God's sword Chapter 7, a code geass fanfic

Chapter 7

God's Sword

Helltanz's notes: Right then… As it stands right now everything is just the prelude the main action will get underway shortly.

In any event give thanks to GODS OF FICTION!! I actually got this finished.

Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass understand?

Chapter begin

The little information sharing should help things in their own way. Ogi would now have little choice but to scrutinize EU Africa. Furthermore this weakened support for an intervention against the MEF. That weakened support would buy them some more time to get better prepared.

The armament plan for the various militias supporting the Black Knights, and development of new technologies continued on. Now if only the EU's would suspend development for six to eight months, it wasn't necessary but it would have been nice.

Conflict would eventually begin, but until then patience was needed. As long as nothing drastic upset the already unstable balance of peace things could last a bit longer.

Ogi of course wasn't a real threat on a strategic level. The UN Black Knights were unimportant so long as they were kept fettered. Ogi could however be a nuisance if it came down to things if he got the chance to send the UN Army off to war in a coordinated manner.

Ogi didn't have any strategic ability worth mentioning compared to Todoh, much less the likes of Li or Lelouch. He could still organize a competent enough supply base or train for a defensive front or offensive move respectively.

Kaguya and Cornelia were a bit more dangerous though. In Kaguya's case she was still the very public face of the UN, but more than that as leader of the UN she had a great deal of clout. She could speak to a sizable population chunk easily.

Cornelia was by contrast far more dangerous on the battlefield, and as a strategist then Ogi could ever dream to be. There was of course the dangers of the Advanced Logres, which would be a potent force on the battlefield against the UN or the Europeans.

Jeremiah surveyed the Beowulf as the Emperor exited the lift. "Its been some time Jeremiah," Lelouch remarked, it was good to have Orange back. Give the man a KGF and he'd be lethal on the battlefield. "It should from the look of things be a few months until you have to use that," He commented, at least he hoped he had another few months.

"Your Majesty does that mean we will be fighting the Europeans again?" The Margrave inquired, "Or are we going after that lot of backstabbers?"

The Emperor placed a hand on the armored plate of the sleeping beast of war, "More than likely the UN, barring some greater stupidity from those who supported my father's ideals."

The EU were taking risks, but were not likely to start the fight if they had the choice just yet. In Britannia thinks would simmer and while they would remain tense only a dangerous provocation would set thing off.

As it was the EU's moves the lesser danger as they were mainly focused in their own sphere of influence, though they did still have the risk of starting a war. It was for this reason the Black Knights, though due to size the lesser problem, likely to start things rolling.

Jeremiah was looking forward to fighting the UN Army that much was very apparent. After all Jeremiah valued loyalty. The UN Army would have its supporters though from a few nations, and that was something that was slightly more troublesome.

Ogi was comfortable as the leader of the Black Knights. Well he had been up unitl Diethard's final broadcast. Six months had been all it took to start to unravel Requiem with the truth behind Zero. The leader of the UN Army was chafing under the constraints, and didn't take it well. In any event things would hopefully go without further incident for just a little longer.

"Its good to have you back Jeremiah," Lelouch paused, "and hopefully this conflict won't last long." Lelouch hoped that would be the case, but really he doubted it would be so. Taking over the world would not be easy barring drastic, Schneziel, measures. The UN and EU were better equipped and prepared than last time around. It would be a long fight. Even so Lelouch was prepared. His support varied from militia to elite. The militant groups were numerous and they were eager for the UN or the EU's blood. In the meantime his Black Hand, his most elite soldiers waited for the order to come. "I have made my plans regarding the upcoming summit. A demonstration of force would not serve the agenda this time."
Arriving with an Eowyn publically was not a prudent move, yet. Goading Ogi into attacking though that was something else entirely. An unprovoked offensive by the UN Army would polarize things. It was something that would sow discord between the UN and their army.

"And the Empire?" Jeremiah had a good grasp of how things had been before he had left. Tense didn't do the situation justice.

Lelouch nodded, "Cornelia will be occupied by matters. No doubt the Albion-class vessels, as they come into service, will be assigned to troublesome spots." Albion would dangerous, especially if supported. There was also the fact that Guildford was better suited to commanding aerial forces than Cornelia, and she'd be likely to put him in charge of them. Albion itself, well its position had already been decided.

The Eowyn had scared the Charles Camp., as hoped. "We have time to prepare in the interim." He remarked. Lelouch had his complaints about the situation of the world. After all there were with problems. The polls in India were changing were amongst those but support for the UN in India was increasing. It was an unexpected, and potentially problematic turn of events. Of course the cause was of course obvious.

Violence was ultimately inevitable. Right now the tensions were increasing between national bodies. The UN was their hope.

"An updated list my lord," Lelouch accepted the tablet. Deception and Intelligence were both key pillars of war after all. The UN was like everything vulnerable to some extent or another to espionage.

The Emperor smirked. It was a prudent move, this one that they were taking. Kallen was, her position, was not simply as a Knightmare pilot any longer, or as a simple of the Black Knights. Rather with her father's health declining, and not helped by his continued hard work Kallen would soon ascend to a position of power in Britannia's court. Kaguya was, obviously, aware of such, and of course Kallen's other values.

"I see," He remarked, "and how goes Rakshata's work on the Guren?" The response to the inquiry was to be expected. That was to say without input from Kallen the newest incarnation couldn't be fully optimized. The successor to the Mark 2 line was dangerous. The miniaturization of the radiation cannons, and improved capabilities made it a really troublesome machine.

In any event Lelouch had other matters to watch over. Not every anti UN extremist was going to submit to his will, voluntarily. Those who weren't his could be both and asset and a thorn.

With little preamble the Emperor gave his next order, "Start the plan," Riots were very useful to disguise other movements especially from the public eye.

News of Jeremiah's disappearance had already begun to spread. A spread that was rapidly reaching all corners of the Empire, and the news was fueling the rumor mill. These rumors did nothing to ease the steadily worsening tensions at home, or abroad. It did not help at all that the rumors ranged the spectrum of the Margrave had only narrowly dodged an assassination attempt by the UN, to others claiming Jeremiah had been kidnapped.

This was only a start, as other rumors were that he had gone and disappeared so as to prepare to rally the masses in the name of the Emperor. It was this rumor in particular that Kallen was worried about. With especially good reason since she was amongst the few that knew Lelouch to be alive, and well. Britannia might have been doing superbly economically in the post war years, but the Empire was a steaming kettle in other matters. It was amongst these that relations between the 'old nobles' and the masses, who had been rallied together by Lelouch, had become seriously strained.

It was just the matter of Jeremiah that weighed heavily on Kallen either. Gino was still not doing well, which was certainly worrying for everybody. Kallen sighed. The fact was no body was familiar with exactly what Geass was to determine what had happened to the knight of 3, or how to fix it. The Black Knights, the UN one, was another matter Ogi wanted her to pilot the new Guren. Admittedly as things went the Black Knights didn't have anybody who really was able to use the Guren as effectively as she could.

The Black Knights were still a sore point. It had been a stupid, stupid move to side with Schneziel el Britannia. Now it stood that that Betrayal ultimately coming back to haunt them. Diethard had fucked them all with his last broadcast, which had been broadcast right when things had started to really stabilize after the UN had taken back control following the end of Lelouch's reign. That last report from Diethard Reid had polarized support for Zero and Lelouch with the masses. Things in Britannia were particularly complicated by that matter. Here at school there had already been more than a few fights, and right now things were just heating up between the two 'political camps' in Britannia.

It was a fight that Kallen wanted absolutely no part of. She hated the Charles Camp's ideology, but at the same time supporting Lelouch's didn't seem possible. Unfortunately it was really one or the other, and it seemed that the two sides had already decided to go ahead and settle things. Or rather they looked like they had decided to try to settle things by brawling.

Kallen had decided to react without thinking. Of course a trained combatant versus a slightly overweight rich Britannian was hardly a fair fight. The red head glanced at the college student who seemed to support the Charles Camp who was busy groaning in pain as he lay sprawled out on dirt, while his buddy decided to make himself scarce.

"Ah thank you lady Stadtfeld," Murmured the sophomore who'd been on the receiving end of the thuggish behavior.

She shrugged, "Don't mention it," Kallen muttered, "Have we met?"

He shook his head rapidly, but another voice interjected first. "Not personally but we all are on the same side," Stated the newcomer. "After all you were Lelouch during the First Rise."
Kallen recognized the newcomer. It was a little hard not to. In Britannia this was Lellouch's most powerful speaker in the House of Lords, and his implication wasn't hard to grasp, but he didn't stop there.

"and after all you no longer stand amongst the Traitor Knights," He continued on amiably. The Traitor Knights it was the general derogatory, or one of them, term for the United Nations Black Knights. Kallen surpassed a wince. What was worse was that it was an accurate slur. They had betrayed Lelouch and while Lelouch didn't seem to mind that wasn't the case with his supporters in most cases. That fact worried her.

The result of Zero had fundamentally changed the world, and soon, she expected, Lelouch to return.

"We didn't really gut to speak much at Ashford lady Stadtfeld after al lyou more pressing obligations at the time," The newcomer remarked.

Kallen was extremely grateful for the interruption when it came. Millie had continued working as a reporter and she was quite good at it. Even so Kallen was grateful for the interruption even if she might regret it later. For the time being Lelouch's survival and the potential danger he posed was being kept under wraps until well until such time as either Kaguya or Cornelia, depending on who moved first, came up with a plan to announce it. Well that was the planned course of action on the matter.

At present only a handful of people had been informed by the UN. That number was supposed to be kept on a strictly need to know basis. "Ah Kallen," Milly all but cooed, which succeeded in a sending a shiver down the red head's spine. Whenever Milly said someone's name in that tone it didn't bode well. Not well at all.

Maybe she would have been better off without this interruption. The extremely well endowed blonde smiled coyly and presented an evelope. Reporter or not Millie could be depended to deliver this. "From Kaguya," As far as things went the Ikaruga Betrayal had been carried out by and a select group of the senior staff of the Black Knights without the knowledge or sanction of the Black Knights. It was a fact that had created a lot of problems for the post war UN and Black Knights.

It had been a major problem since the rest of the senior leadership of the Black Knights, those who hadn't supported the coup, were no longer around. After all Lelouch had been thought dead. Li had died not long after the Damocles battle spending his last days in a Britannian hospital and then succumbing to his injuries. His staff had gone on to serve the Empress. Jeremiah had remained loyal to Lelouch up until the end and retired to Britannia.

Even so Kallen han't kept in touch as well as she had originally expected to with Kaguya and the others. A handwritten and hand delivered letter from the supreme councilwoman of the United Nations was not something Kallen had expected.

The contents of the letter were transcribed in Kaguya's refined calligraphy was beyond the formal niceties an invitation to the upcoming UN Summit. Specifically an invitation as the Supreme Chairwoman's personal guest, an honor for most people, but Kallen couldn't help but feel it was an attempt at something else. Of course at the same time she did want answers. Answers that were really only available from the United Nations.

"We surrender!!,"

"Damn it we give up stop firing!"

The radio crackled, "Repent and Die apostate! Lelouch Lives!" The Black Knight War machine codenamed Avatar unleashed a torrent of red energy, "We are the Chosen. Redemption is at hand."

The Avatar was a Knightmare Frame that was unique to the Black Hand. Unlike the Aion and Eon, which shared an ancestry with the Zangetsu it was an 'original frame' development. Covered in ablative composite armor the machine had a thick torso, and an ominously gleaming red 'eye'. The war machine stood taller than the Black Knight standard 'New Day' KMFs. Its feet ended with claw like protrusions, not unlike the Shinkirou, and its back comprised an integrated flight pack.

It served a dedicated purpose the obliteration of heavy targets. It was a weapon dedicated to the destruction of Lelouch's enemies. In this day and age the 'Traitor Knights' used mainly KMFs with only limited vehicle or air support, if one discounted the fleet of Ikarugas. For each Avatar there were probably somewhere in the realm of twenty Eons built, and probably closer to fifty Eons for every 'upgraded' Avatar. The latter type though was something that Lelouch was keeping them close to his chest for now.

The Avatar utilized the Virtual Sensor Pod as a control system which vastly improved pilot responses, though the system didn't match the direct link system that was used on the Siegfried, and those that now used the system. The Black Hand were Lelouch's elite troops and were slated to be under Jeremiah's command. As a force the Black Hand were well trained and well suited for special operations either on their own or in groups.

The pleas of the traitor knights meant nothing to the Black Hand, who existed as Lelouch's elite troops those responsible for the most difficult missions. As an organization with in the True Black Knights they were equipped with the best Lelouch could give them. The black heavy Knightmare turned and fired again.

High above Lelouch observed the unexpected scenario with a clinched fist, this was a nuisance. He had expected one of the UN Black Knight NCOs to utilize their battlefield prerogative like this and launch an attack against a training ground. It was a relief that the Black Knights would catch flak for this. He tapped the comm, "Finish them without delay," The emperor ordered.

Despite the fact that their actions would merit an outcry Ogi would use this, he would be a bigger fool if he did not, and he wasn't that big of an idiot. Outcry or not Ogi would bring this forward, and the cry of Lelouch Lives didn't help matters. Those who were denying his life to the UN however would scoff at it though. He was considered dead even though, annoying as it was, the tabloids insisted that he was alive. They were not the only ones either there were cults across the globe not even tied to the true Black Knights that proclaimed his life continued.

It mattered little right now there would be outcries from Britannia for this beyond the norm. Even though he had abolished the Area Colony System some holdings remained a part of the Empire. The oldest colonies were the ones who chose this, but they were few, but more than that a point of contention with the rest of the world.

Britannia would raise hell over this.

Those Areas had made their choice to remain as a part of the Empire, and while indeed there was support for him amongst them they also tended to hold the Charles Faction's assets as well. Cornelia would not like this violation of sovereign space, and Ogi would want to push it for everything it was worth.

Southern Africa had been a Colony of Britannia for more than a hundred years and unfortunately had adapted well to the status. On the slightly positive side Lelouch's sympathizers there would be protected. If he hadn't been absolutely certain that Ogi was more focused on the Middle East, and South America he'd have been worried that the attack had heard rumors of the administration facility in the region. That didn't seem to be the case seeing as the attack had been against a remote training area rather than the metropolis. Of course an attack against that would pretty much guarantee another Pacific War… one didn't go attacking cities after all.

Gearing up for the inevitable war would take time for all involved, including his own forces but that was to be expected.

Britannia's Regional Army would be moving soon, but by the time they arrived it would be too late. It was unfortunate the UN Army forces had managed to broadcast a signal back to headquarters.

Lelouch watched the screen it was unfortunate he was stuck here for the time being, but it was necessary he direct from orbit for the time being. Oh well Alfred could handle things in South Africa.

Alfred in this case referred to Alfred qu Britannia a cousin of Lelouch and Cornelia and an actual volunteer for service in Lelouch's armed forces. Alfie was competent at handling matters in the region having lived there with his branch of the Britannian royal family for most his adult life, even if most those matters were just logistics. So in this particular instance for the region Alfred was handling that matter.

Lelouch would leave things to him for the time being, besides Alfred raising a fuss to the Royal Court over this great injustice perpetrated by the UN Army would be useful. Cornelia would already be furious over it but with a distant member of the greatly reduced Royal Family raising a fuss it would increase pressure exponentially.

The Emblem of Blood had devastated the Royal Family's ranks killing most of Charles's siblings and their families and indeed most of his cousins. Those survivors who had continued to reside in the Imperial Capital along with the majority of Lelouch's siblings had been obliterated by Schneziel's assault against Pendragon. It was thus that the vast Royal Family had been cut down to only a handful of members.

The forces that were already assigned to this area were regular militia and troops. These troops varied from professionally trained soldiers, to militants who generally had only so far received light training. The training of the militia was light but not any less than the Black Knights had originally been.

The difference was the ranks of militia were drawn from all across the globe organized by dozens and dozens of small groups. Lelouch nodded leaning back watching the holographic display of various reports. He tapped a button and the active display shrunk and another expanded. "Commander I have a mission for you, there must be outcry against this attack."

Oh yes Cornelia was going to have to blast the UN for this. Lelouch didn't like the idea of forcing the war to start but at the same time letting the UN Army run rampant did not help things any.

The timetable would have to be accelerated, more so than it already had. He had hoped to have further time to build up conventional troops and arm the militias, but that was no longer a reality.

Lelouch was becoming steadily irritated by the matter of Europe. During Charles's reign the army had carved a bloody swathe through Eastern Europe a region the Lelouch had pushed to rebuild. Rebuilding a large swathe of the world hadn't been that difficult given the immense manufacturing capacity of the whole world.

Schneziel had started building Damocles in total secret shortly after Suzaku had used the FLEIA in Tokyo, and with only the resources in Area 10, specifically the Toromo Agency. That impressive feat was dwarfed by the full might of Britannia's industrial sector under the direct control of Lelouch during his reign.

That wasn't the issue of course. Rather the issue was that the EU was having its own internal problems. Of course the EU was a massive Federation of states, and the Western Bloc was the traditional ruling force. Right now that Bloc was steadily getting more and more militarized. In other news the Eastern Bloc was having its own issues namely steady support for Lelouch like most the world.

Other than the matter of Western Europe's armament program and build up Lelouch was as pleased as he was able given the present situation. Especially given that the UN were withholding the announcement of his survival. Officially of course they were just waiting till they could convene and work out the best manner to address the manner in public. He didn't expect and expedient solution, and that gave him a bit more time to work so long as nothing troublesome happened.

It was of course good to know that Nunnally was safe under Cornelia's care, but their other matters which mandated the immortal's attention. The attack against the training ground in Africa was a problem, and worse it was all over the news.

"In related news the Black Knights attack in Southern Africa has verifiable casualties amongst the United Nation forces." The Britannian newscaster droned, "The attack was initially reported to be carried out against Pro Lelouch militants. The sheer devastation seems to indicate that the defenders were in fact not militia troops. Whether the Britannians defending themselves were military or not has yet to be revealed." The man paused, "A source inside the Black Knights however claims that the defending force were indeed 'Hardcore Lelouch nuts', and seemed convinced of the Emperor's survival."

The Emperor frowned, that did not bode well especially once the UN decided to reveal that he was in fact still alive.

"In other news tensions have increased in the city of Tokyo as the UN Summit is fast approaching. Chinese mobile fortresses have been deployed to Tokyo Bay, and Britannia's Knight of Four has been deployed to assist in handling security." The man paused again, "In related news there are rumors of a German task force being added to the security contingent."

The view of the television in the meantime was busy displaying the rebuilt Tokyo and the harbor where the distinctive pyramid shapes of the Chinese mobile fortresses, and the Ikaruga class cruisers in use by the Black Knights.

Lelouch had to wonder just how much of the UN's defenses were compromised by loyalist troops. It was after all through infiltration that the computer network of the UN Army had been compromised, and that was just the tip of the iceberg. Of course the UN weren't the real concern right now.

He irritably flicked the remote, and frowned further. 'Ah another of my darling supporters,' He mused listening with a trained ear as the man ranted about the abomination that was the UN Black Knights and how the oppressors must die. 'and here it comes…' He thought

"ALL HAIL LELOUCH!!" Bellowed the speaker in fairly clear English, to which there was a hearty chorus in response from the audience. These kinds of newscasts had become common in a large swathe of the world following certain events of late.

He appreciated the support, really he did but he also didn't want to be the one whose troops started things early. Nonette was already well within the territory of the MEF, and probably already distributing G 4 Montauk mobile bases to the commanders.

It was a design that was better than the existing, and very aged, G 1. Cornelia however probably could build more if she wanted to given a number of them had been in use by the Imperial Guard. Admittedly those were the first block runs.

Lelouch clicked the television off, the news was always a good indicator of what the masses were watching. It was important to know since Damocles was so far above the planet. The fortress had changed a lot these last few years.

A holographic screen formed into existence. Did they really think he'd waste his time attacking Tokyo? He mused as he surveyed the city.
The hologram was presented in real time via observation from Damocles itself, and observation from the Escort Skjaldborg, which was operating stealthed.

Of course technological advantage aside an open fight would be bad for the escort. If the warship was revealed the best option would be to break orbit and return to Damocles.

In any event if Kallen was coming to Tokyo it would be interesting to see the reaction her presence would have on the summit. Kallen's skill as a pilot was amazing, but soon she'd have to assume a real political role. It would be interesting to see how she adapted to the role she inherited.

The castle in south west Bavaria was a comfortable fit for the shadowy powers who manipulated the EU behind the scenes. Even the most pompous Britannian would find the surroundings to their taste in the romantic castle, built as a vacation house than a defensive castle.

In their own way they approved of the Requiem, and the goal it had been set forth to achieve. The old men however, with utmost regret of course, had to secure the 'foundation of civilized society'. They desired to return their beloved homelands to the world power they were before things had all gone to madness.

At the same time there were those who would oppose their taking steps to improve the safety of the EU. Of all the people in the world it wasn't Lelouch they were concerned about but rather the UN, and Britannia's empress was a close second.

Lelouch was, that was to say to have an interest in the young man was perfectly fine, after all the EU was a democracy. The Emperor merely wanted world peace that wasn't a bad thing, after all. This cabal had its agenda, yes but of all their potential foes Lelouch was the easiest to understand after all their 'objectives' were similar right?
There were of course hardliners in the current individual governments of the EU, but that was to be expected democracy at work after all. This more rash individuals just wanted the same thing just thought about using another method to accomplish that. It was why those leaders were pushing the armament program so hard, they were afraid of the UN interfering, and the cabal could empathize.

Lelouch… well Lelouch was Lelouch was Zero. He fought the good fight against tyranny and racism and all that in order to bring world peace. As long as Europe was careful they could probably not only accomplish their goals and avoid fighting him all together.

One of the elderly men cleared his throat to gather the others attentions, "Yes well I'm sure we have all heard of the unfortunate move the UN Army had made earlier this week?" He remarked

There were various gestures of confirmation from the assembled, "Yes those thugs are always out trampling over the will of the people." One of the men muttered. "The upcoming UN Summit means the gang leader himself will have something to say." He continued. "I wonder how long until he tries such an attack against our beloved homelands."

"If fate favors then we may have the means to defend our homes by then," A man remarked, "Isn't that right Carl?" The man in question nodded. "You see soon we'll be able to defend ourselves and those thugs won't risk it."… He hoped, needless loss of life was unfortunate.

Chapter conclusion

Helltanz's notes: Mech wise yeah I'll be using stuff from other sources, by how does 'Sniper Prometheus' sound? I'm thinking designating it Mk9 maybe, or possibly the Mk. 114, or maybe the… I digress.