Code Geass Megiddo

by Wing Zero Alpha

After the Black Rebellion, the world became a different place from what people knew it for. But in spite of that, there was still one who wished to change it for the better. This is the story of his crusade...

24. Chapter XXIV: Marching Onward

"Weapons are an important factor of war, but not a decisive one. It is man and not materials that counts."
- Mao Zedong

Chapter XXIV: Marching Onward

The Mausoleum
Duchy of Jiangsu, Area 22 (China), Britannian Empire
July 31, 2025

Compared to the near constant state of silence that had embraced the Mausoleum for the last several days, the hangar bay was now filled with continuous sound and activity. Techs and mechanics moved about the various knightmares with great urgency while numerous pilots and other observers stood by, looking over and inspecting the dormant steeds with utmost attention. Bullets and shells were continually being loaded into the units' magazine compartments while the landspinners, torso gyros, cockpit instruments and other mechanics were ever being evaluated and fine-tuned. Various phrases, primarily in Mandarin, were called out and shouted through the air as the mechanics went about their work. And as much as they could without hindering the latter group, pilots moved about their respective knightmares, observing their steeds' collective preparation or taking part in it themselves, granting whatever contributions they could in the field of maintenance.

To most people, the collection of sounds, from the thundering of machinery to the aforementioned calls and shouts, were merely a series of discorded noises that threatened to overwhelm the ear and make one yearn for peaceful silence. But for a lifelong soldier like Hong Gu, it was more akin to a symphony. A symphony based around the notion of a military machine being meticulously prepared for coming battle, with technicians and mechanics as the orchestra and their respective chiefs as the conductors. A symphony of coming death that, not unlike an actual performance of March of the Volunteers, served as the marching song for the Chinese Liberation Army as it once again took to the war and to battle. Especially this particular battle, which would undoubtedly be the greatest battle the CLA had, and likely will, ever face.

Hong sighed at the thought, as well as what it represented. At long last, Liming, or Dawn as it was said in Britannian, would soon come to pass over the Motherland, initiating the longest and bloodiest fight that the Revolution would ever see. A final strike against the Britannians, in which the entirety of the CLA would do battle against the Imperialist foes in the open field, either seeing their once proud nation freed at least, or would condemned to an eternity of servitude. Needless, to say, it was all too likely that most, if not all, of the CLA would be dead in the next few hours, their lives laid down for the singular hope of ending seven long years of slavery and desolation. Hong himself didn't believe he himself would survive it – after all, he would be fighting from the cockpit of a guancai just like the other men and women under his command - but he would be damned sure to survive long enough to take several Britannians with him. Enough that it would make his ancestors proud – despite former Party doctrine, Hong did believe in an afterlife - upon their receiving him.

Glancing around the hangar a little more, he could see that sentiment was far from unique to him. Like smoke from a furnace, a determined grimness drifted throughout the hangar, possibly throughout the entirety of the Mausoleum; the kind of grimness that was held upon the knowledge of one's mortality, yet accompanied by determination to face that death head on, regardless of how and when it came. For whatever feelings the CLA personnel had toward their survival, there was certain comfort in the knowledge that, though they may all be dead before the day is done, their sacrifice would contribute to something greater. Whether that something was the actual liberation of China, or simply one last glaring strike against their hated oppressors, was irrelevant. What mattered most was the CLA was going into battle head on after so many years; that these men and women would lay down their lives for their nation and their people. Whether in victory or in defeat, it would be their hour of reckoning.

It was a harrowing feeling, knowing that death was certain, yet taking respite in the belief that it would matter. The CLA's former political masters, as well as their commissar minions, would have claimed that such was the essence of communism: the sacrifice of the individual for the collective good, especially in midst of the Revolution. Without dwelling on that prospect, lest he become nauseous from the irony, Hong saw it more in a traditional manner. That they were going to fight for their Motherland; not the State or the People, or any other abstract, faceless and otherwise bland concepts of post-nationalism, but simply Zhongguo itself, and all of its history, tradition and culture. To Hong, such was far more worth fighting for than any of the feihua Mao Zedong, Joseph Stalin or Vladimir Lenin, or hell the "great" Karl Marx himself, had claimed over the last century or so. China had existed long before any of them after all, let alone the likes of Britannia.

"You're in a good mood," a voice from behind observed warmly.

Nodding back in confirmation, Hong stood by as Zhou moved up to join him. As she did, the older general did not fail to notice the Vice Commander's own disposition. "So are you apparently," Hong replied, before smirking. "But then I suppose we old proletarians have much to be happy about."

"Watch the 'old' please," Zhou snapped playfully. Military officer or not, she was still a woman. "I'm still a long way from a midlife crisis."

"Right, my mistake," Hong retorted. He had crossed that bridge a long time ago himself, but then he was more along the line of a standard, "seasoned" General as opposed to prodigy types like Li and Zhou. "But yes, it is almost a time of celebration," he said, continuing on with the original subject. "Our Proud and Most Glorious Revolution is about to be decided."

Zhou rolled her eyes at the blatant use of communist propaganda terms. "I suppose you've already estimated our chances?"

"Who needs to estimate?" Hong answered. "We're about to assault multiple enemy strongholds with the entirety of our proud but outdated army. The same outdated army that's spent the last seven years hiding in a hole because it couldn't take the enemy in the open field," he spoke with ironic cheer. "To summarize, we're about to commit suicide on a grand scale. Probably in the most spectacular fashion this world will ever see."

"Your faith in the People's Victory never ceases to inspire me," Zhou dryly shot back, though she herself had similar reservations to what they were about to do. And she highly doubted she and Hong were the only ones within the CLA's command structure. "And what of our esteemed allies?"

Hong shrugged. "They haven't abandoned us to our fate yet. I guess that counts for something," he exclaimed before smirking again, this time in bemusement. "Hell, they seem convinced that we're actually going to win."

Again Zhou rolled her eyes. "Of course they are. Their Demon King has all but ordained it," she shook her head. "They probably think it will be another Black Rebellion, minus the Devastation of course."

"Of course," Hong agreed. At least there was that going for them; for whatever destruction Argus could inflict on the cities they would attempt to liberate, there was too little sakuradite within China's soil for the Britannians to detonate en masse. None of the veins were located in proximity to the target cities anyway.

The older general's eyes soon fell upon the Red Star on one of the Yaoguais, almost looking upon it sadly. "Would be nice if they turned out to be right."

"It would," Zhou agreed, again feeling much the same. "But after Xiaopei and its aftermath, I'm afraid I just don't retain their faith," she exclaimed in near disgust. "Especially in that masked bastard and his schemes."

"Neither do I," Hong confessed, his smirk returning yet again. "But then, as proud communists, faith is supposed to be beneath us anyway."

"Don't start that again," Zhou mockingly threatened. "If there's anything our army doesn't need, it's you moonlighting as a political officer."

Hong's smirk only deepened at that. "I take that as a compliment," he said, tipping his aptly titled commissar cap. "If there's anything I don't need, it's my troops lining up to 'unfortunate accident' me."

"Don't worry, they'll be too busy with the Britannians to think about that," Zhou replied, now smirking herself. "After the battle, however, I'm sure I can draw up some execution papers…"

"Please, don't do me any favors, especially when I'm going to be fighting the Britannians alongside them," Hong answered back, then taking on a more sardonic tone. "As opposed to hiding back in a landship."

Despite the jab, Zhou was not at all offended. "Sure, 'hiding back' and directing the battles at hand while you and Xingke play act as Lu Bu and Zhao Yun," she retorted sweetly. "If it weren't for me, General, you would have been another guancai casualty long ago."

"Don't remind me," Hong growled, glaring down the lines of Yaoguais with distaste. "If I have any regrets Xianglin, it's that I'm going to die in one of these useless monstrosities," he let out. "As opposed to a real knightmare."

Though she wasn't a devicer, Xianglin fully understood Hong's soreness there. Practically every knightmare pilot in the CLA was ashamed of the Yaoguai. "It could be worse Gu," she said. "At least we still have enough of these to go around, even after all we've been through," she pointed out. "I mean, you could be going out there in a Qilin…"

"I know, I know," Hong replied, waving his hand dismissively, before adopting a frown. "But all the same, I would have preferred to go out in style."

Nodding sympathetically, Zhou reached out and grasped the older man by the shoulder. "For what it's worth," she said, careful with her words. "I would prefer you to survive."

She then adopted a flat smile. "Unstylishly of course."

Receiving the underlying but otherwise direct message, Hong matched her smile as he grasped her hand in return. "Same to you Xianglin," he said, lightly tightening his grip before either general withdrew. "Just as I would like to see Li, Her Excellency and the rest of the CLA do too."

He then looked back over the hangar. "As well as the Motherland herself while we're at it," he exclaimed, before shaking his head. "But as I said, I have my doubts."

---

"It will take some time for the battle groups to reach their operation areas, to say nothing of our own," Li said as he and Zero marched down the corridor. With the time of deployment nearing ever closer, the pace around the Mausoleum had picked up considerably, with assorted CLA personnel moving to and from the corridor at great speed, rushing to finish their tasks before the operation at last begun. Moving far more slowly at the center of the commotion, the two military leaders paid no heed toward the surrounding chaos, instead continuing forward while maintaining their conversation. "But for better or worse, the CLA is ready to mobilize."

"Good," Lelouch corrected, his cape softly swaying as they both moved through the frantic motion, completely unaffected by it as they kept their exchange. "I assume each group is equipped with landships?"

Li nodded as he kept up. "At least two ships per group, in turn supplemented by mobile artillery units," he explained. "I'm not sure what they will do against Argus, but they will certainly make the Britannians think twice."

"Let me worry about Argus," Lelouch replied as he moved past another jogging CLA soldier. "Any further word from your forces in Daxia Valley?"

Li shook his head. "None, so we must assume they have been exterminated," he answered, sighing. "That accounts for nearly thirty percent of the CLA forces in Gansu. Not a reassuring percentage."

"Agreed," Lelouch answered. "Even so, we continue as planned," he stated. "Unless you want to leave Lanzhou in Britannian hands."

"Hardly. They will advance regardless," Li replied stiffly. "I can only hope your forces in that region can keep up."

Lelouch let out a small laugh at that notion. There was still a wide gulf between them, one that the former prince didn't see going away anytime soon, but at least the Chinese General knew when to open up. It was rather refreshing given the treatment he and the rest of the Black Knights had endured to this point.

"Don't worry," Lelouch replied reassuringly. "This isn't something they haven't done before, I assure you."

"No doubt," Li responded, deciding to take that reassurance for what it was worth. At this stage of the game, it would have been inappropriate to trade barbs with his allied commander. Though he was tempted.

It was then the pair exited the corridor, finally reaching their destination. Effectively the largest part of the Mausoleum's underground sector, the ship hangar was designed exactly as its name read: to contain as much of the CLA's landship fleet as it could. In this case, it now fitted the Mao Zedong and her two remaining fellows, as well as the Izumo, the latter's obsidian hull gleaming evilly against the abundant lighting. All around their respective crews prepared the massive vessels for the coming battle, working as diligently in their assignments as the rest of the base.

After allowing a brief moment of silence to pass, Li spoke up again. "So it all comes down to this," he said, regaining the masked man's attention. "One final battle to decide China's fate."

"Technically several battles occurring simultaneously," Lelouch pointed out. "But yes, now is the time of China's reckoning."

"Heh," Li let out, taking another moment to gather what he wanted to say. "In a strange way, I'm actually grateful to you Zero," he said. "For providing us this battle and this reckoning."

At that, the General eyed his apparent benefactor with a hint of caution. "Though I am still weary of your true intentions, whatever they are..." he continued, somewhat hesitantly. "I find relief knowing that our war will at last come to an end, and that it will do so with our fighting our enemy directly."

The Chinese General then gave off the barest traces of an appreciative smile. "It will be our finest hour."

Frowning behind his mask, Lelouch could only mull over Li's choice of words. He could tell that there was no real hope behind him; that Li was in effect thanking him for providing a place for him and the CLA to make a valiant and glorious end and nothing more. Not that the revolutionary found it surprising - which he didn't in the least - but he would have preferred Li to at least hold some measure of hope toward victory, no matter how bleak it seemed. After all, the demeanor of those commanded, namely the soldiers Lelouch had just observed, was a direct reflection of the demeanor of the one in command, and CLA needed all the hope, no matter how unlikely, it could get.

Even so, as Lelouch knew all too well, the Chinese Tiger had every reason to not hold hope, and to some to degree even anticipate said valiant and glorious end. "Of that I have no doubt, General," Lelouch exclaimed, causing Li to turn to face him. "It will be an hour your people will celebrate for generations to come."

Li blinked at the reply, but did not show any outward emotion, instead simply nodding in understanding. It was not hard to see the hidden message. "So you still believe," he replied. "That we will win."

Lelouch nodded in return. "Yes," he answered simply. "I have no way of reassuring you of that outcome, but yes, I still know we will win this war," he stated with as much projected faith as he could muster. "Both so that China will be free..."

He then declared. "And so that she may take part in something greater."

Li again gave no outward reaction, but he did feel his stomach twist slightly at that declaration. He had not forgotten about the Great World War still raging in the outside world, but Li drew no comfort in knowing that, while the present war was to end, another, far darker conflict awaited his country. Even so, there was nothing that could be done about that; if the Motherland was to remain free, then she could only defend her freedom by joining that war and continuing the fight against Britannia. Not today obviously, nor even tomorrow, but soon enough. There would be no alternatives.

Of course, that was assuming that Zero's words were in fact true. That China would be liberated, that Her Excellency's dream would in fact be fulfilled. Li again found himself wishing he could be as certain of it as the man before him. "In that case," Li replied, somewhat solemnly. "May your words yet be the truth, Demon King."

Lelouch smirked in return. "May they yet indeed, da laohu," he said, speaking the closest Mandarin phrase toward Li's famous epithet. "Good luck."

Li nodded, this time in acknowledgment. "To you as well."

With that, both commanders parted and turned toward their respective flagships.

---

Black Knights mobile battleship Izumo
Duchy of Jiangsu, Area 22 (China), Britannian Empire

"All I can say is it's about goddamn time," Tamaki let out while leaning against the side of a Gekka, speaking to the group in front of him. As with the rest of the base, the Izumo's hangar bay was complete with activity as the mechanics went about the various knightmare frames within, leaving Tamaki and the other squadron leaders to converse within one of the calmer spaces. "I've had enough being stuck in this goddamn cave when we should be out kicking nine shades of Britannian ass!"

"Considering your performance at Xiaopei, you should count yourself lucky to have made it to this 'goddamn cave' at all Major," Chigusa shot back, herself leaning against the side of another Gekka. "That was the second time that I had to save you. And from a Sutherland no less..."

Tamaki only glowered back at this. "And for the last time Chigusa, I didn't need your help!" he shouted back. "I was just about to kick that Sutherland to the curb when you came swooping in and...!"

"That's funny, because I recall your Gekka returning to the Izumo with no arms," C.C., who was standing beside Chigusa, spoke up, causing the other Black Knight to turn his murderous gaze upon her. Eight years running and she still couldn't resist needling him. "Perhaps you were going to literally kick it to the curb instead?"

"They have you there Tamaki," Naomi, who was sitting on a collection of crates beside Kento, chimed in. It helped even less that she had attempted to answer his plight during that battle, with Chigusa beating her to it. "That wasn't exactly your best performance."

"Not that any of us have ever seen your 'best performance' of course," Rai chipped in as well, not at all able to resist. Standing next to him in the open, Kallen could only roll her eyes in mock exasperation.

"Ah, come on!" Tamaki barked, now on the defensive. "It's not like that Sutherland was piloted by some random mook! I mean, it was painted green!"

"Doesn't matter, it was still a Sutherland." C.C. replied all too happily. "What should otherwise be fodder to your machine."

Tamaki could only snarl in return. "Yeah, well at least mine isn't pink!" he retorted, grabbing at the last straw he could.

Seeing what was about to happen, Kento, who was standing beside Naomi, clapped his hands. "Alright, alright, that's enough picking on Tamaki," he said, waving down the group, much to his friend's relief. "We've only got an hour or two before deployment, and I don't want to spend it on arguments."

C.C. frowned, as if she had just lost her playtime. "Well, that doesn't leave a lot of options, does it?"

Kallen inwardly sighed. She especially knew how irritable C.C. was like when she was bored. "I'm sure there's a pizza somewhere that's just waiting to be devoured…"

"Or you could simply keep your pilots from antagonizing mine," Rai added as well, somewhat more seriously. "Which, assuming Ageha and the others haven't beaten them to it, they're undoubtedly doing now."

At that, C.C. put on a dry grin. "I'm taken back," she replied mockingly. "Are you saying discipline is lacking in Hannya Squadron, 'Major Sumeragi'?"

Rai did not fail to miss the quotations around his name. "What I'm saying, 'Major Cathcart'," he responded in kind. "Is if you're going to hold your rank and position, then you should at least perform the duties associated to them."

"Now now, none of that," Naomi gently admonished. "We're all professionals here."

"For the most part," C.C. claimed, giving a sardonic glance over to Tamaki. The other Major flipped his middle finger in response.

Shaking her head at the display, Kallen moved the conversation back to point. "So, that's it then," she exclaimed. "We're all pretty much set up for the fight."

"Indeed," Rai nodded, almost sounding anticipating. "The Dawn is upon us at last."

"Generally," Chigusa entered in again, frowning herself. "Though only a select number of us are aware of the real operation."

Her frown deepened. "I can't say I'm comfortable with that."

A hardened chill ran through the group, save for C.C. and Kallen - and Rai as well, though he managed to fake it - of course. They all knew what she was talking about. "It's for the best," Naomi offered. "I doubt any of them would believe in such a plan, even if it was made by Zero himself."

"Tell me about it," Kento let out as he recalled the subject matter. "If this were eight years ago, I'd have trouble believing it myself," he then glanced over to C.C. "Among other things."

Through the resultant silence, C.C. was quick to notice the newfound attention she was receiving. Much to her bemusement. "Does my being a 'witch' and Zero being a 'demon' still bother you all that much?" she inquired. "Perhaps you'd rather I wear an oversized hat and fly around on a broomstick, while Zero has horns and a giant pitchfork?"

"And me in an equally oversized dragon costume?" Kallen gently quipped while fixing Kento a pointed gaze.

And me with a ring of drums on my back? Rai thought as well, but didn't say aloud.

Kento shrugged. "You have to admit it's still farfetched, even after all this time," he replied. "The idea that many of our past exploits and victories were due to that singular element. To say nothing of how it all came to be in the first place."

Chigusa shivered as the memory of Shinjuku played in her mind through that; the very battle in which Zero had first received his power, and then used it on her. "And here we all are, about to fight another battle with that being the deciding factor," she stated. "So you can understand why we're all uncertain, even if it does work in our favor."

C.C. closed her eyes, conceding the point. "You all should look on the bright side," she said. "If this were a straight battle without that involved, we would be facing much greater odds, perhaps even be outmatched," she exclaimed. "Instead we have a clear path to victory, one that the Britannians have not even conceived of."

"That's assuming the other side is unaware of that element," Chigusa rebuked. "For all we know, the Emperor could have filled the Knight of Two in before sending him here."

"Possible, but unlikely," C.C. replied evenly. "I sincerely doubt Emperor Charles would want that secret to be known, even amongst the Rounds."

"And why is that?" Naomi asked, interested. As were the others.

C.C. smiled in turn. "Sore wa himitsu desu," she replied simply. "But suffice to say if Johann Ernst were actually aware of it, we would have seen the results at Xiaopei," her smile then took on a conspiring tone. "There's no way the Owl of Britannia would allow such a threat to remain in effect."

"Or so we'd like to think," Tamaki spoke up, appearing in thought. "He could very well be leading Zero and the rest of us on, waiting for the right opportunity to strike."

Yet another moment of silence, this one complimented by an assortment of stunned onlookers. Even C.C. couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at that explanation.

All toward Tamaki's sudden discomfort. "What?" he exclaimed, looking back and forth. "Is there something on my face?"

C.C. shook her head. "That too is a possibility I admit," she said, before adopting a more serious expression. "All the same however, I wouldn't dwell on it too much. We will soon have bigger things to worry about."

"Once more, indeed," Kento replied, looking back over the various inactive knightmares and the technicians that were working upon them.

---

It was always the aftermath Tohdoh hated the most. The point in time when the afterglow, as well as all the physical contentment that entailed, ended and he was to return to the war and his duty as a Black Knight General and Army Commander. Specifically the time when he was to get out of bed, or whatever location he and/or Chiba had chosen for their intercourse – he dared not call it lovemaking - put his uniform back on and go back into the fight with Britannia. As if none of what had occurred only minutes or hours ago had ever happened, in spite the blackness he held in himself for it.

Effectively moving against himself, Tohdoh slipped out of his bed and began to replace his uniform, which had been scattered across the floor during the initial phase. Chiba was already up, now in the process of putting her bra back on, her back turned to him as she did. Tohdoh appreciated that as he slipped his own boxers back on, and then followed up with his undershirt. The last thing he ever wanted, or needed, her to see was the disgust he held for himself; the same disgust that had followed him for fifteen years, lingering like a wound that refused to heal. He feared the damage that sight would do to her, as well as to him.

Once again he had followed upon the worst sin he had ever committed. Though compared to the death and destruction he had wrought since the war so long ago, Tohdoh supposed that the continuous surrender to his more basic physical needs, as well as Chiba's more emotional ones, would seem little more than an afterthought. In fact, simply labeling it a sin might have been an exaggeration; as far as he knew, no religion or creed had ever condemned sex with a willing partner, regardless of whether love was involved or not. And as much as he would have liked to think of it as such, he knew what he had just done wasn't rape. Chiba would have been the first to argue against that implication.

And yet, that knowledge and those explanations didn't matter in the least to Kyoshiro Tohdoh. Despite what others may have claimed, had they known of course, nothing could sway him from the belief that what he had done fifteen years ago upon the slopes of Itsukushima, mere hours before the battle and his Miracle had taken place, was the worst thing he had ever done in his lifetime. Just as nothing could sway him from his belief that it, and its lineage fifteen years later, was his sin to bear; a truly damning sin that Tohdoh would likely go to hell for when all was said and done. Indeed, even against the hundreds of thousands of lives he had taken, among his other deeds, it was the one thing he truly believed he would never be forgiven for, nor redeemed from.

No matter what the woman across from him might have believed herself.

"General?" Chiba suddenly spoke up. Even with his back turned to her, Tohdoh could feel his subordinate's concerned gaze against his back. "Is something wrong?"

Closing his eyes while inwardly withholding a curse, Tohdoh forced on a disarming expression and turned back to face the woman. "It's nothing Chiba."

Though she hovered for a moment, Chiba ultimately decided that was enough of an answer, and so returned to redressing, slipping her cross back over her neck. Tohdoh followed her example, slipping on his trousers and then his boots. For everything that had happened, and his shame in all of it, he was a General of the Order of the Black Knights first and foremost. And there was much more at work now than his relationship, for lack of better description, with Nagisa Chiba.

If anything, Tohdoh was actually relieved that the war in China would soon conclude. Though he would never voice his concerns to Zero or anyone else, he feared that too many resources had been spent on this part of the campaign; Akatsuki was only just about to begin and yet already several Black Knights, as well as knightmares and other equipment, had been lost. More than there should have been at any rate, but then Tohdoh felt that way toward any battle or war. Any right minded commander would, in the same vain that every right minded soldier was a pacifist at heart.

The primary issue, however, was that China, as much as it warranted liberation, was only one Area; one portion of land, albeit a larger one, that the Black Knights had spent much upon. It wasn't even the whole of the former Federation's initial territory, though it was obviously the central core. After Akatsuki was concluded and China was restored – and Tohdoh would be damned before he even allowed for the possibility of defeat here and now – the Black Knights still had the other former Federal states to liberate as well. How much more resources would be spent on them? Certainly guns, knightmares and even warships could be replaced, especially once India was freed, but not so much the soldiers themselves. How many more men and women, several of them survivors of the Devastation, would lose their lives in this stage of the war? Especially when there was still so much more of the world to fight over?

Still, it was what it was. For whatever much had been spent on Akatsuki, the fact was Area 22 would soon be liberated in more than a pyrrhic victory, the first stage of their campaign would come to a close and with it the third great step – after Pendragon and Pearl respectively – toward Britannia's destruction would be made. The logistical issues Tohdoh had just considered would simply be dealt with once the dust had settled, as had been the case since Narita. Besides, after having spent so much time holed up in the Mausoleum, Tohdoh was simply looking forward to climbing into the Zangetsu again. As much as he didn't like to admit it, he was one of those soldiers and devicers that found a certain thrill in combat.

Finishing with his neck clasp, Tohdoh then reached over and plucked up his commissar cap, placing it over his head. With that action complete, the commander of the Black Knights' First Army stood ready to return to the war. He was just about to turn toward the door when he heard Chiba, herself now dressed in her own uniform and looking as much a Black Knight Colonel as he did a General, speak up. "One moment sir."

Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Tohdoh turned around as Chiba came up to him. This was yet another part of their apparent ritual – once more for lack of better description – at least when he was to return to duty. Standing perfectly still, almost at attention, he waited patiently as Chiba scanned over his uniform top, and then proceeded to make some slight adjustments to make it look more presentable.

That in itself sickened the general that much more, as Chiba's actions struck him far too much as a wife preparing her husband for work. He had certainly seen his mother do it with his father enough times, before Saburo Tohdoh had left the JGSDF, for that impression to remain. And while Chiba, whether she was aware of that implication, would have certainly preferred it, it only reminded Tohdoh further of the damage he had done to the woman before him. Damage that, no matter how much he wished, would never heal, any more than the shame he felt would leave him.

That being said though, he knew better than to stop her. He had tried once, and, as had been the result whenever he tried to distance himself, Chiba had nearly broken further because of it. Thus, he swallowed his disgrace and allowed her to proceed, immaculately tending to his uniform to make him look even more like a Black Knight than he had already done. All the while he ignored the warm, loving gaze of her eyes as she went about her task.

With a slight adjustment to his cap, Chiba then nodded to him. "There," she reported, now sounding more like Tohdoh's aide-de-camp as her military pride and professionalism shone brightly. For whatever her personal issues, Chiba was still a soldier and a Holy Sword through and through. Something that Tohdoh, for whatever his personal issues, would have been foolish not to recognize. "All ready, General."

"Thank you Colonel," Tohdoh replied in projected gratitude, once more forcing back his shame as he did. "Now," he said, then gesturing toward the door. shall we return to the war?"

Chiba nodded. "As always, sir," she acknowledged, proceeding first, Tohdoh following after.

Thus man and woman once more became commander and subordinate, exiting their private space and turning back in their respective duties. As they had done for fifteen years strong.

---

Government Bureau
Luoyang Settlement, Duchy of Henan, Area 22 (China), Britannian Empire

Stifling a yawn, Nena Carmine continued her work within the Safir's cockpit, going over its computer systems in monotonous order. Though she technically had her own maintenance team that was in charge of her knightmare's upkeep, she was one of those Knights of the Round that preferred to work on her own machine, or at least its computer systems. Besides the obvious task in keeping the Safir's electronics up to par, there was the fact that much of her knightmare's performance relied on the "dance steps", the various maneuvers and forms it performed in battle, preprogrammed into its computer memory. When Nena wasn't spending her off time in the search of leisure and amusement - such as finding ways to annoy Johann - she was working on those "dance steps", ensuring that the Safir would be in top form when it was sent out into battle once more. And so there she was now, working in a few more "steps" for the coming battle, or "endgame" as Johann liked to call it.

Endgame. Nena thought, smirking at the notion of it. There was no mistaking it, battles were always fun; practically every Round, including Sir Bismarck himself, loved a good battle, and Nena was no different. Though she didn't particularly care for what they were fighting over - as far as she was concerned, Area 22 was a hellhole that didn't deserve to be part of the Empire, no matter what Prince Schneizel thought - at least it would be a fight to remember before she and her compatriots inevitably returned to Eurasia. After all, it was not every day one got to fight the Order of the Black Knights, especially when the group had spent the last two months hiding and riding out the aftereffects of Pearl Harbor. Oh how she would enjoy the look on Suzaku's face when she returned to the Homeland and told her story. To say nothing of Gino's if she got to fight the Red Dragoness again; Nena made it a point to actively search for her when the time came.

If there was any downside about the coming fight, it was, again, what Nena and her fellow Rounds were fighting for. Though she didn't appear so at first, she took pride in her being the Knight of Eight and being able to fight for her Empire and her Emperor. And yet, in spite of the knowledge that she was still fighting for her Empire and her Emperor, the idea that she, Johann and Michael had been sent to Area 22 at all almost sounded like a cruel joke to her. A joke that got less funny when one realized that they were there to steal back a particular Twenty-Two, all so that the land, while remaining Britannian, would remain in the hands of a bunch of fat, high-pitched bastards in cheap red suits, so that they could continue pretending to be Britannian noblemen and abuse everyone around them. If anything, the idea actually made Nena almost feel nauseated; weren't the Rounds meant for better things than that?

Still, it was what it was, and Nena didn't really complain about such things so long as there was fighting to be done. And Area 22, for all of its faults and flaws, was a land filled with fighting at this point. Besides, she didn't have it in her to question the wisdom of His Majesty to begin with. Surely he realized exactly what they were fighting for there.

A knock on the side of the Safir's cockpit interrupted her thoughts, causing her to snap back to reality. "Hey Nena!" she heard Michael call out to her from the outside. "You in there?"

Blinking herself into the present, Nena had her chair extend out of the cockpit housing. "You got them?" she asked, quite excitedly.

"That I did," Michael smiled brightly as he handed Nena one of the chocolate bars he was holding.

"You're the best Michael!" Nena replied as she unwrapped the bar and took a bite. If there was one benefit to Britannia's administration of Area 22, it was that the Empire was gradually bringing a formerly backwards and desolate nation up to the modern age. At least, that's what one would think if one looked toward the Area's leadership, who wasted no time or wealth in gleaming comforts and luxurious goods from the Homeland. "I still can't believe how hard it is to get chocolate here! And we've only had this Area for the last seven years!"

"Tell me about it," Michael replied as he himself took a bar and chomped on it, looking around the hangar as he did, imagining the bleak cityscape outside. "This place is undoubtedly the ass end of the universe."

"Yeah, but it's our ass end of the universe," Nena pointed out amidst mouthfuls. "That makes all the difference in the world."

"Of course," Michael nodded as he took another bite. "Not like I'm one to complain to begin with. So long as His Majesty wills it, we may only perform."

"Exactly," Nena replied, forcing down her earlier thoughts. "Besides, I can think of worse places we could be. I mean, could you imagine if we had been sent to the Eastern Front with Luciano?"

"Please, not while I'm eating," Michael waved her off. "As much as I'd like to take a shot at fighting the Bear of the Far East, that particular area of the world is not what I'd call a vacation spot," he then looked around again. "Not that this place would qualify."

Nena shrugged. "As I said, I can think of worse places to be. Places where the inhabitants have never heard of chocolate," she said, before taking another bite. "To say nothing of hot bathes, decent food, indoor plumbing..."

"Again, not that this place would qualify," Michael replied as he licked the chocolate off of his lips. He then heard some nearby commotion, to which he and Nena looked over to see an entourage passing through the hangar, apparently on an inspection tour. At its center, they saw one of the Mao suited Eunuchs walking along, apparently laughing at some joke a regular Army officer had passed to him.

Michael found himself scowling at the display. "At least, not for the Numbers," he exclaimed. "And likely a fair portion of the commoners."

Nena scowled as well. "Tell me about it," she replied in disdain, as though reminded exactly why Area 22 was in its present state. Though they hadn't been in Area 22 for long, both Rounds, as well as Johann, had seen up close what hedonistic bastards the local administrators were like. And though they didn't look it up front, even they had standards. Especially toward non-Britannian turncoats. "I used to think my mother exaggerated about people starving in China."

"Same here," Michael admitted, eyeing the Eunuch as he moved over to inspect a Sutherland up close. "This place would have been better off with William Clinton as Viceroy."

"Heh," Nena laughed a little at the reference to one of Britannia's more "colorful" Chancellors. "Wasn't that guy executed?"

"Him and his wife, toward the end of the Emblem of Blood," Michael confirmed, keeping a steady watch over the man in red, as if lining up for a kill.

Soon enough, the Eunuch and his entourage moved away, causing activity in the hangar to die down again. The Knight of Eight glared after him upon his departure. "I tell you Nena, as fun as it is to fight the Knights Who Say Zero, I really can't wait to get back to Eurasia," he exclaimed, then taking another bite. "And not just because it has indoor plumbing…"

"Indeed," Nena nodded as well. "At least up there, we were fighting against pigs in suits, not supporting them."

She frowned, taking another bite herself. "I don't suppose we could take them back to Britannia with us once everything's settled down," she inquired, vindictiveness apparent. "I'm just sure their 'activities' here warrant an audience with His Majesty."

"If we could square it away with Johann," Michael replied, already wistful toward the idea. As Rounds, they were the Emperor's arbiters, and so possessed the right to judge, condemn and/or ordain those around them in their liege's name. Technically they were also permitted to perform summary execution upon those they condemned – something at least one of their number took great zeal in – but in the modern age that practice was frowned upon. Instead they were expected to simply bring the accused before their liege for final judgment.

That being said, neither Michael nor Nena held any illusion toward what lied in store for those eight once they were brought before His Majesty. For all of his ruthlessness and purported disdain for virtue, Emperor Charles was a man of strict moral code and character, which the Rounds had borne witness to time and again. Additionally, once Area 22 was properly stabilized, whatever usefulness and necessary evil Zhao Hao and his cohorts held would undoubtedly be brought to a swift and abrupt end.

That was when another thought, a totally different one, came to mind. "Speaking of Johann, I haven't seen him for a while. Any idea what happened to him?"

Nena stared blankly toward the inactive Dinadan, which was right between the Caius and her Safir. "No clues," she shrugged. "Though I'd imagine he's doing something nauseatingly productive."

"Yeah, like bothering Sir Bismarck or His Majesty with a sitrep," Michael said, shaking his head again and taking yet another bite. "Ah well, I guess we all need something to do before the fireworks begin."

---

"The Black Knights, huh?" Dorothea commented through the vidwindow, observing her elder brother curiously. "Sounds like you're in quite a mess, wherever you are."

Johann noted the chiding tone in his sister's voice. "Though I failed to foresee their presence here, in hindsight it was the most likely place they would conduct an offensive," he replied. "I would fill you in on the indications of such, but sadly that requires me to identify the land in question, which would violate His Majesty's orders..."

"Don't worry, I understand," Dorothea answered. In truth, she had her suspicions, but decided to keep them to herself. Not that Johann could confirm them anyway. "I hope you've been returning the favor to them over Pendragon and Pearl."

Johann looked down a little on that. "Not as much as I would like, I admit," he said. "Zero is as cunning as his reputation claims, and their regular forces are both well trained and well equipped, namely with eighth generation knightmares. In fact, the only thing they seem to be lacking are numbers, which is both logical and understandable."

He then forced back any ill-feelings he had before proclaiming. "No more than a few thousand could have survived the Devastation after all."

"Indeed," Dorothea concurred, forcing back her own ill-feelings on that. "Do you think they'll be able to accomplish their objectives?"

Johann nodded slightly. "The possibility remains, though we possess the advantage," he answered. "As I said, they are formidable, with their lack of manpower being their only true weakness. Fortunately that weakness has prevented them from accomplishing anything significant to this point."

The Knight of Two sighed as he leaned back a little. "I suspect it will all be decided in less than twenty-four hours," he said. "And that it will perhaps be the largest mass engagement since Princess Marrybell's forces landed in the Far East."

Dorothea took all this in. "Basically," she exclaimed. "It will be something that I, and likely the rest of Britannia, will hear about after all is said and done."

"All too likely," Johann replied, before considering. "That is unless His Majesty decides to keep it secret, like the rest of this assignment. And even then, that would only be possible if we were to prove victorious..."

"I understand Johann," Dorothea stopped him, before he rambled on. He had a bad habit of doing that. "Just be sure to be careful out there. If Zero is involved in this, then you can be sure it won't be a straight fight."

"Obviously," Johann answered, recalling their encounter at Xiaopei. "Rest assured dear sister that I will be ready."

Dorothea nodded, biting back the urge to tell Johann more. Though she hated keeping secrets from her brother, she was obligated by both His Majesty and her husband to remain silent. Besides, for all of his intellect, she had no way of knowing how her brother would handle the information. "How are Michael and Nena doing?"

Johann resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "About as well as can be expected of them," he exclaimed, not wishing to say any more than that. "And how are Sir Bismarck and Roland holding up on your end?"

Dorothea smiled a little. "More or less the same. Bismarck is out right now with His Majesty, apparently on some errand in Sunderland," she explained. "And as for Roland, he's here with me now. Want to say hello?"

It was then in, one of the few times anyone could account for, Johann allowed a smile to form upon his lips. "Please."

With that, Dorothea got up from the terminal and moved offscreen. A moment later, she sat down again, this time with a somewhat tired Roland Waldstein in her arms. Johann's smile grew slightly larger as he looked into the vibrant green eyes of his infant nephew.

"Wave hello to Uncle Johann, Roland," Dorothea softly urged her son on, raising his hand and having him wave as he warmly eyed his uncle through the screen.

Johann waved back, retaining his smile. "Did you get that special order I sent?"

It took a moment for Dorothea to recall what her brother meant. "You mean that stuffed owl? Yes, we got it," she fixed her brother a hard stare. "Original gift idea by the way."

Johann merely chuckled against the jab. "My apologies, but the toy store lacked inventory on 'Warmaster' or 'Shieldmaiden' themed items, so I went with what I thought was best," he then added, if only for bemusement. "I could have gotten him a stuffed vampire though."

"Please," Dorothea shook her head in mock disgust. "Luciano is the last person I want to have an influence in my son's life. I'd sooner let Thomas play with him."

Johann's smile increased. "I could try looking for a stuffed gargoyle..."

"Keep it up and you won't be invited for this Christmas," Dorothea playfully threatened, in spite of her own equally warm smile. A brief moment of comfortable silence intervened before Dorothea spoke again. "We've really come a long way, haven't we Johann?"

Johann knew what she was speaking of. "That we have dear sister," he said, recalling their rough upbringing, then to the even more hellish years of their service in the Imperial Army. "A long way from the unwanted rabble we once were."

"Yes," Dorothea agreed, holding her son ever closer. "Even now, I can hardly believe it. Who knew the bastard children of an 'impure' father and an Honorary Britannian mother would become Knights of the Round?"

"As much as those who believed we would amount to anything in life," Johann ironically replied. "That is to say, no one."

Dorothea smiled again, this time sadly. "At least His Majesty saw something in us," she said. "Just as he saw something in Empress Marianne."

"Yes, and we both owe him our lives for it," Johann acknowledged. Though the Knight of Two may have disagreed with several things modern Britannia stood for, neither he nor his sister could go against the current Emperor, who had made them his personal knights regardless of their lineage and in clear spite of the Imperial Court's disdain. Indeed, neither he nor Dorothea would be who they were today if not for Emperor Charles.

After yet another moment of silence, Johann spoke up once more. "It has been a hard journey for both of us Dorothea. And it will continue to be so, I fear."

He allowed another smile, this time a smaller one, to form. "However, for whatever ills we have endured, I believe we are exactly where we are meant to be," he said. "Fighting for our nation, no matter how flawed, and our Emperor."

Dorothea nodded, smiling as well. "As you say brother," she replied.

Suddenly, Johann's terminal let out a beeping noise. Indicating that another message was coming through. "Excuse me," he said, momentarily muting Dorothea's window and engaging the new one. "What is it?"

"Forgive my interruption Sir Johann, but our recon units have detected large scale enemy movement across the Area," Calares called from the bureau's control room. "It has begun."

Johann took this news in stride. "How long until they reach their respective battlegrounds?"

Calares paused for a moment to check the data. "Going by their collective speed, they will all reach their estimated operation areas by daybreak."

This time, Johann's mouth folded into a barely perceptible smirk. Always the dramatic opening with you, isn't it Zero? "Order all forces to mobilize at once."

"Yes my lord," Calares replied before signing off.

He then switched back to his sister's line. "I'm afraid we're going to have to end it here Dorothea," he spoke, retaining his original seriousness. "The game, as they say, is afoot."

Dorothea grimly nodded, understanding her brother's meaning. "Godspeed to you brother," she said. "And may our next exchange be all too soon."

Johann nodded in return. "Until after the battle, dear sister," he said, before signing off at last.

---

Black Knights mobile battleship Izumo
Duchy of Henan, Area 22 (China), Britannian Empire
August 1, 2025

It was well past midnight now, the sun having long set into the west thereby allowing darkness to again reach over the land and sky. The only illumination within the present vicinity was the select running lights that shown from the taskforce's landships, and even these were few in number lest they risk early detection. In lieu of the lights however, one could easily pick upon the quaking of the land and the sound of the Chinese ships' massive engines as their caterpillar treads bit into the earth, propelling the great Chinese warships at the best speed they could manage without overcompensating, all the while the escorting Yaoguais and Sanzuwus remained close as they ran on their landspinners and VTOL motors respectively. The Izumo and the other Black Knight landships, on the other hand, were noticeably quieter and less thunderous, as the electromagnetic fields that their Inaba Drives projected actually kept them from physically touching the ground, ensuring that their presences would be far less noticed, especially against the surrounding darkness. It was the same with the Gekka that surrounded them; though they used landspinners like their Chinese allies, theirs were also quieter, such that the eighth generation knightmares were just as shrouded in the dark as the landships. It was the same for the Yamakaze gunships above, their VTOL systems also notably subdued compared to their Chinese counterparts.

Regardless of the contrasts however, the taskforce was moving, which was most important. In fact, it had been moving for hours, well before the sun had begun its descent, as had other such battlegroups spread across the Area. For better or worse, victory or defeat, Akatsuki was well on its way toward execution, with all Black Knight and CLA forces in full mobilization towards their respective target cities. Obviously it would take some hours before each taskforce reached their objective area, but through the careful timing of each launch, they would all reach those objective areas at the same exact point in time. Only then would Akatsuki, the final battle for the former Middle Kingdom, begin in its fullest. Until then however, the taskforces moved on through the night toward their destinations.

The atmosphere within the Izumo was more or less the same it had been upon the eve of Operation Tsunami, and Operation Jinchu before it. As the mighty battleship's various crewmen went about their duties, whether it was guiding their vessel along or performing final maintenance upon the various craft within her hangar decks, those that would take to the fight directly passed their remaining time with whatever leisure and relaxation they could afford. Unlike the former operation at Pearl however, there was no large amount of anxiety throughout the ship as the newcomers anticipated their first taste of combat. Quite the contrary in fact, there was only the mildest form of tranquility as the Black Knights simply awaited their time to battle, accepting whatever fate awaited them at the gates of Luoyang, and nothing more. It only made sense, as the Black Knights aboard the Izumo, as well as the others spread across Area 22, were no longer untested recruits that were ignorant of battle. The last few months, as well as battles such as Xiaopei, had ensured that all but the most recent reinforcements had seen battle at least once. That chastity would not last much longer, they all gravely knew.

For his part, Lelouch had chosen to spend his time alone, within the relative peace of the Devil's Den. Sitting back within the main area of the Den, he listened intently as Gustav Holst's The Planets, Op. 32, played over the surrounding audio system, gradually progressing through the Sol System. Presently, the orchestra was focused on "Venus, the Bringer of Peace", as its movement; Mars and its War had passed some minutes ago. A rather ironic transition in Lelouch's opinion; how simple it was to shift from War to Peace through a change in music. He almost envied Holst and his orchestra for that simplicity, just as he almost wished the liberation of Area 22 would be but a simple advance from one movement to another. Surely he and the Black Knights would have reached the eastern shores of the Imperial Homeland by the time "Uranus, the Magician" had been brought in.

Lelouch sighed at the thought. It had only been months ago when he had proclaimed his plan to the Black Knights High Command; back then it almost seemed like they were ready to march on Britannia then and there, such that Lelouch felt as though he could already march into the Imperial Palace and demand his father complete and unconditional surrender. Now, in spite of the progress that had been made, it was clearly the opposite. Now it seemed like the invasion of Britannia was as distant as ever, as though the continent itself had moved further away from Lelouch and his army's reach. It might as well have from his point of view; despite all that had been accomplished since the initial attempt at his liberation in Libya, Lelouch knew it would be months, perhaps even years, before the Black Knights would ever grace the Britannian coast again. After all, there was still much more of the world to liberate and rally behind his cause; China was simply the starting point.

Fortunately, for all the setbacks that had been suffered, Akatsuki was all but a sure bet. All the pieces were in place, all the tactical and strategic elements either already enacted or ready to be enacted. There only needed to be the triggering point; the one move Johann would make that would ensure his and Britannia's defeat. And for all of Johann's own gifts in the Art of War, Lelouch knew that the Owl of Britannia could not foresee all of his movements. Xiaopei had been evident enough of that; had Johann knew and understood the power of Geass, and what truly laid in store with Akatsuki, he would have done everything in his power to ensure Lelouch didn't leave that battle alive. In the end, that ignorance would cost him and the rest of Britannia dearly.

After that, it would be simple enough to liberate the rest of the former Federal Areas. India was all but chomping at the bit for their own uniquely colored rebellion, while Indochina, Korea and Indonesia, having endured Britannia's subjugation longer than most, were also readying to expel the Imperialists from their lands. The remaining Areas would be easy enough to conquer unless reinforcements were sent in from the Homeland, which Lelouch doubted would occur. There was just too much fighting going on in Eurasia for that to happen.

It was only afterward that things would get more complicated and less predictable. Obviously it would fall to Tianzi to reestablish the Chinese Federation. Though Lelouch had faith in her being able to accomplish this, how would the other former Federal subjects take to the transition? Would they align with her straight out, or would Lelouch have to work behind the scenes, both with Geass and the Black Knights' more shadowy elements, to ensure that they fell in line? The latter seemed more likely to his cynical mind, as the memory of the previous Federation and its atrocities still lingered throughout Southeast Asia. India especially would be a problem there; the Rape of Mumbai was not too long ago, and if Lelouch had trouble getting Rakshata to accept her nation realigning with China, he could only imagine how difficult it will be to convince its future leader, who was subsequently the current Imperial Viceroy, to believe that joining the new Federation would be beneficial to everyone.

And those were simply the issue Lelouch could deal with at this time. Once again, there was a whole world outside of China. How would the other nations – both those that had become annexed and those that remained free – react to China's liberation and the Federation's rebirth? The Eurasian Union would especially be troublesome, Lelouch already knew. Though he would like to think that Eurasia would look upon China's rebirth as a sign of hope, and from there, seek out a potential alliance with the Black Knights, the former prince could already guess that was unlikely to happen. More likely rather, opinions would be divided between the member states, as they usually were. Some states, through their representatives in Parliament, would vie for an alliance while others would believe the Black Knights as either an unstable element in the Great World War or worse, a potential threat.

Then there was the present administration itself, who Lelouch could not yet read nor anticipate. Had it been just over seven years ago, the matter would have come down to a simple vote on how the EU would act; whether or not it would reach out to the Black Knights for an alliance would depend solely on the people, or at least those that claim to represent the people. Now however, the Nationalists had their own agenda – one that Lelouch, for the life of him, could not yet understand – and were not adverse to see that agenda passed, even at the expense of democracy. Whatever course Eurasia would take following Akatsuki's completion would depend solely on the will of Friedrich Kessler and his party, and whether or not the Black Knights, as well as the returned Federation, fit into their plans. And Lelouch would be a fool to believe that he didn't already have enemies in that part of the world.

The former prince frowned at that. At least they're enemies that operate upon the open field. he inwardly remarked as he, continuing in thought as Venus fell further into the background, found himself considering the other enemy he had yet to face. An enemy that operated within Britannia's shadow, secretly hunting and destroying all who utilized the power of Geass. An enemy that could very well be the worst opponent Lelouch and his Knights would ever face.

Though he had not encountered them personally at this point, he knew V.V. was out there; C.C. had been very forthcoming when he had inquired upon his father's Geass. And though only he had the vaguest amount of information regarding the other Code Bearer and his organization, Lelouch knew they would be a force to be reckoned with. After all, anything involving Geass involved the supernatural; power that transcended scientific reality and extended into the metaphysical. In order to fight against the Power of the King, it was only logical that V.V. and his followers utilized similar powers of their own. That alone would make him and his order a dire threat; even if they weren't a true military force like the Black Knights, they would still be a hard opponent to face simply because of their unconventionality. Lelouch didn't even want to think about how his soldiers, who were all trained to fight conventional opponents, would fare against an enemy that wielded powers beyond imagination.

He shook his head at the thought, dismissing it from his mind lest it try to overtake him. V.V. would be dealt with in time, but, like the Eurasian Union and the rest, it was not the immediate threat. Britannia remained solely that.

In the meantime, he would gather as more information on it and its leader before he enacted a proper plan of attack. For that, he would also gather more information on Geass. Eight years since Shinjuku and Lelouch still knew very little about it beyond its power centering upon the human mind, that it had existed as long as the world itself and that at least one ancient civilization had been aware of it as the ruins within Kamine Island had proven. There were too many openings there, too many gaps in knowledge that could potentially cost him in the future. He would amend them when the time came as well, just as he would deal with whatever aftereffects Akatsuki brought to the world that Lelouch had considered before.

For now however, Lelouch finalized within, there was but the Dawn itself, and whatever time he had before. Thus, he lay back a little further as the Venus continued her waltz, seemingly dancing through the empty air as Holst's orchestra played on. Just as the final notes played out, signaling the coming transition to "Mercury, the Winged Messenger", the former prince found himself in a deep sleep and a corresponding world of dreams. Both of which would, for the briefest of times, take him far away from the war and chaos stricken world that he had been fighting so long to change. Or more precisely, destroy.

---

"I see your taste in music hasn't changed," Ohgi lightly remarked as Empress' "Killer Queen" played over the audio system, all but drowning the immediate space in classic rock. It had been a long time since the Black Knight General had heard that particular track, but here, within the quarters of the Red Dragoness herself, he was not surprised to hear it playing. Kallen always had a thing for Britannian rock, and Empress was one of her favorite bands. "You do realize some of our members would see this as an act of treason."

"Some people have no taste in music," Kallen replied stiffly. She was presently lying down on her bed, dressed in a red tank top and khaki short shorts, while Ohgi had made himself comfortable on a nearby chair. For her part, Kallen couldn't remember the last time she and Ohgi had spent any time together; at least outside of their respective duties and without Chigusa, their children and/or any of the original members of her brother's resistance cell also being present. Somehow it felt odd to her. "Besides, I'm half-Britannian remember? Those you mention would consider that an act of treason."

"Whatever you say Major," Ohgi replied, not wanting to dive any deeper into that particular subject. The last thing he needed to think about now were the more zealous elements of the Japanese Black Knights. The mere fact they existed within the Order at all made him feel disgusted. "Could you at least put on something more somber?" he requested. "We are, after all, about to go into battle."

Sighing, Kallen shifted over and tapped the control panel beside her bed. A moment later, the melodious paean to a "Moet-quaffing courtesan" was replaced with a far more subdued set of notes, played gently by keyboard. So began "Who Wants to Live Forever", which the bemused Ohgi more than easily recognized. "Very funny."

Kallen replied with a shrug. "You wanted somber," she pointed out, before closing her eyes to fully enjoy the song. "I think it's rather appropriate."

"Indeed," Ohgi answered, deciding it wouldn't hurt to listen in himself. That particular song held certain memories for him. "Naoto liked this one too."

At the mention of her late brother's name, Kallen's eyes opened, and then softened at the memory. "Yes, he did," she replied, recalling the times she caught her brother sneaking into her collection to listen to that song, among others. "Used to say it was the perfect song for people like us."

"Right, because we were the last people to have that consideration," Ohgi replied, smiling sadly at the memories. "And yet…"

"Don't say it," Kallen interrupted, knowing all too well what Ohgi was going to point out. It wasn't hard to guess; they were there and Naoto was not.

Nodding in understanding, Ohgi folded his hands together. "For what it's worth, I wish he were here now," he said, flat smile returning. "I can only imagine what he'd think of the Black Knights."

"Heh," Kallen laughed a little. "He'd hate the title for one thing," she pointed out. "Black was never his favorite color."

Ohgi remembered that as well. "Right," he agreed. "He always preferred red."

Kallen nodded, allowing a brief moment of silence to intervene as she recalled her brother's visage. "The Red Ronin," she spoke to the open air. "That was going to be the name of our group once we were recognized."

"Yes," Ohgi said, also remembering that name. "Samurai who shed their blood for no lord, but for the whole of Japan," he recited, before smirking a little. "Personally I thought he could do better. I mean, it was only one letter off from a Britannian hamburger chain."

Once more Kallen shrugged. "Naoto was not the most creative of people. At least, not in that area," she said, smirking herself. "He did have a thing for tactics however."

"That he did. Best shogi player there ever was," Ohgi said. At least, he liked to think of him as such, as Ohgi never won that particular game against his best friend. "I liked to imagine what he could have done with an army of knightmares."

Kallen also often wondered about that. "We would have done a lot more to liberate Japan, that's for sure," she said. "Even if all we had were Glasgows, he would have easily dominated the opposition as well as been recognized by Kyoto."

She then frowned. "Such that we wouldn't have had to resort to stealing chemical weapons."

Ohgi frowned as well at the indirect jab. "No disagreement there," he exclaimed rather blandly. "Though you and I can both attest that particular event was for the better."

Kallen smirked at Ohgi's slight discomfort. Though it hadn't really been chemical weapons they had stolen from the Britannians back then, it hadn't been one of Ohgi's most sterling decisions as a leader. Which he was more than aware of.

"As you said, no disagreements there," she said, deciding to let her friend off easy. "For all that happened at Shinjuku and before, it all worked out in the end."

She then found herself shifting back to the original subject. "You think…" she started to say, hesitating somewhat. "…if he had lived…"

Knowing what she was thinking, Ohgi nodded. "He would have been the first to accept Zero," he acknowledged. "The first to join the Black Knights, despite his disdain for the color."

He then leaned back in his chair, thinking a little. "In fact," he thought out loud. "He would be our Vice Commander if he were here now."

The knightmare ace pursed her lips at that thought, but didn't reply. Even after all this time, Ohgi still wasn't comfortable with his position within the Black Knights. However that was not her place to comment on. "You told me eight years ago," she said. "That Zero will be the one to realize Naoto's dream."

At that, he looked over to Ohgi. "Do you still believe that?"

Hearing that, Ohgi momentarily considered, before closing his eyes and smirking. "Yes," he answered. "And no."

Kallen's eyes narrowed in response. "Explain."

This time, Ohgi held no hesitance. "Naoto's dream was simply a free, reborn Japan," he explained. "In which our families would peacefully thrive."

The General then held up a finger. "Under that context, you could say that dream has already been realized," he pointed out. "By what we've established in Ryukyu."

When Kallen didn't reply to this, Ohgi went further. "Zero is fighting for that, but on a much larger scale," he said. "His dream is for the entire world to be of peaceful harmony and coexistence, not just our little island in East Asia."

Ohgi tilted his head in thought. "In a way, you could say he's moved beyond Naoto's dream toward something greater. Something only a King would be able comprehend, and much more see through," he posited near philosophically. "As opposed to a Knight like Naoto, who may lead the army, but is otherwise too shortsighted in vision to wear the crown."

He then added, after lowering his head somewhat. "Or a Bishop like me, who may only support the soul of the kingdom and nothing more."

Despite the attempt at self-deprecation, Kallen couldn't help but grin at a certain irony there. One that her friend had easily overlooked. "You're the one who's really changed Ohgi," she exclaimed. "You used to say people were not simple pieces on a game board."

Blinking once in realization, Ohgi found himself nodding in acknowledgment. That had been one of his main sticking points as a leader eight years ago. "Honestly I still hold to that, but not to the degree I used to," he admitted, almost sadly. "Time and rank have ways of altering one's perception."

Kallen opened her mouth to reply to that, but Ohgi spoke first. "Besides, I can think of worse things to see people as than chess or shogi pieces," he said, taking on a more subdued tone. "Numbers, for example."

The Red Dragoness understood that one easily. "Isn't that the truth," she said as she turned back to stare up at the ceiling. All the while Freddy Mercury and the rest of Empress continued to play in the background.

---

"I really hope this isn't going to be my last meal," Asahina let out as he pulled a strand of natto up with his chopsticks, gazing at the fermented beans in disgust. "Couldn't they have at least made miso soup?"

"Just be grateful you're not going to fight on an empty stomach," Urabe exasperated as he took a bite. He didn't like natto much himself, but at least it was filling, which would go a long way in the coming fight. "And that your 'last meal' doesn't consist of the slop the CLA calls food."

Asahina grimaced at the reference. "That sludge?" he spat, suddenly finding himself more appreciative of the beans before him. "I'm surprised they're able to get out of the latrine after eating that crap, let alone go into combat."

"From what I heard it's all perfectly healthy, being laced with all the essential proteins and vitamins to the good soldier going," Urabe shrugged as he took a bite of beans. "As far as flavor goes however, I think it would be better served as lubricant for Yaoguai joints than anything else."

"Would probably improve their performance too," Asahina added before taking a bite of his own bean as well, forcing them down with considerable effort. Once more, he hoped against hope that this wouldn't be his final meal. As bad as dying was, he imagined it would be considerably worse if he died with the beans' lingering aftertaste in his mouth.

Urabe only looked on bemusedly at his fellow Holy Sword's discomfort. "Come on Shogo. You've eaten worse things," he pointed out. "I mean, remember what they used to serve us at Narita?"

Once again Asahina grimaced. "Are you trying to make me lose my appetite Kosetsu?" he growled back.

"Not at all," Urabe replied. "I'm just reminding you that compared to what we used to eat in the JLF, you should be grateful for what we have now," he said, gesturing toward the beans. "I mean, if this were eight to fifteen years ago, these would be completely processed and artificial, not unlike what the CLA has to deal with."

"Sure sure," Asahina sighed, not really wishing to admit it. "Because we didn't have direct access to farmland or greenhouses, or a science division to make any of that happen."

"Right," Urabe replied, nodding as though Asahina had given the correct answer in a history lesson. "All we had were MREs and whatever crap Kyoto could sneak us, the latter of which was all few and far between," he nodded again at the beans. "This might as well be a state dinner at Kantei compared to that."

Asahina still grimaced at the natto. "Yeah well," he stated before he forced down another group. "I just hope we have better at the victory party."

Urabe smirked at the idea. "Considering all we've done for our Chinese brethren," he said, considering. "I believe we warrant nothing less than a Manchu Han Imperial Feast."

The opposite Holy Sword suddenly looked that much more hopeful. "You think that could actually happen?" he inquired in great earnest.

Urabe smiled at that, this time sadly. "I'm afraid not," he answered. "One of the more prominent victims of the Cultural Revolution, remember?"

"Kisama!" Asahina hissed. Indeed, he remembered the story of how Mao Zedong's Red Guards, in their idiotic quest to destroy all semblances of China's millennium spanning pre-communist culture, hunted down and burned nearly all documentation regarding the Feast. "Remind me Kosetsu. What the hell are we over here fighting for again?"

The older Holy Sword resisted the urge to laugh. "Worldwide liberation, our families back home," he dryly replied, before picking up another strand of natto. "And apparently all the fermented beans we can eat."

Asahina nearly gagged as his eyes locked onto the strand. "As I said, I hope we have better at the victory party," he glowered. "Otherwise there's going to be an Aka no Yugure following this operation."

This time Urabe did actually laugh. "Relax Shogo," he said consolingly. "We didn't come this far just to be stiffed by the ever grateful Chinese populace," he explained, then chomping down on the beans. "And if nothing else, I'm sure the Britannians will be leaving more than a few goodies behind on their way out."

That mollified Asahina, but not by much. "Assuming the Eunuchs haven't eaten them all already," he retorted. "That Zhao Hao bastard alone probably eats more in a day than you and I would in a year."

"And then some," Urabe again dryly replied. There was no shortage of stories regarding that particular Eunuch. That made Urabe consider for a moment. "I wonder how he would taste roasted and filleted…"

Needless to say, Asahina sat near frozen, an expression of pure shock across his face at his comrade's exclamation. Yet again Urabe found himself laughing, as if caught in a rather embarrassing Freudian slip. "I'm kidding of course," Urabe stated with his hands raised in surrender, then looking away a little. "Well, kind of."

'Kind of'!? Asahina thought astonishingly.

"That being said, I must compliment you Shogo," Urabe spoke up again, causing his fellow devicer to blink in question. "It's only the eve of the Dawn, and you're already assured enough of our victory that you're more worried about what we'll be eating in the after-party."

When Asahina blinked again, Urabe clarified. "As opposed to whether we do in fact win or not," he pointed out. "If only our ever anxious allies would take after your sterling example…"

This time, Asahina was the one to shrug. "What's there to worry about? Beyond survival of course," he explained, forcing down yet another strand of beans. "Liberating a country? Not like we haven't done that before."

Urabe smirked at the reference. "Except it didn't go so well for us last time."

Asahina sniffed. "Only because our opponents cheated in the worst possible way," he countered. "Can't happen this time around, at least not in that specific manner."

A rather diabolical smile then flashed over the Holy Sword's lips. "As a matter of fact," he pointed out, his tone conspiring. "Their trying to reenact the Devastation would actually work in our favor, if you think about it."

The opposite Holy Sword understood that reference as well. "Heh, true enough," Urabe replied, nodding in agreement. "Either way, let's just hope that it really will be that simple."

"And that we'll be properly compensated afterward," Asahina replied, again gazing disgustedly at the natto as he tried to work up more nerve.

---

Compared to the rampant activity that had graced the Izumo mere hours ago, her decks were now eerily tranquil, such that Charmelle could hear her own bootheels as she moved through the corridors. It was to be expected; with the battle so close at hand, the bulk of the crew were now enjoying whatever time they had left in whatever means were permissible, and so remained spread throughout the ship. Meanwhile, those who were unfortunate enough to be on duty at this time were either keeping watch on the bridge or the engine room or were in the hangars fine tuning the knightmares, VTOLs and other such vehicles for combat, meaning they were spread throughout the ship as well. That left the decks largely open, such that Charmelle had yet to encounter another soul through her trek.

That would change soon enough unfortunately. For the most part, Zero Squadron was accounted for: the Major and Alfred had returned to their quarters, Susumu was currently hosting a tabletop game with Toshiyuki, Shunsuke and Shunsui, Ageha and Kentaro were killing each other some video game – and likely close to killing each other in real life – Marika was off brooding in her usual manner and Benio was inspecting her Guren before the big fight. That left only one other; the one that Charmelle preferred the least affiliation with. And yet, before the incursion into Luoyang began, she had to make sure that the remainder was kept in line.

And so Charmelle came across the set of doors that led to the Izumo's computer room. Inwardly sighing as she mentally prepared herself, she walked up to the doors, which automatically slid open to allow her inside. No point in hesitating, she entered.

"…as additional reinforcements continue to be funneled into Tours to meet the Eurasian countersurge. In response to these developments, His Imperial Highness, Prince Hannes, has reassured IBC that Tours is 'merely' a 'small setback' and that His Majesty's forces will reach Paris soon enough…"

As Charmelle expected, the computer room was mostly empty, save for the single occupant at the only active terminal. As the IBC report continued to flow in with accompanying imagery, most of it bloodier than what was usually shown to the public eye, Liliana Vergamon continued to watch over the feed with great interest, her head presently turned away from the newcomer's. Quietly, Charmelle stepped into the room, all the while resisting the urge to draw her sidearm – she had brought it along just in case – and deliver unto the former Purist what she should have received following the Devastation, as Alfred had routinely claimed. For her part, Liliana barely paid notice to the woman as she stepped behind her.

"Well, well," Liliana finally spoke up, a smirk folding across her lips. "Of all the people to come visit me at this time in the morning, I didn't expect it to be you," she then added sardonically. "Captain Finlay."

Charmelle's sneer only deepened in response. "Believe me, you weren't my first choice to share company with."

"Oh?" Liliana let out, at last turning to meet her fellow devicer and technical superior officer, a gleam in her otherwise vicious eyes. "And who was your first choice? A certain wayward Glaston Knight with lingering familial issues?" she exclaimed, looking up in thought. "I must admit I wouldn't mind sharing a bed with him myself. At least…"

"Let's cut to the chase," Charmelle interrupted sharply, again resisting the urge to draw her sidearm. She knew when she was being played. "I speak, you reply, and at the end of this exchange, I leave and you go back to watching your home movies," she stated, taking note of the blown up images on the terminal screen, which looked suspiciously like aftermaths of ghetto purgings, while the IBC broadcast was only projected in a smaller screen in the right upperhand corner. "Is that understood?"

Liliana nodded, but her grin, more amused than ever, remained. "Go on."

Exhaling from her nostrils, Charmelle subconsciously rested her hand on her Browning. "I want to make sure," she began. "That you won't do anything untold once we enter Luoyang."

The former Purist arched an eyebrow. "By 'untold', do you mean my engaging in the usual Numbers slaughter?" she inquired, tilting her head in interest. "Or my 'suddenly' turning upon my comrades and the rest of the Black Knights for my 'true masters' in the Homeland?"

Charmelle's fingers twitched over the gun handle. "You tell me," she replied.

"Heh," Liliana laughed somewhat, as if it had been a small joke. "And I thought you were going to be the one speaking."

She the casually rested her hands behind her head. "Rest assured I am completely loyal to Zero and the Order, such that my turning back to Britannia would be utterly unthinkable," she answered straightforward. "Otherwise, wouldn't a certain army of ever watchful shinobi have 'disappeared' me off long ago?"

"Even they can make mistakes," Charmelle countered.

Liliana tilted her head again. "And what about the Major?" she inquired. "She was the one who selected and inducted me into the squadron after all. Could she have made a mistake?"

This time, it was Charmelle that laughed. "Obviously," she exclaimed. "She brought you in because you're that good of a devicer…"

The former Purist nodded, as if accepting a compliment. "You're too kind."

"…as well as to keep you on a short leash," Charmelle finished, a smirk of her own folding. "Hard to engage in a Numbers slaughter or plot a betrayal when the Red Dragoness is watching your every move, isn't it?"

That one hit the mark, though Liliana expertly kept it off her face. Indeed, it was hard for her to engage in her 'hobbies' when the great Ace of the Elevens was close by. And if she wasn't, then the Black Knights had more than a fair number of other aces – the woman in front of her being among them – to step up and gleefully finish her. Overall, Liliana wasn't a fool; she knew she was still alive now because she was 'useful', and if that were ever to come to an end…

Regardless however, the blonde murderess remained undeterred. "Well, then you have nothing to worry about, Captain," she returned to the subject at hand. "Which begs to question why you're interrupting my 'home movies' to begin with."

"As I said, I want to make sure," Charmelle shot back. "Old habits die hard after all," he pointed out, smirk returning. "Pardon the expression."

"Indeed," Liliana took the hint. "In that case, allow me to try a different tact," she said, leaning closer. "What if I were to tell you that even I can reign in my thirst for blood? Especially if it were for the sake of one so certain?"

Charmelle wasn't sure what it was, but there was something in the other devicer's tone that made her skin crawl. "'One so certain?'" she repeated. "The Major…?"

"Hardly," Liliana replied, her smile deepening as she pointed her index finger upward.

A frown quickly spread across Charmelle's face, especially when she caught the gaze in Liliana's eyes. "Zero," she exclaimed, suddenly realizing what that change in tone was. "You're in love with him."

In truth, she had suspected it for some time. For all of her flaws, Liliana was as fanatical in loyalty to the masked man as the rest of Zero Squadron, despite Zero being deeply opposed to the bloodshed that the former Purist thrived in. Merge that with the fact that she was not the type to follow orders based solely on 'duty' or 'honor', and that left only one probable explanation as to why Liliana Vergamon willingly followed her chosen king.

Needless to say, Liliana's smile only increased at that answer. "Obviously," she said. "It wouldn't do well for me to sabotage his plans, now would it?"

Charmelle suddenly felt nauseated. "How can you be in love with him?" she exclaimed in horror and disgust. "He's fighting against everything that you seem to cherish!"

Again, Liliana tilted her head, a move that was quickly becoming annoying to the other Zero Squadron member. "They do say opposites attract," she replied with that damnable smile. "And it's not like Zero hasn't done anything that I haven't done."

Liliana gleamed once more as Charmelle's horror deepened. "In fact, compared to some of his accomplishments through the Insurrection, up to and including the Black Rebellion itself, I might as well be a pacifist," she stated. "How could I not fall in love with such a man?"

Suddenly overtaken by impulse, Charmelle at last drew her Browning and pointed it directly at the self-proclaimed butcher. "Zero is nothing like you!" she nearly bellowed. "And you will be dead long before you can taint the world he will soon create!"

Despite the laser dot being placed against her forehead, Liliana merely smirked back in amusement. "And that is where you are wrong, Captain," she retorted. "For if there is ever world that will need someone of my skill and character, it will be the one Zero has envisioned."

Then, all too casually, she stood up and nudged the gun away. "You think of me too highly Charmelle," Liliana continued. "You believe that the slaughter I engage in is but a means to an end for me, when in reality that 'end' is simply the privilege of spilling blood."

She went on, smile everlasting. "For the longest time, I didn't care for whatever laid beyond the blood I spilled, or if it served any 'higher' purpose," Liliana said. "Britannia's glory? The purity of its military ranks? Its dominance over the world? Mere excuses to engage in the most natural state of humanity. A state that predates all form of 'civilization' and 'culture', which brings to heart what our race values most."

When Charmelle looked on confusingly, Liliana happily clarified. "Life," she explained. "Or more specifically, its preservation in the individual sense."

The other devicer could hardly contain herself. "And Zero's world of peace and coexistence?" she let out. "That's the higher cause you now fight for? That you actually care about?"

"But of course," Liliana nodded, as if Charmelle had given the appropriate answer. "Zero preaches of the perfect world, yes?" she went on. "A world without war, needless bloodshed or oppression…

Then summarized. "A world without sin."

At that declaration, Liliana brought hands outward. "Such a world is utterly unnatural, as sin, not unlike God and the Devil, will always exist," she continued. "Therefore, in order for that world to exist, there must be those who are willing to live outside it, willing to bare sin."

Yet again the smile deepened. "Those who would engage in all that you would consider horrific and unforgiveable," she said. "All so that people like you, your beloved Glaston, the Major and all others who claim virtue can continue on, never having to sully yourselves or do what is all too necessary to maintain that sinless world."

By now, Charmelle couldn't keep the horror off her face. Which only enticed Liliana that much further. "At last I have found a man all to worthy of my love. And a cause all too worthy of my gifts," she said. "A perfect world, which my efforts will see free of bloodshed and destruction."

Her eyes bored vividly into Charmelle's. "Helmed by a man who holds the mantle of Demon King."

Charmelle glared back in return. "You're a monster," she managed to spit.

Liliana nodded. "That I am," she spoke in acknowledgment. "But a monster who is all too necessary, as so many, including Major Kouzuki and Zero himself, have deemed," she said. "The necessity of which you are only beginning to understand."

With that, Liliana retook her seat. "Now, if you'll excuse me, we are but hours away from the Dawn," she said, then turning back to face the terminal. "And I would like to spend that time in leisure, if you don't mind."

Replacing her gun, Charmelle could only glare at the back of Liliana's head for the longest time. It was only after that time had passed that she spoke again. "Just keep something else in mind, Lieutenant Vergamon," she spoke scathingly. "Sin is always followed by damnation."

Her glare became that much more fixed. "And in the end," she said. "Those whose sins are not washed away will always pay for them," she declared. "In full."

That said, Charmelle at last turned around and stormed out of the computer room. Leaving Liliana, who took that statement with a slight shrug, to return to her activities.

---

Chinese land cruiser Mao Zedong
Duchy of Henan, Area 22 (China), Britannian Empire

If he had originally expected to spend his time before the coming battle in peace and calm, then Li Xingke would have been greatly disappointed. Instead, he laid in his bed, nearly violently sweating and trembling as the onset of his condition, as well as the aftereffects of the very medicine he took to keep in check, worked their course over his body. Fighting himself to keep some measure of control, from which he could elicit some level of stability, it was all he could do to remain lying there, teeth clenched, breathing haggard and hands clawing against his bedsheets, lest he leap up from the bed and tear apart his living quarters in his seeking relief. Such had happened before, back when his medication was far more potent in keeping his tuberculosis contained.

Needless to say, that time had long passed, as the bacteria had long adapted itself to the medication. All the latter could do now was keep him alive that much longer, as well as keep his condition from spreading unto others. The former was only beneficial in that Li would live long enough to see China freed – or utterly destroyed – in the next few hours. The latter, however, ensured that those around him, namely her, would not suffer his fate.

Really, everything he did now was for her. Whether it was fighting against China's enemies within the Shenhu or simply forcing himself against the terrible roaring in his chest, the sheer pulsing of his nerves and the horrid thumping of his heart, it was all for her. Just as her very image, which remained within the center of his mind even now, elicited the smallest measure of calm within the inferno; an area within himself that kept him grounded in sanity, lest he give into the resounding fury and unleash himself within his domain, if not the whole of the Mao. To claim otherwise would have been as deceitful as it would have been unnecessary. Potentially every man and woman that made up the CLA, from the lowest private to the next highest general - which was obviously Zhou – knew where Li's ultimate feelings laid. Li would have been a fool to presume otherwise.

At last he managed to unglue one of his hands from the bedsheets, just so he could grasp it against his chest. He was not coughing at this point, which he was thankful for, but his chest continued to heave in strain and friction, not unlike a set of ill-fitting clockwork gears grinding against each other. The taste of blood was in his mouth now, to which Li forced himself to swallow off and on, yet another effort to maintain control. It was the most trivial of pursuits, yet he still put the entirety of effort into it as per habit; the sight of his own coughed blood staining whatever laid nearby, whether it be his hand or his cockpit monitor, had never sat well with him. As well, given his current state, it did well for him to focus himself onto a particular task, as it held the chance of forcing the rest of his condition into the background. A vain hope at best, but still one worth pursuing, especially as his body continued to thunder around him.

As he did this, his mind again centered around her. Her white hair, her pigeon blood eyes, the scent of orchids and jasmines that she naturally followed her, even the feel of her body, no matter how slight, against his own. Anything he could think of to keep the pain at bay as well as maintain his focus on the one final thing that truly mattered to him. His subordinates within the CLA, even China itself were nothing but distant seconds compared to her. After all, he would not have remained living as long as he had, nor endured as much pain and suffering, for any of them.

In the end, it was the feel of her body that weighed the most heavily in his mind, which Li was both disgusted and enamored at. Due to his condition and his ultimate love for her, he had never engaged in that particular activity throughout his life. Such celibacy had been painful, but like everything else he had endured it, instead focusing on his military duties and his service to her first and foremost. Had anyone known of it, he would undoubtedly had been praised for his dedication to China, to forgo the pleasures of the flesh for the service of his country. As what was to be expected of a true communist.

Now however, in spite of all of his efforts, it was the one thing that stuck out most within his rambled consciousness, far more so than anything else in fact. The lust and desire to become one with her, to make her his and him truly hers in return, to love her in the most intimate way there was. Indeed, as his life gradually moved closer to its close, accompanied by the knowledge that his duty and obligation would no longer hold meaning, it was the one thing he realized he truly wanted. She was the one thing he truly wanted, the answer he had given to that lingering question at Xiaopei. Just as, irony of ironies, she was the only thing that he could never have, not even in the end.

As much as he desired her, and she him, Li knew there to be nothing but pain and despair there. For whatever time they would have in the moment, there would only be a lifetime of suffering afterward when he was gone. Yes, she would eventually recover, perhaps even find a new love to follow – a thought that threatened to undo whatever control Li had managed to gain over his present condition – but ultimately it would cause her more harm than anything else. It had been that knowledge, even more than the fear of his disease spreading to her, that kept him back all this time; made him passive even when, deep down, he wanted to confess everything to her. For the one he loved most, he would forgo his love, and eventually pass on as the true communist people had believed him to be.

Besides her obvious safety, that had been the reason why he had had her shipped away to Ryukyu. That had been the reason why he had even made a deal with the man he despised most, ultimately condemning her to live under his rule. As long as she was there, he could perform his final duty to China without hesitance, and then pass onto Diyu – he had never been virtuous enough to warrant passage to Tian, in spite of what others may have claimed – peacefully. She would hate him, perhaps live the rest of her life hating him, but, as ironic as it sounded, he could live with that. So long as she would live in his place, and from there, live on to experience the outside world.

At that, another thought occurred to Li in the midst of his anguish: Zero. Specifically, his claimed wish for Li to live on, so that he may continue to faithfully serve his liege. What did he mean by that exactly? The Demon King knew of his condition; he had explained it so upon their last meeting. So how could Zero wish for him to live? And just how, in his myriad of schemes, did the Demon King plan to see to it that he did in fact live?

Li shook his head, dismissing the thought. Just because Zero wished for him to live didn't mean that he could in fact make it so. At best the Demon King meant that he wanted Li to live for just that much longer, so that she would be secure in her "preordained" return to the Chairmanship. There was no reason to hope for more than that; even the Demon King, for all of his power and miracles, could not reverse what nature had condemned. Otherwise Japan would not remain as it was in the present day.

No, it was best for Li to force those thoughts back, along with his lingering feelings. He had a battle to fight in the next few hours after all, and for him to be there, he needed to stabilize himself first. Far too much was upon the line for him to remain confined to his bed, as opposed to the Shenhu's cockpit.

Thus, with one final admission of gratitude that the woman he loved was as far away from him and the battlefield as she could be, he went back to fighting his curse. If only so that he could live and fight for that much longer.

---

Complete silence dwelled upon the Mao's bridge as the mighty landship rumbled across the Chinese landscape. Standing in the middle of it all, over the giant digital map table, Zhou continued to watch over the main monitor and the distant horizon that was displayed. They were still a fair distance out from Luoyang, so there was no hope of seeing the city lights over said horizon; instead, there was only the perpetual darkness, with the forward escorting knightmares only being visible through the monitor's night lighting. For her part, Zhou found the image strangely tranquil and calming, a last breath before the shooting began. She savored it, knowing it would not last.

Also for her part, Zhou, in spite of all the events that were in motion, still didn't know what to make of Akatsuki; was it really the break that she and the rest the CLA had been waiting on, or, as she was gradually leaning toward, was it nothing short of pure madness? Not that she hadn't spent the last few hours going over the battle plans alongside Li and their counterparts in the Black Knights, nor that Zhou concluded that such plans were as well formulated as possible toward storming China's most integral cities. Yet she couldn't decide for herself whether what they were doing was the CLA's glorious end, or if it could possibly be their greatest triumph. And she imagined she wasn't the only one that felt as such, especially when she looked over the various faces around her.

She let out a breath, one she had been holding unknowingly. Regardless of what she thought, they were on the move anyway, and she would all too likely receive her answer once the shooting started. Until then, all she could do was wait along with everyone else.

"Time," Zhou commanded, inadvertently breaking the silence. In truth she wasn't entirely concerned; it was just something to keep her mind occupied.

"0402 hours," an anonymous crewman replied after looking over his monitor.

Zhou unconsciously nodded. It would still be sometime before dawn graced the Motherland, but at least they were making well on their schedule. "Distance from Luoyang."

"Approximately three hundred and sixty kilometers," another crewman answered, then following up. "We should reach visual range within the next two hours."

"Good, then we still have plenty of time," a new voice spoke up from the back of the bridge, causing Zhou and those around her to nearly jump at its entry. With her usual regal grace along with an accompanying hint of dominance, Tianzi stepped off the elevator and onto the bridge, taking no small amount of pleasure in the shock she had generated.

Zhou was the first to recover, but only just. "Yo-Your Excellency...!" she stammered as the former Chairwoman casually made her way through the bridge. "I thought you had been flown to...!"

"There's been a change in plans," Tianzi announced as she took the overly elaborate seat - the one meant for the Chairperson his/herself - toward the rear of the bridge. "I will be accompanying you into battle."

Zhou nearly doubled over upon hearing that, and it took her a bit of time to come up with a reply. Tianzi had to admit, it was the first time she had seen the general so shaken. "I cannot allow this Your Excellency!" she managed to let out. "General Li's orders...!"

"Are being countermanded," Tianzi replied smoothly, before fixing Zhou a hard stare. "I cannot and will not abandon my country in its fated hour. You of all people should understand that Xianglin."

Despite the intensity behind the former Chairwoman's gaze, Zhou remained resolute. "Regardless of your personal feelings ma'am, I must insist you leave this ship at once! Before it's too late!"

Tianzi smiled back, showing no remorse. "I refuse."

Zhou nearly grit her teeth at the display. "Then I have no choice but...!"

"'But' what? To have me escorted? You'll have to do better than that General," Tianzi inquired, then raising both of her arms up, seemingly offering them to Zhou. "If you really want me gone, then you better arrest me here and now..."

The smile then disappeared as Tianzi fixed her full fury upon the CLA's Vice Commander. "Because that is the only way you will be getting me off this bridge!"

More than one head shot up at that declaration, looking between the chairwoman whose name they had been fighting for over the last seven years to the CLA's second highest commander. And once more, Zhou could only stand by, completely stunned and in full disbelief. All the while Tianzi kept her arms outstretched, as if she really were awaiting a set of binders to be placed on them.

After what seemed like an eternity of cold, hard silence, Zhou at last regained her composure. And though she didn't like it in the least, she knew that there was nothing she could do. "As you wish, Your Excellency," she spoke evenly.

Tianzi withdrew her arms, nodding in satisfaction. "Once we reach the operation zone, establish a direct link with the Izumo," she replied, before speaking in near conspiracy. "It is time for the Son of Heaven to move out from the darkness and back into the light."

Though Zhou could only fathom what she meant by that, she nonetheless nodded. "As ordered," she replied, before turning back to face the monitor.

However, before she completed the turn, Tianzi spoke up again. "And Xianglin," she said, stopping the general's motion. "I would rather General Li not be informed of my presence here," she spoke sweetly. "Is that understood?"

Again, Zhou had no choice but to comply. "Once more, as you wish Your Excellency," she said, then facing forward again.

With that taken care of, Tianzi settled back into her chair, preparing herself for the storm that was to come.

---

Luoyang Settlement, Duchy of Henan, Area 22 (China), Britannian Empire

At last the dawn had come. And with it, a new phase of war to fight. Within the confines of the Dinadan's cockpit, Johann continued to look toward the east as the enemy army approached, deploying his knightmare's factspheres to scan them. The Knight of Two found the resultant dataflow intriguing, as he did the overall scene before him.

Backlit by the rising sun, the combined Black Knight and Chinese legion looked as majestic as it was imposing. An army that marched from the dawn, ready to face its destiny with unflinching resolve, heedless of whatever fate intended for it. Once more the Knight of Two wondered if this was also part of Zero's strategy; to begin the battle that would decide the fate of Area 22 within the twilit morning, if only for the symbolism it held for both the Numbers and his own troops. It would be just like him, Johann knew, recalling the masked man's penchant for dramatic appearances, though it lacked any tactical value.

Whatever the Demon King's intentions, the army he and General Li had amassed was quite impressive, even by the Owl of Britannia's standards. The area in front of Luoyang appeared as an almost literal sea of metal; from the sheer legion of knightmares leading in the front to the massive landships toward the rear, the enemy ground contingent was perfectly arrayed in five vast battle formations – the Chinese, of course, being at the center while the Black Knights flanked them - while in the air a swarm of VTOL craft, both gunships and transports, stood by to support. And Johann had little doubt that both the CLA and the Black Knights had fighter craft in their ranks, ready to sortie upon the given order.

On that end, the Chinese were making up for their antiquated weapons through their precision and tenacity. Though it was established fact that a single Yaoguai could not hope to beat a Sutherland, let alone the Dinadan, Caius or Safir, tens if not hundreds of them moving about in synchronized form would certainly make up for the technological gap, as it almost had at Xiaopei. Amongst their numbers, only the Shenhu and its three compatriots stood out from beyond the ranks, the former positioned somewhat ahead of the formation in a traditional commander's position, as if the Chinese Tiger were shepherding the tadpoles. From Johann's position, it might as well have, as the sight of the Chinese Tiger leading from the front would serve as a morale boost for even the most downtrodden Yaoguai devicer.

On the other side, the Black Knights were just as precise and well organized. Literally beside the Shenhu, the Mordred was ahead of the main formations, overlooked by the twelve Gurens that undoubtedly made up Zero's personal vanguard, while the regular Black Knights were arranged in a similar pattern as their Chinese counterparts further back. Notably, the red haired, ornately crested knightmare that belonged to Kyoshiro Tohdoh was also placed at the direct head of the forward most Black Knight formation – Tohdoh of Miracles having apparently taken it upon himself to lead the main thrust - flanked itself by four commander units, obviously the Four Holy Swords. Behind them, the landships remained in a combined fleet arrangement, with the Black Battleship at the spearhead, flanked by several cruiser types, while the Mao and her compatriots, as well as those strange missile destroyer ships Johann had become acquainted with over the last few weeks, remained behind in a support capacity.

A traditional frontal assault. Johann thought as he withdrew his factspheres, his gaze remaining upon the advancing army with keen interest. Though it was as formidable as it was impressive, the second of the Rounds was by no means ill-prepared to face it. An equally vast field of blue was spread out across the cityscape, primarily taking the form of Sutherlands and Gloucesters. All were arrayed in proper formations both as well as supplemented by conventional armor and landships, while additional forces remained within the city itself. All stood by for their liege's signal, which they awaited in earnest.

And of course, there was Michael and Nena, both flanking him the Caius and Safir respectively, who observed the enemy army with equal interest. "Sure are a lot of them," Michael commented, sounding almost admiring toward the opposition. "Considering the ass kicking they got at Xiaopei, I'd say they boosted their numbers during the median."

"Obviously," Nena spoke up in that highly uncharacteristic expression of seriousness she had held to Johann mere days ago. The Safir's head turned to face the Dinadan. "You still sure it was a good idea to go into this without Argus?"

"Most assuredly," Johann confirmed, his knightmare's own head remaining fixed toward the east. "Despite their apparent growth in numbers, we maintain the overall edge. Both here and within the other battlegrounds."

At that, Johann glanced over at his sidescreen, which displayed a corner tactical map of Area 22. Through the Dinadan's Druid System and the active link to the Government Bureau's command and control system, Johann was able to track military movements across the whole area. And as was happening in Luoyang, enemy formations were advancing across the almost every major settlement, all marked in red masses against the defending blue ones. The endgame was about to begin. "Argus is entirely unnecessary for this battle."

Michael visibly shrugged. "If you say so Johann," he replied, taking his superior's assessment at face value. He looked back toward the advancing army. "Though that means we'll have an even bigger fight ahead of us."

Johann arced an eyebrow. "Are we growing hesitant, Michael?" he inquired.

In response, Michael let out a bark of laughter. "Hardly!" he exclaimed. "It also means we have more than enough targets to choose from!"

"Hell yes," Nena acknowledged, her original seriousness forgotten and replaced with anticipation. "This is going to be the best fight we had since we hit Barcelona!"

Johann nodded, feeling more comfortable with his compatriots acting as their usual selves. With that taken care of, he glanced back toward the side screen and watched as the red fields drew closer to their objective areas, the blue masses remaining stationary as they approached. For a time, he was tempted to order his forces to engage then and there; to head off the enemy before they could close the distance any further. However, he ignored that temptation, knowing that the battle would start itself in due time. He and the rest of the Imperial forces in Area 22 need only wait a little longer.

Thus, the Knight of Two adjusted himself into his chair, his grey eyes never looking away from his main monitor. And all that lay within.

---

Government Bureau
Luoyang Settlement, Duchy of Henan, Area 22 (China), Britannian Empire

Uncomfortable silence was the order of the day as the near entirety of the government bureau's command center, both soldier and civilian alike, watched the main monitor with rapt attention. It was probably the first time Calares had ever heard such silence within that particular part of the bureau; though it wasn't the noisiest of areas, one could usually hear the processing of equipment and the endless labor of computer operators going about their work, making for a mixture of subtle but no less present sounds in the background. Now however, while the operators remained at their stations and continued to work, not so much as the clicking of keys could be heard as every single pair of eyes dwelled upon the main monitor or the computer screens, watching as the Black Knights and CLA slowly approached Luoyang. It was almost as though Calares could hear his own heartbeat.

At least, he would have heard his own heartbeat if not for the collection of hampered breathing and irritation that was behind him. Having effectively forced their way into the bureau in the last few hours, Zhao Hao and his compatriots also watched the main screen with bated breath, their composures mixed between anxious and impatience. No doubt, Calares estimated, they were wondering why Sir Johann was bothering to wait for the Black Knights and CLA to draw closer instead of opening fire straight away; the welling frustration in Zhao Hao's beady eyes was enough to indicate such. Not that Calares himself understood the answer, but he had no reason to doubt Sir Johann's strategy, and so continued to wait patiently. If anyone knew what he was doing now, it would be the Owl of Britannia.

"This is insane," Zhao Hao harshly whispered from behind, his mechanical hands clicking into fists. "We should just wipe them out now and be done with it! What's taking Sir Johann so long!?"

Calares sneered at the former premier's exclamation. "If you don't understand what's going on Zhao Hao, then just shut up and keep watching. You'll find out soon enough," he replied in a quiet but no less hardened voice. "Better yet, why are you and your entourage here anyway? Don't you have a pesthole to hide in until the shooting stops?"

Zhao Hao fixed a very unsubtle glare to the viceroy. "It's taken us seven years to reach this point, Calares," he answered back. "Seven years to at last bring Li and his rabble army to justice."

Calares nearly gagged at that explanation, choking down the irony. Though he could believe what was about to happen to the CLA, and perhaps the Black Knights with them, was proper justice, Zhao Hao was the last person in the universe to claim as such. If anything, it made Calares nearly believe in the exact opposite.

"We are not missing this for the world," Zhao Hao finished with, earning a line of nods from the other seven in his group. The overweight "eunuch" then shifted his attention to the main screen without another word.

"Enemy forces now within settlement outer boundary," one of the operators reported as the contingent drew ever closer, breaking the silence for but a moment. "They're halting."

Hearing that, Calares returned his own gaze to the screen, the CLA and Black Knight landships having become larger in profile, as had the various knightmares around them. For all of his disdain toward the man, there was one thing he agreed with Zhao Hao. That it had taken seven years to reach this point in time; that, whether or not it was justice that would soon be inflicted upon the CLA and their renegade allies, seven years of long and bitter fighting would end at this very time.

Thus, he continued to observe, his eyes turning toward the Shenhu at the center of the formation while his mind pictured its legendary devicer. And what about you, Li? Calares wondered as he studied the knightmare's intricate faceplate. Are you feeling much the same as the rest of us?

---

From the Shenhu's cockpit, Li Xingke scanned over their primary target with a nostalgic eye. It had been quite some time since he had laid his eyes directly upon the city of Luoyang; not since Tianzi's wedding so long ago had he been this close to it, nor for that matter had the rest of the CLA. As the primary settlement within the Britannian occupation, Luoyang had been the most heavily defended city in the entire Area, the very heart of the Imperial oppression. As much as Li had wanted to see it liberated, he knew it was too heavily defended and that whatever force he deployed would be easily obliterated by said defenses, and so had focused his attention on other outlying cities and fortifications throughout the years, leaving the former capital largely alone and to its new rulers' whims. And now here he was seven years later, about to lead his army into it his army into the heart of it. The irony was far from lost.

Zooming his main camera, he gazed over the line of enemy knightmares and warships arrayed to meet them, both those on the ground and the float equipped units in the air. As he expected, the Owl of Britannia had wasted no time in organizing a proper defense; it seemed like the entirety of the city's southern boundary was covered by lines of knightmares, to say nothing of within the city itself. Getting through them and the city gates would prove to be a most difficult task for them; even if Li opened a way up with the Shenhu's baryon cannon, which itself would be difficult, the Britannians had more than enough numbers to close any openings mere moments after they were formed, thereby assuring the minimal amount of Yaoguais and Gekkas would make it through. And that was before they reached the city interior, which would undoubtedly be filled with additional knightmares and armored units taking cover amongst the buildings, while his knightmares, limited by their lack of slash harkens and ability to jump, would be forced to fight from the streets.

Really, about the only thing going in Li and the CLA's favor, and he supposed the Black Knights' favor as well, was that Argus was inactive according to his sensor data. And even then, Li wasn't sure what to make of it; what did the Imperials have to gain by leaving their primary defense system offline? Was it some kind of trap? If so, then how was it supposed to work; was the Knight of Two planning on luring the CLA and the Black Knights into Luoyang proper before springing it on them? Besides the fact it was way too obvious, Li didn't see the point in that when Johann Ernst would have likely gained more if he had it active in the beginning, in which case they'd have even more obstacles to break through before reaching the city. Or perhaps the Imperials figured they didn't need Argus at all; that they could fight off the CLA and Black Knights simultaneously with their conventional military forces. Li found that explanation just as dubious, if only because, for all their belief in chivalry, the Britannians had never hesitated in using overwhelming force in the past.

Just what is happening here? Li thought as he again scanned the city, once more only finding a selection of ground based knightmares and armor as active enemy combatants within. No machine gun or missile emplacements, no hadron cannon turrets; not even the "Blaze Luminous" projectors were operating. By all facts and accounts, Argus really was completely offline. And yet, in spite of the tactical implications, Li couldn't decide whether it actually was to their advantage or not. Much to his inner confusion.

"Quite the view, isn't it?" the voice Li had detested for so long posited over the comlink. Behind him, he watched as the Mordred walked – literally walked, its landspinners retracted – up to its position, black cape fluttering against the wind. Even without seeing Zero's face, masked or otherwise, Li could pick up on the near casual indifference the black and gold Britannian knightmare's devicer held as he came up to stand beside the Shenhu, ruby eyes fixed toward the distant city.

Resisting the urge to sneer, Li nodded at the inquiry. "It has been seven years since I last laid eyes upon this city," he explained. "Seven long years."

"Indeed," Lelouch concurred as he deployed his factsphere sensors, scanning over the immediate vicinity. "Enjoy the moment General," he added with a smirk behind his mask. "For it has long been due."

Despite himself, Li couldn't help but laugh a little at the Demon King's underlying meaning. "As you say, Gyoku One," he replied, before zooming on the army before them. "Though I would prefer to see it from within as well."

Lelouch's smirk only deepened at that. "Of course," he said, before looking over the Druid System readings within his mask's HMDS. Upon the system's confirmation that Argus was indeed disengaged, the former prince felt his eyebrow raised involuntarily. This, in turn, was followed by a slight frown as he again wondered what his opponent was thinking.

"Mao to Shangdi One," Zhou reported from the flagship. "All forces are now in position," the other general stated with complete finality. "We may begin operations at any time."

Li nodded, with no small amount of finality. As he had said to Zero, it would be their finest hour, regardless of the outcome. "Shangdi One to all units," he started, having the Shenhu draw its jian. "Begin..."

"Wait," Lelouch interrupted as the Mordred raised its left hand, compelling Li to stop. "We still have one final component."

Li raised an eyebrow in visible confusion. What more could the Demon King be waiting on? The entirety of the CLA was now very much into place, awaiting action, just as the masked man had wanted from the beginning. As were the Black Knights themselves, who were undoubtedly awaiting but a word from their leader. Surely, everything was ready.

It wasn't long before Li received his answer however. Before he could imply what Zero was intending, a new voice began to broadcast on a separate channel. One that Li more than recognized. "Former citizens of China! Sons and Daughters of the Motherland! Hear me now, for I come before you upon this hour of reckoning!"

Li's eyes widened as he picked upon on the voice. The voice of the main cause he was fighting for. The one that should have been sent to Yomi, the Black Knights' secret base, days ago. "What is she doing here!?" he nearly roared, the Shenhu's head facing toward the Mordred in a mirror of its devicer's anger. "Zero!"

Once again, Lelouch allowed a smile, a much more devious one than those previous, to form behind his mask.

---

"Well what do you know," Michael commented with an anticipating grin. "She actually showed up this time."

Johann merely remained silent as he listened in.

---

Government Bureau
Luoyang Settlement, Duchy of Henan, Area 22 (China), Britannian Empire

"It's her!" Zhao Hao gaped, his beady eyes widening several margins, as he heard that unmistakable voice call out. "She's really here!"

"What fortune!" Cheng Zhong let out as well. "Now we will be able to deal with both her and Li at the same time!"

"At last," Xia Wang added as well, his hands trembling from anticipation. "After seven years…!"

Ignoring all of them, Calares said nothing and simply concentrated on the voice, his eyes narrowing upon the projected image of the Mao Zedong.

---

Chinese land cruiser Mao Zedong
Duchy of Henan, Area 22 (China), Britannian Empire

Now standing in the middle of the Mao Zedong's bridge, the whole of the Motherland's attention and inquiry, perhaps even that of the world itself, placed upon her, Tianzi stood firm as her pigeon blood eyes gazed outward, imagining the listening masses. All around her, Zhou and the landship's bridge crew could only watch in awe as the one whose name they had been fighting seven years for took center stage, addressing the people after so many years. The Chinese Federation's last Chairwoman lived on.

"Many of you may not recognize my voice, but rest assured that I am one you are all familiar with," Tianzi continued, her voice gathering power with each word. "For I am Jiang Lihua, the Son of Heaven and Chairwoman of the Chinese Federation!"

At that, Tianzi could imagine the masses' reaction to that claim. Was this a Britannian trick in the making? Or, hope against hope, was it really their beloved Chairwoman returned to them? "Seven years ago, when the Imperials first came to this country, I was said to have been married off to one of their princes and taken away to their homeland, disappearing into obscurity as our Motherland was claimed by their Emperor," her eyes gleamed as she imagined that explanation sinking in. "As you can see, this was but the first among many deceptions, for I have never left our sacred soil. I have remained amongst you all this time, waiting alongside my followers for our time, our hour, to regain what was lost," she then declared with her voice raised high. "That time, at long last, is now upon us!"

Following that, Tianzi adopted a more subdued tone as she recalled. "For seven long years I have stood by. Stood by and watched, desperately and helplessly, as you, the people that I serve, were ruthlessly oppressed," she said, almost in confession. "From the distant corner of our Motherland that served as my safe haven, I could only look on in horror as the Britannian war machine moved through our nation, desecrating our cities and warping our culture in the hope of twisting China into another extension of their vile empire. I could only stand by helplessly as a new brand of tyranny, one that should never had been conceived, was forced upon you, turning you into slaves within your own lands, all while your tormentors gleefully prospered with growing disdain and subjugation over you. And I could only listen, with ever growing sorrow, as your pleas for liberation went unanswered against the carnage and destruction of all that we hold dear."

She then tilted her head and closed her eyes, as if feeling the shame of it all. "I have failed you, my people," she went on, in apparent remorse. "For seven years I have failed you, for I was convinced of my own helplessness and powerlessness, believing myself incapable of standing against the tide even as you all suffered under a heavy weight," she then stated in an even lowered voice. "Believing myself to be little more than the Puppet Chairwoman so many had claimed."

With that, the former Chairwoman looked up, determination now in her eyes. "No longer!" she once more declared. "No longer will I hide in the shadows as our nation is exploited by invaders! No longer will I stand by and watch as our land is destroyed and our culture eradicated! No longer will I remain helpless as you remain in bondage under such unworthy masters! No longer will I be shamed and powerless before you!"

She spread her arms outward, if only in a subconscious gesture. "For today, I and our Liberation Army in its entirety march onward, intent on finishing what was started seven years ago!" she shouted. "Upon this morning, we move before Luoyang, Beijing, Shanghai and countless others, ready to enter with our red banners held high and the March of the Volunteers sung in full! We shall take the fight to the Imperialists and the traitors that cheaply sold our proud nation for their own advancement! And we shall strike them deeply, all so that we may win back our nation and our freedom!"

Tianzi then lowered voice once more. "For now, as the sun rises and the darkness recedes, we stand upon the summit, surrounded by our enemies," she continued. "We have no escape route; no path of retreat, no hope of withdrawing and continuing our revolution another day. As the daylight emerges over the horizon, we will fight to the last for our Motherland; we will march into the Imperial strongholds and we will do battle with every conceivable resource at our disposal, knowing full well that the fate of our entire nation and heritage hangs in the balance."

Her gaze only intensified as she went on. "No matter what outcome lies before us, seven years of revolution will at last be decided upon this very hour. Whether we emerge victorious, or we do not emerge at all, our war ends today, before the entirety of this world. And in the end none will deny our presence, nor our vigilance. History itself will remember this day, remember us, for all time."

She then raised a tightened fist to her chest, momentarily closing her eyes yet again. "Thus, once and for all..." she said, her voice gathering strength before reopening her eyes. "We begin our Red Rebellion!"

With that, in an admittedly uncharacteristic yet striking gesture, she raised her fist up high. "TIANCHAO WAN SUI!"

Hearing that, Zhou, the bridge crew and the rest of the Chinese Liberation Army broke out. "TIANCHAO WAN SUI! TIANCHAO WAN SUI! TIANCHAO WAN SUI!"

---

Lelouch's smile only grew more emboldened as he heard the warcry echo over his radio. As he had believed, Tianzi failed to disappoint him; with her words, the Chinese would completely rally to the field, whatever leftover hesitation they might have felt now forgotten. They would fight to the end. Even if it meant their complete destruction, they would fight to the end.

All the pieces were now in place. The endgame had begun. And Lelouch, for all of his own initial hesitation, was set upon his course. Such was the power of that feeling of vindication that Lelouch barely noticed the Shenhu slash its jian about, bringing its blade along the Mordred's faceplate.

His face eclipsed with wrath, such that he only barely kept himself in check, Li could only watch as the Mordred simply turned its head to face into the Shenhu's eye cameras and nothing else. Once again, despite not being able to see the Demon King's face, the Chinese Tiger just knew that his already present smile only deepened at his act.

This time allowing himself to sneer in response, Li retracted the jian as he switched back to the CLA's main frequency. "Shangdi One to all units," the Chinese general declared to the whole of the CLA after the cheering died down. "Begin operations at once!"

He then swung his sword outward, pointing the blade toward Luoyang. "Let us win back our nation, once and for all!"

With that, the Shenhu and its three siblings charged into their landspinners' full burn, launching toward the city. All around them, the Yaoguais also accelerated to their maximum speeds, accelerating rapidly toward the Britannian ground forces, their distance diminishing by the minute.

Lelouch, naturally, never failed to take his cue, even drawing one of his MVS to mimic the Tiger's act. "Gyoku One to all Black Knights," he called out as well to all Black Knight units within the Area, all the while setting his sword up in front of him, flashing crimson in activation. "The time of China's liberation is at hand!"

He then slashed the sword about, pointing the blade forward while his landspinners extended out. "Advance!"

"As you command, Zero!" came the simultaneous reply, the forward Gekkas instantly going into their own full speeds after the Shenhu and the others. From there, Lelouch put the Mordred into its own maximum speed, Zero Squadron's Gurens following close behind.

---

And so the first move is made. Johann thought as he watched the Black Knight and CLA units charge valiantly at his forces, their long-range weapon equipped units already opening fire. Now it was his turn. "All forces engage at will," he commanded. "ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"

"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!" came the unanimous reply, his own forces already charging to meet the opposition head on. Upon that, Johann followed their example and launched the Dinadan forward, with the Caius and Safir following not far behind.

Now Zero... he thought as he watched the Mordred and its contingent draw closer amongst the Black Knight formation. Let us see which of us will claim checkmate.

Once he was in range, the Knight of Two let loose the fury of his hadron launcher.