AN: So, it's time we had the talk.

I haven't updated this story in a while because of a lot of reasons - I had shinier stories to write elsewhere, I didn't like how things were shaping up, and most critically of all - I wasn't at a stage where I felt I could write political intrigue all that well, which this next arc was to be about.

In the middle of writing the below segment, I had to reread my work and I...wasn't happy with what was there? So many mistakes I saw that I can't believe I missed. I also didn't like some of the choices I'd made with the direction of this story and as others have pointed out, there were serious problems with how closely some scenes mirrored those in Dauntless or Lelouch of Britannia (borderline plagiarism really).

It's just not something I can continue writing in good conscience.

So, I've decided to bite the bullet and rewrite this story.

1) "But Halt, what does this mean?"

In the short term, not much for you guys unfortunately. The rewrite will be replacing the currently existing chapters (if some of you want to save a copy of this version before then, feel free to do so), and will be released in bulk, so you guys (who have followed / faved anyway) will be updated by a chapter 18 (with actual story content) when the release starts. No need to keep checking the story every week to see if I've started.

The hope, by doing it this way, is to make the transition as seamless as possible for you, the reader.

2) "What are you thinking of changing? What are you keeping?"

-From a structural standpoint, probably reducing the overall average length of each chapter from 10k to 6k. I'm not saying I'll be publishing 6k length chapters uniformly, it will vary depending on what works best for those chapters, but that it should be more or less around 6k words.

-Removing some of the excerpts at the bottom of each chapter. A lot of this information is either unnecessary or could be integrated into the story better.

-Plot wise: not much. Most of the major events we saw in this version (Lelouch's Training, the North Africa Campaign, the War for Japan) will carry over into the new version in all likelihood. The political side of the story will be given heavier focus in the earlier chapters. This will still be an Exiled Prince Returns to the Empire story. This will still be a Lelouch without a Geass story. This will still have its military themes and ideas.

-Some minor characters might get removed, merged, or just tweaked to tell a better story. I want to refocus the story on a much tighter cast rather than everyone and their mother getting a PoV scene. There will be a heavier emphasis on the Royal Family, in particular the key contenders for the Throne of Britannia, and fleshing out their respective factions / supporters.

-Scenes which feel too close to other stories (such as Dauntless / Lelouch of Britannia) will be reworked.

-Constructing scenes for narrative consistency and proper pacing.

3) Parting Words

I know this probably won't be a popular move. Rewrites rarely are.

Nonetheless, please leave me your thoughts in the reviews or via PM if you feel I've missed anything concerning in my notes above. I value your feedback and input in the writing process; something as simple as "I didn't like / I liked chapter ten, the scene where Lelouch did X" is valuable to me as a writer. This let's me see if a scene managed to accomplish its goal or not. You can rest assured that your reviews will be taken into consideration during the rewriting process.

In the meantime, I've decided to publish what little I have written of Chapter 17 below, just to give you guys an idea of how much (or how little) I've improved in the interim. I feel I owe it to you guys, as consumers of my creative output, to know what you're getting in return and if your continued investment in this story will be worth the wait.

Regards,

Halt.

Arc 4: The Waiting Game
Part 2: Sans Voir

"Sans voir: better known as 'blindfold chess', is a form of chess play wherein the players do not see the positions of the pieces or touch them. This forces players to maintain a mental model of the positions of the pieces. Moves are communicated via a recognized chess notation."

-Great Games of the 21st Century, Glossary of Terms

-AKWAC-

If there was a silver lining to the numerous battles for Tokyo during the Federation's belligerence, it was the devastation to the city's infrastructure. With a quarter of the city in rubble, no one could deny the need to rebuild. A good administrator would have restored it to its antebellum state - after all, why fix what isn't broken?

But being merely good was never enough for Lelouch.

"I plan to leave this city better than I found it," Lelouch said. "We're going to make it bigger, better."

The assembled urban planners clapped perfunctorily. "A worthy goal, Your Highness. Truly a gracious first act as Viceroy." One of them fiddled with a laptop. The overhead projectors whirred to life, layering a 3D hologram of a Tokyo scale model onto the table. "This is our first proposal, for your approval. As you can see here-"

"Correct me if I'm wrong, gentlemen," Lelouch said, "but other than what appears to be a giant statue of myself in the central district, is this not an exact replica of pre-war Tokyo?"

"Well, not quite. We've made minor modifications to the city here, here, and here." The areas in question lit up in gold.

"I see," Lelouch said. "Are these not all statues?"

The assembly nodded. "Of war heroes, Your Highness. Yourself chief among them."

"We can make your statue bigger, Prince Lelouch," another said. "Or place it by the harbor instead for a more scenic-"

"Perhaps I didn't make myself clear, gentlemen," Lelouch said. "I'm not interested in statues or monuments. What I want is a blueprint that will make Tokyo the pearl of the orient, envied from Paris to Pendragon. For that I need efficient infrastructure, proper zoning, and, most importantly, I need to be rid of the ghettos."

The bureaucrats shared nervous glances. "You mean move the Elevens outside of Tokyo?"

"No. I mean to integrate them into the city proper."

"Is that wise?" someone asked.

Lelouch stared at the man.

He flinched. People had been drawn and quartered for lesser offenses than questioning the decisions of royalty. "P-pardon me for asking, Your Highness."

"It is a matter of policy," Gottwald interjected. And entirely up to the Viceroy's discretion. remained unsaid.

"There are strategic advantages to having the numbers properly integrated," Lelouch said. "Now, suggestions?"

"The harbor will need expanding. With the influx of materials over the coming years, it could be a bottleneck," someone said.

"The current harbor is undamaged though, and of a respectable size. It's also underutilized-"

"Yes, but it's still well below par compared to other ports of similar sized cities in the region. Considering sakuradite is an essential export, it would be prudent to expand its capacity."

"The highways connecting to the harbor will need improving as well then," another mused. "Won't do us any good to expand the harbor if things can't get in or out." There was a chorus of agreement meeting that statement.

"An expanded mass transit system should be considered as well. If we're to fully integrate the ghettos into the city proper then ease of access will be essential. Our current subway system only touches the edges of the Eleven Districts."

Lelouch clapped once, leaving the room in silence. "Excellent! This is the kind of discussion I'm looking for. I'm sure brilliant men such as yourselves will have a suitable plan for me by our next meeting."

"In two weeks, Your Highness," Gottwald said.

"In two weeks it is," Lelouch said. "If you'll excuse me, I have another meeting to catch. Are there any questions before I leave?"

"Do you have any other conditions, Your Highness? Restrictions? Should we plan around the existing owners?"

"Let's not worry about those just yet. This is just brainstorming, and I want your ideas, as many of them as you have. As for the existing owners, well," -Lelouch smiled- "there's always eminent domain."

Lelouch and Gottwald exited the room.

"Invoking eminent domain won't be a popular move," Gottwald said. "Some will fight you on this. It might be go as far as the Pendragon Prime Court."

"We have options, levers to use on them. We'll entice them first, easier to catch flies with honey than vinegar. There are advantages to being the government, Gottwald. Eminent domain will be our last resort."

"As long as you know what you're doing, Your Highness."

They passed a pair of saluting guards, the red and black bands on their arms signifying that they were "Black Watch" as they had taken to calling themselves, though Lelouch didn't recognize the two in question. "Wolfe's been recruiting," Lelouch said. "Did you approve this?"

"It was necessary," Gottwald said. "Fifty men aren't enough to keep you safe. They were never enough."

"How many men?"

"I've instructed him to bring it up to company strength for now, with provisions for a full battalion before the year is over."

That was a fivefold increase from the current roster. "Ensuring their loyalty will be a problem."

"Of these men? I doubt it. We drew them from a pool of the best soldiers from the 2nd Quebec, 1st Ontario, and the 1st Tokyo Regiments. These are the men you led to victory against all odds. They worship the ground you walk on," Gottwald said.

"Everyone has a pressure point," Lelouch said. "It's just a matter of finding it. If not the soldiers, then their friends, families, lovers. No, I don't think it'll be possible to keep spies out completely."

Gottwald glanced at his watch. "You have your meeting in five minutes with the Lord High Steward, Your Highness. The Officers of the Realm have the status of Area Eleven as their first agenda for today's meeting."

Lelouch sighed. "Best to get on with it." They stepped inside the Viceroy's Office, his office now really. He took his seat -Gottwald standing behind him- and glanced at the side cabinets - the aged bottle of Macallan 1926 was still there, among Clovis' other personal effects. The transition had happened so quickly there hadn't been enough time for anything beyond a handover of the critical functions of the Eleventh Viceroyship.

A high pitched warbling began and Lelouch winced. Figures that his brother's ringtone would be an opera singer. A few swift taps on the keyboard brought an end to that and the image of his many half-brothers and sisters was projected onto the even larger television screen that occupied the far side of the wall in its entirety.

"Presenting the Eleventh Viceroy Lelouch vi Britannia," an artificial, feminine voice announced. Millions of pounds spent on technological innovation just so the high lords of the Empire could bring their pomp and ceremony to cyberspace.

"Lelouch," Odysseus said, "glad to see you're punctual as ever."

"It would be rude of me to be late given the first agenda of the day can hardly be resolved without my presence, Lord High Steward," Lelouch said.

Over the course of the next minute, more people joined in, either physically joining him at the oval conference table in Pendragon, or logging in via the Imperial Secured Network -ISNet for short- as Lelouch had done.

With the civilian and military leadership of the Holy Britannian Empire gathered, Odysseus called the meeting to order. "For our first agenda today, I've invited our newly appointed Eleventh Viceroy to give us an overview of the situation in his Area. Lelouch, if you would?"

"Plans are underway to rebuild Tokyo Settlement. I have the finest minds in the administration drawing up plans as we speak. The competence and efficiency of the bureaucracy is a credit to Clovis," Lelouch began.

Clovis tipped his head in acknowledgment, the corners of his lips tugging upwards. Not entirely true, but the truth was irrelevant. As Clovis had been keen to teach him, appearances mattered now more than ever and his life would be made exponentially simpler if he kept himself in the good graces of the new Viceroy of Area 3. Clovis' jurisdiction encompassed the all important Panama Canal.

"Chief among our priorities are the expressways connecting the Sakuradite mines to the sea. Reconstruction is already underway and we are expecting initial repairs to complete within the week," Lelouch said.

"A commendable effort," William said, steepling his hands. He was the Fourth Prince, and, more importantly, the Lord High Treasurer. "I was unaware that Area 11 had such a surplus of funds that it could afford undertakings like this without imperial assistance."

Lelouch smiled. "For the time being, the project is being bankrolled by certain members of the aristocracy. They've been made to understand how vital this project is."

"You offered them restitution, didn't you?" William asked, sighing. "Of course you did. They wouldn't start otherwise. Typical. How much is this going to cost?"

"Apologies William, I thought it the prudent course of action," Lelouch said. "The details of the loan should be on your screen now."

William adjusted his glasses and skimmed through the numbers. "Barely acceptable, I suppose," he said. "Because you initiated this without the Treasury's approval, we can only cover the principal. The interest will be for your administration to shoulder."

"I have no objections to this arrangement," Lelouch said, unfazed. "Army units under Lord Kewell Soresi are also moving to fortify the coast of Area 11. They have been hard at work building field works in the event of another invasion."

An exile to mud and drudgery, to hear the man call it.

"Which army units?" Guinevere asked.

Lelouch frowned. Odd. She wasn't one to care much for the finer points of the army's organization. "This would encompass all army units that are already under his mandate. Primarily, it's composed of the colonial garrison and the Purist brigades, with elements of those Sworn Regiments that have seen fit to join them."

"Is that all?" Guinevere asked.

"...There are also remnants of the 15th," Lelouch added.

"The 15th?" Carine ne Britannia asked, eye lighting up. "I was under the impression that they were destroyed."

"Under the late General Calares' Hokkaido mission, if I recall rightly," Clovis said.

Carine glared and gritted her teeth. "Yes. If any of them remain, they should be recalled and rebuilt, surely?"

"The remnants of the 15th we rescued from Federation prisons have no command structure to speak of," Lelouch said, frowning. "The officer corps was wiped out nearly to a man. Only by consolidating those troops under our existing command structure were we able to use them at all."

"Nonetheless, the worst of the war is over. It's time for them to come home and be rebuilt," Carine said.

"I concur," William said. "Although, I do wonder with what funds you intend to do so with, Carine?

"I-"

"After all," he continued, "weren't you always harping on about how big government was inefficient and the need to corporatize the army? Let market forces dictate the priorities of state?"

"We have investors lined up," Robert, her brother, said, before fixing Lelouch with a hard look. "Will you relinquish those men?"

He was loathe to let go of fifteen thousand bodies, but he didn't have a leg to stand on. If the ne Britannias pushed the issue- and they would, so desperate were they to reclaim even a fragment of their former strength after having thrown it all away in a foolhardy gamble in Hokkaido- then there would be no keeping it out of the news. Soon enough, the men on the ground would learn their masters were calling for them, and Lelouch would either have mass desertions or outright mutiny on his hands.

It would make him look weak in a pit where weakness meant death.

Appearances matter.

"I'd be happy to, as soon as you can arrange for transport," Lelouch said. Even if he couldn't have them, he could still play for time.

Carine and Robert shared a look. "Don't you have those airships of yours?" Carine asked.

"I do."

"Well...aren't they supposed to be able to carry ten thousand men apiece? Wasn't that the boast when these designs were put before us?"

"Their carrying capacity remains within standards," Lelouch said.

"Couldn't you transport them then?"

"Not without risk to Area 11's defenses," Lelouch said. "So no. If you want your men back, arrange for transport."

"Fine," Robert spat out.

Lelouch could not help but notice Guinevere smiling.

Had he had been played? What was achieved?

He was fifteen thousand men short and had made an enemy of the ne Britannias, and all Guinevere had had to do was ask the right question and keep pressing. But how had she known what to look for unless-

Spies. Japan's internal security was already compromised.

"If the matter of the 15th is settled, perhaps we can discuss this 'Japan Liberation Force'?" Odysseus asked. "They've been a thorn in the local administration's side for decades now. What are we doing about them?"

"The Japanese Liberation Front," Lelouch said, enunciating the words, "has lost their ability to hold territory so boldly, as they did in the war. It's highly likely that we'll be seeing a return to guerilla warfare tactics."

"A large game of whack-a-mole," Clovis said. "Burn down one hidey hole and have three more pop up."

"Asymmetrical warfare is not what your typical soldiers are trained to fight," Schneizel said. "The Empire has long been cognizant of this problem. To that end, some months ago, a special unit was formed specifically to nip these problems in the bud."

"You're talking about the Glinda Knights," Odysseus said. "Led by Marybelle mel Britannia?"

Schneizel nodded. "The unit received commendations from the Chivalric Orders for its part in the North Africa Wyvern operations. Grandmasters Farnese and Manfredi, in particular, had nothing but high praise for them in their after action report."

One of Schneizel's pet projects. They'd be reporting to him no doubt, Lelouch thought. More spies in his land would be unpleasant, but how to reject the proposal? If he appeared unreasonable, the Officers of the Realm could overrule him by vote. "They were operating under the overall directions of the Grandmasters during that operation."

"Then the JLF can be a test case. It's high time we see what they're capable of on the field, left to their own devices," Schneizel said, smiling. "The results may surprise us."

That would put them outside of his command structure. "Forgive me if I'm not jumping for joy. I don't relish the thought of giving an unproven unit free reign in my Area. There are strategic considerations beyond the JLF."

"A compromise then," Schneizel said. "The Glinda Knights must submit a daily report of their actions."

Lelouch scoffed. "So I can be told to put out a fire after half the forest has burned down? No, I want them to be under integrated into the chain of command."

"That would defeat the purpose of the test. They would, as you said, be operating under the overall directions of someone else during the operation," Schneizel said.

"Then a right of veto." Lelouch's eyes narrowed. "And an observer attached to their unit. Someone I can appoint."

"Done."

The rest of the meeting proceeded without much fanfare after that.

"I was a fool, Gottwald," Lelouch said after his connection to the meeting ended, "to think we hadn't already been infiltrated; that the likes of Guinevere or Schneizel didn't have informants during Clovis' Administration. Our enemies in Pendragon have had years to prepare for this type of war."

"What should we do about it then?"

"We need better counterintelligence. Prioritize screening for Shadow recruits. Give Kage and Arlington time to do their jobs." They stopped in front of the Viceroy's Office. "In the meantime, we work around them. Set up information barriers, keep tabs on who our people are talking to, assign clearance levels."

"Controlling the flow of information, keep things on a need to know basis?" Gottwald asked.

"As much as is possible."