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:
With the alliance intact, the Black Knights-Lost Soldiers-Anti-Eden Vital Britannians prepare to launch an assault on Kaminenejima against the Eden Vital, led by V.V. alongside Charles zi Britannia. Will the triple alliance be able to defeat them? Stay tune to this chapter to find out.
Chapter 23: Assault
Command Center, Ikaruga, en route to Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"Is something wrong?"
Ougi asked Zero when he noted the masked leader of the Black Knights was now deep in thought after getting a report that the Ikaruga were at least 20 kilometers before they can get near the beachhead.
"I'm just wondering about something." Zero approached Ichijuku's station. "Ichijuku, how much longer until we approach the island?"
"Probably ten more minutes." Ichijiku suggested. "Assuming Eden Vital has not either spotted us or deployed any of their maritime forces, assuming I can spot them on radar."
"I see." Zero went for the digital map table and stretched out a section of Kaminenejima. "I thought about this spot here..." Zero pointed out a cave located in a lower part of the island, consisting of an entrance surrounded by a small beach. "It may not be much, but we could perhaps send in some of our knightmares to infiltrate the island while the rest divert the majority of Eden Vital's forces."
"It may not be much, but it seems to be a good idea." Ougi studied the area as well. "You guys have objections?"
"Works like a plan." Tamaki said, stretching his arms. The other ex-NRA guerrillas said the same thing, being confident of what Zero has told them ever since establishing the Black Knights.
"Carry on with the planning," Zero said as he exited the command center. "I need to see some people in the knightmare hold."
Knightmare Hold, Ikaruga, en route to Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
Zero stepped into the submarine's knightmare hold, accompanied by a strait jacket-wearing C.C. when she somehow found out that he left the command center. Most of the Lost Soldiers, except Rai and Marc, were in formation with their weapons ported.
"Now that you're all suited up and ready," Marc debriefed his fellow Lost Soldiers again for the last time. Lloyd and Suzaku, with Mariel, Cécile and other SDGSD personnel who willingly came along with them, were on hand to observe them. "I just want you guys to hear out what I have to say."
After a few seconds of silence, Marc went on to continue speaking. "This may be the last time we'll see each other. So because of that, I want to say one thing. It's a wish that I had in mind, but it may sound as a command to some."
Marc cleared his throat. "Survive through all this. That's the only thing I want you all to do."
"How interesting." C.C. whispered next to Zero. "A commanding figure who wants his subordinates to survive, knowing the possibility of dying in the battlefield."
"He's trying to instill a sense of brotherhood. He went through the same things they did ever since he was brainwashed with them under the military prior to the invasion of Japan." Zero suggested. "Besides, he founded the Lost Soldiers and fought Britannia many years ago."
"That is all. Fall out to your respective assignments." Marc said, giving his final order.
"FALL OUT!" Rai shouted.
"It seems you want to see me." Marc approached them, ensuring his SAS beret was still worn over his balaclava-clad head.
"I need to discuss with you an addition to the current plans we have." Zero told Marc.
Marc nodded. "I got that. But aren't you..."
"Don't worry about me. I'll take care of my own speech later..."
"Er, that's not what I was asking about, Zero."
Near Forests, somewhere on Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"Why are we here, Nemo?"
Nunnally found herself on Kaminenejima, watching from behind the trees to see Rolo engage the Irregulars on his own.
"The knightmare in the middle is manned by Rolo vi Britannia, your older brother's twin." Nemo said, explaining the details.
"You mean, he's my twin brother?"
Nemo nodded. "You were never told the details; he was kidnapped at a young age by men from Eden Vital. That's the reason why you nor your siblings ever knew about him." The albino girl huffed. "I would not be surprised if your father or some faction loyal to him in the government worked very hard to conceal this fact from the public and from you."
"Then why am I here for?" Nunnally asked Nemo.
"This is the only way I can protect you for good." Nemo told Nunnally. "By starting with Rolo as he is with Eden Vital."
"Eden Vital?"
"Yes. It is allied with your father in assisting him to create a peaceful utopia where Ragnarök can take place, making each and every living or dead human into one being by forcing their subconsciousness whether they like it or not."
Force every subconsciousness?
"I realize that it may be complicated for you to understand, Nunnally." Nemo conceded as Nunnally is in her elementary school years.
"No, I understand." The blind girl shook her head. "My father is doing this against my wish for a peaceful world. How can such a world exist if he's forcing people to be part of his plan against their will?"
Nemo stared at Nunnally, seeing her hands clutch the armrests of her wheelchair hard.
"If that is what my father wants, then I don't call that a just and peaceful world. I... I have to do something in order to stop him."
"Then will you fight to achieve your just and peaceful world?"
Nunnally was silent when she heard the question before she said, "Yes."
Nemo noted that she gripped her armrests very hard when Nunnally said her answer.
"I see." Nemo placed a hand on Nunnally's hand. "Don't worry, I'll be with you until the end."
"How pathetic."
Rolo began to work on his counterattacks against the Irregulars after he froze and destroyed the Gefjun Disturber equipment. Dalque tried to rush in against Rolo, only to notice the fists of her GX-01 Alpha were starting to freeze.
"Take that, you worm!" Rolo combined his dual MVS swords into a lance before he smacked her away.
"Move in!" Sancia and Alice tried to intercept Rolo, the former with a katana and the latter an assault rifle, at the ready.
"He..." Rolo noted his opposition. They don't know who they're fighting against...
"He's gone!" Alice was about to fire her rifle after acquiring a lock-on when her console said there was an error due to a lack of target. "Sancia..."
"I noticed it too, Alice." Sancia said while gritting her teeth.
"He's behind me..." The two turned around quickly to aim their rifles, only for them to see Rolo holding Lucretia's Alpha hostage by pointing one of the MVS lance's bladed tip towards its chest.
"You're all weak and too slow." The Irregulars heard Rolo grin. "While I had a good time, I must see to it that you all surrender or face the wrath of having one of your rebellious comrades executed..."
"Dammit..." Alice muttered. As much as she would like to rush in, it was impossible for her to know what Rolo has up his sleeve. Rolo then shoved Lucretia towards them.
"And for your punishment," Alice and the other Irregulars noted that everything was freezing, starting from the controls all the way to their bodies. "perish with your bodies frozen."
"F-freezing..."
"Damn you, Rolo..." Dalque cursed, feeling cold.
"Dalque, Sancia..." The timid Lucretia called for her comrades. "I'm feeling cold..."
Rolo watched the Alphas kneel down from being frozen. All of them were not able to fight back due to the need of ensuring their survival.
"Suffer for trying to revolt against the Demon King himself..."
Command Center, Ikaruga, near the shores of Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
Ichijiku reported to Ougi. "Zero and the Mark IV have infiltrated Kaminenejima airspace!"
"Good." Ougi observed the screen, seeing that the island's defense systems did not respond to the gunship's intrusion. "Prepare to fire the Tomahawks as planned!"
"Yes sir!" Mutsuki and some of the other command center personnel began preparations to have the submarine's Vertical launching systems (VLS) prepared. Ougi took note when the on-screen displays said that BGM-109C and 109D Tomahawk missiles were being readied for launch.
Knightmare Hangar, Logre-Class Floating Battleship Lloegr, near Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"ALL HAIL EMPRESS AMBROSIA! ALL HAIL EMPRESS AMBROSIA! ALL HAIL EMPRESS AMBROSIA!"
Loud cheering was heard inside the Logre's knightmare hangar after Ambrosia, Empress of Britannia and no longer a princess, entered with Darlton and Guilford by her side.
"SILENCE!" Guilford shouted to the Devicers and support personnel assembled at the hangar, keeping them silent. He and Darlton looked around to ensure everyone was quiet.
"I thank you all for being here today." Ambrosia spoke to everyone inside. She was wearing a Devicer suit like the regular Devicers before her. "Today is the day that we assure the safety of the world after the previous, Charles, has plunged the entire planet into chaos and destruction."
Alongside Ambrosia was Nonette, who was wearing a Devicer suit. Despite being a "special" officer, she chose not to as she didn't want to boast her achievements back in the Britannian Army.
"He once said that people are not equal." Ambrosia said before being silent, remembering the things she did too in the name of maintaining Britannian superiority. "It is true that I have taken place in conflicts to ensure the superiority of Britannia among all things. But the more I reflect upon this, the more I have realized that this is not right."
The Devicers and support personnel were at attention, waiting for Ambrosia to continue.
"What Emperor Charles has said is not right for anyone to conduct oppression against others in the name of conducting human security. I will formally declare an end of Britannian occupation of all Areas and to Pax Britannia!"
Command Center, Ikaruga, near the shores of Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"We're getting a transmission." One of the command center personnel reported to Ougi. "But it's from Zero sir."
"Let's hear it." Ougi replied, giving the instructions to open it.
"Understood."
"In negotiations conducted with Her Majesty Ambrosia li Britannia, the Lost Soldiers and Kyoto, we have declared an equal alliance against a new enemy." The face of Zero appeared on screen, almost startling most of the Black Knights. Ougi could tell that Zero was speaking from the hangar, seeing most of the Burais used by the Black Knights under maintenance.
"Our old enemy, the Holy Britannian Empire, has disappeared from the face of Earth. But in its place, Charles zi Britannia continues to wage tyranny by taking the tile of Absolute Demon King backed by the Holy Eden Vital." He clenched his fist and raised it up, across his chest, to make his point. "From this point on, they are our new enemies."
"When the strong oppress the weak, we the Black Knights shall bring our sword down to pass judgement upon the oppressors!" Zero shouted, shaking his clenched fist. "To bring our ultimate goal into reality, the Black Knights and our allies shall bring down Charles and Eden Vital for good in the name of justice!"
Cabin, Mil-Mi SuperHind Mark IV gunship, somewhere near forest, Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"It seems the party has started."
Diethard has commented on the battle on the ground after the Mark IV had flew into the island by flying low to avoid any radar detection. He had a video camera on the side, its power turned on and on his hands.
"Indeed." Zero said, cracking his knuckles. "It seems the Irregulars have decided to revolt against their masters."
"So what are you going to do?"
"What am I going to do? I'm going down there and stop Rolo."
"But how? You don't have a knightmare with you."
"Just sit back and watch me, Diethard and I'll show you what I'm going to do."
Diethard was a bit shocked to see Zero leap from the Mark IV's cabin. "Uh, was that..."
"We don't have time for that one, Diethard." The Mark IV's pilot, who was from the Lost Soldiers just based on the "used" Britannian infantry uniform, informed Diethard. "We need to head back at once. The submarine's going to give the island a bit of a nasty surprise."
"Understood." Diethard closed the cabin door and saw the incoming Tomahawk missiles going down from the sky.
Somewhere over the forest, Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"I summon Shinkiro!"
Zero placed his arms over his chest in an X position before he thrusted them forward while he was falling down towards the ground. Behind him, a black and gold knightmare, with a flight system pack attached on its back and a purple dot on top of its head, materialized from out of nowhere like the last time when Zero had summoned Gawain.
The masked man leaned backwards, entering the summoned knightmare by allowing himself to be remolecularized in order to "enter" Shinkiro from the front.
Shinkiro continued its descent towards the Earth with nothing stopping its path.
Near Forests, somewhere on Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"Hm?"
Rolo looked up and saw that the Shinkiro was falling to the Earth, straight on top of him. He quickly moved his Vincent out of the way in time when the Shinkiro landed, kneeling with its left fist clenched on the ground.
"A splendid entrance!" Rolo challenged Shinkiro, eyeing the Irregulars now that they were not covered in ice due to an "interruption". "But I don't think you'll be enough to stop me!"
"Prove it!" Shinkiro moved towards the Vincent, raising its left wrist to fire its Hadron blaster.
That was close! Rolo dodged the incoming shot, moving towards the Shinkiro. "That's good!" He raised its machine pistol at Shinkiro.
The burst of gunfire did not touch the Shinkiro when an array of hexagonal energy shields appeared in front of it, protecting it from gunfire.
"Surprised?" Zero mocked Rolo. "Allow me to introduce you to the Absolute Defense Territory, a protective shield system that serves the defensive needs of Shinkiro from the likes of you!"
"You annoying little..." Rolo holstered the Vincent's machine pistol and armed itself with the dual MVS lances.
"I'm ready for you..." Shinkiro taunted Vincent by urging it to come forward.
"With pleasure..." Vincent gladly responded, having the MVS lances in an X formation in front of it before charging forward.
Command Center, Eden Vital Base, Kaminejima Island, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
The command center shook heavily after the Tomahawks had made an impact on the island.
"Your Majesty..." The command center officer reported. "We've been hit by what seems to be Tomahawk missiles. Half of our anti-aircraft defenses are taken out with some minor damage to the facility."
"I see." Charles said, hearing the assessment. V.V. was out, seemingly going on his way to get "things" ready.
"Should we get ready?" Bismarck asked Charles. "The Black Knights are already here, alongside anti-Eden Vital Britannian forces and the Lost Soldiers."
"It is too late for them to stop it." Charles told Bismarck. He then turned his head around, "Of course, it doesn't hurt if you would go out and delay them a bit further."
"Yes, your Majesty." Bismarck slightly bowed before he left the command center, being followed by the masked and cloaked Knights of the Round.
"Soon. Even Zero himself won't be able to stop what is the inevitable."
Near Forests, somewhere on Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"HMPH! HAH!"
Rolo manipulated the Vincent to strike the Shinkiro with his dual MVS lance, striking it three times with no avail as Shinkiro was constantly being defended by the Absolute Defense Territory.
He's not unstoppable. Rolo thought when he struck the shield. Everything has its weak point. And this knightmare is not invincible forever.
"Cardinal!" Rolo heard a transmission on his controls. "It's Sergeant Yoong! Anya told me that you're in trouble down there! Just hang in there for a few more minutes. I've got some reinforcements dispatched to assist you..."
Rolo noted a few of the Vincents moved down from the plateau towards the front area of the forest, counting six in total. However, the Irregulars were on hand to intercept them. Must be COSMOS. Good! I need all the help they can give me.
"Spread out!" The COSMOS squad leaders gave the order. The Vincents under his command went to spread out and clash against the Irregulars.
"What the hell?" As good as the COSMOS soldiers did to hold out against the Irregulars, something surprising had emerged out of the forests. "It's that knightmare!"
The Mark Nemo appeared from the forest, using its multiple slash harkens to take out four of the six COSMOS-piloted Vincents out of commission. The Irregulars joined in to assist the Mark Nemo in taking them out as well, using their assault rifles in gunning down the two remaining Vincents before the knightmares turned their attention to Rolo.
"It's just you and me now, it seems..." Zero smirked when he saw most of the Vincents sent to aid Rolo went destroyed.
"It seems you know my trump card yet." Rolo taunted Zero when he saw Mark Nemo was near his knightmare. "TAKE THIS!"
What the hell is that? Zero noted that ice was trying to build up near Shinkiro's feet.
Really fast.
"Got you now, oh leader of the Black Knights." Rolo saw the ice going up from the ground to his legs, slowly approaching Shinkiro's body. The Irregulars aimed their rifles at Rolo. Strangely enough, the Mark Nemo was nowhere to be found after it trashed most of the Vincents dispatched to back up Rolo.
"Don't try anything..." Rolo glared at the Irregulars, having his left Needle Blazer aimed at Shinkiro's chest. "One false move and he'll get it! I'm not joking!"
A standoff took place between the two parties, both of them wanting to get an advantage over the other. With Rolo's Needle Blazer aimed right in front of Shinkiro's chest, he would have an easy victory at least in terms of psychological warfare when he would tell the tale of defeating the Black Knights' leader.
The Mark Nemo emerged from the forest, jumping towards Rolo with its slash harkens at the ready.
"Another player?" Rolo stared at the incoming knightmare. "I see."
Command Center, Ikaruga, near the shores of Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"There you are." Ougi said after he saw Marc enter the command center.
"One of your guys told me to come." Marc explained. "What's up?"
"We just launched the Tomahawks on Kaminenejima." Ougi pointed to the digital overhead map on the screen, which showed points where the missiles struck.
"So this means we move out?"
"Zero gave the instructions to immediately move out. Though I wonder how, it's not like we have aerial units that can be used to equip our knightmare forces."
"Understood. I'll get some of my people to mobilize our gunships."
Near Forests, somewhere on Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"So you evaded it? How interesting..."
Rolo smirked when he saw the Mark Nemo dodge his right Needle Blazer on it despite his geass' ability to freeze time to his advantage and use ice. He observed the Mark Nemo was about to go for another offensive against him.
"You dodged my wired geass." Rolo saw the Mark Nemo glared at him. "I'm not surprised to see that possibility, coming from a knightmare like you after hearing about your debut back in the ghettos."
"But even if you possess such great power." Rolo maneuvered the Vincent to move close to the Mark Nemo fast. He then used his geass to entrap it. "You won't be able to stop me."
The Mark Nemo had seemingly stopped in its tracks when it crouched, at arm's length from hitting Rolo when he used his geass. The Vincent activated both its Needle Blazers, hitting the center of the giant knightmare's chest.
"From this point on," Rolo dashed away from the Mark Nemo after he completed his work. "time shall move once more..."
The Mark Nemo exploded from the precision of Rolo's Needle Blazers when they fired at its chest. A knightmare should not survive at all after being hit by anti-knightmare weapons, especially if they were hit at least twice.
Knightmare Hangar, Logre-Class Floating Battleship Lloegr, near Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"After bombardment of Kaminenejima's complete..." Ambrosia gave her instructions to Darlton and Guilford, now wearing their maroon Devicer uniforms. "Immediately deploy all knightmares that have the flight packs given to us by Kyoto on our Sutherlands. Is that understood?"
"Yes, your Highness!" Both men replied.
"Good." Ambrosia was wearing a maroon Devicer uniform with a headset on her right ear. It hugged her figure well, but Darlton had some flashbacks to the time Cornelia was in her "special" swimwear back at Prince Clovis' beach resort. He shrugged it off his mind and went to his flight pack-equipped Gloucester alongside Darlton.
"Ambrosia, you there?"
Ambrosia heard Nonette's voice on her headset. "What is it?"
"I was wondering where you are. That's all?"
"Are you in your knightmare?"
"Yes. Just waiting for the signal to be deployed."
"You're in command of the Valkyrie Squadron. I hope you have not objections?"
"None at all."
"Good."
"But I have one request, my dear?"
The empress was a bit startled. "And what's that?"
"Survive."
The woman stared at her personal Gloucester, watching technicians mount the flight pack onto its back.
"I understand, Nonette. The same thing goes for you too."
Near Forests, somewhere on Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
From the grey smoke appeared a different kind of knightmare. Standing in front of the Vincent and the other knightmares was a humanoid-looking knightmare. It had claw-tipped fingers and flowing hair at the back of its head, shaped in a half dome in black. The lower half had the impression of human lips, closed as if the mouth was closed.
"So you used your exoskeleton as a decoy when my Needle Blazers were at hand." Rolo glared at the humanoid Mark Nemo. "How interesting."
Rolo tried to use his geass on the Mark Nemo. However, the knightmare dashed away as if sensed ice was approaching it.
What? Rolo tried again and again, but the knightmare kept evading the ice whenever it appeared on the ground nearby.
"Alice, what are you doing?" Sancia asked when she saw Alice's GX-01 try to make a dash towards Rolo's rear while he was distracted fighting the Mark Nemo.
"Two against one, eh? I love the interesting odds." Rolo was pleased to see the odds were against him. Just as the Mark Nemo and the GX-01. "Take this!"
The two knightmares were seemingly frozen in time, being a few inches near the Vincent.
"You two have no right to hold the power of the witch." Rolo combined his MVS swords together to form a lance. "Perish!"
As the Vincent was about to strike the Mark Nemo, he noticed that its fingers were moving.
"What's this?" Rolo was alarmed. "You can't move in my absolute territory while my geass is activated..."
"Time does not mean zero, Rolo vi Britannia..." Alice glared at Rolo, shocked to see the GX-01's left hand slowly move.
"Have you completely forgotten that time does not stop for good?" Rolo heard a voice, belonging to Nunnally. However, he noted her anger and hatred towards him.
"Impossible!" Rolo decided to use his machine pistol as well. "Both of you can't move while time's still..."
The two knightmares did not bother to stop and listen to Rolo's claims when they dashed together towards the Vincent, wrecking it with the Mark Nemo's claws and the katana from Alice's GX-01.
Knightmare Hold, Ikaruga, en route to Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
Kallen was about to board a new Guren that Rakshata had prepared for her on behalf of Kyoto, wearing her red Devicer suit. The Indian scientist told her that the knightmare has not been tested in battle, but assured her that it's the same knightmare she used aside from a few modifications such as the new claw arm and a permanently attached flight system on its back.
That's really reassuring. Kallen wanted to talk to Rakshata and ask her to test it herself. The knightmare was now kneeling, waiting for its pilot to board.
"Hey!" Kallen turned around to see Ken coming towards her. She noticed he was wearing his Britannian infantry uniform and tactical vest. He did not his Britannian SAS beret nor his balaclava on as they were alone in the meantime.
"You're going out, Ken?" Kallen pointed to the slinged G36K on his neck.
"Most likely on a knightmare. I was...suppose to be with some of my comrades on a Hind, but that changed."
"Oh." Kallen blinked.
Ken asked his older twin sister. "Is there something wrong?"
"No." Kallen shook her head before she placed a hand on her younger twin's shoulder. "We're about to fight out there and..." Kallen paused, trying to find the right words. "I want to know that I love you. I don't know if we'll survive this..."
Ken smirked. "Yeah." He placed his clenched right hand over his left chest. "I love you, too."
Kallen was now about to get to the Guren when she heard her brother say, "I know you can do it, nee-san!"
The red-haired girl turned around and smiled at him, watching Ken run towards one of the Mark IV gunships.
Lloyd, Mariel and Cécile were standing right in front of the kneeling Lancelot Club and Gekka Prototype, awaiting for their respective masters to enter.
"So this is the war machines the Lost Soldiers are using?" Lloyd went forward to touch the Club's leg. "Especially the Club..."
"Sounding nostalgic, aren't we?"
Marc, Rai and Suzaku greeted Lloyd and the others when they went to see the two knightmares. Marc and Rai were in their usual gear, with the exception of the former being armed with a Heckler and Koch G36K assault carbine, equipped with a Navy Trigger Group, and a CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical pistol on his right leg holster. Equipped with a picatinny railing and tandem sight mounts to hold a AN/PVS-14 night vision monocular scope and a EOTech EXPS3-0 reflex sight, it was more than ready to be fired in day or night. Rai had an IZHMASH AK-9 silenced assault rifle and a Glock 17C pistol, the latter holstered on his left leg. His rifle had a mounted PSO-1 scope on the receiver with an AK scope mount. Marc was the only one among the two who had a Kukri knife sheath strapped on his rear.
"Indeed." Lloyd addressed Marc. "It looks like you've been really using the Club that well."
"So I did." Marc replied.
"What are you guys doing here?" Suzaku asked the three ex-SDGSD personnel. "I thought you're checking on the Lancelot..."
"Not anymore." Lloyd smirked. "We're done already."
Suzaku stared at Lloyd, who raised an eyebrow. Seems like he has a surprise.
"You guys are going out there?" Mariel asked the trio. They nodded in reply.
"Good luck." Suzaku wore the helmet of his Lancelot combat suit, running towards his Lancelot knightmare after giving a nod to Rai. The white-haired Eurasian returned the gesture before he went up towards the Gekka's cockpit.
Cécile stopped Marc from climbing up the Club's cockpit by softly touching his left shoulder. "So you're going to battle with the others?"
Marc nodded, "Yeah. This is it. It's the path of no return for all of us." He took a deep breath. "Eden Vital and Charles' actions could do something that would destroy the stability of the Earth. Like the Black Knights and the those from Britannian who came to ally with them, I want to stop them from doing something that can change the world forever to our disadvantage."
"Then I won't keep you." Cécile replied after hearing his thoughts. "But please, be careful."
"I know." Marc did the two-finger salute. He eyed Rai climbing up his Gekka.
It's a good idea he and Suzaku took the time to amend their ties.
Near Forests, somewhere on Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
Zero dismounted from the Shinkiro after he made it kneel, approaching Rolo's wrecked Vincent. He watched the Eden Vital cardinal climb his way out of his knightmare, wounded from the previous attack.
"It seems that I have lost." Rolo murmured, falling on the ground and leaning on his Vincent.
"Perhaps you have." Zero knelt in front of Rolo and allowed the front portion of his helmet to retract, revealing his face.
"My god..." Rolo was shocked to see who Zero was. "I thought I had no brother and sister when I was taken..."
"You thought wrong..."
Rolo reached out to touch the semi-unmasked Zero on his right shoulder.
"I didn't know that I had a twin brother..."
Anya's Tristan came to land next to the wrecked Vincent, going down via zip line.
Lelouch watched Rolo cough out a bit of blood.
"Anya..." Rolo gasped when he spoke to the young girl. "When you were assigned to Eden Vital, did you spy on me on behalf of the emperor?"
Anya nodded.
"I see." Rolo closed his eyes, still holding onto Zero's right shoulder. "It seems that even in a high-ranking position in Eden Vital, the emperor decides to watch my own back."
Zero said nothing and listened to what he said. He heard Rolo laugh for the last time.
"Why was my life...like this?" Rolo said his last before dropped his arm onto the grass.
Fully covering his face, he looked above to see the Logre-Class Floating Battleship fire its cannons all over Kaminenejima while dropping its knightmare cargo onto the ground.
"It seems I need to get back." Zero said, eyeing his Shinkiro after deciding to leave Rolo's corpse behind. Anya gently unhooked the necklace with a heart-shaped locket and threw it to Zero.
"Take this." Anya said calmly. "There is some information that you can use while you're here."
Zero took the locket. Why is she not fighting back?
"We wish to help as well." Zero heard Sancia's request to help when he entered Shinkiro's cockpit.
"Alright. Since you helped me defeat Rolo, I'll probably need all the help I can get."
Command Center, Eden Vital Base, Kaminejima Island, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
Madd was both furious and worried at the multiple screens shown from hidden cameras stragetically placed throughout the island. On one screen, it showed the deployment of anti-Eden Vital Britannian Sutherlands led by Guilford and Darlton. On another one, some of Eden Vital's own Sutherlands and Vincents were being crushed by Black Knight Burais and Sutherlands, being assisted by some of the Lost Soldiers' Burai Kai knightmares led by Rai's Gekka Prototype.
"Goddamit!" Madd snarled in anger when he saw the third security screen showing a part of the base's interior, showing some Black Knight guerrillas and anti-Eden Vital Britannian soldiers cooperating in engaging against COSMOS-led Eden Vital soldiers.
"What should we do, sir?" One of the command center personnel asked the bald man.
"We need to hold the line!" Madd told them. "Reinforce our forces in the interior to prevent more intrusions into the base! Have any available knightmares mobilized to face off against any enemy knightmare."
"Understood, Colonel!"
Corridor, somewhere in Eden Vital Base, Kaminenejima Island, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
V.V. and Charles were walking in a corridor by themselves somewhere in the base, both without escorts or bodyguards of any kind.
"Will you be alright, Charles?" V.V. asked his younger brother before the base shook hard.
"You shouldn't worry about me..." Charles smiled to reassure his older brother. "I've sent my knights to aid your forces in holding off the opposition, so there shouldn't be any problems when we get there."
"I see." V.V. nodded when he heard the answer.
"We can't waste any more time." Charles advised V.V. "Those fools are coming in and if they come in here any further, we won't be able to recreate the Earth and kill the gods."
Somewhere in Kaminenejima Island, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"We got them!"
Around 5 Sutherlands belonging to both the Black Knights and the anti-Eden Vital Britannians were able to gun down Eden Vital Sutherlands and Gloucesters after spotting the trident insignia on them.
"Enemy knightmare force in the southern region of Kamine Island is all..." One of the Black Knight guerrillas radioed back to the Ikaruga. "What the hell..."
"Is something going on out there?" The guerrilla had a reply back from Mutsuki, a bit confused about the message.
"What the fuck are you? You're suppose to be dead! We shot ya to pieces!"
Automatic gunfire came raining down on the enemy knightmares despite having their limbs organically regenerate.
Sky above Kaminenejima Island, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
Suzaku, in his Lancelot Albion alongside a few Sutherlands with flight packs assisted the land forces by firing their weapons. He fired at the enemy knightmares with his VARIS until he noticed that their limbs were regenerating.
"Stop firing!" Suzaku radioed to all friendly forces via an allied frequency. "Enemy knightmares cannot be defeated by conventional means. They just regenerate to heal the damage?"
"He's right!" One of the airborne Sutherlands added. "It's like they're some kinda zombie or something...
"What?" Ambrosia was heard, shocked at the news. "If this is true, then this would change everything."
"What do we do now?" Suzaku noted Nonette's airborne Gloucester with Valkyrie Squadron Sutherlands airborne as well, armed with either Giant Cannons mounted on either arm or a Lance.
At this point, firing all of our weapons won't do them any good.
"All aerial units..." Suzaku made contact with some of the flight pack-equipped Sutherlands. "have your forces divided to assist the main units on the ground. The rest of you, stay put. I'll be on of the vanguards..."
Near Forests, somewhere on Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"So they regenerate?" Zero said when he heard the reports. "Must be the work of that man's geass."
"Any ideas?" Lucretia asked.
Zero and the others, including Mark Nemo, looked up at the sky to see the arrival of unknown knightmare platforms piloted by unknown men with capes and white masks bearing the seal of Eden Vital, standing proud with arms crossed against their chest. Leading them was a knightmare belonging to Bismarck Waldstein called the Galahad, a black and purple custom knightmare created for his use with a large sheath on its back to hold his personal anti-knightmare sword, the Excalibur.
"We need to move." Zero frowned upon seeing them. "The Knights of Rounds have just arrived..."
Zero maneuvered his Shinkiro to move towards the Eden Vital base, cleverly hidden in the moutains. The Mark Nemo followed it close behind.
"Let's follow him." Sancia gave the order to her Irregulars subordinates.
The Irregulars raced off together with the Shinkiro and Mark Nemo, hoping that they can stop Eden Vital by themselves.
Somewhere in Kaminenejima Island, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"Shit!"
Rai saw the arrival of the Knights of Rounds led by Bismarck. "Boss. We got trouble..."
"Yeah." Marc saw Bismarck's Galahad leading the force from the seat of his Lancelot Club. "I trust that the black and purple knightmare belongs to Bismarck..."
"You're right about that." Marc heard the voice of Edgar Darlton from his personal Gloucester. "He's Emperor Charles' personal knight. Not to mention the leader of his Knights of Round."
"I wonder why they all have the same cape and white mask on, not to mention the spandex suit?"
"We don't know." Claudio replied. "But there's one thing for sure. We're in deep trouble."
Sky above Kaminenejima Island, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"Fools!" Bismarck shouted when he drew out the Galahad's Excalibur from its sheath. "All of you dare oppose his majesty and his glorious plans he has for the entire world?"
"I don't trust anything that involves him!" A Black Knight guerrilla shouted from the ground, gripping his Burai's machine pistol hard. All of the other Black Knights and Britannian knightmare Devicer under Ambrosia shouted their discontent towards Bismarck.
"Bismarck Waldstein!" Bismarck heard a radio message from Ambrosia's personal Gloucester. "You still pledge your loyalty to my father even when this madness is involved?"
Bismarck raised an eyebrow when he heard Ambrosia's remarks towards him. "You say my loyalty towards your father is madness?"
The seemingly one-eyed man began to laugh.
"Madness!" Bismarck shouted loud more before he raised Excalibur. "This...IS...BRITANNIA!"
"Oh yeah?" One of the Lost Soldiers' SuperHind Mark IV gunships piloted by Domingo approached Bismarck's Galahad when Michelle fired the gunship's Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 23mm automatic cannon, mounted on the UPK-23-250 gunpod.
"Hmph!" Bismarck ripped out the stitch on his left eye, which revealed his geass. He then moved his Galahad to dodge all of the cannon shots at very fast rates. "Attack!"
"Hold the line!" Nonette charged in response, leading the Valkyries to clash first against the Knights of Round.
"I've received a report from Zero, saying that he had penetrated the mountain base with some allies." Ambrosia told her allies, fighting with the Valkryies and Nonette against a few knights. "We need to give him time to destroy the enemy from within!"
"Yes, your Highness!" replied the Valkryies in unison.
Knightmare Hold, Ikaruga, en route to Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
Lloyd was chasing after Cécile, who was wearing her personal black and yellow Devicer suit, towards a chubby-like Sutherland.
"What are you doing Cécile?" Lloyd questioned the purple-haired woman. "If you go out there with the Sutherland Club, you'll die..."
"I know that!" Cécile shouted at Lloyd. "They need all the help they can get." Cécile approached near one of the Sutherland Clubs painted in a white color with a Lancelot-like head unit.
"Cécile..." Lloyd moaned when he heard her insistence to fight.
"I'm going out there..." Cécile went up a flight of stairs towards the Sutherland Club's cockpit hatch. "Besides, you have Mariel to support you."
Lloyd could only watch Cécile as she made her way towards the hatch.
Marc. Don't worry, I'm coming to help!
Somewhere in Kaminenejima Island, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
Marc and Rai were standing next to each other with their knightmares, blasting away at the enemy Sutherlands and Gloucesters despite regenerating their damage and limbs, now having the impression of clenched teeth on their head units.
"Unless we do something about this, we're doomed." Rai told Marc after he used the hand gun to drive some of the Sutherlands back from him. "Not to mention that they're looking creepier and creepier by the minute."
"Agreed!" Marc took aim with the VARIS at one of the incoming Sutherlands that tried to attack Claudio's Gloucester while assisting his Darlton brothers. Aiming at the legs, Marc took quick and snappy aims to render the knightmare legless.
For the time being.
"Listen, Rai! I may have to head inside Eden Vital. It seems to me that it's the work of someone's geass..."
"You mean in the mountain?"
"Yeah! If these guys can't die permanently, then it means there's a source." Marc took aim at the sky and fired some more with his VARIS. When he saw a Gloucester trying to reach for his arm, the Lancelot Club's Blaze Luminous on its left arm was activated. It then smacked at the Gloucester like it was a mosquito trying to suck a person's blood. "From this point on, you take command of the others."
"I got it..." Rai replied with hesitation before he made the Gekka Prototype activate chaff smoke to confuse the enemy knightmares. He got the Gekka Prototype's Katen Yaibato and brandished it, allowing Marc to move towards the mountains of Kaminenejima. When the smoke got clear, five Sutherland with teeth head units tried to approach the Gekka Prototype like zombies.
"Come on! Who wants a piece of me?" Rai yelled, challenging them while the knightmare pointed the giant anti-knightmare sword towards them.
Cockpit, Type-02/F1A Guren Flight-Enabled Version, Sky above Kaminenejima, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
Kallen had a hard time clashing against the Knights of Round in the air. However, she had a hard time wracking her mind on facing the Galahad. Despite being equipped with the best knightmare ever, the red-haired girl noted that the Galahad likes to moves fast, uses its big, long Excalibur to slash at her and launch all ten slash harkens while dodging her attacks very fast.
"I just don't get it..." Kallen was about to lose her temper. "How can you..."
She had her luck change when two Valkyrie Sutherlands fired their cannons at the Galahad's rear, forcing him to dodge the shots meant for him.
"That was close..." Kallen panted when she saw the Galahad engage the Valkyrie Squadron.
"Nee-san!" Kallen picked up a radio frequency from Ken. She gave him the frequency to her knightmare if ever he needed help.
"What is it?"
"You mind giving your little brother a hand? I could use a little breathing space."
"Where are you?"
"Just a bit surrounded by the enemy Sutherlands. They're getting creepy with the teeth on their head units."
"I'm coming! Keep them busy, Ken!"
Kallen moved down to the Earth to help her brother, who was piloting a dark navy blue Sutherland Club while her retreat was being covered by the SuperHind, Ambrosia and Suzaku. She saw the prototype Sutherland fighting off the opposition with only its slash harkens and using its Blaze Luminous shields on its arms to protect itself from harm.
Dammit! Why can't Ken pick a better knightmare instead of one that doesn't have much offensive hardware?
"Get away from him!" Kallen used the Guren Flight's 43mm grenade launcher mounted on its left forearm to keep the zombie-like Sutherlands back. Ken assisted by using the Sutherland Club's slash harkens to stun them while Kallen moved in for the finish, albeit temporarily, by using the right arm's fukushahado to fire radiation blasts to "kill" the Sutherlands.
"You all right?" Ken asked his sister.
"Yeah!" Kallen replied. "These guys are giving all of us a pushover."
"I know. Even the elite Britannians are being driven to their hardest. Including my boss."
"Speaking of which, where are our leaders when we need them?" Kallen fired her hand gun against the Sutherlands that have regenerated once more. Ken managed to pick up a discarded machine pistol from one of the Burais destroyed by the enemy Gloucesters and joined in to help his older sibling. Nearby, a few Black Knight Burais fired their machine pistols at the regenerating Sutherlands and Gloucesters. When some of them ran out of ammo, the Burais went to unarmed combat. One of them used its Protectors built on its hands to guard it from incoming punches.
"That's what I like to know, sis." Ken fired the machine pistol's underbarrel grenade launcher at a Gloucester that had raised its arm towards him. "Dammit! Get back, you zombie wannabee!"
Near Mountains, somewhere in Kaminenejima Island, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
There it is...
Marc was near the mountains of Kaminenejima. Though he was briefed that the entrance of Eden Vital's mountain base was somewhere else, he decided to go and make one himself.
"No time for remembering..." Marc murmured, having the Lancelot Club raise the VARIS. "Gotta get inside pronto!"
The Lancelot Club aimed the VARIS and alinged its metal sights before it fired the rifle. To his surprise, a portion of the mountain had easily crumbled.
"Whoa..." Marc whistled. "Must've been made thoroughly hollow for years by Eden Vital."
Not caring if anyone had spotted him, Marc decided to enter the knightmare-sized hole and zip through.
From a short distance, the Shinkiro, Mark Nemo and the Irregulars had spotted the Club's actions from a distance and went through the hole, following it.
Cockpit, Mark Nemo
"Are you following that black and gold knightmare, knowing that your brother is inside?"
Nemo asked Nunnally, who was piloting the now humanoid knightmare, moving behind the Shinkiro.
"Is Zero my brother?" Nunnally asked the doll.
"Yes." Nemo replied without any emotion, as typical of it.
"Brother or not," Nunnally insisted. "I'm going along. It's the only way of ending my father's madness."
"How admirable of you."
Corridor, somewhere in Eden Vital Base, Kaminenejima Island, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"Move out! We've got intruders making their way towards the base!"
A team of nine COSMOS soldiers were mobilized from one of the many corridors of Eden Vital's mountain base, porting Heckler and Koch G36Cs compact assault rifles and MP7A1 submachine guns. They were all running towards their assignment, which was to reinforce their comrades fighting off a Black Knight-Lost Soldiers-Britannian invasion force that has penetrated the base's interior.
"What the?" The soldiers' path was blocked by a familiar man with a particular orange monocle-like item over his left eye, wearing his black boots and stylish white and purple jacket and pants. "You're Jeremiah Gottwald of the army's Purist Faction!"
"Traitor!" One of the COSMOS soldiers took aim with a Heckler and Koch G36K at Jeremiah, having the rifle's selector switch at full automatic. "What the heck are you doing associating with the anti-Eden Vital forces out there?"
"Hmph!" Jeremiah drew out his long blade from his right arm. "I don't dare associate myself with lot like you."
"But it doesn't matter! You're just one man and you're facing off against nine of us. So base on numbers, we win!"
"I don't think so..." A female voice rang out from behind the child soldiers. Sayoko was in her kunoichi garb, looking ready to fight. When they all turned around, two of the COSMOS soldiers were immediately killed by multiple kunais hurled on their bodies.
Jeremiah followed Sayoko's initial attack, charging to the seven remaining COSMOS soldiers and began to hack and slash them. Even with their augmented senses and meta-human strength, they were no match for a maid/covert kunochi and a cyborg/ex-Purist commander.
Cockpit, Lancelot Club
"Nothing much around here." Marc observed his surroundings as he infiltrated the mountain base with his Lancelot Club, using its sensors to track down any other enemies, whether they're soldiers or knightmares. So far, he escaped from some Sutherlands that were after him after they regenerated from being shot by the Club's VARIS.
"There's a door up ahead." Marc noticed a sliding door up ahead. Seeing that no further enemies were around, the Eurasian made the Club kneel down before he went out from the cockpit and jumped down. Already had his G36K at the ready, Marc ported the assault carbine and proceeded inside.
Corridor, somewhere in Eden Vital Base, Kaminenejima Island, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"Take this!" Jeremiah grabbed one of the COSMOS soldier's left arm, which was about to bring down a combat knife's blade on his neck. The cyborg countered by using his left hand to twist the soldier's left arm, forcing him to drop his knife. Jeremiah followed the offensive by horizontally slashing his neck.
"Ack!" The soldier began to drown in his own blood, going on his knees when his hands instinctively went for his slashed neck.
Sayoko made dashes towards the six remaining soldiers, using her kunais to kill each one of them when she dashed near every soldier she encountered.
"Get back!" The last COSMOS soldier was about to use a fragmentation grenade, taken from his tactical vest. He felt something sharp protrude through his chest.
"Gahhh..." The soldier moaned, dropping his grenade complete with the safety pin on.
"It seems our work is done." Sayoko said, twirling her kunais.
"I spotted a few knightmares that infiltrated the base." Jeremiah told the kunoichi. "Among them my master and the leader of the Lost Soldiers."
"Do you know where they're going?"
"Follow me."
The two ran down the corridor, leading towards the mountain base's main floor.
Somewhere inside the Eden Vital Base, Kaminenejima Island, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"It seems he went this way."
Zero halted his Shinkiro next to the kneeling Club. The masked man dismounted from his knightmare, leaving it standing up.
"Leave me." Zero instructed the Irregulars and the Mark Nemo. "I'll follow him down. I may be able to get him to locate the source to all our current problems."
"Understood, Zero." Sancia replied, leading her Irregulars to another part of the base. The Mark Nemo, on the other hand, didn't leave after Zero entered the sliding door.
Long Corridor, somewhere inside Eden Vital Base, Kaminenejima Island, Izu Islands, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"This sure is damn long..."
Marc moaned as he slowly walked on the corridor, aiming his G36K around for potential hostiles. Where does this corridor lead to? So far, I'm seeing arrays of metal boxes in some parts of this area...
Unknown to him, a Britannian Marine Corp. Sikorsky Cypher UAV hovered over Marc's head. It silently took a photo of him and was about to exfiltrate when it was mangled and twisted.
"What the?" Marc aimed up, seeing the Cypher drop onto the ground after it was twisted up.
"You should watch out for that." Zero said, walking behind Marc. "It's a Cypher UAV of the Britannian Marine Corp. It was trying to get a photo of you."
"Then I thank you kindly." Marc thanked Zero, lowering his G36K.
The alarm blared out loud after the Cypher was destroyed. From the upper corridors above the two, two Tengu ninjas leaped down and ready with either ninjatos, G36K and G36Cs assault rifles and Fabrique Nationale P90 submachine guns.
"Ninjas!" Marc blurted, aiming their G36K at them from a short distance.
"Must be meant to protect the inner sanctum of this base." Zero theorized, cracking the knuckles on his two hands. A few seconds later, more Tengu ninjas came leaping down from the upper corridors and from several sliding doors from beyond door the long corridor.
"Master!" Zero looked up to see Jeremiah and Sayoko leap down from the upper corridor.
"You two made it in time..." Zero greeted the two fighters.
"Master..." Sayoko greeted Zero.
"We are here in time to help you." Jeremiah told Zero before he looked down the ground to see the Tengus moving in towards the quartet.
"What do we do now?" Sayoko asked Zero.
"It's time to fight..." Zero boomed, raising his left arm while allowing his cape to flutter. "and end this madness."
"Let's get ready to rumble!" Marc raised his G36K and had his right index finger move the selector switch from full to semi-automatic.
Chapter 23 END
PS - Apologies for a late update. My excuses consist of being lazy, playing the new Metal Gear Peace Walker for PSP, playing Alpha Protocol for the PS3 and writing the midterm for my Political Science, which is on resistance, and on logic, which is a subject I need for my BA degree's general requirements. For now, let me know how the chapter is. Thanks. Perhaps the chapter can be (minimally) done in one and a half chapter for the conclusion IMO. I have a MGS 2 reference on this chapter BTW. Check it out. Tengu ninjas galore! Notice how I have the word madness planted on this fic.
So this chapter here is the debut of the Sutherland Club, one of the rejected knightmares for the Lost Colors game. Strange though, it's only main weapon is the slash harken.
Congrats to my countrymen back home! Noynoy Aquino is now the president of the Philippines! I voted for the guy in absentee voting since I'm in Vancouver. I just hope he can continue the work his parents have done in politics.
Anyways, let me how I did especially since it's been a while since I updated. Same thing with the Black Knights/Lost Soldiers/Britannians led by Ambrosia coalition against Eden Vital. Thanks and happy reading!
Sigh! I miss doing my FMP writings. I wonder if any of you readers are able to read my AU FMP fics.