Sequel to Mercy's Sacrifice Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of the characters or props affiliated with them. I do, however, own the plot.

~*~ Chapter 10 ~*~ Lost Battles and Broken Loyalties

Sitting behind the control panel, Quatre gazed up a the screen and quickly clicked away, bringing up battle strategies, each quadrant and sector quickly being scanned over and the precise location of every battling enemy suit to the pilots, devising a win. Taking a deep breath and looking about the monitors before him again, he called out his commands to each of the brigades. "Phoenix Brigade, take your troops and fly straight into the center line, their weakest point. General, take your troops in on my mark, finish the rest of the Alliance soldiers and take the battlefield." Watching as he felt a welcome sense of power and control, Quatre began the quick count-off. Lady Une was alerted about the space battle and gave him his first chance to prove himself. The battle was almost done, the casualty rate on their forces only a few men while the entire fleet of Alliance soldiers were dropping like flies. "3, 2, 1, Mark!" With keen senses, he could feel Lady supervising him, but he concentrated more on the battle at hand. Gazing at the monitors, he realized a counterattack that could destroy near half to three-fourths of their fleet if he didn't call out his next orders quickly. "Phoenix Brigade, turn and fire at will, Dark Knights, retreat and fire behind you, you've got an entire fleet of enemy suits hot on your tail." Taking control of the mobile dolls, he split his fleet in half and took down the remaining and weak front line of mobile suits that they'd originally attacked, sending the others to counterattack the others on their flanks. After about another ten minutes, the battle was over, their casualty total amounting to twelve men and sixteen mobile suits. The Alliance lost nearly an entire base's worth. And a large base at that. Smiling and leaning back, the young Arabian liked his new strategic command position, he was in charge, and he didn't have to kill, yet saved many men's and women's' lives. Instead of destroying them all.

Smirking, Lady looked on in approval, comparing the casualty list from an older battle of the same statistics and about the same size to the most recent one. The list of casualties was down drastically, the new information on the casualties only 1/12 of the battle before. They'd saved a lot of soldiers and won the battle. "Officer Winner, the battle is won and casualties are down greatly. You've done well in bringing our men and women home safe, I commend you." Striding down the steps and looking over the large strategic machines and their soldiers, she nodded. "You've all done well." Catching his pale form, she looked at the boy with a frown.

Quatre only closed his eyes and sighed, letting his hands relax and his breathing return to normal. Confused when he heard clapping and looking up to see that the other soldiers were commending his decisions and reactions as well, he blushed slightly. "Thank you Ma'am." Standing from his controls and wincing, the young man only shifted most of his weight on left leg, stepping out from behind the panel.

Eyeing him, she turned to look at the rest of her soldiers. "Jamerson, take Officer Winner back to my chambers where I can keep an eye on his health and so that he may rest. You've done pretty good for your first day kid." Turning from them and not leaving room for her orders to be questioned, Lady called for another officer to return the other soldiers back to their base.

Quatre stifled a groan when he tried to shake the dizziness from his vision but lost balance and used his right leg as well to steady himself. Letting the other young man, Officer Jamerson, drape his arm over the youth's shoulders, Quatre let himself be helped back to Lady's quarters where he'd rest again, now worn but feeling better. That, and his mind was still cleared of the earlier and more frustrating thoughts.

~*~

Head shooting up at the sound of footsteps echoing down the corridor outside of their cell, Trowa shook his thoughts from his mind and looked at the others. Duo was leaning against the door, his eyes closed and his breathing slowed, he had to be asleep. Wufei was leaning his back against the wall on the other side of Heero's unconscious form, though he only seemed to be meditating. Heero was still asleep on the floor, his pale and weak form regaining some of its color and strength. He knew what they had to do in order to make an escape with all four of them alive. They couldn't lose anyone else. "Wufei."

Pulling himself from his meditation and looking up somewhat irritably, the young dragon nodded and let his irritation die while turning his eyes to his comrade. "What is it Trowa?"

Keeping his voice soft so as not to awaken the other two, he spoke. "We need to get out of here tonight, take our next chance when someone comes to take us again. I'm certain they'll try and bring us all back to each speak with Lady Une one on one. To try and break us again. If this keeps going, we've each challenged her when she's pushed us to the point of breaking and she held off long enough. But finally, she actually pulled the trigger and Heero's not going to make it out of here if he keeps losing blood like this and getting shot without having the time to heal and regain his strength, he'll surely die. Or we might be her next her target and we don't know how long she'll decided to let us grace past her with all of our replies and silence. If we escape, then we're going to have to take care of Heero, he won't be able to fend for himself. If Duo can get him to the transport unit, we'll just hijack that and we'll have to cover for them." Sighing, he stood and stretched his long legs, reaching his hands high over his head and flexing his fingers.

A moment's hesitation was all Wufei took to think about what his comrade had just proposed. Looking down at Heero and nodding, he knew that if they stayed much longer, Heero might be another casualty, and not just Quatre would be lost. "Then we escape tonight."

Smirking, the silent youth crouched again and shook the sleeping American pilot. "Duo, come on. Wake up."

Jumping and nearly screaming, the confused youth was on edge and ready to fight. After a moment, he realized who he was with, why, and where they were. Settling down, he took a deep breath to steady his racing heart. "Sorry man, whatsup guys?"

"We're escaping tonight, we're completely in the dark in where the hangers are and where our cell is, but you've got to get Heero to the shuttles and ready for escape. Wufei and I will have to cover you both, but if we don't get out of here, Heero won't be living much longer. It's the only chance we have right now and really, our only option." Trowa replied bluntly, brushing Heero's bangs from his eyes and gently placed the back of his hand against his forehead. Sighing, he found there to be another fever, just starting out, but growing rapidly.

"What's wrong man?" Duo piped up curiously.

"His fever's returned and it's getting worse quickly."

"Again?" Wufei asked softly.

"Again." Taking a seat again, Trowa looked about and realized that there was nothing he could use to draw the boy's fever away.

Frowning, Duo sat again next to his friends, knowing it wasn't really all the best of times to bring it up, but he spoke anyway. "Uh, I don't mean to sound selfish, but aren't you guys a little hungry? I am, I haven't eaten since what was it, yesterday around lunch? Something like that?"

The question just seemed to come out of the blue, that Trowa only looked up and caught the young warrior's gaze for a second before he laughed softly. Wufei only snorted softly and joined in.

"What'd I say?"

"Perfect timing with something completely out of the blue, and yet it is truly you. Yes Duo, we're hungry as well, but there isn't much we can do about it..." Grinning and casting his gaze of amusement toward the youth, he only chided teasingly. "We'll worry about that later though, we've got bigger problems to worry about. Don't worry, I'm sure Sally has plenty to satisfy your appetite..." Shaking his head and laughing softly all over again, Trowa felt some of the stress and sadness disappear from his weary soul.

Grinning sheepishly, Duo pondered thoughtfully. "You sure about that man? I mean, I'm really hungry."

"Well, just make sure you don't raid her entire stock Maxwell, there are others that like to ingest food before they go about their work. You get to lounge around the rest of the day, remember?" Wufei snickered. Sighing, he looked down as the one dubbed, "The Perfect Soldier" began to stir restlessly in his sleep.

Placing his hand on his Heero's uninjured shoulder, the young circus star gently spoke to his friend. "It's okay Heero, settle down. We're here and you're fine, you've got a little fever but the bleeding has stopped and you'll be just fine. Rest, we're going to get out of here soon and you'll be fine and treated at Sally's base. Just settle down..." Watching his eyes flutter open, he released a deep breath and growing slightly frustrated, he sat silent and listened to the soft whispers of the boy before him.

Heero took in shallow breaths, trying to focus his sight as a burning pain raced up his side with or without any movement. The overwhelming heat had returned, yet his body from his shoulders down was freezing. He was so tired yet he couldn't sleep any longer, something had awakened him but he knew not what it was. Feeling the tension building around him as he took in quick and panting breaths, he watched the others gather around him. "Wh- what's..."

"Just relax Heero, nothing's wrong except that you're weak and have a fever. Everyone's all right. There's just been a little change in plans. Rest, you're going to need all the energy you can get tonight." Speaking slightly louder but keeping his voice calm with hints of understanding and assurance, the youth tried again to settle the wounded boy.

Biting his tongue and gritting his teeth, Heero stifled a cry when another burning hot, stabbing pain shot throughout his entire left side. A soft growl escaped his throat as another feeling of dizziness swept over his form.

"Somethin's wrong man." Duo stated quietly.

Nodding, Trowa motioned for Wufei to go ahead and help Heero to sit up a little bit, only to let him lay in his arms. Wufei did it without needing to be told twice, Duo helping him as Trowa pulled the blanket back. "His wound needs to be redressed. We can't do much to anything for the pain, but redressing it with a clean cloth should help." Sighing and stripping off a long portion from the bottom of his shirt, he handed it to the American pilot who had already begun to untie the belt.

Leaning into his comrade, the Japanese teenager closed his eyes tiredly but couldn't ignore the pain that raced throughout his entire side, flooding over his chest. Gritting his teeth against the slightest breath that caused another wave of pain, he felt the previous cloth that had dried to his skin and had been used to stop the blood flow peel away from his wound. Finding his breaths to be coming in half gasps, he tried to calm them and forgot about keeping his discipline. He was too weak and tired to try and focus, let alone on more than one thing.

Sighing and quickly folding the cloth, the American gently placed it over his friend's wound, hearing his soft groan and almost tearing it away. "I'm sorry buddy..." Placing it in full over the wound, he watched the mysterious and silent youth retie the belt around his upper waist to hold the cloth in place. "Try and relax man..."

Wufei looked over the feeble silhouette in his arms, knowing that he was in pain, for most times it seemed he didn't feel it, most likely ignoring it. He didn't deal with it. Now he had to and it wasn't something he seemed to do all the time. Listening to his pants as he lay weakly in his arms, the warrior felt a strange need to protect his friend as he did the others, but Heero more than the other two. Because Heero was now weaker than they and unable to truly defend himself. Because he was stronger and it was the just thing to do. Feeling his sense of justice return to him once more, the hazy line disappearing between right and wrong, Wufei felt in control of his emotions and thoughts in total. Lady Une had but to prey on his greatest strengths to cause his great doubt. She'd gotten to him. Well, he knew now and she wasn't going to get to him again. "Trowa, Duo, what are the both of you feeling right now?"

"Huh? Have you seriously, like-flipped a screw or something Wufei dude?" Duo eyed the proud youth in uncertainty.

"I don't understand," was all Trowa replied.

"Duo was right earlier, about Lady Une. She's been finding each of our greatest strengths and slowly feeding us shadows of doubt. We couldn't believe in what we did, nor ourselves and in growing frustrated and uncertain, we couldn't do much, let alone escape. Only because she gave us "if onlys"." Hoping that he was getting to them, the warrior continued as he felt his comrade begin to fall into an exhausted sleep, his pained and shallow breaths evening out and growing deeper. "She's been playing with our minds the entire time. Like we said before. I can only guess to get us to cooperate. She was destroying our confidence and our ability to make decisions and to stand behind what we fight for. And in winning the battle of wits, she's frustrated you Duo to where you can't even think straight."

"Not that that mattered much anyway..." Trowa was sure to add.

"Yeah, it was like I was saying before and.... Hey! That wasn't funny Trowa!" It took a few minutes, but he finally realized what the other boy was getting at.

"Just rather amusing, but she's been breaking us down easily. We were making the right decisions and doing the right thing, but she made us doubt ourselves so that we couldn't fight back. And Quatre still could have lived." Releasing a sigh, Trowa felt that he was in control of his thoughts once more as well. Knowing what to do, when, and how, being able to make snap decisions and lead once more.

"So, what's the reason she got to me?" he piped up hopefully, the American youth now disregarding his stomach.

"Because you should never have engaged in the battle of wit when you were going to be, how'd she put it, slaughtered?" Wufei spoke calmly but teasingly.

"Ouch, that was cold man..." Duo only shook his head and frowned. "So, what's runnin' through your head now?"

Trowa stopped his movements, his pacing steps faulting as he turned to meet Duo's gaze. "The hangers are bound to be near the center of the building, quick escape and easy to locate for the soldiers, providing room for missile launches and other aerial combative counterattacks. Knowing OZ and their incompetence and if I remember right, this is more of an octagonal shaped base, we'll be along the mid to outer rings of the base. We just need to make our way to the center, get out, and escape." Resuming his pacing as he thought aloud, Trowa began to mumble to himself. "They'll most likely have a few virgos and leos there as well, we can easily abduct two of those and load them onto the ship, they're not as big as the gundams. They're bound to have a carrier shuttle or two as well, we can just take one of those..."

Duo watched him in astonishment, not closing his mouth even when he realized that his jaw was dropped and his mouth hanging wide open. Just a few minutes ago, this guy wasn't sure what they were going to do let alone how to escape or where to find the shuttles or other means of transportation. Now he was just listing off everything that they'd need to know, shooting out ideas and his memories of studying the base's plans.

Shaking his head and sighing, the young dragon only spoke softly. "Pathetic baka, hand me the blanket."

Coming to his senses and grabbing the blanket, Duo handed it to Wufei and helped him cover up their injured friend. "You want me to go ahead and get.."

"No, this'll be easier if that happens again and he seems to be in less pain anyway." A soft sigh was all that escaped his lips, his voice becoming silent once more. Closing his eyes and trying to calm his body and soul once more, he continued to hold the youth in his arms. ~*~

Holding his side and shaking uncontrollably, Quatre closed his eyes and pulled the blanket tighter around his shoulders. He was instantly freezing but extremely hot at the same time for some odd reason, dizzy, suddenly exhausted, and his side was paining him dearly. Groaning softly, Quatre realized that he'd tried again to feel what the others were, to know how they were fairing. "You can't do that anymore, they are your enemies..." Calming his breathing as the pain slowly diminished, the once again, confused youth brought his knees up to his chest and hugged them. He was now confused on if his decision was the right one or not. No, they'd left him, he was an OZ soldier now! He was loyal to OZ and they cared for him, he'd even made a few new friends and quickly. They didn't care that he was once a Gundam Pilot, they were actually curious. They wouldn't leave him out to die like his other "friends" did, he'd only believed they were his friends. Because he was blind. He couldn't do that anymore, he had to block them from his mind! They didn't need him, didn't want him around, so he was on his own and so were they. Even his "dear friend" Trowa had betrayed him. They betrayed him! Sighing deeply, he listened to his breathing as it echoed in the room, yet footsteps were once again heard. If they wanted him to do anything else, he'd just say he felt sick. He did, and he was tired but he couldn't sleep.

Walking into the dimly lit room, Lady was surprised to see that Quatre was still awake and frowned at his, clearly visible, trembling. "Are you all right 0..."quickly catching herself, she changed her mind. "..Quatre?"

Looking up with uncertain and confused eyes, the young Arabian only shook his head and rested his head on his knees again. He wasn't sure why he trusted Lady so much now, he normally wouldn't. But she wasn't the only one acting different, and Quatre couldn't help it. Feeling a hand rest softly on his shoulder, he looked up again with sorrowful blue eyes to find Lady with a soft smile. "I'm sorry, I just don't feel well right now."

Nodding, she took her place on the stool after stripping the jacket from her shoulders and the glasses from her face, Lady took her book up again. He would recover on his own, in his own time. She kept her distance as she always did around Mr. Treize. Humming softly, she began to read, catching his relaxing form out of the corner of her eyes. The battle of emotions began to flee from his eyes and quell itself, replaced by a tired content. Continuing to hum "Nearer My God To Thee", the older woman finished the hymn and began "Amazing Grace" once more.

Listening to her voice, the young aristocrat felt his confusion diminishing, the song drawing away his frustrations. Laying down and only wincing slightly at the pain in his side from his exploration of the others' minds. Ms Une didn't seem all that bad, if one took the time to trust her and look past her protective barriers. Just like Heero. No! Not like Heero! Heero left him as did the others! He'd found where he belonged! Not with them! A sigh escaped his lips as he fell back onto the pillows, feeling exhaustion sweep over him. He was so tired, but still he couldn't sleep.

Biting her lower lip, Lady began to think on her own. Was she acting any of this? Or was the boy becoming more of one of her soldiers? Yet with the help from his time of need, he became something else. Almost like a lost child. Her maternal side had taken over somewhat, but was she true in caring or was she acting? Dismissing the thoughts from her mind, Lady repeated "Amazing Grace", singing the lyrics softly at seeing his still confused eyes and tense form. Stopping in the middle of it, she realized that she'd forgotten something that was rather obvious before. "You haven't eaten all day and it doesn't appear much before that. Are you hungry Quatre?"

A curious glance was all he gave her. He hadn't really thought about it, and he was still healing, that he knew. But that could probably be why he was so tired. He was never well enough before that to eat anything. Nodding slightly, he turned onto his side and pulled the blankets from his waist to his shoulders. "A little, but I'm tired right now Ms Une. Thank you for asking..." Yawning, he closed his eyes, it was only meant to be for a moment, yet the youth couldn't force them open as he slowly fell to sleep.

Smirking and eyeing him, she nodded and went to her bathroom, changing into something that she could wear comfortably and to try and reawaken herself. Stopping, she caught the knocking outside her door and quickly put on her jacket and glasses, fixing her uniform before opening the door.

"Ma'am, the transport unit is ready to ahead and ship out to the next base with the virgos that they requested. If you wish, we can also send a few troops with the carrier and transport the others tonight." Saluting his commanding officer and informing her of their plans, the captain awaited her command.

Nodding, Lady smirked. "Go ahead captain and depart, you might as well put the other prisoners on there and ship them off to the Galaxia Base. They've failed to amuse me for too long." Dismissing her soldier, she turned and found the youth to be asleep but still restless. Questions still plagued her mind, was she doing this out of acting or out of caring for the youth truly. Whatever it was, he was on their side and they'd end this war, and then see the vision that Mr. Treize had and finally live like they were meant to.

~*~

Finally sitting down, the once very silent youth looked at his other conscious comrades and only became worried. "What?"

"You just spoke more in the past, however long, than I've ever heard you speak in an entire lifetime dude." Staring in disbelief, Duo had listened to his comrade ramble on and on with strategies and facts, possibilities that they'd have to face in escaping, and anything else that he thought of.

"Do you always do this?" Wufei added, his arms growing somewhat tired from holding Heero's weak form, but he was regaining some of the color back in his features. His fever was still there and just as stubborn as he, but at least it wasn't going up any.

Smirking, he shook his head. "No, I just had a breakthrough in thinking abilities and I guess I got a little carried away."

"A lil'?" Duo watched skeptically.

"Yes, a little." Trowa repeated.

"Hell, I'd hate to see you get really carried away man, I really would." Rubbing his eyes with the palms of his hands, the talkative American knew that if he let Trowa, or rather, if Trowa let himself, he'd be matched for speaking abilities and long-windedness.

"Don't worry, it doesn't hap..." Approaching footsteps caught his attention. His amused eyes turned cold and harsh, his voice retaining the steel iciness once more that hid his true self.

"Uh oh, aren't they kinda early?" Duo asked in slight worry.

"A little. Wufei, go ahead and wake Heero up. We go through with this here and now, we escape once and for all." Trowa stood, followed by Duo while Wufei roused their unstable friend.

"Heero, you must awaken. We're going to make our escape and we can't do a thing if you're sleeping the entire time." Shaking him gently, the proud, Chinese warrior watched the Japanese youth in slight worry.

Forcing his eyes to flutter open, Heero tried to focus his vision. He was so tired, cold, and weak that he wanted to close his eyes and fall back into exhaustion's hands, but he was shaken from that idea. "..Wh-what.."

"Get up Heero, we're making our escape now. You won't have to do much but get with Duo to the transport unit. They're coming, hurry." Trowa stood back a few steps from the door, taking a seat on the steps and motioning for Duo and Heero to join them, he knew that Wufei could take out the escort soldiers and then they'd escape.

Grimacing and stifling a groan as he was helped to his feet, the Japanese pilot swayed as Duo helped him over to the steps, his strides unsteady and uneven. "H-how?"

"Just stay with Duo, he's been put in charge of getting both himself and you to the transport unit, sadly enough. Wufei and I will hold off the soldiers as long as we possibly can. Just don't worry about this escape, you're having trouble staying awake as it is." Watching them sit, he held his head in his hands. They didn't have time and they probably wouldn't be able to do anything, but Quatre deserved to be buried in his home and remembered as he should. OZ probably already buried or dumped the body. Shuddering at such a though, seeing Quatre's pale and limp form again just left out in a snowy ditch or something else filled his mind's eye. OZ probably would do such a thing. He didn't deserve that, he didn't deserve any of it.

Helping his buddy to sit down, Duo was caught off guard when he nearly collapsed and just let his friend lean against him. He knew that Heero would kill him later for mentioning any of this time or how weak he was and the help he needed, that's just how he was. But for right now, he just took the help, surprisingly gratefully. "It's gonna be okay buddy, don't worry, everything's gonna be cool and you can rest as soon as we get outta this hell-hole as you put it so kindly." Laughing softly at his weak glare, Duo grabbed the blanket that Wufei had quietly tossed him and put it over Heero's still shivering form.

Wufei closed his eyes, silencing his breaths as he heard the door open wide after a few moments of pre-warning from the keys. As the others squinted against the light, he adjusted quickly and waited for the soldiers to enter further.

"Okay brats, get up. We're gettin' your sorry lil' asses out of here tonight." Spoke one of the three soldiers.

"What? She doesn't want to play anymore? I just thought of some good comebacks too!" Smirking, Duo recognized one of the men. "Like I said man, your wife is a sweet piece of.."

"Shut the hell up or I'll kill you right here and now." The third soldier raised his gun, locking it on Duo.

"She's got my number, so don't worry." Sneering, Duo laughed softly. "See guys, he's lots of fun to talk to. His wife's the hottie I was tellin' ya all about and..."

"One_last_warning." Was all he spoke.

"Put your gun down and cut the crap Williams." The second officer shot over his shoulder. "Where's 05?"

"Right here.." Wufei took this as his perfect chance, reaching around and snatching the gun from the first officer before knocking him to the ground, kicking the gun from the second soldier and landing a kick on the side of his head, collapsing him unconscious to the ground. Leaning to his left and missing a bullet that was aimed at him, he connected a kick with the third soldier's stomach, pulling the gun from his hand before knocking him unconscious and dumbfounded to the floor with a well aimed fist. "Here Duo..." Putting the safety on and tossing the gun to the American, he watched Trowa pick up the other from the floor.

Heero rose, standing on his own and feeling adrenaline running through his veins, it was now or never and this was their escape. Possibly their only escape. They'd lost one member, they weren't going to lose another. "Let's.. nmph... get out of here..." Holding his side protectively, the stubborn and strong willed Japanese youth shed the blanket, pushing his feelings to the back of his mind and locking them up again.

"Well then, what are we waiting for?" With a demonic grin, Duo jogged out into the bright hallway but his eyes adjusted quickly, motioning for the others to join as he ran further into the maze of the compound, listening to Heero struggling to keep up with him and to keep his balance as Trowa and Wufei fired a couple of times at perusing soldiers.

~*~

Leaning against her bed is where the older woman had fallen asleep, but was hastily jerked from the blissful state. An urgent voice called to her from the other side of the door. "Enter soldier."

"Ma'am, the pilots have escaped the escorts and are trying to escape in full. The entire base is on full alert Ma'am."

Sighing, Lady stood hastily, disregarding the waking youth and her soldier's wary glance at her different attire. "Secure all the exits, place more soldiers in the hangers, they'll be heading for those and trying to escape. Don't let them get away." Grabbing up her glasses and quickly slipping on her shoes, she was caught by a tired yet puzzled voice.

"What's wrong?" Sitting up and rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Quatre had only caught a few tidbits here and there of what they were speaking of. He was still at a loss.

"While you were asleep," she quickly lied to the youth. This was the battle that determined all. The one to break the other Gundam Pilots, soon they'd be no more than lost and total wrecks, no longer soldiers, let alone pilots of the great Gundams. "...we were able to capture the other four Gundam Pilots, your comrades in arms when you fought with them."

"Ex-comrades." He corrected.

"And they were rather surprised and shocked that you were still alive. We were going to transport them to the next base, yet things aren't going as planned and now we've got to deal with escape. We might need your help in this Officer Winner. You can help capture them, and truly prove yourself once and for all." Nodding and anxiously awaiting his answer, the older woman stood quietly.

Taking a deep breath, Quatre stood from the bed, wincing at his sore ankle but nodding and slipping on his shoes quickly. "I'll stop their escape. It's time they learned that I'm stronger than they thought and that I'm not just a weak, little, pampered, brat." Trotting over to her side, he saluted his superior with a curt nod and smile.

Returning his salute, Lady nodded. "Very well Officer Winner, do as you see fit and stop their escape." Handing him her gun with a smirk, the older woman quickly ran off to the control rooms.

Turning with a still somewhat hazy picture in his mind of the base and its layout, he raced down the opposite hall and took a left, disregarding the stabbing pain in his ankle.

~*~

"C'mon! Get you butts in here now!" Helping Heero into the jet, he watched as Wufei and Trowa took cover behind a couple of virgos. "Crap!" Ducking behind the wall, he heard the bullet ricochet off of the open door. OZ was getting really feisty and temperamental when it came to their escapes. You'd think they'd expect it by now. "What the hell?"

Heero quickly started the engines of the jet, looking about anxiously and trying to shake the dizziness and exhaustion from his sight and body. He could feel the blood from his side slowly begin to soak once more into the cloth, but they'd worry about that later. "Tell them to get in here now or I'll leave them behind."

"Hey! Get both of your butts in here now! C'mon guys!" Duo screamed over the gunfire to his other friends who were still outside the shuttle.

Nodding to Wufei and receiving a curt nod in return, the circus performer yelled back over his shoulder. "Get going, we'll take the virgos and keep the jet safe, don't worry about us Duo!" Sighing, he took down another two soldiers and had to force his weight against the large mobile suit, feeling a searing pain shoot through his leg. Looking down as he watched blood begin to soak his jeans, the youth fired back at those who'd locked target on him and gritted his teeth against the pain, redistributing his weight on both legs.

Catching the blood and giving a frown of disapproval, the young dragon bit his tongue, knowing what he had to do. The hatch to the jet was closing and they had to get into the virgos and out of there quickly. That, or Heero and Duo would be easy targets for OZ to shoot right out of the sky. "Get ready to climb into the virgo Trowa..." Taking his chances and sprinting from the leg of the machine, his only shield, the youth quickly climbed the ladder and onto the metal platform. Stepping over and opening the hatch of the suit, he dodged a couple more bullets as they whizzed past his head. The door couldn't open any slower, he was positive it was to spite him. Jumping into the cockpit and turning on the reluctant suit, he quickly made it into a shield for the injured youth while he climbed into the virgo he was "relocating". They weren't really stealing or borrowing, OZ would get it back somehow, whether in a million pieces or one, that was up to them.

Groaning softly as he climbed to the platform, Trowa quickly stowed away in the cockpit, releasing a pained and held breath. "Get out of here now Duo, Heero. We're right behind you." Turning on the monitors and hastily taking the suit under his control, Trowa caught sight of the leaving shuttle.

"We're on our way buddy." Speaking through the small headset, Duo took the controls in hand and prepared the shuttle for departure, Heero having given up on the controls and was trying to regain control over his body and emotions once more. "You okay man?"

Nodding, the quiet youth leaned against the chair, feeling the jet shudder beneath them. Placing his hand over his newer wound, he could feel the damp cloth beneath his fingers. Looking down and catching sight of blood, his blood, he only swallowed and leaned against the back of the chair once more, feeling even weaker. "D-Duo.... We need... to get to Sa-Sally's base.... I can't hold out much... much longer...." As he forced the words to speak, his cuffed hands fell limply to his lap as his breaths grew softer and more shallow.

Looking over as soon as they'd taken off and he made sure that both Trowa and Wufei were behind them, he caught sight of the blood covering Heero's fingers. "C'mon man, don't give up on me now. Not when we've gotten so far. Just hang on, we're gonna get you help and then you can sleep and relax and heal. Hang on buddy... I'm not losin' another brother and I know the Lord ain't callin' ya home yet..."

Quatre ran into the hangers, looking about at the fallen soldiers while virgos and leos were preparing for chase after the escaped craft. "Sergeant, I've been given orders by Lieutenant Colonel Une to do as I see fit to stop the escape. I need that virgo and these men and women." Climbing onto the platform, he watched the confused soldier as he exited dumbfounded. Hopping into the chair and closing the cockpit door, the youth took off and caught sight of the manned craft and two virgos. The small fleet following behind them, he quickly gave his commands. "Watch out, each of you. Get out of their range if they fire, surround the virgos but do not attack. Only defend yourselves, but I repeat, do not attack. I'll take care of the shuttle. Crusaders, spread out but don't let them through. Go, now!" As the fleet of troops split and sped off after the virgos, Quatre quickly locked target on the shuttle and aimed his buster rifle at it, firing and watching as the main engine exploded, leaving the craft intact and fine, but it could no longer fly and was forced to make a rough, emergency landing. Grinning, he fled after the others watching the two abducted virgos try and help the damaged craft, but their soldiers were doing as they were told. "Don't let them get to the craft. Pilots of 0587,1692, and 3274, leave the aerial mission and exit your suits, take the two Gundam Pilots in the shuttle into custody again." Watching the shuttle land, being thrown around amongst the trees as smoke and flames jumped from the destroyed engine, he almost felt bad for he knew the feeling of being tossed around like a rag doll and they could be getting hurt or already be hurt but... No! He wasn't supposed to feel sorry for them! He_was_an_OZ_soldier!!! His loyalties lie with them! Shaking that thought from his mind and focusing on the struggling and battling virgos, Quatre weaved in between the OZ soldiers and into the center of the circle. Turning on the voice intercom, he connected to their line and listened to Wufei's voice and his frustrations.

"Damn these pathetic excuses for soldiers. They just keep lining up to die, too weak to beat us." Wufei sneered, surprised that they weren't being attacked but they were only dodging the pilots' attacks. "We destroy them now Trowa, they aren't fighting back."

"But why?!" Trying to get to the others, hoping to God that they were okay, he felt himself grow somewhat dizzy as his leg continued to bleed freely.

Calling to the other soldiers, he watched his once fellow comrades stop their movements suspiciously as well. "Crusaders, stand down. Keep your distance and keep them from escape, but this is my battle now. I'll call for assistance if need be. I repeat, stand down." Coming forth and into the very middle of the large, aerial circle, the young Arabian watched the enemy mobile suits before him. "I'll show you how weak I am..."

Looking at the lone suit, Trowa laughed softly but coldly, connecting his frequency with the enemy and motioning for Wufei to do the same. "You're getting brave, one soldier against two Gundam Pilots. Sorry we weren't broken by Lady and her games, but we've got other plans." Releasing a frustrated groan at seeing Heero and Duo taken into custody, he knew that they'd probably play dirty and use his friends against him.

Duo winced as he took in each breath, feeling the bones of his ribs moving freely with each inhale and exhale. Needless to say, it wasn't normal and it hurt like Hades. "You guys must really like us..." Placing his hands behind his head, the youth felt the cuffs dig into his arms but he didn't want to get Heero shot, again! Looking over his shoulder, he realized that Heero was about ready to black out by the looks of it, blood soaking his shirt, slowly but surly. The wound had been opened and he was deathly pale again, not the best of signs. "C'mon buddy, hang on..." They'd been thrown quite a bit in the landing, knowing that Wufei and Trowa had their hands full and couldn't do much. Feeling the gun press against his back, he winced and sat on his knees with his hands behind his head, just outside of the shuttle. The door was open and he could hear what the enemy and his friends were saying. Heero was laid or rather dropped to the ground, he was too weak to do anything and a gun was trained on him with an intimidating accuracy.

"Maybe I'm not as weak as you thought I was..." Quatre sneered, training the buster rifle on the cockpit of Trowa's suit.

Sitting in shock and uncertain if he'd heard right, the youth remained silent. That couldn't be Quatre's voice, he wouldn't fight for OZ, he wasn't even alive! Watching Wufei's greatly startled expression as well, the youth took in a deep breath and opened a visual connection with the mobile suit. The same golden blonde, slightly unruly hair, bright blue eyes, soft, tan features. It was Quatre! But his smile, it wasn't a smile. It was a sneer. And his once merciful eyes were now full of contempt. His voice was also cold and uncaring. "Quatre?"

Wufei opened the connection as well, not believing what he was seeing, nor could he find his voice to speak as he felt uncertainty yet gratefulness sweep over his being. Was this really Quatre? But, the kind-hearted youth had been killed! And this couldn't be Quatre, he was too different, as if he'd lost all ability to care.

"Who else did you expect? Queen Cleopatra?" He shot back with a sharp and harsh tongue.

"But you're-you're..." Trowa tried to speak, uncertain and again, his discipline and training failed him.

"Dead? Sorry, no such luck. I'm harder to kill of than you thought. Maybe I'm not just a weak little rich kid." Throwing his aim over to Wufei, he shot the mobile suit down, the warrior trying to retreat from the shot's path but not quick enough. His suit was thrown to the ground. "You, Crusaders. Land and take 05 into custody. I've yet to settle this with 03." Watching the line of soldiers pull closer around the two, he nodded in approval at the soldiers who knew what they were to do, taking the still stunned and confused Wufei into custody.

"Wufei!" Catching his comrade fall, Trowa turned back to Quatre in bewilderment. "What's wrong with you? What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"I found out the truth about my "friends". You left me to die, what else was I supposed to do? Lady Une cared for me and nursed me back to health, and my allegiance is now with her and OZ, under the beliefs of Rommefeller and Treize."

"What?!" They left him to die?! They risked everything to get him help! They were in capture because of it! This wasn't Quatre, it couldn't be. He did die that day, there wasn't any way that Trowa was going to accept this as his kind-hearted, merciful friend.

"You should have just ended my life in the cabin when you had the chance coward," he spat, aiming the buster rifle's aim at the cockpit again.

"There is no way in heaven or hell that you could be Quatre Winner, not the one I knew..." Trowa declared with malice, prepared to fight. "He died a few days ago in capture, when we risked everything to see that he was helped. He wasn't a cold-hearted bastard."

"You should talk Trowa, risking everything for me?! By leaving me to die in a cold cabin, alone?! The Quatre you knew did die that day, he found out where his loyalties truly laid and was ashamed to call himself a Gundam Pilot." With hatred burning like a passion in his eyes, he watched the other with wary eyes. "I have my orders and you're not escaping. Lieutenant Colonel Une didn't say dead or alive, and either will work for me."

"Then this is a battle to the death, because I'm not going back without a fight and a hell of a one at that." Shaking the dizziness from his vision as his left leg began to go numb from loss of blood, he set his teeth against any pain and stubbornly fought for control over his body.

Sighing, the young Arabian nodded. "That's fine with me. Crusaders, retreat. This is my battle. Crusader 12, give me your beam saber, 19, give yours to the enemy. He has no buster rifle nor beam cannon to worry about." Confirming his decision and trading off his weapon, the youth watched as Trowa took up the weapon, striking out at the now defenseless leo. Rushing between and meeting Trowa's blow with his beam saber, the youth called out his orders. "Crusaders, I said retreat. That's an order, now!" Watching them scatter and listening to the young man who's life he'd just save give a quick thanks and retreat, he engaged in battle. Quickly retreating downward, he thrust the beam saber up toward the other mobile suit, his suit slow in reacting and because it was only a virgo and Trowa was able to retreat before counterattack.

Duo listened in horror, realizing that his little buddy was still alive, but his loyalties had swayed and they were now enemies. Looking over to catch Heero panting as he struggled to stay awake, he knew that the Japanese youth had heard it as well.

That's why it felt so wrong! To accept Quatres death, because it was wrong! Grimacing, he stifled a groan as his felt himself grow weaker and weaker. Quatre had turned against them, the loyalest of all the pilots had turned against them. Now there wasn't much left to do but destroy his enemy and he'd be fighting as well if he had the strength an the suit. Returning Duo's glance, he nodded solemnly.

Biting his lower lip, Duo listened to the clash between the once best of friends as they battled. A troubled sigh escaped his lips as his eyes were cast to the ground, closed and filled with shame and confusion.

Trowa fought with Quatre, for they were now enemies and there was no way in hell he was going to let the others and himself return to capture or lose another friend. Blocking a blow, he disconnected the visual connection and forced a counterattack of his own. The mobile suits were too slow! Not only that, but they were reluctant to his movements unless he nearly slammed the controls down. And to add in helping him was the fact that he was still bleeding and dizzy, besides still being in the handcuffs. In other words, it was an interesting battle and he was sorely outmatched. Retreating backwards, he took a moment to try and stabilize his erratic breathing and heartbeat. "Damn this piece of scrap metal..."

Raising his beam saber again, Quatre forced his mind to focus. This was his enemy. It was kill or be killed. Trowa would kill him if he had the upper hand and it meant getting out and to escape, and he knew it. So he had to battle his opponent, he had to win. To prove himself. "You will not win this battle 03, I'm giving you one last chance to surrender and come back alive."

"And die by Une's hand? I'd rather not..." Gritting his teeth and watching him attack, the youth moved from his aim and tried to counter attack but felt his suit knocked off balance. "You really have become one of them...." Memory flitted back to his first encounter with the youth, they'd nearly battled each other. And then to the lake, his pleading eyes as he yearned to breathe but couldn't reach the surface of the water. To his once again pale form lying on the bitter snow, the youth along with his friends trying everything to get him to come back to life. To caring for him and trying to assure him that his pain would end soon to his last look before Trowa threw his aim to the wall of the cabin. Why did the once trusting friend he knew turn against them, and believe that they'd actually leave him to die? It had to be Lady Une's doing, she'd even preyed on his weakness, his strength and loyalty. Each of their strengths were so great and rarely misplaced, that it became their greatest weakness. "Damn it Quatre, who the hell would you believe, that we risked everything to flag OZ down and being taken into capture so that you'd live or that we left you to die?!"

"Why else would you be so shocked that I'm alive?" Taking in a deeper breath and reassuring the rest of the Crusader fleet that he was doing fine on his own for now, he shot back at the Gundam Pilot.

"Because we were worried enough about you and uncertain enough when Lady was preying on our strengths and turning them to our weaknesses, that we for some reason believed her when she said that she'd just put you out of your pain! Jesus Quatre, think about it. If we'd left you to die, why the hell would we bother even risking everything to get you out of that damn lake? Why the hell Heero's bleeding into a fatal state right now because Une is a damn bitch?!" There was no use in trying to get to the set youth, he could see that now. Quatre was one of them. Yet Trowa couldn't force himself to strike out, to finish the battle and destroy his enemy. Because Quatre wasn't, he was still his friend. Turning the beam saber off and letting it drop to the ground below, the youth struggled to stay awake, quickly ripping off the rest of his uneven shirt at the bottom and using it to his advantage. He had to stop the bleeding somehow. Tying the cloth around his leg, just above the wound, he stifled his cry as much as possible when pulling the cloth tight. It hurt like hell, but he had to do something.

Quatre sat for a moment, watching the suit before him. Those same questions had plagued him before. Shaking his head, he knew what he must do. Listening to his intercom as an order was given to him, he recognized Lady's voice.

"Quatre, you are to capture the enemy, do not let them escape. Not one of them. They turned against you, they've done it before and they are now. That's why they tried to escape and not even bother looking for you." Lady spoke, watching the monitor as the youth nodded, convinced of her words. "End the battle now Officer Winner, you've saved the fleet from being destroyed and Adams from being killed, now finish your duty as you see fit."

"Yes Ma'am," was his only reply. Taking the beam saber in his hands, he rushed the unmoving suit and aimed the end straight at the cockpit.

A moment's hesitation was all Trowa took, and that's all Quatre needed obviously. He was too close to dodge and Trowa would surly die by the aim of the beam saber. He said to the death, and he meant it. He'd rather die by Quatre's hand than Une's. By the looks of it, Heero would surly bleed to death within the next ten to fifteen minutes if he wasn't helped. He didn't know how injured Duo and Wufei were, but they'd most likely be the only ones left in capture. Taking a deep breath and swallowing hard, he spoke softly as the beam saber neared, ready to end his life. "I'm sorry it had to end like this my friend..."

A/N:

I know I know! You hate me and I'm a very bad and evil author for doing this. Well, this is one hell of a battle, friend against friend who thinks they're enemies, Heero's in trouble, Duo's hurt, and all we know about Wufei is that he's taken into custody. Well, is Quatre truly going to go through with it or is he going to spare Trowa's life? And what's going to happen to the others who make it through this battle and into capture? It doesn't look like they're getting out of this one free, or are they? So many possibilities, so little answers. Well, you determine. Please, tell me what you think is going to happen, I'm interested. Then I'll post the last chapter, finally the last chapter. I'm working on the last for Strength of Friendship and I'm halfway through a chapter for Heaven's Angel. Have fun... ~evil grin and snickers, running and hiding from "disgruntled" reviewers~