Interlude 1: Nocturne Blanche

It's quiet. High up in the clouds above the snowy battlefield of Area 11, it is almost unnaturally peaceful.

I hadn't expected to back in this country anytime soon. But then, I hadn't expected Cornelia to have so much trouble with this madman, either. Once again, I regret not speaking with him myself. Meeting a man like that would have been a fascinating experience in of itself.

What makes a man like Zero tick? What drives him? Where does this passion, this will, to see justice done come from?

A placid smile graces my lips as I lean on one arm. Perhaps I'll have the chance to ask the man directly. Cornelia will doubtless be angry at me for my unexpected arrival. But how could I ignore my beloved sister's plight?

...Particularly given the information that was given to me prior to my departure...

I sip on a cup of tea, resting in my chambers in an exquisite penthouse suite in a Cyprus hotel, wearing a fluffy bathrobe.

The climate is temperate and soothing, an excellent place to rest after a grueling round of negotiations and backroom politicking with European bureaucrats.

My lips threatens to curl into a smirk as I catch side of Kanon's superb backside facing up on the bed as he sleeps soundly. Something else I found quite soothing to my humors.

Up to this point, negotiations have been going reasonably well. A few trivial concessions here, a push there, a pointed threat to one side, a polite shake of the hand to another, all part of the great game of politics. Lord Churchill would have been proud at how well I took to his lessons on Bismarck's theories of Realpolitik.

...It's been years, but I still find myself missing our weekly chess games. He was not only a mentor and one of the few people who could give me a good game, but he was alsoa close friend.

What would he think of my career as Prime Minister, I wonder? Would he laud my successes? Scourge my failures? Or would he merely deem me inadequate as a successor?

A question that has long troubled me.

But, such are the uncertainties of life. We take our lumps where we must, and our pleasures where we can.

Now, if only Father were so easy to understand. I confess I have never truly been able to find ingress into that man's mind, nor have I ever been able to determine just what it is that motivates him.

It is truly a great pity that Lelouch's mother, Lady Marianne, perished when she had. Of all the people I have known, she alone was the only one who ever seemed to touch his heart and understand him.

Though I believed Lelouch's actions in confronting our father were foolish, I cannot help but respect such reckless courage, such abandon in pursuit of principle.

A morbid chuckle escapes my lips at the thought. And yet, what had reckless courage gained him and Nunnally? An unknown grave in a foreign land, lost to all who loved them.

It troubled me then, and still does today, that some dark part of me was relieved at his death.

I loved my brother dearly, but I also feared what he might have become. There was a potential there, alongside the madness of his mother. A seed of greatness wrapped in a shell of childhood's innocence.

For make no mistake, Lady Marianne was quite mad. A truly incredible woman, but one that no ordinary man could ever hope to attain. Small wonder, she fell for Father.

Strange, I hadn't thought of Lelouch and Nunnally in so very long. Perhaps it is worry for Cornelia being in Area 11, that she will not meet the same end they or Clovis had?

While I admit that Clovis and I hadn't been particularly close, I had still trusted him enough to let Camelot set up shop in Tokyo. And he in turn kept prying eyes away from them.

What Zero did to him, however...that disturbed me on many levels. Not the least of which is, how did he get Clovis to cause those self-inflicted wounds?

Even more disturbing was the Code-R reports disseminated across the darknet. Even with large parts of the information redacted, what remained had still been damning enough to ensure His Majesty's disinheritance of Clovis and his sister Laila.

It is most fortunate that she at least has landed herself a Viceroyship, even if is somewhere dreadful like Area 18. It will afford her some protection from the wolves at court.

I take a sip of my tea, frowning as I realize it had gone cold while I was lost in memories. Fortunately, there is a kettle in the room. While I could easily inform one of the servants to do so, there is something rather refreshing about making tea for oneself.

A smirk graces my lips as the bed compresses from my weight on it as my eyes gaze affectionately at my aide, my Knight, my true companion. It wouldn't do to wake poor Kanon with some hapless attaché blundering in while he was sleeping so peacefully.

At that moment, a beeping sound starts emanating from my laptop.

A secure line call? It cannot be His Majesty; he wouldn't take the time to call me now on such a..."mundane affair".

Cornelia? Highly unlikely, given our previous parting and the state of high alert Area 11 is likely in.

Euphemia? Absolutely not. She's unquestionably still angry over what happened at Kyushu.

But then, who was left? Curiouser and curiouser.

I hit the button to take the call.

"This is Prince Schneizel. May I ask whom is calling?"

"Greetings, Your Highness. I represent a secret subsection of the OSI. You may refer to me as VV."

VV?

"I'm afraid I must ask you to elaborate a bit. I have no knowledge of such a person. And which unit did you say you were with?"

The voice is distorted electronically and impossible to decipher any clues from. My first impression is that someone is trying to insult me...but that has to be discarded immediately out of hand. An ordinary person would not have the line to my personal computer nor the proper clearance codes to be able to contact me here.

"My division is known as 'The Directorate'. And I regret to say that I cannot answer that request for national security reasons."

I frown at that, taking a sip from my tea, "I am the Prime Minister of the Empire. And yet, you are citing national security, to deny me of all people, information?"

"Please understand, Prince Schneizel. This goes above even your level. I cannot divulge anymore information along those lines. My orders come from section 3."

Section 3? OSI R&D. So, this is one of Father's black projects then. Only he can issue or countermand orders from section 3. Well then, I shall play along for now.

"Very well, Sir VV. What can I do for you?" I say, leaning back in the upholstered chair near the coffee table where my tea is sitting.

"As you have probably guessed, this is not a social call. Zero is marching on Tokyo even as we speak. He will be there within eight hours."

As expected, that man is not wasting any time. Cornelia has no doubt fortified Tokyo to force Zero to grind his way in, and thus delay him so that reinforcements may arrive from the homeland. Classic countersiege tactics.

"I was not aware of the exact timing, but what does this have to do with—"

"Cornelia will lose. Zero is beyond her ability to defeat."

Bold declaration. The tone says this person is utterly convinced of what he is saying. Even through the voice scrambler, that confidence is unmistakable.

"And what makes you so sure of this prediction? You seem to have very little faith in my sister's skills, Sir VV."

Hmm? A file transfer? I hit a key to enable the transfer and start looking over what he's sent...me...oh.

Oh dear, this is a problem, indeed. These force projections are much worse than what I recall looking over Cornelia's plans for combating Zero. And with the Gawain not onlyworking but operational? Zero would have full control over the air space of Tokyo...

Good God. VV is right. She's going to lose.

If Zero can pull off one of his usual magic tricks and somehow break the siege, Tokyo would be overrun within a matter of hours. Even the Reginleif would not be enough to turn the tide.

"Very well. The numbers and Zero's competence are clear. And though she will likely not be happy to see me, I feel compelled to come to her aid. What would you propose?"

An electronic laugh greets my answer. Rather uncouth for an OSI Director, isn't he? If it's even a 'he', to begin with. Sadly, OSI means that only Father has any authority over this man.

"I have a fresh mechanized battalion ready to march on Tokyo under your command, and...something special to ensure Zero's defeat, Your Highness."

Special? That's rather vague, isn't it?

"Might I inquire as to the nature of this special thing?"

Another file transfer? Hmm, I had been expecting him to stonewall me like he had his identity. Project: SIEGFRIED? The name is certainly keeping with our national identity.

...What the deuce? This design is revolutionary. However, upon closer examination? I find myself noting a particular line of thought in the concepts...and that line gives this project a more sinister visage.

"Sir VV. This project, would it have any connection to the infamous Code-R?" I ask with a knowing smirk on my face.

"While I can neither confirm nor deny such a connection, I will say that unorthodox methods were used to produce this weapon, and that it is not likely to be available for conventional forces at any point in the near future."

Regrettably, that is as much of a confirmation as I can possibly expect from a spy. But it's enough for me to be certain that Clovis did not create his project in a vacuum, as the official version states.

"So were I to inquire on the location of one General Bartley Asprius, what would be the answer I would receive?" I ask congenially, putting a cube of sugar in my tea and stirring it gently.

"Were I at liberty to divulge that, I would say that he, and any research he may or may not have done, would be available to ensure that the Siegfried is at optimal efficiency."

So, Area 11, then. Or else en-route with the machine itself.

"Very well. I will alert the crew of Avalon and leave immediately. Is there anything else to discuss?"

"Merely any suggestions or ideas for the pilot when he arrives. Just to ensure the success of his mission."

I rub my chin in thought as I consider how much I want to help this clandestine enterprise. On the one hand? Sir VV is clearly someone with vast influence in the Empire, if he can bury his connection to Code R and convince Father to go along with it. To say nothing of his influence within OSI.

On the other hand? Do I truly wish to be indebted to such a person, who clearly has his own agenda regarding Zero?

...Ordinarily, I would be taking more time to consider my options and doing some investigatory work on this 'Directorate'.

But that is not an option right now. Not if I wish to make a difference to rescue Cornelia and prevent Zero from making Area 11 the first Area in Britannian history ever to successfully rebel.

The danger to our Empire is far too great. Forcing us to open up another front against the former Japan would be a logistical nightmare and give the Europeans an opening to reverse our recent gains. And that, even before the vulnerability of Area 18 and our other African possessions is taken into account.

"I find myself a tad irritated at being stuck in a situation with no real options and your cheek, Sir."

A chuckle escapes the computer's speaker, "Heh heh heh, I assure you, Your Highness, my intentions are entirely transparent. Securing Area 11 and eliminating the terrorist leader Zero."

I put my cup down with a loud clink, a frown upon my fair features. Though it's not easily articulated? I find myself growing rather tired of dealing with this nameless operative and his opaque motives.

"I will leave you with this advice, then. Zero has ace pilots that are considerable force multipliers for his army. Target them if you wish to break his morale. And be prepared for unconventional tactics. Beyond that? Further analysis will have to wait for my arrival in Area 11. And with that? I am ending this conversation. You may contact me when I'm near Area 11 airspace. Good day, Sir."

"Your High—" The sound cuts off as I terminate the call with a single button. That was frankly one of the most odious calls I have ever had the displeasure of experiencing.

No time to waste. The balance of power for the empire will be determined by Area 11.

"Kanon."

It's hard not to smile at the adorable expression he's making as he wakes up from a sound slumber, his fair features only mildly disheveled from our lovemaking earlier.

"Schneizel, wha—?"

The audible sigh I let out instantly puts him on alert, "We have a situation. I'm afraid we must make haste for Area 11 immediately. It seems more is riding on that battleground than I expected."

As always, the situation being important instantly snaps him to full wakefulness

"What's happened?"

I move to my armoire, pulling out one of my usual suits and starting the elaborate ritual that is getting dressed into my formal clothes.

"I was contacted by an unknown individual from the OSI who only identified himself as VV. And from him, I have learned that Cornelia and, indeed, our colony in Area 11 itself, are in grave danger."

Kanon scoffs as he wraps his lower body up with a blanket, "That, is patently obvious. You didn't wake me up after last night to tell me that."

Sharp as ever, old friend.

"No. The new information is that Zero will likely win unless we head there immediately and intervene."

That, startles him enough to make him drop the blanket, giving me a rather fetching view of his genitalia.

"What? How?"

My blonde tresses shake as I finish putting my coat on, turning around to face him.

"The force projections appear accurate. And VV believes Zero has a means of breaking the siege. If true? Cornelia is doomed, even with the addition of the Reginleif..." I say with a slight pensive tone.

Naturally, Kanon, knowing my moods, picks up on it, "Schneizel, what else happened?"

I frown as I put a hand on his bare shoulder, "Kanon...I believe this VV to be the true mastermind behind Code-R, and that Clovis, though cooperating in the effort, was hung out to dry to protect this person."

Which, if true? Means that Clovis' discommendation was not merely punishment for his disgraceful actions and embarrassing the royal family. It was a warning to VV that his actions had not gone unnoticed.

"So, we've walked into a lion's den, then. Dare we venture forth?"

I plant a kiss on his lips, smirking as he blushes.

"What other choice is there? Let's be off, old man."

Kanon gives me a light swat on the arse in retaliation with a wink, "Age before beauty, dear boy."

"Your Highness, I have an urgent communication from Princess Cornelia."

I nod at the communications officer, "Onscreen, Daniel. And inform the bombers that the orders I issued earlier are not to be countermanded, even by my sister. Target the entire city."

Though somewhat battered with a trail of blood on the side of her hair, Cornelia is no less regal and no less lovely for it. A pity the city will have to burn, but Zero cannot be allowed to win here.

"SCHNEIZEL!? How dare you come back here! I should order you shot from the sky, you despicable hound!"

Should I have expected any other reaction? Not particularly. Nelly was always one to hold a grudge.

"I'm afraid this isn't a social call. I was made aware of the situation and am here to render my assistance."

The gritting of her teeth tells me she's unhappy, but desperate enough that she may yet forgive my trespass.

"...Fine. What forces did you bring?"

A light smirk lights up my features. You never were good at bluffing, dear sister.

"A full battalion will be here shortly, 20 minutes maximum. What's the situation on the ground? Where is Zero?"

Hmm, that's a rather troubled expression. What did we miss, I wonder?

"Schneizel...the Gawain was shot down not too long ago. I have no idea of Zero's condition. But more importantly was WHO shot it down. Do you know anything about a weapon called Siegfried piloted by Lord Kewell Soresi, or someone named VV?"

Siegfried? Kewell Soresi? VV? Oh dear. It seems it's even worse than I thought.

"Cornelia, what happened? I only just arrived."

Her fist slamming onto the console causes the entire bridge to be startled by the violent action.

"That loathsome wretch Zero dared to claim on all open channels that this VV was responsible for the death of Lady Marianne, and that Father was covering it up!"

...What?

"Daniel, check the communication logs, see if there were any transmissions recorded."

A quick perusal of the news networks and local servers show that there was indeed a transmission making this claim. Normally, I'd dismiss it out of hand as an false flag attempt.

...But some dark part of my mind wonders if there may actually be something to it. If the man who helped Clovis created Code-R, was in fact the true murderer of an Empress...

Sadly, I cannot chase after a phantom at this time, even one I am certain is real.

"This is indeed troubling. But we must secure the colony first. Where is the Siegfried? Did anyone see where Zero crashed?"

My sister wipes blood off her brow as she snarls at me, "That ruddy orange blackguard left the field shortly before you arrived, his maniacal laughter the only thing anyone could get from his transmissions. And good riddance, he was a loose cannon who attacked friend and foe alike."

VV must have recalled his pet killer. Treachery within treachery. Kanon was right; this is indeed a perilous place.

"Dear sister, the situation is most dire. I have given orders that the bombers—"

"Sir! Incoming transmission from the palace! It's Camelot! They're saying Sir Kururugi has gone rogue and stolen the Lancelot!"

What in the name of Heaven?

"WHAT?! Suzaku stole the Lancelot!? Confirm that immediately!" Cornelia bellows at the unfortunate officer.

"Your Highness, I have direct confirmation from Earl Asplund himself! Sir Kururugi is cutting a path through our forces directly to Zero! He's approaching your position! We also have unconfirmed reports that Sir Gottwald has turned traitor and fled the palace!"

Gottwald? I swear I've heard that name somewhere...

"WHAT THE BLAZES?! GOTTWALD IS A TRAITOR?! WHAT IN THE NAME OF HELL IS—"

Whatever Cornelia was going to say is interrupted as a green blast clips her FLOAT system, sending her spiraling to the ground.

A green blast...not unlike that of the VARIS rifle.

I narrow my eyes as the Lancelot appears before us.

"Your Highness, the Lancelot is hailing us..."

Well then, let us see your move, Sir Kururugi. I wondered if this was coming for some time, and find myself curious for your reasoning.

"I must admit, your candor at betraying your oaths of allegiance to Britannia is refreshing. I had wondered what the connection between you and Zero was for some time now."

My face takes on a placid smile as I cross one leg over the other, Suzaku's green eyes meeting my violet ones, "Duty? Honor? A sense of loyalty to your lost country? What was the price of your treason, Sir Kururugi?"

The answer will no doubt be enlightening.

"Some things are more important, Your Highness."

I rest my head on one hand, raising an eyebrow, "Such as?"

How odd, I don't think I've ever seen him like that before. It's quite enchanting, actually.

"Love. Something I don't think you'd understand," he says with an expression of adoration for someone not present.

Love? ...Is he in love with Zero? It's utterly irrational, and yet? It does explain a few things, if true.

"So respectfully, Your Highness? Go to hell," he says with a vehement whisper and a raised eyebrow as the transmission ends.

"Hahahahha, well now. That, I was not expecting," my smooth voice whispers after I blink in surprise at the cool dismissal.

Kanon wrinkles his nose in annoyance, "Such an uncouth character, Your Highness."

I sit up in the chair, a mischievous smile on my lips, "Oh, I don't know. I found his honest contempt for me unusual and interesting. And you know I adore things that are strange."

"Your Highness? Sir Kururugi is on an intercept course for the bombers. What are your orders?"

Hmm, that would be a problem, would it not? The bombers certainly aren't equipped to handle something like the Lancelot Air Cavalry.

When one has a problem? Shouldn't the responsibility for it fall on the person who actually bear the onus of correcting it?

"Contact Lord Asplund. I have some important questions for him."

It takes mere moments for Lloyd's frantic face to appear on the screen. Even his beleaguered assistant Cecile looks worried, which is a clear indication of how seriously they're taking it. As much Lloyd amuses me, he can be something of a handful at times.

"Prince Schneizel! You have to stop him! Suzaku's gone mad! HE'S STOLEN MY LANCELOT!" the man screams in his panic, pulling at his silvery hair.

My fingers steeple as I give him a cold and indifferent look, "Apropos of that, how exactly, did he acquire the Lancelot?"

Lloyd gesticulates wildly, his expression a perfect rendition of the bereaved artist whose work has been desecrated.

"He knocked me down, stole the ignition key, and set up the launch system himself! Your Highness, please—!"

I let out an ahem, just to catch his attention. Manners, Lloyd. I'm fond of your peculiarities, but let's not forget the nature of our relationship.

"Earl Asplund, does the Lancelot have an emergency remote shutdown feature in case of enemy capture?"

The icy tone the question is delivered in causes everyone to freeze from the chilling delivery.

"WHAT?! YOU WANT TO CRASH MY LANCELOT?! ABSOLUTELY NO—!"

I stand up, walking slowly towards the screen, "That wasn't what I asked. Does it have a remote shutdown, Earl? Yes or No?"

Cecile, being much more adept at the social graces than Lloyd could ever hope to be, nods frantically. "Y-y-yes, Your Highness. We designed it to shutdown the entire Frame in case of emergencies. But you can't just—!"

Her voice silences as I raise a finger, "On the contrary. I can, and you will assist me in this. The alternative, Doctor? I will be forced to ask if yourself and Professor Asplund are not quite as innocent as you were initially made out to be. And if this theft by Suzaku Kururugi had your implicit or explicit aid."

Even a pair of mad geniuses like these two cannot mistake the dire implications of that ultimatum.

"I trust we understand each other?" I proclaim with a knowing smirk as they quail before me. Blunt and crude. Such displays of force are not my preference, but sometimes such barbarity is the only solution to a problem.

"Exceptionally...Your Highness," the woman says with an utterly heartbroken expression. Hmm, did she harbor some feelings, maternal or otherwise, for this Honorary Britannian? How unfortunate.

"Wonderful. I will have the Lancelot retrieved after the bombers are finished. Good day, Sir, Madame."

A casual flick of the wrist and the transmission ends.

"Kanon?"

"Yes, Your Highness?"

I lean back in my command chair, gazing at the viewscreen, "Put on Chopin's Nocturne, Op.9, number 2. And put the Lancelot on the viewscreen, please. Sir Kururugi should have a fitting aria for his fall, wouldn't you agree?"

My faithful knight bows at the waist, a knowing smile on his face, "Of course, My Prince. It's the least we can do to honor his valor."

As the smooth piano music plays on the bridge, the Lancelot on the screen suddenly has its lights turn off, the entire machine reacting like a marionette whose performance has ended...and is now heading for the curtain call.

I lift my hand to my chest in a salute, nodding solemnly as the white knight falls back to earth, his act of rebellion cut short.

"All hail Britannia, Sir Kururugi."