Dover Mobile Suit Base
The landing of the shuttle jarred Roxie awake. Miliardo watched her yawn and stretch. Her black silk dress molded to her body indecently, and when she caught him watching, her bright pink lips parted in a smile and she exaggerated her movements to give him even more to see. Miliardo looked away. The cabin was suddenly too warm.
"Are we here?" she asked in a sleepy voice.
He nodded, then looked back. The dress barely covered what it needed, and she wore shiny black boots to her thighs. When he had seen her choice of attire upon her arrival at the shuttle port he had wanted to order her to wear something, anything, else, but by the mutinous look in her eyes, he knew it would have been a waste of time. Roxie was angry that their evening had been interrupted by the ill-timed attack of the Shadowhawk. Miliardo never did get into the pool with her. She would never forgive the gundam.
The shuttle came to a stop, and they stood. Miliardo crossed to the door with Roxie on his heels, and when the steward appeared, she tossed her fur coat over her shoulder and slipped an arm around his waist.
"It's ShowTime, loverboy," she whispered in his ear, then nipped his earlobe.
Miliardo glared at her.
The steward opened the door to the flashes of cameras as photographers jostled for position. Miliardo knew the papers would be splashed with pictures of him with Roxie clinging to him like a vine. The critics would dredge up his past in OZ, pointing to his liaison with Roxie Rivera as proof to their claim he was unfit to be crowned king. The stipulation put forth by the elected Assembly that he must wait a probationary period during which he would rule Cinq Kingdom with restrictions on him was insulting. There were parties of total pacifists that preferred waiting for Relena's majority when they could elect her Queen. These same groups used every pretext to justify denying him absolute rule. Their agenda was to keep power in their grasp as long as they could, and Miliardo Peacecraft – Zechs Merquise – was a threat to them. More threat than they realized. He had no intention of letting the dinosaurs from his father's idealistic era guide his rule as they would Relena's.
Then there were the scandal sheets that will have learned from sources close to the prince that there had been an orgy on the flight to the mobile suit complex. Roxie played to that crowd, and in that she should be given credit for her acting. As he answered questions from reporters about the "accident" at Dover Base, she tossed out saucy replies to queries about their relationship as they made their way to the limousine. Roxie knew her role. She was a decoy, and a frighteningly good one. She was beginning to distract him from his own duties.
When they were settled in the limo and on the road to the base, she huddled inside the fur coat. "This dress is too damn light. I am cold!" she complained.
Miliardo noted that she was very tired. She had been at his side the entire night during the crisis.
"I think it was designed to be worn in bed," he remarked with a half-smile.
To his amusement, she blushed and looked down at the lingerie. "Oops! I guess I wasn't paying attention this morning."
Miliardo laughed and couldn't resist pulling her into his arms. "I'll keep you warm."
"I like the sound of that!" She was stretching to kiss him when the car came to a stop. "Damn!"
Miliardo kissed her quickly and had the lipstick dabbed away before the door opened. Lieutenant Benton was waiting with his usual sour disposition upon seeing Roxie. Miliardo stepped out first, then reached in to pull her to his side.
She was wrapped around his arm as the military officers saluted him, and he noticed she was hiding her face in her fur. After introductions, he released her to visit the injured in the military hospital. If anyone could lift the morale of the men, it would be the flamboyant Roxana Rivera wearing sexy lingerie.
Benton was at his side on the way to the conference room to meet with the staff. "Did she have to come?"
"I asked her to accompany me." Miliardo couldn't blame Benton for his intense dislike of his companion. Benton had been trained by Noin at the Lake Victoria base and was probably more loyal to her than to the man he served. Seeing another woman taking what could have been Noin's place in his life was difficult for the lieutenant to swallow.
"Did you get what I asked for?" Miliardo looked at him.
Frowning, Benton withdrew a slender leather box. "These jewels are a bit much for your sister to wear to a school dance, your Excellency," he pointed out, "even if they were your mother's."
Miliardo slipped the case inside his jacket pocket. "They aren't for Relena." The shock on Benton's face was precious. Some day his aide would laugh about it, too.
They had no more time to speak as the other men arrived, and Miliardo spent the afternoon reviewing information from the Shadowhawk attack. The base's defenses were no match for the superior technology of the gundam. Wufei also gave a report via satellite link. Although he was obviously infuriated at his defeat, he was objective enough to point out the strengths of his opponent and the weaknesses of his own attack. Miliardo understood how he felt and commended the young pilot.
Halfway through the meeting, there was an altercation at the door, and Miliardo looked up to see Benton barring Roxie from the room. When Miliardo waved her in, Benton's face became an unbecoming shade of red that darkened when Roxie stood behind Miliardo while his lieutenant was forced to get her a chair. She sat close to him, resting her head on his shoulder, her long, bleached hair flowing over his arm. As the men spoke, she tapped her long, painted fingernails impatiently on the tabletop.
The officers purposely kept their attention on the papers and computer screens before them. There was a tense moment of silence after her arrival, but Miliardo was not going to order Roxie to leave. He wanted her right where she was. They began a discussion on the Shadowhawk's whereabouts, and Roxie's hand moved over his where it rested on his computer keyboard. The screen changed to display pertinent data. Her fingers moved over the keys, and Roxie's half-closed eyes were rapidly taking in the information. Miliardo had difficulty paying attention to his subordinates as she pulled up screen after screen searching the intelligence reports.
The woman draped over him was distracting his men, but it was because she was leaning so close into him that it was improper if not indecent. Even he started to think about things other than the elusive Shadowhawk.
His best officers had no explanation for the Shadowhawk's dramatic disappearances and reappearance. They were truly baffled. But it was with quite obvious relief that they were dismissed with an order to continue their investigation. Even before the last one was out the door, Roxie hopped up on the edge of the table and crossed her legs as she consulted her compact mirror to apply more lipstick.
When the door was closed behind the last one, he turned to her. "Was that necessary? I can imagine what they think we are doing now."
"They couldn't be further from the truth, could they, loverboy?" She turned the computer and keyed in information rapidly, then flipped the screen for him to see. "I have cross-referenced radar and energy sweeps with the appearances of the Shadowhawk."
Miliardo wasn't looking at the screen. Had her legs always been that long? Why hadn't he noticed before? "What did you find?" he asked automatically.
She swiveled to the computer again so that she was half lying on the table. "Energy pulses are recorded corresponding to the appearance of the gundam."
"Interesting." He could almost see that tantalizing tattoo. He wondered what she would do if he got up to lock the door.
"Are you listening to me, Zechs?"
He wondered what he would do. "Of course I am."
She turned back to the screen. Her skirt inched up. "The gundam must be using some sort of device similar to gundam 02's scrambler, that doesn't explain how it could go unseen by the eye."
"Indeed." Miliardo could see the lower fourth of the tattoo. He knew what it looked like, so why did he want to see it now?
"It must be using some type of energy we don't have any knowledge of to mask itself. That is very technologically advanced. Our researchers have only vague theories. There are no records of any significant research in that field." Roxie turned to look at him. Unfortunately he didn't get his eyes off her backside soon enough and he could see that she was furious.
"You haven't heard a word I said!"
"I did." Not all of it, but she would give him a report if he asked. By the look in her eyes, he would have to ask very politely.
He was spared her further anger when the computer indicated an incoming priority call. Miliardo gave her an apologetic smile and flipped the screen to face him so that she was out of the picture.
"Vice Minister Une," he acknowledged when her face appeared on the screen. In the World and Space Alliance, she was his superior, at least until he pulled the Cinq Kingdom away. He glanced at Roxie and caught her sticking out her tongue at the screen.
"Miliardo Peacecraft. I have been anxiously waiting a report from your people about this nasty business at Dover. I am pleased that you have gone there immediately to inspect the damage. I believe six men lost their lives at that explosion."
She was staring at him through her glasses. Miliardo had the unpleasant feeling that she knew about the gundam battle although the space over the Cinq Kingdom was well jammed with radar waves to conceal activities from the Alliance. There were very few people outside his loyal military who knew the location of the five gundams he had been ordered to dismantle. Vice Minister Une was not one of those people.
"The accident was a tragedy," he stated, meeting her gaze.
"See that it doesn't happen again."
Miliardo almost cracked a smile when Roxie made an obscene gesture at the back of the screen.
Lady Une removed her glasses and her expression softened. "I am sorry I haven't spoken to you sooner. My duties are overwhelming. I know there was never anything official between you and Lucrezia Noin, but I did know she was a dear friend. Her death must be difficult for you."
"It has not affected my work," he told her. He didn't look to see Roxie's expression.
"Perhaps you need a break. You should take some time off to let yourself heal." She leaned closer to the screen, and her eyes were intense. "Why don't you accompany me to the Geneva Conference next week-end."
The sultry tone of vice-minister Une's voice made it clear it would not be a political trip. Miliardo dared to glance at Roxie and saw that there were two bright red patches of anger on her cheeks. Her jealousy was quite obvious and quite pleasing to Miliardo.
"The skiing is marvelous this time of year," Vice Minister Une said as she shook out her hair. Miliardo swallowed nervously now. He did not want to offend the vice-minister. Even if he were elected absolute ruler of the Cinq Kingdom, vice-minister Une was still his superior. Miliardo wasn't quite ready to make a total break with his past to take the Cinq Kingdom into the future.
"You are kind to offer…" he began, but she cut him off.
"We are both adults, Miliardo Peacecraft. I have admired you very much, but I stayed in the shadow believing there was some type of relationship between you and Lucrezia Noin. But apparently there was nothing, and now without her nipping at your heels and licking your boots, you are ready for a real woman!"
Roxie shot to her feet, and as a precaution, Miliardo quickly shut off the microphone. "That…that…" she glared at him. "This is all your fault! Nipping at your heels? Licking your boots?" She gave a cry of pure rage, snatched up her fur and marched to the door. She slammed it on her way out.
Miliardo had wanted to reassure her, but with Lady Une watching and waiting for his reply, he could say nothing without giving them away.
He turned the microphone back on. "I am sorry, vice-minister, but duty must keep me in the Cinq Kingdom. My sister's formal ball is next week-end and I promised I would appear."
The vice-minister was clearly disappointed. "Another time, then, Prince Miliardo." She slipped on her glasses. "Remember that the Cinq Kingdom is important to the alliance. We are looking to you to uphold peace with the ideals championed by the Peacecraft family."
Now she leaned forward, her eyes narrowed to slits. "I don't want to hear any more rumors about gundams. Do I make myself clear?"
He used his training as Zechs Merquise now as he met her gaze without blinking. "I shall endeavor to keep such rumors from your ears."
"See that you do." The screen went blank.
So Lady Une was suspicious of his motives. Perhaps her proposition was politically driven. She had a lot of confidence in her allure as a woman to think that would keep him in the Alliance.
Roxie was waiting in the hall surrounded by a group of adoring, ogling young men. While she seemed to have gotten over Lady Une's insult, the sound of her laughter and provocative comments annoyed Miliardo. And he certainly did not like those men staring at her skimpy attire.
"Will you be returning immediately?" Benton was at his heels. "Shall I send for the car?" He was glancing at the scene that disturbed him. In other words, should we get her the hell out of here?
Reluctantly, Miliardo took his eyes from Roxie. "No, I intend to visit the lab to see the progress on rebuilding the Epyon. Have I received a report from Nelson concerning the Taurus suits?"
"No, your Excellency."
Miliardo frowned. Nelson was usually thorough. "Contact him and inform him that I expect a detailed report by tomorrow afternoon or he will not receive a second shipment of Taurus suits."
"Yes, your Excellency."
"Have we uncovered any organized groups of resistance on Earth? Vice Minister Une will expect a report soon. She will likely soon discover the missing Taurus suits."
"There are some groups, but they are very small and spread wide. We have not uncovered any communications between them."
"Any communications with space?"
"No."
"That doesn't mean it isn't happening," mused Miliardo aloud. "If they have the technology to make a gundam disappear before one's eyes, then they can surely mask communications from us."
Benton was watching Roxie with unconcealed loathing.
"Keep me informed." Miliardo left him to approach Roxie. The young men scattered and he realized he was scowling. Roxie answered it with a smile. "You are in rare form." He slipped a possessive arm around her waist and led her to an elevator.
"I had to have something to amuse myself while you made your plans with Lady Une." She yawned. "So, will you be packing up your skis?"
The elevator opened and they stepped in alone. Miliardo keyed in an access code. "There are a lot of advantages in encouraging her personal interest."
"That sounds like the Zechs Merquise trained by Treize Kushrenada." She leaned against the back of the elevator.
"Miliardo Peacecraft will tell you that there is nothing to gain." He took her hand and brought it to his lips. "You know how I feel."
She sighed and stroked his cheek. "I've never tried to hide my feelings for you. I didn't think I would hear them in such unflattering terms."
He chuckled. "Would you like me to lick your boots?" When she blushed, he drew her into his arms. "I liked you nipping at my heels." She would have retorted, but he cut it off with a kiss.
They were still kissing when the elevator door opened deep in the bowels of the earth.
"Prince Miliardo! A pleasant surprise!"
Reluctantly, he released her and turned to face the only man who would dress as if he were on a Hawaiian beach although he was thousands of feet underground.
"Howard, it is nice to see you." They shook hands. Howard was one of the original gundam scientists, and he had taken on the task of rebuilding the Epyon in the secret lab beneath Dover Base.
Roxie was hanging on his arm, and the gundam designer now looked at her with raised, grizzled gray brows. "Lucrezia Noin! Raised from the dead and looking better after three weeks in the grave than most people do after a good night's sleep."
"Oh!" She was clearly embarrassed to be recognized. Roxie Rivera didn't mind parading about half-naked, but Noin tugged on Miliardo's jacket until he removed it and slipped it over her shoulders. With a sigh of relief, she jerked off her wig and tossed it over her shoulder. She ran her hands through her bleached hair, then smiled and shook Howard's hand. "Good to see you, too."
Howard grinned. "The pleasure was mine, my dear corpse." He escorted them through the labs explaining modifications he was making to the Epyon. Howard had poured over the information received from gundams 02 and 05. "I shall be happy to receive a report from Wing Zero."
"You think the Shadowhawk will return?" asked Noin as she studied the design plan for the rebuilt Epyon.
"Quite sure! Wing gundam is the only gundam that has not been scanned by the Shadowhawk. The Shadowhawk seems to be stronger after its battles as if it thrives on victory. In actuality, a very intelligent programmer has designed a system to incorporate the information it receives. I am sure it will return for Wing Zero. How is work progressing on the Deathscythe? I sent specifications for stronger jamming signals. Sam should have installed them by now."
Noin looked up from the computer. Miliardo had wandered away to converse with some technicians. She turned to watch workers weld on the giant Epyon. "When will it be complete? I am eager to get it back in the sky."
"Another two weeks, at least. All circuits have been replaced and we have attempted to put in a safety lock against the Shadowhawk's arrow."
She raised a brow. "Correct me if I am wrong, but did you not just tell me, Howard, that the Shadowhawk learns quickly. The energy scans on the arrows differ each time they are used."
"You are not mistaken. A very clever enhancement to an incredible system."
Noin remembered the lack of research she had pointed out to Miliardo earlier when he was busy looking at her backside. "What was Ivan Stryfe working on at colony L10?"
Noin lost track of Miliardo. All day he was playing the role of playboy prince while she did all the work! Why couldn't he have been doing that last night? He wouldn't have wasted so much time getting in the pool, and when she finally had him where she wanted him, that blasted computer….! Instead of a steamy night in the pool she spent the entire night parked before a computer screen shivering in a damp swimsuit and towel as they monitored the battle in the atmosphere.
"Ivan Stryfe?" Howard chuckled, then guffawed with laughter. "That carrot top could certainly liven up the lab! Not a day went by without something sizzling, crackling or exploding! I wasn't surprised that his project was destroyed in his own lab."
"How did Stryfe get the project in the first place?"
"Don't get me wrong, dearly departed Commander Noin! Stryfe was a brilliant man! I believe he was sent to L10 because his gundam was intended to be the most powerful. Should there have been repercussions, a civilian population could not have been targeted as L10 was a deserted research station."
"Stryfe kept no records," she commented.
"No. He didn't need to, and he refused to file reports. He had a phenomenal mind!" Howard shook his head and chuckled. "Too bad he didn't take things more seriously. Nor did he ever completely think through the consequences of his actions."
"I believe that cost his life," she commented.
Howard sighed. "And his daughter is at Seaside with our young pilots? Is she as entertaining as her father?"
Noin raised a brow. "They could not be less alike."
She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Miliardo. "Are you done pestering Howard?" he asked with a smile.
Noin frowned. "Someone has to work around here. As usual, it is me."
Howard was chuckling as he walked away, winking at Miliardo. What were they up to? She looked at Miliardo's face as he took her arm and led her after Howard.
"I have a surprise for you," he announced.
"A surprise?"
"I think it is something you have wanted for a long time."
There were many things she had wanted for a long time from Miliardo Peacecraft, but only one came to mind in this lab. She seized his arms in excitement. "You are going to put the zero system back in the Epyon for me."
Miliardo frowned and her excitement diminished. Her hands dropped to her sides.
"Do I take that as a no?" She wasn't going to bother to hide her bitter disappointment.
"Lucrezia, we have discussed this often enough."
"I am a better pilot!"
"It is too dangerous for you!" He took her arm and led her across the lab to a wall where they were joined again by Howard. He winked at Noin, then took a control device in his hand. After pressing a succession of buttons, the wall began to slide apart. Noin watched as a giant shape was slowly revealed. It towered so high above that she had to bend back to look up. The metal beast stood silently dark, a spear in one hand, a shield blazoned with a lightening bolt in the other.
"My God," she whispered in awe. "It's a gundam."
Miliardo turned her around to face him. "Lucrezia, you know how much I care for you."
"Care? Miliardo! Such a strong term coming from you!"
Howard snickered, then took Noin's arm. "Come along, my lovely cadaver. I shall be showing you just how much Zechs Merquise cares for the late Lucrezia Noin."
"I would prefer him to do so," Miliardo heard her mutter. Then she turned back to him. "You know I love it, you sentimental fool!"
Then Howard and Noin hopped on the cable to carry them up to the entrance of the giant mobile suit. They disappeared inside, and Miliardo expected to hear some enthusiasm, but there was none. He waited. What were they doing?
Suddenly it was raining roses all over him, and he looked up to see Noin.
"Just cleaning up a bit," she called down to him. "Someone left that mess in here."
He threw back his head in laughter.
Noin was laughing as she ducked back inside.
Howard gave her a quick overview of the operation of the gundam, explaining that data received in recent encounters with the Shadowhawk had been programmed into its complex system. The gundam's spear was pointed on both ends, and when activated, could penetrate any metal save gundanium alloy. Upon penetrating, an energy surge would blast apart an opponent. In close battles it could be parted into two, closer ranged weapons with the same capabilities as the full spear, reminding Noin of the trick staff she had used against Miliardo.
The shield contained several small canons that sent lightening like laser strikes zigzagging at the enemy and hidden beneath was a missile-loaded gun.
Noin sat in the cockpit chair and looked around her gundam. She saw something glittering on the control panel, and she looked at Howard with raised brows.
He grinned. "I believe that is a temporary modification made by Prince Miliardo."
Noin smiled and took her attention off it. First the roses, now this. She had a good idea how to thank him and make some pleasant memories for her gundam cockpit.
Howard cleared his throat and she saw him holding a disk. "This is my modification, Commander Noin. This gundam was designed by Zechs Merquise and myself to suit you perfectly. I like to call it the Valkyrie after the fierce maiden warriors sent out by King Odin over the battlefields. It has wings that fold into impenetrable shields in the back, but the Valkyrie has an advantage which I added myself without Prince Miliardo's knowledge."
She had difficulty containing her excitement. "Would this anger him?"
"Without a doubt."
Noin laughed nervously as she stared at the disk.
"I have managed to work out most of the bugs from the Zero system. While it is still very difficult to operate, I have complete faith in you, Lucrezia Noin."
Noin threw her arms around the gray-haired man and kissed his leathery cheeks. "I don't know how to thank you!"
Howard chuckled. "I've never been kissed by a deceased woman before!" But he sobered. "Listen to me, Commander Noin. This disk is for training purposes. When you aren't prancing around half-naked with Prince Miliardo, take some time to acquaint yourself with the gundam. There is a simulation on this disk. I doubt you will be using the Valkryie any time soon, but you should be prepared when you do. The power of this gundanium maiden will surprise you. Now I will let you get acquainted. I was careful to place controls according to recommendations you made in your reports to Oz."
When he was gone, Noin looked on the control panel. The sparkle and glitter came from a diamond and ruby necklace and earrings. Their beauty was breathtaking. Noin knew they were Peacecraft jewels, an heirloom of the royal family. Tears came to her eyes as his gesture reassured her about his feelings. Yet she wanted to hear him speak them.
Noin left the chair and walked to the door, shedding his coat. She could hear snatches of his conversation below, then the entirety as Lieutenant Benton raised his voice in anger.
"How could you bring that…that…bleached tart in here?"
Noin covered her mouth to keep from laughing. Dear Benton! He had been her brightest cadet, and his rise in the ranks of OZ did not surprise her. When Miliardo had made his break, Benton had followed, believing in him, probably because Noin believed in him. His position as Miliardo's personal aide had been earned through his loyalty. Noin had wanted Benton to know she was still alive, but both Miliardo and Sally Po were against it. Benton's outrage against her could not have been pretended. Benton was too loyal to her and could not play the role required.
Laughing softly, she tossed Miliardo's coat over the edge, and it floated until it landed at their feet.
"Your vulgar little joy toy has no place in this laboratory!" she heard Benton shout. How angry he must be to see Roxie Rivera lounging around in the Valkyrie! How naughty Miliardo was to bring her here!
She didn't hear Miliardo's reply. She was laughing to herself as she slipped on the jewels. Noin wondered how far she could push the now insubordinate Lieutenant Benton. Pulling off her ridiculous dress – well Miliardo was right about its intended use – she tossed it out the door, then turned on her communicator. There was a screen behind Miliardo and his face appeared. His eyes widened.
"Noin!" he scolded. By the look on his face, she knew she may have gone too far, but she forged ahead.
"Love the gift, my little prince." She fingered the jewels at her throat. "Come on up and see how I look."
"Noin…" he started to say, but she didn't give him a chance to refuse. She closed communication. Now all she had to do was wait for Miliardo Peacecraft. How many ways could she shock him? Maybe one of the jolts would put some life in him!
The cable lift came to a stop. Already?
She swung around in her chair, wearing only the jewels and a smile only Miliardo Peacecraft would resist.
"Commander Noin!!!!!"
Miliardo's chuckle became outright laughter as the telecom buzzed continuously behind him. Poor Benton!