Siege of the Palace (Part 2)

"What's it look like up there captain?!" Suzaku asked through intercom inside his helmet.

"As of the moment, we are holding our own, sir," Captain Owain replied. "Britannia and Black Knight forces have engaged the enemy fleet and ground forces. Her highness Cornelia has taken command of the Knights of the Round and Black Knights. Aerial enemy numbers are estimated at 300 enemy Knightmares of distinct origin, about 15 airships of Caerleon and Logres class, and a large group of Knightmare bombers. Ground forces are unknown at the moment."

Suzaku was surprised at this scale of an assault. It wasn't some minor terrorist attack but rather a full-fledged attack on the Imperial Palace itself.

He, Nunnally, 1st General Isdemus Read, and a handful of officers and royal guards escorted the Empress to the subterranean subway for emergency situations such as this. However, only the Empress, Suzaku, and the most trusted officers of Britannia and the Black Knights were trusted with this knowledge. The system was connected to various secret locations throughout the mainland. Due to the prominent danger, the Empress is to be taken to a facility further in the mainland (Midwest U.S).

"Captain, when you said Knightmares of distinct origin, do you mean these models are unknown in the database?"

"Yes, sir."

"This might pose a problem to our forces," General Read added. He was a tall, built man with neat orange hair and blue eyes. His uniform was similar to that of the Royal guard but featured a royal blue shoulder cape rather than red sashes, golden shoulder pads and wrist sleeves, a royal blue collar with a golden design, and a captain cap embedded with a golden emblem of the Britannian coat of arms (tiger and snake on the flag).

"Unfamiliarity to these unknown Knightmares may cause confusion to our lower-rank pilots and ground support."

"Not to worry, sir. These new Knightmares aren't as foreign as we believe. They possess an upgraded float system that improves maneuverability and speed significantly according to our pilots. In addition, they possess small units of Blaze Luminous all across the body of the Knightmare frame."

"So a shield that covers the entire frame at the expense of regular armor?" Suzaku inquired.

"Correct, sir," Owain replied.

"Now I see how this might be troubling for some of our forces," Suzaku realized.

"Regular melee weapons and shell ammunition will not be very effective against these Knightmares," General Read stated further. "Only our advanced divisions will be able to handle them with better ease."

"I only hope our advanced divisions do well, sir. There seems no end to our enemies."

"Zero. May I have a word with Captain Owain," Nunnally politely asked.

From inside his helmet, Suzaku had his helmet integrated with advanced software and an A.I to keep track of communications in battles. The A.I system acted as a guide and informer for combat tactics. It also functioned as a heads-up display that enhanced vision, created displays outside the helmet, tracked targets, monitored his vital signs, and scanned the environment around him. In other words, a fact-sphere within his helmet.

"Sora, pull up visual and voice display of Captain Owain for her highness," Suzaku ordered.

"You've got it chief," Sora replied cheerfully. "Looks really bad out there. Think we can win?"

"Of course we will," Suzaku said sternly.

"I knew you'd say that," she chuckled.

While they were running, a small display showed itself in front of Nunnally. It was a type of hologram technology that had recently been completed.

"Oh, your majesty!" Owain yelped. He quickly bowed his head.

"Captain Owain," Nunnally began.

"Yes, your majesty?"

"I want everyone to know that we shall overcome this enemy. Connect this communication link to all of our soldiers'!"

"At once!"

"Corporal Day! Please relay all communications to her majesty's link."

Corporal Day instructed her subordinates. They quickly linked all channels to Nunnally's and gave a thumbs up when it was ready.

"When you are ready, your majesty," Owain

"My dear soldiers, this is your Empress speaking. As you can tell we are under attack by an unrelenting enemy. This battle will certainly be hard fought, but this is our precious land that the enemy wishes to conquer from us. Show the enemy that Britannia is not to be trifled with so easily. That our struggle for peace will not be extinguished by a mere assault. Your Empress wishes you to be steadfast and return home safe!"

Everyone remained stunned at Nunnally's powerful message.

Suzaku smiled. She wasn't the little, innocent girl that he once knew. She had become a strong and capable leader fit for ruling the world's largest empire. However, she remained kind to all of her friends and subordinates just as he'd remember her. If only Lelouch could see just how great his sister had become.

"Captain, once we transit from the palace we shall take command of our forces. Until then, continue as instructed," Suzaku said.

"Of course, sir" Owain replied. "Wait, sir! I'm getting reports that the enemy has deployed an elite group of Knightmare frames. It crushing our advanced division. We may need support from the Evolve."

"Send any visual of the Knightmares" Suzaku demanded.

"Uploading now, sir."

In front of Suzaku appeared images of Knightmare frames similar to the enemy's main force. However, they had slightly larger shoulders and legs. He found this strange considering that, based on combat video feed, the Knightmares' maneuverability relied on its slim design.

"Better not underestimate these guys Zero," Sora remarked.

"Yeah. The pilots of those Knightmares are skilled in their own right. It's the Knightmares themselves, however, may have a surprise in store for us."

"General Read I will be supporting our forces in the front lines," Suzaku said. "It appears that the enemy has deployed their elite troops for support."

"Very well. I shall continue onward to the subway with her highness and assure her safe evacuation. Godspeed Zero!" General Read replied.

"Understood. If you'll excuse me, your highness?"

" Please keep our people safe Zero."

"Yes, your majesty." A faint red light glowed from Suzaku's eyes.

And with this Suzaku took off towards the palace's barracks. Meanwhile, Nunnally, General Read, and the royal guards found the elevator to the subterranean subway.

"I'm in the military because I don't want people to die." - Suzaku Kururugi

Author Note: Sorry for the wait guys. Since school began I've been a little stressed out and busy with homework. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments please leave a review or shoot me an email (in my author bio).