Chapter Four: True Faces

Kallen met Lelouch and Rivalz as they pulled into a parking spot.

Lelouch stepped out of the car, and Kallen greeted him. They'd sort of been waiting. "Back from gambling then?

"You bet we are," said Rivalz. "Lelouch played like, a dozen games and won them all. He is scary when he's motivated, let me tell you."

"Kallen, could you take this, please?" said Lelouch, struggling with a bag.

Was he that weak? Kallen took the bag and was pulled forward until it hit the floor. Struggling, she pulled it up. "What do you have in here anyway?!"

"Half a million in cash," said Lelouch.

Kallen stared. "...What?

"What did you start a drug empire when I wasn't looking?"

"No, just baited some nobles into wasting a great deal of money," said Lelouch. "You don't think I pay for that house with charity, do you? I'd space these trips out a bit. But our recent business with the student council has taken up most of my time." Then he walked past.

"Oh right," said Kallen.

"Hang on, Lelouch, what kind of gentleman are you?" asked Rivalz. "Why are you making Kallen carry your winnings. Here, let me see that." Then he took the bag.

"Thanks, Rivalz, let's go," said Kallen, and she ran off.

"Hang on, get back here!" said Rivalz. "We have to sort out the winnings!"

Of course, they did end up sorting out the winnings once they got inside. Kallen was, frankly, in awe and wondered how Lelouch spent all that. It couldn't all be necessary for paying the rent, could it? And why take that kind of risk?

At last, they got to the student council and met Milly and Nina playing cards together. Milly looked up and gave them a sly grin. "Oh, Lelouch, Kallen, Rivalz, you're here now."

"Sorry it took us so long, we ran into some traffic," said Rivalz. "Turns out that a bunch of protestors barred off some streets. They were trying to prevent police conveys from getting through. I guess we're succeeding a bit too well, huh?"

"Well, we do like making our mark," said Milly. "Still, we just need to wait for Shirley to get here and-"

Then Shirley rushed in. "We've got a problem!"

"What is it?" asked Milly.

Shirley shifted. "Um, there was a woman named Villetta Nu asking around the school earlier. I think she might have been sent to investigate Zero."

"What?" said Lelouch. "What did you say to her?"

"I just told her what we were doing," said Shirley. "It isn't like we were doing anything illegal?"

"You mean you told her about Zero?" guessed Kallen.

"No, just the pamphlets," said Shirley.

Lelouch nodded. "Good. All of you sit down."

"Right," said Milly. "This meeting of the Order of Ashford is now called to order. So what's the plan this time, Lelouch? What stunt should Zero pull next?"

"Shouldn't we tone it down, Milly?" asked Nina. "I mean, they are only elevens."

"Oh come on, Nina, don't be a scaredy-cat," said Milly.

"Nina is right, though," said Lelouch. "Zero serves no purpose at the moment."

"Oh come on, where's your sense of fun, Lulu?" asked Milly. "Did you see the response we got?"

"That's the problem," said Lelouch. "Zero's actions are public displays and are attracting attention. Our priority is creating societal change. Handing out pamphlets serves our purpose just as well and is completely legal."

"Yeah, you're probably right," admitted Rivalz. "I mean, it's not like my parents can ground me for doing research. It's probably better if we tone it down."

"Tone it down?" burst out Kallen before she could stop herself. "People are getting murdered in the street?!"

"Can we help them if we're in prison, Kallen?" asked Lelouch flatly.

"Prison?" asked Rivalz. "You don't really think-"

"We're inconveniencing Prince Clovis' administration. And we're bringing to light things he doesn't want to know," said Lelouch. "The Student Council is a threat to the corrupt people. People who benefit from the brutalization of conquered peoples.

"If we continue as we are now, and see success, it is possible we'll make powerful enemies.

"If any of you want to back out, now's the time."

"No way, this is the most interesting thing we've done all years," said Rivalz. "It beats gambling, that's for sure. Plus, we're doing some good this way."

"Oh come on, Lelouch, you don't think we can let you handle this on your own, do you?" asked Milly.

"Yes, um, I'm up for it," said Shirley. "Are you, Nina?"

"I um, I'd prefer not to do this anymore, if it's okay," said Nina, putting forward some booklets. "I do have those reports on the economy you wanted, though, Lelouch."

"Thank you, Nina," said Lelouch. "Can we count on you not to mention this to anyone?"

"Of course," said Nina, before moving out.

Lelouch waited until she was gone. "Milly, Shirley, Rivalz, from now on, we tell Nina nothing of what we are doing or how. Under no circumstances do we speak to her on the subject of our business."

"What?" said Shirley. "That's a bit far? We can trust Nina?"

"Perhaps," said Lelouch. "But we're also trusting everyone she might talk to. We are betting our lives on this game. So it's better to be safe than sorry."

They nodded.

It hadn't really set in for them, had it? What happened in that street was wrong to them, but wasn't fully real. It was like a game to them, but they had been helpful, so Kallen couldn't complain.

"So what now?" asked Kallen.

"Now?" asked Lelouch. "Kallen, you and I are going to the protests. I've going to take footage of what goes on there. If I'm right, Clovis is going to crack down on them soon.

"He can't let them stay there forever. Otherwise, they'll grow and hurt his reputation."

"You don't think he'll break them up by force, do you?" asked Shirley. "I mean, they're peaceful."

"Of course they are," said Lelouch. "However, there are certain tactics that can be used to justify a crackdown. Terrorists in a crowd, for instance."

"You aren't saying they're going to set something up?" asked Rivalz.

Lelouch laughed, and it was almost demonic with amusement. "Why wouldn't they? You saw how the police acted in the ruins."

"But they're Britannians protesting," said Shirley.

"They're humans," said Lelouch. "The police are willing to murder elevens in scores for nothing. Do you think they'd stop at murdering people for opposing them?"

"Lulu, are you okay?" asked Shirley suddenly. "You seem to be taking this seriously. Maybe we should stop?"

Lelouch seemed to undergo a change. He shifted and bit his lip, and finally spoke. "...Only Milly knows this among you, but I think I should come clean. I used to live here during the invasion. I watched the invasion when it happened and saw men, women, and children killed. My parents were killed around that time period, and I had to walk through fields of bodies to get to safety.

"The people who committed that massacre in the ruins don't care about race. They care about power. And we are a threat to that power. Some of them won't hesitate to kill Britannians if they think they can do it without consequence."

There was silence for a long time.

"So why are you going to the protests for then?" asked Milly.

"Simple enough, I mean to get live footage of everything that happens there," said Lelouch. "I had Sayoko get me equipment to record it all. As well as some other equipment. That's why I needed all that money; I'd spent a lot of my finances.

"Kallen, I need you with me."

"Hang on, why is Kallen coming?" asked Rivalz. "Shouldn't we... I mean, she's sick."

"I need Milly here," said Lelouch. Rivalz, you're the only one with a driver's license. That means you are our primary source of transportation. So you'll be our getaway driver if the worst happens.

"Milly, you've got connections to the nobility that could do the moderates a great deal of good. Shirley, you've got a lot of connections with the swim club. You can organize information campaigns.

"Kallen and I are best suited for this kind of thing. We have experience with it."

"But wouldn't it be better to do it from a distance?" asked Milly.

"Weren't you calling Shirley a scaredy-cat, Madam President?" asked Lelouch, returning to his normal self. "Relax, I'm paranoid. Rivalz, get your bike ready."

"R-right," said Rivalz.


Later they stood before the protests. Numerous picket signs were raised, calling for equal treatment and justice. There were, actually, two different crowds. One of Britannians, and one of Japanese, having been separated. Ranks of Knightmares were on either side and before them. Between the crowds were a lot of soldiers in black masks, Honorary Britannians.

If they opened fire, this would be a massacre.

"Why do I have to be in front of the camera?" muttered Kallen, glancing back to where Rivalz was.

"Because I don't want my face plastered across the television," said Lelouch. "You're noble and terminally ill, so you'll get sympathy points."

So that's why he picked her! As the fall girl! That jerk! "I am not terminally ill! I'm just uh... sometimes I get a bit spaced out."

"Well, don't space out," said Lelouch, setting up the camera. Raising it, he pressed a button. "Starting in three, two, one... action."

Kallen put the mike forward and waved. "Hi, this is Kallen Stadtfeld of the Student Council. I'm here covering the recent protests against the slaughter of a community of elevens. As you can see behind me, the protests so far have been peaceful.

"From the looks of things, they've divided the protestors into two different camps. To my right are the Britannians, and to my left are elevens who have come to protest. Apparently, these restrictions were recent; they were divided up a few hours ago.

"We-"

"Excuse me!" said a voice.

Kallen glanced back and saw a soldier running up to them. "Hmm, yes, what is it?"

"I'm sorry, but reporters aren't allowed here," said the soldier in an apologetic tone. "Prince Clovis' orders."

"There must be some mistake, we're not reporters," said Kallen. "We're doing this on our own time."

"It might not be a technical violation of the rules. But I think we both know-" began the soldier before he stopped and his eyes locked on Lelouch. "Dear God."

"What?" said Kallen, wondering what he found so interesting.

"Lelouch, it's me," said the soldier, before drawing off his helmet.

Lelouch blinked and stared in disbelief, moving the camera down. "Suzaku?

"You're alive?"

"Yeah, I guess we both made it out okay. Um, is-" began Suzaku.

"We shouldn't talk about that Suzaku, the cameras are rolling," said Lelouch. "Look, do you think you could make an exception?"

"I would, but they've tasked Honorary Britannians with keeping order here," said Suzaku. "This is our chance to show our loyalty to Britannia. If we start messing around with our orders, it could cause serious problems."

Kallen stepped away and then saw someone. She wasn't one to base opinions on outward opinions, but he was looking different from the others. His eyes were down, and he looked worse off than the other Japanese. One hand was in his pocket, and he was heading for the police line without looking at anyone. Kallen remembered what Lelouch had said about starting a riot.

"...I don't mean to question your duties, but does that guy look like a protestor to you?" asked Kallen.

If Suzaku got distracted by that, they could take footage.

"I don't want to judge someone by his appearance, Ma'am," said Suzaku.

"He's got a hand in one pocket," said Kallen. "What if someone is trying to start a riot."

Suzaku looked away. "...Kill the camera, Lelouch. I'll be back."

And he heard into the crowd. Lelouch did not kill the camera but instead focused it on an angle, so he got a shot of both the man and the police line. Quickly, Kallen grabbed Lelouch by the shoulder. "We should move a bit out of range."

Just in case, no sense in taking the risk.

They did, moving toward the back of the protest line, out of the line of fire.

Suzaku caught the guy by the shoulder and spoke to him. "Excuse me, sir, I'm going to need you to remove your hand from your left pocket now. I'm a soldier of the Britannian military."

Suzaku spoke very loudly, and Kallen wondered if he wasn't trying to make it clear this was an arrest. "You want me to remove my hand, huh?" snarled the man. "Wish granted!"

Out came a gun, and for an instant, Kallen was afraid Suzaku would be shot dead. But before the man could even cock the gun, Suzaku caught him by the wrist. Wrestling the gun from him, he forced the man to the ground and made a call. "Sir, we've got a man with a gun taken captive! I have him here! I need handcuffs and-"

"All Britannian units!" said someone over a loudspeaker. "The Honorary Britannians are using the crowds as a shield, wipe them out!"

Kallen realized what was happening. "Lelouch, get down!"

She pulled Lelouch down, mere moments before all hell broke loose. Blood splattered over the pavement as smoke, and the sound of rattling was everyone. Screams could be heard as Lelouch trailed his camera on the atrocities. Bodies were everywhere.

And then something even worse happened.

Someone among the Britannian protestors who had been kept out of the line of fire spoke up. "Murderers!"

The crowd rushed at the police line and tried to stop them. Soon a full-on brawl was going on, and the knightmares opened fire. Britannians and Japanese alike were reduced to bloodied corpses in moments. The protests had become a massacre, and people were reduced to pulp.

"Suzaku is still there!" said Lelouch. "We've got to-" A round shattered the pavement near them, sending bits of concrete.

"Lelouch, we can't help him!" said Kallen, realizing they were out of time. "We need to get out of here!"

Lelouch nodded. "...Yes, you're right."

Crawling away, they got some distance between them. Then they stood and sprinted for Rivalz's bike. As they did, they heard more gunfire, and Kallen felt something whiz through her hair. Now there were only moans of agony.

"Cease fire at once!" said Clovis' voice over the loudspeaker. "As Prince Clovis, Third Prince of Britannia, I command you to cease fire at once! Medical crews, see to the wounded at once, and cease pursuit of the rioters! You are also to treat both Britannian and Elevens without discrimination!"

"Lelouch, Kallen, are you alright?" asked Rivalz, eyes wide.

"Drive!" snarled Kallen. "Now!"

Rivalz gunned the engine, and they shot down the street at breakneck speed. They ran three red lights and surged onto the highway before they slowed to normal speeds. Rivalz ran into a car on his way through. Kallen looked up to the shining spires of the Tokyo Settlement and hated them more than ever.

"...They're never going to run this, you know," said Rivalz. "If we publicize this under our names, we'll... we won't get away with it."

"Of course we won't," said Lelouch, and now he looked like a real demon. He was shaking with visible rage. "Which is why we won't be publicizing it at all. We'll leave that to Zero."

What exactly was Lelouch planning this time?