4th of Sea Feilong, year 1025 of the Imperial Calendar
"So, do you intend to confess to your crimes, Miss Rose?" Jeremiah asked a young girl with silver eyes, clad in a long-sleeved black blouse with a red-trim to match her cloak, as well as her black hair with red tips.
"But I haven't done anything! It's all lies! You're just a big meanie!" The girl petulantly replied.
"Lies? You expect me to believe the one day you had an excuse to desert your division just happened to coincide with a terrorist threat? One which exploited said absence in order to get close to his Majesty?"
"Uh… Yeah?" The girl replied nervously, herself realising the story was at least somewhat unlikely. When Jeremiah sighed while pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration at her response, she continued.
"Why are you questioning me!? What about the bad guys that got away from-"
"Oh yes, I'm sure this street thug you describe - Torchwood, was it? Is the true heart of this political assassination scheme."
"It's Torchwick, and he's a better heart than me!" The girl exclaimed, gesturing to her torso for emphasis, "I don't even know the Prince's name! Wait, it's Clover, right?"
"… For the sake of all that is right with the world, I'm going to assume that was a joke in particularly poor taste. Now, have you ever had contact with Private Belladonna before today?"
"I haven't even had contact with him today! I'd never even heard his name until you started saying I was 'cocondensing' with him!"
"Co-conspiring, Miss Rose."
"Yeah, that!"
Why am I interrogating such a child? Jeremiah thought while giving a resigned sigh.
"Look, Mr…"
"Gottwald."
"Mr. Gottwald, I really didn't do anything you're saying. Maybe I screwed up a bit in Beacon, sure, but I'd never do anything like this."
"Regardless, the evidence seems to suggest otherwise, Miss Rose. It implies you conspired with Private Belladonna to obtain prototype military technology, which you used to give terrorists access to his Highness' transport, where they might assassinate him."
"But- But I…" she trailed off, before looking to Jeremiah with pleading eyes, "But what do you think, Mr. Gottwald? I swear, I'd never want to hurt anyone, I promise."
"… I'm afraid my opinion on the matter means very little, Miss Rose." Jeremiah sighed, feeling some sympathy for what appeared to be a young-ish girl who may have been pulled into a mess outside of her own volition.
"No it doesn't!" The girl exclaimed with force, "Everyone's opinions matter! All our choices matter! And you're here, so you must be important! If you think I'm innocent, then-"
"Then they'll find someone else to escort you to your execution. Nothing would change." Jeremiah explained, a surprising hint of bitterness to his voice.
"At least it wouldn't be you." she replied innocently, taking Jeremiah aback for a moment.
"I am a knight of Britannia. I am sworn to carry out the will of royalty."
"Even if they're wrong?"
"Wrong!? Royalty are never 'wrong'. This is a basic fact of Britannia. Even when something may seem amiss, it is all for a greater purpose. I'm aware you were born outside of our glorious country, but as a member of the military you should know this!"
Herself now taken aback at Jeremiah's declaration, the girl flinched for a moment before eventually answering, "So you've never seen a royal do something you thought was wrong?"
"Of cour-" Jeremiah started before cutting himself off, his mind flashing back to a certain event from 9 years ago.
"This interview is over. You'll be given food and water if required, just let someone know." Jeremiah decided, gathering the notes organised on the table as he made to leave.
"Uh, Mr. Gottwald! Is there any chance I can use a phone?"
"A phone?"
"… No one let me speak to my dad. Or my sister. I don't think they know where I am."
"What about your mother?" Jeremiah asked, to which the girl merely looked towards the ground in silence.
"I see. You haven't been allowed communication for security reasons, but I'll see what can be done."
"Thank you!" the girl immediately lit up, a bright smile catching Jeremiah off guard.
… How can this girl possibly be an assassin's conspirator? He thought while leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
"What are you doing? We were told to get a confession." asked Jeremiah's colleague, a woman with teal hair dressed in standard military uniform.
"We already have 'sufficient' evidence. What use is a confession?" Jeremiah rebutted, "Besides, the more I learn about this the more off everything feels…"
"'Off'?" asked his colleague, a surprised tone in her voice.
"Why would she conspire with assassins? Her personality profile suggests she doesn't have major interests outside of weapons development, and from what I can tell she's been granted near-unlimited funding from Prince Schneizel's patronage. No past links with terrorists, or even any obvious deviant contacts for that matter. She has nothing to gain, and everything to lose… And then there's Private Belladonna."
"You mean Suzaku Belladonna, our current suspect and decidedly not a member of our military."
"You are aware he saved our lives, correct?"
"He's a deviant! Shade, he's an Eleven! Why are you defending him!?"
"I'd hardly call a desire to find our Lord's true attacker 'defending him'. According to combat logs provided by the Special Division, he was assisting in clean-up until the end of the battle. There's no physical way he could've approached Prince Clovis' transport."
"Now you're being ridiculous, Prince Clovis' personal guard provided testimony placing him at the scene! The Special Division is probably just covering for him!"
"That would make them traitors. Not an accusation to throw around lightly, Villetta."
"Maybe he's tricked them somehow, I don't know. But we have our orders, and we need to follow them."
At that, Jeremiah fell silent. Whatever he thought, whatever seemed impossible about the situation, he'd been ordered to escort the two to the execution grounds. A young man who'd saved his life, and a girl who didn't seem to have done anything wrong. While Jeremiah considered himself loyal to Britannia, through and through, he still found the situation difficult to stomach.
So is this where loyalty takes Jeremiah Gottwald? To the executioners block, forcing children beneath the blade? He wondered, turning his mind back to the girl's words.
'So you've never seen a royal do something you thought was wrong?' he thought, remembering the sight of a young child thoroughly beaten after meeting his father.
'All our choices matter!' he considered, wondering what would've become of two children had he insisted on joining them to provide protection.
While these thoughts weighed on his mind, he glanced back inside the interrogation room. Inside, he saw the young Ruby Rose sitting alone in the room, clearly trying to hold back tears as the hopelessness of the situation was gradually sinking in. Looking at his own reflection in the glass, he made a small, depreciating chuckle.
I suppose this is the limit of my loyalty…
"Marvellous, my Lord, simply marvellous!" An aide applauded Prince Clovis after his proclamation, while the man in question sank back into his hospital bed.
"Well, I can hardly leave my flock in the dark, now can I?" he asked with a charming smile.
"Oh, your dedication to your people is truly magnificent!"
"Please, you are too kind."
Just let me rest, I have been shot for Light's sake… By my own brother, no less… Clovis thought, still surprised Lelouch would be so unphased by shooting his own brother.
I suppose I will have to think of a way to thank his friend… Yang, was it? I am left with the impression that without her support, I would be better placed in a morgue than this hospital… I need to ensure she stays pre-disposed to my continued good health, as well as Lelouch… Plus, I suppose I'll need to spearhead pro-faunus measures so Blake doesn't convince him otherwise… he considered, thinking of immediate tasks necessary to safeguard his life, as well as possible solutions.
"Is there anything else I can do to assist you, my Lord?" the aide asked after Clovis had a few moments to think.
"Not at the present, no. If I can think of anything, I will contact you."
A few minutes after the aide left, Clovis received a call on his personal scroll.
Scant few have these details… he thought, glancing at the caller. Upon seeing, he ordered the guards in his room to move outside for better privacy and answered.
"When I gave you this number, I didn't expect to be contacted so quickly. I assume you caught my speech, brother dear."
"Oh indeed I did, brother dear." Lelouch's voice came through the scroll.
"I must admit, you did take me by surprise. I will applaud you for that."
"Oh?"
"However, my respect will not save you."
Eh?
"I hereby accept your challenge. Consider this an official declaration of war."
EH!?
"Lel- Brother, what are you saying!?"
"I'm saying your life ended the moment you brought our families into this. Speaking of which, Yang would like a word before we go."
"Wait, what do you mean-"
"CLOVIS!" Yang's voice now pierced the room, "I swear! When I get my hands on you-"
"Miss Xiao-Long, please calm down…"
"Calm!? You announce you're gonna execute my sister after I save your damn life and you expect me to be CALM!?"
Sister!?
"Wha- What are you talking about?" Clovis asked, fear creeping into his voice as he rushed to think of what he'd done to draw the ire of his brother and Yang.
"What do you mean 'what am I talking about'!? You just announced you were gonna execute Ruby!"
"Miss Rose… Is your sister?" Clovis asked in disbelief.
"No, I was talking about Suzaku-OF COURSE I'M TALKING ABOUT RUBY!"
"But, your family names are completely different! And you look nothing alike!" Clovis replied, rapidly messaging Lieutenant General Bartley to send him any & all information on Ruby Rose, with particular attention on close relatives.
"So, what? You seriously think we're gonna believe you just happened to pick my sister and Lelouch's old friend to execute? How stupid do you think we are!?" She asked, after which Clovis momentarily heard some muted squabbling from the other end. During the time, Bartley had sent over an initial report on Ruby's personal background, including her half-sister relationship with Yang.
And ex-Private Belladonna was friends with Lelouch? Do the fates wish me dead?
While reading the report, Lelouch's voice once again sounded through the scroll, "I see your skill at tactics haven't improved, brother. Such a feint is unbecoming of you. Regardless, I only called at Yang's request. I'm sure we'll see each other soo-"
"Wait! Brother, I know it's unlikely, but I swear to you, I swear on my life, I wasn't aware of your connection to these two! I only chose them out of convenience – in a bid to save myself from incurring a debt to Schneizel!" he explained, desperately trying not to lose favour with Lelouch, aware that such a move could prove to be fatal.
"… I'd ask you to explain, but there's a risk this call could be monitored. Do you remember the spot we used to play at in the Aries villa?"
"Y-Yes, why?"
"Do you remember what was always in the corner of the room – don't say what it is."
"Yes, I do."
"Good. I'll send you a message with a meeting point, and that object will be the decryption key. We'll meet in 4 hours. If what you say is true, come alone."
"I'll need a tad longer than 4 hours."
"Then make it 5." Lelouch responded, cutting off the call. Within the minute, Clovis received an encrypted message as stated, and as explained he was able to determine its true location with the name of the object Lelouch had referred to. After sending an order to Bartley to make the arrangement, he placed his scroll on the nearby side-table and placed his head in his hand in frustration.
Why does everything I do seem to spiral into catastrophe? I suppose I can only pray I survive this ordeal…
"So, I'm guessing you weren't able to question Belladonna?"
"No, he was taken into custody before I could ask my questions, sir."
"I see… And this girl, Ruby Rose – what do you know of her?"
"Very little, I'm afraid. The Special Division operates independently of Area 5's usual command structure, for the most part."
"I'll see what I can pull up. But your instincts are accurate – it sounds as if this whole incident coincided with a nexus event…"
"What!? But that only happens-"
"Before times of great turmoil, according to our records. This is a turning point, Winter. We need to know more about the situation. Consider this a direct order: Do not allow Prince Clovis to execute Ruby Rose, nor Suzaku Belladonna, until we can question them in full."
"Understood, General Ironwood."
Reaching the specified destination in a simple, low-key black car, Clovis couldn't help but heave a sigh in nervousness. One his companion wasted no time picking up on.
"Your highness, I'm afraid I must once again voice my concerns. If anything were to happen to you-"
"Then it would merely be accelerating the inevitable, Bartley. Believe me when I say my life is dependent wholly on making peace here. Your presence only hinders that."
"Even so, your highness, I cannot allow you to attend some clandestine meeting with no support! Especially after-"
"I already told you: Abandoning my transport was not your choice. There was nothing you could have done."
"Regardless, after failing you once I daren't dream of doing so again!"
"… I suppose that is why you are my accomplice, after all." Clovis relented, a small smile on his face, "But if you are to attend, you must wear this." he asserted, giving a dark blindfold to Bartley.
"Your Highness…"
"If you see the one we are meeting here today, your life will surely be forfeit, and mine may be taken for good measure."
"I understand." he accepted in resignation, taking the blindfold and wrapping it around his head, ensuring his vision was completely blocked before the two made to exit the car.
"Your highness, if I may, what is the nature of our negotiating partner?"
"Nature?" Clovis echoed.
"You say your life hinges on peace; are they a necessary ally? An enemy to avoid? A generally neutral third party to simply stay clear of?"
"A good question… Until now, a third party. But based on my knowledge, it's unlikely they'll remain as such for long. This is a crucial moment: They could become an enemy which we are unlikely to be capable of matching without the support of some key players, or an ally from whom we will reap untold gains in time."
While their speed was slow heading on foot towards the meeting point, on account of Barley's need for navigational assistance, the two soon reached an abandoned house in the middle of an old industrial district. There they waited in the cold, damp room, the smell of wet wooden furniture filling the air, before they eventually heard a voice from behind a few minutes later.
"I told you to come alone. Both of you, raise your hands. Don't turn around." Lelouch's voice called out from behind.
Following his instructions, Clovis explained the presence of his companion, "This is Lieutenant General Bartley, my most trusted aide. He was present on my personal transport immediately before I declared the ceasefire. He's also the most knowledgeable man on Geass I'm aware of, excluding myself."
"I insisted on attending this meeting, sir! If punishment need be dealt, I only ask you direct it at myself!"
"Hm. Loyal to your superior, I see."
"I chose to work for his Highness above all others!"
"A shared supernatural fascination, you see."
"Very well. I trust there are no others nearby?"
""None""
"Then I'll allow it." Lelouch decided, upon which both Clovis and Bartley breather a sigh of relief, beginning to lower their hands.
"I'd appreciate it if your aide could remain facing away. No need for unnecessary risks."
"Of course." Clovis replied as he turned to face his brother, while Bartley remained turned away.
"Ah, you are even more stunning that when we last met. Truly, your-"
"Best to keep descriptions to a minimum."
"Aw, come on, let the guy talk just a bit." Yang nudged Lelouch, evidently pleased Clovis' flattery was going to be a recurring theme.
"Now, you claimed your reasons for executing Belladonna and Rose were to do with Schneizel? Explain."
"Yes, of course. While Miss Rose has been with them for some time now, I believe, Private Belladonna is something of a new recruit for Schneizel's 'Special Division'" Clovis explained.
"'Special Division'?"
"What do you mean Ruby's with them?"
"Schneizel's Special Division, a small unit of the military headed by Earl Lloyd Apslund, who operates outside the standard military hierarchy. Technically, they report directly to Schneizel, but they are under the command of members of the royal family during combat situations they find themselves in."
"Such as the incident in Forever Rise." Lelouch concluded.
"Precisely."
"So…" Lelouch began, piecing the incident together, "You made use of the Special Division during the incident. They proved useful, and as such their inclusion incurred a debt with Schneizel. You arrested two members of the division, two you were capable of framing as your 'attacker', and were hoping Schneizel would request you let the two go as a favour, clearing the debt you owed. Is that everything?"
"We're charging them as conspirators, not directly as my attacker. Other than that, your deductions are correct."
"Do they know?" Yang asked.
"Of course not. Their knowledge of the scheme would threaten to undermine it."
"So you're putting them through all this, making them think they're gonna be killed for treason, just so you can clear a debt!?"
"Welcome to politics." Lelouch replied, inducting Yang into the noble world he came from.
"Of course, had I realised their… Importance to yourselves, I would never have dreamed-"
"Of using them so blatantly?" Lelouch pre-empted, aware his brother likely would've used the two as leverage at some point down the line.
"When we return, we will announce a revelation that the two were innocent within the hour, and find another to take the role. You have my word. This entire event is turning out to be far more trouble than it's worth…" Clovis commented while placing a hand to his face. While the gesture was clearly overdramatised, his facial expression showed the truth behind it.
"Has Schneizel already made a counter-play?" Lelouch asked, confident their brother was already making life difficult for Clovis in retaliation. The shaking of Clovis' head came as a surprise.
"No, the Knight scheduled to lead the two and command the firing squad has refused to participate on 'moral objections'. He took two demotions without hesitation, which has made no small number of people take far more interest in the situation..."
"Wait, so you've got Knights that aren't terrible people?"
"It was insubordination!" Bartley cried.
"Good man. I hope you give him a promotion once the incident has been resolved."
"Yes, well, we can hardly demote someone for refusing to execute two people we're about to announce are actually innocent."
"… Can you find someone else to fill his place? Preferably someone you'd rather be rid of?" Lelouch asked, putting his chin between a thumb and finger as he concocted a plan to make use of the situation.
"Eh? It shouldn't be a problem. Bartley?"
"Any of his subordinates could step up to the role, or we could grant it to Lord Kewell – with Gottwald demoted, he's likely to make a problematic move. We could even use Brigadier Schnee."
"It would be nice to have the tin man further from our affairs… I'm beginning to suspect he knows more about Geass than we're aware... What're you planning?"
"You'll see soon enough. Other than placing your pawn, I only need two things from you." Lelouch stated, before receiving a knock to the arm from Yang, "And my companion needs one."
"… Well, would you like to go first, my dear?"
"Uh, sure. I want you to tell Ruby and Suzaku they're not gonna be executed asap."
"But don't reveal this fact to the public. Inform them they're being temporarily relocated while the incident is investigated, or something to that effect."
"Such kindness is rare in this day. Your beauty transcends appearance." Clovis sighed, "And your requests?" he asked with hesitation, afraid his brother would ask the impossible.
"First, I need contact details for a skilled clothier. They'll also need some minor metalworking skills."
"Ah, planning to dress for the occasion? It's reassuring to know we have something in common. And the second?"
"I need your car."
While the rest of the White Fang were settling down in their temporary hideout, drinking alcohol and making merry over their recent victory, Kallen had volunteered for watch duty. Others may need to blow off steam and celebrate, but recent events still left her with plenty to reflect on.
I could swear it was her voice, but that doesn't make any sense… Why wouldn't she say anything? And if she's safe, where is she now? Who was on the other end of the scroll? Where did they go? Why did Clovis surrender? What happened with Adam on the train? Why is he now even more dark and brooding than usual? Were some of the many questions she found herself ruminating over, despite no answers coming forward.
"Do you think she's alright?" asked Kallen's watch-duty partner, Ilia.
"Huh?" Kallen answered, being broken out of her thoughts.
"I mean, you were with her last, right? So what do you think-"
"Look, the voice said she was ok, so there's no use worrying about it."
"You seriously trust some voice that much!? What if she was captured-"
"She wasn't" Kallen answered confidently, "That was her scroll, and that voice saved our damn lives – why would they lie about her being safe?"
"What if they were trying to trick us?"
"Trick us?" Kallen asked sceptically, "They tricked us into thinking Blake was safe, when in reality she was captured by Britannians, only to completely decimate the military of those same Britannians?"
"Hey, we were the ones destroying the Knightmares!"
"And you think we could've destroyed them, destroyed any, without them giving us a damn battalion's worth of equipment?"
"Then why did they help us!?" Ilia asked in frustration, "No one helps us, Kallen, that's why we help ourselves! That's why we're here! Why..."
"… I don't know." Kallen admitted, bitter about the amount of things she currently didn't know. Her response birthed a despondent quiet for several minutes, contrasted by the sounds of celebration from inside the warehouse, dulled by the walls.
Hm? Kallen reacted, thinking she'd noticed something. Unable to see through the darkness, she instead morphed her ears into those of a bat to try and hear the source.
"What is it?" Ilia asked, noticing Kallen's use of her semblance.
"Be quiet, and maybe I can tell you." Kallen replied, trying to focus on the area she thought she'd seen the briefest of shadows move in.
Did I just imagine something… she wondered, listening intently for a full minute.
No, there!
"Stay here, I'll go check it out!" Kallen decided, rushing off in the direction of the noise she'd heard.
"Wait, what!? Kallen!" Ilia called after her, but she paid no heed while sprinting towards the sound.
For a few minutes, Kallen pursued the continued noises, however slight. The sound of some rubble being knocked around the corner, of shoes hitting the hard concrete, then of leaves being rustled and branches bending ever-so-slightly as the chase shifted from the deserted storage district to the forest.
Encroaching further past the trees, Kallen slowed down as the noises stopped, replaced with nothing but the whistling of the wind and the ruffle of leaves as it blew past.
I don't think they're some enemy trying to spy on us, too slow getting away – they wanted me to follow them. And if that's the case…
"Took you long enough." Kallen stated towards the general treeline while re-morphing her ears back to normal, only knowing of one soul capable of such stealth which wasn't already present at their temporary base.
"Sorry, I had some loose ends to tip up." a familiar voice replied from above, before Blake seemed to materialise on the branch behind Kallen.
"You know, you could just come and say hi."
"I was going to, but…"
"Adam?" Kallen asked, to which Blake responded with a nod, "Yeah, guessing you weren't expecting him to catch up after falling behind."
"I was hoping for a bit more time to talk to everyone before he came back. But then…"
"We accidentally brought Britannia's whole damn army down on us?"
"Well, it was only Clovis' troops."
"Oh, right, we only brought the third Prince's army down on us."
"We wouldn't still be here if it was anything more."
"Or if that voice didn't show up."
"… Yeah, or that." Blake replied, growing evasive. However, in this situation, Kallen wasn't accepting vague allusions, and the fact Blake even knew about the voice despite losing her scroll was even more suspicious than her current demeanour.
"You know, it's funny. That voice was only able to contact us because they had your scroll. That thing's basically our lifeline for communication. You'd have to be an idiot to lose one."
"It was a messy situation."
"Right, right… And another funny little detail: When I saved that voice from the white Knightmare that showed up, I could've sworn I heard another voice call my name. One that sounded really similar to yours."
"…"
"Spill it, who was that?" she asked, the fact that Blake knew something extraordinarily blatant.
"I… Can't tell you." she answered with hesitation after a tense silence.
"Can't, or won't?"
"Can't." Blake replied, an imperceptible orange flicker surrounding her irises, "I've seen to that."
"… And can you tell anyone else? Adam?"
"Definitely not."
"Keeping secrets from our dear leader?"
"Ha" Blake scoffed, "There's no way I'm following him another step."
"And I don't suppose you can tell me why that's the case, either?"
"Actually, I can." Blake replied, explaining what had happened on the train: While the two boarded and defeated security as per the plan, Adam wanted to destroy the carriages they robbed for good measure, regardless of civilian casualties. Blake disagreed. Combined with the growing extremist tendencies Adam had been showing recently, she decided to disconnect his segment of the train.
"And then the front continued to where we met up about 5-10 minutes later." Blake finished.
"So, you left him behind?"
"I moved forward."
"Well now he's back, and wants to know where you are."
"What he wants doesn't matter – I'm only here to let you know I'm not dead."
"Blake, look, I know he can be difficult-"
"Difficult? You call disinterest in sparing or killing innocent people difficult!?"
"Leadership means you need to make hard choices! That's why you insisted he should take over from Ohgi, remember!?"
"I was wrong!" Blake yelled in exasperation, "It would've been better if we never replaced Ohgi, ok! Sure, he was a bit soft sometimes, but Adam's gone way too far in the opposite direction! I should've seen it coming, but he's-… I-… We were…" Blake trailed off, unable to continue her reasons.
"… Look, I get it." Kallen sighed, "You thought it'd be you and him against the world. I know how that feels…" she went on, remembering her own experience in that area.
"And it's good you've gotten out of that phase. But be realistic, what choice do we have?"
"We always have a choice."
"We need a leader! And even if I don't like him, Adam's popular with the Fang… The only one I think could seriously challenge him is you, and no offence but I don't think you're really cut out for the job." Kallen rebutted, aware that while Blake was certainly popular, she also wasn't capable of the responsibilities that came with leading their group, nor of inspiring loyalty beyond the few she considered close friends.
"I'm aware, but that doesn't mean I have to follow him. No one does."
"So what, you're just gonna fight Britannia on your own? We've already talked about this - the best you'll do is help a few people not die for a few days, at best."
"I never said I was going it alone." Blake replied, earning a questioning look from Kallen, "I know someone."
"Someone you think will be able to get us further than Adam has?"
"Much."
"… Ok, I'm interested. Don't suppose your person is anyone I would know?"
"Well, you've probably heard of them. They took down Clovis' army with nothing but a stolen Sutherland, a damaged Glasgow, and a few faunus misfits lacking a competent leader."
"You mean you can contact that voice!? Why didn't you say so!?"
"I just did." Blake chuckled.
"Well, don't keep me in suspense now! What's the plan?"
"Sorry, I don't think I can tell any of Adam's subordinates-"
"Screw that! If you trust this guy, I'm in, no question. I'll try and grab as many of the others I can, too."
"… Good to hear. But I think we should only try and recruit people we know will join, for now." Blake decided.
"Yeah, probably a good idea…" Kallen agreed, back-pedalling upon realising the issue therein, "If half of us suddenly walk out, Adam'll blow a fuse… So, what's the plan?" she asked, upon which Blake's scroll began to ring. Looking to it, she couldn't help but break into a smile.
"Looks like we're about to find out."
"So she's in?"
"Indeed, we meet her and any White Fang members she can recruit in approximately 16 hours." Lelouch replied, ending his call with Blake and pulling up necessary information.
"Isn't the parade or whatever only in like 19 hours? Cutting it a bit close, aren't we?"
"Clovis assures me his man can make our outfits very promptly."
"I don't care about our damn clothes! I meant we've got no time to- to plan, to get our new-ish allies ready, to get into position…"
"… Yang, since when did you start thinking strategically?" Lelouch asked, genuinely shocked.
"Hey! I can think things through when I need to! We need to get this right, or-"
"Or Clovis will simply release Ruby and Suzaku at a later date. Yang, there aren't any stakes here, there's no need to be so concerned."
"But their guards don't know, right? What if they shoot them so they can't escape?"
"They're classified as high-value prisoners. They wouldn't risk seriously injuring them. The only ones the Britannian's are likely to try and kill are us."
"… Well that's just so reassuring." Yang drawled.
"Relax." Lelouch chuckled, "Now that I have this power, I expect even one of my hastily-concocted schemes could be made to work. Here, our allies are both within and without. We can't lose." he declared, the orange v-shaped symbol of Geass glowing in his left eye for good measure.
"… So, I guess it's a good thing you listened to me, huh?"
"Your suggestion was… beneficial."
"Beneficial? If I didn't make you call Clovis, you would've brought down Area 5 because of a misunderstanding!"
"As I said, it was beneficial. Regardless, we should begin preparations. As you stated, we are 'cutting this a bit close'."
"Wait, so does that mean I've been acquitted?"
"Hardly, Mr. Belladonna. This is, most likely, a stay of execution to ensure no hasty decisions are made while the investigation is concluded. Publicly, you are still to be executed with haste."
"I see… Is that why you're questioning me instead of Sir Gottwald, Brigadier Schnee?"
"… Actually, Squadron Leader Gottwald refused to serve as your executioner. Lieutentant General Bartley requested that Sir Kewell and I serve as replacements." Winter replied after a moment's hesitation. While this information wasn't exactly supposed to be public knowledge, she decided the boy at least deserved to know why she would likely serve as his escort to the afterlife.
"Refused!? But why-" Suzaku replied, before wondering if his desertion of duty could be related to a feeling of debt incurred in the battle yesterday.
"… It seems you may have answered your own question."
"I encountered Sir Gottwald on the battlefield yesterday. Perhaps he dislikes the idea of betraying a comrade-in-arms." he explained with a small smile.
"I must admit, the entire affair is rather unpleasant." Winter sighed, "But perhaps an alternative solution will present itself during the investigation." she suggested, acutely aware of her separate orders from General Ironwood.
"In any case, this serves as a useful opportunity. Sir Gottwald passed on the investigation notes, but there are still a few questions I'd like to ask you myself…"
"Well, where are they?" Kallen asked, apprehensive about following Blake to some unknown abandoned industrial sector of Area 5. While the sun was setting and the tall buildings cloaked the area in shade, it was still far from the dark nights she was comfortable venturing out in when accompanied by her faunus comrades.
"Yeah, we're a bit out-in-the-open. If this wasn't you I'd think it was a trap." Ohgi stated, sharing Kallen's thoughts.
"They said they would be here. Just give it some time." Blake replied confidently.
How the Shade can Blake trust this guy so much? She barely trusts anyone in the Fang, so just who-
"Greetings! I hope you weren't waiting too long." A voice called out from behind them.
Turning around, the three were met with an incredibly unusual sight: Two masked figures standing atop a pile of wreckage, posing dramatically. Both wore similar mysterious helmets, spherical black helmets containing central purple visors which likely served as one-way mirrors. The two's helmets differed in that the figure standing towards the front possessed a slightly deeper purple visor than the other, as well as demon-like horns. This figure sported a similarly purple suit with gold highlights, separated from the helmet by a white cravat, and was wreathed in a black cape with a pale red interior, similarly sporting golden outlines. Behind the lead, meanwhile, the helmet's horns were inverted in places, forming a shape resembling fangs around the edges of the visor. Their outfit was otherwise almost identical in structure, simply different in colour: Their suit was a light shade of brown with an orange cravat, while the interior of their cloak was a far brighter, almost flaming red.
While initially shocked, Kallen quickly recovered after realising she recognised the voice who had called out.
"So, you the guy who was on Blake's scroll?"
"Indeed." the lead figure responded.
"And, what, that your brother or something?"
"She is my accomplice." he stated, whereupon the woman in question gave a brief nod, "But that matters not-"
"Of course it matters!"
"It matters not." the masked figure repeated with force, "What matters is our results." he asserted before pausing, clearly waiting for someone to reply.
"… Results of what?" Ohgi eventually asked to break the silence.
"Of our objective: Freeing the captives Suzaku Belladonna and Ruby Rose from Britannian imprisonment."
After reiterating their objective, Kallen and Ohgi fell into a silence while looking almost apologetic, prompting Blake to answer "We couldn't convince anyone else to come – there's only the five of us."
"It will suffice."
"That's insane! They're gonna be guarded by a damn army!" Kallen exclaimed.
"When out of options, you put your faith in me, and because of that we won. Now that you have a choice, I ask you do so again. Follow my orders and I shall deliver to you the impossible. Perhaps then, I shall gain your trust."
"What do we do about Belladonna?" a man with mouse ears and whiskers asked of the woman with tiger ears and markings, amber eyes with wild black hair and matching dark grey sleeveless top and long skirt, seated in what amounted to a throne.
"You'll need to be more specific." she replied.
"Suzaku, obviously!"
"Oh? I didn't think it so obvious. I count three Belladonna's in need of our attention."
"Sienna, we don't have much time." another man spoke up, a tall man with grey eyes and spiky brown hair, wearing a long-necked black-green shirt, from which the edges of a tortoise-like shell were barely visible.
"True, but what are we to do Todoh? As you say, we don't have much time, not even a day, so it's not like we could rush in and break poor Belladonna from Britannian clutches, even if we wanted to."
"But Adam-"
"Is still recovering his forces after the Forever Rise incident, yes? Any attack he mounted would be weak. Am I mistaken?"
"… No. It is as you say." Todoh relented, seeing the truth in Sienna's argument.
"I suppose we'll take this as a sign that we need to improve our presence beyond Menagerie going forward. As for Suzaku Belladonna, I'm afraid his fate is now beyond our reach…"
"Umm… Can I come in?" Ilia asked nervously from outside the room Adam had taken as his.
"You may." he replied. Stepping into the room, Ilia found Adam slowly and methodically cleaning his sword, Wilt, ensuring all the blood was wiped clean before beginning to apply a thin layer of oil to the blade. While initially surprised that he did so without removing his mask, Ilia soon began to bring up the reason for her visit.
"There's… There's something I need to tell you…"
"Which is?" he asked, prompting Ilia to fall into silence, shifting awkwardly as if unsure whether she wanted to speak.
"Ilia, if you have something to say, then say it."
"It's just… I'm not sure if…"
"If it's nothing important, then there's no harm in telling me. If there is, then there's certainly harm in not." Adam insisted, not even glancing up while he continued tending to the blade.
"Well, apparently the voice from earlier contacted us…"
"Apparently?"
"I mean, I didn't hear them, but according to Kallen-"
"Our trust in our comrades is the only reason we survive, Ilia. Kallen is no traitor – if she claims they contacted us, they contacted us."
"Right. It's just… she asked me not to tell anyone else." Ilia revealed, whereupon Adam finally deemed it necessary to look up.
"Why?"
"Well, umm…" Ilia trailed off, clearly nervous.
"Ilia, there's no need to be afraid. You've done nothing wrong. You can tell me." he claimed in a calm, understanding voice.
"… She said they didn't want you finding out…"
"They?" Adam echoed, after which Ilia stayed silent for longer than she had thus far.
"… It was Blake who took the call." she revealed, prompting Adam's turn for a long pause.
"Did Kallen tell you what the voice wanted?" he eventually asked.
"Well, apparently they need help… Freeing Suzaku Belladonna."
After her statement, Adam heaved a sigh and stood up, sheathing his now fully-cleaned sword, before slowly walking towards Ilia.
"I see." he stated, taking a few more steps, "You realise what's happening, don't you Ilia?"
"I do?"
"It's all a ploy. A trap."
"A trap?"
"Yes, a trap. They've used Blake's brother as bait, clouding her judgement. Clearly they're well informed, using the situation to break apart our cell's command structure." he stated, referring to the fact that Blake and Kallen comprised 1/3 of the White Fang's major command in Vale, "Do you know if anyone else joined them?"
"Uh, Ohgi, I think. They didn't ask Tamaki – I think he was too drunk to think straight."
"Then they've secured half of our command. A skilled opponent, indeed."
"Wait, but why would they try and trap us? If they hadn't helped, we would've all been-"
"Killed? That's just what they want you to think." Adam asserted, "You all seem convinced you only won because of this voice, but is that the truth? If Kallen lost her Knightmare, she would've ejected and everyone evacuate sooner. Without the drawn-out battle, you probably could've escaped before they finished their perimeter. The voice interfered, and made you think they were your saviour, to gain your trust." he claimed with confidence.
"I knew they were up to something!"
"Because you are an intelligent woman, Ilia. As is Blake, normally, but our enemy is more so – with the threat of her brother's death, she's risking our own people to save him."
"But Blake would never-"
"They're using her, Ilia."
"They are?" she asked timidly.
"They are. Twisting her kindness to their own ends. She needs our help." he stated, before pausing for a few seconds, "Will you help her?"
"Of course!" Ilia responded immediately, causing Adam to smile.
"I knew you would. Form some scouting parties and take them to smaller roads near the parade's most likely routes – we need to gain as much information as possible if we're going to find them."
"Right!" she replied, before speeding off back towards the others.
"Ilia." Adam called out, prompting Ilia to turn around.
"You did the right thing in telling me. Thank you." he stated, giving her a slight smile and nod in thanks.
"No problem!" she exclaimed, happy and determined to help her friend.
After her exit, Adam glanced at his sword while considering his next steps.
It seems our separation will be shorter than expected, Blake…
A/N:
Hope Everyone had a happy New Year!
So we've got to move 2 now; in my head pretty much everything before the Beacon introduction is just a prologue to establish the divergence in events and cover some of the crossover stuff, and now it's looking like Beacon won't happen until 35k-40k words. oops, I guess. Also turns out I lied - Chapter 2 is 2-3 shorter chapters rather than 1 longer one. Again, oops.
Going forward I'll be trying to update this every 2 weeks, but as January is the marking period I'm going to be quite busy, so there may be some delays.
Other than that, comments, constructive criticism, etc. are all welcome so please post, and other than that see you next time!