Just One of THOSE Days…
The five Gundam pilots were gathered in a conveniently-placed safe house on Earth given to them by the author. They weren't complaining, though, and were enjoying their precious free time. Wufei was practicing with his katana, doing a deadly dance in the middle of the room. Quatre and Trowa were reading in a corner of the room- that is, Trowa was reading. Quatre's book had long since fallen to his lap as he stared out the window at the bright summer's day. Duo had somehow acquired a Game Boy, and he appeared to be playing a fighting game from the advice he kept yelling to the characters on the screen. All in all, a peaceful (if somewhat cliché) day.
Heero was plugged into the laptop, doing as he always did. Suddenly a message popped up, blinking the "urgent" warning that came with new missions. Heero swore quietly and closed his Minesweeper game (where else did you think they learned battle tactics?). "Guys, we have a new mission that requires all five of us."
Wufei dropped his stance and walked over to Heero. He scanned the brief statement. "We'd better hurry," he commented.
"Mission accepted," was Heero's only reply. Those two words, however, were a call to action for the rest of the pilots. Duo bounced to his feet and tossed his game over his shoulder carelessly (though not so carelessly that it missed the sofa cushion). Trowa and Quatre stood up, books falling to the floor, forgotten in their hurry. Wufei sheathed his katana and Heero shut down the laptop. Almost instantly the safe house was empty and five boys were running toward the edge of a nearby forest.
Several camouflage nets were hurriedly pulled away, and five shining metal bodies were revealed underneath. Together they seemed to give off a promise of both death and hope, intertwined so intricately, so delicately, that no one would be able to undo the knot they wove. And for that matter, was there even a difference to some?
The boys had no time for such speculations today. Five hatches opened and the pilots climbed inside, ready to rush off. The air was suddenly filled with the noise of Gundams starting up, and four of the machines soon righted themselves. Four Gundams shot off into the air, ready to go where they were needed. Four of them. Gundam Deathscythe remained lying down, silent and at rest, glittering in the sun. The light that usually glowed in its eyes was dark, and it looked for all the world like a corpse. The other four hesitated once they noticed that the last member of their party was on the ground. Normally they would have taken off and left him to catch up, but they had no time for delays on this mission.
"Duo? Is everything alright?" came Quatre's worried voice over the intercom. The Deathscythe's video screen would not come on and all they could hear from it were muffled bangs and curses which were not coming from the intercom- they must be very loud indeed, Quatre mused idly.
"Maxwell! What are you doing in there? Whatever it is, we don't have time! Just get going!" Wufei called impatiently. The Gundams continued to hover overhead, all of the pilots getting more annoyed and more worried every minute.
Finally, the Deathscythe's hatch came open and Duo climbed out, wearing an embarrassed grin and rubbing the back of his head with one hand. "Uh guys? I can't seem to find my keys…"
~Owari
Disclaimer/Author's Notes: Usually at the top, but to avoid spoilers I thought it might be good to put them here. ^_^ Yay for coherent thought! Anyway, I fully realize that the Gundams don't have keys. Wouldn't it be funny if they did? If you're curious as to how Duo got into the Gundam without his keys… you're giving this more thought than it deserves. ^_^ I think we all know the routine – I own absolutely no part of Gundam Wing except a few bits of merchandise. If it's for sale, however… I have dibs on Deathscythe!:
