[yezhanquan]

Ok, time for another chapter.

Spoiler for writing, part 1:

The Emperor watched as the team went about their work. For Jeremiah, it was that time of the month again. By now, he was used to the tests and system checks. This time round, there was one particular detail which His Majesty wanted Dr. Fairey to take care of.

"Doctor, do you see this," he asked. She peered at the portion of the screen he was pointing at.

"There seems to be some sort of mechanism within that eye," mused the doctor. The Emperor nodded.

"I want your team to be able to duplicate it."

"Your wish is my command, my lord. Besides, this looks interesting."

There was a thin smile on his lips as the professor gave her instructions.

On their way out of the laboratory, Jeremiah had questions in his mind. He had overheard (unintentionally, of course) the conversation.

"You have something to ask me, Jeremiah?" The Emperor stopped in his tracks.

"Brilliant as always, Your Majesty. I was just wondering about your instructions earlier on." The bodyguard bowed humbly.

"I do intend for another person to have the Canceller." Jeremiah didn't show it, but he was surprised. Then, he pondered. The only person who could stir up such feelings within the Emperor....

"It's for the missus?" The reply was a nod.

"My lord, I know I shouldn't say this. But if the missus is in possession of such a gift, she might..." He raised his hand.

"She is my conscience, Jeremiah. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. I want someone to be able to stop me should I go too far."

"....As you wish, my lord."

Spoiler for writing, part 2:

"Are you sure you've gotten it right, Professor? Your team had spent an awful lot of time on it."

"Very. After all, perfection cannot be hurried. It's indeed fascinating, this device. It seems to.." His Majesty cut the doctor off. He didn't need her explanations now.

"That'll do." He turned to leave for the surface. Meanwhile, the doctor was still looking intently at the screen. The device could alter the brain's circuitry, especially those related to memory. Fascinating indeed.

The sliding door closed behind him, as he stepped into the corridor. The underground lab was part of the villa where "the missus" was staying. The close proximity didn't disturb him. After all, she had never wandered to this wing before. Time for a visit, he thought.

He found her in the library, poring over some books. She looked up to see who the guest was. He returned her smile.

"What brings you here," she asked, as she got up from her seat.

"Come." She pouted. She didn't like it whenever he puts on a Cheshire Cat act.

"...Lelouch, I don't think I have been to this place before." She was a little worried. Every time she came near this wing, the servants would gently but firmly redirect her. His gentle grip on her hand comforted her, somewhat.

"Today, you're going to know why." The couple stopped before what seems to be a solid wall.

"It's me." A sliding door shifted aside, revealing a flight of well-lit stairs. As she followed him, she could understand how Alice must have felt during the trip down the rabbit hole.

"Welcome," greeted Dr. Fairey as she bowed. Shirley stared at the lady. An introduction was needed, he thought.

"Dr. Fairey is the head of the team investigating your condition. Today, she's going to run some tests." The orange-haired girl nodded numbly. The place was filled with all sorts of gadgets, and they made her uncomfortable, never mind the fact that she was being kept alive by advanced technology.

"Just sit back and relax," cooed the professor. Lying on the reclining chair, Shirley closed her eyes. As the preparations for the "test" went underway, the Emperor contacted Jeremiah. As a bodyguard, he had the right to know what was going to happen next...

When she woke up, she found herself in her room, on her bed. Lelouch was by her side, along with...

"Mr. Gottwald?" The gentleman bowed as she sat up.

"Shirley, how do you feel?" The lady looked at herself.

"Fine, I guess."

"How about your eye?" She gave Lelouch a weird look.

"My eye?" That sounded strange. Should anything be wrong with my... Shirley then realised that there was indeed something unusual about her left eye. Her internal diagnostics merely listed "Unknown" when she tried to figure out what this... thing was.

"Shirley, you know that I possess the power of the Geass, don't you?" A numb nod.

"Just now, a Geass Canceller was installed within you. With it, you'll be immune to the effects of any Geass, and you'll be able to remove the effects of any Geass." There was only one question in her mind.

"Why, Lelouch," she whispered.

"I want you to have the power to stop me." He held her hand. After a while, he spoke again.

"Use the Canceller on me." His request shocked the others.

"I wouldn't be able to recall if I did so, but during my run-ins with Mao, there was a very high possibility that I had used a Geass on myself, in order to outwit him. Also, I want to be sure that your Canceller works." She took in a deep breath.

As he stared into her emerald-green eyes, he noticed a blue flash. Then...

"So, that was how I got around his mind-reading Geass." There was a triumphant tone to his voice as he remembered how the plan to save his sister from Mao was formulated.

"I take it that the missus's Canceller worked," suggested Jeremiah. Lelouch got up from his seat.

"I think you had enough for one day. I'll drop by again."

After the pair left the room, she got off her bed and headed for the bathroom. She activated the Canceller and stared into the mirror. Why did Lelouch give her this, she thought. Was it a gift, a curse or something else? She didn't know. Perhaps, time would tell.