Phase XVIII: Blackest Night Part I.
(Kyushu Block, Saga Base)
"We hereby declare the restoration of Japan as a legitimate, independently controlled country!"Sawasaki proclaimed on global television.
To his right Kusakabe was present with a wide grin on his face, behind them there was row after row of Gun- Rus and Panzer-Hummels, the scene presented to the world was more like a dictator coming to power then an army which comes to liberate a country.
(Slayers military base)
All of the executive committee members were gathered there and were watching the news which was broadcasting about Sawasaki.
"The leader of the group that occupied Fukuoka Base, Sawasaki Atushi, was the Chief Cabinet Secretary of the former Japan during the second term of the Kururugi Administration. He sought asylum in the Chinese Federation after the war. However, we think that he's making use of the internal unrest caused by 'The Slayers' to carry out this operation. We are now in the midst of investigating whether 'The Slayers' have anything to do with this operation. The incident at Kamine Island…." The news caster trailed off.
"They're not related!"Tamaki said out loud.
"What did Kyoto say?" Ohgi asked.
"It seems that they didn't know anything. Everything, including the acquisition of Sakuradite, was done arbitrarily." Minami replied.
"So the day has finally arrived!" Todoh said to those present
"Kaguya-sama what should we do?" Kallen asked concerned.
(Skies above Fukuoka city, deck of the Avalon)
"Sawasaki's group is cooperating with the terrorist cells within the Kyushu Block, after destroying the land traffic network that linked the Honshu block and Shikoku block, together with the E.U 6th army together with support from the Chinese Federation's Liaodong military district, have captured Saga and Nagasaki prefectures and are using them as bases of operations, the president of the E.U Philippe Pétain says that this is not a breaking of the ceasefire since there was no treaty and the war between the E.U and the Empire was never really over."
"According to General Tsao from the Chinese Federation, the presence of Chinese forces are only for providing humanitarian aid and are not against the Manila Convention" the news caster said on the TV which Lloyd viewed.
"Where is Suzaku-kun?" Lloyd asked Cecile who was coming up behind him.
"He's down bellow helping Zero with preparations for the battle" Cecile replied.
"Why do you think they decided to fortify this city and not continue retreating until Princess Cornelia arrives?" Cecile asked.
"The main highways and roads which leads to the northern beaches all go through Fukuoka, if the Sawasaki wants to win he has to take those beaches before Cornelia lands, and if he does it's going to be a bloodbath for our side" Lloyd replied, the reason he knew so much about strategy and tactics was that in his free time he played real time tactics games and he knew from those that in war the troop maneuvers and position of the opposing army could determine if a battle can be won or was lost before it even began for either sides.
"Erm….Where his highness Schneizell?"" Lloyd asked curious.
"He's at the Tokyo settlement" Cecile replied.
"Things never are easy aren't they! Although the master is not around we have to continue improving the Lancelot or we won't be able to counter the Gefjun Disturber". Lloyd replied.
"Also did you know Prince Lelouch took the swords ,guns ,Lancelots and that Counter radiation device I made for him, he even took the custom Knightmare he commissioned, even though its cannon and shield are not operational" Lloyd added.
"Why would he do something like that?" Cecile asked curiously.
"If we don't have powder or shot then we will fight with pikes and axes and my wooden army will stop the flood" Lloyd replied.
"Eh?" Cecile asked confused.
"It's something Field Marshall Wellington said when he faced Napoleon and his army in one battle, before the battle Wellington had few troops, supply's and even weapons, yet he was determined to hold the city of Liverpool long enough for the refugees to escape overseas to America" Lloyd replied.
"And what happened ?" Cecile asked a concern tone in her voice.
"Wellington won the battle, and the refugees managed to escape, ever since then the term 'wooden army' refers to a small force which is outgunned and outmanned but has a favorable position and a good leader and has a change to stop or at least delay a larger one" Lloyd replied.
"But ….didn't Wellington….."
"Yes...That's right …..Wellington died during that battle!" Lloyd replied while staring out the Avalon's window towards the west, were the enemy would appear from.
(Fukuoka city, 42nd mobile command center)
Suzaku was holding in his arm his father's watch and thinking about what transpired between himself and Euphie just a few days ago.
"I… am not qualified to be your knight." Suzaku said to Euphie in her office as he handed her his knight insignia.
"Why?" Euphie asked confused.
"My recent performance in these past months has led me to realize I am not qualified for the position you gave me" Suzaku said his eyes targeted the floor in sadness.
"What do you mean? You're service has been exemplary!" Euphie said confused and panicking, thinking that Suzaku was blaming himself senselessly.
"Is my record really that good?...At Narita I got separated from Lelouch and he had to face that demon knightmare called Guren alone, during the prisoner transport I failed to stop the rescue of the Kawaguchi Terrorists, I also failed to recognize the fact that the Guren's pilot was my classmate Kallen and I failed to stop the terrorist leader from escaping not once but twice at Kamine and Shikinejima islands, and on top of that the leader of the 'Slayers' is my own cousin….so tell me Princess Euphemia….after hearing all this could you still say my service is exemplary?"Suzaku said, he then turned around walked towards the door, he opened it and said one last sentence towards Euphie before walking out.
"If every soldier followed my example we would have been defeated long ago" he then left the room leaving a saddened and shocked Euphie to stare at the insignia within her hands.
Suzaku's mind then returned to the present and he looked at Lelouch who was surrounded by Odysseus, Kewell, Viletta, Jeremiah, George and Omar, they were looking at maps and Suzaku joined them.
Lelouch was dressed in his Iron Prince Costume, minus his helmet which was also on the desk.
"Yesterday the 8th and 2nd Chinese fleets with the help of the 10th and 1st European fleets landed an army that we estimate is composed out off 900.000 Chinese and 300.000 European troops within Saga prefecture, their knightmare's are estimate to be composed out of 4000 Gun Rus and 2000 Panzer Hummels" Viletta informed them and a grim silence fell over the room .
He listened to Viletta briefing and mentally thought o himself: "Outnumbered 24 to1 in terms of men, and 20 to one in armor, also from what I can gather about those poor boys who defended the coast we are the only military force left standing in Kyushu…It would take a miracle to carry the day!".
After viewing a few maps Lelouch let out a breath of exasperation and said:
"Damn it all! I've been train at the best school off the empire and by some of the best teachers they ever had in matters of strategy, tactics, terrain and maneuver, I've studied dozens of battles, hundreds of maps ,their effects and aftermaths and nothing's been more clear to me than this situation present here"
"Cornelia's army arrived two days ago in Tokyo, because of its size and the fact that it now has to be transported by sea since the land bridges are now destroys means that it will take at least four days for Cornelia to land on the beaches, but it would take the enemy two days to get there, which means the Chinese will have two, maybe three days to turn that coast into a slaughter field!"
"Cornelia's army will charge those beaches valiantly and be butchered valiantly!...And while we and the Chinese and E.U are busy butchering each other on the beaches Kaguya will trigger her revolution, with Todoh they will most likely succeed and father the smart one he is will send not one, not two, but every single army there is stationed in the mainland…..Todoh will try and for a while succeed in stopping them, but under the tide of sheer numbers he will lose" he paused walked towards the window stared northwards towards Honshu and said.
"And this Land will be bathed with blood once more, it will be demoted to a correctional facility and all of our efforts against the numbers system and improving their lives will go down the drain!" Lelouch then closed his eyes, scratched his head in frustration, turned himself until he was viewing his subordinates, opened his eyes and with a voice which was tired and devoid of hope said:
"It's like I can see the troops running out of their amphibious transports and onto the beaches, like next month's already come to pass…..Do you guys what that feels like, to know a doomed battle's going to happen and you can't do nothing to prevent it, except participate in it helping it fail…" he paused and everyone in the room now knew the full political and world changing implications of this Kyushu Campaign.
"BY GOD THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN! I WILL NOT LET IT HAPPEN!"Lelouch suddenly shouted which made everyone jump back to attention.
"We have a city, so that means we have a castle, we have 50.000 men which we trained ourselves, meaning we know what they are capable of, so gentleman I want to know what are options are?" Lelouch calmly asked his subordinates.
"My lord, as you said if we lose those beaches we lose everything, so I suggest we fortify this city and wait for Cornelia to arrive, despite the horrid way in which we are outnumbered, I'd say we could survive a two day assault and siege until relief arrives" Jeremiah replied.
"I do not agree, what we have at our side is time and ground to give, I suggest be turn the city into a massive trap and fight a delaying actions until we reach Oita prefecture, our objective is to secure Cornelia a landing zone, and it would be less space to maneuver, but she would be able to land her army!" Kewell countered and Jeremiah did not argue with him, for although his plan was realistic he had little confidence they could pull it off against such a large force, the same was true for Kewell and what he thought about his own plan.
"I agree with Brigadier Kewell, we simply don't have the numbers to hold the city" Patton replied, and it was extremely out of character for him, since his motto was 'always forward'.
Lelouch calmly pulled out a cigarette, lighted it, took out a puff of smoke and during that short interval he considered both plans, both of them were good plans, both were however conventional plans, and if they were to survive they needed to think outside the box, he then looked out the window again, saw the settlement and then it hit him what they were going to do!
"There is no possible way for us to win this battle using our strength alone, so like Siberia we must use the enemy's strength against them, George and Omar you will take your battalion and fight a delaying action against them, hit, run and hide, but most of all conserve your knightmares, I want you to make them thing that we are desperate that there are only pockets of resistance left and they are all gathering in Fukuoka city for their last stand, understood?" Lelouch asked them
"Yes sir!"
"Yes sir!" they both replied in unison.
"Now as for the rest of us this is what we will do, Viletta you will use one of your regiments to evacuate the civilians, the rest of the army will construct fortifications, that will be phase one!" Lelouch continued.
"And what will be phase two?" Odysseus asked curious.
Lelouch then explained the rest of his plan to them and after he was done with that they all looked at him with awe from his plan.
"Permission to speak freely sir!" Patton asked
"Granted! Go ahead George!" Lelouch replied while inhaling a puff of smoke.
"I have always prided myself of being called the craziest, screw balled son of a bitch that ever came out of West Point…..but now I see that title rightfully belongs to you!" George said with a smile which reached his ears.
Any other general would take it as an insult, but Lelouch knew George well enough to know that was probably the highest praise he would ever give another person on his lifetime.
"Thanks' for the complement George! Now all off you get to work!" he said and the all replied with 'Yes My lord' and went to fulfill their respective tasks.
(Governour's palace, Tokyo settlement)
Schneizell was in a meeting with his staff and Cornelia and her's over an intercom.
"How many troops does your 8th army have sister?" he asked her.
"After Asia Minor, and upon seeing the recent activity around Pengai Island, I decided to stop in the mainland and heavily reinforce my army if a situation like the one present should ever present itself"
"In all,my ranks have now swollen to 500.000 men and 5.000 knightmares, we do not have their numbers, but these troops are veterans off other conflicts, and I have confidence that we can win this war!" Cornelia replied "My only concern is Lelouch! He hasn't retreated from there at all, if I were him I would have retreated to Kagoshima, since the land gap would make it easier to defend!"
"I agree, however the northern beaches of Kyushu are the only landing zone for your troops, can you sy you can get there before Sawasaki arrives there?" Schneizell asked.
"N…no honestly speaking, but Lelouch is…."she tried to say but was cut off by Schneizell.
"Lelouch is a soldier, he was trained at West Point, tutored by Darlton, and groomed by me, he knows what's at stake, he knows what he is doing, I don't like it as much as you do, especially now sine we lost Clovis, but Lelouch is a man now and we must trust him and let him follow the path he has chosen in life!" Schneizell replied and Cornelia knew it was true but she still wasn't comfortable with it.
"Should we declare martial law?" Kannon Maldini asked his master.
"There is no need for that. That would just increase the uneasiness among the people. Send a letter to the E.U's Foreign Minister Gandolfi. Ah, also contact the Toromo Institution in Cambodia" Schneizell replied.
"Prince Schneizell, using Toromo is….." Darlton said over the monitor, but was interrupted by Euphemia who walked in just now.
"Prime minister, Sir!" she said.
"Ah Euphie! What is it?" he asked
"Is there anything I can help out with?" she asked eagerly.
"I hope to do something as the Vice Governor-General of Japan….." she replied but was caught off
"I thank you for that! But that feeling is enough" Schneizell replied.
"But….."
"Vice-Governor, you must not put yourself in danger, if anything should happen to me, you would have to assume command of this Area" Cornelia said or rather ordered over the monitor.
"Sister! Is this still about selecting Suzaku as my knight?" Euphie asked surprised, since only now she realized Cornelia was on the monitor.
"No! It's not about that, and regarding Kururugi I feel that he has been the best choice for your….." Darlton said defending his master and one of his two star students, but was cut off by Schneizell.
"Euphie, when the Romans invaded and Eowin mustered and army, his son begged his father to fight at his side, but his father said no, o in the case of his own death there would be someone there to take his place and continue on…in times of war there are some who go to the frontlines, while other must stay behind, everyone has a part to play and yours is extremely important in making sure that the chain of command doesn't disintegrate" he said and Euphie could do nothing against that statement .
(Ashford Academy, Student Council room)
"We've already put so much effort into preparing this. Looks like the school festival is going to be cancelled." Shirley said disappointed.
"That isn't the problem. It's war, right?" Rivals said as he tipped his laptop.
"War?" Nina asked confused.
"Even though a government in exile is stuck in between, this is a war against the Chinese Federation and the E.U!" Rivals said to Nina.
"Nina, what about the outdoor booths that we're supposed to borrow from the museum?" Millie said seeing her friend was afraid.
"Ah! I'm going to do the paperwork today. If possible, I want to go to the science department after that….."Nina replied.
"Is it…about that present?" Millie asked curious.
"Huh? What Present?" Rivals asked curious.
"A while ago, a certain Professor Lloyd who works with Lelouch at the Phoenix Fund came here to school looking for him, he saw my research and said it had potential, but I was missing raw material for tests so he said he'd give it to me if I asked" Nina replied.
"Lloyd? Lelouch knows a teacher?" Rivals asked confused "Well any teacher who would help a student like that is definitely number one in my book!" Rivals said cheerfully and continued with his laptop.
"That 's enough! Continue your work!" Millie replied.
"Even though you say that, I'm doing the work of three people! Suzaku is with the army, Lelouch is worth the Phoenix Fund, Kallen is in the hospital! A-Ah…..Lelouch, that fellow, seems to have changed…." Rivals lamented.
Meanwhile Shirley looked out towards the window lost in her own thoughts.
"Lulu usually works closely with Price Lelouch…that means he may be in Kyushu, were the war is going on…..if that's true will he make it back alive" Shirley said deeply concerned for him.
(Kyushu, Fukuoka city, 42nd knightmare area)
Lelouch was on his way to review the knightmare battalion he had given to Omar and George, he entered the hanger and was shocked at what he saw.
"George, Omar could you please tell me what exactly is happening?" Lelouch shouted angrily.
"Well general we are preparing the knightmares for combat" George said calmly.
"I know that! But why in God's name are you decorating them with wolf heads and pelts!" Lelouch shouted back.
"Well you said our first mission is to harass and delay them right?" Bradley asked.
"Yes! That's right!" Lelouch replied.
"Well that meant we had to stalk them and pounce on them like wolves pounce a flock of sheep, so I decided to go with that and so we are your 'Wild Wolves' no he he!" George replied and snickered.
"And why does your wolf head have a giant helmet and necktie?" Lelouch said curious
"Well you know me! Never go anywhere without a helmet, necktie and garters!" George replied and the only reason he hadn't placed garters on his of the two Lancelots that Lelouch gave him and Omar was that it looked silly.
At this Lelouch only shook his head more in amusement than in disapproval, George really was the type of crazy son of a bitch that would lead the 761st to glory.
"Alright, just get your battalion moving and get to work!"Lelouch replied and they both saluted with a yes sir and he exited the hanger bay.
Outside he bumped into Suzaku.
"Hey Lelouch, I have and important question to ask you, can we go somewhere private?" Suzaku asked him.
"Sure!" he replied and he and Suzaku went a few feet away until they were alone.
Once they were like that Lelouch could see that Suzaku was having trouble with his question and he braced himself mentally for what would surely be a great question.
"Lelouch…" Suzaku said and Lelouch inhaled a breath of air for courage "…..did you and Kallen really have sex?" and Lelouch immediately chocked…. that's right he choked on air! And started coughing in shock from the question.
"That's it!….that's the big question you were going to ask me!...Jesus I thought you were going to ask something like 'is there a God', or 'are we going to die today'! But the big philosophical question that is on your mind is 'did you sleep with Kallen"….God Lord I almost had a heart attacked when you muttered my name and I chocked on air….on air Suzaku! Do you understand that?" Lelouch replied annoyed.
"Well sorry! But I had to know the truth!" Suzaku replied concerned and a bit shamed for what he had caused unintentionally.
"Well you didn't have to make such a big dramatic performance for something like that!" Lelouch replied and noticed that Suzaku was still waiting for his answer.
"Yes, I had sex with Kallen and I enjoyed it!" Lelouch replied indifferently.
"When did it happen?" Suzaku asked eager for more information.
"The night before Shikinejima I ask her out, I was suspicious that she was 'Lady Devil' and I decided to find out for sure, we had dinner, danced a little and while I was confirming that she was our culprit she kissed me…I tried to break away , but she is stronger than me so she overpowered me and next thing I know we were in bed" Lelouch replied.
"Wait from what you said Kallen seems to have….raped you!" Suzaku replied.
"SHE DID NOT1!" Lelouch shouted which was overheard by the soldiers in the distance, he realized this and lowered his voice.
"Think about it! You said she kissed you and she overpowered you right?" Suzaku asked.
"Well yes!" Lelouch replied.
"Well my friend" Suzaku said as he put his arms on Lelouch shoulders in comfort and continued with "You were raped!".
"I was not!" Lelouch said and walked a few feet away from Suzaku until he suddenly stooped and said:
"Oh my God you're right! I was raped!" Lelouch said loudly, but it was only loud enough for Suzaku to hear.
"Well my friend!" Suzaku said as came from behind Lelouch, put a arm on his shoulder in a gesture of comfort and said "It could happen to anyone off us!" and then left to help with the defenses.
Lelouch couldn't believe what just happened, and what made it even worse was the fact that Suzaku wasn't laughing like it was a bad joke, he was truly and genuinely sympathetic for what Lelouch went through, that only made it worst.
"Shirley kisses me, calls me the worst man alive, then slaps me silly, Kallen rapes me, Kaguya takes me hostage , what's next? C.C marries me and Millie makes me her sex slave?" he said and both thoughts send shivers down his spine.
(Clovis memorial museum)
"A decorative Vice Governor-General, I knew that from the start. But I still wanted to put effort into whatever I could do. What should I do Brother Clovis?" Euphemia said towards a massive painting of Clovis who was hanging on the wall.
"I'm not as powerful as brother Schneizell or Sister Cornelia, nor am I as smart as Lelouch. I'm just a burden no matter where I go. Before I even realize it, I find myself acting willfully."
"Although I went against Sister's decision and selected a knight….."she paused and looked and the knight insignia that Suzaku gave back to her "I was rejected by him!" Euphie said as tears streamed down her eyes.
Meanwhile outside the museum Nina was talking with a guard.
"Ah, I heard about it. You just need to do the paperwork today, right? A royal is inside viewing at the moment" the guard replied.
"Eh? Who is it?" Nina asked.
(Fukuoka city two days Latter)
Lelouch was sitting on his black horse 'Tempest' and was a few feet just outside the city limits, he was looking towards the west, George's battalion arrived an hour ago and they were awaiting Kusakabe and Sawasaki's arrival.
It was now evening, and soon the sun would start to set, Lelouch looked at his watch to see what date today was.
"October 30, 2017…Devil's Night! God sure has some sense of humor!" he mentally said to himself.
"This is Colonel Odysseus to General Lelouch, our batteries have sighted the enemy they are 15 miles away and closing in!"
"Thank you Colonel!" Lelouch said and then contacted Diethard Reed, who had stubbornly insisted to stay here and record history in the making.
"Mister Reed have you done what I requested of you?" Lelouch asked through his helmet radio.
"Yes sir! The Line Omega is ready! I've created a transmission image in which the screen is divided in half, the right portion features you and the left the enemy Gun Ru vanguard, the transmission is being broadcasted to our own soldiers and live on global television and the internet as well, and I am also to sever the transmission when you give the signal as per your instructions" Diethard replied.
"Good job mister Reed! You may begin the transmission now!" Lelouch ordered.
"Yes sir! But might I suggest what is it you want to show the world my lord?" Diethard asked curious.
"The Niddhog mister Reed…..The Niddhog, of course" Lelouch replied with a grin which made Diethard even more eager at what he was planning.
Diethard started the broadcast and the whole world could see what would happen during the opening rounds of the battle.
The Chinese Vanguard was now ten miles away, seven enemy Gun-Rus had stopped just outside the range of Lelouch's artillery and were waiting for the rest of the army to catch up.
Lelouch then kicked his horse and it took him a few meters forwards, before Lelouch stopped.
He was wearing his black Kevlar armor, but it lacked his cape so you could se his body clearly, but with the armor and helmet on, and he had with him a medieval short sword with him, made Lelouch look like a knight of old ridding his horse to battle.
He dismounted, took out his sword, placed it into the ground until it looked like a cross, got down on one knee next to it, and from the inside of his chest armor drew out a crucifix which was tied around his neck, tilted his head, until his forehead was glowed to the crucifix's top, he wasn't really praying, but to his men and the world it looked like it.
"Richard the pious king prays to God for victory against the barbarians!" Diethard said to himself mentally, he couldn't stop himself from smiling at the incredible scene before him.
Lelouch then got up from his kneeling position, he made the cross sign on his body which you make when finished praying, with his left hand he drew the V.A.R.I.S handgun which he ordered Lloyd to built for him, he aimed it at the seven enemy Gun Rus who were ten miles away, his helmet had a targeting system within it and his right arm had a special hydraulics system which helped stabilize his arm.
"AMEN!" he said out loud which was picked up by the camera microphones and the whole world heard it, he then fired one bullet which hit one Gun RU between the eyes, the power of the V.A.R.I.S handgun gave the bullet enough strength to penetrate the Gun Ru's thin armor, kill the pilot and make I t collapse to the ground in front of the whole world.
Lelouch them fired six more shots and the other six Gun Rus fell to the ground destroyed.
"Lelouch you magnificent bastard! I read your book!" Patton said out loud while he watched the whole scene on his monitor, the phrase 'I read your book' was an army expression which meant that someone knew someone else was going to do something grand.
"With God's blessing Richard throws his spear at the pagans and he strikes them down!" Diethard said and he continued filming Lelouch.
Lelouch then mounted Tempest, rode back to his troops which were cheering him as loudly as they could, only a moment ago they were ready to piss themselves from fear of the vast army which now faced them, but with Lelouch superhuman feet which could be called a miracle all fear escaped, and the feeling that they could win against Sawasaki with such a man leading them.
Lelouch ordered Diethard to end the transmission and so he did.
As Lelouch galloped towards his Command center, he noticed that the sun was setting, and he knew that soon the enemy army would arrive.
At that moment the encyclopedia he called a brain involuntarily recited another poem, only this one was not from a famous poet, but from an old Green Lantern Story arc.
The Blackest Night falls from the skies,
The darkness grows as all light dies,
We crave your hearts and your demise,
By my black hand-The dead shall rise!
"And so it begins!" Lelouch said as he gripped the crucifix around his neck, he wasn't religious and this was the first time he wore a crucifix around his neck, but in desperate times humans always sought out God, Lelouch was no different.
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