In the tropical base in one of the Solomon Islands, an automated Assembly Line came to life as it began assembly of the new KK-Unit.
Cornelia went even wilder as she demanded an opposition that could resist.
So, to answer her request, Marcus switched out Sutherlands and Gloucesters into Setanta units.
The new mass-produced models were able to resist the Princess' wild fighting style and cause her to take the battle seriously.
This time around, she was being challenged as their weapons were dealing actual damage; her KK unit was destroyed after she took out over twenty mass-produced machines.
She was surrounded by something that can rarely happen in an actual battlefield.
Regardless, it was the last simulation as the test proved that it was the right frame configuration, and the development of Morrigan can begin.
"So that's it? The creation began?" The Princess asked as she was holding a mug of coffee. She was feeling like she had just had two large battles in a row.
Her eyes were at the window, more like what was behind the glass—the factory-like section where Legion Bots were assembling her machine.
"Yes, the frame, the internals, weapons and the fusion reactor, all of them are being created at the same time.
The hardest part is the nano-metal. It will take several days for the machine to be finished." Marcus replied as he was holding his tea mug and looking at Legion Bots assembling joints of the machine.
"That is considerably quick." She looked at him for a second. It's much faster than factories in the homeland.
"It's tens of times slower than mass production models. The hardest part is to weave the material. A technology that is something I am still struggling to improve." He honestly replied.
Even now, it's like a 3d printer. The only thing he can think of is improving the mass of the weaving.
He stroked his chin, pondering on the means.
"I have heard that you are thinking of a completely different platform for the commander units." She recalled what her knight said to her just a few moments ago.
"Indeed. We are approaching the point that I don't know if I will be able to keep my mobile suit secrets.
So instead of mass producing KK-Units, a lesser model would be a great alternative to keep our secrets." He explained to her, as he had realised not long ago himself.
This was a new stage for him; instead of rapidly expanding, he should take precaution with each step.
"Indeed. There are a lot of technologies that your machines have that should be under wraps." She agreed with him.
"This reminds me. One of our siblings created a knight order dedicated to dealing with terrorists. One of the assignments that she got is related to your— our machines."
Marcus looked at Cornelia for a second.
'This is a bit quick.'
But then again, his creations are deadly.
"Oh? Where are they going to operate in?" He asked her, curious what is one of his sisters is doing.
"I heard that they will assist Euro Britannia for a bit. Your last expedition shattered the frontline again.
We lost almost all of Eastern Europe and the Balkans before they regrouped with our help."
"Huh…"
Marcus checked the information in the Britannian database.
'What about that Shin guy? He has that crazy Geass that drove him insane.'
Without Leila, Akito the exiled wouldn't even have happened. Not that he cares, but that Geass is crazy and needs to be eliminated.
The guy would become a menace if not put down like a rabid dog.
"Interesting, it would seem an honorary Britannian took over as the leader of Saint Michael's Order."
Cornelia checked it as well.
"Strange, the information is a bit sparse. I would assume it's like this because you people nearly eliminated 80% of the whole order." The Princess complained about what they did.
"Only the machines, at least, I only destroyed the machines…" Marcus explained himself with a small smile before realising something!
His eyes widened for a second as he grinned like a demon.
"That look… what did you come up with, Lelouch?" Cornelia narrowed her eyes. That kind of gaze is a bit unsettling!
"This."
He placed his finger on the hologram text.
"It says that the former 2nd round table knight, Michele Manfredi, committed suicide in front of Shin Hyuga Shiang. But that makes no sense.
Why would he do that in front of an Honorary Britannian instead of a Britannian noble? They are well aware of how Britannian nobles see Honorary Britannians."
"...You mean…" Her eyes widened as she realised where he was going with this.
"A loose Geass User. Of course, we need to check to be certain."
"If it's true, then we need to be cautious. We have no idea what it can do." The Princess got serious all of a sudden; such power can be deadly in ambitious people's hands.
"It is. But there are only two types of Geass." He showed her two fingers.
"A visual and hearing one. In other words, the energy can travel and touch humans in two ways, through the eyes and ears.
Everything that we take in as information. It can be visual or as a sound.
Though I am not sure about touch, C.C. has never said anything that such Geass can manifest."
"...In that case, can we protect ourselves?" She looked relieved.
"Yes. Something like earphones and specially prepared glass can protect us from most, if not all, forms of Geass." He nodded as he took a sip of his tea. Midway, he realised that it was getting cold.
"Hmph, if this is the case, then this Geass is not as magical as I thought." Cornelia snorted as she thought that her magical eye would be a great perk.
"There is no such thing as magic. Everything, and I mean everything, can be explained in the end. Magic is something cavemen came up with when they could not explain things that happened before them." He explained with finality in his voice, making Cornelia wonder why he was so picky with the term 'magic'.
"That means you are planning to add Geass to your technological arsenal at some point?" The Princess asked.
"That's where our rogue geass user comes to play. He is a perfect specimen for acquisition."
"...Are you planning to kidnap him and run experiments?" She asked, surprised. Wasn't he going against his morals?
"Not the experiments you are thinking. Unlike our esteemed brother, who tortured C.C., I don't do such experiments.
I already know more than enough about how geass works. I do not need to open his skull and check the contents.
Geass comes in forms of energy that invade through the eyes or ears.
When you see red rings around people's eyes, then you know Geass has taken its effect. It can be released in a variety of ways. But it always goes through eyes and ears and impacts one's brain." He explained that as he swirled his grey tea, he got from Sri Lanka.
"Hmm, I see. But how does this work in my and your case?" She asked, their geass are different, no?
"Our geass is self-hypnosis in a way. We process information through our eyes instead of sending it." He explained to her.
"In a way, we are confident in ourselves, in our prowess that we don't need to change others; instead, we improve ourselves with the Power of Kings." He explained to her what he was thinking.
"...I see. So, what are you going to do to this Shin Hyuuga Shiang?" She asked him.
"He is the leader of the Holy Order of Michael. So I obviously crush him with overwhelming might and then force him to reveal his Geass on the battlefield." Marcus smirked at her before telling the other half.
"But that's if he has Geass."
"If does?" She asked him curiously.
"Then I will relocate him where he has three meals a day and a proper television and stable internet." He smiled at the luxurious amenities the Geass user would have.
"How generous of you." The Princess recalled what his girls said… he has a thing for kidnapping people.
"Britannian Royal hospitality." He shrugged sarcastically, but then he got serious.
"But this is after our trip to space."
"Hmm… can we delay until my machine is finished?" She asked him.
The princess looked at him; this was her form of asking nicely. She is doing that with her eyes.
"Sure. In that case, I can have some fun in Europe." He stroked his chin before checking his satellite network.
"Euro Britannia is making gains in the Baltic sector, the Belarusian sector and the Balkans," Marcus commented with surprise.
He then noticed that Michael's order is battling close to Minsk.
"As expected… they got military support from Schneizel."
'Though, this is a bit much… is father pushing them?' Cornelia pondered on this before she realised something.
'Is there a Thought Elevator in E.U.?'
"Do you have a map of those elevators?" She asked him all of a sudden.
"Yes, this war with the E.U. is for that. As far as I know, there is one in London and possibly in Paris." He said with a frown as he summoned the map.
"When will your orbital cannons be functional?" She then asked him after dropping her gaze on the map.
"In due time, sister. We need working infrastructure in space if you want me to roll out things like cannons… in space."
Marcus shook his head.
"You do know that we are in Chinese Federation territory? Or that our situation is hanging in the balance." She sounded a bit nervous while saying that.
It was new to her to be at the waiting end and be on the lower end when it comes to manpower.
"Relax, Cornelia. Once you have your Morrigan, whatever comes your way, you will be able to deal with it."
"...I suppose." She sighed before taking a sip of coffee.
"You do know that Britannia is suspicious of Euro Britannia?" The 2nd Princess changed the theme of conversation.
"The recordings of your appearance, official ones, are in Euro Britannian frontline and Area 11."
"Schneizel trusts me; he doesn't know what I know, but regardless, he knows that I will report whatever is happening in Area 11.
But Euro Britannia? Imagine if they take your Tiranis down. Do you think they will tell anything to Homeland?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. This was a very valid point.
"So that is why he is sending one of our sisters to them? To spy on them?" Marcus asked. This was something he never considered, not that he cared at any point before.
But now? He could potentially gain more allies.
Depending on the sister that is…
"Precisely, you might remember…Marrybell mel Britannia."
Marcus' eyes widened for a second as he remembered a small girl pointing a sword at their esteemed father.
"Hard to forget."
"Oh?"
"Didn't she point a sword at our esteemed father?" He pointed out.
"Yes. That is true, but at that point, you were already exiled to what will become Area 11." Cornelia looked confused for a second. But she then realised that even then, her little brother already had the means to keep tabs on the Imperial Court.
"Indeed." He did reveal more; instead, he took another gulp of his tea.
"Regardless, there is one more thing." She got annoyed all of a sudden.
"She is a direct client of Camelot. Schneizel gave them access to prototypes, not only Knightmares but prototype warships.
Something about what they stopped working because the Head Scientists are gone." Her eyes looked sharply at him.
"I see… then more reasons to crash the party that is known as Euro Britannia." He nodded lazily.
It would seem he will be collecting more talent…soon.
Marrybell, decent pilot and troops commander…
But what he wants is her knight. Oldrin Zevon. A good fighter, an ace, he might have two of them in his deck, but having a third one is never a bad thing.
"I suppose I will be relocating more people than I initially thought," Marcus said after finishing the cup.
"Oh, look, they are finishing the skeleton of the frame." He then noticed that one phase was done!
*Sigh*
The older sibling could only sigh. But this was good! Barely anything can phase him! That's what a leader needs!
~~~
Join my Discord: Discord.gg/denoffanfics
More Chapters (Chapter 101 is up!) and other stories on my P.a.t;
P.a.t:re.on..c.o.m/DragonsFics