bribe you."
"You're asking me to act contrary to the best interests of the EU," said Leila out loud. "If Area 11 suffers a breakdown of industry and communication, it could delay the war a great deal. That could buy us time that could let us win a second battle.
"Many people there are far more desperate than here. People are being forced to flee their droves in huge numbers. Every delay that these storms give us could save lives. And what Clovis is doing...
"In the words of Napoleon Boneparte-"
"'Don't ever interrupt your enemy while he is making a mistake?'" asked Lelouch.
"Yes," said Leila, looking flustered. She was good at acting, wasn't she?
"Wise words," said Lelouch before looking to the sky. "I wonder if he felt complicit in the sacking of London. And if his victims felt better knowing he regretted the atrocities.
"Alright, I won't press the matter. Would you be opposed to a less... drastic sort of assistance? That motorbike alone could do a great deal of good."
"That does not seem unreasonable," said Leila. "I have no objection to helping Britannians, merely their government."
"Try not to think of us as Britannians," said Lelouch, smiling. "Think of us as people who are different from yourself.
"Now, I'm going to need someone to do some scouting throughout the more distant areas of settlement. To get a sense of what is going on here. If I have pictures and footage of what is going on here, it could help with later efforts.
"The more people know about a problem, the more likely they will do something about it."
"I fear I do not have a camera," said Leila.
Lelouch looked up and saw Deitard Reid moving into place, snapping shots with a camera. His pant legs were soaked with dirty water, and he was sweating. Which meant he'd come on foot. "'Ask and you ye shall receive,' as they say.
"Mr. Reid! Over here!"
Raising a hand, he called.
Reid turned and made his way over, smiling politely. "Oh, Mr. Lamprouge, still avoiding the limelight?"
"I'm not very good at my job," laughed Lelouch.
"So it would seem," said Deitard. "Can I help you?"
"Actually, I was wondering if you had transportation," said Lelouch.
"Actually, no," said Deitard. "The News Building is swamped, and my car had a power pole fall on it. If I didn't keep several cameras at home, I wouldn't be here."
"Well then, I think we can help each other," said Lelouch. "This is Leila Malcal, Ambassador of the EU; she's volunteered to help us directly. She also has a motorcycle. I was wondering if you two might want to pool your resources."
"I have no objection if it will help," said Deitard. "But isn't there some other, more important matter a diplomat of your high status ought to attend to?"
"Regrettably no," said Leila. "With long-range communications shuttered, I have little to do but gather information. No one in the settlement knows what is going on at the moment, and they won't for hours at best."
"Well, I was in need of transportation before," said Deitard. "But do you have a fuel source?"
"Fuel source," Lelouch paused. "Damn. I knew I forgot something in all this.
"Alright, keep an eye out for a gas station that is in working order when you go on your patrols. Nina!"
And he rushed over to where Nina was scribbling down the contents of some salvage.
"Yes?" asked Nina.
"Get me a list of all notable operations," said Lelouch. "Everything in progress right now."
"Already done, Commander," said Nina, passing it over.
Lelouch frowned.
"Commander?" asked Leila.
"I wasn't aware I'd been promoted," said Lelouch.
"Well, several people are referring to you like that, so..." Nina paused. "I thought the title was official."
Lelouch nodded and then gave the list to Deitard. "Alright, here's the list. If you find any working gas stations, swing back here and give the location to Nina. Eventually, we'll run out of fuel, and we're going to need to resupply."
"You could siphon off some fuel from that RV in a pinch," noted Leila.
"Maybe, but I have no idea how to do that. So unless your know-how, it's not an option," said Lelouch.
"I've seen it done with certain equipment in the EU battlegrounds," said Leila. "When it is needed, I will show you the technique. For now, you might look for gasoline in hardware stores. Gas stations have many moving parts that remain in operation. You need level concrete, working electricity, a tank that isn't leaking.
"For fieldwork, you'd be better served by alternative means."
"Thank you, Leila," said Lelouch, surprised at the fact. "Nina, I want you to get the search teams looking for gasoline for refuels and put it out a safe distance. Make sure to post a warning sign and a no-smoking sign. Maybe some red tape. And space them apart if you can."
"Right, I'll get to work at it at once," said Nina.
Lelouch paused and considered things. "Now then, you'd better head out right away. I guarantee you by the time we finish here; we're going to have bigger problems on hand."
"Whatever you say, Commander," said Reid amused.
At that moment, Shirley rushed up to him, taking him by the arm. "Lelouch..."
"Shirley, what's wrong?" asked Lelouch.
"It's nothing. I just..." Shirley paused. "Will Nunnally be okay?"
"She'll be fine, and Sayoko will handle her needs," said Lelouch. "You need to stay focused on the task at hand until the crisis is over." And he kissed her.
"Yes, right," said Shirley.
As he walked away, Leila looked at him with a frown. "You seem a good leader."
"You pick up a few things now and then. But just a few," said Lelouch.
And then he got back to work.