Chapter 9

Dark Prince

Helltanz's notes: I won't be covering the little encounter between, well probably not, Euphemia and Suzu, the pilot of the Lancelot I do not like, but I've got to keep him alive up until either Lelouch gets tired of his stupidity, or after the North Africa issue.

Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass.

Chapter begin

The eleventh prince groaned, Area Eighteen had been established, but even more so than that Cornelia, the supposed responsible, one had brought Euphemia of all people. The teen felt like bashing his head against the wall. What the hell was Cornelia thinking bring Euphemia to Area 11 in the middle of the recent mess.

However it appeared Suzaku had not only survived Shinjuku, but of all the things to be doing he was the pilot of that damned Z 01. How that managed Lelouch had no idea.

Charles, he gritted his teeth, he wasn't blaming Suzaku piloting the Lancelot that would have just taken his paranoia to an absurd level. No he was blaming father for sending or allowing Euphemia along with Cornelia. Did that mean Charles suspected his involvement with this insurrection, probably not, though it proved he was an asshole of a father. Then again no one had ever suggested Charles di Britannia would win any father of the year awards.

There was also the fact Clovis would have to explain how he managed to prepare for the first attack by the Blood of the Samurai Faction's attack using the Sutherlands. They had of course eventually withdrawn during the publication of the attack at Nakajima.

Added into the fact Clovis was trying to cover up his own off the books project, and the loss of his Royal Guard he was reeling. It was true that on the matter of the Royal Guard losses he could say they'd fallen in battle, but that really wouldn't help him politically.

It appeared he was going to be demoted to Lieutenant Governor of Area eleven, with Cornelia taking up the position of Viceroy. Clovis would be showing off his art collection soon, the third prince would certainly have more time to do that, paint that was, presuming he didn't go off on a tangent to try and find the eleventh prince.

That mysterious girl, it seemed she was like White, with exception of that the person who contracted the Mark Nemo to be constructed was male.

Of course he had not immediately thought about inquiring of the mysterious doll like boy before he had left to start the insurrectionist movement of the Order of the Black Knights in the new Area eighteen.

Three was handling financial matters, mainly in the civilian sector, manipulating the mind controlled executives of the varying corporations insuring not only would profit flow into the companies, but money would be available for the Order of the Black Knights, and of course access to Knightmare Frames.

The Knightmare, yes and of course regular military technology, to say nothing of once Area eighteen supplied their own Knightmare Frame. Even though those units were really large tanks, however they did have a tactical potential, especially when combined with the next resource.

There was also the matter of the Chinese Federation. The bulkier Chinese Knightmare Frames, were larger than most Britannian Knightmare Frames, though smaller than the Bamides, but of course they had the advantage in number and a large economy capable of mass production. Of course there were disadvantages to that frame.

The project responsible for the RPI 1000's development would not go over well it was more expensive, and much higher performance than even the Gloucester. Of course if Lelouch took control of the Chinese Federation they would to some extent, Britannia –fy the nation, forming an elite separate group based on ability would be the best bet.

'Might be a wise idea to see if General Cao knows any exceptionally skilled officers of the Chinese Federation military' The eleventh prince mused.

As for the varying rebel factions, while Britannia was reeling from the loss of one of it major bases, courtesy of a chemical weapon. They were now to some degree now in possession with the RPI 13 Sutherland frames, and over the next few days Lelouch, the eleventh prince of the empire, was quite sure the varying terrorists groups would make Britannia extremely hot under the collar, and of course there was a public appearance to make.

"This isn't good,"
"Indeed, this is by no means is it a good thing," Lelouch agreed, "Whats the status of the Homeland, did we misjudge their reaction."
Three shook his head, "No we were more or less dead on. Clovis looks like an idiot," The Puritan faction head stated, "but there is no mention of Euphemia coming to Area 11."
"That doesn't sound right Charles would have blustered on about it, that is how he is," The prince muttered, "Charles does not let these opportunities go to waste, and in this instance he's quiet."
"Then this must be princess Cornelia's idea." Roland finished.

Lelouch snorted, "Strange as that would be, but the question remains, why of all things. It makes no sense to bring her along given the spike in disorder. To bring her is willingly risking her safety which is anathema to Cornelia."

Lelouch entered Clovis's office in the Viceroy's palace. This really was a nuisance, he mused but really he had no choice but to do this given the situation.

"Oh Lelouch thank god," Exclaimed the third prince looking up, frankly the blonde looked exhausted, the teen felt a brief pang of empathy for his brother.

"You've been up all night then I take it?" The eleventh prince inquired. "Hmm I didn't think they had access to chemical weaponry," he commented, "Much less they would use it to such an extent, the Japanese certainly never employed chemical weaponry against us during the invasion."
"Yes," Clovis nodded shakily, "Its horrible," Of course he wasn't going to admit that it was the same chemical weaponry he had planned to use against the Shinjuku Ghetto.
Lelouch took a seat, "I understand the purist faction took some damage engaging the forces of the resistance group known as Tears of Izanami, and with all of those Sutherlands I fear it will get worse before it gets better,"
"You think?" The blonde prince inquired shakily, not liking the idea at all.

No it was quite certain things were going to get worse before they got better. "Undoubtedly," The teen replied, "Even I didn't suspect that radical had such an influence on the elevens," Lelouch slumped, "Its quite unfortunate,"
"You know who he is?"
"Zero is a radical element commander of the order of the Black Knights," The cover story would be revealed now.

"Radical?"

The eleventh prince nodded, "That's correct, Zero believes the Empire if thrown into conflict will become stronger, and emerge purged of corruption we call them Istvaanian," He answered, placing a folder on the table, "I would prefer you neither reveal my existence or the following information, unless necessary the radical faction Zero commands with in the Order of the Black Knights has access to several of our prototypes, among them is a unit based on the Sutherland, RPI 999 Edinburgh,"
"You mean this nut has access to a state of the art frame," Clovis exclaimed in shock, sure something based off the Sutherland couldn't have been as powerful as the Lancelot but it was definitely going to be bad news.

Lelouch nodded, "Frames, not to mention these Sutherlands he's gotten a hold of," the teen added, "The Edinburgh are only prototypes however while we are constructing them, the final model won't be ready for a while."

"How powerful a knightmare are we talking about?" Clovis asked his eyes wide,

"The Edinburgh Prototype Production series specifications are included, at least as far as equipment, and ability goes," He paused, "I can't permit further information to get out at this time."

"But you can help right?"
To easy, "At moment Clovis I'm still some what restricted, I'll provide information as it comes available to me, however I don't exactly have the army at my command," He commented, the army no a paramilitary force yes, "but I will see what I can do, but with just regular forces I don't exactly have faith in the chances of victory, the shields on the Edinburgh simply tilts things in their favor, and if he finishes that Knightmare, well it'll be unfortunate,"

"What Knightmare?" Clovis inquired swallowing nervously,

Ah good he had Clovis's attention, "Though its only a prototype the seventh generation MMI 101 Cardoc is one of two units if it continued on schedule it will be finished well before the other unit the MMI 303 Merlin. The Cardoc is assault where Merlin is command, I didn't allow the other three units to begin construction yet," In truth it'd been a close vote to suspend MMI unit construction, but really not unheard of as the Order frequently placed projects on hold, and revisted them at later dates.

"Well, I don't like the idea of having to rely on outside help, but Schneizel has developed a seventh Generation known as Lancelot, and Cornelia is coming with her Gloucesters, so were not completely with out hope," Clovis suggested. "I'm sure that Schneziel's toy could help us once Cornelia gets here."
"I had heard that something was used in Shinjuku to defeat those Istavaanian Sutherlands," Lelouch commented, "deploying all forces combined might work, but numbers limit us,"

"But you can help can't you?"

Lelouch walked in, the discussions with Clovis had gone well which in truth benefitted his interests since it kept him in the loop of what the colonial administration was doing. "Hello Jeremiah," he commented.

"Your highness," the Margrave jolted to attention,

He waved off the salute. "I understand the purist faction suffered casualties," the eleventh prince stated, "I am also told your Sutherland had to be scrapped,"
"IED sir," responded the Knightmare Pilot gritting his teeth at the announcement.

"I see," The teen remarked, "Knightmare Frames like this are in short supply Jeremiah," Lelouch tossed an activation key, "An RPI 999 Edinburgh is being delivered, you can paint it however you like, I expect you to show the terrorists how a machine of that caliber should be used,"

Jeremiah perked up at the name "A new Knightmare,"
The eleventh prince nodded, and it was the knightmare in question was a slightly modified block II Edinburgh built in the Black Knights' factories in Hokkaido. "Until the ones being built there are only so many of them, and unfortunately Zero has some of them," he sighed, "Looks like my cover isn't going to last much longer," the teen remarked with a groan, "But until such time I will be remaining out of the open when possible, I've asked Clovis for a list of good pilots, but I'd also like to hear your own opinion on the matter," Bluntly speaking beause Lelouch doubted Clovis knew most of the knights under the command of the Colonial command.

"I'm back," the prince sighed.

"Welcome home Lelouch," The green haired witch greeted as Lelouch walked into the room, it was already dark outside.

Lelouch's eyes widened, this was hardly what expected when he came home, had the eleventh prince been superstitious he would have gotten the heads up things were going to get worse once he ran in to the rest of the student council, and the school in general, one which will upset both his fan girls, and impress the males.

"I'm so glad your back I was worried," Nunnally stated,
"I'm assuming you ate out tonight." The green haired witch stated, "Judging from your appearance," she was correct; Lelouch had hit a café prior to returning to Ashford academy.

"Thank goodness," Nunnally exclaimed, "I thought maybe you gotten caught up in all the uproar caused by that man Zero," the princess continued. "I tried calling you but you only answered your cell phone that one time." She paused, "I wanted to tell you that miss CC has been waiting for you, as well"

"CC,"

Nunnally chuckled, "Your friend goes by such an unusual name only her initials." The princess commented.

"Yeah," He remarked not saying much, well this certainly complicated things, and now really wasn't a time when he could deal with such.

"I was just wondering is CC your girlfriend?" His sister inquired

"Huh,"
"He made a promise about our future together," The green haired woman interjected, continuing to fold a piece of paper. "Right?"

"A future together," Nunally repeated, "you mean marriage?"

"No," Lelouch exclaimed. "No, that isn't what she was talking about, its like ah, she's kidding around,"

"No I'm not," CC remarked.

"Well you certainly doing this sooner than most," She remarked unable to see Lelouch scowl, "but everyone's different aren't they?"

Lelouch walked forward. The eleventh prince picked up a tea cup.

"So I suppose it isn't that strange, and if you feel like your ready for-"

The teen dropped the cup, allowing it to shatter, "OH CC look what you've done your soaking wet, come on," he grabbed her arm, "lets get you into the bathroom into a dry change of clothes," the prince stated pulling her along, "Nunnally you stay here, I'll clean that up in a minute and she was kidding before, kidding." He stated leading the green haired witch out of the room. Lelouch gingerly closed the door, his sister was blind not deaf after all, "Who are you?" Lelouch demanded, "and what the hell were you thinking don't go telling my sister such things, really,"

"She said my name I'm CC,"

He growled, "That's not what I meant why aren't you"
"Supposed to be dead," She finished for him. "So do you like the power that I gave you," the green haired witch inquired turning around.

The Geass flared momentarily. "As I thought so it was you," CC flopped on to the bed, his bed, much to the prince's displeasure.

"Dissatisfied," She remarked curiously,
"On the contrary I'm grateful it allows me to speed my schedule tremendously," he remarked, "which is a huge help considering it really does open a number options,"

"Your schedule?" She inquired,

"Yes." He acknowledged, "My schedule for killing Charles di Britannia," the prince remarked casually as if he was talking about the weather and not the act of killing his own father, "I'd have had to wait much longer to eliminate him and the corrupt nobles,"
"You believe you can do it just by simply by using that power," She replied laying back on the bed.
"I intended to do it without this power," He responded, "Geass wasn't something I expected, with it I can move that much sooner," Three had a Geass, Sora had hers, and her contractor was White. Still they were just a small part of the order.

She glanced up to the ceiling, "I just knew he'd turn out to be a fascinating guy," The witch remarked out loud.

"What will you do now?" Lelouch asked, "I'm sure the military is after you," The prince commented, "Clovis is going to be on guard."

"Not the entire military only a small faction, so it shouldn't be difficult to find a hiding place, I can make do here," The witch commented pulling her leggings / boots off and then drawing the covers over her,

"What you intend to stay here?" He exclaimed in a mix of surprise and irritation.

"A gentleman would sleep on the floor," She commented from underneath the blanket while snuggling into the bed.

He scowled, "Don't joke around,"
"My being caught would cause trouble for you as well,"
"Its dangerous to stay together," He protested getting on to the bed,

"If I wander the streets they'll find me," She responded,

The prince frowned, staying at Ashford was a/ calculated risk as it was, "This isn't about you its my situation,"
"I hate stubbornness," She declared rolling onto her side.

Lelouch sat beside the bed, straightening the discarded clothes, "You sure take things casually. How did you manage to survive before this? What did you do before now? And what was the deal with that so called contract you spoke of?"

"Good night Lelouch," The witch declared with an air of finality as she rolled onto her other side.

Monday morning proved to be as expected, the other terrorists groups had risen up and launched attacks. In truth that had been what he'd wanted, and it'd played out like he wanted. The coordination of the attacks that previous Friday, the time of the attack had allowed massive publicity for the initial attack. So everyone had been attentive for further news so when the other attacks had begun.

In the end that day's attacks had been enough to throw the Britannians into disarray, relationships with in the government were becoming strained due to the numerous conspiracy theories, which were becoming more and more radical as the days progressed from the incident. Especially with the rise up of the other terrorists using the captured Sutherlands, as well as more 'normal' attacks. Fears of infiltration of the military were rampant.

CC had taken to ordering Pizza, again, that had been what she ate for Sunday as well, she was currently sitting on the bed, and he at his desk. The Witch was looking over the number of publications, which had articles dealing with Zero.

"Everyone on Earth is looking for you," She commented, "because of you the world is going through an upheaval, is this it is this what you wanted to see?"

Lelouch pulled on his school jacket, "No this uproar is simply a means to an end," He stated looking back, "The world is destined to descend into greater chaos." The eleventh prince of the empire announced. The success, or failure of the weekend's terrorist attacks meant nothing it was just publicity a tool.

After all by causing this chaos he could prove himself to the resistance groups of Area 11 and more than that he could test his weapons in real combat before making the next move against Charles.

"So Lelouch what are you going to do?"
He gave the green witch a look, "I've got to keep up appearances, which means going to class. Stay out of trouble, and more importantly keep out of sight. We need to find something more sensible than you staying at Ashford this is completely unworkable.

In truth though attending class at Ashford for today was all that was keeping work at bay Saturday's lecture on computer information system's had atleast gone well, most people hadn't even mentioned the Friday's attack to him while he had been there, but then Hokkaido was so much more calm than the lands to the south.

Everything was changing faster than he expected, and the truth was he'd really to need to speak with Clovis again soon. In fact depending on how active the resistance, and terrorists groups became he might even need to talk with Cornelia in a few months. That in itself would be a potential security risk, but it all depended on how things played out over the next few months.

Chapter conclusion

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Helltanz's notes: Cornelia will show up next chapter, and yes I gave Jeremiah an Edinburgh Lelouch is playing one big game to dethrone his old man.

Plus next chapter there is the possibility of a political scandal, I apologize lateness was due to technical difficulties, which still haven't been completely resolved.