The Granada R&D facility hummed with activity, engineers moving between consoles, prototypes, and testing rigs. Lelouch walked with quiet authority, eyes scanning every data sheet, every sensor readout. The Zudah prototype sat on the test platform, engines idle but alive with latent potential. Structural flexing under high-speed simulations had been flagged repeatedly, and Lelouch's mind already worked through solutions, calculating stress points and energy distribution.
A young officer moved through the hall, notebook in hand, and paused briefly at the sight of Lelouch. There was something about the commander's calm precision and the way he absorbed every detail that drew his attention, though he kept his observation subtle. He took a steadying breath and continued, notebook ready, recording only what would be relevant for technical analysis.
Lelouch didn't notice, absorbed as he was in the telemetry data. He tapped a console, highlighting points of concern in the Zudah's engine alignment. Rezen, one of the assigned test pilots, observed from a distance, shifting nervously under Lelouch's scrutiny. He had been briefed that this newcomer carried unusual insight, but there was nothing to indicate anything beyond a keen observer.
M'Quve arrived shortly after, his presence commanding yet casual. Engineers straightened instinctively, smoothing over minor mistakes in an attempt to impress. "I hear rumors of your Zudah concept," he said, eyes briefly flicking to Lelouch. "Ambitious… and potentially dangerous if mismanaged."
Lelouch met M'Quve's gaze evenly. "The instability at high speed is structural," he said calmly. "With proper thruster stabilization and controlled energy distribution, the Zudah could achieve both acceleration and survivability. We can't ignore production practicality, but combat effectiveness must guide design."
The young officer continued his quiet observations, taking careful notes on the dialogue and technical details without drawing attention to himself. Every adjustment, every suggestion, seemed to anticipate potential scenarios and pilot reactions, though he recorded only the objective results.
Rezen approached, curiosity overcoming protocol. "Sir, should we test the frame under extreme maneuvers?" he asked, voice hesitant. Lelouch's eyes flicked to him, sharp yet measured. "Only with data collection active and redundancies in place. Structural integrity is priority one. Thruster performance must be logged for both peak and sustained acceleration."
M'Quve leaned casually against a console, studying the Gyan prototype nearby. "This frame is far more forgiving," he said. "High acceleration without structural compromise. But you sacrifice some efficiency in mass production."
Lelouch's response was measured, analytical. "Production efficiency cannot override battlefield survivability. The hybrid approach could integrate Gyan thrusters into Zudah's chassis, giving a balance of speed and structural resilience. We can test virtual simulations first before physical trials."
The young officer noted every technical detail with quiet diligence. He observed how Lelouch evaluated not just the machines, but the possible outcomes in actual combat, predicting stresses and failure points in a way that only someone with a sharp analytical mind could.
Rezen executed the next round of Zudah tests, engines humming as thrusters engaged. Data streamed across displays. Lelouch's eyes moved faster than the readouts, noting engine stress, structural oscillation, and energy distribution anomalies. M'Quve nodded thoughtfully, impressed despite himself.
The young officer reflected internally on the unusual precision of Lelouch's methods, recording only what was necessary for technical reference while maintaining professional detachment.
Discussions continued on hybrid concepts. Lelouch suggested adjustments to thruster output curves, proposing integration points from Gyan designs without compromising Zudah's core integrity. Engineers adjusted simulations, noting the predicted stability gains.
Rezen glanced at Lelouch, admiration and trepidation in equal measure. He had never seen such precise command over both engineering and tactical foresight. The young officer remained silent, observing with careful attention, mentally noting the process without betraying curiosity.
Lelouch asked for detailed thermal stress simulations at maximum velocity. M'Quve considered the suggestion, noting practical adjustments for production feasibility. "The mass production units will need reinforcement," M'Quve said. "This hybrid concept could be limited if not handled carefully."
The young officer quietly registered how each technical adjustment balanced mechanical perfection and battlefield applicability, his internal notes remaining strictly factual and professional.
Engineers prepared the Zudah for a final simulated trial. Lelouch and Rezen oversaw the diagnostics. The young officer monitored every metric, silently aware that even minor deviations could inform future testing protocols.
Lelouch finally stepped back, reviewing compiled test results. "Improvements are clear," he stated. "Structural reinforcement, hybrid thruster integration, and optimized engine load management will make the Zudah combat-ready without compromising performance."
M'Quve inclined his head. "Well reasoned," he admitted. "I'll ensure engineers integrate these recommendations. The Gyan performance data will complement your adjustments nicely."
The young officer made a final note in his pad, meticulous and understated, fully aware of the weight of today's session yet careful not to reveal his own perspective or insight to anyone present.
By evening, the testing concluded. Engineers filed out, exhausted but satisfied. Rezen meticulously logged each result. Lelouch remained, reviewing final telemetry and noting areas for further refinement. The young officer adjusted his own notes, ready to integrate the day's data into future assessments, quiet and invisible among the crowd.
As the hall emptied, Lelouch's focus remained unbroken, analyzing simulations and theoretical scenarios. M'Quve departed, satisfied that both Zudah and Gyan concepts had been enriched. The young officer lingered at the periphery, silently absorbing every lesson, every strategic implication, without giving anything away.
Lelouch leaned back slightly, letting his eyes sweep over the technical readouts as M'Quve casually mentioned irregular operations in the neutral colonies. "Side 6 and 7 have been… interesting," M'Quve said, his tone deceptively light. "There are operatives moving outside conventional command structures. One, in particular, has shown notable effectiveness."
Lelouch's gaze sharpened. "Who?" he asked, masking the curiosity that sparked internally. "Give me the details—missions, locations, observed outcomes. I want to understand her capabilities fully."
M'Quve's lips curved into a subtle smile, as if enjoying the exchange of intelligence as much as the technical discussion. "Cima Garahau. She moves independently, strikes decisively, and leaves minimal traces. Conventional forces rarely anticipate her presence until she's already achieved her objective."
As M'Quve listed the recent operations—supply interceptions, reconnaissance missions, and extraction maneuvers—Lelouch mentally cataloged each scenario. Her adaptability, stealth, and initiative marked her as exceptional, an asset that could be valuable under the right circumstances. He made note of the independent command structure she often bypassed; it suggested not only competence but initiative beyond standard protocol.
Internally, Lelouch considered the implications. If Zeon's control faltered in any sector, operatives like Cima could be leveraged—either as allies in stabilizing forces or as assets to sway in the event of political upheaval. Her independence hinted at loyalty to mission and principle rather than rigid hierarchy, a trait he valued strategically.
He pondered her personality, gleaned indirectly from reports: decisive, self-reliant, and capable of operating under extreme pressure. Such a profile made her a potential recruit for future operations, someone who could operate autonomously yet still serve a broader strategic goal.
Finally, Lelouch filed the information internally, mentally marking Cima Garahau as a figure of interest. Beyond Zudah and Gyan, beyond engines and structural calculations, he recognized the human element—one operative whose skill and independence could tip the scales in unforeseen ways if properly engaged. A silent plan began to form: observe, assess, and perhaps, when the moment arrived, integrate her into a network where her talents could serve both Zeon and his long-term designs.
After M'Quve departed, the lab fell into a muted quiet, punctuated only by the low hum of machinery and the faint clatter of engineers tidying their workstations. Lelouch remained at the central console, reviewing the Zudah test data one last time, though his mind was only half on the numbers.
His adjutant, Liam, approached carefully, a subtle unease in his gait. "Sir," Liam began, lowering his voice to a near whisper, "the young officer—he asked about your name… whether you were really Lelouch… Lamperouge? Or Vi Britannia?"
Lelouch froze for the briefest moment, a flicker of tension passing across his otherwise calm features. His hand hovered above the controls as his mind raced, calculating implications. How could anyone in this timeline possess knowledge of his alternate identity?
Liam hesitated, choosing his words with care. "He didn't press it, sir. He seemed… curious rather than accusatory. But I thought you should know."
Outwardly, Lelouch's expression remained composed, a faint crease in his brow the only indication of internal disturbance. He nodded slowly, voice smooth but measured. "Thank you, Liam. Keep this between us for now. No unnecessary alarm."
Once Liam departed, Lelouch sank into the command chair, letting the words replay in his mind. His thoughts moved quickly, weaving through possibilities: temporal anomalies, intelligence leaks, or some subtle manipulation he had yet to detect.
He recalled the young officer's subtle mannerisms, the way he had lingered near the Zudah prototypes, careful not to draw overt attention. Everything suggested a person observant enough to notice discrepancies, but discreet enough not to reveal them immediately.
A quiet frustration built within Lelouch. If this knowledge were genuine, it could compromise his carefully constructed position within Zeon. Every relationship, every project, even his strategies depended on anonymity regarding certain truths.
Yet, even as suspicion flared, he began a methodical process of deduction. Who had the access, who could move through channels unseen, and who would benefit from connecting his current identity with what this officer knew?
Lelouch leaned back, eyes narrowing as he formulated a private plan. If this young officer's curiosity proved dangerous, it would need to be monitored, subtly and without alerting him to suspicion. Information, after all, was the greatest weapon he wielded.
Finally, he returned his attention to the Zudah test data, outwardly calm, the perfect mask. Inside, however, his mind was already threading a quiet web of observation and contingency, ensuring that no shadow of past identities would jeopardize the delicate balance he maintained.