Perfection Breakdown-by masamune
Part 4- Trust
The metal restraints went tightly over Wufei's wrists. It had taken 8 guards to finally pin down and carry the battle-hardened Chinese man into the medical room. But at least he'd given a few of the goons a shot or two that they'd feel in the morning.
/Doesn't matter much now/ Wufei thought grimly as gloved hands took a small clamp and braced it around his arms, the cold steel plating sending a shiver up Wufei's spine. /Torture is the coward's way to discover the enemy's plans. But I won't tell anything to them/
"Ready to start?" a deep, brooding voice came from the right side of the room.
Wufei turned his head, because he couldn't move any other part of his body, and saw a short, mustachioed OZ officer working feverishly over a control panel. A slight buzz from the monitors and a soft mechanical whir from a machine behind him made Wufei tense up. There was no honor in any of this process.
"Name's Ocelot," the mustachioed soldier turned and bowed mockingly. "And you my dear, brave, freedom fighter, are about to have your will completely broken."
Before Wufei could spit out his angry retort it was lost admitted a torrid flood of pain as the short OZ officer pushed a button on the console. A sharp bolt of pain attacked, beginning at Wufei's wrists and surging through all of his body, the pain tremendous to behold. He cried out, despite his hardest intentions not to. Wufei's mind quickly began to work to take focus away from the pain, lest he betray any secrets.
It must have only been a moment but the pain and mental struggle just to stay conscious was huge. The middle age officer smiled, enjoying inflicting pain on Wufei. He pressed another button and the electrical current stopped. Wufei's head slumped forward suddenly and his mind cleared.
/Gods! I can't tell them anything. I won't divulge any secrets to the enemy/
"How was that for starters?" Ocelot asked, a twisted grin forming on his face. "Don't worry boy. I'll make sure you breakdown. Nobody can hold out forever."
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Trowa slept on his side, or more accurately tried to sleep. The silent pilot of Gundam Heavyarms turned away from the quiet silhouetted form of Heero Yuy. Neither slept Heero more from his fear of the nightmares that would attack him the second he drifted off, Trowa…for some different, strange reason.
/He's so well built and handsome/ the thought snaked into Trowa's mind, every sense of reason and right trying to stop it. It wasn't right to have such feelings toward another guy was it? Most certainly not a fellow pilot.
"Trowa," Heero's voice came soft and calm, with only the slightest bit of sleepiness behind it.
Trowa sucked in his breath for a second, not sure whether to breath or speak first. Then he whispered back, although there was no real need to whisper, "What is it Heero?" He tried to make his voice sound dead and calm, but the still night air seemed to take down the masquerade and show his words as true feelings of concern and sincerity.
"Do you think I'm a monster Trowa?" The thought was expressed in the utmost sincerity and Trowa rolled over to face the depressed Wing pilot. Heero's eyes convened the sense of opening and vulnerability.
Trowa propped his head up an his arm and said softly, taking his hand and bringing up to caress Heero's cheek, only stopping inches away and decided better of it.
"Heero I've never met anyone in my life like you," Trowa responded, his voice cool and measured. "When I first met you I wanted to be more like you, you really had that large of an effect on me."
"Why would you want to be like me?" Heero asked, scorn and doubt stained his question and sent a shiver through Trowa's thoughts. "Why would you want to be a heartless killer like me? A killer of children and innocents. I might as well not have a heart, it doesn't do anything. I'm a shell of a man. I feel so dead inside that sometimes I just want to end it all. All I'm good for is killing."
/It's not fair/ Trowa thought, listening to Heero. /Heero never had a chance to live a normal life, a happy life. He's always been raised for war, like me. Everyone he's ever known just wants him for his power; they don't care about him. And it's those same bastards that break him down and hurt his heart every chance they get/
/And even through all that he's become such an incredible person that I think I'm falling in love with him/
/Comb, comb. Make sure you get all the knots out. Straighten the bangs on the right. Better. Damn this side's a mess. Comb more/
Such was Maxim's train of thought as he stood in his dormitory staring intently into the mirror. On the bed closest to him lay Duo, curled up and sleeping soundly. But Maxim had forgotten about Duo almost a full half-hour ago when he'd began his regular morning routine.
Clean bathroom, make sure everything's in place, and take a shower, wash hair, brush hair out. The tall OZ soldier religiously kept this morning routine, always focusing all of his energy to the task at hand. Staying clean and keeping his room in complete order was almost a necessity to him. He washed sometimes four times a day, sometimes even if he didn't need to. It was as if his very life and soul depended on his body and room being perfect and spotless.
In short, habits die hard.
A knock came at his door, behind him and a person entered. Thinking it was his friend Justin Maxim turned around, a slight smile on his face even thought he was annoyed that his morning routine had been upset. When he saw who his unexpected visitor was however, his smile melted away quickly replaced by the stoic, lack of emotion that normally occupied him.
"What brings you here Ocelot?" Maxim asked, keeping his voice calm although his fiery red eyes betrayed him and showed his dislike for this cruel man.
"Business, dear Sergeant," Ocelot replied crisply, taking a step into the small dorm. He hadn't taken his boots off and upon seeing the small stain they left in the white carpet Maxim winced and internally vowed to make Ocelot pay for this obvious act of disrespect.
"If you don't know I'm interrogating 05, the one called Chang Wufei that was captured this past weekend," Ocelot's voice was always deep although he barely reached Maxim's shoulders. "I had my first "session" with him early this morning and I must say he's stronger then I'd imagine just a boy could be."
"Don't waste my time with this bullshit Ocelot," Maxim said coldly, his distaste for torture showing. "What do you really want?"
/Him and his disgusting love of torture/ Maxim thought. /It's disgusting the way some take advantage of people in a weaker position then they. Torture is almost as horrible as those new mobile doll prototypes/
"To the point as always," Ocelot sighed and stroked his long mustache. "Since you've been assigned to interrogate the other prisoner 02 I was wondering why in the world you'd ask to be put on Special Assignment to him."
"I've received consent from Treize," Maxim snapped back. "It doesn't matter what my reasons are but I'm on Special Assignment to him now and that's that."
"You do know that Special Assignment was originally created so certain officers could ensure the safety of certain loved ones that were in jail," Ocelot's voice had a small twist. The mustached tormentor loved putting others in an uncomfortable place, whether in the interrogation room or not. "So it only struck me as odd because…" Ocelot's brooding voice fell away as he spied Duo laying curled up on the bed near Maxim, fast asleep.
Maxim took a step up towards the madman, thoroughly upset by the mad glitter that had just flown through Ocelot's eyes. Ocelot however made no move and after almost a full minute of looking at Duo glanced back at Maxim, as if surprised to find him still there waiting.
"My, he doesn't even look 15," Ocelot noted with a devious smile. "Why don't you let me have one or two "sessions" with him ne? I'm sure I'll be able to snap his will in no time."
Maxim spat something he only did if he was immensely upset. But he kept his face steady and even though his eyes burned red with an intensity that even reached Ocelot he managed to keep his voice steady.
"As you said I'm on Special Assignment to him," his voice was dead, a machine's could have replaced it, almost, and this was the way he should act. "And he'll remain in MY care until I think it better otherwise. But I thank you for your time Sergeant, good day." And with that swift closing Maxim basically pushed the stout middle aged man out of his dorm and shut the door, just a bit too hard.
Maxim gazed around his room again. His hair was a mess, dirt on the floor, his own spit. Shit, he'd need to clean the floor today, and then take another shower. Then a rustling from the bed snapped him back into action. Duo sat up straight and looked at Maxim, his hair also disheveled but his face showing no signs of weariness.
"How long have you been awake?" Maxim asked coldly, upset at himself for not noticing Duo's feint. He'd probably heard the whole conversation with Ocelot.
"Since before you got out of the shower," Duo replied, his voice also calm. The Deathscythe pilot yawned loudly and stretched his limbs, lifting his shirt just slightly, to reveal his belly button. Then he swung his legs around and dangled them off the small bed and looked up at Maxim.
"So, what's this Special Assignment stuff mean?"
"Quatre-sama! We've gotten word that Auda and Abdul have made it into the OZ base."
Quatre turned away from the waning twilight, facing Rashid. The sun glittered down on the small valley they were in, reflected back sharply by the gleaming figures of the Maganac Corps and Gundam Sandrock. Quatre was dressed in long trousers and a green T-shirt, covered by a khaki vest. It had been hard since they had managed to escape from their safehouse, making sure to blow the place up so OZ couldn't make any use of it.
"Any word from Trowa?" Quatre's voice was calm and restrained but unable to hide the wisp of emotion and angst that always seemed to accompany Trowa's name.
"Iie Quatre-sama, gomen nasai," Rashid's deep voice echoed faintly across the canyon walls that surrounded them.
Quatre turned away sullenly and faced the failing sunlight, disappearing rapidly over the hills to the west. "How many prisoners do they confirm from Saturday's attack?"
"They've only been able to check half the database but they've only found two new prisoners."
/Trowa…where are you? You haven't contacted us and it's almost been a week. Are you captured? Are you safe? If anything's happened to you I'll…/
"Quatre-sama?"
"Huh? Nani?" Quatre's concentration broke as Rashid gently placed a large hand on the Winner heir's shoulder.
"We'll find them. Don't worry about it."
"How long were you awake?"
"Since you got out of the shower," Duo turned to him but Maxim looked away, unable to make eye contact with the young prisoner. He'd heard the whole conversation about 05 and the torture. "But I finally learned your name though. You've never told me it I just realized. Maxim…got a nice ring to it, of course it's nothing compared to oh, well, say Duo perhaps but it's still cool."
"You don't need to babble bullshit," Maxim's voice was hard and cold. "I can tell you're worried about your comrade, there's no need to ramble on and try to make me think you're perfectly happy."
"That man," Duo said, a shiver sent down his spine from the remembrance of Ocelot's curved, wicked grin. "What will he do with Wufei?"
/And what will you do with me?/ Duo couldn't help but wonder.
"He's Sergeant Servanis Ocelot," Maxim said, interrupted by a quick cough. "He was a full Major once but he was caught for doing some pretty unsavory things to POW's in Zanzibar. He barely missed begin court-martialed but was demoted permanently to Sergeant. He specializes in interrogation, but it's really cruel and heartless torture."
"Can you do anything to help Wufei?"
"My hands are tied. I'm the same rank as him and although I can override anything he does towards you, because of Special Assignment, I still can't do anything with his interrogation process. You'd better hope that this 05 is one tough kid."
/Wufei's tough…but that bastard will torment him just for kicks even if he can't get answers. But I'm sure MY torture will be strictly business right Mr. OZ-Sniper-Perfect Soldier-Maxim?/
All remained quiet in the small dorm room for a moment, and then Duo asked, "Aren't you supposed to be in the same position to me as he is to Wufei? Interrogator? What are you going to do with me?"
Duo's voice was distant and dispassionate, only barely coated in hints of fear. He realized now that he was totally at the mercy of this young OZ officer who he'd barely met a few days ago. Maxim walked over and sat down on the bed next to Duo, who scooted away just slightly, suddenly not wanting to be too close to the sullen OZ sniper. Maxim opened his mouth to speak but Duo quickly silenced him.
/Or are you going to try to rape me and keep me as a sex slave? Is that your fucked up idea? No…you're too fucking professional and cold to do that/ Duo thought coldly to himself, his lower lip quivering as he felt himself ready to burst. He couldn't hold back his anger much longer. /All I am is a mission. You're just using me to get to the others. You're just using me…/
"I'm just some objective huh?" Duo's voice had lost its calm edge, he was now thoroughly open and upset. "You fucking OZ bastard! I almost came to trusting you!"
Several times Maxim began to speak but Duo cut him off everytime; rambling on, not caring that Maxim could easily throw him back in his cold jail cell to be at the mercy of the cruel guards.
/Why am I so angry with him? I barely even know the guy! Why should I care about my relationship with an enemy so much?/
"You were probably just taking the friendly approach!" Duo shouted. "Just act nice and I'll gush all my fucking secrets and tell you every fucking thing you want to hear! Is that right? Well…"
Suddenly Maxim's arm snapped out and he placed a strong hand over Duo's mouth, startling Duo and cutting off his oxygen for just a second. Then he brought his hand away and took a firm grip on Duo's face and forced the Deathscythe pilot's head to turn to him, their eyes meeting with a spark of energy.
"Now you listen to me," Maxim whispered, his voice undeterminable but definitely keeping it's strong, serious tone. "I don't like people yelling and I don't like people jumping to conclusions." His voice was almost a hiss as his eyes burned deeply into Duo's, the eerie red aura seeming to bore into Duo's violet depths and search for something. "If you'll calm down and listen to me then I'll tell you exactly why I requested to be Specially Assigned to you."
Silence filled the room where angry shouts and accusations still echoed off the walls.
"Ever since you Gundam pilots started fighting I've been awed by you. I've always held you pilots in high regard and I was actually very happy when we learned of your mission here. I shot you, and helped capture 05. But when I was supposed to interrogate you I found that among other things, my respect got in the way. I couldn't bring myself to torture you, not even properly interrogate you."
"Commander Treize and Romafeller are basically satisfied with just the capture of you two pilots. I don't really need to interrogate you, in fact I could have asked permission to work elsewhere and you'd just be left in the prison until you faced trial, probably years later."
Maxim faltered and the burning glow in his red eyes dwindled, leaving instead a genuine look of concern and jumbled emotions. Duo found himself holding his breath; his anger long fizzled away.
"But I became aware of what the guards might do to you, or what Ocelot might do to you," Maxim continued, suppressing a cough. "So I asked to go on Special Assignment to you. This way I could personally guarantee your safety. And there were other factors too…but that doesn't matter really."
Again, stillness and silence resounded through the dorm. It was almost as bad as a piercing scream to Duo. Maxim's speech had been powerful and had taken away the anger and fear that Duo had felt after hearing Ocelot's conversation with the tall sniper. But the braided pilot turned his back on Maxim and replied his voice barely above a whisper.
"How do I know you're telling the truth? How can I possibly trust you?"
/People've turned on me before. People've hurt me before just to get kicks and better themselves. Why not again? Why not now? Could you possibly be different?/
Again the silence and then Maxim reached out towards Duo again and turned him around to face him, but this time his touch was much gentler, almost as if Maxim was afraid of hurting Duo. For an eternity and a few instants their faces were less then inches away, each feeling the warm heat that the other gave off. Their eyes locked and both were encased in silence for minutes.
Duo couldn't pull himself out of the solemn red eyes. There they were, open, vulnerable, willing to show Duo everything that had been part of the past and every last feeling felt by Maxim. Saddened past, hard solid training, cold professional habits and soldiering.
And wonder. Respect and the feeling of responsibility for Duo, for him. Caring, the will to protect him come Hell and high water. There was caring and still, burning deeply in the pupils the shadow of an emotion that Duo racked his brain to find a word to match.
/Love?/
-end part 4-
Feedback is welcome. Please send C&C to MasamuneEHS@hotmail.com