That's Childish, So Childish…
Chapter Fifteen: It's Some Phase He's Going Through…
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Disclaimer—I own nothing; nothing, I tell you, hahahahahahah!
Warnings—Let's see now… Lady Une. Yes, I think she warrants some warning. Confusion and mild chaos and laughter at the expense of others, with potentially bruised shins. That constitutes as mental abuse and mild violence, right?
The gang decides to see what Lady Une was able to accomplish, and warn Noin before heading for Sanc. Looks like there's good reason to warn poor Noin just what she's in for, too…
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//I've kicked Heero Yuy's shins and lived to tell about it,// Miri mused with a slight smirk as he cradled a cupful of coffee, leaning against the rail as he watched the Tallgeese undergo repairs. //That's more than I was expecting, to be honest.//
A lightly-bandaged hand lifted to scratch where one feathery end of his bangs was tickling his cheek, and he tilted his head as he gazed up at the white beast.
//Does that mean I won our staring contest?//
"Hey, Zechs!" A voice below drew his attention, and he wrenched his gaze down in time to register something sailing up through the air in his direction from the floor below.
Instinctively, the hand abandoned his bangs and darted out to catch the object as it reached the peak of its trajectory, plucking it out of the air. Heavy, hard, metallic…
//The mask.// Lifting it up slightly, he smiled wryly into the glassy eyeholes. Somehow, the cracks had been drawn back together until they became mere thin seams, and the shattered left eyeglass had been replaced entirely. From a distance, nobody would guess it was still damaged. //Not a bad patch-job. But then, we hardly have time for me to ask someone to make another of these damn things. As if I want another one… I don't /like/ wearing it, but I must.//
Standing on tip-toes to peer over the rail, he flashed Abdul a light smile. "Thanks Abdul! At least now I don't have to worry about it falling apart when I put it down!" he called to the man below.
The Maganac grinned broadly back up at him, and waves a hand airily. "Hey, I'd replace the rest of the broken parts, but that thing's put together like a puzzle, and it'd take two days to cut the parts right. Sorry we don't have time like that right now…"
//This is good enough.// Zechs gestured at the Tallgeese with the mask, agreeing, "That's all right. Better if you put more time in fixing the museum display than this. It's not mean to last forever, after all!"
From the direction of the Tallgeese's cockpit, Auada's voice called out, "If it's not meant to last forever, why the heck did you want it fixed?"
Abdul chuckled, shaking his head. "You talking about the museum piece or the mask, Auada?" he laughed mischievously.
"Both!" the man working on the cockpit flung back.
Miri shook his head, smiling gently as he took a sip of his coffee… and not volunteering anything further. //I miss Meiser… and Walker… and Otto…// He sighed softly, sadly. //Stop making yourself melancholy, Miri…//
Abdul was still looking up at him expectantly.
"What?" the boy asked, arching a pale eyebrow at that intent stare. //Do I have a coffee moustache or something?//
"Well, why /do/ you wear that thing?" the Maganac countered, grinning still. "It can't be a bold fashion statement, after all. And obviously it's not as good as a crash helmet…"
//Why do I…?// Zechs tilted the mask so that it looked back at him. //I doubt they'll accept the excuse of "Habit, mostly".//
"While we're at it, I'd like to know, too," a familiar voice added from his left.
"Duo," Miri acknowledged, without turning to look. //He's very quiet when he walks…//
"So…?" They were waiting.
//And acknowledge that I'm ashamed to be fighting? Not willingly, no.// He blinked at his reflection in the smooth metallic surface. "You could have asked Treize that earlier… I didn't make it," Miri pointed out gruffly.
A bark of a laugh from Duo. "Talking to Treize is like trying to catch hummingbirds with a mobile suit—he's damnably evasive and likes to make you fly in circles!"
//True. He plays verbal and mental games. But I can play them, too, when I feel the need to.// Straightening, he tucked the mask under his free arm, and turned to go. "It's part of what makes Zechs Merquise," he offered obtusely.
At the end of the service balcony, though, as he reached for the ladder, he added quietly, almost under his breath, "…and spares others from being hurt."
Leaving them to puzzle that out, he sipped the last of his coffee as he walked back towards the kitchen. But his mind was wandering different trails, not registering his surroundings anymore. All he saw was a young girl with honey-blonde hair, gazing at him in a sort of innocent confusion and calm expectation as a man in battle fatigues fled behind her.
//It's best that she doesn't know what I've become… But what will I write to her?//
Miri had promised the letter only to get Heero's presence in Sanc, and hopefully raise their chances of success. But in doing so, he had set up a dilemma for himself…
//What the heck do I /say/ to her? "By the way, this is the brother you never knew you had and can you do me a small favor on behalf of saving the whole world from annihilation?"//
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Conferences were held. Just how much the unlikely allies managed to produce from them, however, was debatable. Quite a few exchanges of verbal sniper-fire, bellows of outrage, threats to dismantle various mobile suits, and bruised shins later, they managed to agree to a few things. Among them, contact Miss Noin off in Sanc and get an update from Lady Une on her extermination progress. Meanwhile, Rashid had taken on the responsibility of repairing and upgrading all the suits available—which, when you counted Treize's small army, constituted as a massive undertaking, though the Gundams and Tallgeese had priority on the list. Treize seemed intent on demoting himself to squadron leader of his small army and leaving the leadership to everyone else… and was taking some persuading to use his influence on others throughout the old Oz organization to try a little spying and terrorism on this new alliance's behalf.
Duo couldn't help but find it amusing, though.
"Oh for heaven's sake, Treize, we're not asking for the Moon Base here!" Zechs sighed, nearly jumping up and down in place with frustration. Duo could see the boy's hands clenching until they were as pale as his hair. "Just /contact/ them and ask them to pass information to wherever Heero's willing to collect it all."
"The main computer system for Romefeller should be sufficient," Wing's pilot added, seeming a bit tired of this.
The dignified man looked harried. Well, he /was/! Neat hair had strands straying, and wrinkles were starting to threaten the man's pristine blue attire. //About time,// Duo giggled to himself. //Welcome to the human level, General. Not that I've much sympathy for you… yet.// Still, the poor man looked like he was being backed into a corner. //It's not /that/ much we're asking for here—yeesh!//
"Please?" Quatre tried plaintively, eyes begging that this would finally be settled once and for all and preferably in their favor.
Treize sighed and brushed an errant hair out of his eye. "I have no wish to explain this, so please try to understand…" Ever calm, cool, and poised? No. For once the strain from their pressure had obviously cracked that exterior, though he tried to cling to it still.
Duo rolled his eyes and fought the urge to giggle. Each reacted in their own way—and it was amusing to watch. Quatre lowered his head into his hands with a groan. Trowa just closed his eyes. Heero leaned back in his chair and appeared to settle down to sleep—as if he thought this argument would go well into the night. Zechs sighed again, running a hand through his hair to get his bangs out of his face. //Looks like we'll be here a long time, guys… This nut's been a long time hardening.//
Finally, Zechs turned to Treize and stated, "You and I need to talk, then…"
Treize shook his head firmly. "I think all that could be said, has been, Zechs."
Blinking, Duo frowned. //He's pretty set. But that's the first time he's turned Zechs down like this.//
"Please."
The older man sighed quietly, eyes flicking shut a moment… then nodded, getting to his feet. "Fine. Five minutes. But I'm not about to change my mind."
In answer, the boy nodded and gestured for the General to precede him into the washroom.
//Okay, Zechs, that's a /strange/ choice of rooms for side-conferences,// Duo decided, blinking dazedly. The other Gundam pilots showed no reaction—in fact, Quatre didn't bother to lift his head, and Heero seemed to be dozing off!
The door shut behind the pair of ex-Oz officers with a soft click.
//Well, /I/ want to know what they have to say.// Scooping up his glass of water, Duo drained it dry, shook the last drop out, then stood and carefully put it against the door. //I hope this works…//
Heero's eyes cracked open and flicked his way.
//Oh, come on, Heero. Stop glaring at me like that. It's not like either of these two gives me actual /answers/!// Deathscythe's pilot made a face and mouthed "What?" at Wing's pilot.
Heero just rolled his eyes and closed them again.
Wrinkling his nose back at his fellow Gundam pilot, Duo set his ear to the glass and listened closely.
A hiss covered the background. Water, perhaps? It made things very difficult to catch. But Duo was an old snooper before, so his ears were very, very good. //Nice try, Zechs. But not good enough.//
"Perhaps you can guess why I do not want a prominent role in this," Treize murmured.
"Perhaps…" came the quiet reply, agreeing.
"Then don't ask it of me, Zechs."
"We have to. We need all the help we can get. I wouldn't ask if…" Zechs trailed to a halt, hesitating.
Treize seemed intent on getting the younger man to say it. "If…?"
"If it weren't so important."
"To you."
Anger flared. "Not just me!"
A pause, then, "Forgive me. That was cruel of me to say."
"You know me better, Treize. I know he is your kin, but the man has to be stopped…"
Duo blinked. //Treize is related to Duke Dermail? Huh!//
A quiet whisper of sound that Duo almost missed: "But not by me."
"No," Zechs conceded, agreeing. "Not by you, if we can help it. But with more information, we can keep you farther out of it…"
"Still, that means I helped. I really… don't wish to. Do you understand, Milliardo? You know how family loyalty is rooted in us from childhood… It drives you just as hard."
Duo frowned. //That name again. He often calls Zechs by his real name. I wish he gave a last name with that, though. Maybe then I could find the information neither of these two are willing to give me!//
A long pause. "I understand. But I still have to demand this much help out of you." Gentle, but sad.
"Because of what he did to you?"
Painful agreement followed. "Because of what he did to me. Because he had no qualms about doing it to you later. Because of what he did long ago as well… He ordered my family's death back then, didn't he, Treize." It wasn't a question, only seeking confirmation.
A long silence. Treize didn't seem to want to answer that question.
"I've had time to think… though it's not so easy when the rain is beating a drumbeat on your head and you're hanging by your wrists at the time." A wryness to those words. "He knew too much. And you are right—blood ties are very strong. Your ties to him kept me alive this long—but his ties to you mean you must have known all along."
//Treize said that they go way back—so it was Treize's friendship that's kept Dermail from killing Zechs? Then how come Zechs's whole family was killed by the guy? Doesn't the influence extend that far?// Duo fought the urge to scratch his ear, feeling confused. //Explains the kid's determination to fight, though—if Dermail's behind both his unhappy prison stay and his family's annihilation!//
"I can't condemn my own granduncle to death, Milliardo. Nor is it right for me to add my hand to it." Painful… Was there a hint of shame in those words?
"I know. For that much, I can forgive you. But I'm sacrificing almost as much as you in this endeavor, remember."
"Your sister. Sanc."
Duo stiffened at that news. //He has a sister? I thought he said his whole family's dead! And Sanc… Things keep returning to that country…//
"Yes." Zechs's answer was soft.
"You don't think he will leave much of Sanc standing in the end, then."
Hesitantly, quietly… "No. And even if it is, you know I can't return…"
"To what you once were? You still are that, though you don't see it in yourself, Milliardo. Others do. You can't hide it."
Bitterly, "I haven't tried to hide it. Only my own shame do I hide, Treize."
A quiet sigh. "When you break free of your family's conditioning, maybe you'll finally see that it's nothing to be ashamed of... and forgive yourself."
Smiling, Duo's eyes widened at the distant wall he was facing. //So /that's/ why he wears the mask. A pacifist ashamed to kill… And Zechs is his killing persona. I wonder who he will be when he decides to shed it?//
"We're talking about /your/ family's conditioning right now, Treize," came a quiet growl.
A long pause. Then, "All right. I will have them pass information to Heero."
"Then you will contact your loyal supporters still in the organization?"
Wearily, "Yes."
Zechs's response was grave. "Thank you." The hissing stopped with a squeak as the sink faucet was twisted off.
//Ack! Can't be caught!// Duo almost jumped back, pulling the glass from the door, and whirled, desperate for some excuse to be standing. Immediately, he leapt for the pitcher of water and began refilling his glass.
"You can start," Zechs was saying sweetly as they emerged, "by contacting Lady Une, then."
Treize sighed heavily.
Duo blinked, exchanging looks with the other Gundam pilots. //Is that some form of revenge?//
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One could say that, yes.
Treize did not look very happy when he sat down at the visual com. Zechs, standing to the side well out of the machine's pick-up range, was smirking with arms across his chest, repaired mask dangling from one lightly- bandaged hand. Hanging out in the doorway, Duo and Heero had decided to watch the proceedings… from a safe distance. They appeared to think this would be amusing.
//He's going to try to turn the tables, I'm sure of it,// Miri mused, watching the General punch the correct codes for contacting Lady Une in space. //I just hope she doesn't laugh when she finds out about me… I'm getting very tired of people laughing. It's not /funny/. At least on this end!//
Waiting for the call to go through, another thought hit him. //Damn. Noin's going to see me like this. I just /know/ she'll laugh... I'm /never/ going to live down her next set of height-jokes…!//
The boy released a long-suffering sigh.
Treize gave Zechs a look that said, "I haven't done anything to you yet!" Duo and Heero just glanced at him quizzically.
Giving his head a dismissive shake to turn those three sets of eyes away, Miri resumed his smirk.
//I got the General to do stuff for me. Nana nana nyah!// All right, it was a little child's gleeful success. He didn't care.
It startled the heck out of the man known as Zechs Merquise, though!
Zechs's widened eyes stared into space in sudden concern. //Okay… This… is not good.//
Before he could panic or examine the implications of it, though, the call finally went through and Lady Une's image appeared on the screen. Personal problems were immediately shelved for turning full attention to their war- plans.
"Your—your Excellency!" She seemed surprised.
"Lady. It is good to see you again." Treize maintained his calm expression, steepling his hands together. "I take it by your surprised expression that rumors abound concerning my demise?"
"I… ah… Well, yes, your Excellency." She blinked owlishly behind her glasses. "Word placed you dead and branded Zechs as the traitor who killed you…"
Dipping his head slightly, Treize smiled gently. "Hardly true. Romefeller would wish so, however. No, what happened is this. Romefeller tried to lock up first Zechs, then myself. It appears Duke Dermail considers both of us a threat to his hold on power. However, considering that we have therefore broken away and begun yet another revolution—against Romefeller—he can now be proved correct."
"A… new revolution." Lady Une sounded far from thrilled by the prospect.
"Exactly," Treize purred reassuringly. "However, it is vital for us to know how your mission went…"
"Fairly well, your Excellency," Lady Une answered with a bit of hesitation.
Concern pricked Zechs's spine. //Not 'Successful'? Please tell me she didn't screw up. Please tell me she didn't screw up. Please tell me—//
"Tsuberov was to be taken into custody in the Moon Base. He resisted arrest, however, and managed to set some of those mobile doll things of his on my men. However, they reported blowing him up with his new toys… Unfortunately that means they blew up the rest of the Moon Base in the process…"
Duo had blanched at the thought of so many casualties. Heero's gaze had sharpened to and angry point. Zechs just closed his eyes and shook his head in dismay. //Lady Une… When you clean house, you don't just take out the dust… but the whole block as well!//
"…and with it, the records concerning the number of mobile dolls he successfully delivered so far to Earth."
//Oh damn.//
Treize merely sighed. "That is a shame. However, it is good news that /that/ mad scientist cannot create more monsters for us to face down here… While I am not the most certain of the efficiency of your methods, Lady, you have produced good results."
//I know she /lives/ for Treize's approval, but really, she won't change unless he stops praising her overkill tendencies…// the boy sighed with mental disapproval. Winking at Duo, Zechs mock-gagged silently in the background, drawing a smile from the black-clad Gundam pilot—and to his surprise, Heero as well.
Treize glanced at him warningly before continuing, "That reminds me, Lady—what have you done thus far concerning the scientists behind Operation Meteor, and the freedom of the colonies?"
Lady Une smiled at this change of topic. "A great deal, your Excellency. We have taken into custody all five of the scientists responsible—"
That drew gasps from both Gundam pilots, and even Zechs's eyes widened. //How…? And she didn't overkill this? She got them? What did they do—surrender nicely? They must have! No other way this is possible!//
"—and they are currently locked away in Barge. I have gone around the a couple colonies and begun to reassure them that we fight for their freedom against the Alliance…" There, she paused uncertainly. "Should I change the name of who they are indebted to, your Excellency?"
Treize chuckled softly. "No, let them think it is Oz. But do try to turn their gratitude more towards /our/ Oz and not Dermail's. The distinction will be important later on. As for the scientists…"
When Treize paused, both Gundam pilots stiffened, bracing themselves as if to fight, glaring at the dignified man warningly. Zechs looked from them to his old friend, waiting, curious. //If he has them killed, these two'll be on him in an instant, witnesses or no. It would be nice if we could get those scientists to help us out…//
"Please have them sent down here to Earth. I believe… Hmmm… Brussels is probably the best place to send them," the General mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I believe we can utilize their skills…"
Duo and Heero relaxed… but their eyes still stayed vigilantly on Treize, wary.
"At the moment," Lady Une partially growled, "they are adamant that they will not help us in the least. However, with a bargaining chip, they could likely build us something even stronger than the Gundams."
The two Gundam pilots stiffened again, like synchronized puppets.
Treize smiled slowly, slyly, eyeing the alert pair a moment before looking back to Lady Une.
Zechs echoed that smile slowly. //I think we can persuade them. Or, rather, their pilots can on the behalf of this alliance.//
"I don't think persuading them will be a problem, Lady Une. Please deliver them as soon as possible, however. And keep up the good work." The ginger- haired General beamed cheerfully at his deadly aid before adding, "By the way, before we go, I think Zechs has a few words he'd like to say…"
Evil mischief flickered in Treize's eyes as he looked Zechs's way. The blonde boy glared back. //I /knew/ it. Treize, your shins are going to be /so/ dead after this…// "Treize," he growled warningly.
"Did something happen to his voice, your Excellency?" Lady Une inquired, seeming confused.
Treize merely shook his head negatively at her question, then waved for Zechs to come stand beside him… for the view screen to pick up.
Making a face, Zechs plopped his cracked mask over his head and reluctantly obeyed, coming to stand beside Treize's seated form and forcing an impassive expression over what could be seen of his face. It didn't hide his clenched jaws, however. //Treize… I'm going to pour the last of that rubber cement into your boots tonight for this!//
He watched Lady Une's eyes widen like saucers. Her jaw slowly sank open. But she wasn't one easily stunned—at least, not for long. A tinge of anger furrowed her brow. "This is… some kind of a joke, your Excellency?" She sounded uncertain if he was playing games with her.
"Hardly," Zechs sighed wearily. //So far, no laughing…// Well, that made him feel a /little/ better.
Treize shook his head in slow denial. "No."
"When you next see those scientists, Lady Une," Zechs tried, swallowing his pride, "please do me a favor…"
She blinked dazedly at him from behind her glasses.
"Ask them if they can bring a person back to his normal age?"
Lady Une continued staring a long moment, eyes almost blankly staring through the pale-haired boy.
Then she burst out laughing. Because it was the first time Zechs had ever heard her laugh, it was both humiliating /and/ scary. A laughing Lady Une was a terrifying thing—because there remained some kind of slightly hysterical (or was it insane?) note in every "ha" she uttered. He could feel his face reddening—or was it blanching? He really didn't care which—he just swore to himself to never let this happen again! //Not /this/ lifetime!//
Treize smiled. "We will contact you again later, Lady," he concluded, before terminating the connection.
Zechs turned towards his former commander with eyes narrowed behind the mask, motions deliberately slow. His very stance screamed that he was quite miffed. //Treize…….!// a mental growl built slowly.
The former Oz General smiled at the boy smugly, haughtily. "Yes?" he asked of that intense gaze.
"You are /so/ going to regret this…," Zechs promised.
Treize's smile actually broadened as he held up a pacifying finger. "But /not/," he stated with deliberate smugness, "until after hearing Noin's reaction to this change in you."
//Oh GOD…// Zechs groaned in dismay.
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To be continued.
I'm having too much fun with this… :)
Chapter Fifteen: It's Some Phase He's Going Through…
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Disclaimer—I own nothing; nothing, I tell you, hahahahahahah!
Warnings—Let's see now… Lady Une. Yes, I think she warrants some warning. Confusion and mild chaos and laughter at the expense of others, with potentially bruised shins. That constitutes as mental abuse and mild violence, right?
The gang decides to see what Lady Une was able to accomplish, and warn Noin before heading for Sanc. Looks like there's good reason to warn poor Noin just what she's in for, too…
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//I've kicked Heero Yuy's shins and lived to tell about it,// Miri mused with a slight smirk as he cradled a cupful of coffee, leaning against the rail as he watched the Tallgeese undergo repairs. //That's more than I was expecting, to be honest.//
A lightly-bandaged hand lifted to scratch where one feathery end of his bangs was tickling his cheek, and he tilted his head as he gazed up at the white beast.
//Does that mean I won our staring contest?//
"Hey, Zechs!" A voice below drew his attention, and he wrenched his gaze down in time to register something sailing up through the air in his direction from the floor below.
Instinctively, the hand abandoned his bangs and darted out to catch the object as it reached the peak of its trajectory, plucking it out of the air. Heavy, hard, metallic…
//The mask.// Lifting it up slightly, he smiled wryly into the glassy eyeholes. Somehow, the cracks had been drawn back together until they became mere thin seams, and the shattered left eyeglass had been replaced entirely. From a distance, nobody would guess it was still damaged. //Not a bad patch-job. But then, we hardly have time for me to ask someone to make another of these damn things. As if I want another one… I don't /like/ wearing it, but I must.//
Standing on tip-toes to peer over the rail, he flashed Abdul a light smile. "Thanks Abdul! At least now I don't have to worry about it falling apart when I put it down!" he called to the man below.
The Maganac grinned broadly back up at him, and waves a hand airily. "Hey, I'd replace the rest of the broken parts, but that thing's put together like a puzzle, and it'd take two days to cut the parts right. Sorry we don't have time like that right now…"
//This is good enough.// Zechs gestured at the Tallgeese with the mask, agreeing, "That's all right. Better if you put more time in fixing the museum display than this. It's not mean to last forever, after all!"
From the direction of the Tallgeese's cockpit, Auada's voice called out, "If it's not meant to last forever, why the heck did you want it fixed?"
Abdul chuckled, shaking his head. "You talking about the museum piece or the mask, Auada?" he laughed mischievously.
"Both!" the man working on the cockpit flung back.
Miri shook his head, smiling gently as he took a sip of his coffee… and not volunteering anything further. //I miss Meiser… and Walker… and Otto…// He sighed softly, sadly. //Stop making yourself melancholy, Miri…//
Abdul was still looking up at him expectantly.
"What?" the boy asked, arching a pale eyebrow at that intent stare. //Do I have a coffee moustache or something?//
"Well, why /do/ you wear that thing?" the Maganac countered, grinning still. "It can't be a bold fashion statement, after all. And obviously it's not as good as a crash helmet…"
//Why do I…?// Zechs tilted the mask so that it looked back at him. //I doubt they'll accept the excuse of "Habit, mostly".//
"While we're at it, I'd like to know, too," a familiar voice added from his left.
"Duo," Miri acknowledged, without turning to look. //He's very quiet when he walks…//
"So…?" They were waiting.
//And acknowledge that I'm ashamed to be fighting? Not willingly, no.// He blinked at his reflection in the smooth metallic surface. "You could have asked Treize that earlier… I didn't make it," Miri pointed out gruffly.
A bark of a laugh from Duo. "Talking to Treize is like trying to catch hummingbirds with a mobile suit—he's damnably evasive and likes to make you fly in circles!"
//True. He plays verbal and mental games. But I can play them, too, when I feel the need to.// Straightening, he tucked the mask under his free arm, and turned to go. "It's part of what makes Zechs Merquise," he offered obtusely.
At the end of the service balcony, though, as he reached for the ladder, he added quietly, almost under his breath, "…and spares others from being hurt."
Leaving them to puzzle that out, he sipped the last of his coffee as he walked back towards the kitchen. But his mind was wandering different trails, not registering his surroundings anymore. All he saw was a young girl with honey-blonde hair, gazing at him in a sort of innocent confusion and calm expectation as a man in battle fatigues fled behind her.
//It's best that she doesn't know what I've become… But what will I write to her?//
Miri had promised the letter only to get Heero's presence in Sanc, and hopefully raise their chances of success. But in doing so, he had set up a dilemma for himself…
//What the heck do I /say/ to her? "By the way, this is the brother you never knew you had and can you do me a small favor on behalf of saving the whole world from annihilation?"//
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Conferences were held. Just how much the unlikely allies managed to produce from them, however, was debatable. Quite a few exchanges of verbal sniper-fire, bellows of outrage, threats to dismantle various mobile suits, and bruised shins later, they managed to agree to a few things. Among them, contact Miss Noin off in Sanc and get an update from Lady Une on her extermination progress. Meanwhile, Rashid had taken on the responsibility of repairing and upgrading all the suits available—which, when you counted Treize's small army, constituted as a massive undertaking, though the Gundams and Tallgeese had priority on the list. Treize seemed intent on demoting himself to squadron leader of his small army and leaving the leadership to everyone else… and was taking some persuading to use his influence on others throughout the old Oz organization to try a little spying and terrorism on this new alliance's behalf.
Duo couldn't help but find it amusing, though.
"Oh for heaven's sake, Treize, we're not asking for the Moon Base here!" Zechs sighed, nearly jumping up and down in place with frustration. Duo could see the boy's hands clenching until they were as pale as his hair. "Just /contact/ them and ask them to pass information to wherever Heero's willing to collect it all."
"The main computer system for Romefeller should be sufficient," Wing's pilot added, seeming a bit tired of this.
The dignified man looked harried. Well, he /was/! Neat hair had strands straying, and wrinkles were starting to threaten the man's pristine blue attire. //About time,// Duo giggled to himself. //Welcome to the human level, General. Not that I've much sympathy for you… yet.// Still, the poor man looked like he was being backed into a corner. //It's not /that/ much we're asking for here—yeesh!//
"Please?" Quatre tried plaintively, eyes begging that this would finally be settled once and for all and preferably in their favor.
Treize sighed and brushed an errant hair out of his eye. "I have no wish to explain this, so please try to understand…" Ever calm, cool, and poised? No. For once the strain from their pressure had obviously cracked that exterior, though he tried to cling to it still.
Duo rolled his eyes and fought the urge to giggle. Each reacted in their own way—and it was amusing to watch. Quatre lowered his head into his hands with a groan. Trowa just closed his eyes. Heero leaned back in his chair and appeared to settle down to sleep—as if he thought this argument would go well into the night. Zechs sighed again, running a hand through his hair to get his bangs out of his face. //Looks like we'll be here a long time, guys… This nut's been a long time hardening.//
Finally, Zechs turned to Treize and stated, "You and I need to talk, then…"
Treize shook his head firmly. "I think all that could be said, has been, Zechs."
Blinking, Duo frowned. //He's pretty set. But that's the first time he's turned Zechs down like this.//
"Please."
The older man sighed quietly, eyes flicking shut a moment… then nodded, getting to his feet. "Fine. Five minutes. But I'm not about to change my mind."
In answer, the boy nodded and gestured for the General to precede him into the washroom.
//Okay, Zechs, that's a /strange/ choice of rooms for side-conferences,// Duo decided, blinking dazedly. The other Gundam pilots showed no reaction—in fact, Quatre didn't bother to lift his head, and Heero seemed to be dozing off!
The door shut behind the pair of ex-Oz officers with a soft click.
//Well, /I/ want to know what they have to say.// Scooping up his glass of water, Duo drained it dry, shook the last drop out, then stood and carefully put it against the door. //I hope this works…//
Heero's eyes cracked open and flicked his way.
//Oh, come on, Heero. Stop glaring at me like that. It's not like either of these two gives me actual /answers/!// Deathscythe's pilot made a face and mouthed "What?" at Wing's pilot.
Heero just rolled his eyes and closed them again.
Wrinkling his nose back at his fellow Gundam pilot, Duo set his ear to the glass and listened closely.
A hiss covered the background. Water, perhaps? It made things very difficult to catch. But Duo was an old snooper before, so his ears were very, very good. //Nice try, Zechs. But not good enough.//
"Perhaps you can guess why I do not want a prominent role in this," Treize murmured.
"Perhaps…" came the quiet reply, agreeing.
"Then don't ask it of me, Zechs."
"We have to. We need all the help we can get. I wouldn't ask if…" Zechs trailed to a halt, hesitating.
Treize seemed intent on getting the younger man to say it. "If…?"
"If it weren't so important."
"To you."
Anger flared. "Not just me!"
A pause, then, "Forgive me. That was cruel of me to say."
"You know me better, Treize. I know he is your kin, but the man has to be stopped…"
Duo blinked. //Treize is related to Duke Dermail? Huh!//
A quiet whisper of sound that Duo almost missed: "But not by me."
"No," Zechs conceded, agreeing. "Not by you, if we can help it. But with more information, we can keep you farther out of it…"
"Still, that means I helped. I really… don't wish to. Do you understand, Milliardo? You know how family loyalty is rooted in us from childhood… It drives you just as hard."
Duo frowned. //That name again. He often calls Zechs by his real name. I wish he gave a last name with that, though. Maybe then I could find the information neither of these two are willing to give me!//
A long pause. "I understand. But I still have to demand this much help out of you." Gentle, but sad.
"Because of what he did to you?"
Painful agreement followed. "Because of what he did to me. Because he had no qualms about doing it to you later. Because of what he did long ago as well… He ordered my family's death back then, didn't he, Treize." It wasn't a question, only seeking confirmation.
A long silence. Treize didn't seem to want to answer that question.
"I've had time to think… though it's not so easy when the rain is beating a drumbeat on your head and you're hanging by your wrists at the time." A wryness to those words. "He knew too much. And you are right—blood ties are very strong. Your ties to him kept me alive this long—but his ties to you mean you must have known all along."
//Treize said that they go way back—so it was Treize's friendship that's kept Dermail from killing Zechs? Then how come Zechs's whole family was killed by the guy? Doesn't the influence extend that far?// Duo fought the urge to scratch his ear, feeling confused. //Explains the kid's determination to fight, though—if Dermail's behind both his unhappy prison stay and his family's annihilation!//
"I can't condemn my own granduncle to death, Milliardo. Nor is it right for me to add my hand to it." Painful… Was there a hint of shame in those words?
"I know. For that much, I can forgive you. But I'm sacrificing almost as much as you in this endeavor, remember."
"Your sister. Sanc."
Duo stiffened at that news. //He has a sister? I thought he said his whole family's dead! And Sanc… Things keep returning to that country…//
"Yes." Zechs's answer was soft.
"You don't think he will leave much of Sanc standing in the end, then."
Hesitantly, quietly… "No. And even if it is, you know I can't return…"
"To what you once were? You still are that, though you don't see it in yourself, Milliardo. Others do. You can't hide it."
Bitterly, "I haven't tried to hide it. Only my own shame do I hide, Treize."
A quiet sigh. "When you break free of your family's conditioning, maybe you'll finally see that it's nothing to be ashamed of... and forgive yourself."
Smiling, Duo's eyes widened at the distant wall he was facing. //So /that's/ why he wears the mask. A pacifist ashamed to kill… And Zechs is his killing persona. I wonder who he will be when he decides to shed it?//
"We're talking about /your/ family's conditioning right now, Treize," came a quiet growl.
A long pause. Then, "All right. I will have them pass information to Heero."
"Then you will contact your loyal supporters still in the organization?"
Wearily, "Yes."
Zechs's response was grave. "Thank you." The hissing stopped with a squeak as the sink faucet was twisted off.
//Ack! Can't be caught!// Duo almost jumped back, pulling the glass from the door, and whirled, desperate for some excuse to be standing. Immediately, he leapt for the pitcher of water and began refilling his glass.
"You can start," Zechs was saying sweetly as they emerged, "by contacting Lady Une, then."
Treize sighed heavily.
Duo blinked, exchanging looks with the other Gundam pilots. //Is that some form of revenge?//
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
One could say that, yes.
Treize did not look very happy when he sat down at the visual com. Zechs, standing to the side well out of the machine's pick-up range, was smirking with arms across his chest, repaired mask dangling from one lightly- bandaged hand. Hanging out in the doorway, Duo and Heero had decided to watch the proceedings… from a safe distance. They appeared to think this would be amusing.
//He's going to try to turn the tables, I'm sure of it,// Miri mused, watching the General punch the correct codes for contacting Lady Une in space. //I just hope she doesn't laugh when she finds out about me… I'm getting very tired of people laughing. It's not /funny/. At least on this end!//
Waiting for the call to go through, another thought hit him. //Damn. Noin's going to see me like this. I just /know/ she'll laugh... I'm /never/ going to live down her next set of height-jokes…!//
The boy released a long-suffering sigh.
Treize gave Zechs a look that said, "I haven't done anything to you yet!" Duo and Heero just glanced at him quizzically.
Giving his head a dismissive shake to turn those three sets of eyes away, Miri resumed his smirk.
//I got the General to do stuff for me. Nana nana nyah!// All right, it was a little child's gleeful success. He didn't care.
It startled the heck out of the man known as Zechs Merquise, though!
Zechs's widened eyes stared into space in sudden concern. //Okay… This… is not good.//
Before he could panic or examine the implications of it, though, the call finally went through and Lady Une's image appeared on the screen. Personal problems were immediately shelved for turning full attention to their war- plans.
"Your—your Excellency!" She seemed surprised.
"Lady. It is good to see you again." Treize maintained his calm expression, steepling his hands together. "I take it by your surprised expression that rumors abound concerning my demise?"
"I… ah… Well, yes, your Excellency." She blinked owlishly behind her glasses. "Word placed you dead and branded Zechs as the traitor who killed you…"
Dipping his head slightly, Treize smiled gently. "Hardly true. Romefeller would wish so, however. No, what happened is this. Romefeller tried to lock up first Zechs, then myself. It appears Duke Dermail considers both of us a threat to his hold on power. However, considering that we have therefore broken away and begun yet another revolution—against Romefeller—he can now be proved correct."
"A… new revolution." Lady Une sounded far from thrilled by the prospect.
"Exactly," Treize purred reassuringly. "However, it is vital for us to know how your mission went…"
"Fairly well, your Excellency," Lady Une answered with a bit of hesitation.
Concern pricked Zechs's spine. //Not 'Successful'? Please tell me she didn't screw up. Please tell me she didn't screw up. Please tell me—//
"Tsuberov was to be taken into custody in the Moon Base. He resisted arrest, however, and managed to set some of those mobile doll things of his on my men. However, they reported blowing him up with his new toys… Unfortunately that means they blew up the rest of the Moon Base in the process…"
Duo had blanched at the thought of so many casualties. Heero's gaze had sharpened to and angry point. Zechs just closed his eyes and shook his head in dismay. //Lady Une… When you clean house, you don't just take out the dust… but the whole block as well!//
"…and with it, the records concerning the number of mobile dolls he successfully delivered so far to Earth."
//Oh damn.//
Treize merely sighed. "That is a shame. However, it is good news that /that/ mad scientist cannot create more monsters for us to face down here… While I am not the most certain of the efficiency of your methods, Lady, you have produced good results."
//I know she /lives/ for Treize's approval, but really, she won't change unless he stops praising her overkill tendencies…// the boy sighed with mental disapproval. Winking at Duo, Zechs mock-gagged silently in the background, drawing a smile from the black-clad Gundam pilot—and to his surprise, Heero as well.
Treize glanced at him warningly before continuing, "That reminds me, Lady—what have you done thus far concerning the scientists behind Operation Meteor, and the freedom of the colonies?"
Lady Une smiled at this change of topic. "A great deal, your Excellency. We have taken into custody all five of the scientists responsible—"
That drew gasps from both Gundam pilots, and even Zechs's eyes widened. //How…? And she didn't overkill this? She got them? What did they do—surrender nicely? They must have! No other way this is possible!//
"—and they are currently locked away in Barge. I have gone around the a couple colonies and begun to reassure them that we fight for their freedom against the Alliance…" There, she paused uncertainly. "Should I change the name of who they are indebted to, your Excellency?"
Treize chuckled softly. "No, let them think it is Oz. But do try to turn their gratitude more towards /our/ Oz and not Dermail's. The distinction will be important later on. As for the scientists…"
When Treize paused, both Gundam pilots stiffened, bracing themselves as if to fight, glaring at the dignified man warningly. Zechs looked from them to his old friend, waiting, curious. //If he has them killed, these two'll be on him in an instant, witnesses or no. It would be nice if we could get those scientists to help us out…//
"Please have them sent down here to Earth. I believe… Hmmm… Brussels is probably the best place to send them," the General mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I believe we can utilize their skills…"
Duo and Heero relaxed… but their eyes still stayed vigilantly on Treize, wary.
"At the moment," Lady Une partially growled, "they are adamant that they will not help us in the least. However, with a bargaining chip, they could likely build us something even stronger than the Gundams."
The two Gundam pilots stiffened again, like synchronized puppets.
Treize smiled slowly, slyly, eyeing the alert pair a moment before looking back to Lady Une.
Zechs echoed that smile slowly. //I think we can persuade them. Or, rather, their pilots can on the behalf of this alliance.//
"I don't think persuading them will be a problem, Lady Une. Please deliver them as soon as possible, however. And keep up the good work." The ginger- haired General beamed cheerfully at his deadly aid before adding, "By the way, before we go, I think Zechs has a few words he'd like to say…"
Evil mischief flickered in Treize's eyes as he looked Zechs's way. The blonde boy glared back. //I /knew/ it. Treize, your shins are going to be /so/ dead after this…// "Treize," he growled warningly.
"Did something happen to his voice, your Excellency?" Lady Une inquired, seeming confused.
Treize merely shook his head negatively at her question, then waved for Zechs to come stand beside him… for the view screen to pick up.
Making a face, Zechs plopped his cracked mask over his head and reluctantly obeyed, coming to stand beside Treize's seated form and forcing an impassive expression over what could be seen of his face. It didn't hide his clenched jaws, however. //Treize… I'm going to pour the last of that rubber cement into your boots tonight for this!//
He watched Lady Une's eyes widen like saucers. Her jaw slowly sank open. But she wasn't one easily stunned—at least, not for long. A tinge of anger furrowed her brow. "This is… some kind of a joke, your Excellency?" She sounded uncertain if he was playing games with her.
"Hardly," Zechs sighed wearily. //So far, no laughing…// Well, that made him feel a /little/ better.
Treize shook his head in slow denial. "No."
"When you next see those scientists, Lady Une," Zechs tried, swallowing his pride, "please do me a favor…"
She blinked dazedly at him from behind her glasses.
"Ask them if they can bring a person back to his normal age?"
Lady Une continued staring a long moment, eyes almost blankly staring through the pale-haired boy.
Then she burst out laughing. Because it was the first time Zechs had ever heard her laugh, it was both humiliating /and/ scary. A laughing Lady Une was a terrifying thing—because there remained some kind of slightly hysterical (or was it insane?) note in every "ha" she uttered. He could feel his face reddening—or was it blanching? He really didn't care which—he just swore to himself to never let this happen again! //Not /this/ lifetime!//
Treize smiled. "We will contact you again later, Lady," he concluded, before terminating the connection.
Zechs turned towards his former commander with eyes narrowed behind the mask, motions deliberately slow. His very stance screamed that he was quite miffed. //Treize…….!// a mental growl built slowly.
The former Oz General smiled at the boy smugly, haughtily. "Yes?" he asked of that intense gaze.
"You are /so/ going to regret this…," Zechs promised.
Treize's smile actually broadened as he held up a pacifying finger. "But /not/," he stated with deliberate smugness, "until after hearing Noin's reaction to this change in you."
//Oh GOD…// Zechs groaned in dismay.
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To be continued.
I'm having too much fun with this… :)