Ch. 1:

The Curtain Of The Next Chapter Is Coming Up Now

Noise could be heard off in a far distant place.

No… Not a noise. No it was a constant stream of noise with two different tones.

Voices

Yes that is it. Two people are talking off in the distance, one gruff sounding man and a nervous squeaky lad.

There was a lone figure in a dark room. "What is going on? Where am I? How did I get here?" were the first thoughts that crept inside the figure's head, but outside the voices started talking again and the figure strained to hear the voices.

"But… But… Do you think its safe for him to be in there all alone? Don't you think someone should be in there with him?" the squeaky lad said breathlessly.

"What should it matter its not like he is going anywhere. He got really beaten up the last time so there's no chance of him being able to be moving around again so soon" the gruff man growled.

It was at these words that the man inside the room stirred. He was sitting against the furthermost wall from the door with his arms dangling in mid air, just like a marionette on its strings. But these strings were not just simple threads; they glimmered metallically in the dim light that shown from the lowly lit lights all around the room. The man was in chains.

"But what will we do if he is moving around already? What if he is already working to break his way out of here again?"

"Calm yourself!" the gruff man boomed. "Do you really think that our leader would allow him to try and escape again?"

"N…N…No. Of course not! I mean it just that we never know exactly what these guys can do, do we?"

"HA… these fools. They just never know when to quit. You think that they would have just rolled over and died along time ago, but they just keep coming around. But that doesn't matter anymore. We got their leader, the only one that really matters."

"That's right. This guy is the one that piloted the Wing Zero isn't he?"

"Yeah. The perfect soldier, Heero Yuy."

And with that Heero Yuy raised his head and opened his eyes inside his cell. His eyes glimmered and shown an icy blue that could freeze the blood of any who looked at them. But around his right eye was a dark bruise that was turning a dark shade of purple. A trail of dried blood could also bee seen from a cut on his forehead. The cut had been stitched shut be had become red and swollen in surrounding area. And these were not the only injuries that Heero had; among the latter were several deep cuts and bruises on his chest and a deep burn on his left shoulder. This coupled with the old white lines of scars long sense healed and only left the memories of those events behind. He was sore all over. It ached to move an inch. But he fought. Now was not the time to sleep. It took him all of his strength to not sacome again to unconsciousness, but he managed to work out where he was.

A cell. Cold and mostly dark except for the low-lit lights on the ceiling.

He also figured out what was going on. Nothing right now, but Heero guessed that that was not the case before with his supposed escape attempt from where he was now. As it sounded by how the squeaky lad talked about it, Heero surmised that he must have made quite a bang. He chucked softly and then shook his head trying to clear away the cobwebs. The only thing he couldn't remember was how he got where he was or what was his purpose for doing so.

But is seemed like he wouldn't be having the time to figure that out just yet because outside his door he heard the voices instantly stop. And as he strained his ears he silently waited as the seconds ticked by. Slowly and silently Heero waited. Not daring to breath less he alert the guards outside to his current status. But soon he heard another voice quite unlike the first two. The first two were more normal but this voice gave off a sense of status and class, the upper most kind of class.

"Is the prisoner awake yet?" the third voice asked a sense of urgency in his tone.

"Oh come on we just put him in there not more than half an hour ago, there's no way he's even conscious yet!" The gruff man stated. The third voice took a moment before replying, as if letting the words of the gruff man sink in.

"I'm sure you know who that man is, right?"

"Y…Y…Yes," the squeaky lad stammered, "He was the pilot of the Wing Zero and leader of the Gundam fighters, Heero Yuy."

"That is correct. And do you also know what else he is considered to be?"

"The perfect soldier," the gruff man stated bluntly and then after a moments pause he added, "supposedly."

"Not supposedly, I assure you of that. Heero Yuy is the perfect solider. Well I guess that statement isn't that accurate. I should really say that he was, because if he still was then he would not be in the position that his is currently in." And with that the third voice let out a long chuckle.

The squeaky man nervously chuckled along side the third voice, but the gruff man gave no hint of even opening his mouth.

The third man seemed to sense this and quickly gave a short throat-clearing cough before continuing. "Well it seems like we should get him ready. As soon as he wakes get him cleaned up and dressed properly, Her Excellency wishes to speak with him."

This got a reaction out of the gruff man causing him to stammer "But… But… Dekim specifically ordered us not to allow the prisoner to…"

But just as he was about to continue his statement the third voice cut him off sharply. "Are you saying that you are directly disobeying an order given by Her Excellency?"

The demand seemed to hang in the air like a threat that caused the air to crackly with its repercussion.

"No Lieutenant. I would never disobey her orders."

"Good then do as I have commanded and bring him before her on the hour. It is time for dinner."

And with that the third voice walked off leaving the two guards to deal with what was to come next.

Heero waited wondering what was to come next and it did not take long for the door to open and the two guards to walk in.

"Well lookie here," the gruff man chuckled, "I guess the Lieutenant was right after all."

"What are we going to do now?" the squeaky lad whispered nervously.

"What are you talking about?"

"But… But… He's awake now."

"Yeah and still chained up so there is nothing to worry about," the gruff man stated. "If you're so worried about him attacking you then give him the sedative."

"R…Right."

The squeaky lad walked towards Heero, drawing out a silver cylindrical tube from his pocket as he did so.

"I'm sorry that I have to do this Mr. Gundam Pilot, sir, but we can't have you trying to run away again."

Heero chuckled to himself. It didn't really matter if they sedated him or not. The pain that coursed throughout his body was crippling enough. In fact the sedative might actually help him out by numbing the pain. Heero smiled.

The Squeaky lad knelt down and pressed the tube to Heero's neck and pressed the button on the end. Heero instantly grunted in pain as the needle went into his neck, but after a few seconds the sedative began to take effect and Heero's consciousness began to slowly start to swim. The pain was gone and all that was life was a feeling of drifting. He felt himself being lifted up and dragged out of the cell.

The next hour was a twist of vague feelings as his injuries were tended to and he was stuck with more needles for pain blockers and other various medicines. The hands that dealt with him were hard and rough, no kindness only pain. After that he was put into a refresher unit and thoroughly cleaned. But this was not as bad as the pervious. The hands that cleaned his body were soft but firm. Allowing him no room for free movement but also not trying to hurt him. It didn't really matter to him anyways. His vision was blurred and he couldn't make out anybody's face, it was just like the end to a drinking binge. Once the shower was finished he was quickly dried off and put into new cloths. They were a bit stiff at first, but fit him perfectly as if they were made for his body alone.

By now his vision was beginning to return to him. He still couldn't really see anything but slowly and surely things were beginning to come back into focus. He was lead to a new room with what looked like a long white table in the center with chairs all around it and a few royal looking couch with matching tea tables off in one of the corners of the room. He was thrust onto on of the couches. There he felt something cold and metallic being strapped to his wrists and figured it must be restraints.

Figures. I'm too much of a threat to be left free even when I'm drugged.

Heero sat for god knows how long. To his discombobulated mind it felt like an eternity, but throughout that time he had regained full consciousness. It wasn't until several minutes after that when he started to wonder what he was doing in this large room all alone.

As if provoked by his thought a large set of oak double doors on the opposite wall opened and a pair walked into the room. This pair was unlike any Heero had seen before. It was a man and a woman, or should he say young lady. The man stood tall, probably around 6ft with maybe a few inches to spare, topped with short-cropped light brown hair that clearly had been styled. He appeared to be around 24 yrs old and wore a blue military uniform that seemed to strike a cord within Heero's memory.

"Who else have I seen wearing that uniform?" The memory was from long ago, during the time of the war. The only ones to have a uniform in those days were the soldiers of OZ…OZ… Someone in OZ wore that uniform, but who was it. As the realization hit him he saw an old and long dead figure appear before him in his mid. The only man from OZ who he couldn't kill even though he was suppose to be the most important kill. Treize Khushrenda, the leader of the Organization of the Zodiac, or OZ, the military wing of the Romefeller Foundation. But what in the hell was this guy doing by wearing the same uniform.

But it was then that Heero's attention was drawn to the girl as she had approached him quickly and took a seat in the couch across from him. She had short red hair and deep lavender eyes that seem to pierce Heero right down to his soul. There was a longing her eyes as she surveyed his appearance. It was oddly unnerving to she this young lady, who could be no more than 18 max 19 yrs old, surveying him using the same techniques that he himself had learned all those years ago when he was being trained to become the perfect soldier to pilot Gundam 01. It sent a shiver up his spine. He hadn't had creepy feeling like this sense the war and the failed White Fang coup a year after that.

Heero was still in his memories when the lady spoke. Her voice was calm and slightly seductive, but Heero knew better. Behind the seductive tone and calm exterior the voice shook with a deep vibration of absolute authority and smugness.

"I'm sure you have enjoyed your stay here at my Villa Mr. Heero Yuy."

Heero was stunned. Was she really trying to ignore the fact that he had broken in to try and infiltrate the fortress and steal information before he was noticed and subsequently captured? Not to mention his failed escape attempt that resulted in a few minor explosions and several gun fights.

"Wait," Heero thought to himself. "I broke in here to find out what the strange reports meant.

"Well?"

It was obvious that this young girl, as she should be called, actually wanted him to answer her false question. A sly smirk appeared upon Heero's face.

"Yeah I've had great time here, what with all the beating, gunfights and explosions I might just bring my friends back here next summer." And with that Heero let out a short chuckle at his own joke.

The man in the blue uniform looked dumbstruck at what Heero had said as if he had just spat in the man's face. The girl just smiled coyly and glared harder at Heero, her lavender eyes staring daggers into his cool icy blue ones. She did not scare him anymore. She might have had the upper hand before, but now Heero had enough of surprises and decide to take matters into his own hands.

"You insolent peasant!" the man marched towards Heero raising his hand to strike him. "You will not talk to Her Excellency like that."

Heero smiled just as the man swung his hand towards Heero's face… but the slap never came, because instead a command ran out from the red headed girl that made the man freeze instantly.

"Stop, Lieutenant. I will not have any violence in my house."

The man turned to stare blankly at the girl still lounging on the couch and after a few seconds he straightened up and the retook his post standing beside the girl's couch.

"Well. Well. Well. It seems like you have a well trained dog there, Miss." Heero let the insult slip out of his lips, before he could stop himself.

And once again the man started towards Heero until the girl once again voiced her command.

"Now Wolfe I said no violence." And as the man turned turned once again to the sitting girl she turned to look up at him. She then casually stretched out her hand to slightly touch the man's hand before turning her attention back to Heero.

"Now, I believe that you have had a sufficient outburst to satisfy situation, I hope now that you will conduct yourself with more civility, Mr. Yuy."

Heero could hardly believe that a little girl was lecturing him, but he held back another insult as he turned his full attention to the girl in front of him.

"So, since we are not here to trade insults I guess you have brought me hear to question me?"

"Correct. I would like to know why you broke into my Villa."

"Well that should be obvious."

"Yes. I thought as much. So now what is your question?"

It seemed like the girl was trying to make a game out of this little interrogation. Well fine, if she wanted to play games then consider this game start.

"Who are you?"

A coy grin crossed the girls face before she answered the question. "My Name is Mariemaia, I am the Grand-Daughter of Dekim Barton. I am also the daughter of Treize Khushrenda, the former leader of the OZ faction. And this," gesturing to the man beside her who straightened at her acknowledgement, "This is Lieutenant Desmond Wolfe, the ace pilot of my organization and my very LOYAL right hand."

Heero almost chuckled at her jab at his previous insult, but he was too stunded to believe what he had heard. The girl sitting before him was claiming to be the daughter of Treize Khushrenda. The shock must have shown on his face because the girl's grin widened ever so slightly.

"Oh yes the influential and charismatic former leader of OZ, Treize Khushrenda, is my father. Does that surprise you?"

Heero instantly straightened his face and quietly berated himself for dropping his guard and letting his emotions be shown on his face.

"Oh yes, well you are not the first to respond that way to that little revelation, but anyways I have something that I need to return to you, Mr. Yuy."

And with that Mariemaia reached into her pocket and withdrew a single gold ring from within it. It was a simple ring to those of a simple mind, the engraving that coated the center of the outside of the ring, which looked like a twine rope wrapping through the center of the ring, sparkled in a brilliant silver.

Heero visibly tensed once the ring had been produced, and the act did not slip past the girl as Mariemaia's grin widened even more.

"Ah yes, this ring. Such a simple piece really quiet cheap, but to you its irreplaceable correct?"

It was only a select few even knew what the engraving really was. They knew that it was really a melted piece of Gundanium Alloy and that this particular piece of Gundanium had been taken from Heero's old mobile suit, Wing Zero. But that was not the only reason as to why it was so important to Heero Yuy.

"That's right, this ring is special to you," Mariemaia goaded Heero, "This is the ring that represents you bond with that woman right."

She was fishing for a response and no matter how much Heero wanted to reach out and take the ring from her he stayed his hand, and mentally tried to calm himself.

But Mariemaia continued her assault. "Oh come on Mr. Yuy. Its not so hard." She gave a small shrug as she placed the ring on the table and slid it across to stop right infront of Heero's hands.

And with out even asking if he could take it back, Heero had quickly scooped the ring up and resituated it upon his left ring finger. And this only made Mariemaia grin even more.

"Yes. And now the ring is back where it belongs. On the finger of the intended party correct Mr. Yuy? Or should I call you Mr. Peacecraft? It is rather quite confusing you know. You two never did give an official statement on that subject."

And with that Mariemaia's grin turned into a sly smile that was clearly trying to bait Heero into a response and Heero couldn't hold himself back anymore.

"What do you want?"

"What I want is to open the curtain of the next chapter in human history and I am pleased to say that that curtain is coming up now."