03-Jun-2000
revised: 12-Jul-2001
R, AU, OOC, Continuation, Sci-Fi, 4x1/2x1 (I always think I'm forgetting something off the list..)
The brown mobile suits waited silently under their camouflage netting. High in orbit, in the stratosphere, a huge white giant stood ready to plunge into the thick atmosphere, its gleaming armour glittering brightly from the sun's rays that bathed its frame. All attention was focused on the blond man who stood motionless, his eyes locked on the white complex laid out in the valley beneath.
'Heero's in there. You sure that you still want to do this?'
Quatre nodded grimly, not bothering to turn his head as Trowa came up to his side, knowing that he was making the only choice possible. He knew that Heero would understand, even approve of his decision to place the mission over his personal need, but that knowledge was poor consolation when faced with the prospect of losing the one person who gave his life meaning.
Trowa put his hand on his friend's shoulder in silent support as they prepared for the destruction of the pristine structures. He stared at the stony profile of the usually sunny blond and wished that he hadn't encouraged him to pursue his relationship with Heero. He had genuinely believed that when Heero had broken up with Duo, that their relationship was finally over.
He still couldn't believe that Duo had brainwashed poor Ryo into trying to kill Quatre or that Heero had, for some unknown reason, returned to him. When they saw Duo driving into the complex with Heero, he had to physically restrain Quatre from running down to the base to confront them then and there. The enraged blond had since settled into a brooding silence that reminded Trowa of the unnerving time when Quatre had first piloted Wing Zero.
Unfortunately, too much was riding on this mission to allow the inclusion of one unexpected person to change their carefully laid plans and it had been Quatre who had insisted that they go as planned, starting with the bombing of the research centre.
'What are you going to do if we run into him in there?' Trowa asked at last, as they walked towards their waiting mobile suits.
Quatre flashed him a cold look, not bothering to ask who he meant by 'him', and clenched his hands as he replied grimly. 'Take him back with us. He belongs with me now.'
Trowa frowned as he looked at Quatre climbing into his mobile suit, disturbed by the harshness of Quatre's voice. He decided to stay close to his agitated friend as much as possible when they entered Project Epsilon, unsure of how the volatile Arab might act, especially if they encountered Heero and Duo.
'What is he doing here?' Wufei asked flatly as he stared at Heero who was studying the NuGundam with avid interest.
Duo shrugged carelessly, 'It's really not your affair.' He replied at last with a lingering emphasis on the last word, ignoring Wufei's scowl. 'This is my Project, remember? I have total autonomy. Heero's here as my guest and that's the end of that.'
Duo hastened towards Heero's side as the dark haired pilot started to clamber onboard the huge machine. He grabbed Heero's hand, and dragged him on to the platform that slowly rose towards the cockpit in the Gundam's chest.
Wufei shook his head disapprovingly as Duo put his arms around Heero's waist, his chin resting on the Japanese's shoulder. The two men carried on a quiet conversation, Duo laughing softly every now and then, before disappearing into the cockpit, together. He chewed his lower lip, wondering what he was supposed to do. He knew that Heero was working with Quatre to stop the Foundation's Projects. So what the hell was he doing here, and back together with Duo again? He stared helplessly at the closed hatch of the NuGundam's cockpit and felt like a fool, standing in the hanger, waiting for the two to come out again.
'You do realize that he's going crazy out there?' Heero asked quietly as he stared at the motionless figure in the screen.
Duo laughed and leaned in for another kiss, his mind wholly focused on enjoying the feel and taste of Heero's flesh beneath him, in the small enclosed space.
'That's the idea, Heero. Poor old Wufei.' Duo giggled, slowly inserting his hands under Heero's sweater, dropping light kisses on Heero's nose, lips, chin and neck as he began exploring the firm sweet body. 'I bet he's imagining some pretty wild things by now.' He started to nibble on Heero's earlobe, his voice, a tickling whisper, 'why don't we try to make them come true for him?'
Heero swallowed a laugh as Duo's fingers danced lightly over his ribs, and he raised a hand to cup the handsome face, staring intently into the wild, wilful violet eyes. He sighed softly as Duo dropped his head towards him, their cheeks rubbing gently against each other, and... stiffened, his head raised slightly to catch the muffled knocking against the hatch door.
'Why haven't the alarms sounded?' Ikari shrieked, a faint note of hysteria in his voice, as he stared in horror at the smoking rubble that was left of the east wing of the research building. 'Oh my god....'
He stopped in mid run and froze in fear, stunned by the sight of the huge white mobile suit smashing through the reinforced doors of the south hanger, where they were keeping the experimental model of the Zeta Gundam.
'Tallgeese.'
Ikari felt his heart stop as he saw the gleaming white mobile disappear into the hanger, leaving behind the shredded remains of the hanger doors. He stared around him in distraction, his mind a whirl of confusion and fear as the west wing of the research building blew up in a cloud of black smoke and red fire, and he saw people scurrying frantically from buildings all around him.
He tried to gather his thoughts, trying to decide what he should do, where he should go, wishing all the while that he could just runaway and hide from the chaos and the destruction that surrounded him.
'How could this happen?'
He whimpered to himself, wringing his hands, as he turned round and round, until the sound of gunfire startled him out of his reverie and he started running towards the east hanger, where Director Maxwell was supposed to be.
Amuro stood awkwardly, his face reddening in embarrassment as Duo and Heero hastily climbed out of the cockpit. As soon as they got out of his way, he swiftly swung himself in and closed the hatch, barely giving Duo and Heero time to get down from the platform before activating the NuGundam's beam saber and moving out towards the hanger doors, that had already started to crunch inwards from the force of the outside blows.
He licked his lips nervously as he readied himself for a fight, and under his direction, the NuGundam poised itself to launch against the invader, to push both of them outside, where Amuro could call upon the full force of his bits to assist in the battle.
In the hanger...
Heero started to move towards the remaining mobile suit, only to be stopped by Duo.
'Where do you think you're going?' Duo asked sharply, his fingers digging hard into Heero's arm.
He was met by an impassive glare, as the Japanese pilot stood passively, not fighting his hold.
'I want you to stay with me, I'll protect you.' Duo promised earnestly as he stared into the intense blue eyes, wishing that they hadn't been interrupted by Amuro's untimely arrival. He whispered hoarsely, not caring that Wufei was still with them, and listening to them with an awkward flush on his cheeks. 'I need you Heero. Stay with me.'
Heero stared back silently, saddened by the fear lurking in the desperate eyes pleading with him, before giving a reluctant nod.
Duo sighed with relief and relaxed his grip, though not entirely releasing his hold on Heero's arm, and started to run towards the stairs, dragging Heero after him, and Wufei, following closely behind.
'We need to get to my office.' Duo shouted, as they heard the loud screech of metal scraping against metal coming from the hanger behind them. 'I can co-ordinate an evacuation from there, as well as call for backup.'
He muttered under his breath, 'and figure out how they managed to disable my security system. Damn.' He swore to himself, as they ran past a window and he saw black clouds of smoke rising from the wrecked research labs. 'I'm going to skin that woman alive for this.'
'What woman?' Wufei asked curiously.
'Misato Katsuragi. She stole the plans for the NuGundam, as well as the Zeta series. You remember her? A beautiful woman with purple hair. Doctor Katsuragi was apparently a sympathiser with the mob that Winner is organizing into a terrorist group.'
He tightened his hold on Heero's hand when he felt him jerk slightly at the mention of Quatre.
'If only I'd realized that she had an accomplice. That bitch!' He spat fiercely, as they finally reached the seventh floor, and slammed open the door, 'I knew that she was keeping something back. But I never imagined that she could hack the Magi for the security codes. The plans for the mobile suits is one thing, she helped to design them after all, but not the security grid. Damn me.'
Duo burst into his office, dashing towards his desk, only to halt in his tracks when the tall leather seat swivelled towards him. He stood in stunned silence, as Heero and Wufei rushed in behind him, only to stop in surprise as the occupant of the chair stood up, pointing a gun in their direction.
Amuro glared furiously at his opponent, outraged by his betrayal.
'Camille.' He hissed, even as the NuGundam slashed angrily at the Zeta series 1, which blocked the thrust easily.
Camille stared back defiantly, unconsciously nibbling on his fingers as he prepared himself for a fight.
'I'm defecting.' He announced proudly, his voice shaking slightly from nervousness and excitement. 'Why don't you come with us Amuro? You don't want to stay Maxwell's catspaw your entire life do you?'
Amuro swivelled his chair, activating the 3 dimensional holographic battle screen and stared warily at the white mobile suit that had climbed out of the rubble on his left, leaving him surrounded on all sides, with Camille in the Zeta 1 in front, and unknown mobile suits, one behind and one on his right. He scowled heavily before snapping out, 'You are a fool Camille.'
Then he called out his bits, and the triangular shapes flew wildly around him, blazing light springing out from each bit, blocking the attacks from the four suits even as the NuGundam exploded into the air.
Camille growled and started after the disappearing shape when Tallgeese stepped forward and blocked his path with a raised arm. He glowered at Zechs who shook his head sternly.
'We are not here to fight, if at all possible. Let him go for now. We've accomplished our objective. Project Epsilon is a shambles, and thanks to you, we've got the prototype of the Zeta series and Doctor Ikari.' He looked at the shaking man in Tallgeese's hand. 'It's time for us to withdraw.'
Camille also looked at the frightened man in Tallgeese's hand and relented. 'All right.' He agreed sulkily. 'Lets get out of here. I'm sick of this place anyway.'
Zechs frowned as the black haired boy disappeared from his screen. Camille Vidan was an unpredictable, restless boy, and he wasn't at all certain that he had been right in accepting Camille's offer to help them steal the Zeta 1. Still, as Rashid had said, what else could they have done?
'Hello Heero.' Quatre said evenly as he stood up from behind Duo's desk.
Heero nodded hesitantly, as he stared wide-eyed at the blond man in the black jumpsuit. He put his hands up slowly in surrender and sighed softly as Trowa came into sight from behind him, realising that the tall redhead had been standing behind the open door.
Duo placed his hands behind his head in obedience to Trowa's silent directions and smiled tightly.
'It seems that you have us at a disadvantage.' He indicated Trowa with his head, as he kept his eyes totally fixed on Quatre, who was glaring at him with icy hatred.
'As far as my Project is concerned,' Duo sighed mournfully, 'I'm afraid that you've been quite successful in shutting me down. I doubt that the Foundation will be willing to replace all the damaged and destroyed equipment, not to mention the problem in replacing all the err.. 'lost' staff. I guess this round is yours, Winner.' He directed a sardonic grin at Quatre, whose eyes hardened. 'Unless,' Duo paused and turned his attention to Heero,'there was something else that you were after?'
Quatre felt his pulse quicken in his throat as he stared at the mocking look in Duo's eyes and fought the urge to tear the smug smile off his face. He swallowed hard before turning his attention to Heero, who stared back at him numbly, his large eyes shadowed by the thick brown fringe.
'Come here, Heero.' He managed to get out at last. He bit his lips hard as Heero stayed unmoving and Duo's grin broadened. 'Heero,' he got off the desk and moved closer to the dark haired man who looked at him blankly, his face drained of all emotion. 'I want you to come home with me, now. Let's get out of here. Together.'
'I... I'm sorry, Quatre.' Heero said at last, his eyes dropping away from Quatre's anguished face.
'Sorry.' Quatre breathed out, his wavering voice revealing the depth of his pain and bitterness. 'Don't say that word to me. Not to me. Not about us.' He looked at Heero, his eyes welling with unshed tears as the Japanese refused to raise his eyes, hating the lovely perfection of the same features that still drew his absolute attention. 'Heero, I'm here to take you back with me. There is nothing for you to feel sorry for. All you have to do is to come with me.' He inhaled slowly and took hold of Heero's arms, not noticing the slight wince as he pulled him towards him.
'Let go of him.' Duo interjected sharply, stepping forward and freezing as Trowa trained his gun in his direction. He added quickly as Quatre turned a furious glare on him, 'Heero's been wounded, in the shoulder. Let him go. Now.'
Quatre immediately released Heero from his grip, a look of alarm momentarily replacing the lines of rage in his face.
'This is ridiculous Barton.' Duo said impatiently, as he gave the silent man a scrutinizing stare, 'don't tell me, you intend to waste any more time on this silly melodrama of Winner's. You have your objective, so you should leave. Heero's not going anywhere with Winner, not any more.' He smirked smugly at Quatre who had choked on the last part of his speech. 'He's back with me now.'
Quatre turned around and stared hard at Heero who refused to meet his eyes and his lips tightened harshly, then suddenly his hand swung hard and gave a resounding slap on Heero's cheek, the force of the impact rocking Heero slightly to the side.
Quatre was breathing hard as he looked at the reddening flesh on Heero's face, and then at his hand, in surprise. He clenched his hand in to a fist and scowled at Duo who had started forward involuntarily, his violet eyes narrowing with anger and contempt. He turned around and slammed his fist against the wooden desk violently, before sweeping the papers off the top.
'Damn it, Heero.' He said at last, 'I'm not giving you a choice. You are coming with me.'
'Over my dead body.' Duo responded automatically, seething over the darkening bruise on Heero's cheek. He glared at Trowa who continued to aim the gun at his head, knowing that any movement on his part towards either Heero or Quatre would be his last.
Quatre threw his head back and laughed wildly. 'Oh, that's funny, Duo. That's exactly what I was thinking.' He chortled. 'I'd love to get rid of you, once and for all. Just give me an excuse.' He hissed, 'I have been living in your shadow for these past two years. Always wondering if Heero's would ever love me, as much as he loved you. Always worrying that he might go back to you one day. Well, I've had enough.' He laughed again as he pulled out a gun from his side holster, 'if you don't exist,' he muttered, speaking to himself, 'if you aren't here. I won't have to worry about losing Heero to you. Ever again. Right?' He pointed his gun directly at Duo's face then faltered as Heero deliberately stepped in front of the brown haired man.
'Quatre,' Heero spoke gently, his voice trembling with the strain of his emotions,'stop this.' He stared into Quatre's wild eyes, remembering another time when he had seen that same look of rage, grief and pain roiling in the aqua green eyes. 'I can't come with you. Not now.' He stopped and then added quietly, 'not ever.' Heero swallowed hard, shaken by the look in Quatre's green eyes, as the spark of hope withered and died, leaving the beautiful aqua eyes empty and dead.
'I made a mistake.' Heero spoke softly, feeling his guts twist inside him as he spoke. 'I'm... sorry.'
'I turned to you when I left Duo because... I thought that it was over between us.' Heero didn't notice the pained wince Quatre gave when he used the word 'us'. 'I thought... that I could build a new life with you. And for a while... I was happy. I do love you Quatre... it's just...' Heero flushed darkly, as Duo glared at him and then at the blond man in front of him.
'Just not the same way you love Duo,' finished Quatre numbly, fingering his gun.
Heero looked up pleadingly, wishing that he could somehow ease the pain that he was inflicting, knowing that he couldn't. 'Don't... don't make it into a contest. I'm sorry. I... I haven't changed how I feel about you, you are the best friend that I have. And I love you... But I can't... I left...' Heero stopped speaking and dropped his eyes to the ground, overwhelmed by guilt and regret.
'I left,' he continued painfully, fumbling for the right words, 'because I couldn't stand by and watch while you tried to destroy Duo. I know... that you believe what you are doing is right. And I want to support you... but... I can't bear... I didn't want Duo to get hurt.' Heero's face was ashen with strain as he looked first at Quatre, then twisted his head to see Duo behind him. 'Don't put me in the middle any more. Don't you understand?' He pleaded with both men, clenching his fists, 'I don't want to see either of you getting hurt. Especially because of me. I'm... I... I'm not coming with you.'
He finished hollowly, closing his eyes against the stark white face with the burning green eyes.
'I called him.' Heero said numbly, 'I was in trouble... and I called him.' He opened his eyes again, feeling his heart straining wildly against his chest. 'I knew then... I don't know how to fix... this. All I know is that I can't leave Duo right now. Not when it's my fault that Project Epsilon is destroyed.' He faltered, crushed by the accusing glare facing him.
Quatre examined the beautiful face in front of him, his fingers going numb as he clutched at the hard metal in his hand. He felt his world spinning out of his control, he couldn't help himself from lashing out.
'What the hell do you think you are doing?' He laughed in quiet bitterness, 'you love me. I love you. Nothing else matters! Heero. You gave me the CD with the security codes,' he ignored the sudden start behind Heero as Duo stared angrily first at him, then at the dark haired Japanese in front, 'and now you're saying that you can't leave Duo because it's all your fault that Epsilon is destroyed. What the hell do you think you're playing at?'
'You can't just switch from one to the other, just because you're sorry, just because you feel guilty. Heero, you belong with me, remember? You came to me. And I swore then that I would never let you go.'
'How long do you intend to let this farce continue?' Duo interrupted politely, addressing Trowa who was starting to look edgy. 'I assume that you people do have a plan to follow? How much longer are we going to have to listen to this drivel? Heero's already given his answer. I suggest that the two of you get out. Now, while you still can.'
'That's enough Duo.' Trowa responded coldly. 'I still think that our mission to eliminate Project Epilson should include taking you out, so I suggest that you stay very, very quiet.'
Duo narrowed his eyes and nodded slowly.
'What's taking them so long?' Zechs muttered crossly as he checked his chronometer in the Tallgeese.
'Aren't we blowing yet?' Camille asked for the nth time, as he looked around the shattered remains of the once proud Project Epsilon headquarters. He wasn't quite sure where Amuro had vanished to but he was pretty certain that the longer they remained here, the less likely they would be able to get away safely.
Zechs glared at Rashid who was looking very strained as he continued to check with the other Magnacs on the whereabouts of Quatre and Trowa.
'When you find them, I suggest that you tell them that we're leaving, immediately.' Zechs spoke frostily and killed his link to Rashid then turned to Camille who had stayed on line. 'I'm sending you our trajectory and flight plan, make sure you follow it exactly.'
Camille rolled his eyes, 'yeah, sure, whatever. Zeez, what a fusspot.' He spoke under his breath even as he programmed Zeta 1 to follow after Tallgeese, as it launched itself into the air. 'Next time I meet Amuro,' Camille promised himself happily, 'I'll show him who the real ace is in Project Epsilon.'
'Quatre-sama.'
Quatre jumped slightly as he heard the familiar baritone over the communicator.
'It's time for us to leave. Now.'
He held out his hand to Heero who stared at it mutely, shaking his head. Quatre held his breath for a second then suddenly swung his fist hard into Heero's stomach, forcing a faint grunt before crumpling slowly into his arms. He looked at Duo whose face had blackened with rage and shook his head warningly, even as he gathered Heero's body and tenderly lifted him in his arms.
'I'm taking back what's mine.' He said quietly, 'and this time, no one's going to stop me. As for you Duo,' he added grimly, 'if you ever interfere in my relationship with Heero again, I'll cut your living heart out.' He ended bitterly as he left the office, Trowa holding the door open for him.
'Are you sure about this?'
Trowa asked gently as he followed his friends out and closed the office door behind them.
Quatre looked back at him, his arms clutching Heero's body tightly. 'No.' He said simply, Heero's unconscious head resting against his shoulder. 'But at least Heero's with me now. We'll work this out... somehow...'
'We've done all we came to do. I don't want to see that black hearted manipulative bastard ever again. We've closed down his project, it's time for us to move to stage 2. It's time we joined with Noin on Side Seven.'
'How many bombs do you think they've left in this building?'
Wufei grimaced, 'if it's anything like when we were working with them, enough to make certain that there'd be nothing left.'
Duo nodded with satisfaction. 'That's what I think too, and they've disabled all the elevators too. I'd say that we onlly have a few minutes before everything blows.' He came to a sudden halt at level 5, then swiftly exited out of the stairwell and into the corridors.
'Maxwell.' Wufei called out sharply in alarm, before swearing and following the long brown braid disappearing down the corridor. He caught up with the energetic man in the large conference room, staring speculatively at the large window facing out on to the complex below. 'What do you think you're doing? We don't have time for side trips.'
'You're right, we don't have time. I don't think we'll make it to ground floor before the building blows.'
Duo answered curtly and took a step back and threw a chair at the window, shattering the thick glass. He started to run towards the shattered frame, ignoring the startled yell at his side, and jumped out of the window.
'Maxwell!' Wufei screamed as he ran towards the window, then blinked in amazement as he saw a triangular shape dart past him and appear below the falling man, hovering in mid-air, allowing Duo the opportunity to step safely onto it. Once Duo was on, it slowed the rate of their descent and gently floated down towards the ground.
'I suggest that you jump.'
Wufei stared blankly at the unfamilira black gundam for a moment then swore vociferously before doing exactly that.
The wind whistled past him, chilling his sweat coated body and for a long black eternity he looked around wildly for another flying shape to come to his rescue. Then a metal fist appeared around his body and gripped him gently, placing one hand below his feet, while another came around to form an enclosure. A minute later, he joined Maxwell on the ground, rubbing his sore ribs ruefully.
As Wufei turned to thank the pilot of the gundam, he felt the ground shift below him and turned back to see the building that they were in, collapsing inwards in a cloud of grey dust.
'Huh. That showoff.' Duo muttered crossly as he looked at the imploding building. He turned back to the NuGundam with a proud smile.
'You did well, Amuro. Do you still have Heero's transponder signal?'
'Yes. What do you want me to do, Director Maxwell? Go after him?'
Duo wrinkled his brow as he considered his options, before reluctantly shaking his head. 'No, not yet. Right now, they don't know that I can track Heero. Quatre will take him back to their headquarters and we can have them all. And finish them once and for all.'
Wufei felt his jaws slacken, he couldn't help himself from blurting out, 'you put a transponder in Heero? When did you do that? Why...' His black eyes widened, 'don't tell me that you were counting on Quatre taking Heero with him. No way. Not even you could be that devious.'
'Oh for heaven's sake Chang, calm down and think for a minute.' Duo snapped out, as he settled himself on the NuGundam's semi open palm, indicating to Wufei that he should follow suit, next to him.
'How else were we going to flush them out? And no, I did not plan all of this. You're giving me too much credit, unfortunately. I had no intention of sacrificing my Project base just to capture a few insignificant dissenters or to use my lover as bait. But I do intend to take advantage of this situation now that it has happened, okay? I'm trying to stop a war from spreading and I don't intend to let a bunch of misty-eyed muddled thinkers get in my way. Now are you going to help me or are you just going to keep whining about this?'
Wufei glared at the arrogant man who grinned at his discomfiture. 'I'll help.' He replied coldly. 'But not to get your lover back. Heero was right about that anyway. You and Winner should leave him alone. I'm going to help you, because I agree with you that we have to do something about the war between UFC and the Imperium.'
Duo narrowed his eyes slightly, even as he nodded slowly. 'Of course. What happens with Heero is my business. As for Quatre... Next time I see him... he's dead.' He said flatly.
Wufei shuddered involuntarily at the depth of venom in Duo's eyes when he spoke Quatre's name. Sometimes, his friend really did remind him of his namesake, Shinigami, God of Death.
'So where are we going?' He asked at last, wanting to vanish the chilling aura from his companion.
Duo smiled sunnily, immediately distracted as Wufei had hoped. 'To Costa Rica.' He answered breezily. 'I'm going to need a bit of help if I want to continue my project. And whether she knows it or not, Director Catalonia is just the person that I need.'
Wufei groaned dismally, as he thought of meeting the blond woman. He didn't know what scared him the most, the thought of having to be in the presence of Dorothy, or the thought that Duo might actually make him fly all the way to Costa Rica in the NuGundam's palm.
'We are going to get off at the nearest airport.' He said firmly, hoping that he sounded more confident than he felt.
Duo laughed suddenly and slung a companionable hand over Wufei's shoulder. 'Don't worry, it won't take more than an hour by NuGundam.'
He laughed even more when Wufei groaned out loud and collapsed back against the stretched palm.
'What the hell is he doing here?'
Heero sighed in resignation as Zechs continued to scream at Quatre who was glaring back at him coldly. 'This is the second time I heard that today.' He thought in bemusement as he got to his feet and started to look around him, noticing that he was now in a large hollowed out cave.
'Here, have a cup of coffee.'
Heero turned around to see Trowa smiling at him, holding out a steamed cup. He smiled back and took the proffered cup, sipping the hot sweet coffee.
'You are Director's Maxwell's boyfriend.'
Heero blinked in surprise as a boy, about seventeen years old he thought, with heavy blue black hair cut untidily in a bob, stared at him with curious dark blue eyes. He looked back at Trowa questioningly, who simply shrugged in silence.
'Don't you talk?' Camille asked impatiently as the dark haired man continued to stare at him.
'You aren't like Director Maxwell much, he never stops talking. I heard that you're Heero Yuy, the pilot of Wing Zero. Amuro never stops talking about you. He dreams about being able to beat you with his precious NuGundam.' Camille stopped as the Japanese man started to walk away. 'Hey, wait.'
Heero stopped and tried not to feel to impatient as the tall stripling caught up to him.
'What do you want?' He asked at last.
'So you do know how to talk.' Camille observed with satisfaction, a wide smile breaking out on his face. He stuck out his hand, then after a moment, grabbed hold of the limp hand at Heero's side and started to shaking it enthusiastically.
'I'm Camille Vidan. I'm the best pilot at Epsilon. I helped to design the Zeta series which is based on your Wing model. I've wanted to meet you for a long time, Heero. I can call you that right?'
Heero sighed, feeling tired out from Camille's ceaseless chatter. 'If you want.' He said indifferently.
'Would you fight with me?' Camille asked eagerly, totally undeterred by Heero's monotone responses. 'Both of us in a Zeta, so that we can tell which of us is the better pilot. I just know that Amuro is going to die when he finds out that I've fought you, when he hasn't yet.'
Heero snorted softly and walked away, ignoring the teenager's loud cries of protest as he left him behind.
'Idiot.' He thought crossly as he reached the mouth of the large cave, where Rashid stood, cradling a gun in his arms. He stopped as Rashid deliberately blocked his path, forcing him to look up at the tall bearded man. Heero definitely felt annoyed that he hadn't grown much taller than he was when he had been fifteen. Duo had often teased him about being the shortest of the Gundam pilots. By the time they were in their twenties, not only Trowa, but Duo and Quatre had also shot past him. Even Wufei had managed to grow a few more inches which had rankled, but not as much as being treated like a teenager by strangers, who tended to see him as being far younger.
'I'm sorry Heero-san, but Quatre-sama's orders were that you were not to be allowed to leave this compound.' Rashid spoke quietly, his brown eyes betraying his discomfit.
Heero merely nodded quietly before turning back, he looked around the large cavern and winced when he saw the black haired teenager sulking visibly on the foot of his mobile suit, and decided that he would go to the farthest opposite side, and hope that Camille would find it too much of a bother to trouble him again with his silly request.
'I can't believe that you kidnapped your boyfriend.' Zechs stared at the defiant green eyes facing him and wished that he could shake some sense into the young fool's head. 'And now you want to drag him to Side Seven with you. Just so you can keep him away from Maxwell. Jesus. Do you have any idea how crazy it sounds?'
Quatre set his mouth stubbornly. 'I don't have to justify my actions to you Peacecraft.'
'I'm not the one who's plotting against my own sister. In fact, if it wasn't for Iria, I wouldn't even be helping you right now. She asked me to check out the black projects that the Foundation was running. But if I go to Side Seven, Heero's coming with me.'
Zechs looked at him helplessly. What was it about Heero? First his sister, then Duo, and now, Quatre. Couldn't he, just once, develop a normal relationship? He sighed and attempted one more time to try to reason with him.
'And what about Duo? You don't think that he'll just sit idly by and let you take Heero with you do you? I don't think that he would have been killed in the explosion, it's never been that easy to kill any of you.' Zechs reminded Quatre with a sour grin, 'So you'll bring him down on us as well. Is Heero worth that much to you?'
'Yes.' Quatre answered with simple finality before walking towards the object of the discussion, who was sitting on top of a box, munching an apple and reading a book in the far corner of the cavern.
Zechs sighed heavily to himself, thinking that he was an idiot for even trying to persuade Quatre to release Heero.
He felt uneasy about their plans to reinfiltrate Side Seven. When he had fled to Earth, he had only just managed to get down safely, thanks largely to the efforts of Hirde and Noin, who had covered him as he forced his way past the blockade. And if Quatre and the Magnacs hadn't been waiting below, he might not have made it through the Preventers who had attacked him on re-entry.
And now, he was going to return past that same blockade. Except this time, he would be accompanied by a small army of mobile suits, 3 of them, the new experimental Zeta series. While this increased the fire power at his disposal, he was very worried by the volatile mix of his new group, in particular the Vidan child who was unexpectedly aggressive, and now Heero, who would be joining them under duress. Zechs was also feeling very concerned about Noin, who hadn't been able to contact him in well over 2 weeks. He prayed that she was still safe.
Costa Rica
'This is an unexpected pleasure, Director Maxwell, and Director Chang too.' Dorothy purred, 'I'm so honoured by this unexpected visit. What brings you to my humble Project? With the NuGundam and Amuro Rey no less, after you declined my invitation to assist in his training?'
Duo chuckled, amused by the woman's oily smoothness. 'I'm in trouble Dorothy, as I'm sure you already know. No.' He held up his hand, 'don't bother with the pleasantries. Frankly, I don't have the time. I just got my Project blown to hell from under me and I'm going to need your help.'
Dorothy sneered scornfully, 'for someone who needs my help, you're still pretty arrogant Duo. What can I do for you and why the hell would I want to help you?'
'I need to get to Sigma.' Duo answered quietly, 'and since you're holding negotiations with Imonoyama, you can help me get up there. How's that?'
Dorothy flushed angrily as she glared at the confident smirk on Duo's face, wondering how he always seemed to be so well informed about her plans. 'And you still haven't explained why I should help you.' She spat out at last.
'Oh Dorothy.' Duo tsked disapprovingly, 'and here I thought you were a bit smarter than this. You are going to help me because, if you don't, I'll expose you as a would be arms dealer and death merchant. How long do you think you'll last as the head of this Project if your darling Relena got wind of that?'
Dorothy narrowed her light blue eyes, 'don't threaten me Duo. Not here. That'd be very stupid of you.'
'You are right, it would. And I'm not threatening you.' Duo smiled disarmingly before suddenly sweeping her legs from under her and pressing his elbow against her throat, even as his legs held her arms down against the floor.
'See? Now, this is what I call a threat. Do as I say Dorothy or... I'll break your arms and neck and leave you a quadriplegic for the rest of your life. And then... I'll get really nasty. How's that?' He whispered gently into the sweating woman's ear, 'do you know the difference between a polite chat and a threat now?'
Dorothy coughed out a harsh 'yes', as Duo got off her and glared at him when he offered her his hand, hitting it away angrily before struggling back on her feet.
'You are such a son of a bitch.'
'Takes one to know one.' Duo replied smugly, 'now, why don't you offer us some lunch and we can talk about how you can help us. What do you say?'
Dorothy forced a smile on her face, 'why don't you stay and have some lunch, Director Maxwell? And we can discuss how I can assist you.'
Duo nodded approvingly, 'much better, but next time, don't try so hard. You look like you're in pain.'
End Part 6
Katana
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