Night of the Falling Stars, Part 1
Duo Maxwell ran through the dark, empty streets, heart thumping hard with fear more than adrenaline. His friends where in danger and he just so happened to be the only one that could do anything about it.
The Eve wars were long since over, OZ was finished, Romeffeller was through, Dekim Barton was dead, Mariemaia Kushrenada was living with Lady Une, and peace had finally been bestowed to the eager people of Earth and the space colonies.
Still, some people weren't all that grateful to the Gundam Pilots….
Duo and the other pilots had been living on Earth for a year and a half at that point. A small town in the state of Oregon called Linkville had become their new home. Wufei Chang chose a nice country home with over a hundred acres to himself, and who ever chose to visit. Heero Yuy chose the close comfort of a small apartment in the old downtown segment. Quatre Raberba Winner bought himself a huge mansion in a part of town called Nob Hill (know affectionately to the people of Linkville as Snob Hill). Trowa Barton and Duo moved in to separate places in the rural community.
The warmth and friendliness of the town, the feeling of actually peace, it seemed like a dream come true.
But all dreams are eventually shattered by an oncoming nightmare…
The group had plans to gather over at Wufei's that night for a small get together, but Duo wound up having to call in at that last minute and tell the group he wasn't going to make it. Too many things to do at work.
Those 'too many things' dragged on till close to midnight, and Duo finally was able to drag his tired, achy body through the door of his small two-bedroom place…
The phone, which had been ringing for some time before Duo opened the door, gave one last shrill ring and the answering machine picked up. Duo tiredly tossed his bag on the couch and headed for the room as his voice came over the recording.
"Hey, you've reached Shinigami himself laugh. Well, if I'm not here I'm probably being a slave to my work again, so leave your name and number so I can find you later!"
There was a long beep before Quatre Raberba Winner's voice came over the answering machine.
"Duo! It's Quatre! We've got a bit of a problem here!" Quatre's voice was strained, and he sounded almost like he was in pain. Shirtless, Duo barged out of his room and grabbed the phone off of the kitchen counter top, sliding in his socks on the linoleum and crashing to a halt against the fridge.
"Quatre! I'm here!" Duo cried out in to the receiver, not even caring that his arm was hurting now.
"DUO!" Quatre screamed. There was a strangled scream on the other line.
"Quatre? Quatre!" Duo yelled, wondering what the hell could have been going on. It sounded like there was fighting going on in the background.
"Duo? It's Heero." A familiar monotone voice came over the line. Well, not so monotone now. Heero sounded down right pissed.
"Heero? What the fuck is going on over there!"
"Duo, I don't have time to explain!" Heero yelled back fiercely. Heero let out a grunt of pain and the phone was dropped again.
"Heero? Heero, what the hell? HEERO!" Duo screamed. Duo could still hear voices in the background.
"Heero! Damn it, let him go!" Trowa Barton.
"Trowa…get Quatre and Wufei out of here…" Heero again, his voice strained.
"I'm not leaving you!" Quatre was yelling now.
"We'll teach these bastards what happens when they mess with the Gundam pilots!" Wufei Chang chimed.
"Wufei! Just go!" Heero's voice was a little stronger this time.
"You'll never win this fight. There's too many of us." An unidentified voice at the other end said.
"Ass hole…" Heero said before another grunt indicated the Japanese pilot shouldn't have opened his mouth.
"Heero! Leave him alone! We didn't do anything! Just leave!" Quatre was pleading.
"Wufei, I'm not letting you go." Trowa was apparently holding back 'Mr. Justice'.
"Trowa…" And wasn't too happy about it…
"Damn it!" Duo cursed out loud, not meaning to. One of the men picked up Trowa's phone.
"Heh heh heh…looks like your buddies are out numbered, Mr. Maxwell."
"Duo, get out of town! Don't let them find you!" Heero screamed out.
"Shut up! I told you to shut up!" Another voice yelled. There was a loud gunshot…and silence from Heero Yuy.
"Fuck!" Wufei cursed.
"Oh my God…" Trowa mumbled.
"Heero!" Quatre cried out, "Heero! Heero, wake up!" Quatre started to yell, probably crying hysterically.
"But don't worry…you're next!" the other guy finished.
"Damn you all to HELL!" Duo screamed angrily. All he received in response was a dial tone. Duo angrily slammed the phone down on the floor and scrambled to his feet, taking off to his room to grab a shirt and his shoes then bolting out the door and down the street…
Looking back at the night's events, Duo really regretted staying after to work on all those papers. No vehicle of his own, since his job was just down the street, he found he was having to run the half mile to Trowa's place, and he was seriously doubting he'd make it in time.
If I would have been there…Damn it, I can't think about that right now! I just have to do what I can!
He paused at a mini mart, leaning against the cool brick to catch his breath. Off in the distance clock bells rang. After hearing five Duo took off again, counting the chimes in his mind.
Nine…ten…eleven…twelve…SHIT! Please, God, let me make it in time…please…
End Part 1