Wow! an actual chapter! It seems like forever since I last published
To anyone who wonders when I am going to update my other fics, that'll be when the muses decide to provide me the inspiration I need. I am working on a couple of them ATM (I'm also rereading most of them, and some of what I see makes me flinch.) However my current plan is to focus on Crimson Eye and on the final chapter of Bugged; and to work from there. I hope the quality of my writing hasn't suffered too badly from my long hiatus.
However now onto a more interesting note:
For those who are unaware "Code Geass: Fukkatsu no Lelouch" AKA "Code Geass: Lelouch of the Resurrection" is confirmed. I know I'm a bit late to the party on that one but still, let us hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
Enjoy.

Chapter 3: The Gawaine is not Enough.

As Lelouch stepped onto dry land of Kaminejima he could barely contain his excitement; if his mission were successful not only would he obtain a new Knightmare that was on the bleeding edge of Britannian military research, it would also mean that his first chance to undermine Schneizel would end in a decisive victory.

As he hid in the underbrush and pulled out the bag containing his stolen Britannian military uniform, Lelouch had to suppress the grin that was constantly threatening to take residence upon his face. Quickly schooling his features he put the uniform on before extracting the face mask that Sayoko had prepared for him earlier in the week. Checking his watch he saw that he had just enough time to let the adhesive dry before his mission had to start.

Lelouch applied the mask to his face, making sure to conceal the edges, before turning and making his way uphill toward the Britannian encampment in front of the ruins, where Schneizel was testing the sensor suite to his extremely expensive belated birthday present for a brother long thought dead.

"Your arrival time is right on schedule. We've prepared a room for you back at headquarters if you care to wait there." Major John Johnson said as he addressed Princess Euphemia Li Britannia.

"Is it safe to assume that the ship is docking here?" Euphemia asked looking forward to meeting with Schneizel for the first time in months, even if he was here to... inquire... her about her appointment of Suzaku as her Knight of Honor.

"Yes, that hasn't changed."

"This will do fine, then." Euphemia smiled as she let her anticipation get the best of her, ignoring the major as he replied. After the loss of Clovis, Schneizel had thrown himself into his work, largely ignoring the rest of the family; just as he had seven years ago. However she was rapidly ripped from her reverie when the man in front of her got a message on his headset.

"First Squad Continue advancing; Zero squad I want you covering their flank!" Kyoshiro Tohdoh called out even as he speared a helicopter with his Slash Harkens. He was advancing slower than the First and Zero squadrons so he could direct the battle and was in prime position to see Kouzuki detonate a Britannian frame, and hear Shōgo Asahina's comment "She sure packs a punch."

This brought his attention back to Kallen, "Kouzuki when Kururugi appears you are to engage him, remember to target his gun and landspinners."

Now that the Black Knights had established a beach-head on the base it was time to deal a crippling blow. "First Squad, the Sakuradite storage should be on your right. Destroy it." Yet even as the building blossomed in a pink explosion, he couldn't rest. Every second the Britannians had to regroup was a second wasted.

As Lelouch came to the edge of the clearing, he heard an alert go out over the loudspeakers:

"Shikine Island base is under attack. All devicers not currently engaged in the dig must immediately report to the Avalon for immediate redeployment. I repeat; Shikine Island base is under attack. All devicers not currently engaged in the dig must immediately report to the Avalon for immediate redeployment."

As he neared the edge of the clearing, and knelt to hide himself in the underbrush better, Lelouch was able to clearly see the military encampment burst to life; as several dozen men ran towards nearby wheeled vehicles or Knightmares before rushing toward the Avalon down at the base of the volcano's slope. Seizing the chance presented by the chaos Lelouch strode into the encampment, not too quickly, nor too slowly; after all it would be bad for the men to see an officer flustered by the frenzy.

Once on the base Lelouch strolled around as though he was inspecting the troops as he slowly made his way toward the mouth of the cave, stopping momentarily to chat with Britannian soldiers even as they prepared to run down to the Avalon down on the shore. When the frenzy had died down and the last of the men boarding the Avalon had left the camp, Lelouch found himself next to the cave mouth, returning the guard's salute even as he saw the archeologists cloistered inside watching the event behind him. Turning for but a moment Lelouch was greeted by the sight of the Avalon lifting out of the water.

Lelouch muttered ""You always had the better toys, didn't you brother?" under his breath before turning back to his task at hand and entering the cave, the crowd of archeologists parting before him.

Even as the pink fireball rose into the sky Kallen couldn't take even a moment to rest as that was when Suzaku decided to make his presence on the field known, attempting to goad Zero into facing him. Distracted as he was searching for his quarry he was barely able to block the silver hand which proceeded to claim his VARIS rifle, rather than the Lancelot's arm.

Jerking around to face his assailant Suzaku; the Lancelot jump back narrowly blocking the fork knife that came next. It was as he was dueling against the Red Knightmare that he caught sight of him. Of Zero. Standing atop his KMF watching the battle unfold.

"Zero. There you are."

Attempting to break free from his engagement with his opponent, Suzaku quickly found himself unable to chase after Zero unless he defeated the Red Knightmare. Thankfully his opponent disengaged as the Black Knights began to withdraw from the battle; objectives apparently accomplished. Seeing Zero enter his own Knightmare spurred Suzaku to give chase.

Even as the researchers began to disperse from the entrance to the cave, Lelouch couldn't help but notice the rapid transition from natural cave to the ruins of some bygone civilization. Regardless, whatever it was that Schneizel was here researching, it appeared that his prize now lay before him.

"Really Schneizel? I would have expected some security." He said under his breath even as he stepped on the lift cable and began to ascend to the cockpit of this new knightmare.

"Who are you! Get down from there now!" Lelouch turned his head enough to recognize the individual who had just noticed what was happening.

"Please relay my thanks to His Highness would you General Asprius, be sure to tell him that a friend of Mephistopheles thanks him for his gift."

General Bartley Asprius didn't have time to issue a rebuke before the cables running to the Gawain came crashing down and the knightmare began to move.

Lelouch took the moment as piloted his prize out of the mouth of the cave to send a signal: "Mission Success: Withdraw, rendezvous at sea"

As the Gawain took to the air Bartley Asprius pointlessly ran out before collapsing to his knees. "The Prince is going to kill me."

Slowly increasing the gap between him and the red knightmare Suzaku chased Zero's slower moving Burai out onto the sand dunes, he paused for but a moment to wonder why Zero had jumped into the ditch before him.

"He's not equipped for that sand he jumped into; could he be drawing me into a setup using himself as bait? Fine then."

Despite his suspicions he failed to notice that the red knightmare had stopped pursuing him Suzaku fired his hearkens jumped ahead of Zero's Burai cutting him off while raising his MVS to the chin of Zero's burai.

"Zero I've got you..."

"Right where I want you." Rakshata exclaimed delighted to have an opportunity to test the Gefjun disturbers as she tapped the button with her pipe. A smug grin graced her lips as she watched the devices begin to glow before disabling any sakuradite power source near them rendering Asplund's child helpless before her.

Suzaku was shocked as his display lost power his head snapping up in response to Zero's voice.

"I suggest you come out; your secondary systems should still be functioning; you will be treated as a prisoner under international law, of course if you don't care for that we can just kill you now."

Deciding that discretion is the better part of valor Suzaku followed Zero's example and exited his cockpit, descended to the ground only to watch stunned as Zero began the trek up the slope. "I thought you wanted to talk."

"There will be plenty of time to talk later when you are secure behind bars; I am not going to give you a chance to hold me hostage. I suggest you start up the slope as well. After all I doubt even you are willing to take an anti-armor round in your misguided quest to repent for your sins."

"Wha..."

As Zero neared the top of the hill the red knightmare moved forward to allow him onto it's palm. "I suggest you take my advice and surrender yourself into our custody, lest your princess discover just how you've betrayed your father and everything your family once stood for." however it was at this moment that a shadow fell over the sands and Zero looked up. "It appears you're lucky this time Kururugi, it seems the White Prince is ahead of schedule. Everyone retreat to point Zeta for extraction!"

Looking up Suzaku saw a ship in the sky, it's doors opening as a ring of explosions surrounded his position. However even as raw energy was released; raining hell on the retreating Black Knights; Suzaku couldn't help but to fall to his knees trembling in fear even as a green knightmare jumped into the pit and rushed to his aid.

As they boarded the ship's hangars, following the harrowing retreat, Kallen couldn't help but notice a conspicuous new addition, along with a certain prince leaning against it. She lowered Zero safely to the ground before parking the Guren in its spot next to the new addition and exiting. it did not surprise her that Zero was already talking with Lelouch by the time she had safely reached the ground.

"I see your mission was a success;

"It was, though the technology in this Knightmare is disconcerting." Lelouch responded with a furrowed brow.

"I was aware of the development of the float unit, is there something else?"

"Plenty, but the implications of the float unit alone are significant enough. Rakshata will need to take a look at it if we are have any hope of competing with Britannia in the near future."

"I see, this is troubling." Zero replied before noticing Kallen. "Kallen, I will need you to inform Rakshata."

"I'm sorry sir, but what should I tell her?"

"Tell her that one of Lloyd Asplund's children ran away from home and flew right to us. That should get her attention." With that Zero turned and walked off leaving Kallen behind with Lelouch before he too turned and hand waving began to walk away.

"This is where I take my leave, I need to get home in time to tuck Nunnally in for bed. I'll see you in school tomorrow Kallen."

Kallen blinked for a moment before rushing to catch up "I'm not falling for that Lelouch, we are still miles from shore. What were you doing?"

"I stole one of Prince Schneizel's pet projects; thanks for the distraction earlier."

"What?"

"By attacking the base that Euphemia Li Britannia was visiting, our lovely prime minister was forced into a position where he had to run to her aid. This permitted me to easily go undetected until I absconded with the Gawaine. Now if you wouldn't mind, I need to do some window shopping, after all those Deutsche 88's don't come cheap."

In response to some speculation in the reviews, no this isn't a time travel fic, there are greater differences that stretch much further back in the timeline, that have molded this version of Lelouch, This version of Lelouch is much more interested in the acquisition, use and abuse of information than in canon.
I am sorry this took so long to get out. I hope to get more out soon. Until then I hope you enjoyed this new chapter.

Any feedback is appreciated so please review.