“Can they… get away with this?!”
“It won’t be the first time Britannian forces have conducted public executions as a form of demoralizing the “Numbers” population of their conquered territories.” Feldt Grace explains in a sad tone to Mileina Vashti’s shocked reaction the news broadcast.
“They don’t even have to hide their brutality like the A-LAWS did; they just show their strength and cruelty for all to witness to make them cower before them.” Lasse Aeon says with a deep frown on his face.
“My God, they’re willing to murder 256 people just to draw one person out?! One man for so many lives and they have no guarantee he’ll even show up.” Allelujah murmurs in horror. “What sort of twisted Empire is this Britannia?”
“One that thrives on the basis of the only the strong may lead and the weak culled and oppressed.” Feldt says as she brings up some data onto one of the main monitors. “I’ve found several video clips of speeches the Emperor and several Britannian dignitaries have given that speak of their cultural adherence to a form of social Darwinism. The anthem alone tells of Britannia’s supposed superiority to all over’s and what is their divine right to conquer and rule over all.”
“God damn it, even on another world, humanity is still poised to show its worst to its fellow man.” Lockon slams one fist into his open palm in frustration. “It’s a bloody no brainer why rebel groups like these Black Knights would rise up, I’d be sick if some punks like these Britannia chumps came and took over my home!”
Setsuna F. Seiei stares at the screen repeating the news segment, his eyes boring into not so much the media data but the faces of the captured Black Knights that the cameras tend to focus on. Some looked ready to accept death, others scared out of their minds, yet nobody was begging for mercy. “… We can’t let this happen.”
Sumeragi turns her head his way with a puzzled expression as if she didn’t truly hear him. “Setsuna?” “We cannot allow those people to be killed like this.” He says as he looks at the tactical forecaster. “It’s clear to me that the only thing those people are guilty of is fighting back against an oppressive force that invaded their home, destroyed most of their history and culture, demoralized them, and even took the away their dignity of being called Japanese. This is no different than what the A-LAWS were doing back in our world.”
“So you’re saying we ought to go show them being the global bully is a bad idea.” Lockon comments with a grin, displaying his agreement with Setsuna’s point of view.
Shaking her head rapidly, Sumeragi Lee Noriega states firmly. “Setsuna, no we shouldn’t. We’re aliens here, and showing off our existence when we should be focusing on how to get back home… I understand your anger over this and I-“
“Just let me go in Exia, we don’t need more than one Gundam.” Setsuna interrupts her. “In fact given their technological status a single Gundam maybe overkill; however if these people only understand might makes right. Then let’s show them with their own hubris who is the mighty and by their standards the just.”
“Setsuna I’m all for rescuing them, as someone who was locked up as a prisoner for four years I can only imagine what these people have gone through, but we need a plan.” Allelujah interjects looking at Sumeragi. “We need a Sumeragi plan.”
“B-but… damn it all you guys aren’t going to budge are you?”
“I know this is a risk that could jeopardize us all; however I just can’t turn a blind eye.” Setsuna says calmly as possible. “I know in some ways this is going against our original armed intervention mandate as we’re involving ourselves in a foreign countries business, but can we really just stand here when we have the means to stop it?”
“…Celestial Being was created to stop war with armed force, I guess destroying those who promote war is our business and these guys seem to promote it a lot.” Sumeragi says allowing a thin smile on her features. “Alright Setsuna I’ll make you a tactical plan with the best info I have about what’s going on. I just want your word you won’t put yourself or the Exia in any unnecessary danger than you’ll already be in.”
“Roger that.”
SIS/OSI Secret Bunker under Ashford Academy
If Lelouch Lamperouge had one pride skilled it was his mind and its ability to create complex plots, strategies, long winded plans, and the “miracles” only he as Zero could create. Yet he was like any human not infallible and made mistakes, not often tactically but it seems he made a grave one judging by the gun pointed at him from behind.
“A Geass user, is that how you stopped time?” Lelouch asks Rolo once he regains his composure from the shock.
Calmly with no emotion Rolo responds. “I don’t need to answer that, nor any questions you pose for me. Your life ends here.”
“What?”
“My orders are as follows: If Lelouch Lamperouge regains his memories, and Zero is awakened, he is to die.” The assassin states simply as if he was telling someone how to make tea.
“Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen-“
Without skipping a beat with only a mere blink of his eyes in surprise Rolo asks Lelouch, “Why are you counting? What are you doing?”
Lelouch points to a timer on one of the computers in the room. “Since the moment you appeared I’ve been counting the seconds to myself carefully one by one, but now the count is out of sync. Now why do you think that is?” He asks as he pulls a remote out and replays the video footage from the security cameras. Showing a stretch of scenes where Lelouch himself seems frozen as Rolo calmly takes his gun and moves behind him, yet the clock keeps counting.
“Rolo, you can’t stop time no one can, you’ve merely altered my sense of time.”
“Knowing that isn’t going to save you.” Rolo states as if Lelouch figuring out that detail was trivial. “You can’t beat me no one can live in the same time flow as me, which is absolute.” “You’re correct Rolo but that doesn’t help you now.” Rolo’s eyes narrow dangerously as if asking “what do you mean?”
Lelouch continues his facial expression not betraying anything. “You’d like to kill me now, but you can’t and we both know the reason why.” Allowing a smile he continues, “If I die then you can’t have the two things you want the most. “
“Two things?”
“First you won’t get C.C. whom I have been the bait for in your hunt. However if you let me go I’ll draw her out and lead you to her. I’ll help you get her Rolo”
“You’d betray C.C. just like that?” Rolo asks skeptically.
“She isn’t worth my own life.” Lelouch states matter-of-factly. “My survival comes first.”
“And this other thing you mentioned?”
Lelouch cocks his head, his Geass eye staring at Rolo, “Your life.”
Rolo merely adopts a look that could be considered smug. “Like I care about that.”
“Rolo, tell me, what is the future to you?”
“Huh?”
Now that he had his attention Lelouch smiles “So will you hear me out?”
“You have one minute.”
“All I need.”
The Chinese Consulate-General Building
Watching Li Xingke leave the room Kallen let out a frustrated growl removing her legs from under her body and kicks the table. “Damn it, he just gave us more or less a notice, either Zero pulls a miracle out of his ass or we’re screwed!”
“Frankly it’s hard to imagine the situation any less.” C.C. remarks in her usual nonchalant manner.
“But right now Le-Zero has security dogging his identity so getting away will be problematic, isn’t that why you had to pull that switch anyway?”
“Yes, I’m not discrediting the situation is precarious and one false move and we’re doomed, but our comrades, the world watching and the Britannian forces at the execution grounds are expecting no less of Zero to pull off a miracle, or at least attempt one.”
Kallen grumbles softly setting her rifle down, “Shit its times like these I wish I could just bust out there with my Guren and beat the crap out of the lot of em’.”
“I’m sure the rest of our comrades with us want to do the same with their Burai’s but we have to let Zero make the first move, and hope he hasn’t lost his touch for as you put it, pulling miracles out of his ass.” C.C. muses with a ghost of a smile.
“…I sure hope he hasn’t lost his touch.” “…Maybe after things cool down I can finally order some pizza.”
Kallen nearly face-faults out of her chair, “How the hell can you think of pizza at a time like this?!”
The Ptolemaios: 100 feet under the ocean’s surface
“Link to Veda fully established, no problems with the satellite feed.”
“Excellent Mileina once the program downloads, upload it to the Haro unit.”
“Yes ma’am!” Mileina sings as her fingers fly over her keyboard. “Download finished, installing linkage software, installation finished! I am now uploading the data to the custom Haro unit now!”
At that moment the door to the bridge opens as Marie walks in with Alice. “You called for us ma’am?”
“I did thanks for coming.” Sumeragi gets out of her seat walking over to Alice. “I apologize for not meeting you in person sooner Alice; we’ve been a bit busy. I’m Sumeragi Lee Noriega the tactical forecaster and I by default the captain of the Ptolemaios.”
“Oh I understand Captain, its fine, really” The girl smiles timidly.
“Just Sumeragi will do, technically I don’t have the rank, and it is more of a position formality.” Sumeragi says as she waves a hand in casual dismissal. “I know you’ve met Lockon, Marie, Allelujah and one of our Haro’s, so allow me to introduce you to the rest of our crew.” She then gestures to Feldt. “This is our main and very multi-talented CIC and CIS officer Feldt Grace.”
“Hello there.”
“Milenia Vashti, ship systems, computers, and several other special talents,” Sumeragi continues as she gestures to the brunette working on a Haro with its top half open.
“Hiya!!”
“Lasse Aeon, our helmsman, gunner and back up mobile suit and armor pilot.”
Lasse gives a one-handed wave. “Yo.”
“This’s Setsuna F. Seiei, Meister for GN001 Gundam Exia.”
“Hello.” Setsuna says in his usual tone of voice.
“Um, hello everyone thank you for your hospitality and saving my life.”
Lockon walks over to give Alice a reassuring pat on her shoulder. “Nothing to it kiddo, how’re you holding up?”
“I’m alright, um I hate to ask but did you ever…check and see if my siblings turned up anywhere?”
Lockon’s smile semi-fades, “Yeah we did I had Feldt run a check for any refugees from your town that might have turned up, but so far nobody from your town has popped up that isn’t on a body bag list.”
“There’s a good chance given the Britannian’s carried out the attack any survivors would be too intimidated to go to a Britannian run authority for aide so there’s a chance they maybe with the Japanese pocket refugee shelters that are still active.” Allelujah says trying to sound hopeful.
Alice’s posture slumps but she manages to not totally get down in the dumps. “I see…”
The bridge door slides open again as an older man with dark hair and glasses walks in. “The Gundams tune-ups are finished and the Ptolemaio’s engines and stealth systems are purring like kittens.”
“Excellent Ian, have you been introduced to Alice yet?”
‘Actually we have, Marie-san and I ran into him in the hallways, thank you for the added tour info Mr. Vashti.” Alice says with a smile on her face.
“Anytime!” He says before turning to Mileina. “Is the link ready yet?”
“Offering one of her usual perky smiles Milenia slaps the Haro’s top back on. “It’s all finished now!” She sets the purple colored Haro with a strange red eye design that looked like glasses on the floor. It’s optics light up and a panel on top of its head opens and light particles filter out creating a hologram of a young man with purple shoulder length hair, red eyes, glasses and wearing a purple colored uniform variant.
”Excellent, the holo-system link is working perfectly. There is no time delays or flux in the system, my compliments to Milenia and Feldt’s efforts.”
“KYAAAAAAAA!” Alice shrieks as she jumps up into Lockon’s arms. “A GHOST!!”
The holo-form of Tiera Erde shakes his head. You must be Alice, our new passenger I’ve heard about. Welcome aboard the Ptolemaios, I just hope you aren’t as troublesome as our last civilian passenger.”
“Hey Saji turned out to be okay.” Ian says in defense of their absent friend.
Tiera deadpans (more so than usual). ”Ian, I was trying to make a joke.”
“Oops.” The engineer chuckles sheepishly.
Lockon smiles at the young girl’s jumpiness. ‘She reminds me of Amy who’d jump at every ghost story Neil would tell.’ He thinks before saying out loud, “Tiera isn’t a ghost, this is actually a holographic interface we have of him so we can talk since he’s not onboard.”
“You sure?”
Tiera adopts an amusing smile. ”Actually calling me a ghost isn’t too far-fetched given my status of living since my physical body isn’t among the living.”
“WAAAAAAAAAAH! HE IS A GHOST!!”
“Tiera if I could I would punch you…Alice I need to breathe!” Lockon gasps as Alice’s arms tightened around his neck while most everyone else in the room has a chuckle at his expense.
”Now then, all fun and games aside; I want to more about this plan for an intervention.” Tiera says his tone grave and losing any jovial undertones.
Setsuna steps forward. “I was the one who suggested and insisted on an intervention, I submitted to you the outline and my reasons for the intervention.”
”Which I received and looked over, as well as Sumeragi-san’s proposal for a mission plan. I must admit I am, hesitant of us interfering given we’re more or less aliens and we could upset whatever balance this world has by exposing even just a single Gundam to this volatile situation.” Tiera says with his arms crossed.
“Did you submit Setsuna’s proposal and my plan to Veda?” Sumeragi inquires.
”Despite the fact I trust your plans without Veda’s consent I did for a second opinion<” Tiera admits.
“… And?”
Tiera replies, ”Veda did not have a concrete answer which is baffling. I guess when you add the equation that this is not our world, a new history, global structure and new data to assimilate and absorb; Veda couldn’t come up with a yes or no verdict. However Veda did allow that, given the nature of what is being committed by Britannia… There are grounds for an armed intervention given the Empire of Britannia promotes war and these unjust executions will merely serve as the fuel for more war.”
“In sort for once, Veda gave a vague it’s “ok”?” Allelujah inquires.
”In layman’s terms, yes Veda gave a gray-area okay for an operation,” Tiera nods. ”As for my personal opinion on this… Setsuna?” He asks looking at the Meister.
“Yes Tiera?”
”Stick to Sumeragi-san’s suggestions for how to intervene, but also be sure to show these Britannian’s how a Gundam Meister deals with those who commit the grave crimes they’re guilty of.”
“Understood, I’ll prep Exia to head out early before the execution deadline.” Setsuna nods and then walks out of the bridge.
“Hallelujah… things are going to get crazy here.” Allelujah sighs.
Having calmed down some during this, Alice looks at Lockon. “You guys, are going to stop the execution of the Black Knights?”
The sniper winks at her. “Yep, we’re going to rescue those guys and give the Empire a taste of their own dogma.” He then softens and asks with concern. “I gotta ask though, are you fine with us doing that given your family are Britannian?”
“Former.” Alice reminds, “Cast out and disgraced for petty reasons because of dissatisfied nobles, no I have no problems, in fact I hope it hurts.” The girl says with determination.
“All right everyone, get to your posts we have to make sure we’re ready to provide support, we have an intervention to pull off.”
“Yes ma’am!”
The next day: Near the Grounds of the Execution site.
Climbing inside his Burai, Lelouch strips off the Britannian helmet he was wearing and proceeds to undress out of uniform so he can put his Zero costume on. “All tasks are set; soon it will be time to set the trap. If all goes well I’ll not only save Ohgi and the rest, but I’ll have Rolo in my pocket, and last but not least the miracle to reaffirm Zero’s ability and quash all doubt.”
He turns on the monitor and checks the local TV channel, particularly the one focusing on the consulate building. He could see the Guren and the Burai’s outside waiting to strike at the given moment. “I hate to cut it so close with Kallen and the rest undoubtedly worrying their heads off for our comrades but the timing is everything.”
Soon he was redressed as Zero, sans his helmet which he kept on his lap as to not obstruct his driving of the Burai. He checks his watch, “Almost time I better get into position.”
Execution Grounds
Inside his Gloucester Guilford taps his fingers on the control sticks of his Knightmare, with only ten minutes until the deadline finished and he’d have to keep his word to execute the prisoners. As crude and undignified as it was, it was his duty to do away with terrorists, and the Black Knights had certainly cost him and many other Britannian’s plenty.
Hearing a beep of an incoming com-call he hits the button. “Yes?”
”Lord Guilford, it seems Zero isn’t coming. Perhaps we should go ahead and get on with it least the Black Knights in the consulate try something?”
“No, we’ll keep waiting Bart. Zero has a penchant for dramatic flair so we’ll wait until the deadline to carry on the execution. No more, no less.”
”Yes my lord!”
As the com line goes silent Guildford allows a smile. “Dalton old friend your sons are good Knights, you’d be proud of them. Then again you were never any less of them in life and no doubt even in the hereafter. While executing these rebels will reduce the number of dissidents, I pray Zero arrives still so that not only can I bring him to justice for Lady Cornelia, but also avenge your death.”
Suddenly his display fizzles for a moment and his ear piece blares with static making him wince in irritation. “W-what the hell? Damn what’s with the communications link?”
”Fzzt- L-Lord Guil-ffzt-ford! The sky!”
“What?” He angles his camera skyward. “Wait a second that light, what is it?” He leans forward as if disbelieving what he was seeing. “Wait a moment that silhouette is it a Knightmare… no it’s… my God it’s huge!”
Over the skies a green streak of light is visible to the naked eye, and soon a large object begins to fly at the execution grounds at incredible speeds. As it approached, its humanoid appearance became more noticeable, and soon its size.
Inside Exia’s cockpit Setsuna focuses on the site. “This is Exia, target in sight, beginning intervention.”
The Gundam swoops down, slowing its acceleration as it finally, smoothly slows to a halt right before the trucks carrying the prisoners, standing before Guilford’s forces.
“W-what is that?!” Tamaki exclaims his eyes threatening to burst from his skull.
“It’s huge, is that a new type of Knightmare?” Ohgi murmurs.
“I don’t see any markings, no telling who it belongs too, but it’s obviously not Britannian given the reactions from their forces.” Todoh says analytically as he studies the body language of the soldiers and Knightmares. Too much surprise, even fright, this thing was NOT part of their forces.
“M-maybe its Zero and he’s come to save us!”
Nagisa looks over at Tamaki. “Somehow I doubt it, besides the fact that thing is too damned big to build in secret and hide from Britannian eyes, its lacking Zero’s trademark colors.”
“Whatever it is, it has our oh-so gracious hosts spooked.” Asahina says with the first genuine smile on his lips in ages. On the grounds of the consulate building inside the Guren Kallen stares wide-eyed at her camera monitors. “What the…hell is that? Is this part of Zero’s plan?”
Standing near the hole in the wall of the consulate C.C. brings a pair of binoculars to her eyes. “That light, and that design… why do I feel I’ve seen it somewhere before?” She murmurs vaguely.
”L-Lord Guilford what is that thing?”
“That’s not part of our forces is it?”
“No way they would have told us if it was!”
“It’s Zero it’s gotta be one of his tricks!”
“Men stand down and clam down dammit!” Guildford orders as the com-lines were finally clearing up enough to talk as that… thing seemed to cease generating that light that was screwing with the radio. Guilford activates his loud speakers to address the machine.
”Attention unidentified machine! If you are friendly open a communications channel now, or signal off an IFF! I repeat if you are friendly, then give us a sign! Otherwise I demand you disarm any weapons you have and come out of your cockpit!”
Exia’s head lifts its blue optics flash once. ”I am freeing these prisoners, I suggest it is you and your forces that disarm and back away. If you don’t interfere then you will have nothing to fear.”
Guilford blinks for a second as if the pilot of that machine had spoken in inane gibberish. ”Us? Disarm? Listen you, I am Gilbert G.P. Guilford, Knight of his majesty Cornelia! These terrorists are enemies of the Britannian Empire and are under our custody! To have the audacity to demand from us-“
“On the contrary it is your Empire that is the audacious ones. You preach of the strong have the right to oppress those who cannot fight back, you conquer foreign lands and take away its people’s rights and dignity and believe you can get away with it and have the nerve to call yourselves the just? Soldiers of Britannia, if you do not do as I say; with this Gundam I will demonstrate what it’s like to be in the shoes of those you oppress!”
“Gun-dam is that the name of his unit?” Guilford murmurs in wonder for a moment before switching his radio on. “All Knights, take that thing out! It may have a size advantage but it can’t be very maneuverable and fast!”
”YES MY LORD!!
Seeing the Knightmares begin to raise their weapons Setsuna utters to himself. “So you choose to fight, then so be it.”
With that Exia’s GN drive begins to emit its particles at full burst again, and then swiftly hover-zips to the left, turning in mid-air as it rounds the squad of Knightmares behind the prisoner trucks facing the consulate. In seconds its GN sword-kai flips into place as Exia makes a sweep, swinging the blade, the entire line of Knightmares are cut down the middle each one cut entirely in two halves before their remains hit the ground.
“WHOA!”
“He took out an entire line of Knightmares in two seconds..!” Todoh gaps in awe.
Exia was not done, swerving in mid-air Exia makes a beeline for the mobile command crawler and with acrobatics to make professionals at a circus jealous, slices the command mobile down the line in mid-air twist in one go.
”T-the command mobile!”
“S-son of a bitch took it down with that sword along with the 2nd squad!”
“Sniper units take it out! Take it out!”
“No you idiots hold your fire!” Guilford shouts.
Exia flies back in front of the prisoner trucks in a defensive position. Spotting the Knightmares on the roof tops attempting to snipe him, Setsuna retracts the GN blade to rifle mode, aims and fires three shots, taking out three of the snipers that took aim.
“Holy shit! That thing has lasers!” Tamaki shouts torn between terror and glee.
“That thing has beam weapons on top of unheard of speed and size?” Guilford mutters to himself, wondering when he entered this nightmare.
Inside Exia Setsuna lightly curses, he didn’t want to expose the rifle abilities of the GN sword, but he couldn’t risk a stray sniper shot hitting the prisoners. ”I told you, I am freeing these people, and nothing will stop this Gundam!”
”An impressive display! However the show isn’t over yet!”
Guilford turns his Gloucester to the source of the loudspeaker. “Finally you show yourself! Zero!”
“Haha I told’ja he’d come it’s Zero!”
“He really, came after all…” Ohgi murmurs.
“After the big robot kicked the Britannian’s asses,” Nagisa grumbles.
Standing atop his Burai as it automatically wheels close to the police line cornering off the area, Lelouch mentally ponders. ‘Impressive indeed, I don’t know who is inside that Gundam thing, however I can make use of its presence as extra insurance.” He then spots the Vincent now amongst Guilford’s squad. ‘Ah so you came Rolo, as expected, now all the pieces are in place along with a wildcard. Now to perform as Zero always does, a miracle!’
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(Posted Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:13)
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