Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass.


Jeremiah Gottwald picked another orange from a tree in his orchard. Some might consider his profession beneath his station, considering he was a former Margrave, and a former vassal of the greatest man to have ever lived. To him however, it was symbolic. His lord had given him the moniker 'Orange' when he was still a lesser man. Foolishly, he had taken it as an insult. Eventually, upon learning Zero's true identity, an epiphany hit him. It was never derogatory at all. When he had finally joined his Lord's side, 'Orange' became the name of his loyalty.

Sometimes he wished he was still serving his Lord. He had chosen to travel the world with C.C. however. He had chosen a simpler life, that of a nomad. If his Lord was happy with such an existence, then nothing his detractors said could ever phase him.

He finished filling up his current basket, and surveyed his surroundings. Orange trees as far as the eye could see. Off in the distance, one Anya Alstreim could be seen tending to her own basket. To this day, he still didn't know what to make of the young woman. She was always quiet, preferring to make one sentence statements. Her emotional growth had been stunted growing up, due to the effects of multiple Geass plaguing her mind and memories. He had eventually freed her from their curse, but the damage had been done. In spite of that, she seemed more than happy to be spending her days on the farm with him, doing menial labor.

A smile graced his features. In spite of his never having considered children of his own, he supposed he considered the young lady a surrogate daughter of sorts.

Anya finished her basket as well, and turned to Jeremiah to let him know she was finished. When she caught him smiling, she returned it, a pleasant smile matching his own.

"I'm finished," she reported dutifully. She raised the basket of oranges for emphasis.

"Well done. Another day's work finished. Why don't we clean up after ourselves, and retire before it gets too late."

"Only if we can have some for ourselves after," she negotiated. Her sweet tooth had developed over the last year and some change. There wasn't a day that went by where she didn't indulge herself in the sweet fruits.

"Of course. Pick a couple for yourself, and we'll make it a treat." Jeremiah chuckled softly to himself. The girl's pleasant mood was infectious. The two quickly finished up, and collected their things. This was only one of several hauls for the day. They started heading back to their cosy home, a short trek by foot which would take fifteen minutes or so. Things here always moved at a pleasant pace. There was never a shortage of work to be done, but you were never required to do more than your own fill. Truly, what a pleasant niche they had managed to carve out for themselves.


A delivery truck drove down a patchy dirt road surrounded by orange trees seemingly forever. The drive out here was time-consuming, but that wasn't a surprise for such a remote area. The truck jostled about, occasionally hitting bumps in the road. The driver supposed this job could be worse. After all the pay was more than he could have hoped for. For such a simple job, his employer had paid well. Enough for him to retire at an early age. After all, all he had to do was make sure a couple of private citizens didn't live to see the next day.

"We're almost there, get the package ready," he rambled into a walkie talkie. He got an affirmative, the passengers in the trailer readying themselves to go in hot. Now all they had to do was confirm the location of the targets. As they approached their target destination, the rolling doors of the trailer slowly opened up. Inside were two Sutherlands in perfect working conditions. One was equipped with a sniper rifle, the other an assault rifle. The pilots activated the knightmare frames, their yggdrasil drives coming to life. The Factspheres inside the heads opened up, their sensors picking out small details of their surroundings.

As the truck got closer, the two Sutherlands exited the trailer. They dropped their Landspinners, and overtook the truck they had been passenger to. It had been tedious disguising the transport as a standard delivery truck, but it was worth the trouble. They never would have gotten two Knightmare Frames this close otherwise.

In a matter of seconds, their sensors picked up the body heat of the targets. They were still a couple miles out, but that's what the sniper rifle was for. The Sutherland carrying it slowed to a stop, and carefully took aim. After a couple seconds, he pulled the trigger once. Twice. A large dust cloud was kicked up, blocking his line of sight.

"Bullseye."

"Don't be so cocky, confirm that the targets were hit first," replied the other pilot.

"Those were anti material rounds. Even if missed by a few feet, the shrapnel formed from hitting the ground would have torn them limb from limb."

"Whatever, just be sure."

"Yeah, fine. Give me a second. The dust cloud is too dense for me to see properly. After a few seconds, the dust cloud finally settled. To the pilot's dismay, a furious Jeremiah could be seen cradling an untouched Anya Alstreim in his arms. His clothing was torn to shreds, but he looked otherwise unharmed.

"What the hell?! How did they survive!?" Upon closer inspection, one could see obvious robotic parts making up Jeremiah's body. "A cyborg? What the hell is he made of?"


Jeremiah was incensed. He couldn't believe the nerve of their would-be assailants. Bringing weapons of war into such a peaceful area. Luckily, Anya was unharmed. The first round had struck him directly and shredded his clothing. In the second between shots, he had managed to grab Anya and jumped away from the targeted area. He then proceeded to use his body to shield her from the shrapnel. After double checking if she was okay, he quickly deposited her out of the shooter's line of sight. A quick scan of his surroundings, and his mechanical eye spotted the attackers. Two Sutherlands, a couple miles out. He quickly made a bee line towards them.

After recovering from his sense of shock, the pilot carrying the sniper rifle quickly aimed his sights on Jeremiah again. After a few seconds, another round left the chamber of the gun. Amazingly, a blade protruded from Jeremiah's right arm and he quickly cut the bullet out of the air.

"What the fuck!?" As the pilot began to panic, his aim started to become shoddy. After cutting a few more bullets from the air, the aim became so sloppy Jeremiah didn't even bother.

"It's useless, we need to get in close," screamed the other pilot. He sped his own Sutherland forward, the assault rifle already spitting out automatic fire. Jeremiah merely traced the aim of the rifle, staying out of the path of the bullets entirely. When Jeremiah closed in, the pilot fired off a Slash Harkin, which was narrowly dodged. With a flick of his wrist, Jeremiah cut through the cable of the wired weapon.

"We have to tag team him. This is ridiculous." The other pilot finally got his bearings, and moved forward to confront the enemy as well. He dropped the sniper rifle, and the Sutherland's Stun Tonfas flicked out. As he got close, Jeremiah braced himself for close quarters combat.

Suddenly, several micro missiles struck home and the two Sutherlands burst into flames. Jeremiah looked up, and saw the Mordred Buildup hovering in the air, its weapons primed, and having clearly just launched a salvo at the enemy.

"That was uncalled for Anya. I had everything under control." He scolded her, but it didn't have any real bite behind it.

"I saved you though," she argued. The frown evident in her voice.

"Perhaps. Then you have my thanks. I reacted without thinking. I was too focused on facing the opponent without taking into account my own mortality. This metal body might be a tough shell to crack, but I'm certainly not immortal like my Lord."

The cockpit of the Mordred opened up, revealing Anya smiling triumphantly. She descended, lowering herself to Jeremiah's level. Jeremiah then looked around, noticing the disguised truck, now vacant with its driver door hanging wide open.

"It seems one of the interlopers got away. A pity. I had questions I wanted to ask him."

A panicked scream echoed out in the distance. Jeremiah's focus shifted to the noise. "Anya, stay here. Who knows what that could have been."

"I'm coming with you." She met his gaze, daring him to say otherwise. He sighed, and nodded in agreement.

"Fine, just be sure to stay behind me. I would never forgive myself if I failed to keep you safe." He took the lead, and motioned her to follow up from the rear. His blade was out, and ready to cut down anyone foolish enough to attack them. Moving into the orchard itself, he could hear signs of a scuffle, but whoever screamed out earlier had gone quiet. He pressed onward, and prepared himself for anything.

He almost ran the man through, when he was dropped in front of him, properly bound and gagged.

Anya walked up to him, clearly not too bothered by the man's sudden appearance, and started poking him roughly with a stick she had picked up somewhere off the ground.

"Good job Jerry, he was so scared he captured himself."

A flash of movement caught both of their attention, and they readied themselves for a confrontation. After a second, both of them paused, having recognized the new individual.

"Lady Shinozaki, I'm pleased you came by for another visit. It's only been a few weeks. I was sure you would be on some mission for the Black Knights."

Anya waved happily to Sayoko, pleasantly surprised to see her friend visiting again so soon. Sayoko returned the gesture with a proper curtsey.

"Under more pleasant circumstances I would be."

"Understandable, but we appreciate the assistance. My anticipation of uncovering who our guest here is working for is mounting."

Sayoko shook her head, an unpleasant expression flashing on her face before she schooled her features again. "I'm afraid that won't be necessary. I'm positive I know the identity of his benefactor. Commander Schneizel has taken full control over the Black Knights. Anyone who was involved in Zilkhstan is either on the run or in custody."

Jeremiah's eyes narrowed dangerously. "What would be the reason for these actions? Why would he send assassins after Anya and myself?"

"Recently, he made a public announcement revealing our Master's return. He has manipulated the media into thinking the events of Zilkhstan were a plot masterminded by Master Lelouch's hands. It appears he's somehow escaped the effects of his Geass, and is out for revenge."

Jeremiah closed his eyes solemnly. He didn't know how Schneizel did it, but he'd make sure to make him pay. Royal blood or no, he only served his Lord and his younger sister.

"I see. Pardon me one moment." He briskly walked closer to the bound up man, who was still struggling, and removed his gag. "Is what the lady said true? Did Schneizel hire you to eliminate us?"

"I don't know anything about what that bitch is talking about! The job came through an anonymous patron. The payments were all in unmarked bills. We were just thugs for hire. I didn't know we were getting involved with a fucking cyborg!"

"Watch your tongue. Don't you dare dishonor a lady with your prattling."

"Yeah, fuck you buddy, I don't care who this braud is, when I get free, I'm going to make her wish she was never born. Filthy Eleven monkey." The man spit, aiming for Sayoko, but missed spectacularly.

"You cur!" Jeremiah, clearly done with the man, impaled him through his abdomen. After a pained gasp, he fell over limp, his eyes growing glassy.

"He wasn't very bright. He must have had a death wish," quipped Anya. Sayoko shook her head in exasperation.

"That wasn't necessary, but thank you for caring about my honor Sir Gottwald."

"Please, call me Jeremiah. We are of equal station. I might be a noble, but all are equal in serving my Lord."

"Jeremiah it is then. Now that we have disposed of the attackers in full, it wouldn't be smart to stick around here for too much longer. I doubt they were the only hired guns sent after you."

"Good point. Anya, collect whatever you need, we'll leave in one hour."

"Understood. I can still take some oranges with us right?"

Jeremiah sighed in exasperation. "Of course, just be quick about it."

Anya happily ran off to take care of her business. Jeremiah then turned back to Sayoko. "I assume you'll be travelling with us from now on?"

"That's what my plan was initially. After ensuring the safety of you two, I thought we would seek out our Master together."

"Good. We'll be traveling by Knightmare. By good fortune, the Black Knights were generous enough to leave the Mordred and my Sutherland Loyal in our care."

"That's good to hear. We'll want to make haste. I have a contact that will meet up with us in a remote location."

"Who is this contact of yours? Are you sure that they can be trusted?"

"Of course. I'm sure you remember Kaname Ohgi?"


Kallen reclined in the Guren. While she had been on her way to Jeremiah's, eventually she had been contacted by Ohgi. After the media frenzy about Lelouch still being alive, he had panicked, and she had been the first person he managed to get a hold of. She had wanted to avoid dragging him into all this, because his involvement in Zilkhstan hadn't been officially reported. With him having retired officially from both his involvement with the Black Knights, and his position as Prime Minister, he was supposed to stay out of things like this. He had a wife and child to take care of after all.

After explaining the current situation to him, he had demanded the two of them meet up in a remote area. The location of choice was an uninhabited island, miles off the coast of Japan. It was nameless, and left alone due to its lack of practical usability. The only natural inhabitants were the local wildlife, and there were no plans to use it for anything in the near future.

Eventually, she got a call from Ohgi saying he had arrived on a small cargo ship. She exited the Guren, and made her way to the shore, where she could see the ship a ways out. A smaller raft was deposited into the water, and made it closer to the beachhead. Kallen could barely make out Ohgi waving wildly to greet her. After the raft made landing, Ohgi hopped out, and the two ran to each other. They impacted in a tackle hug, Kallen relieved to see a friendly face.

"Ohgi, thank you. I was originally off to get a hold of Jeremiah and Anya, but it's good to see you either way."

"Orange boy? Sayoko was headed there as well. She was supposed to contact me again after she confirmed if she made contact with him."

"She was? So she got away too. I'm glad to hear she's safe." Kallen sagged a bit in relief.

"I can't believe everything that's going on. You and Sayoko were the only ones from the rescue team I got a hold of."

"Everyone else was arrested. I don't know if they're in one piece or not, but Suzaku surrender quietly."

"That's somehow not surprising. He always was a pacifist if he could help it."

"That idiot. If we had both escaped, I would be way more confident in turning things around, but now Schneizel has the Lancelot in his hands."

"Well, at least Suzaku is the only one that can pilot that beast. Even if he surrendered, I know he won't turn against us."

"That's true. He's stupid, but not willing to double cross his friends. He's still haunted with the events involving his father. So what now?"

"Well, we'll take the Guren, and hide it on the cargo ship. It will be easier to travel incognito that way."

"Ohgi, stop. You don't have to get involved." Kallen gave him a disapproving stare. She was still miffed at him for coming out here himself.

He chuckled nervously, and ran his hand through his hair. "I know, but regardless of what you might think, I'm always involved, whether I would like to be or not. I have a responsibility to see my friends are safe."

"What about Villetta and Naoto? You have a family to take care of now. What did Villetta think?"

"I haven't exactly told her what I'm up to yet..."

"What?!" Kallen's temper flared, and she socked Ohgi hard in the left arm.

"Ow! I'm sorry, if I told her, she'd want in on it too. There's no way she would let Jeremiah or myself do this alone." He rubbed his arm gently, flinching at the pain.

Kallen gave him a withering glare, before relaxing a bit. "I suppose you're right. We can't have both of Naoto's parents going off and getting themselves killed, now can we?"

"Exactly. She has to be there for him, because there is no guarantees I'm going to be in the near future."

"Don't say that. Don't say it like it's a sure thing. I'll drag you back to Villetta if it kills me. Then you can beg her for forgiveness yourself."

"It's a deal." He offered her his hand, and she reluctantly accepted the shake. She stretched after, and started doubling back to the Guren. "I'll meet you on the ship. Let me just go grab the Guren real quick."

Ohgi nodded, and returned to the raft, readying to return to the ship. As Kallen got closer to the Guren, explosions rocked the area, and she dove for cover.

"What!? Where did those shots come from?" Kallen scanned the air, before seeing a pair of familiar Knightmare Frames. An Akatsuki Command model, and the Zangetsu, both brandishing their swords.

"What are Tohdoh and Chiba doing here?" Kallen dragged herself back to her feet, and made a dash for the Guren.

"Kallen Kozuki, surrender peacefully, and we won't resort to lethal force. We're here under direct orders from Commander Schneizel to take you in. If you don't need this warning, we'll have no choice but to take you down." Tohdoh's voice could be heard coming from the Zangetsu. He aimed his Brake Sword to the Guren as Kallen climbed inside.

"Tohdoh, please stop, you don't know what you're doing!" Kallen pleaded, but Chiba cut her off.

"Stuff it Kozuki. I never cared much for you. You always were too hung up on Zero. Now we find he is still alive, and you were involved with him this whole time."

"Enough Chiba. Even if Kallen is a traitor, there's no need to resort to petty insults. Either way, we'll have to defeat her it seems"

"A traitor!? Oh that's it. I don't know what bullshit Schneizel has spoonfed you two, but I'm not going to go down without a fight." The Guren came online, and its Energy Wings activated. "Let's see you back up that bravado. I don't care if you are Ace pilots. I'm a cut above."

"How brash. You're too confident. Don't think you can win just because your Knightmare is more advanced." The Akatsuki and Zangetsu both rocketed forward, prepared to meet the Guren head on.


Ohgi panicked as he scrambled out of the raft, and into the cargo ship. He had been followed. Kallen had slipped her pursuers, only to get caught up again from his own mistake. It appeared Tohdoh and Chiba weren't aware of what was going on, but things had already escalated into a fight. He knew Kallen could take care of herself, but Tohdoh was nearly as skilled, and he knew he wasn't to be underestimated. That, and it was a two on one fight. Chiba was no slouch either.

"Kallen, I'm sorry. I know you can find a way out of this. After all, you're the best pilot I've ever known."


A/N: Thanks for the reviews and favorites. I didn't expect to receive any on the first chapter. As for future plans for the story such as character deaths and pairings, I'm not sure what I have planned yet. Cannon pairings such as Ohgi/Villetta and Lelouch/C.C. are guaranteed. Other likely ones include Jeremiah/Sayoko, Tohdoh/Chiba, and a few others. I'll try to update this fic at least once a week. I have about 25 chapters planned. Thanks for reading. Until next time.