Gundam Wing is not owned by me
Ok, this chapter is a little shorter than most. But its romance time! So enjoy. The OC list will still be at the bottom. Next chapter will include some of the terms I promised. ~ A.R.H
Chapter 7
"You can't actually tell when it happens. All you know is one moment you don't care, and the next you do."
~ Milliardo Peacecraft
The investigation went smoothly with the added presence of the three Chief Preventers dispatched from Brussels. Earth, Wind, and Fire were on hand within the twelve hours delivery time that had been promised by their commanding officer. Zechs felt rather fortunate for once in his life that Wufei was on hand to keep he and Gabriel apart. They were also fortunate that the Intelligence Department had some of the most speedy and comfortable jets at their travel disposal. Zechs had spent the ten-hour flight in a cozy window seat, ignoring his two companions.
The scene in Singapore was not pretty. The SpacePort had been practically wiped off the face of the earth.. The control tower lay in pieces on one of the main terrestrial runways. The vertical runways used for Space Shuttle launches had been completely obliterated. Several hundred staff members and passenger/travelers had been killed, and every last shuttle had been destroyed, even those in the hanger.
"The attack started at 2:30 AM. We were in the secondary cargo hold. They didn't take out any of the warehouses or cargo holds. Just all the transportation centers. The runways, the control tower, the terminals and gates…. It was unspeakable" The witness was still shaking terribly. From what the group could gather this had all taken place within the span of a few moments. One witness attested that there were still explosions going off five minutes after the initial attack on the Control Tower.
Things did not add up in the least. The attack was indefinite at the moment. It was clear that it had been much more than a series of bombs that had been set off. Zechs spoke to one technician who had been in Hanger B near the Control Tower when the melee began. He said that there was a bright flash and the control tower looked as if it had been cut in half and then it just disintegrated. A few seconds later the roof of Hanger B collapsed on him and his co-workers. He was the only survivor, and he would never walk again.
Though the investigation gained more insight with the addition of the Preventers, little was actually uncovered. This amount of information would not be sufficient for a report to the government on the attack. There were far too many casualties and the damage was off the charts. Zechs had a few theories bouncing around, but nothing that he wanted to give voice to just yet.
"We can tell that the attack was completely sudden. It doesn't appear as though it was an inside work." Zechs spoke to his superior over the phone to give her an update.
"So basically you are telling me that you know nothing? I need concrete information, Heeley is on my case and we cannot allow this to go unresolved Zechs." Lady Une's voice was strained.
"Nothing adds up her Commander. Its like something just came in and obliterated everything and then left." There was a pause on the other end.
"Lady..?"
"You are thinking the same thing I am aren't you Zechs. That little analogy sounds all to familiar for you to dismiss it as an impossibility."
"A mobile suit attack" He didn't want to say it, but there it was.
"Damn. Are the others in agreement?"
"I believe Wufei is tinkering around with the same theory." There was another pause.
"And Gabriel?" Her tone reminded him of a schoolteacher.
"I don't know what he is thinking. There is not enough evidence to support such an attack. No engine residue, no Vernea signature, and no one saw a bloody thing."
"I see" She hesitated for a moment indecisively. "Come back then, leave the rest of the clean up and investigation to the regional Preventers. They will be able to gather more information on local terrorist groups and such. I need you three back here."
Zechs gave his usual 'Yes Ma'am' and hung up the phone, his mind then quickly working on the implications of a mobile suit attack.
Who could build a mobile suit with advanced technology so as not be detected after an attack with this much damage was laid? The Preventers have a strong presence everywhere. Still, there are always places that can hide such things.
He cut the thought short and went to collect his companions. Later that day they began the silent trip home.
* * * * * *
Aria stood in front of the large portrait of her deceased sister and bowed her head. This was were she came whenever she took a big step in the direction of her family's ultimate goal. It was a place of quiet reflection where she could drop the mask of the Eldest Child and show all her insecurities. Her sister would never judge her. She would never declare her too weak to fulfill the family's destiny.
"It is begun Leecy" she could not bring herself to speak above a whisper. Not so much because she feared anyone else would hear, but because she didn't want to hear the words reverberating in her own ears. There was a good amount remorse for what she had started within her. But it wasn't as it was suppose to be. She should be feeling a violent regret for what had been laid to waste in Singapore upon her command. It was not there however. All she could find herself thinking about was Zechs Merquise.
"It is necessary Zechs, it is nothing you yourself have not tried to do. You above all people should understand what I am doing. You were willing to sacrifice everything for your ideal. My sister has already been sacrificed, I cannot go back on it." The words sounded through her mind as well as through the air. He would never forgive her for what she was doing to Elizabeth Foster, but the Isle needed to be avenged. It was her duty versus her conscience. The former always won.
Her mind turned to the summit meeting. He would be there too, at least she hoped he would be. He had to be there. Aria had to see him again. Five years and he had not come back as he said he would, not even for his daughter.
He would be there, and so would she. She would see him again.
* * * * * *
The summit meeting was in less than a week now, and he was exhausted. As part of the Chief Preventer cabinet he was required to go and sit in on the discussions. Zechs did not want to do this. It was political and that wasn't his forte. Things of the political arena were best left to the younger Peacecraft child. Matters of soldiery was his business, this did not suit him. Nor did it, in his opinion, suit the Preventers.
"There isn't much we can do about it Zechs. Lady Une has orders that must be followed. Preventer involvement is required." Sally tried to explain his duty with as little interaction as possible. Zechs was beginning to become more and more difficult to be around these days. He and Wufei were getting along in the oddest of ways. The two had silently joined forces in order to keep a third eye on the Chief Commander Preventer. When a suspicious character was within twelve feet of her office, the wary eyes of Preventer Wind and Earth usually made them turn around.
"You boys behave like children! Get back to your own office and leave me be unless you have something important."
Sally noted Lady Une's increasing strain with the matters of the Singapore attack as well as the upcoming Summit meeting. It wasn't Zechs' fault that he had little to occupy his time. Anne was insisting on either Sally or herself doing a majority of the work. Zechs, Gabriel, and Wufei now had little left but their anxieties to keep them busy. The constant vigilance by her office was making her jumpy and at times depressed. She couldn't leave without either Zechs or Wufei insisting they go with her.
"Zechs is just doing it because he hates Gabriel. We all know Wufei's reasoning. As soon as Zechs gets over his Gabriel issue, he will leave you alone."
"Why do men insist on being so childish?" Sally waited for Anne to finish her bite of chicken salad before she began to speak herself.
"What about Gabriel?"
"What about him?" Anne's face was evasive.
"You like him don't you?"
"This is exactly what causes those boys to get excited, conversations like this."
"Are you scared that they have bugged you and are listening in or something. Zechs and Wufei are not THAT involved in your private life."
"…….Gabriel is nice. He is wonderful with Mariemaia."
Sally smiled "And?"
"Sally please. Even if I had any inclination towards him, I am sure he doesn't think of me as anything more than his commanding officer."
* * * * *
"Its too late Duo. I'm already in love." Gabriel said before downing his second beer of the evening. Duo was propped on a barstool next to his friend who was beside himself with love sickness. It didn't take much of an elevated blood alcohol level to get Gabriel to spill his guts about what was on his mind.
"So this explains the far off look in your eye. Man what a sucker." Duo rested his hands behind his head and looked condescending.
"SUCKER? Man! Have you ever seen those legs? And the way she runs her hand through her hair when she is stressed out? I tell you Duo Maxwell, perfection does exist and it is 5'10 with brown hair and eyes."
"And she is your boss." Gabriel lowered his head down in his hands at Duo statement of the plain facts. She was his boss and he had to respect the line that divided them. It was aggravating beyond compare. Every time he was in her presence he felt like he was being giving electric shocks, it was ten thousand times worse when she smiled at him. It was horrible and wonderful at the same time.
"Poor sap." Duo sipped on his third glass and shook his head sympathetically.
"Tell me what to do man! I have never been in love, I don't know what to do."
"Follow those instincts Christ gave you. What a smart guy he was" He took a moment to kiss the crucifix at his neck. "Still, you are going to have some competition problem. Tough competition."
Gabriel flung his head up. "Oh?" Duo nodded and looked serious.
"Zechs for one. I am convinced he is entering the race against you. Check it out next time he is around her. I am pretty sure I detected something that night at her house when we went after the Batman tapes."
"Yeah.. How's your neck by the way?"
Duo chuckled slightly and rubbed his neck. " Wufei gave me a nice little beating. But anyway, I think Zechs might be a problem if you want to get your hands on your boss."
"Lord! You make it sound so brutish when you say it like that." Gabriel affirmed a refill on his drink.
"Fine, if you want to live in romantic bliss forever with Lady Une, you are going to have to compete with Zechs Merquise. Wufei will be a problem too. Not so much as competition, but more of a hurtle that you will have to jump over. You have the home court advantage, Mariemaia. Having a nice relationship with her, you will have the opportunity to be with Anne on a more person basis."
"Personal basis…. Ohh yeah.. I can seriously go for some personal basis with her." Gabriel leaned back in the stool that had no back euphorically and almost fell out of it. Duo caught him before he lost all balance and met the floor.
"Whoa.. Romeo, stay with me here. You aren't in paradise yet!" Gabriel corrected himself and leaned against the bar.
"So Zechs is it. Easy enough." His eyes narrowed and he once again became the wolverine with his thoughts focused on his only prey. Zechs Merquise.
* * * * *
Character Guide
The Delizabane Faimly and Associates
Merrick Delizabane
: The former Patriarch of the Delizabane Family and father of the four children of the Delizabane main lineage: Analicia, Aria, Mathius, Shireen. A very severe and sometimes cruel man, he forced his children to become soldiers when they were very young. At the start of the Rhineland war, his two oldest children Analicia and Aria were sent to command positions with their cousin Kateline. Merrick was assassinated after the Isle's Rhineland DefeatVictoria Delizabane :
Mother of Analicia and Aria, died of illness two years after the birth of Aria.Aria Delizabane:
(Expedition Storm) The current Eldest Child and ruler of the Delizabane Family. Daughter of Merrick Delizabane. She was taken Prisoner during the Rhineland war when trying to keep the Alliance out of Western Europe and the British Isle. Now she is the most powerful person in the Isle.Analicia Delizabane
(Leecy)( The First Lady of War): The orginal Eldest Child of the Delizabane family, Leecy was the older sister and second mother to her younger sister Aria. Known to be both extremely intelligent and defiant, Leecy led the Rhineland Army to most of its victories during the war. But lost critical battles when the Alliance Specials became involved. Analicia was captured and executed by the Alliance at the end of the war.Kateline Delizabane:
(The Huntress) The oldest living Delizabane and cousin of the Aria Delizabane. Kateline is inherently mad and given to murderous rages. Since she is not part of the main Delizabane lineage, she can never be the Eldest Child, but is still bound to serve.Mathius Delizabane
: Only son of Merrick Delizabane and the twin brother of Shireen. He is the youngest of the Delizabane main lineage. After his father was assassinated he was taken and raised by his cousin Kateline and thus bares similar resentments. He carries a disdain for the current Eldest Child Aria, and an absolute hatred for the memory of Analicia, whom he never knew.Shireen Delizabane:
The twin sister of Mathius. A very weak young woman with little courage to stand up to her oppressive and abusive family.Bram Wickfield
: The chief advisor to the Delizabane family and former tutor of Analicia and Aria. A stoic and proud man of vast intellect, he was paralyzed from the waste down following a fire arms accident.Itzhak Liebman
: Loyal chief steward to Mathius Delizabane.Mrs. Collins
: Chief house keeper for the Delizabane Manor.Elizabeth Langstaff
: Former secretary to Aria Delizabane, Elizabeth saved Milliardo Peacecraft after his defeat to Heero Yuy at the end of the first Eve War. She died from complications after giving birth to Milliardo's daughter.Elizabeth Foster Peacecraft
: Daughter of Milliardo Peacecraft and Elizabeth Langstaff. Currently being raised in the Isle by the Delizabane familyMikail Khydarian:
a young Serbian assassin under the employ of the Delizabane family.Other OC 's
Gabriel Khushrenada:
Younger brother of Treize Khushrenada and uncle of Mariemaia Khushrenada Barton.Fadden Heeley:
Current President of the Earth Sphere Unified Nation, leader of the Majority party (Libertarian-Socialists)Helen St. Downey
: Chief economic advisor to ESUN President Heeley.Celine Osprey
: An economist working for the Agency for Economic Development.Sudara Okami
: Linguistic prodigy and Quatre Winner's current girlfriend.