Explosions were all around, the smell of burnt flesh was evident, and he could hear the sound of bodies hitting the floor as they were cut down by gunfire. A sound echoed from all directions. Gino!
Lelouch awoke, sweat ran down his body, and he could feel cool tears on his cheeks. He had had the dream again. The same dream that had haunted him every night and day for the past two months. The battle was the beginning of the end for Lelouch. While Gino had received medical attention at the base in Narita he had not awoken from the coma that followed the treatment. Meanwhile he was declared an enemy of the state in Britannia and was the subject of daily manhunts. To make things even worse the knightmares he managed to save were not accessible.
Lelouch emptied his head of such thoughts and turned his attention to more important matters. He rose from his bed and began to get dressed. He would begin his daily routine of sitting in solitude thinking of his next move until mid-day. He would then spend the rest of the day sitting with Gino unless a more pressing matter interrupted this time.
As he was walking down the corridor that leads to his sanctuary Lelouch noticed an increase of activity in the corridors. Lelouch stopped on of the nursed as she rushed pass him, and inquired about the increased activity.
"Excuse me miss, what is with all the people?" Lelouch asked.
"Sir, Lord Gino has awakened. He is currently stable, but the doctors have ordered us to move him to a new room, and change his equipment"
Lelouch felt a rush of emotions that had been absent since that day of the battle. Lelouch felt happiness, hope, and ambition. Lelouch rushed to the room where a small crowd had gathered. As Lelouch shoved his way through the crowd he ran into Kallen.
This set his mind at ease. Kallen had been sent on a mission to gather Intel about the Operation: Secure the Throne. (What he had named the attack on himself and Gino) In recent weeks she had gone silent, and Lelouch feared he had lost a valuable asset.
This was not the time however to distract himself from Gino. He continued pushing pass the crowd until he could clearly see Gino. Gino laid there dazed from the drugs, and weak from the months of inactivity. The tubes that had supported him throughout the coma still poured a distinct red liquid into his veins. Most people would have dismissed as blood, but it was so much more than that. It was the secret to immortality, but not of that was important right now as Lelouch turned his attention to the attending physician.
The doctor had shifted his gaze from Gino to Lelouch whose gaze he had matched. What seemed like an eternity passed before Lelouch inquired about Gino's current condition.
"Doctor how long before he will be able to speak?" Asked Lelouch his voice cracking with every word.
"Well, it will take a couple of days to wean him off the drugs, but he should be able to speak soon after. I would also like to put him through physical therapy so he can readjust."
Lelouch wanted to jump for joy; Gino would be able to speak to him in just a few more days. Lelouch walked out of the room where the crowd had now dissipated. Kallen however remained. She knew the Lelouch would be eager to hear her report, and she had some shocking news he must hear.
Lelouch approached Kallen and formally asked for her report.
"Lt. Stadtfelt what have you learned in the past weeks."
"My lord I have some disturbing news. The attack on you was orchestrated by your eldest brother, and supported by your father. Also it I thought it would be worth to not that two more assassination attempts have been made on members of the royal family. Both, however are of little significance, and are the thirtieth and thirty second in line for the throne.
"Interesting if this information could be shown to those who were targeted for assassination I could have my link back to the royal family, and the resources at their disposal. I find it odd however that members of the royal family so low on the food chain would be targeted. I think this warrants further investigation. ."
"Sir, I would like to volunteer to deliver this information to them both personally."
"No Kallen I want you here with me, and besides the royal family like a show. I will send an official envoy bearing Gino's mark. I may be labeled an enemy of the state, but for some reason Gino isn't his seal should still hold some weight."
"I understand my lord, may I be excused"
"Kallen relax, there is no reason to be so formal around me. However if you wish to follow protocol then you are excused."
"Sir would you like to join me for dinner I heard Chef Vetter whipped up some of his famous pasta."
At the mention of food Lelouch's stomach roared with intensity. He did not remember that last time he had ate a real meal.
"I would like that thank you Kallen"
Lelouch stumbled into his quarters. He had celebrated Gino's progress with a bottle of Saki, despite only having one cup he was knocked on his feet. He dizzily walked to his bed and collapsed. His final thought before falling asleep was how beautiful the lieutenant had looked tonight.
A week had passed and a slew of changes had occurred. The envoy Lelouch had sent was intercepted and brutally wiped out, The members of the royal family he had sent them two were killed while recovering from their injuries. Lelouch had sent Kallen and one of the soldiers guarding the facility to investigate the area the convoy was attacked. Gino had regained his ability to speak and quickly recovered motor function. While not at 100 percent he was able to perform basic tasks, and was allowed to freely walk around the facility. He was give quarters in the near the Lelouch and often visited.
Lelouch met daily with Gino and soon they formed a new routine. Despite his physical injuries Gino and Lelouch would go for a jog around the facility. They would stop to eat at the mess hall and would go their separate ways. Gino to physical therapy, and Lelouch to his sanctuary.
This what not to meant to last however, and soon they would discover that their actions had consequences. It started has a normal day. Lelouch rose early in the morning and began getting dressed, the difference was the commotion going on outside. When Lelouch was fully dressed he entered the corridor to discover a gruesome and disturbing sight. Laying on the floor was the battered and bloodied body of Kallen. Next to her could barely be called a corpse. The soldier he had sent with here was burnt, cut, and almost unrecognizable.
Lelouch cautiously moved to the scene, as he slipped pass the surrounding nurses, and guards he noticed a small piece of paper on the floor.
In big block letters the message shook Lelouch to his very core.
WE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE LELOUCH
Lelouch heard the sound of breaking windows and hit the deck just has the flash bang blinded the guards, doctors, and patients.
The assault had begun.
A/N I hope you all like it. I tried a different writing style please give some feedback.