Code Geass: Kallen of the Revolution II

[Corwin]

<--->

[15:06] The group that gathers at the meeting place is small, Kallen being the sixth member to make an appearance. Inoue sits on the rundown desk pressed against a side of the room, residing on it as if on a throne, while the other Shinjuku cell members have resigned themselves to using folding chairs. More of them remain nearby, should Kallen choose to take one for herself.
[15:06] "Good, you're here," Inoue states. "We can start, then."
[15:09] Kallen puts a case down on her chair and opts to lean against the wall, happy enough to remain standing for now. "Right. First order of business?"
[15:12] "We've already moved on to the second," Inoue informs her with an obnoxious smirk. "You'll be pleased to hear that you've been accepted as a fully-fledged member of the cell by a unanimous vote, Stadtfeld."
[15:16] "That's Kouzuki to you!" retorts Kallen, with an undisguised grin. "Or do all the cells need a token Brit, these days?"
[15:19] "Only the ones with the cool kids," Inoue returns, taking a stack of papers set aside next to her on the desk she's perched on. "Now that the core has been assembled, the second order of business, as it goes, is deciding to approve or decline new applicants."
[15:19] Yoshida perks up at this, while Tamaki pumps his fist in the air, exclaiming, "Hell yeah! 'Bout time!"
[15:23] "How many have we got?" asks Kallen, a bit surprised at the prospect despite herself.
[15:34] "Just one," Inoue responds, waving the folder in her hands. "But it's a start," she states. "This is the point where we start the struggle all over again." Tamaki leaps out of his chair, leaving it cluttering against the floor, and snags the folder out of Inoue's hands. She looks cross, but flashes a look to her leg, and remains seated.
[15:34] Tamaki whistles, peering at the folder's contents. "What a beauty!" he compliments, almost whining when Yoshitaka takes the documents away from him, examining them coolly. They get passed over across the group, Kallen getting to them last. The application is for one Shinozaki Sayoko, currently employed by the Lamperouge family.
[15:40] Kallen flicks through the pages a bit, glancing interestedly if the notes actually detail the Lamperouge family to any degree, and then hands them back to Inoue.
[15:45] "Thanks," Inoue tells her quietly, before slamming the folder back on the desk, startling Tamaki once more. "You've gone and spoiled the fun I was going to have telling you she's a genuine, honest-to-goodness maid, so here's the boring stuff everyone skimmed over.
[15:45] She looks after a young, sickly girl which consumes much of her time during the day, while at the same time letting her venture far and wide into Britannian society. Even places where Numbers would normally be barred from entering have their doors unlocked for the harmless maid who is only taking care of a poor, defenseless child. This is why we need her. Do we want her?"
[15:53] "I don't see why not," replies Kallen, with a shrug. "It seems an unlikely source for a plant, and even if she does nothing more than pass rumours along..."
[15:58] "She comes with one bit of particularly timely information," Inoue reveals. "A Purist facility is going to be temporarily defenseless, as part of the reorganization of their internal structure. Shinozaki's claimed she can tell us when and where within days, if we can act upon it at a moment's notice."
[15:58] Yoshitaka's lips press together. "And you want us to do it?"
[15:58] "Why not?!" Tamaki exclaims. "We'll show them our Japanese spirit!"
[16:02] "What kind of facility?"
[16:06] "Depot three-zero-five." Inoue grins much like a shark. "The Purists use it to do maintenance on some of their Knightmares, it turns out."
[16:06] This time, it's not just Tamaki that exclaims loudly in disbelief and eagerness.
[16:11] "Snatch and grab. Sounds fun," replies Kallen, emulating Inoue's grin. "How defenseless are we talking?"
[16:17] "Light security. A dozen guards on the scene, and the rest too far to aid them effectively."
[16:17] "It would need to be sufficiently out of the way, unless it's within the Green Zone," Yoshitaka notes, glancing at Inoue to confirm. She nods at him, and he continues, "A twenty minute response time, then, best guess."
[16:18] "In that much, we can even sell the spare metal for scraps!" Tamaki boasts, and Inoue snorts, rolling her eyes. "Shinozaki's estimate was twenty-three minutes at top speed, assuming optimal conditions. I tend to agree. We can do this, if only--"
[16:18] "If only we had the manpower, right?" Sugiyama voices, drawing another nod from Inoue.
[16:21] "Which we would have," points out Kallen- "If we collaborated with another cell."
[16:25] "Beauty and brains." Inoue grins. "Is it any wonder I picked you? You're right. We have no prayer of pulling it off on our own, which means we continue to stagnate, which means resources only deplete and we get no new recruits. The Witch of Saitama agreed to help when I contacted her, and she even left it to us, rather than go for that bullshit of shared command. She's loaned us a combat specialist."
[16:26] "You're not talking about who I think you're talking about, are you?"
[16:28] "I don't know, are you talking about Kururugi?" Inoue asks casually.
[16:28] "I don't like him."
[16:29] "I'm sure he realizes that," Inoue says with a shrug. "considering he'd been listening in for the past three minutes. Is that going to be a problem, Kururugi?"
[16:31] "You're- you- oh, fuck," mutters Kallen, pressing her fingers against her temple.
[16:33] Kallen's reaction is mirrored to various degrees, as everyone but Inoue looks around for the interloper. As the moment drags on, Inoue sighs and gestures, to which a shape drops from above, straightening out once landing quietly on the floor. It is indeed Kururugi Suzaku, clad in a black, tailored uniform of some kind.
[16:40] Awkward. Very awkward. Smooth it over, Kouzuki! "Hi."
[16:43] Suzaku gives Kallen a glance, before studiously continuing to ignore her. Inoue makes a face. "There's no need to be so anti-social. We're all friends here!"
[16:43] "Mary ordered me to assist you. That's the only reason I'm here," Suzaku responds coldly, and Inoue's face falls.
[16:43] "Fine, whatever. Can we do this together?"
[16:43] He considers the question. "With a good plan, it should not be a problem."
[16:48] "Does one extra person make the difference we need?" asks Kallen, raising an eyebrow.
[16:51] "I--"
[16:51] "Mary knows the situation," Inoue says, cutting Suzaku off without a care, "and she sent him. Either she's setting us up for a fall, or she believes that under similar circumstances, she could make this work." She turns towards Kallen, leveling a serious gaze at her. "You've spent as much time around her as I had. What do you think is likelier?"
[16:55] "I don't doubt her," replies Kallen, although the fact that Shinjuku could be her only real ally amongst the other ghettos goes unsaid. "Alright. Seven of us, twelve guards, it's hardly impossible. If the Purists are undergoing an internal shakeup, irregular logistics would probably be part of it, right?"
[16:59] "I've considered several plans, and I believe it would be best if we went in with two small teams, each independant of the other," Inoue reveals, taking fresh papers from her pile and sliding it forward on her desk.
[16:59] Yoshida stands up after she nudges her head in his direction non-too-subtly, and shares them with everyone present. Of those, there is enough to go around. "These have the best routes plotted for each team to take as they infiltrate the facility and eliminate the guards."
[17:02] Inoue coughs, catching her breath. "Eventually, both teams converge at the goal, the control room which should hold the activation codes for any Knightmares undergoing service. That's only a target of opportunity, however; what we're really after are the release of the lockdown the guards will institute as soon as the alarm is raised.
[17:02] Once we manage to bring it down, we can simply drive off with their shiny toys. Any questions?"
[17:04] "After we steal the Knightmares, where will we put them?"
[17:09] "The vehicles that delivered the Knightmare frames for maintenance should still be there, on hand, but just in case I'm rounding up a pair of trucks to keep nearby," Inoue responds. "I'll be in charge of that, as well as overall supervision, since a damn cripple would only slow you down.
[17:09] Minami, Kururugi, you two will lead your teams in. Get organized however suits you best; do it by schoolyard draws, for all I care, but get it done."
[17:09] As Yoshitaka sizes up Suzaku, the latter frowns, before saying, "There should be three teams."
[17:10] "I'd like that too," Inoue admits, "but splitting our limited forces any further would degrade them too much."
[17:10] "The third team will consist of myself," Suzaku responds, and Inoue is briefly caught speechless.
[17:43] "Well, if Kururugi can fight as well as he clings to the roof, I don't care if we go in as three teams or two," states Kallen, after a long breath. "Which team would hit the control room first?"
[17:45] Inoue sighs in exasperation. "Best case?" she asks. "All teams at once. If the advance is uneven, we lose valuable time and the danger to all participants increases."
[17:53] Kallen nods to herself. "Who'll lead the third team?"
[17:54] "How about..." Inoue wavers, looking over the remaining cell members. "Ooh! Pick me!" Tamaki calls, and Inoue swiftly moves her head to nod at Kallen. "Give it a try. Since I'll be playing mission control, I'll assume overall command, and you'll make any decisions on the scene."
[17:58] "Won't let you down," replies Kallen, with a bob of her head. "While we're there, by the way, I say we leave something behind for the Brits to remember us by."
[18:00] Inoue inclines her head to indicate that Kallen elaborates, and the others show their interest, including even Suzaku.
[18:06] Kallen reaches for the case, and unclips it; opening it backwards, she reveals a number of old-fashioned Japanese scrolls, one of which she unfurls for the benefit of all to see; in blood-red ink, an archaic kanji stains the page. "The characters read 'Heaven's Wrath'," she translates. "I was thinking of writing some haiku, but this says it all, doesn't it? Every time we beat the Purists into the dirt, we'll drop one of these off, so they know that from now one, they're the ones being purged!"
[18:08] Inoue nods appreciatively, in a rare agreement with Tamaki, while Yoshitaka adjusts his slipping glasses. "Can the paper or ink be traced back to you?" he inquires, which manages to dampen the mood somewhat.
[18:12] "Only if someone decides to spontaneously raid my house?"
[18:14] Inoue appears disapproving, now, but Suzaku speaks before anyone else does. "It would be a good idea. A signature for Shinjuku's group."
[18:20] "That's the plan. I'll take precautions against tracing, but we can't just be nameless revolutionaries any longer. This will give us an identity."
[18:21] Inoue nods reluctantly, after surveying the rest of the group and seeing agreement reflected on their faces.
[02:08] "It'll make recruitment easier, too. It's hard to rally to a faceless group. Of course, there are other strategies here we should persue, as well," notes Kallen, glancing briefly at Inoue. "We need to actively seek out new members, rather than wait for them to look for us."
[02:10] "We've neglected that part due to our own... reorganization," Inoue says. "But once we have this under our belt, we're going to do all that and more." She directs her attention towards Kallen, asking, "Did you have any specific ideas, here?"
[02:20] "Yes. It's one thing to take the fight to Britannian institutions. But we're here to represent and protect the Japanese as well, and on the simplest possible level, that means just taking care of the people in Shinjuku. The basic supplies are one thing, but arranging for better power networks and medicine are things we can try to work on, I think -- and there's dealing with minor disasters, as well. Buildings still collapse enough that it's a concern around here, right? People who won't organize around fighting Britannia may still do so when it comes to helping their own." Her lip quirks. "What I have in mind isn't that different to how the yakuza supposedly acted. Illegal activities on the one hand, community service on the other. I can supply funds and arrange for bribing certain officials to look the other way. Not only will this help boost our local prestige, but it'll stem the flow of people seeking out Honorary Citizenship to boot."
[02:27] "I was dubious until you said the magic words," Inoue tells her with a snort. "'I'll pay.' If you have the funds, I think it's a damn good idea."
[02:27] No objections are heard.
[02:32] "It's pretty much a full-time project to organize it," adds Kallen. "So, who wants to be in charge of social services?"
[02:33] "I'll put Nagato on it," Inoue speaks before anyone could volunteer. "It's his thing, more than anything else."
[02:43] "Gotcha. Alright. One more thing to talk about," states Kallen, taking a breath for a moment. "Everyone here needs to get a medical done within the next few weeks. We need to test for allergies to the vaccine, otherwise we can't safely use it."
[02:45] "Vaccine?" Suzaku asks, his eyes narrowing. The rest, Tamaki included, just seem hesitant at this subject being brought up.
[02:54] "Yes, a vaccine, to a particular experimental weapon stolen a few weeks ago," replies Kallen, glancing briefly at Suzaku. "A nerve gas. The true objective of our raid."
[02:59] "You can't still be thinking of using that!" Suzaku accuses.
[02:59] Inoue clears her throat. "Not now, but--"
[02:59] "When, then?" he asks acidly. "When Akihabara is resettled?"
[03:03] "I talked at the summit! Despite Akihabara, we and the JLF decided to continue fighting. And the nerve gas is just a weapon, like any other!" replies Kallen, narrowing her eyes. "And the circumstances aren't the same as then. The situation was chaos. The nerve gas is different, a localized weapon. It is neither infectious, nor does it spread. And most importantly, we would be choosing the time and place."
[03:06] Suzaku's hands form fists on their own volition, as a tremor goes through his body. He makes as if to close in with Kallen, but stops suddenly, closing his eyes. "Is there anything else?" he asks, directing the question to Inoue.
[03:07] "Not right now," she says tersely. "I'll contact Mary with the details, once we know more."
[03:07] Suzaku nods once, his head jerking. "Then I am done here."
[03:09] She should've listened to Samuel, Kallen reflects, and not tried to bring up such an important detail in outside company.

<--->

[Corwin]

<--->

Discussion doesn't take long to wind to a close after Suzaku's departure, and Kallen makes her way out, too, with a brief apology and a promise to stay in touch.

She takes her time marching across Shinjuku to get to the old bookshop where Nana dwells, as the last moments of the meeting have caused a resurgence in bitterness and guilt.

But on the topic of the gas, she's not wrong, she's certain. You can't be shackled by the past! Any advantage must be taken, especially when they're so outmatched. Any less would surely be betrayal, wouldn't it?

By the time she reaches the entrance and opens the door, Kallen is in a dark, simmering mood.

In the twilight of the darkened bookshop, it takes a moment for Kallen's eyes to refocus, but once they do she spots Sayoko sitting by a small table she had apparently moved to stand near the stairway to the second floor. The maid looks just as impeccable at first glance, although her posture is slouched.

"Evening," states Kallen, deciding to hide her own weariness as she trudges up the stairs. "I brought some stuff. Are you guys hungry?"

"Miss Nunnally should eat something," Sayoko says tiredly, not stopping Kallen as she advances to the second floor of the bookshop. There, the young castaway princess is curled up on a rundown sofa. She stirs as Kallen comes closer.

Kallen reaches into her satchel, and fishes out a plastic bag; a few riceballs and pieces of fruit are in it, as well as a couple cans of juice (and a couple cans of stay-awake-energy-drink for her.)

"Hiya, Nana-chan. Apples, pork onigiri, juice, the choice is yours. And, something else," she adds, fishing around a bit more, and producing a portable radio. "Least I can do is find something to help pass the time with."

"I'll have some juice, please," Nunnally says, settling into a sitting position. Her voice is listless. "Thank you, Kallen."

"Least I can do," repeats Kallen, snapping open a can and handing it over. She fiddles with the radio for a bit, tuning it to one of the local pop stations.

A Britannian idol is singing her heart out, lamenting lost love. It's Maria, or Marlen, or something like that, Kallen thinks; Irene would know for sure.

Nunnnally fumbles with the can briefly, before orienting herself and drinking from it.

Wasn't Samuel saying something about a high-profile star? A singer, or an actor, or something...

She heads back over to Sayoko, pulling up a chair across from the table.

"I'll stay until morning, and Inoue will cover tomorrow night," she says, taking one of the onigiri for herself and starting to unwrap it. "Gonna get some rest?"

"I have nowhere else," Sayoko responds quietly, dropping her head down on her folded arms. She lets out a shuddering breath. "Oh, Miss Nunnally...."

It occurs to Kallen that while she's here, she should at least put some effort into making the place livable. The place was chosen some time ago for having functional facitilies, but things could've changed since then, and a bit of jury-rigging might be called for before cooking or washing was possible.

"There are some futons in the back," she adds, for Sayoko's benefit.

"It's alright--" Sayoko begins to say, before she pauses. "I will take one upstairs," she voices, changing her mind, and standing up. Kallen can see her shuffle, collecting a futon and then taking it with her to the second floor. Then, however, the redhead remains alone in her solitary watch.

This changes an hour later, just a handful of minutes past ten. A shape approaches the bookshop, she can see from her vantage point, unerringly making its way towards the entrance.

One can't get in here without a key, although the door lacks a bolt or chain to keep it secured from the inside. Something to fix.

She grabs her handgun and a high-powered flashlight, and flicks the latter on from the window, shining it right on top of the would-be intruder( hopefully temproarily blinding them to boot.) "Who's there?" she demands, steeling herself.

He throws his hand to guard his eyes, and it is indeed a he. Kallen recognizes Suzaku without much trouble, although he had changed, and wears what seems to be a Japanese school uniform she cannot immediately place.

"You?" asks Kallen, not entirely shocked by his arrival (though she can't imagine why he bothered changing his clothes to come out here.) "What do you want?"

Suzaku looks surprised to see Kallen, too, but then he glares. "Where is Sayoko-san?" he asks, moving towards the door and sliding a key into the lock.

"She's sleeping," replies Kallen, completely baffled, and she glances over her shoulder at Nunnally. "I guess you'd better come in. Don't ask or anything," she mutters, flicking off the flashlight.

Suzaku steps inside, locking the door behind him once more.

"This place was supposed to be a secret," mutters Kallen, flicking off the light and putting it aside. "So much for that. Seriously, why're you here?"

"To guard Nunnally with my life," Suzaku responds. "The secret is not out, if that is your concern. But people know about it. That always happens when more than two people share it."

Kallen can't refute that, since proof is right in front of her. "Mary, too?" she asks, holstering her gun. Milly is going to kill her. Her days are now numbered.

Suzaku doesn't respond, which is an answer in itself.

Kallen peers closely at Suzaku, attempting to fahtom his own feelings on the matter. "I'm not displeased that you'd help us keep her safe, secrets aside. But what's your interest?"

There is a spike of anger, driven by an even stronger urge to protect. Overwhelming frustration rules supreme over both.

"We are friends. This is personal," he says curtly.

"Good. She needs a friend as much as a guard, I think," replies Kallen, glancing over her shoulder at the sleeping girl. "And I somehow doubt she looks at me that way, but I guess she knows you better, huh."
glancing towards the stairs

"She did, once," Suzaku responds, following Kallen's gaze. He feels wistful. "Those were better days."

The phrase brings to mind Kallen's own youth, along with a knot of depression. Indeed, things were so much better before friends and family had been lost, gone forever.

"You wouldn't ever have expected it, looking at them," remarks Kallen. "They even kept their first names, and still nobody figured it out for this long. It feels, I don't know. It's still hard to believe."

"The Emperor has many wives," Suzaku responds whimsically. "And people tend to ignore or forget the unpleasantness, even if it's right under their noses. You think their fellow students should have realized? They didn't even notice when the nearby ghettos underwent all those 'reconstructions'."

"Some of them do. They just don't care," replies Kallen, creasing her brow. "Movies get put on the 'net, you know- and they just sit around to watch and laugh, or say it's the eleven's fault."

She snorts. "But what can we expect? All the journalists are backed by officials or high-ranking nobles. And the Emperor can still get up and say Britannia is an empire that finds the truth."

"It is a terrible monster that cannot be changed from within, working up to it," Suzaku states, as determination fills him.

"I thought it was possible, before," replies Kallen, suddenly. "Maybe not for a number, but for a noble. But doing things that way would be like deserting. Betrayal. And in the end, you can't make a lasting impact unless you're royalty."

There is a sense of sudden shock, made all the more significant at how it never reaches Suzaku's face.

"Perhaps, a noble in the right position could do something," he says, even as his mind wanders.

"It ends up the same either way. To strive for equal rights and for the preservation of culture, for reparations- it's the same as telling the Emperor he's wrong. Even a noble can't get away with such a blatant slap to the face."

"There might be a way," he muses quietly, only overheard in the quiet shop by chance.

"What is possible, and preferable, is to find Britannians who can't stand Britannia," replies Kallen. "It's the opposite of what I was saying earlier."

Suzaku appears to catch himself, and visibly collects his thoughts. "Mary believes that combining the two would be the key to victory," he says.

"She'd be right. But it's much harder to understand Britannian motivations than Japanese," replies Kallen. This was the last person she expected to be discussing her thoughts on how to make a better future with- well, within her comrades, anyway.

"I think... the average Britannian who'd be sympathetic is, well, likely to try and work within their system," she continues, as a certain girl springs to mind. "But the leap to go from there to supporting us directly is huge."

"Indirect support would be good, too," Suzaku says, after several moments of contemplation. "More among the rich could provide the funds to make life better for the Japanese, if they knew who to turn to."

"For some, out of some sense of noblesse oblige. One that would drain away quickly if they felt their positions were threatened."

Suzaku grows silent, commandeering a chair he places by the base of the stairs.

"Nunnally's upstairs, you know. I'll bet she can't sleep. There isn't really anything to do here but sleep, so she's probably had quite enough of that."

Suzaku gives Kallen a long, probing look, eventually nodding slightly in acknowledgement, whether of her or her words, she cannot tell. "I will be upstairs, then," he says, standing up once more.

About eight hours later, Kallen Stadtfeld hops off an early train and starts to trudge up the obnoxiously long road towards her mansion. More than once, she considers just calling and demanding someone comes to pick her up, but to do so would feel so unbelievably lazy.

It's a relief when the gates finally appear before her, and the thought of her comfortable bed is an unrepentant joy.

The gates open as Kallen approaches them. Her personal maid is standing just past them, bowing deeply. "Welcome home, Miss," she says, her posture rigid.

"Uh. Good morning, Hisui," replies Kallen, before her mouth chooses to open of it's own accord and emits a hastily-covered yawn.

"Good morning, Miss," Hisui returns somewhat uncertainly. She straightens up and proceeds to close the gates after Kallen, her movements stilted.

"Please call the school and let them know I'm ill, would you, Hisui? Thank you. You're so reliable," replies Kallen, starting to step towards the front door.

"Of course, Miss," Hisui assures Kallen, following a step behind her. "It will be done." She hesitates briefly, before venturing with, "Shall I summon a doctor? Or, perhaps, some warm soup...." Hisui trails off uncertainly, waiting for Kallen's reaction.

"No, that-" Another yawn threatens to build up, and Kallen tries to force it back. "No doctors! I'm very tired, so I'm going to bed. I'll have soup or something in the afternoon, I'll leave it up to you."

"Very well, Miss," Hisui responds, bowing to Kallen's back. The mansion's doors open, and as Kallen steps through them, Hisui hurries to follow. She squirms, but the only thing she says is, "Good night, Miss Stadtfeld."

"You said good morning five seconds ago, Hisui, make up your mind," mumbles Kallen, heading towards her room.

The trip to her room, much less her bed, is something Kallen can't recall when she wakes up, feeling refreshed. The sun is setting, she can see past the drawn curtains.

The temptation to laze around in bed for the evening is there, but there is at least one thing she has to get in order before the upcoming operation, not to mention arranging a few more meetings with the board over upcoming plans, and keeping up her workout schedule. Then there's discussing Knightmare design with the Ashfords, which certainly has to happen sooner or later, bt she needs to coordinate that with her R&D team, and the looming spectre of homework, too.

Well, she can't possibly cram all that into one evening, but there's certainly enough to keep her busy, so Kallen clambers out of bed and pulls on a dressing gown, before lurching out of her room in search of sustenence.

Hisui is there, slouched in a chair just outside Kallen's door. She's fast asleep, a tiny bit of drool escaping the side of her mouth cutely.

An unusual sight, given Hisui's typical alertness and professionalism. Kallen can barely resist the temptation to poke Hisui in the cheek.

She's probably in a deep sleep anyway, and Kallen has a sneaking suspicion that the maid decided to stay up all night to wait for her. There's nothing for it, then; to repay such diligence, she can at least carry Hisui to her own bedroom.

Hisui doesn't stir as Kallen takes her into her arms, only mumbling incomprehensibly.

Now, which room was Hisui's?

A dilemma, but one easily solved when another maid chances upon Kallen in the hallway.

"Where's Hisui's room?" asks Kallen, without preamble. How awful, to not know her way around her own house...

It's on the first floor, the third door on the left, Kallen learns. She could easily orient herself from that little, knowing the general direction to take from the decorative stairwell connecting the two floors together.

That's the way to go, then. Hisui isn't that heavy (although the clothes seem to add a remarkable amount of weight).

"Gotcha. Also, I'd like some breakfast. Can you see about that?" adds Kallen, before trundling off up the stairs.

The maid outfit is voluminous, but Kallen manages to keep it under control as she navigates. "Of course, Miss Stadtfeld," the maid giving her directions says with a curtsey, only barely stuttering.

Kallen reaches her destination easily enough, but once there finds the door to Hisui's room locked.

Kallen possesses a master key, which she managed to leave on her own table. Hisui, however, should have a key to her own room, which should be in one of the maid's voluminous pockets.

With any luck, it won't be an inner pocket.

Kallen needn't frisk her devoted maid for long, finally drawing a key that looks like it fits the lock. Her hand brushes against something rought -- a piece of paper, she thinks, kept in the same pocket.

Kallen certainly isn't the sort to rifle through her servant's possessions without a sufficiently good cause, like breaking into her bedroom.

She leaves the paper there and opens Hisui's door.

It is quite plain, she notices. A simple bed, a small, serviceable desk adorned with a few books, two chairs by it. A nightlight is placed by the bed, while an old television is set up in the corner.

It doesn't look like much, and it occurs to Kallen that while life without Cleo is probably not unpleasant for the staff, it could certainly be better- maybe she should arrange for a pay rise?

She doesn't go so far as to change Hisui, but does manage to tuck her into bed.

Hisui stirs as she is tucked away, her eyes fluttering open.

Honestly, her timing had to be like that, didn't it?

"Don't push yourself," states Kallen, curtly standing upright and glancing away. "Really."

"Miss Stadtfeld," Hisui says sleepily, struggling with the covers. Her movements are heavy, and she's managing more to tie the blanket into a knot than anything else. "Please, wait, Miss."

"Yes?" asks Kallen, pausing.

Hisui continues to struggle, but as she slows down, she is able to extricate a hand. A letter is held in it, which she offers to Kallen. "This came for you in the mail yesterday, Miss."

Kallen takes the letter, shaking her head to herself.

Now that her task has been fulfilled, and the higher functions of her brain are waking up, Hisui realizes her situation and blushes furiously, raising the covers over her head.

Kallen, meanwhile, is far too engrossed in turning away and reading the letter to note Hisui's anxiety.

The sending address has been smudged, but she had spent enough time with her to recognize the handwriting.

"Dear Kallen," the letter within starts with. "It's my first choice to send mail. You don't mind, do you? It's not as comfortable as texting, but the instructors are really strict about that, here. I think my mail might even get read, which is just creepy. But I wanted to let you know that I'm alright, and that I'm even starting to get used to this. Not everyone is as fit, but a lot are really old and stuff, like a decade older, you know? If you thought I would be this perfect soldier, climbing to the top, I think you might be disappointed."

The next paragraph starts with, "Do you think you could tell everyone in school that I'm fine? I could only send a letter to you and home, and I didn't really want to ask my mom or dad to talk to my classmates. This quota is so annoying! I'm not even supposed to say--"

The next sentence is blacked out.

"I keep my eyes on the most important thing," Shirley continues. "My goal. Once I'm done here, when I know all that this course has to teach me, I could finally start making a difference. I'll have an impact, just like you are trying your hardest! As always, you remain my inspiration."

The letter is signed simply with her full name, Shirley Fenette.
first chance

Kallen kept walking out the room, but as soon as she's out of eyeshot she stops moving, and remains standing there until she's finished with the letter. She reads it over twice, and when she reaches the end of it, she needs to rub out her eyes.

The pressure and guilt suddenly become unbearable, and before she realises it, Kallen is all but running back to her room.

<--->

[Corwin]

<--->

[14:46] Ohgi Kaname. No one had seen him in a week, perhaps more, Kallen finds. He's not at his old haunts, and wherever he is, the former leader of Shinjuku's cell is keeping a low profile. A terrible thought crosses Kallen's mind, but that is what leads her to chance upon Ohgi as she visits her brother's grave in desperation. He stands there, a fresh bouquette of flowers offered by the name plate.
[14:49] Kallen is quiet on her approach to the grave, and when she comes alongside Ohgi, she kneels down before it and clasps her palms together.
[14:50] She can feel Ohgi's eyes upon her, but her brother's friend soon returns his gaze to the grave.
[14:55] Heartbeats pass. "If Onii-san is watching," she says, breaking the silence with a soft voice. "I think he'd be mad at me."
[14:56] Ohgi shifts by her side. "I'm the one who abandoned his path."
[14:58] "I don't think he'd be angry about that," replies Kallen, taking a slow breath. "He never wanted me on it. It's not like he didn't care about you guys, either. Just..."
[15:00] "And that's another reason he would be far angrier at me," Ohgi says with a sigh, finally turning towards Kallen in earnest. "Won't you rethink things, Kallen? I could help you get out, whatever that takes."
[15:04] "I've thought things over a thousand times. It's not in question anymore," says Kallen, opening her eyes. "But I did have a selfish request for you, though. As a friend."
[15:05] Ohgi sighs again, despite visibly trying to suppress it. "What would it be?" he asks.
[15:07] He isn't going to like this, of course. But Kallen suspects he will eventually agree, despite his own frustration. "If something does happen to me, then you're the only person I can rely on to take care of mother," she replies, unfolding her arms and standing up.
[15:10] Ohgi doesn't respond. His posture slumps, and he turns back to gazing at the grave, as if it held all the answers he were seeking.
[15:13] "Please understand, Ohgi-san!" Her voice is raised, and stops and starts abruptly- "There are things only I can do, so backing out just isn't allowed anymore."
[15:14] "I understand. And if those very things take you too far? If you are captured, and the Britannians decide to come after your family? You are the one who doesn't understand," he says bitterly.
[15:16] "I do understand! That's why I'm here!"
[15:20] Ohgi doesn't respond, the silence beginning to drag on uncomfortably.
[15:25] After many poignant seconds, Kallen's face eventually falls, and she sighs. "When you figure out your answer, contact me the usual way," she murmurs, turning about and starting to leave the graveyard.

<--->

[Corwin]

<--->

There are parts of her business Kallen takes pains to familiarize herself with. The day-to-day management is mostly left in the hands of the board whilst she gets herself up to speed and makes herself known.

Today, she had two tasks; to leave behind some memos to Dr. Granger, requesting that he arrange tours of the group's leading R&D centers within Area 11. The other was familiarizing herself with the shadier side of the group, something she can only assume lies in the hands of her acquisitions specialist. A meeting had been scheduled, and she lounges about in her office, awaiting his arrival.

Jared makes her wait, appearing only quarter an hour after the set time. He looks haggard, although his outwards appearance is impeccable. Cleanly-shaved, Jared offers his hand to Kallen, saying, "My apologies for my late presence."

If there's something she's realised, it's that acting all imperiously just doesn't suit her. Certainly, a bit of dignity is required, but throwing her weight around like she did in the boardroom can't be conductive.

"As long as you have time now," she replies, with a nod, accepting the handshake. "Take a seat. Hisui, bring me some water, and Mr. Hallstrom some..." She pauses. "The same? Tea? Brandy, perhaps?"

"I'll have some tea, please," Jared responds, as Hisui silently takes the order. "Milk, two sugars."

The maid disappears, and Jared seems to sag even further. "It has been a trying time," he admits, taking out a handkerchief and dabbing at his forehead.

"The company has been shaken by many things lately, so we're all feeling a push," replies Kallen, keeping her Geass activated to read Jared's feelings- although she isn't sure she can't tell with a look at them.

"Still, because of that, I need to keep on top of things. Mr. Hallstrom, what are the immediate issues that draw your attention at the moment?"

He buries his face in his hands. "The thrice-damned foundation, what else? Oh, what a disaster, Miss Stadtfeld, what an utter distaster...."

Before Jared inadvertantly breaks eye contact, Kallen can sense that it is indeed what occupies his waking thoughts, dominating them.

Her ill-considered raid managed to inflict harm all the way here, too. It's not a surprise, but the reality of things always hammers it in. Perhaps that's why she hasn't actually visited Akihabara herself, yet.

"In so many ways, for so many people," she echoes. "We have to focus on what we must do right now."

Jared takes a deep breath, shaking his head. "My sincerest apologies," he says, raising it once more. "I don't know what came over me, Miss Stadtfeld. Your presence--" He abruptly stops. "No matter. I've tried to run damage control from every direction. I don't believe it will be traced back to us, but I still cannot say it with certainty. The charity...." Another shuddering breath interrupts him. "It has been taxing to run all of that, particularly in the aftermath."

"If there are any weak links in the chain with regards to the facility, please let me know," states Kallen, after a moment. "As for the charity, I can't have the board doing everything on a project that I initiated myself."

She purses her lips for a moment. "I'll look over your workload and relieve you of some of it. Perhaps dealing with invitations, the guest lists- Samuel did mentioning inviting some movie star... and a bit more seriously, I have a strong interest in security, lately."

"Kyoko?" Jared asks, struggling to remember, before his attention is drawn to the rest of Kallen's words. "It is a serious committment, Miss Stadtfeld. I don't intend to imply that you would be incapable of fulfilling it... merely that doing so would run you ragged."

"I'm amazed you've found time to worry about that, of all things," remarks Kallen. "I can't be the only one to laze around. I'll find the time."

"As you wish, Miss Stadtfeld," Jared responds after a lengthy pause.

"Back to the earlier topic, what has been done with the warehouses used by the Foundation?" asks Kallen, frowning. ""And what of the foundation itself? Have they chosen to lay low and vanish?"

"Asprius Bartley disappeared along with the senior staff. They ran off to the mainland, I suspect, and as long as they don't intend to resurface that thread is best left alone. The facility has been ransacked, first by them, we believe, then I arranged to wipe it out before the army was lead to it. And that is without telling what havoc the terrorists caused there in the first place."

"And how much has this exercise in futility ended up costing us?"

"It will stunt our growth for the next two decades, and this is merely representing the lost investment. The cover-up, the aid work...." Jared shakes his head. "If this becomes public, the liability would destroy us utterly."

"Alright. There's something I need to tell you about this, and obviously I could not contact anyone else about it until now. One of the senior members contacted me, personally," replies Kallen, seeing a convenient opportunity to both start getting what she needs, and testing the effect of her Geass.

It's that very feeling she attempts to put into Jared, as without a bit of prompting, he would surely react to this news with some alarm.

"Apparently, she split off from the organisation during the debacle. She has claimed, however, that despite the losses inflicted, continued research on medicinal lines is not impossible."

Jared sighs wearily. "It sounds great," he admits. "Just as the whole cursed venture did, when we were first looking into it."

"The risk of failure seems high, with most of their staff gone," continues Kallen. "But the costs have gone significantly down due to a reduction in the necessary equipment, whilst I believe the payoff remains considerable. I already asked her to prepare a list of requirements, without committing either way."

"It tempts, oh, but it tempts," Jared laments. "But to assosiate ourselves with that...."

With Milly, Kallen recalls, it seemed to have taken her time to think it over herself before she really decided to open up to her. That was accidental, and little Kallen in the interim- or since- has justified that trust.

But it stuck around, and perhaps grew.

"Until I see the list and thoroughly quiz her, there's no way we'd make a decision now," she states. "But we aren't ignoring it or ruling it out. There are still other parties out there who could become aware of our involvement. There was another.. potential investor at the original meeting, after all."

Jared's expression darkens. "We'll need to do something about that-- oh, but Miss Stadtfeld, I implore you. Just let that terrible gambit lie, and do not attempt it again! We could not bear for another... another event like that."

"In so many ways, I want to do as you suggest," replies Kallen, grimacing. "Reminding myself that it was the end result of terrorist action doesn't help. That a weapon of such scale was developed there, without my knowledge... but I know for a fact that things that can be put to better use were being researched, as well! We bear at least some responsibility. At least some atonement is necessary. So I cannot ignore this."

Jared looks conflicted, closing his eyes. "It is as you say, Miss Stadtfeld."

Kallen flops back in her chair a moment, and drinks up the rest of her delicious, soothing water.

"Alright. Next topic, then... Are there any other secret projects that you think I should know about?"

"I regret that your introduction to the family business had to be this way," Jared tells Kallen, shaking his head. "No. While no corporation is spotless, anything else we have our hands into pales in comparison."

"I do wonder why Dad chose to initiate me through such a dubious method," admits Kallen. "In many ways, I think it was a test."

"Perhaps," Jared heavily agrees. "It was also a gamble. Had it succeeded, well...."

"Thinking like that is a trap that's difficult to escape from," admits Kallen, before she gives Jared a critical eye. "Mr. Hallstrom, it's obvious- and understandable- that you're not well, beyond simply working too hard," she adds. "I'm going to have to give you some time off to rest."

He looks defeated at those words, and not a tiny bit hurt.

"Dad relied on you for a lot of things, and I must do so as well," she adds. "For that, I need you at your best. Distance yourself a bit from your problems, and approach them with a fresh mind. I think the group will survive a brief absence."

"Once more, I must apologize. My behavior is unseemly. If it will dispel this bad first impression I have given you, I will accept this without protest."

"If that'll get you to take a break, then I'll accept this apology," replies Kallen, with a nod. "I'll talk to Samuel about the charity, so that will be all for today."

<--->

[Corwin]

<--->

[15:08] "Let's run this over once more," Inoue's voice emanates from the earpiece, and it is all Kallen can do to avoid rolling her eyes. How many times must they go over the plan? But Inoue isn't out in the field with them or, more specifically, in one of the nondescript trucks heading towards the general area of the facility, where they would be parked until needed once more.
[15:08] Inoue is stuck somewhere safe, unable to do a single thing to affect the outcome, aside from trying to get those going as ready as possible.
[15:13] Kallen's boots are too tight. She does contemplate reaching down to loosen them a bit, but if she does, she'll probably then find her utility belt is too loose or something, and it'll just never end. "Go ahead," she replies, trying to remain professional whilst on the job.
[15:18] "Teams one and two will breach through their assigned entry points in ten minutes. Traffic held you back some, but your team should still make it there with enough time to hit yours. You do remember it, don't you?" Inoue's last words sound teasing, but an air of restlessness invades that.
[15:18] Kallen's Team Three is to inflitrate the warehouse through a sealed-off vent by the back which was dedicated to waste disposal under the facility's previous owners. Sayoko's information assured that this was no longer the case, and that they should be able to get it opened with a bit of effort.
[15:21] "How could I forget? You're shoving me up a former garbage chute," replies Kallen, flatly, and she glances at her squadmates with a wry grimace. "Our first strike will be a surprise attack, and then we'll shock-and-awe our way to control room."
[15:24] "Sideways, more than anything," Inoue chuckles, sounding reassured. "Team Two will see if it is feasible to disable the power temporarily for a distraction, so keep that in mind. There would be a forewarning, but it would come only moments before."
[15:29] "Any confusion like that favours the attackers," replies Kallen. She fumbles with a balaclava in her lap, a necessary precaution for her and possibly her alone within this group. "What do you think the chances of the enemy surrendering are?"
[15:30] Strangled sounds which might have been laughter Inoue tried to hold back come through the earpiece. "Not very high," the bluette finally responds.
[15:40] Seven minutes later, the truck has been stashed away, ready to move at a moment's notice. Tamaki is somber, not cracking jokes or breaking the operational silence. Yoshida, on the other hand, is edgy, but that doesn't stop him from smearing the access points to the sealed off vent with a chemical compound that would burn through the metal and allow them entry.
[15:42] A nervous tension settles over Kallen. Unlike the previous operation in which she took part, this is fundamentally an assault. They're not trying to bypass security; they're planning to overwhelm it with raw force.
[15:47] She's been in scraps in the past, and trained her body as much as she can. She knows she should be prepared for this, but still, the thought that she might get shot again, the thought that she might die- they're more present in her mind than ever before. Steeling herself, she readies her shotgun- a close-quarters weapon, the best for this kind of fast-paced indoor work- and prepares to breach the entry point.
[15:48] At Yoshida's signal, Tamaki averts his eyes. It would be bright, and they are too close to afford having to blink it off during this critical time.
[15:49] Kallen follows suit, glancing aside at the ground below.
[15:52] It's not the swift flare up she saw in a movie once, an otherwise forgettable tale of a cat burglar passed off as a pseudo-documentary. The glare continues for almost a solid minute before tapering off. Yoshida uses a spray on the burnt sections, before kicking the vent open with a dull clang.
[15:54] The reality of these operations is always sordid, after all. Kallen moves in front of Yoshida and slips into the vent- as the smallest in her team, she's the easiest fit and the best to check out the path ahead.
[16:00] The other end is similarly sealed off, but they still have time until they are to get in and keep the pressure up. They should make it, and the warehouse is lit, with no patrols scheduled through that area.
[16:06] Kallen sidles up to the other end of the vent, and withdraws her own container of compound to smear on the edges of the obstruction. She keeps an ear out for anyone passing by, just in case an irregularity approaches...
[16:07] She hears nothing untowards. Unless someone has the luck to stand still within sight of the vent, Kallen should be in the clear.
[16:09] She signals to the others to look away. Doing the same herself, she sets the breaching material alight, and takes a few steps back. Once the stuff is burned through, she'll be able to kick it out and slide into the warehouse proper.
[16:19] Another minute is sacrificed to this, but Kallen makes it into the warehouse proper afterwards. Tamaki and Yoshida filter in after her.
[16:19] Massive containers divide the insides, turning the warehouse into a maze rather than the large open space once would expect. If Sayoko's information is accurate, then in a minute a pair of guards would be coming down a corridor formed by the containers a hundred feet to the right; just enough time to set up an ambush.
[16:29] "If we take cover behind these containers, we can pop out and hit them in an instant," decides Kallen, gesturing to either side of the corridor the patrol would come through. It's stupid to flank them in a straight line with guns, but if they pop out just after they move past their position...

<--->

[Corwin]

<--->

Kallen's detachment positions behind the containers just as footsteps are heard beyond their impromptu embankment. Kallen has enough time to discern two distinct people when the guards in question walk out into the open!

Kallen gives the guards a moment to step past their cover, and then she clenches her jaw, and steps out from around the side of her container. Holding the stock of the shotgun in an underarm stance, she levels it at the back of one of the guards and pulls the trigger!

Her shot it spot-on. The front of the guard's head trades places with a fine red mist that spray outwards.

The second guard throws himself into a roll at the sound of the gunshot, his body twisting to bring his weapon about, but Tamaki and Yoshida spray the man together, their weapons set to autofire. His body jerks as bullets impact it, and dimly Kallen becomes aware of other shots being fired elsewhere, the exact locations difficult to pin down due to the nature of the volumnous warehouse.

The shotgun only holds six shells at a time, but it's a semi-automatic and doesn't require her to pump it. Reloading will still be a bitch, but the increased accuracy at close quarters is worth it in this place. An easy weapon to handle for her.

"Let's go! Two minutes to the target!" She signals to start hustling down their prearranged route!

Kallen feels more than hears their assent, and Tamaki rushes ahead to impact violently against a container at the end of the path. He nods to Yoshida, who is already in motion, and clears the corner. Kallen sees Tamaki nod once more before he also disappears, and then she is there herself. It is a T section of sorts, and they are to proceed to the right. Several openings would present themselves, and somewhere between and fifth and sevenths is where they would encounter opposition once more, if all goes according to plan.

That this stunt can be planned so precisely somewhat amazed Kallen during the briefing, but drilling it into her mind helped; she doesn't need to think about what she's doing, and can concentrate on the task at hand.

With several openings ahead, the plan is to clear the first few and then start leapfrogging from corner to corner until the enemy appeared.

The guards are the first to chance upon Kallen, the first signs of it Yoshida being gunned down. He collapses clumsily, as if someone swept the rug from under him! Tamaki takes cover and returns fire.

The thought occupying Kallen's mind is that the guards responded faster than anticipated, but if they don't break through them here, all might well be lost!

Kallen blasts a shot down the corridor and takes cover as well, uncertain whether or not it hit. She can't help but glance at Yoshida for a moment; is he alive? Is he dead? Just wounded? There's no time to check.

She detaches a grenade from her belt, removes the pin, and counts to three; then she slings it down the corridor to where the gunfire seemed to be coming from!

Yoshida lies still-- but no, Kallen sees him twitch, and then he attempts to drag himself out of the line of fire. That is as much attention as she can give him.

Tamaki lays down suppressive cover fire while Kallen readies the grenade, and takes cover at the last possible moment.

Kallen's ears ring. The gunfire has stopped.

After taking down the guards at this spot, Kallen is to advance until the tenth opening between the containers and hold position there for the next ninety seconds. Any stragglers escaping from the second team would thus end up straight in her field of fire, while minimizing any possible friendly fire incidents.

"Yoshida, how bad are you?" she asks, glancing at him; worry intrudes on her supposedly prepared mindset.

If it was a glancing hit, he can probably take care of himself- having to stop to give first aid would compromise their firepower. But the sooner he gets help, the more likely he'd survive...

Yoshida has managed to drag himself to take cover behind a container, leaving a trail of blood along his path. "My leg, it's my leg," he gasps, grimacing in pain. From a casual observation, it might be worse than that, but he is conscious and able to move of his own power.

There wouldn't have been a better time to be clinical about this, but she doesn't feel she can take the risk in leaving him there.

"Tamaki, check him," she instructs. "I'll cover the passage, regroup as soon as possible!"

She doesn't give a chance to protest before dashing to her predetermined position, leaving the two men a short distance behind.

Tamaki seems lost in indecision, but he doesn't follow Kallen as she rushes to her predetermined position. No insidious bursts of gunfire strike her down as she holds her post. She hears the sounds of combat get closer; yet, a minute after and no enemies reveal themselves to her.

"Five, four--" Inoue's voice starts counting in her ear suddenly, and Kallen knows what that means. "--One!"

The warehouse is clouded in darkness.

Kallen reaches to her head, and pulls down a bulky pair of dark goggles; flicking a switch in the headband, the warehouse lights up for her in a crackly hue of green.

"Tamaki, how was it?" she asks over the radio, peering down her designated route.

"Dark," he answers helpfully.

Kallen sees a figure appear around a bend, retreating backwards. It holds a gun in its hands.

It's possible he's not alone, and in the darkness there's no way he can tell Kallen is there. She gives it five seconds to see if anyone is coming along with him before taking aim and firing off another shell!

The figure had crossed perhaps a third of the distance when Kallen takes her shot. It hits squarely in the back, downing her target, but Kallen can see that it still moves!

Kallen isn't able to just pull the trigger on someone she's already floored- but the gun! If her target is still holding it, then it doesn't matter if they're wounded!

As Kallen grapples with the dilemma, a burst of automatic gunfire puts an end to her target's struggles. Kallen only sees the shooter briefly, as they gesture with their gun and proceed onwards.

With the preliminary obstacles cleared, the only place for them to take is the control room, now.

As Kallen falls back into the easy way of following pre-scripted movements, some part of her curses herself for, once again, not being mentally prepared for this. What if the target did have a gun? It takes less than half a second to pull a trigger and end a life! Next time, she might not be lucky, and it'll be her as a footnote in someone else's mission!

"Kouzuki here," she reports on the channel. "Yoshida's down. Tamaki was looking after him at the second point of contact. Moving up on the target now."

"Right," Inoue responds. Before Kallen can take more than a handful of steps, the cell leader's voice comes over the link once more. "Belay that. Investigate the hangar."

It's not a proper hangar, Kallen recalls, but that is what they decided to call the Knightmare holding section of the warehouse. Rather than proceeding ahead, it would take her at a sharp angle further inside.

"Roger. What'm I looking for?" asks Kallen, swerving around a corner and moving towards the storage section.

"Stragglers," Inoue responds tersely. "Tamaki, go with her."

Knightmares. There must be a dozen, perhaps even more. Enough for everyone in their group to have their very own Glasgow model-- one of them is moving! It turns towards Kallen, and her vision goes white!

<--->

[Corwin]

<--->

[15:30] The goggles have gone from amazingly useful to worse than nothing in an instant, but before she even thinks of taking them off, Kallen is already moving somewhere- back is probably impossible, but there's no shortage of shipping containers around to dive behind, if her insticts are right!
[15:30] The weapons of a goddamned monster like that can't be avoided from here by anything but reflexes and gut!
[15:41] Kallen hears a crash where she used to stand, the sounds of metal twisting paining her ears. Her dive ends with Kallen tackling a container's side with her shoulder.
[15:44] If she follows the edge of the container, she might turn a corner! The pain from the impact goes on standby (to be collected later with interest) as she makes a mad dash away and hopefully around a corner; her spare hand reaches to pull off the goggles. It doesn't sound like a gun firing, though- did the knightmare just try to crush her?
[15:46] Gunfire sounds at that time, as if bidden by Kallen's stray thoughts. Automatic weapons, not the heavy artillery being used for a Knightmare's head-mounted cannons, nevermind its main armament. Kallen's shoulder throbs; spots dance in her eyes, black and white and all the prime color combinations inbetween.
[15:51] Kallen picks her way away from the ongoing battle for the moment, and drops the useless goggles; her vision clearing isn't going to happen instantaneously, and until it does she's deadweight, and best off putting a few meters (and a few giant crates) between her and the deceptively speedy vehicle behind her.
[15:56] More sounds of carnage follow, but Inoue's voice cuts through it all. "Kouzuki, where are you? Respond! Tamaki, can you see her?"
[15:56] "I can't see jack!" Tamaki's voice curses, barely understood over the gunfire. "They were supposed to be stored up, nice-like!"
[16:01] "I'm behind a crate near the knightmares, and they all looked ready to go just like that one!" snarls Kallen, furiously rubbing her eyes. "I think it's guns aren't loaded, so it's just gonna run over us!"
[16:06] She can see something beyond the spots, but what Kallen sees is the prevailent darkness.
[16:06] "Get the lights back on!" Tamaki calls. His voice comes through much more clearly now; he must have paused to reload. "We don't stand a chance without it!"
[16:09] It's not like they came packing an RPG or anything that could take down that thing! But if it has no guns, then a lucky shot might take out the factsphere and give them a shot at getting away. She glances behind her for a second, looking out for the strobe of the Knightmare's headlights.
[16:12] Some muffled curses filter through Kallen's headset, while she spots the spotlights in the distance. Two beams, their points of origin close to one another. Neither is seeking her locations, it seems.
[16:12] Inoue is counting. At the sound of "One!" light is restored, the powerful beams subsumed.
[16:12] Gunfire resumes at once, bullets bouncing off the Glasgow's head.
[16:19] "I'm gonna make sure nobody else is planning on getting into those things," states Kallen, tersely. She opts to try and take a route around the Glasgow towards the rank of knightmares, at least hoping to get a clear view of the area. "Aim for the factsphere, and it'll go half-blind!"
[16:29] "I'm tryin' to!" Tamaki curses, following through with another burst of fire. This one is more focused, as per Kallen's words, but the Knightmare is not standing there to take it. With its famous maneuvering ability, the Knightmare zig-zags past much of the bullets, and smashes an arm against something out of Kallen's sight.
[16:29] Tamaki's curses, audible through the radio, double. The fire rate drops to almost nothing, however.
[16:42] "Looks like he's gonna be alone," mutters Kallen. "Inoue, what should I do?"
[16:43] "Keep it occupied for three minutes," Inoue says, before asking tersely, "Can you do it?"
[16:50] "If it can't hit me when I'm blind, it ain't gonna hit me when I can see," boasts Kallen, more for her own sake than Inoue's. She skirts to one of the thinner corridors, and starts taking potshots at the Knightmare as long as it's not coming back after her, ready to duck away at a moment's notice!

<--->

[Corwin]

<--->

A shell bounces off and away, her shotgun pumped with the motion to load another. The Knightmare ignores it, perhaps due to its rear armor plating, and because its factsphere is located in the front. Instead, the machine continues assaulting a container savagely with its arms, the noise far worse than nails being trailed across a chalkboard.

Getting close to it is surely suicide, but it's obviously hammering into where Tamaki might be; if she doesn't do something, he might be crushed!

Since it's back is to her, however, she has free reign over the warehouse for a moment, and if there's anything around that she could use to make an impact on the knightmare, like a crane or a forklift or something...

A forklift is off to the side, and another far closer to the battle. The second had been trampled by the Knightmare's rampage.

Not big enough. "Tamaki, are you trapped over there?!" she calls, trying to be audible over the grinding sound.

The only thing she can do is start running to try and get around the other side of the Knightmare; if she can get a shot at the factsphere then it can't just ignore her, can it?

Curses and gunfire come from Tamaki's direction and the comlink, creating a strange echo as Kallen rushes towards him. Approaching the Knightmare the rest of the way means stepping out into open space, however.

Even if she heads out into the open, it can't see behind it.

And if it does notice her, then she might have just enough time to clear the open part of the warehouse and dive for cover again before it crushes her.

The Knightmare turns as Kallen is halfway across, at the worst possible spot! It turns, displaying incredible mobility, and launches its shoulder-mounted slash harkens at Kallen!

As the Knightmare turns to face her, Kallen breaks into a sprint to the other side; diving and going prone out in the open would surely leave her to be crushed by the mecha's feet!

The harkens stab down, missing Kallen. Before she can rejoice over her lucky escape, however, she feels herself rudely pushed forward, enough to cause her to stumble roughly if not launched off her feet entirely.

It's the ground being roiled by the hardened tips of the harkens!

Kallen doesn't resist getting pushed forward, however, and tries to roll with the impact; better to keep in motion before the Knightmare can find some other way to make this her second-worst day ever.

Kallen's back feels like a mass of bruises, and the forward roll only makes her more aware of the fact. She hears the harkens retreat as she regains her bearings.

The winding time of the harkens is a second or two, and she probably won't get a better chance than this whilst the pilot pauses for a moment.

She whirls around, takes half a second to sight the glasgow's lone factsphere, and takes her best shot!

The shot is spot on, but the Knightmare brings up its arm to block it, fragments bouncing harmlessly all over!

"You've got to be fucking kidding me!" snarls Kallen, backing away from the Knightmare and taking the opportunity to run behind a nearby container.

It begins to give chase, but reconsiders when gunfire assaults it from the side, Tamaki now concentrating his firepower on the left arm's shoulder joint. This plan is proving to work, if slowly, but Kallen can now tell that Tamaki's cover had been all but destroyed, and the way to retreat cut off. The Knightmare's assaults on the containers providing cover to Tamaki also warped their shape, making escape the way he came from impossible.

The factsphere is fairly delicate, but the armour is another story. Shells won't cut it. Her other grenade wouldn't do more than scratch the paint, either.

Ejecting her reamining ammunition, Kallen opts to load her shotgun with a couple of slugs instead; they're hardly anti-armour weapons, but they might get some punch against the joints! She breaks cover and opts to back Tamaki up, firing each heavy-duty round into the shoulder as best as she can!

Kallen's first shot finds purchase, but the Knightmare is no longer there for the second! Kallen gets her wish -- the Knightmare is now fully focused upon her, trying its best to run her down!

Kallen bolts from her imminent smackdown like the red-headed stepchild she is. The sharp manueverability of the Knightmare can only really be compared to that in terms of other armoured vehicles. A human on foot can still get out of it's angle of attack, just like dodging a car!

And just like a car, a person dodging a massive vehicle going at fifty miles per hour is impossible. It is folly to even try. Yet Kallen does not give up, and only gets clipped in the side for her trouble, sending her careening into a container. The impact dents its side, and Kallen idly counts all the containers she had hit with her body that night, when Inoue's voice cuts through the fog in her mind.

"Still alive?"

"Yeah," replies Kallen, swallowing back a few smart replies. Save it for afterwards, Kouzuki! "Somehow."

"Can you lure it as close to the perimeter wall as you can?" Inoue asks. "And then get very, very lost?"

The Knightmare launches its harkens, boxing Kallen in and sending up a cloud of peeled paint and metal chips towards her face. Beyond it, she can vaguely see it level its massive arm at her, drawing it back before the inevitable strike!

Left, right, back, they're all out, so Kallen takes the only option left to her and jerks forward, hoping to somehow slide under the Knightmare's assault! Thought and reason flee her mine completely, replaced with only an instinct to get away from danger, even if it only means a few more seconds of life.

She ducks under the coming fist, breaks hard to the left and begins to run. The Knightmare's pilot must have expected the former, but not the latter, as the machine turns on its wheels, attempting to ruthlessly crush anyone under its feet.

But the pilot recovers in record time, and begins to gain after Kallen once more.

"Be there in fifteen, you better be gone~" Inoue sing-songs through the earpiece. Gunfire assaults the Knightmare from behind -- Tamaki -- buying Kallen several precious seconds!

"Aargggh!" screams Kallen, focusing on her own voice and shoving out her other senses until such a time as they will be needed again. Without even bothering to look back, she sprints forward towards the perimeter of the building, barely avoiding slamming into another few hostile containers as she heads from passage to passage!

The paths here are much wider, clearly left such to allow vehicular access. Kallen is by the wall. She feels, then hears a rumbling from the outside.

Her body isn't going to want to do anything tomorrow if she keeps treating it like this.

Kallen turns sharply to the side and bolts to the left, promptly trying to make herself scarce.

The squeal of metal ripping apart is becoming familiar to Kallen. Yet this is the first time that she sees a massive truck rip through a warehouse's outer wall. It drives through the row of stationary Knightmares, sending them crashing out of the way, and continues towards the active Knightmare. The machine catches the truck with its arms, struggling to push against it and hold its former momentum.

It succeeds in that, yet its pilot must not have seen Inoue tumble out of the truck's cabin in the chaos. Once the bluette's body stops rolling on the floor, she raises herself weakly on an arm to look back.

The truck explodes into a bright orange fireball.

Kallen stumbles back and shields her eyes, slumping against a wall and starting to catch the breath she left lying about three containers back.

"Secure."

"Secure."

The other teams seem to be reporting on their shared channel, but their voices sound distant to Kallen.

No, she's not going to goddamn fall unconscious halfway through a mission again! She didn't even get shot this time!

Kallen slaps the side of her face, making the mistake of trying to wake up and start feeling all the pain she incurred earlier tonight.

Her hand comes back bloody, but the pain certainly helps refocus Kallen.

Unconsciousness might be better. Kallen peels off her messed-up balaclava (or did she already rip it off sometime before?), picks herself up, and remembers that she has a radio, too.

"Enemy knightmare destroyed. It's pretty messed up down here," she reports. "Yoshida, Inoue and I are gonna need a checkup. Looks like we're otherwise secure here. Tamaki?"

It doesn't look like they'll be able to make off with the knightmares so easily now, either.

Tamaki doesn't respond. No one responds. Kallen's balaclava comes off in pieces, floating down to the ground. It is liberally painted in blood.

<--->

[Corwin]

<--->

[16:14] The first rays of dawn are beginning to seep into a room that Kallen finds awfully familiar. Her improptu ward back in the ghetto hasn't really changed at all since the last time she was recuperating here, save that sleeping off her bruises is likely to be a swifter affair than a sucking chest wound- "Ow! Yes, it hurts there!" she complains, batting away Jean's prodding hand. "Would you kindly stop poking me?"
[16:17] Jean grasps Kallen's flailing hands in her own and forcibly sets them down, before silently returning to her inspection.
[16:17] "Nice bedside manners, Doc," a sarcastic voice intruds on Kallen's pain-filled world. Jean doesn't even bother acknowledging Minami as he comes into the room.
[16:21] Kallen opens her mouth to say something else, but winces from a sudden pressure on her side, and her body ceases it's futile resistance. "Hi," she croaks, twisting her head. "How's- ow!- Yoshida?"
[16:24] "His doc's much nicer," Minami says, cracking a smile. "So is Inoue's. I guess you drew the short stick here, Kouzuki."
[16:24] Jean actually frowns as Minami continues to speak, making sure to avoid eye contact with Kallen.
[16:30] It must be payback for having a jacuzzi to unwind in back home, she reflects. "So. Tell me the spoils- and how'd Kururugi do on his end?"
[16:34] "He didn't hold us back," Minami acknowledges. "The Glasgows, on the other hand, are a mixed bag. Only a couple are entirely unscathed; the rest would need maintenance. But all in all, we have two operational, nine more in repair and the last will need to be scrapped for spare parts."
[16:39] "Great. Even just two makes things easier," murmurs Kallen, tilting her head back to the ceiling. "I stuck the scroll up in the control room. Figured it was the most obvious place."
[16:44] "It's not 'just two'!" Minami protests. "Make that two now, about a dozen once we get someone to fix the rest. The JLF is certain to send someone to help with that if Inoue makes an official request." He snorts, shrugging lightly. "As official as it gets for us, anyway."
[16:48] "Depends on how efficient they're feeling," replies Kallen. "But I think you're right. I mean, apart from Saitama, who else is doing anything impressive lately?"
[16:50] "Yes, yes, now hold still," Jean tells Kallen, moving her head into an uncomfortable position that allows the doctor to examine its left side. Out of the corner of her eye, Kallen can see Minami wince.
[16:53] Kallen clamps her mouth shut whilst Jean inspects her skull. Unbidden, she starts wondering just what is so horrible that it would make Minami squeamish, and finds herself not particularly wanting to find out.
[16:55] "You've outdone yourself, Miss Stadtfeld," Jean says in clipped tones, releasing Kallen and picking up a chart, affixed to an old-fashioned clipboard. She makes notations in it, nodding to herself. "I certainly hope it was an experience you are not eager to repeat."
[16:57] If she's the one in the knightmare next time, it won't be so bad. "I've outdone getting shot?"
[16:59] "Quite," Jean responds curtly.
[16:59] Minami clears his throat. "It's good to see you in such high spirits, Kouzuki. Tamaki will stop by later. He just wanted to spend some time with Yoshida, first."
[17:00] "...am I going to get better?" asks Kallen, sounding very small and not in high spirits at all.
[17:04] "We have the technology and the capability to use it," Jean says, light glinting off her glasses. Minami edges away, before giving Kallen a hurried wave and retreating.
[17:06] "I draw the line at test tubes, you know."
[17:09] "That was just to drive the simpleton away," Jean says, placing the clipboard on the bedside table and walking the few steps to the door to close it. "You look like a scarecrow, but it's actually a genuine case where things look far worse than they are. With the resources you've provided me, I could easily handle the therapies in question in a manner of days."
[17:11] "Managed to make it back here without falling apart, so I didn't think it was, um, awful. Great," replies Kallen, sighing with relief. "Will there be signs of injury left?"
[17:12] "Do you want there to be?"
[17:13] "That would be... really bad."
[17:15] Jean chuckles at the response. "I shall do my best. Naturally, I must insist on remaining here until you have a clean bill of health."
[17:20] "As long as it's just a few days, it should be fine. I shouldn't be missed for about a week without needing another excuse," she replies, wincing. "God, another inch and I'd be missing a leg. Or dead."
[17:23] "Let's see how it goes," Jean says vaguely, before amending her words. "At the very least, I should be able to tell how well you are responding to treatment in a day or two."
[17:26] "Right," replies Kallen. Silence reigns for a moment, and then she speaks again- "So, you got what you needed. How are we going to go about studying this thing?" she asks, indicating her eye.
[17:27] "As it so happens, I was waiting for that question, Miss Stadtfeld," Jean responds, Kallen catching a note of eagerness there before it is ruthlessly squashed.
[17:27] "I already knew that."
[17:29] Jean clucks her tongue in a sign of annoyance. "Metamphetamins, Miss Stadtfeld. Dare I ask if you had used them in a recreational manner so far?"
[17:31] "Metampheta?... oh, right. I managed to stay away from drugs, even when things were really bad," replies Kallen, pausing. "I've heard of people using that kinda stuff before going into combat. To keep 'em high, but messing with that stuff just isn't worth it."
[17:37] "Seeing as we are in Area 11, I find it amusing that the solution to your woes would be found in the research started here," Jean elaborates, circling Kallen's bed slowly. "While it is true that their best known function is as a drug to induce euphoric and increase sexual pleasure, studies are conducted with metamphetamines being used to treat certain behavioral conditions.
[17:37] We are talking about a psychoactive stimulant drug, after all."
[17:39] "And what I'm guessing you're suggesting is that Geass, if it's a neruological.. affliction, I suppose- can be treated or prevented in much the same fashion?" suggests Kallen, her eyes slowly trailing after Jean's midsection.
[17:43] "What we have been doing is the opposite, but it occured to me," Jean responds. "Just why can't the same theory be applied in reverse, so to speak? I have sufficient knowledge of Lilith's neurochemistry, and I have also gained enough of your own, and how it changed from your last medical checkup, Miss Stadtfeld.
[17:43] I suppose it would be termed an ongoing experiment, but I could guess reasonably closely to the right dosage, and we'll keep on modulating it until we arrive at just what we seek. Perfect control, by achieving the superhuman focus necessary to use it."
[17:47] "So.. the target of this experiment is to create a drug that would allow me- or anyone, really- conscious and focused control over their own emotions?" asks Kallen, sounding a little confused.
[17:48] "Over perception," Jean corrects Kallen. "I believe that to be sufficient for your needs, Miss Stadtfeld."
[17:58] "Right. I think I get it, then," replies Kallen, straining for a moment; she's felt emotions from people without quite looking at them before, and this is a moment when she'd like to be tuning in to Jean's. "Look, we both know there's a risk with these things. I don't mind taking it, but at the same time, I'd rather go slowly."
[18:00] Irritation, however mild. "A strong mind can overcome any undue pull, and any chemical dependancies can be weaned out," Jean says impatiently.
[18:08] "I'd agree, except for one thing. My mind has a heap of things weighing on it already, and going too fast with this... look, I got hit by a goddamn robot today! That'd make anyone consider drugs, even if they didn't have some alien magic happening in their heads," mutters Kallen. "
[18:17] "Yesterday, technically," Jean notes calmly, and the sense of irritation fades. "Very well. I shall be waiting for a time when you rationally decide to take the drugs that could help you handle all the things weighing on your mind, Miss Stadtfeld."
[18:23] "...I'll sleep on it," mutters Kallen, reaching for her blankets and pulling them over her head.

<--->

[Corwin]

<--->

The phone rings several times before it is picked up on the other side.

"Yes?" Kallen hears Mary's voice ask calmly. There is some background noise, but it is cut off almost instantly, as she hears a door close.

"Kouzuki here," replies Kallen, fresh out the shower and clad in a towel. "I'd like to discuss something with you. When's a good time to meet this week?"

"I can make it today," Mary responds. "How about," she continues, pausing briefly, "five o'clock? We could meet over tea in Shibuya."

It is morning, and Kallen would have plenty of time to get anywhere within the government-administered district if she so wished.

"It works. Don't go to Shibuya much these days. I'll call you when I get there and find you off that?"

"I'll be waiting at the Arc de Triomphe," Mary responds. "By all means, if you can't find it, give me a call."

"It's a date, then. Ja." Kallen hangs up the phone, and then sets about the serious business of getting dressed.

The Arc de Triomphe is a cafe, Kallen discovers as she travels to Shibuya later in the day. It is within easy walking distance of the intra-settlement transit system's Shibuya terminal, which the battered Inoue openly acknowledges as a blessing. "Sugiyama and me will be nearby at a quiet corner table," she promised Kallen as they plan this little gathering over the phone, and as the redhead enters the establishment, she sees the pair there as scheduled, mixed with the other patrons who appear to be mostly EU expats.

Mary is seated at a table for two, her back to the wall and in a position to observe the entrance. She smiles as Kallen makes her appearance, gesturing at the seat opposite herself.

Kallen gives Mary a little wave, and slips through the tables to take her seat. A Euro bar isn't a bad choice for a somewhat-secretive meeting, she reflects; foreigners tend to mind their own business when staying in the settlement.

"Afternoon. Actually, I meant to contact you earlier, but it's been a rough week," she greets. "How's business?"

"Slowly plodding along would be how I'd call things," Mary responds, flagging a waiter over. "Earl Gray for us-- unless you would like something else?"

"Coffee for me, thanks. Black, no sugar," replies Kallen, briefly glancing at the waiter. "I know what you mean," she responds once he's vanished. "Any movement at all is an improvement, but it's not enough. How would you like to speed things up?"

Mary briefly makes a face at Kallen's pick, but is soon reabsorbed into the conversation. "A few more movements such as last week's, and we could have Gottwald where we want him. I think this approach would sit well with you?"

"That'll be kept up, have no doubt. Lord Jeremiah is bound to act sooner or later, even as he chafes at his highness' prudence. Actually, a lot of people are chafing under that particular yoke. I've been considering your proposal. To be honest, it doesn't seem possible to me, the way he's behaving. At least from the outside."

"What do you mean?" Mary asks, as their drinks arrive, along with a tray of scones.

"If you want to get rid of Clovis, there's no need to do the work ourselves," replies Kallen, reaching for one of the scones. "The top military personel can still get close to him where an outsider couldn't get in position. Sir Gottwald, I believe, will be in quite the frustrated mood soon enough. He's already barely avoided a charge of lese majeste, hasn't he?"

"He can keep at it long enough for the wait to become impractical," Mary responds, sipping at her tea. "This misses the larger point, however. Clovis himself is a tool. The key element here is not the act of his death, but the act of bypassing all the defenses someone in his position has against outsiders."

"Of course. And why would Jeremiah conceivably wish to slay Clovis?" asks Kallen, setting down the scone untouched after a moment. "Because he's in the way. Because he's stopping him from reacting. He's not permitted to take the fight to the terrorists, as it were. You see, this is why we and he are natural allies, in a sense. We want to show we can get rid of Clovis. Jeremiah wants not just permission to attack, but a certain degree of support behind it.

"So, if he were to committ such a murder, who better to frame... than us?"

Mary looks something between shocked and confused, before she laughs. "You know, this does have the ring of truth to it!"

"Thought so. Now, if the news properly obliges us, everything that can be done before approaching Jeremiah himself will be done," notes Kallen. "As it happens, an opportunity for just that has been arranged. I wouldn't want to take that risk if you had some other method in mind, though."

"Let's hear the elaboration of your idea, first," Mary suggests, leaning over on her elbows to give the appearance of an avid listener.

"It would take some social engineering," replies Kallen, leaning back. "I'm hosting a gala next week, and have sent invitations to a selection of Tokyo's elite. For me, it's not dissimilar to a debutante ball, and they'd have to be blind to miss that. There'll be a lot of meet'n'greeting going on. General Davidson should be in attendance as well, and the atmosphere should be pretty damn charged, seeing as both representatives of the 'do nothing' and the 'do something' crowd are in attendance. I imagine that if things were left to go as they were, there'd be an argument, maybe even fisticuffs if they're all drunk enough. Of course, having them storm out would be counterproductive."

"The right time to approach Gottwald will be when he's once again reminded of the perceived incompetence within the higher echelons of the heirarchy, or perhaps even slighted for the loss of his troops; I doubt it'll take long, and a private conversation with him should give an idea of how amenable to the idea he is before it needs to actually be pitched. It's not as though assassination isn't unusual amongst that class, particularly when it comes to incompetent royals. Should he refuse in the end... well, what happens behind closed doors stays there, after all, and I wish him good luck at making charges for conspiracy against a teenage baron." It occurs to Kallen, briefly, that given the sudden illnesses suffered by both her father and Cleo, such a charge might end up holding weight. But if all goes to plan, nothing like that will happen.

Kallen rights herself, and her eyes drift to the nearest source of media; newspapers, or perhaps a TV in the corner. "As for the method, either one can be provided to him, or we can leave it to his own ingenuity."

"Your proposal does have a fairly fatal flaw," Mary muses, following Kallen's eyes towards the TV hanging overhead, coincidentally over the table Inoue and Sugiyama picked for themselves. If she had recognized the former, Mary gives no indication of that, observing the sports commentators argue amongst themselves with a polite detachment. "The purists, more than anything else, are radically in favor of the Britannian throne and against the so-called Numbers. You would have Jeremiah break away with both of those tenants of what one might as well call the Purist faith."

"Never mind the presumptions on Jeremiah's temperament," admits Kallen. "Still, at present, he is at odds with the throne, and I believe some fairly clear ideals related to survival of the fittest have been set out by someone a few rungs higher than Clovis. This whole business can be seen as an extension of weeding out the weak to make way for the strong. The empire as a whole has never had problems assisting Darwinism."

"I was addressing the existential problem, the impossible rather than the improbable," Mary agrees, growing pensive as she mulls over Kallen's words. "In fact, if you were to claim to act on Cornelia's behalf, Jeremiah might be quite malleable to this. But...." She grimaces, and then shakes her head. "No, he would never support the Numbered terrorists."

As Kallen reflects on the man they are discussing, the noble who rose to the leadership of the Purist Faction to stand unchallenged at its top, she recalls that while pursuing an anti-Numbers agenda ostensibly, Jeremiah Gottwald seems to harbor a special hatred for the Elevens.

"Eleven terrorists, at the least. The other generals aren't even worth discussing on these lines... well, I shall keep this in mind nonetheless. As long as we restrict our attacks to Gottwald in general, I have doubt that the other armed groups will make serious moves until they've seen how he reacts."

"They certainly would not rush into a potential trap," Mary agrees once more.

"That said, let's return to the beginning," replies Kallen, absently pushing her untouched coffee away. "What methods exist for striking at Clovis to us presently?"

Mary takes care to sip from her tea once in a while, for her part. "I have someone on the inside," she confides in Kallen. "I'm tracing his behavior, taking stock of his defenses, getting hold of his daily routine."

"An enviable connection," notes Kallen. "You think he's a creature of habit?"

Mary snorts, replacing her teacup for a scone. "Clovis? He's a creature of wants and desires, somehow the world must revolve around. His insistence on me-me-ME is reliable enough to draw quite a few insightful conclusions from."
someone

"If he seems something he likes, then, I presume he takes it, and damned be the consequences?"

"And finally being the top dog, here in Japan, there's no one to tell him no or send him to his room without supper," Mary adds with a roll of her eyes.

"I guess some kind of poisoned gift? What do they call it, the honey trap?" considers Kallen, leaning forward herself.

Mary looks briefly uncomfortable. "I have something else in mind," she responds vaguely.

"That so, that being?" asks Kallen, genuinely curious.

Mary seems to waffle for several moments, finally saying, "Clovis will commit seppuku for his sins."

"It might be poetic, but I guess the problem remains catching him alone and unguarded in the first place to pull a stunt like that," replies Kallen.

"Clovis is quite the ladies man," Mary says in a seeming nonsequitur. "Though he has effectively barricaded himself in and remains in hiding, this hasn't changed."

Kallen wrinkles her nose in disgust for a moment. "Yeah, nobody can go far without hearing about that. Is he gonna have to go outside his usual, how d'ya say it, flock for this to work?"

"Given sufficient impetus to look elsewhere in tandem with carefully feeding his paranoia about his circle of acquaintences. Not all, mind you. Just one or two. But which? That's how I'm advancing right now."

"If you've got someone close enough to him to consider a plan like that, then it sounds well in hand," notes Kallen, although Mary's earlier hesitance hasn't gone forgotten. "But it'll take time. It's already been a month, hasn't it? And whoever does the deed will want an escape, too."

"The escape is the real issue," Mary says quietly, looking down into her tea.

"If that was no issue," replies Kallen, mulling it over- "Do you have any guess when this could be put into action?"

"As soon as next week," Mary responds after a brief pause where she looks contemplative.

"Suppose," considers Kallen. "Suppose that your woman does the deed, and then screams bloody murder, bringing the guards upon herself. Suppose then, someone is seen obviously escaping from the scene. How did they get in? How did they get out? These aren't questions anyone can answer easily. But it's clear by their mere presence where the most suspicion would fall."

"A daring plan," Mary admits. "Do you fancy yourself playing the part of that suspect?"

"We've got ourselves some Knightmares," replies Kallen, reaching for her cup and drinking down the by-now cold coffee in one gulp. "If we plan it right, I'll bet I can make a.. well, it'll be a messy break, but it'll be a break alright."

<--->

[Corwin]

<--->

"Not in a direct assault, no, but as a diversion, perhaps?" Mary appears lost in thought once more.

"The goal is to drag attention away from the actual murder and then escape, and a knightmare is the best vehicle for that if it's impossible on foot," replies Kallen, trying to recall the layout of the area in question.

"Where could we stage a diversionary attack, given that those participants need to get out as well?"

Mary shakes her head. "I don't believe so. Kallen, Britannian security relies a lot on its electronic measures for identification, and often ignores the so-called Elevens as little more than background noise." A faint note of anger seeps into Mary's voice. "This is a system I can beat. Rather than escape in a blaze of glory, I will walk right out of the front gates."

She tilts her head, studying her half-empty cup while steering it idly with a tea spoon. "Where to stage the diversionary attack, however... a power plant would provide the best results. Clovis's guards are arrogant enough to believe we don't know about the backup generators for the palace, and consider it an ineffectual miscalculation. Confident in their superiority, the actual security in the palace proper will be lax than otherwise, under similar conditions. And they can't well just ignore such a blatant terrorist act, either, which will cause their forces to go after a red herring with a predetermined escape route."

"It would have to take place at roughly the same time as murder, or Clovis might be dragged away from his fun- particularly if they infer an assault on the power plant being a precursor to another. The chaos should work in your favour, though if the guards infer an assault is incoming then I don't know about their laxity," replies Kallen.

"To protect His Royal Highness from any trechery on the side of the Elevens, what do you think palace security would do?" Mary asks with a smile.

"They'd think we're on the outside coming in, wouldn't they?"

"And that maybe, just maybe, you can't discount the possibility with those sneaky, trecherous Numbers... they just might have sympathizers on the inside?"

"But that'd be bad for you," ponders Kallen. "Unless there's a likely target within the grounds on which to focus their scrutiny. Otherwise, wouldn't they just lock the whole place down until things seem safe?"

"I am aware that in the real world, a perfect plan doesn't survive contact with the enemy. That is why I'm prepared for either contingency, depending on how the diversion goes off, and when that would happen in relation to Clovis's assassination."

"It's a lesson I'm tired of learning," mutters Kallen. "Alright, how's this. We'll start planning the diversion this week, it's pretty much seperate to the main operation anyway, only the time it happens connects them tactically. I'll do some research on the area around the palace and figure out an escape route for myself, and leave figuring the details about what needs to happen within the grounds to you."

Mary begins to nod before she pauses, and glances over at Kallen. "Would it be an issue if Suzaku continued to represent Saitama in this partnership? I believe the recent joint operation went well, from what he told me."

"The mission went as well as anyone could hope, indeed. We have more knightmares than fit pilots, so- he can pilot one, right?"

"I'll make sure he learns in time," Mary affirms.

Kallen feels that's somewhat dubious, but can hardly point to her own crew as a team of elite pilots. "We're gonna do some practicing in the old subway tunnels this week. No better practice than the real thing."

<--->

Brainstorming over battle plans turns into exchanging pleasantries in a seeming duel between the two. Kallen is the first to lose, if one might call it that, opting to cut the inane conversation short and part with Mary. On the train back, she is able to exchange impressions with Inoue and Sugiyama. There is only so much privacy even a quiet section of the train can afford, so that conversation only goes into the most general of terms. Kallen's cell leader supports her, and judging by Sugiyama's reaction, she's not in the minority. While the plan's success is contingent on a great many things, at least her group will attempt to make it a reality.

Kallen is drained when she reaches home, wishing nothing more than a relaxing snack, yet something about Hisui's bowing form catches her attention. The maid is waiting subserviently by the front gates once more.

Something about that woman just irritates Kallen, but there's nothing she can do about it.

"Evening, Hisui- what's going on?" she asks, getting straight to the point once she reaches the gate.

"Welcome home, Miss Stadtfeld," Hisui greets, straightening up. "A guest from school is waiting for you in your room."

"Can't they call ahead?" mutters Kallen, striding forward. "Who is it?"

"A Mister Cardemonde," Hisui dutifully reports, following half a step behind Kallen. She puts on a sudden burst of speed as they come near the entrance, opening the door before Kallen with another bow.

"Ah, alright," replies Kallen, stepping inside. "Good work. The lounge, right?"

Hisui freezes.

"You wouldn't show a guy into my bedroom, right?" continues Kallen, after a moment.

Hisui shrinks upon herself.

Kallen pauses for a moment, and raises a hand to her temple. "It's... oh, man, don't do that, Hisui! Guests go to the lounge from now on! Geez..." she mutters, heading for the stairs.

As Kallen opens the door, she immediately spots Rivalz lounging on her made up bed, leafing through a photo album. He seems engrossed in it.

"Well, well, isn't someone feeling casual today?" notes Kallen, closing the door behind her and dropping her bag near the entrance. "You can call ahead, you know!"

"Ah, Kallen, our absentee student council member!" Rivalz greets her, grinning as he sets the album aside on the bed. "Speaking of calling ahead, you sure don't look sicker than usual."

"Absent due to work, not sickness," mutters Kallen, briefly eyeing the album- it's not one of hers, is it?- before taking a seat by her desk. "School would be way more fun."

It doesn't seem to be the secret rebel album of Kallen at the ghetto's shooting range.

"Don't say that." Rivalz makes a face. "Really. I'm at my wits end, you know?" He almost seems to whine. "Everyone ditched me! Everyone!"

"Uh, I can't speak for the others, but I'm sorry about that," replies Kallen, feeling slightly guilty despite herself. "I should've tried to stop Shirley. The army, of all things..."

Rivalz looks dumbfounded. "No kidding! As President would say, what a loss of assets." His expression grows sad once more, headed towards despondent, as he exclaims, "President, why you have forsaken me?!"

"She'll come back eventually, and you'll get to show off how well you kept things running!" replies Kallen, doubting that this will improve Rivalz beyond 'loyal puppy' status in Milly's book. "That is, if she doesn't find out you've been hanging around in my bed."

"Ahahaha, good one," Rivalz laughs in a dejected deadpan. "First, Lelouch transferred out. Then, Shirley joined the army. The army! Then President has to go off on some top secret mission for the school, and then Nana-chan is suddenly home sick-- wasn't she staying at the school?" He looks straight at Kallen, stating firmly, "You are not leaving me alone with Einstein. Nice try, Kallen. But no."

"So this whole thing is to drag me back to school, and here I thought you might just have wanted to see me," mutters Kallen. "We don't have any big events coming up, and I'm really busy right now, Rivalz. Is there some crisis..."

"It's an Intervention," he gravely states.

Kallen flips out her pocket organizer and starts looking through it to see what free time is left to her. "Uh-huh. Go on."

Her schedule fails to magically alter itself to suit Kallen better.

"Budgets need to be finalized by next week," Rivalz says, his eyes acquiring a dangerous glow to them. "You don't know what it's like! After everyone left, the clubs are trying to push me around! There was... there was a black rose left in my locker!"

"Black rose, right, continue- wait, doesn't that mean someone likes you? Or... is it a threat?" wonders Kallen. "Geez, and budgets? Do we have more or less money to spread out than last time? Can't we just do the same thing? The clubs can't change that much..."

"We can't," he insists. "We really can't. They know where I live!"

It is tempting to dig out her chequebook and throw money at the problem until it goes away, but some slight sense of subtlety urges otherwise.

"Look, we've got a week, right? I don't have time to properly come into school, but.. just, forward me the spreadsheet after you've done a once-over and I'll make sure people get what they deserve. If it makes you feel better, I'll be the primary signatory. No matter what it is, SOMEONE will complain, but so what? You can't let them threaten you into submission!"

Rivalz looks dubious, but then his expression turns thoughtful. "You've got bodyguards and such, right? You have to, for a house this large, and all those maids--" He seems to lose himself briefly in a happy fantasy, judging by his expression.

"Yes, and judging by the amount preppy idiots receive to spend on breaking their necks playing white knights, they're all overdue for a raise," mutters Kallen. "And if anyone is complaining too much, tell them we're saving it for some fantastic special event. I dunno, a giant pizza or something."

Rivalz laughs politely.

"Did you want to stay for dinner?" asks Kallen, suddenly. "I'm sorry for being so snippy, just... in a bad mood. You rode here, right?"

"Yeah. I parked nearby," Rivalz responds. "And it's okay! I understand. You really want to come back yourself, don't you?"

Kallen nods. "I really miss you guys, life's just not as fun these days! Now that you've gone and said that, you're definately staying for a bit," she adds. "Tell you what, though, I'll make it up to you. When Shirley gets some leave and the others come back, how about we go out and do something? Like, head to that new water park?"

"Clovisland?" Rivalz asks. "It's open already? Huh, the way time flies...."

"Who knows? Even just a coming-home party would be nice," replies Kallen. "Although the name is kinda... uh. It lacks... tact."

Rivalz's laughter comes easily, now, and free of dejection. "Ah, you think so too? It's way embarrassing. Lelouch would say the same thing, you know."

"Lelouch is on the ball, as usual. Anyone who'd say otherwise about this place is lying," replies Kallen, with a nod. "I mean. A prince naming a pool after himself, and I hear he designs swimsuits, too, you know? It's like he doesn't want to be taken seriously."

"That's the better interpretation." Rivalz shudders in exaggeration, standing up. "I'm really not imposing, then?" he asks, swiftly changing the subject back.

"No, no, it's fine," replies Kallen, standing up and heading for her door. "A black rose, though? Seriously? Who'dya think sent that?"

<--->

[Corwin]

<--->

Kallen had, of course, toured the premises earlier, but it is difficult to compare the function rooms of Santiago Hall when they are deserted to when the event is getting in full swing. The redhead had insisted on modernity when making the selection, and her staff has not disappointed.

Her guests entered the premises onto a balcony that overlooked the main hall; cobalt lights in diamond-shaped lanterns illuminated the upper level, and several alcoves jutted out into the open air, looking over dimly-lit gardens. The lower level itself was ringed with dining tables (including one rather close to the stage, at which Kallen would eventually sit); a large area was nonetheless set aside for dancing. After all, it was intended to be a musical evening.

Various crests and drapings hung from the walls and balconies, making it quite clear who the sponsors of the event were. Both Britannian and Eleven caterers rushed about, no less immaculately dressed than the various influentials; several of her house staff were present. One likely fellow stood near the door, ready to announce each and every distinguished group that passed into the function.

Kallen herself wore a crimson dress, in rather stark contrast to the lighting and decor. Still, she came to make herself known, and it wouldn't do to not stand out. Presently, she waits near the entrance, ready to greet some of the notables personally.

She cannot help but notice that the nobles are male, and two decades older than their dates.

A familiar blonde approaches, clad immaculately in a pantsuit, and draws Kallen's attention away from the third couple she had just finished welcoming to the fundraiser.

"Good evening," Alicia greets Kallen, a smile upon her lips. "So is it true that Jane will be performing today?"

The things people will do for money and love!

Kallen lowers her voice. "I thought it was 'Kyoko'. Jared arranged all of that," she replies, soundingly faintly embarrased.

"Oh, it is, it is," Alicia responds, practically beaming at Kallen. "But we both know a publicity stunt when we see one. An Eleven could not truly rise to the top of the entertainment world -- any world, really -- could they?"

"You know the thing about glass ceilings, Alicia?" remarks Kallen, tilting her head. "They only last until someone starts throwing stones."

"Ah, but have you ever tried?" Alicia inquires curiously. "The falling glass shards are quite dangerous, and near-impossible to avoid."

"It's worth a few scars, and it's the people standing on top who should be more worried," replies Kallen. "Did you get a look at the guest list?"

"Yes, though I happen to be one of them. Seeing Prince Clovis among those invited was rather entertaining."

"Even a prince deserves a chance to give back to the community," replies Kallen, with a theatrical gesture towards the floor. "We're all saints, here."

"I don't doubt he's furiously writing up his cheque as we speak," Alicia deadpans.

"I would be thrilled if he felt it necessary to keep up with the trend-setters," replies Kallen, arching an eyebrow. "To be honest, I'm glad he's not going to show, but it felt somewhat mandatory to send a letter his way."

"The one thing you needed even less than his attendance was him to think that he was being snubbed," Alicia acknowledges with a nod. "It's fairly basic, and relies on reverse psychology fairly successfully."

"Yes, it's not enough for the enemy to be at his gates for him to do anything. He has to feel snubbed," mutters Kallen. "His generals are showing up. You could call that half the point of this exercise."

Alicia observes Kallen silently, finally nodding to herself. "Yes, that makes sense, now." Laughter drifts over to the two, and straightens out imaginary wrinkles down the length of her suit. "Well, I shouldn't monopolize your time like that, Kallen. I am certain this will be a party to remember."

Another noble is approaching, obviously trying to get Kallen's attention. Yet behind him and his date, Kallen can spot a tall officer with wild blue hair. It is difficult to make the call from across the distance merely looking at his profile, yet when he turns towards her she is certain; it is one of her invitees, the margrave Jeremiah Gottwald.

Kallen meets his eye momentarily before turning her attention to the noble already in her face. She makes pleasantries with the latest middle-aged creep (it's hard not to think of them as otherwise; the girls barely seem older than her!) in order to send him on his way.

Once that's dealt with, she clips towards the man whose men she's only just recently been blasting apart, and offers him her hand. "Lord Gottwald. Your reputation precedes you," she notes, with a pleasant smile. No date, she observes, but he is a soldier, as opposed to some silver-spoon aristocrat. She offers him her hand, and begins to study his emotions.

The margrave turns towards her, his sheathed sword slapping lightly against the leg of his parade uniform.

"Miss Stadtfeld," Jeremiah says, shaking her hand with a firm grip.

"I don't have the aquaintance of any within the military, as you might expect," remarks Kallen. "So this is a rare opportunity. Shall we take a walk?" She gestures towards the aisle, somewhat away from the other invitees.

He nods, setting an easy pace for Kallen to match. Though no outwards signs of this are exhibited, Kallen can taste Jeremiah's irritation.

"You must think this is unfair," she remarks, letting a hand drift onto the balcony. "Being dragged out here on some noble's idiot stunt when you've got real work to do." Kallen gazes right into Jeremiah's eyes, forcing his mind to take an interest in her. "So allow me to assure you, my lord, that my ultimate intent is to make your job easier, not harder."

Jeremiah seems disturbed, a sense that only increases as Kallen continues gazing into his eyes.

"There is no issue with the execution of my duties," he returns somewhat stiffly.

"Ah, so we can expect the terrorist threat to be dealt with at any moment?" replies Kallen, arching an eyebrow. "Everything is well in hand? If so, I will say no more. If not, allow me to speak."

No longer disturbed, Jeremiah lets his affront show as his eyes refocus sharply on Kallen. "I came here in support of the honorable Britannians who suffered as a result of Eleven terrorism, not to be lectured on military doctrine by a schoolgirl, even if she is a baroness." His lips seems to curl up of its own accord. "Make that especially if she is a baroness. Have I made myself perfectly clear, Miss Stadtfeld?"

Kallen sighs. "Crystal, my lord," she replies, in a level monotone. "Do try to enjoy the evening." It does feel as though she's made a mistake, and it does seem appropriate to let Gottwald feel the same way.

"My Lady," Jeremiah greets her, his voice flat, and proceeds onwards. As she lingers on the balcony, Kallen sees him disappear into the gardens, shunning any attempts to accompany him quite well.

Kallen makes an effort to smooth over her irritation, something easily done by remembering she isn't on Jeremiah's side, anyway.

Others are beginning to arrive, and soon enough it will be necessary for her to venture towards the floor. She still has two generals to meet, after all; one to drive to drink, in a fashion, and the other to what anyone else might call a form of seduction. Perhaps Gottwald will feel a bit more miserable if he sees his rivals getting along with her, as well.

The procession picks up, and it is now impossible for Kallen to exchange lengthy greetings with all those arriving; the sheer volume of her coming guests ensures that.

The general commonly considered to represent Prince Clovis soon arrives, being right on time. As he comes to shake her hand, the man is suddenly pushed from behind, causing him to stumble. He catches himself two steps from Kallen, even as a voice drifts over from behind him.

"Sorry for the inconvenience," a slightly nasally voice says, not sounding particularly apologetic. "We simply couldn't find a nice way of asking you to stop blocking the doorway."

"You shouldn't say things like that, Lloyd!" a female voice chides.

"I shouldn't? Even if they're true?"

This doesn't quite match Kallen's expectations, at least not when it comes to the sickeningly polite standards of Britannian nobility. She takes a step back in the wake of a man almost falling on her, and her lip curls a little. "The buffet will still be there, even if you must wait a moment," she notes, glancing behind the general. "There's no need to rush- oh, I'm sorry, General," she adds, extending her hand.

Major-General Charles Davidson cuts quite the imposing figure, broad-shouldered and standing at over two meters tall. His blonde hair curls slightly despite the way it is carefully groomed, and his handlebar moustache is truly a throwback to an older era. Kallen is briefly left thinking that he would fit more in a wrestling ring than a formal party, and despite reading about him halfway expects his dress uniform to rip along the seams.

"No need for apologies, My Lady," he says, stabilizing himself with as much dignity as he can muster.

Perhaps he should try his luck at Babel Tower!

"I will apologize for the doors, then. How do you do?" she asks, sneaking a peek at the general's own mind. Another soldier with no date, although with one like this, she would have expected him to be married...

He seems slightly cross at that comment, but does not let it bother him. Kallen feels herself being studied carefully, her every action and expression scrutinized and catalogued. It feels much like a portrait coming to life from a blank canvas, first through the initial outline and then getting cohesion as more and more details are filled in.

"I regret that my wife found herself unable to attend, having been brought down with a mild case of cold," the general responds in a measured tone. He purses his lips briefly. "A shame indeed. She had been anxious about the event."

"Ah? That's a pity. But hopefully, this will not be the only occasion," replies Kallen, gesturing towards the hall. "I was just about to head down."

He inclines his head in a nod, and gestures gentlemanly for Kallen to go first, inadvertantly blocking the trickle of new arrivals.

Kallen has no issues taking the lead, and starts to head to one of the tables by the corner of the hall. "Might I ask you something, my lord?" asks Kallen, answering her own question in a fashion. "What is it, do you think, that the Britannian people need the most, right now?"

"Stability," Davidson responds after a moment's thought, a pause during which he flags a passing waiter and gets himself a drink. Some fruit juice, nonalcoholic in nature. "The people must believe in the power and authority of government, and in the ability of the army to protect them, their investments and their way of life."

"It is something that we could be perceived to have lost, quite recently. If we ever had it here, in Area 11," murmurs Kallen, glancing at the general. She's hardly fond of it, and quite used to powering through it, but she's no stranger to despair; Davidson shall soon get a taste of misery. "There's a need for a demonstration of some sort, but..."

"Every Area is beset by terrorism in its formative years, My Lady," Davidson tells Kallen, shaking his head lightly. "We will weather through this summer storm."

He gives his drink a lengthy gaze, and then places it on an empty table.

"But never like what's happened here," replies Kallen, glancing briefly at the drink. "In part, that's why I think an event like this is necessary."

It is a fruit cocktail of some sort, heavily favoring pineapple, going by the visuals.

"This is a good cause to come together for," the general agrees.

"Which is why I was wondering if you might like to say a few words," replies Kallen. "In a situation like this, I think that it's necessary for people to see that something is being done. It's my goal, in a sense, to rally people to action, but, well, I'm not especially..."

It may well seem like a hopeful thing, but Alicia's thoughts on psychology don't escape Kallen's head. In a sense, she desires every word she says to push Davidson the opposite way, perhaps forced only to agree with her for the sake of formality. Better than the commander closest to Clovis' interests is driven into a maudlin state on every issue related to the area's instability, and left feeling hopeless, as though nothing can really be done.

"I would be honored," Davidson responds, and if his voice does not waver, his emotions certainly do.

"Ah, you would? Thanks so mu- I mean, thank you, my lord," replies Kallen, allowing a brief outburst of bubbly sentiment to escape before being tightly reined down. "I'll ask you to the stage later this evening. I hope," she adds, her voice turning serious- "That I can do something for the empire with this. Don't hesistate to let me know, in the future, if there's something you need." She straightens up. "The Statdfeld group will do it's best!"

"Your patriotic contribution is noted and appreciated, My Lady," he says, in a way that sounds practiced and void of feeling to Kallen's ears.

No doubt Davidson has been struggling with fairly consistant PR issues as of late, and the recent attack can only have prompted more arguments with Jeremiah.

Kallen soon departs his table, scanning the hall for more likely targets of conversation.

There is a hubbub mounting by the stage, with the crew's movement gaining a level of animation they previously lacked. It could only mean one thing, and hushed whispers descend upon the hall as an orange-haired girl and a man who must be her manager begin to descend the spiraling stairway to the ground floor.

An exclaimed "Who told you that?!" cuts through the anticipant atmosphere, making the singer and her entourage pause. Kallen's eyes travel towards the source along with most of her guests towards an irate Jeremiah Gottwald, who is confronted by a gorgeous woman in a revealing cocktail dress and her date.

"Ah-ha!" the other man exclaims, wagging his finger at the general. "So you were right, Cecile!"

"Oh, I was merely speculating on the way property values had been going down on the outskirts of the settlement," the bluette responds bashfully. "It was but a lucky guess."

Somehow, that gets Jeremiah to seethe even more.

Given what happened in Akihabara, Kallen is not quite certain why the property in Area 11 is worth much of anything to Britannian developers, at present. Nonetheless, seeing Jeremiah lose his cool to another woman tonight lifts her spirits quite well, and she instantly develops a fondness for that particlar couple.

She has her hostly duties to perform, however, and angles herself to meet the descending singer at the foot of the stairs.

The gathered guests take their cues from their hostess, and with no further outbursts from the leader of the Purist faction, attention turns fully to the star of the evening. She manages to complete her descent just as Kallen reaches the base of the stairs, and the sunny smile she gives her reminds Kallen of Shirley for a brief moment.

"I'm so glad you've made it!," remarks Kallen, before raising her voice- "Ladies and gentlemen- I give you, Kyoko!" Sweeping any remaining attention away from Jeremiah and foisting it onto the girl before her, she leads on with a broad smile to the girl in return.

Kyoko turns that bright smile upon her audience, waving for good measure to the sound of applause.

Kallen gives the girl a wink. "Might be a tough crowd tonight," she confides, glancing in Jeremiah's direction. "Want to take a seat, or head to the dressing rooms?"

"The dressing rooms, please," she responds, her voice strong and energetic. "Lead on!"

<--->

[Corwin]

<--->

Kyoko takes the lush dressing room reserved for her in with a childlike enthusiasm, spending several moments admiring the star with her name on it which adorns the door.

"All this just for one song?" she asks Kallen, planting herself before the dresser. "You must be really rich!"

The manager makes a choking sound behind them, pausing noticeably in the middle of closing the door.

A celebrity without reservations!

"No expense spared on a worthy cause, I say," replies Kallen, folding her arms with a grin. "But if you feel like an encore, I'll happily oblige."

Kyoko glances over at her none too subtly via the dresser's mirror. "If I do, would you use some of the evening's take on the Elevens as well?" she asks Kallen.

"You can't-- I'm sorry, she gets like that sometimes," the manager rambles apologetically, stepping in between them. Wringing his hands, he radiates nervousness to Kallen as he continues, "I'll give her a stern talking to, My Lady--"

"It was only a little wish!" Kyoko protests, interrupting him.

"I prefer people to be candid about what they want, Mr...?" replies Kallen, glancing at him. "There's no need to hold back on charity! As it happens," she confides, glancing back at Kyoko- "It was part of my intention here tonight to match the donations we received here to those who have lost their livelyhood here in Area 11, both in the ghettos and in Akihabara." Her lip curls in a smile.

"We've already got something in common, it seems. If tonight goes well, I might ask you to help me out in the future, too."

"Sheffield, Miles Sheffield," he responds, though whatever follow up the blonde man might've had evaporates as Kallen continues to speak.

"Rock on!" Kyoko exclaims, spreading her make up supplies out on the dresser.

Kallen extends a hand to Mr. Sheffield, assessing his emotions with idle curiosity. "Like I said, it might be a tough crowd out there. Distinguished as some gentlemen are... but, anyway, I'll get out of your hair. Good luck!"

The manager is confused more than anything else, and the source of that emotion is shaking his hand.

"Was that a dig at my hair?" drifts after Kallen as she makes her exit, and the redhead hears Miles speak hurriedly in hushed tones.

The door closes.

Her first impressions favorable and her mood rightfully bolstered by Kyoko's attitude, Kallen troops back towards the floor, seeking out yet more notables with which to converse.

Observing the ground floor, Kallen spots Major-General Davidson. He keeps to himself, and is now nursing a drink that doesn't seem to have any fruits in it. Margrave Gottwald is nowhere to be seen after his outburst, although the couple that accosted him can be spotted by a table with confectionaries. The man is piling different cakes on a plate too small contain them while his date appears to chide him. They get quite a lot of space, as well as plenty of attention, most of which goes to the woman, no doubt due to her revealing cocktail dress.

Colonel Abrams had arrived by now, and Kallen sees him socialize with a couple which doesn't feature a trophy date.

And then conversations seem to hush as Ruben K. Ashford and his wife enter the premises, escorted by a familiar maid.

The way moods seem to swing in this event is something of a marvel; it reminds Kallen somewhat of an orchestra, as though everyone present made an effort to keep their emotions in time with those around them.

She heads to the foot of the stairs, intent on greeting the couple regardless. If it's a slap in Clovis' face, well, it's not the worst of what he'll be getting.

Sayoko retreats, keeping her head bowed. Reuben Ashford steps into the lead, approaching Kallen as she nears them.

That would mean Suzaku, in all likelyhood, is with Nunnally presently. "It's not quite as flashy as a school festival," she remarks. "But we've done our best. Welcome, Lord Ashford."

"This event is in the name of a good cause," Reuben responds, inclining his head in greeting.

"We are pleased to be here," Mildred Ashford adds, smiling at Kallen.

"It's good to see familiar faces," replies Kallen, not quite so audiable to any eavesdroppers. "I do appreciate it. I haven't seen any of my peers here," she adds, referring to students. "I did expect at least a few seniors to show up, you know?"

"Ah, yes." Reuben subtly nods to his left. Following his gaze, Kallen spots a news crew setting up shop. "While many of your classmates would be drawn to this event due to the way it is being organized, no doubt, it is doubtful more than a handful see the true reason for it or the value of appearing here in person. At the same time, their parents and uncles are rarely as naive, and would not court a public embarrassment by allowing their progeny to attend."

"Some might have received the proper training, so to speak," replies Kallen, her eyes soon returning to the principal. "Still, they're likely more concerned about networking with one another. I expect they wait until college to get their feet wet in this sort of thing."

"There is that as well," Rueben acknowledges, and Kallen senses amusement from him as he looks over her shoulder.

Kallen can't help but turn her head to follow his glance. "Are you particularly acquainted with anyone?" she wonders; fall from grace or not, running a prestigious school would surely put the Ashford's in the good books of a few.

She is the center of attention, both being the hostess and from greeting the Ashfords, so Kallen doesn't quite know what Reuben was looking at--

"I know my students," he responds, and it suddenly becomes clear. She's dressed much different than how she is used to seeing her, but even the flowing gown with a low back can't quite conceal that one of Kallen's admirers is Teresa, standing next to a man in his mid twenties. She gives Kallen a slight nod upon recognition.

Not for the first time, Kallen wonders if she shouldn't have paid a little more attention to the guestlist herself. She smiles back at Teresa, "-better that I know my friends, it seems," she remarks, a tad shamefully. "Shall we?"

The redhead starts to step towards her friend. It shouldn't be too much of a surprise, but the image of Teresa locked up in her bedroom, with the curtains drawn and monitors running has become the dominant one.

Now that she is closer, Kallen can tell that Teresa does not feel very comfortable for some reason, though the other girl gives no outward indication of that. "Baroness Stadtfeld, may I introduce my eldest brother, the Vicount Hallbrook?" she asks formally with a curtsey.

The older man extends his hand to Kallen, murmuring, "Please, call me Raymond," yet Kallen can't help but think that Teresa's last name is Velsper.

Teresa's subtlety does her credit, and Kallen wonders if she might not learn something. That the girl was being so formal seemed unnerving, nonetheless. "Then you must call me Kallen," she replies, accepting his hand with a firm grip. "Did you arrive before Kyoko?"

He brings Kallen's hand to his lips to place a light kiss on her knuckles as soon as she extends it. "A pleasure," Raymond says, and a mild sense of nausea bites into Kallen's side, courtest of Teresa.

"I'm afraid our arrival has been delayed and we were unable to do so," Teresa responds, before curtseying to the Ashfords as they approach.

Hopefully, Teresa's nausea doesn't show on Kallen's face, and she soon withdraws her hand.

"She's got a confidence about her... well, that's the mark of a performer," replies Kallen. "What do you think of her work?"

"I believe I heard it placed in terms of being an idol singer, of the kind this Area was famed for previous to colonization, in all that comes to presence and performance," Teresa responds.

"My, but that is a bit harsh," Raymond comments. "Weren't they devoid of actual talent, and relied heavily on the recording studios to produce halfway decent music?"

Teresa gives a slight shrug. "Today that question should be answered once and for all, at least for us."

"I suppose the entertainment industry is a vicious one, wherever it might be. After all, it's an industry where style and substance are... not quite, but almost the same thing," replies Kallen, glancing at the stage, still in preperation. "It's especially hard for women, though."

"Really?" Teresa inquires. "I would imagine that it is the one area where women lack glass ceilings."

Kallen doesn't miss the sharp look Teresa's brother gives her.

"Quite so," Reuben agrees with a slow nod. "Given a choice of entertainment, I don't doubt many here would choose a young woman in an instant."

The amusement Kallen feels drift over from him is soon drowned in shock from all around them. She thinks she might have even heard a faint gasp.

Kallen's eyes drift towards the sound; this can't be anything good, whatever it might be.

It is one of the nobles she greeted earlier that evening. She's reasonably certain he is a baron and his name has something to do with pines. The aghast Britannian woman hanging off his arm, her mouth covered with her hand, is young enough to be the man's daughter.

"Oh, I don't know about most, my lord. Surely, over half of us here today would surely be focusing on the music most of all," replies Kallen, arching an eyebrow. "For those of us who cannot, it can seem amazing to watch those who can perform."

Teresa feels amused, Kallen can tell. "Without a doubt, My Lady," she states demurely. Her eyes are briefly drawn towards the shadowed gardens, and she appears apologetic.

"You are tired, Teresa?" her brother asks, and she gives him a grateful smile that feels hollow to Kallen.

"Just a bit, I'm afraid. Some fresh air would do me some good." She curtseys to Kallen and the Ashfords. "By your leave," Teresa says, and there is a spark of anticipation.

It would be nice to head outside with Teresa, but there's still people Kallen needs to talk to, and the sooner, the better. "Certainly," she responds, with a nod. "Don't wander too far. It's quite a maze out there."

"Certainly, My Lady," Teresa echoes, and departs.

Raymond shakes his head. "Her constitution has always been weak," he says, watching his younger sister leave. "I was surprised that even such a prominent event drew her out into the open."

"We're friends, as it happens," replies Kallen, glancing in Teresa's direction. "'Weak' is never something I would have used to describe her."

"Ah, is that so?" he asks in surprise. "Teresa never spoke of it."

Kallen could presume that Teresa doesn't speak of much to her brother at all.

"We're classmates, after all. But I was surprised to see her here as well," she responds, angling her head a moment. "To tell the truth, I didn't recognize her right away."

Kallen is peripherally aware of the Ashfords moving away as they proceed towards refreshments.

"The Academy has a dress code, doesn't it?" Raymond inquires. "I suppose that would account for it."

Not inside the council offices, it doesn't!

"Quite." Kallen singles out Colonel Abrams from the crowd, and begins to start towards him. "Speaking of schooling, are you in college at the moment, or..."

"I've already gotten my MBA, if I might be allowed a moment of pride at such an achievement," he responds, dutifully following Kallen on her way towards Colonel Abrams, who is yet to notice her approach. "At present, I am involved in running the acquisitions arm of the conglomerate."

No doubt, he is referring to the Hallbrook Conglomerate, who seem to have their hand in everything as any noble-headed self-respected business, though their focus is towards realestate and tourism.

"One of the more hectic areas, from my experience," replies Kallen, recalling Jared's constant pace of work. "I've heard property costs are falling. It must be a busy time."

"We always purchase and invest with an eye for the future," Raymond easily responds.

"So do we all, but I do wonder what sort of future Area 11 will actually find itself with," wonders Kallen, trying to catch a fragment of whatever conversation Abrams is involving himself in.

"--persistent rumors that she is, in fact, a Number!" Kallen hears a woman exclaim, sounding properly scandalized. More of her guests have accosted the colonel from the time she saw him on the ground floor.

"In the end, everyone needs a home, and people are not going to stop staying in hotels for their vacations," Raymond states. "There may be so-called industry bubbles here and there, but this basic truth has remained with us for much of the Empire's glorious past."

"So far, that has been true, but that's the past. The world today isn't the world fifty years ago," replies Kallen. "I do wonder, Raymond. Everyone needs a home, yes, but who would choose to make a new one here, right now?"

"A compelling point," he acknowledges. "Yet, at the same time, if this were truly the sentiment of Britannians in Area 11, we wouldn't be seeing so many people at this function, hmm?"

"Frankly, I do not believe it would matter one bit," Colonel Abrams says, causing some of his circle to ooh and aah in admiration. "Naturalization is the goal of our program, so that those loyal to her would add to Britannia's greatness." He is a fairly average-looking man, Kallen notes, but there is a certain charisma to him, a presence that transcends his rather plain features.

"True enough. As long as we stand together..." muses Kallen, slipping into place within Abrams' little circle.

"And to encourage others, signs of success would be needed, wouldn't they?" she asks, addressing him directly.

"As with everything else, My Lady," Abrams responds, as those in his circle greet Kallen with a humility so fake it makes her ill.

Kallen didn't need geass to know that. Their contempt is matched, if not exceeded, but she tries to forget about the sycophants in lieu of speaking with Abrams himself.

"Naturally. The key is incentives and opportunities. People must be made to want to integrate," she responds.

"Prosperity, a shot at a better life. Seizing their destiny with both hands!" Abrams exclaims enthusiastically. "To many of us here, these may well be just slogans, but to those who lack everything but the drive to be part of Britannia's greatness they serve to guide their steps."

Kallen is rapidly putting together her own profile of Abrams; a man clearly dedicated to his cause, a bit prone to displays of emotion, and one who, unfortunately, is apparently a true patriot.

"It's up to us, in many ways, to make those ideas possible for them," replies Kallen. "I know of the military programs already in place. But what other means of progression are open to the aspiring eleven, Colonel?"

"How else would those patriots be able to demonstrate their allegience?" he asks, sounding surprised. "After all, service guarantees citizenship."

<--->

[Corwin]

<--->

"Certainly, it is one method. But there are other places in which one could serve, aren't there? Emergency services, rescues, the police, that sort of thing, for a start. The willingness to put oneself on the line for the greater good, in all of it's forms."

"Elevens? As police?" a woman exclaims.

"With access to pharmaceuticals?" another asks with a thoughtful frown.

"The problem with such services," Colonel Abrams responds, smiling genially and patiently at the Britannian ladies gathered around him, "is that they lack the cohesion the Army builds, the Britannian spirit only the armed forces can impart."

"It's a matter of getting them acclimatized?" asks Kallen, feigning curiousity. "How are they new recruits treated? It sounds like it might a bit, ah, difficult when it comes to assigning them duties."

"Well, we certainly would not be handing them out handguns!" the colonel responds jovially to laughter from his admirers.

Ah, he told a joke. Kallen allows herself to smile at it, but can't really bring herself to laugh.

He smiles charmingly back. "The hopefuls undergo what we call basic training, which is much as one would expect it to mean. There, they have the chance to study about Britannian greatness and learn valuable skills. And, of course, they learn to the importance of obeying their command structure, knowledge that they would take with them and apply to every area of life henceforce."

One would think the Japanese had always lived in ghettos, just waiting for some brilliant mind to come along and show them the path to satisfied living, and weren't part of a complex nation of technocrats just a decade ago.

"The emphasis on integration is at the heart of it, correct?" she chooses to say instead. "Would they train alongside Britannian soldiers, then?"

"Not during basic training, if that was your question, My Lady," the colonel responds.

"Then you must mean it happens afterwards?" Raymond asks before the officer can proceed, and a frown appears briefly on the latter's face.

"There is no need for concern," he assures the gathered Britannians. "At that point, true integration can begin to take root."

Once more, Kallen discovers that she hardly needs the power of Geass to notice the unease suddenly gripping the group.

Kallen had almost forgotten Raymond was present, but his question was well-timed.

"It would seem a rather fruitless exercise otherwise, wouldn't it?" remarks Kallen. "One would hope that opportunities open up to the loyal soldiers who seek them- that's part of the point."

"That is precisely the point!" Colonel Abrams agrees, smiling. Few nearby reciprocate, causing the smile to become slightly strained.

From the start, it was hardly in doubt that the Britannian lemmings surrounding the Colonel were befriending him for something other than the sake of his cause.

"I think it's a good thing," she replies, slowly laying her own cards out on the table. She knows that if she were truly pro-Britannian, she'd argue something similar- hell, she'd probably be better at it. "The world moves faster than it used to, and if there's a way that the time normally taken to properly integrate the numbers can be shortened, then why not try it?" A sycophant is chosen at random, and she begins to shift her mind to a more properly accepting form.

They're lemmings, after all, and failing securing the proper leaders, it's enough to begin putting together a clump of people big enough that others will want to follow based on size alone.

For a moment, she is Charlotte Temple, professional socialite. The event has been a mixed bag thus far, providing plentiful gossip about several of the partygoers and their hostesss herself, but tempering it all is the disturbing topic of Elevens. Why would anyone include them of their own free will? Don't they realize what a foolish idea it is?

And then, it clicks. This is only a foolish idea because she's grown to accustomed to riding the currents of the Area Eleven social life. If her hostess wishes to champion lost causes, be it endangered whales or the homeless or Elevens, it is the most obvious thing to follow her lead! As long as she is not forced to actually have any contact with those smelly misfortunates, there is little trouble in sharing her enthusiasm and concern. When in Rome, after all....

Kallen is herself once more, Raymond looking strangely at her.

Kallen lets her gaze drift away from the woman, briefly shaken by the experience and doing her damn best not to show it. Naturally, her eyes soon meet Raymonds, and she quirks an eyebrow at him.

He nods lightly at her.

"Better than leaving them to their own resources, I think," she adds, faintly patronizing. "People without direction cause all sorts of trouble, after all."

"Quite so!" Charlotte pipes up, drawing surprised looks and one reasonably concealed gasp from those around her. Yet Kallen can see how some of those looks of shock are replaced by contemplation.

Kallen gives a brief nod. "It's like what we said earlier, isn't it, Colonel?" she remarks, turning her gaze back to him. "A few successful elevens in the program would tempt more into service. How has the project been proceding so far?"

"Why, it has been a resounding success!" the man boasts, clearly encouraged, though Kallen senses a note of confusion from him. "We're close to completing the training of the first two groups, and two more are but a month away. With the experience gained from the initial classes in the program, we now feel confident enough to proceed with full integration as scheduled."

"Within a mere month, this would take place?" Raymond asks, receiving a nod in return.

"It is difficult to believe, isn't it? And it is to happen right here in Area Eleven." When the colonel smiles at Kallen, the gesture somehow feels more open. "I feel that you truly understand our goal, My Lady, and dare I say, share it?"

"Certainly! We are of a strong and prosperous nation," replies Kallen, inclining her head. "It behooves us to be gracious, doesn't it? I confess, I come at this from a slightly different angle; to improve the standard of living all throughout the area is my goal, and helping others help themselves is the best path towards that."

"Helping others help themselves?" several of those gathered echo, soon to murmur ascent even as a sense of confusion lingers on.

"We are strong especially because Britannians can climb high in society through effort and skill," Abrams says proudly.

"Yet there are limits one cannot normally pass," Raymond comments thoughtfully.

"I would not say that," Reuben's voice sounds from nearby. "After all, a commoner rose from anonymity to lead the nation alongside His Majesty Charles zi Britannia."

"Well, I don't think anyone would call The Flash a normal woman," remarks Kallen, glancing towards Rueben. "Anyone that exceptional would rise swiftly in life, with merit being their ladder."

Kallen knew well enough that Marianne was a talented pilot, and by all accounts had a vibrant, magnetic personality- but when it comes to her deeds, she finds herself lacking.

"Exceptional talent can rise even past the barriers of nobility in Britannia, just as exceptional circumstances can cause one to plummet back down that same path," Reubden says with a self-deprecating smile. "It is the reason Britannia would prevail against its enemies, of course."

"Enemies? I know there has been tension with the EU and the Federation, but--"

Reuben cuts colonel Abrams off with an almost condescending gaze. "We are already at war merely by existing, different as we are from one another. There can only be victory or death, and that means Britannia will seize that victory by any means necessary." Nostalgia envelopes Kallen. "Marianne understood that."

None in the present crowd dare speak up against the dead empress, and a silence stretches oppressively.

Kallen, too, is silent for a moment. It always takes a second, when this happens- when someone nearby is so wrapped up in something that it spills over to her. For an instant, she forgets who she is, and what she stands for.

But when the second ticks over, her thoughts turn dour. The idea of the EU or the Federation going to war with Britannia directly- and prevailing- seems nigh-on preposterous. Victory or death? Just an excuse to take, hold, plunder and conquer even more! If the EU or Federation is so different from Britannia, then she'd take them over it anyday!

Dealing with her own anger is, in many ways, easier than dealing with someone elses nostalgia, and concealing it is almost second nature to her. Clearing her throat, Kallen speaks.

"I am sure she understood that even victory is not without death, my Lord," replies Kallen, taking a sombre tone. "For Britannia to be where it is today, countless brave men and women have put themselves on the line, and suffered for it- and if there is war in the future, then the same will happen again."

"Their loss is keenly felt. We must never forget the sacrifices that have been made, nor fail to provide for those left behind. But, of course, that is why we are here- to remind ourselves of what has happened in the past, as well as to prepare for what the future holds. For the costs such struggles entail. I would prefer not to think of them as inevitable, not when the price can be so high."

If Reuben's words made the group awkward and speechless, Kallen's achieve the latter effect just as well. The sycophants look as if they had been dealt a mortal blow, though Kallen holds hope for the others.

Yet before she can get a coherently-formed response, a simple announcement makes it moot.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting. Here's Kyoko!"

<--->

[Corwin]

<--->

[19:18] "Hii~!" Kyoko's vibrant voice calls out, boosted by the sound system. As Kallen look to the stage, helped along by a projector focusing on the singer, she can see Kyoko there with cordless gear. She has forgone the regular microphone that occupies the stage, no doubt for speeches one of which Kallen may well end up making herself.
[19:18] She doesn't look much different from before, when Kallen saw her in the dressing room. "Thanks, everyone! Thanks for coming!" Kyoko announces brightly to applause. The camera crew is drawn in, Kallen sees, and so does the singer by the wink she gives the lense as it turns towards her. "I'm very happy to be here today, to be a part of something like this."
[19:19] She laughs. "But I'm sure there'll be plenty of that being said later, so what say you we get started?" At her signal, band begins to play. It is a song Kallen does not recognize, except to place it as a happy, cheerful pop song of the sort she would expect Irene to listen to.
[19:25] Whether they want to or not, the Britannians will like this vestige of Japanese entertainment! Still, the fact that the audience is mostly composed of older gentlemen with objectified women gives Kallen a bit of pause, but it's a bit late to wonder if a pop star would hit on the sensibilities of her guests.
[19:28] They likely wouldn't care less, though Samuel had placed it far more delicately, though the same would have been true even if she had been able to reserve the world-reknowned Philharmonic of Berlin. The people here did not come to listen to music or enjoy themselves doing so. They came to show their faces at an event and to have their names mentioned in the right way.
[19:28] By securing a star that is on the rise, the association with her is one of the appeals of Kallen's fundraiser, that ability to stay with the times and be a part of something exclusive.
[19:35] It brought them here, as Samuel suggested, and provided her with a stage from which to push her own agenda, something she'd better get to doing properly. "Colonel," she murmurs, moving a bit closer to the officer. "Might you join me on the balcony for a moment? It's rather..." She gestures to the edge of the room, the perfect place to hold a private conversation in plain sight.
[19:40] The gathered sycophants, at least, seem genuinely taken with the performance. Reuben Ashford pretends to not notice as the colonel accepts Kallen's invitation and heads off with her. Raymond clearly notices, but doesn't do more than glance after Kallen.
[19:47] It's not as though she's a thief, skulking away with the jewels. Who cares if he notices? Putting it out of her mind, Kallen turns to the Colonel. "I wanted a chance to speak plainly," she explains, glancing briefly out into the garden before her gaze returns.
[19:47] "Colonel, I truly hope your program succeeds. But it's.. not enough." She focuses her Geass upon him, intending to get a sense of his feelings before pressing on with the rest of her spiel.
[19:50] Confused, slightly curious. The colonel waits patiently for Kallen to give him her spiel.
[20:03] "I've seen the conditions within the ghettos first-hand," she continues. "It is quite hideous. The unfortunates who live there are crushed under endless pressures; too many are without proper homes, let alone food, medicine, any chance of getting a decent job. It's one thing to hear about it, but quite another to get a good look for yourself.
[20:03] "The ones of the proper age and health can find a place in the military... not so for the children or infirm. It is- no, I'll say it straight- it's a disgrace that they're treated like this, never mind when some team of idiot bravos decides to harass them. But even without the unequal treatment issue..."
[20:03] "I want to do something about it! I'll throw support behind your your project... But there's so much more that can be done, and so many who would look dimly on it *being* done.
[20:03] "I have a plan. This very evening, I'll be making some announcements on getting some help to those who need it, directly. I just want to know if I have your support."
[20:03] All throughout, Kallen works her magic; the Colonel will be made to realise the inequity of it all, and the pressing need to *do something* about it. There's no need for her to think too hard about it; sympathy, for the unfortunates. A great disgust for those who abuse their station in life to trample on the rights of others, and a simmering desire for change.
[20:03] She releases her grip, praying that she hasn't gone too far.
[20:12] "Do go on," he says in a subdued voice, seeming unable to speak at first.
[20:25] "I intend to start by contributing a sum towards medicine and food distributed towards a single ghetto, and would appreciate any contribution on these lines. If, at least, you were to endorse this, I'm sure it would further encourage those serving under you," replies Kallen.
[20:30] He exhales loudly. "My Lady, I wish I could. I truly do! But have you realized the inequity of it all? Have you, in truth? Those who work and strive towards becoming proper Britannian citizens have to invest all of their efforts tirelessly towards that goal, while those they view as slackers ineligible for citizenship are tended on hand and foot by merciful nobles?
[20:30] It would feel a great injustice to them, undermining the whole program!"
[20:41] "For three reasons, I must disagree. Firstly, I would bet a great deal that many, even most would join the program seeking a way to provide for their families. On that count, I'm sure they wouldn't disapprove of a little extra.
[20:41] "Secondly, this is just the essentials. Given the proper opportunities, those who complete their training have a lot to look forward to. The successes amongst them would surely encourage others.
[20:41] "Finally, there is a limit to just how much can be provided. If you were to provide me with support, well... a positive correlation would be made between your success, and the welfare within the ghettos. I'm sure you can see where I'm going with that...?"
[20:44] "Those who join the program are people wishing for citizenship! They wish to be Britannians, not to use the program as a convenient means of finding work!" Abrams insists, seizing on what lies closest to familiar ground.
[20:54] Going too much further would cause the whole thing to devolve into a proper argument. Even if Abrams knew- *knew* he was wrong, it's not impossible that continuing to push against him would cause him to tighten his guard. "To be a Britannian means to be successful, Colonel, and that is something anyone would chase.
[20:54] "I'm sorry, but I must follow my conscience. There are many who simply cannot take up that duty... still, is there no way in which we can support one another?" Perhaps putting it explicitly would do; on some level, Abrams must be aware of his tenuous position.
[21:00] "If the ghettos-- but no. What if...." Abrams makes several other aborted attempts, the momentary silence between them accentuated by the lowered background noise level; Kyoko is done with her song, apparently.
[21:00] "I will need to consider this in more detail, My Lady," he finally says, frustration tingling within Kallen. "I am certain our goals are not so dissimilar after all, but the proper way to cooperate...." He trails off, shaking his head. "I bid you, give me time to consider this matter."
[21:02] "Of course, Colonel. Perhaps I've said too much at once," replies Kallen, inclining her head. "Well, then."

<--->