DISCLAIMERS: With the exception of Kumi Yuy and Sette Devion, none of the Gundam Wing characters are mine...Nor id the song 'Wish' by nine Inch Nails.
Gundam Wing: The Second Chapter
Episode 37: Rampage Returns
by SkyLark
helped and supported by: Snodin, Sam, Stormy, Silver Star, Beekay, GREETER 600, Ruby, Maylia, Akuma, Naz, Star Dancer, Jana, all readers of this fic and my 1x2x1 family
In the waiting room outside of the hospital of Pulsar, the Gundam pilots along with their friends were waiting silently for any word on Relena's condition. It had been over an hour since she was rushed into the care of Sally and her best team of doctors to run tests. The waiting was agonizing for everyone, but it was all that they could do. For the whole time that they were in that room, they were just in silence.
Brian, Milliardo, and Noin were the most beside themselves as they sat closely together at some of the soft couches. The young king of the world was slouched forward in his seat, arms folded before his face with his elbows propped on his legs as he prayed for the safety of his beloved wife and their unborn child. Fire and Wind held their son, leaning against each other for support.
Delapan was still a bit shaken up after finding Zes the way that she had. Her brother sat beside her in a far corner with his arms wrapped around her, rocking gently her as she cried silently. Duo sat with both of them for added assistance. He knew that Trowa never was one to ask for comforting. Wufei stood with his arms folded and back leaned against the wall closest to the door, eyes closed.
Sette was fighting tears at this time and Quatre was offering any help that he could give. Finally, she turned to her fiancee as he remained beside her, arm wrapped around her shoulder. She forced a small smile and gently worked her way from his arms to leave the room. The Arabian lowered his head a bit as he watched her departure with a heavy heart. Unable to stay there and not know how to help the tomboy, Quatre rose and slowly followed Sette. Wufei gave his friend a small nod as he passed him, silently telling him that he'd look after the others. The blonde pilot made his way across the long room to the door.
As she stepped out of the room, Sette was letting some of the sobs that she had been fighting escape her. She covered her face with her wet face in her hands and continued to walk forwards to the windows, not caring who saw her as her fear and concern was consuming her. Just then, the ex-princess walked into something. Instantly lowering her hands, Sette looked up with wide eyes to see Kumi standing before her. The silver-haired pilot was expressionless at best as her Prussian eyes fixed on those of her comrade.
"I-is Relena alright?" Sette asked in a small, broken voice. Kumi replied in monotone, "The last of the tests are being run now. Nothing is being announced until everything is checked." The tomboy quickly wiped her face dry as she nodded. The 'Perfect Soldier' asked, "Have you changed your mind?" The ex-princess looked to her friend with anger mixed with shock as she replied, "You still think that I should tell them the truth? Now!?!" Kumi shrugged, "It's your choice. I thought that since you believe in God, you might have taken this incident as a warning to tell them the truth before it's too late." Sette sighed deeply as a few more tears rolled from her eyes, "I have thought about that..."
The door of the waiting room opened and Quatre made his way out. He paused when he saw the two pilots a few feet ahead of him. The young women turned to face him. Kumi nodded once to the Arabian and walked towards the door, herself. As she passed him, their eyes locked. They stayed silent and still like that for a moment and the tomboy gave a small gasp. She turned away and began to bite back more sobs. "She's telling his heart the truth," she told herself mentally.
When the pause was over, the silver-haired pilot rested her hand on Quatre's shoulder, giving it a squeeze before turning and walking to the door. Sette was feverishly wiping her tears away as her back was facing her fiancee. Her efforts didn't matter much the second she felt the Arabian's arms wrap around her waist from behind. "Kumi told you the truth," she sobbed as she lowered her head. Quatre shook his head, "What did she tell me?"
The tomboy broke from the embrace and spun to glare at her fiancee. Tears were streaming her face as she all but shouted, "Oh, don't act like she didn't just communicate with you! I know that she broke her word and told you everything!" Quatre nodded, "She did tell me something just now, Sette...But it wasn't what you think." Sette growled deeply as she wiped her face again, "Then what did she say, and don't think that you can lie to me." The Arabian said calmly, "Kumi just told me to play along and look at her."
The blue spheres of the tomboy widened and she whispered, "T-that was it?" Quatre nodded and assured her, "Yes." Walking to Sette, he said with concern in his voice, "Since that day I found you on H7, I knew that something was wrong...Whatever you thought Kumi told me...It's the same thing, isn't it?" The ex-princess lowered her head as a sigh escaped her. The Arabian gently lifted her head until their eyes locked. He whispered as he wiped the newly fallen drops, "Please tell me what's wrong, Sette. I want to help you...I love you." That did it. Sette began to shake with sobs as she threw her arms around her love.
Sette sobbed in his chest, "I love you, too, Quatre...I-I should tell you...I need to tell you the truth." Quatre was rubbing his back as he whispered, "I'm not going anywhere." The tomboy nodded and looked back up to her fiancee to have their eyes meet again. Taking a deep breath after a long pause, she began quietly but with confidence, "Okay...When I was in the cell after I was captured on H7..."
* * * * * *
About ten minutes later, Quatre walked into the waiting room with an expression that couldn't be read. The others all looked to him as he entered. Kumi was leaning against the wall beside her Chinese partner as they kept a vigil over their friends. The silver-haired pilot kept her gaze on the blonde while the others returned to their own worlds. The Arabian looked around and when he saw Milliardo, he walked over to him.
The Arabian knelt before Wind, who leaned forward to hear whatever the pilot was whispering to him. Milliardo nodded after a moment and rose to his feet along with Quatre. Looking to Brian, Noin and their son, he whispered something to them before walking to the door with the Arabian. As they left the room, Kumi continued to watch. When the door closed behind them, she gave a small nod and continued to look after the others along with Wufei.
Not long after the departure of Wind and Quatre, Sera made her way into the waiting room, herself. Everyone quickly made their way to the Japanese brunette. Brian was the first to reach her as he asked quietly, "How is Relena? Is she awake?" Sere nodded and said gently, "She woke up asking for you. Sally and her team are looking over the last test results now, but she said that you can see her." Brian gave a sigh of relief and nodded, "Thank you." He quickly left the room, leaving Sera to share the detail with the others. All that Brian was concerned about was seeing his wife.
* * * * * *
Relena was lying in her hospital bed with her eyes closed and hands wrapped around her small stomach, that had just begun to show signs of pregnancy. Her eyes slowly opened again as a few tears rolled from them. As she dried her face, her husband entered the room. Relena sobbed and whispered, "Brian." She stretched her arms out as her husband quickly reached her bedside and wrapped her in his own.
The pair held each other tightly as the young queen sobbed and buried her head in his love's chest. In a broken and muffled whisper, she cried, "I'm so sorry, love." Brian pulled back to look at his wife with confusion as he asked, "Why are you sorry, sweetheart?" Zes lowered her head, not able to look back into his eyes as she whispered, "The baby..."
Brian sighed deeply and held Relena against him as he whispered, "Whatever the tests say, we'll get through this together." There was pain in the king's voice. He was as concerned about the child as much as his wife was. He held her gently but firmly enough to assure her that he wasn't going to leave her.
Sally Poe entered the room as the king and queen turned to the door as it opened. The Weatheralls held hands tightly as Brian sat beside Relena. Water held a large file in her hand as she walked to them. Taking a deep breath, the pair waited for the Preventer to begin. Sally looked to them with an expression that couldn't be read.
Water informed the pair, "The test results have all been analyzed." Finally, Zes couldn't take it anymore as she asked quietly, "Is the baby...Are they alright?" Brian tightened his hold on her hand. He wasn't sure he would have been able to ask that difficult question. While Sally only paused the briefest of moments before answering, it felt like an eternity to the king and queen.
Sally smiled warmly, "Your babies are just fine." Relena and Brian gasped simultaneously as their eyes shot wide. Brian asked breathlessly, "D-did you say babies?" Water nodded as her smile grew, "Twins. And they're perfectly healthy." The king and queen gasped again as they looked to each other with bright smiles and hugged tightly as they let out relieved laughter.
Brian turned back to Sally and asked, "What caused Relena to collapse?" The young woman answered, "Nothing that that can't be helped. Zes, you need to allow yourself more time to rest. You're almost four months along now and the stress that is on your shoulders now is a greater strain than you realize."
Relena lowered her head and asked sadly, "Then I can't pilot Calvary any longer?" Sally hesitated, then replied, "I know that you want to continue to pilot your Gundam and fight beside the others...But you have to think of your health and the health of your children first." Zes released a long, pained sigh as she lowered her head and closed her eyes. Her husband hugged her and she rested her head on his shoulder. Sally said quietly, "I'm sorry, Relena. But this is the only way to keep you safe. It might only have to be for a few months, when there isn't any doubt that you'll be able to handle everything." The young queen finally nodded, still in the arms of her love.
Sally frowned and hugged the young queen, herself. "I know that this is hard right now, but you also know that is for the best." Zes nodded once the embrace ended, "I know...I just feel like I'm letting the others down." Brian smiled warmly and shook his head as he rubbed his wife's back, "You're not letting anyone down, Relena. You've done everything that you could to help and then some. And you'll be able to pilot again, after you're strong enough again."
Zes still wished that she could pilot her Gundam. Still, she forced a smile and replied, "You're both right. I know that I must be crazy for coming across so upset over my suit." Brian kissed her temple and replied gently, "You have the right to be upset. There's nothing to be sorry about."
Relena finally gave a true smile and placed her hands on her stomach, looking to it. She said quietly, "I still can't believe that we're having twins." Sally smiled and nodded, "Congratulations. I'll go and tell the others the news. I know that they've been worried. I'll send them in to see you in a few minutes so your both can be alone." The Weatheralls both smiled and replied at the same time, "Thank you." The Preventer walked from the room to allow Brian and Relena their privacy to enjoy the good news.
The pair smiled warmly to the growing proof of the lives they created. Brian rested his forehead against his queen's, folding his hands over her stomach as well. He said quietly, "I can't wait to meet them." Relena smiled and replied, "Neither can I."
The queen's eyes widened for a moment and she looked back up to her husband and asked, "If one of them is a girl, can her name be Dorothy?" Brian smiled warmly and answered, "I could never think of a better name for her." Zes smiled sweetly back and kissed him. The kiss went from soft and gentle to deep. Breaking for air, Relena whispered, "I love you, Brian." The king smiled and replied the same, "I love you, too, Relena." They went on to look back to the stomach with love and anticipation.
* * * * * *
A few hours later, Milliardo and Sette were alone as they sat at a table in a small room that they found where they could talk. They had been able to see Relena and heard the good news about her health and the safety of her babies. But, there was still some unfinished business that they needed to take care of. The young man looked beside himself as he folded his hands over his face, taking a deep breath. Sette bit her lip and lowered her head sadly.
Wind then lowered his hands and gently lifted the pilot's head up until they met gazes. He leaned in and kissed her forehead, whispering, "I'm sorry that you suffered so much." Sitting up in his chair again, he sighed deeply, "I always had a feeling that there was truth behind the rumors on our mother and your father."
Sette shuddered again and looked away as she whispered, "I know that I was a mistake-" Milliardo cut her off as he said sternly, "You're not a mistake, Sette. Don't ever say that." The tomboy looked to her half-brother in shock. Milliardo smiled warmly, but gave a look of certainty that he meant what he said. Sette's bottom lip began to quiver and she asked in a small voice, "How can you say that?"
Milliardo rose and took Sette's hands in his, pulling her to stand. The ex-princess allowed herself to be lifted onto her feet, uncertain as to what Wind was doing. Before she could say anything, Sette was pulled into a tight embrace by the tall pilot. Milliardo kissed the top of her head and said quietly, but sternly, "I know that because no sister of mine is a mistake."
Wind held her head against his chest and before long, the tomboy was crying and sobbing again as she wrapped her own arms around him. She brokenly whispered, "I'm only your half-sister." Wing lifted her head to look at him. He smiled again and shook his head, "As far as I'm concerned, you're not a half-anything. You're my sister, just as Relena is." The tomboy's eyes widened, then softened as she smiled and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Thank you, Milliardo," she whispered. They hugged tightly again. Wind kissed Sette's forehead again and sighed deeply, "We'll tell Relena when she's rested." The ex-princess nodded.
The door opened and Quatre entered timidly as he said, "Sorry to interrupt." The brother and sister smiled to him and Milliardo chuckled, "It's alright, Quatre." The Arabian in turn smiled back in relief, seeing that everything seemed to be working out between the pilots. Sette asked, "What is it, hon?" Quatre replied, "Keiser managed to locate a large OZ carrier almost ten miles from here. There's a meeting to discuss what we have to do." The other pilots nodded and left the room with him.
The remaining Gundam pilots, with the exception of Relena, were already having a briefing over the situation that had just arisen with Keiser. Howard, Noin, Sally and Marimaya were also present. There was an image of the long, massive ship that had been spotted on the round table before all of them as they stood in the darkened room.
The white table gave a bright glow that made the translucent thermal scan stand out. The light brought out the image clearly as it penetrated the colors of the ship's mass. Everyone was spread along the edges of the table, looking to the scanned shot as the door opened. Milliardo, Quatre and Sette entered, joining their comrades at the round table's edges.
Keiser began, "We know that this ship is returning from G42. They've been allies since the start of the war. The fact that G42 is known for its possession of Gundamimum is something that is our greatest concern. This same ship has been on the colony for almost two straight weeks before its departure. There's no telling what they'll be taking back to OZ with them. While I wish that we had more to go on as far as that is concerned, we can't afford to take any chances."
Wufei gave a nod as he leaned forward asked, "They would be expecting trouble, since they must know by now what our prior missions set out to accomplish." The Lieutenant replied, "That's right. Therefore, it would be best that not all of you use your Gundams right away."
The Lieutenant continued as he ran his right index finger around the edges of the ship's image, "The ship is protected with Gundamimum to begin with, so the only way that the carrier can be destroyed is through an explosion within. We managed to capture an OZ shuttle big enough for all of you and your Gundams. You'll be able to break through their defenses that way, in order to carry out the job."
Delapan sighed deeply and shook her head as her eyes closed, "It's going to be hard with only eight of us left, and that's including Milliardo." Duo shrugged with his arms still crossed, "It's not like we have a choice. If they are carrying Gundamimum back to OZ, they'll use them for more suits. We can't take a risk like that."
Kumi nodded and deadpanned, "He's right. We'll split the group that there are more of us in the ship than in Space during the fight." Milliardo offered, "I'll handle the mobile suits that retaliate outside of the ship. The more of you inside, the better." Kumi looked to the others and asked, "Any objections?"
Everyone turned to her with signs of acceptance of what they needed to do. The silver-haired pilot nodded, "Alright. With the outline of the carrier, we'll be able to discuss who will take what end on the way there." Everyone agreed and headed out of the room together to head for the hanger.
Once in the launch pod, Kumi handed all of her comrades that would be entering the ship a backpack. As they accepted their bags, Delapan asked, "What's in these things? They weigh a ton." Sette answered, "Tail bombs. It's something I made in the Eve Wars." She removed a round bomb the size of two fists in one. There was a long, and thick leather strap attached to its surface.
Taking the bomb by the leather strap, the tomboy explained as she whirled the bomb like a lasso over her head with one hand on the strap, "You have to rotate the bomb at least once for it to be activated. Once you let it loose in mid-spin, it'll take out whatever it touches." She released her hold on the strap as she spun it one last time. The bomb soared off in a b-line and crashed into one of the Space Leos of the Prevneters, instantly sending it into a cloud of smoke as it was engulfed by the explosion. The others watched in shock. Kumi gave a nod and informed them, "Use them sparingly. The carrier will be swarming with soldiers."
Everyone understood and took their backpacks with them as they ran to their Gundams and flew them into the shuttle that would take them to their target. Marimaya waved, "Good luck, all of you." Sally and Noin waved as well as they quickly left the hanger before the hatch doors opened. The moment the stars were in plain sight, the Gundam pilot shot off together at great speed in the ship that had been stolen from OZ.
In the hall outside of her room, Relena watched their departure from a large window with a small, sad frown on her face. She sighed deeply and rested her hand on the glass as she said quietly, "Be careful."
* * * * * *
Quinze Kushrenadah was looking through his reports as he sat at the desk in his office. Demetirs entered and the OZ leader lowered the files in his hand. He smiled to his best soldier, "And how is Heero today?" The giant replied, "No change. He still won't so much as cry out during his beatings." The commander shook his head and folded his hands behind his head, "He's only hurting himself more by doing so and he knows it. He's even stronger than I imagined."
The smug young man sneered and chuckled deeply, "No matter. He'll crack eventually." Demetris sighed deeply, "I beg to differ. At this rate, Yuy will die before we get anything out of him." Kushrenadah's eyes narrowed, "Then do whatever it takes to keep that from happening. I want to know how Doctor J was able to make him and Kumi the Perfect Soldiers that they are today." The tall man before him assured his commander, "If that is what you wish, Your excellency I'll do what I can." Quinze gave a nod as he said, "Good. Do that." His head lowered so that he could study his reports again.
Demetirs hesitated a moment before clearing his throat and stated, "Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad choice to kill him now." Quinze lowered his reports slowly as he looked up with wide eyes to the giant. His eyes narrowed into thin slits and in a small, threatening tone he asked, "What was that, Demetris?" The man was not shaken by the question or appearance of his commander and he explained, "Sir, the men are becoming concerned. Since the reappearance of Duo Maxwell and his new Deathscythe, they are beginning to worry that Heero will be released just as his lover was...And quite honestly, I am growing concerned about that as well."
Kushrenadah sat back and folder his hands before his face and closed his eyes, sighing deeply. Demetris continued to state his position with subtle desperation in his vice as he tried to convince Quinze. Placing his hands on the desk and bending at the waist to get a closer look at the commander, he said, "Sir, we have Heero Yuy in our position...He's trapped in a cell within this ship. This is something that we have never thought would happen. He was taken without force and does nothing to end the torture that we put him through. Let's not take this chance for granted and just destroy him now."
The OZ leader's eyes opened and glared to Demetris. "You are allowing your fear to blind you, my friend," he said with disappointment dripping from his tone. "Lowering his hands, he continued and leaned forward, "We have the opportunity to mold the army of this organization into the unstoppable force that we have been longing to achieve. Nothing, not even the Gundams and their friends the Preventers would be able to destroy OZ. And you want to destroy the only key we have to gaining that?"
The giant shook his head, "Your Excellency, if Heero ever finds out that Duo is still alive-" His commander cut him off sharply, "He won't. All precautions have been met to see that he never learns the truth." Demetris sighed deeply and lowered his head as his eyes slid closed, "I still feel that this is going to come back to haunt us." Quinze sneered, "Why would you feel that way, Demetris? We have Yuy right where we want him." The giant shook his head, "Something could happen that may change that. It's not out of the question."
The tall man looked back to Kushrenadah and explained, "Almost three years ago, Kumi had the put an end to me. I was taken into the hands of authorities instead of being killed at her hands. She could have easily disposed of me if she hadn't been held back. And I could see in her eyes as I was taken away that she knew I would return...I know that if we let Heero live, and if he escapes, he will grow stronger than humanly possible." Quinze chuckled deeply and sneered, "I don't think he'll be implanted with a Gundamimum heart, my friend. There is nothing to worry about."
Demetris knew that he wasn't going to get through the OZ leader and finally gave a nod as he rose straight. He saluted as he said quietly, "I truly hope that we are doing the right thing by keeping him alive, Sir." Kushrenadah replied as his comrade lowered his hand, "You shouldn't question the judgment of your superior, Lieutenant. It's not becoming of a soldier at arms." The tall man had no choice but to frown as he gave a nod, "Forgive me. I almost had forgotten my place."
Kushrenadah nodded, "That's alright. Just be sure not to forget again." The tall man shook his head, "No, Sir." He turned and walked to the door. The moment that the door closed behind him, Quinze sighed deeply and leaned on his elbows as they rested on the desk. Shaking his head, he told himself, "I'm not going to let this opportunity pass." He chuckled deeply, "They'll all see that there is nothing to fear."
He looked back to the reports that he was looking at before he was interrupted, fully convinced that everything would continue to go according to plan. With the way that the war was favoring the organization to win, there really wasn't any reason that he and his men should feel insecure...and Quinze knew it.
* * * * * *
A few hours later, the carrier that Keiser had brought to the attention of the Gundam pilots was on its way through Space silently. Inside, several members of the crew were working in the control room suddenly picked something up on their radar. One of the highest ranked soldiers looked to the screens as the image of Euphoria appeared. The suit was just a heartbeat from slicing at the ship. The eyes of everyone in the room widened as they shouted in terror. Milliardo gave no warning and without having a second thought, sliced the side of the enormous carrier.
While none of his cuts made any real impact in the Gundamimum walls, he knew that his mission to distract the crew was successful. Within seconds of his first attack, a swarm of mobile suits appeared as they shot through the many hangers of the ship. The blonde young man sneered wickedly to himself as he growled, "That's it. Right where I want you."
[this is the first day of my last days]
Inside, an explosion rang out as flames and smoke engulfed one of the countless hallways of the ship. The crew near the site were taken in by the fire before they could do anything to save themselves.
[built it up now take it apart
climbed up real high now fall down real far]
A large number of soldiers ran in the direction of the explosion to see what had happened. From the dying flames and smoke, the Gundam pilots ran out with semi-automatic guns. They fired upon the guards and took all of them out with little difficulty. The pilots parted at the split in the hallway ahead of them to cover more ground as they charged through with their weapons. Kumi and Duo paired, as did Wufei and Trowa. Sette, Delapan and Quatre worked as a team as they took the last of the three routs in the break.
[no need for me to stay
the last thing left i just threw it away
i put my faith in god and my trust in you
now there's nothing more fucked up i could do]
With the use of their guns and occasionally with the Tail Bombs, the pilots made easy targets of those that threatened them. Several soldiers who approached their enemies with fury and determination were soon stricken with fear as they watched their friends being cut down left and right.
Still, not one OZ guard would retreat. This was even when the barrels of their foes' guns were staring them in the face. The Tail Bombs took out the balconies and railings that several soldiers tried to use to their advantage. The Gundam pilots who had a very brief demonstration of these weapons used them like pros, spinning and hurling them with ease.
[wish there was something real wish there was something true
wish there was something real in this world full of you]
In Space, Milliardo was taking out the mobile suits that opposed him quickly and with amazing skill. The number of suits against him was increasing by the minute. Nevertheless, the Preventer ran every one of them through. The bow of the suit was pulled so that Miliardo could use it as two laser swords. The young man sneered as he revealed in the fight. The OZ soldiers used any wherever means they had to destroy him to no avail.
At the last moment, he managed to see that he misjudged his enemies as three suits suddenly threatened to destroy him from above as he struggled with their comrades. Just before they were about to collide with the gold Gundam in a suicide kill, they were each stabbed with a golden, Gundamimum arrow. The suits were destroyed in explosions just inches from Milliardo as he watched in amazement. With sweat drenching his face, he looked in shock to his monitors.
Rampage was shooting to the battle, firing arrows all the while. The pilot within took the bow and stabbed it through the mobile suits that got close enough. Wind was not complaining as he worked himself through the struggle with less strain thanks to the appearance of the Gundam that once belonged to Dorothy. The OZ soldiers that managed to witness Rampage's sudden reappearance watched for a brief moment in shock and sheer horror before regaining their focus and fighting with all that was in them.
[i'm the one without a soul
i'm the one with this big fucking hole]
Back inside, there were several soldiers running through a tunnel of halls when Sette jumped from her spot in the rafters, landing just feet ahead of the guards as she opened fire. Those soldiers who were further the back turned to retreat quickly. They were cut off by Quatre and Delapan as they did the same as their tomboy companion, falling just ahead of those who attempted to flee with their lives. They were shot down by the spray of bullets from the pilots.
[no new tale to tell
twenty-six years on my way to hell]
Trowa ran down a hall alone and unarmed, only to freeze in mid-charge when a crew of armed soldiers blocked his path as he rounded a corner. The men aimed their weapons at him with dark glares as they prepared to open fire. The tall pilot's eyes widened as he ran back around the corner and down the hall as fast as he could. The guards were fast on his heels and shooting.
Trowa then rounded another corner just ahead of the troops. As they rounded the same corner, the OZ soldiers froze in terror as they saw that was waiting for them. Wufei was standing with a missile launcher that he managed to get a hold of. Trowa sneered as he stood beside his friend and looked to the fear in their opponents' faces when they saw them. Wufei pulled the trigger that sent a missile straight into the mass of young guards.
[gotta listen to your big time hard line bad luck fist fuck]
Kumi was firing upon several soldiers below her as she made a post on a high balcony. Duo was in the same room, below the silver-haired pilot on the ground level. Seeing that they took out all of the soldiers there, the American wiped a bit of the seat that drenched his face and looked up to see his partner. His cobalt eyes widened as his face paled. Kumi was loading her gun as an OZ guard snuck up on her from behind. The young woman was unaware of his presence and continued to look after her weapon.
Duo was aiming his own riffle at the soldier when he saw Kumi suddenly pull a revolver from her belt, aimed it behind her right shoulder and shot the man through the forehead. All this in a split second and without turning around. The braided pilot lowered his riffle and smiled up to the stoic pilot in awe. Just then, he felt someone come up from behind him. Following Kumi's example, he removed a jagged blade from his pocket and rammed it backwards, right into the chest of the OZ soldier that was about to kill him.
[don't think you're having all the fun
you know me i hate everyone]
Kumi jumped from the balcony and landed beside Duo as she gave a small nod with her expressionless face. The braided pilot nodded back and the pilots ran off through the halls. They were joined with the others as their tunnels met again at the other end of the ship. Together, they ran through the maze of the carrier to its center.
[wish there was something real wish there was something true
wish there was something real in this world full of you]
It wasn't long before the seven of them reached the main system that supported the ship. After killing the soldiers that protected the large tubes and central computer, they looked to the heart for a brief moment before unleashing all of their firearms upon it. Utilizing every gun and Tail Bomb that they managed to carry, they made sure not to leave anything spared. The entire room was soon engulfed in flames and smoke.
[i want to but i can't turn back
but i want to but i can't turn back
but i want to but i can't turn back
but i want to but i can't turn back]
The Gundam pilots fought through the destruction just as the emergency doors to the chamber closed in attempt to keep the flames at bay. However, there was nothing that could be done to spare the carrier at this point and the pilots ran through the halls together to make their way back to the hanger, where their suits were waiting in the shuttle they arrived in. On their way through the ship, however, Quatre froze as he looked out through of the massive the windows that they ran past. The others were taken back by his sudden pause and froze, themselves, as they looked out to see what stopped him.
With wide eyes, they all looked out to see Rampage in all its glory, fighting like it always had. Whoever piloted the suit held the same fire that Dorothy had when she flew the Gundam. The sight was too incredible for the pilots as they watched in shock and amazement.
[but i want to but i can't turn back
but i want to but i can't turn back
but i want to but i can't turn back
but i want to but i can't turn back]
Just then, the flames and explosions broke free from the emergency doors and shot through the channels of halls and crevices everywhere that it reached. The pilots broke from their state of wonder as they looked back to see the approach of the fire as it coursed in their direction.
Turning to look in the direction of the hanger they needed to reach, they watched as the emergency doors of the path ahead of them were all beginning to close. Not taking the time to think of anything else, the Gundam pilots charged through and did whatever they could to slip through the doors before they closed on them. Sliding, flipping, jumping, whatever it took, the pilots made their way through the series of closing doors. More often than not, they managed to get through by merely seconds.
[wish there was something real wish there was something true
wish there was something real in this world full of you]
In addition to trying to beat the clock against the doors that kept closing, they were also taking out OZ soldiers who stayed to take the pilots out with them. Wufei and Kumi spun back to some of their foes and mirrored each other perfectly as they spun a Tail Bomb in their right hands and hurled it at the attackers, killing them instantly. Sette and Delapan shot even more guards from their places around and over them, still struggling to get through the closing walls.
[wish there was something real wish there was something true
wish there was something real in this world full of you]
The last door that led to the hanger was a breath from being closed by a thick wall of Gundamimum that came from the ceiling as Trowa and Duo were the first to reach it. The two of them dove, managing to stop the blockade by a span of a few feet as they pushed up with everything they had. They squatted and grunted loudly as their pores opened to release great amounts of sweat in their efforts.
They were being pushed down as the metal continued to move. Kumi was the next to reach the hanger entrance. Turning back just ahead of the door, she shot at the OZ guards that continued to open fire as they ran after the pilots. The others now had the cover they needed to simply worry about getting through the door. They ducked under the metal that Trowa and Duo continued to hold up for them.
Delapan got in first, followed by Sette then Wufei and finally Quatre. Kumi continued to shoot at the OZ soldiers for another moment. Finally, she tossed her gun over her shoulder by its strap and dove under the opening that was only a few feet tall now. Duo and Trowa nodded to each other as they simultaneously pushed up with their last bit of strength and rolled under the falling metal. They both managed to get in the hanger by the narrowest of margins.
[this world full of you
this world full of you
this world full]
The pilots ran to the shuttle where their suits were waiting. The door of the room was now beginning to glow red and the air was growing incredibly hot as everyone strapped themselves in their cockpits and turned their Gundams on. Instantly, the suits came to life and sliced their way through the shuttle.
With Excalibur, Deathscythe and Sand Rock taking the lead, Kumi, Duo and Quatre cut and pulled an opening through the hanger's door together. The pilots all made their way out of the carrier and into the stars as they shot through with the flames of the massive explosion right behind them.
[End 'Wish']
Euphoria and Rampage had finished destroying all of their opponents as their friends made their way to them. As a unit, they watched the final wave of explosions that took the massive OZ carrier out, leaving nothing to be spared. As the pilots that invaded the ship got their bearings, gasping for air and falling back into their seats, they heard a familiar voice say gently, "Nice work, all of you." Kumi's eyes widened for a moment and she called, "Noin!?!"
The image of Fire appeared on the monitors of the suits. She nodded and replied, "I'm sorry...I know that you weren't sure what should become of this suit. But, I knew that you would need more support than just the eight of you for this mission." The other pilots looked to the Preventer in elation, knowing that she was the one flying Dowothy's suit. The stoic pilot simply stated, "Hn. We'll discuss this back at Pulsar." Too exhausted from the prior events, everyone agreed that was the best decision and they flew off to do just that.
* * * * * * * *
Later that evening, Sette, Relena and Milliardo were sitting in the young king and queen's room. Zes was lying in the bed that she and her husband shared, still catching up on the rest that she needed. Relena lowered her head for a moment then looked back to Sette. She frowned and asked sadly, "Why didn't you tell me?" The tomboy bit her lip and choked, "I...I didn't know how..." Zes nodded and replied, "I'm sorry...You're right. I can only imaging what this was doing to you after you found out."
Milliardo placed his hand on Sette's head and smiled, "I'm just glad that the truth came from you." The queen smiled warmly and nodded, "I am, too." She rolled to rest her legs at the side of the bed and pulled the ex-princess into a tight embrace. Sette fought off more tears as she returned the hug. Relena whispered sincerely, "And as Milliardo said, you're not a half-anything. You're our sister, no questions asked." Milliardo wrapped his long arms around his sisters as they all head each other. He sighed and chuckled deeply, "I'm going to have my hands full with the two of you."
Zes and Sette simultaneously stuck their tongues out at the tall pilot. The young women looked to each other in shock after the gesture. The three of them laughed. Sette pulled back a bit and smiled, "I always wanted a brother or sister...I never thought I'd be lucky to have both...And the two of you, no less." Her face fell as she asked, "Do you think we should tell the others? If you don't want them to know, I understand." Zes shook her head, "I want everyone to know that you're our sister."
Milliardo placed his hand over Sette's right and said gently, "Like it or not, you're stuck with us now." Relena placed her hand over Sette's left as she nodded, "From now on, nothing is going to break us apart again." The tomboy smiled and brought their hands together as she said in reply, "And God help anyone that tries to change that."
* * * * * * * *
All of the Gundam pilots met in the hanger where their suits were waiting once they managed to rest after the attack with the OZ carrier. Noin was still working with some of her crew in the tower there when the others arrived. She looked to them in confusion when they gathered below and looked up to her. Fire walked down the stairs of the observation tower and reached the ground level. Milliardo was with the pilots as well and he smiled to his wife.
Kumi stepped forward and met Noin a few feet ahead of the others. Fire asked in concern, "Is everything alright?" Kumi replied, "We just wanted to let you know that if you would choose to accept, Rampage will be your Gundam to pilot from now on." Noin's eyes widened and her jaw fell a bit slack as she gasped. Looking to the other pilot, she asked, "You really want me to?" The silver-haired pilot answered, "I promised Novem that I would find the best pilot suited the responsibility...I have no doubts that you're the best choice."
Moved beyond words, Noin let out a small, chocked laugh as she beamed. Finally, she nodded and said sincerely, "It would be an honor." Kumi smirked and extended her right hand. As they shook firmly, she told Noin, "Good to have you along, Pilot 09." Noin smiled brightly and looked to the others, who were returning her look of elation and relief. As the handshake ended, she was hugged and congratulated by all of them.
After the small celebration, everyone filed from the hanger. Noin smiled to her husband after they kissed deeply, "I'll be with you in a minute." Milliardo smiled and nodded, "Of course." At this, he left the hanger.
Alone, Noin walked over to Rampage, as it stood alongside the other Gundams. Looking up to her suit, she smiled and lowered her head. She whispered as she closed her eyes, "I promise I'll do whatever it takes to make you proud, Dorothy." She returned her gaze upward as she looked to her suit. Rampage stood straight and true as ever, almost winking down to its new pilot.
TBC
Gundam Wing: The Second Chapter
Episode 37: Rampage Returns
by SkyLark
helped and supported by: Snodin, Sam, Stormy, Silver Star, Beekay, GREETER 600, Ruby, Maylia, Akuma, Naz, Star Dancer, Jana, all readers of this fic and my 1x2x1 family
In the waiting room outside of the hospital of Pulsar, the Gundam pilots along with their friends were waiting silently for any word on Relena's condition. It had been over an hour since she was rushed into the care of Sally and her best team of doctors to run tests. The waiting was agonizing for everyone, but it was all that they could do. For the whole time that they were in that room, they were just in silence.
Brian, Milliardo, and Noin were the most beside themselves as they sat closely together at some of the soft couches. The young king of the world was slouched forward in his seat, arms folded before his face with his elbows propped on his legs as he prayed for the safety of his beloved wife and their unborn child. Fire and Wind held their son, leaning against each other for support.
Delapan was still a bit shaken up after finding Zes the way that she had. Her brother sat beside her in a far corner with his arms wrapped around her, rocking gently her as she cried silently. Duo sat with both of them for added assistance. He knew that Trowa never was one to ask for comforting. Wufei stood with his arms folded and back leaned against the wall closest to the door, eyes closed.
Sette was fighting tears at this time and Quatre was offering any help that he could give. Finally, she turned to her fiancee as he remained beside her, arm wrapped around her shoulder. She forced a small smile and gently worked her way from his arms to leave the room. The Arabian lowered his head a bit as he watched her departure with a heavy heart. Unable to stay there and not know how to help the tomboy, Quatre rose and slowly followed Sette. Wufei gave his friend a small nod as he passed him, silently telling him that he'd look after the others. The blonde pilot made his way across the long room to the door.
As she stepped out of the room, Sette was letting some of the sobs that she had been fighting escape her. She covered her face with her wet face in her hands and continued to walk forwards to the windows, not caring who saw her as her fear and concern was consuming her. Just then, the ex-princess walked into something. Instantly lowering her hands, Sette looked up with wide eyes to see Kumi standing before her. The silver-haired pilot was expressionless at best as her Prussian eyes fixed on those of her comrade.
"I-is Relena alright?" Sette asked in a small, broken voice. Kumi replied in monotone, "The last of the tests are being run now. Nothing is being announced until everything is checked." The tomboy quickly wiped her face dry as she nodded. The 'Perfect Soldier' asked, "Have you changed your mind?" The ex-princess looked to her friend with anger mixed with shock as she replied, "You still think that I should tell them the truth? Now!?!" Kumi shrugged, "It's your choice. I thought that since you believe in God, you might have taken this incident as a warning to tell them the truth before it's too late." Sette sighed deeply as a few more tears rolled from her eyes, "I have thought about that..."
The door of the waiting room opened and Quatre made his way out. He paused when he saw the two pilots a few feet ahead of him. The young women turned to face him. Kumi nodded once to the Arabian and walked towards the door, herself. As she passed him, their eyes locked. They stayed silent and still like that for a moment and the tomboy gave a small gasp. She turned away and began to bite back more sobs. "She's telling his heart the truth," she told herself mentally.
When the pause was over, the silver-haired pilot rested her hand on Quatre's shoulder, giving it a squeeze before turning and walking to the door. Sette was feverishly wiping her tears away as her back was facing her fiancee. Her efforts didn't matter much the second she felt the Arabian's arms wrap around her waist from behind. "Kumi told you the truth," she sobbed as she lowered her head. Quatre shook his head, "What did she tell me?"
The tomboy broke from the embrace and spun to glare at her fiancee. Tears were streaming her face as she all but shouted, "Oh, don't act like she didn't just communicate with you! I know that she broke her word and told you everything!" Quatre nodded, "She did tell me something just now, Sette...But it wasn't what you think." Sette growled deeply as she wiped her face again, "Then what did she say, and don't think that you can lie to me." The Arabian said calmly, "Kumi just told me to play along and look at her."
The blue spheres of the tomboy widened and she whispered, "T-that was it?" Quatre nodded and assured her, "Yes." Walking to Sette, he said with concern in his voice, "Since that day I found you on H7, I knew that something was wrong...Whatever you thought Kumi told me...It's the same thing, isn't it?" The ex-princess lowered her head as a sigh escaped her. The Arabian gently lifted her head until their eyes locked. He whispered as he wiped the newly fallen drops, "Please tell me what's wrong, Sette. I want to help you...I love you." That did it. Sette began to shake with sobs as she threw her arms around her love.
Sette sobbed in his chest, "I love you, too, Quatre...I-I should tell you...I need to tell you the truth." Quatre was rubbing his back as he whispered, "I'm not going anywhere." The tomboy nodded and looked back up to her fiancee to have their eyes meet again. Taking a deep breath after a long pause, she began quietly but with confidence, "Okay...When I was in the cell after I was captured on H7..."
* * * * * *
About ten minutes later, Quatre walked into the waiting room with an expression that couldn't be read. The others all looked to him as he entered. Kumi was leaning against the wall beside her Chinese partner as they kept a vigil over their friends. The silver-haired pilot kept her gaze on the blonde while the others returned to their own worlds. The Arabian looked around and when he saw Milliardo, he walked over to him.
The Arabian knelt before Wind, who leaned forward to hear whatever the pilot was whispering to him. Milliardo nodded after a moment and rose to his feet along with Quatre. Looking to Brian, Noin and their son, he whispered something to them before walking to the door with the Arabian. As they left the room, Kumi continued to watch. When the door closed behind them, she gave a small nod and continued to look after the others along with Wufei.
Not long after the departure of Wind and Quatre, Sera made her way into the waiting room, herself. Everyone quickly made their way to the Japanese brunette. Brian was the first to reach her as he asked quietly, "How is Relena? Is she awake?" Sere nodded and said gently, "She woke up asking for you. Sally and her team are looking over the last test results now, but she said that you can see her." Brian gave a sigh of relief and nodded, "Thank you." He quickly left the room, leaving Sera to share the detail with the others. All that Brian was concerned about was seeing his wife.
* * * * * *
Relena was lying in her hospital bed with her eyes closed and hands wrapped around her small stomach, that had just begun to show signs of pregnancy. Her eyes slowly opened again as a few tears rolled from them. As she dried her face, her husband entered the room. Relena sobbed and whispered, "Brian." She stretched her arms out as her husband quickly reached her bedside and wrapped her in his own.
The pair held each other tightly as the young queen sobbed and buried her head in his love's chest. In a broken and muffled whisper, she cried, "I'm so sorry, love." Brian pulled back to look at his wife with confusion as he asked, "Why are you sorry, sweetheart?" Zes lowered her head, not able to look back into his eyes as she whispered, "The baby..."
Brian sighed deeply and held Relena against him as he whispered, "Whatever the tests say, we'll get through this together." There was pain in the king's voice. He was as concerned about the child as much as his wife was. He held her gently but firmly enough to assure her that he wasn't going to leave her.
Sally Poe entered the room as the king and queen turned to the door as it opened. The Weatheralls held hands tightly as Brian sat beside Relena. Water held a large file in her hand as she walked to them. Taking a deep breath, the pair waited for the Preventer to begin. Sally looked to them with an expression that couldn't be read.
Water informed the pair, "The test results have all been analyzed." Finally, Zes couldn't take it anymore as she asked quietly, "Is the baby...Are they alright?" Brian tightened his hold on her hand. He wasn't sure he would have been able to ask that difficult question. While Sally only paused the briefest of moments before answering, it felt like an eternity to the king and queen.
Sally smiled warmly, "Your babies are just fine." Relena and Brian gasped simultaneously as their eyes shot wide. Brian asked breathlessly, "D-did you say babies?" Water nodded as her smile grew, "Twins. And they're perfectly healthy." The king and queen gasped again as they looked to each other with bright smiles and hugged tightly as they let out relieved laughter.
Brian turned back to Sally and asked, "What caused Relena to collapse?" The young woman answered, "Nothing that that can't be helped. Zes, you need to allow yourself more time to rest. You're almost four months along now and the stress that is on your shoulders now is a greater strain than you realize."
Relena lowered her head and asked sadly, "Then I can't pilot Calvary any longer?" Sally hesitated, then replied, "I know that you want to continue to pilot your Gundam and fight beside the others...But you have to think of your health and the health of your children first." Zes released a long, pained sigh as she lowered her head and closed her eyes. Her husband hugged her and she rested her head on his shoulder. Sally said quietly, "I'm sorry, Relena. But this is the only way to keep you safe. It might only have to be for a few months, when there isn't any doubt that you'll be able to handle everything." The young queen finally nodded, still in the arms of her love.
Sally frowned and hugged the young queen, herself. "I know that this is hard right now, but you also know that is for the best." Zes nodded once the embrace ended, "I know...I just feel like I'm letting the others down." Brian smiled warmly and shook his head as he rubbed his wife's back, "You're not letting anyone down, Relena. You've done everything that you could to help and then some. And you'll be able to pilot again, after you're strong enough again."
Zes still wished that she could pilot her Gundam. Still, she forced a smile and replied, "You're both right. I know that I must be crazy for coming across so upset over my suit." Brian kissed her temple and replied gently, "You have the right to be upset. There's nothing to be sorry about."
Relena finally gave a true smile and placed her hands on her stomach, looking to it. She said quietly, "I still can't believe that we're having twins." Sally smiled and nodded, "Congratulations. I'll go and tell the others the news. I know that they've been worried. I'll send them in to see you in a few minutes so your both can be alone." The Weatheralls both smiled and replied at the same time, "Thank you." The Preventer walked from the room to allow Brian and Relena their privacy to enjoy the good news.
The pair smiled warmly to the growing proof of the lives they created. Brian rested his forehead against his queen's, folding his hands over her stomach as well. He said quietly, "I can't wait to meet them." Relena smiled and replied, "Neither can I."
The queen's eyes widened for a moment and she looked back up to her husband and asked, "If one of them is a girl, can her name be Dorothy?" Brian smiled warmly and answered, "I could never think of a better name for her." Zes smiled sweetly back and kissed him. The kiss went from soft and gentle to deep. Breaking for air, Relena whispered, "I love you, Brian." The king smiled and replied the same, "I love you, too, Relena." They went on to look back to the stomach with love and anticipation.
* * * * * *
A few hours later, Milliardo and Sette were alone as they sat at a table in a small room that they found where they could talk. They had been able to see Relena and heard the good news about her health and the safety of her babies. But, there was still some unfinished business that they needed to take care of. The young man looked beside himself as he folded his hands over his face, taking a deep breath. Sette bit her lip and lowered her head sadly.
Wind then lowered his hands and gently lifted the pilot's head up until they met gazes. He leaned in and kissed her forehead, whispering, "I'm sorry that you suffered so much." Sitting up in his chair again, he sighed deeply, "I always had a feeling that there was truth behind the rumors on our mother and your father."
Sette shuddered again and looked away as she whispered, "I know that I was a mistake-" Milliardo cut her off as he said sternly, "You're not a mistake, Sette. Don't ever say that." The tomboy looked to her half-brother in shock. Milliardo smiled warmly, but gave a look of certainty that he meant what he said. Sette's bottom lip began to quiver and she asked in a small voice, "How can you say that?"
Milliardo rose and took Sette's hands in his, pulling her to stand. The ex-princess allowed herself to be lifted onto her feet, uncertain as to what Wind was doing. Before she could say anything, Sette was pulled into a tight embrace by the tall pilot. Milliardo kissed the top of her head and said quietly, but sternly, "I know that because no sister of mine is a mistake."
Wind held her head against his chest and before long, the tomboy was crying and sobbing again as she wrapped her own arms around him. She brokenly whispered, "I'm only your half-sister." Wing lifted her head to look at him. He smiled again and shook his head, "As far as I'm concerned, you're not a half-anything. You're my sister, just as Relena is." The tomboy's eyes widened, then softened as she smiled and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Thank you, Milliardo," she whispered. They hugged tightly again. Wind kissed Sette's forehead again and sighed deeply, "We'll tell Relena when she's rested." The ex-princess nodded.
The door opened and Quatre entered timidly as he said, "Sorry to interrupt." The brother and sister smiled to him and Milliardo chuckled, "It's alright, Quatre." The Arabian in turn smiled back in relief, seeing that everything seemed to be working out between the pilots. Sette asked, "What is it, hon?" Quatre replied, "Keiser managed to locate a large OZ carrier almost ten miles from here. There's a meeting to discuss what we have to do." The other pilots nodded and left the room with him.
The remaining Gundam pilots, with the exception of Relena, were already having a briefing over the situation that had just arisen with Keiser. Howard, Noin, Sally and Marimaya were also present. There was an image of the long, massive ship that had been spotted on the round table before all of them as they stood in the darkened room.
The white table gave a bright glow that made the translucent thermal scan stand out. The light brought out the image clearly as it penetrated the colors of the ship's mass. Everyone was spread along the edges of the table, looking to the scanned shot as the door opened. Milliardo, Quatre and Sette entered, joining their comrades at the round table's edges.
Keiser began, "We know that this ship is returning from G42. They've been allies since the start of the war. The fact that G42 is known for its possession of Gundamimum is something that is our greatest concern. This same ship has been on the colony for almost two straight weeks before its departure. There's no telling what they'll be taking back to OZ with them. While I wish that we had more to go on as far as that is concerned, we can't afford to take any chances."
Wufei gave a nod as he leaned forward asked, "They would be expecting trouble, since they must know by now what our prior missions set out to accomplish." The Lieutenant replied, "That's right. Therefore, it would be best that not all of you use your Gundams right away."
The Lieutenant continued as he ran his right index finger around the edges of the ship's image, "The ship is protected with Gundamimum to begin with, so the only way that the carrier can be destroyed is through an explosion within. We managed to capture an OZ shuttle big enough for all of you and your Gundams. You'll be able to break through their defenses that way, in order to carry out the job."
Delapan sighed deeply and shook her head as her eyes closed, "It's going to be hard with only eight of us left, and that's including Milliardo." Duo shrugged with his arms still crossed, "It's not like we have a choice. If they are carrying Gundamimum back to OZ, they'll use them for more suits. We can't take a risk like that."
Kumi nodded and deadpanned, "He's right. We'll split the group that there are more of us in the ship than in Space during the fight." Milliardo offered, "I'll handle the mobile suits that retaliate outside of the ship. The more of you inside, the better." Kumi looked to the others and asked, "Any objections?"
Everyone turned to her with signs of acceptance of what they needed to do. The silver-haired pilot nodded, "Alright. With the outline of the carrier, we'll be able to discuss who will take what end on the way there." Everyone agreed and headed out of the room together to head for the hanger.
Once in the launch pod, Kumi handed all of her comrades that would be entering the ship a backpack. As they accepted their bags, Delapan asked, "What's in these things? They weigh a ton." Sette answered, "Tail bombs. It's something I made in the Eve Wars." She removed a round bomb the size of two fists in one. There was a long, and thick leather strap attached to its surface.
Taking the bomb by the leather strap, the tomboy explained as she whirled the bomb like a lasso over her head with one hand on the strap, "You have to rotate the bomb at least once for it to be activated. Once you let it loose in mid-spin, it'll take out whatever it touches." She released her hold on the strap as she spun it one last time. The bomb soared off in a b-line and crashed into one of the Space Leos of the Prevneters, instantly sending it into a cloud of smoke as it was engulfed by the explosion. The others watched in shock. Kumi gave a nod and informed them, "Use them sparingly. The carrier will be swarming with soldiers."
Everyone understood and took their backpacks with them as they ran to their Gundams and flew them into the shuttle that would take them to their target. Marimaya waved, "Good luck, all of you." Sally and Noin waved as well as they quickly left the hanger before the hatch doors opened. The moment the stars were in plain sight, the Gundam pilot shot off together at great speed in the ship that had been stolen from OZ.
In the hall outside of her room, Relena watched their departure from a large window with a small, sad frown on her face. She sighed deeply and rested her hand on the glass as she said quietly, "Be careful."
* * * * * *
Quinze Kushrenadah was looking through his reports as he sat at the desk in his office. Demetirs entered and the OZ leader lowered the files in his hand. He smiled to his best soldier, "And how is Heero today?" The giant replied, "No change. He still won't so much as cry out during his beatings." The commander shook his head and folded his hands behind his head, "He's only hurting himself more by doing so and he knows it. He's even stronger than I imagined."
The smug young man sneered and chuckled deeply, "No matter. He'll crack eventually." Demetris sighed deeply, "I beg to differ. At this rate, Yuy will die before we get anything out of him." Kushrenadah's eyes narrowed, "Then do whatever it takes to keep that from happening. I want to know how Doctor J was able to make him and Kumi the Perfect Soldiers that they are today." The tall man before him assured his commander, "If that is what you wish, Your excellency I'll do what I can." Quinze gave a nod as he said, "Good. Do that." His head lowered so that he could study his reports again.
Demetirs hesitated a moment before clearing his throat and stated, "Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad choice to kill him now." Quinze lowered his reports slowly as he looked up with wide eyes to the giant. His eyes narrowed into thin slits and in a small, threatening tone he asked, "What was that, Demetris?" The man was not shaken by the question or appearance of his commander and he explained, "Sir, the men are becoming concerned. Since the reappearance of Duo Maxwell and his new Deathscythe, they are beginning to worry that Heero will be released just as his lover was...And quite honestly, I am growing concerned about that as well."
Kushrenadah sat back and folder his hands before his face and closed his eyes, sighing deeply. Demetris continued to state his position with subtle desperation in his vice as he tried to convince Quinze. Placing his hands on the desk and bending at the waist to get a closer look at the commander, he said, "Sir, we have Heero Yuy in our position...He's trapped in a cell within this ship. This is something that we have never thought would happen. He was taken without force and does nothing to end the torture that we put him through. Let's not take this chance for granted and just destroy him now."
The OZ leader's eyes opened and glared to Demetris. "You are allowing your fear to blind you, my friend," he said with disappointment dripping from his tone. "Lowering his hands, he continued and leaned forward, "We have the opportunity to mold the army of this organization into the unstoppable force that we have been longing to achieve. Nothing, not even the Gundams and their friends the Preventers would be able to destroy OZ. And you want to destroy the only key we have to gaining that?"
The giant shook his head, "Your Excellency, if Heero ever finds out that Duo is still alive-" His commander cut him off sharply, "He won't. All precautions have been met to see that he never learns the truth." Demetris sighed deeply and lowered his head as his eyes slid closed, "I still feel that this is going to come back to haunt us." Quinze sneered, "Why would you feel that way, Demetris? We have Yuy right where we want him." The giant shook his head, "Something could happen that may change that. It's not out of the question."
The tall man looked back to Kushrenadah and explained, "Almost three years ago, Kumi had the put an end to me. I was taken into the hands of authorities instead of being killed at her hands. She could have easily disposed of me if she hadn't been held back. And I could see in her eyes as I was taken away that she knew I would return...I know that if we let Heero live, and if he escapes, he will grow stronger than humanly possible." Quinze chuckled deeply and sneered, "I don't think he'll be implanted with a Gundamimum heart, my friend. There is nothing to worry about."
Demetris knew that he wasn't going to get through the OZ leader and finally gave a nod as he rose straight. He saluted as he said quietly, "I truly hope that we are doing the right thing by keeping him alive, Sir." Kushrenadah replied as his comrade lowered his hand, "You shouldn't question the judgment of your superior, Lieutenant. It's not becoming of a soldier at arms." The tall man had no choice but to frown as he gave a nod, "Forgive me. I almost had forgotten my place."
Kushrenadah nodded, "That's alright. Just be sure not to forget again." The tall man shook his head, "No, Sir." He turned and walked to the door. The moment that the door closed behind him, Quinze sighed deeply and leaned on his elbows as they rested on the desk. Shaking his head, he told himself, "I'm not going to let this opportunity pass." He chuckled deeply, "They'll all see that there is nothing to fear."
He looked back to the reports that he was looking at before he was interrupted, fully convinced that everything would continue to go according to plan. With the way that the war was favoring the organization to win, there really wasn't any reason that he and his men should feel insecure...and Quinze knew it.
* * * * * *
A few hours later, the carrier that Keiser had brought to the attention of the Gundam pilots was on its way through Space silently. Inside, several members of the crew were working in the control room suddenly picked something up on their radar. One of the highest ranked soldiers looked to the screens as the image of Euphoria appeared. The suit was just a heartbeat from slicing at the ship. The eyes of everyone in the room widened as they shouted in terror. Milliardo gave no warning and without having a second thought, sliced the side of the enormous carrier.
While none of his cuts made any real impact in the Gundamimum walls, he knew that his mission to distract the crew was successful. Within seconds of his first attack, a swarm of mobile suits appeared as they shot through the many hangers of the ship. The blonde young man sneered wickedly to himself as he growled, "That's it. Right where I want you."
[this is the first day of my last days]
Inside, an explosion rang out as flames and smoke engulfed one of the countless hallways of the ship. The crew near the site were taken in by the fire before they could do anything to save themselves.
[built it up now take it apart
climbed up real high now fall down real far]
A large number of soldiers ran in the direction of the explosion to see what had happened. From the dying flames and smoke, the Gundam pilots ran out with semi-automatic guns. They fired upon the guards and took all of them out with little difficulty. The pilots parted at the split in the hallway ahead of them to cover more ground as they charged through with their weapons. Kumi and Duo paired, as did Wufei and Trowa. Sette, Delapan and Quatre worked as a team as they took the last of the three routs in the break.
[no need for me to stay
the last thing left i just threw it away
i put my faith in god and my trust in you
now there's nothing more fucked up i could do]
With the use of their guns and occasionally with the Tail Bombs, the pilots made easy targets of those that threatened them. Several soldiers who approached their enemies with fury and determination were soon stricken with fear as they watched their friends being cut down left and right.
Still, not one OZ guard would retreat. This was even when the barrels of their foes' guns were staring them in the face. The Tail Bombs took out the balconies and railings that several soldiers tried to use to their advantage. The Gundam pilots who had a very brief demonstration of these weapons used them like pros, spinning and hurling them with ease.
[wish there was something real wish there was something true
wish there was something real in this world full of you]
In Space, Milliardo was taking out the mobile suits that opposed him quickly and with amazing skill. The number of suits against him was increasing by the minute. Nevertheless, the Preventer ran every one of them through. The bow of the suit was pulled so that Miliardo could use it as two laser swords. The young man sneered as he revealed in the fight. The OZ soldiers used any wherever means they had to destroy him to no avail.
At the last moment, he managed to see that he misjudged his enemies as three suits suddenly threatened to destroy him from above as he struggled with their comrades. Just before they were about to collide with the gold Gundam in a suicide kill, they were each stabbed with a golden, Gundamimum arrow. The suits were destroyed in explosions just inches from Milliardo as he watched in amazement. With sweat drenching his face, he looked in shock to his monitors.
Rampage was shooting to the battle, firing arrows all the while. The pilot within took the bow and stabbed it through the mobile suits that got close enough. Wind was not complaining as he worked himself through the struggle with less strain thanks to the appearance of the Gundam that once belonged to Dorothy. The OZ soldiers that managed to witness Rampage's sudden reappearance watched for a brief moment in shock and sheer horror before regaining their focus and fighting with all that was in them.
[i'm the one without a soul
i'm the one with this big fucking hole]
Back inside, there were several soldiers running through a tunnel of halls when Sette jumped from her spot in the rafters, landing just feet ahead of the guards as she opened fire. Those soldiers who were further the back turned to retreat quickly. They were cut off by Quatre and Delapan as they did the same as their tomboy companion, falling just ahead of those who attempted to flee with their lives. They were shot down by the spray of bullets from the pilots.
[no new tale to tell
twenty-six years on my way to hell]
Trowa ran down a hall alone and unarmed, only to freeze in mid-charge when a crew of armed soldiers blocked his path as he rounded a corner. The men aimed their weapons at him with dark glares as they prepared to open fire. The tall pilot's eyes widened as he ran back around the corner and down the hall as fast as he could. The guards were fast on his heels and shooting.
Trowa then rounded another corner just ahead of the troops. As they rounded the same corner, the OZ soldiers froze in terror as they saw that was waiting for them. Wufei was standing with a missile launcher that he managed to get a hold of. Trowa sneered as he stood beside his friend and looked to the fear in their opponents' faces when they saw them. Wufei pulled the trigger that sent a missile straight into the mass of young guards.
[gotta listen to your big time hard line bad luck fist fuck]
Kumi was firing upon several soldiers below her as she made a post on a high balcony. Duo was in the same room, below the silver-haired pilot on the ground level. Seeing that they took out all of the soldiers there, the American wiped a bit of the seat that drenched his face and looked up to see his partner. His cobalt eyes widened as his face paled. Kumi was loading her gun as an OZ guard snuck up on her from behind. The young woman was unaware of his presence and continued to look after her weapon.
Duo was aiming his own riffle at the soldier when he saw Kumi suddenly pull a revolver from her belt, aimed it behind her right shoulder and shot the man through the forehead. All this in a split second and without turning around. The braided pilot lowered his riffle and smiled up to the stoic pilot in awe. Just then, he felt someone come up from behind him. Following Kumi's example, he removed a jagged blade from his pocket and rammed it backwards, right into the chest of the OZ soldier that was about to kill him.
[don't think you're having all the fun
you know me i hate everyone]
Kumi jumped from the balcony and landed beside Duo as she gave a small nod with her expressionless face. The braided pilot nodded back and the pilots ran off through the halls. They were joined with the others as their tunnels met again at the other end of the ship. Together, they ran through the maze of the carrier to its center.
[wish there was something real wish there was something true
wish there was something real in this world full of you]
It wasn't long before the seven of them reached the main system that supported the ship. After killing the soldiers that protected the large tubes and central computer, they looked to the heart for a brief moment before unleashing all of their firearms upon it. Utilizing every gun and Tail Bomb that they managed to carry, they made sure not to leave anything spared. The entire room was soon engulfed in flames and smoke.
[i want to but i can't turn back
but i want to but i can't turn back
but i want to but i can't turn back
but i want to but i can't turn back]
The Gundam pilots fought through the destruction just as the emergency doors to the chamber closed in attempt to keep the flames at bay. However, there was nothing that could be done to spare the carrier at this point and the pilots ran through the halls together to make their way back to the hanger, where their suits were waiting in the shuttle they arrived in. On their way through the ship, however, Quatre froze as he looked out through of the massive the windows that they ran past. The others were taken back by his sudden pause and froze, themselves, as they looked out to see what stopped him.
With wide eyes, they all looked out to see Rampage in all its glory, fighting like it always had. Whoever piloted the suit held the same fire that Dorothy had when she flew the Gundam. The sight was too incredible for the pilots as they watched in shock and amazement.
[but i want to but i can't turn back
but i want to but i can't turn back
but i want to but i can't turn back
but i want to but i can't turn back]
Just then, the flames and explosions broke free from the emergency doors and shot through the channels of halls and crevices everywhere that it reached. The pilots broke from their state of wonder as they looked back to see the approach of the fire as it coursed in their direction.
Turning to look in the direction of the hanger they needed to reach, they watched as the emergency doors of the path ahead of them were all beginning to close. Not taking the time to think of anything else, the Gundam pilots charged through and did whatever they could to slip through the doors before they closed on them. Sliding, flipping, jumping, whatever it took, the pilots made their way through the series of closing doors. More often than not, they managed to get through by merely seconds.
[wish there was something real wish there was something true
wish there was something real in this world full of you]
In addition to trying to beat the clock against the doors that kept closing, they were also taking out OZ soldiers who stayed to take the pilots out with them. Wufei and Kumi spun back to some of their foes and mirrored each other perfectly as they spun a Tail Bomb in their right hands and hurled it at the attackers, killing them instantly. Sette and Delapan shot even more guards from their places around and over them, still struggling to get through the closing walls.
[wish there was something real wish there was something true
wish there was something real in this world full of you]
The last door that led to the hanger was a breath from being closed by a thick wall of Gundamimum that came from the ceiling as Trowa and Duo were the first to reach it. The two of them dove, managing to stop the blockade by a span of a few feet as they pushed up with everything they had. They squatted and grunted loudly as their pores opened to release great amounts of sweat in their efforts.
They were being pushed down as the metal continued to move. Kumi was the next to reach the hanger entrance. Turning back just ahead of the door, she shot at the OZ guards that continued to open fire as they ran after the pilots. The others now had the cover they needed to simply worry about getting through the door. They ducked under the metal that Trowa and Duo continued to hold up for them.
Delapan got in first, followed by Sette then Wufei and finally Quatre. Kumi continued to shoot at the OZ soldiers for another moment. Finally, she tossed her gun over her shoulder by its strap and dove under the opening that was only a few feet tall now. Duo and Trowa nodded to each other as they simultaneously pushed up with their last bit of strength and rolled under the falling metal. They both managed to get in the hanger by the narrowest of margins.
[this world full of you
this world full of you
this world full]
The pilots ran to the shuttle where their suits were waiting. The door of the room was now beginning to glow red and the air was growing incredibly hot as everyone strapped themselves in their cockpits and turned their Gundams on. Instantly, the suits came to life and sliced their way through the shuttle.
With Excalibur, Deathscythe and Sand Rock taking the lead, Kumi, Duo and Quatre cut and pulled an opening through the hanger's door together. The pilots all made their way out of the carrier and into the stars as they shot through with the flames of the massive explosion right behind them.
[End 'Wish']
Euphoria and Rampage had finished destroying all of their opponents as their friends made their way to them. As a unit, they watched the final wave of explosions that took the massive OZ carrier out, leaving nothing to be spared. As the pilots that invaded the ship got their bearings, gasping for air and falling back into their seats, they heard a familiar voice say gently, "Nice work, all of you." Kumi's eyes widened for a moment and she called, "Noin!?!"
The image of Fire appeared on the monitors of the suits. She nodded and replied, "I'm sorry...I know that you weren't sure what should become of this suit. But, I knew that you would need more support than just the eight of you for this mission." The other pilots looked to the Preventer in elation, knowing that she was the one flying Dowothy's suit. The stoic pilot simply stated, "Hn. We'll discuss this back at Pulsar." Too exhausted from the prior events, everyone agreed that was the best decision and they flew off to do just that.
* * * * * * * *
Later that evening, Sette, Relena and Milliardo were sitting in the young king and queen's room. Zes was lying in the bed that she and her husband shared, still catching up on the rest that she needed. Relena lowered her head for a moment then looked back to Sette. She frowned and asked sadly, "Why didn't you tell me?" The tomboy bit her lip and choked, "I...I didn't know how..." Zes nodded and replied, "I'm sorry...You're right. I can only imaging what this was doing to you after you found out."
Milliardo placed his hand on Sette's head and smiled, "I'm just glad that the truth came from you." The queen smiled warmly and nodded, "I am, too." She rolled to rest her legs at the side of the bed and pulled the ex-princess into a tight embrace. Sette fought off more tears as she returned the hug. Relena whispered sincerely, "And as Milliardo said, you're not a half-anything. You're our sister, no questions asked." Milliardo wrapped his long arms around his sisters as they all head each other. He sighed and chuckled deeply, "I'm going to have my hands full with the two of you."
Zes and Sette simultaneously stuck their tongues out at the tall pilot. The young women looked to each other in shock after the gesture. The three of them laughed. Sette pulled back a bit and smiled, "I always wanted a brother or sister...I never thought I'd be lucky to have both...And the two of you, no less." Her face fell as she asked, "Do you think we should tell the others? If you don't want them to know, I understand." Zes shook her head, "I want everyone to know that you're our sister."
Milliardo placed his hand over Sette's right and said gently, "Like it or not, you're stuck with us now." Relena placed her hand over Sette's left as she nodded, "From now on, nothing is going to break us apart again." The tomboy smiled and brought their hands together as she said in reply, "And God help anyone that tries to change that."
* * * * * * * *
All of the Gundam pilots met in the hanger where their suits were waiting once they managed to rest after the attack with the OZ carrier. Noin was still working with some of her crew in the tower there when the others arrived. She looked to them in confusion when they gathered below and looked up to her. Fire walked down the stairs of the observation tower and reached the ground level. Milliardo was with the pilots as well and he smiled to his wife.
Kumi stepped forward and met Noin a few feet ahead of the others. Fire asked in concern, "Is everything alright?" Kumi replied, "We just wanted to let you know that if you would choose to accept, Rampage will be your Gundam to pilot from now on." Noin's eyes widened and her jaw fell a bit slack as she gasped. Looking to the other pilot, she asked, "You really want me to?" The silver-haired pilot answered, "I promised Novem that I would find the best pilot suited the responsibility...I have no doubts that you're the best choice."
Moved beyond words, Noin let out a small, chocked laugh as she beamed. Finally, she nodded and said sincerely, "It would be an honor." Kumi smirked and extended her right hand. As they shook firmly, she told Noin, "Good to have you along, Pilot 09." Noin smiled brightly and looked to the others, who were returning her look of elation and relief. As the handshake ended, she was hugged and congratulated by all of them.
After the small celebration, everyone filed from the hanger. Noin smiled to her husband after they kissed deeply, "I'll be with you in a minute." Milliardo smiled and nodded, "Of course." At this, he left the hanger.
Alone, Noin walked over to Rampage, as it stood alongside the other Gundams. Looking up to her suit, she smiled and lowered her head. She whispered as she closed her eyes, "I promise I'll do whatever it takes to make you proud, Dorothy." She returned her gaze upward as she looked to her suit. Rampage stood straight and true as ever, almost winking down to its new pilot.
TBC