Chapter 5
Dark Prince
Helltanz's notes:
Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass.
Chapter begin
"The Day was August tenth, of the year two thousand ten of the imperial calendar the Holy Britannian Empire had just declared war up on Japan. Confronted by Britanian's newest weapon the formidable Knightmare Frame Japan fell to its enemy in less than a month the conquered nation was stripped of its freedom, its rights, its culture, its dignity, and finally even its name was taken away. Eleven the name of Japan and its people was replaced with a mere number."
"I'm overjoyed Lelouch they said you died when Japan was brought into the fold. What a blessing to have you back we should depart for the homeland immediately"
The eleventh prince sighed… loudly. "Clovis," he began "it seems you've forgotten how we were used in the first place as tools of diplomacy." Clovis winced at the retort, "never mind that whole commotion, but to the first point that's right its because my mother was killed." The eleventh prince stated frigidly. "Mother held the title knight of honor but was a commoner by birth no doubt the other imperial consorts held her in contempt." Lelouch's face turned harsh, "even though you people made it look to be the work of terrorists I'm no fool you people killed my mother."
"It wasn't me," Clovis protested, loudly, and a part of the younger prince believed him to be telling the truth, as the elder shook. "I swear to you it wasn't,"
"Then tell me everything you know," he demanded "The truth can not be hidden from me any longer," the prince stated his Geass flaring. "By whose hand was she slain?"
Clovis slumped backwards his eyes glazed over, "My brother second prince Schneizel and second princess Cornelia they could tell you." He answered blankly.
"They were at the heart of this," It made sense he supposed Cornelia had been head of the guard even though she had been so young at the time. He gasped as the strain hit him, 'I guess I'll have to speak with them, unfortunately neither will be an easy task.' the prince mused dispassionately straightening up. Cornelia, he'd expected that she might know something surely with her ties. "That's all that you know isn't it."
The third prince shuddered, "I swear it wasn't me," he protested, "I had nothing to do with this."
"I believe you," Lelouch lowered his pistol. "That does not quite alter the situation at hand.-"
Clovis whimpered and cringed away in fear. "Please you can't we may have different mothers but the two of us are still blood."
An explosion ripped through the ghetto. The prince frowned as his cell phone rang, "What the devil was that?" He demanded,
The voice on the other end was apologetic, "Forgive me I misjudged the eagerness of the Istavanians," Accented english responded.
"Damnation Leopold I ordered the Istavaanians to withdraw." He growled before covering the mouthpiece, "One second Clovis will discuss your Royal Guard in a minute," Clovis nodded blankly as Lelouch turned his focus back to his mobile phone, "Leopold please put Kizuna on."
A moment passed, "Hai,"
"Launch your Oni and handle things." There was a quick affirmative, and Lelouch turned back his attention to Clovis,
The blonde prince seemed to have paled a bit, "Eh heh so what was this about my Royal Guard?" Clovis asked, contact with them had been lost early on, and it was giving him a really bad feeling now.
Lelouch concealed the smile he had on the inside. The Istavaanians would be stealing the poison gas Clovis was distributing as a mask for their coverup.
Area 11
The Black Knights facilities in Japan were fairly vast having the good fortune of having taken control of elements of the Ashford group after that conglomerate's collapse. That had been the building block for the economic entity that powered the organization.
Clovis had been silenced but the loss of his Royal Guard was a major blow, and one terrorists would laud highly.
It was an immense embarrassment, and the homeland had not taken the failure well at all. The losses were more of a political nature than anything. Clovis looked weak, and in Britannia that wasn't a good thing for anybody especially a member of the royal family.
Lelouch was in the mean time more focused on other matters. The Black Knights were spread across the world and their military body was supported by a powerful industrial counterpart which supplied money and designed and supplied state of the art weapons.
The Black Knights pervaded the armed forces of multiple countries and their governments. So much of this was by the work of the faction leaders themselves. A prominent example were ties in Russia a sole result of Lelouch being a cousin to the current Tsar, and nephew to the previous one, or more to the point the nephew to the marshal of the army.
In the world there were three superpower blocs. These were the European Union, Britannia, and the Chinese Federation. All had corruption to some extent, and the Black Knights served to target both low level crime and more dangerous organized crime as well as corruption in the government.
This week in China two Refrain laboratories would be targeted by agents within the third superpower in order to reduce the amount of drugs being manufactured. This would conceivably reduce supply provoking internal dissent. The drug dealers getting sloppy might show where their assets were.
A video screen activated. "I understand you made a mockery of Clovis's royal guard," The Frenchman remarked, "Does this mean we're moving to have him replaced so soon?" He inquired curiously, "Our are we pressing for additional concessions."
"It was convenient my friend," Lelouch responded, "The damage done is likely not enough, but given the shift its best to start moving now. Clovis will eventually be removed, that was never in doubt."
"Of course operations planned against the Chinese Federation are our immediate mid term goals, we should be prepared for that." He responded, "We can count on the Imperial Guard to stand with us if China acts too soon." the other faction leader remarked pleased. "I think this will be for the best for the community to go ahead,"
"I appreciate your support,"
"But of course my leader we must be prepared to blacken our armor and to fight for justice, and to establish peace in the kingdom. Corruption and evil must not be tolerated." The man sighed, "That said, I was actually hoping to talk about the business of things."
Lelouch perked up, "Oh?"
"Indeed, Clovis's perceived weakness does benefit us I'm hoping however we can do something about the matter of sakuradite."
Sakuradite was the important material in world trade today. The material being not simply a highly useful superconductor material but was a necessary critical part for many high technology goods it dominated the world market. "You want to press the Siberian holdings?"
"Non, heavens no. That would be going to far I would think, but I would think it would be wise to speak with Russian about a certain island that can be exploited for the mineral."
While the Black Knights had tried in the past to exploit Sakuradite deposits on Sakhalin Island tensions with the Chinese had always complicated matters. At fourteen Lelouch had attempted once before to press for some form of Imperial, Russsian, assistance in the matter, but the project had stalled given it lead, along with other matters, a dangerous increase in Sino-Russo tensions.
"Yes, we already know that war is inevitable, the tensions would be acceptable at this time," Lelouch stated, "and I think it can be done."
"I just think it would be good if we can put that towards the nuclear research. That technology is a key to us."
"It is indeed." Lelouch tapped his chin, "The recent success of our espionage regarding the Camelot Special Research Division is most useful in our own affairs."
The Frenchman's face split into a fox like grin, "Yes, and our superior industrial resources allocated, in comparison to Camelot, means we can roll out the technology much sooner."
A rather bland Knightmare schematic appeared, "This is what you and Nemo have been collaborating together on, then?" He inquired, "so this is the Jackal?"
"Regrettable that the prototype will be under armed, non?" The other man responded, "Ah so is life I suppose. It has a limited parts compatibility with both our Wiedzmin, and the Manchester so it should simplify logistics." The man shrugged.
So this was the new sixth generation frame the other two faction heads had been working it was surely to be interesting when it was finished Lelouch mused. "I look forward to seeing it finished."
Now however was the time to focus on the matter of affairs here in Japan. The stolen poison gas, a chemical weapon Clovis had so carelessly left out, would be useful. Clovis needed to be removed from control of Japan.
Britannian Empire, Area eleven, Tokyo, Britannian Settlement, Ashford Academy
The birds flew into the air above the school.
At the same time Millie was smacking Lelouch over the head with a rolled up stack of papers. "Wake up Lelouch, I know you were sleeping because your hand stopped moving."
He repressed a groan, Damn You Charles, the prince thought. 'Its bad enough I had to deal with the aftermath of the mess in the ghetto, but I had to use a company other than the Ashford family, or my own, but after that setting up the next step of my plan, and preparing that attack.' He mused annoyed. "Well you don't have to beat me up about it, do you?" the teen grumbled.
"It serves you right for ditching me like that," Rivalz complained.
"That's right what was up with you yesterday," Shirley interjects.
"Um well," Lelouch trails off, how best to explain his secret double life without ruining the masquerade.
Millie taps the roll of papers against her palm impatiently "That's enough you guys lets not get side tracked here. If we don't fix the school's club activities budget we won't have money left for anything"
"And if it comes to that point…" Nina added timidly
The secretary tossed his arms back "The equestrian club will be pissed," he interjected crassly "we don't want them coming in here on horse back,"
"Rivalz can't you be a more serious student council member," Millie commented as Horse and rider rode past the window behind her.
"You know," Shirley stated, "it would have been nice of you if you had reminded us of this mess a day ago."
"I would have to say a day later" Rivalz commented, "then we could have given up"
"Good idea we could still do that" Lelouch remarked, 'it would certainly get me out of this, and I could go deal with other more pressing matters, geez there need to be more hours in the day.'
"GUTS!" Millie shouted. Everyone winced at the loud proclamation.
"You trying that guts spell again?" Rivalz asked
"Yeah, I want to people to start putting your all into this," Millie stated shaking her finger at them.
The Prince raised an eyebrow, wondering exactly what had convinced him to come to this meeting, oh right Millie had dragged him to I that was why, "I really don't think your magic going to do a whole lot," Lelouch remarked blandly.
"Actually it's got me going Madam President," Shirley said raising her hand,
"Supple and willing, that's what I like,"
The orange haired girl made a muscle, "I train hard in gymnastics club,"
"That's not what I was getting at," Millie stated folding her arms over her chest "You're a ten," she cooed
Shirley's eyes widened, "Huh" Millie's eyes trailed down to the other girl's chest, while Shirley looked down as well.
"From what I've seen in the girls' bathroom anyway, you've been filling out in all the right places."
Lelouch's phone vibrates, 'good thing I have that class after this, not only do I absolutely detest it I know have a 'legitimate' excuse to ditch class.'
"Heh, heh," Rivalz grinned lecherously.
Shirley covered her chest, "What, what are you talking about you perv?" she exclaimed blushing.
A short while later the bell rang announcing the club period was over, and they were all free to go on to their next class. "Geez our president is just a dirty old man on the inside," the orange haired girl stated, "Sullying the meeting with her filthy mind."
"Yes well that's Millie for you," Nina whispered, timid as she always was.
Rivalz chuckled, "look on the bright side, we got the budget balanced."
Lelouch grumbled, it wasn't like he was pleased by being out of shape but still it didn't mean he wanted to attend gym class. So he left the group behind, ducked down the hall and right into a Britannian military officer.
"Skipping school kid?" the soldier questioned before he blinked. "Have we met?" he questioned taking a step backwards from the eleventh prince.
Lelouch scowled, he really didn't need this not right now.
"What's your name?" the man questioned a bit more insistently.
"Lelouch," he answered, apparently his assumption was incorrect, that telling he would drop the matter and leave him alone. Much less to recognize him as the eleventh prince of the empire, as the man's eyes seemed to indicate as they widened significantly.
"Jeremiah, where are you?" growled the large, rotund, general. "This is a waste of time, this is a goose chase," Declining to mention his curiosity as to why prince Clovis approved this ridiculous search on the word of a major.
Lelouch sighed taking the opportunity to escape. 'If I time this right I can make it back in time for lunch.'
Technologically the Black Knights were rather advanced, though this was due to impart having inherited the Ashford Foundation's research, and parts of the conglomerate, after the company's fall from grace within the Empire. It was this inheritance that originally formed the basis of their industry, and their research.
Distasteful as it was they were effectively arms dealers early on, or rather their front companies were, supplying and producing military equipment. Of course this job was rather profitable and that of course permitted them to finance research into technology.
"Ah my lord," the mind controlled executives bowed in unison.
The recent acquisition of his own geass played a useful tool in drawing away suspicion and extending influence for the Black Knights. "Roland," greeted the prince to his number two man. "I take it your group can do what I asked? We can't use our regular fronts for this unless we can back up a parallel development story," He remarked taking a seat the Geass definitely was draining.
While the Black Knights had been researching parallel technologies as far as shields and particle weapons went they weren't identical, but Britannia didn't know that. Nor did the Empire need to know it. The Black Knights had focused on optimizing existing technologies as well, so armor and power efficiency and the like were more advanced than the Lancelot.
The man nodded, "Of course, we will have the prototype ready in a few months," the man stated, as he ignored the mind controlled businessmen. "the final unit, the one for you my liege will be one hundred eighty percent larger than the normal Sutherlands, we will be incorporating technology from both the Z-01 and the IFX-V301 that we acquired."
The prototype command unit the plan is to replicate the Lancelot but to include the Druid system from the will also be replacing the slash harkens with the Blonde Knife system," Remote wired rocket anchors, "That we included on the Mark Nemo."
"Do you have any suggestions for this project?"
The man looked a little nervous, "There is some one, however," he paused "Her name is Rakshata Chawla, she attended the Imperial Colchester Institute. She is a genius but she has had issues with her past."
"I see," the eleventh prince replied, it was really that the Black Knights were looking to expand their development staff unfortunately people with the credentials they needed were rare.
"You will have the best available working on this your highness," he stated pouring a glass of tea for the prince.
"Thank you Roland," Lelouch said accepting the tea, "I take it your scientists are working on evaulating the Z 01 and looking for a way to defeat it?"
"Yes your highness," Responded the Britannian Black Knight, "we will not fail in this matter that machine is too dangerous to our operations."
Lelouch sighed, what a weird forty eight hours, not even that, he thought. 'what was that knight and the general doing at the school, the fat one said it was a goose chase, did that other pilot remember my uniform, and the Ashford are allies.' the prince wondered, 'Jeremiah Gottwald, Margrave, and an elite pilot of the purist faction… wait he was a guard at the Aries Villa, stupid of course he would recognize me,' Lelouch rubbed his temples, 'And Suzaku got killed, and that weird girl gave me the 'power of the king',' the prince leaned back into the chair, maybe he was getting to stressed out.
On the wall was a picture… of a knight in black.
"We the Order of the Black Knights are at your command my prince," the man bowed smoothly, "in just under one hundred nine hours an attack will be launched as planned against the military base at Nakajima under elevens using the captured Sutherlands and the poison gas taken from Shinjuku."
"I expect this to draw some attention," He remarked saracastilly, the devestation against the base would keep the government of Area 11 off balance, and open up the path for the Black Knights to begin their plans for the region in force.
The man rose, "My lord we will bring justice to all lands," eyes glowing red. "I will see to it that all is carried out, and the corrupt know the terror."
"Proceed with your operation Three,"
"As my liege commands." The man clapped his fist to his chest.
'Sorry Clovis' Lelouch thought, 'just don't go touring any military bases, you don't have my mother's blood on your hands so I'll spare you if I can,' he stood up and looked over the settlement... the glimmering part of the city inhabitated by the Britannians. 'For you Charles their will be no such mercy,' he clenched his fists.
Returning to Ashford Academy as expected, the military had commenced releasing statements about Shinjuku. As agreed with Clovis there were no mentions of the Black Knights 'radicals' beating the pants off the Britannian military. In fact the casualties on the military side were glossed over almost entirely, outside of mentions of poison gas.
"Hey buddy, where you been?" Rivalz asked.
Shirley frowned, "Lulu, don't tell me you were going gambling, again" She complained.
"I'm sorry guys," he said, "Something came up,"
Millie glanced at him with a certain look in her eye, "does this involve your father Lelouch?" She pressed.
"You could say that," he replied icily, the sudden shift in tone altered the dynamics of the group. "not directly though," the prince stated as they walked into the large room.
Rivalz and Shirley stared at him, Lelouch's family didn't get brought up a lot, but the sheer amount of vehemence the dark prince had used in his reply was stunning.
All of this was interrupted by the much louder announcement of some of their fellow students. "They used poison gas," a guy, one of three students crowded around a nearby computer exclaimed.
"Man that's freaky," His buddy commented "Shinjuku is only thirty minutes from here,
The girl apart of the triage squealed "Oh my god I saw smoke rising over it must have been the gas"
'Superior breed indeed' Lelouch rolled his eyes at the sheer stupidity of that statement no the smoke had been from the destruction of buildings and fires caused by the combat. Not to mention military grade explosives, which had been used by both sides.
"Are they saying anything else about it?" asked the first guy.
"Shinjuku?" Shirley glanced at Lelouch,
"I heard about it real time from a friend of mine," Lelouch stated, "That's why I called you yesterday-" he explained,
"Hey check out the footage of those dead elevens." the first of the trio exclaimed… far too loudly for the prince's taste.
"Don't look at that," the girl of the trio cried
The prince walked into the room, where his organic chemistry class was held. Millie had managed to convince the others to not pester Lelouch about his disappearance that morning… though for how long that would last remained to be seen.
"Kallen it's been ages," exclaimed a girl
"Are you alright?" asked another female student.
"Sophie's been worried all this time," stated another of the girls indicating on of their peers, who Lelouch noted was admittedly rather cute as well.
"You're okay though," inquired the first of the girls leaning forward.
"Yeah" the red haired girl looked up at her apparent friends, "I just have to go easy for a while," stated Kallen,
'Of course that's why she's so familiar' Lelouch thought recognizing the pilot of the Glasgow from the Shinjuku ghetto battle.
"Anyway if I stay home any longer," Kallen, Karen, said to the other "I'll never catch up" She remarked.
Lelouch leaned in to listen in on the gaggle of women. Everyone else was so busy that no one other than Rivalz noticed, and only because he was right beside Lelouch. The prince repressed a sigh, it would appear Millie hadn't bought him that much time after all.
"What's up buddy see something you like," Rivalz remarked poking him slightly in the ribs, "you've got a thing for her don't you?"
Shirley who overheard the remark, which was a bit too loud in the first place, looked over slightly jealous.
"Just thinking this is a rather rare event," Lelouch responded. "She hasn't been here at school since this whole term started," which was less than a month anyway. He stated as the two watched as she continued to chat and laugh with her friends.
"Kallen Stadtfeld. They say she's sick or something," Rivalz states, which translated to mean she got to skip gym, lucky for her. "and she barely showed up at school last year either," the blue haired teen stated, "still her grades are at the top of the class, and she's a member of the Stadtfeld family which means she's well bred and rolling in money," he continued, "Man you sure know how to pick them,"
"Its not like that," Lelouch attempted to explain, which was about as successful as Clovis trying to beat Schneziel at chess.
"Ah you don't have to hide it," Rivalz said smacking Lelouch hardily on the back, "A touch to sheltered though if you ask me," The girls collected their lunches. "So what 'cha going to do?" Rivalz prodded him. "Gonna go the direct route or try and get her girlfriends to buzz off for a private word, think you could hook me up with one of her friends?" Rivalz inquired.
Chapter conclusion
Helltanz's notes: Jeremiah will make another appearance shortly as well.
Obviously the Order of Black Knights are a bit different as well… Lelouch will be mind controlling people to expand and gain access to resources, and other things.