18-Feb-2005
Title: Not A Mission
Rating: PG 13
Pairings: 1x2 hints.
Warnings: Violence, death, angst, and general mission-ness apply.
The usual disclaimers apply.
Feedback is appreciated!
Based on this pic.
For Sunhawk's contest.
Heero was tense.
Duo could sense it, though he knew if he looked at the teen behind him he'd see nothing wrong. Heero was fully within his mission mode, as they still called it. At the moment, he could look perfectly normal if he was walking on broken glass. Why would this mission be any different?
Because it's personal, a small voice whispered in the back of his head.
Duo ignored it. He was deep with his own mission mode as well, his own focus, as he thought of it. And it was such a small voice.
He didn't like the term mission mode. Yes, it described the mindset, the do or die attitude and come heaven or hell dedication they still applied to what was needed. But he preferred to call it a focus. Mission meant firm rules and guidelines. Mission meant doing things one way. Missions went wrong, and if you couldn't think around your orders, you died. If you couldn't think of a new plan while the old one was being shot to hell (and taking pieces of you with it), you couldn't be a Gundam Pilot. And you wouldn't be much of a Preventor.
They edged along the wall carefully, aware of the patrols below them, aware of the dogs and the searchlights and how incredibly stupid these idiots had been, to spend so much effort to guard their base, and completely ignore anything above their heads. Like roofs. And ledges. And Preventors who could climb.
Not that this was Preventor business, Duo mused and let the ball of fury in his chest warm him. No, the Preventors couldn't put their name to an operation like this.
The Preventors couldn't possibly sanction their rescue of people who were dead.
He didn't want to be angry. He knew Une wanted to help, wanted to support them. It was there, in the lines around her mouth and the dead horror in her eyes when she told them she couldn't send them out. Couldn't send Preventors. Getting anyone else involved was too dangerous, far too dangerous. It would do no good to rescue someone if it meant they'd be killed, after all.
So they took on the mission, of their own volition. No, not a mission. No paperwork, no backup, no rules. Just a pack full of supplies and two tickets to Barcelona. Everything else was up to them.
He edged forward and peered towards their goal. Pressed flat against the wall, his arms spread to keep his balance, he glared at the citadel as though he could level it with his thoughts. He would destroy it, he knew that. He and Heero would burn it to the ground.
But that wasn't their mission. That was revenge. That came after.
He looked back to find Heero scanning the route they'd taken into the complex. Part of Duo's mind nodded in approval. There was something concrete about having Heero as a partner. He was solid. He always had your back.
Duo noticed Heero's hand, fingers placed just in between his own, not touching, simply seeking confirmation. Duo shifted, covering Heero's hand silently. Heero looked at him, startled, and Duo tightened his grip just enough to reassure. I'm here, it said. I'm here and with you and nothing will ever change that.
Duo spoke quietly. "Let's get them out."
Sometimes the words you want to say aren't the ones you speak.
Doors opened and people died. That was the way it had always been. Heero spared one last look at his partner before Duo growled in frustration. "I'm fine. They're not even bleeding! Now go!"
Heero nodded and took one corridor, upwards and, according to their information, towards the nerve centre of the place.
Duo double checked the bandages around his arm and leg, just to make sure he hadn't opened anything up. The wounds were a week old – still tender, but healing. It felt like he'd pulled some of the stitches on his arm, but he didn't have the time to fully look. No blood on the outer bandage meant he could move on.
His job was the harder of the two. While they'd gained enough information to figure out where Heero needed to go to hack into their mainframe and wipe their computers, nothing they'd gathered could tell them solidly where prisoners were being kept. It was up to Duo to trust his senses, and the tiny radio in his ear that was Heero. It'd be too risky to depend on the computers, but if their location was in the database, Heero would have it, and that might just make Duo's task fractionally easier.
They still had to get out after all, his mind groused.
The building had only three floors above ground, but there were at least five below. Their one scrap of information came from a pair of guards, who complained bitterly of guarding someone who had bit the taller one fiercely. They were happy to be out of the basement anyway, since the sewage tanks tended to rupture.
"Video surveillance is down. The elevator is clear."
Duo didn't bother to reply, already stepping forward and around the corner, breaking the guard's neck before the man had even realized what was on him. He forced the elevator doors open and dropped the body down the empty chute, then spoke the all clear to Heero.
Down the elevator went, slowing one floor below him, and Duo gingerly followed after it, ecstatic to find a service ladder built right into the wall. Sometimes he wondered if these people built buildings with invasion in mind.
He climbed down slowly, past the stopped car, stopping at each floor to catch the air circulating under the closed doors that were never airtight. He was, as always, following his nose, and this time hoping he'd land in shit, figuratively speaking.
It was bloody cold in the shaft – the building was over air-conditioned to compensate for the humid weather, but it made his job that much easier since the scent couldn't rise up the tunnel, if there was a scent.
"Fourth floor's a no. Any luck?"
"Their computers contain every piece of information on all of their activities, but no mention of prisoners."
Duo paused. "Heero, did I hear groaning?"
"I was interrupted."
" ...He's still alive?"
"She is. Unconscious. In case neither of us succeed."
"Ah."
Duo climbed lower. He leaned towards the glow of the doors and wrinkled his nose. It was a smell he was rather used to, but that never made it pleasant. His breath stilled as the light was broken – and two men stood in front of the doors.
"Damn it Sheridan, you said we'd have the money by now!"
Angry voice, Duo catalogued coldly. Frightened, and trying to hide it. Speaking English, but with a thick Spanish accent. His tone was harsh- older, and probably a smoker. Duo's nose could smell the stench of tobacco over the... more natural substances, strongly.
"Calm Mr. Collis. It is merely a delay."
Much calmer, Duo noted. Very educated English, a commanding voice. One not used to questioning. Kill him first, his thoughts told him, because he was the kind to think in a fight.
"We will send them the photos. We shall remind them of our intentions. If they refuse... "
He switched to Spanish, spoken so fluidly and low Duo couldn't catch what was said over the hum of machinery. He scuttled down, just below the car as it slowed, and heard Collis growl. "Well they'd better. And can we get the fucking tanks fixed? It still reeks down here."
"Of course. Though first we will see what Marcel is doing." The elevator doors thudded closed and Duo strained to hear what was said.
"The elevator should always be ready on the ground level. When we called it, it was on B1. Either he has forgotten his duties, or... "
Duo couldn't hear the rest, the elevator picking up speed and rising, but it was enough. "Heero? Possibly compromised, but I think I've got them. Get ready to move fast"
Now he needed speed, not just stealth. Taking a wild leap of faith he asked Heero to open the elevator doors and swung inside, gun and silencer at the ready. Heero chuckled darkly in his ear. "No one there, I would have told you. Cameras, remember?"
Duo found the camera in question and showed Heero exactly what he thought of the teen's sense of humour, then headed down the hall. "Get out Heero. Before you're 'interrupted' again."
"Agreed. I have everything I need. They're in the south corner, right next to the sewage storage. Just... follow your nose."
"Duo?"
"Just guards Heero."
"You're hurt."
"I'll live." Probably... He tore the shirt off one of the dead men and used it as a bandage, eyeing the keycard door with contempt. Ample pressure from his knife had the door open and he stepped inside, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the darkness.
The cold rage inside of him exploded and he forgot the pain, forgot his anger at Une and politics and the rules. Methodically, he picked apart the lock that held arms in steel from fist to elbows. He shot the simple chains meant to hold someone far weaker, and stomped outside, dragging a guard back and stripping off their pseudo-uniform of green t-shirt and brown cargos.
Somewhere he realized he'd been ignoring Heero.
"Duo! Duo Maxwell Report! Pilot 02 what is your status?"
"Clear." Duo grunted. "I need you down here now. Wufei will not be able to walk out under his own power. Marie is... "
"I'm fine," the girl said, rising shakily and rubbing circulation into her legs. She helped Wufei dress and slung one of his arms over her shoulder, bowing under his weight but supporting him. "I'll help. Let's get out of here now"
Duo saw the pure venom in her clear blue eyes, and the firebrand fury in Wufei's, and nodded, knowing neither had been broken, just hurt. "Heero? Get us transport out of here. They are not coming out the way we came."
"Understood."
No alarms have gone off yet, Duo mused. They're either not worried about Marcel, or they're being subtle. Better safe than sorry, though. He pulled several items from his hair and nodded to MarieMaia as she helped Wufei... limp outside. Duo placed the explosives carefully in the corner closest to the corridor and the sewage room, realizing that he was getting used to the smell, but the coppery tang of blood had replaced it in the air. He set the timer and left, closing the door behind him with the soldier's bodies inside. Marie had moved the rest, he realized, and nodded again in approval.
She'd also grabbed their guns, a machine gun slung around her neck, and a pistol in Wufei's hands. It was a good choice. She wouldn't need to be particularly careful aiming, and Wufei wouldn't be able to support anything heavier. Duo wasn't entirely sure the Asian could use what he had.
And Wufei still hadn't said anything.
"Duo? There's a second elevator, towards the back and in the wall. Do not take your route up. I have transport waiting for you."
Duo took point, silently shooting anyone he saw with hardly a thought, feeling exposed and watched in the halls now. Their path led them to what was supposed to be a dead end, but Duo trusted Heero and his eyes found the switch with barely a second glance. The door was flush with the wall and simply lifted up, revealing a tiny, cramped elevator.
"If they don't know we're here, they do now," he muttered. "We're on our way."
He looked at Wufei and his heart froze again as the Asian leaned gratefully into Marie's hold, eyes closed as the car shuddered and lifted them. "Wufei, status?" He asked quietly.
The Asian met his eyes, but shook his head, gesturing to his throat.
"Wufei, what-
"He screamed his throat raw." Marie said, as calmly as she might be discussing the weather. "And neither of us have had anything to drink for... a while."
They went silent as the elevator shuddered to a stop and the doors slid quietly open to reveal an underground garage. Heero met them, surprisingly... nonchalant, and guided them to a van, olive green and splattered with mud.
There was a soldier sitting in the front seat.
Duo helped Wufei climb in the back and strapped him into the bench while Marie immediately found the white box filled with first aid supplies and tore it open. Knowing she'd learned enough from Po to get started on Wufei's wounds, Duo moved to the front.
" ...you are going to drive us out of here, without raising any suspicion. Or I am going to shoot you. Decide now."
The woman looked to be on the brink of refusing, so Duo climbed into the passenger seat and pulled out his hunting knife. "Nah, Heero, you're being too nice." He turned his grin onto the woman, full force, and played with the knife. "See, those are our friends you had in your little torture chamber. And I don't' care if you didn't know anything about it, you worked for the people who did. So the way I see it, you either get to drive us out of here like Heero says, or I'm going to knock you out and put you in the back. I'm pretty sure Marie won't kill you right away, probably because she knows I'll be ever so much worse. Heero would just shoot you clean. I'll slice your stomach open and leave you to the forest. So better make a decision quick."
She swallowed, Duo's tone being nothing more than happy matter-of-factness, and his eyes a terrifying icy stare.
"I'll drive."
"Good choice." He continued to smile. "Don't you worry, I'm sure Heero will be right behind you in case he has to give you directions in a hurry, right Heero?"
Heero didn't bother to answer, simply checking the safety on his gun and motioning for Duo to get in the back.
They drove out, unchallenged at the gates, their driver telling the guard she was heading to the city for supplies for Sheridan. Alarms within the complex went off, blaring in the night. They hadn't gone much farther before an explosion rocked the base, followed by a much, much larger one that shook the ground. Looking out the window, Duo whistled as the flames climbed higher into the night sky, casting everything in an orange glow.
"I know I didn't leave enough explosives to do that. Unless their sewage tanks were holding a hellova lot of methane."
"You didn't." Heero told their driver to stop. "I found their armoury, and planted my own explosives."
Duo grinned. "Great minds think alike." Wufei coughed painfully in what sounded like laughter, and he grew serious again. "I'm hoping it caught Sheridan and Collis though."
"Sheridan. Tall man, wore white, spoke English without any accent?" Heero asked clinically.
"I never saw him, I just heard them in the elevator-
"That's him." Marie replied briskly.
"Ah. Collis would be the Spanish man who reeked of tobacco? Older?"
"Yes. Are they dead?"
"Yes."
Duo looked at Heero and raised an eyebrow. The Asian teen shrugged his shoulders. "I was interrupted while leaving."
"Good." Marie coughed and pried the lid off a bottle of water she'd found. She sipped it sparingly and handed the rest to Wufei, who swallowed, gagged, and swallowed more. "Now kill her."
Duo looked over his shoulder to the woman, now stiff in the driver's seat. "Marie?"
MarieMaia busied herself with cleaning the dried blood off Wufei's arms, not meeting anyone's eyes. "She came in once, after... She came in with water, just an open bowl of it. And she put it on the floor just past my reach. And Wufei couldn't even move. And she laughed. Kill her, and take us home."
"You promised!" The woman half-shrieked. "You promised you wouldn't hurt me if I drove!"
Heero growled and struck her across the head, shutting the woman up before she grew any louder. Dazed, she stumbled as she was pushed out of the van and tumbled onto the trail.
"You are a very lucky woman. Stay that way. If I ever see you again, I will kill you."
The woman decided to keep her mouth shut and watched silently as the van sped away.
Grumbling, Lauren Sheridan, wife of the late Michel Sheridan, stamped towards the flames. They'd paid off the Spanish government more than enough to keep everything under wraps, well, they'd need a cover for the fire, but it wouldn't take much. Her fool husband should have just killed those two when their demands weren't meant the first time. Of course they'd send people to rescue them, and-
She heard the hiss, but by then it was too late as something struck her leg twice in succession. She had a chance to glimpse yellow in the grass before the snake was gone.
Yellow, was that poisonous? She hadn't bothered to learn anything about the area, stupid backwards country. She knew if it was poisonous she'd have to get help, but there wouldn't be anything poisonous around here... She lifted up her pant leg to examine the already swollen bite. She could tie it off, and...
Very slowly, as though a thousand ants were moving out and up from the wound, her leg started to burn.
The plane ride was easy. Of course, now that everything was done, Une could let them use their Preventor ID to snag a plane and fly straight home.
Heero was flying, after discovering Duo had in fact been shot in the fight outside the cell. Grazed, actually, as Duo argued, but Heero insisted the American rest, and, Duo suspected, keep an eye on Wufei and Marie.
Wufei was asleep, which right away told him how exhausted the man was. Nothing else would have him let his guard down so completely. Marie... Marie was filing a report. And typing so hard he was amazed she hadn't broken a key yet. He knew better than to ask if she was all right. She'd talk when she was ready, and not a moment before.
Their ears popped as the plane lowered, and her typing slowed. "Where are Trowa and Quatre?"
Duo grinned, not letting her think for one moment that the two had abandoned her. "They're probably still with the Spanish government, explaining exactly how... expensive it is to let rebels hide within your borders. Loudly, with a lot of diagrams. I don't doubt they're pissing themselves right now at the thought of a total trade embargo and probation within the World Nation. Another point for us good guys."
" ...Une?"
Duo's smile didn't waver. "Marie, she'll be waiting on the tarmac when the plane touches down."
"Ah." She blushed, reminding Duo how much of a kid she still was, sometimes, and resumed typing. Much softer this time.
Une was waiting for them, along with Trowa and Quatre and a few of the Preventor medics under Sally's fierce eye. It was pouring rain and they stood quietly as the trio made their way down the stairs to the ground. Sally let Wufei walk down the stairs under his own power, but manhandled him onto a stretcher the minute he stepped down, and for once in his life he offered no argument.
Une stood for a moment, quiet and... awkward, waiting for Marie to move or speak.
The girl tapped her computer bag. "I have a report-
Une dropped the umbrella and rushed forward to wrap Marie in her arms, shaking too badly for it to be written off as simply being the wet weather. Quatre motioned to the car already waiting for them and pushed Duo and Heero gently towards it. "Go home. You're done. Rest, and let us deal with the clean up."
Heero started to protest but Duo grabbed his hand, lacing his fingers firmly between the Asian's own. "Your house, Heero. Mine's still a mess. And we both need to rest."
Heero studied Duo's face placidly, watching the water plaster the auburn hair to his forehead and run in rivers down his face. The weather probably isn't any good for his wounds, he told himself, and he will need help with the bandage. And I could use the company, whispered a small voice in the back of his head, but he ignored it. Or at least, he tried to.
"Yes. Rest. Let's get out of the rain. Quatre will take care of the rest."
"That's what he said, Heero." Duo chuckled.
Sometimes the words you want to say aren't the ones you speak.
Sometimes you don't need to say a thing.
The End
(:./elemental/not)
