10 Chapter 9: Absit invidia

Kaguya adjusted her clothes once more, the formal Britannian business suit she wore considerably stiffer than the modified kazami she normally wore at home. Showing up for an audience with the new viceroy donning traditional Japanese would have been monumentally stupid politically however so she suffered through the slight chafing of the new suit. The door opened and Kirihara stepped out, leaning against his cane as Senba Ryoga trailed him at a respectful distance. Kaguya stood and bowed to her elder.

"Kirihara-sama."

"Kaguya-sama," the older man greeting her by name but still retaining the respectful honorific.

Kaguya frowned, noticing the slight unease in Kirihara's voice. "Are you feeling ill, Kirihara-sama?"

Did something happen in the meeting with the viceroy, was the unspoken question.

"I am fine," Kirihara said, "thank you for being concerned for an old man such as myself, Kaguya-sama."

Kaguya gave the man a practiced smile so as not to draw any further attention from the Britannian personnel present. After a nod Kirihara walked towards the door. As he passed Kaguya however a hand reached over and gave her arm a squeeze.

"Be careful with the viceroy," the old man whispered before smiling and patting Kaguya's hand as if he were merely saying farewell.

Kaguya continued smiling as she bowed slightly.

"The viceroy will see you now," the secretary said once the antechamber's doors closed behind Kirihara.

"Thank you," Kaguya said with a nod and proceeded towards the office entrance.

Chiba Nagisa followed, sticking a bit closer than her counterpart had for Kirihara, but then again Kaguya was many years her junior and so the lieutenant was likely feeling a bit more protective. The two passed the threshold into a tastefully appointed and relatively cozy room. Kaguya had never visited the viceroy's personal office when Clovis still reigned but something told her the Princess Euphemia had made an explicit decision when she decided on this room for her own office instead of using the one that was supposed to officially serve as her workplace. For one thing, despite having enough space for a sitting area with a pair of coaches and loveseats along with a coffee table and end tables, the room itself was positively tiny compared to the grandiose chambers most Britannian nobles seemed to think were necessary to remind others of their standing and others' insignificance. In here however no space was wasted, every piece of furniture was functional, and even the massive desk the princess sat behind seemed entirely necessary seeing as there were a total of six computer displays on it along with stacks of neatly arranged papers. Along the walls were a few shelves and from the corner of her eyes Kaguya noted that there were books on economics, statistics, a few history texts, and a book of fairy tales? Well, perhaps that was a memento from the princess' childhood, something she was loathe to leave behind due to the memories associated with it. Kaguya could certainly understand that.

A single painting of the emperor hung to the left behind the viceroy though due to its size Kaguya surmised that it was there mostly for the sake of form and not because the Princess actually cared. The photo frame that sat facing towards the Princess on the other hand likely did hold something of sentimental value and Kaguya felt an itch to see what was in it. It was however unlikely that she would find an excuse to walk around the desk to get a view, especially with the dark skinned woman standing sternly behind the Princess. The woman was obviously a soldier, selected to ensure the Princess' safety in case anyone from the NAC was insane enough to try something this day. Seeing as Kaguya was not on a suicide mission however she did her best to ignore the woman and treat her as mere background.

Instead Kaguya fixed her attention on the Princess and bowed at the appropriate distance from the table. The Princess had changed out of her black mourning dress into a still austerely cut business suit. Despite having even less

"Your highness, it is an honor to be summoned."

An amused smile crossed Euphemia's face at the obvious false courtesy, much as a frown appeared on Villetta's. But so long as Kaguya was not overtly rude the Britannian side could not openly express any disapproval.

"Welcome, Dame Sumeragi," Euphie said before glancing over at the woman trailing the girl. "And your assistant would be?"

Kaguya blinked, not expecting the viceroy to pay any attention to her escort, but did not falter.

"This is Ms. Minami Sakurai," Kaguya said and the woman bowed once more. "She has served the Sumeragi family for many years."

"Minami Sakurai," Euphie said, still smiling disarmingly at them. "I shall remember that."

Chiba stiffened slightly and kept her pose rigid. Fortunately Euphie's gaze returned to Kaguya and the woman let out a slight sigh of relief.

"Please, have a seat," Euphie invited.

"Thank you highness."

"Fourteen," Euphie said thoughtfully. "That was about when I first formally entered the Administratum." That smile again. "Though I suppose our responsibilities are not likely to be completely the same."

"You worked in the Administratum, your highness?" Kaguya said curiously.

Euphie nodded. "As an auditor. I examined the various accounts and budgets of the myriad of ministries, operations, and other such subunits of the Empire. I also looked at reports to discern whether there existed issues of efficiency. For all its wealth the resources of the Empire is finite after all and as stewards of the nation We must ensure that losses to waste be minimized."

Kaguya nodded. This was a sentiment she understood and even agreed with, even if the one preaching it was the viceroy responsible for keeping her people under Britannia's heel.

"Tell me Dame Sumeragi," Euphie said, clasping her hands and resting her chin atop them, "what is it that your family does?"

Kaguya blinked. "Your pardon, highness?"

"Your family is involved in the production of sakuradite, that much I know already," Euphie said, "but could that truly be all? Surely all the wealth that comes into your hands is not used simply to maintain your lifestyle?"

A backhanded provocation if Kaguya had ever heard one but ambiguous enough that again she could not openly take offense. This Princess Euphemia was good.

"My family has a variety of interests beyond our core business," Kaguya replied. "Some of our charitable works involve supplying clinics in the wards outside the Concessions so that its residents have access to basic health services."

Services that were denied them by the Britannian government, went the unstated point. Two could play at this game, even if Kaguya risked a great deal more by trying to get a rise out of the viceroy. The smile never left the Princess' expression however. She cocked her head to the side.

"Indeed? An admirable undertaking. Would you happen to have any records of the type of services most in demand? And what requests go unfulfilled due to lack of the necessary supplies, equipment, or qualified personnel?"

The question took Kaguya by surprise but she kept her voice calm. "I would need to consult our records, your highness."

"But such records do exist?" Euphie pressed.

"Yes, they do," Kaguya said in a puzzled tone. Just what was the Princess getting at?

"Excellent," Euphie said. The young woman reached over to press the intercom. "Rachel, has Colonel Frasier arrived?"

"Yes your highness."

"Please send her in."

"At once, highness."

The door opened and a smartly woman in formal military attire walked in. She saluted sharply.

"Colonel Samantha Frasier, reporting as ordered your highness."

"Colonel, I appreciate your punctuality," Euphie said and gestured to the seat next to Kaguya. "Please."

"Thank you highness."

The newly arrived woman paid Kaguya absolutely no mind as she sat down, her attention fixed on the viceroy. Kaguya on the other hand studied her carefully albeit discretely. The eagles on her collar indicated she was a full colonel, not just a lieutenant-colonel but it was the red shield on the woman's armband that really caught Kaguya's attention. The red shield of Eir, the Valkyrie of healing. Colonel Frasier was a member of the Britannian Army Nursing Corps, not a member of the regular Britannian forces.

"Colonel Frasier is organizing the establishment of treatment centers in the outer wards," Euphie explained to Kaguya. "We intend to use the hospitals that are still intact and would welcome your family's input on which buildings are still structurally sound and what services are most urgently needed outside the Concession."

The questions about her family's work made sense now, Kaguya mused.

"Suggested provisions for making sure the supplies intended for these treatment centers all reach their destinations would also be welcome," Euphie added.

And there it was, the other shoe. The Britannians never entirely the NAC and always assumed that the councilmembers possessed some backdoor channels to the various resistance elements. Those suspicions were rarely ever brought up, likely because even the Empire might someday find it useful to have some means of sending discrete messages to those they considered rebels or terrorists. It looked like that someday was today.

"Of course highness," Kaguya said agreeably. "I am sure if the residents outside the Concessions were made aware of what these supplies are intended for, there should be no difficulty in ensuring that they arrive safely at their destinations."

Euphie nodded, accepting the roundabout answer. "Colonel, I believe I asked you to prepare a brief for the first medical treatment site that is to be established."

"Yes your highness," Frasier said, pulling out a data disk. "I have it with me right here."

Euphie gestured to the display mounted on the wall. "Please, could you provide us with a précis?"

"Of course your highness."

The colonel walked over to the display and inserted the disk into the computer hooked up to it. The display came to life and after a minute or so of setup a map of Tokyo appeared. Specifically, a ward within the Tokyo Greater Metropolitan Area. Euphie frowned slightly.

"That is, the Shinjuku ward?" the Princess said.

"Correct, your highness," Frasier said with an apologetic look. "The Shinjuku ward is right next to the Concession and thus significantly reduces the distance that would need to be traversed in order to deliver supplies. In addition, there is a hospital campus especially suited to our needs."

"Oh? And which one would that be?"

Frasier zoomed into a coordinate on the map. "The former site of the Keio University Medical College. Most of its buildings are still intact and could be put into working order with a little effort. In fact there appears to be a sort of community medical center using the buildings now."

Euphie glanced at Kaguya. "Is that one of the clinics your family supports, Dame Sumeragi?"

Kaguya needed to think about that for a moment. "I believe we have provided supplies to them in the past, yes, your highness. I would need to consult our records on whether they have received support recently."

"If there is someone in your household who has interacted with those running the community clinic, I would appreciate if you could make them available to Colonel Frasier's team to help facilitate the establishment of a more formal hospital," Euphie said. "Or rather, the reestablishment of the hospital."

"I will look into the matter, your highness," Kaguya promised.

"Excellent." Euphie nodded to the colonel. "Please, continue."

"Yes your highness." Frasier turned slightly toward the monitor. "As a university campus, not all of the buildings were designed to serve as treatment centers. Your highness has specified a target of 1000 beds," both Kaguya and Nagisa inhaled sharply at that, an act more or less ignored by the Britannians in the room, "and I have selected the buildings clustered around the main gate for the wards. The community clinic is likely already using some of the rooms, but with a rotating schedule to shift patients out of the old rooms as refurbishment is completed in others, we should see minimal disruption of current treatment services."

"Very good colonel," Euphie said. "And have you had success in finding the necessary personnel?"

"Yes your highness," Frasier said. "At present I have seventy-three physicians whose credentials we have managed to verify and another twenty-six whose records were lost in the war but whom based on interviews demonstrate in-depth knowledge that indicates their qualifications are likely real. We also have one hundred twenty-six verified nurses and sixty-nine unverified but likely qualified individuals. Then of course there are likely to be individuals already practicing at the clinic. Assuming they are willing to stay, staffing the hospital should be feasible even if personnel are a bit stretched."

Now that was interesting, Kaguya noted. That all sounded like the hospital itself would be staffed by Japanese. A not entirely unreasonable proposition seeing as the people living in the ghettos were unlikely to look kindly upon a large number of Britannians suddenly overrunning one of their few community centers.

"Still, all around very promising," Euphie said. "Very good work, colonel."

Frasier nodded at the praise. "Thank you highness."

"Dame Sumeragi's family is also supposed to have records of the type of services most requested at the clinic and the usage rates of various supplies," Euphie said. "Would those be helpful in determining prioritization and rationalization of what supplies to deliver?"

"Immensely, your highness," Frasier said. "I had originally thought simply to provide proportional quantities based on usage patterns at hospitals within the Concession and my own experience with battlefield medicine, but if we have hard numbers we should be able to better balance the initial delivery of supplies and subsequent weekly deliveries."

"I trust your family would be willing to share those records, Dame Sumeragi?" Euphie asked.

Kaguya nodded, not that she had a choice. "Yes, your highness."

"Is there anything else you believe we should be made aware of at this time, colonel?" Euphie said to Frasier.

"There is one last matter your highness, involving the security of the site," Frasier said.

Nagisa's expression flickered ever so slightly.

Euphie nodded for the woman to go ahead. "Please."

"I am afraid your highness' instructions for a predominantly Honorary Britannian security detail has been, difficult to fulfill," the colonel said. "The majority of such units tend to be commanded by officers of, less than excellent standing and discipline and unfortunately it is extremely difficult to determine which units are simply saddled with poor leaders and which genuinely deserve their low readiness scores."

Euphie nodded. "An excellent point, and one I should have considered. The reorganization of the military will however take time and I do not know when appropriate units might be ready."

"We will need security of some sort your highness," Frasier said. "Notwithstanding the personal safety of our patients, the medical supplies are valuable and we must ensure that they are not lost to petty theft."

"A suggestion if I may, your highness?" Kaguya found herself speaking up.

Euphie looked over at the girl again. "Yes, Dame Sumeragi?"

Kaguya considered very carefully her next few words. "My family, and those of the other councilmembers on the NAC, may be able to provide personnel from amongst our own retainers to help secure the hospital. All of them are also Honorary Britannians."

There it was, Kaguya was offering her own people to help with this endeavor. It was pretty obvious that the viceroy wanted greater participation in society by the Japanese and this hospital, and others like if it this first one proved successful, would serve as a positive role model for the residents of the ghettos that were unwilling to become Honorary Britannians. At a more abstract level though the Princess' plan would only work if the Japanese saw that the people working in the hospital were more than simply laborers at the beck and call of the Empire. And while accepting Kaguya's offer would not really mean anything to the people of the street, it would be an indication to the NAC that the Princess really did want to engage with the Japanese people.

Euphie tilted her head slightly. "That would be a possibility, though any candidates would need to be properly vetted. Do you foresee any problems, colonel?"

"No highness. As such retainers are ultimately responsible to the councilmembers of the NAC I believe they could be entrusted with this particular task while the military's reorganization is in progress."

"Very well, your kind offer is accepted, Dame Sumeragi, I thank you for your consideration."

Kaguya bowed slightly in her seat. "You are most welcome, highness. House Sumeragi will put its all into supporting this noble endeavor."

On this Kaguya was entirely honest. The Six Houses could not attempt to undermine something like this without severely undercutting popular support for the liberation movement. Even if the viceroy's ultimate goal with this endeavor was to eventually subsume of the Japanese people into Britannian society. The good that this hospital could do however, the number of lives it might improve, that was immeasurable. The Princess had chosen something that was effectively inviolate as the opening move of her campaign to win the hearts of the Japanese people. Kaguya could not help but shiver slightly. Little wonder Kirihara had warned her to be careful around the Princess.

The presentation by the colonel came to an end and the woman departed after receiving Euphie's thanks once more. The conversation then moved to the sitting area and servants entered with a tea service. To Kaguya's surprise green tea was one of the options she could have chosen. The girl however erred on the side of caution and asked for black, eliciting a playful smile from the princess. It was hard to tell when the princess was being polite versus testing Kaguya. Yet as the conversation turned to things like Kaguya's own education, her upbringing, and Euphie compared the girl's experiences to her own, the Sumeragi head found herself relaxing more and more. By the time Kaguya departed the smile she gave Euphie in their parting was actually genuine. Charisma, it was something the viceroy had in spades.

As the door closed and Kaguya and Nagisa settled into the car, the JLF officer finally spoke.

"Sumeragi-dono, do you truly intend to cooperate with the viceroy's hospital project?"

Kaguya regarded the woman. "Do you believe I should not, Lieutenant Chiba?"

"It, is not my place to say," Nagisa said cautiously, "but the goal of this project is obvious. The viceroy intends to use it as a way of garnering support from amongst the ghetto residents for incorporation into the Empire, to weaken support for independence."

"That is likely true," Kaguya agreed. "The problem, lieutenant, is that the viceroy does not really need my cooperation on this endeavor. She will proceed regardless of whether my retainers help provide security. Furthermore any attempts to actively sabotage this project would have a direct, detrimental impact on the residents of the Shinjuku ghetto. Sacrifices must be made in the struggle for independence, of course, but to be so callous in demanding them from others? That path leads to our eventual ruin."

"It is as you say, Sumeragi-dono," Nagisa said reluctantly.

Kaguya smiled gently at Nagisa. "Do not fear, lieutenant, the Six Houses' support for the JLF and all those who fight for Japan's liberation will not waver merely because the viceroy has demonstrated a token of goodwill to our people."

"But what of the next token, your grace?" Nagisa asked before clapping a hand over her mouth and bowing. "My apologies, that was impudent of me."

"It is fine," Kaguya assured the woman even as she thought it over. The older woman did have a point after all. "Consider, Lieutenant, what it would mean if the Japanese were allowed to reclaim our name and our rights within the Empire. In that case, what would we be fighting for?"

Nagisa's mouth moved wordlessly as she struggled to answer. Eventually the woman gave up and gazed at Kaguya silently.

"We may well have to ask ourselves this if the Princess Euphemia is genuine in her efforts," Kaguya said. "Well, I admit that it is unlikely, but one never knows. Still, best that we start pondering it now than find ourselves making hasty decisions if the time ever comes."

Sumeragi Kaguya was, despite her youth, a remarkable person, Nagisa decided. In some ways so was the Princess Euphemia li Britannia. As the car continued on its way back to the Sumeragi estate Nagisa pondered the question set before her. What would there to be fight for if the Japanese were allowed to be Japanese within the Empire?

Kallen burst into her room and slammed the door shut tight, causing C.C. to glance over from the sofa. The girl was munching away at a bag of chips while watching some soap opera on TV. Kallen placed herself between said TV and C.C., hands on her hips.

"We need to talk."

"Egad," C.C. said lazily, "and what hast thou so mazed?"

"Is it possible for someone to be immune to my power?"

C.C. smirked. "Hast thou truly not attempted to use thy gift upon moi?"

Kallen blinked. And blinked again. The girl leaned in and narrowed her eyes. Shortly after they widened.

"I can't read you."

"Verily," C.C. said dryly.

"Why is that," Kallen demanded.

"I be the one whom granted thee thy gift," C.C. said. "Doust thee think I be so drab as to permit thee to turn thy gift against me?"

That Kallen had to admit was a good point.

"Natheless," C.C. said, straightening and staring Kallen in the eye, "thy worry seems to be aimed at another. Whom else hast thy gift failed upon?"

Kallen grimaced. "The Princess. I tried to get a read of her during the funeral ceremony, but I couldn't get anything off of her. Does that mean she has the same power as you? The power to grant other people, powers?"

"Hmm," C.C. hummed. "Tis unlikely. More probable be that her highness was gifted by another."

Kallen's eyes narrowed. "Another? There's someone else out there like you?"

C.C. smirked. "And what doust thee believe, milady?"

The red haired girl ground her teeth. "Listen you, you said you're here to help me, right?"

"We have a pact," C.C. corrected. "For fulfilling mine wish, thou hast my aid."

"But you still haven't told me what the blazes your wish is!" Kallen exclaimed.

"Pore on it," C.C. said. "Whether thou art capable of fulfilling mine wish remains to be seen. Thou must proveth thyself alone in that."

"Your wish, involves this power, this Geass?" Kallen said questioningly. "Then does that mean you aren't going to answer any of my questions about the Geass?"

"Hmm, twould be unjust should I remain entirely silent, hereat thou might become silly at a most importunate moment. Ask, and I shall answer at my whim."

"Like that's any different than usual," Kallen muttered before sighing. "So the Princess, is there a way to definitively figure out if she has a power, a Geass?"

"Should her highness utilize her Geass, perhaps thou might sense it."

"And would her Geass be like mine?"

C.C. shook her head. "The Geass manifests uniquely for each whom receiveth its gift. Though soothly, a distinction mayhap be difficult to discern when regarding the effect."

"So it might work differently, but someone else's Geass could basically allow them to do the same thing as me."

"Aye."

Kallen paced back and forth in her room. If that was the case, if there were other people with the Geass, that could seriously complicate things if more of them showed up in Japan. She came to an abrupt halt before C.C.

"How many other people have you granted the Geass to?"

C.C. regarded the girl thoughtfully, tilting her head side to side. At first Kallen thought the girl was mocking her again but the hardness of C.C.'s eyes indicated otherwise.

"None should pose a threat to thy goal," C.C. finally said, fixing Kallen with her stare. "But know this, should a past contractor dare intrude upon thy path, twould be thou whom I shall lend my aid."

And that was as much as Kallen would get out of the girl as C.C. laid back down so that she could look around the redhead at the TV. Kallen spent a few moments scowling at C.C. but knew that her displeasure would not move the enigmatic girl. Yet one thing that stuck out at the end there was C.C.'s explicit siding with her. Casting her lot with Kallen was not that surprising in and of itself, but the fact that C.C. did so explicitly against a past, contractor, suggested that there were others running around possessing the Geass. Others that might be enough of a threat that she would need C.C.'s help dealing with them. That was more than a little unsettling. And if Princess Euphemia was not one such past contractor, then who had given her a Geass? C.C. seemed unwilling to divulge this information, at least so long as said source did not start interfering with Kallen's own life. But the girl's instincts told her that such a crossing of paths was inevitable. This source must have been within Britannia and Kallen had made the Empire her enemy. One way or another she would eventually face this force. Only the Fates might discern just what how that battle would end.

The three semi-trailer trucks rolled through the quiet eve of the countryside with a pair of Humvees leading and trailing respectively. It was a small escort but then again they were not expecting any trouble. The convoy was only carrying rations and parts after all, the only weapons were the ones the soldiers themselves were carrying. Even the drivers were unarmed. The run promised to be entirely routine and so the soldiers in the two Humvees barely paid attention to the rolling countryside. They were not entirely sleeping on the job however, the driver certainly needed to keep his eyes on the road. That was perhaps why the first warning the convoy had of trouble was the driver of the lead Humvee slamming down on the brakes even as he cursed. Not that it did much good as something slammed down on the hood of the Humvee and neatly flipped the vehicle up. More screams sounded but the vehicle did not flip over entirely. Instead very large fingers gripped the roof of the car and pushed it down over onto its side, leaving the only doors accessible atop while also neatly blocking the road.

The soldiers within the first Humvee were still trying to untangle themselves when crunching mental sounded again behind their position, indicating that the trailing escort had met a similar fate. A head appeared in the broken window above them and leveled a rifle at the soldiers.

"Don't move," the man ordered.

Another figure appeared, also bearing a weapon. Considering the confined space and their own lack of preparedness the Britannian soldiers wisely held their hands up, as best they could.

A few minutes later, a few more minutes than Kallen was really happy with, the Britannians were pulled out of their mangled Humvees and forced to huddle up. Their weapons and gear were confiscated so they were left with only their fatigues. The drivers interestingly enough were all civilians and obviously unused to being put in such circumstances seeing as how they fidgeted. Kallen did not bother wasting any sympathy on them however.

"Here's the deal," Kallen said over the knightmare's loudspeaker. "We've got what we came for and we're prepared to let all of you go alive. However we're not about to let you just phone home and call for backup to try to pick us off as we're leaving." The knightmare's hand opened to reveal the intact radio pack. "We'll be taking this with us and leave it two kilometers out from here next to the road. After you find the radio it's up to you what you do, but we'll be long gone and you're in the middle of nowhere so try to get your priorities straight."

The Britannians looked at her with a mixture of shock and resentment but none made a move. They were not that stupid at least. Looking over Kallen saw Inoue give her a thumbs up, indicating the woman had not found any tracker beacons on the trucks. Kallen proceeded to shove the wrecked Humvees off the road and the semis were turned around to head back for the city. The cell's own vehicles formed up to create a more ragtag escort but out here they were unlikely to run into opposition. Still they kept an eye on the Britannians until they were out of sight. Only then did Kallen roll her knightmare into the truck that had brought it here. Needless to say she did this while the truck was still moving, they did not have time to waste stopping and starting up again.

"Nicely done," Ohgi said over the radio. "I'd say that was a successful debut for the red knight."

Kallen snorted. "Not exactly dramatic, pulling a highway robbery."

"But we got what we came for and that's what's important," Ohgi said. "Remember-"

"Keep the big picture in mind," Kallen finished for the man. "Yeah, I got it."

In the truck Ohgi exchanged knowing smiles with Inoue. Some things about the girl was never going to change.

Several hours later the trucks rolled into Ohgi's warehouse, all indications being they had escaped clean.

"Alright, let's crack them open and see what we've got," Ohgi ordered.

The cell members quickly unlocked the trailers and began pulling out the crates. Much of it was food as expected but Inoue almost squealed as they pulled out spare parts for radios. There was also a smattering of medical supplies, bandages and painkillers and the like.

"A decent haul," Ohgi said as he looked over one of the meal, ready to eat (MRE) rations. "If nothing else we'll be able to distribute some food to a few of the community centers. There's always military rations floating around."

"I could use a couple of crates for the Keio hospital," Inoue said. "We've been getting a lot of patients due to what happened in Shinjuku."

Ohgi nodded. "Take whatever you need."

"Oi, boss man, get over here!" Tamaki called from one of the other trailers.

Ohgi frowned and walked over, followed by Inoue and Kallen. "What is it?"

Tamaki held up a container holding some sort of translucent brown liquid. "Wadda ya make of this?"

Ohgi took the container and looked it over but before he could reply Inoue sucked in her breath. The others glanced over at her.

"You know what this is?" Ohgi asked.

A look of righteous anger suffused Inoue's expression. "I'm not one hundred percent sure, but that looks like Refrain."

Eyes widened all around her and soon enough all shared her anger.

"Is there a way to safely find out?" Ohgi asked.

"Give me a sample," Inoue said, "a small sample. I'll get it tested at the hospital."

"Alright. Tamaki, find a clean bottle or something and pour some out for Inoue."

"Roger that."

As the other man walked over Ohgi turned to Inoue and Kallen.

"If that really is Refrain, then why was it in that convoy?" the man wondered aloud.

"At a guess? They were sneaking it out to sell," Inoue said. "Someone at that base has to be a dealer, or at least a middleman."

Ohgi grimaced. "That's not good. That much Refrain, what do you think the street value is?"

Inoue walked over to look at the single crate. None of the others around it held any more vials.

"Probably a couple hundred thousand pounds," the woman said. "The question is what will we do with it."

"I don't like this," Ohgi said. "I'd prefer to just destroy it, something vile like that, we can't risk it getting out onto the streets or being caught with it."

"We need to stamp it out at the source," Kallen said, "find out who the intended recipient was."

"And how are we supposed to do that?" Ohgi said.

Kallen glanced over at Ohgi.

"No. No, you are not going anywhere near that place," Ohgi said.

Inoue looked at the two in confusion. "What?"

"Nothing," Ohgi said, rubbing his temples. "Inoue, get your sample checked out. We'll figure out our next step after we've actually confirmed this is Refrain."

"Alright," Inoue said, though she cast a questioning look at them as she walked off.

Once she was out of earshot Kallen turned to Ohgi.

"Get me within a kilometer of that place and I can find who the recipient is," Kallen hissed. "You know I can."

"Don't you remember what I said about being careful about when to use this power?" Ohgi countered.

"And this isn't important? Ohgi, someone at that outpost is peddling Refrain. We need to do something about it."

"We're too short on supplies," Ohgi insisted. "We're-"

"Ohgi," Kallen said very flatly. "I am going. If need be I'll go with just C.C. You can either come along and watch my back or you can sit out of this, but you cannot stop me from doing this."

"Damn it Kallen this isn't a game," Ohgi said vehemently.

"No, it's war, and to win a war we have to take risks," Kallen said. "We can't keep playing it safe, not if we actually want to win. You said you'd stop trying to pamper me, was that a lie?"

Ohgi ground his teeth. "That wasn't a lie, Kallen, but there are necessary risks and unnecessary risks. What you're talking about is-"

"What I'm talking about is taking down a major drug trafficking ring," Kallen cut him off. "You need to get your priorities straight, Ohgi. Me or Japan. Who do you care more for? Your country or your best friend's little sister? Cause there may well be a time when you have to make that call and if you hesitate you're liable to lose both."

"Kallen-"

"It doesn't even have to be choosing Japan over me," Kallen pressed on. "You could choose me over Japan, but you need to resolve this now. Otherwise you're putting all of us at even more risk by being indecisive. We need a leader who knows what he wants Ohgi, a leader that loves us but is still willing to send us out to our deaths."

Ohgi grimaced. "I don't know if I can do that Kallen."

"Naoto could," Kallen said, her own grimace making clear saying that was as painful for her as it was for Ohgi to hear. "I'm going to run this op, Ohgi. I'd appreciate your help with the planning and execution, but I'm doing this with or without your support."

Kallen walked off leading Ohgi trying to grapple with his internal turmoil. Everything Kallen said was true and it ate at him. But the thought of putting the girl, Naoto's little brother, into ever greater danger was almost unbearable. True in the Shinjuku operation she had been in the thick of things but that was when they were desperate, when the fear of a poison gas attack on the Japanese population demanded they do whatever was necessary to stop it. And then it turned out that there was no poison gas, that they had risked it all for nothing. The doubts had crept in afterward and were still hanging in the back of Ohgi's mind. But Kallen was right, if he continued hesitating like this he was liable to get them all killed because he couldn't make a hard call. So why was he still not able to make a decision?

The field Suzaku found himself standing on was fairly Spartan, not entirely surprising seeing as militaries worldwide tended to admire practicality over aesthetics. This was true even for the Britannian army with its officer corps packed with nobles, though from the few rare glimpses Suzaku had seen of the officer's lounge there were some amenities those of commissioned rank enjoyed that could be termed extravagant.

Boots sounded against the tracks and Suzaku stiffened as a man in the combat dress of a Britannian general approached. Lieutenant-General Andreas Darlton, Marshal Cornelia li Britannia's direct subordinate and confidante, one of the most decorated officers in the Britannian Army. He was the one that had summoned Suzaku here for reasons the young man could only guess at. Considering the scowl upon the face of the general and the four men accompanying him it was not likely to be good. Nevertheless the man was Suzaku's superior so he saluted smartly.

"Private Kururugi, reporting as ordered sir."

Darlton looked over Suzaku with a barely concealed expression of disdain. Suzaku knew of the general's reputation and had hoped that a man that adopted orphans and granted them the opportunity to become knights of the Empire might be fairer and more open minded. That was perhaps a naïve hope after all considering the general's familiarity with Marshal li Britannia.

"Suzaku Kururugi," Darlton said flatly. "The ASEEC has deigned to allow you to pilot a knightmare, an honor generally reserved for those that prove themselves worthy of the title of knight within the Empire."

Suzaku tried to hide his trepidation. He had expected something like this to eventually happen, there was bound to be dissatisfaction and resentment at a Japanese for being allowed to pilot a knightmare, even if it was a prototype. Lloyd's status as a noble would have offered some protection, loathe as Suzaku was to use his connections like that, but the one confronting him now was Darlton, a noble in his own right and confidante of Princess Cornelia. Unless Lloyd was prepared to lean on Princes Schneizel himself, it was unlikely the Earl could shield Suzaku in this instance. He needed to come through this with his own strength.

"Yes sir," Suzaku replied respectfully.

Darlton began circling the young man. "The requirements for knighthood are extensive, one must be fit within both body and spirit. The Earl may be a noble but it is not his prerogative to excuse you of those requirements."

Suzaku said nothing. In the military you did not speak your mind unless invited to, that much he had enough sense to understand.

"Glaston Knights," Darlton said, having come full circle around Suzaku.

"Sir!" the four men cried together in response.

"Four laps around the track, on the double."

"Sir!"

The four shot off, breaking out into a flat out run instead of a steady jog. Darlton regarded Suzaku.

"It would behoove you not to be last, Private."

"Sir!" Suzaku shouted before dashing off after the others.

In the end Suzaku was not last, though he was certainly not first. The Glaston Knights were regarded as the cream of Princess Cornelia's personal unit and a simple run of a mile was child's play for them. The pace they set saw Suzaku going all out to keep up and he had just managed to achieve third when the laps came to an end. That was however the extent of his ability however as the knight in first place had half a lap ahead of the one in second, who had a quarter at least on Suzaku himself. The boy was panting heavily as he reached the end, barely able to stand.

"Fifty pushups, now!" Darlton shouted.

"Sir!"

Suzaku fell in line with the others and began furiously bobbing up and down. The muscles in his arms soon shared the burning sensation with those of his legs but at least it was a different part of his body being exercised. This time all of them were moving in sync, the lead knight setting a brisk pace that seemed incredulous to the young man. He kept up however and even managed to do so without cutting corners. Not that his arms were feeling particularly grateful about that.

"Sit ups, a hundred!"

"Sir!"

Where the others were finding the breath to shout so loudly Suzaku had no idea. He tried his best to emulate them though his own cry was a mere rasp at this point. Halfway through Suzaku felt his abs starting to cramp up. By the hundredth the boy felt as if he was going to throw up. He was barely back on his feet when the next command came.

"Squat thrusts, fifty!"

He was going to die. That was Suzaku's conclusion as he dropped down, thrust his legs out into a push up pose, before retracting them into a squat and jumping up. Things became a complete blur and Suzaku felt his body become incredibly light. Or perhaps it was just his head that was feeling light. Either way when the final count of fifty sounded Suzaku almost went down for another squat thrust before his brain caught up with his ears and forced his body to stiffen up into an at attention pose once more. About the only consolation in all this was the Glaston Knights were also breathing heavily at this point. If they were not feeling it by now they would have been absolutely inhuman.

"Bartholomew," Darlton said.

"Sir!"

One of the knights immediately walked over and picked up two swords. One he presented to Darlton himself, the other was thrust into Suzaku's hands.

"En garde, Private," Darlton said as he unsheathed the blade.

Suzaku hastily did the same, noting that the blade was not dulled. He clasped the handle with both hands, eliciting a frown from Darlton.

"The sword is not a katana, Private," Darlton chided. "Attempt to wield it like one and you will only end up hurting yourself."

Suzaku grimaced, knowing the General was right. He had however instinctively gone into the pose thanks to those early years under Toudou's mentoring. Suzaku released one hand and shifted his stance.

Darlton nodded. "Till first blood."

The General glanced over at Bartholomew. The man raised his hand.

"Read?"

Suzaku tensed.

"Begin!"

Darlton lunged forward, thrusting his blade at Suzaku's center. The boy deflected the strike and tried to land one of his own. Despite his size however Darlton was amazingly agile, twirling his sword about and deflecting Suzaku's swing. Before the young man realized what was happening Darlton was inside his guard and slammed a fist into his chest. The wind knocked out of him, Suzaku stumbled back even as he desperately raised his blade to shield himself. Darlton effortlessly parried aside the feeble swings but did not move in for the kill. The reprieve gave Suzaku time to recover and his movements regained some of their original vigor. He was still on the defensive however as Darlton kept advancing on him.

Opening up the distance between the two, Suzaku readjusted his stance once more. The General was a frighteningly competent swordsman, easily surpassing any of the instructors Suzaku had had since joining the Britannian military. He might well be a match for Toudou-sensei himself. Furthermore Suzaku was already worn down from all the running about, negating a big chunk of the traditional advantage a younger man's endurance might confer against an older opponent. Perhaps that was the entire point of the previous exercises, to push Suzaku to his limits before Darlton finished him off. The boy's grip on his sword tightened. He would not fall here, he would not give the General the satisfaction of such a lopsided victory. Suzaku cried and charged, eliciting a look of surprise from the General. That surprise did not last long however as Darlton executed a lateral slash against Suzaku's unguarded side. The boy however angled his own blade, catching Darlton's sword and using the point of contact to pivot around. Suzaku spun, using his momentum to slam his fist into the General's side. Darlton gasped in pain as he stumbled back, trying to disengage his sword from Suzaku's. The boy shoved the General's weapon aside before slashing downward with his own.

"Halt!"

And stopped just a hair's width from slamming the blade through the man's shoulders.

"Winner by first blood, General Darlton!"

Suzaku blinked. "What?"

Darlton straightened and pushed aside Suzaku's blade with his own, the glint of the sword mixed with the red of blood.

"Look at your hand, boy."

Suzaku looked down and gasped. There was a gash on the back of his hand. When had that happened? The young man was still staring at his wound when Bartholomew stepped forward to retrieve the sword. Suzaku handed it numbly over.

"You have the strength of body," Darlton said, causing Suzaku to look up. "You have the strength of spirit."

Suzaku's eyes widened.

"Perhaps someday you will have the strength of mind to go along with them," Darlton continued as he finished wiping his sword and sheathed it. "Do not disappoint, Private Kururugi. Her highness has placed immense faith in your qualities."

Suzaku stiffened and snapped a salute. "Yes sir!"

"Have your wound looked at," Darlton ordered. "The viceroy requests your presence this afternoon at 1400 hours. Do not be late."

"Yes sir!" Suzaku repeated.

Three hours later after his hand was stitched up under the watchful eye of an obviously disapproving Cécile Suzaku was ushered into the viceroy's office once more. It was his second time seeing the place and he noted the changes. A lot more papers were on the Princess' desk now, along with several shelves packed with books. This was truly becoming a place of work for the viceroy.

"Private Kururugi," Euphie said with a gentle smile. "I hope you will forgive General Darlton for the injury you suffered this day. There have been parties that expressed, dissatisfaction, with your current position, and so I requested the General to conduct an informal evaluation."

That made sense, Suzaku thought to himself. If he gained the General's approval that would help relieve some of the direct pressure that could be applied against him. Reducing the indirect pressure was a whole other matter but every bit helped. Suzaku bowed.

"I hold no ill will toward the General, your highness," he said. "Please convey my thanks to him for what he has done for me this day. And I of course thank you, your highness, for your consideration."

Euphie nodded, accepting the boy's gratitude. "You are welcome, Private, but if you wish to truly thank me, then continue to remain dutiful to the Empire."

"Of course highness," Suzaku said, though deep down that dutifulness was to the Princess herself instead of the Empire at large.

"There was one other matter that I wished your input upon," Euphie said. "You served as a member of the regular Britannian military alongside other Honorary Britannians."

Suzaku nodded even though it pained him slightly to recall his slaughtered comrades. He did not hold it against Kallen for fighting as hard as she could down there, especially seeing as she too lost people in Shinjuku. But of his squad he was the only survivor and a large chunk of the platoon he was part of had fallen as well.

"Yes your highness," Suzaku nevertheless said.

"Then might I impose upon you to make some recommendations for competent and loyal Honorary Britannians that could be entrusted with a special task?" Euphie asked.

Suzaku blinked. "May I, ask what that task is, your highness?"

"Certainly," Euphie said. "I am endeavoring to extend public services into the wards outside the Concession. The first step of my plan is the establishment of formal hospitals in the wards so that its residents may have access to health services. These hospitals however will need some protection, until at least the rule of law is more firmly established, and I believe that deploying Honorary Britannians as security would create considerably lower tension than deploying regular Britannian units."

Suzaku blinked again. "You're, opening hospitals in the wards? Uh, pardon me your highness, I do not mean to doubt."

Euphie smiled reassuringly at Suzaku. "Your surprise is excusable, Private, seeing how little past administrations have done for the wards. I however consider their redevelopment a major priority if Area 11 is to ever become a full and productive member of the Empire."

Suzaku tried to keep his elation under control. The Princess was doing exactly he had hoped she would when they first met. She was reaching out to the Japanese, engaging them with dialogue and offering help instead of demanding submission and treating them as menials.

"Of course highness," Suzaku said. "Umm, if you could give me a day or so, I can come up with a list of people I knew back in the army that I believe are trustworthy and loyal."

"Excellent," Euphie said. "Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated, Private Kururugi. I hope that you will continue serving as an example of what can be achieved."

Suzaku nodded firmly. "I will highness. And, thank you for giving all of us a chance."

As Suzaku departed after his dismissal Euphie sank back into her chair. She was manipulating the young man to a certain extent, playing his idealism to her advantage. Yet Euphie felt little guilt about it. She did want to help the Japanese after all and she did believe that successful integration of Area 11 required that its original residents be accorded greater standing and rights. Yet she needed to tread carefully. She must never give the impression that Area 11 might ever be allowed its independence. Self-rule, on Britannia's terms, possibly, but never outright independence. That would be political suicide of the highest magnitude within the Empire and Euphie herself did not really believe that the various Areas would be better off separated from the Empire. Most were all too likely to succumb to the disease of populism and eventually keel over under tyranny of another sort, of the unruly masses. Better that the Empire be guided by a firm but benevolent hand. The time was coming after all, when she herself would need to demonstrate her firmness. For now however benevolence was still paying dividends. There was as yet no need to remove the silken glove to reveal the iron fist.

End of Chapter 9

I had considered naming this chapter Absit inuria instead but switched it to Absit invidia on reflection.

Whenever I need to write dialogue for C.C. I try to channel Holo. Which may be a tad ironic seeing as Holo's VA is actually Kallen's, not C.C.'s.

The tricky part with Kallen in this story is that, if she is to become what all of you believe to be the Zero of this story, she needs to take on an actual leadership role. In the canon anime she never actually led beyond the small unit level, she never made any strategic decisions so to speak. It was always someone else pointing her at an enemy. If she is to become Zero, as some of you keep speculating, she has to start making decisions for herself. If she becomes Zero, that is. I'll leave the direction I'm taking with her open to speculation.

Ohgi in the original series did not impressive me very much. Or at least his characterization didn't. He was indecisive as all hell and clearly way over his head in a lot of situations. This was especially evident in the latter part of the second season. Again, problematic/lack of character development that was prevalent throughout the entire series can probably be blamed here. But overall he wasn't an entirely impressive character. And then there was that really contrived Villetta subplot with him. How the blazes do you not recognize the second in command of the Purist faction.

Writing Euphie, my version of her at least, is actually pretty fun, as indicated by her taking up I think over half the chapter. There is a certain degree of uncertainty that I want to display about how 'good' Euphie is. In the anime she was kind of the sickeningly sweet variety where she was literally too nice to everyone. That wasn't believable even before the whole SAZ idea. Anyway, I leave it up to you to guess what her long term goal is. Some of you seem to have come to conclusions as to what Kallen and Euphie's relationship will be based on an earlier 'spoiler.' Let's see how certain all of you remain about those conclusions with this chapter.

One aside, from here on out during conversations involving Britannian characters they will be referring to the ghettos as wards. I've changed this in previous instances in my draft and I may go back in a definitive version to fix this in the uploaded versions, but I just wanted to call out this change.

Anyway, back to In Tune before I work on the next chapter for this. As always feedback would be appreciated.

C.C.'s translations.

Egad, and what hast thou so mazed? – Wow, and what has you so worked up?

Hast thou truly not attempted to use thy gift upon moi? – Have you truly not tried to use your gift upon me?

Verily. – Indeed

I be the one whom granted thee thy gift. Doust thee think I be so drab as to permit thee to turn thy gift against me? – I was the one who granted you your gift. Do you think I am so stupid as to allow you to turn your gift against me?

Natheless, thy worry seems to be aimed at another. Whom else hast thy gift failed upon? – Nevertheless, your worry seems to be about someone else. Who else did your gift fail to work on?

Hmm. Tis unlikely. More probable be that her highness was gifted by another. – Hmm. That is unlikely. It's more likely that her highness was granted the gift by another.

And what doust thee believe, milady? – And what do you believe, milady?

We have a pact. For fulfilling mine wish, thou hast my aid. – We have a pact. For fulling my wish, you have my aid.

Pore on it. Whether thou art capable of fulfilling mine wish remains to be seen. Thou must proveth thyself alone in that. – Think about it. Whether you are capable of fulfilling my wish remains to be seen. You alone must prove yourself in that.

Hmm, twould be unjust should I remain entirely silent, hereat thou might become silly at a most importunate moment. Ask, and I shall answer at my whim. – Hmm, it would be unfair if I kept completely quiet, otherwise you might end up defenseless at a really bad time. Ask, and I shall answer what I will.

Should her highness utilize her Geass, perhaps thou might sense it. – Should her highness use her Geass, you might sense it.

The Geass manifests uniquely for each whom receiveth its gift. Though soothly, a distinction mayhap be difficult to discern when regarding the effect. – The Geass manifests differently for each person. Though truthfully, it might be hard to distinguish between the end result.

None should pose a threat to thy goal. But know this, should a past contractor dare intrude upon thy path, twould be thou whom I shall lend my aid. – None of them should pose a threat to your goal. But know this, should a past contractor try to interfere with your plans, it would be you who I help.