Audacity chapter 17.
*You're probably wondering when I sleep… my answer to that is 'almost never'. Strange as it may be I seem to do my best work when I'm tired. I know, I know… it makes no sense to me either. Regardless, I present to you another chapter in rapid succession.
Response to review by: EVA-Saiyajin. Yes indeed, he was deliberately answering Tamaki as opposed to Ohgi. And I agree, that letting the whole of Ohgi's group know Kallen has information they want is risky, however it is also useful. Primarily because; if they have someone else to pester for info they're less likely to bother him.
Once again thank you for the repeated reviews.
After picking up my green sweatshirt where I had discarded it I walked off in towards the better part of town.
Okay what would be the best way to acquire weapons and other such materials? I focused most of my brain power on this question. As I slipped off the mask and returned it to its concealed position.
I suppose I could always acquire a large truck or big rig; drive up to the nearest military installation, and Geass the soldiers to fill it up with all the stuff I want… but that's hardly subtle.
I thought about it for a while longer but found no other solution that I could come across without having heavy intelligence work. Or at least ties with smugglers of some sort.
Then again I'm not a very subtle person. I sighed heavily. I quickly formed a half-baked plan.
Step one- acquire truck. Step two- visit the main consulate building. Step three- get the fuck out of there. It seemed simple enough, there were lots of holes I would have to fill with my Geass. But I decided it would work… This time at least.
Naturally, I didn't know where I could find a truck stop or the near equivalent. So I decided waiting at a four-way intersection would be the next best thing. Leaning against a brick wall belonging to an antique store I waited patiently.
To this day I honestly believe, time spent thinking clearly is never time wasted. However in got to the point where I started getting tired of thinking clearly… That was after about two hours of sitting there staring at cars go by of course.
Don't get me wrong the plan worked wonderfully I saw several large trucks capable of carrying three or four knightmares and an ass load of supplies. However the pivotal point of this whole waiting game was for me to be able to stop the truck. And naturally I wasn't just going to stand in the road and hope they didn't splatter me.
I would just have to wait until one was forced to stop when the light changed to red. Very, very, very patiently.
Perhaps I should Geass myself so I could have infinite patience… or maybe even infinite willpower.
I decided against both, I didn't want to waste a potential Trump card unless absolutely necessary.
I was unable to continue my thoughts of self-manipulation (no pun intended.) for finally a truck of sizable nature stopped at the light.
About fucking time! I thought excitedly as I sprinted up to the driver side door. I had to climb onto it in order to get eye level with the driver. Shortly afterwards I knocked on the glass startling the man. He rolled down the glass with a look of utter confusion, but I would fix that.
I didn't give him a chance to say anything I simply jumped right to it.
"{Obey me.}" I waited a brief second for the effect to lock itself in, and as to not draw attention I gave my orders quickly.
"Take me to the Viceroy's consulate. The eastern entrance specifically." Not even bothering to wait for a response I ran around to the passenger side of the truck and entered after a short climb upwards. Being sure to fasten my seatbelt in the empty seat I motioned for the driver to continue onwards.
The driver wore a light blue baseball hat that of which looked very well loved over the years, had the beginnings of a beard and a healthy tan on his left arm and appeared to be in his mid-40s; living a perfectly respectable life.
Too bad I'm going to have to involve him in this mess… I pushed the thought away trying to think about it as he changed course down a street I did not recognize. It then occurred to me that if there was already material loaded into the container I would need to have it removed.
"Driver." I said to catch his attention. "What cargo are you hauling?"
"{Nothing but mattresses Captain.}" I smirked slightly when he called me 'Captain' passing it off as an interesting personality quirk.
"Very well then, carry on my previous orders." The man gave a mock salute but never took his eyes off the road.
I placeed my injured hand on my lap protectively as I stared out the window.
I'll just have to Geass the personnel to both form a perimeter and to load and unload the crap I have and want.
I flicked on my Geass and stared at its reflection in the glass.
This power… I've already abused it. It's only a matter of time before I seriously fuck something up with it.
Doing my best to ignore my slight self-loathing I redirected my thoughts onto worst-case scenarios regarding my current mission. Honestly the only way something could have gone wrong is if I ran into the same guards I had Geassed during my last visit… Unlikely, but possible.
More than likely they fired everyone that was involved in maintaining the knightmares, regardless of whether or not they were the ones Geassed.
The consulate became visible in the distance. I smiled and waited until the driver slowed to a stop in front of the wrought-iron gate. A guard came up to the driver side with his weapon drawn.
They're more suspicious this time around… But that's only natural considering what happened last time they had a lax in security.
"Over here! Passenger side! I have the clearance." I shouted through the once again open window of the driver's side. The guard angled around the front of the truck never once losing his concentration as he scanned the windshield and other Windows. Once he was beside me I rolled down the window.
"{Obey me.}" And it was simple as that. The next 15 min. involved a lot of driving around over to the loading dock where the truck could be handled properly. Apparently they had a specific area made for unloading trucks of this size if not larger according to the guard at least. Which didn't surprise me really, an installation of this size would have many needs and the means to accommodate them.
Once we had backed the truck against the concrete loading dock I stepped out and walked towards a pair of armed guards.
"Excuse me! Yes you two!" Sure that I had their attention I did my thing. "{For the rest of today you will follow my orders.} First order of business; bring me your commander." Both of them immediately ran off to complete their assigned task. It didn't take long for them to return with an older man with graying hair and an almost tired expression about him.
"Are you the one in charge here?" the man nodded and had a quizzical look about him.
"Yes I'm the-" I cut him off.
"{Obey me.}" I was starting to get tired of that command. "I order you to unload that 18 wheeler over there." I pointed at my chariot. "And fit as many nightmares as you can inside of it, however I also require that you get at least 50 assault rifles, 50 handguns, and 50 sets of body armor to fit as well. Not to mention ammunition accordingly."
The officer saluted in confirmation but I wasn't quite done yet.
"One more thing, you are to delete all security information and video that has been and will be recorded today."
"{Sir!}" The man saluted once again and set about his task. While he was doing this I decided it would be a good idea to call Kallen and give her and the others a heads up. However I noticed as I was scrolling through my contacts that I did not have her number.
That's fine, I'll just call Milly and get it from her. I clicked on Milly's number and lifted the phone to my ear. After two tones she picked up.
"Hello!" Came a cheerful greeting from the other side of the phone.
"Hey Milly, can you text me Kallen's number." I decided to come up with a cover story quickly before she could tease me. "She dropped her ID in the foyer and I've been looking for her all day."
"Oh, sure no problem. By the way, you're skipping school again aren't you?" I smirked slightly.
"And what would you say if I said yes?" She sighed into the receiver.
"Is not what I'll say you have to worry about, it's what your precious girlfriends gonna say to you when you get back." That hadn't even occurred to me.
"I'm not worried about it." I lied.
"You know you can't lie to me Lelouch, besides Shirley told me what happened during the movie. You're quite the Casanova aren't you?" I couldn't stop the blush from invading my face.
"Dammit woman! Just text me Kallen's number!" I heard a shrill laugh right before I hung up angrily. I stood there for about 2 minutes fuming inwardly before the text came.
And nature to save the number into my contacts list that way I wouldn't have to go to Milly just for her number again. I clicked on the call button.
It took several rings but she eventually answered.
"L-Cypher?" her choice of names told me that she was still around her comrades, scratch that, our comrades.
"Yes." I confirmed.
"How did you get my number?" I smiled evenly.
"I have my ways." I said cryptically. "But that's irrelevant, I have the weapons and ammunition and a few knightmares. I just wanted to know whether not I should drop them off at the warehouse or somewhere else?"
Silence followed by almost incoherent stuttering followed my question.
"W-w- how did you- that was fast!" I looked upwards and observed the soldiers beginning to load what appeared to be pallets of ammunition into the container of the truck.
"I know, I'm awesome. But once again that's not the important part. I need to know where I can drop this off."
"Umm, yeah. The warehouse should be fine, as long as it's not too many knightmares."
"Excellent." I concluded. "Be there in less than two hours." I then hung up, not giving her a chance to say anything more. The officer then came back over to me seemingly to report.
"{Objectives completed Sir!}" I smiled sadistically.
"Good, I'll perform an inspection and as long as nothing is amiss I'll be on my way. And remember nobody is to know of me being here."
"{Sir! Understood.}" I walked up the concrete siding and peered into the back of the container. Inside were four Nightmares, Sutherlands to be specific, that of which were pushed and squeezed in with almost no room to spare. In front of the nightmares were 18 pallets stacked accordingly filling the container perfectly leaving almost no room for the door to shut.
I jumped up and grabbed the strap letting gravity do most of the work I pulled the door down until it clicked shut. Just before I decided to leave, a hilarious idea made it into my mind.
I had to run in order to catch up to the commanding officer but I caught him before he turned the corner of the building.
"Hold on! I want you to give whoever the new Viceroy is this." I pushed towards him a piece of paper I had scribbled a few lines on with a pen I lifted from the driver's consul.
The note read as such.
Dear moron in charge.
I'm in yo' base! Fuckin' it up! HAHAHAHA!
Sincerely.
Cypher 01.
I couldn't help but snicker as I made my way back to the truck. This is guaranteed to elicit a reaction from someone. But as to whom I had no clue.
But I didn't think about it too much, for I had some allies to impress.
It felt rather embarrassing, but I ended up falling asleep on the ride back to the docks. Fortunately for me I had given the driver directions prior to my fit of unconsciousness.
The truck lurched to a stop in front of the specified warehouse jarringly me awake rudely. Immediately I scrambled to put on my mask and remove my sweatshirt. Shaking the sleep off of me by stretching I hopped out and walked over to the roll down gate. Knocking three times loudly I waited.
It opened once more revealing the same interior, however this time around there were only four people.
Tamaki, Ohgi, Kallen, and the woman with the long blue hair… I believe her name was Inoue.
"Ladies, gentlemen… Tamaki… I present to you the cargo in this… Well fuck people! It's a truck it's not very elegant, just help me unload it." I ordered as I clicked the latch and lifted the door.
"Holy shit!" was Tamaki's outburst as he viewed the supplies inside. I inspected the area where the door had previously clicked into place and found an extendable ramp, once said ramp was extended I began unloading first by separating the boxes of ammunition and carrying them down two at a time.
Damn this shit is heavy! If it weren't for Gray Jack I probably couldn't even lift this this. A stray thought caused me to cast my thoughts outward.
Do you hear me you creepy bastard? I thank you… Don't get used to it.
I walked over and placed the ammunition in a corner with the intention of starting a pile similar to the pallet it came in. I noticed Oghi had removed his jacket and began unloading along with Tamaki.
I also spotted Kallen and Inoue attempting to pick up boxes as well. And I would have none of that!
"Wait! Quit what you're doing!" I shouted, getting everyone's attention. "Ladies, this is a man's work. Let us do the heavy lifting." Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Tamaki and Ohgi backing away from Kallen.
Kallen dropped the box she had been holding with a thud and marched over to me with her fists clenched. It took a vast amount of restraint to not panic and back away.
"What are you trying to say? Just because I'm a woman means I'm not as strong?"
Not good… I thought awkwardly.
"No- I mean." I stopped briefly to recover myself. Leaning forward I snatched Kallen's right-hand and pulled it up to the mouth of the mask in a mock kiss.
"Delicate flowers should not be put to the grind." Perfect, crisis averted. Or so I thought.
Her face turned a deep shade of crimson as she displayed an intense visage of anger and embarrassment.
She then proceeded to knee me in the balls. This in turn elicited high-pitched yelp from me, soon afterwards I fell over onto my right side clutching my crotch protectively.
"Jerk…" she said that in an ordinary volume while turning back and continuing to move boxes of ammunition and rifles.
Oooooowwwwwwccccccchhhhhh! What the fuck! I was trying to be a gentleman! Oh shit where'd lefty go!
I felt around briefly and quickly relaxed as much as I could through the intestine churning pain. (All males know this to some extent.)
That was close, I thought I lost a testicle for a moment there…
Rolling over and pushing myself up with a grunt I wobbled up to a standing position while leaning over slightly.
"AHAHAHAH! I wish I had a camera!" laughed Tamaki as he set down another box of ammo. I lifted my middle finger at him and continued lifting shit. Grumbling quietly to myself all the while.
It took about 45 minutes, but we managed to get everything except for the knightmares unloaded.
When it came time to move those Kallen walked over to me. Instinctively I grabbed my crotch protectively and turned to the side.
"What?" I almost hissed. Still looking slightly angry she extended to me what looked like a USB drive.
"Help me move the knightmares out…" I wanted to face-palm, but that would have required me to let my guard down near my midsection. So instead I was flat-out honest… Sort of.
"I can't, I don't know how to pilot." The look of shock that she expressed quickly overwhelmed all her other emotions.
"But in Shinjuku-" I cut her off.
"Wasn't me in the knightmare, like I said I can't pilot, you'll have to do it yourself. Or with the others if they know how." I tacked on.
"we'll have to fix that, I can teach you if you'd like." She offered. I smirked under my mask and let loose a sarcastic remark.
"Hmmm? Private lessons? Sounds like fun." And just like that the 'angry Kallen' returned. I immediately backed up and said to the group.
"Okay that's it for today; I'm leaving now before I lose another testicle." This caused Tamaki to burst out laughing once more. Even Ohgi cracked a smile.
I made sure to tell the driver that he could leave as soon as they were done unloading and that he was to forget and erase all evidence of our activities together. And once those objectives were completed he was to continue acting as his normal self.
Didn't think Kallen would do something like that… But I have to admit she is fun to tease. I thought this as I slipped on my green sweatshirt a good distance away.
I wasn't sure what was going to happen between me and my newfound allies. However, I did know one thing, I was really, really hungry…
To be continued…