Chapter 15
Dark Prince
Helltanz's notes: I will be using certain elements from R2 but some of it is really weird, why the hell did Charles get mad at VV for nearly killing Lelouch for one.
I do in fact have a list of the Black Knights, I simply like referring to Tamaki as Whiny at this point in the series, he's odd in R2 as well.
Originally I intended to give Lelouch more Geass powered people, but I figured that would make him to powerful, but now that I've seen parts of R2 I'm not so sure, any way more on Lelouch's plan and his situation, seeing as this is AU.
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Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass.
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Chapter begin
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Lelouch disliked the disparity between the Ghetto and the Settlement. That was true enough however he also was concerned with his other goals. His psuedo banishment, in that it was all but in name, had deprived him of both his princely status, to an extent, and the governing of his county. Why his bastard of father insisted on putting such a young child in charge of a county was mostly likely another of his absurd tests of his progenies' ability. All that however was in the past, today there were more pressing things to do.
"Well I'll admit Schneziel's research project signifigantly boosted our own abilities," The eleventh prince commented breaking from his reverie concerning the past. The espionage, whether you wanted to call it industrial was wholy up to the individual, had been really useful. The information gained from Schneziel's researchers had been useful and in the month they had acquired the information they'd been able to produce the spare parts needed to equip completed Edinburgh frames.
"Yes, however it also caused us problems," Roland stated, "the stealth system and energy weapons are behind schedule because we redirected our efforts. Well the Electromagnetic controlled Stealth field works, to a degree." He paused, "In any event our own energy weapon that should be finished before the MMI 303 Merlin's frame is completed, but it will still need functional testing to be done in combat."
Albeit there was the small matter of the 303's construction having to be delayed if they could recruit the Guren's creator. That was more of the matter of incorporating whatever she knew along side the original MMI technology and Schneziel's project would be useful.
The MMI and Schneziel's Camelot program had minor similiarities; mainly similar design goals. The Black Knights had focused on development of a next generation power plant which would eventually be mass produced. The intention was by 2020 to test and field the SEN on an Ace Frame utilizing an improved MMI Frame System.
"Yes," The dark prince confirmed, "But the weapon will certainly be worth it, wouldn't you agree?"
"Most certainly," Agreed Three nodding, "It certainly will negate the advantage of all but the best armor and particle shielding in most cases, and you can't really dodge something like that." That was true particularly in regards to paraticle shielding, which was according to tests far more effective against kinetic attacks. " Admittedly power consumption is still an annoying and important issue we will have to deal with, but our battery technology should be signifigant to compensate for that. Integration of the capacittors will also help matters."
Lelouch nodded transfer of energy efficently was always an issue in the battlefield. Making a mobile weapon was far more difficult than creating static emplacements. "Cornelia is preparing a second seventh generation frame." He murmured, "I doubt it will see action soon but I need you to insure the Edinburgh's are ready to deal with something like that or at least be able to hold it off,"
As far as information indicated Cornelia was operating with the Camelot program's work, but it was possible her own territory would start work on a seventh generation program soon. They would be late in the game, as even China had a program, suspended though it was.
"I understand your highness,"
"Oh and next time you want to do something like the press release tell me first, Millie does tend to be rather prideful about getting 'help', and well her pride being hurt generally doesn't bode well for my comfort."
"I see my lord, dealing with the rivals then?"
Lelouch smirked, "Keep at it," He commanded, "Crush them," The prince willed,
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"Clovis," The younger prince remarked, sparing his elder brother a glance,
"Yes Lelouch, what is it?" Inquired the blonde curiously.
"Do you have death wish?"
Clovis blinked, "Why would you ask something like that?" He partially stammered at the serious tone his younger brother was using.
The dark haired prince held up one of the swimsuits the blonde, had err… designed, "Do you know what's wrong with this?" He asked innocently.
"No," Clovis responded wondering what it was that Lelouch was getting at.
The eleventh prince of the empire sighed, "Then allow me the task of enlightening you, dear brother," Lelouch remarked. "Cornelia's here, as is Euphemia, and you are opening that water park of yours… don't you think this is a little revealing."
"Not really," Clovis commented without hesitation.
The Dark Prince shook the 'garment' out before his sibling. "Clovis, exactly you don't think its to revealing, but they would remember what happened last week after one of your ah slip ups," The blond prince paled, "Cornelia is a little conservative wounldn't you say, what is she going to do to you if Euphemia wears something like this?"
Clovis took a minute to consider Cornelia's over protectiveness over Euphemia "Lelouch your going to help me right, Cornelia's going to murder me!" He exclaimed nervously, realizing just what Lelouch was getting at.
He sighed, Clovis really should have considered the consequences of his actions more in Lelouch's opinion, "You really should be more careful," The dark prince remarked, "though again your ah, history doesn't help matters,"
"Lelouch," He squeaked, glancing about as if Cornelia would leap out and beat him senseless for the imagined, at least as he saw it, slight against Euphie, and of course her own feminine pride. "Please we're brothers you've just got to help me,"
The eleventh prince smiled genially, well for the time being bailing Clovis out wasn't a problem, with effectively a high rank civilian administrator there was no need for Lelouch to be concerned.
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Hokaido as it had been before Britannia's invasion was still quite isolated due mainly to its unpleasantness and lack of many large towns. The weather really wasn't that bad. A few years previous the young eleventh prince of Britannia had joined forces with Roland, and later recruited Sora and Nemo, even though technically it was that they had allowed Nemo to join and he had then recruited the enamoured Sora, but back to the Hokaido region as such the Holy Britanian Empire had little interest in the Region.
It was this lack of interest that played handily into the fledgling Black Knights Plans to defeat Charles for Japan did indeed possess the world's largest and most easily accessable reserces fo the vital minieral sakuradite.
A resource the Hokaido research possessed; not to the extent of the deposist around Mount Fuji but enough for with in a year's time to rapidly exppand the group's coffers, Sora's ability really was useful.
By expanding their control it was soon possible to take the entire area legally and best of all not one person would notice because Clovis hadn't cared, something Lelouch found quite amusing… of course the third prince had infuriatingly managed to hide whatever projcet he had been working on along with that rotund general Bartley the question was where they scurried off to.
Hokaido's resources were nothing to sneeze at certainly they were more impressive than the publiclly known but relatively minor amounts in Kyushu. Also Hokkaido didn't have the problems Kyushu did with terrorists. Those same problems made exploiting the mineral resources of the island difficult.
These resources allowed the Black Knights their autonomy but a government contract would certainly help to rebuild the Ashford Family, not that Lelouch denied the Black Knight's front companies from accepting construction contracts from the military or Britannian Government.
Hokkaido was were the bulk of their initial wealth had been in invested, and from here it had it blossomed. There were no longer any ghettos on the island, and the schools here taught everyone. The rule of law prevailed here.
Lelouch settled back, it was the peace here that would keep Cornelia's attention away from here. When she did find out about everything here, she'd be annoyed, but that would be it. Once Hokkaido was out in the open though that would be when things changed, Cornelia would be annoyed by the Hokkaido Autonomous Guard, everything else she could right off as his prerogative, his right as a noble ruler. In truth Lelouch expected the most trouble to come from the National Advisory Council for Area 11. In theory it would just be a legal bind, one from which Lelouch should easily win, in practice it was likely to be more complicated than that. The legal fight would pale in comparison to what would probably happen.
The truth was Lelouch expected the NAC to contest his control of Hokkaido as they controlled the Sakuradite mining, but in truth the island was the ultimate proof against them successfully beating Britannia. He reached towards the interface. There were so many things to prepare for, they were going to have to open up more Knightmare production lines anyway. Lelouch hit accept call.
"Ah nephew I thought you might have been out of the office," The voice that went with the face on the video screen rumbled in a deep friendly baritone. "The information about that new flying innovation is good, we can market things like that to my brother's idiot son."
Schneziel's flying ship prototype, yeah building flying warships would appeal to Russia's current tzar. The help with funding would certainly help.
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Lelouch was now going to do some well deserved gloating, especially since the girls, well the student council girls were off on a mini holiday, "I believe some one was concerned about me dying," The prince remarked smugly to the green witch; who was ever was lazily flopped onto his bed reading a magazine.
"Don't be a sore winner, Lelouch," She chided, "besides we're partners you should have shared with me before you went gallivanting off."
The Dark Prince scowled at her response. "Oh well," He began annoyed, turning to face her "Maybe you should ask instead of pointning a gun at me," Lelouch retorted hotly
"I was only going to shoot you in the leg, false indignation doesn't really suit you," She added bored, as she rolled over causing her hair to fall into her face. "so then Lelouch what is the next stage of your plan?" The witch inquired.
He raised an eyebrow, "We wait of course," The Dark prince commented, "The sakuradite ditrubtion covnention will start soon that substance is a great influence on the balance of the world dirupting such a delicate proceeding would be unwise," he stated, attacking such an event would do his organization no good at all. "That kind of choas would only hinder my plan."
"So did you ask Cornelia?" CC inquired
The Dark Prince frowned at the question posed, "I was unable to however the time for that will come later,"
"So not a total victory then?" she quipped.
"I did not expect Clovis to act so quickly," Lelouch admitted "I still won," He responded the test of Cardoc had proved that as expected superior firepower could be massed with seventh generation frames. Through this theory close combat machines could be severely marginalized.
"But can you keep going?"
"Of course," He responded. "By the end of this my army will match his, I'll surpass Charles and then I will kill him." The eleventh prince declared; along with those tepid nobles, he mused. Albeit half of him suspected defeating Charles would play right into the Emperor's desire for a strong successor.
"Don't you have somewhere to be?" The green witch asked innocently.
Lelouch scowled he was going to be late.
Besides Jeremiah and the rest of the purist faction would be returning from a training operation and the last thing the eleventh prince wanted to deal with was a fanatically loyal and knight and his suspicious subordinate.
Thankfully Euphemia was out of town so it did suitably lower the chance of a royal meaning Cornelia was really the only one that might cause trouble, by more than likely demanding help
Cornelia I won't allow you to ruin my work and the Ector will be refit shortly anyway, mused Lelouch over the MMI Prototype.
The Ector was originally a sixth generation knight mare frame; armed with an electromagnetic system which allowed it a chameleon effect originally other than that and rather impressive movement it was fairly normal, though with some nice hand weapons, unlike the seventh generation Cardoc which was bulky but wielded great fire power.
That also brought up the Navy's complaint, which had passed through the government in Area 11.
Something about an improvement to the RMI 11 Portman Knightmare Frame, hello government contract, and best of all those buffoons did not yet have a grasp of Cardoc's full abilities, sure it wasn't very agile but it more than made up for that flaw. Lelouch took a seat at the student council table, and pulled out his cell phone, and hit speed dial, "Tell Rolland to look into the Portaman competition," He stated briefly.
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The door opened, "What are you waiting for," He stated as Kallen's group gasped at the luxury, he had managed to make it in time to set everything up.
"Come in, as of now this place will be our hideout," The disguised prince stated bidding them to enter.
"So," Ogi began, "You think joining up with us is a good idea?" Inquired the terrorist, excuse me freedom fighter.
"Yes we're comrades after all," Lelouch stated as the group entered.
"Holy cow," Murmured one of the terrorists,
The whiner looked around "So what is this? Huh,"
"Do you mind if I ask how you came by this?" Ogi inquired, Zero had expected the question.
"I borrowed it from a rather libertine nobleman who doesn't mind to indulge my requests."
"You asked for it?" in shock he inquired, "Just like that,"
"Don't sound so surprised the allies of Justice can be found in many places," So it was a tad theatrical, big deal. "Don't worry no strings attached,"
"Its huge," One of them murmured, "Check it out it even has a second story," He remarked looking up the curved staircase.
"On the other hand no one would expect us in something like this," Kallen stated,
"It even has a TV," Commented the glasses wearing terrorist turning on the television, which begin reporting on a terrorist attack.
'The Lake Kawaquchi convention center, those fools,' Lelouch thought annoyed, before the news began rolling film of the hostages.
Kallen gasped, "From the student council," She murmured.
The dark prince glanced at her, the leader of the group was lieutenant colonel Kusakabe, personally Lelouch preferred Todoh during his stay as a political prisoner but it seemed he would have to deal with Kusakabe in this instance the man was a rather bossy person, authoritarian was probably a more correct term.
The newscaster began to uselessly babble on about Sakuradite.
Lelouch frowned behind his mask, he had been doing that quite a bit as of late it seemed. The hostage situation was unfortunate though why hadn't Cornelia attacked meant it was indeed likely Euphemia was the pink haired girl inside the convention center.
The terrorists were around, so it would seem it was time to make an impression and reveal the message of the black knights.
Lelouch made a phone call, before addressing his knights.
"So they made their move," Muttered whiny, Lelouch really needed to learn his name, he reminded himself,
"They are easily the largest anti Britannia group in Japan." Ogi stated. "and now their pride has been hurt,"
"Because of us,"
"Maybe," the former leader of the group stated as the previous speaker glanced at the now standing prince.
"I don't know whether to feel happy or sad about that," Whiner remarked, "Because their all going to end up dead."
Rivalz called and the dark prince had little choice but to let it go to his messaging service, he knew well enough how he felt. Rivalz was a good friend but he didn't understand the double life Lelouch lead. "That is true,"
"But the JLF are supposed to be the best equipped troops of all Japanese resistance groups! Surely if anyone besides the Black Knights could win, it'd be them."
Lelouch frowned, "No the truth is the legendary equipment of the JLF is exaggerated, it is there numbers which is their benefit. While it is true that they have a massive knightmare force at their command, this kind of scenario is not to their benefit.
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In this situation knightmares would not be much use Britannia had already established a blockade and it would further seem the JLF the hostage takers had a counter of their own if loss of that Sutherland team was any indication of the facts. Facts were scarce regarding that turn, but given the close quarters of the access tunnel it could be a number of things, including some kind of prototype knightmare.
Besides if the Cardoc were to be used it would likely cause some unpleasantness for the eleventh prince's future plans, he was already getting harassed by Cornelia to build another Seventh Generation frame, possibly even one for her personal use like hell he was going to do that.
Further more the MMI 101 was currently having recalibration work done, after all the RPI 203 Gloucesters were specialized for close range combat; the Cardoc's major weak point. He'd underestimated the damage from battle to the arm servos to be truthful, and now they were having to repair things.
Beside the Knightmare still needed to have the rest of its equipment installed including some of its electronics and weapons systems. The fight in Saitama hadn't really mandated the entire electronics suite, but at range...
Well the Cardoc could very well level the building with one missed shot even though Lelouch considered that possibility unlikely between her pride and Euphemia's life, the dark prince was quite certain the witch of Britannia would choose.
Cornelia was currently at an impasse, so it appeared it was time to introduce his new comrades to the black knight ideal.
"Where do you want this?"
"Over there by the Driver's seat." Watching them scurry about was interesting, they were so quick to get comfortable, it appeared they trusted him.
"Hey, what about these boxes here,"
"Yes, those bring them over here," Lelouch looked up at the television, 'We need to do something, however acting without a plan could fail catastrophically.'
"Zero what will happen to the Hostages?" Kallen asked,
No sense lying, he thought, "In any other situation Cornelia would have sacrificed them, it would seem something valuable is at stake for her," He commented,
Ogi entered, "Hey Zero I found these, in the boxes you told us..." AH the uniforms, good
".. So should I hand them out to everyone," he asked, "I mean as far as gear goes it looks pretty hip, but..." Did he just say hip, Lelouch's eye twitched aggravated behind his mask, thankfully the mask was in place though so they didn't see. "... We're just a resistance group,"
"Wrong," He stated turning around, "We're not a resistance group is that clear," The prince stated,
"Well," The Japanese Freedom Fighter seemed confused. "What are we?" He asked a tad timid.
"What we are, what we are trying to be are Knights for Justice," the Dark Prince announced, "You are all apart of the Black Knights, specifically welcome to the Istavaanian faction, our objective is too purge the corrupt. I think the first ones we should deal with are the hostage takers."
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Chapter conclusion
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Helltanz's notes Hopefully that answers the background questions, especially once things get underway after the Kyushu mess, and the SAZ gets declared, things so I don't have to say it then, any way back ground information is set up.
As for the Cardoc it in its complete state will be busting Britannian heads at Narita, and Cornelia may just get her own Seventh generation eventually as well, of course I would have to think on that.