Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing.
Chapter 26
Hilde and her squadron were no match for the green Mobil suits as they marched pass them taking every hit, but the artillery they carried was far more advance. Hilde felt pain surge from her arm then through her chest, she began to panic.
"Captain, we're taking on heavy gunfire. These green Mobil suits are carrying heavy rounds. These must the ground assault weapons Intel informed us about. I… I think I'm wounded." Hilde said as she forced her suit to dodge another fire aimed at her. Her shield crackling in front of her she knew she had to escape.
"Hilde! We'll try and get you as soon as we can." Duo replied afraid for his fiancé. "I'll do the best I can, there's not much of us left here on the first barricade Duo." She said gasping for air and her link ended.
Hilde realized she needed to get to the second barricade or the secure location to be treated. Her fingertips touched her shoulder and she felt it wet and sticky. Gasping at the sight of her now red tinged fingertips Hilde knew she needed help. She urged her hands to reach the com link control to send out a message to the second barricade.
"This is Schbeiker, second barricade come in." Hilde said making a haste break towards the second barricade. She looked back to see three of her squadron pilot fend of the green Mobil suits. She heard the crackling on the com link "I'm headed your direction, I need a medic immediately. Enemy is headed your direction, prepare to take fire." She warned as she was closing in about two hundred feet.
Two guardsmen met her at the second barricade, as soon as she exited her suit immediately gun fire and explosions began to erupt. "Get to the transport truck Major they will bring you to the secured shelter for medical assistance." One guardsmen said as he signaled the transport truck. Hilde nodded and ran as fast as her body could take her.
Soon as she reached the transport truck, a loud explosion came from behind her. She turned around and the guardsmen she just spoke with was lifeless on the ground. She wanted to run and take him with her but the other guardsmen pulled her into the truck and left without looking back.
(Secured Shelter)
The ground continued to tremble and the sounds of explosions muffled inside the shelter. Beads of sweat began to form on Relena's forehead as she focused on her current patient. The sound outside began to make her feel uneasy and her thoughts kept going back to Heero.
Relena had finally extracted the bullet embedded in Sylvia's ribcage.
She was relieved to know that her wounds were no longer life threatening. Relena closed her eyes and sat down taking a deep breath. Removing her surgical gloves and mask she wiped the beads of sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand. The surgery was exhausting she began to feel fatigue again, taking a sip of her water her lips began to tremble. The baby began to make her feel even more nauseous.
"Miss Dorothy we have another injured female pilot coming in from the second barricade!" the officer at the command section said. "The second barricade?" Dorothy asked to confirm. "Open the entrance hatch once again." Dorothy ordered. "Miss Relena? We have another injured female pilot coming in for medical attention. Miss Relena?" Dorothy called out as Relena hadn't responded.
"Yes … yes Dorothy I heard you." Relena replied. Not convinced that her friend was up to the task she appeared squatting in front of her. "Hey, are you okay? The baby okay?" Dorothy asked. "I'm just a little tired and nauseated Dorothy don't worry about me. Thanks anyway okay." Relena said with a smile.
They turned their attention to the entrance hatch as the guardsmen ushered another pilot onto a gurney. "Hilde!" Relena bolted from her chair and met them halfway. "Relena? Is that you? Thank goodness you're okay Relena." Hilde said as she tried to keep her eyes open.
Removing the layers of her uniform Relena discovered the blood coming from Hilde's arm. Relena quickly began to tend to her wounds before Hilde would lose consciousness from the pain.
"Hilde I'm gonna get you all patched up okay, you gotta stay awake for me." Relena said as she began to administer anesthesia onto Hilde's arm. "You…you have a torn muscle Hilde I need to reattach the tendon to the bone." Relena said her voice struggling. Her heart pounded loudly and she tried to catch her breath.
"Relena… Relena are you okay?" Hilde asked worriedly as she stared at Relena's now pale face. Shaking her head Relena replied "I'm fine, don't you worry about me Hilde." Relena began to start her second surgery for the day. The baby was making her even more tired than she already was.
Dorothy wasn't much a medical or science whiz but she stayed right by Relena's side, her friend needed her for support. Her thoughts went back to the last transmission message earlier, she prayed that the Gundam Squadron would stop the enemy's assault before reaching the secured shelter.
(Coastline, New Port City)
"Captain, both carriers are retreating!" Duo said as he noticed both suit carriers depart, a feeling of relief washed over him. Heero watched as the carriers began to retreat hoping they would leave for good. Trying to catch his breath his thoughts immediately went to Relena. "Terminate all remaining suits here at the coastline. Maxwell follow me to the first barricade, we'll make our way to the shelter." Heero commanded. "Yes sir." They replied in unison.
As Duo and Heero made their way to the first barricade, they looked at the perished jets and suits piloted by their fellow military men. No matter how much training they've overcomed, no one was every prepared to see mangled machines with blood.
They reached the first barricade and immediately panicked settled in as they both stared at the remains of the buildings which continued to blaze with fire.
Heero's eyes narrowed at the once red bakery building where he stood right in front of Relena just hours ago.
"Captain do you think there are any survivors?" Duo asked as he surveyed the land. "Whomever was left retreated to the second barricade. Let's go." Heero said with a frown on his face.
(Aboard the Virgo Carrier)
Treize gripped the edge of the controls as his anger brewed inside of him. He would never accept defeat. He watched as the two suits leave the coastline. He left the command deck and headed to the hangar where his suit rested. He would have his battle with Captain Heero Yuy. A sinister smile swept across his face, he would enjoy this fight to the death. He commanded his men to prepare his suit and waited patiently.Though it would take time for his suit to be fully functional he new the wait would be worth it.
(Second Barricade)
"Captain, they're all gone. We were too late." Duo said as he gripped his controls. "They must be headed toward the shelter, Maxwell. We gotta hurry." Heero said as he launched his suit to the air and headed towards the shelter. As they surveyed the destruction from the air, Heero felt as if he had failed.
Seeing the disaster that could have been prevented. His thoughts were interrupted by the beeping noises resonating from his screen. Several green mobil suits continued their assault as they made their way to the shelter. "Maxwell divert those suits away from the shelter!" Heero said as he began to fire at the suits. Duo did as he was told and brought hell onto the enemy.
As their enemy became aware of their arrival they immediately fired back. What Hilde had mentioned earlier about their artillery wasn't exaggerated. It was far more advanced as each fire applied heavy damage on their suits.
"Captain it seems you found another battle." Quatre said as he and the others arrived. "Kill them all." Heero said as his began to feel the rage growing inside him. He remembered Zechs's last transmission. He wouldn't let anyone or anything come near the shelter.
This battle had tested their emotions and strength to the fullest. As each pilot maneuvered on the ground and the skies, they stopped at nothing to annihilate their enemy.
(Secured Shelter)
Sewing the last few stitches on Hilde's arm Relena's vision became blurry every time she blinked. "Relena just a few more and you can rest." Dorothy said as she watched Relena work. Relena nodded and began to tear slightly. "Relena?" Hilde called out. "All done Hilde." Relena said as she hastily got up and ran towards the nearest trash can.
The sound of her gagging and retching made Hilde and Dorothy wince. "Dorothy is she okay?" Hilde asked. "The baby is making her weak." Dorothy replied. Hilde's eyes grew in shock at the revelation. "She's pregnant? With Heero?" Hilde asked to confirm. Dorothy nodded and went to aide Relena.
Washing her hands and rinsing her mouth Relena stopped to grip the sink. She had to focus on becoming stronger for the baby. "You need to rest Miss Relena." Dorothy said as she appeared behind her. Giving a weak smile Relena nodded. More and more sounds of gunfire and explosions grew louder inside the shelter.
Relena sat in between her patient's Sylvia and Hilde's cots. Wrapping her arms around herself she put her head down closing her eyes hoping to regain some sort of energy.
(Second Barricade)
The last ten suits had given them the fight for their lives as each assault was stronger than the last. "Just a few more and we can save the civilians from danger." Duo said as he obliterated two more suit but gave his body excruciating pain. Heero and Wufei had fought in the skies away from the ground. They both began to feel exhausted as they grunted and panted inside the cockpit.
The last suit made its way towards the shelter firing continuously making a clear path for itself. Knowing it was the last of it's battalion the last green mobil suit launched itself into the air and locked it target on the shelter. Each pilot knew it's intention and began firing at the suit before it could attack. But to no avail the suit withdrew a large canon type weapon and fired straight to the shelter. No moment longer after his attack his suit had erupted and perished in the skies.
(Secured Shelter)
The shelter shook vigorously leaving its occupants terrified and another loud roar followed. It became silent for a moment, then just as it felt safe the ground quaked. Another loud explosion could be heard outside and each occupant braced for another tremor.
This time it was an unexplainable sound, they feared the shelter would collapse. Relena continued to stay unfazed, wrapping her arms tightly. She knew Heero was outside fighting to protect everyone from harm. She began to cry, fearing she would never see him again.
Hilde watched as her best friend begin to break down from exhaustion and sadness. She wasn't aware of Relena's pregnancy, during this time she could only imagine what she was going through. Knowing it would be best to talk when all things were better, Hilde closed her eyes and prayed they would win this battle.
(Outside the secured shelter)
"Any suits showing up on your radars?" Trowa asked as he and Wufei began pulling debris off the entrance of the shelter. "Negative." Heero replied. He felt relieved and began to relax a little inside his suit. He closed his eyes and smiled, Relena was so close to him. He would be seeing her soon and he couldn't wait to wrap his arms around her again. It seemed for now they won this battle.
(Secured Shelter)
"This is Captain Heero Yuy. Shelter respond." Heero said as he tried to communicate with the shelter. "Yes Captain Yuy, I hear you." Replied the communication personnel. "For the time being it's all clear, open the entrance hatch." Heero commanded. "Yes sir." He replied to Heero. "Miss Dorothy, Captain Yuy says it's all clear of enemy presence. He's requesting the entrance hatch to be opened." He advised Dorothy with a sense of relief in his voice.
Dorothy smiled and nodded. She approached Relena unsure if she heard what communication had just said. Squatting down in front of Relena she placed her hand on Relena's forearm and gave a squeeze. "Hey, it's alright. They stopped the enemy from reaching us. Captain Yuy has requested the entrance hatch to be opened. Why don't you meet him?" Dorothy said hoping the news would brighten Relena's face.
Relena smiled and nodded but she didn't move. Dorothy's brows knitted wondering what was really going on with her friend. She thought the news would make her at least a little happy.
Dorothy let go of Relena's forearm and stood up, she looked at Hilde and Sylvia. "We're in the clear for now." She said as she turned around and headed towards the entrance hatch to greet Gundam Squadron. Sylvia and Hilde nodded in acknowledgement of Dorothy's last statement.
Relena held whatever strength she had to contain her excitement.
She was relieved at the outcome of the battle, but her body felt like it was withering away. She felt frail and overly exhausted. She couldn't wait to see Heero, she could just smile. The sound of the entrance hatch opening brought her attention away from the ground. She slightly stood up hoping she wouldn't fall.
As one of the secretary of defenses advisors she was to meet with the pilots, but for now she wanted to be a doctor nothing more. Her body couldn't move she just stood there waiting. The sounds of multiple footsteps echoed the shelter, and the murmurs of the civilians grew louder in her head.
Duo rushed over to Hilde's side and took his hand in hers. He looked at Relena and whispered "Thank you." But she didn't reply she just moved her eyes at their direction.
"Relena…" came Heero's voice and immediately it took her away from her trance. She looked at him and smiled, but her feet were rooted to the ground. Heero ran towards her and enveloped her in his arms. Her arms then slowly wrapped around him tightly and she buried her face in his chest.
"I love you, Relena." Heero said as he held her. Moving back slightly so he can see her face, he was worried at how she looked so frail. He kissed her softly regardless of the people around them. Relena responded by kissing him back lightly.
" I love you too, Heero." Relena replied. "Are… are any of you hurt?" She asked and Heero shook his head. "Are you okay Relena?" Heero asked noticing her eyes becoming heavy.
"Hmm… you all fought bravely Heero. You've won the battle. I'm so proud of you…all of you." Relena said but her voice weaker and softer.
Concern and fear washed over Heero as Relena's body began to slightly sway. "I think you should rest Relena. You're exhausted from your surgery and maybe the baby is taking all your energy. Just rest please, Relena." Heero urged as he held her in his arms.
"Baby? Our baby…?" Relena said as she looked at Heero. She smiled at him and as Heero nodded, she felt a sense of relief overcome her. She looked at Heero once more and her eye lids felt heavy all of a sudden, before she knew it the world turned black.