NOTES: Ok, let the action slowly begin: WeiB and the three Gundam Pilots start making plans, while Schulrig gets revenge, an

NOTES: Ok, let the action slowly begin: WeiB and the three Gundam Pilots start making plans, while Schulrig gets revenge, and Quatre uses some of his powers with dire consequences…(pg-13 for violence and blood) some OOC on Quatre and Heero (though Heero not that much).

THE TARGETS

PART X

"You are absolutely not leaving me behind!"

That was the angry wail of Duo once Aya, Trowa, and Wufei had announced that he wasn't going to accompany them on their rescuing mission.

"You are injured." Ken told the wounded boy, trying his best to calm the braided pilot.

"I have had worse injuries and still gone on to fight! You have no right!" Yelled Duo, yanking his arm away from Omi who had tried to restrain him.

Wufei glared at the American. "Maxwell, you will only be jeopardizing the mission." He said bluntly.

Duo focused all his frustration and anger on the Chinese boy. "Since when have I ever jeopardized a mission, Chang?!" He spat. "I always came through no matter what the injuries. No matter how many times OZ beat the shit out of me, I still came through! I came through for you, I came through for the Colonies, I came through for Earth, and dammit all I will come through for Heero and Quatre!"

Yoji scratched his head, commenting to a concerned Ken, "Sheesh. These kids need a smoke more than Aya!" The tall blond shut his mouth when he received twin violet glares. One from a certain red head, the other from an enraged God of Death.

Omi, seeing the determination in Duo's eyes, looked to Trowa and Aya. "What if he accompanies me? I'm not going to be going near any close range action."

Trowa seemed to consider this, but Aya said, "No."

Duo surged forward, causing both Ken and Omi to gasp and pull the boy down before he opened more of his wounds. "Listen you red-haired Heero 'I am the boss of everything and everyone' wanna-be, you have no right to order me around! I'll go with the kid if it makes you all feel better," He ignored Omi's heated look at being called 'kid'. "But like it or not, Red, I'm coming."

"Calm down, Duo." Said Trowa. "Its true, we had no right to make the decision. You are capable injured or not like the rest of us."

Duo relaxed.

"But you have to stay away from the fighting. You are no use to us dead, and I for one do not want to return home to tell Hilde that you threw away your life."

Duo hissed, "If it's trying to save my friends then its not throwing away my life." He looked at Wufei who was still scowling, unconvinced. "Hell, Wufei, you'd be putting more of a fight than me if you were the one hurt! And you know I'm telling you the truth."

Yoji, dropped his cigarette into a cup and looked at Aya. "Well, Aya. He's got me convinced. What about you?"

Aya looked away, his silent agreement to the majority.

Duo smiled smugly, Icy bastard. Can't wait to see Heero and him enter a glaring contest.

There was a knock on the door, and everyone tensed, prepared for attack. Aya nodded to Omi who went to the door and cracked it open.

"Manx!"

It was the red haired Kritiker agent. "Omi." She smiled in greeting and entered, her sharp green eyes immediately assessing the scene. After a moment she nodded her head and held out a folder to Aya who took it.

Aya looked at it, with Trowa at his side. "Its Swartz current hideout." He said.

Manx nodded and smiled. "I believe all…seven of you are in?"

"Eight, Lady." Said Duo. "I'm going."

Manx nodded accepting Duo's words immediately, as if it was expected. "I would advise you all do your homework now and get ready as soon as possible. The longer those two are with Swartz, the more chance Swartz will get what they want."

"Woman," Said Wufei suddenly. He wasn't looking at Manx, when he said, "Why do these men want Quatre. We understand that they want Heero because Quatre has these…powers that won't allow them to get the information they want on the Zero System. But what do they want with Quatre's powers?"

Manx smirked and went up to the Chinese boy, coming to stand right before him, something twinkling in her emerald eyes. "Swartz is a terrorist organization that intends to send the whole world into chaos. Each member has special powers that they were born with." Aya handed her the folder, and from it Manx pulled out four photos. "Brad Crawford is the leader. He can see the future."

Wufei met her gaze in for the first time in shock. "A seer?"

She nodded. "Schulrig is a telepath, and mind reader and manipulator. He can sometimes, depending on a persons will, control their minds for a short time."

Trowa's one visible eye narrowed. "That was how he was able to dodge our attacks. He read our minds."

Wufei's face darkened. "That is dishonorable."

Manx seemed amused by the comment and continued, "Farefello…he is an expert in fighting, and is immune to pain yet a master in causing pain." She glanced at Duo who was pale and looking down at his hands, his violet eyes haunted. "He has a thing for going after anyone affiliated to a church in anyway."

"Psychotic bastard." Hissed Duo.

Ken and Omi nodded, both having seen Farefello's handiwork close and personal.

"Finally, Nagi Naoe. He is the youngest but the one with most of the power. He is almost untouchable unless he is caught completely off guard and knocked out immediately. He is a telekinetic." She looked at Trowa. "I believe that you felt his power?"

Trowa nodded, green eye glittering dangerously, his thin lips in a straight pale line.

Manx turned back to Wufei, leaning close and smirking at the immediate blush that came to Wufei's cheeks. "Beside the mission, I heard that you believe woman are inferior…"

Wufei let out a small cry and she moved even closer and scrambled away from the lady in red. "W…woman! I am engaged!" He shouted.

This caught all of the occupant's attention.

"Engaged?"

"But…he's just a…"

"Wu-man you lucky dog!"

"…"

"Congratulations Wufei. Give Sally Poe my good wishes when we get back."

"Are you crazy!!!"

Wufei, completely red stared wide-eyed at Yoji, the tall blond man almost livid. "You…you're a kid! When are you going to enjoy yourself? How many women have you been with? Do even know what commitment is?!"

Wufei stiffened and said coldly, "She will be my second wife."

If it were humanly possible, Yoji's jaw would have touched the ground. Omi covered his mouth to hold in a chuckle, Ken blushed and stared in awe at Wufei, Manx continued to smirk, Trowa watched with a small smile on his face, and Aya remained impassive.

Yoji blinked and drew back. "Okaaaaay. So…what happened to your first wife. Did she divorce you?"

Wufei turned away and stalked, stiff back toward the door of the trailer. "I refuse to be subjected to this…this…babble! I will go outside and meditate on the oncoming mission." When he slammed the door, all the windows shook with the force of it.

"Touchy." Said Yoji.

Trowa sighed. "He has every right."

"Oh?"

"His wife was killed in the war."

The silence was deafening, the light mood gone leaving every single person with thoughts of lost ones and those who had been hurt.

Aya then spoke, his voice seeming to echo in the silence. "Let's get ready."

Schulrig looked down with hooded eyelids, cleaning his hands with a white cloth then throwing it over his shoulder carelessly.

The cloth was smeared with blood.

"Stoppit! Enough!"

Schulrig didn't even look back as he went to his knees, looming over his captive. "You hear that? Your little friend wants me to stop." He reached down and dug his hand into the dark thatch of brown hair, yanking the bloodied face up. "So, little shit, should I stop?"

Cobalt eyes opened to a slit, still glittering with murderous fury.

Schulrig laughed. "I believe that is impossible. You can't kill me three times. You'll have to be content with choosing one method of murder, brat."

"Schulrig…"

The orange haired German looked back at Crawford's annoyed face. "Stop playing and get the information. I want him gone."

Schulrig's grin was absolutely without mirth when he said, "Oh…we've only just begun…" He looked back at Heero and yanked harder at the boy's hair. "We're far from over…"

Quatre, who had remained tied to the chair the whole time yanked harshly at the ropes that held him, his wrists were already raw, torn and bleeding. When Schulrig had awoken after only two hours of rest, the man wasted no time in launching himself on Heero. He beat Heero while he was still chained, and when sure that Heero was too disoriented to fight back, unchained him and kicked the boy, unfazed at the sickening sounds of boned cracking and breaking.

Nagi suddenly said coldly, "Your fun will only end once he's dead."

Schulrig smashed Heero's head on the floor, and Quatre looked away as more blood stained the floor. "I don't have to stop having fun once he's dead, Nagi." Schulrig stood and with a snigger he pushed Heero over onto his back and placed his shoed foot onto Heero's throat pressing down. Heero's eyes flew open and his scrapped and bruised hand raised and clutched at the foot, weakly trying to remove it. Schulrig smirked as he read the pain and anger that came from Heero's mind. "Yes…even dead I can still continue my fun. Do you think Farefello will consider cannibalism?"

"NO!" Shouted Quatre in panic. He knew that Schulrig actually meant every word.

Nagi made a face. "You're sick!"

Crawford snapped irritable. "Just get the information before you knock him so hard that he forgets it!"

Schulrig shrugged and removed his foot and leaned down, and grabbed Heero's face roughly. He frowned in concentration as he started the delicate process of getting through Heero's mental guards, taking getting ready to take pleasure as he contaminated every hope and dream…

Peace…

Relena…

Family…

Friends…

Home…

Every fear and nightmare….

War…

Death…

Gundams…

Zero System…

Blood…

Schulrig was jittery in excitement. Heero's emotions were just as delicious as Omi's had been…this was going to be exhilarating…

Quatre gasped as he sensed Schulrig start intensifying his powers. Heero's eyes had immediately snapped wide, his pupils dilated till hardly any blue showed, his mouth open wide as if to scream yet nothing coming out.

Quatre knew…

He knew all too well what Schulrig was doing…

Schulrig was raping Heero's mind.

Quatre shut his eyes and focused all his thoughts on Schulrig, nearly recoiling at the maddening anger and hatred that he felt when he did so. He had to stop this from continuing…

Nagi noticed Quatre first, not enjoying the sight of a boy he had considered quite strong for a normal boy being pounded into nothingness. "Wha…"

He never got a chance to voice his curiosity as he was nearly knocked over by a wave of pain. He gasped and stumbled, bringing up his barriers to block out the immense power that was coming out of Quatre like a hurricane.

Schulrig screamed and staggered to the ground rolling around and clawing at his chest, as if trying to pull something off him.

Heero crumbled to the floor unconscious, his features relaxed and free of pain.

From within the punishment room, Farefello's maniacal laughter could be heard.

Then it was gone.

Schulrig lay on the ground, a trembling mass of agony that was gone but still throbbed in its memory.

Nagi clutched his head, a headache forming.

Crawford, whose shields and barriers had been impenetrable the whole time, strode over to a gasping and slightly shivering Quatre, and struck him.

When he hit him again, his hand was bloody.

Schulrig let out a hoarse moan.

Crawford grabbed Quatre's bloody chin and raised it, looking down coldly at the youth. "You've just earned yourself some punishment, Quatre. You should have let Schulrig do his job and spared yourself the pain."

And Quatre did something he never expected he'd ever do to anyone.

He spat in Crawford's face. "Go to Hell." He whispered.

Crawford calmly drew back, removing his glasses and cleaning them with a cloth he pulled out of his pocket, then wiping the bloody spittle from his face. His features still calm and cold as marble, he took hold of the back of Quatre's neck with one hand and untied him with the other. He pulled Quatre off the chair and threw him to the ground.

When Quatre started to get up, Crawford brought his foot down on Quatre's back savagely. Quatre cried out in spite of himself.

"Crawford…" Started Nagi, afraid that like Schulrig, Crawford had lost his temper and was going to kill the boy.

Crawford said, "Nagi, go untie Farefello and hold the door open."

Nagi immediately obeyed, knowing well that even if Crawford didn't show it, the man was deadly mad and wanting someone to suffer.

Quatre heard this and gasped, "No…"

Crawford kicked him in the ribs, not hard enough to break something but hard enough to make Quatre bite his tongue. Once Nagi reappeared holding the door open, Crawford reached down and hauled Quatre by the blouse he wore.

Quatre fought back, trying to elbow the man but was blocked. Then he aimed a back kick at the kneecap but was also blocked. Crawford pushed Quatre forward again and let go, sending the boy sprawling in front of the punishment room.

"You could make this easier for both you and your friend, Quatre." Crawford suddenly said, his voice almost gentle and sympathetic.

Quatre shuddered and looked up at his tormentor.

"Save your friend, Quatre. He's already gone through so much pain already. Save yourself from what awaits you in that room with Farefello. Simply tell us about the Zero System. Don't hold back anything and we will let Heero go free."

Something flashed in Quatre's teal colored eyes. Those eyes that were usually gentle and filled with emotion turned hard and just as cold as Crawford's. Cut lips stretched into a cold malicious smile, and Quatre spoke, his voice hard yet tired at the same time, "You would have me betray the world to save my friend…"

Those eyes closed and his thin shoulders began to shake in silent laughter. "Crawford…you are a fool."

Nagi shivered, remembering Crawford telling him that once, Quatre had gone crazy due to the Zero System and had gone out and killed. Could this be what remained of the boy who had done that deed…could that person still exist…?

Crawford also looked shocked at this reaction, but then composed himself. "He will die."

Quatre's eyes opened, now back to normal, his eyes sorrowful as they strayed over to his fallen comrade. "He'd never forgive me if I did." He paused, "I'd never forgive myself."

Crawford snagged Quatre's arm and yanked him viciously to his feet then sent him stumbling into the punishment room, only to be caught by Farefello's pale arms.

"The little Dark Angel hasn't been behaving," Chanted the madman in a sing song voice. "Perhaps the Dark Angel needs to scream a bit…"

Crawford grabbed Nagi and slammed the door, shutting away the scene.

Nagi looked up at the man and asked, "What…"

Crawford frowned. "I don't know."

"Could it be the Zero System?" Asked the boy.

Crawford's frown deepened, then he looked at the broken body of Heero Yuy. "It seems the system is more complicated than anyone imagined."

Nagi fell silent, he too looked at Heero then at the still moaning Schulrig who had been completely ignored. A thought suddenly accrued to him. "What did he do to Schulrig? It was so strong that it nearly knocked me down and it wasn't even aimed at me!"

Crawford pushed his glasses up with a finger and said stiffly, "He channeled all the pain that his friend had ever felt, combined it with his own and I believe pain from your past, since your shields were down, and shoved them into Schulrig's body."

Nagi's eyes widened. "You mean…"

"Every pain that you, him, and his friend had ever felt was directed onto Schulrig."

"But…

"It was real. Schulrig would have died in less than a minute had the boy not pulled it back completely when he did."

There was a silence, and Nagi went over to Schulrig with Crawford. Both started to lift the traumatized man when they paused to listen…

Quatre was screaming.

TO BE CONTINUED…I am evil!