Throne of Glass
Chapter 11: Catalyst
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Ashford Tower; 2016 ATB
"Are you nervous?"
Lelouch sat calmly backstage, unresponsive the chaos around him. "I've spoken to far more dangerous groups of people before Milly. Stage fright is hardly a concern for me."
The blonde shook her head from the seat beside him. "That's not what I meant." She clarified. "Aren't you afraid someone might recognize you?"
Lelouch scoffed. "Not at all. It's been more than six years now, and I don't look a thing like I once did."
Milly frowned. "I don't know, it just seems a bit too risky to me."
"None of those fools wants to find Lelouch vi Britannia alive. They believe my tainted line died out those six years ago. Lelouch is dead Milly, he's been dead a long time." Lelouch assured her, a little bit of venom is his voice.
She just sighed in response. She supposed it made sense. Her 'uncle' had an official past as Allen Ashford for sixteen years, close to seventeen now. She had known him all that time, but thinking of it, she wasn't certain she would know him as Lelouch at a glance.
"Ah, Kallen." Lelouch said, rising to meet the redhead walking toward him. "You've confirmed our guests then?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Everyone you asked to find showed up."
Lelouch grinned. "Good, I want to see their faces first hand."
Kallen shared his smile. She was informed as to who she was sent looking for, and could venture a guess as to why Allen wanted to see them here. This was going to be a huge slap in the face to many of the nobles. And one they would be forced to take.
Milly was hit with a ping of...jealousy? Watching the young redhead walk away beside Lelouch as she remained seated. Her over commitment and natural talent earned her a respectable spot on Lelouch's Black Ops team. Something that Milly knew she could never achieve. Kallen was gifted, and had quickly earned Lelouch's favor, even despite her short relationship with the Black Knights. Milly was just the student president, and nothing more. The only thing she could hold over the younger girl's head was the knowledge she had. Milly was once of the few people who knew Lelouch from every side, even just knowing that was his real name. She took pride in that, but it didn't do much to help the fact that she wanted something more. Milly could be useful too. She just wasn't sure how to yet.
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The Ashford tower boasted an event stage larger than anything in Area Eleven. It was nearly the size of the Darwin Convention Center in the home land, half a world away. Even despite that, there wasn't a single empty seat in the gigantic room occupying several ground floors of the tower.
The stage was empty, a large curtain drawn from one side to the next barring the crowd from seeing most of the stage. Above it was a stretched banner reading: Fourth Annual Ashford Weapons Convention. Events like this had been held ever since Ashford returned to the spotlight with its Ganymede Alpha. Though only with minor developments, such as knightmare weapons or updated armors. But this year was going to be very different.
After a moment of unbearable waiting, a young man finally stepped on to the stage. His footsteps echoed, the only sound as the audience held their breath. He stopped mid-stage, drinking in their attention, before finally speaking. "Welcome ladies and gentlemen, to the fourth Ashford weapons convention."
There was a slight confusion evident in the crowd, their wondering who the obviously very young person speaking for the well known Ruben. That question was soon answered however.
"I am Allen Ashford, heir to the Ashford family." He spoke with a commanding tone, his voice carrying to captivate the crowd entirely. "Some of you have already met me before, and you know that I am very committed to my family and our business, and to you as well. And to the rest of you, know that I am dedicated to the future of our company, and we'll be seeing a lot of each other very soon."
Lelouch eyed the crowd, looking for the several familiar faces he had invited. He took pleasure in finding Clovis, seated in a VIP box up above, his face indicating he didn't realize who was talking. "Today I have the great pleasure of announcing a new era of warfare." He continued. "The entire world is quickly realizing the importance of knightmares in modern combat. It has come to a very simple condition for victory: whoever has knightmares wins.
"However, that line has become blurred, as both sides find they gave the same tools for success. So we have developed a frame that embodies this new age of warfare. A knightmare that is capable of performing any task before it, a weapon that can accomplish anything necessary for victory."
Lelouch threw his arms out dramatically. "I present to you the first fifth generation frame, the versatile knightmare Marianne!"
Then there was silence. Nobody spoke, nobody clapped, there was nothing. The curtain fell, and behind three similar frames, each equipped with different weaponry and armor plates stood behind him. Yet there was nothing. The nobles sat shocked. The name that was supposed to have been forgotten, erased like the blot on royal perfection it was. And yet...
"In remembrance of the one who made this all possible, our Lady Marianne who raised the Ashfords to greatness beside her. Without you, we would not be here. I, certainly would not." He grinned, watching the faces of his mother's most vocal enemies. His half sister Guinevere, and her mother sat horrified, the ones among his family who hated her the most.
Thank you, mother. Lelouch closed his eyes briefly. This is for you.
"The Marianne is the first knightmare like it. Its versatility in modifications allows it to enter battle with every edge on its opponent possible. Be it combat against knightmares, infantry or tanks; in urban grounds or open fields. The Marianne will be the gateway to a new generation of battle, one conducted solely with knightmares. And now, these incredible warmachines will be capable of any task necessary in the field."
The frames behind him demonstrated his words. A stock frame stood in the middle, its armor of standard weight, equipped with a regular KMF rifle. Next to it was a heavily armored frame, meant for the frontlines. It boasted cannons and what could only be called an oversized shotgun. And last a light and mobile scout variation equipped with a high powered sniper rifle. They each looked different, but underneath, they were all the same.
"Of course our clients will be able to purchase a frame with several preset equipment sets, but for the many of you who won't be building an army, we'll be offering a special discount for full sets of equipment. And believe me, there's a lot."
The Marianne was the result of the dozens of teat frames sitting under the school. Rather than use just one, Lelouch had opted to utilize every one of them. It was a culmination of every best aspect they had to offer.
"Shipment starts in just one month. Soon, warfare will change as we know it once again, a battle determined not by numbers or strength; but by preparation, and the right tools for the job. That future starts now."
Lelouch bowed, an overly flamboyant gesture that told the audience it was time to clap. They did so with mixed feelings, many being genuinely enthusiastic, either in good terms with the choice in names or simply but caring. But many were reluctant, their faces evident they were not happy in the slightest. But in the end it didn't matter, they had no choice. Because the Marianne was the future of warfare, of every possible aspect of it.
Despite Lelouch's guarantee that none would realize, there was in fact, one who did recognize him. But it wasn't his face, or his voice, but rather the words that revealed it to the man. The words that spoke directly to his heart, the heart that felt the words for what they truly meant. The crowd around him clapped, no matter how they felt, but he stood with a face filled with unmatched joy. "My lord..." he whispered to himself. "You're alive."
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Ashford Family Mansion; 2016 ATB
Shortly after the presentation at Ashford Tower, the family's more loyal clients were invited to attend a party of sorts at the mansion. It was here that those people would be given the opportunity to order frames before anyone else, barring the Britannian military itself.
"I'm actually surprised by that."
Lelouch turned to Kallen, who had opted to follow him around the ballroom, talking with guests and clients. She had expected many an unpleasant conversation with asinine nobles, yet she quickly found Ashford's closest supported were likeminded in the family's general opinions.
"What, that a Britannian Noble could be capable of thinking rationally?" Lelouch joked.
"Yeah, actually. I mean it doesn't seem to me like there would be anyone like that at all." She agreed.
"Well you're here aren't you? But in all honesty, these are probably the only ones who share that belief." Lelouch replied, looking out at the relatively small group of nobles. Some of them weren't even Britannian. Like Senator Malcal, who Lelouch was looking to find at the moment.
"Ah, there he is."
"Who?" Kallen looked to where he was going, unable to identity anyone special in the crowd.
"Senator, I'm glad to see you made it!" Lelouch greeted the older man with a prompt shake of the hand.
Malcal smiled at the young man, happy to see him. "That was quite the performance that Allen. I wish I knew more of who the ' Marianne' was, for her name to cause such a reaction in the crowd."
"She was an incredible woman Senator, befitting to bear the name of the future." Lelouch told him, satisfied to hear another first hand experience of his announcement.
"And indeed it will. The factories in Germany and nearing completion-though I'm sure you knew that already." Malcal replied.
Lelouch nodded at the comment. "Yes, in fact I was planning to make a visit to the EU to make some final checks in the next few weeks."
"And you didn't think to tell me?" Malcal asked, acting hurt. "You simply must stop by. It's been far too long, and I'm sure Leila would love to see you as well."
"I may take you up on that offer, senator." Lelouch accepted. "I'll have Sayoko give your attendant some details. Elizabeth, was it?"
The older man laughed. "Ah, as attentive as ever. Yes, that would be fantastic."
"Then I shall see you in Europe Senator." Lelouch gave the man a quick handshake before turning on his heel. "Take care, those elections sneak up fast!"
"I think I would know that a tad bit more than you, if I'm to be honest." Malcal returned to the departing young lord.
Lelouch laughed to himself. As if any of the senators actually had to worry about the elections. Lovely democracy. He himself
already had a hand in a few elections to get Malcal, among a few others, to maintain positions Lelouch wanted them in. The EU had become an interesting side project for him the past few years.
"Senator Malcal." Kallen began from beside him. "He's the one who gave you the land for factories right?"
Lelouch nodded. "He is. And he's made an excellent foothold in Europe." He turned to the redhead, who was still watching the European return to a group of other foreigners. "You should come with me. Europe is quite a nice place."
"I kind of just follow you around anyway." Kallen joked. "But that sounds like fun."
"Think of it as a vacation. Malcal lives in Paris, probably the nicest city in the EU." Lelouch described. He could hardly care less for the sights. But he wasn't beyond rewarding his subordinates. "But we will need to inspect the factories in Germany. Though I'd imagine the senator will be attending us. Then we'll stop by for a visit. I bet there's some knightmares in need of testing, if you're up for it."
"Sure." Kallen replied. "It's what I'm good for."
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Stadtfeld Manor; 2016 ATB
The place hadn't changed in the slightest.
He moved slowly, and cautiously through the dark corridors of what had once been his home. He never imagined himself coming back here again, but he was getting desperate; and this seemed the only way to get an answer.
He eventually came to what was his room, a long time ago. It didn't surprise him to see that not one inch resembled the place he grew up in. It had been a long time since he left, but he imagined it had been like that the day after her was gone. His stepmother wouldn't have wasted any time erasing all evidence pointing that he'd ever even existed. It looked dull, and boring; just like the rest of the shell his stepmother robbed from them. Even still, he was not expecting to see his sister's room in the condition it was.
Exactly the same.
It had been a year now, a year since he practically lost connection with his younger sister. She had always been so desperate, and eager to talk to him. Mostly to try and convince him to break her out. Was that it? Had she finally gone ahead and escaped on her own? He was going to wait till she was older, in a couple of years or at least when things were better off in Shinjuku. But was she fed up with waiting? He certainly couldn't blame her, if she was. But still, it came as a shock to see every little thing that made this her room completely erased. It was as if the Stadtfeld family had no children, and never did. Though he knew that was exactly the way his stepmother wanted it.
He took a step into the room, looking over the bland decorations and potted plants that had since replaced more intimate things. Kallen had once littered the room with pictures of the past, frames adorning past memories of a life they lost. Those were gone now, exchanged for a vase of flowers his mother probably knocked down the last time she ever cleaned in here. Which given by the dust accumulated on the dresser, had been quite some time.
"Naoto?"
He froze, hearing his name called out by a disbelieving voice. He turned sharply, almost quick enough to knock down the vase himself.
"Is that really you?" The woman asked, her eyes staring wide through the dark.
"Mom." Naoto greeted in reply. She was a lot better than any other woman he could have found around here, that's for sure.
"Oh Naoto, I...I thought you might be Kallen." His mother told him, putting her face in to her hands.
Naoto frowned, glancing once more over the room. "Kallen's not here." He said, more confirming it to himself. "You don't know where she is?"
She shook her buried head, not looking at him. "She left. Just like you. I thought she might have gone with you but..." she suddenly looked up, eyes wide in horror. "She's not with you?!" She asked a little too loudly.
"No. She's not." Naoto replied to her. "She's really gone then."
At the realization, his mother suddenly broke down into tears, collapsing on the floor. Naoto looked at her with a sullen gaze. Despite everything that happened, he still loved his mother. And he knew it must have been hard for her, when he left without a word. But for Kallen to do the same thing...
He bent down to comfort her. "It'll be okay. I'll find her."
Perhaps he should take his mother to Shinjuku as well, once he found Kallen. He could afford to take care of her, and he didn't think Ohgi or anyone else would complain. Except Tamaki, but there was no helping that. But God knows she could use some sort of comfort in life. "I'll find her. And then...I'll be back for you."
She looked up at him. "What are you...?"
He smiled. Yeah, that's what he would do. "I promise."
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Ashford Family Mansion; 2016 ATB
"So you're off to Europe now then?"
Lelouch closed a suitcase, clipping it shut on his bed. "Are you sure you don't want to come?" He asked.
"Nah, you'll have Kallen." Suzaku replied. "And someone needs to manage the black knight operations from here while you're gone."
Lelouch laughed, leaning against the edge of the bed. "I don't doubt you're capable of doing that, but are you sure you really want to?"
Suzaku just waved him off. "How hard can it be? I'll be fine."
Lelouch raised an eyebrow at him.
"Alright, perhaps more credit is due there, but I'll have plenty of help to go around." Suzaku quickly corrected himself.
"It's not that I worry about that Suzaku, I've been on plenty of trips before, but you haven't." He sighed, falling back onto the bed. "Just come with us. It'll be fun."
"Since when did you ever care about 'fun'?" This time, it was Suzaku's turn to raise an eyebrow.
Lelouch snorted. "I always have. Just my interpretation vastly differs from our age group." He grinned up at the ceiling. "I take great pleasure in humiliating arrogant nobility, for example."
"I know." Suzaku deadpanned.
"There are new Mariannes being constructed up there that need testing, a lot of them. We'll be in the factories alone for almost a week." Lelouch reasoned, raising to sit up again.
"And that is why you have Kallen." Suzaku returned. "Besides, Asplund's Lancelot will be running its first trial test this week. I'm going to be its pilot."
"That's right." Lelouch recalled. "He mentioned that earlier. How is that going?"
"What, you haven't been watching it like a hawk?" Suzaku joked. He knew full well how exciting the exiled prince was over the project.
"The Marianne has kept me busy the last month, I haven't checked on it's progress in a while." He explained.
"Well we already know it requires a ninety percent efficiency rating to pilot properly. So even if you dumped a ton of resources into mass production, there aren't enough devicers skilled enough to pilot them." Suzaku told him what they had learned during the first simulation tests a few weeks ago.
"Well we kind of guessed that would be the case anyway. In fact I think I only really want one Lancelot actually." The blonde said, running a hand through his hair.
Suzaku frowned. "Why is that?"
"Kirihara has informed me that an Indian engineer has been building another prototype frame, called the Guren mark II. Apparently she isn't actually associated with the MZI themselves, and she's actually building for Kyoto. I haven't bothered looking for the rest of the details yet, because the Guren has only recently began assembly. Either way, I would much rather have more diverse prototypes than a bunch of the same kind. They are going to be aces on the battlefield, and each one should be tailored to best suit different situations." He sighed, remembering an irritating discovery. "And we're not the only ones who think so. A few of our spies have gotten word that Camelot's been working on a seventh generation project too, several in fact. Though I'm not exactly sure what made them throw Lloyd's project out the window. Probably his personality. Either way, the Knights of the Round will likely be piloting frames with equal standing soon enough."
"There are eight current Knights." Suzaku remarked. "Do you think they will all have advanced frames?"
"Well Britannia can certainly afford it." Lelouch replied. "But right now we only have four. You, Kallen, Todoh, and barely myself."
"Selling yourself short?" Suzaku commented.
"It's only true." Lelouch replied with a shrug. "I'm not as naturally talented as you are. I could only get an even ninety in frame a know every aspect of."
"Hence the Fukushū." Suzaku concluded.
Lelouch grinned. "Exactly."
"You know, you still haven't let me take a look at that thing." Suzaku mentioned, sharing his friend's grin.
"You don't want to spoil the surprise do you?" Lelouch chided him. "We only just started the designs."
"Your very own seventh generation knightmare. Built entirely by Ashford Enterprises."
"Would I make it any other way?"
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Viceroy's Palace; 2016 ATB
"Yes, I saw it. You must be very proud." C.C. said lazily, gazing up at the ornately designed ceiling of her room. "No I was not there. I don't ever leave the palace."
She sighed, twirling a lock of her own hair absently. "Now why would I do that?" After a second of silence, she cocked her head. "Is that so?"
She smirked a bit. "Well I did try once. Your son is much harder to reach than you think. Both their mansion and that tower have better security than the Aries Villa."
C.C. laughed slightly, a rather alien sound even to her. "Yes, that was a joke."
The witch sighed, releasing her hair. "Well maybe I will. I have to think about it. I'm rather comfortable right where I am."
"We'll just have to wait and see."
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Ashford Tower; 2016 ATB
Suzaku closed his eyes. He was much more calm than his friend. Lelouch was intelligent, and a master of wearing masks. But he was prone to get very violent when angered. Suzaku was more reasonable, he was that way to compensate. At least with their own men. However, this situation was beginning to test that greatly.
"You what?" He asked slowly, dangerously.
"We-we don't know for sure, but during the transmission, it might have been intercepted. But we-"
He raised a hand to cut the man off. Elton, one of the Black ops members. He ran reconnaissance missions throughout Area Eleven, like most of the units did outside of Lelouch's planned operations. He was competent enough, most of the time. Certainly now a favorite; but now at the bottom of a one name shit list. "You should consider yourself lucky Lelouch is in Europe right now." He spat. His friend most certainly would not take this well. He was even opting to withhold the information until he got back, just so the prince actually could enjoy the closest thing to a vacation he would allow himself. "And pray that you can solve it before he returns."
Elton gulped, beads of sweat running down his face. "Yes sir."
Suzaku narrowed his eyes, looking once again at the data transmission. A mistake like this, so juvenile. Yet it could easily jeopardize their entire operation.
Lelouch would not like this.
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