A/N: First, let me begin by thanking Greatratking88 for his work on editing the chapter and his suggestions on improving scenes in the chapter itself.
I apologize for this one being late; although it's a short chapter, some scenes were hard for me to work on. But they were a good lesson on doing more emotional scenes, so this has been quite the learning experience.
Now that this one is done, I will likely work on chapter fourteen. I will roll out a chapter for my Knight of Death and Rebirth as soon as I can now that I posted a chapter for one of my other stories at last.
Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy the chapter and be prepared for some unexpected developments here.
Chapter 13
Moving Forward
"Is this everything we have so far?" Jeremiah asked.
He was seated behind his desk, speaking to C.C. and Garibaldi's holographic avatars, discussing the findings of their scouting mission.
"We haven't found any other signs of structures on the planet. Except for the large settlement located near the elevator, the ship is stationed near," Garibaldi explained before displaying an image of a large, city-size settlement.
"However, we have found sites of different mining operations in proximity of the space elevator, but no signs of other sites on the planet."
"So, either this planet was colonized shortly before it was abandoned, or someone didn't want anyone to learn of this planet," Jeremiah said speculatively.
"From what we are finding so far, we are leaning towards the latter," C.C. replied, shrugging her shoulders.
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, while our drones explored the interior of the space elevator in orbit, we found something very interesting. It could offer a reason why this planet might have been kept secret," Garibaldi replied before answering with another image appearing near him. It was an image of a large tank, the type used for the transport of starship fuel. "We have found an enormous stockpile of Ongessite, or something very similar to it."
"What do you mean, similar?" Jeremiah asked, clearly curious, already realizing what the implications of this discovery could mean.
"Our examination of the stockpile indicates whatever we found is virtually identical in terms of properties shared with Ongessite. The stockpile and the crates we have found supports our hypotheses so far. Much like Ongessite, this ore, once appropriately processed, appears to be usable as starship fuel, munitions, and material to create high-grade warp drives." C.C. answered. Jeremiah leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. This discovery was quite a boon, exactly the kind that the Black Knights needed.
It almost sounded too good to be true.
"We don't have the equipment needed to provide any absolute certainty. We are very confident in our findings so far, however," Garibaldi said confidently.
"I have no doubt about your findings, but this discovery is…" Jeremiah began, trying to think of the right word, "Huge, to say the least."
"Not only do we find a planet rich in resources, but we may have found an alternative to Ongessite. Having a planet where we could produce our own fuel and new warp drives for ships opens the way for us to be more self-sufficient. We would be far less dependent on the whims of our sponsors." C.C. said.
"And we have a habitable planetary sufferance where we could easily establish new bases and even colonies for the men and women in our service, and their families," Garibaldi added.
And refugees from the coming war, Jeremiah thought.
"What of the settlement?" he asked.
"We haven't made contact, but we sent a small team down the Space Elevator to establish a forward camp. They have kept their distance, and they have fortified themselves as a precaution. Much of the structures at the base of the elevator are intact, so they provide good locations for defensible positions." C.C. explained before displaying a holographic map of the base of the space elevator for Jeremiah.
"From our drones that have flown in close proximity, they seem to be a pre-warp society. Despite the size of the settlement, their population seems smaller than what we would've expected," Garibaldi added.
"And the space elevator works?"
"Parts of it, but it did provide us with a way to move a team to surface without our ship being seen. We figured it would be best not to spook anyone," C.C. replied.
"I'll need to bring Lelouch up to speed on this after his vacation is over. For now, I'll dispatch Captains Kenway and Sergeyevna with their ships to reinforce you. Then I'll ask Captain Cisneros to assemble teams suited for the surface and to oversee our base on the ground. We don't know if the people of that settlement will be friendly or hostile, but let us prepare for every possible outcome. That planet is too strategically important to us; its resources and its remote location could give us a valuable edge against PACT in the war to come."
"I agree," Garibaldi said. "If this ore is just like Ongessite, or if it's better, then it's all the more reason we cannot ignore it."
"True, but maybe we should wait for Lelouch before we try approaching the people in the settlement. Captain Cisneros will be ideally suited to oversee things on the ground. Perhaps she could oversee recon missions to look at that settlement and its people. We can at least gain an idea of what kind of people we'll be dealing with," C.C. advised.
"Then it's agreed. You two just sit tight, and I'll dispatch the captains and their ships as soon as possible."
Back on Cera, Lelouch hadn't heard from Ava since her suddenly leaving the other day. A part of him contemplated calling her, but another part decided against it. Lelouch knew Ava was a stubborn person, and even if he tried to speak with her, Ava would likely clam up.
Sitting on the bed, Lelouch rubbed the temples on his forehead.
Maybe this wouldn't be the wrong time for me to spend some time alone with my thoughts, Lelouch thought.
A short time later, Lelouch was walking through the Cera City Park. Although he had no destination in mind, there was something he wanted to do today. As he moved toward his destination, Lelouch noticed there were still political demonstrations near the government building. Their numbers seemed to have grown.
Likely due to the previous night's news.
No way this will subside easily, Lelouch thought as he walked through the park.
Lelouch could easily have driven to his destination, but there was just something about walking and taking in the fresh air. The former Emperor chalked it up to the effect of having spent so much time in space, and very little time on a planet.
Suddenly Lelouch felt raindrops beginning to fall.
I guess I should have expected this, Lelouch thought before pulling out an umbrella he was carrying in his coat. The weather did say it might rain.
Lelouch continued his trek through the park, but he stopped when he saw someone sitting on the bench in the middle of the park.
Maray, Lelouch thought, recognizing her white hair.
Maray, unlike her usual self, was sullen and depressed, paying no mind to the rain that was soaking her. Lelouch approached cautiously, but as he got closer, he could hear the sound of Maray crying. Holding the umbrella over her to stop the rain from soaking the young woman further, he leaned in over her. She looked up.
"Maray, what are you doing out here? You're completely soaked," Lelouch said, sliding his coat off and offering it to her.
"Lelouch," Maray said, struggling to regain her composure.
She stood up. She was wholly soaked, her clothes clinging to her skin. Maray accepted the coat before wrapping herself around with it. Lelouch looked her in the eye.
"Why are you out here?"
"I-" Maray said, struggling to speak as tears continued to stream down her cheeks.
Instead, Maray pushed a few buttons on her holo to forward a letter she had received to Lelouch's holo. Lelouch used his holo to open up the message to examine its contents for himself. As he read it, his eyes widened in shock before anger began to flare with him.
What? You have to be joking. They EXPELLED her? Lelouch thought.
The letter read that Maray Shields was expelled from the Cera University, effective immediately. What struck Lelouch was odd was the lack of reason for it. The rest of the letter was filled with prominent false apologies and some legal details. Still, the real reason was apparent to Lelouch.
The college is trying to silence the protestors, or at least the students involved with them.
Now Lelouch understood why the number of protestors had kept growing, because if Maray likely wasn't the only one.
How many have they expelled? But… the university couldn't do this without some serious legal repercussions. Unless.. Lelouch thought. Was the Ceran government involved? That idea didn't seem possible. The government couldn't have pushed for the university to do something so drastic. Still, without further information, it was the only explanation Lelouch think of.
"Why?" Maray said, but the rest of her words weren't coming out. "Why did they go that far just for me sharing my OPINION?!"
Lelouch contemplated a proper response, but he knew he had to handle this carefully. Yet, that didn't stop a tearful Maray from continuing.
"How could they do this to me? All I did was speak my mind to something everyone has to know to be the truth," Maray cried.
"Easy, easy," Lelouch said, putting a hand on Maray's shoulder to calm her. "You did nothing wrong."
Unfortunately Lelouch's words didn't reach her. Maray was working herself up into a frenzy of emotion, shaking with anger and despair.
"Why?!," Maray wailed as she wept. "What do I do now? I wanted to be an astrobiologist! I'll never have a career now, no other college will accept me!"
"Maray, please calm down," Lelouch said, nudging her shoulder gently to shake her out of it.
"What do I do!?" Maray cried helplessly.
"Maray, stop," Lelouch said firmly, placing one hand on either of her shoulders, facing her, "your life isn't over. You need to calm down and clear your mind so you can figure this out."
Tears continued to fall, but Maray's breathing became a little more steady. Maray looked at him, so Lelouch gave her what she needed to hear.
"You did what you believed was right, and no one should fault for it. If anyone is to blame, it's the college for expelling you for merely voicing your opinion. I can't offer a solution that could undo what happened, but," Lelouch said as he removed his hand. "I can at least help you dry off someplace safe."
Maray seemed to have become aware of her current state as she glanced down at herself.
"My place is closer. Let's get you out of this rain," Lelouch said. Maray nodded.
Lelouch led Maray back to his apartment, planning to contact Kayto whenever he had the chance.
Around the same time, elsewhere in the city, Ava had been left numb at the notice she had received. She had expected some warning. Being discharged from the Ceran Space Force was the last thing she had expected, and it had left her shaken to her very core.
Her military career, the one her father had less encouraged since her childhood, had come to a sudden end.
There had been a petition to push both high command and the Prime Minister into expanding the military in preparation for a future attack from PACT. All service members who had signed it had been discharged without warning.
But that wasn't all Ava had made a very public statement that had been caught on television.
Admittivity Ava might have gotten heated after arriving at the protest outside the main government building in uniform with others who had signed the petition.
It was meant to show support for the protesters, but a member of the Ceran Parliament had approached them over their actions, insisting they ignore the protests. But what sealed her fate was what happened after the incident on TV.
"How can we ignore this?! Word of PACT's aggressive military expansion is well known. Worlds on the edge of PACT space have told similar stories the refugees we took in have said. Our planet must take steps to not only prepare for possible future aggression but so we the Cera Space Force can do our job to defend our world!"
Maybe I should've been more careful, but I never expected I would've lost my cool like that, Ava acknowledged.
"What do you have to say for yourself?"
Ava made eye contact with the man sitting behind the desk, a heavy-set captain with brown hair greying at the edges. He had a stern expression, and Ava had been in the service long enough to know when you were in trouble. Right now, she was sure she was far beyond just trouble.
"I have no excuse," Ava offered bluntly.
"You damn right, you don't. You created a PR nightmare for us," Captain Elroy McHalsey snapped. The irate captain reclined in his chair, trying to regain his composure.
"Do you realize what a pain in the ass this is? A ranking officer making a political statement on TV, shitting all over our government? We're soldiers lieutenant, not newscasters or useless pundits. We're sworn to protect this nation, regardless of who happens to be president!"
Ava endured the verbal assault patiently, knowing that any attempt to talk back would only make things words. McHalsey was getting red in the face, and he was working up a shouting voice that would make any drill sergeant proud.
"Fortunately, we have an easy fix."
"Sir?"
"You just need to offer an apology and a retraction. You take it all back and recant, in an official statement. Do this, and you might not even get demoted. Your career will take a hit, but that's it," Elroy continued.
Ava took a deep breath, knowing the significance of what she was about to say. This was a life-defining moment. Maybe she should just be quiet- but no, she couldn't. There was no way.
"With all due respect, sir, I must decline. While I do apologize for losing my composure in public in a display that was regrettably televised, I don't regret my views in the slightest." Ava replied in a stern but business-like manner.
McHalsey went a shade redder. "Lieutenant, I must be getting deaf, because I know you didn't just say that. You will do what the hell you're told, like a soldier should!"
"No sir, I will not," Ava replied flatly.
"You idiot! Do you have any idea how much the top brass is breathing down my neck over THIS?!" snarled McHalsey. "YOU CAN STAND DOWN, APOLOGIZE FOR YOUR WORDS, OR YOUR CAREER IS OVER!"
Ava considered her response carefully, but no matter what, she couldn't take back what she said. Even knowing it could mean the end of her career in the military, the truth was evident, and it would be a lie she couldn't live with.
"I will not apologize for being right," Ava said calmly.
Her captain slammed his fist on his desk before calming down.
"Then clean out your cabin. You're dismissed from the Ceran Space Force."
Even though Ava had expected it, she was still struck numb. Just like that, everything she had worked towards was done. She did follow orders afterward without a word of protest, but Ava almost thought it was an empty threat, until she received her discharge form from the higher-ups confirming her career in the Cera Space Forces was over.
Even after making it home to her apartment Ava stood motionless for what seemed to be hours, trying to recover from the shock until a call from her holo brought her out of her state.
Gazing at the caller ID, Ava steeled herself. Deep down, Ava knew he would call once word of her discharge reached her ears.
Taking a deep breath, Ava answered the holo.
Materializing with black hair and green eyes was Ava's father's stone face expression, Wilhelm Crescentia.
"Ava," Wilhelm began.
"Father," Ava replied calmly.
"I suspect you know why I am calling," Wilhelm said steadily.
"I do not regret expressing my opinion. I admit I should've been more mindful of my surroundings, though."
Her father's expression turned into a subdued sneer, distaste written clearly on his face.
"That was foolish, and you know it. PACT is unlikely to attack the Neutral Rim. You made a ruckus for no reason and threw away a brilliant career, and for what?"
Ava braced herself as she finally spoke the words she had never said to her father.
"You are wrong, father."
Wilhelm was taken aback by the response, but Ava wasn't done.
"Aside from our news coverage here, there have been growing reports and stories of PACT's military buildup, and the fleeing refugees who escape confirming such stories. Why else would so many try to flee PACT space if their liberators, Compact, overthrew the New Empire? Instead of helping his people, Arcadius has been using his new resources to launch a massive military buildup."
Wilhelm was stunned, but he didn't seem to have a counter-argument.
After a moment of uneasy silence, Wilhelm spoke.
"Regardless, what of it? Even if PACT is indeed building up, they will not invade," Wilhelm said. "Do not be this stupid, Ava. If you agree to publically renounce what you said, I could pull some strings to get you back into the military."
"I cannot agree, father," Ava replied, shaking her head. "I am certain beyond all doubt that PACT will invade the Neutral Rim. I do not know when exactly, but it will happen."
"How can you be so certain?"
"I am not obligated to share my source with you," Ava answered firmly.
"I am your father, Ava. When I ask you of something, I expect an answer,´." Wilhelm said. His stone-faced expression showed signs of losing patience.
"Yes, you do," Ava agreed. "However, I am an adult now, and what I do with my life is my decision, not yours. You raised me, yes, but I don't have to do what you tell me."
"Clearly you're misguided," Wilhelm scoffed, "your devotion should be to the Ceran Military!"
"Maybe, but Cera is already doomed if we go down this path. The government's refusal to take the threat of PACT seriously has sealed our world's fate. I plan on fighting for Cera as what is expected of me, but I won't be sitting around waiting for a war we cannot win to come."
"You're delusional."
"And I think your loyalty to Cera's higher-ups in the government has blinded you."
Ava took a deep breath; although she knew her father would seek her out, Ava knew he was off-world on deployment. This was how it has always had been; Ava left by herself ever since she was a child. Her mother had divorced her father, but Wilhem had managed to keep full custody of Ava. She didn't remember her mother very well, because she hadn't seen her since they separated.
Kayto's family usually looked after Ava on Wilhelm's behalf. Whenever Wilhelm had returned home, he had aggressively worked on molding her into what she was now. He had always wanted Ava to follow in his footsteps. He had always pushed her to be at her best, showing little affection due to the high standards he set for her.
And when Ava didn't meet those standards or did something that went against Wilhelm's wishes that diminished Ava's character, her punishmentwas to be handcuffed and disciplined with a metal rod. Thinking about it caused Ava to remember how she was beaten to enforce discipline in her, although he bore him no ill will.
Yet there were times Ava still felt the places where he struck her.
"I am a patriot!" Wilhelm sneered.
"Respectfully, father, you are a fool," Ava replied.
Wilhelm was just as shocked by the response, as was Ava. She had never spoken out of turn to her father before.
"My path is now clear to me. I will defend Cera, and should it fall to PACT, which it will, I will see to its liberation."
"How do you intend to do that?"
"I am taking a different path. It's the one that will allow me to do something and make a real difference," Ava answered before closing her eyes while hardening her resolve. "I am grateful for all you have done to raise me. I wouldn't be who I am without you."
"You can't be serious," Wilhelm said, anger and disbelief apparent in his voice.
Ava had always known her father to possess considerable self-control, something he had strived to pass on to her when it came to her emotions. However, in the face of her defiance, the cold mask her father wore was beginning to crack.
"I am serious, and I have made up my mind already!" Ava replied, refusing to back down.
"That is nothing but a delusion!" Wilhelm snapped as the controlled mask he wore slipped away, revealing his anger fully.
"No, it's me making my own choices now. Goodbye and thank you for everything, father," Ava said sternly.
"Wait-" Wilhelm said as he saw Ava reach to the disconnect button on her holo.
Once Ava had ended the call, she made sure to block him from calling her again.
I should move quickly, but I know who I must see.
Sometime later, Lelouch and Maray arrived at his apartment.
"You can use the bathroom if you like, but I am not quite sure what to do about your clothes," Lelouch admitted.
Knowing Maray was soaked to the point they were clinging to her skin, Lelouch had been mindful to avoid looking at her too much. It was out of a sense of both common courtesy and being polite as well, and most of all he didn't want to give Maray or anyone the wrong idea. It was another reason Maray was wearing Lelouch's jacket to cover herself.
"Well," Maray began. "You have a dryer here, don't you?"
"I do?"
"I guess that means you'll have to dry them for me?" Maray said with a hint of a mischievous light in her eyes.
Glad to see she is becoming her old self again. Lelouch remarked internally.
"Well-" Lelouch began before another knock on his door came.
Lelouch gestured for Maray to wait before checking who was at the door. After confirming who it was, Lelouch opened the door to reveal Ava standing there with a suitcase behind her on wheels.
"Ava," Lelouch said, completely surprised by her arrival.
"Avy," Maray commented, calling Ava by her nickname.
"I didn't expect to find you here, Maray," Ava said, stepping inside where she spotted Maray. "What happened to you?"
"I was caught in the rain, so Lelouch brought me back here since his apartment was closer. You know our place is on the other side of town past the business district in the center." Maray said, reminding Ava of the location of their respective homes from the park.
"Of course," Ava said, "Perhaps I can be of help now that I am here."
"What do you mean?" Lelouch inquired.
"Maray's clothes will need to be taken care of, but in the meantime, it might be good for her to clean up as well. You wouldn't mind if she used your shower?"
"I have no objections, and I do have spare towels on hand she can use," Lelouch said.
"Very well. So, Maray, come with me and you can change. While you are taking a shower, I'll take care of your clothes. By the time you are done, they will be cleaned and dried," Ava offered while leaving her suitcase by the door.
Lelouch waited in the living room while Ava assisted Maray. It would be a few minutes later after Ava collected Maray's clothes, tossing them into the washer before she rejoined Lelouch in the living room.
Once the pair heard the shower running, did they begin talking.
"What happened with Maray? I couldn't imagine she would've stayed out in the rain for any good reason to become that soaked," Ava inquired.
"She was expelled from the university today," Lelouch answered.
"I see. So it's not just within the military then?"
Realization dawned on Lelouch. "Wait, does that mean you were discharged from the Ceran Space Force?"
Ava nodded. "I am sure you saw the news report I was unknowingly involved in."
Unknown to the pair as Lelouch and Ava spoke, Maray had opened the bathroom door by a small crack while she left the shower running. Maray's curiosity about why Ava was here and what made her bring a suitcase of all things only further her desire to learn more. Maray opened it enough so she could listen in without them noticing.
"I see," Lelouch said after Ava finished explaining what happened to her. "So, what will you do now?"
"I want to join the Black Knights," Ava answered, surprising Lelouch, and Maray who was listening in.
Avy wants to join the Black Knights, but does that mean Lelouch is a member of the Black Knights too? Maray wondered as she was left reeling from the revelation.
"That's… sudden. I take it you gave this some serious thought?"
"Of course I did," Ava replied while folding her arms over her chest. "After everything that happened between PACT and Cera, on top of everything you told me, I can't just ignore it."
"So you finally got tired of your do-nothing government and its bureaucrats bending over backwards for PACT, then."
"Yes. I am sure you saw the other news reports to our government's response to recent events with PACT."
"On top of being discharged for simply speaking out, yes, I can." Lelouch offered. "But I don't think I have to explain to you what joining the Knights would mean? You'll likely be away from Cera for months on hand if not years at a time, depending on if you wish to return here for shore leave."
"No," Ava replied. "You don't have to. I have a fair idea of what I would be getting into. It's no different in the Ceran military."
"I know, but it would feel improper for me to not say anything," Lelouch admitted.
"Fair enough," Ava replied with an accepting tone.
"That being said, I am surprised by your decision. I can't imagine it was easy."
"Actually, it was much easier than you'd think," Ava replied, recalling the last conversation with her father. "I felt like I was being chained down, and knowing a threat, my home will be incapable of winning against made those chains more obvious. I couldn't stand the fact I can do nothing to stop it, and there was a time I would've accepted that fact."
Ava looked depressed for a moment as she glanced at the floor in self-reflection before looking back up to meet Lelouch's gaze.
"But during your time as Zero, you have proven otherwise. No, the matter the odds you faced, you managed to always find a way to win. Maybe you could turn all of this around, and even if Cera falls to PACT, I think you could one day liberate it."
Maray was left speechless at what she had just heard. Ava joining the Black Knights… at first she had assumed Lelouch would be a recruiter or maybe an officer to the paramilitary organization, but he was Zero himself? The firebrand revolutionary?
"Maybe, but we are still far from having the numbers and firepower to make that a reality. Our opponent is a galactic superpower in possession of far more resources and followers than both Cera and the Black Knights put together." Lelouch said, keenly aware of the Black Knights' present limitations.
"Then let me join and add one more number to your ranks."
Lelouch closed his eyes for a moment to contemplate. He had no right to deny Ava entry into the Black Knights. It would make him a hypocrite if Lelouch didn't allow her to join. But still Lelouch felt there was little more he could say. He had given his warnings about what the risks and difficulties membership within the Black Knights would present.
All there was left was to accept.
"Well, in that case, I accept your invitation to join my organization. I'll contact Jeremiah and have you meet one of our recruiters on Cera," Lelouch said.
Lelouch would step into his bedroom to use a private long-range communication device. He would contact Jeremiah to arrange Ava's meeting with the Black Knight members on Cera overseeing recruitment efforts.
Meanwhile, Maray had already closed the door. Still, the revelation Ava was joining the Black Knights and Lelouch being Zero was a lot to take in.
Most of all, Ava's words lingered in her mind and resonated with her.
Lelouch is Zero, and Avy knew. When did she find out? Maray thought while wondering how Ava found out.
Maray lost track of time but realizing she was still naked and left the water running, she hopped back into the shower. She cleaned herself up quickly and emerged from the shower to dry off. Even so, the thoughts whirling about her mind didn't stop, and it was then Maray came to a conclusion.
By the time Lelouch had made the arrangements with Jeremiah for Ava to formally join the Black Knights, Maray was finished. Before exiting the bathroom, Lelouch had arranged for one of the men assigned to his protection detail to deliver Ava to the location where new recruits were accepted. Maray had changed back into her freshly clean and dry clothes Ava provided before leaving.
"Feeling better and most importantly dry, I hope," Lelouch offered as Maray stepped out of the bathroom.
"Yes, I am," Maray replied with a look of conflicted emotions on her face. "So, I guess Ava has gone to join the Black Knights, huh, Zero."
Lelouch froze. Maray must've eavesdropped on their conversation. Quickly, he regained his composure. He readied his Geass to use on the young woman if the situation demanded it.
"I should've known better. Your brother did mention you have a bad habit of eavesdropping on people. I guess some old habits die hard," Lelouch admitted seeing there was little he could do to deny what Maray heard. "So, do you plan on telling your brother or anyone about me being Zero?"
"No," she replied, shaking her head. "I want to join the Black Knights too."
"…huh," Lelouch said, quite surprised because he didn't expect that one.
"I agree with what Ava said, and she's right. I hate that I can't do anything and have just been kicked out of school for simply speaking out. I just have nothing else worthwhile to dedicate my time to." Maray admitted. "I just don't want to be chained down and wait for PACT to come and conquer Cera. Someone has to do something! So I want to help!"
Lelouch studied Maray's features for a moment. Instead of the mischievous young woman he had come to know, he saw a rare serious and determined look on her face. Still, despite the determination, Lelouch saw a sense of recklessness that he found worrying.
"I appreciate your willingness, Maray. But I am afraid you are too young," Lelouch said flatly.
"WHAT?" Maray snapped.
"Ava has military training, and she's more calm and composed," Lelouch explained. "She understands what she's getting into. Aside from your youth, you are impulsive and reckless! If you were to get killed, who do you think would be responsible? It would be me, Maray."
Although I was seventeen when I took up the mask of Zero.
"Then what do you want me to do? Just roll over, and waitt for PACT to attack Cera?" Maray snapped angrily. "It sounds to me like both you and Avy are all but certain PACT will eventually attack Cera?"
I'll grant she has a point, Lelouch thought, wondering if he'd have to use his geass on her..
"And don't think about suggesting I try to focus on something more productive. How could I do anything else, knowing my home is going to get invaded? Sure I may risk dying joining the Black Knights, but would it be any different if I stayed on Cera twiddling my thumbs and ignore it?"
Hard to argue with that, Lelouch thought ruefully.
He could easily end the discussion with his Geass, but he found himself reluctant to do so. On a certain level Lelouch knew he was being hypercritical, but he suspected part of his reluctance to allow Maray to join was because she was Kayto's sister. He knew the feeling of losing a sister. It had taken him to his darkest time. It was not something he wanted Kayto experience if he could help it.
But she deserves to make her own choices too. What good does it do her to live here as a slave to PACT when they invade?
"If I allow you to join the Black Knights, what assurance can you give me that you will be a worthwhile member to have in our ranks?" Lelouch asked.
"I'll prove it, I swear!" Maray exclaimed.
"Know that I will distance myself from you and Ava so you can both earn your keep in the Black Knights on your own merits. Can I be assured you will not be disappointed?" Lelouch said while offering an unspoken warning.
"I overheard what you had told Ava, so I know I'll be away from Cera. But I'd rather be doing something than nothing," Maray said, cementing her resolve.
"Just the same since you'll be joining the civilian group of recruiters. They will put you through a lot of intense training. Would you be able to handle it?"
Maray nodded, "I'll take whatever they throw at me!"
Lelouch studied Maray's features for a moment more before he made his decision.
Sorry Kayto. As someone who once had a sister, I understand you would be furious about your younger sister joining an organization where her life would be at risk. But her desire to make a difference is something I can't ignore, Lelouch concluded in his mind.
"Very well. I accept your wish to join the Black Knights, so I'll arrange for you to join the Black Knights and tell you where to go once you have prepared your belongings."
"Thank you, Zero," Maray beamed with a smile.
I should relay to Jeremiah to tell our recruiters to prepare for a potential surge of new recruits from Cera, Lelouch commented internally.
A/N: Well, that happened, and talk about a drastic change with Ava and Maray joining the Black Knights. Next chapter Lelouch will return to being Zero and direct his attention to the new planet the Black Knights found. Including the question of what will they do with it and its people.
Thank you all for reading.