"…Some may find it ridiculous, as I`m now one of the staunchest supporters of current policies, but before meeting His Majesty I was a republican. Patriotic republican, but still not a monarchy supporter. In face of how then-ruling class in Pendragon preferred banquets over state matters, I believed that introduction of electoral democracy may change Area`s and Britannia itself for the better!

It was only later, as I saw fallacies of such regimes, as E.U., I rejected these views. I saw, that Britannia could be improved without changing it`s hierarchy. Strong impose their will upon others: we remember this since Edinburgh, we reminded this to ourselves with Charles zi Britannia! If we were to show the world that we are weak, we would be devoured by others, and because of this, Conquest of South America was the most important geopolitical decision of 1950-2001.

After what we had done back then in Area 5, no German, no Frenchie, no Spaniard ever tried to meddle with our sphere of interest for the next three decades. Ultimately, exactly this sequence of events made me follow the future Emperor."

From Eric Smith`s memoires "From jungles to Pendragon`s: A Journey of one officer", 2007, First edition.


Chapter V

Setting up the Board


Medelin, Area 5

11th of August, 1972, 10 AM

Otto Waldstein took a look around his train compartment. It was much better than soldiers one, looking like something suitable for old-school noble than for military general. He placed his case on the table, taking out of it preplanned plans for initial military action in the Area.

He moved away his lamp and tugged away the curtains from his window. Outside his eyes met beautiful hills, covered in massive forests. As he glanced more to the center, he saw a typical city, with industry smoke rising from it.

Honestly, he quite enjoyed the view, but he could see the city wasn`t in the best shape. If only they could clean it from drug cartels and get more investment from Pendragon…

Though it was not a big issue and he was sure Charles could do it, he decided to take his attention back to the urgent matters. Crime wasn`t his cup of tea.

Otto spent half an hour debating these plans with Charles back when they both were in Pendragon. At the beginning, he expected his goals to be extremely unrealistic. Britannia would make its way through the continent in a few decades, yes. Maybe to 1987 it was possible if Britannia concentrated solely on growing its zone of occupation. But in less than one year? But with expanding Area`s economy? Impossible!

But he could see Charles meant what he said. Something about how he spoke about the issues was…inspiring. Waldstein had to remind himself a few times the failure would be too great if he relied this much on a young man, who could be simply too inexperienced. He admitted, that the boy has this regal convincing aura.

When he finally decided to consider what Charles proposed as a possibility, he spent another few hours on planning their maneuvers here.

Colonel saw why Charles decided to use him for this – he knew about benefits of maneuver warfare. Moreover, it seemed that he was sharing his opinion a lot of times, using some terminology he was planning to use in a future textbook, if he would ever publish it in his life. But with him as a patron, then maybe he could do it.

He laid out maps from his case, with a ton of arrows, explanation and details written on them. Plan in itself was good – limit foreign help to rebels, draw the enemy into striking first on your preferred battlefield, pursue and eliminate them. If they conducted their preparation correctly, not only it would stretch the enemy too much – it would add justification for any kind of expansion for both Pendragon and for the E.U.

If colonel didn`t speak personally with Charles who explained every detail to him, he`d think that the entire plan was made up by some seasoned cavalry veteran, who was on his deathbed. Or was the new generation really that good in strategy? He couldn`t really tell, but he was certain that Charles was the man whom he could support in a bid for the throne.

Waldstein had already sent the orders to set up the new regiments in locations from Charles`s plan, as well as to expand the military infrastructure in the region, including airbases and railroads. His battalions were already moving discreetly to their supposed locations, with their commanders knowing their orders. For some reason, His Highness didn`t want to inform local authorities about the time or scale of reinforcements they brought. Did he expected some of them to be treasonous? Only the Colonel Smith was informed.

Number of reinforcements wasn`t too large by Imperial standards, but the quality of their equipment, as well as their knowledge in modern warfare made them something akin to three queens materializing on a chess board. Some tech was experimental, such as electronic warfare, some, like high-altitude aerial reconnaissance, were not utilized for a long time. This was a major show of force, and he knew it would look glorious for young prince.

And all he now has to do is to finish his cold tea and prepare himself for a reception banquet. After all, who`d expect a banquet general and an inexperienced prince to be dangerous?


Bogota Settlement, Area 5

12th of August, 1972, 7 PM

"Today, we`re celebrating a new viceroy! Gentlemen, let`s raise our glasses for His Highness, let his rule be prosperous!" a typical noble exclaimed, standing on a flight of stairs.

Charles couldn`t`ve been any less bothered, if not for the charade of inexperienced prince. He knew it won`t work twice, so when he has the opportunity to strike, he`d do so in the most effective and quickest way possible. But even then, having to suffer through this boring and distasteful banquet is the hardest challenge he has to face.

At least, he had some subordinates with whom he could share his thoughts.

"Your Highness, is this banquet not up to your tastes?" Colonel Smith came to his side, with half-empty glass of champagne. He himself didn`t look any happier than Charles, his eyes exhausted.

"These banquets are only instruments for dishonest nobles to get closer to people of power. If I didn`t know you better, I`d think you dislike it as well." He smirked, glancing at the tired expression of his subordinate.

"You could say that. Yet, many believe that everybody here they could ally with is a person who could give you that boost into the rank of powerful, no matter how wrong they are in such belief. That`s why they don`t deserve to have power in their hands." Smith looked at his glass, with distaste in his eyes. "Only drunkards could enjoy being in the company of these people, as nobody else would manage them."

"True," Charles looked around, remembering the people from the files he got. "Maybe you could tell me more about these men? As boring, dumb and stubborn they are, it wouldn`t be bad to figure if anybody could put stick in a wheel or if somebody could hold a grudge against me."

"With pleasure," Eric hiccupped, his voice revealing absolutely zero pleasure. "Person over there, for example," he pointed to the man standing by one of the walls. He was in a business suit, yet his fake smile when he was speaking with other businessmen was disgusting for Charles. "Favio Vasquez. He is a known drug dealer in certain circles, who operates under the cover of family-owned woodworking company. He gets informed about incoming raids from corrupt policemen, so we managed to find 0 evidence. Yet, his cocaine reaches even Area 3." He sighed, "And that`s not even the worst part – most of the time it was 'recommended' from direct higher-ups for us to ignore it at all. You can understand why many are disappointed in Britannia, this situation is not what people want."

Charles shrugged. "It`s a common picture in all of the Areas, sadly. This Area is simply less influential or rich for anybody to care." He saw an officer speaking with heads of local media. His mind raced, as he was trying to recall this familiar man. He pointed at him, "Who is that?"

"Oh, he? William Dunkan, army lieutenant, commander of the Third infantry battalion. From what I learned during my service, he`s one of the best here. Not suspected in bribery, his list of battles against terrorists now and against Japanese in the Pacific War is enormous." Charles looked closer and spotted a few war medals hanging on his chest. "He was a proponent for Pendragon raising the attention for the Area, but he sadly failed in this task."

"And the people he`s talking to?" Smith rolled his eyes at them.

"Just a few nobles, Lord Fort is an armament producer, and the man near him owns a banana company."

'Banana company and MIC?' he wondered. Of course, it was normal for a military commander to talk with companies, connected to the army, but Charles saw something interesting in him. Before that, he had a request to his subordinate.

"Colonel, if you don`t mind, could you hide this item somewhere near that lousy company?" Charles took out a small quadrangle, which was slightly glowing red from one point, his hand gesturing to another group of people, who didn`t look any important. Smith looked at him curious, but Charles paid it no mind. "Don`t worry, I`ll take it back later, but it`s important for you to place it as close and as nonchalantly as possible, good?"

"Good, I guess…" colonel wandered off, making his way to them. Good thing that nobles and especially Royal Family had access to the best technologies Britannia could have at the time. Dictaphones weren`t exactly rare, but not of such small size, even more so here, in backwater Area.

Charles left to speak with Dunkan. He certainly remembered at least hearing his name in past timeline, so he wondered to himself whether this man could be useful.

As he approached him, he could see that colonel`s description was on-spot: scar on his right cheek, hardened gaze, his moves reflecting old military habits, yet he seemed friendly enough to allow anybody to speak with him.

"Lieutenant Dunkan," Charles spoke, turning officer`s attention to him. "Oh, welcome in the Area 5, Your Highness. It`s nice to meet you!"

"Same," he shook hands with the officer, but couldn`t help but notice him being slightly tense.

"Did you want to discuss anything, Your Highness? How is the Area 5 for you?"

"Worse than I hoped for. The number of insects and snakes here is too much for me, maybe some even got here to this banquet." Charles responded in casual tone, carefully observing lieutenant. The latter smiled, but with a hint of suppressed anger.

"Yes, sadly the Area isn`t in the best shape for the last half a century." Dunkan sighed, "I hope that Your Highness will be the man to change this status for all."

Charles nodded. Dunkan`s responses were normal, yet he was certain by now that he should keep an eye on him. 'Hardline patriots' revealing themselves to be corrupted treacherous bastards.

Only then it clicked: resonant case of William Dunkan – leader of anti-Royal conspiracy circle in South America, later executed with his death sentence signed by him, Charles, the emperor, in the end of the Emblem of Blood!

He could use his prerogatives to arrest him anytime he wanted, and find the evidence later, but it could cause an uproar in both Noble and Military circles.

He could use his Geass on him, but… No, he will make an example out of him. Give a good position and then catch him red-handed.

"I`m sure you`re aware that I`m planning to destroy local terrorists. I`d like to get closer to the local circles." He jested. He wasn`t lying at all, he was interested in certain circles. Circles of traitors and terrorists. "What would you say if I made you a commandant of Bogota Settlement? Surely your experiences will help our efforts in ensuring stability here, especially if rebels were up to something."

Lieutenant frowned. "It`s a lot of responsibility, do you really think I`m the one for the job?"

"Prove your loyalty to me, and this won`t be the highest post you will be on." Charles pressed him further and further. "I expect you to accept it and hope you won`t disappoint me."

After all, why would he decline? This was a golden opportunity if young prince would fail to win. "Well then, thank you, Your Highness. I hope our cooperation will bring only good to the Area we`re in."

They shook their hands, and lieutenant stood there, rethinking the past conversation with Charles. While thinking whether he really needed this or what made Charles even give this post to him, he didn`t notice prince having a lengthy discussion with commander of Sixth Air Force and nearby located unit of strategic aviation Curtis DeMay.


17th of August, 1972

Dallas, Duchy of Texas, Homeland

Duke of Texas was in his good mood. It didn`t help to raise the mood of his partners in crime though.

For the last 10 years, they`ve done everything to stop the First Prince from ever reforming the Empire and cutting them from power. It culminated in his successful assassination several years ago, yet the conspirators were angry when they learned about his son, Charles, survival and subsequent rescue by the army. They feared that the boy could go and try to avenge his father`s death, but Duke of Texas didn`t exactly expect this to ever happen. After all, he`s only one of the princes, and not even a strong one! His claim to the throne is weaker than of the most out there.

This didn`t stop his compatriots from trying to kill him. Once. Twice. Trice. Five times. Somehow, he survived at least 30 assassination attempts. There was a rumor that one bribed soldier tried to execute him in the middle of the night, but he stopped himself second before pulling the trigger, and directed his gun against himself. That boy was unkillable!

"Gentlemen, ladies," Margrave Ingvar spoke, "you already know the topic of today`s meeting. So I`m asking you the question – what should we do with that boy?"

The gathering immediately split into two groups. "We could eliminate a few of his allies, who are with him in Area 5," Duchess of Yucatan proposed, "If Otto Waldstein would be found dead during Charles`s little campaign he would lose quite a lot."

One lord jumped out of his seat, "I oppose this! It`d lead us to losing our plantations in the Area!" A few of other nobles fell in thought and some nodded in support. "He has no worth higher than of our cotton and tobacco!"

"But if the boy would find a way to get his revenge, your cotton wouldn`t protect you!" she insisted, but got much less support. "We didn`t expect much of his father, and we had to risk a lot in order to deal with him. And what if his son was tougher?"

"Please, Janette," Second Princess Aergia stood up, centering attention at her, "he is too young and inexperienced. I overheard about him being more hedonistic on the banquet than Emperor Somnus! We may find ourselves in need of protecting our investments in the Area, while Charles will fall on his head!"

It drew a few small laughs out of both groups, yet the decision fell firmly in Duke`s hands. "Unfortunately, I have to agree with Her Highness. While we will invest into getting connections in Area 5, I sincerely doubt it will be worthy to spend time on him. Maybe, the only thing those small 'lords' of Area 5 will be able to do is to make a few photos of his quick passing!"

It wouldn`t take long to prove his words wrong.


15th of August, 1972

Bogota Settlement, Area 5

Dunkan knocked four times on a wooden door, it being a signal for the resistance to let him in. Small portion of the door opened, guard behind it checking if he was an ally. Seeing familiar face, he saluted to Dunkan and let him through.

Lieutenant was tired, both physically and emotionally. Last few days were exhausting, full of military conferences on armed solution to resistance groups, with possible routs of resistance maneuvers and tactics. Surprisingly, he found that new leadership was quite incompetent, or they were using disinformation for their wargaming. Charles, as well as some other commanders, expected terrorists to resort to indiscriminate bombing campaign, without ever touching the subject of how to deal with guerilla tactics. Like they expected them to engage in a conventional warfare, without dealing with ambushes or hit-and-run tactics. Seriously, Prince was going straight in for his death!

Dunkan wondered why they never touched the subject of airforce, since airbases were rapidly expanding. Did they really expand them only for logistics? But this doesn`t make sense! What was Charles`s game?

He rubbed his forehead. These thoughts will lead him to nowhere. There are no numbers or no knowledge even about the type of aircraft employed – airbases were too far from their zones of high resistance, and he had lost some of his agents when they tried to infiltrate them. Even worse – during the party he lost his focus on the prince, and he wasn`t certain whether he spent time courting women or making his own connections. William hoped it was the first, but he didn`t like losing his caution when dealing with enemy.

William stopped by the small door, which lead into a conference room. He entered the room, greeted by resistance leaders inside. First one to meet him was Reichard Reiter, a tall European man, with somewhat slim stature. His red hair was shoulder-long. Why he had painted it – he never told him. William didn`t know much about his past, only that he was born in North-Eastern Germany, and that he served in E.U. army at some point.

Another man didn`t rise his head, his eyes focused on papers laying around his part of the table. Even without light illuminating his face, William recognized the old Spaniard. He joined them recently, arriving from La Paz as an ambassador of the Confederation, so they didn`t have much time to befriend.

The last person was a woman named Jeanne Franko. She had a thick Slavic accent when speaking English, yet she knew French without accent because of her mother`s heritage. She was talented in military tactics, especially in jungle combat. Jeanne didn`t disclose much about her past, but he didn`t want to ask her about it. She never went anywhere without her German-made Sturmgewehr 44 or at least a firearm. Some even joked that she was born with this assault gun in her hands, and yet they all respected her for vigor in battle.

Jeanne and Reichard belonged to one resistance group, with her as it`s leader, while Spaniard was representing their main supplier – Confederate Kingdom of Andes. In the last few years, they expanded their territories with diplomacy or sword from Amazonas in the North to Patagonia in the South. Their policies weren`t much better than Britannia`s ones, but the people longed for a change so much they would`ve accepted even them as overlords.

There was once a time that E.U. was the main player in South America, heavily supporting Trade Republics of Rio Grande and Resistance in Area 5, but due to this conflict being not a swift military campaign, 'democracy' replaced warhawks in charge and got anti-war activists to positions of relative power. Legacy of 1940-50`s political crisis forced general public and European elites to concentrate on economic growth and on socialist politics.

This political change brought entire Anti-Britannia alliance of resisting states and insurgents under threat of defeat. So, because of it they decided to bring in Confederation as their ally. William wasn`t optimistic at all about them, but he hoped they`d outlive Britannian rule in South America for a few years and then give path to democracy in their Union. E.U. probably thought the same way, because they sent a few packages of secret military help to the continent for resistance, Confederacy included.

"William, you`re here. Great, we can start now." Jeanne brought everybody to the table, with a physical Britannian map of Area 5 laying on it. "Lieutenant, you may begin."

Dunkan cleared his throat, trying to suppress distracting thoughts. "Of course. Arrival of currently 17th Prince Charles zi Britannia is an interesting event. It is the first time ever in the last 40 years for any member of the Royal Family to be a commander here. Yet, we may find him to be useful to speed up the liberation of Gran Colombia."

He gave them copies of gathered intelligence, describing what his subordinates could gather on Charles`s plans. "His plan is simple and could be effective. Our cell in Suriname is actively disrupting bauxite shipment to the refineries of Area 3. Charles intends to gather about 65% of Area`s forces to assault our base there. He will march along this wide coastal road to Suriname from Karakas Settlement, which retreats inland mid-way to Guyana. In the meantime, we believe that he`ll try to distract us by conducting a small diversionary raid on our bases in North Amazonas. There is no information about quality of them, though, but from what we had learned, it`s probably not powerful enough to be too overpowering to us."

Jeanne furrowed. Something was wrong but she couldn`t tell what. Was Dunkan compromised? Impossible, they`d capture him and physically break him under torture, as Britannia always does. Charles didn`t need infrastructural expansion for too limited reinforcements. Maybe he was eccentric or megalomaniac? Possibly, but then this plan is too simple for him.

Reichard spoke up first. "He guides all of his forces into one battle? Impossible!" he slammed his hands against the table, causing some papers to fall down. "What of the garrisons inside the major cities? Did you have any orders about departing to the front?"

"I was ordered to protect government district" Lieutenant spoke in similarly surprised tone. He tried to discern true intent behind these moves for the past few days, and failed, gaining lack of sleep in the process. "Our intelligence also didn`t report any of the garrisons leaving Karakas or Quito."

"It may be a trap, but we lack intel and the opportunity is too great to lose." Jeanne summarized, her finger tapping her gun. No matter whether her opponent was as bad as reports talked about him, or as good as she feared him to really be, he created conditions, in which this battle could decide fate of Area 5 for years to come. "How many men are we able to mobilize for this battle?"

"Up to 10 000 men from Karakas, 5 or 7 thousand men from Suriname, and about 3-4 thousand in Amazonas." Spaniard automatically replied, his gaze locked on the map. "I doubt they won`t try to use their fleet against us."

German intervened, "They won`t be able to. Their guns aren`t precise enough to provide coastal bombardment without firing at their forces. Our mobile units will block their escapes and encircle them." He placed a few toy figures of blue horsemen, surrounding a bloated noble. "Charles won`t lead his forces directly, but whoever will be instead will be a valuable person. Valuable enough for their gunners to think twice before shooting." He smirked, before starting to laugh, "You know, as in that joke, Zwei Jäger treffen sich. Beide sind tot."

Jeanne used to listen to her subordinate bad jokes, so she continued. "I will take command over forces in Amazonas with Reichard." Dunkan quirked her brow at this. "There is a chance that this is a main attack by elite force. We will deal with them, avoiding any risks of our encirclement, and then push through: Reichard to Quito, I will go on Bogota." Her hand continued to fly around the map. She then placed a Joker card on Bogota "Our forces will meet up with yours, Dunkan. I expect you to overthrow local colonial government in about three hours after the main force left to the front. This will cause panic in enemy troops which we will successfully exploit."

"Regarding the fleet, it could be wise if we conducted our ambush here, near river crossing over Orinoco." Spanish commander spoke up, pointing at the lone village with his finger. He lit up his pipe, inhaling tobacco. "We will then strike from the forest close to the coast, while a few of our units will make checkpoints on the main bridges and roads out of there. We will be out of range of most Britannian naval guns. This way, Britannians won`t be able to utilize their clearly superior navy against us, and we could deal a striking blow if we act fast enough."

"Good," Jeanne concluded. "On 18th of August, we will bring freedom to the Area. During the battle, keep complete radio silence. The only transmission that will come through will be a signal to begin – 'The sky over Bogota is clear'. Anybody has any objections?"

Nobody had shown any opposition to the plan. "Good. Tomorrow will be the day when Gran Colombia will see the light of freedom once again!"


17th of August, 1972

Government Administration, Bogota Settlement

Charles sat in black Viceroy`s chair, observing the storm. It won`t affect his plans, as this weather wouldn`t spread east of Bogota. Tomorrow was the day he would make a first step to return back to his throne, yet he didn`t think much about it.

Really, the rebels were pitiful – it took 2 minutes of using common sense to find out who the spies among officers were, and another 5 minutes to implant false memories with detailed and completely incorrect plans with his Geass. The trust they placed in their bribed assets in the Administration was too high not to exploit.

If, or better to say when, he succeeds – he will gain loyalty of entire Area 5, of all local officers and gain enough popularity to re-enter the race for the throne not as a son of favorite prince, but as independent figure with enough power to claim the throne like he did before.


Flashback: Two hours ago

"Did everybody arrive?" Charles asked Colonel Waldstein. The latter nodded, opening the doors to the conference room. Every last officer rose, saluting the prince.

"At ease. Now, to the topic of today`s discussion – what is the general plan of pacifying the Area. Colonel will start." Charles sat in the head of the table. One of the guards took the curtain off the wall, revealing a map of local terrorist bases and numbers of their possible combatants.

"Our aerial reconnaissance found three main bases of insurgents in Area 5." Otto took pointed at three red squares on the map, them being in Suriname, Ciudad Guyana and in northern Amazonas. "Gathered intelligence reveals complete lack of motorized units, as well as little to none anti-air capacities. Limited scale of military operations against the terrorists by previous administration lowered their guard."

One officer interrupted him. "But is it possible to defeat them in one battle, when our units lack speed and sufficient firepower to overwhelm their fast and small units?" Some officers agreed with him, supporting his question.

"That`s where reinforcements come into picture. Quick and mobile mechanized detachments, supplemented with MLRS`s and Air Support will be new and deadly to the terrorists.

Plan is simple – one column from Karakas and one from Quito, as loudly as possible, will make way to Suriname. Terrorists would focus on the Northern one, believing Southern is a feint. But what they don`t know," Waldstein swung his sword from his sheath and cut through the map with his sword, revealing a completely different one beneath it, "is that both columns are a distraction."

He shushed his sword, taking a pointer and guiding the observing officer`s attention to the first of many blue arrows from Bogota Settlement`s airbase. "A simultaneous Air-land offensive, with mechanized forces encircling their bases and eliminating remaining terrorists with help of helicopter assault and heavy aerial bombardment. Some of the units are already in positions, while some would detach from the columns."

Charles glanced to the side. He could swear he saw D.S. reappearing behind one of his subordinates, disapprovingly glaring at the map. Just as he spotted her – she disappeared once again.

"And what if they decided to encircle the columns?" One officer, who was previously placed in vanguard of the Northern Column, worriedly asked. "The casualties could be disastrous!"

Charles interrupted Waldstein as he opened his mouth to respond, "You won`t be destroyed, if that`s what you`re worried about. Losing too much forces in such minor conflict will harm our long-term plans, and will not be allowed." Officer was about to protest, but Charles cut him short.

"I take full responsibility for the operation." The officers stopped, glancing in shock. "Success is guaranteed, Major."


End of flashback

"What stupidity! Explaining everything to petty idiots! How they even survived without trust in higher authority is beyond me!" Charles pouted to himself. Seriously, he was a public person, he literally had experience of ruling the Empire for 20 darn years! Wait, he wasn`t an emperor yet. What he was doing in another timeline in these years? He couldn`t recall, really. Maybe something related to Geass and building political connections. "Seriously, any other noble would`ve already executed them for questioning orders and authority!"

He sighed, massaging his head with his hand. 'Like father, like son. I`d imagine Lelouch was infinitely happy to lead the Black Knights if it meant one less boring day.'

Reminding himself about Lelouch caused him a headache. He had all knowledge from past world, having extreme upper hand, and yet he didn`t know what D.S. even wanted from him. To save Lelouch? But his son outlived him in the past. To prevent tragedy with Marianne? There was no question about it – he would stop it; he had no qualms in taking away his brother`s code if he went the same path as he did.

Yet, he was still stringed together with V.V. Marianne was far from even entering the picture, sadly, so keeping him as an ally is useful. He could just drop everything about Ragnarok on V.V.`s shoulders, he wouldn`t finish either way before 2018. Simultaneously, this way V.V. will be dealt with later without any harm.

Then again – how should he approach Marianne? D.S. spoke too ambiguously about her. He would be happy to see her again, but by now he would have too big of a mental gap with her. Could he have the same feelings for this Marianne? Charles couldn`t answer this question for himself.


A/N: If you want to have a better mental image of Charles – do NOT google the age gap between him and Marianne. Like, really. Love is love, and this is even legal and is practiced among British Royals, but still – 26 full years of difference! I honestly thought for a moment that she was younger than first princes, but no, luckily, she was older than all of them. The difference between her and Odysseus rounding up to 5 years. All the while most of Charles`s consorts are closer to his age. I guess Social-Darwinism didn`t forbid it, so common folk is OK with it