Glitch in the Collective Consciousness: Chapter 5

Chapter 5

It would take me five whole days to get everything done and ready for the demonstration. Three days were spent making the damn thing, another day to test out the kinks, and one more day finding a trucking company that would ship out my prototype as well as getting clearance for said trucking company. It was a hectic week to say the least, but it was well worth it. I just wished I had better sleep the day before the test began. 

Yawning, I leaned back against my folding lounge chair while the other engineers and scientists fiddled with their prototypes. While some would call it foolhardy that I wasn’t tending to my own design, I was doing another important task; Catching some much needed rest. 

Of course, there were detractors who didn’t see the benefit of a well rested mind before such an important event. “Can you please take this more seriously O-Prince Odysseus?” Miorine scolded as she ran hand over her hair once again, “We should probably check it the prototype. We only have a few more minutes before the test starts!”

Currently, our little group sat by the wayside. It was just me, Miorine, Anika and Dorothy. While not necessary, I did want them along to see the fruits of our labor. I wouldn’t have gotten everything ready in that short of a time without them.

Turning to my secretary, I smiled, “Miorine, relax. We already spent a whole day on it before we got here. It will work.” The work was already done before we got here. Doing another round of testing was just wasting precious energy. 

Despite my assurance however, my partner still worried as she crossed her arms across her chest and tapped her feet. “At least join your brother over at the observation platform,” She muttered as she turned towards the nearby tower.

Following her gaze, I found Schneizel’s incredulous and amused smile as he stood in the middle of a pack of nobles and military commanders. Giving the man a mock salute, I turned back to Miorine. “Nah, too stuffy,” Having to deal with that vipers den sounds like a pain. “Besides, it’s nice out here,” I noted as I basked under the bright desert sun.

“It really is,” Anika nodded as she lounged beside me on her own chair, slathering sunscreen over her dark skin. You can never be sure about protection under the harsh desert sun. 

Thankfully, Today’s weather was quite pleasant. Thick clouds hung overhead while a pleasant breeze blew across the wide open plains of the testing area. That kicked off quite the dust cloud, but nothing I couldn’t deal with. Glancing over to the open fields, I sighed. 

Much to my great disappointment, they didn’t choose Area 51 for the testing. In fact, there doesn’t seem to be any such site; A product of the alternate timeline that was Code Geass I suppose. Instead, they chose the Nevada Test and Testing Range just outside Las Vegas for the demonstration.  

With two millions square miles of nearly uninterrupted wilderness, we had all the space we could want for our demonstration. It’s quiet, remote, but still close enough to civilization that the Upper Brass can enjoy some R&R after. The fact that we’re less than a 20 minute ride from the City of Sin definitely wasn’t part of the reason why this site was chosen. 

“Ok fine,” Miorine huffed before glaring disgruntledly towards Anika and me, “But do you two really have to wear that.” 

“Of course,” I grinned as I adjusted my sunglasses and shifted on my seat, “How else could I get a tan?” Sporting only swimming trunks and flip flops, I looked more like I was going out on the beach rather than mere minutes away from the most important demonstration of my company. 

I could use a tan after holing up in my workshop for a whole week, and I wasn’t the only one who got the same idea. Anika herself was stripped down to her own beach wear; A rather daring set of bikini that emphasized her slim and slender figure. 

If she wanted attention, she definitely got most of the testing areas as both respected nobles and engineers stole glances her way. Even I wasn’t immune to her charms as my eyes strayed and she knew it. Smirking, she stretched, giving me a good view of her toned stomach.

“Damn Minx” I thought, snorting as I glanced towards our other companion. 

“I-Is this really a good idea?” Dorothy stammered as she clutched her towel close and glanced towards the other participants on the ground. While she was convinced by Anika to join our fun, she quickly got cold feet once we were in the area.

“What if there’s a few stray eyes wandering our way?” Anika smiled as she turned towards the crowd and gave them a wave, one that was met with wolf whistles from the men (and some of the girls as well) along with a few disapproving looks. 

Sporting a satisfied smile, she leaned back before she said, “It just shows that there’s something worth looking at.” Giving the other girl a once over, she assured her, “You should have more confidence with your body especially with how beautiful you are.”

That got a chuckle out of me as Dorothy turned cherry red. “Come on Miorine,” I cheered as I reached up and rested my hands behind my head, “join us!”

“I hate you guys so much,” Miorine groaned as she covered her red face.

“Love you too Miorine,” I replied. She worried too much in my opinion. Still, I appreciated how responsible she was. Someone had to reel us in before things got out of hand and I trusted her well enough for it. I wouldn’t want any other girl. 

Our little get together would soon get interrupted as a certain pinkette approached us from the edge of my vision. As I turned and recognized who they were, I grinned. “Dorothy?” My sibling called out, “Is that you?”

“P-Princess Euphemia?” Dorothy squeaked, nearly dropping her towel as Euphy all but threw herself as that girl.

“It is you!” Euphy cheered as she pulled the girl into a tight bear hug, “Oh it’s been so long!” The poor girl was out of it as my sister (Half Sister, but who’s checking?) treated her like she was some giant life sized teddy. As the two settled down, she glanced inside the girl's towel before she asked, “But if it’s not too much to ask, why are you in a Bikini?”

Getting up from my seat, I walked over to the two to save my mortified employee from the dreaded princess. “Didn’t fancy seeing you here Euphy,” I greeted as I reached up and ruffled the girl's carefully styled hair, “How’s my favorite little sister doing?”

“Ozzy! I'm not a little girl anymore!” The girl puffed her cheeks as she pulled away from Dorothy. Combing through her hair and dusting her stuffy gown, she huffed, “I’m here on official business you know?”

“Oh?” I snorted, eyes wandering about to spot my other sister, “Then I assume she’s here as well.” If there’s one thing given in the royal family, then it was whenever Euphy was around, so too was her big sis. 

“Odysseus,” Cornelia greeted as I found her standing behind us, hands resting on her hips as her lips quirked to a teasing smile, “I see you still have some loose screws inside that head of yours.” Trailing close by was her ever royal Knight, Guilford. 

“Good Afternoon Cornelia,” I saluted back as I gave the two a lazy smile, “I see you’re still a bitch.”

You could hear a pin drop as soon as I said those words. Euphy, Dorothy, Anika and Miorine, especially Miorine, looked mortified as they stared at us in horror while Guilford looked just about ready to sock me in the face. Dear old Cornelia meanwhile merely grinned. 

Before I could react, I found myself pulled to a bone crushing hug. Freezing up the surprise, tension quickly melted away from myself as Cornelia whispered, “I’m glad you're ok” Despite her tough facade, Cornelia still cared about family. 

Reaching up, I stroked her hair as I replied, “Glad to see you as well.”

Preening from my attention, the girl glanced up with a teasing smirk. “I do have to remind you that I have a sword and so does my knight,” She warned me as her hands rested on the sword on her hips, “Pat me on the head again and someone will find out just how sharp our blades are.”

Seeing the amused, but decidedly strained smile on Guilfords face and the close proximity to danger to myself, I decided against valor. “Yes ma’am” I replied as I held up my hands in surrender. As she pulled away, I asked, “Kidding aside, here to see the test?”

“It is part of my duty as Chief General to the Britannian Army,” She answered. Much like the rest of my more competent siblings, Cornelia had ascended to the ranks; In this case, the Military. 

Call it nepotism, but never let it be said that Cornelia was merely elevated to the position due to the circumstances of her birth. “I’m here to see what the various think-tanks have to offer and make sure that what the Empire get’s what it’s paying for.” 

“Responsible as always,” I smiled. Despite the immense power she wielded, she might just be the one sibling that I feel at ease with. She was direct to the point much like a sword and all too willing to cut down her opposition, but not family; Almost never family.

“When you have the lives of countless soldiers in your hands, you tend to become very responsible,” She replied. 

If there’s one sibling I could trust not to fuck me over without reason, it would be Cornelia. Sometimes I wished that she should be the one to take the crown. At least I could trust her to run things properly. Giving me a light punch on the shoulder as she gestured for me to follow her, she asked, “So, what does my brother have to offer?”

 “I never expected you of all people to take this path,” She commented before trailing off as she glanced away, "You weren’t exactly…”

“The sharpest tool in the shed?” I answered as we stopped some distance away from the group.

For all the kindness in the original Odysseus’s heart, he never strived to excel. “Eh, turns out I just lacked motivation,” I explained, “I wandered around, got my head in order and next thing I knew, I was enjoying reading physics books.”

“You just read some books,” My sister replied as she gave me a quirked brow, before she sighed, “Oh how I wish it was that easy.” Glancing back towards our sister, she whispered with a small, but worried smile, “It’d certainly help ease my mind with Euphy…”

“P-Princess Euphemia, I must insist!” Dorothy shouted, having long forgotten her modesty as she held Euphemia back from her luggage, “This is immodest!” She needed both hands to make sure that my dear little sister didn’t take one of Dorothy’s bikini. 

“Come on Dorothy,” Euphy struggled as Guilford glanced towards us, pleading for help, “I could have Guilford set up a screen!” The two pinkette's apparently shared sizes as Dorothy tried to wrestle the bikini that Euphy obtained. 

Shaking my head in amusement, I commented, “You’d be surprised at what she could do.” Despite how silly Euphy was, she was determined. “Just give her some space,” I suggested.  

That, however, was met with a frown from Cornelia. Overprotective as always. “She’s our sister. Of course she’d be amazing,“ I pointed out,  “Just look at Schneizel. Heck, even Clovis has a sharp eye for detail.”

Yes, there were bad eggs, but this family was gifted. If not for my gifts, I might have fallen way behind as even dear Euphemia had quite the potential. She was also smarter than people give her credit for; Just horribly naive. She just needs time and space to bloom on her own, but that time is precious given what was to come. Euphemia might have to grow up faster than even I would wish. 

“Do avoid speaking ill of the Viceroy of Area 11,” My sister scolded me light hearted before she nodded, albeit reluctantly, “But I suppose…”

As much as I wished to discuss things with Cornelia, our little talk would come to a halt as a horn echoed out from the observation tower. “Oh, it seems like it’s starting,” I blinked, watching as the personnels of the base wheel out one of the first items to showcase, a close attack aircraft designed by Boeing.

Since we were going last, there was still plenty of time. “Before we go there, why don’t I introduce to you my staff,” I offered as I grabbed a shirt, not wanting to join the rest of the staff. 

Thankfully for my sanity, Cornelia isn't too inclined as well as she snorted, “I do hope you didn’t just pick them based on their appearance. I already have enough headaches with Guinevere.”

“You’d be surprised that it’s my secretary who picked them out.” It was technically a half lie given how I limited the pool to my own bias, but Miorine did her job well. She was the one that picked out the talents and gave them the proper job.

“The girl right here is Anika.” I introduced Anika first, confident that she wouldn’t crack as Cornelia marched up to her, their eyes level as Anika towered over my sister,  “She’s my accountant.”

My confidence in her wasn’t ill placed as the woman was quick to curtsy despite her lack of clothing, “Your highness.” 

“Tell me girl,” Cornelia said as her voice cut through the din, “Where did you study?” While cold, her tone cold, it wasn’t hostile; More judging. For all her sense of superiority, that wasn’t born from her blood much like how the Pure Bloods believe, She was just better. 

While most would crack, Anika was made of sterner stuff. Smiling, the girl replied, “I went to College in Boston, your highness.”

Cornelia grinned as she gave the girl a pat on the shoulder, giving her her blessing before we moved on to my next employee. “I think you know Dorothy well enough,” I asked as Dorothy straightened up, having long lost Euphemia. Speaking of, where is that girl? 

As I looked around, Cornelia finally smiled, “She is one of Euphemia’s more adorable playmates.” Giving the girl a pat on the head, she added, “How can I forget such a promising young girl?” 

“T-thank you, your highness,” The girl replied, cheeks rosy as she bowed. 

So far, so good. All that remained now was the hardest pitch, one that was currently trying her best not to be seen. “Now who is this wonderful secretary who helped you assemble your new staff?” She asked, looking around before pausing as her gaze settled on Miorine.

Shakily, my secretary gave a curtsy, “G-greetings your Highness.” Before she could introduce herself however, Cornelia was quick to cut her off. 

“I can accept you’ve taken in an immigrant as one of your staff, but her?” My sister hissed. Despite the confident facade Miorine held up as she stood there, her features schooled, my sister’s words would cut in deep, “How can you ensure her loyalty if she has turned against her own father? Who is she even loyal to?”

As Miorine clenched her fist, I wrapped my hand around her shoulder as I declared, “She is loyal to me,” Freezing up, the girl looked up to me in shock. Was it really that hard to believe? Giving her a wink, I turned back to Cornelia as I asked, “Or are you suggesting that I can’t vet for my own secretary?”

Taken aback, Cornelia took a moment to gather her thoughts before she asked, “Are you sure you can trust her?” While she remained hostile, her resolve was shaken.

Glancing back to my partner, I nodded, “Miorine?”

Back straight and held up high, Miorine answered, “I serve only Prince Odysseus and only Prince Odysseus.” No longer was she just the girl she had chosen, she was now truly my secretary. Holding her gaze steady against Cornelia’s steely own, she told her cooly, “Please refrain from insulting my prince's honor. Princess or not, we will have some problems.” 

For a moment, they held each other's gaze steady before Cornelia started to laugh. I wasn’t sure which one was scarier, Cornelia pissed off or her laughing, but I do not like it either way as I felt a shiver run down my spine. Grinning, she chuckled, “So the girl has her thorns.”

Laying her hand on my shoulder, She told her, “I like her.” Finally, I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding as the rest of the group eased up, especially Miorine as she let out a sigh of relief. That was as good as it could get. 

While Miorine had her approval, we weren’t quite out of the water yet. Giving my shoulder a squeeze, she reminded me, “But do remember that her faults would be on your head, got it?”

“Of course,” I replied; I wouldn’t want it any other way. Gesturing towards the tower, I asked, “Now shall we? We don’t have all day and I do want to show you what I’ve been working on these past few weeks. You’re going to love it

I spent a week scaling up my device especially for my sister. “I think you’ll find it especially useful in your recent campaign,” I teased, dangling my tech to my war freak of a sister.

“Oh, do tell,” She purred, taking the base.

“It’s a surprise,” I laughed much to her disappointment. The best way to hype someone up was to merely tease them, not show them. Such was the art of making sure that people wanted to see what he had to offer. “Oh by the way, did you bring your Knightmare Frame?”

“Of course,” Cornelia asked, glancing towards the container just off towards the distance, though I did note that there was another container, one marked with Schneizel's own coat of arms, “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Perfect,” I grinned. Oh this was going to be fun. 

A/N:

Got distracted. Made this