Thanks so much for the feedback! I actually had this part done for a while
but hadn't had the time to type it (I handwrite everything) until tonight.
The next part is mostly done too. It's pretty short, so I'll probably have
it up tomorrow.
===========================================================================
Heero was the one who unknowingly helped us meet. If he hadn't been so
sneaky and tracked one of my communications and did research on what I was
doing, it wouldn't have happened for while longer. Of course, if Heero
hadn't done that, I probably wouldn't be alive. Though I wish it wouldn't
have been Heero that found out part of what I was up to, I'm glad he did. I
don't know what shocked him more. The fact that I fell for his friend, or
the fact that I thanked him for catching me in the act.
*******
A.C 198
The nearest storage facility to the L-2 Colony was the big one. It didn't
have the most, but it had the most important. All the special projects were
stored and built there. In actuality, it was a satellite mine and refining
facility, owned by herself; one of the many acquisitions since she took
over her Grandfather's fortunes. The mine was for Gundamium of course,
which is why she bought it, and also why it was the special project
facility.
Relena wasn't letting her get very far from her sight and Maxwell was
piloting. Dorothy just sat there and told him where to go. She could tell
that neither of them trusted her, because they both kept checking the
sensors more than was required. She didn't care what they thought though,
she just needed them to understand what she was doing. She'd known she
would have to explain herself eventually, though she'd hoped it would be a
while longer. At least until all the special projects were completed and
tested.
"When you get within range, transmit the following. 'Three days bright,
nine hours dim.'" She gave them one of the pass codes. It was the lowest
level one, just showing that the approaching craft had someone on board who
was connected to the station and no countermeasures to deter movement were
required.
"What would happen if we didn't?" Duo asked, glancing over his shoulder at
her.
Dorothy laughed softly, "They wouldn't open fire, if that's what you're
thinking." Relena glanced over and implied the same question braid boy had
just stated. This time the blonde girl sighed, lowering her head in
annoyance, "They would contact us, warning that there are technical
problems in the mine or refining area and it would be best to stay away. If
they continue to get closer they would remind that this is restricted space
owned by Catalonia Enterprises and if they continue charges can be placed
on them. If they still continue, they would be taken into custody upon
landing without being allowed to see anything of importance. It isn't
normally a problem though."
"Then why are the sensors going crazy and showing a battle?"
"What?" Dorothy unstrapped herself and floated over to the closest panel.
Sure enough, it looked like a firefight was going on between the mine and a
few crafts. The mine was holding it's own, using it's surface weapons only,
but they weren't aiming to destroy, just disable. And the attacking
shuttles looked eerily familiar... Damnit! "Give me the com, Duo," she said
quickly, trying to remain calm. This wouldn't fall apart on her. She
wouldn't let it. "Duo! Now!"
"Do it, Duo." Relena said in support. So Miss Peacecraft still had some
trust in her. Good.
"Deploy Project Algol. Authorization: C3-215-73-KD." Dorothy ordered
sharply, "The attacking crafts are likely after the special projects.
Protect them at all costs. If all else fails, you know what to do. Protect
the approaching craft, code: Medusa." She looked at Duo and said, "Get us
in there now, dodge as much as you can and head for the lower bay. I'll
have it open by the time you get there."
For the moment at least, Duo seemed willing to trust her. Or, at least, he
moved the shuttle into the fight and towards the station while Dorothy
worked on decoding the door lock.
"What's Project Algol, Dorothy?" Relena asked.
"You'll see," is all the girl said in return.
And they would. Eventually. Right away though, there was nothing to see.
They weren't close enough to see anything, and right before the first
effects of Algol could be felt, Dorothy yelled the warning, "Duo, turn off
all sensors and fly blind."
"What!? You want me to dodge these things blind!? I'm good, Dor, but that's
fucking insane. It'll take a miracle to survive!"
"It'll take a miracle to survive if you don't. Memorize the positions of
the crafts before shut down. They won't be moving."
"What's going to--"
She couldn't let him stall anymore, "Now!!"
There went the sensors with a couple colorful curses. A blast impacted the
very back, and the monitors showed that the engine was damaged, but
operational. She caught herself on the panel and a second later felt the
pulse. There were no physical signs of it, and she knew neither of them
felt it, but she knew. There was no way to explain how, she just did. Duo
once said it was her antennae reacting. "Now, turn them back on."
Duo did, and the screens showed something that didn't surprise Dorothy, but
did the others. "We have one minute before they recover. Go!" All the
shuttles were still. No longer firing. No longer moving. And their shuttle
moved.
And that's when they got the first glance at Algol. It wasn't a mobile
suit. It wasn't a shuttle. There was nothing in development that it could
be compared to. What it looked like was two spheres, one twice the size of
the other, revolving around each other and spinning out above the station.
There were a line of shield systems around it, protecting it from damage.
The larger sphere was a dark coppery color, the smaller a bright electric
blue.
"I take it that is Algol." Relena said softly, watching the two spheres as
they slowly revolved around each other.
"Yes."
"What does it do?"
"The only thing you have to worry about now is the ion pulse. It blinds
active sensors for about ten minutes. I'm sure they had backups that they
weren't using, so it shouldn't take them too long to recover.
Dorothy's fingers flicked across the keypad and Relena asked, "It's a
defensive weapon?"
"It's a defensive measure."
"What are the offensive measures?" this was from Maxwell.
"I didn't give authorization for the offensive measures, so you don't need
to worry about that now. Just prepare to shut down sensors when I say.
There should be three pulses total."
"Do you really think your people will follow all your commands, Dorothy?"
Relena asked, and Duo expressed a similar question, though not quite as
coherently.
"Yes." Dorothy responded simply. She did not doubt her authority. They had
extensive fire power hidden in that base, and until she gave they command,
they hadn't brought out one of the weapons. They risked their lives by
attacking with nothing more than the minor surface weapons. This incident
only proved this base's their loyalty to her, and she was going to make
sure they were properly paid for it.
She watched the globes for a few moments longer, noted the positions of the
crafts, then said, "Now Duo."
Again, their sensors avoided the blackout and she waiting til she felt the
pulse before having him return to normal. And by then she had the door
decoded. "Take us in. When you get in I'm going to have you taken to a
secure location, Relena-sama." She said to the former Queen of the World.
Her eyes turned towards Duo as he piloted them into the open bay. "Do you
think you could help out in a mobile suit? These look like the same people
who attacked us, though I believe it was me they were after. If they get
their hands on what's in here..."
"They'll start another war?" Duo asked, having not given an answer to her
question yet.
"No, not a war. Though you might not notice it wasn't by the time it ends."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, the outcome would be the same, but it wouldn't be a war. It will
be a foolish battle without meaning. Thousands will lose their lives and it
won't be a war that kills them. Speaking quite frankly, Relena-sama, I
would much rather have a war."
"I would much rather have peace." The Peacecraft daughter answered sadly.
Duo started to set them down in the bay, the doors closing behind them.
"And you want to stop them?" he asked skeptically.
"No." Dorothy responded, bracing herself as the shuttle jerked slightly,
setting down on the floor of the bay. When Duo and Relena were both looking
at her, she smirked lightly, "I /am/ going to stop them."
"Then you can count on me."
"I was hoping you'd say that."
===========================================================================
but hadn't had the time to type it (I handwrite everything) until tonight.
The next part is mostly done too. It's pretty short, so I'll probably have
it up tomorrow.
===========================================================================
Heero was the one who unknowingly helped us meet. If he hadn't been so
sneaky and tracked one of my communications and did research on what I was
doing, it wouldn't have happened for while longer. Of course, if Heero
hadn't done that, I probably wouldn't be alive. Though I wish it wouldn't
have been Heero that found out part of what I was up to, I'm glad he did. I
don't know what shocked him more. The fact that I fell for his friend, or
the fact that I thanked him for catching me in the act.
*******
A.C 198
The nearest storage facility to the L-2 Colony was the big one. It didn't
have the most, but it had the most important. All the special projects were
stored and built there. In actuality, it was a satellite mine and refining
facility, owned by herself; one of the many acquisitions since she took
over her Grandfather's fortunes. The mine was for Gundamium of course,
which is why she bought it, and also why it was the special project
facility.
Relena wasn't letting her get very far from her sight and Maxwell was
piloting. Dorothy just sat there and told him where to go. She could tell
that neither of them trusted her, because they both kept checking the
sensors more than was required. She didn't care what they thought though,
she just needed them to understand what she was doing. She'd known she
would have to explain herself eventually, though she'd hoped it would be a
while longer. At least until all the special projects were completed and
tested.
"When you get within range, transmit the following. 'Three days bright,
nine hours dim.'" She gave them one of the pass codes. It was the lowest
level one, just showing that the approaching craft had someone on board who
was connected to the station and no countermeasures to deter movement were
required.
"What would happen if we didn't?" Duo asked, glancing over his shoulder at
her.
Dorothy laughed softly, "They wouldn't open fire, if that's what you're
thinking." Relena glanced over and implied the same question braid boy had
just stated. This time the blonde girl sighed, lowering her head in
annoyance, "They would contact us, warning that there are technical
problems in the mine or refining area and it would be best to stay away. If
they continue to get closer they would remind that this is restricted space
owned by Catalonia Enterprises and if they continue charges can be placed
on them. If they still continue, they would be taken into custody upon
landing without being allowed to see anything of importance. It isn't
normally a problem though."
"Then why are the sensors going crazy and showing a battle?"
"What?" Dorothy unstrapped herself and floated over to the closest panel.
Sure enough, it looked like a firefight was going on between the mine and a
few crafts. The mine was holding it's own, using it's surface weapons only,
but they weren't aiming to destroy, just disable. And the attacking
shuttles looked eerily familiar... Damnit! "Give me the com, Duo," she said
quickly, trying to remain calm. This wouldn't fall apart on her. She
wouldn't let it. "Duo! Now!"
"Do it, Duo." Relena said in support. So Miss Peacecraft still had some
trust in her. Good.
"Deploy Project Algol. Authorization: C3-215-73-KD." Dorothy ordered
sharply, "The attacking crafts are likely after the special projects.
Protect them at all costs. If all else fails, you know what to do. Protect
the approaching craft, code: Medusa." She looked at Duo and said, "Get us
in there now, dodge as much as you can and head for the lower bay. I'll
have it open by the time you get there."
For the moment at least, Duo seemed willing to trust her. Or, at least, he
moved the shuttle into the fight and towards the station while Dorothy
worked on decoding the door lock.
"What's Project Algol, Dorothy?" Relena asked.
"You'll see," is all the girl said in return.
And they would. Eventually. Right away though, there was nothing to see.
They weren't close enough to see anything, and right before the first
effects of Algol could be felt, Dorothy yelled the warning, "Duo, turn off
all sensors and fly blind."
"What!? You want me to dodge these things blind!? I'm good, Dor, but that's
fucking insane. It'll take a miracle to survive!"
"It'll take a miracle to survive if you don't. Memorize the positions of
the crafts before shut down. They won't be moving."
"What's going to--"
She couldn't let him stall anymore, "Now!!"
There went the sensors with a couple colorful curses. A blast impacted the
very back, and the monitors showed that the engine was damaged, but
operational. She caught herself on the panel and a second later felt the
pulse. There were no physical signs of it, and she knew neither of them
felt it, but she knew. There was no way to explain how, she just did. Duo
once said it was her antennae reacting. "Now, turn them back on."
Duo did, and the screens showed something that didn't surprise Dorothy, but
did the others. "We have one minute before they recover. Go!" All the
shuttles were still. No longer firing. No longer moving. And their shuttle
moved.
And that's when they got the first glance at Algol. It wasn't a mobile
suit. It wasn't a shuttle. There was nothing in development that it could
be compared to. What it looked like was two spheres, one twice the size of
the other, revolving around each other and spinning out above the station.
There were a line of shield systems around it, protecting it from damage.
The larger sphere was a dark coppery color, the smaller a bright electric
blue.
"I take it that is Algol." Relena said softly, watching the two spheres as
they slowly revolved around each other.
"Yes."
"What does it do?"
"The only thing you have to worry about now is the ion pulse. It blinds
active sensors for about ten minutes. I'm sure they had backups that they
weren't using, so it shouldn't take them too long to recover.
Dorothy's fingers flicked across the keypad and Relena asked, "It's a
defensive weapon?"
"It's a defensive measure."
"What are the offensive measures?" this was from Maxwell.
"I didn't give authorization for the offensive measures, so you don't need
to worry about that now. Just prepare to shut down sensors when I say.
There should be three pulses total."
"Do you really think your people will follow all your commands, Dorothy?"
Relena asked, and Duo expressed a similar question, though not quite as
coherently.
"Yes." Dorothy responded simply. She did not doubt her authority. They had
extensive fire power hidden in that base, and until she gave they command,
they hadn't brought out one of the weapons. They risked their lives by
attacking with nothing more than the minor surface weapons. This incident
only proved this base's their loyalty to her, and she was going to make
sure they were properly paid for it.
She watched the globes for a few moments longer, noted the positions of the
crafts, then said, "Now Duo."
Again, their sensors avoided the blackout and she waiting til she felt the
pulse before having him return to normal. And by then she had the door
decoded. "Take us in. When you get in I'm going to have you taken to a
secure location, Relena-sama." She said to the former Queen of the World.
Her eyes turned towards Duo as he piloted them into the open bay. "Do you
think you could help out in a mobile suit? These look like the same people
who attacked us, though I believe it was me they were after. If they get
their hands on what's in here..."
"They'll start another war?" Duo asked, having not given an answer to her
question yet.
"No, not a war. Though you might not notice it wasn't by the time it ends."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, the outcome would be the same, but it wouldn't be a war. It will
be a foolish battle without meaning. Thousands will lose their lives and it
won't be a war that kills them. Speaking quite frankly, Relena-sama, I
would much rather have a war."
"I would much rather have peace." The Peacecraft daughter answered sadly.
Duo started to set them down in the bay, the doors closing behind them.
"And you want to stop them?" he asked skeptically.
"No." Dorothy responded, bracing herself as the shuttle jerked slightly,
setting down on the floor of the bay. When Duo and Relena were both looking
at her, she smirked lightly, "I /am/ going to stop them."
"Then you can count on me."
"I was hoping you'd say that."
===========================================================================
