Here's the big chapter 10. Not all that impressive really, but I am rather proud of myself for reaching it. As per usual I will extend a thanks to all of you who continue to review, and continually hope that this chapter lives up to your expectations.

Also, to lilmonkeychan, I appreciate the review. Not that I don't appreciate all reviews, but the reviews that contained little more than a pat on the back and a request for more were growing. And really, I'm not afraid of a little criticism. So yes, I do appreciate the bit of critique regarding how nice people are so far. And to answer that, yes I do realize there's an evident lack of manipulation and the like in my fic, but do keep in mind that Lelouch is responsible for a great deal of the more manipulative actions present in Code Geass, and in my fic he's noticeably more humane and above such things.

But still, I appreciate the diverging from the typical pat on the back. And as to your selfless request for more LelouchxC.C. I have already promised (or rather, adamantly stated) that it would be as such. But this fic is not a romance fic (or at the very least, has next to no elements of romance at this point in time), and so if you're looking for romance this isn't the place. That's not to say it won't be there, but it most certainly won't be the primary focus at any point in time. Perhaps a secondary focus later on, but that's a very strict maybe. I have everything but the finest details planned, after all.

And lastly, I might as well throw in a disclaimer for good measure while we're at it, so no I do not own the vast majority of the characters in this fic, nor do I own Code Geass itself.

--

It had happened.

As I assumed from the moment Henry told me, India sent a representative kindly asking that we lend our support in their battle. They must have been riding on the assumption that we would, given that without us there was absolutely no hope for them to win their independence. Todo had wondered why they would send for our aid, when that could potentially put them in our debt and worsen things in the future, but the answer was simple: they had no worries.

We were able to fight because of them, simply put. So when we, using what they supplied us with, became a full fledged army capable of contending with Cornelia and winning, it was reasonable to assume they'd use us as a simpler means to win their independence. The bad side to it was that, much as we disliked it, they had won. We did have an obligation to fight for them, and that meant we'd be fighting with nothing to gain.

But Todo assured everyone that I'd manage to make this profitable for us. And I would. The only problem that remained was how to get away from Ashford, and I'd already figured out how to do that. A double was a risky move to say the least, but it would keep me safe over in India. The only problem that remained was Britannia following us and attacking, but that couldn't be helped. With them in negotiations with the Chinese Federations, facing them on our new stage would be unavoidable.

o--o

The sounds of waves crashing and breaking on all sides were the only lapses in the unbearable silence on the ship. People simply sat in their rooms, lost in thought about whatever insecurities they had developed. Black Knights members had more than a few complaints about the Lancelot's pilot fighting alongside them and, worse yet, outranking many of them as both 1st Field General and 2nd Zero Soldier. Karen held the rank of 1st Zero Soldier, both having much the same distinction in the Black Knights as the Knights of Rounds of Britannia. They were outranked only by Todo, who rested high and mighty as the Head of Military Affairs. Despite all the complaints, however, Zero had successfully reasoned with them, saying that he was an Eleven dedicated to their cause through and through.

And, much as some of them hated it at times, the fact that Zero's word was law had yet to change.

Of all the Black Knights outside of Zero's inner circle, only Ogi could safely say he had nothing to complain about. Suzaku Kururugi was the son of their last Prime Minister, so he couldn't say it wasn't fitting for him to fight with them. In the case of Jeremiah, Ogi left it down to something he could trust Zero with. Things seemed no less out of control than they had - in fact, things seemed even more stable now, so Ogi had no real complaints.

He just wished Zero would trust his allies more.

The masked leader himself was currently seated in his officer aboard the flagship of the Black Knights' three transport ships, overseeing the transfer of the army's Frames to Haikou City, where Todo was already waiting with the majority of the Black Knights, reasoning that, so long as they didn't act, taking control of the city was advantageous to their mission. Lelouch had initially been skeptical, hoping instead to make straight for the east coast and make a solitary march on the capital from there, but Todo had reasoned that working at least somewhat cooperatively with India's own forces was more advisable. And, although they could manage otherwise, Lelouch opted to take such a course in order to avoid possible disapproval from India, and had already reformed his plans accordingly.

"Why Haikou City?" C.C. asked, leaning over Lelouch's shoulder and staring down at the laptop screen in front of him. "The Hainan Strait divides Haikou City from the mainland, after all. That makes beginning an offense from there rather hard, doesn't it?" she leaned in slightly closer, feeling the oh so familiar interest in her partner's deep plans returning. Her partner was an intriguing person, after all.

"On the surface, one would think so," Lelouch replied, turning his head to look at C.C. with a blank expression. "But the Chinese Federation has been focusing it's military on keeping up with Britannia's constant advances, and their Gan-Ru models are almost incapable of fighting aboard ships due to their irregularity. As such, naval conflicts will be almost entirely one-sided in our favor."

"That doesn't explain why Hainan Island is a good base of operations," C.C. deadpanned, arching a solitary eyebrow.

"The near entirety of their forces are centered around Lhasa, preparing to fight India's forces along the border. If Hainan Island is under our administration, they will be forced to divide their forces. And, many as they are, they can't hope to fend off a pincer assault," Lelouch explained, smirking victoriously.

"Aren't you being just a little arrogant? What if they have some ace you aren't aware of?" C.C. shot back, returning the smirk.

"If they had such a person, their continued attempts at a peaceful takeover of Area 11 wouldn't be necessary," Lelouch quipped, turning to face the screen again. "Besides, I'm sure he's..."

"...No match for you?" C.C. finished, laughing. "That arrogance may get you killed some day, boy."

"So long as we have our contract, you won't allow that to happen, witch."

C.C. conceded to that fact with an agitated 'humph', retreating back to her bed and allowing Lelouch to return the whole of his focus to his work. Such peace was short lived as a knock on the door disrupted both, and Lelouch quickly reached over for his mask, asking quickly, "Who is it?"

"Suzaku."

Lelouch removed his hand from his mask, telling Suzaku to enter. The brown haired pilot strode in determinedly, arms folded against his chest, staring down at his friend. "We'll be reaching Haikou shortly, and the men on duty are requesting your... orders," his voice carried a trace of disdain, still trying to get acquainted with the current situation. It was only recently he'd learned his best friend was Zero, and it had been at that same time that his beliefs had been shattered down, leaving him no more than a shell, blindly following Lelouch. Lelouch noticed all this, and had wracked his brain many times over how to solve his friend's pain, but had yet to come to a solid conclusion.

"Man their current posts. As soon as we dock, Ogi is to sort them into two groups, exchanging between holding watch and unloading the Frames and readying them for transport," Lelouch answered stoically. Suzaku simply nodded, turning and leaving as abruptly as he had came. Lelouch sighed, running a quivering hand down his face, allowing the hair that got trapped between his fingers to linger over his face.

"You feel bad, don't you?" C.C. sat up in bed, smirking greedily. "Feel bad that you took away his ideals? His reason for fighting? It's no better than having killed him, to you, is it?"

A growl escaped from the back of Lelouch's throat and he groaned, slumping back in his seat. "He still isn't sure whether or not he's making the right decision. I'll win him over soon," he answered snidely, glad C.C. couldn't see the despairing look in his eyes, betraying his words.

But somehow, it was as if she could feel that it was there, "You don't fully believe that," she quipped, standing up. "You're beating yourself up for doing this to him, though. But wasn't it necessary, to eliminate a powerful foe?"

"It was," Lelouch's head lolled to one side, collapsing into the grasp of his right hand. "I will keep going, no matter what. But if the Power of the King is so lonely," he dared a glance back at C.C., smirking. "I'll escape that sad future."

o--o

"Take that group to Transport Three!"

"No, not there! Over there!"

"Agh, look. No, don't do that!"

Ogi was running to and fro along the docks, trying as best he could to safely prepare everything for transport to the Black Knights' base in Haikou City. It had been a long journey overseas and people were understandably unaccustomed to sold ground again, but the amount of mistakes was growing to be ridiculous. He groaned, running a hand down his face, "Pick it up, guys! Before Zero sees --"

"-- Sees what, Ogi?" Ogi took a step back, turning ever so slowly toward the ship where Zero himself was disembarking, Karen and Suzaku on either side of him. "Is there something I shouldn't be seeing?"

"Z-zero..." Ogi calmed himself, sighing heavily. "Nothing. There are simply unexpected issues getting used to solid ground again, is all, and it's prolonging things slightly."

"So long as everything is under control," Lelouch turned, proceeding further down the dock, Suzaku and Karen still in tow. As soon as they were safe from view he pulled his mask off, looking at both of them sternly. Karen felt sweat forming on her forehead, and quickly wiped at it with an idle hand, eyes not leaving her leader. Her leader that had such trust in her to reveal his identity, sitting and intently listening to all her rants about him lying to her. Through it all he had just smiled and taken it in, and her respect for her leader seemed to have doubled as a result.

"What is it, Lelouch?" Suzaku asked in caring indifference.

"Sayoko is keeping me posted with changes in Ashford, and Nunnally has been placed under Clovis' care. I will be needing you two to return to Ashford as soon as we've solidified this area. I have taken it upon myself to secure your safety Karen," he grinned inwardly at that, recalling having used Geass on her family vividly. "But keeping up Sayoko's pretense will be easier if you two return from time to time."

Karen looked puzzled, whereas Suzaku simply nodded, "What do you mean, Lelouch...?" she asked skeptically, frowning. "What did you do to 'secure my safety'?"

"Perhaps I'll tell you someday," and with that he pulled his mask on again, disappearing around the corner with Suzaku following. Karen frowned before doing the same, intent now on learning her leader's well hidden secrets.

o--o

"As suspected, Zero has left for India. Given his current movements, it can be theorized that he is targeting Hainan Island," Zhao Hao, a large, rotund man by any and every definition of the word, said. "They cannot be aloud to regroup with India's forces! Those curs are putting up enough of a fight already!"

"But what can be done?" Cheng Zhong, the opposite of Zhao Hao in nearly every aspect, asked almost immediately. 'Hmms' and other such noises followed as all fell into deep thought, save for one in particular. He stood towering over many in the room as he stood behind his Tianzi, a look of seeming indifference on his face. The Tianzi's bodyguard, Li Xingke, had already determined in his mind how to solve the situation, but had resolved not to lend such knowledge to the High Eunuchs.

As both her bodyguard and a Commander of the Chinese Federation's forces, coupled with an undying loyalty to her, he would never grant them such knowledge.

"If Hainan Island falls to Zero, we'll be undone!" Gao Hai cried, and all cringed involuntarily at his high pitched voice. "General Cao is a fine leader to be sure, but our forces can't fight the Black Knights as well! They are strong enough to contend with Britannia!"

"Britannia is on good terms with us as of late," Huang Qian, eldest of the Eunuchs, said sternly. "What if we were to ask them for aid?"

"Absolutely not!" Xia Wang, a tall, bestacled man of the High Eunuchs said. His face showed the same trace amounts of fear that they all held, but never would he openly show such fear unless situations grew increasingly dire. Despite such fear, he opposed Britannia's aid openly, saying, "If we win this war on our own, the people's confidence in us will increase ten fold!"

"Why do we care for such things?" Li Xingke twitched in annoyance at the condescending voice of Cai Lishi, but hid his disdain behind his indifference. "The ants beneath us are nothing."

"But plague has ravaged us for a long time, and our chance to reach the heights of nobility has not yet come. We have a better chance to reach such heights if we regain their faith," Huang Qian shot back understandingly. As one the Eunuchs nodded in agreement. "Is this in accordance with your will, Tianzi?" he asked, turning to regard his Empress with a scowl.

"I..." she stuttered lamely, trying to formulate a coherent response. She glanced back at Li Xingke hesitantly, who simply nodded and smiled at her warmly before his face returned to it's initial indifference, looking over the power hungry Eunuchs again; it was not unreasonable to believe that they had no innocent intentions when they spoke of nobility, unfortunately.

"Please, Tianzi, this is for the safety of our country!" Gao Hai cried in a shrill voice, feigning genuine care.

"Yes..." Li Xingke visibly scowled as the Tianzi surrendered to their will yet again, but turned his head immediately to hide it.

"Good," Huang Qian concluded, smiling greedily. "Then all that remains is how we can handle the situation on our own. Any ideas?"

"Our forces are many, but they are few on Hainan Island. Moreover, our navy is no match for Zero's. We should allow him to take Hainan Island, but fortify Zhanjiang and hold them there! So long as they cannot cross the Hainan Strait, we may deal with them and India as we please!" Zhao Hao suggested, smiling slyly.

All nodded their agreement, their hearts' desires for nobility put to rest. Britannia would recognize them soon.

o--o

"Zero has left Area 11?! But brother Lelouch said..."

"Lelouch is smart indeed," Clovis replied, smiling warmly. "But Zero simply can't be predicted, it seems."

"But..." Nunnally stuttered, grasping tightly onto Clovis' hand. "Lelouch said Zero was going to make things better in Area 11! Was he... wrong?" Nunnally's hands loosened slightly, awaiting a response.

The muscles in Clovis' hand clenched for a moment, and it didn't go without notice on Nunnally's part, "I'm sure he will, Nunnally."

"Shouldn't you be worried? Zero has defeated Britannia, and..." Clovis frowned at the ever persistant half-sister in front of him but, like many, couldn't find it in him to be mad. Instead he took a step back, ignoring Nunnally's outstretched hands searching for his warmth once more, and turned his back to her.

"Everything is under control, Nunnally. Lelouch just wanted you to stay here because he was a potential target for the Black Knights. Please understand."

"Brother Lelouch was?! But why?" Nunnally asked, genuinely shocked.

"The Order of the Black Knights are terrorists, but they're also very powerful. Britannia wouldn't leave them alone given the opportunity to do otherwise, and taking Lelouch hostage is the easiest way to stop us, if only temporarily," with that, Clovis left, shutting Nunnally out entirely.

As soon as he was free from her prying, a lone tear ran down his cheek.

o--o

"Keep attacking on that front. Send Nagisa with a tact squad of Burai to attack from the west, and take that wall," Lelouch said into his mic sternly, smiling behind his mask. It had been just a week since the Black Knights had 'forcefully' negotiated their control of Haikou City, and had since gone on to rid half of the island of Chinese Federation forces. Neighbouring cities - Chengmai, Wenchang, and Dingan - had already submitted to their show of force, fleeing over the Hainan Strait by the time Lelouch had docked. The more bold of Chinese Federation forces had forded at Qiongzhong, intent on delaying the Black Knights. With no Knightmare Frames a solid defense was impossible, but the tactful delay told Lelouch all he needed to know: The Eunuchs thought a solid defense on the north coast of the Hainan Strait would hold him back.

"But the west wall is the best defended. Attacking from there..." Todo frowned as he dodged wall turrets again, ducking behind one of their deployed barricades.

"...Would take the enemy completely by surprise. A strong enemy is nothing to fear if they aren't prepared," Lelouch finished, reciting one of the principal rules of war. Todo muttered his agreement, clearly distracted by the battle at hand. Lelouch nodded to himself as he removed the headset, turning immediately to Suzaku, who had been sitting behind him rather impatiently for some time.

"Shouldn't we be out there too?" Suzaku asked, slightly downcast. "I feel like a coward, sitting here while our allies are fighting such a battle... may I move to their aid?"

"No," Lelouch deadpanned, frowning. "The High Eunuchs are self-centered fools, but if there's one think they're good at, it's pouncing on any advantageous situation. If we left Haikou unguarded, they would move immediately, and we'd be held up trying to retake the north side of this island. With India waiting for us, we can't afford to be delayed," he explained, Suzaku nodding in reluctant agreement the whole way.

"Is this necessary?" Suzaku asked immediately after, changing the subject. Lelouch raised both brows in question, to which Suzaku replied, "All this fighting, I mean. We're killing a lot of people, aren't we?"

"We are," Lelouch agreed, nodding. "But it's necessary. War is never waged with such sympathy in mind, Suzaku," Lelouch said sternly, narrowing his eyes. "Think it's a tragic thing if you will, but death and rebirth is a necessity in this world. That is an ideal of Britannia that I won't dispute."

Suzaku frowned, "But such a cold thing..."

"Trying to change the world without staining your hands is pointless, Suzaku," Lelouch shot back immediately, scowling. "There is no crime in staining your hands with the blood of those who's hands are stained. It is retribution. Retribution for years of self-indulgence," Lelouch smirked as he spoke, taking some amusement in the conflicting emotions on Suzaku's face.

"But taking such retribution against the Chinese Federation..." Suzaku still remained unconvinced, much to Lelouch's annoyance. Masking that annoyance, Lelouch chuckled to his friend.

"Are you saying they are undeserving of it? The Black Knights were created to protect the weak, Suzaku. The people, shoved into the ground by poverty and famine, are such people. It is the duty of the Black Knights to save them," Suzaku smiled a bit against his will, meeting Lelouch's eyes.

"You want to... save these people?" Suzaku asked, hopeful.

Lelouch glared indignantly, "More than anything," irritability gripped tightly at his chest, tugging at his heavy heart. Heavy with the burdens he carried, never laying a single one down since first lifting them. Sweat formed on his brow, quickly cooling to the steady air flowing in through the office's many - six, he had counted idly on more than one occasion - windows. "The weak should never be looked down upon, Suzaku. I will not accept such thoughts in the hearts of my allies."

Suzaku smiled wider, if only slightly, as all his worries were swiftly pushed to the back of his mind. A strong gust of wind set aside his bangs, but he payed them no mind. "I want to change the world. If your definition of changing the world is such a thing, I have no further complaints," despite his glee he spoke in a matter-of-fact manner, not willing to break the formalities such a situation would require in the environment he was accustomed to until only recently.

"Drop the formalities," Lelouch quipped, noticing this immediately. Suzaku jumped at the slightly harsh tone in Lelouch's voice, but nodded dumbly and straightened himself. "Send Rakshata in. I have business to speak of with her."

Suzaku departed, and Lelouch slouched into his seat, grasping his head firmly with his hand as he often enjoyed doing. The wind continued to course through the room unhindered, adding in a low whistling every so often. Just as relaxation began to take him in, however, the door was knocked at rather loudly. "Only Rakshata," Lelouch muttered, having long since taken note of her rather disrespectful attitude in general. "Come in," he said louder, more than enough for her to hear.

"Well, it isn't very often you call for me!" Rakshata declared haughtily as she burst through the door, her usual smirk still firmly in place. "I presume you're absolutely ecstatic to hear about the progress on my new babies?"

"If you would be so kind," Lelouch replied, annoyance clearly dripping off his every word. Rakshata took it in stride as she always did, smirking still.

"Engineers in India are already working on expanding into the Flight Unit technology, following Britannia firmly. I've recently finished putting final touches on my own recent research into the Gefjun Disturber technology which, with any luck, will be included in the Hakumei," she explained in her own summarized manner, leaving out unnecessary details for Lelouch's convenience. Not knowing everything irked him slightly but he was sure he would have failed to understand most of it anyway. He certainly wasn't a Knightmare Frame expert.

Then some thing came back to mind and he blinked once, then twice, before asking, "The Hakumei?"

"A follow up on the success of the Guren Nishiki. It incorporates several experimental Fukushahado technologies that we have just recently put into the testing stages, such as a long barreled Fukushahado cannon, as well as Fukushahado shields on the chest and both legs, making it leaps and bounds ahead of the Guren Nishiki in the area of defense. It also includes the MVS Lance that we recovered from the blueprints of the Lancelot Club, making it the finest in long range capabilities. And lastly, for your convenience, is the head - identical to the head on your custom Gloucester," Rakshata explained, grinning all too gleefully as Lelouch took it all in.

"I take it that isn't all you have, though," Lelouch stated, clearly impressed as he noticed the proud twinkle in Rakshata's eyes.

"You know me well. But of course, there is more. A flagship for your lovely forces is already in production. The Hogosha is the best our technology can offer at this time. It uses the same Fukushahado cannon technology as the Hakumei, allowing for firepower superior even to Britannia's still incomplete Hadron technology. It is mounted with the Gefjun Disturber as well as immunities to the Disturber's effect on the ship itself. But because these Disturbers draw their power from the ship rather than an independant power source, they only greatly hinder the movement of all Knightmare Frames, rather than immobilizing them. These include our own, but with them being deployed, this shouldn't be a constant issue. I could include immunities on our own Frames, but doing so would require a month without anything to fight with, which I'm sure you can agree is not a good idea."

"Indeed," Lelouch nodded, watching intently from the safe confines of his mask. "Continue."

"It can double as a naval ship, due to it's unexpectedly low mass and powerful propulsion systems, and it includes a unique spinning form of slash harken which can be aimed and used either as a weapon or as anchors, although they lose their effectiveness as the latter when under attack due to the weak hold they have," she continued to explain, nodding her head proudly as she finished. "Engineers in the homeland are calling these thank yous for you accepting our call for aid, but in truth they've been in production for some time. The Hakumei will be completed by the time we've regrouped with India."

o--o

Things continued to get better from there. Todo orchestrated a stunning victory at Qiongzhong, and the rest of the island was free of Chinese Federation forces within the next few days. A show of kindness was put on as we gave all the captured supplies - that we didn't need, though we never said such a thing - to the people of the island, lending what aid we could in their climb from poverty. It was a tough thing, orchestrating a bloody war in the Chinese Federation and lending a warm heart to the needy people at the same time, but there were people of past ages who had done so, and I was certain I could as well.

Support of the Black Knights in the Chinese Federation skyrocketed with the televised report of our generosity on Hainan Island, and soon people were flocking in from all corners of the nation to be under our protection. Suzaku had smiled warmly at me when he saw this, and I - refusing to let the wishes of the weak go unheard - ended up diving into our own personal supplies to aid them. We were functioning fine regardless, and nobody had any complaints. In fact, many saw their masked leader in a better light for such a deed. The possibility of smaller meals while on the battlefront didn't seem to cross their mind.

And with that, all the conditions were cleared for a war of massive proportions in the Chinese Federation. The Black Knights finally had a land to call their own, if only temporarily, and we had the ground needed to fight. So long as they didn't pick things up, the High Eunuchs shouldn't have been hoping to be in office - or even alive - for much longer. The Black Knights officially declared war on the Chinese Federation, and set sail over the Hainan Strait.

--

And so concludes chapter 10. I made several notices regarding my break, but it seemed I regained my resolve faster than I thought. All the same, sorry for the long wait, and I hope this makes up for it. Great deal of non-Canon events happening now, and the only part I frowned on when proofreading was the scene between Clovis and Nunnally, but my obvious inability to write Nunnally clearly hasn't changed.

And about Li Xingke. I know he's only a commander in Code Geass, but I thought it was almost too fitting for him to be Tianzi's bodyguard. Plus, I needed to introduce him because he'll be important later, and I had no other way to do it. So yeah, there's that explanation.

Also, some (although few) may be wondering about the names of the Knightmare Frame and new ship I introduced. Hakumei means twilight (I'm sure that gives a small and subtle hint to who will pilot it), whereas Hogosha means either Guardian or Protector. Take your pick; each are equally fitting.

Until next time!