His vision was blurred as he stumbled to his feet. The dull echo of the klaxon ringing louder and louder with each passing moment. A faint taste of metal filled his mouth, as a small stream of blood dripped from his nose down his face. Kaname Ohgi was confused. What had happened? The last that he remembered, he and the other command staff were… not interrogating Zero, but asking him questions? About?

The room seemed almost sideways as he stumbled again, almost as though the floor wasn't the floor anymore. A groaning sound snapped him to his senses in an instant. Tohdoh heaved himself up, using the meeting table as a brace, and aided Chiba to her feet as well.

"What's going on…" The words were barely out of Ohgi's mouth when suddenly the door opened.

"Commander!" Ohgi struggled to recognize the speaker. "Commander, you are needed on the bridge. We've been trying to radio you for the last hour!"

"What?!" His surprised shout roused the rest of the Black Knights still trying to get their bearings. "Report!"

"Starboard side float units were damaged in an explosion. We've lost propulsion, and can no longer maintain a cruising altitude. The Ikaruga is preparing for an emergency ocean landing." Minase spoke, Ohgi recognizing the speaker now.

"How? When?!" Tohdoh spoke as he approached Ohgi and Minase. "Why didn't you reach us sooner?"

"We've been hailing you for the last hour! The explosion occurred only minutes before we attempted to radio anyone from the command staff. None of you were answering our hail." Minase looked around the room, her face and voice filled with confusion. "What were you all doing in here?"

Around the room, everyone began to stir. Chiba, Ohgi and Tohdoh, all already on their feet. Tamaki only beginning the process of standing up, but found himself tangled with Kanon. And prince Schneizel somehow sitting peacefully in the only chair not tipped over on its side.

"Where's Cornelia?" Ohgi asked the room. "Where's Kallen? Where's Lelouch?! Did anyone see them leave?" A sense of dread began to wash over him. Scattered memories began to piece together. The recording Schneizel provided. Zero being a Britannian Prince. Geass.

"He ran! That son of a bitch used his Geass and took off!" Ohgi gave another furtive glance around the room. "Minase, go back to the bridge and radio the following order - Zero is to be considered a traitor to the Black Knights. He is to be arrested and returned to trial. Anyone caught aiding him is to be considered a traitor as well, and should be captured if possible!"

"Zero is…" Minase began before being cut off.

"Go! This is an order!" Ohgi barked out. "Tohdoh, take Chiba to the hanger. Check for the Shinkiro and the Guren. Report back to me after that!" The two offered Ohgi a quick salute and an affirmation before taking off out the door.

"If you'll excuse us, I shall escort his highness back to our shuttle and evacuate." Kanon spoke after a moment. "We'll remake contact as soon as Prince Schneizel is secured aboard a Britannian vessel."

"Yes, of course." Ohgi responded as he started on his trip to the bridge of the Ikaruga. "Everyone else, seek medical treatment if required. Otherwise, spread out and search for any signs of Lelouch, Kallen, or Cornelia."

"Ohgi, did Kallen choose Zero over us?" Tamaki asked as he stumbled towards the door, still unsure of his footing. "She wouldn't turn her back on us, right? Right?!"

"I don't know, Tamaki. Kallen idolized Zero. She even knew the truth and didn't say anything." Ohgi took one last glance around the room, before turning to look at Tamaki. "I don't know…"

I'm back. I'm bored. I'm itching to write again. So here is a teaser of what is to come. I have nothing but free time on my hands these days - and I've grown bored of my gaming library. So it's time to dust this off and finish this story, as well as get Que Sera, Sera rolling in earnest.

I can't/won't provide a timeline for when you can expect anything at the moment. As that will be decided on whether this old computer of mine still co-operates, or if I'm going to need to write the rest of this story on my phone. Time will tell.