Track #8: Heroes
Postmodern Jukebox rendition
"Are the children placed in their proper chambers already?"
"Yes, master. Clovis arrived at the base an hour ago and was able to sort them according to age within ten minutes. They were in their chambers since half an hour ago."
"How old are the oldest and youngest?"
"The oldest are sixteen year olds while the youngest are ten."
"Perfect. We will have 114 new soldiers very soon. I can't wait until they become properly trained assassins who we can use for and bargain among the big champs of the society. Do you still remember when you were still at their age, Lelouch?" He chuckles. "You were such a cry baby back then, but look at you now, you are my most valuable strategist as of the moment. You wouldn't be able to achieve this if we didn't steal you from your farmer parents ten years ago."
The older man stares at the crackling fireplace infront of him - the flames brightly reflects on his emerald eyes - while mindlessly swirling his glass of red wine.
"Fortune, land, money, power and even women. We can have them all anytime. That's what you can do when you supply the most powerful weapon of war. Humans are both the strongest and most fragile creations in this world. Train them, torture them, educate them and they can be the most powerful and relentless, but pamper them, serve them, spoil them and they will not last another day in a battlefield. Am I right, Lelouch?"
The young man nods. "Yes, master."
The master places his glass on top of the small round table beside him. He glances at his right where a young lady is standing by the dark wall holding a silver tray.
"I believe it's time for my tea. C.C. dear, come here."
The slender lady emerges from the corner and walks into the light. Her long silky green hair is a light of its own shining around her. "Here it is, master," she says offering the cup.
"Thank you, C.C." The man takes a sip of his tea and then groans. "Always the perfect taste. I hit the jackpot when we kidnapped you. I've never tasted a tea as aromatic and calming as yours." He tilts his head to the side. "Lelouch, do you still remember when we got her? You were just a boy then, but you impressed me with your tactics to get her far away from her parents without them noticing. Right then I knew that you're going to be an asset to the organization."
Lelouch gives a humble bow. "Thank you. I was just 15 then and it was actually my first job after graduating from training. Thank you for putting your trust in me, master."
"And now I trust you with my most hidden and evilest plans. Anyway, C.C. how long have you been in the base?"
"Seven years, master."
"And how old are you now?"
"Twenty-one years of age."
"Hmmm..." He roams his eyes from her head to toe with a malicious glint on them. His eyes inspect every curve and dip of her body which makes her feel uncomfortable but the maiden stands perfectly still infront of him, not daring to do a single move. "You've grown to a lovely young woman. I can actually now add you to my group of mistresses. Would you like that, dear?"
When the master asks you a question, you must always answer. That is one of the golden rules in the organization, but his current question left C.C. tongue-tied.
Heart beating fast, she scrambles to think of an answer that wouldn't offend the older man.
But another voice enters the conversation. C.C. sends him a subtle warning stare because the master is not pleased when someone just barges in a conversation he or she isn't included.
"Isn't it too early for that?" Lelouch comments goodnaturedly. "Sayoko is currently pregnant with your second child. A new mistress may just cause conflict with your current ones and their immaturity might affect the execution of our plans."
The master looks back and forth at them, suspicion lingers in his eyes. The pair waits breathlessly before he sighs, and then yawns. "You're right. That would be an inconvenience especially now that we are going to put into action our biggest operation yet very soon. Are the resources and weaponry all ready?"
"They are just awaiting to be used."
"And the meeting and holding places?"
"The men are already in their positions."
"Excellent." Another yawn. "Well, it seems like I will be retiring early tonight. I'll see you..."
Lelouch and C.C. looks down at their sleeping master, waiting with bated breath for him to stir and wake up but the latter remains deep asleep and is already snoring.
"Won't he wake up anytime soon?" Lelouch asks without taking his eyes off the man.
"I put the strongest dose of sleeping pills in his tea. The soonest time he will wake up would be tomorrow noon."
"And we are already very far away from him then."
"And everything is already in ashes."
At the same time, the pair looks at each other and like an invisible string has pulled them together, they go to one another with Lelouch grabbing the lady's face and kisses her briefly but firmly.
Their lips move against each other with such haste and chaste as they try to incorporate so much hungry intimacy in a little amount of time.
When they pull away - gasping and dazed - they look again at the sleeping man, making sure that he is still in dreamland. Lelouch would have shoot him but they couldn't risk creating any disturbance until they are certain that everything planned is in place.
Tugging at C.C.'s hand, Lelouch says, "Let's go. Suzaku is already waiting."
They pass by slump, unmoving bodies in the corridor, in the dining hall and even in the training room.
"You literally made this whole place a dreamland," Lelouch comments as they pass by yet another sleeping body.
"It's all thanks to Anya's hoard of pills. She made our plan ten times easier."
Stopping infront of a metal door, Lelouch retrieves a ring of keys and inserts one of the biggest to the lock. The lock turns with a satisfying click and as soon as the door opens, a head of brown hair holding a large ax immediately runs towards them. The pair simply steps out of his way and peeks inside.
"Remember what we told you. Don't go anywhere but to the designated place. Jeremiah will be there to bring you to the port and from there, Ougi will meet you in the island. Further details of your escape route will be discussed by him, now run off!"
The children start running out of the chamber but Suzaku, the brown-haired teen remains. "And what about the two of you? Are you going to stay?"
Lelouch glances at C.C. from which the lady responds with a nod. "We still have another thing to do before we leave this place. Go now and lead those children!"
The younger boy stays infront of them for a while as if contemplating. Is he going to thank them? Is he going to express his gratitude for this unexpected salvation coming from his kidnappers? He had been planning for a long time to escape this cruel place where they turn humans to killing machines but he never found the right chance and means to execute it, plus the tight security and loyalty of the guards to their master made it hard for him to infiltrate their system, but one day, the green-haired lady beside Lelouch offered him a deal he couldn't deny – an assurance of the children's escape in exchange of a secluded house in their small forgotten village which the pair will use as a temporary hide-out until they are certain that it is safe for them to wander outside.
But why are they doing this? Why are they going to sabotage the organization and the master that they pledge their utmost loyalty to? He never got the chance to ask them if this is out of pity for the innocent children, if they plan on taking over the organization, or perhaps, if their conscience is finally eating them alive. Suzaku shakes his head. This is no time for him to contemplate over these things. He can think about them later when everything is said and done. He doesn't know them well anyway. These speculations will lead him nowhere.
"The cabin is waiting for you. Gino, the caretaker, will meet you there." And with that he leaves the chamber which has been his prison for three months and runs away from the base and nearer to his family.
After checking if no one was left behind, Lelouch and C.C. go up to the higher floor and free the victims who are staying longer than the ones from the lower floor. Some were confused by the whole situation but seeing two of the most trusted people of their master hurrying them out, they quickly believed and trusted them.
"How many more minutes left?" C.C. asks as they turn around a corner.
"Twenty minutes before the first bomb explodes."
"Is it enough time to convince the residents of the last room? Those are the tough ones."
"Well, let's hope that Xingke was able to talk to them. If he isn't, I guess we'll have to resort to force, or worst, we might need to use our guns. Are you ready for that?" When Lelouch does not hear an answer, he glances back and sees that C.C. has stopped running and is staring at the cemented wall.
Walking back, he holds her hands and gently says, "I can do all the shooting when it comes to that. Just be sure you're safe."
"And if you got hurt?"
He hears her silent question. And if you die?
Lelouch lets out a carefree chuckle to lessen the tension and her worry. "As he had said, I am the best strategist. I'll find a way to outsmart them."
Finally, the lady faces him wearing a serious expression. "Lelouch..."
He sighs. "We are going to face trained children and adults here. I'm pretty sure that some of them had already put their loyalty to the master and would refuse to come with us. Worst, they will hinder those who are in favor to leave."
"They could have started fighting and killing each other as we speak."
"Yes. And if I didn't make it out in time you need to go before the bombs explode. Promise me, C.C. that you are going to save yourself."
"No. We planned this together so we are also going to be free together. I'll fight beside you. Let's go. We are wasting time."
Lelouch would have wanted to argue more, to insist that her safety is the top priority. It's funny how their lives have turned out this way. The victim and her captor working together to free their prisoners - betraying the man who stole them but also gave them bed to sleep on and knowledge they couldn't just learn anywhere. And now, he is sound asleep in his room, unaware of the chaos the two of them is creating.
And he will never wake up.
Lelouch focuses on the green trail infront of him. Long, silky, soft tresses that his fingers have run through for uncountable times. He wonders what will happen to them when they survive this whole crazy thing. Will they be able to stay together for so long? Will they be able to bear the company of each other that is founded from desperation and brokenness? The doctors have a term for this case. Ah, Stockholm's Syndrome, that's it.
He doesn't know if she truly and deeply cares for him and it is not just because she developed this psychological anomaly from being in his custody for a long time. So when they are finally outside and free, exposed to more people and different environments, will her care stay or disappear?
That would suck if it is the latter. Goddamn, that would definitely suck.
They finally reach the last door and together they retrieve their guns from their pockets. The other side is oddly quiet - no gunshots, no sounds of fights and struggles. Carefully, Lelouch opens the door and peeks inside. It is dark and smoky. He motions for C.C. to stay outside until he confirms that it is safe to go in.
Entering, he slowly makes his way into the chamber and is immediately assaulted by the foul smell of gunpowder. Everywhere, in every corner of the room, are lifeless bodies of teenagers and young adults who obviously fought and murdered each other. Blood splatters on the floor, dark, red and fluid. He thinks he saw a mangled arm over there and a crushed eyeball.
"You finally arrive."
A tall figure slowly emerges from the smoke, a heavy firearm in his hand. Of course, he would be the one who will survive this all. Luciano Bradley, their ace fighter and soldier. Hundreds of criminal and innocent lives have perished in his hands. Even Lelouch is no match against him especially when he was trained more for strategic and tactical operations. In a physical combat, he would clearly lose to Luciano. He tries hard not to glance back and look at C.C. It is better that the soldier thinks that he is alone. He just prays that C.C. decides to leave now.
"Where is Xingke?" asks Lelouch.
The tall man nods at his right where remnants of what used to be a longhaired man lie. "Blew his head out. He wouldn't shut up about escaping and betraying the master. Caused a little chaos around here making everyone kill each other... Speaking of which, why would master's most trusted person work behind his back and plan to blow out the headquarters? Why did you betray him?"
Lelouch does not want to engage him in a long conversation. For God's sake the clock is ticking. How many minutes have already passed? Five? Ten? But he couldn't leave Luciano alone. His full loyalty is with the master, and leaving him alive is like letting the evil part of their boss live. He needs to kill him.
"Because everything he has done is nothing but for his own gain. His hands were kept clean while we do the crimes that greatly hurt other people and their families. While we steal the future and identities of innocent people. He has to be stopped before he threw this whole nation into chaos."
"What is this?" Luciano gasps unbelievingly. "Are you having a hero complex right now? After ten years of being a dog, you are finally standing on your own feet? Well, where is your conscience when you stole me away from my father? Where is your pity when you watched him torture me right infront of your eyes? Where is your sympathy when I asked for water to drink after a punishment? You always turned your back! You are the biggest hypocrite, Lelouch Lamperouge!"
"Yes, I am. I know that very well. I am not doing this as a form of my salvation, but for those who still have the chance to get their lives back."
"'Get their lives back'? Don't make me laugh, you've changed their lives forever, you ungrateful fool!"
With a speed of light, Luciano raises his gun and fires indiscriminately at him. Lelouch immediately scampers away but not without getting hit on his arm.
"Lelouch!"
Shit!
Amongst the thick smoke, he quickly spots C.C. standing by the doorway, her own gun aiming at Luciano.
"C.C., run!"
"No!" She begins shooting at the soldier but the latter was well-trained for this kind of situation that he easily dodges the amateur shots of the girl. He mocks her by not returning her shots but by running around the chamber as if they are playing Tag until their positions have switched.
Now standing by the doorway, Luciano aims his gun at her. "Playtime's over."
Lelouch quickly moves infront of her and with unstable hands, points his gun to Luciano.
"Oh, what is this? A tragic romance where the both of you will die? Tsk. Pathetic humans."
"Run now, C.C.," Lelouch tells her.
"Oh, yes you may run, C.C. I won't hurt you I promise. You've been good to me during my training days."
"No, I won't leave you, Lelouch."
"It's almost time. We are all going to explode here if you don't leave now."
"So be it."
Good grief.
"Are you done with your drama because I'm going to start counting down now? Say your goodbyes while you still have time, 3..." warns Luciano.
"C.C."
"Lelouch."
"2..."
"Let's meet each other again."
"Mmm."
"1."
BANG!
There is silence at first.
A moment of deafness.
Then the earpiercing white noise incessantly rings in their ears, unwelcomed and irritating.
The smell of gunpowder invades their noses again.
At first, it is only the color white that Lelouch sees upon opening his eyes, but realization dawns at him at once.
He is alive.
He goddamn alive.
Automatically, he looks behind him and finds C.C. with her eyes tightly closed and her hands on her ears.
She is alive, too. Thank God.
They are both still alive. But how?
He holds her hands and says, "C.C. open your eyes. We're okay."
Slowly and still frightened, she does what she was told and stares incredulously at him. "Why?"
"Are you two fine?"
They turn to the new voice and much to their surprise, find Suzaku outside the doorway with his gun still pointing at them.
"Suzaku," Lelouch utters in disbelief. When he gazes down, he sees Luciano's body already covered in blood from the head shot he sustained.
"Think of this as my gratitude for freeing us, and I believe we are running out of time. Come on, I won't wait for you!"
Recovering from their shock, the pair immediately follows the teenager out of the headquarters.
They are merely meters away from the gated property when the first explosion happens, collapsing the roof of the establishment. It is abruptly followed by another one from the basement destroying the foundations and posts of their once home.
The three of them stand and stare wordlessly as the symbol of their hatred, of their pain and torture, crumbles before them. The once sturdy and frightening building which had heard screams, whimpers and wails is quickly turning into ashes, disappearing right infront of their faces and together with it is the man who robs them of their innocence.
Yet the memories and experiences it had engraved to the three of them will forever remain in their minds.
"Out of all the bad things that I experienced inside it," C.C. begins. Lelouch curiously glances down at her at the same time she looks up at him. Her golden eyes shining like the sun. "There is at least one good thing that happened to me."
He feels her hand intertwine with his and tightly holds it. Never letting go.
Finally, Lelouch is able to exhale freely for the first time after ten years of being a prisoner and holds her hand back. So, so tightly. Not going to let go.
"Yes, there is."