"these weapons will help us a lot, but are you sure about this?" Questioned Ohgi as he stared at the supplies brought in by the legion.
"Of course, we had some spares so we decided to share with guys. You've helped us back then, so it's only fair we return the favor" said Marcia as she had brought the supplies.
"Thanks, by the way what made you stop attacking the other resistance members? I mean I'm glad you've stopped but I don't understand why you did it" questioned Ohgi as the black Knights had made plans to stop the legion from their aggressive expansionism.
"We've had a change of plans. Elizabeth are you done yet?" Questioned Marcia feeling the urge to leave the base.
"Almost, just a few more minutes" said the woman as she oversaw the weapons being unloaded.
"I will leave you alone for now" said Ohgi guessing she was trying to keep their motives a secret.
VVVvvvVVV
After their defeat at Narita the JLF had been on the move. Spending time at the friendly rebel bases they had prepared for a long trip. Katase decided to travel towards Nigata.
He believed that the Legion would allow his troops refuge. True to his thoughts when his troops arrived at the gates he only needed to ask for entrance. And the doors were opened.
"I thank your generosity, though I am quite surprised by the quality of this meat. Is this exported?" Questioned Katase.
"Yes, that is pure OX meat. I personally prefer fish but I'm not going to argue" replied Rook as he shared a meal with the man.
In the dinning hall they ate alongside hundreds of soldiers. Minions came with drinks handing Chris and the general their own drinks.
Accepting the offer Katase tasted the tea and sighed. He was slightly disappointed in the taste. "Never let the tea rest for too long. It loses its flavor"
"..." Remaining silent Chris ate his food as he watched the remnants of the JLF respectfully eating and resting in his facility.
"I've never thanked you enough for allowing us refuge. thank you young man" said Katase.
"It's fine, I can't turn away a senior in need...doesn't feel right" answered Chris.
Smiling Katase enjoyed his food. After the two finished their meal Chris invited the general to the greenhouse. Neither spoke a word as they watched the people work on the flowers.
For the general it was good to witness the people of Japan working with a peace of mind. It reminded him of what he was fighting for and what truly mattered.
As they left Chris walked with the general. Witnessing the town and it's people, their walk stopped as they arrived at the bridge.
With his hands behind his back Katase gazed at the clear blue skies. Standing beside him Chris wondered about the projects he was working on.
"I am unsure, of the JLF's future..." Began the general.
"We rely on Todoh for almost everything, he's been pushing himself hard ever since we lost the war... I fear that I may not fulfill his wish, the rebirth of our nation" closing his eyes the general took in the tranquility surrounding him.
Allowing the man time to finish his thoughts Chris gazed towards a group of soldiers on the wall. They were behaving strangely, moving closer to the general he hoped they weren't assassin's. If they killed the general here he would be caught in a really nasty ploy.
"Young man, allow me to pass on my legacy, to you" turning towards Rook the general reached into his pocket. Producing a finely crafter dagger he held it out for Chris.
"I put my faith in you, protect my people. Keep the Japanese people safe from abuse, slavery and shame. Only YOU may do this" gazing at the dagger Chris's mind stopped for a moment.
He was struck between accepting the responsibility of the general and keeping an eye on those soldiers. Opening his mouth words failed to form as his eyes darted back and forth between the two.
"I know this is a great responsibility. But I've none who I could entrust this to" starring into the generals eyes Chris answered.
"Yes, however we need to-urk" a bullet pierced his back, a clean hole near his left lung, as his hands grasped the dagger the General widened his eyes. The bullet had struck his body.
Holding the dagger tightly he spoke to the wounded leader. "Fulfill...my wish..." A second shot was heard as Katase was struck through his chest. Dropping to the river bellow.
"No damnit!" Grasping his wound Chris turned towards the walls. None of the men whom he was suspecting had fired.
"More spies" the guards scrambled into action a moment too late. As blood pooled around Chris he glanced around. The members of the JLF gazed at him with hatred blazing in their eyes.
No matter how he looked at it he looked like the main culprit.
VVVvvvVVV
(Several days later, Tokyo settlement)
Watching Shirley under the influence of his Geass made Lelouch smile at himself in pity. The one person who was charmed by his actions, yet she never knew the double life he lived.
In a way making her forget about him was for the best. His phone rang answering he wasn't expecting any grand news.
"Lelouch, I won't be going to school today. Can you cover for me?" It was Suzaku, ready to deploy towards the field once more.
Something was off however. The black Knights were keeping a low profile so why would he be deployed?
"Something happened?" Questioned Lelouch trying to sound casual.
"...there's been a murder in Nigata, that's all I'm authorized to say" replied Suzaku.
As the call ended Lelouch wondered what had just taken place inside Rook's territory.
Turning away from the sight of his friend Lelouch made his way to the classroom. He would find out the truth in due time.
VVVvvvVVV
(Nigata)
Deploying a handful of troops Cornelia was busy with her duties so she ordered Darlton to lead the investigation.
Their orders were to find out what had occurred in the area. Eliminate the rebels and liberate the towns.
"Murdering the general of the Liberation Front...these people must be quite bold to pull off that stunt" commented Lloyd.
"I'm concerned about the fortress, reports indicate the fortress houses 20mm batteries, a weapon of that size could cause some serious damage" said Cecille.
"No matter it's an old weapon from an age gone by. We shouldn't fret over it's meager firepower" replied Lloyd.
"Are these batteries online?" Asked Suzaku as he finished changing into his uniform.
"We don't know for certain. You've been ordered to close in with the lancelot and disable these batteries. The main force will move in once they are disabled" informed Cecille.
"Remember we are facing an unknown number of enemies out there, so keep your guard up my boy" said Lloyd.
Nodding Suzaku moved towards the Lancelot.
VVVvvvVVV
Launching from the top of the mountain Suzaku watched as the mighty walls spotted several burnt spots. Here and there signs of combat could be seen.
Descending down the mountain his main camera was focused on the white walls made of cobblestone. The blocks which lead the eyes towards the double barrels on the top. Those batteries seemed to be lifeless.
Entering their range he didn't lower his guard as he waited for any sort of reaction. None of the weapons moved which suggested that no one was attending this wall.
"Report, none of the batteries are manned the enemy must've moved out before we came" said Suzaku as he launched the slash Harkens and climbed to the top.
"That is troubling...investigate the batteries from the inside" ordered Lloyd as he wondered what could have taken place there.
Arriving at the top of the walls Suzaku left his machine. With his side arm ready he approached one of the gun batteries. Finding the door opened he stepped inside. Dead bodies were everywhere.
Blood and carnage from the ones who manned these weapons. From the looks of things they were beaten brutally before they died.
Leaving the battery he moved to the next one where some civilians had died but even more workers followed suit.
"Report, seems the rebels and the civilians had a disagreement. There are bodies everywhere" reported the young man as he turned away from the sight.
"Understood, the main force is approaching the gates, proceed inside the town with utmost caution" warned Cecille.
Boarding his machine Suzaku descended down the wall. The town itself would have been beautiful. If not for the sight of corpses loitering the streets.
Hundreds nearly thousands were killed. Men, beast, animal and machine. They seemed to have been cut down to pieces. It was unnerving to watch the sight.
"Who could've caused so much death...this doesn't even resemble a battle. This is a bloodbath" whispered Suzaku as he arrived at the bridge.
Tanks had been blown apart. Their green armor and golden edges were now scorched and bent. Moving past these remains he arrived at the military district. KLF parts were scattered everywhere.
Limbs, crushed pods and dead soldiers. Dragons despite the incredulity of their existence laid dead. Whomever had done this, attacked without hesitation and without an ounce of mercy.
These men could barely have put up a defence before such might. Worst is Suzaku believed he knew who was behind such acts.
As the investigation of OJiya concluded he was moved towards the north. Izumosaki, a port town which had been claimed by the same group.
The road there was filled with evidence of hasty defenses. Members of the JLF laid dead as they had engaged the Legion. His suspicions were confirmed as they moved past several trees.
VVVvvvVVV
Panting he laid without an arm. His eyes could barely keep open and his body couldn't stay awake much longer. A voice spoke to him, but he could hardly understand them.
Bringing them on his feet Rook was brought to a room of sorts.
As the doors closed Marcia took her bow and arrows. The ship took off despite it's lack of weapons and small crew. As the doors to the docks opened Todoh stepped inside. His uniform was in perfect condition despite the carnage outside.
Readying an arrow Marcia took aim. "Step aside girl, I'll give you one chance to save yourself" he warned as he approached her.
"I'll protect my husband, even if I must give up my life doing so!" Releasing an ice arrow aimed at the man's head.
With a swing Todoh cut her arrow in half. Running towards her, Marcia prepared the next arrow.
In a second her head flew through the air. Todoh ended her life in the midst of battle. Watching as the ship had gone too far for his men to catch he sheathed his sword.
"Vengeance has been served. General Katase may you find peace" turning around he left the docks. On the shores of Izumosaki he watched as the remaining soldiers fought to no avail.
Against the elite troops of the JLF they posed no real challenge. Once the enemy had been fully annihilated his soldiers gathered around him. The generals body had been secured, and his death avenged.
"Move out, we must find a place to remain hidden until-" the sound of spinners stopped him. Dozens of machines poured into the shores. Surrounded and outnumbered Todoh accepted his defeat.
Britannian soldiers had arrived at the perfect opportunity, it was almost too perfect.
VVVvvvVVV
"So you're telling me, two factions went head to head and successfully destroyed each other in battle. That's fortunate" said Cornelia as she rested their reports on the desk.
"An enemy ship left the port heading west, should we stop them?" Questioned Guilford.
"Negative, the enemy has been demolished all their efforts to create a base are gone. If our reports are anything to go by, Rook must be on the verge of death. No doctor can treat his wounds at sea plus, I doubt the Chinese will take kindly to immigrants" with her thoughts Vocalized Cornelia leaned back in her chair.
"Finish cleaning up the area, once we are done we shall resume the hunt for Zero" saluting Darlton left her office. Approaching her chair Guilford smiled at her.
"Soon area eleven will be peaceful, there'll no point in keeping us here once that happens"
"I know Gil, it pains me to watch these lands be handled by incompetency"
"Now we can focus all our resources on Zero. It is odd how he hasn't made much of an appearance lately"
"It gives me a headache just thinking what hole he digs, and where he will rise out from"
"So he's a mole? That would be quite a surprise" joked Guilford.
Sharing a laugh the knight and the princess indulged in their privacy.
VVVvvvVVV
Smoking a cigarette Chris had lost all he built. It took a few hours for the remnants of Japan to break his army, his officers and his dreams.
The minions which surrounded him, not a single one of them had made it out of that carnage without a wound or two. Having lost his right arm he recalled the memory with fear.
Lights glared at them from above. Knowing he was not getting away Chris tossed his cigarette. Descending on the ships men dressed in black uniforms boarded his ship. In seconds they pushed Rook on his back.
Entering the ship gunfire was heard as all the minions were slaughtered. The only one they wanted was brought onboard their helicopter.
The ride was silent. As they moved further away from his ship, Chris watched as the ship blew up in a mighty ball of flames. Leaning back in his seat he closed his eyes.
VVVvvvVVV
Around midnight the airship had arrived at the safety of the Britannian black fleet. A mighty group of ships, two aircraft carriers four Destroyers and nine frigates.
Guiding him inside the Carrier Chris watched as these soldiers all behaved with utmost professionalism. Not one of them looked either lazy or dumb.
Moving through the ships interior he was brought to the bridge.
"Return to your posts" leaving Rook alone with a man who sat in a white chair, Chris wanted to know who was this person.
Spinning slowly the man or rather the child had long hair that looked like a curtain. Gazing at one another Chris had nothing to say.
"Dull, that's all I can see in you. A child who had the power to seize the world and yet his incompetence led to his downfall. How do you feel knowing you murdered all you knew and loved?" Asked the boy.
Taking a deep breath Chris reached into his pockets. The man eyed him as he pulled out the last cigarette from his pack. "Hope you don't mind. But...I've no more to give" placing the stick in his lips he used spell to bring the stick to life.
After a quick drag Chris continued. "I fought your people, killed my father twice, and I died once. So go ahead and kill me, torture me or whatever it is you bastards do"
Still with a blank look on his face the child spoke, not one word. Fidgeting Chris continued smoking, looking around his mind was struggling. He wanted to form a new plan to return to area eleven.
He wanted to give up and finally have some peace.
But...he didn't know what he really wanted afterwards. The only reason he was fighting was thanks to Marcia, everything else was second and third.
In his travels through his mind he finished his cigarette faster than he wanted, disappointed he sighed.
"If you will smoke, do it outside. I detest the smell of those cheap mass produced nicotine sticks" spoke the child.
"Sure...so what do you want, I'm sure a firing squad would've been made by the time I arrived" said Chris hoping he was gonna be killed.
"I know all there is to know about the Ion Quartz, or as you call it "summoning Crystal" it is such a basic term it's repulsive" continued the child ignoring the boy.
"Now I offer you two choices. Willingly become my vassal, or I can make you my stress relief" looking at Rook with a tiny smile. Shivers ran down the spine of the boy.
"Okay,I'll do as you ask...but won't this be considered uhh...treason?" Jumping off his chair the boy walked towards Chris.
"For all we know, Rook passed away in China. His ship was sunk and the crew passed away, now you'll need a new body, a new identity and a new life" coming closer the child eyed this boy up and down.
"You shall refer to me as V.V. and I shall refer to you as mutt, you will do all that I ask and if you fail to do so. I will enjoy breaking you" smiling he stared at Rooks stump for an arm.
"...right so what do I do now?" Questioned Rook ignoring the threat.
"Follow me" walking out of the bridge the child lead the way.