Chapter Twenty Nine: Yes Minister

Arc Eight: Killing With Kindness

Opening: "Carousel" - Nico Touches The Walls

"Vermillion is lovely this time of year."

"I assume you've been?"

"Three times, though not in the past century. It's taken a turn for the gaudy, though Luoyang West Street is always good to visit."

Lelouch swallowed his spoonful of soup and nodded, as the green haired immortal accomplice of Kallen's, who went by C.C, continued to make small talk with him over their Ji-Yu, which she had heartily recommended. The fish-based milky-white substance went down well with both of them as they chatted into the night in the heart of the Vermillion Forbidden City, in Henan's Yellow River Valley.

It was his first official state holiday in seven years, and, naturally enough, it was a working holiday. In the technical sense, it was an official diplomatic visit, in which he would spend the first day of his week long stay meeting with Chinese dignitaries and generally improving relations on behalf of the RPJ. Lelouch, believing firmly in avoiding wasting any time, was nothing if not enthusiastic for the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

The Tianzi Empress was very pleasant, showing respectable intelligence and a passable understanding of policy, while still being extremely personable. Her personal aide, Li Xingke, was similarly respectful, though certainly less amiable, constantly seeming suspicious, though Lelouch supposed that was his job. Interestingly, he learned that the Empress was closely related to Governor Kaguya, which led to a very interesting conversation on her. Apparently they knew each other well, though they had not spoken in some time.

That being said, Lelouch, ever observant, could not help but observe any question pertaining to how the Chinese Federation would act in future would be deferred to the Eunuchs, advisors in the background who spoke in the commanding tones and condescending voices of half-men. He could only conclude she was a puppet, which was certainly rather unfortunate for any practical agreements that Lelouch could hope for.

However, beyond diplomacy, the real reason they were in China was that Lelouch was paranoid.

Lelouch loved being paranoid more than anything else in the world. It focused him like a razor on a problem solving mentality. Suspecting everything around him made him alert and forced him to make detailed, proactive plans, rather than waiting in a vulnerable cave. In a perverse way, betraying his country was working wonders for his mental health. He had organised a trip for himself to a faraway territory in a densely populated area in neutral territory, while also shipping out this C.C character, with heavy disguise including a black wig, in order for them to sort out the Black Knight's Order Of Battle, as well as to establish more permanent communication channels, away from prying eyes.

He would have preferred someone a little less bizarre than C.C to handle the business end of things, but Kallen was out of the loop from her time away, and he obviously couldn't let the members of the Black Knights who were also Revanchist Representatives know Lelouch was now in on the plot. This limited the people who knew enough to help him learn about the Black Knights while not also being politically compromised to one, very annoying witch.

However, Lelouch was for once comfortable relaxing. He was safe in the knowledge that his plans were enacting themselves as fast as he could make them, and there was little he could do to rush them. This knowledge gave him the ability to actually enjoy his damn holiday, while also picking the brain of the oldest person on Earth, which was in itself an enjoyable experience.

For all her sarcasm and forward, inappropriate nature, full of suggestive jokes and crude comments, she was certainly full of intrigue that did fascinate Lelouch enough to divert to world history and related topics, in spite of her mocking tones and his desire to focus on the task at hand.

"You were at Yorktown? For the battle?"

She nodded. "Washington was certainly a bold leader, but that does not a good strategist make. I struggle to imagine a scenario where he could have defeated Britannia. I escaped to France shortly after."

Lelouch chuckled "Out of the frying pan…"

"Tell me about it."

They clinked glasses, water against wine, as following their finishing Lelouch pulled out a thick pad of documents, to which C.C groaned "Really? It's only day 2..."

"Which means we can get plenty done." Lelouch smirked, as he placed the lined paper across the table, all over their menus.

"You're just like her."

Lelouch looked up from the mass of unfilled documents with a puzzled look on his face, simply responding "Eh?"

C.C chuckled. "You're both so caught up in the moment, the cause, or whatever. You're both so afraid."

"Afraid of what?"

"Time."

Lelouch swore he felt a fretful tingle as she spoke those words, which, while he had no understanding of her meaning, were spoken with such severity it could only make him shudder. She laughed at him, and said "What's wrong? Your face has turned blue? It was just a comment. Maybe I'm getting old."

Lelouch stared confusedly, before he nodded to dismiss the matter, somewhat exasperated, and then his phone rang. Given their location in the heart of Totalism, the only calls that could get through were government calls, which only meant one thing.

"Oh Suzaku, how are you?"

"Fine enough, just erm… just wondering if I could ask you something."

Lelouch, absentmindedly assuming it was about the budget, replied "The answer is yes."

"I have some gentlemen from the OSI here, wondering if we've seen the escaped Black Knights members from the Tower. Apparently there are some high profile people still at large. I called Ohgi, then you, as we were the ones most involved."

"In light of new information, I amend my previous statement; the answer is no."

Both C.C and Suzaku laughed at this rapid fire backpedal, as the latter explained over the wire "Well that's that chaps, we've got nothing. We'll keep you posted."

Lelouch hung up, and smirked. "We'll keep you posted alright.", before clicking open a pen and continuing "So, let's go for the organisational structure first. Commanders and their unit size should be a good start."

C.C yawned, before going over them for the course of the dinner. There was a litany of names to go over, but to her credit, C.C remembered them all, down to the Head of Military Operations.

"Kyoshiro Tohdoh."

Lelouch once again looked up from scribbling to ask surprisingly "Really?"

"Absolutely. Probably the second most competent soldier we have, and has been in every battle he could get into."

Lelouch laughed triumphantly and rocked in his seat, pumping fists as he grinned like a madman. After calming somewhat, he hissed silently "I knew it, I knew he was in on it. The damned head of the Revanchists was a paid up subversive."

"You were a 'paid up' subversive."

"At least I've never lied about it. He was going the full course about how he has no affiliations with the Black Knights, on and on… this is brilliant."

Lelouch wallowed in the Schadenfreude, before C.C blankly interrupted "Are you done?"

"Pretty much, yeah. That was just too good." Lelouch explained, still smiling as he scribbled down the former Lt. Colonel's name with great satisfaction.

"So, for all the lecturing between you, Kallen, and the P.M about 'plans', what's yours?"

"For this project?"

"Let's go with that."

Lelouch sighed, and looked to either side before going on to explain his overall strategy. "It's twofold.", he began, "First, and more importantly, I want to try and use Zero's status to convince the Revanchists to calm down and stop threatening bloody civil war. Furthermore, this influence can be put to good use later, if need be."

"Very democratically proper."

"You've been in and out of revolutions since the third century, so-"

"Would you relax? I've been in and out of revolutions since the third century and you're still the most uptight out of the bunch."

"Compliment accepted. Anyway, the other part I'd like to get on is a military application of the Black Knights. For now, the Geass… Directorate, I believe you called it, would make a lovely target. From there, we can begin a campaign of sorts against Britannia, indirectly, perhaps with a long term goal of integrating them with the RPJ Army."

"Suzaku won't stand for it."

"Good for him, that's his problem."

C.C gave a slight detached chuckle, as if she found him entertaining rather than his comments, though Lelouch didn't much mind how she found her amusement. To put it another way, 'Good for her.'

That was an end to that discussion, and they resumed a discussion of history, which led to a further discussion on the mechanics of Geass, which Lelouch, in light of his new subordinate's position, he was eager to discover the limits of.

"And you can give them to multiple people?"

The immortal witch nodded, which gave Lelouch further information to mull over. While Mao was very, very dead, this certainly bode poorly for the future crusade against the Geass order, which could potentially have hundreds of Geassed up tyke bombs lying in wait.

Sighing, he finished the last dregs of his soup, washing it down with a glass of water before frowning slightly. He did have one more question, but it was almost not for asking, being a question more for introspection. Furthermore, asking it had bad implications.

"Well if that's that…" C.C announced, standing to go, and leave him with the bill, which caused him to hesitate over a word, something she noticed.

"Cat got your tongue?"

Lelouch paused, looking down as he briefly wondered. He would have hated it, but it would have been so useful. It could have opened up an avenue where Zero was successful from the start, with proper organisation.

"Why didn't you pick me? That day in Shinjuku?"

"Oh, has that been playing on your mind?"

"Just wondering what qualities you thought I lacked compared to Kallen when you made your all important judgement."

C.C smirked knowingly, before explaining slowly, the sentences forming as she reasoned "I suppose you have most of the prerequisites, though it's not set in stone. Thing is, I really doubt you would have had the… will to complete your end of the contract when the time came. Geass is a two way exchange, and my demands are… emotionally taxing. What with Suzaku, you were too attached to this world to have ever given it up."

This held some interesting implications. C.C's demands must have been severe, life altering, to the point that an emotional connection could jeopardise it. It was also interesting that it was his connection to Suzaku that saved him, even though he had let it wane so severely. He could only ask "And Kallen will?"

C.C paused, before nodding. "I believe so."

"Then here's hoping she completes my contract before she completes yours." Lelouch responded gravely.

"Thank you, thank you very much, I appreciate the help. Don't forget to vote next month. Of course, thank you."

Ohgi waved past the modest crowd to various whoops and cheers as his minor rally drew to a humble close. His was not a contested District; the 10th District of Toshima and Nerima was solidly Ameliorate, combining a middle class appeal with a moderate image.

However, while he was under little threat from the insurgent Revanchists, his party members, especially in more rural areas, were, and so everyone was out and busy, even in this relatively early phase of the campaign. It was only the third election the country had experienced, and the first where there was clearly defined parties and campaign infrastructure. Of course, the campaign trail suited some of the Representatives with more… bombast, such as the war hero Tohdoh or the enigmatic Lelouch, but Ohgi still managed an earnest image of an Everyman looking out for the little guy.

As Minister For Defence. Well, everyone had their calling in life he supposed, as he began to move back towards his car while the press asked various questions of him in the general hustle, which he attempted to answer as best he could.

"Yes… with regards to the incident at the Babel Tower, the area is now secured and belligerents have been apprehended, however an investigation in coordination with the police and Marshal Guilford is underway to fully understand how these terrorists brought such heavy ordinance into a building that was so apparently secure, and were able to use these clear shortcomings to cause the deaths of both Britannians and Japanese, showing their disregard for even their own so called principles. It is clear they are nothing short of common criminals, and will be treated as such."

While knowing he had been one demeaning speech on the part of a college student away from actually being one of those criminals made him a little uncomfortable, he could only imagine he would likely have left after the violence had escalated. Still, it was a very good answer by most metrics, combining healthy responsibility with a promise of future action. It satisfied that particular questioner, and he answered a few others as he went along before finally reaching his car, where he was beckoned inside to escape the flashing lights. The driver slammed the door shut, finally isolating him from the vast noise.

"Goddamn…"

"Rough day?"

Ohgi looked to his side to spot Lelouch sitting opposite him, having waited in the car for him. He jumped in surprise, not having seen him when he sat in, which seemed to amuse the Britannian greatly. As Ohgi caught his nervous breath, he joined in Lelouch's light chuckles before commenting "Welcome back. How was China?"

"Quite a nice change of pace, though it got too humid towards the last few days for me." he explained, and Ohgi nodded. He was just glad Lelouch had enjoyed himself for a change, and Lelouch's more casual tone told Ohgi that he had vented his stress healthily, which pleased him greatly. He vocalised this, replying "Good to hear."

Lelouch looked out the window briefly, before asking "So what have I missed?"

"Well the Election is underway, but you knew that. What I have noted that is bizarre is that there hasn't been any major activity since the attack on the Tower, even compared to beforehand. If it hadn't come off the back of such a massive attack, I'd be celebrating."

Lelouch gave a thoughtful look to the floor, and pondered aloud "Perhaps they drained themselves a bit further than they anticipated."

"Perhaps." Ohgi agreed, as Lelouch, after a moment, began "Perhaps…"

"Perhaps what?"

Lelouch paused again, as if contemplating whether he ought to verbalise his thought, before suggesting "Perhaps, if they are weak, this could be an excellent time to negotiate a proper ceasefire, get a political settlement."

Ohgi blinked in surprise. Being the least zealous of the original three, he had proposed that the Government rid themselves of this thorn in their side and come to a peace settlement. Suzaku had all but ripped his head off, and Lelouch had said nothing, but indicated he would vote against it. He responded "Really? What made the difference?"

"Well first off that attack raised the urgency, and this potential weakness is the best chance we've had. I think it can be done, and there's the political will to do it."

Ohgi nodded, and smiled in relief. Finally, this affair may be drawing to a close. He thought briefly of Kallen, likely dead by this time, and hoped she could finally be at peace wherever she was, knowing her homeland was. He bowed his head slightly, before nodding. He was a little concerned with the precedent of Lelouch undercutting Suzaku, but Ohgi knew he could keep Lelouch in check.

"So there." Lelouch concluded, sinking into his seat opposite Ohgi. "At least we can bring an end to that menace."

"Might as well tell him we're coming if that's the case."

Lelouch nodded, as picked up his phone to call Suzaku to inform him of their soon coming, but as he pressed the first name on his speed dial, the tone merely rang on to Suzaku's dull voice answer.

"This is P.M Suzaku Kururugi, unfortunately you've caught me at a bad time and I can't answer your call at the moment. Please leave your name and number after the beep and I'll be back to you as soon as I can."

"The devil is he playing at…"

Ohgi could only guess. It was early in the day, and Suzaku had no meetings on that morning. Lelouch ran his hand through his hair and sighed.

"I'm meeting with Diethard for an interview in a few minutes anyway, so I'll check on him afterwards. You can get back to campaigning."

Lelouch and C.C are a genuine joy to write together, in the proper contexts. While many interactions in canon unfortunately are wasted due to obfuscating stupidity from the characters, their more substantive chats are some of the most engaging parts of the show. However, when they are unfamiliar with each other and have to meet for practical reasons, the less intimate dynamic allows for in my opinion a greater range of potential. I only brushed on the range of subject matter a less secretive C.C and a more open Lelouch could address.

Incidentally, while I found no way to address this, but let's remember Marianne is communicating in real time with C.C through Anya, and is seeing this conversation. What do you think she sees? Is she proud of her son for going by his own path, or scorning his hypocrisy from beyond the grave? I'm not sure.

Still, Suzaku's in for a nasty shock quite soon, and if you want to see it, stick around for Chapter 30, Made For Love And Revolution. Until then, stay safe, rate, review, and take a holiday.

~Eth0