Chapter Eighteen: Meeting
Ms. Cecile proved to have a car standing by and ready to go. Technically the ranking officer, she still drove them herself. Suzaku was behind with his troops in the back of the truck as cleared roads fanned out before them. Lelouch checked his gun again, then his white flag.
"So, while we're driving, why don't we go over the plan," said Cecile. "You go out there with a white flag while we stay back here and wait. Then what?"
"We see what happens," admitted Lelouch. "I've already had a conversation with them. Assuming the leadership hasn't changed, I should be able to talk with them."
"Still, Lelouch, what makes you think this is going to work?" asked Suzaku from behind.
"The white flag is a traditional means of requesting parley," noted Lelouch.
"A bit old-fashioned, isn't it?" asked Cecile. "I mean, they stopped using that kind of thing a long time ago."
"We used it in the Philipines," noted Lelouch. "And old-fashioned can be a good thing.
"We're not to get anywhere with modern methods. We don't have a battalion of troops to kick down their door.
"Don't worry; I've dealt with them before."
Lelouch told himself that as the truck pulled to a halt outside of the Saitama Ghetto. A lot of places still had water, but he could see construction work down one street. Soldiers were handing out rations as he walked forward and planted a white flag.
Several Fierce Yamato guards raised AK-47's, looked at him, and spoke. Then one went off. A moment later, Ryo came back with Ayano and several others. She held a blade ready and wore her usual white garb, though it showed more leg.
Ryo came forward, narrowing his eyes with a hand on his gun. Lelouch wondered how quickly he could draw and fire. Not fast enough, he'd best duck for cover if a gunfight broke out.
"Alan Spacer, I presume?" asked Ryo.
Lelouch laughed. "Guilty as charged. I was afraid someone might want us gone and threw something together on my last day."
"That was some trick with the uniform and bibles," noted Ryo. "What are you doing here?"
"It wasn't a trick; I didn't plan that," said Lelouch. "As for what I'm doing here; We have to talk."
"About what?" asked Ryo.
"About the end of everything both of us have built here," said Lelouch. "We have a serious mutual problem, and if we don't fix it, all of us are going to die."
They shared a glance, and Ryo looked back. "Okay, I'm listening."
"The Chinese Communist Party is probably going to invade this place," said Lelouch. "Our fleets are off course, our defenses are weakened, and things are chaotic. It's an ideal time, and they won't get another chance like this."
"So what?" asked Ryo. "If they're going to kill Britannians, let them."
"Do you want them to kill you? And everyone in this area?" asked Lelouch. "I'm sure they'll play very nice with local elites, at least until they don't need them. But the Chinese hate your people. And unlike Britannia, they don't have a moderate party to reign in the psychos.
"As soon as they solidify control, they'll immediately purge all loose ends.
"Now, they'll probably promise you the sun, the moon, and the stars to get you to rise up, assuming they haven't already. They might give you a pat on the back when they start winning because of you. But what do you bring to the table once they take control of the country?
"Stalin did exactly the same thing to resistance groups in Poland when he invaded the place. All of them were sent to Gulags."
"We've survived against Britannia all this time," said Ryo. "We can do it against them."
"No, you can't," said Lelouch. "Because Britannia needs you."
"What is that supposed to mean?" asked Ryo.
"Isn't it obvious?" asked Lelouch. "Terrorism is the boogeyman that Britannia uses to scare its working-class into line. If all numbers of disappeared tomorrow, what would happen? There'd be no more inferior races to blame all the world's problems on.
"Commoners would start looking for alternative explanations for their problems.
"Britannia may hate you, but it needs you to justify your presence here.
"China does not.
"They don't care about the rule of law, or morality, or good PR or anything of the sort. The first thing they will do when they take power is kill everyone who could be a threat. Starting with organized crime, then resistance groups. Then undesirables, and finally anyone who gets too uppity. Eventually, they'll purge people simply to make sure people know they can purge them.
"Appeasing evil men is useless and only encourages them to take more."
"What exactly do you want from us?" asked Ryo.
"Simple enough," said Lelouch. "I'm hoping to set up a truce of sorts. If China decides to invade, I'd prefer it if you could just not help either side. Let Britannia and China run eachother ragged. Then, if the war goes on long enough, you'll have more bargaining power.
"Meanwhile, if it's over in an afternoon, you haven't wasted troops on a foregone conclusion. And if others did the same, the resistance would be in a much more powerful position."
"And if we say no?" asked Ryo.
"Well then, I've wasted a trip, I guess," said Lelouch. "I don't have anything to bargain with; I only came down here because I was hoping you'd hear me out. I don't even have any official authority beyond hitching a ride from them.
"All I can say is that I wouldn't enjoy being ruled by China, and I don't think you would either."
"Alright, we'll take it under advisement," said Ryo, considering things. "Anything else?"
"There actually was one thing," said Lelouch. "The leader of the Honorary Britannians in Shinjuku has been trying to get some people up here. But he's afraid you'll shoot his men on sight."
"We will shoot his men on sight," said Ayano.
"We don't want anything to do with those traitors," said Ryo. "We don't want them nosing around our territory. And we've already got Kyoto operating here anyway."
Lelouch nodded. "Alright, fair enough. I won't push the matter.
"I'm sure they'll enjoy working on Knightmare frames more anyway."
And he turned to leave.
"What?" said Ryo.
Lelouch turned back. "Oh yeah. See, Lloyd Asplund is using Shinjuku as a reconstruction yard for Knightmares. It seems a lot of normal areas got wrecked.
"And since Suzaku has a lot more men than he needs and Lloyd needs all the men he can get, they're working there instead. I mean, at the moment, they can hardly find manufacturing jobs for them all. But I'm sure in a few days they'll expand operations. Then we'll be churning out entire battalions of knightmares less than a day away from here.
"Actually, you guys had better be careful. My guess is that Jeremiah Gottwald will want to tie up loose ends before the invasion. So he'll look for a convenient target. A lot of them might decide this place is perfect.
"See, there's a rumor going around that Kyoto is funding the JLF. And well, Kyoto is working here. It could cause you some problems."
Ryo shifted. "Are you threatening us?"
"No, I'm just giving you information," said Lelouch. "There is a battalion of Knightmare frames under construction. Clovis will be looking to shore up his defenses; you are a known resistance group. And I think the homeland will be willing to forgive some collateral damage if it cuts you off as a threat.
"Actually, that's why Suzaku and I came down here. If there are a lot of Honorary Britannian troops out here, it'll be less of a concern. Clovis cannot afford to slaughter his own men when he's about to be invaded. And if all the Honorary Britannians mysteriously pack up and leave..."
"Early warning system," said Ayano.
"If you want," said Lelouch.
"And what do you want?" asked Ryo. "What do you get out of all this?"
"I just want to help people," said Lelouch. "I can't do that if China kills everyone. And I certainly can't do it if a Britannian massacre raises hostilities. We wouldn't be in this situation if not for the atmosphere of hatred which has driven everyone insane."
Then his phone rang.
"One moment," said Lelouch. "It's the EU ambassador." He put it to his ear. "Can I help you, Leila?"
"Lelouch, I've made contact with Kyoto," said Leila. "Their representative has specifically asked for you over Mount Fuji."
"Right, sure," said Lelouch. "Give me the date and location." After he got it, he said his goodbyes and hung up. "Sorry, I'm on call for another meeting. Every time I think I've got a chance to rest, something comes up. Someone in Kyoto wants to meet with me; I have no idea why.
"Actually, I think we can help each other out here. This could be a good opportunity for you."
"What do you mean?" asked Ryo.
"Well," said Lelouch. "Have either of you ever had a personal meeting with Kyoto before now? Do you they know your faces?"
"They know mine," said Ryo. "But I always had to go alone to meet their representative."
"Well then," said Lelouch. "Why don't you give Ayano to me as a bodyguard. She can listen in on the meeting and might be able to learn a bit about the organization. Knowledge is power, after all."
"It's an opportunity," said Ayano.
"Right, fine," said Ryo.
"I'll alert Kururugi at once; he insisted on coming here behind me," said Lelouch. "You can work out the details with him. Ms. Cecile should be the commanding officer, though, technically. You know how the government is about race and genetics.
"You'd better come with me, Ayano. I've got to get to this meeting early. No rest for the weary."
Ayano nodded and followed behind him. As they approached Suzaku behind them, Lelouch approached him.
"Lelouch, did everything go well?" asked Suzaku.
"As well as we can expect," said Lelouch. "Keep an eye out.
"This is Ayano; they offered her to me as a bodyguard."
"Are you sure about this?" said Suzaku.
"It's fine," said Lelouch. "I trust her with this."
"That's a very fast time to trust someone," said Cecile. "Are you sure about this?"
"Very," said Lelouch. "And if I'm wrong...
"Well, I imagine they'd have shot me on sight. Ayano, lead me to the Kyoto area of operation. Ms. Cecile, can you come with me to Kyoto?"
"Me?" asked Cecile. "Why?"
"I'd like an objective observer to what happens there," said Lelouch. "It should help me explain my actions to have you as a source. And call in the fact that we're going there. Just in case."
"Right," said Cecile.
Now things were getting interesting.
Cecile made the call, and Ayano led her and Lelouch through the Saitama Ghetto. Lelouch observed with irritation. Kyoto was picking and choosing who got services. Resistance fighters seemed to be getting preferential treatment. He noticed there was a laxity to their operations.
Many of the construction crews here were not working nearly as hard as they could. They were moving in a sort of controlled progress, guaranteed to extend the work. Most of them were Britannian or from other, Britannian controlled regions.
"Sloppy," said Lelouch. "These men should all be fired."
"Why?" asked Ayano.
"Kyoto is getting ripped off," said Lelouch. "If you pay a worker by the hour and don't have a deadline, they have an incentive to phone it in."
"Yes," said Cecile. "I did notice they weren't operating as quickly as I've seen other projects."
But, at last, they came to Kyoto's base. It was a mobile center of operations with several Southerland knockoffs within it. Men with katanas were at the door, and men with guns were in front. One of them came forward.
"You are Lelouch Lamperouge?" asked the man.
"Yes, that is me," said Lelouch. "I was very surprised to be called up by Kyoto like this. I'm not sure what I did to warrant the meeting, but this is a pretty rough town."
"You're sooner than expected," said the man.
"Who do you think I am? A Chinese diplomat?" asked Lelouch.
The man didn't laugh, and his gaze narrowed given the lack of love lost between China and Japan. Lelouch took that as possible confirmation. "You will disarm yourself of any weapons and enter. There you will show proper respect."
Lelouch could have accepted this. But he wasn't going to. "No, thank you. I think I'd rather just go home."
It caught the man off guard. "What?"
"I uh... I came out here because Leila said Kyoto wanted to speak with me," said Lelouch. "But, I'm not really comfortable disarming and going in here. This doesn't seem like the kind of place a missings person report would be filed.
"In all honesty, if I weren't already in the area, I'd have wanted a lot more information."
"The representative of Kyoto has given you a promise of safe conduct," said the man.
"Who is it?" asked Lelouch.
"You will not know that," said the man.
"Well then, what good is their promise?" asked Lelouch. "If I don't know who they are, I can't know if their oath is worthwhile. Anyone could be secretly appointed as a representative of Kyoto, and I'd never know."
"Do you realize what an honor you are spitting on?" asked the man.
"I'm grateful for the honor," said Lelouch. "But I've survived in the humanitarian business by being incredibly paranoid. I'm not sure I want to meet with someone who won't give me their name. Let alone with someone who asks that I enter an unknown building without any defense.
"I would ask just what have I done to warrant this treatment?"
The officer halted and seemed to be taken aback. He had obviously not expected this response. He looked to Cecile, who tried to become invisible. "You realize that this is an opportunity you will never get again, do you not?"
"I realize that," said Lelouch. "And I thank you for providing it. However, the truth is, I am not sure that Kyoto has anything it can offer me. I have all the money I'll ever need, and that wasn't satisfaction. I have loyal friends who have risked everything to help other people they don't know and me.
"Going into that place alone, leaving them behind, feels wrong.
"I think I've become a bit superstitious over time. But I feel I cannot in good conscience meet with your representative. The Student Council of Ashford Academy are not my servants; I am first among equals. If I go in there now, I'll be going over their head.
"It would be a betrayal of sorts.
"I'm not sure I can make any kind of deal in these circumstances. Especially with someone whose name I do not even know. Nor have I ever been told the details of this meeting."
Now the soldier was in a bad situation. He had come out here to usher in Lelouch for a meeting, and he had no one to bring back. It wouldn't look good for him, and he halted. "...I will take your concerns to our representative."
And he turned to walk back.
"What are you doing?" asked Cecile. "Isn't this risky?"
"Testing the waters," said Lelouch. "I've opened a dialogue.
"There are several possible actions they can take her. One, they can offer to let me take a gun in."
"Stupid," noted Ayano.
"Pretty much," said Lelouch. "They almost certainly won't compromise on that.
"Second, they can offer to take some or even all of my people in with me as advisors. That will make negotiation more difficult, as I can consult with others. At the same time, it's better than having a guy with a gun near your irreplaceable representative.
"Third, they can not budge on their security concerns. But give me some more information about the meeting as a show of good faith. They could tell me who I'd be meeting with and let me in."
"Seems reasonable," said Cecile with a frown. "And the last option is to cut it off the schedule?"
"Well, there is one other option," said Lelouch. "They could apologize for the circumstances. And they can explain they are necessary and offer me another chance. More or less calling my bluff."
"So, what are you going to do?" asked Cecile.
Lelouch considered that. "If they make any concessions at all, we'll talk with them. I don't see any reason why they'd want me dead, and Britannia knows where I am. Disappearing me makes no sense, so they'll probably have some kind of deal.
"If they don't offer concessions, I politely refuse."
"Why?" asked Cecile. "You don't even know what the offer is?"
"It's a matter of principle," said Lelouch. "And also of precedent.
"When you are negotiating with someone, you have to reserve the right to say 'no.' If someone separates you from advice, disarms you, and will not tell you they are one of two things.
"Either they are God, or you are their slave.
"And if you're willing to agree to humiliation like that once, you might do it again. Certainly, it will encourage others to try and take advantage of you.
"Ayano, does Kyoto usually meet with people like this?"
"Standard procedure," said Ayano.
"I can confirm that," said Cecile. "One or two meetings between Prince Clovis' people and them usually happen like this. Prince Clovis orders us to humor them."
"That decision may have been in error," said Lelouch. "Ayano, are you seriously telling me that you subject yourself to this? Why?"
"Kyoto has money," said Ayano.
And then she stopped as she realized who she was in the presence of. She locked up quickly, and Lelouch was glad he was getting through. Then the representative came back. "I am here on behalf of Lady Kaguya Sumuragi; she apologizes for the abrupt request. She will allow you and your companions to meet with her so long as you disarm."
"Thank you," said Lelouch. "I should tell you our presence here is known. We will be expected back shortly."
Drawing out his pistol, he handed it to the man while Cecile drew her own gun out. Ayano drew her sword. But she did not hand it back. "My sword will not be held by you." Then she plunged it into the ground. "I place it here. None will lay hands on it, or they will die."
Soon they were led within out of the sun and into an air-conditioned location. It was quite nice, and as they walked through it, Lelouch kept an eye out.
"I've uh... never been to a meeting like this before," said Cecile.
"Just pretend you know what you're doing. Pay attention and speak as little as possible," said Lelouch. "It'll be fine."
At last, they went up a flight of stairs and came before a curtained enclosure. There was Leila, and beyond the curtain was Kaguya. She'd grown up a bit since before the invasion, though her long flowing robes did not suit her. Her hair was long and dark, and Lelouch slid off his shoes before kneeling across from her.
Well, that was bad luck.
He couldn't have backed out after the concessions, or it would show the name Kaguya Sumaragi was known to him. If it had been anyone else, they would not have known him. Still, there should be a way to make this work.
"Lelouch Lamperouge is your given name, is it not?" asked Kaguya. "It is a shame we have not met before now."
Oh good, she wasn't going to make an open display of this.
"I don't think we would have anything to talk about before now," said Lelouch. "We all have our own areas of expertise."
"Who are these with you, if I might ask?" asked Kaguya.
"This is Cecile Croomy of the Britannian military," said Lelouch. "Officially, Suzaku Kururugi is in charge of the Honorary Britannians. In practice, Cecile and Lloyd Asplund are here as an oversight.
"Any conversation we might have would be of interest to them, and I'm not in authority to send them away. I'm sure you understand?"
"And the other?" asked Leila.
"A bodyguard," said Lelouch. "We actually met at a bus stop, and she told me she was in need of money. Mercenary work is as honest trade as any, and I needed someone who understood how things operated out here."
"I see," said Leila. "You are certain she can be relied upon."
"Nothing is certain," said Lelouch. "But we're not going to be revealing our darkest secrets in this conversation. So that shouldn't be a problem." Did she know? Kaguya could have told her, and the EU would be interested.
"I see your point," said Kaguya. "The truth is, this meeting is not strictly people about anything. Kyoto has become aware of your operations, and we're not sure what to make of them. They seem to be having a very positive effect.
"And you don't seem to seek confrontation with any group.
"But with your increase in influence, we were hoping we could clarify your intentions. Kyoto was formed for the purpose of ensuring fair treatment for the Japanese. We have utilized economic pressures to assist, and also, sometimes, other pressures."
"Our records show you were here before the invasion," said Leila. "You know what it was like.
"Kyoto is interested if, perhaps, you might wish to assist us in some form. Our combined power could easily make great achievements. There are indications that the political situation in Area 11 will change soon.
"With change, provides the opportunities to fulfill promises made a long time ago."
Oh.
Yes, that was right.
All those years ago, Lelouch had stood before the burning corpses. It had been with Nunnally and Suzaku. Had Suzaku mentioned it? Lelouch had proclaimed in rage that one day he would obliterate Britannia. It was a promise that he'd meant with all his heart.
And yet, what had it meant?
What was the Britannia that he had sworn to destroy? Was it really a nation?
No.
It was the world itself.
He'd projected his hatred onto people, onto indoctrinated soldiers and sheltered nobles. But they weren't the problem any more than the starving terrorists were the solution. What had caused his hatred was the world itself.
"I'm sorry," said Lelouch. "But... I don't want power. I don't want to obliterate anyone.
"All I want is to be free to live my own life and help others to live theirs freely and lacking in nothing. That is my goal; I leave all other matters to their choice.
"I already have everything I want.
"While you could provide my organization with help, there would be strings attached. Everything starts out innocently enough, doesn't it?"
Kaguya and Leila shared a look.
"May I ask why you decided to come to us, then?" asked Kaguya. "You don't seem the sort of person to come to a place with no reason?"
Lelouch nodded. "You're right, Kaguya.
"I came to ask a question;
"What is it you believe is the prime trait a leader must possess?"
Kaguya considered that. "Pride. Pride in ones' nation, ones' culture, and oneself."
"That's an interesting theory," said Lelouch. "So I guess that leaves one other question;
"Are you proud enough to invite the Chinese into Area 11 rather than accept it may never be called Japan again?"
The question may as well have been a gunshot. Kaguya visibly shuddered, and Leila was obviously shocked. Cecile looked nervously down the steps, and Ayano tensed.
"That is a somewhat loaded question, Lelouch," said Kaguya.
"Forgive me," said Lelouch. "But we are running out of time. Even if the Chinese do not invade in a few days, they may in the future. Area 11 is the great prize of Britannia, and if we lose it, our economy falls into shambles.
"You must admit, if Britannia was pressed, Kyoto could make a critical difference. And as the situation unfolds, that is more and more likely."
"I presume you have advice," said Leila.
"I would not presume to give Kyoto advice on affairs that I do not understand," said Lelouch. "But I can say this;
"It is written; No man can serve two masters.
"And it's true. You can, for a time, delay which master you choose to serve, play one against the other for better treatment. But eventually, one of them is going to win. And if you haven't taken a side by then, you'll be treated even worse than as a defeated enemy."
"Your argument precludes the possibility of an independent nation," noted Kaguya. "A person may be their own master."
"Is anyone trying to create an independent nation?" asked Lelouch. "Has Tohdoh of Miracles conquered any towns? Do you actually have any short or long-term plans to reclaim Japan?"
Kaguya said nothing. "I cannot say. But I believe that were we to be forced to such extremes; we would be successful."
"Okay, let me give you a more specific example," said Lelouch. "You hear the news that Prince Clovis has lost track of an eleven mistress. One he has been forcing to stay with him. She has fled into the Shinjuku Ghetto, and he is planning to slaughter every man, woman, and child there to cover it up.
"There is a resistance cell there which has a decent success rate, but they lack a capable leader. You have communication with the JLF, who consider it impossible to get anyone over there.
"What do you do?"
"...Even if we accept this scenario," said Kaguya. "Kyoto is in a position to do nothing."
"Are you sure about that?" asked Lelouch.
"Of course," said Kaguya. "We are not a military organization."
"Oh, but you could do a great many things," said Lelouch. "You could send a JLF officer to take command of the group and try to salvage the situation. You could request a meeting with Prince Clovis on urgent business and try to talk him out of it.
"You could talk to nearby resistance groups and ask them to go save them. Or you could tell the JLF to launch an attack on the Britannian settlement. Start just enough of a clash to force Clovis to retreat.
"So why don't you? These are all very easy things to do; they'd only take a phone call or two."
"...If we were to dispatch officers from the JLF, if we could do such a thing, it would lead back to us," said Kaguya. "If captured, it could lead to the fall of Kyoto, and through us, all other resistance."
"And what about all the innocent people who Clovis would kill?" asked Lelouch.
Kaguya stirred beneath Lelouch's gaze. Leila looked down to her, then Lelouch, and finally averted her eyes.
"Sometimes a leader has to make sacrifices," said Kaguya.
"You don't know what a sacrifice is," said Lelouch.
"I wouldn't want to let those people die," said Kaguya. "But Kyoto has to think of everyone. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. What about all the massacres we have prevented by our actions?
"Our operations require that our hands remain clean."
"You can't change the world without getting your hands dirty," replied Lelouch. "I learned that working in a garden."
"That's all very well for you to say," said Kaguya. "But you managed to come out of the war with a roof over your head. You were sheltered by the Ashfords and didn't have to worry about starving to death. Kyoto was instrumental in getting any humanitarian work done at all.
"Without us, Clovis never would have been interested in it at all."
"Then why have you only chosen now to start helping the people in the ghettos?" asked Lelouch. "Are you really trying to save them? Or are you just using them as your excuse?"
"We provide many essential services to the people of the ghettos," replied Kaguya. "Ones of which we are not at liberty to speak of here.
"In regards to your message about choosing sides, I take your point. And I will speak to my associates about it. Now, if there is nothing else, I believe this meeting serves no further purpose."
"Actually, there is one other thing," said Lelouch. "Ayano here is part of a resistance cell." Right now, Ayano was looking just a little angry.
Kaguya looked to her, then Lelouch. "I was not aware you had connections with them."
"Yes," said Lelouch. "I thought you might like to get a full report from her on what her people have been up to. And just what conditions are like in here. I'd be happy to leave you alone in private if you'd like."
"I..." Kaguya halted. "Yes, of course, I would be happy to receive your report, Ayano."
Ayano nodded and smiled at Lelouch as he walked out. Leila walked out with him and Cecile, and they waited outside. Leila looked at Lelouch with narrowed eyes. "I suppose you think you've been clever."
"I just want to help people," said Lelouch.
A few moments later, Kaguya ran out sobbing while Ayano walked out, expression blank. "We should go."
"On that, I agree," said Leila.
They got their weapons back with some ease. Kaguya had recovered quickly and ordered they be allowed to leave, which was nice. Leila looked to Lelouch. "What do you think you've accomplished here?"
"Saved her soul, I imagine," said Lelouch. "There is no way Kaguya could actually be running day-to-day affairs in Kyoto. She's an intelligent girl with family rank. And she's the figurehead for an organization that is funding resistance groups. Ones' that work with drug dealers.
"The sooner she figures that out, the better.
"Ayano, I hope you found the experience of meeting your benefactors enlightening?"
"Very," said Ayano. "I'll tell Ryo."
"Good," said Lelouch.
As they drove back, Cecile remained silent. "Um, I uh...
"There's no easy way to say this, but I'm wired."
"What?" said Lelouch.
"Yes," said Cecile. "I uh... figured we might run into criminal activity and had some recorders. Ordinarily, I wouldn't mention it, but... well..." She looked away.
"You know, don't you?" asked Lelouch.
"I read in the papers a long time ago. Prince Lelouch Vi Britannia befriended a boy named Suzaku Kururugi," said Cecile. "You and he seemed to get on well, and Kaguya knew you.
"You're the lost Prince of Britannia, aren't you?"
How to handle this? Well, killing her was out of the question and immoral. Lelouch sighed. "That information is confidential at the moment, Ms. Cecile. And we want to keep it that way.
"I can't give you the details.
"It's enough to say that Father doesn't like his children existing until they have a use. If I were to start existing again, it could end very badly for all of us. Don't tell anyone. You're not just trusting them, you're trusting everyone they trust."
Cecile nodded. "Right, I don't want to reveal any sealed information. Is there anything you want to be deleted off the recording?"
"Don't bother," said Lelouch. "Whoever listens to it isn't going to have the same context. And I expect I may have to take a direct hand in things far sooner than expected anyway.
"For the moment, Kyoto has to be removed from play or brought into the fold."
Now he had to just find a way.
Later reports came in that Kaguya had opened the door for Suzaku and his people to begin work in all of her areas. Suzaku was making his maps, and Lelouch looked forward to his report.
It was becoming clear, however, that exposure was nearly inevitable.
So, Lelouch would just have to make sure the exposure happened at the right time and way. It would be a major challenge, but he relished it.
Well then.
Time to call Nunnally.