They had managed to escape unnoticed in the chaos that erupted from the Pax organization's announcement. Wufei and Sally had had a small ship waiting for them, and they headed to Earth to regroup. Duo glanced out the window. They were just skirting the battlezone between the two forces. A new group was fighting the rebels...which left him where exactly?
"Duo, I got some of your stuff before the apartment blew," Hilde handed him a knapsack. It wasn't very heavy, but Duo didn't really own much.
"Thanks, Hilde. Whatcha do with Heero?" Maybe somebody could answer him now that things had calmed down a bit.
"Heero was here?" Wufei turned around in his seat.
Hilde nodded, "He said he was going to Earth to see Miss Relena or something. I don't know. I'd just woken up."
Duo grinned, "Isn't that just typical? He had a friend in need, and he left to go get the girl." He crossed his arms and looked down for a few seconds. "So what's the plan once we get to Earth?"
"Well," Sally spoke up. "Hopefully we'll be able to beat the fleet from L4 to Earth. Once we get there, we'll help the Preventers with their defense," she paused. "If that's alright with you."
Duo sighed, "I guess that'll work. I don't really know who I should fight right now. I suppose that defending the Earth sounds good."
"We're fighting to regain peace," Wufei said. "Eliminate those rebels, and we'll have accomplished our goals."
"Yeah, yeah. Sure. Well, I'm gonna sleep a bit before we get there. I'm exhausted!" Duo gave Hilde a smile and sat back in his seat. He usually couldn't sleep sitting up, but he was tired. It didn't take him long to fall asleep.
****
Noin braced herself with a hand against the wall as the ship was hit, yet again, by weaponsfire. She didn't know whether she should thank this Pax organization or not, but she knew that they were at least providing a distraction. If Noin could get to the engine room, she might be able to pull of a bit of sabotage and disable at least the ship she was on.
She pushed off from the floor again, letting the low gravity take her most of the way down the corridor. She hoped that Duo, Wufei, and Sally had been able to make it off planet. She knew that if they did, they would head to Earth to figure out their next move. And Earth was where Noin intended on going after this.
She reached the engine room, and was dismayed to see how crowded it was. She'd have to be very sneaky if she was going to make this work. She didn't have many options, however.
Noin could easily set it to explode while she was still inside. However, she'd never been one for unnecessary sacrifices. She set it up so that there'd be an overload shortly after she left. Well, in about 10 minutes. She hoped that she could get to the a shuttle in time and get out of range.
She'd worry about anything else when it happened.
****
While the earth had, in theory, put away all weapons, they felt it necessary to keep some for defensive purposes. All mobile suits had been destroyed, however the earth had kept some battleships and small fighters in case of need.
Now there was a need. Heero engaged the startup sequence on the fighter that he'd been given. It wasn't a Gundam. It wasn't even a mobile suit. But it would work. Perhaps it was a good thing that mobile suits weren't to be used in this war. That type of fighting had died out.
Heero listened to his headset as the rest of the squadron did their startups. Most of the fighters now were veterans of the other war. Heero knew that they'd also be fighting to protect the peace of the earth and space. Heero just felt relieved that he was actually doing something. He didn't mind being more laidback during peacetime, but when there was a war starting, he wanted to be in the middle of it.
He checked his watch. Time to go.
****
Lady Une stared out the large window behind her desk. In many ways, this reminded her of the time when Mariemaia had sent her fleet to Earth. On the other hand, this was much bigger.
She turned as she heard the doors to her office open. Brax, the president of the Earth Sphere United Nation, walked in.
"Mr. President, I had ordered an evacuation of the high-ranking government officials."
Brax just nodded, his hands clasped behind his back. He walked to stand beside her, facing to look out the window, "Lady, don't you have faith in our defense force to keep the rebels away?" "I do, however, I also know that there is a chance they might lose. That's what I'm worried about."
Brax smiled, "You need not worry, Lady. Everything will be alright here on Earth."
"How can you say that at a time like this, Mr. President?"
Brax turned to face her. Lady Une had to resist the urge to yell at him and order him off the earth. It was dangerous for any members of law-making government to be on the planet. Why couldn't he, the president, see that? Lady Une mentally reminded herself that this guy really didn't have very much power. Thank goodness.
"Lady Une, you seem to be under the impression that this is a bad thing."
"A pointless war is always a bad thing."
"Ah, but a revolution. That is a good thing."
Lady Une jerked her head to look at him. She'd known that there were some government officials who were working with the rebellion, but the president?
"Revolution," Brax continued. "Brings about change. And now is the time for a much-needed change in how we handle the colonies."
Lady Une took a step backwards to her desk. She had a gun in one of the drawers. If she could get to it...he wasn't armed. Not that she could see. But, surely, he must have something planned.
"I suppose that's why it's necessary to use drastic measures such as this," Brax seemed oblivious to Lady Une's movements. "If you try to do things the political way, it will always get killed in committee. Surely you, as a military woman can understand that," he turned to her.
Lady Une put her hand against the handle of the drawer, "Oh, I think I understand perfectly, Mr. President." She pulled slightly, hoping he wouldn't notice her.
"Good," he smiled again. He reached inside his jacket and pulled a gun out. Lady Une knew it was past the time for subtlety. She yanked the drawer open and reached for her own gun, but Brax hit her in the temple with his. She fell onto the floor, seeing spots in front of her eyes. She struggled internally to keep from passing out.
She felt him reach down and pick her up from the front of her shirt. She tried to struggle, but was having trouble moving. He raised his arm and brought the gun down at the back of her head, effectively knocking her unconscious.
****
Nobody had attacked them during the night. Quatre knew that they must think he was with the Maguanacs. He hoped they were all alright, but he couldn't take the time to find out. He had to get in to see his sister.
Lira was...well...Quatre remembered her vaguely. He got so confused trying to keep all his sisters straight. He was sure he had met her once, and she seemed nice at the time. She might have gotten coerced into doing this.
Trowa walked beside him as they made their way to the estate. Quatre had been reluctant to go in alone, but now, when he had somebody with him and some more people on the colony who knew where he was, it was safer. Quatre was also just relieved to have Trowa with him. Trowa's calm and cool-headedness were contagious, and Quatre always felt like he was better able to deal with things when Trowa was around.
"So we're just going to go up and ask to go in?" Trowa asked.
"I don't see any other way. She has to hear me out. I know that they probably want me dead, but I don't think my sister would kill me at the gate of the estate."
Trowa didn't say anything, but Quatre knew what he was thinking. She might kill you once you get inside. He shook his head at the thought. He remembered the last time there was trouble in the family. His father, fed up with the colonies, killed himself. And Quatre couldn't do anything to help. Quatre really couldn't remember much of what had happened afterward. He built Wing Zero, and then he just...went nuts.
He was definitely glad that Trowa was with him this time.
****
Trowa had never seen it, but he knew that the gates of the Winner estate usually were open to show that people were welcome to what the Winners had to offer. Now, however, the gates were closed, locked, and guarded.
The guards readied their guns upon seeing Quatre approach, and Trowa kept a hand on his own weapon, ready to use it if necessary. Quatre, however, raised his hands above his head.
"I don't want to fight. I have no weapon. I just want to speak to Lira," Quatre approached slowly.
One of the guards paused, then pulled out a small communicator. He talked quietly into it, and Trowa couldn't make out what he was saying. Finally he put away the unit and nodded.
"We'll lead you in," the guard looked at Trowa. "Does he have any weapons?"
Trowa was tempted to say "no", but he knew they would search him and find it. That would look bad on Quatre. So he pulled out the gun that he had acquired back on L2 and threw it on the ground.
The guards didn't bother to search Quatre. Of course, they probably knew from Lira that Quatre was horrible at lying. If he said he didn't have any weapons, then he didn't have any weapons.
They opened the gates and led them to the large mansion. One guard led, two followed behind Trowa and Quatre. Trowa knew, just at a glance, that this place would be hard to get out of if they needed a quick escape. He hoped that Quatre knew some secrets about the mansion that could help them out.
The inside of the building was no less grand than the outside. However, there were guards in every room, ruining the feel. A couple servants walked around, all of them obviously recognizing Quatre. Trowa risked a glance beside him at Quatre. Quatre didn't even look towards the servants, his face was focused straight ahead. Trowa didn't think he'd ever seen him this angry. Of course, he had every reason to be. This was Quatre's business, almost his life, and someone had taken over and corrupted it. Trowa knew that even a nice guy like Quatre would get mad over that.
They were led into a large office. Trowa presumed that it was Quatre's. It was nicely furnished with a large desk in front of a wall-to-wall window. A woman was sitting at the desk, pushing stacks of paper into a trash can. She looked up as they entered.
"I was wondering when you'd come," she put the trash can down and stood up, walking around the desk. This had to be Quatre's sister. The resemblance was uncanny.
Quatre walked in front of the guard, but not so far as to seem a real threat to Lira. "What is going on here?" Quatre asked.
Lira sighed. "I knew you wouldn't understand," she looked at Trowa. "You must be Trowa Barton. Quatre's mentioned you several times."
She was changing the subject, but Quatre wasn't going to let her get away with it.
"Lira," he said in Quatre's You're-wrong-I'm-right-now-let-me-convince-you voice. "You've let rebels take over our family's business, and that's all you have to say?"
Lira crossed her arms, "I support what the rebels are doing. Quatre, the Winners are for the colonies. We have always been for the colonies, right? Well, now, one of the colonies need our help. I won't turn our back on them."
"There are other ways of helping that don't use violence. These rebels are out to start another war!"
"Perhaps it's best that way," she glanced out of the window. "Then people will realize that this is serious. Then things will get done."
"And people will die!"
Lira looked back at Quatre. "Quatre," she hesitated, trying to figure out what she wanted to say. "Quatre, people die. And I don't like it any more than you do. But this is a necessary war."
"War is never necessary."
"You didn't used to think so, Gundam 04," she said a bit harshly.
She'd hit something. Quatre remained silent. Trowa knew that he shouldn't speak up. It wasn't his place. Not yet, anyway.
"Our little brother," she smiled. "You fought so bravely to free the colonies. Now you're starting to sound like Father."
Quatre's father. Who had killed himself to hold onto his pacifist ideals. Trowa watched Quatre carefully. He knew that Quatre had trouble holding up against psychological manipulations. He'd have to be ready to help him if this went too far.
Lira took a step towards Quatre. "Quatre, total pacifism is a worthy goal, but sometimes it just isn't practical. Father didn't see that. That's why he died. I knew from the moment this broke out that you would have trouble knowing how to deal with it. So, when you left, I decided to take over and save you the trouble," she sighed. "I don't want them to kill you, Quatre. But the rebels think you're a threat. That's why your Maguanac friends were attacked."
"This is wrong," Quatre said weakly.
Damn. She's getting to him. Trowa knew it was now or never.
"It's for the good of the colonies, Quatre. That's what you fought for in the war. Why won't you fight for it now?" Lira said.
"There's something you're forgetting, Lira," Trowa spoke up. Lira looked at him, surprised that he'd said anything. Quatre looked gratefully at him. "The Gundam pilots fought to keep the war away from the colonies. Our targets were clearly military. Already, however, this rebellion has bombed a civilian company and a civilian apartment complex, both of which were on the same colonies you claim to be defending. This isn't for the good of the colonies. It's for the good of L2, at the expense of everybody else."
Lira didn't say anything. She seemed too intent on glaring at him. He continued, "If their methods were different, I might be able to support them. As it is, I can't support terrorism. Even if they do want to help L2, they're going about it the wrong way."
Lira just nodded, "I had hoped I could convince you." She looked back at Quatre, "However, I suppose it doesn't really matter what our opinions are. At this moment, 2 battleships, funded by the Winner family, have been launched and are heading for Earth."
"What?" Quatre cried.
"Yes," she continued. "It's just part of our contribution to the rebellion. If you leave now, I'll let you go unharmed. But Quatre, I would recommend you stay away from L4. You aren't needed here anymore."
"But..." Quatre said.
Trowa put a hand on his shoulder. Quatre looked at him. "Let's go," Trowa said.
Quatre paused a moment, looking back at his sister. Then he turned and nodded, leading the way out of the room. Guards followed them as they walked out of the estate.
"What should we do now?" Quatre asked.
"The way I see it, we can either go to Earth, which is probably what all the other Gundam pilots are doing."
"Or?" Quatre said.
"Or we could try to find out more about what's going on."
Quatre nodded, looking at the ground in front of him. "We need...we need to find out more. They keep taking us by surprise. We need to find out all we can before we can fight them."
Trowa put a comforting hand on his shoulder again. "Let's go, then."