Chapter 27
Dark Prince
Helltanz's notes: The period of mourning for the pathetic end to Geass is now over, let us rejoice for the next update is here.
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Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass.
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Chapter begin
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"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 Knight Mare 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."
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The screw up concerning Katase was severly annoying, beyond that it was a wasted oppurtunity. Cornelia for the most part was occupied now by keeping the military in fighting form, not easy considering the state of morale.
The Black Knights were also somewhat impaired the Guren's arm was damaged, limiting its offensive ability, which while the radiation surger was impressive well the machine was built around the weapon to much… it was to reliant on fighting in close quarters that could be a problem that could be exploited.
Lelouch made a note to speak with Rakshata concerning the arm, he'd let the Knightmare developers figure a way to increase the machine's abilities.
The prince crumbled the paper swearing them to silence… damn it why had Millie revealed that of all things a little further digging and his entire identity could be revealed one little slip up and he'd be hounded even more than he already was.
It was very proplematic. The Dark Prince surveyed the machines,
"Security concerns have been dealt with, everything is in place for Princess Cornelia's vist." Stated the Black Knight.
The organizations guards looked nothing like Britannia's royal guards, all function the only fashion statement was their uniforms and that even then was not nearly as dramatic as the outfit worn by Zero.
"Yes, her vist," Lelouch groused annoyed, these complications were such a bother, but it couldn't be helped Cornelia and he needed to work together the threat posed by the Chinese Federation and their puppet government of Japanese, no Elevens they weren't worthy of being called Japanese, was simply to severe.
They would be obliterated under foot, there could be no other option but he could ill afford to act alone Cornelia and the Britannian military, the Japanese all of those who would face the invasion force they would mask his prescence so his identity should in theory remain hidden.
The Royal Marines, really the only group which hadn't been severly damaged they would play a key part thinning the horde the attack against the ships would be carried out more than likely however by the superior armed RMI 18s of the Black Knights, the Navy of Brittannia would the forces here would be insignifigant in comparison to what was likely to accompany a full invasion force, no they couldn't be depended on not with the Fleet having to worry more about the Europeans and being directed to attack Africa.
Lelouch looked at the machines, even with the addition of the total remaining forces of Britannia as well as that of the small Japanese cells.
No, it didn't matter, he stared at the immense, by comparison to the normal Knightmare Frames, at six point nine meters at its head height, to say nothing of the large shoulder pylons.
The evolution of the Ganymede II, the prototype evolution of his mother's frame, the weapon the Ashford's never finished due to her death. Merlin.
The armaments were nearly completed, all that was left were the final instalation of the upgrades Rakshata was working on for the MMI.
Even the San Graal was finished the weapon Lelouch had though would remain only a supplementary tool in warfare. Now was ready, all that was left was eliminating the number advantage.
His gaze swept across the other machines Edinburghs, Eastbourne, Dudley and Manchesters as well as a few others.
Quanity had a quality all its own it would seem that the Chinese were going to be a thorn in his plans.
The Dark Prince looked back at the Merlin, his mother had favored speed, though even with the system installed it was unlikely Lelouch would live up to the title of flash. No, he decided, the machine is best suited to coordination like it was meant to.
Technologically it was superior however a single wonder machine could be overwhelmed, that couldn't be allowed to happen.
"Make sure all Armored Autonoumous Battle Knight Units are prepared for combat," he ordered turning on his heel,"When we go to war, we will have no choice but to take everything with us, that includes the old prototypes, get the materials hopefully we can have enough quality to turn the tables on their wave tactic."
Someone once said speaking of military service men, that it was best to remember your weapon is built by the lowest bidder. The economics of war, in this case the Chinese had an advantage with their numbers they produced a cheap, outright one-to-one inferior weapon, but they had the numbers where they could simply overwhelm the superior Britannian Knightmares.
A
number of advanced weapons had been developed but most never saw the
battle field simply being to unique or costly to be efficient, still
one on one they were better than mass production frames. At least
they would serve some purpose beyond gathering dust, instead of
laying forgotten.
"Yes, as you command your highness."
Merlin was the sorcerer, it could play a vital part in the coordination but against sheer numbers it could also be easily overwhelmed.
Against Britannia the MMI 303 would have been an utter Nightmare, against the Chinese who would throw hundreds of lives and machines away the Merlin could be defeated, though if it was completed in time it could help stem the tide.
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CC
was currently reclining on the couch curled half way into the feotal
posistion, "What are you going to do now Lelouch."
"I
prepare," He responded, "There is to much at stake to allow this
fallacy to occur," The prince remarked.
"You should keep those you don't want to lose far away," The green haired witch commented.
He tilted his head, "Are you speaking on personel experience?"
"No." She responded, "Its just my policy."
The Dark Prince continued to read; "I don't have that option,"
"Oh does this apply to Cornelia as well?" The gray witch inquired sitting up,
Lelouch frowned, wondering just what exactly was she implying.
"You really are your father's son," She remarked, causing Lelouch to blanch and growl angrily.
He
gritted his teeth, "And what is that supposed to imply?" The
prince demanded glaring furiously "Charles could never be bothered
to protect anyone."
"And you can? Why do you refer to him as
Charles, is it supposed to be disrespect or is it something else?"
"He's no father," The teen spat, "I can protect but I know my limits, that's why there are things like retaliation in this world."
CC spoke up"Vengeance, that path is dangerous."
"My life is dangerous, were my identity to be known its very likely some one would attempt to end my life."
"So what about your identity?" She pressed, "Those students know you're a count, can you afford them finding out more? And beyond on that how much longer can you keep your idenetity hidden?"
"Time has always been against me," He responded, "I knew that one day my identity would be revealed, that was inevitable."
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Shirley was missing,
Millie and the others had split up to look elsewhere so Lelouch had been stuck with heading to Narita.
The damage really was quite significant. The green haired witch was sweeping the down below.
'This annoying I have an invasion to prepare for,' He groused in his mind, 'finally,' the prince approached the other student council member and the man his hand traveled to the concealed pistol quietly measuring the factors which affected a shot. "security detachment," he remarked over his radio.
"Yes
your,"
Lelouch cut him off as the man near Shirley began to
turn, "Possible hostile located at the monument, weapons free,"
He intoned unlimbering his pistol.
"Negative your highness do not engage," The Black Knight blared in his ear.
The prince frowned he'd get a lecture for sure,
"Ah
Lelouch," A red dot appeared on the albino's torso. "Will you
kill me?"
"As quickly as the sea may change." Lelouch spat.
The
weirdo tilted his head, "Such an evil person, I'll have to punish
you."
"Punish me," Lelouch remarked, "I'll butcher you,"
He snarled, the prince spared a glance to the orange haired girl.
"Shirley get up and get out of here," He snapped to the other
student annoyed, "All teams acquire target and engage."
"You
claim to fight for justice but your just self righteous," The
strange person in the trench coat remarked.
The prince glared
speaking up, "Your psychobabble,"
"Won't work on me," Finished the man
"Geass," The eleventh prince remarked in surprise catching the sight of the sigil in the man's eyes, He steadied his arm. "All teams switch to long range engagement hostile has unknown power."
"Oh wow you are so fierce," The man clapped mockingly,
The
prince kept his weapon leveled, "Explain yourself,"
"Why
don't we play a game," The man produced a white chess piece, "I
hear you're good,"
The Dark Prince snarled, the laser dot
raising to the other Geass possessor's head. "Don't fuck with
me either give me a straight answer or die," He hissed considering
scattering the man's gray matter on the cobbled stones. 'Does he
think I would waste my time play chess with some one like him.'
"Oh you don't want to play, you're to serious," The man commented,
The lanky Chinese man was rather childish whining and ranting over the green haired witch.
Lelouch grimmaced at the chinese geass user, "CC, you think even with your geass that I hold her against her will," He commented, "Heh that woman may go were she likes and frequently does so if you want to see her do so, or do not I do not care,"
"Lulu-" Shirley mumbled.
The trolley came to a stop, the doors opened to allow the green haired immortal to disembark.
"CC," Mao err… squealed in delight. "CC you came, you came."
Lelouch likely would have slumped in utter embarresement at being anywhere near such a weirdo had the situation not required him to pull his gun, this buffoon really did have some issues.
"I'm not a buffoon," Shouted the chinese geass user petulantly.
The dark prince let out a breadth, right mind reading geass. He turned, "I don't care Shirley the rest of the student council is getting worried," The teen commented as a knightmare asscended.
"Master," Pressed the Black Knight over the speaker system
"Edmund why did you bring an Edinburgh to this place?" Lelouch questioned, "Princess Cornelia is being rather impatient about speaking with you again, I thought it wise to come and get you myself," he remarked.
"CC
if you could take Shirley back to the settlement," Lelouch stated
not paying attention to the Ashford student who had looked up at the
statement.
The green haired witch scowled, "Fine,"
"CC, I knew I'd find you," Shouted Mao waving his arms, the dark prince made his way over to the green haired witch allowing Shirley to lean on his shoulder, he moved the girl over to the immortal.
"Lets be on our way," He declared.
The black knight responded as was quite typical it seemed of Britannians, their charecteristic "Yes my lord," The Edinburgh command frame scooped them up and made its way down from the monument.
"Do
you happen to know what this is about?"
"She wants to see
you," The pilot commented, he paused. "probably also wants to see
the Surtur as well."
He had known that was coming, hence why he had had the preparations go ahead and be made, it was only a matter of time before Cornelia, no to defend Japan from the Chinese all sides would have to work together.
Cardoc, yes CC would probably have to pilot it.
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Lelouch frowned Mao had been removed, hopefully from the list of threats, so what all did it mean should he supect another to show up and interfere. Though it was a bit of a pity though the corpse of a geass user would likely be a very useful tool for study.
The Dark Prince needed to be more careful, that was what he decided of course that was easier said than done with Millie's problems and having to worry about his secret and then there was the present issue; the second princess turned to him.
"Welcome Cornelia to the Hokaido Institute for Defense Research Surtur," He remarked horribly bored sounding, that part of the façade was necessary, "For the past four years it has been running reasearch into Knightmare technology including the MMI 303 San Graal system." Lelouch failed to announce said system was beniffiting immesnely from Rakshata's radiation technology giving it a boost in ability and range.
"Can Merlin defeat Cardoc?" She, as was in her usual way, psuedo demanded it seemed her pride had returned.
"The machines are built for different purpose," He stated stubornly "But yes I believe the 303 could beat the 101 if conditions were met."
"Lelouch can you reign in Zero?" She asked. "Lelouch," Cornelia snapped.
"I
am the master of the Black Knights." The prince responded, "Do
you think any terrorists will remain opperating after this Zero is
cleaning out both the corrupt Brittanians and the hardline
terrorists, in the end Japan will exist peacefully under Imperial
rule and just in case the Amalathian faction their puritans by the
way," He clarified identifying the set lead by Roland, "Are
standing by to defend Tokyo and Hokaido."
"Lelouch terrorism
in this region is nonexistant because you have control of the
government here," She was refering to Hokaido, however such an
ideal was impossible for the whole of Japan. "I think Euphie would
like it here." The Witch of Britannia remarkd.
He nodded in confirmation, that was correct Euphie, Clovis had confirmed as much about the pink princess's sentiment.
"But the ideas behind them aremn't like those of most of Area 11," She stated, "I didn't think you such an idealist."
He grinned ferrally, "That implies my system doesn't work," The prince responded, the expression he wore was smug.
At least that much he could be proud of, what shred of concious he still possessed he kept tightly in check but this area was something which was far away from the slaughter and battle, assassination and death that was common place.
The political intrigue even with avoiding the Courtly life of Britannia sickened him, perhaps more so than even the battles and the killing, but he could endure because with out his desire to protect Nunnally he was the perfect Britannian.
The only ones who should kill are those who are prepared to die.
The mantra played in his head, he had the resolve to pull the trigger, soon he'd kill the High Eunuchs of the Chinese Federation.
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Lelouch sighed reclining,
"You
should make your return already," Cornelia remarked. "Euphemia is
asking questions about this region,"
He hummed, "Is that so,
you always dote on her." The prince commented. "I don't intend
to return but I will likely have no choice,"
"No choice, what
do you mean Lelouch?"
"The inevitable conflicts that occur
will one way or another draw me back into Britannia," the Dark
Prince replied,
"Its no use Cornelia," Clovis said, "I mean viceroy," The blonde prince amended hastily at her glare. "Its just Lelouch will has no interest in being a prince, he's a workaholic, he'd rather work than be a prince" His tone indicated he didn't understand Lelouch's habit.
"His work ethic is certainly better than yours," she snapped annoyed at the lay about Third Prince as he dabbed at the canvas.
The third prince winced at the berating.
"Why are you painting Knightmares anyway?" Lelouch questioned standing over the other prince's shoulder.
Clovis
set the pallet and paint brush aside, and brushed a hand through his
own hair with a sigh, "Well I can't exactly paint you can I dear
brother, so my tribute is instead to your creations."
The second
princess looked at Clovis a tad annoyed.
Lelouch stepped back, when his reality of survival was revealed Euphemia, Cornelia, and Clovis would really be the only ones he could truly expect support from.
The rest of the Imperial family were either useless, even the first princess Guinevere and First prince Odysseus fell into this category.
The small number of royals who were still in the 'game' were not necessarily major threats, the only one who could hope to interfere with Lelouch's plans on a strategic level was Schneziel.
Unfortunately the second prince was also the patron of the Lancelot, and the Gawain, which admittedly was not present at Area eleven. That Scheziel had seventh generation Knightmares meant he was a problem if open hostilities opened up.
"Is it necessary for you to hide your survival from Euphie though?" Cornelia questioned as she faced the eleventh prince.
He
nodded, "Does telling Euphie actually affect things, though," The
leader of the Black Knights stated, "Tell me if I tell Euphemia do
you think my survival will not soon become public knowledge."
"She
does have a habit of talking up," Commented Clovis, "I mean its
not intentional but if Lelouch did tell her she'd probably have it
slip out." He stammered nervously.
"Even so," protested the Witch of Britannia, "Is it fair for her to not know?"
"The point will be moot soon enough," He responded, "Probably after the Chinese invasion,"
It was probably a wise choice, Clovis was exaggerating besides it wouldn't be long before his leading of the Black Knights became public things were simply moving to fast for that not to occur, he simply would have to make the best of it.
Cornelia nodded in acceptance.
It may have been sooner than the eleventh prince would have liked but things were getting out of hand the sooner Area Eleven was stabilized the sooner the rest of the plan could go forward.
"So
be it, Lelouch," She stated, "In the meantime I want to see how
those aquatic units perform against the current production line."
He
acquiesced, giving a small nod.
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Chapter conclusion
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Helltanz's notes: a slightly longer length chapter, anyway sorry for dousing philosophy, and my spell check is on the fritz anyway that's 27, Mao's been introduced, and Lulu's having to seriously consider sharing advanced military hardware with people he'd rather not, especially given he doesn't want to reveal his existence yet in the first place.
Schneziel showing up will of course be a problem, at least in Lelouch's opinion, Kyushu will be more of an issue than in canon as well.
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