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Tokyo, Japan, Britannian government building. Cornelia, Euphemia, Darlton and Guilford were having a meeting about the battle that took place at Narita.

Commander: The Japan Liberation Front was nearly wiped out by your operation at Narita, Viceroy. We're now hunting down the survivors, including any Renegades.
Cornelia: Allow me to give you a play-by-play. We showed up, we wiped out every enemy that stood in our path...basically, we were giving the JLF a one-sided ass-kicking. Next thing we know, someone puts a mirror in our faces, and we're the ones receiving a one-sided ass-kicking, after a landslide was screwed with to destroy the city, at the bottom of the mountain. Then, the Purebloods became defunct, I encountered another seventh gen Knightmare, got beat by it, the Mavericks' ace pilot showed up, snarked at me, got rid of the other arm on my Gloucester, he, somehow, acquired a Hecate II anti-materiel rifle, Lancelot showed up, Model 850 tossed me, then left, the Primebloods showed up, 850 dealt with them, Lancelot went berserk, and, now, it is a complete Fatal 4-way mess.
Commander: But... Things are better...right?
Cornelia: (pauses) No.
Guilford: In any case, it's a...
Cornelia: Curse it out.
Guilford: It's a shitstorm. The Black Knights, Japan Liberation Front and Tokyo Mavericks are basically on the same side. However, the Primebloods hate us with a passion, and the Renegades want us out of the way, so they can rule the world.
Cornelia: A villain civil war. Son of a bitch.
Commander: We're not villains!
Cornelia: We're forced to be villains. By the... Dammit, I forgot that insulting nickname that the Mavericks made up...
Euphemia: The "Emperor of Ego"?
Cornelia: Yep, the Emperor of Ego. Quite fitting, actually.
Commander: Why would you insult your own father!?
Cornelia: My father is an asshole who wants to rule the world. You do the math.
Commander: But...!
Cornelia: 10 years ago, we invaded a country that was unable to put up a fight. Everything was peaceful, nature abound, magnificent monuments. That is, until the most evil asshole on the planet gave the military permission to slaughter everyone that they wanted to. In the end, the death total reached 50,000.
Commander: Your father ordered that?
Cornelia: Bigger.
Commander: Bigger than the Emperor?
Cornelia: Malefactor Extraordinaire, Samuel Hawking.
Commander: Oh... Him. Hawking is actually more dangerous than every Knightmare that we have, combined.
Cornelia: And we can't leave, or we'll be branded traitors.
Commander: God help us.
Euphemia: Look, if you're sure about this decision, shouldn't we have liaisons with the Mavericks, or the Black Knights?
Cornelia: Actively, no. The dumbass Britannian civilians don't even know right from wrong. Over-privileged punk-asses. I hate aristocracy.
Guilford: (imitating annoying aristocrat tone) "I won't stick with the rabble, I'm going to join the military police." (laughs like an annoying aristocrat, with the back of his hand at his mouth)
Cornelia: Exactly. Nice impression of that jackass that I punched out.
Guilford: (normal tone) Thank you.
Cornelia: You know, you and Darlton actually have the most experience with the Mavericks' ace pilot.
Darlton: I don't think that's a risk you can take.
Cornelia: What the hell can we do? As far as I can tell, we're stuck in a country full of assholes, with do-gooders trying to get rid of them, and Hawking's still breathing and laughing at me!
Euphemia: Viceroy...!
Cornelia: That son of a bitch's existence is hell! He enjoyed watching 9/11 transpire!
Euphemia: Cornelia!
Cornelia: (pauses) I'm sorry. I have to deal with so much shit, that I don't have a chance to get it out of my system. And, I put this meeting off-topic.
Commander: It's alright, Viceroy. We understand. We... We don't have a choice, in this matter.
Cornelia: All we can do is survive, and plan a counterattack...on a whole god damn country.

Meanwhile, at Ashford Academy, Alistair entered the student council room, to find Milly and Shirley talking to each other.

Shirley: Oh, hey, Alistair!
Alistair: What's up, Shirley?
Milly: She's been pretty lonely, since Lelouch is gone.
Alistair: He's a hard worker. He's got a sister to take care of, unlike me.
Milly: (clears throat awkwardly)
Shirley: Well, Kallen's gone the same day Lelouch is gone... Again.
Alistair: As far as I can tell, they don't go to the same place. Don't feel bad.
Arthur: (meows)
Alistair: Hey, Arthur.
Milly: You should tell Lelouch, flat-out: "I like you"!
Alistair: Wait, you have a crush on Lelouch? I didn't even notice!
Shirley: I can't say that! He could reject me, everything would be awkward, because of me!
Alistair: Well, you're doing it out of kindness, right? It's what I would do.
Shirley: Huh?
Alistair: Love's a kindness. Considering the loneliness of orphanage, I'm sure Lelouch would appreciate having a girlfriend that honestly loves him.
Shirley: Well, if that's the case... Why don't you have a girlfriend?
Alistair: Uh... (rubs right side of forehead with right index and middle fingers) You really don't want me to answer that question.

At that point, Lelouch entered the room, wearing normal clothes, rather than the school uniform.

Shirley: Lulu?
Alistair: "Lulu"? What?
Nina: It's a nickname that she came up with.
Alistair: Hey, Nina! Killing that introversion?
Nina: Not really.
Alistair: Damn! (to Lelouch) Oh, uh, how's Nunnally?
Lelouch: She's alright. Thanks for asking. (to Milly) Where are the papers?
Milly: On the table. Make sure to organize them by year and class.
Lelouch: (takes papers) Got it. See you, Alistair. (exits room)
Alistair: Later! That's exactly how a vice president should be. A cool guy, not a douche.
Shirley: Wait, where are the-? Oh, crap! (gets up and exits room) Lulu! Wait!
Milly: Oh, boy.
Alistair: Oh, crap, he took those opera tickets?
Milly: God, your perception is godlike.

2015 a.t.b., Utah. Hawking's VTOL had crashed somewhere, and he found himself in unfamiliar surroundings, kicking aside the wreckage blocking his path.

Hawking: How do I not see these things coming? Of course, they're gonna shoot. (sighs) Unbelievable. Now, I have to walk to that city. (pauses) Aaand, I'm withdrawn.

Meanwhile, at Salt Lake City, Alison, alongside Agents Carolina and Washington, were looking for a pair of Civility Agents that went rogue for two months. The group found four cyborgs loitering at a corner of the street. Three of the cyborgs were identified as Agents North and South Dakota, and Agent Florida. The large one was a mystery. The group approached the rogue Agents.

Agent North Dakota: Hey, Tex.
Agent South Dakota: Look at that. Traitors.
North: Sis, don't be like that.
Agent Florida: She's still salty about Carolina beating her, all those times.
South: Screw you, you indestructible optimist!
Alison: Guys, we're not here to fight.
Carolina: Besides, I never wanted you to be jealous of me, South. You should listen to your brother.
Large Man: I don't think she can. She appears to have counter-dependent traits.
Washington: Well, who are you, tons of fun?
Large Man: I am designated as Bautista. I am an android.
Carolina: Wait, Civility makes androids?
Bautista: Affirmative. I have made changes to myself, since awakening. I found the presence of one Alistair Wake, and his actions, and made necessary changes to my protocols.
Alison: Good thing, Bautista. I'm Alistair's friend.
Bautista: (leans toward Alison) Take me with you.
Alison: Sure. We'll make you and android girlfriend, too.
Bautista: (stands straight up) I would appreciate that.
South: So, why are you assholes here?
North: Because we need to help them take out Hawking.
South: Says you. I'm fine, as I am.
North: God dammit, South! You've been like this, ever since our parents died!
South: I finally woke up, and saw that I needed nobody. Caring is for pansies.
Alison: That is grade A counter-dependency.
Bautista: I would say grade S.
Florida: I think that's beside the point.
North: Sis, we have to help them!
South: Read my lips, and read my hands. (gives middle finger with both hands) Screw off. I hate everyone. Leave me alone.
North: Read my lips. You will never be alone. You'll have friends that care about you, no matter what.
South: (lowers fingers) What part of "I hate everyone" don't you get? It's like Bitch said, I'm counter-dependent. Leave me out of your goody-goody bullshit!
Bautista: I believe you mispronounced my name.
South: That's the point, you walking pile of metal shit.
Washington: Judas Priest! What the hell is wrong with you?
North: It's all psychological. The counter-dependency was bred when our parents died. Before we became cyborgs, she beat the ever-loving shit out of every person that tried to be her friend.
South: Pity is for the weak. I taught those dipshits a lesson in life. There are no friends or allies, there's no good or evil. Just me, myself and I.
North: The one time she was ever asked out, she broke the guy's entire body.
Alison: Love's a necessity! Don't you know that?
South: (gives Alison the middle finger)
North: Either way, we'll have to drag her with us.
Bautista: That can be arranged. I can carry her, with ease.
Washington: Alright. Welcome aboard, guys.
Florida: Where is Alistair, anyway?
Alison: Last I checked, he was at Zion.
Florida: Legion. Well, Hawking won't have Mephisto, for a while. Let's get moving, then.
Carolina: (frightened) Uh, that's gonna have to wait.
Washington: What's wrong?
Carolina: (points) We've got a problem.
Alison: (looks where Carolina is pointing) Oh, shit!
South: (stops giving middle finger) What the hell is that?

The group looked to where Carolina was looking and saw Mercer at the end of the sidewalk.

Mercer: Hey, gang. You got room for one more?

2017 a.t.b., Black Knights mobile hideout. Zero and his Black Knights were talking about their recent battle at Narita.

Ohgi: It was a close battle. Kyoto gave us praise for using the Guren, so well.
Kallen: What about the Fallen White Knight?
Tamaki: You'll stand a chance, next time. (sips beer)
Kallen: Yeah. Thank God that the Mavericks' ace pilot showed up.
Zero: (thinking) Shirley... Why would she say that, out of the blue? I have to mingle, yeah, but...
Ohgi: (shows Zero letter) Here.
Zero: (takes letter, out loud) What is it?
Ohgi: A love letter.
Zero: What, from you?
Tamaki: (laughs) That's a good one! (continues laughing)
Kallen: What is it about your laugh that makes people happy, these days?
Ohgi: It's an official letter from Kyoto. They request a meeting with us.
Zero: Is this important?
Kallen: Of course! It's Kyoto!
Zero: The place?
Ohgi: The organization. If they accept us, we'll have funding and support. It could solve our financial crisis, as well-.
Zero: Crisis?
Tamaki: What crisis?!
Sugiyama: (trying to open bottle) Why won't you open? Damn bottle cap!
Zero: There shouldn't be any problems if you're following the budget I gave you.
Tamaki: Alright! Who's in charge of the cash!?
Kallen: Isn't that you?
Zero: No, actually. When I asked if he could be in charge of the treasury, he replied with "Hell no".
Kallen: But, what about the fancy dinners for the new recruits?
Tamaki: That was my own money, that I earned! I don't just have this as my job! Zero, how could you just leave the treasury position open, like that?
Zero: Crap, I did! Dammit!
Tamaki: I told you, before! You shouldn't have forgotten! I said to put Ohgi in charge of the cash!

Immediately, the entire vehicle went silent at what Tamaki said. The only thing that could be heard was the sound of a bottle cap rolling on the countertop.

Zero: What? Is something wrong?
Ohgi: Tamaki never says stuff, like that.
Tamaki: Well, you should get used to it. I'm not gonna say stupid shit, anymore. Sugiyama, you're bottle's open.
Sugiyama: I know.
Zero: (thinking) Tamaki's improved, after I rescued Suzaku. I think I like this Tamaki. He's actually quite smart and skilled. Maybe, he met Alistair. Yeah, that's a possibility. Besides, if we meet with Kyoto, we'll get new Burais. I'll still have to think about it.