Chapter XI

As the convoy of Kightmare Frames made their way back to headquarters, Suzaku remained in quiet contemplation. He would make a report when he was full situated.

Suzaku docked the Lancelot in the large maintenance bay. The front of the Knightmare Frame opened up and Suzaku jumped out. He was met by Lloyd Asplund, who was there to oversee a system's check, it was standard procedure after every operation. He carried in hand a mini-laptop. Lloyd adjusted his glasses, giving the Lancelot a quick once over.

Suzaku unzipped the collar of his suit. He felt hot and sweaty. With his other battle suit, he was a least able to breath despite it being nearly skin tight, but now that he was a Knight of the Round, he had to be dressed properly at all times and it got warm in the cockpit. He would need another shower before the end of the day.

"So, how did it go?" Lloyd asked his own usual enthusiast manner. Lloyd was a noble, an Earl, but he didn't take it seriously. He was a mechanical engineer, developing the Lancelot. "Did you squash more cockroaches wishing to make their home in the walls of the Empire?"

Suzaku frowned.

Lloyd shrugged, yet smiled coyly. "Still a bit sensitive, huh? It was a joke, Suzaku, my boy."

"I laugh when something's funny, Lloyd," Suzaku replied seriously. "The Lancelot performed fine, no issues. Although, I didn't do anything but just stand back and watch."

"Ah, the life of nobility," Lloyd said casually, "for which you now enjoy. Isn't it fun to command others to do the dirty work? You've come a long way to join us 'important' people." Lloyd chuckled, looking down at his laptop.

Lloyd's words struck a major nerve with Suzaku.

Suzaku suddenly felt depressed, but he tried to push back those dark thoughts—how he came a "noble" and the privileges he now enjoyed.

Suzaku turned, and suddenly saw Gino in the bay. He also saw another Knight of the Round with him, dressed in uniform. But Suzaku had had never seen him before.

The Knight was tall, thin framed, with dark hair, as least from within the shadows of the bay, standing next to a docked Knightmare Frame towering over the pair. They were talking. However, Gino seemed to be agitated, as if trying to explain something to the other.

Then, all of sudden, Suzaku heard an accusatory curse, and the other Knight slapped Gino hard across the face. Gino recoiled, holding his face.

Suzaku gasped. "Lloyd! Who the hell is that?" Suzaku demanded, but didn't point.

Lloyd looked up from his computer. "Huh?" He adjusted his glasses, looking in the direction. "Oh, mind your own business, Suzaku," he said. "It's a family matter," he added non-chalet. "You're a new Knight, so you haven't met him before. That is Sir Vincent Glasgow, the Knight of Two, he's been overseas for the past year working on a special project for the Empire. Something to do with bio-science, but it's not my field. He has two doctorates in science and mechanical engineering. He's quite brilliant, but not a like genius like moi." Lloyd chuckled.

"You said it was a family matter?"

"He and the Knight of Three are second cousins, royal blood comes in all shades," Lloyd said, smirking. He was immersed in his computer once again. Suzaku knew if it didn't concern him, Lloyd ignored it. "But, just for reference, he heard what happened in your quarters, with the assassination attempt. Looks like Gino is getting chewed out for his naiveté for getting too close to that foreigner who turned out to be a traitor. He was warned, but Gino thinks he knows best. The Knight of Two arrived while you were out, summoned by Chuck."

Suzaku looked at Lloyd. "Word travels fast," he said surprised.

A technician came over and asked something of Lloyd, and from that moment onward Suzaku was left on his own. No longer required, Suzaku ventured over to Gino, who stood on the spot, as the other walked away. Gino held his face. Glasgow had hit him hard.

Suzaku approached, Gino slouched. It was not Gino's usual vigour. He was normally prideful and stood straight. "You saw?" Suzaku nodded. Gino's eyes dropped. "He's such a jerk. Why did Vinny have to embarrass me like this in front of everyone?"

Suzaku nodded. "I'm sorry," he said, the words coming out his mouth on instinct.

"What are you apologizing for? I was the stupid one." Gino clenched a fist on the same hand he held his face with, lowering it. "Damn it! You're the only one I can really trust around here, Suzaku. I need to unwind." Gino's face seemed to brighten. His eyes gleamed, and he smiled. Cupping Suzaku around the shoulder, he said, "How about you and I go out for some drinks and pick up some girls? Let the others fight themselves into oblivion right now."

"I can't, Gino. I'm still on call for another six hours or so."

"Party pooper!"

Suzaku smiled genuinely. "If they call me, I'll respond. In the meantime, I can spare some time. I'd like to hear what's troubling you, from one friend to another."

And Gino smiled.

That evening after he was off-duty, Suzaku returned to his family home. He brought Arthur with him, and investigated the grounds re-construction efforts. It was over 95% complete. The main house and Shrine were finished, and furnished, all that was left were the surrounding grounds, and of course, an upgraded security system that was scheduled to be installed tomorrow.

He opted out of having guards posted everywhere, and neither did he want them on the grounds. He had left alone, and drove himself in a nondescript, inconspicuous land vehicle. He didn't even bring his communicator, putting in for some time off. Gino authorized it.

He smiled, entering the main bedroom, and sat on the bed. It was a kingsized bed. And in that moment, he thought of Euphie, and wished he could have enjoyed this with her. She would have loved it, the entire residence adorned in traditional Japanese style.

Arthur jumped on the bed with him and meowed. He turned to the cat. "You like it here?" Arthur seemed to smile. "Good, because this will be our new home. I'm putting in for a transfer of residence tomorrow. Other than to pick up some items, we won't be going back to the Knights Headquarters. It's roomy and isolated here, and I won't have the glares of the other Knights."

Suzaku reached into his pocket and brought out his ID wallet. Inside was a picture of himself and Euphie on the day they first met. His face was bandaged and he had his sunglasses on. She was the one that decided to take a picture, just for the heck of it. And it was his favourite. They were both smiling and looked happy.

He would have to get a proper frame for it to hang it on a wall—in the bedroom.

"I love you, Euphie, and I always will," he said. He hugged the photograph.

That night, he felt a little nervous. Normally, there was activity at Knights Headquarters, but here, the sounds of crickets were the only noises. It seemed too quiet. It actually made him uneasy. So, he boiled up some warm milk, and the calming enzymes would act like a sedative.

With a tall glass on the night stand next to his bed, he settled in for the evening, pulling the bed sheets up. Arthur was already nestled at his feet, asleep. In his hand was a copy of a book called "The Time Machine", a classic novella written about one hundred and fifty years ago, like the book the Emperor had given him for a gift that Arthur tore up.

Gino had recommended this book. From the title alone, it sounded interesting.

There are certain events in my life I wish I had a time machine for, he thought.

He pushed those thoughts aside because they were depressing and drank down the whole glass of warm milk, then he opened up the book and started to read.

But within minutes he began to douse off, and eventually drifted into a deep, deep sleep.

To be continued...