CHAPTER 5:
THE MAN WITH A PLAN
Lelouch looked at the gathered members of the Student Council. All of them the beloved NPCs created by his friends, the other members of Ainz Ooal Gown…no, the Players. Because as far as he was concerned, these NPCs had gained the right to be members of Ainz Ooal Gown. Not just minions, not just NPCs, but people in their own right.
Rivalz and Milly, their old rivalry as Aura and Shalltear (itself a proxy of the adversarial but still loving sibling relationship between BubblingTeapot and Peroroncino) renewed, were bickering about some issue or other. Nunnally, Shirley and Sayoko, aka Entoma, Solution and Narberal of the Pleiades, were gossiping in the corner. Kallen and CC, however, had been summoned over by Nina, formerly Mare. The timidity of the Dark Elf from his backstory had transferred over to Nina, but so too did his intelligence. True, some of Nina's timidity had come about because of an attack by Japanese, leading to a xenophobia that had now died away, but now, it seemed to be…well, natural.
That being said, Nina may have been timid, but she was still powerful. Lelouch knew that, as a Level 100 NPC, her physical strength, while weak by comparison to other Floor Guardians, was probably enough to deal with any would-be attackers. And she wasn't afraid, albeit with prompting, to divulge honest opinions and volunteer information.
"I didn't tell you about this before because…well, it was a pet project of mine," Nina said, avoiding stammering as they clustered around her computer. "I have been working on nuclear physics, specifically the power production potential of fissile uranium."
Lelouch frowned. "Nuclear power?"
Nina nodded. "Sakuradite is the main source of power in Knightmare Frames, amongst other uses, but it has its limits. At the time, I thought uranium would be a better bet, if only because of energy output."
"True, but toxic byproducts were a problem back in my original world," Lelouch mused. "Nuclear fusion was developed too late to be of any use. Do you think you can work out a means of nuclear fusion?"
Nina nodded. "But…I also know about the potential for this process to become a weapon. A runaway chain reaction of Uranium-235…"
"Yes. Hiroshima and Nagasaki were devastated by the first nuclear weapons in my original world," Lelouch mused. "Uranium and plutonium were used for fission bombs, and hydrogen fusion for fusion bombs. Are you suggesting we develop and use them ourselves?"
"Umm…if necessary, Lord Momonga," Nina said hesitantly. "If we use something like this, it could wipe out a city in seconds. And while I may be the first in this world to create it, it doesn't mean other people can't think of the same weapon."
Lelouch nodded. He knew a little of the problems involved with nuclear fusion, like containing the plasma. "Nina…could a nuclear fusion reaction be contained with modern technology, or any magical field that we could create?"
"…I don't know. It's possible, but I had been concentrating on nuclear fission," the petite girl with the dark green hair and now mismatched eyes admitted.
"Very well. Make researching nuclear fission and fusion a top priority. Weapons R&D for the former, and both power generation and weapons R&D for the latter," Lelouch declared. "I have faith in you, Nina."
"I won't let you down!" Nina said.
"Nina, I don't care if you make mistakes, as long as they don't happen when we need it most. Best to make the mistakes on the drawing board and catch them there, than to make them when we need things to run smoothly."
"Using a weapon of mass destruction?" CC asked. "Didn't you say you were going to avoid killing the innocent?"
"On my original world, nuclear weapons were mostly used as a deterrent, a threat," Lelouch said. "In any case, Nina's work is only the starting theory of nuclear fission. It took three years for the Manhattan Project to create a working nuclear weapon, from 1942 to 1945. The first nuclear reactor was created in '42. In a squash court at the University of Chicago, actually(1)." On their looks, he said, "I did this for a school project. History. Still, the Manhattan Project didn't really have this level of computer technology."
Suddenly, Lelouch got a Message from Gottwald. Lord Momonga? It is I, Sebas.
Lelouch sighed, before answering it. He'd chewed out Sebas for joining the Purist Faction, which seemed counter to the butler's sense of honour (which he was sure he had from Touch Me), and Sebas had sworn that he would do better. He had joined the Purists to retain his position after Marianne was murdered, and to take revenge on the Japanese he had thought had murdered Lelouch and Nunnally. Sebas had offered to take his own life in penance, but Lelouch had stopped him, saying the best penance was to do his bidding from within the system. Yes, Sebas?
We have something of a problem. Your destruction of Prince Clovis' transport has not gone unnoticed. The current theory bandied about by the rest of the Purist Faction is that a novel type of bomb has been developed by either the Chinese Federation or the Euro-Universe, and they had supplied the bomb to an assassin or one of the terrorist cells. While I have encouraged this view, one of my underlings, Kewell Soresi, has decided to find a scapegoat. Namely, an Honorary Britannian. They have chosen Suzaku, that is to say, Cocytus. They are currently intending to bring him into custody. I warned Cocytus and told him that, until I got orders from you, to not resist.
Lelouch frowned. While Suzaku with Cocytus' abilities could easily tear any arresting officers apart, they didn't want to tip their hand too soon, not in that manner. Suzaku, while an Honorary Britannian, was placed enough within Camelot as the Lancelot's pilot to be a good mole, alongside Demiurge, Yuri, and Shizu.
He was considering a number of ways to rescue Suzaku and clear his name in some way, when something audacious occurred to him. Satoru Suzuki would never have considered such a thing, in real life or under the mask of Momonga…but Lelouch vi Britannia relished performing. This could be a perfect way to debut his new persona to the world. True, it would reveal that he was somehow responsible for using Fallen Down on Clovis' mobile HQ…but maybe the benefitss would outweigh the risks. He would also say that he stole the weapon that caused Fallen Down, from a foreign power, hinting that the Chinese or the Europeans had developed it, but also stating that he was independent of their influence.
His mind made up, he said, Sebas, I'll contact Cocytus. I will have you two, along with Lupusregina, play along with this farce. Let me know when the sham of a trial will occur. I am assuming there will be a kangaroo court for appearances' sake?
Indeed, my lord. The date is for a few days from now.
Very well. That gives me time to prepare…
Lelouch idly wondered whether he should recruit Kallen's rebel cell to his cause for this. However, Kallen and Tamaki's loyalties were assured already, and he could recruit the other reborn NPCs of Nazarick to help. Kallen was eager to help out: in her past life as Albedo, her defensive capabilities would be useful as a bodyguard if things went south.
That being said, he asked Kallen her honest opinion whether he should meet with them prior to this. Kallen actually gave it some thought, before saying yes. But only as an introduction to Zero. The act of rescuing Suzaku would be further incentive for them to join, if only because Lelouch would have pulled off the impossible. True, it would have been easier if Lelouch had somehow managed to lead them to victory in Shinjuku, but he had been more preoccupied with stopping Clovis outright. If anything, he managed to save more lives by heading there sooner.
The cover story would go like this: Kallen had discovered a phone with a note from the mysterious Zero. Zero had claimed responsibility for Clovis' death, and wished to speak with Kallen's cell. True, it would arouse suspicions, but Kallen knew that at least Kaname Ohgi, the leader of the cell, would be willing to meet.
Zero would actually call Ohgi to arrange a meeting. So when Kallen sent him a Message saying that all was ready, Lelouch smirked. He activated his mobile, complete with a vocoder to change his voice, and waited for it to connect. Eventually, it was picked up. "Hello?"
His now-distorted voice rang through the speaker. "Good evening, Kaname Ohgi. You may call me Zero. If you are unsure as to how I learned of your identity and Kallen's connection to your cell, I have ways and means. Before we go on, though, I have one vital question to ask you. What did you intend to do with that poison gas capsule? Use it?"
"NO! No, we…we were going to use it to expose Clovis' crimes to the world!"
"Good. While some deaths may be inevitable in what could be rather cynically called our line of work, there are necessary and unnecessary deaths. I hope to work with your group in the future, Kaname Ohgi, and I would rather not work with indiscriminate killers. That is why I sought out Clovis and put paid to him. I was…admittedly furious with what he did to the people of Shinjuku. You saw the end result. I forced him to call a ceasefire at gunpoint, and then destroyed his HQ."
"…How did you do that? What sort of bomb was it?"
"It was an experimental weapon contacts of mine stole from the Chinese Federation not long ago. I have no love for the High Eunuchs and their underlings, to say nothing of the Euro-Universe. And, of course, the Britannians have roused my ire. I have personal reasons to humble them. I used it on Clovis as a means of misdirection that has failed, given that they have made Suzaku Kururugi a scapegoat, and they have made no claims as yet of him being an agent of the Chinese. I intend to rescue him. I don't intend to bring anyone in your group into it for now, but I intend to meet you tomorrow afternoon. I cannot assure you that you will win against Britannia under my banner…but I can assure you that you will be able to do than give them mere fleabitings…"
Ohgi eventually agreed, along with some of his group, including Kallen, to meet them tomorrow afternoon. By now, Lelouch's costume as Zero had been created, and while not quite up to the level of protection as his robes as Momonga were, he was certain it'd stand up to most firearms and edged weapons, not to mention fire. In fact, given his estimation of forces, it would probably protect him even from a building falling on him or a Knightmare stepping on him…though he had little desire to test that out.
If he did recruit human resistance fighters to his cause, then he intended for them to get at least some protection. Creating items using what was in the Treasury was easy enough, and they had figured out how to create bulletproof clothes at least. True, they needed to replenish the Treasury, but the Exchange Box would help in that regard. The coins produced could be used to buy many of the things they required.
And they still had the World Items if necessary as a trump card. Eleven World Items. Kallen, as Albedo, had access to one of them, but most of the others were in the Treasury. Since magic already worked along similar lines to Yggdrasil, it was safe to say that. Hell, Lelouch would probably count the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown as a World Item, given its sheer OP nature.
He did have some problems, though. If he was going to be helping out human rebels, they would react badly to his overlord abilities, which frequently revolved around death spells and necromancy. So he'd have to be careful in that regard.
When the time finally came, he led, via phone messages, Kallen, Ohgi, Tamaki and a couple of their allies onto a train, the passengers all Geassed. He called Ohgi on the phone as they travelled. "Tell me, Kaname Ohgi, look out of the window to your right. Tell me, what do you see?"
"…The Britannian Settlement. A gaudy, shiny city they have us build with our flesh and blood, and polish with our sweat and tears."
"And on the left?"
"…Our city, now a ghetto, a ruined, decaying cadaver the Britannians left us with. A cage to die by degrees in."
Lelouch nodded, resisting the urge to chuckle. "Good answers. Come into the next carriage."
Once they came through, they began asking questions, even with his back turned to them. Kallen and Tamaki played their roles well, the latter getting belligerent. And then, Lelouch turned around just as the train entered a tunnel. The part of him that was still Satoru Suzuki cheered at the sheer awesomeness of such a thing.
"Greetings," Lelouch said. "I am Zero."
"…So you're the one who was behind the ceasefire?" Ohgi asked.
"And the later death of Clovis, yes," Lelouch added. "Stopping the massacre was a matter of principle for me. Clovis' death was…admittedly for more personal reasons. But to business. How did you enjoy the tour of the settlement and the ghetto?"
"Tour?!" Kallen yelped, playing the role of an enraged rebel to the hilt.
"Why, yes. It was a means of emphasising the differences between you and them. I am sure you already are aware of the chasm that yawns betwixt Britannians and Japanese, or indeed any other nation made into Numbers. However, you also fail to realise that your acts of rebellion, not to mention the terrorist acts carried out by more ruthless groups, are little more than irritations to the Britannians, as if you were little more than mosquitos, easily swatted."
"Stop treating us like we're kids, dammit!" Tamaki snarled, playing his own role well.
"Then pay attention. Your enemy is not the Britannian people. Like it or not, it is Britannia, and more specifically, its current ideology, espoused by Charles zi Britannia, that is your enemy! You are fighting a war! Still, words as you well know, are cheap. Would you prefer that I do the impossible once more? I will rescue Suzaku Kururugi, in public, with no civilian casualties, and perhaps even no military ones too. It would be too much of me to demand your help, but if a couple of you would do so…then I would be grateful."
Ohgi frowned. "…Zero…are you alone, or part of a group yourself?"
"I am indeed part of a group. I lead a group that is a champion of justice, a champion of the underdog and the oppressed. I doubt you would have heard of our name yet…but I lead Ainz Ooal Gown. Founded by those frustrated with injustice and inequality, of the strong stepping on the weak. Shinjuku was our debut in Japan, albeit unofficially. But rescuing Suzaku Kururugi will be our true debut to the rest of the world…"
CHAPTER 5 ANNOTATIONS:
So, Lelouch has made his spiel to Ohgi in order to have them help him 'rescue' Suzaku, and Nina/Mare and Lelouch have had a discussion about nuclear weapons.
Before I get onto the reviews, given the popularity of this work so far, I'd like to plug a couple of other Overlord projects of mine. Now, most of you are probably aware of my Potterverse crossover Yield to the Darkness, but I also have a Red vs Blue crossover called Xenagogy for Belligerent AIs and Dungeon Denizens. If you want to see a story where Church takes the place of Momonga, then that's the one to read.
In addition, I'd also like to plug another one of my Overlord-related challenges. 'An OP Player in a Game of Thrones' was my attempt to redress what I thought was a gaping lack in Overlord crossovers. I mean, can you imagine what Momonga and Nazarick would do to Westeros or Essos? If you want details, go look for it in the forums of DZ2 and whitetigerwolf, and feel free to take it up if you feel up to it.
Incidentally, if any of you guys want any more Overlord fics, I can give some recommendations. Let me know in reviews for this chapter, and I'll post them with the next one. I'd add Code Geass ones, but I've already mentioned the better ones in my previous annotations.
Review-answering time! A lot of you have suggested having Lelouch use the Shooting Star ring. I'll use that in a later chapter, with Lelouch-Momonga facepalming at not having thought of it sooner. I certainly was.
edboy4926: I'll consider doing that once Rakshata comes on the scene.
framfrit: I haven't read that book in question (then again, it's not being officially released in English until next year), but Lelouch-Momonga won't be using that particular spell. He's going to be fairly PR conscious, and is going to avoid using spells like that. Also, while Albedo is still a yandere here, she is less likely to be as bad as she is in canon for various reasons.
Malhavoc Shadowlord: For a time, I wasn't sure whether to make Milly Shalltear and Kallen Albedo, or the other way around (which was suggested by Zane Tribal Tyne Alexandros in PM correspondence), but I eventually decided that, given Milly's more overtly perverted nature, she actually fit Shalltear a lot better, especially given Shalltear's origins.
Guest (regarding the choice of 'elopement' over 'development'): Actually, elopement was the correct term. In the original, Albedo compared it to a father forgiving his daughter for getting married without his knowledge.
Tanya von Degurechaff: Firstly, I loved reading the first The Saga of Tanya the Evil book, and I intend to read the next one soon. Secondly, Zane Tribal Tyne Alexandros did suggest Pandora's Actor as Gottwald, but I eventually decided to go with my original plan of Sebas.
1. No, really, the first nuclear reactor was created in a squash court. I actually learned about this quite by chance, as it was actually used as the basis of a joke in the very first Science of Discworld book, which I recommend. Satoru Suzuki's world may have ensured education was not often given to lower classes, but given his knowledge of various things, I decided that he got a fairly basic education at school, something his parents had to save up a lot for.