Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass or Gundam UC, both are owned by Sunrise.

Forward Unto Dawn

Prologue

Bismarck Waldstein the Knight of One impassively watched as the Zeon delegation disembarked from their vessel. Gwadan…a strange and foreign name, but the Knight of One cared little for it. No his concern was what the vessel represented. Britannia was the most powerful nation on Earth, ruling over a third of its land area and population alike, a rule enforced by overwhelming might and technological superiority.

The idea that any of those certainties would no longer be certain was impossible, just as it was impossible for an entire nation to be moved across time and space, much less across universes.

And yet there it was in front of him: the Principality of Zeon, the Nation of Space, or its remnants had been sent by a freak accident of physics from their own universe to this one. It sounded and was undeniable fantastic, but the evidence was undeniable. Humanity – or the Humanity of this universe – had yet to reach out to space. And early on after the first secret meetings between the Principality and the Empire several months ago it had been confirmed that the Zeon were Human…though aliens disguised as Humans would probably have been less fantastic.

Bismarck continued to examine the Gwadan with his eyes. From its sleek, armored hull designed for cruising and fighting in the airless, irradiated voids of space, its powerful engines and monstrous guns, and the embarked Gaza-C 'mobile suits' over five times the size of the latest Knightmare Frame models just entering mass-production (and probably even more powerful)…it screamed technological obsoleting for Britannia.

They had to catch up. They needed to catch up, before other nations could. And they would, both Britannia and her rivals. Trade and dialogue would be their weapons, and the Knight of One smiled. The Principality of Zeon was an absolute monarchy much like Britannia was, and with a western bent to it too: culturally-speaking they should be more amenable to each other than the Chinese Federation much less the European Union.

Democracy…it was a sham. Democratic politicians claimed to represent the will of the people, but when all was said and done elected officials were more often than not drawn from the elite upper classes, which collected and jealously guarded wealth and power to themselves, their families and allies. What difference was there between them and the nobility of Britannia or the High Eunuchs of the Chinese Federation?

The Empire and the Federation's rulers were honest at least, that they held and jealously guarded absolute power among themselves. Unlike the rulers of 'democratic nations' – both the European Union of this universe and the Earth Federation spoken of by the Zeon delegates – they did not lie and speak sweet half-truths on election seasons to convince the electorate to keep up the façade.

Bismarck allowed himself a moment to consider the possibility a couple of decades down the line, that the Principality might be added to the Holy Britannian Empire. A marriage alliance perhaps, though that would be difficult considering the current Sovereign Princess of the Principality (and the only surviving member of the ruling family) was just an eight year-old girl.

It probably wouldn't get to that point though. The Emperor's plan was already on the move, and it was unlikely in the extreme that Zeon and Britannia could become one before the plan came to fruition. It would have to be adjusted accordingly, and additional effort would have to be put in to accommodate the new variables, but it was still in motion.

And if not…well Eleventh Prince Lelouch vi Britannia was about the same age, so there was a possibility there…

Bismarck now turned his attention to the delegates. The first to disembark from the Gwadan were an honor guard of about one hundred soldiers in green dress uniforms with elaborate gold and red rank insignia. After them were senior officers, with accordingly more elaborate uniforms: gold epaulettes and black mantles with more gold embroidery, the elaborateness of which increased as the officer in question's rank increased.

And last of all came the Regent of Zeon: Haman Karn.

Bismarck didn't trust Second Prince and Imperial Prime Minister Schneizel el Britannia. He was his father's son, and had all his father's traits and talents. It was for that reason that the Emperor made him the Prime Minister, because his talents would be wasted elsewhere and what better place to keep an eye on him and any potential treason and conspiracy he could be cooking up.

But that didn't mean the Knight of One didn't respect the Second Prince. On the contrary, Bismarck greatly respected the younger man. If it weren't for the Emperor's plan, he would have no problem backing Schneizel when the time came and deposing (and disposing of) the Crown Prince and the First Princess both.

Simply put, Odysseus and Guinevere were nothing compared to their younger brother.

That same respect meant that Birsmarck fully accepted the warnings given to him by Schneizel about Haman Karn. The woman was intelligent, strong-willed, and dedicated to her cause and duty. Underestimating her would not be wise, and attempting to manipulate her would not only be stupid, but insane in the extreme.

And as the redheaded woman strode past the Zeon honor guard and their officers alike, Bismarck knew that Schneizel was right. The presence of the woman even across the distance was palpable, and he'd no doubt that this woman would not quail even in the presence of the Emperor himself. And as she came closer, he noted the intelligent, calculating glint of her eyes, and that she was judging him even as he judged her.

Dangerous…a worthy enemy…

"A marriage between our respective royal families would be quite advantageous for us both." Schneizel said.

"A point that you have mentioned in the past more than once…" Haman replied, idly twirling the wineglass in her hand. "…and once again I must refuse. Until Axis is stabilized, we must focus on more important matters. Specifically reestablishing a stable government, society, and economy…only then we may turn our attention to personal matters."

"I would think that cementing relations between our nations through a political marriage would be a step in that direction." Schneizel countered.

"So you've said in the past." Haman replied. "However considering the unstable…nature of the political scene here on the surface, the people of Zeon would not be so accommodating. Public opinion might not be as important as it would be in a democracy, but maintaining face is an exception to that. They would not want to be drawn into Earth's byzantine politics."

"Point…" Schneizel agreed. "…and there's still the fact that your people don't have a high opinion of Earth-born either. And I can't blame them considering what you've told us about the One Year War and the events leading up to it. Colonial and corporate exploitation, suppression of the space colonists' political and individual rights…"

How sincere are we really?

"The matter will be kept in mind." Haman said with a shrug. "I'm sure that once normality has returned and sunk in, we may reconsider it for mutual benefit. As I understand one of your brothers is of Her Highness Mineva's age, is he not?"

"That is correct." Schneizel agreed. "And I am most grateful that the opportunity will be reconsidered in the future. Zeon and Britannia have much in common, and I believe that we may yet come to a mutual understanding."

False: both parties had no desire for 'mutual understanding', and sought only maximum advantage for their respective position. And they were aware that the other was also aware of them thinking so. And they respected each other for it such was the nature of politics.

Schneizel toasted Haman, and after draining their glasses they left the waiting room via different doors. Both doors led to hallways parallel to each other, and with doors down the hallway leading into the room wherein the treaty would be signed.

The room in question was largely-filled with people from the media, to cover such a historic moment. Between the fantastic and awesome incident of a nation of spacefaring Humans being sent across universes and that Britannia was the first nation they'd approached and established relations with was too good an opportunity for propaganda and other purposes to let pass.

Conversation quickly came to a halt as both Schneizel and Haman entered the room at the same time, and proceeded towards a table in the middle. A pair of leather folders and pens rested on opposite sides of the table, and both leaders opened them and proceeded to sign the Treaty of Hawaii of 2008 ATB/UC 0086. Once the signing was done, both signatories closed their folders and exchanged them, Schneizel taking the black folder with the golden Zeon emblem, while Haman took the red folder with the Britannian emblem. The signatories shook hands, and faced the cameras as the media representatives began taking pictures.

Terms of the Treaty of Hawaii of 2008 ATB/UC 0086

1) The Holy Britannian Empire extends diplomatic recognition to the Principality of Zeon, and the Principality of Zeon extends diplomatic recognition to the Holy Britannian Empire and will endeavor to do likewise to the other nations of Earth.

2) The Principality of Zeon will establish an international spaceport at a neutral location.

3) The Principality of Zeon extends to the Holy Britannian Empire most favored nation status.

4) The Principality of Zeon recognizes the Holy Britannian Empire's sovereign right to access to space, but reserves the right to self-defense, and recognizes the Holy Britannian Empire's right to self-defense as well.

5) The transfer of military technology between the Principality of Zeon and the Holy Britannian Empire is forbidden.

7) The Principality of Zeon and the Holy Britannian Empire agree against any hostile undertakings against each other.

Timeline

2008 ATB/UC 0086: the Principality of Zeon, composed of the Axis Faction, the space colonies of Side 3, and the Lunar City of Granada are transported by a temporal anomaly known afterwards as 'the Transition' to an entirely new universe. Axis Forces immediately move to ascertain the situation while securing the Principality's sovereign territories, and suppressing remaining Earth Federation and Titan Forces. The Holy Britannian Empire is approached in secret, and after six months of quiet negotiations, the Treaty of Hawaii of 2008 ATB/UC 0086 is signed. Shortly afterwards, diplomatic recognition is mutually-achieved from other Earth nations.

2009 ATB/UC 0087: the Gaza-D is introduced, replacing the Gaza-C as the principal mass-production mobile suit of the Zeon military. Imperial Consort Marianne vi Britannia is assassinated. Prince and Princess Lelouch and Nunally vi Britannia are exiled. The Carpentaria Spaceport Corporation is established, fifty percent owned by the Australian government, and fifty percent owned by private shareholders from the Principality. Construction begins on Carpentaria Spaceport.

2010 ATB/UC 0088: Indochina and Japan are both invaded and annexed by the Holy Britannian Empire. The Principality of Zeon launches the Moonrace Plan, aimed at relocating as many as possible of the Principality's estimated one billion citizens from the space colonies of Side 3 to new lunar cities. A construction boom begins, starting with the new capital city of Neue Preussen (New Prussia).

2011 ATB/UC 0089: the Principality of Zeon is reorganized into the Axis Federation, based on the old Deutsches Kaissereich of the Divergent Timeline. Mineva Lao Zabi is named Archduchess, and will be crowned as Empress Regnant upon her coming of age (15).

2012 ATB/UC 0090: Elections are held for the Axis National Assembly, and members of the Federal Council are appointed by the various federal states of the Axis Federation. Haman Karn is named Imperial Chancellor as well as Imperial Regent, and is granted the noble title of Princess. The adoption of constitutional monarchy causes a cooling of relations between Axis and Britannia.

2013 ATB/UC 0091: Glemy Toto leads a coup, but is put down by loyalist troops led by Captain Quattro Bajeena…who is revealed to be none other than Char the Red Comet Aznable himself. Char Aznable is promoted to Commodore, and is granted the noble title of Count. He is also awarded the Order of the Golden Rose and the Order of Valhalla. Carpentaria Spaceport is completed. Trade agreements are established with other nations.

2014 ATB/UC 0092: The Treaty of Hawaii of 2008 ATB/UC 0086 is broken when the Axis Federation grants the Chinese Federation most favored nation status. Axis launches the 0092 Armament Plan, introducing a new series of mobile suits and warships alike. Axis also leases the Gulf of Carpentaria for the next ninety-nine years, and begins construction of Carpentaria Naval Base. For this achievement Ambassador (and former EFF Commodore/AEUG leader) Blex Forer is awarded the Order of the Red Eagle, and is granted the noble title of Baron.

2015 ATB/UC 0093: Mineva Lao Zabi is crowned Empress Regnant of the Axis Federation. Relations with Britannia further cool after the Empress politely but firmly rejects the offer of an arranged marriage with a member of the Britannian Imperial Family. Princess Haman Karn is reappointed Imperial Chancellor, and is awarded the Order of the Red Eagle. The Axis Line is established: refugees from Earth are funneled through Carpentaria to space. Among those are the Lamperouge and Ashford families from Area Eleven (formerly Japan).

2016 ATB/UC 0094: The 0094 Armament Plan is launched, following the 0092 Armament Plan. Commodore Count Char Aznable is given a double promotion to Vice Admiral, and is named Commander of the Fourth Fleet. An assassination attempt on the Empress is foiled by Captain Ple Zwolf of the Imperial Court Guards Regiment. She is promoted to Major, and is awarded the Order of the Imperial Crown for her actions. Imperial Intelligence uncovers connections between the assassination and a Britannian black-ops group known only as the Directorate. Evidence is also uncovered of what possibly is a Cyber-Newtype research program. The Imperial Chancellor orders contingencies to be prepared and put into action, while the Ministries of War and the Navy begin putting together a war plan aimed at sweeping Britannian Forces out of the Pacific and the Mediterranean.

2017 ATB/UC 0095: War Plan Valkyrie is finalized by both the General Staff and the Admiralty, and is presented via the Imperial Chancellor to the Empress. Approval is granted.