Throne of Glass
Chapter 3: Survival of the Fittest
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Ashford Family Mansion; 2012 ATB
Suzaku held a cautious stance as he intently stared down his opponent. He inched his way forward, analyzing his posture for any signs of weakness. And like usual, Lelouch was impossible to read.
The older boy sent a right first toward Suzaku's face, to which he raised his forearm to block. He was quick to see the second blow toward his stomach, and swept that away too, only to see a foot make its way into his rib cage. Lelouch was quick. And although Suzaku would always be physically superior, the Britannian's analytical mind saw exactly what fighting style was necessary at every moment. And he certainly knew a lot of them. Almost every week Suzaku saw a new foreign instructor at the mansion to teach Allen Ashford some new techniques. He was obsessed with becoming stronger, and searched out any means to achieve it. Certainly more than Suzaku was.
"I heard you scored really high in the knightmare simulators."
Lelouch was simply making small talk. It was a distraction really, another tactic he used to win. But it was still a fact that the two had not spoken very much lately. Lelouch was out of the country a lot. In India, and sometimes the Britannian homeland. Suzaku was doing his best to be useful, and as such, practiced in the simulators, and gave advice where he could. But nothing he was doing was comparable to Lelouch's actions at this point.
"It's only the simulators, I'd imagine the real thing is far different." He replied, careful to deflect the punch that came as soon as he opened his mouth.
"The Ganymede project is moving along nicely. You may get the opportunity to pilot one fairly soon." Lelouch told him.
"Aren't you going to Pendragon to present the prototype this week?" Suzaku asked.
"Yeah," another jab. "The first few frames should be shipping in a few days."
Suzaku took an offensive stance, and swung his foot around to knock Lelouch down, recoiling it when Lelouch tried to grab it. "Aren't you worried that someone might recognize you?" He asked, concerned.
"Perhaps. I don't really look the same as I did the last time anyone saw me. And besides, nobody will be getting too close." Lelouch explained.
Suzkau frowned. "That seems like a big risk don't you think? That doesn't sound safe."
Lelouch snorted, finally lowering his stance, and reaching for a bottle of water. "Doesn't matter. They all think Lelouch vi Britannia is dead. And most-if not all-the people I may come in contact with would rather that I stayed that way." He put the bottle to his lips, chugging it down. "They won't be so quick to find any resemblance."
Suzaku just sighed as he sat down next to Lelouch on the bench. "I suppose so."
The two sat in silence a while, Suzaku glancing occasionally at his blonde friend with the bright blue eyes he now wore. Lelouch definitely looked different. And not just the hair, he really was a different person than back then. When he first met Lelouch, he had the aura of an arrogant prince. And of course the underlying negativity and dark gaze that still haunted him to this day. But the new Lelouch, Allen, was confident, stoic almost. He carried himself above everyone because he damn well knew he was. There wasn't any other twelve year old in the world with as much power as Lelouch had. And he had done it all himself.
"What about Clovis?"
Lelouch looked down, clearly thinking. "What about him? Now that the Tokyo settlement is complete, it's only natural a viceroy would be selected."
Suzaku frowned. "That's not what I meant. He's your brother, will you be able to face him?"
Lelouch looked up, a glimpse of doubt in his eyes, of uncertainty, for just a moment. "Clovis was one of the few siblings I could tolerate as a prince. He was less obsessed with becoming emperor as he was with the arts or other trivial things. Whatever he did to earn the position..." He crushed the water bottle into a little ball and tossed it. "People chance when they get power. When they have just a glimpse at what they could become. I first thought Guinevere was a good person as a child but...certainly not anymore. I don't know what kind of ruler Clovis would be, or what will become of him as viceroy. But either way, the royal blood is tainted. Corrupt. They were all doomed to begin with."
Suzaku nodded, his own understanding of the Britannian royal family confirmed that statement. "Then what does that say about you?" Suzaku asked.
Lelouch smirked. "Did you forget? My mother was a commoner. I'm only half as bad."
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Pendragon; 2012 ATB
"Lelouch!"
The boy only had a split second to react before he was tackled by a little blonde girl. He did however, have enough time to ready himself to receive her, and prevent the two of them from plummeting to the ground.
"Milly, don't you know not to call me that?" Lelouch said, peeling her off of him.
"Oh, but that's too weird. Besides, there's nobody even here." Milly pointed out the occupants of the room, her finger resting on the young Japanese woman present. "Except Sayoko of course. But she's fine, right?"
The maid bowed. "Of course, master Allen."
Sayoko had previously been aligned with the Kururugi family, and upon the house's fall, fell into Lelouch's, and the Ashford family's employment. She knew every detail about Lelouch, and as such, was held as an important asset already.
"That's not really the point you know." Lelouch argued. "I'm Allen Ashford now. Not just in public."
"Oh please, I'm not gonna pretend your my cousin. That's not right." Milly said, waving her arm.
"Why? Lelouch frowned.
"Cuz your more like a little brother to me." She told him, grabbing hold of his neck. He resisted the urge to flip her into the ground. And instead opted to pry her arms off. She had a surprising grip though. "That's a very stupid reason."
"I'll call you Allen when it's important, but right now; you're Lelouch. And I haven't seen you since..." She trailed off, remembering the funeral. The last time she saw him before he left for Japan. She had been in Pendragon the whole time, and only heard about Lelouch's return, and his plan to revive the Ashfords. She stayed, while the people around her gradually moved to area eleven. Perhaps now she too would go there. Now that she was with Lelouch.
"I'm sorry I never took the time to see you." Lelouch said, not looking her in the eye. "I was just..."
"It's okay." She interrupted. "I know how busy you've been. I'm just glad to see you now."
She hugged him, and let him go off to where the Ganymede frames had been stored. "Just don't leave without me! I'm all alone over here you know!" She added as he opened the door to a hallway. He smiled at her, waving before Sayoko closed the door behind them. And then she was alone again. Alone in this empty home. Like she had always been.
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Narita Mountains; 2012 ATB
"Now that we are all here, the meeting can now proceed."
Sitting at a table were the former leaders of Japan's army, the officials in charge of what was merely known as the 'Narita Resistance.' A force without a real name. Among those present were General Katase, Colonel Todoh, and Lieutenant Colonel Kusakabe; along with various other officers in charge of various aspects in the mountain base.
"Firstly, let us hear a report on the base's development." Katase began, directing the conversation.
One officer stood up, a clipboard in hand. "The tunnel connecting Narita to the Fuji mines has reached one quarter completion this week sir, and it is expected to be completed sooner than scheduled should the Ashfords bring in Ganymedes to assist in the project." He reported.
"I will speak to them to insure that you get the assistance you need." Todoh told the man. He nodded, and sat down.
"How are those knightmares coming along Todoh?" Katase asked. "We haven't seen our young friend here in quite some time."
"They should be finished soon general. But other then essential projects, all frames are to be sold for profit to Britannia at this time." Todoh replied.
"What?" Kusakabe interrupted. "We should be using those knightmares for ourselves! Not giving them to the Britannians!"
Others nodded in agreement, desiring the same thing.
"The only way we will make a profit is to turn around and sell them. If we don't now, we will lose the investment and run the enterprise into the ground." Todoh corrected the man.
"Then what's the point of even making them in the first place?" Kusakabe questioned, slamming a hand onto the table.
"To build up our revenue, and to produce better knightmares later. Even if we stocked up on the knightmares now, by the time we would actually be using them for real, the frame would become obsolete to newer generation models." Todoh explained.
Katase frowned. "You don't mean to say that the Ganymede will become useless soon?"
"In a few years, it will. Lelouch once told me that the Britannians are already developing new frames. His knightmare may be better then the ones out now, but they won't be forever. It would be best to invest in a more reliable and efficient frame later. When we have the funds to do so."
Katase put a hand to his chin, thinking. "However, that still presents a problem for us in another area."
"What do you mean general?" Todoh asked, leaning in as if to ignore the others in the room.
"I've received word from Kyoto. And it seems they're...rather mixed on us." Katase began.
"It's because of that Britannian! He's been tainting our cause ever since he came here!" Kusakabe accused, once again slamming his hands down.
"Quite the contrary Colonel." Katase countered. "The boy's association with Lady Sumeragi has all but...unceremoniously cemented her support. Lord Kirihara has also shown an interest in what Lelouch plans to do. As we stand now, it is his plans for our future that even hold Kyoto in a state of indecision." He huffed, shaking his head. "We may be the remnants of Japan's army; but right now we are nothing but a bunch of men sitting under a rock."
"So we have a little girl and an old man for support." Kusakabe muttered.
"It's hardly anything to complain about." Another colonel named Arakida added. "Without the prince's help, we'd have nothing but the shirts on our backs and a hole in a mountain." He was one of the few who accepted Lelouch and his plan, and was well liked by the boy because of it.
"That boy has been bringing more and more Britannians into our inner circle! For all we know he could be nothing but a puppet for those Ashfords. Or worse, the emperor himself!" Kusakabe insisted.
"If it was Lelouch's plan to betray us, he would have done it long ago. And the Ashfords have nothing to gain from us. All their dealings are with Kirihara." Todoh corrected him.
"We are not here to be questioning the loyalties of our most valuable allies Kusakabe. Lelouch has done enough to prove he is on our side. There is no further need for debate." Katase stated, finalizing the argument.
Kusakabe sunk back down, deflated and bitter. "How the hell did that kid even manage to get Kirihara's support anyway?" He muttered, crossing his arms. "Has anyone forgotten we're dealing with a kid here?"
Todoh gave off a faint smirk, recalling the meeting that took place nearly two years ago. He too wondered what Lelouch had offered Kirihara that would influence him to offer as much Sakuradite as he could get away with. That was when the last piece of the Ashford's rise fell into place.
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Kirihara Industries, Mount Fuji; 2011 ATB
"Well this is certainly a surprise." The old man spoke out as a young boy came to kneel before him. "I was expecting to see Todoh when I was asked to meet with a member from Narita." Kirihara chuckled as he placed a hand on Lelouch's shoulder. "I'm surprised to see you here Lelouch. Or should I call you Allen now?"
"I'm sorry for fooling you Lord Kirihara. But I actually come as a representative of Ashford Enterprises." Lelouch looking up at the Japanese man.
"The Ashfords? I see. For what purpose did you come?" Kirihara asked.
"A deal." Lelouch began. "I have made a contract with the Militarized Zone of India to create a new Ganymede knightmare. In exchange for Sakuradite resources. However, my own supply of the element won't get me anywhere for decades."
Kirihara put a hand to his chin. "So you are proposing that I provide this Sakuradite? As these mines produce more then seventy percent of the world's supply."
"Yes. That is what I'm asking. India has more factories than any other country save Britannia itself. Anything you provide will be immediately turned into a profit." Lelouch explained.
"And...what can you provide for me?" Kirihara asked.
Lelouch remained silent a moment before answering. "Nothing I have to offer now is material. Perhaps over time your investment will ultimately come back to you, but that is not what I could give you." Lelouch looked forward, his eyes resolute as he spoke. "As the Ashford's influence begins to spread, we will topple Camelot and Britannia's monopoly on the war machine's industry. We will become a private company who will sell to anyone who can pay the fee. Be it the EU, the Chinese Federation, or number terrorists. And Britannia won't be able to touch us. We won't be officially selling to other nations, and Britannia can only accuse us of those deals. By their own doing, our noble status gives us near immunity. And even if they find anything, our clients will stop at nothing to insure our business continues. They know what the knightmare is capable of, and they won't be willing to lose such an accessible way of obtaining them."
The boy smirked, throwing his hands out. "Britannian nobles may ostracize us, brand us traitorous; but we won't need them to succeed. All around us are people without homes, without work. Japan itself will become our workforce. Ashford will own everything a Britannain flag does not wave over. Whether in our factories, or a restaurant owned in our name, all of this nation will be unified toward one goal."
He leaned in, his small frame lost to Kirihara by the fire in his eyes. His determination to see this through. "To create an army that can destroy Britannia."
He sat there a moment, the burning rage swirling in his now sky blue eyes. "It starts now. And you can be the one to make it happen."
Kirihara stared at the boy with an amused look. Coming from any other eleven year old this would sound like nothing but a comedic fantasy. But he knew better than to disregard the prince. He knew what Lelouch had already done before. "So you offer me a gamble?" He asked.
Lelouch grinned. "I don't gamble Kirihara."
"I only play games I can win."
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Darwin Convention Center, Pendragon; 2012 ATB
"I'm not even going on stage and I'm nervous." Lelouch made an off comment as he glanced out from backstage to see the thousands of people Britannia's biggest event hall could hold. He was certainly glad by the turn up of people who would be paying customers; though he wasn't surprised however. Knightmares were the single most sought after piece of equipment worldwide. And the Ashfords started it all.
"Relax Lelouch. This certainly isn't my first public speech. Just let me handle everything. You've done enough up until now." Ruben assured Lelouch, standing calmly beside him.
"I think I'm more nervous that this is actually happening. I suppose you could call it apprehension. Everything has worked so perfectly this far. It almost feels unreal." Lelouch explained.
"It's like I told you. Your cause is a righteous one." Ruben insisted, turning to look at the boy beside him. "Perhaps this is fate's way of repaying you for the hardships you have gone through."
Lelouch scoffed. "I don't believe in fate. Where I am now, I achieved through my own actions."
Ruben smiled, turning back forward again. "Rightly so."
The old man straitened his collar, his head high. "I do believe it is time to renter the battlefield. Let us now fire the first shot."
Lelouch nodded. With what he had planned, it would be a war zone indeed.
Ruben stepped forward, moving into the vast stage occupied only by a massive object hidden by a draped curtain. He stopped in the center, and the entire hall went silent. There were millions more watching as well no doubt. This was an event that would make history. Or in the least, be the beginning of it.
"Greetings, I am Ruben Ashford, the CEO of Ashford Enterprises. And today..." He turned his head to the giant object beside him, a faint smirk on his lips. "Is a day to go down in history."
Already, the mass of nobles and business men erupted into deafening roars. To them, this was like waiting for the candy shop to open its doors. And the Ashfords were once the biggest store in town.
"The past year has been a trying time for us. The death of our figurehead empress Marianne nearly saw our demise as well." His eyes scanned the crowd, singling out the ones that stared at him with venomous snarls. The ones who would have preferred he never returned. "But we have persevered. And from the ashes of what once was, rises something new and better."
He strode to stand in front of the object, all eyes focused upon him. "Knightmares. The apex of modern warfare. Their success has driven all nations to desperately recreate what we have begun. However..."
He thrust his arms out in a very pompous manner, and behind him, the curtain fell revealing the cobalt blue knightmare behind it. "None will ever surpass the first! The Ganymede Alpha!"
The frame that stood behind him shared only a small resemblance to its predecessor. It could only be described as having a look if it's own. It's two fact spheres were still situated on the shoulders, but not on high structures. The double jointed limbs were now only a single joint, although the forward segments were significantly longer. And like the first Ganymede, it had no head. A useless feature that only proved to be a weak point in the Glasgow.
"The Ganymede Alpha utilizes a unique operating system that any pilot can use to maximum efficiency. It's movements are more fluid, and it's reaction delay a mere point-o-four seconds. To anyone without combat experience, that is far better than the Glasgow."
The crowd either cheered, or silently stared at him. The latter the group that would have rather the Glasgow remain the only possible option.
"Of course, the frame is slightly less durable. But with the increased agility and speed, and your superior reaction time, that won't ever even be a worry." Ruben paused a moment to allow the 'superiority' of the Ganymede to sink in. "For only twelve million pounds, anyone will be able to purchase a Ganymede Alpha. Whether for home security, or whatever you see fit."
The crowd erupted in another deafening cheer. Each of them more then happy to hear the price tag was much lower then what Camelot was willing to give its precious Glasgows away for. Even though it was a separate entity, it was considered the crown's official production line. And getting even one frame from them was difficult for any noble. For whatever purpose they may want one, it would now be as simple as it could ever be. Camelot would not be happy about this at all. The royal family would lose a huge source of income over the competition. But that was the plan.
From behind the stage, over the roar of greedy nobles, Lelouch smirked.
It was survival of the fittest after all.
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