"Be polite; write diplomatically; even in a declaration of war one observes the rules of politeness."
- Otto von Bismarck

Chapter XXXVI: Neue Ziel

Weisswolf Castle
State of Germany, European Union
October 4, 2025

"This is an outrage Colonel Malkal!" the plump, angry faced caricature of a man bellowed to a nonplussed Leila, all but stabbing his pudgy finger into her chest. He might have actually done that as well had Geri and Freki not be standing guard on either side of her, looking quite ready to rip the man's throat out should he step over the line. "Your operation failed, completely and irrevocably! In fact, it didn't even draw Zero out as you claimed it would!"

"With respect sir, I never claimed Operation Mitternacht was one hundred percent," Leila responded back calmly in the face of the enraged Nationalist, while remaining well aware that the rest of his colleagues were right behind him, overcrowding her office, and just as angry. Again only Kessler seemed to be passive, instead standing back and observing as she handled the lot of them. "No military operation has that level of probable success, and Zero's presence therein only reduced that very same. His identifying the trap and evading it was well within the realm of possibility."

"You were not brought into this to make excuses Colonel!" the same man shouted, almost spitting mad now. "You and your pack of Elevens were to hunt Zero! And yet…!"

"And yet the hunt continues," Leila responded, once more calmly. "Just because Zero evaded us this round does not mean we are finished sir. Nor does it mean we will not have any further opportunities to pursue him in the future."

She dared gaze around toward the various angry faces as she continued. "Zero cannot remain out of reach forever. Not when he still has much of the world to liberate, whether he chooses to battle Marrybell or Cesare next. Eventually we will set foot into the field again, at which point my kampfgruppe will stand ready to ensnare him."

Leila then turned toward Kessler. "That is, assuming Herr Präsident wishes for us to continue," she spoke directly to the one man in the room that mattered.

Even more angered that he had been deliberately bypassed, the Nationalist reddened even more deeply. "Listen here kleines Mädchen," he snarled to a still bland faced Leila. "If you think for one moment we will allow you to continue over this failure…"

"As I just emphasized sir, that is Herr Präsident's call to make," Leila exclaimed, somehow managing to remain straight faced and not smirk. "Otherwise I do not recall taking orders from the likes of you, and I certainly do not intend to do so now."

"Du dreckige Hure...!" the man at last blistered with fury, which was precisely the breaking point for Geri and Freki. Dual warning growls from either easily quelled the pudgy man, who could not help but stumble back two or three steps. The ire remained prominent between him and his colleagues however, even as their group was faced down by the wolves.

The two Stormtrooper guards at the back of the office simultaneously began to raise their weapons, only for Kessler to gesture for them to stand down. It was only then that the President of the European Union decided to enter in. "Is your kampfgruppe capable of continuing the hunt, Colonel?"

"Of course Herr Präsident," Leila replied as she moved around her desk to at last sit down, with Geri and Freki both remaining on guard. She could not help but feel amused at how an entire group of men, to say nothing of the aforementioned Sturmtruppen, were so easily cowed by the two wolves, themselves armed with only their claws and fangs. Even Kessler seemed wary of them, though he had the sense to at least forwardly conceal such wariness. "Though Mitternacht was indeed a failure, my kampfgruppe stands ready to continue. Once more should you will it."

Again the rabble visibly angered at how they were ignored for but one among their group, but neither Kessler nor Leila paid them any more mind. Nor did they speak again or break eye contact for a long, poignant moment, before Kessler at last stepped forward and turned to address the group.

"It is as Colonel Malkal has said," Kessler spoke with all the subdued authority of his office, ensuring that he stood out and above the horde. "There is always room for any military operation to fail, and Zero's presence has only reduced the odds that much more. But that does not mean the hunt is over or that Zero has evaded Europe entirely."

Though grudgingly, the group had no choice but to adhere to the one that held the topmost authority in all of the European Union. Especially when, as many of them surmised, that same office would one day be the topmost authority in the world.

"The only real outcome from Mitternacht, at least in my humble estimation, is that Herr Zero knows that Europe is onto him now," Kessler explained further. "Itself an inevitable outcome, given the circumstances."

He then turned back to face Leila. "Having said that however, I trust any future operations against Herr Zero and his Black Knights may still prove more triumphant," Kessler stated directly to the colonel. "Will that not be so, Frau Oberst?"

This time, Leila did well not shirk underneath the President's inquisitive gaze. "It will be so, Herr Präsident," she replied, only then returning to the rest of the audience. "As we can all agree upon in this matter, the hunt has only begun, and we Werwolfs have since found our prey. It is only a matter of time…"

European Barbarossa-class land cruiser Ewald von Kleist
Akmola Province, Chinese Federation

"We're ready when you are Major," the Kleist's soon to be former captain called out over the radio as Akito climbed into the waiting transport truck.

"Standby," Akito responded as soon as he took his seat, then engaging his wristcom to check on Action Gelb's second to last stage. Everything seemed to be in order from his end; the explosive charges were planted throughout the ship, the Wolfens were safely packed away in their assigned carriages and all personnel stood ready to evacuate and disappear into Akmola's wilderness. For all intents and purposes, everything was in place. There was just the final stage, and then the long and arduous drive to Yekaterinburg while standing watch for any enemy search parties.

Overall Operation Mitternacht could have ended better in Akito's opinion, but at the same time it could have ended worse as well. Though he had lost some pilots – fellow Japanese exiles that had since taken Europe as their new home – such were the fortunes of war, and the fact the greater majority of them had survived Zero's wrath was more than he would have bargained for. Yes Zero still remained out there – as had been intended – and chances were any meeting between him and Werwolf in the future would be less than cordial, but Mitternacht's true objective had been accomplished nonetheless. Hopefully whatever was on that datachip would be useful, as well as worth the lives that had been sacrificed toward its delivery.

But that was all for another time and consideration. For the moment, Akito and his fellow wolves, to say nothing of the Kleist's soon to be disenfranchised crew, had to vanish. They could not risk China officially identifying European special forces having operated within their territory. And much more, while he had not been in contact with Leila since the battle, Akito knew that their original mission remained active. That, in spite of Mitternacht's "failure", the game remained afoot.

"Alright, let's go," he finally commanded, settling himself into his seat as Ryo at last started his truck's engine with the rest of the convoy. Within a few short minutes, the trucks all exited down the Kleist's launch ramp and moved off into the barren landscape, heading northwest. Minutes after they had gone, the explosive charges all detonated, rendering the Ewald von Kleist into a burning, unidentifiable ruin.

Black Knights High Command
Naha, Okinawa, Ryukyu Republic
October 5, 2025

"Guten tag Herr Zero," the projected image of Joachim Rommel opened with before Lelouch and the rest of the gathering. "I assume you are watching or eventually will watch this message with the rest of the Order of the Black Knights' command staff, or at least those most trusted. I have no way of verifying this, but I will take such a chance regardless. After all, it took quite a bit of effort to get this message to you…"

Lelouch could not help but feel his breath steady as he watched the message, which had indeed only reached him through much effort, play out from the recorded image of his past nemesis. Joachim Rommel. His was a face he had not expected to see much too soon, not when the opposite general was half a world away in Africa. And though Lelouch had long anticipated the possibility of fighting the Desert Lion again – if and when he ever stepped foot back into Africa himself – he never would have thought Rommel would reach out to him so directly. Which in itself had meant one quite specific outcome.

"Before I begin, I want to make sure we understand each other completely, Your Highness," Rommel proclaimed all too assuredly, causing some of the nearby officials to gasp. "Yes, I am well aware of your true identity, as well as the face you hide behind that mask. Rest assured your secret is safe with me, and that I have neither inclination nor reason to disclose it to anyone else."

A grin enfolded over Rommel's lips as he went on. "I must be honest with you. I cannot help but be excited over all of this. To think that you and I would find ourselves in the same trench, after all we have fought over. And not only that, but to also find a common enemy in Britannia…and perhaps certain others you may or may not be intending to take down as well. Suffice to say I could not have hoped for a better ally."

The European General then sighed in apparent remorse. "At least, that's what I would like to say, if not for what you have since learned for yourself. I do not know when exactly you intended to go after the Nationalists, but your success in China has caused them to take the initiative and declare you an enemy of Europe early on. Obviously you have already battled Kampfgruppe Werwolf, which the President himself has selected to hunt you down. You should feel honored. They are among the very best Europe has to offer and their commander was a protégé of mine not too long ago."

Rommel paused to let that sink in. "Presently they are your only opposition from our end, but you can be assured that will not last long, especially when you begin your move against Bloody Marry. Thus it is recommended that you avoid any and all open contact with European forces in the immediate future."

The general nodded in apparent sympathy. "I know part of your victory in China was due to your aligning with the CLA. I'm afraid you will not be able to repeat that here. So long as the status quo remains, Großen Europa will be against you. But that doesn't mean you are isolated."

A datawindow soon appeared beside Rommel's profile, displaying a line of names and associated military units. "Attached to this message is a datafile of European officials and units that are otherwise sympathetic to you and your cause, or are at least open to talk. Should you ever need their friendly council or assistance, specific lines of communications are also provided," the Desert Lion then flashed another grin. "Naturally I'm on that list myself. As is a certain Bear of the Far East, though considering all that he's doing now, I don't recommend giving him a call just yet."

Even Tohdoh could not help but gape over this, to say nothing of the other generals. Something that Rommel seemed to have anticipated from his end. "Think nothing of it. As I said, we are on the same side now, fighting the same set of enemies."

It was then that Rommel's expression took on a more serious tone. "Again obviously neither of us wishes to see the world conquered and subjugated to Britannia. But at the same time, we cannot afford to allow the same for Kessler and his ilk, which brings to my next point of fact."

Through the video, the European commander's eyes seemed to find and stare straight into Lelouch's. "Between the two of us, you are the best positioned to do anything with either of these. So long as I remain in Africa, I can only fight your brother Raymond, and any other the Emperor may send my way. That may yet change in the future, but until then I can only leave our greater enemies to you, though should you require it I will provide any support I can."

Once more Rommel paused, this time to take in a breath. "As I said, I cannot help but find all of this truly exciting," he espoused, again looking upon Lelouch directly somehow. "Though you and I have never met face to face, I feel there is a strange friendship between us, one that has been brought forth through our many battles."

Another smile, this time one of anticipation. "The world may see you as the Demon King, but I still see you as the Black Prince. The same worthy adversary that I did battle against for five whole years and very nearly lost the whole of Africa to," he stated with utmost belief. "It is that man who I am honored to at last call my friend. It is that man who, when the time is right, I will stand beside to face the worst Britannia has to offer, as well as the tyrants and traitors of my own nation."

A knowing gleam then entered Rommel's eye as he added. "It is that man, not the Demon King, who will see this decrepit world pass and Eden take its place."

Though he had previewed the message himself before showing it there, Lelouch still could not help but feel something inside him stir toward those words. A similar feeling toward what he had felt upon hearing Johann's praise at the end of their battle.

Once more acting as though he had anticipated that reaction, Rommel nodded toward the camera. "And that is all I have to say in this recording," he finished with. "Again should you ever have need of me, you will know where to find me."

With that, the Desert Lion stood to and gave one final salute. "Until then, auf Wiedersehen."

The message terminated thereafter.

Yunanagi
Naha, Okinawa, Ryukyu Republic

"To another battle survived," Alfred toasted, he and Charmelle both taking drinks from their awamori glasses. Having been back in Ryukyu for little more than twenty-four hours, the Glaston could not help but feel even more refreshed than usual. "May we yet survive that many more."

"Yes," Charmelle agreed wholeheartedly. A fair sentiment, considering that there would be many more battles in the future, and no longer just against the Britannians. "You think they're already gearing up for a second round?"

"Probably," Alfred answered with a beleaguered nod. "They are, after all, special forces…"

"So are we," Charmelle pointed out with a proud grin.

Alfred matched that grin himself. "True," he said, taking another swig. "Though to be honest, I liked it a lot better when we just had our former countrymen to shoot at."

"As did I," Charmelle admitted as well, frowning. "I know we were likely to go against the Euros at some point, but it would have been better if further down the line. Preferably when we go onto march on Berlin."

"Heh," Alfred couldn't help but laugh a little at the notion. "You really think Zero was planning that? As opposed to allying with the Europeans like we did the Chinese?"

"Far be it for me to claim to know what goes on in the Demon King's head," Charmelle proclaimed rather dramatically, causing Alfred to laugh again. "But I would like to think that he wouldn't be so inclined to ally with Kessler and his bunch. Much less give them a free pass when all is said and done."

"Yeah…" Alfred exclaimed, himself recalling the horror stories of the Nationalist regime. All rumors of course, but still believable from his standpoint. "It would be counterproductive to all that we're trying to accomplish, wouldn't it?"

"Let's just say there's more evil in the world than just Emperor Charles," Charmelle stated before taking another drink of her own. "Though once more, it doesn't help the immediate situation. Especially when we still have much of the world left to liberate."

"Not to mention the final reckoning," Alfred added on.

"Of course," Charmelle responded, as though she had to be reminded. "How can anyone forget?"

Both former Britannians let out a long sigh at that. Even now, after all they had been through and done, the prospect of their invading their former Homeland was not an appealing one. They could not help but wonder if they would ever truly accept it.

"At any rate however, we should do alright the next time," Alfred continued, taking one more drink and feeling all the more refreshed for it. "As difficult as those wolves are, I think it's safe to say they aren't the worst either of us have fought."

"Once again indeed," Charmelle smirked, knowing what Alfred was referring to. "Though at the same time, I'm rather glad the Black Knights hadn't possessed their kind in the Rebellion. Even with the original Zero Squadron."

"They had enough for us," Alfred answered back. "Tohdoh of Miracles, the Four Holy Swords, the Blue Thunder God, Zero flitting around in the Gawain…"

"And of course a certain Red Dragoness, yes," Charmelle concurred. "I'm just saying if Hannibal's Ghost and his comrades had remained in Area 11 instead of their families fleeing to Europe, we would have had an even worse time about it."

"I suppose," Alfred replied, this time with a tinge of melancholy as he remembered his brothers falling to the horde, one at a time. And that was before the Devastation took place. "At the same time however, could it really have been any worse?"

Rather than reply straight away, Charmelle downed the rest of her drink in one long swig. "Not likely," she finally spoke, sharing the same bit of melancholy. "But then, one could argue the same about the present."

Yamamoto Park
Naha, Okinawa, Ryukyu Republic

For all of her rank and status among the Black Knights, as well as her noteworthy accomplishments in her Guren Isshiki, it could be said that Benio Akagi was a simple woman. Not simple in intellect, or so she thought of herself, but rather a simple outlook on life, with simple enjoyments to go along with it. The half-eaten strawberry and cream crepe she had in her hand, and consequently took another bite out of, was one such enjoyment, visibly savoring the flavor, while her sitting in the middle of Yamamoto Park in the cooler autumn day was another. As far as she was concerned, the only thing that would have made the scene better is if she had a boyfriend to go along with it, but Benio didn't mind that so much.

And of course, there was the fact that she wasn't getting shot at by Britannians, or in the most recent case Europeans, that she appreciated. Though she enjoyed the thrill of battle as much as the rest of Zero Squadron, it wasn't as though Benio needed to be in combat twenty-four hours at a time; she could certainly take a break from the war and bloodshed, as well as the knowledge that she could die at any given moment. Then again, that was true for the whole of the Black Knights and Ryukyu, she mused. All it would have taken is one Britannian to remember that the islands were still out there, having never been connected to Japan's sakuradite reservoirs. The thought caused a chill to run down Benio's spine; that she and the other survivors of the Devastation were that close to the precipice, with no means of backing away. Not the most comforting of feelings, even if life very much went on in Ryukyu.

Yes, life continued here, well within the shadow of death as Benio watched it all move and thrive around her. Just ahead of her, children ran and played on the titular playground as their parents watched on while conversing among themselves. A fair number of the parents were noticeably Britannian born as well as Japanese, just as a number of the children had traits of both. Another couple – also Britannian and Japanese originated respectively – walked by, chatting about some subject matter that Benio didn't pay too much attention to. And finally, an elderly woman sat by on one of the benches, reading a story to another gathering of children from an equally old book. From the sound of it, the story was fittingly The Fox and the Hound.

Was this what it would have been? Benio couldn't help but muse sadly, recalling that very fateful day. No, not the morning of the Black Rebellion and the Devastation, but the one that had caused everything. The day of the Special Administrative Zone's commencement.

Not many people remembered that day, due to the Devastation overshadowing everything, but Benio did. It wasn't too hard for her in fact; she and her family had made a special pilgrimage from Kyoto to "witness history", and in a dark way they had. The crowd of over two hundred thousand – once more both Japanese and Britannian – in that stadium. The sheerness of hope and anticipation as everyone waited for Princess Euphemia to make the commencement, followed by Zero's appearance, presumably to give his own support. The belief, the faith, that Japan would soon make its grand return, to stand side by side with Britannia in a new era of harmony and cooperation. That there would be no more Elevens, but Japanese once again.

Indeed Benio's parents and relatives shared in that faith, as well as toward the one who had made it possible. And it wasn't as though Benio herself hadn't been taken by Princess Euphemia when she had first seen her. How could she not be? There, amongst the various elitists Britannia had to offer, was a woman that not only held a vision of a better future for all, but surely held the means to make it possible. Very much in the same vein as Zero, but whereas the masked revolutionary had taken to armed resistance, Euphemia had chosen peaceful transitioning, a means of uniting two begrudging peoples toward a better future without firing a shot. A future that many Britannians, including Prince Schneizel and possibly the Emperor himself, seemed taken by, Benio had noted to her parents at the time.

And then came the Massacre and all of Hell with it. To this day Benio still did not know how it had happened, only that in the very next moment – after Euphemia at last emerged to make her commencement – she had found herself covered in blood. The blood of her parents, whose corpses laid over her to protect her from the oncoming bullets and shells. All the while hopefulness and optimism were abruptly replaced by cries of agony and desperation toward survival. The latter drowned out by the telltale bangs of Britannian machine guns, both infantry level and from knightmare frames, as well as the now crazed Euphemia's cries to "Kill All Japanese"…

Benio shook her head, forcing that memory back. No, as much as she remembered that day, she really did not know what had happened then, and likely never would. Some had claimed the SAZ had been a trick to lure Japanese into the massacre, while others believed Euphemia had somehow suffered a nervous breakdown just before. Benio chose not to dwell on any of that, any more than she did the deaths of her parents, or all of the events that had happened thereafter.

What she did see, however, was that the vision of the SAZ – Euphemia's vision, which Benio wholeheartedly believed – had not been lost. After all, as she had just remarked on, it was all playing out right before her eyes. Peace, tranquility, hope, love, it was all there, all brought together by those once two hateful enemies in this relatively distant land. One need only look upon the faces of the children to realize it, even more so than the adults around them.

Soon finishing her crepe, Benio at last got up to throw the remains in the garbage, from which she started to walk off. Before she left the park however, she took one last side glance toward the playground and its occupants, smiling minutely to herself. Indeed the vision was not lost there. And if she and the rest of the Black Knights could somehow bring it to the world in Euphemia's place – albeit by defeating the great evil empire that was Britannia – then so much the better.

Such was truly worth fighting for as far as she was concerned. Even more than simple vengeance for her parents, as well as Japan's – the original Japan as far as she was concerned – still burning remains due north.

Black Knights High Command
Naha, Okinawa, Ryukyu Republic

"Obviously this complicates matters quite a bit," Hijikata muttered as he rubbed his temple, as though a headache were coming on. "Operation Aki was delicate enough without the Europeans after us, but now that they are…"

"Except we've already anticipated this outcome General Hijikata," Tohdoh spoke up from his side of the table, folding his arms in thought. "I do not believe this changes much of anything. So long as we stay away from Yekaterinburg and the other European strongholds and concentrate on our main objective, we should remain out of Europe's reach."

Hijikata fixed the opposite General a dubious glance. "I'm sure more than a few people in northwestern China would think the same thing General Tohdoh," he retorted. "That is, if they were still breathing."

"The problem was established at the onset. This Kampfgruppe Werwolf is not a standard adversary, even for a special forces unit," Saito exclaimed as well, visibly disconcerted. "They've already demonstrated their ability to infiltrate enemy territory, as well as their effectiveness in guerilla warfare. If they were to be sent in right as Aki was to be enacted…"

"They would be caught between us and the Britannians, General Saito," Ohgi spoke up now, as though he were reminding everyone of an obvious fact. "And they had enough trouble fighting Zero Squadron. How do you think they would perform against Marrybell's elites, especially at the same time they were fighting us?"

"Just as we would be fighting them and the Britannians simultaneously, General Ohgi," Saito responded, not quite ready to give up the point. "The fact is they are an unpredictable, uncontrollable element at this time, which is something we do not need in the middle of Aki."

"What other option do we have there?" Okita exclaimed, a deep frown on his own face. "Aki's execution depends precisely on its timing, which means we cannot alter our deployment. Especially with the majority of our resources being focused on a Far Eastern incursion."

"I agree. Changing anything about Aki now would only cause too many problems," Kondo added as well. "Though I cannot say I appreciate the idea of fighting the Europeans and the Britannians at the same…"

"We won't," Lelouch at last spoke up, causing all heads at the table, and around it, to turn toward him. He then tapped his keypad, causing the screen to shift of a map of the immediate area in question. "Werwolf will not be anywhere near our objective area when we strike."

Knowing that the generals would inquire further, Lelouch explained straight away. "It's all a matter of timing, as General Okita put. Even if the wolves were aware of our plans, which I doubt, they're simply not in a position to continue their hunt, at least not now. Likewise, I also doubt Zhukov would allow them to."

The former prince but couldn't help but smirk behind his mask. "Not when he needs all the help he can get defending Yekaterinburg."

That certainly shifted the bleak outlook around the table, as the Black Knight commanders all realized what that meant. "How do you know they're going there?" Hijikata couldn't help but question regardless.

"Another matter of timing, as well as proximity," Lelouch replied in a verbal shrug. "Yekaterinburg is presently the largest, best defended city in the Far East, and it just so happens to be a little over a thousand kilometers off from Akmola. Assuming the wolves are making their flight at ground level with properly outfitted transports, it would take them a mere fourteen hours to reach the city."

Lelouch shook his head. "No, for the time being we need not worry about Europe's collared wolves," he spoke with clear assurance. "Operation Aki will proceed as planned."

A collection of nods assured Lelouch he had the table's agreement. With that out of the way, Lelouch tapped his keypad again, causing the screen to shift to an area much further north of Europe's contested Far East.

"Operation Fubuki, however, is another matter," he said, then turning to Rakshata, who was present at the table but had remained silent to the point. "What is the Tsuru's present status?"

"Approximately eighty percent complete," Rakshata answered back dutifully enough. "We just need another two weeks at the least. A month in more optimum conditions…"

"Two weeks will be sufficient enough," Lelouch responded, before facing the generals again. "I need not remind you all that, in many ways, Fubuki is more essential to us than Aki. Especially at this stage of the game."

Again he received a collection of nods, though somewhat more sullen than the last set. Lelouch couldn't blame them. Compared to the Britannians, the Eildons were a far more nefarious enemy to fight. An enemy that they still knew next to nothing about, which General Kondo soon alluded to.

"With respect Zero, there are still too many blank areas about Fubuki's operation area, to say nothing about the Eildons themselves," Kondo reminded. Even he was visibly discomforted at the idea of going after this particular faction, and not just because Geass was involved. "Do we possess a means to alleviate this?"

Again Lelouch smirked. "As a matter of fact, we do General Kondo," he replied, causing all attention to shift yet again. He then nodded Diethard, who was also sitting at the table. Upon returning Zero's nod, the head of the intelligence division stood up for everyone to see.

Then, all at once, the man everyone had assumed was Diethard Reid visibly fluctuated for the whole of the audience. His Black Knight uniform dissipated to be replaced with more civilian clothing, while his older features altered to a more youthful, but still Britannian, appearance. With blonde hair and green eyes, the man was quite handsome, if a little feminine, though this did not take away from the hardness and experience that he projected. Nor the unmistakable illumination of Geass in his right eye.

All at once the other Generals came to their feet as well. Only Lelouch remained sitting – just as Kallen and C.C. noticeably remained standing in the back, entirely unaffected by the intruder – as the newcomer raised his hands.

"I am no threat to you," the man spoke disarmingly. "I am here at Zero's request."

At that, Lelouch raised his own hands to motion the table occupants to sit back down. Once that was done, Lelouch continued. "This is Orpheus Zevon, formerly of Peace Mark," he stated. "And before that, the Eildons."

As cold shock ran across the table at that notion, Lelouch only continued. "As you can see, we share a common enemy with this man and the remnant of his previous organization," the former prince added, as though the intruder's usage of Geass wasn't evident of that enough. "Which is part of the reason why I invited him here."

"Indeed," Tohdoh exclaimed as he gazed upon Orpheus questioningly. In the background, Tohdoh also noted the doors opening for the real Diethard to enter, with Orpheus courteously turning the chair over upon the latter's approach. "Then we can assume you know much about this common enemy of ours?"

"Very much so General Tohdoh," Orpheus gave back a nod of acknowledgment. "Which is the other part of the reason I am here today."

Again Zero tapped his keypad, causing the monitor to shift once more. This time on a particular island set within the Arctic…

Kostanay Province, Chinese Federation

"We're all living in Britannia!
Britannia, it's wunderbar!
We're all living in Britannia!
Britannia!
Britan…!"

"Stück Scheiße!" Ryo cursed as the music player almost cut out again. That was the third time and counting, and he was very much getting irritated. The drive to Yekaterinburg was tedious enough without the vocals of Till Lindemann giving out to static, though at the same time Ryo knew better than to do without them. After all, he and the rest of the convoy still had an hour or two before they were passed the border, and the music gave him something to concentrate on besides keeping on the lookout for Chinese or Black Knight patrols. Not that he expected there to be any this far out in the godforsaken wasteland that some called Kazakhstan.

In any case, a simple knock seemed to put the player back onto its track, allowing Ryo to once again concentrate on keeping the truck steady as he followed along with the rest. If there was one thing he really didn't like about this part of Mitternacht – or at least the after part of Mitternacht – it was the sheer boredom and tediousness. At least he had some things to do back on the Kleist, up to and including taking a nap or watching a movie. Not here, where there was nothing but the open wilderness, plenty of enemies looking to kill them and the long, imaginary road to Yekaterinburg to abide by. Even going out in his Wolfen was beginning to be a more attractive alternative; at least there he would have been able to shoot at something.

Well, it was what it was, Ryo was forced to admit. The main consolation was the usual one: he was alive and well enough to be bored and annoyed. Not many of his fellow wolves could make that same claim, including one or two that had gone out with him in Mitternacht itself. And as much as he valued his comrades, Ryo would very much rather he remained alive, for as long as he could go. Thus he could endure a little tediousness for the next couple hours, so long as he and the rest made it safely due north in the end. At least he had still had Rammstein and select others, assuming the player didn't cut out permanently before then.

Speaking about his comrades, Ryo couldn't help but cast a sideways glance to the one just next to him in the passenger seat. As he had been throughout the watch, Akito remained sitting back against his chair with his arms crossed, his otherwise typical sleeping position. Not that Ryo expected his friend and superior to act any differently even in the present, of course. He had always known Akito to be able to sleep through anything, up to and including an enemy blitzkrieg. Seeing him like that now actually gave Ryo some reassurance; it was when Akito was awake and more alert than usual that one knew to worry.

That in itself brought to mind their last fight, in which Hannibal's Ghost went toe to toe with the Red Dragoness herself. Though Ryo didn't know what had occurred during that battle – himself having been occupied with the last surviving Glaston Knight – he knew something had happened, something beyond Akito being forced to his limits. It had to have been something bad, enough that he, as well as Yukiya and Ayano, had picked up on it upon their return to the Kleist. Not that Akito would speak of it to anyone – at least, not on the Kleist – but Ryo couldn't help but feel concerned all the same. He cared about his friends like that, and it helped that he had known Akito Hyuga as far back as when they had been rival students in Dresden.

Again however, Ryo knew better than to overly concern himself with the good Major, and so concentrated back on the road. Whatever had occurred in that fight, he wasn't the one Akito would discuss it with, and Ryo respected that. And though that particular woman was some four thousand kilometers or so away, and was likely busy in the present dealing with the Mitternacht's fallout, Ryo had a feeling that she and the Major would be talking again all too soon. Assuming they made it to Yekaterinburg for the conversation to take place of course.

Weisswolf Castle
State of Germany, European Union

"It took more effort than I thought it would, but it's done," Leila proclaimed to the "SOUND ONLY" image on her monitor. "I hope you're grateful, sir."

"More than you will ever know Leila," Rommel replied from his headquarters in El Alamein. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry I put you in that predicament, even if it was a necessity."

Once more out of habit, Leila reached down to stroke the coat of one of her wolves – Freki in this case – as both rested around her desk. Compared to their being on guard when Kessler and his ilk were present, the two were very much at ease now, a notion that the Colonel found herself reflecting. It had been a long few days for all of them.

"No harm done I suppose," Leila shrugged. That was, of course, far from true as she had lost some of her pilots to Zero Squadron. Still, there was nothing she could do about that, and the mission was, for all intents and purposes, successful regardless. "I just hope you know what you're doing sir."

A small laugh sounded through her monitor's speakers. "Normally I would say something to the effect of 'I do too', but for once, I do in fact know Leila," Rommel responded with utmost assurance. "Rest assured that, through your efforts and sacrifice, Europe's future may yet be preserved. From both sides of the line as well."

"Heh," Leila let out simply. As exhausted as she was, she knew exactly what her former mentor was speaking of. "You do realize he could use the information you provided him for just the opposite effect sir."

"He could, yes. But he won't," Rommel again spoke with proud assurance. "Otherwise I would never have had you deliver it to him," he then added rather dismissively. "It's simple as that."

This caused Leila to arch an eyebrow. "May I inquire as to why you have such faith in him?" she questioned. "I mean, it was one thing for you to go before Parliament and act as his advocate, but to actually take this more…proactive approach…"

Again Rommel let out a small laugh. "Let's just say I have a certain understanding of him and his madness Leila," he put forward. "In fact, you could say he and I are rather alike in mind."

"That I could see, yes," Leila admitted, though not so complimentary sounding. It was quite obvious that, whatever mania Zero possessed, was not too dissimilar from that of the Desert Lion. With that in mind, it was no wonder her former superior seemed to view the Demon King as a kinsman of sorts. "On another note, how are things down there?"

"About as much as you would expect," Rommel exclaimed with a shrug. "Without their Black Prince to lead them, the Britannians have more or less been faltering at every level," again the General was dismissive. "Embarrassing really, as well as sloppy."

"Oh?" Leila again arched her eyebrow, this time out of some amusement. "Even with the great Prince Raymond in his stead?"

"Hah!" this time Rommel's laugh was a loud, simple bark. "Raymond is a decent commander in his own right, but he is no Lelouch. The Emperor would have been better off sending him to the Western Front to fight idiots like Pierre Anou."

Leila didn't need to actually see Rommel's face to know that he just flashed a very beastly grin. "Afrika is strictly the domain of lions."

The Colonel grinned at this as well. She could already imagine how Raymond would react when her superior came marching into Casablanca with sound and fury. "Would be nice to have a strategic victory for a change, maybe even something to end the war entirely."

"Yes, well, you won't get that last one here unfortunately. But it will be a start," Rommel exclaimed knowingly. "Especially when Zhukov finds unexpected success on his end."

Once more Leila found herself questioning her superior. "That is assuming Herr Zero performs as well as you expect him to sir."

And once more Leila knew Rommel just flashed a responding grin. "All ye of little faith Leila, but understandable," he acknowledged, though the General still retained his knowing tone. "Even so, I have the distinct feeling that you will be quite surprised."

Black Knights High Command
Naha, Okinawa, Ryukyu Republic

"I can't say I like it much either, but it is what it is," Ohgi spoke as he and Tohdoh moved down the corridor. "Besides, we already fought alongside the Chinese. How is Peace Mark any different?"

"In many ways, beginning with their being terrorists instead soldiers," Tohdoh responded, before minutely shaking his head. "Though I suppose one cannot 'cast stones' in that area anymore."

"Yes, the two seem to overlap these days, don't they?" Ohgi responded back dryly as they at last came to his office. After the Vice Commander entered his code into the keypad, the door opened and allowed the two generals inside. "At the very least we now have some idea of what we will be facing in Alexandra Land. Not that it helps very much."

Tohdoh sighed as he recalled the briefing, as well as Orpheus Zevon's explanations on their enemy. Somehow even that had been quite limited, despite the proclamation that Zevon had once been an Eildon soldier and that he had received his Geass directly from V.V. himself. "I know I've asked this before, but how did we ever end up getting entangled in this, General Ohgi?"

Ohgi shrugged at the question as he took his seat. "Your guess is as good as mine, General Tohdoh," he answered back simply enough. "Though on my side, it probably goes back to when certain comrades of my stole a totally innocuous bioweapon from the Britannians…"

"Heh," Tohdoh laughed at the memory. "Then I suppose it would be Narita with me," he exclaimed as he took his own chair. "It's funny how much this war has changed since then, and even more from fifteen years prior."

"Funny indeed," Ohgi agreed, though with a tinge of irony. "It's almost unrecognizable to when either of us started out."

Both men let the moment pass before Ohgi spoke up again. "At any rate, Zero seems to have some faith in this Orpheus Zevon and his group, and that's really the end of it, like it or not."

"I know," Tohdoh agreed in spite of misgivings. If the Demon King said it was thus, then there was no arguing against it. "I merely hope that that faith is not so misplaced."

Ohgi exhaled through his nostrils on that. "As do we all," he admitted, himself recalling all of Peace Mark's prior "accomplishments" not so long ago. Even for terrorists, they had been a particularly vicious force in their proclaimed goal to enforce "complete world peace". The fact that they still existed, even as a remnant, in the present day was not a comforting one.

Needless to say, it would take some time yet before either of them, and soon the rest of the Order with them, got used to the idea of operating alongside "true" terrorists. Assuming either of them could actually get used to the idea.

"I must admit I'm still taken back," Orpheus admitted as he moved one of his white pawns forward again. "To think the great Black Prince of Britannia and the Demon King are one and the same…"

"As if you were much different," Lelouch responded as he moved his black rook down to claim another pawn. "A member of the House of Zevon being one of the leaders of Peace Mark?"

Orpheus made a small laugh. "We live in a very strange world indeed Your Highness," he stated before moving his bishop to claim the rook. "Not that I was ever truly a Zevon, as I'm sure you can understand."

"Very much so," Lelouch espoused as he maneuvered his other rook to claim that bishop as well. "The Zevons are traditionally a matriarchal line, with males either serving subservient roles…"

"…Or being cast out altogether," Orpheus resounded as he placed another one of his pawns forward. "And I had the misfortune of being born alongside my twin sister."

Lelouch nodded, both at the claim and to take a moment to study the board. He had to admit Orpheus was a skilled player. Though not quite in Schneizel or Johann's league, the terrorist leader seemed to have a good knack for tactics as well as for some long-term strategy, at least in the game. Lelouch wondered how much of that was transferrable to his real world occupation.

"Is that how you ended up in the Eildons?" Lelouch then inquired. Standing directly behind him, Kallen also listened in closely, though as one of the Demon King's personal guardwomen alongside the ever present Cera Cathcart, she had to act discreet about it.

"Indeed it was," Orpheus replied, taking note of the Red Dragoness' own attention with concealed amusement. "It's been claimed the Zevons have had ties to the Eildons from as far back as the Old Empire, and that at least one family member served as a Master at any given time. Thus when I was born, my late mother saw fit to send me into V.V.'s care while my sister was designated heiress apparent."

"And yet," Lelouch couldn't help but point out in turn. "You're here now, plotting toward V.V.'s downfall."

To this, Orpheus flashed an enigmatic grin. "I have my reasons," he admitted. "I'm sure you, of all people, can appreciate that much."

Lelouch simply laughed before at last moving his queen forward. "Checkmate," he announced quite proudly.

Orpheus frowned, only then realizing what the revolutionary had done. Throughout the span of the game, or a good portion of it, he had set his pieces to box in the white king, with the black queen serving as the final instrument of its destruction. All in such a way that Orpheus didn't notice until after the finishing move had been made.

Thus resigned to his defeat, Orpheus tipped his king over as per tradition. "Well played indeed Zero," he acknowledged once more. "I see that you live up to your reputation as a strategist."

Lelouch laughed again. "This is a mundane display compared to what I have done, and what I have planned for the future," he stated fervently. "But I appreciate your compliment all the same."

He then reached out and took hold of the white queen. "In turn, I gained some insight into you Orpheus Zevon," he continued, causing Orpheus to look on curiously. "At one time you may have actually beaten me if you had only sacrificed your queen."

Orpheus raised an eyebrow, and then nodded as he realized that particular play. "So I would have," the terrorist cell leader replied, before picking up the black queen as well. "Just as there was a point where you could have beaten me much faster, had you done the same."

Despite the turn around, Lelouch smiled. Especially as he picked up on Kallen listening in that much more closely.

"Perhaps," he admitted, then passing the white queen to Orpheus, who did the same with the black.

For a very long moment, Lelouch studied the piece, feeling himself recall the recent battle in Akmola, namely the Red Dragoness' stand against Hannibal's Ghost. However, he forced the feelings back, especially before either Orpheus or his actual queen could pick up on them.

"Some things are just too important to surrender," he admitted as well, placing the piece back upon the board, specifically in its proper place next to the black king. "Even on a chessboard."

Once again Lelouch need not turn around to see that Kallen understood the underlying message. And subsequently struggled to keep herself poised, while C.C. gave off a furtively wry smile.

"Having said that, I can't help but feel even more curious," Lelouch continued, looking upon Orpheus with inquisition. "Who or what is your queen?"

Upon that question, Orpheus could only give a flat, saddened smile of his own. "The very reason I left the Eildons to begin with Zero," he stated in a matching tone, remembering as well. "And the central reason I am here now, plotting V.V.'s downfall…"

Eildon Alexandra Base
Alexandra Land, Franz Josef Archipelago

It was a cold night, which was more or less what V.V. had come to expect in this far away, forsaken land. With Jeremiah just behind him, the Grandmaster of the Eildons moved down entryway of Alexandra Base, dual lines of soldiers standing by in the illuminated darkness as though they were still in "conventional" military uniform, while at the head the base commander awaited his approach with anticipation. It was a bit of an overdramatized ceremony in V.V.'s opinion, but he supposed it was a necessary one. After all, it wasn't like he, or anyone else for that matter, had visited this part of the world too often.

"Grandmaster," the base commander greeted as V.V. and Jeremiah both came up, with Jeremiah assuming a guard stance as the commander gave a Britannian styled salute. "Welcome to Alexandra Base."

"Thank you," V.V. replied with a nod before gesturing for the man to follow. As soon as the commander fell in line beside Jeremiah, the grandmaster spoke again. "What is your current progress?"

"Over seventy percent of the reinforcements have been implemented now Grandmaster," the commander reported dutifully, somehow managing to at least not appear to be intimidated by V.V. or his cyborg bodyguard. "The other thirty percent will be implemented in two to three days' time."

"Good, good," V.V. nodded in approval, before adding on. "And the array?"

This time the commander was hesitant. "That, I'm afraid, is taking a little bit longer to complete," he almost stammered. "You must understand that our scientists and engineers are still…reviewing the technology, and it's been said that the main division has just broken through with it…"

"Unacceptable Commander," V.V. stated at once. "The array will serve as the core element of this base's defense. Therefore its implementation is to be immediate."

Doing well not to swallow, the commander nodded. "As you say sir."

After walking a little bit more, the three soon entered one of the base's hangar complexes. As one would expect, lines of military craft – former Britannian units refitted or in the process of being refitted with Eildon technology – filled the space, from the ubiquitous Sutherlands and Gloucesters to assorted VTOLs and armored vehicles. Very much mistakable for a Britannian facility, had it not been for the Eildon coloring on the aforementioned, as well as one or two more exotic features.

However, the one machine V.V. held interest in was at the far end of the hangar. A much taller than average knightmare frame that too was of Britannian design, and yet was so much more. "I trust this is also ready to be put to good use."

Again the commander hesitated. "It's operational sir, yes," he confirmed. "However, as it is a sixth generation unit, there are still some technical issues to be sorted out. Perhaps if you would allow for…"

"Unfortunately there is no time for that Commander," V.V. rebuked, immediately silencing the opposite man. "Anywhere between the next minute to a few weeks' time, Zero will lead his Black Knights into this facility, officiating his war with the Eildons."

V.V. stared up at the man, who did well not to squirm under the grandmaster's gaze. "This knightmare, alongside the array, will serve as our main defense against him and his army of the damned. Thus all I require is that it need be operational and ready to fight."

Once more refusing to swallow, the commander again nodded at his indirect order. "As you say Grandmaster," he acknowledged.

"Good," V.V. said, then waving off the base commander in dismissal. Upon the man taking his leave, V.V. spoke to Jeremiah. "What do you think? Does it meet your approval?"

Jeremiah frowned somewhat at the question. "It will suffice, I suppose."

V.V. actually laughed at the answer. "I know it's not perfect Jeremiah, but we can hardly have one of your skill and position fight Zero in a Sutherland," he said, recalling the former Britannian officer's fondness of that particular machine. "Besides, there's something eminently fitting about one 'Superbus Tyrannus' making a stand against another. Don't you agree?"

To this, Jeremiah let out a flat smile as well. "That is one way to put it Grandmaster," he said simply, continuing to look up at the knightmare's impassive faceplate. "As long as it is toward the preservation of Camelot, I shall content myself."

From that declaration, the smile died away from Jeremiah Gottwald's face as his visage grew even colder. Enough that it seemed to surpass the surrounding climate by a fair margin.

"This time I will complete the role you have given me," he swore to the grandmaster, not once looking away from his new steed's own visage. "This time Zero shall perish, once and for all."