10. Chapter 10
FATE'S DEBT
CHAPTER TEN: NARITA PART 2
Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass but I own this fiction and any other OC's in this story
ITALIC: THOUGHS
Jeremiah Gottwald was standing regally while listening to the assessments of Cornelia's strategists about the upcoming assault on Narita Mountains. If he could give a comment on the strategy that Cornelia and her advisers were formulating, he would tell them that they don't have a chance to begin with. Against conventional opponents, against the JLF, the plan would work flawlessly and they would slaughter them with little to no problem, but against his lord, against Zero, it was like bringing a knife to a gun fight.
'Was Lady Cornelia this outgunned when it comes to strategy before?'Jeremiah thought as he half-heartedly listened to the rambling of Cornelia's advisers.
"We're certain that the Japan Liberation Front's headquarters are in this Area." Dalton reported, standing before a 2D map of the Narita Mountains. "We've already split four battalions into seven units and hidden them in the vicinity. We've only to wait for the Viceroy's signal, and then we'll surround them in one fell swoop and wipe them out."
"And are you confident that the enemy will not show up outside the encirclement line?" Euphemia asked curiously, wanting to at least contribute a bit with the operation. All eyes turn to her as Cornelia smiled a bit.
Cornelia sat on a makeshift throne and beside's her was her faithful knight, Guilford. "You mean Zero." Cornelia mumbled with amusement.
"Have no fear about that." Dalton assured the young princess. "As the operation begins, we'll be blocking off the surrounding highways and mountain roads also."
"Plus, we have reserve units. If Zero is stupid enough to come, it'll be the end of him." Cornelia added confidently.
Euphemia looked a bit unsure, she did not have any experience in battle but she has a sneaking feeling that this will not end well for her sister.
"What about the civilians?" Jeremiah asked, speaking for the first time. Instantly, the attention of everyone in the room was turned to Jeremiah. Even though the Orange Incident played differently than last time and his status as a Margrave was intact, he was still not trusted in the Military Affairs, together with the Purists Faction. "If I am not mistaken, there are towns bellow Narita Mountains, what assurance do we have that they won't be caught in the crossfire?" Jeremiah inquired, careful with his words as he felt the piercing gaze of Princess Cornelia on him.
"We've already deployed soldiers to evacuate the civilians on the nearby town, Margrave Gottwald." Guilford stated firmly as he narrowed his eyes on the leader of the purists faction.
"I am quite aware of that, my lord." Jeremiah said with a passive yet respectful tone, he must keep his temper for the plan to work, he reminded himself. "But there is one more town below the Mountains in Narita. Are they being evacuated as well?" Jeremiah asked with a respectful tone.
"It is not necessary, Margrave Gottwald." Dalton stated firmly. "The town is nowhere near the battlefield. They will not be caught in the crossfire."
"I am not quite certain of that, my lord. After all, cornered animals tend to rely on desperate measures to save themselves in peril." Jeremiah exclaimed, leaving implications on the battle harden generals. "If I may milady, I would gladly evacuate those civilians." Jeremiah offered as he kneels in front of Cornelia.
Cornelia narrowed her eyes on the disgraced Margrave, this was suspicious. "And why are you worried about those civilians, civilians that are not even threatened to be caught in the crossfire, Gottwald?" Cornelia asked with a sharp tone that actually sends shivers up his spine in fright.
"Because it would be a real pity to lose a drop of Britannian Blood and everyone present here are aware that changes may occur in the heat of battle. I just do not want to see an innocence life wasted." Jeremiah said, trying to endear a certain princess. "And if I'm honest with myself, seeing that I will not be participating in the actual battle, I could at least make myself a bit useful." Jeremiah added, earning him a calculating gaze from Cornelia's most trusted knights, Guilford and Dalton.
"Sister, please allow Margrave Jeremiah to evacuate those civilians." Euphemia requested to her sister with a pleading tone and that was enough to cause the disgraced Margrave to smile. It was all according to plan. Euphemia will always jump the gun whenever there's chance to save the innocent and Cornelia cannot say no to her favorite sister.
Cornelia looked a bit unsure but that changed when her knight whispered something to her ear. "Milady, I think it'll be wise to grant Gottwald's wishes, the farther away he is in the battlefield, the better." Guilford still did not trust Gottwald for the simple reason that he had let Zero embarrass him in national TV, that and because he did not even attempt to pursue Zero during their confrontation.
Cornelia nodded as she gazed upon the disgrace Margrave. "Permission granted, Gottwald, but you may only take a few soldiers and you can only take one member of the Purist Faction."
"Thank you, Milady." Jeremiah thanked her with a gleeful tone as Cornelia dismissed him. It was as his master predicted.
As Jeremiah exited the Command Center, he took his phone out of his pocket and instantly called Villetta, informing her that they have a new mission before calling his lord.
"My Lord, it has been done." Jeremiah reported with a low tone.
"Very good Jeremiah, very good." Lelouch complimented on the other line. "Remember, after you evacuate the civilians, you will stall Tohdoh and his Holy Swords. I've installed some weaponry and customized your Sutherland a bit but I still do not know how it would match up against the Burai Kai."
Jeremiah laughed a bit at that. "Do not fret my Lord, as good as Tohdoh is, I am simply better." Jeremiah assured him with a confident tone.
"Good and do not forget, if you can capture him, the better." Lelouch said as Jeremiah nodded once again.
"I will not disappoint you, milord." Jeremiah exclaimed fiercely.
"You are never a disappointment, Jeremiah." Lelouch told him as he hung-up.
(Scene Change)
"Hey Lelouch, who called you?" Rivalz asked as he and the rest of the student council, with the exception of Cecelia and Kallen, sat in a lobby of some building. Before they go hiking, they stopped in the town located on the base of Mount Narita so that Shirley could visit her father, like Lelouch promised her.
"It's just Cecelia," Lelouch lied to them as he returned his phone back to his pocket. "She's complaining about her brother again, as usual." Lelouch explained and that seems to convince them. Lelouch then began doting on Nunnally while secretly plotting this weekend's activity. Beating Cornelia will only take five hours at most, the whole afternoon, if she changes any of her plans. After beating Cornelia, he'll spend some time with Nunnally and his friends while perfecting Aria, he did actually plan this weekend for his friends anyway. He'll deal with Kyoto when the time comes.
"DADDY," Lelouch's musing was cut short when he saw Shirley flinging herself in her father's arms and instantly, he felt a pang of guilt knowing that, in his past lifetime, he was responsible in killing her wonderful father.
"You're a sight for sore eyes, my dear." Her father greeted with a rather happy tone. "I'm glad that you're here and all, but what are you doing in these parts of Area 11?" Her father asked curiously while father and daughter embraced each other.
Shirley looked sheepish for a moment before gesturing at the assembled people behind her. "Daddy, these are my friends from the Student Council." Shirley said as she gestured to her friends. The Student Council Members waved at him politely before they began introducing themselves.
"Hello, Mr. Fenette, I'm Milly Ashford, your lovely daughter's president." Milly introduced herself with a small, respectful bow.
"I'm Nina sir,"
"Rivalz is the name sir, I'm the secretary."
"Lelouch Lamperouge sir and this is my sister, Nunnally Lamperouge." Lelouch introduced himself and his sister respectfully as the man that he killed in his last lifetime eyed him carefully. Shirley's father then approached him before narrowing his eyes on him.
"Your name is Lelouch, right? You're that boy that my daughter seems to be so fond off." Joseph Fenette exclaimed with a suspicious tone as he cast a calculating gaze on Lelouch. Lelouch looked startled for a moment before the memory of Shirley confessing to him suddenly dawned to him.
Another pang of guilt and pain struck him, but he was able to suppress it.
"She's fond of me sir?" Lelouch asked in an oblivious tone as Shirley pulled her father away from him by the ear.
"Ignore him Lulu, just ignore him." Shirley said as she pinched her father on the ear. "He doesn't know what he's talking about!" Shirley added in hope that Lelouch did not take his father's words to heart. Milly on the other hand, did not let the opportunity slide.
"Yes sir, that's the boy that your daughter is extremely fond of." Milly said as she patted Shirley's father on the back. "In fact," Before Milly could say anything that would embarrass her, in front of her father no less, Shirley covered the mouth of the overbearing president, preventing her from speaking.
Her father gave him a bewildered looked at that. "Darling, are you okay?" Her father asked rather worriedly.
"I'm fine daddy, I'm fine." Shirley assured him as she pulled Milly back to her sit.
Her father nodded slowly before he eyed Lelouch once again. Lelouch wasn't fazed by the look that Shirley's father was giving him, in fact, he understood the man. If some boy would attempt to get near Nunnally, he would probably Geass the poor boy to torture himself before personally killing the boy, as slowly and as painful as possible at that. "So, Lelouch right, why is my daughter here again?" Joseph asked calmly.
Lelouch gave the overprotective man a small smile. "The Student Council is going hiking for the weekend sir for a recreational activity. We just drop by so Shirley could see you." Lelouch answered, careful with his words to not upset his friend's father.
"I see," Joseph then eyed his daughter worriedly before gazing back at Lelouch. "Do you have a teacher chaperoning this trip?" Joseph asked, wanting to have a little chat with the teacher in charge so that he can inform them what would happen to them if his daughter had a small scratch on her person after this trip.
"Unfortunately sir, this is not a school funded trip. This is a personal trip I arrange for me, my sister and our friends. If it's any consolation sir, a ninja is with us for our protection, no pun intended." That caused Shirley's father's gazed to harden on him. "But if you want sir, you could chaperone this trip." Lelouch said, startling everyone, even causing Shirley to gasp in shock.
Before they could question him, he cut them off before they could utter a word. "Come on now guys, this trip was originally plan for me, Nunnally, Sayoko, and Nina only, but seeing that we have three more additions in the trip, I think some changes are in order, and seeing that I can't have that guy to accompany us, Shirley's father is the next responsible adult available." Lelouch explained to them, truthfully, he would prefer to have Jeremiah with them but he would probably need to create a convoluted and semi-believable story on how he knew the leader of the purist faction. "What do you say sir, you'll be looking after us and at the same time, you'll be spending some quality time with your daughter, it's a good deal." Lelouch added as the man in front of him was contemplating with the idea.
Finally, after a minute or so, Joseph spoke. "I would love to but I have worked to do today." He answered with a rather unpleased tone.
Lelouch would have none of that. His plan to save the civilians in this town was under process but he would make extra sure to save Shirley's father, he owed her that much. "Your boss's name is Adam Theodore, am I correct sir?" Lelouch asked and Shirley's father could only nodded in confusion. "Is he here, sir?" Once again, Shirley's father nodded in confirmation. Lelouch chuckled at this as he took his phone and dialed a number.
"Hey Theodore, remember me." Lelouch greeted before closing his phone. They all looked at him strangely before an old man bolted from the stairs and approached them. The man was in his late forties and was wearing an expensive suit. It was also noticeable that he was sweating at the sight of Lelouch.
"Mr. Lamperouge," The man greeted nervously. "I thought we had an agreement about the payments of my debts to you." The man said with a nervous tone while everyone looks at Lelouch with a startled expression.
"I'm not here to collect debts; I'll do that next month." Lelouch exclaimed with a chuckle. "Last I check, you owe me 450,000 pounds, so what would you say we cut that in half?" Lelouch offered and the man in front of him instantly nodded with enthusiasm. Lelouch did not even notice the god smacked expression his friends have on their faces.
(Scene Change)
"That was mean, brother." Nunnally scolded her brother lightly as he helped her in the large SUV that he was able to purchase for the trip. Milly dubbed it the Council Mobile, much to Lelouch's horror.
"I know Nunna but we need to get a new driver." Lelouch then glared at Rivalz. "Drive like that with Nunnally on the car again, I swear to God (The World of C) I'll run you over with the Ganymede before burying your body sixty feet under and that is after I burn your corpse to dust with a Knightmare Rifle." Lelouch threatened his blue-haired friend causing Rivalz to back away from his homicidal friend.
"It was an accident man." Rivalz excused himself but Lelouch didn't even pay those words any mind.
"You are lucky that the SUV is customized with bullet proof glass and heavily fortified metal or else, Nunnally would have been hurt and I would have thrown you off the car." Lelouch said to him as Nunnally pinched him on the arm.
"Brother stopped scaring Rivalz." Nunnally lectured as Lelouch patted her in the head. He then step back a bit as Sayoko entered the car and sat beside Nunnally, she and Lelouch exchanged a glanced before the ninja-maid nodded, understanding the message behind the glance. Lelouch closed the door before handing the key to Shirley's father.
"Sayoko knows the way to the cabin I rented, just ask her for directions." Lelouch instructed the man. Joseph instantly changed to casual clothing after his boss gave him a two days break. He would have never thought that his boss has a huge gambling debt with the boy in front of him.
"Thanks but aren't you accompanying us, I mean, you did arrange this trip?" Joseph inquired curiously as Lelouch gave him a small smile.
"I'll have to buy some supplies for our three days stay." Lelouch explained to him as he opened the door to the drivers sit. "They already know and as much as I would like them to accompany me, this is my trip so I'm responsible of actually feeding them for three days." Lelouch explained as he opened the door.
"Hey Lulu, remember the lists that I gave you, I want everything written there to be bought." Milly instructed playfully. "Girls need some things to survive in the wild."
"Sure, whatever," Lelouch shrugged as he prevented Shirley's father from entering the SUV. "If something bad happens to my sister, I'm going to break your neck." Lelouch threatened as the middle age father gave Lelouch an understanding smile.
"Don't worry boy, my daughter is here as well, after all." Joseph said with an assuring tone as he entered the SUV.
"Please be careful brother." Nunnally said with a gentle tone as the door closed.
"Stay safe," Nina whispered in a barely audible tone as the engine of the car started.
Lelouch eyed the car passively, he was risking a lot in bringing his friends near the battlefield but he must do this for his own sake as well. He needed something close to make him as human as possible. His plan may be prepared and ready but things tend to escalate at the heat of battle.
"Let's get this over with." Lelouch mumbled as he head to the warehouse where he store his Knight Giga fortress.
(Scene Change)
"All units are in position."
"Understood," Cornelia answered as she prepared her custom Gloucester for battle. "Euphemia will provide logistical support from G-1 as planned. Have her command the medical group." Cornelia instructed.
"Yes, your highness." The soldier said as he logged off. Another communication link suddenly opened in Cornelia's frame.
"Princess Cornelia," Cornelia instantly interrupted her knight at that.
"Guildford, let me guess, this is about Euphy, isn't it?" Cornelia asked in a knowing tone.
"Yes, she should really be in a Government Agency." Guilford commented causing the regal princess to sigh.
"But she is being unusually stubborn about this." Cornelia said with a small smile. "She told me she wanted to see actual combat for herself."
Inside G-1, Euphemia suddenly noticed something on the map.
"What is that unit there, holding the rear?" Euphemia asked, as she pointed at the golden figure on the rear of the G-1.
"Our reserve force with an Eleven Pilot." One of her sister's advisers in formed her.
"What?" Euphemia said in surprise as she gazed at the person who answered her. "You mean that's the Lancelot."
"As a rule, numbers are not permitted to operate Knightmares but that particular unit is an exception."
"The second prince is the patron of that unit; we have no say over their personnel selection but he said he wants them have as many chances at real combat as possible." Euphemia frowned at that. She knew what Suzaku was capable off and her brother spoke highly of him. He being excluded in the operation for the simple reason that he was Japanese was unwise she thought.
(Scene Change)
On the summit of the mountain, the Black Knights were preparing their forces. Seventeen Sutherlands, Thirteen Burais, Five heavily modified Gloucesters, and two Seven Generation Frames stood beside the Black G-1 land cruisers while more than 200 infantrymen prepared some anti-Knightmare and anti-tank weapons as well as some Chemically-Altered Missiles for the upcoming assault. Below them, the excavators that they brought with them burrowed onto the soil of the mountain.
"Hey, Zero's little sister, where's Zero and Lelouch?" Ohgi asked as he approached the green haired teen that was leaning on the Silver Knightmare frame.
C.C. gave Ohgi a blank look. "If you are going to call me something, call me C.C." C.C. told the former resistance leader before diverting her gaze back to the excavators. "As for where my brother and Lelouch are, they are picking up a weapon." C.C. answered bluntly.
Ohgi was about to ask some more when Kallen put a hand over his shoulder. "Forget it Ohgi, that girl won't give you a straight answer even if our lives are depending on it." Kallen told him with a bored tone.
"You sound like you're used to it already." Ohgi commented as Kallen merely shrugged.
"I go to school with her, you'll get used to it eventually." Kallen said with a groan. "Why are you so nervous about anyway, you are the first one to agree with the deal they presented us in the first place?"
"I know that," Ohgi exclaimed with grim voice. "But still, are they serious with this?" Ohgi wondered as a large shadow was suddenly cast over them. That itself caught everyone's attention as they all look up.
"Looks like they're here." C.C. said as a large machine landed beside the G-1. Everyone stared in awe as the Black Phoenix-like machine stood over them, its mechanical wings was completely open, showcasing the full body of the machine.
The Knigh Giga Fortress was roughly 14 meters in height and was pitch black with gold highlights across its body. Overall, the machine resembled a phoenix. The head resembled a Fenghuang (Chinese Phoenix). The body of the machine was heavily built and fortified with thick armor. The insignia of the Black Knights could be clearly seen in their vantage point as well as two Slash Harkens mounted on the wings of the machine. The machine has four angelic wings and the full wing span of machines was twenty-one meters. The wings look very angelic and very authentic but keen observers could see the line of many thrusters hidden in the wings. Strangely, on the center of the machine, was a silver, circular device.
A compartment suddenly opened on the neck of the machine and all the Black Knight could only watched as their leader descended down on them from the large, mystical machine.
"What the fuck is that thing?" Tamaki asked as he pointed at the machine that stood behind the Magdalene and the Guren, his expression in awe.
"That Tamaki is our command unit, Kuro hōō." Zero explained as he approached his soldiers. "With this, I can properly lead our army in the frontlines." Zero added as suddenly shifted his gazed on Ohgi. "How's the preparations?"
"Thirty minutes and the preparations will be complete." Ohgi answered approaching their leader. "Say, are we really going to do this?" Ohgi asked as he voiced his concern to their leader.
"Our opponent is Cornelia Li Britannia." Zero informed the former resistance leader "Whose forces are among the best Britannia has to offer and their accolades and achievements speak volumes to the level of skill she has in leading her army." He then gazed down at the excavators. "With these, we can level the playing field in our favor."
"If that's the case, shouldn't we help out the JLF?" Ohgi wondered, the former school teacher turned revolutionary looking down at the mountain, where the Liberation Front's headquarters was supposed to be hidden.
"We will help them but in our own way." Zero answered as he gazed at the soldiers that surrounded him. "Tell me, when you look down, what do you see?" Zero asked them as he motioned for them to look at the ground.
"I see dirt." Tamaki answered in confusion.
"I, on the other hand, see a weapon." Zero told them as he gazed at Ohgi. "Tell me, what is the most common cause of death in mountainous areas?" Zero inquired his second in command as Ohgi still look a bit clueless.
"Landslides, I think." As Ohgi uttered those words, the realization dawned to him as well as most of the Black Knights as they could only gape at the genius of their leader.
"Those drills are breaking into deposits of groundwater. Kallen's Guren's radiation claw will provide more than enough heat to boil it causing an artificial avalanche to fall on top of Cornelia's forces. Whoever survives the avalanche, we will take them down, one at a time." Zero then turn his attention back to the drills. "This is the principle of war that we will live by, a sword can kill a single man, but tactics can slay armies. Why should we face overwhelming forces head on if we can use nature herself to do our dirty work?" Zero lectured them as he gestured the mountain to them.
"If you do not have further question, I suggest you help the excavators dig. I want to drop tons of Japanese Earth over Cornelia." Zero ordered as Tamaki suddenly shouted.
"YOU HEARD THE MAN, LET'S DIG." Tamaki shouted as every infantryman grabbed a shovel and began helping the machines to borrow under the ground.
"You're late, brother." C.C. said as she stood beside him in his left side.
"The configuration of the Search Eye System and ZERO-System took longer than I thought it would be and I had to take care of some personal matters." Zero excused himself as Kallen stood on his right.
"So that thing will be your weapon, not bad." Kallen commented as her shoulder rubbed on his.
"Thank you, My Queen. Do not worry about me, my dear, I've had enough time to install that shield in my frame last night so the offensive capabilities of Kuro hōō just tripled." Zero assured her as the three figure heads of the Black Knights await for the moment of battle to come.
(Scene Change)
"Viceroy, it's time." Dalton informed Cornelia as she played with her controls in excitement.
"Right, commence operation." Cornelia's voice echoed in the airwaves as her Gloucester's rocketed from the G-1's catapults.
At that order, her army suddenly broke out from hiding and began advancing on the mountain slopes. In no time, Sutherlands and Gloucesters flooded the base of the mountain flanked by several tanks. The sky was suddenly filled with VTOL Gunship and Knightmare VTOL as Knightmares suddenly descended from the sky.
"You the Japan Liberation Front; You who time has left behind; You who have forgotten basic human decency; You and your dream of a bygone golden age shall fall and rot to nothingness." Cornelia whispered as she and her knight charge towards battle.
(Scene Change)
"It's begun," Zero proclaimed as the Black Knights stared at the forces that they would face soon. "Everybody battle stations, My Queen to position, My Witch it's time to show them the magic of the Magdalene." Zero ordered as the two woman gave him a bow.
"Yes, my lord." The two shouted in unison. Lelouch Lamperouge, Lelouch vi Britannia, Zero, was the man they love and they would do anything for him. The two of them were his Knights, his Queens, and he is their prince, their Emperor and they would protect him with their lives.
As the two approach their Knightmares, Zero faced his army. "Brave children of Japan, in this day, we will fight and we will give Britannia a taste of defeat. On this land, we shall show them the Japanese pride and strength that has constantly defied them for seven years. Today, the sun will once again rise in this country." Zero proclaimed as he raised his hand. "In this day, help me raise the sun in The Land of The Rising Sun." At those words, cheers erupted from the Black Knights.
Lelouch smiled behind his mask as he raised his hand dramatically. "LONG LIVE JAPAN!"
"LONG LIVE JAPAN, ALL HAIL ZERO!" The cheers from the rebels were thunderous as they all went to their respective battle station, their body filled with adrenaline that all of them could feel that they could take out an army by themselves.
Zero first boarded the Kuro hōō before removing his mask. The cockpit of the Kuro hōō was very spacious, so large in fact that he could probably fit four people inside the cockpit. Several screen was positioned inside the cockpit, the most prominent being the large screen in front of him, which doubled as its aiming and targeting system as well as a 3 dimensional radar display. Lelouch pressed a button causing a helmet to envelop his head, the helmet looked similar to his Zero mask.
The mask is necessary for one reason alone and that reason is the ZERO-system. Lelouch had installed two special Systems in the Kuro hōō, the Search Eye System and the ZERO-system.
The Search Eye system would help him in combat and in leading his army to victory for the Search Eye System could intercept the enemy's IFF signal in a hundred mile diameter, no matter how elaborate or well protected they are. It also gathers data that the cameras and antennas cannot. During combat, it instantly calculates the precise position, movement, and weak points of an opponent, making the system incredibly useful for him as it allow him to actively see the battlefield.
The ZERO-system on the other hand was very useful yet difficult to use nonetheless. The ZERO-SYSTEM is a combat computer/pilot interface that he installed in the cockpit. He developed the ZERO system to be an interactive interface between a human pilot and the Knightmare Frame. The ZERO system connects directly with the mind of the pilot, flooding him with combat data and possible outcomes. The system is programmed to think tactically, so that the options that it feeds him will include civilian death or unnecessary destruction. It is up to Lelouch to guide the system and lend it a conscience, so the relationship becomes a balance of emotion and logic, something that he has plenty of. Another advantage of Zero System is its ability to offer physical stimulus back to the pilot, allowing him to feel the strain that the Knightmare is undergoing. This causes great physical and emotional stress to him, but allows the Knightmare Frame to become an extension of to his thoughts and movements.
There was one weakness however, due to the extreme mental strain and data overload, the Zero System could never be used on a wide scale. It can literally tear a users mind apart if they are not strong willed.
He designed the ZERO-system so that he could fight on par with Suzaku or Cornelia but luckily for him, he has C.C. and Kallen guarding him so the probabilities are, he may not even used the ZERO-system but if things get out of hand, he will used the Zero system.
Lelouch sighed as he opened a communication link. "Everyone, this is Magician, your resident Britannian, Head Tactician of the Black Knights, and the co-pilot of Kuro hōō. Let me inform all of you of our objective today. We, the Black Knights, will launch a surprise attack on the summit of the mountain. On my or Zero's instructions, you will charged down on point three. Our break through route will be opened by the Guren MK-II. The intent of this mission is simple, save as many of the JLF as humanly possible and cripple the military might of Cornelia's army." Lelouch voiced echoed into the field as most of them nodded in understanding.
"If you understand, then let's get this over with." Lelouch then attached a voice modulator on his right ear.
"Q1, W1 go to position." Lelouch ordered as the two Knigtmare frames came to life. The Magdalene jumped on the back of the Kuro hōō while the Guren approached. "Kallen, I think you know what happens next."
"Yes, yes I do." Kallen murmured as she positioned the right claw of her Guren on the designated penetration electron. The Middonaitorōtasu-Type 0 was mounted on the back of the Guren. She then waited patiently for Lelouch to signal her.
(Scene Change)
"The main enemy force should be coming anytime now. We're shifting to ECCM, channel Alpha-Four." Darlton ordered as he and his battalion advance up the mountain. "The enemy, what are we calling them again?" Dalton asked humorously.
"Burai, sir."
"Yes, watch out for those Glasgow rip-offs. These Elevens, they truly do not have originality." Darlton muttered with a smile.
"Yes, my lord."
As he said those words, several Green Burais suddenly appeared a couple of yards away from them, rifles in hand as they began raining down bullets onto Dalton and company. Being in the higher ground, the JLF pilots thought that they have the upper hand but that was not to be for they were up against a General of high caliber, they were up against Andreas Dalton.
"Spread and fire," Dalton ordered with a smile as the leading seven Gloucesters began to weave right to left in order to dodge the hail of bullets while occasionally firing the Bazookas that were mounted on their shoulders. The remaining Sutherlands and Gloucesters on the other hand, provided cover as they return fire with their own rifles. That had given the Britannians the desired effect as they instantly took down four frames while the Elevens only took out one.
Outnumbered, outgunned, and outclassed, the Japanese Pilots were forced to slowly back off from the charging Britannians and their return fire to avoid damage. Their positioning may be superior but the frames that the Britannians used were way advanced and the skill of the Britannian pilots were worlds apart from theirs.
The Burais moving out of position had given Dalton the opportunity to eliminate them in one attack. He accelerated his Gloucester and reached the top of the hill, so fast that it took the Japanese pilots by surprise. He then aimed his shoulder-mounted Bazooka, and with a quick pull of the trigger, fired several shots towards the enemy. The lack of training of the Japanese Pilots led them to their demise as they were not fast enough to dodge the rockets that exploded on impact on their Burais.
"Not even a challenge." Dalton mumbled in disappointment as he aimed his bazooka at the approaching Burais.
(With Cornelia)
Cornelia and her Royal Guards were advancing in a steady pace, hunting down the terrorist group that had been loitering around Area 11 for far too long. Cornelia actually smiled at the sight of three Knightmares rising up from the ground.
"So they turned this entire mountain to a fortress, how impressive." Cornelia commented sarcastically as she slowly accelerated her personal Gloucester towards the enemy Knightmare.
"Your majesty, please fall back." Guilford asked respectfully as his Gloucester caught up with Cornelia's.
"Guildford, don't confuse me with a common woman, would you." Cornelia lectured her knight as she charged full speed towards the Burais, her lance ready on her Gloucester's hands.
"PRINCESS CORNELIA," Guilford shouted as he watched his princess charged towards the enemy. If he was going to be honest with himself, he wasn't worried about his princess; he was more worried about their enemies and what she will do to them.
"It's Cornelia," A JLF pilot exclaimed in fear as the three Burais open fired on the purple Gloucester.
Cornelia almost laughed at how poor the skill level of those pilots has on their Knightmares. She was charging straight at them yet they couldn't even scratch the armor of her Gloucester. With a flick of her controls, her Gloucester swung the Jousting Lance, sending the three Burais reeling before impaling the Burai that was unfortunate enough to be in her attack range. The other two on the other hand were taken down by Guilford as he tore down with his rifle. Cornelia moved out from the explosion caused by a Knightmare exploding and fired a Slash Harkens on an unsuspecting bunker.
Guilford sighed as a small smile adorned his features. "Right, I'll cover you from the rear then." Guilford said with amusement.
Cornelia gave her knight a glance before opening an open channel. "Well, Cornelia is here, is there no one who will challenge me." Cornelia's challenge hung in the air as several Burais came out from out of nowhere and charged at her. There was a total of seven Burai, and they all charged at her, guns blazing.
Cornelia rolled her eyes, if this was the level of opposition that she will have to face; then this battle would be over in record time. She charged once again, readying her Knightmare's weapon. Her Gloucester swung the giant lance horizontally causing three Burais to be sent flying because of the force of the swing; she then used her Knigthmare's lance to propel her frame upwards before grabbing her rifle and opened fire on the Burais below her. The barrage of gunfire was enough to destroy two Burais, and Cornelia, followed her assault by impaling another Burai with a downward thrust, causing another explosion.
Guilford, not wanting these people to waste his Princess' time, charged in as well. He skewered the nearest enemy Knightmare before aiming and began to unleash a hail of bullets, forcing the pilot to eject before the Knightmare exploded. A Burai was about to attack him from behind but was prevented when Cornelia impaled the Knightmare through the cockpit, destroying it in the princess.
"Guildford, that was not necessary." Cornelia said with a rather sweet voice.
"My apologies, your highness, I just want to make myself a bit more useful." Guilford exclaimed as the memory of that red Gloucester filled his mind. "I still got a bone to pick with that Red Gloucester under Zero's command."
Cornelia chuckled a bit at that. "After were through with the Japanese Liberation Front, we'll hunt him down and you can have that rematch." Cornelia assured him, as they continue their advance.
(Scene Change)
The evacuation went on without a hitch and Jeremiah together with six units of Sutherland went to their next position. "Lord Jeremiah, why are we here?" Villetta asked curiously as her Sutherland was positioned right beside Jeremiah's frame, which was slightly modified.
Jeremiah chuckled a bit at that question. Villetta may be a nuisance for his lord's plans but she was still one of his most trustworthy subordinate. "Villetta, you may not know this for you are still inexperience when it comes to combat, and you are a soldier not a tactician." Jeremiah exclaimed to his friend as he opened a communication link. "If you have enough battle experience Villetta, you will clearly see that this path can be used by the enemy to attack the Viceroy from behind, something that I will not allow." Jeremiah stated as he remembered the instructions of his lord. Lelouch had told him the Tohdoh and his Holy Swords used this path to launch a surprised attack on Cornelia in the past, something that he must and will prevent. His mission has three objectives, first, to prevent the Tohdoh from entering the battlefield, second, to capture a specific member of the Four Holy Swords, and lastly, to redeem his reputation that is still stain after the debut of Zero.
"My Lord, are you sure about this?" Villetta asked, a bit unsure at the logic of her commanding officer. She checked the map and the IFF signals as well as the ECCM; their current position was devoid of any ally and enemy, something that bewildered her.
"Have I ever led you astray, Villetta?" Jeremiah asked her with a chuckle. To Villetta, that was a rhetorical question. "Trust me Villetta, just trust me, after the day ends, you'll be a step closer to that Baroness title that you so desire." Jeremiah assured her. His lord said to him that he has huge plans for her, plans that he did not want to know but he has a sneaking feeling that Ohgi will be involved with those plans.
His musing was interrupted when he saw two cargo trucks passing by, that was his cue. "Everyone open fire to those cargo trucks, now." Jeremiah ordered as he aimed his rifle on the two moving trucks.
"My lord, are you mad?" Villetta questioned him. "Those are civilians."
"No, Villetta, those are not civilians, those are the Special Forces lead by the infamous Tohdoh of Miracles." That information caused everyone to gasp in shock and fright. Tohdoh of Miracles was the man responsible for the single defeat of the Britannian Armada during the Pacific siege. "We do not let that man get near the battlefield; those Elevens will receive a major moral boost if that happens." Jeremiah told them as the six units that were with him all aimed their rifles at the trucks and opened fire. The effect was instantaneous; the trucks were torn to pieces from the hail of bullets that rain down upon them before exploding.
"Everyone charge in, now." Jeremiah ordered as the seven Sutherlands moved out from their hiding place and accelerated towards the smoke covered area. There charged was halted when five Burais burst out from the smoke and charged towards them. "Disperse and fire." Jeremiah roared as the seven Sutherlands separated while opening fire towards the modified Burais.
"Slash and encircle now." Tohdoh shouted through the private link while silently cursing. The Britannians expected them. The five Burais instantly encircled the seven enemy Sutherlands, their sword in hand as they tried for a pincer formation.
Jeremiah will not have any of that. He quickly aim the hip mounted Napalm Cannon that his Lord attached to his Sutherland and unleashed a torrent of flames towards the one of the Burais, causing the pilot to maneuver his frame away from the line of fire, forcing the rest to break formation. Those in his command followed his lead as they unleashed another hail of gunfire towards the enemy, an onslaught that the four dodge.
"God, how did they predict our movements?" Urabe cursed as he and his fellow comrades returned fire with the Torso-mounted Antipersonnel Machine Gun, which was their Burairs only form of long range weapon.
"Less talk, more firing boy." Senba shouted as his fellow Holy Sword and Tohdoh move from left to right to avoid the assault.
In another communication link, Jeremiah was having a field day. "I hate to say I told you so but, I told you so." Villetta growled at that but let it slide.
"Fine, your instincts is on the spot, happy now." Villetta replied as she concentrates on the enemies in front of her.
"Quite," Jeremiah then focus his attention to Tohdoh and his holy swords. "Everyone, we bring this five down, the Japanese Liberation Front will surely fall. ALL HAIL BRITANNIA." Jeremiah shouted as he and the rest charged.
"Let's take them down and assist General Katase." Tohdoh shouted as they charged in as well.
"TO THE HONOR OF THE FOUR HOLY SWORDS." The four members of the Holy Swords shouted as they charged in to battle.
(Scene Change)
"Sir, the Britannians are advancing in fast. Our forces in the front have been reduced to at least forty percent, and the enemy isn't showing any signs of slowing down." A JLF reported to Katase causing the old general to curse loudly.
"Is there any news from Tohdoh?" The general asked desperately.
"Nothing yet, sir." A young lieutenant answered, fear clearly visible in his expression.
"It's no good," The soldier running the radar shouted as he witness their forces taken down with little to no effort. "The second waved failed, it didn't even faze those Britannians."
"What incredible power." Katase mumbled in dread. "Their sheer dominance is insurmountable."
(Scene Change)
"General Dalton, based upon the location and concentration of the enemy's forces, we've determine that the entrance to the JLF'S citadel is located in that villa." Dalton smiled at that news as he and the remainder of his forces gazed at the lone villa that stood on top of the mountain. Around them, were heaps of steel that were once the enemies Knightmares
"I suppose this is what you'd call a 'bingo', eh." Dalton said with a slightly humorous tone.
"Not exactly sir,"
"Just call it already, 'captain vocabulary'." Dalton ordered with a bit of humor lacing his voice as the frame beside him launched a flare up to the sky.
A couple miles away, Cornelia and Guilford saw the flare. "Is that Dalton?" Cornelia asked as she and her group continues their advance up the mountain.
"So that is where the main enemy base is located." Guildford said with a bored tone. The enemies that they fought were not even a challenge that he could probably take them all out.
"Right, we'll be securing our position here." Cornelia informed her knight.
"Are you sure about this?" Guildford asked, already knowing what would be her answer.
"I don't need to steal achievements from my subordinates." Cornelia exclaimed softly. "Send the reserve force to back up Dalton, looks like he'll be getting another medal." Cornelia said when suddenly, a public communication link suddenly opened and a voice that made the princess sneer in anger echoed in the airwaves.
"Cornelia," the taunting voice of Zero suddenly flooded the entire battlefield, halting the entire battle in the process. "This is your one and only warning, run while you're still ahead." Zero advised with a mocking voice as Cornelia visibly growled.
"Zero," Cornelia all but spat. "It is quite kind of you to join us now; I can destroy every ounce of resistance in Area 11 because of your stupidity." Cornelia said regally.
"I doubt that my dear, I truly doubt that." Zero told her, much to Cornelia's irritation. Zero was talking to her like he was talking to a child. "Last chance, your highness, run and save as many of your men as possible. This is my second warning, you will not receive another." Zero stated with a tone that send shivers up Cornelia's spine.
Cornelia wasn't fazed at with his threats. "What about you get out from wherever you are hiding and face me like a man?" Cornelia challenged. Zero could only sigh in reply.
"I warned you Cornelia." Zero said with a low voice. "Witch, I gave her a warning, right?"
"Yes but she's too arrogant to actually believe a legitimate threat, what a Royal Ass." A feminine voice that sounded so coy that it actually annoyed and angered Cornelia echoed in the airwaves.
"My Queen, I gave her a fair warning, am I correct?" Zero inquired again, causing Cornelia to growl. He was mocking her.
"Yes, my Lord." That voiced made Guildford growled in anger. That was the girl that embarrassed him in Saitama.
"I gave you a fair warning Cornelia, the death of your men will be in your head." Zero exclaimed a vicious voice. "Katase, gather your forces and run, I'll take our royal Viceroy from here and by the way, Tohdoh and his Holy Swords will not make it, Orange boy is keeping them preoccupied at the moment." Zero stated with a laughed as the Purist Faction as well as Cornelia looked startled at that news.
"Such a wise boy that Orange Boy is, predicting a path that Tohdoh could use to attack our dear Viceroy from behind, I should have just killed him back then." Zero chuckled dementedly at that as the news of Tohdoh arriving reach him ten minutes ago and it seems that Jeremiah was doing a good job at keeping the commander at place. "I could always deal with Orange boy next time but for now, my dear Queen, hit it." Zero ordered as the link suddenly went off.
(Scene Change)
"Hitting it," Kallen exclaimed loudly as he activate the Radiant Wave Surger. Just like last time, the Radiation surge through the claw through the drill as it travela down through the excavator to the underground water reserve of the mountain.
There was a moment of silence as the Black Knights waited in anticipation for what will happen. After a couple of seconds, each tenser than the last, the earth shook wildly as the ground beneath them suddenly burst as water mixed with mud broke the mountain apart. A massive avalanche of dirt, rock, trees, and the like sped down the south side of the mountain, crushing and smashing everything in its path.
The Black Knights stared in awe as the landslide that Zero planned came into fruition, none of them could have ever thought of such ingenious plan. After they witness the landslide laying waste to the Britannian forces, all of them let out a loud cheer, they could win, with Zero leading them, they could win.
"Save your cheers for later." Lelouch told them which instantly extinguished the cheers from the Black Knights. Lelouch was the only Britannian that they respected and will listen to. "Let's celebrate after we win, for now, let's lay waste to them." Lelouch shouted as the Kuro hōō suddenly came to life and flew towards the Guren. The metallic Talons of the Kuro hōō suddenly grabbed the Guren's shoulders and carried the Knightmare to the air as I flew towards the battlefield.
The rest, after seeing that, mobilized as well. They got their instruction from Lelouch earlier on so they knew what positioned they will take.
"Cera, you'll take care of the Purist Faction, I want them wiped out. Kallen, I want you to take down Carious' unit." Lelouch told the two.
"Of course/ Got it," The two replied as the three was meet by a hail of bullets courtesy of VTOL Gunship a head of them.
"And would you guys thin out the herd." Lelouch requested politely. The two didn't reply as they readied their respective weapon. The Guren grabbed the Middonaitorōtasu-Type 0 while the circular device on the Magdalene's shoulder opened horizontally, revealing two turbines in the shape of a snowflake.
"Middonaitorōtasu-Type 0, long range mode activate, multi-aiming system, activate." Kallen muttered as the crimson beam blade of the sword turned from red to black.
"Atmospheric converter initiation complete, Crystalline Mode." C.C. mumbled as the turbines began to rotate and gather the wind around her frame.
"Fire," The two shouted simultaneously. The Guren swung Middonaitorōtasu-Type 0, shooting out a black beam slash in the shape of wave that cleave through seven VTOL Gunships with ease. The circular devices mounted on the Magdalene on the other hand, shoot out twin, white cyclones towards the VTOL Gunships, encasing everything it hits in a thin layer of ice while freezing the aircraft inside-out, killing the pilot instantly.
"Okay, that was cool." Kallen commented as she watched five VTOL gunships, incased in ice, fell to the ground, shattering on impact.
"This is my stop, Zero." C.C. exclaimed as the Magdalene jumped off from the of the Kuro hōō.
"You think she'll survive the drop?" Kallen inquired curiously.
"Of course, the armor of the Magdalene is very fortified." Lelouch assured her as the radar detected enemy forces below. "Kallen, this will be your stop as well." Lelouch informed her as Kallen gave him nod.
"Drop me here as well; the armor of my Guren and my Slash Harken is enough for me to survive the drop." Kallen assured him as Lelouch chuckled a bit.
"Not the one to be outdone, I see." Lelouch commented with a chuckled as he let go of the Guren causing it to plummet to the ground. Lelouch then turned his attention towards the remaining the VTOL Gunships. "Activate Search-Eye System and ZERO-system." Lelouch mumbled as the helmet that he wore as well as the screen around him suddenly glow bright white as a complex aiming system appeared in front of him.
(Scene Change)
"Major Kewell, something is descending from above." A Purists Faction pilot informed his superior as the twelve Sutherlands positioned from the rear all gazed up at the Silver Knightmare descending towards them.
"Fools," C.C. mumbled as she calibrated the Impact Cannons to Compress Mode. The cannons on its shoulder opened diagonally, retracting two gun barrels. Activating the aiming system of the Magdalene, C.C. took aim and fired highly compress air cannons towards the Purists Faction. Compress Mode is the weakest form of attack of the Magdalene and the trajectory of the attack is linear but because the barrel and the projectile is invincible, taking evasive action effectively requires great skill, something that they did not possess.
The Purist Faction could only stare stupidly as the Silver Knightmare fall towards them until; the rifle of a Sutherland was blown apart by an unknown projectile. They didn't react until the said Sutherland was torn apart by a few more shots, the last one causing the Sutherland to explode. That caused all of them to spring into action as they all move away from the explosion, one of them though was not fortunate enough as the Silver Knightmare landed beside it.
With a flicker of the control, the Magdalene blasted the cockpit with the air cannon, causing the Sutherland to explode on impact with the compress air. "So it's true, the compress mode is more destructive in close range." C.C. noted as she remembered the modes of the Atmospheric Converter, Compress Mode is for mid range, Crystalline Mode is for Long Range, and Static Mode is for close Range. "Time to play." C.C. mumbled as she entered several keys to the controls. That caused the desire effect as the Magdalene raised both of its arms causing two long whips to slide from each of its forearm. The whip was pitched white and there was a pattern-like carving all over the whip.
"Look at that thing, I never seen a Knightmare like that thing before." A random Purist Faction commented as most of them sweat at the sight of the silver Knightmare. "Is it possible that the Elevens….." The pilot was cut off by Kewell.
"You think the Elevens are capable of such technology, fool." Kewell shouted hysterically. "Take that thing down." Kewell ordered as four Sutherlands charged in towards the unknown Knightmare.
C.C. smiled a bit as she activated the EQC, instantly the whips turn from white to pitched black as over 250,000 voltage of electricity surge through the whips, torn-like spikes retracted from all over the whip causing a thin layer of electricity to erupt from the whip. C.C. waited for the first shot to be fired before dashing towards her opponents. Even though the Magdalene did not have the Landspinner Propulsion System, it was still faster than the standard Knightmare as it slowly close the distance between it and its opponents, with a swing of one of its whips, two Sutherlands nearest to her was cleaved from the waist down, forcing the pilots to eject. The two surviving Sutherlands tried to make some distance but C.C. did not allow them to go far, the whips of the Magdalene could extend three times its size. With a simple flicker of her controls, the whips of the Magdalene suddenly became rigid as it impaled the cockpits of the two retreating Sutherlands, killing the pilots as well as causing the Sutherlands to explode.
Seeing the swift deaths of their comrades, the Purist Faction open fired but C.C. was too fast for them. The whips extended as the Magdalene swung them around so fast that it deflected every bullet that was fired at her. The Magdalene then jumped in the air, spinning in mid-air, giving the frame a tornado like appearance. The frame landed behind the Sutherlands and before they could react, the Magdalene already swung its whips, cleaving three Sutherlands in half. The four remaining Sutherlands tried to make some kind of distance but two of them were caught as the whip deactivated causing the thorns to be retracted. C.C. then fired the two whips to the nearest enemy Sutherlands, causing them to stop their movements as the whip wrapped itself around the two frames, C.C. then reactivated the whips causing a lethal electric shock to travel through the two Sutherland, the electric shock causing the two frames to explode.
The Magdalene stood behind the explosion as it elegantly approached its two remaining opposition while Kewell and his last remaining subordinate stared at the Silver Knightmare with fright evident in their face. "That thing, what is that monster?" Kewell mumbled as the slowly back away from the Silver monster.
C.C. seeing that, dash towards them, the Magdalene's whip ready to strike. The two, seeing that, accelerated their retreat while hopelessly firing inaccurate shots at her. The Magdalene then spun like a top, obliterating the Sutherland besides Kewell, before grappling Kewell's Sutherland with its right whip. C.C. pulled the Sutherland towards her, the Sutherland tried to fight but the strength of her frame was worlds apart compare to the strength of a standard Sutherland. Kewell tried to fire his rifle in a futile attempt to escape as C.C. kick the rifle from the Sutherland's arm.
When her opponent was close enough to her mid-range attack, she spoke. "Feel the magic of the Magdalene." That was the last words Kewell heard as the cannons on the shoulders of the Magdalene opened vertically, revealing two hexagonal cannons. The two cannons glowed bright violet before blasting the Sutherland with cones of lightning, torching the Knightmare as well as short circuiting the entire machine. The arrays of lightning electrocuted the Sutherland from head to toe and Kewell scream in pain as he could feel his massive amount of electricity surging through the cockpit to his body. A cloud of smoke suddenly covered the Magdalene as the Knightmare exploded do to circuit overload courtesy of electrocution. C.C. moved out from the smoke, its whipped sliding back to its forearm.
C.C. surveyed the destruction that she caused before moving to position. "Just like the time I served Henry." C.C. commented as she felt extremely comfortable piloting the Magdalene. It was like she was fighting in the Hundred Years' War again, only this time, with bigger and more advance weapons. "I wonder if Lelouch could build me the horse that I used to ride on during those times." C.C. chuckled at that but made a mental note to ask him later.
(Scene Change)
Beating Carious' unit this time around was going to be a piece of cake for Kallen. She defeated this group before with ease and that was without her new weapon. "Okay, who's first?" Kallen challenged silently as she eyed the fifteen enemy frames excitedly.
They didn't hear the challenge but they all charged regardless. That was all Kallen needed as she charged as well, she instantly readied the Radiation Surger Claw of her Guren and grabbed hold the first Sutherland that she could touch, to prevent anyone from interfering, she send a crescent beam of pure energy which caught two Sutherland off guard as they were force to eject while their Knightmare exploded as it was cut from the waist down. The Sutherland that Kallen's Guren was holding struggled a bit but Kallen activated the Radiation Claw. The claw instantly emitted a powerful surge of radiation that surge through the Knightmare, frying the electronics as well as warping the frame itself, the body of the Knightmare then budge uncontrollably, the steel expanding until it exploded.
The first time around, Kallen felt sorry in killing them but not today, she will make sure that this time around, her beloved prince will not have to result to the Zero Requiem. She will not burden him with the weight of the world this time around.
Kallen's musing was cut off as she activated the Radiation Surger to block the hail of bullets that her enemies fired at her, the thick shield of radiation melting the bullets on impact. She then swung Middonaitorōtasu-Type 0 towards her enemies but unlike last time, the beam sword was now optimized for the 1:1 combat. She fired a shower of green colored laser beams from her sword towards a single unit in a concentrated pattern. The pattern of the beams was enough to cause everyone to panic as one Sutherland was ripped apart by the attack but the attack pattern caused a disarray to the enemy pilots as they were force to disperse and separate.
Kallen took that as the opportunity to take them down. She re-optimized Middonaitorōtasu-Type 0 for another multiple assault as this time around; the crescent beam took down five Sutherlands. She then blocked a lance thrust that was meant to penetrate her cockpit, the Radiation Claw already causing the jousting lance to budge before melting completely, Kallen didn't wait as she flicker her controls so that her radiation claw, that is still emitting a thick layer of radiation, cleave through the Sutherland, cleaving the Knightmare into five segments.
She then trusts Middonaitorōtasu to the Sutherlands that was about to attack her from behind before cutting the Slash Harkens that were about to hit her. Using her own Slash Harken, the Guren was propelled in the air and landed directly behind two enemy Knightmares. They weren't able to react in time as Kallen cleave them down horizontally, right through the cockpit, killing the pilots.
The six remaining Sutherlands began to panic as their attacks began to be sloppy. Kallen used that opportunity to finish them off. The positioning of the Sutherlands were scattered but she will remedy that in a moment. She use her Guren's lone Slash Harken to pushed one of her enemies to the side while she grabbed hold of another Sutherland, but instead of using the Radiation Surger to destroy the frame, she merely used the strength of her Guren to throw the Knightmare towards the nearest unit, causing them to crash and slid to the ground.
Kallen then maneuvered the Guren towards a Sutherland that was brave enough to attack her. She was able to dodge much of the gunfire before swiping the rifle from its hand and using her momentum to throw the Sutherland over her head. She then mounted Middonaitorōtasu on her back before using the rifle of the Sutherland and her Guren's handgun to unleash a hail of bullets towards her enemies, that caused the desire effect as they all went into a single location, huddle up in a defensive position.
Kallen threw the rifle as she once again grabbed the Middonaitorōtasu and unleashed another crescent beam at them, this time around; the attack hit five out of the six units, taking them out definitely. The surviving unit tried to attack the Guren but its sheer speed was so overwhelming that it was a futile attempt. With ease, Kallen outmanoeuvred the lone Sutherland before grabbing hold of its cockpit, the Radiation Claw already emitting a thin layer of hellish crimson light.
Before killing the pilot, Kallen opened a public link. "I'm going to kill you now." Kallen informed the pilot gently. "You're doing this for your princess; I'm doing this for my prince, so no hard feelings."
To her surprise, the pilot chuckled mirthfully. "No hard feelings, Black Knight."
Kallen smiled at that. "I'll make this as painless as possible." Kallen told the unknown pilot as she set the Radiation Claw to its highest output, destroying the Sutherland in five seconds flat as well as killing the pilot.
Kallen threw the Sutherland to avoid being caught in the explosion before glancing up in the sky. She smiled a bit as she witness Lelouch laying waste to aircrafts above with the used of Kuro hōō, it seems that her pestering him off adding another weapons on his frame was worth that effort.
(Scene Change)
Lelouch could not help but groan as he felt the effects of the ZERO System kicking in. He was slowly hallucinating but he was still able to filter most of it down and it was not affecting his commanding skills, for now at least. Lelouch then maneuvered the Kuro hōō to dodge several cannons and rockets before folding its wings, 360-degree layer of thick, purple energy field to surround the Kuro hōō. The Lightwave Barrier took the shape of a crystal shard as the remaining cannons and rockets impacted on the barrier, causing the projectiles to explode but, nevertheless, the Kuro hōō was unharmed.
"Lightwave Barrier System, successful." Lelouch mumbled as he charged towards the remaining Gunships. He spun around while firing the four, Javelin-shape Slash Harkens of the Kuro hōō towards the VTOL Gunship, to their surprise; the Slash Harkens began emitting an energy beam around it, giving the Slash Harkens an appearance of a glowing glaive. The each Beam Glaives cleave through at least five VTOL Gunships as his black frame pass through the arrays of gunships with ease. The Kuro hōō then did a 180-degree turn and once again fired its Slash Harkens, only this time, Lelouch activated the Slash Harkens booster, causing the four Slash Harkens to change its trajectory. Lelouch positioned the four Slash Harkens in rectangular position before activating its second function, the Slash Harkens were also a beam machine gun. Each beam machine guns then fired many beam impulses, taking down a considerable amount of enemies.
Kuro hōō was such an advance Knight Giga Fortress that it could probably wiped out all of its opposition with little to no problem but unfortunately, Lelouch was not using the full capacity of the ZERO-system in fear and, as he battle, he was leading his army to victory.
"R2, continue your advance, P6, cover R2." A unit of Sutherlands was torn apart by a hail of bullets.
"P1, fall back and lead them to S3. P5 open fire." Several Tanks were suddenly incase in ice courtesy of the Nitrogen Bazookas.
"N1, N2, attack on five o'clock." Four Gloucesters were shot down.
"Kiseki, aim the Raikou at four o'clock, and fire." A dozen enemy units were suddenly taken down by the high velocity shell.
"R Group, N Group, let it rain." A rain of chaos mine suddenly caused Cornelia's royal Guard t retreat.
"B1, P4, pin them down." A retreating squad was gun down.
Lelouch groaned a bit, the headache that he was feeling was unbearable. "Note to self, recalibrate the ZERO-system." Lelouch whispered to himself as he dodge, command, and gun down his enemies in one go. "Need to finish them off before the hallucinations get worse." Lelouch mumbled as he unleashed his Slash Harkens once again but this time around, the four Slash Harkens combine to form a large cannon. "Hyper Impulse Beam Cannon, fire." Lelouch mumbled as the combine Slash Harkens unleashed a powerful red beam towards the surviving VTOL Gunship. What's worst, the Kuro hōō was able to manipulate the destructive beam by moving the combine Slash Harkens, causing the beam to slash through the Gunships with ease.
After a complete ten second, Lelouch recalled the Slash Harkens, seeing that every VTOL gunship was now shot down. Lelouch instantly removed the special helmet and allowed himself a moment to breath. "God that was tough." Lelouch commented as he wiped the sweat of his forehead. "The ZERO-system needs reconfiguration or else I might go insane." Lelouch whispered to himself as he contacted his two aces. "Q1, W1, are you two in position?"
"Affirmative," Kallen answered as she overlooked the battle from her position. She had probably wiped out four units in her way to her current position, including Carious' unit. In total, she had taken down 40 Knightmares and twelve battle tanks.
"I'll reach my designated position in T-minus four minutes." C.C. answered calmly. C.C. had taken out three units, evident to the fact that the surrounding area around her was littered with Knightmare frames in case in ice and Knightmares torch to a crisp.
"What's the update of your energy fillers?" Lelouch asked as the Kuro hōō rocketed towards its designated position.
"I still have 70-percent," Kallen answered as she glanced at her energy readings. "The Middonaitorōtasu Type-0 IS really a draining weapon. Last time, I took the same amount of enemies and it only the Guren 10-percent worth of energy." Kallen commented.
"I still have 85-percent." C.C. answered bluntly.
"That's good; inform me if your energy level goes down 10-percent." Lelouch instructed them as he began to reposition his forces.
(Scene Change)
Cornelia didn't know whether to be happy because finally, she was fighting a group of people that were actually worth her time and they were actually a challenge, or irritated because the plan to eradicate the JLF failed because of the interference of the Black Knights. Their leader truly knows how to mess with her plans.
Inoue and Yoshida were struggling to hold Cornelia's group at bay. There(their) squad were the unfortunate group that was given the task to distract her while Zero, Kallen, and Zero's sister eliminate every single reinforcement that may come to Cornelia's aid. The only reason why they were a bit successful was because of Zero's instructions that when they face Cornelia, they were going to strictly fight her in a long range fight, Lelouch's overly elaborate battle formation, and Kallen's merciless teachings and drills on Knightmare combat.
'Note to self, thank them if we survive.' Both Inoue and Yoshida thought as they both bombarded Cornelia and her royal guards with a never ending rain of bullets, which Cornelia and her royal guards gladly answered by their own assault. It was clear that Cornelia's forces had the upper hand in the gun fight and the only reason why they had yet to take down a single Black Knight Knightmare is because the Black Sutherlands and the Black Burais as well as the two Gloucesters that they were facing held one distinct advantage.
The Black Knight's Knightmares has shields installed in them.
"And you said that the shields are useless." Inoue teased her companion as she used her shield to protect her Gloucester from a rocket that was shot from a Bazooka on one of the Gloucesters in Cornelia's control.
"Fine, I admit, the shields are a live saver, happy now." Yoshida grumbled as his squad once again changed formation to avoid the rockets that were flying towards them.
"Quite but you still owe me." Inoue mumbled as she ordered her squad to change position as well. Both Yoshida and Inoue were commanding six Knightmares, four Sutherlands and two Burais each.
"Less talk more firing." Yoshida barked as they were being pushed back by Cornelia's royal guard, the skill of Cornelia's royal guard finally coming to use.
"I hate to admit this, but the Black Knights are actually not that bad." Cornelia admitted begrudgingly. "This actually the most fun I had in this entire operation." Cornelia stated as she tried to find an opening in those shields. "Guildford, remind me to have our engineers install shields in our Knightmares, will you. There actually useful."
"Duly noted, your highness." Guildford replied as they slowly push them to a corner.
"How long do you think Zero will arrive?" Yoshida asked as he felt his frame being slowly push back, the fierce counter attack was slowly overwhelming them and they were at a disadvantage to begin with. Cornelia still has 15 Knightmares, most of the Gloucesters while the combine unit of his and Inoue's is twelve.
"Keep her at bay for one more minute." Zero's voice echoed in their private communication link. "By the way, Fortress Formation, enemy unit coming from behind." Zero ordered and that was enough for them to spring into action.
The twelve frames instantly huddle in a circular formation while raising their shields to cover any openings. The timing was perfect as six Gloucesters suddenly appeared from the rear and began bombarding them with rocket and rifle fire.
"Your highness, are you okay?" Dalton asked as he and the survivors of his units began to bombard the Black Knights from the rear.
"I'm fine, what about you?" Cornelia asked with a hint of worry in her tone. "Last time I remember, you have more than ten times of what you have." Cornelia exclaimed as she gazed at the six Gloucesters that had ambush the Black Knights from behind.
Dalton growled at this. "That landslide took most of them down and I was ambush by some JLF Burais." Dalton then chuckled as an animalistic smirked made its way to his face. "Though I got to say, the Black Knights are in a different level compare to those vermins that we used to eradicate."
"Yes they are, but remember that Red Gloucester is mine." Guildford reminded them as they trapped the twelve enemy units in a pincer attack.
Dalton laughed at that. "Fine but if you get your ass kicked again, I'll be facing her."
The talking ceased after that as they focused on the task at hand. No matter how tough those shields are, they will eventually give in from the heavy artillery attack, the only question is when.
Inoue and Yoshida on the other hand were looking at their watches and were counting down. "Five, four three, two, one…." Suddenly, to the shock of Cornelia and her Royal Guards, a large black machine descended from the sky and enveloped the enemy Knightmares in a purple barrier.
"Zero,"