Chapter 8: The Saitama Gambit
August 23rd, Near Saitama Ghetto, 11:07 A.M.
Zero
Zero's forces were near the Hive exit to Saitama, having just heard of the ultimatum for surrender on the news. Zero was watching the report from inside the confines of his Knightmare, the Morgana, though he still had his helmet on. They didn't install a voice modulator into the Knightmare yet, so it was safer to keep his helmet on.
'Announcing when you'll begin your attack. More evidence that this is a trap for us.' He turned to see the forces he could bring: four black colored Sutherlands, the Morgana, and twenty foot soldiers. He noticed Kallen repainted one of the Sutherlands red. Celaeno's Gorgon was getting last minute adjustments, and would arrive shortly.
"All forces, status report." There was no need, since his forces were so small, but better safe than sorry.
"Sword Squad, ready to roll," Kallen replied. Sword consisted of the Knightmare pilots Kallen, Tamaki, Kento, Yoshida, as well as himself and Celaeno. They would engage the main enemy forces alongside the Yamato Alliance, if they agree to join.
"Spear Group, raring to go," Inoue continued. They would remain on foot and pick off any isolated Knightmares, as well as support Sword if needed.
"..."
"Shield Squad, report."
"..."
"Shield Squadron, report in."
"..."
'They aren't responding. If Shield hasn't completed their mission, then my gamble will have failed, and the situation here will be EXTREMELY difficult.'
"Shield Squadron, this is Zero, repo~"
"This is Shield, all objectives completed. Sorry for the delay. We had to check all groups, and the last group's radioman was asleep." Zero breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good. Hold your position and protect them at all costs."
"Yes, sir. Shield out."
"All forces, if my timing is correct, then, any minute now, the leader of the Yamato Alliance should be contacting me. Standby for further orders." He then shut off his Knightmare radio, and pulled up a handheld radio. He had used his Geass to get a terrorist to take a radio to the leader of Yamato. He had to use it sparingly, due to the rampant effect.
'How easy it is to turn a gift into a curse.'
After a moment, the radio flared to life.
"This is Domen Yuu. Is this Zero?"
Despite his harsh words about Yamato, intel suggested it was only when the current leader, Domen Yuu, took command, that the group started down their dark path.
"This is. As you've noticed, the Viceroy has surrounded the Saitama Ghetto, with the intent on massacring its people. I cannot stand the murder of the innocent, so I come offering my aid. Viceroy Pollux has just ordered your surrender. I doubt you will comply, which will result in him assaulting the Ghetto and wiping out your forces."
"This isn't good. I assume you're here to help fight them off."
"That's entirely up to you."
"What?"
"I will help the Yamato Alliance fight of the Rui Britannians. However, in exchange, you will join my forces, The Black Knights."
"WHAT! You're insane!"
"You're group has been a stain on the Japanese resistance. You deal in extortion, terror attacks, and your members use Refrain, to just name a few of your transgressions. If I'm going to help you, then you will have to pay me back by joining, and we would make you proper rebels."
"My men won't take orders from some freaks in masks. Besides, you have no choice! You said you don't like innocent people being killed. Well, if you don't help us, the Viceroy and his forces will massacre them all just like what happened in Shinjuku!"
Zero then began to chuckle, which then turned into hysterical laughter.
"Why...Why are you laughing!?"
"Haven't you noticed something, Domen?"
"..."
"The Ghetto seems a little...empty, doesn't it?"
"Wha...What did you do?"
(August 22nd, 8:00 P.M.)
"Alright," Zero exclaimed as he looked over 30 members of the former BotS after Namara sorted through them, "I'm looking for those who's military training including anything related to stealth operations. This mission will require absolute secrecy. Those that don't have that kind of training, or feel they cannot handle it, leave." At his words, some of them left the room, leaving only 21 left.
"Alright, then. Tonight, you'll be the most important pieces of our operation. We have intel suggesting that the Viceroy will be recreating the Shinjuku massacre tomorrow in Saitama. He hopes that this will draw us out. We will only be there if the Yamato Alliance agrees to join us." At that, the soldiers began to whisper amongst each other. "Your mission, if successful, will severely minimize the loss of civilian life. Your objective is simple." Flashes of Black Knights quietly entering people's homes passed through Zero's mind.
"You are to warn the civilians of the Saitama Ghetto of the approaching attack without alerting the Yamato Alliance. If they are warned they may see you as hostile forces. Hell, they may even try to take some of their own people, saying it's for their own protection. If any refuse, simply tell them to barricade themselves. We have no right to take someone who doesn't want to be taken." Flashes of the Black Knights leading the people underground, and directing them to follow the red glow sticks on the ground. They led to more Black Knights handing out supplies to the civilians as they hid together in the sewer systems.
"We've selected several safe areas in the sewer network that will be perfect for you to hide them until the battle is over. Take the trucks and head to Saitama through the Hive. They have the supplies needed to keep the people content while they hide with you. Succeed and, even if the Yamato Alliance refuses our help, this operation will be a success. Move OUT!"
(Present Day)
"I removed the innocents from the battlefield."
"You BASTARD!"
"As it stands, Domen Yuu, you have three options: Surrender your forces, and enjoy the rest of your life in prison, if you're lucky; refuse my offer, and have your Alliance wiped out; or accept my offer, and join the Black Knights."
"..."
"..."
"...The Yamato Alliance is at your command." Zero could taste the venom coming from Domen.
"Excellent. Head to these coordinates. A train carrying Sutherlands should be stopping right there. Have your best men enter and await instructions. Divide the rest into squads of twenty. My men will assume command of them."
"...Yes sir." With that, the radio cut out.
'I fully expect the man to try to kill me during the battle, but that might me a boon. If the leader is killed, especially because of betrayal, then the rest are more easily able to accept change.' A purple Knightmare approached the two from behind.
'Looks like the Gorgon's ready for battle.' "Finally arriving, I see. I assume you're armed and ready."
"Per my specifications." Celaeno replied.
"Specifi~BULLSHIT!" Tolia roared over the Nest comms, "You asked for the nearly impossible."
"What did you do?" Kallen inquired.
"This woman~Okay, muffle the sound of a Knightmare rifle, that we can do. Getting the designs for the revolving blade swords from the J.L.F. so that we can make a pair for her, difficult, but not impossible. But this witch wanted to muffle the sound of an Anti-Material Knightmare Sniper Rifle! We'd have an easier time making a tank cannon quiet!"
"You were able to make it work, though." Celaeno retorted.
"THAT'S NOT THE POINT~HEY, NO, IT'S MY COMMS!" Sounds struggling could be heard at the other end. Zero slapped his helmet covered face.
'I swear, I love those two, but they can be more childish than toddlers.'
"Okay," Talio replied, clearly having taken over the radio controls, "While my sister throws a hissy fit, I'd like to remind you that the Knightmare Disruption Shield dr~"
"I thought it was Disabler Shield?"
"We changed it due to it not technically disabling, now BE QUIET! The KDS drains your energy at 5 times the normal rate. So, if you use it, keep that in mind."
"Understood."
"Why," Kallen inquired, "Does it drain that much?"
"It's not the KDS itself, but more that Sutherland isn't powerful enough to handle both the KDS and the improvements that Celaeno added to it. The high specs make it as manuevable as a Glouscester, but it drains twice as fast. If you add the KDS, and the drainage is ten times the rate of a standard Sutherland. Which is why she has spare energy fillers at the ready.
"Alright, the plan is simple: The defense of Saitama Ghetto. Due to our low numbers, we are strongarming the Yamato Alliance into assisting us. Each member of Sword Squadron will be in command of several Knightmares, depending on how many Pollux decided to bait us with. Be warned, the Viceroy is no fool. The Rui Britannian Royal Guards are veteran pilots who have successfully beaten armies larger than them, and he will not hesitate to have them deployed if their plans are foiled."
"And," Tolia replied from the radio, slight anger in her voice, "On that note, me and Talio have a little gift for you."
"Oh?"
"Pull up your onboard tactical map."
Zero put the map on screen, detailing the location of his Knightmares. Then, the locations of Pollux's G1, as well as all enemy Knightmares, was added.
'Nicely done.'
"We were able to hack into their systems. Our Knightmares will now know exactly where they'll be. Sorry we couldn't hack their comms, but they'd spot us in their systems if we tried getting both."
"No, you've done wonderfully."
"I'll say," Tamaki replied, "We'll kick their a~"
"Don't forget, with the Yamato Alliance, we'll have a combined total of over 200 men, and nearly 20 Knightmares. The Rui Britannians will be brings over doubled that, as well as APCs, gunships, the works. Add that to the fact that we are dealing with their Royal Guards, and then we've got ourselves an even fight."
"How is THAT even?" Kallen retorted.
"'Cause you've got me and my sister. Now, Q1, move to position S6, N1 and 2, move to S9, N3, head to S4. K2 to S5 and take overwatch position."
With that, the tunnel entrance opened up, revealing a ruined building. The Black Knights jumped out of the exit, preparing for their first real battle.
Domen Yuu
'This is absurd!' Domen thought as he began mobilizing his men. He had just given his entire group over to some masked freaks that showed up just barely a week ago.
"Something you need doing, boss?" a man inquired as he approached him. The man had a red eye, and half his face was burned, requiring a scarf to cover it up. Bokyaku Noha, Domen's 'bodyguard', though 'assassin' fit him more. When Domen first began rising in the Alliance, he had Orokana eliminate potential rivals to his command. They preached about freeing Japan from Britannia, and other absurdities.
'I did not work this hard to lose so easily. I don't know what that freak is thinking, but there is no way Japan can come back. Better to make the most of what you have and live the best you can before dying.'
"Bokyaku," Domen replied, before taking a quick look around to make sure no one was within earshot, "You'll be taking one of the Sutherlands. No matter what, I want Zero DEAD before the battle is over."
G1 Command Center, 11:57 A.M.
Castor Rui Britannia
'So, they choose to let the innocent die along with them.' Castor remorsefully thought as he sat within the G1. The hour ultimatum was about to end, and there was no sign that the Yamato Alliance was going to surrender. He observed the forces at his disposal: Over 60 Sutherlands, tanks, APCs, gunships, five Magma Guards in orange Gloucesters, five of his Royal Guards, and the Aquarius.
"Prince Castor," Dalton exclaimed, "Iriel squad has reported seeing the train moving before the intended time."
'That's not right. We were gonna move it fifteen minutes after the battle started.'
"Brother, is this your doing?"
"No," Pollux replied from within the Aquarius, "I made no such orders."
"Could this be Yamato?"
"I doubt that they are capable of doing this, my Lord." Guilford replied from inside his Gloucester.
"Agreed, it's most likely someone hacked into the train itself to get it moving. While not that complicated, I'm sure, I doubt any of these Elevens are able to accomplish it. Which means~"
"That Zero is here." Castor finished with a smirk. He had seen the bridge AARs, so he knew that Zero had some tech specialists with him.
'Will Zero be the one? The rival?' "Dalton, are all forces ready." He didn't need to ask, but it was more for clarification.
"Yes. The Royal Guards are positioned around prince Pollux, the Magma Guards are waiting to advance, and all squads are ready. I've also sent the Purebloods in reserve."
"Good, all forces, engage the Yamato Alliance."
Villetta Nu
"This is your fault, Jeremiah!" She heard Kewell yell from his Sutherland. The Purebloods were currently holding position on the bridge behind the G1. Due to the fact that they were being held in reserve, they had their cockpits opened, so the rage on Kewell's face was evident.
"I stand by my decision, Kewell." Jeremiah retorted, "Given the severity of Project Orange, if Zero revealed it, then this humiliation would be the least of our concerns."
"Doesn't change the fact that our careers are over because of you, Orange Boy!"
'Really Kewell? Using such childish insults.'
"You have bigger things to worry about than simply your career, Kewell Soresi."
"What are you talking about?"
"Someone told Zero about Orange. Only me and prince Clovis had any knowledge on it, so how did he know? Then, the day after Zero showed up, one of my loyal men stages a mutiny against me." Jeremiah's words cut through them all like the Lancelot's MVSs. The accusation was there, even if it wasn't said.
'There's a traitor amongst us, and Jeremiah suspects Kewell.'
"You're insane! There's no reason I woul~"
"I would stop speaking before you say something damning, Captain."
Kewell shut his mouth, but still mumbled obscenities under his breath. Jeremiah made a quick side glance to Villetta, and nodded approvingly. Her eyes widened upon the implication.
'That's why he said that I may be his only friend left. I'm the only one amongst the Purebloods he doesn't suspect. Glad I'm held in such high regards.'
Her attention was drawn back to Saitama, as the sound of mass moving Knightmares could be heard.
12:13 P.M.
Castor
"Something's not right," Castor mussed as his forces swarmed the ghetto, "Where is everyone?"
It's been over ten minutes since the operation began, and there was not only no enemy contact, but little contact from anything. The infantry encounter some barricaded rooms having civilians (which they killed), but, other than that, there was nothing. It was like the entire ghetto had been abandoned.
'Zero. He must've evacuated the ghetto before we arrived. Damnit! Our bait for him is gone.'
"We just lost Glambel squadron." One of the G1 operators exclaimed.
'Huh?'
"What happened?" Dalton demanded.
"We're not sure. One of them was destroyed, then, a moment later, the rest quickly followed"
"Orion squad is down, the same thing. One Sutherland taken out, followed by the rest!"
"We just lost tank squad Delta."
'Zero, you've finally made your move.'
Celaeno
"N1, several Sutherlands will be at your 7 O'clock in 13 seconds. Throw a chaos grenade over the wall."
A squad of Sutherlands was destroyed.
"Q1, take out the gunship, then eliminate the Sutherlands attempting to flank N3."
Kallen used her slash harkins to demolish the gunship, then gunned down the three Sutherlands on the nearby building.
"Spear 5, fire your RPGs at the freeway's support beams in 7 seconds."
A section of the freeway collapsed, sending a tank group and their Sutherland escort to their deaths.
'All's going well so far.' Celaeno thought as she zoomed in on her display. She had taken a position near the top of a tilting skyscraper over 100 meters tall, overlooking the ghetto. Due to the 'muffle' the sniper rifle was equipped with, the chances of being detected because of the sound was nigh impossible.
"K2, Sutherland squad approaching point S14 in 30 seconds. Create an opening."
"Acknowledged." Celaeno then moved back, and delicately maneuvered to another side of the building. The tower had seen better days, and she felt that it could collapse at any moment.
'But this is the only building that can see the entire settlement from all angles.' She placed her Gorgon on the east side of the building, and zoomed in to see a squad of three Sutherlands heading down a street, approaching a hidden BK Sutherland as well as accompanying Spear soldiers.
'Same tactic as before.' She took aim at the rear Sutherland and fired, the entire floor shaking as the building strained to hold itself together. The enemy Sutherland took a direct hit, exploding. This caused the other two to turn around, and exposing their backs to their forces. The BK Sutherland exited the alleyway and opened fire, along with several soldiers firing RPGs at them.
'Simple human instincts. Guy in front dies, everyone gets defensive. Guy in back dies, everyone's shocked at what happened. Can't say I blame them. When the guy in the back gets hit, it tells everyone else that they're in range as well.' Celaeno looked over and saw two squads of Sutherlands approaching Tamaki's position, and repositioned to support him.
12:37 P.M.
Castor
"Tempest and Vesta squads just got taken out."
"That's seven Sutherlands in a matter of seconds."
"Tank squad Beta is requesting immediate Knightmare support."
Castor grimaced as he overheard his forces being demolished. Based on his calculations, they had around 30 Sutherlands left, infantry and armor down to 60%, and aerial units down to less than 30%.
'This is too accurate. I believed that Clovis's quick drop in his men was due to his carelessness, but this is ridiculous. It's like he knows exactly where we are~Wait,' "Move tank squad Zeta to Point Alpha via the alleyways."
"Prince?" Dalton inquired.
"A hunch." Castor observed the reading of the tank group going off the streets, through the alleys. However, not ten seconds later, the entire group registered as 'Lost'.
'Son of a BITCH!' "All forces, make a general retreat to the G1. Dalton, when are those reinforcements going to arrive?"
"ETA 20 minutes, your highness."
"Sub-Viceroy, what's happening?" Pollux replied, "This is too early for the next step of the plan."
"Zero's hacked our systems. He knows the locations of our men." Several of the officers looked at him with shock and horror.
"That...makes a lot of sense."
"How do we plan around this?" Guilford replied.
"...I may have an idea. Pollux, continue the normal plan. Inspect the troops, though I don't think Zero or Celaeno is amongst them. While we're doing that, have the Magma and Royal Guards make a slash mark on the fronts of each of the Sutherlands."
"What are you...oh, oh brother, that could work."
"It has to."
12:47 P.M.
Zero
"K2," Zero exclaimed, "Any change to their formation?"
The Britannian forces had made a general retreat, gathering near the G1, when all their cockpits opened up. Zero was currently on the wall of a collapsed building, commanding the battlefield.
'Obviously they suspected that we were amongst them, which was my original plan. But, Celaeno told him that the same trick rarely works twice in war, I opted out of that plan'
"No change. They're still making slash marks across the fronts of their Knightmares."
"What are they up to?" Kallen inquired.
"Hey," Tamaki exclaimed, "I think my Sutherland's broken. It's not displaying the Britannians"
"No," Kento replied, "It's not you. I'm losing it as well."
"What's happening?" Yoshida exclaimed.
'Looks like Pollux and Castor have clued into what's happening.' "The Britannians have discovered that we're in their systems. That's why they're making marks on their Knightmares."
"They still outnumber us," Celaeno continued for Zero, "so they've turned off their IFFs in order to blind us. It's as much of a handicap to them, however. Not only that, but we still got our drones from Operations to support us."
"Agreed. Speaking of which, any new information."
"Drone 12 has spotted a column of troops coming from the Northwest," one of the Operations' operators replied, "They will cross the bridge in ten minutes."
"Good. Alright, all forces. The Britannians are about to go all out in eliminating us. Due to them removing their IFFs, they'll have to move slowly. P7, are you in position?"
"Yeah, yeah," the voice of Domen Yuu replied, "I heard you. Why am I even here!? The Brits aren't going anywhere near this freeway, and I'm on my own!"
"To teach everyone here a lesson," Zero looked at the secondary trackers he placed in the Sutherlands on the train, just incase one of them turned off their IFFs...which one of them did, "Sister, please deal with Domen's assassin right behind me."
Instantly, a sniper round flew past the Morgana, and impacted the Sutherland creeping behind Zero.
"What the~"
"Did you think I would trust you so easily? That pocket radio had a built in function that allowed me to listen in on the opposite end even if you turned off the radio. So I heard your entire conversation with your assassin."
"Boss," one of the Yamato soldiers exclaimed, "What the hell!?"
"I may not like Zero, but killing the man that proved we can beat the Britannians?"
"The man's saving our asses, and you tried to kill him!"
'Perfect. Now that Domen's reputation has been shattered, the other Yamato members will be more open to my leadership. Especially after I remove Domen himself.' "And, with that, let this be a lesson to you all: I hold no hatred should you refuse to join me. But betrayal," Zero pulled out a detonator, "Will not go unpunished."
He pushed the detonator, which blew out the support beams to a section of the freeway...specifically, the one above Domen.
"What the~WAIT~GAA~" With that, Domen's Sutherland was crushed beneath several tons of concrete.
"On that note, is there anyone else that wants to try to kill me during this battle."
"..."
"Good. Now, all~"
"Movement," Celaeno interrupted, "Sutherlands are moving back in, squads of five, each accompanied by either an orange or purple Gloucester!"
"Acknowledged. Spear teams, fall back to S3 and S13. Sword Squads, regroup at S4, 7, and 11. Q1, rendezvous with K2. Same tactics as before: K2 will take out a Knightmare, and the nearby forces will quickly eliminate the rest. However, if the initial volley doesn't wipe them out, fall back. Don't get into a fight with a Gloucester, as you will lose. Celaeno, can you take out the Gloucesters first?"
"Negative. They're playing smart. They staying either to the side of the streets, or in alleys close to their squads."
'Damn, they aren't playing around.'
"This is Spear 4, enemy Knightmares approaching our position. Orders?"
"K2, do you have an angle?"
"No, I need to reposition. 20 seconds."
"They'll be on us by then."
"Don't move. Stay hidden."
"Too late, they see US! GHAA~" Zero saw a building in the distance crumbling.
"Damnit."
12:55 P.M.
Jeremiah
Jeremiah looked on at the distant battlefield. While he was annoyed that he wouldn't be able to regain his lost honor due to Dalton, that didn't matter right now.
'What matters is stopping Zero so he can't hurt Lady Marianne's children.'
"Finally," one of the Purebloods exclaimed, "Reinforcements are here." Jeremiah turned and saw a platoon of Knightmares, as well as artillery units, coming down the bridge. He turned back to the battle field, but then notice something strange.
A small flash coming from a skyscraper. Then another. And another.
'What the?' Jeremiah closed the cockpit and started his Sutherland.
"Lord Jeremiah," he could hear Villetta say over the comms, "What's wrong."
"Purebloods, start your Sutherlands. Villetta, look at the skyscraper at South/Southeast. Tell me what you see?" He zoomed in on his screen to its maximum settings. What he saw was...a Glasgow?
'No, the body is a Sutherland, while the head unit is a Glasgow. They have a sniper providing overwatch.'
"Lord Jeremiah," Villetta exclaimed, "Is that a sniper?"
"Yes it is. General Dalton, this is Margrave~"
"Um," one of the Purebloods exclaimed, "Is he looking at us?"
Jeremiah looked back at his screen, and saw that, yes, the Knightmare was looking at them...No, not at them. He turned his Sutherland around to the platoon. Specifically, the ammo cache right in the middle.
"OFF THE BRIDGE!" Jeremiah sped his Sutherland as fast as he could down the bridge to the ghetto.
"Jeremiah?!" Villetta shrieked.
"They're about to blow the bridge! MOVE IT!"
At Jeremiah's announcement, every Pureblood, even the reinforcements who heard him over the Knightmare's speakers, bolted for the end of the bridge.
However, at that moment, a anti-material round punctured the ammo cache, causing it, and the surrounding artillery units to explode. Almost in sync, the support columns for the bridge also exploded, causing the entire bridge to begin collapsing. Jeremiah was already off the bridge as it began to fall, but the remaining 14 Purebloods were still outracing gravity.
'Hurry!'
4 are off.
7 are off, including Villetta.
13 are off.
'One more.' "COME ON!"
The ground beneath the final Pureblood collapsed.
"KEWELL!" Villetta screamed.
Kewell's Knightmare began to plummet, but he jumped as the ground began to fall. The feet of the Sutherland slammed into collapsing bridge parts, causing it to tumble forward, and roll several dozens meters before coming to a stop. Kewell's Sutherland was severely damaged, with several sections sparking like fireworks.
"Kewell," Jeremiah nearly panicked, genuinely concerned despite the animosity he showed earlier, "Are you alright?"
"Ugh," Kewell replied, "My landspinners are destroyed, my Sutherland is battered to hell, and I seem to have lost my rifle." He stood his Knightmare back up, "But I'm alive."
"Margrave!" General Dalton exclaimed, "What's happened?!"
"General, there's a sniper in the tower to the southeast."
Castor
"What?" Dalton replied.
"Onscreen." Castor ordered. The central screen changed from a tactical map of the ghetto to one of the G1's sensors. They zoomed in on the skyscraper to see a Knightmare holding a rifle.
"How did we not see that?"
"Brother, that's an Anti-Material Sniper Rifle. How did we not HEAR that?"
'OKAY, when we capture Zero, we need to get his tech specialists. If they can make that quiet.'
"This is Magma Guard Preston. I'm closing in on the tower with three Sutherlands."
"This is Royal Guard Guilford. Preston, I'm nearing your location, however my squad has been eliminated."
"Men," Pollux replied, "This is Viceroy Pollux at the G1. I'll remove the sniper's cover and bring him down. Terminate him should he survive."
Both pilots replied, "Yes, my Lord."
Celaeno
"N2, you've got a group of Sutherlands approaching at your 4 O'clock. Prepare to engage on my mark...MARK." Celaeno fired another round, taking out a Sutherland. Tamaki and his Spear soldiers eliminated the other two.
'Based on Lelouch's calculations, the Ruis should have less than 20 Knightmares, but they still have those Gloucesters, which we have yet to kill a single one. Huh, what's going on with the G1?' She turned her screen and zoomed in. She saw the Aquarius position itself so he was pointing straight at her.
'Does he see me?' She zoomed in closer, and saw two metal pillars shoot out the back, anchoring themselves to the ground.
'Support pillars? HE SEES ME!' Celaeno moved the Gorgon as the now apparent artillery cannons fired at the tower. They slammed into Celaeno's last position, but the resulting explosion was the least of her worries.
The impact shifted the building's center of mass, causing the building to tilt and begin collapsing.
"SISTER!" Zero exclaimed, panic clearly in his voice.
"K1, I'm alright."
"Oh, thank god."
"However, this building won't stand any longer. Q1, where are you?"
"Still in route. Be there in five minutes."
"Roger. Hurry up. Enemy Knightmares are sure to close in on my location." The Gorgon climbed onto the collapsing tower's wall, which was at an angle allowing it to move down the building as it was falling. As she sped downward, she saw three Sutherlands and an orange Gloucester approaching her position.
'Damn, much sooner than I expected.' "This is K2 to all forces, I'm activating the KDS. Until said otherwise, do not approach my position." She pulled a lever above her, activating the Knightmare Disruption Shield.
If you were outside the Gorgon, you'd notice the eye of the Glasgow's head turn from red to green.
Gilbert Guilford
Guilford piloted his Gloucester through the ghetto towards Preston's position. Five Knightmares, two of them Royal Guards, might be a bit much.
'We can't take any chances. Zero has shown his resourcefulness, that much is true.'
At the thought of Zero, his anger boiled over.
'These damn ELEVENS! They taken so much from us! Especially you, princess.'
During his time at the Academy, he trained alongside princess Cornelia li Britannia. To say he became infatuated with her was an understatement. He knew those feelings would never be returned, but, so long as he could serve under her, it didn't matter.
Then she was banished alongside the Vi Britannians. In all honesty, when he should've felt saddened, his love for her only grew. To throw away everything to protect the ones you loved, especially after failing to save one of them. How could he not love her for that.
That love turned to fear, however, when the Second Pacific War began. He hoped beyond anything that the battalion he was assigned to would be sent to Japan, so that he could rescue them. When the news came that they had been killed, it nearly broke him. Only his superior, Andreas Dalton, was able to keep him composed, due to him being the only one who knew of Guilford's feelings for her.
'And now, Zero and Celaeno are making the rest of these scum bolder, spitting upon their graves. They have to die!'
"This is Preston, about to engage the sniper. Guilford, where are you?"
"Almost there. ETA 30 seconds."
"Alright, men, eng...nemy."
'What the?' "Preston, say your last."
"...mething wro...Controls no…"
"Preston?"
"Gui...can't dod...BACKUP!"
"Preston! Hang on, I'm almost," Guilford rounded the corner, just 300 meters away from the collapsed tower, "There…"
Only to see three destroyed Sutherlands, and Preston's Magma Glouscester impaled by a blade, held in reverse grip by a purple Sutherland with a Glasgow head unit. The enemy removed the sword, flipping it to a normal grip, and Preston's Knightmare exploded. The enemy Knightmare turned its head, clearly seeing him.
'Damnit. This guy can take on three Sutherlands and one of Castor's personal guards.' He readied his Royal lance. 'Even so, for the honor of Princess Cornelia, I must defeat him.'
Celaeno
'Guilford.' Celaeno thought as he stared at his Gloucester. Because the twins had hacked into their systems, not only did they know where they were (for awhile), but they also got their ID signatures. So Celaeno knew who she was facing up against. She thought back to yesterday, after she gave her opinion on Zero's plan to 'convince' Yamato to join.
(August 22nd, 7:27 P.M.)
"Cornelia," Zero asked her as she stood up the desk, having altered Zero's plan to have the civilians evacuated, instead of leaving them to die if Yamato refused, "Could you convince Guilford to join us? You told me once that he has feelings for you."
She stood there, disgusted at the question. "Brother, are you asking me to manipulate a man's emotions for me just so that we could get an ally."
"Yes."
'Brother, you deceitful little~' She cupped her chin, contemplating his request.
"You don't have to answer if you don't want to. I understand how much he cared for you, and I won't hold it against you if you didn't want to use such manipulations."
"No, that's not the issue. Well, it is, but not the biggest one. If he's the same man from eight years ago, then the only way we could convince him is if I revealed who I was to him, but that carries many other risks."
"Right. If he isn't the same person, then both of us will have just exposed ourselves, and put both Euphie and Nunnally in the firing line, something neither of us will allow."
"Same thing goes for Dalton. He helped train me during my time at the Pendragon Military Academy, and respected me greatly. Heh, he was the first man to treat me as an actual soldier, instead of an entitled princess."
"Whatever happens, I leave it to you to decide."
(Present)
'Is Guilford still the same man I remembered.' Celaeno saw Guilford ready a yellow lance at her. She looked at her energy status. Due to the KDS being active, she only has 90 seconds left. She got into a combat stance, readying her blades.
'It's too soon. I'm sorry, Guilford, I won't kill you,' She charged the Gorgon forward, 'But I can't save you. Not yet.'
Guilford
Guilford charged forward, intending to kill the terrorist.
250 meters.
It wouldn't be easy. This man was able to eliminate a Magma Guard, trained for close quarters combat.
200 meters.
'He uses dual swords. My best chance is to stay out of his range.'
150 me~
Guilford's screens started to static.
"What the?"
He also noticed his Gloucester dropped in it's speed. Not much, but certainly noticeable.
"Something's wrong!"
"Lord Gui…" He heard Dalton try to contact him, but something was interfering with his communications.
"Damnit!" Guilford had no choice but to fight this Sutherland and push through the interference. He lunged forward, but the Sutherland crossed the swords together and parried to attack. He tried to attack Guilford with a thrust, but he sidestepped it. When Guilford spun around to counterattack, he saw it quickly move behind him.
'Holy~It's as fast as a Gloucester?!' On instinct, he flipped the lance over his head, and barely blocked the swords, at the same time spinning around and punching the Sutherland in the head unit, forcing it back.
'Now's my chance!' He thrusted forward, with the Sutherland attempting to dodge at the last second, resulting in a large gash along the side of the chest unit.
'Got him!' The two backed off, but the Sutherland quickly charge back at him, but it had discarded one of the swords, and was gripping the last one with both hands.
Guilford charged at him, however, what the Sutherland did shocked him. It parried the hit, allowing the side to take even more damage, but allowing him to get in close...and cut the head unit clean off.
The automatic ejection system sent him flying from his Knightmare, and into a ruined building.
"Ugh, my head." Guilford said as he instinctively opened his cockpit. He turned and saw the Sutherland had dropped to one knew, the sword falling to the ground. The light from the head unit was off.
'He's out of power!'
"...lford! Guilford, respond!" Guildford, having heard Dalton's voice, clearly concerned, quickly reentered the cockpit.
"General Dalton, this is Guilford." He could hear Dalton sigh in relief.
"Status report?"
"I'm down, and Preston is dead."
"What!?" Castor voice could be heard in the back.
"The enemy Sutherland is out of power. Head to my position."
"Acknowledged. Friendly units should be there within 70 seconds." Guilford took a look outside his cockpit, and his face grew pale.
"I won't last 20." He saw a red Sutherland, clearly not one of their own, approaching the purple Sutherland. He noted that it had a crate of energy filler with it. Before it reached their position, Guilford grabbed the rifle in his cockpit and ran deeper into the building, hiding behind a pillar.
"K2," the pilot, clearly female, exclaimed to the Sutherland, "K2? Celaeno!"
'Wait, that was Celaeno I was fighting?!' The red Sutherland then inspected Celaeno's Knightmare, and pulled out the energy filler, replacing it with one of the ones on the crate. The moment she did, however, the static returned to his comms and remaining electronics.
"Gah," the red pilot exclaimed, "What the hell?" After a moment, the static stopped.
'Why'd it stop?' Guilford looked and saw the eye on the Sutherland was red.
'Wait, the eye color was green when we were fighting.'
"Sorry, Q1," the purple Sutherland's pilot, clearly Celaeno, said apologetically, "The KDS was still on."
'KDS? Is that what was messing with my systems?'
"Alright," Red pilot replied, "Let's go!"
"Wait!" Celaeno looked over at Guilford still intact Gloucester, "Help me carry this."
'WHAT!'
"What?"
"Techs have been asking for an intact Gloucester. You ain't gonna get more intact than this. Hurry, before reinforcements arrive!"
'You damn terrorists.' Guilford slammed his fist on the concrete pillar as he watched the two take away his Gloucester.
Castor
'They killed one of my Guards.' Castor was dumbstruck, 'In close range, no less.' Guilford had report what had happened. He couldn't tell whether he should be glad that he's found a rival, in Celaeno, or shocked that one of his loyal guards has been killed so unceremoniously.
"Orders, your highness?" Dalton inquired, snapping him out of his stupor. Castor did some quick calculations.
'We still have 20 Sutherlands left, not including our Royal Guards. Based on reports, they were about that many enemy Knightmares when this began. We've taken out four of them. We can still win this if I deploy them.
"Regroup our forces. We'll being doing a Flanjax maneuver to~"
"Negative." Pollux interjected.
"Brother?"
"Castor, as the better when it comes to combat situation, let me say this: We've lost. Our gamble here has failed. Zero knew we were coming, and got the people out of there before we even arrived. He could've left the Yamato Alliance to die, and we still would've failed. Our only option is to retreat before that isn't an option."
Castor gritted his teeth. He understood the political ramifications of losing the first battle against Zero. But his brother understood the militaristic ramifications if they lose too many soldiers here.
'God, I hate it when he's right.'
"Very well. Dalton, move the Purebloods into a defensive position around the G1. This is Prince Castor to all remaining forces. Fall back to the Arakawa Bridge."
"Don't be disappointed, Castor. We've learned some valuable information today. First, Celaeno is a skilled pilot. Second, that their tech specialist not only can hack into our systems. And third, they have a weapon that can disrupt the functions of our Knightmares. Let's return to the palace and collect data. Next time, it won't be so easy."
'God, I love it when he's right.'
Zero
"HAHA," Tamaki cheered, "Look at them! They're running away!"
"Wrong, Tamaki. They simply see that they'll lose more than they'll gain if they continue this fight. Casualties?"
"This is Sword Squad, we lost about three Yamato Sutherlands, and Kento's as well. Only one was a fatality. The rest ejected, and have returned."
"Spear Group here, estimated 20 Yamato men are dead, no casualties for the Knights."
"Excellent. Shield Group?"
"Shield Group here. All good. Group 3 had a panic due to that building dropping in their area, but they calmed down."
"Good. All conditions have been met. Shield group, stay with the civilians for another half hour, then escort them back up. Give them all the remaining supplies in the trucks. Afterwards, return to base the same way you came. Sword Squad, head to the exfiltration zone. Spear groups, exit through the secondary exfiltration areas. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" a collective chorus sounded.
"Be proud of yourselves. Today, you faced a force that outnumbered and outmatched you, and showed them how little that meant. And to any remaining Yamato Alliance soldiers, I'd like to restate my original deal. Despite what Domen Yuu said, the decision to join me is optional. If you don't wish to join the Black Knights, then that is your decision. My only rebuttal is this: Look at the fleeing Britannians, and realize that this occurred because we worked together."
At first, he was met with silence, however, the radio chatter was blaring to life.
"This is Minusatsa. My men want to join."
"This is Yao. The men here will follow you."
"Katski and Testutestu's men have agreed to join."
Many more voices joined the chorus. Zero couldn't help but smirk at the turn of events.
"Then follow the Black Knights. And, when we get back to base,
We have work to do."
Author's Notes: And the battle for Saitama has concluded, with both sides bleeding, though one side more so than the other. The Black Knights have gained new members, however the Rui Britannians have learn much about Zero's forces.
Next Chapter: The Black Knights
The Knightmare Disruption Shield is a poorer version of the Gefjun Disturber. Able to disrupt the electronics and motor functions of any Knightmares within a 150 meter radius. Two of it's greatest weakness however are that, not only does it drain energy much faster when in use, but ALL Knightmares within range are affected, regardless of friend or foe.
Once more, leave a review, as your opinion helps the story improve. With that, I will see you all next time.