Disclaimer: I don't own either of the Code Geass, Gundam Seed or Star wars franchises. This story is not written with commercial purpose in mind. I make no money from it. It is not for sale or rent.

Chapter 4: Family affairs

=ABKR=

Part 1

25 March 2009 A.T.B.

Imperial Palace

Pendragon

After the meeting with my father, Bismark escorted me to the suite I would be staying in while in Pendragon. I managed to keep my temper in check until the Knight of One dismissed the pair of servants waiting inside and used the Force to slam the door shut and lock it behind me.

Being outplayed by my father, finding out that there were powers on this world that could be a match for me even with the Force on my side and worst of all, getting my mind violated… I let a wordless roar of frustration. The priceless furniture all around me shattered when my power responded to my emotions and crushed everything in the room into so much kindling. I was painfully aware that despite the Force, enough people who knew what the hell they were doing could stop me. It was a no brainier. It would be anything but easy, a virtual bloodbath once I got most of Veil's powers. That wouldn't change even if it turned out that my body couldn't handle the full scope of a Sith Lord's abilities even if I had the knowledge to utilize them.

However, experiencing the power of a Geass first-hand was an eye opener. I could do something similar to what Charles did to me, at least in theory. I could ravage a person's mind while looking for a specific information, yet doing so wasn't a guaranteed to succeed. It would leave my victim a vegetable, as likely as not before I could get the information I was after.

I could vaguely recall other geas forms from Veil's memories but not only did specifics escape me, I couldn't even be sure who might possess them. It's been simply too long since he had seen or heard anything about the world in which I was born into. The one thing I was reasonable sure about was that each Geass excelled only at one thing.

Yet, while limited to that single trick, that Geass might better in its area than what I could do with the Force. Perhaps not as good as what Veil could do but that was academic. I didn't actually have his skills and finesse with our power. For example the so called Mind Trick was really useful against weak willed beings. Oh, a mind could be overpowered by sheer raw power – usually, however that would leave people mind damaged and thus useless for doing anything complicated or requiring them to act as if nothing was wrong. I suspected that a Geass with similar function would be much better in that one area. Scary even.

I snarled. All the Geass' I could recall of were mental based powers. Could they affect me as father's did? Could the power of the King take my free will away?

Was there physical based Geass that might be at least a match for a direct application of the Force in its area of expertise, like telekinesis?

"FUCK!" I snapped and rubbed my forehead.

I could almost hear Veil whispering in the back of my head. I knew it was just his memories, yet… The thought of being in someone else's power, it made me furious. I knew it was the Sith's influence, because I, Delkatar li Britannia made my peace with that a long time ago. It was part of my lot in life. Unless I got to be the Emperor – something I hadn't even dreamed of until I got Veil's memories, there would always be someone above me on the food chain. That's how things were. All I wanted was to do my best by my family and country. To live in relative peace beside that. Ironically the best way I saw in achieving that was joining the military.

Heh. The irony wasn't lost upon me.

It was no longer acceptable. I had to do more.

There's no peace, only passion.

I chuckled mirthlessly and headed for the suite's bathroom, where I got under the shower and let cool water splash over my head.

The Sith in me wanted conflict. Thrived on it.

The young prince wanted a peaceful life.

At least both sides wanted to keep my family safe.

Through passion I gain strength.

I made a deal with the devil. One where I didn't know exactly what plan I agreed to support, just that the ultimate outcome appeared to be what I wanted.

It infuriated me nevertheless.

I raised my head so my face could be right under the water.

There would be no peace in my future. Only conflict. The Force stirred at that thought. I could feel how excited the Dark Side was at the prospect.

I hated the idea.

I loved it.

Conquering the whole world – for li Britannia, even with the Empire at my back, it was merely a dream. One hard to imagine fulfilled. For Veil on the other hand – just another day in the office.

One thing I and my memories could agree on was that we were furious at being outmanoeuvred by father. Even if he decided for some reason not to use my family against me, by the time I would have enough support to remove him, I would be left with little choice but to take over the whole bloody planet and pick up the pieces after Charles' stunts. What was my alternative – do my best to kill him and even if I survived the attempt and somehow evaded his contingencies be on the run? Not to mention that doing so would be tantamount to sacrificing my family. If it was just me, I would have much more acceptable options. With mother and my sisters in the equation, my hands were tied. Because in the end I would gladly drown this whole world in blood if it meant that they would be safe – even if they all hated me for it.

Damn it all! If I had to be a monster to keep those precious to me safe, so be it! Sith grow through conflict and there would be enough of it in my future to satisfy even Veil. Then we would see if how father's accursed Geass will fare against me.

Through strength I gain power.

I smiled coldly. Father wanted me to be his agent for the time being. I would oblige him. I would gain allies. I would gain all the power I would need to do what I have to. Then there will be a reckoning even if I ultimately went along with his plan.

Through power I gain victory.

If that was the only way to protect my family and the Empire the prince in me believed in, then I would take this world and crush anything that stands in my way. No matter if it was the other superpowers, father, other members of our family, the mysterious Geass Directorate or that strange power that stood besides Charles when I met him.

Through victory, my chains are broken.

Only then my family and I would truly be free and safe. Even if I had to reforge myself into a Sith Lord, I will see that outcome come through, I vowed.

"Your Highness..." A trembling female voice came from the small corridor connecting the bathroom with the rest of the suite.

I frowned. I've been so self absorbed I didn't sense anyone approach. I stopped the water and shook it from my face.

"What is it?" I grumbled.

"His Highness, Prince Schneizel requests that you dine with him tonight." The woman stuttered.

My brother, the Prime Minister. That's a surprise. I wouldn't call us exactly close, though he was one of the decent members of our family. Before getting Veil's memories, I would have called him a friend. Under their influence I've got more jaded, even more cynical than being raised in Pendragon could account for.

It wasn't like I could afford to say no to his invitation.

"When and where?" I asked.

"Prince Schneizel's residence, Your Highness. Eight o'clock."

"Inform my brother that I will be there unless father has other ideas on how to utilize my time in Pendragon. I'll need proper attire and transport."

"We'll see to it, Your Highness."

=ABKR=

Part 2

Thought Elevator

Pendragon

"This was an unexpected turn of events, Charly." A tiny girl with blank expression on her face spoke cheerfully.

Charles zi Britannia sighed and turned around to look at the child possessed by his late wife.

"You don't know the half of it." The Emperor grumbled.

"Tell me about it." Anya's body leaned forward.

He did. Hours passed in the Thought Elevator while mere minutes dragged in the outside world while Charles told his Empress what he saw in Delkatar's mind. About the conclusions he made based on that information. About the opportunity that just fell in their laps.

"Does he suspect what the plan really is? Is my nephew going to follow through if he knows?" Marianne finally asked.

"I don't know." Charles admitted. "He has suspicions, though I'm reasonable sure that they're off the mark."

"We have some planning to do then." She glared at her husband. "I want him keeping Lelouch and Nunnaly safe."

Charles winced under her crimson tingled stare.

"I'll send him to Japan with the first wave. He would go get them back on his own, you know that, right?"

"I don't care! I want my children safe and he's the best option!" Marianne snapped.

=ABKR=

25 March 2009 A.T.B.

Dining room

Schneizel's residence

Pendragon

Damocles Castle. That's what people often called Schneizel's lurking hole in the capital. Thanks to the Roman influence in its architecture, the name made a tiny bit of sense. Well a lot compared to those given to the homes of some siblings I could name.

The place was quite impressive. If I hadn't grown up as a prince, I'm pretty sure I would find it stunning. Instead, all I could think as I walked through the palace's large and well lit corridors was that it took forever to get anywhere. A guide too, because despite my semi-frequent visits in the past I was sure I would get lost without the servant leading me towards the dining room.

What was that phrase? Familiarity breeds contempt? I found it fitting. Passing by dozens of ancient statues and carefully preserved portraits that would have made any self respecting museum curator cream their pants at the thought of exhibiting them, my only thought was weren't we there yet, damn it?!

The servant threw a pair of thick oaken doors open and gave me a deep bow before biding me to enter.

"Brother! It's great to see you in one piece!" Schneizel exclaimed and walked briskly to meet me.

He hadn't really changed since the last time I saw him – a couple of weeks before everything went to hell. My brother wore a royal purple suit with a cut that made him appear even taller than he actually was – an overkill considering that no one could ever accuse him of being short.

Schneizel moved away a strand of his silky blond hair and leaned to get a better look at me.

"You're in one piece, right?" My brother asked. There was concern ringing in his voice which was mirrored by the whirlpool of emotions I could sense coming from him.

There was relief, happiness and a lot of cold-blooded calculation. It was enough to move him quite bit down the list of suspected siblings who buggered my family.

"More or less." I shrugged. "I got out in one piece after meeting father and that's always a good thing."

"Yes, I heard he summoned you quite abruptly. How are Cornelia and Euphemia? What about Lady Amelia?"

"We were ambushed on the way back from the airport." I couldn't keep the snarl out of my voice. "Getting back to Cornelia's army got a bit hairy."

"They're all right?" Schneizel asked concerned.

"Just shaken." I reassured him.

"Good." He gave me a firm nod and squeezed my shoulder in a relieved manner. "They never should have been sent in a potential war zone."

"No. We should have known what a ticking time-bomb that part of Area Six was too." I grumbled.

"I was told that OSI dropped the ball on that one." Schneizel frowned. "I'll be looking into how it happened."

"The people on the ground were told that the situation was being handled by their superiors in Pendragon. That they should forward any information about suspicious activity to command and forget about it."

"Bloody Hel!" Schneizel snapped, obviously startling by my revelation. This was the first time I heard him curse. My brother frowned, shook his head and waved towards the table. "Come on, sit. I think this is going to be much longer conversation that I anticipated. Much less pleasant too."

Unfortunately I couldn't disagree.

Only now I paid attention to the room we were in. It wasn't one of the pair of large dining rooms that could comfortably seat hundreds of people. Instead, we were in a tastefully decorated study which had a set up dining table in one corner. There were tall bookshelves covering most walls, here and there broken by ebony wall panels where various portraits hung. A couple of Roman statues could be seen and one I was pretty sure was actually Greek. My lips twitched at that thought. My tutors would be apailed to learn that I couldn't be sure with merely a glance.

When we were sitting on the table I was engulfed by the scent of a hot tomato soup – one of Schneizel's favourites, though not something I particularly enjoyed. He's been trying to get me to like that bloody thing for years now and every time he hosted a meal where I was present, there always was tomato soup waiting for me.

"You're not giving up, I see."

"Of course not, little brother." Schneizel chuckled. "Now be a good little rascal and eat your vegetables."

I sighed in a mock resignation and took a spoon.

"How secure is this room?" I cut to the chase.

Schneizel raised an eyebrow at my inquiry. "It was swept after the table was set. We're deep within the palace and the nearby rooms are secured and sealed."

"Good. As you can guess, I had quite an interesting conversation with father."

"Really? Lately he has been quite distant. I've got the feeling that he cares less and less about the running of the Empire." Schneizel said and began eating his soup – an act that brought a content smile on his face.

"He made me an offer I couldn't refuse. One that concerns you considering you're the Chancellor." I said and finally tried the soup. It was edible and that's the best I could say about it. It was weird that I could barely tolerate tomato soup yet so far I loved practically every other way that vegetable could be cooked that I've tasted.

"I'm having the sinking feeling that my life is going to get more interesting. In the Chinese meaning of the word." Schneizel quipped.

"I can guarantee it. Father wants me to conquer as much of the world for him as he deems appropriate or else."

My brother put down his spoon and began massaging the bridge of his nose. "Any inkling on how much he has in mind at this time?"

"The troubles in the far east for sure. I'm certain that he'll want Japan sooner than later given what they're sitting on." I sighed. "In the long run he probably wants the whole planet delivered to him gift-wrapped and on a silver platter. Europe and the old homeland for sure."

Well, that got my brother's attention for certain. There was sheer incredulity in there, a lot of disbelief that was quickly giving ground to resignation – after all I didn't say a single thing that would be out of character for father to desire. I could briefly sense a bright flare of anger that was fortunately not aimed my way and then Schneizel got his emotions under control. The primary thing coming from him now was a large amount of displeasure that from time to time morphed into a cold streak of anger and back again.

Experiencing Schneizel's emotions first hand was a curious and worrying thing. I needed a much better read on his character than I got before my African adventure. One thing was certain – I couldn't afford to underestimate him.

"He has to be aware of our current situation..." Schneizel grumbled. "He is, right?"

"I think so. In his mind our current far east troubles are at least partially my fault so my first task will be to solve them." I added and glanced at my soup wondering if I could set it aside without irritating Schneizel.

Nah.

"How did he got to that conclusion?" Schneizel asked and didn't bother to hide his surprise. I could almost see gears turning in his head as he tried to figure out father's train of thought.

"I didn't die in Africa. Whoever was behind after that debacle is likely the same party who has its grubby fingers in OSI's affairs and father believes that it was them who let the situation in Area Six goes to Hel in order to either directly remove my branch of the family or discredit us even further." I explained.

"Plausible." Schneizel nodded. "Still it doesn't make any of that your fault in any shape or form."

"I don't think father particularly cares." I smiled mirthlessly. "You would know better how that mess affects us on the international scene."

Schneizel closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair.

"The EU and the Chinese perceive a weakness. An opportunity." My brother began thinking aloud. "South Africa is in negotiations with Brussels and the Middle Eastern Federation is engaged modernizing their armed forces with European assistance." Schneizel opened his eyes and gave me an exasperated look. "Southern Indochina... We've got basing agreements over there since the first Pacific war and we used them as a springboard for invading the Kingdom of Burma. I've heard whispers that the Chinese might back our Japanese friends in making the whole Gulf of Thailand and big parts of the South China Sea a demilitarized zone." Schneizel smiled thinly. "As far as our armed forces are concerned anyway. The locals in North Indochina are going to be the last French colony to receive independence and the date is set for two weeks from now. They don't particularly like our bases which are conveniently near Saigon."

"I'll make a wild guess – the Indochinese are afraid that we may come at the moment the Euros pull back." I knew my military history. We gobbled a lot of territory during the decolonization era, especially since father got his backside on the throne. The only reason at least half of Africa wasn't our right now was the determination of the Euros to keep us out, which was backed by their combined fleet.

"They're. The Chinese are apprehensive as well. They have been giving a lot of material support to their Burmese clients and I'm afraid they're considering a direct intervention. If the EU jump in too over concerns about the French colony, we'll be in deep trouble." Schneizel explained.

"If we have to fight there, it will be on the end of a long and vulnerable supply line." I reasoned out. If our Pacific fleet found itself unable to keep the sea-lines open, our people in the region could be left to die out on the vine. There would be no real reason for the enemy to attack them. Just starve them out.

"You get a cookie." Schneizel gave me a tired smile.

"Chocolate chip one?"

"Probably. There's chocolate cake for desert at any rate."

"Good. Can you do anything to keep our European and Chinese friends out of Indochina?" I asked.

"Brussels might be deterred by a successful show of force in that theatre. They'll have to operate over long supply lines too and they won't trust the Chinese not to stab them in the back in given a good enough incentive. The Federation however..." My brother frowned. "There's no possible miracle I can work on the diplomatic front that will keep them from sticking their fingers in Indochina. Burma is their client and a very useful buffer. One of their primary strategic goals is to keep us as far away as possible from their borders. Our bases in the area have been a sore point ever since we got them in the first place. If we get to keep Northern Indochina, the Chinese are likely to perceive it as a prelude to an invasion or something. If we actually conquer the whole of Burma or look like we might, I guarantee they will marshal a few armies in to keep us away."

"We're really in no state to invade the Federation." I pointed out. "Unless there are at least fifty or sixty divisions I'm not aware of."

"We'll need more just to secure that much territory, not to mention the forces needed to keep a lid on the Areas, those necessary to keep the Euros honest..."

"And suddenly there are no combat formations to face the Chinese and their buddies. The math simply doesn't work." I agreed. "I'm pretty sure that father will be sending me to Indochina in the next couple of weeks. He wants me to force both the Euros and the Chinese to back down so we can concentrate on the prize."

"Delkatar, you know that I'm not a man to say that something is impossible, right?" Schneizel asked.

"I'm hearing a 'however' somewhere in there."

"However." My brother chuckled. "Eat your soup before it becomes cold."

"Har, har." I grumbled and swallowed another spoonful of soup.

After the soup was gone and the main course was served – beef stake with mashed potatoes, we were back to discussing the mess father steered us all in.

"Once this situation is resolved, there will be another and another." Schneizel concluded.

"Europa United and the Chinese Federation will object on being conquered. The smaller countries we'll need to take out to secure our flanks won't stand down just because we ask nicely either." I noted.

"I think not." Schneizel grimaced. "Yet unless we convince father to chart another course we'll be in trouble."

"He sounded determined. At least I hope you'll be able to persuade father to think in realistic time-frames if nothing else."

"What about you?"

"For the time being my hands are tied. Cornelia and I succeed in whatever tasks we're given or mother and Euphie pay the price."

Schneizel winced. "I feared that might be the case." He frowned. "Almost expected it even, yet hearing it put so bluntly..." My brother shook his head. He put his utensils on the table and looked me in the eyes. "Father won't reign forever."

I could feel the apprehension coming from Schneizel. There was a lot of determination in there, a lot of hope and a great pit of fear. Was he afraid that I might betray him? Or was it fear of what he would have to do if I declined the offer I was sure would be coming soon?

"I certainly hope not." I stated blandly.

Schneizel's fear was doused by my answer and his hopes soared.

Damn it, this emphatic sense coming with the Force was ridiculously useful.

"It's obvious that you want to say something, brother. Speak plainly."

"I'm certain you would prefer someone on the throne who wouldn't use our family as chains that bind us." Schneizel said carefully.

"Someone like you per chance?" I asked.

"Well, technically I'm the third in the succession." Schneizel pointed out.

Just behind Odysseus and Guinevere.

Technically was the operative word. While my eldest brother was supposedly the heir presumptive to the throne, that simple fluke of birth really meant nothing. Not with our father around.

"You might be the first by the time father finishes testing us and even that won't guarantee a thing." I pointed out.

"No." Schneizel agreed. "With your and Cornelia's support on the other hand, the odds would be much better. Even if father ultimately chooses someone else to succeed him." Translation – if that happens we either arrange an assassination or just an old fashioned coup.

"While I can't speak for Cornelia at this time, I can agree that you would make a better Emperor than most of our siblings." I said.

"Even you?" Schneizel began fishing.

"Certainly. I would hate to do your job. I'll be having nobles and bureaucrats shot in job lots in a couple of weeks – if my patience lasts that long." I shrugged and told him the truth.

Schneizel studied me for what felt like an eternity, while I was engaged examining his emotions.

There was some mistrust, a lot of fear that was evening out and quite a bit of relief. It was the last emotion that was winning out, which was good. Schneizel wasn't the only one who was afraid that he might be forced to do something regrettable. Ever since I arrived at the palace I kept my emotions heavily subdued. This wasn't the time or place to let them run unchecked.

Yet, even using every single mental technique Veil ever learned, I could no longer suppress the relief raging in my heart.

"You actually believe that." Relief and surprise were plain in his tone when he concluded I might be telling the truth.

"Yep. Putting my posterior on the throne when the time of the succession comes isn't something I want to do. It's just that the most alternatives are going to be hazardous for my continued existence. I can tell you for certain that Cornelia doesn't want the job either. She's happy as hell being a general."

"I'm relieved to hear that." Schneizel smiled. "You know, no matter what happens, I'll do my best to protect Euphemia and your mother, right?"

Curious. Going by his emotions, he was reasonably certain that I didn't want the throne. Likely more than enough not to try removing me without a very good reason. On the other hand he had his doubts about Cornelia, which was problematic. If he decided that she has to go, I would be right beside her because there was no chance in hell my brother would believe that I wouldn't be gunning for whoever dared harm one of my full blood sisters.

At least he was convinced in the truth of his last sentence, something that put him heads and shoulders above all but a handful of my other siblings.

I raised my wineglass. "To our alliance then. Let it be successful."

Schneizel mirrored my gesture and took a sip from his glass.

"How long are you going to be in Pendragon?" My brother asked.

"At least a few days. Father ordered me to familiarize myself with the political and military situation so I'll be going over a lot of intelligence reports and sitting at various briefings. Once I'm familiar with the situation, then things are going to get… interesting." I frowned. Likely not in a way I would enjoy.

"You do that. I hope you'll see something I and my people have missed." Schneizel added.

"I doubt it. Unless you've got a fleet or two stashed somewhere?" I chuckled.

"Does my model collection count?" Schneizel quipped.

"We have to avoid a confrontation with both the EU and Chinese. Even taking on one of them at this time is going to be unpleasant." I muttered.

"Quite. We're stretched somewhat thin, especially in naval terms. We aren't in a position to take on both blocks at this time."

"Say what you want about father, however he's right about this situation." I reluctantly admitted.

Schneizel gave me a dark look then nodded. "We need to force them to back off. And it has to be military – I don't have good enough leverage to use diplomatically. The Chinese deem our presence in Indochina a strategic threat and that trumps most usual concerns."

"Troublesome logistics – we can't really field large forces in Indochina even if doing so wouldn't be seen as an escalation that would make damn sure the Chinese would fight it out." I grumbled. "We might be blockaded, cutting off additional supplies and reinforcements..." I trailed off.

"Yet, we're forced to look at a military solution."

"A relatively small mobile unit hitting high above its weight." I mused. "Schneizel, how much truth is there about the militarization of the Mobile Frames? Have there been any tests in terrain similar to that in Indochina? What's their logistics footprint?" I shot a barrage of questions at my brother.

Schneizel looked thoughtful for a few seconds.

"Yes to the first. There's a battalion worth of frames being tested as we speak. They supposedly show promise, however I've had no time to go and see for myself how much of that's actually true and how much is hot air from people who are going to soon beg for more funds while promising everything we want to hear."

"Good to know that some things never change." I shook my head in amusement.

"I have no idea on what terrain those units were tested so far. As far as logistics go…" Schneizel shrugged. "It's a new weapon system. No matter what is promised, things won't work as advertised until the initial teething problems are solved and at best that would increase the need for spare parts. On the other hand I remember that the promised production models are meant to weight somewhere between eight and nine tons. Even when you take an in-ordinary need for spare parts, you could still have multiple units with the same footprint as a single MBT… and we all know how tanks usually fare in that terrain."

Yeah. That was extensively covered in our military history classes – any kind of tank with half-decent armor was too heavy to properly work any real distance from the roads in that part of the world. As often as not, there were trouble on the roads themselves. Tanks tended to partially sink and get stuck in the soft and wet soil in the region. Hopefully that problem was at least partially solved nowadays – another thing to check. Then there were the Frames – would they have lesser ground pressure than our tanks? Even if that was the case, would it be small enough not to get them bogged down?

"I have the nagging feeling I might be grasping at straws. Even if the Frames turn out to be as good as advertised, I doubt that there would be enough of them to make a difference in the time we have before the situation blows up in our faces..." I sighed.

"Handling the situation conventionally..." Schneizel paused. "Not good odds brother."

"It's not like I'm given the option to refuse."

"No. I'll call what favours I can and try to buy you as much time as possible. Beside that..." Schneizel shrugged.

"You mentioned something about a cake?" I asked after a few minutes of morose silence.

"Chocolate one." Schneizel nodded.