Code Geass: Hearts of Ice Final Chapter Part 1

Within the private room generously given by Brigadier Winston, CC and Lelouch prepare for a big scene. CC has the camera ready as Lelouch dons his Zero outfit. 

On the television, Nunnally speaks. "Everyone, I am Nunally vi Britannia, Empress of the Holy Britannian Empire. For a long time now, we have been at war with the RSIA. However, the time is coming near for this needless bloodshed to end. I wish for you all to hear something vital about the war with the RSIA. To that end, an old friend has returned. An ally of justice who helped fight for the weak many times before." With that, she gives the signal, and the screen changes to static, then the Black Knight symbol, and finally... Zero. 

"Thank you for that introduction, Your Highness, your words are too kind. Attention, free people of the world, I am Zero! Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. So long as injustice exists in this world, so long as the strong force their will on the weak, so long as tyrants who abuse their power continue to draw breath, I shall never die! I am here to share the truth of this war with you. Through my efforts, I have uncovered the truth. Pol is NOT seeking revenge for his father's death! He is seeking only to expand Russia's power, HIS OWN POWER, at the expense of countless innocent lives. Behold!" 

The screen turns to static, then footage from inside Russia plays. It shows people working in factories, dirty and poor, mistreated and underfed. This footage was retrieved from an RSIA soldier that Lelouch geass'd to send him once he made it home. "Should all other options be exhausted, a war should benefit the people it is fighting for. THIS?! This is nothing but a once proud people breaking under the weight of their king's undeserved rule! They work constantly in factories, to provide Pol with his machines of war, and for what? For his own personal gain, for his own glory and power! DISGRACEFUL!" he says, gesturing with his cape. "Pol seeks no justice, simply using the word to disguise his own ambition. People of the world, I ask you to give your support to Britannia and Japan! United, we shall end this tyrant's rule, and allow a new dawn to rise upon the frozen north! Together, we shall deliver justice, not to Russia, but to the madman and his followers! Their Iron Will... will BREAK!" *End transmission.* 

CC turns off the camera. "Nicely done, Lelouch. I see you haven't lost your taste for the theatrical." she says with a grin. 

Zero took off his mask "Ah, it's nice to see back in the old suit..... tho how did we get this approve i will never know" The so called dead prince spoke after taking his mask off looking at the green haired geass witch holding the camera

"I'm sure Nunnally and Schneizel will handle the diplomatic side of it. A few days and we will be enjoying plenty of support, more than enough to overrun the RSIA." she said, putting the camera aside. She walked in her beautiful white-gold outfit with usual heeled boots. "Now, I believe a meeting with the others is in order, making sure everything will be ready for the big day. You have some strategies to come up with to keep you busy, I assume?"

"Yes, i go back to where the Britannian solider drop off is and i'll be back soon, i will find things to do C.C...... hopfully we can take down the Imperial Russians and Pol" Lelouch said with an tone and determination to end the bloodbath on ice

CC exits and heads towards Suzaku's tent, eager to discuss things.

"Oh CC, what brings you here?" Suzaku noticed CC enter the room

"Just... killing time. How did you like the broadcast Lelouch, Nunnally and I put together?"

"I..... noticed, so Nunnally knows the Zero Require now?" Suzaku said, meanwhile Alex stopped by, he just got out of the showers and heard Suzaku and CC's discussion

"Nunnally apparently knew from the moment Lelouch died. When it became apparent that this crisis was getting worse, he used his geass on one of her advisors to get into contact with her and explained the whole thing." CC smiled. "She took less convincing than I thought. I suppose she just trusts her brother that much."

Alex listened with interest "Ah so Nunnally knew Lelouch isn't dead...... is she okay with it?"

"She was initially mad that he never let her in on it beforehand, but you know her, she's too sweet to stay mad at her brother." CC said with a chuckle.

"Yeah that's Nunnally for you, so when will Lelouch be coming back, when the retiring soldiers leave for new ones?" Suzaku asked CC

"Precisely. His sparkling intellect with be a great boon to the invasion, but he will be staying as a soldier named Louis Lehmann. Should we need to use the suit, I will use it so Lelouch can stay incognito."

"Ah okay" Suzaku said, Alex walked away, hearing enough for him to be convinced of what's going on

Kallen walked by as well. "Hey Alex. Nice to see you walking around again."

"Yea..... Kallen, can i have an word with you in private?" Alex thought of sharing his eavesdropping, knowing Kallen just finished her patroling duties

"Uhh... sure, why not?" Kallen led him into her tent, assuming he wanted to discuss Zero's transmission and what it meant. "So, what's on your mind?"

"Kallen..... you were there on that day when you know who died?" Alex said with his back turned to Kallen standing up

Visible question marks pop up over her head. "Gonna have to be a BIT more specific there, man. The day who died?"

"Lelouch....." Alex said the dreaded name

"Now i don't know how you gonna react but...... have you ever heard of the Zero Requiem?" Alex added asking if she knew about it

Kallen still looked confused. "No... Alex, what's this all about? You're acting like you've seen a ghost."

"Kallen..... their something Suzaku, CC and Nunnally have been keeping secret from us..... you know when Suzaku put that blade though Lelouch and "killed" him..... Kallen..... somehow, someway...... Lelouch Lamperouge isn't dead..... i don't know how but they mentioned Zero Requiem..... i don't know what..... i'm not losing it, i swear down" Alex said, getting stressed not knowing what he had eavesdropped on

Kallen's eyes widened. "W-what? No... Lelouch is dead!" she shouted, not beliving her ears. "But, then again... CC.. the power of geass..."

"Hm....."Alex said as he looked at Kallen mentioning geass

Kallen thought seriously for a moment, her booted feet tapping against the floor. "Alright Alex. You've proven your loyalty time and again. I think you deserve to know the truth about Lelouch, CC, the mask of Zero." She proceeds to share everything she knows. While the knowledge of geass she has is second-hand, she is able to share the gist of it, including the immortality CC has.

"So wait..... Lelouch led the Black Knight which is where you were from then was playing mind games between you and Suzaku?" Alex said after 10 mins of explanation

"Not quite mind games. He gave me the greatest hope I ever had for a brighter future. To be able to help my mom and avenge my brother....... As for Suzaku... well, I guess you could say they were playing a mind game of chess with each other, though Lelouch was usually one step ahead. But when they worked together, they could accomplish anything." 

"Huh..... i see" Alex now wasn't convinced the stuff he overheard earlier was true, Lelouch was better of been dead for all the events he had done in the past, from meeting the first time with C.C., the Black Knights, the sudden reveal that he was vi Britannia to the Mad King of Terror to his bloody death at the hands of Zero

"So... yeah, just felt like you deserved to know, being out here, risking you life and all. This has to stay hush-hush. If news that Zero was a Britannian emperor got out, the reputation of Zero as a bringer of justice would be ruined. The work may still have need of Zero after this war, who knows? So, promise to keep it a secret? Kallen asks with a smile, extending a hand.

Alex looked at her hand and shaked it "Yea..... i will, scouts honor" He said as he left Kallen's area to go back to the mess hall, he seemed to be in thought about what Kallen just told him the last 10-15 mins, he had to keep his promise......

The Britannian deployment camp, Munich, Germany

"Come on folks, keep an orderly line and we'll have you all suited up by tomorrow!" Sargent Micheal stood at registration desk. A flood of volunteers had taken up the call since Zero's announcement several days ago and he was responsible for directing each of them to their new position. "Alright, whose next?" He says, looking up to see a young man approaching the desk. "Name and occupation?"

"Louis Lehmann, unemployed but previous military trained" The male said, he seemed familiar but the Sargent couldn't put an finger on it

He wrote down something. "Alright, good. Infantry, scout, flight, tank, or knightmare?"

"Knightmare" The male said, his tone sounded familiar

"Excellent, we need folks with knightmare experience. Now, I just need for you to sign and... actually, you're voice sounds pretty familiar. You served in the Britannian army before?" 

"Oh no i haven't....." He said, his hair looked familiar too as he signed his name on the paper

Michael squinted at the recruit. "Wait... move your hair and let me see your face!"

Bad mistake, instantly, the person eye glowed purple, it was Geass, Michael was under the mysterious male's spell

Michael's eyes glowed briefly as Lelouch gave his command before saying. "Ah, my mistake. Must have been my imagination." The sargent filled out the rest of the paperwork. "Welcome, Mr. Lehmann, you'll receive your knightmare and further orders tomorrow morning. Please go to the armory to receive your standard equipment."

"Thank you" Lelouch or rather Louis walked away, it was the same base as the other 4 (Suzaku, Kallen, C.C. and Alex) were base at, he was given the standard military clothing, protection, helmet, gun and boots but in his backpack, he had the mask of justice, Zero as well as his suit

As he walks through the base, he hears a familiar voice in a nearby tent. "Stupid mess hall... nothing with any cheese, let alone anything resembling pizza." CC pouted in her tent as she slurped some soup.

Louis sat on his own, finding an quiet spot to watch C.C. predicament as Alex showed up beside her "Ah, cheer up, we have some soon...... let's hope unless the Cargo plane is delayed again to restock supplies"  Alex said trying to comfort C.C. while also mumbling about the issue with the arctic conditions  

CC smiled, if only a little bit. "Yeah, I know. I still can't believe you were able to pull strings and get us pizza. You never cease to amaze, Alex." She said calmly.

Then alerts went off "Welp guess we not pulling strings red alert, everyone to battle stations!" Alex yelled as he and C.C. ran out of the mess hall first, not noticing Louis for one moment

All soldiers and personnel turned on their comms to hear Brigadier Winston's explanation for the red alert.

An squad of RSIA soldiers found the base and must now protect it, the Angels were on stand by if things get ugly, Alex, Kallen and Suzaku ran back to their changing areas and got into their suits

The RSIA platoon advanced on their position, their artillery arching in the sky down towards the Britannian forces. A dull-orange knightmare also approached, with oddly-shaped energy wings. As the knightmare batted their wings together, it sent a shockwave, blasting apart several of the Britannian tanks sent to slow them down. "Nothing more than dust in the wind..." A middle-aged woman with long grey hair reaching down to her back somberly observed. "The Panta-Rhei's shock-wings work as intended, sir." "Excellent, use it to wipe them out, Lady Michah. And if you're going to die, kill at LEAST one of those pesky custom knightmares they have." A cackling, meanacing voice said from the other side. "Thank you for the vote of confidence, Lord-Engineer Telonicus. If you're machine holds up to my skills, we should have nothing to fear. Michah out." She said as her forces continued advancing upon the Britannina forces.

Meanwhile the three heroes rush to their machine, but, something catches Kallen's eyes, an soldier (Lelouch aka Louis) run pass the trio but Kallen felt like he knew him from somewhere, soon enough, they got into their Knightmares "Astra Online!" Alex said "L.Eclipse Online!" Suzaku said, they waited for Kallen to say her mecha was online but she was silent "Kallen, is something wrong, Kallen?" Suzaku asked Kallen

"I thought I just saw... him... ugh, never mind, we've got a battle to win. G.Rayearth, online!" Kallen said, reminded about what Alex shared with her earlier and determined to find out just what was going on after the battle was over. "Launch!"

The three were under way with an squad of Sutherlands, an armored tank with an rail gun and few foot soldiers on the snow, Kallen went one way, Suzaku was taking sky duties were Alex went for the dull orange Knightmare "Just bring it bitch!" Alex having an some heat of war words as he locked horns with Lady Michah "So which one is it this time, i'm not surprised if it's another lady" He said, he seemed very confident and focused

A somber, yet confident mature voice greets him. "You'd be right! I am Lady Michah of his majesty Lord Pol's royal court and... oh, you know the drill." She said dismissively as her wings twist around and bat away the Astra, knocking it down into the snow. "Come on, let's get this over with. If I kill you now, I can make it home for dinner." The Panta-rhei readies to send a shockwave towards Alex.

But suddenly Alex disappeared and reappeared behind her, just by pure magic "Ha, you don't know me Lady.... you don't know me at all" Alex launch some missiles from the shoulders of Astra

Her knightmare stumbled from the impact of the missiles, damaged somewhat. "Agh! Nice shot. That knightmare of ours may have good horsepower to have that kind of speed, but how is your maneuverability?" She goes full-throttle, ALSO appearing behind the Astra like magic before slashing it's midsection with her right wing blade. 

"Ah damn it!" Alex said as he battled on, meanwhile Suzaku and Kallen took on some standard RSIA Knightmares, some look like they been rebuilt from old mechs, Kallen was still distracted and hit an dip in the battle zone from an missile once landed and made an trench, knocking her senses back "What the...... uh okay Russian scums, come and get it!" Kallen seemed to be back to normal

"Ugh, so much work." Michah wings seemed to lunge out to attempt to slice the Astra in two.

Alerts started going off in Astra's cockpit "Guys! an little help!" Alex said on his radio unable to break from the crushing winglets on Astra, despite trying to put on full power to everything

Kallen cursed as she used her G.Rayearth's battle axe to cleave through a line of enemy knightmares. "Damnit! Suzaku, I've got things covered here. Help Alex!" 

"Understood, on my way!" The L.Eclipse rushed to Alex's aid, the green shield and lance shining with energy.
Michah's Pantra Rhei suceeded in cutting off one of the Astra's legs before putting her wing up to guard against the incoming knightmare. "Great... more of them." She said, rolling her eyes.

"Damnit, i'm down for now Suzaku, use my weapon!" Alex said as his Astra was unstable on one leg

As Suzaku's lance deflected off Michah's powerful wings, he maneuvered around to grab the Astra's bow. "Won't do you much good, Mr. Knight." Michah taunted while Suzaku tried to figure how to use the bow. "Uhh, lets see, like this?" He succeeded in shooting an arrow, exploding against the enemy's wing shield and making her knightmare stagger. "Arrk, what a troublesome little team of kids..."

"Yeah that's...... wait who the hell....." Alex noticed an rogue Sutherland with an lightsaber coming from the sky and strikes Michah's Knightmare, that Sutherland was the mysterious soldier Kallen was pondering about, the two knew that Sutherlands were not capable to hold them swords, nevermind to about to hold one

The Sutherland succeeded in fracturing the wing already weakened by Suzaku's arrow. "Ugh... well, looks like my chances of surviving this battle are lower than I thought if their normal troops are this well trained... oh well, 'blaze of glory' and all." She swing her remain wing and batted Suzaku aside to the ground, making him drop his bow. She then attacked the Sutherland.

But then the Sutherland threw sticky bombs onto the surrounding ice that blocked off her path "You will fall to the devil himself!" The voice boomed as he returned to the mass fighting going on as Alex and Suzaku shoots misslies which hits her and sends her into the icy waters

Her wings destroyed by the volley, she only barely managed to pull herself out onto the ice, her knightmare's systems (quite literally) freezing up. "Well, looks like we lost this one. Don't suppose you're the kind to give mercy, hu?"

Alex was out of his Astra and was on the slippery ice, gun drawn "One false move and you get an bullet thought your head" He said, giving an hand

"Sure, sure. I'll give you info on the capital city's defenses or whatever once we're in a warm room." The majority of the soldiers in her platoon refused to surrender and went down fighting, a challenge Kallen eagerly answered and cut them all down. 

"Kururugi, bring the lady out of the water" Alex said as he gave one hand as Suzaku walked over to the lady in the frozen water, with the offer that can't be refused

She accepted, though was quick to faint due to the frigid water and winds

"Quick! radio Base Sina, they have the best medical care, she needs to get there quickly!" Alex said to Suzaku

Suzaku did so quickly. The three were able to fly there quickly in their knightmares, now the attention was on the rogue Sutherland.

As the battle drew to a close and the oddly apathetic enemy commander was taken away, the three pilots moved towards the heroic Sutherland pilot with suspicion. Kallen said "Thanks for helping out Alex and Suzaku, but how the hell did a simple soldier manage to requisition an energy sword from the armory so easily?

"We don't know..... Sutherlands are not capable to hold such energy in his mechanized hydraulic grip..... this is way damn too suspicious" Suzaku said, looking at Alex with an puzzled look

Suzaku approaches him. "You, soldier. Please identify yourself and allow us to see you. We must congratulate you on your brave actions in battle today."

The soldier didn't listen as he seemed to try and stay away from the trio

Kallen moved her Gurren into position in-front of the Sutherland. "Hey, your commander just gave you a direct order!" 

"I don't take orders from anyone!" The voice said, sounding eerily similar to Kallen 

Kallen froze up. "Uhh... yeah..." she said, letting him pass. While she didn't say anything further to him, her suspicions from earlier seemed founded. "Suzaku, did you hear that guy's voice?"

"Yeah?" Suzaku said with an slight pause before saying it

"Thought so." Kallen pulled up the soldier dossies on her knightmare's screen. As the three were commanders, they had access to detailed information on each of their troops if requested. "Let me see who's piloting that one... Sutherland B-253... Hmm, according to this his name is 'Louis Lehmann.' No background provided, no recorded military service, no-" Kallen slapped her forehead when she realized how similar Louis' name was to Lelouch. "ARGH, how did I not see that before?! Suzaku, I think it's Lelouch!" 

"But..... i thought he was dead" Alex played along despite knowing the basic facts and telling Kallen about it too

"Don't worry about it, Alex." Kallen said, also playing along. "Suzaku, what do you think? Should we confront that pilot back at base?"

"Let's not..... less something else occurs then we will confront Louis, Alex and Kalllen i want you to go to Sina, since you fought with Michah, Alex, i want you on watch, and i'm not letting you go along, understood you two?" Suzaku said

Alex was surprised, but went along with it. "Very well." Kallen had a similar reaction. "Sure... maybe I'll be able to get something out of her." Kallen might have been suspicious of Suzaku's denial of confronting Louis, but she trusted him whole-heartedly. 

But however, Astra was needing repairs after getting parts taken off, it was only an minor repair but it mean it be unavailable for an short while "Kallen, you got room for one more?" Alex asked, walking up to Kallen in her Gurren

"Alright, sure." She lowered down and allowed Alex to get in. The interior was similar to Kallen's previous Gurren, as it was more of a motorcycle-seat looking rather than pilot-seat. Kallen closed the bay and they made their way towards Sina as a repair crew carefully took the Astra away for repairs. 

It was very awkward with the two who were playing along with Suzaku and his refusal to pursuit with Louis, however it was awhile till they get to Sina, which a Medical Helijet had picked up Michah just off sight of the battlezone and was ahead by 10 minutes "Um....." Alex tried to say something, as it was kinda awkward after all it was Kallen who he told what he heard

Kallen adjusted herself, giving Alex more room. "So... yeah. This has been one bizarre day..." she said as she saw the sun starting to set. 

"Yea...... indeed, seems like we won't be able to get back homebase till tomorrow morning..... listen i'm sorry about what i said the other time about..... you know" As he feel like it was his fail that this gave her the idea Louis is Lelouch

"It's fine. I guess... maybe, in my heart, I was never able to let go of Lelouch. The guy had such charisma, such presence, it was hard to let go of him when he died. Almost like a big gap had been left..." Kallen paused for a moment. "I guess if you put a gun to my head, I DO want Lelouch to be alive." 

"He must be if he was an massive influence to you and Suzaku, Suzaku seemed to be more close to Lelouch... they must been thought an lot... like an duo that could of stood the test of time and wars" Alex said, noticing the light fading more

"Yeah, no kidding..." She smiled a bit. "Hey Alex, what do you think about Suzaku?"

"Suzaku.... an leader, loyal, trustworthy, ambitious, determinated..... many things" Alex said to Kallen

"He used to be a lot of things to me in the past. The first and foremost was 'pain in the ass.'" Kallen said chuckling. "He was my biggest rival during the Black Rebellion. His Lancelot and my Gurren went at each other more times than I could count. It was only afterward that I actually got to start knowing him and see all those good qualities. He's fun to be around once you're not in his knightmare's sights, yeah?" she said smiling. 

"I..... see your point" As they talked some more, it seemed to got dark as Gurren arrived at Sina area within the darkness curfew

They got out of the G.Rayearth and some engineers set about sharpening it's battle axe, recharging the energy filler, and checking it's systems. "Phew, sorry for the cramped ride, Alex."

"It's okay" Alex smiled

The two walked through the camp to report and find their place to sleep.

They found out they were staying in the same place to sleep as most of the rooms were taken already, Alex however had nothing to get into besides his fireproof underwear (incase of an fire) as he didn't expect to be so far from home

Kallen brought a change of casual clothes in the G.Rayearth's storage, so it was more simple for her. However, she forgot to bring spare shoes and couldn't wear her flight suit's high heeled boots to bed, so she went barefoot.

Kallen glanced over at Alex and giggled cutely. "Heh, looks like someone didn't come prepared." 

"Oh come on, i didn't think it would of gone that long" Alex was embarrassed, playing with the zip on his suit, showing an black fireproof underwear, despite the less chance of an fire, Britannia can not take the risk incase, safety was always first

"Heh..." She looked wistfully at the cieling as she laid back on her bed. "Think the final battle will be soon? This war has gone on for so long already..." 

"We will see.....i bet it be either us or Pol makes the final move" Alex said

"Yeah, I guess..." Kallen laid back in bed, ready to sleep after a big battle.

"Kallen.... do you think what you said earlier and the fact Suzaku was very protective about us pursuing that Louis...... Lelouch...... that guy?" Alex said, looking at the snow blowing outside

"I trust Suzaku, but not blindly. I'll get to the bottom of this." 

The two remained quiet for the night and went to sleep

Kallen had a violent dream of her being a giant and crushing Pol's forces beneath her, The morning came with a cloudy dawn. Kallen yawned awake. "Aaahhhh... good morning, Alex!"

"Morning, coffee?" As he had an coffee machine in the room brewing up some coffee as the morning was always cold

"Ehh... sure." Kallen had her coffee with a lot of sugar. "Mmm, good stuff!"

"Seems like our little friend from yesterday has got out of her cold trauma shock, but she is resting at the moment, we get our chance soon, also, the base provided with some alternative clothes" As Alex was wearing more comfortable clothes and his pilot suit was hanging beside the bed

"You're definitely looking better." Kallen said, liking his new clothes. Kallen stick with the tight jeans and heavy jacket she brought with her. 

Alex smiled as he looked at his phone, amazingly despite in the middle of nowhere, Alex was still getting signal

Kallen decided to check on the hanger bay to see if the work crews had brought the Astra in yet.

Meanwhile.....

Suzaku walked through the base to the quarters of Louis Lehmann, wanting to see if Kallen's suspicions were true., Louis was in the quarters but had his back turned, out of eye shot of Suzaku, C.C. was talking to Louis (or Lelouch was the case be)

CC spoke discretely. "So, it appears you've become quite popular around the base." She said with a coy smile.

Suzaku pretendy cough as he entered "Welp that wasn't according to plan Lelouch, Kallen and Alex know it's you" Suzaku said as he walked in

"Of course. They aren't stupid. They just needed my help to bail them out of a bit sooner than I expected. Pol's knightmares are getting stronger. We'll need to move the time of the final attack on the capital up." Lelouch said

"Well we know that, but i guess their one option left" Suzaku looked at the Zero mask hanging out of plain sight

"To have Zero join the assault?" C.C. said, looking at it too

Lelouch looked at the two "I guess so.... only problem is, i only got an standard Sutherland to pilot....." Lelouch found the flaw to the issue that make him of not much use, considering what transpired the other day

"Indeed, if Zero is to inspire hope among his allies and demoralize his enemies, he should have a custom knightmare." CC said as she pulled up a laptop with a surprise. "It's Rolo's old Vincent prototype. I pulled some strings to have it delivered here. Its speed and firepower should prove... adequate for the purpose." She said smiling. "What do you say, boys?"

"Excellent C.C., where is the Vincent?" Suzaku said, knowing he can sure get the circuits ready for Lelouch in time for the next fight

CC gave him the coordinates to pick up the mech.

Lelouch takes from the laptop from CC and looks over the Vincent's specs to remind himself as it had been salvaged after the fall of the Geass Order. 

"Alright, this will prove to be flashy enough to inspire the troops. However, it is still behind the current generation of knightmares. Suzaku, we will still be relying on you, Kallen, and Darlin to do most of the fighting. I will join you on the front lines, but know that you have far more firepower than I will." Lelouch advised, knowing the final battle might happen any day now. 

CC interjects. "As soon as the Astra is fully repaired, we will be ready for our next move. We have to make a decision now: Wait and counterattack Pol's next offensive, striking him when he is weakened, or strike now and have the element of surprise. What are you two in favor of?" she asks the two. 

"I say element of surprise" Another voice said, it was Alex spoke with Kallen standing behind him leaning in, arms crossed

Lelouch looks over and doesn't seem surprised. "Hmm, yes, that's what happens when you don't lock the door... Suzaku." Suzaku looks down embarrassed while Lelouch walks towards the two newcomers. "Kallen, it's been a long time. Alex, right? It's an honor to meet you." He said pleasantly, extending his hand. 

Alex wasn't amused to shake his hand, not trusting the former "dead" prince "So you got yourself into here....." Alex said as he walked into the room and stood by CC

Lelouch said to Kallen, looking a bit shy. "Look... CC and I had no idea if the immortality was successfully passed on from my father to me at the time of his death. So even if I did come back after the Zero Requiem, we would tell few people as possible so the world could move on from Britannia's days of tyranny." He looked down for a moment. "Besides, I caused you enough grief back then, Kallen." He looks back up. "But, I hope we can still work together to save the world this time. Not as soldier and commander, but as equals on the battlefield. What do you say?" he asked hopefully. 

Kallen wasn't even sure, she looked at Lelouch, then at the others but her heart couldn't make her mind up and simply walked away from Lelouch and the others, it seems their was too much damage and water under the bridge, Alex looked on, knowing he should of done the same if it was father said that after been betrayal

Lelouch shakes his head dejectedly and sighs. "After everything that happened, I should have expected this..." CC walks over and puts a hand on his shoulder. The two exchange a look for a moment... nod, and turn back to Alex. "Right then. Alex, is there anything else you'd like to know about the current situation? I understand the whole thing about Geass must have been quite a bit to take in." Lelouch said, predicting that Alex would already have a basic knowledge of Geass and what happened from Kallen if they eavesdropped and walked in together.

"Actually i learnt about it thanks to CC....." Alex said, still unsure to trust him

Lelouch raised his eyebrow and looked over. CC simply winked and stuck her tongue out playfully. "Heh, I see. Well then, just know that everything I did during my time as emperor was to intentionally make everyone hate me. Thus, when I died, the world would be willing to band together for peace. And from the looks of it, it worked. So I understand you're hesitation to work with me, but know I only have the best interests of Britannia at heart... or rather, for it's empress, my little sister."

"I'm willing but don't you dare backstab me because i got the whole British government and my sister on speed dial, you understand Mr. Lelouch vi Britannia?" Alex looked him in the eyes

Lelouch nods. "You've got Kallen's fiery spirit, and are far more flexible than Suzaku. You're going to go far." he said with a confident smirk. "Know that one only betrays their side if it benefits them in the long run. I have no interest in turning against my country or my sister, and that extends to her armies and allies. Ergo, you have nothing to fear from me." 

Alex nods, now on the side of Lelouch "So Zero..... what is the plan?" Alex said

"Well, I suppose I can share the plan with you." Lelouch says as he lays out a map of the city. "I will leave advancing the armies to Suzaku, but once we arrive, this is our plan. Judging from our satellite imaging, Pol has placed 4 giant muli-las flak cannons in four corners of the city walls. They pack enough sheer firepower and ballistic energy shields that approaching them with our armies will be suicide. 

Hence, my plan is to geass our prisoner, Lady Miciah and act as if she has captured our knightmares. Once inside the city walls, we reactivate our knightmares and each of us rushes one of the cannons. With each of us inside the city walls, they cannot fire inward without destroying the city, allowing us to cut them down with impunity." Lelouch grins. "The sight of their great defenses crumbling will reduce morale as our army quickly advances in range and begins the invasion. Are you with me so far?" 

"Right...." Alex said, going with the plan

"Now comes the hard part. In addition to any other custom knightmares he has to offer, Pol also has something underneath the royal palace." He points to a large, gloomy estate. "Workers, vehicles, and raw materials are being transported underneath the city at an alarming rate, yet most of their knightmares and weapons are produced in the factories. What he's building down there, I have no idea. Thus, either 1 of 2 things happens when he advance on the city. Either he brings up a superweapon which we will have to improvise and adapt to, or we will have to head down there to discover what it is he has built and dismantle it." 

Lelouch stands at full height. "I will be sharing this plan with the others soon enough. Are you ready to drive Pol's forces before us and shatter his rule?" he said encouragingly. 

"With only 3 of us..... i don't know if we stand an chance" Alex said, pointed the fact Kallen wouldn't be so willing

"She'll come around. I have a feeling Suzaku will be able to help her over her personal feelings for the sake of the mission." CC Said

"Hm..... i suppose your right..... then again, CC could be of some help too.... but we need to find the perfect time so no one will notice we are gone" Alex said

"I think we better having 5 of us than 4..... the more of us inside, the more we can destroy the inside" Suzaku said

"Fair enough. CC, were you able to salvage that pink Lancelot we built during the Battle for the Damocles? If it's still in storage, we can bring it up along with the Vincent in only 2 days." CC nodded. "Good. Counting the rest of today, that will give our forces 3 days to mobilize before we begin the march towards the enemy capital." 

"We got an bit of an spanner to the works..... my Astra's panel repairs is gonna take an bit as they sent the panels to the wrong base and take some time to get it over, and then Cass to get it back to here" Alex added

Lelouch narrowed his gaze. "And how long do you expect that to take?"

"Same amount of time we got, literally as soon as Cass has to drop Astra off, it needs to rechange and an quick turnaround before going with Operation Trojan, that what we gonna call it, you see where i'm going with the name?" Alex said

Lelouch rolls his eyes. "You realize the point of naming military operations is to make it so if the enemy finds out the plan name, they won't know what's going on, right?" CC interjects while hugging a plushie. "Personally, I like it, it's so direct and simple that, even if the enemy did find out, they'd overthink for too long thinking it's a complex metaphor." Lelouch groans and says "Fine, Operation Trojan it is." 

"Good news, i'm able to get the Vincent and the Fake Lancelot to come on tonight's flight to here, so once they get here we have to get around to doing the setup, with no Lloyd, we on our own, so let's hope your guys technology knowhow will work" CC said, looking at the boys but then Kallen came back, looking very apologetic  

Lelouch walks towards her. "You're back... have you decided what you want to do?" He said, worried for Kallen's well-being more than the mission. 

".....Okay i'm in....." She said, joining the others, she seemed to put aside all the lies and wanted to be in the mission

"Perfect. That makes 4 of us, with CC backing me up as I won't have as strong a knightmare as the rest of you." He stands up. "With all of us united, there's nothing we cannot accomplish, no foe we cannot kill, and no metal that won't break before us. Together, we'll show Pol that it takes more than iron to win a war." He said inspiringly

"Right, now we wait for the time for Operation Trojan" Suzaku said, now fired up......

To Be Continued