The fight against the JLF forces stalled within minutes. JLF Knightmares made no attempts to gain ground and no serious efforts to find superior positions. Even with the additional two groups of Burais in different areas of the subway, the skirmish rapidly deteriorated into a mere exchange of fire between Britannian and Japanese forces.

This was obviously the point. The presence of the Custom Burais favored by the Four Holy Swords was as clear statement that Tohdoh was in command. And everyone knew it.

"What the hell is he doing?" Clovis said. "What's the point of it? They can't possibly know enough to justify an operation of this scale. And even if they did, for God's sake, it's gas. All they need are some gas masks to neutralize it!"

If there was any doubt in Lelouch's mind that Code-R wasn't actually poison gas, it was gone at his brother's words. But if it wasn't gas, then what the was it? Lelouch remained still and shot a glance at Clovis, who didn't seem to have noticed his little slip up.

"Send in some of the units guarding this transport!" Clovis shouted. "Wipe those terrorist bastards out so we can get back to the search."

"Is that really the best course of action?" Lelouch asked before the officers could carry out the orders. All attention turned to him.

"What are you talking about Lelouch? Dissidence against any Imperial action cannot be tolerated. They must be wiped out before we can do anything else."

"You're making the same mistake you do in chess," Lelouch countered, "getting too caught up in the moment to focus on the larger picture. You're only looking at what the enemy wants you to see instead of what's actually important."

Clovis glared. "You're testing my patience brother."

"In every engagement they've fought, Custom Burais like the ones seen in the tunnels have defeated any and every Sutherland they've come up across. So why are they suddenly incapable of moving past a stalemated position? The enemy commander, who we both know is Tohdoh, clearly wants you to commit troops to the fighting in the tunnel."

It was an obvious gambit by Tohdoh's standards, but over the years Clovis hadn't given the man any reason to think that more complicated tactics would be necessary in past instances where they commanded troops against each other.

"Even if the fight is as evenly matched as it seems, pumping more troops into such a small area serves no purpose but to provide backup in case the first troops are shot down.

Clovis huffed and continued to glare, but soon returned his gaze to the display. That was about as close to admitting fault as Clovis ever got. "Well then Lelouch, in your expert opinion, what should be done? They need to be eliminated as quickly as possible."

Lelouch himself returned his attention to the same holographic display and thought for a moment.

"There are four squads remaining in the tunnel, and two points of engagement. Have two squads maintain the stalemate, split the Sigma squad and have them reinforce the first two, to make them think we've fallen for their ruse. Then have Bravo squad return to the surface and collapse the tunnels above them. Not the entire subway system, just the ceilings above their position, or at least as close to their position as you can find."

"Why not just have some of the units guarding us do that?"

"So as not to leave ourselves vulnerable."

The frown on Clovis's face vanished, replaced by hearty laughter. "Come now Lelouch, you can't seriously think we're in danger of attack? Even with half my guards leaving, we'll still be well defended in the face of an assault."

"Who said they're going to mount an assault? Perhaps the simply want less security so a single man can sneak into this transport. Perhaps he even has a sample of lethal gas."

Lelouch could see his brother's face twist up in confusion, then understanding. "Even if I sent out all of my personal units," Clovis said, "no one man could possibly penetrate all the security on this transport."

"Just as no group of terrorists could possibly find out about and steal Code-R?"

Clovis almost snarled. The war between good sense and wounded pride was visibly evident in his face. Eventually, the Third Prince shut his eyes, grimaced, and turned back to his officers with a sigh.

"Very well. Bartley, carry out my brother's suggestions as my own orders."

"Y-yes your highness!" Bartley saluted while aiming a nervous glance at Lelouch.

Nobody mentioned the search for the terrorists who had stolen the "poison gas." Lelouch's primary interest was still in capturing them, but at this point he wasn't willing to push Clovis too much on something he was trying so desperately to keep a secret. The Third Prince had a history of… irrational actions when backed into a corner.

"For God's sake Lelouch, will you stop hovering over them like that? You're starting to grate on my nerves over there."

Lelouch blinked. "My apologies." He walked over to stand near Clovis's makeshift throne throne. Jeremiah remained off to the side.

"I have to say," Clovis said with an air of projected disinterest. "I'm surprised that your wife hasn't contacted you yet. I'm sure she was informed of your accident not long after I was and I would have thought she would want to make sure you remain unharmed."

Lelouch almost rolled his eyes at his brother's transparent attempt to change the subject. "She's been calling me nonstop for the last thirty minutes."

"What?"

Lelouch pulled out his still vibrating phone and showed it to him. "I must have over two dozen missed calls at this point."

"Really? Well, you know what they say. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing more than once and expecting a different result." Clovis chuckled. "Answer the phone brother and save the poor girl from her worry."

Lelouch frowned a bit, but the situation had reached a bit of a lull, at least from his perspective. He stepped off to the side and answered his phone.

"Konnichiwa otto-sama!" came the shout from the other end. Lelouch grimaced at the sudden noise. The small chuckle coming from behind told him that Kaguya's voice had carried. "Shame on you for making me call so many times before answering. Is that any way to treat your beloved wife?"

"Kaguya, I'm unharmed and safe. There's nothing to be concerned about."

"Are you sure?" her voice dropped several levels of volume. "Is it really healthy to join your brother on a surprise construction inspection so soon after being in a car accident?"

"Who told you I was at a construction site?"

"My bodyguards. You're in Shinjuku right? The news is saying that it's been closed for traffic concerns. Who hit you anyway? Did you have them arrested?"

Lelouch's eyes narrowed. "Not yet," he admitted. "I'll tell you the details later."

"Ah, I love how straightforward you are! I truly am lucky to have married such a wonderful man! Jaa mata! "

"She certainly sounds as lively as ever," Clovis laughed. "If she'd been just a little bit louder I probably could have participated in the conversation."

Lelouch might have been concerned that his brother had heard Kaguya's voice clearly if he couldn't see that Clovis's eyes remained firmly on the readouts. It appeared that his attempt to direct Lelouch's attention away from the search was also an attempt to distract himself.

"Is Bravo squad in position yet?"

Clovis's frown was instant and deep. "They will be in a few minutes." The Third Prince sighed. "I hope your suggestions turn the tide quickly Lelouch."

"It will, and when it does, the search for the thieves will continue soon enough and you'll have your poison gas back within the hour."

"I certainly hope so brother. Depending on how this goes, I may need to wipe the area clean."

"Colonel," Urabe's voice sounded over the radio, "the Britannian reinforcements have arrived, but not many. I suspect the rest of them are continuing the search for the Resistance operatives in possession of the gas sample."

Tohdoh remained silent as the information sunk in. That was more or less what he'd expected of Clovis. "Begin a measured retreat, let them think they've intimidated you, but keep your men moving. I don't want the enemy dropping the ceiling on you."

"Understood colonel."

Sitting with his back straight in the cockpit of his Custom Burai, Tohdoh considered the situation. With only the Four Holy Swords, two squads of Burais, and one experimental knightmare, the JLF could not afford a protracted battle. They would have to retreat soon and hope that they had given the Resistance enough time to escape the area.

Kaname Ohgi, the second in command and face of the Resistance group that operated in the area, had informed him of the changes to the situation. It seemed that Code-R was far more political in nature than the Resistance—and the JLF by extension— had been led to believe; a prisoner instead of experimental chemical weapons? Relief and annoyance warred with in Tohdoh's mind.

He would not risk his men's lives more than honor and propriety demanded. Ohgi's superior, unknown quantity that he was, deserved a chance to escape. That was all Tohdoh would give him.

"Sensei?" Came a new voice over Tohdoh's private line.

"What is it Suzaku?"

"Are we… going to retreat? General Katase's orders—"

"—were based on intelligence stating that Code-R is poison gas. It would appear that this is not the case. Therefore, the operation is no longer worth too great a risk. The JLF's resources are precious. Every soldier and every Knightmare is valuable. We cannot afford to overexert ourselves when there is nothing to be gained or take from the enemy."

"But even if Code-R isn't poison gas, Clovis is right here! I know how heavily outnumbered we are, but with the Guren, I know I can capture him!"

Despite himself, Tohdoh smiled at the young man's arrogance. "There's no guarantee of that Suzaku. And even if you're right, you of all people should know how little the Emperor will care if one of his children is being held hostage. We will remain as long as we can, and then we will retreat."

There was a stretch of silence. Suzaku, eager young warrior that he was, did not want to run from this fight. Obsessed as always with redeeming his father's so called disgrace.

"Yes sir." He finally answered.

Fortunately, the walk did not take the two hours. They didn't move as fast as Naoto would have liked, but they made it to the edge of the ghetto without any difficulty.

Unfortunately, the edge of the ghetto was marked by a perimeter of soldiers. Not Knightmares, ordinary soldiers in body armor and wielding assault rifles were posted in pairs along the street marking the end of Shinjuku. Naoto and C.C. hid themselves next to an old dumpster tucked away in an alley. The occasional burst of gunfire could be heard in the distance.

"Damn it," Naoto cursed. Most of those bursts weren't coming from Knightmares, and none of them lasted long enough to be considered a firefight. Innocent Japanese were likely being killed by either overzealous soldiers or Royal orders. The murder of innocent "Elevens" wasn't something Naoto would put past Clovis or Lelouch. Anyone Japanese coming out of the ghetto at this point would be arrested at best.

Naoto blinked.

He turned back to C.C., who somehow managed to look bored in the middle of a bombed out warzone. The secrecy surrounding Code-R had been ridiculous, with so many false leads and misleading information that it had taken them months just to get through the first cover story. Most of that misinformation had been designed to deter Britannians. There was no trace, not even the slightest hint of a whisper that this girl had been Code-R's subject.

Naoto smirked. "I think I have an idea."

C.C. gave him a look.

Ten minutes later, they'd gotten her out of the prison suit and stuffed it into the dumpster. All she had on underneath were some extremely short pants, a top that covered her chest up to her neck, and white boots that went up to her thighs (seriously, who the hell designed Britannian prison gear?!). The suit has been replaced by Naoto's jacket.

"Don't make eye contact," C.C. said.

"What?"

"One of your eyes turns red when you use your Geass. Don't let them see it."

Naoto scowled. She could have mentioned that sooner. "Thanks for the tip," he all but growled. Without really thinking about it, he activated the power. "Which one is it?" His words went back to reverberating in his head. It was a strange feeling.

"The left one," C.C. said. Naoto nodded and pulled his headband down over his left eye.

A few minutes later, they emerged from behind the dumpster. Naoto had schooled his face into a mixed expression of fear and anger. C.C.'s transformation was a bit more extreme. Gone was the blank face and bored calm, replaced with pure terror and… were those real tears? Holy crap, they were! She could actually cry on command!

Naoto tried not to think of the implications of her acting abilities as he limped out, propping the green haired girl up against him as if she couldn't walk. He made a show of mumbling and whispering to her, making it look like he was trying to comfort her. Her response was to shake, cry, and make herself seem small. Her eyes were fixed firmly on the ground.

"Hey!" Naoto called out when he 'saw' the soldiers standing guard around the perimeter. "Hey! Please help us!" He waved his free arm wildly. They noticed him quickly enough and then turned to each other. Confusion rolled off the two in waves. Should they help? Leave them be? What the hell were two apparent Britannians doing so close to the ghetto anyway?

The rebel and whatever C.C. was continued on unabated. "Please! We need help!" That increasingly familiar echo effect filled Naoto's mind as he spoke. Concern. Confusion. Every word out of Naoto's mouth carried these feelings over to anyone who could hear him.

Finally, one of the soldiers broke ranks and jogged over to them.

"What the hell are you two doing in the ghetto?" He demanded.

C.C. stiffened. The tears dancing at the edge of her eyes began to fall as she bit her lip and buried her face into Naoto's chest, right below his shoulder. The soldier stepped back, guilt written all over his face.

Naoto took a deep breath, and the echo effect kept filling his mind at the sound. Did that mean he didn't actually need to speak to activate his power?

"Some Elevens dragged her into the ghetto last night," he said, hating the lie he was telling. He pumped more guilt into his voice, amplifying what the soldier already appeared to be feeling.
"She's my sister, and I went in there to get her out. We need to get home. Can you get us an ambulance?"

His story didn't even make sense. It wasn't even a story! It was just a few comments that painted a helpless Britannians girl as the victim of the vile Elevens. It was pretty much all he needed.

An image popped into Naoto's head. It was a memory of Kallen from seven years ago, huddled in a mass of shifting rubble.

"We have a mobile medical unit standing by." The soldier's words snapped Naoto back to reality. What the hell was he doing? He never let thoughts of Kallen get in the way during an operation! "No one is currently using it, and we can get you there faster than an ambulance can arrive, and treat any injuries in the time it takes one to get out here."

"I'm not hurt!" C.C. cried out. She turned her head so she could look at the soldier, who looked surprised at her outburst. He wasn't alone. It took everything Noato had to keep himself from staring down at her with an expression of what the hell are you doing?

"Nothing's broken," the green haired girl continued. "They didn't even hit me. They just… They… I just want to go home!" she dug back into Naoto's shoulder. "Please," she sobbed. "I don't want anybody to know what happened! Just let me go home!"

Her act was good enough that Naoto didn't have to put much effort into pretending to be upset. He kept his gaze on the top of her head. Was she even acting? Probably, but Naoto was starting to wonder what Clovis had put her through. "You heard her buddy," he said as he looked back up. Pity. Sadness. "Can you just- just let us through?"

The soldier stared for a moment. Then he looked around, gazing at the Britannian settlement. It was so much cleaner, so much better than the Shinjuku ghetto. "Well… There might be an ambulance close enough to come by, but if she's not actually injured…"

Noato didn't have to fake the anger he felt when he heard that. "For God's sake man, can't we just fucking walk out?! That would get us out of here a hell of a lot faster than anything else!" He poured even more guilt into his voice.

"S-sure. Fine. I can do that. Just… let me escort you back to the edge of the settlement and you can get on your way. There's bound to be a few cabs a mile or two away from the border."

Naoto nodded. "Thank you sir." He looked around, shooting suspicious, guilty looks at the other soldiers. This one's partner was still staring at them, and a few others from out in the distance were looking at them with obvious curiosity. "And… if it's not too much trouble, can you keep this quiet? Not call it in?" More pity. "We weren't supposed to be so close to the ghetto. Our father will kill me if he finds out what happened."

Long moments passed before the soldier's conflicted look vanished. "Yeah, no problem. Just… keep yourself out of this part of the city in the future."

Naoto nodded while C.C. made a stuttering noise that sounded vaguely like a 'yes sir.'

The other soldier gave them a questioning look as they passed, but their 'protector' gave him a meaningful look that seemed to placate him as they walked alongside them over to the edge of the ghetto. There was almost a line separating it from the settlement, like a strip of tape keeping the clean half of a room from the filthy one.

"Thank you," Naoto said again. His voice was loaded with pride.

"It's no problem," the soldier said with a satisfied smile. "Just do yourself a favor, and stay the hell away from here, got it?"

"We're not going to have any problems following that order sir," Naoto said with a corny salute. The soldier escorted them out past the perimeter and let them pass as he returned to his post and started explaining the situation to his partner.

The military's presence was backed up for a block or two, with soldiers and armored vehicles coming in. The fugitives kept up their pretense for over a mile after turned a corner around a warehouse and disappeared from view. Naoto's heart was pounding the whole time. The street was empty of people. It seemed that the area had either been evacuated or it wasn't heavily populated in the first place.

C.C. abandoned her scared victim act in an instant. Just like that, she had left his shoulder and her faced resumed its usual non-expression. "Not bad," she said.

Naoto snorted. "I'll bet anything that's the nicest thing you're ever going to say to me."

She smirked. "Probably."

"Let's just get out of here. I have a safehouse with fresh clothes a few miles in. We just need to stay out of sight for until we get there and then we're home free."

"That's good news. I already had to throw away a perfectly good outfit on your account today. It's only right that you should make up for that by providing me with another."

"Perfectly good outfi—?"

Naoto paused. He very deliberately did not turn around to look at C.C.

The two of them continued on.