Ok, got a plan written up. I've decided that going in through the front like in canon is probably the best path. Going in as Granfield risks possibly getting stuck there, if Clovis asks us to stay, so doing that probably won't work.
[X] Plan Use The Front Door
Preparations
1. Deattune your Stormwand (3 peripheral motes freed) - nonlethal is not likely be useful today, and the spare motes could be otherwise useful.
2. Use Loom-Snarling Deception in advance from your peripheral pool to change your form under your mask to appear as a heavily scarred individual whose race is not readily identifiable, but could be Japanese, Britannian, or of mixed blood. This will be useful in the unlikely events of being captured or otherwise being forced to unmask. In addition, use Eldritch Secrets Mastery to change the aspect of your Essence to match that of an Air Aspect Dragonblooded, so that if you have to use Essence visibly anyone checking will not likely think you to be anathema.
3. Call up your cult and have some of them go to Lake Kawaguchi and have them send their demons in to discreetly gather intelligence before your arrival, both in the Britannian camp and the hotel. The main items of interest are the location in which the hostages are being held and any special VIPs you should be aware of to help with manipulating Clovis to let you through. Xibhi, or another Passion Moray, should also discreetly let Milly know that you're coming and that she should do her best to keep the situation calm with her abilities. Nathan will also go to a location he can quickly leave to help with intel gathering by attempting to hack into Britannia's military network to see if he can find anything, such as intel or building plans.
4. You'll need some plastic explosives. Bring some.
5. The W-0 Unit commanded by Leila and Kallen in the Guren Mk II will be your emergency backup. They'll be close enough by that they can respond to a call for assistance or help with extraction upon mission success if needed.
Phase 1: Gaining Entry to the Hotel
1. After getting the intel, you'll need a news van with a camera so you can make a later broadcast. Have one or two of your stealthier allies steal one from the news crews.
2. Once you're ready, you as Zero will boldly stand on top of the news van as it drives up to the main gain. Inside will be any combat Exalts who volunteer for the job (dressed as Black Knights, and only if we think they can be sufficiently discreet and patient [Akio may be ill suited for this mission]) and an appropriate number of Black Knights. Your combat capable demons will also be following you dematerialized. When you get close to the bridge you expect you'll be surrounded, and then you will demand to speak with Clovis if he's not already present. From there, you'll convince him to let you through.
-Arguments: You will boldly and confidently argue that you should be allowed into the hotel, claiming you will save the hostages from the JLF as is your duty what with being allies of justice. The JLF are those in the wrong today, having taken innocent civilians hostage, but you believe you can convince them to release the hostages if you're allowed through to talk them down. Inform him that your own intelligence indicates that Kusakabe is a loose canon in the JLF, as evidenced by handing Clovis this opportunity to completely destroy the JLF's reputation, and as such you believe it's only a matter of time before Kusakabe starts executing hostages. Namedrop any noteworthy hostages you found out about to further convince Clovis. Argue further that Clovis has nothing to lose by letting you try - if you succeed the hostages will be saved and Clovis can spin the decision to let you through in his favor, and if you fail Clovis will have bought time for his own people to prepare their own rescue operation while the JLF are talking to you. It's win-win for him. (should be Manipuation + Presence roll)
-Charm Use: Four uses of Second Oramus Excellency to make yourself more convincing. One use of Words That Twist Like Daggers to give Clovis a delusion that allowing you through is the only viable option. Throw in an extra stunt dice from your stunt dice pool. (being unnaturally fascinating probably will help too)
-Stunt: The stolen news van approaches the Britannian forces, with you riding atop it. You are the
enigmatic vigilante Zero, and you have
ignored all conventions by seemingly making yourself vulnerable to men who might well arrest you. Your chariot comes to a stop, and you confidently flourish your mantle and take a posture that
hides all doubt. "Clovis la Brittannia, I am Zero, and I would save the innocents taken hostage by the JLF!"
-Contingency: While you're making your arguments, you'll have your demons in key positions to kill people piloting Knightmare frames and other vehicles if it comes to combat. Your combat Exalts will leave the van and help fight any footsoldiers. Call in your emergency support if needed. If possible take Clovis hostage, but otherwise just cross the bridge by force - the JLF will likely let you through given they've seen Britannia attack you at this point.
Phase 2: Kill Idiot, Rescue Hostages
1. Some of your demons will go to where the hostages are, and in an emergency they'll kill off the JLF who threaten them, but otherwise stay dematerialized.
2. You will meet with Kusakabe and use your powers and a short but passionate speech to convince him of the wrongness of his actions, and attempt to get him to commit seppuku to "restore his honor". Failing that, you'll just have your Anhules quickly (and silently, if possible) kill him and any of his men in the room, and then try to make it look like a suicide. From there you should be able to convince the rest of the JLF to stand down and let you free the hostages. (dice pool is probably Manipulation + Performance)
- Charm Use - Use Words That Twist Like Daggers to give Kusakabe hallucinations that ghosts of his dead ancestors, comrades, mentors, or other relevant people are present in the room and that they are looking him with a mix of shame, disapproval, and anger. If needed supplement this with a second social attack powered by the same Charm to add an Emotion Trigger Derangement. The emotion will be "self-loathing" and the trigger will be "seeing Zero". (Kusakabe is very likely a normal mortal, and thus can't resist the Unnatural Mental Influence of the Charm)
- Stunt: "Kusakabe Josui, I have come to inform you that your actions today have dishonored yourself and your men." You intone, using your anger at your friends being taken hostage to add an edge to your voice. "Taking your men into almost certain death in an operation not approved of by your superior might be forgiven, but you have taken innocent women and children hostage, used them as your shields. This is cowardice unbefitting of a warrior of Japan! You have sullied the honor of not only the Japanese Liberation Front, but the very Japanese people who you claim your actions serve! That bastard Clovis will use this opportunity to destroy the JLF's reputation worldwide, to give them confirmation that the Japanese are the savage barbarians Britannia claims us to be, to justify their occupation and oppression!" You reach into your mantle, and pull out an ordinary sheathed tanto, tossing it to the man across from you. "There is only one recourse to restore your honor, Kusakabe Josui." He appears to be about to say something in retort, but his eyes go wide as he begins to see things that aren't there.
Phase 3: GTFO
Just do what Zero did in canon - blow the top of the building to cover your escape with the hostages, make a speech on camera, go home.
@Alexander89 - let me know if there are any issues with this, and if the stunts are at least two dice.
Everyone else, the usual criticism and suggestions are welcome.
