Chapter V
In the aftermath of Zero's capture and the Black Knight's dissolved ranks, fleeing like cowards, like insignificant rodents in their holes when the lights came on, there was a continuous feed on monitors throughout the Empire about their defeat. Monitors on every wall on every Empire building, and in every building and facility, including that of the Knights headquarters.
Amongst the feed, there was also the commemoration of their newest Knight of the Round, in regal fashion, replaying his knighthood, presented by the Emperor himself, attended by his many regal cohorts, and Suzaku's declaration of his newly sworn loyalty to the Empire. But this only fuelled the Japanese hate of him, calling him a traitor everywhere he went.
Suzaku clenched his teeth in both angry and disgust as he passed three of these monitors in the corridor on his way to the gymnasium. He also had to contend with watching the replay of the brutality of the military as they captured, subdued, and even executed Eleven freedom fighters. He didn't know any of those that died, but he felt for their families.
A security guard, wearing a pristine uniform and brandishing a weapon, approached Suzaku in the corridor while conducing his rounds, and suddenly stopped short, and saluted. But it was only for formality, as the look the guard gave him was that of inferiority. An Eleven, a Knight of the Round, vexed most of not all pure Britannians. This guard was no different.
Suzaku glared back at him.
"Stand at attention, guard!" he ordered, eying the man's posture. They stood next to a full ceiling glass window panel that overlooked an urban landscape. It was a beautiful view, with grassy hills, but it fell in contrast with the ugliness Suzaku felt in the place he now called home. "Is that anyway to act in front of a superior?"
The guard seemed taken aback and did as ordered. Suzaku was amused, but he didn't show it outwardly. There was something about the power he now wield within the Empire that gave him strength to challenge those that prejudice his people, including this guard.
Suzaku circled the man, then made another pass, halting behind him. "Chest out, back straight, chin up, eyes forward, ready at attention!" he demanded, secreting enjoying it.
From his days in the infantry, Suzaku was subjected to mocking and taunts from his superiors because he was an Eleven. It was time for some payback. The guard obeyed.
But then, as he saw news footage on a walled television screen in front of them, of Knightmare Frames stomping on Eleven encampments, firing on innocent civilians—playing out as if it was nothing but a normal day, the public desensitized to the violent and bloodthirsty killing by the military—Suzaku frowned hard, his mood darkening. He was becoming what he hated most, one of "them", demoralizing this security guard. It was an act of a tyrant.
Suzaku saw a bead of sweat falling down the right side of the man's face. He was obviously frightened, fearful that he had done something horribly wrong to insult a Knight of the Round that could be grounds for demotion or reassignment to a division of a less than hospitable area in the Empire. And there were places, god awful places, that was cold and barren, where there were reports of high causality rates, but not from war, but from the elements. Frostbite, or extreme sun exposure, animal attacks, or even death by poison plants. The Empire had a punishment place for everyone who defied the will of a superior.
"Please, Sir Knight, if I have done anything to offend you, I offer my sincere apologizes," the security guard pleaded, his voice even cracked a little.
Suzaku remained behind the guard, his eyes penetrating the back of the man's head. He sniffed the air, he could smell urine. He looked down and began to see the beginning of a wet spot down the inside of the man's pant leg. He sighed softly, easing his demeanour.
He put a hand on the man's shoulder and the guard flinched. "At ease," Suzaku said calmly. "Forgive me if I frightened you," he added. "Ask another guard to relieve you, and with my permission, take fifteen minutes for a break." He didn't need to tell the guard why.
The guard nodded, then saluted, as Suzaku returned to the front. The guard departed quickly.
Suzaku watched the guard almost flee at a quick jog, then turn a corner. It was like the man was running away for his life from a brutal beast.
Suzaku leaned up against the wall, sighed, and looked out the window from his vantage point. He saw grassy hills, pegged with outstanding structures, a flock of birds flew across the sky, and a whisper of clouds cascaded by. It was a beautiful day. Too bad his mood was gloomy.
He stood next to the wall monitor that was on low volume, but he didn't want to hear it. With the back of his right hand, he knuckled the unit off. He shut his eyes and fought to control his dark thoughts. He had nightmares about what he had done, about Euphie's death, and what his people were going through. But he could do nothing. He had to bide his time or the others would become suspicious of his true intentions.
Lelouch's face suddenly came to mind and he slammed the wall with a fist. "I loved you like a brother, but you used me! You deserve what you get." He opened his eyes, then glanced at a clock on the wall. He was late.
He sprinted down the corridor, passing another guard, who saluted, but Suzaku never bothered to return it back, and ran across an open roof covered walkway to another building, a large rotunda structure that housed the main gymnasium. It was a multi-tier structure with multiple facilities, including a massive Weight Room with wall-to-wall mirrors for the narcissist.
Suzaku had never visited the Weight Room, preferring to exercise in his own quarters. He didn't like the glares from some of the other Knights, the look of "You don't belong here!" He was a Knight of the Round, but he also an outcast. He had a reputation and no one wanted to be around him. The word around was he was willing to betray his own people, he wasn't to be trusted. However, since the Emperor brought him into the fold, per Suzaku's own ask, as a reward for bringing Lelouch in, he had become one of the fold, just not one of "them".
Suzaku entered the gymnasium and asked the main desk for assistance. The place was so massive, he had no idea where he had to go. Gino only told him to meet him here.
The male clerk behind the desk flipped through a ledger and confirmed he was expected. Suzaku was asked to sign his name in a spot, it was both for security and to know who was on site. Suzaku saw Gino's name, the child-like signature, and quickly signed his own, legibility.
"Is this your first time here, sir?" asked the clerk.
"Yes, and I admit, I'm a bit overwhelmed. Were there any instructions left for me?"
"Pretending to what, sir?"
Where to go, for one, he thought. But he didn't want to sound green.
Just then, someone called his name from down a large hallway. Gino waved at him, as he approached. He wore a loose fitting white tracksuit, contrast to Suzaku's black sweats, and white runners. He didn't know what to wear, but opted for something comfortable. "You came, good," Gino said and smiled large. "Nice place, huh? Nothing for the best for us Knights!"
"Is this only for the Knights?"
"Yup, the Emperor wants his Knights happy. Come, I'll show you around before we get started."
"Get started? To do, what?"
"You'll see!"
Gino wrapped an arm around Suzaku's shoulders in his usual friendly manner, then lead him around the facilities. He wouldn't take no for an answer. As he showed Suzaku around, Suzaku asked Gino if could program his door voice protocols back to normal. Gino laughed, and agreed.
When the tour ended, which took about twenty minutes or so, Suzaku was awestruck.
"But it's not over until the fat Eleven sings," Gino said. Suzaku frowned. Gino cocked his head. "Oh, still strings, huh? Come on, loosen up, Suzy."
"Please don't call me that," Suzaku asked politely.
Gino laughed. "Sure," he said, and then lead Suzaku to a large boxing ring situated in a room all itself, surrounded by blue floor mats. The walls were lined with banners and awards, some won from Knights who participated in boxing matches in other countries. Gino had even won a few, for Light Heavyweight Boxing matches. Suzaku was shocked, Gino didn't look the type. There was more exercise equipment on the wall, including pulleys and punching bags.
They were alone.
Suzaku found it strange that none of the other Knights were using the facilities. The Black Knights were subdued, Zero had been captured, and most of the other rebel fractions had been crushed. The world was in a time of peace, for once, under the iron rule of Britannia. Why not enjoy the free time and work off some of the stress some battles endure?
He knew he could certainly use a little workout to relieve the stress he was feeling. And no doubt, this was Gino's intention.
Gino climbed three steps and ducked under the top rope, then twirled around the ring with his hands extended out like a dancer. Suzaku joined him inside the ring.
"Time for a little stress relief, Kururugi."
Without waiting for a response, Gino unzipped his jacket and tossed it out of the ring, then yanked down his pants, and threw them over the top rope. He wore a black tank top with matching skin tight shorts, and boxing boots. He then crossed to a corner and picked up some athletic tape that had been placed on a ring post and began wrapping his hands with it.
A young male came out of a hallway adjacent to the place, carrying two sets of red boxing gloves. He entered the ring, and went to Gino.
Is this the surprise Gino hinted at?
Boxing was never his forte. And he always lost, challenged by others in his regiment when in the infantry. But, of course, he wasn't as strong then as he is now.
Suzaku was taken aback. "Are we going to fight?"
The young man slipped on Gino's boxing gloves, trying them up, after Gino had wrapped his hands with tape. After the man was finished, Gino punched his fists together. "Thanks, Perez," he said to the help, "feels good." Then he said to Suzaku, "Yes, and no," Gino replied, ambiguously. "You're not afraid of a little blood, are you, Kururugi?"
And Suzaku's eyes widened.
To be continued...