Gundam Wing: Lady Gundam
Written By: Jumper Prime
For Disclaimers see prologue
Chapter 4: Renee's Secret
A space shuttle rolled down the runway. Its main engines ignited and it shot forward, quickly reaching and going up the ramp that sent it hurtling towards space. The shuttle flew through space on its way to the L1 Colony Cluster. Within were Vice Minister Darlian, his daughters Relena and Renee, and a detail of OZ soldiers.
"Vice Foreign Minister Darlian," Lady Une said "I hope this will be a very successful trip for you." The Vice Minister studiously ignored her and continued to read his book. "Nothing wrong with a little socializing, is there?"
"I can't imagine having anything appropriate to discuss with a Specials officer." Vice Minister Darlian responded
"Pretty nasty words, Minister. I'm just here on orders from my superiors. I'd appreciate it if you didn't take your frustrations out on me."
"Relena, Renee, look carefully. Never forget how beautiful the Earth looks from afar."
*Yes, it is beautiful.* Relena thought as she and her sister gazed out the window *But I can see a darkness covering it. A darkness brought about by human beings, such as those making up our security detail.*
Relena turned her head to look at Lady Une, who was back in her seat, checking her makeup with her compact. She didn't know what the OZ officer had planned, but whatever it was, she vowed that she would exact payment with her next mission. A few hours later, the shuttle docked at the colony and the passengers disembarked. Vice Minister Darlian went almost directly to the conference while Relena and Renee settled into their hotel room.
"You were right, Relena." Renee said as she gazed out the window "The Colonies are beautiful."
"Yes," Relena nodded "Moreso than Earth, because the citizens of the Colonies don't seek conflict. It always seems to be shipped in by the Alliance military, anyway."
"Yeah, the guys in charge of the Alliance space forces do seem to go a little overboard, from what I hear. It's like they don't want peace up here."
"Peace is an end to conflict. With no more conflict, there would be no need for the military to maintain control. Without the military maintaining control, the Colonies could become independent and free of Alliance domination."
"Well, that's what Dad's here for. To settle differences between Earth and the Colonies, end the violence, and bring peace."
"If anyone can do it, father can." *Assuming OZ doesn't get in his way, that is.*
"You up for some shopping? I saw a nice looking store on the way to the hotel."
"Sure. We just need to stop outside the conference room to let them know where we're going."
"Alright, let's go."
Both girls left their hotel room and took the elevator down to the second floor, where the conference room was. As Lady Une walked briskly away, Relena and Renee walked to the conference room door and knocked.
"It's Relena and Renee." Relena announced and a moment later, a plainclothes guard opened the door
"What is it?" he asked
"We're going out to do some shopping." Renee answered
"Be careful out there, dear." her father called from within the room
"I'll get you an escort for you." The guard said
"No, we're fine." Relena shrugged "It's much safer here than it is on the Earth."
As Relena closed the door, Renee noticed a small blue item on the table against the wall and recognized it as belonging to Lady Une.
"It's her compact." the blonde-haired twin said "She must have forgotten it."
Renee picked up the compact and hurried after Lady Une with Relena a step behind. Relena would have been content to have Lady Une inconvenienced by misplacing her compact, but she made no attempt to stop her sister from returning it. The girls caught up with Lady Une as the woman stood in front of the hotel, flanked by several soldiers.
"Excuse me!" Renee said as she ran up to Lady Une "Ma'am, I think you forgot this back in there." Renee held out the 'forgotten' compact
"You idiot!" Lady Une snarled and snatched the compact away from her
Lady Une dashed towards the hotel and threw the compact at a second floor window. The compact arced through the air and smashed through the window of the very conference room where Vice Minister Darlian was meeting with Colony officials. A second later, the window blew outward as an explosion destroyed the room.
"Oh god!" Renee gasped
"Father!" Relena screamed
Both girls shook off the OZ soldiers restraining them and dashed inside.
"That was a close call." Lady Une said and turned to the soldiers next to her "Go after the girls and kill them if they try to resist."
Relena and Renee ran into the wrecked conference room. The place was trashed. The scent of smoke pervaded the air and the door had been blown off its hinges
"Dad! Where are you!?" Renee called
"Father!?" Relena called out as well, fearful of what she might find
"Relena... Renee." Vice Minister Darlian groaned from under a piece of rubble and his daughters ran to his side
"Father, talk to us! Father!"
"C'mon Dad! Say something, please!" Renee pleaded with her injured parent
"Is he alright?" a man asked as he knelt down next to Vice Minister Darlian "Well?"
"I can't find any other survivors." another man said
"Who are you people?" Renee asked as the first man shoved the debris off of her father and picked him up, slinging him over his shoulder
"OK, we'll carry Mr. Darlian out." the first man announced
"Right!" the second man nodded
"Stop right there!" A voice shouted and its owner, an OZ soldier, ran into the room, closely followed by another OZ soldier
"MOVE!" the first man yelled and grabbed Renee while another man scooped up Relena and a third man opened fire on the OZ soldiers, who ducked back through the doorway for cover
While some fired their guns at the OZ soldiers, the men ran through another doorway and down the hall, Darlian and his daughters in tow. Relena didn't resist since she knew those soldiers reported to Lady Une, who had thrown what had obviously been the bomb.
"Someone's taken Darlian's daughters and they're trying to escape." one soldier reported into his radio "Lock all the exits."
Shortly, Vice Minister Darlian was being loaded into a van in the parking garage. Relena and Renee were still being held, though they were now standing on their feet.
"You're gonna have to come with us." The man who had carried their father said to Relena and Renee "It's the only way you're gonna make it out of here alive."
"I don't care what happens to me!" Renee declared "What're you gonna do with my Dad?"
"Just do as we say for the time being, miss. Get in!"
Relena and Renee were dragged into the back of the van and the doors were quickly closed, just in time to repel a series of bullets which pinged off the van's armored exterior. The van immediately sped away, more shots pinging off the vehicle from all sides before ceasing. The man who had carried Vice Minister Darlian to the van, obviously the leader, filled a syringe and grabbed Relena's arm.
"These injections should help you relax." he said as he used the syringe to inject something into Relena's arm
"Hey!" Relena growled as he injected Renee also
"Get Dad to the hospital." Renee pleaded "He'll die for sure unless you do."
"The hospital's too risky!" the other man attending to her father responded
"What do you mean?"
"They're already guarding the hospitals." the leader answered "We have qualified doctors in our organization."
*Of course.* Relena thought grimly *OZ obviously wants father dead. If we take him to a hospital, they'll kill him for sure.*
"Organization? Who are you people, anyway?" Renee demanded
"Renee..." Vice Minister Darlian spoke softly
"Dad."
"Listen to me, Renee."
"Don't try to talk, you have got to lie still." Relena warned
"I have a confession to make Renee. I'm not your biological father. You've got to believe what I'm telling you. Your real name is Renee Peacecraft. You're the daughter of the Peacecraft family that was so well known for its total commitment to pacifism."
"What?" Renee blinked "I don't understand."
"I was a member of the senate that served their country in the past. But long ago the kingdom was demolished by the Alliance, and I decided to take you in as my daughter when I made my escape."
"Dad, that's not possible!"
"Father, what about me?" Relena demanded "Am I a daughter of the Peacecraft family too?"
"No Relena You truly are my daughter. When the Sanc Kingdom fell, I altered your birth records to say that Renee was your twin. We raised you both as sisters... Relena, Renee, watch out for the OZ organization!" Vice Minister Darlian passed out right after giving his warning
"Don't die on us!" Renee pleaded
"No father! No!" Relena moaned as she and her sister slumped over their father's still form
"The medication's working." the leader said "They're fast asleep."
Relena and Renee woke up abruptly on gurneys in an underground room.
"Father!" Relena cried out
"Dad!" Renee echoed her sister's cry
"You've woken up," the leader said as a doctor pulled a sheet over the girls' father "I'm terribly sorry for your loss. If only we'd become aware of the situation earlier, we could have avoided this tragedy.
"Lady Une," a voice came from a television set "Any comments on this terrible accident?"
"I'm terribly saddened by what has happened today." Lady Une's voice now issued from the TV "I had no idea there were such evil terrorists residing in this Colony."
"We're told that Vice Foreign Minister Darlian and his daughters were kidnapped."
"We're investigating the situation. We are unaware of the terrorists' true objectives but if these actions reflect the feelings of the whole Colony, we'll be forced to take military action."
"Wait a minute, Lady Une-"
"Excuse me, I have a terrorist investigation on my hands."
"DAMMIT!" One of the men in the room growled "She's making us out to be a bunch of terrorists!"
"That's just what you are!" Renee declared "You let my father die because you wouldn't take him to the hospital in time!"
"I told you the hospital-"
"That's enough." The group's apparent leader said and walked over to Relena and Renee "I'm terribly sorry for what happened."
In her mind, Relena's training struggled against her emotions. She knew OZ would likely have killed her father if he'd been taken to a hospital, but a fully equipped Emergency Room might have succeeded in saving him where these ragtag rebels had failed. Renee had only her emotions to drive her, grabbing the man's gun out of his holster. As he tried to grab it back, Relena sprung into action, kicking him in the chest with a high kick and both girls backed towards the wall.
"I'll take revenge for his death!" Renee declared, holding the gun on the men in the room "It's OZ, right? OZ is responsible for killing our father, right?"
"Don't be stupid." The leader cautioned "You'll just end up getting killed, can't you see it's suicide?"
"I don't care if I do get killed."
"And neither do I." Relena agreed with her sister. Her thoughts suddenly turned to Heero "Heero I want to see you Heero." she whispered and tears started to stream down her face
"Did you say Heero?" came a voice from behind them and Relena and Renee turned their heads towards the source
"Now!" someone shouted and all the men lunged forward and grabbed Relena and Renee
"Let go of us!" Relena demanded
"Are you talking about Heero Yuy?" asked the owner of the voice, an old man with numerous mechanical parts, as he clacked the claw that took the place of his left hand
"Do you know him? Do you know Heero Yuy?"
The old cyborg smiled and chuckled a little as one of the men relieved Renee of her stolen gun, then he spoke.
"Yes, I know Heero Yuy very well." he said "Boys, I believe you can release these fine ladies. They were simply distraught over the sudden loss of their father." The men slowly released Relena and Renee, being careful to make sure neither had a chance to steal another weapon. "Could I bother you ladies to walk with an old man? It seems we have something to discuss while we get you on your way home." The cyborg turned away from Relena and Renee and started to walk back down the hall.
"Who is this guy?" Renee wondered "And how does he know that jerk, Heero?"
"I'm not sure Renee," Relena answered "But I think we should do as he says. He doesn't seem to wish us any harm."
Relena and Renee followed the cyborg down the hall and into a parking garage containing the armored van they had left the hotel in, a limousine, and several other vehicles. The cyborg walked to the limousine, opened the rear passenger-side door, and motioned for Relena and Renee to get in. Once all were inside, the driver, who had been in the car already, started the engine and the car started to move, leaving the underground garage for the nighttime streets of the Colony.
"Please feel free to call me Doctor J, young ladies." the cyborg said as they drove "Believe it or not, I am a scientist."
"Doctor J, you're the one who sent Heero to Earth, aren't you, Doctor?" Relena asked
"Yes, that's right. But who in their right mind would have thought that he'd end up in the same school as Darlian's daughters? How's that rascal doing anyway? What a kid." Doctor J chuckled
"What were you trying to get him to do on Earth?" Renee asked
"I'll say this: That young lad is an agent of ours."
"An agent?"
"Since Heero was very young, we've taught him a wide range of battle strategies. We brought him up as a professional assassin."
"Why would you do such a thing?"
"Don't you see? For the peace of the Colonies, of course."
"The peace? How in the world could killing someone possibly lead us to peace!?"
"It leads directly to peace. Wars are started by people, and they end with people. Heero is ordered to attack only the dangerous, evil people responsible for starting wars."
"But there must be more peaceful solutions?"
"Twenty years ago, we believed that ourselves. We thought humanity couldn't be that foolish. That no one could possibly wish for a war. The Colonies were started by scientists like myself, and by laborers. Our ancestors did everything they could to form the Colonies. After over 100 years of hard work, we could finally enjoy a normal lifestyle there. And exactly 20 years ago, we were living peacefully under the leader of all Colonies: Heero Yuy."
"Heero Yuy?"
"His name still lives on today as a legend among the residents of our colonies. That's where we came up with the young lad's codename, you see."
"His codename?"
*So that's why Heero has the same name as the dead Colony leader.* Relena thought, having remained silent all through the conversation between Renee and Doctor J *The lesson that told of his assassination never mentioned whether or not he had any family, so when I first heard his name, I wondered if he was a relative of the original. But I guess he's not. He simply took his codename from the martyr to peace.*
"Times of peace in the Colonies didn't last for long." Doctor J continued "I suppose they felt a leader promoting peace was too dangerous. Heero Yuy was assassinated by some organization. From that point, communication ceased between the Colonies, and this became an excuse to strengthen the Alliance military. You see, OZ was responsible for Heero Yuy's assassination, and wanted a war with Earth."
"OZ!?!" Renee's voice held a bit of surprise
"Do you know OZ?"
"It was the last thing father said, to watch out for OZ." Relena explained, though she had known about OZ for much longer than her sister "So, who are you making Heero fight against?"
"All of OZ. We must stop them before they fulfil their ambitions to take over the United Alliance military and dictate the Earth Sphere."
"But, why does Heero have to take on that enormous task, why should he be responsible for doing all that by himself?" Renee asked
"We have no choice. He understands the emotional pains that the Colony residents have been forced to endure over the years."
"But still! There must be another way!"
"No. There is no other way. None that we can think of, anyway." The limo pulled to a stop in front of a building "We've arrived. This is where you two get out. They should be able to return you safely to Earth from here." Renee opened the door, and both she and Relena got out.
"May I ask you why you saved our lives, Doctor J?" Relena asked "Is it because of our father? Because we're Darlian's daughters?"
"Not at all. It's because both of you have the same look in your eyes as Heero did. That genuine expression. Heero is actually a kindhearted young boy."
"Yes, I know that."
"You gotta be kidding me!" Renee said "He's a jerk and, from what you say, a trained killer."
"But Heero's very dedicated to his mission." Doctor J warned "Stay away from him, if you value your lives."
The tinted window rolled up, hiding Doctor J's face, and the limo drove away. Relena and Renee turned and walked into the building. Immediately upon entering the doors, they were met by a man in a white suit.
"Miss Relena Darlian. Miss Renee Darlian." he greeted them "Doctor J sent me his regards. If you'll come with me, I'll get you onto a shuttle to Earth without OZ having a clue."
He then hustled them off to a fancy car in which he drove them to the shuttle terminal by a roundabout route. Relena and Renee boarded the shuttle without incident and were soon on their way home.
While events were transpiring in space, a newly repaired Gundam Deathscythe was approaching the North Pacific OZ supply base, only to find that it was already under attack.
[From the transmissions I am intercepting, the attacker can only be my brother.] Deathscythe declared
"The way that guy works," Duo said "I don't think we should trust him to complete the mission on his own without Self-Detonating. Besides, his mission might not be exactly the same as ours."
[Agreed. My airborne brother is often rather flighty, as one might expect from the God of the Air.]
"Since he's already taken a major bite out of the defense forces, I don't see why we can't go directly to the control tower."
Gundam Deathscythe approached undetected and fired its machine cannons, causing the upper portion of the control tower to explode. The dark Gundam then jumped into the air with its vernier thrusters and landed right in front of Wing Gundam.
"It looks like we're both after the same thing." Duo transmitted on the frequency he remembered glimpsing on the other Gundam's comm board when it had lain in the same hangar as his own "Well, aren't ya at least gonna respond?"
"Locked on target." was Heero's only answer as Wing Gundam leveled its Buster Rifle at Gundam Deathscythe
"Seems like the two of us are gonna have to fight it out after all." Duo responded by leveling Gundam Deathscythe's Buster Shield at Wing Gundam, the pincers open but the beam blade not yet ignited.
[If this is how it must be, then I shall send my brother back to the skies he rules,] Deathscythe declared [That he may watch from his floating throne as I lay my blessing upon all of OZ.]
For a long eternity, the two Gundams stared at each other across their respective weapons. Then, suddenly, the ground gave way beneath one of Deathscythe's feet, causing the mighty mobile suit to falter for a moment. That moment of distraction was all the invitation Heero need to fire Wing Gundam's Buster Rifle. Realizing the destructive beam was heading straight for him, Duo could not help but yell in fear. However, a moment later, the beam passed to one side and annihilated the head of a Leo that had been sneaking up on him with a beam saber in hand, causing the beheaded mobile suit to topple to the ground.
"I've returned the favor." Heero laughed and Wing Gundam launched into the air, transformed into bird mode and flew away, quickly disappearing from sight.
"Damn you. I'll get you back." Duo grumbled
[I should have known that my brother would not send me back to my underworld kingdom with my task unfinished.] Deathscythe noted [Even he has more sense than that.]
"Well, I dunno about your family, but since he already trashed the warehouses, I'd say our mission's complete so it's time we made our exit."
[Yes. Time to vanish into the night, that none may see Death until I come for them.]
True to the words of its AI, Gundam Deathscythe melted into the night, its dark paintjob making it seem to vanish as it left behind the burning remnants of the battle.
Meanwhile, as the shuttle carrying her and Relena flew towards Earth, Renee stared out the window into space.
"Are you alright, sis?" Relena asked softly
"Why're you calling me sis?" Renee barked "We're not really sisters. Dad said so himself."
"In every way that matters, you're still my sister. Since before I can remember, you've been my twin sister. We've shared everything, and I can tell that you still believe that we share the same father."
"What makes you say that?"
"You said 'Dad said so himself' just now. That means you still consider my father to be your father as well."
"I've never known any other father. Even when he had to leave suddenly to work, I could always tell that he loved me. And I still love him."
"I still love you too, Renee. Just because we don't really share blood doesn't mean we suddenly aren't sisters anymore." Relena held Renee's hand in a comforting grip
"Thanks... Sis. When we get back to Earth, I'm going to find a way to make OZ pay for killing OUR father."
"No Renee!" Relena frowned "You're a Peacecraft, your hands must remain free of bloodstains."
"But-"
"I'll get revenge for us both."
"You can't fight a big organization like OZ on your own!"
"I won't be on my own. And I've already been attacking OZ, and winning."
"This has something to do with why you've been acting strangely since you got back from your last trip, doesn't it?"
"I never could hide anything from you for long. I'll tell you everything once we're safe at home."
"I'm gonna hold you to that promise, Relena."
End of chapter 4
Whew! I stayed up pretty late to finish this one, but it's worth it. I'll bet Renee being a Peacecraft but Relena not being one was quite the swerve for some people. Next chapter, Relena and Renee return home and Renee gets to meet Lady Gundam. Now I'll spellcheck this thing, convert it to HTML, and post it to FF.net. Boy, am I glad that tomorrow, or today, actually, is a holiday. *YAWN* I'm probably gonna be sleeping late.
Written By: Jumper Prime
For Disclaimers see prologue
Chapter 4: Renee's Secret
A space shuttle rolled down the runway. Its main engines ignited and it shot forward, quickly reaching and going up the ramp that sent it hurtling towards space. The shuttle flew through space on its way to the L1 Colony Cluster. Within were Vice Minister Darlian, his daughters Relena and Renee, and a detail of OZ soldiers.
"Vice Foreign Minister Darlian," Lady Une said "I hope this will be a very successful trip for you." The Vice Minister studiously ignored her and continued to read his book. "Nothing wrong with a little socializing, is there?"
"I can't imagine having anything appropriate to discuss with a Specials officer." Vice Minister Darlian responded
"Pretty nasty words, Minister. I'm just here on orders from my superiors. I'd appreciate it if you didn't take your frustrations out on me."
"Relena, Renee, look carefully. Never forget how beautiful the Earth looks from afar."
*Yes, it is beautiful.* Relena thought as she and her sister gazed out the window *But I can see a darkness covering it. A darkness brought about by human beings, such as those making up our security detail.*
Relena turned her head to look at Lady Une, who was back in her seat, checking her makeup with her compact. She didn't know what the OZ officer had planned, but whatever it was, she vowed that she would exact payment with her next mission. A few hours later, the shuttle docked at the colony and the passengers disembarked. Vice Minister Darlian went almost directly to the conference while Relena and Renee settled into their hotel room.
"You were right, Relena." Renee said as she gazed out the window "The Colonies are beautiful."
"Yes," Relena nodded "Moreso than Earth, because the citizens of the Colonies don't seek conflict. It always seems to be shipped in by the Alliance military, anyway."
"Yeah, the guys in charge of the Alliance space forces do seem to go a little overboard, from what I hear. It's like they don't want peace up here."
"Peace is an end to conflict. With no more conflict, there would be no need for the military to maintain control. Without the military maintaining control, the Colonies could become independent and free of Alliance domination."
"Well, that's what Dad's here for. To settle differences between Earth and the Colonies, end the violence, and bring peace."
"If anyone can do it, father can." *Assuming OZ doesn't get in his way, that is.*
"You up for some shopping? I saw a nice looking store on the way to the hotel."
"Sure. We just need to stop outside the conference room to let them know where we're going."
"Alright, let's go."
Both girls left their hotel room and took the elevator down to the second floor, where the conference room was. As Lady Une walked briskly away, Relena and Renee walked to the conference room door and knocked.
"It's Relena and Renee." Relena announced and a moment later, a plainclothes guard opened the door
"What is it?" he asked
"We're going out to do some shopping." Renee answered
"Be careful out there, dear." her father called from within the room
"I'll get you an escort for you." The guard said
"No, we're fine." Relena shrugged "It's much safer here than it is on the Earth."
As Relena closed the door, Renee noticed a small blue item on the table against the wall and recognized it as belonging to Lady Une.
"It's her compact." the blonde-haired twin said "She must have forgotten it."
Renee picked up the compact and hurried after Lady Une with Relena a step behind. Relena would have been content to have Lady Une inconvenienced by misplacing her compact, but she made no attempt to stop her sister from returning it. The girls caught up with Lady Une as the woman stood in front of the hotel, flanked by several soldiers.
"Excuse me!" Renee said as she ran up to Lady Une "Ma'am, I think you forgot this back in there." Renee held out the 'forgotten' compact
"You idiot!" Lady Une snarled and snatched the compact away from her
Lady Une dashed towards the hotel and threw the compact at a second floor window. The compact arced through the air and smashed through the window of the very conference room where Vice Minister Darlian was meeting with Colony officials. A second later, the window blew outward as an explosion destroyed the room.
"Oh god!" Renee gasped
"Father!" Relena screamed
Both girls shook off the OZ soldiers restraining them and dashed inside.
"That was a close call." Lady Une said and turned to the soldiers next to her "Go after the girls and kill them if they try to resist."
Relena and Renee ran into the wrecked conference room. The place was trashed. The scent of smoke pervaded the air and the door had been blown off its hinges
"Dad! Where are you!?" Renee called
"Father!?" Relena called out as well, fearful of what she might find
"Relena... Renee." Vice Minister Darlian groaned from under a piece of rubble and his daughters ran to his side
"Father, talk to us! Father!"
"C'mon Dad! Say something, please!" Renee pleaded with her injured parent
"Is he alright?" a man asked as he knelt down next to Vice Minister Darlian "Well?"
"I can't find any other survivors." another man said
"Who are you people?" Renee asked as the first man shoved the debris off of her father and picked him up, slinging him over his shoulder
"OK, we'll carry Mr. Darlian out." the first man announced
"Right!" the second man nodded
"Stop right there!" A voice shouted and its owner, an OZ soldier, ran into the room, closely followed by another OZ soldier
"MOVE!" the first man yelled and grabbed Renee while another man scooped up Relena and a third man opened fire on the OZ soldiers, who ducked back through the doorway for cover
While some fired their guns at the OZ soldiers, the men ran through another doorway and down the hall, Darlian and his daughters in tow. Relena didn't resist since she knew those soldiers reported to Lady Une, who had thrown what had obviously been the bomb.
"Someone's taken Darlian's daughters and they're trying to escape." one soldier reported into his radio "Lock all the exits."
Shortly, Vice Minister Darlian was being loaded into a van in the parking garage. Relena and Renee were still being held, though they were now standing on their feet.
"You're gonna have to come with us." The man who had carried their father said to Relena and Renee "It's the only way you're gonna make it out of here alive."
"I don't care what happens to me!" Renee declared "What're you gonna do with my Dad?"
"Just do as we say for the time being, miss. Get in!"
Relena and Renee were dragged into the back of the van and the doors were quickly closed, just in time to repel a series of bullets which pinged off the van's armored exterior. The van immediately sped away, more shots pinging off the vehicle from all sides before ceasing. The man who had carried Vice Minister Darlian to the van, obviously the leader, filled a syringe and grabbed Relena's arm.
"These injections should help you relax." he said as he used the syringe to inject something into Relena's arm
"Hey!" Relena growled as he injected Renee also
"Get Dad to the hospital." Renee pleaded "He'll die for sure unless you do."
"The hospital's too risky!" the other man attending to her father responded
"What do you mean?"
"They're already guarding the hospitals." the leader answered "We have qualified doctors in our organization."
*Of course.* Relena thought grimly *OZ obviously wants father dead. If we take him to a hospital, they'll kill him for sure.*
"Organization? Who are you people, anyway?" Renee demanded
"Renee..." Vice Minister Darlian spoke softly
"Dad."
"Listen to me, Renee."
"Don't try to talk, you have got to lie still." Relena warned
"I have a confession to make Renee. I'm not your biological father. You've got to believe what I'm telling you. Your real name is Renee Peacecraft. You're the daughter of the Peacecraft family that was so well known for its total commitment to pacifism."
"What?" Renee blinked "I don't understand."
"I was a member of the senate that served their country in the past. But long ago the kingdom was demolished by the Alliance, and I decided to take you in as my daughter when I made my escape."
"Dad, that's not possible!"
"Father, what about me?" Relena demanded "Am I a daughter of the Peacecraft family too?"
"No Relena You truly are my daughter. When the Sanc Kingdom fell, I altered your birth records to say that Renee was your twin. We raised you both as sisters... Relena, Renee, watch out for the OZ organization!" Vice Minister Darlian passed out right after giving his warning
"Don't die on us!" Renee pleaded
"No father! No!" Relena moaned as she and her sister slumped over their father's still form
"The medication's working." the leader said "They're fast asleep."
Relena and Renee woke up abruptly on gurneys in an underground room.
"Father!" Relena cried out
"Dad!" Renee echoed her sister's cry
"You've woken up," the leader said as a doctor pulled a sheet over the girls' father "I'm terribly sorry for your loss. If only we'd become aware of the situation earlier, we could have avoided this tragedy.
"Lady Une," a voice came from a television set "Any comments on this terrible accident?"
"I'm terribly saddened by what has happened today." Lady Une's voice now issued from the TV "I had no idea there were such evil terrorists residing in this Colony."
"We're told that Vice Foreign Minister Darlian and his daughters were kidnapped."
"We're investigating the situation. We are unaware of the terrorists' true objectives but if these actions reflect the feelings of the whole Colony, we'll be forced to take military action."
"Wait a minute, Lady Une-"
"Excuse me, I have a terrorist investigation on my hands."
"DAMMIT!" One of the men in the room growled "She's making us out to be a bunch of terrorists!"
"That's just what you are!" Renee declared "You let my father die because you wouldn't take him to the hospital in time!"
"I told you the hospital-"
"That's enough." The group's apparent leader said and walked over to Relena and Renee "I'm terribly sorry for what happened."
In her mind, Relena's training struggled against her emotions. She knew OZ would likely have killed her father if he'd been taken to a hospital, but a fully equipped Emergency Room might have succeeded in saving him where these ragtag rebels had failed. Renee had only her emotions to drive her, grabbing the man's gun out of his holster. As he tried to grab it back, Relena sprung into action, kicking him in the chest with a high kick and both girls backed towards the wall.
"I'll take revenge for his death!" Renee declared, holding the gun on the men in the room "It's OZ, right? OZ is responsible for killing our father, right?"
"Don't be stupid." The leader cautioned "You'll just end up getting killed, can't you see it's suicide?"
"I don't care if I do get killed."
"And neither do I." Relena agreed with her sister. Her thoughts suddenly turned to Heero "Heero I want to see you Heero." she whispered and tears started to stream down her face
"Did you say Heero?" came a voice from behind them and Relena and Renee turned their heads towards the source
"Now!" someone shouted and all the men lunged forward and grabbed Relena and Renee
"Let go of us!" Relena demanded
"Are you talking about Heero Yuy?" asked the owner of the voice, an old man with numerous mechanical parts, as he clacked the claw that took the place of his left hand
"Do you know him? Do you know Heero Yuy?"
The old cyborg smiled and chuckled a little as one of the men relieved Renee of her stolen gun, then he spoke.
"Yes, I know Heero Yuy very well." he said "Boys, I believe you can release these fine ladies. They were simply distraught over the sudden loss of their father." The men slowly released Relena and Renee, being careful to make sure neither had a chance to steal another weapon. "Could I bother you ladies to walk with an old man? It seems we have something to discuss while we get you on your way home." The cyborg turned away from Relena and Renee and started to walk back down the hall.
"Who is this guy?" Renee wondered "And how does he know that jerk, Heero?"
"I'm not sure Renee," Relena answered "But I think we should do as he says. He doesn't seem to wish us any harm."
Relena and Renee followed the cyborg down the hall and into a parking garage containing the armored van they had left the hotel in, a limousine, and several other vehicles. The cyborg walked to the limousine, opened the rear passenger-side door, and motioned for Relena and Renee to get in. Once all were inside, the driver, who had been in the car already, started the engine and the car started to move, leaving the underground garage for the nighttime streets of the Colony.
"Please feel free to call me Doctor J, young ladies." the cyborg said as they drove "Believe it or not, I am a scientist."
"Doctor J, you're the one who sent Heero to Earth, aren't you, Doctor?" Relena asked
"Yes, that's right. But who in their right mind would have thought that he'd end up in the same school as Darlian's daughters? How's that rascal doing anyway? What a kid." Doctor J chuckled
"What were you trying to get him to do on Earth?" Renee asked
"I'll say this: That young lad is an agent of ours."
"An agent?"
"Since Heero was very young, we've taught him a wide range of battle strategies. We brought him up as a professional assassin."
"Why would you do such a thing?"
"Don't you see? For the peace of the Colonies, of course."
"The peace? How in the world could killing someone possibly lead us to peace!?"
"It leads directly to peace. Wars are started by people, and they end with people. Heero is ordered to attack only the dangerous, evil people responsible for starting wars."
"But there must be more peaceful solutions?"
"Twenty years ago, we believed that ourselves. We thought humanity couldn't be that foolish. That no one could possibly wish for a war. The Colonies were started by scientists like myself, and by laborers. Our ancestors did everything they could to form the Colonies. After over 100 years of hard work, we could finally enjoy a normal lifestyle there. And exactly 20 years ago, we were living peacefully under the leader of all Colonies: Heero Yuy."
"Heero Yuy?"
"His name still lives on today as a legend among the residents of our colonies. That's where we came up with the young lad's codename, you see."
"His codename?"
*So that's why Heero has the same name as the dead Colony leader.* Relena thought, having remained silent all through the conversation between Renee and Doctor J *The lesson that told of his assassination never mentioned whether or not he had any family, so when I first heard his name, I wondered if he was a relative of the original. But I guess he's not. He simply took his codename from the martyr to peace.*
"Times of peace in the Colonies didn't last for long." Doctor J continued "I suppose they felt a leader promoting peace was too dangerous. Heero Yuy was assassinated by some organization. From that point, communication ceased between the Colonies, and this became an excuse to strengthen the Alliance military. You see, OZ was responsible for Heero Yuy's assassination, and wanted a war with Earth."
"OZ!?!" Renee's voice held a bit of surprise
"Do you know OZ?"
"It was the last thing father said, to watch out for OZ." Relena explained, though she had known about OZ for much longer than her sister "So, who are you making Heero fight against?"
"All of OZ. We must stop them before they fulfil their ambitions to take over the United Alliance military and dictate the Earth Sphere."
"But, why does Heero have to take on that enormous task, why should he be responsible for doing all that by himself?" Renee asked
"We have no choice. He understands the emotional pains that the Colony residents have been forced to endure over the years."
"But still! There must be another way!"
"No. There is no other way. None that we can think of, anyway." The limo pulled to a stop in front of a building "We've arrived. This is where you two get out. They should be able to return you safely to Earth from here." Renee opened the door, and both she and Relena got out.
"May I ask you why you saved our lives, Doctor J?" Relena asked "Is it because of our father? Because we're Darlian's daughters?"
"Not at all. It's because both of you have the same look in your eyes as Heero did. That genuine expression. Heero is actually a kindhearted young boy."
"Yes, I know that."
"You gotta be kidding me!" Renee said "He's a jerk and, from what you say, a trained killer."
"But Heero's very dedicated to his mission." Doctor J warned "Stay away from him, if you value your lives."
The tinted window rolled up, hiding Doctor J's face, and the limo drove away. Relena and Renee turned and walked into the building. Immediately upon entering the doors, they were met by a man in a white suit.
"Miss Relena Darlian. Miss Renee Darlian." he greeted them "Doctor J sent me his regards. If you'll come with me, I'll get you onto a shuttle to Earth without OZ having a clue."
He then hustled them off to a fancy car in which he drove them to the shuttle terminal by a roundabout route. Relena and Renee boarded the shuttle without incident and were soon on their way home.
While events were transpiring in space, a newly repaired Gundam Deathscythe was approaching the North Pacific OZ supply base, only to find that it was already under attack.
[From the transmissions I am intercepting, the attacker can only be my brother.] Deathscythe declared
"The way that guy works," Duo said "I don't think we should trust him to complete the mission on his own without Self-Detonating. Besides, his mission might not be exactly the same as ours."
[Agreed. My airborne brother is often rather flighty, as one might expect from the God of the Air.]
"Since he's already taken a major bite out of the defense forces, I don't see why we can't go directly to the control tower."
Gundam Deathscythe approached undetected and fired its machine cannons, causing the upper portion of the control tower to explode. The dark Gundam then jumped into the air with its vernier thrusters and landed right in front of Wing Gundam.
"It looks like we're both after the same thing." Duo transmitted on the frequency he remembered glimpsing on the other Gundam's comm board when it had lain in the same hangar as his own "Well, aren't ya at least gonna respond?"
"Locked on target." was Heero's only answer as Wing Gundam leveled its Buster Rifle at Gundam Deathscythe
"Seems like the two of us are gonna have to fight it out after all." Duo responded by leveling Gundam Deathscythe's Buster Shield at Wing Gundam, the pincers open but the beam blade not yet ignited.
[If this is how it must be, then I shall send my brother back to the skies he rules,] Deathscythe declared [That he may watch from his floating throne as I lay my blessing upon all of OZ.]
For a long eternity, the two Gundams stared at each other across their respective weapons. Then, suddenly, the ground gave way beneath one of Deathscythe's feet, causing the mighty mobile suit to falter for a moment. That moment of distraction was all the invitation Heero need to fire Wing Gundam's Buster Rifle. Realizing the destructive beam was heading straight for him, Duo could not help but yell in fear. However, a moment later, the beam passed to one side and annihilated the head of a Leo that had been sneaking up on him with a beam saber in hand, causing the beheaded mobile suit to topple to the ground.
"I've returned the favor." Heero laughed and Wing Gundam launched into the air, transformed into bird mode and flew away, quickly disappearing from sight.
"Damn you. I'll get you back." Duo grumbled
[I should have known that my brother would not send me back to my underworld kingdom with my task unfinished.] Deathscythe noted [Even he has more sense than that.]
"Well, I dunno about your family, but since he already trashed the warehouses, I'd say our mission's complete so it's time we made our exit."
[Yes. Time to vanish into the night, that none may see Death until I come for them.]
True to the words of its AI, Gundam Deathscythe melted into the night, its dark paintjob making it seem to vanish as it left behind the burning remnants of the battle.
Meanwhile, as the shuttle carrying her and Relena flew towards Earth, Renee stared out the window into space.
"Are you alright, sis?" Relena asked softly
"Why're you calling me sis?" Renee barked "We're not really sisters. Dad said so himself."
"In every way that matters, you're still my sister. Since before I can remember, you've been my twin sister. We've shared everything, and I can tell that you still believe that we share the same father."
"What makes you say that?"
"You said 'Dad said so himself' just now. That means you still consider my father to be your father as well."
"I've never known any other father. Even when he had to leave suddenly to work, I could always tell that he loved me. And I still love him."
"I still love you too, Renee. Just because we don't really share blood doesn't mean we suddenly aren't sisters anymore." Relena held Renee's hand in a comforting grip
"Thanks... Sis. When we get back to Earth, I'm going to find a way to make OZ pay for killing OUR father."
"No Renee!" Relena frowned "You're a Peacecraft, your hands must remain free of bloodstains."
"But-"
"I'll get revenge for us both."
"You can't fight a big organization like OZ on your own!"
"I won't be on my own. And I've already been attacking OZ, and winning."
"This has something to do with why you've been acting strangely since you got back from your last trip, doesn't it?"
"I never could hide anything from you for long. I'll tell you everything once we're safe at home."
"I'm gonna hold you to that promise, Relena."
End of chapter 4
Whew! I stayed up pretty late to finish this one, but it's worth it. I'll bet Renee being a Peacecraft but Relena not being one was quite the swerve for some people. Next chapter, Relena and Renee return home and Renee gets to meet Lady Gundam. Now I'll spellcheck this thing, convert it to HTML, and post it to FF.net. Boy, am I glad that tomorrow, or today, actually, is a holiday. *YAWN* I'm probably gonna be sleeping late.