Interlude 4-B: Burning Red Lotus.
I don't know how he does it. First it was the DIVINE sound of heavy metal. Then after going to my house with Milly, he figures out that my mother is a Refrain addict.
Which...isn't really all that hard, if you know what you're looking for. And after all the raids we've done, those shaking hands will haunt me for years.
So what does he do? He offers the use of his Geass to break her addiction!
I've seen him order men to kill themselves with it. Of course I said yes!
The command was worded along the lines of 'finding the strength within yourself to recover from Refrain and never use it again.' Which is very clever, in hindsight. Mom won't be confronted by the urge to use it, yet she'll attribute it to her own willpower.
Though...I think our conversation before that nighttime confrontation with Nunnally helped.
Mom burst into tears when I dove into her arms, begging her forgiveness for treating her so badly.
As she shook, that's when I realized what she had done to herself to escape the pain.
In that moment, seeing her trembling hands, and remembering how my stepmother and the other maids had abused her over the years?
I think I understood Zero a little better. Because by God, I wanted to choke a bitch. To squeeze my bitch stepmother's throat and break her neck for all the abuse she heaped on my mother.
That's when I realized I wasn't that much different from Zero. We both don't have a problem with killing.
His problem is he doesn't know when to stop.
As I muse on thoughts of his smirking face and hypnotic eyes...NO! BAD KALLEN! STOP THINKING ABOUT THE SEXY PSYCHOPATH THAT'S YOUR BOSS!
I smack myself to stop the circular loop of my thoughts, and try to relax to the soothing sound of Iron Maiden's 'The Trooper'.
You take my life, but I'll take yours too.
I finally get why he's bopping his head so much while nothing is going on. The son of a bitch has headphones built into his mask.
You fire your musket but I'll run you through.
Not everyone likes this music, obviously. While a lot of Black Knights listen to it, there are several prominent members who don't.
Milly, for one, gets creeped out by it. Which I find utterly hilarious and have taken to playing it as Milly-repellent.
Ohgi gets teary-eyed when he hears it. Apparently Onii-chan used to like metal.
CC is ambivalent, most of the time. Sometimes I think she likes parts of it, but says otherwise just to annoy Lelouch.
As I step into the hanger bay, I notice several new Knightmares on display.
And in the middle? Well hellooooo.
I'm not drooling. Really, I'm not. But mmmm, now I get what Naoto meant about car-lust.
Because if that Knightmare was a woman, I would bend her over and...
...ARGH! NOT AGAIN DAMMIT! WHY DO I KEEP HAVING SEXY THOUGHTS ABOUT GIRLS?! I LIKE MEN!
Especially dark-haired pale pretty-boys...
I pinch myself to cut THAT off at the root.
I walk over to Zero, who I swear to God, is preening.
"あのナイトメル、その名前は何ですか?" (That Knightmare, what's its name?)
Zero gestures dramatically, "これは紅蓮弐式、日本初の第七世代ナイトメルフレーム。" (This is the Guren Mark Two, Japan's first seventh-generation Knightmare Frame.)
I touch it gingerly. If it had a dick, I would be sucking it like a whore.
I absentmindedly catch something Zero throws at me. I blink as I bring it to my face.
A red and white feather? Wait...this is—!
"You're kidding me," I say blankly. No way. He can't be serious.
He nods, "Dead serious. The Guren is a masterpiece. It's also the only Frame capable of standing up against the Lancelot. And to defeat a pilot of that caliber? We need an ace of our own."
Translation: If Suzaku fights anyone else and they don't die very fast? He'd be rightfully accused of sandbagging.
But against a pilot actually on his level with a Seventh-gen Frame of their own? Suzaku won't be punished.
But...I shake my head.
"Sir, I can't accept this. You're our leader. The Guren will keep you safe."
Zero whistles loudly to get everyone's attention.
"Attention! Kallen here wants me to have the Guren. Which, I'm flattered by, but! Can anyone tell me who the best pilot we have is?"
What the fuck? EVERYONE is pointing at me? Even CC?
Zero nods, "Thank you. Now, am I a complete fucking idiot who's going to take the best weapon we have for myself, despite my being nowhere near her level?"
Laying it on thick, huh, Lelouch?
Zero taps his foot irritably, "That was sarcasm, by the way. The answer is obviously no. Now, who's our goddamn ace? And this time say it loud!"
And just like that, the entire hanger yells out my name.
"紅月カレン!!!" (Kōzuki Kallen!)
Zero claps appreciably, "Thank you, everyone. Training simulators in one hour. Everyone including myself practices."
As the crowd disperses, Zero turns to me, and I KNOW he's smirking under the mask.
"That was cheap," I mumble at him, my face red.
"Do I look like I care?" he says, leaning his head forward.
So fucking smug...
"CC's assessment of your skills is not an idle boast. She trained with the Flash herself. And as for me? I'll be fine with a Sutherland or possibly a Gloucester, if Orange gets lucky."
He tilts his head to the side, "Furthermore, the Guren requires a particularly aggressive style of combat to be effective, a style which is more up your alley than mine. I have my own plans to acquire a worthy command unit at a later time."
As he walks by, he whispers in my ear, "And don't think I didn't notice you looking at Big Red like you wanted to dry hump it."
The gut punch I give him in retaliation is richly deserved.
And I thought it just looked impressive. This thing has all the agility of a spider monkey on a cocaine binge. Which is ironic, considering the hunched-over posture it uses makes it look vaguely simian-like.
If it's even half as good as the simulator, it will outperform everything on the Britannian side, short of the Lancelot.
A Knightmare Frame should not be able to do a spin kick, goddammit!
The only odd thing is the loadout.
Two Slash Harkens, a dagger, and a shotgun on the right arm. Then there's the main weapon.
An ominous-looking silver claw left arm, with some kind of emitter built into the palm.
First time I tried it on a test dummy...it literally melted the target.
I took a few minutes to pause after that and re-read the manual I had skimmed over. Because I'm curious as to how this thing functions.
Radiant Wave Surger? Huh. Impressive. Directed radiation...isotope container?!
I angrily turn on my comm unit, "Zero! What the hell?! Why didn't you tell me that the Guren's main weapon is a fucking nuclear pulse emitter?!
Zero's face appears on the comm screen, head tilted to one side, resting on his arm.
"I thought you'd enjoy the surprise, Kallen Kasshu," he says cheekily.
Kallen Kasshu? Why does that ring a bell?
Tamaki bursts out laughing at that moment, "HAHAHAHA! Oh my god! I can see it! It's totally her!"
He breathes in and looks the screen dead on, while taking a martial arts stance.
"This fist of mine is burning red!"
He thrusts his palm forward, "Its loud roar tells me to grasp victory!"
He yells out like he's in a kung fu film, "行くぜ!爆燃!ゴド...フィンガー!!!" (Here I come! Explosive! God... FINGER!)
He then collapses into a paroxysm of laughter, Zero joining him.
Huh. Never took him for a G-Gundam fan. Then again, he'd fit right in, wouldn't he? And judging by the laughter over the comm channels, at least a few people got the joke.
That gives me an idea...
"東方不敗!ガンダムファイト勝負!" (Undefeated of the East! I challenge you to a Gundam Fight!)
Zero's Sutherland shimmers...and is replaced by a black Guren?
"Mirror match mode enabled. System set to dual user input," an electronic voice intones.
"答えろ, カレン・カッシュ! 東方不敗の流! 王の風よ! 全新!" (Answer me, Kallen Kasshu! The School of The Undefeated of The East! The Winds of the King! All new!)
And at that he launches a Slash Harken at me.
I can't help grinning as I flip out of the way and answer the only way I can.
"系列!" (Series of moves!)
I fire a shotgun blast at him, which he dodges by ducking behind a pillar.
Urban combat is partially about the high ground. But it's also about knowing the terrain.
Unfortunately for Zero? This battlefield is modeled on Shinjuku.
I prime my left arm to strike.
To be fair, Zero is actually a pretty good pilot. I'd say, 70ish on the standard 1-100 scale. Ace level starts around 85. Knight of Round level starts at 90. Only Bismarck Waldstein, the Knight of One, and the Legendary Flash herself have ever gotten a perfect 100 rating.
But...there is a huuuuge gap between ace and everyone else.
I fire a blast into the ground, triggering a gas main eruption, and forcing Zero out into the open to avoid being blinded.
I leap at him, claw emitting radiation.
Zero holds up his own claw to attempt a counter.
"天破侠乱!" (A bout to shake the heavens!) we both roar as the glowing emitters flare up at each other, the blast waves repelling our respective Frames backwards.
Honestly, I'm kinda dragging this out. Zero was right. He really isn't that good with the Guren.
He lunges at me with a side swipe, only to fire a Harken as I dodge to the side.
"見えよ!東方は紅く燃えてる!" (LOOK! THE EAST IS BURNING RED!)
What he's NOT expecting, is for me to grab the Harken and use it to yank him into range.
As I clasp the impromptu god finger onto the black Guren's head, I grin ear to ear. This was actually fun.
"爆燃!ゴド…フィンガー!" (Explosive! God... Finger!)
Zero's frame detonates in a magnificent explosion of sakuradite and electronics.
Zero slumps back into his simulator chair with a sigh.
"さすがにQ-1。" (As expected from Q-1.)
Tamaki choose that moment to chime in, "Dude! That was awesome! It was like watching Domon and Master Asia fight in real life!"
Zero takes a quick puff on a joint before sitting up. It's kinda ridiculous that he has a smoking tube built into his mask.
"As you can see," he says, addressing everyone via the PA system. "I am obviously no match for Kallen, despite using a machine with the same specifications. We all have our skills and supporting abilities. Kallen's happens to be being a potentially Knight of Round-level ace. So let's give a round of applause for Kallen Kasshu!" he finishes with a cheeky tone.
As I sit there blushing from the applause, I consider my relationship with both my boss Zero, and the man Lelouch vi Britannia.
Maybe dating him wouldn't be so bad...
Zero sits up suddenly, going rigid as he taps the side of his helmet.
"Repeat that!" he nods at whoever he's talking to.
Something's got him spooked. But what?
"Confirm the authenticity, and then send reply. Inform them we'll be there within two days. Zero out."
I poke my head out in time to see him jump out of the simulator and dash to a platform.
"BLACK KNIGHTS!" he bellows, getting everyone's attention.
"ALL COMBAT UNITS ARE NOW ON FULL READINESS! WE MOVE OUT IN TWO DAYS, FIRST THING IN THE MORNING! COMMAND STAFF MEETING, MY OFFICE, 5 MINUTES!"
He then runs over to the meeting room, slamming the door.
I hop out and follow CC in. What the hell is going on?!
I frown at him as we enter, "What's got your panties in a bunch?"
CC snickers, "He's not wearing any this time. They do actually look good on him, though."
Zero turns around from where he'd been rummaging through maps.
"Aha! Here we are!"
He slams down and unfurls a map of Japan, one with topography and height indicators.
"That call just now was from Kyoto. The JLF has requested a meeting, using them as intermediaries. Apparently my direct message to Tohdoh wasn't appreciated by General Katase. That, or perhaps he wants to discuss a merger."
I draw a sharp breath. This is the big leagues. The JLF have a huge amount of resources we can use.
CC looks over the map with a serious expression, "Cornelia?"
Zero shakes his head, "All reports indicate she's not ready. We have at least 5-6 days minimum before she moves out to destroy the JLF. And I finally received the documents I requested from Kaguya."
He pulls out a scroll with a seal bearing the combined hanko of Kyoto.
"New marching orders for the JLF. Took some strong-arming, and I'll likely need to press-gang some of the more reticent votes later, but we got it."
I look over the scroll with my eyes wide.
A hostile takeover of the biggest resistance group in Japan with the express backing of Kyoto. I never would have believed it possible before meeting this lunatic.
"Do you actually think they'll agree with this?" I say with a raised eyebrow.
Zero chuckles sinisterly. "Heh heh heh. You speak as though they have alternatives."
He slams his palm down where the Narita mountain range is indicated, "As I said to you once before, they can join me, or be exterminated by Cornelia. There is no path forward for the JLF as an organization."
He clenches his fist in front of him as though squeezing.
"I have control over most of Kanto! My agents are positioning themselves within the Britannian command structure. The JLF's public reputation is ruined. Whereas we, the Black Knights? We have a public presence, we're visible, and we. Get. Results!" he yells out, enunciating the words.
I cross my arms and give him an annoyed look. Goddammit, when is he going to learn to stop thinking pragmatism is the end-all be-all of arguments?!
"So what? Most of them probably hate you for killing Kusakabe and the public humiliation. And for the fact that we're recruiting Britannians. I spotted a Britannian name on your pile of applicants. Who is Diethard Reid?"
Zero sits down as everyone files in.
"Reid is someone I personally scouted for administrative personal, and other avenues. In addition to being Hi-TV News's executive producer, he's also a genius at propaganda and public relations. Milly is going to work under him until she can take Diethard's place, and I can move him to more clandestine activities."
Heh. So the newshound wants to be a spook?
Ohgi raises a hand, "Zero, what do you mean by 'clandestine activities'?"
Zero sighs as he lowers his shoulders while smoking, "Ohgi, if you seriously can't connect the dots, don't bother wasting my time."
"But—"
"No, Ohgi. There's a thing called OpSec, operational security. You, unfortunately, are not cut out for Black Ops."
Okay, I've had enough. The two of them have been arguing nonstop ever since Kawaguchi.
"SHUT UP, BOTH OF YOU!"
They both turn to me with surprised expressions.
"Ohgi, Zero is right. You aren't cut out for Black Ops. And like it or not, some of this stuff has to be compartmentalized. That means that certain details have to be kept quiet."
I turn to Zero, who is doubtless smirking just like the smug bitch next to him.
"And you! Stop being an asshole all the time! Not everyone here is as smart as you! Obviously you have to do some things that aren't aboveboard to ensure we win. You can explain things without being a condescending prick!"
I turn back to Ohgi, arms crossed across my chest.
"Has Zero ever endangered civilians?"
Ohgi shakes his head while rubbing the back of his neck, "Well, no...but—"
"Has he shared the same risks right alongside us, more so in his case because he's Britannian and has family that could be endangered?"
Tamaki nods, "Yeah, Boss-man said he had a sister who was crippled."
I glare at Ohgi, "Then why the hell are you arguing with him all the time, Ohgi?" I seethe.
Seriously, I'm more worried that Ohgi is going to get decked than Lelouch getting hurt. I know some of those bullet holes in the RV hideout were put there by Zero out of frustration.
"Because he's killing Japanese! We fight to free Japan, not to kill our own people!"
Oh my god...No fucking wonder Lelouch keeps shooting the walls.
I slap Ohgi in the face as I yell at him. "What the hell are you talking about?! Haven't you been listening to anything he says?! There is no Japan left to free! And those guys we're killing? They're just as bad as the Empire! Civilians are getting preyed on by the Britannian forces AND street gangs pretending to be resistance groups!"
I get ready to storm off, only to feel a hand gently touch my shoulder.
"Q-1, that's enough."
He leans in to whisper in my ear, "That was impressive. And extremely hot."
I smile at him and turn my head back to whisper, "You going to stop being an asshole or do I have to spank you?"
His response is to laugh and sit back down, but not before whispering, "I think I'd enjoy that, actually."
He sighs and offers Ohgi a hand up.
"I won't apologize for the killing. The scum we're sending to hell richly deserve it. But, if I am being unduly prickly, then by all means, call me on it. As long as you're not challenging me publicly, I'm happy to discuss things behind closed doors," he says with a sigh.
I lean against the wall as the meeting goes on. He really is an asshole at times.
But the funny thing is? He actually is keenly aware of that fact. And he doesn't mind being called on it.
He's a perv, a troll, a psycho in a mask.
But he's also larger than life. Everything he does is grandiose, designed to put him in the spotlight...
Oh.
I put my hand over my mouth to stop from laughing.
That's it. That's why he's such a ham. He doesn't just enjoy it, it's a performance. He's acting. Just like his amazing performance of Atsumori.
The executions, the speeches, the mask... Kirihara was right. Lelouch is turning Zero into a legend, a symbol.
I'm starting to understand what CC meant about keeping him grounded. He's like Icarus. Without people to hold him back, he'll fly too high and burn himself to ash.
I should get him something nice, as thanks for helping my mom and giving me the red Knightmare of my dreams.
I tune back into the meeting, Zero is gesturing to Narita.
"Now, after we get the JLF corralled, we're going to turn the mountain into a meat grinder. Because after what Kusakabe did? Cornelia is out for blood. And it won't too much longer till she pulverizes their mountain base. CC?"
The greenette looks up from her phone.
"How many men do you need?"
She taps her chin, "Ten including myself, plus one Knightmare. I'm looking forward to this," she says with a bloodthirsty smile.
I feel very sorry for whomever pissed her off. She's a vindictive skank who never lets grudges go.
Zero nods, "Take what you need. Priority is the data, take prisoners as needed. General Bartley is the highest priority, but I don't honestly expect him to be there."
Tamaki blinks. "Bartley? Why would that fatass be at Narita?"
"Because Code-R has a secret research facility there and I'm owed some payback," CC says frostily, almost a snarl.
Yep, called it. Though if I had to deal with Code-R like she did? I'd enjoy nuking them with my new war machine.
"Code R has research data and information we can use, including a number of medical breakthroughs. As unsavory as it sounds, since the information exists, we may as well ensure something good comes of it," Zero says while rubbing approximately where his forehead is.
This is the first time we've actually tried to fight Cornelia. Everything up till now was predicated on avoiding fighting her directly.
I'm going to enjoy crushing the Bitch of Britannia.
