Revolution, War and Peace

Revolution, War and Peace

Chapter 6: The enemy within

"You'll be pleased General, the next attack has been planned and we will get her very soon." Colonel Karov was proud of himself; he had come up with a flawless plan that would work perfectly. His shoulders were straight and he didn't dare move until the General, who was miles away from him, told him he could be at ease. His short black hair was still perfectly combed and his uniform almost shining. The General looked at his second in command and sighed. Colonel Karov was a brave man and he had respect for him but he still didn't really understand why he wanted the Peacecraft alive. In fact, Karov would have killed her long ago if he hadn't specifically ordered him he wanted her alive. The brown eyes of the colonel were fixed on him.

Looking back at Karov, the young General started talking again. "And what is that exactly you plan, Colonel?" Karov smiled discreetly, yes, he would get the girl once and for all.

"The man that will drive her to her next conference in 3 days is one of our men. He'll use sleeping gas. Even that Heero Yuy can't do anything about that. It will be easy to take the car away and…"

"And you really think that's going to be that easy?!" General Barton signed again. God, was he the only one that was intelligent in the organization? He looked at his Colonel, his deep blue eyes full of anger. " Get real Colonel, this isn't going to work! You'll-- "

"General, please, listen to me!" General Barton stopped.

"The man is her old driver. We drugged him, he is now complete under our control." The General seemed surprise. Karov was proud the impression he had just made. "We know that we cannot change her driver just like that. We kidnapped him after the attack the other day. They were so worried about their little lady that they didn't care about the driver. We took the limo back to the Preventer's headquarter so that they wouldn't have any doubt he was missing." Barton seemed again surprised; maybe his second in command wasn't a dummy after all. Even he hadn't noticed that the old driver was missing.

"Well, Colonel, I must say that I am impressed. That's a great plan, we'll get her now. " Karov smiled proudly, yes, this was a great day. "And what about our army?"

"9 500 mobiles suits are completed. The specials are at 50%."

"Only 50%! What are your engineers doing?"

"Their best, General." General Barton was a bit shocked by his Colonel's respond. He usually tried to make big excuses for them and today, he didn't. He wasn't in the mood to yell at him so he decided to drop the subject.

"I hope they are Colonel. I'll be with you in 2 weeks. Over now."

Karov saluted his General as the screen went black. Well, General, you've changed a bit…

General Barton looked at the screen that he had just shut off and passed a nervous hand through his hair. He had taken on the biggest task of his life; he would lead the new group of rebels and would take control of the Earth. After that, take on the defenseless colonies would be a piece of cake. But he was young and he needed to be strong. He would fulfill his father's dream.

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She was walking down the streets, her long blond hair floating in the wind. It was a beautiful and sunny day and she was glad to be on Earth to enjoy it. Her day of work in the factory was over and she had gotten a lot of the information she needed. Only a few days left and it would all be over, at least, she hoped. She only had her lunch break, while everyone was away, to hack the computers and find what she needed. The company was over confidant and they didn't care if people were circling around during lunchtime. She had to admit that she was a bit surprised. Maybe the company was clear after all, otherwise, they would have been more cautious. Midii put her hands in her pocket. She was finally going to sleep, she was really tired.

The streets were calm, as usual, most people still working. Her own morning shift was over and she'd just finished her hacking job before she'd left. Although she normally worked all day, another employee had been sick and she'd been asked to take the shift.

Two young men passed beside her as she walked. They eyed her with a complete lack of discretion and she could see their appreciation. It would have been a compliment to any girl's ego, but Midii didn't care. Her mind was focused on her job, and anyways, she didn't have time for a boyfriend. Besides which she could only imagine herself with one guy. One she preferred not to see again. She tied her gray sports shirt around her waist. It had been chilly this morning but now her red top was enough.

She walked on, her eyes half closed as she passed in from of the Preventer's headquarters. He would be in there, she thought. That guy. The one she both loved and feared. She had always loved him but he had left her there to die and she couldn't forgive him. The person I love the most is the person I hate the most... How funny.. No, it wasn't funny. She'd never be able to find a normal love because of it. Damn Trowa! Why can't I get him out of my head? That was all she asked for but it seemed to be too much.

She raised her head to look at the sun once again. It's brightness hurt and she had to close her eyes. When she opened them again, a silhouette caught her attention. It was a young man, tall and well built, golden blonde hair shining in the light. She knew that guy. What the hell was he doing in a Preventer's suit? He wasn't a Preventer! He looked in a hurry and had a small suitcase tucked under one arm. Something was definitely not right, she could feel it. She followed, deciding to tell her superiors about it. She had never seen him there before so what was he doing? Turning back to follow the guy, Midii tried to look as normal as possible. Her experience made it natural for her. One hand still in her pocket, she followed the man who had entered the alley of the Preventer's Headquarters. He looked familiar with the place, even saluting a couple that was dining outside.

He opened the doors and Midii waited a couple of seconds before going in after him. She knew the cameras could see her, but her contacts would erase any traces of her being there. After a little while, she entered herself. The man was gone, but she knew he was in the building. That was enough, but she had to tell someone here that they had a dangerous person in their midst.

"Miss. Can I help you?"

Midii turned to face the security guard. He was middle aged, but looked like someone with experience. It wouldn't be easy to leave without a good explanation. He looked at her with his gray eyes. "No, thank you… I mean… yes! I would like to see someone."

The man smiled gently at her. "Well, who is it, little lady?"

Midii hesitated before answering. Did she really want to see him? Unsure as she was, his life was in danger. She had no choice. "Yes, I would like to see Trowa Barton."

The old man smiled faded away. "I'm sorry, little lady, but M. Barton is attending a conference right now. I can tell him you –"

Midii face hardened, she wasn't going to leave until she had seen Trowa. Her mind was set and she wouldn't leave until her mission was accomplished. "Listen to me. I don't care if he's occupied. I need to see him right now!"

The old man's face changed. He wasn't going to be pushed around by some little girl.

I guess I'll have to "fight" to get to Trowa.

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"Relena, where's Gabriel?"

"I don't know Duo, he should be here shortly. He told me he would be on time." Relena was surprised. Gabriel wasn't the type to be late. Usually he was one of the first one's in the room. Looking around the room, she noticed that they were starting to get impatient. Gabriel was more than a half hour late and everyone wand this important meeting over with. All were seated in chairs wearing their Preventer suits except Relena who wore a summer dress.

Quatre had asked, very shyly, if she would do him the honor of accompanying him on a walk to the beach. He'd said he had something to talk to her about. Relena had accepted his invitation but Heero was clearly not happy about it; she could see that in the way he was looking at her. She had tried her best to tell him without actually saying it aloud that he had nothing to worry about, but Heero didn't seem to get the message. Now she was stuck between the desires to please both Quatre and Heero. You can trust me, Heero. That was all she wanted him to know.


Heero had taken a place near Relena, something that hadn't gone unnoticed by most of the others in the room, especially Quatre and Duo. He looked constantly from Relena to Quatre, who sat in front of him. It was saddening that one of his best friends was after the woman he loved.

Yes, he was in love with Relena and always had been, he admitted to himself. He couldn't imagine himself without her anymore and to her go with the only man capable of stealing her heart was making him nervous. After all he'd put her through, he was unsure of her. Although she'd kissed him passionately the other night, he didn't' know if she really still loved him. He was warm inside as he thought about how close they'd been. He could remember her body, her lips, her essence. She was perfect; perfect for him, and he knew it now. He'd been surprised by his own actions the other night, but he'd always said that the only good way to live your life was to act on your emotions and that was what he had done. He didn't regret it.

But today she was going with Quatra. What did that really mean? Was she playing with him? He couldn't say he didn't deserve it, but it wasn't really her style. And that guy, Gabriel, who the heck did he think he was? Heero didn't like him, but maybe it was just jealousy. I've never been jealous before. Is that the kind of man you want, Relena? Someone who can actually stand another guy looking at or touching you?

"Well," Started Lady Une. "It looks like Gabriel won't come today so we'll have to sta—"

As Lady Une was about to finish her phrase, Gabriel walked into the room. He rapidly took a seat beside Relena and started to apologize. "I am really sorry, I had a little car accident, it took even longer than I though, please forgive me."

"Are you all right, Gabriel? What happened?" There was definitely some fear in Relena's voice. She did care for her friend even though he had been rough the other night. "Don't worry Ray, I'm all right. I'll explain everything later."

"Now that everyone is present and accounted for, let's begin. Trowa, would you please tell us the new information you've got." Lady Une invited Trowa to take the place at the end of the table. Trowa slowly rose from between Duo and Quatre. He was calm, as usual.

"The information I've gathered is important and not very good. I've been working inside a mobile suit company. As everyone knows, battle mobile suits are now forbidden and this company isn't building them. I have found, however, that they are providing the enemy with material."

"What are they giving, and to who?"

"I was just about to get to that, Duo." Trowa looked at Duo. Since Hilde's death, he'd slept poorly and his only goal was payback. To make them pay for what they'd done to his love. He looked nervous and stressed.

"As I was going to say, the company isn't officially giving away the materials."

"Really." There was a lot of sarcasm in Duo's comment and clearly, Trowa wasn't happy about it. " Sorry man, I'll shut up now."

"Thank you Duo. The materiel isn't registered and that's what makes it difficult to find. The shipments are big containers that, when are used fully, can contain 5 tons of the special alloy mobile suits are made of. But the containers aren't used at their full capacity, according to records. The records say that only 4.9 tons of the alloy are placed in the containers because the 0.1 would only damage them. The thing is, when the shipments arrive at the factory, they are 100% full, but when they leave, they are 98% full."

"Where's the 2% going?" Asked the Chinese pilot.

"That's the problem, there's no record, remember. All those transaction are made only by vocal contacts."

"How did you find this error if nothing is written on the computers?" Sally wondered.

"One shipment had a mistake. The original, the one coming for the satellite, was only 98% full, the "enemies" that are taking the 2% away weren't careful enough and they took another 2% from this shipment. The factory sent the shipment but they were called back because some materiel was missing. That's what caught my attention. Those shipments aren't supposed to be touched in the factory. I still don't know how they managed to take the 2% away, they are really tricky and well prepared. Guys, we're going after something big." Trowa stopped talking. He looked really serious.

"How many shipments were trafficked?" Quatre looked nervous.

"More than 40 thousands. Don't forget that they aren't the only company who's doing this. I suspect at least 2 more."

"40 thousands! How many mobile suits can they make with that?" Quatre was starting wonder how could they make that many shipments without getting caught.

"At least 400 mobiles." Answered Heero.

"Wow, you did that in your head? You're the man Heero boy."

"Thanks Duo."

"The questions are: How can they make that many shipments and how did they manage not to get caught?" Relena had taken back her role as Vice Foreign Minister. Heero looked at her, when the Peace that they had all worked for was in danger, she had an intensity in her eyes that made the perfect pilot become a simple human being.

"Remember, they are one of the most powerful company on Earth and they do have a lot satellites. And it looks like this was prepared even before the Mariemeia event. I think that---"

Trowa was cut of by an old woman at the door. "I'm sorry to interrupt this meeting but M. Barton, someone is at the door and let's say the she really needs to talk to you." Trowa looked at the old woman surprised.

"She wants to talk to me?"

The old woman made a desperate look. "Please sir, come downstairs." Trowa accepted to follow her.

"Ououou! Trowa! You didn't tell us you had a girlfriend."

"Shut up Maxwell."

"It's because I didn't know myself, Duo." Trowa left the room.

"Hey Wufei, why do you always have to be so mean?"

"Because this isn't of your god damn business. Can't you learn to leave someone alone for once?"

"Hey! I was only teasing! Relax Wu-man, you're too tense," Duo sighed. "Sally, I still don't see how you put up with him."

Quatre grabbed Wufei's arm. "What did I tell you Wufei. Drop it."

Wufei pulled his arm from Quatre. "I know. But what did I tell you about that?"

While the 3 gundams pilots were fighting over Duo's sake. Relena had noticed how tense Gabriel got after Trowa's departure. He had pulled his little suitcase closer to him, and he didn't talk to her. Even Heero started to watch him, wondering what was going on in that head. He didn't trust the guy and left him alone only because he was Relena's friend.

"Gabriel, is everything ok?"

Gabriel turned his head to look at Relena. He tried to smile but didn't succeed. "Don't worry Ray, I'm fine."

Like Hell you are. I'm gonna find out what is wrong with you and you're never getting close to her again.

Relena had smiled gently back, not knowing what was wrong with her friend. He had changed a lot since the other night, when Heero had kissed her. Maybe he did have feelings for her, but no, that wasn't it. She wasn't the cause of his tension, something a lot bigger was, something more important.

As she was going to ask him what was on his mind, Trowa entered the room again. He looked really serious and even Duo shut up. Man, why does he always have to bring the bad news?

Trowa looked at Relena, something was wrong, she could tell by the way he was looking at her.

"Trowa, what is it?"

"Come with me Relena."

"Why?"

"Just come."

As she was going to stand, Gabriel grabbed her arm. "You are staying here." This wasn't a request, it sounded more like an order.

"Sorry Gabriel but we really need to talk to Miss Relena outside." Gabriel calmly looked at Relena then turned his head to face Trowa.

"She's staying here." He stood up, pulling Relena closer to him. Before the others could do anything, Relena had a gun pointed on her head. "She will stay with me… Na! Don't even think about it Mister Yuy. One move and she's dead!" He looked at Heero, madness in his eyes. "Drop the gun. Now!"

Heero drop the gun that had automatically appeared in his hand when Gabriel had pulled his.

"Let her go Dulipovici," said Heero between his teeth.

"Or you'll what? Kill me! Ha!! I got the girl now."


He headed for the door, pulling Relena with him. Nobody but Heero had dared to move while Gabriel had his gun on Relena.

Quatre stared at Gabriel, the man was dead if he dared to hurt her. He was frozen, too afraid that the bastard, the one she thought of as friend, the one who betrayed her, would harm her. Relena, who loved with all her heart, not looking at the baggage a person carried. Once again she was going to pay for that heart, but that heart was why he loved her.

Duo had started to move again. "Let her go you coward!"

"Like the little pilot of the dead Deathscythe is going to scare me now. Listen to this buddy, if you were the invincible one, you would be the one pointing the gun right now."

"I'll kill you!"

"Yeah, yeah."


Still heading for the door, Relena finally acted. She'd been too surprised to do so before. Her dear friend had betrayed her. But more importantly, he was trying to take her away, away from Heero.

"Gabriel, please, let me go." She tried to break the hold he had on her wrist but he was too strong. "Please!" They had passed before Trowa who was now accompanied by Midii.

"Well, Miss Midii. You should really work on your discretion. Remember that the images from the cameras of the entrance are shown everywhere. I knew you were here. That's sad isn't it? Well, not for me of course." There was so much arrogance in his voice that Trowa had to keep her from doing anything foolish.

"You would endanger Miss Relena."

The last thing the Preventers heard from them was Relena's scream. "Heero! You promised me! Heeroooo!"

Heero would have run after if it wasn't for Trowa and Duo who had stopped him. He was wrestling like a wild beast that was fighting for his life. "Let me go!! I'll kill you! Get off me!"

But Trowa and Duo wouldn't stand. They were just keeping him, face on the floor. "Heero buddy, there's nothing you can do right now! If you go after them, he'll kill her!"

It took a lot longer than that to control Heero. Quatre started to wonder if he hadn't turned crazy. He saw the pain in his friend's eyes, the way he wanted to save her. He loves her. More than I would or could.

After a while, Heero stopped moving. Trowa and Duo waited a few minutes before letting him go, afraid that it was only one of his tactics to get free. But Sally had informed them that Relena and Gabriel had left so he couldn't run after them anymore.

Getting up on his feet, he took his gun and put in back in jeans, on his back.

They were all silent for a brief moment. No one knew what to say. They had all been tricked, betrayed by someone they had though was a friend. He had acted perfectly right up till the end. And although he didn't appear to have planned the last part, he could certainly say he'd been successful.

Lady Une was the first one to speak. "How am I going to explain this to Zechs and Noin?" She fell on the closest chair, her legs unable to support her anymore.

"You're not the only one that was fooled. We all were. That bastard is going to pay!" Duo slammed his fist on the table. "Bastard!"

"How are we going to save Relena?" Quatre looked at all of them, worry written all over his face. "Do you all even realize what this means? Now they're free! They can do whatever they want. They have the Queen of the World."

"Injustice."

"Yeah, Thanks Wufei, that's sooo helpful."

"Shut up!"

"Shut up you too!"

"That's enough! How old are you two anyways?!" Quatre had had enough of the stupid little fights. "It's not time to fight each other, it's time to act and save Relena!"

"I know where she's heading."

They all turned to face Heero.

"What? What are you saying Heero?"

"I'm saying, Duo, that I never trusted that coward and that I placed a tracker on her. I can find her wherever she is on Earth."

"Great! Heero, you're a genius." Sally was sincere but Heero didn't seem to care. He had a mission: save his love.

"Heero," asked Lady Une "Why did you try to stop them if you knew where they were heading."

"Because, I promised her I would always protect her and I failed." He answered emotionless.

Silence was once again the ruler of the room. All of them were lost in their thoughts, wandering what would happen next…