I read back over chapter 6 and realized that it created quite a few questions, at least in my mind.  For instance, if Sally Po and the two gundam pilots with her when she first met Ami had seen her (Ami) cast the Mercury Bubbles at the soldiers, obviously they'd know she was one of the women they are hunting for.  I have a semi-plausible explanation…here it goes:  As Ami was stepping up to confront the enemy she had begun the words to cast the Bubbles.  At the exact same moment when Ami said the last word, a wind caused by either Destiny or Fate arose, blinding the three behind her to the actions taking place in front of her.  Also, remember that their first use of their powers and the simultaneous remembrance of their powers do not cause them to change their outfits yet.  Therefore, even after the attack at the park, realizing who Ami is would be tough still.  Eventually the park incident may be used to figure it out, but that won't happen for at least three more chapters. (I think.)

         This chapter is an INTERLUDE chapter…it takes place among the five G-boys BEFORE THEY LEFT FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE DESTINATIONS!!!!  This is the end to the conversation in the headquarters of the Preventers.

Thanks go to:  sandrose—I will never update Mwahahahahaha…wait I just did…oops…foiled again…, the Desert Fox—your family sounds a lot like my family…except we have more of the "Ah heard tha'…" accent going for us…, Moonchild DJ—I agree, Sally and Ami do go well together as friends…Sally brings out a little more of Ami's loose side…, Sailor Grape—I'm always happy when I can create twists that even well established writers didn't see…I like Sally Po too…, Heart Soul—you know, I don't think you did mention the word good…

For Reviewing!!!  Once again…you people are great…and even those of you who don't review, but do read my oftimes convoluted stories deserve kudos as well.

Hands of Fate, Changes in Destiny

Interlude

By:  AutumnHime

         Five men sat around an oaken table in the midst of a darkened conference room.  These men were the best of the best, and together they were a perfect team…at least they thought they were.  Until towards the end of a meeting involving their latest mission and a chance to work with one another once more, four out of the five's mouths dropped.  Their friend, the fairest(1) one of them all, and the most patient and diplomatic, had made an unusual request to their boss.

         "B…b…b…" Duo stuttered.  Wufei, tired of hearing "b…b…b…" slapped the long-haired man sitting next to him on the back.  Hard.  After all, it was Duo.  The indigo-eyed man glared at his Chinese friend.  "BACKUP!  QUATRE, YOU MAY NEED BACKUP, BUT THE GREAT SHINIGAMI NEVER REQUIRES BACKUP!"

         The blonde man sitting nearest the door simply glanced at Duo.  His face, so different from just a few minutes before, was haggard; robin's egg blue eyes tired.  "I…I can't help feeling as if something big is coming, guys.  And I don't think that we can handle this one on our own.  No matter how good we are together as a team, or working individually, this project is going to require special help.  Besides, there are at least eight of them, and a ninth could be wandering around anywhere.  How do you propose to find and capture them or talk to them all?  If we have to take them down individually, by the time we finish with the first one, the rest will know, and go into hiding.  DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND?!"  Quatre flared. "These people are different.  They are not like us.  They may not be evil, I don't think that they are evil, but neither was Treize, and they can take down monsters supposedly, so I don't think a little backup could hurt, do you?"

         Heero nodded, surprising everyone.  "I can see Quatre's point.  If we want to survive this one, we may have to depend on somebody else."

         Duo began spluttering again.  "B…Bu…Buuuu…But…?"

         "But what, Duo?" Trowa asked quietly.  "I may not like the idea of backup besides another Gundam Pilot, but we don't have all the skills it may take to get these people in to question them or to hold them or to help them."

         "'Those who refuse to use all of their resources to the fullest when needed, refuse to win,'" quoted Wufei. "Anonymous, The Economical General's Guide to War." (2)

         "Fine, I'm defeated.  We have backup to call upon when we need it.  Can we start making preparations now?"  Duo sighed, sinking back into his chair and pouting.

         "Let's begin."

*_*_*_*_***_*_*_*__*_**_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_**_*_*_*_*_**_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

1) the fairest—not the prettiest or the most handsome.  In this case, it is meant to be the most just or it could be the face that Quatre has the lightest coloring of all of them.

2) Before you go to the library to look up this book, I made it up.

Short, yes.  Long over-due, yes.  Chance of ever being published, slim unless I get an Internet connection or my A: drive fixed.  Sorry about the delay, folks.

AH