DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of these characters with the exception of Kumi Yuy and Sette Devion... and a few others GIVE ME SOME CREDIT!!! :)
This goes out to all of my friends and supporters: Snodin, Traci, Sam, Beekay, Ruby, Mylia, Ryla, GREETER 600, D-max, Stormy, Naz, Akuma, Kai, Enigma, Lily, Kit, Toynit, my entire 1x2x1 family and everyone who reads and enjoys this fic. *tackle glomps*
Gundam Wing: The Second Chapter
Episode 45: Battle Fronts
by SkyLark
The thick cloud of star dust that hid the massive laser that brought so many Colonies to their doom continued to fly silently just beyond the Milky Way, far from any planet or civilization for many miles. Within the laser, there were countless soldiers working in their many stations throughout the craft. Those looking to the levels of the energy that had been stored were taking notes carefully on charts upon reading the meters the ship's center. One young woman received all that had been gathered as she took stacks of papers from her team. Give them a silent nod, she left the lab and met the laser's Captain as he waited for her in the hallway.
The old man with silver hair and a thick beard over his rough features met his professor's blue eyes with his own gray pair. The white-coated scientist informed him, "Orion will be fully charged again before long, sir." The Captain chuckled, "Excellent work. All is as it should be for the next attack." The doctor nodded and saluted, "Very well sir. We can expect Orion to reach its highest intensity within the next hour." At this, she turned and reentered the lab from which she came. The Captain sneered to himself, "Then an hour it shall be... not a second later." He turned to make his way to the control room of Orion.
* * * * * *
In a large city on the Earth, an army of over eight hundred mobile suits were attacking and destroying all that stood. Everything within the area was being brought to its knees as the OZ soldiers continued to storm through. In the subways below, there were countless people gathered together as they looked up to the high, black ceiling in terror. The explosions and chaos above could be heard all around as they echoed through the tunnels. Following a heavy crash, the ground would shake and duct would fall from cracks in the subway's roof. The hundreds of people huddled together held onto their children, wives, husbands and everyone close to them. Many prayed, others cried and even more just remained still, paralyzed in fear.
The OZ mobile suits continued their attack as they knocked building after building down with gunfire and missiles. Just then, one of the soldiers picked something up on their radars and looked up to the heavens. He chuckled deeply, "Here they come." The Gundam pilots and the Preventers shot from the skies as they poured from all around. Kumi took the lead of the Gundams with her angel wings and body armor. No longer in need of the oxygen in her suit, her visor snapped back up inside her helmet. Taking aim with her right arm, she fired a large blast from the Buster Riffle into the ocean of mobile suits just below.
Along with that first shot, Sand Rock's chest opened, all around the cockpit as Quatre fired his latest modification. Fifteen heat-seeking missiles fell upon the army and took out a good handful at a time to make the descent an easier one for himself and his comrades. As the Gundam pilots and the Preventers spread themselves out and took to the OZ soldiers that they could reach, they welcomed the attack that met them head-on. Zes sliced through the first round of suits that made their way to her without any hesitance. It was as if she had never given up piloting.
Trowa and Noin were back-to-back up until the time that they were greeted by the mobile suits. They split off in opposite directions and took out any soldier that met them along the way. Fire took her bow and arrows, making the most use of them before wishing to use her newest modification. For now, her arrows were enough to give her foes a difficult time in reaching her. Fully loaded and with wings fully spread, Heavy Arms shot countless rounds into the spreading mobile suits. Trowa made it a point to spin his suit in mid-attack to shoot down OZ soldiers from all directions as he made his way through the battlefield.
Wufei's sent the dragon head of Nataku and thrust it into the fray ahead, slicing through a handful of suits in one slash. The troops surrounding those who had been taken out moved as fast as they could to return fire. The Chinese pilot, however, managed to end any initial advances as he shot a wave of flames over the mass. From there, Wufei's eyes narrowed as he took to his laser trident. It was as he attacked in this fashion that he called his scanners for any sign of life in the city below.
Zes was doing the same in her own Gundam as she battled with as much determination and skill as any of the trained soldiers of the organization that threatened the lives of her people. With concern in her voice, she informed the others, "I'm not picking up any sign of life from the city." Wufei shook his head, "Neither am I." All of the pilots gave a negative response to seeing any attempts they made in seeing that the innocents were safe, let alone alive. The Queen of the World bit back her fear as she focused on the struggle that she was now engaged in.
Quatre looked through his monitors as he noticed the smallest of gaps in the forces, giving a straightaway to the city. The Arabian turned as he looked to Kumi. The silver-haired pilot was fighting feverishly as she moved with speed and grace through the crowds of soldiers. Using her Buster Riffle and laser blade, there was no chance for anyone close to her to escape alive. Quatre called, "Kumi, I'm going to get a closer look at the city while I have a chance." The 'Perfect Soldier' nodded as she turned to look to Sand Rock for a brief moment, "Just be careful, Quatre." The Arabian replied, "I will be." Without another word, the blonde pilot descended quickly through the only break he had.
The moment he was able to reach the ground of the crumbling city, Quatre looked to his heat radars. Sighing deeply in relief, he smiled quietly to himself, "They're beneath the city." Just then, he was knocked from behind at great force in a sudden blow that knocked Sand Rock forward. Quarte was unable to prevent his suit from rolling along the ground as he was jolted in his cockpit, shouting in pain and shock. Sand Rock's back crashed into the side of a large, metal building. This was the only thing that prevented the Gundam from spinning further.
Quatre was bent forward at the waist, held up his harness as he panted and tried to gather himself. Looking to his monitors, his heavy-lidded eyes widened slowly as they watched the large silhouette of a familiar Gundam make it's way towards him through the thick dust that remained from the crash. The red Gundam's jagged arm blades were in place as the pilot within stalked slowly towards Sand Rock. With the settling of the dust all around, Scorpio was now in plain sight. Stacy Stanton chuckled deeply as she sneered, "So we meet again, Winner." The Arabian's wide eyes narrowed as he replied with a deep growl.
* * * * * *
Not long later, Heero, Duo, Sette, Delapan and Milliardo reached the star-covered haze that concealed the laser they set out to destroy. Prior to now, the Preventers on Pulsar had learned the name that OZ had given the weapon. Heero's eyes narrowed as he announced, "There's Orion." At that moment, swarms of mobile suits filled the skies as they shot towards the pilots in effort to hold them back. Milliardo suggested, "We'll spread out and then them as best we can." The others agreed as they fanned themselves as best they could before being met by the OZ troops.
The five pilots were making handling their own for about ten minutes and were slowly nearing the ship. Just then, the cloud of mobile suits spread away quickly, leaving Delapan and Sette stunned as to why they retreated so suddenly. "What the hell was that all about!?!" The tomboy shouts as she looked in uncertainty to her monitors. Delapan shook her head, "I don't know but-WAIT! LOOK THERE!" she suddenly yelled her scanners picked something up. Together, the Gundam pilots watched as two silver streaks shot from Orion and crisscrossed several times past each other on their way to the pilots at great speed. Before there was a chance for them to make out what was approaching, Sette and Delapan were knocked back by a forceful blow from each streak.
Both pilots growled or cried out in pain as they tried to regain control of their suits. Azrael leaned forward in her cockpit as she shouted with a wide smile, "WE'RE BAAAACK!!!" She and her brother laughed loudly as they unleashed a brutal attack with their twin, silver Gundams known as Gemini. Sette shouted with narrowed eyes and venom in her voice, "YOU!" Abrasia licked his lips as he looked back to Mason and sneered in a deep growl, "You." The tomboy shouted loudly and charged for the other Gundam with her mallet raised.
Delapan growled deeply as she sent her whip towards the silver Gundam before her. Azrael laughed, "Is that all you've got!?!" Easily, she managed to fight off the metal coils with her huge bow as she spun it quickly before her to create a shield. The OZ pilot chuckled deeply, "You'll have to do better than that, little girl." Catherine growled deeply as she clenched her teeth and looked through her narrowed eyes towards the silver suit. Azrael broke her bow in half to create two laser swords as she shot off towards her opponent.
Milliardo, in the meantime, was making his way through the OZ fleets that continued to defend Orion alongside Heero and Duo. Taking his laser swords, Wind didn't give the challengers many opportunities to take him down. And the fact that Euphoria could work as quickly as his thoughts made him deadlier than ever. Looking to the winged Gundam pilots, he called to them, "The two of you should make your way to Orion. I'll stay out here and take care of what pilots make their way out." Heero nodded, "Alright." At this, he and Duo darted through the storm of mobile suits as they stabbed and shot down as many as they could along the way with their laser sword and scythe. It would take time before they would actually reach the ship, but they were able to work at much greater speed and ease with their body armor and wings.
* * * * * *
On the Earth, Quatre and Stacy were still struggling bitterly against each other as they did whatever the could to block and return every blow that they were given. Sand Rock was soon knocked off balance with a swift blow from Scorpios' tail. Falling onto his back, the Gundam looked up stunned from the hit. The Arabian within was covered with sweat as he panted and looked to his monitors with exhaustion all over him.
The OZ General laughed loudly as she lifted her jagged sword of her suit's right arm. "YOU'RE MINE!!!" Stanton screamed as she thrust the blade forward. Quatre just managed to work Sand Rock's arms to grip the weapon tightly. Pushing back on it with all the strength he had, the blonde pilot growled deeply as he strained to prevent the strike that would have killed him instantly. The pointed tip was just inches away from his cockpit.
Stanton growled and grunted just as loudly as she pressed down with everything she had. Her voice strained, she told herself, "Just... a little... more..." Quatre's coied out as he brought his Gundam's right leg up to kick Scorpio in the lower chest in a swift blow. Taken by surprise, the OZ pilot shouted loudly in pain as she now lost her own balance and control. The Arabian didn't waste any time as he got his suit to stand on its feet again. Keeping his hold on the scorpion arm blade, he shouted loudly and spun his opponent around Sand Rock several times. The General grunted and gripped her controls as tightly as she could in effort to try and free herself.
Quatre spun the red Gundam around him two more times before releasing the sword and sending the suit flying head-first into the stone wall of an enormous plant not far from where they had been fighting. Scorpio crashed through the wall of the facility, causing the remaining stones above to pile down on top until the entire side had collapsed. The smoke that came from the destruction was thick and blinding as Quarte tried to get a clear visual of what had become of the OZ pilot.
At that same time, the Gundam pilots above looked to the destroyed plant and were unable to see their comrade. Trowa's eyes widened when he saw the collapse of the huge building's right end and shouted, "Quatre, are you alright!?!" The blonde pilot responded with a tired voice, "I'm okay. Just trying to get a visual." The tall pilot sighed a small breath of relief, knowing that his friend was still alive. The other pilots had since continued their own personal struggles against the OZ mobile suits that covered the sky. Trowa quickly went back to join them, knowing fully well that no matter what had become of Scorpio, he and his friends still had their work cut out for them.
The dust before the plant finally began to settle a bit. Quatre made his way to the tall pile of brick and metal, climbing it in attempt to see if there was any sign of his opponent. Once he reached the top, the Arabian could see the inside of the plant that managed to stay in tack despite the terrible collision. Still, there wasn't anything that gave testimony what became of Scorpio. Looking through his monitors, the blonde pilot's breathing and pulse began to pick up as he tried to keep his head. Holding onto his controls tightly, his eyes scanned his visuals quickly as beads of sweat rolled down his face.
"She's here," he told himself in a small voice. Just then, there was a great explosion from the rubble below him. Quatre managed to bring Sand Rock into the air to avoid the bricks and debris that shot in every direction from the force of the blast. Looking below, he watched as the Scorpio managed to free itself. Now standing, the red Gundam looked up to him from the large whole that remained from the shot of the suit's beam cannon.
Stacy had a thin stream of blood rolling down her right cheek from the gash that began at the top of her head. She panted with a look of burning rage in her thinned eyes as she gazed to the Arabian. The blood trickled just to the side of her mouth as her tongue slipped out to taste the liquid. Not bothering to wipe the blood, she continued to glare to the young pilot that hovered over her. "That... was a big mistake, my friend," she hissed in a deep voice. The Arabian's eyes now narrowed with their own anger as he growled deeply, "We'll see about that."
Stanton shrieked and lunged her suit at the other Gundam instantly. Quatre met her half was as he screamed back and shot down towards Scorpio. They clashed with even more heat and rage than they had up to now, working their suits to punch, stab, slash and do anything that might give them the advantage to take their enemy out. Any of the exhaustion that either pilot might have felt prior to this was forgotten as they both regained their second wind.
In the skies above, the battle continued to rage as there was no telling who had the upper-hand. The Preventers that aided the Gundam pilots managed to hold their own as they keept their challengers at bay. Together, they continued to give every OZ soldier all that they had. Just then, several dark clouds entered the sky from hundreds of miles above, casting black shadows on all those fighting in the heavens.
Relena was the first to take notice of the strange dark patches as she looked up. She gave an elated smile as she noticed what the clouds actually were. She cheered, "We have our back-up!" The Preventer crafts overhead released a steady rain of silver Flare Spheres upon the battlefield. The OZ soldiers screamed and frantically did what they could to avoid the weapons, all the while fighting their enemies off. There were still more clones than there were Flare Spheres, however, the fact that a good number of them were being taken out by the sudden attack was enough to give the Gundam pilots and their allies the break that they needed.
Noin watched as three large armies poured from the ships and swooped downward to the fight. One of the young men leading the fleets appeared on her monitor as he saluted, "Sorry for the delay, Fire. We got here as soon as we could." Noin smiled warmly and replied, "Nothing to be sorry about. We're just glad you got here when you did." The young man smiled back and nodded, "It's a pleasure for all of us." At this, the connection was lost so that they could go to their tasks. Noin placed her large bow in its halter on her Gundam's back as she removed the Gundamimum spear that she now owned. Using this, she fought off the soldiers that managed to surround her. Shouting as she pressed on, Fire cut through the mobile as if they were paper.
Trowa's black angel wings allowed the tall pilot to ease through the air with more grace, speed and ease than any other suit to exist. Heavy Arms managed to shoot down any and every target that dared to stand in its way. Not needing to worry about the Flare Sphere hitting him, Trowa used the falling weapons to his advantage, shooting them to detonate their explosions as they neared any mobile suits that attempted to fly away from them. The tall pilot continued to use this tactic, in the mean time shooting and stabbing the OZ soldiers all the while.
* * * * * *
In Space, Azrael threw her twin swords downward in attempt to slice at Delapan's right arm. The redhead piloted her suit to avoid the strike at the last minute and drew the long, jagged-edge blade from behind Slither's right hand. Both swords of the OZ pilot and the large switch blade collided and met in between the two Gundams. Growling and grunting loudly, the two pilots fought to break their challenger as they pushed forward. Delapan was beginning to feel the strain from the long battle wear on not just her, but her suit as she saw some of her controls beginning to spark. Catherine growled loudly as she never let up on her effort to push Azrael back, "Sette, I don't know how much longer I'll be able to hold out like this."
Sette was having a difficult time, herself, as she fought with Azrael's twin. Abrasia was barely breaking a sweat as he spun around Mason, laughing and getting hits in left and right. Another blow to the side knocked the tomboy back at a horrendous force as she shouted out in pain. Once she regained her composure, she was still panting and sweating all over as she shakily held onto her handgrip controls.
"I know, Delapan," the blue-haired pilot replied. "But we can't let them get the best of us now." Her blue eyes narrowed as she watched the green-eyed Gemini spin around her again, getting closer with every spin as he prepared to attack again. Frustrated, the young queen tried several time to shoot the silver suit with her Buster Riffle. Abrasia, however, maneuvered to avoid every blast. Sette hissed, "Damn it! He's too fast!"
Delapan's cockpit continued to spark all around as the standstill continued. Grunting in agony and rage, she closed her eyes and lowered her head as she continued to push forward on her grips. Her eyes opened after a brief pause into a tight squint. Looking to the switch that unsheathed her new weapon from the confines within the Slither's right arm, there was a small button beneath it that she had failed to notice before. The second that her eyes spotted it, they widened as a small gasp left her. Quickly releasing her right hand from her grip bar, Catherine pressed the small button. An electrical charge shot through the blade, shocking the red-eyed Gundam that continued to press against it. Azrael screamed as she was shocked by the electrical waves. Backing from her opponent, she looked with wide eyes to her monitors as she panted after the offense.
Delapan's eyes narrowed as she sneered and chuckled deeply, "Now this I can get used to." She pressed the button again as she aimed the point of her blade to the OZ Gundam. The charge shot past her weapon in a beam of electrical currents. Azrael broke from her stunned state and flew out of the beam's path just in time. The OZ pilot chuckled deeply as she swing around and swiped at the green suit, "Very impressive, my dear." She shouted as she lunged towards her challenger again. With her cockpit back in tact, Catherine managed to return to the fight in full-swing as she continued to block and shoot at her enemy. Using her whip, she also gained a chance to strike from a distance.
Sette had returned to using her laser mallet again as she raised the weapon overhead and swiped at the green-eyed Gemini again. Abrasia was more than willing to fight hand-to-hand now that he could feel the frustration from the other pilot. Finally, the tomboy was able to return the blows that were to come. While there were occasions that the young queen would manage to hit her opponent, it was still clear that she was at a disadvantage overall on account of the silver Gundam's speed. Still, she would not allow herself to become the least bit shaken by this. Abrasia chuckled deeply, "I have to admit that I'm impressed you've lasted this long. Sette sneered, "I aim to please." She cried out as she swiped at the OZ pilot again.
* * * * * *
High above the falling city on the Earth, Zes was making her way through her own corner of the battle as she managed to shoot down any threat on her life and the small lives within her. Just as she continued to make her presence a feared one, the Queen of the World was blindsided by a Space Virgo whose pilot made a daring charge in attempt to stun the Gundam pilot. Relena was jolted enough that she let go of her controls in response to the sudden attack. Calvary's hands released the sais as the suit's arms fell slack. Gasping loudly, Zes watched the descent of her weapons from the skies. The OZ soldier that left her unarmed screamed with wide eyes and nasty smile, "I HAVE YOU NOW!" He prepared to open fire upon the young woman.
Relena growled deeply and hit the new button on her control panel. Upon hitting this, Calvary's hands were raised as they reached behind the Gundam over its shoulders. They returned as they each pulled a massive cannon that fell on top of each shoulder. The OZ soldier's laughter ended instantly as the sight of the lasers as he said quietly, "What the-?" The lasers fired two white beams that became a large one as they met and blended before the target. The OZ screamed in agony as he was taken by the blast. Shocked at her the power of her newest modification, Zes looked to explosion of the Space Virgo in wonder.
Just then, she heard a familiar voice chuckle deeply. Kumi shot before her. "Nice work, Zes," she told her comrade. Just then, Heavy Arms appeared bearing the sais that she had lost in the battle. Trowa told her, "I thought that you could use these." His suit tossed the weapons to the brown Gundam. Zes caught her weapons with ease as she smiled to her angel-winged friend and the tall pilot. Kumi took her laser blade while Heavy Arms reloaded before they quickly disappeared again as they split and flew through the confusion.
Relena chuckled deeply and rubbed her stomach after feeling a slight kick from within, as if the two babies inside were urging her to return to the fight again. Looking down to the small bulge, she said quietly with a warm smile, "You're just as restless as I am, huh?" There was another slight kick and the young queen laughed and nodded, "I know, I know, I'm going." At this, she returned to the fight, again, utilizing her newest weapons as she did so.
Kumi stabbed through her challengers while only using her right arm's built-in Buster Riffle on occasion. There were too many Preventers mixed in with the OZ soldiers to risk using the gun very often. She watched as Wufei shot his great flames through storms of soldiers with a better chance of making his mark. The Chinese pilot then moved to use his laser trident as he took out those that were able to escape the wall of flames in one piece. The raven-haired pilot had been a threat now as he ever was during his life as a Gundam pilot. Along with his fellow comrades never allowed themselves to show any signs of slowing or weakening since the time that they first arrive to defend the Earth almost an hour prior to this time.
Fighting alongside the 'Perfect Soldier' now, Wufei noted aloud, "Quatre is going to need more help against Scorpio. He can only hold on for so long against it." Kumi sliced through her opponents with her laser blade as she nodded, "I know. But this is something that he wants to handle on his own." Pausing just to take out an Aires suit, she continued, "Besides, Quatre's smart. If her needs help, he'll let us know. Until then, just worry about the fight up here." Wufei replied with a small sneer, "No complaints there." Upon saying this, he removed his Gundamium Samauri blade that attached at the opposite end of the trident's rod. Using this new addition, the Chinese pilot went to plow through his foes.
In the meantime, Stacy and Quatre continued to knock their Gundams through buildings as they brought everything down into mere piles of rock and steel. The Arabian was still determined not to fire his heat-seeking missiles on Scorpio. Instead, he continued to use his curved blades and the guns that remained in his suit. This fight was something that he vowed to win by hand-to-hand combat. The aid of any missiles or guns was something that he would never allow. And so the two Gundams struck and dodged, without any way of knowing who had the advantage. Neither Quatre nor Stacy held anything back as they knocked their challenger into those building that continued to stand, all the while doing what they could to put an end to them the moment they had a chance.
* * * * * *
Heero and Duo shot through the soldiers that they needed to in order to reach the haze that hid the laser they were bent on taking out. As they flew through the patch of stars and haze that surrounded the target, they continued to fly straight and without any signs of slowing. Once they flew several feet into the cloud, they penetrated the camouflage and the laser was seen plainly. The pilots didn't take a second to admire the ship for what it was they continued to fly for the metal siding of the craft. Duo aimed at the hatch door that was just before them with his built-in Buster Riffle on his right arm. The Wing pilot did the same with his own, on his left arm. Without needing to give any cue to their lover, they shot their guns at the same time.
The blast from just one of their Buster Riffles would have been enough to leave a large whole in the hanger door. But with their combined beams, they entire door was taken out. Everything within the hanger was sucked into the void of Space upon the explosion as Heero and Duo flew through the room without any challenge. The safety doors of the hatch doors closed too late to block them out as they were now within the laser's confines.
Without paying any mind to the sights and sounds of the ship as their invasion sounded the alarms of the ship, the Gundam pilots never paused and shot through the door that led them to the hall beyond the hanger. The blue visors of their helmets snapped back inside as they could now breath freely within the ship. They split directions to cover more territory in their search for the control room. Everywhere they went, there were soldiers firing upon them. Thanks to the Gundamimum armor, nothing touched them.
In Orion's control room, the captain shouted through the sirens, "PREPARE THE LASER NOW!" On his order, the haze that hid the weapon disappeared all together, revealing the massive craft beneath. The Gundam pilots fighting outside couldn't help but look to the sight in sheer wonder and horror. Orion was the size of a small planet. The front of the ship opened as a the round cannon of the laser extended from within and stretched out for a half-mile ahead.
The timer on the laser had been set as one of the soldiers announced to the captain, "Twenty minutes until we reach the critical level, sir. The laser has been set to fire at that moment." The Captain nodded, "Very good." Just then, the doors to the control room were shot open as Heero flew inside, immediately killing every soldier there. In a matter of minutes, everyone in the room had been cut to size, despite their retaliation.
Running to the controls, the 'Perfect Soldier' worked his hands over the keys to leard what was to be Orion's next victim. Heero's Prussian eyes widened as he looked to the image of the target on the main monitors. The Wing pilot screamed into his headset, "EVERYONE, WE HAVE TO MOVE QUICK! ORION'S AIMED RIGHT FOR THE EARTH!!!" All of the Gundam pilots fighting along with him froze in shock and terror as they gasped and shouted. Looking to the extended cannon of the laser, they could all see that there was nothing for those countless hundreds of miles to block the beam from hitting the planet. And there was more than enough powered from within to crush it, even from that far away.
* * * * * *
Kumi was in mid-fight as she picked this message up. The moment she heard Heero's cry, her eyes went wide as she gasped loudly. Lowering her sword to her side with a pale and terrified face, she said gravely, "This attack was a distraction." Relena's own eyes were wide by this time as she whispered breathlessly, frozen, "W-what can we do?" She clenched her teeth and squeezed her fists tightly as she shouted in rage, "I'M NOT LEAVING THE EARTH TO BE DESTROYED!!!"
The silver-haired pilot fought her way through the chaos of OZ mobile suits and brought herself to fly before Calvary. She assured the Queen of the World, "Zes, none of us will be leaving. The Earth is as much our concern as the Colonies." Wufei continued to slaughter any soldier that stood in his way with his Samauri sword as he shouted, "Just keep fighting! It's all that we can do now!" A Preventer appeared on the screens of all of his allies' monitors as he announced, "We're all making our stand here with you... Even if this is our last." Every Preventer made it clear that they agreed as they continued to fight, regardless of the fact that the Earth could very well be destroyed in moments. The Gundam pilots returned to fight alongside one another, not thinking of Orion and the fact that they were in grave danger.
* * * * * *
Duo flew into the control room of the laser, finding the Wing pilot working as quickly as he could as he typed at the main control panel. The braided pilot soared to the other side of the monitor to quickly type some commands in, himself, as he asked, "How bad does it look?" Heero answered as he continued to type, "Bad. They have a security lock on Orion to prevent it from spinning. We could work as this for hours and still never shake it from its target."
Duo looked to the meter reading that pulsed to reveal the energy stored within the laser. "They have more than enough power to each the Earth and anything that might be in its path along the way." He punched in the code that revealed how much time they had. His eyes widened as he said gravely, "And we have less than twenty minutes to stop it." Heero hissed, "Damn it! That's not enough time to destroy a ship this large. They have a security lock to protect the ship's heart."
Looking to the monitors as he and the American continued to type as quickly as they could, the Japanese pilot sneered, "We might not be able to rotate this thing, but we can sill move it back." The braided pilot turned towards his lover as he smiled and shouted, "There's a wide meteor belt just about fifteen minutes from here!" Heero nodded, "Let's just get this thing moving while we have a chance. I'll need your help to get the booster rockets on this thing going." Duo replied, "I'm not going anywhere." The two pilots worked in silence at that point and on as they focused solely on moving the massive laser from its current location.
Outside, Milliardo continued to soar as he went on to take out the last of the OZ soldiers that remained to defend the laser. Just then, Heero's voice patched in as he stated, "Milliardo, we help to help move Orion backwards. The thrusters on the ship will take care of that, but they're locked within the hatches of the ship." Wind nodded, "I'm on it." No longer having to concern himself with the OZ soldiers for the time being, the Preventer shot off to the target. Moving far too fast for the OZ soldiers to realize what he was doing, Wind had a straightway.
Once he reached the laser itself, the blonde pilot growled deeply as he sliced through the metal with Euphoria. Opening the hatches where the rockets were, there the thrusters now were able to push the great ship backwards. The added force was enough to get the laser moving. Wind continued to open more hatches that closed the booster rockets of the ship until they were all opened. Milliardo watched in silence as the ship floated back steadily before he was seen greeted by the OZ mobile suits that he had yet to take care of. With a deep growl, the Preventer shot after them, his laser blade raised overhead as he charged.
Seeing that the laser haze was moving back, Abrasia hissed, "SHIT!" He glared to Mason in rage and gripped his controls tightly as he shouted, "You bastards haven't won this yet!" He charged at the other Gundam pilot as he attempted to run her through. Sette met him in the middle and knocked the Gemini's blade out of her path before it could do any harm. The two pilots were driven by their anger and hatred for one another as they grunted and shouted loudly in their brutal attacks. For each hit than landed, another was received. Sette used both her laser mallet and Buster Riffle to change tactics. Abrasia used every maneuver that he had to do the same. Still, they were matched in every way as they collided and clashed violently.
Panting, Abrasia wiped just some of his sweat as he informed the other pilot, "You have to be tiring by now." Sette was panting and coated in her own sweat as she replied with narrowed eyes, "I'm just getting started." Pushing forward, she shouted loudly and raiser her mallet over-head again. Abrasia blocked the blow with both of his thin laser blades as he pushed back on the mallet in a standstill. Sette growled as she continued to push forward on her controls, "Glad to see that you decided to fight face-to-face instead of running the way you always do." Abrasia snapped, "Funny, this coming from someone who abandoned her people until she had enough help to win them back." That was the last straw for the young queen as she shouted, "YOU SON OF A BITCH!" and pulled back to strike again.
There was a similar struggle taking place just a half-mile away as Delapan and Azrael continued their personal battle. Having been at this for quite some time, neither pilot was as successful as they wished they could have been in stopping their foe. And it was clear on Azrael's face that she was frustrated and tired of this. The blonde pilot growled and hissed as she gave every lunge, punch, and kick. Catherine piloted her suit to block and return each blow. Those shots that broke through her defenses were quickly repaid.
The OZ pilot finally paused for a moment, panting as she took a good, long look to the green Gundam before her. "I... have HAD ENOUGH OF THIS!!!" Azrael screamed. Punching her controls, she caused her Gemini to begin glowing a bright silver all around. Delapan was in mid-charge when she froze at the sight of the shinning armor. "W-what the-?" she whispered to herself with concern all over her face and voice. The OZ pilot chuckled insanely, "I should have done this the first time we met!"
From where they were fighting, Sette and Abrasia could see the silver glow. Abrasia leaned forward in his cockpit as he shouted, "AZRAEL! STOP!!! YOU KNOW THAT WILL TAKE TOO MUCH ENERGY FROM YOUR SUIT!!!" His twin never paid him any mind as she continued to glare to her enemy, growling intensely. The moment that her entire suit became encircled in pure light, bow of her Gemini suit captured the brilliance as it stored the power within. The silver Gundam took the bow and aimed it directly as Slither, firing the beam light with it. Delapan screamed as she was taken in by the blast. Having to cover her eyes, she released her controls and remained helpless.
Sette could see her friend's situation and shouted, "DELAPAN!" Milliardo shot out of nowhere the knocked the green-eyed Gemini back from his attempt to strike the tomboy from behind. Wind called to his sister, "Take care of Delapan! I'll handle him until you return." The young queen nodded and quickly shot off to close the wide gap between her and Catherine. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to get Mason to move faster. "Come on, come on," she growled deeply as her blue eyes looked to the image of her partner's helpless suit.
The moment that the sliver light disappeared, Catherine removed her hands from her face and looked up. She gasped loudly as she saw that her Gundam was trapped within a web-like net of energy. Gasping loudly, the redhead worked at her controls desperately as she tried to move her suit. Slither never responded, trapped within the energy field and floating lifelessly before the red-eyed Gemini.
Azrael chuckled deeply and pulled her bow apart. "My suit might not be able to react as well as it had before that more, but I only need one shot at this," she told herself with a stern look on her face. Pressing hard on her handgrips, she forced her Gundam forward as fast as it could fly. Delapan was still frantic as she tried pressed every button and threw every switch and cried, "NOT NOW! NOT LIKE THIS!!!" Just then, she looked up in sheer terror as her monitors caught a silver streak making its way to her, the laser blade that belonged to it aimed for her cockpit.
Azrael was just about to slice into the cockpit of Slither as she shrieked at the top of her lungs, "GIVE MY BEST TO NOVEM!!!" Delapan slammed her eyes shut and prepared for the deathblow, without allowing so much as a whimper for her enemy to enjoy. At the last moment, a voice shouted, "CATHERINE!" and a Taurus suit shot out of nowhere and wrapped its arms around the waist of the silver Gundam, forcing it backwards along with it. Azrael screamed as she was thrown in her seat, being protected only by her harness. Catherine gasped loudly as her eyes widened in knowing that she was still alive somehow. It was then that she watched as the Taurus suit that saved her released Gemini.
Azrael was blind with rage as she looked in disbelief to the image of the soldier who acted as OZ's spy throughout the war up until his return to the organization. Her shock wore off before long as she growled as loudly as she could and lunged at the Taurus suit. Derek began to assault the red-eyed Gemini with everything that he had, the OZ pilot within it helpless to move her suit as well as she normally was able to. It was easy for the young man to force the silver Gundam backwards, towards the same location that Orion was now floating. From where she was frozen, Delapan screamed, "DEREK!!!"
Sette then appeared from nowhere and took aim at her comrade's suit with her Buster Riffle. The redhead looked with wide eyes to her monitors as she could see straight into the cannon of Mason's gun. Biting her lip, she whispered in a frightened voice, "Sette." "Just trust me on this, Delapan," the young queen replied, closing her left eye and squinted her right as the small bull's eye of her monitor locked onto the green suit before her. The target was aligned with the laser as the image of the bull's eye blinked red on and off rapidly with a soft beeping sound. At this, both of the pilot's blue eyes opened then narrowed tightly.
Pressing the trigger, Sette shot her Buster Riffle, mailing Slither right in the middle of it. Delapan held onto her controls tightly as she squeezed her eyes closed and groaned deeply as the Gundam was taken in by the blinding light, shaking violently. Finally, the shaking passed as well as the light. With a loud gasp, Delapan's eyes shot wide open as she looked before her. The energy field had been broken and Slither had not been harmed in the least.
Delapan smiled brightly as she turned to her partner. Sette laughed loudly in disbelief, "Fuck me, it worked!" Catherine shouted in anger mixed with fear, "YOU MEAN YOU NEVER TRIED THAT BEFORE!?!" The tomboy shrugged and shook her head, "Never had to." The redhead's sneered, "We'll talk later." She tried to get Slither to move, but there was a long delay before the Gundam so much as raised its arms. The tomboy informed her comrade, "Give it time. That energy field took a lot out of your suit." Catherine nodded, "Okay. I'll be fine. Just take care of that other Gemini." Sette chuckled deeply with a wicked grin, "With pleasure." Quickly, Mason flew back to where Milliardo was taking care of Abrasia. Delapan continued to try to get Slither to move. She whispered to herself, "Hang in there just a little longer, Derek."
Sette returned to where Milliardo was holding Abrasia off. The Preventer was fighting with everything he had against the OZ pilot that did the same. The tomboy called, "I'll pick it back up from here, bro." Milliardo nodded, "Alright. I'm going to check on Orion." At this, he flew off and allowed his sister to take care of the OZ pilot. Sette sneered in a deep voice to her challenger, "Miss me, honey." Abrasia licked his bloody lip and growled back with a sneer of his own, "You know I did, sweetheart." Instead of attacking her, however, the young man turned and shot away from her. "WHAT THE HELL!?!" Sette shouted in rage as she punched her controls and flew after her retreating challenger.
* * * * * *
Quatre was now having more than a difficult time against Scorpio. Stacy was taking her time, nailing the Arabian with punches and kicks as she backed him through the crumbling city. The blonde pilot was again knocked onto his back as he cried out from the force. Panting and soaked, the exhausted pilot looked up to his monitors, unable to move. Stanton chuckled deeply, "Now to finish this." Upon her command, Scorpio's arm blades shot back inside the suit. The pointed arms then returned in their place as the Gundam lowered itself onto all fours, bringing the scorpion tail into the air.
The tail wrapped extended and wrapped around the cockpit of Sand Rock that cocooned the helpless pilot within. Laughing madly, Stacy continued to tighten the hold that her scorpion tail held on the other Gundam suit. The cockpit within was sparking all around Quatre as the compartment was beginning to came in slowly. The Arabian struggled to stay conscious through his injuries and the thinning air in his hatch as Stanton continued to slowly strangle him.
Taking ragged breaths, the Gundam pilot looked to his scanners and saw one his curved blades that had fallen from Sand rock's grasp. It was just within his right hand's reach. With a groan of pain in his efforts, the blonde pilot forced himself up in his seat and began to reach for the blade, ever so slowly not to make any sudden movements. The right hand of his suit gripped the blade into its possession and began to squeeze it tightly. His eyes tightly closed as he groaned in pain, Quatre merely worked on staying awake.
The General knew that this was her chance and moved Scorpio to lift its right leg. The thin appendage shot back into the shoulder as the jagged-edge blade returned in its place. "And now..." Stacy sneered to herself. Drawing the blade back as she aimed it to fall right into the cockpit of her foe, she asked, "Any last words to remember you by, Winner?" Quatre replied in a strained voice, "Just one thing..." Stanton decided that she didn't care what he had to say and pushed forward on her controls, sending the blade at great force to kill the other pilot.
Just before the blade touched the cockpit, Sand Rock moved suddenly in a swift turn towards its left side, bringing from the right a straight dagger that cut through Scorpio's own cockpit. The dagger's tip slammed right into Stacy's chest. A loud, strangled gasp left the OZ pilot and her brown eyes were as wide as they could be as the metal went into her body. "The name is Quatre," the blonde pilot concluded with narrowed eyes and a glare in his eyes. Removing the blade from Scorpios's cockpit, the Arabian saw the blood at the tip of the blade that he bent into a straight dagger.
Blood trickled down the General's mouth as she took small, strangled breaths through her wound. Her eyes remained wide as she looked forward to her monitors with an empty look in her eyes. Sand rock broke itself free from the limp tail that remained around its chest and rose to its feet, never turning from Scorpio. With her last breath in her, the OZ pilot lifted her left hand as it shook in her efforts towards her controls. Stacy's arm fell lifelessly, as did the rest of her body just as she reached the self detonation button of her Gundam. Scorpio went up in a great explosion that knocked Sand Rock backwards and into another building that went to collapse on top of the Arabian before he could realize what happened.
The explosion could be seen from hundreds of miles above as the Gundam pilots looked to the ground. They all looked in terror to the ground below. Trowa, Wufei, Relena, and Noin shouted simultaneously, "QUATRE!!!" Kumi bit back her own concern and fear as she called, "Zes, get down there and make sure that he's alright. We need as many of us to stay up here as possible." Relena nodded, "Alright." Before anything more was discussed, the Queen of the World darted through the fleeting OZ soldiers that blocked her way to the city.
Biting her lip as she continued to descend from the skies, Zes whispered, "God, if anything happened to him..." She gasped loudly with wide eyes as she looked to the site where the explosion originated. Nothing was left standing for miles. Relena looked frantically through the devastation as she called, "QUATRE!?! WHERE ARE YOU!?!" After a long search, she noticed something moving from beneath a large pile of rubble. She gasped and aimed her two shoulder cannons towards the shifting stone and metal. She watched as Sand Rock finally fought to sit up. Zes beamed as she sighed deeply in relief, "Quatre!"
The Arabian was bleeding from cuts and bruises that he received during the fight, but he was more tired than beaten. He smiled warmly in relief to his comrade, "Good to see you, Zes." The Queen of the World quickly went to her friend's side to help him push side the debris that covered his Gundam from the waist down. When almost everything had been cleared, Calvary's hand took one of Sand Rock's into its own and pulled the Arabian's suit onto its feet. Quatre chuckled deeply and looked to the blade that he had to bend straight. "I'm going to have to do some explaining to Howard." Relena laughed, "I'm sure he'll understand. And he'll be happy to fix that, as well."
Looking to the huge creator that fell just several feet from the pilot of debris that San Rock had been covered in, Zes's jaw dropped. "I-is that what I think it is?" Zes whispered breathlessly. Quatre nodded and replied quietly, "It's all that's left of Scorpio... If I didn't crash into this building, I would have been destroyed along with it." His friend turned to him and smiled warmly, "Nice job, Quatre." He simply smiled, "Thank you," still having difficulty gathering all of his thoughts. Seeing the battle that continued to rage far over them, the two pilots shot into the air and rejoined the struggle.
* * * * * *
That same time in space, Delapan was managed to free Slither from its frozen state. She smiled brightly and kissed the controls as she said quietly, "That's my baby." She shot her Gundam off in the same direction that Abrasia and Sette had disappeared, knocking exactly where they were headed.
Anderson continued to push Azrael back towards the meteor belt, which was now in plain sight as it was only a mile ahead of them. The large rocks just moved steadily, never falling out of its own thick ring as it orbited the galaxy in a perfect ring.
The red-eyed Gemini suit continued to have a difficult time in handing the skilled tactics of the Taurus pilot. Azrael was unable to move her Gundam nearly as quickly and steadily as she was able to before creating the energy field that she was certain would have aided in Delapan's destruction. Derek continued to grunt and cry loudly as he hammered the silver suit with everything that he had. Using his beam cannon, he continued to knock the OZ pilot back closer to the meteor ring. The other pilot would never have the advantage with her suit unable to react to the fight.
Suddenly, Abrasia entered the scene, his own suit glowing as he reached the fight. He gripped the Taurus suit at the waist and tackled him from the side, pulling Derek with him. The ex-spy cried out as he was taken by the blow and struggled to free himself from the grip that the OZ pilot had on him. Before he could blink, Anderson watched as Abrasia released him and flew back to where the red-eyes Gemini was, his own suit still glowing from the energy field that he was creating.
The moment that he was close enough, Azrael stored his glowing energy into his bow and fired it to his sister's suit. Azrael accepted the offer and looked to her twin's image as he warned, "Don't be pulling any of that shit again, sis. I gave you just enough power for the two of us. Azrael chuckled deeply, "Don't worry. I'll use it well." Her eyes fell upon the Taurus suit as it flew in her direction. Derek's eyes narrowed as he said to himself, "I have to try and stall them, no matter what... If this is how I am to die, then so be it." "Oh... you, my friend, will regret the day you were born." At this, she met Derek and began knocking his mobile suit left and right, non-stop.
Before Abrasia could take any part in the attack, he was quickly joined by Mason as Sette cried out and swiped at the silver Gundam with her laser mallet. The two pilots quickly returned to their own war as they moved closer and closer to the meteor belt, all the while never slowing in their moves to harm and kill their foe.
Derek was unable to get past the speed and power of the other pilot, but he never pulled back. His beam cannon was lost in the haze of the attack. Being jolted with every blow, Anderson could feel himself dying as he continued to accept the relentless hits. Azrael laughed madly as she continued to hit the mobile feverishly. She sliced off the Taurus's right arm, then its left leg as she never paused for a moment. Derek was bleeding badly from cuts and bruises all over as he looked to his monitors through heavy-lidded eyes with a groan of pain. Finally, Azrael paused to raise the laser swords over her Gemini's head. Derek whispered, "I'm sorry, Catherine." His eyes closed as he fell forward in his seat, help up only by his harness. Azrael shrieked, "FOR OZ!!!"
A long, snake-like whip came from behind to wrap the Gemini tightly around the chest several times. Azrael shouted, "WHAT!?!" She was quickly pulled back by the rope and led beyond her control towards the meteor belt. The OZ pilot was then electrocuted as the switchblade of the Slither pressed against the Gundamimum whip that held her tightly. It was only when the pained cries of the blonde pilot died that the electric waves ended. Delapan's cold and stern look was focused on her screens as she approached the meteors just ahead.
Sette and Abrasia were just feet from the ring of floating stones. Delapan spun the lassoed Gemini over head and around her own suit as she looked to the struggle. Sette was beginning to fade fast as Abrasia was forcing her back. It was as she looked over the Gemini's shoulder that the tomboy saw Slither. She smiled in relief at the sight of what was to come.
Just as Abrazia was prepared to force the young queen into the ring of meteors, he hissed, "What the hell are you smiling at?" Sette sneered as she deadpanned, "You're dead." The young man shouted, "WHAT!?!" He spun just in time to watch as his twin's suit was hurled in his direction. Sette managed to avoid being taken by the collision and flew back-first as she watched the two silver Gundams fall into the meteor ring.
Both of the Gemini suits were being hit by the meteors as the pilots within screamed and shouted in pure agony. "READY TO FINISH IT OFF!?!" Sette called to her comrade as she took aim with her Buster Riffle. Delapan aimed her switchblade and flew to her partner's side as she answered, "I've been ready for this." Together, they combined the beam of the Buster Riffle with the electric wave from the electric waves of the dagger. Their energy combined plowed through the large stones and directly hit the Gemini Gundams. With one last, deafening scream, the twins were incinerated into nothing by the huge beam.
Both Sette and Delapan fell back in their seats, panting and exhausted from the long ordeal. Their suits were motionless for a time as they, too, took a moment to simply relax. After a long pause, Delapan sat up and gasped loudly, "Derek!" Without a second thought, she flew off to where she had last seen the ex-spy. Sette followed in suit. It wasn't long before they found Euphoria. The gold Gundam had the Taurus suit's left arm slung over its shoulders as Milliardo supported the pilot within.
Catherine gasped and forget tears as she whispered, "I-is he...?
Milliardo shook his head, "He'll be alright once we get him to Pulsar." "OH MY GOD!!!" Sette suddenly screamed as she focused on the laser. Her friends looked in shock and fear as they saw what caused the sudden cry. Orion was just a moment away from the meteor belt that moved in its constant orbit. Milliardo was just wrapping up his part of the fight against the handful of OZ mobile suits left. As he looked to the laser, he shouted, "HEERO, DUO!!! YOU HAVE TO GET OUT OF THERE NOW!!!"
In the control room of the enormous craft, Duo continued to fight off the soldiers that threatened him and Heero. He looked back to his partner, who fought along side him as he said, "Now or never." Heero rammed through anther guard with his blade. Standing straight, the Wing pilot nodded, "Let's get out of here." The blue visors of their helmets snapped down again and they flew from the room and back out the way that they came, breaking through the forces that worked to keep them on the laser.
Just as the winged pilots shot out into space, the laser's far end reached and entered the meteor belt. It crashed into the large stones that pelted the craft at great force and speed, causing it to cave in. Heero and Duo reached their comrades at a safe distance from the belt as the they all watched the enormous weapon known as Orion fold into itself, unable to withstand the force of the meteors that continued to run it through. The large pieces of stone crashed through the ship, entering from one side and leaving the other as the ring if the ring of stone had never been interrupted. The generators within Orion were hit all around as they soon ignited in great explosions throughout every corner of the weapon.
Finally, the timer inside the fading control room counted down to its last five seconds as fires raged and engulfed nearly every hallway and room of the ship. The last second had passed and the cannon of the laser fired straight up, never hitting anything but a long line of meteors overhead, as it folded backwards. Even still, the shower of rocks never ceased and before long, the rest of Orion was taken in by flames.
Together, Milliardo, Heero, Duo, Sette and Delapan watched in amazement as they couldn't remember how to breathe. The meteor ring continued to move on, being joined by the floating debris and rubble that was left from the incredible laser. Once he was able to get himself together, Heero spoke into the small microphone within his helmet as he announced, "This is Heero... Orion has been destroyed."
* * * * * *
On the Earth, all of the Preventers and the Gundam pilots were celebrating with the hundreds of people that they had saved on the Earth as they hugged and gathered in the midst of the destroyed city. Kumi smiled and stated through her own helmet, "This is Kumi... The Earth is secured."
* * * * * *
On Pulsar, the Preventers that remained to aid Lady Une and Lieutenant Keiser jumped to their feet and onto the desks that they worked at as they screamed and cheered in response to these announcements. Keiser fell into his seat, folding his hands over his face as he leaned forward, breathing feely for the first time since the Gundam pilots had left. Lady Une and Marimaya hugged as they laughed and smiled brightly.
The news of Orion's destruction, along with the demise of three of OZ's Gundam suits spread like a wild fire as the Earth and Colonies throughout Space joined in the celebration. Now more than ever, it was clear that there really was a chance that OZ could be stopped. And the Gundam pilots and Preventers would never be looked at the same way again. They truly were the soldiers of peace and the defenders of millions of lives, no matter how the war would end.
* * * * * *
NARRATOR: It had been decided that the Gundam pilots should remain at a safe house that had been hidden in the vast woods of Gettysberg. It was the best place for them to rejuvenate themselves for the next struggle. Along with an underground hanger, they would have all of the equipment and supplies they needed along with their suits. Knowing that they could be needed at anytime, the pilots were more comfortable with discussing the war again... And how they would finally bring it to an end.
* * * * * *
Two nights following the destruction of Orion, Gemini and Scorpio, Heero stepped out onto the back, wooden porch of the safe house, having completed the last reports he needed to make for the situation that he and his comrades were in at this point of the war. While it was now twilight, the air was still warm on account that it was now mid-June. The sky bore not a single cloud as the sun was more than halfway below the horizon in the distance. A small breeze danced around him, bringing a perfume of flowers with it.
The Wing pilot closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, releasing his breath in a deep content sigh. Looking to the back of his lover as he sat on the porch steps a few feet ahead, he smiled warmly. It had been too long since they had been together on the Earth like this. Having this back meant far more to Heero than words could ever come close to expressing. Duo was lost in wonder as he watched the sun fade beyond the open fields that stretched for as far as his eyes could see.
As he walked towards the braided pilot, Heero was rewarded with a turn of his partner's head and a loving smile that never ceased to melt him every time. Duo extended his hand and the Japanese pilot accepted without a moment's hesitance, wrapping the American's calloused hand gently and yet firmly within his own to pull Duo to his feet. The pilots wrapped their arms around one another, knowing how precious this moment was. They together and on the surface of the planet that they had come to know as their home for the best years of their young lives.
The lovers stood embracing tightly in silence for a moment before Duo smiled and looked up to Heero. Motioning with his head, he turned to look to a soft, red and orange glow that had been burning a half-mile ahead of the house. The large rocks around the light made it impossible to make out what was there. The Wing pilot's Prussian eyes focused on the light as he heard the braided pilot say gently, "She's waiting for you." The 'Perfect Soldier' looked down to his lover and gave a soft smile as he nodded and kissed his forehead.
The pilots lowered their arms and gave their partner's hand a squeeze before completely letting go. Once he reached the bottom of the steps, Heero turned back to look the braided pilot. "Wait for me," he said quietly, in a timid plea. Duo smiled warmly and nodded, "Always." The Japanese pilot's face brightened at this single word as he smiled lovingly back and nodded. At this, he turned and wade his way to the large rocks that formed a circle in the lush fields ahead.
Entering the ring of stone, Heero found Kumi sitting before a fire that she had made. She sat on a small boulder, legs spread as she slouched forward to lean her arms on them. She held a large cup of tea and looked up as the Wing pilot walked towards her. The silver-haired pilot gave a small smile and greeted, "Hey." Her cousin smiled warmly back, "Hey." Sitting beside the young woman, Heero sighed deeply and looked to the fire. There was a pause between the two pilots as they remained deep in thought. "Tonight makes it a whole year," Kumi said quietly. Heero nodded, "I know... You said that this war would be longer than the Eve Wars, and you were right."
Kumi took a sip from her tea as she closed her eyes, still deep in thought. The Wing pilot, meanwhile, never looked up from the flames before them as he said, "I want to stay here until our last stand with OZ... and Duo and I want to be the ones to handle Quinze when that time comes." The silver-haired pilot turned to him with an uncertain look. Finally, she smiled, "Let me have Demetirs, and Quinze is all yours." Heero smiled back and nodded, "Then it's agreed." The pilots shook hands firmly, sealing their pact.
TBC
This goes out to all of my friends and supporters: Snodin, Traci, Sam, Beekay, Ruby, Mylia, Ryla, GREETER 600, D-max, Stormy, Naz, Akuma, Kai, Enigma, Lily, Kit, Toynit, my entire 1x2x1 family and everyone who reads and enjoys this fic. *tackle glomps*
Gundam Wing: The Second Chapter
Episode 45: Battle Fronts
by SkyLark
The thick cloud of star dust that hid the massive laser that brought so many Colonies to their doom continued to fly silently just beyond the Milky Way, far from any planet or civilization for many miles. Within the laser, there were countless soldiers working in their many stations throughout the craft. Those looking to the levels of the energy that had been stored were taking notes carefully on charts upon reading the meters the ship's center. One young woman received all that had been gathered as she took stacks of papers from her team. Give them a silent nod, she left the lab and met the laser's Captain as he waited for her in the hallway.
The old man with silver hair and a thick beard over his rough features met his professor's blue eyes with his own gray pair. The white-coated scientist informed him, "Orion will be fully charged again before long, sir." The Captain chuckled, "Excellent work. All is as it should be for the next attack." The doctor nodded and saluted, "Very well sir. We can expect Orion to reach its highest intensity within the next hour." At this, she turned and reentered the lab from which she came. The Captain sneered to himself, "Then an hour it shall be... not a second later." He turned to make his way to the control room of Orion.
* * * * * *
In a large city on the Earth, an army of over eight hundred mobile suits were attacking and destroying all that stood. Everything within the area was being brought to its knees as the OZ soldiers continued to storm through. In the subways below, there were countless people gathered together as they looked up to the high, black ceiling in terror. The explosions and chaos above could be heard all around as they echoed through the tunnels. Following a heavy crash, the ground would shake and duct would fall from cracks in the subway's roof. The hundreds of people huddled together held onto their children, wives, husbands and everyone close to them. Many prayed, others cried and even more just remained still, paralyzed in fear.
The OZ mobile suits continued their attack as they knocked building after building down with gunfire and missiles. Just then, one of the soldiers picked something up on their radars and looked up to the heavens. He chuckled deeply, "Here they come." The Gundam pilots and the Preventers shot from the skies as they poured from all around. Kumi took the lead of the Gundams with her angel wings and body armor. No longer in need of the oxygen in her suit, her visor snapped back up inside her helmet. Taking aim with her right arm, she fired a large blast from the Buster Riffle into the ocean of mobile suits just below.
Along with that first shot, Sand Rock's chest opened, all around the cockpit as Quatre fired his latest modification. Fifteen heat-seeking missiles fell upon the army and took out a good handful at a time to make the descent an easier one for himself and his comrades. As the Gundam pilots and the Preventers spread themselves out and took to the OZ soldiers that they could reach, they welcomed the attack that met them head-on. Zes sliced through the first round of suits that made their way to her without any hesitance. It was as if she had never given up piloting.
Trowa and Noin were back-to-back up until the time that they were greeted by the mobile suits. They split off in opposite directions and took out any soldier that met them along the way. Fire took her bow and arrows, making the most use of them before wishing to use her newest modification. For now, her arrows were enough to give her foes a difficult time in reaching her. Fully loaded and with wings fully spread, Heavy Arms shot countless rounds into the spreading mobile suits. Trowa made it a point to spin his suit in mid-attack to shoot down OZ soldiers from all directions as he made his way through the battlefield.
Wufei's sent the dragon head of Nataku and thrust it into the fray ahead, slicing through a handful of suits in one slash. The troops surrounding those who had been taken out moved as fast as they could to return fire. The Chinese pilot, however, managed to end any initial advances as he shot a wave of flames over the mass. From there, Wufei's eyes narrowed as he took to his laser trident. It was as he attacked in this fashion that he called his scanners for any sign of life in the city below.
Zes was doing the same in her own Gundam as she battled with as much determination and skill as any of the trained soldiers of the organization that threatened the lives of her people. With concern in her voice, she informed the others, "I'm not picking up any sign of life from the city." Wufei shook his head, "Neither am I." All of the pilots gave a negative response to seeing any attempts they made in seeing that the innocents were safe, let alone alive. The Queen of the World bit back her fear as she focused on the struggle that she was now engaged in.
Quatre looked through his monitors as he noticed the smallest of gaps in the forces, giving a straightaway to the city. The Arabian turned as he looked to Kumi. The silver-haired pilot was fighting feverishly as she moved with speed and grace through the crowds of soldiers. Using her Buster Riffle and laser blade, there was no chance for anyone close to her to escape alive. Quatre called, "Kumi, I'm going to get a closer look at the city while I have a chance." The 'Perfect Soldier' nodded as she turned to look to Sand Rock for a brief moment, "Just be careful, Quatre." The Arabian replied, "I will be." Without another word, the blonde pilot descended quickly through the only break he had.
The moment he was able to reach the ground of the crumbling city, Quatre looked to his heat radars. Sighing deeply in relief, he smiled quietly to himself, "They're beneath the city." Just then, he was knocked from behind at great force in a sudden blow that knocked Sand Rock forward. Quarte was unable to prevent his suit from rolling along the ground as he was jolted in his cockpit, shouting in pain and shock. Sand Rock's back crashed into the side of a large, metal building. This was the only thing that prevented the Gundam from spinning further.
Quatre was bent forward at the waist, held up his harness as he panted and tried to gather himself. Looking to his monitors, his heavy-lidded eyes widened slowly as they watched the large silhouette of a familiar Gundam make it's way towards him through the thick dust that remained from the crash. The red Gundam's jagged arm blades were in place as the pilot within stalked slowly towards Sand Rock. With the settling of the dust all around, Scorpio was now in plain sight. Stacy Stanton chuckled deeply as she sneered, "So we meet again, Winner." The Arabian's wide eyes narrowed as he replied with a deep growl.
* * * * * *
Not long later, Heero, Duo, Sette, Delapan and Milliardo reached the star-covered haze that concealed the laser they set out to destroy. Prior to now, the Preventers on Pulsar had learned the name that OZ had given the weapon. Heero's eyes narrowed as he announced, "There's Orion." At that moment, swarms of mobile suits filled the skies as they shot towards the pilots in effort to hold them back. Milliardo suggested, "We'll spread out and then them as best we can." The others agreed as they fanned themselves as best they could before being met by the OZ troops.
The five pilots were making handling their own for about ten minutes and were slowly nearing the ship. Just then, the cloud of mobile suits spread away quickly, leaving Delapan and Sette stunned as to why they retreated so suddenly. "What the hell was that all about!?!" The tomboy shouts as she looked in uncertainty to her monitors. Delapan shook her head, "I don't know but-WAIT! LOOK THERE!" she suddenly yelled her scanners picked something up. Together, the Gundam pilots watched as two silver streaks shot from Orion and crisscrossed several times past each other on their way to the pilots at great speed. Before there was a chance for them to make out what was approaching, Sette and Delapan were knocked back by a forceful blow from each streak.
Both pilots growled or cried out in pain as they tried to regain control of their suits. Azrael leaned forward in her cockpit as she shouted with a wide smile, "WE'RE BAAAACK!!!" She and her brother laughed loudly as they unleashed a brutal attack with their twin, silver Gundams known as Gemini. Sette shouted with narrowed eyes and venom in her voice, "YOU!" Abrasia licked his lips as he looked back to Mason and sneered in a deep growl, "You." The tomboy shouted loudly and charged for the other Gundam with her mallet raised.
Delapan growled deeply as she sent her whip towards the silver Gundam before her. Azrael laughed, "Is that all you've got!?!" Easily, she managed to fight off the metal coils with her huge bow as she spun it quickly before her to create a shield. The OZ pilot chuckled deeply, "You'll have to do better than that, little girl." Catherine growled deeply as she clenched her teeth and looked through her narrowed eyes towards the silver suit. Azrael broke her bow in half to create two laser swords as she shot off towards her opponent.
Milliardo, in the meantime, was making his way through the OZ fleets that continued to defend Orion alongside Heero and Duo. Taking his laser swords, Wind didn't give the challengers many opportunities to take him down. And the fact that Euphoria could work as quickly as his thoughts made him deadlier than ever. Looking to the winged Gundam pilots, he called to them, "The two of you should make your way to Orion. I'll stay out here and take care of what pilots make their way out." Heero nodded, "Alright." At this, he and Duo darted through the storm of mobile suits as they stabbed and shot down as many as they could along the way with their laser sword and scythe. It would take time before they would actually reach the ship, but they were able to work at much greater speed and ease with their body armor and wings.
* * * * * *
On the Earth, Quatre and Stacy were still struggling bitterly against each other as they did whatever the could to block and return every blow that they were given. Sand Rock was soon knocked off balance with a swift blow from Scorpios' tail. Falling onto his back, the Gundam looked up stunned from the hit. The Arabian within was covered with sweat as he panted and looked to his monitors with exhaustion all over him.
The OZ General laughed loudly as she lifted her jagged sword of her suit's right arm. "YOU'RE MINE!!!" Stanton screamed as she thrust the blade forward. Quatre just managed to work Sand Rock's arms to grip the weapon tightly. Pushing back on it with all the strength he had, the blonde pilot growled deeply as he strained to prevent the strike that would have killed him instantly. The pointed tip was just inches away from his cockpit.
Stanton growled and grunted just as loudly as she pressed down with everything she had. Her voice strained, she told herself, "Just... a little... more..." Quatre's coied out as he brought his Gundam's right leg up to kick Scorpio in the lower chest in a swift blow. Taken by surprise, the OZ pilot shouted loudly in pain as she now lost her own balance and control. The Arabian didn't waste any time as he got his suit to stand on its feet again. Keeping his hold on the scorpion arm blade, he shouted loudly and spun his opponent around Sand Rock several times. The General grunted and gripped her controls as tightly as she could in effort to try and free herself.
Quatre spun the red Gundam around him two more times before releasing the sword and sending the suit flying head-first into the stone wall of an enormous plant not far from where they had been fighting. Scorpio crashed through the wall of the facility, causing the remaining stones above to pile down on top until the entire side had collapsed. The smoke that came from the destruction was thick and blinding as Quarte tried to get a clear visual of what had become of the OZ pilot.
At that same time, the Gundam pilots above looked to the destroyed plant and were unable to see their comrade. Trowa's eyes widened when he saw the collapse of the huge building's right end and shouted, "Quatre, are you alright!?!" The blonde pilot responded with a tired voice, "I'm okay. Just trying to get a visual." The tall pilot sighed a small breath of relief, knowing that his friend was still alive. The other pilots had since continued their own personal struggles against the OZ mobile suits that covered the sky. Trowa quickly went back to join them, knowing fully well that no matter what had become of Scorpio, he and his friends still had their work cut out for them.
The dust before the plant finally began to settle a bit. Quatre made his way to the tall pile of brick and metal, climbing it in attempt to see if there was any sign of his opponent. Once he reached the top, the Arabian could see the inside of the plant that managed to stay in tack despite the terrible collision. Still, there wasn't anything that gave testimony what became of Scorpio. Looking through his monitors, the blonde pilot's breathing and pulse began to pick up as he tried to keep his head. Holding onto his controls tightly, his eyes scanned his visuals quickly as beads of sweat rolled down his face.
"She's here," he told himself in a small voice. Just then, there was a great explosion from the rubble below him. Quatre managed to bring Sand Rock into the air to avoid the bricks and debris that shot in every direction from the force of the blast. Looking below, he watched as the Scorpio managed to free itself. Now standing, the red Gundam looked up to him from the large whole that remained from the shot of the suit's beam cannon.
Stacy had a thin stream of blood rolling down her right cheek from the gash that began at the top of her head. She panted with a look of burning rage in her thinned eyes as she gazed to the Arabian. The blood trickled just to the side of her mouth as her tongue slipped out to taste the liquid. Not bothering to wipe the blood, she continued to glare to the young pilot that hovered over her. "That... was a big mistake, my friend," she hissed in a deep voice. The Arabian's eyes now narrowed with their own anger as he growled deeply, "We'll see about that."
Stanton shrieked and lunged her suit at the other Gundam instantly. Quatre met her half was as he screamed back and shot down towards Scorpio. They clashed with even more heat and rage than they had up to now, working their suits to punch, stab, slash and do anything that might give them the advantage to take their enemy out. Any of the exhaustion that either pilot might have felt prior to this was forgotten as they both regained their second wind.
In the skies above, the battle continued to rage as there was no telling who had the upper-hand. The Preventers that aided the Gundam pilots managed to hold their own as they keept their challengers at bay. Together, they continued to give every OZ soldier all that they had. Just then, several dark clouds entered the sky from hundreds of miles above, casting black shadows on all those fighting in the heavens.
Relena was the first to take notice of the strange dark patches as she looked up. She gave an elated smile as she noticed what the clouds actually were. She cheered, "We have our back-up!" The Preventer crafts overhead released a steady rain of silver Flare Spheres upon the battlefield. The OZ soldiers screamed and frantically did what they could to avoid the weapons, all the while fighting their enemies off. There were still more clones than there were Flare Spheres, however, the fact that a good number of them were being taken out by the sudden attack was enough to give the Gundam pilots and their allies the break that they needed.
Noin watched as three large armies poured from the ships and swooped downward to the fight. One of the young men leading the fleets appeared on her monitor as he saluted, "Sorry for the delay, Fire. We got here as soon as we could." Noin smiled warmly and replied, "Nothing to be sorry about. We're just glad you got here when you did." The young man smiled back and nodded, "It's a pleasure for all of us." At this, the connection was lost so that they could go to their tasks. Noin placed her large bow in its halter on her Gundam's back as she removed the Gundamimum spear that she now owned. Using this, she fought off the soldiers that managed to surround her. Shouting as she pressed on, Fire cut through the mobile as if they were paper.
Trowa's black angel wings allowed the tall pilot to ease through the air with more grace, speed and ease than any other suit to exist. Heavy Arms managed to shoot down any and every target that dared to stand in its way. Not needing to worry about the Flare Sphere hitting him, Trowa used the falling weapons to his advantage, shooting them to detonate their explosions as they neared any mobile suits that attempted to fly away from them. The tall pilot continued to use this tactic, in the mean time shooting and stabbing the OZ soldiers all the while.
* * * * * *
In Space, Azrael threw her twin swords downward in attempt to slice at Delapan's right arm. The redhead piloted her suit to avoid the strike at the last minute and drew the long, jagged-edge blade from behind Slither's right hand. Both swords of the OZ pilot and the large switch blade collided and met in between the two Gundams. Growling and grunting loudly, the two pilots fought to break their challenger as they pushed forward. Delapan was beginning to feel the strain from the long battle wear on not just her, but her suit as she saw some of her controls beginning to spark. Catherine growled loudly as she never let up on her effort to push Azrael back, "Sette, I don't know how much longer I'll be able to hold out like this."
Sette was having a difficult time, herself, as she fought with Azrael's twin. Abrasia was barely breaking a sweat as he spun around Mason, laughing and getting hits in left and right. Another blow to the side knocked the tomboy back at a horrendous force as she shouted out in pain. Once she regained her composure, she was still panting and sweating all over as she shakily held onto her handgrip controls.
"I know, Delapan," the blue-haired pilot replied. "But we can't let them get the best of us now." Her blue eyes narrowed as she watched the green-eyed Gemini spin around her again, getting closer with every spin as he prepared to attack again. Frustrated, the young queen tried several time to shoot the silver suit with her Buster Riffle. Abrasia, however, maneuvered to avoid every blast. Sette hissed, "Damn it! He's too fast!"
Delapan's cockpit continued to spark all around as the standstill continued. Grunting in agony and rage, she closed her eyes and lowered her head as she continued to push forward on her grips. Her eyes opened after a brief pause into a tight squint. Looking to the switch that unsheathed her new weapon from the confines within the Slither's right arm, there was a small button beneath it that she had failed to notice before. The second that her eyes spotted it, they widened as a small gasp left her. Quickly releasing her right hand from her grip bar, Catherine pressed the small button. An electrical charge shot through the blade, shocking the red-eyed Gundam that continued to press against it. Azrael screamed as she was shocked by the electrical waves. Backing from her opponent, she looked with wide eyes to her monitors as she panted after the offense.
Delapan's eyes narrowed as she sneered and chuckled deeply, "Now this I can get used to." She pressed the button again as she aimed the point of her blade to the OZ Gundam. The charge shot past her weapon in a beam of electrical currents. Azrael broke from her stunned state and flew out of the beam's path just in time. The OZ pilot chuckled deeply as she swing around and swiped at the green suit, "Very impressive, my dear." She shouted as she lunged towards her challenger again. With her cockpit back in tact, Catherine managed to return to the fight in full-swing as she continued to block and shoot at her enemy. Using her whip, she also gained a chance to strike from a distance.
Sette had returned to using her laser mallet again as she raised the weapon overhead and swiped at the green-eyed Gemini again. Abrasia was more than willing to fight hand-to-hand now that he could feel the frustration from the other pilot. Finally, the tomboy was able to return the blows that were to come. While there were occasions that the young queen would manage to hit her opponent, it was still clear that she was at a disadvantage overall on account of the silver Gundam's speed. Still, she would not allow herself to become the least bit shaken by this. Abrasia chuckled deeply, "I have to admit that I'm impressed you've lasted this long. Sette sneered, "I aim to please." She cried out as she swiped at the OZ pilot again.
* * * * * *
High above the falling city on the Earth, Zes was making her way through her own corner of the battle as she managed to shoot down any threat on her life and the small lives within her. Just as she continued to make her presence a feared one, the Queen of the World was blindsided by a Space Virgo whose pilot made a daring charge in attempt to stun the Gundam pilot. Relena was jolted enough that she let go of her controls in response to the sudden attack. Calvary's hands released the sais as the suit's arms fell slack. Gasping loudly, Zes watched the descent of her weapons from the skies. The OZ soldier that left her unarmed screamed with wide eyes and nasty smile, "I HAVE YOU NOW!" He prepared to open fire upon the young woman.
Relena growled deeply and hit the new button on her control panel. Upon hitting this, Calvary's hands were raised as they reached behind the Gundam over its shoulders. They returned as they each pulled a massive cannon that fell on top of each shoulder. The OZ soldier's laughter ended instantly as the sight of the lasers as he said quietly, "What the-?" The lasers fired two white beams that became a large one as they met and blended before the target. The OZ screamed in agony as he was taken by the blast. Shocked at her the power of her newest modification, Zes looked to explosion of the Space Virgo in wonder.
Just then, she heard a familiar voice chuckle deeply. Kumi shot before her. "Nice work, Zes," she told her comrade. Just then, Heavy Arms appeared bearing the sais that she had lost in the battle. Trowa told her, "I thought that you could use these." His suit tossed the weapons to the brown Gundam. Zes caught her weapons with ease as she smiled to her angel-winged friend and the tall pilot. Kumi took her laser blade while Heavy Arms reloaded before they quickly disappeared again as they split and flew through the confusion.
Relena chuckled deeply and rubbed her stomach after feeling a slight kick from within, as if the two babies inside were urging her to return to the fight again. Looking down to the small bulge, she said quietly with a warm smile, "You're just as restless as I am, huh?" There was another slight kick and the young queen laughed and nodded, "I know, I know, I'm going." At this, she returned to the fight, again, utilizing her newest weapons as she did so.
Kumi stabbed through her challengers while only using her right arm's built-in Buster Riffle on occasion. There were too many Preventers mixed in with the OZ soldiers to risk using the gun very often. She watched as Wufei shot his great flames through storms of soldiers with a better chance of making his mark. The Chinese pilot then moved to use his laser trident as he took out those that were able to escape the wall of flames in one piece. The raven-haired pilot had been a threat now as he ever was during his life as a Gundam pilot. Along with his fellow comrades never allowed themselves to show any signs of slowing or weakening since the time that they first arrive to defend the Earth almost an hour prior to this time.
Fighting alongside the 'Perfect Soldier' now, Wufei noted aloud, "Quatre is going to need more help against Scorpio. He can only hold on for so long against it." Kumi sliced through her opponents with her laser blade as she nodded, "I know. But this is something that he wants to handle on his own." Pausing just to take out an Aires suit, she continued, "Besides, Quatre's smart. If her needs help, he'll let us know. Until then, just worry about the fight up here." Wufei replied with a small sneer, "No complaints there." Upon saying this, he removed his Gundamium Samauri blade that attached at the opposite end of the trident's rod. Using this new addition, the Chinese pilot went to plow through his foes.
In the meantime, Stacy and Quatre continued to knock their Gundams through buildings as they brought everything down into mere piles of rock and steel. The Arabian was still determined not to fire his heat-seeking missiles on Scorpio. Instead, he continued to use his curved blades and the guns that remained in his suit. This fight was something that he vowed to win by hand-to-hand combat. The aid of any missiles or guns was something that he would never allow. And so the two Gundams struck and dodged, without any way of knowing who had the advantage. Neither Quatre nor Stacy held anything back as they knocked their challenger into those building that continued to stand, all the while doing what they could to put an end to them the moment they had a chance.
* * * * * *
Heero and Duo shot through the soldiers that they needed to in order to reach the haze that hid the laser they were bent on taking out. As they flew through the patch of stars and haze that surrounded the target, they continued to fly straight and without any signs of slowing. Once they flew several feet into the cloud, they penetrated the camouflage and the laser was seen plainly. The pilots didn't take a second to admire the ship for what it was they continued to fly for the metal siding of the craft. Duo aimed at the hatch door that was just before them with his built-in Buster Riffle on his right arm. The Wing pilot did the same with his own, on his left arm. Without needing to give any cue to their lover, they shot their guns at the same time.
The blast from just one of their Buster Riffles would have been enough to leave a large whole in the hanger door. But with their combined beams, they entire door was taken out. Everything within the hanger was sucked into the void of Space upon the explosion as Heero and Duo flew through the room without any challenge. The safety doors of the hatch doors closed too late to block them out as they were now within the laser's confines.
Without paying any mind to the sights and sounds of the ship as their invasion sounded the alarms of the ship, the Gundam pilots never paused and shot through the door that led them to the hall beyond the hanger. The blue visors of their helmets snapped back inside as they could now breath freely within the ship. They split directions to cover more territory in their search for the control room. Everywhere they went, there were soldiers firing upon them. Thanks to the Gundamimum armor, nothing touched them.
In Orion's control room, the captain shouted through the sirens, "PREPARE THE LASER NOW!" On his order, the haze that hid the weapon disappeared all together, revealing the massive craft beneath. The Gundam pilots fighting outside couldn't help but look to the sight in sheer wonder and horror. Orion was the size of a small planet. The front of the ship opened as a the round cannon of the laser extended from within and stretched out for a half-mile ahead.
The timer on the laser had been set as one of the soldiers announced to the captain, "Twenty minutes until we reach the critical level, sir. The laser has been set to fire at that moment." The Captain nodded, "Very good." Just then, the doors to the control room were shot open as Heero flew inside, immediately killing every soldier there. In a matter of minutes, everyone in the room had been cut to size, despite their retaliation.
Running to the controls, the 'Perfect Soldier' worked his hands over the keys to leard what was to be Orion's next victim. Heero's Prussian eyes widened as he looked to the image of the target on the main monitors. The Wing pilot screamed into his headset, "EVERYONE, WE HAVE TO MOVE QUICK! ORION'S AIMED RIGHT FOR THE EARTH!!!" All of the Gundam pilots fighting along with him froze in shock and terror as they gasped and shouted. Looking to the extended cannon of the laser, they could all see that there was nothing for those countless hundreds of miles to block the beam from hitting the planet. And there was more than enough powered from within to crush it, even from that far away.
* * * * * *
Kumi was in mid-fight as she picked this message up. The moment she heard Heero's cry, her eyes went wide as she gasped loudly. Lowering her sword to her side with a pale and terrified face, she said gravely, "This attack was a distraction." Relena's own eyes were wide by this time as she whispered breathlessly, frozen, "W-what can we do?" She clenched her teeth and squeezed her fists tightly as she shouted in rage, "I'M NOT LEAVING THE EARTH TO BE DESTROYED!!!"
The silver-haired pilot fought her way through the chaos of OZ mobile suits and brought herself to fly before Calvary. She assured the Queen of the World, "Zes, none of us will be leaving. The Earth is as much our concern as the Colonies." Wufei continued to slaughter any soldier that stood in his way with his Samauri sword as he shouted, "Just keep fighting! It's all that we can do now!" A Preventer appeared on the screens of all of his allies' monitors as he announced, "We're all making our stand here with you... Even if this is our last." Every Preventer made it clear that they agreed as they continued to fight, regardless of the fact that the Earth could very well be destroyed in moments. The Gundam pilots returned to fight alongside one another, not thinking of Orion and the fact that they were in grave danger.
* * * * * *
Duo flew into the control room of the laser, finding the Wing pilot working as quickly as he could as he typed at the main control panel. The braided pilot soared to the other side of the monitor to quickly type some commands in, himself, as he asked, "How bad does it look?" Heero answered as he continued to type, "Bad. They have a security lock on Orion to prevent it from spinning. We could work as this for hours and still never shake it from its target."
Duo looked to the meter reading that pulsed to reveal the energy stored within the laser. "They have more than enough power to each the Earth and anything that might be in its path along the way." He punched in the code that revealed how much time they had. His eyes widened as he said gravely, "And we have less than twenty minutes to stop it." Heero hissed, "Damn it! That's not enough time to destroy a ship this large. They have a security lock to protect the ship's heart."
Looking to the monitors as he and the American continued to type as quickly as they could, the Japanese pilot sneered, "We might not be able to rotate this thing, but we can sill move it back." The braided pilot turned towards his lover as he smiled and shouted, "There's a wide meteor belt just about fifteen minutes from here!" Heero nodded, "Let's just get this thing moving while we have a chance. I'll need your help to get the booster rockets on this thing going." Duo replied, "I'm not going anywhere." The two pilots worked in silence at that point and on as they focused solely on moving the massive laser from its current location.
Outside, Milliardo continued to soar as he went on to take out the last of the OZ soldiers that remained to defend the laser. Just then, Heero's voice patched in as he stated, "Milliardo, we help to help move Orion backwards. The thrusters on the ship will take care of that, but they're locked within the hatches of the ship." Wind nodded, "I'm on it." No longer having to concern himself with the OZ soldiers for the time being, the Preventer shot off to the target. Moving far too fast for the OZ soldiers to realize what he was doing, Wind had a straightway.
Once he reached the laser itself, the blonde pilot growled deeply as he sliced through the metal with Euphoria. Opening the hatches where the rockets were, there the thrusters now were able to push the great ship backwards. The added force was enough to get the laser moving. Wind continued to open more hatches that closed the booster rockets of the ship until they were all opened. Milliardo watched in silence as the ship floated back steadily before he was seen greeted by the OZ mobile suits that he had yet to take care of. With a deep growl, the Preventer shot after them, his laser blade raised overhead as he charged.
Seeing that the laser haze was moving back, Abrasia hissed, "SHIT!" He glared to Mason in rage and gripped his controls tightly as he shouted, "You bastards haven't won this yet!" He charged at the other Gundam pilot as he attempted to run her through. Sette met him in the middle and knocked the Gemini's blade out of her path before it could do any harm. The two pilots were driven by their anger and hatred for one another as they grunted and shouted loudly in their brutal attacks. For each hit than landed, another was received. Sette used both her laser mallet and Buster Riffle to change tactics. Abrasia used every maneuver that he had to do the same. Still, they were matched in every way as they collided and clashed violently.
Panting, Abrasia wiped just some of his sweat as he informed the other pilot, "You have to be tiring by now." Sette was panting and coated in her own sweat as she replied with narrowed eyes, "I'm just getting started." Pushing forward, she shouted loudly and raiser her mallet over-head again. Abrasia blocked the blow with both of his thin laser blades as he pushed back on the mallet in a standstill. Sette growled as she continued to push forward on her controls, "Glad to see that you decided to fight face-to-face instead of running the way you always do." Abrasia snapped, "Funny, this coming from someone who abandoned her people until she had enough help to win them back." That was the last straw for the young queen as she shouted, "YOU SON OF A BITCH!" and pulled back to strike again.
There was a similar struggle taking place just a half-mile away as Delapan and Azrael continued their personal battle. Having been at this for quite some time, neither pilot was as successful as they wished they could have been in stopping their foe. And it was clear on Azrael's face that she was frustrated and tired of this. The blonde pilot growled and hissed as she gave every lunge, punch, and kick. Catherine piloted her suit to block and return each blow. Those shots that broke through her defenses were quickly repaid.
The OZ pilot finally paused for a moment, panting as she took a good, long look to the green Gundam before her. "I... have HAD ENOUGH OF THIS!!!" Azrael screamed. Punching her controls, she caused her Gemini to begin glowing a bright silver all around. Delapan was in mid-charge when she froze at the sight of the shinning armor. "W-what the-?" she whispered to herself with concern all over her face and voice. The OZ pilot chuckled insanely, "I should have done this the first time we met!"
From where they were fighting, Sette and Abrasia could see the silver glow. Abrasia leaned forward in his cockpit as he shouted, "AZRAEL! STOP!!! YOU KNOW THAT WILL TAKE TOO MUCH ENERGY FROM YOUR SUIT!!!" His twin never paid him any mind as she continued to glare to her enemy, growling intensely. The moment that her entire suit became encircled in pure light, bow of her Gemini suit captured the brilliance as it stored the power within. The silver Gundam took the bow and aimed it directly as Slither, firing the beam light with it. Delapan screamed as she was taken in by the blast. Having to cover her eyes, she released her controls and remained helpless.
Sette could see her friend's situation and shouted, "DELAPAN!" Milliardo shot out of nowhere the knocked the green-eyed Gemini back from his attempt to strike the tomboy from behind. Wind called to his sister, "Take care of Delapan! I'll handle him until you return." The young queen nodded and quickly shot off to close the wide gap between her and Catherine. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to get Mason to move faster. "Come on, come on," she growled deeply as her blue eyes looked to the image of her partner's helpless suit.
The moment that the sliver light disappeared, Catherine removed her hands from her face and looked up. She gasped loudly as she saw that her Gundam was trapped within a web-like net of energy. Gasping loudly, the redhead worked at her controls desperately as she tried to move her suit. Slither never responded, trapped within the energy field and floating lifelessly before the red-eyed Gemini.
Azrael chuckled deeply and pulled her bow apart. "My suit might not be able to react as well as it had before that more, but I only need one shot at this," she told herself with a stern look on her face. Pressing hard on her handgrips, she forced her Gundam forward as fast as it could fly. Delapan was still frantic as she tried pressed every button and threw every switch and cried, "NOT NOW! NOT LIKE THIS!!!" Just then, she looked up in sheer terror as her monitors caught a silver streak making its way to her, the laser blade that belonged to it aimed for her cockpit.
Azrael was just about to slice into the cockpit of Slither as she shrieked at the top of her lungs, "GIVE MY BEST TO NOVEM!!!" Delapan slammed her eyes shut and prepared for the deathblow, without allowing so much as a whimper for her enemy to enjoy. At the last moment, a voice shouted, "CATHERINE!" and a Taurus suit shot out of nowhere and wrapped its arms around the waist of the silver Gundam, forcing it backwards along with it. Azrael screamed as she was thrown in her seat, being protected only by her harness. Catherine gasped loudly as her eyes widened in knowing that she was still alive somehow. It was then that she watched as the Taurus suit that saved her released Gemini.
Azrael was blind with rage as she looked in disbelief to the image of the soldier who acted as OZ's spy throughout the war up until his return to the organization. Her shock wore off before long as she growled as loudly as she could and lunged at the Taurus suit. Derek began to assault the red-eyed Gemini with everything that he had, the OZ pilot within it helpless to move her suit as well as she normally was able to. It was easy for the young man to force the silver Gundam backwards, towards the same location that Orion was now floating. From where she was frozen, Delapan screamed, "DEREK!!!"
Sette then appeared from nowhere and took aim at her comrade's suit with her Buster Riffle. The redhead looked with wide eyes to her monitors as she could see straight into the cannon of Mason's gun. Biting her lip, she whispered in a frightened voice, "Sette." "Just trust me on this, Delapan," the young queen replied, closing her left eye and squinted her right as the small bull's eye of her monitor locked onto the green suit before her. The target was aligned with the laser as the image of the bull's eye blinked red on and off rapidly with a soft beeping sound. At this, both of the pilot's blue eyes opened then narrowed tightly.
Pressing the trigger, Sette shot her Buster Riffle, mailing Slither right in the middle of it. Delapan held onto her controls tightly as she squeezed her eyes closed and groaned deeply as the Gundam was taken in by the blinding light, shaking violently. Finally, the shaking passed as well as the light. With a loud gasp, Delapan's eyes shot wide open as she looked before her. The energy field had been broken and Slither had not been harmed in the least.
Delapan smiled brightly as she turned to her partner. Sette laughed loudly in disbelief, "Fuck me, it worked!" Catherine shouted in anger mixed with fear, "YOU MEAN YOU NEVER TRIED THAT BEFORE!?!" The tomboy shrugged and shook her head, "Never had to." The redhead's sneered, "We'll talk later." She tried to get Slither to move, but there was a long delay before the Gundam so much as raised its arms. The tomboy informed her comrade, "Give it time. That energy field took a lot out of your suit." Catherine nodded, "Okay. I'll be fine. Just take care of that other Gemini." Sette chuckled deeply with a wicked grin, "With pleasure." Quickly, Mason flew back to where Milliardo was taking care of Abrasia. Delapan continued to try to get Slither to move. She whispered to herself, "Hang in there just a little longer, Derek."
Sette returned to where Milliardo was holding Abrasia off. The Preventer was fighting with everything he had against the OZ pilot that did the same. The tomboy called, "I'll pick it back up from here, bro." Milliardo nodded, "Alright. I'm going to check on Orion." At this, he flew off and allowed his sister to take care of the OZ pilot. Sette sneered in a deep voice to her challenger, "Miss me, honey." Abrasia licked his bloody lip and growled back with a sneer of his own, "You know I did, sweetheart." Instead of attacking her, however, the young man turned and shot away from her. "WHAT THE HELL!?!" Sette shouted in rage as she punched her controls and flew after her retreating challenger.
* * * * * *
Quatre was now having more than a difficult time against Scorpio. Stacy was taking her time, nailing the Arabian with punches and kicks as she backed him through the crumbling city. The blonde pilot was again knocked onto his back as he cried out from the force. Panting and soaked, the exhausted pilot looked up to his monitors, unable to move. Stanton chuckled deeply, "Now to finish this." Upon her command, Scorpio's arm blades shot back inside the suit. The pointed arms then returned in their place as the Gundam lowered itself onto all fours, bringing the scorpion tail into the air.
The tail wrapped extended and wrapped around the cockpit of Sand Rock that cocooned the helpless pilot within. Laughing madly, Stacy continued to tighten the hold that her scorpion tail held on the other Gundam suit. The cockpit within was sparking all around Quatre as the compartment was beginning to came in slowly. The Arabian struggled to stay conscious through his injuries and the thinning air in his hatch as Stanton continued to slowly strangle him.
Taking ragged breaths, the Gundam pilot looked to his scanners and saw one his curved blades that had fallen from Sand rock's grasp. It was just within his right hand's reach. With a groan of pain in his efforts, the blonde pilot forced himself up in his seat and began to reach for the blade, ever so slowly not to make any sudden movements. The right hand of his suit gripped the blade into its possession and began to squeeze it tightly. His eyes tightly closed as he groaned in pain, Quatre merely worked on staying awake.
The General knew that this was her chance and moved Scorpio to lift its right leg. The thin appendage shot back into the shoulder as the jagged-edge blade returned in its place. "And now..." Stacy sneered to herself. Drawing the blade back as she aimed it to fall right into the cockpit of her foe, she asked, "Any last words to remember you by, Winner?" Quatre replied in a strained voice, "Just one thing..." Stanton decided that she didn't care what he had to say and pushed forward on her controls, sending the blade at great force to kill the other pilot.
Just before the blade touched the cockpit, Sand Rock moved suddenly in a swift turn towards its left side, bringing from the right a straight dagger that cut through Scorpio's own cockpit. The dagger's tip slammed right into Stacy's chest. A loud, strangled gasp left the OZ pilot and her brown eyes were as wide as they could be as the metal went into her body. "The name is Quatre," the blonde pilot concluded with narrowed eyes and a glare in his eyes. Removing the blade from Scorpios's cockpit, the Arabian saw the blood at the tip of the blade that he bent into a straight dagger.
Blood trickled down the General's mouth as she took small, strangled breaths through her wound. Her eyes remained wide as she looked forward to her monitors with an empty look in her eyes. Sand rock broke itself free from the limp tail that remained around its chest and rose to its feet, never turning from Scorpio. With her last breath in her, the OZ pilot lifted her left hand as it shook in her efforts towards her controls. Stacy's arm fell lifelessly, as did the rest of her body just as she reached the self detonation button of her Gundam. Scorpio went up in a great explosion that knocked Sand Rock backwards and into another building that went to collapse on top of the Arabian before he could realize what happened.
The explosion could be seen from hundreds of miles above as the Gundam pilots looked to the ground. They all looked in terror to the ground below. Trowa, Wufei, Relena, and Noin shouted simultaneously, "QUATRE!!!" Kumi bit back her own concern and fear as she called, "Zes, get down there and make sure that he's alright. We need as many of us to stay up here as possible." Relena nodded, "Alright." Before anything more was discussed, the Queen of the World darted through the fleeting OZ soldiers that blocked her way to the city.
Biting her lip as she continued to descend from the skies, Zes whispered, "God, if anything happened to him..." She gasped loudly with wide eyes as she looked to the site where the explosion originated. Nothing was left standing for miles. Relena looked frantically through the devastation as she called, "QUATRE!?! WHERE ARE YOU!?!" After a long search, she noticed something moving from beneath a large pile of rubble. She gasped and aimed her two shoulder cannons towards the shifting stone and metal. She watched as Sand Rock finally fought to sit up. Zes beamed as she sighed deeply in relief, "Quatre!"
The Arabian was bleeding from cuts and bruises that he received during the fight, but he was more tired than beaten. He smiled warmly in relief to his comrade, "Good to see you, Zes." The Queen of the World quickly went to her friend's side to help him push side the debris that covered his Gundam from the waist down. When almost everything had been cleared, Calvary's hand took one of Sand Rock's into its own and pulled the Arabian's suit onto its feet. Quatre chuckled deeply and looked to the blade that he had to bend straight. "I'm going to have to do some explaining to Howard." Relena laughed, "I'm sure he'll understand. And he'll be happy to fix that, as well."
Looking to the huge creator that fell just several feet from the pilot of debris that San Rock had been covered in, Zes's jaw dropped. "I-is that what I think it is?" Zes whispered breathlessly. Quatre nodded and replied quietly, "It's all that's left of Scorpio... If I didn't crash into this building, I would have been destroyed along with it." His friend turned to him and smiled warmly, "Nice job, Quatre." He simply smiled, "Thank you," still having difficulty gathering all of his thoughts. Seeing the battle that continued to rage far over them, the two pilots shot into the air and rejoined the struggle.
* * * * * *
That same time in space, Delapan was managed to free Slither from its frozen state. She smiled brightly and kissed the controls as she said quietly, "That's my baby." She shot her Gundam off in the same direction that Abrasia and Sette had disappeared, knocking exactly where they were headed.
Anderson continued to push Azrael back towards the meteor belt, which was now in plain sight as it was only a mile ahead of them. The large rocks just moved steadily, never falling out of its own thick ring as it orbited the galaxy in a perfect ring.
The red-eyed Gemini suit continued to have a difficult time in handing the skilled tactics of the Taurus pilot. Azrael was unable to move her Gundam nearly as quickly and steadily as she was able to before creating the energy field that she was certain would have aided in Delapan's destruction. Derek continued to grunt and cry loudly as he hammered the silver suit with everything that he had. Using his beam cannon, he continued to knock the OZ pilot back closer to the meteor ring. The other pilot would never have the advantage with her suit unable to react to the fight.
Suddenly, Abrasia entered the scene, his own suit glowing as he reached the fight. He gripped the Taurus suit at the waist and tackled him from the side, pulling Derek with him. The ex-spy cried out as he was taken by the blow and struggled to free himself from the grip that the OZ pilot had on him. Before he could blink, Anderson watched as Abrasia released him and flew back to where the red-eyes Gemini was, his own suit still glowing from the energy field that he was creating.
The moment that he was close enough, Azrael stored his glowing energy into his bow and fired it to his sister's suit. Azrael accepted the offer and looked to her twin's image as he warned, "Don't be pulling any of that shit again, sis. I gave you just enough power for the two of us. Azrael chuckled deeply, "Don't worry. I'll use it well." Her eyes fell upon the Taurus suit as it flew in her direction. Derek's eyes narrowed as he said to himself, "I have to try and stall them, no matter what... If this is how I am to die, then so be it." "Oh... you, my friend, will regret the day you were born." At this, she met Derek and began knocking his mobile suit left and right, non-stop.
Before Abrasia could take any part in the attack, he was quickly joined by Mason as Sette cried out and swiped at the silver Gundam with her laser mallet. The two pilots quickly returned to their own war as they moved closer and closer to the meteor belt, all the while never slowing in their moves to harm and kill their foe.
Derek was unable to get past the speed and power of the other pilot, but he never pulled back. His beam cannon was lost in the haze of the attack. Being jolted with every blow, Anderson could feel himself dying as he continued to accept the relentless hits. Azrael laughed madly as she continued to hit the mobile feverishly. She sliced off the Taurus's right arm, then its left leg as she never paused for a moment. Derek was bleeding badly from cuts and bruises all over as he looked to his monitors through heavy-lidded eyes with a groan of pain. Finally, Azrael paused to raise the laser swords over her Gemini's head. Derek whispered, "I'm sorry, Catherine." His eyes closed as he fell forward in his seat, help up only by his harness. Azrael shrieked, "FOR OZ!!!"
A long, snake-like whip came from behind to wrap the Gemini tightly around the chest several times. Azrael shouted, "WHAT!?!" She was quickly pulled back by the rope and led beyond her control towards the meteor belt. The OZ pilot was then electrocuted as the switchblade of the Slither pressed against the Gundamimum whip that held her tightly. It was only when the pained cries of the blonde pilot died that the electric waves ended. Delapan's cold and stern look was focused on her screens as she approached the meteors just ahead.
Sette and Abrasia were just feet from the ring of floating stones. Delapan spun the lassoed Gemini over head and around her own suit as she looked to the struggle. Sette was beginning to fade fast as Abrasia was forcing her back. It was as she looked over the Gemini's shoulder that the tomboy saw Slither. She smiled in relief at the sight of what was to come.
Just as Abrazia was prepared to force the young queen into the ring of meteors, he hissed, "What the hell are you smiling at?" Sette sneered as she deadpanned, "You're dead." The young man shouted, "WHAT!?!" He spun just in time to watch as his twin's suit was hurled in his direction. Sette managed to avoid being taken by the collision and flew back-first as she watched the two silver Gundams fall into the meteor ring.
Both of the Gemini suits were being hit by the meteors as the pilots within screamed and shouted in pure agony. "READY TO FINISH IT OFF!?!" Sette called to her comrade as she took aim with her Buster Riffle. Delapan aimed her switchblade and flew to her partner's side as she answered, "I've been ready for this." Together, they combined the beam of the Buster Riffle with the electric wave from the electric waves of the dagger. Their energy combined plowed through the large stones and directly hit the Gemini Gundams. With one last, deafening scream, the twins were incinerated into nothing by the huge beam.
Both Sette and Delapan fell back in their seats, panting and exhausted from the long ordeal. Their suits were motionless for a time as they, too, took a moment to simply relax. After a long pause, Delapan sat up and gasped loudly, "Derek!" Without a second thought, she flew off to where she had last seen the ex-spy. Sette followed in suit. It wasn't long before they found Euphoria. The gold Gundam had the Taurus suit's left arm slung over its shoulders as Milliardo supported the pilot within.
Catherine gasped and forget tears as she whispered, "I-is he...?
Milliardo shook his head, "He'll be alright once we get him to Pulsar." "OH MY GOD!!!" Sette suddenly screamed as she focused on the laser. Her friends looked in shock and fear as they saw what caused the sudden cry. Orion was just a moment away from the meteor belt that moved in its constant orbit. Milliardo was just wrapping up his part of the fight against the handful of OZ mobile suits left. As he looked to the laser, he shouted, "HEERO, DUO!!! YOU HAVE TO GET OUT OF THERE NOW!!!"
In the control room of the enormous craft, Duo continued to fight off the soldiers that threatened him and Heero. He looked back to his partner, who fought along side him as he said, "Now or never." Heero rammed through anther guard with his blade. Standing straight, the Wing pilot nodded, "Let's get out of here." The blue visors of their helmets snapped down again and they flew from the room and back out the way that they came, breaking through the forces that worked to keep them on the laser.
Just as the winged pilots shot out into space, the laser's far end reached and entered the meteor belt. It crashed into the large stones that pelted the craft at great force and speed, causing it to cave in. Heero and Duo reached their comrades at a safe distance from the belt as the they all watched the enormous weapon known as Orion fold into itself, unable to withstand the force of the meteors that continued to run it through. The large pieces of stone crashed through the ship, entering from one side and leaving the other as the ring if the ring of stone had never been interrupted. The generators within Orion were hit all around as they soon ignited in great explosions throughout every corner of the weapon.
Finally, the timer inside the fading control room counted down to its last five seconds as fires raged and engulfed nearly every hallway and room of the ship. The last second had passed and the cannon of the laser fired straight up, never hitting anything but a long line of meteors overhead, as it folded backwards. Even still, the shower of rocks never ceased and before long, the rest of Orion was taken in by flames.
Together, Milliardo, Heero, Duo, Sette and Delapan watched in amazement as they couldn't remember how to breathe. The meteor ring continued to move on, being joined by the floating debris and rubble that was left from the incredible laser. Once he was able to get himself together, Heero spoke into the small microphone within his helmet as he announced, "This is Heero... Orion has been destroyed."
* * * * * *
On the Earth, all of the Preventers and the Gundam pilots were celebrating with the hundreds of people that they had saved on the Earth as they hugged and gathered in the midst of the destroyed city. Kumi smiled and stated through her own helmet, "This is Kumi... The Earth is secured."
* * * * * *
On Pulsar, the Preventers that remained to aid Lady Une and Lieutenant Keiser jumped to their feet and onto the desks that they worked at as they screamed and cheered in response to these announcements. Keiser fell into his seat, folding his hands over his face as he leaned forward, breathing feely for the first time since the Gundam pilots had left. Lady Une and Marimaya hugged as they laughed and smiled brightly.
The news of Orion's destruction, along with the demise of three of OZ's Gundam suits spread like a wild fire as the Earth and Colonies throughout Space joined in the celebration. Now more than ever, it was clear that there really was a chance that OZ could be stopped. And the Gundam pilots and Preventers would never be looked at the same way again. They truly were the soldiers of peace and the defenders of millions of lives, no matter how the war would end.
* * * * * *
NARRATOR: It had been decided that the Gundam pilots should remain at a safe house that had been hidden in the vast woods of Gettysberg. It was the best place for them to rejuvenate themselves for the next struggle. Along with an underground hanger, they would have all of the equipment and supplies they needed along with their suits. Knowing that they could be needed at anytime, the pilots were more comfortable with discussing the war again... And how they would finally bring it to an end.
* * * * * *
Two nights following the destruction of Orion, Gemini and Scorpio, Heero stepped out onto the back, wooden porch of the safe house, having completed the last reports he needed to make for the situation that he and his comrades were in at this point of the war. While it was now twilight, the air was still warm on account that it was now mid-June. The sky bore not a single cloud as the sun was more than halfway below the horizon in the distance. A small breeze danced around him, bringing a perfume of flowers with it.
The Wing pilot closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, releasing his breath in a deep content sigh. Looking to the back of his lover as he sat on the porch steps a few feet ahead, he smiled warmly. It had been too long since they had been together on the Earth like this. Having this back meant far more to Heero than words could ever come close to expressing. Duo was lost in wonder as he watched the sun fade beyond the open fields that stretched for as far as his eyes could see.
As he walked towards the braided pilot, Heero was rewarded with a turn of his partner's head and a loving smile that never ceased to melt him every time. Duo extended his hand and the Japanese pilot accepted without a moment's hesitance, wrapping the American's calloused hand gently and yet firmly within his own to pull Duo to his feet. The pilots wrapped their arms around one another, knowing how precious this moment was. They together and on the surface of the planet that they had come to know as their home for the best years of their young lives.
The lovers stood embracing tightly in silence for a moment before Duo smiled and looked up to Heero. Motioning with his head, he turned to look to a soft, red and orange glow that had been burning a half-mile ahead of the house. The large rocks around the light made it impossible to make out what was there. The Wing pilot's Prussian eyes focused on the light as he heard the braided pilot say gently, "She's waiting for you." The 'Perfect Soldier' looked down to his lover and gave a soft smile as he nodded and kissed his forehead.
The pilots lowered their arms and gave their partner's hand a squeeze before completely letting go. Once he reached the bottom of the steps, Heero turned back to look the braided pilot. "Wait for me," he said quietly, in a timid plea. Duo smiled warmly and nodded, "Always." The Japanese pilot's face brightened at this single word as he smiled lovingly back and nodded. At this, he turned and wade his way to the large rocks that formed a circle in the lush fields ahead.
Entering the ring of stone, Heero found Kumi sitting before a fire that she had made. She sat on a small boulder, legs spread as she slouched forward to lean her arms on them. She held a large cup of tea and looked up as the Wing pilot walked towards her. The silver-haired pilot gave a small smile and greeted, "Hey." Her cousin smiled warmly back, "Hey." Sitting beside the young woman, Heero sighed deeply and looked to the fire. There was a pause between the two pilots as they remained deep in thought. "Tonight makes it a whole year," Kumi said quietly. Heero nodded, "I know... You said that this war would be longer than the Eve Wars, and you were right."
Kumi took a sip from her tea as she closed her eyes, still deep in thought. The Wing pilot, meanwhile, never looked up from the flames before them as he said, "I want to stay here until our last stand with OZ... and Duo and I want to be the ones to handle Quinze when that time comes." The silver-haired pilot turned to him with an uncertain look. Finally, she smiled, "Let me have Demetirs, and Quinze is all yours." Heero smiled back and nodded, "Then it's agreed." The pilots shook hands firmly, sealing their pact.
TBC