Magatama: Chapter One
Title: Die Deutsche Weg (The German Way)
Okay, So this chapter is a little different than the first, but you'll see what's going on. I mean, come on, the story had to have an actual story line here. Please, please let me know what you think... jupitertwo@gundamwing.net
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Damp. Cold. Bleak.
A faint dripping could be heard over his left shoulder. He shivered and pulled the threadbare cloak tighter across his muscular shoulders.
To his right there was a pile of empty food containers accompanied by several small metal scraps heaped against the damp stone wall.
A small computer chirped intermittently, begging him to attend to it's blinking screen.
Nightmares clouded his mind as sleep claimed his being, pulling him into a tortured slumber.
"Cannot fight..." the scraggly haired teenager murmured in subdued terror.
---------
Wufei folded his blankets and draped over the back of the couch, remembering the arguments that had ensued the night before. To outsiders it might seem odd that he and his wife quarreled night after night over who slept where.
A slight smile flickered over his mouth as he snuck out the houses' rear door.
Meiran stood in the window, watching her husband jog toward the Alps. It's a shame the city had extended so far. Perhaps the Preventors should take up an office inside the mountains.
"Why should we hide like cowards when we might present ourselves as the dignified organization we are. I will not be seen as a coward." Wufei's voice echoed in through her head.
The old Wufei would have said that anyway.... He was so much more placid now. He didn't show his emotions as much. How strangely he acted contented with his new life, but when watched closely one could see something lacking...
---------
The multi-story building was whirring with the hectic excitement of a new work week. Computers and copiers churned indignantly, wanting more than a two day rest.
Only one floor kept away from this panic--The Preventor's floor.
All was quiet on the twelfth floor. Only the drone of the computer interrupted Wufei's silence.
He sat at his finely polished Walnut desk, scrolling through the numerous disks Sally had stashed away among the many stacks of paper awaiting his return. He took in every sentence, but the reports still bored him.
Not much had happened the week he'd taken leave, except for a small group of rednecks in the United States trying to turn their state into it's own country. That happens at least once a month...
Wufei placed the last disk in the drive. A blue screen appeared after the machine whined a moment. He scrolled down the screen, searching for the words that should consume it.
At last large white words rolled upwards shattering the finite blue abyss.
Staff Memo
To: Preventor Staff: Original Base--Constance Germany
Re: Quarterly Meeting 4.24.198
On Wednesday, April 24th, AC 198 all Preventors are to attend the quarterly meeting in Stuttgart, Germany. The meeting is to be held in the University of Stuttgart Auditorium. All Preventors under the jurisdiction of ESUN will be in attendance.
Vice Foreign Minister Darilan will be in our charge.
'Odd,' Wufei thought, 'I didn't think we were bodyguards...'
Miss Darilan has just come from the L2 colony cluster. She will escorted by part-time preventor Duo Maxwell. Though, each preventor should be on stand by in case an incident should occur.
The points of discussion are, as always, classified.
Preventor Une.
---------
Meiran browsed the river market as the merchants were setting out fish, fresh from the Rhein.
The air was mild--the landscape green and flowering. The water to her left shimmered silvery blue in the early afternoon sun.
A man spoke to her in rapid German, coaxing her to make a purchase.
"Möchten Sie ein Halsband oder einege Edelstein? Sie sind sehr sehr schön und würden Ihnen gut passen.1"
Meiran could not catch the words for the swiftness of his speech.
"Ich spreche deutsch nicht,2" she shook her head and moved away from the eager merchant.
The crowd swarmed the small area, pushing Meiran haphazardly about. The masses pushed, shoved, and hollered to get the goods they desired.
Meiran tried thrice to purchase some fish or bread. Finding a person who spoke English was not a problem, it was getting their attention long enough to buy anything. Frustrated, she continued.
"Toe!" a loud scream rang over the crowd. Meiran wasn't the only one getting frustrated with the crowd. She was ready to kick the hell out of the next person to trod on her foot.
"To! Meilun To!" This time the name registered and Meiran--this girl was shouting her alias and not about her toe.
Upon turning Meiran found herself fact to face with a young gild with long purple hair.
---------
"Fluch!3" He screamed, hurling the closest book across the room. "Verdammt es Zum Teufel!4"
The book hit a glass enclosed book case on the far side of the room, shattering the door.
"Ich werde das nicht tun! Ich werde nicht! Geh Zum Teufel!!5"
"I will not hear another word of this!" The man in the gray suit stood, slamming his hand on the desk. Maxwell you have you orders."
Duo stood with his nose in the pepper-haired man's face. "Oh yeah? Well, we'll just see about that now won't we."
Duo swung his fist and connected with the man's stomach. Another quick blow to the face sent him writhing on the floor.
"This wasn't what I signed up for when I took this job. Now I better go, or I'll miss my shuttle to earth. I've got a date."
Duo's braid bobbed behind him as he left the office. 'Man, where's Heero when you need him?' he thought.
---------
"Schbeiker?" Meiran asked as her former co-worker smiled broadly.
"Forgive my informalities Lieutenant To," Hile blushed.
"There is no need for formalities outside uniform Schbeiker," Meiran said casually. "Besides, you were more than an assistant for the few months we worked together. Come friend and keep me company."
Hilde again smiled at the recognition of the dignified woman she had once worked under. Miss To was only one year older, but Hilde still held a large amount of respect for the poised and scrupulous woman.
Meiran thought it nice to have a friend here, too bad it meant she would have to take back her former identity.
---------
The passport read Odin Lowe, even though the real Odin Lowe had been deceased for a number of years. The computer scanned the card, coming up with the picture of a tall, skinny male with short, dark, brown hair and deep purple bags under his eyes.
'All records of the original Odin Lowe have been erased. I am the only one,' the boy thought as he boarded the plane enroot to the Stuttgart Airbase.
---------
"So Miss Schbeiker, what brings you to Germany?' Meiran asked, sipping her coffee.
The two were seated outside a local coffee shop--away from the crowds.
Hilde's eyes brightened.
"Actually, my family's origins are German. As if it's not obvious from my name... But really I am just visiting with my boyfriend. We live on L2, but he has war buddies that have located here or are supposed to have anyway... I haven't found them yet."
"That's too bad," Meiran nodded sympathetically.
"We'll see, Duo, my boyfriend, is kind of on assignment, so he sent me ahead of him. He should arrive tomorrow."
Meiran could see the feelings that Hilde Schbeiker harbored for this Duo of hers. Meiran was slightly jealous of her open affection.
"So, why are you here Miss To, if you don't mind my asking?"
Meiran shook her head. "Not at all. I have just relocated here after finishing my most recent project."
"What made you choose Constance? I figured you might settle somewhere more like your home."
Meiran smiled inwardly. Hilde had proved a true friend from the beginning. She felt badly for lying to her for so long. This was the emotion reflected on her face, causing Hilde to think she'd said something wrong. Meiran saw this and smiled.
"Actually, my husband has lived here for a couple of years now. I have only recently joined him."
A look of surprise crossed Hilde's face while relief washed over Meiran. It felt satisfying not to lie--for once.
"I didn't know you were married Miss To--or is it Mrs. To?"
"Please just call me Meilun, and definitely not Mrs. To," Meiran tried to smile encouragingly. She could feel her companion sheltering questions that she dared not ask. Meiran only wished that someday she would be able to answer them honestly.
---------
Sally sighed heavily. She'd been doing so all day. The woman was lighting an already short fuse.
She sighed again. Wufei looked up and glared, then returned to his work.
Sally slammed her pen down on her desk. "Wufei you're getting on my nerves!" she said.
He looked at her incredulously. Him get on her nerves.
"Why haven't you spoken today?" Her tone was calmer.
"I haven't had anything to say."
"Well that's a first..." she muttered under her breath. "There has to be something. What happened on you vacation?"
Wufei shook his head.
"You'll tell someone." She said. "Something had to have happened while you were away to affect you like this. You can't keep it a secret forever you know."
=-=-==-=-=-=-=-
1 Would you like a necklace or some jewels? They are beautiful and would suit you well.
2 I don't speak German.
3 Damn!
4 Damn it all to Hell! (literally translated: Damn it to the Devil!"
5 I won't do that! I won't! Go to Hell!
Title: Die Deutsche Weg (The German Way)
Okay, So this chapter is a little different than the first, but you'll see what's going on. I mean, come on, the story had to have an actual story line here. Please, please let me know what you think... jupitertwo@gundamwing.net
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Damp. Cold. Bleak.
A faint dripping could be heard over his left shoulder. He shivered and pulled the threadbare cloak tighter across his muscular shoulders.
To his right there was a pile of empty food containers accompanied by several small metal scraps heaped against the damp stone wall.
A small computer chirped intermittently, begging him to attend to it's blinking screen.
Nightmares clouded his mind as sleep claimed his being, pulling him into a tortured slumber.
"Cannot fight..." the scraggly haired teenager murmured in subdued terror.
---------
Wufei folded his blankets and draped over the back of the couch, remembering the arguments that had ensued the night before. To outsiders it might seem odd that he and his wife quarreled night after night over who slept where.
A slight smile flickered over his mouth as he snuck out the houses' rear door.
Meiran stood in the window, watching her husband jog toward the Alps. It's a shame the city had extended so far. Perhaps the Preventors should take up an office inside the mountains.
"Why should we hide like cowards when we might present ourselves as the dignified organization we are. I will not be seen as a coward." Wufei's voice echoed in through her head.
The old Wufei would have said that anyway.... He was so much more placid now. He didn't show his emotions as much. How strangely he acted contented with his new life, but when watched closely one could see something lacking...
---------
The multi-story building was whirring with the hectic excitement of a new work week. Computers and copiers churned indignantly, wanting more than a two day rest.
Only one floor kept away from this panic--The Preventor's floor.
All was quiet on the twelfth floor. Only the drone of the computer interrupted Wufei's silence.
He sat at his finely polished Walnut desk, scrolling through the numerous disks Sally had stashed away among the many stacks of paper awaiting his return. He took in every sentence, but the reports still bored him.
Not much had happened the week he'd taken leave, except for a small group of rednecks in the United States trying to turn their state into it's own country. That happens at least once a month...
Wufei placed the last disk in the drive. A blue screen appeared after the machine whined a moment. He scrolled down the screen, searching for the words that should consume it.
At last large white words rolled upwards shattering the finite blue abyss.
To: Preventor Staff: Original Base--Constance Germany
Re: Quarterly Meeting 4.24.198
On Wednesday, April 24th, AC 198 all Preventors are to attend the quarterly meeting in Stuttgart, Germany. The meeting is to be held in the University of Stuttgart Auditorium. All Preventors under the jurisdiction of ESUN will be in attendance.
Vice Foreign Minister Darilan will be in our charge.
'Odd,' Wufei thought, 'I didn't think we were bodyguards...'
Miss Darilan has just come from the L2 colony cluster. She will escorted by part-time preventor Duo Maxwell. Though, each preventor should be on stand by in case an incident should occur.
The points of discussion are, as always, classified.
Preventor Une.
---------
Meiran browsed the river market as the merchants were setting out fish, fresh from the Rhein.
The air was mild--the landscape green and flowering. The water to her left shimmered silvery blue in the early afternoon sun.
A man spoke to her in rapid German, coaxing her to make a purchase.
"Möchten Sie ein Halsband oder einege Edelstein? Sie sind sehr sehr schön und würden Ihnen gut passen.1"
Meiran could not catch the words for the swiftness of his speech.
"Ich spreche deutsch nicht,2" she shook her head and moved away from the eager merchant.
The crowd swarmed the small area, pushing Meiran haphazardly about. The masses pushed, shoved, and hollered to get the goods they desired.
Meiran tried thrice to purchase some fish or bread. Finding a person who spoke English was not a problem, it was getting their attention long enough to buy anything. Frustrated, she continued.
"Toe!" a loud scream rang over the crowd. Meiran wasn't the only one getting frustrated with the crowd. She was ready to kick the hell out of the next person to trod on her foot.
"To! Meilun To!" This time the name registered and Meiran--this girl was shouting her alias and not about her toe.
Upon turning Meiran found herself fact to face with a young gild with long purple hair.
---------
"Fluch!3" He screamed, hurling the closest book across the room. "Verdammt es Zum Teufel!4"
The book hit a glass enclosed book case on the far side of the room, shattering the door.
"Ich werde das nicht tun! Ich werde nicht! Geh Zum Teufel!!5"
"I will not hear another word of this!" The man in the gray suit stood, slamming his hand on the desk. Maxwell you have you orders."
Duo stood with his nose in the pepper-haired man's face. "Oh yeah? Well, we'll just see about that now won't we."
Duo swung his fist and connected with the man's stomach. Another quick blow to the face sent him writhing on the floor.
"This wasn't what I signed up for when I took this job. Now I better go, or I'll miss my shuttle to earth. I've got a date."
Duo's braid bobbed behind him as he left the office. 'Man, where's Heero when you need him?' he thought.
---------
"Schbeiker?" Meiran asked as her former co-worker smiled broadly.
"Forgive my informalities Lieutenant To," Hile blushed.
"There is no need for formalities outside uniform Schbeiker," Meiran said casually. "Besides, you were more than an assistant for the few months we worked together. Come friend and keep me company."
Hilde again smiled at the recognition of the dignified woman she had once worked under. Miss To was only one year older, but Hilde still held a large amount of respect for the poised and scrupulous woman.
Meiran thought it nice to have a friend here, too bad it meant she would have to take back her former identity.
---------
The passport read Odin Lowe, even though the real Odin Lowe had been deceased for a number of years. The computer scanned the card, coming up with the picture of a tall, skinny male with short, dark, brown hair and deep purple bags under his eyes.
'All records of the original Odin Lowe have been erased. I am the only one,' the boy thought as he boarded the plane enroot to the Stuttgart Airbase.
---------
"So Miss Schbeiker, what brings you to Germany?' Meiran asked, sipping her coffee.
The two were seated outside a local coffee shop--away from the crowds.
Hilde's eyes brightened.
"Actually, my family's origins are German. As if it's not obvious from my name... But really I am just visiting with my boyfriend. We live on L2, but he has war buddies that have located here or are supposed to have anyway... I haven't found them yet."
"That's too bad," Meiran nodded sympathetically.
"We'll see, Duo, my boyfriend, is kind of on assignment, so he sent me ahead of him. He should arrive tomorrow."
Meiran could see the feelings that Hilde Schbeiker harbored for this Duo of hers. Meiran was slightly jealous of her open affection.
"So, why are you here Miss To, if you don't mind my asking?"
Meiran shook her head. "Not at all. I have just relocated here after finishing my most recent project."
"What made you choose Constance? I figured you might settle somewhere more like your home."
Meiran smiled inwardly. Hilde had proved a true friend from the beginning. She felt badly for lying to her for so long. This was the emotion reflected on her face, causing Hilde to think she'd said something wrong. Meiran saw this and smiled.
"Actually, my husband has lived here for a couple of years now. I have only recently joined him."
A look of surprise crossed Hilde's face while relief washed over Meiran. It felt satisfying not to lie--for once.
"I didn't know you were married Miss To--or is it Mrs. To?"
"Please just call me Meilun, and definitely not Mrs. To," Meiran tried to smile encouragingly. She could feel her companion sheltering questions that she dared not ask. Meiran only wished that someday she would be able to answer them honestly.
---------
Sally sighed heavily. She'd been doing so all day. The woman was lighting an already short fuse.
She sighed again. Wufei looked up and glared, then returned to his work.
Sally slammed her pen down on her desk. "Wufei you're getting on my nerves!" she said.
He looked at her incredulously. Him get on her nerves.
"Why haven't you spoken today?" Her tone was calmer.
"I haven't had anything to say."
"Well that's a first..." she muttered under her breath. "There has to be something. What happened on you vacation?"
Wufei shook his head.
"You'll tell someone." She said. "Something had to have happened while you were away to affect you like this. You can't keep it a secret forever you know."
=-=-==-=-=-=-=-
1 Would you like a necklace or some jewels? They are beautiful and would suit you well.
2 I don't speak German.
3 Damn!
4 Damn it all to Hell! (literally translated: Damn it to the Devil!"
5 I won't do that! I won't! Go to Hell!