Nunnally of the Insurrection

Chapter 27

In the Capital of Britannia, the added news of the Chinese Federation's actions hit like a bomb. They, at first, had only known the cover story: That 'Japanese' had rebelled and the Chinese Federation had rushed in to 'help.' Follow up reports had finally arrived, and they now knew the whole thing had been staged...

"We should surround China, demand their surrender then crush them all," Luciano Bradly, the Knight of Ten, declared angrilly.

"Hmm," Charles, the Emperor, murmured thoughtfully.

"Can we DO that?" Gino Weinberg, the Knight of Three, asked quietly. "Not without leaving Europe uncovered, I mean."

THAT went over well. The Britannian forces were largely stalemated against Europe, as they needed a certain number of troops to 'hold' recently beaten Areas. They didn't have enough troops to 'deal' with the remaining free Europe countries, without risking rebellion in areas they were still in the process of taming.

"A lightning strike..." Luciano started.

"That wouldn't work," Schneizel el Britannia, the leading prince of the realm, cut him off flatly. He explained calmly, "While China isn't up to our technological level, they make up for it in sheer weight of numbers."

"We'd be bogged down in a war of attrition," Odysseus, his brother and fellow prince, agreed grimly. In the months working with Schneizel, he had gotten the basics of military strategy pounded into his head.

"You've returned. Has the EU situation changed?" Charles asked.

"I've trained my subordinates well enough to let them handle things for a bit," Schneizel answered him calmly.

Luciano glared at the two princes, but couldn't really argue with them.

Gino looked at his fellow Knight, deciding he had best keep him from doing something stupid. "I'm certain we will have a plan soon, Sir," he said to him.

Schneizel added, "We may even be able to capitalize on the terror the Chinese Federation's leaders are feeling right now."

Dorothea Ernst, the disgraced Knight of Four, looked curious, "You think we can milk this for political gain?"

"Or even force an alliance, with the threat of our crushing them compelling them," Luciano remarked thoughtfully.

"Nothing that blatant," Odysseus corrected, "but yes, something like that..."

Charles waved his subordinates to go. "Schneizel, prepare a proposal for your plans. I find them interesting," he admitted.

"Sir," Schneizel bowed slightly.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

In Area 11 aka Japan, night had fallen across the island.

Busting up drug dealers was a change of pace from the usual stuff they had been dealing with. The Black Knights had found about a Refrain dealer, and that he was connected to a corrupt noble. They arranged for a sale, back tracked to the noble, then exposed her too.

"You can't DO this!" Countess Aaron protested as she was lead off by Villetta Nu, assisted by Jeremiah. Both were somewhat used to nobles and weren't fazed by her threats.

Gilbert G. P. Guildford was there as a 'official' representative of the Government, even if this joint raid was unofficial. "I thought we had cleaned these scum out," he said in mild disgust.

"You did, as far as that goes," Ohgi noted.

"Eh?" Gilbert looked at him.

"It sounds like she moved in to take over a network her husband established," Ohgi explained, "after the Viceroy expelled him."

Gilbert made a disgusted sound.

Nunnally emerged from the storage area, shaking her head. "There is a LOT of drugs there, including stuff that's used in noble circles," she said flatly.

Gilbert nodded stiffly as he said, "Thank you for your assistance, Nemo. I'm sorry you had to deal with it."

"It's fine," Nemo waved it off.

"I also assure you that the Viceroy will deal with this," Gilbert added.

"At least this one isn't a royal appointment," Nemo noted dryly, "maybe we can actually get them punished publically."

Gilbert winced slightly.

Ohgi rushed in, "Anyway, thank you for your help as well." He took Nemo's arm, "We should get going..."

"I wanted us to make a joint statement," Gilbert protested.

"I'm sure you'll give us credit," Nemo smiled wryly, "excuse us."

As they hurried off Ohgi quietly scolded her, "Try not to remind the nice officer about mistakes he couldn't fix."

"Sorry," Nemo conceded mildly.

Ohgi looked at her thoughtfully as they took a evasion route through the city, even ducking into the sewers for a bit. "Something's riled you up over this?" he asked.

Nemo made a face, "Kallen's mother was our source on the Refrain sales. Kallen also thinks she was using."

"Well, fuck," Ohgi winced.

The news story the next morning pretty much entirely credited the bust to the Black Knights, surprisingly enough. The Countess was up on charges, and it looked like there would be a public trial, too. All signs of progress.

"Do you think someone will slip her a poison pill, or weapon?" CC wondered as they walked to class together.

"To pull that off you usually need the assistance of the guards," Nunnally noted quietly, "I think they'd be too scared of pissing off Cornelia."

"True," CC said, then both quieted as they saw the visibly tired Kallen in the hallway.

"Hey," Nunnally smiled at her gently, patting her shoulder consolingly. "How's your mother?" she asked quietly.

Kallen made a face. "Father wants to send her to a rehab clinic," she sighed. "I'll be able to visit her after the first week."

"Hopefully it goes well," Nunnally said gently.

The three women went into the class room, then sat down. "Morning," Rivalz nodded.

Before class started Suzaku hurried in, waving as he took his own seat too.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

The facility was maximum security, and the cell was kept seperate from the normal prisoners. A noble, even an accused criminal, might be targeted by other criminals. Especially one who was accused of supplying harmful drugs to various dealers...

"There you are!" Elizabeth Aaron growled as her lawyer finally arrived.

Claude Spencer was a tall, thin man, and had a perpetually pinched expression. He practically SCREAMED lawyer, from his thinning hair to very high priced shoes. He also, bluntly, looked very unhappy to be there.

"Countess," Claude sighed, "it seems we are in a very great deal of trouble."

"Why haven't I been bailed out yet?" Elizabeth demanded.

"You are being held without bail," Claude said to her patiently, "the Viceroy intends to make an example of you."

Elizabeth visibly paled. "What," she yelped.

Claude continued, "I have filed for a change of venue to Britannia itself, of course. I'm arguing you can't get a fair trial here, but I'm unsure if I'll succeed."

Elizabeth digested that. "I am paying you a great deal...," she said flatly.

"As I'm aware," Claude agreed, "but there's only so much I can do when they found the drugs on your property, ma'am!"

Elizabeth flinched. "My husband made that decision," she explained quietly.

"No details," Claude cautioned, "I don't know if we are being monitored."

Tentatively Elizabeth suggested, "I was a close friend to Prince Odysseus..."

Intently Claude said, "Ma'am, it does not matter. The Viceroy intends to see someone hang, for the corruption of the nobles. And you, sadly, are the example she has chosen."

Elizabeth nodded slightly, "And there's nothing you can do?"

"I will, of course, use every legal option available," Clause shrugged slightly, "but to be completely frank, I'm not optimistic."

"I see," Elizabeth sighed softly. "Do what you can." she urged him. She watched the lawyer leave, then sat bad. 'Would a plea be a option?' she wondered grimly.

To be continued...

Notes: I've often wondered if the Britannians didn't actually encourage Refrain use in occupied countries. It would, effectively, drug out a segment of the population who would long for the 'good old days', who would also tend to be the most likely to rebel.