DISCLAIMERS: I do not own the Gundam Wing characters, other than Kumi Yuy and Sette Devion. And the song 'Rythm Emotion' also belongs to the creators of Gundam Wing! The song 'I Will Remember You' belongs to Sarah McLachlan. Two songs that fit perfectly for this part!
SPECIAL THANKS TO AKUMA AND STAR DANCER FOR HELPING ME FIND THIS GW SONG!!!! Love ya both and all of my friends on 1X2X1! SkyLark
Gundam Wing: The Second Chapter
Episode 34: Invasion of Quasar
by SkyLark
with support and help from Snodin, Sam, Stormy, Silver Star, Beekay, GREETER 600, Ruby and all readers of this fic.
Two days after the silver-haired pilot left to 'plug' the leak that OZ captured, the memorial service for Dorothy Catalonia was taking place in Pulsar's chapel. At the alter, a lovely picture of the young woman was placed over her casket and a beautiful arrangement of flowers were splayed throughout the room. The chapel was completely filled with Preventers, friends and family of the deceased. The Gundam pilots sat in the front of the assembly, all dressed in black and supporting each other as the priest gave his sermon.
All of the pilots had the chance to get up and say a few words on their fallen comrade's. Trowa read a letter that Kumi had written about Novem, since she was away on her mission. The pilots took in a lot of what was said at the service, though they were still having a hard time gathering their own thoughts and feelings together at this time. Dorothy was a good friend to all of them and an exceptional Gundam pilot. Her loss was going to be difficult to get over, though her friends knew that they had no choice but to move on. There was still a war being raged and they needed to keep themselves together.
Finally, the last song was sung and the memorial ceremony ended. Each of the pilots came up with a rose that they placed on the coffin. From their, they walked out of the chapel and were greeted by their friends in the back of the room. Many of the Preventers present gave their condolences to all of the Gundam pilots, shaking their hands and others hugging them for support while wishing them luck at getting through the war alive.
Relena had Brian as her main support. He never left her side and kept whispering comforting words to his wife. Quatre and Sette relied on each other, Delapan was with Derek, Milliardo and Noin looked after one another along with their son, Wufei and Sally never let each other out of their sight and Lady Une and Lieutenant Keiser watched over Marimaya together. Trowa quietly remained the back-up for all of them.
The pilots were going to spend the night on Pulsar and return to the Earth in the morning. Lady Une made it her personal responsibility to see that Dorothy would be buried next to Treis Kushrenadah, in the same graveyard that her grandfather was buried in. It was what the young pilot wanted and expressed to the head of the Preventers in a talk years prior to now. Une made sure that her wishes would be realized. The pilots all agreed that it was the best decision.
* * * * * *
That night, Trowa was sitting in the same lounge that he was in after Duo's death, when Kumi came to see him. His black suit coat was off and his tie was loosened after a long day. He sighed deeply as he looked out to the stars and lowered his head. The door behind him opened and as he turned, he called, "Kumi?" hoping that it was his lover coming to support him again. Sette stood before him with a small frown. She shook her head, "Just me, Trowa." The tall pilot gave a small nod and smiled, "Hi, Sette" The ex-princess walked to him and said quietly, "You've been helping the rest of us so much, I don't think that anyone realized to ask if you're alright."
Trowa shrugged, "I'm alright. But, thank you for checking up on me." Sette smirked and shook her head, "You're a bad liar, but I still like 'ya." She placed a hand on her comrade's right shoulder and assured him. "Kumi will be fine. She's a tough girl. And she'll be back before you know it." The tall pilot forced a smile and nodded, "Yea." He turned back to look out to the stars. The tomboy knew that he was going to have a rough time in trying not to worry. Just then, she remembered something and reached for the pocket of her black skirt. Removing an envelope, she smiled as she bit her lip and turned back to her friend.
Sette informed Trowa's back with a warm smile, "She left something for you." The tall pilot froze then turned back to the blue-haired pilot with wide eyes. Sette handed him the envelope and explained, "Kumi doesn't want you to open it unless you really need to." The young man looked to his friend with uncertainty. The ex-princess understood what he was thinking and smiled, "It's not in case she doesn't return. It's just something in case she doesn't happen to be around when you need this."
Trowa gave a relieved smile and accepted the envelope and whispered, "Thank you, Sette." The tomboy stood on her toes to kiss the tall pilot's right cheek. She winked to him, "Thanks again for all of your help today. Believe me, you've helped everyone more than they can say right now." The pilot of Heavy Arms said sincerely, "My pleasure."
The ex-princess left the room with a wave to her friend. Trowa waved back and looked to the envelope when he was alone again.
The pilot's name was written in block-print letters across the middle of the envelope. He moved to open the letter, but stopped before actually tearing the paper. Looking back to the front of the envelope, he thought aloud quietly, "Only when I really need it." He smirked and placed the letter in his pocket. At that, he retrieved his coat from the back of one of the chairs and walked out of the lounge.
* * * * * *
The sharp quilled ship known as Quasar was floating in the stationary stars. In the control room there, General Vance Cray was looking over his soldiers. He was the same man that made the announcement for the colonies that they had twenty-four hours to make an agreement with OZ after informing everyone on the Earth and in Space that Duo had been killed. His red hair shined under the bright lights of the room and his brown eyes made sure not to miss anything on the monitors ahead of everyone there.
One of his guards entered the room and saluted to him. The general nodded and the private lowered their hands again. "How is out guest of honor handling this day's torture?" he asked with a sneer to his soldier. The young man answered, "Stubborn as ever. It's taking a lot longer to break him than I first thought."
Cray shook his head, "I'm not surprised. Whatever it takes, I want him crushed." The guard saluted, "Yes, sir." He quickly left the room to overlook the torture being brought upon their most prized prisoner. Cray growled deeply to himself and hissed, "Two months of this, and that damn kid still won't say anything. I underestimated them." Looking back to the monitor that showed the galaxy, he sneered to himself, "Still, it's not like we have anything to worry about at this point in the game."
* * * * * *
The center of the ship that had been heavily guarded was quiet as the bodies of the soldiers that worked there lied on the floor with pools of blood around them. Their killer was typing and hacking away at the system. Their hands moved quickly over the keys and soon, they were past the security lock of the program. Timing the collapse of every camera to take place in fifteen minutes- and the detonation of the entire ship to come when they ordered it- the figure took their pistol and reloaded. From there, they quickly moved out of the room, locking and closing the door behind them to keep the bodies out of immediate sight.
* * * * * *
In a small, dark cell, the Preventer being held by OZ was lying on his stomach. Dressed in a tattered, black T-shirt and worn black pants, the barefoot pilot bore many bruises and scars on the skin that was exposed. Little of the material from the shirt remained, revealing the tattoo on the leak's left shoulder. His long hair was pulled into a braid that fell along his right side, ending at his knee. A small, deep groan left him as his blue eyes fought their way open. Only able to move his eyes, he looked to his surroundings and the pilot knew that his day's worth of torture was over. He groaned as he pushed himself up from the cold ground.
As he managed to raise get his upper body, the young man growled to himself in agony, "Come on, Duo...Don't let them get the best of you." The American bit his lip to fight back the pain as he pushed himself into a kneeing position. Gasping for air from the effort of such a normally simple act, the Gundam pilot looked to the wall ahead of him, opposite of the door to his cell.
Duo crawled to the wall and used it as a support in getting himself to his feet. Finally, he managed to stand as he rested his forehead against the metal, panting for air and letting a moan of pain escape him. "Bastards," Duo hissed painfully from the brutal attacks he endured. "It'll...take a lot more...that than to stop the god of death..." he just managed to get out between pants for air.
Just then, he heard two men screaming from beyond the cell door. The shouts were matched with the sound of gunfire. The braided pilot managed to turn himself, leaning his back against the wall for added support to keep from collapsing. The door to the cell opened, a blinding light flooding the room. Duo squinted at the sudden light and shielded his eyes.
Squinting, Duo saw that the guards watching the door to his room had their backs to him as they fired their riffles and backed up from the intruder. Only two bullets were fired by the trespasser, one soaring their the head of the OZ soldiers. The bodies of the guards collapsed a few feet before the doorway. Once they fell, the silhouette of the killer was just barely able to be made out by the Gundam pilot. The slender figure had a pistol aimed before them, right for the braided pilot, straight and unwavering as they slowly stalked forward to the American.
Duo lowered his arm, but remained squinting as his eyes fought to see in the bright light after spending such a long time in the pitch blackness of the prison. Slowly and silently, the armed intruder continued to walk closed to the doorway, their gun still aimed forward right for the American's head. A click from the gun echoed eerily as testimony that the gun's safety was removed again and ready to open fire.
Unable to do anything but watch, the braided pilot witnessed in shock as the figure froze in their stride the moment that they entered the doorway. The arm holding the gun almost began to shake a little. Still unable to make out a face of the trespasser, Deathscythe's pilot was just beginning to make out the build of the armed assassin.
Everything about the shape, size and even the stance of the mysterious person was so familiar. Suddenly, a loud and sharp gasp left Duo as tears filled his eyes instantly. It had to be...It was the just as it happened in the Eve Wars...Duo gave a small sob and cried, "HEERO!" Finding the strength that had since been lost, Duo launched himself at the intruder.
Throwing his arms around the assassin, Duo buried his left cheek into their left shoulder, looking away from their face with his eyes slammed shut. He sobbed and shook as he felt the arms of the figure gently fold around him. "Heero," Duo whispered hoarsely as he sobbed with tears soaking his face. Too weak to open his eyes again, he smiled and whispered, "I knew that you had to be alright. I was so worried about you, koibito." Feeling sleep tugging on him with great force, the pilot began to slump in the arms of the mysterious figure. A small sigh left the pilot as he fell into unconsciousness.
[Intro to 'Rythm Emotion' begins]
kono mune no kodou ha
anata he to tsuduiteru
Kumi looked to the sleeping pilot in her arms, shaking inwardly as she was still in shock. Holding Duo up with her left arm around his waist, the silver-haired pilot brushed back a few of the long bangs from her comrade's face to see that she wasn't imagining things. Her wide eyes closed as a loud sigh of relief left her. She brought Duo's head up so that she could rest their foreheads together. She whispered, "Thank you for keeping your word to Heero, Duo."
The sirens of the base rang out, breaking the state of relief that the 'Perfect Soldier' was in. Glaring to the door behind her, she growled deeply. The lights were from white to red as they flashed on and off. Taking Duo into her arms, she quickly made her way out of the cell. Looking to the guards that she killed, the pilot lowered Duo for a moment to take the semi-automatic guns of the bodies. Strapping them to lie across her back, Kumi took the braided pilot back into her arms and ran down the halls.
mou kizutsuite mo ii hitomi wo sorasazu ni
atsuku hageshiku ikiteitai
In the control room of Quasar, every scan of the rooms disappeared into screens of static. With a collective shout and gasp, the soldiers at the computers typed feverishly as Cray shouted, "WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON!?!" One of his soldiers looked up from her screen and yelled over the sirens, "SIR, OUR SURVEILLANCE SYATEM HAS BEEN CUT!" Cray screamed, "ITS ANOTHER GUNDAM PILOT!" Running to the transmitter, the General shouted into the microphone, "BLOCK EVERY EXIT AND SCAN THE ENTRIE SHIP!"
Meanwhile, Kumi was making her way to the sixth hanger. Taking a shoot down to the area, she held onto the grip bar over her head with her left arm and carefully held Duo against her with her right as they were quickly lowered through the tunnel. As she did this, her right hand held a small detonator and pressed the button, never losing her grip on her comrade.
A chain of explosions coursed through the opposite end of Quasar, taking out screaming soldiers the whole way. That portion of the ship was cutoff by huge, Gundamimum doors to keep the explosions from spreading throughout the entire ship. All of the guards stationed where the explosions began were trapped behind the doors and taken in by the flames, screaming in terror and agony.
akiramenai tsuyosa wo kureru anata dakara dakishimetai
The guards in the sixth hanger were firing upon Kumi as she ran in, alone. Taking the semi-automatic gun she stole from one of the guards watching Duo's cell, she fired back. All the while, she threw herself to flip and roll along the floor to dodge the fire brought upon her. Getting herself to kneel, Kumi took out the soldiers before her until they all lied in bloody heaps. Covered in sweat now, the pilot ran back to the tower of the hanger and took two space suits into her possession along the way.
ayamachi mo itami mo
azayakana isshun no hikari he to michibiite
With the press of another detonator, another section of the quilled ship went up in a mass of explosions. The guards there met the same fates as their comrades that were lost in the first explosion. Their flight to make it out of the division of the ship alive was cut off with the slam of thick Gundamimum doors. Just after the closing of these doors, the flames burned the remaining soldiers alive.
Kumi was now working in the tower of the sixth hanger, typing at the controls. Slamming the last large button, the pilot sent a Casualty Capsule into Space. Looking to the fallen soldier in the space suit beside her, she carried them in her arms, handling the burden carefully as she quickly escaped the tower.
kono mune no kodou ha
anata he to tsuduiteru
In the control room, on the main monitor, a red light lit the third section of the ship that was lost in a third explosion. The voice of a solider shouted over the transmitter, "SIR, WE CAN'T KEEP UP LIKE THIS MUCH LONGER! WE'VE LOST ALMOST A THIRD OF THE SHIP!" Cray shouted into the microphone, "I'M AWARE OF THAT! GET YOUR MEN TO FIND THAT PILOT!"
The voice replied in a cry, "BUT, SIR, WE-" sis words were cut off with a blood-curdling scream as the sound of another explosion covered the connection. On the main monitors, a forth red light lit the section that was lost. Cray screamed, "FUCK!" Taking the microphone again, he ordered, "EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU, I WANT THAT SON OF A BITCH FOUND AND DESTROYED AT ALL COSTS!"
sou shi'nayaka ni ima kanji: jidai wo suhada de uketomete
motto yasashisa mitsuketai yo
subete ga kirameiteta osanai hi no kiseki torimodoshite...
Kumi was now running through the halls of the ship alone, being chased by several OZ soldiers as they fired upon her. Making her way to an elevator, the pilot stood in the doorway and fired back upon the soldiers as they continued to run after her. She cut all of them down with a spray of bullets and the toss of a grenade. Removing the guns around her, the 'Perfect Soldier' tossed the two weapons away and took two new ones from the soldiers she just killed. From there, she ran into the elevator.
otagai no setsunasa
kanjiai wakeaeru nukumori wo shinjiteru
Taking the lift upward, she quickly reloaded her pistol. When the elevator stopped, there were soldiers firing from the right. Kumi returned the fire as she aimed the gun beyond the doorway while keeping her body in the frozen elevator. Taking a fifth detonator into her hand, she caused another explosion to unleash behind the guards shooting at her. As they were taken out, screaming, the silver-haired pilot darted through the halls ahead of the wave of fire.
The flames from the explosion were not far behind Kumi as she ran as fast as her legs could carry her. Looking ahead, she saw a Gundamimum door sliding down from the top of the doorway. Eyes narrowed, she somehow managed to run even faster. Diving, she slid under and past the door just before it closed and locked on her. Jumping to her feet, she didn't waist any time in finishing her job.
kono kisu de tashikana
jou'netsu wo tsutaetai
Back in the sixth hanger, several guards poured in to see if there was any sign of an escape that had taken place once they had word that the pilots had been there. Not paying any mind to the bodies of their comrades, the guards scanned the area to see if any of their ships were missing. It didn't take long for them to realize that everything was present and in tact. One of the soldiers announced this news to their general and continued to search for any signs as to where the pilots were headed.
That same soldier noticed a body lying on the floor, completely suited and not bearing any bullet holes. With a snarl, he quickly ran to the suit and removed the space helmet. The blood-covered face and body belonged to one of the killed OZ soldiers. A small, black box with a red light blinking at the top was duct taped to the body's neck. The eyes of the young man looking to the bomb widened as he screamed, "GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!" His warning came too late as the explosive went off, destroying everything in the hanger with it.
In the heart of the ship, more guards looked in shock as they saw the bodies of their friends. Taking to the central monitors, a young woman hissed, "Shit! They changed the system all together. It'll take hours to get it back in line." One of her partners shook his head, "We don't even have a few minutes. Do whatever you can to get the cameras back up." Looking to the others, he ordered, "Search the room for anything that was left behind." The young woman typed away as the other guards scanned the area.
sou shi'nayaka ni ima kanji: jidai wo suhada de uketomete
motto "yasashisa mitsuketai yo
subete ga kirameiteta osanai hi no "kiseki" torimodoshite...
On the way to one of the few remaining sections of Quasar, Kumi was stopped when a large number of guards blocked her path and opened fire. With narrowed eyes there silver-haired pilot fired back at all of the soldiers, running and shooting as she fearlessly charged into the battle.
Pulling a grenade from her pocket and biting the safety pin out, the pilot hurled the weapon at a handful of soldiers on a balcony above her. Once those soldiers were killed, the 'Perfect Soldier' scaled to the balcony. Once she reached the balcony, she could see the storage tanks of oil on the ground. Her new targets were located as she opened fire upon the tanks. Instantly, explosions rang out and wiped through the ground level that she just came from. Kumi continued shooting the oil barrels and those soldiers that managed to find a haven in the crevices of the room below.
otagai no setsunasa
kanjiai wakeaeru nukumori wo shinjiteru
An OZ soldier slipped through the shadows behind the silver-haired pilot as she continued to aim over the balcony, wiping out his comrades. The young man removed a dagger from his pocket and charged at the girl. Taken by surprise, Kumi had the riffle knocked from her grip as she was hurled across the balcony's floor along with her opponent. Landing on her back and looking up, she managed to catch the wrists of the OZ soldier just before her drove his dagger as he straddled her at the waist.
Growling deeply, the two struggled for control as the knife dangled inches from the 'Perfect Soldier's' neck. The man pressed down with all his strength, sweat dripping from his face. Kumi was sweating just the same. The gashes and cuts that she received during her stay at Quasar were bleeding more as she pushed up on the soldier's wrists with everything in her.
kono kisu de tashikana
jou'netsu wo tsutaetai
Taking a chance. Kumi took her right hand from dagger, making it only her left to hold the soldier back from slicing her neck open. Pulling her right leg back a bit, she managed to lift the fabric there to find the halter with her own dagger. The soldier's eyes were locked with her own as they glared to each other, making it impossible for him to know what the pilot was doing.
In a sudden motion, the silver-haired pilot removed her dagger from the halter and hurled the blade into the soldier's back, dragging the stab down along his spine. A small cry of pain left the guard as his eyes widened at the steel entering his body. His hands dropped his knife and the color in his skin vanished. His body collapsed beside the Gundam pilot. Taking a brief moment to pant and catch her breath as she lied on the balcony, Kumi pulled out a small remote form her pocket.
[Music Bridge]
In the heart of Quasar, one of the soldiers opened a chamber of the main system at the base of the machine. Squatting to have a better look inside, he took a flashlight and searched the dark space that was filler with wires and circuit boards. His eyes widened as he turned pale. He screamed, "OVER HERE!" His friends squatted around him and gave the same expression. A bomb had been carefully and securely hidden inside. The highest ranked of the soldiers screamed, "EVACUATE THE SHIP NOW!" The soldiers ran out of the room as if they were being chased by the Devil himself.
As the flames and explosions continued to rage a half mile below her, Kumi pulled herself up to stand at the top of the railing. Balancing herself with ease there, the pilot used the remote to have the surveillance camera on the wall opposite of her point in her direction. Looking forward over the edge of the railing and into the camera, she pressed a button that connected her image into every computer and screen on Quasar.
In the control room, Cray looked with wide eyes as he looked to the silver-haired pilot on the main monitor. The soldiers in the control room with him stopped their typing as they looked in shock to the image as well. The flames dancing below the pilot's feet and the shadows that they caused to dance around her made her look like a demon sent to smite every last one of them. It was the most terrifying sight that any of them had seen.
Kumi said in her monotone voice, "My name is Kumi Yuy, Gundam pilot One Zero. I have reclaimed Duo Maxwell on behalf of Heero Yuy." Removing the last detonator from her pocket, she informed the soldiers, "And I have a message for OZ..." She held the detonator before her and stated, "Don't fuck with a Gundam pilot." Pressing the detonator, the bomb in the ship's heart was set off. The soldiers who tried to escape after locating the bomb were engulfed by the flames that spread throughout every crevice of Quasar.
ayamachi mo itami mo
azayakana isshun no hikari he to michibiite
Kumi ran the remaining mile to the hanger that she was closest to. In the room, the walls were cracking as flames began to fight their way free. Taking to a carrier big enough for two pilots, she ran into the cockpit and closed the ship's doors. Pulling out of the hanger, she shot a opening in the steel barrier ahead of her. The moment that she had a clearing to enter Space, the silver-haired pilot pushed hard on the controls and shot out into the stars.
On the way out, a sea of flames followed the ship as it just managed to get out safely. Looking back to Quasar, the blue eyes of the pilot caught the last moments of the enormous ship as it was shattered with massive explosions. Finally, there was a huge flash of light and nothing remained but tiny particles similar to star dust.
The Gundam pilot looked forward on her monitors and located the Casualty Capsule that she sent into the stars. Racing up to it, Kumi managed to position her ship over the capsule module and lowered the craft to capture it. Undoing her harness, she ran back and opened the doors that separated the cockpit and the small hanger. Looking to the Casualty Capsule as it lied in the center of the room, a small sense of relief washed over her.
kono mune no kodou ha
anata he to tsuduiteru
Opening the glass hood of the Casualty Capsule, Kumi saw the suited body that she placed inside before having to destroy the quilled ship on her own. The suited individual was lying on their back with their hands folded over their chest. Aside from having the space suit on them, this was the way all bodies were lied in these capsules as they were sent on their way home for burial.
Kumi removed the helmet and Duo's chestnut braid fell to his side as he lied peacefully. The silver-haired pilot unzipped his suit and lifted the American into her arms. She gently placed Duo into the seat beside hers in the cockpit and harnessed him in carefully. Duo continued to sleep soundly with his head tilted to his left shoulder. His friend squatted beside him, looking over him and seeing that everything way alright. Rising, she made her way back to the pilot seat.
Collapsing into the chair, the 'Perfect Soldier' wiped the sweat that drenched her face and paid no mind to the wounds that she endured. Taking the radio from the control panel of the ship, Kumi plugged in a signal to Pulsar. Speaking into the radio, she announced, "This is Pilot One Zero..." She paused and turned to see her sleeping comrade as he lied safely in his seat. Kumi concluded, "Mission complete." Once the connection was cut, she took to the controls and looked to the monitors.
The ship carrying the pilots shot off in a b-line for the Earth.
* * * * * *
Quinze Kushrenadah had arranged to stay at the ship where Heero Yuy was being held. Looking down from the balcony in the prison, the OZ leader watched as the Wing pilot was whipped. Heero's arms were chained to stretch out at his sides. His shirt was removed as the scars from the torture were in plain sight. Duo's gold cross continued to hang from his neck. It was the only thing that he refused to allow anyone else to touch, let alone try to remove from him.
Each flog was excruciating, but the 'Perfect Soldier' would never allow any scream or whimper leave him. He just sagged forward in his chains, head lowered and unruly hair falling over his eyes. The blood and sweat mixing together, covering his back. However, the tattoo on his right shoulder remained intact and untouched.
The green eyes of the OZ leader focused intensely on the pilot as he witnessed the whole thing. He heard the door behind him open, but did not tear his eyes from the Wing pilot. Demetris, Stacy Stanton, Carter, Abrasia and Azrael entered the door and filed along the railing at either side of their commander. They all looked with wide eyed in amazement and disbelief as they looked below. Almost all of their jaws fell slack and a few gasps were heard from them as well.
Never blinking or looked away from the Gundam pilot, Quinze said quietly with a wide smile, "Isn't he amazing? I never realized until now how strong he truly is." Demetris was standing to the OZ leader's right. He whispered as he shook his head, "I-I can't believe that we really have him." Stacy winced as another loud crack from the whip echoed through the room. The cracks never stopped and she asked in a small voice, "How long has he remained silent like this?" Quinze answered without looking to his soldiers, "Since he was captured, two days ago." Carter wrapped his arm around his lover's shoulders and continued to watch in disbelief along with her. A sneer crossed the lips of the twins as they continued to watch the beating. Never saying a word, they watched in silent amusement.
The tall, built soldier whipping the Gundam pilot grew tired as he stopped and wiped the sweat from his face. Panting, he bent at the knees a bit to catch his breath. Heero continued to slump forward with his arms stretched out and suspended. He did, however, lift his head a bit to look over his shoulder and up to the balcony behind him. His eyes glared at the witnessed through his thick, sweat-covered bangs.
Azrael felt a chill go up her spine, but she covered it well. Turning to her brother, she whispered in his ear, "He still looks like he could be a threat." Abrasia huffed and whispered in his twin's ear, "He won't be causing us any more trouble...Look at him." The young woman nodded and whispered, "I am looking...And I don't like what I see."
Her brother grabbed her wrist and hissed quietly, "You never spoke this way before. What is wrong with you?" Azrael shook her head, "I don't know. That pilot...He can't be human." Abrasia assured her, "He's human. He's bleeding, isn't he?" His sister looked to the wounded pilot and paused. Finally, she sneered, "You're right, Abrasia. I'm still just in shock that he's here, that's all." The young man nodded and released his partner's wrist.
The soldier who had been whipping Heero looked up to his commander. "What should I do, sir?" Quinze waved him off, "He's had enough for today. There's always tomorrow." The soldier nodded and saluted before leaving the room. The OZ leader turned to his soldiers and smiled, "I'll introduce you." At this, he led the way to the stairs. On the way there, Demetris said with a tone of concern, "Sir, there is something that I must inform you of, first."
Quinze stopped and turned to the giant. Still smiling, he asked, "Alright, Demetris. What is it that you need to tell me?" The tall man took a deep breath and waited until he and Kushrenadah were standing inches from each other, away from the twins, Stacy and Carter. Looking to each other, the other soldiers decided that it would be best to leave their commander and Demetris alone. They slipped through the doors again silently.
"Sir," Demetris said quietly. "We've lost Quasar." The green eyes of the young man widened as he took this news in. "W-what?" the OZ leader whispered in a breathless whisper. "You must be mistaken, my friend," he smirked with a deep chuckle. Demetris frowned and shook his head, "I wish that I was, Your Excellency. We have lost contact with Vance Cray hours ago. A search team was sent to the site where Quasar had last been seen. When they reached the area, they found the remains of the ship floating all around."
Turning away to walk to the railing, Quainze used the bar there to support him on his feet. "Quasar...was one of our most valuable weapons. And there is nothing left?" he asked quietly, still unable to believe that Demetris was telling the truth. The giant nodded and replied to his leader's back, "I am sorry to have to tell you this news, sir. I know that the loss of that ship is a great one for us."
Shaking his head, Kushrenadah turned to Demetris and said, "That ship was almost pure Gundamimum, through and through. Who could have possibly known how to destroy it by knowing the impact tolerance of metal like-" The commander's eyes widened as he answered the question, himself. His eyes narrowed into slits and he heard himself growl deeply, "A Gundam pilot." Demetris's hands turned to tight fists as he clenched his teeth. "One Gundam pilot in particular, Your Excellency," he said deeply with venom in his voice.
Quinze turned pale and he whispered in haste, "What about Duo Maxwell?" Demetris took another deep breath before answering, "There is good reason to believe that he was freed, knowing who destroyed Quasar in the first place." Kushrenadah lowered his reddening face as he hissed in a deep breath. Maddened with rage, he flew to the stairs and descended them at great speed. He stopped when he reached the chained pilot and paced back and forth before him.
Heero lifted his head as he watched the OZ leader walking back and forth ahead of him. Quinze stopped and glared to the Wing pilot. He brought their faces inches apart from each other. Growling deeply, he asked just barely loud enough for the Japanese pilot to hear, "Who the hell are you? You and Kumi couldn't possibly be of this world." The Wing pilot was oblivious as to why the young man was saying this. Still, he glared at him as he always did.
Wiping some sweat from his brow, Quinze shook his head, "You know, your dear cousin is responsible for the destruction of one of my prized ships." Heero's eyes brightened for a moment as they widened. A small sneer crossed his lips as he went on to glare at Kushrenadah. The commander nodded, "Yea. I thought that you'd like that news. Rest assured, it will be the last time you'll ever have anything to smirk about. You've lost your lover. I'll see that you lose every one of your comrades." Two guards walked into the cell and unchained Heero, forcing him out of the room with them.
Demetris slowly walked to his commander when they were alone again. Quinze turned to him and warned, "We are the only ones of OZ to know that Maxwell is still alive. I swear that if even one other OZ soldier so much as suggests it before he is seen again, I'll hold you responsible and I will have your head for it." The giant nodded and assured him, "No other sole in our organization will know until then, Your Excellency." Kushrenadah nodded, "Good. I need some time alone to work all of this out." Demetris saluted, "Sir" and headed for the door.
Quinze's hands clenched into tight fists when he was alone again as he hissed, "I'm through playing games." A storm was building and raging within him that was ready to unleash itself at any moment. A small chuckle left the young man as it built into a maddened, hysterical laugh that echoed throughout the room. "Oh, this war is far from over, my dear Gundam pilots! And nothing of this world or the next will be able to help any of you!"
* * * * * *
[I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories]
On the Earth, Dorothy's coffin was being lowered into the ground beside the grave of Treis Kushrenadah. The entire grave yard was heavily guarded and hidden from the sight of anyone that did not know the pilot or her friends. It was drizzling as everyone stood around the rose-covered casket with black umbrellas to match their attire. The pilots were the closest to the grave as they stayed shoulder-to-shoulder together to lend their strength to each other. Some dried their eyes as others had their heads lowered and eyes closed in silent prayers.
[Remember the good times that we had?
I let them slip away from us
when things got bad
How clearly I first saw you smilin' in the sun
Wanna feel your warmth upon me,
I wanna be the one]
The coffin reached the bottom of the grave and the pilots stepped forward, each with a handful of dirt that they tossed into the hole as a symbol of returning to dust. With that, the service was concluded and the crowd present began to file out of the graveyard. The Gundam pilots were the last to remain with their closest friends and significant others. Each of the pilots blew a kiss, waved, saluted, bowed or gave another gesture of farewell as they looked down to the coffin. Together, they slowly made their way from the graveyard.
[I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories]
The next day, the sun was shining over the cabin safe house that the remaining Gundam pilots had been living in. Relena was with her friends as they stood before Dorothy's memorial cross that Kumi made. It was the first time they ever had the strength to see it up close. The young queen placed a wreathe of bright flowers around the cross as that it hung like a necklace from the center. Each of the others placed a small bouquet that they had collected before the cross's base.
Standing back a bit, they looked down to the memorial with heavy hearts, but with a sense of coming to terms with the loss of their friend. Relena dried a stray tear that broke through her barriers. Wufei hugged her from behind and kissed her temple as her arms enveloped around his. Sette was resting her head on Quatre's shoulder with his head resting on the top of hers, their arms wrapped around each other's waists. Trowa and Delapan supported each other as they stood next to each other. They slowly made their way back to the safe house as a unit with a soft breeze kissing all of them.
[I'm so tired but I can't sleep
Standin' on the edge of something
much to deep
It's funny how we feel so much
but we cannot say a word
We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard]
In his cell, Heero was sitting up with his back against one of the walls. His red eyes showed that he had been crying silently again. His hand was wrapped around the cross that fell along his chest. His shirt covered all of the scars and bruises from his beatings on his chest and back. Still, hi face bore some evidence of the abuse he faced.
Looking to the glass window at the top of the cell, the Wing pilot looked out to the stars and wondered if his koi was watching him. All of his thoughts circled around Duo, as they always had. Finally, he forced himself to lie on his back and tried to sleep as his eyes drifted closed.
[I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories]
Trowa was walking throughout the safe house, entering the room of all of his friends as they slept. Relena needed some extra covers that he carefully rested over her. Quatre's right hand had fallen over the side of his bed as he slept. Trowa carefully rested it back on the mattress and covered it with the blankets. Sette's pillow had slipped off of her own bed as the tall pilot gently lifted her head to place it over the soft padding again. Tucking all of his friends in and seeing that they were all sleeping well, the tall pilot felt a sense of relief in knowing that they were alright. After leaving Wufei's room as his last visit, he made his way to his own room to sleep.
A few hours later, Trowa was still awake as he lied in his bed. He didn't expect to be able to sleep with everything going through his mind. As he lied there with his eyes open, he heard a craft soar high over the house as it made its way into the woods about two miles from where he and his friends were staying.
The tall pilot jumped from his bed as he threw a T-shirt on over his sweatpants and flew out of the room, taking a shotgun with him. Running into the dark woods ahead of the cabin, it wasn't difficult for Trowa to locate the ship since there was only one clearing where it could have landed.
[I'm so afraid to love you, but more afraid to lose
Clinging to a past that doesn't let me choose
Once there was a darkness,
deep and endless night
You gave me everything you had
oh you gave me light]
The moment he reached the clearing, Trowa saw the ship that he heard. With narrowed eyes, he aimed the shotgun to the cockpit as it slid opened. Just as he was about to pull the trigger, his eyes adjusted to the darkness with the help of the full moon in the clear sky above. They widened as his jaw fell slack when he saw Kumi making her way from the ship, cradling someone in her arms. That was when he saw the braid of the person in her arms. Trowa's hands fell to his sides and the gun slipped from his grasp.
The silver-haired pilot looked to her shocked lover with a tired, yet gentle glance as she walked to him. She stood a few inches from Trowa, who was staring at Duo in shock and disbelief with his wide eyes and slack jaw. The American was sleeping soundly in his friend's arms and Trowa ran a hand through his long bangs. The tall pilot opened his arms and bent at the knees to accept Duo into his own arms. Kumi gently shifted the sleeping pilot into her lover's care. A stifled sob left Trowa and he kissed Duo's forehead with tears flooding his eyes.
The tall pilot looked to Kumi with a warm smile. His lover gave a nod and they walked back to the safe house together.
[I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories]
Trowa gently lied Duo into the bed of a spare room as Kumi rested a candelabra with a single burning candle on the deck next to the door. They tucked the braided pilot in carefully and made sure that he was going to stay warm during the night. Kumi sat at on the mattress beside Duo's right as she gently rubbed the top of his head. Trowa sat behind her, planting a gentle kiss on the back of her neck and hugging her tight as his arms wrapped around her waist. He watched his sleeping friend over his partner's shoulder as he rested his head there.
[I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories]
Trowa rose from the bed and gently helped his exhausted lover make it onto her own feet. They slowly made their way to the door, both feeling secure enough that Duo would be okay.
Back in his cell, Heero turned onto his left side, reaching for the space there since that was where Duo would have been sleeping. His hand remained there, searching for someone that wasn't there and a small tear rolled from his closed right eye.
Kumi and Trowa looked back when they heard a small whimper come from the braided pilot. They watched as he lied onto his right side, reaching for the space where Heero would have been sleeping. Looking to each other, Kumi and Trowa frowned as their hearts broke for their friend. "We have to find Heero, Trowa," Kumi whispered sadly as she continued to watch Duo sleep. The tall pilot kissed her temple and assured her as he whispered back, "We will, Kumi. I promise."
The pair looked back to their sleeping comrade. Kumi leaned in by where the candle was and gently blew it out. Together, the pair made their way out of the room.
[Weep not for the memories]
Duo continued to reach for the man that he loved as a small tear rolled from his closed left eye. While he was safe, he knew that he was a long way off from being home.
TBC
SPECIAL THANKS TO AKUMA AND STAR DANCER FOR HELPING ME FIND THIS GW SONG!!!! Love ya both and all of my friends on 1X2X1! SkyLark
Gundam Wing: The Second Chapter
Episode 34: Invasion of Quasar
by SkyLark
with support and help from Snodin, Sam, Stormy, Silver Star, Beekay, GREETER 600, Ruby and all readers of this fic.
Two days after the silver-haired pilot left to 'plug' the leak that OZ captured, the memorial service for Dorothy Catalonia was taking place in Pulsar's chapel. At the alter, a lovely picture of the young woman was placed over her casket and a beautiful arrangement of flowers were splayed throughout the room. The chapel was completely filled with Preventers, friends and family of the deceased. The Gundam pilots sat in the front of the assembly, all dressed in black and supporting each other as the priest gave his sermon.
All of the pilots had the chance to get up and say a few words on their fallen comrade's. Trowa read a letter that Kumi had written about Novem, since she was away on her mission. The pilots took in a lot of what was said at the service, though they were still having a hard time gathering their own thoughts and feelings together at this time. Dorothy was a good friend to all of them and an exceptional Gundam pilot. Her loss was going to be difficult to get over, though her friends knew that they had no choice but to move on. There was still a war being raged and they needed to keep themselves together.
Finally, the last song was sung and the memorial ceremony ended. Each of the pilots came up with a rose that they placed on the coffin. From their, they walked out of the chapel and were greeted by their friends in the back of the room. Many of the Preventers present gave their condolences to all of the Gundam pilots, shaking their hands and others hugging them for support while wishing them luck at getting through the war alive.
Relena had Brian as her main support. He never left her side and kept whispering comforting words to his wife. Quatre and Sette relied on each other, Delapan was with Derek, Milliardo and Noin looked after one another along with their son, Wufei and Sally never let each other out of their sight and Lady Une and Lieutenant Keiser watched over Marimaya together. Trowa quietly remained the back-up for all of them.
The pilots were going to spend the night on Pulsar and return to the Earth in the morning. Lady Une made it her personal responsibility to see that Dorothy would be buried next to Treis Kushrenadah, in the same graveyard that her grandfather was buried in. It was what the young pilot wanted and expressed to the head of the Preventers in a talk years prior to now. Une made sure that her wishes would be realized. The pilots all agreed that it was the best decision.
* * * * * *
That night, Trowa was sitting in the same lounge that he was in after Duo's death, when Kumi came to see him. His black suit coat was off and his tie was loosened after a long day. He sighed deeply as he looked out to the stars and lowered his head. The door behind him opened and as he turned, he called, "Kumi?" hoping that it was his lover coming to support him again. Sette stood before him with a small frown. She shook her head, "Just me, Trowa." The tall pilot gave a small nod and smiled, "Hi, Sette" The ex-princess walked to him and said quietly, "You've been helping the rest of us so much, I don't think that anyone realized to ask if you're alright."
Trowa shrugged, "I'm alright. But, thank you for checking up on me." Sette smirked and shook her head, "You're a bad liar, but I still like 'ya." She placed a hand on her comrade's right shoulder and assured him. "Kumi will be fine. She's a tough girl. And she'll be back before you know it." The tall pilot forced a smile and nodded, "Yea." He turned back to look out to the stars. The tomboy knew that he was going to have a rough time in trying not to worry. Just then, she remembered something and reached for the pocket of her black skirt. Removing an envelope, she smiled as she bit her lip and turned back to her friend.
Sette informed Trowa's back with a warm smile, "She left something for you." The tall pilot froze then turned back to the blue-haired pilot with wide eyes. Sette handed him the envelope and explained, "Kumi doesn't want you to open it unless you really need to." The young man looked to his friend with uncertainty. The ex-princess understood what he was thinking and smiled, "It's not in case she doesn't return. It's just something in case she doesn't happen to be around when you need this."
Trowa gave a relieved smile and accepted the envelope and whispered, "Thank you, Sette." The tomboy stood on her toes to kiss the tall pilot's right cheek. She winked to him, "Thanks again for all of your help today. Believe me, you've helped everyone more than they can say right now." The pilot of Heavy Arms said sincerely, "My pleasure."
The ex-princess left the room with a wave to her friend. Trowa waved back and looked to the envelope when he was alone again.
The pilot's name was written in block-print letters across the middle of the envelope. He moved to open the letter, but stopped before actually tearing the paper. Looking back to the front of the envelope, he thought aloud quietly, "Only when I really need it." He smirked and placed the letter in his pocket. At that, he retrieved his coat from the back of one of the chairs and walked out of the lounge.
* * * * * *
The sharp quilled ship known as Quasar was floating in the stationary stars. In the control room there, General Vance Cray was looking over his soldiers. He was the same man that made the announcement for the colonies that they had twenty-four hours to make an agreement with OZ after informing everyone on the Earth and in Space that Duo had been killed. His red hair shined under the bright lights of the room and his brown eyes made sure not to miss anything on the monitors ahead of everyone there.
One of his guards entered the room and saluted to him. The general nodded and the private lowered their hands again. "How is out guest of honor handling this day's torture?" he asked with a sneer to his soldier. The young man answered, "Stubborn as ever. It's taking a lot longer to break him than I first thought."
Cray shook his head, "I'm not surprised. Whatever it takes, I want him crushed." The guard saluted, "Yes, sir." He quickly left the room to overlook the torture being brought upon their most prized prisoner. Cray growled deeply to himself and hissed, "Two months of this, and that damn kid still won't say anything. I underestimated them." Looking back to the monitor that showed the galaxy, he sneered to himself, "Still, it's not like we have anything to worry about at this point in the game."
* * * * * *
The center of the ship that had been heavily guarded was quiet as the bodies of the soldiers that worked there lied on the floor with pools of blood around them. Their killer was typing and hacking away at the system. Their hands moved quickly over the keys and soon, they were past the security lock of the program. Timing the collapse of every camera to take place in fifteen minutes- and the detonation of the entire ship to come when they ordered it- the figure took their pistol and reloaded. From there, they quickly moved out of the room, locking and closing the door behind them to keep the bodies out of immediate sight.
* * * * * *
In a small, dark cell, the Preventer being held by OZ was lying on his stomach. Dressed in a tattered, black T-shirt and worn black pants, the barefoot pilot bore many bruises and scars on the skin that was exposed. Little of the material from the shirt remained, revealing the tattoo on the leak's left shoulder. His long hair was pulled into a braid that fell along his right side, ending at his knee. A small, deep groan left him as his blue eyes fought their way open. Only able to move his eyes, he looked to his surroundings and the pilot knew that his day's worth of torture was over. He groaned as he pushed himself up from the cold ground.
As he managed to raise get his upper body, the young man growled to himself in agony, "Come on, Duo...Don't let them get the best of you." The American bit his lip to fight back the pain as he pushed himself into a kneeing position. Gasping for air from the effort of such a normally simple act, the Gundam pilot looked to the wall ahead of him, opposite of the door to his cell.
Duo crawled to the wall and used it as a support in getting himself to his feet. Finally, he managed to stand as he rested his forehead against the metal, panting for air and letting a moan of pain escape him. "Bastards," Duo hissed painfully from the brutal attacks he endured. "It'll...take a lot more...that than to stop the god of death..." he just managed to get out between pants for air.
Just then, he heard two men screaming from beyond the cell door. The shouts were matched with the sound of gunfire. The braided pilot managed to turn himself, leaning his back against the wall for added support to keep from collapsing. The door to the cell opened, a blinding light flooding the room. Duo squinted at the sudden light and shielded his eyes.
Squinting, Duo saw that the guards watching the door to his room had their backs to him as they fired their riffles and backed up from the intruder. Only two bullets were fired by the trespasser, one soaring their the head of the OZ soldiers. The bodies of the guards collapsed a few feet before the doorway. Once they fell, the silhouette of the killer was just barely able to be made out by the Gundam pilot. The slender figure had a pistol aimed before them, right for the braided pilot, straight and unwavering as they slowly stalked forward to the American.
Duo lowered his arm, but remained squinting as his eyes fought to see in the bright light after spending such a long time in the pitch blackness of the prison. Slowly and silently, the armed intruder continued to walk closed to the doorway, their gun still aimed forward right for the American's head. A click from the gun echoed eerily as testimony that the gun's safety was removed again and ready to open fire.
Unable to do anything but watch, the braided pilot witnessed in shock as the figure froze in their stride the moment that they entered the doorway. The arm holding the gun almost began to shake a little. Still unable to make out a face of the trespasser, Deathscythe's pilot was just beginning to make out the build of the armed assassin.
Everything about the shape, size and even the stance of the mysterious person was so familiar. Suddenly, a loud and sharp gasp left Duo as tears filled his eyes instantly. It had to be...It was the just as it happened in the Eve Wars...Duo gave a small sob and cried, "HEERO!" Finding the strength that had since been lost, Duo launched himself at the intruder.
Throwing his arms around the assassin, Duo buried his left cheek into their left shoulder, looking away from their face with his eyes slammed shut. He sobbed and shook as he felt the arms of the figure gently fold around him. "Heero," Duo whispered hoarsely as he sobbed with tears soaking his face. Too weak to open his eyes again, he smiled and whispered, "I knew that you had to be alright. I was so worried about you, koibito." Feeling sleep tugging on him with great force, the pilot began to slump in the arms of the mysterious figure. A small sigh left the pilot as he fell into unconsciousness.
[Intro to 'Rythm Emotion' begins]
kono mune no kodou ha
anata he to tsuduiteru
Kumi looked to the sleeping pilot in her arms, shaking inwardly as she was still in shock. Holding Duo up with her left arm around his waist, the silver-haired pilot brushed back a few of the long bangs from her comrade's face to see that she wasn't imagining things. Her wide eyes closed as a loud sigh of relief left her. She brought Duo's head up so that she could rest their foreheads together. She whispered, "Thank you for keeping your word to Heero, Duo."
The sirens of the base rang out, breaking the state of relief that the 'Perfect Soldier' was in. Glaring to the door behind her, she growled deeply. The lights were from white to red as they flashed on and off. Taking Duo into her arms, she quickly made her way out of the cell. Looking to the guards that she killed, the pilot lowered Duo for a moment to take the semi-automatic guns of the bodies. Strapping them to lie across her back, Kumi took the braided pilot back into her arms and ran down the halls.
mou kizutsuite mo ii hitomi wo sorasazu ni
atsuku hageshiku ikiteitai
In the control room of Quasar, every scan of the rooms disappeared into screens of static. With a collective shout and gasp, the soldiers at the computers typed feverishly as Cray shouted, "WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON!?!" One of his soldiers looked up from her screen and yelled over the sirens, "SIR, OUR SURVEILLANCE SYATEM HAS BEEN CUT!" Cray screamed, "ITS ANOTHER GUNDAM PILOT!" Running to the transmitter, the General shouted into the microphone, "BLOCK EVERY EXIT AND SCAN THE ENTRIE SHIP!"
Meanwhile, Kumi was making her way to the sixth hanger. Taking a shoot down to the area, she held onto the grip bar over her head with her left arm and carefully held Duo against her with her right as they were quickly lowered through the tunnel. As she did this, her right hand held a small detonator and pressed the button, never losing her grip on her comrade.
A chain of explosions coursed through the opposite end of Quasar, taking out screaming soldiers the whole way. That portion of the ship was cutoff by huge, Gundamimum doors to keep the explosions from spreading throughout the entire ship. All of the guards stationed where the explosions began were trapped behind the doors and taken in by the flames, screaming in terror and agony.
akiramenai tsuyosa wo kureru anata dakara dakishimetai
The guards in the sixth hanger were firing upon Kumi as she ran in, alone. Taking the semi-automatic gun she stole from one of the guards watching Duo's cell, she fired back. All the while, she threw herself to flip and roll along the floor to dodge the fire brought upon her. Getting herself to kneel, Kumi took out the soldiers before her until they all lied in bloody heaps. Covered in sweat now, the pilot ran back to the tower of the hanger and took two space suits into her possession along the way.
ayamachi mo itami mo
azayakana isshun no hikari he to michibiite
With the press of another detonator, another section of the quilled ship went up in a mass of explosions. The guards there met the same fates as their comrades that were lost in the first explosion. Their flight to make it out of the division of the ship alive was cut off with the slam of thick Gundamimum doors. Just after the closing of these doors, the flames burned the remaining soldiers alive.
Kumi was now working in the tower of the sixth hanger, typing at the controls. Slamming the last large button, the pilot sent a Casualty Capsule into Space. Looking to the fallen soldier in the space suit beside her, she carried them in her arms, handling the burden carefully as she quickly escaped the tower.
kono mune no kodou ha
anata he to tsuduiteru
In the control room, on the main monitor, a red light lit the third section of the ship that was lost in a third explosion. The voice of a solider shouted over the transmitter, "SIR, WE CAN'T KEEP UP LIKE THIS MUCH LONGER! WE'VE LOST ALMOST A THIRD OF THE SHIP!" Cray shouted into the microphone, "I'M AWARE OF THAT! GET YOUR MEN TO FIND THAT PILOT!"
The voice replied in a cry, "BUT, SIR, WE-" sis words were cut off with a blood-curdling scream as the sound of another explosion covered the connection. On the main monitors, a forth red light lit the section that was lost. Cray screamed, "FUCK!" Taking the microphone again, he ordered, "EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU, I WANT THAT SON OF A BITCH FOUND AND DESTROYED AT ALL COSTS!"
sou shi'nayaka ni ima kanji: jidai wo suhada de uketomete
motto yasashisa mitsuketai yo
subete ga kirameiteta osanai hi no kiseki torimodoshite...
Kumi was now running through the halls of the ship alone, being chased by several OZ soldiers as they fired upon her. Making her way to an elevator, the pilot stood in the doorway and fired back upon the soldiers as they continued to run after her. She cut all of them down with a spray of bullets and the toss of a grenade. Removing the guns around her, the 'Perfect Soldier' tossed the two weapons away and took two new ones from the soldiers she just killed. From there, she ran into the elevator.
otagai no setsunasa
kanjiai wakeaeru nukumori wo shinjiteru
Taking the lift upward, she quickly reloaded her pistol. When the elevator stopped, there were soldiers firing from the right. Kumi returned the fire as she aimed the gun beyond the doorway while keeping her body in the frozen elevator. Taking a fifth detonator into her hand, she caused another explosion to unleash behind the guards shooting at her. As they were taken out, screaming, the silver-haired pilot darted through the halls ahead of the wave of fire.
The flames from the explosion were not far behind Kumi as she ran as fast as her legs could carry her. Looking ahead, she saw a Gundamimum door sliding down from the top of the doorway. Eyes narrowed, she somehow managed to run even faster. Diving, she slid under and past the door just before it closed and locked on her. Jumping to her feet, she didn't waist any time in finishing her job.
kono kisu de tashikana
jou'netsu wo tsutaetai
Back in the sixth hanger, several guards poured in to see if there was any sign of an escape that had taken place once they had word that the pilots had been there. Not paying any mind to the bodies of their comrades, the guards scanned the area to see if any of their ships were missing. It didn't take long for them to realize that everything was present and in tact. One of the soldiers announced this news to their general and continued to search for any signs as to where the pilots were headed.
That same soldier noticed a body lying on the floor, completely suited and not bearing any bullet holes. With a snarl, he quickly ran to the suit and removed the space helmet. The blood-covered face and body belonged to one of the killed OZ soldiers. A small, black box with a red light blinking at the top was duct taped to the body's neck. The eyes of the young man looking to the bomb widened as he screamed, "GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!" His warning came too late as the explosive went off, destroying everything in the hanger with it.
In the heart of the ship, more guards looked in shock as they saw the bodies of their friends. Taking to the central monitors, a young woman hissed, "Shit! They changed the system all together. It'll take hours to get it back in line." One of her partners shook his head, "We don't even have a few minutes. Do whatever you can to get the cameras back up." Looking to the others, he ordered, "Search the room for anything that was left behind." The young woman typed away as the other guards scanned the area.
sou shi'nayaka ni ima kanji: jidai wo suhada de uketomete
motto "yasashisa mitsuketai yo
subete ga kirameiteta osanai hi no "kiseki" torimodoshite...
On the way to one of the few remaining sections of Quasar, Kumi was stopped when a large number of guards blocked her path and opened fire. With narrowed eyes there silver-haired pilot fired back at all of the soldiers, running and shooting as she fearlessly charged into the battle.
Pulling a grenade from her pocket and biting the safety pin out, the pilot hurled the weapon at a handful of soldiers on a balcony above her. Once those soldiers were killed, the 'Perfect Soldier' scaled to the balcony. Once she reached the balcony, she could see the storage tanks of oil on the ground. Her new targets were located as she opened fire upon the tanks. Instantly, explosions rang out and wiped through the ground level that she just came from. Kumi continued shooting the oil barrels and those soldiers that managed to find a haven in the crevices of the room below.
otagai no setsunasa
kanjiai wakeaeru nukumori wo shinjiteru
An OZ soldier slipped through the shadows behind the silver-haired pilot as she continued to aim over the balcony, wiping out his comrades. The young man removed a dagger from his pocket and charged at the girl. Taken by surprise, Kumi had the riffle knocked from her grip as she was hurled across the balcony's floor along with her opponent. Landing on her back and looking up, she managed to catch the wrists of the OZ soldier just before her drove his dagger as he straddled her at the waist.
Growling deeply, the two struggled for control as the knife dangled inches from the 'Perfect Soldier's' neck. The man pressed down with all his strength, sweat dripping from his face. Kumi was sweating just the same. The gashes and cuts that she received during her stay at Quasar were bleeding more as she pushed up on the soldier's wrists with everything in her.
kono kisu de tashikana
jou'netsu wo tsutaetai
Taking a chance. Kumi took her right hand from dagger, making it only her left to hold the soldier back from slicing her neck open. Pulling her right leg back a bit, she managed to lift the fabric there to find the halter with her own dagger. The soldier's eyes were locked with her own as they glared to each other, making it impossible for him to know what the pilot was doing.
In a sudden motion, the silver-haired pilot removed her dagger from the halter and hurled the blade into the soldier's back, dragging the stab down along his spine. A small cry of pain left the guard as his eyes widened at the steel entering his body. His hands dropped his knife and the color in his skin vanished. His body collapsed beside the Gundam pilot. Taking a brief moment to pant and catch her breath as she lied on the balcony, Kumi pulled out a small remote form her pocket.
[Music Bridge]
In the heart of Quasar, one of the soldiers opened a chamber of the main system at the base of the machine. Squatting to have a better look inside, he took a flashlight and searched the dark space that was filler with wires and circuit boards. His eyes widened as he turned pale. He screamed, "OVER HERE!" His friends squatted around him and gave the same expression. A bomb had been carefully and securely hidden inside. The highest ranked of the soldiers screamed, "EVACUATE THE SHIP NOW!" The soldiers ran out of the room as if they were being chased by the Devil himself.
As the flames and explosions continued to rage a half mile below her, Kumi pulled herself up to stand at the top of the railing. Balancing herself with ease there, the pilot used the remote to have the surveillance camera on the wall opposite of her point in her direction. Looking forward over the edge of the railing and into the camera, she pressed a button that connected her image into every computer and screen on Quasar.
In the control room, Cray looked with wide eyes as he looked to the silver-haired pilot on the main monitor. The soldiers in the control room with him stopped their typing as they looked in shock to the image as well. The flames dancing below the pilot's feet and the shadows that they caused to dance around her made her look like a demon sent to smite every last one of them. It was the most terrifying sight that any of them had seen.
Kumi said in her monotone voice, "My name is Kumi Yuy, Gundam pilot One Zero. I have reclaimed Duo Maxwell on behalf of Heero Yuy." Removing the last detonator from her pocket, she informed the soldiers, "And I have a message for OZ..." She held the detonator before her and stated, "Don't fuck with a Gundam pilot." Pressing the detonator, the bomb in the ship's heart was set off. The soldiers who tried to escape after locating the bomb were engulfed by the flames that spread throughout every crevice of Quasar.
ayamachi mo itami mo
azayakana isshun no hikari he to michibiite
Kumi ran the remaining mile to the hanger that she was closest to. In the room, the walls were cracking as flames began to fight their way free. Taking to a carrier big enough for two pilots, she ran into the cockpit and closed the ship's doors. Pulling out of the hanger, she shot a opening in the steel barrier ahead of her. The moment that she had a clearing to enter Space, the silver-haired pilot pushed hard on the controls and shot out into the stars.
On the way out, a sea of flames followed the ship as it just managed to get out safely. Looking back to Quasar, the blue eyes of the pilot caught the last moments of the enormous ship as it was shattered with massive explosions. Finally, there was a huge flash of light and nothing remained but tiny particles similar to star dust.
The Gundam pilot looked forward on her monitors and located the Casualty Capsule that she sent into the stars. Racing up to it, Kumi managed to position her ship over the capsule module and lowered the craft to capture it. Undoing her harness, she ran back and opened the doors that separated the cockpit and the small hanger. Looking to the Casualty Capsule as it lied in the center of the room, a small sense of relief washed over her.
kono mune no kodou ha
anata he to tsuduiteru
Opening the glass hood of the Casualty Capsule, Kumi saw the suited body that she placed inside before having to destroy the quilled ship on her own. The suited individual was lying on their back with their hands folded over their chest. Aside from having the space suit on them, this was the way all bodies were lied in these capsules as they were sent on their way home for burial.
Kumi removed the helmet and Duo's chestnut braid fell to his side as he lied peacefully. The silver-haired pilot unzipped his suit and lifted the American into her arms. She gently placed Duo into the seat beside hers in the cockpit and harnessed him in carefully. Duo continued to sleep soundly with his head tilted to his left shoulder. His friend squatted beside him, looking over him and seeing that everything way alright. Rising, she made her way back to the pilot seat.
Collapsing into the chair, the 'Perfect Soldier' wiped the sweat that drenched her face and paid no mind to the wounds that she endured. Taking the radio from the control panel of the ship, Kumi plugged in a signal to Pulsar. Speaking into the radio, she announced, "This is Pilot One Zero..." She paused and turned to see her sleeping comrade as he lied safely in his seat. Kumi concluded, "Mission complete." Once the connection was cut, she took to the controls and looked to the monitors.
The ship carrying the pilots shot off in a b-line for the Earth.
* * * * * *
Quinze Kushrenadah had arranged to stay at the ship where Heero Yuy was being held. Looking down from the balcony in the prison, the OZ leader watched as the Wing pilot was whipped. Heero's arms were chained to stretch out at his sides. His shirt was removed as the scars from the torture were in plain sight. Duo's gold cross continued to hang from his neck. It was the only thing that he refused to allow anyone else to touch, let alone try to remove from him.
Each flog was excruciating, but the 'Perfect Soldier' would never allow any scream or whimper leave him. He just sagged forward in his chains, head lowered and unruly hair falling over his eyes. The blood and sweat mixing together, covering his back. However, the tattoo on his right shoulder remained intact and untouched.
The green eyes of the OZ leader focused intensely on the pilot as he witnessed the whole thing. He heard the door behind him open, but did not tear his eyes from the Wing pilot. Demetris, Stacy Stanton, Carter, Abrasia and Azrael entered the door and filed along the railing at either side of their commander. They all looked with wide eyed in amazement and disbelief as they looked below. Almost all of their jaws fell slack and a few gasps were heard from them as well.
Never blinking or looked away from the Gundam pilot, Quinze said quietly with a wide smile, "Isn't he amazing? I never realized until now how strong he truly is." Demetris was standing to the OZ leader's right. He whispered as he shook his head, "I-I can't believe that we really have him." Stacy winced as another loud crack from the whip echoed through the room. The cracks never stopped and she asked in a small voice, "How long has he remained silent like this?" Quinze answered without looking to his soldiers, "Since he was captured, two days ago." Carter wrapped his arm around his lover's shoulders and continued to watch in disbelief along with her. A sneer crossed the lips of the twins as they continued to watch the beating. Never saying a word, they watched in silent amusement.
The tall, built soldier whipping the Gundam pilot grew tired as he stopped and wiped the sweat from his face. Panting, he bent at the knees a bit to catch his breath. Heero continued to slump forward with his arms stretched out and suspended. He did, however, lift his head a bit to look over his shoulder and up to the balcony behind him. His eyes glared at the witnessed through his thick, sweat-covered bangs.
Azrael felt a chill go up her spine, but she covered it well. Turning to her brother, she whispered in his ear, "He still looks like he could be a threat." Abrasia huffed and whispered in his twin's ear, "He won't be causing us any more trouble...Look at him." The young woman nodded and whispered, "I am looking...And I don't like what I see."
Her brother grabbed her wrist and hissed quietly, "You never spoke this way before. What is wrong with you?" Azrael shook her head, "I don't know. That pilot...He can't be human." Abrasia assured her, "He's human. He's bleeding, isn't he?" His sister looked to the wounded pilot and paused. Finally, she sneered, "You're right, Abrasia. I'm still just in shock that he's here, that's all." The young man nodded and released his partner's wrist.
The soldier who had been whipping Heero looked up to his commander. "What should I do, sir?" Quinze waved him off, "He's had enough for today. There's always tomorrow." The soldier nodded and saluted before leaving the room. The OZ leader turned to his soldiers and smiled, "I'll introduce you." At this, he led the way to the stairs. On the way there, Demetris said with a tone of concern, "Sir, there is something that I must inform you of, first."
Quinze stopped and turned to the giant. Still smiling, he asked, "Alright, Demetris. What is it that you need to tell me?" The tall man took a deep breath and waited until he and Kushrenadah were standing inches from each other, away from the twins, Stacy and Carter. Looking to each other, the other soldiers decided that it would be best to leave their commander and Demetris alone. They slipped through the doors again silently.
"Sir," Demetris said quietly. "We've lost Quasar." The green eyes of the young man widened as he took this news in. "W-what?" the OZ leader whispered in a breathless whisper. "You must be mistaken, my friend," he smirked with a deep chuckle. Demetris frowned and shook his head, "I wish that I was, Your Excellency. We have lost contact with Vance Cray hours ago. A search team was sent to the site where Quasar had last been seen. When they reached the area, they found the remains of the ship floating all around."
Turning away to walk to the railing, Quainze used the bar there to support him on his feet. "Quasar...was one of our most valuable weapons. And there is nothing left?" he asked quietly, still unable to believe that Demetris was telling the truth. The giant nodded and replied to his leader's back, "I am sorry to have to tell you this news, sir. I know that the loss of that ship is a great one for us."
Shaking his head, Kushrenadah turned to Demetris and said, "That ship was almost pure Gundamimum, through and through. Who could have possibly known how to destroy it by knowing the impact tolerance of metal like-" The commander's eyes widened as he answered the question, himself. His eyes narrowed into slits and he heard himself growl deeply, "A Gundam pilot." Demetris's hands turned to tight fists as he clenched his teeth. "One Gundam pilot in particular, Your Excellency," he said deeply with venom in his voice.
Quinze turned pale and he whispered in haste, "What about Duo Maxwell?" Demetris took another deep breath before answering, "There is good reason to believe that he was freed, knowing who destroyed Quasar in the first place." Kushrenadah lowered his reddening face as he hissed in a deep breath. Maddened with rage, he flew to the stairs and descended them at great speed. He stopped when he reached the chained pilot and paced back and forth before him.
Heero lifted his head as he watched the OZ leader walking back and forth ahead of him. Quinze stopped and glared to the Wing pilot. He brought their faces inches apart from each other. Growling deeply, he asked just barely loud enough for the Japanese pilot to hear, "Who the hell are you? You and Kumi couldn't possibly be of this world." The Wing pilot was oblivious as to why the young man was saying this. Still, he glared at him as he always did.
Wiping some sweat from his brow, Quinze shook his head, "You know, your dear cousin is responsible for the destruction of one of my prized ships." Heero's eyes brightened for a moment as they widened. A small sneer crossed his lips as he went on to glare at Kushrenadah. The commander nodded, "Yea. I thought that you'd like that news. Rest assured, it will be the last time you'll ever have anything to smirk about. You've lost your lover. I'll see that you lose every one of your comrades." Two guards walked into the cell and unchained Heero, forcing him out of the room with them.
Demetris slowly walked to his commander when they were alone again. Quinze turned to him and warned, "We are the only ones of OZ to know that Maxwell is still alive. I swear that if even one other OZ soldier so much as suggests it before he is seen again, I'll hold you responsible and I will have your head for it." The giant nodded and assured him, "No other sole in our organization will know until then, Your Excellency." Kushrenadah nodded, "Good. I need some time alone to work all of this out." Demetris saluted, "Sir" and headed for the door.
Quinze's hands clenched into tight fists when he was alone again as he hissed, "I'm through playing games." A storm was building and raging within him that was ready to unleash itself at any moment. A small chuckle left the young man as it built into a maddened, hysterical laugh that echoed throughout the room. "Oh, this war is far from over, my dear Gundam pilots! And nothing of this world or the next will be able to help any of you!"
* * * * * *
[I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories]
On the Earth, Dorothy's coffin was being lowered into the ground beside the grave of Treis Kushrenadah. The entire grave yard was heavily guarded and hidden from the sight of anyone that did not know the pilot or her friends. It was drizzling as everyone stood around the rose-covered casket with black umbrellas to match their attire. The pilots were the closest to the grave as they stayed shoulder-to-shoulder together to lend their strength to each other. Some dried their eyes as others had their heads lowered and eyes closed in silent prayers.
[Remember the good times that we had?
I let them slip away from us
when things got bad
How clearly I first saw you smilin' in the sun
Wanna feel your warmth upon me,
I wanna be the one]
The coffin reached the bottom of the grave and the pilots stepped forward, each with a handful of dirt that they tossed into the hole as a symbol of returning to dust. With that, the service was concluded and the crowd present began to file out of the graveyard. The Gundam pilots were the last to remain with their closest friends and significant others. Each of the pilots blew a kiss, waved, saluted, bowed or gave another gesture of farewell as they looked down to the coffin. Together, they slowly made their way from the graveyard.
[I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories]
The next day, the sun was shining over the cabin safe house that the remaining Gundam pilots had been living in. Relena was with her friends as they stood before Dorothy's memorial cross that Kumi made. It was the first time they ever had the strength to see it up close. The young queen placed a wreathe of bright flowers around the cross as that it hung like a necklace from the center. Each of the others placed a small bouquet that they had collected before the cross's base.
Standing back a bit, they looked down to the memorial with heavy hearts, but with a sense of coming to terms with the loss of their friend. Relena dried a stray tear that broke through her barriers. Wufei hugged her from behind and kissed her temple as her arms enveloped around his. Sette was resting her head on Quatre's shoulder with his head resting on the top of hers, their arms wrapped around each other's waists. Trowa and Delapan supported each other as they stood next to each other. They slowly made their way back to the safe house as a unit with a soft breeze kissing all of them.
[I'm so tired but I can't sleep
Standin' on the edge of something
much to deep
It's funny how we feel so much
but we cannot say a word
We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard]
In his cell, Heero was sitting up with his back against one of the walls. His red eyes showed that he had been crying silently again. His hand was wrapped around the cross that fell along his chest. His shirt covered all of the scars and bruises from his beatings on his chest and back. Still, hi face bore some evidence of the abuse he faced.
Looking to the glass window at the top of the cell, the Wing pilot looked out to the stars and wondered if his koi was watching him. All of his thoughts circled around Duo, as they always had. Finally, he forced himself to lie on his back and tried to sleep as his eyes drifted closed.
[I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories]
Trowa was walking throughout the safe house, entering the room of all of his friends as they slept. Relena needed some extra covers that he carefully rested over her. Quatre's right hand had fallen over the side of his bed as he slept. Trowa carefully rested it back on the mattress and covered it with the blankets. Sette's pillow had slipped off of her own bed as the tall pilot gently lifted her head to place it over the soft padding again. Tucking all of his friends in and seeing that they were all sleeping well, the tall pilot felt a sense of relief in knowing that they were alright. After leaving Wufei's room as his last visit, he made his way to his own room to sleep.
A few hours later, Trowa was still awake as he lied in his bed. He didn't expect to be able to sleep with everything going through his mind. As he lied there with his eyes open, he heard a craft soar high over the house as it made its way into the woods about two miles from where he and his friends were staying.
The tall pilot jumped from his bed as he threw a T-shirt on over his sweatpants and flew out of the room, taking a shotgun with him. Running into the dark woods ahead of the cabin, it wasn't difficult for Trowa to locate the ship since there was only one clearing where it could have landed.
[I'm so afraid to love you, but more afraid to lose
Clinging to a past that doesn't let me choose
Once there was a darkness,
deep and endless night
You gave me everything you had
oh you gave me light]
The moment he reached the clearing, Trowa saw the ship that he heard. With narrowed eyes, he aimed the shotgun to the cockpit as it slid opened. Just as he was about to pull the trigger, his eyes adjusted to the darkness with the help of the full moon in the clear sky above. They widened as his jaw fell slack when he saw Kumi making her way from the ship, cradling someone in her arms. That was when he saw the braid of the person in her arms. Trowa's hands fell to his sides and the gun slipped from his grasp.
The silver-haired pilot looked to her shocked lover with a tired, yet gentle glance as she walked to him. She stood a few inches from Trowa, who was staring at Duo in shock and disbelief with his wide eyes and slack jaw. The American was sleeping soundly in his friend's arms and Trowa ran a hand through his long bangs. The tall pilot opened his arms and bent at the knees to accept Duo into his own arms. Kumi gently shifted the sleeping pilot into her lover's care. A stifled sob left Trowa and he kissed Duo's forehead with tears flooding his eyes.
The tall pilot looked to Kumi with a warm smile. His lover gave a nod and they walked back to the safe house together.
[I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories]
Trowa gently lied Duo into the bed of a spare room as Kumi rested a candelabra with a single burning candle on the deck next to the door. They tucked the braided pilot in carefully and made sure that he was going to stay warm during the night. Kumi sat at on the mattress beside Duo's right as she gently rubbed the top of his head. Trowa sat behind her, planting a gentle kiss on the back of her neck and hugging her tight as his arms wrapped around her waist. He watched his sleeping friend over his partner's shoulder as he rested his head there.
[I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories]
Trowa rose from the bed and gently helped his exhausted lover make it onto her own feet. They slowly made their way to the door, both feeling secure enough that Duo would be okay.
Back in his cell, Heero turned onto his left side, reaching for the space there since that was where Duo would have been sleeping. His hand remained there, searching for someone that wasn't there and a small tear rolled from his closed right eye.
Kumi and Trowa looked back when they heard a small whimper come from the braided pilot. They watched as he lied onto his right side, reaching for the space where Heero would have been sleeping. Looking to each other, Kumi and Trowa frowned as their hearts broke for their friend. "We have to find Heero, Trowa," Kumi whispered sadly as she continued to watch Duo sleep. The tall pilot kissed her temple and assured her as he whispered back, "We will, Kumi. I promise."
The pair looked back to their sleeping comrade. Kumi leaned in by where the candle was and gently blew it out. Together, the pair made their way out of the room.
[Weep not for the memories]
Duo continued to reach for the man that he loved as a small tear rolled from his closed left eye. While he was safe, he knew that he was a long way off from being home.
TBC