DAWN
Chapter 7 of the KINDRED SPIRITS saga
Written by Sandrock sandrock@gundamwing.mailbox.as
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
GW belongs to someone else. That's why KINDRED SPIRITS is a fanfic, and not
an OVA series.
Content Guideline - violence, mild suggestive material
April 19th After Century(AC) Year 195 - 0352hrs Los Angeles Outskirts
Lucrezia Noin found herself staring at a small white styrofoam cup which,
for all intents and purposes, appeared to be looking back at her as it sat
on the broad muted-grey counter-top. The wispy tendrils of steam from the
thick brown coffee,
heavily laden with cream and sugar, wafted up and dissipated into the air.
She sighed.
The organization's commissary was empty at this time of night, as it should
be. However, it suited her... for once. She wanted to be alone.
Idly fingering the cup, she inhaled the thick aroma of the brew, and tried
to focus her thoughts.
Memories of the corridor, and what had happened there were fresh in her
mind. She had been at the security center, trying to decipher why the entire
command center had apparently shut down even though the power generators and
connections were in perfect condition. Perhaps coincidentally, the
technicians who had escaped from the command center came stumbling in with
their tale, and she had immediately despatched the ten guards with her to
the location first. Taking a few minutes to seal all exits, call
reinforcements and warn the non-combatant personnel to remain out of sight
and in safety, she grabbed a weapon and, breaking into a sprint, tried
to catch up with the security force.
Those few extra minutes had saved her life.
Just as she rounded the bend that would lead to the corridor outside the
command center, it happened. She had grounded to a halt, a frown forming on
her brow as she noticed the security team motionless. Angrily, she was about
to raise her voice to reprimand them when, without warning, the entire
security force simply burst, ripped to shreds by some unseen force where
they stood barely a hundred meters in front of her, their flesh, blood and
clothing splattering across the
floor, ceiling and walls. She took a step back instinctively, in revulsion,
not having time to react as the backlash of whatever had killed those men
slammed into her, sending her flying into the wall twenty meters behind.
The combat training she had undergone in her younger days before her switch
to research duties kicked in, as she angled herself in such a manner as to
dampen the impact. Even then, the speed at which she hit the wall had been
forceful enough to knock the wind out of her, and she slid to the ground,
breathing heavily. A small subconscious portion of her mind screamed with
panic, had the angle been slightly off, she'd have hit her spine, probably
breaking it and killing herself in the process.
Noin stirred at the coffee idly, taking a tentative sip. She tried to ignore
the way her hands refused to stop quivering.
She must've blacked out after that, the impact or the stress having taken
its toll. When she came to, the situation seemed to be under
control, and a clean-up team had begun work on the corridor. Zechs had
called her on the comlink shortly after, and she had repeatedly had to
assure him that she was okay, offering to supervise the clean-up detail.
Even if she couldn't have saved those guards, she could at least do this.
The coffee continued swirling inside the cup.
She later discovered that the blond kid, the one called Quatre, had
been responsible. Even just thinking about it now made her shudder. It
was frightening, that someone could have the power to reach out across
thin air and do something like that. Sure, she had been there during Solo
and Duo's preliminary tests, before the Blake personality had been
imprinted. She had seen them do pretty much the same thing, literally
tearing the test subjects apart with their bare hands. She had seen them as
they decimated the Alliance force that had tried to infiltrate the
organization after Heero had arrived. But with Solo and Duo, it had been
something visible... something physical - something that could be seen. You
knew what was happening and why they could do it.
But... with this Quatre kid... all bets were off, especially if what Zechs
had told her was true.
The sound of pouring liquid broke her morbid train of thought. Blinking, she
looked up, staring at the small metallic canister and the dark amber liquid
emptying into her half-empty coffee cup. The heavy scent of scotch mingled
with the thick aroma of coffee. A familiar voice broke the silence.
"You looked like you could do with something stronger. You'll probably need
it if you want to get some rest."
Lucrezia stifled a snort, as she glanced up at her closest childhood
friend. She responded dryly, "Thanks... but I don't think I'll be sleeping
anytime soon... and the coffee has nothing to do with it."
Relena Darlian nodded sagely as she pulled up a chair to the counter-top,
seating herself next to Noin. Under normal circumstances, the ambience in
the commissary would've been considering relaxing, the soft amber lights and
the smooth curves of the walls complementing the numerous plants and
aquariums scattered around the room. Today however, after what had happened,
the aesthetic qualities of the room went largely ignored.
Relena took Noin's hand in hers, squeezing it to show moral support, "I
heard what happened... I saw the tapes in fact. Are you sure you're okay?"
Noin forced a small chuckle, "Nothing I can't handle, Lena. You know me
better than that."
Relena smiled, "I guess I do."
A mischevious wink gleamed in Noin's eye, "Just as I know you better than
that too. You didn't come down here just to indulge me in idle chatter.
There's got to be something else."
The dark blond girl sighed, "Guilty as charged... Duo's reported in."
Lucrezia perked up a little. Maybe something did go right tonight after all.
She turned to face Relena completely, waiting. When the blond girl didn't
continue, instead keeping her gaze down, Lucrezia raised an eyebrow.
"And...?"
"And it's not good, Lucrezia."
Reaching across the counter to grab a glass, Relena poured out a small
quantity of the amber-colored liquid in the canister. She paused, taking a
small sip.
"The target escaped. Duo was apparently injured in the process, and the two
of them are enroute back here. We can download the full details of the
operation from Duo's memory once they arrive."
Lucrezia Noin sighed. It had to be one of those days. Still facing Relena,
her coffee long abandoned, she continued, "Is that all he said? Duo's
normally a lot more... detailed than that."
Relena shrugged, "He doesn't usually come back from a mission with physical
injuries. Apparently, the target's physical and mental blocks were released.
Duo wasn't able to elaborate how... but he did say that... that kid...
Heero... was the one who pulled their fat out of the fire."
Lucrezia blinked, "...Heero saved them?"
Relena snorted, "Yeah... can you believe that? That fool kid actually got
something right."
Lucrezia allowed for a small smirk to cross her face, "Do I detect an
unspoken... something, Lena?"
"....what.. what on earth are you talking about, Lucrezia?"
Taking both of the blond girl's hands in hers, Lucrezia forced Relena to
look directly at her. The fact that Relena looked entirely perturbed made
Noin's smirk grow into a full-blown grin.
Relena tried a frown, "Lucrezia, why the heck are you grinning like a mad
fool? You look like Duo doing that."
"I think you know why I'm grinning."
Relena quirked an eyebrow, "I think you've had a drop too much."
"Lena... the last time you called someone a 'fool kid' was when you were
head over heels about P..."
Relena jumped slightly, her voice nearly a wail, "Lucrezia~! You promised
never to talk about that again!! You promised!"
Noin shrugged, "You were acting like a complete fool. I had to do
something."
The blond girl was silent.
Noin placed a comforting hand on Relena's shoulder.
"You... like him, don't you?"
Silence enveloped the room.
*****
Relative silence permeated the small passenger cabin, the only audible
sounds emanating from the vehicle's engine and the surroundings as it sped
through the deserted streets of the city of Los Angeles.
Handing over control of the car to the onboard navigation system, Duo
turned, focused his gaze on his silent companion. Heero was making a show of
staring out the window, one arm resting on the ledge of the door, while the
other sat motionless on his lap. Both his hands were bandaged in makeshift
fashion, the cloth used already stained red by the wounds Heero had received
in the process of preventing Duo from becoming a shish kebab.
Duo paused, continuing to look the boy over. Heero was taller than the
average Japanese, or so thought Duo, slimly built but not overly
proportioned as to make him seem chunky. Soft brown locks fringed a pair of
deep prussian blue eyes; both were not normal Asian colours, but what was
there that was normal about Heero Yuy, anyway? He was always aloof and
withdrawn, constantly surprising people with yet another amazing feat...
like that time at the marina when he'd still managed to launch those
missiles despite having been shot twice in the arm and in the leg...
Duo blinked.
*Something must've gone wrong with my memory circuits...*
Tentatively rubbing the large bump on his head, Duo winced.
"Are you okay?"
Duo glanced over at his companion, "Yeah, I'll be fine. Don't worry about
it... it takes more than one raving maniac to take -me- down." He grinned,
pointing a finger at Heero's hands, "How about you? You feeling better?"
The American youth watched as Heero glanced down at his hands. For a moment,
the Japanese youth said nothing, though Duo could detect his hands trembling
ever so slightly.
"Duo..."
The braided one waited.
"I... I have blood on my hands, Duo."
Duo Maxwell blinked. What was wrong with the guy? He scratched at his chin,
"Uh... yeah? You were injured, remember?"
Heero shook his head softly, bringing his gaze up to look at the braided
youth.
A rush of concern filled Duo. Heero's expression was one of anguish.
Heero's face was one that exuded an innocence that spoke volumes... to see
such anguish and sadness was heartwrenching.
The braided youth found his voice, "... what's wrong, Heero?"
"I killed today, Duo. I -murdered-. Somewhere... that man's family will
weep... because of my foolishness."
*****
"I've -never- heard anything more outrageous! How could you say such a
thing?!"
Lucrezia Noin grinned, taking another sip from her not-quite-coffee,
not-quite-whisky as she watched Relena sputter with righteous indignation.
"Say what you will, Lena. You're only making me even more certain."
Relena Darlian's face was a flushed red. She too took another sip from her
cup, before topping it up again from the metal canister. She swayed a little
in her seat.
"How ludicrous, Lucrezia! You must have too much free time on your hands, to
be concocting up such tales! Why... I have half a mind to tell Zechs to
throw a few more duties your way! I mean, what could possibly compel you
into thinking I like Heero, anyway? Even -I- don't know why I like him!"
Relena Darlian blinked a little as her words sunk in. Sighing, she emptied
her glass.
Lucrezia Noin allowed herself a small smirk.
*****
The memories stirred.
*Hilde...*
*C'mon Blake! Hurry up! We're gonna be late!*
The sound of laughter. The joy. That feeling of warmth. Love.
*Blake, honey, are you okay?*
*Don't wait up for me, okay? I'm gonna be late, and you'll be needing your
rest for tomorrow's -big- day.*
*Way to go, honey! You did good!*
A life long past.
*Welcome to your new life, kid. I think you'll be pleased with what we've
done.*
*Eliminate them all.*
*Destroy the target.*
*All systems functioning in normal parameters.*
*Number Two, go see the girl. You will act normally, and you will do so
until further notice. Number One, return to position.*
*Hilde...*
Within the maternal confines of Sister, Solo Maxwell slept.
*****
Zechs Merquise stood up, stretching a little and trying to keep from yawning
as he surveying the command room. All the systems were back online and
functioning normally. Apart from the lack of staff manning the various
stations, all was as normal. The five scientists had led Quatre out of the
room a while back, setting him up in private quarters to allow him to rest;
apparently deactivating an entire command center and pulverizing ten guards
was tiring work, even for an enhanced newtype.
A small noise behind him caught his attention, and he turned. Despite the
circumstances, he allowed himself a small smile.
"You've made it back. Finally."
Duo stood at the door, his black jumpsuit torn and bloodied, supported by
Heero, who didn't seem to be in any better condition. The Japanese youth
directed the braided teen to one of the chairs dotting the center, and
helped him get into it. Silently, he spared Zechs a quick glance, and left
the room abruptly, without a word.
Zechs raised a questioning eyebrow, directing it at Duo, who shook his head,
"Long story, and I'm too beat to tell it again. Find out from the log,
okay?" Pressing a few controls at the side of the chair, a small slot in the
console in front of the braided teen opened up, and he inserted his right
hand into the slot. The console beeped and whirred, made the necessary
connections to Duo's memory and began the download.
Meanwhile, the white-blond had activated a portable hand-scanner and was
running it across Duo's frame, "Good news, you're not that badly injured.
Most of your biologicals are intact and functioning, but some of your
cybernetics will definitely need some regeneration work - they bore the
brunt of the assault, whatever it was."
"That's what they're supposed to do, aren't they? The cybernetic
augmentations enhance and protect the weaker biological parts."
Zechs smirked, "Don't start lecturing me about your cybernetics, Duo. I
helped Professor Maxwell design parts of them."
"Don't tell me... they're the ones that broke down on me today, right?"
The older man shook his head in amusement, as the console in front of the
braided teen beeped, indicating the data transfer was complete, "Go see
Sister, Duo. She'll have you fixed in no time."
He paused, "Consider yourself lucky... Solo's gonna be in there for at least
another six hours... and he's already been there for five."
A flash of concern crossed Duo's face, "What happened to him?"
Zechs smirked back at him, "Long story, and I'm too beat to tell it again.
Find out from the log, okay?"
Duo grinned, "Bastard."
*****
Heero Yuy lay silently on the bed in the small quarters that had been
assigned to him within the compound. It was the same place he had woken up
at the first time he'd come to see the five scientists. The place where
everything had changed.
The makeshift bandages that had bound his hands lay strewn on the floor,
right next to the bloodied jumpsuit he had worn...
It kept on playing inside his head... over and over again. The shouting. The
panic. He lashed out.
A man died.
He looked down at his hands. They were clenched into fists.
*Why?*
*Why me?*
Not feeling like asking Zechs for his clothes back, he shook his head, got
up and opened the small wardrobe adjacent to the bed. A modest variety of
casual wear stared back at him, and he simply grabbed the first two he could
find - a pair of dark blue denim jeans and a dark green sleeveless vest.
Tugging the clothes on, he caught a glance of himself in the full-length
mirror next to the wardrobe. For a fleeting second, a tinge of familiarity
filled him, but being in such a somber mood didn't allow him to dwell to
much on it.
All he saw in the mirror was a killer.
*****
Relena Darlian muttered under her breath as she tried to balance the tray of
food she was carrying while walking down the corridor.
Having learnt that Duo and Heero had returned, Lucrezia had insisted she
bring some 'nourishment' to Heero, in exchange for her silence on Relena's
little secret. Lucrezia had a funny smile on her face when she said that,
but Relena's mind was too fuzzy to register it immediately. When it finally
did, Relena had blinked and turned to Lucrezia to try and clarify, but the
other girl had faceplanted herself on the countertop and was snoring away.
Relena had sighed, got up, and started preparing a tray of sandwiches and
some hot cocoa.
Now, she wobbled slightly as she tried to balance the tray. Her head was
throbbing.
*How long do those freakin' alcohol inhibitors take to work anyway?!*
After an eternity, she reached Heero's spartan quarters. She raised her
hand, poised to knock on the door.
*What the -hell- are you doing, Relena Darlian?*
She sighed. And knocked.
*****
The Japanese youth heard the light knock on his door, but he didn't respond
immediately.
It was only after the knocking got more insistent that he leapt out of the
bed, ready to tell whoever it was to go away.
He opened the door, and found himself staring at Relena, bearing a tray of
food.
He gawked, his concerns temporarily disappearing. Relena, the one who hated
his guts, stared daggers at him and snubbed him at every opportunity... was
bringing him food?
He froze, uncertain, "Uh..."
Relena didn't look too comfortable herself, "The higher-ups thought you
might need this... can I come in?"
Heero blinked, but managed to stammer out an affirmative answer.
*****
Relena set the tray of food down on the table as Heero shut the door behind
them. She turned around, and spotted him standing next to the doorway,
looking sheepish as he ran a hand through his hair.
It was odd seeing him do that. The clothes looked awfully familiar... they
even looked good on him, in a way. -He- looked good in them. He had the sort
of frame that complemented anything he wore, she found herself thinking.
She jumped slightly as she realised what it was she was thinking. Shaking
her head slightly, she looked away, trying not to notice the puzzled look
that creased the boy's face.
Bending down to gather the clothes on the floor, she began, "I don't suppose
you'll be needing these anytime soon... I'll drop them at laundry on the way
out. "
Walking towards the door, she paused, "You'd better eat that before it gets
cold." She looked at him.
He was back on his bed, sitting down and looking away. There was a sort of
faraway look in his eyes, one that spoke volumes about...
She dropped the clothes on the ground, and, against her better judgement,
walked over to him and, sitting down next to him, placed a hand on his
shoulder. His shoulder felt warm and firm to the touch, and she blinked in
surprise, uncertain of the emotions touching him evoked in her.
To her credit, Heero seemed equally startled. He jumped slightly when she
put her hand on him, and turned around to stare at her.
They remained like that, for a moment.
Relena broke the silence.
"What happened out there, Heero?"
With that one sentence, something inside the boy seemed to melt. Everything
started poring out - everything that had happened to him during the mission
with Duo, the meeting with Wufei, Duo's injuries... and the guard he killed.
By the time he was done, there were tears forming in his eyes.
Slowly, he put his head in his hands, "I don't know what to do anymore..."
There was an uncomfortable pause, one that was soon broken by the small
laugh that came from Heero. Looking up at the girl next to him, he shook his
head, "I'm sorry... I don't know what came over me. You're probably tired;
it's late and I'm keeping you from your sleep. I shouldn't have. Look, I
know you hate me and all that... I don't know why, but-"
He was cut short... by Relena leaning over. For a moment, they stared at
each other.
Lips met.
Heero's eyes bulged in shock, though not in the same way as it had with
Misako.
This was wrong... yet...
... it seemed so right.
*What on earth is going on?*
Relena was the first to break the kiss. She leaped off the bed, her face
deep red. From the heat surging up into his cheeks, he knew he didn't look
any different.
She stammered, "I... I have to go."
Without another word, she rushed out of the room, the door slamming behind
her.
*****
*C'mon Blake! Hurry up! We're gonna be late!*
The sound of laughter. The joy. That feeling of warmth. Love.
*Blake, honey, are you okay?*
*Don't wait up for me, okay? I'm gonna be late, and you'll be needing your
rest for tomorrow's -big- day.*
*Way to go, honey! You did good!*
A life long past.
*Welcome to your new life, kid. I think you'll be pleased with what we've
done.*
*Number Two, go see the girl. You will act normally, and you will do so
until further notice. Number One, return to position.*
*Hilde...*
His eyes snapped open.
*****
The door to the command center had barely slid open to let Duo out when an
insistent red light began flashing on the main control board, accompanied by
a continuous beeping. Noticing the sound, the braided teen paused in the
doorway as Zechs went to check.
His face was grim, "Something's wrong with Sister."
"What?!" Duo was instantly next to Zechs, his expression worried, "What's
wrong with her?"
"I don't know...", came the reply, as the white-blond brought up the visual
feed from the maintenance room where Sister was housed. He gasped.
Duo backed away, "No..."
The whole room looked as though a tornado had ripped right through it -
damaged equipment lay strewn all over the floor, along with papers and files
and repair tools. And Sister, the machine on which Duo and Solo relied on
for their continued survival...
Sister was trashed. Deep gashes ran along the pristine white shell. Dents
and creases and sections where the metal casing warped in dotted the
machine. All her operational lights were dead.
Duo sat down heavily in one of the chairs.
One of the internal communication channels activated, and the stern visage
of the duty security guard appeared on a small adjacent screen.
"Director, we have a possible intruder within the compound. I have reports
of at least five on-duty patrol guards dead, all killed in the same manner -
their necks were snapped clean. I have also been informed that a small
section of the ground level perimeter fence has been destroyed. Recommend
that we commence a full scale search for the intruders immediately."
Zechs glanced quickly at Duo before answering, "No need for that, chief. The
situation is under control. We're handling it from here."
"Understood. Out."
Duo shook his head as he turned to look at Zechs, "... why?"
"I don't know, Duo.... I don't know."
Zechs sighed. It was going to be a long night. He braced himself, and
prepared to inform the scientists about the latest development.
*****
The loud crashing sound resounded throughout the apartment. Hilde Schbecker
wasn't exactly a light sleeper, but the noise immediately roused her from
sleep. A rush of adrenalin cleared her sleep-induced haze. She glanced at
her watch. 4:46am.
Her ears picked up a noise... coming from her living room.
She tensed. This was supposed to be a safe district... there had been no
robberies in the entire time she'd been staying here. Activating the
emergency button on her wrist communicator that would alert the authorities,
she reached beneath her bed, pulling out a large baseball bat. She allowed
herself a small smile, reminding herself to thank Blake for giving it to
her.
If she got to see him again.
Hefting the bat, she took small tentative steps to her door, crossing out
into the hallway and creeping slowly towards the source of the noise.
Pausing behind the wall that would lead into the living room, she reached
in... and flicked the light switch.
Leaping out from behind the wall, she dashed into the room, brandishing the
bat.
She jerked to a halt.
Blake stood there, dressed in his usual garb. The only thing was, he looked
injured... and his hands were covered in blood.
She dropped the bat, rushing over to him, "Blake! What happened? Oh, God!
What happened to you?"
Oddly, despite his injuries, he was still standing poised and upright. He
had a small grin on his face.
"Hilde..."
The concern was evident on her face, "Tell me where you're hurt, Blake. I'll
see what I can do... no... I'd better call the hospital..."
"No."
She turned to him, "What?"
He shook his head, "I'm fine, Hilde..."
He reached out, drawing her into an embrace, hugging her.
"There's nothing wrong with me, Hilde. I was the first, Hilde. I'm better.
I... I just missed you so."
Held in his arms, a tinge of worry crept into the girl.
"Blake..."
*****
TO BE CONTINUED... hopefully soon, ne? ^_^ (I'm so evil.)
"Irane yo! Abunai ryu!" - Hanabishi Recca
Sandrock
Keeper of the Wing Chronicles
Guardian of the Heart of the Universe
Wanna glomp Chichiri? Van? Duo? Recca?
Proud Member of Glomp Fest 2000 NO DA!
Chapter 7 of the KINDRED SPIRITS saga
Written by Sandrock sandrock@gundamwing.mailbox.as
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
GW belongs to someone else. That's why KINDRED SPIRITS is a fanfic, and not
an OVA series.
Content Guideline - violence, mild suggestive material
April 19th After Century(AC) Year 195 - 0352hrs Los Angeles Outskirts
Lucrezia Noin found herself staring at a small white styrofoam cup which,
for all intents and purposes, appeared to be looking back at her as it sat
on the broad muted-grey counter-top. The wispy tendrils of steam from the
thick brown coffee,
heavily laden with cream and sugar, wafted up and dissipated into the air.
She sighed.
The organization's commissary was empty at this time of night, as it should
be. However, it suited her... for once. She wanted to be alone.
Idly fingering the cup, she inhaled the thick aroma of the brew, and tried
to focus her thoughts.
Memories of the corridor, and what had happened there were fresh in her
mind. She had been at the security center, trying to decipher why the entire
command center had apparently shut down even though the power generators and
connections were in perfect condition. Perhaps coincidentally, the
technicians who had escaped from the command center came stumbling in with
their tale, and she had immediately despatched the ten guards with her to
the location first. Taking a few minutes to seal all exits, call
reinforcements and warn the non-combatant personnel to remain out of sight
and in safety, she grabbed a weapon and, breaking into a sprint, tried
to catch up with the security force.
Those few extra minutes had saved her life.
Just as she rounded the bend that would lead to the corridor outside the
command center, it happened. She had grounded to a halt, a frown forming on
her brow as she noticed the security team motionless. Angrily, she was about
to raise her voice to reprimand them when, without warning, the entire
security force simply burst, ripped to shreds by some unseen force where
they stood barely a hundred meters in front of her, their flesh, blood and
clothing splattering across the
floor, ceiling and walls. She took a step back instinctively, in revulsion,
not having time to react as the backlash of whatever had killed those men
slammed into her, sending her flying into the wall twenty meters behind.
The combat training she had undergone in her younger days before her switch
to research duties kicked in, as she angled herself in such a manner as to
dampen the impact. Even then, the speed at which she hit the wall had been
forceful enough to knock the wind out of her, and she slid to the ground,
breathing heavily. A small subconscious portion of her mind screamed with
panic, had the angle been slightly off, she'd have hit her spine, probably
breaking it and killing herself in the process.
Noin stirred at the coffee idly, taking a tentative sip. She tried to ignore
the way her hands refused to stop quivering.
She must've blacked out after that, the impact or the stress having taken
its toll. When she came to, the situation seemed to be under
control, and a clean-up team had begun work on the corridor. Zechs had
called her on the comlink shortly after, and she had repeatedly had to
assure him that she was okay, offering to supervise the clean-up detail.
Even if she couldn't have saved those guards, she could at least do this.
The coffee continued swirling inside the cup.
She later discovered that the blond kid, the one called Quatre, had
been responsible. Even just thinking about it now made her shudder. It
was frightening, that someone could have the power to reach out across
thin air and do something like that. Sure, she had been there during Solo
and Duo's preliminary tests, before the Blake personality had been
imprinted. She had seen them do pretty much the same thing, literally
tearing the test subjects apart with their bare hands. She had seen them as
they decimated the Alliance force that had tried to infiltrate the
organization after Heero had arrived. But with Solo and Duo, it had been
something visible... something physical - something that could be seen. You
knew what was happening and why they could do it.
But... with this Quatre kid... all bets were off, especially if what Zechs
had told her was true.
The sound of pouring liquid broke her morbid train of thought. Blinking, she
looked up, staring at the small metallic canister and the dark amber liquid
emptying into her half-empty coffee cup. The heavy scent of scotch mingled
with the thick aroma of coffee. A familiar voice broke the silence.
"You looked like you could do with something stronger. You'll probably need
it if you want to get some rest."
Lucrezia stifled a snort, as she glanced up at her closest childhood
friend. She responded dryly, "Thanks... but I don't think I'll be sleeping
anytime soon... and the coffee has nothing to do with it."
Relena Darlian nodded sagely as she pulled up a chair to the counter-top,
seating herself next to Noin. Under normal circumstances, the ambience in
the commissary would've been considering relaxing, the soft amber lights and
the smooth curves of the walls complementing the numerous plants and
aquariums scattered around the room. Today however, after what had happened,
the aesthetic qualities of the room went largely ignored.
Relena took Noin's hand in hers, squeezing it to show moral support, "I
heard what happened... I saw the tapes in fact. Are you sure you're okay?"
Noin forced a small chuckle, "Nothing I can't handle, Lena. You know me
better than that."
Relena smiled, "I guess I do."
A mischevious wink gleamed in Noin's eye, "Just as I know you better than
that too. You didn't come down here just to indulge me in idle chatter.
There's got to be something else."
The dark blond girl sighed, "Guilty as charged... Duo's reported in."
Lucrezia perked up a little. Maybe something did go right tonight after all.
She turned to face Relena completely, waiting. When the blond girl didn't
continue, instead keeping her gaze down, Lucrezia raised an eyebrow.
"And...?"
"And it's not good, Lucrezia."
Reaching across the counter to grab a glass, Relena poured out a small
quantity of the amber-colored liquid in the canister. She paused, taking a
small sip.
"The target escaped. Duo was apparently injured in the process, and the two
of them are enroute back here. We can download the full details of the
operation from Duo's memory once they arrive."
Lucrezia Noin sighed. It had to be one of those days. Still facing Relena,
her coffee long abandoned, she continued, "Is that all he said? Duo's
normally a lot more... detailed than that."
Relena shrugged, "He doesn't usually come back from a mission with physical
injuries. Apparently, the target's physical and mental blocks were released.
Duo wasn't able to elaborate how... but he did say that... that kid...
Heero... was the one who pulled their fat out of the fire."
Lucrezia blinked, "...Heero saved them?"
Relena snorted, "Yeah... can you believe that? That fool kid actually got
something right."
Lucrezia allowed for a small smirk to cross her face, "Do I detect an
unspoken... something, Lena?"
"....what.. what on earth are you talking about, Lucrezia?"
Taking both of the blond girl's hands in hers, Lucrezia forced Relena to
look directly at her. The fact that Relena looked entirely perturbed made
Noin's smirk grow into a full-blown grin.
Relena tried a frown, "Lucrezia, why the heck are you grinning like a mad
fool? You look like Duo doing that."
"I think you know why I'm grinning."
Relena quirked an eyebrow, "I think you've had a drop too much."
"Lena... the last time you called someone a 'fool kid' was when you were
head over heels about P..."
Relena jumped slightly, her voice nearly a wail, "Lucrezia~! You promised
never to talk about that again!! You promised!"
Noin shrugged, "You were acting like a complete fool. I had to do
something."
The blond girl was silent.
Noin placed a comforting hand on Relena's shoulder.
"You... like him, don't you?"
Silence enveloped the room.
*****
Relative silence permeated the small passenger cabin, the only audible
sounds emanating from the vehicle's engine and the surroundings as it sped
through the deserted streets of the city of Los Angeles.
Handing over control of the car to the onboard navigation system, Duo
turned, focused his gaze on his silent companion. Heero was making a show of
staring out the window, one arm resting on the ledge of the door, while the
other sat motionless on his lap. Both his hands were bandaged in makeshift
fashion, the cloth used already stained red by the wounds Heero had received
in the process of preventing Duo from becoming a shish kebab.
Duo paused, continuing to look the boy over. Heero was taller than the
average Japanese, or so thought Duo, slimly built but not overly
proportioned as to make him seem chunky. Soft brown locks fringed a pair of
deep prussian blue eyes; both were not normal Asian colours, but what was
there that was normal about Heero Yuy, anyway? He was always aloof and
withdrawn, constantly surprising people with yet another amazing feat...
like that time at the marina when he'd still managed to launch those
missiles despite having been shot twice in the arm and in the leg...
Duo blinked.
*Something must've gone wrong with my memory circuits...*
Tentatively rubbing the large bump on his head, Duo winced.
"Are you okay?"
Duo glanced over at his companion, "Yeah, I'll be fine. Don't worry about
it... it takes more than one raving maniac to take -me- down." He grinned,
pointing a finger at Heero's hands, "How about you? You feeling better?"
The American youth watched as Heero glanced down at his hands. For a moment,
the Japanese youth said nothing, though Duo could detect his hands trembling
ever so slightly.
"Duo..."
The braided one waited.
"I... I have blood on my hands, Duo."
Duo Maxwell blinked. What was wrong with the guy? He scratched at his chin,
"Uh... yeah? You were injured, remember?"
Heero shook his head softly, bringing his gaze up to look at the braided
youth.
A rush of concern filled Duo. Heero's expression was one of anguish.
Heero's face was one that exuded an innocence that spoke volumes... to see
such anguish and sadness was heartwrenching.
The braided youth found his voice, "... what's wrong, Heero?"
"I killed today, Duo. I -murdered-. Somewhere... that man's family will
weep... because of my foolishness."
*****
"I've -never- heard anything more outrageous! How could you say such a
thing?!"
Lucrezia Noin grinned, taking another sip from her not-quite-coffee,
not-quite-whisky as she watched Relena sputter with righteous indignation.
"Say what you will, Lena. You're only making me even more certain."
Relena Darlian's face was a flushed red. She too took another sip from her
cup, before topping it up again from the metal canister. She swayed a little
in her seat.
"How ludicrous, Lucrezia! You must have too much free time on your hands, to
be concocting up such tales! Why... I have half a mind to tell Zechs to
throw a few more duties your way! I mean, what could possibly compel you
into thinking I like Heero, anyway? Even -I- don't know why I like him!"
Relena Darlian blinked a little as her words sunk in. Sighing, she emptied
her glass.
Lucrezia Noin allowed herself a small smirk.
*****
The memories stirred.
*Hilde...*
*C'mon Blake! Hurry up! We're gonna be late!*
The sound of laughter. The joy. That feeling of warmth. Love.
*Blake, honey, are you okay?*
*Don't wait up for me, okay? I'm gonna be late, and you'll be needing your
rest for tomorrow's -big- day.*
*Way to go, honey! You did good!*
A life long past.
*Welcome to your new life, kid. I think you'll be pleased with what we've
done.*
*Eliminate them all.*
*Destroy the target.*
*All systems functioning in normal parameters.*
*Number Two, go see the girl. You will act normally, and you will do so
until further notice. Number One, return to position.*
*Hilde...*
Within the maternal confines of Sister, Solo Maxwell slept.
*****
Zechs Merquise stood up, stretching a little and trying to keep from yawning
as he surveying the command room. All the systems were back online and
functioning normally. Apart from the lack of staff manning the various
stations, all was as normal. The five scientists had led Quatre out of the
room a while back, setting him up in private quarters to allow him to rest;
apparently deactivating an entire command center and pulverizing ten guards
was tiring work, even for an enhanced newtype.
A small noise behind him caught his attention, and he turned. Despite the
circumstances, he allowed himself a small smile.
"You've made it back. Finally."
Duo stood at the door, his black jumpsuit torn and bloodied, supported by
Heero, who didn't seem to be in any better condition. The Japanese youth
directed the braided teen to one of the chairs dotting the center, and
helped him get into it. Silently, he spared Zechs a quick glance, and left
the room abruptly, without a word.
Zechs raised a questioning eyebrow, directing it at Duo, who shook his head,
"Long story, and I'm too beat to tell it again. Find out from the log,
okay?" Pressing a few controls at the side of the chair, a small slot in the
console in front of the braided teen opened up, and he inserted his right
hand into the slot. The console beeped and whirred, made the necessary
connections to Duo's memory and began the download.
Meanwhile, the white-blond had activated a portable hand-scanner and was
running it across Duo's frame, "Good news, you're not that badly injured.
Most of your biologicals are intact and functioning, but some of your
cybernetics will definitely need some regeneration work - they bore the
brunt of the assault, whatever it was."
"That's what they're supposed to do, aren't they? The cybernetic
augmentations enhance and protect the weaker biological parts."
Zechs smirked, "Don't start lecturing me about your cybernetics, Duo. I
helped Professor Maxwell design parts of them."
"Don't tell me... they're the ones that broke down on me today, right?"
The older man shook his head in amusement, as the console in front of the
braided teen beeped, indicating the data transfer was complete, "Go see
Sister, Duo. She'll have you fixed in no time."
He paused, "Consider yourself lucky... Solo's gonna be in there for at least
another six hours... and he's already been there for five."
A flash of concern crossed Duo's face, "What happened to him?"
Zechs smirked back at him, "Long story, and I'm too beat to tell it again.
Find out from the log, okay?"
Duo grinned, "Bastard."
*****
Heero Yuy lay silently on the bed in the small quarters that had been
assigned to him within the compound. It was the same place he had woken up
at the first time he'd come to see the five scientists. The place where
everything had changed.
The makeshift bandages that had bound his hands lay strewn on the floor,
right next to the bloodied jumpsuit he had worn...
It kept on playing inside his head... over and over again. The shouting. The
panic. He lashed out.
A man died.
He looked down at his hands. They were clenched into fists.
*Why?*
*Why me?*
Not feeling like asking Zechs for his clothes back, he shook his head, got
up and opened the small wardrobe adjacent to the bed. A modest variety of
casual wear stared back at him, and he simply grabbed the first two he could
find - a pair of dark blue denim jeans and a dark green sleeveless vest.
Tugging the clothes on, he caught a glance of himself in the full-length
mirror next to the wardrobe. For a fleeting second, a tinge of familiarity
filled him, but being in such a somber mood didn't allow him to dwell to
much on it.
All he saw in the mirror was a killer.
*****
Relena Darlian muttered under her breath as she tried to balance the tray of
food she was carrying while walking down the corridor.
Having learnt that Duo and Heero had returned, Lucrezia had insisted she
bring some 'nourishment' to Heero, in exchange for her silence on Relena's
little secret. Lucrezia had a funny smile on her face when she said that,
but Relena's mind was too fuzzy to register it immediately. When it finally
did, Relena had blinked and turned to Lucrezia to try and clarify, but the
other girl had faceplanted herself on the countertop and was snoring away.
Relena had sighed, got up, and started preparing a tray of sandwiches and
some hot cocoa.
Now, she wobbled slightly as she tried to balance the tray. Her head was
throbbing.
*How long do those freakin' alcohol inhibitors take to work anyway?!*
After an eternity, she reached Heero's spartan quarters. She raised her
hand, poised to knock on the door.
*What the -hell- are you doing, Relena Darlian?*
She sighed. And knocked.
*****
The Japanese youth heard the light knock on his door, but he didn't respond
immediately.
It was only after the knocking got more insistent that he leapt out of the
bed, ready to tell whoever it was to go away.
He opened the door, and found himself staring at Relena, bearing a tray of
food.
He gawked, his concerns temporarily disappearing. Relena, the one who hated
his guts, stared daggers at him and snubbed him at every opportunity... was
bringing him food?
He froze, uncertain, "Uh..."
Relena didn't look too comfortable herself, "The higher-ups thought you
might need this... can I come in?"
Heero blinked, but managed to stammer out an affirmative answer.
*****
Relena set the tray of food down on the table as Heero shut the door behind
them. She turned around, and spotted him standing next to the doorway,
looking sheepish as he ran a hand through his hair.
It was odd seeing him do that. The clothes looked awfully familiar... they
even looked good on him, in a way. -He- looked good in them. He had the sort
of frame that complemented anything he wore, she found herself thinking.
She jumped slightly as she realised what it was she was thinking. Shaking
her head slightly, she looked away, trying not to notice the puzzled look
that creased the boy's face.
Bending down to gather the clothes on the floor, she began, "I don't suppose
you'll be needing these anytime soon... I'll drop them at laundry on the way
out. "
Walking towards the door, she paused, "You'd better eat that before it gets
cold." She looked at him.
He was back on his bed, sitting down and looking away. There was a sort of
faraway look in his eyes, one that spoke volumes about...
She dropped the clothes on the ground, and, against her better judgement,
walked over to him and, sitting down next to him, placed a hand on his
shoulder. His shoulder felt warm and firm to the touch, and she blinked in
surprise, uncertain of the emotions touching him evoked in her.
To her credit, Heero seemed equally startled. He jumped slightly when she
put her hand on him, and turned around to stare at her.
They remained like that, for a moment.
Relena broke the silence.
"What happened out there, Heero?"
With that one sentence, something inside the boy seemed to melt. Everything
started poring out - everything that had happened to him during the mission
with Duo, the meeting with Wufei, Duo's injuries... and the guard he killed.
By the time he was done, there were tears forming in his eyes.
Slowly, he put his head in his hands, "I don't know what to do anymore..."
There was an uncomfortable pause, one that was soon broken by the small
laugh that came from Heero. Looking up at the girl next to him, he shook his
head, "I'm sorry... I don't know what came over me. You're probably tired;
it's late and I'm keeping you from your sleep. I shouldn't have. Look, I
know you hate me and all that... I don't know why, but-"
He was cut short... by Relena leaning over. For a moment, they stared at
each other.
Lips met.
Heero's eyes bulged in shock, though not in the same way as it had with
Misako.
This was wrong... yet...
... it seemed so right.
*What on earth is going on?*
Relena was the first to break the kiss. She leaped off the bed, her face
deep red. From the heat surging up into his cheeks, he knew he didn't look
any different.
She stammered, "I... I have to go."
Without another word, she rushed out of the room, the door slamming behind
her.
*****
*C'mon Blake! Hurry up! We're gonna be late!*
The sound of laughter. The joy. That feeling of warmth. Love.
*Blake, honey, are you okay?*
*Don't wait up for me, okay? I'm gonna be late, and you'll be needing your
rest for tomorrow's -big- day.*
*Way to go, honey! You did good!*
A life long past.
*Welcome to your new life, kid. I think you'll be pleased with what we've
done.*
*Number Two, go see the girl. You will act normally, and you will do so
until further notice. Number One, return to position.*
*Hilde...*
His eyes snapped open.
*****
The door to the command center had barely slid open to let Duo out when an
insistent red light began flashing on the main control board, accompanied by
a continuous beeping. Noticing the sound, the braided teen paused in the
doorway as Zechs went to check.
His face was grim, "Something's wrong with Sister."
"What?!" Duo was instantly next to Zechs, his expression worried, "What's
wrong with her?"
"I don't know...", came the reply, as the white-blond brought up the visual
feed from the maintenance room where Sister was housed. He gasped.
Duo backed away, "No..."
The whole room looked as though a tornado had ripped right through it -
damaged equipment lay strewn all over the floor, along with papers and files
and repair tools. And Sister, the machine on which Duo and Solo relied on
for their continued survival...
Sister was trashed. Deep gashes ran along the pristine white shell. Dents
and creases and sections where the metal casing warped in dotted the
machine. All her operational lights were dead.
Duo sat down heavily in one of the chairs.
One of the internal communication channels activated, and the stern visage
of the duty security guard appeared on a small adjacent screen.
"Director, we have a possible intruder within the compound. I have reports
of at least five on-duty patrol guards dead, all killed in the same manner -
their necks were snapped clean. I have also been informed that a small
section of the ground level perimeter fence has been destroyed. Recommend
that we commence a full scale search for the intruders immediately."
Zechs glanced quickly at Duo before answering, "No need for that, chief. The
situation is under control. We're handling it from here."
"Understood. Out."
Duo shook his head as he turned to look at Zechs, "... why?"
"I don't know, Duo.... I don't know."
Zechs sighed. It was going to be a long night. He braced himself, and
prepared to inform the scientists about the latest development.
*****
The loud crashing sound resounded throughout the apartment. Hilde Schbecker
wasn't exactly a light sleeper, but the noise immediately roused her from
sleep. A rush of adrenalin cleared her sleep-induced haze. She glanced at
her watch. 4:46am.
Her ears picked up a noise... coming from her living room.
She tensed. This was supposed to be a safe district... there had been no
robberies in the entire time she'd been staying here. Activating the
emergency button on her wrist communicator that would alert the authorities,
she reached beneath her bed, pulling out a large baseball bat. She allowed
herself a small smile, reminding herself to thank Blake for giving it to
her.
If she got to see him again.
Hefting the bat, she took small tentative steps to her door, crossing out
into the hallway and creeping slowly towards the source of the noise.
Pausing behind the wall that would lead into the living room, she reached
in... and flicked the light switch.
Leaping out from behind the wall, she dashed into the room, brandishing the
bat.
She jerked to a halt.
Blake stood there, dressed in his usual garb. The only thing was, he looked
injured... and his hands were covered in blood.
She dropped the bat, rushing over to him, "Blake! What happened? Oh, God!
What happened to you?"
Oddly, despite his injuries, he was still standing poised and upright. He
had a small grin on his face.
"Hilde..."
The concern was evident on her face, "Tell me where you're hurt, Blake. I'll
see what I can do... no... I'd better call the hospital..."
"No."
She turned to him, "What?"
He shook his head, "I'm fine, Hilde..."
He reached out, drawing her into an embrace, hugging her.
"There's nothing wrong with me, Hilde. I was the first, Hilde. I'm better.
I... I just missed you so."
Held in his arms, a tinge of worry crept into the girl.
"Blake..."
*****
TO BE CONTINUED... hopefully soon, ne? ^_^ (I'm so evil.)
"Irane yo! Abunai ryu!" - Hanabishi Recca
Sandrock
Keeper of the Wing Chronicles
Guardian of the Heart of the Universe
Wanna glomp Chichiri? Van? Duo? Recca?
Proud Member of Glomp Fest 2000 NO DA!