Phoenix Fire

Chapter 2



She had always been good at deception, ever since she was a small child. Forced into doing so, it was required that she become good at it. Papa had always told her that she was strong, that no one could break her, and that she was their family's one ray of hope during a blackened, strife-filled time. She remembered how the pride and the fear had flooded her young mind whenever she thought about that, that she was the backbone of their family. She hadn't felt strong when she'd dropped the deceptive mask and screamed out her true self to him, the little nameless boy that kept to himself. She'd begged to be forgiven, or at least that he should understand, offer her some comfort in the fact he believed that she'd done the only thing she could do. But he didn't forgive her, or offer her comfort; he'd shot the two transmitters, one being the cross she gave him--their symbol of friendship--and just walked away. He might as well had shot her in the heart then and there.

Truthfully, she had never felt strong after that point. She had also resolved to never let anyone, anyone that wasn't family, get close to her again. People that got close to you only ended up hurting you, or you ended up hurting them. It was a vicious cycle. See how long you could be friends before you became enemies. So far, with only a few painful exceptions, she'd kept that promise to herself. Now look where it had got her. Ignoring the droning of the agents around her, the silver-haired young woman absently fingered the Preventer, Diamond class badge that rested over her heart. Being an "Ice Queen" had its perks. High on that list of perks was the fact that one usually moved up quickly on the corporate ladder in militaristic and intelligence agencies. She pushed her reminiscing mood away and donned an indifferent mask as Lady Une entered the room and seated herself at the head of the table. Talk between the other Preventers in the room immediately ceased, and an expectant air settled down heavily. To their surprise, Lady Une glanced up expectantly and harshly at Preventer Fire, then nodded curtly to her.

Without even bothering to lift the grim line her mouth formed, Fire straightened the papers in front of her and pressed a key on the desktop. Images of mutilated corpses ran in slow sequenced on a wall-screen behind Une, while detailed reports came on-screen on the small, built-in video display devices set in front of each Preventer counsel member. Fire spoke up as one image faded to the next on the wall-screen. "As I'm sure all of you are aware of, there have been random murders and acts of terrorism committed throughout the L3 colony cluster for the past two weeks. Despite around the clock work from our top field specialists, we have not yet been able to uncover a suspect. Evidence left behind seems to indicate that there's only one person involved in this; most likely a man in his early to mid twenties." Lucrezia nodded to the Gold class Preventer next to her. "Preventer Water has done a detailed analysis on the pattern all of these crimes seem to have."

Sally Po paused only a moment to collect her thoughts. "Whoever we're dealing with here, he or she certainly doesn't get easily sick at the sight of blood and exposed bone," she joked weakly, pausing again to sober up completely when only Fire showed signs of a small smile. "To get right to the heart of the matter, the murders all seem to have two things in common: One, the victim is always a low-class citizen of the colony slums, generally a member of some persecuted society. The families of ex-White Fang soldiers, for the most part. Victims are generally boys in their teens. Secondly, the method of killing is," here she paused to silently gulp. Despite training, things like this still got to her, deep down, "the method is to rend the victims apart. . . by hand. No knife or gunshot wounds whatsoever. Whoever this person is, they're incredibly strong. And vicious." Relieved to be able to do so, Water quickly pressed a key to end the sequence of gory photos that were still cycling.

Fire bowed her head while many of the agents seated at the table muttered and shook their heads. The silver-haired Preventer in the back merely cocked her head at an angle, intrigued, and proceeded to review the reports in front of her on the vidscreen.

Lady Une cleared her throat briefly to quiet the agents before speaking up. "Fortunately, our agents have managed to deter the news media from the murders. The general public has no idea that there's a killer loose among them. However," Une leaned forward and rested her enlaced hands on the desktop, staring pointedly at each of the Preventers seated, though she skipped over Fire and Water. "This means we have to complete this case all the quicker, before anyone does find out. Even with all the agents currently working on the case, we're still lacking in progress. Preventer Fire is already leading the investigation, but I'd like at least one other Diamond class Preventer working with Fire on this."

Flicking a silvery lock of hair back, the agent in the back spoke up. "Miss Une, might I first ask a question of either you or Preventer Fire?"

Lady Une traded glances with Lucrezia briefly before nodding to the woman. "Very well."

Tracing a finger down the list on the display screen in front of her, the silver-blonde arched an eyebrow at Une. "This is a case demanding that the very best of Preventers be assigned to it, correct? I believe that's what you've already stated." She paused and waited for Une's impatient nod before continuing. "Well then. . . why don't I see Preventer Wind's name on this list of high-ranking agents currently working on the case? This is, I believe, a case that would be right up his line of work. He's the perfect Preventer for the job. Surely overseeing the Mars Terraforming isn't so demanding that he couldn't make it back to Earth for a case of this magnitude. The fact that Preventer Fire is here and leading the case seems to prove that it's not." The Diamond class mentally smiled as she watched Fire's lips straighten to a thin, hard line and hands tighten so that her knuckles were white.

Une also noticed, and answered the question quickly for Fire. "Preventer Wind is away on private business. He cannot contacted at the present time, so we'll just have to make do without him until he returns. Though we should hopefully be done with this case by then. Are there any further questions, Preventer Ice?" Ice shook her head briefly, and Une continued, "Very well then. I ask you all once again; are there any volunteers from this counsel?" As soon as she'd finished speaking, Preventer Ice smiled, albeit dryly, at her. Une took a deep breath and nodded, "Yes, Ice? You would like to volunteer to work with Fire on this case?"

Smiling surreptitiously at Fire's discomfort, Ice nodded to her superior. "I think it would be for the best if I did. As you've already stated, the case does need two Diamond class working on it." Ice glanced over at Fire. "If Preventer Fire will allow it."

Nodding abruptly, Lucrezia consented. "Yes. It is best for the case. With your permission, Miss Une, I would like to draw this meeting to a close and get back to the case as well as show Preventer Ice some more details. We need to keep moving on this."

"Permission granted, Fire." Une nodded and stood, clasping her hand down in front of her. "You're all dismissed then. Godspeed on completing you case, Preventers Fire, Water, and Ice."

As the various Preventer agents drifted back to their tasks, Ice made her way over to Fire and Water. Upon reaching the duo, she politely acknowledged them both, then smiled predatorily to Fire, her jaded green eyes clashing with Fire's flashing indigo depths. "Now then, what else is there that you have to tell me, Lucrezia Merquise?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Well that's just fine! Catherine frowned in annoyance and restrained the urge to stamp her foot as she watched her shuttle leave without her. A curse on that Mr. Chang for making me have to go to Earth and making me miss my flight there! If it hadn't been for his extra few minutes of dictating, I could have made that shuttle! She sighed in annoyance as the errant shuttle vanished from view, and she turned to trudge back to the ticket counter to see if she could transfer the ticket she had bought to the next flight to Earth.

"Excuse me, but was that your shuttle that just left?"

Catherine blinked a bit in surprise, and glanced up towards the voice. "Wha'? Yes, actually. I'm trying to get to Earth, but I guess. . ." Trailing off mid-sentence, Catherine stared at the figure standing in front of her. "Vice Foreign Minister Darlian! I'm sorry--"

The blonde smiled and shook her head lightly. "No, it's quite alright, Miss. . . Bloom, isn't it? I don't believe we've met since the Maxwell wedding. It's good to see you again, and please call me Relena."

Blinking, Catherine nodded dumbly, then abruptly switched back to normal upon Relena's last sentence, smiling broadly at the Minister. "Yes, it has been a while, but it is wonderful to see you again, Relena. You've been well I hope?" Catherine paused to laugh shakily, "I'm afraid that you've caught me in a rather bad state of affairs, however. I seem to be stranded here after my shuttle got over-timely with their schedule."

A strained but outwardly pleasant smile came to Relena. "Well enough, thank you." She paused a moment, looking thoughtful, "You say you were headed for Earth? Well, if you'd like, I can have my pilot take you to Earth."

Catherine's eyes widened slightly at the young Vice Foreign Minister's generosity, and she naturally began to politely decline, then she remembered the earlier talk with Mr. Chang and the fact that her time slot was constantly dwindling, and the pendulum that was her mindset swung again. "Well, if it's really not a bother for you, I could really use a quick flight to Earth. . ." Catherine smiled hopefully.

"It would be no bother at all. Actually, I tend to get terribly bored and lonely on shuttle trips, so it'd be wonderful to have your company," said Relena as she led the still slightly overwhelmed Catherine to the shuttle.

"Excuse me, but I'm afraid you can't leave yet," came a rough voice.

With a characteristic confused sound, Relena turned to see an unkempt cut of black hair with sharp gray eyes peering through the bangs; all set in an overly thin and pale face. She regarded the odd, young man curiously. "Who are you? Why can't we board?"

"Your friend may board, but you have to first hear me out." The figure glanced around for a moment, then crept out further from under the boarding ramp, causing Relena's face to sadden a bit upon seeing the obvious signs of poverty and malnutrition. He glared at her momentarily for her too-late pity, then opened his mouth to speak, but he was abruptly silenced by a loud outburst.

Catherine had had enough of obnoxious, black-haired men for one day. First that Preventer tried to take her brother away again, and now this scrawny wretch was keeping her and Relena from leaving--and he wasn't even being polite about it! "Now see here, I don't know who you are, but I do know you must have a lot of gall to just come sneaking up and pushing around the Vice Foreign Minister, of all people, from leaving for her important meetings. What in the world could be so important that you'd have to resort to this?! You have no right to order us around like this--!"

Desperate to defuse the situation before Catherine flew at the still unknown man that was now glaring dangerously at her and clenching his hands into fists, Relena quickly shushed and calmed Catherine. Then descending quickly down the stairs, she turned to face the youth. "I apologize for the hostility, but my friend has been through quite a bit today." She smiled disarmingly, "What is it you needed to speak to me about?"

He looked between the two suspiciously for a moment, then nodded to Relena. "I'm unimportant, but my cause is of the utmost urgency. Your talk of equality has fallen upon deaf ears here, Vice Foreign Minister." Noting her brief look of surprise, he continued smoothly, "The colony delegates have merely deterred you with their promises of considering restoring citizen equality so they wouldn't have to listen to you anymore. I'm an ex-White Fang soldier," he paused to square his shoulders and glare freshly once again, "and even as we speak, more of my comrades in persecution are being arrested. They're silencing our peaceful protests and picketing. . .they've already jailed the rest my family, including my mother and sister. Actually, this has been going on for quite some time now. The government has just been hiding it from the media and you." The man squelched a smirk as he noted the stricken look on Relena's face. Got her. Hook, line, and sinker. He forced himself to look down, a pathetic spectacle. "What I'm asking of you, Vice Foreign Minister, is that you stay a little while longer at this colony. We need you here. As it is, I can take you to see this whenever you want."

Relena didn't even hesitate. Her people needed her here--how could she even think to leave them to take a vacation with Duo and Hilde? No, she had to stay here and work this out. But there was one thing she needed to take care of first. . . "Catherine," she turned to the redhead, "I'm sorry, but since this has come up, I'm going to have to stay here for a while yet. Please continue on to Earth without me--just inform my pilot that I had some unresolved business to take care of here, and that he's to return here after dropping you off." She looked torn for a moment, then pressed her lips together. "I'm sorry. . . but you do understand. . .?"

I guess she has to watch over the people like I have to watch over Trowa. . . Can't really blame her, but. . . Catherine glared momentarily at the stranger before them, then looked back to Relena. "Okay Relena, but. . . are you sure you don't want me to accompany you?" She glared at the ex-soldier again, pointedly. "For safety's sake."

After blinking once in mild mortification and indignation at Catherine's blatantly rude and demeaning statement, Relena nodded curtly. "Yes, I'm sure, Catherine. I'll be fine, thank you." She managed a smile, "Have a pleasant trip. I wish you luck with whatever business you have on Earth."

Catherine paused once more, nodded, and waved a bright, smiling goodbye and thank you to Relena before boarding the shuttle. After Catherine had safely boarded, Relena turned again to the mystery man. "Well then, lead me to what you wanted to show me then. . . I'm sorry, what was your name?"

He glared at her again. "I told you," he spat the words out bitterly, "who I am is unimportant. Just drop it, okay? Call me whatever you want. I don't care. Let's just go." He didn't even wait to hear her reply, but just strode on towards the front of the shuttle terminal, intent on getting a taxi.

Trailing along behind, Relena could think of only one name that would fit this bitter war veteran. All he needed was brown hair and blue eyes.

He's certainly cold and embittered enough to be like what Heero used to be. . .

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Phoenix glared at the child in front of him. After most likely losing its parents in the pack of humans coming and going, it had collapsed on the floor--right in front of him, at that--and started to wail. He kept glaring at it. Perhaps if he stared hard enough. . . There. The small wretch had sensed his anger and had turned to stare at him. Upon seeing the gray-clad, dark sunglasses-wearing man with bright white hair, the child choked on a sob and stared up in morbid fascination. After staring at each other for a few minutes, Phoenix pulled his sunglasses down just an inch, showing the toddler his intensely pink, almost glowing eyes for no more then a second.

Although the child didn't actually see Phoenix's startlingly bright, albino's eyes for more then an instant, the encounter was still enough to provoke an ear-splitting shriek from the terrified youngster. Phoenix scowled and drew back, folding his arms in front of his chest again even as the child went streaking for its parents, still crying. Disgusting little thing it was. A rather melancholy, almost sad expression took hold of his face for an instant, but it was immediately washed over with white-fury. What had really scared the child was not the foreboding atmosphere Phoenix maintained around himself, it was his eyes. His albino appearance. White hair, lashes, and bright pink eyes. . . it was why he wore dark sunglasses all the time. He didn't have to worry about people recognizing him for being a murderer--there were never any witnesses to see him. No, he wore sunglasses to keep people from seeing his eyes. So they wouldn't point and stare. . . He hated it when they pointed and stared. Anything that attracted attention to himself was intolerable.

Speaking of attracting attention. . . Phoenix's eyes narrowed to small slits as he noticed what had recently become a very familiar, blonde-headed woman bend down to comfort the child he'd frightened away not a minute before. What in the world could have stopped her from boarding her shuttle?! He forced back a frustrated growl as he noticed the dangerous-looking man stay a few feet behind the Vice Foreign Minister, looking impatient as the aforementioned blonde finished soothing the child and lead it to the front desk. Mind racing, Phoenix presumed she was going to have the clerk send a message through the overhead comm system to the child's parents. This would, no doubt, take a few minutes. The unknown man that had, undoubtedly, influenced Darlian's decision to stay, was a shabby-looking vagabond, but he had a tough look about him like he had seen some of the less savory aspects of war or some such disaster; most likely an ex-soldier. If he were indeed a shabby ex-soldier that could not even afford clean clothes, it was likely he was ex-White Fang. If he was ex-White Fang, he was probably going to try to show Darlian something on this colony having something to do with her campaign to restore ex-White Fang soldiers and their families to equality. If he had to show her something, he was going to need transportation, and he most likely had no method of transportation on his own. With that and the fact that Darlian's temporary chauffeur and limo had left already, it was a good guess that wherever the two were going, they were going to need a driver. A taxi. With a confident smirk, Phoenix turned and made his way towards the street. He had to borrow a taxi for a while.