I have found that my anger always stems from fear, its not a pleasant realisation.
Alexander Andreas Gustavos Di Britannia
...
"It won't solve a thing..."
At first, Kallen wanted to be upset that Andre was not supporting the idea of an independent Japan, but the more she thought about it the more the man's words made sense. The USJ would not solve any of the problems with the number system, merely shove residents into a corner where they could think they were free and would be constantly monitored. A gilded cage, but a cage nonetheless. That was if everything went as the Brits said, if they did not poison the water or stop delivering food, if they did not start forcing Japanese into it.
"You are sure?"
"I am, Kallen, I specifically warned her to not try something stupid like this, the worst part is, people will believe in it because Euphemia is supporting it... this throws so many things into question, adds thousands of problems to my plate, this reeks of my father's manipulation."
"You will do fine Andre, I am sure Lelouch will see the same thing you have, it's a bandage that will rot and fall away, he won't support it either."
"We have to get out of here now, I hate to cut this short, I really do..."
"Go you, big dummy, I will see you Saturday. This has been fun nonetheless. But I think we both have a lot of shit to do right now."
"Thank you, Kallen."
"Love you, idiot."
"I love you too."
...
"Hmm, we may have to change our plans... this could be a bigger problem, but... two for one could work too."
The metal man raised an eyebrow at his lord, pausing the simulation he had been practising in, taking a brief look at the news with wide eyes.
"My lord?"
"Do not worry yourself Jeramiah, continue your training, we just have to speed up our plans slightly."
"As you say lord."
...
"This is a cluster fuck in the making, one of epic proportions too... Euphemia... what was she thinking! This is going to destroy so many lives if it fails..."
Cornelia found herself pacing around her chambers at speed, mind reeling and unsure of the future, this could be terrible, not just for the empire but for her sister and brother, Andre would not accept this, she knew the man well enough, it was a step too far, a bridge to far even, the troops required to watch the borders of the SAZ alone would make the rest of Area 11 weak to rebellions, never mind the threat of further conflict with the federation or even Europe, if it had been tried somewhere in south America she could see this maybe working, but here? Never, not with the federation snapping at any chance and the Europeans in Russia to the north ready to take any chance at an advantage. Yet she could not fully support either of her siblings, her perfect Euphie had fucked up and done something Cornelia could not support directly, and she could not support Andre lest it seem like she was fully under his thumb, which would remove all the respect she had done so much to earn.
"Princess?"
"Yes?"
"What are we to do?"
"We will do what we need to and nothing more, prepare for a conflict, gather my loyal soldiers, no matter what this will lead to a bigger conflict, a longer conflict, maybe even a civil war."
...
This was not going well at all, sure, I had plans in place that could be adapted towards the shitshow my sister had dropped on me, but it was not under my control and that made me angry... anger was an emotion I hated, it meant a lack of control to me, which was something I... no not important. I have to do something, the massacre could not be allowed, not only for the killing of civilians but also because of what would follow, I need the black-knights for my plans.
I need the full support of Japan and the Japanese to defeat my father, I need Euphemia to bridge the gap between us, I need Suzaku to fight Bismark with me and Kallen, I need Lelouch to disassemble the federation for me, I need my Knights of the round in position to take Africa and attack the homeland. All of that was at risk because of this, troops would have to be shifted, Dora and Nonnette would be needed to quell rebellions in other areas, Nelly would need to do the same in Africa, Euphie and Suzaku would be tied up with the SAZ same as the Black knight.
And the worst part! I cant think of a fucking way to peacefully end the SAZ!
"GODDAMNIT!"
My fist crashed into the wall, it hurt like a bitch but pain was focus, focus was calm and I need calm to plan, to think.
Then it occurred to me, it was such a simple idea, it held merit but it was risky, it's time I have a talk with Euphie and Lelouch, its time I explain my plans and get their support, face to face. If this did not work my plans would need to be changed, all of them, but if it did... manipulation had worked up till now, but willing cooperation did always seem to work better.
"Please for the love of Amon this has to work."
...
"What are we going to do Zero?"
"About what Ohgi?"
"Are we going to accept, lay down our arms and join this? Isn't this the empire saying that they have given up?"
Naoto frowned at that, Ohgi was not entirely wrong, at least in his opinion, but it was nothing like the Lion to just give up, and it was too obvious a trap for him too, he remembered the way the Lion had played them during the attack on the prison, how he had put them into a position where they had no choice but to attack a superior foe and only barely escaped with their organization still intact. This felt different, like an outsider trying to get into the game Zero and the Lion were having to get their own goals done, the question of how to react was not just up to Zero and the Black Knights, in that case, it was how the lion would react too.
"Its not just our reaction that will matter Ohgi, I have to await word from Kaguya too, even as shogun I need to at least listen to her opinion on the matter. She is to become Empress after all."
Zero was buying time, thinking over it himself, that was clear, he had never before cared what anyone else thought about his actions or plans, it was what made the man a leader worth following, he planned towards the best outcome for the country not for himself or any other, it was why he trusted the man so much. He knew Zero would do his best to get the best deal for Japan, it was only a matter of time and effort.
...
The Perseus smashed down at my command, ashpalt cracking as I landed in the center of the the airbase, making my way down I spotted the blond ponce standing with his Knight, a few dozen steps and I am in front of him, noting that he actually seems a bit nervous, standing a good half a head shorter than me, fucking hell I am tall and don't realize it sometimes, I leaned forward, Schneizel leaning back briefly, speaking.
"Alexander, what ca-" That was as far as he got, my fist connected with his face and sent him to the floor in a heap, his Knight reaching for the gun I knew was holstered at his hip, so I kicked him in the balls, rude and a violation of the male code of conduct, but I don't feel like being held under fire today. I noted, pleased, that the person of the airbase did not standing around watching or even had pulled guns of their own, but was just going on with their business, like their commander had not just punched the Prime Minister, his brother, in the face.
"Schneizel, as you might be able to tell I am currently extremely angry at what you did, more so than the law you put in place banning me from genetic research, more than the time you tried to have me discahrged, yes I know about that, currently I am debating whether or not to kick you, so tell me honestly, what the fuck were you thinking?"
"It has to happen, Alexander, father ordered it! I have no choice, do you think I find it a good idea!?"
"So it was father, then I do apologize for the punch brother, I was and still am incredibly angry, and punching Euphie was out of the question, what is Father holding over your head to make you do this?"
The way he sent a look at his still clutching his paining genitals Knight made it rather clear. I grab my brother's hand, hoisting him upright, looking him straight in the eye, I meant looking him straight in the scalp, why are people so short and why have I never noticed this before? Is the stress getting to me? Yes? Probably. Still, I pulled my brother into a hug, whispering so that nobody could overhear.
"Ah I see, well, if this goes terribly wrong, I am still blaming you, get some confidence man, nobody will care."
"Don't be so sure Andre, we cannot all be so blessed as to be father reborn."
"It's no blessing brother, I desire nothing more than that comparison to die, along with the man himself, I understand Schneizel, know that no matter what you have my support in it."
"I... Thank you, Andre. Since when are you the mature one."
"Always have been."
"No, just no."
"You never let me have any fun."
"That is literally my job."
...
"She wants us to negotiate?"
Tohdoh had not known Kaguya Sumeragi well when he had known her as a child, she was young, outside of what he would pay attention to, he knew of her but did not know her, still it seemed strange that the woman supposedly set to become the new empress of Japan upon Zero's liberation of the country would agree to negotiate for a far, far lesser price.
"Yes Tohdoh, and I am inclined to believe it is not a trap, a chance to talk with the Lion, to negotiate with the Princess, we have to find out the reason for this sudden change, to find our next step in liberating Japan."
"Hmm, when will this negotiation be?" Preparation had to be made, cells brought to battle readiness, submarines placed in key positions to make a way out for the Shogun, as well as plans made if he could not make it out, the full liberation had to wait, weeks of planning thrown to the wayside, such was the way of a general Tohdoh had found.
"A week from now, originally it was to be upon the launching of the SAZ a week later, but it seems the lion shot that idea down for a more private meeting at the edge of the Settlement, where the first Ghettos start, its still in public terrain and will be broadcasted live until the meeting starts, but it's not going to be a massacre if anything goes wrong, I still want every one of our assets on standby, if something goes wrong... well let's just hope that nothing goes wrong."
"I understand Zero, who will be going with you?"
"Kallen for sure, Lelouch too, they can get me out of danger if need be, I want the Ikaruga in position for emergency extraction too, load all of the missile tubes in advance, do not allow us to be captured, no matter what has to be done, understood."
The implication was clear, whatever the reason the Shogun would not be captured, and as his loyal Samurai Tohdoh would make sure of that.
"Yes, my Shogun."
...
"Kallen?"
She raised her head up from his chest, the chair they sat on planted in front of the TV, a random romcom playing in the background as they relaxed for what may be one the last times in a while, Kallen felt a bit of melancholy at that thought, but knew that they were likely to be very busy for the coming few weeks, both with the SAZ and other affairs. Her mother was due to be released in two weeks, she would be able to go back to living like a normal person again, free of her adiction and Kallen was planning to help her find a place to stay and to stay with her too, and the woman had her heart set on the SAZ...
"Yes, Andre?"
"Am I a good person?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Its... been a stressful few days, and I have found myself asking myself a lot of questions about myself."
"Philosophical." She drawled, briefly rolling her eyes. "You try to do the right thing, but like most humans, you have to fail at that sometimes, nobody is perfect Andre, trying to be is just asking to crack under the pressure, if you have to be a bad person, which all people have to be at some point, make sure you do so when nobody will care."
"You know, for someone so small you have a lot of wisdom."
"Just because your dumb ass has twice my body mass doesn't mean you get to look down on me."
They both chuckled, before returning to their comfortable silence.
...
"Lelouch it is reckless."
"C.C, we have to go."
"I know, but... I don't want you to, I can handle this myself."
"Alexander knows who Zero is, I understand you want to protect me, knowing that makes me quite happy, but I have to do this."
"At least take the other two dragons with you, you need protection."
"Hmm, fine, I can do that much."
Pleased to see her lay down Lelouch lowered himself too, C.C had been more worried than ever before, and it felt strange to be the one having to motivate her instead of the other way around, still, he enjoyed the increased closeness of the past few days, the way she clutched to him, not wanting him to go, it reaffirmed her feelings, even if he was saddened that it took something like this to draw those emotions out of her. He looked to her, she was pretending to be asleep, she always fell asleep after him out of some kind of paranoia, he could understand, she had lost so much throughout her life, more than he could have ever imagined, he would not fault her for being selfish and careful, for being standoffish and distant. He knew her, as best as he could and she knew him, that was enough.
...
"Zero, Its good to see you, glad that you decided to accept our invitation."
"I was not left with much Choice Princess Euphemia, you asked to negotiate, so here I am."
"That you are, my brother is waiting for us on the podium, all we have to do is declare our names and our willingness to negotiate, then we can get to our talks in private."
"My thanks for that Princess, A bit of showmanship is always appreciated."
"Just try not to continuously attempt to upstage each other, we will be up there forever otherwise."
"Princess I am insulted!"
"Oh shut up Lulu."
...
"The world waits with bated breath as Zero and his Dragons have arrived, the four pilots who have been causing so much trouble in the Empires area eleven all seem to be wearing pilot suits and masks, to hide their identities, Zero himself has just landed, it appears that he and the Lion are exchanging a few words, can we get closer! WE NEED OUR SOUNDBITE! MOVE IT!"
The crowd was bending inwards towards Zero and the Lion, trying to get close enough to hear what was being said, he found himself not caring either way, Zero and the Lion were grandstanding, meaningless words would be exchanged, the brothers would trade subtle barbs and one would 'win' the encounter, it all did not matter. Soon it would be over, soon he would be avenged, soon the world would know the name of Jeremiah Gottwald once again, they would know terror., know slaughter, just as the lord of Geass had commanded him.
Connection established...
Stimulating nerves...
Starting data sharing...
Current data output 3 percent...
Pain began to flood him, he welcomed it gladly, feeling something was so much better then not feeling anything at. More power, more power!
Increasing data output to 10 percent...
Increasing data output to 20 percent...
Increasing data output to 30 percent...
Increasing data output to 40 percent...
His eyes began to shake as he looked through his cameras instead, his legs feeling heavy as his thrusters gave brief blast of propulsion. It was not enough, he would need more!
Increasing data output to 50 percent...
Increasing data output to 60 percent...
Increasing data output to 70 percent...
Increasing data output to 80 percent...
His body shut down as he took in the information on the world around him, nothing else mattered, only pain and their goal, more, give him more!
Increasing data output to 90 percent...
Increasing data output to 99 percent...
Gundam Frame, Siegfried, operating at 100 percent output...
What is our purpose?
Slaughter my friend, bring them slaughter.
Its all we are good for...
...
"If my father had stopped tolerating my Uncle's bullshit earlier a lot of lives would have been spared, I still regret that I did not get to kick that overgrown leprechaun myself."
Alexander Andreas Gustavos Di Britannia.
And we creep ever-closer to the point of no return... this gets harder and harder to write, I can only imagine reading it and not knowing what would happen next.