Chapter 5
God's Sword
Helltanz's notes: Lelouch is back in this installment of God's Sword, also Kaguya shows up.
Also I'll get that little tech briefing up shortly, and yes tech babble this chapter. Anyway my beta is apparently on faction when she gets back I'll drop this by for her to beta but until then here is the un polished version, now I'm tired so I'm going to sleep.
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Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass understand?
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Chapter begin
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China had lost a lot. Of course it was still in better shape than the EU was by and large due to the fact the EU had to rebuild a lot of its infrastructure following the War.
Technologically the former superpower remained behind the likes of Britannia and the Euro Universe in regards to military achievement. It was okay though, for the Empress of the Chinese wanted her nation to coexist peacefully with other nations. Lelouch's plans suited this course quite well.
Even so China was not a nation to be trifled with while no longer a superpower it did retain significant regional military power. "Lelouch is alive then?" Inquired Lihua, considering her options, and the matter itself. "How is that possible?"
Kaguya who was now effectively the Empress's most trusted confidant sighed, "We don't know the how, but yes he's alive." The young mistress of the Sumeragi Concern and head of the UN Supreme Council announced.
Despite some modernization the Chinese military remained technologically behind Britannia, the EU, and the Knightmares in use by the UN Army. This was not to say they were too far behind as the Dragon Guard, a force numbering in the thousands operated solely Akatsuki Jikisan units as their knightmares. These KMFs while no longer state of the art remained useful on the modern battlefield even with few modifications.
China also did not employ aerial warships, though new land fortresses, namely the newer Leung Tan, were built with energy shields to increase defense. Of course it wasn't really as big of an advancement as to make the large craft sufficient deterrent against something the likes of the Albion.
China was however, due to following the policies set down by Lelouch, was focusing on addressing the neglect of infrastructure and on other issues. Due to this the nation was achieving an economic surplus.
Political dissidence was, while present, was sparse in China as most remained loyal and adoring subjects of the Empress. Trade with Japan had helped both nations along the road to recovery. Kaguya had been an instrumental part in that agreement and getting it worked out.
China's military was in no way capable of fighting on the modern battlefield offensively, and the Empress knew it. The Gunryu was being modernized, replacing the old weapons with newer ones but even so China wasn't capable of much right now, offensively at least. "Lelouch's military will be able to defeat mine, Kaguya," Lihua admitted, "China doesn't have the capacity to fight that kind of power. Beyond my lands his forces will be invincible in battle." It was a sobering issue to be .
"I know," Kaguya nodded, "nobody really has the capacity to fight him not by themselves but we just need to insure safety for the conference," stated the Supreme Chairwoman of the United Nations. "It's a sad but necessary thing still security for the conference is important hopefully it will be able to insure everyone's safety."
The upcoming UN Conference was besides being the best opportunity for addressing Lelouch's return, but also hopefully preventing another war from breaking out between the nations of the world.
Peace was a terribly fragile thing and the world was again teetering at the edge of the abyss that would lead to yet another violent conflict. Britannia's launch of the Albion in such a public and sudden manner had done little to reassure the people that peace was stable.
If word got out in an uncontrolled manner about Lelouch's return there would most likely be panic in the streets across the world, or celebration in some regions. The UN needed to announce the information in such a way that it reassured the people, unfortunately that was easier said than done.
Announcing that Lelouch vi Britannia was alive would cause a stir just by itself, but informing the people the Emperor of Britannia was not only alive but commanded an army whose technological capacity exceed that of the rest of the world would assuredly cause a panic no matter how delicately the situation was handled, but if it wasn't dealt with on the 'UN's terms' it was all the more likely that Lelouch would be able to exploit the situation.
"Our resources and options are limited," Kaguya stated "Directly confronting Lelouch is impossible with our current information,"
It was true enough that the Black Knights did have experiences pilots but not any on the caliber of Li, or Todoh both of whom were dead, and Kallen who had resigned.
Lelouch's aces were virtually unknown, Suzaku was dead and Jeremiah Gottwald was the only other person who would undoubtedly side with Lelouch, and fortunately he was comparable with the Knights of the Round in ability.
Without Kallen and the Gurren, the only Knights of the Round level pilots known were Britannia's current Knights of the Round, specifically the Knight of the Three and Knight of Four and the Former Knight of Six. Gino and Anya however would not likely participating in the immediate future unless something changed.
At present Lelouch's capacity and disposition of troops was unknown, as were his bases of operation, and the UN's capacity, in numbers, was inferior to what it had been during the war.
The EU was also another issue while the Western EU bloc was becoming increasingly militant in their actions; the test of the their new machine being the most glaring example of this change. The Eastern Bloc EU was steadily growing disenfranchised with the organization.
If the Eastern bloc sided with Lelouch chances were Lelouch would be able to rally enough populous support to achieve a victory over the UN without needing to fire a shot. If that came to pass chances were the Black Knights would revolt giving the Emperor a perfect opportunity to exact his vengeance, as well as launch an assault against the EU.
Kaguya didn't' like contemplating such a thing, unfortunately it was becoming increasingly likely that it was a viable scenario.
China was more concerned with its own internal issues and the potential EU troubles that could effect them. Lelouch returning would effect the nations of the former Chinese Federation but China's retinue of Empress loyal ministers considered that Lelouch attack China was unlikely if they didn't confront him. How they had determined this Kaguya wasn't sure, though admittedly China was in no position to single-handedly opposed the original leader of the Black Knights.
The current military simply wasn't capable of the logistics necessary for rapidly responding to Lelouch's high mobility oriented tactics. Trying to overwhelm Lelouch with sheer numbers wasn't likely to work anymore given the Emperor's focus on superiority.
All it would take was on of those monster battleships and China would be undable to do anything but watch, at least against Britannia's Albion Battleship China could win… in theory the Eowyn was another matter entirely…
Still even against the Albion a fight would be difficult and would rely heavily on Chinese numerical superiority. "Minister Yang doesn't think the Leung Tang will be of much use even upgraded we would need a half a dozen to fight Albion at least." That was in itself being generous to the upgraded land ship given that the Albion was touted as the most advanced aerial warship to date; excluding of course the unknown vessel Lelouch was using.
"We don't want to fight though," Kaguya stated, "all we need to do is deter Lelouch from making an appearance," She doubted whether anything they did would deter him from showing up if he really wanted to do something but the increased security might still help. "Admittedly if reports are correct Lelouch considers us of hardly any interest," She confided.
Lihua nodded, "So he considers his position strong enough to think we are irrelevant," She remarked a tinge of fear evident, "China can't afford a war Kaguya, the EU can't be allowed to freely pursue their ambitions," She paused, "Without Li China has no one equal to Lelouch."
Kaguya actually paled at the implication of the statement. Lelouch had admitted he considered Li his equal in matters of strategy and easily on the level of a Knight of the Round in terms of ability, but for Lihua to…
"You're not serious," She protested numbly, the UN needed China's support for what was to come especially in the event of the worst case scenarios.
The Empress of China nodded quietly, "I won't put my people into a war we can't win, and that is what fighting Lelouch is, if he considers us not of interest its better to stay out of his way."
"But if you surrender to Lelouch," Kaguya trailed off in surprise, while China was in no position to support Lelouch offensively the sheer power of China's production capacity would certainly be of use to the apparently immortal Emperor.
She nodded again, "In all likelihood the EU and the Black Knights will attack and Lelouch will destroy them both," Lihua remarked, as Empress it was her responsibility to insure China's safety, if it meant surrendering to Lelouch to protect the people then so be it.
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Weapons technology was advancing, it was an inevitable fact that it would, still this was… just downright foolhardy. "What idiots," muttered the Emperor watching the replay of the speech, though by this time he could recite it and the reporters questions by heart. Did the Charles Camp think this concerned him, their time would come soon enough.
It would take time but Lelouch had few concerns about Britannia for the short term. The Charles Camp would continue to flaunt their arrogance in the meant time. If they wanted to assume the Albion deterred him from attacking with his Eowyn's then they could think that for the time being.
Preparations in Britannia only required him for the time being to focus where he already had supporters. In these regions he could act and the UN Army wouldn't act without risking the onset of war with Britannia.
"Your orders you majesty," Inquired the Knight of Nine, "The Albion is powerful to conventional forces the EU will no doubt dislike this,"
He smiled, "There is no doubt Nonette that peace is failing," Lelouch stated, The MEF and other nations had accommodated his request nicely still the world powers were soon going to end up setting off another conflict, which would force to act.
He wasn't so keen on acting just yet but there was little choice, someone was manipulating the EU from behind the scenes, and it was destabilizing the peace.
Even without that cabal peace would be threatened of course due to the bickering political ideologies but the problem wouldn't have been so immediate.
More time would have been available for him to assemble the forces loyal to him, as it stood it was becoming increasingly likely that a war would break out before native replacements could be made for the Tetsujins.
No doubt Rakshata was privy to reports from certain regions of her native India about knightmare development. That wasn't the only project that he was currently engaged in either.
His own version of the Code R research was still on going, it was specifically divided into two separate groups. These were the Cyborg program and the actual research into the Code respectively.
More than likely when Jeremiah rejoined him it would be he who led the 'Black Hand' of the Emperor into battle. Both parts were likely to be useful but what he needed really was more time to fine tune the process, but that time wasn't there.
The EU or the Black Knights of the UN were likely to make a war move before long and in doing so force Lelouch to act. Even so the program meant his pilots from the 'Black Hand' had superior response times to the average pilot and allowed them to use the interface controls derived from the Siegfried.
Still even with them skilled pilots would still be an issue in battle and there were sure to be a few amongst the varying sides who might scratch Knights of the Round level.
Chiba would probably end up being given a command of her own once fighting broke out, though she'd be of exceptional value in Japan.
Japan that was one issue that would need to be addressed and soon, preferably before the UN Army started a war. Deploying Chiba and the Loyalists Black Knights, possibly elements of his elite guard, was an option of course.
For now Nonette was better off kept in reserve, despite the fact the Knight of Nine wouldn't like that choice.
China was another issue, ultimately the greatest danger it posed was as a support role backing the up the UN with heavy fire support. Given the close ties between Kaguya and the Empress China would likely side with the UN.
The two combined would be a serious impediment to operations in the Far East, even if China no longer posses Li's genius or capacity. Deploying Chiba as a liaison might be able to enough support in certain regions, Japan in particular, which would possibly encourage the UN government to wait but that of course still left the matter of the EU unattended.
India and the MEF would probably be the best method of dealing with the EU with regards to a land campaign, both had their own advanced Knightmare Development programs.
Only the MEF's frame was in production the Asura was unfortunately still under development, mainly due to the fact they hadn't expected to need it so soon.
Chiba was staring hard at the screen, "Peace is fragile Nagisa-chan," Lelouch remarked, "there is still time to prepare though, neither the EU, Britannia, or the UN have done something that is unforgivably stupid, until such time can and will prepare."
Nonette nodded, the basic plan involved not taking control of Britannia until it was needed or demanded, and when it became needed replacing the nobility. "What about Jeremiah?" Inquired the Knight of Nine.
"The Beowulf is ready but deploying it now wouldn't serve purpose," That was true Beowulf was a Knight Giga Fortress that specifically meant for Jeremiah and the machine made the outdated Siegfried, the very first Knight Giga Fortress, look like a joke.
Defensively and offensibely the weapon surpassed anything a conventional military could field in addition it incorporated technology from the Shinkiro , including transformation, variable geometry tech, which allowed its use as a heavy siege platform
Nontte's own, as well as the other elite frames, were designed to a similar standard though the Beowulf's sheer size did give it an impressive advantage over the smaller, though still large nuclear powered Knightmare Frames.
Jeremiah would probably be impressed, hopefully though they wouldn't actually need to use the weapon as an assault platform, but if they did it would be against the EU.
The UN Black Knights and the EU both possessed Hadron weaponry but currently neither had anything near the Beowulf's level of destructive firepower as far as a frame went, that wasn't saying much due to nuclear power.
Of course both sides had heavy fire support mass production Knightmare Frames that in bulk could perform a similar role.
Nonette's Morgana was a more traditional frame, though it incorporated a similar technological base as the Beowulf, and Lelouch's own frame.
Still it wasn't like Rakshata had been idle the last few years, the latest incarnation of the Gurren was nothing to sneeze at. Improvements made to the radiation wave surgers and increases in size for the new Gurren allowed the newest incarnations's radiant wave arm claws to wield 'conventional knightmare guns'.
Radiation weaponry wasn't just limited to the Gurren though, the MEF's program's mass production frame, Ifreet, now entering wide scale production could carry a wide variety of weapons.
Amongst this armament was a heavy Rad cannon based on the Gurren's signature weapon. In addition to this the 9.5 generation incorporated a highly efficient solar power supplement system and treaded land spinners. Finally besides the auto cannons and other guns the Ifreet were planned to deploy in limited number laser and heat weaponry.
The lasers were of course based off the existing directed energy weapons that were in service. Ifreet was of course the first step in replacing the MEF's large supply of Tetsujin base Knightmares with native built Djinn series KMFS. Hopefully enough would be in service already in case the EU decided to jump the gun and launch a preemptive strike.
The Tetsujin would remain in use of course as it would take a while for the Ifreet to be in large enough numbers to facilitate arming of the immense populous support that existed.
Dissolution of the Area system, and then the infrastructure development programs had won Lelouch a lot of support, and India attaining independence from the Chinese Federation had netted some populous support in that country as well.
Most of India was preferential to avoiding becoming involved in the potential conflicts, which supported Lelouch's objectives just fine as it would likely keep the UN Army from drawing any significant support, military or otherwise from India.
"Japanese and other protestors have already begun gathering in preparations for the UN Summit in Tokyo," Droned the newscaster,
Lelouch frowned the protestors had varied causes but mostly they were peaceful, but Ogi's increase in military presence was not going to help matters any.
Nonette frowned as another screen displayed reports from within China, "Thy're deploying a rather impressive fleet at least for a conventional enemy,"
Lelouch nodded, so the Chinese were adding to Japan's defenses. The Eowyn class Battleship was in limited, but it wasn't the True Black Knights only class of vessel. Originally they had used the advanced variant of the Logres class, used originally during the 'Pre Requiem' War against the EU Plato class Aerial cruiser.
There were a handful of other vessels in service but the main produced airship was the Phalanx class built using the same advanced construction technology and techniques as the Eowyn, and the Damocles. The Phalanx was nuclear powered and featured the same stealth technology as the Eowyn battleship.
Of course as it was despite reduced numbers the UNBK still operated a sizable air fleet, and Britannia's was larger still, though that was to be expected.
The Ikaruga class production model aerial cruiser outnumbered the combined number of currently built Phalanx and Eowyn class vessels though of course the technological capacity was far greater; nuclear power of course played a part in this.
Still even with the advantage in technology fighting the EU and the UN would be difficult. China due to Lihua's close ties with Kaguya was going almost assuredly defend her friend, and thus side with the UN. With the report of the Chinese contingent for the summit guard seemed to support this. India was probably going to remain neutral, but was likely to side, at least the government would, with the UN as well, though Lelouch had his supporters inside the country.
Europe however was the more pressing concern, it was rather likely that the 'Franco German' Alliance would start arming Spain and Italy with their 'real' frame, which would be a problem.
The MEF was likely going to have issues with the EU sometime soon, and most likely the Europeans would use two pronged attacks.
Of course such an attack would merit the involvement of the Black Knights, Lelouch's Black Knights that was, in the conflict. Coupled with the Modernized MEF military, and the militias the Black Knights would be able to decimate anything short of the EU committing an obscene force of troops.
Admittedly the prospective specifications for the EU's 9.5 generation mass production frame were quite high bordering on tenth generation, but in all likelihood an attack from EU Somaliland and the like would be done using mainly the public 7.5 generation mass production type knightmare frame designed in the Eastern portion of the EU.
Air wise the EU was more of a worry right now the MEF's defenses weren't complete, and this would mean air battles would fall to the Black Knights requiring of course that ships would be unable to fully support ground forces.
Of course there was also the fact that UNBK would attempt 'Police Action' against the MEF, which would also merit his intervention, and likely result in the public use of the Eowyn class.
Nonette was probably going to be the one who handled the situation, so it would fall to her exactly how severely the UN's losses would be, Lelouch's wasn't holding his breath expecting her to got easy on them.
The Knight of Nine would no doubt revel in the chance to defeat either the EU or the United Nation's Army in battle. Chiba could be of use as a representative to Asia.
Geass wasn't something he had bothered with, and the UN wasn't likely to touch on such a subject voluntarily.
The UN's actions would be interesting to observe though, since it seemed something had them expecting an attack against the summit. Albion's launch fiasco was sure to cause some stir, but Kaguya would at least try and maintain the peace, of course the 'Charles Camp' in Britannia were rather likely to consider such a move as a sign of weakness and continue to act out.
Dealing with the remnants of Charles's ideology was however something that would have to wait. While they were certainly distasteful they were a nuisance and there were more pressing concerns that would need to be dealt with before hand.
Britannia could remain under Cornelia's stewardship for the time being. The EU was a more pressing threat and so would a rallied UN force of nations especially if India joined China in supporting them.
Even so neither, the EU or the UN, would be good for world peace. Europe's ambitions however were the more grave threat. As it stood the UN could be marginalized even if the UNBK would fight him
Yes Ogi would oppose him, but the fact was it was something he had expected, even planned for. Swaying the populous to him was a task that could be done, Chiba could be a focal point for such a move or he act directly. The Last of the Four Holy Swords was intent on earning his forgiveness and her position might as well let her try the task.
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Chapter conclusion
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Helltanz's notes: Dark Prince, my other Code Geass story the sequel for it is up. Concerning the whose got what hardware wise would you prefer it here or in a forum?
Kallen has a new Gurren which will be remarked and described at a later date, likewise Gino has a Tristan upgrade.
Nonette has Morganna
Jeremiah will pilot Beowulf
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I'll draw a belligerent sheet up, but more or less its like this as far as Forces go
EU: Major forces; France and Germany, Secondary Forces; Spain, Italy, Belgium
United Nations: Major Forces; UN Black Knights Secondary Forces; India
Lelouch: Major Forces Loyalist Black Knights, Secondary MEF, various internal groups
Britannia: Major Forces Imperial Army Secondary Forces; Dominion* Troops
* meaning basically former Areas 1-10 who are still apart of the Empire
Note that China will side with Lelouch and India will be siding with the UN something that Lelouch won't be expecting, also this list is far from comprehensive, and doesn't bother to address the internal factions of certain groups
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