Chapter 5
San Francisco, Britannia-Emperor's Temporary Residence
Lelouch sat out on the balcony overlooking the bustling city on the west coast of the Britannian homeland. But he was not staring out at the city, he was looking at the paused image of Tamaki on the large flat screen in front of him. The image showed Tamaki in an officer's uniform of the Black Knights, he was standing behind a podium with a Black Knights flag draped over the front.
Lelouch sighed, "Of all the things Japan could have asked for, annexation was not one of them."
"Well Lelouch," said C.C. in seductive voice. "After you went to sleep and the R-Records were released, the betrayal of the core members of the Black Knights was made known. The nation of Japan itself fell into a state of shame, they took what happen as not only a slight against you but to themselves."
"She's right sire," said Jeremiah. "After you woke up pro-Britannia and pro-Lelouch demonstrations have increased in Japan. Not to mention also been having immigrant problems from Japan, cause of the sanctions induced by the other powers Japan is starving."
Anya then butted in, "In the announcement just now Tamaki used Zero instead of Lelouch or emperor, their situation has gotten worse it seems."
"Very well," said Lelouch. "Jeremiah begin moving the units assembled in the Pacific to Japan, and reroute our carriers I want them within stricing distance of Japan especially Tokyo." Jeremiah nodded and got up and left walking at a very brisk pace, knowing things were going to get dicey very quickly.
Lelouch then turned to the green haired witch sitting next to him "C.C. my dear if please assemble units of the imperial guard for departure, I want us to be on Tokyo by tomorrow."
As C.C. was leaving Lelouch look to Anya and said, "Lady Alstreim if you would please tell me, how is project Lightning Hammer going?"
"It is going well your majesty, testing was successful and units are being set up across the empire. They will be ready for activation within the month, and the precautions and fail safes you required have been implemented. External attacks will difficult and the internal fail safes will make tampering with it ineffectual."
"Thank you Anya have a unit prepared to move to Japan I have a feelling we'll need it," said Lelouch. "Know if you would leave me with my thoughts."
Anya nodded and stood to leave Lelouch then spoke up again, "oh when you leave have my new knightmare readied for the trip as well." With that Anya left leaving the emperor pondering what was going to happen.
Tokyo Bay, Japan-Black Knight Submarine
A total of six moored ships appeared on the screen that showed what the periscope was seeing. Tamaki and the Captain of the sub stared at the ships with lethal intent.
"Are we and the ground teams in position captain?" asked Tamaki.
"Yes sir," replied the captain. "The torpedo tubes are loaded as well, we have skeleton crew aboard so the secrecy of our involvement is kept. As well the cover story is in place. Those ships are registered to a known crime syndicate, when the ground teams begin their raid the criminal higher ups will "remotely detonate" their ships so the contraband does not fall to the cops."
In reality the ships were in fact part of a crime syndicate known for smuggling everything from drugs to sakuradite. However recently the syndicate had been working with two traitorous Black Knights and it had been confirmed that these ships were moving supplies for them. With their destruction the supplies would not make it to their destination and the criminals at the docks would either be killed or put behind bars.
"Good," said Tamaki "send the go ahead signal."
With a nod the radioman sent the signal, immediately afterword the ground teams moved into the warehouses on the docks. Shooting erupted as the goons working the docks pulled out hidden weapons including a few RPGs. They however were no match for the knightmares the Black Knights brought even though the frames were the old glasgows used by the former Knight Police. Only the RPGs were powerful enough to take on the knightmare frames, the people manning the rockets however were cut down before they could get shots off.
Back in the submarine Tamaki and the captain were watching everything when Tamaki spoke up, "Captain you may fire when ready."
"Yes sir," replied the captain in an eager voice. "Are we locked on?"
"Yes sir we are!"
"Fire"
Six torpedoes left their tubes and swam towards each their targets. The people on the bridge of the sub tensed in anticipation as the fish continued on their course. The torpedoes then separated heading for one ship each, they sloped towards the bottom of the bay before arching upwards. Each fish punch a hole in the keels of the ships using their momentum to move deep into the cargo holds of the ships. Five seconds that felt like eternities crept by as the delay fuses counted down. Explosions rocked the insides of the ships as the timers hit zero the explosive contents of their holds blowing up. The outside of the ships were engrossed in flames a second later when the explosions ripped open the hulls and desks of the transports.
The bridge of the sub erupted in cheers and stomps of approval, "Good work captain know let's get out of here."
"Yes sir," replied the captain to Tamaki. "Down scope, about ship ahead two thirds."
As the sub departed the ships burned into the night and the last of the dock workers were captured and hauled off to who knows were some never to be seen again.
The Great Britannia-Over the Pacific near Japan
The Great Britannia the flagship of the Britannian Navy was cruising over the Pacific. She was accompanied by another Logres-class battleship and six Caerleon-class battleships. Lelouch sat in his personal quarters observing Milly on the TV as she reported that six ships had been destroyed in a raid on a smuggling ring. Of course Lelouch new the truth as he had been sent a report on the incident from Tamaki including the possible intentions of Sugiyama and Minami. C.C. was sitting next to him on the couch her head on his shoulder and a purring Arthur in her arms. "She certainly has moved up in the world, and to think she was the perverted student president only a year ago. Don't you think fate is funny Lelouch?"
"If fate is funny it has a sick sense of humor cause it stuck you with me," Lelouch said dryly.
"Was that supposed to a joke my warlock?"
Before he could answer Jeremiah entered the room, "your majesty, the task force will be landing in Tokyo in a few minutes."
"Very good Jeremiah," said Lelouch. "Has everything been prepared?"
"Yes sire, upon Tamaki's request and your backing the annexation document will be signed tonight. The Imperial Guard will land following you and the ships will take up station to provide fire support if called for. And if I may add the Carrier-Battleship "Invincible" and her task force have come into striking distance of the Tokyo Settlement."
"Very good Jeremiah," complemented Lelouch with a nod the Knight of One left.
"Why is the signing so soon?" asked C.C.
"Because with Sugiyama and Minami on the loose both me and Tamaki want to have the document signed before they can interfere." C.C. nodded in understanding, Lelouch then got up dawning his new cape completing his new outfit. The suit beneath the cape was black with gold trimming, he wore a dark purple cravat, the cape was slightly open in the front revealing the suit, and on the cape's shoulders were gold epaulets.
"Now Ceciniah shall we go?" asked Lelouch with a dramatic bow and followed by offering his left arm. C.C. shivered at the mention of her true name, she then smiled and nodded standing holding Arthur in her free left arm and taking Lelouch's with her right.
Tokyo, Japan-Temporary Government Building
When the Great Britannia landed Lelouch and C.C. were greeted by roaring crowds and a very happy Tamaki. They were paraded in a limo all the way to the temporary government building, the main government area was still under reconstruction. After arriving they were treated to ball in celebration of what was to come. As the night grew on Lelouch was approached by Milly and her cameraman Rivalz.
"Your Majesty may we have a word?" asked Milly in her reporter voice.
"Of course," responded Lelouch.
"Since you have awoken you have implemented many changes into the Britannian Government and know since Japan is being annexed. Can you please explain the final product that will be the government?" asked Milly.
"Yes, well the people of the different regions of the empire will first be able to call their regions by their original names instead of areas. Next the people will elect persons of their choice to represent them in court instead of the noble system, it will be something of a parliament or a senate with me at the head."
"Well since the world knows you're immortal you plan to rule as long as you live?"
"Yes I do plan to that much should be obvious. However I do not do it because I am completely power hungry like the previous emperors I plan on serving the people of the empire not the other way around, and should the people call for me to step down I shall and fade into history."
"What do you plan to do to show commitment to the Japanese people with this course of action?"
"My plans to show commitment are in fact a surprise that will be unveiled later."
"Thank you your majesty for your time I think we have what we need." Said Milly and Rivalz shut off the camera.
"I am sorry for what I put you two through," said Lelouch.
"Ah it okay Lelouch, as long as we're still friends," said Rivalz.
"Yeah he's right Lelouch, just don't forget us," said Milly.
Lelouch smiled and said, "of course not." He then smirked and leaned towards Milly saying, "in fact Milly, I plan to have a certain type of party in the future, it's to show a certain type of "commitment" and I would like you to help plan it. What do you say?"
Milly grinned to the point she could be mistaken for the Cheshire Cat. "If you're saying what I think your saying, then most definitely Lulu," replied Milly. Rivalz raised an eyebrow in confusion and said, "wait! What's Lelouch saying?!" This caused both Lelouch and Milly to burst into laughter at their friends confusion, meanwhile Rivalz could only pout.
Later that evening.
The time came for the signing, people gather towards the table that was draped in flags of Japan, Britannian and the Black Knights. Lelouch and Tamaki stood next to each other a document in front of them.
"Tonight" said Tamaki cameras rolling out the live footage "we join Britannia not because we've conquered by them. But out of desperation, as this world has become hostil towards us, now we join hands with an old enemy and friend."
Tamaki leaned down and signed his name on the document, Lelouch then straightened up and began speaking. "Britannia now accepts Japan into its folds, not out of hostility and greed but out of friendship and trust."
Lelouch then leaned down and signed his name before continuing to speak. "With this Japan becomes part of Britannia, and in this new Britannia no person shall be discriminated against all are equal. This is not just the expansion of an empire, it is the birth of a new one, one were the Black Knights will once more have a purpose and place. For they shall be the new military, and to show my commitment to Japan and this empire, Tokyo shall become the new capital of this Britannia Empire of the Rising Sun!"
The crowd burst into cheers and outside cheers could be herd, but one cheer began to creep through the others as it made itself louder and louder. "Zero, Zero, Zero, Zero!" The cry of Zero pulsed through the night before Lelouch raised his hand and said, "This new empire deserves a new flag don't you think?"
Then behind the table a giant flag unfurled from the ceiling. It looked much like the regular Britannian flag but the shield in the middle instead of a lion and snake in the middle there was the Black Knights sigil emblazed in gold and outlined in crimson. The ribbons and wreaths were gone and four more streaks of crimson came from the shield and reached to the four corners of the flag.