Yo, folks! It's time for another side story! You probably guessed that, 'cause you got an email or some other kind of alert... yeah. Well, here it is.
This one I had a lot of fun writing. Getting into the mind of Schneizel is a pretty enjoyable thing, and it really makes you appreciate how much Lelouch and him have in common. He's not as impulsive as Lelouch, though- more detached and calm, more analytical. I had a few pretty insightful comments from readers when I mentioned that I had trouble getting the feel of Schneizel, but I think the one I found the most helpful was SirKaid. His analysis is that Schneizel is, essentially, bored. He's a man who enjoys mind games and strategy, and he's already all but won the Britannian throne. What higher aspiration is there? What good enemies are left? And how tough must it have been, to realize that there was nothing left to achieve- that there were no challenges left for you in life?
And then what a relief, what a thrill, for a worthy enemy to suddenly rise, issue you a challenge, and begin to tear down your empire. Schneizel doesn't hate Zero. Zero is one of the best things that ever happened to him. Zero is someone who can play on even footing with him, can actually win against him sometimes. Zero is the foe he's been looking for- an answer to a prayer.
Reviews! Too bad Side Stories doesn't get as many reviews as AR, there's never a shortage of things to talk about for AR. That anyone liked Nina's Side Story seems to me like a wondrous thing- if I can make her into an interesting Side Story with as much as I hate(d) her, then that suggests that I can do a lot more Side Stories if I just try. Which, I suppose, means I can't make quite so many excuses -_- Honestly, I expect I'll keep writing Side Stories now and then even after AR is done. I would love to compile everything into one big story- the Side Stories put in with the regular chapters, arranged chronologically so that you don't have to spend the first five minutes of each Side Story trying to figure out where exactly in the time line it is taking place.
Heh. Got a little sidetracked. Reviews. nanoman noted that CG rarely kept track of how much time was taking place between events... honestly, I think that's probably a case of Writers Can't Do Math. Heck, I used to be a Teacher's Assistant for a math teacher, and I've already managed to screw up a few dates in Armed Resistance (if you look real hard, you'll probably find em, and I intend to correct em one of these days). Something about picking up the pen makes you forget things... like that Tuesday comes before Thursday -_-
Detective Ethan Redfield had some interesting insight as well- he theorized that maybe the technology race in CG wasn't that so much was developed at one time, but more that they all finished in that short period of time. Like, the Radiant Wave Emitter, VARIS, MVS, Float System, and Hadron Cannon technologies were all in work for quite some time, and thanks to the fact that they all finished in the same short period of time, it created a little burst of technological development that, from the outside, looked like a sudden, rapid jump in tech. It's more plausible than the whole world suddenly putting on their game faces, to be certain, but it still seems a little ridiculous. Don't get me wrong- it's a great theory. I think you're probably right. But all that confirms, in my mind, is that the writers of CG didn't really understand how technological development works.
Anywho, here's the chapter. Enjoy!
Schneizel el Britannia, Just Prior to Chapter 30
Violet eyes. That had been the key to everything. And with that key, Schneizel el Britannia had cracked Zero's secret wide open.
It had already been apparent that Zero was the founder of the so-called "Inner Circle"- which had also just as clearly never truly existed. It was all just a scheme on the masked man's part- an easy scapegoat invented to shift the blame. An enemy for Britannia and the public to focus on, making Zero and the Black Knights look good in comparison, and then a sign of their good will when they took the Circle down. He had to admit, though, it was quite cleverly done.
Zero was also obviously a "he". Some of Schneizel's subordinates had reverse-engineered the voice modification that Zero used, and while the reproduction wasn't at all perfect, it was clearly a male voice. Besides that, his physique and mannerisms were indicative of a male. Zero was of slender, muscular build, extremely intelligent, possessed of incredible material resources, and was either European or Britannian.
The eyes, though, had made it clear that he was definitively a pure blooded Britannian. And from there, the conclusion was just too obvious. Zero was a prince.
Which prince? Well, there were lots of options there. There were quite a few minor princes that the throne had lost track of, there were some missing or presumed dead princes, there were even some illegitimate princes who were never officially documented. It was kind of amazing that someone with as many consorts as the emperor would still cheat, but... well, that was how it was. Schneizel had his suspicions as to who it was, exactly, but he couldn't know for certain. Not yet, anyway.
It was too bad about Jeremiah. He'd put in for the man to be released on account of the service he'd rendered to his country by actually remembering what Zero's eyes looked like, but the emperor himself had put his foot down, and said no. Said that the man needed to remain in jail as an example to the world. It was foolish and unfortunate, but there wasn't much else that Schneizel could do about it.
He frowned gently, and set down the report he had been looking at on Zero's Black Knights. He has some very capable subordinates... Lloyd Asplund especially. I'm a little unhappy that he stole my former minion, I must say, thought Schneizel. The other major standout was Sayako Shinizaki- the former leader of the Outer Circle, and an exceptionally talented assassin. Schneizel had caught himself glancing into shadows more frequently, a sign of just how much the news troubled him.
But Zero wouldn't assassinate him. That would be too easy. Zero was the sort of man who wouldn't stab you in the back if he thought he had a decent chance of slitting your throat instead. And then stealing all your stuff.
"You look like you're thinking hard, my prince," commented a warm voice, and Schneizel looked up. It was Kanon Maldini- an Earl, and his right-hand man. He was probably the only person Schneizel really trusted. Kanon did not work with Schneizel out of a sense of duty (he had none), for the money (he already had more than he could spend), or for the power of it (he could have more any time he asked, but he never did). Kanon was with Schneizel because he wanted to see Schneizel on the throne, and it was that simple. And because of that, Schneizel knew he could tell him anything. Not that he did.
"You surprised me, Kanon. I didn't hear you come in," he noted, pushing his reports into a neat pile. "I thought you were in the Chinese Federation, investigating the situation there?"
"I was," sighed the advisor, and Schneizel noted his red eyes and tense face. "I just got back, and came to give my report."
Schneizel smiled kindly. "I'm sure it can wait until later, Kanon. You should get some rest."
"It really can't, I'm afraid," answered Kanon with a shake of his head. "It's much more serious than we had thought."
Schneizel sat up a little straighter. "Really... well, I trust your judgment, then. Have a seat, please."
Kanon sank gratefully into a chair. "Where to start... as you know, at around noon yesterday, the Chinese Federation capital, the Vermillion Forbidden City, was attacked by a rebel faction. In the process, they managed to secure Empress Tianzi and kill several key High Eunuchs. The government is in a state of disarray- though the capital is under the control of the rebels, the rest of the Federation is still controlled by the High Eunuchs, who are gathering their forces in an attempt to drive the rebels out."
The golden-haired prince leaned forward. "So they were successful in taking control of the Forbidden City... this is quite unexpected. We have had intelligence reports on these rebels before, as I recall, and they did not seem nearly capable enough to pull this off," he noted. "Were our reports inaccurate?"
"I don't believe so- the Servants of the Heavens, as they call themselves, experienced extremely rapid growth in the last week, coinciding with the appointment of a new second-in-command, a man they call Xun Dao Zhe, or Truth Seeker. We're still investigating where this man came from, but he appears to have brought in huge donations, as well as causing a spike in recruitment. He's made them... well, fighting fit, it would seem," sighed Kanon. He smiled wearily. "A story that gives you deja vu, isn't it?"
Schneizel nodded solemnly. The parallels to the Black Knights' sudden rise in power were startling, to say the least. Did Zero have a hand in this? Did he inspire another to start their own revolution? I wonder... he mused. "Is there any way we can take advantage of the situation?" he asked.
His aid shrugged hopelessly. "If it were just a matter of us and the Chinese Federation, certainly, but the moment we move, the European Union will hit us. Even weakened and distracted, we can't do anything to China while we still have the EU to worry about... and since the EU themselves will be thinking the same thing about us, they can't do anything either. The whole world will just avert their eyes and pretend that they haven't noticed anything until the whole mess settles down."
"And if it doesn't settle down?" asked Schneizel calmly.
Kanon glanced up in surprise. "...Do you know something I don't, Schneizel?" he wondered.
Schneizel smiled. "I'm sure there are many things I know that you don't, Kanon, but right now, all I have is a suspicion that this little rebellion is not so little at all." He shook his head. "The parallels to the Black Knights are obvious, of course, but there are some very key differences as well- not the least of which being how impoverished the majority of the Chinese Federation is. Wealth is very binary there- you are rich or you are poor, with very little in between. And this makes for a very large population that would like to see change. It would not surprise me if these 'rebels' spoke for a majority of China."
Kanon blinked. "You think that they will succeed?" he asked.
"I think that the High Eunuchs have taken their power for granted for too long... and if this rebellion does not take them down, another soon will. Their 'empire' stands on pillars of sand, that much is clear." He leaned back. "Thank you for getting this report to me so quickly, Kanon. Go get some rest. I will see you tomorrow."
Kanon rose, and bowed slightly. "Tomorrow, my prince." He walked out slowly, his exhaustion apparent. So much to do... thought Schneizel. Things have gotten busy around here rather rapidly. He reached down to his phone, and hit the intercom. "Haley, could you send Cecile Croomy in?" he asked his secretary.
"Yes, your highness! I'll get her from the waiting room!" answered the girl enthusiastically. She'd only been working there for a week, and she was still quite energetic about her job. Schneizel smiled. It's good to see her taking such passion in her work.
The double doors open, and Cecile strode in timidly. "Dr. Croomy," said Schneizel warmly, rising to greet her. "Why is it that you're always so nervous? You must have been here a dozen times by now. Please, relax."
"Yes, your highness," answered Cecile quietly, still standing stiffly. Perhaps this is a reaction to Lloyd's overly casual nature- she feels the need to be exceedingly formal just to contrast him, he thought. After a moment, she sank into one of the chairs, and Schneizel sat back down as well.
"Merlin is going well?" he asked.
Cecile nodded. "We're making a lot of headway on the designs- currently, we have basic plans for some eight Frames. With the Lancelot and Gawain, that makes ten." She paused. "You haven't really told us our target, your highness."
"Well, there's good reason for that- I was waiting until the Emperor gave me permission to use this project the way I wanted to," explained Schneizel. He leaned forward. "What do you know about the Knights of the Round?"
The scientist frowned, considering the question. "A group of the twelve elite soldiers- the best in the Empire- who are given special permissions and privileges so that they might better protect Britannia's interests. That's just the premise, however- we haven't actually had twelve at any one time in more than half a century."
"Correct," nodded Schneizel. "The Knights of the Round have become something of a relic of times past- back when a Knight would lead an army into battle on horseback. A few skilled fighters here and there have earned the title- like Lady Marianne, of course- but for the most part, the organization has fallen into disuse. It's outdated." He leaned forward, and folded his hands. "And I intend to revive it."
"Revive it?" repeated Cecile. "As team of Knightmare pilots?"
"Precisely. Merlin's job, then, would be to design and maintain Frames for the Knights. One for each Knight. And the Knights of the Round would become a true force to be reckoned with. The problem, of course, Dr. Croomy, was that the Knights became rather irrelevant. With the advent of jet fighters, and then eventually Knightmares, the difference between a skilled and average pilot became smaller, and smaller. In the area of swords and armor, one exceptionally skilled warrior could change a battle... but in a Glasgow, no matter how skilled you are, there is a limit to how the machine can perform. In essence, it made the Knights of the Round unexceptional. Their skill was wasted on the machine, because it had a hard skill cap.
"With this newest generation of Knightmares, like the Lancelot and the Gawain, we are finally seeing that cap stripped away. We are finally seeing machines that are powerful enough, fast enough, strong enough, that it takes a truly skillful pilot to master them. And when mastered... their power is almost more than can be believed."
"And they're also forbiddingly expensive," added Cecile.
Schneizel chuckled. "There is that as well, of course. We couldn't possibly afford to make these standard issue. Even making twelve such Frames is going to cost us a fortune. I really don't know how the Black Knights afford all their technology. But that's neither here nor there. How go things with the team?"
"Lucretia and Sancia are getting along quite well- they're really driving the design along. They've even offered some ideas for the Lancelot, which we may need to act on. Mariel and Bradley are making some great progress on our control systems, and Nina..." Cecile paused. "Nina's task is more tricky. It's hard to tell if she's making progress, because her work is pretty cut and dry- either she's got a fission reaction, or she doesn't. At the moment, she doesn't. Frankly, sir, we need to get her a better testing area."
"The equipment we've provided isn't up to the task?" asked Schneizel. There was no menace to the question- he wanted his scientists to have whatever they needed. If they didn't have it, he would get it.
Cecile shook her head. "It's not that. It's more a... well, your highness, if one of her experiments goes wrong she could easily blow up the whole facility. She's dealing with... very, very potent stuff. She needs somewhere to experiment where if it goes off, there will be no casualties."
Schneizel raised an eyebrow. "Worrying indeed... I will find a place for her, then. You think she can do this, though?"
The woman frowned. "Prince Schneizel... myself and my team, all the other researchers... we're developers of technology. We are used to working on a... a higher level of science. What Nina is... well, it's something more essential, more... core. She's working with the elements themselves. It's not a field I'm very experienced with, and thus I have a hard time judging. But she knows what she's doing."
"If you're certain," said Schneizel. He reached down to his desk, and picked up a simple manilla folder of papers. "This is the approved roster of the new Knights of the Round," he told her, handing it to her. Cecile held it, and glanced at it hesitantly, uncertain whether to look at it now or later. "Go ahead and look it over."
The researcher nodded, and flipped it open. One by one, she pulled out the personnel files and examined them. It was interesting to watch her face, Schneizel thought- quite a few of them were recognizable names, well known ace pilots from various divisions of the Britannian military. Some of them had been in the newspaper... and while many of those were for articles with titles like "Hero Holds the Line," some of them were for less... pleasant achievements. One stood out in Schneizel's mind- "Bloodthirsty Pilot Devastates Enemy and Civilian Alike." But Schneizel wasn't aiming to find nice guys. He just wanted skilled pilots. Cecile's mouth twisted into a frown at a few of the files, but at one of them she stopped, and her eyes opened wide. "Suzaku?" she uttered in amazement.
"Yes, the warrant officer has been approved by the Emperor as one of the new Knights," confirmed Schneizel with a nod. "I'm not sure why it surprises you- you've seen first hand how incredibly talented he is. The Lancelot dances in his hands."
"But... he's an Eleven!" exclaimed Cecile. "I'm not... displeased, it just seems a strange decision, your highness."
"He is an Honorary Britannian. And the law states quite clearly that an Honorary Britannian should be treated no differently than a natural-born one." Schneizel shook his head. "That part of the law has rather been ignored... and the Emperor is not pleased. Consider this part of a campaign of his to fix the inequality."
Cecile stared at the file, lost in thought. "Have you told him?" she asked.
Schneizel shook his head. "I thought you might want to."
"I... thank you, my prince... for giving him this chance. He's really... really a good person. He'll make Britannia proud." She did not add it, but Schneizel could tell that she was thinking "unlike some of the people in this folder." That she did not like some of the new Knights was fine. She was a professional- she would do her job whether she liked them or not.
Schneizel paused. Technically, that was all the business he needed with her... but he had been hearing things lately. Nothing big, just... little things. About Cecile. That she'd been... more short-tempered lately, less patient, and also somewhat careless. They were all small things, nothing he would have thought twice about with a subordinate... but these issues had all arisen shortly after Lloyd left, and he was mildly concerned about how his new research chief was handling the betrayal. It wouldn't do for her to have a breakdown, after all. That kind of delay was the last thing they needed.
"Have you spoken to Lloyd since he left?" he asked quietly.
Cecile went rigid. "...No," she answered shortly.
"It's not treason to stay friends with him," said Schneizel gently. "I know you two were very good friends, and I-"
"Is that all, your highness?" asked Cecile suddenly, interrupting him. Schneizel blinked- she was angry. Really, genuinely angry. She never got angry. This is bothering her even more than I had anticipated... I should have been more subtle.
"No, that's all, Cecile," sighed Schneizel. "Thank you- you may leave. You can take that folder with you as well- that copy is for Merlin's use. Take care."
"Thank you, my prince," replied Cecile with a bow, and then she stood, and left.
Schneizel drummed his fingers on his desk. Where does this leave me? The Chinese Federation is in the middle of a revolution, the Black Knights are growing stronger by the day, the European Union is on the defensive... my enemies are being quite troublesome of late. I've figured out who Zero must be- all I need to do is confirm it. That would happen face-to-face, however, and that would be difficult to arrange for obvious reasons-
The doors flew open, and Karine le Britannia marched in. "Schneizel!" exclaimed the excitable, eccentric girl warmly. "What have you been up to?"
Schneizel didn't blink at the sudden, violent entry. "Why, Karine, this is a surprise," he commented, his tone making it clear that it wasn't surprising at all. "I suppose you've heard about the roster, then?"
"Schneizel!" exclaimed Karine again, but this time in shock. "Can't a sister visit her brother without being accused of having an agenda?"
"I should hope not," smiled Schneizel. "I would hate to learn I'd overestimated you."
"Oooo, you say the meanest things sometimes, Schneizel!" declared Karine, frowning. "Why is it that you're so silver-tongued with everyone else, but you're always so blunt with me?"
Because subtlety is wasted on you, thought Schneizel. "You are a very straight-forward woman, Karine. I would not want to insult you by being any less straight with you."
"Ooo, well played," grinned Karine. "Yes, I have come because of the roster."
"I put your favorite on there, Karine. Luciano made the cut despite his obvious issues. What problem do you have with it?" asked Schneizel innocently.
Karine narrowed her eyes. "Gino? That soft-heart? And even a couple of Numbers? What were you thinking, brother?"
I've no intention of telling you, sister. Not that you would comprehend it even if told. "My goals are, as ever, entirely transparent," declared Schneizel placatingly.
"Do you mean that you can see right through them, or that you can't see them at all?" demanded Karine. Schneizel smiled infuriatingly, and Karine sighed in frustration. "Fine, have your secrets. But when your Numbers get themselves killed because they can't take the pressure, I don't expect to mourn much."
"I would have thought you'd be more supportive," said Schneizel, though he didn't think that at all. "After all, one of them is an Eleven- you'll be his Steward in a few weeks."
"Ha!" said Karine quietly. "And that's supposed to give me warm, fuzzy feelings? A bunch of cowardly, weaselly brats who won't stand up for themselves, but will quietly pass money to a group of terrorists... that whole Area needs to be beaten into shape. Clovis handled them with kiddy gloves, and Cornelia... heh, she just got unlucky. Now you've got me all riled up, Schneizel. Ready to fight." She grinned. "I'll see you later, brother."
And that is why she is both the worst and best possible Steward. The people there will hate her. Her aggression and stupidity will fan the flames of discontent even higher, fueling the revolution. Feeding the Order of the Black Knights. And that's just what I want. Schneizel leaned back, watching his sister leave. Zero is resourceful and brilliant, but he's just not in the position he needs to be to make a worthy foe. He does the best he can with what he has, but I have an empire, and he has a crowd of rabble.
No, Karine is perfect because she will forge Zero into a worthy foe. Giving him the support, resources, and reputation he will need to face me head-on. And then we will have a match worthy of princes. "It will be quite the party..." he mused. Then he paused.
"Party..." he repeated, and then he grabbed his phone, dialing another of his advisors. "Maxwell? Call a press conference for this evening- internationally televised. Subject?" He grinned. "We're going to offer Zero an invitation..."
And we all know just how that invitation worked out. This is another one of those chapters where I get to make full use of the fact that I can show you things before they happen in AR. The people who just read AR aren't going to learn about Karine being the next steward for a good 2-3 chapters, for instance.
Speaking of Karine, she was actually a little tricky to write. Not because I "can't understand her"... because there's nothing to understand! She has one scene in the entire anime where she speaks, and then it's only to talk about how much she loves war. Yeah, that's real inspiring stuff, Karine . So I rather necessarily took a lot of creative license with her. She's now... hrm, what's a good comparison... I'm sure there's some anime character that she's a lot like, and I'm sure you guys will let me know who =P But yeah, she's a blatant warmonger who doesn't really get the consequences of war in the way only royalty can manage not to. Sure, she understands what pain, death, and loss are- things that happen to other people. So that tells her pretty much all you need to know about her.
And if you guessed that she's gonna get killed, well... congratulations. Maybe you'd like to predict that at some point in the near future the sun will rise XD (I tease. She definitely is gonna get herself killed one way or another, and if you guessed that, good for you. Though she does kind of paint a target on herself with her asinine behavior.)
One more comment before I go- I was working on another Side Story, but... well, it sucked, frankly. I got a little over halfway done, and it was just a piece of crap. I'm going to run it by some people who I trust to beta read it, see if they can help me salvage it. We'll see what happens.
Review, comment, question, all that jazz, and I'll see you next time!