"In the city that the wolf enters, enemies will be close by. An alien force will sack a great country. Allies will cross the mountains and the borders."
- Nostradamus

Chapter XXXIV: Das Heulen des Wolfes

Black Knights Camp Kostanay
Kostanay Province, Chinese Federation
September 30, 2025

It was from the dead of the moonlit night that they descended. As the pack of beasts that their unit was designated after, they swept in from the northwest, falling upon the lone installation at great speed, such that the defenders only realized their approach at the very last moment. To their credit, they rallied to meet the aggressors with just as much swiftness; in spite of the relative newness of both the installation and the majority of its occupants, it did not take very long for defensive armaments to be engaged and their own knightmares to be activated and sent out. All across the base, weapon emplacements uncovered and swiveled toward the approaching host, while black tinted Gekkas, almost invisible within the darkness beyond the base's lighting, rose up and sped out to meet the oncoming pack. The weapons fire soon followed, and for a time it seemed as though the defenders would indeed hold their ground.

Unfortunately it was for not. For all their valiance and their willingness to meet their mysterious foe, the defenders soon found themselves overwhelmed and completely surpassed in every area by this enemy. Their opposite numbers, whose machines held the swiveling, glaring mono-eye sensor that was the hallmark of the Eurasian knightmare, were almost untouchable, deftly evading any and all fire that were launched at them, all the while pressing their offensive in full. Many of the defending Gekkas fell early on as a result, and it wasn't long before the wolves entered upon the base itself, turning their assorted weaponry upon the various defense turrets, and then upon the buildings themselves. Bullets raked across hangars, destroying all contents within, while bazooka fired rockets smashed into the command center and barracks. A lone Yamakaze gunship managed to get airborne through the onslaught, only to be knocked out of the air with a single blow from a slash harken. Those few Gekkas that remained and continued to fight were just as summarily dealt with, the wolves easily turning their guns upon them in the midst of the hellfire.

Through such fire, one particular daring Gekka charged upon what its devicer assumed to be the enemy commander, katen yaibatou drawn to strike. Mono-eye swiveling and flashing upon the black knightmare's approach, the dark grey machine easily reversed away from the initial slash, then banked aside from those following. Even so, the defender was not about to let his opponent get away from him. Even if the base was lost, he would at least ensure that one of the enemy, perhaps the most important enemy, paid in their own blood, and so continued his attack, switching to his handgun and firing a burst that drove the grey knightmare back even further. For a time it seemed like the defending knight would actually succeed.

All too late did it become apparent that the wolf was actually toying with him, easily evading the attacks while not responding in kind. It was only then that the beast at last chose to strike, a curious blade extending from its right forearm.

With almost blistering speed, the wolf circled its prey and launched itself at the exposed cockpit block. Though the Gekka pilot was quick enough himself to try and parry, it was of little hindrance as his enemy drove his blade straight through the wedge, impaling the devicer within with but a single stroke. From that, the wolf withdrew its now blood coated blade and reversed, allowing its now brainless opponent to fall upon its knees, and then upon its face as it withdrew. Another flash from its mono-eye was then emitted toward the dead knightmare, then twisting toward another target thereafter.

The attack on Camp Kostanay barely lasted a half-hour, but such time was all that its complete destruction required. By the time the wolves disappeared back into the darkness, the once pristine, newly built installation was reduced to a flaming ruin, its buildings and defenses utterly broken and the few survivors in a similar state of mind, if not body. Even then, no one knew who, or what, had struck them. What force had attacked and done to them what the former occupiers of the land could never hope to do.

All that was known was that this was the second Black Knight basin within northwest China to fall in such a manner. And to this dangerous new enemy.


Urasoe Castle
Urasoe, Okinawa, Ryukyu Republic

It should have been a familiar scene and sensation to him. God only knew how many times he had woken late into the night, or early in the morning, as he was now. Yet Lelouch could not put aside the lingering unease he felt in the back of his mind, even when the rest of him was at peace and in full respite from the tribulations of the outside world. A state of being that he hoped was the same for the one beside him, minus the unease of course.

Sighing quietly, lest he somehow awake her, it was all Lelouch could do to continue laying there, eyes staring up into the darkness as he contemplated all that had just occurred. For a brief moment he felt Kallen stir from his left side, her arm slipping a little more around his chest to hold him closer to herself. This was soon followed by a small, almost incomprehensible murmur escaping her lips, her head otherwise remaining over his left shoulder. Beside those however, she did not awaken. In fact, as Lelouch felt from her body upon his, she seemed to relax that much more, falling into an even deeper slumber. As though her holding him closer was enough to keep the nightmares further away.

Again he felt the urge to sigh on that, but Lelouch managed to stifle it before it escaped his own mouth, again not wishing to awaken her. This was the third time they had shared a bed; the third time they had escaped the horrors of the war and the world through the most intimate of means. By all facts and logic however, Lelouch knew it should only have been that one time following the Eildon episode. That had been a necessity, as both he and Kallen had desperately needed respite from what they had previously faced, endured and nearly succumbed to.

Yet it had not ended there, not in the least. Somehow, in spite of Lelouch's apprehension, they had slept together again on the night of the Devastation's anniversary, sometime after his exchange with Milly and Rivalz. Again Lelouch had written it off as necessary at the time; they had both lost much in that advent. Thus it was only reasonable that they seek out whatever comfort they could gain from the other, again escaping the endless terror that was the world around them.

This time however, it was different. This time there hadn't been any particular occasion. No recent escape from death, no anniversary of horrors past. It had been an otherwise standard day, in which they had both carried out their respective duties and not much else. A simple nightly rendezvous in other words, which Kallen had deliberately initiated upon her escorting him back to Urasoe, and his, again in spite of everything that he was, choosing not to force her away. The results only spoke for themselves as he lay there now, with her against his side as though it were only they in that very place and time, and nothing else.

It shouldn't have bothered him so much, a part of his mind said. Though it had been her first time on the original night, Lelouch had bedded several women before that, back when he was still the Black Prince of Britannia. It wasn't something he was particularly proud of – such that he had refrained from discussing it with anyone – but it was still fact. His time as one of the most popular members of the Imperial family had resulted in women, both of noble and common birth, routinely offering themselves to him, and as a side effect of his sealed memories and resultant libertine mindset, he had repeatedly accepted such offerings. It had just been what someone of his rank and breeding did, and he would have lied if he claimed that he hadn't enjoyed those encounters for themselves. Some of those women had even endured themselves more to him than he would have otherwise allowed.

But with Kallen it was different. As much as he wanted to – as much as he did so the first two times – he could never truly write off their time together as random or otherwise casual. Yes, they both needed such comfort, both from the world around them and from their own personal demons. Yes they had been through so much together, such that they had long warranted such intimacy. Yet in great spite, Lelouch knew there was more between them than that. That Kallen had not sought him out for such basic reasoning, nor had he not refused her for the same.

There was meaning to their intimacy, and it ran deep. Deeper than even the bonds he shared with C.C. and, dare he say, Nunnally. Something that, for all that he had planned and prepared for through this stage of his life, he had never anticipated for himself.

Alas, he knew it could not last. Again he should have ended it after that first night; simply dismissed that rendezvous for what it was and gone on with their respective roles. He had certainly tried then, as well as the second time, and he could possibly think of some kind of reasoning for this one. Just another act of respite from the Great World War and nothing else.

Deep down however, he knew that was not the truth, nor would this night be the last that they shared a bed. Whatever was between them now, Lelouch knew that neither of them could go back on it and return to the "mere" commander and subordinate that they once were. That they well and truly…

The sound of the nearby phone buzzing quickly interrupted his thoughts. At last letting himself sigh again, Lelouch reached over and tapped it, already knowing what to expect. "What is it?"

"My apologies for waking you sir, but the matter is urgent," Ohgi answered from the other end. "Our base at Kostanay has fallen."

Lelouch closed his eyes in a grimace as Kallen looked up as well, becoming wholly alert in a matter of seconds. "How bad?" Lelouch could only inquire.

"Completely destroyed," Ohgi answered solemnly.

The Demon King could only nod to himself as he took that in. Just like at Aktobe, he thought, remembering the base that had been destroyed in similar fashion just days before. As the old saying went, lightning seldom struck the same place twice. "Convene the General Staff, Ohgi."

"It's already being done sir," Ohgi reported dutifully. "Everyone should be assembled within an hour's time."

"Good, I will arrive within that time as well," he stated, earning a confirming nod from Kallen as well. "I'll see you there General."

Only after he hung did Lelouch out a long breath. "I was afraid this would happen," he confessed to the naked woman beside him. "Aktobe's destruction was far too nuanced to be a single action…"

"You had no way of knowing," Kallen answered back with assurance. "Even if you had anticipated this next attack, you wouldn't have intercepted it in time."

Sighing again, Lelouch could only nod back in acknowledgment. As much as he would have liked to think otherwise, he was still missing critical data, beginning with the identity of this new foe. So long as that remained, he would have little resources to anticipate the enemy's movements with, much less identify particular weaknesses to exploit.

Even so, Lelouch was not about to let any of this go unchallenged. "Well then," he said at last, as both he rose up from the bed, Kallen following. "Back to the war again."


Weisswolf Castle
State of Germany, Eurasian Union

"And that's two for two," Klaus exclaimed as he pulled out his flask, raising it up to the dot on the tacscreen that was once the Black Knights' Kostanay base. The corresponding signals that were the aggressor force was still moving across the screen, gradually making their way to another signal. One that was notably one large dot as opposed to a gathering of smaller dots. "I'd say we're on a roll Frau Oberst."

Despite her XO's apparent enthusiasm, Leila could not help but frown to herself. So far Operation Mitternacht was indeed proceeding as it was meant to, with virtually no setbacks even. Two enemy bases had been sacked and their respective garrisons destroyed while no losses had been incurred by her wolves. Granted that would only last so long, especially when Mitternacht's real purpose was finally fulfilled, but for the time being her kampfgruppe was running through Central Asia virtually unchallenged.

Of course, Leila knew all too well why that was. Both of her targets had only contained inexperienced opponents, likely fresh recruits that had been taken in following the Red Rebellion, not the core Black Knight forces that had fought in said Rebellion, Pearl Harbor and all too likely the Black. Hardly difficult opponents for Akito and the others to fight, but again Leila knew that would eventually change. After all, the main point of Mitternacht was for her enemy to take notice and counterattack accordingly.

"So far Oberstleutnant," Leila at last answered her second in command, somehow managing to ignore the not in her stomach. None of this still sat right with her, despite her resolution to see the operation through. "If nothing else, it will gain our prey's further attention."

"And perhaps make a foolish move early on," Klaus added on in full agreement, taking another swig from his flask, very much making a show of it.

Leila could not help but smile at the display, very much knowing better. Klaus Warwick only presented himself as a slob and a disgrace. In truth, which Leila considered herself privileged to know, her XO was one of the sharpest minds and most able officers in the Eurasian Army. Not that many others, even among those present, would be able tell, any more than the fact there was only water in that flask.

"While I would welcome it, I believe it will take more than this for Zero to make such a blunder," Leila casually observed, doing well not to shift her gaze about to certain parts of the control room. Just as she was aware of Klaus' true character, she was also aware that not everyone in Weisswolf's control room was loyal to her or Eurasia proper so much as Kessler and his party. Just as she also knew that they were listening in to every spoken word, lest there be some hint of treachery or subterfuge. "Once they've returned, have the Kleist…I mean the Dzerzhinsky begin toward phase three."

Despite his act, Klaus couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "So soon?" he inquired. "The Black Knights will be ready and waiting on that one."

"Yes, and potentially Zero with them as you suggested," Leila answered. "And if not, we will maintain the offensive all the same, before the enemy rallies in full."

Klaus was about to reply to that, but was interrupted by one of the operators. "Forgive my interruption Frau Oberst," Second Lieutenant Olivia Reuel, who was very much not a Nationalist plant, spoke up. "But President Kessler wishes to speak to you at the earliest opportunity."

Leila somehow managed not to say. Yet another goddamned progress report, specifically to confirm what those present spies had just forwarded to Berlin Palace. Very irritating, as well as a general waste of time, but obviously she could do nothing about it beyond follow orders. Like the rest of Mitternacht proper, at least for the time being.

"I'll take it in my office," she said, straightening her commissar cap and giving Klaus one last furtive glance. "Inform me if anything particular happens."

"Will do Frau Oberst," Klaus faux drunkenly raised his flask to her as his superior and her two wolf escorts moved out of the CIC, the door sliding closed behind her.


Black Knights High Command
Naha, Okinawa, Ryukyu Republic

The main meeting area of High Command was packed even more than usual, filled much to the brim with anyone ranked Major General and above. It helped even less that it was just after 0600 hours when Lelouch, now dressed and masked as Zero once more, arrived. While the majority managed not to show it, the former prince could easily see that many of them were still in the process of waking up, though the direness of current events had obviously been enough for them to be awake and alert if not fully. Still, that didn't stop anyone from saluting him as he – flanked by Kallen and C.C. as usual – entered and took his seat at the head of the conference room table. Those that had seats there also took them, while the rest remained standing.

From there, after a few moments of silence, Diethard directed the room's attention toward the monitor at the end. "At 0200 Alma Ata Time, our base in Kostanay was attacked and subsequently destroyed. As you may have already guessed, the aggressors, despite not yet being identified, are believed to be the same force that attacked Aktobe just five days ago."

The Colonel let that sink in before the monitor flashed, displaying a map of the former base with the usual dots and lines. "The enemy came out from the west and advanced in a high speed blitzkrieg, reinforcing the prior assumption that they are entirely comprised of knightmare frames, fifth generation or above. Upon their detection, the base garrison moved to intercept, but as with most of our facilities in the region, Kostanay was mostly comprised of fresh recruits and trainees. As a result, they were easily overrun and the defense line subsequently breached.

"Once the enemy reached the base itself, they proceeded with its destruction very thoroughly," he said, several outlying images of the base's ruins suddenly appearing on the monitor. "Virtually every facility and installation was heavily damaged if not destroyed entirely. Of the base's compliment of approximately three hundred, only fifteen survivors have been confirmed, while the entirety of its knightmare and gunship forces and weapon emplacements were also demolished to the last turret," further grimness entered his eyes as he added. "All in the very same pattern and timeframe as Aktobe."

Again he let that settle in before he continued. "Only when the destruction was complete did the enemy withdraw from the same direction they had first arrived from and disappear shortly thereafter. For obvious reasons, it is suspected that they possess a landship, possibly of cruiser class or larger. Unfortunately this too has yet to be verified, though it would explain how, again assuming it is the same force in question, they crossed the distance and terrain from Aktobe to Kostanay in less than a week's time."

"Is there any indication that this is just another Britannian leftover?" General Stuart inquired, eyeing the map inquisitively, clearly trying to picture what sort of route the enemy landship would have taken in its own withdrawal.

"A possibility, but a very slim one," Diethard acknowledged. "Given the scale of the destruction and the skill in which it was executed, it is believed that this force is too well organized and equipped to be a mere band of stragglers. If they are Britannian in origin, they would have more likely come from Marrybell's theater in the northeast, but there is no guarantee of this either."

"Indeed, especially when one takes that area's instability into full account," General Saito exclaimed, also analyzing the map. "For all we know, this could very well be a splinter force at work, albeit one that is far above average in composition and armament."

"But which one of those fit the bill?" General Longstreet responded. "Besides the fact most if not all of the Kazakh militias laid down arms when their leadership chose to align with Tianzi, they weren't remotely so organized or equipped to accomplish this."

"It's more likely that, as Colonel Reid posited, this new foe actually came from outside the region. Possibly from Far Eastern Eurasia," Stuart added back on. "Though obviously that doesn't align them with Bloody Marry, at least not straight away."

"I find it doubtful they're Britannian as well," General Jackson offered. "Bloodthirsty she may be, but Princess Marrybell wouldn't be looking to open up a second front at this time. Not when she is already concentrated in her drive to the Urals."

"Speaking of the Eurasians, how do we know it's not them either?" Longstreet inquired. "For all we know, they could be intending to 'liberate' Kazakhstan in the middle of all this."

"For the same reason that it isn't Marrybell," General Hijikata casually entered in. "They're too concentrated in holding their northern lines to even consider going to war against us, let alone China…"

"Actually, there is some possibility there as well," Diethard stated, causing the room's attention to shift again. "In spite of the sheer scale of the destruction, some data has been accumulated and recovered. Namely this image from one of our downed knightmares…"

An instant later, a new picture window appeared on the monitor, displaying an image that caused the collective blood of the room's occupants to run cold. Though the image was naturally distorted, it obviously was a knightmare of some kind; a slim, streamlined design whose profile looked nothing like a Sutherland or a Ritter. In spite of that however, there was one indication that it was indeed of a certain nation's make. That of a glaring mono-eye sensor, one mounted on a track within a finned head module.

"My god," Longstreet exclaimed for the whole of the audience. The image itself was terrifying enough, as none of them had ever seen that kind of knightmare frame before. But the mere implication that it was a Eurasian machine, and that the EU may very well be picking a fight with them, was enough to cause Longstreet's heart to grow hard and cold.

No, the Black Knight General ultimately surmised. That alone was not enough to establish such. There were many other organizations that used that kind of hardware, as well as their own in-house designed and built knightmares. And if not, then it was just as likely this particular group managed to purchase Eurasian designed knightmares from Krauss-Clement, Herschel or some other entity that, despite all that was happening to the world, was always striving to make a profit. And yet…

"This will not stand," Lelouch at last declared, causing all eyes to turn toward him. "Regardless of whether this new enemy is Britannian or Eurasian, or anything else in between, we will not be intimidated nor terrorized into submission."

Through his mask, he glared at the digitized, fragmented visage of his new enemy. "Whatever their objective, whatever they seek to accomplish by attacking us, they will fail. For we will find them, no matter where they choose to run, no matter where they choose to hide, and we will destroy them as we have all others thus far."

Earning a long collection of nods, Lelouch went on. "Obviously this will not be the last attack they plan to make," he looked toward Diethard. "How many bases do we still have in Chinese Kazakhstan?"

"Three," Diethard answered. "Including the academy in Almaty."

Lelouch nodded as he took that in. "Which is too far for them to reach. This leaves two targets for them to strike at next."

Diethard retook his cue. "Camp Akmola or Camp Karagandy," he specified, causing two more dots to appear on the map. "As with Aktobe and Kostanay, they are recently developed bases primarily comprised of Kazakh recruits and a small number of experienced officers and NCOs. Should the enemy attack either, the results would be much the same."

"Which means we have approximately five days to figure out which one they will hit and move to intercept," General Kondo stated with a deep, disdainful frown. "With the best we have to offer no less, given this foe's apparent battle strength."

Audibly clenching his gloved hands over the tabletop, Lelouch again looked over the faces arrayed before him, and then the two dots on the screen. "Does anyone wish to hazard a guess?"


Eurasian Barbarossa-class land cruiser Kleist
Kostanay Province, Chinese Federation

Feeling well and truly worn, Akito gripped onto the cable as he lowered down to the hangar deck, touching down in a few seconds' time. Though their latest target had been far from the most difficult – in fact, it had been a fairly simple strike – work remained work, and piloting a knightmare and leading an assault on an enemy base was always tiresome. No sooner than when he was down did a tech run over with a bottle of water, which he took in gratitude, before proceeding onto his machine's annual maintenance. Taking one final look up toward his knightmare's dimmed mono-eye, Akito then turned and proceeded down the deck, taking a large sip of water in the process.

Two down, Akito thought with a frown as he again considered Operation Mitternacht's ultimate objective. Though he knew Zero wouldn't have made his appearance straight away, Akito truly hoped that Leila's prediction was correct in that he would turn up on the third, and if not then the fourth. The sooner Mitternacht was concluded and he and the others were back in Eurasia to fight their real enemies, the better as far as he was concerned. Even though Mitternacht fell within Werwolf's parameters, they were risking much being there, too much in his opinion. What would happen to Eurasia should the Black Knights, or god forbid the Chinese, somehow find them there?

On the other hand, as he walked near one of the left-wing agiprop posters that littered the hangar, Akito admitted with some amusement that part of the operation had been covered. The Kleist, or the Dzerzhinsky as she was "officially" rechristened, was bereft of all manner of Eurasian insignia, instead adorned with hastily painted red stars and communist slogans across her hull. Her crew, in turn, were dressed as near stereotypical revolutionaries – red berets were almost universal – as opposed to Eurasian Army personnel, alongside the men and women under Akito's command, while abundantly dull communist iconography dotted the ship's interior. As far as anyone would be concerned, they were just another Restorationist cell that somehow captured a Eurasian landship and had driven it straight into Central Asia, seeking to "free" Kazakhstan from Tianzi's "tyranny". One more band of "freedom fighters" taking up the sword for Karl Marx's nonsensical ideology.

Of course, that was only meant to work to a specific degree. If Zero really was as observant as Leila and the rest of the world seemed to believe him, surely he would see through their charade and recognize them for what they were. Though they were aesthetically communist types, they had all labored to ensure that they stood out enough from the usual numbers of that breed. Whether it was in how they carried out their attacks on his bases, how they fought in their knightmares or even how they had withdrawn once their assaults were complete, Akito and the other Werwolfs had left small but quite present hints that they weren't, in fact, what they were posing as. Just enough for someone like Zero, again if he really was that observant, to pick upon and act accordingly.

Surely he would by the time they struck their next objective. Akito certainly would have if he were in the Demon King's position. Yet he was unsure, both about their being able to fulfill the operation and for what they were risking to carry it out. And no matter how much he tried to assuage himself, the Japanese born Eurasian Major remained doubtful.

"Not bad for a night's work, eh Herr Major?" Captain Ryo Sayama, his wingman, spoke as he wandered up to him. The other Japanese man could not help but stretch his arms and yawn. "Still a pain in the ass, despite everything."

"You said that the last time Ryo," First Lieutenant Yukiya Naruse sardonically commented as he too came up to the pair with the other member of the Werwolfs' First Team. "Don't tell me you're having trouble fighting these peons. They aren't even full-fledged Black Knights, just Kazakhs in black and silver uniforms."

"Not in the least Yukiya, but that doesn't make any of this less a pain in the ass," Ryo retorted. "It's not like they were piloting Sutherlands."

"Unfortunately," Yukiya exclaimed as he cracked his neck. "I would have preferred our enemy still using Burais myself. Would have been much easier to kill that way, especially with these poor bastards for devicers."

"Be grateful they're just that," First Lieutenant Ayano Kosaka entered in, already dreading the eventuality of their having to fight the Black Knights' elite forces. "If you think things are hard now, just wait until the Red Dragoness or Blue Thunder God show up with their Gurens. Then we'll really have our hands full."

"And we will deal with them all the same," Akito finally spoke, causing the three's attention to shift over. "Alongside Zero himself when he finally makes his appearance."

The trio paused upon their leader's words, momentarily unsure about his mood. Sometimes it was really hard to tell if Major Hyuga was irritated or not.

"Well, he better show up soon," Ryo finally said, resting his arms behind his head. "I want to get back to Weisswolf already. We have better things to do than stomping around Central Asia…"

Ayano looked toward her commander carefully. "You think he'll really show up on cue Herr Major?"

"I don't see any reason why he wouldn't," Akito replied simply enough as he made it to the end of the hangar deck, undoing the top of his pilot suit. "Neither does Colonel Malkal."

"Heh," Yukiya let out knowingly. Pretty much everyone in Werwolf was aware, or at least speculated, the real relationship between Colonel Malkal and Major Hyuga. Not that Yukiya could cast stones, considering he himself was in a similar relationship with a certain engineer from Krauss-Clement. The very same woman that developed his knightmare.

"I'm betting on it too," Ryo said, shrugging. "Hell, if it really is all going to the Colonel's plan, then he and the Black Knights are gearing up for the fight as we speak."


Black Knights High Command
Naha, Okinawa, Ryukyu Republic

"You actually surprise me Lelouch," C.C. commented as she naturally lounged on the nearby couch, having just taken her latest bite out of her breakfast pizza slice. "You're acting cautiously on this, instead of just running into battle straight away."

"Any other time against any other adversary I probably would," Lelouch replied. Bereft of his mask, his purple eyes were visibly fixed on the projected image of the enemy knightmare on his computer monitor. "As was long-established, however, this isn't any average enemy, so it's fair to assume they're anticipating that kind of move. And it helps even less that, even if I narrowed the search area to just Kostanay, that's still far too much open territory us to cover and for them to hide within."

"So where does that leave us?" Kallen inquired from the side. "We can't just allow them to keep running around Central Asia like this."

"Obviously," Lelouch very much agreed. "But at the same time, we have to tread carefully. Even more so than we would with a Britannian force."

Both Kallen and C.C. looked up in simultaneous realization toward that. In fact, the latter, upon finishing her pizza slice, actually got up from the couch to wander over to Lelouch's left side, as contrasted by Kallen being near his right.

"You know what that is and what we're actually dealing with," she said, her own amber eyes looking upon the image. "Don't you?"

Lelouch nodded, gazing more deeply upon the distorted image. "That," he spoke with slight reluctance. "…is Hannibal's Ghost."

Again both women visibly reacted to the given answer, such that even C.C.'s eyes widened in astonishment.

"Which, among other things, means Eurasia has at last entered the fray," Lelouch finished with, a deep frown then entering his expression. "I'm sure you both understand what that entails."

Kallen actually swallowed, feeling the most disturbed she had been since their having dealt with the Eildons. Suddenly that distorted image had an entirely new context.

They had all heard the stories after all. That of a phantom kampfgruppe meant exclusively for black operations, which it could (and supposedly had) perform virtually anywhere in the world. A force that among other rumored characteristics was comprised mostly if not entirely of non-Eurasians (possibly Japanese) and utilized a knightmare type that was above and beyond anything fielded by the regular forces. As well as retained an ace that was so skilled in appearing out of nowhere, striking his targets and disappearing thereafter, the Britannians had dubbed him the second coming of Hannibal Barca.

Much had been theorized about this unit. In fact, Kallen had even heard the Intelligence Division had put together their own dossier regarding its possible existence and subsequent activities. However, this was the first time she had seen viable proof, albeit through one distorted image, as well as the mere notion put forward by Lelouch. The latter alone was enough for her to believe that this was, indeed, what they were about to fight against.

More disturbing however, was what Lelouch had just spoken. At long last, the Eurasian Union had chosen to make their own stand against them, and had done so by sending out their Special Forces.

As if the Britannians weren't bad enough, Kallen thought to herself, suddenly feeling a weight in her stomach. "Why didn't you bring this up before?"

"Because the situation is not critical just yet," Lelouch answered. "Rather than announce to the world their opposition openly, the Eurasians have chosen the more discrete approach."

"I'm sure the survivors of Aktobe and Kostanay would agree," C.C. exclaimed in her usual dry wit.

Lelouch let it slide. "Instead of coming at us in force, they've sent a clandestine unit, and rather than attacking more viable targets, they're going after our outlying bases," he stated knowingly. "In other words, they're pulling their punches."

"Well yeah," Kallen replied. "As said at the briefing, they don't have the strength to attack us and hold the line against Britannia at the same time."

"Yes, but they also don't want to make a spectacle either, which means this is far from a public affair," Lelouch answered knowingly. "In fact, I daresay that rather than the whole of Eurasia proper, it's only the Nationalists that have declared war on us, and they're going well out of their way to make sure no one else knows of it."

"If that were the case, wouldn't they have sent out der Sturmtruppen instead of Hannibal's Ghost and his ilk?" C.C. questioned, having returned to her tray table to take another pizza slice. "I thought that's what the former were around for."

"You would think so," Lelouch replied again. "Unfortunately for them, the Stormtrooper Korps is far from an elite fighting force, even if they are presented as such. No, Kessler's too smart to send anything less than his best against us."

"We should feel so honored," Especially if they really are Japanese. Kallen added on sardonically, looking toward the distorted, ghostly image again. "Any ideas what they are attempting to gain from this?"

Lelouch shook his head. "That I'm unsure on," he said, observing the image as well. "Obviously they've declared their intent and are trying to draw us into a full fight. But to what end I don't understand."

Taking another bite of her pizza, C.C. stood by thoughtfully as Lelouch and Kallen both pondered that last factor. Judging by their expressions, the immortal could tell that, for once, no answers were forthcoming to either of them.


Surgut, State of Ural, Eurasian Union

More bullets flew as a Sutherland charged in from the right, causing Major Louise Hameln to reverse her Baer and execute an evasive pattern, all the while returning fire with her bazooka. She caught a lucky break, however, as the Sutherland pilot made a critical error at the last moment, allowing her to land her second shot square in the Britannian frame's center. The enemy knightmare exploded into raining shards instantly, taking out the whole cockpit block and a fair section of Surgut with it, but Louise was not overly concerned. There were far more enemy knightmare beside the one after all, and it was her job to slow down their advance if not force them out of the city altogether.

Son of a bitch! Louise mentally cursed as another of her side, a Ritter II, ended up getting impaled by a Gloucester's lance no more than a few meters away. Another of her comrades had fallen, and many had been lost already from the battle's onset. Regardless, she twisted her machine around, taking advantage of the Baer's hoverjets to continue moving down the ruined street while angling her bazooka toward the Gloucester. The enemy foresaw her attack however and evaded right as she fired, though it had to abandon its still embedded lance in the process. It then drew its own assault rifle and launched a grenade at her, but Louise had no issue dodging this as well, retaliating with her slash harkens. This time her attack struck, knocking off the Gloucester's head and right arm. This was apparently enough to scare the piss out of the pilot, as the cockpit block then ejected, leaving the now empty frame behind. One more Britannian down, still many more to go.

"Whirlwind One to Mackensen, where the hell is that air support!?" Louise glowered over the radio to her base, the land battleship Mackensen. No direct answer came unfortunately, only static and garbled words, which may or may not have been directed toward her. Again she cursed to herself, this time in far more colorful language, before launching her harkens up at the top of a nearby building and performing a jet-assisted power jump. Another nearby Sutherland saw her and leveled its back-mounted missile launchers after her, but Louise easily reached the top of the building before the missiles were fired, and had no problem speeding onto another rooftop to dodge them. She turned her bazooka back down in response, but an allied Ritter III attacked first, cleaving the enemy machine at waist level with its battlesword. Saluting with her primary weapon in response, Louise then turned back to her original objective, mono-eye scanning for any sign of incoming allied gunships.

There were none, naturally. Only a city full of knightmares and support armor fighting street to street as Imperial Vipers scourged the immediate airspace, all but uncontested from the ground. One of the VTOLs also noticed her and turned about to bring its nose gun toward her, but she knocked out of the sky with one of her harkens. The now powerless Viper ended up crashing into a nearby building, which might have been an apartment block, and adding to further destruction to the already dilapidated city. And yet there remained more where that had come from, and they kept on coming.

"Whirlwind One to Mackensen, respond!" Louise shouted again as she jumped back down to ground level, firing her last bazooka round at another pair of Sutherlands. One easily caught the shell in the side, detonating spectacularly, while its partner banked away and fired at her with its assault rifle. To this, Louise reached back and drew her heat saber, the slender blade turning bright orange as it glowed with heat, and then went on a full charge. Responding just as quickly, the Sutherland extended its stun tonfas to deflect, but Louise was far more precise, cutting the Britannian machine through the waist much like the Ritter III earlier. The cockpit block immediately ejected as the top half fell from the bottom. "Repeat Mackensen, this is…!"

"CERIDWRENS!" that single, terror infused word shouted over the radio, causing Louise's blood to run cold in her veins. Picking up several new contacts entering the battlefield, she brought her Baer behind another ruined building, mono-eye swiveling to the left as she saw a pack of red and gold line knightmares charge forward. Almost immediately overwhelming those who chose to stand in fight instead of evade their initial attack, though more than a few of the enemy fell regardless.

Now we're really in it, Louise stifled a snarl as she unhinged her own assault rifle and threw her knightmare out into the open again, firing upon a red and gold Sutherland as it entered her killzone. The Britannian machine crumpled under the bullet spray, but a nearby similarly adorned Gloucester took its place, drawing its MVS as it launched after her. She didn't waste time with a duel, however, instead dodging its initial attack and firing another burst into its side as she dodged, taking it out as well. Which was precisely when another, far more dangerous enemy made its appearance.

For the life of her Louise did not comprehend the enemy knightmare's sudden attack, nor how she managed to dodge it. All she knew was that, somehow, she managed to reverse and bank left as the Britannian made its initial slash, and then go back at full speed when it made its following. Only upon the third attack was she forced to parry with her heat saber, absorbing the enemy frame's sword as it drove close, albeit just barely. In that brief moment, Louise found herself staring into the bright emerald eyes of the most infamous machine within Princess Marrybell's personal force. The very steed of Bloody Marry's Knight of Honor, as well as the field commander of the Ceridwren Knights.

"Urien!" Louise gasped right before the Britannian knightmare broke the lock and executed a horizontal slash at her Baer's midriff. A timely power jump prevented the schroetter steel blade from connecting, but again Louise only barely managed to dodge. She landed right as the Urien drew a second sword from its back rack, to which the Eurasian dodged right as it charged her again. It really was all she could do; the seventh generation machine was just too fast for her to counterattack.

"Whirlwind One, bank and evade!" a voice called out from nearby. Her reflexes kicking in once more, Louise complied as a Ritter III, two Ritter IIs and two more Baers came to her support, the fourth and fifth of that lineup firing their bazookas while the other two utilized their assault rifles. Yet the red and gold machine easily evaded those attacks, all the while slipping its two blades into special ports in its wrist. An instant later, the now fitted blades gleamed with the sheen of Blaze Luminous. It was only then that the Urien went back on the offensive, charging at five Eurasian knightmares at a speed that Louise's Baer could only dream of matching.

By the time the Major opened her mouth to command the team to disperse, it was too late. The Urien launched headlong into the formation, forcing the five to scatter, to which it executed a spin slash that cleaved a Baer and Ritter II respectively. The other Ritter II just barely managed to raise its rifle before it too was bifurcated, and upon the other Baer reversing and firing another bazooka shot, the Urien easily dodged while one of its sword racks folded upward. Immediately revealing itself as a harken, the two-pronged rocket anchor launched and impaled the Baer dead center, then withdrawing itself just as quickly.

The Ritter III was naturally the last to fall, as well as the one that came closest to striking a blow against the Urien, its battle sword raised high to strike the cockpit block. But fall it did as the Urien brought itself into a crouch and slashed upward with its right Blaze Luminous enhanced sword, slashing both of the Ritter III's arms off. The Eurasian knightmare then attempted to bring its own slash harkens to bear, but the two hip-mounted anchors barely swiveled up when the Urien circled around and impaled the opposing cockpit block, all within a few seconds' time.

So caught up in that great onslaught did Louise barely register another incoming foe. Again she dodged at the precise moment, "merely" losing her right arm and the still gripped heat saber as a high powered round launched past. Mono-eye swiveling around, Louise saw another Ceridwren unit, a red and gold Exeter, speed towards her, VARIS rifle aimed and firing.

"Verdammt," Louise hissed as she away through the next shot, and then power jump away from the Urien's supporting slash. No sooner than when she landed did the retreat signal sound from her monitor. Eurasia was officially withdrawing from Surgut, right as additional enemy signals then entered sensor range.

Glowering one final time in bitter hatred toward the two Ceridwren, Louise could only put power to her her hoverjets and speed away. Several of her contemporaries followed alongside her, all retreating westward as the Britannians advanced.


"Ah, and it was just getting good!" Captain Dame Sokkia Sherpa complained as she watched the one-armed Baer speed away with the rest of the defenders. She was tempted to chase the former down and finish it, but that would have been in poor sport, especially for the legendary Crasher Sokkia. Besides, there was no way her superior would have allowed it.

Watching the enemy withdrawal as well, Major Dame Oldrin Zevon remained outwardly stoic, but could not help but feel that familiar elation of triumph. It had been an admittedly pitched battle, but in the end, the largest city within Khanty-Mansi had fallen. From there, the St. George's Cross would soon fly above the whole of the former Eurasian state.

"Ceridwren One to base," she called over the radio back to Krasnoyarsk, all while her sword blazers disengaged. Energy dissipating quickly, both blades cracked and shattered, their remnants falling to the ruined street as broken glass. "Mission successful, enemy now in retreat."

She dared flash a small yet prominent smile as she declared. "Surgut is yours, Your Highness."

"Acknowledged Ceridwren One," Princess Marrybell answered from the other end. "I trust the operation was not too strenuous."

"Not in the least," Oldrin responded rather proudly, having the Urien narrow its camera eyes westward, well into the distance. "Just one more step to Moscow."

"Indeed," Marrybell replied. Though Oldrin could not see her liege, who was far removed from the battlefield, she knew that Marrybell was looking toward the exact same direction as she. Picturing all that lay beyond, but would soon be within her reach. "One more step to Moscow."


Vermillion Forbidden Palace
Luoyang, Henan Province, Chinese Federation

"I fear it's getting worse out there," Tianzi confessed as she coolly sipped from her teacup. "Especially if what we've been hearing from due north is true."

"You mean about Marrybell picking up speed in her advance?" Kaguya inquired. "Or are we still talking about what's been going on due northwest."

Tianzi smiled apologetically on that, somehow feeling the blind woman would have detected it regardless. Much of their tea session had been spent discussing what was happening in that particular sector, and whether or not the CLA should intervene with the Black Knights.

"I think that subject is pretty much closed now," the Chairwoman replied, wishing otherwise despite. She also had a feeling Kaguya picked up on that. "Our hands are just too tied to do anything worthwhile."

"I understand," Kaguya answered assuredly. She wasn't surprised or condemning in the least. With the Chinese Liberation Army still recovering from the Red Rebellion, as well as modernizing its forces along the way, their supporting Zero's efforts in Kazakhstan – whatever they would be – was out of the question. "It's probably for the best. From what they're telling me back home, the enemy is no mere guerilla force."

"Certainly not like any Kazakh militia I heard of," Tianzi agreed, shivering at the prospect. She had already spent most of her early morning on the phone with the governor and party secretary of Kostanay, and both had assured her that there was virtually no unrest in their province, much less any indication of terrorist activity. That only further indicated that the attackers had indeed come from the outside. "Still, if it comes down to it, I'm sure I can have General Li and the Tianshou sent out to aid your 'husband'."

"I would appreciate that," Kaguya answered simply, not at all taken back at the jest. Her declaring Zero as her husband just before the Black Rebellion was one of her favorite, if somewhat embarrassing, stories to share to those who had earned the privilege. "For the moment, however, I believe Zero will want to keep this a Black Knight matter exclusively. After all, if China's potential involvement was to be…"

"Yes yes," Tianzi waved her off. "Despite the fact it's our sovereign territory being violated."

"I didn't say it was fair," Kaguya flashed a smirk in return.

It was then that an aide came up from nearby. "Your Excellency," he announced, before bending over to whisper something into the Chairwoman's ear.

Frowning upon the aide completing his task, Tianzi then nodded her gratitude to him. The aide took his leave thereafter. "As you just said, Marrybell has been picking up speed," she informed Kaguya, who would likely hear of it later from her own state intelligence. "The city of Surgut in Khanty-Mansi just fell."

"I see," Kaguya reflexively matched her host's frown, not at all happy to hear of the princess' continued advance. It helped even less that Surgut was one of the larger cities in the Eurasian Far East; she could only imagine how many would suffer at the hands of Bloody Marry. Assuming the city was still even standing. "Worse indeed Your Excellency."

Tianzi nodded solemnly. "I don't suppose Zero has spoken to you about a possible Far Eastern offensive."

"To some degree," Kaguya answered. "He seems to have something in mind – Operation Akikaze I believe it is called – but he's been very vague on the details as you can imagine."

"I'm not surprised," Tianzi withheld a rather sly grin. It sounded like him to keep military matters as separate from Ryukyu's civilian government as much as possible. "But that's fine. His intending to fight Bloody Marry sooner than later is assuring on its own."

"I agree," Kaguya said, though a part of her wondered if the Black Knights would have done so already had it not been for their prior discussion topic. As said however, that was Lelouch's affair rather than hers. "Does the CLA have enough strength repel a possible southern advance?"

Tianzi frowned again. "I would like to think so, though only General Li would be able to give a definitive answer, to either of us," she explained, again raising her teacup coolly. "You think Marrybell would try?"

"I think anything is possible at this point," Kaguya answered. "Including her seeking to bypass the Urals altogether."

"As if Kazakhstan weren't already a battleground," Tianzi admonished, already imagining the resultant carnage. Yes, it would still be some time yet before Marrybell got that far, but that didn't keep the Chairwoman from dreading the prospect. The civilian casualties alone would be astronomical.

From the other end of the table, Kaguya felt much the same while reflecting on Tianzi's prior statement. Indeed it was getting worse out there, but not just in their one corner of the world. It seemed, even with her blindness, that the world was getting darker with each passing day.


Black Knights High Command
Naha, Okinawa, Ryukyu Republic

"So you realized it as well," Tohdoh observed conspiringly. Despite what others thought of the vice commander, he had always agreed with Zero that Kaname Ohgi was far more than what he was given credit for, even by himself. This latest assessment only validated that belief.

"Of course, there can be no other logical explanation," Ohgi replied, albeit reluctantly, as the ghostly image of their enemy projected from a nearby knightmare. Both Generals observed that image with more apprehension than either wished to give. "That has to be a Eurasian knightmare, piloted by a Eurasian devicer and sent out to fight us."

The vice commander grimaced. "Even Peace Mark didn't have anything like this, when they were still around."

"Indeed," Tohdoh replied, folding his arms together. "Which means we are at war with Eurasia, even if it hasn't been said yet."

"It was bound to happen sooner or later," Ohgi replied as he reached under his desk and withdrew two glasses and a bottle of higher-end Britannian whiskey. One of several "souvenirs" he had picked up from his last trip to China. "In fact, it was part of the plan from the start."

"I know, but I would rather they had not gotten the jump on us," Tohdoh said as Ohgi poured the dark liquid into the two glasses, then took one for himself. "This will only complicate Operation Akikaze that much more, and potentially Operation Fubuki."

"Eh, I'm not worried about that last one," Ohgi replied reassuringly. "I doubt the Eurasians are even aware of Alexandra Land's existence, much less what's on it."

"No, but they may notice our movements when we set out to execute Fubuki," Tohdoh stated in turn.

"True, though I think they'll be too concentrated on setting up Yekaterinburg as Zero said," Ohgi added on. "Besides, we'll have enough problems with Fubuki without the Bear of the Far East or anyone else getting in the way."

"Once more indeed," Tohdoh said, at last raising his glass to Ohgi, who did the same. Both Generals then took their respective drinks. "Either way, the coming months are going to be most interesting."

"To say nothing of the coming five days," Ohgi said, again looking toward the distorted image with apprehension. "We still don't know which base they'll hit next, much less how we'll counterattack."

"It won't be much longer I think," Tohdoh stated knowingly, taking another sip from his whiskey glass. "If there's one thing I know about our commander, it doesn't take him long to formulate a plan."

"Heh," Ohgi laughed a little bit, having known much the same. "There is that of course."


Eurasian Barbarossa-class land cruiser Kleist
Kostanay Province, Chinese Federation

The evening was settling in now, which did Akito just fine. After having gone over Mitternacht's next phase with his fellow Werwolfs as well as the captain of the "Dzerzhinsky", he had instructed the former to get as much rest as they could, before the next four days came and went. Seemingly having taken his own advice, he was now retired to his quarters, sitting on his bed with his back against the wall. He was exhausted – for all Mitternacht's simplicity, piloting his knightmare was still a draining experience – but not quite enough that he would fall asleep. Naturally, he was fine with that, as it gave him some time with the one who mattered most to him.

After several more minutes, Akito opened his eyes again. Both illuminated with a familiar red tint. I hope I'm not disturbing you, Frau Oberst.


Weisswolf Castle
State of Germany, Eurasian Union

That is something you could never do, at least at this time Herr Major. Leila replied somewhat chidingly as she sat in Weisswolf's garden area, having lunch under the marble gazebo while Geri and Freki lay nearby. Her left eye alight with the Sigil. In fact, I was very much waiting to hear from you.

Despite their respective positions, it was as though Akito were sitting across the table from her, while in Central Asia, she was standing right in front of him. Such was her Power of Absolute Affinity, as well as the bond between them.

You sound troubled Akito, Leila observed, her expression becoming more solemn.

From his "side" of the table, Akito merely shrugged. It's nothing Leila. Just the usual strain.

I see, Leila replied, taking that for what it was worth. Was Kostanay any more difficult than Aktobe?

Not particularly, Akito answered. Though we had one or two more experienced fighters to deal with this time. And I fear we'll have that much more when we hit Akmola, even if Zero doesn't make his curtain call there.

As is expected, Leila spoke in turn. Their base there is considerably larger than the previous two, as well as placed relatively close to the provincial capital. Chances are they'll have more veteran officers placed there to handle the inexperienced recruits.

Yes, and again we're "hoping" that Zero shows up with his entourage, including all the ace pilots therein, Akito concurred, frowning.

Leila couldn't help but smile at her love's disposition. Why Major Hyuga, if I didn't know any better I would think you were actually hesitant.

Heh, Akito retorted with a small, barely noticeable laugh. I'm never hesitant about fighting Eurasia's enemies, or yours Frau Oberst. Only those that I am not convinced are, in fact, enemies.

Yes, Leila concurred, taking a casual sip of hot chocolate from nearby. Though autumn had only just begun, it was fast getting cold enough to warrant the beverage. At the very least you're doing just enough to accomplish Mitternacht's true objective.

Which I admit gives me some comfort, Akito thought. Are Kessler and the rest growing impatient yet?

Surprisingly no, though I've heard murmurings, Leila replied, taking a more sly grin at the thought of the Nationalists getting hot under the collar over Zero's head not being presented to them on a platter yet. Apparently Herr Präsident is a more patient man than we gave him credit for. But then he has no reason to believe we're not doing anything beyond the assigned task.

That's good, Akito exclaimed, feeling some measure of relief on that. He hated being too far from Leila, should the worst occur on her side. Though I suspect that will change soon enough.

Too soon I suspect, Leila answered, now taking on a frown of her own. While Herr Präsident is willing to wait for results, he has still been very open to his colleagues about them.

Akito raised an eyebrow. Meaning?

Leila took another sip of hot chocolate. He and several other VIPs are going to sit in for the next phase of the operation.

Great, Akito's frown deepened. Mitternacht was already complicated enough without the President and his bandwagon being present. Which means I will have even fewer opportunities than before.

Unfortunately, Leila replied, not bothering to hide her disdain. Even if she hadn't had ulterior motives, she hated political types involving themselves in her kampfgruppe's operations. You still think you can pull it off?

I'd like to think so, Akito nodded. But when it comes down to it, it depends on whether Zero makes his appearance or not. Anything less would be far too risky.

I know, Leila stated, frowning. That was the one critical flaw in Mitternacht: it all depended on Zero showing up as she – to say nothing of Akito and the others – expected him too. And though she had no reason to believe that he wouldn't at that point in time, a part of her suspected that the worst could in fact happen. And with it, Mitternacht – the real Operation Mitternacht – would fail altogether.


Black Knights High Command
Naha, Okinawa, Ryukyu Republic

The halls of High Command were eerily silent, such that Kallen could hear her own bootheels as she walked down the corridor. Not that that was surprising, given the lateness of the hour; most of the command staff had retired for the evening, as well as C.C. with them. However, given her duties, Kallen could not leave – even if she had wanted to – until her lord and master was ready to go. And if not that, then when she pulled him out of his office, which he had been in alone over the last few hours, and back to Urasoe.

Coming up to the designated door, she knocked once and then entered regardless of Lelouch's answer, should he have even noticed. As she half-expected, he was no longer sitting behind his desk, but now standing in front of the nearby monitor, looking over what appeared to be battle plans. Ones centered around a specific base in Central Asia.

"So you figured it out," Kallen observed as she came up to stand beside the self-styled Demon King. "It only took you most of the day."

"I figured it out early on actually," Lelouch replied to her, not looking away from the monitor as he made adjustments to his planned counterattack. "Akmola's the more viable target. Assuming they don't accomplish their objectives, whatever they still are, there, they can always move north for one final attack on Karagandy before retreating back into allied territory."

"Assuming Marrybell hasn't taken that by then," Kallen observed. As with the rest of the Order, she too had heard of Surgut's recent fall. "I take it you intend to lead the counterattack yourself?"

"But of course," Lelouch answered back assuredly. "It's only proper, given to all the trouble they have gone to pick a fight with us."

"I see," Kallen said, looking down somewhat.

Even without looking directly toward her, Lelouch could tell that she was hesitant. "Is there something on your mind Q-1?"

Hearing him speak her personal callsign – one of the direct connections that they shared – was enough for Kallen to refocus. "I have a request Zero," she spoke directly. "I ask that you allow me to lead the battle in your stead."

It was only then Lelouch turned away from the monitor and to her.

"Likewise, I also ask that you remain here in Ryukyu during the operation," Kallen added on.

For a moment, Lelouch was taken back at the notion, the mere idea almost repulsive to him. Even during his days as the weakling exile in a Burai, he had never shirked away from going into battle with the rest of his forces, especially not against an opponent like this. The fact that he was much stronger – an actual warrior – now helped even less.

However, as he looked into Kallen's eyes, he could see the traces of bare concern within. Clearly she thought his going out there to face Hannibal's Ghost was something they could not risk, even if he was not the weakling he once was. "May I inquire as to why?"

Kallen pursed her lips as she came up with an answer. "Though I cannot put my finger on it exactly, I have a feeling that that's exactly what the enemy is counting on," she explained. "Your going out there to lead directly."

Lelouch considered the idea, and soon found himself nodding in agreement. Though he wasn't sure how that fit into the enemy's plans, it did make sense that they expected the Demon King to appear before them in the Mordred.

"Since that may fall within the enemy's intentions, I would rather deny them," Kallen stated, her voice gaining strength as she then declared. "In fact, as your knight, of which I am charged with your protection, I cannot and will not allow you out there under these circumstances."

Now Lelouch was really taken back, though he managed not to show it on the outside. Was Kallen really that afraid?

"You know I can just overrule you," he stated in near challenge, his own voice betraying only a hint of emerging ire.

It was then Kallen did something that he had especially not expected. Without any hint, she reached up with her hands and drew Lelouch forward into a sudden kiss. One that Lelouch, all too familiar sensations overcoming him, found himself complying with for the next several minutes.

When they at last broke away, both prince and knight stared deeply into each other's eyes. The feelings that they dared not express through words projected therein.

"As I said Your Highness, I am your Knight of Zero," Kallen stated. "As well as your Black Queen and your protector."

She dared reach up with her hand and place it against Lelouch's right cheek, drawing in his warmth through her touch.

"If the enemy really is expecting you to be in command and to take part in the battle, then you would be risking yourself needlessly," she said, assured through the emotional turmoil within. "I cannot have that Your Highness, nor can the rest of the Order."

Resting his own hand upon hers, Lelouch could not help but feel one last, small temptation to overrule her in spite of it all. Again he never hid away from battle unless absolutely necessary. It helped less that the one time he had, in fact, ran from the fight still haunted him to the present day, especially as he did well to remember the events thereafter. How could he even consider doing such a thing, especially against an adversary such as this?

Deep down however, if his Knight of Zero had indeed guessed the enemy's true intentions, then it was as she said. His being there would only work toward their advantage, not his. And that was something Lelouch was even more loathe to do, no matter how much it stung.

As such, he then drew her hand away, which Kallen withdrew accordingly. "Who do you intend to bring with you?"

The Red Dragoness smirked at this question. "Zero Squadron alone will suffice," she stated proudly enough. "Between us and those Black Knight forces already present, we should handle the enemy quite well."

Again Lelouch found himself nodding in agreement. If there was one Black Knight unit he would stack against Hannibal's Ghost, then his personal vanguard was it. Though that still didn't assuage him of worry, especially with his knight being out there without direct support. Even so, he forced back such emotions before they became a hindrance.

"Very well," Lelouch stated at last, disengaging the monitor. "I leave it all to you Major."

Kallen nodded, this time with even greater focus as her mind already began to work toward how they would expel the ghost of Hannibal Barca and his minions; how she would continue to protect her prince from those who intended him harm. Everything else was of secondary concern.