Author's note: This is my only serious fic to date. Also after reading this if you think
it's a tad bit long and all, don't worry this is only the first chapter
there will at least be three! (each probably along the line of 12 pages
long, the equivlentant of the first, maybe longer)
Also i do not own Gundam Wing and the characters but if i'm ever rich i will certainly
buy them, AND force them to do silly little dances j/k.
GUNDAM WING: THIRD ACT/ Chapter 1a: THE SHOOTING STARS THEY SAW
Remains of Libra in Earths orbit. 7:45A.M. L4 Time
Duo sighed as he shifted through the rubble of the control room in the now
defunct Libra. Most of the more expensive and worthwhile hardware had long since been
taken out and sold by earlier sweepers, including himself. Still there was always the
chance that there was still a gem left behind unnoticed previously.
Pulling off one of the consoles tops, he pulled apart disconnected wires only
to find that all of the circuitry was gone here to. Not even any fiber optic cabling
left, not that it would bring around as much of a price. Keying the com on his space
suit he heard Heero grunt on the other side.
"Any luck buddy-boy?"
There was a slight pause as the other pilot clicked his com. "None. Are you
sure we should still be checking in here? This place seems pretty thoroughly cleared
out."
"Keep looking for a little while longer." Duo looked around the room he was
in. It was darn right skeletal now with out most of its equipment. Heero was in the
Zero system's room looking for something worth taking back, but the chances are that
it was just as barren.
"Roger." Replied Heero's voice as dull and emotionless as usually.
Duo smiled, "Heero, buddy boy ol' pal how many times do I have to tell you. My
names not Roger."
There was silence for a few seconds. Duo could have sworn though that he heard
the other boy smile over the com.
Heero's voice came back over the com, it was slightly a little less
emotionless "You already told that one."
"Says the guy that uses only three or four short phrases over and over again."
Duo grinned as he opened up another console. It was empty. Teasing Heero more then
made up for the disappointment.
"Hmmmp. If you don't mind I'd like to get back to work."
"Sure thing buddy boy, I'm going to move down to the hangar bay and see whats
left there anyway."
"Roger." Duo heard a click as Heero shut off his com. Standing for a moment,
looking at the consoles cover, Duo tossed it down onto a pile of rubble and headed out
towards the hangar.
Traveling through the corridors he looked at the watch on his spacesuit, one
that Relena had given him for his 17th birthday. It was nearly 2P.M. by L2 colonies
time but only 8A.M by L4 time, they would be leaving in about half an hour to pick up
Hilde at L2 so that they could reach L4 before 3P.M. Duo estimated the length of time
it would take him to get to the hangar and guessed he'd have about ten minutes to
rummage.
Floating down the hallway he looked over the burnt out corridors caused by the
scientists attempt at stopping Libra nearly three years ago. They had all been killed
when they had activated an overload in one of the engines. Duo found that he actually
missed Dr. E with his funny nose.
Duo shook his head trying to clear his thoughts. "Guess this place is nothing
but bad memories for me." He surprised himself by speaking out loud and suddenly burst
out laughing. "Guess I'm talking to myself. Wonder if that makes me nuts."
There was a turn in the corridor up ahead making stop for a moment to remember
which way to go. After a second he went left and soon arrived at the large hangar bay
that had housed most of the mobile dolls in the war between Earth and the White Fang.
Of course there had been several smaller bays located around the outside of the
fortress, but there had only been one of this size. All around the room was more
scattered debris and even a few mobile dolls left over from the final battle. Most of
them had been dissected by previous scavengers but many still remained intact, no
doubt because of the effort involved in carrying the parts out. The entrance had long
since been sealed shut and twisted from the damage done by the Gundams and the mobile
suits outside were easier targets.
Climbing the scaffolding of one of the nearby repair stations he picked
through the remains of one of the spare circuit board stashes. Most of the top ones
had been scorched but after a few minutes and several more stashes he found a one that
looked like it was still functional. Giving it a quick shake to check for lose parts
he put it into a satchel on his side along with the various other things that he had
picked found.
Click! "Duo do you read?" Duo heard Heero's voice come on over the com.
"Loud and clear buddy-boy!"
"I'm heading back to the shuttle. I also found a small cache of fiber optic
cabling in the panels outside of the Zero room."
"Roger, I'll be out in a sec. Over and out." Duo clicked his suits com off and
jumped over the side of the scaffolding. Grabbing onto the one of the support beams he
allowed his motion to bring him down to the floor in the zero-g environment. Dashing
as fast as he could while floating down the corridors he thought ahead to what awaited
him later today.
L2 colony 9:04A.M L4 Time
"Oh there's no place like home! Oh there's no place like home." Said Duo
standing outside the shuttle. Heero looked at him confused as he came out from
shutting down the shuttles electronics and caught the longhaired pilot clicking his
heels together.
"What are you doing?" Duo turned to see Heero staring at him with one eyebrow
raised.
Duo smiled, "Just happy to be home after a long days work buddy-boy."
"Humph." Heero turned and walking to the back of the shuttle started opening
the back hatch. There where two mobile dolls in the ships bay that they had found in
near mint condition along with the miscellaneous things they had found on Libra.
Turning to Duo he motioned over to the connected parking lot. "Would you bring
the truck?"
"Sure thing." Walking over to the large flatbed that Duo's sweeper business
used, he hopped in and drove it so that its back was to the entrance of the shuttle's
bay. Looking over into the side view mirror he watched as Heero gave a signal for him
to start. Pulling on a lever next to the trucks control stick he released the winch
and watched as the other boy brought it over and hooked it to the first of the two
mobile dolls.
"Reel it in Duo!" yelled Heero backing away. Pushing the lever forward Duo
heard the motor struggle for a moment then start to wind up. Slowly the mobile doll
moved out of the back of the shuttle and on to the flatbed. They had placed a type of
roller under the doll in zero G so that it wouldn't scrap or get stuck during loading.
After a repeat with the second doll they closed the bay door and locked up the
shuttle for the day. Checking that the dolls where secure on the flatbed Heero hopped
into the passenger seat.
Driving out from under the airport Duo could see that the Colony was in its
rain mode. Rolling up the window and turning on the wipers he pulled out onto the main
road.
The nice thing about the colony was that it was easy to get to anywhere in it.
There was only so much room either way for streets that they had to cut down on the
amount of detours and curves in them. You could technically get wherever you wanted to
go just by traveling down one road and turning once at the right time. Of course from
where you started your location might be right above or below where you wanted to go.
After all the entire colony was round.
"Wizard of Oz." Said Duo suddenly.
Heero turned surprised. "What?"
"You asked me what I was doing out there." Duo smiled. "It was a scene from
the Wizard of Oz."
"Never heard of it." Duo laughed. Heero gave him a glare. Duo stopped laughing
but continued to smile.
"Some how I figured that." Duo turned to his passenger as he stopped at one of
the few stoplights in the colony. There wasn't a whole lot of traffic on the colony
since it was only the size of a city. Most of the people took mass transport to get to
places, but Duo rather liked driving a car or truck better.
Asked duo, "So how does it feel to be away from Earth and Relena so long?"
"Humph." Heero grunted. He could have sworn he heard a little sadness in the
tone. Heero had been away from Earth for about a week now on vacation. In a streak of
Heeroism's he had first called Quatre then Wufei and even Trowa and asked if he could
work with them, Duo had been the last one on the list. He didn't mind he got him in
the end didn't he?
"Lighten up buddy boy." Said Duo smiling. "You'll see her later today. And
until then you're going to be having to much fun with the rest of us."
Heero continued looking out the window.
Duo raised an eyebrow and hit the gas as the light turned green. A few minutes
later he pulled into the scrap yard that he, Hilde and Heero, for the last week,
called home. Hilde was waiting for them out on the front step.
Looking up as she heard the truck pull in and she ran up to greet them.
"Duo!" She leapt up and nearly toppled the braided pilot over as she hugged
him as he tried to get out of the truck. After getting a return hug from Duo and a
small kiss she wandered over to the back of the truck. "So what did you find this
time?"
Duo grinned as he watched Hilde looking over the mobile dolls like a child in
a toy store.. He always thought that she'd be used to this by now, but she always was
so interested when he got back. Probably because his trips where usually longer then
this one, sometimes ranging a few weeks in length.
"Well pretty lady, we got our selves a couple of mobile dolls, Heero over
there found some fiber optics and data discs while I us found a couple pieces of
replacement circuitry!" To emphasize the point he pulled the unburned circuit board he
had found in the hangar. Heero came up behind him and plucked it from his hand as he
waved it about.
"I'll go examine this to see if it's functional."
"Heero?" said Hilde looking at him worriedly. "You do remember were going to
L4 right?"
"Yes" Heero turned and walked into the scrap yard's building.
"Don't worry Hild' he knows what he's doing." Said Duo smiling. With a single
leap he landed on top of the flatbed, and turning to Hilde, started bowing."
Hilde took one look at him and laughed and barely managed to speak to tease
him, "Your such a show off Duo!"
Duo's grin went even wider. Reaching down he helped her up onto the flat bed,
"You should know that by now better then anyone Hild'!"
Pulling off several of the restraining cables that held the dolls, they
released the ramp, and rolled them down into the storage part of the yard. The area
was basically a tent for the more expensive and delicate finds and it already
contained three other dolls from a previous sweep. There had been twenty-four just a
few weeks ago, but the suits had sold out faster then usual and Duo wasn't sure if he
liked that happening. After all he didn't want anyone stockpiling these for another
rebel movement like the one a year or two ago. The one where the Gundams had been
destroyed afterwards.
Luckily though he knew some of the buyers, mainly contacts from construction
companies and the like who wanted them for other purposes then war. Heck one buyer was
even the Sanct Kingdom trying to buy and melt down as many they could so they wouldn't
be used for destructive purposes. Duo and Hilde gave them a 5% discount because they
knew Relena was behind it.
Locking the dolls in place so that they wouldn't roll away on their carts they
walked back to the house. Heero was already on the front steps having finished his
examination of the circuit board.
"See Hild' I told you he knew what he was doing!" Duo smiled as he walked up
and sat down next to Heero under the front of the roof of the building. Both him and
Hilde where soaked from working in the rain. "Never doubt Heero will get something
done on time when it's something mechanical. Just don't ask him about much of anything
else!"
Heero gave Duo one of his glares as Hilde sat down on the step next to him.
Peering over the dark boys shoulder she looked at the piece of hardware as if
she could tell something by its looks, "So does it work?"
"Yes." nodded Heero breaking off his glare. Handing the piece over to the girl
he stood and leaned against the door. "Unfortunately it's a weapons circuitry board.
We can't sell it."
Duo sighed and shook his head. Reaching out Hilde handed the board to him.
"Guess I'll have to keep this in my private stock." Fiddling with the board for a
second he looked at his watch and jumped up. "Geez! We better hurry up and change! We
got fifteen minutes before we have to head to the shuttle!"
"I should change too." Said Hilde looking at her soaked clothes. "I don't
think they'd be to happy if I went on that shuttle like this. What about you Heero?"
The boy moved off the door and then went and leaned against the side of the
house next to it. "I'll remain as is."
Duo grinned, "Typical Heero attire! Green tank top and brown pants!" He
quickly ducked inside before Heero could glare at him. Hilde just smiled and followed
suite.
L4 colony 3:45 L4 Time
"Duo! Hilde! Heero!" yelled Quatre running up to them in the airport.
"See how he named Heero last?" whispered a grinning Duo into Hilde's ear. She
nudged him in the ribs to silence him, but she couldn't help but grin.
Quatre continued on unknowing of the two's jest, "How come you where so late!"
"Sorry, Quatre, buddy-boy!" said Duo hugging the blonde pilot. He watched as
Quatre did the same to Hilde, but then settled for a handshake from Heero. "We were on
time. The shuttle wasn't. Actually it was something normal for once the thing was just
plain late."
"Well I'm glad you're here anyway!" said Quatre excitedly.
"Good evening, Duo, Hilde, Heero." said Trowa nodding to each of them. Behind
him Catherine looking over her little brother waved at them.
"We were afraid you wouldn't make it!" said Catherine. "After all you boys do
tend to run into a lot of trouble."
Duo smiled. "Well couldn't let you all be stuck here with out someone to
lighten the mood for you! After all we all know you can't have a party without Heero
over here!"
Heero blinked in surprise for a second and then glared at Duo.
"So where's the party?" said Hilde trying to change the subject.
"Down by the lake in the 23rd district." Said Quatre. "I rented out a small
picnic area there since it was near the circus. After all I may have been able to get
them to play here at L4 this week, but I couldn't get them to lend us their two star
attractions."
Catherine blushed at the complement. "Well I wouldn't say that..."
"Just take the complement!" said yelled Duo cupping his hands over his mouth.
"If you don't you'll never be able to speak to him since he gives so many of them!"
Almost immediately Quatre blushed, "I just like to be polite that's all."
"Relax, Quatre." Said Trowa.
"Yeah we wouldn't have you any other way!" said Duo clapping the blonde boy on
the back. So why don't we get going shall we? We don't want to miss Relena's speech
now do we?"
"Right!" said Quatre. Suddenly a whole lot more comfortable. He started
walking towards the exit. "Come and follow me, my cars out front."
Walking outside Duo and Hilde smiled as they saw the white limousine.
"Guess we get to go in style." Said Duo peering into the cars tinted windows.
L4 colony lake L4 time 4:02
"Heero!" called out Relena seeing the Limo pull up into the driveway. As the
group got out she ran up and hugged him. Heero hugged her back slightly. A whole lot
more then Duo had ever seen Heero do before.
He let out a short fox whistle and immediately Relena turned a deep shade of
red. Heero gave him a short glare.
"Duo!" said Hilde trying to sound annoyed, but she was having a hard time
trying not to smile at Relena's blushing.
"It's alright Hilde, Heero." She gave Heero a look that told him not to try
anything. Looking back at the group she smiled. "Its so good to see you all again.
Especially when my life isn't in danger!"
"Some times I could swear that you did that on purpose Miss Relena." Said
Dorothy coming up behind her with Sally Po, Noin, Zechs and Wufei. "It certainly
seems to happen often enough."
"I thought that too." Zechs said smiling at his younger sister. She was
blushing a little bit again.
"I can assure you that that was all coincidence." She said trying to sound
serious, but her smile gave her away.
"So when's the speech?" Asked Hilde.
"In a few minutes at about ten after four." Said Zechs. He turned around and
walked over to a small wooden enclosure near the edge of the lake. There were a
couple of benches inside of it and on top of one was a small portable vid system. As
the rest of the group followed him in and sat down he flipped it on and muted news
broadcast appeared.
"So how'd you get out of making the speech in person anyway?" asked Duo.
Relena smiled. "Basically I arranged for my day off to coincide with today
before any real plans had been made. After everyone finally caught on they had to
let me record a speech for today that they could play over the air. As for public
appearances I'm officially talking in a privately own mansions for the rulers of
several significant countries right now."
"A scheme worthy of Heero himself." Said Noin.
"Hardly." Said Heero.
"Well I couldn't miss meeting with you guys on the anniversary of our
victory over the White Fang and the beginning of world peace now could I." Said
Relena.
"I would certainly hope not!" said Sally leaning against a one of the
support poles.
"Its on." Trowa said suddenly surprising everyone. Hurriedly Zechs reached
out and quickly turned the mute off.
"...as you all remember it was three years today that the war between earth
and the White Fang was ended." Said the prerecorded voice of Relena. Across the
screen flashed a series of pictures taken during the fight and afterwards.It
included one of Wing Zero fighting the Epyon and the destroyed hull of Libra after
the battle. "The cost of the battle was high as many soldiers perished in an assault
against hundreds of mobile dolls. Our hearts go out to those soldiers who fought and
died for their beliefs today."
"But if anything this battle should always remind us of the fact that the
cost of war is to high and that life is precious, whether it is those of the
colonists or of those of Earth. In the years that have followed we have tried to carry
out that belief in our hearts and minds and peace has reigned only threaten every so
often but never overthrown. Now on the eve of the beginning of that peace we can now
celebrate the freedo……."
Suddenly the broadcast sputtered out and the screen was filled with static.
After a few seconds the screen started to clear. The screen was quickly filled with
the image of a middle aged thin man with glasses, a sharp nose and jet black shoulder
length hair. Shadow was cast over his face making everything else nearly invisible to
the viewer as the rest of the room was cast in darkness. Only his glasses shone any
type of light as they caught and reflected whatever was in the room.
"What the hell?" said Wufei voicing everyone's thoughts.
"People of Earth and the colonies." Said the man. The voice that came forth
was obviously electronically changed as it came through sounding metallic and fuzzy.
It was still a voice that command attention though. "For too long has there been a
false peace on this planet. Everyday governments are destroying their only weapons of
defense and allowing themselves to be come weak."
"Geez, this guy sounds like Wufei.." Said Duo. Everyone ignored him and
continued to watch.
The voice continued. "We of the White Star intend to put an end to this false
world of peace. As of now plans are already being carried out to reestablish our
planets defenses and to eliminate the creators and followers of this false."
"As of today we declare that we will attack any country that continues to
advocate this atrocity. And as of now we are going to make known that these threats
are not pointless! Good day."
The screen turned to static again and when it cleared the News broadcast was of
something entirely different.
"..just now a terrorist group calling themselves the White Star have staged an
attack on the Sanct Kingdom." Said a female reporter on the screen. "At about 4:12P.M.
a legion of black painted mobile dolls destroyed a fifth of the buildings of the
country including the mansion of the countries foremost leader Relena Dorland. The
welfare of Miss Dorland is not know as of the moment, but casualties are known to be
high in the area……."
The screen flipped to live footage of the Sanct Kingdom. Most of the town
surrounding the area of Relena's mansion and the Sanct kingdoms government buildings
had been reduced to rubble. A area of several blocks past that were still standing but
heavily damaged.
In the distance could be seen a corner of the retreating mobile doll force
numbering in the hundreds. From even this distance could be seen a White Star painted
across their fronts and backs.
L4 Lake 4:20P.M. L4 Time
"DAMN IT!" yelled Zechs slamming his fist into the table. He quickly brought
his hand back up and shook it. The middle two knuckles were scraped and bleeding.
Relena just sat there in shock as she tried to understand what had just been
shown to her. She couldn't believe that this could have happened. It had to be
something else, anything, maybe she had been sleeping….
Heero's eyes squinted at the screen watching the news report loop the first
part of the information around that they had missed during the White Star's
broadcast. Next to him Trowa did likewise, one of his reactions to the attack showing
across the young man's face.
"I should have been there!" yelled Zechs. Favoring his bleeding left hand he
punched out at one of the support beams with his right this time. Noin caught his arm
before he could do anymore damage to himself.
"Oh man. This is so not good....." said Duo sliding in the seat next to
Relena. On the opposite side Hilde slid down next to her. "Are you okay 'lena? Oh
come on speak to me…." The braided pilot continued to try and reach her, but she
wouldn't respond.
Over by the limo Sally Po was talking to the preventer's office over the car
phone while Quatre, Wufei, Dorothy and a bewildered Catherine tried to glean what
information they could from her side of the conversation.
"What the hell happened here Une? I thought we had a bead on everyone who had
a grudge on the Sanct Kingdom and the new peace." Sally listened to the phone nodding
for a few seconds. "But how the hell did we not see a few hundred mobile suits!? Even
if they where stashed in space before the attack we couldn't have missed that many in
one spot!"
"This couldn't have happened could it......" said Relena suddenly. Everyone
who wasn't at the car turned as the leader of the Sanct Kingdom suddenly half
ducked/fell off of the bench. Her eyes had a glazed look that some people in shock
have. Duo, Heero and Hilde knelt down besides her holding her stead so she wouldn't
fall over again, while also causing enough of a stir to get the attention of the
group at the car.
"Is Miss. Relena alright?" yelled Dorothy running over to Relena. Catherine
and Quatre fell in beside her moments later. Sally looked worried from the car, but
stayed on the line awhile monger. She was no longer yelling.
"Here give her this." Said Zechs handing Heero a small Styrofoam cup filled
with water. Heero took note that Zechs had given him the cup with his right hand and
that it was also scraped.
"Here, Relena, drink this." Said Heero handing her the cup. A shaking hand
grabbed the cup and she took a sip only to cough up the water a second later. Duo
patted her on the back until she was finished and she took another sip.
"T-t-thanks..." Relena handed the cup back to Heero. She coughed again.
"I'll take her to her hotel room." Said Noin tapping Duo on the shoulder. He
moved out of the way so that she could sit down next to Relena. "Can you walk?"
"Y-yea- yes I think so." Said Relena. Both Noin and Heero helped her stand
by bracing her.
"Here take these." Said Quatre putting a set of keys into her hands. "I
don't think that she should go back to the hotel after the attack. She'll be safer
at my place."
"Thanks Quatre." Said Noin. Both her and Heero helped Relena into a blue car
that was parked on the nearby road.
it's a tad bit long and all, don't worry this is only the first chapter
there will at least be three! (each probably along the line of 12 pages
long, the equivlentant of the first, maybe longer)
Also i do not own Gundam Wing and the characters but if i'm ever rich i will certainly
buy them, AND force them to do silly little dances j/k.
GUNDAM WING: THIRD ACT/ Chapter 1a: THE SHOOTING STARS THEY SAW
Remains of Libra in Earths orbit. 7:45A.M. L4 Time
Duo sighed as he shifted through the rubble of the control room in the now
defunct Libra. Most of the more expensive and worthwhile hardware had long since been
taken out and sold by earlier sweepers, including himself. Still there was always the
chance that there was still a gem left behind unnoticed previously.
Pulling off one of the consoles tops, he pulled apart disconnected wires only
to find that all of the circuitry was gone here to. Not even any fiber optic cabling
left, not that it would bring around as much of a price. Keying the com on his space
suit he heard Heero grunt on the other side.
"Any luck buddy-boy?"
There was a slight pause as the other pilot clicked his com. "None. Are you
sure we should still be checking in here? This place seems pretty thoroughly cleared
out."
"Keep looking for a little while longer." Duo looked around the room he was
in. It was darn right skeletal now with out most of its equipment. Heero was in the
Zero system's room looking for something worth taking back, but the chances are that
it was just as barren.
"Roger." Replied Heero's voice as dull and emotionless as usually.
Duo smiled, "Heero, buddy boy ol' pal how many times do I have to tell you. My
names not Roger."
There was silence for a few seconds. Duo could have sworn though that he heard
the other boy smile over the com.
Heero's voice came back over the com, it was slightly a little less
emotionless "You already told that one."
"Says the guy that uses only three or four short phrases over and over again."
Duo grinned as he opened up another console. It was empty. Teasing Heero more then
made up for the disappointment.
"Hmmmp. If you don't mind I'd like to get back to work."
"Sure thing buddy boy, I'm going to move down to the hangar bay and see whats
left there anyway."
"Roger." Duo heard a click as Heero shut off his com. Standing for a moment,
looking at the consoles cover, Duo tossed it down onto a pile of rubble and headed out
towards the hangar.
Traveling through the corridors he looked at the watch on his spacesuit, one
that Relena had given him for his 17th birthday. It was nearly 2P.M. by L2 colonies
time but only 8A.M by L4 time, they would be leaving in about half an hour to pick up
Hilde at L2 so that they could reach L4 before 3P.M. Duo estimated the length of time
it would take him to get to the hangar and guessed he'd have about ten minutes to
rummage.
Floating down the hallway he looked over the burnt out corridors caused by the
scientists attempt at stopping Libra nearly three years ago. They had all been killed
when they had activated an overload in one of the engines. Duo found that he actually
missed Dr. E with his funny nose.
Duo shook his head trying to clear his thoughts. "Guess this place is nothing
but bad memories for me." He surprised himself by speaking out loud and suddenly burst
out laughing. "Guess I'm talking to myself. Wonder if that makes me nuts."
There was a turn in the corridor up ahead making stop for a moment to remember
which way to go. After a second he went left and soon arrived at the large hangar bay
that had housed most of the mobile dolls in the war between Earth and the White Fang.
Of course there had been several smaller bays located around the outside of the
fortress, but there had only been one of this size. All around the room was more
scattered debris and even a few mobile dolls left over from the final battle. Most of
them had been dissected by previous scavengers but many still remained intact, no
doubt because of the effort involved in carrying the parts out. The entrance had long
since been sealed shut and twisted from the damage done by the Gundams and the mobile
suits outside were easier targets.
Climbing the scaffolding of one of the nearby repair stations he picked
through the remains of one of the spare circuit board stashes. Most of the top ones
had been scorched but after a few minutes and several more stashes he found a one that
looked like it was still functional. Giving it a quick shake to check for lose parts
he put it into a satchel on his side along with the various other things that he had
picked found.
Click! "Duo do you read?" Duo heard Heero's voice come on over the com.
"Loud and clear buddy-boy!"
"I'm heading back to the shuttle. I also found a small cache of fiber optic
cabling in the panels outside of the Zero room."
"Roger, I'll be out in a sec. Over and out." Duo clicked his suits com off and
jumped over the side of the scaffolding. Grabbing onto the one of the support beams he
allowed his motion to bring him down to the floor in the zero-g environment. Dashing
as fast as he could while floating down the corridors he thought ahead to what awaited
him later today.
L2 colony 9:04A.M L4 Time
"Oh there's no place like home! Oh there's no place like home." Said Duo
standing outside the shuttle. Heero looked at him confused as he came out from
shutting down the shuttles electronics and caught the longhaired pilot clicking his
heels together.
"What are you doing?" Duo turned to see Heero staring at him with one eyebrow
raised.
Duo smiled, "Just happy to be home after a long days work buddy-boy."
"Humph." Heero turned and walking to the back of the shuttle started opening
the back hatch. There where two mobile dolls in the ships bay that they had found in
near mint condition along with the miscellaneous things they had found on Libra.
Turning to Duo he motioned over to the connected parking lot. "Would you bring
the truck?"
"Sure thing." Walking over to the large flatbed that Duo's sweeper business
used, he hopped in and drove it so that its back was to the entrance of the shuttle's
bay. Looking over into the side view mirror he watched as Heero gave a signal for him
to start. Pulling on a lever next to the trucks control stick he released the winch
and watched as the other boy brought it over and hooked it to the first of the two
mobile dolls.
"Reel it in Duo!" yelled Heero backing away. Pushing the lever forward Duo
heard the motor struggle for a moment then start to wind up. Slowly the mobile doll
moved out of the back of the shuttle and on to the flatbed. They had placed a type of
roller under the doll in zero G so that it wouldn't scrap or get stuck during loading.
After a repeat with the second doll they closed the bay door and locked up the
shuttle for the day. Checking that the dolls where secure on the flatbed Heero hopped
into the passenger seat.
Driving out from under the airport Duo could see that the Colony was in its
rain mode. Rolling up the window and turning on the wipers he pulled out onto the main
road.
The nice thing about the colony was that it was easy to get to anywhere in it.
There was only so much room either way for streets that they had to cut down on the
amount of detours and curves in them. You could technically get wherever you wanted to
go just by traveling down one road and turning once at the right time. Of course from
where you started your location might be right above or below where you wanted to go.
After all the entire colony was round.
"Wizard of Oz." Said Duo suddenly.
Heero turned surprised. "What?"
"You asked me what I was doing out there." Duo smiled. "It was a scene from
the Wizard of Oz."
"Never heard of it." Duo laughed. Heero gave him a glare. Duo stopped laughing
but continued to smile.
"Some how I figured that." Duo turned to his passenger as he stopped at one of
the few stoplights in the colony. There wasn't a whole lot of traffic on the colony
since it was only the size of a city. Most of the people took mass transport to get to
places, but Duo rather liked driving a car or truck better.
Asked duo, "So how does it feel to be away from Earth and Relena so long?"
"Humph." Heero grunted. He could have sworn he heard a little sadness in the
tone. Heero had been away from Earth for about a week now on vacation. In a streak of
Heeroism's he had first called Quatre then Wufei and even Trowa and asked if he could
work with them, Duo had been the last one on the list. He didn't mind he got him in
the end didn't he?
"Lighten up buddy boy." Said Duo smiling. "You'll see her later today. And
until then you're going to be having to much fun with the rest of us."
Heero continued looking out the window.
Duo raised an eyebrow and hit the gas as the light turned green. A few minutes
later he pulled into the scrap yard that he, Hilde and Heero, for the last week,
called home. Hilde was waiting for them out on the front step.
Looking up as she heard the truck pull in and she ran up to greet them.
"Duo!" She leapt up and nearly toppled the braided pilot over as she hugged
him as he tried to get out of the truck. After getting a return hug from Duo and a
small kiss she wandered over to the back of the truck. "So what did you find this
time?"
Duo grinned as he watched Hilde looking over the mobile dolls like a child in
a toy store.. He always thought that she'd be used to this by now, but she always was
so interested when he got back. Probably because his trips where usually longer then
this one, sometimes ranging a few weeks in length.
"Well pretty lady, we got our selves a couple of mobile dolls, Heero over
there found some fiber optics and data discs while I us found a couple pieces of
replacement circuitry!" To emphasize the point he pulled the unburned circuit board he
had found in the hangar. Heero came up behind him and plucked it from his hand as he
waved it about.
"I'll go examine this to see if it's functional."
"Heero?" said Hilde looking at him worriedly. "You do remember were going to
L4 right?"
"Yes" Heero turned and walked into the scrap yard's building.
"Don't worry Hild' he knows what he's doing." Said Duo smiling. With a single
leap he landed on top of the flatbed, and turning to Hilde, started bowing."
Hilde took one look at him and laughed and barely managed to speak to tease
him, "Your such a show off Duo!"
Duo's grin went even wider. Reaching down he helped her up onto the flat bed,
"You should know that by now better then anyone Hild'!"
Pulling off several of the restraining cables that held the dolls, they
released the ramp, and rolled them down into the storage part of the yard. The area
was basically a tent for the more expensive and delicate finds and it already
contained three other dolls from a previous sweep. There had been twenty-four just a
few weeks ago, but the suits had sold out faster then usual and Duo wasn't sure if he
liked that happening. After all he didn't want anyone stockpiling these for another
rebel movement like the one a year or two ago. The one where the Gundams had been
destroyed afterwards.
Luckily though he knew some of the buyers, mainly contacts from construction
companies and the like who wanted them for other purposes then war. Heck one buyer was
even the Sanct Kingdom trying to buy and melt down as many they could so they wouldn't
be used for destructive purposes. Duo and Hilde gave them a 5% discount because they
knew Relena was behind it.
Locking the dolls in place so that they wouldn't roll away on their carts they
walked back to the house. Heero was already on the front steps having finished his
examination of the circuit board.
"See Hild' I told you he knew what he was doing!" Duo smiled as he walked up
and sat down next to Heero under the front of the roof of the building. Both him and
Hilde where soaked from working in the rain. "Never doubt Heero will get something
done on time when it's something mechanical. Just don't ask him about much of anything
else!"
Heero gave Duo one of his glares as Hilde sat down on the step next to him.
Peering over the dark boys shoulder she looked at the piece of hardware as if
she could tell something by its looks, "So does it work?"
"Yes." nodded Heero breaking off his glare. Handing the piece over to the girl
he stood and leaned against the door. "Unfortunately it's a weapons circuitry board.
We can't sell it."
Duo sighed and shook his head. Reaching out Hilde handed the board to him.
"Guess I'll have to keep this in my private stock." Fiddling with the board for a
second he looked at his watch and jumped up. "Geez! We better hurry up and change! We
got fifteen minutes before we have to head to the shuttle!"
"I should change too." Said Hilde looking at her soaked clothes. "I don't
think they'd be to happy if I went on that shuttle like this. What about you Heero?"
The boy moved off the door and then went and leaned against the side of the
house next to it. "I'll remain as is."
Duo grinned, "Typical Heero attire! Green tank top and brown pants!" He
quickly ducked inside before Heero could glare at him. Hilde just smiled and followed
suite.
L4 colony 3:45 L4 Time
"Duo! Hilde! Heero!" yelled Quatre running up to them in the airport.
"See how he named Heero last?" whispered a grinning Duo into Hilde's ear. She
nudged him in the ribs to silence him, but she couldn't help but grin.
Quatre continued on unknowing of the two's jest, "How come you where so late!"
"Sorry, Quatre, buddy-boy!" said Duo hugging the blonde pilot. He watched as
Quatre did the same to Hilde, but then settled for a handshake from Heero. "We were on
time. The shuttle wasn't. Actually it was something normal for once the thing was just
plain late."
"Well I'm glad you're here anyway!" said Quatre excitedly.
"Good evening, Duo, Hilde, Heero." said Trowa nodding to each of them. Behind
him Catherine looking over her little brother waved at them.
"We were afraid you wouldn't make it!" said Catherine. "After all you boys do
tend to run into a lot of trouble."
Duo smiled. "Well couldn't let you all be stuck here with out someone to
lighten the mood for you! After all we all know you can't have a party without Heero
over here!"
Heero blinked in surprise for a second and then glared at Duo.
"So where's the party?" said Hilde trying to change the subject.
"Down by the lake in the 23rd district." Said Quatre. "I rented out a small
picnic area there since it was near the circus. After all I may have been able to get
them to play here at L4 this week, but I couldn't get them to lend us their two star
attractions."
Catherine blushed at the complement. "Well I wouldn't say that..."
"Just take the complement!" said yelled Duo cupping his hands over his mouth.
"If you don't you'll never be able to speak to him since he gives so many of them!"
Almost immediately Quatre blushed, "I just like to be polite that's all."
"Relax, Quatre." Said Trowa.
"Yeah we wouldn't have you any other way!" said Duo clapping the blonde boy on
the back. So why don't we get going shall we? We don't want to miss Relena's speech
now do we?"
"Right!" said Quatre. Suddenly a whole lot more comfortable. He started
walking towards the exit. "Come and follow me, my cars out front."
Walking outside Duo and Hilde smiled as they saw the white limousine.
"Guess we get to go in style." Said Duo peering into the cars tinted windows.
L4 colony lake L4 time 4:02
"Heero!" called out Relena seeing the Limo pull up into the driveway. As the
group got out she ran up and hugged him. Heero hugged her back slightly. A whole lot
more then Duo had ever seen Heero do before.
He let out a short fox whistle and immediately Relena turned a deep shade of
red. Heero gave him a short glare.
"Duo!" said Hilde trying to sound annoyed, but she was having a hard time
trying not to smile at Relena's blushing.
"It's alright Hilde, Heero." She gave Heero a look that told him not to try
anything. Looking back at the group she smiled. "Its so good to see you all again.
Especially when my life isn't in danger!"
"Some times I could swear that you did that on purpose Miss Relena." Said
Dorothy coming up behind her with Sally Po, Noin, Zechs and Wufei. "It certainly
seems to happen often enough."
"I thought that too." Zechs said smiling at his younger sister. She was
blushing a little bit again.
"I can assure you that that was all coincidence." She said trying to sound
serious, but her smile gave her away.
"So when's the speech?" Asked Hilde.
"In a few minutes at about ten after four." Said Zechs. He turned around and
walked over to a small wooden enclosure near the edge of the lake. There were a
couple of benches inside of it and on top of one was a small portable vid system. As
the rest of the group followed him in and sat down he flipped it on and muted news
broadcast appeared.
"So how'd you get out of making the speech in person anyway?" asked Duo.
Relena smiled. "Basically I arranged for my day off to coincide with today
before any real plans had been made. After everyone finally caught on they had to
let me record a speech for today that they could play over the air. As for public
appearances I'm officially talking in a privately own mansions for the rulers of
several significant countries right now."
"A scheme worthy of Heero himself." Said Noin.
"Hardly." Said Heero.
"Well I couldn't miss meeting with you guys on the anniversary of our
victory over the White Fang and the beginning of world peace now could I." Said
Relena.
"I would certainly hope not!" said Sally leaning against a one of the
support poles.
"Its on." Trowa said suddenly surprising everyone. Hurriedly Zechs reached
out and quickly turned the mute off.
"...as you all remember it was three years today that the war between earth
and the White Fang was ended." Said the prerecorded voice of Relena. Across the
screen flashed a series of pictures taken during the fight and afterwards.It
included one of Wing Zero fighting the Epyon and the destroyed hull of Libra after
the battle. "The cost of the battle was high as many soldiers perished in an assault
against hundreds of mobile dolls. Our hearts go out to those soldiers who fought and
died for their beliefs today."
"But if anything this battle should always remind us of the fact that the
cost of war is to high and that life is precious, whether it is those of the
colonists or of those of Earth. In the years that have followed we have tried to carry
out that belief in our hearts and minds and peace has reigned only threaten every so
often but never overthrown. Now on the eve of the beginning of that peace we can now
celebrate the freedo……."
Suddenly the broadcast sputtered out and the screen was filled with static.
After a few seconds the screen started to clear. The screen was quickly filled with
the image of a middle aged thin man with glasses, a sharp nose and jet black shoulder
length hair. Shadow was cast over his face making everything else nearly invisible to
the viewer as the rest of the room was cast in darkness. Only his glasses shone any
type of light as they caught and reflected whatever was in the room.
"What the hell?" said Wufei voicing everyone's thoughts.
"People of Earth and the colonies." Said the man. The voice that came forth
was obviously electronically changed as it came through sounding metallic and fuzzy.
It was still a voice that command attention though. "For too long has there been a
false peace on this planet. Everyday governments are destroying their only weapons of
defense and allowing themselves to be come weak."
"Geez, this guy sounds like Wufei.." Said Duo. Everyone ignored him and
continued to watch.
The voice continued. "We of the White Star intend to put an end to this false
world of peace. As of now plans are already being carried out to reestablish our
planets defenses and to eliminate the creators and followers of this false."
"As of today we declare that we will attack any country that continues to
advocate this atrocity. And as of now we are going to make known that these threats
are not pointless! Good day."
The screen turned to static again and when it cleared the News broadcast was of
something entirely different.
"..just now a terrorist group calling themselves the White Star have staged an
attack on the Sanct Kingdom." Said a female reporter on the screen. "At about 4:12P.M.
a legion of black painted mobile dolls destroyed a fifth of the buildings of the
country including the mansion of the countries foremost leader Relena Dorland. The
welfare of Miss Dorland is not know as of the moment, but casualties are known to be
high in the area……."
The screen flipped to live footage of the Sanct Kingdom. Most of the town
surrounding the area of Relena's mansion and the Sanct kingdoms government buildings
had been reduced to rubble. A area of several blocks past that were still standing but
heavily damaged.
In the distance could be seen a corner of the retreating mobile doll force
numbering in the hundreds. From even this distance could be seen a White Star painted
across their fronts and backs.
L4 Lake 4:20P.M. L4 Time
"DAMN IT!" yelled Zechs slamming his fist into the table. He quickly brought
his hand back up and shook it. The middle two knuckles were scraped and bleeding.
Relena just sat there in shock as she tried to understand what had just been
shown to her. She couldn't believe that this could have happened. It had to be
something else, anything, maybe she had been sleeping….
Heero's eyes squinted at the screen watching the news report loop the first
part of the information around that they had missed during the White Star's
broadcast. Next to him Trowa did likewise, one of his reactions to the attack showing
across the young man's face.
"I should have been there!" yelled Zechs. Favoring his bleeding left hand he
punched out at one of the support beams with his right this time. Noin caught his arm
before he could do anymore damage to himself.
"Oh man. This is so not good....." said Duo sliding in the seat next to
Relena. On the opposite side Hilde slid down next to her. "Are you okay 'lena? Oh
come on speak to me…." The braided pilot continued to try and reach her, but she
wouldn't respond.
Over by the limo Sally Po was talking to the preventer's office over the car
phone while Quatre, Wufei, Dorothy and a bewildered Catherine tried to glean what
information they could from her side of the conversation.
"What the hell happened here Une? I thought we had a bead on everyone who had
a grudge on the Sanct Kingdom and the new peace." Sally listened to the phone nodding
for a few seconds. "But how the hell did we not see a few hundred mobile suits!? Even
if they where stashed in space before the attack we couldn't have missed that many in
one spot!"
"This couldn't have happened could it......" said Relena suddenly. Everyone
who wasn't at the car turned as the leader of the Sanct Kingdom suddenly half
ducked/fell off of the bench. Her eyes had a glazed look that some people in shock
have. Duo, Heero and Hilde knelt down besides her holding her stead so she wouldn't
fall over again, while also causing enough of a stir to get the attention of the
group at the car.
"Is Miss. Relena alright?" yelled Dorothy running over to Relena. Catherine
and Quatre fell in beside her moments later. Sally looked worried from the car, but
stayed on the line awhile monger. She was no longer yelling.
"Here give her this." Said Zechs handing Heero a small Styrofoam cup filled
with water. Heero took note that Zechs had given him the cup with his right hand and
that it was also scraped.
"Here, Relena, drink this." Said Heero handing her the cup. A shaking hand
grabbed the cup and she took a sip only to cough up the water a second later. Duo
patted her on the back until she was finished and she took another sip.
"T-t-thanks..." Relena handed the cup back to Heero. She coughed again.
"I'll take her to her hotel room." Said Noin tapping Duo on the shoulder. He
moved out of the way so that she could sit down next to Relena. "Can you walk?"
"Y-yea- yes I think so." Said Relena. Both Noin and Heero helped her stand
by bracing her.
"Here take these." Said Quatre putting a set of keys into her hands. "I
don't think that she should go back to the hotel after the attack. She'll be safer
at my place."
"Thanks Quatre." Said Noin. Both her and Heero helped Relena into a blue car
that was parked on the nearby road.