Audacity chapter 24.

*I apologize for the enormous delay; however I decided to take a break for bit… My break is over now as you can see, so you can expect regular updates, although don't be surprised when they're still a little bit slow. Regardless I know most of you are waiting for Mao to make an appearance… All I can say to that is, "Calm the hell down, we'll get there when we get there!" *

Due to the fact that there are significantly more reviews, I didn't have the time to answer them all, so I brought in a couple of the characters from my story to answer them for you. Feel free to request a specific character to respond to your review in the future.

Gray Jack's response to: Atrile. "Yeah, I know I am pretty damn scary, I just wish the other immortal gave off a few more facial expressions- after her initial shock she immediately became as non-revealing as a blank canvas." *Sighs lightly* "when it comes to Master Dumbshit ejecting, I couldn't help but laugh my ass off, and as to the boob grab incident… All I can say is that he knows how to make a bad situation worse." * crouches down and gets comfortable.*

"After examining his thoughts thoroughly, I concluded the reason he decided to forgo his mask was because he wasn't willing to put off knightmare practice just to conceal his identity from his allies… Lelouch seems to have some paranoia when it comes to people trusting him. He seems to think people are in constant suspicion of him." * Scratches side then walks away.*

CC's response to: EVA-Saiyajin. "This 'hilarious cliffhanger' you referring to has a good chance of getting my accomplice killed, although I can't blame you for finding it funny. Whatever, the author sends his regards for your reviews."

Lelouch's response to: LEGENDRY. "I hope CC actually tries to assist me in my endeavors, that would help a lot, and I guarantee you that I can pull off her wish… Whatever it is."

"As to CC's code… I'm assuming you mean immortality, and if that does somehow get in the way of Gray Jack's ability to use my soul… Well to be honest with you, I'd be a little bit scared if that was the case, primarily due to the fact that I don't know what he can and can't do. Not to mention I can only give so many people so much at any given time."

"Oh shit…. Milly… Geass canceler…. Why is my life so fucked up? I have one moment of weakness and already people are thinking of ways it can come and bite me on the ass! Seriously guys, come on! It's like you enjoy watching me suffer." *Grumbles to self.* " If Shirley does make some sort of reappearance I'm not even sure it would affect me anymore… Enough said."

"Hey wait a minute! I am perfectly capable of negotiating the terms of my own agreements! Not to mention I couldn't possibly imagine how someone could get bored with me, I'm infinitely amusing." *Lifts chin arrogantly.*

"The thing with Mao huh?... Jack already told me if others find out about him through me that he's simply going to kill them himself… So I'm sure he'll deal with the other mind reader in due time… Hopefully."

"Don't tell the author not to feel bad about the update speed! That bastard needs to get off his lazy ass and get to work! I got shit to do man! And I can't do it without him writing for me!"

My response to Sgt. Underpants… Really… you are a sergeant of underpants… but kind of scares me… whatever. As to my character's lifespan, only can really say is ' He has to die sometime… and I will be putting it in this story.' Feel free to quote me on that.

So far you are the first person to give my fan fiction this type of rating… it's nice to know where I stand some people's eyes. I genuinely appreciate this. Thank you very much for your review.

Line break.

My face was pressed against the foremost monitor as the G forces compelled me forward, when I felt a sudden jerk- I assumed I had hit the roof of the decrepit warehouse. After several more seconds of my face becoming intimately familiar with the monitor, all of the opposing forces let up. Pushing myself backwards I viewed the last remaining camera in the cockpit. As for my responses I had only one.

"Oh shit…" At the bottom of the screen was an image of the dock put in sharp contrast against the water due to the setting sun. I let out a girlish scream the cockpit began its downward momentum towards the water.

Splash!

I heard the sound of the water even from inside the cockpit. Almost immediately small leaks began to spring, filling the cockpit slowly as it drifted closer to the shallow bottom of water.

"Oh shit oh shit oh shit! Can I swim? Now is not the time to find out and be wrong!" there was a muffled thud as the hunk of metal hit the bottom of the sand. I realized the water had already made it past my shoes; this caused me to begin panicking, if I hadn't already. Looking at the remaining monitor once more I saw nothing but a dark blue backdrop.

Great! Now what? I can either A: sit here and drown/suffocate or B: open the hatch and swim out… All the while determining whether or not I can swim and avoiding anything else in the water… Like sharks… And bigger sharks… Or anything with teeth really.

I realized this fear was irrational, considering the likelihood of there being a shark nearby was rather slim. And even if there was one nearby the likelihood of it coming anywhere near me and taking a bite out of me were slimmer still… But that didn't stop me from being paranoid.

The water was now about at my knees, meaning I was running out of time.

"Fuck this! Who am I kidding? Out there can't be any worse than in here" I screamed in anger as I pressed the seat release button. The seat did not open fully or smoothly as it would ordinarily, instead it opened about 6 inches, the pressure inside proving to be too different from the outside, causing the back panel to halt.

However the water did not have a single problem making it inside despite this; it took a little under 3 seconds for the cockpit to fill up. Luckily for me I kept enough coherency to take a deep breath before the last of my air escaped. Every sound I made echoed deeply as I struggled to keep my eyes open in the salt water. Pushing myself upwards I place my hands against the seat and applied as much force as I could upwards. The metal moved about another 4 inches. Steadying myself, I gave another heroic push, allowing me to just barely slip between the gap and struggle towards the surface. The entire time I was surrounded by water I couldn't help but repeat the same word over and over in my mind.

Shark, shark, shark, shark shark shark sharksharkshark!

Luckily my thoughts were broken up as I reached the surface. At first I panicked for I couldn't see the land, and then realized I was facing the open ocean… Not the docks. Turning 180° I began swimming towards the dock in a panicked frenzy. I managed to reach a support beam of the wooden structure uneaten. Pulling myself up onto it using the planks nailed to the sides I peered over the edge and was met with an interesting sight.

Various members of the Seekers were in partial states of undress and panic, apparently preparing to dive into the water in search of me, Kallen among them. With a wet slap I threw my arm over the edge and hauled the rest of my body over the planks. Everyone noticed me immediately, however nobody said anything. Getting to my feet shakily I slowly waltzed over to Kallen and poked my finger at her chest.

"You. Didn't. Tell. Me. About. The. Ejection. Seat." I said in clipped phrases through closed teeth. I wasn't even half as angry as I sounded, but it was interesting to see everyone's reaction, especially Kallen's.

"I-I-I didn't t-think-" I cut her off by arcing my hand outwards sharply.

"You didn't think I'd pull the levers? Well here's news for you, since I wasn't told where it was obviously I'm going to poke around to find out the controls to a machine that someone was supposed to be teaching me!"

Kallen looked at the ground ashamedly, some of the others shifted uncomfortably.

"This requires severe punishment!" I yelled as I got even closer. "Push…" Was all I said as I used both my arms to nudge her off the dock. Her scream was high-pitched, but it didn't last long for it was soon cut off by a satisfying

Splash!

I began to laugh hysterically as she resurfaced shaking her hair angrily as it clung to her face and body. Leaning over the edge of the dock I crouched down slightly, my clothes dripping out water at a constant rate still.

"Now we're even!" Several of the Seekers broke out into laughter equal to my own. Watching Kallen swear angrily as she rose to the surface and pulled herself out of the water, I couldn't help but hear Ohgi who was standing right next to me.

"I'm starting to think that you really are the invincible Cypher… Or do you prefer Lelouch since you've shown us your face." Donning a broad smile I turned to him.

"When the mask is on, it's Cypher… But when it's off it's just Lelouch." Ohgi looked out towards the ocean with an expression of nostalgia.

"Our old leader had a similar outlook on things. Things got serious when he meant business, but when it was just peaceful like this he was like a brother to me."

I watched Kallen walk away while glaring at the ground angrily. I walked up to Ohgi shortly afterwards and slapped him on the shoulder leaving a small wet smear behind on his brown jacket.

"Well, we're in this together, might as well enjoy each other's company." Ohgi gave a friendly nod in acceptance. Looking around I noticed nobody was panic stricken any longer. "Okay people! Pack up! Time to move into our new place of residence!" I said excitedly as I motioned for everyone to follow.

Old Refinery, AKA, Seekers headquarters.

Moving the nightmares along the scarcely-populated areas of the docks was easy enough… Or at least it was due to the fact it was pitch black. I was fully prepared to Geass and/or kill someone to keep our cover, however that proved unnecessary. Regardless, it didn't help my position any when my clothes began to chafe due to dampness. Despite the fact that the trip proved to be uneventful, it was still nerve-racking. So much to the point that everyone, myself included, gave a sigh of relief once I declared we had reached our destination.

Words and expressions of shock and surprise were abundant shortly after we passed through the front gate. Obviously nobody expected me to be able to acquire such a large building. Everyone already seemed to be impressed… And I had yet to show them the two underground floors. I stood outside of the huge role up gate to main loading dock and removed the lock.

"All right people! Is not alot to look at on the inside, in fact were going to have to clear almost the entire first floor. But the bottom two floors are just about clear as it stands. Despite that were going to need to repair the elevator if we want to get the Knightmares down there."

"Elevator? Multiple floors? Jesus dude where did you get this place?" I smirked slightly and began lifting enormous gate.

"I seize assets only from rather gullible noblemen. You can trust that it's mostly untraceable unless you went through the man himself, but he won't tell anyone… If he knows what's good for him."

The door rolled up all the way and presented to everyone the contents of the first floor. Almost immediately supplies and nightmares were brought inside. Everyone moved around helter-skelter as they emphatically inspected the contents of our new headquarters. I simply leaned against the wall and watched while smiling.

Good to know that morale is up. But that could change quickly if we don't find way to fight off Britannia on even ground… As it stands now we don't have the forces to pull off anything other than guerrilla warfare or more basic hit-and-run tactics.

My thoughts were interrupted by Kallen; she had changed into her Ashford uniform and was walking up to me slowly. When she was a few feet away from me she stopped and looked at our comrades.

"This is amazing…" She started. "With this, will have a place to keep all for supplies, not to mention if we acquire more transports we'd be able to move Knightmares around more freely." I nodded in agreement.

"True, however were going to need more Knightmares in general if we're going to stand a chance against Britannia. And not just that, we're going to need food, weapons, medical supplies, and if we have the resources I hope supply some of the people in the ghettos with a means to support themselves."

"I don't think we'll have the resources to do all of that." I scratched my chin thoughtfully.

"Not yet… But we will soon, I will see to that personally." She sighed slightly and looked at me straight in the eyes.

"You're not overdoing things are you? You can tell me if what happened earlier took a lot out of you." I smiled sideways and struggled not to snicker.

"Well I'll admit, it scared the living hell out of me… Mostly the part where I had to go through the water. But none of that would've happened if you have just stated in the cockpit with me long enough to tell me all of the controls."

"Hey! I was justified!" she shot back defiantly. I scratch the back of my head slightly and decided to give her this one.

"Fine, fine… it was my fault. From now on I'll strive to stay out of the way of your enormous boobies…" I couldn't help but break out into a full smile as I cringed back slightly waiting for some sort of repercussion… There was none.

"Is there a reason you openly flirt with me?" that comment alone made me want to face palm.

"Uhhh… I'm a guy aren't I? I see something I like I'm gonna go for it. Not to mention your personality is not so bad, once you get past the physical abuse." I turned away from her abruptly.

"Ladies! Gentlemen!... Tamaki… I'm afraid I have business to take care of elsewhere, in the meantime I'll expect this first floor cleared by late tomorrow at the worst." I surveyed the reactions of my subordinates.

"We'll get to work on the elevator soon as well, the faster we can have access to the lower levels, the sooner we can move more knightmares into this base." There are several nods of approval and a dozen verbal confirmations. Before leaving I turned to Kallen and said.

"We'll talk later, but until then, see ya!"

"Wait, where are you going?." she said while reaching out towards me. "I can still teach you how to pilot if you want…" she then looked at the ground slightly, apparently finding her shoes more interesting than a moment ago. "A-assuming you're on your best behavior of course." I couldn't stop myself from smiling genuinely.

"I would love to really, but unlike you I don't have a spare change of clothes…" Her gaze drifted further down once I said that. "But don't worry, we will pick up tomorrow where we left off."

I then turned and walked away, leaving no time for a response.

*Ashford Academy.*

When I returned to my dorm I once again found CC lounging on my bed, this time however she had with her a box of pizza. But the pizza was the least of my concerns.

"I need to get changed… Get out." I stated flatly. But as usual she stoically ignored me. Growling lightly I removed my jacket and placed it on the revolving chair.

"I'm beginning to think you just don't understand how much you piss me off when you don't respond." I said darkly.

"Doesn't matter to me." she stated plainly.

Fuck it. I thought finally, deciding to simply get dressed there and then. While I was in the process of exchanging the contents of my pockets I had an idea.

Reaching into my desk drawer I extracted a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. I then proceeded to light my cigarette.

"That's a nasty habit you know." I shrugged and inhaled deeply, blowing the smoke towards her shortly afterward. She wrinkled her nose in displeasure, but otherwise continued eating. Although my antics bothered her, they were nowhere close to forcing her to leave, so I did the next best thing. I walked out, intending to go for a walk to clear my thoughts and plan for the future.

I walked through the halls leaving a trail of smoke behind me as I made my way. I passed by the student Council room and noticed a dull glow coming from the bottom of the door.

Strange, nobody should be here at this time of day… err, night. Stepping lightly I opened the door as quietly as possible only to find none other than Nina sitting at her usual computer, the screen illuminating her features as well as her immediate surroundings. But what was on the screen was the most interesting sight yet.

There, blatantly on the monitor is an image of me as Cypher 01, standing in the middle of the street, my arm posed outward dramatically.

Is she doing research on me? I thought quizzically as I put out my cigarette on the ground in order to edge closer. Upon closer examination over her shoulder I noticed she was furiously typing into a text box of some sort. After reading a few lines it was obvious that she was giving an analytical point of view to Cypher 01's actions. Not a single word present said anything negative, which surprised me, but then again it was understandable that she would have some biased due to the fact that I personally saved her.

"So you support Cypher 01?" I say right next to her ear, causing her to jump up in her seat and gasp sharply. The plethora of stuttered responses she exuded began to annoy me.

"Hey relax, it's your opinion, in fact I agree with you." I said in hopes of calming her down some.

"R-really?" She meekly stuttered.

"Yeah, we Britannians don't do a very good job at doing what's right. Luckily we have someone here that's willing to kick us in the ass and push us in the right direction."

"T- that's one way of putting it." I smirked lightly.

"I tend to have a unique way of wording things." Once again I looked at the window and saw how dark it was outside. "Is there a reason you're here so late? Milly's not making you work late or something is she?"

"Oh n-no that's not it at all, I just got caught up in some things I was doing." I nodded and stood straight, readying myself for my departure. But a stray thought prevented me from leaving right away.

"Nina, if you get the chance, could you be so kind as to save all the news and data you see of Cypher 01, I don't always have the time to look into it myself."

"Sure, I-I can do that." I waved goodbye and walked out the door intending to finish my walk uninterrupted.

I'm going to have to come up with my next move against Britannia soon, we still don't have the forces to go on the offensive… at least not out right. That means our next objective is to acquire better materials.

I sighed heavily and lit another cigarette.

Stealing anything else from the Britannians could prove difficult- I've essentially forced them to amp up their security several times over.

I inhaled deeply as another thought occurred to me.

If I could just Geass Euphemia… I would have free reign amongst Area 11, getting supplies, food, Knightmares, anything… would become trivial.

I exited the student Council building into the cool night-time air.

All I have to do now is figure out a way to come in contact with her… I wonder what I should make her do once I have her under my control?

I leaned against one of the supports to the building and flicked off the burning end of my cigarette. Smiling sadistically I said out loud.

"Whatever I want…"

To be continued…