Dark Prince Chapter 40, a code geass fanfic

Chapter 40

Dark Prince

Helltanz's notes: Oi its chapter forty, good god/s seriously were getting up there any way I will take now to point out that Lulu is getting better and he's not a cosmic plaything of Murphy in this story.

Also unlike R2 if some one is gonna die their gonna stay fucking dead, and 'word of god' go suck my…. Getting off topic, really its ridiculous ah heres the damned chapter I'll stop ranting.

Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass.

Chapter begin

This impromptu trip was a potential problem, Cornelia for some reason had been oddly huffy about him bringing not only his knightmare, well one of them, but having Jeremiah come along as well.

Right now the custom type seventh generation frames could be counted on hands. That was going to change Schneziel's project was going to be considered a success, and it wouldn't do for the Knights of the Round to have subpar weapons.

Of course worrying about the production of Britannia's new machines which likely hadn't even been designed or were just entering that phase of development wasn't really all that big of an issue. Rakshata and Pytor had begun along obviously with their respective development teams work on new machines, among those would be the Vajra of course plus construction of the MMI 202 which would start once the invasion was stopped.

Avalon so that was what he was calling his warship that was basically all he had learned unfortunately Cornelia was more of a fighter than someone who understood the technology behind things. Such a shift in tactical flexibilty a flying craft, with what he expected to be that offensive power of a warship as well as the ability to launch knightmares, such an advancemnt would be a really grave problem. At least until a counter measure was developed, if Britannia could replace their existing navy before a countermeasure could be developed then they could potentially inflict serious damage to the Europeans.

Gritting his teeth as the pain flared up again he winced, it had been getting worse even though he hadn't used his Geass any further. Perhaps his Geass had already reached the stage where it would evolve without any further use, that could be a problem. CC had stated that it was getting stronger but what exactly did that all entail.

Clearing his thoughts he analyzed the situation, Lloyd was Schneziel's top scientist and so his research was up to date. So thereby the Avalon was mostly untested it was a weapon that was not yet ready for wide scale deployment. The technology was to new for that kind of action. Pytor and Rakshata could probably complete the SEN and that would elminate some of their problems, but they would need a warship that was ready for combat in what would be a real war.

Avalon was nothing more than Schneziel flaunting his oversized ego, the airship wasn't ready for combat but it still would be capable of battle. It was a danger to the unprepared but once he knew exactly what its spec were shooting it down would be easy. Well easier than just guessing or using winning via overwhelming firepower, which would probably entail eight to twelve full size hadron cannons coordinated at the prow.

Lelouch allowed a malicious smile to cross his face, unfortunately this had the effect of causing most of Cornelia's 'elite' troops to whimper like kicked dogs, after all he was the guy who had built, financed, the demon machine Cardoc. So evil grinning was nothing to joke about.

Cornelia tapped him on the shoulder, she was probably slightly worried about him and the unpleasantness, hell the only one not freaked out was Jeremiah.

He roused himself his thoughts. "Were almost there I know," The prince responded cordially.

Overall their escort was fairly small Shikinejima was pretty isolated, at least their official escort was small coviently their were two merchant vessels not to far which had just happened to be built in Hokkaido and owned by a Black Knight Front Company, they were currently carrying knightmares.

Plus there were RMI 18 S Eastbournes in the water not far off, they were equipped with stealth and more efficient battery technology, in addition to some minor changes to the shape of the machine to improve underwater features.

The Witch of Britannia wouldn't approve but Lelouch understood that the situation was far to volotile to rely just on the Forces of Britannia, especially with the Portmans that were in their arsenal.

Lloyd, Suzaku and Euphemia were on the other ship so the chance of running into the pink princess was unlikley at least until they arrived at the island. Clovis had been left in charge of the Tokyo Settlement. Either there or themselves either one was curently vunerable to attack.

It had been seven years since the very first knightmare had entered the stage as a true weapon of war. The RPI 11 Glasgow had been the revolutionary tool used in the invasion of Japan as the response to the Oriental Incident. Britannia's startling victory brought the second pacific war to hasty conclusion.

Without regard to their safety war had been declared. That now however no longer mattered. The Black Knights had matured into their worldly form. Soon enough they would have the power to oppose the corrupt systems of the world.

"That wasn't what I was going to say, now stop spacing out on me, Lelouch." She snapped annoyed at him. "Now that Schneziel is aware you-"
He shrugged, "I'm not going to do anything yet." The prince remarked, "Nothing has changed, nothing that would warrant my survival becoming public knowledge so I have no intention of making it known. I intend to leave without meeting Euphemia I intend to continue to fight in anonymity for as long as possible."

Oddly Cornelia had a problem with him fighting whether this was because he was the leader of the Black Knights or because she would have had problem if it was the armed forces of Britannia he wasn't quite certain.

Leaning back he spoke up again. "I told you I made my bed I intend to lie in it." He remarked, "I have no intention of supplying seventh generation knightmares to Britannia not with Charles as Emperor, I however will not supply the hostile forces within the EU either."
"Hostile?"
He chuckled, "Do you honestly think Britannia is the only major one with whom contributes to our ranks," Lelouch continued to laugh, "No we have people from the EU and well you are already aware of the agents from China existing." My mother's death left Nunnally scarred, and created a monster. "White's from Rome and Sky's from here in Japan, and I don't want to here your objections either." The prince remarked waving his hand rapidly.

Nationality meant nothing to him, no to them nationality meant nothing to them, it was a fact he reminded all about the Black Knights.

Staring out over the waves the dark prince pondered how long this would last Schneziel had no real need to speak with Euphemia, still this was definitely not with the situation with the EU going on like it was a simple visit.

The EU's actions they were proving a real pain in the ass, and what was worse was that he was starting to get paranoid why hadn't the Knights of the Round been deployed to deal with the situation. Charles was taking this situation far, far to laxly, that was the opinion of Lelouch on the matter.

So either he had a giant ace in the hole and was letting people die needlessly, which was very well likely or he was going senile, or maybe just caught up in too many orgies to notice the later of which was something he really didn't want to think about.

In the mean time he'd need to be making contingencies Charles had the advantage in resources had had the advantage for a while now. Though by no means even the difference was slowly decreasing now that the factories and labs in Austrailia were now at last coming on line. Also with the plans to deal with the Eunuch and seize China's industrial capability with in the next year and a half, though the plan's action phase would start earlier than that, another level would cleared to say nothing of the plan to secure the infrastructure in Russia, and create a buffer state in Arabia. By acquiring those territories plus the chances of parts of Eastern Europe defecting such as Poland it would be possible to rival Britannia in a frontal conflict, even more so if they were still at war with the EU. If those conditions were met as a best case scenario dictated well he'd not only be able insure Nunnally's safety but confront Charles on equal terms.

Schneziel's airship even if it wasn't fully ready for combat if Britannia pounced on the idea and started designing soon well they'd have to start supplying the Russians with a plan earlier than they began moving.

"Lelouch," Schneziel greeted overly cheerfully embracing in a close hug. "its truly wonderful to see you alive. I understand that you brought one of those impressive Knightmares of yours along as well."

The dark prince waited to speak until after he was released from the hug, even if they were brothers it was substantially more awkward than being glomped by his fangirls back at Ashford Academy. "I'm hardly the only one," He remarked sparing Cornelia a 'don't think I didn't know' look.

Cornelia did not look pleased at all about being called out on the issue.

Banter aside now along with greetings out of the way, the real game of sorts could begin to unfold.

Overall the Avalon was perhaps 200 meters, Lelouch counted two launch areas and just as he had expected the craft appeared under armored for a warship.

Euphemia was apparently yelling at the colonel of the base for some reason that Lelouch was unable to discern over the radio.

"IFX-V301 Gawain," Stated Schneziel grandly indicating the machine as the lights in the hangar came on.

Had Clovis been present he likely would have commented that the second prince was infringing on Lelouch's copyright of Knightmare color schemes. Indeed the large, height wise at least as it was smaller by far bulk wise than the Cardoc, seventh generation frame that Schneziel had created did certainly stand out given its dog like head, complete with large ears, and indeed with its colors it might accidentally be assumed to be a Knightmare of the Black Knights.

Lloyd pirouetted as he surveyed the place. "My goodness a flying fortress," The boyish scientist remarked in awe. "I thought you weren't going to make a prototype until you gathered more data."

The dark prince was internally very smug, though he was of course aware that the principles behind the system were quite sound it did not mean that there were not with out flaws. Schneziel had rushed this into service, by quite a bit he would hazard to guess given the resources needed to produce a ship of this size.

Lloyd didn't seem to be worried about the untested nature, "and the Hadron Cannon?" he asked.

"I just had to make an attempt," Schneziel remarked with a shrug.

Sparing the machine another look Lelouch spoke "I would hazard to guess that they do not work,"

"Unfortunately," The blonde prince nodded and admitted, " indeed that is the case of the matter Lelouch."
"Why wouldn't they work?" Cornelia all but demanded of the two princes. "The ones on the Cardoc worked."
Lelouch rolled his shoulders, "Hadron particles are slightly troublesome to use effectively with out the proper control, the fire power is erratic at best," The dark prince remarked. Of course the Gefjun disturber was not the only method of controlling the particles of course but it had been a rather expedient solution.

Schneziel or well Lloyd seeing as pudding boy was the head scientist for the blonde prince might use one of the other theoretical solutions to the problems. "It doesn't mean the cannons won't fire it simply that they don't operate efficiently," He commented pausing to further survey the machine more closely. "It does seem rather under armed, slash harkens on the fingers its sensor set, a tactical super computer?" He smirked, "Is this supposed to compete with Merlin?"
"It does look more agile than that monster of yours,"
The leader of the Black knights scowled at the Witch of Britannia. Merlin was the successor to projects taken over from the Ashford foundation three years previously. In the case of Knightmare frame development the Glasgow had been nearing completion when the Empress Marianne, his mother, had been assassinated. The destruction of the Ashford Foundation which had followed had had the unintended side effect of sidelining devlopment of further Knightmares.

For Britannia the Sutherland was the first real step forward as far a mass production Knightmare frames went. Just as the less armored manchest was the Black Knights first step in a more advanced mass production type. Admittedly it had been decided that working with the Sutherland was better for the time given the machines greater girth when they began the development planning for what would be the Edinburgh.

"So Lelouch what do you think of the Avalon?"
Cornelia sighed as the 'Overkill Guru's' smirk returned.

The Black knight's two currently produced seventh generation, Merlin and Cardoc, were both far less agile than the Lancelot or these new Gekkas even but they compensated for it with raw destructive power as Cornelia had noted.
"Your flaw in Knightmares is also present in ship building, this," He said indicating the ship with a wave of his arm, "Is more of a personnel yacht than a warship given the lack of anti hard target parties its ill suited the duties of a true warship,"
Schneziel did not dispute the point concerning the armament especially not after a look of exasperation that passed Cornelia's face, "And what oh wise one would you do to improve?" Inquired the second prince.

The thing was Lelouch would concede at the moment the Avalon was fine even with the addition of Rakshata's team to their research division they were still in no position to start fielding a 'proper' competing protype airship. Right now Schneziel had the advantage, to an extent.

An airship that was equipped with a float system had a distinct advantage over traditional sea faring warships even if it was under armed for a weapon of war. It could fly over land and hit an enemy where a conventional ship would be unable.

However there were opportunities presented, Charles's handling of the war with the EU was sub par at best. Indeed the Britannian monarch hadn't even bothered to dispatch any of the knights of the Round, who were supposed to be the best soldiers under Charles's command.

With Russia's assets Lelouch could, in the event things proceeded as planned have an actual combat airships produced that were equipped with the float system but that was getting ahead of himself.

He wouldn't be fighting alongside the EU. Though Britannia's corruption was more easily visible the EU were also corrupt. "I'd add more guns," Lelouch suggested after a moment.

"That's your answer to everything," Cornelia sighed before launching into her tirade, "its needs more guns, lets add a laser gun!" The witch of Britannia all but shouted, "Oh or perhaps accommodations for a missile rack or a grenade launcher then-"
Schneziel chuckled nervously as Cornelia ranted on, "it only has a nose mounted primary gun you'd have to turn the bird if you wanted to fir it in another direct," Lelouch protested firmly, "And that set of CIWS guns won't stop a concentrated missile attack much less a barrage fire."
"Actually," The second prince finally said able to get in a word edgewise, "That is what the Blaze Luminious is for,"
Lelouch grumbled something to himself.

"What was that?" Schneziel said leaning forward.
The dark prince scowled. "I said your being overly reliant on particle shielding that won't stop sustained fire or a hadron beam."
"None of our enemies have such weapons,"

He smirked with glee, " China may not have 'Hadron cannons' but they have a seventh generation that's equipped with a large baryon particle beam cannon," Rakshata truly was a genius however what Lelouch had failed to mention was that like the Lancelot the machine was so high spec that there was no one at the moment able to properly use the Knightmare machine.

"And you didn't think to mention that sooner!" Cornelia exclaimed furiously.

Lelouch shrugged, "It isn't like the Eunuchs would authorize its use," He remarked noncommittally. "Its like any other Elite seventh generation too expensive to mass produce and not worth cost to deploy except in emergencies."

"Your sure?"
He gave her a flat look in response. "are they or are they not still using wave tactics and fourth generation Knightmares?" The prince drawled, "besides the Shenhua would set off snipers like a commercial jet sets off military grade radar and even a seventh generation can't stand massed hadron fire."

"Lelouch raises a valid point though were he would get the capability-"
Cornelia sighed, "Lelouch has a mass production type frame with a hadron cannon," She announced.

"He has what?" Exclaimed Schneziel in surprise taking a step back.

The eleventh prince nodded, "Correct hence massed hadron fire Schneziel." He commented amused.

As Lelouch had expected Schneziel had come with an alternative motive, something other than a simple family visit. Though he aware that the second prince had been involved with Clovis in regards to the Code R research he was surprised that the visit was clearly something related to Geass.

Even so to be using the Gawain's tactical super computer for like this well it was odd, suspicious even. While he had of course weighed carefully the pros and cons of a taking an escort, hence why it was small. Euhpemia had of course had questions concerning the frames of the Black Knights.

The Pink Princess was even now notably annoyed at Cornelia, and even Schneizel's less than satisfactory, for her anyway, response. In any case the fact was she had noted the machines presence, and Jeremiah had confirmed that the military had not been exempt from her questions concerning the Knightmares.

At the moment however Euhpemia and Suzaku were still at the nearby base, which of course served two purposes, the first keeping Suzaku away from Cornelia and Euphemia out of Lelouch's hair.

These Geass related ruins were suspicious, he knew they had some connection since his eye had immediately flared up the second they had landed on the Island, admittedly they had landed right at the Entrance, but that was irrelevant, and if Schneziel had taken a picture of the spectacle of piloting Gawain Lelouch would shoot him.

Lelouch watched as the technicians surveyed the chamber, he had not intention of doing any more than observing especially since he had no idea what kind of reaction his possessing Geass would have.

Roland had actually been the one to focus on the analysis of Geass for the Black Knights and well the conclusions reached were shocking for just Geass, when the blood samples they had from Nemo and CC had been considered and then Clovis's Code R data had been added recently well he felt his caution was justified.

"I apoligize Lelouch, I assumed you'd be more interested than this it is rather impressive do you think this is why the Emperor chose to invade?" Questioned the Prime minister of the Holy Empire of Britannia.

The Dark Prince shrugged, "For what reason, I cannot imagine Charles," He said enunciating the name with contempt, "Has never seemed to display any interest in the distant past as clearly these ruins belong to," Lelouch commented. "It is possible that they were one reason however Japan's siding during the oriental incident also seems to indicate other motives,"
"Perhaps though I've noticed you haven't moved much since you entered." What was he getting at, "Your in possession of a power called Geass aren't you?"
He didn't allow his irritation to show, "The power concealed in my eye I've give up on using," Stated the Eleventh prince, it was mostly true the dangers of overusing his Geass had become far to clear after that incident. "It's a power that's just as dangerous to me as it is to others so I've stopped using it."
"That's," Schneziel paused allowing the words to sink in, clearly it had not been what he had expected. Thoughts and tangents raced through his mind from the wording what cursed power could have been given to exactly what could be so fearsome that the new ruthless Lelouch, who had clearly hardened since childhood, to balk at using it. Further issues were raised from what the second prince had theorized, the Geass grew more powerful over time and with use. If Lelouch had given up using his power then did that mean that it was powerful how much so, and if it was indeed when did the eleventh prince gain it? Wondered the older prince, "You would willingly abandon a weapon in your arsenal that's seems to go against what your current professed philosophy, little brother,"

He shrugged, "Some weapons are simply too terrible to unleash the power of the king is an absolute and that power to great to use."

'Power of the King,' the words echoed through the blonde's mind', a king's authority manifested in many forms oddly however Schneziel forgot Occam's razor always check the simplest thing first. For Lelouch to isolate himself from the power to cease using it, it had to be terrible that was the conclusion that the second prince had reached.

The Dark Prince shattered the internal monologue, "Miracles can be made, however using Geass, no Geass itself is not a totally dependable weapon. I won't rely on it like you rely on wonder weapons like Lancelot,"
Cornelia had only caught the tail end of the conversation as she approached, "can you go five minutes with out arguing over tactics," She decried the both of them in exasperation even so the viceroy however seemed to have more pressing issues that needed to be mentioned.

Lelouch frowned perhaps Tokyo had been attacked if so then whoever had been responsible had broken the ceasefire and that could potentially lead to a number of disastrous problems.

They had quickly discovered that the cavern or perhaps it was the ruins themselves that interfered with communications.

Being free of the disruption field was not the only reason Lelouch felt relief, that relief however quickly evaporated as Cornelia led them to the small portable television.

It had begun, the Chinese Invasion, it couldn't have started at a worse time.

The leader of the Black Knights cursed as Sawasaki, a former member of the Kururugi cabinet stood with the Japanese flag in the background. "Damn it, damn it all."

Chapter conclusion

Helltanz's notes: Okay then we are done Fillers are over for now at least Kyushu invasion will start now. Oh joy I hate typing.

Schneziel in on the secret but is probably going off in the wrong direction in regards to what it does, in addition assuming he knows that Geass is based on what one desires he probably thinks Lelouch's desire is primarily revenge so uh well I'm sure there are a couple of things he's banking on.