Chapter 32
Dark Prince
Helltanz's notes: Filler mostly, short too. As to the time period Code Geass takes place in, equivalent to are calendar its circa 1957 Common Era, that means 'World War II' in Code Geass was at least for the Britannians fought with Mecha. Also explains why nukes are only theoretical at the current point.
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Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass.
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Chapter begin
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Well this was a major pain in the ass.
Kallen asked again, "Lelouch who is she?" She demaned her eyes narrowed into a fierce scowl, Lelouch had seen better but that wasn't really the point. Also telling Kallen his dad was far scarier than her 'righteous femine fury', TM, probably just make her angrier. Then again the Emperor tended to be pretty scary on his own.
They, Kallen and Sayoko, hadn't met, and if anything the half Britannian was angry, at the parrels this drew with her mother probably didn't help the situation. A Japanese woman working for a Britannian noble; oh yes that'd go over real well.
It probably did not help matters that Lelouch had accumulated due to rumours a bit of a reputation as a womanizer, which had done absolutely nothing to deter his hordes of fangirls."This is Sayoko," He stated, "Sayoko this is Kallen Stadtfeld."
The super maid gave a small curtesy, "It is a pleasure to meet you miss Kallen." Lelouch noted the twitch that was indicative of onset of imminent female rage.
In the event of the battle across the street the terrorist had been destroyed, this argument was not likely to be so quickly finished.
"Nunnally everything will be alright you should go back to bed, why don't I get you a glass of warm milk,"
He stood up to do just that, Sayoko however simply smiled, "I can handle that Lord Lelouch," She stated,
"Its really quite alright," He remarked.
To late she had already cleared the distance to the cabinet.
A few minutes later, complete with Kallen shooting death glares at him, Nunnally was back safely tucked in bed, and hopefully out of hearing range of the impending storm of femine rage that was going to break loose from Kallen.
"Lord Lelouch would you and your friend like something to eat?" Inquired Sayoko after she returned from putting Nunnally back to bed.
Kallen clenched her fists at ther sides hard enough for her knuckles to turn white, "How can you debase yourself like that, for him."
Lelouch had expected this, while not a feminist per say well Kallen seemed to greatly detest peverts and womanizers, if her glares at Rivalz when he made certain remarks concerning the interactions between men and women, even moreso than most women and in this case it seemed to even more than usual anger her. Though even for her this was a bit extreme.
If anything it would be best to hurry up and get Kallen to know the truth because as it stood if this continued it would be a very bad thing if she learned about the truth of the situation of the Black Knights some other way.
"He's a horrible person, with no sense of morals who contantly plays the cynical observer." She continued her tirade.
"Kallen," Lelouch attempted to interject, this was going to end badly if she continued on like this, he really needed to amend the way she pereceived him.
His attempts and thoughts were inerupted by the approaching hand, Sayoko grabbed the red head's wrist. "You don't understand Lord Lelouch in the slightest," The slightly older Japanese woman stated. Well as it stood this conversation could go all kinds of ways wrong, and more than likely probably would, in slightly better news he didn't get slapped, that was certainly a good thing.
On a related note he probably should 'reveal' himself as the head of the Black Knights, or at the very least get into a slightly better standing with Kallen.
She was useful to him. It wasn't just the skills of a pilot. Her almost childlike faith in him as Zero was reassuring to the eleventh prince of the empire, and it was different then how he had seen the Emperor's other wives act towards Charles. it told him, assured him, he wasn't like his father, and that was a reasurance a large one.
Yes, it was true Lelouch despised the man who had abandoned him and his sister more so because of the later than anything else. However amongst his greatest worries was to reach the state where he was like his father, being like him was abominable.
The Dark Prince unintentionally clenched his fist, "Please don't fight, you two," He said after a minute. "Kallen I am admittedly a flawed person however,"
"Lord Lelouch is a good person," Sayoko stated. "I think you will come to understand that soon enough."
Lelouch resumed his seat, "Kallen your own beliefs are to a degree different than mine however there are key differences between you and I, you should wake up and see the real world for what it is." The Prince paused for a moment and briefly considered his options, he stood up and placed his seat under the table, "Sayoko, I'm going to take Kallen to the hangar, could you please watch over Nunnally for me,"
The red head blinked in surprise, specifically at the word hangar.
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The Ashfords had been some of the first researchers into the field of Knightmares, not only was the Ganymede here but there was also spots for accomadation for other frames; specifically military frames.
The main lights came on, "Behold Kallen Stadtfeld this is my creation. So Pilot of the Guren Mark II this is the MMI 303 Merlin. It is incomplete right now mainly final calibrations but soon it will be fully operational." he remarked.
While the Cardoc incorporated a number of new technologies Merlin took things a step further by integrating mostly prototype stage technology. Originally the 303 would have had a prototype proof of concept model built and tested, but that wasn't possible. Simply put they didn't have time at the moment.
"Guren how do you?" Her stance subtely shifted, but he could tell she was surprised. Of course then his other words began to sink in. "MMI? Like,"
Lelouch vi Britannia smiled, "Correct, as in the MMI X 'Ector and the MMI 101 Cardoc this is the Merlin." He turned on the spot to face her his face devoid of expression, "You were offered to know Zero's true identity. Your knowledge of the Black Knights is limited, you know little of the greater order."
"What are you talking about?" She demanded the half britannian had stopped from going on the defensive by the blitz of surprise.
Lelouch placed a hand on the large machine, "I'm showing you this and telling you this because I think you can be trusted." after a moment he removed his hand and placed it over his chest. "My real name isn't Lelouch Lamperouge by the way," He turned to face her. "I am Lelouch vi Britannia. The eleventh prince of the Holy Britannian Empire." He bowed grandly. The shock of all this would keep her off guard, given the fact of the approaching invasion her group would be among others be shown more of the technology they had been developing. "I am head and founder of the Black Knights."
All of this he needed to be sure of Kallen's loyalty lest Mao take advantage of her as well, just as he had with Shirley.
In any case the Guren was going to be finally restored to operational status. once Rakshata met up with them to fix the Radiation arm. In the meant time CC was off to the Chinese Federation to handle certain diplomatic matters.
If needed he'd flood the Ghetto with his pawns. That was something he could do, the use of his Geass like that was dangerous but it could stop the attacks. That throb in his eye, or occasional bleeding would be worth peace.
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The day had started normally enough. To average person it did seem Cornelia had been successful in dealing with the terrorists. Lelouch hadn't gotten a report yet, but Roland might be handling that and then there was also the fact Suzaku was at school.
All in all things seemed fairly normal. Normal was a good thing.
Classes were as expected very subdued due to sleep or lack there of during the previous night, the explosions from the bombing not to mention the Knightmare fight.
Kallen's reaction to his disclosure had been the obvious initial surprise though Lelouch would certainly not say she had significantly warmed up to him at least not so far. She was still a bit less critical of his attitude now that he had revealed his identity as the Dark Prince of the Black Knights. Maybe he was not yet treated the same as 'Zero' but now she treated him a bit better. Admittedly she was still the slightest bit peeved off about Sayoko.
The royal family in area 11 did indeed raise issues. Cornelia had laid off pestering him to make his reappearance for now; which was nice.
Clovis was the same as ever it would seem with Cornelia having replaced him as Viceroy it freed up a lot of time for the more relaxing things in life. Such as finishing up the recreation of the gardens of the Aries Villa atop the government building. That renovation hadn't been questioned not yet anyway.
Euphemia was still the same girl as he had known in his childhood. Cornelia however still disapproved of Euphiemia having apparently befriended Suzaku.
Though that probably more because of her own protectiveness, as well as the fact he was an honorary Britannian, than that he attended Ashford Academy. Something the pink princess had indeed set up.
Cornelia and Euphiemia were probably off enjoying the replica garden, and if Lelouch was to speculate Clovis was probably painting.
Suzaku was as goody, goody as ever; naïve as well. He failed to comprehend why the Black Knights were allowed to operate as they were. Even the tabloids were beginning to speculate that the Black Knights had some form of influence in the government.
Rivalz had made an utter spectacle of himself upon learning of Millie having a suitor, this was the main reason Lelouch hadn't told him in the first place.
Shirley had come back two days earlier and was acting odd, more so than he had expected her to be. Nina indeed to be becoming outright obsessed with Princess Euphemia.
The Dark Prince sighed his hand covering the eye where his Geass lay dormant. He answered each of the questions with a half hearted tone as he slouched first period was utterly depressing.
Schneziel was doing worse than expected on the front because of the Panzer Hummel's advantage when it came to range. Battles were coming down to issues of terrain. What was worse his spies in the EU, Geass or otherwise, were reporting an upgrade to the Panzer Hummel to increase its survivability. The machine's armor was already quite a bit more impressive than the Sutherland. The improvement to its mobility would give it a surprising level of maneuverability, that could be a major problem.
Though with the Edinburghs MSV particle shields the Hummel's fire power and range would be nullified. Not many of the machines were in place in addition in comparison of Britannian Sutherlands. Not many machines over all carried MSV Shields so the Butterfly was able to inflict heavy losses on the standard Sutherlands. No more than likely it was when a second front opened Britannia would be in serious trouble facing these improved Panzer Hummel if Italy could convince German Defense Contractors to allow them to buy and mass produce the new model of Panzer Hummel. Italy already possessed the older model. While there armored divisions were not particularly spectacular the danger of the Butterfly still existed.
The Edinburghs advantage should the conflict get drawn out however would only increase as time went on and production increased for the upgrade system. As Edinburgh knightmares became standard main line knightmares amongst the Black Knights they could potentially stall a European advance.
Lelouch's eyes drifted closed this was really a colossal pain. He really needed to be worrying about the Chinese Federation instead of being concerned about the EU scoring a decisive counter attack against Schneziel's forces.
Maneuverability was an issue; the float unit had obvious advantages over the lower tech alternative, which was basically derived from the existing VTOL technology. In any case it would end both would end up being used. They would need to converge on the Chinese positions so mobility was going to be a necessity.
On the positive side the VTOL system was easier to produce which meant Lelouch would be able to have Kyoto produce them to equip the Japanese forces who would be participating in the battle.
There was also his planning with Cornelia that was having its own problems, Guildford seemed to spend the majority of the time attempting to drill holes in the back of his head with his glare.
Cornelia's knight neither approved of the Black Knights nor of Lelouch's command habits. More than that Lelouch was not apart of the Military yet had command over military units, this complicated the chain of command.
Whether this would escalate to something more severe was debatable, though Lelouch wanted to avoid any friendly fire situations, but it was something he really didn't want to worry about especially since Mao happened to still be running around loose.
The deranged Chinese Geass user was probably going to throw a tantrum, if we wasn't dealt with. Oh well at present the settlement was on heightened alert someone from the Chinese Federation would be closely observed.
The bell signaling the end of the day's first period of the day's classes rang jarring the dark prince from his thoughts. Suzaku patted him affably on the shoulder. "Hey Lelouch you've been distracted did something happen?" Inquired the Lancelot's pilot.
"I'm fine," He stated, noting Kallen approach. As it stood the half Britannian was not aware that the honorary Britannian was the pilot of the Lancelot. She already did not like Suzaku, not that it showed, still it was possible that dislike would escalate. Were that to happen she might do something stupid.
Shirley and Rivalz joined them on the way to the clubhouse, and Nina was probably already there. In any case Millie was of course likely having to deal with Lloyd's eccentricities, and Nunnally would be in class for this period.
The Prince leaned against the wall of the clubroom. Most of the details concerning the upcoming school festival had already been sorted out, of course there were still a few things which needed to be addressed.
In Lelouch's personal opinion he was rather concerned with the security issues of the hosting the Festival in the current climate.
There was no guarantee that the recent incidents would be the last time extremists launched attacks against the settlement. It was that very thought which concerned him about opening Ashford Academy's gates.
IF they had had the resources to deploy he would have permanently have stationed a few Knightmares around the campus, but that was out of the question given the present disposition of forces, troop numbers were simply to strained and the presence of troops stationed visibly at the school might attract attention, for now he'd have to suffice with the Knightmares already in the hangar here.
When the Chinese Invasion occurred it would disrupt all pacific military operations for Britannia's forces, in that Window Lelouch intended to secure his foothold, the main reason for the invasion of Russia being plotted was the enmity that existed despite the marriage alliance.
The Dark Prince intended to break Russia out of the EU, secure a more acceptable leader of their forces as well as take China, though for the later his Geass would possibly play a heavier portion in. The nations of Western Europe were caught up fighting off and on against Britannia. Russia's internal matters varied, but the population of the Russian Empire had more of a grudge with the Chinese Federation. It was a grudge left from most recently the Russo Sino war. A war that had left many, including members of Russia's royal family dead.
Another key part of the plans for the latter part of the year related to Australia. the preparations for a more peaceful take over were already in place, the natural resources, Japan known mines supplied nearly seventy percent of the world's Sakuradite it also held the most readily accessible reserves of the important mineral. That didn't mean their weren't other locations that could be exploited, however these other places weren't' as easy to access and didn't possess the same vast quantities as Japan's mines, hence why the island nation was so important. Thus why holding Japan was so critical to hold onto to Britannia.
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Chapter conclusion
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Helltanz's notes: Right ok thus here the thing Mao is still around for now, mainly he's off sulking fuming or whatever plotting to get CC back. Mao will make his reappearance later on but generally just be a background worry.
Lelouch is in the meant time having to deal with the fact Japanese terrorism is starting to spike and then there is also the fact the Chinese Invasion is very quickly approaching, which means big fight is approaching and the fact Schneziel.
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