"States of United Snakes of Amerigo"
temporary UMNE HQ
"Are you saying you actually made a mistake?" Alexander Daemon frowned in irritation at the four operatives he had summoned. He aimed a glare at the red-headed pyrokinetic.
"No Tine, I made no mistake." He looked over the lot of them. The sniper Krieg Schütze, the young gunfighter Adamska Strelok, moody redhead Tine and the capable agent Bacillus. "I can assume none of you need to be briefed about the Far-Traveling Alchemist?"
"So he finally decided to show himself." Said the grizzled Krieg, sitting up in his chair
"I guess you can say that. He directly interfered with the Serpents' Operations in Japan, preventing in the assassination of one of our secondary targets."
"That prince sneaking around an elite private school?" Bacillus asked, his/her voice obscured through a voice modifier attached to his mask, which also hid his/her/ITS... features.
"Correct. Now, it will go without saying that Cysgod will make another move sometime soon. I give you four three objectives. First: locate and maintain surveillance of Cysgod Eardom-Dorcha. Two: gather intelligence on the Britannian remnant in Japan, including battle strength. And three: assist in the eventual elimination of the Britannian remnant. I will give the go ahead signal for the annihilation mission 24 hours in advance. Understood?" All of them said: yes sir.
"It would be a lot easier and less of a hassle if you tell us to just kill Cysgod when we find him," Bacillus muttered. Daemon ignored him.
"Very well, briefing is finished. You will depart in 5 hours."
"Just one last question Master Daemon." It was Strelok of course, a young and ambitious gunfighter who just aged twenty as the Operation began its first phase. He always saved a question for last, and he was one of a few elite soldiers who referred to him as: Master. "How will we be able to collect accurate battle strength? We will need to see them in action to even make a basic assessment."
Daemon smiled as he answered. "Don't worry, arrangements will be made. On a separate note, initial speculations about the combat personnel of Alpha Division have been confirmed."
Area 11
Abandoned Base
"Ley-Line Theroy?" Lelouch wondered aloud, he had come across the term once when browsing . "Aren't ley-lines alleged alignments of a number of places of geographical and historical interests?"
"A text book answer," Cysgod complemented. "But there is a second, more supernatural definition."
"But those are myths, or are they...?" Cysgod then slowly stood and strode to the window before looking back to Lelouch and saying: "How about a demonstration?"
Barley a few minutes later and Lelouch, Milly, Ohgi, and three other resistance members stood outside as Cysgod and CC were positioned in full view.
"So...are you going to move CC from one place to another?"
"Absolutely not, that would be a waste of both time and energy. No, I'm going to make clear the reality of this realm. Or rather, something that defines this realm." He then approached CC and handed her a silenced handgun that he had found in the same room as the Howa rifles. "Would you please? I already know what is going to happen." CC frowned for a moment, her amber gold eyes narrowed. But then she blinked a few times, regained her neutral expression, then gave a brief nod.
"Understood." And without a single change of expression and before anyone could do anything, she raised the gun to her head and fired a silenced shot. Everyone shouted in shock and staggered a few steps back.
"What the hell!" Lelouch yelled, "What did you just do!?"
"Don't be such an alarmist 'Lelu,'" Cysgod said, nonchalantly checking his golden pocket-watch, "you act as though you never saw blood before."
"Why did you kill her dammit!"
"Yeah, I think you need to try a different sentence."
"Excuse me?"
"Wow...he did know about that." Everyone stared and actually took several more steps back, all of them now wide-eyed and white-faced, as the lifeless body of CC calmly spoke and stood up, slowly vanishing red marks on both sides of her head showed the obvious path of the bullet through her skull.
The others were simply speechless.
"CC has Geass, the power of kings, or so was told at some point. It would certainly explain why the Britannians were holding her captive. Believe me when I say that this is something people from my universe will be unable to comprehend." He retrieved the gun and turned back to the others.
"Ley-Lines, my Ley-Lines, are means of teleportation between realms. Normally, Ley-Lines would be impossible to create without some form of magic. It was actually by pure luck that I was able to formalize it for the sole purpose of advanced science. But then Occulta came along, stole my research from me, utterly destroyed my clan and kidnapped my sister! It has been, and still is, a long and hard war between us. With each universe we travel to, we both get stronger. But this is the first time he actually took such blatant action, public action on a large scale. Usually he resorts to social manipulation, terrorism and coup d'etats. He did it before, he's doing it now, and he'll do it again in the next realm. So tell me...are you going to doubt something as trivial as Ley-Lines simply because you think they are simply the stuff of myth? Or would you rather worry about the greater danger we all face?"
The answer to that, was obvious.
Area 11
Viceroy's Palace
Prince Clovis sat alone in his office, head full and over-flowing with details of the day's events. The Sons of the Serpents, the reported and confirmed murder of most of his family, Alexander Daemon and his Universo Mundo Novo Exercitus and then this attack on a Britannian academy only a few miles away from the palace!
Ah!
He can't do anything about it now. He'll worry about it all tomorrow.
Princess Euphemia, already in her pajamas, sat beside her new bedroom window, doing some thinking of her own. Mostly about where Cornelia could be, but also the Serpent's attack on the nearby academy. Why not attack the palace where Clovis was most likely located? Why attack Ashford Academy? Actually, that brings forth another line of thought. She would have to check to make sure, but she was certain that the school was headed by Ruben K. Ashford, a good friend of Lady Marianne. Their standing with the nobility diminished along with her death, so the only reason the Ashfords would be targeted would be... no. Lelouch and Nunnally died during the invasion of Japan. And even if they were alive, Lelouch renounced his claim to the throne. There was no reason for him or the Ashfords to be targeted. Then again, the Knights of the Round were not directly linked to the Royal Family either.
Lelouch...
Nunnally...
Could they still be alive beyond all hope?
Could they? And Cornelia too?
Maybe she should pray...
Area 11
South-eastern Honshu
The V-22X Osprey coasted in toward the landing zone, not far from a coastal highway roughly 20 miles east of Fukui. Guided in by a three-man recon squad with nothing more than an infrared light making a green circle in the sky through the pilot's goggles, the Osprey landed in a small grassy clearing. The warrior and his charge quickly exited and ran to the tree line.
"Any trouble during the flight Commander?"
"Nope, smooth ride the whole way." Orpheus said nothing as they were ushered to a civilian vehicle hidden in the trees.
"The colonial element is sticking close to their bases and settlement areas. You should be able to make your way to Tokyo without trouble. Take the road south then turn left onto the Umeura route, road number three-six-five. Once you pass through Echizen and Fukui you will have a straight shot to the main settlement."
"Thanks brothers," he said as the Osprey retook flight and sped away.
"Permission to speak freely?" the recon merc asked as the pair entered the sedan.
"Sure."
"This, hun-sion of yours is probably gonna wash."
"How so?"
"Ashford Academy was attacked by the Serpents earlier today, and there was a fight along the settlement highway as well." This made the commander pause.
"Did anyone make it out?"
"No more than a dozen I reckon. The regular police are still pulling out corpses."
"When did this happen?"
"1330 India." Roughly 1:30-ish local time, which meant it happened around 0830 Delta back on "Dreyfus" when he was just starting to suit up for the mission. And he had received news of the Japanese Resistance attack-and-theft at 0742 Delta, just after he woke up. So his hunch should still be valid. Especially since-
"The mission is still in play. Besides, the enemy went through the trouble to attack a private school. It looks like they had the same hunch, and I don't believe in coincidence."
Abandoned Base
"So what are we going to do?" asked Shirley as the student council all got ready for the night. As it turned out, the resistance group had a cache of clothes mixed in with the rest of the supplies they brought with them, even night clothes. It took a while to get all the right sizes, but this issue was soon resolved. The girls made the obvious majority so Lelouch was forced to change behind a curtain that Cysgod quickly erected, simply saying with a shrug: "I thought you would probably need it, girls can be quite viscous when the situation calls for it." That, at least, was something else Lelouch could agree with. Personally, he felt as though he was usurped. Here comes this "advanced scientist" out of nowhere, and he is instantly the expert on the situation. Just downright annoying, especially if you were a Britannian Prince who was forced to flee into exile.
"Nothing yet," he said from behind the curtain, having finished putting on his pajamas. "Cysgod said that he needed to see what we have before he has any idea of what to do."
"So Cysgod is the leader now?" Milly inquired, helping Nunnally into her nightclothes.
"No, but he is the one who understands the situation better than anyone else. He even knew about the attack on Ashford Academy, remember."
"I'm still surprised that he isn't Britannian or a number," Nina said softly.
"I think he is someone altogether different," said Nunnally, now being helped into a sleeping bag. "I know I'm not the best judge of that sort of thing, but I do feel comforted somewhat. What does he look like?"
"Well," said Shirley, only part-way into a peach-colored chemise, pursing her lips while trying to figure out how to describe a person to someone who couldn't see. "He is about Lelouch's height, so a little under 6 feet. He has orange-blonde hair and brown eyes. He is well-built, if a little lanky. And what he was wearing? He wore a grayish blue shirt and dark gray pants. Black shoes with no laces. And over it all a black trench coat; a large coat with long lengths that drop to the ground around his ankles."
"So his coat doubles as a cloak?"
"Actually, yes. I'm surprised I didn't think of comparing the two."
"Umm...when are you girls going to be done changing?" Lelouch asked, starting to feel cramped in the tiny space he was forced to change in.
"Oh, in a few moments," Shirley said hurriedly, quickly slipping into the chemise, "sorry."
"I only hope Rivalz is okay," said Milly, putting on a burgundy slip.
Aeternum Renegade Social Exchange
Ping
Cornelia and Rivalz stood at the opening to their cell, somewhat dumbfounded.
"Uh... is this the same cell?" Rivalz asked.
Ping
Dillinger, leaning against the corridor wall, rolled his eyes.
"Is there a problem?" he asked.
Ping
"Well no, it's just well... we are prisoners, right?"
"More or less."
Ping
Rivalz would've shrugged if he wasn't propping up Cornelia.
"Alright," what else could he say. He helped Cornelia through the cell door, treading on dark blue Berber carpet that now covered a large part of the concrete floor. There was also a laundry hamper, mahogany coffee table, and two single-size beds with white sheets, maroon pillows, and black comforters.
"On the bright side," Dillinger said as the cell door closed, turning something shiny over between the fingers of his right hand, "at least we know you can behave yourself." He flipped the coin-
Ping
-and caught it one last time before walking away.
Cornelia and Rivalz looked at each other.
"Well, he did call us: guests," the Princess observed. They hobbled to the bed on the left and Rivalz warily helped Cornelia sit down. That was when they noticed articles of folded clothing on each bed. Rivalz went to the other bed and examined red flannel pants and an ugly oversized shirt with splotchy navy blue and phlox spirals.
"Do they seriously expect us to wear this?" he said, holding up the shirt in disgust. Cornelia briefly glanced over and smiled to herself while holding up a white t-shirt.
"Well, at least they got close to the right size," she said, examining the tag below the collar. "More importantly, turn around."
"What?"
"I'm going to change and I don't want you to look."
"But... don't you need help? I mean..." Cornelia glared at him with her good eye, which gave him the impression of borderline menace. "Or... not I guess?"
"Kneel down, facing that bed, and put your face down in the mattress." Rivalz was about to say something else, but then decided to keep his mouth shut. This, he thought, was her giving him a gentle warning. He obliged. "And don't lift your head until I say!"
"Yes ma'am."
With his face in the comforter, Rivalz heard the sound of cloth rustling. His brain set off on a line of thought that made the blood rush to his cheeks, and the mental images his mind was conjuring didn't help matters. He heard her wince a few times and resisted the urge to turn around and help. She obviously didn't need help to change her clothes if she insisted he advert his eyes. Still, after carrying her warm body on his shoulder all the way to that party room and back to the cell, he couldn't help worry about-
"Ah!"
Rivalz snapped his head up and spun around. Cornelia did manage to dress herself at least, now wearing black flannel pajama pants and the loose-fitting t-shirt. But she was now seething, slumped over the edge of the bed with her knees on the carpeted floor. She had obviously tried to get into bed after getting dressed when her injured leg gave way. Rivalz immediately stood and moved to her side.
"Easy your highness. I'm here, I'll help you up." He gingerly lifted her on the bed. She rolled onto her back and quickly turned her head toward the wall. Despite this, Rivalz was finally able to fully glimpse a gash across her right eye. An almost straight line of tender red from her right temple to the bridge of her nose. A truly ugly feature upon an otherwise stunning face.
"Damn it," she muttered.
"What is it?"
"Just look at me!"
"Uh..." he quickly looked her over from the mane of luscious fuchsia locks, porcelain face, down her well-endowed torso hugged by the white t-shirt and a slender waist, a well-toned midriff visible between the hem of the shirt and waistband of the pajamas.
"Britannia."
"What?"
"That's what I am!" she said, her voice rising. "Cornelia li Britannia, daughter of Charles zi and Victoria li Britannia! Second Princess and Chief General of the Imperial Army! The 'Goddess of Victory' they called me! Me, damn it!" Both of her fists were clenched now. "I've led armies! The Middle East Federation was on the verge of defeat when that rotten scoundrel showed up! I was brought up to rule! But now I can't even get into bed without a commoner to prop me up!" She actually slammed her left fist on the mattress at this. "Damn it!" She brought a hand to her head, grasping at her fuchsia bangs in anguish. Rivalz rubbed the back of his neck as he looked on.
"Well..." he fumbled a little, "is it that bad for a Britannian commoner to help a Britannian Princess?" She turned her head to look at him with her good eye. After some moments, her glare softened.
"Apologies, I didn't mean it like that. I just-" she sighed and turned her head away again. "I feel pathetic." There was another pause. "Thank you." Rivalz visibly relaxed and shrugged.
"I might as well, what sort of Britannian would I be if I don't help a lady, any lady?" Cornelia's lips adopt a faint smile.
"Indeed. That reminds me," she turned her head to look at him again, "you looked."
"What?" There was a... glint of some sort in her indigo eye.
"I told you not to look until I said so."
"What! But, you fell, I had to help."
"Noted, and I thank you; but you still looked."
"Uh... sorry?" Cornelia closed her eye and hummed in thought before replying.
"Mmm... not good enough."
"What?!"
"Not good enough."
"I heard you, but what else am I supposed to do?" Cornelia thought about it a little more before opening her eye and, with mild difficulty, propped herself up on her left elbow.
"Get changed."
There was a long and awkward lull as Rivalz's brain took some extra moments to digest what his ears just took in.
"Uh... wait, what?"
"You saw me at my most vulnerable; it's only fitting that I see you in the same manner."
"What?!" Rivalz stepped back as he felt his ears beginning to burn. "You mean, right now?"
"Yes."
"But-" Her glare intensified.
"Don't make me repeat myself."
"Uh..." he timidly glanced at the ugly assembly of night clothes that was prepared for him, "yes... my lady...?"
Abandoned Base
Cysgod stood on the roof of the base, looking up at the moon and holding his multi-dialed pocket watch in his hands.
"Verita...Clara..." he whispered softly to himself and closed his eyes.
"Reminiscing?" His eyes snapped open as Kallen appeared, wearing a simple, dark red night gown. "I do that a lot when there is often not much else for me to do," she continued, rubbing her eyes with her wrists. Cysgod stowed away his watch and snorted.
"Aren't you supposed to be getting some shut-eye samurai?"
"Ha-ha," Kallen replied, not really laughing. "You're not the boss of me, besides which, you should be getting some sleep yourself. Especially considering that you single-handedly saved those girls from certain death."
"I don't want to."
"Huh?" That response actually surprised Kallen, who could possibly not want to sleep after a rough day.
"I can barely even dream anymore. All my dreams are nightmares."
"Oh, I'm sorry. You must have been through a lot."
"Tell me about it. Now take my advise and get some nice dreams of your own. It won't be long before nightmares become reality."
Supreme United States of America
It was total upheaval.
[Mercy in Darkness (Two Steps from Hell) - PLAY]
Although you can imagine how the people thought. The Britannias felt like the entire world was collapsing beneath their feet and the Numbers were either hoping that SUSA would be better than the Holy Britannian Empire, or dreading that it would be far worse.
The soldiers of both the Sons of the Serpents and the UMNE patrolled the streets. Looters and people who were just running were executed on sight. Former Britainnian soldiers were forced into trucks and hauled away to places unknown, by force if they didn't comply right away. Knights and Knights of Honor were thrown into the middle of open squares and utterly humiliated for the "crimes of their ancestors." Barons, Viscounts, Earls, Marquesses, and all other forms of nobility were publicly executed. The UMNE would just take them into the street and fire a single shot to the head, but the Serpents! The Serpents were definitely the descendants of snakes. They went out of their way just to show the absolute hatred they had stored up for the Britainnian Empire, warranted or no. The servants and the offspring of nobles were treated in the same kindness. The servants were corralled outside of their respected estates and gunned down, all in a row. The children, between the ages of 17 and infant, were taken onto trucks for a different location. This location, like the Britainnian soldiers, was unknown but was referred to by the conquerors as "Camp Mercy."
The days ahead, were sure to get darker still.
[Mercy in Darkness - END]