DISCLAIMER: I do not own Gundam Wing, which is a wonderful show, nor the song "Duck and Run" by Three Doors Down, which is an awesome song. Duck and Run. However, I do own Kumi Yuy and Sette Devion!
Gundam Wing: The Second Chapter
Episode 27: Longing For Home
by SkyLark
with help from Snodin, Goat Girl, Sam, Stormy, Silver Star, Beekay, Ruby GREETER 600 and everyone that has left kind reviews with this saga
Narration (In Relena Peacecraft's Voice):
"What is the real definition of a home? Is it as much of a place as it is a person? Growing in a very wealthy family, I was never deprived of the things that I wanted. Because of this, I never learned the importance of the little things."
A large number of hunters with shot guns and hunting dogs stormed into the safe house where the Gunam pilots originally stayed, before they were attacked. Many of the rugged individuals went into the empty rooms that they found, looking under and in everything that they crossed. Knocking over mattresses and couches, everything had been torn apart and sniffed by the dogs and closely examined by the hunters.
"A nice, warm bed...a roof and four walls to feel safe in... It's not until these little things are lost when you learn how valuable they are... and how much you've taken them for granted prior to the time that they're taken from you...Even the people that I thought were my friends in school only sided with me because they knew my family was powerful and had everything...They never really cared about me, only what I might be able to do for them.
"I didn't help the situation since I was always looking to get what I could possess materially. (chuckles) I even went as far as to insist being driven in a pink limo wherever I went...(sighs deeply in relief) Thank God I've grown up since then."
Walking into the bedrooms, some of the men found blood all around the halls and floors there. Looking to the walls painted red, they carefully tried to learn what had happened to the pilots and their fellow bounty hunters. Following a long, thick trail of blood, they went down the stairs and to the basement of the large cabin.
"Thanks to a Gundam pilot named Heero Yuy, I learned that you can't always get what you want. I had to say good bye and let him on with his life without me constantly following him with my blind infatuation. Letting Heero go was the first step to finally maturing and seeing how naive I was all along...I also got to meet the man of my dreams. I wasn't head-over-heels in love with Brian when we first met, nor the first few weeks following our introductions...But I grew in love with him, and that's made our relationship stronger than anything that I've known."
The hunters made their way into the basement, taking note to the blood-covered walls and steps on the way down. When they reached the bottom, their eyes widened in shock and terror. Before them, the bodies of their thirteen friends that found the safe house first were lined side-by-side on the cold ground. Their weapons were taken from them along with any and ever provision that they brought to the cabin with them.
"Through Brian, I learned that it is not material possessions that take away the cold and lonely times, such as walking through the Virginia wilderness in January in the middle of a snowstorm. It's the people that you can truly call your family and friends that help you when life becomes almost intolerable...
"As for my friends, my fellow Gundam pilots, each of them has taught me more about life and what matters most through their everyday actions as I finally have a better understanding what a terrible life they must have had while fighting the first two wars and not truly having a place that they could call home...They're utterly amazing... "
The hunters went on to saturate every section of the house in gas and other lighter fluids. Once outside, they burnt the cabin to the ground with the bodies inside, looking to the flames with looks of rage that screamed for vengeance and answers. Together, they walked through the woods, after seeing the faintest trail of footprints that the snow had not covered yet.
"There must be a place where we can all call home together. The thought of making it out of this war without any one of my friends is too terrible to consider. They are as much my home as Brian, Milliardo, Noin and Mirando. It is with all of them that I'm home...And suddenly, the frigid winter air of Virginia in January isn't so cold...We will find a place that we can call home when this war ends...At least I hope and pray that we will."
(End Narration)
(Intro to 'I'm Already Here')
The snow was continuing to fall in the countryside and forests of Virginia as night was settling. Already a few inches high, the snow on the ground painted a clean, crisp and serene image. The Gundam pilots looked to the high hills and cliffs ahead of them that they needed to climb in order to reach the new safe house that they needed to find. All of them had some kind of backpack or duffle bag on them. Kumi lead the way, her comrades right behind her as they stayed close.
[To this world I'm unimportant just
Because I have nothing to give
So you call this your free country
Tell me why it cost so much to live]
The pilots were making their way through the snow, which was now past their ankles. Climbing the steep hills, they used the assistance of their friends to keep from slipping and hurting themselves on the rocky ground beneath the white blanket. Being the first pilot to reach the top of the first steep cliff, Kumi climbed up the tall tree that rested on the cliff's edge.
The wind was blowing her long ponytail as she stood a the edge of one of the tall branches, looking through a pair of night-vision binoculars. Looking in the part of the woods where she and her comrades just walked from, she saw several torches following them. With narrowed eyes, the pilot lowered the binoculars and climbed down from the tree. Motioning for the others to move, she walked moved on and picked up the pace. The others knew that there was a large number of bounty hunters following them and they needed to cover ground quickly.
[Tell me why
This world can turn me down
But I won't turn away, oh no
I won't turn around]
Dozens of bounty hunters made their way through the woods the next day, coming up short even with their dogs that tried to pick up the scent of the pilots. The snow that continued to fall covered the pilots' tracks and any signs that they were there. Frustrated and cold, the men and some women moved on through the woods with their guns and attack dogs ready.
Below them, the Gundam pilots rested for the day in a cave that they came across on their journey. Having to sleep in the day and move at night, they set a fire inside the hallow space and lied close to each other, bundled in their thick sleeping blankets and heavy. As the others slept, Kumi looked to the hand-drawn sketch of a map that she had drawn that would lead them all to the safe house.
Looking to Zes, she saw that the young queen was starting to shiver and used her own sleeping bag to cover the pilot. When she bundled Relena until she was apparently warm, the silver-haired pilot froze with a small look of amazement, taken back by her subtle sign of concern for her comrades.
Kumi's gaze then fell on to Trowa, who was sleeping soundly. Her eyes narrowed a bit, almost blaming him for the fact that she was letting some of her emotions guide her. Shaking her head, the 'Perfect Soldier' went back to her work. She looked to the stone ceiling of the cave as she heard snow mobiles and other machines move more bounty hunters through the miles of foliage.
[All my work and endless measures
Never seem to get me very far
Walk a mile just to move an inch
Now even though I'm trying so
Damn hard
I'm trying so hard]
Night falls again and the Gundam pilots make their way out of the cave that they slept in. Once outside, they begin to climb steep hills and cliffs again in their trip. On the way up one of the tall cliffs, they needed to use climbing ropes to make their way up what seemed to be a small mountain that rose almost twelve stories high.
When they reached the top, they were sure that they would see that they were close to reaching their destination. However, when they looked ahead from the edge of the high terrain, they could only see miles and miles of frozen wood, with no sign of the safe house anywhere near. Most of them gave disappointed, saddened glances while Trowa, Quatre, Wufei and Kumi led the way down the other side of the cliff, moving on with no time to stop.
[This world can turn me down but I
Won't turn away
And I won't duck and run, cause
I'm not built that way]
Before she used her rope to climb down that side of the small mountain, Sette heard several bounty hunters climbing up where they just rose from. The tomboy, Novem and Delapan sneered to each other as they turned their gazes to each other. Taking large knives and other cutting tools from their bags, the trio made their way to the lines the men were using to ascend the side of the cliff.
The hunters looked up with terrified eyes as they saw the pilots sneering to them, holding the blades at their ropes. At the same time, the three girls cut the wires and ropes, sending the handful of hunters to their death as they plummeted to the ground far blow. Together, the young woman smiled to one and other before going to climb down the other side of the cliff with their friends.
[When everything is gone there is
Nothing there to fear
This world cannot bring me down
No cause I'm already here, oh no!]
The Gundam pilot were working together as they set explosives onto a long, wooden bridge that they were to cross, which was resting over a deep, wide, running river of freezing water. The pilots worked quickly with the devices, rigging and tying them from the base to the highest poles of the overpass.
Leading the run across the way, Wufei made sure to wait until everyone of his friends were on the snow-covered ground safely. Looking to the bridge along with his comrades, the Chinese pilot pressed a small detonation device. Instantly, the entire passage way was engulfed in flames and smoke as the explosives were set off. Everything that had not been burned crashed into the river below.
[I am already here, down
On my knees
I am already here, on no, I am
Already here
I must have told you a thousand
Times I am not running away]
As a small army of hunters made their way to where the bridge once stood, they looked to a wide gap of almost two miles from the edge of land where they were standing to where the pilots made their way safely. The rugged men's faces grew red as they cursed and growled, turning back to find another way to cross the river safely.
[I won't duck and run
I won't duck and run
I won't duck and run
No I pass away]
Making their way up a steep hillside, the pilots made their way through a cover of evergreens to find the remains of a cabin that had been burnt to the ground. Looking to the spot where the wooden home once stood, the Gundams all searched for any sign of life, to see if anyone was injured that they might be able to help.
As Quatre looked up, his eyes widened as his face paled. The others saw his expression and looked up to where his eyes were focused. All of their eyes widened as they looked to what caught his attention. High in the trees, there were three bodies, hung there for display. Two of the bodies were of young men and the other was a young woman, the owners of the house apparently. In the blood of the victims, thick letters on a large sign read, 'Gundam Lovers'
[This world can turn me down but
I won't turn away
And I won't duck and run, cause
I'm not built that way]
Walking away from three grave that they had buried for the victims that they removed from the trees, the pilots continued on their mission to find the safe house. The wind and snow was making the journey difficult, but none of them seemed to make any sign that they were going to stop. After seeing those victims in the trees that had been killed for supporting each of them, their faces were even more determined than they had been when their travel began.
[When everything is gone there is
Nothing there to fear
This world cannot bring me down
No cause I'm already here]
Several bounty hunters managed to make their way through the woods with ease, using their snow mobiles and four-wheelers to move easily through the snow. As they passed a thick brush of trees, the man in the lead on his snowmobile was soon attacked as a caped Gundam pilot jumped onto the front of his vehicle and shot him on the head. Trowa took to his new snowmobile and the other hunters were ambushed much the same as their friend. The other pilots fell from other trees or shot them from the shadows. Unprepared and taken by surprise, all of the hunters of this party were killed.
[This world can turn me down, but
I won't turn away
And I won't duck and run,
Cause I'm not built that way]
There was yet another group of bounty hunters who arrived to the site where their friends were killed by the pilots just a few hours prior to this time. The bodies of the killed hunters were strung in the trees the same fashion that the small family in the woods had been after their murders. In the blood of the young men and women, a large sign read, 'Gundam Killers' in large letters written in the blood of the hung bodies.
[When everything is gone there
Is nothing there to fear
This world cannot
Bring me down
No cause I'm already here]
Using their opponents vehicles, the pilots wade their way through the snowdrifts with ease, staying close together. At times, they would take to blasting trees down to make obstacles for the hunters following them. Always moving, they saw that there were no safety precautions left unutilized. Before long, the sun was beginning to rise on the third day of their travels and they needed to search for a haven where they could stay until nightfall.
* * * * * *
The Gundam pilots has stopped for a moment to rest their legs on the fourth night of their traveling on foot to their new safe house. Sitting by a frozen lake, they had burnt a fire and the snow continued to fall, though it was slowing at this point. Sette and Kumi were the only pilots not sitting together near the flames.
In the woods a half-mile from the opening where the lake and pilots rested, the tomboy was sitting in a bare, thick branch as she looked to her friends. There was a shotgun resting in Sette's lap as she had her back resting against the trunk of the tree she was in. Her eyes were focused on the young queen and she sighed to herself deeply, "How am I supposed to act around you?"
From a few feet behind where she sat, Sette heard a monotone voice state suddenly, "So the truth came out." The ex-princess gasped sharply and jumped from her resting spot as she spun and aimed her gun into the shadows of the woods ahead of her. Kumi walked from the darkness and was hooded in her deep purple cape. Her leather jacket was protecting her bare arms underneath. The tomboy looked to her friend in shock and disbelief, slowly lowering her gun as the other pilot walked to her.
The flakes continued to fall and Kumi stood right before her comrade. Sette blinked and asked, "Y-you know who I am?" The stoic pilot answered as if she were a living dictionary, "Sette Devion, the daughter of Kuni Devion and the mother of Relena and Milliardo Peacecraft. Your birth was kept a secret to protect the namesakes of your parents. Your father took you from-" "Stop it," Sette hissed as she now glared to her partner in anger. Turning from her friend, the tomboy shook her head and growled deeply. Lowing her head, she sighed deeply and asked, "How long have you known?"
Kumi replied as she walked to stand beside the ex-princess. They were both looking to Relena now. "I found out not long after you and I met...I like knowing who I'm working with." Again, Sette turned to look to her comrade in shock and disbelief. She asked loudly, "Why the hell didn't you tell me?"
Turning to the pilot with an empty expression, the 'Perfect Soldier' replied, "Would you really have believed me?" Sette moved and opened her mouth to answer right away. But, before anything came out, she stopped and really thought of the question. With another sigh, she answered as she lowered her head, "No." "Hn," came the reply. The silver-haired pilot nodded, "That's why I didn't tell you."
Sette shrugged, "What am I supposed to do now?" Her partner questioned, "Don't you think that Relena and Milliardo deserve to know the truth?" The tomboy paused as her eyes saddened. "I-I don't think I can ever tell them I'm their half sister...I'm still getting used to that fact, myself." The other pilot shrugged, "It's your choice, not mine. But the truth always makes itself known somehow...I'll continue to keep your secret, but somehow, Relena and Milliardo will learn what we know...It's up to you as to whether they'll hear it from you or someone else." Sette remained silent, never looking back to the pilot beside her as she processed all of this.
Excalibur's pilot placed her hood back on and walked towards the campfire. Not turning back as she moved on, Kumi informed her partner, "I saw some torches coming in this direction. They're a good three miles off, but those bounty hunters know these woods better than all of us combined so we better get moving."
The stoic pilot disappeared into the darkness. Alone, the blue-haired tomboy bit her lip. "I wish that I had your twenty-four-hour courage," she whispered to her friend's back, which she could no longer see. Strapping her shotgun over her back, the ex-princess went to follow her friend to join the others.
When she rejoined the other pilots, Kumi looked to them and said simply, "We have to get going." Zes was the first to stand as she asked, "How far are the hunters?" The silver-haired pilot answered, "They're almost three miles off." Quate rose and nodded, "Well, better not to take any chances." His fiancee walked to the scene as he smiled warmly, "How are you feeling now, Sette?" The tomboy forced her usual smile and shrugged, "You know me, love. I'm always good." Kumi remained expressionless as she stated, "Let get moving." At this, she went to walk on ahead of them.
Delapan looked to Sette and asked, "Does she ever smile?" The tomboy shrugged, "Not often, from what I've seen. Even after working with her for seven years, she doesn't think of me as any more than a fellow pilot." Kumi stopped and turned to them, glaring with her cobalt eyes. She deadpanned sternly, "I'm not here to make friends. I'm here to help stop OZ. If you want to stay here and talk, then do so. Otherwise, let's go." Turning, she walked forward again. She didn't see the shocked, saddened faces of her comrades as she did so. Wufei chuckled and told the others, "I hate to agree with her, but she's right, we have to get moving." The others nodded and got their belongings and went off to catch up Kumi.
* * * * * *
Heero was hovering over the last base that he needed to take out and sneered at its image on his monitors in his Gumdam suit. Taking to his controls, the Wing pilot shot from the sky at great speed and shot through the roof of the massive foundation. Once inside, there was screaming and retaliation from the OZ soldiers within. The opponents shot at the winged suit with everything that they had, using every method to take out the pilot. Nothing was phasing the Wing pilot as he shot through the base, slicing throughout the suits and machinery that he came across.
In the ship that she and her son had been flying in, Sera was in the hanger, looking to a photograph that she removed from her pocket. The image was one of her when she was eighteen. In her arms, there was a baby wrapped in a white blanket. With an arm around her shoulders and kissing his son's head was Odin Lowe. Sera was smiling lovingly to her husband and their child, who had a bright smile on his own face in the shot.
Sera wiped a stray tear that rolled down her right cheek as she looked to the picture. It was the taken near to last time that she would see her son for twenty-two years. Still holding the small picture that she always carried on her, the brown-haired Preventer slowly walked to the cockpit. When she reached her seat, Makato turned on her monitor and looked to the images of the attack taking place on the base beneath. She watched in awe of Wing Zero shot through the site with ease and grace, never missing a target and leaving nothing spared.
Heero was stronger and braver than anyone she had come to know. Watching him, she caught her breath in wonder...lost in the dance that her son was leading. One more tear fell from her other eye as she looked to the images. "I'm so proud of you, Heero," she whispered to the image of Wing Zero, bringing her hand to the screen and torching it. After this mission, they would part for good.
Back in the base, Heero growled deeply and shouted as he took out a fleet of mobile suits with his Buster Riffle, before the OZ pilots could threaten him. Sweat pouring from his brow, the Japanese pilot looked to his monitors and thought to himself, "This is for Colony Y453." As these words left him, Heero took out a massive control unit with the Buster Riffle.
"For Foreign Minister Caffey," he continued, with more anger in his voice. At this, he cut the head off of a Leo, the pilot inside screaming in agony. "This is for Hilde and Ryan," he growled deeply as he killed two Virgo pilots by stabbing through their cockpits. The suits exploded before the winged Gundam, which shot off and fought more of the soldiers.
"For Colony L2," he said with venom in his voice as he used the Buster Riffle to take out large storage tanks of fuel and other explosives. The flames and smoke shot throughout the said of the base that he was at now. Flapping through the destruction, Wing Zero took out any of the suits that attempted to shoot it down. Heero blew through them like nothing, causing them to explode with a single swipe at each of them. Picking up even more speed, the 'Perfect Soldier' plowed through walls, floors and everything that the plant had to offer.
The OZ soldiers screamed and went after Heero with all of the rage and fight that they had in them. Most of the soldiers were so blinded in their attempt to take out the Gundam that all sense and reason left them. Heero's raged glance back at them would have been enough to make the toughest of soldiers think twice before approaching him. However, nothing made sense other than 'kill or be killed.'
Looking to an army of soldiers in Aires suits after shooting through the roof of the base, the Japanese pilot's eyes narrowed as far as they could as he hissed, "For causing my Duo pain." Without blinking, Heero took out every last suit with his laser blade, despite their keen piloting and maneuvers.
Sera watched from above as she listened into the transmitter of Wing Zero's cockpit. "For all of the lives you've destroyed," her son's voice said deeply. A moment later, he stated, "This is for the loved ones their deaths left behind." The Wing pilot went on to say more dedications as he fought on.
Listening to the pain in her son's voice, Makato couldn't help but bit her lip and lowered her head as she closed her eyes. "Use that anger, Heero. Use that and all the pain to help you get through your frights." Lifting her head and looking to the image of Wing Zero, she told the pilot quietly, "Use whatever it takes to defeat OZ...And get out of this war alive."
Heero looked to the his screens to see the base in his monitors, as he hovered over the enormous, burning building from a great height. The Buster Riffle was pointed ahead of him as it was held straight and steady to the site. "And just know that no matter what, I'll always love you, as I have every day since you came into my life, son," Sera said sadly to the picture of Wing Zero.
Locking onto the center of the base in his target, he said in a deep growl, "For living to start this war." Pressing the trigger button on his controls, the Wing pilot shot a long beam from the cannon of his gun onto the base. Holding the button down until there was nothing left standing following the massive explosions, the young pilot was panting for breath, saturated from the sweat his body produced from the heated attack.
The button was only released after the last of the plant was taken out by the flames and thunderous explosions around. Wiping his forehead dry, the Japanese pilot leaned back in his seat, looking closely to the destruction that he had caused. Heero nodded to himself when he scanned the remains and saw that there was nothing left and no survivors were left. The massive wings of his suit gave a huge flap and the white suit shot up into the air at great speed, never looking back to the fire below again.
It was not long before Wing Zero had flown into the cockpit of the ship where Sera was. Heero left the cockpit and heard the door to the room open. Makato entered, smiling to the Wing pilot with the best forced smile she could pull off. The Wing pilot sighed deeply in content and gave a soft smile, "So we'll be with out families soon, Sera." The heart of the young woman shattered at these words. Instead of letting on any of the pain that she was going through, Sera simply nodded and whispered, "Hai."
Clearing her throat, the Preventer motioned with her head that she was heading back to the cockpit. "Well, we better get moving. We're a day from out spit-off point." Heero nodded and replied, "I'll be with you in a little bit." Makato nodded once again as she left the hanger slowly and prepared to pilot the ship again. When the door closed, Heero looked up to his suit and rested on its right shoulder, folding his arms behind his head. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply, lying on his back, "We'll be home soon, Zero."
* * * * * *
On Colony V10, the shipyard workers were shutting down for the night as the sun set there. Duo stretched with a wide smile as he yawned loudly. He was covered in dirt from the hard day of work, but satisfied with the fact that he managed to get a lot completed. Looking to his co-workers, the American smiled and waved, "'Night y'all." The other smiled and waved back, "'Night, kid" and "See 'ya Monday." Making his way to the door of the small hanger, the braided pilot heard the voice of his manager call, "Hey, Solo."
Duo turned back as his boss ran to him. "What's up?" he answered in his usual, cheerful manner. The older man asked, "I was just wondering what your plans were at the end of the war. We really could use a skilled worked like yourself around." The American chuckled, "Thanks, man, but I really can't stay here for that long. I'll be here for a few more weeks before I move on."
The nice manager sighed deeply, "It's a shame. You could teach the others here a thing or two about scavenging and construction." Patting the man's back, Duo winked, "You'll be fine when I'm gone, I'm sure." The manager smiled and shrugged, "You'll still be tough to replace, Solo." With a deep sigh, he waved, "See you on Monday, kid." Duo waved back with a kind grin as he replied, "Have a good weekend."
Duo walked beyond the shipyard and hid behind some of the cargo boxes along the dock, pulling his digital camera from the black backpack that he always took to work with him. Watching some of the large ships pulling into the shipyard, the American snapped photos of the crew as they took the hundreds of suits that had been built that day onto their craft. Once everything was loaded, the ship set sail again with the equipment that they picked up. Once the ship left, Duo snuck along the edge of the river as he followed the vessel.
The journey was almost an hour and finally, Duo made his way to watch from a hill as the same ship was already settled and docked into the port of a large base. Taking more photos, the braided pilot watched as the crew that took the suits unloaded them with the help of the soldiers in the base. Once all of the suits were taken inside and the ship was empty, it took off for another run similar to the one it just completed.
Duo sighed to himself, "They seem pretty legit. Every night, they take all of the suits to the same training facilities, so they're not leaving the colonies." Looking to the camera, he said quietly to himself, "So why do I still get the feeling something's wrong with this colony?" The smudge-covered American placed the camera back in his pocket and placed his black cap on backwards as he made his way back to his apartment, an hour back.
Later that night, Duo made his way back in his residence and dropped his bag onto the chair by his bed. Before concerning himself with a shower, he went right to work and pulled his laptop out. He had turned the radio on to rid the silence in the room. Attaching the camera to the machine, he uploaded the images that he had taken. It was a good few minutes before he saved everything. Once that was finished, he closely looked to the pictures that he had taken, he saw that there wasn't anything unusual or odd in the way that the suits had been handled. He had been taking the same precautions and followed many ships to their destinations every night prior to this, only to come up with the same conclusions.
Sighing deeply and rubbing his eyes, Duo told himself, "Stop being paranoid, Maxwell. There's nothing wrong in sending mobile suits to bases that are meant simply to protect the colony." Turning off the computer and removing the camera, he continued to assure himself, "You haven't met one person that likes OZ or what they've done...So what's your problem?" Once everything was put away, he removed his cap and undid his braid. When the locks were loose, he began to strip his shirt, still speaking to himself. "Everyone here wants the us to win this war."
Once he was cleaned of his clothes, he turned the radio off, walked into the bathroom and took a shower.
After being cleaned, the American stepped from the bathroom dried and clothed. Braiding his hair as he sat on his bed, Duo gave a frown and said quietly, "Still...That's a hell of a lot of suits to be making just for soldiers in the bases near the shipyard..." Quickly braiding his hair, Duo stepped out into the night air and made his way to the end of the city.
Once he made his way past the town, Duo made his way through the countryside and to the valley within it. There was a large waterfall that he had found, secluded from everyone and everything for many miles. While the trip was a very long one on foot, it was worth it. Not only was the scenery breathtaking, there was something waiting for the pilot that only he knew of. Reaching the waterfall, Duo went into the deep caverns behind the great spray of water. In a hidden opening there, the Gundam pilot went onto climb air, at least that's what it would have seemed like to anyone else.
Sitting in his cockpit, Duo pressed a large button that turned the stealth mode of his suit off. Deathscythe was now visible and his pilot lowered himself to look up at him. "Hey, buddy," Duo smiled warmly to his Gundam. "You know, it's times like this I really wish you could talk back...I think I'm going crazy." With a chuckle, he continued, "Though Wufei and some of the others might say that I've always been crazy." With a pause and a moment to gather his thoughts, the braided pilot said quietly, "Maybe I'm just working too closely with innocents and it's playing with my mind...Or maybe it's just that I haven seen action is a while..."
Silent as always, Deathscythe looked forward as his pilot went on. "Something is going on with this colony...You know it, too, don't you?" The Gundam remained silent and still. Duo smirked, "I thought so." Returning to his cockpit, the pilot turned the stealth mode on again. Looking to what appeared to be simply air where his suit was resting, the American waved, "Night, 'ol buddy. See you soon." At this, he turned and left the caverns behind the waterfall.
* * * * * *
Demetris walked into a room where Stacy, Carter, Azrael and Abrasia were all gathered at a round table. It was the first time he had seen his partners since he went off to fight Kumi. Looking to them with an icy stair, he stalked silently to the table as he growled deeply. The twins looked to their comrade with idle amusement in their eyes and expressions. Azrael rested her head on her hand that was lying on the table as she chuckled, "So the fight didn't go as well as you planned, ne?" Demetris's eyes burned in her direction as he gritted his teeth. The young pilot's brother nodded as he crossed his arms, "So you were beaten again."
Stacy warned the twins as she snapped, "Knock it off. We're all fighting that war together. Don't forget that." Azrael shrugged and folded her hands behind her head, "I just find it funny that our Excellency favors such a waste of time compared to all of us." Demetris slammed his hands on the table as he rose from his seat, screaming, "AND WHAT THE FUCK HAVE YOU DONE THAT MAKES YOU ANY BETTER!?!"
Carter rose and said with a hint of anger, "Would all of you just calm down!?! No one is favored in this room and we're all doing what we can to stop those Gundam pilots. His Excellency will be in any moment and you know that if he sees us fighting like this, he won't be pleased." The giant turned and growled deeply to the young man, but slowly returned to his seat. Abrasia chuckled deeply to himself along with his sister and Stacy shook her head, holding in her anger and disappointment to the immature pair.
The door to the room opened as the leader of OZ entered. Looking to his minion with a smile, he began, "Nice to have you all together again. It's been some time since we were able to meet like this." Demetris was still glaring to the twins as his superior took a seat between him and Carter. "Now," Quinze began, "What have we all learned about weak links in our group here?" The pilots looked with fear to their commander. He was looking directly to Azrael and Abrazia with a chilling glare.
The twins looked to each other nervously, then back to their leader. Azrael lowered her blonde head and frowned, "I'm sorry, Your Excellency." Her brother replied just the same to Quinze. The young man nodded, "We can't have and ill feelings towards each other. You all should be aware of that. Remember, none of you have done anything extraordinary that has killed the Gundam pilots up to now." The pilots all lowered their heads and nodded to this statement.
Quinze smiled again and shrugged, "Now that we've cleared that up, we can begin our meeting." Demetris lifted his head and opened, "We need to discuss the situation with V10 and X63." The OZ leader nodded, "Yes we do. Have we been able to receive any word on which pilots will be responsible for those hits?" Stacy shook her head, "We haven't heard from our spy in weeks." Quinze's eyes widened as he asked with a tone of anger, "And why have we not heard from them in weeks?" Carter cleared his throat and answered, "Well, sir...See...He hasn't returned any of the requests that we have sent to him."
Their commander's eyes narrowed as he said in a low, deep growl, "I want to speak to him personally." Azrael said quietly, "There isn't any guarantee that he'll speak to even you, sir." Abrasia nodded, "He's refused to have any part with us all of a sudden." Quinze took a moment as his face became red. "Does he realize what a terrible mistake he's making?" he said in a threatening tone. Demtris shrugged, "He doesn't seem to care, sir."
The redness the young man's face passed as he chuckled deeply, "Oh, he'll care once I talk to him." Looking to his pilots, Quinze waved, "This meeting is over We'll meet once I have gotten through to him." The others nodded and quickly left the room as quietly as they could, not daring to make their leader angered any further.
Quinze threw the reports before him across the room as he shouted loudly in rage. When he composed himself, he chuckled and sneered as he brushed his bangs back with his right hand. The OZ leader said to himself with a nasty growl, "Alright, Derek. Now we're doing things my way."
TBC
Gundam Wing: The Second Chapter
Episode 27: Longing For Home
by SkyLark
with help from Snodin, Goat Girl, Sam, Stormy, Silver Star, Beekay, Ruby GREETER 600 and everyone that has left kind reviews with this saga
Narration (In Relena Peacecraft's Voice):
"What is the real definition of a home? Is it as much of a place as it is a person? Growing in a very wealthy family, I was never deprived of the things that I wanted. Because of this, I never learned the importance of the little things."
A large number of hunters with shot guns and hunting dogs stormed into the safe house where the Gunam pilots originally stayed, before they were attacked. Many of the rugged individuals went into the empty rooms that they found, looking under and in everything that they crossed. Knocking over mattresses and couches, everything had been torn apart and sniffed by the dogs and closely examined by the hunters.
"A nice, warm bed...a roof and four walls to feel safe in... It's not until these little things are lost when you learn how valuable they are... and how much you've taken them for granted prior to the time that they're taken from you...Even the people that I thought were my friends in school only sided with me because they knew my family was powerful and had everything...They never really cared about me, only what I might be able to do for them.
"I didn't help the situation since I was always looking to get what I could possess materially. (chuckles) I even went as far as to insist being driven in a pink limo wherever I went...(sighs deeply in relief) Thank God I've grown up since then."
Walking into the bedrooms, some of the men found blood all around the halls and floors there. Looking to the walls painted red, they carefully tried to learn what had happened to the pilots and their fellow bounty hunters. Following a long, thick trail of blood, they went down the stairs and to the basement of the large cabin.
"Thanks to a Gundam pilot named Heero Yuy, I learned that you can't always get what you want. I had to say good bye and let him on with his life without me constantly following him with my blind infatuation. Letting Heero go was the first step to finally maturing and seeing how naive I was all along...I also got to meet the man of my dreams. I wasn't head-over-heels in love with Brian when we first met, nor the first few weeks following our introductions...But I grew in love with him, and that's made our relationship stronger than anything that I've known."
The hunters made their way into the basement, taking note to the blood-covered walls and steps on the way down. When they reached the bottom, their eyes widened in shock and terror. Before them, the bodies of their thirteen friends that found the safe house first were lined side-by-side on the cold ground. Their weapons were taken from them along with any and ever provision that they brought to the cabin with them.
"Through Brian, I learned that it is not material possessions that take away the cold and lonely times, such as walking through the Virginia wilderness in January in the middle of a snowstorm. It's the people that you can truly call your family and friends that help you when life becomes almost intolerable...
"As for my friends, my fellow Gundam pilots, each of them has taught me more about life and what matters most through their everyday actions as I finally have a better understanding what a terrible life they must have had while fighting the first two wars and not truly having a place that they could call home...They're utterly amazing... "
The hunters went on to saturate every section of the house in gas and other lighter fluids. Once outside, they burnt the cabin to the ground with the bodies inside, looking to the flames with looks of rage that screamed for vengeance and answers. Together, they walked through the woods, after seeing the faintest trail of footprints that the snow had not covered yet.
"There must be a place where we can all call home together. The thought of making it out of this war without any one of my friends is too terrible to consider. They are as much my home as Brian, Milliardo, Noin and Mirando. It is with all of them that I'm home...And suddenly, the frigid winter air of Virginia in January isn't so cold...We will find a place that we can call home when this war ends...At least I hope and pray that we will."
(End Narration)
(Intro to 'I'm Already Here')
The snow was continuing to fall in the countryside and forests of Virginia as night was settling. Already a few inches high, the snow on the ground painted a clean, crisp and serene image. The Gundam pilots looked to the high hills and cliffs ahead of them that they needed to climb in order to reach the new safe house that they needed to find. All of them had some kind of backpack or duffle bag on them. Kumi lead the way, her comrades right behind her as they stayed close.
[To this world I'm unimportant just
Because I have nothing to give
So you call this your free country
Tell me why it cost so much to live]
The pilots were making their way through the snow, which was now past their ankles. Climbing the steep hills, they used the assistance of their friends to keep from slipping and hurting themselves on the rocky ground beneath the white blanket. Being the first pilot to reach the top of the first steep cliff, Kumi climbed up the tall tree that rested on the cliff's edge.
The wind was blowing her long ponytail as she stood a the edge of one of the tall branches, looking through a pair of night-vision binoculars. Looking in the part of the woods where she and her comrades just walked from, she saw several torches following them. With narrowed eyes, the pilot lowered the binoculars and climbed down from the tree. Motioning for the others to move, she walked moved on and picked up the pace. The others knew that there was a large number of bounty hunters following them and they needed to cover ground quickly.
[Tell me why
This world can turn me down
But I won't turn away, oh no
I won't turn around]
Dozens of bounty hunters made their way through the woods the next day, coming up short even with their dogs that tried to pick up the scent of the pilots. The snow that continued to fall covered the pilots' tracks and any signs that they were there. Frustrated and cold, the men and some women moved on through the woods with their guns and attack dogs ready.
Below them, the Gundam pilots rested for the day in a cave that they came across on their journey. Having to sleep in the day and move at night, they set a fire inside the hallow space and lied close to each other, bundled in their thick sleeping blankets and heavy. As the others slept, Kumi looked to the hand-drawn sketch of a map that she had drawn that would lead them all to the safe house.
Looking to Zes, she saw that the young queen was starting to shiver and used her own sleeping bag to cover the pilot. When she bundled Relena until she was apparently warm, the silver-haired pilot froze with a small look of amazement, taken back by her subtle sign of concern for her comrades.
Kumi's gaze then fell on to Trowa, who was sleeping soundly. Her eyes narrowed a bit, almost blaming him for the fact that she was letting some of her emotions guide her. Shaking her head, the 'Perfect Soldier' went back to her work. She looked to the stone ceiling of the cave as she heard snow mobiles and other machines move more bounty hunters through the miles of foliage.
[All my work and endless measures
Never seem to get me very far
Walk a mile just to move an inch
Now even though I'm trying so
Damn hard
I'm trying so hard]
Night falls again and the Gundam pilots make their way out of the cave that they slept in. Once outside, they begin to climb steep hills and cliffs again in their trip. On the way up one of the tall cliffs, they needed to use climbing ropes to make their way up what seemed to be a small mountain that rose almost twelve stories high.
When they reached the top, they were sure that they would see that they were close to reaching their destination. However, when they looked ahead from the edge of the high terrain, they could only see miles and miles of frozen wood, with no sign of the safe house anywhere near. Most of them gave disappointed, saddened glances while Trowa, Quatre, Wufei and Kumi led the way down the other side of the cliff, moving on with no time to stop.
[This world can turn me down but I
Won't turn away
And I won't duck and run, cause
I'm not built that way]
Before she used her rope to climb down that side of the small mountain, Sette heard several bounty hunters climbing up where they just rose from. The tomboy, Novem and Delapan sneered to each other as they turned their gazes to each other. Taking large knives and other cutting tools from their bags, the trio made their way to the lines the men were using to ascend the side of the cliff.
The hunters looked up with terrified eyes as they saw the pilots sneering to them, holding the blades at their ropes. At the same time, the three girls cut the wires and ropes, sending the handful of hunters to their death as they plummeted to the ground far blow. Together, the young woman smiled to one and other before going to climb down the other side of the cliff with their friends.
[When everything is gone there is
Nothing there to fear
This world cannot bring me down
No cause I'm already here, oh no!]
The Gundam pilot were working together as they set explosives onto a long, wooden bridge that they were to cross, which was resting over a deep, wide, running river of freezing water. The pilots worked quickly with the devices, rigging and tying them from the base to the highest poles of the overpass.
Leading the run across the way, Wufei made sure to wait until everyone of his friends were on the snow-covered ground safely. Looking to the bridge along with his comrades, the Chinese pilot pressed a small detonation device. Instantly, the entire passage way was engulfed in flames and smoke as the explosives were set off. Everything that had not been burned crashed into the river below.
[I am already here, down
On my knees
I am already here, on no, I am
Already here
I must have told you a thousand
Times I am not running away]
As a small army of hunters made their way to where the bridge once stood, they looked to a wide gap of almost two miles from the edge of land where they were standing to where the pilots made their way safely. The rugged men's faces grew red as they cursed and growled, turning back to find another way to cross the river safely.
[I won't duck and run
I won't duck and run
I won't duck and run
No I pass away]
Making their way up a steep hillside, the pilots made their way through a cover of evergreens to find the remains of a cabin that had been burnt to the ground. Looking to the spot where the wooden home once stood, the Gundams all searched for any sign of life, to see if anyone was injured that they might be able to help.
As Quatre looked up, his eyes widened as his face paled. The others saw his expression and looked up to where his eyes were focused. All of their eyes widened as they looked to what caught his attention. High in the trees, there were three bodies, hung there for display. Two of the bodies were of young men and the other was a young woman, the owners of the house apparently. In the blood of the victims, thick letters on a large sign read, 'Gundam Lovers'
[This world can turn me down but
I won't turn away
And I won't duck and run, cause
I'm not built that way]
Walking away from three grave that they had buried for the victims that they removed from the trees, the pilots continued on their mission to find the safe house. The wind and snow was making the journey difficult, but none of them seemed to make any sign that they were going to stop. After seeing those victims in the trees that had been killed for supporting each of them, their faces were even more determined than they had been when their travel began.
[When everything is gone there is
Nothing there to fear
This world cannot bring me down
No cause I'm already here]
Several bounty hunters managed to make their way through the woods with ease, using their snow mobiles and four-wheelers to move easily through the snow. As they passed a thick brush of trees, the man in the lead on his snowmobile was soon attacked as a caped Gundam pilot jumped onto the front of his vehicle and shot him on the head. Trowa took to his new snowmobile and the other hunters were ambushed much the same as their friend. The other pilots fell from other trees or shot them from the shadows. Unprepared and taken by surprise, all of the hunters of this party were killed.
[This world can turn me down, but
I won't turn away
And I won't duck and run,
Cause I'm not built that way]
There was yet another group of bounty hunters who arrived to the site where their friends were killed by the pilots just a few hours prior to this time. The bodies of the killed hunters were strung in the trees the same fashion that the small family in the woods had been after their murders. In the blood of the young men and women, a large sign read, 'Gundam Killers' in large letters written in the blood of the hung bodies.
[When everything is gone there
Is nothing there to fear
This world cannot
Bring me down
No cause I'm already here]
Using their opponents vehicles, the pilots wade their way through the snowdrifts with ease, staying close together. At times, they would take to blasting trees down to make obstacles for the hunters following them. Always moving, they saw that there were no safety precautions left unutilized. Before long, the sun was beginning to rise on the third day of their travels and they needed to search for a haven where they could stay until nightfall.
* * * * * *
The Gundam pilots has stopped for a moment to rest their legs on the fourth night of their traveling on foot to their new safe house. Sitting by a frozen lake, they had burnt a fire and the snow continued to fall, though it was slowing at this point. Sette and Kumi were the only pilots not sitting together near the flames.
In the woods a half-mile from the opening where the lake and pilots rested, the tomboy was sitting in a bare, thick branch as she looked to her friends. There was a shotgun resting in Sette's lap as she had her back resting against the trunk of the tree she was in. Her eyes were focused on the young queen and she sighed to herself deeply, "How am I supposed to act around you?"
From a few feet behind where she sat, Sette heard a monotone voice state suddenly, "So the truth came out." The ex-princess gasped sharply and jumped from her resting spot as she spun and aimed her gun into the shadows of the woods ahead of her. Kumi walked from the darkness and was hooded in her deep purple cape. Her leather jacket was protecting her bare arms underneath. The tomboy looked to her friend in shock and disbelief, slowly lowering her gun as the other pilot walked to her.
The flakes continued to fall and Kumi stood right before her comrade. Sette blinked and asked, "Y-you know who I am?" The stoic pilot answered as if she were a living dictionary, "Sette Devion, the daughter of Kuni Devion and the mother of Relena and Milliardo Peacecraft. Your birth was kept a secret to protect the namesakes of your parents. Your father took you from-" "Stop it," Sette hissed as she now glared to her partner in anger. Turning from her friend, the tomboy shook her head and growled deeply. Lowing her head, she sighed deeply and asked, "How long have you known?"
Kumi replied as she walked to stand beside the ex-princess. They were both looking to Relena now. "I found out not long after you and I met...I like knowing who I'm working with." Again, Sette turned to look to her comrade in shock and disbelief. She asked loudly, "Why the hell didn't you tell me?"
Turning to the pilot with an empty expression, the 'Perfect Soldier' replied, "Would you really have believed me?" Sette moved and opened her mouth to answer right away. But, before anything came out, she stopped and really thought of the question. With another sigh, she answered as she lowered her head, "No." "Hn," came the reply. The silver-haired pilot nodded, "That's why I didn't tell you."
Sette shrugged, "What am I supposed to do now?" Her partner questioned, "Don't you think that Relena and Milliardo deserve to know the truth?" The tomboy paused as her eyes saddened. "I-I don't think I can ever tell them I'm their half sister...I'm still getting used to that fact, myself." The other pilot shrugged, "It's your choice, not mine. But the truth always makes itself known somehow...I'll continue to keep your secret, but somehow, Relena and Milliardo will learn what we know...It's up to you as to whether they'll hear it from you or someone else." Sette remained silent, never looking back to the pilot beside her as she processed all of this.
Excalibur's pilot placed her hood back on and walked towards the campfire. Not turning back as she moved on, Kumi informed her partner, "I saw some torches coming in this direction. They're a good three miles off, but those bounty hunters know these woods better than all of us combined so we better get moving."
The stoic pilot disappeared into the darkness. Alone, the blue-haired tomboy bit her lip. "I wish that I had your twenty-four-hour courage," she whispered to her friend's back, which she could no longer see. Strapping her shotgun over her back, the ex-princess went to follow her friend to join the others.
When she rejoined the other pilots, Kumi looked to them and said simply, "We have to get going." Zes was the first to stand as she asked, "How far are the hunters?" The silver-haired pilot answered, "They're almost three miles off." Quate rose and nodded, "Well, better not to take any chances." His fiancee walked to the scene as he smiled warmly, "How are you feeling now, Sette?" The tomboy forced her usual smile and shrugged, "You know me, love. I'm always good." Kumi remained expressionless as she stated, "Let get moving." At this, she went to walk on ahead of them.
Delapan looked to Sette and asked, "Does she ever smile?" The tomboy shrugged, "Not often, from what I've seen. Even after working with her for seven years, she doesn't think of me as any more than a fellow pilot." Kumi stopped and turned to them, glaring with her cobalt eyes. She deadpanned sternly, "I'm not here to make friends. I'm here to help stop OZ. If you want to stay here and talk, then do so. Otherwise, let's go." Turning, she walked forward again. She didn't see the shocked, saddened faces of her comrades as she did so. Wufei chuckled and told the others, "I hate to agree with her, but she's right, we have to get moving." The others nodded and got their belongings and went off to catch up Kumi.
* * * * * *
Heero was hovering over the last base that he needed to take out and sneered at its image on his monitors in his Gumdam suit. Taking to his controls, the Wing pilot shot from the sky at great speed and shot through the roof of the massive foundation. Once inside, there was screaming and retaliation from the OZ soldiers within. The opponents shot at the winged suit with everything that they had, using every method to take out the pilot. Nothing was phasing the Wing pilot as he shot through the base, slicing throughout the suits and machinery that he came across.
In the ship that she and her son had been flying in, Sera was in the hanger, looking to a photograph that she removed from her pocket. The image was one of her when she was eighteen. In her arms, there was a baby wrapped in a white blanket. With an arm around her shoulders and kissing his son's head was Odin Lowe. Sera was smiling lovingly to her husband and their child, who had a bright smile on his own face in the shot.
Sera wiped a stray tear that rolled down her right cheek as she looked to the picture. It was the taken near to last time that she would see her son for twenty-two years. Still holding the small picture that she always carried on her, the brown-haired Preventer slowly walked to the cockpit. When she reached her seat, Makato turned on her monitor and looked to the images of the attack taking place on the base beneath. She watched in awe of Wing Zero shot through the site with ease and grace, never missing a target and leaving nothing spared.
Heero was stronger and braver than anyone she had come to know. Watching him, she caught her breath in wonder...lost in the dance that her son was leading. One more tear fell from her other eye as she looked to the images. "I'm so proud of you, Heero," she whispered to the image of Wing Zero, bringing her hand to the screen and torching it. After this mission, they would part for good.
Back in the base, Heero growled deeply and shouted as he took out a fleet of mobile suits with his Buster Riffle, before the OZ pilots could threaten him. Sweat pouring from his brow, the Japanese pilot looked to his monitors and thought to himself, "This is for Colony Y453." As these words left him, Heero took out a massive control unit with the Buster Riffle.
"For Foreign Minister Caffey," he continued, with more anger in his voice. At this, he cut the head off of a Leo, the pilot inside screaming in agony. "This is for Hilde and Ryan," he growled deeply as he killed two Virgo pilots by stabbing through their cockpits. The suits exploded before the winged Gundam, which shot off and fought more of the soldiers.
"For Colony L2," he said with venom in his voice as he used the Buster Riffle to take out large storage tanks of fuel and other explosives. The flames and smoke shot throughout the said of the base that he was at now. Flapping through the destruction, Wing Zero took out any of the suits that attempted to shoot it down. Heero blew through them like nothing, causing them to explode with a single swipe at each of them. Picking up even more speed, the 'Perfect Soldier' plowed through walls, floors and everything that the plant had to offer.
The OZ soldiers screamed and went after Heero with all of the rage and fight that they had in them. Most of the soldiers were so blinded in their attempt to take out the Gundam that all sense and reason left them. Heero's raged glance back at them would have been enough to make the toughest of soldiers think twice before approaching him. However, nothing made sense other than 'kill or be killed.'
Looking to an army of soldiers in Aires suits after shooting through the roof of the base, the Japanese pilot's eyes narrowed as far as they could as he hissed, "For causing my Duo pain." Without blinking, Heero took out every last suit with his laser blade, despite their keen piloting and maneuvers.
Sera watched from above as she listened into the transmitter of Wing Zero's cockpit. "For all of the lives you've destroyed," her son's voice said deeply. A moment later, he stated, "This is for the loved ones their deaths left behind." The Wing pilot went on to say more dedications as he fought on.
Listening to the pain in her son's voice, Makato couldn't help but bit her lip and lowered her head as she closed her eyes. "Use that anger, Heero. Use that and all the pain to help you get through your frights." Lifting her head and looking to the image of Wing Zero, she told the pilot quietly, "Use whatever it takes to defeat OZ...And get out of this war alive."
Heero looked to the his screens to see the base in his monitors, as he hovered over the enormous, burning building from a great height. The Buster Riffle was pointed ahead of him as it was held straight and steady to the site. "And just know that no matter what, I'll always love you, as I have every day since you came into my life, son," Sera said sadly to the picture of Wing Zero.
Locking onto the center of the base in his target, he said in a deep growl, "For living to start this war." Pressing the trigger button on his controls, the Wing pilot shot a long beam from the cannon of his gun onto the base. Holding the button down until there was nothing left standing following the massive explosions, the young pilot was panting for breath, saturated from the sweat his body produced from the heated attack.
The button was only released after the last of the plant was taken out by the flames and thunderous explosions around. Wiping his forehead dry, the Japanese pilot leaned back in his seat, looking closely to the destruction that he had caused. Heero nodded to himself when he scanned the remains and saw that there was nothing left and no survivors were left. The massive wings of his suit gave a huge flap and the white suit shot up into the air at great speed, never looking back to the fire below again.
It was not long before Wing Zero had flown into the cockpit of the ship where Sera was. Heero left the cockpit and heard the door to the room open. Makato entered, smiling to the Wing pilot with the best forced smile she could pull off. The Wing pilot sighed deeply in content and gave a soft smile, "So we'll be with out families soon, Sera." The heart of the young woman shattered at these words. Instead of letting on any of the pain that she was going through, Sera simply nodded and whispered, "Hai."
Clearing her throat, the Preventer motioned with her head that she was heading back to the cockpit. "Well, we better get moving. We're a day from out spit-off point." Heero nodded and replied, "I'll be with you in a little bit." Makato nodded once again as she left the hanger slowly and prepared to pilot the ship again. When the door closed, Heero looked up to his suit and rested on its right shoulder, folding his arms behind his head. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply, lying on his back, "We'll be home soon, Zero."
* * * * * *
On Colony V10, the shipyard workers were shutting down for the night as the sun set there. Duo stretched with a wide smile as he yawned loudly. He was covered in dirt from the hard day of work, but satisfied with the fact that he managed to get a lot completed. Looking to his co-workers, the American smiled and waved, "'Night y'all." The other smiled and waved back, "'Night, kid" and "See 'ya Monday." Making his way to the door of the small hanger, the braided pilot heard the voice of his manager call, "Hey, Solo."
Duo turned back as his boss ran to him. "What's up?" he answered in his usual, cheerful manner. The older man asked, "I was just wondering what your plans were at the end of the war. We really could use a skilled worked like yourself around." The American chuckled, "Thanks, man, but I really can't stay here for that long. I'll be here for a few more weeks before I move on."
The nice manager sighed deeply, "It's a shame. You could teach the others here a thing or two about scavenging and construction." Patting the man's back, Duo winked, "You'll be fine when I'm gone, I'm sure." The manager smiled and shrugged, "You'll still be tough to replace, Solo." With a deep sigh, he waved, "See you on Monday, kid." Duo waved back with a kind grin as he replied, "Have a good weekend."
Duo walked beyond the shipyard and hid behind some of the cargo boxes along the dock, pulling his digital camera from the black backpack that he always took to work with him. Watching some of the large ships pulling into the shipyard, the American snapped photos of the crew as they took the hundreds of suits that had been built that day onto their craft. Once everything was loaded, the ship set sail again with the equipment that they picked up. Once the ship left, Duo snuck along the edge of the river as he followed the vessel.
The journey was almost an hour and finally, Duo made his way to watch from a hill as the same ship was already settled and docked into the port of a large base. Taking more photos, the braided pilot watched as the crew that took the suits unloaded them with the help of the soldiers in the base. Once all of the suits were taken inside and the ship was empty, it took off for another run similar to the one it just completed.
Duo sighed to himself, "They seem pretty legit. Every night, they take all of the suits to the same training facilities, so they're not leaving the colonies." Looking to the camera, he said quietly to himself, "So why do I still get the feeling something's wrong with this colony?" The smudge-covered American placed the camera back in his pocket and placed his black cap on backwards as he made his way back to his apartment, an hour back.
Later that night, Duo made his way back in his residence and dropped his bag onto the chair by his bed. Before concerning himself with a shower, he went right to work and pulled his laptop out. He had turned the radio on to rid the silence in the room. Attaching the camera to the machine, he uploaded the images that he had taken. It was a good few minutes before he saved everything. Once that was finished, he closely looked to the pictures that he had taken, he saw that there wasn't anything unusual or odd in the way that the suits had been handled. He had been taking the same precautions and followed many ships to their destinations every night prior to this, only to come up with the same conclusions.
Sighing deeply and rubbing his eyes, Duo told himself, "Stop being paranoid, Maxwell. There's nothing wrong in sending mobile suits to bases that are meant simply to protect the colony." Turning off the computer and removing the camera, he continued to assure himself, "You haven't met one person that likes OZ or what they've done...So what's your problem?" Once everything was put away, he removed his cap and undid his braid. When the locks were loose, he began to strip his shirt, still speaking to himself. "Everyone here wants the us to win this war."
Once he was cleaned of his clothes, he turned the radio off, walked into the bathroom and took a shower.
After being cleaned, the American stepped from the bathroom dried and clothed. Braiding his hair as he sat on his bed, Duo gave a frown and said quietly, "Still...That's a hell of a lot of suits to be making just for soldiers in the bases near the shipyard..." Quickly braiding his hair, Duo stepped out into the night air and made his way to the end of the city.
Once he made his way past the town, Duo made his way through the countryside and to the valley within it. There was a large waterfall that he had found, secluded from everyone and everything for many miles. While the trip was a very long one on foot, it was worth it. Not only was the scenery breathtaking, there was something waiting for the pilot that only he knew of. Reaching the waterfall, Duo went into the deep caverns behind the great spray of water. In a hidden opening there, the Gundam pilot went onto climb air, at least that's what it would have seemed like to anyone else.
Sitting in his cockpit, Duo pressed a large button that turned the stealth mode of his suit off. Deathscythe was now visible and his pilot lowered himself to look up at him. "Hey, buddy," Duo smiled warmly to his Gundam. "You know, it's times like this I really wish you could talk back...I think I'm going crazy." With a chuckle, he continued, "Though Wufei and some of the others might say that I've always been crazy." With a pause and a moment to gather his thoughts, the braided pilot said quietly, "Maybe I'm just working too closely with innocents and it's playing with my mind...Or maybe it's just that I haven seen action is a while..."
Silent as always, Deathscythe looked forward as his pilot went on. "Something is going on with this colony...You know it, too, don't you?" The Gundam remained silent and still. Duo smirked, "I thought so." Returning to his cockpit, the pilot turned the stealth mode on again. Looking to what appeared to be simply air where his suit was resting, the American waved, "Night, 'ol buddy. See you soon." At this, he turned and left the caverns behind the waterfall.
* * * * * *
Demetris walked into a room where Stacy, Carter, Azrael and Abrasia were all gathered at a round table. It was the first time he had seen his partners since he went off to fight Kumi. Looking to them with an icy stair, he stalked silently to the table as he growled deeply. The twins looked to their comrade with idle amusement in their eyes and expressions. Azrael rested her head on her hand that was lying on the table as she chuckled, "So the fight didn't go as well as you planned, ne?" Demetris's eyes burned in her direction as he gritted his teeth. The young pilot's brother nodded as he crossed his arms, "So you were beaten again."
Stacy warned the twins as she snapped, "Knock it off. We're all fighting that war together. Don't forget that." Azrael shrugged and folded her hands behind her head, "I just find it funny that our Excellency favors such a waste of time compared to all of us." Demetris slammed his hands on the table as he rose from his seat, screaming, "AND WHAT THE FUCK HAVE YOU DONE THAT MAKES YOU ANY BETTER!?!"
Carter rose and said with a hint of anger, "Would all of you just calm down!?! No one is favored in this room and we're all doing what we can to stop those Gundam pilots. His Excellency will be in any moment and you know that if he sees us fighting like this, he won't be pleased." The giant turned and growled deeply to the young man, but slowly returned to his seat. Abrasia chuckled deeply to himself along with his sister and Stacy shook her head, holding in her anger and disappointment to the immature pair.
The door to the room opened as the leader of OZ entered. Looking to his minion with a smile, he began, "Nice to have you all together again. It's been some time since we were able to meet like this." Demetris was still glaring to the twins as his superior took a seat between him and Carter. "Now," Quinze began, "What have we all learned about weak links in our group here?" The pilots looked with fear to their commander. He was looking directly to Azrael and Abrazia with a chilling glare.
The twins looked to each other nervously, then back to their leader. Azrael lowered her blonde head and frowned, "I'm sorry, Your Excellency." Her brother replied just the same to Quinze. The young man nodded, "We can't have and ill feelings towards each other. You all should be aware of that. Remember, none of you have done anything extraordinary that has killed the Gundam pilots up to now." The pilots all lowered their heads and nodded to this statement.
Quinze smiled again and shrugged, "Now that we've cleared that up, we can begin our meeting." Demetris lifted his head and opened, "We need to discuss the situation with V10 and X63." The OZ leader nodded, "Yes we do. Have we been able to receive any word on which pilots will be responsible for those hits?" Stacy shook her head, "We haven't heard from our spy in weeks." Quinze's eyes widened as he asked with a tone of anger, "And why have we not heard from them in weeks?" Carter cleared his throat and answered, "Well, sir...See...He hasn't returned any of the requests that we have sent to him."
Their commander's eyes narrowed as he said in a low, deep growl, "I want to speak to him personally." Azrael said quietly, "There isn't any guarantee that he'll speak to even you, sir." Abrasia nodded, "He's refused to have any part with us all of a sudden." Quinze took a moment as his face became red. "Does he realize what a terrible mistake he's making?" he said in a threatening tone. Demtris shrugged, "He doesn't seem to care, sir."
The redness the young man's face passed as he chuckled deeply, "Oh, he'll care once I talk to him." Looking to his pilots, Quinze waved, "This meeting is over We'll meet once I have gotten through to him." The others nodded and quickly left the room as quietly as they could, not daring to make their leader angered any further.
Quinze threw the reports before him across the room as he shouted loudly in rage. When he composed himself, he chuckled and sneered as he brushed his bangs back with his right hand. The OZ leader said to himself with a nasty growl, "Alright, Derek. Now we're doing things my way."
TBC