SW=AU
GW = 7 years after Endless Waltz
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon or Gundam Wing. ::sob::
--------------
Chapter 3 - Pieces of the Puzzle
AC 202: September 17
Location: X-19946
"Ms. Tsukino."
Blue green eyes looked up from the documents that she had been proofreading for her boss. For the hundredth time, she wondered how she had ended up carrying the name of a previous incarnation, Usagi Tsukino. It was rather funny to her really and it displayed much more than she had realized. Idly, she pushed that thought aside with practiced ease as she focused her attention on the person speaking to her. "Yes, sir?"
"We have decided to send you as our representative to the L7 colony cluster. You will be meeting with some of the leaders at K-00685." Usagi can detect a note of frustration in his voice. "Your party will be escorted there by their own shuttles since they still don't trust anyone flying there."
"Yes, sir." Usagi said. "And what is the objective? I take it this is not a normal meeting among representatives since your sending me as your stand in."
Quick thinking and smart, this was why he had hired Ms. Tsukino. Too smart for her own good sometimes since she has almost stumbled upon several of their secrets. Still, he didn't want to give her up because she always had everything prepared for him when he needed it. He also needed her to keep a rein on many of the more energetic interns his bosses loved to dump in his division. Somehow Usagi has kept them under control.
"You're to find out as much as you can about the denizens of L7. Their habitat, lifestyle, work ethics. Everything. Also, we want you to try to get the coordinates of that colony cluster. It would make our life easier to know where to put our trade route." He replied. They would use as much information as they could get from Ms. Tsukino to further their plans. She was good at gathering information he needed, something none of his previous secretaries could do. She was invaluable to him but he kept a close eye on her, not trusting that she would sell the information she found here or elsewhere.
Her pencil scribbled out the objectives on her notepad even though she'll be getting a file on in. A habit that she had picked up that helped her remember things better. Her fingers tucked an errant strand of light brown hair behind her ear thoughtfully. "Will do, sir. Will there be others assigned to this meeting with me?"
"Yes. They've been informed of their departure and that they are to report to you. You are to meet your escort at hanger 13 at 3:00." Then he smiled warmly at the young woman. "And you have the rest of the day off to pack for your trip."
Her sea colored eyes lit up as she expressed her happiness in her voice and smile. "Thank you, sir!"
Hurriedly, she packed her bag and purse and scuttled out of there before her boss could change his mind. She had six hours to burn before she had to go to the airport. Gleefully, she started traveling towards the nearest mall. "Shopping, here I come!"
AC 202: September 17
Location: unknown
The soft clacking of keys being depressed were the only sound heard within the silent room. Information upon information scrolled up on the brightly lit screen, illuminating the firece face of the hacker. It had to be somewhere. Unless these people were smarter than previous enemies and knew how to erase any tale tell secrets. The Dragoons were able to do that back then.
A hiss startled him, before he settled again. It was only his partner. "Hurry."
"I'm trying! They hid the information better than we thought!" He growled back. "The Eclipse shoulda taken this mission, not us! We're not hackers."
He could feel his partner's heated glare at his back. It was true. The Eclipse should have taken the mission, they were much better suited for it. They couldn't complain. It helped them get better and the other team was busy with their current mission. If only he had Heero's and Kyle's computer smarts.
"Found it. Downloading now." He murmured, watching as the downloading process commence. It was agonizingly slow and nervewracking waiting for it.
"Too late. They're coming! Hurry!" His partner was once again hissing at him to hurry. He stayed where he was at, clenching his fist as the completion bar slowly filled regardless of the danger his team mate and he was in. As soon as the computer reached 100%, he took the disc out and let loose a virus.
"Let's go." He turned in the chair and lauched himself towards her. He peered down the hall and swore. Too late indeed, but they needed to get the disc back to the Triad. He gave his partner a roguish grin. "Ready?"
With a nod, the two of them let a blast into the hall way, clearing both ways before running. The labyrinth of corridors was enough to hinder them, making sure it was safe to go on. Suddenly, the female counterpart pulled them into a room. A few minutes after the door shut, they heard pounding footsteps go by. He stayed at the door a moment later, then pulled his partner with him down the hall and into safety.
As the door swung open, the light from the hallway illuminated the contents of the room. A hand had rolled into the pathway of the light, a head soon followed. Inside were several dozen people. The gray pallor to their skin would show they had been dead for some time.
AC 202: September 18
Location: space
A pale hand rested against the glass that allowed the observer to peer into the starlit darkness known as space. The reflective surface refused to mirror the one looking out as if to keep her identity hidden. The survallence camera that was installed in that hallway would only show the place empty. Maybe the figure was only a figment of one's imagination.
Yet, it gave a soft resigned sigh. There was nothing that the person could do to help any of them. The person made sure at least three of them were prepared to face what was to come. The organization would fully back them up. The thought of the Senshi soured her hopes. If they cannot learn to trust their instincts instead of what they were programmed to do, everything would be for naught.
A bitter smile curved the person's lip. They had been ready to be distrustful of Heero and Kyle Yuy because they had been working with Jadeite. Maybe it was time for them to learn the truth of their past. No. The Guardian of Time would not be pleased if the Senshi was given that memory back. Not yet anyway. Besides, the Lord of the Underworld had forbidden any revelations of the past.
As much as they had argued with the Lord, they would still follow his decree. The right time has not come to inform them of it.
The holes in the Senshi's memories was enough to drive anyone batty, let alone me. The person thought furiously. Hair covered the starlit vision when the head shook from side to side. Not that I can go against father's orders. He'd do more than skin me. Mother wouldn't be happy about it either.
Suddenly, the person stiffened, turning slightly, listening. There. Footsteps were coming down the corridor; the tread unfamiliar. Quickly, the figure melted into the shadows, disappearing from view. A person appeared in view, looking around.
"I coulda sworn I heard something." He frowned looking down the corridor again. He shrugged and made his way back to his room. Too bad there wasn't anybody worth talking to on this trip. You would think a person would die from boredom by now.
AC 202: September 18
Location: one of the planets
The sun was about to rise, pushing the night back and lighting the sky with a dark blue that steadily became lighter. The clouds looked like a painter's palate trying to paint a garden. Violets turned into pinks turned into reds and oranges. Fingers of colors reached up from the eastern horizon, almost as if to push away the star studded black blanket.
Suddenly, the sun was above the horizon, the darkness gone before the glory of the burning star's rays. Such were the dawn's that she greeted in the morning ... and they were always different. Her usual companion to watch the was once again away on a mission. This past year, they hadn't had time together to enjoy the beginning of a new day. She pushed that thought aside.
"When the war is over ..." She said softly into the quiet air.
Dawn was always her favorite time of day. The noise of the world would quiet for a little while as they held their breath as the new day began. It was always the time before the house was bursting with activity from children screaming to her housemates' calls to one another.
Arms encircled her waist and she could feel him nuzzling her neck. She welcomed his presence, his warmth wholeheartedly and the feelings he conveyed through his actions. He had always been a man of few words, conveying more within his movements. Even after five millenias, he preferred to show her how much he loved her, rather than whispering those words to her. She loved him more for it.
"You miss them, don't you." He murmured softly into her ear, his breath washing over the side of her face. She shivered nestling further into him and she could feel his arms answering by holding her closer.
"Aa. I worry for them too." She replied softly, her fear evident in her voice. "The Dark Kingdom ... hell, any enemy that had Chaos on their side, had always ended in tragedy. At least for us."
His arms squeezed her reassuringly. "They'll be safe. We made sure they know what they're doing." He gave her another loving squeeze. "And stop it. You know very well Zoicite chose to save us and that he'll be back as soon as his service to Lord Hades is done, Zoe."
"I still worry, Kunzite." Zoe sighed softly, turning her head to catch her husband's lips in a soft kiss.
They stood together a little longer, watching the horizon. Below they could hear the children waking up and playing. Their housemates were already bickering about breakfast. One particular crash made Kunzite cringe. "There went the crystals ... again."
Zoe giggled and tugged Kunzite with her as she turned to decend into their daily lives. "We'd better get down there before they break anything else. Tia won't be happy if she has to fix the gamman again."
"Hn."
Zoe smacked his arm with a laugh. "And no more language lessons from Heero!"
GW = 7 years after Endless Waltz
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon or Gundam Wing. ::sob::
--------------
Chapter 3 - Pieces of the Puzzle
AC 202: September 17
Location: X-19946
"Ms. Tsukino."
Blue green eyes looked up from the documents that she had been proofreading for her boss. For the hundredth time, she wondered how she had ended up carrying the name of a previous incarnation, Usagi Tsukino. It was rather funny to her really and it displayed much more than she had realized. Idly, she pushed that thought aside with practiced ease as she focused her attention on the person speaking to her. "Yes, sir?"
"We have decided to send you as our representative to the L7 colony cluster. You will be meeting with some of the leaders at K-00685." Usagi can detect a note of frustration in his voice. "Your party will be escorted there by their own shuttles since they still don't trust anyone flying there."
"Yes, sir." Usagi said. "And what is the objective? I take it this is not a normal meeting among representatives since your sending me as your stand in."
Quick thinking and smart, this was why he had hired Ms. Tsukino. Too smart for her own good sometimes since she has almost stumbled upon several of their secrets. Still, he didn't want to give her up because she always had everything prepared for him when he needed it. He also needed her to keep a rein on many of the more energetic interns his bosses loved to dump in his division. Somehow Usagi has kept them under control.
"You're to find out as much as you can about the denizens of L7. Their habitat, lifestyle, work ethics. Everything. Also, we want you to try to get the coordinates of that colony cluster. It would make our life easier to know where to put our trade route." He replied. They would use as much information as they could get from Ms. Tsukino to further their plans. She was good at gathering information he needed, something none of his previous secretaries could do. She was invaluable to him but he kept a close eye on her, not trusting that she would sell the information she found here or elsewhere.
Her pencil scribbled out the objectives on her notepad even though she'll be getting a file on in. A habit that she had picked up that helped her remember things better. Her fingers tucked an errant strand of light brown hair behind her ear thoughtfully. "Will do, sir. Will there be others assigned to this meeting with me?"
"Yes. They've been informed of their departure and that they are to report to you. You are to meet your escort at hanger 13 at 3:00." Then he smiled warmly at the young woman. "And you have the rest of the day off to pack for your trip."
Her sea colored eyes lit up as she expressed her happiness in her voice and smile. "Thank you, sir!"
Hurriedly, she packed her bag and purse and scuttled out of there before her boss could change his mind. She had six hours to burn before she had to go to the airport. Gleefully, she started traveling towards the nearest mall. "Shopping, here I come!"
AC 202: September 17
Location: unknown
The soft clacking of keys being depressed were the only sound heard within the silent room. Information upon information scrolled up on the brightly lit screen, illuminating the firece face of the hacker. It had to be somewhere. Unless these people were smarter than previous enemies and knew how to erase any tale tell secrets. The Dragoons were able to do that back then.
A hiss startled him, before he settled again. It was only his partner. "Hurry."
"I'm trying! They hid the information better than we thought!" He growled back. "The Eclipse shoulda taken this mission, not us! We're not hackers."
He could feel his partner's heated glare at his back. It was true. The Eclipse should have taken the mission, they were much better suited for it. They couldn't complain. It helped them get better and the other team was busy with their current mission. If only he had Heero's and Kyle's computer smarts.
"Found it. Downloading now." He murmured, watching as the downloading process commence. It was agonizingly slow and nervewracking waiting for it.
"Too late. They're coming! Hurry!" His partner was once again hissing at him to hurry. He stayed where he was at, clenching his fist as the completion bar slowly filled regardless of the danger his team mate and he was in. As soon as the computer reached 100%, he took the disc out and let loose a virus.
"Let's go." He turned in the chair and lauched himself towards her. He peered down the hall and swore. Too late indeed, but they needed to get the disc back to the Triad. He gave his partner a roguish grin. "Ready?"
With a nod, the two of them let a blast into the hall way, clearing both ways before running. The labyrinth of corridors was enough to hinder them, making sure it was safe to go on. Suddenly, the female counterpart pulled them into a room. A few minutes after the door shut, they heard pounding footsteps go by. He stayed at the door a moment later, then pulled his partner with him down the hall and into safety.
As the door swung open, the light from the hallway illuminated the contents of the room. A hand had rolled into the pathway of the light, a head soon followed. Inside were several dozen people. The gray pallor to their skin would show they had been dead for some time.
AC 202: September 18
Location: space
A pale hand rested against the glass that allowed the observer to peer into the starlit darkness known as space. The reflective surface refused to mirror the one looking out as if to keep her identity hidden. The survallence camera that was installed in that hallway would only show the place empty. Maybe the figure was only a figment of one's imagination.
Yet, it gave a soft resigned sigh. There was nothing that the person could do to help any of them. The person made sure at least three of them were prepared to face what was to come. The organization would fully back them up. The thought of the Senshi soured her hopes. If they cannot learn to trust their instincts instead of what they were programmed to do, everything would be for naught.
A bitter smile curved the person's lip. They had been ready to be distrustful of Heero and Kyle Yuy because they had been working with Jadeite. Maybe it was time for them to learn the truth of their past. No. The Guardian of Time would not be pleased if the Senshi was given that memory back. Not yet anyway. Besides, the Lord of the Underworld had forbidden any revelations of the past.
As much as they had argued with the Lord, they would still follow his decree. The right time has not come to inform them of it.
The holes in the Senshi's memories was enough to drive anyone batty, let alone me. The person thought furiously. Hair covered the starlit vision when the head shook from side to side. Not that I can go against father's orders. He'd do more than skin me. Mother wouldn't be happy about it either.
Suddenly, the person stiffened, turning slightly, listening. There. Footsteps were coming down the corridor; the tread unfamiliar. Quickly, the figure melted into the shadows, disappearing from view. A person appeared in view, looking around.
"I coulda sworn I heard something." He frowned looking down the corridor again. He shrugged and made his way back to his room. Too bad there wasn't anybody worth talking to on this trip. You would think a person would die from boredom by now.
AC 202: September 18
Location: one of the planets
The sun was about to rise, pushing the night back and lighting the sky with a dark blue that steadily became lighter. The clouds looked like a painter's palate trying to paint a garden. Violets turned into pinks turned into reds and oranges. Fingers of colors reached up from the eastern horizon, almost as if to push away the star studded black blanket.
Suddenly, the sun was above the horizon, the darkness gone before the glory of the burning star's rays. Such were the dawn's that she greeted in the morning ... and they were always different. Her usual companion to watch the was once again away on a mission. This past year, they hadn't had time together to enjoy the beginning of a new day. She pushed that thought aside.
"When the war is over ..." She said softly into the quiet air.
Dawn was always her favorite time of day. The noise of the world would quiet for a little while as they held their breath as the new day began. It was always the time before the house was bursting with activity from children screaming to her housemates' calls to one another.
Arms encircled her waist and she could feel him nuzzling her neck. She welcomed his presence, his warmth wholeheartedly and the feelings he conveyed through his actions. He had always been a man of few words, conveying more within his movements. Even after five millenias, he preferred to show her how much he loved her, rather than whispering those words to her. She loved him more for it.
"You miss them, don't you." He murmured softly into her ear, his breath washing over the side of her face. She shivered nestling further into him and she could feel his arms answering by holding her closer.
"Aa. I worry for them too." She replied softly, her fear evident in her voice. "The Dark Kingdom ... hell, any enemy that had Chaos on their side, had always ended in tragedy. At least for us."
His arms squeezed her reassuringly. "They'll be safe. We made sure they know what they're doing." He gave her another loving squeeze. "And stop it. You know very well Zoicite chose to save us and that he'll be back as soon as his service to Lord Hades is done, Zoe."
"I still worry, Kunzite." Zoe sighed softly, turning her head to catch her husband's lips in a soft kiss.
They stood together a little longer, watching the horizon. Below they could hear the children waking up and playing. Their housemates were already bickering about breakfast. One particular crash made Kunzite cringe. "There went the crystals ... again."
Zoe giggled and tugged Kunzite with her as she turned to decend into their daily lives. "We'd better get down there before they break anything else. Tia won't be happy if she has to fix the gamman again."
"Hn."
Zoe smacked his arm with a laugh. "And no more language lessons from Heero!"