"Speech"

"Radio or calls"

'Thoughts'

Preparations

Kallen

Kallen rushed down the stairs. Her boyfriend was almost forgotten as she headed towards that familiar red knightmare. Her baby was finally back, and she didn't wait to see her again. The Guren, along with all the custom ace suits, had been sent to India to get major overhauls, as well as to hide them from the Britannians. She had teared up a bit at that, and she had been forced to use a Gekka whenever she was involved in a police raid. But her frame was back, and she ran past all the staff and mechanics, who looked up at her in surprise.

No one stopped her, and she practically ran into the frame. She placed her hand on it to stop and looked up at it with warm tears. It was definitely improved, but fundamentally had the same look to it. The armor was sleeker, and the dagger looked a bit different. The wings color matched the rest of the suit, and the excitement of having actual flight was growing more and more. The claws were a smidge shorter, but she supposed that the full changes would be in the new manual. A very familiar voice reached her ear, "I see you are appreciating my new and improved child."

Rakashata steeped out from behind one of the legs, the slender Indian woman smiling at Kallen. She wore her usual outfit, her cleavage clear on display as she had a pad in her hand, looking over some technical plans. The woman's pipe was in her free hand, and Kallen smiled at the engineer, "Yes! I missed her so much."

Rakshata tittered, "I made sure the engineers back home treated her with respect. It couldn't let my baby get treated badly." Rakashata had left to go to India for several months, leaving the rest of her team to take care of upgrades and research for the rest of the frames, "But with a larger team, Zero should be more than happy about progress, though we have more Akasukis coming over soon."

The redhead looked back at the frame, and she touched it again, "So what upgrades does she have?"

Rakshata just handed her the pad she had, which had the technical data of the Guren, now labeled Guren Mk-III, "We had a breakthrough with material research, so the armor is lighter, and even tougher than it was before. It is currently being applied to other suits, but I don't think you care about that right now."

She took a puff from her pipe, "Besides that, the frame is now a bit faster, the Yggdrasil drive custom created for the Guren. It has two modes, the less energy draining, normal one and a performance mode, which increases energy cost for the benefit of improving the speed and power of the Guren. The dagger also uses MVS technology." She scowled at that, and Kallen remembered she had some rivalry with a Britannian designer. 'What happened between the two of them?'

But the woman just shook her head, and a wide smile then crossed her face, "But I think you will like these last two." She pressed something on the pad, and explained, "The new air glide system is integrated, so it is more efficient than the replaceable model. Just be careful, since swapping it out will be harder. It can use the modular packs, but it will have the same drain as the standard models."

Kallen just looked at the system, and grinned. 'I can fly now. No more needing to have to fight at a disadvantage against the Britannians.' She knew enough about the new suits the Britannians had rolled out, and they would need to be able to match them. She knew she could match the best aces of Britannia, but three years of Lelouch training her on tactics and strategies had beaten a sense of caution and preparation in her mind.

But Rakshata just continued in her usual tone, "And the biggest upgrade is your Radiant Wave Surger." She tapped the end of the claw, "Whereas before you could only physically grab the enemy, now you can do more. For one, we add a short cable, allowing you to launch the arm at enemies up to ten meters away. It has a total of 15 meters, but the cable is fragile. We saw how reach was a problem, and we are developing improved materials to make a longer one." Kallen just nodded along, following the pad that contained the same data.

Her eyes went wide as she scanned it. Her voice rose in excitement as a wide smile crossed her face, "Ranged attacks? A burst attack?"

The clacking of boots approached them, and Zero was standing before that, "Exactly. We needed the ace of the Black Knights to have a suit that could stand up to the world." Lelouch thrust out the familiar red key of the Guren with a dramatic flourish, and Kallen was too starstruck at this to roll her eyes. For once his theatrics truly excited her, and Rakashata couldn't help but chuckle.

"As dramatic as ever. And I see you read the report." She grinned and took the cue from Lelouch to explain more, "The blast is still relatively close range, so you can't use it as artillery, but should keep pesky enemies away. And the cone burst sends out an effective EMP that should disable enemy suits for a short time. Think of it like a shaped charge or shotgun."

"A short time? Why not permanently?" The redhead leaned forward, her curiosity getting the better of her.

The scientist bobbed her pipe in her mouth, "Because it risked destroying the arm. And potential allies. And besides, I trust that you can take advantage of that weakness." She smiled and Kallen grinned. Rakshata knew just what to say.

She could almost sense the smirk on Lelouch's face under his mask, and as the raw elation was starting to pass, she rolled her eyes. The leader of the Black Knights spoke, "You will be one of our main aces in the future against the threats against Japan, so you needed the best."

Kallen looked at him, blushing at his words. Unlike some of his theatrics, he sounded genuine and the warmth in his voice caused her heart to beat a little bit faster. 'No wonder I love the man.' As egotistical as he could be, he knew how to sweet talk and convince people.

She continued to scan over the pad, Rakshata walking away after being called away by one of her engineers. The redhead looked up at him, then scanned the hanger. Now that her focus was starting to move away from the Guren, she didn't see anything that looked like Lelouch's. There were plenty of Gekkas and Akatsuki's, the newest model from India. 'There must be over a hundred knightmares here.'

Weapons of all sizes were here, ranging from wrist-mounted machine guns to bazooka resting in the armory. Various revolving blade swords and other melee weapons also filled the armory. While this wasn't new to her, seeing the Black Knights looking like a proper military with a large-scale presence filled her with hope. Even the outdated Burais had been given to smaller bases throughout the country, to act as guerilla soldiers and emergency backup.

She tilted her head and looked at Zero, "So where is your frame? You never told me what you designed."

Lelouch just raised his hand to gesture to her to follow him, "How about I show you?" The pair walked past all the crew, eyes drawn to them before the men and women went back to work. Chatter surrounded them, but the two ignored that as they focused on each other. His cloak swayed as he continued speaking, "It took a while to plan with Rakshata, but it fits my style perfectly."

Kallen snickered, "You mean sitting in the back and letting others handle it?" She saw Lelouch raise his hackles a bit and hid another laugh.

"Just because I am better now, does not mean I can compete with some of the elite pilots around the world. Or even you." Kallen noticed he seemed to fill out his costume a bit better, and she couldn't help but blush a bit thinking back on some of their more private moments.

But Lelouch was a step in front of her, so she didn't know if she saw. But a familiar voice drew both of their attention, "At least he has some humility." The green-haired witch stepped up and joined them as the couple stopped. She wasn't holding Cheese-kun, dressed in her ornate black dress. Kallen groaned a bit, and Lelouch just huffed.

"CC. I assumed you were in the command center."

The witch just smirked, "I was bored. And who better to bother than you two." She fell in line with them as they continued to walk to a smaller section of the base, "So you are going to show her the Shinkiro then?"

Kallen tilted her head, "Shinkiro?"

Lelouch sighed, "I was going to tell you when we reached it. But yes, it is called the Shinkiro." The three entered a smaller hanger, which had a handful of frames in it, mostly improved Akatsukis, but a black frame, along with a pink Akatsuki Commander model, was what really drew her attention.

The Shinkiro was about as tall as the Guren, primarily black with gold highlights on the chest and arms. The knees were pointed and gold, same with the claws that had the landspinners attached to it. The head was silver, with a gold head crest around it. The back was a red air glide system, jutting out. She leaned down to see there was some sort of blaster mounted on the wrist, the barrel obvious from that angle, "Definitely smaller than the Gawain. And you really liked the coloring of the Gawain, didn't you?" She touched the leg, feeling the cool metal.

Lelouch didn't move, but it was clear he was happy she liked the look of it, "Smaller means I'm more mobile, and Rakashata was able to make sure the Druid system was too wrecked for Britannia to use. She helped me created a new system with it."

Kallen raised an eyebrow, "New system?" An excited smile was forming on her face, especially due to how proud Lelouch sounded.

"I'll show you it in a simulation."

She nodded, and pointed to the blasters, "What does this shoot?"

CC spoke up, "Hadron cannons. Who knew that three years of R&D could shrink that down effectively?" She was leaning against the other leg of the Shinkiro, "But at least Zero will have something that can actually maneuver, compared to that lumbering Gawain."

Lelouch turned to face CC, "If I recall, you seemed happy to co-pilot with me three years ago."

"Sure, but having my own frame is much more satisfying than you taking all the credit." She looked over at the pink Akasuki Mk-II, a small smile on her face. Kallen looked between the two. 'Why am I not surprised that she had a custom color on her suit?'

Lelouch clearly saw that look as he focused back on his girlfriend, "It is a solo suit, yes. As much as I tolerate CC, being able to pilot on my own was my choice." CC smirked, and he continued, "I wouldn't mind a few test fights against you for both of us to figure our new suits out. And you need to get flight time." She had done flight tests with other simulations and frames, but the Guren Mk-III was a different beast from them.

Kallen smirked, "So I can kick your ass all over again?" Not being able to see Lelouch's face when he didn't respond immediately was more annoying than anything else, as she had to acknowledge that this new suit was a complete unknown, and he could be smirking.

"What a cute couple. Reminds me of another royal pair I knew." Lelouch twisted to face her, and Kallen looked at her with a huff. The green-haired witch just giggled and didn't say anything more. The redhead walked over the pink Akatsuki.

It was the same design as the older one, but it was more heavily armored. It had a MVS katana at its side, and flight wings similar to hers on it. She had seen the technical manual and was intimately aware of how it worked. She had been the test pilot of it when it was in development, and it was more than enough to try to match the Britannian Vincents. Granted they lacked the numbers, but even having a couple hundred knightmare frames in Japan that matched the generation of Britannia was more than a comfort.

Kallen tilted her head, "So why pink instead of green?"

CC just gave her a blasé look, "Not all of us need to have our frames matching our hair colors. And I think it looks cute." A soft smile crossed the witch's face for a split second, but the blasé look quickly settled back. Kallen would have sworn she saw something if she hadn't been hanging around her for three years. 'She's actually cute when she's not being her usual self.' Kallen then blushed at the words.

"Touche. But that color is just going to get you…shot down." She was about to say killed, but then her brain caught up and remembered what CC was.

CC just smirked, "You do know I've been piloting knightmare frames longer than you. I can worry about myself."

"Still not as good as me." Pride filled her voice, and she saw CC just sigh, but no one she had met ever denied that. Even Tohdoh had a hard time beating her. She wished she could spar against Suzaku, but that was something that she couldn't do with the Guren being gone for three years. The two women's eyes met, and both smirked at each other.

Lelouch stepped in, "As much as I would love to hear you two banter, I came here to do more than give Kallen her gift. Please follow me." Both women broke their gaze, Kallen wondering what else he had in mind. Zero walked towards an elevator leading to the command center of the underground base. The two women fell in line, questions bouncing around Kallen's mind.

Lelouch

Lelouch's office slid open as the three entered. The office was large, with an L-shaped couch and coffee table in front of a large TV. A wooden desk sat in the back, a leather rolling chair behind it. Lelouch locked the door behind them and opened a closet door to pull off his cloak, hanging it up on a hook along with his mask. There were several more suits in there, along with a few backup Zero masks. He saw Kallen smile seeing his face again, and he had to admit he was happy he could finally show his face and relax a bit.

He settled on the couch as CC laid out on the couch, lying on her back as she let out a pleased sigh, resting her head on his lap, "If you die, I'm taking this couch." Lelouch just grunted at her words.

"Take it if you want. I don't need to be dead for that." CC smiled, then put her hands behind her head, stretching like a cat. The redhead scowled slightly, "You know jealousy is an ugly look~."

Kallen groaned, and sat down a few feet away from Lelouch, "So what do you want to talk about?" Lelouch responded by opening a laptop on the coffee table, along with turning on the screen across from them. On the screen was a map of the Pacific, with the political map of the area. Part of Siberia was colored blue, showing Britannian progress, and an aircraft carrier symbol off the coast of Siberia marked a Britannian fleet.

And what drew his eye was a carrier symbol nearing Japan, along with another question mark to the north of it. Kallen's eyes followed to that, and she narrowed them, "What are those?"

Lelouch let out a grunt, "That would be a Britannian fleet headed towards Japan. Some fishing vessels spotted them. From what I could tell, they seem to be radio silent. And the question mark is an unconfirmed report of another fleet."

CC looked over the map, "Didn't your sister say that Britannia was supposedly preparing an army to help the invasion of Russia?"

Lelouch mulled over that. She had told him that, and there had been trust in her words. At least from her side of it. 'But why would there be radio silence? Why are they being secretive? Surely it would be better to tell the viceroy what is going on.' He tapped on the screen, zooming in on the area, "But why would they potentially be sending two fleets? Britannia rules the waves." He leaned forward, a heavy sigh leaving him.

Kallen stood up and walked towards the TV, "So what numbers are being reported?" He didn't even notice her standing up, plans forming then breaking over and over in his mind. But her voice brought him out of that.

Lelouch silently appreciated her guiding him through questions. He took a deep breath, "I don't have a ton of intel, but I assume hundreds of frames, along with armor vehicles and aircraft. But while Russia has held out, Russia is a distraction. Cornelia is using it to tie up forces away from the western front. So why send them to Russia?"

He had been keeping an eye on the war against Europe, and that had been slowly gaining ground, though it had stalled in France and Northern Italy. A leader by the name of Leila had been leading the defenses, and he would love to meet her. But he was tied down as much as her, and his worst suspicion was becoming more obvious.

Kallen just looked at the map, then back at him, a worry growing in her eyes. A worry that he couldn't ignore, "Are they sending them to Russia?"

"They are going to invade Japan." The words were the truth from his soul, and Kallen pursed her lips as the idea sunk in. There was very little else it could be. He was a thorn in the side of Britannia, and Schniezel knew it. So did his father. 'My only saving grace is that they don't know my identity.' He balled his hands, his knuckles turning white. He had been preparing for war, and now they were springing it on him.

Kallen took a deep breath and curled up next to him. CC hadn't moved, and Kallen whispered, "So how much longer do we have till they arrive?" Her eyes showed a trust and belief that always made his heartbeat, and he wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Give or take? Two weeks, at least if going by the standard pace of a large fleet. The mystery fleet I have no idea." He took deep breaths, and Kallen looked him in the eyes, her doubts radiating from them.

CC then spoke, "Britannia is bold to break the peace when they are fully at war with Europe. There must be something going on behind the scenes."

"How could I have missed something? They must have a goal in mind." Lelouch hadn't thought of that, but he needed to investigate this. But right now, Kallen needed attention. His lover was pressed against him, and he pulled her closer.

Her voice was weak as she spoke, "So the time of peace is done." Lelouch just nodded, and Kallen cuddled into him, "Is it selfish to wish that we never had to fight again?"

The Black Knight leader shook his head, "It was nice while it lasted, but we are needed. Zero and the Ace of the Black Knights. Once we destroy Britannia, then we can rest."

Kallen heard the anger rising in his voice, and he could see that fire filling her eyes. As much as he loved her soft side, her bravery and fearlessness were what initially drew him to her. He kissed her, but a sigh from CC drew his attention, "I think…" Her voice trailed off, and the couple both looked at her.

"CC, do you know something?" A look of evasiveness crossed her eyes, and she quickly changed to her normal blasé expression, sitting up to lean on the armrest and look at the pair.

"It was nothing. An unimportant, errant thought." She turned and looked away, cuddling Cheese-kun closer to her chest. Lelouch slightly narrowed his eyes, but took a reluctant breath, knowing that mood of hers, and stood up. 'Now is not the time to dawdle. I can ask her later.' He went to his main computer, and Kallen followed him.

She looked over his shoulder, seeing protocols and plans opening. Lelouch looked back at her, "We need to start silently prepping the forces to be ready to go. Evacuation protocols silently ready for this fight. And you need practice on your new knightmare. I will be relying on you."

Kallen smiled at him, and an understanding formed in their look. This was going to be worse than the first war, and if they lost, the consequences for Japan will be much worse. The fate of Japan, and the world was in the hands of the Black Knights, whether they knew it or not.

Author Note

A bit shorter one, and a bit exposition heavy, but I had to set up our machines and the numbers the Black Knights had. The Guren got quite the upgrade, but their enemies have just as much tech behind them. And while they do have more soldiers, we know what Britannia can do. I am a few chapters ahead now, and my plan going forward is one I get 6 or so I will post monthly, and once I get at least 10 or more I will post every 2-3 weeks on Wednesday. I hope you enjoyed it, and I'll see you guys' next time!