Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or their characters.
Silent Night
Part 3
By Starlight
Dorothy Catalonia pulled the last hair pin out of her hair allowing the blond mass to cascade down her back. With an inward sigh of relief she ran her fingers through the tresses, gently tugging out snarls. Though she stared at her reflection her thoughts were far away.
It was unfortunate that she had been unable to wheedle any information out of that butler of Peacecraft's. Still, it was only a temporary setback. She had made ample provision for this eventuality. Even at this moment her people should be following Relena to her last known stopping place. The tracer concealed in the young politician's purse would give the general area. Next would come the more intricate search as her agents worked in a rapidly shrinking circle.
A gentle knock sounded on the bedroom door. Dorothy called a careless invitation and the door swung open. A tall, handsome man entered carrying a tray with champagne and two glasses.
"I thought you might care to celebrate."
"Why ever not?" Dorothy responded with a flippant smile, accepting the glass handed to her. Raising it up she offered a toast. "To genius, may it never end."
"To you Miss Dorothy," Her companion countered, also lifting his glass. "And the continuing success of your plans."
Dorothy chuckled as she carefully placed her glass on the table beside her. "You are such a darling William. Yes, everything goes according to plan. May it continue to."
***
"Wufei, nice to see you."
The young man ran a critical eye over his partner's features. "You're still pale, how are you feeling?"
"The idiots who run this place won't let me out of bed."
Wufei hid a smile at the childish tone in her voice. "If you weren't the patient you'd agree with them." He spoke calmly.
"I know, I know. But that doesn't help any." Sally growled and then winced as a spasm of pain shot through her side.
Wufei frowned. "You aren't taking the painkillers."
"As little as I can get by with. There's no way I'm letting you come visit me while I'm woozy and totally out of it."
Wufei smirked. "You're not supposed to push it. Lady Une wants you in one piece with no relapses."
"Yeah, I know." Sally grimaced. "She came by and told me so. Why else do you think I'm handling this as well as I am."
"I hadn't noticed." Wufei couldn't resist baiting his partner.
Sally muttered something under her breath, but a smile played around the corners of her lips. "Alright, tell me what's really been going on."
***
"Nothing." Duo flopped back onto the bed in the motel room. Wearily he sighed. He'd trailed Dorothy, watching her with all the finesse of someone used to spying. The blond had been the picture of perfection. In all her travels, meetings and pleasure jaunts Dorothy Catalonia had done nothing improper. He was beginning to think that his hunch had been wrong.
Except for.... Duo sat up suddenly. "What about her communications?" He hit his forehead. "I haven't had any access to her phone conversations, personal e-mail or other private connections. Stupid, stupid, stupid." There still might be a way to tie her into Xousia.
Pushing off the bed he grinned wolfishly. This was one knot he would untie, no matter how tightly drawn it was.
***
Zechs looked around the room where he had been left. Other then the chair he was sitting on the only other distinguishing feature was a vid phone. Or something that resembled a vid phone anyway. Crossing his arms he leaned against the back of his chair. His senses hadn't allowed him to relax his guard yet. Closing his eyes halfway he frowned. His escort hadn't spoken one word to him before leaving him there alone. If his captors wanted to play a waiting game then he would wait.
Moments passed before the screen to the vid phone flickered to life. Out of the corner of his eye Zechs caught a glimpse of the head and shoulders of a person.
Slowly he turned his head, trying not to appear overly anxious about who was on the other end of the line. Suddenly he caught more then a glimpse and his attention was riveted to the screen. He strained to maintain a semblance of outward composure while inside he teemed with questions and shock.
"Hello Zechs, it's been a long time hasn't it? I have a proposition for you and I'm hoping you will agree."
Numbly Zechs sat there as the voice continued. When the person paused his mouth dropped open slightly and then closed again. He could find nothing to say.
***
Quatre sat cross-legged on his bed waiting as his laptop booted up. Though he was no longer the official head of his family's business and supposedly in hiding he still had correspondence and information he couldn't just leave hanging out in cyberspace.
His fingers tapped rhythmically on the keyboard as he connected online and began checking his messages. Suddenly he stiffened and his right hand slowly clenched into a fist. Jaw tightening a look of fury came into his eyes and just as quickly melted away as he came to the end of a message.
Pushing the computer away he slumped, head bowed. This was an unexpected turn of events. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut. He had a decision to make and only seventy-two hours in which to make it.
***
The hour was late but Heero still sat at the kitchen table, ostensibly busy working. In reality he was waiting for an overdue comrade. Duo still hadn't appeared or made any contact whatsoever and though he never would have admitted it Heero was worried.
A slight sound brought Heero's head up with a jerk. Quatre stood in the doorway to the living room. His hair was a rumpled mess, his face tight with anxiety.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm going to have to leave." Quatre responded. "Xousia kidnapped my sister Ariel and is holding her until I turn myself in."
Heero closed the lid of his laptop with a click. "No." He spoke curtly. "There's too much at risk if you go. We can't jeopardize the safehouse and Relena. Besides, you don't know that Xousia will release your sister even if you do give yourself up. They'll probably still keep her hostage, she'll be a liability."
"I know what they'll do to her if I don't give myself up." Quatre ran a hand through his hair and then smoothed it down. "I won't leave a trail and I won't give you away, but I have to go."
"You can't." Heero had risen to his feet and the two stood facing each other. "You can't." He repeated with a growl.
"Short of killing me, there's no way you can keep me here while Xousia has my sister." Quatre flared.
Heero turned and stalked away a few steps. "Fine."
Quatre followed his friend and laid a hand on Heero's shoulder, feeling his muscles tense at the contact. "I will be back." He pushed more confidence into his tone then he was feeling. Then he was gone, the kitchen door closing quietly behind him.
Heero turned away, slamming a fist into the countertop. They're taking us out one at a time, clever.
Scooping up his computer Heero left the kitchen, flicking out the light. It just might be time to take the play down to Xousia's end zone.
***
Dorothy leaned over the back of the chair staring at the screen where a picture of Colony 14 slowly rotated. "How is our search going?"
"Very well Ms. Catalonia." The man replied. "We traced them all the way to the colony." His fingers flew over the keys as he spoke, enlarging the view, flying through layers and then bringing up a map of the interior. He pointed to where a red dot blinked, expanding in a widening circle then disappearing only to repeat the cycle again and again. "This is the area where the signal cut off. But we've got a batch of agents all ready on the colony. It was easy to sneak 'em in since they do a lot of asteroid mining around there."
Again he tapped on the keyboard expanding the area where the dot blinked. "Right now our agents are working in a shrinking parameter here." His finger circled an area on the screen. "It shouldn't be long before your bird is caught."
"Good, very good." Dorothy gloated. "But remember, I want nothing done that will lower public opinion."
"Of course not Ms. Catalonia. The people will all but cheer the eradicating of a terrorist cell."
***
Drip. Drip. Drip.
The sound was a monotonous cadence becoming sharper and sharper as it fell on the ears of the only listener. It was as eternal as the blackness surrounding and filling the room.
Jolene lay in an unmoving heap where she had been thrown. Any attempt to move had only exacerbated the pain in her body so she had given up the effort.
Bruised and battered she had nevertheless survived several interrogation sessions by her Xousia captors. Her mind felt as battered as her body though and as she lay in her cell she found herself falling into a dreamy almost hypnotic state. Seeing nothing, hearing nothing save for that eternal drip of water.
Something wet slid slowly down her face and lips, tickling as it went. She stuck out her tongue and caught the droplet before it reached the ground. It tasted salty and metallic.
Slowly she inched her hand up to her face, gingerly touching and exploring with her fingers. One eye was nearly swollen shut. Her nose throbbed. A myriad of bruises adorned the rest of her features. Her hand fell to the ground and she again stared out into the blackness. Slowly her thoughts began to take on the rhythmic sound of the drops. Can't.... tell.... Won't.... tell.... Drop. Drop. Drop. Drop. Drop.
***
He had done it. The coolness of the metal felt foreign to senses freed from its touch for so long. A portion of his soul rejoiced at being expressed yet another part of his soul warred against it protesting loudly. He groaned inwardly as the battle continued to rage inside of his head.
What would his friends say when they learned? They were the reason he had consented to again don his mask. But are they the only reason? His mind taunted. Was it really just for them? Admit it, you only.... NO! Zechs peremptorily silenced the voice in his head as he adjusted the mask on his face yet again. Whatever his underlying reason for consenting he had done the deed and would live with it. Let the future take care of itself.
Standing, he faced the door as it slid open. "Come along Mr. Merquise." The man's voice held a slight taunting note that Zechs chose to ignore. The sudden reversal of his situation upon donning the mask caused him to wonder if there wasn't some sort of transmitter or tracking device embedding in it.
He determined to examine the mask more carefully when he had leisure time or perhaps create a replica. He didn't like the idea of being monitored everywhere he went.
Silently he followed his guide onto a lift which the man opened by pressing his thumb to a scanner. "Print accepted." A computerized female voice announced. "You may enter."
After ascending a few seconds the lift stopped and doors opened on a well lit corridor. After walking down the hall and turning down several different passages Zechs guide halted in front of a door. "These are your quarters." He spoke roughly. "Another officer will escort you to be scanned into the computers and given security clearance."
Zechs entered his room. Obviously not everyone believed that just because he put on the mask that he was loyal beyond a shadow of doubt. It would take time to earn trust with everyone. Time he wasn't sure he had.
***
Pulling his coat collar more snuggly around his ears Quatre shivered slightly. Fifteen minutes had passed since he had paid the taxi driver and watched the beat up cab pull away and still there wasn't a sign of the car that was supposed to meet him.
He glanced around. The area was perfect for a clandestine rendezvous, deserted except for a stray alley cat that watched him warily from behind a pile of junk. Quatre leaned against the wall and eyed the cat back. "Two of a kind aren't we old man." He murmured. "Both of us here and neither of us trusting anybody."
The cat abruptly disappeared as the sound of shuffling footsteps caught Quatre's attention. Turning his head he watched as an old drunk stumbled his way towards him. Tensing he waited until the old man came up to him wincing slightly at the sour odor emanating from the man's body.
"Got somethin' fer you." The man handed over a soiled piece of paper. "Gent gave it to me fer you."
"Thank you." The blond Arabian replied and watched as the old man stumbled off before opening the paper. It contained only two words. "Follow me."
The supposed drunk glanced back to see Quatre following him and immediately quickened his stride to the point that Quatre had to just about run to keep him in sight. After several twists and turns Quatre lost sight of his guide. Hurrying around the corner he slid to a halt. There sat a car, engine idling, back door open. Without hesitating Quatre walked over and slid into the backseat. The door slammed shut behind him.
"Welcome Mr. Winner." A cool voice spoke. "We are looking forward to your company very much." A needle jabbed his arm. Quatre grimaced. "What about my sister...." He began.
"Relax Mr. Winner. You'll find out soon enough." The voice responded.
Quatre started to protest but found his vision blurring and his thoughts wouldn't orient themselves like he wanted them to. Blackness covered everything and he knew no more.
***
Duo growled unintelligibly at the computer screen. So far none of his attempts at hacking had gotten him past the security measures that protected Dorothy Catalonia's e-mail. Swearing softly he disconnected and slumped back in his chair. Even with all the pussy-footing around he'd been doing he had nearly set off several alarms. Got a car or machine to fiddle with then I'm your man. But this hacking business really isn't up my alley.
Standing up he stretched, easing sore muscles. "There's gotta be somebody better at this somewhere." He muttered half jokingly to himself.
Suddenly he froze in place. "Duo you idiot, of course! Somebody better! I'll bet Heero could hack through that firewall as easy as slicing through whipped cream." Chuckling wryly he turned to sit down and then froze again as another thought struck him. "I haven't contacted anybody for a while. Dumb, stupid, idiotic thing to do Maxwell." He started stuffing items into the small duffel bag he was using. It was time for him to talk to Heero, and he needed to do that face to face. "He'll probably blow your stupid head off for this stunt. Baka." Duo continued to scold himself for his forgetfulness.
Five minutes later he was shrugging on his coat, making sure his braid was tucked securely underneath, and pulling on a stocking cap. Shouldering his duffel bag he sighed deeply. It was time to head for the colony safehouse.
Silent Night
Part 3
By Starlight
Dorothy Catalonia pulled the last hair pin out of her hair allowing the blond mass to cascade down her back. With an inward sigh of relief she ran her fingers through the tresses, gently tugging out snarls. Though she stared at her reflection her thoughts were far away.
It was unfortunate that she had been unable to wheedle any information out of that butler of Peacecraft's. Still, it was only a temporary setback. She had made ample provision for this eventuality. Even at this moment her people should be following Relena to her last known stopping place. The tracer concealed in the young politician's purse would give the general area. Next would come the more intricate search as her agents worked in a rapidly shrinking circle.
A gentle knock sounded on the bedroom door. Dorothy called a careless invitation and the door swung open. A tall, handsome man entered carrying a tray with champagne and two glasses.
"I thought you might care to celebrate."
"Why ever not?" Dorothy responded with a flippant smile, accepting the glass handed to her. Raising it up she offered a toast. "To genius, may it never end."
"To you Miss Dorothy," Her companion countered, also lifting his glass. "And the continuing success of your plans."
Dorothy chuckled as she carefully placed her glass on the table beside her. "You are such a darling William. Yes, everything goes according to plan. May it continue to."
***
"Wufei, nice to see you."
The young man ran a critical eye over his partner's features. "You're still pale, how are you feeling?"
"The idiots who run this place won't let me out of bed."
Wufei hid a smile at the childish tone in her voice. "If you weren't the patient you'd agree with them." He spoke calmly.
"I know, I know. But that doesn't help any." Sally growled and then winced as a spasm of pain shot through her side.
Wufei frowned. "You aren't taking the painkillers."
"As little as I can get by with. There's no way I'm letting you come visit me while I'm woozy and totally out of it."
Wufei smirked. "You're not supposed to push it. Lady Une wants you in one piece with no relapses."
"Yeah, I know." Sally grimaced. "She came by and told me so. Why else do you think I'm handling this as well as I am."
"I hadn't noticed." Wufei couldn't resist baiting his partner.
Sally muttered something under her breath, but a smile played around the corners of her lips. "Alright, tell me what's really been going on."
***
"Nothing." Duo flopped back onto the bed in the motel room. Wearily he sighed. He'd trailed Dorothy, watching her with all the finesse of someone used to spying. The blond had been the picture of perfection. In all her travels, meetings and pleasure jaunts Dorothy Catalonia had done nothing improper. He was beginning to think that his hunch had been wrong.
Except for.... Duo sat up suddenly. "What about her communications?" He hit his forehead. "I haven't had any access to her phone conversations, personal e-mail or other private connections. Stupid, stupid, stupid." There still might be a way to tie her into Xousia.
Pushing off the bed he grinned wolfishly. This was one knot he would untie, no matter how tightly drawn it was.
***
Zechs looked around the room where he had been left. Other then the chair he was sitting on the only other distinguishing feature was a vid phone. Or something that resembled a vid phone anyway. Crossing his arms he leaned against the back of his chair. His senses hadn't allowed him to relax his guard yet. Closing his eyes halfway he frowned. His escort hadn't spoken one word to him before leaving him there alone. If his captors wanted to play a waiting game then he would wait.
Moments passed before the screen to the vid phone flickered to life. Out of the corner of his eye Zechs caught a glimpse of the head and shoulders of a person.
Slowly he turned his head, trying not to appear overly anxious about who was on the other end of the line. Suddenly he caught more then a glimpse and his attention was riveted to the screen. He strained to maintain a semblance of outward composure while inside he teemed with questions and shock.
"Hello Zechs, it's been a long time hasn't it? I have a proposition for you and I'm hoping you will agree."
Numbly Zechs sat there as the voice continued. When the person paused his mouth dropped open slightly and then closed again. He could find nothing to say.
***
Quatre sat cross-legged on his bed waiting as his laptop booted up. Though he was no longer the official head of his family's business and supposedly in hiding he still had correspondence and information he couldn't just leave hanging out in cyberspace.
His fingers tapped rhythmically on the keyboard as he connected online and began checking his messages. Suddenly he stiffened and his right hand slowly clenched into a fist. Jaw tightening a look of fury came into his eyes and just as quickly melted away as he came to the end of a message.
Pushing the computer away he slumped, head bowed. This was an unexpected turn of events. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut. He had a decision to make and only seventy-two hours in which to make it.
***
The hour was late but Heero still sat at the kitchen table, ostensibly busy working. In reality he was waiting for an overdue comrade. Duo still hadn't appeared or made any contact whatsoever and though he never would have admitted it Heero was worried.
A slight sound brought Heero's head up with a jerk. Quatre stood in the doorway to the living room. His hair was a rumpled mess, his face tight with anxiety.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm going to have to leave." Quatre responded. "Xousia kidnapped my sister Ariel and is holding her until I turn myself in."
Heero closed the lid of his laptop with a click. "No." He spoke curtly. "There's too much at risk if you go. We can't jeopardize the safehouse and Relena. Besides, you don't know that Xousia will release your sister even if you do give yourself up. They'll probably still keep her hostage, she'll be a liability."
"I know what they'll do to her if I don't give myself up." Quatre ran a hand through his hair and then smoothed it down. "I won't leave a trail and I won't give you away, but I have to go."
"You can't." Heero had risen to his feet and the two stood facing each other. "You can't." He repeated with a growl.
"Short of killing me, there's no way you can keep me here while Xousia has my sister." Quatre flared.
Heero turned and stalked away a few steps. "Fine."
Quatre followed his friend and laid a hand on Heero's shoulder, feeling his muscles tense at the contact. "I will be back." He pushed more confidence into his tone then he was feeling. Then he was gone, the kitchen door closing quietly behind him.
Heero turned away, slamming a fist into the countertop. They're taking us out one at a time, clever.
Scooping up his computer Heero left the kitchen, flicking out the light. It just might be time to take the play down to Xousia's end zone.
***
Dorothy leaned over the back of the chair staring at the screen where a picture of Colony 14 slowly rotated. "How is our search going?"
"Very well Ms. Catalonia." The man replied. "We traced them all the way to the colony." His fingers flew over the keys as he spoke, enlarging the view, flying through layers and then bringing up a map of the interior. He pointed to where a red dot blinked, expanding in a widening circle then disappearing only to repeat the cycle again and again. "This is the area where the signal cut off. But we've got a batch of agents all ready on the colony. It was easy to sneak 'em in since they do a lot of asteroid mining around there."
Again he tapped on the keyboard expanding the area where the dot blinked. "Right now our agents are working in a shrinking parameter here." His finger circled an area on the screen. "It shouldn't be long before your bird is caught."
"Good, very good." Dorothy gloated. "But remember, I want nothing done that will lower public opinion."
"Of course not Ms. Catalonia. The people will all but cheer the eradicating of a terrorist cell."
***
Drip. Drip. Drip.
The sound was a monotonous cadence becoming sharper and sharper as it fell on the ears of the only listener. It was as eternal as the blackness surrounding and filling the room.
Jolene lay in an unmoving heap where she had been thrown. Any attempt to move had only exacerbated the pain in her body so she had given up the effort.
Bruised and battered she had nevertheless survived several interrogation sessions by her Xousia captors. Her mind felt as battered as her body though and as she lay in her cell she found herself falling into a dreamy almost hypnotic state. Seeing nothing, hearing nothing save for that eternal drip of water.
Something wet slid slowly down her face and lips, tickling as it went. She stuck out her tongue and caught the droplet before it reached the ground. It tasted salty and metallic.
Slowly she inched her hand up to her face, gingerly touching and exploring with her fingers. One eye was nearly swollen shut. Her nose throbbed. A myriad of bruises adorned the rest of her features. Her hand fell to the ground and she again stared out into the blackness. Slowly her thoughts began to take on the rhythmic sound of the drops. Can't.... tell.... Won't.... tell.... Drop. Drop. Drop. Drop. Drop.
***
He had done it. The coolness of the metal felt foreign to senses freed from its touch for so long. A portion of his soul rejoiced at being expressed yet another part of his soul warred against it protesting loudly. He groaned inwardly as the battle continued to rage inside of his head.
What would his friends say when they learned? They were the reason he had consented to again don his mask. But are they the only reason? His mind taunted. Was it really just for them? Admit it, you only.... NO! Zechs peremptorily silenced the voice in his head as he adjusted the mask on his face yet again. Whatever his underlying reason for consenting he had done the deed and would live with it. Let the future take care of itself.
Standing, he faced the door as it slid open. "Come along Mr. Merquise." The man's voice held a slight taunting note that Zechs chose to ignore. The sudden reversal of his situation upon donning the mask caused him to wonder if there wasn't some sort of transmitter or tracking device embedding in it.
He determined to examine the mask more carefully when he had leisure time or perhaps create a replica. He didn't like the idea of being monitored everywhere he went.
Silently he followed his guide onto a lift which the man opened by pressing his thumb to a scanner. "Print accepted." A computerized female voice announced. "You may enter."
After ascending a few seconds the lift stopped and doors opened on a well lit corridor. After walking down the hall and turning down several different passages Zechs guide halted in front of a door. "These are your quarters." He spoke roughly. "Another officer will escort you to be scanned into the computers and given security clearance."
Zechs entered his room. Obviously not everyone believed that just because he put on the mask that he was loyal beyond a shadow of doubt. It would take time to earn trust with everyone. Time he wasn't sure he had.
***
Pulling his coat collar more snuggly around his ears Quatre shivered slightly. Fifteen minutes had passed since he had paid the taxi driver and watched the beat up cab pull away and still there wasn't a sign of the car that was supposed to meet him.
He glanced around. The area was perfect for a clandestine rendezvous, deserted except for a stray alley cat that watched him warily from behind a pile of junk. Quatre leaned against the wall and eyed the cat back. "Two of a kind aren't we old man." He murmured. "Both of us here and neither of us trusting anybody."
The cat abruptly disappeared as the sound of shuffling footsteps caught Quatre's attention. Turning his head he watched as an old drunk stumbled his way towards him. Tensing he waited until the old man came up to him wincing slightly at the sour odor emanating from the man's body.
"Got somethin' fer you." The man handed over a soiled piece of paper. "Gent gave it to me fer you."
"Thank you." The blond Arabian replied and watched as the old man stumbled off before opening the paper. It contained only two words. "Follow me."
The supposed drunk glanced back to see Quatre following him and immediately quickened his stride to the point that Quatre had to just about run to keep him in sight. After several twists and turns Quatre lost sight of his guide. Hurrying around the corner he slid to a halt. There sat a car, engine idling, back door open. Without hesitating Quatre walked over and slid into the backseat. The door slammed shut behind him.
"Welcome Mr. Winner." A cool voice spoke. "We are looking forward to your company very much." A needle jabbed his arm. Quatre grimaced. "What about my sister...." He began.
"Relax Mr. Winner. You'll find out soon enough." The voice responded.
Quatre started to protest but found his vision blurring and his thoughts wouldn't orient themselves like he wanted them to. Blackness covered everything and he knew no more.
***
Duo growled unintelligibly at the computer screen. So far none of his attempts at hacking had gotten him past the security measures that protected Dorothy Catalonia's e-mail. Swearing softly he disconnected and slumped back in his chair. Even with all the pussy-footing around he'd been doing he had nearly set off several alarms. Got a car or machine to fiddle with then I'm your man. But this hacking business really isn't up my alley.
Standing up he stretched, easing sore muscles. "There's gotta be somebody better at this somewhere." He muttered half jokingly to himself.
Suddenly he froze in place. "Duo you idiot, of course! Somebody better! I'll bet Heero could hack through that firewall as easy as slicing through whipped cream." Chuckling wryly he turned to sit down and then froze again as another thought struck him. "I haven't contacted anybody for a while. Dumb, stupid, idiotic thing to do Maxwell." He started stuffing items into the small duffel bag he was using. It was time for him to talk to Heero, and he needed to do that face to face. "He'll probably blow your stupid head off for this stunt. Baka." Duo continued to scold himself for his forgetfulness.
Five minutes later he was shrugging on his coat, making sure his braid was tucked securely underneath, and pulling on a stocking cap. Shouldering his duffel bag he sighed deeply. It was time to head for the colony safehouse.