by Honor Harrington
"The mission is quite serious," Heero stated, soaking in the air conditioning, "the leader of the Sanc Kingdom, Relena Peacecraft, has been abducted. We don't know who the kidnapper is: no ransom has been offered. Five guards were killed in the process. All were killed skillfully; this is a pro," Heero's voice was tight.
"Relena Peacecraft? Your wife, if I assume correctly," Lt. Castelle inquired.
"That is correct," Heero tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
"We'll find her," Lt. Mike Timbs' voice was firm.
"Agreed," Sam looked at her hands. She didn't know what to say as she noticed Heero's agony.
"Lt. Timbs, I believe you are an armorments specialist," Heero glanced at Mike with a lighter tone in his voice; seeing Mike nod, he continued, "then you can combine your efforts with Colonel Barton, or resident armorments expert."
"I look foward to it," Mike Timbs grinned.
Lt. Castelle noticed Mike's smile and cocked an eyebrow in confusion. Something was going on, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He sat straighter when Heero addressed him.
"Lt. Castelle," Heero didn't glance at him, as he did Mike, "I will expect you to provide a complete profile of the abductor as soon as you combine efforts with witnesses and the Royal Guards."
Chris Castelle nodded. He was top of his class in psychology, and he was the world's leading Profiler, "I'll get right on it, Col. Yuy."
"Sam," Heero turned to glance at the young woman, "I believe you know our resident explosives expert, Joanna Maxwell."
"Joey!!??? She's there?! Oh my gosh! I haven't seen her forever!" Sam was ecstatic.
"Who is she?" Lt. Castelle turned toward the excited young woman in the front seat.
"She's my best friend since forever!" Sam looked at Heero, "So, how is she doing?"
"I believe she is in good health," Heero glanced sidewards at Sam.
The black SUV pulled into a hangar at the Jordans Air Force Base. The four passengers stepped out and began unloading the luggage. Sam tried to pull Lt. Mike Timbs' bag out, but found it a little too heavy and grunted with frustration.
"Let me help you there, Sam," said Chris Castelle, a little too friendly for Sam's comfort, as he reached for the bag and easily pulled it out.
"Thanks," Sam grabbed her own bags and walked to the other side of the SUV where Col. Yuy and Lt. Timbs were discussig the events of the abduction.
"...we found some evidence of chemicals at the scene which are assumed to be used to knock Relena out," Heero was saying.
"--If you wouldn't mind, I'd like a look at those," Sam spoke up, her scientific mind at work.
Heero turned to speak to Sam,"That can be arranged," then, turning to Mike, he said, "I expect you'll be wanting to meet with Col. Barton soon. I'll arrange a meeting for you."
Lt. Castelle had made his way around the SUV with the remaining bags. Heero turned to look at him, "The three Royal Guards you'll be working with are Quatre Winner, Miliardo Peacecraft, and his wife Noin."
Lt. Castelle noted the names quietly in his head and nodded, "I will do all I can."
Heero picked up some of the luggage burdens, "I expect you'll want some rest before beginning the investigation."
Heero's thoughts swirled in his brain as he led the three specialists to their separate quarters, 'I should be out there looking for Relena, but she's strong, and I need their help. I should have been there...! I don't know about this Castelle fellow, he seems to take a liking to Lt. Bryants, and I don't think the feeling is mutual.' He abruptly stopped himself as they reached three neighboring doors.
"Here is your room, Lt. Castelle," he motioned to the first room and the military profiler walked in and examined it. "And here is your room, Lt. Timbs," He motioned again, this time at the second door. At the third door, he opened it and nodded at Sam, "This is your room. I'll send someone to get you at 1600 hours."
The three specialists acknowledged Heero's statement and Heero promptly turned and strolled down the hall.
'We'll find you, Relena. I promise.' Heero's eyes steeled and his fists clamped at his sides.