The outrageous refusal

White.

Akane had told her that only the President was entitled to wear that color so, even if she was dressed in the same way as the Colonels, a plain uniform with a leather knee-length coat, her attire was pure white instead of midnight black. Not that Natsuki really cared.
Lost in her thoughts she mindlessly zipped up her coat, torn between feelings of anger, betrayal… and regret.

'I knew there was something strange. I knew it was different here. But for an infinitesimal moment I desired that you were my Shizuru. And it was at that split second that I built my illusion. Buying all of your lies, hoping that I could help you as I'd have helped my Shizuru.'
She corrected herself, biting down on her lower lip. 'Exactly as I would have liked to help her.'

"We must go," Akane said and nodding, Natsuki followed her out of the apartment where her bodyguards were already waiting.

Looking briefly around she recognized Nao and Midori while Tomoe was nowhere to be seen. The girls positioned themselves at her sides, hands on their machine guns.
They started to walk along the corridor, and the silence of the group gave Natsuki time to gather her thoughts. She rubbed her eyes that were red and puffy after the night spent reading the documents in the mysterious folder.
'The evidences were all there and the truth was so obvious. This place is a nightmare and the former President contributed in preserving it with the help of Shizuru. I don't know why they later desired to destroy this order, but I can't allow it now. It's true that this horrible dictatorship will fall apart too, but on the other hand the price in human lives would be too high while the outcomes are too uncertain.'

She raised the head while her strides became more confident.

'General Viola, you needed me for your holy war but I can't let you do this. Not when you'd for sure compensate this mistake with your life. Because as much as I hate to say this, Nagi was right. The attack would be a disaster and you would be their scapegoat.'

Approaching the conference room Natsuki noticed an increasing number of patrols. The soldiers looked stern and professional and they were all heavily armed, much more so than her own guards.

"Who is in charge of the security?" she asked Akane.

"Colonel Armitage."

Akane turned towards Natsuki, lowering her voice.

"The day the President was killed, the security was as stiff as today. However, she didn't have an armed escort because none could expect that the assassin was disguised as one of us."

Natsuki nodded with a grim smile. "Even if she had escorts, they would have died with her anyway."

'I'm wondering who was involved in this conspiracy. Nagi was part of it for sure, but who else? Akane said the Colonels hated both Shizuru and the President so none of them could be exempted. In those documents it also clearly stated that moving against the East Coalition was completely against the rules of prudence. Basically, General Viola and the President were alone in this decision. But the people believed in them. They were ready to follow their orders.'

Suddenly, she was aware that Akane's eyes were fixed on her.

"Please, promise me that we'll have our revenge," Akane quietly said. "Our enemies killed so many of our friends and relatives, but the President kept telling us that it was a necessary sacrifice in order to protect our homeland. Then, she fell. I can't accept it. We can't allow them to go unpunished. They killed her and thousands others, and now they'll have to pay for it."

"Akane, but your people will suffer too," Natsuki replied.

A melancholic stare surfaced in Akane's eyes. "Do you think I'm not aware of it? My husband Kazuya is an officer onboard the flagship. After the attack starts, his battle group will be the main target of the enemy counterattack. But we do not care, because that will be the last sacrifice."

Natsuki looked away, extremely disturbed.

'Akane, I'm sorry but that is not the way things are going to turn out. What I can promise you though is that I'll do everything I can to stop this madness.'

It was then that she spotted Shizuru, her elegant figure and lush chestnut hair were impossible to miss.

'I don't blame you. You did what you thought was necessary for your country. Hopefully, one day you'll forgive me for what I'm going to do.'

The General approached, and Natsuki saw her smile slowly vanished.

'I must have "something is terribly wrong" written all over my face.'

With a nod Shizuru dismissed Akane and the guards. After that, she stared at the Headmistress. "You are tired."

Her tone was caring and it almost brought tears to Natsuki's eyes. "Why?" she simply asked.

The General suddenly paled since that question was a clear indication that she had understood what was going on. Nonetheless, as Natsuki had expected, no feelings of anger or pain showed on General Viola's face. Still as composed as ever, Shizuru tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

"I underestimated the Colonels. I thought they could hurt you, or threaten you. I'd never have imagined that their shameful tactic would have been to lying to you."

"Shizuru… that was the truth."

"Truth? It's such a misleading word, Natsuki. Truth is what you choose to believe. And you have decided to listen to them instead of me."

The Headmistress stiffened. "Why didn't you tell me about Mai? And Mikoto? And Yukariko? And God knows how may others I know are on the other side."

"And so? In Earl they are your friends, but here those people are our sworn enemies."

"You should have told me anyway," Natsuki insisted.

Shizuru took a moment before to reply. "So do you prize their life more than mine, Natsuki?"

At those words the Headmistress vigorously shook the head. "I don't want you to be hurt either, I care for you. And for this reason I can't let you do this mistake."

Shizuru's smile was sad, and her eyes a crimson lake of emptiness. "You can't save everyone, Headmistress."

At that moment Akane passed a palmtop to Shizuru. She spared a swift look at the screen. Then her attention returned on Natsuki.

"It's time for you to get ready. The satellite connection will begin in ten minutes."

The Headmistress nodded, feeling discharged, but as she passed by, Shizuru gently but firmly caught her wrist.

"I beg you to reconsider your decision. It's the future of our world that is at stake now."

Natsuki returned her stare. "I know. Didn't you drag me here for this reason?"

"Not only for that."

With that Shizuru freed her, swiftly disappearing.

Natsuki was left alone, a white stain into a multitude of pitch black uniforms.

'I know, but someone else is waiting for me at home, General Viola. You know as well as I do. Nothing will ever change that.'

--------------------

Natsuki strode down the corridor that leaded to the conference room, fearing the critical moment, and painfully missing her Shizuru.

Then she raised her head only to be greeted by a trio walking towards her. Sergay Wang, Nagi, and a young woman she had somewhat dreaded to meet. Her amber eyes bored into those of the Headmistress, and Natsuki couldn't help but shiver under the composed stare of Nina Wang.

'You scare me, Nina, and I pity you. Beneath that quiet and dismissive appearance you hid a steel-like will and an unwavering loyalty towards the ones you love. But this blinds you, and it's hideous to think that for them you are ready to sacrifice everything and everyone, even yourself.'

"Did you have a good night, President?" Sergay asked Natsuki.

She looked at him, noticing how the man looked distressed.

"We all hope that you found the documents that were brought to your attention interesting," he added.

'I've already reached my decision, but I'm tired of all your tricks.'

Natsuki tossed her hair behind her shoulder. "You are walking a fine line, Sergay Wang."

She stared at him and Nagi. "Colonels, no matter what I do today, you remain as the sole suspect for the murder of the President. You are the only one who can organize a terrorist attack of that nature and I shall immediately issue an order of custody."

Eyes blazing with cold fury Nina made a step forward. "With what proofs, Headmistress? And why, when only you and Shizuru would pay the price? If you denounced the Joint Chiefs of Staff our people would immediately know that you are not the true President. Moreover, it was General Viola who personally gave the order to bring you here from Earl. I must inform you that to use the dimensional gates is a crime punished with death and they'd never let you go back home."

Natsuki stiffened, as the truth of Nina's words struck her, but the black haired girl had yet to finish.

Nina shook her head. "Erstin was my best friend. She was sweet and kind to everyone and so brave to die for the cause she believed in. Still, people labeled her as a terrorist. I won't let her sacrifice be in vain and you have my word that the moment you betray us your dear Shizuru of Earl would be reduced to nothing but a shadow on the wall. And the same if General Viola's plan prevailed. We can't allow her to obtain the Garderobe technology."

The threat rolled over Natsuki as Nina's last words echoed in her mind. She gritted her teeth. Then, the Headmistress's eyes fell on Nagi who, in striking contrast with Nina's menacing words, was faintly grinning as if he was immensely enjoining the show. At that sight, Natsuki's fists clenched tight at her sides.

He looked at Nina. "No need to worry. I'm sure that the Headmistress knows what to do."

Nina returned Nagi's smile, watching him with an air fanatical devotion that Natsuki could almost puke in disgust.

'Nagi. You said that love was one of the ultimate weapons. Is it for this reason that you seduced Nina? To be your ace up the sleeve? Will this poor girl be the one to carry the bomb to Windbloom if I don't follow your plan? No wonder Sergay looks so dim. You are even more devious that the Archduke, Colonel De Artai.'

Natsuki squared her shoulders.

"For once I have to agree with you, Nagi. Be sure that my decision is made. And it's the only one I could afford."

'And hopefully it will be the best for everyone.'

With that Natsuki marched away, without looking back.

'I feel sorry for you, Nina. But it's your fault if you want to be his suicide doll. Don't you realize he's only using you?'

A sad grin claimed her lips. 'But in end who am I to judge you? You only want to protect the person most dear to you, and I'm ready to do exactly the same for mine.'

--------------------

The conference room was full, a sea of faces looking expectantly at her. 'All the highest ranking officers are here or in teleconference. And they are all waiting for the order to start the attack.'

The Joint Chiefs of Staff were in the first row, with Shizuru Viola seated right in front of her. Her calm expression couldn't be much different from the scowl on Haruka's face. Even Mashiro seemed worried, her finger busy twisting a lock of lilac hair.

'Colonel Armitage. No one opposed the war more than you. You even had the guts to throw a piece of furniture at the President during one of the preparatory meetings. And Mashiro. Arika was your closest friend, you don't want her death, do you?'

Natsuki's eyes skimmed through the audience, recognizing people here and there. Then she gripped the edge of the desk, fighting a sudden wave of nausea.

'Few hours and it will be over. This is the only important thing to me.'

The Headmistress started the speech, her voice loud and clear through the speakers. She ignored the murmurs in the audience, the occasional applauses, the fact that somewhere the missiles were ready to launch; she disregarded Shizuru's stare which was so intense that she could feel it burning right through her, the passionate expectation clear in Akane's posture, Sergay's frown, the oblique glances of Nina, and Nagi's eyes that showed nothing but sheer sarcasm.

She recited the speech someone else had prepared for the occasion which had been easier than she expected to learn. But too soon she reached the most difficult part of it.

Natsuki could not resist and took a look at Shizuru. She saw the General close her eyes.

'I'm sorry, but it's my Shizuru who I have to protect.'

Natsuki took a deep breath, staring at the cameras.

"With the Authority given to me by the Legislation and the Constitutional Treaty of the Western Republic, I declare that the preemptive attack against the East Coalition is illegal. Therefore, I command to all the naval battle groups and to the airborne and infantry divisions to immediately cease the state of emergency. The commands have the authorization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to return to DEFCON 3 status."

Her words froze the audience.

The faces that had looked at Natsuki so anxiously now seemed perplexed. They were staring at each other, and towards General Viola.

Much to her horror, Natsuki saw her smile.

The Headmistress felt lost. 'I was fooling myself. She's the Commander-in-Chief, and if she says a word, they will follow her.'

Natsuki locked her eyes on Nina, seated in the first row, in the seat closest to the door.

Sergay's wife was slightly leaning forward, as if ready to leave, her face a mask of grim determination. She was staring at Nagi whose confidence, for once, seemed to be evaporated. Slowly, he turned towards his lover.

'Please, don't do this to me' Natsuki silently screamed.

Her senses focused on the girl, ready to jump down the stage to intercept her. 'I'm sure they'll stop me before I could even raise a finger on her. Or they'll kill me, now that they don't need me anymore. But it doesn't matter. Life without my Shizuru is not a life worth to live.'

Suddenly, an odd sound broke the silence.

Paying only attention to Nina, Natsuki had not realized that Haruka was on her feet. And she was applauding. A moment later Mashiro and Sergay joined her.

Natsuki's legs trembled beneath her when the clapping of the whole audience rang in her ears. 'I made it.'

She smiled, as graciously as she could before paying a swift glance at Nina. Their eyes met, and Natsuki was surprised to see the girl's stoic expression was finally broken. Nina nodded, smiling through the tears that were running down her cheeks.

So great was Natsuki's relief, and so involved she was in the moment, that it took her several minutes before realizing that Shizuru was no longer in the room.