Code Geass: Nunnally on the Insurrection

Chapter Sixteen: Gathering Pieces

Tohdoh Kyoshiro looked around the hidden base in Shinjuku, finding himself impressed despite himself. Unlike bases of the Japan Liberation Front it was merely the abandoned subway tunnels of the city, but it felt like a real military base. Men and women in the uniforms of the Black Knights bustled about with papers, watching monitor screens and patrolling the tunnels, even as the 'hub' of the underground instillation resembled a real command center.

"It's a honor to have Todo of Miracles here," Ohgi said, the brown haired man shaking his hand firmly as he lead him into the hub.

"I have not yet agreed to join you," Todo noted flatly, looking around. He felt a twinge of envy at the stolen Britannian military gear they were using, as well as the professional qualities of the soldiers. "I will concede I was impressed by my liberation, as well as the battle at Narita," he added.

"Fair enough," Ohgi acknowledged. "Would you like to meet who masterminded both operations?" he asked.

Todo nodded, "I would."

The young woman who was talking on her phone and carrying a case of medical supplies was not who Todo had expected. She wore the uniform like everyone else, and her long brown hair was braided back from her face. It was difficult to say much about her looks, as she wore large, square, wrap around sunglasses.

"Sorry I wasn't here to greet you Ohgi," the woman said briskly, her voice oddly familiar to Todo, "but we're still trying to get the medical bay set up."

"We rescued as many survivors from the labs at Narita as we could," Ohgi told Todo, "but they had been heavily experimented on by the Britannians."

"Another kid died last night," the woman sounded frustrated, "and Kallen had to shoot Rolo."

"Rolo?" Ohgi sounded surprised, "I thought he was recovering?"

"He was," the young woman pushed a strand of hair back, "he broke out of the ward, went for the communications room and tried to call for help. We barely stopped him in time."

"I take it you're Nemo?" Todo had to ask, rather intrigued by the girl. Damn it, he was SURE he knew her from somewhere.

"I am," the woman nodded briskly. Nemo continued, "I'm sorry I couldn't personally oversea the rescue of you and your team, but the Narita situation was too unstable to leave to others."

"I was impressed you were able to rally so many forces to the defense of our base there," Todo noted, "but why did you abandon it afterwords?"

"I respect that the Japanese invested many resources into building the Narita base as a fallback position," Nemo seemed to be choosing her words carefully, "but respectfully, it only worked as long as it was covert. Once Cornelia knew about where you were, her crushing the base was inevitable."

Todo studied her a moment then nodded slightly. "I agree," he said, "but what would a Britannian know about Japanese spirit?"

Nemo didn't seem flustered that he knew, the woman just nodding slightly. "I have been hurt by the Emperor, too, Japanese. I fight for my freedom, and the freedom of anyone Number or Britannian who chafes under his rule."

Todo drawled, "So you fight for the world? Very ambitious."

"Today I fight for Japan," Nemo answered levelly, not bothered by his tone, "and assuming we win I will face the next battlefield."

Todo was rather impressed by this woman, honestly. She seemed to be managing the battlefields and their aftermath well. Being mocking didn't phase her, nor did accusations about her past. If he could just figure out why she was familiar...

"I was hoping to talk to you privately earlier," Nemo conceded, "but it's been a hectic week, to say the least."

"I've heard," Todo nodded.

"Why don't you follow me to my office, such as it is?" Ohgi offered, leading the two off.

The office was actually a old office once belonging to a rail conductor, assumedly. There was a old desk, a salvaged chair and a lot of files, as well as no windows and a hastily rewired light in the roof. As Ohgi shut the door Nemo ran a scanner over the room, making sure they were clear for bugs.

"Isn't that a little excessive?" Todo had to note as Ohgi tiredly sat down behind his desk.

"Not really, sir," Nemo said respectfully as she took off her sunglasses and looked at him fondly. "It's been a long time, but I hope you recognize me."

It took a moment, then Todo remembered the serious, sullen girl he had helped tutor for a summer. "Nunnally?" he yelped, shocked.

"I'm sorry I couldn't contact you after the invasion," Nunnally added.

Without really thinking about it Todo closed the distance, hugging the young woman gently. "I thought you died," he said quietly.

"It was close a couple of times," Nunnally answered, smiling as she gently pulled away, "but my mother's friends managed to keep me safe."

Todo looked at her, possibly understanding the enigmatic 'Nemo' a bit better. Revenge was a motive he could understand, after all. "You want to avenge your mother and brother," he said, not really asking a question.

"In part," Nunnally answered frankly, "I do want to free Japan, Todo. But I'll be doing so out of completely selfish motives. I want you to understand that, if you intend to join with us."

"There you go with that brutal honesty," Ohgi noted, looking amused. "And you wonder why I don't let you make many speeches?" he asked wryly.

Todo chuckled as he smiled at Nunnally. "He has a point," he said, "if we're going to use you as a symbol for the rebellion, we'll have to write your speeches."

"You mean you're joining us?" Nunnally asked eagerly.

"Yes," Todo nodded, "I think I will."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Suzaku Kururugi knew Nunnally was up to something, and he strongly suspected it was connected to the Black Knights. However, so far he hadn't any evidence to go with his gut feelings. 'Which means I can't do anything about it,' the brown haired young man thought as he headed for Camelot, and another training run with Lancelot.

To be honest, Suzaku was a bit relieved knowing he wasn't going to have to oppose his old friend at this point. (And first crush, but Suzaku was never telling Nunnally that. She'd die laughing.) He had a good sense of his own talents, but he was certain Nunnally was deliberately hiding her own gifts. He had no idea what she might really be capable of...

"Oh, hello Suzaku," Cecile smiled warmly as the older woman carried a clipboard, probably notes she had to remind Lloyd of.

"Hello Cecile," Suzaku nodded greetings, "I was wondering if I could do some training runs on the Lancelot?"

"We have a few guests here," Cecile said, "but it's possible they might want to meet you." She waved, "Follow me."

"Okay...," Suzaku followed her a bit nervously into the labs nearby Ashford Academy.

As they came around the kneeling Lancelot itself they saw Lloyd talking to a man and woman in military gear, then his eyes widened as he recognized the Co-Viceroy Cornelia. Straightening out his school uniform Suzaku advanced on where they stood, wishing he was in his military uniform.

"Suzaku!" a voice happily cried as Euphemia emerged from the Lancelot's cockpit, the woman's long hair tied up.

"Private Suzaku Kururugi, reporting!" Suzaku said stiffly, saluting Cornelia.

"Kururugi," Cornelia nodded, her long hair flowing down over her shoulders. She smiled faintly, "At ease."

"Thank you ma'am," Suzaku nodded. He smiled over at Euphemia as he bowed slightly, "Princess, it's good to see you."

"Call me Euphy," she smiled.

The look Cornelia gave Suzaku could have killed a normal man, and even he wilted a bit. Said wilting stopped when Euphy took his arm, smiling. "Humph," Cornelia grunted, looking over at Lloyd as she said, "You don't object to our using the Lancelot in further actions?"

"We'd be honored to help," Lloyd said. "Does this mean we'll be deployed sooner than in previous engagements?"

Cecile elbowed Lloyd in the side. "Not that we're questioning how we're being deployed," she said quickly.

Cornelia looked more amused than anything else as she replied, "Yes, I am aware that the Lancelot was not best deployed in recent engagements. I'll see what I can do to correct that."

"Oh marvelous," Lloyd smiled.

"Come on," Euphy tugged his arm so they went around the Lancelot and out of the line of sight of Cornelia and the others.

"Euphy, we really shouldn't...," Suxaku started nervously.

Euphy put a finger to his lips, shushing him. Then she leaned on the railing, studying the silver armored Lancelot as she said, "I heard about what you did at Narita, it was very well done."

"Thank you," Suzaku said, though from the tension in her shoulders he thought there was more she needed to say.

"Is it true, what they found in the labs there?" Euphy asked quietly, "Were they really experimenting on Elevens?"

"I didn't see it myself," Suzaku cautioned, "but soldiers I knew went in there." He hesitated then admitted, "Yes, it's true."

Euphy slumped a bit. "And Clovis was responsible," she murmured, "Clovis, who's paintings I admired, who I thought was gentle and kind. What makes a man able to DO this?"

"I wish I knew," Suzaku sighed.

Euphy looked at him, her expression serious. "Suzaku, if you could help people, but it meant breaking rules, would you do it?" she asked.

Suzaku shrugged as he said, "Depends on the circumstances. I'm just a soldier, miss, I really can't answer that."

"No, people like you and I have to answer that sort of question, Suzaku," Euphy said calmly. "What would you do, pilot of the Lancelot?"

Suzaku met her eyes, knowing she was quite serious. "I'd do what I can," he admitted, "rules be damned."

"Me too," Euphy agreed, smiling suddenly.

To be continued...