Disclaimer: Me no own Gundam Wing. Gundam Wing belongs to Bandai, Sotsu, Sunrise, etc.

Author's Note: This chapter really didn't have much done to it. I guess that means that by this point I was already getting a feel for my style. Any changes were strictly stylistic ones.

ZERO SOUL

Chapter 9: Three Steps Back

By: Vegie-kun

"You let her escape!" Zechs' raging voice filled the conference room. He'd just arrived at Preventer Headquarters expecting to see his sister back to normal, memory and all, yet was met with a report that she had broken out. His morning had not been good, having been informed by Une that many nations were now considering choosing sides; either that of the E.S.U.N. or OZ. Although just rumors, this was not what he wanted to hear right now.

"Wind, can you please refrain from shouting. I still have a headache from that blow your sister gave me," Sally calmly chided as she felt the back of her head for bumps. "We didn't know that she was acting… I mean she was really convincing, and she probably would've fooled you as well." She sighed deeply and leaned back into the seat of her chair.

Zechs was about to say something more, but Noin jumped in before he had the chance. "She's gone and there's nothing we can do at the moment so we have to put her on hold," Hew voice of reason reached everyone's ear. "Right now the bigger problem is OZ and the possibility that they might launch a full scale attack at any moment." She turned to look at Zechs and saw his shocked express; she knew right away what he was thinking. She'd been around him long enough to tell what his thoughts were, even before he knew himself. "Zechs, I care about Relena too, but think," she tried to reason with him, "OZ isn't going to harm her. If she were some special soldier of theirs they would want her alive and safe. We'll find her eventually, probably a whole lot faster if we get rid of OZ first."

"I agree with Noin," all eyes turned to Sally. "From what we've found so far it's obvious they put a lot of time and money into her so they won't want to risk anything happening to her just yet. In fact, I think they need her before they can even start to attack."

"Why would you say that?" Lady Une asked from her position at the head of the table.

"Well," she closed her eyes to focus on what she wanted to say, "When Relena was here they could have started their assault at any time considering how we were distracted with her but instead they did nothing. And during that time OZ hasn't attacked any other bases."

"Hmmm..." Quatre started with a worried look, "I don't know why, but I have a bad feeling about what's still to come... a really bad feeling."

"What do you mean, Quatre?" Duo asked from across the table.

"Do you remember the time when we were discussing if she could pilot a Gundam?" he paused to see Duo's reaction and continued when the other boy nodded his head. "Well, something tells me that we're going to find the answer to that real soon."

"You don't think they really have the capability to build one do you?" Duo asked skeptically.

"They've done it before," came Zechs' cold and indifferent reply, "what's to stop them from making another one now?" His mind pictured the Epyon, and he recalled the feeling he had while piloting that evil machine. He remembered the ZERO system, both the one on WingZERO and the Epyon, and how they had manipulated his mind before he could finally control the thing. It made him queasy, thinking of his sister piloting something like that.

"Has anyone noticed that Heero's not here?" Wufei spoke up suddenly, realizing he hadn't heard any grunts or felt any death glares in the last twenty minutes they'd been in the room.

"Yeah..." Duo chimed in, "and Trowa's not here either," His eyes wandered around the room. "Wonder where they went…"

"Heero," Trowa's voice rang over the carrier's communication link, "are you sure you can handle it on your own?" His voice was calm, but Heero could detect the note of worry. Doctor J had contacted Heero a short while ago telling him that an OZ mobile suit was attacking that same naval base. It was the perfect time for him to intercept it, capture its pilot, and get the information they needed. Heero, however, was on a mission of his own and couldn't spare the time to go to the base but and surprisingly admitted to needing Trowa to cover for him.

"Yeah," he replied and switched the other pilot off. Trowa would be headed towards the naval base in the southern United Kingdom while Heero sought out his prey. The Japanese pilot usually didn't disclose any kind of information voluntarily; however, he trusted the quiet Heavyarms pilot. He was the one most likely to keep a secret. Heero was always amazed at how similar the two of them were; understanding each other without needing words. His skill at blending into his surroundings was another point of admiration, something Heero never really got the hang of. Of course, he respected the others as well, but he'd never admit that to their faces. They'd just get cocky and think his walls were breaking down and try to get him to be social. Of course the word is try; like he'd actually let any of them break him. /Not even her./

During his flight he pictured those red eyes staring at him with as much emotion as an unpainted mask. Every time he'd looked into those crimson pools he'd always seem to get angry, frustrated, depressed, sad, and confused. That was one too many emotions that didn't need to be there, especially all at once. Even if he didn't understand the other feelings, he at least knew why he was angry, or more appropriately who he was angry at: himself. /Shit! Everything that's happened so far is my fault. I failed my mission and now everyone is suffering... myself included... I guess being haunted by those red eyes is apt punishment. Those eyes... they do so well to remind me of my failures... the deaths I've caused... my death... the possibility of her death... they do nothing but mock me... they're indifferent to me... They don't even realize who I am... She doesn't know who I am... What I mean to her... Did I even mean anything to her? Of course I did! I always saw it in her eyes. But dammit, I can't see anything in them anymore.../

He shook his head trying to dispel the distracting thoughts and feelings. Why should he bother with such things anyways, it wasn't like he cared. He had the opportunity to end everything now and then everything will be as it should. He would be able to go back to the shadows where he belonged, out of the hearts and minds of others. /Her heart, her mind/Shaking his head once more he concentrated on the image on the computer screen and a dark grin spread across his stoic face. Increasing the carrier's jet engines he soared through the sky.

"Sir! Good news!" the soldier at a console shouted, "It seems like Rei got our transmission. She's heading back to base and will be here in about half an hour." The console operator was finally able to deliver some good news to the general who had just walked in.

"How is she?" the General asked as he walked closer to the monitors. "Patch me directly to her."

"Yes, sir!" another soldier promptly obeyed as he pushed a few keys.

"Rei?" His tone was softer than the one he had used with the soldiers in the room but its commanding quality was still present.

"Present," the pilot responded as her image appeared on the monitor's screen. Her long, honey blonde hair was still wet, sticking to parts of her face, slightly flushed from the cold rain and the early morning exercise.

"Are you injured?" He leaned closer to the monitor to examine her face. There wasn't much concern in his voice or eyes but that was how the man usually was. If someone had just been run over by a car he would've shown the exact same amount of worry and concern.

"Negative," she replied, the emotionless voice was barely audible above the noise of the engines.

"Did they discover anything that I should be worried about?" He needed to know if they had tampered with the Seele units in any way. Time was short and he couldn't afford to plant another one of those things on her head or retrain her for that matter.

"Negative."

"Do you have the data on the homing missiles?" his eyes narrowed as he waited for the answer.

"Affirmative."

"Good job, Rei." He turned off the monitor and headed towards the door. The huge metal barrier slid open but he waited a few seconds before exiting. /There's something different about her. Her face is the same but her eyes betray her... What happened to her back there?... Did they do something to her?... I'd better let the doctors check her over when she gets back. I can't afford any mistakes; not at this point of the game./

In a laboratory in an undisclosed location, lights from panels and monitors illuminated the room while the sound of keyboard keys clicked away in a corner. It blended with the slight humming of generators in the background and the muffled sounds of the latest news report on the T.V. The place would almost seem abandoned if it weren't for the soft sound of footsteps. One of the monitors suddenly blinked and the image of Trowa appeared.

"Trowa?" Doktor S questioned as he turned on the lights. The whole room filled with the artificial brightness and the figures of the other scientists came into view. Doctor J was typing up some sort of program on a computer in the corner with Inspector H looking over his shoulder. On the other side of the lab was Master O bent over a steel table with a piece of scrap metal in one hand and a welding gun in the other. The door to the lab slid open and Professor G stepped in.

"Who is it?" he asked as he moved towards his comrades who were now facing the monitor.

"The naval base in the southern United Kingdom has been completely destroyed." Trowa got straight to point, not wasting time with words of greetings or acknowledgements.

"How did you know?" Doctor J exclaimed, surprise lacing his voice. "I thought I sent Heero to intercept the target there,"

"Heero had his own mission," the Heavyarms pilot replied with little emotion.

"I see," the old man said as his clawed hand clicked open and shut.

"Was the enemy there?" Professor G asked, leaning towards the screen, his one visible eye staring at the young pilot through the slit in his hair.

"Negative. The base was destroyed when I arrived, and I detected no one," he reported.

"Alright." the mushroom haired man said. "That'll be all for now. You can go." After giving a slight nod Trowa's image disappeared. He turned back to the others and moved his gaze to each one of them to get their take on things.

"Could it be that girl?" Master O inquired his work still in hand.

"It's very likely since she did escape, however, I'm more worried about what type of mobile suit she's piloting. Speaking of which... where did that weapon of yours head off to?" he asked looking in Doctor J's direction.

"Knowing Heero, he's probably found an OZ base or something else just as interesting to destroy," he mused lightly giving a soft chuckle.

"Well, anyways," Inspector H continued, "it seems as if the situation has changed once again."

"Yes, but how are we going to handle it?" Doktor S piped up as he leaned against the computer. "If she has a suit then it will be inevitable that she will engage the others in battle."

"If that happens we won't be able to guarantee Miss Darlian's safety or the safety of our pilots for that matter. I guess the only thing we can do is try and make sure it doesn't come to the point where we have to kill her," Doctor J concluded turning serious.

"OZ knew what they were doing when they chose Darlian as their new soldier," Professor G sneered while drawing up a chair to sit on. "If she dies in battle there's the possibility that she'll become a martyr and you can bet the entire world will blame the Gundam pilots and probably the colonies as well. Then..."

"We'll have another war on our hands... or worse," Master O finished. "But if we don't stop her, she'll help OZ succeed in their plans."

The room became quiet as the five men began to brood on their thoughts. They had to find a way to get Darlian out of OZ's hands for good so the Gundam pilots could begin their assault. However, that task was easier said than done considering they didn't even know where OZ's main base was situated. The fact that the public had still not been made privy to OZ's resurrection was the only point of comfort they held. Oh sure, there were lots of rumors surrounding the attacks on the bases but nothing had been confirmed because it was only a lone mobile suit that had carried out the attacks. They knew that when OZ did decide to reveal itself the whole world would reel from the shock of it. From the data they had gathered thus far, OZ had an unmatched army of mobile suits that would be more than enough to overwhelm the Gundams. Everything they had done was done in secret and even though WingZERO's pilot had shed light on the matter they still didn't know how many they were to face.

"What if we can get a hold of those devices on her head; like a sample or spare?" Doktor S broke the contemplative silence. "Then we would have something and we'd be able to figure out just how they work and hopefully deactivate them on her."

"How are we going to get our hands on them anyways?" Professor G interrupted. "Hmmm... Why don't we have your boy go and see if he can get his hands on one of them? He's more than capable of infiltrating their base once he finds their location."

"I'm afraid that Heero has turned off his communication link and won't turn it back on until he's finished with whatever mission he assigned himself. I've already tried all his frequencies," the robotic armed man answered.

"I guess we wait then," was Master O's response as he walked back to his table to finish whatever he was working on.

WingZERO raced through the sky in a blur of colors as morning turned to afternoon. Heero had abandoned his carrier a while ago; having lacked the necessary amount of fuel to take him all the way. He didn't care though; he would've had to abandon it eventually and doing so now would save him the trouble once he caught up to her. /Rei./ His grip on the control handles tightened as an image of her face appeared in his mind; her red eyes blazing in her pale face accompanied by a smirk that seemed to challenge him... taunt him. /Just keep on going. You can't hide from me. I will find you then make you give her back.../ Without realizing it he had caused WingZERO to speed up more than he'd wanted, his rage blinding him. Fighting to keep control of his actions he slowly released his grip. He couldn't risk getting too close without being picked up by her radar or anything else that was out there.

His gaze shifted back to the radar on his left and raised his brows, slightly surprised. He recognized the area the girl was headed towards, having flown over the place in one of his past missions. The boy's brain raced quickly over the possible courses of action he should now take. After going over every single one of them he finally decided on the one that seemed to have the best percentage of success. Instead of intercepting and engaging the target like he'd originally planned, he would now try to beat it to its destination and hide. It was possible the area could be the base's location. Mentally confirming his plans he let out a small sigh before steering WingZERO into another direction and blasting off at full speed.

/I can make it. If I can just push WingZERO a bit more I can make it. This is an opportunity I can't waste, something I can't afford to lose... But what if something goes wrong?... What if I'm not fast enough, and I end up getting there just when she does?... What if we end up fighting? Can I fight her?... Yes, I can... It's not really her... It's not really Relena./ He didn't want to think about the possibility of fighting her… of killing her, but it kept popping back up in his mind. Although he knew he could do it, he had never able to and probably couldn't bring himself to do so now. But even as much as it hurt him to think so, deep down he knew that if OZ was winning because of her - if they couldn't bring her back, then she'd have to die. Heero had already planned everything out, ignoring the pain that arose in his chest when he did so. He'd be the one to kill her if the situation turned for the worse. No one else would be allowed that responsibility. No one else would have to have that kind of guilt on his or her soul. It would be easier for them to blame him instead of having them blame themself. He owed those people something for everything they had done for him.

/How many times does that make it now?/ He thought bitterly, trying to remember how many times he had threatened or tried to kill her. The Japanese pilot tried to shake off those thoughts but kept on slipping back to the subject of her death. Death. The one thing that always seemed to cling to him no matter where he went or what he did. Though most of the time he could easily shut out those feelings since the majority of the people he killed deserved it; every single one of them. /::But what about that little girl?::/ Heero's heart sank at the very thought of that girl. /::So sweet, so innocent, so caring, more worried about you than herself... just like her::... NO!/ He shook those thoughts free once more, knowing he had to harden himself for the task of killing Rei if that was what he had to do. This wouldn't be like the other incidents. He would be successful this time around; there'd be no walking away. /As long as I don't have to look at those eyes./ Instead of shooting her in a face off, he would kill her during a mobile suit battle, that way he wouldn't falter if their gaze came across one another.

"Ryoukai," his affirmation was hard set.

He hadn't noticed it before but he was already nearing his destination. It was an area near the exact point where he had self-detonated Wing. The thoughts haunting him came to a halt as he slowed WingZERO down, landing in a snowy wonderland that was once a lush evergreen forest. Setting the Gundam down in a comfortable position he unstrapped himself and opened the cockpit's entrance. Before climbing out he reached behind the back of the seat and pulled out a large bundle of white material. Having secured the thing in his arms he stepped outside and proceeded to climb up WingZERO. Once he was standing on top of its head, with one quick thrust of his arms, he flung the camouflage netting over the Gundam. It gently folded the machine into itself and soon the mobile suit looked like nothing more than a pile of fallen snow. Nodding in satisfaction he descended from the Gundam, jumping from one body part to another.

As he landed on the ground he heard the familiar sound of jet engines and his head tilted towards the heavens. His brows perked up when he saw the flash of red and an eerie image appeared in front of him. While watching the metal monster change from its flight form to its familiar mobile suit figure Heero pressed himself against a tree to escape detection. /Epyon?/ Heero couldn't believe what he was seeing, but despite his shock he didn't make any attempts to move forward or run away. The Japanese pilot stood still as Epyon slowly descended to the ground, its thrusters easing its downward flight. It landed on the ground with a loud thud and stood completely still as if waiting for something to happen. /Relena's in that thing?... No!/

*CLICK* *CLICK* *CLICK*

The sound of metal locks being disengaged reached Heero's ears and he snuck a peek to see what was happening. When his head popped into view, he took in the image of the snow covered earth moving apart, while the square patch of snow that Epyon stood upon remained still. There was more muffled sounds of metal moving as the platform Epyon was on began to move down. /An underground base!/ Seeing the suit slowly being lowered into the darkness below, Heero made his move and ran to the platform. Silently slipping near the mobile suit's large metal feet, he hid himself as the suit was lowered deeper still. /This is very deep underground. No wonder it was so hard to find. This place is probably more than a hundred meters underground. At this depth not even the satellites could pick it up./

Minutes passed and soon Heero could see light from below the platform, as it slowly got brighter. Swiftly, he moved behind Neo Epyon's left foot and pressed his body as close to it as possible to prevent giving himself away. The platform soon came to a complete stop, a loud bang signaled that it had made contact with the base's steel foundation. He heard the sound of the suit's cockpit door opening followed by the thump of a figure landing on the floor. Heero held his breath when he heard the sound of different footsteps approaching. They were walking in the girl's direction and soon they all came to an abrupt halt.

"Did you encounter any problems on the way here?" The general's icy blue eyes searched her face questioningly.

"Negative," her equally cold voice replied in turn.

"That's good. We had better take a look at the Seele units, no telling what those Preventers could've done to them." He motioned for the two doctors accompanying him forward and they quickly obeyed. One went behind her and began to usher her towards the exit while the other opened the door. Once they were out the general turned back to look at the Neo Epyon for a moment before exiting the hangar as well. Heero remained steadfast and silent behind the Gundam's foot as he glared at the man's retreating form.

In a medical examination room within the underground base, a group of doctors were working away, examining the head of the Neo Epyon pilot. Seated on top of their examination table, she kept obediently silent and still as wires and sensors were hooked up to her head and the mysterious devices. One of the men sat in front of a computer typing away as information ran across its screen. Another was looking at the readings displayed on the machines telling of her condition. Two more were inspecting her head, fingering the Seele units for any signs of damage. The beeping and clicking sounds of the machines and computer filled the small room, making it impossible for the doctors to take notice of the metallic banging sound that came from above; Rei, however, heard it loud and clear. Ripping the wires and sensors from her head she reached behind and pulled out her gun. Ignoring the bewildered doctors, she opened the door and ran out of the room.

"What do you think that was all about?" an old man with white hair and green eyes asked his colleagues.

"Do you think it's the Seele units?" a younger man with graying brown hair queried.

"They shouldn't have given her that kind of reaction," another doctor with black hair and a dense beard answered.

/Shit! She heard me./ After having been so careless with his movements, Heero now found himself running down the dark corridors of the OZ base. The girl had heard him and was now after him, yet he did not know where she was or if she was close to him or not. /Dammit, I have to find a way out of here. Let's see… I have no knowledge of this base's floor plans, I don't have access to any of its facilities, and I only brought one gun, two extra magazines, and a few explosives./ Surveying his surroundings as he ran, his mind assessed his situation. /I don't have enough fire power to blow this place up and I have no idea where to go... Wait a minute. The hangar! Epyon! I can use that thing to blast my way out of here and destroy the base./ Making sure no one was around he quickly made his way back to the hangar, taking out the guards who took notice of him.

Within minutes he found his way back to the hangar that held the Gundam, firing at the control panel the door opened and he ran inside. His sights were soon set on the Epyon. Making his way to the machine an object suddenly dropped in front of him, blocking his path. It was Rei once again, a gun held firmly in her hand as she glared at the intruder. Heero didn't flinch as he trained the gun on her. /Don't make me do this... I can't kill you... not like this.../

*clap* *clap* *clap*

Heero's gaze shifted to the noise and he saw a man with dark hair and blue eyes walking in their direction, grinning in amusement. "So this is the famous Heero Yuy," he addressed, chuckling softly. His laughter stopped, and his blue eyes fixed themselves on the young man. "The things they say about you weren't just rumors after all. I give you much credit for being able to find and infiltrate this base. No one has been able to until now... So tell me, how you were able to do it?" The general waited patiently for the pilot to answer but when none was forthcoming he motioned to Rei, and she undid the safety of her gun.

"Disk," the young man replied, hatred filling his voice.

With her free hand, Rei reached inside her chest pocket and retrieved the disk. Examining it, gun still in hand, she soon found a small object lodged in one of its crevices, something she had overlooked the first time around. She nodded to the general, affirmation that the boy hadn't been lying.

"I have to congratulate you again, Heero Yuy," Whitenburg commented as he proceeded to the girl's side. "Not only did you and your people capture her but you tricked her into revealing our location. That's quite an accomplishment... So... what were you hoping to achieve next?" There was a gleam in his eyes that challenged the Prussian blue glare. "Oh," he exclaimed when he saw the young man's gaze shift slightly to Rei. "You people still want her back?" he asked mockingly, "Even after everything she's done? After all the people she's killed? All the lives she will continue to take?" Again he gave a soft laugh.

"That is not her," Heero seethed.

"Oh, but it is," the general sneered. "Here, I'll show you." Smiling he turned to the girl and gave his command. "Rei, show him your pretty smile." With that command all the coldness disappeared from her face as a new emotion quickly replaced it.

/No./ The smile she had on was Relena's, holding none of Rei's personality behind them. It was a genuine happy smile that screamed of Relena's warmth, gentleness, and love. She often gave him that warm smile even when he refused to return it. Seeing it now he almost believed it was really the girl he used to know... the one he had come to care for... the one he'd protect at the cost of his life. /How? You're not her... but... but I see her in your eyes./

"Okay. Now show him your hatred," the general commanded again. Just like before, the previous emotion was washed away leaving only the one that Whitenburg desired.

/Damn you./ He almost couldn't believe it when he saw her eyes blaze at him with unbearable loathing. This was a look she rarely gave to anyone, only to those that committed certain acts, which could never be forgiven. But he recognized it and it truly belonged to her. She wasn't one to hate and if she did, she'd forgive easily. /What did they do to you to make you turn this way?... or is this what you really feel towards me?/

Seeing the Gundam pilot's almost unnoticeable reaction fueled the man to go further. "Now, show him how sad you can be," he ordered with a menacing gleam in his eye. Again, she obeyed her superior's command and a new face replaced the previous.

/.../ This was too much for Heero to bear as he stared into those red orbs. Every single pain she had ever experienced in her life showed itself in that gaze. The pain she felt for the people, her family, her friends, the world, the colonies, herself, and him. That pain cried to him and tore him to pieces inside. He wanted to reach out and embrace her to, comfort her from the hurt. This wasn't the empty shell that once had a gun pointed at him, this was Relena. /Relena.../ He knew it was hers; he was usually the one to bring such an expression about. He tried to speak but found his voice had failed him. Defeated, he dropped his gun and summoning everything he still held within him, he breathed out. "How?" It was barely above a whisper but the general still heard.

"Because we have that kind of power," the man said triumphantly. With a flick of his hand, four soldiers appeared and took hold of the Gundam pilot, leading him out of the room. The boy didn't struggle and allowed himself to be led away. "That'll be all for now, Rei."

Hearing those words she dropped her own gun and began to walk out as well, but her face had not reverted back to its cold mask. Her eyes still overflowed with sadness and she couldn't explain the pain she felt in her chest. It was a pain that emanated from her heart, the one that was supposed to be dead.

-to be continued-