Disclaimer – If you recognise it… I don't own it.
1235467890
Duo's POV – Cont.
All the while I had been watching, listening and talking with the others, the Commander and the Foreign Minister, my brain had been racing to find an answer to the problem.
I had come up with a plan. It was fairly complicated. But it was basically very simple.
It boiled down to lessons I had learnt before I could really remember.
Lessons from the Street. Lessons learnt in the Ninth Circle of Hell.
If you want something that someone else has, you can steal it, fight for it or forget it.
If you have something that someone else wants, you can hand it over, run away with it, fight for it, protect it or destroy it.
The problem was this… What the Conspiracy wanted was my brothers' silence… And I was the tool for that silence. Therefore I was what they wanted.
Well, I couldn't run. I had nowhere to go.
I was in no condition to fight.
I couldn't protect myself.
That only left two options: hand over or destroy.
I couldn't let the others be hurt. I had obeyed for years. To fail… was not an option.
Handing myself over would mean that they would have to live with the threat. Live with the fear. At any time they could be hurt… Because of me.
I would not let that happen.
That left only destruction.
But I couldn't do it yet. My brothers had to be rescued first.
So I would have to play along, for a little while.
But first I had to make sure that when I was destroyed… when I died, my brothers would know. I would not be used against them even in death.
So they had to find me.
That wouldn't be a problem. I was certain that Cattie, he of the innocent face, had planted a tracking device on me… somewhere. I was personally betting on a sub-dermal implanted GPS locator chip in the back of my neck. Hard to spot.
Judging by how they had been reacting… My brothers would follow me to the Ninth Circle of Hell and bring me back. I had to rely on that.
First they would need men. Well, that was easy. All I had to do was make sure that the Maganacs were told where Quatre was and that he was in trouble. They would cheerfully brave the Ninth Circle of Hell for their Master Quatre. Probably singing as they went and declaring that it was an Honour.
Next they would need transport. Billionaire or not, even Quatre couldn't lay his hands on fast vehicles that could carry forty plus men that easily. Well, I could fix that. I had a little time. I didn't need much.
I could move better than the others thought. Not much. But I could stagger in a vaguely upright position.
So I had explored a little. And I had found the radio.
Wasn't much, but it was hidden. And I was willing to bet that it wasn't commonly known about. Even better it was one of the BJT encrypted radios. The same type as the Sweepers use for private traffic. I still knew how to hack into the airwaves.
Only one group would pick up my message.
"This is Baby Bear to Papa Bear. This is Baby Bear to Papa Bear. Come in Papa Bear."
"This is Mama Bear to Goldilocks. Go home. Baby Bear is dead. And Papa Bear don't want to talk to ya." I knew the voice. It was Josiah. Howie's right hand man. A big burly guy, who stopped a lot of the younger Sweepers from trying to take their anger out on me. And stopped me from attacking them when they insulted me.
"Now that ain't nice to say, Mama Bear," I laughed slightly. I couldn't really help it. I had no real bad memories associated with the Sweepers. "'Cos I'm Baby Bear. Rumours of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. And I need Papa Bear."
"Prove it."
Oh Hell! I knew what he wanted. It was embarrassing. He had been half drunk and I had been half asleep when we came up with the proof.
"The ants went marching two by two. Hurrah! Hurrah!" I started to sing, "The ants went marching two by two. Hurrah! Hurrah! The ants went marching two by two, the little one stopped and a base he blew. And they all went marching for to get out of the rain."
"Da dum. Da dum." Josiah murmured, "One by one?"
"Clean his gun."
"Three by three?"
"Climb a tree."
"Four by four?"
"Knock on the door."
"Five by five?"
"Stay alive."
"Baby Bear is that really you?"
"You know it, Mama Bear. I need Papa Bear."
"Papa Bear here," Howie interrupted us, "You alright Baby?"
"Been better. Been worse." I was non-committal. "I bring a message from Peter Pan."
"What does the Kid want?" Howie understood. On that radio frequency, I was always Baby Bear. But in person, I was Peter Pan. Okay, so I probably got a complex from talking about myself in the third person, but it worked.
"He's got a couple of Lost Boys and Wendy who need a pick up." I grinned, "You'd best get the Indian Chief to contact Little Boy Blue in about an hour and a half." That would give the Maganacs plenty of time to find Cattie.
I'd always associated Quatre with Little Boy Blue. Not because of the rhyme, really. The first book I had ever read was a book of children's rhymes that Sister Helen owned. It was old, but illustrated. I had loved that book. The first thought that had popped into my head when I had seen Quatre was:
'Little Boy Blue grew up!'
He looked, and still did, just like the illustration. Only older. And so he was named.
"Anything else, Baby?" Howie pressed.
"Grab Wendy's sister and Wendy's sister's best friend," I instructed, "Before you contact Little Boy Blue. Take all of them to Neverland."
"Can you clarify, Baby?"
"Kitty Fisher and Georgie Porgie." I grinned at the nicknames I had given Noin and Zechs. It had been a long time ago. Most people who know me, know that I can quote the Bible backwards and forwards, despite not believing it. Only the Sweepers know that I can quote children's rhymes even better!
"You sure?"
"Ten-Four." I fired back.
The others would need back up. And they would need unprejudiced back up. Someone to say that what they did was necessary.
It was also unfair for Zechs to find out via the media just what the Foreign Minister had done.
In Noin's case, it was also necessary that the Second-In-Command of the Preventers took down the Commander when she was committing a crime. I owed that to the Commander after all. I would make every effort for the Preventers to survive.
They were needed.
"I am sending you two files, Papa Bear," I announced. "Give them to Jack Spratt and Doctor Foster. They can use them to explain to Georgie Porgie and Kitty Fisher. Yankee Doodle can help out, if he's making sense again."
Yankee Doodle. Heero. The first one of the Pilots I gave a children's rhyme to.
Thought to be honest it was more to myself. I just thought he thought of me as a right 'Yankee Doodle'. Or… 'Stupid American'. That's what it means. And that's what Heero thought I was. Made sense at the time.
Same with 'Jack Spratt' for Wufei. He'd complained that there was too much fat in one of the meals that OZ had given us during our captivity. And thus was born 'Jack Spratt'.
Again Sally was easy. Doctor to Doctor Foster. I was having a bad day when I came up with that one.
It had to be them who explained to Zechs and Noin. They had to hear it from Preventers. It would be more believable that way.
I had downloaded the files from Quatre's mainframe. Only two. The recording from the Hospital and the more recent phone conversation. There wasn't any other real proof that would be quickly understood. So they would have to do. Fortunately they would be real convincing.
"Anything else, Baby?" Howie asked.
"A message from Peter Pan to Little Boy Blue." I replied, "The message reads: 'Stop. Thief. Vandal. Outrage.' Come back to me, Papa Bear."
"Please repeat, Baby. I don't think I read you."
"Message from Peter Pan to Little Boy Blue: 'Stop. Thief. Vandal. Outrage.' Come back to me, Papa."
"'Stop. Thief. Vandal. Outrage.' Four-Ten, Baby?"
"Ten-Four, Papa." I grinned. I would have to rely on Cat's quick brain, but that wasn't much of a worry. I've never known Quatre to forget music. He's like a sponge.
"Baby, this is Mama." Josiah came back on, "We'll need a confirmation phrase from the Lost Boys. What do you advise?"
I thought for a moment. It would have to be something the others would be able to answer. I had already put a lot of trust in them. I was trusting that they would follow. I was trusting that they would understand. I was trusting that they would be able to explain. And now I would have to trust that they would be able to think and remember. For I knew the only phrase that was… suitable for the occasion.
"'What is Little Boy Blue waiting for?'" I announced, "I repeat: 'What is Little Boy Blue waiting for?' The answer is 'Bobby Shafto'. I repeat: 'Bobby Shafto'. Four-Ten, Mama?"
"Ten-Four, Baby."
"Baby," Howie was worried, "Where's Peter Pan going?"
"He's gotta play with Capt'n Hook." I shrugged, "And he ain't got Tinkerbell to help him out. Sorry, Papa, but he ain't going to be swinging past the Janitors' Office on his way."
"Maybe on the flip-flop, Baby?"
"I don't know that there will be one, Papa. But I'm gone. Over and out."
"You tell that kid to take care of himself, you hear me Baby?" Howie was frantic, "You hear?"
I turned off the radio. I couldn't listen to Howie anymore. I was going to die. He didn't need to know that.
I forced my thoughts away from Howie's panicked voice. He knew me. He knew that death was probably in my cards. Hell I had practically told him. But where and when, he didn't know. I knew he would recover. He would be jovial and cheerful for my brothers. He wouldn't let them know what he feared.
Back to the plan. Ignore the fact that I knew that Howie would be calling over the radio. Ignore what I knew he would be saying: 'Baby Bear, this is Papa Bear. How 'bout ya, Baby? Come back to me. Get your ears on, Baby!'
Back to the plan.
I needed weapons. But none of the usual were available. Someone, and I suspected Trowa, had been through the flat and removed them. The bullets were still there. As was all the gun paraphernalia. But the guns were missing. So were the throwing knives and daggers. Probably feared suicide on my part.
Not that guns and blades would have been much use to me. I couldn't conceal them. And I was fairly sure that I would be scanned for metal. So I needed a more discrete weapon.
Luckily Sally had supplied a fully stocked medical kit. A veritable gold-mine.
I wasn't going in with scalpels. Not my style. Though I would carry two as back-ups.
I knew what I needed. And Sal had been very accommodating. There were several auto-injectors in the kit. I chose four and loaded three with a fast-acting sedative. Weapons chosen.
The last was a different colour and I loaded that with a strong pain-killer and stimulator. After all, I couldn't rely on myself to be strong enough. I would need help.
So, into battle I would go, with four auto-injectors and two scalpels.
I hid them in my hair. Not many people would think to check it for weapons. And what I had wouldn't register on a metal-detector. The injectors only had tiny metal parts and the scalpels were obsidian.
I also located a set of ceramic lock-picks. Though I did wonder why Cattie had a set. They weren't Trowa's. He wouldn't use such small picks. They were, however, just the right size to hide easily in my now laden hair.
I also found another very useful item, and stashed it. Again in my hair.
Clothes were next on my agenda. I wasn't going to be kidnapped in light cotton pyjamas.
But I didn't have any other clothes.
So I borrowed what I needed. A t-shirt from Trowa. I would not ruin one of Cat's shirts. Trousers from Quatre. Because there was no way that I would manage to walk in Tro's. Even in Quatre's I had to roll the legs up, and pull the waist in with a strip of bandage.
I should have probably cut the ends off the trousers, but I couldn't bring myself to damage them.
I was armed. I was… dressed. And I was ready.
I picked the locks… Or rather hacked them. They were more electronic than mechanical.
By the time I reached the one-way mirror, I was literally on my knees. I had crawled up the steps. Inwardly I thanked Quatre for making the metal have no sharp edges. Any injury right then would have taken me out of commission.
I did pull myself to my feet as I emerged from the passage into Quatre's study… Again, Pride… Dignity.
As the mirror closed I caught a glimpse of myself. I looked like what I was… A grown-up version of a child street-rat. All arms and legs. All sharp edges. Very little curves. Too big eyes in a too small face. Long hair. And all in too big clothing.
"You took your time." The Foreign Minister sniffed.
I chose to ignore the remark, instead leaning against a wall to prop myself up.
"We had the time." The Commander countered.
"You'll tell the Maganacs?" I asked once more.
I had taken half an hour. I had taken too long. I mentally begged who-so-ever was listening that the others had not paid the price for my inability to move faster.
"As we agreed," The Commander nodded, "Do we need to restrain you?"
"I'm not going to run." I breathed.
That was not the plan.
The plan was to annoy them. And aggravate them into killing me… But not right then.
First my brothers had to be freed. Then I could die… Then everything would be over.
There was no flip-flop for me. This was a one way trip. Final destination: Hell.
1234567890
Reviews are my candy. I go on a writing spree with each one. Trying to earn them.
Constructive criticism encouraged.
Stars-Eclipsed – I'm glad you like. Do you think I ought to post "Five Gundams Confirmed" and sequel onto "Slytherin's Collection"? I hope to continue to please you.
Arialee – Thanks for the review. Nice to know you're enjoying it. And yes, the action is coming up soon.
Camillian – I hope this is soon enough.
Toraus – Thanks. Duo was hard to write initially, but he's really getting a lot easier. I'm not sure if its because I'm getting used to writing him, or that he's getting more positive.
Raelyn-Mage – Well, you try to stuff the meds down Heero's throat. I'll go hide. And yes, Relena will get what's coming to her. It'll just take a little while.
Leora chan – Yeah, I'll hide as well. I've got my bunker ready. And I'm trying to persuade Duo to bobby-trap it. Nice to know you're enjoying the chapters.
Hellfire – Thanks for the tea. Glad you like my writing.
Wind Dancer1981 – Thank you.
Whitetiger1589 – Once again, thanks. Correction made. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Katerina Shinigami – Keep on holding on. There's only one more Duo chapter to go.
Lilly – Have no intention of stopping now.
Kage Elric – Nice to know. Thanks a lot. Hope you liked this one.
Lesa – Have some tissues. Nice to know you're enjoying this.
BlackRose-FlowerofDeath – I'm getting there. Hope this lived up to your expectations.
Katsumadarkness – Yes, I was never fond of pink either. Though I now own a pink shirt. Never mind, it's for work. I think I can get away with that. Nice to know you're enjoying this.
Once again, thanks to all my reviewers.
