Title: The BattleGames 1/?
By Hana-chan gohana_chan@hotmail.com
Category: Partially AU, TWT, yaoi, angst, occasional lemon, Sci Fi
Pairings: None right now.
Ratings: Varies. This part is R for violence
Warnings: Attempted NCS, some language
Disclaimer: I don't own anything Gundam Wing. This is for fun, not profit, so don't sue me. The story, and any characters that do not belong to GW belong to me.
Archive: Fanfiction.net http://www.fanfiction.net/index.fic?action=directory-authorprofile&UserId=81835
thoughts +++ scene change ~emphasis~
The BattleGames
Chapter 1
"Gateway from Harvest Sector 254-3A has been initiated," said the pleasant alto voice of the computer. "Passage will commence in T minus 10 seconds."
Two men in opulent velvet jackets stood on a balcony and watched the empty steel arch of the Gateway, waiting for the flood of white-green light that would indicate its activation.
"Hopefully these Acquisitions will be worth the effort," said one man as he listened to the computer count down the seconds until Passage.
His companion shrugged gracefully, causing his platinum hair to ripple against his back. "It is a new Harvest Sector - there is bound to be something there that hasn't been seen here before."
The other man raised one ginger-colored eyebrow. "We can hope," he responded quietly. "Dermail's last move was ingenious, taking out our contenders like that,"
"I know," was the reply. "It was a very clear threat. Why risk trouble with the law by harming us, when he can take out our contenders? We ~need~ replacements. Fast."
"I'm well aware of that, Milliardo, why do you think I'm risking an unknown Harvest Sector - I just hope we get something worthwhile."
Milliardo's blue eyes narrowed, and he nodded. "We'd better. Two months isn't enough time to cultivate a novice,"
A warning claxon sounded, and the Gateway began to glow. White-green streamers of energy crisscrossed the interior of the metal arch forming an energy disk in the center. With a soundless flash the Gateway opened, opaque marble-like surface bowing into the room like stretched rubber until it split allowing the mecha through.
Six mechs flew through the Gateway dragging green energy nets behind them. The two mechs that were tangled in the mass of green energy were taken to the holding bay and secured within the dampening field to prevent the occupants from resisting capture. Once they were secured, the energy nets were deactivated and removed, revealing the newly acquired mecha.
"Dear God, Treize," gasped Milliardo. "They're phenomenal,"
The ginger-haired man nodded in agreement, as they studied the mechanical giants from their balcony vantage point. "Indeed they are," he said quietly. "We may have found exactly what we need."
Both machines were impressive. The first one was black and white with a red and black shield a green bladed energy scythe, while the other was black white and gray with a gold accented shield and two curved metal shotels. The acquisition crew approached with their scanners to determine where the cockpit was, and to assess the composition, capabilities and any damage that may have been sustained.
"Two human life-forms," commented Anderson, the crew captain, looking up at the two well dressed men on the balcony. "The cockpit is in the chest cavity."
"Extract them," ordered Treize. "Let's see what we've got."
Anderson nodded and the extraction teams swarmed over the two machines using anti-grav harnesses to assist them. It only took a few moments of analysis to figure out the mechanism of the cockpit hatch and open it. Milliardo and Trieze watched, hoping to get a pair of warriors that would be viable contenders.
They were highly disappointed with what they saw.
"Those are mecha pilots?" exclaimed Milliardo. "They're hardly more than children."
Trieze sighed and shook his head. The unconscious boys did not look anything like the warriors they'd hoped to get. One had pale blond hair and fair skin, already purpling from a deep bruise. His delicate form was clad in pale pink, violet, and khaki, and he definitely didn't have the look of a fighter. The second hardly looked like a boy with his slight build and long chestnut braid. He was dressed in black with a priest's collar. His fair skin was also showing the beginnings of a bruise.
"How can they be warriors?" asked Milliardo in dismay. "They look more like pleasure slaves than fighters."
The other man frowned in thought. "There might be more to them than it appears, but you're right - I don't think we could get them ready to be contenders in two months. If they have any battle experience at all, I doubt it's in hand-to-hand combat."
Milliardo shook his head, "I doubt they'd last one round. So, what do we do with them?" he asked. "Their mechs are fantastic, but we don't have any Shifted warriors to control them."
"What should we do with them?" asked Anderson, echoing the blond's soft comment.
"Inject them with the healing serum, then place them in one of the more comfortable cells. There's not much point in Shifting them."
Anderson nodded and signaled the woman who'd been standing near the wall. "Dr. Po?" he asked. She nodded and silently injected the two unconscious boys.
The ginger haired man watched silently as the two boys were taken away, a slight frown marring his aristocratic features.
"What is it?" asked the blond.
Treize shook his head. "I don't really know. Something about those boys though . . ." Shrugging, he turned back to watch as the crews began to modify the new mecha to work compatibly with Shifted fighters.
+++
Duo woke slowly, groaning at the numbing tingle running through his body. The pins and needles sensation left him wondering if he'd been subjected to electric shock torture by OZ while he'd been unconscious. It didn't seem like them, but then, neither had those strange energy nets that had snared his Deathscythe.
Opening his eyes, he saw that he was lying on a simple bed in what appeared to be a cell of some sort. Rolling to his side, he saw that Quatre was also in the cell with him, lying on the second bed, a yellow-green bruise covering the side of his face. The blond groaned softly, opening his eyes.
"Hey, Q-man," said Duo quietly. "How're you doing?"
Quatre blinked owlishly at him. "Okay I think," was the soft answer. "My head's spinning though."
Duo nodded. "I thought it might be after seeing that nasty bruise on your. . . Where'd it go?"
"Where did what go?" asked Quatre.
"Your bruise. I swear there was a huge bruise on the side of your face a few minutes ago."
The blond reached up to touch his cheekbone then shrugged. "It doesn't feel sore," he commented. "Come to think of it, I'm not dizzy anymore either."
Completely confused, Duo rolled off the bed to his feet and made his way across the room. Before he got there however, he felt a burning sensation in his left arm that began to quickly radiate throughout his entire body. The heat intensified, feeling like tiny, red-hot ants were crawling around under his skin. He dropped to the floor with a gasp. It felt as if the fiery-ants were burrowing through his very cells. Writhing on the floor, his soft whimpers changed to screams as the sensation of burrowing creatures reached his brain. He was vaguely aware of Quatre's agonized scream, but was too focused on his own pain to do anything. The brunette scrubbed at his skin, trying to make the feeling go away, but it only got stronger. Curling into a fetal ball, he waited for the mercy of unconsciousness to claim him.
It never came.
Eventually, Duo's voice gave out, and he was reduced to almost soundless whimpers as the agonizing burrowing continued.
When the pain finally did stop, he simply lay still, panting and savoring its absence. His face was wet with tears as he opened his eyes and looked blearily at Quatre who was curled up nearby, face upside down to him, only a few inches away. "Quat," he croaked, throat raw from screaming. His friend's eyes were clenched shut, cheeks also wet.
Moistening his mouth he tried again. "Quatre,"
The blond boy opened his eyes slowly, taking time to focus. "Du. . . Duo?" His voice sounded as raw as well. "What. . .?"
Duo lifted a trembling hand towards his friend. "Don't know. Pain's gone though,"
"Umm hmm," mumbled the other boy. "Can you move?"
"Don't want to, too weak,"
The slightest smile touched Quatre's lips. "Must be - you're talking in point form."
The brunette's mouth quirked up at the corner, but it was nowhere near his normal manic grin. "Hn."
Quatre's smile widened, then vanished. "We have to try something - OZ must have us and our gundams."
Wincing, Duo sighed and tried to push himself up. He managed to get to his knees, but his arms were trembling with the effort. "Fuck, I'm tired," he panted. "What the hell did they do to us?"
Quatre shook his head, pushing himself to his knees as well. "Maybe it's a new way to sedate us. I doubt I could break out of a paper bag right now." Crawling to the bed, Quatre used it to lever himself up so that he was sitting on it. Duo repeated the action a moment later.
"Ooo, beds," he said dryly. "Must be a high-class prison this time."
Sandrock's pilot rolled his eyes, trying to bring his breathing back to normal. Sliding back on the narrow bed, he leaned against the wall, closing his eyes, hands held limply at his sides while Duo flopped sideways, lying down with his feet still on the floor.
There was a soft shuffle at the door to the cell and both pilots warily opened their eyes. Moving sluggishly, they tried to ready themselves for a fight, but neither one of them had the strength to do more than sit upright on the bed.
"We shouldn't be doing this," said one voice in a low tone. "What if we get caught?"
There was a derisive snort in response. "So what if we do? His Lordship said that they were useless - did you see them? They'd never make Contenders. They'll obviously be kept as pleasure slaves so we might as well get first shot."
Duo and Quatre looked at each other, looks of fear being replaced by grim determination. "No way they're making me into their fuck-toy," the brunette muttered, unraveling two lengths of silk cord from the tie at the end of his braid and handing one to the blonde.
Quatre nodded in agreement, wicked smile on his face as he wrapped the ends of the makeshift garrote around his hands. "I don't think they'd like my blowjobs,"
Duo blinked in surprise, wondering if this was what Quatre was like on Zero, but let the thought slide, manic gleam coming into his eyes as the door clicked open.
There were four of them dressed in something resembling that worn in the Sanq Kingdom. "Ah, look," said one. "The pretty boys are awake."
"Of course they're awake," replied another. "That serum the Doctor gave them would have healed them two hours ago."
"Come here," commanded the third man. Duo recognized his voice as being the eager one from behind the door.
Both boys stood up, trembling in exhaustion, heads and hands lowered submissively. Duo peered through his bangs as the man approached him, raising his hands to clutch the man's jacket as he closed in. "Eager one aren't you?" the man asked, lowering his mouth for a kiss. Duo responded timidly, but when the man pulled back for air, the pilot snapped his arms up, wrapping the garrote around the man's throat. Spinning around, Duo dropped to the ground pulling the would-be rapist over his shoulder and snapping his neck. Releasing the cord he stood unsteadily, grinning at the stunned looks on the other's faces. Glancing to the side, he saw that Quatre had performed a similar move and was also standing beside a dead man.
Something was wrong though. Usually the rush of adrenaline would have eliminated much of his tiredness - the Professor had genetically modified him so that he would be able to fight even when exhausted -- but right now his movements felt sluggish, as if he were operating at a higher g level.
There was an outraged shout and Duo found himself trying to duck out of the way of one of the remaining men's fists. His normally quick movements were slowed however, and the punch connected solidly with his jaw, rocking him backwards. Dropping to the ground, he rolled away, pushing himself into a crouch and lunging at his opponent. His fist connected with the man's midsection, but it didn't have enough power behind it to do much damage. He found himself slammed up against the wall; the crack of his skull against the stone was audible throughout the room.
The man dropped him and he staggered away, trying to keep on his feet. His opponent was grinning and reaching for the clasp at the front of his pants. Glancing up, he saw that Quatre was cornered as well and bleeding from a gash at his hairline.
The man had his pants open, weeping erection peeking through the fly. Duo backed away unsteadily, frightened and furious over what he knew was about to happen. Swinging his fist in a last ditch effort he nearly screamed in frustration as it seemed to move in slow motion. His wrist was easily caught and twisted around to his back as he was pressed face first into the wall. He felt a hand at the button of his riding pants and struggled weakly against his soon to be rapist.
He was shocked therefore when he felt the man yanked off him and shoved away. Duo tried to stay standing but he had no strength left. Managing to turn so that his back was against the wall, he slid to the floor, surprised to see the concerned face of Zechs Marques looking down on him before he lost himself in darkness.
+++
Milliardo looked at the unconscious boys in wonder. When the new mechs had started fighting invisible foes there had been a chaotic scramble to get away from the rampaging machines, and figure out what was going on. None of the Shifted had been familiarized with the systems, so the actions had seemed impossible, and the only explanation, improbable as it seemed, had been the two pilots.
He and Treize had raced towards the cell, trying to find out what was happening, and had been outraged at what they found. There were two bodies on the floor, necks bent at odd angles, and four others. The blond boy had been pressed face first into the bed while the man holding him struggled to remove his pants. Across the room another man held the other boy against the wall while groping for the opening to his black pants. Enraged, Milliardo tore the offender off the brunette and slammed him against the wall. He watched the boy turn shakily then slide down the wall before passing out.
He'd glanced over to see Treize yanking the cravat off of the unconscious offender, and press it against the blond's head. Pulling his communicator out of his pocket, Milliardo had called both Dr. Po and security.
"Well?" asked Treize, pulling Milliardo's mind back to the present.
"I'll need to run some more tests," the sandy haired doctor began, "but I can tell you that ~I~ wasn't the one to inject them with nanites. The healing serum simply activated them."
"So they ~did~ Shift then." It wasn't really a question.
Turning towards him, she nodded. "Yes, they do appear to have Shifted. I wish I'd known of the possibility, I could have done something for them. As it was, they were probably terrified, and in agony for nearly two hours."
The blond shuddered. He and Treize normally drugged those they Shifted so that the pain wasn't so extreme - the thought of Shifting without anesthetics was a very uncomfortable thought.
Treize cleared his throat politely. "How did they do it?"
"Do what? Receive nanites?" he asked his long time friend.
"Function."
Both Milliardo and the doctor stared at him in sudden realization. "They shouldn't have been able to," stated the doctor. "The combination of their slight stature, the energy nets, healing serum, and Shifting should have left them incapacitated for nearly forty eight hours."
"Are they even human?" Milliardo blurted out. "We didn't think that they'd be able to be Contenders, yet they were able to function after all of that?"
"They also accessed their mecha," Treize added quietly. "I've never encountered anyone who could interface so quickly and easily with a mech."
Milliardo rubbed the bridge of his nose then brushed his platinum bangs out of his eyes. "Can we use them though?" he asked. "We know that they can hold their own in unarmed combat - they managed to kill two of their assailants even with the unfamiliar drag of the Mecho, but are they capable of being Contenders?"
"Let me run some more tests," the woman said. "There is definitely something different with them, even discounting the fact that someone from a different Harvest Sector has the ability to make nanites that interact with our technology. I suspect genetic manipulation, but . . ."
"You need time to run the tests," finished Treize. "Very well, Sally. You continue your tests, while we continue examining and modifying the mecha. Contact us when you have something."
As the two left the infirmary, and headed back toward the mech bay Milliardo couldn't help but wonder if they'd just made the luckiest investment of their lives, or the gravest error.
TBC
+++
Glossary
Acquisition Run: When armed mecha are sent to another dimension to capture the mecha and pilots for use in the BattleGames.
Acquisitions: People and mecha acquired during an Acquisition Run.
BattleGames: An arena format where the Shifted fight to the death with their mecha. Used for entertainment as well as political purposes.
Contenders: Warriors who fight in the BattleGames usually for the benefit of wealthy patrons.
Energy nets: Nets used to capture mecha during Acquisition Runs. They are made of a special flexible wire that conducts energy similar to what the Gateways use. It temporarily shuts down all but the life-support systems of the ensnared mech making them easier to capture and control.
Gateway: Technology that allows people to travel between alternate dimensions.
Harvest Sector: A dimension were mecha and pilots are acquired.
Interfacer: One of the Shifted who interfaces with a mech.
Mecha/Mech: Large robot-like suits of armor that are controlled mentally by the Shifted for use in the BattleGames.
Mecho: Short for Mecha Echo, it is the drag the Shifted feels when he or she tries to move a mech. It feels like the interfacer is trying to move and fight in a higher g level. Much adjustment and training is necessary for the interfacer to achieve significant speed and agility while fighting.
Nanites: Microscopic probes that are injected into the blood stream. Once activated, they create a Shift, which alters the brain of the contenders so that they are able to control their mecha mentally - they set up an interface with the computer of the mecha to accomplish this. Once injected and activated, the nanites cannot be removed or deactivated without killing the host.
Passage: The term used to describe the use of a Gateway.
The Shifted: People whose brains have been altered or Shifted to accommodate the nanites which allow them to mentally control their mecha. Shifting is a very painful process, and tends to leave the newly Shifted incapacitated for at least twenty-four hours. The process is irreversible.
By Hana-chan gohana_chan@hotmail.com
Category: Partially AU, TWT, yaoi, angst, occasional lemon, Sci Fi
Pairings: None right now.
Ratings: Varies. This part is R for violence
Warnings: Attempted NCS, some language
Disclaimer: I don't own anything Gundam Wing. This is for fun, not profit, so don't sue me. The story, and any characters that do not belong to GW belong to me.
Archive: Fanfiction.net http://www.fanfiction.net/index.fic?action=directory-authorprofile&UserId=81835
thoughts +++ scene change ~emphasis~
The BattleGames
Chapter 1
"Gateway from Harvest Sector 254-3A has been initiated," said the pleasant alto voice of the computer. "Passage will commence in T minus 10 seconds."
Two men in opulent velvet jackets stood on a balcony and watched the empty steel arch of the Gateway, waiting for the flood of white-green light that would indicate its activation.
"Hopefully these Acquisitions will be worth the effort," said one man as he listened to the computer count down the seconds until Passage.
His companion shrugged gracefully, causing his platinum hair to ripple against his back. "It is a new Harvest Sector - there is bound to be something there that hasn't been seen here before."
The other man raised one ginger-colored eyebrow. "We can hope," he responded quietly. "Dermail's last move was ingenious, taking out our contenders like that,"
"I know," was the reply. "It was a very clear threat. Why risk trouble with the law by harming us, when he can take out our contenders? We ~need~ replacements. Fast."
"I'm well aware of that, Milliardo, why do you think I'm risking an unknown Harvest Sector - I just hope we get something worthwhile."
Milliardo's blue eyes narrowed, and he nodded. "We'd better. Two months isn't enough time to cultivate a novice,"
A warning claxon sounded, and the Gateway began to glow. White-green streamers of energy crisscrossed the interior of the metal arch forming an energy disk in the center. With a soundless flash the Gateway opened, opaque marble-like surface bowing into the room like stretched rubber until it split allowing the mecha through.
Six mechs flew through the Gateway dragging green energy nets behind them. The two mechs that were tangled in the mass of green energy were taken to the holding bay and secured within the dampening field to prevent the occupants from resisting capture. Once they were secured, the energy nets were deactivated and removed, revealing the newly acquired mecha.
"Dear God, Treize," gasped Milliardo. "They're phenomenal,"
The ginger-haired man nodded in agreement, as they studied the mechanical giants from their balcony vantage point. "Indeed they are," he said quietly. "We may have found exactly what we need."
Both machines were impressive. The first one was black and white with a red and black shield a green bladed energy scythe, while the other was black white and gray with a gold accented shield and two curved metal shotels. The acquisition crew approached with their scanners to determine where the cockpit was, and to assess the composition, capabilities and any damage that may have been sustained.
"Two human life-forms," commented Anderson, the crew captain, looking up at the two well dressed men on the balcony. "The cockpit is in the chest cavity."
"Extract them," ordered Treize. "Let's see what we've got."
Anderson nodded and the extraction teams swarmed over the two machines using anti-grav harnesses to assist them. It only took a few moments of analysis to figure out the mechanism of the cockpit hatch and open it. Milliardo and Trieze watched, hoping to get a pair of warriors that would be viable contenders.
They were highly disappointed with what they saw.
"Those are mecha pilots?" exclaimed Milliardo. "They're hardly more than children."
Trieze sighed and shook his head. The unconscious boys did not look anything like the warriors they'd hoped to get. One had pale blond hair and fair skin, already purpling from a deep bruise. His delicate form was clad in pale pink, violet, and khaki, and he definitely didn't have the look of a fighter. The second hardly looked like a boy with his slight build and long chestnut braid. He was dressed in black with a priest's collar. His fair skin was also showing the beginnings of a bruise.
"How can they be warriors?" asked Milliardo in dismay. "They look more like pleasure slaves than fighters."
The other man frowned in thought. "There might be more to them than it appears, but you're right - I don't think we could get them ready to be contenders in two months. If they have any battle experience at all, I doubt it's in hand-to-hand combat."
Milliardo shook his head, "I doubt they'd last one round. So, what do we do with them?" he asked. "Their mechs are fantastic, but we don't have any Shifted warriors to control them."
"What should we do with them?" asked Anderson, echoing the blond's soft comment.
"Inject them with the healing serum, then place them in one of the more comfortable cells. There's not much point in Shifting them."
Anderson nodded and signaled the woman who'd been standing near the wall. "Dr. Po?" he asked. She nodded and silently injected the two unconscious boys.
The ginger haired man watched silently as the two boys were taken away, a slight frown marring his aristocratic features.
"What is it?" asked the blond.
Treize shook his head. "I don't really know. Something about those boys though . . ." Shrugging, he turned back to watch as the crews began to modify the new mecha to work compatibly with Shifted fighters.
+++
Duo woke slowly, groaning at the numbing tingle running through his body. The pins and needles sensation left him wondering if he'd been subjected to electric shock torture by OZ while he'd been unconscious. It didn't seem like them, but then, neither had those strange energy nets that had snared his Deathscythe.
Opening his eyes, he saw that he was lying on a simple bed in what appeared to be a cell of some sort. Rolling to his side, he saw that Quatre was also in the cell with him, lying on the second bed, a yellow-green bruise covering the side of his face. The blond groaned softly, opening his eyes.
"Hey, Q-man," said Duo quietly. "How're you doing?"
Quatre blinked owlishly at him. "Okay I think," was the soft answer. "My head's spinning though."
Duo nodded. "I thought it might be after seeing that nasty bruise on your. . . Where'd it go?"
"Where did what go?" asked Quatre.
"Your bruise. I swear there was a huge bruise on the side of your face a few minutes ago."
The blond reached up to touch his cheekbone then shrugged. "It doesn't feel sore," he commented. "Come to think of it, I'm not dizzy anymore either."
Completely confused, Duo rolled off the bed to his feet and made his way across the room. Before he got there however, he felt a burning sensation in his left arm that began to quickly radiate throughout his entire body. The heat intensified, feeling like tiny, red-hot ants were crawling around under his skin. He dropped to the floor with a gasp. It felt as if the fiery-ants were burrowing through his very cells. Writhing on the floor, his soft whimpers changed to screams as the sensation of burrowing creatures reached his brain. He was vaguely aware of Quatre's agonized scream, but was too focused on his own pain to do anything. The brunette scrubbed at his skin, trying to make the feeling go away, but it only got stronger. Curling into a fetal ball, he waited for the mercy of unconsciousness to claim him.
It never came.
Eventually, Duo's voice gave out, and he was reduced to almost soundless whimpers as the agonizing burrowing continued.
When the pain finally did stop, he simply lay still, panting and savoring its absence. His face was wet with tears as he opened his eyes and looked blearily at Quatre who was curled up nearby, face upside down to him, only a few inches away. "Quat," he croaked, throat raw from screaming. His friend's eyes were clenched shut, cheeks also wet.
Moistening his mouth he tried again. "Quatre,"
The blond boy opened his eyes slowly, taking time to focus. "Du. . . Duo?" His voice sounded as raw as well. "What. . .?"
Duo lifted a trembling hand towards his friend. "Don't know. Pain's gone though,"
"Umm hmm," mumbled the other boy. "Can you move?"
"Don't want to, too weak,"
The slightest smile touched Quatre's lips. "Must be - you're talking in point form."
The brunette's mouth quirked up at the corner, but it was nowhere near his normal manic grin. "Hn."
Quatre's smile widened, then vanished. "We have to try something - OZ must have us and our gundams."
Wincing, Duo sighed and tried to push himself up. He managed to get to his knees, but his arms were trembling with the effort. "Fuck, I'm tired," he panted. "What the hell did they do to us?"
Quatre shook his head, pushing himself to his knees as well. "Maybe it's a new way to sedate us. I doubt I could break out of a paper bag right now." Crawling to the bed, Quatre used it to lever himself up so that he was sitting on it. Duo repeated the action a moment later.
"Ooo, beds," he said dryly. "Must be a high-class prison this time."
Sandrock's pilot rolled his eyes, trying to bring his breathing back to normal. Sliding back on the narrow bed, he leaned against the wall, closing his eyes, hands held limply at his sides while Duo flopped sideways, lying down with his feet still on the floor.
There was a soft shuffle at the door to the cell and both pilots warily opened their eyes. Moving sluggishly, they tried to ready themselves for a fight, but neither one of them had the strength to do more than sit upright on the bed.
"We shouldn't be doing this," said one voice in a low tone. "What if we get caught?"
There was a derisive snort in response. "So what if we do? His Lordship said that they were useless - did you see them? They'd never make Contenders. They'll obviously be kept as pleasure slaves so we might as well get first shot."
Duo and Quatre looked at each other, looks of fear being replaced by grim determination. "No way they're making me into their fuck-toy," the brunette muttered, unraveling two lengths of silk cord from the tie at the end of his braid and handing one to the blonde.
Quatre nodded in agreement, wicked smile on his face as he wrapped the ends of the makeshift garrote around his hands. "I don't think they'd like my blowjobs,"
Duo blinked in surprise, wondering if this was what Quatre was like on Zero, but let the thought slide, manic gleam coming into his eyes as the door clicked open.
There were four of them dressed in something resembling that worn in the Sanq Kingdom. "Ah, look," said one. "The pretty boys are awake."
"Of course they're awake," replied another. "That serum the Doctor gave them would have healed them two hours ago."
"Come here," commanded the third man. Duo recognized his voice as being the eager one from behind the door.
Both boys stood up, trembling in exhaustion, heads and hands lowered submissively. Duo peered through his bangs as the man approached him, raising his hands to clutch the man's jacket as he closed in. "Eager one aren't you?" the man asked, lowering his mouth for a kiss. Duo responded timidly, but when the man pulled back for air, the pilot snapped his arms up, wrapping the garrote around the man's throat. Spinning around, Duo dropped to the ground pulling the would-be rapist over his shoulder and snapping his neck. Releasing the cord he stood unsteadily, grinning at the stunned looks on the other's faces. Glancing to the side, he saw that Quatre had performed a similar move and was also standing beside a dead man.
Something was wrong though. Usually the rush of adrenaline would have eliminated much of his tiredness - the Professor had genetically modified him so that he would be able to fight even when exhausted -- but right now his movements felt sluggish, as if he were operating at a higher g level.
There was an outraged shout and Duo found himself trying to duck out of the way of one of the remaining men's fists. His normally quick movements were slowed however, and the punch connected solidly with his jaw, rocking him backwards. Dropping to the ground, he rolled away, pushing himself into a crouch and lunging at his opponent. His fist connected with the man's midsection, but it didn't have enough power behind it to do much damage. He found himself slammed up against the wall; the crack of his skull against the stone was audible throughout the room.
The man dropped him and he staggered away, trying to keep on his feet. His opponent was grinning and reaching for the clasp at the front of his pants. Glancing up, he saw that Quatre was cornered as well and bleeding from a gash at his hairline.
The man had his pants open, weeping erection peeking through the fly. Duo backed away unsteadily, frightened and furious over what he knew was about to happen. Swinging his fist in a last ditch effort he nearly screamed in frustration as it seemed to move in slow motion. His wrist was easily caught and twisted around to his back as he was pressed face first into the wall. He felt a hand at the button of his riding pants and struggled weakly against his soon to be rapist.
He was shocked therefore when he felt the man yanked off him and shoved away. Duo tried to stay standing but he had no strength left. Managing to turn so that his back was against the wall, he slid to the floor, surprised to see the concerned face of Zechs Marques looking down on him before he lost himself in darkness.
+++
Milliardo looked at the unconscious boys in wonder. When the new mechs had started fighting invisible foes there had been a chaotic scramble to get away from the rampaging machines, and figure out what was going on. None of the Shifted had been familiarized with the systems, so the actions had seemed impossible, and the only explanation, improbable as it seemed, had been the two pilots.
He and Treize had raced towards the cell, trying to find out what was happening, and had been outraged at what they found. There were two bodies on the floor, necks bent at odd angles, and four others. The blond boy had been pressed face first into the bed while the man holding him struggled to remove his pants. Across the room another man held the other boy against the wall while groping for the opening to his black pants. Enraged, Milliardo tore the offender off the brunette and slammed him against the wall. He watched the boy turn shakily then slide down the wall before passing out.
He'd glanced over to see Treize yanking the cravat off of the unconscious offender, and press it against the blond's head. Pulling his communicator out of his pocket, Milliardo had called both Dr. Po and security.
"Well?" asked Treize, pulling Milliardo's mind back to the present.
"I'll need to run some more tests," the sandy haired doctor began, "but I can tell you that ~I~ wasn't the one to inject them with nanites. The healing serum simply activated them."
"So they ~did~ Shift then." It wasn't really a question.
Turning towards him, she nodded. "Yes, they do appear to have Shifted. I wish I'd known of the possibility, I could have done something for them. As it was, they were probably terrified, and in agony for nearly two hours."
The blond shuddered. He and Treize normally drugged those they Shifted so that the pain wasn't so extreme - the thought of Shifting without anesthetics was a very uncomfortable thought.
Treize cleared his throat politely. "How did they do it?"
"Do what? Receive nanites?" he asked his long time friend.
"Function."
Both Milliardo and the doctor stared at him in sudden realization. "They shouldn't have been able to," stated the doctor. "The combination of their slight stature, the energy nets, healing serum, and Shifting should have left them incapacitated for nearly forty eight hours."
"Are they even human?" Milliardo blurted out. "We didn't think that they'd be able to be Contenders, yet they were able to function after all of that?"
"They also accessed their mecha," Treize added quietly. "I've never encountered anyone who could interface so quickly and easily with a mech."
Milliardo rubbed the bridge of his nose then brushed his platinum bangs out of his eyes. "Can we use them though?" he asked. "We know that they can hold their own in unarmed combat - they managed to kill two of their assailants even with the unfamiliar drag of the Mecho, but are they capable of being Contenders?"
"Let me run some more tests," the woman said. "There is definitely something different with them, even discounting the fact that someone from a different Harvest Sector has the ability to make nanites that interact with our technology. I suspect genetic manipulation, but . . ."
"You need time to run the tests," finished Treize. "Very well, Sally. You continue your tests, while we continue examining and modifying the mecha. Contact us when you have something."
As the two left the infirmary, and headed back toward the mech bay Milliardo couldn't help but wonder if they'd just made the luckiest investment of their lives, or the gravest error.
TBC
+++
Glossary
Acquisition Run: When armed mecha are sent to another dimension to capture the mecha and pilots for use in the BattleGames.
Acquisitions: People and mecha acquired during an Acquisition Run.
BattleGames: An arena format where the Shifted fight to the death with their mecha. Used for entertainment as well as political purposes.
Contenders: Warriors who fight in the BattleGames usually for the benefit of wealthy patrons.
Energy nets: Nets used to capture mecha during Acquisition Runs. They are made of a special flexible wire that conducts energy similar to what the Gateways use. It temporarily shuts down all but the life-support systems of the ensnared mech making them easier to capture and control.
Gateway: Technology that allows people to travel between alternate dimensions.
Harvest Sector: A dimension were mecha and pilots are acquired.
Interfacer: One of the Shifted who interfaces with a mech.
Mecha/Mech: Large robot-like suits of armor that are controlled mentally by the Shifted for use in the BattleGames.
Mecho: Short for Mecha Echo, it is the drag the Shifted feels when he or she tries to move a mech. It feels like the interfacer is trying to move and fight in a higher g level. Much adjustment and training is necessary for the interfacer to achieve significant speed and agility while fighting.
Nanites: Microscopic probes that are injected into the blood stream. Once activated, they create a Shift, which alters the brain of the contenders so that they are able to control their mecha mentally - they set up an interface with the computer of the mecha to accomplish this. Once injected and activated, the nanites cannot be removed or deactivated without killing the host.
Passage: The term used to describe the use of a Gateway.
The Shifted: People whose brains have been altered or Shifted to accommodate the nanites which allow them to mentally control their mecha. Shifting is a very painful process, and tends to leave the newly Shifted incapacitated for at least twenty-four hours. The process is irreversible.