Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or Sailor Moon, nor am I profiting from this web page. But all other such characters and concepts do belong to me and I ask that you do not use them without permission.
Children of War
By,
Luna Dragon
The sky was insanely dark. Black gloomy clouds covered the sky, blocking out what little lights the stars guided now that there was a new moon. Small streaks of light illuminated the sky every so often, followed by a mysteriously threatening sound of thunder. Somehow, it almost warned the two teenagers to stay away. A bad omen, some would say. But nonetheless, Akiko and Duo drove silently into Professor Tomoe's complex, stopping only once to prove identification. (Which Duo, of course, had hid down under the seat for.)
Now the two teenagers, having much more in common than they realized, parked the car at the entrance to Akiko and Kaiya's apartment. Akiko briefly looked over at the former Deathscythe pilot. "I still say it'd be much easier if you stay here." She said.
Duo shook his head with a smirk. "Sorry ba -- Akiko. Deals a deal, and besides, it shouldn't be to hard for someone like me."
Akiko laughed softly. "Yeah right." She mumbled. "Listen Duo . . . if worst comes to worse, don't get yourself killed out of arrogance or stupidity."
"Talk about a someone with a half empty glass." Duo replied. "Why so pessimistic?"
Akiko didn't answer for a few seconds, contemplating whether or not she should tell him the real reason. She smirked slightly before answering, "Bad past." With no other exchange of words, she opened the car door and stepped out, walking quickly but casually to her apartment.
Duo, left shocked and speechless, quickly followed after her. "Wait up Akiko!" He said in a loud whisper, following the stubborn illegal operative.
Akiko slowed briefly, only pausing one time before sprinting up the stairs. Duo followed, arriving at her apartment door just as she swung open the entrance. "Welcome to my humble abode." She said sarcastically. "Mind the blood and the bullet holes. Kaiya, me, and Hotaru had a minor disagreement." She paced around the room slightly, gesturing to the things she mentioned and walked into her room. Shuffling was heard.
Duo winced. "Now I really don't want to get on your bad side."
"Heard that," Akiko shouted from her place in her room.
"Uh . . . Kiko . . . what exactly are you doing?" Duo wondered aloud.
Akiko peeked her head through. "Kiko?"
He shrugged. "Akiko's kinda long. You said I couldn't call you babe, never said I couldn't call you Kiko." Duo grinned at Akiko's puzzled expression.
"So you have a nickname for everyone?" Duo nodded. "Oh great," She murmured with fake enthusiasm.
"But uh, what are you doing?"
"Getting you some clothes."
"What?" Duo shouted. "I told you I wasn't dressing up as a girl!"
Akiko came back out and threw the Deathscythe pilot a uniform. "I know. That's for men, we saved it for emergences, like when Kaiya and I would sneak into the Prof's place."
"You've done it before?" He asked, examining the clothes. Akiko nodded.
"I told you could handle myself. I'm no idiot."
"Never said you were."
Akiko nodded. "I know." She sighed. "Rei can only spare a certain amount of time. Go get changed." She ordered Duo.
He sighed, but complied.
~*^*^*~
His fingers sped over the keys, furiously clicking on them with great agility. For how long had he done this, Heero wasn't sure. Three hours? Four?
The system Professor Tomoe was using was indeed strong. No matter what he tried, a different firewall would pop up right after the other. He tried to use back doors to hack into the scientist's computer, but nothing seemed to work.
'Damn, it's like he knows we're doing this.' He thought bitterly. 'Something's not right, and I want to find out what. Everything that's happened . . . it's too much to be just a coincidence.'
Finally he noticed something new, like it took form just at that instant. The Wing Zero operative clicked the icon, and his eyes widened at what he saw. The cup of coffee that kept him awake dropped from his hands and shattered on the floor, alerting Hotaru into the room.
She had been walking by, going to catch some shut eye; it was past midnight and her eyes were weary. Having amnesia and all these dreams made her constantly tired. Carefully, she peeked a glance at the former pilot who was now angrily cleaning the mess he had made.
Heero cursed softly, cutting his hand on a sharp glass. He looked up when he noticed a pair of feet and saw Hotaru. She bent down slowly, as if she was circumspective and wary of him. Leisurely, she smiled and helped him pick the rest up and throw it in the trash.
"What happened?" Hotaru asked with a gesture to Heero's bleeding hand. "You're hurt."
"It's nothing . . ." Heero said, his words sounding hollow. As if mesmerized, Heero looked at his palm. Small trickles of crimson red liquid ran down his hand, down his wrist, and then fell to the ground. He said nothing, but continued to stare. A small hand touched his, and his head abruptly shot up, staring with Prussian blue eyes as Hotaru took his hand in her own and put a handkerchief on the wound; applying pressure.
'What is she doing?' Heero thought. His mind was racing, his thoughts were jumbled. A strange feeling was inside of him; something he had never experienced before. It confused him, and made him angry and happy at the same time. Angry because he was showing emotion; he wasn't supposed to let that happen. It would give the enemy an upper hand.
But Hotaru wasn't an enemy, was she? But at the same time . . . he was glad. A small feeling was trying to emerge its way to the surface, but Heero pushed it down. He was becoming weak, he needed to go on a mission.
That was all he lived for. It was all he could do; a mindless soldier, a Perfect Soldier suitable only in the battle field. He was cursed, damned for eternity. Brief flashes of the past shrouded his thoughts. The girl and her dog, all the people he killed, everything he destroyed, all the lives he must have ruined . . . he didn't deserve any emotions. Not from anyone else, and not from himself.
He watched silently as she wrapped the blue handkerchief around his hand, around the cut, and tied it tightly. She looked up at him, confused violet eyes without recognition of a past stared at his Prussian blue ones. He looked away, pulling his hand back quickly. "I could have done that myself," He mumbled, surprised that his words didn't come out harsh as he had wanted them too.
They came out . . . almost suitable to be a real merit. Hotaru smiled slightly. "Okay, Mr. Perfect," she said with sarcasm and mild amusement. "I'll take that as a thanks."
Heero said nothing, but nodded once. Quickly, he walked away, not even glancing back. He had a mission to do, and he planned to do it. After all, what else was he good for?
~*^*^*~
A tall woman with corporeal hazel eyes and fire red hair pulled and pinned tightly to the back of her head walked into a darkened room. The white lab coat she wore hugged her feminine frame, showing well defined curves. She glanced sideways; the only real light in the room that spilled from the doorway cast the woman's curved silhouette on the floor.
"Mr. Tanaka," the woman called through the shadows. "My apologizes on bothering you like this, but you have a call waiting for you. He says it's very important."
From the dark indentation of the room, a male figure moved. The light from the doorway was just enough for one to be able to see an image of a male person sitting in a large chair with his back turned towards the door. He spoke not a word but went instantly to the small computer screen laying on the desk and pressed a button. An image of a man with blonde hair and glasses appeared instantly on the screen.
"Professor Tomoe," Said the deep voice.
The deranged Professor spoke softly and a hint of worry and urgency plagued his features as continually glanced around him. "Mr. Tanaka," He finally asked. "How are things? If you don't finish soon, Setsuna might figure you out . . ."
Mr. Tanaka nodded. "Yes I know. It was because of you that brought her suspicions. It was when you spoke strongly against her months ago. I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up killing you."
Professor Tomoe was clearly taken aback. "How did you--?"
"I know," He replied, cutting Tomoe off with authority. "From now on I want you to lay low. Play things casually, until I am finished here. There's no need to raise any more suspicions than you have already."
Professor Tomoe nodded, but something else gnawed his mind. Carefully, he asked, "If they find out about our conspiracy . . . then what?"
"Then you die, Professor Tomoe. You may be high and mighty there, but I own you. Remember that and your place old man." Professor Tomoe nodded briskly and cut the connection off. "Idiot," Mr. Tanaka muttered. "Kaori."
"Yes sir?" the tall woman stepped forward as the large chair swiveled towards her.
"Contact all the chief engineers of our . . . special projects. Tell them to increase production. These new developments may force us to proceed in our plans ahead of schedule."
"Yes Mr. Tanaka," Kaori turned briskly on her heel and left the room, shutting the door behind her and once again plunging the room into near total darkness.
~*^*^*~
"Can't I at least have a weapon? You said there was a high possibility of us getting caught." Duo murmured.
Akiko sighed softly as they walked through the complex, getting ready to enter the mansion that belonged to none other than Professor Tomoe. Earlier, Akiko had given Duo the uniform, which he had tucked his braid in under his hat, but she had left out the weapon.
"Listen Duo, one thing. The Prof is a strange guy and is extremely protected. Only his special guards are aloud to have weapons -- all of which are androids and robots. No one else is aloud, and the only reason me and Kaiya bring weapons in is because, according to him, we're his 'pets'." Akiko answered. "So no, for the thousandth time, you cannot have a weapon. Jeez, I'm beginning to feel like Kaiya when I annoy her."
At this, Akiko couldn't help but start to laugh. "Uh Kiko?" Duo asked, afraid the girl had truly lost her sanity. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Akiko answered. "Had a mental image of us annoying Kaiya for twenty-four hours. I highly believe she'd loose her mind or try to kill us."
Duo chuckled and nodded. "Hey, who's that?" He then asked, gesturing to two men guarding the entrance. Akiko froze. "Kiko?"
"It's . . . the Prof's latest invention." She answered stiffly. "Crap, this might be harder than I thought." She pulled Duo behind a group of bushes and trees. "We'll have to sneak in. Those two dudes are androids and definitely programmed well. The Prof uploaded a lot of data onto them, and they'll recognize you without a doubt."
"But what about letting Rei and the Setsuna-lady know we're here?"
"We'll just find another way. In the mean time, we climb."
Duo groaned. "Where's his lab?" He asked.
"Fifth floor third window to the left." Akiko answered. "We've gotta climb now."
"Great, I've always wanted to go rock climbing. Kiko, how about you go first and I'll follow?"
Akiko sighed and nodded. "You better catch me if I fall."
"And if I fall, who's gonna catch me?"
"The ground will break your fall." Akiko laughed. Duo pouted. "Don't worry, you're an ex-Gundam pilot. Climbing five stories shouldn't be too hard." She gradually eased her way up the tree, resting on a high branch. She was about to crawl across it, but stopped short, an almost pained expression on her face. "Duo?"
Duo looked up, his head tilted to the side. "Huh?"
"You said you'd catch me if I fell . . . right?" Duo nodded, confused at where Akiko was getting at. "Good," She numbly added, falling limply from the tree.
Alarmed, Duo quickly ran up to the tree, catching Akiko just before she hit the floor. With a grunt, his knees gave way and he sunk to the ground with the illegal operative in his arms, and an extremely bewildered expression on his face.
'What?' Duo asked himself as he looked over the sleeping form, but smirked slightly.
"Good, you're not dead, just fell asleep on me." He muttered, noticing a yellow dart on her arm.
'You weren't kidding when you said this place was heavily guarded, huh Kiko?' He thought with mild amusement.
"Now what?"
~*^*^*~
"So your basically saying there's an army of mobile dolls being completed as we speak?" Kaiya asked as she looked down at the address she was supplied with. She glanced at Hotaru who nodded in return.
"That's what was on Heero's laptop before he left." Hotaru answered.
She stood before Kaiya and Trowa; the only two sane one's left at the Preventer's headquarters. Akiko and Duo were on a suicide mission on stealing some information from Professor Tomoe. Rei was also there; trying to stall Professor Tomoe so Kaiya and Akiko wouldn't be forced to kidnap Ms. Peacecraft. Wufei and Sally Po were her new appointed guards, just in case the Prof decided to spring a surprise attack. Quatre was contacting the Manganacs. (AN: Those are Quatre's friends right? Please tell me, I'm not sure what those 40 friends of his are called. I THINK that's right.)
So that left the former Heavyarms pilot, now clown and supposedly former illegal operative. "Heero's most likely gone there." Trowa said.
Hotaru nodded. "Most likely . . ." Kaiya mumbled. 'Jeez, if he wasn't so monotone I'd think he would be showing off. But this is serious so . . .' "I'm going to help."
Hotaru and Trowa looked at her in surprise, did she just say she was going to help the Perfect Soldier? "I'm not so sure about that . . ." Trowa said.
"He doesn't like to be around people much." Hotaru finished. When the two quiet one's looked at her strangely, she answered, "I've been here for longer than a day, I haven't necessarily been locked in my room. And besides, he got all . . . tense when I tried to help him."
"With what?" Kaiya answered, pertaining to the fact she had amnesia, signaling the fact that Hotaru was just a burden now that she couldn't do all the things she used to.
"He must've been surprised when he found out where the mobile dolls were, and he cut himself on some broken glass." She answered simply. Returning to the subject, she asked, "How are you planning on helping Heero?"
"Anyway I can. He can't take on an army of mobile dolls alone. Someone should help him," Kaiya added.
"And neither can you," Trowa added.
"Way to rub it in." Kaiya muttered. "Every small act can make a difference. So maybe, I can help. I'll tail him, see if he needs help, and deliver it if he does."
Trowa nodded. "I'll help, no use staying here."
"And I'm guessing I don't have a choice but to stay here?" Hotaru asked. Both teenagers nodded briskly. "I have some of my memory back you know."
"But not your skills or knowledge. You'll only get in the way." Trowa said.
"Tell Quatre what's going on." Kaiya added, and they were gone.
'Yeah right. I'm not sitting on the bench for this one. My father, my burden. I'm going to help, no matter what. And if it means following the three, then so be it.' Hotaru thought. 'This isn't just their mission, I'm also a part of it.'
Quietly, she wrote a note explaining everything to the others and left, taking only a loaded gun with her.
~*^*^*~
"We're almost done remember? Now hurry with the installments!" Haruka shouted from her spot under a very large Altron, adding some oil; the final touches.
"Haruka, this isn't just going to take a day or two." Michiru calmly informed her friend and lover. "It'll take more like days, or weeks." She stood on top of Altron, writing in her chart, making sure everything was in working order. She smiled, everything on 'Nataku' was just fine.
"It doesn't mean we can't cut that time in half," The blonde mumbled. "It's hard to find good help these days."
She picked her head up and wiped her forehead with a rag, smearing some oil on her nose and cheeks. They had been working faster and longer than usual, desperate to achieve the goal of rebuilding the five Gundam's from scratch, before anyone could find them out.
So far, the team of over five hundred men and three women only succeeded in rebuilding Altron, or Nataku, as Chang Wufei had named it. "But it doesn't mean we want to ruin their chances of winning because we didn't fix something correctly. One mishap could cost us their lives, Haruka." Michiru reminded as she jumped down.
"Aw well. At least we finished one of them. And he looks better than ever, I must add." The blonde chuckled.
"To think it took us this shot amount of time." Her lover added as she leaned against Haruka, who smiled and returned with an embrace.
"Ms. Ten'ou!" A male voice called behind them. "Everything's in working order on the Gundam Altron. Everything is 100%, including emergency ammunition."
"Thank you," Haruka said with a nod. "How about the other four?"
"On Wing Zero we've finished installing the self-detonation device, and the Zero system is almost ready. Ammunition is at 79%, and defense is up to 88%. Everything else is at 100 perfect." He answered, checking a clipboard in his hand. "Deathscythe's self-detonation device is yet to be set, everything is up to 100%, and we're having some difficulties with his scythe. Other than that, we're all okay with him."
"Everything is going well." Michiru said. "What of Sandrock?"
"Defenses are stable, but not near enough to their maximum, which could pose a delay. Ammunition is at 94%, and we're almost done adding it's extra Gundamanium armor. His self-detonation is set, and everything else looks fine." The man answered. "Heavyarms, however, is almost finished. All ammunition complete, defensive system stable, armor all added, his mobility is 77% and his hardware and software have just been installed. I say he's the next one we're to finish."
"Think the men will last out some more hours?" Haruka asked.
The man looked around doubtfully. Various men were working on different spots of different Gundams, all of which looked extremely tired. "There's a small possibility. But I'm exhausted and I haven't done as much work as some of the men around here."
"Round up your men, tell them to sleep this night off." Haruka ordered. "All of you go home, you've earned your rest. Just be sure to tell everyone to meet back here at four in the afternoon."
"Thank you Ms. Ten'ou, Ms. Kaiou." The man praised, bowing with th clipboard in his hand. He straightened up and shouted orders to men at different stations, and a chorus of those orders were repeated.
In less than half an hour, each person had disappeared, leaving Michiru and Haruka in the giant warehouse alone. "You're being unusually nice today." Michiru commented.
"We've had it tough. They deserved their rest, and I'm tired myself. Other than that, it'd be best if they rested for a few hours. That'd increase their workload tomorrow." Haruka answered with a small smile.
"Are you really all that tired?" Michiru purred.
"Depends on what you're getting at."
"Oh, you'll see, Haruka . . ." Michiru answered, her eyes shining mischievously.
~*^*^*~
Rei and Setsuna paced nervously and silently through Setsuna's office, thinking on how they were going to spare all the time Akiko and Duo needed. They should have been here by now, given them the okay.
Before they all had agreed on a sign. The sign was to signal Akiko and Duo's arrival. It was a simple act, as to not draw attention. When the two teenagers were here, they would shut down a small section of the security in Setsuna's office. In the corner of the woman's office was a red orb of light. If the light was red, security was on.
But when the light turned green, security was off, which meant that Akiko and Duo had succeeded.
Something must have happened, and that worried the two girls. 'I hope they'd hurry up,' Rei thought. 'Damn it Akiko, Duo . . . if you blow this . . .'
The phone rang and both girls jumped in complete surprise. Setsuna walked slowly and cautiously towards it, lifting it from its cradle. "Meiou Setsuna speaking?" She answered softly.
He eyes widened. 'Crap . . . now what?' She thought angrily. "Yes Professor Tomoe, we'll be there in a minute." She hung up the phone and met Rei's confused eyes. "He wants us to meet him in his office."
"Us?"
"Yes."
"How did he know I was here?"
"I'm not sure. There's something going on. He knows something we don't, I'm sure of it."
Rei sighed. "We might as well keep him in his office. At least he didn't ask for us to go to his laboratory."
Setsuna nodded. 'Akiko, Duo, please . . . hurry.'
**********
Author's Note: Heehee, longer don't you think? It's a make up for the last chapter. Special thanks to "Kaiya" (the author on FF.net not my character) for getting me off my lazy butt. ^______^ After all, she wanted a longer chapter, and one of the reason's I write is to please! ^______^
Till next chapter, JA NE! NOW THAT YOU'VE READ, PLEASE REVIEW!
