Audacity chapter 15.
*I sincerely apologize for not getting this chapter in when I said I would, however I had a major fuck up with my computer I'd like to call it a computer crash, however I'm not quite sure what it was. Because of this and my own lack of foresight I failed to save the original version of chapter 15… So as you could imagine I was very pissed off. Regardless I rebooted everything from the ground up and made damn sure that I saved it this time around. Also, if anyone has any questions at all regarding this specific fan fiction and/or technical information regarding this fan fiction either send me a message or leave a review and I guarantee a reply.*
I was practically dead on my feet; I determined this might have something to do with me facing down the Britannian military. And when you add that on top of a date with a beautiful woman… One could imagine how easily a person's energy reserves could drain.
The night air provided a small bit of comfort as I slowly made my way back to Ashford Academy. I was in no hurry I had already walked Shirley home, so I was left to my own devices. I considered what was on my to do list for the near future.
Should probably pester Gray Jack for some information… I should probably do that to CC as well. I only have one class with Shirley, what was it again? Oh yeah chemistry.
I turned the corner and Ashford Academy became visible less than 100 yards away.
Well as far as I'm concerned all the other classes can go to hell, I'll just Geass so the teachers to give me decent marks.
A stray thought ran its way into my mind.
I wonder if gray Jack and CC know anything about each other? Not likely, but considering I can't kill either of them, it wouldn't be wise to piss them off with hundreds of questions, I should limit my questions to a few at a time.
I finally set foot on the campus and angled my direction towards my dorm.
Only one problem, I have no idea how to get in contact with Gray Jack… he said run maround in circles with my arms flailing and stuff… yeah, not gonna happen. I wonder if he can read my thoughts right now?
Do you hear me you sack of shit! We got need to talk!
I felt slightly foolish for thinking this and half expecting it to work.
Just as I began walking up the stairs to the student Council building I noticed a spot of green on the left pillar nearest the door. The color shifted into the light and revealed CC.
"Sup?" I greeted tiredly. I may have just been me but she looked genuinely frustrated.
"And exactly what was the point of your little escapade today?" It was slight, but there was an edge in the words and the way they were said. My mind clicked in recognition as a realized that she knew that I was Cypher 01… Somehow.
"What do you mean?" I tried to toy with her.
"Don't play dumb with me; the boy that was saved today was the same boy that saw me in the capsule, nobody else but you would stick their neck out for him." I nodded in agreement.
"I don't see how it's any of your business, unless of course you feel like turning me in. But then again that would be rather counterproductive for you." Her eyes narrowed and the bored expression on her face became one of seriousness.
"We are accomplices Lelouch, you and I… I can't have you dying on me before you fulfill my wish. Until that time, if you are to engage in any dangerous activities… consult me first." Most people would not have responded positively to something like that, however I was far too tired to argue.
"Fine fine I get it. Besides, unless the shit really hits the fan, I don't plan on doing anything like that again anytime soon. Happy?" No response was given, she simply turned and entered inside without so much as a nod.
I'll just question her tomorrow, I guess. I thought lazily as I followed behind her.
While walking down the hallway I decided to stop at Nunnally's door. Being damn sure to knock this time I waited for a response. None was forthcoming, so I opened the door only slightly and peered inside.
It was dark, but due to the bulge in the bed it was clear that Nunnally was sleeping peacefully. I shut the door and continued my way towards my room. It took a few moments of ambling down the hallway but I finally made it to my door.
Rubbing my eyes I reached for the handle and stumbled inside. Reaching for the light switch flicked it on.
"GAHHHH!" I stumbled and fell backwards as I was met with the site of Gray Jack sitting on the chair to my desk.
"Damn… Overreact much?" he asked sarcastically.
Clenching my teeth I did my best to calm myself as well as my heart rate as I stood and righted myself.
"Well excuse me; it's not every day I come home to find… Whatever the hell you are waiting to ambush me in my own room!" I said dipping into anger.
"Well you're the one who wanted to talk to me. From what I understand you want to ask some questions, which is perfectly acceptable, however please take note I give nothing up for free… Be it information or otherwise."
Then what about the physical augmentation?
"That was for me. Like I said you're a good source of entertainment, but if you die you'll cease to be as such. So that means I can't have you walking around as a total lightweight."
"So you can read my thoughts…" I stated with a sense of foreboding. Jack smiled a lipless smile and leaned back slightly.
"Yes it's true, but only to a certain extent. What that extent is… Well that's valuable information and you'll have to pay for that."
I shook my head.
"No thanks I don't need to know about that, but what I do need to know is if I'm permitted to tell others about you if necessary?"
My question was met with a flat-out response.
"No. The only exception being the green haired one that refers to herself as CC. But other than that you will tell no one of my existence, if you do I will kill them."
I clenched my fist and my eyes narrowed. I realized this might require me to lie to some people I'd rather not be dishonest with.
"And what of my deficit of memories?" Gray Jack waved one of his ungodly long appendages.
"Do what you want with that peace of information; just remember, you're probably going to have to come up with a cover story." I nodded, and in doing so realized how tense I was.
"Last question, am I still able to Geass myself? I realize you don't want me to use it to recover my memories… However you interrupted my last command, so I want to know. Am I still able to use it on myself for something else?" Gray Jack pulled back slightly at this and rubbed his discolored chin.
"Do you mean if I will let you do it? Or if you are physically capable of Geassing yourself still, despite the fact that I stopped you halfway?"
"Both." I answered with quickly.
"Well… Considering this information isn't particularly valuable to me I'll give it up for free-ish."
"What do you want?" I asked cautiously.
"Don't ever shoot me again. It hurts despite the fact it can't kill me."
"Deal. Now answer." I demanded, becoming impatient.
"Yes to both, from what I've gathered your Geass alters the subject's brain all the way down to the synapses. What some people might consider damage caused by your Geass is really just your Geass rearranging synopses in accordance to your command. When I stopped your command from being fulfilled, I reset all the synopses back to the way they were before you gave the command. So logically speaking you should still be up to Geass yourself."
"For anything other than my memories?" I tacked on for him.
"For anything other than your memories, yes." He confirmed.
"That's all I needed to know. Anything else you can think of?" I walked over to my bed and landed on it with a soft thud.
Whether or not he answered me I know not. For I passed out within seconds of lying down.
*The Next Day.*
Holy shit… I knew I would get the media buzzing, but not to this extent.
I thought this as I scrolled through various websites on the computer in the student Council room. It was early, not even Nina had arrived yet. I had already grabbed something for breakfast and decided I might as well see the consequences my actions.
From what I could tell the Britannian military was trying it's hardest to cover its ass. Apparently the military was not used to having a media go against them.
I closed the computer and all its applications and then stood up to exit the room.
Might as well go talk to Nunnally.
I began my search first in her room, once again being sure to knock. I did not find her there so I immediately turned my direction towards the kitchen and dining room… Once again my search turned up nothing. I then began wondering about the rest of the student Council building.
I chanced upon her door that was slightly open, inside of which I heard a rustling. Peering inside I saw the form of what appeared to be Milly rifling through several boxes.
"Sup?" I greeted, elongating the phrase.
Milly turned around slightly startled, causing several dust moats to pick up and sparkle in the light.
"L-Lelouch. Don't sneak up on people like that." I shrugged and leaned up against the frame of the door
"What are you up to this early in the morning?" I asked nonchalantly. Milly place both her hands on her hips and faced me directly.
"You missed the party for our newest member of the Council." I quickly looked left and right.
"Aaaaaand?" I asked almost sarcastically.
"And, you're going to have to make up for it. I think the best way-" I cut her off.
"I don't owe anybody anything… That I know of." I said this almost defiantly. Milly's expression was that of simple shock.
"What's up with you Mr. lately you've been nothing but the unexpected." Her voice lowered considerably.
"Is this about what happened with Clovis?" my features darkened at his mention, my stance shifting slightly.
"Things have changed recently… I don't know how to explain most of it-nor can I the rest. As for my mannerisms, yes they have changed. All I can say… No all I can ask, is that you take this development of character in the most positive way possible."
Milly's expression quickly changed from that of shock to a more apologetic scheme.
"I never said it was a bad thing, I didn't mean to insult your anything. I just wanted to bring it to the forefront maybe find out-…" Her eyes squinted slightly as she walked forward. Leaning towards me and pinching my bicep, she then said slyly.
"Someone's put on a little bit of muscle I see. My my… With a little more work you could turn out to be quite the beefcake."
I looked down to the area already being surveyed and noticed that the uniform I had on was beginning to become too small. It still fit of course, however due to the fact that I previously had almost no body fat whatsoever it made sense that any change in size would result in a need for an altercation in wardrobe.
"Maybe… Have you seen Nunnally?" I changed the subject ignoring her teasing. She seemed to pout slightly at my lack of reaction, but regardless answered with.
"Last time I saw her she was over in the foyer, talking to Kallen." I smiled, nodded and waved to her absentmindedly as I walked away.
I wonder if Nunnally's had any problems with her sight? I thought offhandedly as I walked towards the foyer.
The talk I had with CC was far too short to produce anything worthwhile or meaningful, it's obvious she wanted to say more… I wish I understood that bitch.
I finally breached the entrance to the foyer and immediately spotted Nunnally's wheelchair facing away from me. Standing next to her was the same redhead that I had nearly failed to Geass the other day.
I thought briefly, knowing I've seen her somewhere before.
Then it hit me.
Oh shit, that's the chick who piloted the Glasgow in the Shinjuku incident!1! She's a terrorist. A terrorist is next to Nunnally, unacceptable.
Click.
I felt something in my mind shift at an awkward angle and release a part of Cypher 01's persona.
"Hey Nunnally! You seen the news recently? Crazy stuff isn't it." I raised my voice slightly to cover the distance. I had both of their attentions directed towards me.
Now to get her away from Nunnally. I slipped my right hand into my pants pocket in preparation to use my butterfly knife if necessary.
"Yes, I saw the news. It's so much nicer to be able to watch the television instead of just listening to it." She stated while giggling lightly.
"I can imagine…" I drifted off slightly and angled my vision towards Kallen.
What was the name that she was under in Shinjuku?... Ahh yes, Q1.
"Would you mind helping me Q1… Milly wants help labeling some of the boxes in the storage room." I held my breath as I waited for her to react. Her eyes widened in shock briefly but quickly thereafter narrowed along with the rest of her facial features.
"sure, no problem."
Good, so she remembers… That makes one of us. I motioned for her to follow me, and she quickly complied albeit with a subtle defensive posture.
"See you soon Nunnally." Nunnally smiled and said goodbye as I walked not to the storage room but to my own quarters.
I made sure to keep myself angled so I could react if she attacked me throughout the entirety of the walk. I swung open the door to my room walked inside. She shut the door behind her.
My facial expression immediately changed to a stoic poker face as I turned to face her.
"Now tell me… What is a terrorist doing here?" Her reaction was nowhere near what I had expected. Instead of responding verbally she produced a pink pouch which immediately turned out to be a switch blade of considerable size.
I slid my left foot back and grit my teeth as she lunged forward. The world seemed to slow to almost nothing in the brief moment it took for her to close the distance.
Two options: block, or dodge. Can't Dodge at this range, block it is.
In hindsight I still agree with this choice, for nobody expects a person to deliberately take a potentially lethal blow just so they can return one.
At the last second while she was forwardly thrusting the blade I lifted my left hand and allowed the knife to pierce the center of my palm.
Through the white-hot sting and the separating skin I felt the fabric come in contact with undamaged parts of my hand. I immediately clenched my fist in a death grip.
Twisting both my hand and hers along with the pouch, I force her arm into an awkward angle. Whilst doing this I looped my left leg around her heel and yanked backwards once I had an anchor. This caused her to fall bringing me down with her, fortunately on top. I then placed my knee on her free elbow.
Realizing that time was of the essence I almost fumbled for my butterfly knife as I flipped it open and pressed it against her neck with my free hand.
Through the pain I decided to be audacious.
"What the hell bitch? I asked a simple question and you stab me, not a people person I would assume?" The last part of my snide remark was rhetorical.
"Now answer me." I demanded, my voice deepening.
"I just go to school here, nothing special." My eyebrow rose slightly.
"Oh so being a terrorist can be a part time job? Where can I apply? Actually a better question would be, why are you a terrorist?" she seemed reluctant to answer, so I enticed her by pressing the blade against her carotid artery more firmly.
"Because I'm half Japanese." For the second time that day I glanced left and right in quick succession.
"That's it?" there was a short pause. I could feel my blood slowly seeping out of my veins and onto her pouch/knife… Thing.
"What else do I need? You've seen the way the Japanese are treated. Hell all the numbers are treated like dirt."
I almost deadpanned at her stupid reasoning.
"And so you seek to change this by needlessly involving civilians in your conflicts." It wasn't a question.
She had no comeback whatsoever. She did however struggle lightly against my weight. This sparked a bit of inspiration in me.
"Imagine my body's weight on top of you, imagine it as the embodiment of Britannia's oppression against the Japanese. Now, if you wanted to get me off of you would you go randomly harass the staff of the Academy and then hide behind the students blaming them, or allowing them to take the blame?"
Once again she said nothing.
"This is an accurate, although downscaled version of what you and your compatriots are doing. Do you disagree?"
"I know this! But Britannia so much stronger than us, we have no choice but to hit-and-run." I nodded agreeing partially.
"Understandable, but I'm unable to condone your actions regardless. If Britannia is truly in the wrong, then you must bring this into the light. Into the eyes of the people, because however strong a single nation might be…They cannot remain strong if the masses disagree with what they're doing and resist."
She didn't hesitate with a response this time.
"It's easy to say that when you're just observing something from the sidelines! Analyzing and criticizing when you haven't done a single thing other than sit there on your high horse and cast judgment! Never getting your hands dirty!" The venom in her words stung slightly.
"If I let you up will you refrain from attacking me?" I paused. "Because honestly I have no intention of harming you." Defeated yet still defiant she nodded.
Being sure to disarm her despite her word, I removed my hold and stood up right being sure to back up slightly. I quickly removed the blade shortly after.
The wet sloshing sound it made was sickening and painful as the blade finally left my flesh.
I continued to grip the concealable weapon with my injured hand, further staining it's pink and deceiving outward appearance. In the other hand I flipped the butterfly knife closed and returned It to my pocket
"I'm not as much as a sideline observer as you might think…" I trailed off as I walked past her to my desk. Opening the bottom drawer and reaching under several manila folders I gripped onto the Cypher 01 mask.
Pulling it out and lightly tossing it to her I put on a sly smirk.
The said object was quickly caught and just as quickly, recognition flashed over her face.
"…You're the one… That saved him." Her expression quickly changed to that of embarrassment.
"Logically speaking, you just attacked an ally. From your point of view at least." She tried several times to speak but failed miserably, only managing to get out quick syllables and stuttering words.
Finally, as if her resolve had hardened, she looked at me directly in the eyes.
"Will you join us… Will you fight with us." it took a surprising effort not to laugh out loud.
"Pffft, why?" I finally leveled with.
"What? What do you mean why? You hate the Britannians as much as we do don't you?" My sarcastic demeanor immediately dropped.
"It's not a matter of hate… Both sides have done their share of wrongs, some more than others yes. But I fight for neither. The only thing I will fight for is to protect those who cannot protect themselves."
She spread both for arms out palms facing me in an exasperated movement.
"Then why not join us, we could be so much more effective if we work together." It seemed she was almost pleading at this point.
"Let's get one thing straight… Me joining you, or your conglomerate of terrorists, would only contradict my values, few and far between as they may be. But regardless, I believe that if you truly want to join forces… That you would join me and not the other way around."
"How is that any different?" She immediately blurted out.
"Because if you join me…you would follow my orders… Not the other way around." I noticed her body language was immediately radiating turmoil and confusion.
"I don't know how to make this clearer; I don't gain anything by butting heads with Britannia for no reason."
"But you would be supporting the Japanese in our fight for liberation." My stoic expression returned.
"Your liberation is not my concern. You lost the war, therefore you are subject to the rule of the nation that conquered you…" I froze for brief moment, hearing it said out loud made me realize how contradictory I sounded.
"But-" I cut her off.
"However… I will meet with the rest of your faction. Get my cell phone number from Milly. Contact me whenever it's convenient for you and I'll get in touch to discuss the terms of our cooperation… If that turns out to be possible."
We stared at each other for several seconds.
"Deal?" I proposed.
"Deal." She agreed.
"It has a little blood on it." because you stabbed me! "But this still belongs to you." I said as I reached over and returned the pouch/knife to her. At the same time I retrieved my mask from her possession and returned it to its concealed position within my desk.
She took the pouch wordlessly and looked at me for brief moment with an expression of awe.
It then occurred to me…
Fucker! I could've just used the latent Geass command I gave her already. And because of that lapse of intelligence I have a hole in my hand. Wonderful.
"Now that our business is complete here, I have to find a cover story and treatment for my hand." She attempted an apology which I immediately cut off with a wave of my hand… The uninjured one of course.
"Save it. I don't blame you for it."
I then exited the room with Kallen shortly behind me.
Now to find the nurse. I thought angrily as I sought medical attention.