Chapter 5: Hardship and First Impressions
A car drove into the docks, at the cover of night as it came to a stop by a tanker ship out of sight to any prying eyes lurking about. Mysterious figures step out of the car as they walked up the ramp linking to the ship itself, with two guards letting them aboard. The figures go inside as the four of them are revealed to be Malik, Alice, Carlito, and Harkov walking down the ship corridor. They are led by a woman who began to escort them to a meeting, as she knocked on a door three times.
She looked to them. "He is expecting you." she said in a French accent as the four headed inside the room
In the room was a brown-haired man with a light stubble, wearing a blue suit with a red tie. All four present sat down as the man unbuttoned his blazer, sitting down alongside them. A server carrying a tray serving drinks walked by and offered them drinks. Harkov took a drink as did the man.
"I trust you all know why you're here." the man said, with his accent being Australian as Carlito and Harkov glanced at Malik and Alice who nodded. "Since the debut of this Zero and the Black Knights a few days after, all eyes have solely been on him."
"Mostly Britannians and Japanese." Alice stated
"But the world all the same. A new revolution is about to begin, and it's time we became part of it." the blue suit man replied
Harkov sat the drink down on the table after taking a sip. "Mr. Washington. Due to Malik's encounter with Zero, the man of the talk has offered to hire Fenrir team."
"Is that so?" Washington turned to Malik with his hands pressed together with a stare. "What did you tell him?"
"Told him I have to think on it with my team. I haven't agreed to take on his offer yet." Malik replied as he leaned forward. "I wanted to get your thoughts on this."
"I see." Washington leaned back on the chair he sat in, stroking his chin. "For the past two weeks, they have been hitting key corrupt politicians and criminal operations against various groups. Which means we should test the Black Knights on how well they'll fare with you, Fenrir team. With Rai added, of course."
Malik's eyes slightly widened. "This test is also for him."
"No way. Is this really happening?"
"That's right, Carlito. From this moment going forward in two days, this initiation will involve the rest of Fenrir team to go up against..."
"THE BLACK KNIGHTS!" Kallen shouted, standing up in class as laughter was soon followed.
Embarrassed and blushing, Kallen sat back down hoping no one would question. Malik glanced at her with curiosity and minor suspicion. He didn't need his Geass to tell him she was hiding something. Judging from her body language, she had a secret to hide that she specifically did not want anyone to know.
"That's not like you, dozing off in class like that." he heard Shirley say
"Well, I..." Kallen then spoke, unsure on how to explain her sudden outburst
"You could learn a thing or two from Lelouch." Rivalz suggested. "He's an expert on sleeping in class." he joked as Malik and Rai both glanced at Lelouch as the latter walked over to Kallen, Shirley, and Rivalz.
"What makes you think he's sleeping?" Rai asked, among the group
"I don't know what he does every night, but he slept through most of the lesson." Rivalz remarked as Malik got up from his seat
"Wonder why?" Shirley pondered as Malik walked past them, while Alice spoke with a dark-haired boy with blue eyes
"No one would know but him." he said, leaving the classroom before making a hand gesture for Rai and Alice to know he needed to speak to them
"I'll talk to you later, Mario." Alice said the dark-haired teen
"There's something I need to do. I'll call you guys, later." Rai also said
In the train station outside of the viceroy palace, Euphemia awaits the arrival from the Knights of the Round. She was recently told that Sir Giovanni would arrive to Area 11, with a few certain members from the Knights of the Round. Euphemia recalled the moment before her sister left for the campaign on the EU at the El Alamont Front, meaning she could always be in Area 11 at the moment.
"Sister, about the Black Knights..."
"I'll let them roam free for a while, since I owe them a favor for saving you." Cornelia let out a small smile and extended her hand to stroke her sister's face. "I shall clean up this area once I return from the EU, before handling it to you. So please don't think of anything dangerous. Okay, Euphy?"
Euphemia spotted the visitors approaching her. "Jonathan." she looked to the direction of his shoulder, recognizing the immediate face of the Knights of Five and Thirteen. "Mariel. Clara. I thought the three of you were still in the Middle Eastern Federation."
John bowed respectfully to Euphemia as did Mariel and Clara. "I imagine so, Princess Euphemia but it was nothing we couldn't handle. We are here looking for potential candidates to be a part of the Knights of the Round, specifically a Knight of Seven. I thought it best to make the trip here before Viceroy Cornelia returned after the EU ordeal."
"And you're certain you will find this new member in Area 11?" Euphemia asked
John let out a small smile and replied. "I believe we might have a suitable participant here to be inducted the order."
Euphemia glanced at Mariel and Clara. "Do you two support this?"
"We do, Your Highness." Mariel spoke. "Bismark entrusted us to find a candidate to join in our ranks."
"Only the three of you came here by yourselves?" Euphemia asked, as Clara and Mariel paused awkwardly
"Not exactly." Clara stated as a certain someone hugged Euphemia from behind, her eyes widened once she knew who it was.
"Euphy! My, how you've grown."
"Nonette?"
Nonette hugged Euphemia firm but still strong. "How are you, my dear?"
"I am just fine. Could you please let go of me, Nonette?"
"Of course. So..." She wrapped an around Euphemia's shoulder. "Find any good looking boys that you might fancy?" Nonette queried with Euphemia blushing upon that question
"Come now, Nonette. You shouldn't be teasing Her Majesty with such things." Mariel chided
Nonette groaned. "Fine. But she can show us around, can she?"
"That is up to the princess herself." Clara stated
Euphemia nodded and smiled at Clara. "Follow me." she said
Milly insisted that Malik accompany her to Kallen's family home, the Stadtfled mansion. She ringed the door bell as the two of them awaited patiently. Malik was about to ring the doorbell or perhaps knock before the door opened to reveal a maid. Upon further inspection at her without the use of his Geass, Malik could not help but see a similarity between her and Kallen.
"Yes, can I help you?" the maid asked in a soft and kind tone
"We're here to see Kallen." Milly said
"Of course. Come right in, please." the maid let them inside the mansion. "Mistress Kallen," the maid called out. "Mistress Kallen."
Malik spotted Kallen downstairs who saw him and Milly. "Madame President?" Kallen then glanced at Malik with a look of curiosity. "What are you doing here?"
"I just tagged along. Speaking of which," Malik glanced at Milly. "Why are the two of us here, anyway?"
"I just dropped by to give you something." Milly greeted, bringing out a letter from her pocket
"Where would you like me to show them to, Mistress?" the maid asked. "The parlor perhaps. Or maybe..."
Kallen interjected with a glare at the maid. "We'll be in my room."
the maid seemed unfazed by her glare as Malik glanced between the two. "As you wish." she said
"Oh." a woman suddenly spoke. Malik and the rest of them looked up the stairs to see a middle aged blonde woman wearing a purple long dress and her hairstyle resembling a liow's paw. "I heard you had a friend down here, I was sure it would be a boy." she glanced at Malik upon seeing him. "A Britannian boy at least." she said to Kallen. "Out all night and missing school. Not to mention all your visits to the ghetto. You're lucky your father's back in the homeland. No fighting one's blood, is there?"
Kallen glared at her. "And you're enjoying him not being here, are you? Judging from the men you bring home when he's not around." she responded
Before the two throw insults at each other, a sudden crash is hear as they both turn to see a vase broken with the maid standing next to it.
"Oh, dear." she said. "What I have done."
Malik raised an eyebrow. "Did she do that on purpose just for Kallen's sake?"
"What's wrong with you?!" the woman shouted angrily
"Forgive me, milady. Forgive me."
"Can't you do anything right?" the woman complained as Malik glared at the woman with annoyance before walking over to the maid. "Besides selling your body, that is."
Malik crouched down near the maid while Milly headed to Kallen's room to speak to her. "Let me help you with that."
"No, my lord. There's no need for that."
"Nonsense. I insist." Malik helped her pick the broken pieces of the vase
"Thank you, my lord." she said, preparing to leave
"You're Kallen's mother, aren't you?" Malik asked her as the maid paused for a moment
"I should be going. Thank you." she replied before leaving
Malik's mind was on the encounter in Kallen's family mansion, particularly both Kallen and the maid who was her mother. From what he could tell Kallen didn't seem fond of her mother, but he felt it was more out of pity than hate. He thought to himself that he could tell Kallen, however he decided it was best for her to find out on her own. He heard Kallen confirm to Milly that she was a half-breed, born to a Britannian father and Japanese mother judging from the photo he glanced at. He saw Kallen as a little girl, with a teenage boy who was no doubt her brother and a sticker covering the mother's face. Now, he was meeting Rai at a pizza parlor in the Tokyo settlement. To his surprise, he spotted Carlito with Rai as he took a seat by the two.
"Where were you?"
Malik shrugged before grabbing a slice of pizza. "With Milly. We stopped at Kallen's place since there was something she wanted to give her." he said taking a bite
"Carlito was telling me about Zero and the Black Knights hitting one of the warehouses tonight." Rai said while Malik was finishing his slice of the pizza. "Apparently, it has something to do with Refrain."
"The drug that simply makes you relive the good old days. But it's also highly addictive;" Malik frowned at the thought of it. "So much of the fact that taking too much would make you lose your ability to speak and become an invalid." he concluded before taking the last bite. "The poor, unfortunate bastards to take that stuff being Elevens."
"Typical." Carlito muttered irritably, balling his fists. "Britannians used this on other areas they've conquered to dull local insurrectionists."
"So, what were Wash's orders?"
"Observation only. No interference." Carlito replied before turning to Rai. "Your first official mission, snowflake."
"Is Alice tagging along?" Rai asked
Carlito shook his head. "Nah. She's got something personal going on with Nunnally."
"Be at the warehouses at 0900 hours."
"Right." Rai and Carlito both said
At night after ten o'clock, in the docks and warehouses Carlito watches from above with binoculars. Elsewhere, Rai and Malik watch the Refrain operation going on inside the warehouse they were on top of masked. Malik in his mask from the time he used back in the Lake Kawaguchi hotel while Rai wore a blue one with wings on it covering his face and hood covering his head. They saw some of the drug users being mostly composed of Japanese, which made both Rai and Malik look in pity at those effected by the drug while glaring daggers at the people who force it upon the people inside the warehouse. But Malik end up being shocked with wide eyes the most, when he saw that one of the drug users was Kallen's mother.
Rai noticed how tense Malik was. "What is it?"
"See the one over there in meters away from the hot dog vendor? That's... that's Kallen's mother."
Rai gasped. "What?" he looked down to see her. "Does Kallen know?"
"I don't think so."
Just then, they suddenly heard gunshots coming from the main gate. Abruptly, the main gate was trespassed by a red Glasgow Knightmare Frame. Strangely enough, the Red Glasgow did not do anything upon seeing Kallen's mother. Still drugged into a hallucination, Kallen's mother tripped and fell only to be caught by the red Glasgow's hand. Then all of a sudden, bullets appeared destroying its right arm as they turned to see it was a Knightpolice. The red Glasgow tried to escape from the police unit Knightmare, all the while still holding Kallen's mother. The Glasgow got shot in the back causing it to lose its balance and fall over. Kallen's mother was still near the red Glasgow after it fell as Malik activated his Geass.
"Run! Just go, already!" he heard a familiar voice yelled inside the Knightmare
"That voice..." Malik trailed upon realization with widened eyes as to who the pilot of the Glasgow was
Kallen's mother turned to the downed Knightmare and stood up, smiling. "I'm here for you, Kallen. I'm here, as I've always have been" she said
"That... that's why you stayed in his house? You stayed there all this time just for me?" Malik could hear Kallen say with a shocked tone due to his enhanced senses from his Geass. "You fool!"
The Knightpolice prepared to finish her off with the stun tonfas before Kallen fired a slash harken while her Knightmare was down. It propelled both toward a metal shelve, the Knightpolice's cockpit being completely destroyed. Malik sighed with relief as Kallen was able to save herself and her mother.
"Maybe I'm the fool."
"I'm so happy for you... you can finally be a Britannian now, Kallen." her mother while under the effects of Refrain. "Nobody will ever hurt you, darling. You'll be free to do whatever you want."
The next day, Malik watched from afar the hospital where Kallen and her mother were. He used the binoculars along with his Geass to hear the inside of the hospital, specifically the room both of Kallen and her mother would on while a nurse was in the same room.
"It's an after-effect of Refrain." he heard the nurse inform Kallen due to heightened and enhanced senses. "She's unable to speak. She'll recover on her own eventually, but it's going to take time."
"Mother, your sentence... they sentenced you for 20 years." Kallen said upset as she placed her hand on her mother's. "But just you wait! I'm working to change things when you get out, I swear it! I'll make a world where you and I can live a normal life again like before. So please, mother." she plead, squeezing her hand. "Hang in there."
Malik heard his phone ringing from his pocket as he took it out, seeing who the caller was before answering. "Sir."
"We gave the Black Knight a false tip of an abandoned mansion outside of Tokyo being a trafficking ring."
"When?" Malik asked while looking at Kallen with the binoculars
"Tonight."
Malik put away the binoculars. "I'll be there." he said, hanging up the phone
Nighttime, an hour past after nine as Fenrir team waited for Zero and the Black Knights to show up. The plan was simple: once the Black Knights made their presence, non-lethal takeouts and methods of traps, tranquilizer darts, and tasers as part of the test. Rai would need to position Alice, Malik, and Carlito to put up more of a challenge for Zero and the Black Knights. For Malik, he confirmed his suspicion about Kallen that not only was she a half bred but a member of the Black Knights. Part of him envied Kallen in having parents, or one of them still around that is. His were gone back in the Middle Eastern Federation. Rai noticed the sudden tension Malik was feeling and walked over to him, wondering what was troubling him.
"Hey, are you alright?"
"Just in thought of something. Something I was thinking of until now."
"Like what?"
Malik glanced at Rai before asking. "Do you remember your parents? Or what they were like through those memory gaps of yours?"
Rai paused, recalling the first day he stayed in Ashford due to his memory loss. He would have the same dream every night. A woman and a little girl two years younger than him, seeing similar features of Japanese origin. A man with disdainful look along with and three boy older than him with the same expression mistreating him, along with the woman and little girl. Then, he met a young boy who offered to give him power to protect those that mattered to him.
"I offer you a contract. One for you in order to obtain true power only if you accept the terms of the arrangement."
"I get flashes of memory in my dreams. Memory of a woman and a little girl who may be my mother and sister." Rai explained. "We were mistreated, because we were considered outsiders. I think I'm half Japanese like Kallen. Last thing I see is a boy who asked if I wanted power to protect what I cherished. And then, I see a town on fire and people dead before I wake up and covered in sweat."
"Seems like your mom and sister kept you going. But what happened to this town?"
"I don't know. It didn't look like a riot, felt more like an invasion. All I know it was in Britannia, maybe at war with a neighboring country."
Before Malik could go in further detail, Carlito radioed in breaking their conversation. "They're here."
"We copy." Malik replied
"Showtime." Rai said as Malik nodded while they stick to their plan
They see the Black Knights rush toward the mansion as Fenrir team went inside, under cover and undetected. From what they could see yards away, the Black Knights didn't have any Knightmares with them or more specifically Kallen's red Glasgow KMF. The mansion was dimly lit and filled with an eerie silence. Zero and the Black Knight cautiously made their way to the corridors, their eyes scanning for any signs of danger. This made it easier for Fenrir to pick them offf one-by-one, as they can hear one of them complaining.
"Ah, there's nobody here! Lotta fat good that tip did us!"
"Quiet, Tamaki. We don't want anyone to know we're here."
"There isn't anyone here! Whole place is abandon-" Tamaki was stopped from his sentence as something hit his neck. "Huh?! What the hell..." he trailed off passing out
"It's a trap!" one of the Black Knights shouted
Before the rest of the Black Knights could react, Alice used his Geass to disarm their weapons with rapid speed. They left it easy picking for Carlito, Malik, and Rai to pick off the rest with ease to shot them with tranquilizers. Kallen took cover with Zero and some of the others, while Fenrir regrouped somewhere in the mansion. As the Black Knight tread carefully, a sudden noise echoed through the mansion. The group become tense up, and the sound of traps activating became evident. Fortunately for the Black Knight, they narrowly avoid them with agile moves. Fenrir checked the events through cameras set up inside the mansion.
"Looks like Zero saw the initial layer." Malik said surprised
Rai stroked his chin. "Just as expected, too. They're adapting, but they can't avoid everything."
"This is where the real fun begins." Carlito said, grinning
"Everyone, stay alert. We stay the course. Nothing has changed." Zero said in confidence as he led the Black Knights, only for Kallen to be stopped by Malik dressed in his Yasuke garb
"The pilot of the Glasgow. I was wondering to see who the pilot of that Knightmare was." Malik complimented as Yasuke through his modulate voice
Kallen narrowed her eyes at him. "The only way you could know that is if you were watching us. You're the ones from the warehouses, aren't you?"
"I'd call it observation. And if you think we're part of a criminal organization you put out of commission, the answer is no. We were just seeing if you're actually the best of the best."
"Then, let's see how good you really are."
Kallen rushed toward Malik blindly, sending a flurry of strikes his way as Malik countered each and every one of them. Both their movements being fluid and precise, as they trade punches and kicks all the while assessing their strengths and weaknesses. Malik caught Kallen's fist as he caught her in a hold before pushing her aside. Kallen could tell she was toying with him as she disarmed his weapon, sending it skidding across the floor. She showcased her reflexes and acrobatic agility, which Malik found remarkable about her that Kallen had proficient skills in combat aside from Knightmare pilot training. So Malik amused her by being on the defensive to test her offensive capabilities, evading and blocking every she's made against him. They both lock arms, his mask inches apart from her face.
"You're pretty good, but you'll find I'm not easy to back down." Malik complimented before being elbowed by Kallen in reply
"Likewise. I don't intend to lose." she said, continuing their fight
While Kallen and Malik dressed as Yasuke were facing each other, Zero and the Black Knights were maneuvering around the mansion's labyrinthine as they attempt avoid every trap and ambush. Unfortunately, some fell into the traps and tranquilizers that put them into an unconscious sleep. Zero took down a dart-filled chandelier with a well-placed shot, scattering the remaining darts. Rai and Zero were engaged in a battle of wits, trading verbal jabs at each other and strategic insights as they intelligence shined through. Both of them thinking one step ahead to outmaneuver one another. This clash escalated with Rai managed to have Zero backed into a corner, seemingly gaining the upper hand.
"Checkmate." Rai said in a modulated voice while on the intercom of the mansion
Lelouch grinned inside his Zero mask. "The game's not over yet." he replied smugly. 'Especially since I know the full detail of your plan, Rai.' he thought to himself
"Carlito." said person turned to see Lelouch while he roamed freely through the halls of Ashford academy. "There's something I wanted to talk about to you about."
Carlito turned to Lelouch. "What is it?"
Lelouch activated his Geass. "You will tell me everything I need to know about you, about Malik, and about Rai." he commanded as the Geass affected him
"Go for it." Carlito said in an emotionless tone
"Who are you really?"
"Me, Alice, and Malik are a merc group for our commander-in-chief. We're called Fenrir team." he stated surprising Lelouch upon the mention of Alice
'Alice is part of this?' Lelouch thought to himself. "What is your objective here in Ashford?"
"Our objective was infiltration regarding Rai Franklin. He and Malik are old friends from before his amnesia." Carlito stated
"So, there's the connection between Malik. Not only do he and Rai know each other, but he also knows of Rai's past. Of whom he was before he stumbled upon Ashford with no memory other than his name one year ago."
"We tested him, starting with his skills in Knightmare piloting and any other skill set he demonstrates." Carlito explained. "Apparently, Malik and Rai were part of an organization they trained them as child soldiers."
"What is the name of this organization?"
"I do not know. And neither does the two of them."
"How long has Alice been a part of your group?" Lelouch queired in a quizzical tone
"About three years now."
"Tell me, does your Commander-in-Chief has intentions for Zero and the Black Knights?"
"Yes. A test to evaluate your skills. Non-lethal, no killing. Only wound."
Lelouch stroked his chin quizzically. "Can I assume you have traps in place upon our arrival for this test." he deduced as Carlito nodded before Lelouch saw the affects of the Geass flicker in his eyes. "It would appear we are out of time."
Carlito blinked as the affects wore off before staring at Lelouch. "Sorry, what did you want to talk about?"
Lelouch went back to his facade. "Nunnally wanted to know if Alice would be able to come by later on today. She took off early before I could talk to her." he half-lied, regarding Nunnally wanted to meet again with Alice
Carlito shrugged. "Okay, then. I'll tell her when I see her."
"Thank you." Lelouch said, with a mischievous grin on his face. 'And thank you for the information you have given me.'
What remained of the Black Knight accompanying Zero break open a door, which lead to a room where a man in a blue suit sat nonchalantly with a glass of scotch.
The man took a sip from his glass. "Quite the spectacle. I have to say you're different from any other resistance cells here in Japan." he said in an Australia accent
"I'm not like most of them."
the man smiled. "Clearly not."
Zero glanced to see Kallen and Yasuke appear from behind them. "What's going on? And who's this?" she demanded, glaring at the blue suit man
"Ohgi. You and everyone, stand down." Zero ordered. "This was only a test."
"A test?" the one called Ohgi asked
"For you and another member on one of the teams I have." the man stated. "World has it that the Black Knights are the new rebels in town. I want in."
Zero folded his arms in a flamboyant manner. "You? We don't know anything about you, or who you are for that matter."
the man sat the glass on a table nearby as he walked over to Zero, extending his hand. "Ben Washington." Zero accepted it and shook his head. "Direct descendant of George Washington, of the Washington rebellion back in the 1770s. I currently have a PMC outfit ranging in deserters from across Britannia, to Europia United and Chinese Federation."
"And what better than to have a private military company in Australia, the most neutral country in the world." Zero deduced
"Correct." Wash said as he offered Zero a glass to which he politely refused in a gesture. "And since Australia does trading between the Chinese Federation and the Britannia Empire, I figure I could be one of your suppliers, in a way. But I needed insurances if you were very capable. Which was why I put up this test in the first place to evaluate your skills and abilities."
"Tell me, what did you learn from this test you put together?" Zero queried
"Between you along with your Black Knights and Fenrir team, you both display determination, adaptability, and insight." Wash stated. "You're also precise in your own views and beliefs, shown only your will to accomplish your goal. Which is why I wish to speak to you alone."
"Very well."
"Zero!"
"Ohgi, you and everyone else wait in the other room with Yasuke and his mercenary team." Zero ordered. "I will speak alone with Benjamin Washington." they complied and leave the room, readying to use his Geass
However, before he could Washington asked. "Zero, what are your thoughts of the concepts of alternate timelines and realities?"
His question perplexed Zero. "And what way do you mean?"
"What if there was a timeline or a reality where the Holy Britannian Empire never came to be? What if my ancestor actually won in his revolution? What if Napoleon Bonaparte failed in his French revolution? These are the questions that I have wondered for some time now."
"I imagine if Britannia lost in your ancestor's rebellion, they would no doubt return to Britain." Zero responded in sheer deduction of theoretical possibilities. "With some at least staying, maybe. Napoleon would lose his supporters if he dies in one of his battles against Britannia or perhaps maybe afterwards. The rest would be in interpretation."
"I thought the same as much." Wash replied, nodding in agreement. "Everyone is on this earth, doing what they're meant to do. For me, I am interested in one thing."
"And what would that be, Washington?" Zero asked quizzically
"The future, Zero." Wash answered. "The future is what I'm interested in. However, I feel like those like Emperor Charles Zi Britannia who don't want the world to have a future for those like me who yearn for it."
"Then, you should know I'm not fan of the emperor."
Wash chuckled. "We are in the same boat, then." he then looked toward Zero. "I met a girl with long green hair who told me that one day, there will someone who will be the chain of corruption. To break the chain of oppresion completely. And I think that person is you."
The mention of C.C got Lelouch's attention as Zero before he decided to use his Geass on Washington with his mask revealing his right eye. "What do you know of this girl with long green hair?"
Wash shrugged his shoulder. "Truthfully, nothing. She was quite mysterious when I met her, and that was only one time."
"And you've never seen her again, not even recently?" Wash did not respond to Zero's questioning as Lelouch sighed. 'I see. So not even Washington knows who she is. She appears to be elusive and mysterious as usual. Washington and his PMCs could come in useful. The question is how large his forces are composed of only deserters from the military of three superpower like Britannia, the Chinese Federation, and EU. Maybe I could convince him to retrieve any surviving resistance factions from the Middle Eastern Federation to join his cause, as well as my own through his PMCs.' he glanced to see the Geass lose its effect on Washington. 'Once again, my time is up. Looks like I will have to convince without Geass.'
Washington was no longer affected by Geass as he noticed Zero walking by him before he took a seat. "You look like you have a question to ask."
"I'm interested in working together. If money is involved, I will gladly pay you for it. There are other things I wish to discuss as well." Zero said, sitting professionally
Wash raised an eyebrow with a curious expression on his face. "Such as what for instance?" he queried
Cornelia arrives back from aiding a small campaign against Europa United, helping out some of the Knights of the Round stationed there before the arrival of his brother Schneizel. Darlton and Guilford returned with her as well after securing a small victory in key areas that the Britannia Empire seized before their departure. To her surprise, Cornelia saw the Knight of Two, Five, and Eight present in a lavish reception hall talking with Euphemia as she maintained her composure. Euphemia noticed her sister along with Darlton and Guilford approaching them.
"Cornelia."
"I've return, dear sister." Cornelia said, offering a polite nod to the assembled knights. "Knights of the Round, I appreciate your dedication to the Empire." she added with authority
"We are honored, Your Highness." John said, bowing and nodded in respect. "Nice to see that you've returned. I imagine things went smoothly back in the Europa United campaign."
"Indeed. That now my brother is overseeing operations there, I felt it best to return to Area 11 quelling insurrection."
"Well, Prince Schneizel is known for his tactical input. No doubt his strategic mind will prove valuable to the Empire's campaign against the EU." John glanced at Darlton and Guilford with a smile. "Lord Darlton and Guilford, I trust things have been faring better now that you're with the Princess."
"Quite." Darlton said, smiling back. "What brings you here, Lord Giovanni?"
This time, Clara answered. "We are looking for a potential candidate suitable to become a Knight of Seven."
Mariel nodded in reply. "Lord Waldstein has appointed the task to us. We hope there will be a worthy candidate."
Guilford turned to Mariel. "I understand that you and your father have finished one of the prototypes derived from the Lancelot, Lady Lubie."
"We have actually. The Guinevere is ready deployment, and I will be the one piloting her." she announced. "Clara will pilot the Morgana."
"I can think of no one greater to pilot those Knightmares other than you two." Cornelia complimented the Knight of Five
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"I understand that Lord Waldstein is currently in the EU, aiding our forces with Prince Schneizel. Is that correct?" John replied
"That's right." Guilford confirmed. "He along with Knight of Eight and Eleven are there right now as we even speak."
"Nice to know that Yan and Heinrich have something to do now." Mariel replied
"They're eager, after having to lounge around for too long." Clara pointed out. "I would do the same if I was in their position."
"Anyway, we've gathered intel while you were gone regarding a resistance faction."
Cornelia looked stern at John Giovanni. "And you've been waiting here this whole time? That isn't like you at all, Giovanni."
"Not exactly." John said in a chuckle. "I wanted to make sure it was concrete. And now, I can tell you that it is legit."
"Is it Zero?"
"No, it isn't the Black Knights. But it is good news, regarding the Japan Liberation Front. It turns out their main base is in Narita." John stated. "We only found out recently before you arrived at the viceroy palace."
"After what happen the Lake Kawaguichi Conference hotel, this is a step closer to finishing off the JLF." Darlton said
"So, it's only the three of you that arrived here to Area 11." Cornelia said, suddenly noticing the expression of Euphemia along with Mariel while Clara whistled awkwardly. "Mariel, you and Euphemia look pale."
"Sister, they aren't the only ones here." Euphemia admitted to her sister
"Who do you-" Cornelia is cut off with a burst of laughter coming from behind
"Nellie!" a familiar voice sang out loud, bringing dreaded looks from Darlton, Guilford, and especially Cornelia.
They turned to see Nonette Enneagram, the Knight of Nine casually approach her with a cheery demeanor. Her cheerful aura filling the room after making her dramatic entrance through the hall. Cornelia's expression shifted from initial shock and surprise, to dread and horror as Nonette hugged her. Nonette's vibrant personality shining through as John's grin grew to a smile, seeing Cornelia caught off guard by Nonette's surprise attack.
"Nonette... I- I should've expected no less from you." Cornelia said in a deadpan tone
Nonette's eyes sparked mischievously as she playfully bumped Cornelia's shoulder. "Don't be such a stick in the mud, Nellie. I came all this way just to visit you, my dear old friend."
Cornelia could not help but to crack a faint smile at Nonette's unique way of addressing her. Despite the underlying bond of camaraderie between them. She let out a sigh before replying. "It's good to see you, Nonette. Now, could you please let go of me?"
"Looks like Nonette can still drive Princess Cornelia crazy." Mariel said to Clara, seeing Nonette chatting with Darlton and Guilford
Clara nodded in agreement. "It would appear so."