Author's Notes: Yep! Shin's Voice reporting: Wow, you people seem to have
read a lot of these Quatre fics, right? I read the reviews (thanks to all,
you're so nice) and I got your point. But let me tell you I have also read
those "berserk Cat" fics, and this is not quite like that…What do I mean?
You gotta read…
"The Other Side of The Gentle Soldier"
Chapter Five
"So?"
Duo's voice sounded worried, as Rashid walked out of the clinical room where the 04 pilot was. Heero, Trowa and Wufei were also standing there, waiting for an answer.
The pilots were taking refuge in one of the Winner's asteroid, where Rashid and the manguanacs had been waiting for them since Quatre's capture.
"The doctor checked him already, and we are taking care of master Quatre. I think I asked you to go and check yourselves too…." –the tall, serious Arab answered.
"So?" –Duo repeated- "How is he?"
Rashid sighed, seeing the stubborn glances of all.
"He has some considerable bruises in his upper torso and some wounds the doctor already bandaged. It seems he was beat, but not so rough as I would have imagined. He was drugged, so we are cleaning his blood system now. That's all. We can't say more until he awakes, but he seems to be fine…" –the manguanac let a little smile of relief traced in his face.
Another sigh followed as Duo slumped against the wall, tracing the cross sign over his chest in gratitude. Heero allowed the stress in his shoulders vanished at the report. Trowa's hands were allowed to hang at his sides, a slight sigh coming from him too. Wufei just closed his eyes, but also bowed his head in relax.
***
"Rashid?"- Abdul called from the door- "Master Quatre has woken up"
The tall Arabian rushed from his chair and into the corridors towards the clinical room. 'It was about time' –he thought. This was the second day the pilots had retrieved him.
From one open door, Duo could see him in his fast walk, and immediately called the others.
"Guys! I think Cat is finally awake!"
Rashid opened the door and advanced towards the boy sitting in the bed with his back turned at the door.
"Master Quatre" –the man gently called, stepping closer- "We are so grateful to have you back. How are you feeling? Master Quatre?"
The blonde pilot didn't answer; he just concentrated in releasing his arms from the bandages without even looking up.
Heero and the others went into the room in that moment, Duo and Trowa stepping ahead.
"Master Quatre?" –Rashid stood beside him, attempting to hold him by the shoulders- "Let me help you to stand…"
"I do not need help" –the voice said harshly, standing by himself and taking some steps away from the man. Only then, he turned to see him.
There was a wave of silence flooding into the entire place as they all contemplated each other. Four pilots and one manguanac stared stunned at the boy in front of them.
Quatre was shirtless, though his upper body was covered by bandages and his kaki pants had been replaced by pajamas. But what caught everyone's attention was his face. His normal kind, blue Prussian eyes were cold and hard. And his expression was stoic, totally serious.
"Hmm…Cat?" –Duo smiled despite the situation –"You've got all of us worried. Man, you know how to scare people, huh? Now that you're up, we'll have a welcome party for ya…" –the American said cheerfully while walking towards his friend.
Quatre just shifted his glance to him and then over the other boys at the door. He didn't move nor showed any sign of acknowledging the other's words. He returned his glance to the manguanac.
"Rashid" –he finally said- "Where am I?"
"We…"-the man paused a bit and then recomposed himself- "We are in one of the Winner's asteroids. We decided to stay here while you recuperated…"
"Exact location. Which are the coordinates?" –the blonde asked again. The manguanac frowned concerned, but continued.
"Well, this is the #4 asteroid in the FG North Zone of L9 colony…Master Quatre, we are still concerned about your…" –Rashid tried again.
"My general status is acceptable. However, I assume the mission report has not been completed…" –the 04 pilot walked pass him, just to face the boys looking at him.
Duo was clearly perplexed that Quatre didn't answer his greeting. The others also looked confused.
"What are they doing here?" –he asked, his eyes not looking friendly.
"What are you talking about?" –Duo asked, his eyebrows drawn upwards in surprise.
"I think it would be better if you stay in your rooms" –Rashid suddenly said, rapidly walking towards the four boys and pushing them out of the white room.
Duo tried to protest but the man didn't give him time.
"The doctor will be coming to check master Quatre in any minute. You'll wait in your rooms, so leave…now" –Rashid admonished, his voice marked with worry and also a warning tone.
***
"He has amnesia, right?" –Trowa asked without looking up to the manguanac, his arms folded over his chest.
The others looked expectantly at the man. They have been waiting there, in the main living room for almost two hours until Rashid came.
"No" –the Arabian answered. The boys stared at him with confused glances.
"No?" –Duo echoed- "Then what happened back there?"
"He doesn't have amnesia. His mental capacities are…normal, if I can say it so. He does remember you and me and well, practically everything. But…"
"Go on. We know OZ could have affected him in different ways. He was no physically hurt, but the mental state is also a target for them" –Heero said bluntly.
"He does remember…in certain way. He has just data memories. We are as confused as you, but due to the tests the doctors have been doing him, I can just conclude in one thing…"
"Zero System" –Trowa offered, an unusual downcast glance in his face- "I imagined it too. It's very similar to that time…"
"I thought he had mastered it…"- Wufei said with a wistful expression.
"It is not the Zero System" –Rashid interrupted them. They all looked at him- "I am familiar to it since we knew about Quatre's incident. I studied it, so I can tell it's not the Zero. And besides, Quatre himself says it isn't…"
"Until we don't know what OZ has done to him, he is dangerous and a potential risk to the missions…" –Heero started his analysis.
"Rashid" –Duo cut off the Japanese speech. The American looked intensely into the Arabian's eyes- "How is Quatre? What's he doing? What has happened to him? You gotta tell us…"
The manguanac took a deep breath before answering.
"He…Master Quatre is not the same. He is just a soldier. He cares about nothing but the war. I've tried to talk to him during this time. And he just…I can't believe it. You would have to see it for yourselves. There are no signs of his kindness or care, nor his soft and polite manners…or the sensitive smile…lost. All that is lost." –the Arabian said while shaking his head in frustration.
***
Night was falling slowly over the big, old house. The day had passed among tests and investigations in all the data, systems and hacked net connections with OZ. But no matter what they all did, the fact was still there, and no one had still taken the decision of facing it.
However, it seemed the pilot clad in black had made his mind now. He walked towards the main bedroom, taking deep breaths and with a firm resolution.
"Can I come in?" –he asked as he knocked on the door.
"Any emergency call?" –came the unusual, cold response from inside.
"Well, not exactly…" –Duo murmured, but he entered anyway.
Quatre was full dressed, sitting in front of the desk, laptop beeping, and many pages, reports and other stuff in the table.
"Hi there, Cat. How are ya doing?" –Duo unconsciously wielded the happy-go- lucky mask, as he approached to the boy.
Silence.
"Quatre" –Duo called, now a guilty feeling blooming inside of him- "Cat, I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have left you. I should have stayed. You came for me and I didn't. I…I feel so bad all this is happening. I'm so confused about you and why are you acting like this…"
"I do not see the point in all this. If it is not an important fact or improvement in our missions and battles against OZ, I won't study the issue." –the small but serious boy answered in flat tone.
"C'mon, Quatre! How can you say such a thing!" –Duo replied in surprise- "It's YOU we are talking about. We care about you. How can you say you don't care if we are all trying to understand what…"
"Caring is not part of our missions. In fact, it is liability in our battles and a weakness in a soldier"
Quatre's answer made Duo's eyes widened in disbelief. For a minute, desperation took over him.
"Don't you say that! Now you're talking like Heero or Wufei used to do it!" –Duo's voice raised- "That's nonsense. What did they do to you?" –he continued, standing right in front of the indifferent Arab.
"All of you keep saying that. I am fine. I haven't changed" –the Prussian eyes held the desperate amethyst glance.
"Hell you have! Don't you realize?" –Duo retorted- "You don't remember us! You don't even remember yourself!"
"You are Duo Maxwell, pilot 02 of Gundam DeathScythe Hell. Orphan from L2 colony, trained by doctor G. Marksmanship is your outstanding ability as well as hacking, theft…" –Quatre started to say as he stood from his chair. Maybe Duo hadn't noticed, but the other three pilots had just stepped inside the room too.
"That's technical crap!" –the braided boy interrupted him- "What about my favorite food? Or music? And what about the way you like your tea? Do I like tea? Who used to prepare breakfast in our shelters? Who likes coffee more than tea or…"
"Taste is not a luxury we are allowed to have. Taste or likes are pointless and they have no importance" –the blonde shrugged.
"But you can't remember, right?" –Duo's voice turned sad- "Please, Cat, let me help you remember…" –he said, unconsciously grabbing hold of 04 shoulders.
As in cue, the Arab's eyes narrowed before the sudden and, for him, completely strange gesture. In a fraction of second, Duo was firmly held by his arms, twisted at his back in a painful movement.
"Quatre!" –Trowa called, as he and the other two rushed inside, seeing the sudden defense move of the 04 pilot.
"Let him go" –Heero growled in warning. But for his surprise, Quatre did not complain. Prussian and blue eyes locked, and Heero almost blinked at the intensity of the glance.
"Quatre" –Trowa repeated in a calm tone, taking a step ahead.
"Get free, Maxwell" –Wufei simply suggested, seeing the scene was not moving.
"Can't" –came the answer, which made the other three jerked to see him. He was slightly wincing at the pain, though he also looked surprised by the actions now displaying.
"You better keep your distance" –Quatre suddenly said, releasing him and stepping back a little- "Unless we are on a mission, you better remember that" –the blonde concluded, and exited from the room, nonchalant as if nothing happened.
Some minutes passed by before the others talked.
"Rashid was right. Whatever OZ did to him, has changed and erased his entire natural being, his character has been completely modified" –Trowa said with sadness.
"He has been set and programmed in soldier mode" –Heero suddenly said, stepping beside Duo to see if he was fine. When he realized all the eyes were fixed over him, he continued:
"You perfectly know I was programmed like that too. All emotions, feelings, natural human instincts have turned into a useless part inside of him. Probably OZ did it in order to have him working as on OZ agent, so they needed to get rid of Quatre's human side. But or did their experiment fail, or we managed to retrieve him before he was set into an OZ soldier…"
"But you're not that cold bastard of before" –Duo said with a frown. Heero just raised an eyebrow, gaining Duo's smile- "I meant to say that you've changed for the better"
"There's always the possibility of regaining that human side clamped inside of the soldier" –Heero said in low voice, not really looking directly at the others.
Duo nodded in understanding. One, Heero meant to say he was able to become more human thanks to them. That was comforting and embarrassing for the Japanese pilot. Two, Quatre could still have an opportunity…
"Maxwell" –Wufei called some seconds later- "I know you estimate Quatre, but it was foolish of you not to fight back and get free" –he scowled slightly.
For their surprise, Duo frowned as he shook his head in deny.
"I don't lie, Wu-chan. I said I couldn't. Believe or not, it's the truth. I couldn't get free. His grasp on me was incredible strong. I never imagined he could have that strength…"
To Be Continued…
***Shinigami's Voice***
A/N: There! See what I told you? Quatre is not crazy and shooting everyone. He has turned cold, but not dement. Now, how will the others deal with it? There are so many things they don't know about his Arab friend…but I promise you'll read about that in the next chapter. Please R&R and I'll post faster!
"The Other Side of The Gentle Soldier"
Chapter Five
"So?"
Duo's voice sounded worried, as Rashid walked out of the clinical room where the 04 pilot was. Heero, Trowa and Wufei were also standing there, waiting for an answer.
The pilots were taking refuge in one of the Winner's asteroid, where Rashid and the manguanacs had been waiting for them since Quatre's capture.
"The doctor checked him already, and we are taking care of master Quatre. I think I asked you to go and check yourselves too…." –the tall, serious Arab answered.
"So?" –Duo repeated- "How is he?"
Rashid sighed, seeing the stubborn glances of all.
"He has some considerable bruises in his upper torso and some wounds the doctor already bandaged. It seems he was beat, but not so rough as I would have imagined. He was drugged, so we are cleaning his blood system now. That's all. We can't say more until he awakes, but he seems to be fine…" –the manguanac let a little smile of relief traced in his face.
Another sigh followed as Duo slumped against the wall, tracing the cross sign over his chest in gratitude. Heero allowed the stress in his shoulders vanished at the report. Trowa's hands were allowed to hang at his sides, a slight sigh coming from him too. Wufei just closed his eyes, but also bowed his head in relax.
***
"Rashid?"- Abdul called from the door- "Master Quatre has woken up"
The tall Arabian rushed from his chair and into the corridors towards the clinical room. 'It was about time' –he thought. This was the second day the pilots had retrieved him.
From one open door, Duo could see him in his fast walk, and immediately called the others.
"Guys! I think Cat is finally awake!"
Rashid opened the door and advanced towards the boy sitting in the bed with his back turned at the door.
"Master Quatre" –the man gently called, stepping closer- "We are so grateful to have you back. How are you feeling? Master Quatre?"
The blonde pilot didn't answer; he just concentrated in releasing his arms from the bandages without even looking up.
Heero and the others went into the room in that moment, Duo and Trowa stepping ahead.
"Master Quatre?" –Rashid stood beside him, attempting to hold him by the shoulders- "Let me help you to stand…"
"I do not need help" –the voice said harshly, standing by himself and taking some steps away from the man. Only then, he turned to see him.
There was a wave of silence flooding into the entire place as they all contemplated each other. Four pilots and one manguanac stared stunned at the boy in front of them.
Quatre was shirtless, though his upper body was covered by bandages and his kaki pants had been replaced by pajamas. But what caught everyone's attention was his face. His normal kind, blue Prussian eyes were cold and hard. And his expression was stoic, totally serious.
"Hmm…Cat?" –Duo smiled despite the situation –"You've got all of us worried. Man, you know how to scare people, huh? Now that you're up, we'll have a welcome party for ya…" –the American said cheerfully while walking towards his friend.
Quatre just shifted his glance to him and then over the other boys at the door. He didn't move nor showed any sign of acknowledging the other's words. He returned his glance to the manguanac.
"Rashid" –he finally said- "Where am I?"
"We…"-the man paused a bit and then recomposed himself- "We are in one of the Winner's asteroids. We decided to stay here while you recuperated…"
"Exact location. Which are the coordinates?" –the blonde asked again. The manguanac frowned concerned, but continued.
"Well, this is the #4 asteroid in the FG North Zone of L9 colony…Master Quatre, we are still concerned about your…" –Rashid tried again.
"My general status is acceptable. However, I assume the mission report has not been completed…" –the 04 pilot walked pass him, just to face the boys looking at him.
Duo was clearly perplexed that Quatre didn't answer his greeting. The others also looked confused.
"What are they doing here?" –he asked, his eyes not looking friendly.
"What are you talking about?" –Duo asked, his eyebrows drawn upwards in surprise.
"I think it would be better if you stay in your rooms" –Rashid suddenly said, rapidly walking towards the four boys and pushing them out of the white room.
Duo tried to protest but the man didn't give him time.
"The doctor will be coming to check master Quatre in any minute. You'll wait in your rooms, so leave…now" –Rashid admonished, his voice marked with worry and also a warning tone.
***
"He has amnesia, right?" –Trowa asked without looking up to the manguanac, his arms folded over his chest.
The others looked expectantly at the man. They have been waiting there, in the main living room for almost two hours until Rashid came.
"No" –the Arabian answered. The boys stared at him with confused glances.
"No?" –Duo echoed- "Then what happened back there?"
"He doesn't have amnesia. His mental capacities are…normal, if I can say it so. He does remember you and me and well, practically everything. But…"
"Go on. We know OZ could have affected him in different ways. He was no physically hurt, but the mental state is also a target for them" –Heero said bluntly.
"He does remember…in certain way. He has just data memories. We are as confused as you, but due to the tests the doctors have been doing him, I can just conclude in one thing…"
"Zero System" –Trowa offered, an unusual downcast glance in his face- "I imagined it too. It's very similar to that time…"
"I thought he had mastered it…"- Wufei said with a wistful expression.
"It is not the Zero System" –Rashid interrupted them. They all looked at him- "I am familiar to it since we knew about Quatre's incident. I studied it, so I can tell it's not the Zero. And besides, Quatre himself says it isn't…"
"Until we don't know what OZ has done to him, he is dangerous and a potential risk to the missions…" –Heero started his analysis.
"Rashid" –Duo cut off the Japanese speech. The American looked intensely into the Arabian's eyes- "How is Quatre? What's he doing? What has happened to him? You gotta tell us…"
The manguanac took a deep breath before answering.
"He…Master Quatre is not the same. He is just a soldier. He cares about nothing but the war. I've tried to talk to him during this time. And he just…I can't believe it. You would have to see it for yourselves. There are no signs of his kindness or care, nor his soft and polite manners…or the sensitive smile…lost. All that is lost." –the Arabian said while shaking his head in frustration.
***
Night was falling slowly over the big, old house. The day had passed among tests and investigations in all the data, systems and hacked net connections with OZ. But no matter what they all did, the fact was still there, and no one had still taken the decision of facing it.
However, it seemed the pilot clad in black had made his mind now. He walked towards the main bedroom, taking deep breaths and with a firm resolution.
"Can I come in?" –he asked as he knocked on the door.
"Any emergency call?" –came the unusual, cold response from inside.
"Well, not exactly…" –Duo murmured, but he entered anyway.
Quatre was full dressed, sitting in front of the desk, laptop beeping, and many pages, reports and other stuff in the table.
"Hi there, Cat. How are ya doing?" –Duo unconsciously wielded the happy-go- lucky mask, as he approached to the boy.
Silence.
"Quatre" –Duo called, now a guilty feeling blooming inside of him- "Cat, I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have left you. I should have stayed. You came for me and I didn't. I…I feel so bad all this is happening. I'm so confused about you and why are you acting like this…"
"I do not see the point in all this. If it is not an important fact or improvement in our missions and battles against OZ, I won't study the issue." –the small but serious boy answered in flat tone.
"C'mon, Quatre! How can you say such a thing!" –Duo replied in surprise- "It's YOU we are talking about. We care about you. How can you say you don't care if we are all trying to understand what…"
"Caring is not part of our missions. In fact, it is liability in our battles and a weakness in a soldier"
Quatre's answer made Duo's eyes widened in disbelief. For a minute, desperation took over him.
"Don't you say that! Now you're talking like Heero or Wufei used to do it!" –Duo's voice raised- "That's nonsense. What did they do to you?" –he continued, standing right in front of the indifferent Arab.
"All of you keep saying that. I am fine. I haven't changed" –the Prussian eyes held the desperate amethyst glance.
"Hell you have! Don't you realize?" –Duo retorted- "You don't remember us! You don't even remember yourself!"
"You are Duo Maxwell, pilot 02 of Gundam DeathScythe Hell. Orphan from L2 colony, trained by doctor G. Marksmanship is your outstanding ability as well as hacking, theft…" –Quatre started to say as he stood from his chair. Maybe Duo hadn't noticed, but the other three pilots had just stepped inside the room too.
"That's technical crap!" –the braided boy interrupted him- "What about my favorite food? Or music? And what about the way you like your tea? Do I like tea? Who used to prepare breakfast in our shelters? Who likes coffee more than tea or…"
"Taste is not a luxury we are allowed to have. Taste or likes are pointless and they have no importance" –the blonde shrugged.
"But you can't remember, right?" –Duo's voice turned sad- "Please, Cat, let me help you remember…" –he said, unconsciously grabbing hold of 04 shoulders.
As in cue, the Arab's eyes narrowed before the sudden and, for him, completely strange gesture. In a fraction of second, Duo was firmly held by his arms, twisted at his back in a painful movement.
"Quatre!" –Trowa called, as he and the other two rushed inside, seeing the sudden defense move of the 04 pilot.
"Let him go" –Heero growled in warning. But for his surprise, Quatre did not complain. Prussian and blue eyes locked, and Heero almost blinked at the intensity of the glance.
"Quatre" –Trowa repeated in a calm tone, taking a step ahead.
"Get free, Maxwell" –Wufei simply suggested, seeing the scene was not moving.
"Can't" –came the answer, which made the other three jerked to see him. He was slightly wincing at the pain, though he also looked surprised by the actions now displaying.
"You better keep your distance" –Quatre suddenly said, releasing him and stepping back a little- "Unless we are on a mission, you better remember that" –the blonde concluded, and exited from the room, nonchalant as if nothing happened.
Some minutes passed by before the others talked.
"Rashid was right. Whatever OZ did to him, has changed and erased his entire natural being, his character has been completely modified" –Trowa said with sadness.
"He has been set and programmed in soldier mode" –Heero suddenly said, stepping beside Duo to see if he was fine. When he realized all the eyes were fixed over him, he continued:
"You perfectly know I was programmed like that too. All emotions, feelings, natural human instincts have turned into a useless part inside of him. Probably OZ did it in order to have him working as on OZ agent, so they needed to get rid of Quatre's human side. But or did their experiment fail, or we managed to retrieve him before he was set into an OZ soldier…"
"But you're not that cold bastard of before" –Duo said with a frown. Heero just raised an eyebrow, gaining Duo's smile- "I meant to say that you've changed for the better"
"There's always the possibility of regaining that human side clamped inside of the soldier" –Heero said in low voice, not really looking directly at the others.
Duo nodded in understanding. One, Heero meant to say he was able to become more human thanks to them. That was comforting and embarrassing for the Japanese pilot. Two, Quatre could still have an opportunity…
"Maxwell" –Wufei called some seconds later- "I know you estimate Quatre, but it was foolish of you not to fight back and get free" –he scowled slightly.
For their surprise, Duo frowned as he shook his head in deny.
"I don't lie, Wu-chan. I said I couldn't. Believe or not, it's the truth. I couldn't get free. His grasp on me was incredible strong. I never imagined he could have that strength…"
To Be Continued…
***Shinigami's Voice***
A/N: There! See what I told you? Quatre is not crazy and shooting everyone. He has turned cold, but not dement. Now, how will the others deal with it? There are so many things they don't know about his Arab friend…but I promise you'll read about that in the next chapter. Please R&R and I'll post faster!
