Interlude 7-B: The Ninth Situation
I take a deep breath as I hold the RWS steady on a low-pulse setting, slowly burning my way through the concrete.
This plan is utterly insane. I smile softly as I think back to the briefing about 'Operation Foxhunt'.
I sit back in the chair as Zero gestures animatedly at a projection on the wall.
"Now, I called you all here because we have an opportunity. We none of us trust the Four Holy Swords, correct?"
The response to that is assorted grumblings, thumbs down, a few middle fingers, and one "Fuck those guys!" from, I think, Tamaki.
Zero nods, "Okay. So, here's my plan. We don't take our full force to Gifu. Instead!"
He hits the wall with a rod, pointing at a spot on the projected map.
"We launch a two-pronged assault. A reasonably-sized force, including the JLF remnants and the Swords assaulting the prison, while at the same time across town, a crack squadron, led by Ohgi and Kallen, will be raiding here: the Akibahara supply depot."
I grin ferally. This is a huge operation. Even the JLF at their height never got close to successfully hitting Akibahara.
Zero smacks the pointer rod into his other hand, "Now, the reason nobody has ever managed to do this before: Every time someone got the idea, the outer defenses held them off long enough for reinforcements from the Viceroy's Palace to arrive and crush the attacking force."
He shakes his head in disgust, "A frontal assault would require such a huge force commitment to deal with the army's response, that, were we capable of it? I'd just say fuck it and seize Tokyo outright."
And if we actually could do that, we'd be most of the way toward taking over and recreating Japan outright, was left unsaid.
"So a frontal assault is out. What else might work? Feel free to speak up. I'll give you an honest appraisal."
Ohgi raises his hand, looking nervous.
"Sub-Commander?"
"Well, why not an aerial attack? Bomb the base and then airdrop troops?"
Zero hums in thought at that.
"A fairly good suggestion, Ohgi. Indeed, one could bypass some of the defenses that way. The anti-air is formidable, but high-altitude bombing could neutralize a great deal of it. And the base itself is relatively clear from civilians. Buildings and debris have been bulldozed away to create a killing field near the main roads."
Wait. There's more to that base than just guns. "What about the garrison?"
Zero snaps his fingers, "Excellent, Kallen! That is indeed the flaw in Ohgi's idea. There are several areas hardened to withstand bombing. It would take dedicated bunker-buster bombs to do any damage. And the supplies we want would possibly be destroyed, or else put on lockdown and thus become inaccessible."
He shrugs as he turns to Ohgi, "We also do not have the air power required to accomplish this kind of assault. Nor a means to evade the aircraft-detection networks around Tokyo."
He raises a finger and wags it, "A good suggestion, though. We may be able to use it later when we're better equipped."
Ohgi flushes and nods as he sits back down.
He's definitely changed after Narita. I feel like he's rather bitter about the outcome of that battle.
Not that I blame him. Most of our troops are still carrying a grudge. Hell, CC told me that Zero specifically didn't want me on the mission with the Swords because of the tension. Naturally, I wasn't happy about that. But she said that I should ask him about it after the briefing.
"Why not a fake delivery like we did to get the Code-R container?"
I blink as Tamaki makes an extremely ironic suggestion. I say ironic, because the original plan failed due to him getting trigger-happy. Although, Ohgi said Tamaki got shell-shocked for awhile when someone yelled at him that the blood of Shinjuku was on his hands.
I'd say I was sympathetic, but...it's true. And I hope to god the lesson sticks with him.
Zero shakes his head sadly, "Unfortunately, we don't have the time-frame to do that. Akibahara's CO is one of the few from Clovis' era that WASN'T sacked or demoted. Colonel Walter Elkschtein is not a man with any particular talent for the battlefield. What he IS good at, however, is numbers and logistics. Which is why he managed to keep his job. Akibahara is a primary distribution center for the Tokyo garrison. As such, the security protocols are stricter than more outlying bases."
Zero sighs as he leans against the wall, "Which is why any call for help from Akibahara is rated Priority One. One of Clovis' few sensible orders. No, Tamaki, infiltration is too difficult when the CO is the army's equivalent of an accountant and quartermaster."
I frown at the dismissal. Why is he beating around the bush? This is his job. He's the genius at strategy, why are we spitballing ideas at him?
"Zero...why are we doing this? You must have a plan. Why ask us?"
He whips out a joint and takes a few puffs, reclining in his seat.
"Because I occasionally slack off and miss the obvious. Because I'm not going to be directing this raid. And because you are not fucking drones, and I expect you to use your brains if, god forbid, things go badly."
He points to the map, "We can't go through the front, we can't infiltrate, and we can't go through the air. Think about it. What's left?"
What? But there's no other direction to go except...
Oh...hohohoho. I think I know what he's planning.
I lean back in my chair, smiling, "So we go dig our way up into the basement?"
He claps his hands like a golf spectator, nodding at my conclusion.
"Correct. More precisely, you, Q-1, will burn your way through with the RWS on a low-intensity settling."
That...is insane. Also a red flag that it was our handiwork for the investigation afterwards. "What if they spot us before we're done? Cornelia is going to figure it out when a distress call comes in. And the CO, according to you, isn't an idiot, so what's stopping him from raising the alarm?"
Oh god, he's doing that asshole smirk again, isn't he?
"Shortly before the Gifu raid starts, Orange will be doing a scheduled check on the communication networks, which coincidentally will deactivate Akibahara's comms for forty-five minutes. THAT, Q-1, is your window," he says blowing a smoke cloud up.
He taps a few keys on the laptop in the table in front of us before looking up, "Akibahara's position relative to the prison means the comms check will go as scheduled. Which means, approximately five minutes after, the alarm will be raised if the base does not respond. Approximately 15-20 minutes after that, reinforcements will arrive at your position."
He closes the laptop, and taps his side as he mumbles some numbers to himself.
"In summary, I cannot hold the enemy at Gifu for you. Therefore 'Operation Foxhunt' must be completed within an hour and fifteen minutes preferably, one and a half hours at max. Any longer, and we risk Ohgi and Q-1's unit being cut off.
"Questions? No? Dismissed. Thank you and good luck."
I make no move to leave, seeing Zero and Ohgi whispering to each other before my boss closes the door and sits back with a sigh, mask resting in his lap.
"Believe me, I was sorely tempted to let you have a crack at Chiba. That woman is an obnoxious bitch," he grumbles, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"I still want satisfaction, Lulu."
He lets out a breath and smiles. I swear I don't whether to punch him or kiss him sometimes. And knowing him? He'd enjoy both.
"Ohgi and I discussed something, and we both agree. It's time you stepped up to a command position. Ohgi has agreed to act as your XO for the duration of 'Operation Foxhunt'. You, Kallen Kōzuki-Stadtfeld, will be commanding the Akibahara raid."
My eyes go wide as I sit there stunned. A command position? ME?!
"But I don't know anything about strategy and logistics!" I protest, my face flushed.
He bursts out laughing at that and his eyes look so vibrant...DAMMIT GIRL! STOP MOONING OVER THE SEXY PURPLE-EYED JACKASS!
Seeing my embarrassment, he gets his laughter under control and sighs.
"You are NOT qualified to be MY executive officer. And certainly not to do Ohgi's job...yet."
He leans forward, his face serious, "But you are absolutely capable of commanding an operation and making the kind of hard choices and critical judgment calls that save lives. And that, is something much rarer."
I sit there, stone-faced at the high praise he's giving me. This is the kind of thing I always wanted Naoto to do when I was younger. To take me seriously as a person.
I stopped being so childish long ago when Naoto-nii died, making sure the rest of us got away safely. I never saw what happened, but I can only imagine what the Britannians did to him.
I know what Lelouch is really asking. 'Can you order a man to go and likely die, if it will save his comrades? If it will complete the mission?'
I sigh, taking a deep breath, before looking Zero back in the eye and nodding.
"Excellent. Don't worry about the 'shopping list'. Ohgi, Tamaki, myself, and the other leaders are already going over it. Ohgi will make the judgement calls on what we need, what to deny Britannia, and what to destroy or sabotage if we don't have time or space for items. No, your job will be to handle the defenses, and the evacuation if things go badly."
My red-haired eyebrow is raised most of the way to my headband.
"Really? The one time you're not with us for a major operation, you expect me to screw it up?"
Arrogant Britannian son of a—
"Not at all. Yes, my being absent does raise the risk. But I think you're missing a point, Q-1."
His eyes sharpen, amethyst turning flinty.
"I would not be giving you this shot if I did not think you capable of it. And this is, in fact, a high-risk operation."
He leans in closer, our faces inches from each other. I feel my cheeks heating up as he continues speaking in a low tone.
"This is not an 'IF things go bad', it's WHEN. Always plan for the worst-case scenario. And this operation has a high possibility of things going badly."
He holds up a finger, "Your point of egress is a single opening. If you get bogged down, you will almost certainly have to order a withdrawal, and order units to cover your retreat."
His middle finger rises to accompany his index.
"Second, just because Akibahara's garrison has been reduced, does not mean they aren't still a threat. And you will not have the advantage of position or surprise. Nor the full strength of our forces."
His third finger rises as he growls, "And finally, while we can deal significant damage to the Britannian war effort with this operation, we could also end up losing more than we can afford, including you and Ohgi."
He pokes my breast, teeth bared. "So excuse me for giving a damn about my troops and a woman I love, Miss Fire-Crotch!"
That does it. I wallop him and then pounce while he's stunned.
"Listen to me, you oversized jack-in-the-box wannabe! I've been doing this longer than YOU have! I know the risks! My older brother died to save us!" I shake him by his lapels as I straddle his legs, my blue eyes turning frosty, "So don't you dare treat me like a rookie!"
He closes his eyes, "The burden of command is unlike any other. No, you are not a rookie. But you have never been in the position of making the final judgment call. The decision of sending men to die."
He shakes his head slowly as he opens his eyes, one hand caressing my cheek.
"You may not understand me now. But you will, all too soon. When the time comes, just remember that you hold the lives of your comrades in your hands. And life is precious. Use your soldiers wisely, for they deserve nothing less."
I freeze at his touch, and turn icy at his words.
He kisses my cheek and pulls himself to his feet.
"Speak with me when we're done. I want to hear the after-action report. Until then? Auf wiedersehen, mein Fräulein." (See you later, my dear.)
Saying that, he re-dons his mask, exiting the room, and leaving me alone with a swarm of butterflies in my stomach.
He was just being paranoid. It's going to go well. We're going to get in, rob the place blind, and get away scot-free.
I stop burning as artificial light starts coming in from an opening.
"Kallen! The henhouse is open! I repeat, the henhouse is open!" Ohgi's voice comes through on my radio.
I nod and turn the Surger on, full blast, widening the opening for our troops.
'The henhouse is open.' Zero is about to attack Gifu and the base comms are offline. Time for the foxes to hunt.
And...done! "Door's open! Go go go!"
Trucks and transport vehicles rush through, soldiers swarming off under Ohgi's direction to check crate manifests and see what's available.
"I want the primary warehouse manifest and inventory log, ASAP! SHUT DOWN THE ALARMS AS SOON AS YOU CAN FIND THEM!"
Ohgi runs over to me, "Q-1, any further orders?"
I gulp. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck! What do I do?
I pull my cockpit back and stand up, looking around the dark warehouse.
Okay...breathe. What's the basic things I need to get done?
"Has the garrison been alerted to our presence?"
Ohgi barks an order into his comms, then shakes his head after getting a reply.
"Okay, have someone look outside and see if there's any sentries. Check the schedule to see if any inspections are due."
A runner comes over to Ohgi with a clipboard and then stands at attention.
"Jiro! Have Inoue's squad prioritize the spare parts for Sutherlands, especially Factspheres! And someone get me that schedule!"
Ohgi turns to me, smiling proudly.
"That was great, Kallen! You're handling things like a pro!"
I flush and smile shyly. I'm definitely not doing anywhere near as well as Naoto would have. Or Zero...
Ohgi salutes me, his eyes shining with emotion, "Naoto would be proud."
I return the salute, seeing my big brother saluting me in my mind's eye.
I really do miss him...
There really isn't a whole lot for me to do as the warehouse is gradually emptied. Even with our trucks, the place is still more than we could ever take in one night.
Hence why we're setting time bombs to ensure that whatever we don't take, they can't use.
Suddenly a side door opens and two officers walk through, laughing with each other.
"Rob, I said you can give me an IOU. It can wait till morning."
The other officer, a clean shaven dark skinned man snorts, "Jack, I have never welshed on a bet since I enlisted. And the Colonel insists that no one make bets they can't cover at officer poker night. I said I would do it, now let me remember which crate I left it in."
...Poker night?! ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!
"Rob, were you drunk? Why in the name of our Emperor would you hide your money in a warehouse?"
Jack shrugs, "I didn't want any of the damn Honoraries getting to it."
Rob sighs, "I keep telling you, they get enough shit just being Elevens. We don't need to abuse them...WHAT THE?!" he yells as he turns and sees our soldiers.
"Gun them down!"
The one called Jack gets a bullet in the head, but the other one barely manages to duck behind a pillar before drawing his pistol and returning fire.
SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! We can't let him escape!
"Flank him! Don't let him sound the alarm!" I yell as I engage the Guren and try to get near him in the narrow space.
He's pulling a radio! No! I quickly bring up the Radiant Wave Surger to stop him.
"This is Robert Carlsbad! The Black Kni-AAARGH!" he screams out as his body disintegrates, flesh burning into charred meat, liquids boiling and evaporating, his eyes exploding as the radiation cooks them along with his nerves. Despite it being over in moments, my eyes take in every detail.
In an instant, only a shadow vaguely shaped like a person burned into the ground, remains as proof of the man's death.
I struggle to breath, certain my face is pale as I try not to think about what I just saw.
"...len!"
A melee volcano. Lelouch was right. This weapon...it's utterly insane.
"KALLEN!"
I almost jump up in my seat as Ohgi yells to get my attention.
"I'm here! What's going on?!"
"Did he raise the alarm? What are your orders?" Ohgi speaks rapidly, a hint of worry in his voice.
OH SHIT! "Prepare for evacuation! The enemy is alerted to our presence!"
This is no time to panic! I can't freak out over some dead soldier! Naoto would never forgive me if I failed like that...
I whirl the Guren around, seeking comfort and solace in my longtime companion on the battlefield.
Pure. Unadulterated. Bloodlust.
Anger is a bit of a crutch, but sometimes a good shot of adrenaline is exactly what you need to stay focused.
"Set time bombs with remote detonation! Infantry, cover exits! Knightmare squad, rally to me!"
I can hear it outside. The sound of the alarm being raised. Troops marching and officers barking. Tires squealing. And most of all, the whirl of landspinners.
We're outnumbered at least three to one. We're in their base with only a small exit. And...god fucking dammit, Lelouch was right...
"You may not understand me now. But you will, all too soon. When the time comes, just remember that you hold the lives of your comrades in your hands. And life is precious. Use your soldiers wisely, for they deserve nothing less."
No! I'm not giving up! Think, Kallen! We can't defend, we'll get swarmed. We can't retreat quickly, the exit isn't big enough.
...Wait. This almost sounds like...
"Death ground..." I whisper.
Naoto used to read Sun Tzu. He talked about it sometimes. And one of the rules was: On death ground?
"Fight," I say as a plan crystallizes in my mind's eye.
"Ohgi! I have a plan! All squads, prepare to attack!"
We still have ten minutes before the communications blackout is over. The only chance is to attack and try and overwhelm them.
"Blind eye grenades, go!"
Rakshata came up with these. Smoke to disrupt visuals, and metal filings magnetically charged to interfere with factspheres. Today, I hope it's enough to give us a chance.
Our mortars fire them out windows. After a few moments...
"ZEROのために!" (For Zero!) I yell.
"ZEROのために!"
The Black Knights echo my cheer as we dash into the midst of the blinded Britannians.
The melee is chaotic. No coordination from the enemy and their massed positions mean they end up hitting a few of their own with friendly fire.
I slash a Sutherland across the chest as I fire a grenade at a tank trying to pick off one of my squadron.
Shots flying wildly, men scrambling to avoid being trampled by war machines. And in the center of it all?
My partner and I DANCE.
A few flashes of atomic power, Slash Harkens flying both from us and by the enemy, the shining silver arm tearing enemy weaponry to ribbons.
"Kallen! We're mostly evacuated! I'm going to set the-AHH!"
Ohgi!
I spin around, seeing Ohgi's Sutherland taking fire from a Gloucester armed with a shotgun and a grenade launcher.
"Eleven dog! You'll learn to rue the day you heard the name Elkschtein!"
Elkschtein?! The enemy commander is on the field by himself?
That's...dumb. Lelouch's war maxim be damned, there's no reason to charge ahead of your troops.
Ace pilots like myself can get away with it because we're just that damned good. And also because war doctrine for most armies is 'don't tell the expert how to do their job.'
I flip over the Gloucester, putting myself between him and Ohgi.
We're winning now because we've got them on the run. But we're outnumbered at least three-to-one and without artillery support. All it will take is one mistake to rally the Britannians.
But if I can take their commander out...I might be able to turn this into a rout. Or at least panic them long enough for us to evac safely.
"That's my XO you're bullying, Britannian scum!" I snarl as the Guren's claw flexes in anticipation.
"A woman? Stand down, fool! You're hopelessly outnumbered! You have no chance at escaping MY base!" he yells, brandishing his weapons at me.
I grin maliciously, "Let's dance."
It's not even a contest. He's alright, definitely better than Ohgi, especially in a Gloucester.
But...Lelouch could probably beat this idiot in a straight fight with equal equipment. Though how much of that is tactical genius and how much is piloting ability is an open question.
As I tear apart his Frame's left arm, I can't help wondering.
Why? Why openly attack? Everything we have on this guy says he's not a warrior, but a paper-pusher.
We're beating his forces back, they weren't prepared for an attack inside the base. But something doesn't feel right...
I grip the head of his machine, throwing him to the ground, "Tell your men to surrender! This battle is over, Colonel!"
His only answer is a raspy cough. After a moment, he breathes heavily before responding, audio only.
"Damned Eleven mongrels. You may have beaten me, but I'll never let you have Akibahara. Even if I lose in disgrace, I can at least deny you your prize! ALL TROOPS...SCORCHED. EARTH! ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"
He tries to fire his Slash Harken...but my finger on the Surger is faster.
But even as I'm burning his unit to a crisp, my eyes widen in horror at the actions of the enemy.
Sutherland units, firing on the Sakuradite tanks...
OH DEAR GOD! He's ordered the base destroyed!
"IMMEDIATE EVAC! ALL BLACK KNIGHTS RETREAT!"
Maybe it's knowing that they've already lost. Or perhaps it's dedication to their duty. It could be wanting to avenge their CO.
Whatever it is, the Britannians just got a second wind. And it couldn't have come at a worse time.
Thankfully, about half the enemy is running like hell. But the other half? They've formed a blockade around the warehouse with our exit.
SHIT! SHIT SHIT SHIT! WHAT DO I DO?! I can't break through, they have too much firepower in the kill zone for me to get close. And we're low on ammunition.
God fucking dammit Q-1, pull it together! The Sakuradite is starting to light up. In a minute or so, it's going to blow and burn this base to the ground!
"Commander!"
A Sutherland wheels up to me, the voice of Ohgi's subordinate Jiro emanating from it.
"What are your orders, ma'am?!"
...No. I can't. But...I can't see any other way out...
I grit my teeth as I get ready to give an order I know is wrong...but there's no choice.
"Blow the time bombs near the blockade. We'll charge them in the confusion. Everyone, protect the supplies!"
Gods forgive me...
The blast startles them, throwing the line of Britannian Knightmares into confusion. Our wordless battlecries ringing out as we dash in to engage.
It might be called glorious, if this was ever retold at a later date. Heroic, even.
But that's a lie.
There is nothing grand about this. I sent my men to die because I wasn't smart enough or strong enough to save them.
My face is a rictus of emotions boiling over as I scream, my Guren's claw and shotgun tearing through the enemy ranks. And all around me, Black Knight soldiers are dying every second as we finally break through.
*BOOM!*
The armored fueling containers give up the ghost at last. Pink explosions, consuming friend and foe alike.
The trucks are almost all through, my squad is the last to go. My eyes widen in horror, however, as the blast wave rapidly approaches.
I'll see you soon...Naoto-nii...
Suddenly I'm shoved down as a Sutherland holding a slab of metal rushes to guard me.
"逃げろ、隊長!" (Run, captain!)
I obey, in raw shock at seeing Jiro still alive.
"Ma'am! Tell Zero...I died fighting! Tell everyone...Yamaguchi Jiro died as a Black Knight!"
I dive into the underground, glancing back to see his frame overheat and start to melt...before detonating cataclysmically.
"ZEROさま万歳!" (Long live Master Zero!) the young man screams his final words before the fires consume his body.
He couldn't have been more than a few years older than me...
I steer the Guren down the passageway, numb and shaking.
We got maybe half the warehouse...but we lost almost half our troops.
What have I done...?
