AN: Sorry for the delay, my laptop got broke and I have to wait for my father to return and buy a new one. UPDATE: Made some small changes and added some info right after the End Chapter.
Chapter 10: Like a Game of Chest
Lelei had been performing multitude of spells in front of a "scientist" named Lloyd Asplund and his assistant Cecile Croomy, she casts fire ball, levitation, and explosion with near perfection, Lloyd is totally amazed by her demonstration as he writes information in his "computer". During her time with the man she learn many things from him and the books he shared, chemistry and physics, she tried experimenting with this by combing the concepts of magic and science and surprisingly some of her spells become much stronger, her Fireballs burns hotter, her Ice Shards is colder, and the strength of her Explosion is tripled, it is truly astonishing that Lloyd just come up with an idea called "Tech Mage" though he told no more than that.
He was studying some samples from the Flame Dragon, and was astonished that the hide is ceramic, naturally produced by the dragon's body, this would prove useful with and can give interesting results.
While working on this his assistant tells him of the current news outside the lab. "Did you read that right? Cecile?" Lloyd said to his assistant.
"Yes, a Knightmare developer from India, Rakshata Chawla request to test her new model have been granted, there is also a request to borrow Kallen Stadfeld to test the Guren-Type-02." Cecile reported.
Unbeknownst to Lelei her new friend have a rival, and the two are trying to best one another in the creating the superior Knightmare Frame. "Kallen is currently our test-pilot and she's busy at the moment, she doesn't want to be pulled out from all the killings." Lloyd said, not wanting his best pilot to transfer.
"It doesn't matter now as she got someone to test it."
"Really, who?" His assistant hands him the holographic Ipad and is surprised in learning the Identity of the Guren's Pilot. "WHAT! How on earth did she manage to convince her?"
Fortified Hill far North from Alnus
Cornelia's forces are surrounding the fortified hill, securing the perimeter and preparing for an assault. Her Knights, advisers and military officials are watching the holographic map of the hill with shows multiple red dots which indicate catapults or ballistas.
"Enemy heavy weaponry has begun firing on our line." Said an officer.
"All advancing tanks return fire; infantry take cover behind armor or stay out of range." Andreas Darlton said.
They watch as the map shows their armored division firing high-explosive shell making a quick work with the heavy weapons, a company of Sutherlands and Gloucesters are ready to deploy but only when Princess Cornelia gives the command.
Soon the ring of officials was joined by their commander who is wearing a different set of clothes. Guilford blushes as he looks at Cornelia "My Princess, It's good that you're here, but... What's with the- suit?"
Cornelia li Britannia is not wearing her usual clothing of wine red attire with a white cape and heeled boots, instead she wears a tight red suit that both reveals and conceals her curves, and Guilford is making sure that he looks directly at her face and not at her chest.
"Don't ask me, it's Rakshata's idea." Cornelia gestured to their guest from India, Rakshata Chawla. She then asks the Knightmare developer. "Tell me, is this really necessary?"
"Why yes, it'll improve your life expectancy." She said with a jovial smile.
There was a moment of pause then Andreas spoke to Indian scientist. "Are you sure that it have to be the Princess, why not let others pilot it?"
"It should be Ms. Kallen Stadfeld, but she's currently busy at the moment." The Rackshata replied. "In order to see the best results of my Guren the pilot must be skillful and prodigious of being a Knightmare pilot."
"Well if that is the case, let's not wait any longer. These savages will have taste of the Guren's arsenal." Cornelia said as she made her way out.
The commander of the forces on the hill, Valentin command his legion of ten thousand men is looking down on the enemy, the Britannians are making a slow advance with those "Iron Elephants", crew of ballistas and catapults are doing anything they can to halt and inflict damage on the enemy, but these Iron Elephants aren't easy to take down as arrows and stones just bounce off the metallic beasts.
Then he notice that notorious Iron Giants are holding back behind the lines of the creeping beasts. "What are those things waiting for?" He said to himself, wondering why the giants are just standing there.
One of the officers went to report to him of the situation. "Sir, the metal beasts are getting closer and our weapon didn't do any damage, let alone slow them down."
"Then prepare for close combat, have the ogres prepare their clubs and hammers, we must not let them take this hill!" Suddenly he spotted something approaching there lines with incredible speed, he noticed that this one is different, besides the color this Iron Giant have a large claw-like hand.
"Iron Giant!" One of the centurions yelled.
"Why is this the only one attacking?" Asked a soldier.
"Ballistas! Concentrate your attack on that giant, ogres go down and stop that thing in its tracks!" Valentin ordered to his troops.
While the catapults are flinging stones at the tanks, many of the ballistas fired their projectiles at the speeding Knightmare and about five ogres charging down to fight it, one is already raised its warhammer ready to smash.
But the crimson Giant just backhand the warhammer away with its iron claw and grabs the ogre's head, something happened that will carved into the witnesses memory, the Iron Giant claw suddenly glow dark red, the ogre's muffled roar of pain is evident as its head began to cook and contort with boils and burns which is spreading down the body, and then the head exploded sending blood and chunks of brain and skull flying around, drenching the nearest men in it.
"W-What in the Gods name did it do?" Cried a man next to Valentin as he tried to understand what just happen to that ogre.
"I'm not fighting that thing!" Yelled one warrior as he tries to make a run for it followed by a dozen more.
"Cowards" Valentin thought as he shouted orders to his men to keep them in line. "Hold your ground, it's just one giant, have all ogre to attack and overwhelm it with numbers!"
The retreating men returned to their lines albeit reluctantly as the ogres try to bring down the enemy. Though Valentin's order is much easier to hear then follow as the big dumb beasts were unable to land a blow on their enemy, despite it sizes the Iron Giant is surprisingly fast and agile, avoiding attacks like it is a child's play.
After dodging the Giant move on the offensive grabbing the ogre's throat and uses that horrid magic again, making the head and upper portion of the body explode. The process is repeated several times until it reaches its tenth kills were Valentin noticed that the other Giants that were stationed behind the enemy line have begun to move, charging uphill with immense speed.
He may not like to admit it but he is having doubts that they could hold this hill, and it's proven right, the Britannians are slaughtering his men left and right, Iron Elephants casting explosive magics, grey men killing legionaries with ease, and Iron Giants wreaking havoc on their path. Despite having the higher ground they're still losing, very badly.
"General! They're breaking through, we can't hold the line!" A Centurion reported urgently.
"Then we don't have any choice but to flee." Valentin said, any further fighting will result in more death, they must get out of here, and rethink their strategy. "Retreat! Everyone save yourselves, flee back to the Capital!"
Upon hearing the order Saderan wasted no time in running as fast as they could, away from the metallic monstrosities, away from the Britannians, away from the butcher's den.
Delilah examines her sword again, it's been five days since she joined the auxiliary group called the Britannian Foreign Legion, the purpose of joining this army is mostly revenge, for what these bastards did to her people, and there is one more thing she can do: kill Tyuule for her betrayal.
Here she is wearing the Britannian infantry uniform, they're only armed with swords, spears, bow and arrows instead of those "guns", but she understand since it sounded like a risky move. Looking up to to see the encampment in front of her she can't wait to cut down every Saderan she faced.
She was a little disappointed, expecting the Britannians would send her group of hundred to attack first like most commanders do to their demihuman auxiliaries, instead they must wait until the so called "airstrike" and they're tasked with fighting alongside with a battalion of grey men, metal beasts and Iron Giants.
Speaking of which, she turns to looks at one that stand out the most, the Golden Centaur wielding a large axe, she talk with one of the Britannians and they stated that it's being "piloted" by Michele Manfredi the Knight of Two.
Musing breaks when she heard a distinct sound of sonic boom, she gazes upward in time to see those Iron Birds soaring down to deliver their bombs, these weapons destroyed many of the tents, killing many warriors, and caused panic and confusion.
After the devastating airstrike the commander of the army gave the signal of attack, their forces charged at the Saderans with the Iron Giants going ahead, with her natural speed and agility she were able to match the speed of the Golden Centaur, both are first to kill the enemy.
The port city of Proptor
General Constan is witnessing the arrival of hundreds of ships from the colonies, all carrying troops and supplies for the on going war with Britannia. After what happened to the Fifth and Fourth Legion he knew the enemy is going to strike again, the problem is when and where?
He soon got his answer when he heard roaring sound up to the sky, he saw them, metal birds flying above and nearing the fleet, sending what appears to be arrows at the ships, these thick arrows collided and with the ships and explodes sending pieces of wood and some limbs flying to the air.
"BRITANNIANS!" Yelled a man outside of his office.
The door to his room burst open and an officer. "General! We are under attack!"
"I can see that! Send out the dragon riders to quell the assault!" Constan ordered as the officer rushes out the room. He prays to the gods that the dragon riders make haste in their preparations, because the Britannians have already destroyed dozens of their ships in just a minute.
Soon enough the dragon riders were up in the air and ready for combat, but it's already too late; the metal birds have finished their assault leaving two thirds of their fleet destroyed, so much death and destruction in just a short time.
Later on the people of Proptor were cleaning up the wreckage and giving all the dead warriors and sailors a proper burial. Constan sent a messenger to the Capital to report of this attack, it was this moment that he knew the chance of defeating their new enemy is slim.
Lelouch's G1 Mobile Base
Pina and her party are observing the Britannian military officials doing their work, relaying information, reading reports, and ordering troops on the ground, despite understanding English Pina is having a difficult time understanding many of their terms.
"It's seems this army is much larger than we anticipated. Instead of the estimated number of six thousand to ten thousand, they're numbering to twenty five thousand, spreading throughout a one mile radius." Jeremiah reported to his Prince.
Kallen Stadfeld just scoff through the screen, she's in the Lancelot ready to deploy. "What difference does it make? Their numbers means nothing us, it may have help them in the past but not this time. With our superior firepower every battle with them will be a massacre." She said with a dark tone, her vengeful eyes evident.
"You're right, but still we should not rush in blindly, just because their vastly inferior to us in terms of technologies we shouldn't underestimate them." Lelouch reasoned as he turns to gaze at the distant town. "Are all of our units in place?"
"Yes, your Highness. Brigade two and three on the west, Brigade four and five on the south, and Brigade six on the south-east, artillery and air support are-." Jeremiah was interrupted when an officer reported something urgent to him. "My Prince, it appears that one of Diethard's men has been captured."
Lelouch turns to him suddenly. "What? Don't tell he send one man alone to make documentary about the landscape."
"That appears to be the case, your Highness."
The Black sigh in annoyance, Diethard will do just about anything if it means to record extraordinary things on camera, almost lacking common sense. "Who's the soldier? And where is he?"
"Private Alex Parker. His communication is still online and has told us that he's being held in a small house on Area twenty-two."
"Guess will have to add one rescue mission along the way, order all unit to commence the attack."
"Yes, your Highness!" They replied, relaying the Prince's orders throughout the channel.
He's not paid enough for this shit, if he get out of this mess he'll have to send a request of transfer to the higher ups, a good footage is apparently much important to Diethard than the life of the cameraman. He had taken a few language classes so he can better understand the inhabitants of this world as he listens to his three captor's intentions.
"I'm telling you, keeping this one alive will be a lot of trouble than it seems."
"You worry too much, can't you see the great reward if we return to the Capital with him in chains, we'll become legends for capturing one of the grey men who have the power to kill a hundred men."
While the two are arguing the third one is examining his gas mask. "I don't understand this thing, how can they see in this? Do they use magic?"
Then and explode is heard from outside. "What was that?" The first man asks with alarm.
Knowing what's going to happen next he braces himself as an explosion blasts the wall apart; two of the men were severely injured while the one who is studying his masks slowly getting up in a daze, the Saderan unsheathes his sword but was gunned down by two Britannians who've entered the room.
"Alex? Charlie, kill these bastards." He said as he cut the ropes that binds the captured soldier. "Are you alright?"
"Just fine, glad that you came in time Jason, for second there I thought I'm a goner." Alex feels his wrist since it was tied too tightly, hearing Charlie's gun goes off as he kills the two injured Saderans.
"That's good to hear, can you shoot?" Jason asks while he helps Alex stand up.
"Yeah."
"Good, cause the assault is already started and your boss might not want to miss this." He said as he hands Alex an assault rifle.
(Play Call of Duty World at War soundtrack, Seelow Heights)
The three soldiers exited the building in time to join their comrades being led by Nonette Enneagram commencing the attack, Knightmares using oversize weapons, tanks firing shells, some infantry throw incendiary grenades into the wheat field were they know some Saderans are hiding. Rory is even present here who decapitates a Saderan with her large halberd.
"Charge! There will be no escape! Shoot!" Nonette commanded in her prototype Vincent.
"Are we to shoot them in the back, my Lady?" Itami asks while gunning down the fleeing Saderans.
"The back, the front, the head! Wherever you like! Just as long as they are dead!" The Knight of Nine replied, these animals unjustly spill innocent blood in her country, now they will feel their wrath.
Above the Britannain ground forces are hundreds of aircraft and Floating Battleships, gunships providing air cover and support, transports dropping off supplies and reinforcements, Knightmares rappelling down from Knightmare VTOL. The swarming presence of their airforce sends an ominous feeling to the Saderans below.
"Incendiary out!" Nichols shouted as he flings the grenade into the wheat field, seconds later a handful of Saderans came out suffering massive burns around their body, crying out loudly until they were gunned down.
The Lancelot along with four black Gloucesters arrived; Kallen led the charge using the Knightmare's Maser Vibration Sword. "Drive them back into their shit of a capital! Let their burning country be the last thing they see!" She said with vengeance as she slaughters every legionnaire in her path.
Itami who is tasked in protecting Rory and the other special guest is keeping an eye on the Apostle who is having the time of her life, he find one strange detail about her, one that she is being arouse at killing people. "Hey, don't stray too far."
Though Rory didn't listen, she's in ecstasy to stop now as she cleaves every enemy she can see, feeling their spirit coming through her.
They fight- or rather a slaughter is raging on as the Britannians is carving their way with weak resistance, gaining ground within seconds, bodies piling up. Alex is firing a shot or two as he is too busy in recording the battle. He is focusing the camera on the action, Saderans being blown apart or running away in terror.
While a few surrendered there are some Saderans who are unlucky enough to face some Britannians who is not in the mood for taking prisoners, Alex pointed his camera at three infantry ganging up on a lone Saderan.
"Do not kill me, please!" Beg the legionnaire as he drops to his knees.
The reply these soldiers gave him is a slap to the face. "He wants mercy!"
The second soldier hit the warrior with the butt of his gun. "You bastards don't deserve any mercy! What mercy did you show to our people?" He aims at the man's head intending to finish him off.
"Wait, are we supposed to take him into custody? He might have intel that could help us." reasoned the third one.
"Help us? He can die for us!" He fired his gun without hesitation.
"This is not right you know." The third one said as they moved on.
Alex moved on as well as they delve deep into the forest, gunships and fighter jets are flying overhead delivering explosive on the enemy's defences, then three ogres are swinging their warhhamers and club wildly and lumbering forward.
"Stay clear! Let the Knightmares deal with them!" Itami ordered as they fall back a few steps. The lieutenant saw the Apostle is charging ahead. "Rory! What are you think you're doing?"
But she just ignored him as she engaged one of the ogres in combat, messing around with it by playfully dodging all the clumsy swings until she delivers a fatal slash to the giant's chest, after dealing with it she turns to the second but the Knight of Nine jumps in and runs the massive sword through the ogre's head. "You fight well, little girl."
"Being an immortal gives plenty of time in becoming the greatest fighter." She replied, decapitating a Saderan who attempts to strike her from behind.
"Ain't that a fact." Nonette turns her Knightmare to face the third ogre but three black Gloucesters rushed in and impaled it with their lances. Annoyed that they stole her prey but putting that aside since there is plenty more where that came from. "Can you keep up with me?"
At this Rory smiled. "I'd love a challenge." And with that the two raced forward with the intention to outdo each other in fighting and killing as many enemy.
Guzzo went up to Itami with concerns in his face. "Should we follow them? It's our mission to protect her after all."
"She's with Lady Enneagram, and with the fact that she's immortal, she'll be fine." The lieutenant said as they joined their comrades. It didn't take long they're already at the edge of the forest and the town is in their sights, in front of them is a huge camp.
"Keep your heads down! Incoming airstrike, target is this encampment." Mike Dixon shouted as two fighter jets passed by and dropped their payload, a huge part of the camp erupted in explosion.
After the explosion had pass the camp is in ruins littered with the dead and horribly injured. "There are survivors." Dixon reported.
Now Kallen who witnessed this replied to him. "These animals raped and marauded their way through Los Angeles with mercy, they deserve none in return!"
And with that they kill any Saderans who are injured in the bombings; they're not going to waste the medics' time, equipment and supplies on these savages.
"Miss Stadfeld, you seem to relish in this battle." Itami asks her to which she gives an answer in a deadly tone of revenge.
"My family died in the hands of these bastards, my brother and father was forced to watch as they rape my mother several times! They deserve everything they get... and more."
"Suppression of area eleven and nineteen to twenty-five is complete, the seven brigades are are closing in a pincer movement." Reported an officer.
"It seems that we caught them by surprise, our forces are cutting through, and we might take the town in less than half an hour." Jeremiah said, pleased that this will be quick, like all the battles involving with these primitive savages.
"Perfect, don't lose the momentum, secure the captured area and bring in any prisoners." Lelouch said.
The Saderans who are watching this were amazed by this, they send out orders in and the subordinates received them immediately, and with these screens that shows the point of view of the Britannian soldiers and flying drones, and a map that shows the movement of the both their friendly and enemy forces, they can effectively maneuver units to outflank or hit the enemy where it really hurts.
It's fascinating but they are distraught in seeing their countrymen being slaughtered like cattle. When the Britannians have reach and entered the town Lelouch gave out a much tactical orders as he watches both the map and the bird's eye view screen of the town.
"P20, halt your advance, a group of orcs are preparing to ambush you from the alleys, N17 and BN07, go to where P20 is and surround the enemy in front of them."
"P09, follow the enemy through the alleyway and then stop in three seconds, BN03, shoot the enemy through the wall on your right."
"R12, don't enter that building on your left, destroy it with tanks and explosives instead."
"B10, a group of archers on the roof of building on two o' clock, strafe them."
"Rory, giant ogre is behind the wall on your left, it's all yours."
"Q01, a phalanx is right around the corner, take it out."
Pina was amazed by how Lelouch is leading his men, though she knew that it's not necessary for him to give orders to individual units but it shows the prodigious tactical mind that he possess as those soldiers are executing them, it make them even more efficient and lethal.
"It's amazing, with their superior weapons and higher mobility combined with the prince's tactical mind they're dominating field." Grey comments as he watches fleeing Saderans being blown apart by a tank, another group of Saderans are making their way through an alley until a Knightmare break through a wall in front of them and got slaughtered by it's gun, then he witness a Britannian squad cornering a group of Saderans and mercilessly gunning them down . "It's almost like it's a game to him."
"We're truly are insignificant to them, aren't we." Hamilton said with grief, seeing many of her countrymen died like animals, there is one screen that shows a Saderan who lost his legs begging for aid until a Britannian pointed his gun at his head, she looks away as the soldier pulls the trigger, she then covers her eyes with her hands as she can't stand to watch the sheer brutality that her fellow Saderans are receiving.
Bozes find it harder to watch those footages; this is not a battle she's seeing but a butcher's den, she saw one Saderan being pulled out from a window and then got beaten, another one was tied to a pole and was executed, she also saw five entering and barricading themselves in until one Britannian threw a satchel charge the explosion killed the Saderans inside and cause the building to collapse. "How can we put up a fight against them?"
"BP14 and P29, don't take those Saderans as prisoners, they're hiding weapons, kill them."
"N03, circle around the barricade in front of you and use a Chaos Mine."
"B16, use slash harken to take out the dragon that is right above you."
Jeremiah proudly proclaim the results after minutes of giving command to many units on the field. "The enemy's morale is shattered and they're making a full retreat."
Lelouch smiled devilishly at the progress and gives one more order. "Good, have all front units to move to the next phase of the assault."
"Are we to give chase?"
"No, let the cowards run."
"We have the initiative! The enemy is breaking apart, push forward!" Itami shouted, gunning down two Saderans who made a foolish attempt to strike him down. On his left is Rory slicing her halberd through a legionnaire like a hot knife through butter, she then avoids an attack from a Saderan and send a downward slash cutting the man in half. On his right are his subordinates Nichols and Huxley dragging four Saderans.
"Move assholes!" Nichols yelled as he pushed them into a wall.
"Please!" Beg one of them until Nichols and Huxley unloads ten to twenty bullets into them, Huxley walk towards one surviving man, pistol in hand.
"Have mercy." The Saderan whimpers but was shot on the head.
After that scene they move further into their objectives, the enemy is in full retreat. There they are at the north gate with archers and ballistas who're providing cover fire for their retreating men, with artillery, grenade and explosives the last resistance were obliterated. And now the town is theirs, began securing and hauling the prisoners of war.
Kallen opens up the cockpit to face her countrymen and gave a vitalizing speech. "From this moment on, every step we take brings us closer to Saderan capital. Closer to victory! Closer to revenge!"
"All hail Britannia!" Shouted one soldier, then another and then another one until most are shouting out to the sky as they were all fired up by Kallen's words. "ALL HAIL BRITANNIA! All HAIL BRITANNIA! ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"
"Champagne for everyone let us celebrate for another glorious victory." Lelouch said proudly as the men cheered. Bottles of liquor are served for a job well done.
The people who are not in a festive mood is princess Pina and her knights, they witness how the Britannian army fights and now they witness how the leaders gave orders to their army, their superior weapons are dangerous enough but with Lelouch's commanding skills this army threat just raised to a whole new level.
"Your Highness, what are we to do now?" Bozes said to her princess. "Should we negotiate peace with them?"
"Peace? I don't know if that's even possible, these soldiers seem so hell-bent on destroying our Empire." Pina was worried of this, and then she came up with an idea, she doesn't know if that ever works but she have to try for the sake of her nation. "But maybe we can negotiate peace with the Britannian's higher authority."
"Empress Marianne?" Bozes guessed but she guesses wrong.
"No, I'm talking about their emperor: Charles zi Britannia." Pina said which surprises her subordinates. "Though limited, I read enough about him, I read how he is a kind and just ruler, cares deeply for his subjects, a strong sense of honor, and I even read about how he made peace with their long time enemy: Europia Unite."
"You think he would agree to a peace treaty?" Bozes asks with a skeptical glance.
"We don't have a lot of options, if we waited any longer than the Britannians will lay siege on our Capital within a week, and by that time it would be too late." Pina explained.
"This is our only hope for survival then, huh?" Grey comments.
Without a second to lose Pina made her way and stood in front of Lelouch who is drinking a glass of wine. "Prince Lelouch, I have a favor to ask you." This gained his attention. "I wish to speak with your father."
Lelouch nearly chokes at what he heard, he wipes his lips with a napkin and asks her. "Excuse me?"
Pina took a deep breath and speaks in their language. "I Pina Co Lada, have request an audience with Emperor Charles zi Britannia." Right after she said that the G1 Mobile Base became deathly silent as every Britannian present is staring at her with amazement.
Lelouch stares at her for a moment until a wicked smirk appears on his face and made a dark chuckle, Pina gulped and tense as she prepares to hear his answer. "Very well, but, I must talk to my father about your request first. In the meantime, you and your subordinates will have wait and further enjoy our hospitality."
Pina nodded, she wanted this to be quick but understands that it must be done in their time.
"Viletta, escort our "Guests" to the guest room." With a bow Viletta urges the four to follow her. Once they're out of sight he contacts his mother. He smiled devilishly as he already predicted what's Pina's planning, once the princess of Sadera is in the throneroom with his father, the consorts, the Knights of the Round, and nobles present she'll be chewed and spitted out, and then crumbled from all the pressure. Yes, that will be entertaining thing to see.
Chapter End
AN:Simple update, just giving a little info on Lelouch's unit types:
P Unit- Mostly a squad of infantry or a lone Knightmare, can be a lone tank or a squad with an APC
R Unit- Typically consist of armored unit and Knightmares accompanied by a one or two squads of infantry
N Unit- A team of Knightmares ranging from two to five
B Unit- Support unit
Q Unit- Advanced combat unit (Nonette Enneagram and Gino Weinberg)
BP, BR, BN, BB and BQ are the same as the above but are member of the Black Knights.