As Duo crested the hill above the safehouse he
saw Quatre and Trowa helping Heero toward Wing Zero. WuFei was already inside
Shenlong judging by the Gundam's glowing green eyes.
Duo gave a shout as he
realized what they were doing. He ran down the steep hill somehow managing not
to somersault on the way down.
He skidded to a stop in front of Quatre and
Trowa who were supporting Heero.
"What do you think you're doing?" He cried.
"There's a mission I'm fighting." Heero replied.
"You can't you're not
well enough. You'd end up injuring yourself worse." He rounded on Trowa and
Quatre,"you're actually letting him fight in his condition!" It wasn't a
question it was an accusation.
"Heero wants to fight." Trowa replied.
"So? He's not well! He can't fight!" Duo was practically screaming now.
"I'm fighting Max." Heero said firmly.
"I'll fight instead." The words
popped out of Duo's mouth before he even thought them. He blinked in surprise.
" You can pilot a mobile suit?" Quatre asked.
" Yes and I'm good." Duo
replied.
" You won't be able to handle Wing Zero." Heero said.
" Hello!
You have a Taurus!" Duo growled.
" Fine you can pilot that." Quatre said
calmly.
" Just don't get into trouble." Heero warned.
" I won't. Now,
you get into bed pronto." Duo pointed in the direction of the safehouse.
"Take care of yourself Max." Heero said as a parting word of advice as he
turned and hobbled in the direction of the safehouse.
" Sheesh. Haven't I
told you I can fight? Now shoo!" Duo flapped his hands at Heero's back.
Trowa touched Duo on the shoulder, "let's go we've wasted enough time."
" Gimme five minutes." Duo replied running in the direction of the hanger
were the Taurus was stored.
Within minutes Duo was inside the Taurus and
flying with the others. The Taurus was slightly different from a Gundam but
basically the same. Duo had hesitated a moment not sure if he could pilot as
well as he used to. His fears were unbiased. Sure he was in a different body but
his mind remembered everything he needed to know. His reflexes were as sharp as
ever despite different bodies.
WuFei had grumbled about "having to fight
with a girl" for a few minutes and was now silent. Though on the screen he could
see WuFei was still scowling. Duo thumbed his nose at WuFei's image and laughed.
" Our targets are ahead." Quatre's voice floated over the speakers and his
image on the screen was serious and ready for battle.
"Roger that." Duo
replied.
All they had to do was destroy some carrier jets who were carrying
a load of Gundamium to an OZ base.
They quickly went into their attack
formation. Quatre in the center flanked by Trowa and Duo with WuFei just behind
them.
Duo felt adrenaline course through his body and let out a whoop of
delight. He was pretty sure his grin would split his face in two. This was what
he loved doing, piloting a mobile suit in battle. God how he had missed it. This
Taurus was no Deathsycthe but got things done efficiently.
He activated the
Taurus's beam cannon and shot it at the leading jet carrier. It exploded with a
resounding boom. Out of the corner of Duo's eye he could see Sandrock, Heavyarms
and Shenlong attacking the other jet carriers. This mission was a piece of cake.
He let out another whoop of delight.
His eyes narrowed at a beep on the
screen. Enlarging the image he saw several Taurus' coming toward them.
"Taurus coming." He reported.
"We see them." Quatre responded.
"There are about twenty," Trowa said.
" Five each." WuFei replied.
"
C'mon let's get 'em." Duo said midnight blue eyes practically glowing.
The
other's didn't get a chance to reply as the Taurus attacked. Duo had his hands
busy fighting. Mentally cursing the inept Taurus he was piloting he destroyed an
opposing Taurus with a blast from his beam cannon. An instant later he destroyed
another with his beam saber. For all he was piloting an inept mobile suit Duo
was having fun. He acted on impulse his reflexes almost thought fast.
He
wiped sweat off his brow as he destroyed the last Taurus. Breathing hard he
leaned back against the seat. He stretched relieving cramped muscles.
"
Mission completed head back to base." Quatre ordered.
"Roger that." Duo
replied.