Summary: Stumbling upon plans to stir Atlas into conflict with itself, Lelouch used this new information not to the Atlas Military's benefit, but instead to gather four pieces to his own.

4 months after initial arrival.

Luck.

At times it had helped his ambitions, and at others, it was simply a vague notion that had become increasingly difficult to quantify. Lelouch could never deny its existence or influence, nor could he be completely prepared to deal with it whenever it made itself known. It could swing a battle, a skirmish, or even a single moment.

While a few months of working as a high-ranking official of Atlas and utilizing the powers of his Geass has yielded him significant influence and a growing network of people who have succumbed to its power, luck could prove just the same.

Olive Harper, a promising young woman within the Atlas military, holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, was Lelouch's superior. She was a perfect candidate to have under his control and used to reach the pinnacle when the time was right. However, an unexpected nugget of knowledge surfaced once she was placed under his command: the woman was part of a conspiracy to boot General Ironwood from his current seat of authority and in favor of a man by the name of Bram Thornmane.

He couldn't believe his good fortune; a rebellion had all but fallen right into his lap.

One that could bear even more fruit if he played his cards right.

This led Lelouch to this very moment, standing in a dark, spacious room, with only a couple of hanging light fixtures illuminating his surroundings.

Olive stood by him, a cold expressionless gaze on her features as she held a pistol to the bleeding man on the ground in front of them, gasping for breath, the poor man having been shot and beaten.

He glanced around, noting the dead bodies of his most loyal lying all around him, staring lifelessly and blankly at him. Trying to rise from his prone position, Bram Thornmane could only slip on his pool of blood, "O-Olive...w-why..?"

"The reason is simple really." Lelouch began, his hands tucked behind his back and gaze fixed squarely upon the man. "Miss Harper has found you ill-suited to lead Atlas. And fortunately for her, I have decided to back her endeavor in deposing you."

Glaring up from his spot in a growing puddle of his blood, Thornmane trembled with barely contained anger, his lip curling, but also the glint of fear visible in his eyes, "Y-you!..." he slurred out weakly, straining his bruised body to try and lift himself. "You did something to her! You forced her to-!"

Lelouch didn't move. Not an inch, his gaze impassive through the armor of his helmet.

Thornmane tried to straighten, slipping and slouching forward before managing to sit with difficulty on his haunches. "Don't make the mistake of thinking you'll get away with this..." He warned, his glare becoming more and more murderous.

"Tsk, tsk, Mr. Thornmane, do you truly believe such pathetic threats will dissuade me?" Lelouch gave a condescending smirk under his helm.

Thornmane visibly grimaced, clutching his injured stomach and shifting. "Y-you better end this right now!" he choked out. "I'll have you and this whole-! Ah...agh." Trailing off, the former Atlas loyal slowly went quiet, and began spitting.

"Fortunately Thornmane, you still have a role to play in this sordid affair. You'll be allowed to make a real impact before your death, that much I can assure you of."

Staring at him dumbfounded, Thornmane watched as a panel on Lelouch's helmet opened.

The sight of a violet eye was all he glimpsed before a dark haze enveloped his mind as if something was snatching control of his every thought and motion, leaving him little choice in the matter.

Years of planning and preparing for the day when he would make his bid for power, all dashed in one moment. All gone in the blink of an eye.

Fort Arrowfell, for years Team BRIR had watched over the abandoned Atlas military installation, the desolate outpost nestled far out in the tundra of Solitas, hiding it well enough from easy discovery. It wasn't until several months ago that someone had trespassed the territory, stealing a handful of secret weapons and other supplies.

Unable to locate the culprit, the Keepers of Arrowfell returned to their business as normal and simply carried on doing odd missions here and there, yet remaining weary and alert of any other suspicious individuals attempting a similar heist.

So when they received the alert

that someone had tripped a warning line on the outpost's property, they wasted little time heading for the old abandoned fortification and investigating, cautiously searching the base.

As leader of Team BRIR, Bianca Prisma was a stoic and resilient individual, willing to get the job done and put anyone foolish enough to think they could beat her into the dirt. Taking no chances, she stood, twin daggers grasped at the ready, surveying the darkened hall with her teammates, Roane Ashwood, Ivy Thickety, and Ruda Tilleroot

"So... did the sensors catch who the hell set them off this time?" Roane Ashwood grumbled, keeping her wrist-mounted flame thrower ready to incinerate whoever came around the corner, hissing air angrily through the flame unit.

"The alarm only went off in the entrance chamber... so there isn't much we can go on," Ivy Thicket pointed out, as she combed her hair behind her left ear with a slender finger, and checked her Scroll for a brief second before her eyes returned to her partner's backs, whip held low and steady in a solid grip.

"Just be careful everyone. Let's not rule out that whoever set the line off might still be here..." Ruda Tilleroot uttered, adjusting the drills strapped to her right arm.

"...You're right to be cautious, ladies," a sudden voice called out, catching their collective attention. It came from directly behind them, close, making them twist on the spot.

As the women stood in a defensive formation, their eyes widened in shock at the number of Atlesian military might now blocking their path. Rifles and blasters aiming directly at them, Atlas Soldiers, Atlesian Knight-200s, and even Paladin-290s flanked the four women, far outnumbering them and all were currently preparing for engagement.

Locking eyes with the single figure in the center, Bianca narrowed her gaze suspiciously, taking notice of the sole individual seemingly directing them all.

With a smirk, the man bowed his head ever so slightly and introduced himself

"Bram Thornmane," He acknowledged. "Soon to be General of the Atlas Military..."

The women traded apprehensive glances with one another, already making sense as to where things were going.

"Now...let's all just lower our weapons, shall we?" He gestured to the team, "The four of you can't hope to overcome the overwhelming force against you, and even if you should decide to attempt such a suicidal action, not even I can guarantee you a swift death."

Rifles being cocked, and mechanical joints of Knight-200 war droids all whirred in preparation to begin their offensive.

"I take it you were the original thief then...yes?" Bianca finally asked, her team watching for the tiniest of reactions or signs from the man to clue them in how things were gonna play out.

Thornmane rolled his head in a circular motion, causing a loud cracking noise from his stiff neck. "Right in one. Yes, I've plundered a few odds and ends from this old ruin. This fort is a treasure trove, a perfect resource for a revolution."

Bianca straightened her back. "A Revolution huh... Is that what this is? An uprising against Ironwood?" She tightened her hands gripping her dagger handles.

"Do you honestly think you'll succeed?" Roane chimes in, giving Thornmane an appraising look as she places her left foot back a bit for more maneuverability,

"With the technology in this fort alone, I've got more than just a fighting chance, dear." Thornmane boasted confidently.

"We'll tough shit we aren't backing out of this!" Ivy scowled, her whip's handle trembling slightly in her grasp.

A cruel smirk formed. "Then I'm afraid this may be your last stand. Men, the order to kill remains, the target is all four of these Huntresses, take no chances."

Immediately, weapons fired, and bullets were raining down upon the team as they each rolled to a side, dashing for the cover provided by the large hall.

"Fuck this guy!" Ruda shouted as she yanked out a handful of Dust gems and smashed them into the drill mechanism of her arms, revving them to life. "Alright girls, let's teach this scum a lesson, c'mon!"

Ivy gave a light laugh. "Sounds good to me," the whip user stated. "They really underestimated us though,"

Roane gave a wry snort, a small smirk crossing her lips, her twin dreadlocked pigtails swaying a little as she leaned back, inhaled a deep breath, and triggered a burst of flame to shoot from her flamethrower, "Yep, and that was a big fucking mistake! Give 'em the ol' One, two!" she exclaimed excitedly as her flames connected with several robots, melting them.

Slashing her daggers expertly, and making sure to keep her body small as she evaded gunfire, Bianca ran circles around her team, distracting and opening up spots for the rest of them to exploit.

Ivy, meanwhile, was cracking her whip against the advancing horde of armed men and robots. Her weapon was incredibly deadly to anything caught in its range, able to dislocate joints and tear flesh effortlessly, yet she used it not like a wild weapon of blind carnage but with incredible precision. Each crack and lash was executed with surgical precision.

Ruda was practically flying down the corridor as her mechanized arms drilled and hammered and cracked her way through soldiers and robots, moving in a blitz of motion as she skillfully defended their left flank. Using her semblance to maneuver underground and coming up right through a paladin's frame, splitting it apart, she let out a loud whooping yell as her twin mechanized drills took care of her opponents, a smile etched on her face all the while.

Though with such heavy resistance, the four women realized they would need to shift strategies to cut through the relentless opposition, even for them.

"Did this guy bring the whole Atlas army with him?!" Ivy complained, already tired of having to jump around to avoid the rain of bullets, while simultaneously finding safe ground to retaliate.

Ruda burst forth from the ground next to her, bits of dust and rubble falling from her hair as she did.

"He really wants what's in this fort that bad!" Roane cried, narrowly avoiding the hot muzzle of a rifle as it passed her face. She shot forward, knocking the owner back a few steps.

"Seems like it..." Bianca muttered, vaulting over a paladin as it aimed its cannon arm at her. Leaping high, her smirk quickly vanished when a rocket spewed from the gun barrels, right at Roane.

Roane's eyes widened as she turned and dropped flat on her stomach, narrowly avoiding the blast as the shockwave sent her back, grunting and wincing as her limbs strained to recover from the blast wave.

"Roane!" Ivy shouted in concern, trying to make her way back to her ally, only for a half-dozen knights to appear between her and Roane, opening fire. "Damn it!" she swore. "Goddamn bastards!" she shouted, swiping her wrist and cracking her whip at them, but finding the horde of soldiers too much to make a breakthrough.

Landing on her feet Bianca made to rush over to Roane, as a barrage of bullets rained her way, a few skipping off her Aura. Ducking behind a pillar for safety, her breathing grew tense.

All around her, she could see her teammates struggling and pinned down by gunfire and cannon rounds. Even though it had been going relatively well, for them, a part of Bianca realized the truth.

Their current odds were not going in their favor. Not in the least.

Bianca closed her eyes momentarily, readying a breath. But just as she prepared to issue an order to her team, the words died in her throat.

From the entrance, more forces rushed into the hall, but instead of attacking her and her team, the new wave opened fire on Thornmane's loyal soldiers, stunning the four.

"WHAT IS THIS?!" The soon-to-be general shouted, seeing his loyal cronies engage the new threat that was assaulting them, taking heavy casualties as they did so.

With no idea why their opponents were turning on one another, they looked around and locked eyes with a singular figure, an Atlas official who had been the obvious leader of these additional forces. He stood strong amongst the chaos, arms behind his back and an indifferent, almost unreadable look about him as he watched his men fight against the corrupt, loyal dogs of Thornmane.

"Bram Thornmane, for treason against the kingdom of Atlas and countless other crimes," the officer's calm and impassive tone cut across the bedlam. "You are hereby under arrest..." he stated matter of fact, no sense of victory or grandstanding about him. Just pure, matter-of-fact statement.

Bianca glanced at Thornmane, who in turn stared at the soldier wide-eyed and livid, sputtering for a moment. He stumbles back, catching his bearings quickly, his anger morphing into an unsettling chuckle.

"Oh Captain, my Captain..." Thornmane laughed mirthlessly, "What a bold gambit, coming here with your forces to halt the rise of a true champion," He didn't seem that rattled or concerned about the new development, looking over the opposing forces with an intrigued expression.

"Surrounded and trapped but still brash as always," the man's voice replied smoothly but firmly. "It has only led you down an inevitable road of ruin... and the road has been littered with the dead, who paid the price for your delusions."

Shaking his head, his shoulders quaking with repressed rage and indignity, Bram glared across the battlefield landing his sights on Bianca, causing her to freeze as those eyes seemed to pierce into her.

She instinctively readied her daggers, unable to tear her eyes away, her heart dropping as she struggled to escape their hold.

"This is not over! Mark my words, Lamperouge," His harsh stare lingering on Bianca before pulling out his bow and transforming them into two daggers, "Once I've dealt with these huntresses, I'm coming for you and your precious generals!"

Charging at her with the speed of a wild animal, a guttural growl escaping from deep within him, his blades collided with hers. The sound of clashing metal rang loud in her ears. She gasped at how much force was behind the blow. Her Aura rippled around her as he pressed her with strike after strike.

Leaping backward to make space, his speed and strength became something fierce as he launched into her once again. It became increasingly difficult to defend against his slashing strikes, Bianca's footwork becoming desperate, sloppy.

The rest of Team BRIR, however, weren't able to rush in due to the situation with the hostile Atlesians. "Dammit, we've gotta help Bianca!" Ruda exclaimed, her left arm's drill blocking a strike from a Paladin's arm as Ivy tried to deflect a nearby soldier's aim.

"We can't, we're swamped! Hang in there, Bianca!!"

Thornmane didn't let up. If anything, his attacks were increasing. Not by much, but it felt that way for Bianca. His aggression and speed were ferocious, almost mindless in their efforts, pushing her. She couldn't manage to fend off or turn aside every strike, as his blows chipped her Aura, bringing her down a hair closer and closer to breaking her limits.

Throwing a despite strike to gain some distance, Bianca grimaced as Thornmanre easily ducked and delivered a hard kick that sent her flying a fair distance before slamming against a nearby pillar.

"OOMPHF!" her voice gusted out from the sudden attack. Bianca's aura shattered as she felt pain racking her spine and ribs.

Spitting out some blood, her breathing labored as she lay dazed, unable to pull herself up for some time as the fighting in the hall reached a fever pitch.

Her sight landed upon Thornmane, who, with a murderous glint, connected his daggers back together, transforming his weapon back into his bow.

Aiming for Bianca's exposed form as she lay crumpled, his lips formed into a cruel smirk before he pulled back the arrow, orange-red energy forming along it, charged, and prepared to unleash the killing shot.

Time seemed to slow for the members of Team BRIR, each member locking eyes with the arrow as it zoomed towards their downed ally.

There was nothing they could do, no time to try and reach her or even use their Semblances.

They knew they'd be too late.

The red rings around his eyes around Thornmane's eyes pulsed as he roared with wild laughter, just as the arrow shot forward towards his prey, closing in rapidly, the intent behind the attack being made clear.

Hours before the attack.

Lelouch gazed upon what little information of Team BRIR he had been able to collect over the past few weeks.

Thornmane was at least able.to discern that the team had ties to a forgotten relic named Fort Arrowfell. An abandoned Atlas outpost in the tundra of Solitas far, far away from any town or settlement.

Resources, weapons, even robotics... everything one would need for an army if supplied to the right hand was located and stored in that old fort, and this would be enough to build a strong foundation for the future.

Smiling, Lelouch looked up to where a mind-controlled Thornmane was sitting patiently and obediently at his side, ready to execute his orders on a moment's notice, "Once my forces engage yours inside the fortress, you're to personally engage the nearest member of Team BRIR that you can," He ordered the man, who gave a respectful nod.

"I won't disappoint you, Captain," his hollow-sounding response echoed.

Standing tall, Lelouch clasped his hands behind his back. "Once her aura breaks, aim to kill," he commanded, turning to the glass pane window of the office he had claimed.

As if to himself alone, the Captain continued quietly, "I'll handle the rest." his violet eyes shining in the low light of the room.

Arrow nearing its mark, Bianca could only lift her arms defensively in front of her, making the faintest of noises, while the rest of BRIR stared on helplessly.

A wet splatter sounded above Bianca, the sensation of warm wet drops falling onto wrapped arms and bare hands.

She tentatively opened one eye, then the other to find the captain of the Atlesian soldiers looming directly over her, having taken the shot himself to protect her, the arrow penetrating having penetration his abdomen.

"...Y-you... W-Why?..." was all Bianca could utter, at a loss for words.

Tensing for a few moments, Lelouch relaxed, exhaling softly in mild relief, as his filtered voice reached out. "I'm a soldier of Atlas... it's my duty... to see to it our citizens are protected and served,"

She furrowed her brow in confusion and bewilderment, "But..."

The captain shifted slowly, groaning and giving the wound a slight grimace. "...To accomplish that duty, I'd protect anyone, no matter where they're born... or who they're associated with," He said with a twinge of wistful finality, the sentiment clearly one deeply rooted within him.

With the Captain still pinning Bianca, Thornmane glared, seething that his mark was still breathing. Readying his aim once more, his face morphed into a mask of fury.

"You bastard I-!" He was abruptly interrupted when a booted foot crashed into his side, smashing the would-be revolutionary and sending him careening.

Barely managing to catch himself as he rolled to a stop, a group of Lelouch's men tackled the rebel, binding him and restraining him to prevent him from continuing.

Looking past the captain, Bianca watched as the last of Thornmane's forces were either captured or killed, a grim look crossing her features as Thornmane stared daggers at Captain Lamperouge. Exposed. Weak. A beaten man now.

A yelp suddenly left her when Lamperouge slumped on her, no longer capable of staying on his feet anymore and using her to support his weight.

"Oh my...!" the Huntress exclaimed. "Easy there big guy!"

He coughed, looking to Bianca who finally managed to sit up, propping herself against a fallen pillar, her hands holding his frame.

"Bianca! You okay there?" Ruda called as she and the others jogged up, concerned etched all over their faces.

"Yeah, I'm... fine," Bianca sighed in relief.

Ivy helped her get Lelouch up as Ruda supported the taller man's weight, "Good to hear," Ivy told Bianca with a smile before hugging her teammate, relieved that everyone was ok.

Roane quickly joined the hug, crying in both joy and worry, the relief that the Huntress had escaped any lethal injury.

Not to be left out, Ruda pawned off Lelouch to two other Atlesian troops before rushing over and jumping into the pile, embracing Bianca and the others tightly, causing some light giggles and muffled protests to slip out.

Rising to his feet slowly and making sure to not exert too much stress on his abdomen, Lelouch eyed the group of women before glancing over to his soldiers as his forces Soldiers hauled Thornmane away.

A cough from one of the huntresses had him looking back, noting that the four had regained their footing and had been watching him quietly.

"...Lamperouge, is it?" Bianca queried. "That's the name Thornmane mentioned," she expanded. "I take it you're quite the important figure, coming here and pulling the wool off his followers..."

"Indeed, Miss..." He paused expectantly.

"Prisma," she said.

He gave her a slow, firm nod, "Indeed. I am Captain Lamperouge." his eye glistened beneath his helmet, gripping the wound around his lower abdomen. "I had recently stumbled upon Mr. Thornmane's ambitions while doing my rounds, I had intended to notify my superiors.

Unfortunately, before I could, he and his conspirators began making their moves,"

"Which is how all this started," Ivy interjected.

The officer nodded. "After learning his true intentions, I gathered what forces I had and... moved accordingly."

Looking around at his men now swarming the area, cleaning up the bodies and injured, and recovering supplies and gear from both sides, "Our apologies for not getting here sooner, you girls should not have to suffer that attack by yourselves." he bowed.

Sharing glances with her team, Bianca kept a hard expression, "You came in the end, Captain. You... saved me..."

"Yeah, Bianca would have been toast... hell we could have ended up dead, too. Just saying." Roane stated softly, while the others remained quiet, their expressions a little somber.

"Mm." a neutral grunt, he swayed slightly and, took note of their uneasy silence, seeming to hesitate about saying something.

Seeing them staring expectantly, Lelouch breathed out softly. "Despite living to see another day you four don't seem like a happy lot," he observed.

Bianca laughed, the sound not a heartfelt laugh, but something empty. A chortle lacking in true feeling.

"Well, we've watched after this fort for years, it's become home and..." she glanced at her fellow teammates, the unspoken sentiment and words lingering in the air between them. "Now that you know about this fort's worth to the kingdom of Atlas..." Her voice softened, wavering faintly, though Lelouch's gaze could make out a hint of pleading in her gaze.

She wanted to voice it, the question of what would be done now with the outpost, her home, and the rest of her team sharing the same sentiments as her. Their gazes uncertain, but worried.

"...That all of this will go... into the wrong hands?" He surmised, guessing what they were thinking.

The atmosphere changed, the members of BRIR remaining stoic and quiet as Lelouch kept his gaze fixed upon them, not speaking a single word, nor making a gesture.

They were concerned about the fallout to come after his report and the dangers and threats they might face once the decision came down. After all, they had essentially been keeping the contents of the Fort as their secret and unknown to Atlas and Ironwood for so long. Who knew what his reaction to learning what they had held back would be?

Lelouch did not provide any clues on his thinking, no thoughts or words, and not a single breath passed through the vents of his visor.

Eventually, he exhaled sharply, the girls all trading concerned looks, wondering what this officer would say.

"Then perhaps a deal can be struck?"

"A deal?"

"But you are the Captain of the-?" Bianca questioned.

"I am aware," The young man said calmly, taking a couple of steps forward. "However... I want nothing more than to live a life of peace. That dream has always been my intention..." The Huntresses listened intently, surprise flickering through their gaze.

"Such a thing doesn't exist now," He sighed. "To achieve that in this world will require... effort." he closed his eyes, almost seemingly exhausted at the mention, yet they could sense no ill intent. Only a weary undertone that was present.

"Then..." Bianca stared, cautiously voicing out, "What is the deal that you're proposing, Captain?"

"In a world where Grimm are an omnipresent threat... and few people can call their home safe," His fists clenched, his armor creaked as he tensed briefly, taking a long moment before continuing.

"The governments of this world have failed in that regard,"

Stunned silence met that declaration from the young officer, his words like bombs dropped by some god, shattering the peace among the Huntresses.

"I seek to change that. To carve my own peace within the new world I'm building." his voice turned softer and the resolve apparent.

"Then..." the leader of the Team repeated, looking the man up and down, scrutinizing every inch. "You're looking for soldiers?"

He shook his head, "No. I seek compatriots. Allies. Individuals with skill, talent, and most importantly: the desire to see this world brought out of darkness."

They collectively leaned back a little.

"In your case, you all seem capable... and have also displayed great prowess."

He folded his arms, not quite wincing in the process.

"To make it brief. I wish for your assistance and cooperation, should you accept... the pay and treatment will not be lacking,"

"Not lacking?" Ivy cocked an eyebrow, the intrigue of his offer weighing in heavy on all their thoughts.

"While I'd prefer you join me out of the belief we could make the world a better place... If monetary means are the only factor in deciding your cooperation..."

They jumped when a couple of cases full of Lien were dropped at Lelouch's feet, causing the girl to widen their eyes as it registered that Lelouch must have gotten word in advance that they did a lot of mercenary work.

"Girls... W-What should we...?" Ivy stuttered, stunned at the sudden offer laid before them.

Looking to her right to see her friends, Bianca's features remained rigid, the emotion hidden beneath as her brows creased and lips pressed tightly together. She eyed each woman, searching her gaze as well as their body language as if seeking the final answer amongst their stony silence.

"...Captain Lamperouge," Lelouch's stance shifted to stand straight once more, despite the injury. His masked helmet kept his face from being exposed.

"...How can we know that you won't turn on us in the end, the moment you feel like it?" Bianca pressed forth in a firm tone.

"You don't," His answer had them taken aback by the frank admission, "Misdirection and mistrust are the most powerful weapons this world has. It is impossible to know for sure when a friend can become your enemy." He tapped his helmet the latches clinking faintly at the contact.

"I can only give you my words as evidence. Though in the end, words can often be cheap and easily fall apart," he let out a small huff that could almost be a small chuckle if not for the audible hint of sorrow in the noise.

Removing his helmet, he revealed the face and eyes of an exceedingly youthful and somewhat attractive man.

"But I like to think my actions today show a lot as to the validity of my intentions,"

He waited, violet-colored irises showing a sincere look to the girls.

"...You got balls, Captain..." Ivy remarked with some admiration, smirking wryly.

Roane let out a snort, Ruda laughing at that and shaking her head. "Yeah, no kiddin'!"

Bianca simply eyed him critically, studying him up close with no mask or helmet in the way. "Hmm,"

Sticking out his bloody hand that covered his wound, Lelouch awaited the decision of the woman.

"I should warn you, this path if chosen, is likely going to be fraught with struggle and trouble. There will be those that question us." He spoke the words carefully.

"That we can handle!" Roane insisted quickly, a hint of apprehensiveness laced in her voice. "Right guys?" she glanced around at her teammates who agreed and showed they had confidence in their abilities.

"Blood may very well be spilled... and lives... may even be taken." Lelouch continued regardless.

He would need to make sure his new partners were fully aware of what was entailed, unwilling to be given half-commitment by people who might feel tempted to betray him when it got to a point where they were uncomfortable.

Bianca pursed her lips, considering her words. Her eyes gazing his bloody hand, her mind made up after a moment.

Looking at her team once more, they met her gaze, not a single doubt visible to each other, and nodded in acceptance.

Stepping forth, Bianca grabbed onto the Lelouch's outstretched hand, giving a firm shake and sealing her team's decision to walk alongside him.

"Guess it's settled, we've signed ourselves on to whatever it is you got planned," Bianca said with a reserved expression, still unsure, but they were going with it, accepting what they had, that was all there was to it now.

Nodding with acceptance of their choice, Lelouch simply stated, "I thank you..."

A faint grin appeared across Lelouch's handsome face, Bianca tilting her head back, finally drank in the deep violet hue that made up his iris, making him even more peculiar and striking.

"From now on, you can refer to me by my first name, should you so wish..." Lelouch murmured. "Or Captain, although that title may not last long..." he added absently and looked back over his shoulder at his troops.

"...What's that mean, Captain Lelouch?" Ivy wondered aloud, causing Lelouch to shrug lightly.

"People tend to get rewarded when they stop an insurrection or bring an influential figure down from the shadows..." he explained nonchalantly, turning his body away from her.

"I'll return at a later time; when I do, I'd like to know what's so important about this fort and its secrets," He added.

As his helmet was put back on, the seal tightening and ensuring he was safe within, he limped towards the exit of the fortress, his troops ready with transport vehicles and a medical squad to deal with his wounds.

Watching him depart, Team BRIR's spirits began to feel uplifted from earlier; having avoided certain death today and also had the opportunity to look forward to a brighter future, Bianca smiled at the possibility of not just making the world safer but working towards a brighter one too.