(A/N: I cannot believe I was up until 4am before I woke up later today noon. Ah well here's to the next chapter. [I really like this series])
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass or Mirai Nikki
The Next Day
Viceroy Cornelia's office
3rd Person pov
"What do you mean Minene Uryu escaped?" she shouted.
"I tried my best I really did. My friends did their best to delay her, but I guess luck was just on her side," Suzaku submitted.
"Grr, incompetent fool!" Cornelia shouted, banging her hands on her desk and rising to her feet.
"A thousand apologies your highness," Suzaku crossed his arm over his chest and smacked the side of his fist against his heart, "This won't happen again."
Cornelia sighed and sat back down, "Very well, anything else to report?"
"Yes," Suzaku stated, "I am inclined to believe that the student she was after, Amano Yukiteru, is also a diary holder, she wouldn't have gone to such lengths otherwise."
"Very well, please continue to investigate into this matter," Cornelia instructed.
"Yes your highness," Suzaku responded.
"Good, now if you'll excuse me I have somewhere I need to be," Cornelia rose back up to her feet and walked out of her office. "If you plan to dawdle lock the door behind you."
Cornelia's pov
I made my way to the mobile base and sat in the captain's chair. We moved out towards my target, the Saitama ghetto "Status report!"
"The Saitama ghetto is completely surrounded," My right hand, Andreas Darlton, informed me, "The Yamato Alliance's hideout is located somewhere in here. The people in this neighborhood are cooperating with them. So if we proceed now—"
I cut him off, "What will be the effect on production?"
"Primary sector output should decrease by 0.2 percent," he answered.
"Within expectations you mean," I made what he said appear to be easier to understand. "All right." Good. I looked towards a few men in the room, "All of you took part in the Shinjuku disaster correct?"
"Yes," one of the men said, "and we are indebted to you Princess Cornelia for your mercy."
"That's not what I'm asking," I snarled. I smirked, "Do you think the conditions are similar, to those in Shinjuku?" There was no response. I let out a chortle. "Zero is a criminal with a flair for the theatrical. I've recreated the same conditions that existed in Shinjuku in order to draw him out. If he's the overconfident type I predict he'll come here to try and kill me."
"Viceroy!" I turned my head towards the Shinjuku survivors, "You'd really risk your own life like this?"
I frowned, "What you fail to understand is that war is a struggle between pride and life." I smirked. "Now then, begin the operation!"
"Yes your highness!" My men began to work.
Will you come Zero? I wondered.
After a few moments of waiting Andreas announced, "We're done sweeping away those in charge."
I love it when a plan comes together. "It's nearly time set the full brunt of the plan into motion. Shall we begin?"
"Right," Andreas picked up the intercom, "Attention all forces. Commence eradication of the Saitama ghetto. All forces assume level one battle stations!"
After a few moments I was given the update, "Suppression of area four complete."
All according to plan, I laughed with a pleasant smile. I was starting to wonder if Zero would show up at all, but eventually news suggesting such came about
"Getsu Team contact lost. Enemy spotted in district G47!"
"Gazinski team engaging, they were ambushed!"
"The enemy appears to be using Sutherlands captured from our own forces!"
"It's exactly the same as Shinjuku!"
"Has there been any sign of Zero yet?"
So you've come Zero, I thought, good I was starting to get bored.
"Bridge destroyed! Hali team contact lost!"
Ok, so he's here let's move on. "That's enough," I announced, "Order our troops to fall back. Further injuries and casualties serve no point."
"Fall back?" A Shinjuku survivor questioned.
"With all due respect we can still fight them!"
"We can't fight them like this," I informed. I knew what I was doing.
Andreas picked up the intercom, "All forces fall back behind the Ghetto Perimeter at once! Formation doesn't matter! Fall back behind Ghetto perimeter at once!"
Ashford Academy
3rd Person pov
C.C was lying on her back seemingly talking to herself. "What? Surprised he's part of this too?" There was a pause. "You were standing right next to him then, you're telling me you couldn't make out his features." There was another pause. "So I see, this Deus person sounds like a rather interesting individual." There was yet another pause. "And just how do you expect to play when have no legs with which to move, lungs with which to breathe or eyes with which to see?" C.C laughed. "I see. Heads you win, tails we lose is it? What a crude strategy." There was a pause and C.C frowned, "Yes, yes I know I have to keep him alive for now," she got up and prepared to leave.
Saitama Ghetto
Cornelia's pov
"Zero is no match for me, I'll win," I declared.
"Of course," Andreas agreed, "That's why they call Cornelia the Goddess of Victory."
I turned towards Guilford who was standing next to me, "Shall we go then, guilford my knight?" I entreated.
"It is a pleasure to serve you my lady," he bowed. He and several members of my guard exited.
"One Knightmare left transmitting an IFF signal within the city area," Andreas announced.
"Can't you contact it?"
"Scramble a rescue team!"
I'll not be fooled by your tricks Zero. "No destroy it," I ordered.
"No you can't!"
"He might be a captive of the enemy!"
"I ordered all troops to fall back." I reminded the Shinjuku survivors. "I have no use for soldiers who can't follow my orders.
"You heard the princess," Andreas informed them.
"But," they were dismayed, but I did not care. I am the commanding officer. I am the one in charge. I am the one who decides who lives and who dies.
"Do your duty even if it costs your life. My subordinates follow that code without question," I recited.
Another signal was transmitted. "They've transmitted another signal which means one thing. They've set an ambush! Send in more Gloucesters and surround them!"
Lelouch's pov
I flipped open my phone. Damn it, she's reading all my movements! What do I do? I looked at my phone.
All allies betray the 8th, captured by Royal Guard and executed by Cornelia
DEAD END
"No!" I gasped.
Suddenly a static hailing frequency opened up. "Zero!" It was a woman's voice.
"Huh? Who is this?" I questioned.
"That's not important right now," the woman responded. "Do you want to make it out of this alive?"
"I-I don't think I can," I breathed.
"Man up!" she shouted. "If you're really Zero, then you're the one who can turn mud into diamonds right? You're a miracle worker!"
I looked at my phone again
Cornelia makes the order for all Knightmares pilots to eject from their capsules and reveal their faces.
"And what exactly do you plan to do?" I asked.
"You're masquerading as one of the Sutherlands inside Cornelia's main force aren't you?" she asked. "Well you're not the only one. I have an escape route planned. Just stay in your Knightmare and make a break for it when I signal an opening."
I looked at my phone
Followed escape route given by mysterious voice, escaped Cornelia's men
DEAD END AVOIDED
"Very well," I answered, "Well you know me as Zero. What can I call you?" I asked the woman talking to me.
"You can call me M-9," she answered.
"Attention all Knightmare pilots open your hatches and reveal your faces," I heard Cornelia's voice.
Ok M-9, show me I can trust you.
"I repeat all pilots open your hatches and show me you faces,"
The Sutherland off to my left and a little Northwest suddenly jumped out. She had purple hair and was wearing a red jump suit. She turned her face around holding a grenade in one hand and the pin in her mouth. I recognized her face.
That's…Minene Uryu…what is she doing here?
She threw the grenade at the Sutherland she was just in and it exploded. The guard was startled. She then pulled out a radio. "Zero!"
No way…she's…M-9?
"Zero do you copy?" she asked.
"Get out of your Sutherland and follow me if you want to live," she told me.
Without my mask…she'll see my identity…what do I do…should I trust her…she might kill me right on the spot if I do. Should I keep my head low and cover my face? No I'll follow her with the Sutherland.
Minene's pov
A Sutherland came charging after me, but it didn't attack me, it flew right by me. I saw the back. No frag grenade attached to the ejector seat. Zero got lucky. "M-9, hop on!" Zero told me.
I nodded and leapt forward latching onto the leg. I then looked off to see a figure dressed in Zero's garb atop a ruin. "Wait a minute if that's you in the Sutherland then who is that?" I asked.
"I don't know, shall we investigate?" Zero asked me. I agreed. Zero pulled over behind a shelf of rubble near the sewers. "I'm coming out don't look at my face."
"Oh hell no, if you're unmasked this is my chance to see the famous Zero's true form," I said. In truth I never thought I'd be working with Zero. It just sort of happened. I've been undercover as an operative in the Britannian army for a while now. I joined as an engineering operative under Lloyd Asplund using the name Felicita Orsenwald. I used my escape diary to gather intel and select my targets, but ever since the survival game started I've used it as means to gather other forms of information. However, besides the diary holders, Suzaku Kururugi has become a significant thorn in my side. Although with some investigation I found he is on the leash of Cornelia Li Britannia, hence why I joined this little espionage. I have no interest in whatever motives Zero has for attempting to demolish Britannia, but I will win this game at any cost. Perhaps I could make an ally out of him. Suddenly I heard footsteps approaching from the sewer entrance. It was the fake Zero.
"Turn around," I was told as the individual pointed a gun at me.
"Do you have any idea who you're talking to?" I asked.
"I won't shoot if you turn around and wait until I return these garments to their proper owner. No one can see Zero's face if he does not want them to," the fake Zero said.
Oh well, I can give up on a chance to see Zero's true face. No sense in giving up on a partnership over something so silly. Ah whatever. I turned around and buried my face against the rubble. I turned my head to try and get a glimpse.
"No peeking," The fake Zero readjusted the gun at me.
Drat! I turned my face back.
After a waiting a few moments I heard the real Zero's voice, "You can turn around now M-9 or should I say terrorist bomber Minene Uryu."
I looked at him with a smirk. I noticed that the fake Zero was a woman with green hair. I figured I'd save questions about her for later. "So you know who I really am do you?"
"I am all seeing and all knowing," he told me.
"So it seems your plan went extremely way side what do you plan to do?" I asked him.
"We only lost because the conditions weren't equal," he said, "Cornelia's different from Clovis."
"Someone's awfully bitter, but if you're as amazing as you boast," I told him. "You should be able to set up conditions how you want."
"And that's exactly what I'll do. I'll raise an army that can't lose to Britannia," he told me.
"Why an army?" I asked. "Join up with me. As partnership of two we could raze all the hell we want."
"Don't be overconfident Minene," he said, "I am a Shepard and a Shepard must have sheep. Two people will hardly be enough to take down Britannia."
"So that's your aim is it? You want to destroy the nation of Britannia. It seems we have similar goals in mind then." If Zero's aim was to destroy Britannia then in the process Cornelia, Suzaku and Euphie would all fall.
"And what is your aim Minene Uryu?" he asked me.
"Can't tell you that," I told him. "Then again how can I tell secrets from someone whose identity is so sacred they have their subordinates threaten potential allies to keep it hidden?"
There was a brief pause. "You do make an excellent point, but can I at least ascertain that our goals are similar enough that you will remain indefinitely loyal to me if we decide to work together?"
"You can," I told him.
"Then it's settled then," he said. He extended his hand, "From now on we are proper partners."
I shook his hand briefly, "Partners it is." I looked up towards the Sutherland. "I think I'll take this thing and make myself scarce." I said.
"And just how do you expect to keep in touch if you just run off like that?" Zero asked me.
"I don't," I said climbing in, "I hate relying on others, but if you set something up you can be sure I'll be around to assist. Or," I waved the radio, "there's always this." I closed the cockpit. "Later, Zero."
Lelouch's pov
And just like that she left. I never thought I'd find myself working with such a dangerous woman. Minene Uryu, she'd make for a rather useful ally.
To be continued...
(A/N: And so Lelouch and Minene become partners. Sure it would've been easy for Lelouch to just kill every diary holder he's come in contact with and make it look like an accident, but right now they're worth more to him alive. Next chapter will have the debut of the Black Knights. Be ready. Ja Ne!)