Chapter IX
Cloaks, cloaks everywhere!
Military base by Tokyo Settlement, Area 11
Cornelia took a sip of her coffee, standing by the window of the base's headquarters. She had enough with the state that the military was in. While she trusted the units that fought alongside her in Area 18 and all around the world, regional forces proved to be exceptionally bad, causing Guilford of all people to raise concerns over their loyalty. In the background she could hear her trusted knights working on ways to track down conspirators that almost snatched away her little sister's life. After Euphemia told her about what happened, she wanted to learn who else was with her and Suzaku. Euphemia shrugged it off by telling it was one of the students from Ashford. It didn't convince her, especially considering that Suzaku was not willing to give up the name either and she knew her sister's knight was far too clingy to deal with the parasites that would inevitably surround him if he got to position of high power. Yet, all of this were matters for another day.
"Grrr, how long would it take to interrogate that traitor? He is by no means as good as any regular officer!" She almost yelled, trying to hold her emotions low but failing to achieve it. "Guilford! Go check up on him! I believe those idiots around him may be slacking and would interrogate him too lightly"
Guilford nodded, leaving only her and Darlton in the general's quarters. Finally finishing her coffee, she took a last glance at the square before turning to face her subordinate. Maybe other news will be better. "Darlton, what is the overall preparation for the event?"
"As expected, command in the Homeland agreed to help us." She looked at the live map of all forces in the Pacific. "Two additional infantry divisions will arrive in two weeks, as well as Glaston Knights and around 200 Sutherlands. Civilian traffic is dropping, companies expect more instability in the region."
Thoughtfully looking at the map, Cornelia felt both relief and grim uncertainty creep into her mind. "I'm surprised anybody would still come here. Many nobles and commoners despise the wedding that my Euphy has…"
"Not for long, Your Highness. Prince Schneizel sent us enough assistants to help with positive news coverage to deal with the issue. Unrest from commoners must not be an issue."
"Good." Her eyes wandered around the board, as the map kept track on every delivery or traffic in the region and nearby waters, many information. A group of transports caught her gaze, marked as dark-blue on the map with no additional information. "Why are these ones unmarked?"
"That's OSI, Your Highness." Darlton clarified. "It seems that local department asked for help from Pendragon. From what I'm allowed to know, they are bringing more operatives to the Area."
"So only now are they sending help? Not when I asked repeatedly?" Cornelia frowned. "At least they sent something here. I'd love to have more troops from Homeland operating here."
Darlton thought for a moment, his eyes focused on Pendragon. "Princess, are you certain that we can't trust the regional forces this much?"
"They almost killed Euphy! Of course, I am certain!" She looked at him, surprised at his question.
"That is truth, but…" Darlton sighed, not certain whether he should voice his concerns. "How can we be sure that units from the Homeland will be better than what we have? Princess, we both know how much they're inexperienced and corrupt even comparing to Clovis' administration!"
Cornelia could only nod silently. "I do. I really do, yet we need those troopers to quell the unrest in Hokkaido. We'll free up more of our units to protect our bases in the West."
"And allow us to use Royal Guard to protect wedding place without fear of any sudden attack elsewhere." Darlton concluded, remembering a topic of the most feared masked terrorist in the Area 11. "By the way, about what Princess Euphemia said–"
"Over my dead body!" Cornelia shouted, accidentally pushing off the table her coffee cup. "Zero will not be present at my sister's wedding and by no means I will allow him to bring his subordinates. They're terrorists! I can't trust him with her wellbeing."
"But in doing so we will tie his reputation to the event. Culture of Elevens forbids them from using other's goodwill and hospitality as a weapon against the hosts." Darlton explained, putting a good use to the information he learned. "However, it means we must not try to capture him either. It will untie his hands and no matter how successful we will be – we will lose either way."
"Hm, you make a good point. But before we do anything, I must have a… conversation with Zero. Euphy is too naïve to be trusted in these matters." Cornelia thought for a moment, before placing her hands back at the table. "Darlton, could you pass the message?"
"Of course, Your High–" He was interrupted by Guilford storming into the room. "Princess Cornelia, the prisoner is dead but we have the name!"
"Prepare a squad to take him alive!" Cornelia ordered. An assistant entered the room, carrying the news to her. "Your Highness, His Majesty demands to speak with you!"
Cornelia kneeled before the screen, with her gun-saber holstered and hanging off her belt. Monitor flickered and after a brief pause emperor's face appeared, carrying his usual uncaring look.
"Cornelia."
"Your Majesty."
"I expect you have made all the necessary preparations for the wedding to be safe."
"Yes, Your Majesty." She swiftly answered automatically, though inwardly she as surprised he even cared about it. "When additional units will arrive into the Area 11, our army will be strong enough to even counterattack the terrorists before the wedding will happen-"
"Under no circumstances I will allow it." Charles firmly stated, stunning Cornelia even more. What has gotten into him? He wouldn't even remember Euphy's name if I asked, so why care? "May I ask why?"
"It is respectable that you are willing to throw yourself into a battle with terrorists, but that is not today's priority." He tapped his finger on his chair, the screen opening a map of Japan. "I am informed that Chinese Federation has other thoughts regarding your sister's marriage. I want you to concentrate on defending Kyushu and islands to the south. Allocate your free troops there, but beware – no more forces will be sent to Area 11."
"Are they planning a provocation, Your Majesty? If so, maybe we could spare less-"
"Be ready for anything." He frowned. "You must not allow them to entrench on any island around Shikine."
Cornelia didn't ask why, knowing she wouldn't get her answer anyways. "Understood. Sending our forces will leave us open to the threat that Black Knights possess. How should we deal with them?"
"I leave this mundane matter to you. Deal as you see fit. Keep in mind not to weaken your guard against Chinese Federation. You must not allow enemy to creep unto our islands."
"As you wish, Your Majesty." Cornelia bowed and the monitor turned dark. She had a lot of questions on her mind, but some must take priority over others.
And that would be…
Colonel Arley's office, near Government Administration
Colonel was shivering. Fearfully, he glanced at his clock once again. 11:40. Time was ticking slowly, and he couldn't wait to be rescued by others. Literally couldn't wait. He knew how precarious his political stance was even before trying to kill Euphemia, but now – everything was way worse. After what he did without any orders from that émigré, James Fawkes, who appeared out of nowhere and took the leading role in the conspiracy, he was nothing more than a deadman, waiting for his inevitable execution. Did he doubt his choice? Not at the time. He was simply fighting for his pride, just like his friends who followed him and even went into their Sutherlands to kill that inkpot-princess!
And if he succeeded, he'd get rid of that Fawkes, whose ambitions he distrusted. Oh, what a fool I was!
"Where are you, where are you – Fawkes would never allow his name to be learned by OSI…" he trembled. Opening a drawer, he took out an old bottle of whiskey, which he was keeping for a better time, downing shot after shot. It didn't help. His shoulders were still shaking and he had less and less time.
"Should I run? No way! I would be sold out by my driver!"
"Maybe making a run for it in a Knightmare? That's idiotic! Or if I took my car and drove it myself? But where? I won't get my promised rescue and probably still get caught before leaving Tokyo Settlement!"
His options were limited.
His time was running out.
In a sudden burst of energy, he jumped to the phone, trying to call anybody he knew would help. Conspirators, subordinates, many numbers he remembered. Yet, he went for what was the best option: Fawkes himself. He entered his number and started dialing.
"Come on, come on, come on! Respond!" he practically begged the phone. After a long minute, Fawkes finally picked up. "Hey! Where are your men? Cornelia is not that far away from finding out that I'm responsible… Hey! Are you even there?" He grew frustrated, hearing only Fawkes breath on the other side of a line. "Please, don't leave me to her! Cornelia will torture me for the rest of my life!"
Fawkes ignored his pleas. "You made your choice. You rushed in when you shouldn't have, and now Viceroy is alerted to us."
"I'll do anything! Just get me somewhere where I could remain hidden from her!"
"Will you do… anything?" Fawkes asked, with treachery jumping on his tongue.
"Please, get me out! I'll give up each of your names to Cornelia, if you won't help me!" A blatant bluff, even Arley could see how obvious it was, but he had no choice.
"As if it would matter. Cornelia will simply take the information and will not soften up because of your confession. You know that, am I wrong?"
Receiving silence in response, Fawkes sighed.
"Have a good day, Arley. Your last good day."
"No!" He yelled, but already too late – line was cut, and any new calls Fawkes did not answer.
This is it. In cold sweat, Arley understood, how much he was backed into a corner. Opening his other drawer, he found his revolver. Gripping it tightly, he took it in his hand and took a closer look at it. Fully armed, as he left it to be. Suddenly, a knock on his door rang clear, after which he heard a voice of his secretary trying to tell him something. He didn't want to check who it really was, his instincts already telling him what to do.
Arley took a deep breath, closing his eyes. He readied his revolver.
At least, I fought for the worthy cause.
A week ago
"BUM" She entered the room with a grace of mad elephant, slamming hard the doors behind her. "Hello everyone! Are you ready for work?" Milly asked other members of the Student Council. Aside from Nina, who was getting more frequently absent after Hostage Crisis, everybody got to the meeting in time.
"Absolutely!" Shirley cheered.
"Well, I guess we are" Kallen replied disinterested. Her eyes rested on Lelouch for a brief moment, as she still couldn't believe he was a member of Black Knights.
"Eh, not really" Rivalz mumbled, causing Lelouch's mood to lighten.
"I doubt we have a choice, Rivalz" he replied.
"And in this you are absolutely correct, Lelouch! Jeez, how lucky you are to be this smart!" Milly jumped at him, hugging him playfully, yet tightly. Finally releasing him, she pointed her finger to a stack of papers. Rivalz sighed. "Don't tell me that's what I think it is?"
"Yep, we have a School Festival in honor of Suzaku! Don't you want to show you how happy we are for him?" She toyed with her victim's emotions with an accuracy of a hitman.
"If you say so…"
"I knew you would agree. And to show that we are the best, we-" Milly took a large portion of documents and dropped them onto Lelouch to deal with, "We will make the largest pizza in the world!"
Today
Lelouch wandered around the Student Campus, envelope in his hand. As he passed the cabinets, he saw Kallen leaving one of them, a library ticket sticking out of her bag. Their eyes met.
"It's rare occurrence for you to be present here, Lelouch."
"So is yours. But today is School festival, isn't it? We, members of the Student Council, must be present."
"Yes, of course. Actually, may I have a word with you?"
"What you wish to discuss, Kallen?" Lelouch sheepishly asked, even though it was his decision as Zero to pass her the burner phone through himself.
Kallen dragged him away to the balcony, far from other's ears. "Why are you a member of the Black Knights?"
"Is there something wrong with it, Kallen?" Lelouch shrugged. If she wanted to discuss things with him, he could use it for his advantage, "I heard he is popular among Britannians, maybe you even know somebody like that, not that I would know it better."
"That's a non-answer." She pointed her pouch at him, deciding to simply threaten him with it and not showing its blade. "You, of all people, are not like this. Remember that vendor? You didn't stand up for him, and now you pretend like you care about us, Japanese." Kallen hissed, her temper running low. "You had to lie to Zero about everything or you have some ulterior motive of your own. I want an honest anwer, dammit!"
He relaxed his posture, knowing Kallen wouldn't really attack him. "I guess I can reveal that to you. What do you want to know first?"
"How long have you been working with Zero?"
"About a month"
Just like we do, huh… Kallen continued. "Do you know who he is?"
"Even if I did, wouldn't he tell you himself if he allowed me to?" Lelouch brushed it off. "Ask him herself"
"Why did you join?"
"To protect what I want to protect."
"That isn't much. I still don't understand, you behaved like a typical Britannian that time!"
"So would Kallen Stadtfeld, or rather must've." Lelouch retorted, "Why would you commit a small crime while doing a larger? If I did what was correct, I would compromise myself and my views. Anything else you need to hear?"
She lowered her pouch. "That's it for now."
Returning to his less relaxed tone, he passed her a folder. "Are you ready for negotiations? Zero wanted me to pass you this phone."
She carefully opened it, finding a marked piece of paper with "Q-1" written on it and a black mobile phone. "You may find other instructions inside. Good luck, Kallen."
"Wait!" she suddenly yelled. He turned around, her face filled with mixture of emotions, mostly a surprise and shyness. "Why… why I must partake in these talks? Especially with Cornelia!"
"You could ask him," he replied, before turning around and going away, "but maybe it's because he trusts you to do it."
She looked at the place he just stood, thinking over and over what he said. "Zero trusts me, huh…"
Two black cars made their way through busy streets of Tokyo Settlement. Their windows were toned black, their thickness was enough to stop a machinegun barrage. In less than ten minutes, they arrived at their destination – Ashford Academy. As the cars stopped, two men rose from them and opened the doors for their passengers.
Two women elegantly left their transports. They were modestly dressed, yet their faces were hidden by the sunglasses and jockey hats. One of them was overly enthusiastic to enter the party with her suitor, while the other continued to watch her. Her accompanied man leaned closer.
"Princess Cornelia, are you certain we must let her wander freely with nobody but Kururugi by her side? You were against it once, and now you are letting her to-"
"I know, Guilford. It's hard for me, but now I'm certain: her future is with him, and I can only help them to have a happy life. He saved her life countless times before and after the announcement of her wadding and he is destined to join the Royal Family. He is in the same boat with Euphy, so I must throw away my thought about him. The only thing I keep in mind is his inability to not stand out." Cornelia coughed, remembering what they came here for. "Darlton told me everything is set for us to meet Zero's liaison. I can't be sure if it's correct to make such meeting in a school…"
"He wouldn't get close to the government, and we'd protest any kind of meeting in their terrorist territory in the ghettos. This is a neutral ground." Guilford explained. "Zero told us that his liaison will be present with him at the wedding. This means that his liaison mustn't stand out from the general crowd. Could it be a Britannian?"
"In this day and age? It may very well be so." Cornelia spoke, following her sister last time before switching completely to her work mode. If Eleven could be more loyal to Britannia than most of the nobles, then the reverse must be also true. Cornelia closed her eyes, not willing to think any longer about it, the thought causing her enough pain on its own. She could trust Suzaku with her safety, so she must be worried only about things she must control. "Let's not make Zero wait longer."
A/N: Splitting this chapter in half for I lack mental capacity to finish the Ashford sequence as I already allowed myself to fail a lot of deadlines.
Updates on this story will be each week. Expect the next one somewhere before Thursday on the next week.