Gundams and Regrets
By Lennera Darser
Ok, I put this story in the middle somewhere, changed some stuff around...
ya know like put Zechs in jail and kept some people around. This should be
treated as a "What if...." and the like. Please email me when you can and
while you are at it,comment to another fanfiction author or two you have
read,one of my fav anime fanfiction authors,
( the one I steal this quote from I believe) mentioned that "fanfiction
writers are paid in email." so remember that we try and get no profit from
this. Say thanks to the webmaster for this site while your at it for making
fanfiction sites so we can have this kind of stuff to read. I love flames,
they tell me what I need to fix and I am going to steal this from one of my
favorite Fanfiction authors:
" The good you do comes back to you but bad karma is forever." Chandra-
www.moonromance.com
visit it and support us! ja ne and arigato!
`~`
Nothing had been taken from them when they were thrown in here, this
place was so well known to them that they didn't find anything odd about it.
One thing that Zechs was worried about was the Tallgeese when they had put
it into the hanger for examination. Heero sat in the corner across from him,
looking for all the world resting but the older soldier knew better.
Something was happening to make OZ and the Romafeller Foundation extra
nervous about the Gundams and their place in the war. There was a very large
battalion of guards all over this block not to mention outside of their cell
. Taking up on Heero's example, Zechs shut his eyes to get some rest.
*********************
She was nervous yes, regretful never. The sword at her side was not
only a decoration but a tool of destruction, only the very best agents could
carry them. She was awaiting a messenger from home and the main relay post
that had been set up on this colony, so many agents in one place called for
such a thing. Resting the flat edge of her sword lightly on her shoulder
Lennera " Shadow Flame" Darser -Third Agent of the Shadow Squad - cast a
visorless glance around the small courtyard that people wandered about. She
was safely within the small stand of trees to the one side, the black trench
coat over her body suit like a dark pall. An inconspicuous man of average
age and height wandered into the little area and looked to anyone watching
like someone out to enjoy the day. He strolled over and leaned against the
trunk of the tree, sliding down to sit on the grass. He put his hat down
over his face and sighed.
" Agent 5486-11404. Your assignment. Good day. " With that he leaned
back and Lennera took the disk that fell from the back of his hat. She
flipped the visor on her black and red flame decaled helmet, sliding the
disk into the slot under where her ears would be. The contents of the
diskette popped up as she climbed into a tree and entered her pass commands,
sitting where no one but the blind or telepath could find her. She didn't
feel badly for the messenger even though someone might kill him at any
moment for the information though it happened very rarely. All he had to do
was go where he was told and give the disk to who he found there.
" Agent 5486-11404 you have been chosen for the main mission that is
of the utmost inportantce. You are to find the group of people given the
names Gundam Pilots, retrieve their 'Mobile Suits' and keep them alive for
96 hours and get them to the rendezvous point after the time is up. Do not
sacrifice this mission for any currently standing jobs. You now have your
orders. Carry them out." the Command Communications, or CC, screen went
black and she sighed. Sliding down from her perch she tucked her scimitar
under her coat and pulled the front of it closed. As Lennera came closer to
the street, she reluctantly removed her helmet and shook her long red braid
out down her back. Her helmet was strapped to the side of her suit under her
coat.
She barely noted the small band of local soldiers in brown uniforms that
stood at the corner ten feet away, obviously ready for any trouble that may
erupt on the street. Someone came into her side vision and seized her upper
arm in a nerve numbing grip. Before Lennera could pull out her gun, another
gloved hand grabbed the base of her neck and squeezed hard.
" WHAT are YOU doing HERE?" A deep voice hissed in her ear as she was
pulled backwards violently. Tears prickled at the back of her eyes as the
right side of her body and left arm went numb. With a flame of rage
uncoiling in her chest Lennera struggled and growled loud enough for those
staring at them to hear.
" Walking. Why are you trying to hurt me?" Struggling again she
slammed a foot into his knee joint and shoved. She didn't get away totally,
but she did get a swift knee to the gut for her trouble.
" Why you! I-" He was cut off suddenly by someone standing over them.
Lennera held her breath and blinked away the stars in the fronts of her eye
lids.
" Hey there. Is there a problem?" When the mystery agent holding her
turned to face his challenger, she sucked in a new breath of air and threw
her weight into knocking him off balance.
********************
Trowa looked around the street, waiting for Duo, Wu Fei or Quatre to
show up so that they could " attempt" at capturing them. There had been
extra soldiers brought in and heavier security everywhere but still Trowa
knew nothing. Colonists went about their lives, giving him and his squad
little notice besides the customary glance. One of the men nudged him in
the ribs and nodded to someone in a black trench coat walking out of the
small stand of trees that separated the street from the tiny courtyard.
They glanced his way then continued on their way, the long red braid tapping
her hip as it was slung forward over her shoulder. It wasn't the way she
was dressed and acted but how she walked that made him follow her with the
intent to take her into custody. They had been told to look for anyone
suspicious and she was bad as they came.
As he was almost directly behind her, someone dressed exactly like her
with a short blue pony tail reached out and hauled her from the thickening
throng of people on the sidewalk. He watched the man with the bluish hair
grab the scruff of her neck and hiss at her. She did something to make him
stumble somewhat and he knocked her to the ground. She stayed kneeling on
the ground, the man's hand still locked on her upper arm.
" Why you! I-" Trowa was behind him then, commanding immediate
attention.
" Hey there. Is there a problem?" He looked over and bared his teeth.
" This is none of your business! Get lost." he faced her again, only
to be have the young red head's shoulder plowed into his middle. His arm
must have loosened because she leapt up and took off down the street,
dodging the crowds. " Damn you!! Come back Shadow Flame!" He went after her,
Trowa pulled out his firearm as he noticed the other man's hidden under his
jacket.
" Keep an eye out I'll be right back." The other OZ soldiers nodded
and Trowa went after the pair, a neat pathway opening up in the crowd as
people saw his uniform and more importantly his gun. The girl was good he
had to give her that due to the fact that she was only a flash of red as
she danced between people and stalls. It was her pursuer that kept him from
losing her, he must know her or have some of the skills because he went
after her unerringly.
***************************
She flitted between those walking the small sidewalk, the edges of her
coat moving up her legs and flying out behind her. She didn't bother
looking back, knowing all too well that her pursuer was pushing those in his
way down and away from him. Her helmet banged painfully into her bruised
ribs but she kept her breathing deep and regulated so that she wasn't winded
when she stopped. Her well honed skills told her that someone else was
after her too, though having a better time of it that her fellow agent.
Seeing what she hoped was an easy avenue of escape, Lennera slid around a
corner and down a large alleyway with a few startled people. Praying to all
those gods and beings that watched over wayward thieves and assassins she
broke for the next corner in flat out sprint. Hearing him behind she snapped
her whip to its fullest extent and was ready to be killed.
" STOP!" The man bellowed as they came around the corner, the red
haired girl making a mad dash for the end of the alleyway. The man pulled
out a gun and raised it, Trowa hitting it from his hand and yelling.
" Look out!" She turned and in one fluid motion knocked the man flat
on his back with a sweep of a whip. The gun clattered to the ground and she
came running back at them as Trowa picked it up and aimed it at the man.
She made a noise as she threw them both to the ground and snapped the gun
high into the air above them, a large explosion throwing her to the side and
into a wall. He landed behind a dumpster, the man with another gun in his
hand and aiming it at him.
She jumped up and landed both feet into his chest, slamming him into
the ground and performing a sideways, no-handed cartwheel next to him. Her
bright green eyes glared down at her attacker with a killing anger and her
hands were poised to use the whip in her hands.
" WHY?" She ground out the word as if it were a blade to be stuck in
his side. The man gasped once and then met her eyes for a moment before
looking away.
" They said this is my sector. You have no right to be here and I
wanted to make it sure that you knew that. Besides, I thought we might go
get something to eat.." She snorted with disgust and crossed her arms.
" Your one sick bastard you know that, Blaze. If Ghost were here I
would destroy you but since she can't get me out of the red tape I would get
for blasting your ass about now, I think I will have to wait for the next
meeting to shoot you." Blaze turned white and she rolled her whip up stowing
it onto her waist, the briefest glimpse of a tight, odd looking uniform
from under her coat. Blaze got up and dusted himself off, a bit of his
uniform showing from under the scuffed and ragged coat. They looked at one
another for a minute before she gave another snort of scorn and looked away,
going back towards the street. When he went to follow Trowa stopped them
both.
" You can't leave, you are under arrest for attacking an officer. You,
miss, are here by put into custody." They spared one another a look of
surprise and Blaze jumped upward, catching the edge of a handrail. He hauled
himself up and saluted the young girl.
" Shadow Flame, take care of yourself beautiful." She waved him away
and he chuckled, climbing up the ladder and disappearing on the roof. Shadow
Flame walked under his arm and muttered something under her breath about
"the stupidity of the male agent". As she made it into the street Trowa went
after, stopping her by pointing his gun right at her head.
" I have orders to take anyone suspicious into custody. You and that
man fit the description. Now please come quietly." She gave him a dull look
and then jumped clear over his and the other arriving soldier's heads with a
twisting leap even Trowa was impressed by. There was a quiet, gently
smiling look on her face as she landed, arms crossed, standing just in front
of the curb. She opened her eyes and gave him a viciously mocking look as
she put her hands in her pockets.
" Just TRY and take me in." She laughed. Massing forward the soldiers
prepared to take her, Trowa catching the amused look on her face. Ready for
another leap, she was stopped when a bright red, side and topless jeep
screeched to a halt sideways directly behind her. The person behind the
wheel wore a helmet painted with a blue, cloudy sky and a black visor in
the middle. They gestured for Shadow Flame and she saluted them all before
grabbing a roll bar and hauling herself in. Even before her feet had landed
in the jeep, they sped off to tear around the far off corner and out of
sight, the faint sounds of taunting laughter floating back to them.
***************************************
Lennera lounged in the jeep as Blue Sky drove away from the commotion
on the sidewalk. Sky turned to her with a blank, helmet look but Lennera
knew what her best friend was thinking. They both laughed and Lennera put
her helmet on so they could talk.
" You are mad you know that? Yer lucky I came by to tell you what you
have to do." She laughed and Lennera did too, letting the stress of the last
ten minutes melt away.
" Your right, I owe you three times over! What do they want now?" Sky
threw her another diskette and turned down a street full of soldier bunkers.
They stopped at one of the largest ones and waited as Lennera popped the
diskette in and brought up CC.
" 5486-11404, you are to help the Gundam Pilots and to keep them safe
at any cost. You will act and gather information at all times about those
around you, making no reports of any kind. You will infiltrate the OZ base
and act as an engineer. Here are the names of your charges:
Heero Yuy
Trowa Barton
Duo Maxwell
Quatre Rauberba Winner
Wu Fei Chang
Zechs Marquis/Milliardo Peacecraft
It is said that two or three are captured and the others have avoided
those after them. You will make your one and only report at the rendezvous
and only then. You will not deviate from these orders even if you are
contacted later saying to do so." The screen went black again and she
sighed, letting her visor go opaque before swinging out and standing on the
sidewalk.
" Here, me and the girls got you this. There is everything you need in
there and some stuff we added to make the job the tiniest bit easier. Come
back alive k?" Sky threw a bag into her hands and then handed her a large,
lead sided case. They saluted one another before Sky shifted into drive and
sped off in a cloud of exhaust and the squeal of tires. On the handle of her
bag was a key, one already on the case for the lock on it. Shrugging the bag
on and hefting the case up, Lennera made her way into the building.
*********
" Just great." She grumbled moments later when she had discovered
herself drafted and having to live in the small room that they had given her
. Being that it was about 10:30 am she had to report to the lab down the
street by 11:30 am so they could place her. That gave her an hour to walk
there and try to rehearse the speech specially prepared in case she got
caught...Not that she needed to do it but it would give her something to do.
With a sigh and one last flick at her bangs, Lennera trotted down the stairs
and into the underground car complex, helmet at her side in case she might
need it. The keys had been labeled bike and Lennera grudgingly accepted the
fact that she would have to pedal her way there.
Turning to her spot, however, she found the total opposite. A very
expensive looking black motorcycle stood there, flames shooting from the
front of it so life-like she wondered if it were real for a moment. The
words, " Shadow Flame's Inferno Rider" were printed in flaming, curling
letters on the sides, her initials in the front of it. A note was on the
seat.
" Len, told you that we added some stuff. -Blue Sky
Come back alive so we can race.- Shadow Dagger.
~Just come back to us Lenne.~ GS." With a bright grin and a chuckle
she shoved the note in one of the pockets of her suit. Putting her helmet on
and climbing on, Lennera revved the engine and shot out onto the street,
everything Dagger had taught her running into her mind. They were the best
there was and she was glad her friends had so much confidence but then again
...they had all made it clear that they were worried and that lowered her
own confidence. The names of the Gundam Pilots were imprinted into her mind
and she thought that she might never forget them.
The parking lot she put her new motorcycle in was filled with military
cars and she placed her helmet on her seat, the alarm in her pocket. Noting
her surroundings everytime she passed a checkpoint in security she found in
quiet amusement that they were in no way expecting her to show up and
prepare to destroy them when the fancy struck her. So as people walked by
and noticed little of her, a lowly engineer, she wanted to laugh and throw a
few boomers around. Boomers, a term used to identify the specialized
granades that the agents were given because the kids she taught couldn't say
" unified explosive cartridges" yet. The case of tools she had been given
upon checking in was very cumbersome and heavy, making her want to smack
someone over the head with it rather than carry it around. She stopped at
the elevator, waiting for the car to come down and take her to the floor
where her test would take place. There was a sense of tension suddenly
behind her as someone stopped at her side. She could feel them itching to
ask her some question and Lennera waited as if oblivious to the people
around her.
" Excuse me miss, are you lost?" she looked over in surprise, even
less than the faked feeling of being caught off guard slinking away as she
looked at the soldier beside her. It was the soldier that had nearly gotten
them both killed just that morning. Giving him a blank look she shook her
head.
" No, I have a pretty good idea where I am going....Lieutenant." She
glanced at his marks and nodded. " Excuse me for not saluting, my arms are
sorta full." he nodded and continued what he had been saying before.
" I have seen you before, today in fact not that long ago. Shadow
Flame right?" she gave him her best look of surprise, absolutely NOT feigned
Frowning she backed away a step as if he were dangerous and that he was...
to her mission that is.
" I don't know you. I just arrived on the base today." He looked about
to refute the statement and Lennera was saved when the elevator doors opened
and she -along with several other prospective engineers- piled into the car.
Standing in front of the other people she gave the blind-sided soldier a
small, bewildered wave. The doors shut and her face transformed to one of
barely contained amusement. She nearly laughed out loud as they walked into
the small classroom.
*************************
Trowa contemplated what on earth had just happened when he had stopped
and questioned that girl. There wasn't something quite right with her and he
knew that he had seen just that morning, she had nearly gotten them blown up.
Exiting the elevator he made his way to where Zechs and Heero were being
held.Making sure that none of the guards was around, he leaned against the
door and signaled them that he was there.
" So what's up? Why is everyone so edgy?" Heero was on the other side
of the door, looking through the bars in the door.
" There is something threatening OZ and they have no idea how to fight
it. Its far more dangerous than the Gundams and I have seen a small glimpse
of it I think." Heero waited for him to go on and he sighed. " There is a
piece of the threat actually in OZ at this very moment and they are trying
to hide within it like I am. They're good Heero,they have a better poker
face than you and I."
" They do?" He asked, surprised.
" What do they look like?" Zechs was there, hesitating for a moment
Trowa called up a picture of the girl.
" She has red hair and dresses in a black trench coat. At the moment
she is disguised as an engineer."
" She? A girl?" It sounded as if Heero was going to have a coronary.
Zechs laughed and walked off, throwing a few words over his shoulder.
" I wonder what the other pilots will think of this..." Heero could be
heard sliding down the wall to sit with his back on the door.
" I'll come back if I find any new information. In fact, I think that
you will soon see who I am talking about. They are allowing you to see your
Gundams and to assure you that they are alright." He walked back down the
hall towards the elevator as the guards came back. He would come back later
and get them out of the cell, then he would expose that girl for what she
really was.
***********************************
The hanger was giant, filled with people and suits everywhere. Sitting
down she opened the case and eyed the contents warily, tools she had never
used but mastered in minutes....With a shake of her head Lennera stood up
and looked at the mobile suit she had come not only to repair but to
liberate along with its pilot. Five scientists stood on the catwalk about
ten feet away, talking to one another about what she had interpreted as the
Gundam Pilots. Slipping a camouflaged ear piece in she listened to those
right across form her.
"...Vay 8. Zechs will be tested in the Mercreus..Ah Co. Une. Have you
brought the pilots?" Standing to look over the panel in front of her,
Lennera watched as two men were lead onto the platform and placed in front
of the very large mobile suits. Zechs was a familiar name that bubbled to
the front of her mind, then she knew why. He was one of the Gundam Pilots
listed captured on her roster. Piecing the other pilot to the name she
figured that the younger boy was Heero Yuy, the other captured pilot.
Turning back to the suit in front of her she began to rewire the board,
making it take longer than it should have, even for a novice.
" As you can see the Gundams are still in tip top condition like we
said. Heero, your first." Somehow, her instincts told her this was going to
take a long time....
*******************************
Trowa nudged Zechs and they both looked clandestinely at the worker
not very far from them at all. She was working on an electrical panel of a
Virgo, rewiring the whole thing completely. There was little overly special
about her but even Zechs could see the aura of hostility and the fact that
she was listening to the scientists and soldiers around them. She whizzed
through working on the panel and lifted it up to soder it into place. She
didn't put a mask on and glowered at the red braid the threatened to burst
into flame if a spark might land on it. One of the higher engineers came
running up the stairs, pushing past Trowa and the other guards.
" Hey! Use a welding mask, I don't want you getting hurt on my shift."
She stopped and looked at him for a minute. Shaking her head she picked up
the mask and looked at it, throwing it down again.
" Whatever man. I wouldn't want you getting in trouble because I was
mortally wounded or anything. Besides, I'm finished with what I was told to
do, go ahead and fly your little death toy." She picked up the box of tools
and walked off much to the surprise of the high engineer. She moved to the
suit next to the Mercreus and began to work on it, climbing into the cockpit
and bringing down the screens to test them.
" She doesn't want to be in there, she thinks its too confining in
case she might be found out." Heero whispered, looking out of the corner of
his eye. He was right of course, her expression was closed and her eyes went
from the screens and the door way.
" Now, I will need the pilots to go in and I need an engineer to help
us run the tests, preferably someone who is good with circuitry." Doctor O
turned to Co Une, the tall woman looking at those scurrying around the
hanger.
"I know someone who would be perfect for the job Colonel. If you would
let me help you that is." A tall man in a high engineer's uniform stood in
front of them, standing respectfully to the Colonel.
" Well of course. Who would you suggest?" He nodded to the red haired
girl in the Virgo cockpit who as far as anyone knew had not noticed she was
the topic of close scrutiny. Colonel Une considered her for a moment before
smiling.
" Fine." He saluted and strode in front of her.
" Worker! New assignment." The red haired girl gawked at him for a
moment and then came out, saluting. " You are to hear your directions and
perform them to the best degree possible, understood?" She nodded.
" Sir!" Colonel Une chuckled and began to give out orders, the three
pilots watching the looks exchanged between the handsome young high
engineer and the small red haired girl. She barely hid the surprise and the
thousands of questions she seemed to want to ask.
" Alright, do your job." He motioned her to walk over there and it
seemed by the look on her face that jumping in some acid would have been
less painful. Picking up the keyboard she nodded to those around her that
she was ready.
" Read off the numbers as they come, don't worry about being a little
slow. We are a little old so it takes us a minute to write them down."
Doctor J smiled and she nodded. Heero climbed in and the simulation was
brought up, the red haired girl typing away at the numbers on her screen.
As she read them off, Zechs reeled along with everyone else as she sped
through them, pausing as if they weren't fast enough. Heero was just as
good as ever as the program ended.
*********************************
Lennera brooded quietly as she was dismissed and allowed to finish her
work she had already started. She hadn't been able to speak as soon as Gyrs
had shown up, ordering her around like it was something he was used to. Not
knowing whether to beat him down or obey she had gaped for a few seconds
before catching his look of apprehension.
Sulkingly she had done what she had been told and went back to work,
only to be plagued by stares and the insufferable presence of Gyrs. He sat
outside her work station and ran reports to whoever and what not, trying to
corner her after work. Hoping they would ask her to work a double shift just
to avoid him she was greatly disappointed when a loud clang signified the
changing of shifts and none of the higher engineers came to her area.
Packing up she was right when she had guessed for Gyrs to be standing there
waiting for her.
Female workers smiled coyly at him as they passed and Lennera felt
sick at the mere thought of what he wanted. She had to admit that he was
very handsome and a good agent to boot but there was something about him
that just repelled her and at the moment she couldn't rightly remember what
it was. Usually he was a wonderful friend and a great person but right now..
.....
" Hey there gorgeous, wanna go and destroy something?" Oh yeah, now I
remember, he is so tactless and such an idiot. Side stepping him, Lennera
strode passed him.
" I think not." With a flick of her fingers she made her way to the
elevator, planning on riding it down to the prison floor and so she could do
some REAL work. With the maliciousness of an idle mind he came after her,
flashing a smile and acting as if he were just trying to flirt. Yeah, she
was not oblivious to all the stares and looks she had gotten while at work
today but she was used to it. Just one reason more why she was a Shadow. She
simply gave him the brush off and stepped into the car.
" So how do you like working for OZ?" he asked coming in after her.
She glared at him and didn't answer, keeping her mouth shut and her butt out
of trouble. As the doors closed Gyrs made sure there were no cameras around
in the elevator and smiled. She barely kept her anger in check.
" You idiot! What are you doing here!? You almost got me caught." His
mood of amusement stayed plastered in place and she so wanted to beat it out
of him. As she stepped forward he tripped her and she fell headlong into the
far corner as they passed another floor. He put his arms on either side of
her head and grinned.
" I was put here to watch you and make sure that if you were caught
that CC was notified immediately and that you either got liberated or
destroyed. So I am here to do the former." his sleazy grin did little to
sway her and just as she brought her fist into his ribs with a crash the
doors opened and the soldier that she had run into just that morning came
on.
" I always seem to find you whenever you decide to fight someone..
Can I be of some assistance?" She gaped for a minute and was ready to fry
the man standing in front of her when Gyrs stood up and shoved the case in
her arms and got off. Never to be daunted by her hostile behavior he smiled
and saluted them as the doors slid shut again. He pushed a button and she
leaned against the wall as they descended again, she was never going to be
able to get to the prison level with him on board...oh well.
" Damn Gyrs." He raised an eyebrow at her and she shrugged, trying to
look abashed. " He's my ex-boyfriend." she lied quickly as he nodded.
" Your name's Lennera Darser right? Just moved into the barracks down
the street?" She looked at him in surprise and nodded numbly, thinking of
the pill in her pocket that promised a quick demise. Steeling herself she
answered.
" Yeah. That's right. May I ask who you are Lieutenant?"
" Trowa Barton." Her stomach lurched as she stared wide eyed at the
wall in front of her. A Gundam Pilot! Oh gods, they said this job wasn't
going to be hard to carry out yet here she was in an elevator with one of
the Pilots and they've turned to the enemy. How was she going to tell the CC
about this one!?
" Are you alright? You don't look so good." Lennera snapped out of it
and shook her head.
" I'm fine sir, I just remembered something very unpleasant that's
all" She schooled her features back to tired polite attention. There was a
beep on a walkie talkie strapped to his waist and she acted as if she hadn't
noticed, listening intently.
" Attention all soldiers. Be advised that we have captured two spies
belonging to an unknown society. Be on the look out for others. Out." He
looked at her as the elevator stopped. He hit the delay button and seem to
wait for her to make a move, as if she were going to suddenly jump out the
emergency hatch or take him hostage.
" Why'd ya do that? I do have another job to get to before I'm late."
" You mean to go and snoop around the base?" He said blandly as
before, his expression the same as ever. She grinned and he jumped, she was
still poised leaning against the wall.
" Do I look like a spy to you?" Hitting the button and opening the
doors she stepped out in time to see the soldiers drag two of her fellow
agents down the hall. Their helmets were removed and each face was one of
duty and regret of an unfulfilled mission. As Lennera tried hard not to give
herself away, she caught each agent's eyes, both bowing as best they could
in their predicament. She would come and rescue them and who cares if it got
her demoted, Ghost would have that overruled and her back on the case within
a day. Nodding slightly she went out the doors, two pairs of eyes following
her and she knew exactly who was watching her.
*************************
When he had thought to expose Lennera in the elevator and have her on
their side to free Zechs and Heero she had just looked at him with a knowing
gaze and asked him the stupidest question she could have come up with.
" Do I look like a spy to you?" She might as well had laughed and
proclaimed far and wide that she knew quite well his secrets as he knew
hers. There was a wolfish quality to her he didn't like in the least. So,
watching her exchange glances with the captured spies he knew that she would
be coming back and very soon, maybe even several minutes from now. The Gyrs
character was watching her as well, a knowing and grave look on his face as
she went down to the parking structure below the building.
He had to find the Colonel and ask for some personal time so he could
trace her and see about being around when the spies were questioned.
Something struck him as familiar in the back of his mind as he watched the
two captives being lead down the hall to the Colonel's briefing room. The
one girl was dressed in a black body suit with a celestial sun and clouds
painted on the left leg, a strange insignia directly above it. Her long
blonde hair was streaked with bright blue and tied back low. Her companion
was dressed the same way with a celestial moon and stars with the same
insignia above them. He seemed to have struggled because there was make
shift bandage tied around his arm and one on his head, contrasting sharply
with the black and white streaked hair he wore just past his ears.
" Hey, loosen up bud!" The girl slammed her guard into the wall with
such force he crumpled to the floor in a heap. She kept walking beside her
companion and she linked one arm in his when they threatened to haul her
back again.
" Where we go, we go together so just calm yourselves." He said, back
straight. He looked down at her kindly as they kept going, the girl eyeing
Trowa curiously. "Don't worry Sky, my dear. Our captors and their prison
shall burn in the darkness and we shall be free." She smiled and leaned
against him, a picture that could be seen in a park during a sunset rather
than a military base where they were most likely going to their deaths.
Too many innocent were going to die in this war before it was over and
Trowa almost regretted the loss of these two people. Almost.
" Ah, thank you commander. Lieutenant Barton, please come in and join
us, I need a neutral person for the questioning." Colonel Une stood in the
hallway. The girl 'Sky' snickered and her companion seemed hard pressed to
conceal his amusement suddenly as well. " Is there a problem?" She asked
harshly in her hard voice.
" No ma'am." 'Sky' said in a bright voice. Colonel Une didn't seem too
happy with the fact they had dared to act this way and impatiently gestured
for them to bring them in. The pair however beat the guards to the punch as
they strolled in together, arm in arm to sit on two chairs set apart from
the others. They separated and 'Sky' sat with her head slightly down and her
hands on her knees.
" Alright, I am going to make this a quick session and get right to
the point. Why are you trying to infiltrate OZ?" there was no movement from
the now silent twosome. Colonel Une seemed very vexed at this because she
asked the question louder and harsher but it still didn't work. Both of them
were calm and not even looking at anything around them.
" The Colonel asked you a question and you are to answer her!" Nicol
walked forward and grabbed 'Sky's face and forced it up.
" I wouldn't do that. She will either bite her tongue off to bleed to
death or bite your hand off to watch you bleed to death....they trained her
for it as well.." The man spoke quietly and with a detached sort of voice,
far more vacant than Heero at his worst.
'Sky' opened her eyes slowly, as if asleep and waking to find herself
in complete safety.
" We can not, will not tell you anything besides this small warning:
We do not fear our deaths nor do we fear you. What should be feared is the
darkness that shall burn you all and liberate any of our fellows." Nicol
looked at her calm and serene expression for a moment before throwing her
off the stool and onto her back with a blow to the chest. The man next to
her growled like an animal, looking at the now shaking soldier with dark
eyes.
" What are all your names?" He asked quietly, his eyes locking onto
Nicol's.
" Why?" asked Trowa.
" So I can destroy you all in alphabetical order." He growled
savagely. Colonel Une came to stand in front of Nicol and pinned him with
her own gaze.
" That, commander, was not called for and though I do not usually do
this I am ordering you to apologize to her at once." her voice brooked no
argument and Nicol looked at the still calm form of 'Sky'.
" I apologize for my behavior, it won't happen again." 'Sky nodded as
she easily jumped to her feet and sat back down, throwing her ponytail over
her shoulder and smiling at her companion.
" Of course it won't. And I might add Nightscape, I don't think that
She would be happy if you began to steal her lines." The man gave her a
predatory look like the one that had crossed Lennera's not very long ago and
laughed.
" I believe that you are right."
" Now, I think that I will ask a simpler question for you: What are
your names?"
" Blue Sky, agent number 2459-1603." The blonde girl grinned happily,
the words quick and automatic.
" Nightscape Hunter, agent number 5909-5643." his words ran together
and were let out in a quiet, breathless rush. The Colonel raised a skeptical
eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest.
" What are your real names?" They gave her a patient look as if they
had expected this question.
" That is our real name, numbers too. Other than that I have no idea
what your talking about." Blue Sky said sweetly as if she were introducing
herself to new friends. Colonel Une got a keen look in her eye as she asked
the next question.
" Are there anymore of you?" Nightscape rolled his shoulders and
popped his neck, not even looking in her direction.
" There are thousands of us. And we aren't the best there is either." Blue Sky nodded and this wasn't obviously the answer the Colonel was expecting.
" That many in OZ?" It was more to herself than to anyone else but
Blue Sky laughed at this ludicrous thought.
" Oh no! Other than Nightscape I don't know of anyothers on this
planet let alone in the OZ party." The Colonel shook her head and they were
telling the truth, they each seemed to be trying to recall if they
remembered anyone they had seen fitting the description as another one of
theirs.
" What is your goal?" Colonel Une asked shrewdly. Nightscape looked
up and shrugged.
" Observe and report to CC anything they ask. They ask us anything,
the situation changes every ten minutes and they never stick to one game
plan unless its so stable, not even a nuke could destroy it." Blue Sky
stretched and suddenly cocked her head to the side as if listening.
Nightscape did the same and soon they all heard it, a hiss.
" The clean up crew is here..." Blue Sky looked as if she would burst
into tears and Nightscape reached out to take her hand.
" Love you m'dear Sky." he said looking to the corner the sound was
coming from. Blue Sky nodded and made a small unidentifiable gesture as
tears fell down her face.
" You giving up? Never thought I would see the day the sun would be
covered by clouds." The voice was scratchy as if coming from a radio under
a blanket and someone was running water as it was talking. Blue Sky
brightened and gave a cheer of triumph as a man tall, and covered in a
trench coat of black came into view. A helmet of russet splashes and several
other colors you would only find in a sunset swirled over the full head
gear. A black visor was where his eyes should be, nothing but a black void
there so his entire face was covered. The two spies leapt up and ran behind
him, a large gun much like the one Trowa had encountered before appearing in
his hand as if magiked there.
" Thanks for watching them for me, they can get in such trouble when
not looked after properly." Backing out into the corner he had come out of
they disappeared back into the darkness they had come from. Trowa was more
determined more than ever to get Lennera to the forefront so that he could
expose her and drive her out of OZ. Then again his mask of deception was in
her hands and she could pull it from his face with six words:
Trowa Barton is a Gundam Pilot....
Ok, how did you like it? Please review and not to mention that if I get
enough requests for an Author's Note I will put one up.
Thanks
By Lennera Darser
Ok, I put this story in the middle somewhere, changed some stuff around...
ya know like put Zechs in jail and kept some people around. This should be
treated as a "What if...." and the like. Please email me when you can and
while you are at it,comment to another fanfiction author or two you have
read,one of my fav anime fanfiction authors,
( the one I steal this quote from I believe) mentioned that "fanfiction
writers are paid in email." so remember that we try and get no profit from
this. Say thanks to the webmaster for this site while your at it for making
fanfiction sites so we can have this kind of stuff to read. I love flames,
they tell me what I need to fix and I am going to steal this from one of my
favorite Fanfiction authors:
" The good you do comes back to you but bad karma is forever." Chandra-
www.moonromance.com
visit it and support us! ja ne and arigato!
`~`
Nothing had been taken from them when they were thrown in here, this
place was so well known to them that they didn't find anything odd about it.
One thing that Zechs was worried about was the Tallgeese when they had put
it into the hanger for examination. Heero sat in the corner across from him,
looking for all the world resting but the older soldier knew better.
Something was happening to make OZ and the Romafeller Foundation extra
nervous about the Gundams and their place in the war. There was a very large
battalion of guards all over this block not to mention outside of their cell
. Taking up on Heero's example, Zechs shut his eyes to get some rest.
*********************
She was nervous yes, regretful never. The sword at her side was not
only a decoration but a tool of destruction, only the very best agents could
carry them. She was awaiting a messenger from home and the main relay post
that had been set up on this colony, so many agents in one place called for
such a thing. Resting the flat edge of her sword lightly on her shoulder
Lennera " Shadow Flame" Darser -Third Agent of the Shadow Squad - cast a
visorless glance around the small courtyard that people wandered about. She
was safely within the small stand of trees to the one side, the black trench
coat over her body suit like a dark pall. An inconspicuous man of average
age and height wandered into the little area and looked to anyone watching
like someone out to enjoy the day. He strolled over and leaned against the
trunk of the tree, sliding down to sit on the grass. He put his hat down
over his face and sighed.
" Agent 5486-11404. Your assignment. Good day. " With that he leaned
back and Lennera took the disk that fell from the back of his hat. She
flipped the visor on her black and red flame decaled helmet, sliding the
disk into the slot under where her ears would be. The contents of the
diskette popped up as she climbed into a tree and entered her pass commands,
sitting where no one but the blind or telepath could find her. She didn't
feel badly for the messenger even though someone might kill him at any
moment for the information though it happened very rarely. All he had to do
was go where he was told and give the disk to who he found there.
" Agent 5486-11404 you have been chosen for the main mission that is
of the utmost inportantce. You are to find the group of people given the
names Gundam Pilots, retrieve their 'Mobile Suits' and keep them alive for
96 hours and get them to the rendezvous point after the time is up. Do not
sacrifice this mission for any currently standing jobs. You now have your
orders. Carry them out." the Command Communications, or CC, screen went
black and she sighed. Sliding down from her perch she tucked her scimitar
under her coat and pulled the front of it closed. As Lennera came closer to
the street, she reluctantly removed her helmet and shook her long red braid
out down her back. Her helmet was strapped to the side of her suit under her
coat.
She barely noted the small band of local soldiers in brown uniforms that
stood at the corner ten feet away, obviously ready for any trouble that may
erupt on the street. Someone came into her side vision and seized her upper
arm in a nerve numbing grip. Before Lennera could pull out her gun, another
gloved hand grabbed the base of her neck and squeezed hard.
" WHAT are YOU doing HERE?" A deep voice hissed in her ear as she was
pulled backwards violently. Tears prickled at the back of her eyes as the
right side of her body and left arm went numb. With a flame of rage
uncoiling in her chest Lennera struggled and growled loud enough for those
staring at them to hear.
" Walking. Why are you trying to hurt me?" Struggling again she
slammed a foot into his knee joint and shoved. She didn't get away totally,
but she did get a swift knee to the gut for her trouble.
" Why you! I-" He was cut off suddenly by someone standing over them.
Lennera held her breath and blinked away the stars in the fronts of her eye
lids.
" Hey there. Is there a problem?" When the mystery agent holding her
turned to face his challenger, she sucked in a new breath of air and threw
her weight into knocking him off balance.
********************
Trowa looked around the street, waiting for Duo, Wu Fei or Quatre to
show up so that they could " attempt" at capturing them. There had been
extra soldiers brought in and heavier security everywhere but still Trowa
knew nothing. Colonists went about their lives, giving him and his squad
little notice besides the customary glance. One of the men nudged him in
the ribs and nodded to someone in a black trench coat walking out of the
small stand of trees that separated the street from the tiny courtyard.
They glanced his way then continued on their way, the long red braid tapping
her hip as it was slung forward over her shoulder. It wasn't the way she
was dressed and acted but how she walked that made him follow her with the
intent to take her into custody. They had been told to look for anyone
suspicious and she was bad as they came.
As he was almost directly behind her, someone dressed exactly like her
with a short blue pony tail reached out and hauled her from the thickening
throng of people on the sidewalk. He watched the man with the bluish hair
grab the scruff of her neck and hiss at her. She did something to make him
stumble somewhat and he knocked her to the ground. She stayed kneeling on
the ground, the man's hand still locked on her upper arm.
" Why you! I-" Trowa was behind him then, commanding immediate
attention.
" Hey there. Is there a problem?" He looked over and bared his teeth.
" This is none of your business! Get lost." he faced her again, only
to be have the young red head's shoulder plowed into his middle. His arm
must have loosened because she leapt up and took off down the street,
dodging the crowds. " Damn you!! Come back Shadow Flame!" He went after her,
Trowa pulled out his firearm as he noticed the other man's hidden under his
jacket.
" Keep an eye out I'll be right back." The other OZ soldiers nodded
and Trowa went after the pair, a neat pathway opening up in the crowd as
people saw his uniform and more importantly his gun. The girl was good he
had to give her that due to the fact that she was only a flash of red as
she danced between people and stalls. It was her pursuer that kept him from
losing her, he must know her or have some of the skills because he went
after her unerringly.
***************************
She flitted between those walking the small sidewalk, the edges of her
coat moving up her legs and flying out behind her. She didn't bother
looking back, knowing all too well that her pursuer was pushing those in his
way down and away from him. Her helmet banged painfully into her bruised
ribs but she kept her breathing deep and regulated so that she wasn't winded
when she stopped. Her well honed skills told her that someone else was
after her too, though having a better time of it that her fellow agent.
Seeing what she hoped was an easy avenue of escape, Lennera slid around a
corner and down a large alleyway with a few startled people. Praying to all
those gods and beings that watched over wayward thieves and assassins she
broke for the next corner in flat out sprint. Hearing him behind she snapped
her whip to its fullest extent and was ready to be killed.
" STOP!" The man bellowed as they came around the corner, the red
haired girl making a mad dash for the end of the alleyway. The man pulled
out a gun and raised it, Trowa hitting it from his hand and yelling.
" Look out!" She turned and in one fluid motion knocked the man flat
on his back with a sweep of a whip. The gun clattered to the ground and she
came running back at them as Trowa picked it up and aimed it at the man.
She made a noise as she threw them both to the ground and snapped the gun
high into the air above them, a large explosion throwing her to the side and
into a wall. He landed behind a dumpster, the man with another gun in his
hand and aiming it at him.
She jumped up and landed both feet into his chest, slamming him into
the ground and performing a sideways, no-handed cartwheel next to him. Her
bright green eyes glared down at her attacker with a killing anger and her
hands were poised to use the whip in her hands.
" WHY?" She ground out the word as if it were a blade to be stuck in
his side. The man gasped once and then met her eyes for a moment before
looking away.
" They said this is my sector. You have no right to be here and I
wanted to make it sure that you knew that. Besides, I thought we might go
get something to eat.." She snorted with disgust and crossed her arms.
" Your one sick bastard you know that, Blaze. If Ghost were here I
would destroy you but since she can't get me out of the red tape I would get
for blasting your ass about now, I think I will have to wait for the next
meeting to shoot you." Blaze turned white and she rolled her whip up stowing
it onto her waist, the briefest glimpse of a tight, odd looking uniform
from under her coat. Blaze got up and dusted himself off, a bit of his
uniform showing from under the scuffed and ragged coat. They looked at one
another for a minute before she gave another snort of scorn and looked away,
going back towards the street. When he went to follow Trowa stopped them
both.
" You can't leave, you are under arrest for attacking an officer. You,
miss, are here by put into custody." They spared one another a look of
surprise and Blaze jumped upward, catching the edge of a handrail. He hauled
himself up and saluted the young girl.
" Shadow Flame, take care of yourself beautiful." She waved him away
and he chuckled, climbing up the ladder and disappearing on the roof. Shadow
Flame walked under his arm and muttered something under her breath about
"the stupidity of the male agent". As she made it into the street Trowa went
after, stopping her by pointing his gun right at her head.
" I have orders to take anyone suspicious into custody. You and that
man fit the description. Now please come quietly." She gave him a dull look
and then jumped clear over his and the other arriving soldier's heads with a
twisting leap even Trowa was impressed by. There was a quiet, gently
smiling look on her face as she landed, arms crossed, standing just in front
of the curb. She opened her eyes and gave him a viciously mocking look as
she put her hands in her pockets.
" Just TRY and take me in." She laughed. Massing forward the soldiers
prepared to take her, Trowa catching the amused look on her face. Ready for
another leap, she was stopped when a bright red, side and topless jeep
screeched to a halt sideways directly behind her. The person behind the
wheel wore a helmet painted with a blue, cloudy sky and a black visor in
the middle. They gestured for Shadow Flame and she saluted them all before
grabbing a roll bar and hauling herself in. Even before her feet had landed
in the jeep, they sped off to tear around the far off corner and out of
sight, the faint sounds of taunting laughter floating back to them.
***************************************
Lennera lounged in the jeep as Blue Sky drove away from the commotion
on the sidewalk. Sky turned to her with a blank, helmet look but Lennera
knew what her best friend was thinking. They both laughed and Lennera put
her helmet on so they could talk.
" You are mad you know that? Yer lucky I came by to tell you what you
have to do." She laughed and Lennera did too, letting the stress of the last
ten minutes melt away.
" Your right, I owe you three times over! What do they want now?" Sky
threw her another diskette and turned down a street full of soldier bunkers.
They stopped at one of the largest ones and waited as Lennera popped the
diskette in and brought up CC.
" 5486-11404, you are to help the Gundam Pilots and to keep them safe
at any cost. You will act and gather information at all times about those
around you, making no reports of any kind. You will infiltrate the OZ base
and act as an engineer. Here are the names of your charges:
Heero Yuy
Trowa Barton
Duo Maxwell
Quatre Rauberba Winner
Wu Fei Chang
Zechs Marquis/Milliardo Peacecraft
It is said that two or three are captured and the others have avoided
those after them. You will make your one and only report at the rendezvous
and only then. You will not deviate from these orders even if you are
contacted later saying to do so." The screen went black again and she
sighed, letting her visor go opaque before swinging out and standing on the
sidewalk.
" Here, me and the girls got you this. There is everything you need in
there and some stuff we added to make the job the tiniest bit easier. Come
back alive k?" Sky threw a bag into her hands and then handed her a large,
lead sided case. They saluted one another before Sky shifted into drive and
sped off in a cloud of exhaust and the squeal of tires. On the handle of her
bag was a key, one already on the case for the lock on it. Shrugging the bag
on and hefting the case up, Lennera made her way into the building.
*********
" Just great." She grumbled moments later when she had discovered
herself drafted and having to live in the small room that they had given her
. Being that it was about 10:30 am she had to report to the lab down the
street by 11:30 am so they could place her. That gave her an hour to walk
there and try to rehearse the speech specially prepared in case she got
caught...Not that she needed to do it but it would give her something to do.
With a sigh and one last flick at her bangs, Lennera trotted down the stairs
and into the underground car complex, helmet at her side in case she might
need it. The keys had been labeled bike and Lennera grudgingly accepted the
fact that she would have to pedal her way there.
Turning to her spot, however, she found the total opposite. A very
expensive looking black motorcycle stood there, flames shooting from the
front of it so life-like she wondered if it were real for a moment. The
words, " Shadow Flame's Inferno Rider" were printed in flaming, curling
letters on the sides, her initials in the front of it. A note was on the
seat.
" Len, told you that we added some stuff. -Blue Sky
Come back alive so we can race.- Shadow Dagger.
~Just come back to us Lenne.~ GS." With a bright grin and a chuckle
she shoved the note in one of the pockets of her suit. Putting her helmet on
and climbing on, Lennera revved the engine and shot out onto the street,
everything Dagger had taught her running into her mind. They were the best
there was and she was glad her friends had so much confidence but then again
...they had all made it clear that they were worried and that lowered her
own confidence. The names of the Gundam Pilots were imprinted into her mind
and she thought that she might never forget them.
The parking lot she put her new motorcycle in was filled with military
cars and she placed her helmet on her seat, the alarm in her pocket. Noting
her surroundings everytime she passed a checkpoint in security she found in
quiet amusement that they were in no way expecting her to show up and
prepare to destroy them when the fancy struck her. So as people walked by
and noticed little of her, a lowly engineer, she wanted to laugh and throw a
few boomers around. Boomers, a term used to identify the specialized
granades that the agents were given because the kids she taught couldn't say
" unified explosive cartridges" yet. The case of tools she had been given
upon checking in was very cumbersome and heavy, making her want to smack
someone over the head with it rather than carry it around. She stopped at
the elevator, waiting for the car to come down and take her to the floor
where her test would take place. There was a sense of tension suddenly
behind her as someone stopped at her side. She could feel them itching to
ask her some question and Lennera waited as if oblivious to the people
around her.
" Excuse me miss, are you lost?" she looked over in surprise, even
less than the faked feeling of being caught off guard slinking away as she
looked at the soldier beside her. It was the soldier that had nearly gotten
them both killed just that morning. Giving him a blank look she shook her
head.
" No, I have a pretty good idea where I am going....Lieutenant." She
glanced at his marks and nodded. " Excuse me for not saluting, my arms are
sorta full." he nodded and continued what he had been saying before.
" I have seen you before, today in fact not that long ago. Shadow
Flame right?" she gave him her best look of surprise, absolutely NOT feigned
Frowning she backed away a step as if he were dangerous and that he was...
to her mission that is.
" I don't know you. I just arrived on the base today." He looked about
to refute the statement and Lennera was saved when the elevator doors opened
and she -along with several other prospective engineers- piled into the car.
Standing in front of the other people she gave the blind-sided soldier a
small, bewildered wave. The doors shut and her face transformed to one of
barely contained amusement. She nearly laughed out loud as they walked into
the small classroom.
*************************
Trowa contemplated what on earth had just happened when he had stopped
and questioned that girl. There wasn't something quite right with her and he
knew that he had seen just that morning, she had nearly gotten them blown up.
Exiting the elevator he made his way to where Zechs and Heero were being
held.Making sure that none of the guards was around, he leaned against the
door and signaled them that he was there.
" So what's up? Why is everyone so edgy?" Heero was on the other side
of the door, looking through the bars in the door.
" There is something threatening OZ and they have no idea how to fight
it. Its far more dangerous than the Gundams and I have seen a small glimpse
of it I think." Heero waited for him to go on and he sighed. " There is a
piece of the threat actually in OZ at this very moment and they are trying
to hide within it like I am. They're good Heero,they have a better poker
face than you and I."
" They do?" He asked, surprised.
" What do they look like?" Zechs was there, hesitating for a moment
Trowa called up a picture of the girl.
" She has red hair and dresses in a black trench coat. At the moment
she is disguised as an engineer."
" She? A girl?" It sounded as if Heero was going to have a coronary.
Zechs laughed and walked off, throwing a few words over his shoulder.
" I wonder what the other pilots will think of this..." Heero could be
heard sliding down the wall to sit with his back on the door.
" I'll come back if I find any new information. In fact, I think that
you will soon see who I am talking about. They are allowing you to see your
Gundams and to assure you that they are alright." He walked back down the
hall towards the elevator as the guards came back. He would come back later
and get them out of the cell, then he would expose that girl for what she
really was.
***********************************
The hanger was giant, filled with people and suits everywhere. Sitting
down she opened the case and eyed the contents warily, tools she had never
used but mastered in minutes....With a shake of her head Lennera stood up
and looked at the mobile suit she had come not only to repair but to
liberate along with its pilot. Five scientists stood on the catwalk about
ten feet away, talking to one another about what she had interpreted as the
Gundam Pilots. Slipping a camouflaged ear piece in she listened to those
right across form her.
"...Vay 8. Zechs will be tested in the Mercreus..Ah Co. Une. Have you
brought the pilots?" Standing to look over the panel in front of her,
Lennera watched as two men were lead onto the platform and placed in front
of the very large mobile suits. Zechs was a familiar name that bubbled to
the front of her mind, then she knew why. He was one of the Gundam Pilots
listed captured on her roster. Piecing the other pilot to the name she
figured that the younger boy was Heero Yuy, the other captured pilot.
Turning back to the suit in front of her she began to rewire the board,
making it take longer than it should have, even for a novice.
" As you can see the Gundams are still in tip top condition like we
said. Heero, your first." Somehow, her instincts told her this was going to
take a long time....
*******************************
Trowa nudged Zechs and they both looked clandestinely at the worker
not very far from them at all. She was working on an electrical panel of a
Virgo, rewiring the whole thing completely. There was little overly special
about her but even Zechs could see the aura of hostility and the fact that
she was listening to the scientists and soldiers around them. She whizzed
through working on the panel and lifted it up to soder it into place. She
didn't put a mask on and glowered at the red braid the threatened to burst
into flame if a spark might land on it. One of the higher engineers came
running up the stairs, pushing past Trowa and the other guards.
" Hey! Use a welding mask, I don't want you getting hurt on my shift."
She stopped and looked at him for a minute. Shaking her head she picked up
the mask and looked at it, throwing it down again.
" Whatever man. I wouldn't want you getting in trouble because I was
mortally wounded or anything. Besides, I'm finished with what I was told to
do, go ahead and fly your little death toy." She picked up the box of tools
and walked off much to the surprise of the high engineer. She moved to the
suit next to the Mercreus and began to work on it, climbing into the cockpit
and bringing down the screens to test them.
" She doesn't want to be in there, she thinks its too confining in
case she might be found out." Heero whispered, looking out of the corner of
his eye. He was right of course, her expression was closed and her eyes went
from the screens and the door way.
" Now, I will need the pilots to go in and I need an engineer to help
us run the tests, preferably someone who is good with circuitry." Doctor O
turned to Co Une, the tall woman looking at those scurrying around the
hanger.
"I know someone who would be perfect for the job Colonel. If you would
let me help you that is." A tall man in a high engineer's uniform stood in
front of them, standing respectfully to the Colonel.
" Well of course. Who would you suggest?" He nodded to the red haired
girl in the Virgo cockpit who as far as anyone knew had not noticed she was
the topic of close scrutiny. Colonel Une considered her for a moment before
smiling.
" Fine." He saluted and strode in front of her.
" Worker! New assignment." The red haired girl gawked at him for a
moment and then came out, saluting. " You are to hear your directions and
perform them to the best degree possible, understood?" She nodded.
" Sir!" Colonel Une chuckled and began to give out orders, the three
pilots watching the looks exchanged between the handsome young high
engineer and the small red haired girl. She barely hid the surprise and the
thousands of questions she seemed to want to ask.
" Alright, do your job." He motioned her to walk over there and it
seemed by the look on her face that jumping in some acid would have been
less painful. Picking up the keyboard she nodded to those around her that
she was ready.
" Read off the numbers as they come, don't worry about being a little
slow. We are a little old so it takes us a minute to write them down."
Doctor J smiled and she nodded. Heero climbed in and the simulation was
brought up, the red haired girl typing away at the numbers on her screen.
As she read them off, Zechs reeled along with everyone else as she sped
through them, pausing as if they weren't fast enough. Heero was just as
good as ever as the program ended.
*********************************
Lennera brooded quietly as she was dismissed and allowed to finish her
work she had already started. She hadn't been able to speak as soon as Gyrs
had shown up, ordering her around like it was something he was used to. Not
knowing whether to beat him down or obey she had gaped for a few seconds
before catching his look of apprehension.
Sulkingly she had done what she had been told and went back to work,
only to be plagued by stares and the insufferable presence of Gyrs. He sat
outside her work station and ran reports to whoever and what not, trying to
corner her after work. Hoping they would ask her to work a double shift just
to avoid him she was greatly disappointed when a loud clang signified the
changing of shifts and none of the higher engineers came to her area.
Packing up she was right when she had guessed for Gyrs to be standing there
waiting for her.
Female workers smiled coyly at him as they passed and Lennera felt
sick at the mere thought of what he wanted. She had to admit that he was
very handsome and a good agent to boot but there was something about him
that just repelled her and at the moment she couldn't rightly remember what
it was. Usually he was a wonderful friend and a great person but right now..
.....
" Hey there gorgeous, wanna go and destroy something?" Oh yeah, now I
remember, he is so tactless and such an idiot. Side stepping him, Lennera
strode passed him.
" I think not." With a flick of her fingers she made her way to the
elevator, planning on riding it down to the prison floor and so she could do
some REAL work. With the maliciousness of an idle mind he came after her,
flashing a smile and acting as if he were just trying to flirt. Yeah, she
was not oblivious to all the stares and looks she had gotten while at work
today but she was used to it. Just one reason more why she was a Shadow. She
simply gave him the brush off and stepped into the car.
" So how do you like working for OZ?" he asked coming in after her.
She glared at him and didn't answer, keeping her mouth shut and her butt out
of trouble. As the doors closed Gyrs made sure there were no cameras around
in the elevator and smiled. She barely kept her anger in check.
" You idiot! What are you doing here!? You almost got me caught." His
mood of amusement stayed plastered in place and she so wanted to beat it out
of him. As she stepped forward he tripped her and she fell headlong into the
far corner as they passed another floor. He put his arms on either side of
her head and grinned.
" I was put here to watch you and make sure that if you were caught
that CC was notified immediately and that you either got liberated or
destroyed. So I am here to do the former." his sleazy grin did little to
sway her and just as she brought her fist into his ribs with a crash the
doors opened and the soldier that she had run into just that morning came
on.
" I always seem to find you whenever you decide to fight someone..
Can I be of some assistance?" She gaped for a minute and was ready to fry
the man standing in front of her when Gyrs stood up and shoved the case in
her arms and got off. Never to be daunted by her hostile behavior he smiled
and saluted them as the doors slid shut again. He pushed a button and she
leaned against the wall as they descended again, she was never going to be
able to get to the prison level with him on board...oh well.
" Damn Gyrs." He raised an eyebrow at her and she shrugged, trying to
look abashed. " He's my ex-boyfriend." she lied quickly as he nodded.
" Your name's Lennera Darser right? Just moved into the barracks down
the street?" She looked at him in surprise and nodded numbly, thinking of
the pill in her pocket that promised a quick demise. Steeling herself she
answered.
" Yeah. That's right. May I ask who you are Lieutenant?"
" Trowa Barton." Her stomach lurched as she stared wide eyed at the
wall in front of her. A Gundam Pilot! Oh gods, they said this job wasn't
going to be hard to carry out yet here she was in an elevator with one of
the Pilots and they've turned to the enemy. How was she going to tell the CC
about this one!?
" Are you alright? You don't look so good." Lennera snapped out of it
and shook her head.
" I'm fine sir, I just remembered something very unpleasant that's
all" She schooled her features back to tired polite attention. There was a
beep on a walkie talkie strapped to his waist and she acted as if she hadn't
noticed, listening intently.
" Attention all soldiers. Be advised that we have captured two spies
belonging to an unknown society. Be on the look out for others. Out." He
looked at her as the elevator stopped. He hit the delay button and seem to
wait for her to make a move, as if she were going to suddenly jump out the
emergency hatch or take him hostage.
" Why'd ya do that? I do have another job to get to before I'm late."
" You mean to go and snoop around the base?" He said blandly as
before, his expression the same as ever. She grinned and he jumped, she was
still poised leaning against the wall.
" Do I look like a spy to you?" Hitting the button and opening the
doors she stepped out in time to see the soldiers drag two of her fellow
agents down the hall. Their helmets were removed and each face was one of
duty and regret of an unfulfilled mission. As Lennera tried hard not to give
herself away, she caught each agent's eyes, both bowing as best they could
in their predicament. She would come and rescue them and who cares if it got
her demoted, Ghost would have that overruled and her back on the case within
a day. Nodding slightly she went out the doors, two pairs of eyes following
her and she knew exactly who was watching her.
*************************
When he had thought to expose Lennera in the elevator and have her on
their side to free Zechs and Heero she had just looked at him with a knowing
gaze and asked him the stupidest question she could have come up with.
" Do I look like a spy to you?" She might as well had laughed and
proclaimed far and wide that she knew quite well his secrets as he knew
hers. There was a wolfish quality to her he didn't like in the least. So,
watching her exchange glances with the captured spies he knew that she would
be coming back and very soon, maybe even several minutes from now. The Gyrs
character was watching her as well, a knowing and grave look on his face as
she went down to the parking structure below the building.
He had to find the Colonel and ask for some personal time so he could
trace her and see about being around when the spies were questioned.
Something struck him as familiar in the back of his mind as he watched the
two captives being lead down the hall to the Colonel's briefing room. The
one girl was dressed in a black body suit with a celestial sun and clouds
painted on the left leg, a strange insignia directly above it. Her long
blonde hair was streaked with bright blue and tied back low. Her companion
was dressed the same way with a celestial moon and stars with the same
insignia above them. He seemed to have struggled because there was make
shift bandage tied around his arm and one on his head, contrasting sharply
with the black and white streaked hair he wore just past his ears.
" Hey, loosen up bud!" The girl slammed her guard into the wall with
such force he crumpled to the floor in a heap. She kept walking beside her
companion and she linked one arm in his when they threatened to haul her
back again.
" Where we go, we go together so just calm yourselves." He said, back
straight. He looked down at her kindly as they kept going, the girl eyeing
Trowa curiously. "Don't worry Sky, my dear. Our captors and their prison
shall burn in the darkness and we shall be free." She smiled and leaned
against him, a picture that could be seen in a park during a sunset rather
than a military base where they were most likely going to their deaths.
Too many innocent were going to die in this war before it was over and
Trowa almost regretted the loss of these two people. Almost.
" Ah, thank you commander. Lieutenant Barton, please come in and join
us, I need a neutral person for the questioning." Colonel Une stood in the
hallway. The girl 'Sky' snickered and her companion seemed hard pressed to
conceal his amusement suddenly as well. " Is there a problem?" She asked
harshly in her hard voice.
" No ma'am." 'Sky' said in a bright voice. Colonel Une didn't seem too
happy with the fact they had dared to act this way and impatiently gestured
for them to bring them in. The pair however beat the guards to the punch as
they strolled in together, arm in arm to sit on two chairs set apart from
the others. They separated and 'Sky' sat with her head slightly down and her
hands on her knees.
" Alright, I am going to make this a quick session and get right to
the point. Why are you trying to infiltrate OZ?" there was no movement from
the now silent twosome. Colonel Une seemed very vexed at this because she
asked the question louder and harsher but it still didn't work. Both of them
were calm and not even looking at anything around them.
" The Colonel asked you a question and you are to answer her!" Nicol
walked forward and grabbed 'Sky's face and forced it up.
" I wouldn't do that. She will either bite her tongue off to bleed to
death or bite your hand off to watch you bleed to death....they trained her
for it as well.." The man spoke quietly and with a detached sort of voice,
far more vacant than Heero at his worst.
'Sky' opened her eyes slowly, as if asleep and waking to find herself
in complete safety.
" We can not, will not tell you anything besides this small warning:
We do not fear our deaths nor do we fear you. What should be feared is the
darkness that shall burn you all and liberate any of our fellows." Nicol
looked at her calm and serene expression for a moment before throwing her
off the stool and onto her back with a blow to the chest. The man next to
her growled like an animal, looking at the now shaking soldier with dark
eyes.
" What are all your names?" He asked quietly, his eyes locking onto
Nicol's.
" Why?" asked Trowa.
" So I can destroy you all in alphabetical order." He growled
savagely. Colonel Une came to stand in front of Nicol and pinned him with
her own gaze.
" That, commander, was not called for and though I do not usually do
this I am ordering you to apologize to her at once." her voice brooked no
argument and Nicol looked at the still calm form of 'Sky'.
" I apologize for my behavior, it won't happen again." 'Sky nodded as
she easily jumped to her feet and sat back down, throwing her ponytail over
her shoulder and smiling at her companion.
" Of course it won't. And I might add Nightscape, I don't think that
She would be happy if you began to steal her lines." The man gave her a
predatory look like the one that had crossed Lennera's not very long ago and
laughed.
" I believe that you are right."
" Now, I think that I will ask a simpler question for you: What are
your names?"
" Blue Sky, agent number 2459-1603." The blonde girl grinned happily,
the words quick and automatic.
" Nightscape Hunter, agent number 5909-5643." his words ran together
and were let out in a quiet, breathless rush. The Colonel raised a skeptical
eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest.
" What are your real names?" They gave her a patient look as if they
had expected this question.
" That is our real name, numbers too. Other than that I have no idea
what your talking about." Blue Sky said sweetly as if she were introducing
herself to new friends. Colonel Une got a keen look in her eye as she asked
the next question.
" Are there anymore of you?" Nightscape rolled his shoulders and
popped his neck, not even looking in her direction.
" There are thousands of us. And we aren't the best there is either." Blue Sky nodded and this wasn't obviously the answer the Colonel was expecting.
" That many in OZ?" It was more to herself than to anyone else but
Blue Sky laughed at this ludicrous thought.
" Oh no! Other than Nightscape I don't know of anyothers on this
planet let alone in the OZ party." The Colonel shook her head and they were
telling the truth, they each seemed to be trying to recall if they
remembered anyone they had seen fitting the description as another one of
theirs.
" What is your goal?" Colonel Une asked shrewdly. Nightscape looked
up and shrugged.
" Observe and report to CC anything they ask. They ask us anything,
the situation changes every ten minutes and they never stick to one game
plan unless its so stable, not even a nuke could destroy it." Blue Sky
stretched and suddenly cocked her head to the side as if listening.
Nightscape did the same and soon they all heard it, a hiss.
" The clean up crew is here..." Blue Sky looked as if she would burst
into tears and Nightscape reached out to take her hand.
" Love you m'dear Sky." he said looking to the corner the sound was
coming from. Blue Sky nodded and made a small unidentifiable gesture as
tears fell down her face.
" You giving up? Never thought I would see the day the sun would be
covered by clouds." The voice was scratchy as if coming from a radio under
a blanket and someone was running water as it was talking. Blue Sky
brightened and gave a cheer of triumph as a man tall, and covered in a
trench coat of black came into view. A helmet of russet splashes and several
other colors you would only find in a sunset swirled over the full head
gear. A black visor was where his eyes should be, nothing but a black void
there so his entire face was covered. The two spies leapt up and ran behind
him, a large gun much like the one Trowa had encountered before appearing in
his hand as if magiked there.
" Thanks for watching them for me, they can get in such trouble when
not looked after properly." Backing out into the corner he had come out of
they disappeared back into the darkness they had come from. Trowa was more
determined more than ever to get Lennera to the forefront so that he could
expose her and drive her out of OZ. Then again his mask of deception was in
her hands and she could pull it from his face with six words:
Trowa Barton is a Gundam Pilot....
Ok, how did you like it? Please review and not to mention that if I get
enough requests for an Author's Note I will put one up.
Thanks