Chapter 8

God's Sword

Helltanz's notes: I'm back for now, even though there is other stuff I should be doing, but I hadn't realized it'd been that long since I had updated. Very talking heavy chapter. Not beta-ed either.

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Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass understand?

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Chapter begin

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Location: Britannia

Ogi had been loathe to meddle in the EU territories for a number of reasons, not the least of which there was less public support in the UN for that, as opposed to trying to place Britannia under constraints. The post war situation was complicated for everyone. The EU were taking risks, yes, but for what cause no one could really say. If all the problems facing the world could be faced one by one Lelouch probably wouldn't have had to do anything, but that was being unrealistic, and assuming a best case scenario to everything to begin with.

"We surrender!," The radio crackled with static, "Damn it we give up stop firing!" The UN Black Knight specialist called out to little avail.

The radio crackled again, "Repent and Die apostate! Lelouch Lives!" The Black Knight War machine codenamed Avatar unleashed a torrent of red energy against the UN operated machines. It slammed a foot down on a downed UN machine raising its weapon on the knightmare, "We are the Chosen. Redemption is at hand." The blast of red destroyed its target.

Another Avatar, towering above the battlefield, was covered in ablative composite armor which wrapped around the machine's thick torso, and featured promienently 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, a purpose readily apparent. 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. Cornelia did not at all like the way these Avaatar's looked. True the looked like the design had diverged with the Shinkirou, who's design lineage traced back to the Gawain. On the other hand a lot of the machine looked to be of a new unique design.

The replay stopped, freezing the frame on a screen half filled with static and with plenty of smoke, "It bears some similiarities to the Gurren, though more with His Majesty's own Shinkirou," The officer stated fumbling a bit over the Japanese word. "Your opinion duchess Stadtfeld?" He inquired as the red head hit play starting the tape up again.
Kallen scowled, "Its not that like the Gurren." She protested, "Rakshata hasn't released her completed report but the weapon its using isn't a radiant wave surger or we don't think it is."

Cornelia nodded, "We thought as much, recreating the Gurren would have been too noticeable, but you do see the similiarities?"

"I do, and Rakshata agrees. Lelouch has taken lessons learned and developed that thing."

"Things, mi lady," The general corrected, "There were more than one of them at the battle, Military Intelligence's Foresensic teams report at least three. What exactly it means though is still being debaated. The UN Army team never stood a chance without proper support."
It took Cornelia a moment to finally pose the question, "Do we have any leads on the pilots,"
"One, an almost gaurunteed voice match to the speaker in question. Britannian Armed Forces Registry, graduated the Citadel in 2015 with honors. Saw extensive service during the Ascension war,"
"Excuse me,"Cornelia interjected,
The general swallowed, "Apoligies your majesty during Lelouch's ascent to power, decorated combatant. He's a fanatic your majesty, volunteered for active duty in the Imperial Guard, and took multiple high risk missions, particularly in the Asian theater against Traitor Knight positions." Oddly Cornelia didn't correct the General's choice of terminology that time. "With respect your majesty while I believe this man is dangerous, we have more pressing issues. The demonstrations at home for example are a pressing concern. "

Cornelia knew the man had a point as her attention focused on the screen, which now was dominated with more recent events. "Has there been any comments from Lelouch's more moderate supporters over this," She focused on the screen.

From the general tone of the speech one could understandably make the mistake that this was her father's supporters rallying, that was the problem it wasn't. A man's voice spoke out from behind his podium. "We are Britannians. It was we who united the world, not the UN. United under a single sovereign monarch. It was the Imperial Guard which united the planet under a single throne. Britannia's throne, a line of rulers who saw our country expand and grow. Our nation grew in strength and power. Lelouch vi Britannia brought the entire world under Britannia's sway, in the face of traitors and traditional enemies. He saw the nation secure in the future peace, who is the strongest of nations. Those which have remained loyal to the Emperor. Britannia is foremost amongst them, Cornelia li Britannia sits on a throne meant to command the entire world, commands the Emperor's Armada to remain docile, while the EU and the UN fight at our doorstep, and in our land with each other. Lelouch vi Britannia's vassals in the meanwhile have told the UN bluntly to sod off, we've heard the news from the south of Africa, and in the Arabian. The Traitor Knights were trounced handily, by loyalists, this is Britannia. This is Lelouch vi Britannia's Britannia. A Britannia to be proud of, a nation of determination, and resolve. ALL HAIL BRITANNIA! ALL HAIL LELOUCH!"

Cornelia muted the television in irritation. "Third largest rally, and over a billion viewers world wide, are they militant?"
"Uh yes, rather they have knightmares, plenty of weapons as well. Not like the other groups we've been tracking, but they're loader than the others." The old man paused, "Ah yes they are using Gareths as part of their forces, aparently political pieces. The group has scheduled a parade for tomorrow coinciding with the start of the conference in Tokyo."

"and their support in Parliament?" Kallen interjected, "How many of the guys Lelouch appointed back these loudmouths?"

The old man paused, "About a dozen, that we can confirm, duchess Stadtfeld. They're far louder than groups elsewhere in the Empire."
"And?" Cornelia asked, "Is it going to cause trouble?"
"For the planned ceremony mi lady? Not at all I think they'd even support the move, if they're right about wanting a stronger, more vocal Britannian."
A hologram made itself manifest in the center, "I see you are busy, Cornelia, General Lancaster, Kallen." Lelouch brushed over the Glaston Knights intentionally. "This should not take long I've already had a charming conversation with the EU, they agree the incident with their prototype was a mistake, and will not happen again."

"Are you speaking for the Europeans."
Lelouch's hologram shivered slightly as he chuckled, which sounded distorted to the room, "I am relaying an assurance made by the head of the Euro council."
Cornelia surpressed the urge to groan, yes Lelouch talking to the Europeans was wonderful news. Not. "Is that all Lelouch?"

"Besides the fact you're going to piss the UN off with all those ships, or the fact you ripped apart two of my ALs to build the ship in Kansas," Lelouch's face took on an annoyed look at Cornelia's suprise at the statement. "oh yes I know about that, you built them in my shipyards after all."
Lelouch still continued to look insufferably smug, about the statement. "The flagship is an Ace for a rainy day Lelouch."

"So is your intention yes, but I suspect you'll be using far earlier than you'd like to think," Which was actually too bad as Lelouch was relatively interested in seeing the ship in private first. "You took apart Two of my Logres class warships." He stated, "Cornelia, do you think the UN is going to miss that for long. They haven't noticed yet because you aren't running around invading countries left and right, but there are only so many of those ships. Ogi isn't blind, he's going to notice."

... and that left Cornelia with a conundrum. He had a point Ogi wasn't incompetent, one didn't loose track of a several hundred meters worth of flying steel and death for large periods of time.

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Right now Ogi had more pressing issues, "So the man's name is Kassim?"
"Right, Union native, actually fought against Cornelia in 2017. Admitted into the Imperial Guard, action in the Persian conflict zone, according to the records we received after Cornelia took the throne, actually surprising they gave us that much. Guy would have been nice to have in the initial rebellion in Japan." A pause interupted the flow of information, "shit, bastard." he cursed getting himself back under control, "Ogi this guy is bad news, we thought the guy in South Africa was bad, Kassim's ordered multiple assassinations of 'Enemies of the Emperor' in the field of battle during the war."

"Wasn't that standard policy under orange though when Lelouch was ruling Britannia, you know that chop off the snake's head thing?"
Minami grimaced, "Tamaki we're not talking about criminals here, Lelouch gave this guy carte blanche to purge Chinese Federation Officers who were,"
"Yeah, yeah like I said crooks." Tamaki said waving him off, "I mean you do remember those guys half of 'em thought we were the same as the group of no nuts. Li would have killed them anyway, pf t saved us the trouble of China getting divied up by warlords right?" He paused, "Orange said kill 'em all, cause they were something, what did he call them exactly I forgot."
"Something insulting and pompous sound from the nobility, thats not the point Tamaki, its that he actually carried them out not who he carried it out against." The head of the UN intelligence snapped back.

Ogi stood up, palms down on the table, "And we're not going to mess with him, or the rest of them. Not yet, we've got the conference to deal with, we'll deal with these guys later. If Lelouch isn't invading or taking over Britannia it can wait.

"Ogi this is important." Minami protested.

"I know that Minami, look believe I don't like leaving this alone, but this conference is a prime opportunity to strike, and it starts tomorrow. Anyway Rakshata, Kaguya wants to look at the Chinese new pyramid ship something about making it able to fly or something."

The blonde nodded, "I'll see what I can do, but anything we can do immediately won't change much."

"Yeah I got that, but Kaguya thinks improving China's military will help our defenses in the long run, so its probably a good bet." Ogi stated, activating a holographic display, "Kaguya has negotiated a new arms treaty between Japan, the UN, and China." The display highlighted on the East Asia Area of the world. "Japan will be exporting certain high technology systems, including weapons, we're going to be exporting KMFs to the Dragon Guard, and the regular army will be wanting a new development frame."

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Kaguya looked over the agreement freshly signed. Lihua was willing to commit to the continue the Greater Sino Nippon Defense Agreement, and expand it, for the time being. There was still a chance, she thought, to convince Lihua to back up the UN when things came to blows, but that would depend on what happened.

Right now though there were more pressing issues, coinciding with the start of the the UN meeting, Britannia's people were parading.

The European Represenative was talking, while she was watching a small tv screen. "I for one am glad your Empress has accepted our diplomatic overtures." The man was saying to Britannia's represenative.

Though the original Gareth's had been presented to the surviving Glaston Knights it had been Lelouch's forces who truly had but them to use turning the units into some of the most recognizable weapons of his Imperial Guard. Today most Gareths resided in the private militaries of pro Lelouch supporters, in the form Royally sanctioned militias. The Gareths were seen as an emblem of Lelouch's rule, rather than remembered for their use by Cornelia's knights. The Vincent was complained about by other powers but Cornelia used them as the main frame of the Britannian military.

The represenative cleared his throat, "You will want to watch this mi lady, the Britannian detachment is approaching, truly a sight to see." Kaguya looked up, before standing and walking towards the window.

"So thats the Albion?" Kaguya remarked watching the machine descend over Tokyo Harbor, "I suppose we should be grateful for Cornelia coming to us."

"Actually Councilwoman that is the Pendragon, the Albion class is a development of the Pendragon, its here to show the flag, and contribute to the defense of Britannia's interest to world peace."

"I see," Kaguya remarked, which meant this was odd, "Then where is the Albion?"
The Britannian represenative paused, "Guarding the homeland Lady Sumeragi. The Albion will be remaining in patrol of the East Coast of the Empire for the next week as planned, though also showing the flag."

High above Tokyo bay the massive ship floated. If one had been shown pictures of the Albion at a distance, one might understand mistaking the Albion for the Pendragon, which was only mildly larger. HMS Pendragon, Cornelia's secret Flagship, was a proof of concept taking the lessons learned from the Imperial Guard's Advanced Logres, and implementing them in full. Cornelia hoped by showing it here she could avoid the problems Lelouch had spoken of.

Pendragon stood flanked by escorts from the Imperial Navy, but also the Chinese Pyramids, and the EU fleet. "Members of the knights of the round are also here to insure the safety of the conference. Duchess Stadtfeld will be joining the defense as well."

Kaguya nodded, "Thank you Albert,"
The Britannian nodded, "I'll think you don't need to worry." The Pendragon's hangars opened, and Kaguya mouth dropped.

"Are those Gawains? A new model, is it updated?" She asked.

"They are up to date, those are the Glaston knights' Agravain, developed from materials held by the Imperial Guard's R&D program which was working on an improved Gareth," The man stated, "As long as the EU doesn't swich sides on us I doubt the Emperor will bother attacking."

The European looked a little rankled at the jab, but Kaguya headed him off. The head of the UN turned, "Then lets be going. Cornelia should be on her way already." Hopefully Lelouch wouldn't attack, and in the mean time she did have a speech to give.

"They look awesome," Tamaki was saying in the hallway, "did you see the turns they pulled coming into formation. Imagine what one would like painted red and white."
Another Black Knight was talking to him beside a window, "Tamaki I don't Cornelia is going to let you repaint one and take it for a joy ride. That was the advantage of unique units, special color schemes as opposed to the blocky drab paint schemes of regular units. The UN Army to an extent escaped this trend as the Peacekeeping force they were meant as. It was a step taken to identify them by sight.

Looking out over Tokyo it made identifying all this ships that much easier, and their knightmares. Britannia, under Cornelia, used the purple that they had under Charles, the EU had the blue green of their Army. Dozens, and dozens of China's dragon guard floated in their custom Akatsukis nearby joined the Gurren as Kaguya began her speech to the public.

Ogi waited through the speech. The man standing next to him fidgeted, "Relax, Noboru, no body is going to attack Kaguya in the middle of public. I set up the five hundred meter cordon just to be sure."

Noboru nodded, shifting his eyes away, gritting his teeth. 'Be so easy to take him out now,' The Black Knight mused hand resting over his holster's flap.

Kaguya's speech concluded with her urging everyone to come together for the cause of peace. "Lets go, the council is convening." She stated. The UN supreme council's meeting room was a structurally reinforced and armored dome structure meant to survive an attack by knightmares, with an attached underground bunker. It was the safest thing they could build in Tokyo.

A tech flashed a thumbs up, "Electronic security is online, unless he's going to hack us again we'll be fine, Hologram system is up and running."

"Right," Ogi called back, "every body settled?" He asked

Cornelia rolled her eyes, they were claiming to be electronically secure, and in the same breath Lelouch was already known to be able to penetrate their systems, this was great. "Yes now will you hurry up and start this debacle."

Ogi grimaced, "Right your highness, anyway contact with Lelouch has thus far been off and on, outside of contacting the UN regarding the EU factory in Somaliland, and the landing in Carolina he's stayed mostly quiet. We think most the chatter is subordinates relaying information to others, the Brotherhood is demonstrating a new KMF today, it didn't get much attention because Britannia decided to show off their new flagship."

Kaguya spoke up, "We have three days, to address a number of things. Britannia and the EU have settled their differences over the Carolina incident, which brings us to our starting point, bring it up," Eowyn's profile from the gun camera's of multiple knightmares was brought up from the hologram projector, "This is what we are provisionally designating Alpha, it is the heaviest contact we have with Lelouch, and appears to be his flagship. Ogi if you will,"

"Lelouch identifies the ship as the Eowyn, in Britannia the name has some significance. Eowyn of Britannia was Celtic King to whom the Britannian line claims descent from. The warship out masses any ship in use appears to rely on a refined float system for propulsion allowing it to break orbit. Britannian Aeronatics experts say it uses that for a form of reactionless propulsion, it should considered at least as agile as the Advanced Logres."

A French captain spoke up,"More so, monsieur Ogi. This footage is of the Eowyn during the Carolina operation, no Radar information is avaible, it appears to be using a refined version of the Gefjun stealth system employed upon the Gawain. Our Intelligence, and our experts in the field indicated that it was most likely the result of an improvement of the Logres's advanced variant."

The frenchman's dialogue was accompanied by a recording of the Eowyn moving and launching its KMF compliments.

"Thank you Captain, the Eowyn appears to have a diverse compliment, one set of knightmares launched were smaller than the other. We're not sure why, but both demonstrated high mobility, and the refined flight system first seen on the Lancelot Albion, and Gurren SEITEN. Did the owner every explain Lelouch using it as a meeting ground."
Britannia's attache spoke up. "The family who owns the estate in Carolina dates back to the original Britannian exodus from the islands. Created as nobility during the mid eighteen hundreds, long service in Britannia's military." The man recited,"3 sons volunteered in the Imperial Guard. the family also heeded Gottwald's call to arms during the Emperor's ascent, and partook in dealing with hostile members of the nobility. 1 Son died during the battle against Schneziel's Damocles, amongst those receiving Britannia's highest distinction for valor in the face of the enemy during the battle. He was survived by his wife, a young son, his three surviving brothers, mother, father, one grandfather. His grandfather is the current master of the house. He attests he will until his dying breath stand with the vi Britannia line, and that we can arrest his fealty to his rightful liege, as the man is in his eighties we didn't really see the point. State security is watching the house as to explanations none readily he told us to sod off after that."

"Great, moving on." Ogi clicked the remote in his hand zooming in on the display, "This is a three dimensional model of Alpha, the larger knightmares returned to these hangars," a small video clip demonstrated the mechs returning as the ship was ascending. "Rakshata?"

"Lelouch's children favor his preference for Hadron based weaponry. Unfortunately they intervened in force so both sides stopped fighting, we have no full grasp of their capabilities. I would speculate that they aren't capable of matching the top speed of the latest elite frames, but that is speculation. I'd certainly say the smaller frames are the older of the two designs, from evidence the larger designs have much higher specs, and are probably a more recent innovation."

Ogi nodded, "We're still gathering evidence on the unit employed in South Africa, but all evidence indicates,"
"Lelouch likes using Hadron weaponry Ogi we know," Cornelia interjected, "He used in Area 11, he used it against the Chinese, he used it against Europe. Then he mass produced the Gareths and let them loose on his enemies, he's repeating what he did."

The head of the UNBK paused at the outburst, "Yeah, that too actually, but it appears the units also have some kind of high heat producing melee weapon capable of burning through armor,"

"We speculate it is some kind of claw weapon, perhaps mounted on their slash harkens as well." Rakshata stated, "Our forensics expect to have more answers once we finish examing the remains." Once more the clip of the battle in South Africa replayed, with sound.

"Britannia has identified the speaker as another volunteer in the Imperial Guard, native to Britannia distinguished military career."

"Ah thats always nice to hear, I mean its not like we fighting a former head of state of a world power," One of the Europeans remarked snidely, "Let us face it chances are we will be fighting a lot of members who have served in the Imperial Guard, or the regular military. Perhaps even members of the Black Knights who remained loyal, eh?"

"That is a possibility." The man nodded in response.

A member of the German Military stepped up and began presenting an analysis of European Security Council's latest findings. Once more the display changed, as people rattled through the pages of the dossier presented to everyone at the start. Most of the information dealt with a study of projected engagements from the Med, to the southern Chinese coast, Indonesia, and the Philipines. Mostly the thinking was that if any kind of coordinated defense against incursions was to be accomplished the attacks would have to be at sights were multiple forces could reach easily. A number of these locations that were potentially high priority to defend could be used to base forces from. Inside nations however defense became trickier.

Attacks against Eastern Europe were considered unlikely, as was the heartland of europe, likewise unless a rebellion broke out Britannia's mainland probably was free. Thus the Eurozone's intelligence community speculated the most likely target for Lelouch to deploy in was Africa, or an attack against Japan.

"We have come to this conclusion despite the fact we speculate that Britannia's Emperor is in a position where waiting is far more likely to be his choice, he may choose to back a movement in Africa combat operations there against a number of high priority targets. Japan is considered a strong of the UN, if his goal was to strike a blow against the UN Army it would be a good target, despite being near reinforcements from China."

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Lelouch laughed, "Well played Cornelia, I must admit I didn't think she'd do that." He was genuinely surprised, she was going herself, with her flagship. While some would complain about this it was a move that couldn't be criticized since the UN had asked for a widened security detachment, and Ogi kept upping the security, especially since Cornelia was cooperating with the EU. "They're nice though aren't they?"

"Indeed. The design is one that'd put the Army's regular unit to shame. Especially with hands, and Hadron guns."
Lelouch nodded, the Agravain was certainly a good design for a machine of its generation. "And she only arms her supporters with them. A smart move, especially unveiling everything while everyone is all focused about the recent Albion, and the EU. People could react badly, but it'd be worse if she waited longer."

The conference appeared to be going well, so far everyone of Lelouch's operatives in Tokyo were keeping their heads down, like he wanted them to. Kaguya was allying tightly with Lihua for support which made sense. During what some called the Ascension war, which included the Damocles Crises, and Lelouch's reign prior to the Requiem he had had little time to upgrade China's military technology focusing far more on industrial, and economic aid in the wake of the country's balkanization. Li has managed to gather some military technology from working with the UN prior to the Ascension, and after the Requiem but it was not a vast change. China changed at a slow pace.

Still this change might actually keep the peace for a bit. China having an increase in higher technology weapons could potentially get Lihua to draw down troop numbers and focus more on building projects. China was a command economy after all, all she needed to do was order it. The unexpected dialogue with Europe actually helped calm things, which only left the UNBK under Ogi to potentially stir things up.

There in lay the rub, "Do we have the report,"
"They know about Kassim, probably going to bringing it up to the Supreme Council. Ogi could probably get support to go after him. They'd give him a mandate for that sire."
Lelouch scowled, well, "I see, and what about South America? What do they know?"
"Not a whole lot, we clamped down on security,"
Good, at least something was going as planned, "Then its Africa we're going to have to worry. How long until the Falklands base completes the next Albion-class?"

"A month at most, its nearing completion just needs to be shaken down."
That would increase Britannia's projection capability, three super heavy capital ships would let Cornelia cover most of Britannia's territory. European forces projecting into Africa probably would want to avoid peeving off Britannian forces in the areas still held by the Empire. As facts stood that was probably where Cornelia would station the third or fourth ship of the class. "I will want our estimates on the production schedules for the Ablion-class for all three shipyards, and the Kansas installation as well." He declared.

"Understood." Lelouch activated an interface. The UN Supreme Council was still convened, or rather had recovened for the second time today. So most likely they were trying to plan how to maximize an interception of his forces, or just trying to pin down his various militias. Lelouch set his focus on his satelite grid.

Alert Status Changed. Command Centers 7, 15, 21 ordered to condition 2. Heightened Combat Alerts set. Escort vessels ordered into position.

If Ogi moved against his holdings in the MEF there would be problems, like it or not the EU might decide to help the UN or might decide to stay out of it, or the might object to the UN's action. It all depended on what benefitted them, but the MEF was to close to Britannian and EU holdings. If a fight broke out they'd get all the information they could want on real fights between his assets, and modern UN KMFs. The old adage of two birds with one stone came to mind.

South Africa was less of a concern Alfred could probably get Britannian support for the Militia, short of Cornelia or her immediate subordinates interfering. This all left one issue, one very large issue in Lelouch's plans. EU Somiliand.

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Chapter conclusion

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Helltanz's notes: I'm not dead. Just real busy. Feel free to comment, or yell at me for not being around.

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