"We should have killed him where he stood!"
Kaguya Sumeragi hadn't heard such fury from a head of the Six Houses before. Even if it were still Osakabe, the most outspoken and passionate among them, he usually controlled himself better than that at least. But what was more distressing for her was the reaction of the others. Munakata didn't play devil's advocate. Kubouin didn't approach the issue more even-handedly. Kirihara didn't reprimand him for his outburst. Instead the statement was allowed to hang in silent agreement for a long few seconds.
They had all seen the announcement. The declaration of the JSDF in support of Britannia. Of declaring themselves Japanese Britannians. The very man they had in their grasp, held at gunpoint, now pushing his message of cooperation for the sake of defending their homeland. Defending the lives of their fellow Japanese.
"Would that it were so simply done," Munakata finally said to break the silence. "Lady Kaguya was in Zero's grasp at that very moment. Within her own home, even!"
She stayed silent. She had no choice in this moment.
"And even if we had, what difference would it have made?" Kubouin added with a touch of fatalism. "Little would have changed. The true leader would still have gone free and we would instead be discussing a declaration given by Shinchiro Tamaki as opposed to Kaname Ohgi."
"... Hmph." Osakabe seemed to wish to say something else. But had elected otherwise. Reading the room. A position he didn't want to state for it being too severe?
... Ah. Kaguya understood. The young Lady Sumeragi understood her new position as well as the circumstances they had found themselves in. This change was so dire that sacrifices were being considered. They had Kaname Ohgi, and they knew where Zero was. They could have killed the one they had and come hunting for the mysterious Britannian benefactor. The true danger of this JSDF business would have been crippled right then and there. All it would have cost them... Was her. Yes. A position that shouldn't be voiced aloud. She could agree with that much.
This was the new position Kaguya Sumeragi had been reduced to. On some level, her compatriots, co-conspirators, couldn't help but see her as compromised, whether a little or a lot. She had been at the enemy's mercy. More so than Kirihara had become. Zero had spoken to her privately and none of them knew for certain what had been said. She had told them all, had been entirely honest... And yet they didn't know. Couldn't know. She was young, inexperienced, and trapped with a man known to have impressive charisma to have turned Japanese resistance groups toward serving Britannian masters. It planted a seed of doubt that could only grow into an infesting weed she had no means to uproot.
And so she stayed silent. Her only move to regain their trust was to allow them to deal with the situation.
"It was an impressive show," Kubouin commented. "Ending a difficult battle in a single stroke that dealt not insignificant damage to the Federation's invasion efforts."
"A charismatic leader and a strategist," Osakabe grumbled with folded arms. "Britannia has too many of those. Letting the battle progress, emboldening the Chinese with progress to deal a more devastating blow. Giving the Chinese pause and the Britannians some breathing room. Infuriating."
Munakata nodded. "It's been said that the forces left behind in Area Ten by the Witch of Britannia are on the move."
"So they can expect reinforcements," Kirihara spoke up for the first time. "Not many, but enough. We can only be glad Euro Britannia are declaring independence. Should they have attacked the Federation from the north, the Chinese would withdraw much faster if they continue to have nothing to show for their efforts."
Kubouin sighed. "The JSDF might prove instrumental in running off the Federation."
Osakabe frowned harder than normal, tapping his own arm. "The commander of the Shimonoseki forces. Who was it?"
"Gottwald."
"... The leader of the Pureblood faction," Osakabe said, the gears turning. "Those who despise the Honorary Britannian system. They would despise this JSDF as well, wouldn't they?"
"Naturally," Kubouin agreed without hesitation. "It could be said that the JSDF stole their victory, winning a battle for them after they were put in command."
"We could use that." The others stared at him, waiting for him to elaborate. "No group in Japan hates the Japanese as much as they. They will be angry. They will be looking for targets at which they can lash out. The JSDF hope to inspire 'cooperation', to convince the Japanese to enslave themselves. What if we showed what happens to those who already did so willingly?"
"Turn the Purebloods against the Honorary Britannians in their military?" Kubouin asked, following the logic. "There are many serving in Kyushu already. We could do so quite easily. All it requires is a spark."
Even kind-hearted Munakata. "They have already betrayed Japan. They are acceptable targets."
And still Kaguya said nothing, even while her hands trembled as they rested on her knees. A plan of action was decided and the meeting was adjourned.
And that night, she sat at her table in her home. Wrestling with her own conscience. Wrestling with what had already happened. Wrestling with what was going to happen if she did nothing.
She was a young woman of power. Of influence. But only as one seat of six in Kyoto House. Their continued existence was predicated on cooperation, collaboration and trust. They had to exist as one unified ideal, united by a single ambition. The restoration of Japan. A return to what they once had.
Kaguya still believed in that ambition. A single meeting with an admittedly charismatic masked man couldn't change that. His conviction was a tangible thing as he spoke to her of a future of peace. Of a future when Japan would be Britannian. Not just an Area, or a conquered territory. A part of the empire, respected like the rest of it. And that was the part that despite being moved by his conviction, she couldn't fully agree with. Japan was its people, that was what the JSDF were reported as saying. Japan still existed in all of their hearts, and so would live on, even be allowed to flourish if what Zero claimed was true. Yet... It would flourish as a carefully tended flower in a garden. Not to live wild, free, independent, living on its own terms. But instead as a manicured show piece.
The difference from what they had now... It was a matter of degrees. She couldn't believe it would be anything else.
Was she willing to die to achieve such an aim? Of course she was. Kirihara had lectured her in years past. A free Japan would require nothing less than complete dedication, to give everything for that singular goal. It wasn't an idle or ignorant belief that she would make such a sacrifice. She had seen the death and destruction in her homeland. It had come for all. It had come into her own home. She understood the finite nature of her life, what it was to give and take such a thing.
And so that was the nature of her dilemma. She had to stay silent as the rest of the council responded to the JSDF's move. By not interfering, she let them do as they thought best.
And what they thought best... Was to use the Japanese as a weapon and a sacrificial lamb. Honorary Britannians who joined the military. If any Japanese could be considered truly acceptable casualties in their pursuit of a liberated Japan, it would be them. Becoming Honorary Britannians was one thing but that alone was necessary for survival for many. Joining the military on the other hand, there could be no excusing that. They couldn't more clearly abandon their heritage. Their people.
And yet if it was so obvious, why did she feel so conflicted over it?
'Hiding behind the Japanese? Using them as tools? As shields?'
... That was it. That was the reason. Zero's words to Kirihara coming back to attack her ideals. The flaw was undeniable. It was easy when it was the JLF or the lesser resistance cells. People who proudly gave of themselves for their shared ambition. For them, it was as simple as knowing the Six Houses were fulfilling their role just as the resistance were fulfilling theirs. But Osakabe's plan wasn't that. It was throwing unknowing Japanese at the mercy of the most zealous of Britannian supremacists. Sabotaging coexistence before it could even be attempted by sacrificing the Japanese, no matter how much they had turned their backs against their heritage. Like throwing domesticated rabbits to a rabid dog. Taunting it, demanding it rip and tear into their flesh to prove what a violent animal it is.
The Japanese serving in the military were weak. They were cowards. But they were also helpless. Arguably even less able to defend themselves than civilians.
That was alright. Because they had chosen their side.
That was supposed to be alright.
And yet...
Just once, her eyes landed on the small gap beneath her television. It was where a small device lay. A phone. Zero had said... If she wanted to believe in a peaceful world, she could use it to contact him.
She wanted that. A world where her people could live safe and happy lives.
But she still believed the only path to that goal was to liberate Japan. No matter the sacrifices that must be made. She could loathe herself for making them, for believing she had the right to make them on behalf of others. But it would be worth it. It was a dream she couldn't abandon. Not now.
And those who suffered for her selfish dream, she would accept their hatred when the time came for her to meet them in the next world.
The Six Houses survived because they trusted one another. Relied on one another to stay the course and pursue the dream of a free Japan together. Kaguya couldn't have known this, but the meeting had been a test of her resolve. They needed to know if she had been compromised, and so they gave her a reason to betray them. A plan that would be devastating for the efforts of the JSDF. And so they watched her, waited to see if she would act. If she would betray them. And so they watched her wrestle with her conscience, until she retired for the night. Regaining their trust.
As for the plan itself? A fabrication. It was an effective plan, certainly. The damage would be devastating. However, it was unnecessary. They had other means of undermining their enemies.
And besides, why would they need to provoke anyone? So long as the rabid dog knows there is a rabbit, he will chase it down and tear out its throat.
-(-)-
A shower. Kallen counted herself lucky. Getting the chance for such a simple comfort was unexpected. What was supposed to be a drawn out battle instead took place over a single night.
Of course, the shower wasn't the reason for her enduring smile. The water, the soap, the sweat and grime sliding off her body, it was wonderful after being cooped up in the Lancelot for hours. But it was nothing on what the JSDF had accomplished. Three Chinese transport ships destroyed in a span of seconds, allowing the defending forces to clean up the remaining enemy knightmares and seize the fourth transport ship. And ever since, the Chinese had kept their distance, not willing to test their luck again.
Portman frames. They weren't unknown, but countermeasures were difficult. The usual response was to mine the area so the Portman couldn't approach safely. Unfortunately for the Federation, they couldn't do that without hampering their own approach to the coast. They would funnel themselves, guaranteeing they would face the most firepower on their approach. Worse, they had no idea where the Portman frames were deployed from, not being part of the Britannian forces. In fact, Kallen didn't know either and no one had seen fit to tell her. Probably the right idea. She couldn't give away what she didn't know and for the most part, she now knew everything the Britannians did.
Except for Lelouch.
The smile of her lips grew softer.
He did exactly what he said he would do. The JSDF were a force unto themselves, had declared themselves proudly, even led by the Japanese. She didn't know if that was for show or for real, but it would make sense that he would step back from being the direct leader. It wouldn't be long until everything would come out. Until she would be able to drop the charade and be honest about who she really was. What would she do when that happened? It depended on a whole lot.
An image of herself in a wedding dress flashed in her mind. She blushed furiously, shaking that thought away. That was way too much, way too soon! She wasn't even sure if—
No. Shorter term. Would they let her keep piloting the Lancelot? Well, Lelouch would be in charge so he could probably make that happen. Then there was the Knight of Six, there was Cornelia, there were the Six Houses and Clovis, not to mention the rest of the empire—
"Hoooo..." She let out a deep breath, leaning against the wall and letting the water run over her body. Her thoughts were getting away from her over and over again. Adrenaline maybe. She didn't need to think so much right now. She just had to do her job. Be the best knight she could be so it would look all the better when she revealed who she really was.
"Someone's happy."
The redhead blinked, pushing away from the wall as she turned to look. "Viletta!" Gottwald's right hand woman was smirking at her, though it wasn't exactly cheerful. Also, "Um... Why are you naked?" she asked, laying a hand across her breasts and over the small patch of magenta curls between her legs. At the same time trying to keep her eyes above the woman's neckline even as they took treacherous glances down. There was a little jealousy for Viletta's body confidence, though it was understandable. Neither of them had anything to be ashamed of in terms of their figures, yet Viletta with her poise, her confidence and her more mature curves, she was several steps ahead. With wider hips, larger breasts and a sharp, golden gaze that could make hearts flutter.
"Because we're in the showers," Viletta answered, demonstrating more of that ease and confidence as she shifted her weight to one leg and laid a hand on her hip. "You're a military woman now. You'll have to get used to nudity sooner or later. Not just with other women either." Kallen's face flared a crimson red, but Viletta continued before the redhead could protest or express anything more than her obvious embarrassment. "You earned your good mood though. You really put on a show out there last night."
Awkwardly, uncertainly, Kallen lowered her arms to reveal the pink of her nipples, trying not to show the embarrassment she felt. Trying to express that same confidence Viletta had. "Thanks. It was different to what I expected."
"Well, Kewell is currently trying to order a bottle of wine as a thank you gift."
"I'm underage," Kallen reminded her.
"If you like, I can tell him to have it delivered to your estate. Based on the price range he's looking at, it'll make a great toast to your entering adulthood." The dark skinned woman smiled, folding her arms under her breasts, taunting Kallen's traitorous eyes yet further as they took a more lingering look. Her nipples were oddly a slightly lighter colour than her natural skin tone. "Really, you performed excellently for your first battle. Lady Alstreim and Jeremiah are saying the same thing. It's just a shame the Elevens stole the rest of our thunder."
And just like that, the gratitude and appreciation withered. "Yeah?" Kallen asked, trying to hide her real feelings.
"The Pureblood faction have been waiting for a chance like this for half a decade, ever since Jeremiah took charge. We finally had the chance to earn real prestige in command of such a pivotal battle. And now?" The beautiful yet awful woman sighed. "Humiliated in the worst way. Upstaged by the Elevens. And now we have to explain ourselves to both Princess Cornelia and Prince Clovis."
What a shame, Kallen thought. Truly, her heart bled for them. "I'm sure they won't hold it against you."
"Well, we'll find out soon. Come on, get ready."
Kallen looked confused. "Get ready for what? Briefing isn't for an hour."
"For the local troops, yes. Lady Alstreim has insisted on you attending the command briefing. So get ready."
Kallen's most guilty fantasy turned and stepped under her own showerhead. Washing herself in what could be described as militarily efficient routine. She probably entered the military in a much more standard manner than Kallen had. Not an ace pilot. Not a noble. She likely worked her way up to her current position the hard way. If only she weren't one of them, Kallen wondered if they might've been real friends.
But it was a thought she put out of her head as she towelled herself down and headed for her temporary quarters to get dressed in a fresh uniform. From there to the command centre, enlisted soldiers saluting as she passed.
Entering the room, she saw a very pensive Jeremiah Gottwald examining the live map of the city's defensive emplacements with one eye while reading a field report with the other. Anya Alstreim sat nearby tapping away at her personal diary.
"Sir Stadtfeld," Gottwald said, not looking up from the papers or map. "Glad Viletta found you. I assume she's on her way as well?"
"Last I saw she was making herself presentable."
"Good. We can't afford to embarrass ourselves further than we already have been. Especially in front of her highness."
Kallen waited, not wanting to disturb him when he already seemed frazzled. And Anya appeared to be in her more passive mode at the moment. Moments later, Viletta arrived with yet more reports that she summarised for the Margrave.
A moment after that, the monitors in the room activated as they waited for the Prince and Princess to appear.
Cornelia appeared first, with Clovis following half a minute later on another screen.
"Princess Cornelia, Prince Clovis, I appreciate you sharing your time—"
"Clovis. What is this JSDF?" the second princess demanded, ignoring Gottwald entirely.
The blond viceroy appeared to be taking the question seriously, even if his answer came with a confused shrug. "Largely a rumour until today. The Eleven rebel groups had a spike of activity weeks ago, and then seemed to mostly go quiet. Rumours were they were intending to cease rebelling and instead support us in fighting off the Federation, but it seemed too convenient to take seriously. Especially with rumblings that remnants of the Eleven military were preparing to act against us. And yet now it has proven true and the so-called Japan Liberation Front are nowhere to be seen."
"So you know nothing."
"Nothing is overstating it, but certainly less than you would like, sister. And nothing immediately relevant from a strategic perspective."
If Kallen didn't know he was lying, she would never have been able to tell he was lying. Lelouch really did have the viceroy in his pocket. Or at least the viceroy was currently playing his part looking for the moment to stab Lelouch in the back. That seemed more likely.
Then again, they were brothers. Did that mean anything? That was probably a question worth asking the next time she got an opportunity. Exactly who among the imperial family would be worth trusting and in what way. The knee-jerk answer was 'none of them in any way', but someone who actually knew them might have had a different perspective. Kallen no longer had the luxury of treating every Britannian as scum. She missed that. It made life easier.
"... Gottwald. Your assessment."
"In terms of their composition, forces or intentions, I can give you no more answers than the viceroy, your highness," Gottwald answered. "However, we can be certain they have access to multiple Portman frames as the operation to destroy multiple large transport ships could not be done with only one. My suspicion for how they undertook the operation is that they used one of the multiple small islands to the north and west to lie in wait before quietly deploying in the midst of the ongoing battle. A handful of inactive frames could have lain in wait and gone completely unnoticed, potentially even on islands on which we set up defensive emplacements. No one knew they were there and so they took everyone by surprise."
"You're saying they may have hidden right under your nose?"
Gottwald held a fist over his heart as he bowed. "The possibility exists. You have my apologies for my failure, your highness."
"I have no need for apologies. What is required of you, Lord Gottwald, is to continue to keep the crossing to Honshu secure." The princess paused, her eyes directed downward, off camera. "These JSDF. They will have moved by now. They will know both we and the Federation will be looking for them. The threat of a repeat performance will give the Federation pause, but if they were smart enough to pull this off, they would change tactics to stay ahead."
"You don't believe they would attack us next, your highness?"
Cornelia glanced at the camera. "No. If they wished to support Sawazaki at all, they could have used the element of surprise to help the Federation by destroying the bridge. No. For the moment they hate the Chinese more than us. Before long I'm certain we'll be dealing with a resistance group that has somehow acquired military grade armaments." She let the question of exactly how they acquired said armaments hang silently in the air. "In the meantime, stay vigilant against them, but focus on the more pressing threat. Now, Margrave, full report."
"Yes, your highness."
What followed was a detailed report on equipment losses, casualties, prisoners taken and all of the other details acquired of the battle's results. The number of Gun Ru accounted for was north of one hundred and they were still counting. An absurd number of frames to have come out of only a single transport. If the three destroyed ships held just as many, the battle may have been far more destructive for the Britannian side. Those numbers would have been overwhelming even for entrenched defenders. By comparison, there were very few living prisoners. The design of the Gun Ru meant the pilot would be trapped in it once it was destroyed. Those lucky enough to survive the destruction of their frame, they had been provided means to rectify that.
All of them were Korean. Former Sixteens. None of them were meant to survive the assault.
"Arrange for transport of the prisoners here. They need to be interrogated. As for defending the region, you're unlikely to see another assault like the last one. They'll reassess, and the fleet will continue to harass them to buy you more time. Use it wisely."
"Yes, your highness."
"Sir Stadtfeld," Cornelia said, causing the young knight to straighten against her will. "You've acquitted yourself well so far. Continue to demonstrate the faith put in you was not misplaced."
"Yes, your highness." It wasn't Cornelia's faith she was worried about. But she took her own meaning from the command and would follow it.
"Dismissed, Gottwald."
"Yes, your highness." Cutting the connection, the commander of the local forces let out a sigh of relief.
"It sounded like she took it as a win?" Kallen offered.
"Reluctantly," Viletta agreed. "But it doesn't do anything to absolve us of the embarrassment of letting another group steal our victory."
Jeremiah shook his head. "No, it doesn't. However, we've already made a start on wiping away such a stain on our reputation. Viletta, have you heard anything from Kewell yet?"
"The last I saw him he was rounding them all up."
Kallen looked at the woman, confused at what that could even mean. It was curiosity that made her ask. "Rounding who up? What's going on?" And then a paranoid thought. "Do you have a lead on the JSDF already?"
"No, but we'll find one," Jeremiah answered. "They're a bunch of Elevens with stolen military equipment. They must have acquired it somehow. Transported it. And likely with assistance from someone on the inside. So of course we have a list of likely suspects for who would help a bunch of numbers."
The reality of it settled in Kallen's mind and in her gut like lead weights. Cornelia had told Jeremiah to stay vigilant against the potential threat of the JSDF. It was a command with a great deal of freedom behind it. The Pureblood faction could take that as permission to do what they had always wanted to do. It had given them cause to detain the foreign legion. Interrogate them. Every Honorary Britannian that had joined the military, the most willing to join the empire. Dozens of Japanese men and women rounded up to be...
"Where is Kewell now?" she asked.
"The parade grounds," Viletta answered with a disinterested tone. "He should have something— Huh?"
Kallen had already left the room, absently hearing the shout of Gottwald as she walked with purpose through the halls. Down the stairs, out the front doors, around the side of the building.
"—reason to suspect there are collaborators among you! For this reason, you are all to be detained, pending investigation!" Kewell shouted his words as he walked along the rows of unarmed Japanese in simple fatigues. On the other side of Kewell were a row of Britannian troops armed with rifles. "If you resist, you will be detained more forcefully, and you and I will spend some time getting to know one another!" The grin he wore, he clearly hoped someone would. "However, if, here and now, you have something worthwhile to tell us about these Eleven dissidents, we will be more lenient than if we have to drag the information out of you by force!"
"Sir!"
"Oh, good!" Kewell said with a smile as he approached the man who had spoken. "A volunteer! What do you have to say, Private?"
"Sir," the man continued, nervous but tragically hopeful. "I, I help with knightmare logistics! I see the supply reports for this deployment! Each manifest and delivery! All machines are accounted for! What they have, it did not come from us! You can check! There were never any Portman frames on the manifest! Right?" he asked, looking along the line to someone else in the same department. The other man's eyes begged him why he had singled him out, but agreed via a shaky nod.
"Is that so?" Kewell asked, getting another nod from the man who spoke up. The Britannian then stepped aside and nodded at the rifleman behind him.
BANG
"AHHH!" The Japanese man dropped as a bloody hole was punched through his leg by a rifle bullet. The process repeated itself with the other. Panic swept through the crowd.
"ATTENTION!" Kewell shouted, the riflemen all raising their weapons in threat. "I did not ask for you to plead innocence! I demanded answers! And now I have lost my patience! Speak! Now! How did these dissidents acquire that equipment?! Which of you aided them?!"
"SOLDIERS! STAND DOWN!"
Kewell kept a wary eye on the Lines of soldiers as he looked to the source of the shout. "Sir Stadtfeld?" he asked. "Does Lord Jeremiah have new orders? I was in the middle of—"
"I saw what you were in the middle of!" she snarled as she got into his personal space. Fists clenched, ready to break his jaw. "And it stops now! You!" she barked, looking at the closest rifleman. "Alert the medical corps!"
"Stadtfeld, what are you doing?" Kewell demanded, far quieter than she had.
"What any decent human being would do seeing you shoot our own damn soldiers!"
"You think they're our soldiers?" the Britannian Pureblood asked. His expression suggesting he was seeing her with new eyes. "They're not our soldiers. They're not our people. I thought you understood how the world works, but I guess Jeremiah was wrong about you. Thankfully, Lieutenant, both I and Lord Jeremiah outrank you." He looked at another of the riflemen. "Take Sir Stadtfeld into custody for insubordination and interference in—"
"Stop."
The voice was quiet, high-pitched, yet authoritative. Cut Kewell's words short as though she had grabbed his tongue directly.
"You outrank her, you don't outrank me," Anya said as she too walked down the line of soldiers. "Get lost," she said to the riflemen, who willingly dispersed without a word. "Sir Stadtfeld acts under my authority. So I will repeat what she said and you will hear it with the authority of a Knight of the Round. This stops now, and you will leave."
Kallen failed to hide her surprise, and so Kewell could easily see what had just happened. The Knight of Six had just come to her rescue. And so his expression was only as deferential as it had to be as he said, "As you command, Lady Alstreim," before turning and leaving them to deal with the mess.
Anya watched him go. "They'll make you suffer for that, you kn—"
"How bad is it?" Kallen asked, not paying attention to the dire warning at all as she knelt to help two of the other Japanese soldiers tend to the first man who was shot. Others helping the other.
"Looks like a flesh wound," one of them answered. A young man. "Went right through, not bleeding badly enough to have hit anything serious."
"I'm sorry," Kallen said, tearing her uniform to make a quick and dirty bandage. "They're treating the JSDF like they're the enemy when they basically just saved all of us—"
"They are the enemy."
Kallen's eyes snapped to his, confused beyond belief. "What? They, they fought for us, they helped fend off the Federation, they—"
"They caused this," he said, looking down at the injured man. "If they wanted to fight to protect people, they should've enlisted like we did. Instead they're lying and stealing, while they pretend they're better for not doing things the right way. They're no better than the terrorists in the JLF."
Kallen could do little more than stare slack-jawed at the soldier. Utterly incapable of understanding what he had just said. He might as well have been speaking an entirely different language. All she could do was stare as the medical corps arrived and carried the two injured men away on stretchers.
"Dismissed," she said to the rest of them. "Return to your duties," she added louder. They couldn't leave fast enough once they had the clear order to do so.
"Gratitude certainly is wonderful," Anya said, before blinking, her eyes drooping into dismal disinterest as she pulled out her diary again, taking pictures of Kallen next to the bloodstains.