With a deep sigh, an old man with a haggard expression looked down at the chessboard in front of him. He was losing and his opponent, a member of the nobility, knew this. With uneasy breath, the old man tried to think of his next move, sweat running down his brow as he tried in desperation.
Click
"Your time is up, now every move must be made within twenty seconds," The Nobleman's servant spoke up.
'So, ready to throw in the towel?" The nobleman inquired.
Before the old man could speak the door to the room opened and three sets of footsteps could be heard. The old man turned back, seeing his aid had arrived in the form of three young men in Britannian school uniforms. The lead one had dark hair and deep purple eyes, and the one following him had brown hair with green eyes alongside a grey coat worn over his uniform. Just behind them was a shorter boy with blueish hair and pitch-black gloves over his hands.
"Thank goodness," the old man said as he stood up.
"This is your substitute, a schoolboy?" The noble said in annoyance. "Well boy, I hope you understand how badly you're about to lose, you only have twenty seconds for each turn," The Noble prattled as the lead boy took his seat and looked over the chess board.
"It will not be an issue, Rivalz, how long until class starts?" The lead boy asked as he turned to the blue-haired one.
"Twenty Minutes, but we should be back on time if we drive fast," Rivalz said.
The black-haired one smiled and everyone felt a shiver down their spine as the young man rested his hands on the table. "Now, shall we begin?" The young man asked.
"Man, that was brutal," Rivalz muttered as he walked back to the car with the others in tow.
"The nobility is always the same, their pride blinds them," Lelouch spoke up as he held a large suitcase full of imperial pounds.
"Once you knock them down, they will pay any price to keep it hidden," Suzaku chimed in as he took shotgun. Rivalz took the driver's seat as Lelouch rested in the back seat on his own.
"Still, the look on their faces when they lose is just hilarious," Rivalz said with a barely suppressed chuckle.
The TV nearby turned on as the face of Prince Clovis took up the screen. "My fellow Britannians today a terrorist attack has claimed the lives of seven Britannians and many others, let us have a moment of silence for our fallen," Clovis said as he held a hand over his heart.
"Seven Britannians, and sixty fives Japanese," Suzaku muttered as his gaze narrowed at the screen. Rivalz took a glance around to see all the people had their attention on Prince Clovis.
"Shall we go?" Rivalz asked.
"Yeah, the less I have to hear his voice the better," Lelouch said as he craned his neck. Rivalz turned on the radio as the car roared to life and pulled out of her space.
"You think it's related to you know who's operation today?" Rivalz asked.
"Maybe, but Naoto and Ohgi aren't going to screw up a mission on a whim," Suzaku said.
"Tamaki," was all Lelouch said as Suzaku groaned.
"Oh god, I forgot about Tamaki," Suzaku said as he ran a hand to his forehead.
"Still, they're following your plan, even if Tamaki screws it up they'll end up succeeding," Rivalz said as he glanced back at Lelouch.
A loud honking noise caught their attention as a large military truck barreled past them. "Oh shit!" Rivalz slipped out as he swerved out of the truck's path. Lelouch and Suzaku grabbed onto the seats as the car came to a stop.
"Or they run us off the road," Suzaku said as he checked over Rivalz and Lelouch. Lelouch just stepped out of the car and Rivalz looked around. Suzaku and Rivalz joined him as a crowd gathered around the crash site. The large military truck had now stopped below the street with a cloud of smoke coming off the truck's cabin.
"I'm checking it out," Lelouch said as he gave Suzaku a small nod. Suzaku nodded back as Lelouch rushed down to the truck and climbed on top of the trailer. He could see Suzaku pull out his phone as Rivalz gave him a concerned look. As Lelouch grabbed hold of the trailer's hatch a Vtol arrived with lights shining. The hatch opened and Lelouch slipped in as the truck began moving again.
Lelouch looked around the trailer, his gaze lingering on the large canister resting on one end of the trailer. As he heard footsteps approach, Lelouch's gaze shifted to his shadow. "What, it should be poison gas?" Lelouch asked as someone pumped into him. Lelouch turned as the figure stepped back.
"Who the?" The figure stopped as their gaze met Lelouch's. "Oh crap, look if it's about the car sorry, but Tamaki let it slip," The figure said.
"I assumed so, well don't let me stop you, Kallen," Lelouch said as the figure took off the hat and handed it to him.
Kallen smirked as she walked to the far end of the trailer. "Well if you're here, then that means the others will be joining us soon?" She surmised.
"Yes, now best of luck Q-1," Lelouch said as he turned to the truck's cabin as he heard a Knightmare powering up. He opened the door, put on the hat to cover his identity, and took a seat next to the driver.
"Kallen, I th-" The driver cut himself off as he saw Lelouch. "Ah never mind, good to see you Hellsing," Naoto said as he took a hard left to avoid gunfire from the Vtol.
"Good to see you as well, I can assume it was Tamaki who let it slip?" Lelouch said.
"Yes, he couldn't just watch his words," Naoto said as he swerved to the right to avoid more fire from the Vtols.
"Has your guard seen the case?" Naoto asked as his eyes narrowed at an open tunnel just ahead.
"Yes, but his gaze is lingering on it," Lelouch said as the truck drove into the tunnel.
"Lingering, like a supernatural bullshit lingering?" Naoto asked bluntly.
"I fear it may be that," Lelouch said as they took another left deeper down into the tunnels.
Naoto took another turn before stopping against a wall. "Well, let's see what we stole," Naoto said as he got up from the seat. Lelouch followed suit as both of them stood in front of the canister. Lelouch let out a whistle, prompting Alucard to emerge from his shadow.
"What do you sense?" Lelouch inquired as Alucard ran a hand along the canister.
"Someone is in here, they're alive," Alucard observed as his hand stopped on the center of the canister.
"So Clovis has a human trafficking ring?" Naoto spoke up, though his tone was only of half belief. A faint explosion rocked the ceiling as Alucard flicked a switch on the side, opening the canister. Dust flew out before a woman with green hair and dressed in a straight jacket fell to the floor of the trailer. "Damn?" Naoto said as he kneeled to look over the woman.
"Alucard?" Lelouch inquired, his gaze turning to his still servant.
"It's nothing," Alucard trailed off.
"Physically she's fine, but she's out cold," Naoto said before he took a step back. Naoto let his submachine rest on his shoulder strap before he picked up the woman in a princess carry.
"Let's move, Judas and Azrael should be tracking my location," Lelouch said. Naoto nodded as Alucard pulled out a pair of long-barreled pistols. The group began moving through the tunnels as they heard footsteps approaching.
"Hold i-" A soldier shouted before a bullet turned his head into a red paste.
"Come on," Lelouch shouted as he picked up his pace. Naoto followed suit as Alucard kept his eyes on the area where the soldier had arrived from. More explosions rocked the areas around them. "Alucard... deal with them," Lelouch instructed. Alucard stopped, a smile making its way onto his face as he began walking towards the soldier's corpse. Lelouch and Naoto made their way through the tunnels as more footsteps could be heard.
Followed by gunshots and screaming.
"Do you have their location?" Suzaku asked as he adjusted his coat over the bandoliers full of knives now resting on his person.
"Yep, sub-level three but they're on the move by the looks of it," Rivalz said as he looked over his phone. Suzaku nodded before Rivalz pulled a helmet out of the car's trunk and tossed it to him. Suzaku grabbed the helmet and put it on as Rivalz now held a balaclava. "So Judas' Priest, shall we?" Rivalz asked as he let the cloth rest over his mouth and nose.
"Indeed Azrael," Suzaku spoke as he turned on a light on the side of his helmet. Rivalz gave him a quick nod before he slammed the trunk close. The two of them began running through the tunnels, Rivalz keeping his eyes on the screen of his phone to track Lelouch's location. They could hear faint explosions above ground, only pushing them to run faster as bits of dust and rubble fell with each explosion.
They could hear faint gunshots throughout the tunnels. Rivalz stopped for a moment as he looked over his phone tracker; "They're heading north now," Rivalz said as he made a quick turn. Suzaku followed him, following as they could now hear footsteps getting closer. They could see a small light and a squad of Britannian soldiers moving through the tunnels. Suzaku pulled out two of his blades as wires flew from Rivalz's gloves.
The commanding officer noticed them too late, whatever command he was about to shout dying in his throat as his head was separated from his shoulders. Wires flew and tightened, severing the limbs and destroying their guns.
In a flash, the whole squad was turned into bloody chunks.
"They're already this deep in," Suzaku lamented as they ran over the bloody pile.
"Well, Lelouch is less than a hundred feet away," Rivalz pointed out as he held his phone. The two continued, making way for their leader.
"Prince Clovis, both teams have gone silent," The comms officer reported.
'This isn't good, if news gets out I'll be ruined,' Clovis lamented as his eyes narrowed. "What of the Perimeter?" Clovis asked.
"Still holding," The comms officer reported.
Clovis stood in silence, his mind running through his options. 'Do I send in the grunts, they might expose Code R if the Canister has been opened,' Clovis bit his lip in frustration. 'Do I call for an Operation Locust? I might have to,' Clovis huffed.
"Prepare to enact Operation Locust, have all remaining men within the ghetto pulled out," Clovis instructed as small murmurs echoed throughout the command center.
"My Lord, are you sure?" Bartley whispered.
"I have no choice, both teams are gone," Clovis whispered back.
"Ah, at least the terrorists had the decency to hide in the Ghettos," Bartley said.
"Locust airship has confirmed, T-Minus ten minutes to arrival," The comms officer called.
"Have the Perimeter guards prime their explosive rounds," Clovis shouted.
"The Shinjuku Ghetto will be nothing but rubble by the end of the day," Bartley said with a rather proud tone.
'Such a shame, but this is what happens when you overstep your boundaries, Elevens,' Clovis thought.
Suzaku and Rivalz stood silent as they looked at the unconscious woman in Naoto's arms. "Alucard seems to feel some sort of supernatural aspect to her," Lelouch reported, pulling them out of their silence.
"So, Britannia is starting to experiment with the supernatural?" Rivalz mused.
Naoto was about to say something when his radio buzzed. "Call in, the Britannian forces are pulling back," Ohgi's voice crackled over the radio.
Naoto held the woman out for the two boys to hold, both carefully grabbing onto her. Naoto reached for his radio; "This is Naoto, we've made an interesting discovery about our heist," He reported.
"What kind of discovery?" Tamaki's voice echoed out.
"The Supernatural nonsense kind," Naoto stated. The radio crackled with a wave of distorted shouts, a mix of annoyance and anger, made itself known.
'Oh great, another meeting with Hellsing?" Tamaki asked.
Naoto said nothing, simply handing the radio to Lelouch. "Yes, Tamaki, another meeting with Hellsing," He declared with a deep voice. He smiled as Tamaki let out a terrified shout before clearing his throat. "Regardless, what of the surrounding perimeter? Are they standing by?" Lelouch inquired.
"Yes, they haven't moved an inch," Ohgi reported.
Lelouch paused as his mind raced. "Their assault isn't over yet, prepare for incursions of Knightmares and armored units," Lelouch instructed.
"Wait, Sir, an airship is approaching!" Another voice called over the radio. "It's hovering out of range of our RPGs but it appears to be carrying a large container," The voice continued.
"Keep an eye on it, report if anything changes," Lelouch instructed.
"It's Dropping Somethi-" The shout on the radio was interrupted by a loud explosion that rocked the entire ghetto.
Kallen braced herself in the cockpit of her Knightmare as the ghetto shook. "Britannian bastards," She spat out as the buildings around her shook. Clutching her controls, she had the Knightmare rush through the ghetto, her facto-sphere active.
"Call in, who's not dead?" Ohgi's voice called in through the radio.
"Q-1, still alive and making way for that damn airship," Kallen called in.
She could hear other members calling in as she used her Glasgow slash harkens to maneuver around the rubble.
"This is Hellsing, we're still alive down here," She heard Lelouch's voice. "Does anyone have a visual on the airship?" Lelouch called out.
Kallen pulled her controls up as her Glasgow arrived at the crater. her Knightmare's facto-sphere opened once more as she adjusted her camera upwards. "It's still in the air, but it appears to have dropped a large container in the center of the crater," She reported. She watched as the cables running off the airship snapped, forcing her to pull back as the cables fell to the ground. She pulled farther back as the ground around the crater began to fall.
Her eyes widened as she looked down at the crater, the container was shrouded by the dust and rubble around it. Her facto-sphere glowed as her scanner picked up several objects leaving the container. "Something's coming out of the container, be prepared for unknown assailants attacking from the underground locations," Kallen reported. She could hear the ground around her cracking, and before she could fire her slash harkens the ground below gave way. She braced herself as her Glasgow rattled before it struck the ground with a meaty crash.
"The hell?" Kallen muttered as her Glasgow's vision was obscured by dust. She activated the outside lights while pulling her Glasgow up. Her eyes narrowed as the dust cleared and she found herself face to face with a mass of horrors. Bloody bodies crawled along the ground, uncaring of their injuries as they mobbed her Knightmare. "Ghouls!" she shouted while raising her Glasgow. Thinking quickly she activated the radio and called in. "Ghouls, the container was filled with Ghouls!" she shouted while having her Knightmare pull back. She could hear Ghouls banging against the chassis of her Knightmare even as she moved away from the container.
"Of all things, damn you," She murmured while using the Knightmare's arms to pull the Ghouls off the Knightmare's chassis. "Clovis, you made a big mistake, you bastard," She said. "You just told Hellsing that Britannia uses Ghouls," she said, crushing one of the undead with the hand of her Glasgow.
Lelouch huffed the faint layer of dust on his face flying off as he stared down at the radio in his hand. His face twisted with rage before he turned to Suzaku and Rivalz. "Activate Q-1's tracker, move as fast as you can, and kill every Ghoul you find," Lelouch commanded.
"Understood," both of them said at once before running off. Lelouch turned to Naoto before he raised the radio. "To everyone who can hear me, evacuate the tunnels and go on high alert," Lelouch commanded. "Judas and Azrael are on their way to support Q-1 in Ghoul extermination, but prioritize civilian safety to limit their potential spread," Lelouch finished before he handed Naoto his radio back. He looked around before his eyes narrowed at the missing person.
"She's gone?" Naoto mused.
"So it would seem," Lelouch huffed as he reached into his suit and pulled out a revolver. "I'm going after Clovis," Lelouch stated.
"Wait, what?" Naoto asked as Lelouch began to walk away.
"Best make your way out of here in case any Ghouls reach here," Lelouch said.
"What about the woman?" Naoto asked.
"We'll find her later, I need to have a "chat" with my... Brother," Lelouch said before he turned away. "Alucard!" Lelouched shouted as Naoto began to make his way out of the tunnels. It wasn't long before the shadowy mass of the Vampire manifested in front of Lelouch.
"Who is to meet my ire this time? My Master" Alucard inquired with a short bow.
"I need you to clear a path for Clovis' mobile command base," Lelouch instructed.
"Understood," Alucard said before he stood up. Shadows began to stretch from his being, a path being carved by his most trusted servant.
"Let us carve a path of blood," Lelouch mused as he followed after Alucard's path.
Running through the Tunnels Suzaku pushed himself as bits of sunlight began to pierce through the broken ceiling. It wasn't long before they could see the swarms of Ghouls mobbing a blood-covered Glasgow. The Knightmare frame swinging its arms and crushing flesh with sheer mechanical might. Suzaku pulled out two short swords and charged into the horde, blood, and bits flying around him as he swung with wrathful intent. He could see wires flying through the horde as the Glasgow slammed its arms down on a thicker part of the horde.
"Man am I glad to see you two," Kallen shouted through her Knightmare's speaker.
"Glad to see you alive and well Q-1," Rivalz said as his wires sliced through another row of Ghouls.
"What is the report on the Ghoul horde?" Suzaku inquired.
"I've done my best to keep their attention on me but a few were already in the tunnels," Kallen shouted through her Knightmare. Suzaku quickly jumped on top of Kallen's Glasgow, using the higher ground to scout out the other tunnels.
"How loud can these speakers go?" Suzaku inquired, kicking another Ghoul off who tried to climb up the chassis.
"Twice this," Kallen shouted.
"I see, think it can get loud enough to bring back the stragglers?" Suzaku asked.
"We'll have to see," Kallen said.
"Uh, guys... the Ghouls!" Rivalz shouted as another row was sliced through by his wires.
"Sorry," Kallen shouted as she crushed another mob of Ghouls with her Knightmare. "What is Hellsing's plan for this anyway?" Kallen asked.
"He sent us here to exterminate them, not sure what his plan is with the Britannian military is," Rivalz said.
"We'll have to see then," Kallen said as Suzaku jumped down from her Knightmare.
"Can we truly reclaim the container?" Clovis asked Bartley as the comms officers ran around the command center.
"The Subject's Immortality should keep her alive after the bombing runs," Bartley replied.
"Still, whatever the toxin used in Operation Locust is must be potent to require hours of explosive cleansing," Clovis mused.
"Ah, the fine minds of Britannia's chemical core never ceases to amaze me," Bartley mused.
"Uh, sir?" One of the officers called.
"What is it? did the Earl not understand what no means?" Clovis asked in annoyance.
"Uh, no sir, one of the Knightmares in the defensive lines just went dark," the Comms officer said.
"What, preposterous!" Bartley shouted.
"Sir I don't know how, but it's gone dark," the officer replied.
"Well, deal with-" Bartley's shout was cut off as the lights flickered.
A cold silence took hold as screams of terror echoed throughout the halls. "What the?" Bartley trailed off. One of the officers in the room approached the door, a pistol now held in their grasp.
In a flash, the door opened and a storm of bullets tore the officer apart. Few were quick enough to flee, their bodies torn apart by red-hot lead. Clovis backed away as Bartley took the brunt of the storm, the fat man now on his back and bleeding profusely.
"Wha..." Clovis was stricken with fear as he remained seated on his throne, now surrounded by the dead and dying.
"Clo.. Clovis..." Bartley wheezed out as a tall and intimidating figure stepped into the room.
Clovis remained frozen with fear as another figure stepped in after the first. "Prince Clovis..." The figure trailed off with a strict tone. The lead figure gave Clovis a toothy smile before he swatted Bartley out of their path. The general wheezed his last breath as the lead figure grabbed Clovis by his collar. "You have a lot to answer for," The second figure said as Clovis was forced to see him eye to eye.
Clovis froze as he looked into the piercing gaze of Lelouch Vi Britannia. "Le... Lelouch, oh, how nice to see... Ahh!" Clovis screamed as the first figure drove his fingers into his shoulder.
"Alucard, do it," Lelouch prolcaimed. Clovis felt himself being picked up, now forced to look into the glowing red eyes of the man holding him hostage. A strange feeling ran over him, like his mind became clouded yet his senses were clearer than water. "Now Clovis, who gave you the Ghouls?" Lelouch asked.
"Ghouls?" Clovis said, his mind an open book lacking the desired knowledge.
"The airship, and its package?" Lelouch inquired.
"Operation Locust, it's a new anti-terrorist method introduced recently, it's some kind of toxin that has to be cleansed with fire and explosives," Clovis spoke honestly.
"Who approved of it?" Lelouch asked.
"I don't know, someone in the Chemical Core," Clovis mused.
Lelouch pinched his brow and sighed. "How do you stop it?" he asked.
"Wait for the toxin to spread over time, then cleanse the area with fire," Clovis answered.
"Any other way?" Lelouch inquired.
"There is a five-digit code designed for if the toxin was released in an uncontrolled environment set by each area's viceroy, mine is Eight-Five-Nine-Zero-Six," Clovis said.
"Where is the code entered?" Lelouch asked.
"Allow me," Clovis said. His body moved in a haggard fashion before he accessed one of the consoles. With speed, he didn't know he possessed, the commands were accessed and the code was entered. "Your welcome sir," Clovis said as Alucard smiled.
"Clovis, I want you to hand over any files related to Operation Locust you have available," Lelouch instructed.
"Yes sir," Clovis said, following his instructions. "It will take a few minutes before the files are done downloading," Clovis said.
"Good, now call off the assault on the Ghetto," Lelouch instructed.
"Yes sir," Clovis said.
Kallen had to cover her eyes as numerous flashes ran across the horde of Ghouls. Both Suzaku and Rivalz stilled as fire and explosions purged the horde.
"looks like Hellsing's plan worked," Suzaku said as the fire consumed the dead. Kallen just smiled in the cockpit as Rivalz began wiping the bits of gore off his suit.
"To anyone who can hear this, Hellsing's plan worked, the Ghouls are being purged y some kind of explosive," Kallen called out.
"I can hear it Q-1, just stand by for the time being," Naoto's voice replied first.
"Glad to hear the news," Ohgi chimed in.
Kallen leaned back in her Glasgow, the chassis blocking out the scent of burning flesh. She could see both Suzaku and Rivalz scouting the container, making sure all the Ghouls were gone.
"It's done," Clovis said as he now held out a flash drive. Lelouch snatched the flash drive from Clovis' hand and pocketed it.
"Now Clovis, I have one last question," Lelouch stated.
"What is it?" Clovis inquired.
"What do you know of my mother's murder?" Lelouch inquired. Alucard just huffed and shook his head.
"I don't know much, but Cornelia and Schniezel might know something," Clovis said.
"I see, release him Alucard," Lelouch said.
Clovis felt a crushing weight strike upon his mind, his hands running to his temples as a deep pain wormed its way into his skull. "What... What did you do?" Clovis pleaded in fear.
"Hypnosis," Lelouch stated.
"Huh?" Clovis trailed off.
"You began searching into the supernatural correct?" Lelouch asked.
"What, but, Code R," Clovis muttered.
"So, that's what the project was called, well tell me Clovis, what do you know of the Supernatural?" Lelouch inquired.
"What... Lelouch, come on... We can bring you back to Pendragon, maybe bring Nunna-" Clovis was stopped as a scream of pain ripped through his throat. He turned back, his eyes widening as he found a stump where his right foot had once been. The appendage in question now held in the grasp of that... monster.
"Well Clovis, you've been messing with the supernatural, that's quite a horrid thing to do," Lelouch said as Clovis now found himself face to face with the barrel of a revolver.
"No, please... we're brothers," Clovis pleaded.
"Goodbye Clovis," Lelouch said calmly before he pulled the trigger and Clovis was greeted by only darkness.