The shuttle landed easily but the passengers on board found no solace in that. They all stared at Relena in a mixture of confusion and harrowing certainty. A dial tone-like sound entered the cabin of the plane, followed by a voice.
"This is your captain speaking. We have just arrived at the Ottoman Base landing strip. Please exit the shuttle to the left and thank you for flying with us."
They stood lethargically and numbly each passenger exited.
Relena remained on board, watching them go. Heero paused before he left.
"So you're going to give yourself to him, just like that?"
"Just like that," she confirmed resolutely. Heero shook his head and looked down.
"For one pathetic person?"
"What makes me more important than her?"
"What makes her more important than you?" Heero countered. He looked back up at her, his face a mask of seriousness. His eyes portrayed something else, but he allowed her no time to ponder that. Quickly, he looked away. "What if he kills you? Would you like that?" Relena sighed and smiled softly.
"Isn't that what you always wanted?" He turned back to her. Opening his mouth he began to speak, but found he couldn't form the words. "Heero, I deserve this fate and Une deserves her freedom. Go save her and leave me be. I'll be fine, I can take care of myself."
"You really believe that?" The Prussian pupils were a mimicry of sadness. Relena wanted to cry out her unhappiness. Instead, she clenched her fists and raised up her head. Squaring her shoulders, she replied.
"Yes, I do."
Heero needed no more explanation.
****
"Perfect!" The man watched as the last passenger left the shuttle. His lips formed a grin as he lowered the binoculars from his red eyes. Turning his head around he called to his subordinate. "Attack."
Such simple words for such a devastating outcome.
****
Heero joined up with the others. The group had formed at the base of the shuttle. They looked at one another in silence. Then, as a one, all heads turned to the ruined Ottoman Base. It was a disaster.
Rubble and shrapnel interlocked and wrapped about a dilapidated structure. Just barely could the formation of the old base be made out. Huge pieces of concrete littered the ground, making it look like a horrific sand castle. Wooden pilings were disarrayed around the base like toothpicks.
By the look of it, it was hard to tell that this place had once been a Preventor's Base.
They walked to it slowly.
"So, she's staying on the shuttle?" Duo was the first to speak, turning his attention to a brooding Heero. He nodded in affirmation. Duo shook his head and sighed. "It's just not right. I mean, I like Une and all, don't get me wrong. But to trade her for the Vice Foreign Minister and Symbol of Peace for all Earth? That's nuts."
"I must say, I agree with Duo," Trowa interjected. "This bargain was not well made. To exchange such a high positioned leader with one less in standing... It's not logical."
"It's the right thing to do." This from Noin. "As the man said in that conversation Relena recorded, she IS the Symbol of Peace. This sacrifice is completely justified by Relena's standards."
"I'm not willing to lose my sister because a mad terrorist has a hostage!" Zechs stated. "I won't let her do this."
"You must," Heero said. Everyone paused with his words. He sighed and kicked a rock that was in his way. It skipped carelessly over the gravel of stones they stepped over.
"Why must I?" Zechs asked seriously. Heero looked up.
"Because, that's what she wants."
****
"Miss Relena."
"Mai, is that your real name?" The girl laughed aloud and shook her head.
"I just knew you'd figure me out! You're smart, just like women should be!" The raven haired beauty flipped her head over. With a tug she removed the long black wig that had crowned her head. When she stood back up, her true color was presented.
Aqua blue swept back from her face in a mass of curly tendrils. Mai reached up and peeled away her fake eyebrows. The real ones were blue as well. She smiled and laughed.
"Thank Kami! That thing was driving me mad!"
"So," Relena said.
"So?"
"So, what's your real name?" Mai smiled and revealed a set of perfect white teeth.
"Kay." Relena nodded. Putting out one hand, she grasped the other girl's hand in a firm shake.
"Nice to meet you Kay, I'm Relena Peacecraft." Kay winked and giggled.
"Not for long!" Relena bowed her head in submission.
Let it begin.
****
Author's Note: Sorry this took so long to update! My bad, really my absolute worst! Heheh, hope you like... I have so many amazingly perfect plans for this peace now! I'm gonna make it so much better than it originally was and it's all thanx to Hailey! Alrighty then, much luv to everyone, specially those who review!
That is all
~JZero
