Nunnally of the Insurrection
Chapter 23: Interlude Two
There was celebrating in the streets as the Black Knights and the Viceroy returned to the capital. Area 11 had nearly fallen to a invading Chinese force, along with a branch of the local rebels, and everyone knew how close it had been. The Knightmare frames of the royal guard showed the scars of desperate battle, along with the Lancelot.
"You are going to have to make a speech, ma'am," Guilford noted as they hurried through the palace, the taller man smiling grimly. It had been a damn close battle, and he had nearly lost the Viceroy several times.
"Damn it," Cornelia growled.
"Sorry," he shrugged eloquently.
"Not your fault," Cornelia smiled back. She took a deep breath, "We'll need to cut into every station, I think. The people need a reassuring but firm speech."
"Understood," Guilford nodded. He took a small video player from his coat and passed it to her, "On our way back, Euphemia also made a statement."
Corneliua hit play. "Greetings Area 11, I bring you good news," Euphemia smiled, "a viscious, unwarrented attack on your nation has been driven back by a alliance of Britannian and Area 11 forces." She went on to praise both groups, condemn the Chinese Federation and hope for a new era of cooperation between Elevens and Britannians.
"I've seen worse speeches," Cornelia admitted as she passed the device back to Guilford, who smoothly put it away.
"Should we build on this?' Guilford asked.
"I think we need to," Cornelia said briskly, "we HAVE to have the Black Knight's help. Period. Or I can't hold the Area, Father yanks me out and possibly re-invades the country."
"It's THAT bad?" Guilford asked.
"We had forces rise up in rebellion right across the country," Cornelia said to him flatly, "Father can argue that it's my fault. Tho frankly the blame should fall on Clovis' head, but he's conveniently dead and I'm not."
"Understood," Guilford acknowledged as they headed to the studio set inside the palace, workers swarming around Cornelia as he watched bemusedly.
As Cornelia submitted to makeup and such, she thought of Nemo. The mysterious young woman had made a speech to cheering crowds as they had entered the city, claiming to only want to help both Elevens and Britannians. She called for peace, despite being what many thought was a rebel figure herself.
'What is her ultimate agenda?' Cornelia thought to herself grimly. 'What is she UP to? What is she plotting to do even now?'
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Snnnrrrrkh," Nunnally snored, laying face down on the bed still dressed in her now rumpled school uniform.
"Awww," CC smiled wryly.
Milly looked amused as they stood by the bed. "She was chattering away then... pow!" Milly shrugged, "Out like a light."
"Well, she IS still a young woman," CC conceeded, "you can't run at top speed for days without paying for it somewhere."
"I'll talk to the teachers and get her excused," Milly said thoughtfully, "let's just let her sleep. There's nothing THAT urgent, I think."
"Yeah, but I'd like to stay and keep a eye on her," CC said.
"Fair enough," Milly said as she left the private rooms that Nunnally had finagled from the school. She nodded to Nunnally's Ninja Maid then headed through the student council chambers out into the Academy.
They had been VERY lucky during the whole 'uprising' in that they had only had limited rioting in Tokyo. The school security had kept a eye on things, reinforced by members recruited from the sports clubs. And surprisingly, they had been assisted by fans of the Black Knights, too.
The Black Knights... There were things that Milly chose NOT to know about. She didn't question where Nunnally and CC went to, or the multi-day absences. She did not know, nor did she WANT to know what was going on.
"Milly!" Shirley yelled as the attractive brown haired girl hurried up.
With a frightening agility Milly got behind her then squeezed her breasts. "Oooh, healthy as ever," she purred.
"Milly, damn it," Shirley clouted her one across the head.
"It's just skinship, meanie," Milly pouted.
"One of these days Nina is going to get jealous and then you will be dead," Shirley predicted.
"Yeah, yeah," Milly laughed. Politely she continued, "You wanted me for something?"
"Oh, right," Shirley said. She blushed a bit as she asked, "Have you heard anything about Suzaku returning to classes?"
'Oh ho,' Milly thought but maintained a serious expression. "I think he's on stand by for a few days," she said, "but he'll be back in class soon."
"That's good," Shirley sighed, "Dad told me a bit more about the battle than has been revealed to the public... it was VERY close to a loss."
Milly nodded. "Don't spread that around," she cautioned, "I doubt the viceroys would want that commonly known."
"Yes ma'am," Shirley agreed obediently.
"Don't call me ma'am," Milly said reflexedly.
"Would you rather be mistress?" Shirley teased.
Milly winked, "Only Nina calls me THAT."
"Oooh, too much information," Shirley winced.
Milly just laughed.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Euphemia smiled warmly as she hurried into Cornelia's rooms. "Breakfast is ready!" she caroled joyfully.
"Oh god kill me," came from under the covers.
"Cornelia!" Euphy scolded as she shook her by the shoulder. "You ASKED me to make sure you were up."
"Ugh," Cornelia reluctantly sat up, hair a mess and looking sleepy.
"I'll get you some coffee," Euphie promised as the other woman got up out of bed and slung a robe on over her nightie.
"Thank you," Cornelia sighed as she drank, the two women sitting in the small dining room used for informal meals.
"Why did you want me to wake you?" Euphie asked as she ate.
"I need to get in touch with the surviving military commanders across the area, figure out what military I have left," Cornelia admitted. "I also need to negotiate with Nemo."
"How are you going to...?" Euphie asked curiously.
"We've arranged for a secure datalink," Cornelia said. She made a face, "It's a clever device... might even be better than our communicators."
Euphie drank some coffee, "That bothers you?"
"I don't like a enemy having better resources than I do," Cornelia admitted.
Euphie thought about pointing out that Nemo was now Cornelia's ally, but decided not to. "What can I do to help?" she asked instead.
Cornelia smiled slightly, "Actually, I need you to work on one of the hardest jobs."
"Oh?" Euphie asked.
Cornelia looked at her seriously, "The good news is that this uprising has wiped out the more extreme anti-government forces. I want you to capitalize on that."
"Accellerate the integration of Area 11 and convince the population that we're here to help them," Euphie nodded.
"Exactly," Cornelia nodded, "if we can give them the benefits of being citizens as soon as possible, it may help us keep the peace."
"We still have to make up for Shinjuku," Euphie pointed out.
"I'm thinking of 'leaking' the information that Clovis was responsible," Cornelia admitted frankly, "it might help us move forward."
"It's worth a try," Euphie nodded.
To be continued...
Notes: Nunnally is a teenager. Despite everything she's done she's still a growing girl, and you DO run out of juice. Hence her falling over.