GUNDREAD: MEMORIES OFF
Written by: Norsehound
Disclaimer: Vandread is property of Gonzo Studios. Mobile Suit Gundam and Mobile Suit Gundam W are not my property.
"What kept you?"
First of all I want you all to remember parts of the original and 2x versions of Gundread.
Then,
Forget them.
This work, in some ways, is to atone for how bad Gundread was in abusing cannon. I will make a better and more believable version this time around.
Mostly, some elements of the last chapter have been tossed.
CHAPTER ONE:
Yesterday…"Where are you going Heero?"
Stopping underneath the curtain of rain feet outside of a large square building, a young man with tattered brown hair turned his head to look behind him.
Advancing through the mists was a familiar face. Hildie approached with a smile and asked, "Things with Lady Une didn't go well?"
"No…." replied Heero. He started walking again through the light drizzle of a European sky.
Hildie followed him, "Where are you going?"
"…I don't know." Replied Heero without looking at her.
She continued to follow him, leaning over to look into his face, "Can I come with you?"
Heero stopped and allowed her to drift in front of him. He just got what was bothering him. Wincing, he asked, "Where's Duo?"
Hildie's happy expression melted, "You mean…You haven't talked with Relena at all?"
"No. Not since Brussels." Replied Heero.
Hildie sighed and looked away for a moment, then said, "Heero, Duo's seeing Relena now…"
"What?" Heero asked, startling both of them with his hasty reply.
Hildie looked at him with a surprised look and said slowly, "They've been going out for the past five months….I thought….you knew…."
Something welled up in Heero. It was a feeling he was growing accustomed to now that war had passed. Emotions were turning out to be very interesting things indeed.
"Relena…" He murmured and said, "excuse me,"
Heero started off at a walk, then broke into a run.
"Heero!" Hildie shouted at him. She cupped her hands and tried to impersonate Relena, "HEE-ROOO!!!!"
Failing, She sighed and turned her back, "Why….why do I have to be so alone….?"
"Are you sure you're feeling all right Heero?"
Heero took in a breath and replied, "I don't think I can answer that one truthfully."
"I understand, given your circumstances. It's not like you to act on an impulse to go to a party like that."
Heero stared into the space before the telephone booth, going over in his mind what he needed to do. Maybe it was out of boredom that he asked, "How's Silvia?"
"She's fine. She and I had plans to go to Clavius before it was locked down…. We're going to Europe tomorrow to see her relatives. If you like, you can come."
"…No, I'll probably have some engagements." Said Heero.
"if you wish." Said his friend, then went on, "If you like, Catherine's still at L3… She told me to tell you that you can come see her anytime you like….if you need someone to talk to."
Heero flinched, "About Relena….?"
"So you heard. I suspected it, given your urge to head to the conference. Usually you like to admire Relena from a distance. Catherine said I should tell you to act on your impulses, too."
Heero wasn't watching himself, so he actively chuckled.
"…That's the first time you've laughed like that, Heero."
"You can tell Catherine she made me," Replied Heero, "Anyway, thank you Trowa. I don't think I can trust anyone else, anymore…"
"My family is always welcome to you, Heero. Mine and Silvia's."
"Give her my best."
"I will."
Trowa hung up. And a moment later so did Heero.
In his lifetime the assassin had assumed many identities, names, and parts. It was like a drama and he was the star. Nameless, he had performed his act flawlessly through the years since taking the stage so long ago.
Now that the drama had ended he was a jumble of parts that he had played over the years. He had no role to play this time, at least not yet, for now he was a spectator. His name was Heero Yuy, and he was once again a gentleman at the party.
Heero had his suspicions why it was at Colony Cluster L1. His newfound emotions suspected it was because this was his home colony; but his logic told him that this was the closest colony block to Earth. So naturally a small party like this would be at a place convenient for both parties.
Even so, Heero was still feeling the twinges of his feelings. Of all the people in the world he had emotional ties to a select few. One of them was his mentor, Dr. J, who had been a sort of Father to him. Another was that poor little girl- the result of unnecessary loss. A third was Silvia, who had pushed him to his emotions sometime after Brussels…
The fourth, but most important, was Relena Peacecraft.
He had memorized her profile, even seen her on the shuttle during his descent. He remembered her voice, her scent , everything right down to the pressure of her hands when they danced…
Once during an irrational time after the war he had become restless. His emotions had sprung free, and he had sat long and pondered what life could have been like. What if Relena was still a Dorlean instead of a Peacecraft… could a normal life been possible between the two of them?
No, of course not. Relena was always a Peacecraft, she was bound to royalty one way or another. Maybe she could have been a rich kid, but politics was one thing she would probably never escape from.
Heero now turned his attention to the company he had made just that night. He made the acquaintance of a few guests here, many of which gave good impressions already.
To his left was a purple-hared woman of thin stature, probably in her thirties. She had thin eyes and a pleasing smile, but she had the look of a bitter betrayal in her past. She had introduced herself as Haman Khan, and had been a prominent ace pilot during the war against OZ. She prided herself as one of the few resistance cells never overcome by the alliance, OZ, or the Romafeller foundation. It had been said she even bested Mobile Dolls.
Another at the table was Sayla Mass, a journalist from Earth. There was some rumor floating around that she was a 'lost heir' to the Peacecraft family, but this had no solid basis. She was who she was, nothing more.
Heero turned to their conversation to listen in now as Haman was saying, "Quite frankly so long as the Earth doesn't continue it's self-centered binge I think the colonies will do fine. Independence, if continued, will be beneficial to the colonies as an independent nation instead of grouped together with those lunatics running things on Earth."
Sayla shrugged and said, "Well Ms. Peacecraft seems to be a good envoy between the two nations. I think she's doing fine."
"You could be right," Haman said and swirled her wineglass, "She isn't a puppet to anyone, not even those Gundam pilots- by the way, you know the rumors don't you?"
Sayla chuckled, "I wrote a column on it once. Relena seems too elevated to have any kind of lasting relationship…I know she's here with one of them, but I don't think it's the same one she was seeing during the colony wars."
"Hmm. A shame." Haman said and sipped at her glass, then looked out into the crowd, "Sometimes I have to wonder if those diplomat types really have any fun…"
"I think not," Said Sayla, "Unless they leave the picture, like two of those preventors…"
"Mm." Agreed Haman and continued to swirl her glass, "Yes…Zechs was one of them, wasn't he?"
"Yes, I think he was. He left with his wife, didn't he?"
"I thought he was dead." Said Haman and sighed, "Milliardo…"
"You knew him?" Asked Sayla with some shock.
"Yes, and I knew someone like him." Said Haman and shook her head, "Now both of them are gone." She sipped her glass again.
Sayla smiled, "You should meet my brother then. Edward's around here somewhere…"
"Maybe I should. But," Haman said and turned, "enough moping. Hey, Heero isn't it? Why are you here?"
Heero answered, "I like big parties."
"That's a load of bull. You look like you're out to kill someone." Haman replied.
Heero allowed a smirk, "Maybe I am."
Haman burst out laughing while Sayla just blushed. Haman looked at him and said, "I like you Heero; you have a flare few men posses. If you'll stay with me for tonight, I think I can make your evening enjoyable."
"I think I'll pass on it for now," said Heero, "I might have engagements."
"Like running from the scene of a crime? You amuse me," Haman laughed and sipped at her glass again.
Sayla frowned, "You shouldn't joke about that Haman, especially now at this party…."
Haman waved a hand in mid-sip and went on when she finished, "Frankly I don't care what everyone else thinks. Besides, the security is drum-tight here. Assassins wouldn't be able to make it in without getting stopped by the bodyguards. Besides, wasn't the famous Heero Yuy assassinated?"
"You mean the leader of the colonies?" Heero asked.
"Mm." Nodded Haman.
"Yes, he was." Replied Heero, "Strange coincidence really."
"Yes, that you and him have the same names," Said Haman.
A little figure stopped by, "Um, Haman, have you seen Bright?"
Haman turned her head, "Bright? He and Mirai are over there," said Haman.
Heero followed her finger and caught sight of movement. He was getting rusty, Relena was practically in plain sight all this time and he didn't even see her. She was standing over by the concession stand with her tied-back hair and parted bangs. She didn't look like the painted doll she did on some formal occasions during speeches. Heero didn't like her like that anyway.
"Thanks Haman," Said Elpe and the little teenager made her way off to another crowd of people. If Heero was watching he could have seen Lady Une and Marimea waving to Elpe as she walked past…
Haman sighed, "The little youth. I should go over there."
"Why don't you?" Asked Sayla and turned around, "I think my brother is over there…."
Heero on the other hand was watching Relena, and didn't see who Duo was until a back turned and a braid flailed in the light.
"Duo." Muttered Heero.
"My God," Haman said, "Is Edgar the guy with the blond hair?"
"Yes, why?"
Heero stood up, saying, "Excuse me,"
"That's Char Aznable!" Haman blasted and stood, "That's….oh, take care Heero! Find me later!"
"I can try," said Heero over his shoulder as he walked over to where Relena and Duo were standing. His heart thundered in his chest as he bore down on his targets.
They didn't see him as they turned and started to head to the back of the room. Heero decided to follow them at a distance to see where they were headed.
He followed them down a passageway out through the halls and eventually into the back gardens. The colony was dimmed now to a perpetual nighttime, with artificial stars hanging overhead. Heero lost sight of them until he rounded a hedge. They were both standing there on the bridge overlooking the small creek that ran along the garden floor.
Heero stopped, winced, then started forward again per emotional drive. His hand shivered and to stop it he clenched it closed.
When the sound of feet hitting the wooden planks echoed through the night, both heads turned to see him. Relena's eyes widened in recognition, while Duo's face first showed a hint of annoyance, then turned to smile in joviality.
"Hey Heero," Duo said, but Heero didn't hear him. Instead he was focused on Relena.
Then he looked up, "Duo,"
But Duo had a tinge of authority in his eyes as he said, "Hey, Heero, Relena and I were heading up to my room and uh…. We kinda wanted to be alone so…"
"Relena…" Heero finally managed to croak as he looked at her.
Relena stared back at him in surprise, shock, and shame. Then she turned her head and looked away with her eyes closed.
Duo on the other hand went on, "Hey what's the matter Heero? You Jealous? C'mon, it's not like you-"
Heero hit him.
It was one fluid motion like a reflex, so perfect it could have been guided by the ZERO system. The blow swept past Relena's face without even touching her hair and impacted Duo in the jaw. Had he been two degrees higher and harder Duo's jaw would have snapped.
Duo fell backwards with his jaw smarting.
Relena watched him fall, then turned to Heero to shout, "Heero!"
"Hey, don't worry about it Relena," Murmured Duo as he got up, one hand holding his jaw, "It's all good… I guess you and I should just keep away from each other eh?"
Duo turned and started walking away through the garden.
The two of them watched him leave, then Relena turned to Heero with the look of shock and shame, "Why Heero? What's gotten into you?"
"I-" Heero said and shook his head as he looked down to the ground, then at his hands.
Relena wanted to say more, but proper etiquette said she had to look after her date. She turned and hurried after Duo while Heero looked at his hands.
"Emotions…what…" Said Heero.
He made his exit swift. He stopped over to talk to Haman, thanked her and her guests for a wonderful time, and made a swift exit before news of what happened filled the guest chamber.
He stopped briefly to talk to Catherine at L3. He had business elsewhere.
"If you need anything," Said Catherine after spending some hours in her company, "Don't hesitate to come back…or call…"
"Don't worry, I will," Said Heero and smiled, "Thank you."
"It's nothing." Said Catherine and smiled at him as he turned and left the circus area.
Catherine, Heero was certain, was one logistical element he could not afford to loose. The circus was one of the few places he liked to hide out in following Brussels, and in fact that's how Trowa and Silvia met one another. They had Heero to thank for that.
Wonderful, Heero thought, I'm an assassin and pilot…and also a matchmaker. Who would have thought? But then, he was trained to be perfect… Except Perfect in romance.
What were his objectives now? He lied to himself, saying he was the perfect soldier but was this true? He had no objectives following the war- nothing to keep him from being a normal person. Was peace something he could stand?
He stopped on the sidewalk. Something finally clicked. Maybe he needed emotions to realize it, for humor and irony came only with feeling. He smiled at the thought, and kept walking.
Objective: Win Relena over.
Well, Heero thought, it was something. He didn't need a Gundam to do it either, only skills he lacked. And from that standpoint he was loosing the mission to Duo, which was unspeakable.
But then a truck drove by. Heero looked up at it.
The preventor sigil wasn't hard to miss, especially as it was on the surface of an armored police vehicle. He watched as one after another passed down the street and was reminded of what had happened three days ago.
…The former OZ operative Lady Une looked up from her desk as the door opened. Striding into the room in a pair of shorts and a green tank top was the most infamous of the five Gundam pilots. Heero Yuy looked significantly more experienced when he walked in the door of the Preventor Head office.
"The boy they call Heero Yuy," Une said as Heero walked in and closed the door behind him, "What can I do for you?"
Heero sat before her desk in a large seat as he said, "I want to talk to you about the colonies."
"What about them?" Une asked.
"…Your 'police activities' are interesting to say the least."
"Do you have a complaint or a compliment?" Asked Une.
"A complaint." Said Heero, "What happened in Colony X2-0093 last Tuesday."
Une paused a moment to think, then said, "Heero, those people were Pirates."
"That colony wanted separation. You denied it by using their own defense force against them."
"Heero, they were developing Mobile suits of their own," Replied Une, "In a nation of peace we cannot allow Mobile suits to exist any longer."
"That's not my point." Said Heero, "They requested peace as a separate colonial entity. I think Wufei must have been your operative- only he would be that eccentric about destroying things."
"Lt. Chang was well trained in the arts of disarmament," Une said.
"That wasn't' Disarmament- it was out and out destruction! You leveled the base, totaled the Mobile suits you could find, and then proceeded to arrest anyone suspicious of unusual activity." Toned Heero.
"…They were rebels, Heero, pirates even." Said Une, "They were looting old wreak yards to try to find what Mobile suits they could. It's lucky that we managed to stop them when they did- they could have found your Gundam Heero."
"Unlikely. Only three people know where that suit is, and Duo's the third. His junkyard would be the best place to hide it, naturally."
"Of course…"
Heero continued to stare at her and said, "You still haven't explained your actions."
"Heero," warned Une in a sharp tone, "We had to. We had no choice! If they continued, they could have developed a whole separate line of Mobile suits on their own and used it as leverage to threaten the Earthsphere! We had to do what we could!"
"And not listen to their demands?" Asked Heero.
"We did." Said Une, "Colony X2-0093 was demanding separation from the United Earthsphere on the grounds that they did not trust us. They could not accept a completely pacifistic state. They were paranoid, Heero, we had to save them from themselves."
Heero continued to glare at her, "I don't blame them, considering who they have running their protection force."
Une stiffened. Not a lot of people brought up the list of atrocities Lady Une committed as an OZ representative. Fewer people would even dare to use it.
"Are you suggesting I'm unreliable?" asked Une.
"I'm not sure. Given your schizophrenic history…"
Une stood sharply at her desk, "How dare you bring these accusations upon me! Heero, what are you doing?"
Heero hesitated a moment before replying, "I'm trying to secure a peaceful existence for the colonies."
"Isn't that Relena's job?" Asked Une.
"Relena deals with the diplomats and the painted faces that see her and run things. I seem to be in tune with the hearts of people."
"Heero, there was no possible way Relena could have dealt with those people. We could have, but we had the Zabi family to deal with! We had to keep THEM from getting to X2-0093!"
"And with all this staff you couldn't assign someone to listen tot heir demands?" Asked Heero.
Une sighed, "we're short on special operatives, Heero. Ever since Noin and Zechs left for Mars we've been shorthanded… We need you."
"Do you?"
She nodded and said, "We need every available pilot we can. Wufei's the only one who signed up…why not join the Preventors? There at least, you can use your skills to try to prevent actions again. I never understood why you left, anyway."
Heero thought about it for a moment. She did have a point; this was a war he could participate in and fight. He could be used again…
Used…
Something stirred inside Heero. He couldn't place it, but this was not his destiny.
"No."
"What?"
"I refuse," Reiterated Heero and Stood sharply.
"You're serious then," Said Une.
"Most," Replied Heero, "The colonies don't need your 'police actions', Preventor. If you won't agree to this, then I must do what I can."
Lady Une blinked and decided to speak, "But Heero, there are other individuals in the colonies-"
"I don't need to hear the speech. I heard it from Sally already." Heero grumbled.
Une's lips thinned, "so you're still a Gundam pilot. I guess out of the remaining five, you are the last remaining one."
Heero Glared at her for a moment, before turning and leaving.
This was the last Straw….
…Wherever those trucks were going, it sure looked important.
Heero took off in a run after them and tried to find out where they were headed. It wasn't long before he found them, after following some police sirens. He hid behind a building corner when he heard a familiar voice, "We'll take it from here."
Heero listened carefully. Sally was here, and where there was Sally Wufei wasn't too far behind. Still, he needed to know what was going on…
He listened for a moment and then took a breath before rounding the corner like an ordinary citizen. It had been several years since Sally had seen Heero, so he would look like nothing but a passerby.
The Preventor trucks were for transporting troops and police officers with the Preventor badge. They were surrounding a large warehouse in this industrial complex. The doorway to the warehouse was dented in some places and closed, but he could see in the gap the glint of gunbarrels.
He somehow needed to get into the building…
Heero walked down the street and came through the back way and looked at the back of the warehouse. There was only one door and it looked locked solid.
He could hear sally shouting at the front of the warehouse while Heero walked to the door and knocked on it.
"Who goes?" Asked a voice.
"A friend. I want to talk."
The shutter peeked open to expose a pair of eyes that looked around. The door opened ajar and a hand forced Heero in before the door closed behind him. Three men pointed guns at him and one demanded, "Who are you?"
"My name is Heero yuy, if it helps."
"The Gundam pilot!" shouted someone, "What's he doing here?"
Heero winced, "What's going on?"
One of the officers lowered his rifle, "Excuse us. My name is Blex Forer, Commander of the AEUG."
"AEUG?" Asked Heero.
Blex nodded and replied, "Anti-Earth Union Government. Specifically, the Preventors…"
There was some more shouting at the hanger door and Blex looked at Heero, "We didn't expect a Gundam pilot to show up. What are you doing here?"
"Trying to prevent both of you from getting killed." Said Heero and looked up.
There were mobile suits in the hanger.
"You have Mobile suits."
"Yes, this is what's left of the independence of X2-0093." Said Blex.
Heero saw one Ms different from the rest. He stopped and faced it, and only said one word. "Gundam."
Standing with a huge tower shield in it's left hand and a beam rifle in it's right was a tall mobile suit about as high as his old Wing Gundam. It looked bare bones compared to the five original Gundams and that of the Wing Zero. From it's looks it wasn't heavily armored, with a pair of Vulcan guns in the head and a pair of beam sabers on the back… Then he saw packed near the Gundam's feet a large round spiked sphere attached to a huge chain and a bazooka.
"Yes," said Blex, "We found this thing in an abandoned L1 colony and shipped it here. We were hoping to use it to free up X2-0093 from the police forces there, but we don't have anybody qualified to pilot a Gundam."
"How about the Mobile suits?" Asked Heero.
"Why? What do you intend on doing?" Asked Blex.
Heero looked at the door where he saw people locking the doorway. He turned to Blex and said, "I want you to make me a promise."
"What is it?"
"That you don't harm anyone."
"…Well, that's kinda the point," said Blex, "We're trying to get out of here in one piece with these MS, but the Preventors won't let us."
"Hn." Said Heero and looked around. Then he turned back and said, "I will pilot the Gundam."
"And help us out?"
"Yes, but on one condition," Said Heero, "I take the Gundam with me. As much as I disagree with the Preventors I cannot allow you to have a Gundam in your possession."
"So long as we can get out of here in one piece," Said Blex, "The Gundam is yours. Just make sure you don't let the Preventors get to it… As you probably already know, a Gundam is a symbol of colonial peace here."
"Hn." Replied Heero and looked at the Gundam again.
At the front of the blockade about the building Sally Po was holding up a megaphone shouting, "This is your last chance! Surrender yourselves and your mobile suits at once!"
A rumbling noise was heard from inside the building and everyone braced themselves as the door collapsed and fell down into the driveway. Sally lowered her arm to look and gasped.
Emerging from the hanger was a blue, white, and red Mobile suit about sixteen meters tall. In one hand was a beam rifle, the other a tower shield, and clipped on the back was a large bazooka.
The head turned down to show a pair of yellow eyes staring down at the Preventors, along with the twin Vulcan cannons.
"A Gundam…" Sally gasped in amazement. More movement was heard and she looked beyond the Gundam to see three more mobile suits moving.
The Gundam stood before the crowd while a pair of thick-bodied MS marched out of the hanger while the third had a large cargo box in it's grip. An armored car also rolled out of the doorway and halted.
Heero, in the cockpit of the Gundam, glared down at the group. It was better if he didn't identify himself, but let Blex announce for him, "Stand aside and let us through!"
"We cannot do that!" shouted Sally in response.
"Then stop us." Said Blex and started moving his machine forward.
The Preventor crowd stepped out of the way of the blue and white Mobile suit's feet as Blex crashed his machine through the crowd and cleared a path for the cars. As they turned onto the road Heero waited for the other Mobile suits to walk off, then followed them down the colonial street.
So far so good… thought Heero. Although he'll have one hell of a time comforting Catherine over the fact that he stole a Gundam nearly a quarter of an hour after talking to her.
They walked in silence across the streets as they headed for the rim wall, which should lead them to the spaceport. Heero had no idea where they were going, but he should really be thinking about his own destination. He had to get this mobile suit somewhere inconspicuous to examine it. Although it was a Gundam it didn't seem anywhere as powerful as the Wing Zero… and the absence of the Zero computer was quite refreshing to say the least.
However, just as they passed a street Heero heard a warning in the cockpit and angled the shield.
An anti-armor rocket detonated against the heavy Gundanium plating and erupted in a flash-bang explosion.
The Mobile suits ahead of him turned their mono-eyes along the tracks, Blex demanding, "What was that!?"
"Go! I'll handle this!" Shouted Heero and lowered the shield.
A small little form was running for him and it only took a second to identify who it was.
"Wufei." Heero murmured.
However, being bigger and taller than a person, Heero only needed to walk backwards away from the little figure no doubt armed with a detonator.
Instead he saw Wufei reloading and kneeling to fire again.
Heero was thankful for the massive tower shield as he turned it to absorb another blast. Even so…
The radio crackled, "We're at the port! Thanks for your support! Good luck to you!"
"Thanks." Heero said. Now that he was free of obligations..
He turned the Gundam to break into a run along the city streets, away from Wufei and up spin along the colony grounds. He should be able to outrun any Anti-MS weapons the Preventors had on them, and since the Preventors long ago ditched their mobile suits…
Heero ran some distance before getting into another airlock hatch and blasting himself out into space. He caught sight of a shuttle leaving and was half surprised to see it turn and angle for him.
"Need a lift?" Asked one of the AEUG members. Heero reached a hand out and grabbed a part of the shuttle as its engines ignited to break it out of L3's area.
In the months following the breakout, Heero was able to rebuild his Wing Gundam Zero with the parts and pieces scavenged from what could only be called the 'original Gundam'- a prototype that coined the name Gundam long before Wing Zero could ever be devised.
Renewed and revised, Heero's Mobile suit would return again only in one final battle where it confronted the Space battleship Argo, under the leadership of an ambitious commander Marie Denela.
Yet somehow through the chaos and the fury Heero's Gundam and Heero himself vanished. He would never tell Relena how he felt- nor would he ever see these lands of home again.
Regardless of the consequences, Heero was sent away…
And so you know more about the backstory.
Don't worry, Vandread will come eventually.
And I don't know how long I can keep this up, either.
Norsehound
(Appologies for the formatting. 's spacing is terrible, and they do not permit tabs on paragraphs. this is the best I could do.)