Author's Gab: So I just discovered this spinoff manga featuring Nunnally receiving her own Geass and wreaking havoc with it and all that. Though I must say, they took the power of Geass to a whole new level with that, I mean, Zero taking on entire Knightmares by his own self?
"Lelouch, what did that man mean about change?" The siblings were currently sitting on their mutual bed, the room shrouded in darkness.
The two of them had been sitting in this darkness for some time, ever since the surprise announcement about the so-called Leviathan protocol. Lelouch had deduced aloud that it was somehow related to the threat that they had currently faced, and that the facility was submerging into the depths of the Pacific Ocean to escape.
After the final messages from the intercom, the two had spent the rest of the time in utter silence, huddling close to each other. In this bleak, cold room, they eagerly sought the other's warmth.
She had broken the long silence with that one question, and it was clear to her that her brother was busy composing an answer. Presently, she heard her brother reply in a deep, cool voice, "It means that nothing in the world remains the same, Nunnally. That we would be spending our time as prince and princess of Britannia in one moment, and be sent away in the next. That we would be spending memorable and happy times with our mother," here she felt him grasp her hand with both of his and she returned the feeling, "and lose her in the next."
Nunnally repressed the urge to cry at that memory, that piercing thing that haunted her at the base of her mind. In a wavering voice she interjected, "And our happy times with Suzaku-s-Suzaku? Was that because of change as well?"
"Yes, change is just that." came the melancholic reply.
"But then," a thought occurred to her, "what did the man mean by saying those things?"
She felt her head being gently patted by her brother's warm hand. "I don't know Nunnally. But it's best not to think about it too much." Relaxing slightly, she offered her brother a quick smile at the gesture.
After some more moments of silence, Lelouch asked her, "Nunnally, if you had the power to change something, anything, what would it be?"
She was taken aback at this question. Her brother knew that she didn't even understand much of what the man had cryptically said, yet now he asked her a question of the same ambiguity?
Nunnally seemed to ponder this question seriously. If I could change something...it couldbe...but that's impossible for us. Maybe mother...? No, that's impossible too... Her brother seemed to have guessed this inner conflict when he said, "Don't mind the question, I...was just speaking hypothetically...yes, just a 'what if' scenario, Nunnally...."
She frowned at this deflection. Was he treating her like a child even now? She who hadalready crossed the dread boundary a long time ago? The feeling of resentment quicklypassed, by which time her mind had already come upon a suitable answer.
She took the hand that was on her head and fondled it with her own, rubbing it gently. "There are many things I want to change - nii-sama," she whispered softly, "but right now there is one thing I don't want to change, and that is my time together with you."
Portland kneaded his temples in frustration as he and the other heads of the Lamperouge Project had a moment of silence after having just experienced a strenuous three-hour report marathon.
As usual, the Breaker had not exactly understood anything at all from the heads' reports: starting from Aiyme's concerns about Subject N.'s shooting capabilities ("Then start testing her!"), to Valdez's veiled enthusiasm about his latest subjects (also complaining about the sakuradite - there was an always an issue with the sakuradite), to Duran's endless proposals about improvements on his test project.(it was boring without a visual presentation) Only the head of General had a different, and altogether unique take - he was actually making public certain intel he had gathered.
"WHAT?! Valdez knew about the sixth-generation the entire time??"
"Interesting...though this - "laser" sword thing, you have to find out more about this..."
Those had been the others' reactions to the first item on the list - namely the refresher intel about the Britannian experimental Knightmare Frame projects that were running concurrently with their own. The difference in the intel submitted had raised the two's hackles, though Valdez's a bit less.
"It is not a problem with methods. Availability. Proximity. Need to find better sources. Suggestion to put on table: establish ourselves near the area where likely to find it?"
The man had looked over at Portland with hooded, gleaming eyes, a cunning look briefly passing through the face hidden behind long bluish bangs. The Breaker had frowned briefly, and had said, "That would be good, if you first found out where it is."
"Oh, but I do."
Portland had the familiar urge to reach over the table and choke the grinning buffoon. In order to rein it in, he inquired in a level manner, "If that is so, then why didn't you inform me about this sooner?"
The man shrugged nonchalantly before moving on to the next item on the dictation - blatantly ignoring Portland's dangerous gaze, the gaze that had frightened many poor children but apparently did not work on this enigma of a man.
Next came the reports on the state of the world: as always the result of their subjects' operations were paid special attention to, focusing on the more notable suspicions. It seemed like Britannia had been quicker on the uptake than the rest, already assigning heavier guards to the outlying Areas.
"Britannia is Britannia. Prideful as always."
The last item concerned itself with the recent development that had necessitated the use of the Leviathan protocol. For once, the man shifted to a serious note as he related the findings that he received from his own personal investigation.
"...Two late-era style cruisers. Outfitted with standard surface-to-air and surface-to- surface weaponry. Submersion was best choice. Make? It does not match any nation's known models. Independent organization then? No more chance to find evidence of any external involvement. Crew was sparse on ship. Perhaps it was a secret mission?"
Portland had then waved off the rest of the rest of the man's message with a frustrated look. The period of silence had started afterwards, and here they were still absorbed in it.
The Breaker was mulling something over his mind, coming to a decision he had apparently long made since he'd arrived at that connection last night. The rumblings of the facility around them seemed to beat in tune with the man as he stood up from his seat and started to pace around the assembly.
"Gentlemen," he rumbled deeply, "and lady," he nodded at Dr. Aiyme. "Today we stand at a crossroads in this project. I am sure you are confused as to what I mean by a crossroads, but I will get to that soon.
"We have done an excellent work thus far, bringing the very best of the best in terms of Knightmare Frame and Devicers into this world. We can safely say that each of the "parts" that lead us into this point has been successful - barring a few necessary failures at some point." Here he noticed Valdez's eyebrows quirk slightly.
"We have sown anarchy, and I see that it was good." At this line, Portland noticed a subtle shift in the hunched man's position.
"Yet now, when rumors of this new Knightmare has already been spread within the lower levels, when our advantage in revolutionary technology and skilled operators is jeopardized by the immutable fact of the human genius - we cannot stop the advent of change. As we have seen the intelligence reports, Britannia has its claws on newer technology, and we cannot fathom what other projects exist around this world, as clandestine as our own, each and every one a threat to this project's continued success." Portland stopped pacing and placed his enormous hands on the table.
"I, Charles Augustus Portland, am the Chief of the entirety of the Lamperouge Project, and I am at a crossroads as to where this project will turn to. I am no seer, no visionary, I am a mere manager and disciplinarian, eager for the same orders that you all follow. And thus I shall propose, in a manner similar to that which is used by the democratic countries, to put to a vote among this committee, as to where this Project will go in the foreseeable future." Portland harrumphed as he ended his short speech.
A short silence followed, broken surprisingly by Valdez. "Big, big talk from the Boss, but what, pray tell, can we scientists propose short of parking ourselves near somewhere rich in sakuradite to continue our research?"
"True, sakuradite would certainly help in our research Breaker, sir, and as scientists we can only be focused entirely on our own works, so anything that can help..." Duran shrugged in a laconic manner.
"I believe we have to stick with the essentials here," Aiyme interjected determinedly. "Our purpose is to have the best possible Knightmare Frames and Devicers isn't it? Then we have to find a way to ensure that they continue to be the best, despite whatever 'innovations' or 'improvements' others may discover. Best Knightmare Frames? The
Morgana's core and many other stuff could really use some work. We have to up our research and development efforts, by somehow raking in more competent staff or, as the
others have mentioned, having a ready supply of sakuradite on hand - to do away with our issue with the sakuradite. " She glared at Valdez briefly. "And as for the Devicers, then
we at least have to be near a war-torn area for them to improve their skills, isn't that right? Then we find that area and let them have it."
"Although," Duran spoke up again. "We might need to be sure that the sakuradite will be supplied to us as usual." He "glanced" up at where he thought Portland would be. "I can
assume that there has been no change as to that regard?"
"I can assure you there are none," came Portland's level reply.
"LET US NOT FORGET TO ADD!" Valdez raised his voice, startling Aiyme, "Those current Britannian R&D efforts, Portland. We have to stay up to date after all." He grinned
slightly and turned to the man from General. "Assuming he divulges where exactly to find the location of these other secret projects."
The other man said nothing, hiding his expression with a calm and inscrutable face.
"So here we have then," Portland concluded. "Three things to take note of, for us to be near: a location of ample sakuradite supply, a feasible 'war torn' area, and the location of at least one of the secret projects to gather intelligence from." He stared hard at the man who was placing his hands behind his head and relaxing. "Well?"
Still relaxing, oblivious to the others' hard stares (except Duran's) the man lazily intoned, "Sakuradite. Many sources of supply. Easiest among the three to be acquired. However, there is a place. Good place. Rich in deposits." He raised his index finger. "And that is..."
"Area Eleven," Portland finished for him. He watched the other heads' interested looks.
The man raised his next finger in the air. "Second concern. War torn area. As seen by Lamperouges. Many, many, areas of conflict to be found. Pick a battlefront and we have it. But some here may not like being near a real battle. So we turn to small-time conflicts. Like in Area Twelve. Guerilla warfare I mean. Easy for the two to pick off their hideouts rather than entire military base. Areas are good to pick. Not much rebellion going on in the other two majors. Many recommendations, but there is a particular Area that is a major headache for the Britannians. Hotbed of rebellious fervor."
"And that is?", Portland sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose in frustration, willing the man to get to the point.
"Area Eleven."
"And then these projects: their exact locations which you didn't have the courtesy of sharing to the rest of us...", the Innocence Breaker growled, growing more irritated with
the man's laid back demeanor.
The man raised the third finger, slightly opening his eyes as he did so. The amber pupils gleamed dramatically as the man smiled.
"Nunnally, if you had the power to change something, anything, what would it be?"
He had uttered that question without thinking, a thought born of a currently brooding mind. He was glad that his sister was not so eager to pursue the question further, and satisfied himself with her eager answer.
Lelouch, on the other hand, was thinking idle thoughts again as he rhythmically patted Nunnally's head while she seemingly slept in his lap. Such thoughts were never more than mere musings brought about by that man's words.
"Lelouch...", he was briefly startled by his sister's sudden words, "Why did Mother have to die?...She was so kind and loving to everyone...why did she have to-", Nunnally stopped, though Lelouch could see the grief that threatened to burst out from her troubled face.
"I don't know, Nunnally. I want to ask that same question too....and find out who was behind her de-," he stopped to collect himself, "We may never be able to find out. It may be too late to say this, Nunnally, but the world is a far crueler place than you might have thought." Yes, that was certainly true, Lelouch thought bitterly as he recalled the uncaring, emotionless face his father had worn during his last audience with him.
Seeing her sister's face still having a troubled look, he searched around for a suitable thing to talk about.
"Hey Nunnally...", he began, as he laid his hand on the other's forehead. "If a fairy came to you and granted you the ability to fulfill one wish, what would that be?"
"One wish...?" He saw her sister start to think. Then it seemed that she had found her answer when her face lit up and Nunnally said in a wistful tone, "I wish that the world would be a gentler place...a place where no mothers will have to die, where children," her voice broke for a second, "children can live happy and free."
Lelouch couldn't help it, he nodded as well. "Yes. That world is certainly one that I'd like to be in. With you, of course. Then we'd..." All the while as he and his sister exchanged imaginations about this gentle world, Lelouch would unceasingly think: If only, if only, if only...
The conference room was silent, dimly lit by the green light of the projector. The other heads had long since departed to their stations, armed with the new orders that Portland had mandated.
The verdict had been decided towards the end of the meeting, after the enigmatic man's amused confirmation. They had much to discuss and plan afterwards, for Area Eleven was by no means an easy fruit to pluck. It was one of the Britannian Areas that had much value to its conquerors and Portland did not want to step on a dragon's tail too soon. Because it was also a novel extension of the project's aims, the Breaker could now also afford to be more liberal in his demands for it.
After the meeting was adjourned, Portland had been surprises at the hunched man who had remained sitting after everyone had already left. The man had then opened his veiled eyesto stared with amber slyness at him.
"Some intel here. Top-secret. Only reserved for you. Thought you might be interested."
Portland had then been sitting at his chair for the past two hours, devouring what was placed before him like a ravenous hound. After he had finished, the chief of the Lamperouge Project leaned back, creaking his chair as he breathed out a sigh of bewilderment, after minutes of tense concentration.
The information the man had brought was, in a sense, mind-blowing. One cannot guess what passed through that man's mind in those moments, when his eyes met the General head's own amber ones.
"And they're in Area Eleven, as you said?"
"Secret project. Like so many. Like ours. Appears to be pet project of one of the imperial heirs."
The man had been smoking all the while, the consumed stubs littering the table around him. He was still smoking one while perched lazily on the conference table, a conspiratory look on his face. Portland did not have the patience to guess what the man was thinking, withholding and then bringing this information to him. The hunched man's motives were as veiled as his ever-squinting eyes.
To that, the Innocence Breaker grimly chuckled, "To Area Eleven, then."
A hot soup was a rare meal for those who spent their life in this facility, burdened as they were with the cold, but nutritive rations that formed part of their daily meals. That was not to say that they could not afford to procure some of this for themselves, it was just that it was only reserved for those of the higher-ups.
And the head of General was apparently one of those who enjoyed this perk, seated as he was in his office enjoying one particularly hot and spicy soup. The man slurped with especial gusto, plowing through the soup quickly with a plastic spoon, at the same time keeping his eyes on the enormous screen against the wall.
On it was displayed the data that the man had given Portland earlier that day. For Portland, that had been enough to seal his interest in Area Eleven, but what the Innocence Breaker did not know and bother to find out was the extensiveness of the intelligence. The little page that served as bait for the fearsome head was but a small piece of information compared to what the head of General hid.
For now, the man decided that just one page would be enough.
"But bait was effective. No complaints. Hmm...Delivery should've been more dramatic."
The man sighed slightly as he twirled the spoon around, spraying drops of soup all around.
Daily Diary:
"...it reminded me of a previous conversation I had with Subject N., sometime during their operations in Southern America.
I had been holding on to the girl's hand followinga botched Mind's Eye synchronization (the cause of which I outlined in explicit detail in a previous entry).
At that moment, so hot was my fury that I had been conjuring the very image of hell on those responsible in my head.
The next thing I knew, the girl was suddenly hugging me, telling me to 'forgive' them and that she would try harder next time.
Such a strange phenomena, I wonder if Subject N. is..."
Dr. Rouche Aiyme