Chapter 4: Lelouch of the Counterattack
Holy Empire of Britannia
2016 a.t.b
Area 19 Morocco
Time was a precious commodity, and Lelouch used his time to its fullest. He allowed his men a day to rest before moving towards the front. A brief meeting with Joffrey and Cornelia decided who was to go where. As expected, his sister lobbied to have him on rearguard duty. Joffrey, on the other hand, wanted to throw Lelouch into the lion's den. Which suited him just fine; his half-brother expected him to fail miserably after all. It was with this expectation that the Black Knights arrived on the northernmost highway. The West Virginian 23rd Division was entrenched in the city of Oujda. The Regiment was greeted by pilums of smoke, bombed-out parts of the town, and a jagged defensive line. The command center, despite violating wartime agreements, was located inside a mosque. There Lelouch met with the acting commander Major Travis Powell. Colonel Pandergast had to 'relocate to Casablanca to ensure the chain of command.' Grumblings from the men indicate the Colonel is a noble whose family connections got him out of immediate danger.
"Why haven't the Feds attacked?" Jeremiah asked the obvious to the gathered officers. All of them were staring at the portable tactical display table before them.
"Honestly? The mosque is the only thing giving them pause. As you may have noticed, we got a refugee camp parked right outside. That's the only reason the Feds aren't here decapitating us." Major Powell, an older gentleman in his forties, grunted.
"Whose idea was it to make this the command center?" Villetta raised a brow.
"Mine, the government building was bombed to hell, the Colonel packed up and left, so I had two choices, park ourselves here, or give up the city." Major Powell removed his service cap and scratched his rust-colored hair.
"Not what I would have done, but all things considered, you did well, Major." Lelouch's lips curved up slightly. His eyes looked at the tactical map and the enemy's last known positions. The Federation was poised for a decisive strike, yet here they were. No, something wasn't right at all, the Federation had the momentum, and they had to know that the Division was battered and barely clinging to the city. Lelouch smirked, something of an idea forming in his head.
"Colonel?" Major Powell looked at the young man smirking before him.
"Forgive me, I was lost in thought, Major rest assured we're going to push back the invaders." Lelouch lifted his hand holding up two fingers. "Two days, that's all I need."
"Two days?" Major Powell looked at Lelouch with nothing short of bewilderment.
"Yes, once all parameters have been met, we're going to strike at their forward base." Lelouch pointed towards the map. "Jeremiah, have the men shore up the defenses. Make no indication an attack is coming; simply plug any gaps and hold fast. Next, Major Kewell, you'll command three Knightmare Lances and wait for my order to attack their center. Major Villetta, I want you to give me an updated reconnaissance of the enemy's position." Lelouch crossed his arms behind him as his subordinates saluted him and immediately went to work.
"Major Powell, how many Knightmares do you have at your disposal?" Lelouch looked towards the Major pointedly.
Major Powell, as if his brain had to restart, shook his head and straightened himself out. "I think we still have thirty operational Sutherlands."
"Perfect, have every pilot on standby and have every Knightmare refueled and rearmed. Then, when I give the order, I want them to push forward and crush the Federation." Lelouch turned, not allowing the Major to question him. But, as the Major watched the retreating youth, questioning the Prince was the last thing in his mind. The Prince carried himself, the way his subordinates easily ten years his senior listened to him. It was unlike any interaction he ever had with Colonel Pandergast. For the first time in his long career, Major Powell looked on at a natural-born leader.
With haste, the Black Knights relived the tired remnants of the 23rd Division. Black and silver Sutherlands and Glasgows patrolled the city. Vital points were fortified with infantry carrying guided rockets and chaff grenades to throw off Knightmare sensors. While Jeremiah oversaw the defenses, Villeta took several Knightmare lances broken up into twos. The Knightmares climbed buildings and took to the dunes. Factsphere readings collected data on enemy positions and defenses and other targets of importance. The Federation's main force had laid claim to the Airport just outside the city limits. The intelligence Villetta gathered pointed towards two significant weaknesses. First, the Federation lacked anti-aircraft guns and true 5th generation Knightmare Frames. Second, the monstrosities being fielded by the Feds were lumbering Bamides. The machines were crude, lacked appendages, and had zero chance against a Knightmare at close range.
"By Jove, it's ugly." Kewell scowled at the Bamides pictures strewn on the table before him.
"It doesn't need to look pretty to kill you with that main gun." Jeremiah scratched his chin next to his old friend.
"Yes, what if I stop to tie my shoe, it might actually hit me then." Kewell drawled.
"Its advantage is long-range engagements." But, Villetta tapped one of the pictures, "those machineguns would scratch our Knightmare's paint at most. It's only a real close-range alternative are rockets mounted near its head. Frankly, it would be far too late by then. We can outmaneuver them and attack their rear."
"This would explain the lack of advance," Lelouch looked over the information gathered before him. He had heard vague rumors of mysterious new Knightmares roaming the desert. But, without solid intelligence, Lelouch left it at tall tales and just that. "This is good; an easy victory will be good for morale."
"Easy Sire?" Jeremiah crossed his arms, unsure of the statement.
"Inaction and these blatant holes in their defenses allude to a hasty battle line." Lelouch slid the Bamides pictures aside for satellite photos of the Airport. "They know our air power is tide down in the straight. This would show their lack of effective anti-aircraft defenses." Lelouch smirked, "yes, this situation is advantageous." Lelouch tapped the edges of the Airport. "Villetta, have your scout note down patrol routes and shift changes. Jeremiah, tell the men to prepare to attack in the morning. Kewell, have the Division ready to attack Jeremiah's signal."
"Jeremiah's signal, Sire?" Kewell raised a brow.
"Yes, Jeremiah will infiltrate the Airport with a Knightmare Lance. He will strike at crucial facilities." Lelouch tapped several places in the Airport photograph. "Power, barracks, and Hangars." Lelouch pointed towards Villetta, "Major Villetta, as Jeremiah infiltrates the base, will take her Lance to launch a diversionary attack on the east side of the Airport." Lelouch crushed the air with his fist. "When all tasks at hand are completed, Kewell will bring our full force to bear."
"Any further questions?" Lelouch looked to his subordinates expectantly.
His answer was a crisp salute from each. "Dismissed," Lelouch nodded, and they let to accomplish their tasks. Lelouch sighed and made his way to his temporary quarters in the Divison's Base. Lord Pandergast's tent was quite comfortable; it offered much better amenities to what the soldiers had. The young Prince removed his gloves and cape, placing them on a rack near the tent's entrance. He washed his face using the portable faucet and stared into his reflection in the mirror. His mother's eyes stared back at him; only none of the softness of her love was in them. Instead, it was the steely resolve of a spurned young man. Lelouch looked down at his hands. They were trembling, but he felt no fear or uncertainty. No, it was anticipation and excitement for what was to come.
"Colonel," A voice snapped Lelouch from his thoughts. His hand went into his coat, grasping his sidearm as he whipped around to the voice. One of his soldiers stood before the Prince at attention. "Sorry to interrupt you, Sir, but someone wants to see you."
"At ease, soldier," Lelouch relaxed his posture and straighten his uniform. "Who might this visitor be?"
"Says he's a reporter. He says he's here on behalf of Prince Clovis." The soldier folded his arms behind his back and reladed his stance.
Lelouch resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Clovis would do something like this. "send him in," if nothing else; hearing the man out wouldn't cost him anything.
"At once, Sir," The Soldier snapped to attention and exited the tent with an about-face. He brought in a man in his mid-thirties with sandy blonde hair tied into a high ponytail.
"Good Evening, Your Highness; I am Diethard Reed from Hi-Tokyo TV." The man bowed as custom dictated when a commoner met royalty. Lelouch then surprised the man by shaking his hand instead.
"Mister Reed, I'm told my brother sent you here." Lelouch gestured to a nearby desk, where he took a seat behind.
Diethard followed suit sitting before the Prince. "Yes, but not me specifically; I volunteered," Diethard explained with a sheepish smile.
"Did you?" Lelouch raised a brow, "for what reason, if I may ask?" Lelouch shrugged nonchalantly.
"Prince Clovis instructions were, and I quote. 'make my brother look like Ceasar incarnate on the battlefield,' as for my volunteering." Diethard leaned forward, a fire blazing in his indigo eyes. "I am, frankly, curious."
That, Lelouch, did not expect. "About me?" The Prince raised a fine raven brow.
"Your Highness, when your name was dropped on the news about your deployment. Are you aware of the reaction garnered?" Diethard smirked confidently.
"No, I was rather busy training my men to keep up with the tabloids, I'm afraid." Lelouch drawled.
"The common man all across the Empire rejoiced. The pubs were filled with drunken songs to you. The young maidens of the Empire enshrined whatever candid picture of yours they could find. Even in Area 11, your fanbase clamors for news about you the moment your name was spoken by BNN." Diethard threw his hands out, his smirk growing into an impossibly broad grin.
"I see," Lelouch pinched his chin in thought. The fact he was a common household name had its advantages. The reporter before him at Clovis's behest suddenly made sense. He had to give his brother credit where credit is due. He was an excellent player of the social standing game of the nobility.
"Quite," Diethard straightened himself, sitting back on his chair. "Frankly, for anyone to garner much fanfare without even doing anything yet stroked my curiosity."
"Well then, Mister Reed, what is it you want to do exactly?" Lelouch finally sat up, resting his chin on his folded hands.
"Prince Joffrey will want to claim whatever achievement you make as his own." Diethard chuckled, "the man he has working for him to that end is a bootlicking weasel. I know him because they fired him, and I took his place at Hi-TV a few years back. His only real talent to speak off is bootlicking and smearing those his handlers sick him on." Diethard frowned in disgust, talking about the man. "He will take all your achievements and make them look like Prince Joffrey ordered your every move." Diethard raised a finger and chuckled. "But, I have a friend in the broadcasting network here at Casablanca. Any news sent from the field gets sent to him first. I've instructed him to…delay any report sent to him by Prince Joffrey. He will prioritize whatever I bring him. If whatever we bring contradicts Prince Joffery's account, his story shall remain unpublished."
Lelouch smirked. He would have to thank Clovis for this. But, dare he say it, he owed his brother a favor. "Mister Reed, whatever you shoot, I have a final veto over it. Does this arrangement work for you?"
"Naturally, what am I allowed to bring?" Diethard stood back up.
"Do you require a crew?" Lelouch stood.
"Just I and my cameraman," Diethard crossed his arms.
"Then one footlocker each," Lelouch stretched his hand. "welcome aboard, Mister Reed."
"Thank you, Your Highness; I won't let you down." Diethard shook hands firmly with the Prince, adding another valuable piece to the young Prince's board.
0350 Hours
Qujda
Lelouch sat stiffly on a foldable chair. He was surrounded by his men and various equipment. A tent had been set up on the highest building overlooking the Airport outside the city. The sun was at least two hours away. He tapped one foot impatiently on the floor while he crossed his other leg over impatient leg.
"All equipment set, Colonel," A soldier with a headset gave him a thumbs up.
"Good," Lelouch pulled back his sleeve to look at his wristwatch. "Five minutes," Lelouch mumbled to himself. After that, Jeremiah should be in position, and the assault would begin their maiden battle.
"Were green all across the board, standing by for contact." Another soldier piped in, watching his radio equipment. Lelouch merely nodded; the waiting was grating on him. He already spent most of his young life waiting, gathering strength. He craved action. Rather he longed to finally be on the offensive. House Lamperouge would suffer in silence no more. The Prince looked towards his wrist, and his eyes narrowed.
0400
"Sword Lance reporting in, we await final confirmation," Jeremiah's tone conveyed nothing but professionalism.
Lelouch took a deep breath before letting it out slowly. "Proceed," Lelouch spoke, and the radio operator relayed the order.
"Acknowledge Black King; here come the fireworks." Jeremiah cut the transmission.
Six black and silver Knightmares rose from the dunes, tarps the color of sand falling off their frames. Jeremiah, in the lead machine, revealed his Factsphere, scanning the Airport. Their designated targets became highlighted with a red hue. Jeremiah licked his lips and drove his machine forward at full tilt. The Lance tore through the desert, leaving behind dust and a dead Federation patrol. As expected, the Federation was slow. The Sutherlands shredded the wire fence surrounding the tarmac like it was paper. Jeremiah Knightmare raised a fist before spreading it open, signaling them. The Knightmares broke formation, rushing towards their objectives.
Jeremiah reached the generator, spraying it in a hail of anti-Knightmare machinegun fire. The generators sparked into a fireball shooting into the sky, illuminating the desert. Alfred and Bart reached their targets as well. Using chaos grenades, the brothers hurled them into the hangars as they zipped by. The personnel and vehicles inside were shredded in a shower of shrapnel. Claudio, David, and Edgar reached their targets last. The barracks, the personnel inside were scrambling only to be met by the three brothers opening fire on them. At least by David and Edgar, Claudio's finger felt stiff around his control sticks. Edgar and Davids's Knightmares turned their heads at Claudio between them. The team was on strict radio silence until the diversionary attack began.
Claudio, for his part, was having no malfunction; rather, it was his own mind stopping him. Attacking unarmed men while they slept? This didn't feel like what their father taught them. It was war. He understood that. The young Knight gritted his teeth, frustration and shame swirling inside him. Or maybe that's what he had told himself. Before he could question himself further, lights and alarms started blaring. That wasn't supposed to happen; Jeremiah had gotten to the generators first.
"All Swords, this is Sword Actual were breaking radio silence. The enemy has portable generators; if your objectives are completed, report in!" Jeremiah's voice broke Claudio from his stupor. Edgar reported their success right away. Luckily Claudio did not cause them to fail I crippling the enemy's manpower.
"Claudio, is your Knightmare functioning?" David moved behind Claudio, covering his rear.
"Y-yes," Claudio shook his head, shame filling him for the weakness in his voice.
"Then what happened?" Edgar barked out, frustrated.
"I couldn't fire on unarmed men. It didn't feel like a fight." Claudio explained himself, but it didn't make him feel justified.
"We'll talk about it later; let's regroup with Major Gottwald," Edgar grunted, and the three brothers sped away to the designated meeting point.
All six Knightmares regrouped by the burning hangars forming a circle. On their monitors, they could see the enemy starting to encroach on them.
Jeremiah gritted his teeth and fired a signal flare into the air. "Sword Lance to Black King, the enemy has restored power by unknown means. Please advise; we have a lot of incoming." Knightmares were the superior fighting machine, but even they could get overwhelmed with numbers.
"Jeremiah," It was Colonel Lelouch.
"Yes, My Prince," Jeremiah responded.
"Major Villetta is beginning her attack now; hit them from behind and divide their attention." The order was simple if a bit suicidal, for the infiltration team.
"Understood!" Jeremiah replied in earnest and sped off at full tilt. The brothers all formed on his flanks, weapons ready.
The Lance opened fire, shredding the armored vehicles being thrown at them. Knightmare rifle's fired 155mm 'bullets.' Frankly, it was overkill against the armored personnel carriers the Federation threw at them. The Knightmares flashed past the burning husks of their attackers. "Break!" Jeremiah ordered, and the Knightmares broke their formation. The ground exploded where Jeremiah was a second ago.
"New contacts, designation Bamides!" Bart called out.
Jeremiah smirked, spraying a line of tanks that tried to back away from him. "Those are long-range combat units, rush them and tear them apart!" Jeremiah pushed, destroying vehicles as he went. The ground cracked apart around Jeremiah's team. Bromides desperately trying to pin them down, but it was to no avail against the speedier Sutherlands. Quickly they rushed in on the large Knightmares. Jeremiah strafed around them, shooting at their legs, breaking its advance hover thrusters grounding it. Alfred came after Jeremiah. Alfred's Knightmare, he unslung the rocket launcher on his back and fired a rocket directly into the immobile Bamides.
Villetta wetted her lips and pushed her Sutherland to its limit. Her force broke through the unsuspecting and confused defenders. Her Lance brandished their weapons with candor, destroying tanks, APCs, and infantry that tried to desperately rally. "Louise!" Villetta pointed at the control tower just north of their position.
"Yes, mam!" The young woman tore through the track, weaving and destroying Federation forces along her path. Finally, she screeched to a halt about ten meters from the tower. She fired a rocket from her own launcher stored on her back and sent the tower up in flames. The young woman's instruments blared in alert, and she barely moved out of the way of an explosive shell from a Bamides.
"Major Villetta, contact southwest enemy Knightmares!" Louise barked over the radio before regrouping with her Lance.
"Solid copy, let's show them how proper Knightmare pilots fight!" Villetta ordered, her Knightmare tearing through the poorly organized defenders. Unfortunately, they were destroyed from behind just barely after reaching hulking Knightmares, rendering them into twisted husks. Jeremiah and his Lance burst through the smoking wreckage, grouping up with Villetta.
"About time you made it; I thought we'd get all the glory!" Jeremiah came alive over the radio.
"Please, the battle has only begun!" Villetta smirked in her cockpit and turned her Knightmare to face her enemy. She gasped, surprised, and Prince Lelouch came over the radio. "Attention all Black Knights, Federation forces have surrendered, I say again Federation forces have surrendered cease all hostilities." True enough, Villetta watched as vehicle operators and infantry alike exposed themselves, arms raised in surrender. Villetta checked her watch, and she let out a bemused laugh.
"This can't be right, can't it?" Jeremiah seemed to have come to the same conclusion.
"I believe it is; operation time is at one hour ten minutes." Their maiden battle, and with just two Lances zero casualties Lelouch forced the Federation forces to surrender. If anyone still had doubts before the battle, they were now utterly silenced. Prince Lelouch had just put Britannia back in this war.
Day broke over the Airport, members of the 23rd Division and Black Knights Regiment worked to gather prisoners and treat the wounded. Major Powell had asked if it was an act of mercy on the Princes' part. Lelouch simply called it a prudent option until they get solid intel on what happened to the 24th Division. Mistreating prisoners now might make any captured Britannians a target for the Federation. Lelouch himself sat with the remainder of the Federation command structure. A stroke of luck had most of the command staff inside the control tower during the attack. The complete breakdown of the chain of command is what made Second Lieutenant Abdul Jihari order the surrender. In total, prisoners totaled two regiments, effectively crippling the Federations Northern defensive line. Whatever forces were deployed from the Federation would undoubtedly have already heard and been on the retreat.
After overseeing the terms of surrender, Which were relatively lenient, Lelouch wasted no time and met with Diethard for a debrief on today's events. The Prince was impressed at the speed Diethard worked. He asked his questions and added a bit of flair to the interview. With these thoughts, Lelouch and billions of Imperial citizens tuned in when a breaking news bulletin flashed across Hi-TV's viewer's screens.
Holy Empire of Britannia
2016 a.t.b
Pendragon
It was a dark rainy night on the Imperial Capital Pendragon. Most of its citizens had finished the day's work and were home relaxing or enjoying an evening out on the town. In particular, one Pub named The Flash after the late Imperial Consort was frequented by the common folk. As usual, football was on the television, and the patrons mingled among themselves. However, despite being the place one went to unwind, the atmosphere wasn't particularly jolly. At least three out of five people in there had family out fighting in North Africa. The only thing the news had been reporting on these days was the war and how bad it was going. Frankly, everyone was doing their best to ignore it and pray for their loved ones abroad.
Then when the clock struck eight twenty, shouting could be heard outside. Cheering, to be precise, the patrons of The Flash looked confused at one another, wondering what all the commotion was. Then, a young man finally burst into the Pub eyes aight with a grin on his face. "Turn on the news!" The young man shouted, then ran off screaming, "The Prince!" The barkeep, curious himself, turned the channel on one of the televisions, and a face the public had not seen in years appeared.
"My name is Deithard Reed, and I'm standing with Prince Lelouch Vi Britannia, who just conducted a successful counterattack against the Middle Eastern Federation forces." Diethard turned to the young Prince.
The patrons all quickly hushed up, gathering around the televisions as the barkeep hurriedly changed call channels. "Prince Lelouch, can you tell us about the operation you performed today?"
"Of course, Mister Reed, it's quite simple really, I was given a task, and I completed it to the best of my abilities. Though the credit should go to my Knights and their valiant efforts." The Prince shrugged, flashing a charming smile at the camera.
"What was your objective, if I may ask Prince Lelouch?" Diethard asked.
"To secure the city and eliminate the enemy presence. Admittedly things worked out favorably in the end. After my subordinates conducted an attack on the Airport outside the city, we were able to capture the Airport with no casualties."
"I know counting is still to be done, but I hear you captured two regiments from the Federation." Diethard grinned at the Prince.
"Were still counting, but I believe so yes, though a great victory was won, it is not enough. My Black Knights and I will continue the fight for the Empire, that I promise you, Mister Reed."
"Then I won't take any more of your precious time, Prince Lelouch; this is Diethard Reed reporting from North Africa, embedded with the Black Knights Regiment." The regular news anchors popped up on screen again, but the bar patrons had stopped listening. Instead, the Pub had erupted into cheers and chants for Prince Lelouch. The nobility reported over two hundred noise complaints that night alone as the citizenry took Saint Darwin Street to celebrate. A fruitless effort as little was made to deter the celebrations.
Federation Territory
2016 a.t.b
Libya
Adolfo stretched out in his chair, scratching his now scruffy chin. The young Colonel looked worst for wear, bags under his eyes, and tired face. His men had been the spearhead for every major offensive from Cairo to Morocco. Unfortunately, their Knightmares were in disrepair and breaking down, so Adolfo pulled them off the front lines despite the Federation's complaints to rearm and resupply in Tobruk. The port provided vital access to Europe, and it was the only way to bring in more Hummels, replacement parts, and fuel cells. Unfortunately, the Federation still relied heavily on oil to power their Warmachine. So aside from munitions for their Knightmares and food and water, Feds couldn't offer them much.
"Colonel, we got bad news," Major Joachim Murat Adolfo's right-hand man and de facto aide-de-camp came in dropping a report on the Colonel's desk.
"There's always bad news, Murat," Adolfo yawned rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
"Yes, well, this one is horrible." Major Murat walked around the desk to sit on it next to Adolfo.
Adolfo picked up the report and gave it a once over; he sighed, dropping the report with a plot on his desk. He leaned back on his chair and let his arms drop to his side. "We leave the front for what, a week, and this happens?" Adolfo left specific instructions to keep pushing and keep the brits on the backfoot. If they listened, they had have driven them to Casablanca by now. This would have accelerated the plans, and HQ would have sent them reinforcements. Instead, Adolfo now had the situation gone FUBAR because the Federation didn't like taking advice from a 'heathen.' The regular forces were alright; the government and command staff from the Federation Adolfo kept butting heads with. He was a foreigner, and probably more important to them, not a Muslim. To a certain degree, Adolfo understood this; after all, once the Ottoman had been defeated, the EU just carved itself pieces of the Middle East for itself. This being a time before Sakuradite was refined for fuel and power, the oil fields of the Middle East were ripe for exploitation. Still, now they faced a common foe in Britannia. If only for the sake of not losing more of the world to them, Adolfo had hoped for cooperation. Well, it was irrelevant now with the brits reinforced. "Well, our northern front just collapsed. Tell the men were redeploying in two days. Call the Feds, too, while you're at it. Say I request they pull back from Bechar and regroup in central Algeria. I humbly ask for the time for us to march back to Algeria in full force." Adolfo sat back up, cradling his face in his hands.
"Are you going to report this to HQ?" Major Murat stood up, folding his hands behind his back.
"Maybe, I would rather get a better look at the situation myself before I make rash judgments." Adolfo stood up as well, "I'm gonna go get some sleep, wake in an hour."
"Four"
"Fine, four, thank you, mother," Adolfo snorted a laugh.
"If I don't take care of you, your sister will be very cross with me. I don't want that in my conscience, Colonel." Murat stepped aside to let Adolfo pass, and he pushed his commander's chair in.
"Oh, I'm sure they'd be please for the Black Sheep to conveniently disappear," Adolfo smirked.
"I think you are more disparaging of your family than they are of you, Colonel," Murat said quietly.
"I'll have to take your word for it, Joachim; my father didn't even say a word to me when I told him I joined the army," Adolfo grunted. Imagine the scandal when the son of the most prominent peace advocate in Parlament joined the Army. Adolfo snorted a disdained laugh, "peace." He spat the word out like venom.
"Would it truly be so bad?" Murat asked, moving to open the door for them.
"Look around you, Joachim, and tell me where peace can be found?" Adolfo exited his office into the blazing sun of North Africa. "Peace is for men. Out here, there are only beasts." Adolfo glowered at the desert. "I love my country; I will defend it from any harm, be it the Brits or the Chinese Federation. My father can advocate peace all he wants. But, remember Joachim, we are the only ones keeping the wolves at bay. The last bastion of Democracy is Europia United, and I'll be damned if I let that fall to the aristocrats." Adolfo waved at Joachim, pocketed his hands, and left to for his personal quarters.
Joachim watched his commander and childhood friend walk off and felt a mixture of pride and sorrow. Then, finally, Joachim recalled his last conversation with his fiancee. "Joachim, take care of Adolfo, please."
"Sophie, as if you need to ask." Joachim had smile fondly, remember her dainty hands in his bigger ones. Truth be told, political marriages were not exclusive to the aristocracy. Joachim's father and Adolfo's father had wanted to cement an alliance of their own. Adolfo's sister was only at the tender age of twelve, though he personally disliked the arrangement Sophie was infatuated with him. Sophie Maria Josephine Guderian Rommel. A sweet girl being used for politics made Joachim sick, but he knew his duty to family and country. Maybe that's why Joachim admired Adolfo so much, for having the courage to defy his father for the sake of his own dreams. That's why Joachim…no, it was not to be. A bittersweet smile formed on his lips. Adolfo was his friend…nothing more, nothing less, that would have to be enough.
The Empire Strikes Back!
After crushing defeat after defeat, The Empire has finally found its footing. Prince Lelouch and his 108th Ashford Regiment launched a counterattack against the Federation, resulting in an astounding victory with no casualties or injured on Prince's Lelouch's side. The resulting triumph cost the Middle Eastern Federation two Regiments, with prisoners numbering two thousand seven hundred. This has marked the collective collapse of the entire Federation left flank. Already Princess Cornelia presses a retreating Federation across Libya. When reached for comment, Prince Lelouch simply replied, "this war only just started; we're not done yet.' Prince Joffrey, Commander for the 21st Georgian Division, was also reached for comment but declined to respond, citing matters of battle preparations.
Already Prince Lelouch is being heralded as a hero, with the citizenry toasting to him across the Empire. For one, here at Hi-TV, we are ready to keep up with the Prince exploits as our very own Diethard Reed is embedded with the 108th Regiment, so to everyone watching, thank you for tuning in, and to our boys and girls overseas, know were all rooting for you. This is your correspondent Martha Gretchen singing off.
Tokyo Hi-TV News report 2016 a.t.b February 10th
Hello, is it me you're looking for? Hey everyone, sorry for the long wait on this chapter. Life tends to get in the way, and motivation is hard to come by when things don't go your way. But I managed to finally get this chapter done and ready. I hope it's to your liking, its a bit on the shorter end, but it also officially kicks off the war proper. So to answer some stuff now.
Seta88: To answer the question of the dates, some chapters will cover days to weeks at a time. I don't want to just keep throwing date changes at you mid-chapter. When I feel it is prudent, I'll throw a date for you guys to know where we are at. But I think just constantly putting up dates and time is tedious for the reader. I also want to be more free-flowing with the writing and not constrain myself.
Welcome-to-the-404: First of all, a dope name for the reference alone, second I thought about just having Lelouch. But to be honest, I'm using the Hollywood approach of Star Power by having the character's name people generally like the most. Though they will be in the story and have their parts to play. I think Kallen's will be more interesting of all.
Lorban: I admit the use of Sire for Jeremiah was intentional, but I made a mistake with Kewell and Villetta using it. That was my mistake. I do need to go back and fix that at one point, I just haven't gotten around to it due to getting this chapter out and life keeping me busy.
Alright, folks, that's all, for now, see you next chapter.
