17-May-2000
revised: 12-Jul-2001
R, AU, OOC, 4x1/2x1, Sci-Fi
Camille folded his arms and glared at the large black shape landing gracefully in the hanger. He had been severely annoyed when Doctor Ikari had forbidden him to accompany Amuro on his mission to aid Director Maxwell. Not that he was all that concerned about running to assist an arrogant, superior bastard, who had a tendency to rub in the fact that he had been a hotshot pilot when he was even younger than himself, like that meant anything.
Still, Camille chaffed at being forced to stay within the base perimeters and he was steaming at the injustice of Amuro being allowed to use his NuGundam in public, when it suited the needs of their dictatorial Director. He tapped his feet impatiently as the NuGundam opened up and a flushed Amuro clambered out of his cockpit, leaving the technicians to look over his machine, like ants, Camille thought spitefully, over a piece of cake.
'What took you so long?' He called out loudly and grimaced to himself, irritated by the way his voice still had a tendency to break when he got excited.
Amuro turned with a wide smile on his face, his large dark eyes glimmering with excitement. He adjusted his stride so that he and Camille could walk together to the changing room.
'Well,' Amuro started laughing, as he stripped out of the suit and clambered into his clothes. 'I had to wait for the cops to stop choking when they saw me hovering over their car. You should have seen their faces, it was priceless.'
He chortled gleefully, not noticing the sullen glare the younger boy gave him. 'There I was, in my NuGundam, holding these guys in one hand, and the cops, just gaping at me as though they'd never seen a Gundam before. I called out through my intercom that I had the men responsible for the traffic chaos this morning, and after a while, the cops nodded and told me to dump my passengers in the back seat. That's pretty much it, really.'
Camille gave a loud sigh as he followed Amuro out of the changing room, 'are you telling me that our Director, Mr you have to act responsibly at all times Maxwell, called you, and told you to bring your NuGundam, just to catch some crooks for the traffic cop?' He gave the wall a heavy kick. 'What a jerk.'
Amuro stopped and gave his friend a sharp look. 'Director Maxwell had a reason for calling me. They weren't exactly ordinary crooks.' He fell silent before Camille's curious stare, and shrugged. 'It's not really that important and I don't know what was going on but I know that I felt something funny about them. Especially the one with the orange hair. I could sense...'
Amuro hesitated slightly, as he remembered the way his senses had suddenly started kicking into overdrive, warning him of danger, as he sent the bits after the three figures on the motorbikes, 'never mind.' He began walking again abruptly, forcing Camille to trot after him as he strode swiftly towards the briefing room and Doctor Ikari.
'It wasn't anything...' He muttered, softly to himself, lost in his own thoughts.
Amuro couldn't help wondering who the dark haired man in Director Maxwell's car had been. He hadn't been able to resist getting a close up of the open car, as he waited for the bits to neutralize the hostiles, and had blushed hotly when he had realized that he had been interrupting a personal moment between the two men when he had called.
He felt his pulse racing when he saw the way the Director had looked at the stranger and realised that their relationship was more than that of simple friendship. Director Maxwell had driven off after his curt command to 'get rid of' of the men and he wasn't too sure if he had done the right thing by surrendering them to the cops but he knew that he wasn't supposed to bring anyone back to the base. And since he was told specifically to not kill them, and he didn't want to just let them go, Amuro had done the best that he could think of.
He was also trying hard not to die of curiosity about the Director and his companion, but found that every moment, his stray thought kept on going back to the glimpse he had caught in his viewer as the car drove away, of the Director laying a proprietary hand on the leg of his sleeping companion, and blushed again with embarrassment.
'What do you want?'
Wufei blinked as a sleep roughened voice snarled at him through the earpiece.
'Thanks for that charming greeting Maxwell.' He replied drily, as he nodded for the secretary to leave the tea on his desk and motioned for him to leave. 'It's nice hearing from you as well. Didn't you get enough sleep last night?'
'Ahhh... Wufei...' Wufei rolled his eyes as he heard a soft yawn punctuate the sleep-lazed voice.
'As a matter of fact, I slept very well last night. When I got around to it, that is.'
He frowned as he heard Duo give a soft giggle and waited with mounting irritation as rustling noises over the phone told him that Duo was getting out of the bed and moving away.
'So,' Duo drawled annoyingly, as he closed the bedroom door carefully and walked into the kitchen, 'what do you want?' he asked as he pulled open the fridge door and grabbed the orange juice container.
Wufei tightened his lips, Maxwell was abominable when he got into this teasing mood and he knew that letting him know how annoying he was, only tended to make him worse. 'You asked me to call you, remember? So that we could organize a meeting time for today?' He spoke tartly as he scrolled down his appointment schedule on his monitor. Then he felt his hackles rise as he was met by another long pause on the other side.
'Today... today is not a good idea.'
Came the predictable reply and Wufei wished that he was talking face to face with the man so that he could give him a good satisfying kick.
'Why don't I call you? Maybe tomorrow... then... Maybe not... Hmmm...'
Wufei found himself gripping the phone harder and tried to make himself a deep breath, and choked when he heard a sudden brightening in the voice as it chirped loudly, 'Hey! You're up. Listen Wufei. I have to go.'
He listened incredulously to the click that told him that he'd been cut off. Wufei glared at the innocent phone in his hand and then placed it back with a little more force than was strictly necessary.
He absently sipped the fragrant tea and felt the warm smooth away his momentary irritation, only to break into a sudden frown, as he remembered the softening warmth in Maxwell's voice over the phone. It had been a while since Maxwell had gone out of his way to be so annoying and he wondered what had happened to distract his friend so badly... Right at the end of the conversation... Wufei sipped his tea thoughtfully as he realized that Maxwell hadn't been alone.
Masaka... He stopped and froze, his tea forgotten in his hand as he stared at the phone. It couldn't be... Wufei hesitated for a long moment, debating whether he should call back and find out... then decided that he had to be wrong. Not after all that happened.... He left the half drunk tea on his desk and grabbed his folder, thinking that he probably could arrange to drop by Maxwell's place just before his first meeting, if he hurried and maybe pushed the speeding limit a little.
Ikari rubbed his nose ruefully, wishing that he didn't have to wear glasses. He stared down at the statement he had received from Amuro, regarding Director Maxwell's unusual and unorthodox request and felt worried.
After all the care they had taken to keep the NuGundam's existence from the general public, the boy had gone and announced himself to the police, no less. Not that it was all Amuro's fault, Ikari thought resentfully, as he rechecked the statement on the Director's less than clear instructions.
And for what, Ikari wondered confusedly, just to save one person? Who the hell is that important? And now, on top of it all, he also had to deal with Camille, whose complaints were driving him crazy. Ikari wasn't too sure what was worse.
The prospect of Project Epsilon coming under public scrutiny made him shudder as he remembered what had happened to Gamma, after that pesky reporter from Zeon News had leaked the details of their research. Not to mention what the Committee might do when they learned that the Director had used a multimillion dollar investment to bale out an old friend, Ikari reflected glumly as he thought back to the phone call.
He hadn't been able to stop Amuro from taking off the instant he talked to the Director, and frankly, it had been all he could do to just stop Camille from following suit. Ikari groaned loudly as he thought of Camille who was still waiting outside his office.
How much longer was he expected to keep hold of a lively seventeen year old boy who had the power of a Gundam at his disposal, he thought crossly, and dourly reminded himself to keep check on Camille's access of the Magi system at all times. And on top of all his worries, Director Maxwell still hadn't bothered to call in and check on the Project since he disappeared yesterday afternoon. Ikari bit his lips as he pondered his options, ringing the Director was out, he had already tried that only to be told that the mobile was not activated and his home phone number was continuously engaged. That left sending someone to his apartment and Ikari really didn't want to do that, since the last time when the guard who was sent to check on the Director ended up dead, not that it had been the Director's fault, but....
Ikari decided glumly, that his only option was to wait until he came in on his own feet.
Camille poked his head in and peered in at the morose scientist, impatience written all over his face.
'Can I come in now?'
Ikari sighed resignedly and nodded. He decided that he was going to put in for a few days off, as soon as Director Maxwell returned. He smiled indulgently at the excited youth, feeling himself soften despite himself as he looked at the earnest blue eyes gazing at him hopefully.
He had worked closely with all the subjects but he had a particular weakness for Camille, maybe because he reminded himself with amusement, that the volatile boy was the only person who could irritate the Director, and Ikari found that he rather enjoyed the sight of the normally confident and suave Director looking harassed and discomforted, as rare as it was.
'You should go in to work.'
Duo purred happily as he leaned against Heero's side and just enjoyed breathing in his scent.
'Not now.' He murmured softly, snuggling himself closely against the yielding flesh. 'For now, I just want to stay here. With you.' He closed his eyes and smiled, feeling the warm touch of the soft flesh next to his own.
Heero sighed softly, ruffling the hair lying close to his neck and returned to reading his book. His shoulder was feeling much better after the long rest and he had to admit that he found the warmth nestling next to him reassuring, even comfortable. He ignored the loud explosion coming from the television, noticing however, that Duo's eyes had snapped open out of the corner of his eyes and continued to read.
Duo scowled as he looked at the television, his attention caught by the news report of yesterday's events. Then he started up, startling Heero who also looked up from his book, as he saw a police car burning on the screen. The reporter on screen interviewed one of the bystanders who excitedly described how 3 men, dressed in black, had left the over-turned vehicle after the spectacular accident. Yet another one in a chain of unexplained explosions and accidents that had occurred yesterday.
'He gave them to the police. That idiot.' Duo grumbled crossly as he started towards his bedroom.
Heero simply sat and stared at the news report, as descriptions of the devastation and deaths suffered from yesterday continued on.
'Heero.'
Heero looked up and saw Duo's head poking out of the bedroom.
'Why don't you come with me?'
Duo grinned at the solemn man who stared at him silently then simply stood up in quiet acquiescence.
'I think that you better get changed as well though.' Duo smiled happily at Heero who started to walk towards him. 'I like what you're wearing but I think that most people around my Project aren't too used to men who walk around in tank tops. I've got a couple of tops that you might like to wear.'
'Your clothes are too big.' Heero protested mildly as he followed docilely. Then he stopped as Duo opened the bottom drawer of his wardrobe and produced a cream coloured sweater in his size.
Duo shrugged, a wry grin twisting his lips. 'My birthday present for you, ummm... last year I think.' He rummaged in the drawer further and produced a pair of grey slacks, and held them up to Heero with a wink. 'These I never gave back after your last... visit.' He leaned in close and slowly pulled up Heero's tank top out of his jeans. 'Would you like me to give you a hand in getting changed?' He whispered softly as he pulled him closer, the clothes still in Heero's arms.
Heero chuckled deep in his throat, and whispered back huskily, as Duo's hands started roaming over the top of his jeans. 'We are in a hurry, right?' His eyes danced lightly as Duo dropped his hands with a chagrined smile and suddenly darted forward, brushing his lips gently past Duo's.
He stepped back with a laugh as Duo almost stumbled in his attempt to follow him. 'Thank you for the present.' He smiled shyly as he started to shrug into the cream sweater, trying not to jar the shoulder too much as he dressed.
Duo felt his heart catch in his mouth as he stared at Heero slipping out of his jeans. 'I really don't want to go in to work today', he thought mournfully, as he started to get into his shirt.
Dorothy stared at the three men standing in front of her desk, a thunderous scowl on her face.
'You had him, then a guy with a long brown braid in a flash black car drove by and picked him up. Then when you found them again, a big black and white robot turned up and sent weird flying things after you, destroying your bikes and firearms. Then,' she continued biting, glancing occasionally at the written report on her desk, 'the robot grabbed all three of you in one hand and took you to a passing police car and stuffed you in the back seat.'
She choked for a moment with fury and took a sip of the cold water. 'After which, you heroically,' she spat acidly, 'overpowered 2 policemen and wrecked their car and walked away, in the sight of over 10 people!' Her voice rose hysterically. 'And this,' she hissed bitterly, turning to the arrogant looking man wearing sunglasses sitting next to her, 'is the product of your genius. Really Doctor Sakurazuka, I must say that I'm disappointed by the performance of your subjects.'
The black haired man simply shrugged carelessly as he lit up a cigarette, his eyes completely hidden behind the black shades. 'I'm afraid that I can't be held responsible for your bungling, my dear.' He surveyed the blond woman with amusement, his voice, a light tenor, trembling slightly with suppressed laughter.
'I warned you that the Hunters weren't very good when it came to catching their prey alive. You shouldn't have sent them out without any backup. I'm sure they could have killed your target quite easily but you specifically forbad them to do that.' Doctor Sakurazuka surveyed the three men with a cold smile, noticing the way they couldn't help flinching away from his gaze with satisfaction.
'Especially when you told me that their target had unusual talents, though,' he laughed softly, 'I never realized that you were talking about producing cars and gundams out of thin air. I must say that this target sounds very intriguing. And you know,' he looked at Dorothy who was glaring at him, 'you never did mention exactly who this target was, to me.' He murmured idly, as he toyed with the glass of whiskey in his hand, 'I'm beginning to get quite curious.'
Dorothy stiffened as she looked at the insolent man before her and wished that she wasn't quite so dependent on the brilliant scientist.
'It's really not that important. Doctor Sakurazuka. I asked you to this meeting because I think that these three require further... modifications.' She lingered over the last word, and observed the way the men blanched with amusement as they looked at the handsome doctor. 'You'll forgive the little outburst that I made, since I was feeling a trifle... distraught.' She finished firmly.
'Their mission wasn't really serious, it was only meant as a test for their abilities, which I find, inadequate.' Dorothy pressed her lips in strong disapproval as she glared at Ryoga, who stared back at her with undisguised hatred. 'As far as their target goes, I can always acquire him later, and if you are still interested, Doctor Sakurazuka,' she smiled sweetly, 'I'm sure you can make your acquaintance then. Is that sufficient?'
Seishirou grinned, amused by the sheer nastiness of the woman. 'Of course Director Catalonia.' He answered smoothly as he stood up. 'I'll take the Hunters with me now, or was there anything else that you wanted to discuss with them?'
'No. Nothing.' Dorothy replied calmly, 'and please tell me when you've finished improving these models.' She finished callously as the four men left her office.
She had been thoroughly inconvenienced by the fiasco that had resulted in the chase after Heero Yuy and she was especially concerned by the mention of Duo and his spectacular intervention. Blast that son of a bitch.
Dorothy gritted her teeth when she thought about how close she had been to getting her hands on Heero and on holding him as leverage over Duo, and now the table was well and truly turned. She had a nasty feeling that Duo knew or at least suspected her involvement and couldn't help wondering when and how he intended to retaliate. And now, she had to postpone her attempts to get her hands on the Zeta Gundam system that her spy had told her about.
Dorothy definitely regretted losing Saneda, and over another botched attempt, this time on Winner no less. She should have just kept him at Epsilon indefinitely and used him to leak information to her, as she had been since she managed to acquire him last year. Still, if he had been successful in assassinating the wretched blond, Dorothy thought wrathfully, as she remembered how Quatre had outmanoeuvred her at Gamma, forestalling her plans to take over the installation by blowing it up, it would have had been worth it.
Well, she comforted herself, she still had her deal with Imonoyama, granting her access to Sigma, finally. Dorothy gloated to herself as she envisioned what she could do with the acquisition of the Mandala, the mechanical womb that had been built to birth GenoCyber, a new type of lifeform that Theta was working on, before that sanctimonious Relena had shut it down, at Duo's insistence she remembered sourly. Yet another reason why she hated his guts.
Dorothy promised herself that she would make sure that the long brown haired pilot suffered for every single one of the indignities that he had put her through. Although, she amended thoughtfully, that could wait until she gutted the blond annoyance that insisted on blocking her way. Dorothy tapped her fingers idly as she dreamed of the future.
End Part 5
Katana
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