Coalition Base
After taking off her spacesuit, Trynity checked the systems of the Shadowhawk although she knew the Coalition technicians and her father would do it again. There was no damage. She wished she could say the same for herself after this mission. Trynity ran her fingers through her tangled hair, and then flipped on the monitor to watch as guards herded Duo through the hangar. He stopped once to shout at the men unloading the Deathscythe. Whatever he said earned him a slap over the back of the head and she cringed. Knowing Duo, his mouth would get him into even more trouble before he was finally delivered to his cell.
When he was finally gone, Trynity left the Shadowhawk. Lars was waiting for her. By his upturned, expectant face, she knew he expected her to kiss him again. She didn't feel like it, but she did it anyway. Trynity didn't feel anything from his kiss, even when he pulled her close. Whatever had been there before was gone after her experience with Duo. She felt regret because Duo had proved once again that he couldn't be trusted. Lars was there for her.
"Is that the Deathscythe?" Her father's voice made Lars suddenly release her, and when Lars wasn't looking, she touched her lips with her fingers and wondered yet again why Duo Maxwell's kiss felt like magic.
Dr. Stryfe strode past her towards the gundam, rubbing his hands in anticipation of seeing the work of his former colleagues. Lars put his hand on her shoulder and gently squeezed. He seemed to understand how she felt as her father ignored her. She wished that Lars could be more to her, but fate seemed to tie her to Duo Maxwell.
Lars walked her to her quarters where he kissed her again and tried to follow her in, but Trynity managed ward him off with complaints about her uncomfortable night on the beach, that she needed rest, to shower. He is persistent, she thought with a smile when he finally left after trying to counter all her reasons for sending him off. After showering, she took a nap and didn't awaken until she heard her telecom buzzing insistently. Colonel Nelson's aide informed her there would be a meeting in his office in an hour, so Trynity dressed and made her way to the laboratory.
Her father was seated at his computer, deep in thought, but he seemed to sense she was coming because he quickly activated his screensaver. Trynity was annoyed to watch colorful liquids in test-tubes fizzle, then cover the screen in an explosion. It would be so easy to make his work appear! Dr. Stryfe was looking at her with a raised brow. Was that a challenge?
"I see you are in one piece, pumpkin," he remarked with a smile.
Trynity did not let him see he had hurt her. "The net you devised worked admirably." It was safer to talk about his work.
"Yes, I was quite pleased with the results." He typed on the keyboard and Trynity saw a replay of the Shadowhawk spinning the staff producing a blaze of color. "Is that you, pumpkin? I didn't take you for someone who would put on such a show in a battle."
She smiled. "It worked. Where did you get this?"
"Downloaded from the Deathscythe's memory." He was quiet for a moment, then remarked, "That young pilot must have been quite distracted." He typed in another command and the scene changed. She saw the back of Duo as he left his gundam, slyly tucking his gun in his waistband.
"I don't want to watch anymore." She turned away. Her heart jumped when she heard the gunshot.
Her father chuckled. "I am surprised you missed."
Trynity frowned. Then a thought occurred to her. She quickly spun to look at him, and she could not help that her cheeks were burning. "How…how much recorded?"
Dr. Stryfe was grinning. "You would be amazed, pumpkin. Seems the cameras are programmed to follow the pilot."
She was so embarrassed now that her knees began to wobble, but the transmission became fuzzy, then blanked shortly after she had kicked Duo. There was a roar in her ears as she felt intense relief.
Then she heard her father chuckling. "Power loss."
Now she was angry, but not surprisingly, he didn't seem to care. He was running data on the screen about the Deathscythe. "I was unable to penetrate the cloak," she commented.
"I noticed. If the pilot had been a little faster, he would have given you a debilitating hit with the beam scissors."
"I wasn't expecting it to be so fast," she explained.
He raised his brows. "Expect the unexpected, pumpkin."
Trynity certainly hadn't expected to see Duo when she stepped out of the Shadowhawk. Her first shot had been thrown off by the surprise. She had planned to injure the pilot, then immediately call for transport. Seeing that her opponent was Duo Maxwell had caused her to act irrationally. She just couldn't put a bullet in him. And his ridiculous remarks about the dance had infuriated her. Why couldn't he have kept his mouth shut? When did he ever? She should have shot him right between the eyes when she had a chance. He was a smooth-talking liar, and she fell for his lines! How gullible could a girl have to be? Trynity Stryfe gullible! A new low in female stupidity.
"I am anxious to meet the idiot," remarked her father.
"No!" Trynity was horrified.
Dr. Stryfe smiled and pinched her cheek. "Don't deny me the one chance to be a father."
"You've never been concerned about that role before," she snapped. To her shame, his face paled and she saw his eyes misting. "I'm sorry!" she cried as she reached out to him.
He pushed her hands away. "You are right, Trynity." He looked down as if seeing her was too painful. After a moment, he commented, "Your shoes are untied."
Trynity swallowed the lump in her throat as he stared at her shoes. He would never remember! But she would never forget bouncing up to her father in his lab with her new shoes after she had so carefully put in the laces after taking them from the box. He had been deep in discussion with the mechanics fitting the Shadowhawk's arm.
"Father, see my shoes! Show me how to tie them!" She was only four and overwhelmed by the strings.
He ignored her for several minutes before she tugged on his coat. When he looked he didn't really see her. She held up the shoes. "Show me how to tie them."
"Not now, pumpkin. Go and play. I will show you later."
Trynity waited for hours for him, sitting on a crate, wearing her untied shoes, swinging her feet as she watched him work. He was busy, but she was sure he wouldn't forget. Finally when it grew very late, she slid off the box and shuffled her feet to keep the shoes on as she approached him. He was now digging in a mass of wiring on the uncovered arm that would later hold the bow. His technicians had already left to go to bed, so he was working alone.
"Father?" she called to him. "Did you forget my shoes?"
He bumped his head as he emerged from the arm. "Trynity! What are you talking about? Can't you see I have something important to get done? Get yourself off to bed. Now!"
She never asked him again. And Trynity didn't bother trying to teach herself, nor did she accept the help of the technicians that took pity on her. Trinity hadn't wanted their pity. She hated pity, and that is why she became so angry at Duo. If he hadn't asked her to the dance, no one would have and he knew it. His lines were pretty and effective when he asked, but she knew he would rather have been with Hilde. He had gone straight to her at the dance when Trowa sacrificed himself to distract her. But Trynity had seen them dancing together until the foolish girl threw herself at Quatre and Dorothy. The others danced with her out of pity. She wished she had stayed in her room alone that night rather than realize how they put up with her. Just like Ivan Stryfe. And she had wanted their approval too.
"You aren't very pretty when you frown like that."
She turned to see Lars watching her with a faint smile. Her father glanced briefly at Lars, then turned away to his computer screen, dismissing Trynity completely.
She sighed. "Should I be smiling?" She put her hand on her father's shoulder before she walked over to Lars. She couldn't help loving the old fool.
"Of course you should. Together we defeated Prince Miliardo's ace gundam pilots." He put his arm around her waist as he led her away. She noticed her father smile and wriggle his eyebrows. Trynity wanted to throw a shoe at him.
She turned her attention back to Lars. "We got just a little help from your brother and his army of mobile dolls."
They left the lab and headed toward Colonel Nelson's office. "Did you have to mention him? Or that the mobile dolls played a role?"
"Why not? I heard you are no stranger to treachery." She was thinking of his OZ file.
Lars stopped and turned to face her. "Are you talking about my abrupt career in the Specials? Let me set the record straight with at least you, Trynity. I did not betray my squadron. My brother pushed for the promotion against my wishes, and when I did not receive it, as I knew I would not, he sent the enemy a detailed report of our attack."
"You were not killed," she pointed out skeptically.
"A condition he insisted on with them. I have tried to get away from him, but I keep coming back. He is all I have." They came to a stop before the Colonel's door where he moved up against her. Trynity didn't move as he took her face between his hands. "I don't feel that way anymore, Isty Bitsy."
The door sliding open saved her from his kiss. She quickly scrambled from his embrace to walk in, straightening her jacket and taking a deep breath. Lars' revelation was quite disturbing. It was easier to think of him as a double-crossing scoundrel. Now she didn't know how to feel about him. What did she owe Duo Maxwell after last night? She did know that what she was feeling towards Lars did not set well with her. Not after last night.
Colonel Nelson was standing before his windows, his back to the door, surveying the returning mobile troops. Trynity forced herself not to sneer at him when he turned to look at them. "Ah, my victorious pilots. I congratulate you on your impressive performance against the Cinq Kingdom gundams. I guess I had no reason to doubt either of you." He waited a moment for their response.
Trynity almost laughed over his ridiculous attitude. Did he think he was a conqueror? Instead she forced herself to serious thought. "What do you plan to do now?"
"Now? Why, my dear Lieutenant Stryfe, I intend to take those gundams and attack the Cinq Kingdom. Zechs Merquise still has the Epyon and the Valkyrie and will doubtless gather more forces. What we need, is the cooperation of the gundam pilots or we will have to waste time training others."
He looked at Lars. "You handled your mobile suit adequately. Perhaps you should be the first to choose a gundam from the lot."
"Generous of you, brother," said Lars sarcastically. Trynity glanced at him. He was obviously angry about his brother's lack of enthusiasm for his skills. He should be. Trynity thought he had performed as well as any gundam pilot.
Colonel Nelson began to pace, looking back to his fleet in space. "I should not be surprised that his wards are, in fact, his pilots." He turned to look at Trynity, and he chuckled. "Do you find it amusing, Lieutenant?"
She did not. Her expression must have told him so because he laughed aloud.
"All along my pilot was sitting down to break bread with them."
"Is there a point to this?" asked Lars sharply. He reached over to touch her hand. How did he know her feelings so well? At this moment she felt like a traitor even though she had determined they never accepted her.
Colonel Nelson slightly raised his brows. "What is the matter, brother? Are you afraid they did more than break bread?"
Although Trynity was angered by his implication, she put her hand on Lars' arm to stop him from going to his brother. She suspected Colonel Nelson considered Lars expendable now that he had her and the gundam pilots. In his eyes Lars would always be a failure, just as in her father's eyes, she would always be a ghost.
The elder brother laughed. "You owe your life to that woman." They both saw him slip a small gun back in his pocket. Lars tensed. Trynity realized, as he must, that his brother was not sane. "Now, where was I before that foolish demonstration of your cowardice? Ah, yes. I believe it would be to our advantage if Lieutenant Stryfe were to give the pilots their choice. She knows them personally and they might listen to her."
He looked at Trynity. "Do you have a problem with that, Lieutenant?"
I have a problem with you, she told him with her eyes. "I doubt my presence will be beneficial, in fact, I am quite sure it will be detrimental."
Nelson stroked his mustache as he regarded her. "Regardless, I want you to speak to them," He looked at Lars. "You may accompany her if you feel it necessary. I think she can handle herself quite well on her own, just as she did with the Deathscythe." He crossed the room to them and took her hand from Lars' arm to raise to his lips. "Well done, Trynity Stryfe."
She jerked her hand away. "I was following orders."
He smiled. "You do that so well. I have already given you new orders. Report to me tomorrow." Turning on his heel, he walked back to his window.
Lars followed her from the room, and he did not speak until they were in another corridor where there were few soldiers to overhear them. "We have to kill him."
Trynity smiled at the seriousness of his tone. "For a moment I didn't think you were joking."
"I am not."
She frowned. "I couldn't do that."
"Not without his orders."
Trynity felt helpless. She did not know what provision he had made concerning her father, so she dared not attempt to betray him. Failure would likely result in Ivan Stryfe's death. With the gundams in his control, he may not have a need for her father any longer.
Lars sighed. "I am sorry I suggested it, Trynity."
Trynity felt like she was caught in a nightmare. She wished she would wake up.
And find her father waiting to tie her shoes.
**********
"Hey, watch where you're putting your hands!"
The door slid open before him, and his two not so friendly guards took Duo by the arms. After checking him for any instrument that might help him escape, they threw him through the opening so roughly that he stumbled across the room and smashed against the wall where he sagged to the floor.
After the door shut, he heard, "Is anybody surprised?"
Duo raised his head to see Wufei sitting cross-legged, his arms folded as he looked down his nose at him. "I don't see you on the other side of the door looking in," he retorted.
"I didn't run away."
"I was regrouping," Duo defended himself.
He heard a snort and turned to see Heero resting his back against the wall on the other side of the room. "Failed mission."
"What time is it?" asked Quatre who was pacing anxiously. "Does anyone have a watch?"
Trowa glanced at his watch, then tapped it several times before raising in to his ear. "It's dead. I think it was fried along with Heavyarms."
"I promised Dorothy that I would meet her at the café near the palace for tea!" Quatre started wringing his hands. "She'll never forgive me."
"We have bigger problems than Dorothy Catalonia," stated Heero.
"You don't know Dorothy like I do!" Quatre almost shrieked.
"Do some yoga or something," suggested Trowa.
"Oh yes! Good idea!" Quatre positioned himself near Wufei who looked as if he wanted to move. If Duo didn't think laughing would hurt his tortured body, he would have done it.
"What do you think they are planning to do to us?" asked Trowa.
"Maybe they will demand that the Cinq Kingdom pay a ransom," suggested Quatre. "I could pay it!" He jumped up and ran to the door. He pounded on it frantically. "Guard! Guard!"
"Forget it!" said Duo through gritted teeth. "They don't want a ransom."
His comrades looked at him. Duo wished he had kept his mouth shut.
Wufei raised a brow. "What happened to you? The rest of us don't have a scratch."
"I broke a nail!" Quatre was examining his fingernails. "Dot isn't going to like that. She was going to…" He suddenly stopped speaking when he saw his friends' horrified expressions. His cheeks turned pink.
Duo was glad for the brief distraction, but soon enough they turned back to him. "I got shot!" he blurted.
"Where? In the ass when you turned tail and ran?" asked Wufei sarcastically.
Duo might have tried to hit him, but he didn't think he could catch him by crawling.
"I told you that I was headed back to the surface. I thought that at least one of us should make it back to Zechs Merquise. So when I saw that my gundam was starting to run low of power - you try fighting the Shadowhawk! - I tried to shake the damn thing. I didn't think it would follow."
Quatre knelt beside him, then lifted his shirt to examine the wound. "It doesn't look serious. Someone put a pretty good bandage on it, with some antibiotic too."
Heero walked over to him and sat. Trowa joined them, but Wufei remained several feet away staring at him with scorn. Duo almost laughed when he thought of the information he had that would certainly put a bunch in his shorts, that he had been defeated not only by a woman, but by his arch nemesis. But Duo wouldn't miss out on him finding out on his own for the world.
"So the Shadowhawk followed? The pilot did that to you?" asked Heero.
"Why didn't you just shoot him?" asked Trowa.
"I don't want to talk about it. Let's just say I lost my gun." That was true, at least. They didn't need to know yet that he would never be able to shoot Trynity Stryfe, even though she didn't seem to have any trouble using him for target practice.
"Too bad," commented Heero. "If you had shot that pilot, you would have removed at least one very big obstacle to our escape."
"I need rest," said Duo as he fell back on the floor and regretted it when he bumped his head hard. What was another injury when he had so many already? Not the least was the one in his chest. He felt as if something had cut out his heart. Although he knew the Shadowhawk had escorted the transport ship through the still fighting mobile suits in space, he had not seen Trynity. Her gundam had already powered down by the time he was taken from the transport under guard, but she hadn't descended. Nelson almost knocked him over in his haste to get to the Shadowhawk to greet her, but she didn't get out immediately. At least she wasn't all that eager to jump into his arms.
Where was she now? Getting some well deserved rest? With Lars Nelson? Putting to use what she had learned from him on the beach? Duo couldn't help the wave of intense jealousy that ripped through him when he saw Nelson touching her in the hangar. What his mind conjured was far worse!
"Are you growling?" asked Quatre as he moved away warily.
Duo chuckled and rolled on his good side. "I won't bite." He closed his eyes. "I don't think I have any teeth left."
He couldn't have slept more than a few minutes before he felt himself being prodded. Rolling, he saw the same guards who had delivered him, now holding guns pointed directly at him.
"Get up!"
Duo noticed that Quatre, Heero, Trowa and Wufei had been herded toward the wall, men with guns preventing any movement towards escape. When Duo was too slow in complying with their demand, he was grabbed by the arm and flung with his friend.
"You know, you guys really need some lessons in manners!"
"Are you planning to give them?"
They all looked at the door where the voice had come from. Trynity stood with her arms folded. She had cleaned herself and looked way too damn good. Behind her lurked Lars Nelson. Duo didn't think. He saw the smug look on Nelson's face and dived forward intending to pound him, but he was struck from behind by one of the guards who then aimed the gun at his head.
"That's enough!" snapped Trynity as she stepped further into the cell. Lars started to follow, but she put up her hand to stop him. "I don't need your assistance."
"Trynity…" he started to say, but she cut him off.
"You and the guards can wait in the hall."
Although they were reluctant to leave, she was their superior officer, so they stepped out. Nelson took more persuading: the smile. Duo could see that Nelson wasn't too happy, especially when she pressed the button to close the door, but he really had no choice when she gave him that look. Duo wasn't too happy either.
"Well," commented Trowa, the first to speak, "We shouldn't be surprised."
Wufei took a step toward her, his fists clenched. "You are a traitor!"
She raised a brow. "That would depend on your point of view."
Quatre sighed with relief. "You are here to get us out, aren't you! We are going to plan. That is why you sent them out."
"No, I sent them out because knowing you fools as I do, you would say something to me that might make one of them shoot you."
Duo knew she was talking about Nelson.
"If you aren't here to help us, then what are you here for?" demanded Heero.
She looked at him. "I have been commanded to speak to you concerning your future with the Coalition forces."
Wufei made a sound of disgust. "There is no future for us with the Coalition."
"You have a choice. You may use your skills as gundam pilots to fight for the Coalition or you will be executed." Her tone was cool and unemotional. This was the Trynity Stryfe who could aim a gun at his head, thought Duo.
"Is there anything in the middle?" asked Quatre hopefully. "Like, maybe I could ransom…"
She cut him off. "I'm afraid that Nelson isn't interested in riches."
"Then you will have to help us escape," stated Heero.
"Do you have a gun?" asked Trowa.
"You can be our hostage until we reach our gundams," added Quatre.
Trynity did not respond.
"I don't think she is going to help us," commented Wufei.
Quatre turned to Duo. "Talk some sense into her! You can make her do anything!"
Duo saw the immediate look of hurt in her eyes even though she tried to hide it. She probably thought that he had bragged about their night on the beach. He would never do such a thing.
When she spoke, he heard only contempt. "I'm afraid you can see the result of his attempting to talk sense into me."
They looked at Duo, then at her, and then Wufei exploded. "You are the pilot of the Shadowhawk!" Before anybody could stop him, he lunged at her. Trynity must have expected it because she met his attack with a fist in his face. Wufei came at her again, and she caught him. Defensive move number one. Duo cringed. He knew exactly how that felt. He ached just thinking about it.
"I should have known!" snarled Heero. "No wonder the Zorbon knight defeated me."
Wufei was rolling on the floor trying not to moan and failing, a testament to the pain he was suffering. Duo was rather amused by the spectacle and he noticed Trynity's satisfied smile, but when she saw him looking at her it faded and she frowned.
Trynity's eyes swept the group. "Then I will take your answer to Colonel Nelson."
She started to go.
Duo dragged himself a step forward. "Wait!" He was aware that with the exception of Wufei, his friends were staring at him incredulously.
Trynity turned slowly back to look at him, her brow raised. "What do you want, Mr. Maxwell?"
He took a breath. "I…I don't really feel like dying just yet." He managed to laugh and scratch his head. "And it doesn't really matter for whom I fight as long as I get good, square meals and Deathscythe is taken care of."
"What are you saying?" she asked skeptically. Trynity didn't want to believe what she was hearing. Duo almost smiled.
"I want out of here. These guys can face a firing squad if they want, but I sure as hell ain't gonna. "
Trynity stared at him, and he returned her gaze without blinking. Duo then smiled at her. Let her interpret that any way she wanted. Trynity turned to open the door, and Lars stepped in immediately.
"Duo Maxwell is joining us," she said.
Duo could see that Nelson was not pleased, but he reached out to shake Duo's hand. Although he would rather cut it off with his scythe, Duo took it.
"What do you think you're doing?" Heero stepped toward him, his red face betraying his anger.
"You heard him," Lars Nelson stepped between Duo and Heero. "If you had any sense, you would do the same."
"I would rather…"
Trowa put his hand on Heero's shoulder to stop him from speaking. Then he looked at Trynity. "Can we have some time to discuss this or to think about what we want to do individually?"
"I am sure that Colonel Nelson would not deny your request. A couple of days should be enough time."
Trowa smiled. "I think that should do it."
Duo did not look at him, but instead turned to Lars and Trynity. "So where do we go now?"
"A more comfortable room where I can have that square meal sent to you," said Trynity. She walked beside him as two guards walked in front and Nelson walked behind. Trynity was explaining to him that of the former colony now used as a base, only the remains of the defense sector were livable. While not exactly full of the amenities of the rest of the colony, it functioned well enough for the Coalition. Duo wasn't expecting a comfortable suite like he had at Seaside, but then this wasn't the Cinq Kingdom. The room she showed him had only a narrow bed, a small table on which was a telecom and a chair. Fortunately it had it's own bathroom, so he knew he wasn't going to be small fry in the Coalition pond.
"Am I an officer?" He looked at Lars who watched him silently. What was he thinking? Duo hoped he realized that Trynity was his.
Finally Nelson spoke. "I will ask my brother what your status is when I speak to him."
"You can inform him now." Trynity smiled at him. Once again, Lars was doomed to do whatever she wanted. "I will meet you later on the training deck."
"Very well." He took her hand and raised it to his lips, then leaned down to kiss her. She didn't seem all that reluctant. Duo didn't think it would be much of a goodwill gesture to grab the oaf's sword and plunge it in his back. "Later, Itsy Bitsy." Then he left after ordering the guards to remain posted outside his room.
"You won't be able to leave," Trynity told Duo as she walked to the door. She turned around to look at him, her face not revealing anything of her feelings. How could she let that traitor kiss her in front of him? Was she that cold? "Are you hungry?"
He was surprised his stomach didn't answer for him. "A little snack wouldn't hurt." Damn, he hadn't eaten for days!
Trynity stepped out, but she turned back. "I will see if there are any Triscuits around."
Even though it hurt, he laughed as the door slid shut. Duo didn't bother to check it. He knew it would be locked and that guards would be waiting outside the door. He was too exhausted to attempt an escape anyway. The bed wasn't comfortable, but was at least a step up from the floor in the holding cell. Soon enough he was sleeping again, and soon enough he was awakened. Duo wondered if sleep deprivation were part of some torture designed to break his will.
But he could smell food, so he sat up and was surprised to see Trynity holding a tray. He hadn't expected to see her. She set the tray on the small table and pulled it near the bed. Then she sat on a chair with a cup of hot chocolate. On his tray, Duo discovered hot soup, steak, potatoes, and pie. He was being treated like a prince!
Duo looked at Trynity. "Are you going to eat?" He would share if he had to. He didn't want to.
"I already did, in the canteen while you were sleeping."
"Where is your shadow?"
Trynity looked into her chocolate. "Captain Nelson is in the hanger inspecting the gundams with his brother." She smiled at the steaming sweet liquid. She couldn't look at him when she spoke about Lars Nelson. "I think he is quite disappointed that he can't have the Deathscythe."
Duo almost choked on a mouthful of steak. "He was planning to fly my gundam?" That was too much! First Trynity! Now Deathscythe!
"Don't worry. For now it is safe from him. My father is picking apart your gundam for the moment."
Poor Deathscythe!
"He's interested in the radar cloak you used to fool me," she told him. "My father suspects someone stole his work."
Duo chuckled as he cut his steak. "No doubt Dr. J. He designed it. I heard that he worked with your father, so I wouldn't be one bit surprised if that old codger lifted a few figures here and there." He looked at Trynity. "I almost got you, Miss Stryfe! Sam souped up my gundam for this fight. One more second, and slice!" He demonstrated with his steak knife.
She smiled and his heart flipped. A guy could barely think straight when she did that. "You didn't get one more second, Mr. Maxwell. Did you like my little trick?"
"You mean that razzle dazzle with the beam saber that almost got my arm blown off?" Duo smiled back at her. "That was mighty flashy, Miss Stryfe. I wasn't expecting that."
"Expect the unexpected."
Duo concentrated on his meal. If he didn't, he would be rolling Miss Stryfe on his bed and Duo knew his limitations. That activity would probably kill him. As he was finishing his meal, Trynity set aside her empty mug and went into the bathroom. She came back with a wet cloth and towel as well as bandages.
"Lay back," she ordered him.
He raised his brows. "Just what are you planning to do to me, Miss Stryfe?"
She blushed, and then he was surprised to hear her giggle. "Lay back and find out."
Unfortunately, changing his bandage was far from what he had in mind. When she finished, she gently wiped his battered face with the cool, wet washcloth. Her touch was comforting, and he closed his eyes. "I'm so tired."
"Get some sleep. When you wake up, you can leave the room, but unfortunately you will be under guard until Colonel Nelson doesn't suspect some sort of treachery."
He didn't open his eyes, but he felt her leave the edge of the bed where she sat so close to him. "Why don't you stay with me?"
"You wouldn't get much rest if I did," she predicted. "Besides, I am meeting Lars."
"Oh." Duo was too tired to think about what she and Lars did on the training deck. He would deal with it later.
The last vision he had before descending rapidly into sleep was a scythe swinging for Lars Nelson. "Beware the god of death," he mumbled.
Trynity's giggle was the last thing he heard, and then he tasted sweet chocolate on his lips.
His last thought was about her comment. "You wouldn't get much rest if I did."
Duo smiled as he fell asleep.
**********
"You wished to speak to me?" Trynity spoke to Colonel Nelson who sat staring at his telecom.
He looked at her. "Lieutenant, again I congratulate you. Bringing the pilot of the Deathscythe to our side is a feather in your cap. His friends may follow his example." He pressed the button on his telecom. "But then, I suspect he has personal reasons for joining the Coalition."
She glanced at the telecom that he swiveled for her to see.
"Okay, so you got me. I'm looking for Trynity." Nelson was replaying the transmission between Lars and Duo several days ago. She had seen it so often that she had every movement memorized.
Nelson raised his brows. "Your computer log registers that you played this many times, my dear. I would hate to think that personal feelings might get into the way of your performance."
Trynity looked from the screen to him. "I brought him in, didn't I?"
"But did you bring him in for the Coalition or for yourself?"
She glared at him. "What does it matter? I do what you want because you hold my father and for no other reason. Duo Maxwell does what he wants for his reasons. He is on our side now."
Nelson laughed, the sound of it reeking with his evil dementia. "You are quite right! And I am glad that we understand each other, especially now that you…your friend Duo Maxwell is in my power."
Trynity clenched her fists at her side. His meaning was quite clear. "What do you want now?"
He pressed a button on the computer.
"Duo! What are you doing? You just fried Dr. J's desk!"
She looked at him, her brows raised. "So?" What interest could Duo's stupidity have for Nelson?
He played it again, then his lip raised in a sneer. "I would recognize that voice anywhere, anytime. That is Lucrezia Noin!"
Noin!? "Impossible! She died in that Aires suit!"
"Duo! What are you doing? You just fried Dr. J's desk!"
"It is Noin!" Nelson was scowling at her. "You still have not completed your first mission!"
She took a step back. "It can't be true! I saw that Aries explode!" Trynity closed her eyes, searching her memory and seeing the scene again. She remember that the two Aries suits collided, then the one with Noin had drifted away, no doubt disabled by the impact, before her deadly arrow blew it to pieces. Trynity replayed the scene again, but now she saw a detail in her mind that had not registered at the time when she had been pleased to complete the mission. The hatch to the Aries she had destroyed had been open!
Nelson was suddenly before her, and her grabbed her chin in his hand. "I dislike failure, Trynity Stryfe. I don't think I am mistaken when I say that you abhor it as well." He took the small gun from his pocket and placed it in his hand. "You are going back to finish the job."
Trynity stared at the gun in her hand.
His fingers tightened on her chin, and he forced her to look into his cold, black eyes. "There are many that depend on you now, Lieutenant Stryfe. Your father, Duo Maxwell, the other gundam pilots. Even Lars." He released her and she stumbled back. "There is a shuttle headed to Earth from Colony L3. Another from the Cinq Kingdom Defense post will meet with it and you will be board that shuttle. I expect a clever girl like you can come up with some type of story to fool the witless Miliardo Peacecraft. Wear a low-cut blouse and he won't even bother listening to what you have to say. Stay close to him and his accursed shadow will appear. Noin couldn't have been that far away from him all this time."
"What about the pilots? I gave them two days to make their decision and this mission will take far longer." Trynity had hoped to speak to them again, to convince them that their noble sacrifice would be meaningless.
"I am in no hurry for their decision. Miliardo Peacecraft hasn't been found yet, so we have time to plan our next move."
Trynity had no other choice. She looked from the gun in her hand to Colonel Nelson. "I will not fail this time."
"You will regret it if you do."