Chapter 17
France, November 5, 2021 a.t.b
The Vichy Line Defense was a line of bunkers created during the previous Britannian/Euro war. It had never been completed before Britannia had attack far too early, however after the regime of Machevl coming to power the Line had been completed. However now, it burned, the bunkers and fortifications had been built to withstand conventional attacks. But the new Britannian military and Emperor were anything but conventional. Orbital strikes had decimated much of the larger bunkers, great holes had been blasted in the line. Now Britannian forces advanced through the holes, forces in Vichy continued to resist but fire from hovering air battleships forced them to retreat.
Sitting in his cell General Schmidt tapped his fingers together awaiting his fate. After his order to retreat had been given he had taken up residence in the Vichy command bunker. He then distributed orders for his troops to redeploy on the Vichy line defense. But before he could do much more a new set of orders were issued by the High Command. "All existing commanders on the Western front shall be relieved of command and replaced by officers of the Republican Guard. All soldiers and officers refusing orders given by the high command shall be considered cowards and traitors, and will be met with lethal responses."
Almost immediately he had been arrested for the retreat and then imprisoned, other officers of his staff were likewise arrested. Even officers from line units were arrested by squads of roving Guards and MPs. Not hours later the executions began, most of these were of Schmidt's staff. Line officers were more scrutinized, if however they were found to have broken and ran they executed. Schmidt knew that much of those executions were done to make a point to the remaining officers. Schmidt himself he thought was being kept for last so he could know of all the men he "had killed."
During his stay he heard the conversations of the guards and shuddered at how the officers now commanding the army had lost advantages of the Line Defense. Now the city was under attack and Schmidt knew that he was going to be killed soon. The city could not be held not with the disaster that was happening down the Line. A bang echoed down the hall followed by another and another, the shots had started a few minutes before. Screams were silenced with each bang, the massacre continued for minutes more before the door to Schmidt's cell opened.
A soldier dressed in a dirty Guard uniform stood on the threshold, a rifle was slung behind him. A pistol in his hand was aimed at Schmidt, the soldier said, "come with me sir."
Saying nothing Schmidt stood, scowling and glaring at the soldier, the Guard led him down the hall of the prison. Behind him in the cell he had once occupied a small bundle of paper sat on the bed. Guards were moving through the halls a number of whom were covered in blood splatters. Has they passed the cells Schmidt saw the bloodied bodies of dead prisoners dressed in crumpled officers uniforms and orange prison uniforms.
The duo then exited the building into the courtyard, standing next to the wall were a group of five other Guards. Their uniforms were much like the one of his escorting guard, disheveled and torn. Rifles were at their sides, they looked at the duo and Schmidt immediately knew what this was. The escorting guard spoke saying, "we at least will show you off with some dignity."
Schmidt replied, "well I guess I can't ask anything else."
The Guard said nothing and poked the back of Schmidt signaling him to move forward. The former general moved to the wall that upon close inspection was pock marked with bullet holes and plaster covers. Blood stains turned the once grey wall a distorted reflection of haunting twilight. Schmidt turned to face the squad of Guards who had come to attention saluting the General. The General saluted in return afterward the escorting Guard offered him a dirty black rag as a blindfold. Shaking his head Schmidt refused, nodding the guard threw the rag away and walked to stand with the other Guards.
"Make ready!" cried the Guard. He unslung his own rifle as the others brought up their rifles. The Guards racked their rifle bolts and brought them to attention in front of their faces. Schmidt stood unmoving and stared at the Guards, some of which Schmidt saw had tears in their eyes. Schmidt thought to Durand, a man who had seen the fault of the EU and realized that maybe his removal had been for the better. The enemy had broken through and was bringing change as they advanced. As he glared at the Guards he smirked, his death would be more, he would be a martyr especially if his notes were found in his cell.
"Aim!" came the order. The rifles of the Guards leveled with him, Schmidt rose his head, and cried with a smile on his face, "Mort aux traîtres! Mort au Machevel! Vive la revolution!"
"FIRE!" six Guard rifles chattered in short bursts Schmidt's chest misted in pink and he fell l against the wall. Slowly he slid down leaving a bloody trail behind, slumping at the bottom in a pile of blood and torn flesh. The echo of the shots bounced from every wall in the courtyard and did so several times as if the echo were the death bell of the General. The Guards lowered their weapons and looked at the body, their heads however quickly shot upwards as the roar of an engine echoed in the courtyard. A Britannian VTOL flew over the top of the building to hover over the exposed space. The Guards barely had time to widen their eyes and scream, before the gun of the aircraft echoed the engine and roared a fusillade of metal at the Guards. The small group joined Schmidt on the ground as bloody corpses.
The Next Day, November 6, 2021 a.t.b.
Guilford walked through the halls of the prison a look of absolute disgust was splayed across his face. Each of cells had different amount of blood in it, some was splattered on the walls and some much to his disgust on the pillows and staining the sheets beneath. He thought, "they even killed them in their beds."
He had seen the prison hospital and the beds there were bloodied to signaling the execution of their previous occupants. The reports he had been given told that the soldiers who had happened upon this seen had become sick and had requested for leave. Now seeing the seen for himself, even though the bodies had been removed, he would give into the soldier's requests when he returned to headquarters.
He looked back at the notes in his hand, they were written by Victor Schmidt the highest ranking prisoner in the prison. The notes told of the atrocities committed in the prison and those he knew the government committed. He was once again glad that the Guards that were stationed in the city had been killed, none had been spared they had fought to the last. The officers not so much, they had fled with the rest of army as it fled. He had little doubt many of them would be killed for their retreat. Flashes of cameras flashed as reporters looked over the seen, Guilford turned and ordered an aid, "have the MPs begin their investigations and get someone in hear to clean this place up."
Looking back at the hall Guilford thought, "the Emperor is going to be displeased with this."
Indochina, November 7, 2021 a.t.b.
The jungle had once been one of the most beautiful places on earth just a few years prior. Now much of it was barely green, the UFN had become desperate to flush out the rebel cells hiding in the jungles of Southeast Asia. Thus they went about a large campaign of deforestation, using gas capsules dropped from aircraft large areas of jungle flora were poisoned. If looked at from the air large areas of yellow and dead brown patches littered the green of the jungle.
Incendiaries were dropped whenever so much of a thought of rebels appeared in an area. Whispers went through circles all over the world that the UFN was even using poison gas like chlorine and mustard gas to flush out hard to reach rebels. But it seemed that for every attack the UFN launched the rebels refused to give up or surrender. In fact guerrilla raids continued to be launched from hidden bases in the jungle and mountains. Mortar shells bombarded military bases in cities, after which the culprits would disappear taking the mortars apart leaving no trace of themselves.
In the largest cities of Indochina buildings were emptied of their previous occupants to make way for wounded. As well as forming barracks for more soldiers that were sent to replace the wounded. Aircraft flew over the cities constantly, either they flew combat or patrol sorties, or they flew wounded and supplies from bases in the countryside.
These countryside bases were large operations, they held large units of infantry armor and aircraft. From these bases large operations sortied to destroy rebel bases and forces deployed in the open. With overwhelming force the UFN would smash the rebels leaving few alive. When a enemy was captured he/she was sent back to the cities to be interrogated. But with no sorties sent out to any particular point identified as an occupied rebel base gave the line soldiers the opinion their captives gave no information. Ultimately this led to the size of the grave plots of the bases grew by leaps and bounds. Some graves had to be occupied by multiple bodies as supply runs were more important than the body removal. So the bodies were given "shotgun" funerals and buried either inside, or more often, outside the base.
One such base was known by the UFN command as "Sigma Base" the fortification was home of a total of eight thousand personal. Infantry, pilots, knightmare and armor crews, and support personal such as mechanics, cooks and medics all called Sigma home. At the center of the base was a small airfield, hangars held fifteen gunships that were deployed for immediate close in air support. Several larger hangars were used to store larger supply transports, when they needed immediate cover such as during storms. The airfield could also play host to large heavy lifters for limited times.
Supplies were buried in shallow bunkers dug into the ground, similar bunkers were dotted around the perimeter, and inner layered defense lines, were fitted with machine guns. Trenches and razor wire stretched in between the bunkers, with mortar pits dug into the networks. Yet more bunkers and concrete buildings surrounded the airfield holding barracks and supply and communications equipment alongside the hospital. Artillery were also dug into the ground surrounded by concrete and steel.
The area around the base was hilly and mountainous, the fact a large circle was cleared of foliage the hills and rocks still gave cover to an approaching enemy. The mountains and hills as well held a large amount of cover in both rocks and reaming foliage, and new grown flora. This same cover gave the rebels the ability to strike it and run mortar attacks on the perimeter early in the bases operational history. No attacks had happened in months, the soldiers within continued large overwhelming patrols in the sector smashing cell after cell. Thus none took notice of the group of men who hid on the adjacent hill, the men had appeared on different hills every day for nearly two weeks. The group's camouflage admittedly kept them well hidden from the eyes of the lookouts of the clockwork movements of the soldiers of Sigma.
Farther back in the forested areas outside the circle of "No Man's Land" created by the UFN, rebels swarmed around the base. Patrols from the base had slackened and had more been focused on long range areal deployment rather than close in patrols of the surrounding jungle. The soldiers in the base moved the robotic movements of those cursed with the mundane, but this was about to end. For outside the men on the hills took out electronic tools and aimed them at the base. Hovering the lenses over their targets the men depressed triggers, infrared lasers shot from the tools into the base. Streams of numbers flashed in the corners of the tools vision; at the same time the information was being transmitted to the men in the jungle.
UFN mechanics and support staff moved among the six gunships on the tarmac, the fresh paint on the aircraft left a rank smell in the air. Tools also rang out as more mechanics worked on engines and other important parts of the aircraft. Similar UFN knightmares also stood out in the open receiving similar maintenance, their pilots sat nearby sunning themselves as their machines were worked on. As the tools rang a high pitched whistle harmonized with the tools, seconds later booms followed by the detonation of the shells fired by the rebels. The tools stopped ringing and was replaced by screams of terror, surprise, and pain. Concrete, earth, and metal and flesh flew into the air, the gunships burst into flame as fuel and paint caught fire. Rockets flew in behind the shells, the warheads smashed into buildings before detonating.
Soldiers rushed from their bunkers and barracks into the trenches and battle posts. Not long after the same positions and bunkers were under fire from the rebel artillery. Men continued to scream as they were felled by the explosions, fire spread around the airfield. Firefighting equipment did not deploy as the bombardment refused them access, the mechanics who were not killed scrambled into what cover they could find. Any man caught outside were felled in a rain of metal and other shrapnel. Pilots of knightmares similarly were pinned down by the enemy fire keeping them from reaching their machines. Those who managed to make it across the death trap of shells were dropped when shots from snipers on the hills struck their bodies.
Rebels swarmed out of the jungle, carrying rifles, grenades, and rocket launchers charged the forward lines of the base. Accompanying them knightmares stolen from the UFN and even a few Sutherlands, the large mechs opened up with their large caliber guns. The slugs smashed into the bunkers along the perimeter of the base, men in the bunkers ducked down as sharp pieces of concrete shot through the gun slits along with lucky shots. Rocket trails followed, fired from both mechs and infantry, as the weapons came upon their targets the special warheads went off. Rippling waves of radiation and heat melted razor wire opening large holes in the perimeter. Men screamed in the trenches closest to the targeted areas, the bodies of the men first burst into flames as their uniforms caught light, barely a second later many men simply burst as their insides boiled. Concrete cracked and buckled as Radiant Wave warheads detonated against their sides. The men inside died in wailing waves of pain, seconds later the bunkers exploded as ammunition inside detonated. Other armor piercing rockets punctured other bunkers on the perimeter killing the gunners within.
The rebel mechs raked the trenches with heavy fire power, UFN soldiers disappeared in mists of pink. Rebel infantry jumped into the trenches separating to search any bunkers left standing. Others jumped in then climbed out again and charged the next set of trenches, the rebel knightmares jumped the trenches joining the advance. The UFN soldiers returned fire from the second line of fortifications, rebels fell in the opening fusillade. Several knightmares explode as anti-armor shells pierce their armor. From the hills the spotter teams direct salvos of artillery shells onto the offending soldiers. The rebels renewed their attack as the knightmares and heavy weapon teams spray the enemy trenches with gun, rocket, and grenade fire. As the rebels reached the trench they fired their weapons down into the packed trenches. UFN bodies piled up in their defenses pools of blood turned small streams in the trenches.
Inside the command center screams for aid echoed through the speakers and airwaves. None within the command center could understand how their defenses could be thrown aside so easily. The UFN soldiers were being slaughtered in their trenches and bunkers, admittedly they were dying while fighting but they were dying. As the screams for aid went out the enemy drew closer to the command center. Some prongs of the rebel advance broke through and drew to the airfield breaking into the hangars still standing and holding the remaining gunships. Some UFN knightmares succeeded in deploying but were soon destroyed unable to put a dent in the rebel advance.
Replies to the distress call came in but most of the calls were questions and rebukes, "the rebels don't have that many soldiers. The rebels don't have that kind of firepower. How can you be losing the base? That's not possible."
A Radiant Wave rocket detonated against the armored entrance of the main command bunker. The entrance made to hold against conventional weapons grumbled under the onslaught of the radiation bombarding the metal doors. As the weapons died rebels swarmed in, they overran the crisping bodies of the burned bodies of the soldiers that had stood defensive on the other side of the door. The rebels swarmed through the base and the halls echoed with gunshots and grenade explosions, accompanied by screams to form the symphony of war. Battle continued outside reflecting the carnage inside the bunkers, blood wetted the ground mixing with fuel, water, and piss. Within an hour Sigma Base fell to the rebels of Indochina.
Tokyo, November 9, 2021 a.t.b.
"This is interesting," said Lelouch. C.C. next to him in his office, holographic screens displayed the faces of Jeremiah, Anya, Tamaki, and Guilford. Splayed across the desk and room were diagrams, notes, data-pads, and artifacts salvaged from the destroyed Geass Directorate. Maps of the world also occupied large swaths of the office floor, tables, and walls. Empty coffee mugs and tea cups, and dishes filled a small table next to Lelouch's chair signaling that the Emperor spent large amounts of time within his office. Sayoko stood in the corner her hands clasped in front of her, her cyborg eyes took in everything within the room.
Lelouch's appearance reflected this, the top buttons of his white shirt were undone his hair was disheveled. His feet were covered in a pair of slippers and his belt laid next to his feet. He looked up at the screens as Jeremiah said, "what is my lord?"
"The EU is being beaten bloody, and the Sawasaki UFN still has done nothing," said Lelouch.
"Well they are mobilizing their forces now," said Tamaki playing devil's advocate.
Nodding Lelouch replied, "true but they do so only when Paris is directly under the sites of our guns."
"They could be waiting for us to be heavily committed to the European campaign before striking," said Anya.
"Possibly," admitted Lelouch. "That's likely part of the reason, but there is likely more to it than that."
"My lord?" said Guilford.
"With the constant intelligence reports and battlefield reports," explained Lelouch. "I believe that Sawasaki is planning to not only weaken us but weaken the EU." The gathered audience's eyes widened, smirking at their confusion Lelouch continued, "it is likely that once the war is done Sawasaki will unite the two superpowers. He will cite this was as the excuse to unite into one single nation, together Britannia will become economically dominated and will fall into line behind Sawasaki."
"That's if they win this war," commented Tamaki.
"True," consented Lelouch.
"If the leadership we're seeing from the EU is like the EU than we don't need to fret much," said Jeremiah.
Smirking Lelouch replied, "you are doing the very thing that has condemned whole armies Jeremiah. You are underestimation the enemy. OSI reports do tell that the command of the UFN is in fact as poor as the EU, but their unit commanders are different. The individual unit commanders are in fact better commanders than the higher ranks. This gives the illusion of the high generals being competent commanders."
"This explains how the UFN is getting their backsides handed to them in Indochina," said Guilford.
Lelouch nodded saying, "indeed, I have actually ben given reports that the rebels captured heavy weaponry from the Sigma base."
"How heavy my lord?" said Jeremiah.
"Heavy enough that they took down a UFN air battleship two days ago," said Lelouch gaining a look of surprise from those present. After the fall of the Sigma base the UFN had sent in another four thousand troops to retake the base. The force were sent via air transport in attempt to avoid ambushes along the road. Not expecting the rebels to really still be there as the previous attacks by the rebels had seen them disappear after they had accomplished their goals. Thus they had been shocked when the rebels occupied the anti-air defenses of Sigma base. What soldiers managed to get on the ground were slaughtered before they could put up any type of defense or offense. In response the UFN sent in an airship to try and take out the defense of their own base, this would make way for a second strike to retake the base.
Once again the UFN underestimated the rebels, within the store houses of the ammunition bunkers were large missiles intended to take down airships. Similar weapons had been made by multiple nations with the intent to sink large sea going ships. These were armed with large and powerful Radiant Wave Warheads capable of destroying large portions of an air battleship. The base was armed with these in case of Britannian air attack from occupied Cambodia. Thus when the UFN battleship came into view, a captured gunship rose from a hiding place in the jungle. Slung beneath the aircraft was the anti-ship missile, before the airship could detect the small craft the missile had already closed the distance and destroyed the ships engines. The resulting explosion ripped a massive hole within the ship, flash fires tore through the compartments of the airship. The whole thing went down trailing sickly black smoke and smashed into the jungle below.
"I will make an effort not to underestimate the enemy anymore my lord," said Jeremiah bowing his head.
"Excellent," said Lelouch smiling.
Tamaki then spoke up saying, "if our enemy's commanders are so bad, what I want to know is how Sawasaki and Machevel come to power?"
Frowning Lelouch said, "that is actually something that I've been looking into. But so far what I and my investigators have found has not been very pleasing." Tapping a few buttons an image appeared in front of all the members of the meeting. The object shown was a ring, it was made of gold, runes littered the ring before connecting to a ruby geass sigil made of ruby embedded in the band. Lelouch said, "this is an artifact that had belonged to Britannia's Geass collection. After the destruction of Code R this artifact came to be stored in a facility in Tokyo till it could be transferred to the main base of the Geass Directorate."
"I can tell that this is an important artifact," said Anya. "So why was it not transferred immediately?"
"The Directorate was more concentrated on the Ragnarok Connection," replied Lelouch.
"So what does this have to do with my question?" asked Tamaki.
Lelouch looked at him and said, "I'm getting to that." Gesturing to the object Lelouch continued, "the records we recovered on this object all told much the same story. Any researcher that spent large amounts of time exposed to the object began having horrible nightmares. They began getting paranoid and anti-social wishing to spend longer periods researching the ring, eventually going mad and flying into fits of homicidal rages. It was as if the thing had a will of its own."
The audience members paid attention with captured curiosity, Leouch then said, "during the Second Battle of Tokyo the facility holding this artifact was destroyed. The objet itself was not recovered, and conveniently this facility was also Sawasaki's prison. It seems that the prison was in fact the cover story of the facility."
"So do you mean to say that Sawasaki got out of prison and took this artifact?" asked Guilford.
"Something like that," said Lelouch bringing an image of Sawasaki giving a speech, and on his finger was the ring.
"But what does this artifact do my lord?" asked Jeremiah.
Sighing Lelouch said, "from what research notes that the Directorate managed to obtain and what survived say that the artifact had an influence on the mind. Adding to this it appears that the people using the artifact had an influence on others."
"So it can hypnotize people?" asked Guilford.
"Like your Geass could do?" said Tamaki.
Lelouch shook his head saying, "not entirely like my Geass. Unlike my Geass this artifact does not force a person to do the user's will, but instead it inflicts "influence" on the victim. Much like subliminal messages, but at the same time driving the user mad over time."
"Thus Sawasaki could use this artifact to influence the right people gaining him power in the UFN. And since it is not a true Geass none would be looking for the telltale signs of Geass," said C.C. Speaking for the first time in the conversation.
"And Sawasaki was already an exceptional orator and politician," commented Tamaki. "So does that mean that with this thing he could control anyone?"
Lelouch nodded and said, "exactly with this he can have anyone do anything he wishes. All the while making it look like their own decisions."
"Diabolical," muttered Guilford, the other members of the meeting nodded in agreement.
"None the less we must press forward," said Lelouch. "This artifact preys on the weak willed. We are not weak willed! Therefore Jeremiah you will prepare to transfer your command to our forces hidden in Russia when they become active. Find a replacement to take over your old command."
Jeremiah nodded and replied, "yes my liege. I already now the perfect candidate, Commodore Anderson. He has the experience, knowledge, and presence to take over command."
"Very well prepare a temporary promotion to Imperial Marshal for him that will take effect once the war spreads to the UFN," ordered Lelouch. "As well you have my permission to begin the next phase of the plan Jeremiah, you may begin your counter attack."
Russia, November 15, 2021 a.t.b
Cold wind blew across the landscape of Russia, an early winter had blown into Russia with a vengeance. The northern areas of Russia were covered by thin snow sheets, while farther south snow fell at night and melted in the day. But this led to more problems, many of the roads in Russia were in disrepair. The EU had not upgraded much of the infrastructure in years, and Britannia never had the time as war became a constant. Thus many roads had reverted to practically dirt, and thus when the snow fell and melted mud appeared in earnest. Though in some areas the mud froze but this still did not weaken the fact that the EU advance was at a standstill covered in thin sheets of frost.
Supplies were becoming scarcer the farther forward a person went in the line, cases of frost bite, and other diseases skyrocketed. Winter uniforms were just as scarce as medical supplies and proper food. The gossip going around was that the supply hub at Warsaw was under attack and cut off. But it was not a rumor that Britannia was targeting supply depots along their advance with air strikes. Their own air force could do little to stem the attacks, the EU air forces were either struck from the sky during air raids on Russian/Britannian cities or destroyed on the ground. Basically the EU foot soldier was of the opinion was that their air cover were being thrown away, a waist.
And with the stalling advance the Britannian Gunships, Tristen Mk. IIs, and even air Battleships could target the clumped up groups of the EU soldiers. Every day the casualties mounted, it was not only death from contact with the enemy but from cold, starvation in some remote cases, disease, and even executions of preserved traitors. The soldiers didn't know which prong of the invasion was worse, the attack on St. Petersburg which was covered in snow. Or the attack into the Russian step who suffered from much of the supply problems.
But things began to get worse, sitting in a command chair Jeremiah Gotwald watched the images and strings of data flowing in. Nearby Commodore Anderson stood looking over the same information. On the map red icons showed the areas where the EU army stood while the blue showed friendly forces. In the current circumstances the Britannian forces had found themselves in a most opportune placement. Having been maneuvered by the strategic and tactical geniuses in the upper brass the Britannians had maneuvered around the advancing columns of the EU.
The enemy having bypassed so much of the Britannian occupied territory in the south in an attempt to take Moscow, which was obviously a political move, the EU had missed the soldiers hidden below. Thus from cities such as Minsk, and Orsha, as well as reinforcements who bypassed the enemy soldiers, soldiers under Britannian colors gathered for a massive countermove. Jeremiah turned his head to Anderson and said, "begin the attack."
Anderson nodded curtly and replied, "yes my lord." Turning to the officers and technicians in the room he ordered, "all units will begin advancing to assigned points, all hostiles are to be eliminated."
"Yes my lord," echoed around the room.
From hidden positions Britannian knightmares, camouflaged against the whitish landscape, rushed from their hideouts. APCs, Raikos, and other vehicles pulled out from garages and other hidden areas climbing onto roads and moving towards the enemy. The knightmares were equipped with Sand Panels that allowed them to cross the semi frozen and mud soaked landscape. The other vehicles were also equipped with the technology and were able to keep pace with the mechs.
On the map the icons representing the Imperial forces advanced across the landscape faster than the EU forces could ever hope or dream to. All in all it would take about an hour for the two sides to actually meet, thus a distraction was needed. This came in the form of massive Britannian air sorties, gunships and Tristans flew into the EU armies and began causing havoc. Their guns, missiles, and bombs took the attention of the enemy by force, a few battleships joined the maelstrom and helped draw a massive amount of the enemy air power; what remained of it anyways.
Warsaw, Poland: EU
The Alexanders of the W–0 Unit moved through the streets of Warsaw like dancers. Others took up positions on sturdy rooftops in sniper-esk positions. Their VARIS weapons destroying high value targets of the EU attackers. Leila was in such a position her command frame sensors giving her a spectacular view of the current battlefield. The EU was attempting to force open the southern approach to the city. The defenses however held and the EU advance was begin to slow and stall.
Leila thanked whatever power ruled the universe that the plan for their arrival I the city had gone off without a hitch. Because of this the defenses that held to city had been able to be put in place. The Hussar's revolt had taken the city's garrison by surprise, and they had captured both air fields and large open areas of the city that allowed the transports of the W–0 unit to land. But almost immediately after their arrival the EU had started attempts to expel them from the city. At first it started with airstrikes from EU held airfields, the attack craft being diverted from sorties into Russia. But along with the gunships and small anti-air weapons, the cities emplaced air defenses had sent the aircraft packing. Next came small EU units stationed in Prussia attempted lighting quick strikes to surprise the Hussars and Britannians and push from the city. But this to had failed horribly being repelled easily by the technologically superior Britannian frames and weaponry.
Once these attacks failed the EU sent Guard units from inner Europe, such as Berlin, and units sent back from Russia. Together these forces surrounded the city and artillery began bombarding the city. Following the explosives the ground forces advanced into the suburbs, where they encountered the first line of defenses. The armored advance of the EU found the defenses wanting in their eyes as they blasted through the forward lines. But as they advanced further in they ran into greater defenses, camouflaged positions sent armor piercing ammo into the EU knightmares and armored vehicles. The bands of Alexanders, and other frames flown in by Britannian supply ships, destroyed the units that managed to pass through the in-depth defenses.
Far below and farther forward Leila spied the icon that represented Akito moved with the grace of water in a brook. Weaving between the streets Akito's Alexander twirled a pirouetted through hailstorms of enemy fire. The dance didn't end when he found himself among the enemy, as he whirled his frame MVS blades sliced through armor plating. His frame's dual purpose Coil/VARIS weapon turned the EU frames and armor to scrap. Then disappearing into side streets leaving behind smoke and bodies. Repeatedly he continued the cycle as he waded through the streets of Warsaw. Akito was truly one of the best pilots of the Alexander as he pushed the frame to its limits, even Ryo and Ayano were pushing their skills to the max. Ryo's ranged weapons disoriented the EU frames and soldiers while Ayano's close range combat skills tore apart the confused enemy. Like true siblings their tag teaming strategies took great tolls on the enemy.
"Leila," voiced Akito through the radio. "The enemy is in retreat."
"I see Akito," replied Leila. It was true the EU forces were pulling back as the churning of the meat grinder she had helped create became too much. The links between the units of the EU having been broken by the counterstrikes Leila's troops.
Switching channels Leila spoke saying, "reinforcements needed on the Southern perimeter. Medical teams remove the wounded and dead."
Affirmative responses came over the various channels, she then activated her frame's limbs and jumped from the building top. Her body guards then appeared around her jumping from other roof tops and coming around corners. Together they maneuvered through the streets of Warsaw. She smiled as reports from the other members of the Hussar council reported limited contact with the enemy.
"Good," she said to herself. "Their only hitting us in one area at a time."
She had been surprised at first how the Hussars were led by a council of elected to lead. It wasn't the democracy she was surprised at but at how well the whole group could function as a military unit while there was no signified leader. But from what she heard the rebels in Indochina functioned much the same with multiple cells function together through a council of leaders.
She came to a stop when they came upon the local headquarters for the sector, exiting her frame she walked into the crumbling building. Walking down a set of stairs she entered the subterranean command center where computers and map covered tables were surrounded by soldiers and officers. Ignoring them she entered a more private area of the headquarters, a small room that was used by the workers for sleep between shifts. Closing the door behind her she was surprised when a pair of arms reached around her and closed her in a hug.
"Bout time you got here," said Akito smiling.
Giggling like a school girl she replied, "well I do have a battle to run."
"Tch excuses," teased Akito as he enveloped his commander's lip in a kiss which was returned with equal gusto. Outside the steady rumble of artillery echoed like drums in a great band, defenders took cover n basements and reinforced buildings. The bombardment did little to dampen the lively spirits of the defenders and the kissing couple, the battle was going well, they were well supplied and they had a feeling of righteousness in their cause. All in all the makings of a dedicated and almost fanatical defense that could still function like a proper military unit.
The couple eventually found themselves sitting on the desk next to the computer that kept the occupant of the room in contact with the outside world. The screen glowed softly as open programs littered the screen. A chime came from the intercom that rested next to the keyboard following the chime a voice said, "lady Leila there's a message coming in for you."
"Tell them to call back," said Leila reluctantly breaking her kiss.
"But," before the voice could continue Leila shut off the intercom.
"Are we still gonna wait?" asked Akito.
Leila nodded and replied, "I don't think we need a pair of small feet more issue during a war."
"I couldn't agree more," said an all too familiar voice. Almost immediately the two held great blushes, as one they turned their heads to the screen. Staring back at them with a smirk was the purple eyed Emperor of Britannia. Leila looked down at where her hand rested, and she realized in her haste to turn of the intercom she had also activated the computer to go ahead with the video call; or most likely the emperor overrode the system by remote.
"Your highness, I beg your pardon," said Leila as she and Akito scrambled off the desk and made themselves presentable.
Lelouch laughed and replied, "it's alright Leila, I won't tell." Both the occupants of the room blushed again, which in itself was a treat for any who saw as Akito rarely emoted. "Anyway I called to deliver this news personally, we have begun the next phase of the campaign in Russia."
"That's excellent news your majesty," said Leila smiling.
"Also," continued Lelouch. "Our allies have made great strides in their own campaigns. The Ukrainians have pushed the enemy from their borders, and the Scandinavians are advancing through Denmark. Ultimately it comes to this," Lelouch then switched to a very serious tone. "Expect heavier attacks upon Warsaw, the enemy will begin searching for ways to turn the tide back to their side."
Leila then finished saying, "they will want to reopen a direct line of supply to their troops."
"And they will be looking for any victory, even a small one such as retaking Warsaw," added Akito.
Lelouch nodded his face a mask of seriousness, "also you should expect no quarter at this point. The EU will not take being betrayed like this easily, they will seek to punish the civilians of the city. And they will likely kill you and the Winged Hussars to the man."
Laila nodded and replied, "I will let the Hussar council know, though I believe they have already taken this into consideration."
"Very good," the emperor then smiled and said. "keep safe you two I can say that C.C. and Milly Ashford are looking forward to your wedding."
The pair sputtered at what the Emperor said unable to say a thing both flabbergasted and nervous at the thought of the two psychopathic woman tampering with their relationship.
EU Russian Headquarters
Blood pooled around the body of an unfortunate officer, the man had been commanding a division that had been tasked with retaking the lost ground on the road to St. Petersburg. The failure had cost him his life, standing over the body smoking pistol in hand was the furious form of Pierre Anou. The commander of the Eastern Front forces of the EU was beyond the point of mere anger and frustration. When the report came of the loss he had summoned the division commander to the Riese-Class land battleship "Leviathan," and shot him. No words had been said between the two Anou merely drew his pistol and shot the man through the heart. It had taken the poor man minutes to die as he lay awake staring at the furious, merciless eyes of the Anou.
"Dammit!" cried/whined the supreme commander. "Dammit! Dammit! Dam you!" he pointed at the lifeless corpse. "Dam you to hell!"
He then turned to an aid, "new standing order. All units, no all soldiers, are from this moment are to execute any officer who attempts surrender or retreat against my orders."
All those watching paled at the thought of the order anyone in the room knew that their lives hung by a thread as it was. But know they could be killed by any soldier if they retreated against orders. The aid nodded hesitantly and replied, "yes sir, but won't this allow a soldier to kill any of their officers and fake an excuse that the officer was disobeying you."
Anou growled and looked at the aid none of his fury fading. He then said, "very well add the stipulation that if any officer is killed for any other reason than what I said wil be executed themselves."
The aid nodded turned and left, as he did so Anou turned and whispered to another officer saying, "demote that man and transfer him to a front line unit. I will not be questioned."
The officer nodded and replied, "yes sir."
Luoyang/Forbidden City, China/UFN
Atsushi Sawasaki sat on what could only be described as a throne, the chair was high backed and intricately inscribed. The whole thing was covered in gold and jewels which matched the lavish ornamentation of the room. Despite the all this the room still bathed in a layer of shadows, it was thin sheet true especially in the center directly facing the throne, but the sides of the room were draped in the darkness. Holographic and physical screens surrounded the man as he gazed at reports of both the war between his ally and enemy, as well as what was happening in Indochina. During the old Federation days of the Forbidden City technology like this would not have been in the building let alone the rest of the city. The old High Eunuchs had maintained this in order to keep their strangle hold over the rulers of the Federation. The only truly modern technology ion the city was the limited security tech used to protect the inhabitants.
But with the rise of the UFN and later Sawasaki, the Forbidden City received an ugrade, now the place was filled sophisticated technology. Sawasaki was now in full control of the UFN the communication systems kept him up to date on every detail of his empire; on the outside it looked like the Democratic federation it was supposed to be, but a greater lie had yet to be told. The Vermillion Guard, the most advanced UFN military unit, patrolled the city and function much like the Republican Guards of the EU. They were the most elite unit in Sawasakis rosters and the most fanatical in no small part thanks to Sawasaki's "influence" on their training; much like the influence he had had on some units of the Republican Guard. And much like the Guard of the EU the Vermilions were descendants of the Guards who had kept watch over the Emperors and Empresses of China. A large group of the red clothed soldiers stood around the throne room, and sitting in six smaller thrones at the foot of the dais of the main throne were the new Eunuchs. They stared forward with empty gazes, they sat immobile as if they were victims of a great lobotomy. Though they had been known for great orations of the government and its "savior" Sawasaki.
The man himself sat with a deep scowled in his face, the screens before him spoke of nothing but bad news. His ally was losing and badly at that, the casualties in Eastern Europe were mounting Machevel had suffered nearly over a million and a half casualties in Russia alone. Britannia's new weapons and fighting style and spirit were destroying everything set against them.
Tapping commands into a small keypad Sawasaki opened a secure line strait to Machevel's underground headquarters. The blue eyed, brown haired visage of Machevel appeared. Almost immediately the man on the screen began whining saying, "why ahven't you done anything yet?!"
Sawasaki scowled and ambsent mindedly twirled the ring on his figure, as Machevel continued, "my forces are being slaughtered and cut off, over a million have been cut off by the Knight of One already. My cities are being pummeled and Paris is about to attacked, and all I get from you are a few measly soldiers and weapons!"
Frightenelly calmly Sawasaki replied, "those measly soldiers are members of the Vermillion Guard and our own special ops troops. The only reason you're losing is because you haven't put your all into the fight."
"The Britannians have gained Russians as soldiers, don't you know history," cried the President of the EU hiding the fear Sawasaki inspired in him. "They are fierce warriors as are the rebels they have hired fighting in Warsaw! If I'm going to win this war than I need more men!"
Furrowing his eyebrows Sawasaki replied, "we will win this war, I am nearly complete in my preparations and then we will join you in this conflict." A smile spread itself on his face as he said, "fear not my friend soon all will be taken care of."
Closing the line Sawasaki slumped in his throne and continued fingering the ring. Then a whisper echoed through Sawasakis hearing, the ruby on the ring glowed and a gentle female voice spoke saying, "things are progressing as planned."
"They are," replied Sawasaki his voice the only one in the room.
"Soon the witch and her warlock will be gone," said the ring. "And then the whole world and everything in it will be yours."
Sawasaki smiled at this and muttered, "the whole world."
A.N. Okay I know that a lot of people don't like the AkitoxLeila pairing, well at the moment your just going to have to grit your teeth and bare with it.
As for the Reise class land battleship, this is just th landship the EU uses and is seen in Akito the Exiled. The only name I could actually find for the type of landship was Huge class battleship. I thought this was kind of stupid to put here so I just used the German word for giant. and Leviathan is the landship that is actually the one seen in Akito the Exiled so you can look up a picture if you wish.
Also so i don't here any whining about my description of battles I will go into detail of battle I deem important so don't worry I will go into detail on battles later in the story.