Code Geass - Lelouch of the Rebellion/Code Geass - Hangyaku no Lelouch: Lost Soldiers
by: Ominae
Rating: T
NOTE:
All characters of Code Geass are under the copyright of Goro Taniguchi, Sunrise, CLAMP and Bandai Entertainment. All other characters are under my jurisdiction.
Summary:
The Lost Soldiers are now preparing to fight against Eden Vital, the mysterious cult that has ties with the Britannian monarchy. Lelouch had revealed his identity as Zero to his relatives and to Sayoko. But was it done intentionally or was it done as part of a plan? Stay tune to this chapter to find out.
Chapter 18: Preparations
Command Center, Lost Soldiers Base, Okuchichibu Mountains, somewhere near Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"I take it that you enjoyed your vacation away from Japan?"
Rakshata asked Marc, who had now assembled his fellow Lost Soldiers. They were all mingling near the ramp leading to and from the room, waiting for something to happen.
"Quite right, I must say Rakshata." Marc sarcastically replied, scratching his neck when he partially lifted the balaclava under it. "But now is not the time to further waste more time."
"What happens next, boss man?" Jean asked Marc.
"I got some word from the Black Knights that Zero's going to contact us real soon." Marc told the Lost Soldiers.
"How soon?" Yi asked.
Marc shrugged his shoulders. "That's what I like to know."
Governor-General's Office, Governor-General's Palace, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"Strange." Suzaku mumbled when he went inside the vacant governor-general's office, holding a piece of paper with him. "The note says I should see him," The officer then shrugged. "or her over something important in the governor-general's office. I wonder what this is all about?"
"Greetings." A familiar voice called out to Suzaku, startling him.
"Who's there?!" Suzaku immediately drew out the Ōkatana from the saya mounted on the left side of his waist. "Show yourself!"
"Hmph." The voice mocked Suzaku. "Very well, if you insist."
A black mist began to appear in front of the young man, materializing the form of a male teenager.
What?
Suzaku was startled to see who the person was after the mist materialized that he almost had a hard time breathing.
"Surprised to see me, Suzaku?" Suzaku saw the person looked like Lelouch, wearing a brown windbreaker, jeans and white and grey walking shoes.
"How dare you look like my friend?!"
The Honorary Britannian charged at Lelouch, bringing down the Ōkatana's blade towards his face.
"A bad move, really..." Lelouch sidestepped to his right, surprising Suzaku after he missed the strike. Lelouch countered Suzaku's Ōkatana horizontal slash, his left arm already grabbed from Lelouch's quick speed.
Huh? He's quick... Suzaku didn't have time to comprehend a follow-up from his initial attack when Lelouch twisted his left arm. "Acckkk!!!" The strong pain nearly forced him to drop his Ōkatana.
Lelouch smirked. Persistent. He followed his attack with a strong knee attack on his stomach, making Suzaku go down.
"Ungh!" Suzaku fell down hard from the attack, but was quick enough to draw out his S&W M-50 pistol. Unfortunately, Lelouch had aimed his M-50 at Suzaku's forehead already before Suzaku was able to get his sidearm out.
"It's me, Lelouch." Lelouch smirked at Suzaku, centering the M-50's sights on his head. "Don't you remember?"
"Lelouch?" Suzaku slowly stood up, grabbing his Ōkatana and using it to help him stand up when he pressed its blade on the floor. "That can't be right..."
"What's the matter?" Lelouch holstered his sidearm.
"A few days ago, I saw someone who looked just like you." Suzaku said, blinking his eyes. "But I know that he's not you."
"I see."
"Putting that all aside," Suzaku questioned Lelouch. "What are you doing here, Lelouch? Last I heard, you, Nunnally and Cornelia got killed in an aerial bombing raid of the Greater Tokyo Area."
"That will be..." Lelouch replied. "another story for another time, Suzaku."
"And why do you have that power?" Suzaku questioned Lelouch again, remembering the time he materialized in front of him. "How did you get that?"
"It's a surprise." Lelouch grinned. "But I'm actually here for another purpose."
"Which is?"
"I need your help."
Somewhere in the Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
A battle had raged near the central downtown area of the Tokyo Settlement. What had begun as an attempt conducted by the Britannian Army and the Metropolitan Police to check a seemingly suspicious van at a vehicle checkpoint went sour when its occupants fired small arms at the soldiers and constables manning the checkpoint, making civilians scatter away from the scene.
Two CO19 BMW 530i ARVs was first on the scene when it arrived at high speed with the siren lights turned on after receiving intelligence that the van belonged to the Red Volunteer Army. However, one of them crashed onto the rear of an abandoned Pizza Hut GMC Savana 2500 van after the driver of the first ARV was gunned down by several rounds coming from an AKM assault rifle.
"Get out! Get out!" A CO19 officer urged his other colleagues to step out of BMW 530is and use them, as well as the other abandoned vehicles, to cover themselves. They had donned their PASGT ballistic helmets, making the switch from their ballcaps. The armed officers returned fire at the armed RVA guerrillas with their G36Cs.
"I've got some news that the Army's going to transport some troops in to help us aside from their Sutherlands!" One of the CO19 officers spoke up in a loud voice to his superior, a Sergeant, due to the hail of heavy gunfire.
"Fantastic!" muttered the Sergeant, firing at the RVA guerrillas while using the 530i's engine block as a shield to protect himself. "It's about time!"
The gunfight continued on for approximately 20 minutes, neither side having casualties aside from the RVA having to fight two fronts to protect themselves.
A General Dynamics IAV Stryker arrived, parked at the rear of the CO19 forces. The ramp/rear door opened immediately, making a squad of Britannian soldiers emerge from the wheeled armored vehicle while porting their HK G36K assault carbines before they sought cover from the abandoned vehicles.
"About time you guys showed up here!" A CO19 officer whistled when he saw the disembarking soldiers. "We need your help here against the RVA!"
"Where are they?" One of the soldiers asked. The officer could tell she was female, despite being masked up by her goggles and respirator.
"Over there." The officer pointed to the ex-VCP, now being used by surviving Met police officers and soldiers to seek cover from the RVA gunmen's use of the AKM assault rifles and the occasional Armalite AR-15 assault rifle with a M79 grenade launcher. "We could get there ourselves, but we're under gunfire from them too aside from the VCP being shot up to pieces, so we need to take cover from behind our ARVs as you can see." The officer and the soldier ducked behind the 530i when it was being riddled with gunfire from one of the RVA gunmen's AKMs.
"Okay." The soldier raised her SIG SP 2022 at the CO19 officer's head. "Thanks for telling me."
"Don't tell me you're the..."
The soldier fired a shot from her SP 2022 at the officer's unprotected throat.
"ACCKK!! GUGURRG!" The officer went down on his knees, having the feeling of being drowned after blood splutter out of his throat. The other CO19 officers were taken aback when the "soldiers" took aim with their G36Ks.
Roof, Britannian Airlines Tower, somewhere in the Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
A man with dark green hair, a large orange monocle and a white, long trenchcoat dashed on the roofs of several skyscrapers, jumping from one building to the next whenever possible.
"You can't escape from us, Jeremiah Gottwald!" Jeremiah was pursued by Eden Vital ninjas, the latter gaining on him when he landed on top of the roof of the Britannian Airlines skyscraper. "Surrender yourself if you know what's good for you!"
"Never!" Jeremiah saw one of the ninjas already in front of him. He saw the ninja was about to draw out the ninjato from his back. Good!
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Jeremiah drew out the hidden blade from his right arm and stabbed the ninja on his chest. "Take this!"
"GGHHAHA!" The ninja was taken aback, since it was due to Jeremiah running that the ninja did not expect the attack to come at him so soon.
"What the?" The ninjas saw Jeremiah throw the corpse of their colleague at them, nearly colliding with two of the ninjas closest to Jeremiah.
"That ought to buy me some time." Jeremiah murmured as he continued to dash on the skyscraper's roof, giving himself extra time to evade his pursuers.
Somewhere in the Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
A RVA guerrilla, armed with a Tula AKM assault rifle, saw what he considered was "weird" through the eyes of his balaclava. He tugged his brown windbreaker and patted his jeans due to the accumulating moisture from his hands from what had happened when he took cover behind the engine block of an abandoned Chevrolet Equinox taxi.
The "soldiers" began to gun down each and every CO19 officer, responsible for attacking the RVA force from the rear, with support from the Browning M2 .50 machine gun mounted on its Protector M151 Remote Weapon Station, slowly walking to ensure their area was clear before they continued to walk towards them.
"I don't believe it..." The RVA guerrilla murmured, seeing the CO19 officers fight back against their "allies" in bewilderment. Most of them had been gunned down after they had been literally caught with their pants down.
"Oy!" Another RVA guerrilla, having his balaclava-clad face concealed in a blue hoodie and jeans. "Don't just stand there! Do something!" The rest of the RVA force were busy fighting against the surviving soldiers and police officers at the Britannian Army-Met Police checkpoint, with 5 soldiers and 3 officers at least left from the initially 8 soldiers and 6 officers stationed at the checkpoint.
"R-right!" The perplexed RVA guerrilla blink his eyes twice for a few seconds before he aimed the AKM's iron sights at a CO19 officer trying to fire his G36C at one of the approaching "soldiers".
Steady. Steady. After ensuring the sights were accurately targeting the officer's back, the RVA guerrilla fired several single shots from his AKM at the officer's back. He saw the officer go down, who didn't know that he had been shot with 7.62 x 39 Soviet bullets at the back with one at his neck.
"Uwahhh!" The guerrilla ducked back behind the Equinox's engine block when he heard several groans nearby.
Probably from the security forces... The guerrilla looked at the checkpoint to see it had been completely demolished. Aside from that, there was no surviving soldier or police officer around aside from the CO19 officers killed by the "soldiers".
The Stryker came to a halt near the almost bullet-ridden Volkswagen Routan minivan. The "soldiers" had arrived shortly after their Stryker had parked in front of the burning Met Police Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor squad car.
"Sorry the Lost Soldiers were late." One of the "soldiers" told the RVA guerrillas. "Your boss gave us a call after we heard news on the BRBC about an attack on a checkpoint."
"I'm glad you people came." An AR-15-armed RVA guerrilla shook one of them by the hand. "We didn't mean for this to happen, but we can't risk it after we carted some weapons from a nearby police precient."
"Hey Boss. It's Jean." Jean went to radio Marc after the success of their mission. "We were able to save the RVA guerrillas from being turned into mincemeat by the Army and the Met Police."
"Nice work out there, Jean." Marc replied to Jean's transmission. Jean scanned the area and squinted his eyes when he spotted someone crawling around the checkpoint.
A policewoman? Jean noted the wounded policewoman, her right hand on her sidearm when she tried to aim it at one of the RVA guerrillas when he let loose with the G36K once more.
"What the?" The Lost Soldiers and the RVA guerrillas in unison saw what Jean had done.
"She was trying to get lucky." Jean explained, pointing out to them the pistol on the woman's hand.
"And again you saved our butts." A RVA guerrilla with the M79 went over to Jean to shake his hand.
"Heh, heh." Jean chuckled. "It's nothing at all, my friend."
"Jean!" Rai came on Jean's radio. "The base got some news! The army's coming in with Sutherlands and the BDL's coming in too. You people better skedaddle while you can do it and fast!"
"Crap!" muttered Jean. "Everyone! Get back in the Stryker now!" He faced the RVA guerrillas. "We'll try to lay in some cover fire for you guys..."
"Thanks." The M79-armed guerrilla thanked Jean before he motioned to his comrades to get back in the Routan minivan. Thankfully for them, the vehicle was still operational despite having some bullet holes on the engine block cover.
Six Knightmare VTOL planes appeared on the scenes, dropping out Sutherlands armed with machine pistols at the ready.
"Yo!" Henri came in contact with Jean. "Aside from the Sutherlands being dropped in, I got word that a Dodge Caravan full of BDL fighters are coming in towards us..."
"Blast them to smithereens when you see the van, clear?"
"Clear as crystal, Jean."
A screeching sound was heard from a block down near the Stryker's position. Jean gestured towards the incoming van filled with BDL fighters, having the same balaclavas except with custom-made armbands of the Britannian flag on either their left or right arms.
"I can spot one of them fighters trying to snipe us with a Dragunov SVD." Jean focused his sight on them, using the goggles to zoom in to get a good look. "Do be kind as to welcome them, would you Henri?"
"Of course. Your wish is my command, Jean. Don't need to ask twice on that one." A minute later, the Protector M151 RWS' Mk 19 automatic grenade launcher fired off two 40 mm grenades at the incoming van, blowing it to pieces alongside its passengers.
"Okay...." Yi told the group their next incoming problem. "Now the Sutherlands are here!" Six Sutherlands were immediately dropped in after the van was wasted. "And the Mk 19 won't be able to stop all of them!"
"Here we come to save the day!" Marc yelled when the Gekka Prototype and the Lancelot Club were inserted by their own Knightmare VTOL jets. "You guys haul your asses back! Me and Rai will take care of them!"
"Got it!" Jean replied before the Lancelot Club ported the VARIS rifle and fired it at an approaching Sutherland by the right leg followed by a shot at the chest twice.
"Incoming!" Rai followed up Marc's attack by slashing a Sutherland in half from the waist with its Katen Yaibato in a split second.
"Aw come on..." Rai purred, dodging the second Sutherland's slash harkens by batting them away with the Gekka Prototype's Katen Yaibato before it grabbed the Sutherland's head. "There's no need for that."
Radiation surged from the claw arm all the way to the Sutherland. The knightmare's interior were slowly beginning to combust from the legs all the way to the cockpit and Factsphere unit.
"Nicely done..." Marc watched Rai's handiwork when the second Sutherland exploded. "Hey!!!" Marc scolded his second Sutherland, trying to gun him down with its machine pistol. "I didn't give you explicit permission to shoot at me, did I?!"
The Lancelot Club moved in on his prey after holstering the VARIS, using the MSV particle shields to protect the knightmare from gunshot under he was in arm's length of the Sutherland.
"Howdy there!" Marc manipulated the knightmare to arm itself with its dual MVS swords. The Sutherland tried to fire its machine pistol at point blank range, only to be met with resistance in the point of MVS sword stabs in the cockpit.
"I think we gave the guys enough time to escape." Rai suggested, firing the handgun to engage the incoming third Sutherland facing him. "And that's five down for the count. One to go."
"Go." Marc coolly told Rai. "I'll take care of the last one."
"Okay..." Rai made a retreat, watching Marc charge to the sixth Sutherland with its MSV particle shields. Now standing in front of the Sutherland, the Club pounced on the Britannian knightmare with its shields to stun it before the Club's slash harkens were used to smack the machine pistol out of its hands. The VARIS was then drawn out and fired, destroying the Sutherland after it was hit on its cockpit.
"Hoo-yah..." Marc whispered when he eyed the knightmare's destruction before he too began to withdraw from the area.
Outskirts of Clubhouse, Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
Lelouch began his walk back to the clubhouse early in the afternoon. The academy's high school unit had half day classes due to a teacher's meetings, which meant Cornelia was to be included as a mandatory requirement. However, the elementary and kindergarten units had classes as scheduled until the end of the afternoon.
"Lelouch!"
Lelouch turned around to see it was Kallen, in her high school academy appearance.
"Yes?"
"Where were you?" Kallen frowned when she marched right next to him. "I was trying to call you and you didn't..."
"Was it urgent?" Lelouch asked.
The question made Kallen stop. "Ermm..." Kallen played with her hands. "Not exactly, but I thought I needed to call you since..."
"Just tell me, Kallen..."
"I wanted to thank you for what you did back at the park a while ago."
"You mean that?" Lelouch had to grin. He remembered standing up to a bunch of Britannian punks harassing a hot dog seller, who was an Eleven. Kallen initially wanted to face them, but Lelouch stopped her and instead stepped up in her place. The only thing was mesmerized her was Lelouch's use of martial arts to put them down for the count instead of using his charm or his gimmicks to stop them from what they were doing.
"Of course!" Kallen nearly shouted, her cheeks red.
"Listen to me, Kallen." Lelouch walked to Kallen until he was right in front of her. "What I did back there was not amuse myself in using the skills I had."
Kallen stared at Lelouch's eyes, having a raised eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
"I'm perfectly right." Lelouch gently raised her chin up for him to look at her face a bit closer. "My dear Kallen."
"Speaking of which," Lelouch darted his eyes to see some familiar people waiting near the gates of Ashford Academy. "it looks like some familiar people are outside."
Lelouch walked again, only this time to the open gates of Ashford Academy.
Outskirts of Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"I didn't expect to see you here, you damn punk!"
Lelouch eyed around 6-8 of the hoodlums he had meet in the park back in the morning. The ex-prince had dutifully recalled that four of them were originally responsible for the disturbance in the park and dealt with them before police came into the scene, forcing the punks to flee to avoid being arrested.
"Nor I did expect you here at all, gentlemen." Lelouch greeted them, somehow using some of the aristocratic language he was familiar with back in Britannia.
"I brought some new friends to help me with my problem, you snobnose student." The leading punk, a young man in his late 20s with a white shirt, baggy jeans and rubber shoes, cracked his knuckles in front of Lelouch. The others also had baggy jeans and rubber shoes, probably as a form of association with the group. The only difference they had with the clothes they wore above their waist. A few had shirts while some had hoodies and a sweater worn over the shirt.
"I see that you refuse to give up after what happened back there in the park." Lelouch grinned, flexing his arms and hands. "You know what this means, do you?"
"Aw, shaddup..." The punk said, raising his left fist to strike Lelouch in the face. "Or I shut yer yap for ya quickly!"
Command Center, Lost Soldiers Base, Okuchichibu Mountains, somewhere near Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"Greetings!" Diethard enthusiastically welcomed the Lost Soldiers back in the command center. "I suppose your latest excursion was quick?"
"Indeed." Marc groaned, stretching his arms. "Was there anything?"
"Some chatter on the underground forums as usual." Edward told Marc from his seat, checking the internet. "Most of them being hyped up for the Lost Soldiers supporting the RVA against the security forces and the BDL."
"We received an incoming transmission from the JLF." Rakshata told Marc. "Encrypted, of course."
"Alright." Marc nodded. "Edward, a word?"
"Sure." He left his seat and went off with Marc outside the room.
Outskirts of Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
Lelouch saw the incoming punch that was meant for his face. He could do things: Stand still and let the punch hit him or counter the incoming attack by dodging or making an attack of his own.
"What the?" The leading punk was taken aback when Lelouch grabbed his arm and hurled him onto the ground. He had decided on the latter option for his own good.
"You annoying little..." A hoodie-wearing punk drew out a switchblade from his pants and slid out the blade by pressing a button on its handle. "Take this!!"
"Hmph." Lelouch only responded by taunting the second punk to come and get him.
"HRRRAAAHHH!" Enraged by Lelouch, the hoodie-wearing punk ran at him before he was about to plunge the blade at his chest.
Lelouch sidestepped to his right, grabbing the punk's right arm as it held the switchblade. He followed it with blows to the chest starting with two knees and a punch. Finally, Lelouch ended it with a swift kick to the stomach that sent the punk down to the ground.
"Hey? Who the..." Lelouch heard voices from behind the group, apparently taken by surprise as they were assaulted by another person.
"I didn't realize that you were here." Lelouch was calm and collected, even though he was surprised that Suzaku was there. He wore a blue windbreaker, light brown pants and rubber shoes in place of his Britannian military uniform.
"I thought about why you were back there a while ago." Suzaku said, smiling at his friend. "And I thought you'd want to hear my answer."
"But of course." Lelouch grinned at Suzaku. "I'm eager to hear your response. But first, these delinquents are hassling me with the urge to fight me. I need your help to ward them off."
"Alright." Suzaku got into a fighting pose, remembering what his late father Genbu had taught him about Aikido. "Here we go!"
Outside Command Center, Lost Soldiers Base, Okuchichibu Mountains, somewhere near Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"So, you feeling all right there?"
Marc and Edward were alone momentarily outside the command center; only the rest of the other Lost Soldiers as well as Diethard and Rakshata were inside with some personnel assigned by Kyoto.
"Yeah." Edward nodded. The young ex-child soldier stared at his face, feeling some uncertainty.
"You sure?" Marc asked. "I mean, me and the other guys are wanted in the face of the Britannian military. They're all our enemies for the hell they've placed on us."
"Yeah, sure." Edward nodded again. "I never wanted the military life. I had to hide when the conscription notice was mailed to my place a few years ago until the SSU's Anti-Dodger Squad arrested me for trying to evade my national service notice." The deserted scratched his head. "Or so they say. But at least I got some skills when I was in the infantry."
The Anti-Dogs eh? The Eurasian had heard of a small group of elite MPs in the army responsible for arresting anyone who would attempt to escape being drafted. So far, they have a 98 percent success rate with a few deaths resulting from dodgers attempting to resist arrest.
"If you insist." Marc looked at Edward from head to toe. "I just want to be sure here. Until the time's come for the Lost Soldiers to retire from the public eye, we'll keep fighting and face off more and more against the Britannian military."
"I know where you trying to go at." The blonde-haired man replied. "And don't worry about me. Just like Diethard, I look forward to the day Britannia's finished."
Marc smirked. "That's a good man."
Unknown Cell, somewhere in Britannia, Britannian Empire
"Get in there, you damn miscreant!"
After many days of being "arrested", jailed and interrogated, Kanon was tossed to yet another prison cell somewhere in Britannia. The now ex-aide to the prime minister had his black cloth bag taken off from his head before he was moved into his cell.
"W-what?" Kanon squinted his eyes due to lack of exposure to the light from the outside world for many days, which didn't help him to identify anyone who had a hand in his current situation from his arrest to his interrogation for charges of treason and terrorism. Charges he knew were falsely placed against him. "Where am I?" Kanon rubbed his eyes in order to see his surroundings more clearly. He looked around his cell, consisting of a double bunker bed and a small area partially walled off to serve as his bathroom.
"Kanon! Can you hear me?!"
That voice! It can't be... Kanon heard the voice. And it was coming from the cell next to it. The thing is he can't tell whether it's from the left or the right.
"I'm right next to you! I'll knock on the bar so you know where I am!"
Kanon then heard the semi-loud rapping sound coming from the metal bars. He could only peer a bit outside, but it was enough for the Britannian to know the other person was locked up on the cell to his left.
"It's you, sir!" Kanon realized the other captive was none other than Schneizel el Britannia.
Unknown to Kanon, Schneizel didn't look clean or well-dressed. Schneizel knew that Kanon would also be in a similar state like him. The two of them were dressed in prison clothes with sooth all over their bodies while in detention ever since Rolo vi Britannia had de facto control of the Britannian government as its prime minister.
"I'm glad to see you're alive and well, Kanon." Schneizel addressed his subordinate. "I never expected that you would be alive right now."
"Nor I, your Highness." Kanon sighed, glad that Schneizel was safe. "But I must say. I'm not quite sure why we're still alive while the reins of the government is under someone else's control."
Schneizel had no answer to Kanon's thoughts. "I don't know how to answer that, Kanon."
Outskirts of Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
Suzaku and Lelouch had taken care of the punk posse after the former's arrival as he had taken care of the second hoodie-wearing punk by throwing him over his shoulder before he gave a punch on his face, knocking him out.
"Is that all?" Lelouch checked the unconscious punk who had been armed with the switchblade by using his left foot to move his body. "Hm, looks like all of them are out cold." Satisfied that the punk was not responding, Lelouch removed his foot from the punk's back.
"I have to say Lelouch." Suzaku was surprised to see Lelouch fight well for a Britannian. "I'm surprised that you fought so well a while ago."
"Well I did take advantage of my visits to the Kururugi dojo to see how Aikido works back then." Lelouch explained. "That combined with some techniques I studied from Bartitsu." Although I can't tell him that I became better in unarmed combat thanks to the geass C.C. gave me.
"Isn't that the British martial arts created by Edward William Barton-Wright, Lelouch?" The two teenagers were now walking towards the academy's clubhouse.
"Indeed, Suzaku." Lelouch nodded.
"Are Nunnally and Cornelia living here in Ashford Academy?" Suzaku asked Lelouch.
"Both of them are. However, Cornelia's away on business with the school."
"I see. That's a shame."
Somewhere near outskirts of of Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"There it is. Ashford Academy."
A slightly wounded Jeremiah peeked out from an alley, just a block away from the academy. He had just shaken off his pursuers when one of the Tengu ninjas hurled a sharp hira-shuriken at his left shoulder. His left arm was not entirely cyberized, so Jeremiah felt the weapon's sting after removing the hira-shuriken and tossing it to a nearby trash bin.
"If I can get inside the academy, I just might be able to see him before those accursed ninja regroup and pursue me again in the city."
Jeremiah made a dash across the street, confident that it was clear of any vehicles before he followed it with an aerial jump over the wall and into the bushes.
Command Center, Lost Soldiers Base, Okuchichibu Mountains, somewhere near Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
Diethard and Rakshata were studying the Izu Islands on a digital map with the other Lost Soldiers when Edward and Marc returned back inside.
"Hey boss." Henri greeted Marc. "Why'd you go outside?"
"Some stuff I had to take care of. It's not that important, really." Marc shrugged his shoulders.
"Ah, there you are." Diethard himself greeted the two. "I was just going over what you've told me regarding your plans on Shikine and Kamine Islands a few days ago."
"How so?" Marc went over to the digital map to study the Izu Islands.
"Are we going to assault some place?" Edward asked, having no idea what was going on.
"First question." Domingo raised his arm up. "How the heck are we going to reach them? We don't have any major air assets that could reach either of them."
"I agree with him." Michelle too raised her concern to Marc. "Unless we have some secret secret base somewhere in the Izu Islands or we're getting help from the Black Knights, JLF or the Kyoto Group, we're not going to get to Kamine Island at all..."
"I have a suggestion." Michael told everyone studying the digital map. "Why don't we disguise our attack to Eden Vital by conducting a raid on Shikine Island?"
"That could be plausible." Rakshata pondered over Michael's suggestion. "Shikine's the host of a Britannian Air Force base."
"Not only that," Yi also added her knowledge on the island as well. "Britannian military personnel are the only ones in the islands. No Japanese in the island."
"Probably driven out during the Second Pacific War." Rai said, studying the distances of Shikine and Kamine islands.
"Good suggestions." Marc told the Lost Soldiers, taken their suggestions into serious consideration. "The only way we can do is to launch our attack on Shikine by way of using the Izu Peninsula as our launching platform."
Rai patted Marc on his right shoulder. "Doesn't the JLF have the greatest influence in the Izu Peninsula among all anti-occupation guerrilla groups."
"Yeah. We shouldn't forget about other anti-Britannian occupation forces too." Marc nodded. "Other groups in the area consist of the Japanese Red Army, Japanese People's Liberation Army and Red Force in the left. Those on the right include the Japanese Freedom Front, Japan Patriotic Army and the Hinomaru Army."
"Aside from that, they have a major base down there too."
"So do we contact the JLF or not?" Diethard went to ask Marc. "It seems that it's the best option we have to make the Shikine assault a success."
Marc stayed silent, trying to find a way out of their current dilemma.
It seems the only way of this mess is to ask the JLF directly.
Somewhere in Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
It appears that I have not been detected by the guards.
Jeremiah stayed still in the bush he landed in after he jumped over the wall, fearing the possibility of being seen by someone in the school.
He then started to have a bit of heavy breathing; Jeremiah still felt the sting of the shoulder wound from the hira-shuriken even though the ex-Purist remembered removing it completely.
Still, it didn't matter to him. He needs to get to the clubhouse. The same clubhouse where he had fought Zero previously. Hopefully, he would be able to get some help from his exiled master and have his wound attended to as soon as possible.
Seeing that the path is clear, Jeremiah silently moved out of the bush and began to use stealth to get to the clubhouse without either making a fuss or getting himself too exposed to the public.
He ran towards the clubhouse, keeping in mind of a row of bushes nearby that he could use for cover in case an Ashford Academy security ground would could make his rounds.
Must not mind the wound. Head straight for the clubhouse.
Command Center, Lost Soldiers Base, Okuchichibu Mountains, somewhere near Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"Okay, sir. We're on in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and coming in live!" A command center officer in charge of maintaining electronic equipment managed to link up with the JLF via video feed. Marc had been thankful to the Kyoto Group many times for having people that can monitor anything from the base in Area 11 while the majority of the Lost Soldiers are away on missions.
"Greetings." Katase bowed in front of Marc, even though he was not in the JLF's base physically. "I trust that you have been well."
"Of course, sir." Marc and the other Lost Soldiers reciprocated the greeting by bowing also. "How have you been doing?"
"Good." The old former JGSDF general told Marc. "Aside from the hassle of moving our base from Narita to Takahagi in what's left of the Ibaraki Prefecture."
"A good spot I must say. It's next to the sea if I remember."
"Yes, quite a spot. I use to command that base during the Second Pacific War."
"Which is the reason why I decided to contact you right away, General." Katase was surprised to see the comment from Marc.
"Before you continue," Katase eyed Diethard before he made eye contact with Rakshata. "isn't that man Diethard Reid from the Britannian Broadcasting Corporation?"
"I know your concern General." Rai stepped up to defend Marc. "Believe me, we were all confused too before we did some... measures to ensure he wasn't from Special Branch or from MI5 and MI6."
"I see." Katase eyed Diethard again before he spoke to Marc once more. "Going back to business, I'd like to hear the reason you called for my attention."
"I'm just wondering who's in charge of the JLF's base in the Izu Peninsula, that's all."
"I just placed Todo and the Shiseiken recently in charge of the Minamiizu base in Shizuoka. Is there something wrong?"
Rai whispered to Marc, the latter adjusting his SAS beret and balaclava before he replied. "Yes, I just need the cooperation of the Minamiizu base for one particular mission the Lost Soldiers have in mind for the next few days."
Katase was too curious to hear what Marc had to say in behalf of the Lost Soldiers. "And just what kind of mission do you have in mind?"
Marc gave a deep breath and said. "Alright, General. Hear me out for what I have in mind..."
Dining Room, Clubhouse, Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"Nunnally!"
"Suzaku!"
The two hugged each other almost immediately when Sayoko announced Suzaku's presence. Lelouch had been told that Kallen had to go home as her stepmother was in the Stadtfeld mansion ever since yesterday, "requiring" the red-haired girl's presence.
"I told that something happened to you, Suzaku..." Nunnally was so overjoyed that she nearly wanted to cry.
"It's all right, Nunnally." Suzaku touched Nunnally's head. "I'm in good hands, so to speak. Don't worry about me."
"He's with the Area 11 colonial government, Nunnally." Lelouch told Nunnally.
"Since when?" Nunnally asked Suzaku.
"A few years ago after Tokyo was reconstructed as a settlement city."
"Oh."
"But it doesn't matter, Nunnally." Suzaku smiled at the young girl. "What matters is that you three are alive and that's enough for me."
"I wish Cornelia would come though." Nunnally sadly sighed.
"It's alright." Suzaku chuckled. "Maybe I'll come back tomorrow and see hear as well."
"That would be great for her." Nunnally smiled, clapping her hands.
A loud sound was heard from outside from the kitchen.
"What was that?" Despite being blind and crippled, Nunnally had a good sense of hearing and smelling things.
"A robber?" Lelouch too was alarmed. Thank goodness C.C.'s not here right now. Otherwise, things would be complicated with Suzaku.
Suzaku instantly drew out his M-50 pistol from the shoulder holster concealed underneath his windbreaker.
"W-wait! Don't shoot..."
"Is that Jeremiah?" Nunnally asked, familiar with the voice pleading for help.
Sayoko drew out her kunais, seeing Jeremiah in the dining room. However, the man was in the room not to fight as he had the shoulder wound from the previous fight. Instead, he came to Lelouch to seek his help.
"Oh my god..." Suzaku lowered his pistol. "Lord Jeremiah of the Purists?! Official military records show that he died from an anti-guerrilla operation against the Japanese People's Liberation Army."
"What happened, Mr. Jeremiah?!" Nunnally pleaded for the wounded Jeremiah to say something.
"It's..." Jeremiah replied, feeling tired. "a long story, Miss Nunnally." He was also careful not to address herself by her old title as the Britannian monarch and the government no longer recognized her and her brother Lelouch with their older stepsister Cornelia as part of the royal family. "But right now, I need some help."
"Sayoko." Lelouch addressed the maid, the latter putting her kunais away. "This man needs to be treated right now."
"One more thing," Jeremiah added before he reached out for a chair. "don't call 999. My pursuers are sure to use it in order to trace my presence."
"Understood." Suzaku reholstered his side arm, seeing Jeremiah was not a threat despite being dressed differently. What's with that large, orange monocle over his left eye?
"Thank you." Jeremiah sat down on the chair, having removed his white trenchcoat. "Ack!"
"Miss Nunnally." Sayoko spoke to the young girl. "Now is not the best time to speak with Mr. Jeremiah since I need to look at his wound."
"All right." Sayoko led Nunnally's wheel chair outside of the clubhouse. Lelouch and Suzaku were seated across Jeremiah, the former starting the conversation. Suzaku eyed Jeremiah too while having his left hand near his jacket to gain access to his sidearm in case it is "needed".
"I think it's about time you gave me an explanation." Lelouch eyed the ex-Purist and Ares Palace guard. "Tell me what happened to you since my mother's death. And don't leave anything out."
Jeremiah slowly nodded. "I understand." He gave a deep breath to calm himself. "Allow me to start from the time Japan was occupied by Britannia and renamed as Area 11..."
Command Center, Lost Soldiers Base, Okuchichibu Mountains, somewhere near Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"Sir!" Katase summoned Todo via video feed also, having been informed that the Lost Soldiers need the JLF's Minamiizu base for a mission.
Thank goodness for three screen vertical rectangle interface. Marc saw that Todo's face took up the left side of the screen with Katase in the center. The right side was presently unused, except with the words STANDBY.
"I see that you responded so quickly, Todo." The two JLF officers saluted each other. "Listen, the Lost Soldiers has a request that I thought you may want to hear."
"Of course. Anything to help them." Todo replied before he spoke to Marc. "Is there a reason why you need the use of the Minamiizu base, if I may ask?"
"Yes, I do have a reason." Marc began to explain his reasons to why he needed JLF assistance. "We in the Lost Soldiers plan to execute a covert raid in Shikinejima and capture the lone Britannian Air Force base there without being alerted to our presence by Britannian security forces."
Todo was a bit surprised to hear Marc's reason. "And what do you expect from the use of the JLF's Minamiizu base?" He spoke to the Lost Soldiers leader in his usual glare. Behind him with the Shiseiken, standing in attention.
"Simply to be our staging grounds to raid Shikinejima." Marc replied, his arms behind him while his legs were a bit spread apart.
"Is that all?"
"That is all. Nothing more, nothing less."
Todo sighed, thinking about Marc's request. "Quite an interesting request. And what about the involvement of the JLF?"
Marc pondered over Todo's question. "Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Yup." Marc grinned under his balaclava. "You have nothing to worry about. As long as you guys commit to logistics and rear combat support for us, you'll be okay. We'll credit ourselves after we make the hit."
Todo was about to ask him when Marc raised his hand. "You'll have to understand that you were hurt like hell back in the Narita operation, Todo-san."
"Todo-san." Urabe stepped up next to Todo. "He has a point. The blow we received against the Narita base caused all of our forces to be extra careful of Britannian army forces nearby, not to mention possible infiltration by Special Branch and MI5 after we've rooted out a few double agents due to the chaos back then if it weren't for the Lost Soldiers. We can use whatever manpower we have to ensure our survival."
Todo pondered over Urabe's thoughts as well. He stayed silent for a minute before he said. "I understand. Contact the Minamiizu base whenever you're ready. I need to find out what you're bringing in from your Okuchichibu Mountains base."
"Wonderful." Katase was overjoyed to see Todo cooperating with the Lost Soldiers. "I trust that everything will be alright?"
"Yessir!" Both Todo and Marc replied in unison.
Katase ended his communication with Todo and Marc, his screen being replaced with STANDBY also.
"Contact me with the equipment you're bringing over to the base as soon as you can. I'll send some people from the Shiseiken to accompany you to the base."
"Understood." Marc saluted Todo and Todo reciprocated the act in return.
"What now, guv?" Jean asked Marc after communication ended with Todo.
"You heard from them." Marc told the Lost Soldiers, including Edward. "We better pack up and prepare whatever we can bring for our raid in Shikinejima."
"Alright, everyone. Let's go!!" Rai told the others, reminding them of the upcoming mission. "Get the knightmares and the Hinds ready right now after maintenance is complete."
"And what are you going to do while most of us are going to get them prepped up for tomorrow?" Henri asked Marc.
"Our weapons, silly."
Dining Room, Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"I joined up with the Purists after I left my position in the Britannian Guards, requesting for a post in the Tokyo Settlement to get my mind off Lady Marianne's death from the hands of republican terrorists." Jeremiah began to narrate his experience to Lelouch and Suzaku, the latter ready to use his sidearm from his shoulder holster should it be needed.
"But it hasn't been proven." Suzaku said to the ex-Guardsman. "The RVA and other pro-republican guerrillas denied ever authorizing any operation against the royal family when Lady Marianne was killed."
"I see." Lelouch eyed Jeremiah, placing his fingers togethers and on the table. "It seems we're about to stir the pot quite heavily."
Jeremiah cringed a bit when Sayoko began to sew up his wound. "From that day on, I began to achieve successful operations against anti-occupations with some losses against the JLF and the Lost Soldiers."
"And the last time I heard of you was in the Narita operation."
"How did..." Jeremiah was surprised that Lelouch knew of the Narita anti-guerrilla operation.
"Relax." Suzaku tried to reassure Jeremiah. "It was reported in the papers that Prince Clovis failed in the operation there alongside Shinjuku. I heard word he's getting grilled up by Britannia for the failures with rumors that he could be recalled and replaced by Princess Ambrosia."
"Moving on." Jeremiah went to narrate his position. "I remember losing consciousness during the Narita operation. I was heavily wounded during the fight too as well."
Lelouch pondered Jeremiah's explanation of his position in the Narita battle. He must've fought that weird knightmare back then.
"I don't know what happened then." Jeremiah massaged his right temple. "When I woke up, I was told that my body was cyberized." He pointed to the giant monocle on his left eye. "I was told by this midget-looking guy that I can use them to get back at Zero."
"Do you know the name of the group?" Suzaku took his turn to ask Jeremiah.
Jeremiah nodded. "Eden Vital."
"Eden Vital?" Lelouch was bothered by the name.
"You know the group?" Jeremiah asked Lelouch.
"Yes, I do. From underground forums and websites. It has some ties to the Britannian Army and some say it has deeper links with a child soldier special forces unit called COSMOS."
"COSMOS?" Suzaku said.
"I heard from Eden Vital sources that it means Children of Machine Organic System. They use young children and teenagers by inducting heavy brainwashing with some drugs to keep them loyal to the military."
"Now this gets deeper and deeper..." Lelouch tapped his fingers on the table. "How does all of this fit together?"
"When I found Zero around here." Jeremiah explained to Suzaku and Lelouch, gritting again until Sayoko finished sewing up his wound. "I was confused to see why he was here. It was until I saw Miss Nunnally and Cornelia that I felt something was wrong."
"And?" Lelouch waited for Jeremiah to continue.
"When I saw from a distance that Zero was being held by the throat by a woman, I took a scan of him from a distance." Jeremiah tapped his monocle. "Then I saw it you, Master Lelouch."
Lelouch sighed. "Don't call me master either, Jeremiah. I don't think I was into royalty in the first place." He placed his hands on his temples. Great! Now he's going to give me a headache later on.
"S-sorry..." Jeremiah waved his hands. "Forget it then."
"So what do you know about this... Eden Vital?" Suzaku went to ask Jeremiah.
"They've been doing some covert stuff." Jeremiah replied. "From what I know, it's something to do with this thing called the geass."
Lelouch was shocked to hear the word.
"My master, V.V., said something to me about making right the wrongs from the way things are happening recently."
"Great." Lelouch sighed. "An egoist. Just what the world doesn't need."
"What are you going to do, Lelouch?" Suzaku asked his friend. "If what Jeremiah said is true, then assassins are bound to look for him the moment he leaves the area."
Lelouch nodded. "I know." He faced Jeremiah. "Tell you what, Jeremiah. Do you mind laying low here? On the condition that you don't do anything...that may leave you into more trouble than you already are in."
"Thank you." Jeremiah beamed when he heard Lelouch would let him stay. "Thank you so much. But really I'm grateful to see you and the others once again."
"Hey Suzaku..." Lelouch went to speak to the young Major. "How are your friends in the SDGSD?"
"They're fine when I last contacted them." Suzaku whispered the answer. "Why?"
"Nothing. It's just that they need to be careful. They could be targeted sooner or later."
"Right."
Nunnally's Room, Clubhouse, Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"It seems the former guardsman in your palace is alive and well." Nemo sat on the bed near Nunnally's wheelchair.
"Is there..." Nunnally tried to ask Nemo. But Nemo was quick to answer. "Nothing much, except your brother is the leader of the Black Knights, Jeremiah joining the Purists to supposedly avenge your deaths and his probably former allegiance to an organization called Eden Vital and its ties with geass."
"It's probably a lot of details." Nunnally whispered, gripping the wheelchair's armrests a bit hard. "So I'm confused with all that."
"Don't worry Nunnally." Nemo stood up in front of Nunnally. "We'll get through this, I promise you." Nemo placed her hands on Nunnally's shoulders.
"Promise?"
Nemo gave one of her rare smiles and nodded. "I promise."
Armory, Lost Soldiers Base, Okuchichibu Mountains, somewhere near Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
Marc was alone in the Lost Soldiers' armory. It had formerly housed several JSDF small arms, ranging from pistols to submachine guns, assaults rifles and anti-tank weapon systems when the base was made to counter any Britannian incursion in the Japanese mainland.
"Nice to be in my own place once again." After the end of the war, the Lost Soldiers were able to acquire the base brand new since Kyoto did not inform the Britannian colonial administration of its existence until now. Keeping the door shut, Marc took off the SAS beret and placed it on the table. The balaclava was then taken off and stuffed in the left pants pocket.
Walking to the nearest gun rack, Marc noted the various Russian assault rifles including the IZHMASH AK-9, the AS VAL and the OTs-11 and 14 in the racks. There were also Western-made assault rifles present, such as the Heckler & Koch G36 and 416, Fabrique Nationale F2000 and the Israeli Military Industries TAR-21. There were also pistols, submachine guns, shotguns, LMGs, GPMGs, sniper rifles and anti-tank weapon systems present in the gun racks, obtained from Europe, Israel, the UAE, Turkey and Britannia. As with their Russian inventory, they were obtained through smuggling with Kyoto assistance aside from the occasional military base/police station small arms and ammunition raid. Most of the ex-JSDF small arms had been distributed by the Lost Soldiers to several anti-occupation guerrillas, namely the JLF. Other groups like the JRA and the JPA were being supplied with Russian/Eastern European-made AK rifles, RPG rocket launchers and Semtex explosives, some of the few weapons known to be popular with guerrilla forces. The only small arms kept under Marc's discretion were assault rifles, LMGs and GPMGs used in the defunct JSDF.
I wonder what rifle should we use? Taking an AK-9 from the rack, Marc was about to reach out for the charging handle when someone said, "I didn't know the leader of the Lost Soldiers spends his time in the armory."
In instinct, Marc immediately turned around and aimed the AK-9 when he saw who it was.
"You're that girl, C.C." Marc immediately recognized the girl from the strait jacket she wore ever since she was freed by Lelouch in the Shinjuku ghetto.
C.C. grinned. "You almost forgot me?" She eyed Marc and crossed her arms. "I'm surprised."
"I should be." Marc lowered the AK-9. "I saw you a few times hanging out with Zero." Replacing the AK-9 in the gun rack, Marc took the OTs-11 next. "So, aren't you going to tell me why you're here aside from being with the Lost Soldiers as a guest from the Black Knights?"
"Nothing really." C.C. shrugged her shoulders. "It's nice to get a change of environment for a while away from the Black Knights for a day or so."
"Yeah, right." Marc thought it wasn't worthy to believe the green-haired immortal's story. "I heard some stuff from the Black Knights themselves that you do stuff in his room whenever you're alone and he's not there."
"Hm?"
"Like eating pizza?" Marc glared at C.C. "Honestly, don't you have anything to do besides being lazy, eating pizza and doing nothing." Not that I'm saying that eating pizza is banned though, I kinda like it myself.
"You forget one thing." C.C. raised a hand. "I'm an accomplice of Zero in case you don't know."
"Really?" Marc raised an eyebrow, ejecting the OTs-11's magazine before replacing it and pulling its handle. "You don't look like an accomplice to Zero in any way."
"Ah." C.C. smiled at Marc. "That's where you wrong. I'm an accomplice in the true essence of Zero."
Chapter 18 END
PS - Welcome me back folks! Hope you peeps had a good christmas and a new year. Apologies for the late posting of this chapter. It's been primarily due to a few things: Watching some new movies and TV shows including the Korean TV spy drama IRIS (Which reminds me of 24) with Lee Byung-hun as the leading man. Laziness, trips to Singapore, Hong Kong and to my hometown in Quezon City to visit family mostly and the fact that university life's starting to roll in now that I needed to figure out how to take care of this issue.
There are certain parts of this chapter that I have a hard time explaining in terms of... how to call certain persons. For that, I may apologize if they don't seem right to you.
Main thing is, the story's about to end in a few more chapters. So please bear with me on this one. Really, I promise. oTL
I'm actually not sure how many will this go, but I know it's about to end. I need to give Lelouch, Jeremiah and Marc a sort of epic scene together against a horde of bad guys (or ninjas, heh heh).
As usual, comments/reviews/suggestions/thoughts/useful criticism/corrections are appreciated in the course of reviewing this chapter. Thank you and a good day/afternoon/evening from wherever you are.