Chapter 8

Dark Prince

Helltanz's notes: I don't really like the new Japanese frames, from R2, that is.

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Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass.

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Chapter begin

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The objective of this assault was to hide behind this veil of destruction targeting of certain points, and of course practicality. Within the colonial military forces were numerous instances of corruption, particularly in the supply and requisition offices. These attacks tonight would mask their goal. It was the objective to target particularly corrupt units and wipe them out, effectively they were killing two birds with one stone.

The two normal Edinburghs gunned down the remaining two Sutherlands defending the communications center, only one of the Britannian machines ejected.

Lelouch's Edinburgh custom spun around firing on the varying VTOL aircraft that were approaching. One of his Blonde Knives launched from the arm of his Knightmare slicing apart one of Britannia's tanks.

"B group I take it you have proceeded to your objective point?" Lelouch inquired firing a tear gas grenade into the building to flush out any remaining soldiers. He hoped the soldiers would simply withdraw.

"Affirmative," responded the team leader, "we have taken control of the air strip, we're loading the knightmares as we speak,"
Tertiary objective was to take control of as many knightmares as possible, this would strain Britannia's military capacity somewhat and allow the Black Knights further options. Lelouch switched frequencies, "K group what about you?" The eleventh prince inquired to the other team,

"We're proceeding to eliminate the last bits of resistance from the Britannian military." The native of Hokkaido paused, "Zero-sama, Britannian reinforcements. The police are arriving,"
"They must be getting desperate, kill them." Lelouch ordered. The knight police were notably corrupt in any case.

"Understood Taisho," Responded the commander, the blips representing K group divided, and accelerated to meet the refit Glasgow frames that were what made up the police Knightmare force. Glasgows versus modern frames were never pretty.

Ogi activated his Knightmare's comm, "Zero what's the plan now?" The eleven inquired, so far the man had proven his word was good, if what this Zero said was true then they might be able to change Japan.

"Very simple," Lelouch replied, "We use this military installation to accomplish our goals," He stated. "The entire Britannian military will be humiliated, proving that justice prevails." He stated, "Support group where are our ground forces?" he inquired.

"Currently en route," responded an equally masked Three, though his was different than the one that Lelouch was currently wearing. The puritan faction leader was coordinating everyone's withdrawal routes and of course relaying real time battlefield data back to combat units.

"Good," Zero nodded, "Once they arrive we will take over Britannia's communication network for Japan and broadcast the message as planned." He stated.

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The taking control of the military communications allowed them to directly override the normally broadcast signals, mind controlling the disoriented Britannians had also of course been undertaken.

While that was being done everyone was making sure their Knightmares were still operating, this was the Edinburghs first real combat operation, and having their weapons reloaded, and of course launching the plains and securing the ground transports for moving the captured Sutherlands.

"I am Zero," Lelouch stated, over the airwaves, as he stood before the camera. "As many of you saw the Britannian military base at Nakajima is under attack by Japanese forces, the corrupt Britannian government can only control you so long as you remain docile," He preached, "Our objective is clear, with this victory Japan's freedom fighters will have the tools needed to throw off the shackles binding this nation. But to win we must stand and fight together. The corruption that pervades the colonial administration must be cut out with fire!"

The dramatic address played out rather pleasingly for the eleventh prince and of course the fact he had flaunted the severe defeat, and out maneuvering of the vaunted Military of the Empire of Britannia on national Television.

Oh yes it would be rather hard for the Public Relations division to discredit that, suffice to say Lelouch was quite sure he had just insured his assistance from the Japanese resistance groups, and even more so once the terrorists got 'their' new Knightmares, which would substantially change the way battles played out.

With the rebels finally having advanced military technology, the fifth generation Knightmare Frames, with which to oppose Britannia could engage them now with far better results.

Of course this also served the purpose of once the Black Knights continued to act for Japan's benefits, under the 'rouge' Black Knight Zero, it would insure Lelouch had a secure and very loyal population of natives to draw from. Promises to supply their fellow fighters for justice with the captured RPI 13 Sutherland Knightmare Frames, to assist them in continued efforts to combat the forces of Tyranny and Corruption.

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"Commander we have a problem," announced Three, "One of the Britannian flights must have been behind, "you have incoming Sutherland transports. We estimate two squads, sixteen Knightmares in total," The other leader paused, "according to acquired intelligence there is nothing special about the unit. Minor distinction in an equally minor operation last year."

Lelouch glanced at the night sky; on the horizon were the lights, to prevent mid air collisions, of Knightmare transports. Eleven versus sixteen, even with the shields this was not a fight the eleventh prince was looking forward to given the Edinburghs were untested at best in real combat.

"What do we do?" Ogi asked.

"B K group, form on me" Lelouch ordered, "Q1 take your compatriot and prepare to render support fire." The eleventh prince commanded. All things considered he'd rather have full Black Knights supporting him than the two trial knights.

"Err… right," Kallen responded. The two Edinburgh Knightmares moved off as eight all of black replaced them, settling in a formation.

"B Group," Zero spoke, "You are going to fire your high explosive missiles directly into the center of the incoming transports." Acknowledgments filtered through. "K group prepare for close range engagements with the Sutherlands." The prince ordered preparing to coordinate with the B group again. "B Group after expending your High Explosive missiles switch to your cannons." Lelouch paused, "Q1 as the transports level off attack the rear transports try and force them to move forward."

The Black Knight forces who made up K group accelerated raising machine pistols and their heavier rifles, the latter being an exclusive Black Knight design.

Lead units from K group fired spitting green tracer fire upwards. The rifle fire reached the VTOL craft and two transports erupted, along with their RPI 13 Sutherlands, into balls of flame which illuminated the night's sky.

B group's volley of guided munitions began terminal guidance. The missile defense systems did little against the high explosive warheads. Another transport exploded instantly and two more crashed as debris peppered them, while another five were damaged by the anti armor blast.

The two eleven terrorists attacked the rear group, as expected at least one tried to accelerate and crashed.

The remaining missiles impacted ignited the fuel, destroying three of the transports and setting the ground a blaze.

It was a successful maneuver but now the Sutherlands were on the ground. K group spread out and began exchanging fire with the RPI 13s. Two of the Sutherlands fired on Lelouch. The Edinburgh Custom's arm shields activated generating a green protective aura. The shields succeeded in absorbing and reflecting the machine gun bullets with ease.

Lelouch eyed the display giving the reading on his knightmare's power plant, strain was in acceptable levels though the shields were consuming power. It'd probably have been acceptable to rely on the shield's high integrity composite armor.

B group moved in land spinners active they fired their one hundred twenty millimeter cannons, which were attached on one of the shoulder opposite of each Knightmare's shield arm. The attachment to the shoulder granted some additional stability which improved performance with the larger caliber weapon.

Perhaps this won't be so difficult the shields are insuring we don't sustain damage, the eleventh prince mused, as his custom Knightmare accelerated in close enough to draw and use the swords. He pulled off to one side and brought the MVS down slashing through the arm.

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The attack had been a resounding success; talk about a Friday night. Hopefully, Lelouch thought vindictively, Charles had been drinking that evening so he could endure have to endure a hangover while having to put up with the fall out for the attack, and rest assured there would be fallout.

Clovis had of course suffered some political fall out unfortunately such were the consequences of carrying out such an operation someone had to take the heat for it.

The public address of Zero, and his announcement as the coordinator for the attack had basically made him the most wanted man in the Empire. It was all quite dramatic, but it had made the impression that they had wanted.

It was currently unknown, both to the public and the military on Zero, on whether and who he was affiliated. They did not know of the order of the Black Knights, and even then when the time did come for them to be revealed... well...

'Zero' would portrayed as a radical member of the Order, who took the order's message of justice to an extreme, of course by that time things would be even worse for Charles, there was still so much work to do.

There were of course places who could figure out who Zero 'was', and who he was affiliated with, but they weren't who the Black Knights were hoping to appeal to.

Lelouch turned, having completed his call to Nunnally assuring her he was fine and that he had slept over, more likely he had collapsed asleep as he settled into the suite. "So how have things gone?"
"You wanted an official of the Chinese Federation, your highness," Three replied, "I think this one will be more than sufficient."

They knew eventually the Chinese Federation would go to war. The EU and Britannia had been engaged too much in their own colonial affairs the last decade for China to not try and make a play for some kind of gain. "A military official?"
"A general," responded Three in acknowledgment, "the current Chinese federation the majority of the power is primarily under the control of influential eunuchs. While Chinese Federation Knightmare Frame technology is inferior, it is cheaper as well as they have a much larger military, albeit the Knightmares are god forsakenly ugly," the man remarked in distaste, "However if, no when it comes to military action control of them will give us the advantage of numbers to say nothing of if we could improve their military under the Order's control. Then of course there is always Cancer"
The eleventh prince nodded, taking control of China had advantages.

"Direct control would allow you highness quite the amount of political leverage on the Britannian home front," Three continued,

"Eliminating my rather inept brother Odysseus prior to claiming control would have to be a must, discrediting him would in truth be easy enough. Its not the pressing issue though, or the real problem." the eleventh Prince interjected, "We also need to make plans to deal with the EU," he commented, "The fighting is going to happen, and we need to be ready to convince both sides to back down."

"Might I suggest as usual the Russians,"
Lelouch blinked, why hadn't he thought of that, "Its possible, the fact that one of Charles's sisters married the previous Tsar, and is in fact the mother of the present Tsar, does give us some leverage, though their would be problems given the European Union particularly Russia and Chinese Federation long standing animosity dating back since the colonial days, never mind the recent mess. Its best to keep that plan in the reserve for now, we can't enact Operation Cancer too soon." Operation Cancer, a joint endeavor between the Russian Imperial Guard and the Black Knights for a Sino Russo war. The Operation existed from a Black Knights perspective of keeping the Eunuchs in check, and potentially removing them, while further expanding their influence in the Russian Empire. "What about the soon to be Area Eighteen?"

IT was best they didn't rely on the Russian's so much, there was too much internal strife for the time being as it was, and that was the truth.
"We've started the appropriate ideas. Princess Cornelia will likely annihilate their standing military, but well with Sir White's assistance," The doll like being had departed earlier today, after all "we will have assistance, though for bringing them under the crown you would have to promise them at least Provincial Autonomous status, perhaps even a more independent status, unless there loyalty can be completely assured."

"They're a proud people," Lelouch admitted, "But your right, that kind of autonomy if I could take the throne that would be acceptable." He slumped, "Unfortunately with White having taken a number of the completed RPI 999, as well as his now completed upgrade to the Mark Nemo, and a good number of the Sutherlands, were not as well off, as far as our number of frames go," the prince sighed.

There were at present two types of Edinburghs those that were converted Sutherlands, and those that were produced in factories. 'White' had taken the majority of the latter with him for his mission. The prior were merely test beds for integration of technology, useful for emergencies, but not something you wanted to have to rely on. The ones White had taken were the 'real deal', true Edinburghs as it were.

"Well yes, your highness, however it will give us the necessary combat data to improve for the development of the RPI 1000."

"How is the special weapon project going?" he asked changing subjects abruptly, the RPI 1000 series would take at least a year before they were ready for testing and it would be that long till they had the final production 999 in enough numbers anyway. Goodness they were already planning a tranche four of the Edinburgh as it was.

"Well its up and running, though from a current military standpoint not many will understand our choice to continue interest in tanks, at least until they see that in combat,"
Lelouch chuckled, "Putting land spinners on a tank, as well as updating the armament, well they will provide an unparalleled ability to accelerate, the sports car of tanks so to speak,"

The executive nodded. The one vulnerability would be of course urban combat where knightmares were unrivaled, which was where most combat was these days. He paused, "Concerning the aerial Knightmare,"
"Design snag?" The eleventh prince inquired, they had been expecting it to come up at some point along the line, "I'll go speak with the Chinese," he stated, "How big of a design problem are we talking?"

"The float system is very power consuming," admitted the executive, "At least the current model, we need more information from an actual working model, but its either that technology or we use existing VTOL technology"

"Or a better battery," Lelouch grumbled, "Along with the Float system," He remarked pausing, "Use the X 35 its engine if nothing else should be of some use," The Black Knights had originally taken the SPE 2000 Engine in an attempt to create a knightmare that could be deployed. Like Britannia they'd hit similar snags.

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Private Britannian Medical Facility

… where am I?

"Subject is waking up," A doctor announced checking the chart, "Make sure the painkillers are adjusted properly. Poor kid got hell at the hands of those eleven scum, still he's lucky he didn't get caught up in that recent mess."

… who are these people? … who am I?
"I heard about that, just like then they were using our own equipment, damn bastards," Another doctor remarked, he pushed the patient down, "Easy there son, its alright, you need to take it easy though."

"Remember General Bartley wants to talk to him as soon as possible,"
"I don't care if he was caught in the crossfire between the terrorists, and the military, he's my patient and he's in no shape at all to deal with the military interrogating him." He adjusted the oxygen, and turned back to the bedridden patient, "Don't worry son we'll have you up and about in a few days, eh then some polo then, lad?" He joked smiling.

… whats going on?

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Lelouch stepped forward. "General Cao of the Chinese Federation?" he inquired, the man stiffened as the Soldiers in what appeared to be a slight variation of Britannians normal troops. It could have been a worse reaction if he's he'd brought Russian troops along

"Britannian soldiers, what is the meaning of this," He growled, "I have diplomatic sanction from the Federation,"

"Relax general," the teen stated in a bored tone, "I am Lelouch vi Britannia, General Cao,"
"A prince?" the general responded surprised, "Is there some kind of issue. I have not received word from your government of any matter. What is going on?"

"The head of the order of the black knights, but yes I am the eleventh prince of the Empire." His eyes glowed as the Geass flared into existence, "I command you to swear fealty to me and my cause for all eternity and obey my commands with out question" he ordered.

The Chinese general bowed, "Yes your highness," he intoned eyes glowing.

'I really have to restrict this flair for the dramatic I'm showing as of late,' Mused the prince. "General you will begin making preparations to subvert the Chinese government." The Prince commanded, his plan was as it stood now to use the power of the king to slowly take control of the Chinese court and finally their empress, even if the court held the true power she was still an important symbol.

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The Chinese Federation had long standing grudges against the EU, a dislike they shared with the Empire of Britannia. Manipulating the Chinese people into becoming loyal to him would give a powerful expanse of territory under his command.

Bringing such a large area under 'Britannian' rule would allow the restoration of the Ashford family's position in short order, and insure the status of the children of the deceased Empress, of Britannia.

Lelouch could from there expand outwards swaying governments officials, such a boost in the territory and of course lack of troops lost, by either force, would in theory catapult Lelouch to where he could easier dethrone his father.

However if the Britannian prince took control of the Chinese Federation even in what would amount to a bloodless coup well there was the chance the European Union in fit of paranoia might attack.

Of course if prior to the public announcement the eleventh prince could sow the seeds of distrust in the EU nations well exasperating the internal situation to civil war might prove to be beneficial.

To fight Britannia Lelouch knew he needed more resources, he needed to be able to match Britannia from the outside or destroy it from the inside. The prince sighed, the sudden acquisition of his own geass dramatically accelerated his own plans. That could be something that might not be for the best. While Clovis fretted in Tokyo, Lelouch looked out over his own city. The one he'd spent more than half a decade building, and rebuilding. This was the Black Knight Domain of Hokkaido. In this city more than any other, even those in Australia, was under his command. Nothing exemplified this more than the massive fortifications of Sapporo, and Hokkaido Autonomous Guard. Beyond the Sapporo Settlement's stunning structures were the more important factories, and the research facilities. Being Japanese or Britannian didn't matter here, not when the Black Knights controlled the island, and its government branches.

"Sir? You're do to speak at the University's Knightmare Program seminar on computer systems in an hour,"

Lelouch nodded, "Yes thank you," That was a big part of the Black Knights, as a corporation they tended to start recruiting while people were still in college. He himself had first been exposed to Third Generation knightmares as a child, and that had been the start of his grasp on them. It was the computer systems Lelouch could claim to be the expert on, and Pytor could deal with the task of mechanical parts better than himself.

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Chapter conclusion

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Helltanz's notes: Jeremiah will show up again soon, and of course so will Cornelia.

Cao just got brain washed. More members of the Chinese Federation will show up, not next chapter obviously, as things proceed, Li among others, the empress as well.

On the subject of Li, him and Lelouch will have certain issues; the whole China thing won't exactly go over well.

Next chapter will probably include some of the Ashford student council as well, and possibly some military people, or maybe vice versa.

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