Chapter 10
A Drop Before the Storm
FOREST BEHIND ST. GABRIEL
"There," Quatre breathed as he added the finishing touches to the leafy branches and net disguising Twilight. "No one should find you now. I sincerely hope Serenity can control you…"
He left the vicinity. "Rest well, Gundam Twilight. May you never have to see the destruction of war."
ROMEFELLER
The two MS, Wing Gundam Zero and Gundam Epyon, were making quick work of the security MD, and creating havoc among the Romefeller soldiers guarding the building.
Meanwhile, a plane with a few select people in it escaped from the burning ruins.
"Security MD are no match for two Gundams, huh? It's a good thing we got out of there," Dermail said, stating the obvious. "Those dangerous men will need to be eliminated, madam," he added slyly.
Soundlessly, the dethroned Princess glared at him from the corner of her eyes.
"Sounds like Dermail's scared," Usagi murmured, giving her companion a comforting hug. "You're strong, Relena. Stay strong, for peace, for a better future."
Relena couldn't help but feel soothed, knowing that she had a true friend accompanying her. "Usa-chan, I'm glad you're with me."
Usagi winked. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Do you want me to hijack to shuttle and take us home?"
Relena laughed, but shook her head. "No. This is something that I must do on my own. Besides, I have a plan," she whispered.
Usagi raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Won't Dermail be happy," she said caustically.
Relena grinned cockily. "Just you wait. I'll make him the happiest old geezer in the Earthsphere."
The two girls looked at each other and giggled.
-
Dermail scowled at the laughing girls. 'They should not be laughing like a bunch of frivolous teenagers. I must get rid of that gundam pilot,' he thought. 'After Relena becomes queen…'
ATMOSPHERE ABOVE THE RUINS OF ROMEFELLER
"You're next, Zechs!"
"Humph! You can't beat me yet!"
Heero's eyes blazed gold, and Zechs knew it.
All the security MD had been annihilated, and now Zechs and Heero were going at it, again.
And Heero was totally corrupted by the awesome mind-bending power of the Zero System. "Wing Zero tells me you're my enemy! It's my mission to kill you!" He took a shot with the buster rifle, but Epyon was too quick, first dodging, and then countering. Clouds of dust surrounded them as the large MS circled each other.
"Wing Zero, huh? Now you take orders from a machine? You're no better than MD, when you let the system control you like that!" Zechs yelled. "Is our battle so small, Heero Yuy?"
"What?" His mind clicked as Heero was thrown out of the trance Zero held him in.
"When you became a real fighter, we'll settle it."
"Chikuso!" Heero swore. He hadn't realized how incompetent he was with the system.
"I look forward to that day." Epyon transformed into MA mode, and Zechs left the battle scene.
-
"The Sanc Kingdom has fallen and Relena is the prize of Romefeller," Zechs said, as if to convince himself that it was the truth. "The Romefeller Foundation will control Earth."
"Is that what you think?" A familiar voice rang through the radio, startling the former OZ lieutenant. "It's been a long time, Milliardo Peacecraft, my friend," Treize greeted, his face appearing on the terminal.
"Treize Khushrenada, what does a retired officer make of this?"
"Ha, ha. I can tell you your sister is veritably smarter than you think. She can do so much more than Dermail," Treize answered. "Dermail underestimated her and he'll be ousted from his post for it. It's a tragedy that such an ignorant man came to power."
"It's not that easy to take control of Earth," Milliardo reasoned, a little concerned about his imouto. "The colonists will regain power when Romefeller weakens."
"Usagi is there to help her. If the changing times need a player, I'll make a comeback," Treize said smoothly. "You too, Milliardo. Pick the role you should play."
"I won't be an OZ soldier again," Milliardo said firmly.
"The OZ soldier Zechs is dead, right Milliardo?" Treize said lightly, yet still just as serious.
"Treize…"
"You've got company!" Treize noticed as the console beeped. "Good-bye, old friend. Remember, for peace! And for a better future."
'Peace… I've nearly forgotten what that was…' Milliardo thought. He opened link with the approaching craft.
"This is the colonists' revolutionary force, White Fang!" a voice came over the radio. "Ambassador Peacecraft, we have a proposition for you."
A smirk graced Milliardo's face. "Interesting company, indeed..." he mused to himself. As he listened to the White Fang's plan. "I think I've found myself a good role."
"This is Milliardo Peacecraft," he answered on the radio. "Acknowledged. I'll join your course."
Thus, the White Fang acquired the awesome power of Epyon, and a bonus of the skill of Milliardo Peacecraft.
THE ROMEFELLER FOUNDATION EUROPEAN REGIONAL HQ
Susurration murmured through the elegant committee room. The high double doors creaked opened to reveal a regal woman in white.
"Here comes our Queen," the entirely black-clad Dorothy purred, clapping with the rest of the convention to greet their new leader. 'But where is that Usagi?' she wondered. She dismissed Usagi from her mind, focusing on the new Queen of Romefeller.
The Queen rose to the podium. "I'm Queen Relena. Duke Dermail has designated that I will represent the world nation from now," she introduced herself to the Romefeller congregation. "This world nation," Relena said firmly. "Yes, it's time to form a union across the boundaries of individual nations…for that is what causes war! Our future holds promise if nations unite!"
"Splendid!" Dermail cheered on, clapping loudly. "MD should take care of our opponents!"
"No, that's not the way, Duke Dermail!" Relena contradicted, facing the second most powerful figure in the foundation.
"What?"
Up in the balconies, Usagi smirked. 'You had it coming to you, Dermail.' She sighed. 'Now, if only she let me get out of wearing this dress…it's pink!' she fussed with the flared skirt. At least she had a clear view of what was going on from her position, even if she wasn't supposed to be there. Her designated seat was to be with Dorothy, but she wasn't going to sit with that battle-crazed woman, especially since they had their own little battle to finish.
"First, Romefeller disarms all forces and sets and example of how to achieve peace," Relena advocated.
'So that was her plan. Figures she was going to disarm the whole Earth…' Usagi thought. 'I hope she really can bring peace to this world. But I have a feeling that the neglected space is planning something…' She continued to watch the convention.
"Then, the Romefeller Foundation must declare the end of military rule."
"The enemy force would be a threat to us that way!" Dermail countered, feeling Relena had gone too far.
"The one and only threat is Romefeller's military force, OZ! Unless the leader disarms himself, it's impossible to form a union desired by the people!" Relena declared forcefully, showing her true power of a politician. Every inch of her stance convinced her audience that she firmly believed in her pacifism, and would do everything to attain it.
"That little brat!" Dermail spat. He had thought that Relena would be tractable. 'How dare she try to bring in her petty and pathetic beliefs of total pacifism! OZ is the answer!'
"The Romefeller Foundation must change for peace!"
"Silence! We don't have to! We have traditions!" Dermail screamed, livid and vexed beyond belief. Dorothy hid a chuckle as she watched her grandfather's face turn from red to a purplish hue.
"The Queen's words sound more logical than yours," another Duke indicated.
"Duke Weridge!" Dermail was shocked that someone would speak out against him from within Romefeller.
Buzz filled hall. "Hmm… World Peace?" "Disarmament is a bit too radical…" "The Queen's great." "She is King Peacecraft's daughter."
"The colonists will understand," Relena said. Suddenly, she saw a flash of metal come from the third-floor balcony. 'Usagi-chan?'
No. A man. The safety of a gun clicked off.
'Heero.'
'Relena.'
'Heero! How could I let him get past me?' Usagi mentally berated herself, slipping out of his line of vision. 'But then he's usually been able to do that before…'
Heero was standing there by a column, dissembled as a Romefeller guard except for the fact that he held a gun trained on Relena's heart. 'For dealing with the enemy, I'll kill you.'
'Go ahead, Heero. Kill me after my speech,' Relena thought, resolute.
'Megami! He's not serious, is he?' Usagi thought. 'Because if he is, I'm not sure if I can stop him…' She readied her own gun just in case.
"Please listen to me, everyone," Relena said in the commanding voice of a diplomat, "The Romefeller Foundation must change to bring peace to the Earth! Once again, I call for the disarmament of OZ to create a new world peace!"
Heero just stood there, his gun still trained on Relena's chest as a heavy silence filled the hall.
Duke Weridge broke the quietude, clapping. "That sounds wonderful, Queen Relena!"
"Let's change for peace!" "Her Highness is the goddess of peace!" Cheers swept through the convention.
"Let's take a step for peace, together!"
"I'll be your hand, Queen!"
"Thank you everyone," Relena acknowledged, shaking hands with her future co-workers. Then she remembered the uninvited guest and looked up to the balcony. 'Heero!'
He was gone.
-
Heero turned, sensing a presence. Usagi and Heero quickly found themselves staring into the barrels of each other's guns.
"Did you see the look on Dermail's face?" her cheery voice greeted him. "Geez, Heero. It's just me," Usagi said, rolling those eyes. "You don't have to be so uptight about everything. Relena's going to be fine. She's one of the strongest."
Heero's lip started to curl upwards. 'No doubt, she is Duo's sister. Only a Maxwell could joke around while still aiming properly.' He withdrew his weapon.
"Let's go, Usa."
"Wakata," Usagi replied. "Relena will no longer need my assistance. But I think I'm going to need yours."
Heero smirked. "Unusual for you to be asking for help."
Usagi snorted, brushing away imaginary lint on her skirt. "Before I didn't need to ask you for help. You were always there anyway."
They exited the building, elbows linked like a young man escorting his lady. The guards didn't seem to care that they were leaving. They learned their lesson quick the first time they interfered with Usagi Tsukino.
They walked a little away from the headquarters of Romefeller when Usagi stopped. She bit her lip in nervousness. "Ano… Heero-kun?"
"Hn?"
"Where's Twilight?"
"Hn."
"You didn't leave it at Sanc, did you?" she cried sharply.
"It's at St. Gabriel. Why?"
"I need a change of clothes. You don't expect me to pilot a Gundam in this, do you?" she asked, indicating the dress she wore.
"I don't know. I think you look beautiful in it," he teased, his monotone wavering as he glanced at anything but the woman beside him.
Usagi couldn't hold back her blush. Was that Heero teasing? "It's pink, Heero," she choked out.
"So?"
'What is wrong with me!' Heero mentally screamed. 'What is this I'm feeling? What is it making me do…?'
"Never mind. I've got an extra change of clothes in Twilight, though I wouldn't mind shopping."
"Hn. Let's go," Heero grunted, moving a leafy branch to uncover a bit of the red shield of Zero.
ROMEFELLER, QUEEN'S QUARTERS
Relena gave a sigh of relief, glad that Romefeller had accepted her. A giggle escaped her soft lips at the remembrance of Dermail's face. 'Priceless.' She noticed a note folded on her mahogany desk, addressed to her in neat, precise handwriting.
She picked it up and opened it.
Relena-chan,
Congratulations! You are going to make the best Queen Romefeller has ever seen! Let Romefeller be your vector in executing your dreams of pacifism.
I think it's time for me to return to my place as the Gundam pilot 06, Usagi Tsukino. It's been a long time since I've taken Twilight out for a fight, and I want to see my brother again. I'm really sorry for leaving you like this, but I need some training before I return to space to meet up with the rest of the pilots. I think you know how I'm leaving, because I know he's coming. I promise I'll be back and I'll always watch over you. I'll return the dress someday, providing it's not destroyed before then.
Ja!
Usagi
Serenity
'So, they left…together…'
Two elegant raps sounded through the wood of the door.
-
A FEW MINUTES EARLIER
Dermail and his granddaughter were conferring in his office.
The former leader of Romefeller's Earth forces slammed his hand down on the desk in frustration. "This is outrageous!" he growled. "That little puppet we put in place to rule the world…is breaking up OZ!"
"She has the power. No will listen to you now, grandfather," the blond woman purred.
"Gee thanks, Dorothy," Dermail said. "I have to kill her, and that Usagi brat."
"No! You'd be the prime suspect!" Dorothy objected overzealously. "Don't worry. You still have OZ's space force."
Dermail brightened up. "Yea, you're right! I should contact Tubarov and secure forces on the moon!" he planed. Dorothy had that eerie happy look on her face pleased she could help her grandfather in the war.
"Are you coming, Dorothy?" the Duke asked.
"No. I'll be with the Queen," she responded. She watched as her grandpa prepare for departure. She gave a sly look at her grandfather's retreating back. "Be careful. Spaced is a dangerous place."
As soon as her grandfather left, she made her way towards the Queen's quarters.
-
PRESENT
Relena opened the door. "Hi Dorothy."
"Greetings your highness. I haven't seen Usagi around anywhere…" the blond woman informed her. "She wasn't at the meeting."
A saddened look shadowed Relena's face. "No. She was at the meeting. But she didn't stay long after. She wanted to see her brother."
BEHIND ST. GABRIEL SCHOOL
'Twilight… ready for work?' she mentally asked herself, changing out of the dress and into black capris and gray tank top. 'Dr. M did a good job on adjusting the cockpit to the system,' she thought as she crumpled up the note that the good doctor had left her on the console. The inside now resembled to that of Wing Zero. 'I just can't figure out how or when she did it…'
"What do you need my help for?" Heero's voice came through the bushes, interrupting her train of thought.
"Training. I haven't used the Zero System yet. I have a new shipment of weaponry waiting at Peacemillion, or so my contact informs me," Usagi answered. "I'm not stupid enough to try the System on my own, you know."
'She's insulting me, as usual,' Heero groaned mentally. 'Insulting me and she still expects me to help her.'
"You do have the System under control now, right?" Usagi interrogated, an urgent pitch in her voice.
"Of course," he replied shortly.
"You better," Usagi muttered under her breath, but Heero still heard her. "The last thing I need is a crazed baka teaching me how to lose control over my mind."
"I can handle it!" Heero's usual monotone sounded on the strained side.
"Just making sure…" Usagi said in the lightest way possible, emerging from her makeshift changing room, a wicked grin on her face. She quickly whipped her long hair into a gold braid.
"Come on, let's get started. Once we're done, we'll head up to Peacemillion and meet up with the rest of the team."
"Wakata." Entering her suit, she commanded Twilight immediately into flight. Zero charged her with his saber, therefore brought her own out.
"Activate it, Usa," Heero ordered.
Checking on Heero's still blue eye color, she nodded, entering the code. "Ryoukai. Activate, Zero Twilight!"
Operation Zero Twilight had commenced.
IN SPACE A WEEK LATER
As Dorothy said, a large-scale war was about to be waged in space. OZ's new giant space battleship, Libra, and numerous MD stationed in and around the ship were easily seized by the colonists' revolutionary force, White Fang. It had not been publicized who was their leader.
Noin and the Gundam Team excluding Heero and Usagi escaped the Sanc Kingdom siege and caught up on the news on the battleship Peacemillion.
"What is this Libra, Dr. Howard?"
"I haven't seen it," he replied, retrieving data from his computer. "Apparently it's about the same size as Peacemillion, slightly larger. But it's much better armed. Her main battery is especially powerful."
"White Fang has her now," Noin said.
"But I don't understand. How did White Fang get so powerful? Before the fall of the Sanc Kingdom, it was unheard of. Now it's one of the most powerful forces in space." Howard puzzled. "Where's Zechs? He should have come back here after checking up on his sister. And where's Usagi?"
"Sere's with Relena in Romefeller. Heero went to go get her. They'll be coming soon," Duo answered. "But Mask-boy hasn't shown up anywhere, much like Treize."
"Zechs…" Just like a saddened look had passed over Relena, another passed on her dark blue-haired advisor.
"For all we know, Treize could be dead," Quatre said. "There has been practically no contact with him since Romefeller took over OZ."
"No," Wufei growled. "He's not dead. He's the one who gave Heero the Epyon, and Usagi the Zero System, remember? He's alive. He has to be alive, long enough for me to destroy him in battle."
"Wufei…" Sally shook her head at the hubris youth.
"Doctor! It's White Fang! It's sending a broadcast to the world!" a technician alerted him.
"What?"
The broadcast came through on Howard's computer.
Noin and Howard were in total shock.
"We are White Fang! Space belongs to the colonists! We took up arms for the colonists' independence! The Earth has oppressed the colonies for too long! Although the world nation declared disarmament, on Earth, OZ's military forces in space are still present."
CHICAGO CITYHOTEL, EARTH
"Therefore, I, Milliardo Peacecraft, as the leader of White Fang, hereby declare our intent to eliminate the root of all, all, the Earth!"
Usagi glared at the screen, her eyes never leaving the fiery blue eyes of the speaker. "Milli…" she growled. "Why are you doing this?"
"He's Zechs Merquise. That's good enough of a reason for him to do this," Heero replied emotionlessly.
Usagi turned her glare towards her partner. "Heero! You know Milli isn't like this! He's Earth-born! Goddess, he's trying to destroy his own planet! And Treize his best friend! Why the hell would he do this?"
Heero just gave a shrug. "It doesn't matter. I'll destroy him all the same.
"Heero…" It was no use trying to ease the rancor Heero felt for the (un)masked man.
"It's late, Usa. Why don't you try and get some sleep," Heero suggested, gently placing his hand on her clenched fist.
Usagi nodded, instantly relaxing under his touch. "You should get some rest too," she said softly.
"Hn. I'll be fine." Grabbing her elbow, he turned her around and lightly shoved her towards her room. "Go. Sleep," he ordered.
She sighed, leaning against the door frame, her eyes watching her partner as he returned to his precious laptop. "One day, I'll beat you with Twilight. Do you know why? Because you're sleep deprived."
"Hn!" Heero replied, turned away from his work to glare at her.
Usagi smirked. She loved getting on his nerves. "Good night, Heero-kun!"
PEACEMILLION
"Strong words for an Earth-born," Duo commented, unamused by the latest news. Wufei frowned.
"His goals are noble, but battle won't solve the bigger issue," Quatre declared. Trowa gave a small sigh, life just got a little more complication. Yeah, just a little.
"Hey!" one of Peacemillion's personnel shouted for their attention. "OZ's Barge is moving!"
"What!" the pilots exclaimed. "She's going to attack Libra! Where?"
"She'll intercept her close to L3," another crew member reported.
Wufei turned around and stomped toward the hanger.
"Where are you going Wufei?" Noin demanded.
"I'm going to fight them, of course! How can I just stay here and watch? If they want a space battle, I'm gonna give it to them!" Wufei spat. "The White Fang is an injustice to the colonies, just like Dermail is."
"But…!" Quatre started to object. "This isn't out fight."
"Then we'll make it our fight!" Wufei declared.
"And that's why I like you!" Duo cheered on. "My man! Come on! The more time we spend bantering our lives away, the less time we'll have to kick some OZ ass!"
Altron and Deathscythe Hell departed from Peacemillion. "We're off Captain Noin!"
"Then we must go too," Quatre said. "There's no point in only having Wufei and Duo out there. We must protect the colonies."
"Uh… right…" Noin stumbled, still dazed by Zechs' resolution.
"Noin? Shall we back them up?" Sally questioned.
"…" Noin just stared into space, lost in her thoughts
"Noin, this ship is neither the colonies nor OZ's. It's under your command," Howard told her. "Zechs didn't come back here, but he must have a reason."
"You're right," Noin said, her mind clearer. "I've got to believe in him." Turning to the crew, she ordered, "Peacemillion! Engage!" The fortress zoomed off towards the impending battle between Libra and OZ Barge.
'Earth versus space…' Noin thought, turning her gave to the blue star. 'Princess Relena must be in pain…'
ROMEFELLER HQ
Knock, Knock!
"Come in," Relena moaned as she rubbed her head. 'Milliardo…why!' The double door swung open to admit a pale blond woman clothed in the pink uniform of Peacecraft Academy.
"How are you, Queen Relena?" a silky voice purred.
'Oh no… Dorothy probably is going to try to convince me to declare war on the White Fang…and Milliardo…' Relena mentally groaned. 'Usa-chan…Sere-chan…I wish you were here to help me…'
"It must be hard for you to fight your own brother," Dorothy continued, stepping into the room. "Look, I brought you a guest." A cloaked man stepped into the office.
"Oh!" Relena's shot up and she stood up from her desk immediately.
"Greetings, Queen Relena," the elegant man saluted.
"Treize Khushrenada…" Relena replied, surprised. "I wasn't expecting you."
"Sorry to interrupt, your highness, but this is urgent," Treize said. "As long as you represent Earth, the Earth cannot go into battle."
"Are you asking me to resign?" Relena inquired.
"Correct. I cannot allow you to fight your own brother," Treize said. "I'll do that job."
"Must you fight my brother?"
"If that is what he wishes," Treize answered smoothly, knocking a window open. "War is between mankind, not between siblings."
"Yet war is not between friends either, Treize," Relena countered sharply.
"But who else could fight Milliardo, the Lightning Count?" Treize responded. "I grew up in the Romefeller Foundation, so I shall represent Romefeller in this matter," he said, facing the outdoors with his eyes close, breathing in the fresh scent of nature. It had been such a long time since he had been outdoors.
"But…!" Relena started to object.
Treize cut her off. "Don't worry about what will happen, Princess Relena of the Sanc Kingdom." He held his hand out to the wilderness. "You're free to go."
"Treize…I'd like to go to space…" Relena said, her eyes set in determination to reach her brother.
SOMEWHERE ON EARTH
(No, they're not in Chicago anymore... you know Heero, he has to move a lot)
Usagi was surrounded by darkness. Flashes of blurry images surrounded her, most of them focused on a young woman she vaguely remembered.
'Isn't that Trowa's so-called older sister from the circus? What was her name…Catherine…?
As soon as she had thought that, flashes of the dreadful battle between the Wing Zero and the Mercurius and Vayeate sprang up unbidden. Quatre's face appeared, tears creating rivulets down his flushed cheeks.
'What does this mean? Will that battle repeat itself?'
Suddenly everything went black, even her mind. 'What's going on…? What am I doing here? Where am I?' Usagi sought her answers in desperation. She found that her own past seemed blank. 'Who am I? Why don't I remember anything…?'
All of sudden, Catherine's face emerged. "Trowa? Is that you…?" Her voice resonated around Usagi.
"Is that my name?" the voice of Trowa whispered.
"Have you lost your memory…?" Catherine's voice sounded worried.
Usagi's world went abruptly blank and she remembered everything, the battles she fought, her companions, and her missions.
She blinked and found herself in Twilight. Abruptly, six MD pointed their laser cannons and pinpoints of light shot at her.
"No!" She sat up in her bed of the motel, beads of sweat rolling off the curves of her pale face. 'Trowa!' she thought. She threw her covers off of herself and rushed into the room Heero was in.
"Heero," Usagi sat on the desk he was working at, placing a hand on his to stop him from hacking into any more computers. "We have to leave."
Heero looked at her in surprise, taking in her disheveled appearance. "What's this about…?"
"Just a feeling," Usagi said, stressing her last word. "You know my intuition is rarely wrong."
"Hn." He focused his attention back onto the screen of his beloved laptop, which was at the present moment searching for the whereabouts of the cryptic scientists that constructed the powerful Gundams.
She removed her hand from his and placed a finger on the reboot button. He grabbed her hand roughly, yet gently, and glared, clearly irritated. "Why?"
"We've got to get back to the rest," she stated firmly, her eyes demanding. "Something's going to happen…something big."
"Hn. You're not done with training," Heero pointed out.
Usagi made a face. "We can battle on the way. The White Fang is getting out of hand. The fact that Dermail is in space is only exacerbating the situation. I have a feeling they're going to be battling soon!"
"Fine. We should go." He was still holding her hand.
'I hope we make it in time…!' Usagi thought, troubled.
SPACE CLOSE TO L3
Copious amounts of MD and MS were scattered through the area, flashes and explosions sparked around in the dark void of space.
"We're stronger!" Duke Dermail yelled over their communication system. "Go for it!"
"OZ is disorganized!" Quinze forcefully bellowed into the White Fang communication system. "We can beat them! If we take this battle, we'll have space!"
OZ and White Fang weren't the only ones battling. Altron was bashing in MD and MS all over the place, regardless of whose side they were on.
"We should take a side!" Duo said as Deathscythe annihilated MD with his energy scythe. "That would be easier, right Quatre?" He glanced at the small window on his screen that housed the communication link between him and the strategic pilot of Sandrock.
"We can't make them stop the battle," Quatre responded by slashing another MD. "All we can do is protect the colonies."
Trowa was mutilating MD and MS alike with his vast amount of ammunition when he noticed a bunch of MD Virgos heading toward the colony. 'Catherine's in there…' was his only thought as he set off in pursuit of the offending mechas.
He managed to destroy two of the MD before he found himself surrounded. 'Kuso…!'
"Trowa! Watch out!" Sandrock rushed in front of Heavyarms and took all the hits. 'I can't let him get hurt anymore!'
"Quatre…!" An onslaught of memories barged into Trowa's head. 'You don't have to cry alone.'
-
"Kuso! It looks like they started without us!" Usagi grumbled to Heero as they approached Peacemillion.
"Hn. Peacemillion. This is 01 and 06. Requesting entry," Heero said flatly, opening radio contact.
The shocked faces of Howard and Noin appeared on their screens.
"Heero! Usagi!" Noin gasped.
Howard was the first to regain his composure. "Entry acknowledged. Proceed, Wing Zero and Zero Twilight." The larger of the docking ports on the craft opened, permitting the two Gundams entrance into the massive ship."
Noin ran out to meet the pair on the dock. "Where's Princess Relena?"
Usagi smiled softly. "Don't worry. As head of the Romefeller Foundation, Dermail has little power on Earth. As long as she remains in that position, the Earth will not fight and she will stay safe."
"But… Zechs…"
"Hn. Zechs just wants a big fight," Heero sneered contemptuously. "And we'll give it to him."
"Heero!" Usagi reprimanded sharply. "Milliardo must have a good reason for doing this. He won't intentionally kill his little sister!"
"Hn. That's why Relena should stay down on Earth and leave the battling to us," Heero retorted.
"She is on Earth!" Usagi declared.
"But for how long? You know how she is, she'll come up here to either her brother or to Peacemillion," he shot back.
"But she can't, not while she holds her position as Queen of the World Nations," Usagi said with finality.
"You mean if she holds her position as Queen."
"She's already accepted as the Queen of the World Nations, baka!"
Heero scowled. No one called him baka and got away with it… 'Though, come to think of it, she's gotten away with it before. Why am I even bothering to argue with her in the first place?' "So? She abdicated her throne in Sanc for her pacifist ideals; she can do it again with Romefeller."
"She knows what she's doing!"
"But is what she's doing for the best?"
Usagi suppressed the urge to stick her tongue out at him. He always he to have the last word! 'Why am I even arguing with that baka in the first place?' "She's pushing for peace! Look at Earth! There hasn't been a single major battle since took over!"
"You mean battles we know about."
They were interrupted by the sound of laughter as the two turned to see Sally attempting to stifle her chortles with a hand and Noin looking very amused.
"Usagi, you have some replacement parts ready in the storage…" Noin started off.
Usagi shook her head. "No. The more time we spend in here, the less time we get to kick some Romefeller and White Fang ass."
"That's basically what your brother said," Noin claimed with a chuckle.
"Hn. Hurry up," Heero all but ordered.
"A restock on ammo would be nice, Heero. Especially after battling you all the way here," Usagi muttered as she returned to Twilight's cockpit. To her intense relief, the energy supply was replenished from the period of rest the mecha received while in Peacemillion.
"Usagi! Use this!" Noin yelled out, pointing to the sleek white rifle on the ground to the side. "It was ordered for you anyway."
Usagi's eyes lit up. "Arigato!" Twilight picked up the weapon.
"Ikimasu," Usagi and Heero whispered in unison, both Gundams leaving Peacemillion's hanger at the exact same time. (1)
'First stop, Trowa…' Usagi thought.
-
"Quatre!" Trowa called out through their communication link. "Are… are you ok…?" There was a lick of fear in his voice.
"I'm… okay…" Quatre replied weakly. "But… Sandrock is in bad shape."
"Thank you, Quatre," Trowa said, smiling a little. "That's the second time you've saved my life."
Quatre's eyes widened. 'Second time…? But the first time was… in the LA base…! Could it be?' "You…you remember that? Trowa! You got your memories back!"
Unfortunately, that moment was not the best time to celebrate as the MD that had previously shot at them lined up to deliver that last blow.
Suddenly, from above, two crossing beams annihilated the MD surrounding the pair. The boys glanced upwards to see Zero Twilight and Wing Zero zoom down in victory.
"Hey Quatre! Trowa!" Usagi yelled.
"Guys! Get out of here! The battle's almost over," Heero instructed.
"Heero! Usagi!" Quatre and Trowa greeted.
Twilight flew over to help her brother. "Duo!"
"Sere! Glad to see you're back!" Duo replied, slashed through an MD to the side of him while Usagi shot a beam blade at another. They fought back-to-back, with their scythe and saber, destroying anything that came near.
-
"White Fang! Halt!" Milliardo ordered to his soldiers through their communication system.
-
Usagi looked around. "The White Fang's suits stopped?"
"Dunno…what are they up to now?" Duo replied.
-
Milliardo issued the next command. "Libra! Main battery, fire!"
-
Usagi gasped as a brilliant beam of light and energy erupted from the center of the Libra.
All the pilots, Gundam or not, watched in horror and fascination as the beam of light shot straight towards OZ Barge.
-
Duke Dermail and Tubarov shielded their eyes from the light.
They never really knew what hit them.
-
KABOOM!
The OZ Barge was obliterated.
The defeat of OZ in space gave White Fang dominance over space. But soon, a message from Earth shocked space.
-
"I'm the leader of the world nation, Treize Khushrenada! White Fang made a big mistake revolting against Mother Earth! By God's will, we will bury you! "
Author's Notes:
(1) Ikimasu: along the lines of "let's go"