Chp 8
AC 198 Feb
It had been seven impossibly long months since she had seen Heero. Every tick of the clock was agonizing, but she knew that with each stroke, the day when she and Heero would be together got closer. Relena sighed resignedly. She really had to stop thinking about that man. He had been distracting her a lot as of yet. Waiting was such a difficult task.
Glancing at the papers clogging her desk she decided she would take a break. She walked into her kitchen, and turned on the news. She bustled about getting a glass or orange juice. She heard her name and turned around. The glass slipped from her hand, shattering on the hardwood floor, cutting her legs. Relena didn't feel a thing.
All she could do was stare at the screen.
"And in today's news Foreign Minister Miguel Hernandez was assassinated by a rebel force from the colonies. The colony rebels call themselves Space Revenge. The motive and leader of this group is still unknown. And now a statement from the secretary of war."
"Mr. Bolkibo! Are you going to declare war on the colonies?"
"In order for this to happen I must first discuss the matter with Ms. Relena Peacecraft. She is, after all, the new Foreign Minister. But if I do say, war seems like the most likely path at this time."
A soft tortured "no" was torn from the newly promoted foreign minister's throat.
******
The screen of Heero's computer beeped. He was puzzled when he found an encoded message there...the only person that ever sent encoded messages were...Heero began decoding with frantic urgency. He stopped suddenly. He was done. And the contents of the message were just what he had feared they would be.
Heero: It seems that war is once again breaking out amongst the colonies. Report to me at 0600 hours, if you wish to do something about this. You know where.
Of course he would. He always would. Fighting had always been his way making a difference. Scenes from previous battles, scenes that had stopped haunting him a long time ago, awoke, swirling in front of his eyes. All the blood, the screams, the tragedy, the terror. He would have to relive every sickening moment. And this time he couldn't distance himself from the killings...no from the murders. He had reclaimed his humanity, but at what stakes?
His desolation returned. He remembered what war meant. Apparently no else did. War meant death, sorrow, tears. Tears from so many people. From people whose only wish was peace. From his fellow Gundam pilots. And from her. Relena. Would they notice if she shed her tears now?
Heero breathing had gone shallow and quick. He felt helpless, a feeling he despised. He'd have to kill again. He collapsed onto his bed, a pillow in his death grip, shaking, shoulders heaving. It was quite possible that the Perfect Solider was shedding some tears of his own.
************
The last button on her uniform was in place. It was time to meet with the Secretary of War. She must convince him that this war was a foolish thing.
'I'll protect you from this battle Heero. I'll protect you.' she silently vowed. Relena took a deep breath and walked to the waiting car. Minutes later she arrived at the towering brick building. The flags waved in the wind, making a rustling sound. Small trees and shrubs dotted the outside by the clear glass doors. It was the most foreboding place she'd ever seen.
She took one last calming breath before she walked through the doors. For some reason she couldn't place, an ancient proverb echoed in her mind. 'Beware the Dragons.'
***
The door to the conference room opened and closed quietly. All eyes were trained on her. She could feel them assessing her. Seeing how much of a fight she'd put up. Judging by their confident expressions they didn't think that she'd be a real challenge. Well then, they were in for a surprise. She spoke before they did.
"Why now gentlemen!? Why would you shatter the fragile peace we could only obtain through broken lives and aching hearts, now, when we were just getting on the road to total peace?"
"It's quite simple really, Ms. Peacecraft." the secretary said, heavily emphasizing the ms. That was a low blow, Relena thought a disgusted stare aimed in his direction. Well if he wanted to fight dirty then so be it. "You see my dear" He continued in his most patronizing male voice, " The colonies have done the unthinkable. They have killed the only one who would have defended them."
Relena held up a hand, halting the rest of the explanation.
"Gentlemen" she said in an even tone "You can not hold all the colonies responsible for the actions of a single rebel group. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of all outer space." She saw the looks on their faces before they began to speak. There was a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. She had fallen right into their trap.
"The colonies have made no actions against the group known as Space Revenge. I am afraid that at this date we must assume that they approve of these actions." A smug smile crossed his face. Relena's temper flared.
"That's because you haven't given them time to act," She hissed accusingly.
"If we wait, we may give them more time to build up whatever they might be planning. We must act now if we are to preserve our attempts for peace."
"You fools! Don't you see that by doing this, you yourself are slandering everything we've worked so hard to achieve! I do not give consent to declare war!" Relena cried but she knew she was lost.
"The committee and myself, under the third document in The Articles of the New World Nation, override you decision. Ms. Peacecraft." The satisfaction on his face was evident.
Relena stood up straight at these words. Tears burned her eyes, but none fell.
"Well I can see you gentlemen won't be swayed by my words. Your eyes have gone blind and your ears have turned deaf from the sparks and blasts of the upcoming war. I just wish I could understand why you thirst for catastrophe."
The members looked somewhat taken aback at these words. Some even had the decency to look ashamed, at the defeated angel's words. But Relena was beyond caring. Only one thought consumed her, replaying over and over in her head like a grim dirge. 'I failed you, Heero.'
*********
Heero watched the news coverage of the private conference. Relena was on the screen, reiterating the situation.
"Dear people, of Earth and Space. My deepest apologies" Heero's heart sank at these words. His mind concentrated on her face, begging confirmation that he had heard her wrong.
"I have tried to convince the members of the World Nation Committee of the reckless and scarring effects of war. Unfortunately, they would not be swayed. The Earth, on the 24th of February, A.C. 198, declares war on Outer Space." Her voice had gone slightly hoarse. "Please forgive me."
And then she walked off the podium.
********
Duo shook his head sorrowfully at the screen.
"It's not your fault Relena. You did what you could." He tipped his hat back rubbing his forehead. Clasped in his hand were instructions from Dr.G.
"Ah war," He mused to himself, a bitter smile on his face. "Mother of the Shinigami…I wonder if this time around I'll be strong enough to be your son."
AC 198 Feb
It had been seven impossibly long months since she had seen Heero. Every tick of the clock was agonizing, but she knew that with each stroke, the day when she and Heero would be together got closer. Relena sighed resignedly. She really had to stop thinking about that man. He had been distracting her a lot as of yet. Waiting was such a difficult task.
Glancing at the papers clogging her desk she decided she would take a break. She walked into her kitchen, and turned on the news. She bustled about getting a glass or orange juice. She heard her name and turned around. The glass slipped from her hand, shattering on the hardwood floor, cutting her legs. Relena didn't feel a thing.
All she could do was stare at the screen.
"And in today's news Foreign Minister Miguel Hernandez was assassinated by a rebel force from the colonies. The colony rebels call themselves Space Revenge. The motive and leader of this group is still unknown. And now a statement from the secretary of war."
"Mr. Bolkibo! Are you going to declare war on the colonies?"
"In order for this to happen I must first discuss the matter with Ms. Relena Peacecraft. She is, after all, the new Foreign Minister. But if I do say, war seems like the most likely path at this time."
A soft tortured "no" was torn from the newly promoted foreign minister's throat.
******
The screen of Heero's computer beeped. He was puzzled when he found an encoded message there...the only person that ever sent encoded messages were...Heero began decoding with frantic urgency. He stopped suddenly. He was done. And the contents of the message were just what he had feared they would be.
Heero: It seems that war is once again breaking out amongst the colonies. Report to me at 0600 hours, if you wish to do something about this. You know where.
Of course he would. He always would. Fighting had always been his way making a difference. Scenes from previous battles, scenes that had stopped haunting him a long time ago, awoke, swirling in front of his eyes. All the blood, the screams, the tragedy, the terror. He would have to relive every sickening moment. And this time he couldn't distance himself from the killings...no from the murders. He had reclaimed his humanity, but at what stakes?
His desolation returned. He remembered what war meant. Apparently no else did. War meant death, sorrow, tears. Tears from so many people. From people whose only wish was peace. From his fellow Gundam pilots. And from her. Relena. Would they notice if she shed her tears now?
Heero breathing had gone shallow and quick. He felt helpless, a feeling he despised. He'd have to kill again. He collapsed onto his bed, a pillow in his death grip, shaking, shoulders heaving. It was quite possible that the Perfect Solider was shedding some tears of his own.
************
The last button on her uniform was in place. It was time to meet with the Secretary of War. She must convince him that this war was a foolish thing.
'I'll protect you from this battle Heero. I'll protect you.' she silently vowed. Relena took a deep breath and walked to the waiting car. Minutes later she arrived at the towering brick building. The flags waved in the wind, making a rustling sound. Small trees and shrubs dotted the outside by the clear glass doors. It was the most foreboding place she'd ever seen.
She took one last calming breath before she walked through the doors. For some reason she couldn't place, an ancient proverb echoed in her mind. 'Beware the Dragons.'
***
The door to the conference room opened and closed quietly. All eyes were trained on her. She could feel them assessing her. Seeing how much of a fight she'd put up. Judging by their confident expressions they didn't think that she'd be a real challenge. Well then, they were in for a surprise. She spoke before they did.
"Why now gentlemen!? Why would you shatter the fragile peace we could only obtain through broken lives and aching hearts, now, when we were just getting on the road to total peace?"
"It's quite simple really, Ms. Peacecraft." the secretary said, heavily emphasizing the ms. That was a low blow, Relena thought a disgusted stare aimed in his direction. Well if he wanted to fight dirty then so be it. "You see my dear" He continued in his most patronizing male voice, " The colonies have done the unthinkable. They have killed the only one who would have defended them."
Relena held up a hand, halting the rest of the explanation.
"Gentlemen" she said in an even tone "You can not hold all the colonies responsible for the actions of a single rebel group. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of all outer space." She saw the looks on their faces before they began to speak. There was a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. She had fallen right into their trap.
"The colonies have made no actions against the group known as Space Revenge. I am afraid that at this date we must assume that they approve of these actions." A smug smile crossed his face. Relena's temper flared.
"That's because you haven't given them time to act," She hissed accusingly.
"If we wait, we may give them more time to build up whatever they might be planning. We must act now if we are to preserve our attempts for peace."
"You fools! Don't you see that by doing this, you yourself are slandering everything we've worked so hard to achieve! I do not give consent to declare war!" Relena cried but she knew she was lost.
"The committee and myself, under the third document in The Articles of the New World Nation, override you decision. Ms. Peacecraft." The satisfaction on his face was evident.
Relena stood up straight at these words. Tears burned her eyes, but none fell.
"Well I can see you gentlemen won't be swayed by my words. Your eyes have gone blind and your ears have turned deaf from the sparks and blasts of the upcoming war. I just wish I could understand why you thirst for catastrophe."
The members looked somewhat taken aback at these words. Some even had the decency to look ashamed, at the defeated angel's words. But Relena was beyond caring. Only one thought consumed her, replaying over and over in her head like a grim dirge. 'I failed you, Heero.'
*********
Heero watched the news coverage of the private conference. Relena was on the screen, reiterating the situation.
"Dear people, of Earth and Space. My deepest apologies" Heero's heart sank at these words. His mind concentrated on her face, begging confirmation that he had heard her wrong.
"I have tried to convince the members of the World Nation Committee of the reckless and scarring effects of war. Unfortunately, they would not be swayed. The Earth, on the 24th of February, A.C. 198, declares war on Outer Space." Her voice had gone slightly hoarse. "Please forgive me."
And then she walked off the podium.
********
Duo shook his head sorrowfully at the screen.
"It's not your fault Relena. You did what you could." He tipped his hat back rubbing his forehead. Clasped in his hand were instructions from Dr.G.
"Ah war," He mused to himself, a bitter smile on his face. "Mother of the Shinigami…I wonder if this time around I'll be strong enough to be your son."
