Chapter 3
Britannian Hospital-2019 a.t.b
Lelouch sat behind his desk in the temporary capital of San Francisco he was currently looking over paper work. The dismal task had fallen onto him after awaking and managing to get his bearings. Which he nearly lost again after finding out that nearly a year had gone by while he was in his "coma." The shock hadn't lasted long as Lelouch managed to regain his cool domineer. A trick he had learned during his time in Japan and during his rebellion, 'no matter what happens one must always be cool under fire' he continually thought. His current paper work was on the final touches of cementing the replacement of Sutherlands and Vincent-1 Knightmares as the main battle frames of the Britannian armed forces. Their replacements would be the new Vincent-Mizuchis and the Vincent-Cobras both of which were made under a newly funded Ashford Corporation. Lelouch had been toying with designs for these frames since before the betrayal of the Black Knights. Design teams from Ashford and design teams that defected from EU and India helped finalize the designs. Finally before setting of for Japan Lelouch had ordered the frames be put into production.
The Vincent-Mizuchis were a bit of a combo of the European Hummel and the Vincent knightmare frames. On each upper wrist was mounted a compressed double barreled Varis cannon, the second barrel acted as normal coil-based machine gun. On its shoulders were two multiple mini rocket launchers, and under its wrists were MVS bayonets. Two hip mounted slash-harkens complete the ensemble, and its two fact-spheres are located in head and chest. Other weapons were for them were still in development and had yet to be produced.
The Vincent-Cobra were more like the original Vincents thus making the transition to manufacturing them easier. They carried a MVS double bladed lance like the Vincents, and two hip mounted slash-harkens. For long range they have two heavy coil based machine guns on the wrists and one shoulder mounted VARIS rifle. Its fact-sphere however is mounted in the head behind and armored plate, all this comes together to make a smaller and faster frame than the Mizuchi. Both frames could also be fitted with Air Glide Systems allowing them to fly or be dropped behind enemy lines.
"I believe Jeremiah has just arrived," C.C. said interrupting Lelouch's work "and he has brought his guest." C.C. was currently laying on the couch in the office, currently she was wearing the same black dress she had worn when he had awoken. And like always she was munching on a slice of pizza somehow not spilling a single drop of cheese or pizza sauce on herself while still holding Cheese-kun in one arm.
"Good," replied Lelouch "Jeremiah can now finish filling me in on what has happened in the last year."
"I could have told you," said C.C.
"Yes but I had a few other things I needed to talk him about."
"Like little Anya."
"That's one of the things, he says she is willing to serve I'll decide that myself."
A knock at the door preceded it opening revealing Jeremiah and a smaller pink haired figure. Anya Alstreim walked in behind the Knight of One, Lelouch noted that her eyes which once had been dull and lifeless actually shoed nervousness and emotion. Her nervousness increase when she heard Lelouch's metallic voice, making him sound like he was wearing his Zero mask.
"Glad you could make it Jeremiah," said Lelouch.
"I am always at your service my lord," replied the Knight of One.
"And hello to you to Anya," said Lelouch.
"Your majesty," replied Anya bowing slightly.
"Jeremiah tells me you have had a change of heart, and wish to fight for Britannia once more. Is this true?" asked Lelouch.
"Yes sire, it is true," confirmed Anya. "After Sir Jeremiah returned my memories I realized what I was doing. The things I did and was doing my family would never want me to do, at least not for the cause I had." She looked almost on the verge of tears.
'Her memories weren't the only things to return apparently,' thought Lelouch. He then stood and began moving around the desk and to Anya. He then placed a hand on her head and said.
"Kneel," ordered Lelouch, Anya complied and moved to one knee. "Anya I do not blame you for what you did, for most of your life you were not in control of yourself. So from here on will you fight for me, for Britannia, for its people, to raise your sword in the defense of the weak and your country? Swear to this and be a knight once more!"
Anya looked up at her emperor with wide teary eyes, he was giving her a second chance. "I swear my lord."
"Then Lelouch vi Britannia commands you, arise Lady Alstreim Knight of Britannia!" With that a glow emitted from the nape of Lelouch's neck and both Anya and Lelouch gasp they felt a surge of power. The Geass symbol appeared in the eye of Anya which caused Lelouch and Jeremiah to stumble back and stare amazed while C.C. looked amused.
"Well warlock you seemed to have made your first contract by accident," said C.C. in amusement.
"What?" asked Lelouch.
"The oath you just had her swear it acted as a contract and you gave her geass," C.C. replied in deadpan tone. "I thought you would understand the process."
"Witch," muttered Lelouch.
"Uh," started Anya, "what geass do I have?"
Almost without thinking Lelouch spat out, "Absolute Saving," it is the power to take your soul or any other's soul and transfer it to another person, creature, or object." Shaking his head Lelouch asked, "wait how did I know that? "
"A contractor can sense the type of Geass given to a contracty through their code," stated C.C.
"Well that matches you," said Jeremiah. "You were and are constantly saving in that diary of yours so why not have a geass that can do that."
"Yes I think I understand," said Anya. "Thank you your majesty for your gift of a second chance and for my geass."
Lelouch recovered himself and replied, "Your welcome Anya, know down to business Jeremiah. You have filled me in on some of the things that have happened in the last year now please continue."
"Yes sire," complied Jeremiah. "Border wise the three powers the EU, UFN, and Britannia are about the same as they were before your fell into your coma. Japan however is neutral, they have not been inducted into the UFN do to the major political upheaval, and economical problems of Sakuradite trade. Despite the destruction of the Mt. Fuji mines there is still a large amount of Sakuradite in Japanese territory. Despite its neutrality it is highly sought after dew to the Sakuridite and the fact that it is controlled by the last remnants of the Black Knights under Tamaki. I say remnants because as you know the Black Knights were disbanded after the war with Schneizel, once again do to political upheaval and the release of the R-records."
'Yes the R-records' thought Lelouch. 'Diethard you were so wanted to have a story known you automated a set of records of my rebellion and on my identity to be released should you disappear or die. At least it was stumbled upon by Tamaki.' Yes it was discovered that the records could not be stopped but could be added on to. So Tamaki went to Jeremiah and they had dug through Britannian OSI and Charles's personnel files and piled together the whole story. So now the world knows the identity of Zero (plus the knowledge that zero is now truly immortal) and Geass, course this did not go over well with some people, causing problems in the Black Knights and elsewhere. 'Huh it gives new meaning the phrase 'his bloodline immortal' well it did earn the loyalty of a lot of the Britannian people.'
"Wait you mean to tell me Tamaki is actually in charge of Japan and the Black Knights?!" said Lelouch. "Hard to believe he has made it this far."
"Yes sire after the Battle of Mt. Fuji he was the only remaining core member of note and rank. But he's actually fairly good when he applies himself," replied Jeremiah.
"Anyway Jeremiah continue."
"Yes my lord, Japan's situation is much the same as it was before the Second Pacific War. The government of the UFN as reverted to what the Chinese Federation was with a group of eunuchs and Atsushi Sawasaki at the head. These people have been elected by the UFN council, however the council has been corrupted by the said eunuchs so now they can stay in charge as long as they like. The EU is not much better the new president, Napoleon Machavel, and the Senate have begun oppressing people more than in previous years, and they have also impressed more people into the army, as has the UFN. Most likely they are preparing for war against Britannia and if Japan doesn't cooperate the Black Knights and the Land of the Rising Sun. "
"From what your telling me Jeremiah how long do think it will be before Japan calls for or aid?" asked Lelouch.
"A few months sire," replied Jeremiah. "Already trade sanctions by both the EU and UFN are starving Japan."
Folding his hands and resting his elbows on the desk Lelouch adopted a completive face and said, "very well. Jeremiah begin assembling forces and supplies to move for Japan on our Pacific island bases."
"Yes my lord, sire we won't have an abundance of the new frames in this force," stated the knight.
"It doesn't matter," replied Lelouch. "We will have them when we need them, assemble Sutherlands and Vincents as needed. The new frames will be exchanged with the new ones as they are produced we just need to wait."
"Yes sire it will be done," was Jeremiah's reply after which both he and Anya left the office.
"The world is about to change C.C." said a somber Lelouch. "I can feel it, in the next few months to maybe the next year or two will see more blood spilled than my rebellion and the Second Pacific War combined."
"Either way Lelouch," said C.C. as she walked up to him sat down in his lap and planted a kiss on his cheek. "We will face together my warlock."
With that Lelouch allowed himself a smile.