[X] W-0 Unit
-[X] Refrain Operation
[X] Black Knights
-[X] Resistance Recruitment
While you sure that both groups can perform either missions adequately, that is only when it comes to combat purposes. The truth of the matte is that groups like the Blood of the Samurai recruit first and foremost people with a pronounced hatred of everyone and everything that isn't 100% Japanese: nothing you can't fix given time, but it still influences first contact. And the W-0 Unit, despite most of its members being Japanese immigrants, has Europeans as its commanding officers. It would surely cause problems from those rescued, and even if they will likely happen only afterward in a safe location you prefer to avoid them entirely.
Also, unlike the W-0 Unit the Black Knights have a reputation here in Japan, so even if they don't see them as fellow resistance members the Blood of the Samurai will still place some trust in them. Not that you intend to keep up the 'vigilante' ruse for long, only until you have a suitable army or circumstances force your hands.
"That is also a matter we must not overlook. Thus I propose we split into two groups." You announce. "The Black Knights' reputation is suitable to make a favorable first impression with the remains of the Blood of the Samurai, something crucial if we have to secure them before Britannia. The Refrain Operation instead may be done with discretion: it doesn't matter who takes the credits. Unless, Miss Malcal, are you and your unit alright with wearing the Black Knights' uniform?"
"I politely decline." She replies. "Of course, I'm perfectly willing to dress my men in black and let witnesses draw their own conclusions."
You mull over her words for a few instants before realizing the meaning behind: while Leila is willing to help, as your partnership dictates, she doesn't want it to shift into outright subservience. You feel a briefly spike of admiration for her cleverness, together with one of irritation for questioning your orders.
Maybe you should spice things up by having the police crash into one raid-
You blink in confusion. What in Malfeas was that? You must be more tired than you thought if you have nonsensical thoughts like those. You push them to the corner of your mind and focus back on Leila's words. "That would be much appreciated. It also reminds me of something. Rakshata?"
"Yes Lelouch?" She asks while lowering her pipe, smoke puffing out of her mouth.
"Are those ready?"
"Those?"
Your eyebrow twitches. "You know, the weapons and armors I asked you to prepare?"
"Oh,
those. One moment." She nods before standing up and leaving the room.
"I asked Rakshata to acquire more of the military equipment of Malfeas, made specifically for mortals to use just like those I issued to the Black Knights." You explain to Leila. "While you shouldn't meet a strong opposition, maybe a corrupted cop or two, and Akito can deal with any unexpected happening-" He nods in agreement. "It never hurts to gather all the advantages you can."
At that moment Rakshata returns, a cartoon box floating beside her she then deposits in the middle of the table. "A few samples." She begins to take out clothes and weapons. "Tactical vests of Anuhle's silk and guns with a bigger kick for mortals, while for Leila and Akito this beauty I call a Laminate Behemothscale Vest and-"
"My Ace Breaker Gauss Rifle?" Akito interrupts her.
The Defiler rolls her eyes. "Yes, you big baby: and your Ace Breaker Gauss Rifle, Artifact version. You can even use it to beat a Knightmare to death, as I am sure you eventually will. I left it in the other room because it's damn-" Akito is already gone. "Heavy."
You stare at her. "Isn't a Gauss Rifle so heavy it needs to be braced? It's totally unfit for this kind of operation."
Leila puts her face in her hands. "He doesn't need to."
"He doesn't-Oh." You read the specifics, and that things is large and heavy enough that it can be mistaken for a Knightmare weapon. And Leila says Akito can ignore everything about that statement?
"I don't see why you are so surprised: Exalts wielding weapons bigger than them is a classic. Swords are more common than guns, but the principle is the same."
Hooray for surreal sights becoming a common trait of your life.
====
As Lelouch falls asleep Seyrun returns his attention to reality. Well, reality as it exists to him now: he is still a mere consciousness residing inside Lelouch's body, but within this artificial space he feels as if he has both his old body and all of his abilities. It loosely reminds him of a God's Sanctum, though this was created by the might of the Yozi's power and so is clearly superior. That it was also a clearly heretical usage of that power makes his skin crawl and him wishing to successfully keep it a secret until the end of Lelouch's lifespan. If it doesn't leave a ghost, even the Yozi can't torture a dead person.
Seyrun doesn't mind death, every self-respecting First Circle Demon knows it is an eventuality, but he would like very much to live as long as possible and leave behind a legacy to ensure his name would not be forgotten. In that he can definitely empathize with humans. Even if the most common causes of death radically differ for each another.
Really, dying of
age even if your body has never been damaged before? Freaky.
Skittering down the stairs he waves his front paws and wills into existence a web connecting two separated surfaces, using it as a bridge to reach the other side. This is another perk of this place, somehow Seyrun now instinctively knows how to change his surroundings and even create new stuff out of nothing. It definitely helps with his smoke addiction.
Passing in front of one of Anesidora's rooms he slows down in order to give a glance inside and check what the...
daughter of Lelouch, he doesn't dare to use other terms with too many frightening implications, is doing. Previous experiences taught him that leaving her free to act unchecked can leads to disasters and very bad migraines. To his relief,Anesidora seems to be busy assembling what looks like a set of armor, or maybe a very peculiar doll. He doesn't recognize the black material the parts are made of, but considering how this place works it isn't so surprising. She likely intends to make it a trophy or decoration of some sort.
Satisfied that nothing heretical or migraine-inducing is taking place Seyrun resumes his walk.
====
"Just bear with it Rivalz. That's the only thing we can do."
"But it's been more than a week!" Your blue-haired friend whines. "My boss wants to fire me! Why can't we leave either?"
"We seek not to be born on the same day, in the same month and in the same year. We merely hope to die on the same day, in the same month and in the same year." You quote the exact words. "From the Romance of Three Kingdoms. That's what Milly said."
Rivalz stares at you.
"If she suffers, everyone must do the same."
"Maaan." Shoulders slumping he walks away. You feel a brief pang of guilt since you, unlike them, can leave the school compound as Zero and resolve to make the journalists leave for good.
"Is something wrong with Rivalz?" Suzaku approaches you.
"He's merely peeved that, since the media are hounding the President and the others, we were also ordered to stay at school." You sigh. "Well, good thing the Black Knights were there to save them."
Suzaku frowns. "If they wanted to catch criminals, they could have joined the police force, you know? Why don't they, I wonder."
'Because the police is just as corrupted as the rest of Britannia.' You shrug. "They probably don't think the cops are up to the job. I tend to agree."
"The police may not be that effective right now, but they could evoke change from within."
"Yeah, and in the process, they get all tangled up in red tape and bureaucracy." You counter. "Changes are not good if they take too long to be implemented."
"If they had done everything in their power to change things, that might hold water." He insists. "As long as they don't, then all of it is just self-righteous posturing."
You raise an eyebrow. "Self-righteous?" Does he even know what that word means?
"What constitutes evil in their eyes? What standards are they using?" Suzaku continues. "What they do is nothing but self-satisfying gratification."
How you respond?
[] Write-in.
====
September 27th
"K-1, do you copy?"
"Copy that, Zero." Oghi replies.
"Q-1, do you copy? Ready to use the Guren in a real battle?"
"Copy that Zero. I'm more than ready to show them what this badass motherfucker can do!"
You raise an eyebrow behind your mask. "Don't let Rakshata hear those words. R-1, do you copy?"
"I hear you loud and clear Zero!" Tamaki yells.
"I'll go through bullets like there is no tomorrow!"
"Please don't." You flatly replies. "B-1, do you copy?" No response. "B-1?" Again, silence. "C.C.!"
"Yes?"
"Oh, for the love of-Nevermind!" You quickly go through the rest of your contacts before raising your binoculars to spy at the old docking area with a few old ships secured. "I'll go through the plan one last time. According to Kaguya-sama the docking area in front of us is one of the Blood of the Samurai's hidden bases. We don't know if there are any members inside but we know that a Britannian Platoon will soon go through it. Our objective is to find survivors -if there are any- and persuade them to leave with us before Britannia arrives. If the base is desert we give a quick look around and, if there is anything interesting, we take it before leaving. Engage only if there are no alternatives. If you do...aim to kill: you must not let anyone know the Black Knights are more than just vigilantes. Understood?!"
"""Yes Zero!"""
"Then let's begin the operation!" You end the call and begin to march towards the docking area.
Choose a Point of View:
[] Lelouch
[] Kallen
[] Oghi
[] Tamaki
[] C.C.
[] Someone else? (write-in)
====
I blame the heat and Granblue Fantasy for this. The delay, I mean.
