[X] Plan Zero is Nobody
'Tell me Seyrun.' You ask your advisor while scribbling.
'Does Malfeas have any common symbolism or color themes?'
"Green, Brass and Basalt." He reply immediately.
"The first is Ligier, the other two are the main materials the Demon City offers. There are more, but whatever you do don't use azure."
'Why?'
"Azure is the color sacred to Cecelyne. Only her priests can use it. Doing otherwise is punishable by death."
A bit extreme if you can say so.
'Any other color under a similar taboo?'
"No. Certain colors or combinations of them can point to a specific profession or to whom a demon is vassal to, but only the Sacred Azure is inviolable, for it represents the laws that all demons must follow. Malefactors can use it since they are considered among the priests, but doing so outside official business is frowned upon."
'Got it. I wasn't planning to use it anyway. Other colors associated with Yozis that can be used instead?'
"Uhm...Well the Ebon Dragon favors black obviously, and Adorjan red. She Who Live in Her Name-"
As he keeps talking your hand keeps moving. Something impressive and fascinating, but not ridiculous. Evocative, but not obvious. Practical and efficient, but not minimalistic.
At one point you turn on your computer and copy what you made, followed by adding colors.
"Boss...this..."
You look upon the finished product on the screen, the program's automatic functions correcting errors until all proportions are perfect.
And you know, that what is staring back at you is your
future.
"This will have a looot of success!" Seyrun finishes jubilantly.
You smile and agree. "It will."
There is only a small detail left.
{====}
August 12th
"Here it is. Just as you have ordered Madam." The clerk hands over a box.
"Thank you sonny." The old woman takes out the order and, after a quick examination, smiles to show everything is in order.
"I have to say, I've made many mask for many parties but never one made entirely of metal."
"I wanted an original gift for my grandson, something that will last." She smiles and put the money on the counter. "Thanks again, and goodbye sonny."
"Goodbye Madam."
While the clerk is counting the money the old woman put the order inside the box and leaves the shop, limping on her cane.
Ten minutes later you're sitting on the train that will bring you back to the Tokyo Settlement.
'It took a long time, but it was worth it.'
"You could have simply killed the maker."
'I could have. But he was not a soldier, so no. Letting Britannia wonder how a frail and weak old woman is connected to Zero would be entertaining however.'
"You're the Boss."
{====}
The party to welcome Kallen into the Student Council went as well as expected. You and Milly prepared the food, Shirley, Rivalz and Nina welcomed the newcomer and even Nunnally was here to enjoy it, though initially you were again helping her to bring the plates to the table.
"So! How about a toast to our new member?" And then Rivalz had to bring out a bottle of champagne.
Shirley is on him in the brink of an eye. "Rivalz we're underage! Where did you get that? Give it to me!"
He twists and turns before tossing the bottle to you. "Lelouch, pass!"
You catch it, but before Shirley can pounce on you raise a hand. "Stop!" She instantly obeys, instinctively going straight like a soldier called to attention. With the mood having calmed down you read the label and confirm it is indeed champagne. You walk to the table, put down the bottle and fix your blue-haired friend with a disapproving gaze. "No one is drinking while Nunnally is present."
"Big Brother, I don't mind." Your little sister says, a glass of orange's juice given to her by Milly in her hands.
"But I do." You pour yourself a glass of ginger ale and take a sip.
"Lelouch, that's not fair!" Rivalz whines. "There are limits to even being a siscon!"
You would have replied to that, were you not too busy coughing and spluttering.
Milly elbows Kallen and leers while pointing a thumb at you. "He totally is one. Ice prince one second, a mother hen the next."
To your horror both Shirley and Nina nod, agreeing completely.
"Big Brother? What does 'siscon' mean?"
'NOOOOOOO!!!!!'
{====}
August 13th
Kallen suppresses a snicker as she recalls the party of yesterday, and Lamperouge's attempts to strangle Cardemonde. She had her doubts, but the members are a lot more entertaining that her supposed 'friends'. At least they don't constantly talk about shallow topics or use derogatory slurs against Japanese people.
'Not like this stupid propaganda.' Her eyes narrow in disgust at the exhibit of photos taken during the war, while the speakers spew lies that paint Britannia as enlightened and Japan as a country of savages that only profited from being enslaved. Ohgi and two others are standing nearby, keeping an eye on her while making sure to appear interested in the display.
'Did Zero pick this place on purpose?'
"Attention please. Miss Kallen Stadtfeld of Ashford Academy, your lost item has been delivered to the service counter." A voice suddenly blares through the speakers.
"Please proceed to the service counter of the viewing platform to collect your lost item."
She looks up in surprise before understanding immediately: this must be the mysterious Zero's method to contact them. She goes to the counter, where they hand her a phone, one of those simple prepaid types you can use and discard without none the wiser. She just has time to walk to the observation platform that she receives a call, the caller ID simply saying 'Zero'. "Hello?"
"Take the outbound line of the fifth Kanjo line. Get out on Shibuya."
"Eh?" But the voice has already hung up.
'What's up with him?' She frowns before taking a furtive glance at Ohgi. A minute movement of his eyes is all the acknowledging she needs.
Twenty minutes later she had taken the Kanjo line and reached the Shibuya ghetto, her friends trailing behind her.
"One hundred yards straight. Right. Left. Left. Fifty-two yards straight and then right. Enter the old building with the great 'X'."
She follows the instructions, idly noting that the area is unusually desert even for a ghetto, and reach the destination, a theatre with great fissures on its first and second floors that form a crude 'X' shape. By this point Ohgi and the others gave up subtlety and enter together with her.
("Lelouch. They've entered the building.")
("Perfect. Good job Milly.")
("Make sure to tape it! It's not everyday that I can see your acting skills in action.")
("...I will see what I can do.")
"O-ohgi." One of the group, a guy with blue hair, mutters while they walk deeper into the building. "What if is it a trap?"
"I assure you, it is no trap." A voice says suddenly.
They stop, right in the middle of a cone of light entering from a crack in the wall. Forestalled by the rhythmic sound of steps they watch as a figure emerges from the darkness and approach them. "Are you Zero?"
"I am." With a final movement the figure steps into the light, eliciting a small gasp from everyone, included Kallen. Zero wears a cape of the deepest black flowing behind him like the wings of a great bat, the insides being painted a thick vermilion, almost like blood, and edged with brilliant green. Under it he wears an equally black suit with brass-colored stripes. Around the neck there is a silver scarf. His face is concealed by an helmet-like mask, completely black save for a deep purple faceplate surrounded by a white circle, branching into seven spikes: three at the top and two on either side of the head.
Kallen has to admit it cut an awe-inspiring, if terrifying, figure.
Then Zero surprises everyone by offering a polite bow. "I thank you for being here today. I am sure you will not regret it." He straightens up and points an arm at them, fingers cupped and palm facing upward. "I also want to praise your performance at Shinjuku. I am sure none of you have had any real military training, and yet you performed marvelously. It takes courage - and bravery - to oppose Britannia."
Ohgi speaks. "Yes, we know. There is a difference between us and the Britannians, a very harsh one. That's why we resist them."
"Admirable. However, merely resisting will not give you Japan, and you know it." He lowers his hands before dramatically spreading both to either side, making his cape flap. "That is why my goal is the complete and total destruction of Britannia, and the liberation of all people who suffer under their rule!" At their collective gasp he steps forward and holds out a hand. "And I want you, all of you, to form the foundation of an army that will work towards that end."
"What? An army? Are you joking?"
"I assure you this is no joke." The mask turns to face her. "Or maybe you doubt my ability to back up my claims? In that case you only have to think back to the battle of three days ago. Your group has no formal military training, and yet under my leadership you were able to inflict more casualties against Britannia in a single battle than any other Japanese group has since the miracle of Itsukushima. Am I wrong?" At their silence he continues. "If it had not been for the white Knightmare our victory would have been total, but even if we were forced to retreat you, Q-1, still had the skill to hold your own." Kallen feels pride swells up inside her at those words. "Working together you and I even managed to damage it."
"But we still lost..." One of Ohgi's friends comment.
"Maybe militarily, but we still won a strategic victory." Walking closer he takes out from one sleeve a rolled newspaper and shows the front page to them, stopping a few yards from Kallen.
She reads the title. "What? It's that bogus story about the capsule being stolen by-" Her eyes widen in realization. "That was
you?!"
He laughs. "Did you think I ran with my tail between my legs? Using clandestine resources available to me I had Clovis convinced that your stealing the poison gas capsule was actually a plot hatched by the Purebloods by using the IFF data from the Knightmare I stole from a Pureblood as 'proof'." He rolls up the newspaper and tosses it at Ohgi, who fumbles a bit before properly catching it. "Because of this Clovis is going to tear his own government apart looking for 'traitors'. If everything goes as planned, the internal strife will make liberating Japan become much easier."
"And you...planned all of this?" One of them asks in awe.
Zero doesn't say anything, but Kallen could almost picture him smirking knowingly under his mask. After ten seconds he breaks the silence. "Knowing this, will you follow me? Or, maybe, you are satisfied with your current sponsor?" He tilts his head.
Ohgi scratches the back of his head. "It's not that. Sure the information about the poison gas was useful, but you saved us and even gave us Knightmares..."
{====}
The man's words confirm one of your first suspicions: that their cell has, indeed, the backing of a greater organization.
'The most likely suspects are the Six Houses of Kyoto, through intermediaries since their cell is too small to warrant direct interaction.'
"Will you show us your face?" Aaand here it is, the inevitable question. Unsurprisingly, it's Kallen that makes it first, but you can see the growing curiosity in the others' eyes.
You knew they would ask to see behind your mask, but you are prepared for this. "I'm sorry, but I would prefer to remain anonymous." You hold up your hand as they begin to object. Your inner Essence flares inside you as you speak, twisting reality in your favor. "I admit, I have personal reasons for this, but there is another important reason. You must understand, Zero is not an individual. Zero is an idea, a symbol for the oppressed to rally behind. Zero is nothing, and nobody. And yet, at the same time he is every person who wishes for a better world, every individual oppressed by Britannia. Zero is
enigmatic and
unknowable,
defying all odds to bring about the impossible." You put an hand over your chest. "If I were to die, anyone could take my place if they have the will to never give up and fight against injustice." Not that it would even work, but they don't know it. You turn to face Kallen. "What about you? If necessary, would you take my mantle to ensure that faith in Zero never dies? To ensure those fighting for a better tomorrow would never lose hope and continue to fight against the oppressors?"
"W-What? Me?" At first she is like a deer caught in the headlights before she schools her features and nods fiercely. "Of course I would!"
"Then you understand. In time I may show you my face, but for now I ask that you trust me as you did in Shinjuku."
They look at each other for a while before Ohgi nods resolutely and offers you his hand. "I can't speak for those who aren't present, but I am sure that if you repeat your words to them they will accept you. As we do."
You take his hand and shake it. "If they are open-minded people like you, I am sure of it." You put one hand over your chest and tilt your head forward. "I am Zero. I look forward to work with you."
"Ohgi Kaname." The man with the afro replies.
"Kozuki Kallen." She sighs. "But at school I go by Kallen Stadtfeld."
"Sugiyama Kento." The one with blue hair tells you.
"Yoshida Toru." The one with brown hair and a red bandanna replies.
"Marvelous." You release Ohgi's hand. "However, there is one last thing I must make clear." You cross your arms over your chest. "Under me, there will not be terrorism."
You continue before they can open their mouths. "War against Britannia isn't just a military campaign, it's a war of ideas. Britannia uses every instance of terrorism to fuel their propaganda machine, turning the public against the perpetrators. They use this to justify the oppression of the Numbers, claiming themselves to be more civilized and morally superior, dressing up their heinous actions in a veil of false righteousness." You spread one arm. "As such, those working under me must become a force for justice. We must not only win on the battlefield, but show that our cause is right. We will protect the innocent and punish the wicked, no matter their race. By doing so, we will expose Britannia for the vile den of sins it is and gather people to our cause."
You point at them. "This is not negotiable. I do not fight to only kill, but also to protect. I refuse to discriminate by race, because Japanese are not the only ones suffering under Britannia's rule. And, most importantly..." You raises one hand and clench it. "I refuse to lower myself to Britannia's standards!"
"Wow. You make a good point." Ohgi scratches his chin. "I don't know if it will work, but then I wanted to become a teacher, not a resistance member." He shrugs. "Look at me now."
"I think it would be great." Kallen speaks up with a smile. "This way we can really help people!"
"I swear, tell them they can fly and they will believe you." Seyrun chuckles.
"Will they ever realize you're using them?"
'Don't say that. I don't intend to go back on my promises.' You smile.
'In exchange for services given, I'll make sure they obtain happiness.'
After all, happiness takes many forms.
{====}
You walk inside the Ashford's compound, suit and mask safely locked inside a suitcase. By your side Milly is watching the video made by the camera you hid before the meeting. "Not bad, but it's a bit dusky. Why don't you make the suit light purple?"
"I thought about it, but then I remembered I plan to make the uniforms black. Wearing similar colors will increase camaraderie." You squint your eyes at her. "And, really, your first question is about my suit?"
"Of course!" Her eyes sparkles. "I want a dress made of silk too!"
You can understand that. It felt very, very good on your skin. "That can be arranged. What about-"
"Boss! Lady Friend of the Boss!" Both of you turn around, and see one of the Anuhles calling to you from behind the bushes. Making sure no one is looking you reach it and crouch down, out of view.
"Nrihudub." You acknowledge your subordinate. "What happened?"
"Someone tried to sneak into your house Boss." You tense up.
"But we caught her."
"Her? A female then." An assassin? After years of silence? "Where is she?"
"We bound and brought her to your room."
"Good." You stand up. "Come with me Milly, I may need your help."
"Sure! A tied-up girl in your room? I'm not going to miss it!"
Gods damn it Milly.
Together you sneak around the campus until you reach your house. You enter, close the door and then rush to your room, Milly hot on your heels. When you slam open the door the sight that greets your eyes is that of a human-sized cocoon of spider's silk hanging down from the ceiling, completely covering the captive save for the head.
Said head, which is watching you upside-down with an expression that is a mix of annoyed and murderous, is that of the green haired girl that got shot in the head right in front of your eyes that day at Shinjuku. The same girl that was inside the capsule.
Only, she seems to have got better. Because she's glaring. Even if a stripe of silk around the mouth prevent her from speaking. That the Anuhles are forming a protective circle between you and her also helps. Or maybe it's the fact that staying upside-down is not a comfortable position.
At least this explains where the corpse went.
[] Talk with Seyrun. Find out how someone who should be dead is alive.
[] Remove the stripe and ask her why she tried to sneak into your house.
[] Ask Milly to take care of her and watch the fireworks.
[] Write-in.
====
Personal Essence: 9/13
Peripheral Essence: 24/32
Willpower: 7/7
Stunt Pool 2/4
Enjou's XP Expenditure Plan - Basic Combat Proficiency
Dexterity 4 - 7 XP (27 days left)
Dodge 1 - 3 XP (3 days left)
Athletics 1 - 3 XP (3 days left)
Resistance 1 - 3 XP (3 days left)
Firearms 2 - 4 XP (3 days left)
====
Ashford: Complete.
+4 Xp for recruiting Ohgi's group
+5 Xp for completing the Scene
+1 Xp for gaining (un)official membership with the Survival Game Club
+14 Xp for active participation
====
What? You forgot about poor C.C. ? For shame!
