Gundam Gear Solid

Gundam Gear Solid

Quincy007

***When we last left out intrepid hero was contemplating the fact that he had no sidekick, but that shall be remedied by the end of the this edition. He is now at the Sanq/Sanc however I spell it Kingdom looking for his beloved.***

The Sanq Kingdom is my home country. I've done lots of shit for this place so I can call my hometown free. I first flew the Tallgeese-the original over these shores. Those were the days. The old castle where I grew up for my younger years was being restored and made into a historical site. Just because it's a castle doesn't make it technologically defunct though. The best place to try to find Yuy's secret subbasement would be the central elevator shaft. Nobody gives me a second glance as I walk into these hallowed halls of a long reigning monarchy with a proud history of pacifism.

I once felt I had too much blood on my hands to rule the nation. After some research I realized my father was the only ruler of the Peacecraft line to have never taken a life. While it set a huge example for me, I was just to drawn to the combat sports, fencing and such. Before the nation fell I was learning three types of martial arts. I gave up on that to learn Mobile Suits as I entered my teen years. At Lake Victoria I learned how to fight with my hands again, but it never felt right.

Sometimes I worry about Relena and if she ever shows a tendency towards violence like I did. Aside from a few incidents, like when she shot at Lady Une, she was the most peaceful Peacecraft in generations. My father was a great man, but he had the pride a King has, which sometimes he shouldn't.

The floor of the central elevator shaft was covered in ages of dust and debris. Feeling somewhat like an adventurer or a tomb raider I inspected all the corners and panels, coming up with not much. The only seam I found was in the front of the shaft, but it lead to the walls and not very secret passage like. I crawled out of the dingy old shaft and tried the elevator itself.

Not much was standing out but it was an 8x8 box what did I expect? The buttons were all in order and the emergency phone…why is there an emergency phone and an intercom system?

"Bingo"

The phone hatch revealed a keyhole labled MD level. Not wanting to deal with tracking down a key I took out the multipurpose tool Maxwell gave me on my birthday, the boy had odd gift ideas but, it comes in handy on occasion. More so than those ties Relena insists on giving me. Ugh. Polka dots? I swear she is high when she is shopping. Concentrate. Task at hand. Task at hand. Okay.

I saw it in a movie once and I really didn't expect it to work, but I was in a hurry. I took the pliers and jabbed the keyhole twisted and was a little surprised to hear the car brakes engage, but feel the car move. Of course! The entire shaft moves up and down for this one level. Ingenious. Why would something like this be hidden? That feeling of dread. Maybe I should have gone with the list first.

The doors opened with that suspenseful creak you see in movies all the time. It's amazing how clichéd the world is real life. After being shut down for so many years you expect a dungeon level room in a castle would be dusty. This room was sickingly sterile. No dust, no cobwebs, nothing. It creeped me out. The lighting count is creeped out by a lack of spider webs. I need to stop and reevaluate what creeps me out. This is silly.

I walk up to an old monitor, of course its old. Wait, it isn't. Wufei threw one like this out of his second story window last month. "Now that is weird."

I press random buttons until I hit the power switch. The screen displays log on info and the seal in the back says Sanq Kingdom Medical Research Facility A. I try a few log on names to no avail, and the system starts to help me. I hate the help systems on computers-makes me feel inadequate. Have I forgotten my password: [Yes]. Do I need to be reissued a log in name? [Yes]. My name? This was built before my time so I doubt my name would register. I try the name of the family doctor, Mark Vergsuve. I'm good at guessing it appears because I get a nice screen of three menus. R&D, Updates, and Project info. So user friendly I loathe it. I check on Updates.

The screen fades to black as it loads up a report.

"Project leader Mark Vergsuve reporting the final update on the progress of project 'perfect pacifist' In our attempts to make a better ruler for the nation, we have played God, and made two specimens." The voice of the family doctor filled the tiny speaker, "The genes we isolated are solid proof that militaristic actions are influenced by the gene pool. We attempted to isolate and remove the genes to keep them from spreading into the next generation. We succeeded and failed at the same time. We created twin brothers, except for one detail. One has the platinum hair of the good king and the other has hair black as night. The fair-haired one was named Millardo, and the raven-haired one is named Zechs. All of our hopes are reached in Millardo, who shows all the genes of a good ruler. Zechs however is not faring so well. I wish to study them further, but based on these reports I suggest we move Millardo to a healthier setting."

I had to hear it three times before I could understand. I'm a test tube baby? An enhanced one at that? No. It cannot be. No. I have to do some research on this. I play with the computer almost forgetting Noin. That made me feel bad later on I'll tell you though.

Father didn't want a repeat of the mess my grandfather made, my grandfather was a horrible pacifist. So when my father took over he made it a point to stop the negative genes from spreading. He tried to screen them out. And he got two. One good--me, and one evil, Zechs. The irony is not amusing. But since I turned out how I did the experiment failed. Or they screwed up and Zechs is a serious pacifist. Ah doesn't make sense. I wish Noin was here. I need to find her.

The Research menu helped me a bit. I read up on the ideas and got a display of the perfect gene strain they wished to create. I pressed print. I dug up the picture of the evil strain and printed that out too. I might need these someday. I picked up the sheets folding them carefully and placing them in my trench coat pocket. I heard several noises. Voices. Three. Gruff. Thugs. I didn't fear thugs I was Millardo Peacecraft. That and I have a gun in my pocket.

The leader of the bunch, a lanky man with a beard looked right at me. "Boss, why did'ja dye your hair, old Bubba was just now getting to recognize ya."

The man he gestured to was a tall pack of muscle that apparently crimped off the blood to his brain. No challenge.

The third looked like a young leader guy. A miniature version of him. Maybe a son? I really didn't care. "Perhaps you would like to tell me why you came here."

Leader guy snorted, "You said you would pay us for 'napping dat woman. Today."

"Really. To which woman do you refer to?"

"Uh…dat purdy dark haired one. The newest one, just two days ago."

"Noin?"

"You might have said something like that."

"I see. Well, I'm not your boss, so I'm not going to pay you."

"You look like him."

I walked right up to this poor schmuck. "Did you hurt her?"

"Uh…beg your pardon?"

I picked him by his collar, "Did you hurt her?"

"No. you…he said that very clearly…Bubba!"

I changed my grip to one handed around his neck I grabbed the small pistol I brought and shot poor Bubba in the head. No remorse. This is why I'm a terrible pacifist. "Don't talk to Bubba. Talk to me. Now where did you take her?"

"She was right here. This is were we pick up orders and drop off."

I was seriously pissed. These were the bastards who kidnapped Noin. Now I knew two things. She was alive, and that there was a criminal mastermind. Probably Zechs if this world is as clichéd as I think it is. "I told myself that I was going to kill whoever kidnapped Noin. Now can you give me ten good reasons in three seconds as to why I shouldn't without using the letter e?"

Sometimes I'm so evil I should be the bad guy. Maybe I'm a sadist. The short one lunged for my gun. I kicked him in the head. I heard a crack, not sure what did, but that boy never did get up. Leader guy here, I shot his face. I don't think I would kill for Relena, so maybe I'm a bit more protective of Noin. Who knows? She was here or still might be so I need to look around.

The facility level was neatly organized. No twists and turns just straightforward design. I left the research room as I dubbed it and was in a neat hall. Three doors on each side of the hall. Six rooms. The markings were self-explanatory. Growth, Creation, testing on the left and Bunks, kitchenette, and holding cells on the right. I went straight to holding cells.

A dank cement room, finally fitting my mind's picture of what this facility should be like. This room was so not sterile it sickened me. I could see lots of footprints in the dust. This area had been used recently. The last cell was left hanging open. I'm not stupid of course, so I grabbed a chair at from the desk in the front and propped the door open. I've seen to many movies and then had actual bad guys try to trap me like that. Inside the cell I saw several indications that I was going to kill whoever did this to my Noin. Ahh, to Noin. Maybe I am a little over protective and/or possessive.

The first thing I went for was her coat. A preventer issue Trench coat like mine was laid on the mattress I checked the pockets Wallet, scraps of paper, receipts, and a pen. I dug through her wallet; while it may not be relevant I'm nosey that way. Small bills, that's sensible. Preventer ID, Driver's license, credit cards. Yadda yadda. A picture of me? Wow. I stood there and stared at that picture a long time. To admit something I have a picture of Noin in my wallet I just never expected her to do something like that. Heh. I put that in my pocket, no need to leave it here. The scraps of paper weren't written on. I wonder why? Not enough time? Forgot about the pen? Maybe there is something I'm missing there. The receipts look odd. Its actually a hand written bill that you get from diners and such. Only it's in her handwriting. Bingo. Noin has about ten different books on ciphers it's a hobby/pastime with her. This could be code. Now, I have some clues. I'll look around for signs of the captor. If it is this Zechs person he is probably just as retentive about things as I am.

I grabbed everything of Noin's I could find. Praying for clues. The bunkrooms are clean, but disorganized. I see an old OZ uniform, much like the one I used to fancy. On a nightstand I find pictures of Relena and Noin. This guy is a psychotic. Maybe aiming to take over the life he feels he was cheated out of. I need a location. Where did he go? Aside from pictures there isn't much else.

No Journal, No diary, no written plans of world domination. I hate people who have the big picture in their head.

I need to get this code cracked. Before I go I grab all the stuff he has on Relena and Noin. This guy is scary. Like me. Heh. I leave the subbasement reaching for my portable phone.

"What?" asks Heero Yuy.

"This is going to sound weird, but don't let me or anyone who could possibly resemble me take the Tallgeese or get near Relena."

"What are you talking about Zechs?"

"I have a doppelganger. He looks like me in every way except he has jet black hair. This is the hoot. His name is Zechs."

"And you are?"

"Millardo. Trust me. I don't plan on coming back to the gundam hanger for a awhile. Just keep me away."

"What happens when you need the Tallgeese and I don't let you in?"

"I don't know. I probably won't need it, and if I need a mobile suit I'll steal a preventer one or something."

"Right. Keep Zechs away from the Tallgeese and his sister. You sure? How do I know when to let you back near her?"

"I'll have a dead man who looks like me and Noin."

"Oh. Do you need back up?"

"No."

"Right."

I end the call, no good byes, why bother? I need to get back to Preventer HQ. Or Noin's Apartment.

*

I rode the bus from the airport. I hate public transportation. Anyway, Noin shares a house with Lady Une. I never did ask how that came about, but I really don't care. I get twenty feet from the door when I get a call. "Millardo. What?"

"Its Sally. Relena has been kidnapped. Somebody posed as you and then-"

"I get it. Did Heero show up ten seconds later with a big gun?"

"Yea, how did you know?"

"I told him not to let my doppelganger near her. He has it out for me. If Heero is still there have him go to Noin's place. That's were I'll be and I assume he wants to get her back."

"Right. Doppelganger?"

"I need a favor. I'm going to fax your office two sheets of genetic code. Could you compare them to my latest blood sample?"

"Why? And what is this about a doppelganger?"

"I have a very interesting past I'll tell you about later."

Lady Une retired from head of Preventers about a year ago, and I got promoted. Since the pension you get is pretty much dick, I guess she needed a roommate to pay the rent or something none of my business anyway.

I knocked on the door and entered. I seem to have a problem with waiting. Well, Wufei wasn't in here so I wasn't too worried.

"Who's there?"

"Millardo. I need to check out something."

"I heard that Noin was missing."

"Not for long."

"Right. The preventers are looking now too. And just now I'm told Relena has been kidnapped?"

"Somebody posing as me. Long story. I'll explain later. Heero might come by."

"Right. Its nice to see you too. Sorry you lost your job."

"I don't care. I can find another. Where did Noin keep her books?"

"Books as in reading or Accounting?"

"Reading."

"Library, down the hall left door."

As I walk down there I'm glad Lady Une knows me so well. I'm not big on the explanation part when I'm in a hurry. The library is right were she says it is and I quickly find the books I'm looking for.

"What are you doing?" She asks sitting down across from me.

"She wrote this in a cell. I know it's a cipher but I can't find it in the books"

"Oh, This is in a magazine. I remember this one. The numbers are your basic alpha numeric cipher and everything else is just show. The total and Tax is even fake."

"Right. So find the correct alignment of letters to numbers and--"

"You break the code."

Heero walked up quietly. I knew he was there, but I didn't say anything. He looked at the sheet and then at me. "Coded message?"

"Yea."

I was scribbling down all the combinations. So far I'm coming up with not much. Old wonder soldier spends two minutes and says "Its coordinates. They are spelled out though to throw off the captor should he search through this stuff."

"I hate you sometimes."

"Well get over it. Now, punch these into a GPS unit or something."

I snatch the piece of paper from him and give him my death stare. He looks unfazed but it's the best I can do. I enter the numbers onto a Global Positioning Satellite link up. "Shadow Ark Island in the Fox Archipelago in Alaska."

Lady looks at it, "An American facility is there, but it's too small to attack with mobile suits. A small infiltration team is best."

Heero look serious, his mission face, "How small?"

"I wouldn't risk more than two or three."

I have a grim expression on my face, "Two it is. Unless you don't want to come." I look at Heero questioningly.

"Mission Accepted."

I nod and tell him to get some stuff for such an infiltration. I hope he has knows what to bring because I don't. I'm a mobile suit pilot not an infantryman or some shit like that. We agree to meet at the airport in three hours. I look at Une and sigh, "I'm confused."

"You should. I suspect you are torn between emotions, not sure where you stand. You specifically are questioning your relationship with Noin."

I let my head hit the back of the chair I'm sitting in. "Does everybody have better idea on my relationship than I do?"

"Its almost like Heero and Relena. Everybody knows what should be happening, and are nudging in the right direction. You don't have a Duo Maxwell to help your love life though."

"He is an odd person to be the matchmaker for the group isn't he?"

"You need to pack. I suggest lots of guns and do something with your hair."

"Thanks."

I think about stopping at my apartment, but I decide against it. I check Noin's room for guns, of which she has a few. I borrow her CZ-75. A little shiny, but its accurate. My next step is to get a cab.

I stop at an Army Navy Surplus store and pick up a solid black jumpsuit. Several utility pouches and box of bullets and clips. I should shop here more often. A quick side stop at Maxwell's house. That was an interesting conversation. I had something against cutting my hair, so sue me. I had Duo braid it. Hell I figure he has the most experience keeping his hair together in a battle.

"Do I want to know why?" he asked

"Even if I told you, I would need to explain it."

"It has to do with Noin doesn't it? You are going to pull a rescue mission for her aren't you?"

"Yes. Don't worry about it. I can take care of myself, and I'm taking Yuy with me."

"Good luck."