Directorate Base, Unknown
A small shuttle escorted by a pair of Vincents in green and silver pierced through the clouds and lowered down towards a waterfall.
The waterfall was particularly a large one, surrounded by a rainforest that seemed to be snarling at the newcomers and the thick vines wavered in the wind as if wanting to tear the vehicles apart.
The 7th Generation Knightmares halted just sky of the waterfall and turned about to guard the rear of its patron while the shuttle seemly flew straight through into waterfall and its hard rocky surface underneath.
However, no explosion, not even a single sound of collision sounded as the shuttle disappeared under the water.
The Vincents looked around for anyone spying, their rifles ready to tear anything apart. After a few seconds, the pilots nodded their satisfaction and followed the shuttle into the waterfall.
Inside the hidden cave, a high military standard hanger miraculously appeared and a file of three dozen soldiers in dark blue and white stood attention with rifled-pole arms at the ready.
The aircraft slid down out of the water, roared over the assembled multitude, and settled with a whine of dampers at the landing ground.
A figure emerged from the craft and began to walk down the corridor towards the waiting commanders.
The figure wore black body armour of a Britannian army sergeant with the exception of a long sabre at his side.
White coated guards flowed out and fell in a line and saluted the armoured figure.
One of the base commanders walked up and nodded to the figure.
"Welcome back, Lord Wilde."
The man nodded, letting his long brown hair flow out. "I was right about Base Delta."
He gave the helmet to one of his honour guards and walked with the commander.
"Did you do what I asked?" Wilde asked as he accepted a wine glass from a servant.
"Yes, milord." The commander nodded. "Our contact in the UFN is ready to hear your word."
"Good, Good." The nobleman replied almost cheerily. He turned to a man dressed in a green Knightmare pilot.
"Ah, Edward." He smiled. "What have you got for me?"
"The recording is done, my lord." The grim faced man replied. "I haven't seen it myself but I'm told that the footage is excellent."
Wilde grinned. "Very good. Gather as much as you can. It'll come in useful."
As he said, a trio of cloaked figures approached him.
"I'm glad to see you made it, Lord Wilde." The foremost of the figure greeted. "Even if you did let our research burn into ashes."
Wilde shrugged. "Whatever happened, it wasn't a complete loss, Meleik."
The second figure bristled. "Complete loss? That was one of our major facilities. You promised us that we would be protected. If this continues, there will not be any more special soldiers for you and you can go back down to the gutter Lelouch threw you into!"
Edward drew his pistol. "Watch what you say you freaks!"
The second figure glared at the guard officer. "Oh...please what could a normal human do to me...I should just..."
"Now, now brother." A smooth female voice cut in as the third figure went to put a hand on his sibling's shoulder.
Wilde showed only indifference to the whole situation. "I must admit I was careless and that the red knight surprised me. However, this gives us an advantage."
"What do you mean?" The aggressive one asked.
"From what I heard, this knight is a former servant to Emperor Lelouch. And that he hates the Black Knights even more than we do."
"So?"
"And seeing how paranoid the Black Knights are," Another unseen figure entered. "And how hectic the UFN had begun...thanks to our branch in Asia. This could get rid of all obstacles and without us lifting a single finger."
Wilde grinned at the newcomer. "I can see why you're the Cardinal. Yes, all we need to do is to create a little more panic in our Black Knight friends."
What have you done?A voice called out to him.
He was confused. "What are you talking about?"
You fool, you know you're not supposed to interact with her!
"I don't understand."
I gave specific orders that she was not to be touched! Do you realise what it would cause us?
"What do you mean...who are you talking about?"
Do you really want this...?
"Damn it!" He snarled as he entered in while the doors closed in behind. He finally found the woman he was looking for standing before the glowing light. She was beautiful but he could not recognise her. She wore a dark red and black blouse covered in blood; her matching red hair was let loose so it hung over her shoulders in a mess.
He called to her but yet he could not hear her name. It was in his mouth but he himself could not hear it.
She turned to look at him, her blue eyes glittering with tears.
"Lelouch?" She murmured.
"...please...don't do this. We'll find another way." He begged her. "You don't need to do this."
She shook her beautiful face. "We both know I have to. It has been marked for centuries now."
"No , please." He begged, walking towards her.
"Stop, don't come any closer!" She shouted, raising a hand. "I have to do this! I have to or the world will be under their control! My life is nothing compared to what is at stake!"
"No! We'll find another way. I'll find another way! I can do it."
"There's no time...and you know it!" The woman snapped.
"Please. I can't lose..." He struggled with his words. "...I can't lose you."
She smiled at him. "Oh...Lelouch...I...that's so unlike you. Thank you for everything. Thank you for your love."
"NO!" He shouted reaching for her as she started fading away. " NOOO!"
She disappeared.
"NO!" Arthur woke up lying on a bed in his suite. His hair matted with sweat and leaned back against mattress.
What was that dream? And who was that girl?
Arthur turned to the window. He was in Kanas and he was here because he had heard a Geass agent was seen in the city.
The only thing now was to wait for the next move to move against the Geass Order. Arthur's suspicions were now confirmed that the Geass order was now allied with the rebel forces which explain the fact that many of the forces serving the rebels were not of their own free will. It explained how they had controlled of such a large military force and how they had managed to defeat many loyalist garrisons but there was no proof against it...at least not without endangering the Arfons themselves.
He wished Lelouch was alive. The Emperor would have known what to do.
Arthur froze. Why did she call him Lelouch? Could it be one of the former Emperor's memories? If so then...
Why was he experiencing them?
The incident with the Geass order was an isolated event although rumours of a natural disaster was now spreading and if nothing was done about it, it could risk everything.
Fortunately the Arfon knights had operatives and agents everywhere. Anya had reported that the Imperial forces were getting pretty suspicious of them and that there were those who might prove to be hostile to the Knights, particularly to Arthur himself.
"You're linked with Lelouch. That's enough for the UFN." Anya said during the last meeting in the same monotone that she always used, despite the seriousness of the message.
As he looked down from his room, he caught the sight of a familiar face standing near the video phone.
What was she doing here? He wondered. Was she following on him? Was she spying on him? Was she the agent they sent?
Or perhaps it was just a coincidence?
New London (Topeka), County of Kansas
"So you're in Kansas now?" Mellenia asked.
"That's right. We helped the local troops in Iowa. There were too many losses though."
The Knight of Nine's face turned sombre. "I see."
Kallen nodded. "Right now, I'm not sure what'll happen but until we get news from Zero, I guess we'll be staying here for a while."
"I'm so jealous. It's not very pretty here in Illinois. The rebel bastards are holding the cities as hostages and we can't risk aerial bombardment at least not without killing the people we're trying to protect."
Kallen grimaced. "Cowardly bastards."
Mellenia shook her head. "But Zero'll find a way. He'll pull of a miracle."
"I'm sure he will." Kallen replied, although she was shaken inside. Trying to think of Zero as anyone but Lelouch was a lot harder to accept even if it was all acting.
The brunette grinned at her. "Heh, I'm sure you know best. I'll see ya around!" She turned off with a wink.
Kallen sighed as she terminated the video-talk. The red haired woman turned to look at the city.
Despite the civil war raging around Kansas still looked as beautiful as ever and untouched by the gruesome fighting. The civilians walked around living their daily lives ignorant of what was happening. The shopping malls and theatres were still open and running. The roads were still crowded. With the exception of the soldiers in uniform, an outsider would not have believed there was actually a war at all.
After the fighting, Kallen rallied the surviving loyalist troops and brought them to the border of Missouri and Iowa. The Imperial reinforcements arrived a while later and took them from Kallen. So now that she was done, Kallen was going to turn back to Pendragon.
Unfortunately however, rebel troops from Iowa had tried to invade Kansas and while they were turned back, Kallen thinking that she might be needed decided to stay in Kansas.
Another thing that held her mind was that vision she experience at the battle. It was like a continuation of those nightmares she had been getting. But what does Lelouch have to do with this? Was Geass part of the plot? And more than that could Lelouch still be alive? Is it that he was Arthur himself hiding from everyone?
Kallen wanted to find out. It had been on the edge of her mind since that fateful battle they fought side by side.
To distract herself, she turned to look at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a tight sleeveless black shirt with a short pink mini-skirt and pink sneakers ending with a long blue jacket that matched her eyes.
Her hair was longer, she noted. Kallen since Lelouch's death she hadn't cut her hair ever since to forget how she looked like on that day. It made her look...older...a female version of her long lamented brother. She did not wear any jewellery or anything else other than a pair of ear-rings.
She knew she was turning heads those passing by, most of them males admiring her features despite trying not to get any attraction.
Kallen had told Arthur that she would see him in Pendragon and as much as she wanted to be there now, she could not and it frustrated her.
"What am I even doing here?" Kallen groaned.
"That is a question, I was going to ask." A familiar male voice said behind her.
Instinctively Kallen turned about her fist swinging to catch the man's face and only his incredible reflexes saved him from getting a broken jaw.
The white haired figure raised an eyebrow. "Nice. Very quick. What they say about you is true."
"Lel...Arthur?" Kallen blurted.
"In the flesh." Arthur replied.
Kallen was shocked by his appearance and although not unwanted, she pouted her lips for startling her.
"What are you doing here?"
"That's the same thing I want to know about you."
"What happened to ladies' first?" Kallen sneered, despite herself not wanting to let the knight get the better of her.
"And you're a Knight of the Round. I forgot. Forgive me, my lady." He half-bowed mockingly.
Kallen wanted to punch the knight's face even if it was Lelouch's. He had made her look foolish and made it look she was using her title to her advantage which was something she would never have done knowingly. He was just as annoying as that royal idiot!
"I'm here merely on an errant for my Lord and master." Arthur did not elaborate further and Kallen looked into those sky blue eyes to see anything. And again like Lelouch, she could not find anything in them.
"And you?" Arthur asked innocently.
Biting her irritation, Kallen answered. "The rebels are still around. They could use some help."
"I see." He seemed to have accepted her answer.
Kallen took the time to study the white haired Lelouch. He was wearing a white and red jacket on a black-blue shirt with long black pants. A pair of violet sunglasses hung on the edge of his coat.
He even dresses like Lelouch! Kallen thought in surprise.
"So what would you do now?" Arthur asked.
"I'm not sure." Kallen said lamely then looked up to his face. "Do you want to go have lunch?"
Arthur's eyes widen, surprised that she asked him such a question. Kallen knew it was very random to ask something like that considering how they had only talked for a few times but she hoped that he would accept it.
The white haired Lelouch considered it for a moment. The knight from what he had been informed and knew, he was talking with a prominent Black Knight officer. She claimed that she had served Lelouch loyally and that she was against their betrayal. Arthur doubted that but instead of saying no Arthur said, "Alright."
Kallen smiled, a genuine one at that and led the red knight to a nearby mall.
After passing by several fast-food places, they decided to stop at a Pizza Hut outlet. As Kallen read the menu, Arthur began to examine her more carefully.
He suspected that she was only interested in him because of his similarity to Lelouch but in a way that of an old friend...rather than an enemy. And since that moment in battle, he knew that he might in a way to have been Geassed into protecting those Lelouch cared for such as his sister Nunnally. But why would Kouzki be on the list? Was she not just a soldier? Why would Lelouch care so much about her? Arthur was curious and he would find out more.
Perhaps...
...Perhaps what she claim was true...
And if not...
Well...he would take full advantage of it...
"What are you ordering?" She asked him, interrupting him from his thoughts.
"Whatever you would have," He replied, automatically not showing his surprise.
"Then we'll order one large Hawaiian." She told the waiter.
As the waiter walked off, an awkward silence fell before the two: Arthur fidgeting with edge of his belt while Kallen tried to think about something to talk about without ruining the chance she has to interact with him.
"I read about you." Kallen said. "Or at least, what was written in the Army archives."
Arthur gave her a look of indifference. "And?"
Kallen felt scrutinized under that stare and a stare by a man who resembled the one that held her heart.
"You're not what I expected."
The white haired Lelouch scoffed. "What do you mean by that?"
The half-Britannian woman pulled her hair back. "You were a Britannian knight who held a respectable life yet you held nothing but hatred for the Empire."
Kallen bit her lips. "I mean, I'm not saying that I don't understand that feeling but you grew up in the Homelands where the best what Britannia offers..."
"Britannia was a nation that focused on the survival of the fittest. There was no such thing as compassion. No such thing as real honour or mercy. That was what was considered by Emperor Charles as weak. I cannot accept that." Arthur spoke of it with a passion that Kallen so easily recognised.
"That's what my brother believed, too." Kallen said. "That's what Lelouch believed as well...what he made me believe in."
Arthur looked at her curiously. He was about to ask something when the waiter returned with the pizza. He automatically pulled out some money when Kallen did as well and end up mimicking each other.
"It's alright. I'll pay." Kallen said.
"No, I'll do it. It wouldn't be proper."
"Let me!"
"You're supposed to be the lady. So I should pay for it."
"You're making fun of me aren't you?" Kallen narrowed her eyes.
Without answering, Arthur turned to pass the money first but before he could reach the waiter, Kallen grabbed his wrist in such a speed that actually managed to startle the white haired Lelouch.
"Here, take mine." Kallen snapped at the poor confused waiter.
"Why are you being so insistent?" Arthur asked.
"Just let me." She continued.
Finally, the waiter solved the conflict by taking half from Kallen and half from Arthur.
"There. That solves everything." The waiter grinned at them. "A nice couple like you shouldn't fight over such a thing."
Kallen's face turned the same colour as her hair. "No...No...It's...it's...not like that!" She blurted although she half-wished it's true.
Arthur looked only confused but before he could say or do anything, Kallen quickly grabbed a slice of the pizza and started munching on it. She did it so unceremoniously that despite himself Arthur laughed lightly.
Kallen with her face blushing scowled behind the pizza slice she was eating.
Arthur without realising it, continued smiling at the redden face of the half-Britannian.
Somehow...Arthur suddenly realised.
Somehow, it felt familiar. Arthur had never reacted such a way towards women...at least not naturally. He had of course as Lelouch's agent had been involved with the opposite sex as part of his missions before where he had used his charm as a weapon but this was entirely different.
There was something about the exchange with her. Something so familiar. As if...he had known her? Kozuki claimed that she knew Lelouch and was close to him...if so why would he...Arthur Peregrine felt such a way?
Kallen had actually finished eating her slice and she looked up and saw the familiarity in her companion's face...the one that she had rarely seen in Ashford.
Lelouch...could it really be you?
Kallen took another slice and then looked into the plate to see a packet of yellowish-brown liquid.
She remembered that day, when C.C had interrupted them when she had embarrassingly fallen over Lelouch like literally.
She was wondering how it happened especially after seeing such a devastated and unmotivated Lelouch, that Zero had returned and led the miraculous escape of one million Zeros over to the Chinese Federation.
"Tell me, Lelouch...why did you come back to us?" She had asked.
"Kallen," Lelouch had asked, his hazy violet eyes losing their usual snide and arrogance bore into hers. "When this is all over, would you return to Ashford with me?"
Kallen's eyes had widened in surprise that he had asked her to come with him and she stared deeply into his violet orbs filled with for once uncertainty.
"I..." He had started.
"Tabasco?"
"Tabasco?" Arthur asked, catching her eye. He held it up.
Kallen smirked. "C.C always did love it." She had wondered what had happened to the immortal. It would be good to meet her again...
Their last meeting was not the least friendly, fighting above the Avalon as defending Lelouch while she with tears in her eyes and a knife in her heart desperately tried to kill him.
She had utterly tried to convince herself that Lelouch was not the man she loved but a terrible dictator that used her heart to achieve his own goals.
After she had destroyed the Albion and was saved by Gino Weinburg, they had spent some time hiding together from Lelouch's forces until they were caught. She welcomed it as it pushed away the heartache and only when she did felt some effect to it, she realised that she had been betrayed again...this time...Lelouch had betrayed her heart. Lelouch had been more than the man she loved.
"Why are you crying?" Lelouch asked her.
"Something in my eye." She rubbed her eyes with her jacket sleeves.
The black prince brought a hand forward and wiped a tear near her cheek. His contact broke all barriers and Kallen closed her eyes letting more tears fall freely and leaned towards the hand, holding on to it.
Arthur's eyes widen at her reaction. He wanted to pull back but he didn't. The white haired Lelouch felt that he should comfort her. Something was telling him to do it. Or surprisingly rather it felt like someone...
"Damn, he really is a ladies' man!" Anduin muttered out loud watching through his sniper scope from his suite.
"Where is he?" Dunford asked.
"He's talking to that hot Knight of Two at a pizza stall. Damn, he's already touching her face."
"Who's touching who?" Jack Nelson, the young English knight from Britain asked entering the room with a bottle of root-beer.
"Our Lord King Arthur's sweet talking Her Ladyship Kouzki."
The young British pilot leapt towards the window forgetting his drink. "Bloody hell, let me see."
"Remember lads," Gordon reminded. "We're here to keep a close eye on Sir Arthur's back, not to spy on him."
"Come on, mate." Jack replied. "It's not like every day we get to see him act like a real human."
"Gordon's right." Dunford's voice broke in. "Lord Jeremiah? Are you picking up anything?"
The Britannian knight said, "Nothing here. I'll never let anything happen to his Highness."
"Why does he keep calling him that?" Jack asked, peering through the scope.
"Beats me." Anduin replied. "What are they doing now?"
Jack licked his lips and peered closely. "Blimey, she's crying on his hand!"
"The guy's such a romeo!" The blond Britannian muttered. "Wish he taught me that instead the damn sword!"
"Heh," The younger knight smirked. "Trying on Calavaris?"
The former Special Forces officer was back from the main front after fighting alongside the Knights of the Round. He had spoken time and time again about his encounter with the Knight of Five, Lady Alleria Calvarias and how he felt it was more than a coincidence that they met again after the attack on New Pendragon.
"I wish I was back at the Palace." Anduin grumbled.
"You suck, mate."
Anduin frowned. "Give me the scope."
"What? I've just started. You've been watching them since they arrived."
"It's my scope."
"Well...you pommies are...oh bugger...they're going off already. I wonder which hotel they'll go."
"I hope it's one that we could actually see clearer..." Anduin grumbled.
"You two are hopeless..." Dunford muttered.
"Come on, Harry." Anduin called. "You're in the best place to watch him. You could see them better than we could."
"Yeah, mate. You practically volunteered for it. You must be seeing all the good actions, you lucky bastard."
"I'm watching to make sure they don't cause anymore problems for the Order! Nothing else. The Arthurian dogma must be maintained! Not like what happened at Iowa!"
"Where's the fun in that?"
"Stay focus, all of you! If anything should happen to him, I'll tear your worthless heads apart!" Jeremiah's voice boomed.
"Jeremiah's right." Gordon relied. "Stay focus. This is an official Arfon Knight business. Not some holiday trip."
"What's his problem?" Jack asked Anduin who just shrugged.
"I've got a visual!" Gordon called out.
"Where?" Dunford asked.
"Two suspects walking down the second block. They're following them."
Jack swept the scope around. "I see them."
"Gimme the gun." Anduin pulled the Englishman away and took his usual place as the sniper. "Eh? Wait! Hold on. They're not hostiles! I repeat, they're not hostiles!"
Jack stared at the blond Britannian. "You know them?"
"Yeah, met them in Pendragon. That blonde's an Ashford. She's a free-lance reporter actively helping Her Majesty. They're old friends."
"Kallen!" The red haired woman jumped and as she turned her sight was obstructed by a cloud of blond hair. She did however, recognised her voice.
"Milly?" Kallen hugged her friend back.
"Surprised to see me?" The former noblewoman gave her a wink.
"Not really." The Knight of Two smiled wryly at her former president. "You always seemed to stalk us everywhere."
Rivalz walked up behind the two hugging friends. "Yeah, well. It's fun doing that." The blunette smiled as he carried Milly's camera.
"You didn't take any pictures did you?" Kallen asked eying the camera. She noted that Arthur was watching with confusion at her reaction and she was suddenly embarrassed if they had seen how she had reacted towards Arthur.
"Not really." Rivalz replied innocently as Kallen tried to take the camera and was surprised by the speed at she charged at him. "Oh crap, I forgot that you were acting all those times!"
Kallen growled as she chased Rivalz around Milly. "Give me that camera!" Being a military woman, she easily caught the camera. "If I find anything...I'm gonna...what..."
To her surprise, there were no pictures...no pictures at all! And that made her suspicious and Kallen glanced at Rivalz and saw a purple memory card in his hand.
"Gimme that!" Kallen called as she charged at him again and Rivalz let out a girly yelp.
"Ah, Lelouch help me!" He let out involuntarily and immediately clamped a hand on his mouth.
An uncomfortable silence overwhelmed them. The bystanders stared at them for muttering the name of the hated Emperor while the group themselves were embarrassed and saddened by the memory of their long lamented friend.
As the people walked back to their own business, the three friends maintain their silence.
Arthur broke it as he joined them. "You were Lelouch's friend?" He asked Rivalz quietly.
"Yea, we were in school..." Rivalz looked in alarm as he notice for the first time how closely similar the knight looked like their old friend.
"It's alright." Arthur said. "I served under him. I knew that he was a good man."
Rivalz glanced at Kallen then at Milly who nodded.
"Yeah, he was...I don't understand why it did all happen!" He fisted his hands in frustration and Arthur gave him a sad understanding look and Kallen was a bit envious of Rivalz. He did not get the anger and the position that he had to engage his friend in battle.
"I see. I did not know him that well." Arthur said. "But I can say that he took his friendships seriously and never forgotten them. Yours as well, Milly Ashford." He turned to the blonde reporter. "I thank you for everything you've done for them." By 'them', he meant the Vi Britannia siblings.
Milly gave him a sad smile. "We're friends. That's what friends do."
"And you're Lelouch's friend?" Rivalz said, happily. "So you're ours!"
Arthur was surprised when he held out his hand and as he shook it felt a sight familiarity as well. Rivalz...Milly...they were so familiar.
Milly held out hers and remembering that she was a lady, Arthur bent to kiss her hand an action which both Rivalz and Kallen bristled. Rivalz, Arthur suddenly realised was deeply in love with the blond woman.
As for Kallen he had no idea why.
Kallen could feel her eyes burning again then decided to change the subject. "What are you doing here anyway?" Her voice was obvious with emotion.
"Snooping around as usual." Milly said. "Nina sent her regards. She's with our Lloyd."
"The girl with that old coot?" Arthur smiled. "I remember her seeing her several times on campaign."
Rivalz looked at them both. "I don't know how you soldiers handle all this tensions."
"It's not enjoyable, I'll tell you that." Kallen explained.
"But you get used to it." Arthur replied.
The foursome walked down the pavement when Milly suddenly stopped.
"Speaking of snooping. I just remembered something."
She reached deep into her bag and pulled out something.
Arthur and Kallen drew closer.
The blond reporter took out another photo which was of an old native aborigine ruins.
In the middle of town square was a statue or an idol...a statue of a man, a military soldier at that with a symbol on its left arm.
Kallen's eyes widened in surprise.
A Geass symbol.
"What is that?" Arthur feigned surprise. This is bad. If they find out...
Milly shook her head. "I'm not too sure but we saw the symbol on a website."
Kallen was surprised. "Website? What website?"
"Something from a British website." Rivalz explained. "It's supposed to be the symbol of some kind of cult in the middle ages or something. Would have thought it was some hoax if it didn't appear over here."
She took out a digital camera and played a video clip. It was an aerial battle between the Imperial Guards and the assassins at Pendragon. It was barely visible. The attackers' machines were merely shadows. That was until one exploded and the explosion illuminated the shoulder pad of one shadow. The same symbol...
Arthur looked at them sharply. "Who else have you told?"
"No one. Figured that if anyone should know it'd be you guys."
Arthur shared a look with Kallen and Milly saw it.
"You wanna go after them?"
Arthur nodded. Kallen glanced at the white haired knight. "I thought you had an errant."
"This is more important. The life of the Empress could be at stake." And I can't have you meddling into Geass alone. He turned to Milly. "How do we get there?"
Rivalz pulled out a key and grinned.
They were shadows, nothing more, as they slipped along the old trade route that was deserted this hour of the night. They were heading north, into the smoky cavern.
Heading for the cultist's final hide out.
"Be ready," Lelouch warned as he drew his sword.
The eighteen other men and women who now dropped down onto the tracks and ran lightly along the stone path, their feet making barely a sound, were accustomed to manoeuvring in the darkness, and the path was a straight shot. Lelouch's feet, however, did make some slight sounds, and he frowned to himself. He was in this instance the weakest link in the chain. His training had been much different from those of his compatriots. While he was unquestionably as deadly as they, his manner of attack was quite different, and he was more than willing to let himself to be guided and corrected. All nineteen of them wore helms or masks to protect their identities.
"This is all too familiar to me." Lelouch murmured.
The armoured figure appeared again. "They do say history repeats itself."
"I just didn't realise how close they do repeat."
Lelouch had Gwaine and Tristran leading the rest of his small army to the main entrance while he, the prince would personally lead this infiltration mission to open up the hideout and cut off any form of escape for the cultists who had caused the disappearance of so many of his subjects.
Though most were from his royal guard, there were several from other units and from the local militia. Lelouch had insisted they be included. Every trained assassin could do the job, but locals who had lost their family and kin would stand to benefit the most from the destruction of this monstrous
Cult and reassure their people in ways that the nobility and soldiers could not.
Prior to the mission, Gwaine had his light horsemen scouted out the entire area to gather as much of the little intelligence, so the group would have some form of idea.
"The boys said there are some buggers in black cloaks poppin here and there," Gwaine had reported. "Bad black cloaks." He glanced at Lelouch's royal guard who chuckled. They also wore black cloaks to symbolising they were the prince's men.
Now they ran, swiftly and for the most part silently, until they reached the subterranean lake. Lelouch did not spare the wonders of the lake, visible through strong glass, a second glance. His mind was utterly on the mission.
They were to expect resistance as rumours say that they would be performing their ritual and such intruders would definitely be unwelcomed.
On they ran, no one growing even slightly out of breath. Lelouch had his knights who were mainly dressed in black leather now instead of their usual armour trained in the arts of stealth which was frowned upon by many of the nobility as well as his father's own knights. Other than himself and Launcelot who wore their signature armour though hidden by their cloaks, everyone else wore hard black leather with short swords and duel daggers. Armoured knights would be needed when the real fighting starts and the two would need to be at the blunt of it.
A sound reached Lelouch's ears—a slight whisper. At once he slowed, as did his companions. In the dim light he gesture for them to prepare for battle. The men drew various weapons—daggers, awls painted with poison, gloves with special devices built inside them.
They moved forward, slowly, and this time even Lelouch's feet did not make noise on the creaky metal. He was learning. Now he could glimpse the guards up ahead. There were five of them.
They stood like statues in the dim light their cloaks and hoods hiding their armour and weapons.
Lelouch held up his hand and brought it down once, twice, three times.
The attackers sprang.
Each guard had a black-leather-clad killer atop him before he could do more than gasp in surprise. Lelouch had charged forward, swords at the ready, biting back a yell, but by the time he was there, the five had been quickly and quietly killed.
One had a knife in his eye. Another's neck had been snapped. A third's face was swollen in reaction to a swift-acting poison, froth still dripping from his mouth. Two knights rose cleaning their blades emotionlessly and efficiently, from the final two kills.
Launcelot stared at them with disgust. Lelouch knew that his friend was a true image of a knight in shining armour and to see men dying so cold-heartedly was something he had a hard time accepting.
Lelouch himself took no pleasure from this but he knew what must be done.
"Funny." The real Lelouch muttered. "I didn't expect the King Arthur we know so well to be...so..."
"Blunt?" The knight asked.
"Practical." Lelouch replied.
"Reminds you of yourself?" The armoured enigma continued. Lelouch did not answer instead watched as he retracted the steps of his ancestor to purge against the vile sect that would one day become...the Geass Directorate.
Two Hours later
Despite the rough nature of the land, Kansas was indeed a beautiful place. And unlike other parts of Britannia, it was relatively warm. The land was rugged but it was purely made from nature without human intervention which was rather rare in the Homelands.
"There was once a battle here." Arthur said to her, his white hair dancing in the wind. They were in the news van which Milly and Rivalz had been using but opened up the windows to see the scenery.
Kallen turned to regard the white haired Lelouch.
"After the War of the Dukes, the newly reunited Britannian government decided to expand into the West for more land. The Spanish had largely been driven off but the natives were not ready to give up."
He pointed at a particular plain. "The Emperor sent an emissary to let the locals know the arrival of Britannia and their submission to the Imperial crown. Heh. The only thing that returned was pieces of the poor idiot."
Rivalz shuddered. "I thought that was only a legend."
"Perhaps." Arthur agreed. "But whatever it was, the entire Britannian army was mobilized and even the Knights of the Round were unleashed."
"Whatever happened to them?" Kallen asked.
"They were slaughtered. The natives were fierce fighters and had terrain and spirit as an advantage. They were fighting to defend their lands against the invaders from across the sea and fought with a passion to protect their way of life. And rightly so." He turned sombre. "But having right on your side was no match for guns and sabres."
Kallen looked to the rocks around them, imagining the battles back then. Horsemen riding around firing and charging at each other...
Suddenly the van jumped.
"Whoa! What the heck was that?" Rivalz shouted as he got out of the vehicle.
Arthur also got out.
After a moment, Rivalz cried out.
"We got a flat."
Arthur examined the damage. "How far can we make it without wearing out what's left of the tire?"
"In this heat?" Rivalz mentally calculated the distance. "Not a chance. We'll be lucky to make it to the next settlement."
"Crap." Milly muttered. "The place is still hours away."
"Great." Kallen said, wiping the sweat on her forehead. "This weather is killing me."
"What's this?" The landscape contained a dry rocky area not uncommon in Kansas and their known county landmarks of rock monuments.
"That's the Chalk Formations at Smoky Hills..." Kallen commented. "This area is supposed to be crawling with them. Rumours say that in the past there were sakurdite mines here."
"There were." Milly agreed. "But take a look at that." She pointed at one particular formation. Kallen peered closely.
"I don't see anything." Kallen admitted after a moment, she glanced at Milly and Rivalz.
The blunette shrugged.
"Don't look at me. I'm just as confused as you are."
"The rock formations..." Arthur said suddenly. "They're too uniform."
Milly sighed in relief. "Glad there's someone who understands Geography." She muttered. "At other times, I'd say it's a coincidence but with this?"
On the ground, Kallen picked up a small metal piece which looked like a broken computer memory card.
"A memory card?" Rivalz asked.
Arthur looked over to the horizon. "There must be a town nearby."
"Then we head for town first then check out what's over that ridge."
New London, Army Headquarters
"Are you certain of what you saw, Lieutenant?" Major General William Leroy of the 9th Army division asked, dubious.
"Yes, sir." Reeds answered.
The Britannian officer fell back to his chair.
"Are you sure you weren't just drunk?" A Colonel in a well made black and gold uniform. "It is not uncommon for officers to take to drink."
The Lieutenant bristled at the insult. "Of course not!" Reeds snapped. "I swear by the Empress' name that's what I saw!"
The senior officers looked baffled. "This is a serious accusation, Lieutenant." The General said. "To insult a knight who saved the Empress herself of treason and such an act and on grounds of extraordinary matters. What proof do you have of this?"
"I am part of Her Majesty's Imperial Guard." Reeds proclaimed with pride. "Do you think I would make up such a make-believe story if the Empress's life...no Britannia's sake was at stake?"
"Perhaps..." Leroy considered. "But then again..."
"I believe him." A voice cut through the grumbles. A tall well built man in a long black uniform and a black helm with a violet visor arrived. He wore a Black knight symbol on his left shoulder but none of the Britannians recognised the man's uniform.
"Who are you?" The General demanded.
"I am Captain Ogami Kojima of the United Federation of Nations' Security Service.
"Rumours said that Emperor Lelouch had in possession of mystic powers similar to hypnosis, sir. Which is why Lelouch was able to in fact defeat him opponents so easily when he conquered the Empire. After all, it is a good question why the Imperial family would suddenly support the man who turned them all into slaves."
"You're not serious?" A Colonel blurted.
The Japanese officer nodded. "I'm afraid I am. Only a selected few knew of this. That's why we sided with Prince Schneizel over Lelouch during the war."
"Look. I don't care about what you Black knights are going to do." Reeds replied. "I'm worried about Her Majesty. So you going to tell us what will happen?"
"We need to find out more of this Arthur." Ogami proclaimed. "Whether he is a threat or not and find out more of this...power. I have the authorisation of the UFN to use whatever means necessary...Lieutenant, if you will."
As Reeds followed the Black knight out, a video screen appeared behind the general.
"Sir, we have friendlies coming in. At least a battalion size unit but we can't match any of signs on any of our forces."
"Of course not." The General grumbled. "They're part of those damn Black knights."
When Kallen had returned from the New London Headquarters, she had gone through the list of army units positioned in the area. With rebel forces threatening from the north, most of the divisions and brigades had been positioned there to protect the borders.
And thus, she was surprised to see a large unit at the mining town.
Blue-purple Sutherlands and Gloucesters were patrolling the skies with occasional Vincent Wards and Vincents and even Atakasukis. That was normal considering it was war time.
What wasn't normal was that they should only be a squadron in the entire area, meaning that since each squadron had about fifty to sixty Knightmare there should be about two or three flying at a time in a region. Here there was at least half a dozen Knightmares in the skies and almost twice.
"Was there supposed to be a unit here?" Arthur whispered. Kallen shook her head. "Then what the hell are they doing here?"
A Gloucester suddenly started to follow them.
"They're herding us."
"Stay cool, Rivalz. Just follow their direction."
As the group drove in, armoured Britannian soldiers appeared out of nowhere turned looking at them as if seeing a car for the first time.
"They don't look very friendly." Rivalz commented as one particular soldier glared at the blunette.
"I don't think they like reporters." Milly muttered.
"You're here with me." Kallen assured her. "No one will touch you."
A soldier waved at them and pointed to the town centre. Rivalz waved back in acknowledgement and drove in.
"I smell rebels." Kallen murmured.
"Let's not get into conclusions." Arthur replied. "Although I think for once you might be right."
Kallen ignored the subtle jib and watched as the car drove pass a Sutherland armed with a large cannon.
"We're here." Rivalz announced. "And he doesn't seem very happy to see us." He pointed at the Britannian army officer in a khaki uniform with a short blue cape.
The door suddenly opened and a soldier grabbed Rivalz by the collar and pulled him out.
"Hey!" Kallen struggled against another soldier as the group was forced out.
"What the hell are you kids doing here?" The officer barked. His badge showed that he was a colonel. "This place is off limits."
"I thought that goes for you too." Arthur said as two soldiers grabbed his arm.
The officer snarled and was about to strike him when Kallen barked.
"What the hell is this? I am Kallen Kouzki, Black Knight Commander and your damn Knight of Two."
The officer turned to her and then took a step back.
"Oh...fu...Release them! Release them! Forgive me, my lady." The officer bowed in apology.
Kallen slammed an elbow into her captor knocking the air out of him. She straightened up as the unfortunate soldier gasped for a breather.
"What the hell is going on here, Colonel...?"
"Dante, madam." The officer saluted. "We're here tracking a suspected rebel unit."
Arthur scoffed. "Then why are you so scared to see people here?"
The Colonel looked at the white haired Lelouch in the eye then froze for a brief second although Kallen hardly blamed him.
"You were saying, Colonel?" Kallen probed him.
"Right." The Colonel had shaken himself up and nodded. "Forgive me. We have just taken this town which had been supporting the rebels so as you can understand we are tight on security."
Kallen's eyes narrowed. "If so then why hadn't you reported to headquarters?"
The officer beside the Colonel looked embarrassed. "We weren't sure if they were rebels at first, my lady."
"How long has it been since you've taken it then?" Kallen asked.
"Yesterday. The rebels have fled into the rocks. I doubt they'll be able to do anything about it though. But don't worry, my lady, we have patrols circling around to make sure they don't cause any trouble."
Despite the man's words, she could see in his eyes that the man was hiding something. Damn Britannians...
"Yeah, I can see that. I have no problem with your duty," Kallen replied, sarcastically. "But I do mind your methods. Is this?" She gestured to the troops around. "Anyway to show the people our good will?"
"How is this?" Kallen continued, biting her every word. "Going to show the people that they're not trading one tyrant for another?"
The Colonel cleared his throat. "Sometimes in war, milady, strict measures are needed to show people where they're places ar..."
But Kallen interrupted him. "Such strict measures are going to encourage them to join the rebellion. We are better than this. Remember your place, Colonel. We are the knights of justice. We're not going to the rebels' level. That would be defeating the purpose of this new Britannia...do you understand, Colonel?"
"Yes, milady." The Colonel saluted.
"Now," Kallen said, staring at the other soldiers. "I need to get this car fixed."
"Very good, madam." A captain saluted, signalling the others.
At a different time, Kallen might have been nervous about giving orders but since the Great War and during her time as a Black knight she had learnt the trade even if she still prefer to act on her own. As Zero's personal guard and ace, Kallen was used to fighting alone or at least as part of a small team.
She knew she was a decent tactician and had an excellent ability to improvise on the field and while she knew she was a good strategist she could not comprehend the complex strategies of accomplished commanders like Lelouch or Schneizel or even General Alexandros and Princess Cornelia.
"And Colonel," Kallen continued. "I would like to have one of your maps."
"Yes, milady." The officer nodded though, his relief of escaping the accusation was obvious, well at least to Kallen.
"Impressive." Arthur murmured beside her. "Though why didn't you ask for a guide?"
Kallen shrugged, though she felt her cheeks redden. "I thought you didn't want to catch any unwanted attention, besides there's something wrong here. Telling him that we're not looking for anything meant he won't be too worried about whatever he's hiding."
Arthur stared at her, and then nodded in approval. "Very good. You assumed correctly. Regardless, he'll be on his guard. We have settled on something that was well hidden then."
The white haired Lelouch turned to Milly and Rivalz who were explaining to a soldier about the tires on the car.
"I know." Kallen told him. "I don't want them to be in the mist of this stuff."
"We may not have a choice." The knight replied. "Having them near us would be their best protection from now on."
"Yeah, you're right."
Sorry for the sloppy work. I'm losing my touch. I'm glad you guys are still reading this story. So thanks.