The night turned to day, and as the sun breached the heavy clouds over head in a series of lances. Hail and shards of ice fell from the heavens. The heavy atmospheric disturbances roiled the sky like a furious, bubbling cauldron.
Throughout the entire base the absurdly loud beeping of safety horns blared as trucks backed up. Orange safety lights blinded anyone who caught the flash in their eyes as nearly a hundred work crews ran through the entire facility with safety cones and the orange signal batons, steering Knightmare laden cargo trucks to their designated repair and restocking areas.
Jeremiah Gottwald, personal Knight to prince Lelouch Vi Britannia the first, eleventh prince to the throne, commander of the Japanese occupation defense forces; jumped off the ejected pilot cradle as soon as they came to a stop, barking out orders and calling for the base commander to be brought to him immediately for a succinct report on what was happening, or what had happened along this particular front of the battle lines.
"Lord Jeremiah!" Villetta called from atop her Knightmare, the cockpit open to the freezing snow. "His highness wishes to speak with you."
Not two seconds later had the lime haired man turned on his heel and marched straight for her, all but ignoring everyone else as he made his way towards the cable that would pull him up to her Knightmare.
"Its good to see you alive." Lelouch remarked as soon as he caught sight of the man in the frame's cockpit camera the little smirk on his face speaking volumes as technicians and analysts kept running to and fro behind him.
"Thank you your highness." He answered with a nod. He would have bowed but it was rather impossible from where he was hanging. "Forgive me for cutting off your call earlier I-"
Lelouch waved him off. "Jeremiah, I hereby now and forever grant you permission to hang up on anyone, myself included when you're facing down a twenty meter war machine. Guilt free. Now-" The smirk left his face. "What's the status of your men."
"So far we've suffered fourteen casualties. Two were ours, the other twelve were from the other battalions and battle groups. We managed to disable only one of their suits, but the damage we inflicted on their landing forces must have been significant." He assured.
"Your Highness." Villetta spoke from her seat. "Perhaps, with the enemy consolidating their position around the landing HLV transports we could attack other areas, retake some of the bases that were lost with their thinned battle lines.
Lelouch shook his head. "No. Even if we gave them a bloody nose when their main force landed there's still no doubt that we've suffered more losses at the hands of their Zaku than what we may have inflicted. Right now they'll have the advantage no mater where we strike." He paused. "Here are your orders-"
Jeremiah had the impulsive urge to stand a little straighter where he was dangling.
"First and foremost, that pilot, The private, that attacked the Zaku, find him. He is transferred to your command effective immediately."
Jeremiah peeked his head up over the overhead of the cockpit armor, easily finding a Sutherland frame with the distinct scorch marks of a Zaku heat-hawk on what remained of its left arm. "I see him." He said.
"Good. Tomorrow I want you and what's left of your chosen men to travel to coordinates 1362, 538. We'll be setting up a forward command post near the ruins of old Osaka."
Jeremiah frowned. "Forgive me for asking my prince but; Why exactly? We have nothing in the ruins of old Osaka to defend."
"No we don't. We bombed the hell out of it and left it as a crater when we took Japan almost seventy years ago." He answered calmly, now slouching in his chair, head resting on his fist as though in lazy thought. "As of right now, the largest group of enemies is squarely in western Japan. The forces to the east are just a hand full of mobile suit teams that were probably meant to harass us with guerilla tactics. Two can play that game though. We can bog them down with guerillas tactics instead, quite possibly pick them off one at a time. Since the main force is in the western front I am pulling back all disparate battle groups and broken battalions to three points. Osaka, Maizuru and Takechiu. This will be our net to ensnare them."
"You're abandoning the entire western half of the island?" Villeta questioned. "We have four Sakuradite mines present there.
"We still hold five." Lelouch shrugged. "It took forty Knightmares to try and mitigate a single Zaku Mobile Suit team and still you only managed to take down one. The forces in the west are scattered and cut off. They would certainly bog down the enemy in a quagmire but I'd rather just win this and not wait until Cornelia and Schniezel pull their own continents out of the fire." He smirked. "You all know how much I loathe sharing credit.
-U.C.0079-
"I have a feeling that this, Jeremiah Gottwald is going to become a real irritant in this campaign."
Kallen grunted as her hands dug into the exposed machinery of Tamaki's shot-to-hell engine block. Trying to manually open the cockpit hatch. Evidently the emergency release inside was jammed and the electronic controls, like everything else, was completely non functional with the engine blown half way to hell.
Quite frankly she was more than willing to let him sweat it out til the techs got there. But there was the issue of the engine having lost all its heat by now and the snow of the nuclear winter beginning to seep through the metal and Tamaki was, as he so eloquently shouted "freezing his balls off" after nearly three hours in the machine.
They had to avoid hypothermia and frostbite and since they didn't even know how much longer it would take for the tech crews to get around to a single Zaku, the task fell to her.
So here she was, hunched over, fingers freezing, her arms and face splattered with oil and black engine grime as she had a flash light stuffed into her mouth in order to see into the dark hole that was considered the most advanced piece of war machinery ever devised.
Useless piece of shit... She cursed.
Finally, she seemed to realize that Shin was talking to her. "Hmm?" She grunted
"Gottwald." He repeated. "I have a feeling that he'll be one of, if not the most dangerous enemy we face in the up-coming battles. Predicting our landing zone and being able to take down a Zaku in two seconds flat is no small feat. He paused, scratching at his bearded chin. "Although it could have perhaps, been a plan of Prince Lelouch." He amended.
She snorted, actually going through the effort of pulling her hand out of the tight space in order to pull the flashlight from her teeth. "Please. Some pampered Britannian prince that's never even been in a real fight predicting our landing zone on the fly? Never gonna happen. It was Gottwald." Her grip on the flashlight tightened eyes alight with indignant fury. "And I almost goddamn had him!"
"Don't go underestimating your enemy." Shin drawled. "If you'll recall by all reports Prince Schniezel is a tactical genius. Who's to say his brother isn't cut from the same cloth?"
"Even if the rumors are true that makes Schniezel the exception. Not the norm." She shot back before her fingers gripped the opening mechanism. "Aha!" She cried triumphantly before pulling.
The machine resisted for a moment before a groan of strained metal brought the cockpit doors open, just enough for Tamaki's shout of "Alright!" to reach her, along with Tamaki himself as he wiggled out of the blasted, freezing war vehicle.
Kallen stood up, making her own way back to her own kneeling Zaku, Matsunaga's cyclopean camera panning this way and that way as it searched for potential enemies.
She snagged her foot into the cable harness and activated the retracting mechanism before she spoke again. "Besides what does it matter. All we have to do is keep pushing forward until Britannia is done. It doesn't matter who exactly we're fighting right now, or who's responsible. All that matters is winning next time."
The captain sighed. "I suppose. In the opening stages of war no side really cares who's on the other side. Its infamy and fame that makes people care about who's fighting...or history."
Her features scrunched up. "Right. Any word on damages yet?"
The man nodded though berated himself mentally when he realized she couldn't see it. "So far we have nearly three tons worth of non perishable foodstuffs that are damaged, burned, or completely unusable. Of the eight HLV's that touched down we have, five suffered severe damage to the storage bays. Three others suffered damage to their mobile suit bays and engines. All n all at least a third of the main landing party suffered something.
She grimaced as she got back into her nice, comfy, warm cockpit. "Thats...bad."
"It could have been much worse." He said. "But its definitely not ideal. We'll still be able to complete the invasion but we all might have to do without every now and again."
The half-britannian sighed with over dramatized flare. "I suppose there go the hot showers and three square meals."
Matsunaga chuckled wryly.
-U.C.0079-
It was already approaching night by the time Schniezel stepped out of Loyd's lab, behind him was Kanon Maldini and an anxious Cecile, Loyd's assistant. "But sir these are just prototypes and all the test runs we've done haven't included combat stresses we can't really be sure of-"
He reached his hand out as he walked, passing by an attendant who bowed at the waist and handed him the file. Situation reports no doubt. His staff knew how he preferred to operate by now. "Combat tested or not-" He drawled, and Cecile, respectfully shut up. "War is here and we'll require weapons to fight it. I would like them shipped out tomorrow."
He could feel the woman gnawing on her lip behind him. "But your highness-"
"You have your commands." He drawled, leafing through the file as he walked. "I'd rather have them delivered before the U.C.R. places anti aircraft emplacements that would make transport far more troublesome miss Cecile."
With a clear dismissal the young lady had no choice. Bowing low at the waist she turned and made her way back.
He could appreciate her mindfulness of the situation, really. Loyd had just giggled with glee at the thought of his toys being sent off to crush the competition; utterly certain of their superiority and his own genius. The good Cecile had taken the time to fully warn him of the potential fallacies of the machines he was sending to Lelouch and Cornelia.
Right now though, he didn't have the time, or the patience to be bothered with adhering to strict caution.
Two for his own forces, two for Cornelia and two for Lelouch.
Those would be the fronts with the heaviest fighting outside of the provinces and locations outside of Pendragon. And those areas were being held by the Knights of Round, each one of the legendary devicers standing front and center like the final bulwark against the U.C.R. space forces that had landed around the globe seeking Charles Zi Britannia's head. Standard Knightmares might not be up to taking down Zaku, but the custom, high spec frames the knights used were another matter on their own, nevermind when coupled with the legendary skill of the Knights of round.
The only exception was perhaps, China, but quite frankly, as much as he may consider Clovis a decent statesman, he was not the greatest tactician nor did he have the best people in his employ unlike himself. If he gave him one of these machines there were higher chances of it being misused, or wasted. Clovis would simply have to do without for the time being until the rumored mass production models, that were quite a bit more than rumors, from Pendragon were forced out the door and sent to the front lines.
"Whom will be receiving what then Your Highness?"
"We will be keeping Loyds forth and sixth model. Cornelia and her Knight Guilford will be more suited to models three and five. To Lelouch we will send the red one and that Lancelot he was so excited about."
"Understood." Kanon bowed his head. "I will inform the scientists and return with the adequate reports on your available, remaining forces combat readiness.
"Do so." Was the imperious command, eyes never leaving the numerous after action reports that had already been gathered for him.
-U.C.0079-
"Pilot!" Jeremiah saw the pilot jump so high he almost slipped off the cockpit edge to fall five meters to the hard, icy road below.
The helmeted head turned this way and that way, finally stopping when it rounded on him. The soldier saluted smartly. "Sir!"
Jeremiah gestured for him to come down, a second later the pilot was touching ground and releasing the raise cable.
"Firstly I'd like to thank you for your actions during the attack. You most likely saved my life."
"Thank you sir!"
"You will remove your helmet when speaking to the Knight of Prince Lelouch." Villetta hissed. "Have you no sense?"
The man stiffened, properly chastised. Another soldier rushed to his side, drawing Jeremiah's attention as he saw the youth raise his arms up to pull the helmet off.
It was a requisition solicitation. He signed it, knowing it was the Knightmares and supplies he had requested for himself and his remaining men for the operation his prince was sending them to Osaka for.
"Now, you've been promoted to corporal" He said as he signed, then turned his attention back to the pilot; "and you have-"
The face was not one he was expecting, and the pilots hesitation in removing his helmet was now plainly obvious.
An Honorary Britannian.
Jeremiah blinked.
The Honorary Britannian system was set in place nearly twenty years ago, proposed, at first, by a member of parliament whom had instructed Clovis in his youth. Back then it was merely called "The reformed numbered citizen act." In which a citizen of a colony, after having solicited, and proven worthy of, reintegration into Britannian earth society, was allowed, along with his family, to be brought to earth to live. With most of the rights and privileges granted to all Britanian citizens, save of course the right to hold political office and the right to enter into military service. Clovis, at the age of fifteen nearly seven years ago, before the offset of the war had refined the act, and created the "Honorary Britannian Citizen" Which gave all of the previous rights and removed the last two restrictions, making them by and large, true a Britannian.
The act had of course, faced some opposition. But Clovis' amicable nature and rising popularity in the high society functions he so enjoyed hosting and being a part of gave the youth enough influence through sheer charisma to push through what Schniezel would have needed to push through with respect, Cornelia with fear and Lelouch through guile and machinations.
Even so, Schniezel he knew, had supported the project, if only because it was merely another method of control. If the conquered people were stripped of their most brilliant scientists, their most charismatic speakers, their best athletes it was just another way to keep the yoke bearing its proper weight.
Still, it was a new concept, one that many were still trying to get used to, or were refusing to accept at all in some cases. Especially now with the war
Still, His prince wasn't part of the latter. Thus, neither was he. Lucky for this one. "Your name soldier?"
The pilot, though grim faced as though resigned for some rebuke, saluted again. "Suzaku Kururugi, of the eighth armored regiment sir."
"Eighth." He drawled, thinking. "That would be Marquise's command. I'll inform him of your transfer to my unit as soon as possible. In the mean time gather your personal belongings and anything else you might need. Villetta will inform you of our next operation corporal." He threw a look at the woman over his shoulder. She looked as though she'd just been asked to swallow a lemon but he knew she would do her job, no matter how she might feel about it personally.
"Understood sir!" Suzaku snapped off another salute.
'Gonna be a real ball of sunshine this one.' He thought to himself. One stickler for formalities and protocol on this unit (namely himself) was more than enough. With two even he might become annoyed by it soon enough.
-U.C.0079-
It was nearing midnight before Lelouch finally allowed himself to pull away from the display screen.
Specific orders had to be relayed down to the last detail. Troops needed to be tallied and supplies needed to be verified.
A veritable whirlpool of ceaseless information had assaulted him since six AM when the atmosphere was first broken, seemingly a hundred years ago by his inner clock, and even his gifted mind was pounding with what was quickly becoming a brutal migraine.
He needed an aspirin. Or ten.
More than that though.
The door opened and he allowed the first smile he'd had all day to spread across his face.
"Brother?"
Sayoko wheeled his sister into the room. Sweet Nunally looked concerned, her hands held slightly above her legs her way of reaching for him without actually holding her hands out.
"I'm right here." He pushed past his exhaustion, standing up placing his hands over hers and trying to sound as cheerful as he could.
Her face creased with concern. She pulled his gloves free, touching his bare hand. "You're tired...and worried."
He was, on both counts. Its like taking muskets and bayonets to tanks, the difference in tech level between the Knightmare and the Zaku. Three months for those still rumored Mass production models still seemed absurdly far away.
It'd only been seventeen hours and it already felt like they were on their last legs.
"I'll be fine. Things are always hectic in the opening acts." He conceded.
She frowned. "Are you sure you're okay? That you're up to this? I can speak with the others if-"
"I'll be okay." He smiled. "Besides I'd like to know too. Even if only Cornelia and Euphy might answer right now.
She nodded. He marched over, pressed a button on the table, he dragged his chair over in order to sit down beside her and then they waited for the broad network call.
It was something Euphy came up with just after the colony drop. The fear of losing her siblings and not being able to find any of them had birthed the notion of a single, hard line network where any of the many siblings could press a single button and instantly call everyone in a multi-way call or specify a group of siblings.
Lelouch normally did a broad call. No real reason to specify since half his siblings either didn't know him and thus, had nothing to speak of or didn't answer out of a usually mutual dislike...Like Gwinevere. The people who answered regularly were, Clovis, Cornelia, Euphy, Schniezel and of course Nunally when they were apart.
"Would you like some tea Britania-sama." Sayoko asked.
"Please-"
"Earl please." Nunally requested before he could interject. Knowing it helped to put him to sleep rather than keep him awake.
"Of course." She bowed and made her way out.
It was almost ten minutes later before there was any change. On the far wall a screen lit up, revealing the stern, hard features of Cornelia Li Britannia, her dress was immaculate, but her hair was wet with sweat. She was in a Knightmare cockpit no doubt.
With nearly seven hours time difference it'd probably have been midnight for her when the invasion hit. Five or four o'clock now. Which would explain why she didn't seem nearly as tired as him.
Either that or she just had more stamina...
"Is something wrong Lulu?"
"Checking in before I keel over." He groaned, rubbing his aching forehead.
Cornelia smirked. "Long day huh?" She smiled at Nunally, it was tragic the princess couldn't witness the rarity. "Hello Nunally."
"Hello sister Cornelia." Nunally smiled back her face turning to where she knew the camera to be.
"Cornelia opened her mouth to speak when the feed opened up again another camera panning to reveal-
"Odysseus?" That made Lelouch sit up a little straighter in genuine surprise.
While it was true all the Britannia children were, by blood, siblings, with such an immense family it was natural that there could be certain cliks or groups between them, mostly through generation. Odysseus was the eldest brother. The very first in line for the throne. Already in his late thirties, he was closer to Guinevere than any of them and vice versa. While he was closer to Clovis, since Clovis had adored his mother, or at least her beauty in his paintings. Euphy and through Euphy Cornelia, and through Cornelia, Schniezel.
And while always a kind, gentle person when they met, and as he was with virtually everyone he met, they really didn't share much in any sense of the word. He was already in his teens when Lelouch and Nunally were born. He had no reason to truly interact with them, unlike Cornelia and Schniezel. There was nothing to bridge the gap between them.
Being grossly overshadowed by Schniezel, who was the favorite to take the throne it seemed only natural that the quiet, contemplative man would be in favor of simply rescinding himself to the background of all their lives.
To have him call so abruptly was...needless to say something he hadn't predicted in his wildest imaginings.
He smiled though it was a frail thing. Lelouch noted the concern there.
"Hello Lelouch, Nunally." He greeted softly. "I'm afraid I can't truly speak long. When I noticed your call, with the time difference and the chaos I realized this might be the only time that I might be able to reach you in time."
The Black prince reeled. "In time? You're in charge of the former Russia aren't you?" What could he possibly have to say that would affect Lelouch a hemisphere away.
Odysseus nodded. "Yes. But I have to warn you. Not an hour ago I received a notice. A Knight of round will be traveling through Russia to translate into the former China."
"And they'll be headed here afterward." He deduced. He'd be calling Clovis otherwise. "They're moving through Russia and the particularly harsh climate of Siberia to keep secret. Is it to keep their arrival a secret or their departure?"
Cornelia's face had scrunched into a displeased frown. "What's going on Odysseus? What's got you so worried? Father might just be sending reinforcements with Japan's Sakuradite being so crucial.
"I would agree normally but" Odysseus hesitated. "...Father he...He sent Bismark."
Lelouch's blood turned to ice in his veins and the fear that settled into Cornelia's face was a pale echo of the gaping pit that had just opened up in his stomach.
Bismark was, by his nature the virtual boogeyman of the upper echelons of Britannian society. No one, not official, not knight not nobleman not even Royalty wanted to receive an unannounced visit from the Emperor's Knight of one.
His personal executioner.
"We've never been close Lelouch and I'm sorry for that." Odysseus said sadly. "But, truly if you can think of any reason, any at all that father might be sending Bismark to you we might still fix this before its too late."
Lelouch shook his head. His mind coming up completely blank.
Did he wish for Charles to curl up and die already? Yes.
Would he like to be the one that pulled the trigger? Absolutely.
Had he the time or the capacity to do it while the empire was still struggling in merely surviving the nuclear winter?
God in heaven knew he didn't.
Odysseus looked behind him, at someone off screen. He nodded before turning back. "I'm sorry to cut this short but I must leave. If you need any help Lelouch, let me know."
And just like that the man that had dropped a bigger bomb on his lap than the rebel forces arriving at the crack of dawn this morning winked right out.
"Brother-"
He turned to look at Nunally, noticing Sayoko had returned with her tray.
He nodded and the maid set it down.
"Lulu-" He heard Cornelia speak
"How's Euphy?" He interrupted her, taking a sip.
"She's fine. I boarded her on a plane to Pendragon myself a few hours ago. Lulu if-"
"It'll be fine Cornelia." He interrupted-as much for his own sake as for Nunally's. One would worry, the other might go so far as to fly down here herself and confront Bismark if she felt he needed her help. "Now that I know he's coming I can more than likely settle this amicably..."
He paused.
"Besides, Bismark actually might be coming here in secret to help. I genuinely can't think of any other reason." He said honestly holding back the only thought that did occur to him for Nunally's sake.
Unless Father wants to use the chaos of invasion to finally be rid of me.
Cornelia frowned.
It was no secret how...loud meetings between the Emperor and Lelouch could be. The so called Black Prince of Britannia,a name born more a mocking insult from the nobility to explain his "Black sheep" status in polite company, being the son of a commoner, made no secret of when he disagreed with the Emperor.
In fact their worst confrontation bar none had been just after Mariane's death years ago. The thirteen year old Lelouch had looked for all intents and purposes as though he'd been ready to strike the Emperor down where he stood, and her father had ordered everyone from the room. Something he hadn't done...ever. Charles Zi Britannia did not mince words and cared one whittle what anyone thought of his proclamations in that room.
To this day, no one, not even she, or Euphy, or even Nunally knew just what was said behind the vaulted doors. All they knew is that nearly an hour later Lelouch stalked out of the hall with a palpable fury and the Emperor remained, features carved from stone and revealing nothing.
So her skepticism at Lelouch's assurances wasn't entirely unwarranted. As much as she might not want to believe it. She knew her brother hated their father.
"If you need me-"
"I'll be alright." He looked at her, with tired eyes but a small smirk. "We'll do this again soon. I figure Schniezel's too busy, or asleep actually, to answer as is Clovis. And you look like you're just getting started with your headache too. I'm the only one that's done for the day."
"Rest well." She said.
Lelouch nodded shutting off the broad line.
He held Nunally's hand.
She frowned. "You need to rest." She demanded. Patting his hand she tugged, using the force to attempt to get him to rise.
He did so, and the groan that escaped his lips wasn't something he could prevent.
"I will see the princess to her rooms." Sayoko assured as he moved to take the wheelchair for his last nightly duty of seeing his sister off to bed.
He hesitated Nunally smiled up at him. "Its alright. Go."
Such was his exhaustion he didn't even utter a word of protest. Nodding and all but stumbling out to fall into his bed, dead to the world.
Nunally waited for a moment, having waved Sayoko away a bit before she leaned onto the table, her hands panning around, searching before she found the little console.
She clicked on it.
A minute later Cornelia's face appeared again. "What's wrong Lu-Nunally?"
"Sister." The gentle girl smiled sadly, eyes closed. "If Bismark is coming, and brother needs help..."
She trailed off. But Cornelia caught her meaning easily.
"I will do everything within my power." She affirmed. "Everything."
"Thank you." She smiled though this time there was some mischief in her voice. "How is Sir Guilford these days."
Cornelia raised an eyebrow, confused, and her tone showed it. "Guilford? He's...fine. I didn't know you two were close...or even acquainted for that matter." She frowned in thought.
Nunnally smiled, sipping at her own, now lukewarm tea. "You introduced us once. He has the hands of a true Knight. Any girl would remember him."
Though she couldn't see. She could almost feel Cornelia's grimace. She could definitely hear it. "I...see...Don't you...don't you think he's a little too old for you?"
Nunally stopped mid sip. "Oh...if he's too old for me is he too old for you too?"
The question was so genuine, so perfectly curious Cornelia couldn't even call on her anger to cover her embarrassment. She all but choked on her own spit as she sputtered. "That's not-he's-I-"
Nunnally smiled angelically, utterly -sickeningly- innocent.
Although...next time she supposed she should ask Cornelia if she was getting shot at before teasing her. Her poor sister seemed like she wouldn't really do very well in a fire fight at the moment.
-U.C.0079-
The next morning when Lelouch woke, he was still in the clothes of the previous day, wrinkled and smelling enough to make him curl his lip in distaste. The Prince wasted little time after returning to the conscious world, of peeling himself off the soft, comfortable, sinfully sweet cradle of his mattress, showering and making himself ready to face the second day of this war.
As he finished adjusting his clothes he garnered a look outside. Staring up at the harsh, ribbed ceiling that hung above them like a sky in and of itself.
It could never replace the real sky though.
The domes were the latest in Sakuradite based technology. Absolutely massive in scale and scope. A metal barrier between the Britannians that could afford to live in its artificially maintained environment and the harsh, cold, freezing planet they had left. It was based, loosely off the same technology that had birthed the colonies.
Approximately one point eight billion people around the world resided in city domes. The rest resided on its outskirts, surviving in any way they could though food was offered to anyone and everyone that came seeking it.
He could say this much about Charles; the man recognized that a hungry populous, was a useless one.
The domes that weren't used to house people, were used for agriculture and were located in some of the absolute worst conditions that could be met. If the enemy wanted to rob them of their food, they'd have to do it while making it through places like Syberia, Alaska, The north bloody pole.
How Charles was able to consistently transport that food across the whole damn globe every day like some freakish cross between the tales of Old Saint Nick and the Tooth Fairy was something the Emperor of Britannia had chosen not to divulge, and Lelouch could not at all blame him.
Quite frankly it was what kept the people on the outside, loyal to them, and infuriated with the invading forces. If only just. No one could look on a habitat dome and not see the gross divide between the privileged few and the rest of the world.
For his part...he missed the sky.
He shook his head, turning on his heel and marching out of his rooms towards his office.
The second he placed his hand on the doorknob Lelouch felt a cold shiver crawl straight down his spine but it was too late for the signals of his brain to reach his hand.
With a twist and a push he opened the portal.
"Oh Lulu..."
The shiver returned ten-fold.
Before he could even gather what was happening he was nearly placed in a headlock as an overenthusiastic girl coiled her arm over his shoulders. "Your late Lulu! And I had the courtesy to get up early and have these all ready and printed out for you!"
Lelouch sighed, nearly resigned. "Milly. You printed those out ten minutes ago. He swiveled his eyes to the side. "And with my printer."
She scoffed. "Please. As if you could know if someone used the-"
"You leave the paper cradle up. I always close it." He stated factually.
She looked annoyed, then her smile returned megawatt bright.
She shoved the papers in his face.
"What's this?"
"Your speech silly!"
Lelouch blinked. It was too early for this. His brain was sluggish. "I have a speech?"
Milly turned him on his heel and began pushing him back out the door. "Of course! You have a press conference in an hour silly! Can't have a Press conference without a speech!"
The eyebrow hiked a little higher. "I have a press conference!"
"Millicent Ashford!"
The blond cringed ever so slightly, a sheepish smile on her face.
Lelouch almost wanted to smirk and sing "You're in trouble lalala!" But refrained.
He had royal dignity to uphold after all.
Orange hair blazing like a fiery halo around her, Shirley Fenette was glaring at the blond, who now, rather than pushing him was hugging him tight, using him as a human shield, knowing Shirley wouldn't hurt him just to get to her.
"Hi Shirley!" She ventured.
"Don't you 'Hi Shirley' me!" The girl growled
She opened the book in her hand, revealing it to be her daily planner, with everything scratched out and a big red "Speech Time!" Splattered all over the page "Do you have any idea how much work you've made me re-do because of this little unscheduled speech!"
"Its an invasion!" Milly cried in her defense. "I'm his PR person and PR person says he needs to reassure the people!"
"I'm his assistant. I could have easily fit your speech Tomorrow! Now Everything after Eleven AM which is in twentyminutes is thrown completely off kitler which means I have to make calls, reschedule, draw everything back down the ladder, reconfirm changed appointments!"
As she went through the list, sweet Shirley looked ready for downright murder. Milly, sadly opened her mouth. "It can't be worse than the last seven times-"
"Thirteen" Shirley bit out flames all but spewing out of her eyeballs.
"Right...ehehe. It can't be worse than that right!? You should be used to it by now!"
"You should be quiet now. Else she might just throttle you in your sleep." The Prince chuckled, amused. She laughed and continued huddling behind Lelouch. the only man in the world that would be safe to hide behind right now.
But it seems she just had to test that theory didn't she. "Will you be my blanket then Lulu?"
Shirley's face...
Oh...dear...god.
"A camera! A camera! My Kingdom for a Camera!" He thought.