Fallen Grace

[Jeremy Hunter]

Planet Orleans, Orleanais; Two days before Fallen Grace

[color=#FFFFF]There was flecks of blood on the wall. Nothing major.
Lelouch let the rain wash it away as he replaced his handgun. The ONI Operative he knew as Phobos lay in a pool of his own blood. Lelouch sighed indifferently, like it was merely a small nuisance, and exited the alleyway. Phobos was just one of four agents that Lelouch knew were after him; Cerberus. Erebus. Thanatos. Phobos. Guardian of the Gates of the Underworld. Personification of Darkness. Death. Fear. Such petty names. Names of no consequences, used merely to fear the lesser minded. Montiel was a fool to use them; Lelouch did not fear the Four. Each was merely a pawn, not even a Bishop. No, pawns did not worry the Black King. All they did was slow him down.
He tapped his collar. "Yes?"
"Thanatos has found the safe house, Black King." The voice was a mere whisper. one of the Black Bishops, Bernard Clement. "I shall deal with Thanatos. Have the Black Rooks head downriver and deal with Erebus. While Le Chevalier Noir is away, have the Chevalier Celeste take out Cerberus. That will end the Four, and their pathetic roles as pawns."
The line clicked dead. He sighed. Relena, his second Black Bishop, was unable to assist. But no matter.
All he needed was le Chevalier Noir to ensure the Pawn brought the Black Queen back.
"Chess...such an elegant game. A game of wits and strategy...I have never lost a game, and I do not plan this one to be my last." He spoke to himself softly, walking through the rain. His collar beeped again.
"Yes?"
"Thanatos has met the real Death."
"Excellent. News on Cerberus and Erebus?"
"They have followed their predecessors."
"Mere pawns. Get to the safe house, and have Chevalier Celeste head out. The day of Fallen Grace approaches...Let us be swift."

Lelouch finally stepped into the safe house, an unassuming two-story home tucked away by the river. He opened the door to the raised weapons of fiteen men and women. They all lowered soon enough, returning to their duties. Lelouch shucked the coat off, hanging it up before heading upstairs.
The entire top floor was open, and served as the command center. It was not as grand as the Eglantine, but it would do.
"Status."
"The Four have been eliminated."
"Montiel's pawns of fear and sorrow are gone...But we know Montiel does not work up front. No, he prefers the shadows, where he can play the shadow puppetmaster...Who shall gain and lead the Office in my absence?"
"We cannot find a name, only...a moniker. 'The Zero's Twin.' References to her being the backup in transmission from Montiel to Colonel Chasseur..."
Lelouch went rigid. Impossible. How could he know.
"I know who the next Directeur of the Office of Naval Intelligence will be."
"Sir?"
Lelouch took out an antique pocketwatch that he always carried with him. He pressed the button on the side, and it flipped open, revealing a picture of him and a girl with his eyes, his hair, and his smile.
"Emeline D'Aramis. Baron of the Chateau, next in line to become Comte of Orleans and a Commandant in the Royal Navy. Otherwise known as, my sister."
He sighed, watching shocked looks play across people's faces. "We will need to keep an eye on her. In the meanwhile, let us prepare for the final push."[/color]

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May you ever walk in the Light, Shizune.