Chapter 7: Promotions and Guard Missions
The people all over Falmart were abuzz with gossips, swapping stories since yesterday about the speech of Lady Marianne, some who are victims of Saderan cruelty sympathize with them, some were astonish by their victory over the Flame Dragon, others are awed by their powers, and over half of the Saderan population now feared the Britannians.
Many enemies of Sadera were emboldened by Marianne's words and have begun causing trouble for Sadera, Warrior Bunnies uprising from the north, Elves both High and Dark are attacking Saderan army to reclaim their stolen lands, Werewolves raiding army encampments, towns and caravans, more vassal states are rebelling for their independence from the Empire, and many more.
More trouble arises when the zeppelins lit up again this time showing Scheinzel warning commoners that their emperor have enact the Scorched Earth Policy, telling the citizens about the misery and cruelty inflicted by the Saderans on their own people and proves it by showing videos of Saderan warriors burning towns and villages, stealing belongings, killing and torturing innocent people, with this there's been riots and unrest throughout Sadera, commoners demanding the destructive policy to be ceased or repercussions for the crimes committed by the army.
With so many problems caused by Marianne's speech Molt Sol Augustus ordered all the flying ships to be destroyed, and so two thousand dragon riders are up in the air to achieve their task.
A battle in sky is about to begin as fifty Saderan dragon riders are approaching their enemy, they were split into groups of fifty with the same goal as the other. The leader of the group shouted out to his fellow warriors. "There they are! Our Great Emperor has given us the task of destroy or capture of those ships and stop the spread of their lies! CHARGE!"
The riders gave a war cry as they rush forward, unfortunately for them they're about to be butchered by a much advanced adversary.
All of the Broadcast Zeppelins are well armed and equipped with anti-air guns and missile launchers, one gun on each of the bottom sides and one gun on each of the top sides, the same thing with the missile launchers.
They are also escorted by one Caerleon-Class Floating Battleship, five VTOL Gunships, and two Armed Transport Plane.
The commander of this small fleet is in the Zeppelin, ensuring that all is well during the flight until one flight officer warned him. "Captain! Incoming hostiles from two O'clock."
"What are they and how many are there?"
"Dragon riders from Sadera and there are fifty of them."
The Captain smirks as this will be an easy battle. "Order all units to prepare for air combat and gain altitude."
"Yes Captain!"
He watches as all the aircraft started firing missiles at the enemy, and when they get close they'll use gun to pepper them with lead.
Days Later
At the barracks in Alnus Hill Itami and his platoon all in blue dress uniform are having small celebration for Itami's promotion to Lieutenant, Mike Dixon's promotion to Sergeant, and Guzzo's promotion to Corporal. Beer, whiskey and French Wine is served with pizza and fried chicken.
Tuka, Rory, Lelei and Cato were celebrating with them as well, complimenting such delicious food, they were surprise to learn that the pizza and fried chicken are just cheap fast food, commoners food in Falmart are usually bland and food served from taverns and inns can't compete with such simple dishes.
Nichols Sanders stood up and raised his beer and said. "To our newly promoted guys, may they lead the Fourth Recon Platoon through every tough battles." cheers and voice of approvals came after.
"With our guns and tanks and aircraft and Knightmares, against enemies with incredibly outdated weapons, every battle is an easy battle." Huxley boasted which many agreed.
"And let's pray for a fast recovery for Joseph Turner, Lucas Black and Marv Gordo." Itami said as they silently agreed, praying that those three would be alright.
Joseph Turner is in a coma because of a serious head injury, Lucas Black suffered third degree burns, and Marv got concussion, bruises and internal bleeding from the explosion, all three are out of action.
Things went too fast for him, months ago he's just a corporal reading comics and playing video games but after the battle of Los Angeles he's promoted to sergeant, a week after killing the Flame Dragon he's rewarded with a promotion of Lieutenant. The lives of these men are now in his hand, his responsibility is to lead them to success and keep them alive like how Joseph done it.
"Hey guys, have you heard? Those Roman wannabes are trying take down the Broadcasting Zeppelins." Guzzo said which gained their attention.
"Those guys are going to be okay, right?" Nichols asks.
"Don't worry." Itami said. "Not a single aircraft is lost during the skirmish. Those bastards are just wasting their guys for small accomplishments."
The Air Force must have killed almost two thousands of them, such a devastating blow to the Saderan forces, and he wonders if they would make another attempt to strike the zeppelins down. His thoughts were interrupted when he saw Rory went to him in a new attire.
Rory Mercury is not wearing her lolita goth clothes but the standard Britannian infantry combat uniform, grey jumpsuit with a grey flak vest, helmet, and two pistol holsters on the hips. "This is "jumpsuit" is really comfy and this armor is very light." She said in English, it's astonishing that she able to learn their language in such a short time, perhaps it got something to do with being an Apostle.
Tuka is trying out the helmet with a gasmask that covers her whole face. "No eye holes and yet I can see clearly from this."
"Not only that it allows you to see in the dark and through smoke, and can protect you from poison in the air." Explained the new Lieutenant about the gasmask's special feature.
"And every Britannian soldier wear this?"
Itami just nodded. "Yep. No magic, just pure science and technology." The elf keeps pushing buttons that switch it to night vision to heat detector and to motion sensor mode.
The Mage Lelei is reading a translation book, learning English and such, after seeing the technologies that the Britannians have she desire to know about their world, the differences and similarities of cultures. Her mentor is reading too, though not the a translation book but a thin one that have pictures of half-naked women, his perverse grin is evident as he flip the pages slowly.
The door opened and someone came through the Itami and his team were surprise when they saw that it was Prince Lelouch. "Am I interrupting?" He politely asks.
All of the soldiers stood straight and bow low with their left hand on their chest, Tuka, Lelei and Cato follow though just bowed, Rory eyeing the raven haired prince. "N-Not at all, your Highness. We're just surprise that you're here."
"Well. I'm just here to congratulate you on your promotion." Lelouch said, though the soldiers of the Fourth Recon Platoon knows that he's not here to say only that. "And I also compliment you for how you all deal with the Flame Dragon, distracting it from the innocents and blowing off its leg."
"Thank you, your Highness." Itami said.
Lelouch then added more. "Now, to some matters that I like to discuss, I'm here to tell you that you're unit is transferred."
"Transferred? To where?"
"Mine." Lelouch said with smile.
After saying that the soldiers looks at him with stunned looks, Sergeant Dixon then spoke up to confirm it. "You mean, become members of the Black Knights?"
"Yes, not only is your group performance is impressive but you also gain some-" The Prince glances at the four non-Britannians in the room. "-interesting friends."
Itami is speechless, he never expected the Prince to come here himself to announce that he's now part of the Black Knights, to serve in the group that take orders directly from a member of the Royal Family, a great honor for him and his family, he'll be making his father proud once he told him of this wonderful news. "I don't know what else to say, I will not disappoint you, your Highness."
"That's good to know. Now, I want meet these friends of yours, the elf, the mages and the Apostle."
"They're right here your Highness." Itami showed him the guests.
Lelouch analyze to peculiar people in front of him, looking at Rory, Tuka, Lelei and Cato, it feels like he visited a cosplay convention only that these people are very real, an immortal servant of god, an elf which might much older than she looks, and two mages, three different way of life and culture, but before he could speak the immortal girl is the first to break the silence.
"So you're Prince Lelouch, the pilot of that "Gawain" that kills the Flame Dragon, I imagine that you would be buff and muscular like most prince I know but at least you're ridiculously handsome." She said so suddenly. "My name is Rory Mercury."
The others were tensed when the Apostle of Emroy didn't show a proper greetings and just asks the prince like an equal, however Lelouch just laugh at this. "You're an amusing one, my mother will surely like you. My full name is Lelouch vi Britannia."
The soldiers relax that the Prince didn't take offense to that and Rory smiled. Upon seeing that the prince is gazing at them the guest introduced themselves to him. "Tuka Luna Marceau, I want to thank you and your warriors for destroying the Flame Dragon, you've avenged many of its victims." She bowed with a debt of gratitude. "And with that I will happily help you in establishing friendship with the High Elves."
"You're welcome, and may that friendship last for a long time." Lelouch said as he turns to the mages.
"Lelei La Lalena, and this is my mentor Cato El Altetan." She said in English, though she still learning she able to understand plenty of it from introductions to farewells. "We are just travelling mages, helping people and learning many things."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, your Highness." The old man bowed.
"Likewise. I heard that Rondel is a city of magic, is this true?"
"Yes, soon me and my mentor must return to finish my training to become a full fledged mage." Lelei said.
"Interesting, are you allowed to bring guest to see you finished your training?" Asks the Prince.
"Yes, your Highness, family and friends." The old mage answered. "They can witness a duel between two apprentices with judges determining whether they're fit to be mages or not."
"I see, my mother would like to see a mage in action." Lelouch then continues. "Speaking of mothers, she wants to talk to you all in person, the world where we came from doesn't have people like you, we don't have mages, elves, Apostles, or any other magical or demihuman races that you know of."
The guests knew that he's talking about the commander of the army Marianne vi Britannia, and is surprise by his last statement. "There's no magic in your world? Not a single trace?" Lelei asks.
"Yes, not a single one." Lelouch repeated. "I know that you have hundreds of questions for me about our world, but all of them will be answered once you've been introduced to my mother and siblings."
"Now? We're not going to buy some fancy clothing?" Tuka asks looking down at her casual elven attire.
Lelouch just wave this off as he explains. "That won't be necessary, in fact do wear your normal clothing, it give you the aura of authenticity to us." The clothing they wear do looks quite exquisite, the Elven clothes and the mages attire made look mystical, though Rory wearing a Britannian infantry uniform seems so out of place and yet she looks cute in it.
Seeing that the Prince is looking at her, mostly because of the soldier army uniform that she's wearing. "Oh don't mind me, I'm just trying on this armor that all of your warriors wear." She retreats back to the other room to change back to her usual clothes.
"Very well, we'll be waiting at the conference room, you may visit once your done celebrating." After saying what need to be said Lelouch turns to one of the new members of the Black Knights. "Lieutenant Davis, I want a word with you outside."
"Oh- uh- Of course, your Highness." Itami followed the Prince through the door.
After closing the door of the room Lelouch then speaks with him. "You know the details of Schneizel's plan for this world, do you?"
"Yeah, though I don't remember some of it." He felt a little embarrassed that forgotten half the details. "I only know about making allies and such, rallying them against the Saderans. I mostly forgot about the long term part."
"I see, the long term is beneficial for both of us and the nations in this world, gaining plenty of allies so we can unite them against a single foe, after the war is done we'll reward them with lands and territories that we captured from the Saderans and begin trading with them, exchanging natural resources for cheap luxuries, necessities and teachings of science and technologies." Lelouch explains.
Itami begins to understand now, reading plenty of history books before going through the Gate and seeing the villages and towns, the people of Falmart will benefit greatly once from all the resources they've provided. "And what's my part in this?"
"The friends that you make like the elf and the mages will be important in the long run, as you heard earlier Tuka have agreed in making contact with the elves. The mission that I will give you is a simple one: keep an eye on them and protect them from all manner of danger, I will also assign three of my Royal Guards to assist you. Can I trust you with this?"
"Of course, I will follow through even if it kills me." Itami said with pride, he is very proud that he's been given a mission directly from the Prince of Britannia, a great honor usually reserve for Knights, Royal Guards, and other special individuals.
Lelouch smiles seeing that they're in an agreement. "That is good to hear. Now that I said all I needed to say, you are dismiss and can return to your celebration, and escort our guest once they're ready."
"Yes, your Highness." The soldier saluted before heading back to the small party. And the Prince made his way back to the conference room.
Days Later
It's been a lot of interesting things that he learn these past three days, the guests have provided them with plenty of valuable information during the conversation in the conference hall , Rondel is a city of Mages with powers that he only sees in films, they were lucky that Sadera looks down on them and employs only a handful of mages, a fatal flaw in their part.
The scientist Lloyd Asplund took great interest on the two mages that upon hearing that Lelei wanted to learn more of science he approach her with a deal: he'll give her lessons in physics and chemistry in exchange for letting him study her magic. She accepts this simple deal, and Marianne approve of this as long as there is no inhumane experiments.
Elves like those in "Lord of the Rings" possesses longevity and definitely have plenty of experiences and information, like other demihumans the elves are persecuted by humans who are envious of their long life, both groups will be a very valuable ally against the Saderan empire.
Though Schneizel is more interested on that immortal girl and her god, he and the rest of the Britannian officials were surprise to learn that the Gate was created by the gods so many magical creatures and demihumans can go through and populated Falmart, though they were relieve that the Gods only opens one Gate from one world.
Upon learning all capabilities of the Apostles were the basic power are immortality and regeneration, Schneizel already made plans of counter-measure against hostile Apostles which isn't that much as a squad of skilled Knightmare Pilots inside Gloucesters would suffice.
Rory stated that the only people who can challenge her are other Apostles and Warrior Bunnies, the Second Prince of Britannia chuckles when he heard that, at first thought he pictures them to be women wearing fake bunny ears and dancing erotically in Playboy Inc, but no, these people are very combative species well known for producing the strongest and fiercest warriors, the sole reason for why they were defeat and enslaved is mainly due to Sadera's vast numbers, even then the Saderans suffered immense casualty before overwhelming the Bunnies, a very Pyrrhic victory.
Thanks to Lady Marianne's speech the Warrior Bunnies and other enemies of Sadera have begun an uprising, attacking fortresses, harassing armies, assassination attempts, raids, and added with incriminating videos of Saderan atrocities on their own people riots and unrest exploded throughout the empire.
Like he planned before, he'll send out messengers to reach out to the anti-Saderan factions, offering them protection, shelter, medical aid and food supplies in exchange for fighting at their side.
"Your Highness." His Royal Guard Kanon Maldini approaches him urgently. "Reports from the First Reconnaissance Regiment: Italica is under attack by army of bandits, numbering about a thousand, intelligence further reports that the bandits are former soldiers of Sadera, the town suffers many casualties."
"Has lady Marianne been informed?"
"Yes."
"Good." Acting fast Schneizel quickly issues an order. "Inform Colt of this and tell him to mobilize his men, deploy the 3rd Regiment, the Glaston Knights, the Black Knights, and the 1st Air Fleet. We're going to rescue and secure Italica."
Chapter End
And that's a wrap, next chapter is going to be the siege of Italica and the meeting between the knights of Rose and Black. If you're feeling that it's a bit rushed, well, sorry about that cause I really wanted to get to the Siege of Italica.
I got to ask, is there any Code Geass fanfic out there that portray the Britannians as the good guys? I can't be the only one who writes a fanfic that the Britannians being virtuous and peaceful instead of the evil discriminating conquerors like the canon version.
Group: Black Knights
Leader: Lelouch vi Britannia
Number: 2,000 members
Uniform: Members wear a darker version of their combat attire, infantry armor and helmet are colored black, Knightmares are also painted black. When in dress uniform members simply wear a badge and an armband that have the symbol of the Black Knights.
Info: The Black Knight is a regiment consist of veterans, specialist and individuals with certain expertise or experience, personnel from the Army, Navy, Marines and the SAS, varying from a Knightmare pilot to a simple infantry, an elite unit fighting alongside the 8,000 regular troops under Lelouch.