An: Had to use some polish, there are translations in brackets.

Piles of sand were blown into the air. It was a hot day, even in the desert. A clash of metal could be heard. Bullets were flying everywhere. The sound of explosions could be heard at least for kilometers in every direction.

In a huge ball of flaming death and destruction a knightmare frame was obliterated, it's mangled remains falling to the ground. The metalic corpse laying there, it's purple paint pealing of because of the fire.

"Your highness, we won't make it for much longer, we are-" The transmission was cut short by another explosion.

Along the border between the remains of the MEF and the land conquered by Britannia was happening something never seen before. Princess Cornelia decided to attack the retreating enemy soldiers. From nowhere, bullets started flying. Now they were pinned down in small groups in every which direction.

Behind the control panel of her knightmare, Princess Cornelia li Britannia felt something new. Drops of sweat made their way down her forehead. Her knuckles were white from how hard she was gripping the controls. She felt as if something was stuck in her throat. Her bleed-over eyes were snapping from one monitor to another.

This feeling...She was afraid. The last time she felt like that was when she heard that Japan was invaded, with her siblings still in the country.

They were making their way to ambush a squad of retreating enemies, when they were attacked. In a matter of seconds one third of her ambush squad was slaughtered, buried inside their knightmares like in metal coffins, never to be unsealed again. All that was left was her, Guilford, Darlton with his sons and two sutherlands.

They made a defensive circle and were steadily losing pilots. They hadn't seen the predators that were hunting them now. Hell, they hadn't even seen the MEF troops they planned to ambush.

With a blood freezing 'swoosh' another shot was fired and a second later it met it's mark, hitting the Yggdrasil drive of one of the two last sutherlands. The pilot wasn't even able to give a scream before he was no more.

No... This wasn't fear... Not anymore. She wasn't afraid... She was fucking terrified. If she was of clearer mind, Cornelia would realise there was something unnatural about her fear. But as it was, her was concerned only on one thing.

'Euphy'

Her sister was in the back, in the land conquered long ago. But, if this was going to go the way this was going now, her sister wouldn't be safe for much longer.

Normally, the thought of Euphemia being in danger would anger and make her focus. This time was different. A spike of fear shot through her.

At that moment another high caliber round struck the last Sutherland in the cockpit, after penetrating through the chest armour. This time it didn't explode. It slumped to the ground, like a puppet with it's strings cut.

This, in someway, was even more terrifying then just an explosion. Something red dropped onto her control panel. After a few seconds of confusion, she realised it was blood. HER BLOOD. She confirmed that, after dragging her backhand across her nose. The Witch of Britannia started trembling, tears running down her cheeks.

Suddenly, she heard a weird sound, 'Rockets', she realised. Before any of them could react, the missiles met their mark.

The knightmare shook violently. Cornelia lost her grip on her control over the KMF. She smashed through the monitor in front of her. Her vision became blury, she tried to keep awake, but, unfortunately, she fell to darkness.

A sound of people speaking in low tones could be heard in the command center. Suddenly, a door slid open on the right side of the room. In came two people, one male and one female.

The male wore a standard officer uniform of the EU with the only difference being the badge on his right Brest. It showed a crowned Eagle with golden talons. From his hip hang a saber in a ornate sheath. With long black hair and deep blue eyes, he was the standard for European nobility.

Following after him was a blonde girl in a similar uniform. She also wore the same badge. The saber on the hip was also present, although this one wasn't as richly decorated as the one the man had. Her light blue eyes reflected the light cast from the ceiling by the electrical lamps. She was quite a bit shorter than her male companion. She was also following a little behind him, on a respectful distance.

The officers present in the room stared at them. All of them had the same uniforms. Eventually, the formerly highest ranking officer in the room ordered. "Attention on deck!"

At that, all the remaining officers stood to attention and saluted the new arrivals. The male looked over the officers. Each of them held his gaze with utmost respect. He nodded to himself and gave an order back. "At ease, men. " He then turned to the officer that spoke first and asked. "What is the status, general Rommel ?"

" The Britannian attack has been destroyed, Princess Cornelia has been apprehended, and the only one in command of the Britannians seems to be lady Enneagram. "

"I see. Have the men rest, they deserve it. " So saying he approached the table they were standing over. "Now, it's time to plan our attack. We should press the advantage, while we still hold it."

The Doors sliding aside in walked a young man. He was visibly exhausted. The room he stepped into was spartan in design. Only a simple bed, a desk with a chair and a built into the wall closet.

Unclipping the belt at his hip, and a saber hanging from it, he left it on the chair. Taking off his officer cap he run an open palmed hand through his hair. He looked to the ceiling. A sigh of tiredness escaped his lips. He sat in that position for a while.

Finally he raised his right hand to his eyes. Pulling away the blue contact lenses, he blinked rapidly. With a red gaze he stared. 'I must look like some kind of anime villain.' He mused to himself with a smal, melancholy smile. The symbol of a crane ready to fly in his eyes probably didn't help the matters.

Holy hell, when was the last time he had a little time to himself. For seven years now, since Charles decided that invading Japan was such a great idea, he was swarmed with work. Well, ruling a whole country would do that to most people, and this damn campaign just now.

Honestly, they had the best of luck. Somehow, they managed to confront Cornelia beat and capture her the first time they had gone out onto the battlefield. Now just to wait for the second shoe to drop. Using geass on the princess wasn't ideal, but it was necessary. 'Painful as hell, though.' He mused as he closed his eyes and blood started to flow down his cheeks.

Three knocks sounded from the direction of his door. He smiled a found smile. "Wejdź, Moniko." (Come in, Monika.)

In came the same woman, a girl really, from before. She was dressed in a way more comfortable outfit, still noble looking, though. "Wasza Wysokość" (You're highness.)

He frowned at that. "Nie prosiłem cię, źebyś odnosiła się do mnie rangą? Tu, na polu bitwy jesteśmy żołnierzami, a nie arystokratami." (Didn't I ask you to refer to me by my rank? Here, on the battlefield we are soldiers, not aristocrats.) He chided her.

She was about to speak, but he raised his hand and spoke himself." Dobra, już widzę, że cię nie przekonam. "( All right, I can see that I will not change you're mind.) Saing so, he signed her to come closer.

Wordlessly, she aproched the desk, taking a bottle of eye drops and a package of cotton pads. Sitting next to the man, she started wiping the blood away gently. After she was done, she applied three eye drops for each one of his eyes. "Dziękuję." (Thank you).

She looked at him, concerned. "Było więcej krwi niż zwykle, Mój Panie. Czy na pewno dobrze się czujesz?" (There was more blood then usually, My lord. Are you sure, that you are feeling well?)

He looked at her for a second, deciding on something. "Nie, wcale się dobrze nie czuję, ale to nieważne, musimy wygrać tę kampanię. Jestem tu potrzebny. (No, I am not feeling well at all, but we have to win this campaign. I am needed here.)

She looked sadly at him." Rozumiem, dobrej nocy, wasza wysokość."( I see, good night, your highness.) Saing so she left, sad for her lord.

"Dobrej nocy, Moniko." ( Good night, Monika.) He replied, sighing in exhaustion and sadnes. After a few minutes he went to sleep as well.