V Chapter.

Reorganization

In the submarine

Tick-Tock. Tick-Tock.

Diethard fell into his chair, trying to relax. Clock was ticking mercilessly. His eyes were staring at it for the last hour. Probably it was for even longer period of time, but he really couldn`t remember or care about that.

His deal with Tohdoh was still in force. He didn`t thought of it too much at that time if compared to now. He was quite angry at the fact that the Black Knights could give up on their leader so easily. 'Organization is comprised of its members, or whatever they said. Members?! Zero made this force, this compromise to even come to life. He brought them Kururugi, Narita, several times even defeating Cornelia. Even worse than that – there`d be no story to tell, if this will be the end of his story'

Diethard was quite pissed by these developments. 'Zero is a man of miracles, so there is some hope. No matter how – Zero should lead further. He is too big of a symbol to die.'

By his chair a small device was laying on a coffee table. Sometimes he could look at it, expecting any transmission from Zero, but none had received yet.

'Three hours remaining. Fantastic. Simply great.' He let a heavy sign. This and previous nights he hasn`t slept at all. At least there was some beer to let his anxiety go away. 'I won`t drink too much, there`s still a chance and it`d be bad to meet him drunk' was his position, but he wasn`t sure for how long it`ll work.

The doors to his room suddenly opened. He turned his head to see the intruder, just to see Tohdoh standing in the doorway. Colonel ignored empty cans, laying around the chair.

"Did Zero return?" Diethard asked with a slight glimmer of hope, just to hear a disappointing response back.

With a stoic face, Tohdoh shook his head. "Not yet. However, C.C. just contacted me. We will have a meeting in 5 minutes in the Zero`s cabinet regarding future actions until we get contact with Zero. I expect you to come as well."

Diethard was sad, to say the least. But everything was better than sitting in a dark room, checking the clock and the TV.

"I will. Who else will be there?"

"Aside from us, there`ll be Ohgi, C.C., Urabe, Senba, Asahina and Chiba. We have to come up with a general idea, and bringing more to the discussion isn`t feasible."

As he begun to leave, Tohdoh then turned his head and threw a glance at Diethard. "Zero appointed you as a chief of our intelligence and propaganda, but you better not to give an impression of being undeserving of the rank. Get yourself together, we can`t allow ourself to drop our guard in such times."

Diethard rushed from the chair and begun preparing his usual outfit. "I understand this well. Looking like Tamaki isn`t my tradition either"

Colonel left the room and went into the corridor. "I hope C.C. got some important information. Leaderless organization isn`t any better than a helpless crowd."

But the interaction he had with her only two hours ago was quite interesting. 'Of all people, why is one of my informants from Tokyo Settlement was this important? Maybe some of the reports I got from Violetta and Jeremiah were right, but I really lack information. Will this meeting be of any use to get more of it?'

Zero`s cabinet was far from its usual state. The smell of pizza, which was quite familiar because of certain witch, was intensifying day by day. A pile of boxes around the room was only getting larger and larger. Other items, empty folders and other stuff was lying around, some on the table, some on the floor and even between the back and the futon of the sofa. Usually there was certain Lelouch to keep things in order, but now who`s to stop this artistic chaos?

C.C. was sitting in Zero`s chair, throwing his mask in the air. It was a good thing that her accomplice was such planner. Several complects of his outfit, hundreds of backup plans and thousands more directives, about which no one had any idea, unless needed. Before her was an open computer, with several folders lying near the keyboard. For now, only one of them was needed. C.C. threw a glance at the table and threw away one of them.

"I always told him, that one day I wouldn`t be able to save him, and now look at him." She looked up, like she was speaking with someone. "Yes, I agree, I wouldn`t predict this either, but you had to see the amount of plans I had to search for this one! Who can tell, is he a paranoic or really a genius strategist from it, since this plan certainly had some use." She took a cup lying near one of the folders, filled with warm coffee and drank it. "Oh, now you care even about that girl? That`s so unfamiliar when coming from you. Weren`t you two the ones that were satisfied with knowing only that she`s alive? But yes, as much as I know, she`s doing well."

Her companion wanted to respond to it, but she was stopped by C.C. "Oh, Lelouch`s 'compatriots' finally arrived. I have to end our nice conversation. Farewell." She let out a sigh, before opening the door.

The door opened, revealing the colonel, Diethard, Ohgi and some others. The reporter seemed quite exhausted, with bags under his eyes and his face still dripping a little bit of water, like he washed it minute ago. But she didn`t really care for this.

Officers looked around the room, C.C. rose up, taking one of the files that lied on the table. "All of you are a part of Black Knights leadership, so you are required to learn about the following information, plans and orders, which Zero had previously prepared in case of such developments"

The group seemed curious, but decided to wait to hear everything out.

"Recently, Zero and Kallen were lost, as well as both Kururugi and Euphemia. Several hours ago, I got a message from the knighmare they captured. After they send them, it seems that they were captured by none other than Bismarck and they are being held in the emperor`s flagship"

Everyone was shocked to hear this information. Ohgi gasped, "Zero, Kallen… To think that I`d betray Naoto by letting his sister into this situation, as well as Zero..."

Others seemed to share his sentiment, more or less, as Diethard stomped the floor from anger. Tohdoh was the only one, who remained calm, at least on the outside. "You said that he send a message first. What does it contain?"

This immediately brought the attention back to the issue. "Yes. About that: it contained a several instructions for the Black Knights to follow." She raised her hand with a file held in it, as she approached Tohdoh. She gave it to him to read, as the group gathered around the colonel to read it. "This file was made in preparation in case this situation happens."

Tohdoh read line after line in order to catch a general idea for them to follow. "Does Zero think that he has no ways to reach him again?"

C.C. said calmly "There is a possibility, that he will have such possibility later. He is quite a valuable asset for Britannians to catch. He and Kallen will be kept alive and imprisoned. They are heavily guarded with no possibility to reach us even with a small 8kb message again."

Tohdoh read the document, handing it to Chiba, who held it lightly, while looking at the colonel. "C.C., is Zero instructing us to lie low for undefined period of time? I understand that he`s is in no position to come up with a suitable plan and we don`t have the capacity to execute an attack any time sooner."

"Yes, it`s right. Without Zero and Kallen, we lost up to two biggest aces from our hand. For the time, I will represent the organization. I got used to Zero`s costume either way, so it will minimize our losses."

Tohdoh looked at Ohgi, who responded. "Oh, yes, she used the costume when we had a meeting with the Kirihara, impersonating him before Zero could speak to the Head of Kyoto in private."

Chiba was less calm, as she looked to C.C. "Wait, does that mean that you know his identity?"

The group turned to C.C., waiting for the answer. She sighed. "Yes. On the meeting with the Kirihara he himself said that it is vital for his identity to be kept secret. Ohgi, Kallen and Tamaki are all witnesses to this being said. As Zero is captured by the Britannians, I won`t be revealing his identity, at least for now.

In the same time, Tohdoh, you may have known him for quite a while, no less than for 7 years."

Everyone turned to the colonel, who seemed as confused as others. "You were Kururugi`s martial arts teacher, after all. You should`ve met him in the same time. Taizo Kirihara, as well as Kaguya Sumeragi were all acquainted with him quite well. However, I`d like you to keep it secret as well."

Tohdoh`s stoic mask showed small signs of confusion for a moment, but he regained his calmness. He didn`t really have a chance to have a conversation with him, but he knew about some foreign young guests, residing with the Prime Minister`s son. But still, a Britannian Prince as a leader of Japanese resistance could be a bombshell to the Black Knights.

His face brightened in revelation. He quickly returned to his usual look. "I see. Who also knows his identity?"

C.C. sat in Zero`s chair, taking his mask and tossing it into the air. "As of now, only two of us. I don`t know whether Kallen knows it, but she probably will in time. There is also Kirihara, and nobody else."

Diethard looked at them. He couldn`t tell whether she was lying. Her voice and positioning changed slightly, just enough to represent Zero. 'She`ll do a nice substitute for some time, but there`s a lot of other things to process. Who was she talking about and why Tohdoh immediately understood about whom she was speaking?'

She smirked at the look most of the group made, but giving her new subordinates reasons to doubt it all, she decided to speak yet again. "Officially I`ll be taking the leadership over the organization under the mask of Zero. Unofficially, I`ll give some power to you, as I`m not as interested in leading it as the original Zero was. For now, we will be laying low. We`ll return to active resistance if needed and if some projects will manage to succeed, we will go on the offensive. This is the course we`re taking. Are there any objections?"

Journalist was in his thoughts, rethinking the conversation. "I have a suggestion. I`m unsure on the effect this sudden appearance will make on the organization. There might be rumors, spread by both Britannia and inside the organization on this matter. I think we should announce that Zero was wounded in action. You will reappear later in his outfit, taking a pause for a week or two."

Ohgi suddenly intervened in the discussion. "And there`s Kallen. I`m unsure on what you said about their fate is true, though I want to believe in it, and I don`t know what should we say about her? She did usually appear by Zero`s side both in combat and on the TV."

"I`m sure you, Diethard, will come up with something. I don`t expect the public to question her that much. Zero is a lynchpin of the Black Knights, so it`s important to keep this mask still alive."

The meeting was lasting for a brief but important 15 minutes, as she decided to end it. "For now, you know your tasks and if you will have any questions – ask me later."

As everyone left, C.C. stood in the middle of the room. She went to the table, taking and looking over Zero`s outfit. Almost like new, with some dust on the shoulders.

Standing with a bit of nostalgia, lightly showing on her face, she mused to herself. "Lelouch, I had no interest in leading anybody ever since the times of Jeanne d`Arc. You`re better come up with something, that pizza won`t eat itself."

She strolled to her sofa, wrapping her hands around her silent and soft Cheese-kun. Lying with it comfortably, she almost fell asleep when her communicator received a message. In her sleepy mood, she glanced at it. "So, the plan proceeds as planned. I must admit, Lelouch, when you aren`t that naïve or narcissistic, you can be a genius."

With it, she let a sigh, changed her outfit and left the cabinet.

When she heard Zero`s speech on the radio, when he was saving Kururugi, she couldn`t help but feel bad for him. She had influential and powerful masters, and even they failed to change the system for the best. They were thrown out despite their influence and impressive achievements. Terrorists were even less successful than collaborators or Britannians, as reports about different groups being crushed were appearing from time to time, succeeding only in minor terrorist acts.

But he changed it. He changed the resistance of Area 11 from something chaotic and ineffective into a full-prepared army, which could rely on support of their people. He became a symbol of justice for entire conquered nation. A symbol, a path to the independent future without any Britannians discriminating natives in the native lands.

Though she felt conflicted for her loyalties, she decided to apply to the Black Knights at least as an informant. After all – why not? She has the connections, the skills and the knowledge for it.

Sayoko Shinozaki expected her first encounter with the Black Knights to happen later, but she wasn`t that much surprised when she received a call from them.

Luckily, Nunnally was in her room as Sayoko was in the kitchen. She quickly took her phone and answered the call. Caller`s name was 'Zero'. It was strange. Why`d he call her, as she hasn`t even properly joined the organization?

"Hello, who`s it?"

A familiar calm voice responded. "Hello, Sayoko. I`m glad to speak with you again. I hope you remember me."

Maid fell silent, trying to remember who it was, as the voice was familiar. The image of a green-haired unknown woman who was accompanying Lelouch at the times reappeared from her memories.

"C.C., isn`t it? When I received the call from someone named 'Zero' I didn`t exactly expect to hear you. Did something happen?"

Speaker seemed unfazed by this question, as she in the same tone responded. "Yes. I know about your application, and I`d like to skip all the formalities of accepting you into our ranks, as there`s an important mission for you to execute.

I know it was rather quickly, but that doesn`t matter right now. Your order is to escort Nunnally vi Britannia to the location I`ll send you right now."

Sayoko was surprised, as this wasn`t the order she expected to hear. Moreover, it directly forced to choose between two loyalties: one to the Ashfords and Lelouch and one to the Black Knights. Her mind was thinking about it for a long time before sending an application. She decided to firstly question C.C. before finally deciding what to do. If her first order was different, she`d choose the Black Knights without any doubt, but this is really too fast to decide.

"May I firstly ask?"

C.C. let a small sigh. "Yes. I expected you to, so ask what you want but fast."

"Why do you need her?"

"Because of Zero`s identity. If she were to be captured, it`d make his position vulnerable."

"It would make Zero`s position weaker? Do you mean that…"

"Yes. Lelouch is Zero. In normal conditions, you wouldn`t get this information until later, but there are some developments that I cannot disclose. Let`s just say that Royal Family would reach her in several hours if we don`t move first."

Sayoko closed her eyes. One small conversation saved her from one headache, and gave her another. At least, she won`t betray nobody if she proceeds. "How should I convince her to move?"

"Well, I have an idea."

Nunnally was making paper cranes on the table, when her loyal maid approached.

"Oh, Sayoko, had my brother arrived?" She asked in her disturbed voice. It was quite some time left before lunch, nor did there was any lessons she`d miss.

"No, miss Nunnally, but would you like for a small trip to the Settlement? I contacted miss C.C. and she wanted to meet you."

Nunnally turned her head towards the maid. Her voice was nice, and she wouldn`t suspect any ill-intent being made, but there was something she felt she didn`t know. Sayoko seemed a little bit off her usual balance, with a hint of worry in her words. "I wouldn`t mind meeting her. Say, is there something wrong? You are strange compared to usual self."

Sayoko approached her chair, helping a little girl to change her clothes. "Nothing to worry about, just was rethinking some past events."

Left with this vague response, Nunnally had nothing to say. There was certainly something, but what – she had no hint at what.

The docks were empty, with no soul wandering around. Only some seagulls broke the silence, as well as crashing into the coast waves. Nunnally was a little bit nervous, but presence of Sayoko and a possibility to meet C.C. were calming her. Her brother usually would disappear for days while gambling, so not having him here now wasn`t that unexpected. It still pained her, as once she even had a fever because he was leaving her alone for a long time. He was leaving for longer and longer periods of time, and she wasn`t that convinced in his alibies. Maybe, he had met a girlfriend? But why would he spend his time with her when the Black Knights roam through the Area, with a heavy disdain for Britannian Royalty? Lelouch can be called anything but dumb. However, maybe romance made him a fool? Nunnally had heard about this in a lot of love stories, but to expect her brother to be a character from one… It could be interesting.

They stood at the edge of the quay, listening to the calm sea. Nunnally was listening to the seagulls and to the sounds of waves, calmly waiting for a meeting. On the other hand, Sayoko was keeping an eye on her surroundings, making sure that no Britannian would reach them without her noticing.

"Miss C.C.! It`s you!" Nunnally shouted. Sayoko turned to the direction girl headed towards, as she saw a distant figure approaching from the corner. Truly, Nunnally had very sharp ears. "You wouldn`t happen to bring my brother as well, would you?"

Witch left a small laugh. "No, sadly I did not. However, I have something to discuss with you, regarding your brother and your future"

Nunnally stopped. It was quite a way to begin a discussion.

"Don`t worry, I simply want to speak with you."

"Wait, you mean!…" Nunnally was shocked. Her wheelchair helped her not to trip back, but it was too unexpected.

Witch looked down, showing sadness in her posture. "Yes. It seems, that the emperor reached your brother. For now, he`s in his custody and I know that no harm can be done to him."

"I should go to him! Guide me to the Government Administration, and I`ll rush to him as quickly as I could!" She almost screamed, driving her wheelchair from the warehouse, only to be stopped by C.C. "It won`t help, and if Lelouch would know that you`re in the emperor`s hands as well, he`d become powerless! You know what you mean to him."

Nunnally stopped. It was true. She could feel his anxiousness whenever she would fall ill or get injured. When someone was talking behind her back, she`d later know about some "unfortunate accidents" with those people. Usually nothing serious, but it really depended. Once one student went almost bankrupt due to some "unforeseen circumstances", so who, but not her, would know her brother that good?

"What do you suppose then? I can`t return to the Academy, nor I can go to the government."

"Your brother is quite the smooth-talker. His skills at diplomacy are as astounding as in strategy or chess. In fact, he managed to speak with Zero and they agreed for a temporary shelter for you on one of their bases."

"What?!" That was beyond unexpected. Meeting other noble families, arranging for escorts outside the Area – everything but not meeting the terrorist who killed her brother Clovis! 'That said, it`d make sense that Lelouch wasn`t afraid to venture freely wherever he wanted. With such ally, he could go into any ghetto and leave it with the same ease'

"Don`t worry. You won`t be harmed, as your guard was arranged to provide as much security as it is possible."

"In fact, I, as well as Sayoko, will be accompanying you to secure any possible threats."

"Yes, but… He`s Zero, how can we truly trust him?" Princess voice slightly trembled, as her aura of calmness begun to restore.

"Suzaku is a Japanese, and he would never back on his word. His former teacher, Kyoshiro Tohdoh, who is one of the Black Knights` leaders, is as honor-bound as his student, if not more. He`d personally ensure anything from going wrong if it could happen. Don`t worry, everything will be alright"

She calmed down a bit, "I`ll… try to believe in it."

Nunnally then went in the direction of a submarine, alongside Sayoko. She slowly stopped and turned her head to C.C. "And what about my education? I haven`t told my teachers that I`m leaving. My friends from the student council will be sad as well, I should at least tell them about it."

Sayoko intervened, "I will discuss it with miss Milly Ashford, she will take care with the student council, as well as come up with something regarding your lessons."

"Ok… It`s sad that I wasn`t able to speak with them before. Will I have a chance to later?"

"Yes. After all, you won`t hide here forever. The world is changing, and probably you won`t need to hide in a near future."

At the Avalon

"What do you mean Bartley is not responding?"

"Prince Schneizel, he was reassigned to some research department in the Homeland, but just recently we lost all contacts with him"

There was no point in continuing to grief over the disappearance of a piece from the puzzle. Everything is still under control, as of now. "I assume the project subject is also lot"

Kanon looked though the files. "Yes. It was transported to Kamine Island under the orders of some high-ranking official, connected to the OSI or to the Royal Family. Everything else remains unknown."

"This third-party player seems to have its own interests. If he satisfies with this project, I`ll be more than happy. Is there anything else"

Kanon went through his planner. Nothing of high importance, some parties and… "Prince Schneizel, there is a rumor that several high-ranking officials from the Black Knights were captured by the Knight of One. We don`t have enough information due to the secrecy, but this is either Zero, Tohdoh or some ace-pilots"

"Huh?" That was unexpected. Zero isn`t known for being careless, nor is Charles known for being proactive. "I want you to gather everything you know on this matter. Firstly he blocks the SAZ proposal, now he enters the fight and strikes a heavy blow on the terrorists. It isn`t like him."

"Understood, Your Highness."

"I`m currently tied to the peace talks. Hopefully I`ll end with them soon enough, but we should speed up gathering resources and allies. There is a risk he might make a move against my plans, and we should be ready to move first."

Kanon bowed, as Schneizel went to leave the bridge. He stopped and added, "I`d like you to also check more of these profiles. These people can benefit us with research in the Sky Fortress plan. It`s still is in the development, but the Toromo Agency has its hands full to achieve everything I want."

"It will be done, Your Highness"

In the Vermillion Palace

The conference was heading to the end, and Sawasaki seemed at best disappointed. "Why did you stop this operation? We could`ve easily liberated Kyushu in a span of several hours, we could establish a new Japan and throw away Britannians from it!"

High Eunuchs weren`t happy either. For Gao Hai having to debate with this politician was tiring. "We will not attack as long as their positions are reinforced and when the emperor of Britannia himself is near the Area 11. We won`t make a move in these conditions, it`s the same as committing suicide"

Others have joined him. "Sawasaki, you should invest more into preparing the invasion. We can`t make all the work, or they will use it as a chance to attack us!"

"Though I disagree with your verdict, let it be for now. However, it`s in the interest of both the Chinese Federation and of Japan to strike as soon as possible to not give them a possibility to cement their rule here."

The conference ended, as a sole distant observer was overlooking it.

"Such a shame. We could`ve used it to shake their power, as well as diminish some of their forces in the invasion."

Behind him a conference of their own was continuing. He had made his promise a long time ago, so they shouldn`t rash their plans.

"With every day passing, we are coming closer to our victory!"

In the government administration, Tokyo Settlement

Being in combat as one of the best feelings for her. Being surrounded by mountains of paperwork was the worst, coming last only after defeat.

For the last weeks, her gaze was locked to the mountains of administrative problems she, as a Viceroy, needed to address. And the Chinese Federation could attack at any moment, not even touching the subject of local terrorist groups.

A knock on the door into her cabinet turned her gaze away from the reports. "Come in"

Guilford entered the room, with a stash of documents in his hands. He saluted her, though he looked rather tired.

"Oh, it`s you, Guilford. I really hope these aren`t reports of some problems or literal catastrophies happening, this table is full of them. By the way, when will Schneizel arrive, as well as his Glaston Knights?"

"Glaston Knights will arrive in several days, with the emperor himself arriving, accompanied by the Knight of One."

"That was…unexpected. Did they tell the reason why the emperor is going here?"

"They have told something along the lines of personal matters, however I`d advise you to look through these documents I brought. They might be a part of the reason His Majesty is going here"

'State treason of high-ranking officials, bribery, inefficiency, terrorism, what could it be?'

"Wait, this proposal Euphy made?"

"Yes, Your Highness. She intended to present it to Schneizel, but he was tied in the negotiations with the E.U."

"'Creation of a Special Administrated Zone of Japan'? Oh God, I will kill Kururugi if he influenced her into making this. This will be even worse if His Majesty were to hear about it. Did he bring Sir Waldstein for this reason, to relieve me of command?" She clenched her fists, and with anger looming from her, she rose up to the window.

Guilford took the documents back. He straightened himself and tried to calm her. "It`s too early to assume the worst, Your Highness. You are a 'Goddess of Victory', after all, your reputation speaks for itself more than anything"

She let a sigh, "Thank you, Guilford. How is Euphy now? Was she harmed during that clash with the Black Knights?"

"It seems she got a small scratch on her neck, but nothing too serious."

Cornelia felt relieved. If the emperor won`t send her away, everything is still great. It was still strange to learn that Charles is coming here. He sat in his capital firmly, and the reports are interesting.

She went to the door, signaling her knight to follow her. "I want to meet Euphemia. Everything else I`ll leave to Darlton until I return. I want to discuss a lot of things with her"

A/N: I will be posting at least two chapters a month for now, as I have some ideas to try. As usual – I expect your reviews, as there are some points I`m planning with this story.

Until next time!