Chapter Text
In 2010 a.t.b., the Holy Britannian Empire, an expansionary empire under the totalitarian rule of its Emperor, Charles zi Britannia, that occupied a third of the world, waged war on the island nation of Japan. The Britannians ravage and conquer other nations, replacing their very names with mere numbers, and believing that it is the nature of the strong to feed on the weak. Japan was no exception, suffering losing battles one after another, with the sole exception of the Miracle of Itsukushima. It surrendered in a month, as the Prime Minster Genbu Kururugi was murdered by his very own son, Suzaku. Suzaku, in his belief that the system of the Empire could be changed from within, gave his allegiance to the conquerors. While the Japanese fighting spirit never went away and continued to rebel for years, the Japanese Liberation Front being the largest resistance organisation among them, they were not able to move the imperial regime.
The arrival of the masked revolutionary Zero changed all that. After executing the mass murdering prince Clovis la Britannia, Zero made his grand debut saving Suzaku from an unjust execution by the hands of the Purist Faction, a radical group with a strong belief on pure-blooded Britannian supremacy. He had established the Order of the Black Knights, thwarting a terrorist attack by the rogue Japanese general Kusakabe. Under Zero's leadership, the Japanese people found new hope, even after the Japanese Liberation Front was destroyed by the warlady Princess Cornelia li Britannia.
One night at Kamine Island, Princess Euphemia li Britannia was able to confirm her suspicions that Zero was in fact her long-lost brother Lelouch vi Britannia.
Recently, Euphemia had announced the proposal of the Special Administrative Zone in the school festival at the prestigious Ashford Academy. This proposal was met with consistent disapproval by the Britannian administration and her older sister Cornelia. The Black Knights are now faced with a dilemma - join and disarm, or fight against a proposal of freedom and equality. Tensions are growing…
But while humans had busied themselves amongst their various concerns, serene and complacent in the assurance of their empires over the world, they never spared a thought on if they were being watched, studied by intelligent beings from beyond. While they have looked to the skies and wondered what might have been out there, they never truly thought of the other worlds across the vast gulf of space as potential sources of danger, or thought of it only to dismiss the very idea as improbable. Many people even believed that we were alone in the entire universe. But in a universe so mind-bogglingly gigantic that the ninety-three billion light-year bubble that we can see is almost certainly only a very small, miniscule part of the true extent of the cosmos, what are the chances that life has not evolved elsewhere in this incomprehensibly vast space? We have life here on Earth, we know they can arise in the right conditions, so why couldn't it arise elsewhere with similar favourable surroundings? Can we really say that extraterrestrial life is not out there, watching us?
Buildings were crumbling, smouldering in flames, ruins all around. Strange craft, unearthly in design, flew across the smoke-choked skies. Explosions rocked the cityscape.
She ran and ran, trying to find a way…something that could allow her to do something about this…
"No…"
She stopped cold in her tracks, amidst the ruins of what she knew as Ashford Academy, as she saw a boy and a girl, both lying lifeless on the ground…she had recognised as none other than Lelouch and Nunnally…
"No…" She held her hand over her mouth as she felt warm tears flow down her face.
A shadow blanketed over her. A dark figure overhead blotting out the daylight above, underneath it a blinding flash and in the next moment everything around her was swallowed in flames…
She felt the ground under her collapse and fell, and when the flames gave way and she could see the environment around her once more, it was not the ruins of Ashford…
She fell and fell through what seemed to be outer space itself, surrounded by the inky void dotted with stars.
She looked beneath, and saw a circular mechanical maw, blazing with a bright orange glow within and rimmed with revolving metal teeth, getting closer and closer…
And then it came, swallowing her in its gape…
Euphemia gasped as she shot awake. She looked around to find herself in her quarters, the morning sunlight shining through the windows.
She looked over to her bedside clock, reading 6:22 am.
"Just a bad dream." She took a sigh. "I guess I shouldn't have decided to watch that alien invasion movie so soon before going to sleep."
She sat up from the bed.
"Eh, what are the chances of that happening here in my lifetime anyway." She shook off any lingering thoughts about said dream and stood up. "I better worry about how the preparations for the Special Zone are turning out."
A morning shower, breakfast, and getting dressed in her officer's attire later, by about 7:30 am she departed on her way to oversee and manage what would in a couple of days be the Special Administrative Zone of Japan.
September 7, 2017 a.t.b.
Area 11, Tokyo Settlement, Administrative Building, 8:30 am
In an undisclosed room within the basement floors, enclosed by grey walls, the nobility of Area 11 had formed a council. Some were seated around a long table, while others stood.
They were currently discussing the situation regarding the Special Administrative Zone of Japan, announced by the Third Princess Euphemia li Britannia and now in its final stages of preparation. They were certainly less than pleased - the very idea was incomprehensible to them. An area where the Elevens are treated with the same rights as Britannians, a move that goes against the very core tenets of their glorious Emperor Charles and the Holy Britannian Empire.
And thus, they brew a conspiracy as their answer.
"I suspect that Princess Euphemia is consorting with Zero. They have both been on Kamine, haven't they?" said a nobleman. "They must have made contact with one another."
"A good possibility if I've ever saw one," a noblewoman replied. "Princess Euphemia had always been among the more liberal members of the Imperial Family. Not inconceivable that she would willingly join the cause of a terrorist who aims to topple down our nation's order."
"The viceroy has yet to make a public statement regarding this matter," said the first noble. "However, I doubt Princess Cornelia would support such a travesty."
"We must seek approval from the other members of the Royal Family first," said yet another nobleman. "We are plotting to arrest a Princess of the realm. But if we get the backing of, say, Princess Guinevere, Prince Schniezel, or even His Majesty himself, we would have sufficient authority to arrest Princess Euphemia for treason against the Empire."
"I am in agreement," the earlier noblewoman concurred. "We should contact Princess Gu—"
She was interrupted as General Andreas Darlton, accompanied by General Bartley, knocked open the door.
"You are all under arrest for conspiracy against Princess Euphemia," said Darlton. By his command, several soldiers came in to apprehend the scheming nobles. "Furthermore, all the evidence for your other illicit activities have been gathered, namely the N.A.C. profit-sharing bribe."
"I appreciate this, General Darlton. We can finally sweep away all those dirty rats that have been living off from Prince Clovis like parasites," said Bartley.
"There are more of those rats than expected," said Darlton.
"And all of them are confused by Princess Euphemia's proposal, aren't they?" said Bartley. "They have been circulating some unpleasant rumours about her."
"I can understand why," said Darlton. "It goes against our Empire's national policies. However, this situation can be used to our advantage. With this zone, we can draw out the Black Knights and put a stop to their terrorism."
The two generals walked away, with the arrested conspirators in tow. The latter were going to be sent back to the Homeland, while Darlton and Bartley joined Princess Cornelia li Britannia and her knight Gilbert Guilford in the Viceroy's office to further plan for the situation regarding the SAZ.
Sure enough, Euphemia received the news while she was in transit in her limousine.
"We have just arrested several conspirators plotting against you, Your Highness," reported Darlton from her tablet's screen.
"Don't they have anything better to do?" Euphemia sighed. "I guess this was to be expected. Thank you."
Tokyo Settlement, 9:01 am
By the side of the streets, yet another one of the palpable scenes made by bigoted Britannians against the Elevens took place.
An unscrupulous nobleman was beating down on a hapless Eleven with his cane as he openly voiced out his disapproval of the Zone. His ID bore the name of Wilfred Lemaine, and he was a middle-aged man with greying brownish hair. Several metres away, Lelouch and Rivalz were passing by.
"I don't give a fuck about your Special Zone! I'd rather die than sign up to that!" the bastard growled as he stomped on the Japanese man. "Lower classes like you Numbers should just obey your betters with no protests!"
Lelouch's blood boiled as he looked upon the abuse.
"A nobleman…a shining example of high class. This is the true nature of the Sub-Viceroy's benevolence: the Zone is not a solution but a mere bandage to cover up the real problem." He thought. "Euphemia is inexperienced and thus has a naive viewpoint, thus I can't entirely blame her. Nonetheless, I have no choice if I am to continue in my revolution…"
Lelouch approached Wilfred. Said noble, noticing his presence turned to him.
"What do you want?" Wilfred asked, displeased. While Lelouch was a full eight centimetres taller, Wilfred in all his hubris didn't look the least bit intimidated.
"Does it feel good?" asked Lelouch. "Does it feel good to look down on others from above as if you were a god?"
"Lelouch, I don't think that's a good idea," said Rivalz nervously.
"Schoolboy, hold it and back off," said Wilfred angrily towards Lelouch. "I think you should get lost and go home right now."
"Very well, I will. Better get going." Lelouch was quite nonchalant and unfazed by Wilfred's threatening tone. This only further angered the nobleman.
"Huh? How dare you act like that around me, punk!" Wilfred screamed at Lelouch in rage as the latter walked away. "Come back here at once you insolent boy! Do not think you can act like that with a highborn noble like me!"
Lelouch stopped at his tracks and faced Wilfred, a sinister smirk across the exiled prince's face.
"What's wrong, Sir Nobleman? Confusing borrowed power with your own abilities? How much work did you do to attain your position?" asked Lelouch. "Are you so insecure in your own power that you must abuse those who are less fortunate, just to validate your self-serving highs? Trash like yourself should just die alone in a dump where nobody—"
"Whoa man, Lelouch. Alright, let's break this up," Rivalz interrupted. "Mister...can I have your name please?" he asked the nobleman.
"I am Wilfred Lemaine, and you better remember it, lowborn middle-class schoolboy!" the nobleman arrogantly proclaimed.
"Mr. Lemaine, why don't you apologise? What do you say?" asked Rivalz, motioning to the beaten Eleven on the ground.
"Apologise!? To a trash Eleven?" Wilfred was livid at the very idea. "You insolent whelp—"
He was then stopped when Lelouch activated his Geass. "Your eye, what is that!" the nobleman muttered out before his mind fell under Lelouch's control.
"You will take your leave here," Lelouch commanded.
"Yes, my lord," Wilfred droned before walking away.
"Damn, what did you do?" Rivalz asked incredulously, trying to believe what he just saw.
"Well, I can be rather persuasive," said Lelouch coolly. He and Rivalz turned to the beaten man and helped him up.
"Thank you very much," the Japanese man said. "I don't see too many kind Britannians like you here."
"You're welcome," Rivalz said. "How did you get into a fight with that bloke in the first place? Just asking."
"Well, I-I was simply overjoyed by Princess Euphemia's Special Zone, and I suppose he caught me at the wrong time," the Japanese replied.
"Just as I thought. Mere Britannian nobles like him could not take it out on Euphemia herself - that would be a death sentence. Thus, they take it out on those who cannot defend themselves. How despicable," Lelouch thought sadly. "Now if only she could have seen this herself - she needs to wake up from her rose-tinted worldview, which is no doubt caused by Cornelia's coddling. I only wish I don't have to tarnish her name and possibly earn her hatred."
"I'm sorry," Rivalz said to the man. "We'll be on our way, stay safe man!"
As the Britannian duo walked away, the Japanese man could only lament at what his world had become over the last seven years.
"I lost my wife and my precious son to the oppression of the Britannians, and they treated me like dirt simply for being Japanese," he thought sadly. "Because we lost that damned war. Those high-up Britannians think they can do whatever they want simply because they have power. They lack in morality, lack in humanity, lack in compassion. Those schoolboys and Princess Euphemia are good people, but are few and far between these days."
He looked up to the sky. "Why couldn't they all be like that? Why must they be so cruel? If only these Britannians knew what it felt like to be on our place…if only they knew how it was like to be trampled underfoot, to be conquered by greater power as we have been. If only they can be humbled, then they might finally realise how inhuman they've been acting. To finally realise how horribly they've been treating us."
"Maybe, just maybe, one day they will be humbled and learn some humanity. Maybe, someday..."
Black Knights Headquarters, 9:38 am
The core members of the Black Knights were being pressured to take a course of action by the impending establishment of the SAZ, a pressure which only grew as time passed. As they awaited Zero, they had formed a meeting to discuss the situation amongst themselves as they suggested various plans.
"This situation is truly serious," said Kyoshiro Tohdoh. "Even some of our ranks have applied to join the Special Zone."
"Well, this is just bullshit. We can't trust those Brits to keep up their end of the deal!" said Shinichiro Tamaki in an aggravated tone. "For all we know this is some trap for that pink hair princess to kill us all!"
"Well, unlike the Black Knights, signing up for the Special Zone carries much less risk," said Diethard.
"Besides, when you compare a princess with a mysterious masked man, it's obvious which one of them exudes the greater appeal," said Rakshata.
"We've received rumours that Kyoto's cooperating with the Zone too," said Yoshitaka Minami.
"What's up with that?" Tamaki asked in response incredulously.
"They offer equality, that's the simple reason why," said Kento Sugiyama.
Kallen did not buy it in the slightest. "Equality my ass! Don't just take their word for it, you've seen how those Britannians are like! Even if they don't slaughter us there like Tamaki says, they still control that Zone!"
"I agree," said Kaname Ohgi. "But unless we have a solid plan for a quick response…"
His mind was focused on Villetta, or as she was currently known now in her amnesiac state, Chigusa, telling him that she wanted to join the SAZ.
"Are you telling me that you intend to join this Zone?" asked Nagisa Chiba.
"There, it would make no difference whether one is Britannian or Eleven," said Ohgi.
"Like those Britannians would ever honour a promise!" said Kallen.
"I think we should support the Zone. It doesn't contradict Zero's words, doesn't it?" said Ohgi.
"Have you gone crazy?" Tamaki screamed at Ohgi incredulously. "Can't trust a Brit!"
Ohgi was about to reply but was then rudely interrupted. "Tamaki—"
"Did that Euphemia chick use some mind control on you!?" asked Tamaki. The others looked incredulously at him.
"What!?" Ohgi replied in disbelief at what Tamaki just insinuated.
"Ignoring that idiot, if we agree to their terms, the Black Knights will be forced to disarm," said Nagisa.
"This would be a huge problem," Tohdoh concurred. "We will get swallowed up by their regime, losing the independence that we've been fighting for."
"On the other hand," said Ohgi. "Going against it would be going against freedom and equality."
"Then let's support this Zone," Rai, a silver-haired boy with blue eyes, spoke up.
"What!? Without any guarantees, no conditions in place?" questioned Nagisa.
"We can't ignore it, either," said Diethard.
Tohdoh was deep in thought. "Damn, we need Zero for this. I never thought I would see the day when it would be Euphemia who brings down our revolution. She has so far showed clear goodwill for our people, but does she really know what she is doing?"
Special Administrative Zone registration site, 10:10 am
Set amidst the background of the towering Mt. Fuji and clear sunny morning skies with little cloud cover, was the stadium which would hold the SAZ ceremony, located not too far from the base of the once sacred mountain.
Masses of Japanese people have gathered within the admission booth of the stadium to sign up for what they viewed as their hope for a better life was to be established. Standing in a balcony above was the Third Princess, accompanied by her knight and friend Suzaku Kururugi.
"Over 200,000 people have applied for the Special Zone so far," said Euphemia. "And the number continues to grow. This is all thanks to you, Suzaku."
Suzaku looked at her in confusion. "Huh?"
"Everyone is rallying here due to what you represent for the Japanese people," said Euphemia. "They believe in what we are doing here."
"You're giving me too much credit, Princess," said Suzaku. "It must be due to your proclamation. They look up to you and see the hope you have brought them. I'm truly thankful to you for this, I really am."
"I'm also thankful to you as well. And I hope you're going to help me with everything that's still to come. That's what friends do, right?" said Euphemia.
"Yes, your high—" Suzaku was then interrupted by Euphemia.
"No need for such formalities with me. Just Euphemia will do," said the pink-haired woman.
"Yes, Euphemia," said Suzaku.
They continued setting up the final stages of the SAZ. The next day, they would host the opening ceremony with the Kyoto Group and Zero.
Meanwhile, unknown to them, something else is taking place far, far away…
Something that would soon change their lives, and that of the whole world, forever…
Space, approximately 29,000 kilometres over Mars' surface
A flotilla of gargantuan ships orbit the Red Planet. Dark-coloured ships around 30 kilometres long, half as wide, and three kilometres deep, approximately oval-shaped from above. And in the centre of it all, the mothership, the same shape as the others but even larger at some 50 km long, commands this monstrous armada.
Within the behemoth spacecraft were creatures from beyond the solar system. Their appearance made no concealment for their alien nature - their skin bore a pale grey colour, their heads triangular in shape, and they walked on three skinny limbs. Smaller, two-fingered arms extended from their relatively small chests, and they averaged around 150-200 centimetres in height.
Their black eyes scanned over highly advanced screens, as they received feed intercepted from Earth.
"We are under fire! 132nd Regiment requesting backup! The Britannians have us surrounded!"
"Grandmaster Michele Manfredi has been found dead in the Grand Palace. The cause of death is suicide..."
"Zero, help me build a new future within Britannia. A place for everyone!"
More kept coming from all around the planet. With each intercepted signal, the repertoire of knowledge possessed by the creatures only increased, and with this knowledge, they formulated their plans…
And by the order from the fleet's main mothership, the fleet began to move towards the blue planet, its inhabitants currently preoccupied with their intra- and international disputes, unaware of what is to come…
Area 11, Tokyo Settlement, 10:17 am
Close to the Omotesando Mall, Lelouch and Rivalz had already been waiting for a few minutes when their friends and schoolmates, Shirley Fenette and her roommate Sophie Wood, had met up with them as per an earlier agreement.
"Hi Lelouch! Hi Rivalz!" Shirley greeted the two boys enthusiastically. "Wanna help us in shopping?"
"Sure," said Lelouch simply.
"We'll do it," said Rivalz as well.
"Thanks guys," said Shirley. "We're going to have some fun shopping!"
Shirley then noticed that Lelouch had a troubled look, snapping her out of her burst of enthusiasm.
"Wait, Lulu, is something bothering you?" she asked, a little bit worried.
"It's nothing," said Lelouch.
"It's because of that Special Zone, isn't it?" asked Rivalz. "Come on man, we shouldn't be so worried or worked up just because of it."
Lelouch said nothing in response.
"I don't think it's that bad, like those higher-up nobles make it seem," said Sophie. "I mean, why do we have to discriminate against other people?"
"I agree," Shirley concurred with her purple-haired friend. "We're all just people in the end, all human, are we not? Why can't we just treat others with kindness?"
Lelouch stayed silent as the four Ashford students began their walk towards the mall.
"I hope we can finish this before four in the afternoon," said Sophie. "I have…something to attend to at seven."
"Something…is that a date?" asked Shirley.
"A w-w-what? No, no, it's not a date, I just have some things I need to get to at time!" Sophie replied hurriedly as her face took a slight shade of red, flustered.
"Oh, does Sophie have a crush…" Shirley teased.
Rivalz giggled a little as he listened to the two roommates.
Shirley went on about to continue only to be interrupted. "Is it—"
"Please stop it, it's not a date! Can we just go to shopping already?" Sophie retorted, her face still reddish. "And it's not like you're in any position to tease others about crushes, Shirley!"
"Fine, fine…what a killjoy," said Shirley in a defeated tone. They reached the mall entrance and entered. Shirley's thoughts wandered to her friend, Lelouch.
" I've been having a strange feeling about Lelouch lately. Why did I just call him Lulu? And why do I feel like he and Zero are connected…like they're the same person? Why do I sometimes feel like I should know him more intimately than I do? Is it just something wrong with me, or is…is he really Zero?"
September 6
Britannia, Mount Wilson, Sherwood Observatory and Research Institute, 5:45 pm
One of Britannia's leading astronomical observatories and research centres, Sherwood Observatory, stood on top of the 1.74-km high Mt. Wilson in California, west Britannia.
It was led by the astronomer Dr. Alexandra Campbell, a noblewoman with a slender build, hot pink eyes, and long black hair reaching halfway down her back. She and her research staff had made a confounding discovery after observing a group of 16 unidentified objects in orbit around Mars.
"Observations of this cluster of objects do not display any consistency with asteroids or comets," said Alexandra to her fellow scientists while going through images of the objects. "Their spectroscopic signature is off, and they seem to be in a stable orbit despite being only around Mars for a few days. Normally, it would take at least a few years or decades for captured asteroids or comets to settle in stable orbits around planets."
"This data is quite baffling," said another scientist. "We cannot pin down the identity of these objects to any known classification of natural bodies."
"Exactly," said Alexandra in confirmation. "This might sound unbelievable, but those UFOs are most likely artificial. We might be looking at our first direct evidence for extraterrestrial life. We need to report this to the Minister of Science tomorrow, this is a huge discovery that can't be ignored."
September 7
Area 11, Tokyo Settlement, Administrative Building, 10:45 am
In Princess Cornelia's office, she, Darlton, and Guilford have discussed the Special Zone. Cornelia had showed her disapproval at her sister's proposal throughout the whole discussion.
She was not pleased with it before, and certainly not now.
The Second Prince and Prime Minister of the Empire, Schniezel el Britannia, was currently in contact with Cornelia, having told her that he had sanctioned the SAZ. He explained to her how and why that idea was allowed to go forward, but it did not diminish her surprise at this revelation.
Princess Marrybell mel Britannia had also made contact, but out of a simple desire for a moment to talk to her favourite sisters – she had been close to the li Britannias, especially Euphemia, but she was fond of Cornelia too.
"Euphemia really is amazing, isn't she?" said Schniezel. "The terrorists of Area 11, including the Black Knights, will lose support and fall apart. Quelling terrorism using the carrot, when they have so far resisted the stick. Public order will be stabilized."
"I personally oppose this," said Cornelia. "This is a ridiculous move."
"It does seem like a good move to help rid the Area of terrorists, you have to admit," said Marrybell.
"And besides," said Schniezel. "You understand the situation, hence you decided to assign Darlton to advise her, have you not?"
"That was to ensure that public policy stays on track," said Cornelia. "A move that a viceroy and princess should take."
"Hmm…did you approve of Euphemia's future plans as the viceroy or an older sister?" asked Schneizel.
Cornelia said nothing for a few seconds. "I made it clear to her that I did not agree with the idea, but she was adamant about wanting to bring equality to the Numbers. I couldn't let it go on and on, so eventually I gave."
"Well, Euphemia always was quite wilful," said Marrybell.
"I would have rather just crushed those inferior terrorists with my military might," said Cornelia. "There is no pride in resolving the situation by giving to them."
"Always the most prideful sister, aren't you?" said Schniezel. "But pride isn't what wins battles, it's making the right moves. And sometimes, the best move is to give them, in the words of the ancient Romans, bread and circuses."
"On another note," said Marrybell. "Nelly, please stop coddling and smothering Euphemia. She needs to grow. She's not some doll."
Fuji Mines, Kyoto House meeting room, 1:41 pm
Hidden within the mines, where they have established their headquarters, the six leaders of Kyoto discuss Taizo Kirihara's support for the SAZ. Several of them were in opposition.
"A mere shadow of Japan given to us out of pity is worthless!" said one of the leaders, Hidenobu. "It's shameful…"
"It is nothing to be ashamed of," said Kirihara. "The Britannians granted us this concession due to our resistance efforts."
"Lord Kirihara, we've heard rumours that you'll be given a favourable position in the Zone in exchange for control over the Sakuradite mines!" said Tatsunori, another of the leaders.
"No need to be suspicious, I was merely requested to join the ceremony," said Kirihara in his defence.
"Clever excuse," said Tatsunori.
"How dare you," said Kirihara, irritation in his voice.
"What about Zero and the Black Knights?" asked Kaguya Sumeragi, the youngest among the six.
"I'm sure the Black Knights are working on how to handle the situation themselves," said Tousai, another leader of Kyoto. "Zero himself has yet to make a statement."
Later, after the meeting has concluded, General Andreas Darlton had made contact with Kirihara, who was now alone in his quarters. A secret that he would not risk spilling over to the rest of the Kyoto group.
"The NAC, or as it is known among the terrorists, Kyoto," said Darlton from the screen. "After the ceremony tomorrow, why don't you dissolve your group and depart from Mt. Fuji?"
"We can talk about a legal agreement, if you hand over the Sakuradite mining operations to us peacefully," said Kirihara.
"That would mean the end of your support for the Black Knights of course," said Darlton.
"It matters not whether Zero comes or not, his fall is assured," thought the general.
Tokyo Settlement, Omotesando Mall, 4:00 pm
It was time for them to call it a day.
The quartet had finished shopping and had begun to set their way back to Ashford. Shirley and Sophie decided to take the train, while Lelouch rode with Rivalz on his motorbike.
Shirley was deep in thought with a troubled expression and her roommate could not help but notice.
"Shirley, is everything okay?" asked Sophie. "You look like you have something on your head."
"It's nothing, everything's fine," Shirley replied, but her thoughts were somewhere else.
" Is Lelouch…is Lulu…Zero? I can't help but think of it…and the two of them have never been seen at the same time…"
Ashford Academy, Lamperouge Residence, 4:33 pm
"I'm back." Lelouch came home, met by greetings.
"Welcome, Master Lelouch," said Sayoko Shinozaki, his trusted maid and bodyguard.
"Lelouch! Welcome home," said Nunnally. "Where's Shirley?"
"I'm sorry, Nunna. She didn't show up. I tried contacting her, but no response," said Lelouch. "I tried asking Sophie, but I had no luck there either."
"More of her getting back at you, isn't it?" said Nunnally. "You seemed chilly with her, so please try to be nice."
"You think so? Then I will," said Lelouch.
"Sayoko, would you bring us some tea please?" Lelouch requested.
"Yes, Master Lelouch," said Sayoko in her usual loyal obedience.
"Sayoko," said Lelouch. "You really don't have to call me 'master' or 'lord' in our home. Just Lelouch would do. There's no need to be so formal with us."
"Yes, Lelouch," Sayoko said in acknowledgement before going to the kitchen to prepare tea.
Nunnally, holding Lelouch's hand, felt that he was troubled. The younger sibling had a good guess on why…
"I feel that you're worried, Lelouch. It's about Euphemia, isn't it? It would be selfish of me to want to see her again. I'd really like to, but it would only cause trouble for the both of you," said Nunnally dismally.
"You like Euphemia, don't you?" asked Lelouch.
"Yes," said Nunnally. "The same way you like her."
"Yes, I did like her," said Lelouch.
Night fell. In his room, dimly lit only by the stars and the moon, Lelouch gazed from his window towards the sky in lament.
This dark backdrop only further accentuated his dismal state of mind.
"Euphemia, you were my first love…I wish we could be together under better circumstances. I'm sorry, Euphemia…I have no choice. Why does it have to be this way…" Lelouch thought sadly. "If only you knew…if only you knew what you did would bring. It's saddening that all of Cornelia's smothering have made you so naïve, thinking that you can simply bring back a long-dead past. Why…if you truly wanted to be together with us, you could have, say, joined the Black Knights or simply renounce Britannia…but this Zone, why? I'm sorry for what I will have to do to you tomorrow…I know you'll most likely hate me for it after…but I really have no choice left…I'm sorry…"
He continued to gaze at the starry sky, now a little more disconsolate.
Tokyo Bay, 7:00 pm
Sophie arrived to her date on time, meeting up with her girlfriend Laura, a bluenette with eyes of the same colour.
For the next few hours, amidst the lights of the baywalk, the two experienced a joyful time together and added some fond memories to their relationship.
After three hours they finally departed for Ashford to call it a day.
Ashford Academy, Dorms, 10:24 pm
Sophie arrived back to her room. Shirley was lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Sophie's arrival had caught her attention, and the purple-haired lass' content, dreamy smile didn't get past the orangette.
"Back from your date, huh?" said Shirley. Sophie tried to retort, but the words died in her throat. Sighing in defeat, she confessed.
"Yes. Back from my date," said Sophie.
"How was it?" Shirley asked.
"Wonderful…it was magical," said Sophie, contented and with hints of red in her cheeks.
"I wish I could say the same about myself," Shirley thought sadly. "Lulu…"
Britannia, Mt. Wilson, Sherwood Observatory, 9:00 am
The Britannian Minister of Science, accompanied by a trio of researchers, has arrived on Alexandra's request. They formed a conference in the observatory in order to present and discuss the findings and hypotheses surrounding them.
"Extraterrestrials?" the minister questioned.
"That's our most likely hypothesis as of this time," said Alexandra.
"While the idea of alien life is not impossible, it's normally not the first explanation to come to mind," said the minister. "However, if the data really does suggest that these objects are not natural, then…"
"We would need further observations, more data to confirm or disprove an intelligent, extraterrestrial origin," said Alexandra.
"Very true," the minister concurred. "And if it is aliens, then this might change everything."
"It would suggest that extraterrestrial life has actively come to our vicinity of the solar system, and are probably watching us," said Alexandra. "I find this possibility unnerving. We would have no idea of their intentions, whether they are friendly…or hostile."
"If the latter is to be the case, then we are in grave peril," she continued. "Britannia has almost always been the conqueror of other nations. We are used to being the apex predator. But against a highly advanced space-faring interstellar civilisation all that would be turned on its head. Britannia might find itself being the conquered one this time. We would be prey to an even greater force. A truly frightening scenario to face."
An overwhelming foreboding sensation washed over everyone in the conference room at her words.
"We need more data, more information first and foremost," said Alexandra.
10:40 am
After the conference was dismissed, Alexandra and her team went to work on observing the strange objects. The team found more information to feed on their fear – the swarm of objects were no longer orbiting Mars, but have moved…in a trajectory projected towards Earth.
"We need to inform the administration about this," said the astronomer apprehensively.
Across the expanse of space, beings of advanced intellect, cool and unsympathetic, regarded the Earth with envious eyes and devised their plans against humanity…
The Empire of Britannia currently stands as the strongest superpower on Earth. But in the vast universe, Earth is not the only inhabited world out there...
