Chapter 11: New Japan and New Atlantis
When one is lacking, they seek another for aid. This is not an act of cowardice but an act of cooperation for the greater good.
-Chinese Idiom
Part 22: Diplomacy
Japan—an earthquake ridden territory of the notorious Holy Britannia Empire was now without a leader. Statistics revealed eleven percent of Japanese citizens had registered themselves as Honorary Britannians while the other eighty nine percent remained neutral or rebellious, living in old underground subways and rickety ghetto apartments. After the recent triumphs of the Black Knights many Japanese turned their faces to a new hope of liberation, including the ones assimilated into the Tokyo settlement. Their independence, still a long times way has now been accelerated by the will of one man: Zero, a mysterious knight of justice. After the fall of Princess Cornelia's army, Holy Britannia raised awareness around the Pacific East in order to stabilize central authority over their recently diminishing domain. With a demoralizing blow to the Empire's security, Emperor Charles XIII had taken precautious measures to unify Area 12 with Area 11 due to the gradual reduction of deserving members of the Imperial household to take office in foreign affairs. The fate of Japan rested in Zero's hands as he became the future of a peoples' freedom.
With the perimeters of the Tokyo settlement in ruin, traffic between in-city and out-of-city proved difficult, if not severed. The Chinese Embassy, situated in the Eastern Sector remained intact after the devastation. The building's walls were painted red, capped with a golden-tiled roof, intricately crafted with jutting corners that displayed miniatures of many mythological beasts. The interior was painted in many pigments of gold, red, green and blue on lacquer plaques and elegant pillars. Each colour represented the many traditional motifs of imperial order, under one sky, on fertile soil surrounded by the turbulent seas. The architecture itself was a magnificent work of practical structure and art, with an interlocking system of mortices and tenons, which reflected the genius of an ancient empire, now weak from heavy economic burden.
Within the walls of the Chinese Embassy, the sound of music played echoed in the council room. Beautiful trills and crisp chords of a Pipa resonated elegantly to the notes of a traditional piece called "Ten Sided Ambush." Lelouch, under the guise of Zero sat across an androgynous eunuch beside his trusted companion C.C. She wore a black and new-aged Qipao to look somewhat Chinese. The eunuch picked up a small teacup and said, "Drink this fine tea. I see your partner is well accustomed to our traditions." C.C. lived in the Chinese Federation for a couple of years before the Britannian occupation of Japan. Lelouch replied, "We are here to discuss a mean for escorting the convicted Japanese to your nation and in return by defending Chinese territories."
"Oh? And how do you, the infamous Zero able to do this?" the Eunuch said.
"Mister…" Lelouch hesitated with the absence of his ambassador's name.
"Call me Gao Hai," as he placed his teacup on the miniature serving table before him. A young maiden poured another steaming cup of tea for the eunuch.
"We have the armed resources of Holy Britannia in our hands. Each vessel is capable of taking down a massive force ten times its size," Lelouch said.
"Impressive but so do we, and we lost both Philippines and Indo-Malaya to the Britannians," said the eunuch.
"How should I prove myself worthy of this alliance," Lelouch asked behind his mask.
"If you are willing to dump the Japanese on a self-sufficient island of China and call it a day, we may start discussing your part of the contract," Gao Hai introduced his side of the plan.
"Which island will this be?" Lelouch asked. C.C. was constantly sipping her fourth cup of Pu-er tea.
"Penglaidao, it is large, artificial and renewable," Gao Hai responded with a merchant's eye.
"I accept your terms," Lelouch said, "If you will state all our obligations."
"To prove yourself worthy, you must recapture the Philippines and Indo-Malaya for us as our export of rubber is now under Britannian control."
"Do I do this before or after we transport the Japanese?"
"Before," replied the Eunuch.
"Unacceptable! The Japanese might be slaughtered by then!" Lelouch pounded his fist on his table.
"Then no can do," Gao Hai said calmly with a smirk on his face. He sips another cup of tea.
"How about this, the Black Knights will recapture Indo-Malaya, Philippines with garrisons around that area for one year," Lelouch proposed.
"Now we are getting somewhere," Gao Hai said as he looked intrigued by his proposal.
"Can you station defenses in Indochina?"
"No. But we will gladly import top secret Britannian technology and Sakuradite if we accept there."
"And how will you do this?" Gao Hai questioned. He was a little sceptical about the supply of Sakuradite.
"I have control of the private Sakuradite industry in Japan," Lelouch explained.
"Splendid! And the Britannian technology?" the eunuch exclaimed as he clapped happily.
"We have captured seventh and eighth generation Britannian Knightmare frames with elementary particle weaponry."
"Our scientists have developed such weapons already."
"It is nice to have the enemy's arsenal in your hands," Lelouch persuaded the sexless man.
"Then we have a negotiation. This agreement expires in one year," the eunuch declared, "We will welcome up to two million of your Japanese brethren while you protect our southern borders and give us Sakuradite."
"I accept your terms of agreement," said Lelouch.
C.C. whispered something in his ear, "Couldn't you have gotten them to protect Japan from the Britannians?"
Lelouch whispered back, "That is tempting because it is much simpler for now but if we get them to fight for us, a global scale war would be the result because it would look like the Chinese are invading Britannia."
"What about Penglaidao?" C.C. asked.
"That is to prevent the Japanese to die in Area 11. It is the closest Chinese island to Japan and the Chinese will protect the innocent with diplomatic immunity," Lelouch replied.
"Then it is official, the negotiations are already on our computer archives," Gao Hai warned.
"We thank the Chinese Federation and the empress for your hospitality," Lelouch thanked.
Lelouch and C.C. kowtowed before Gao Hai before leaving as a sign of respect. They exited the council room without any secondary remarks. On their way to the Gawain, they passed a tall Chinese man with long black hair and a noble look. He carried a longsword around his waist and stood idly before them, with his arms crossed while leaning on a lion statue. The man gave them a serious stare and walked past without saying a word. Lelouch and C.C. boarded the Gawain and took off.
"That was too easy," C.C. said.
"It could be a trap, but we won't get anywhere if this negotiation was not made. The risk was necessary," Lelouch lectured. They flew out of the city back to the Black Knight's base.
Part 23: The United States of Japan
Zero became a household figure among the Japanese as they worshipped his name. Lelouch proved his power with his talents and by defeating massive Britannian forces, this gained people's trust as their saviour. On June 23, 2017 a.t.b. 5:30 p.m., Lelouch made a nationwide broadcast to people of liberated Japan:
My brothers, my sisters, family and friends, Japan is no longer a slave nation to Britannia! We have risen beyond any Area or Zone administered by this vile villain. We must march on, to victory against this vicious foe, for the future of Japan to be given a new hope! We the Black Knights have ended Britannian rule for a short while and we must leave Japan to return to it in the future, restored with self-government. When we do, our lives will be even greater, not as servants to this evil empire but as a free nation, independent in sovereignty. Today, we will leave on an exodus to the Chinese Federation and with their assistance, quarrel with the common foe! We will return to our land, our promised land as one nationality! Rise people of Area 11! Rise for our future as the United States of Japan!
Suddenly, hundreds of helicopters hovered soundly in the skies all over the Tokyo region, like a hoard of dragonflies above a sea of people. These helicopters were lent by the Chinese Federation to the Black Knights for future use in airborne transport. The sirens blasted recorded messages, "Please board transport to China." The helicopters landed as people ran into the streets to get on. Lelouch and the Black Knights guarded the landing zones with over one hundred Knightmares to protect the helicopters. The Gawain stayed in midair as an outpost.
"Can you guarantee the Japanese people their safety?" C.C. asked Lelouch while she flew the Gawain.
"We are preventing any Britannian troops from sabotaging our escape. Besides us, Suzaku is also on the watch in the Lancelot," Lelouch replied.
"And will he turn his back against us like before?" C.C. reminded.
"No, I used my Geass and he serves under my command. Besides, he was never on our side until now," Lelouch added.
"A logical thing to do," C.C. commented.
The coast was clear and the helicopters left carrying many Japanese refugees safely to Penglaidao; the remaining Britannians on the other hand are suffering without aid from the Empire. Emperor Charles XIII delayed the provision of assistance as he found it unnecessary and inefficient until the rerouting of Area 12's central command was ready for installation. However, his intelligence on Area 11 documented on Zero's moves over the course of two days so Emperor Charles was well aware of the exodus. What intrigued the reporters who caught the massive movement on video was the selective process of isolating people in their early twenties to mid-thirties on board. Over two million of Japan's twenty million natives were rescued that evening, leaving eighteen million to remain living under Imperial oppression, mainly the elderly, middle aged and youth. Many believed Zero would be back to displace them to another paradise as well and they continued to believe what they wanted. This was the first step to the formation of the USJ but it was actually Lelouch's method to conscript more members into the Black Knights. What wasn't mentioned in Lelouch's speech was that the helicopters were only accepting young men and women. This pragmatic condition was Lelouch's idea for killing two birds with one stone, he figured as long as the physically fit people with a strong sense of national pride will undoubtedly fight to the end for their common goal; he figured it was the rational pick of a multitude of choices for his dreams to be realized. He was more determined to save his sister from the clutches of Britannian cruelty as could not bear the sight of her being used by his father.
"Where are the kids," C.C. asked as she noticed this anomaly.
"Many native children of Japan living in the Tokyo settlement have become Honorary Britannians because of their parents. We do not need the traitorous and dependent bunch to do our bidding."
"So you only want the abled-minded and abled-bodied to join your legion?"
"Precisely if we are to free the world; I am aware this is not the most righteous thing to do but it is reasonable for our projected plans," Lelouch said confidently, "I believe my actions are justified because it will prove to be most efficient."
"You are one interesting leader, Lelouch and you remind me of somebody I once knew," C.C. said.
"Who was that?"
"Charles VII," C.C. said. (Not the same as the real Charles VII).
"Hey, he was my great uncle fifteen times removed," Lelouch responded sharply.
"I guess it runs in the family," C.C. joked.
Lelouch chuckled and said, "How many of my ancestors do you know?"
"A lot of them, especially the French and German ones," C.C. said.
"I am descended from the French line of King Brian of Brittany."
"Britain and Brittany, how confusing as the centuries fly by."
"You never cease to amuse me C.C.," Lelouch commented on her personal satire.
Lelouch turned his attention to his men as they were ready for departure. "Good work, we will leave for Penglaidao in about four minutes. Does everyone have a jetpack add-on installed?" Lelouch transmitted the signal to every member, including Kallen and Suzaku.
"Yes master Zero," they all replied.
"Now move out, we will base on the artificial island until further notice. Japan will be our homeland once again after Britannia crumbles! Move out!" Lelouch gave his final remark.
The evening sun flared like an extraordinary ball of fire, burning rays of power as one hundred Knightmares lifted off for Penglaidao. That evening defined a new era for the Black Knights; the beginning of a small collective's maturity.
Part 24: Penglaidao
Penglaidao was an artificially built platform constructed by the Chinese Federation as a midway port for military exercises and trade between Kyushu and the Korean peninsula. The expensive EM force fields and submersible functions gave it the title of New Atlantis. The island was circular in shape and measured two hundred kilometres in diameter with an airbase hanger and skyscrapers on top. The purpose of this construction was to integrate an early warning defense against Britannia while displacing millions of Chinese citizens off of the mainland. The island itself has been abandoned by many residents since it was only a fifth generation platform. Another larger and stronger, eighth generation platform called the Longwanggong was built in the East China Sea and it measured five hundred kilometers in diameter. Penglaidao is now a tourist destination for techno geeks and futurists as well as a reconnaissance outpost.
The many skyscrapers tower over the artificial platform like grass on a pot of earth. It was nightfall when the helicopters reached Penglaidao but the city lights flashed like mad, shooting green light in many directions into the moonlit sky and lighting the place up with its vibrant night culture. The Black Knights and refugees landed in a vacant area on the island.
"Where is this place?" one woman asked.
"I heard Zero got us to Penglaidao," another answered.
"That explains it," a man said, "Penglaidao is an international business potpourri, one of the richest cities in the world!"
"Then why are the Chinese so poor?" asked the woman.
"The wealth is split among eleven billion people," the man explained to the point.
Lelouch and C.C. hovered in midair while everybody huddled in one spot. The green lights from two skyscrapers flashed repeatedly at the crowd as Lelouch made another speech, "Welcome to Penglaidao, your new home. There are busy hotels, residents and military bases on this island and we are aliens upon this land. The Chinese Federation showed their sincere hospitality by giving us a safe place to relocate while Britannia sort things back home. For the time being, we cannot enter the streets until further notice. For the meantime, we are forced to remain here. It is better than being persecuted next week."
Part 25: My Sister
On the night Lelouch arrived at Penglaidao, he dreamt only of ill and plague:
"Nunnally," Lelouch yelled her name as she moved further and further away from him.
"Brother," she hollered from a distance.
Nunnally's voice became fainter as time progressed; her image became a blur from the void manifested in his nightmare.
"No! Nunnally you mustn't leave me, not after mother did!" Lelouch cried.
Then in a flash, Nunnally was up close with another man. This man was indeed his father, Emperor Charles zi Britannia.
His father spoke in a bold and rough voice, "Lelouch you are dead to me! But Nunnally is still my sweet little daughter, am I right?"
"I will always love my father," Nunnally chirped as she shrank back to her kinder youth. His father turned around and pushed her wheelchair away from him.
"No Nunnally, you mustn't submit to his tyranny! You cannot…"
"Lelouch, Lelouch wake up!"
Lelouch slowly opened his eyes and discovered C.C. looking at him. They were sleeping in the Gawain's cockpit while everyone else sought refuge in the city's main hangers.
"You had a bad dream?" C.C. questioned him with a concerned look.
"Yes and it felt like a dark premonition," Lelouch replied without leaving any part of the general feeling behind, "I dreamt of a terrible reality where Nunnally blindly joined Britannia's bloodlust for domination."
"I see," C.C. replied. She seemed very calm on the outside but her heart was just about to burst from heartbreak, seeing Lelouch in such traumatic conditions. She felt his usual paranoia evolved into some malicious ulcer in his mind and feared that his emotions will one day eat away everything good left inside of him and his love for her. This was the case of every Geass carrier; they lose their sanity and their eventual regression into a state of absolute isolation and sorrow.
"Lelouch, maybe it is time to calm yourself," C.C. advised, "You are overthinking over something that hasn't happen yet."
"My dreams tell me something different. My instincts state otherwise, I see a future where Nunnally will become as large of a threat as Cornelia."
"Please stop this madness Lelouch; I am really worried about you."
"But the future can be changed if we know sufficient pieces of it."
"Lelouch, none of such have happened yet, we cannot guarantee this happening."
"Then I will prepare as much as I can for the worst case scenario."
"Your calculations will not determine anything, it will only ruin you!"
"At least I can react quickly to it!"
"Outcomes and human emotions do not mix. I don't think Nunnally's choices can be computed!"
"I mustn't let her fall into my father's hands!" Lelouch exclaimed with his fists locked, "My father used nearly every one of my brothers and sisters as political pawns: Schneizel, Cornelia, Clovis and even Euphie! I cannot allow Nunnally to feel this torment."
"The brave new world of tomorrow deserves to be free, I would not want to be a vain king for a day, let alone years," Lelouch said with a pale look, "No matter whom or where they come from, I would not exploit them like beasts of burden." Ironically, his motives for defeating Holy Britannia conflicted with his actions. Lelouch was the prime example of exploiting not only a small faction but a nation to do his bidding. Lelouch's intentions were benevolent and pacific but it was impossible to achieve through peaceful diplomacy. In practice, his moves were quite the opposite as conditions coerced a more critical and sacrificial approach.
The morning suns gradually arose out from the horizon as the sharp flashes of light turned an entire night of cold waters to a luminescent dream of brilliance. The displaced refugees came out of the hangers to see an island sunrise. Lelouch got out of the Gawain under his mask and walked towards the crowd, free from any worries. Many tired faces turned to see the glorious sun in the morning, at a time rarely seen back at home. It had a religious impact on their hearts, imprinting a sentimental scene of invincibility within their souls. Lelouch stood in front of the luminous rays and appeared like a heroic figure form the epics of literature. He began with an inspirational declaration:
People back home are going to be pushed into labour camps, working like slaves to an Empire who believes they are the invincible overlords of this Earth. Do you want your family and friends back home to die as peons to this tyrannical regime that exploits the weak and overexploits the natural? No! We will struggle until liberation is realized! We can't stop when Japan is liberated because the Britannians will enslave us all. We must liberate the world from this inconceivably menacing empire. We must end this terrible regime for the greater good of all mankind! We must end all of Britannia's unnecessary violence! This starts today as we are living in the most critical of times. Let the revolution begin NOW!
Clapping and cheering from all directions roared across the sea. The sound of over four million hands defined another moment in history; it defined the birth of a collective dream, a dream of a better world, a freer world. Penglaidao became the symbolic Atlantis in the modern age.
Part 26: Union
That morning marked the birth of a common dream, a people's dream for peace and prosperity worldwide. Lelouch sat in a meeting room with five other people, in a tall skyscraper right at the centre of the island city. The room was beautifully decorated with murals of gold and jade and engravings depicting scenes from mythology and imperial emblems. A large sphere, suspended on water was placed at a corner for décor. Several serving maids carried large fans made of finely embroidered silk, intricately woven with distinctive tones of green, bright and attractive to the eyes. One was in charge of preparing tea while another played the erhu. On his left sat Sumeragi Kaguya, the cousin of Kururugi Suzaku. On his right sat C.C., his trusted accomplice and giver of Geass. Three legislative members of Penglaidao: Shu Liubo, Huang Jin and Cai Wuxiong, sat across the three, enjoying their cup of tea before beginning.
Cai began with a formal introduction, "Greetings, I am Cai Wuxiong of Penglaidao. My associates Shu Liubo and Huang Jin welcome you to our island paradise. We were informed that your people have been integrated into our island residencies by the honorary imperatives of the high eunuchs."
"They have made arrangements for our stay as I made an agreement to protect China's southern borders from Britannian siege," Lelouch said.
"Then there is more reason to accept your arrival mister…" said Cai.
"Sorry, I go by the name Zero. The one on my right is C.C. and the one on my left is Lady Sumeragi Kaguya."
"Welcome mister Zero, miss C.C. and lady Sumeragi," said Cai Wuxiong, "Your people may stay on the old residence area to the southwest of the island for as long as you wish."
"I am gracious towards your people's wisdom and hospitality. We wish everyone would be more like the Chinese Federation," Lelouch thanked behind his mask.
"We the Chinese Federation and the rest of the world share a common enemy who sheds fear around our borders. It is good that we work together, sharing intelligence and capital in the defence and prevention of such fears," Cai said.
"We could not agree more to that truth."
"I heard you are of Japanese origin?" Shu asked
"We were originally from Area 11, the Japanese district of Britannia after the occupation," Lelouch replied.
"I can see lady Sumeragi being Japanese. Miss C.C. however could be confused for a Britannian."
"Trust me, none of us are Britannian," Lelouch claimed.
"Very well, we trust you," Huang said.
"We vow to supply any knowledge gathered from our covert operations and in addition supply technological knowledge from the Britannians," Lelouch said.
Kaguya sipped her tea and interrupted, "I am a shareholder of Japan's Sakuradite mines and I am obliged to share the commodity when the time is critical."
"You have our trust," Shu said, "Don't you worry about that."
"The Britannians themselves have a quote: 'When you drop something, pick it up or it becomes somebody's new trash,'" Lelouch said.
"I see you are very knowledgeable about the enemy," Huang said with the slightest laugh.
Lelouch said, "Sunzi once said: 'Know thy enemy and know thyself; a hundred battles without danger'"
Huang laughed and said, "Mister Zero, you are a foreigner well versed in the Art of War as well!"
"Sunzi was the greatest military theorist of all times," Lelouch said, "I have studied his classic in detail."
The room became an intellectual forum among the men while C.C. and Kaguya had no clue what they were talking about.
"I am grateful for your nation's kindness," Lelouch said.
"No, we are in need of your assistance," Cai said.
Lelouch, C.C. and Kaguya left the room after they bowed and walked down an empty steel-walled corridor until they reached an elevator. Lelouch pressed on the down button and waited.
C.C. asked him, "Where will we be staying?"
"You will be staying with me in a separate building from the rest," Lelouch notified her.
The elevator door opened and they walked inside to get to the first floor of this fifty two story consulate building.
"Wait, how about me?" Kaguya asked.
"We will be living in the same building because we are the important leaders. Haven't I told you two that you are my advisors?" Lelouch asked.
"No," the two girls said.
"No? I thought I did! Kaguya, you will be the Black Knight's ambassador and C.C., you will be minister of defense."
"And you?" Kaguya asked.
"I am the president of course!" Lelouch made it sound too obvious.
They reached the first floor and walked out into the main lobby. Several Black Knights were expecting them to arrive and escorted the three into a limousine (it was Kaguya's first item of purchase on Penglaidao).
"You bought a limo? Here?" Lelouch asked her behind his guise.
"It would be inconvenient without one," Kaguya said, "It was pretty cheap, half the price as the ones in Japan!"
C.C. looked directly at Zero and said, "And you thought I spend too much!" She was trying to get past his mask as she was criticizing Lelouch.
"What did you just say C.C.?" Kaguya asked.
"Nothing," Zero said, "It was just your imagination."
Part 27: Origins
That night, Lelouch and C.C. stayed in their new room on a five story condo with a lovely panoramic ocean view. The moonlight's reflection on the vast ocean was a rare anomaly back at home, but it appeared ever so graceful and frequent on this still artificial island. The room was decorated to look modern and stylish. Lelouch cleaned his mask as C.C. sat on the deluxe-sized bed. They had already changed into their nightwear.
"My father never cared about his children, he saw us as assets rather than his flesh and blood. That is why I was exiled from the empire," Lelouch told C.C. while polishing his mask, "He would let me die in place of him or place Cornelia on the front lines on a crusade for conquest."
"Why does he do this?"
"My father believed in one philosophy: survival for the fittest. He expected that only one of his children will survive to claim the throne and the rest would have to die before sitting on it."
"Would you do the same if you were emperor?" C.C. asked.
"Never! I would never place my children in jeopardy like my father!" Lelouch retorted.
"Then who would govern every area in your mighty empire."
"I will divide the states and assign them as autonomous region, governed by an elected member of parliament. This is being practiced by the EU," Lelouch answered. This answer stunned C.C. as she expected a more, oligarchic solution.
"You are truly different from your ancestors my love," C.C. replied with loving eyes.
"Where do you think I am from?" Lelouch asked this question abruptly.
"Why you are a Britannian, aren't you? That is trivial," C.C. replied.
"I have the face of a Britannian, I speak the Britannian language and I was born into the Britannian royal family. But I do not feel like a Britannian," Lelouch said as he looked at C.C.
"What do you mean?"
Lelouch stopped what he was doing and said, "I was lucky enough to be born into the Britannian royal family but I do not know how it is like to be Britannian," Lelouch elaborated.
"You exist without knowing your identity, how interesting."
"Since my abandonment, I forgot who I really was. I was no longer a prince since I do not live in a palace anymore. I did all the household chores because nobody was there to do them for me. I became more and more like a peasant."
"So you became a Britannian commoner."
"It doesn't end there."
"Oh?"
"After my exile to Japan, I carried my sister everywhere I could and enjoying every spot we visited. Back at home, I was bored of hiding in my mother's villa, locked within the doors of royalty. After my exile, I became free to roam anywhere I wanted."
"So you are a free spirit?"
"It doesn't end there! I befriended Suzaku and I learned the ways of living like a native 11. I became accustomed to the Japanese way of life. Hence I became more and more like a foreigner. I have to say, if I were to return back to Pendragon, I would have troubles adjusting back to royal customs."
"So you are de-Britannized?"
"Yes. The ironic thing is…the irony is that I am neither a foreigner than I am Britannian, which makes me somebody in the middle. I am one mind split halfway across the globe, so I cannot be properly accepted anywhere but here, another foreign nation."
"Either you are questioning your roots or implying a new fact that you are Chinese, I can go with both," C.C. said with a light smile and lay on the deluxe-sized bed.
Lelouch walked to the bed and clapped his hands. The lights deactivated and the blinds to the panoramic windows closed to his command as he found his place in the darkness. C.C. used his arm as a pillow but he didn't mind and said, "Goodnight C.C."
"Goodnight Lelouch and sweet dreams," she whispered into his ears.
Part 28: Garrison
Never fear being conquered; only fear you cannot conquer it more than once!
-Charles zi Britannia
It was a month after the exodus to Penglaidao. Lelouch and the Black Knights have volunteered to reclaim Area 12 for China as long as they pay up their end of the bargain. Back on Area 11, resistance groups that support the Black Knights have formed to fend off Britannian power. The uproar of revolutionaries disposed Britannian control by cutting supply lines to the settlement from the air and sea. Some went as far as hijacking an entire platoon of Knightmares to defend Japan from a second Britannian occupation. The spirit of Zero had produced wonders since his declaration of liberation and that forever changed the face of Japanese society. No longer did the Japanese submit to Britannian rule and identify themselves as 11; they regard themselves as a people who once possessed a rich and unique culture.
It was July 24. The humidity and equatorial summer made sweating a chore both day and night, as the Black Knights stationed their troops in the Tropical Zones of Areas 11 (former Philippines and Indo-Malaya). Despite the intense heat around them, the rainforest terrain was darker than night-time as tall canopies blocked sunlight from reaching the soil which two units, unit 33 and unit 57 were standing. A member and soldier of the Black Knights complained, "Why are we hiding here when the settlement is kilometres away from our post?" Another soldier puffed out a cloud of smoke from his mouth and responded, "If we are anywhere outside of the wild, we will sure get our asses caught and flogged!"
"Why are we on this mission again?"
"We are here to free Area 12 from Britannia and retrieve it for the Chinese Federation," said the smoker.
"I have a question. If the Chinese Federation was seen with Area 12, then won't they be getting themselves in a fight against Britannia?"
"Now you mention it, it doesn't make sense! Why would they purposely get themselves in trouble?"
"I don't know but something is definitely fishy around here," said the soldier.
A roar boomed from a distance and the sounds of tropical birds responded in the dark shadows. "I don't know but I think we better get in our Knightmares or we will become Tiger chow," said the smoker.
"Units 33 and 57, do you read?" a voice sounded from their communicators in the Knightmare frames.
"What is it and who's speaking?" asked the soldier.
"This is Ougi and I have the latest update from master Zero!"
"Ougi is that you?" the smoker asked.
"Yes and master Zero wants the two of you to remain at your post until you receive a message from squads 3 or 4."
"Then what," said the smoker.
"Then you will join by firing at incoming Britannian Knightmares. Your spot is our designated trap zone where they will be surrounded by squads 3 and 4," Ougi elaborated on the details, "Then you will join the squads in a rush tactic against small battalions, slowly approaching the Kota settlement."
"Roger," said the soldier.
"Roger that command," said the smoker.
With over twenty five million inhabitants, the Kota Settlement of Area 12 was a large metropolitan city, much like Tokyo, with integrated public transit systems and towering skyscrapers. Air conditioners ventilated cool air into the public buildings as hot air from within escape through the ventilation. Lelouch sat on a comfortable velvet covered chair, wearing a fashionable tuxedo. C.C. wore a mauve songket (traditional Indonesian/Malaysian dress) and a silver butterfly hairpiece that clipped her long green hair to taper like a drill but in an elegant fashion. They were playing a game of poker in a local casino with a Britannian nobleman, gambling all they had for the final round.
"What do you have Mr. Lamperouge?" said the nobleman who sat opposite to him.
"How about we all show our hands?" Lelouch suggested.
"Very well then, you too Miss. C.C.?" the nobleman asked.
"Gladly," C.C. replied.
"Full house of Jacks with aces," the nobleman announced.
"Pair threes that is all" C.C. said.
"Four aces and a queen," Lelouch announced, "It looks like I win!"
"It seems you have quite the luck, Mr. Lamperouge," the nobleman remarked on Lelouch's remarkable hand.
"This was a close match between the two of us. I have to admit, you were a tough adversary," Lelouch said humbly.
"I will be leaving," C.C. said.
"Leaving so soon, Miss. C.C.? You still have chips left," the nobleman pointed at her remaining poker chips.
"The final round was our loss and Mr. Lamperouge's winning. I think I will reclaim my money," C.C. said with her back facing the two. She walked towards the counter to reclaim her cash.
Lelouch left the room and made his way down to the elevator. C.C. followed him momentarily and undid her hair. They walked into the elevator door and pressed the "close doors" button. She wedged her hairpiece on her ear and said, "It is a go." This was the first command for the grand scheme.
"Roger," a voice replied.
Suddenly, the lighting and elevator stopped as Lelouch and C.C. were stuck on the elevator. "Everything will be all right, Miss C.C.," Lelouch played stranger as he held her by the shoulders. Diethard hacked into the power grid controls and shut down all the power. The sound of gunfire echoed from outside as thunderous sounds of crashing towers shook the building. From a relatively peaceful afternoon of entertainment, the day abruptly shifted to a state of chaos and terror.
"Master Zero, I have disabled the flow of power to Kota, what do I do now?" Diethard asked.
"Get Tohdoh's squad to the Capitol, we must take hold of central command!" Lelouch announced.
"As you wish master Zero," Diethard responded with respect.
"What are we going to do in the meantime?" C.C. asked Lelouch.
"We will have to wait until help is on the way. Staying here will not make us suspicious terrorists," Lelouch said.
The Kota Settlement was in a state of unrest; roadside bombs blasted through concrete walls and asphalt, incinerating buildings form the ground up. Tohdoh's squad skidded their way to the Capitol and busted through the large doors without effort. Tohdoh played a recorded message of Zero, "Surrender to the Black Knights as resistance is futile!"
A man wearing some eighteenth century wig stood before Tohdoh's Knightmare and exclaimed, "Never! I will not let you pirates seize another one of Britannia's…!" Tohdoh shot several bullets until what remained of the man was a hematoma.
"Kallen, Suzaku, how are things doing," Tohdoh asked on his communicator.
"We have control of this settlement's barracks," Suzaku informed.
"Excellent, now tell master Zero what to do next," Tohdoh said.
"Lelouch, our squad have arrested the entire military base of Kota, what do we do now?" Suzaku asked Lelouch through his communicator.
"We must slaughter all of the military and secure the weaponry," Lelouch instructed.
"But that is not right!"
"What matters most is that we take this mission to our advantage, even if thievery is the consequence! I order you to do it!" Lelouch commanded.
"At once," Suzaku said.
"Kallen, get the entire squad to search every floor and kill the troops!" Suzaku spread the orders.
"Is that the right thing to do, I mean if we kill these soldiers, we are killing the fathers of innocent children," Kallen remarked.
"Kallen, you are thinking too hard. We are both Japanese and this is necessary for our freedom and the freedom of others!" Suzaku returned.
They navigated through the dark barracks and fired rounds at any incoming soldier. Some were trampled to death, others were shredded by slash harkens. The brutality was of inhuman proportions as the walls were smeared with the blood of Britannian soldiers, some who have not killed one single life in their past; they all died together with the rest of their comrades like infected cattle in a decommissioning cattle ranch.
The town was entirely besieged by Lelouch and his Black Knights. They attacked from every angle and at ten fronts, ambushing the district capital by tearing down their streets, important buildings, jurisdiction and military. Savagery described what happened that day as it was a glorious victory for Zero's regime; the entire settlement blazed under Britannia's decimated influence. Diethard hacked into Hi-TV's broadcasting station and uploaded a recorded message. The face of a masked man filled every television screen throughout the empire as he announced yet another short but brilliant speech.
Citizens of Britannia, listen to me! The empire is an engine of inequality that abuses the poor vassal districts, using the enslaved populace like beasts of burden to garnish their way of life! What you see here are examples of such cruelty: Children in South America mining for the gold used to produce all the fine cutlery used by the Britannian nobility; women in West Africa tortured for producing inadequate fabric using inadequate looms! Is this an empire you want to pledge your allegiance to? How can you support such injustice? How can you survive such brutality? I do not know what atrocities the Britannians have done to you, but if you want change, join the Black Knights of justice and turn the domain of Britannia into a safer world where people live and work in peace! The revolution starts NOW!
The entire world heard Lelouch's message and this sparked a flame in the hearts of every applicable person. As of that day, Lelouch not only have control over Area 11 but Area 12 as well. After a couple hours stuck in an elevator, Suzaku arrived in the Lancelot and tore open the elevator door. C.C. hid behind Lelouch as he stood in a protective stance.
"I am glad it is you Suzaku, I was afraid that Kallen or Tohdoh might come out to save us," Lelouch said in relief.
"Just doing my job as you have ordered," Suzaku replied.
Part 29: Imperial Court
"What!" a strong voice roared.
"Your royal highness, what I report to you is fact. Please show mercy, I beg of you!" the messenger said with his head to the floor.
"I want every minister in this hall at once! The rampant revolts in Asia must be quelled before it poisons the minds of our entire dominion!" the emperor stated.
An Imperial conference took place in the throne room. Emperor Charles zi Britannia scolded at all the ministers, "This is incompetence! I instructed a structural fitting for Area 12 and the merging of former Area 11 to Area 12! How come both sides of the plan failed?"
"Your highness, the root of the problem is not in the planning but in the natives," quoted a minister.
"Impossible! Those weak inferiors have no power in defeating Britannia's mighty military!"
"When the waters are too rough, even the strongest of boats will sink," another minister said.
"Are you suggesting that Holy Britannia is weaker than its lower class? If so, then I need the actuarial tables at once!" Charles demanded.
"Yes your highness, I have the data right here," exclaimed another minister. He projected the information onto a screen on the left wall and explained the details, "As you can see, the leader of every uprising refers to himself as Zero. He has robbed the empire of our trust with a series of public appearances. Here is an example from today, it was broadcasted globally: Citizens of Britannia, listen to me! The empire is an engine of inequality that abuses the poor vassal districts, using the enslaved populace like beasts of burden to garnish their way of life! What you see here are examples of such cruelty: Children in South America mining for the gold used to produce all the fine cutlery used by the Britannian nobility; women in West Africa tortured for producing inadequate fabric using inadequate looms! Is this an empire you want to pledge your allegiance to? How can you support such injustice? How can you survive such brutality? I do not know what atrocities the Britannians have done to you, but if you want change, join the Black Knights of justice and turn the domain of Britannia into a safer world where people live and work in peace! The revolution starts NOW!
He seems to be a military genius who superseded even Princess Cornelia. On top of that note, two of our newest Knightmares under development, the Gawain and Lancelot were robbed from our laboratories."
"How can you be so foolish, relinquishing even our most classified research to the enemy?" Charles clenched his fists and demanded answers but the throne room was dead silent.
"Answer me!" the emperor raged.
Nobody answered.
"I expect results or you will all have your heads removed!" the emperor raged and dissolved the conference.
"My brother, you have to find a way to lure the enemy to us," a childish voice echoed from across the empty room.
"I had the world in my grasp, the European Universe and Chinese Federation before me. Now a new obstacle obstructs my path to ascension! I am losing the resources to finance war and diplomacy, what do I do know?"
"Do you still remember Lelouch?"
"You mean my son?" the emperor looked flabbergasted.
"He is still alive, I can assure you that."
"Where, I must have him back! He was my favourite son until his impulsive and rebellious behaviour after his mother's death."
"You exiled him along with his sister, correct?"
"I regret ever doing that, he was probably the most capable of succeeding me."
"You won't believe this but Lelouch is the one who calls himself Zero."
"Impossible! How do you know and why would he be the root of my problems?"
"Revenge, my nephew wants revenge for what I have done."
"What?"
"Your wife, Lady Marianne died without much explanation. He wanted to know who killed him. His exile brooded hate within his veins and he hates you for abandoning him and his sister."
"I regret everything I did! I had partial blame for the death of his mother. If only I could unify the world and activate the world of my upbringing. I just do not have the time."
"You still can."
"How? The rebellions in the Pacific are spreading like a plague, exhausting our immunity to their social qualms."
"I found out he was Zero on Kaname Island. I kidnapped Nunnally and transported her to the island behind my gates. There, he followed and revealed himself to a Britannian infantryman. I was surprised that he let his sister go for the time being, now I know he is not as simpleminded as the average prince or blinded by sibling affection. Your most competent son is indeed the most rational of them all!"
"Since his early youth, I was proud of his love of learning. He mastered the classics when he was only seven years old. That felt like yesterday but it was almost ten years ago."
"Now I have confirmed his ultimate weakness: it is his sister."
"If I use his own sister to bring him to me, I can manipulate his mind, ultimately changing his plans."
"I have her in custody."
"Excellent. All of our problems will be solved! My brother, you are the only one I can trust."
"I must warn you, Lelouch was given a Geass and I predict it was C.C."
"She accelerated his progress?"
"Alas and she cannot be executed manually."
"Once you give me Code, I will have the power to slay her. Now I have a plan to undermine that foolish plan of my son!"
Part 30: Deal
Night followed a day of smoke. Lelouch left what remained of Area 12 and returned to Penglaidao to attend a conference with a high eunuch. The room was quiet and no teacups could be found. It was unusual at first sight but natural for Lelouch because he loved nothing more than peace and quiet.
"I have a new proposal between our alliances," Lelouch began.
"Please explain your proposal," the eunuch requested.
"Area 12 was an old colony of the Chinese Federation, was it not?"
"True and it has always been until Britannian occupation five years ago."
"So this was a recent loss."
"Correct."
"If Indo-Malaya and Philippines is once again Chinese territory, the two of us will be in jeopardy."
"I think I know where you are getting at," said the eunuch, "Britannia will think the Chinese Federation launched an invasion on their territory and the Black Knights are allied to the Chinese Federation. Consequently, they will wage war against both faction, the Chinese Federation and the Black Knights."
"Precisely, that is why I want to extend the conditions on our terms of agreement," Lelouch stated.
"Let me hear your proposition," the eunuch said.
"Let the Black Knights be responsible for the land, making us the inheritors and governors of Area 12 but eighty percent of the industries will be handed to China."
"Make it ninety percent and we got ourselves a deal," the eunuch bargained.
"Fine, ninety percent it is," Lelouch replied.
"You have yourself a deal."
"I will look forward into doing business with the Chinese Federation. Your considerations for helping us have been true to its words."
"Yes, we value honesty and trust. That is how alliances work," said the eunuch.
Lelouch shook hands with the eunuch and left the tiny conference room. He thought to himself, "Slowly, the world will rid of Britannia's tyranny. By then I will have achieved what was deemed the impossible: obliterating the cancer of the world!" The compromise was a rational move for both parties as it lowered the suspicion of a secret alliance. It has been a hectic summer vacation that greatly differed from a normal student's summer. Theoretically, Lelouch should be enjoying a nice and relaxing day at a summer resort with his sister but that dream cannot happen in his current position. But now, Lelouch has forged a small domain all to himself, two former colonies, Area 11 and Area12, in hope that this dream will one day come true for the two of them.