Chapter 3
Meeting Duo
"Well that was a fun trip. I wonder who we're going to visit next?"
"Let leave that alone until we get there."
"Fine by me."
"So you going to sleep on this trip, or will I have to find some way to amuse myself?"
"How?"
"I've got cards I can play solitaire."
"That sound like fun." Relena said mockingly.
"Why was that a Tate tone that came from your lips? Burr. I think hell just froze over, and wait is that a pig with wings I see?"
"Ha hah, very funny."
"More? How will we stop it now that the flood gates have opened?"
"Oh stop it. That's quite enough. Besides I've been Tate before you came along."
"Alright I believe you."
"I think I have an interesting topic. Since you seem to know about my past, why don't you tell me yours."
"Well there isn't that much to tell. I lead a pretty normal lifestyle growing up. You know, education, hang with friends, and secretly hate your family. By the time I finished college I was pretty much in the physical state you see today. I hoped from job to job picking up skills along the way. Nothing really fit me, until I joined the army, I was on earth's side all along, not that I wanted the government rule them with iron fists. But what can a grunt do except take orders. I put up with it until my tour of duty was over, then I went the way of the mercenary. I picked up needed tactics and what not. I felt it suited me, but I needed more action, adventure, and all that. There's more but that's for another time and place."
"Just when you had me intrigued too."
"So what now? You know my history, I know the basics of yours, and can figure out the holes that pop up here and there."
"What do you mean holes?"
"Well there's stuff the media doesn't know about, and stuff they could care less about. Any person with half a brain can figure out what you did between reports."
"Example."
"Well know one really knows what you went through on Libra. But given your past exploits. You probably tried to talk your brother out of fighting and was ignored until you were saved."
"Interesting, you're very close to the truth."
"See what I mean?"
"Yes I think I understand now."
The conversation carried on for a good three hours, switching from topic to topic. The stopped when the stewardess announced that they were on final approach.
"I take it I'm about to meet another gundam pilot?"
"You catch on quick. Which one it is, we'll find out when we leave the terminal."
The pair got up and left the shuttle. As soon as they stepped out of the terminal Relena stated that they were in Duo's colony.
"You'll like him he is one of the two gundam pilot's that has a great personality. He's quite the comedian."
"Well then lets go see if you're right. Taxi."
A cab pulled up and they climbed in.
"Maxwell's Metal Scrapping, please."
"He's a scrapper?"
"That's his little niche in life, besides he likes doing it."
~*~
Meanwhile far from the colony the commander sat in his office cursing at the walls. The platoon he had sent to Earth had been destroyed without a trace to prove it existed.
'I have to do something about whoever is destroying my convoy's. But what? This enemy is to smart to be drawn out in the open, so how can I deal with it?'
At that moment someone knocked on his door.
"Come in."
"Sir. This is our new tactical advisor, he thinks he can help with our situation. Sir."
"Does he now? You can go private," after the soldier left he continued. "Well let's hear your theories and see if they fly with me."
"Well sir I thought that if we changed drop points to random locations they would be harder to track. The rally point would have to change to accommodate the suits not drawing unwanted attention."
"Where would you suggest the rally point be changed to?"
"Well this is only a theory but we could build an underwater base in the Pacific and the suits could be dropped any where in that ocean. They could then come to the base and dry dock their suits."
"That sounds like an excellent plan. Can it be done in a short amount of time though?"
"If we double our efforts, I believe it can be done."
"What of the other suits at the current rally point?"
"I've already mapped a ground route they can take that will keep them out of sight."
"Put it into action. Thank you Mr.?"
"Jackal, Tom Jackal."
"Well thank you Mr. Jackal. You've probably put us one step closer to our goal."
~*~
"Relena its good to see you after so long. You haven't changed a bit. Who's this you finally find someone to replace your dream man?"
"No," said Gabriel, "I'm just her body guard."
"Body guard, huh? Well she must keep you on your toes then, she's quite a handful."
"Oh, be quite dear."
"Dear?" Gabriel asked.
"Yep, Duo and I wed about a year after the war."
"Dou, Hilde this is Gabriel. Gabriel this is Dou and Hilde Maxwell."
"Nice to meet you both. Why don't we go inside to talk?"
"Of course, besides I'll bet we'll be a lot more comfortable inside then standing out here all."
"So are we you're first stop?"
"No actually we visited Trowa first."
"So how is he anyway, none of us has kept in contact since the war."
"He's his usual self, you know cold and clean."
"Excuse me," said Gabriel "where's you bathroom."
"Down the hall second door on the left."
"Thanks don't go over anything I don't know while I'm gone."
Gabriel stepped into the bathroom, brings an earpiece from his belt and listens to the new orders being given.
"A new tactical advisor? Rally point changed? An underwater base, in the Pacific? drops any where in the ocean? And ground route from the old to new rally point? Perfect just perfect."
'How can I contact Trowa? I just hope he has a phone.'
"Scramble mode. Please pick up. Yes. Hello, Trowa Barton please?"
"May I ask who is calling?"
"An ally."
"Hold on." Long pause Trowa picks up.
"Hello?"
"Trowa, I don't have time to explain but there's trouble brewing on Earth again. Another uprising is on its way."
"No." Said Trowa in a soft angry tone.
"I'm afraid so. Do you still have your gundam?"
"Yes."
"Good, get it ready. I'll contact the other pilots, then we can discuss a rally point. For now you can call me Shadow. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Goodbye," Gabriel hangs up. "Now to catch up on old times. Sorry I took so long, I'm a stickler for cleanliness"
"That's all right Hilde and I started to talk girl talk and Duo wondered over to the TV."
"Should I call him back?"
"No why don't you talk to him alone, and catch up on your new employers history."
"Okay. Hey Duo what's up?"
"You know the usual."
"Actually I don't. Tell me about what you went through"
"That story is to long even if your staying for a week. I will tell you a secret though, want to hear?"
"Sure."
"Has Relena ever said the name Heero around you?"
"Twice. She told me he was an old friend like you, and she asked Trowa about his whereabouts."
"She did, huh? Do you want to hear the truth?"
"Sure."
"Ok. Don't ask me how they met but from what I can tell Relena fell for Heero at first sight. Heero never went near her unless he had to. She probably views all the things he's done as acts of love. After the war he just disappeared, people like him are apt to do that. They say absence makes the heart grow fondness. If that's true she has it bad."
"Wow."
"Don't tell her what I said, or I'll hunt you down."
"Ok, you can trust me man."
"Duo, Gabriel?"
"Yes sweetie?"
"Sup?"
"Why don't you two come back into the dinning room and we can have dinner."
"Sure." They say simultaneously.
"That looks great."
"Dou?"
"Yea Relena?"
"Have you seen Heero by any chance?"
"Nope haven't seen so much as his shadow."
Dou winks at Gabriel and he nods slightly in response.
"What was that?"
"What was what?"
"That wink and nod."
"Nothing just a guy thing."
"If you say so Duo. I've learned not to ask about his erratic behavior."
After the pair had said their goodbyes and left. Gabriel started talking
"Well you were right Relena I did like Duo."
"I'm glad."
"Grant a curios man a question?"
"Depends on the question."
"Well you've mentioned this Heero three times so far. Who exactly is he anyway?"
"That answer is for another time. For right now it's none of your business."
"Alright I respect that. So are we staying overnight or leaving tonight?"
"We leave tomorrow at noon."
"Let's see its nine right now, lets stay out for another hour before heading to our rooms."
"Sounds like a plan."
Meeting Duo
"Well that was a fun trip. I wonder who we're going to visit next?"
"Let leave that alone until we get there."
"Fine by me."
"So you going to sleep on this trip, or will I have to find some way to amuse myself?"
"How?"
"I've got cards I can play solitaire."
"That sound like fun." Relena said mockingly.
"Why was that a Tate tone that came from your lips? Burr. I think hell just froze over, and wait is that a pig with wings I see?"
"Ha hah, very funny."
"More? How will we stop it now that the flood gates have opened?"
"Oh stop it. That's quite enough. Besides I've been Tate before you came along."
"Alright I believe you."
"I think I have an interesting topic. Since you seem to know about my past, why don't you tell me yours."
"Well there isn't that much to tell. I lead a pretty normal lifestyle growing up. You know, education, hang with friends, and secretly hate your family. By the time I finished college I was pretty much in the physical state you see today. I hoped from job to job picking up skills along the way. Nothing really fit me, until I joined the army, I was on earth's side all along, not that I wanted the government rule them with iron fists. But what can a grunt do except take orders. I put up with it until my tour of duty was over, then I went the way of the mercenary. I picked up needed tactics and what not. I felt it suited me, but I needed more action, adventure, and all that. There's more but that's for another time and place."
"Just when you had me intrigued too."
"So what now? You know my history, I know the basics of yours, and can figure out the holes that pop up here and there."
"What do you mean holes?"
"Well there's stuff the media doesn't know about, and stuff they could care less about. Any person with half a brain can figure out what you did between reports."
"Example."
"Well know one really knows what you went through on Libra. But given your past exploits. You probably tried to talk your brother out of fighting and was ignored until you were saved."
"Interesting, you're very close to the truth."
"See what I mean?"
"Yes I think I understand now."
The conversation carried on for a good three hours, switching from topic to topic. The stopped when the stewardess announced that they were on final approach.
"I take it I'm about to meet another gundam pilot?"
"You catch on quick. Which one it is, we'll find out when we leave the terminal."
The pair got up and left the shuttle. As soon as they stepped out of the terminal Relena stated that they were in Duo's colony.
"You'll like him he is one of the two gundam pilot's that has a great personality. He's quite the comedian."
"Well then lets go see if you're right. Taxi."
A cab pulled up and they climbed in.
"Maxwell's Metal Scrapping, please."
"He's a scrapper?"
"That's his little niche in life, besides he likes doing it."
~*~
Meanwhile far from the colony the commander sat in his office cursing at the walls. The platoon he had sent to Earth had been destroyed without a trace to prove it existed.
'I have to do something about whoever is destroying my convoy's. But what? This enemy is to smart to be drawn out in the open, so how can I deal with it?'
At that moment someone knocked on his door.
"Come in."
"Sir. This is our new tactical advisor, he thinks he can help with our situation. Sir."
"Does he now? You can go private," after the soldier left he continued. "Well let's hear your theories and see if they fly with me."
"Well sir I thought that if we changed drop points to random locations they would be harder to track. The rally point would have to change to accommodate the suits not drawing unwanted attention."
"Where would you suggest the rally point be changed to?"
"Well this is only a theory but we could build an underwater base in the Pacific and the suits could be dropped any where in that ocean. They could then come to the base and dry dock their suits."
"That sounds like an excellent plan. Can it be done in a short amount of time though?"
"If we double our efforts, I believe it can be done."
"What of the other suits at the current rally point?"
"I've already mapped a ground route they can take that will keep them out of sight."
"Put it into action. Thank you Mr.?"
"Jackal, Tom Jackal."
"Well thank you Mr. Jackal. You've probably put us one step closer to our goal."
~*~
"Relena its good to see you after so long. You haven't changed a bit. Who's this you finally find someone to replace your dream man?"
"No," said Gabriel, "I'm just her body guard."
"Body guard, huh? Well she must keep you on your toes then, she's quite a handful."
"Oh, be quite dear."
"Dear?" Gabriel asked.
"Yep, Duo and I wed about a year after the war."
"Dou, Hilde this is Gabriel. Gabriel this is Dou and Hilde Maxwell."
"Nice to meet you both. Why don't we go inside to talk?"
"Of course, besides I'll bet we'll be a lot more comfortable inside then standing out here all."
"So are we you're first stop?"
"No actually we visited Trowa first."
"So how is he anyway, none of us has kept in contact since the war."
"He's his usual self, you know cold and clean."
"Excuse me," said Gabriel "where's you bathroom."
"Down the hall second door on the left."
"Thanks don't go over anything I don't know while I'm gone."
Gabriel stepped into the bathroom, brings an earpiece from his belt and listens to the new orders being given.
"A new tactical advisor? Rally point changed? An underwater base, in the Pacific? drops any where in the ocean? And ground route from the old to new rally point? Perfect just perfect."
'How can I contact Trowa? I just hope he has a phone.'
"Scramble mode. Please pick up. Yes. Hello, Trowa Barton please?"
"May I ask who is calling?"
"An ally."
"Hold on." Long pause Trowa picks up.
"Hello?"
"Trowa, I don't have time to explain but there's trouble brewing on Earth again. Another uprising is on its way."
"No." Said Trowa in a soft angry tone.
"I'm afraid so. Do you still have your gundam?"
"Yes."
"Good, get it ready. I'll contact the other pilots, then we can discuss a rally point. For now you can call me Shadow. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Goodbye," Gabriel hangs up. "Now to catch up on old times. Sorry I took so long, I'm a stickler for cleanliness"
"That's all right Hilde and I started to talk girl talk and Duo wondered over to the TV."
"Should I call him back?"
"No why don't you talk to him alone, and catch up on your new employers history."
"Okay. Hey Duo what's up?"
"You know the usual."
"Actually I don't. Tell me about what you went through"
"That story is to long even if your staying for a week. I will tell you a secret though, want to hear?"
"Sure."
"Has Relena ever said the name Heero around you?"
"Twice. She told me he was an old friend like you, and she asked Trowa about his whereabouts."
"She did, huh? Do you want to hear the truth?"
"Sure."
"Ok. Don't ask me how they met but from what I can tell Relena fell for Heero at first sight. Heero never went near her unless he had to. She probably views all the things he's done as acts of love. After the war he just disappeared, people like him are apt to do that. They say absence makes the heart grow fondness. If that's true she has it bad."
"Wow."
"Don't tell her what I said, or I'll hunt you down."
"Ok, you can trust me man."
"Duo, Gabriel?"
"Yes sweetie?"
"Sup?"
"Why don't you two come back into the dinning room and we can have dinner."
"Sure." They say simultaneously.
"That looks great."
"Dou?"
"Yea Relena?"
"Have you seen Heero by any chance?"
"Nope haven't seen so much as his shadow."
Dou winks at Gabriel and he nods slightly in response.
"What was that?"
"What was what?"
"That wink and nod."
"Nothing just a guy thing."
"If you say so Duo. I've learned not to ask about his erratic behavior."
After the pair had said their goodbyes and left. Gabriel started talking
"Well you were right Relena I did like Duo."
"I'm glad."
"Grant a curios man a question?"
"Depends on the question."
"Well you've mentioned this Heero three times so far. Who exactly is he anyway?"
"That answer is for another time. For right now it's none of your business."
"Alright I respect that. So are we staying overnight or leaving tonight?"
"We leave tomorrow at noon."
"Let's see its nine right now, lets stay out for another hour before heading to our rooms."
"Sounds like a plan."