I do not own Code Geass.
A/N: Greetings faithful readers. I appreciate your continued support on this fic. I've recently gone back over and edited this chapter, please let me know if you find any other mistakes.
Testing the Waters
*He doesn't appear to be an enemy, what did he say his name was Lelouch?* Kallen thought to herself as she watched Lelouch bask in his own greatness. *Still...* Kallen raised her fire arm to Lelouch's back. "Don't turn around. I have some questions for you." She said in a cold voice.
*How could I have forgotten about her? I swear I always get caught up in my own victories...* Lelouch glanced over his shoulder, he didn't have eye contact but it displayed confidence. "You're going to shoot me? I just saved our lives." He responded with a smirk. *I bested an entire squad of military personnel and you think I'm going to lose to you? Silly girl.*
"And are you not also the one that attacked me in the truck?" Kallen prodded.
"This is correct, at the time I thought I could trade you for my own protection." Lelouch replied honestly. *No sense in lying yet.*
"So do you truly oppose Britannia, or just saving your own hide?" Kallen asked.
"Both, but believe me when I say I will destroy Britannia for what they have taken from me. With our current state I would say that we're allies." *All I need to do is convince her to trust me for a moment, then I've got her.* "Can I assume you were smart enough to come into battle with more soldiers than just yourself?"
"That's correct, they know where I am now. We are supposed to meet at checkpoint two in five minutes." Kallen said taking her finger off the trigger.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
"Prince Clovis, it would seem that the target was not recovered." A general reported to the Viceroy.
*This isn't good. Even if she is dead, she won't be for long. I cannot allow her to escape!* Clovis panicked. "Send everyone, that target is a top priority. Take no prisoners; she must be recovered at all costs! Dead or alive I want her here before sunset! Level the ghetto if you have to, leave no stone unturned!"
The general was taken aback by such a drastic measure. "Y-yes sir." He pulled up his monitor on a secure military channel. "Attention all units, our target is in the Shinjuku Ghetto, sending the data now. Dead or alive, find her at all costs, casualties are to be expected, destroy the Ghetto."
"Yes my Lord!" The soldiers unanimously responded.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
The sound of heavy artillery incoming could be heard miles away. Kallen's eyes widened in horror. "What are they thinking? You can't besiege a civilian settlement!" She shouted as if the Britannians could hear her.
*Damint. Whatever they are looking for, it's clear they are very adamant about finding it. Nothing is going to stop them, unless-* "Kallen, we have to stop this merciless slaughter. Are you willing to help me save Shinjuku?"
"Depends what's your plan?" Kallen raised a brow.
Lelouch could hear something big coming fast. *A Knightmare? This will do nicely.* "Kallen drop your weapon now!" Lelouch yelled. Kallen could tell by his voice that he was serious and immediately dropped her weapon as he ran behind her holding both of her arms behind her back. "Don't struggle we'll be fine." He whispered into her ear as the Knightmare broke through the wall in front of them, holding a rifle directly at them. "Hold your fire!" Lelouch demanded.
Viletta was taken by surprise for a moment. "What position do you think you're in to give me orders?"
*Interesting, it seems that I need eye contact for my power to work.* "I have captured this terrorist spy. She has vital information about the target on her person. In exchange for her I would ask for your protection."
Kallen's heart stopped for a moment. *Oh god, is he really going to try to offer me up to the Britannians? If he does then I have no choice but to use my power. His emotions do seem to have quite a hold on him.*
Viletta pondered for a moment, realizing that he's a student she accepted. She opened her cockpit and stepped onto the wing, with her fire arm ready. "Very well, hand over the girl."
"Of course, but before I do.. I need you to give me your Knightmare." Lelouch commanded with the power of the King.
"Right away my Lord, the code is XJ43982." She said with dead words as she handed over her key.
Kallen's heart returned to her chest as Lelouch released her. "Why didn't you just order her to kill herself?" Kallen asked.
"Because, I needed to test my power and its limits. Since I have broken eyesight with her, I now know that I don't need to maintain eye contact for my power to continue working. Now that I know that... Die!" Lelouch ordered Villeta, but she made no response to his command. "Interesting, either a person cannot be under the effect of multiple geass powers at once, or I can only use this power once per person." Clearly he still had a lot to learn about his geass power. "Kallen, can I assume that you're a pilot?" Lelouch asked.
Kallen smirked, "the best."
"Good, then I have no need to go easy on you when you make mistakes. Let's hurry." Lelouch said as he tossed her the key as he went to grab two soldiers' outfits.
"What's with the outfits?" Kallen asked.
"You'll see." Lelouch responded with a trademark smirk.
*Damnit, where does he get off being so damned arrogant?* Kallen thought as she snatched the key from mid air and quickly climbed the Knightmare frame. Granted she had her own but this Knightmare was far superior to her own, this was a Sutherland after all.
*I need to see what she can do first hand and having another geass power with me should prove useful for the battle to get to Clovis.* They both climbed into the cockpit, Lelouch sitting behind her, it was a tight fit but he'd make it work. Stuck right behind her, all he could smell was her shampoo. *My god that's distracting, how am I supposed to lead an army with that damned scent constantly surrounding me?* Lelouch looked down for a moment, only to find that he had a perfect view at her exposed chest. *Kallen, if we die here, I'm blaming you...* He shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Alright first thing we need to do is get in touch with your forces and get them prepared. This won't be an easy battle Kallen." He said placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Right," she couldn't explain it but his touch was comforting in a strange way. *Why is he so sure of himself? Is he holding more cards than he's showing?* Kallen powered up the Knightmare as it roared to life, everything was operational and she had full response from all systems.
"What channel is your team on?" Lelouch asked with some urgency.
"Channel 204," Kallen responded.
He quickly changed the channel on the communicator, "attention all units. The Britannians have begun to lay siege to the Shinjuku settlement, those of you that are willing to save these people follow my instructions. The checkpoint has been changed to coordinates 54, 38. The train yard, be there as soon as possible." He turned off the communicator for a moment and held it out to her, "Kallen I need you to respond to me."
"Duh, I'm the one driving this thing! Of course I'm going." Kallen replied dumb founded that he would say such a stupid thing.
Lelouch raised a hand to cover his face. He spoke very slowly, his voice becoming tense and frustrated, "on-the-communicator-Kallen… It's much easier to fall in line when you aren't the first one to do it." *This woman is going to be the death of me, I just know it.*
"Oh I see," Kallen grabbed the communication unit while flying through the ghetto to the checkpoint. "Attention all units, this is Kallen. With or without your help we are going to save Shinjuku. Me and-" Lelouch ripped the communicator from her hand. "Hey what was that about?" Kallen asked insulted.
"No one is to know my name, understood? Obviously, you know my name but I didn't have a choice in the matter." Lelouch said in a cold tone.
"Oh relax you can trust me." Kallen said her left eye taking the shape of the geass symbol.
"Of course I can, I trust you with my life Kallen. However, your team, or whoever else is listening to this channel is completely different story." Lelouch said casually.
"What are you talking about? You just said you had no choice in the matter." Kallen questioned.
"I trusted you from the moment I saw you, I don't even know why." He chuckled, "there's just something about you. I can't describe it." Lelouch again responded casually.
"I see." *I think I'm getting the hang of this.*
"Kallen are you still there? Who was that guy?" Ohgi asked.
"Yes I'm here, everyone you have to trust me. He knows what he is doing." Kallen said into the communicator, her eye showing the power of the king again. Lelouch pulled the communicator away from her again. *Is it really that much trouble to just ask for the damned thing?* Kallen thought to herself.
"From this point on no names will be stated over this channel, who knows who is listening in on us. Kallen was it? You are Q-1, the rest of you will be given titles at the checkpoint."
"Understood," Ohgi said over the comm. Kallen and Lelouch could hear the others in the background, several were responding as Ohgi was, others were outraged.
Ohgi turned around to face his followers. "This guy sounds serious. If Kallen is with him, then we can trust him. Let's get to the train yard as soon as possible. It's not too far from here." He looked around, some seemed unwilling to follow. "That's an order." Ohgi said with a stern voice, the rest of the group fell in line and did as they were told.
*So it appears that I don't need to have eye contact, but why were there people that didn't respond? What is the condition I'm missing?* Kallen asked herself.
"Here you can have the communicator back." Lelouch said handing it up to Kallen.
"No, I don't want it. You hold onto it." Kallen responded with spite.
Lelouch was confused, *was it something I said? What the hell is she mad about now?.. No matter, I don't have time for this.* "Kallen are we still transmitting an IFF signal?" Lelouch asked unable to see from his cramped position.
"Yes, should I turn it off?" Kallen asked.
"No that's perfect. We are guaranteed the element of surprise at the train yard." Lelouch grinned.
They arrived at the train yard well before Ohgi and the others. There were four Knightmare frames looking around the station for the target or any Elevens still alive. Explosions continued to bombard the surrounding area.
*This can't go on, we need to make them focus on us...* "Kallen move 100 meters to the north, on my mark fire slash harkens at the cockpit of two closest enemies, be ready to immediately fire on the back right unit, the left will take longer to respond."
Kallen was surprised, *who knew this kid was a battle strategist? I suppose that's why he's so confident.*
"ETA to checkpoint?" Lelouch asked.
"Less than two minutes." Ohgi replied. *What does this guy have up his sleeve?*
"Kallen are you ready?"
"Yes," Kallen gripped the controls of the Sutherland till her knuckles were white.
"Fire," Lelouch said calmly.
Kallen struck the keypad and quickly launched both of her slash harkens at the cockpits of the two closest enemies; they had no chance of survival. Before the harkens even hit their targets, Kallen already had her hand back on her firing lever. With a rattle of bullets the third Knightmare was forced to eject. The fourth was turning around as Kallen charged, switching out her melee blade, she crushed right through the last Sutherlands torso, ripping upward. Kallen quickly back-pedaled as the unit exploded right in front of them.
"Kill the IFF signal now." Lelouch commanded. Kallen did as she was told and dropped the signal, making it appear that her unit was lost as well.
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"My Lord we just lost five Sutherlands in the train yard. All in a matter of moments." The general stated shocked at the map.
"What? A terrorist attack? What force could they muster? Send Beta squad to inspect." Clovis said, drawing his index finger and thumb down his jaw line.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Ohgi and the others arrived, only to find a single Sutherland amongst a cloud of smoke. "Take cover, quick!"
"B-1 do not be alarmed the unit you see is Kallen's, quickly get the cargo from the train on the 4th set of tracks, inside you'll find the weapons necessary for our victory." Lelouch said into the com unit.
"Understood." Ohgi stated.
The terrorists quickly opened up the cargo and retrieved the enemy Sutherlands. "This is amazing, just look at all of these!" Tamaki shouted jumping into the cockpit quickly. "This guy's the man!"
After assigning everyone their unit group and name, Lelouch looked down and was able to see the energy filler level for Kallen's unit. *74%, that's plenty. They have nearly 40 units on the grid. No reinforcements in the vicinity. Clovis must be to the far North. After this squad is destroyed they will send at least 60% of their remaining units to this point, hopefully more. We can hold the line for the first few waves but we'll need to use something else to be able to stand against the remaining forces.* Lelouch looked around at the buildings, *don't have the firepower to make these effective...* He turned to the right and saw a subway entrance and smirked. "Alright their next squad will be here any minute. Take up your assigned positions and wait till they pass. After they've passed you, commence your barrage. Since your units have no IFF signals you will be virtually invisible on radar for our first move. After the first wave is down go to checkpoint two and await my instructions." Lelouch turned off the communicator, "Kallen it is imperative that we aren't involved in this attack. We must make our way to Clovis. With their primary forces occupied we will call check."
"Are you sure? You don't think they will need us here?" Kallen asked concerned for her comrades.
"No, they will be fine, as long as they do what I tell them. I suspect we will suffer no losses. But that all depends on whether we can execute this attack, we'll be alone fighting whatever resistance they have left. Can you handle that?"
"No problem, just leave them to me." Kallen replied cocky as ever, she sped off full throttle towards the left flank, as the Britannians approached from the right flank.
"Good it seems I didn't misplace my confidence in you, Q-1" Lelouch said changing his position to see the enemies' location. "P group prepare to attack, contact in 10 seconds."
Right on time, the beta group reached the designated area. P group quickly encircled them and opened fire. Beta group had six units in it but the P group only had four units. Even with the element of surprise they were no match for trained soldiers.
"R-1, R-2, support from above. B-1, close in on the weak side." Lelouch commanded as he watched the battle play out on the screen.
*As expected the enemy would turn and immediately underestimate the P group, lowering their guard for the attack from Rooks one and two from their elevated position in the adjacent buildings. The Bishop was just to ensure no unit was lost.* "Quickly all units, report to checkpoint two! Do nothing until I give the order."
"Hell friggin' yea!" Tamaki shouted into the comm.
Kallen and Lelouch made their way quickly to the enemy stronghold area. "Hold here for 40 seconds." Lelouch stated calmly, the enemy base was nearly in sight.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
"Viceroy they've taken out beta squad!" The general reported.
"What? Who are we dealing with here?" *Could this be the work of Todoh?* Clovis thought to himself. "Send all squads, save Jeremiah's, into the combat zone. We must destroy the enemy!" Clovis demanded.
"My Lord, that would break our defensive line!" The general advised.
"They aren't going to be able to strike us here general; their numbers can't be that great. We are dealing with a small group, better to crush them immediately." Clovis said with complete certainty.
"Understood Viceroy." The general hung his head for a moment. "All squads report to the coordinates 54, 38. Save your group Jeremiah, you are to remain here to protect the Viceroy."
"Yes my lord."
Jeremiah looked at his assigned unit. *They are only leaving me with three Sutherlands? What could you be thinking, Your Highness?* He thought to himself.
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Lelouch watched as most of the military moved out to focus on the train yard. He couldn't help himself from laughing, "You see Clovis? Just like the rest of the nobles, you let your pride get the best of you. That is what guaranteed my victory."
Kallen looked up at him, "got a thing against nobles do you?"
"They take lives for granted, they are ill fit to lead and they are incompetent."
"I'll take that as a yes." Kallen shrugged.
"We need to give them a little more time before we attack, or else they will simply turn around and this entire operation will be a failure." Lelouch said patiently.
"So we have some time to kill, what's with the group names? Why am I Q-1?" Kallen asked curiously.
"It's a reference to chess pieces. P group are the pawns, expendable but necessary, they form the defensive line. R group are the rooks, I prefer them to be artillery units. B group being the bishops, they are my melee units. I would have an N group but I have yet to find a unit useful enough to earn the title of knight." Lelouch responded honestly.
"So if I'm Q, does that make me your queen?" Kallen asked, surprised to find herself blushing slightly. *What am I saying? I don't care to be his queen! No, I'm just curious is all.* Kallen told herself sternly.
"Yes, that is correct." Lelouch said watching the units on the map nearing the train yard.
"So what does that mean?" Kallen asked, trying to fight off the color that threatened to flush her cheeks.
"You're the one piece I can't lose." Lelouch stated still distracted by the enemy units.
*What does he mean by that? Why does he have to talk in such riddles?... I hate him!* Kallen pouted.
"Q-1 the enemy force is far enough away now, on my signal launch an explosive at the enemy unit then feint behind the building you are currently standing by. When they come to inspect, you'll have to take out the remaining three units. They will be prepared for you this time though, don't expect an easy fight."
"I understand." Kallen said into the communicator as she readied her explosive charge.
"All units, prepare to fire slash harkens at the ceiling on my signal. After they are connected to the platform above you, ready your fire arms and cave it in. Hold that position until the battle is won. This battle will go down in history men, by our actions we will be immortalized!" Lelouch said rallying his forces.
"All right we'll do this for all the Japanese that lost their lives today!" Ohgi replied.
"You're all gonna die stinkin' Britannian ass holes!" Tamaki cheered.
"Attack!" Lelouch bellowed.
Kallen launched her explosive, successfully taking out the unit on the far left, as they spotted her she ducked back behind the building. The P group shot their harkens into the ceiling, as the R and B groups readied their rifles. The ceiling gave way and a dozen units fell into the subway bellow, they were caught in a 160 degree cross fire and were destroyed quickly.
Jeremiah gave the order to attack as his two followers went to surround the building Kallen hid behind.
"We're getting blasted with explosives!" Tamaki yelped into the com unit.
"Brace yourselves and pull them to you with your harkens, it's imperative that you don't leave that position!" Lelouch shouted back as gunfire began to rain down upon him. "Q-1, activate your IFF signal now! Do not come back into line of sight with the enemy base until this battle is over." Kallen did as she was told quickly flipping the signal trying her best to evade the enemy fire and return some of her own.
"Energy fillers are dropping!" she shouted to Lelouch.
"Don't worry about that, clear the task at hand." Lelouch responded.
Kallen strafed the enemy fire back behind another building and readied her melee arm.
"You think you can defeat Jeremiah Gottwald? Coward!" Jeremiah shouted on an open local channel.
One of his supporting units came around the building right in front of Kallen and she was able to cleave it in half. The second unit came from behind her and unleashed a volley of bullets into the left arm of her Sutherland, destroying it. Kallen was becoming desperate as she spun around quickly and fired towards the enemies head, knowing it was a gamble to shoot at such a small target. Jeremiah suddenly appeared behind her, ready to deliver a finishing blow.
"You don't know who you're messing with pal. I am the Red Lotus, tremble before me!" Kallen cried out over the local channel her left eye shining a glorious magenta.
"The Red Lotus? I've got to get out of here!" Jeremiah screamed in terror as he turned around to flee.
"Lord Jeremiah! Where are you goin-ahhh" his soldier cried out as his Sutherland was destroyed by Kallen's gunfire.
"Quickly, follow Jeremiah back to the base. With our IFF signal on they won't be able to discern us from friend or foe. My geass will do the rest of the work from here." Lelouch smiled wickedly.
"We can't hold out much longer! There's just too many of em!" Ohgi yelled into the communicator.
"Lelouch, we have to go back to help them!" Kallen said, preparing to turn around.
"STOP! We stick to the plan." Lelouch bellowed, before softening quickly. "Do not fear, Kallen. They will be safe, trust me. Now it's time for the uniforms. Put this on."
"You want me to change right in front of you?" Kallen asked, hesitant to undress.
"Are you seriously going to argue with me right now?" Lelouch asked, his eyes filled with frustration and rage once more. He was already undressed down to his boxers, quickly putting the soldier's garments on.
*I can't believe he is going to be the first guy to ever see me in my underwear...* Kallen sobbed in her mind, trying to undress and get covered up as quickly as possible.
Lelouch was ready to go and was able to catch a glimpse of Kallen as she pulled on the rest of the outfit.
*How can she fight in that lacey stuff?* He thought to himself. *I should have gotten dressed quicker, I could've - Snap out of it Lelouch!* He slapped himself, luckily without Kallen noticing. "All units prepare to pursue."
"Pursue what? We're friggin' fish bait down here!" Tamaki shouted back.
Within moments they were inside thanks to Lelouch's geass power. Jeremiah had fled the battlefield, confusing the main base long enough for them to take advantage of the situation.
"All units cease fire and return to base immediately!" Clovis demanded. "I repeat all units return to me at once! That's an order!" The enemy units did as they were told and ceased fire, dashing at full speed back towards the main base.
"Huh?" Tamaki asked, baffled.
"Don't just sit there, pursue the enemy. Take as many down as you can while their backs are exposed! There should only be about a dozen remaining." Ohgi commanded.
"Is that satisfactory?" Clovis asked.
"Quite." Lelouch said closing in on the Viceroy, fire arm aimed at his head. "Now tell me who killed my mother?"
"Princess Cornelia and Prince Schneizel were assigned to her care that night." Clovis said without emotion.
"Who killed her?" Lelouch repeated.
Clovis said nothing.
"Damnit! That's all the information I could squeeze out of him? How worthless you've become, dear brother..." Lelouch shook his head and pulled the trigger.
A/N: Alrighty, next chapter down, I'm sure there are some questions about Kallen's geass power. Fear not I'll explain further in the coming updates ; ) Thank you for reading and as always, I'd treasure a review : )