Part 18: Surprise attack
"Lelouch," Cornelia said from the screen in the conference room on the Sub marine. "Once we take care of Schneizel there are more threats that will come after us," she said looking serious and Lelouch nodded in understanding.
"Suzaku what do you think," he said.
"Last time when Zero appeared again, me and two other knights of the round were sent to Japan, if we succeed in this mission you will be seen as a bigger threat," Suzaku said looking serious.
"Enough for the knight of one to come," Euphemia said looking nervous.
"Even if we retrieve the Gaiwan it will still take both me and Rakshata time to get the Albion and Seiten working again," Loyd said looking serious.
"So will need to lay low after we take down prince Schneizel, but last time the submarine was found," Todoh said.
"Is there not someone we can leave behind, to keep an eye on things while were away," Jeremiah said.
"Unfortunately no," Vileta said, "With Milly and Rival out of the academy and being exposed on the news they can never go back to Ashford,".
"What about someone on your side Cornelia," Ohgi said and Cornelia looked down as she was trying to think.
"I suggest we leave behind Dalton but we still tell him everything," Euphemia said making Cornelia looking surprised.
"How will this work?".
"Everyone at the office knows that my sister and Guilford are always walking with each other, but Dalton is only at her side during meetings or on the battlefield," Euphemia said.
"Just what are they saying about us," Cornelia thought.
"Princess Euphemia is correct, Guilford is the most loyal and they would keep an eye on him after you left, you can leave Dalton behind when you come to the inspection the next day saying you wanted him to keep guard while you and Guiford were away," Jeremiah said.
"Very well, I will explain everything to them before we leave tomorrow," Cornelia said looking down.
"Before we move on from the knights of the round, Suzaku is there anyone from them that would change sides if they knew the truth," Lelouch said.
"Gino maybe if he knew what they were planning, but I don't know where he is right now," Suzaku said.
"Will just have to hope that when they start sending the knights after us that Gino will be one of them," Kallen said looking serious and Lelouch nodded in agreement.
"As for our next move, we still have one more Allie left that we can give their memories too," Lelouch said.
"Xingke,".
"If I remember right hes the one who looks after the empress from the Japanese federation," Cornelia said.
"If we show him his memories he can expose the government and we will have more allies on our side," Lelouch said, "Will be one step closer to bring the united federation of nations together,".
"So were heading to Japanese federation after we take care of Schneizel," Todoh said looking serious and Lelouch nodded.
"Are there any objections?".
"No will be fine there since will have the federation on our side from the beginning," Ohgi said nodding at him letting him know he trusted him with the idea.
"Alright, Cornelia wait for my signal and then we will begin our attack," Lelouch said getting up from his seat and leaving the room. Much later he sat in his room with a large bed and bathroom as he went over the plan.
The door opened revealing Kallen taking off her headband, "Just saw Milly on my way here, shes annoyed that she couldn't share a room with Rival," she said smiling as she sat on the bed.
"Isn't she looking after Nunnally," Lelouch said.
"Yeah shes fine looking after her but Sayako is there too, I guess she just wanted some time with Rival before tomorrow happens," she said.
"So he still wants to be a pilot," Lelouch said remembering what Rival said to him when they left the building after they sent out their message.
Flashback:
"You what," Lelouch said looking confused as Kallen was talking with Milly and Nunnally.
"I want to be a soldier too so I can help put an end to all this, Im not as good as Kallen but at least," Rival said before Lelouch interrupted him, "Rival stop," he said looking serious.
"You'll be putting your life on the line if you do this, imagine what will happen if something goes wrong and how Milly will feel if she uses you," he said.
"What about Kallen and Nunnally if they lose you," Rival said looking down as he clenched his fists, "Whether I like it or not Im a soldier now and I don't want to lose my friends," he said as his body began to shake.
Lelouch looked a little surprised by his determination but he knew Rival was just trying to protect the ones he cares about. Lelouch took a breath before speaking up, "Ohgi," he said calling him over.
"Yeah what's up," he said.
"Take Rival to one of our pilots and give him the basics on how a knightmare works, its going to be much different then driving a motorbike around," Lelouch said and notice Rival look surprised.
"Okay then I understand," Ohgi said nodding at him.
"Lelouch," Rival said getting his attention.
"Just make sure to stay alive Rival," he said giving him a serious look before he began to walk away.
"Fine but that goes for you to buddy you got it," Rival said looking serious. Lelouch didn't look back but he still smiled from his friends words.
Flashback end
"Yeah hes not backing down, if we just left him behind he would just worry about everything and we need Milly here to keep an eye on intel," Kallen said looking down which Lelouch noticed.
"Are you okay," he said turning his chair so he could face her.
"Hard to believe only a few days ago we were still students at Ashford, now were all fighting together in a war," she said.
"That's why we need to fight so we can get those days back, but at leas then you finally get to act like yourself," Lelouch said smiling.
"Well just so you know you are not going back to gambling after we win," Kallen said smiling but then noticed he was now looking back at his plans.
"How many times have you gone over that?".
"I need to make sure there are no mistakes, I took a risk when I didn't realize things could change in battle after what happened with Guilford," Lelouch said remembering when he showed up to save Cornelia.
"Yeah but we came out of it okay," Kallen said.
"Schneizel is dangerous, I need to make sure we can take him down quick," Lelouch said looking serious, "He was always strong even when we were kids," he said.
"He sounds worried," Kallen thought before looking at the bathroom and getting an idea.
"Its getting late and you could use a shower after being in that suit for so long," she said standing up and unzipping her suit.
"Sorry do you want to go first," Lelouch said.
"No the showers big enough, so lets take one together," Kallen said smiling making him look surprised before pulling him out of the chair and dragging him to the bathroom.
"Kallen is now really the time," Lelouch said before noticing she had taken off her suit and now only wearing her underwear.
"I think we deserve some time off," Kallen said before turning on the shower. Lelouch blushed a little before removes his own clothes and the two of them got under the shower and began to wash. When Lelouch was under the water he felt Kallen against his back as she hugged him.
"Kallen," he said.
"Your worried about everyone, aren't you," she said.
"We are comrades, I have to make sure we can win, now more then ever," Lelouch said looking serious.
"Me, Milly, Nunnally and Rival knew what we were getting into when we decided to join you," Kallen said before he turned and faced her.
"The black knights just don't follow Zero anymore, they follow you Lelouch and they will fight with you to the end after everything you have done for us," she said before putting her hand on his face.
"Im with you to the end,".
"Thank you Kallen, It will need to have my queen watching my back," Lelouch said smiling before making her blush.
"Sounds like your proposing if your calling me a queen," she said smiling.
"Maybe, someday in the future," Lelouch said before the two of them laughed. They then then realized that they were both still naked in the shower and Kallen looked at Lelouch before putting her hands on his chest.
Lelouch held her close before kissing her and she kissed him back. The two of them then pulled away and took deep breaths, "Lelouch," Kallen said.
"What is it," he said.
"Lets just take tonight off and be together, can we do that," she said looking nervous.
"Id like that," Lelouch said smiling before turning off the shower. The two of them then walked to the bed where Kallen lied down and Lelouch got on top of her.
"Just make sure to go easy okay, its my first time after all," Kallen said blushing but then Kallen put his hand on her face.
"Just trust me okay," he said smiling.
"I do," Kallen said smiling back at him and the two of them kissed before they began to make love for the first time. At this moment they weren't the leader of the black knights and one of their best pilots.
At the moment in their bed as they had their first time together. They were just Lelouch and Kallen. Two friends who had come to trust and love each other. At the end Kallen and Lelouch lied next to each other under the sheets.
"I hope we can have a moment like this again," Lelouch said.
"Don't be in such a rush," Kallen said before smiling as she rested her head on his chest.
"I love you Kallen," Lelouch said.
"I love you too, Lelouch," she said before shutting her eyes. As they slept the two of them were more determined then ever to keep each other safe and to fight hard so they can have a life of peace together.
The next day in Cornelias office, "Princess Ive heard you will be heading to the inspection with Princess Euphemia," Guilford said walking in with Dalton.
"Would you like us to accompany you?" Dalton asked.
"No I only need one of you to come with me, but theres something I need you both to know first," Cornelia said before Suzaku walked in with Euphemia.
"Princess," Guilford said as he and Dalton bowed.
"Sorry but theres something we need to tell the both of you," Euphemia said looking serious which made them look confused.
"The truth is that the three of us have been working with the black knights so we can fight against Britannia," Suzaku said looking serious which made the two of them look surprised.
"Kururugi what your saying is absolute treason, not to mention it will effect Euphemias reputations," Guilford said reaching for his sword.
"Guilford, she said the three of us," Dalton said looking down and Guilford looked surprised before looking back at the woman he trusted. She had a serious look on her face as she stared at him.
"Princess," he said.
"Theres something you should know about the empire and I hope I can still trust you to fight by my side, I need your help Guilford," she said calmly.
Much later at an aiport Euphemia was with Cornelia and Guilford, "As you can see everything is secure, even if the former prince and his allies attack we will be ready for them," the boss said.
"I hope your security is ready today, with the viceroy and princess in one place it's a perfect target if this information got out," Guilford said looking serious.
Then they heard the sound of an explosion, "Whats that," Suzaku said looking around as Cornelia looked at her phone. She then nodded at Suzaku letting him know it was time.
Meanwhile outside Lelouch was sitting in his knightmare as he gave out orders, "All teams target the enemy knightmares, once the lancelot appears stick to the plan and await orders," he said.
"Copy that Zero," Tamaki said.
"Zero an enemy knightmare has appeared on the battlefield," Kallen said speaking up.
"Looks like its time," Lelouch thought looking serious before he began to move.
"Zero why are you running," Suzaku said from inside the lancelot as Lelouch lead him to an open area. Then multiple knightmares surrounded them and pointed their weapons at him.
"It seems we are on the winning side Suzaku," Lelouch said as he got out of his knightmare, "If you will I would like to talk to you about something," he said.
"Very well," Suzaku said before getting out as well.
"No they captured the lancelot," Loyd said looking down from the main room with the rest of the group.
"Our knightmares are back on the mainland," Guilford said looking at Cornelia.
"Kururugi just buy some time until we can think of something," Cornelia said speaking into the radio as she looked at the sky, "Any moment and he will be here," she thought. After a minute the radio went off.
"Mam prince Schneizels ship is approaching, he has a weapon that could take down Lelouch," the boss said.
"Kurugi capture Lelouch and keep him there," Cornelia said. Over in the area Suzaku grabbed onto Lelouch and held him at gun point.
"Hes on his way," Lelouch said quietly and Suzaku nodded yes.
"But what about Suzaku," Euphemia said.
"Hes helping us put a stop to a threat to Britannia," the boss said.
"No I wont let him get hurt," Euphemia said before running outside.
"Princess," Guilford said.
"Call off the attack now," Cornelia said before Schneizel spoke up from the radio.
"It seems I arrived just in time, I hope you don't mind me lending a helping hand," he said calmly.
"Schneizel, your right on time," Cornelia said before taking a different radio out of her pocket, "Fire right now," she said looking serious.
"Princess what are you doing," the boss said before Guilford pointed his sword at him.
"Don't make a move or else," he said looking determined.
"Cornelia whats," Schneizel said before multiple rockets hit the back of the ship causing a large explosion.
"What is this," his assistant said looking surprised.
"Your highness, multiple units below have fired rockets at our engines,".
"This was a trap," Schneizel said looking angry.
"Sorry Schneizel but I wont let you harm my family," Cornelia said calmly making him look annoyed.
"Cornelia, your siding with Lelouch," he said.
"Im doing what is right, don't you agree Lelouch," Cornelia said as back at the open area. Suzaku handed him his radio as he got back in the lancelot.
"That's right, I will put an end to Britannia once and for all," he said looking serious.
"Lelouch," Schneizel said.
"I believe this time I will win, Schneizel," Lelouch said looking serious.