Chapter 14
Dark Prince
Helltanz's notes: Obviously this Lelouch did much better, mainly because in this story he's been preparing for longer; and has a seventh generation mech and a small private army.
Any way Mao will still show up and royal piss Lulu off, and probably severely strain his and Shirley's relationship, not sure about Villetta.
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Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass.
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Chapter begin
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Lelouch swung the Cardoc's, large and heavily armored, arm back to knock the RPI 209 Gloucester away from him. The arm mounted MSV shield glowed generating a green buckler of particles and impacted the other machine.
By this point the dark prince was furious, and the Gloucester was missing an arm, but that as far as Lelouch was concerned was merely from the earlier attack, when one of his computer controlled blonde knives had come a little too close for the Gloucester's well being.
"Insufferable wretch." The display flashed green on the seventh generation's weapon's console, "DIE!" He hissed slamming the buttons on the front and back of his joysticks. This triggered the Hadrons to fire, causing them to glow to life gouging lines into the ground and sending the annoying machine scrambling across the ground as it attempted to dodge. Attempting being the operative term in this instance.
"Guilford," Called Cornelia over the Radio, she sounded concerned.
Her knight of course that explained the pest's skill, mused Lelouch gripping the controls of his own Knightmare. That did prove the weapons needed to be calibrated appropriately for close battlefield conditions. That of course did make sense the technology was fairly new.
The adrenaline was thundering in his veins. His breath was ragged, "My lord Britannian reinforcements are inbound," Reported one of the Black Knights. "Identification pegs them as regular army supported by deployed elite units,"
"Damn it," hissed Lelouch. The prince was shaking with impotent rage. Clovis of course wants to redeem himself, and here comes the purist faction members, he thought breathing heavily as his heart began to slow down.
The eleventh prince paused considering trying to kill the pilot of the Gloucester, but decided against it.
"Retreat," he ordered after a few seconds more, "Our mission is complete we have punished the Britannian Army, withdraw our troops." The prince stated through gritted teeth. Damn it, he'd gotten caught up in this fight, still they'd succeeded in ensuring the evacuation of the civilians.
"Yes my lord," Intoned the troops surging away from the Britannian forces. The Edinburghs maintained their formation permitting them to defend themselves with their particle shields if they were attacked. The formation also permitted them to fire back, the Sutherlands seemed to realize this. The Army was not quite so stupid as to try and pursue them as they made their retreat.
The Cardoc's fact spheres flared once analyzing the scene, downloading the picture to an internal protected memory core.
Yes, Cornelia wouldn't be able to hide this. It was assuredly a propaganda victory if nothing else. On top of this civilian casualties were minimal, even if the damage to the ghetto was severe.
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"This data is wonderful," Declared the man; he wasn't a mainland Britannian but neither was he from an area in fact he was a European. "I'll get it right away to the Research division. Did your program work as you wanted it?"
Scientists they were always the optimists. Thought the prince amused as the man rushed away for a few moments. "Yes, the system did," Off to the side the Cardoc's cannons had been stripped off of the machine and were being disassembled for review of the internals of the weapons.
Pytor came back, "Well they did fair better," He muttered, "We'll need to study the data in depth, and recalibrate the system." He stated, "In any case the data is helpful to our interests."
"We need to get the erratic fire power under control what's the use of those cannons if I have to wait to fire them because they aren't stable enough to fire constantly." He stated, "I was under the impression that was supposed to be one of the benefits."
The scientist nodded. "We have a possible solution. We'll need to test it of course, but with the information from actual combat we can optimize the system." He paused, "Additionally installation of capacitors could alleviate some of the issue with charging the weapons. By incorporating the magnetic shielding system into the firing we can insure tighter beam compression."
"I understand," Lelouch admitted, "In any event Cornelia can't do that again. Britannian forces have suffered to many high profile problems she needs to boost morale immensely to restore faith. To do that she needs a massive victory, but at present with the conference on Sakuradite coming up, and force disposistion as they are the only target that would present such and oppurtunity is the JLF based in Narita are the only major open force oppposing Britannian, a force which will be feeling confident after viewing our sucess."
The truth about Narita was it was not simply near Tokyo it was controlled entirely by Japanese forces, specifically the JLF was comprised of members formerly of the Japanese Armed Forces, and it was supplied by Kyoto.
The other Black Knight faction leader spoke up. "The second princess does not have the capability to attack them at present." Roland confirmed, "Production of Knightmares is sky rocketing of course due to recent events. As it stands the factories are running nearly around the clock."
"Thats a problem," Another Black Knight added, "Its putting a toll not only on supplies but the working man in the factory with all the extra hours. Production is gonna have to give sooner or later."
Business in Area 11, like in most Britannia held regions and the homeland itself, was controlled by the powerful. The Black Knights had dozens of front companies, and countless 'legitimate' enterprises. Britannia was having to replace its Knightmares and there were only a limited number of Knightmare factories so the companies which owned those factories were being pressured to produce more, and additional spare parts.
He nodded, "This latest blunder also has brought up the bottom feeders," Lelouch added, "though how long until Cornelia puts here foot down on the matter is unknown," Bottom feeders like the tabloids were running reprints, and critiques of the second princesses performance, and of course the now infamous 'kiss picture'.
The nobles would raise a fuss, but Cornelia would not care, she wasn't the type to care about something so frivolous as the tabloids.
Of course the mess at Saitama would only get worse if the Black Knights message got out, that really would stir up the public in to a rather large frenzy. The lack of the Lancelot to counter Cardoc had played in their favor too, as far as propaganda went as well.
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The Cat festival planning had gone, smoothly, was that the word, Lelouch wondered, being dressed up as a cat was not his idea of a good time.
Then again Millie had the strangest of ideas and schemes, she always had, of course it was rather endearing at times.
Of course none the less Lelouch wondered if it might be possible to escape from the ridiculous thing, it was humiliating, what if Clovis or Cornelia got a picture of him in such a costume.
He slumped, Euphemia, of course she wasn't currently aware of Lelouch's survival, would be even worse in her own right.
Besides the student council members Lelouch was quite pleased, the dark prince congratulated himself again not only had he managed to convince Cornelia to not reveal his survival, Clovis was coming around to his line of thinking, to a degree.
There was of course a drop in Knightmare supply numbers but so far that had meant little, not for long however, with the capture of the Britannian transport from the former Philippines, Area 8, had been intercepted, laden with RPI 13 Sutherlands, even if some of the harvest had been denied by the Z 01's interference.
Though none the less with now with odds somewhat even for the 'run of the mill' terrorist groups. Britannian forces even under the second princess were suffering, as the reports from Saitama had proved, albeit they hadn't yet found out the Cardoc hadn't even been finished yet, admittedly the Knightmare was finished but its armament hadn't been completely installed yet, and the hand carried armaments had not been used in the battle at Saitama. In truth that would be amusing to rub in Cornelia's face.
'There's still Kyoto to consider as well' the prince thought, 'Also what to do about the Guren," The power of the King was an excellent subversion tool, "since obviously the other terrorists of Kallen's group would be using those Burais, that Kyoto would obviously supply. But for Kallen what to do about the Edinburgh.'
"Lulu," The president of the student council called as she and Shirley entered the room, something was wrong. "Oh Lelouch," Millie stated a faint tinge of irritation in her voice, definitely wrong.
"Uh yes madam president," he responded shakily.
"Look," She exclaimed slightly more cheery pushing the newspaper article into the eleventh prince's face.
Lelouch's eyes widened, 'Roland I really wish you would consult me about these things, this is going to nearly as bad as dealing with the fall out from the 'kiss mess'' he mused.
"Lets go have a chat, shall we your highness," She whispered in his ear. Her declaration was continued with the proceeding to drag him away.
Whatever three had said about Edinburghs, assuming this was what this was about and that was what he assumed it was about, was already causing trouble, but without reading the article the dark price had little idea as it related to him surely three was not so cocky as to proceed to reveal his survival this early, no that couldn't be it, well at least not directly.
"Lelouch care to explain something,"
The prince really didn't like that look in her eye, nor the fact this room was empty.
"You aren't doing something behind my back are you?" She asked a little to sweetly, for Lelouch's tastes. "Like trying to restore the Ashford Family's status with out telling me are you,"
Oh this was going to be hard to get out of, especially since that was precisely something he was trying to do. Millie wasn't one to appreciate that kind of thing, even if, bluntly speaking Lelouch thought it was for her own well being.
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"The Saitama Ghetto incident was wholly unacceptable," Cornelia declared, loudly,
Lelouch raised his hand; "I do believe I warned you about the MMI 101." He remarked cheekily. "I'm surprised though, since it wasn't complete you should have done better against it,"
This statement elicited a few surprised gasps, and several people glanced at the second princess, "Wasn't Complete?" She demanded angrily.
"The Cardoc according to the analysis did not have its additional defense equipment installed or the rest of its armament," Lelouch remarked, "From what I hear had not have Clovis dispatched reinforcements they could and would have, and in fact did, beat you handily."
She scowled, but didn't chastise him for his remarks. "And what do you suggest?" The witch of Britannia inquired.
"Well lets go over the facts," He responded, "You just bolstered Japanese Resistance Morale, and encouraged Zero's popularity, lost valuable military assets, and have nothing positive to show for it, in summary we are steadily loosing the capability to continue these outings into the ghettos." A few people nodded shakily.
"Lelouch is right," Clovis nodded, again with his name people were not complete idiots they only had to put two and two together, "The attack on the Saitama Ghetto was a colossal failure we are currently at an all time low for Knightmares," The blonde prince declared nervously, "we just can't keep incurring these kinds of losses." Never mind the fact it had been one of his outings that had started this mess.
Cornelia's eyes boring into him caused him to recoil a bit, but he was right, and even if she didn't like him bringing it up she acknowledged it.
"Lelouch," The prince scowled why did the keep using his name, how long until one of them slipped up and revealed his survival by mistake to some blabber mouth. "I understand your Edinburghs production is making a statement,"
Damn it Three, stupid press release, the Dark Prince nodded, "That's correct, it won't recoup our losses, besides its faster to use the factories to build optimized Sutherlands,"
"Or perhaps you don't desire to share," Remarked one of the knights,
A pair of hands slammed onto the table, oh boy here we go, "What did you say?" Demanded Jeremiah.
"Cornelia before this dissolves into a childish argument the Edinburgh is a not something that can be fielded en masse the same could be stated for your Gloucesters, they're furthermore prototypes." He commented half growling doing a good impression of being well and truly annoyed, "I didn't expect them to be required to fill such any other position. As it stands we have bigger problems, if you're going to continue running amok in the ghetto, it would be wiser to stabilize the settlements, it would also be safer for Euphie." He added, besides the only reason they were being produced in such numbers was the need for combat data on the different types. "The Edinburgh is a prototype it is a machine being built for the express purpose of serving in a combat role so we can fix the flaws on it and roll out the Edinburgh II," He remarked snappishly. Also yes he didn't want to share, and if Cornelia's knight had a problem with that well to bad for him.
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The eleventh prince looked at the Lancelot, it really was a rather impressive machine even if it was smaller than his Cardoc, and had distinctly less firepower, still very impressive.
"Lelouch? What are you doing here?"
"Suzaku." The eleventh prince greeted, "I am here because Cornelia is basically conscripting my assistance, or rather my group," he muttered.
Lloyd was dancing about, "Well so this is Lelouch vi Britannia, congratulations," He stated, the use of his full name was much to the eleventh prince of Britannia's annoyance, "Welcome to the Special Engineering Corp."
His assistant smiled, "Its nice to meet you, your highness." The woman greeted bowing slightly.
"What are you making there?" He inquired,
"Hmm, oh well Princess Cornelia ordered us to use the spare parts from the Lancelot to build another prototype seventh generation Knightmare Frame," He seemed annoyed at the idea of being ordered around, or perhaps the use of Lancelot's spare parts, but Lelouch didn't show his annoyance as readily, a second seventh generation frame, that was both unexpected and a potential danger to his plans.
"Do you have a pilot?"
"Not presently," Lloyd admitted, "Of course it will take another week before the Club is finished. Then we'll go through the buisness of testing pilots." Lloyd remarked, "and it was so hard to find one for the Lancelot as well, so I'm not expecting much. Then again she might just want to hand the club over to that brute of a knight of her's."
"Lloyd!" Cecille exclaimed,
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"What do you think of that Knightmare the special corp. is proposing?" Inquired the Prince.
"I'm not sure what you mean prince Lelouch," Jeremiah responded,
"Its built from spare parts," Commented the dark prince, "Do you think it could survive against the Cardoc?"
"Against a machine that you had a hand in designing? Nonsense your highness," He responded, "The machine even in the hands of a terrorist like Zero, was able to lay waste to Cornelia's royal guard." The pureblood decreed slaming his glass down gesturing for another.
"There is only one of the Cardoc, Jeremiah and that machine is meant to bring immense levels of firepower down upon a target." The prince was not nearly as impressed by the Cardoc's performance against the royal guard Guilford had managed to launch a second attack of course he had gotten a nice set of bruised ribs for daring to.
"But the Edinburghs at Zero's disposal,"
"Yes the Edinburghs in Defender Set up could make the Cardoc a very dangerous opponent." Lelouch confirmed. "I'm not so much concerned about that however, Seventh Generations only make a difference in the battles they're participating in, with so many Sutherlands in terrorists hands"
"There just elevens, nothing more than common terrorists-" Villeta commented confidently.
He was tempted to correct her, specifically the fact that as it was most Istavaanians weren't necessarily Japanese at all. "That may be however this is also the first time they've had Knightmare access on this level," He stated, "besides does it matter, Britannia will win, eventually but at what cost will it take, the Japanese Liberation Front aren't the only major group with Knightmare Frames any more, and they are not only those Pseudo Glasgows any longer, shortly we may well be facing enhanced Japanese version Sutherlands, no one can deny the effectiveness of the Burai against infantry and even there ability in Knightmare combat due to the enhancements not present on the original RPI 11 Glasgow, the elevens have adapted it to have the same adaptive capabilities of our Sutherlands. Creating Electronic Warfare variants and such, a feature also found on the Edinburghs-"
Lelouch's phone rang
"Your highness?"
Lelouch blinked, Clovis wasn't the only good actor, as Three spoke rapidly.
"Zero used Cardoc to attack a battleship in Tokyo harbor, it was split in half," He stated covering the mouthpiece on his phone. "The Admiralty is needless to say furious."
The Britannian Navy was like it predecessor the strongest of the world's sea powers, and the admiralty had a flair for its battleships, they also tended to be very racist against not only numbers, but even lower class Britannians.
"Thankfully the majority of the crew was already on shore leave," he relayed to the two purist faction members.
"Prince Lelouch what do you think will happen if Zero completes the MMI 101?" the Margrave inquired.
Lelouch turned his computer to face them, "Not much worse than things are. The Cardoc's armament while impressive is mostly geared towards fighting at range. The rest of the defenses are the only thing to really watch out for." He hit the enter key letting the computer resume playing the animation of the Cardoc's shields activating. "While power consuming the shields and Hadrons can used at the same time. Its an effective method of stopping counter battery fire."
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"The attack went a little too well" Lelouch commented, "How'd the pilot do?"
"Well enough all he had to do was sit and shoot," Three mentioned, "What did you think?"
"It wasn't just any battleship that was blown up in the middle of rush hour, Roland, what do you think I thought of it," The prince stated wryly, "But yes it made an impression, not even the high and mighty Holy Britannian Navy is safe from the Black Knights."
Three tossed a file on the desk, "Of course we also knew the officers of the ship was smuggling in drugs and well that was the whole point of hitting him."
"In this society corruption reaches all levels," Lelouch commented in a pessimistic tone. "How is our Sakuradite supply?" Inquired the Prince.
"Ah back to business," The executive nodded, "We're down by twenty five percent with the latest project as far as resources go, but of course you suspected that, we'll finish the MMI 303 on time of course. Refining the armor is mainly what is taking so long, oh and the weapon, we need to test the mobile prototype first,"
The mobile prototype wasn't the issue, Misha could handle that, "And complete the Hadron cannons." He added.
"Yes and that," Three remarked, "We have made progress on that front, we'll just have to make sure word doesn't get out about the prototype"
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Chapter conclusion
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Helltanz's notes: Any one have any ideas what MMI stands for?
As for the MMI 303 its progress will be mentioned but it won't make its true combat debut until the Kyushu mess, after which Cornelia and Schneziel have a talk with Lelouch over a joint tech development, more on the reason for that later though, you'll see why.
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