Stage 0.673
"Three Gloucesters heading towards point 12A! Alpha 1 and Alpha 2 intercepting."
"Acknowledged," Jack responded brusquely over the radio. "Make sure you watch out for Britannian air support."
"Just who do you think you're talking to?! This isn't our first rodeo, Captain."
"And it won't be your last either," Jack replied, reclining in the cockpit of his Panzer-Hummel Knightmare Frame. "Britannian forces have tried to secure a supply route from Lyons to Geneva for months now. We may have pushed them back initially but their familiarity with the mountainous terrain is improving, so stay on your guard."
Artillery fire rained down North of Jack's position. The embers left by the explosions lit up the surrounding hillside woodland; a vivid contrast to the clear night sky.
"Bravo 4 reporting! Hail of missiles incoming! They're locked on to our position."
Heat-seeking missiles? If so, the Britannians had sacrificed precision for a blunt instrument.
"Alpha 6: trigger the flares at Point 13G," Jack ordered.
A cluster of flares launched in the distance, temporarily illuminating the sky before drawing a stream of missiles away from allied forces.
"Brave 4 reporting. Missiles successfully diverted!"
Jack smiled smugly. "I do hope the Britannians learn that you can't accomplish everything with faith in technology alone…"
"Yes, yes, very impressive," boomed a deep manly voice over the radio, "but when can I join the party?!"
Jack smirked at his usual cavalier attitude. "You're in luck Falcon - there are five Gloucesters heading straight for you. If you circle around to point 13E you can use the elevated terrain to your advantage and then—"
"Screw that I'm charging straight in! To all you rookies - don't try this until you're great like me!"
Jack sighed at his response. Naoto Hayabusa was not known for being modest. To make sure Naoto wasn't biting off more than he could chew, Jack signaled reinforcements.
"Kingfisher, head over to Falcon's position and make sure he doesn't get himself killed."
"Yes, sir!" said a dutiful, higher-pitched voice over the radio.
Jack smiled at the contrast between his two ace pilots. Unlike Naoto, Amy Matsumoto was much better at following orders.
"Oh come on Captain, I'd rather die than have help from Miss Cherry Blossom."
"You moron! I told you to stop calling me that!"
"Enough you two…" Jack snapped, injecting his voice with a modicum of authority. "Falcon - if you're that confident, then feel free to engage the enemy alone. Although if you do end up kicking the bucket, try to make sure you leave that Alexander in one piece."
"You're all heart, boss!" he responded, before diving into the fray.
Jack turned his attention to the other fronts, confident in Naoto and Amy's abilities. "Bravo 6: trigger the explosives at points A11 and B16." Based on the movements of the Britannian reconnaissance team they should be right on time.
Following his order, a sequence of explosions shook the ground in the distance. A brief silence ensued before swathes of rock and snow crashed down the mountainside towards the advancing Britannian force's position.
"We've isolated the main force!" Bravo 6 shouted excitedly into his radio after the tremors had subsided. "And it looks like…Yes! At least a dozen Gloucesters were caught in the landslide!"
"Not the sort of reinforcements they were expecting I'd wager. Maybe they're starting to regret not learning how to ski." Jack said coolly. "Kingfisher, did you rendezvous with Falcon?"
"Yeah…but that idiot had already taken out the enemy units when I arrived…"
"The great Hayabusa shines brightly in the night sky!" Naoto shouted triumphantly over the radio.
"Then you'd make a crappy predator, you moron Falcon!" Amy snapped back. "I bet you used up too much energy in all your grandstanding! You need to be careful when piloting an Alexander."
"...Thanks for the insight, Miss Cherry." Naoto said mockingly.
"You total—!"
"Get serious, both of you," Jack interrupted. "If my predictions are accurate, the remaining enemy force should have no choice but to advance on your position. We can't spare any units from other fronts so you'll just have to enjoy each other's company for now…"
"This will be a real sink or swim moment," Amy acknowledged with gravitas. "If the enemy takes this route then Geneva will be under Britannian control. That'd mean finding a new home, which'd be tough on Yosuke and the others—"
"And don't forget we'd lose out on our paycheck!" Naoto commented cheerfully.
"Falcon makes a good point. With his eating habits we need all the money we can get…" Jack added with a shred of irony.
Any tension relieved by his distinctly average joke soon returned when the scanners picked up the size of the Britannian force advancing on the pair.
"Damn…there's more enemy KMFs than anticipated…" Jack conceded bitterly. "Rear guard! With me! We're providing long-range support."
Pushing their KMFs to the limit, Jack's and his rear guard quickly navigated the dense hillside forest before arriving at a vantage point overlooking Amy and Naoto's position. Given the topography of the land, this position was perfect for providing cover fire.
As the Britannian forces thundered across the mountainside, Naoto and Amy expertly maneuvered into close quarters combat by exploiting the mobility of their Alexander units. Confusion quickly reigned among the Britannian ranks as each of the ace pilots wove masterfully through the trees alternating between offence and evasion. Each time the pair retreated into the dense vegetation to prepare for another assault, the rear guard acting at Jack's command would shower the Britannian forces with a barrage.
"You're quite the sniper Captain!" Amy said cheerily over the radio as Jack picked off another Gloucester from afar.
"Pity his piloting at close quarters leaves a lot to be desired," Naoto commented smugly.
"You bitter old man, you just hate it when someone else steals the spotlight!" Amy fired back.
Jack sat back in his not-so-comfortable cockpit. Despite their bickering, Naoto and Amy excelled at using hit and run tactics honed over a number of recent skirmishes. It almost seemed fanciful that two sixth generation KMFs could decimate such a large Britannian force.
As the minutes passed, the enemy force started to thin out - overwhelmed by the skill of his two ace pilots. It was only a matter of time before Britannia's advance in this region was rendered ineffective. That would buy the Swiss Guard the time they so desperately needed to organize a counter offensive further North. Victory was in sight.
Jack smiled wickedly to himself. "It appears Kingsley is losing his touch. Perhaps he's run out of parlor tricks after our last encounter."
At that moment a lone signal appeared on the scanners. Jack quickly alerted Amy.
"Kingfisher - there's a single unit advancing on your position. It's moving a little differently than the others. It might be a generation six or even generation seven unit so be careful. Falcon you mop up the remaining Gloucesters."
"Roger!" Both responded in unison.
Jack's attention was briefly diverted by Britannian air support that flew over the nearby ridge. From their position, the rear guard was able to shoot it down in no time.
Mere seconds later a series of explosions rang out from Amy's position.
"What was that?! This enemy pilot is…Whoever they are, they're good….damn!" Amy gasped over the radio.
"Status report!" Jack demanded, taken aback by the desperation in Amy's voice.
"They're using an Alexander just like me! So why can't I follow their movements? No way - are those mines!?"
A large explosion reverberated from the low ground.
"Kingfisher come in!" Jack called over the radio. He knew that Amy was skilled and had faith that she wouldn't be taken out so easily. Even so…He called in backup just to be sure.
"Falcon! Ignore the remaining Gloucesters and move to Kingfisher's position! Her radio might have been damaged in that explosion."
"Of course! We can't let Cherry kick the bucket! She still owes me for that wager! I'll just take this last Gloucester out and then—"
…
Silence reigned for a few seconds before Jack could process what had happened. Naoto's signal had disconnected. That could either mean enemy interference, or…
"Falcon! Kingfisher! Come in!" Jack yelled over the radio.
…
After a moment of silence that felt like an eternity, a faint voice aired over the radio.
"Naoto… is gone. That new unit…took him out…"
"Kingfisher! Is that you?!" Jack's heart rate skyrocketed. He couldn't see the enemy from his position, despite it being an optimal vantage point. Had the enemy meticulously navigated through all of his blind spots? That shouldn't have been possible, even with all the vegetation.
"I'm sorry…I lost …" Amy choked out.
"Don't worry about that! Just focus on ejecting for now and retreating to my position!"
"I'm not sure that…"
"Amy! If you can't get here then I'll come to you! Just give me your coordinates…" Jack pleaded, trying his best to sound composed.
"Jack… I…"
Stage 1 - A fresh start
November 2018 a.t.b
Jack awoke in a cold sweat.
He took a deep breath in an attempt to steady his heartbeat. "That nightmare again. Has it really been almost seven months?" he muttered somberly.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Jack glanced at the clock before sitting upright on the battered couch in his spartan living room: it was time to leave soon.
As he finished his morning rituals, the news aired over the radio.
"It's been just over a month since Prince Schneizel became leader of the Principality of Britannia. In that short time, he and his half sister Nunnally vi Britannia have hosted peace talks with various nations, both serving as stark contrasts to their late brother…"
"Yeah, we get it. Britannia is a really friendly Principality now," Jack said to himself bitterly before leaving his apartment.
The Tokyo Settlement was bustling with activity. The sound of construction reverberated overhead; commuters were scurrying around, desperate to beat the morning rush hour; and groups of students were skipping through the streets talking excitedly among themselves. It was barely conceivable that a Fleija warhead had decimated a large part of Tokyo just over two months ago.
Navigating the crammed Tokyo subway, Jack spied a few other students wearing Ashford Academy uniforms. Supposedly it was the best high school in the Tokyo settlement and he had "won the lottery" when getting allocated a place. At least, that was what his immigration officer told him after he passed the exam to gain entry as a third-year student.
After exiting the subway followed by a short walk, Jack arrived at the gates of Ashford Academy. He'd been enrolled at the school for about a week, but still couldn't help admiring the impressive grounds as he followed the path towards the main school. The extensive lawns were well manicured, the fountains lining the paths were filled with clear water and the classical architecture of the buildings was almost regal.
"I'm sure they'd laugh, seeing me here like this…" Jack mumbled to himself wistfully as he entered his homeroom class and took his usual seat.
Slowly but surely more students began to arrive. Some within earshot were excitedly discussing plans for the weekend and what clubs they'd recently signed up for.
Jack sighed to himself. All he'd done since he'd enrolled was attend classes and do 'independent research' at home - not exactly what you'd call embracing student life. Jack knew that would have to change for him to blend in here, but he was finding it difficult connecting with any of his classmates, perhaps because of his rather unique background.
"Reiner! Jack Reiner! Oh, there you are. Speak up during attendance!" Miss Lavender snapped in a frustrated tone.
"S-sorry…" Jack said, returning from his thoughts. In contrast to her petite stature and mousey appearance, Miss Lavender could be a harsh taskmaster when she wanted to be.
"Wow he's a real ditz. Isn't that the third time this week he's spaced out during roll call?" One of his classmates whispered within earshot from a few rows back.
"Maybe schools where he came from weren't as strict? Who knows…" Responded another busybody.
"Okay, settle down." Miss Lavender said before continuing to take attendance.
The morning classes began with Japanese History. Apparently, acknowledging Japanese history with great emphasis in the school curriculum was one way in which the government sought to bridge the cultural divide between the expatriate Britannians and local Japanese students. At least that's how Jack perceived it, since it was only mere months ago that the Japanese were treated as second class citizens in their own country.
—
The remaining classes passed by at a snail's pace. With freedom in sight, Jack set off to leave for the day. To his dismay, before he could reach the classroom exit, he was collared by Miss Lavender.
"Jack - I appreciate you're still settling in, but have you given a thought to which Club you'll be joining?"
Jack stiffened slightly. It was a rule at Ashford Academy that students had to join at least one Club. While he knew he should be more sociable, he didn't particularly want his spare time monopolized by activities he perceived as useless.
"Well... I saw the notice board advertising which Clubs have vacancies, but haven't made a decision yet", he responded noncommittally.
"Really?" Miss Lavender huffed, raising her eyebrow. "Most Clubs have allocated all of their new places already so you might find there aren't many to choose from. Why don't you go and have another look?"
"Yes I'll go and do that," Jack said, fully planning not to. It wasn't as if he'd get expelled for non compliance. At least not yet.
Appearing to see through his façade, Miss Lavender beckoned over a girl with blonde hair and olive-green eyes, the latter feature partially obscured by a pair of oval spectacles. "Carol, would you mind showing Jack to the club noticeboard?" She asked politely.
"Yes of course Miss!" Carol responded obediently before gesturing towards the classroom exit.
"Thank you", Miss Lavender said with a smile. "Make sure he doesn't get lost on the way," she warned, her kind appearance changing in an instant as she shot a knowing glance at Jack.
Jack smiled wryly to himself: he'd been caught out. It seemed he'd have to play along.
As Carol guided Jack through the hallway between classrooms, she kept glancing over nervously as if wanting to strike up a conversation before awkwardly shifting her gaze. Jack didn't think her demeanour before had been particularly timid - was he really just that unapproachable?
Sighing internally he thought he'd put the poor girl out of her misery. She was just following their teacher's instructions after all…
"So…Carol was it?" Jack began, breaking the silence. "Are you in any Clubs?"
"Oh yes!" Carol said with apparently genuine enthusiasm. "I'm in the drama club - it's been so much fun so far!"
"I see. It's good you're enjoying it. Are you particularly interested in acting?"
Carol took a deep breath. "Well, I think getting to play a different role each time is liberating..."
Not wanting to probe further into that statement, Jack shifted the conversation towards the day's classes, inwardly cringing at the fact he'd been reduced to making such small talk. Fortunately, they soon arrived at the notice board where all the Clubs with remaining vacancies had posted advertisements. The Sewing Club and Swimming Club had some spots left, but that was about it.
"I don't fancy sewing or strutting around in Speedos" Jack commented matter-of-factly. "Oh well, it looks like joining a club is off the cards for me."
"Well actually…" Carol began, "the Student Council has a vacancy but they never put a poster up."
"Is that so?" Jack said, slightly surprised. The Student Council wasn't usually the most exciting Club, but there were usually plenty of people who loved the idea of holding positions of authority.
"A few people wanted to join, but they were all turned down," Carol explained with a hint of despondency.
…
"Don't get me wrong!" She suddenly gasped. "All the members are friendly, but I think they're looking for someone who meets quite specific criteria. Also, I think one of the council members was a member of the Black Knights, so maybe that intimidated a few people…"
Jack smiled to himself. "Now that sounds interesting. Maybe I'll pay them a visit."
- END
Author's note:
Phew! So this took longer than I'd expected! It's my first fanfic so I guess I didn't know what to expect. I've been a massive fan of CG for years and have always wanted to give something like this a shot. The name of the story is a nod to "Lost Colors" / "Lost Stories" i.e. two Code Geass retellings of the main plot which involve an OC.
Since I'm introducing an OC to the mix, I've published the next couple of chapters at the same time to hopefully give people a taste of what I'm going for. Feel free to continue reading if this has piqued your interest.
Further note to Reader: Hayabusa means Falcon in Japanese (hence Amy's jibe above).