Constructive criticism is welcome, very! Or a happy, perky review. I'll take whatever I can get. Ya know this almost didn't go past chapter two... I was pressed a bit and continued. I know I'm rambling, but I was talking with my dad and he said something that got me thinking. He told me that I should write for myself, not to get reviews or anything. Yet, I do write for myself, I love it, but I also write for my readers. I mean if nobody read my stuff it would all sit somewhere on my computer, wasted on just my own twisted boredom. Sorry, I'll let you read this now, enjoy, even if you don't review. Wah! I got that out!







Lady Une kept a hand on Rashids arm as they walked toward the room holding some of the captured Black Raptors officers. She didn't think he would hurt any of them, but she wasn't taking any chances. They had only just caught up with the fleet, only to be told that Rosalds men had been captured and detained, but there was no sign of the boys. With Duos piloting skills she was sure they had gotten by and were already on the abandoned colony. Une had a feeling she would need a clean up crew in the area very soon. All she wanted right now was to get all her agents back, then maybe beat a couple heads together for all her frustration. Coming up to the door to the officers room she stopped to calm herself some, and hoping her companions would do the same. Noin and Sally looked ready to kill, or at least maim. Zechs had a dark scowl plastered on his face and Rashid was beginning to worry her with all his low growling. Figuring they were as calm as she was going to get them, and she wasn't getting any happier, she opened the door and strode in.

The five officers they were holding in the room stood as she entered. Seeing the dark looks the people with her were giving them the defiance they had held onto since being captured wavered a little and they opted to show the women the respect she deserved. Une regarded them with cool indifference for a moment before narrowing her eyes and zeroing in on the officer she took to be in charge.

" What do you have to say in your defense?" The chill in her voice was reminiscent of an Une no one wanted to meet on a bad day.

" Commander Une, with all due respect, we will not speak under these conditions."

" Humph, very well. You will be transported to Earth for questioning, till then you are to remain here under guard. I suppose you have heard that Rosald Winner is dead and my agents recovered."

" Hehe, not for long.." The whisper had come form he back of the group of men, but was loud enough to catch everyone's ears. The man was suddenly slammed into the side wall and lifted off the ground from the front of his uniform jacket. Une reached for Rashids arm but did not make him release the man.

" What do you mean?" Rashid growled in the mans face.

" Did you think our commander didn't plan for something like this?" The man shot back.

" Shut up you fool!"

" No, It's over!" He replied to his comrade. " The Winner kid is dead, and so is his stupid uncle. The base is rigged just for something like this, we know those kids are there, it won't be long for them too. They hit that self-destruct and everything goes up prematurely in a little blast till the times up, then boom!"

" Shut up, you idiot, what do you think you're doing?!"

" And did Quinze plan all this himself?" All eyes fixed on Zechs, Preventer Winds smile eerily wolfish. Une suddenly understood.

" So that's why you came back Wind. Quinze is alive and trying revenge is that it?"

By this time all the prisoners were looking a little more than cornered. The tension that was building up to unbearable levels was shattered when the door slid open and an anxious Preventer popped in the small room, saluting Une sharply.

" Commander Une, there are explosions in the colony. We believe in the area of the factions base."

Rashid threw the man into the officers and stormed out of the small room followed by the other three. Une gave a quick command to the guards to keep at their posts and ran after the retreating backs of her companions. She wasn't going to let them go without a fight. Those boys had saved them all time and again, it was about time someone helped them too.

The five weary teens pressed on down the crumbling halls of the base. Explosions were getting closer by the minute, they knew they didn't have much time. Wufei kept a steady grip on Quatres tiny waist as they stumbled down the hall, every now and then shaking him to keep him conscious. He could hear Duo and Heero behind him, stumbling along much like they were. Trowa was in front of him clearing the way as much as he could. Wufei cast a concerned, and curious, glance down at his companion. The small teen leaning on him was breathing hard and shallow, alarm sparked when he saw the flecks of bright red on the parted lips but was eased some when he saw Quatre reached a bloodied hand to wipe at the sweat leaking into his mouth. Respect was something that he gave readily to his friend, as most did when they came to know Quatre Raberba Winner, but that had just grown even more. The boy had barely been able to walk on his own before, then he had been thrown at least ten feet in the explosion, still he poured his remaining strength into getting Heero out. Right now though, Wufei wanted to smack him. He was going to kill himself like this and he knew it, and Wufei wasn't going to stand for it. Wufei continued to push himself forward, more than half carrying his struggling friend.

No one spoke as they made their way from the collapsing halls and into a yet untouched part of the base. They couldn't make it back the way they had come now so it looked like they were going to have to go out the front doors. How they were going to do it wasn't a concern, they just were. When they got to the tall doors the were the entry to the base was when they finally allowed themselves to stop and rest. The five sat with their backs against the doors, sitting close and lending strength. Heero kept his back straight, his eyes defiant, even as he lay a comforting hand on Trowas shoulder. The taller boy leaned into Duo who was sitting next to him, playfully tugging on the long braid that the boy accidently swung into his face flopping down. After swatting halfheartedly at Trowa Duo lay down to where his head lay in Quaters lap and his long legs stretched across two foot rests, his braid flew out to fall across Wufeis lap.

Quatre smiled down at Duo, leaning his own weary head onto a comfortable shoulder of his companion. A wiry arm was thrown over his thin shoulders. He let his tired eyes roam the entry hall they sat in. The explosions had yet to reach this area, but they were growing closer. A sigh escaped his pale lips. After all they had gone through, the growth they had made, they were caught in a trap that should have been foreseen, at least by him. He was their strategist, the brain, it was his uncle's doing. He quelled the quiet laugh that threatened to bubble up. Duo would have a cow if he knew what he was thinking now; he always said he blamed himself for everything. They had done so much for him, it was time he helped them too. Quatre bit his lip as he thought back then let a small smile form. How had they come from nearly fighting each other to a inseparable team? He didn't know, but it had happened and he wouldn't have it any other way.

" Gu.."

Quatre was cut off by the small security screen suspended above the they had passed through crackled to life. All attention went to the little screen as an image fuzzed into clear view. Quatres eyes widened at the sight, he heard Heero shift on the other side of Trowa.

" Quinze."