September 8, 2017 a.t.b.
Area 11, Tokyo Settlement, Black Knights G1 near Ashford Academy, 8:00 pm
C.C. rested against the wall alone in the hallway as her mind seemed to be somewhere else. Like she was looking at something or someone that wasn't really in front of her.
"So V.V. decided to act," said C.C. as if she was conversing with the air. "Now of all times. He's such a petty child, isn't he?"
Europia, Spanish-Portugese border, 12:00 noon
The hilly forest was scarred and alight with the fires of battle as a front line of tanks and modified Sutherlands called Estrellas unloaded a hail of munitions on advancing insectoids and mechapedes. Self-propelled multiple rocket launch systems, Panzer-Hummels, and the more heavily-armed Panzer-Wespe frames from the lines behind rained shells and warheads upon the alien army.
"Keep firing!" cried the commander. "Hold them back!"
A group of Estrellas were obliterated by a sweeping laser from an approaching tripod. The frames and tanks nearby fired back at it, but the gigantic alien machine simply blocked them with its shield.
The Europians fought valiantly and fiercely, but in spite of their efforts they were slowly pushed back.
French-German border, Castle Weisswolf
Leila had opened up a communication line with her commanding officer, General Gene Similas.
From his office in Paris, the general looked over the war reports from his laptop. The situation was quite grave and some much-needed preparations for the divisions under his command was in urgent order. The W-0 unit being among them.
Leila in turn had come with her own request in regards to the unit's current state.
"We already had enough problems with the Britannians," said Similas from the screen. "And now we have an enemy from outer space to deal with."
"We might have to put our war with Britannia on hold," said Leila.
"Exactly," said Similas. "But that would only be feasible if Britannia ceases their offensive on us. For now we will have to postpone all our offensive operations against the Britannians, but keep defensive garrisons on that front should they continue their war with us. I will withdraw all attack operations under my command. I will confer with our leaders about this soon."
"The Britannians are also under attack as much as we are," said Leila. "The sensible option for them would be to cease fire with us to focus their forces on the invaders."
"Yes," said Similas. "But since when does the Britannian government act rationally? Their pride and their insatiable thirst for conquest almost always blinds their judgement. Especially with Charles zi Britannia in charge."
"I thought so," said Leila. "But let's move on to my request, General."
"More personnel for W-0, is that right?" asked Similas.
"Yes, General," said Leila. "We have three new recruits, but I feel that it isn't enough. I wish to request the addition of soldiers from the E.U. army to our unit."
"Considering the situation now presenting itself," said Similas. "You are entirely correct in that a mere three pilots aren't sufficient. I have been scouting out potential candidates. The addition of E.U. soldiers into the W-0 is…difficult, however."
Leila's expression soured as she knew why. "It's because people of foreign backgrounds are expendable as far as the high command is concerned, isn't it?"
"It's unfortunate," said Similas. "But that's how it is. The public sees the greater survival rate in E.U. troops, and that's what the higher-ups and the public at large concern themselves with. They look the other way when it comes to people from other nations."
"That makes us no different from Britannia!" Leila shot out in anger.
"I'm afraid they don't see it that way," said Similas.
Area 11, Tokyo Settlement, Ashford Academy
Milly sat down in the club room, Arthur the cat in her lap as she stroked the feline's fur. She had been a little relieved when Sophie sent her a message that they were almost there, albeit with a bit of traffic issues.
Nina sat close to her, fidgeting and still apprehensive about the Black Knight presence in the academy.
Laura entered the room. "Milly, please come with me."
Milly had noticed something was…off. Laura's voice was dull and monotonous, her expression blank. It was as if she were a doll.
"Uh…alright," said Milly reluctantly, deciding to set aside her unease for now. She moved Arthur from her lap and stood from her seat. "Nina, you should be safe as long as you don't go out and aggravate the Black Knights. Just stay here in the clubhouse, okay? Call me if you need help."
"O-okay," said Nina meekly. The shy girl watched as Milly and Laura departed the room, Arthur lying down on the table next to her as if keeping guard.
Their destination was Laura's dorm room. The light was off, leaving only the stars to weakly illuminate from the window.
Laura stood next to the doorway, placing herself between it and Milly as she faced the blonde. Milly looked back at her with a concerned and uneasy expression.
She had also noticed a girl about the same height and build as Nina with long pink hair and light blue eyes sitting on the bed, a brown hat lying by her side. Milly wasn't exactly intimately familiar with every member of the student population in the school despite her position – as there were too many students – and she had simply assumed the pinkette was Laura's roommate.
"Hi Milly," said the pinkette with a sweet tone.
"Hi to you too," said Milly. "So, what do you two need from me?" she asked wondering why she was brought here. "Do you, well, want a sleepover or something?"
"I must bring you to her," droned Laura.
"Laura…are you okay?" asked Milly. "You're acting a bit, well…strange."
"I'm perfectly fine." Laura's continued monotone and blank gaze did nothing to convince the student council president.
Milly had noticed a red glow in Laura's eyes, made more noticeable in the dim environment. "Okay, something strange is definitely going on here," she thought, her unease increasing.
She turned her attention towards the other girl. The pinkette stood up with her left eye shining red, with a sigil resembling a bird in flight.
"Um, I've been meaning to ask—" Milly was cut off as the pinkette shot out.
"Milly Ashford!"
Milly immediately stiffened and her expression dulled. The same red rims as in Laura's eyes appeared around her own irises.
The pinkette smiled at the hypnotised blonde. "We're going to be great friends. But first, I need you to do something for me..."
"I will do whatever you ask," droned Milly.
"It must have taken a lot to muster the courage to stand up to your own elder sister in the name of our people," said Tohdoh. "I see that you truly are genuine in your character. You have shown yourself to be an honourable woman."
"Back in the courts, they would have called me naïve for that," said Euphemia.
"That's because they cannot comprehend anything more than their own self-decadence," said Tohdoh. "It is uncommon to see Britannians that see us as people."
"I'm still mixed about you, Euphemia," said Nagisa.
"I can't blame you," said Euphemia. "Britannia has ground your people under its heel and enslaved them for seven years. I understand why you feel that way."
"But now is the time to set aside our differences," said Zero. "We must inform our gathering forces of the truce. The Britannians are officially our allies for now."
"Affirmative, Zero," the rest of the Black Knight high command acknowledged.
Nunnally heard the sound of her door opening. "Who's there?"
"It's Milly," came the reply.
Nunnally could not help but note the dull and monotonous tone of her voice. This was definitely not like how Milly of all people usually spoke like. Something was wrong, but she didn't know what.
However Nunnally had brushed such suspicions off, putting her trust in her childhood friend in the end.
"Come in," said the exiled princess.
Without saying a word, Milly did exactly that.
If only Nunnally had been able to see with her eyes…
Ashford Rooftop
Euphemia had gone back up to the rooftop to get some time for herself to simmer down. But gazing at the stars didn't offer her as much comfort as it did before, and taking her mind off the recent events and revelations turned out much harder than it seemed.
"It was about time you called out Cornelia for her bullshit," said Rai.
"I still can't believe I let myself be fooled by her for so long," seethed Euphemia. "I knew for a while that she was wrapping me in cotton wool and forcing me into a bubble, but for too long I had let my love for her as a sister get in the way. I looked up to her for years, and I find out that she's been committing massacres behind my back! Ugh! She can go fuck herself!"
"It's what Britannian rulers are like," said Rai. "They pose themselves all noble and clean, then you find that under that skin the lot of them are actually really evil and insan—"
Rai's eyes widened as he saw a hat-wearing pinkette come out from the dorms with a blue-haired girl trailing behind her.
He had recognised the leading girl. "Clara?"
"You know her?" asked Euphemia.
"Yes," said Rai. "That's Clara Lanfranc. I knew her when I was young. She's an agent from the Geass Order."
"Geass Order?" asked Euphemia.
"I'll explain later," said Rai. "V.V. must have sent her for unfinished business. I need to inform Zero immediately."
Rai took out his radio. "Zero, we have a Britannian agent in the school posing as a student. I have visual confirmation. She's a girl by the name of Clara Lanfranc, she has pink hair, blue eyes, a large hat, and has the ability to take control of others' minds by calling their names."
Black Knights Ashford command room
"Mind control via name call?" thought Lelouch. "Must be some sort of Geass. I can't verify that report yet, but I can't take chances especially at this time. We'll perform verifications once we capture her. A dangerous foe to deal with. She must not catch on unto our real names. I must alert the Black Knights of the intruder."
Ashford Cafeteria
"Black Knights, we have an intruder within school grounds!" Zero's command came through the speakers. "Seal off all exits! Find and capture them! I repeat, we have an intruder!"
"An intruder?!" Kallen shot up. "I knew those Brits couldn't be trusted!"
"I knew it!" Tamaki exclaimed as he got up from his seat as well.
"You did not, Tamaki!" Kallen shot back. "Let's get moving, we have an intruder to catch!"
Ashford Courtyard
"As you command, Master Zero," acknowledged Sayoko. She dashed off with speed and agility that one would not associate with a simple maid.
Black Knights G1
"The intruder has pink hair and blue eyes. Do not name yourselves around the intruder! Use your callsigns. High-profile members are to stay away from the intruder. Find and capture them!" Zero commanded through the transmissions.
Naomi turned towards the other Black Knights on the bridge. "Search the students!"
Ashford Academy
On Zero's command the Black Knights have scrambled across the Ashford campus on their search for the intruder. Exits were blocked off and monitored.
A car slowed as it closed in on outside the front gate, parking on the opposite roadside. The Black Knight presence across the academy could not be overlooked by the passengers. The white figure and the lights of the Avalon was visible in the night sky nearby.
"What's going on?" asked Shirley.
"The Black Knights took over the school," said Sophie.
"And the military there is just doing nothing?" asked Rivalz.
"I'll need to contact the command centre," said Charmelle as she took out her communicator.
Sophie took out her phone and called Laura. "Laura? Are you at the school?"
Several moments passed without a response. It was some nearly thirty seconds or so before the call was answered.
"Yes. I'm here." Laura's voice came dull and monotonous.
"Um…are you okay?" asked Sophie.
"I'm perfectly fine, Sophie," said Laura.
"You sound strange, Laura." Sophie was unsettled by her girlfriend's uncharacteristic voice. "What's the matter?"
"Everything is fine. There's nothing to worry about." Laura ended the call not a moment after.
"Laura?" Sophie tried to reply to no avail.
Sophie had hoped for reassurance but the call only left her apprehensive and suspicious. "Something's going on. I have a really bad feeling about this."
"What? What happened?" asked Rivalz.
"I'm not sure," said Sophie. "Laura…she didn't sound like herself."
"I'll try calling Milly." Rivalz took out his phone and did so. "Milly? Hello? How's are thing going there?"
"Everything's going along fine," answered Milly, also in a dull and monotonous voice.
"Are you guys okay?" asked Rivalz. "Did those Black Knights or those aliens hurt you?"
"We are unhurt, Rivalz," said Milly. "Nothing to worry about. Thank you for your concern. I have something to attend to."
Milly ended the call, leaving Rivalz unsettled and suspicious as well.
"Yeah, something weird's definitely going on," said Rivalz. "Milly sounded all weird too. Oh man, I hope the aliens didn't do weird things to them…"
"I-I hope they're really alright." Shirley was anxious and worried. "Maybe…I'll try calling Lulu— I mean Lelouch. W-why did I just call him Lulu?"
"Shirley, you've always been calling him Lulu," said Rivalz. "Well, until the past few weeks or something."
"I-I don't know what you're talking about," said Shirley. "I did it again…"
Milly had returned with Nunnally as Clara and Laura awaited them just outside the dorms.
"This is working out pretty nicely," said Clara. "Let's go. We'll use the exit under the school."
"What's going on?" asked Nunnally.
"We just want a girls' night out, little sweet Nunnally," said Clara. "And you're invited with us."
Nunnally couldn't shake the feeling that something was up. She didn't know what was it exactly, she couldn't open her eyes to see. She could only sit helplessly as Milly pushed her wheelchair across the schoolyard.
"Thank goodness," Shirley put her phone down after finishing her call. "Lelouch's fine."
"He didn't sound all weird or anything?" asked Rivalz.
"No," said Shirley.
"Well that's a relief," said Rivalz. "Damn, I'm really worried about what happened to Milly. Come to think of it, she sounded something like those hypnotised guys from TV."
Charmelle, having received the recent news, put down her communicator and turned towards the three students. "Kids, I'm not sure on how to make of this. Prince Schniezel had made a truce with the Black Knights, but I still don't trust them."
Shirley quickly opened the car door and stepped outside.
"Shirley?" asked Sophie. "Where are you going?"
"Our friends are in there," said Shirley. "I want to know what's going on."
"Ms. Fenette, I don't think that's a good idea," said Charmelle.
Her words went unheeded as Shirley rushed towards the school gate.
"Shirley!" Sophie stepped out of the car and followed her roommate. "Wait!"
"Ms. Fenette!" Charmelle stepped out of the car to go after Shirley as well. "Don't be impulsive!"
Rivalz sighed and stepped out of the car to follow the two girls. "Wait for me!"
Clara, Milly, and Laura made their way into the library and headed towards the elevator that led to the lower levels. However, just before they could reach it, several smokebombs suddenly popped around them.
"What!?" Clara had been taken by surprise.
The figure of a woman in a maid outfit had leapt in front of them and obstructed their path. She was revealed to be Sayoko as the smoke cleared.
"This is R-1, I've located the intruder," Sayoko spoke through a communicator.
"Please move out of the way," droned Laura. "We must proceed."
"Nobody's going anywhere," said Sayoko.
"Then I must move you." Laura lunged in and threw several punches at Sayoko. Her physical ability was nothing to scoff at, and she had proved to be an excelling member of the gymnastics club. But she easily proved no match for the maid.
Sayoko casually dodged and blocked Laura's punches.
"Keep her occupied, we'll g—OW!" Clara was quickly tripped by Sayoko as she tried to run past. Her hat slipped off from her head as she fell and landed on the floor nearby.
"I said, you're not going anywhere," said Sayoko. She then moved to effortlessly restrain Laura.
"Let me go," said the bluenette, still with the same dull emotionless voice as she struggled in futility against Sayoko's hold.
Milly attempted to push ahead with Nunnally, only to be blocked and detained by several Black Knight soldiers.
"What's going on?" asked Nunnally.
"I believe they were trying to kidnap you, Mistress Nunnally," said Sayoko. "Don't worry, we've got this under control."
"Milly?" asked Nunnally.
"Please let me go," Milly spoke in a dull voice even as she struggled against her captors. "I must follow my orders."
"Milly, what's happening?" asked Nunnally.
"Something's gotten into Ms. Ashford," said Sayoko. "We'll try to find out. Don't worry mistress. We'll keep you safe."
Clara got up only to find that they were surrounded. As she could not get any of their names, she could do nothing as she was restrained as well.
"Zero, we've captured the intruder and her accomplices," reported Sayoko through her communicator.
Shirley, Sophie, and Rivalz had stopped at the front gate guarded by three Black Knight soldiers. Charmelle had stayed a few steps behind the three students, ready to act should anything get awry.
"Please, I need to get in!" pleaded Shirley.
"If you're really going in there, Shirley, at least let me go with you," said Sophie. "Laura's in there too."
"Ms. Fenette," Charmelle pleaded. "Please reconsider!"
"Identify yourselves!" one of the Black Knight guards, a brown-haired woman, ordered.
"S-Shirley Fenette," said the orange-haired lass. "I'm a student here. I need to get in!"
The same guard redirected her attention towards the other two students. "Identify yourselves."
Sophie and Rivalz complied.
The guard took out her communicator and reported. "Zero, we have three students at the front gate. Your orders?"
She received Zero's reply. "Right." She put down the communicator and signalled her fellow guards to open the gate. "Come in."
Shirley ran through the opened gate as soon as she can, followed by Sophie and Rivalz.
The Black Knights soldiers had brought Clara, as well as the still-geassed Milly and Laura, bound and restrained, unto a classroom where Zero, Kallen, Rai, and several other Black Knights awaited them. Kallen wore a tinted visor hiding her face.
"Milly?" asked Kallen. "What's going on?"
"This is the intruder you informed us about, isn't she?" asked Zero.
"Yes." Rai nodded. "That's her."
Clara turned her gaze towards Rai. Her anger rose as she took a good look at him, recognising him among the Black Knights in their uniform. "Y-you," she hissed. "You traitor. You left us and you joined a bunch of rebel terrorists."
"Clara…" thought Rai. He looked towards the geassed students and shook his head. "Looks like she got you, Milly. Just hang on there, we'll get you free from this."
"What do you mean by that?" asked Kallen.
"They're under her control," said Rai. "Look carefully at their eyes."
"What the hell are you talk—" Kallen noticed the red glowing rims around Milly's and Laura's irises. "Okay, this is weird."
"I'll explain everything later," said Rai.
"You better do," said Kallen.
Clara's eyes darted desperately around to find someone, anyone she could identify with their full real names.
But she found none amongst the Black Knights.
"Damn it," thought Clara. "They must have known about my Geass."
"Take her to Room 105. That should serve as her containment cell." Ordered Zero. "As for the students, take them into Room 106 for containment until we can free them from their affliction. Keep them separated from the intruder. Make sure they're treated well."
"Yes, Zero." The Black Knight captors complied and took the captives away.
"Rai here will tell us about his intel," said Zero.
"Right." Rai nodded.
Euphemia came into the room with the white handgun originally presented to her back at the SAZ in her hand. "Nunnally's back safe." She placed the gun into a holster and took a seat on one of the chairs. "I want to hear the explanation soon."
"Just in time," said Rai. He stood before the others in the room. "I need to tell you about the Geass Order."
"Geass Order?" asked Zero.
"They're a Britannian secret organisation revolving about the power known as Geass." Rai took a deep breath. "I think it's time I revealed the truth about myself as well. I was one of the children they had experimented on to create Geass-wielding agents and assassins at the command of the Emperor. Their leader was known to us only as V.V."
"You were one of them," said Zero.
"Was," said Rai. "Not anymore. Not after I found out about their true intentions. I took my first opportunity to escape when V.V. sent me on a mission here in Japan five years ago. I had lived in hiding amongst the public until you and the Black Knights came along."
"What was that mission?" asked Zero.
"It was to find and capture the vi Britannia line – Prince Lelouch and Princess Nunnally – under V.V.'s orders," said Rai. "And I refused. I will never carry out his will. I think he sent Clara here to do what I had failed. We fortunately caught her before she could do any of that."
"What's Geass?" asked Euphemia.
"Yeah, I'd like to know as well," said Kallen. "I really don't like having weird things around I don't understand."
"Well, it's a bit of a story to explain as it's different for every bearer," said Rai. "But they're powers to affect the mind, whether it be their own or those of others. Clara's, as you already know, allows her to take control of another's mind and will by calling their name."
"Ah, so that's what it's called," said Euphemia. "So that's the power she used. Geass."
"I'm still trying to wrap my head around this," said Kallen. "Or everything that just showed up today. Wait, since you got experimented on by them, you have one of those Geass things too, don't you?"
"Of course," said Rai. "Mine is the ability to compel others to follow a single command by the sound of my voice. I haven't used it in a while, and I only wish to use it when absolutely necessary. Don't worry, I haven't used it on any of you, and I really don't intend to."
"Hmm…a Geass like mine, but sent through the sound of the voice," thought Lelouch behind his mask. "Sounds like a double-edged sword to have around. Rai has shown himself to be loyal to us so far, but I'd need to keep an eye on him to be safe. And if it's sent through the sound of his voice, then…perhaps, maybe…"
His thoughts went to Nunnally, his blinded and crippled sister.
Clara had been escorted into an empty classroom in the left side of the main Ashford building which served as her makeshift cell, two guards posted by the sides of the door outside. Through the door came Zero, intent on extracting information from the prisoner.
"So you've decided to infiltrate us while we were gearing up against the invaders," said the masked man coldly towards the captured pinkette. "You've tried to kidnap several students under our watch. For what purpose?"
"And why should I tell you?" Clara retorted.
"Because you will." A slot in Zero's mask over the left eye opened as Lelouch activated his Geass. "You will answer my questions truthfully."
Clara's irises were rimmed with a red glow as Lelouch's Geass took control of her mind. "Sure. Ask away."
"Who exactly are you?" asked Zero.
"Clara Lanfranc," the hypnotised girl answered without any hesitation. "I'm an undercover agent of the Geass Order."
"What do you know about the Geass Order?" asked Zero.
"We're a secret organisation at the command of Director V.V. and the Emperor to research and use Geass in the name of Britannia," said Clara.
"What was your purpose here?" asked Zero.
"I had orders to take Princess Nunnally vi Britannia and bring her to Kamine Island," said Clara. "I was to wait until you were all preoccupied with the invaders."
"Who sent you?" asked Zero.
"Director V.V.," said Clara.
"For what purpose?" asked Zero. "Why did he send you to kidnap Nunnally?"
"I don't know," said Clara.
"So you weren't told about the purpose of your mission?"
"I wasn't," said Clara.
"What is your Geass?" asked Zero.
"I can take control of others' minds by calling out their name," said Clara.
"So Rai was right about his intel," thought Zero. "That will be all."
The red rims in Clara's eyes faded. She gasped and blinked rapidly a few times as she came out of her trance. "Wha-what was that just now? W-what did you do to me? D-did you just…hypnotise me?"
"We have our own tricks." Zero left shortly, leaving Clara alone in her makeshift cell.
Shirley and Rivalz made their way into the clubhouse while Sophie had gone into the dorms in search for her girlfriend. The former two entered the club room where Nina worked on her laptop with Arthur resting on the floor nearby. Milly was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Milly?" asked Shirley.
"I don't know," said Nina. "She left with Laura just over an hour and twenty minutes ago. I'm worried about her, but she told me to stay here."
"We think Milly's in trouble," said Rivalz. "We called her and she sounded all weird."
"W-what do you mean?" asked Nina with worry and apprehension.
"She sounded, well…I don't know, not like herself," said Rivalz.
"We're really worried," said Shirley. "Did she tell you were she was going?"
"No," said Nina. "All I heard was Laura telling her to go with her. To where, I don't know."
Zero stood before Milly and Laura in the adjacent room, the hands and legs of the two girls bound in order to restrain them. Kallen, wearing her visor and standing just behind her leader's right side, looked upon the bound students as she held a bundle of spare rope in her left hand.
"Trust me, Milly," said Kallen. "I don't take pleasure in this. We just need you to wait a few moments more."
"Alright Milly, time to get you back to your own self," thought Lelouch as he activated his Geass and opened his mask's left eye slot. "You are free."
Lelouch's Geass entered Milly's and Laura's minds, counteracting and purging Clara's influence from them. The red rims in the two girls' eyes rapidly flashed brighter a few times before blinking out.
"Huh? Z-Zero?" Milly felt like she had just gotten out from a daze. "My head felt weird…"
"S-she's…out of my head," said Laura.
"Time to let them go," said Zero.
Kallen used her knife to cut the rope binding Milly and Laura.
"W-what exactly happened to us?" asked Milly. "T-that girl did something to us!"
"We'll talk about it later when I get you back at the clubhouse," said Kallen. "Let's go."
The four exited the room, with Zero going back to his command room while Kallen led Milly and Laura back to the clubhouse.
As he made his way to the command room Zero was informed over radio by Naomi and her team of the capture of yet another reported intruder from the school yards. This time she was a tall dark-skinned woman with golden eyes and silver hair, none other than the Britannian knight Villetta Nu from the former Purist Faction. She was presented in front of several prominent Black Knights in the room. Euphemia, having caught wind of the capture and recognised Villetta, was present as well.
Ohgi was nervous. "C-Chigusa?" he blurted out.
"D-don't call me by that filthy name you Eleven!" Villetta spat venomously. She turned her eyes on Euphemia. "P-princess Euphemia? What's going on here? What are you doing here with those terrorists?"
"Long story," said Euphemia. "I'm also not a princess anymore. It served me nothing so I gave it up for the SAZ."
Zero stared at Ohgi with narrowed eyes under his mask. "You know this woman. Is that right, Ohgi?"
"Y-yes, Zero," said Ohgi.
"And why have you not informed us?" questioned Zero. "This is a major secret you've been keeping from the Black Knights. You took a Britannian knight captive and made no move to inform us. Why?"
"Z-zero," said Ohgi. "I-I can explain—"
"I'll explain what he did to me!" Villetta cut him off.
"Please go on," said Euphemia.
Villetta explained how after she was shot by Shirley, how she awoke nude in a bed with no memories of who she was, not even of her own name. How Ohgi had been the one who kept here isolated, prisoner within her own lack of memories, and how he took advantage of her and her amnesia to essentially start a sexual relationship with her, treating her as if she was his wife for his own satisfaction, under a name he had given while she had been but a shell of her actual self. She finished with how disgusted she had been after all that when she regained her memories just recently.
"I-is that true?" asked Euphemia.
"Yes," said Villetta. "All of it is true. You can ask that dirty Eleven yourselves."
"Ohgi?" asked Naomi.
"I-…uhh…" Ohgi trailed off nervous with shaky hands and fingers.
"What is it, Ohgi?" asked Naomi.
"I-I did find her and keep her!" exclaimed Ohgi as he caved in from the pressure. Needless to say this revelation was met with repulsion. "Please, it's not what it looks—"
"Then why didn't you inform us?" asked Zero.
Ohgi was silenced by Zero's question, unable to formulate a counterargument or deny Villetta's testimony.
"I think we should take that as a yes," said Zero.
"Shameful," spat Tohdoh in disgust.
Naomi walked up to Ohgi and smacked him in the face with her left hand then pulled on his collar. She glared directly into his eyes with a rage that, if looks could kill, would have disintegrated Ohgi to a pile of smouldering ash.
"Y-you're a fucking creep, Ohgi!" Naomi cried in anger and disgust. "There are lines we don't cross! And to hide this from all of us? We trusted you!"
"That's enough, Inoue," said Zero, causing Naomi to release Ohgi from her grip. "Ohgi, I hope you realise the ramifications of your actions. If the Britannians found out about this earlier, say, during the meeting, what do you think will happen? It would have placed our truce in jeopardy."
"I'll confer with Schniezel," continued Zero. "To preserve our truce we would need to release her and send her back. Kaname Ohgi, you are hereby demoted for insubordination and misconduct. Naomi Inoue will take your former position as Deputy Commander. You are also to be placed under probationary watch until further notice for any suspicious activity. You will not be allowed unsupervised contact with any female personnel or civilians. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Zero." Ohgi could only concede in defeat.
Zero signalled Villetta's captors to release her, to which they complied.
"Villetta Nu, you will be escorted just outside the school gates," said Zero. "When you report to your superiors, keep in mind that Ohgi's actions were not under my command nor approval, nor were they representative of the Black Knights as a whole."
"This might sound unbelievable, Dame Nu," said Euphemia. "But if you haven't already heard, we're facing a new enemy from outer space. I hope you understand."
"Right," nodded Villetta. "I saw what happened to the SAZ in the news. Lady Euphemia, what about you? Aren't you going to go back to the Viceroy's palace?"
"No," Euphemia shook her head. "I'll be staying with the Black Knights. Don't worry about me. I assure you they did me no harm."
Villetta was escorted outside the Ashford gates as ordered.
As Kallen led Milly and Laura on their way to the clubhouse they were met up by Sophie as they crossed close to the dorms. Sophie was relieved to see that her girlfriend was alright, but the worries she had about Laura and brought up how she sounded on the phone. Kallen told her that they would talk about it in the club room. Sophie brought up the fact that she wasn't a member of the student council, but Milly had given her permission to enter.
Shirley, Rivalz, and Nina were relieved as their friends entered the club room unhurt and well. However Nina was more than a bit frightened by the visor-wearing Black Knight in their presence. Kallen tried to reassure her, but it was of little avail. In an attempt to better ensure their trust, Kallen removed her visor to reveal her face.
The rest of the student council and Sophie were taken by surprise.
"Y-you too, Kallen?" gasped Milly in shock.
"K-Kallen!?" Nina squeaked. "Y-y-you're a B-Black Knight?"
"Yes," said Kallen. "I'm also half-Japanese. Milly here knows that part already though."
"Yeah," said Milly.
"But I'm not here to hurt any of you," said Kallen. "We're under orders to protect civilians, and I don't want to hurt friends. Don't worry."
But Nina wasn't exactly convinced. "Y-you're an Eleven!? I-I thought you were my friend!"
"Eleven!?" Kallen's brows twitched as she struggled to contain her anger. "Damn it, fucking damn it Nina, even now of all times, why can't you just stop this racist bullshit! What would Euphemia think if she heard you saying that crap? After you saw her declare the SAZ, do you think she would approve? Do you? She even literally fought in the front lines against aliens for the Japanese, yes, Japanese, not Elevens! I know, because I saw her there and we even actually fought together! She didn't give a single fucking shit about what or where you came from! So why can't you, who practically worships her like a goddess, see it!?"
Nina went silent with wide eyes.
"Uh, Kallen," whispered Sophie. "I think you might have just broken her…"
"Yeah, I know she needed some work," said Milly. "But…that was a bit harsh, don't you think?"
Kallen took a deep breath. "I-I just…yeah. This day took a big toll. Sorry."
"It's okay," said Milly as she put her hand on Nina's shoulder to comfort her. "Kallen's been through a lot, and she doesn't appreciate being called that. So just don't call her an Eleven, okay?"
"O-o-okay." Nina nodded weakly.
"Alright," said Kallen, composing herself. "About the thing I was going to explain to you all. I'm going to cut to the chase. Milly, Laura, you two got hypnotised."
Shirley, Sophie, Rivalz, and Nina raised their eyebrows.
"Yeah…makes sense," said Milly. "It was like…well, everything that girl told us to do, we couldn't help but follow it."
"I-I'm sorry about that, Milly," said Laura in shame. "I led you to that girl…that girl with pink hair and the big hat…"
"It's alright," said Milly. "You don't have anything to apologise for. You weren't acting on your own free will."
"That girl's name is Clara Lanfranc," said Kallen. "She's been sent by some secret Britannian organisation."
"Geez, secret government agents with hypno powers," said Milly. "That seems hard to believe, isn't it? I wouldn't have believed it if I haven't been put under it myself."
"Okay...let me get this straight. First we have alien invaders, then secret agent girls with mind control powers." Rivalz racked his hands over his head. "What's next, dinosaurs? Lizard people?"
"I suppose at this point I wouldn't be surprised," said Kallen. "Shit's just been getting crazy lately."
The near-silence in Clara's 'cell' was interrupted as Rai opened the door and came inside. Closing the door behind him, he gazed at the pinkette with pity.
Clara however shot the silver-haired man with an angry glare. "You really have some nerve coming to me."
"Clara," said Rai. "Please, leave V.V. and his Order. He's using you as he did with me."
"And why should I listen to you?" Clara shot back. "A traitor? You're just like Orpheus!"
"I don't really know who you're talking about," said Rai. "I left when I found out the truth. I'm telling you, leave him as I did. It's not too late."
"You just sold me out!" cried Clara.
"I couldn't let you mess with innocent students," Rai retorted.
Clara took out her communicator. "I'll soon be out of here. Lord V.V. will sort this out. I'll just have to request a rescue op."
"He won't help you," said Rai. "He's an enormous jerk. Trust me."
Not heeding Rai's words, Clara turned on the communicator and made contact with her superior.
"Agent, report," said V.V. from the communicator.
"Director, I've been captured by the Black Knights," said Clara. "I'm requesting assist—"
"You failed," V.V. abruptly and coldly cut her off. "All you had to do is take a pathetic girl in a wheelchair, and you failed."
"T-they found me out!" Clara pleaded.
"Because you were incompetent." V.V. retorted.
"Director, I promise," Clara begged. "I won't fail you again."
"Indeed you won't fail me again," said V.V. "Your request is denied."
"D-director V.V.?" asked Clara, taken aback by the answer.
"I have no use for someone as incompetent and useless as you," said V.V. "You had one job, you had your Geass abilities, you had the right opportunity to do it, and still you failed miserably. You can't even do something as simple as taking a crippled, helpless, and stupid girl on a wheelchair. You are a waste. I won't spend any resources taking back a useless tool like you. Pathetic. Be gone."
V.V. abruptly cut off the communication.
"No…no…" Clara slipped into a sitting position against the wall and hung her head low, her arms slumped down. She was fearful as it sank in. Her master had abandoned her to her fate. "I'm going to die…the aliens are coming here and I'm gonna die. I'm going to die alone and thrown away like trash…"
"Now you found out what V.V. really is like, huh," said Rai. "He just left you and basically threw you away like trash because it was more convenient for him."
"What do you want with me?" asked Clara.
"Well," said Rai. "I'd like you to join us, Clara."
"W-what!?" Clara gave Rai an incredulous look as if he had just grown an extra head. "Y-you have to be kidding me. What kind of ridiculous thing are you on!? Why the hell would I join you!?"
"What other way is there for you right now?" asked Rai. "Look at it this way, V.V. left you. The Britannian army would probably just lock you up themselves to keep the truce if they found out that you, a Britannian agent, tried to infiltrate and undermine us. So, where else would you go?"
"I…I don't know!" said Clara.
"Let me know if you make a decision. I gotta get going." Rai left the room.
Clara fell into sadness and slumped against the wall. "Why does everyone keep abandoning me…"
September 9
Kallen found herself surrounded by smouldering ruins and rubble that seemingly once made up a Japanese city. The sky was dark with smoke and ash. Tripods marched across in the distance as the arrhythmic hum of their walking and their eerie horn-like sounds echoed across the desolate cityscape.
Strewn around her were the badly-burned corpses of her fellow Black Knights. Zero was nowhere to be seen.
"Great Kami," thought Kallen. "No…"
As she looked around in horror and distress yet another sight came to her torment. Before her was her mother, Naoko Kouzuki, with both of her arms chained to a large concrete slab on each side.
Kallen felt a pang of pain in her chest that only intensified upon seeing the empty vials of Refrain littered around her. Unable to bear seeing her mother like this, Kallen ran as fast as she could towards her.
Her heart hurt more and more as she saw Naoko lost in the effects of that damned drug. Uttering words that only made sense for one trapped in old memories. The same ones that she heard from her the moment she found her in the warehouse of Refrain addicts.
Kallen's legs felt heavy and the distance between them seemed to stretch further the more she tried to run. Her eyes widened in shock and fear as the ruined buildings behind Naoko exploded.
The smoke and dust cleared to reveal a huge tripod rise from the rubble.
Black, metallic tentacles similar to the ones on the tripod's underside erupted out from the ground to bind Kallen's arms and legs, lifting and suspending her a metre or so off the ground.
She tried to struggle but to no avail.
Time seemed to slow down for her as she saw the tripod crouch over Naoko, the woman still lost under the effects of Refrain and completely unaware of what was happening around her. The beam emitters of the tripod glowed brightly, both of them aimed towards her.
"No," whispered Kallen. She struggled more and more against the tentacles, but their hold became only tighter the more she did. "NO!" the redhead screamed frantically. "NO!"
The tripod fired both lasers directly at Naoko.
"NO!" Kallen could only scream and watch helplessly as, before her eyes, her mother was incinerated in an expanding fireball.
Only a moment later the fireball reached and engulfed Kallen as well.
Kallen shot up awake all of a sudden with a gasp.
She found herself in her dorm room, the clock nearby reading 3:00 am. She took a few deep breaths in an attempt to calm herself.
"It was just a dream," thought Kallen. "Just a bad dream…"
But she then became deeply worried. For in the face of the invasion, the nightmare she just had could just become reality…
"S-she's still in prison!" Kallen's hands shook. "With those aliens advancing…oh no…please oh no…"
Notes: It's been a while, gone through a lot of revisions, but finally it's up.
I might be gravitating towards longer chapters lately. The latest one I uploaded for Behind the Warp Gates earlier this year reached over 7500 words. This one reached nearly 7100. I just wanted to close up the 'school intruder' subplot which served as Clara Lanfranc's introduction to this story.
I might have extended the part where Kallen revealed herself to the Student Council (and Sophie) and explained what Clara had done to them a bit more than initially intended. But, while I think Nina is disproportionately overhated by the fandom, I think she still needed to be called out for her prejudices.
There was originally supposed to be a scene where Clara attempted to use her Geass on Euphemia, only to end up failing due to the latter no longer identifying herself by her former name (which Clara would of course use). The purpose of said scene would have been to show how much Euphemia had renounced the li Britannia name, to the point that Clara's Geass doesn't even recognise it as her correct name anymore. However it was cut in the final version after several not-so-successful attempts to find a good fit in the chapter for it.
Fuck Ohgi. Damn creep. He really needed to be called out for his shit with Villetta and he by no means deserved his happy ending in the anime series.
Also, if anyone's curious, Rolo won't be in this story. I'm not exactly fond of him either.
I can say we'll be going back to some fights and explosions in the next chapter. The final segment here about Kallen should give some hint on what it would be about.
