Disclaimer: *Holds empty hands out* Nope, I don't have the copyrights for any of this, so guess that means I don't own them. *Sigh*
Chapter 13
"How much longer are you going to lie there?"
The soft monotone voice rang in his ears, jarring him from his thoughts. Frustration grew inside him. Frustration toward everyone; his friends, her and most importantly, himself. Most of his anger was directed at himself. He had become weak and it was all her fault. He had always pictured her becoming his friend, his lover. Never would he have dreamed that she would have become his enemy.
Heero's hands clenched into white knuckled fists as they lay on the starched bed sheets beside him.
"How long are you going to stand there and stare at me?"
Trowa snickered at the deadly tone of voice the occupant of the hospital bed had tossed in his direction. Pushing off the doorframe, Trowa made his way further into the room. Once he was close enough, he tossed a manila folder onto Heero's out stretched legs. "To answer your question, I plan on standing here for as long as it takes you to read over the material in the folder. Then you can answer my question."
Heero opened his eyes and found intense green eyes staring down into his face. Sitting up, he grabbed the file marked 'CONFIDENTIAL PREVENTERS FILE: DANTE PETROV.' As he flipped open the front cover and began to scan the documents, Trowa gave him a run down of the file.
"Dr. Dante F. Petrov, 43. Graduate of numerous universities within the L1 cluster. He has Masters and PHD degrees in Bioengineering, Chemistry, Manufacturing Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics...the list goes on. Says he received his first degree, manufacturing engineering, at the age of 16 under a Barton Foundation scholarship. After graduation, Petrov started working for the Barton Foundation on the designs for the MS. He continued his education, gathering the rest of the degrees, that way he was able to advance the designs for the MS. He met his wife, Carla, while working for the Foundation. Together they had a daughter, Alexandra. Both his wife and daughter were killed during an attack on the MS factory on L1."
Trowa watched Heero when he mentioned the attack, but Heero continued to flip through the pages in the file. Clearing his throat, Trowa sat down in the bed side chair and continued.
"After the plant was destroyed, Petrov disappeared from the public eye. It's rumored that he went underground, contracting his services to whichever side was winning or paying more." Trowa paused, catching Heero's attention. "He's worked for everyone; Oz, The White Fang, The Barton and Romefeller Foundations. Petrov may have had a hand in helping to design the Taurus, Space Leo's, Epyon, the Serpents and the Zero System."
The only outward display of emotions was the quick widening and narrowing of his deep Prussian blue eyes. The idea of Petrov involved with the Zero System didn't sit well with Heero. But it explained too much, like how all of a sudden Relena viewed him, the rest of the pilots and the ESUN in general as enemies. It was because she had been 'taught' they were the enemy, that's why Petrov had been able to control her so easily.
He turned back to the file and found a picture amongst the papers. The edges were slightly worn and some of the color had faded but her small bright green eyes stared back at him. Petrov stood beside his wife, his arm wrapped around her waist. And standing in front of them was Alex. Her green eyes sparkled with laughter while her long brown hair had been pulled back into pigtails. A brown shaggy puppy sat by her feet. Heero's fingers tightened around the photo.
"Have you found him yet?"
"His trail was easy enough to follow. He's hiding out on one of the remnants of MO III. We can leave as soon as you're ready."
Heero closed the file and laid it next to him on the bed. Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, he winced when he pushed himself into a standing position. Trowa knew better then to offer his friend a shoulder to lean on. Instead, he picked up the bag holding Heero's clothes and placed it in the bathroom. Heero nodded to Trowa as he passed him and entered the bathroom. About 15 minutes later, Heero emerged from the bathroom, slightly grimacing as he pulled on his black jacket.
"He didn't make it, did he?"
The question caught Trowa off guard. It only took him a couple of seconds to follow the flow of the conversation. "No. He was dead when we arrived."
"Has there been an announcement yet?"
"Sometime later today. The Public Affairs Department is trying to find a way to keep the fact that Relena is linked to his death out of the press. They're afraid of the chaos this will cause since the ESUN hasn't been on stable ground as of late."
"Hn."
They started to exit the room when a flash of tan and green went streaking by, came to a sliding halt and turned to face them. Cornflower blue eyes took both of them and held them captive while she stormed down the hall toward them. Clutched in her right hand was about two feet of a chestnut colored braid.
Hilde stopped directly in front of Heero; her eyes never left his face. He stared down at her and noticed the red-rimmed eyes, the purple marks marring the pale skin above her cheeks. He felt his stomach lurch as his eyes drifted down toward the length of hair she held tightly in her hand.
Heero opened his mouth to address her, but Hilde threw her left hand up in front of him.
"Don't you dare say anything, Heero Yuy!" She tried to control the volume and the anger in her voice, but failed. "Before you say one word to me, answer me this question. I want the truth, do you think he's still alive?"
She thrust Duo's braid toward him. Hilde sent him a pleading look as the tears filled her eyes. Heero gently pushed her right hand back to her.
"He's still alive. He's become a toy, a pawn in this game. Petrov isn't done using Duo yet."
Momentary relief washed over Hilde's face. Her eyes narrowed as she took a quick glance at Duo's braid in her hand. "I have some business with Dr. Petrov, myself."
"Good, then let's go." Turning, Heero strode down the hallway with Trowa and Hilde following him. They walked through the hospital in silence, but Heero's mind was screaming.
Could he do it? If he had to come face to face with Relena, would he be able to fight her? Would he be able to remember that she was now the enemy or would his thawed heart not allow him to see her as nothing but the woman he loved?
***************
Duo lay on his side in his tiny cell; his hands secured behind his back, his ankles tied together. Stuck in complete darkness, he tried to picture Hilde's gentle face and warm eyes, hoping the thoughts of her would help dull the pain that ran through his body. But pictures of Heero lying lifeless on the compound floor kept interrupting. Images of Relena standing over Heero's still body with her head thrown back, laughing.
That image made his blood turn cold, but to get it boiling again, all he had to do was reach up and touch the vacant place where his braid used to lay.
"Damn dirty bastard!" He hissed under his breath. He swallowed hard, even his throat hurt. He wasn't able to guess how long he'd been locked up in the cell, but he guess about two days based on how often Alex or Relena would come in and beat him within an inch of his life. He preferred Relena to Alex, at least then it was flesh against flesh, instead of metal against bone.
The silence was the most unnerving part of being held hostage. It gave him too much time to think about things. Closing his swollen eyes, Duo began to hum one of Hilde's bawdy German drinking songs. On the third verse of the song, the sound of footsteps coming down the corridor halted his tune.
Using his sore muscles, Duo pushed himself into a sitting position facing the door. The footsteps stopped outside his cell. He heard the key turn in the lock and was assaulted by bright light when the door was flung open. Squinting against the light, Duo tried to make out the face of his tormentor.
"Here for another round, are you?" Duo's hoarse voice filled the cell.
Relena stepped out of the white light and into the dull cell. Her mouth turned up into a cocky half smile. "Testy today?"
Duo shot her a malicious look. "Damn straight!"
Relena lashed out with her leg, catching him in his sore ribs. He grimaced in pain as he fell back onto his side. She chuckled as she watched him roll over and curl up into a protective ball. Duo spat in her direction as she roughly nudged him with her foot. Relena took the insult personally. Lifting her foot over his face, she was poised to bring it down against his jaw.
"Do your worst, Princess."
Her foot stopped above his face. Duo cringed, waiting for the heel of her boot to crash into the side of his face but it never came. He cracked his eyes open to see her put her foot down on the ground next to his body. Relena's eyes darted around the tiny cell; not really focusing on anything, they seemed lost and distant. Her hands clenched and unclenched into fists, her fingernails cutting into the soft skin of her palms, drawing blood. Without a second thought, she turned and fled out of the room.
Alex flashed her a puzzled look as she hurried out of the doorway. Moving from her station at the end of the hall, Alex stopped beside Relena and waited for her orders. Relena's hands found their way up to her temples and were squeezing against the flood of images and emotions that ran through her head. She closed her eyes, a lone tear slid down her face. Removing her hands she forced herself to gain control of her ragged breathing. She felt Alex's presence at her side. Something was wrong, her entire body was shaking and her mind was twisting things. She had to get out and clear her thoughts.
"Alex, deal with the prisoner." Turning on her heel, Relena left the cellblock, leaving Duo alone with Alex.
From his cell, Duo hadn't witnessed anything that had taken place; he'd only heard the orders for Alex to continue the punishment. He was just as confused as Relena, wondering what caused her to flee. All he had said was Princess and she took of running. Was that it? Had he sparked her memory?
Alex appeared in the doorway, the bright light still acting as a backdrop behind her. She walked over toward Duo, pulling out a pair of wire cutters from the pocket of her pants. Leaning over his body, she cut the wire ties that bound his hand and feet. She then placed her hands under his arms and brought him to his feet. Alex chuckled as she watched him sway as he tried to regain his balance.
Once he was steady on his feet, she smiled at him. "Where did Relena leave off?" She asked him as she looked up toward the ceiling and placed a finger on the side of her cheek. Acting as if an idea struck her, she exclaimed, "I remember!"
Without breaking her motion, she threw a punch out toward Duo's face. He leaned to the side and ducked the punch, however he didn't move fast enough to miss the blow as her fist buried itself into his stomach.
Duo coughed and slumped against her, struggling for breath. Alex sidestepped him, allowing him to fall face first onto the floor.
"I love it when you fight back." She said as she brought the heel of her boot down into the small of his back.
His scream echoed through out the holding.
****************
Relena stood at the window staring out into the vast emptiness of space. Though she wore long black leggings and a maroon turtleneck, a chill still found a way up her spine.
"Relena... Take a good look outside. And remember how beautiful Earth looks from above it."
Her head shot up and she released her hold on the window frame. "Where did that come from?" The question became lost in the silence as she brought her hand up against the cool glass of the window.
'All of this started when Maxwell called me 'Princess.' How could one simple word cause this much pain, confusion, anger and loneliness?'
Relena's eyes sought answers from the constellations, but none of them seemed willing to give her an answer. Sighing, she turned to leave when his face appeared in front of her.
"I will kill you."
"Heero! Hurry, please come and kill me!"
She clamped her eyes shut as the images and emotions began to assault her all over again. Images of war, oppression, fear, peace, freedom, life and death floated around in her head. Then images of her enemies appeared and with each face, strange emotions and feelings were evoked.
Quatre Winner, pilot 04. Kindness and determination.
Trowa Barton, pilot 03. Loyalty and unpretentious.
Chang Wufei, pilot 05. Courage and Honor.
Duo Maxwell, pilot 02. Friendship and laughter.
And Pilot 01, Heero Yuy. Strength and Love.
Relena groaned as her mind was attacked with so many contradictions. She slapped her hands over her ears and screamed, trying to drive the madness away. 'What's happening to me? It feels like my mind is coming apart.' Relena slid against the wall as her knees gave out. Her hands smacked the floor as she leaned forward and tried to control the shakes coursing through her body and calm her breathing.
After a couple of minutes, her body stopped shaking and her heart had slowed down. Shaking her head, she picked herself off the floor and brushed the dirt from her pants. Things seemed more confusing now then they had before. What did all of those images mean? Hearing the gentle hiss of the door to the corridor, Relena swung around quickly to find Dr. Petrov and Alex making their way toward her. She pressed the palm of her hand to her forehead, pushing away the last of the confusing images.
Petrov cocked his head slightly to the side and gave her a concerned look. "Is everything alright, Relena?"
"Just a headache, sir." She replied as she removed her hand from her face.
"Good. I need you in top form. Our guests are on their way. ETA is in about 6 hours." Petrov glanced between both Alex and Relena. "He'll be leading the charge and he'll have most of the Preventer force and the Gundam pilots behind him."
Relena looked him straight in the eye, her face void of all emotions. "Don't worry, sir. Heero Yuy will be taken care of. Alex will handle the other pilots that will come for the prisoner. The only thing you need to worry about is the attack on the Preventer force."
Petrov grinned. "Your confidence amazes me, my dear. Very well then, you're dismissed."
Bowing slightly, Relena nodded her acknowledgement toward him before she headed down the corridor toward the training room. Alex waited until the automatic door closed behind her before voicing her observations.
"The training is wearing off. She's starting to question herself and her motives. Should we give her another dose of the treatment?"
Petrov turned toward the mirror image of his daughter. "No, we let nature take its course. The treatment is based on the designs of the Zero System, making her able to anticipate and calculate battle strategy in the matter of seconds. The only drawback is that it acts like a drug in the body, causing symptoms of withdrawal after extended exposure. Only the strong willed have been able to survive the Zero System, and this system is 10 times more intense. Any further treatments could take us backward with her training." He paused and looked down the hallway that Relena had just exited. "Besides, I kind of like the way things are turning out. Not only will she kill Heero Yuy, but she'll go mad in the process."
********************************************
A/N: Whew! Well, only one more chapter and the epilogue to go. I would like to thank you all from refraining from sending me flames over cutting off Duo's hair. The next time I update this story, it will be complete! Hopefully, I'll have the last part out soon! Wishing you all a safe and happy new year! ~Loyce
Chapter 13
"How much longer are you going to lie there?"
The soft monotone voice rang in his ears, jarring him from his thoughts. Frustration grew inside him. Frustration toward everyone; his friends, her and most importantly, himself. Most of his anger was directed at himself. He had become weak and it was all her fault. He had always pictured her becoming his friend, his lover. Never would he have dreamed that she would have become his enemy.
Heero's hands clenched into white knuckled fists as they lay on the starched bed sheets beside him.
"How long are you going to stand there and stare at me?"
Trowa snickered at the deadly tone of voice the occupant of the hospital bed had tossed in his direction. Pushing off the doorframe, Trowa made his way further into the room. Once he was close enough, he tossed a manila folder onto Heero's out stretched legs. "To answer your question, I plan on standing here for as long as it takes you to read over the material in the folder. Then you can answer my question."
Heero opened his eyes and found intense green eyes staring down into his face. Sitting up, he grabbed the file marked 'CONFIDENTIAL PREVENTERS FILE: DANTE PETROV.' As he flipped open the front cover and began to scan the documents, Trowa gave him a run down of the file.
"Dr. Dante F. Petrov, 43. Graduate of numerous universities within the L1 cluster. He has Masters and PHD degrees in Bioengineering, Chemistry, Manufacturing Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics...the list goes on. Says he received his first degree, manufacturing engineering, at the age of 16 under a Barton Foundation scholarship. After graduation, Petrov started working for the Barton Foundation on the designs for the MS. He continued his education, gathering the rest of the degrees, that way he was able to advance the designs for the MS. He met his wife, Carla, while working for the Foundation. Together they had a daughter, Alexandra. Both his wife and daughter were killed during an attack on the MS factory on L1."
Trowa watched Heero when he mentioned the attack, but Heero continued to flip through the pages in the file. Clearing his throat, Trowa sat down in the bed side chair and continued.
"After the plant was destroyed, Petrov disappeared from the public eye. It's rumored that he went underground, contracting his services to whichever side was winning or paying more." Trowa paused, catching Heero's attention. "He's worked for everyone; Oz, The White Fang, The Barton and Romefeller Foundations. Petrov may have had a hand in helping to design the Taurus, Space Leo's, Epyon, the Serpents and the Zero System."
The only outward display of emotions was the quick widening and narrowing of his deep Prussian blue eyes. The idea of Petrov involved with the Zero System didn't sit well with Heero. But it explained too much, like how all of a sudden Relena viewed him, the rest of the pilots and the ESUN in general as enemies. It was because she had been 'taught' they were the enemy, that's why Petrov had been able to control her so easily.
He turned back to the file and found a picture amongst the papers. The edges were slightly worn and some of the color had faded but her small bright green eyes stared back at him. Petrov stood beside his wife, his arm wrapped around her waist. And standing in front of them was Alex. Her green eyes sparkled with laughter while her long brown hair had been pulled back into pigtails. A brown shaggy puppy sat by her feet. Heero's fingers tightened around the photo.
"Have you found him yet?"
"His trail was easy enough to follow. He's hiding out on one of the remnants of MO III. We can leave as soon as you're ready."
Heero closed the file and laid it next to him on the bed. Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, he winced when he pushed himself into a standing position. Trowa knew better then to offer his friend a shoulder to lean on. Instead, he picked up the bag holding Heero's clothes and placed it in the bathroom. Heero nodded to Trowa as he passed him and entered the bathroom. About 15 minutes later, Heero emerged from the bathroom, slightly grimacing as he pulled on his black jacket.
"He didn't make it, did he?"
The question caught Trowa off guard. It only took him a couple of seconds to follow the flow of the conversation. "No. He was dead when we arrived."
"Has there been an announcement yet?"
"Sometime later today. The Public Affairs Department is trying to find a way to keep the fact that Relena is linked to his death out of the press. They're afraid of the chaos this will cause since the ESUN hasn't been on stable ground as of late."
"Hn."
They started to exit the room when a flash of tan and green went streaking by, came to a sliding halt and turned to face them. Cornflower blue eyes took both of them and held them captive while she stormed down the hall toward them. Clutched in her right hand was about two feet of a chestnut colored braid.
Hilde stopped directly in front of Heero; her eyes never left his face. He stared down at her and noticed the red-rimmed eyes, the purple marks marring the pale skin above her cheeks. He felt his stomach lurch as his eyes drifted down toward the length of hair she held tightly in her hand.
Heero opened his mouth to address her, but Hilde threw her left hand up in front of him.
"Don't you dare say anything, Heero Yuy!" She tried to control the volume and the anger in her voice, but failed. "Before you say one word to me, answer me this question. I want the truth, do you think he's still alive?"
She thrust Duo's braid toward him. Hilde sent him a pleading look as the tears filled her eyes. Heero gently pushed her right hand back to her.
"He's still alive. He's become a toy, a pawn in this game. Petrov isn't done using Duo yet."
Momentary relief washed over Hilde's face. Her eyes narrowed as she took a quick glance at Duo's braid in her hand. "I have some business with Dr. Petrov, myself."
"Good, then let's go." Turning, Heero strode down the hallway with Trowa and Hilde following him. They walked through the hospital in silence, but Heero's mind was screaming.
Could he do it? If he had to come face to face with Relena, would he be able to fight her? Would he be able to remember that she was now the enemy or would his thawed heart not allow him to see her as nothing but the woman he loved?
***************
Duo lay on his side in his tiny cell; his hands secured behind his back, his ankles tied together. Stuck in complete darkness, he tried to picture Hilde's gentle face and warm eyes, hoping the thoughts of her would help dull the pain that ran through his body. But pictures of Heero lying lifeless on the compound floor kept interrupting. Images of Relena standing over Heero's still body with her head thrown back, laughing.
That image made his blood turn cold, but to get it boiling again, all he had to do was reach up and touch the vacant place where his braid used to lay.
"Damn dirty bastard!" He hissed under his breath. He swallowed hard, even his throat hurt. He wasn't able to guess how long he'd been locked up in the cell, but he guess about two days based on how often Alex or Relena would come in and beat him within an inch of his life. He preferred Relena to Alex, at least then it was flesh against flesh, instead of metal against bone.
The silence was the most unnerving part of being held hostage. It gave him too much time to think about things. Closing his swollen eyes, Duo began to hum one of Hilde's bawdy German drinking songs. On the third verse of the song, the sound of footsteps coming down the corridor halted his tune.
Using his sore muscles, Duo pushed himself into a sitting position facing the door. The footsteps stopped outside his cell. He heard the key turn in the lock and was assaulted by bright light when the door was flung open. Squinting against the light, Duo tried to make out the face of his tormentor.
"Here for another round, are you?" Duo's hoarse voice filled the cell.
Relena stepped out of the white light and into the dull cell. Her mouth turned up into a cocky half smile. "Testy today?"
Duo shot her a malicious look. "Damn straight!"
Relena lashed out with her leg, catching him in his sore ribs. He grimaced in pain as he fell back onto his side. She chuckled as she watched him roll over and curl up into a protective ball. Duo spat in her direction as she roughly nudged him with her foot. Relena took the insult personally. Lifting her foot over his face, she was poised to bring it down against his jaw.
"Do your worst, Princess."
Her foot stopped above his face. Duo cringed, waiting for the heel of her boot to crash into the side of his face but it never came. He cracked his eyes open to see her put her foot down on the ground next to his body. Relena's eyes darted around the tiny cell; not really focusing on anything, they seemed lost and distant. Her hands clenched and unclenched into fists, her fingernails cutting into the soft skin of her palms, drawing blood. Without a second thought, she turned and fled out of the room.
Alex flashed her a puzzled look as she hurried out of the doorway. Moving from her station at the end of the hall, Alex stopped beside Relena and waited for her orders. Relena's hands found their way up to her temples and were squeezing against the flood of images and emotions that ran through her head. She closed her eyes, a lone tear slid down her face. Removing her hands she forced herself to gain control of her ragged breathing. She felt Alex's presence at her side. Something was wrong, her entire body was shaking and her mind was twisting things. She had to get out and clear her thoughts.
"Alex, deal with the prisoner." Turning on her heel, Relena left the cellblock, leaving Duo alone with Alex.
From his cell, Duo hadn't witnessed anything that had taken place; he'd only heard the orders for Alex to continue the punishment. He was just as confused as Relena, wondering what caused her to flee. All he had said was Princess and she took of running. Was that it? Had he sparked her memory?
Alex appeared in the doorway, the bright light still acting as a backdrop behind her. She walked over toward Duo, pulling out a pair of wire cutters from the pocket of her pants. Leaning over his body, she cut the wire ties that bound his hand and feet. She then placed her hands under his arms and brought him to his feet. Alex chuckled as she watched him sway as he tried to regain his balance.
Once he was steady on his feet, she smiled at him. "Where did Relena leave off?" She asked him as she looked up toward the ceiling and placed a finger on the side of her cheek. Acting as if an idea struck her, she exclaimed, "I remember!"
Without breaking her motion, she threw a punch out toward Duo's face. He leaned to the side and ducked the punch, however he didn't move fast enough to miss the blow as her fist buried itself into his stomach.
Duo coughed and slumped against her, struggling for breath. Alex sidestepped him, allowing him to fall face first onto the floor.
"I love it when you fight back." She said as she brought the heel of her boot down into the small of his back.
His scream echoed through out the holding.
****************
Relena stood at the window staring out into the vast emptiness of space. Though she wore long black leggings and a maroon turtleneck, a chill still found a way up her spine.
"Relena... Take a good look outside. And remember how beautiful Earth looks from above it."
Her head shot up and she released her hold on the window frame. "Where did that come from?" The question became lost in the silence as she brought her hand up against the cool glass of the window.
'All of this started when Maxwell called me 'Princess.' How could one simple word cause this much pain, confusion, anger and loneliness?'
Relena's eyes sought answers from the constellations, but none of them seemed willing to give her an answer. Sighing, she turned to leave when his face appeared in front of her.
"I will kill you."
"Heero! Hurry, please come and kill me!"
She clamped her eyes shut as the images and emotions began to assault her all over again. Images of war, oppression, fear, peace, freedom, life and death floated around in her head. Then images of her enemies appeared and with each face, strange emotions and feelings were evoked.
Quatre Winner, pilot 04. Kindness and determination.
Trowa Barton, pilot 03. Loyalty and unpretentious.
Chang Wufei, pilot 05. Courage and Honor.
Duo Maxwell, pilot 02. Friendship and laughter.
And Pilot 01, Heero Yuy. Strength and Love.
Relena groaned as her mind was attacked with so many contradictions. She slapped her hands over her ears and screamed, trying to drive the madness away. 'What's happening to me? It feels like my mind is coming apart.' Relena slid against the wall as her knees gave out. Her hands smacked the floor as she leaned forward and tried to control the shakes coursing through her body and calm her breathing.
After a couple of minutes, her body stopped shaking and her heart had slowed down. Shaking her head, she picked herself off the floor and brushed the dirt from her pants. Things seemed more confusing now then they had before. What did all of those images mean? Hearing the gentle hiss of the door to the corridor, Relena swung around quickly to find Dr. Petrov and Alex making their way toward her. She pressed the palm of her hand to her forehead, pushing away the last of the confusing images.
Petrov cocked his head slightly to the side and gave her a concerned look. "Is everything alright, Relena?"
"Just a headache, sir." She replied as she removed her hand from her face.
"Good. I need you in top form. Our guests are on their way. ETA is in about 6 hours." Petrov glanced between both Alex and Relena. "He'll be leading the charge and he'll have most of the Preventer force and the Gundam pilots behind him."
Relena looked him straight in the eye, her face void of all emotions. "Don't worry, sir. Heero Yuy will be taken care of. Alex will handle the other pilots that will come for the prisoner. The only thing you need to worry about is the attack on the Preventer force."
Petrov grinned. "Your confidence amazes me, my dear. Very well then, you're dismissed."
Bowing slightly, Relena nodded her acknowledgement toward him before she headed down the corridor toward the training room. Alex waited until the automatic door closed behind her before voicing her observations.
"The training is wearing off. She's starting to question herself and her motives. Should we give her another dose of the treatment?"
Petrov turned toward the mirror image of his daughter. "No, we let nature take its course. The treatment is based on the designs of the Zero System, making her able to anticipate and calculate battle strategy in the matter of seconds. The only drawback is that it acts like a drug in the body, causing symptoms of withdrawal after extended exposure. Only the strong willed have been able to survive the Zero System, and this system is 10 times more intense. Any further treatments could take us backward with her training." He paused and looked down the hallway that Relena had just exited. "Besides, I kind of like the way things are turning out. Not only will she kill Heero Yuy, but she'll go mad in the process."
********************************************
A/N: Whew! Well, only one more chapter and the epilogue to go. I would like to thank you all from refraining from sending me flames over cutting off Duo's hair. The next time I update this story, it will be complete! Hopefully, I'll have the last part out soon! Wishing you all a safe and happy new year! ~Loyce
