"Whatever they say, whatever they imply, however they treat you, you must not balk." Cornelia said.

Leila nodded. "I know."

"They won't dare insult you to your face," She said. "Not while I claim you were acting as my informant. But Britannia has a certain disdain for spies and traitors, which they will most certainly see you as regardless of who they believe you were spying for."

"Aren't I?" Leila scoffed bitterly. "I'm working with a princess, after all."

"A princess who is about to kidnap a military advisor and go behind a Knight of the Rounds back," Cornelia reminded her. "If you're a traitor, then so am I. But both of us are doing what our hearts tell us, aren't we?"

Leila nodded again, slower this time but with more certainty.

"Then so long as we never betray ourselves, what others brand us as hardly matters," Cornelia said defiantly. "Remember, make no mention of Kingsley. They will be hiding him from us, and if we let it slip we know he's here, it may tip our hand before Kingsley is secured."

"I'll stay quiet," Leila promised, then lurched forward suddenly as their plane began its descent.

Cornelia sighed. No more waiting. Today would be the end of weeks of preparation, one way or another. She would either save her brother, or wind up getting them all killed for the trouble. "I do hope you're a passable actress, Miss Breisgau. It's time to put on a show."

"Ejecting in ten seconds," Anna's voice announced from over the comms. Akito shut his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Good luck, W-0."

Akito felt the pressure of his Alexander separating from the Apollo system. He sat patiently, letting gravity take him down as he watched the blips of the rest of the squad move into formation even as they were in free fall.

He couldn't help but smile a little. A blinking red light signaled it was time to slow his descent, and he activated the parachute installed in his knightmare, directing his Alexander towards the small clearing they had singled out for their landing.

The second he hit the ground he had to work quickly, disabling his IFF beacon and powering off his Alexander. It was…strange, disabling his Knightmare only seconds after activating power. But that was what the mission called for, and if they had to go out of their comfort zone and infiltrate on foot, then that's what they would do.

With all but the most basic of systems shut down, he disembarked from his Alexander. The moment he stepped out of the cockpit and onto the shoulders of his Knightmare, Yukiya tossed him a bundle he swiftly caught.

"Anna's Camo-foil," Yukiya informed him, tossing another bundle to Ryo. "I have spikes and a couple mallets to drive them into the ground."

"Couldn't she have made it a little more convenient?" Ryo grumbled. "We'll waste precious time throwing a glorified blanket over Knightmares we aren't even going to be using all that much."

Yukiya scowled. "How about next time you come up with the design then if you've got such a problem with it? And those glorified blankets are the only reason Euro Britannia isn't going to send a horde of Knightmares our way. At least, not if we work quickly. And we still need our Knightmares for the mission, genius, or were you planning on walking back to Weiswolf?"

Ryo held his hands up in defense, backing off. "Hey, take it easy! Just having a bit of fun, is all. I know Anna wouldn't give us anything but the best she had."

Ayano stifled a laugh at Ryo's backpedaling, and even he smiled when Yukiya crossed his arms, mumbling something about Ryo acting ungrateful. Maybe Clement's grown on Yukiya more than we thought. Akito never thought in a million years he'd hear the former terrorist getting defensive over a military scientist.

Then again, Anna was a hard person not to like.

Yukiya threw them the spikes and mallets once they were all out of their Knightmares. Akito cut open the bundle, freeing the camo-foil and draping it over the Alexander. He dropped to the ground, working carefully to draw it tightly over the Knightmare, before driving the spikes into each corner of the foil, digging it into the ground.

They worked quickly, but it still cost them ten minutes to secure the foil. Ten more minutes Leila and Cornelia would have to buy for them. Ten more minutes Kingsley could use to slip away. Ten more minutes for someone to realize something might be wrong.

It'd be worse if we didn't take the time to do this, He reasoned with himself. There'd be a better chance Euro Britannian security would spot our Knightmares. And if that happens, this mission is all but over.

Leila would be fine. She was used to playing politics, even if the Britannian flavor wasn't exactly her forte. And she had the princess to back her up. And at the absolute worst, we'll still be in the castle if something goes down.

But it wouldn't come to that. He would make sure of it. All he needed to do was find Kingsley and get him out of the palace. If they could do that, Leila would be free to leave as well. They could be back at Weiswolf in a few days if they played it right.

Or it could all go horribly wrong. Maybe Kingsley isn't there. Maybe security is tighter than we think. Maybe the princess betrays us all. He shook his head, trying not to think like that. Leila trusts her, and I trust Leila. That's all that matters.

"Is everyone ready?" Akito called back to the others.

"We're good to go," Ayano confirmed with a nod of her head.

"Right then. We need to move quickly. We have to actually reach the city, and from there make it to the palace. It's a long run," He warned. "We'll pace ourselves, but we still need to travel relatively fast. And we won't have time to rest."

"We know all this!" Ryo complained. "We've spent all week going over it, Akito. We know the drill as well as you do, and we're all ready to follow you."

Akito nodded. "Good. Then let's go." He turned, taking only a second to ensure his equipment was secure before breaking out into a jog towards the direction of the city. Behind him, he could hear the others following, keeping pace with him.

Not long now, Leila, He thought. You just have to buy us a little longer. That's all.

Then they could get back to Weiswolf, rid themselves of the princess and her pet psycho she seemed intent on kidnapping, and they could go back to taking the fight to Euro Britannia more directly.

He never wanted to see Cornelia's face again.

Cornelia stepped out from their plane, and was greeted with a small entourage of nobility awaiting her. She recognized Augusta Highland, the Grand Duke of Euro Britannia, and the highest authority in the area. Beside him stood four men who could only be the Grand Masters of the Four Holy orders of Euro Britannia.

She didn't know or care enough to learn their names, save for one. The eleven, who could only be Lord Shin Hyuga Shaing. He at least was interesting. From her admittedly limited intelligence gathering, he was a major player in Euro Britannian politics in spite of his birth. He was also said to possess a keen intellect, keen enough for Julius Kingsley to name him as the leader of Euro Britannia's military forces after his departure.

And Kingsley, for all his twisted nature, still possessed her brother's genius. And if this Lord Shaing was shrewd enough to impress her brother, then he was someone to be wary of indeed.

She tore her eyes away from him, and moved to the rest of her welcoming party. She spotted a few other knights she didn't recognize, a few nobles who didn't matter…and standing at the edge of the party, trying unsuccessfully to hide a scowl, was Suzaku Kururugi. The Knight of Seven himself, the White Grim Reaper.

Cornelia frowned. Kururugi had changed since last she saw him, that much was clear just from their brief interaction when she informed the Duke she would be coming. And of course, the fact that he was somehow involved with Kingsley.

How much did he know, exactly? Was he complicit in the Emperor's actions? Surely not, not after knowing what happened to Euphemia. He wouldn't affiliate with Geass. That was not the man she knighted.

But then…with Euphie gone…who knows what he would do. He obviously knew who he was guarding. They were supposed to be friends, once. And how much exactly did he know of Geass? After all, she only knew Geass was at fault because of Lelouch's half-mad rambling to her. She had her suspicions of course, but little concrete information.

The Emperor had elevated Suzaku to a Knight of the Rounds. Perhaps he saw fit to share with him…other secrets. Secrets like Geass. He must know, if he's guarding Kingsley. Unless he thinks Lelouch has simply gone mad? No, even then Suzaku should have put him out of his misery.

Cornelia pushed any thoughts of Euphie's former knight out of her mind, for the moment. They could wait. For now, she had a part to play.

"Your highness," the Duke greeted with a bow. "It is an honor for you to grace us with your presence."

"It is needed," She said in reply. "Long has the homeland ignored the trials of its tributary. Euro Britannia has been forced to fend for itself against the EU, and you have not been found wanting. You have valiantly defended the ideals of our empire against the threat of the EU, and recently even thrown them back. I congratulate you."

Duke Highland visibly relaxed at her words. It seems he had feared a reprisal. "Thank you, your highness."

"I am pleased there's been such progress of late," Cornelia said, careful not to mention Kingsley. While in reality he was a known factor to the EU's military and even much of the civilian populace, his presence was still technically a state secret. And with her prolonged absence, there was no legitimate reason she could give for her knowledge of him. Not without raising certain questions, at least. The less they knew of her real purpose here, the better.

"Our generals have been hard at work spreading his majesty's will," The Duke promised.

Cornelia bit back a snort. "I'm sure. Why don't you introduce me to some of them? I fear I recognize only a few of your faces."

And so they went. The Duke took care introducing her to some of his more prominent supporters, several lesser knights, and each of the Grand Masters. It was only when they came to Lord Shaing that she allowed her curiosity to take over.

"And how is it you came to your position, Lord Shaing? It can't have been easy for you." And just how much did he know about Kingsley? Lelouch had called Kingsley an arrogant, spoiled racist. And he appointed Shaing as Euro Britannia's new military leader? An eleven?

"Hard work and diligence, your highness," Shaing answered humbly. "And by the grace of my adopted family. The late Lord Mannfredi was a close friend, and taught me much as well."

"I see," Cornelia observed with a measure of annoyance. He isn't going to let anything slip easily. "Allow me to introduce a guest of my own." She stepped forward, gesturing behind you. "Leila Breisgau, who until recently had been operating as my informant within the EU as Leila Malcal."

She saw their eyes light up with unrestrained excitement. "Leila Malcal, a Britannian informant?" The Duke echoed with wonder. He shook his head. "I can scarce believe it. Three months, and this girl has been the bane of our operations. If we had known…"

"If you had known, all the trouble I went through to get her as highly placed as she was would have been for naught," Cornelia said before suspicions could arise. "Rest assured, she has been personally useful to me, as well as Britannia at large. But the time has come for her to return home. I fear her cover wouldn't have lasted much longer."

"Of course, your highness," The Duke said. "If she was acting at your discretion, then nothing more need be said on the matter. You both will be afforded every comfort for the duration of your stay."

Though the Duke let the matter drop, Cornelia couldn't help but notice the flash of interest in Shaing's eyes. He suspects more. Maybe not that they were lying to him, but he wouldn't be so easy to dissuade as the Duke.

That shouldn't be a problem for them. Hopefully, they wouldn't spend enough time in the palace for him to act on whatever suspicions he might be harboring.

"It has been six years since one of the Royal Family has visited Euro Britannia," The Duke informed her as they walked. "Not since Prince Schneizel hosted General Smilas for peace talks." He paused. "They fell through, of course. Conniving Europians have no sense of honor. Still, the Prince ensured we were equipped to defend ourselves. It was in no small part thanks to his patronage we had the Knightmares to withstand a protracted campaign."

"I shall thank my brother on your behalf when next we meet," Cornelia assured him. "I know he would be glad to hear of your success."

"You have my thanks, Princess," The Duke said. "A banquet is being held in your honor. Well, more of a small gathering, in truth. There was only so much we could do on such short notice."

She fought back a grin. "That will more than suffice, Duke Highland." A banquet. Yes, that was perfect. There was no better way to waste a frankly criminal amount of time than to throw a bunch of useless nobles together for dinner. And with her there, a princess for them to suck up to? Leila's little team should have no difficulty grabbing Kingsley.

Still…always better to be safe than sorry. "Although…I find myself taken by a desire to tour the palace. I'm sure you all would be willing to escort me through the grounds? I'm curious to see how it compares to Pendragon."

The Duke's eyes widened in excitement, even as she caught the rest of his entourage holding back the urge to sigh and roll their eyes. "It would be an honor, your highness! Of course, I wouldn't dare suggest St. Petersburg might begin to rival Pendragon, but even so I have endeavored to instill a very Britannian feel to the city, to truly make it ours."

This time, Cornelia let herself smile. Oh yes. They would have all the time they needed.

And if Leila got to suffer through a Britannian history lesson, then that only made her task all the sweeter.

Leila decided she had been in error when she trusted the princess. She must have been. Whatever emotion she thought she saw that night she infiltrated Weiswolf, whatever understanding she believed they had come to was a lie. A fabrication. It had to be.

Why else was she so desperate to bore her to death?

Duke Highland took the lion's share of the blame, in fairness. The bastard wouldn't shut his damn mouth, going on and on about how proud Euro Britannia is, and what an honor it was to be visited by a Princess. It was maddening.

Not that his hanger-ons were any better. A clique of snooty Britannian nobles talking amongst themselves, no doubt gossiping about her. And the Princess, for that matter. Though she had never actually been around Britannian nobility before except in official settings with the General, she knew how it went.

They would analyze her, pick apart her every word, every minute action on her part for a hidden meaning. And when they found nothing that satisfied them, they would make up their own explanations. And that Duke had the gall to call Europians conniving.

Two-faced deceptive bastards. Every one of them.

But while Highland might have been the most irritating, Lord Shaing was by far the worst. He hadn't stopped watching her since Cornelia introduced her, and she couldn't figure out why. Cornelia had specifically spoken to him when the Duke introduced him. Was he important outside of being a non-Britannian so highly placed? He certainly looked familiar to her, but she couldn't quite say why.

Still, she was being unfair. At least Cornelia was taking the worst of the attention for herself. She seemed to recognize how uncomfortable Leila was and began rubbing elbows with the others. And she was good at it too. For all that Leila had heard Cornelia being blunt for a Princess because of her military background, she was still royalty and it showed.

She laughed at their jokes, nodded at their suggestions, shared personal anecdotes of her own. And all while not upstaging the Duke, allowing him to serve as the leader of their part as they traversed the Castle grounds.

Leila tried to remember as much as she could whenever she thought she heard something interesting. Lady Duvalle was struggling financially after a factory of hers in India was destroyed by terrorists. Sir Bargold had a mistress he was keeping from his wife, much to his fellow knights amusement. Anything she might be able to report to the General when she returned. Anything that might prove even a little useful in the future.

"The Duke introduced me, but I don't believe we've properly met," Leila shivered at the voice, and turned around.

Lord Shaing smiled. "My name is Lord Shin Hyuga Shaing, Grand Master of the Order of Michael." Leila almost gasped, catching herself at the last second. "And you would be Leila Breisgau. It's a pleasure to meet you."

She stood frozen still. Akito. He must be related to Akito. His brother, most likely. She was a fool for not realizing it sooner. She should have caught his name when he was introduced to the princess. Hadn't she noticed he seemed familiar? And his hair was the same shade of blue. Hyuga. That was Akito's family name. Only, he had never mentioned a brother. Not to her, or to anyone else on the squad. He certainly hadn't mentioned that his brother was a Britannian Knight, and a highly placed one at that.

She overcame her momentary shock, clearing her throat. "I am. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Shaing." She offered her hand. "I've heard you're responsible for much of Euro Britannia's recent success." Don't let him know you recognized his name. Hopefully he didn't pick up on her surprise.

He shook her hand with a frown. "I've done what I can, when I can, but I've only recently been named the leader of Euro Britannia's forces. I'm afraid our recent success can only be chalked up to a renewed vigor to throw back the EU."

That was good. It meant they were trying to keep Kingsley a secret from her and the princess. Which meant they shouldn't know about their true mission here. She feigned a look of confusion. "I see. My mistake, then. I apologize for the misunderstanding."

Shaing smiled, and she hated the warm feeling that grew in her chest. It was too similar to Akito's smile. "No apology is necessary, my lady. It was an honest mistake. I must admit my curiosity, however. The princess said you were her informant in the EU?"

Leila nodded. "I was, yes. Ever since the EU failed to prevent my parents' death." It was a reasonable enough motivation, and the one they had settled on using.

"Of course," Shaing nodded. "Still, it's a little strange to me. The Duke wasn't exaggerating. For three months you've proven a difficult opponent, and an inspiration to the Europian people. I doubt they'll be happy to learn you were a spy."

Her throat tightened. "Their feelings are hardly any concern of mine." A proper Britannian response.

"I imagine it must be quite strange for you as well," Shaing continued. "Pardon me, but we did our research once we learned who our enemy was." He smiled apologetically. "Sorry, who we believed our enemy was. Your parents defected while you were young. You've never spent any meaningful time in Britannia. I imagine it must be difficult, leaving everything you've ever known behind."

"Everything I knew was left behind with my parent's death," She said. "The Malcal family took me in only to try and marry me off to their eldest son. I had to run to the military to escape him. My lack of connection to Britannia was precisely why the Princess sought me out. I was an ideal spy."

"Yes, you were, weren't you?" Shaing mused. "And yet, never once did we receive any information that proved crucial to the war effort, not from you. All of our spies are known to us, their information verifiable."

"I was recruited to serve the princess," Leila countered. "I reported to her and none other. If she didn't see fit to send you my reports, then that is her right as a princess."

"A princess who dropped off the face of the earth for eight months," Shaing said. "I wonder what she could have been doing?"

Leila felt sweat begin to form on her brow. This isn't going well. She didn't expect Shaing to be so direct. She doubted Cornelia did either. He was curious, and he was going to keep pulling until he learned something. She knew his type.

She was saved from having to defend herself from Shaing by the arrival of a redheaded knight. "Lord Shaing?" the newcomer's eyes flickered over to her for a moment. "I found…what you asked me to, my lord."

Shaing's mouth twitched in the ghost of a smile. "Thank you, Jean. I'm afraid I must bid you farewell, Miss Breisgau. You've proven an interesting conversationalist. I hope to speak with you again soon."

Leila only nodded as he left, letting out a sigh as soon as he was out of earshot. She was still reeling from the revelation that Akito had a brother. One who was apparently the new commander of the Euro Britannian military.

She shuddered. Everything about that man was wrong. It was like…well, like watching Akito dress up like a Britannian. It was awful. The way he spoke, the easy way he smiled, his obviously false politeness…Shaing was Britannian to his core.

And he had suddenly left in the middle of a conversation without any explanation. Leila frowned.

What was he up to?

Akito had to give one thing to Britannian cities: They were simple to navigate.

St. Petersburg was a well ordered city, and with Caesar's Palace looming large over every other building around it, getting lost honestly would've been a more impressive feat than managing to reach their destination.

Of course, they didn't just have to reach the palace. They had to approach it from the right angle. "Yukiya?"

"It's near," Yukiya said without needing clarification. "Another block."

They pressed on, moving slower than they had been in the woods. Entering the city meant they needed to be a bit more wary, and four people sprinting through the streets would have drawn too much unwanted attention.

"Here," Yukiya announced. They were hugging the wall of the palace now, and Akito was shocked no one called at them to stop. Then again, the streets were busy enough as it was, with people flooding through the streets to greet the princess.

Yukiya held a hand against the worn brick wall, feeling around until he nodded and pushed, creating an opening in the wall. They entered quickly, shutting the entrance behind them before someone noticed. "It's an old servant's entrance," Yukiya explained. "Apparently, it's also how the Princess got in the first time she paid a visit."

"Let's just be glad no one uses it anymore," Ayano sighed, before frowning. "They don't, right?"

Yukiya shrugged. "Cornelia didn't think so, and it doesn't look like it. I couldn't say for sure though."

"It's clear for now, and that's what matters," Akito said. "We've breached the palace. Yukiya, can you try and contact the commander?"

The younger boy nodded, pulling out the new communicator Anna had given them for the mission. She and Yukiya both had assured Leila the call would be completely undetectable, even in the heart of the palace.

It was almost six minutes before Yukiya got a response. "This is your commander speaking," Leila's voice came through, warbled by the connection. "Location?"

"Within the palace," Akito confirmed. "Commencing search once you verify you've received this update."

"Verified," Leila said. "Make your way to the cells first. They should be near your current location. If the target isn't there, search for his private quarters."

"Understood," Akito said. "Will attempt contact once the target is secure."

"Confirmed," Leila said. "Stay safe," She added, before signing off.

Akito sighed as Yukiya put the communicator away. "We have our orders. Everything is in place for us. We just need to find Kingsley."

They began to move down the narrow path, Yukiya directing as he pulled up a blueprint Cornelia had procured for them.

Akito flinched without warning, gasping out in pain and falling to his knees. He felt a burning in his eyes, and they widened in surprise at the awful realization of what happened.

Shin. He's alive. He's here.

Shin was counting how long it would take her to ask.

Not too much longer now, he was sure. She was already curious when he first asked her to perform this little errand for him, and he knew his silence since her report had done absolutely nothing to satisfy that curiosity.

Still, they carried on in silence, briskly walking down the halls of the palace. His hands were laced behind his back, and he knew Jean followed close behind, much more rigid than he was. She would be alert, eyes straying, searching for any threat to his person.

It was a pointless duty, as anything he couldn't defend himself from, she certainly wouldn't stand a chance against. Still, he found the gesture charming in a way.

"Forgive me, Lord Shaing, but I just don't understand," Jean finally spoke up. Shaing grinned. Seven and a half minutes. "Why would you care where the military advisor is? Sir Kururugi said he wasn't feeling well and retired to his quarters."

"Why aren't you interested in where Kingsley is?" Shin countered. "A military advisor escorted by a Knight of the Rounds, bearing the Imperial Scepter at that…and he's quietly tucked away in his quarters while a Princess pays a visit to Caesar's Palace for the first time in six years?"

Jean frowned. "It's…strange, I admit, but I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation."

He snorted. "You've met Kingsley, Jean. You cannot tell me that man would miss the chance to greet a Royal even if he were on his deathbed. And yet, the princess doesn't even seem to be aware of his existence. That woman, Bresigau, was under the impression that I have been responsible for Kingsley's victories. Kururugi is trying to hide him from the princess, and I want to know why." He had his suspicions. He just needed to make sure they were confirmed.

"I don't understand," Jean said with a shake of her head. "Sir Kururugi is a Knight of the Rounds. He's sworn to serve the Emperor. Why would he try to deceive a princess?"

"Why indeed?" Shin asked. "It's curious, isn't it? Suzaku Kururugi was raised to the Knight of Seven in the aftermath of the Black Rebellion, after capturing Zero and handing him over to the Emperor. Princess Cornelia disappeared around the same time, coincidentally. And now, three months after Kingsley and Kururugi arrive, Cornelia comes following from out of nowhere, breaking eight months of complete anonymity. And seemingly with no idea Kingsley exists. Why is she really here? What was she doing in her absence? And why is Kururugi hiding Kingsley? So many questions, and I know I have the pieces. I only need to put them together to make them fit."

They came to a stop before an elegant looking door, adorned with golden lining and Britannian imagery. Shin smiled. "And I believe this will help me." He knocked gently at the door, letting himself in when he received permission to enter from the man inside.

"Lord Kingsley," Shin nodded in greeting. "Forgive the intrusion, but I was puzzled by your absence."

Kingsley scowled from behind his desk, looking up from the pile of documents he was hunched over. "Just because I appointed you as my replacement for when I depart does not give you leave to interrupt me when I am hard at work. Unlike you, my time cannot afford to be wasted by whatever drivel you've come to bother me about."

Shin tilted his head in amusement. "Of course. I only thought you might wish to greet the princess."

Kingsley's lone eye widened in surprise. "Princess?"

So he didn't know. "Yes. Her highness Cornelia li Britannia arrived only two hours ago. I thought it was rather odd when you weren't there to receive her."

Kingsley frowned. "That…is strange. I should have been informed." He shook his head. "Still, I must regretfully remain here. Kururugi has new orders, straight from the Emperor himself. I must look over everything I can before my return to Pendragon, so I might give his majesty a full report." Shin swore he saw his eye twitch as he spoke.

"I understand," He said. "Do you wish to give the princess your well wishes, then?"

Kingsley waved him away, returning to his work. "Yes, yes, whatever you feel like. I'm busy."

Shin bowed his head lightly, departing without another word.

"I thought you were trying to learn something from him," Jean said.

"And so I did," He responded with a wry grin.

"You weren't in there three minutes."

"That doesn't mean I didn't learn everything I needed to," Shin told her. "There is still a degree of uncertainty involved I'm not entirely comfortable with. But I know enough now to be sure something very interesting is going on. I think I'll meet back up with the princess. I have a few questions I'd like to-"

Shin's eye widened, and he hissed in pain as his hand shot to cover his eye. What…? "Lord Shaing?" Jean asked worriedly. "What's wrong?"

Shin panted, laying a hand on the wall to support himself. Akito.

Slowly, he composed himself, lowering his hand and straightening himself out. A grin began to spread across his face. "So then," He muttered softly to himself. "You're still alive, after all these years."

"Lord Shaing?" Jean asked. "Is everything alright?"

Shin shook his head. "Come. We must return to the Duke, and quickly."

"Why?"

He grinned. "We've been betrayed, Jean. Isn't that exciting?"

I know I haven't switched to a weekly schedule yet, but I believe I've still uploaded pretty much weekly since continuing with Chapter two. Or close enough, at least. I honestly haven't meant to, that's just the way it turned out. I'm only releasing this because I've made so much progress in the last few days. Up to chapter 9 has been written, and up to Chapter 30 has been planned.

It's still not on a set schedule, because I haven't fully plotted the fic out yet, but please enjoy this taste of things to come! Besides, less of a wait isn't a bad thing. It mainly isn't on a schedule because I don't want to stress myself out trying to meet weekly deadlines while I'm still busy plotting. That said, I may release another chapter in a week or two, I may not. Depends how it goes, so I can't say for sure.

As for the chapter itself…they've finally begun the rescue mission! Only, Shaing and Akito in close proximity to each other is a recipe for disaster. Geass is intentionally vague in canon, but since they were shown reacting to each other in Akito: The Exiled (I believe, I watched the show a couple weeks ago but I have been busy, I don't remember exactly. I'm ninety percent sure that happens though, when they meet for the first time) I figured It'd be fine to include it as a plot point. Besides, it makes for a fun bit of Chaos.

Please feel free to leave a comment! I read them all, even if I don't respond to every one. The Internet's spotty, but I try to reply to what I can.

Next Chapter: Still unknown, but undoubtedly not long of a wait. Seriously, 30 chapters into plotting. I imagine I have to be done…relatively soon.