Nanashi Chapter 8
I do not own Gundam Wing..which really sucks!
I'm so sorry it's been so long, I just want to let you all know that this story will be completed, actually it's all written out, and only needs to be typed and edited. Thanks to all for being so patient ^_^ here's a nice long chapter for all of you
I'd also like to thank Midii Une You're the greatest ^_^ thanks so much for editing for me ^_^ !!!! You are the King of Men!!!!!!!!!!
***
Midii paced back and forth along the length of the living room, they had only arrived hours ago and already they were preparing to make a strike on Kain's base. The pilots were not wasting any time in bringing their friend back, they continued to ask questions to which she did not respond, in her mind she felt as though she had already said to much to Quatre. After this night she would have no ties with this man, Midii intended to see that end. Her anger at Trowa was gone now, and had been replaced with something she was not entirely familiar with.
They had left Erik on earth in the care of one of Quatre's many sisters, and already she missed him, the way he smiled and cooed when Trowa came into a room. It brightened her soul, to see the two of them together, and witness a side of Trowa few even thought existed. The artificial lights of the colony was slowly beginning to fade, Midii stopped pacing by the unveiled window and stared up at the sky to the other side of the colony, where Kain's base was located. Lights in the room came on suddenly causing Midii to turn as Duo walked in hands crammed down into his pockets. They had taken up residence in the Bèovel family's old home, it felt strange to her to be living in the house that they had been murdered in, but it was necessary.
"We're almost ready." Duo said coming to stand beside her, "we'll have Trowa back before the night is through you can be sure of that." He smiled, and she could tell he was trying to cheer her up, though she could not bring herself to respond, "come on, you make it seem as though we'll never find him."
Midii laughed slightly, "strange dream, which I can't seem to shake that's all." She rubbed the back of her neck, turning away from both Duo and the window.
"You wanna talk about it?" he gently asked.
"No" Midii smiled over her shoulder; "it was just a dream." A dream of Trowa trapped in a corner, mind torn, eyes bleeding with the horror of what he was being forced to face alone. Midii ran one hand through her hair, trying to banish the image from her mind forever.
"Well in that case, we had better meet with the others, so we can get started." Duo turned and started to walk from the room, braid swinging behind him.
Glancing out the window one last time, Midii quickly followed after, hands trembling, slightly, though she tried to stay them. One hand strayed back behind her to where she carried her gun, and her fingers gently stroked its cold surface. Kain would pay for what he had done to her and Trowa. She walked into the dining room where Heero, and Duo waited, Heero was typing as usual at his computer, but she was not sure what it was he was doing.
Quatre walked in slowly, a piece of paper held before him which he was reading intently, "how much longer Heero?" he inquired without looking up.
"Two minutes, if that." Was the monotone response.
"You're sure we'll have enough time?" Duo leaned back in his chair looking completely relaxed, as always.
"It may take them all night to finish the repairs. We'll be done well before then." Heero said his fingers never pausing in their motions.
Midii flipped a chair around and sat upon it, resting her arms upon it she dropped her head to them. "How is this all going to work?" She questioned finally, for the most part she was not too interested, her mind was only on the end results, but she knew it was important that she be aware.
"Simple," Duo spoke leaning forwards, dropping his feet to the floor, "you'll stay with Quatre and myself during the mission, Heero and Wufei are going to rig the base to explode and remove any of the resistance."
"You have taken into account that Kain has a high tech security system, haven't you?" she cocked her head to one side not entirely sure she liked the boyishly enthusiastic glow in Duo's eyes.
"Please, what do you think Heero's doing right now?"
"All right," Heero said standing, closing his laptop, just as Wufei entered the room along with Sally. S he was not going to be joining them but instead was going to try and make contact with Draken. Midii came to her feet with the rest of them and they all walked from the house, Sally spoke softly to Quatre before disappearing back into the large house. They all climbed silently into the nondescript grey van, and had soon left the Bèovel home behind.
Duo drove down the roads at a recklessly fast pace but Midii had not realised they were going that fast until she glanced at the speedometer. He handled the van smoothly, taking the less travelled back roads. Time slipped by, as did the scenery, and nothing was said, the pilots seemed focused and ready, but she thought to herself when had they not? As they drew nearer to the base Heero opened his computer and again began to type, his fingers racing with speed and precision.
As the van pulled to a stop a short distance from the base Heero hit the last key and all the lights went out, street lamps, houses, everything. She ducked low, glancing up at the side of the colony they had come from; nothing shone from there either. Midii turned to Heero with some surprise.
"Security doesn't work without electricity." He responded without looking.
"What about back up generators?"
"I took care of his." Heero placed his computer to one side and stepped from the van, shrugging a backpack over one shoulder, Wufei carried one much the same. They wasted no time covering the short distance to the base, Heero, and Wufei quickly slipped ahead, their feet carrying them silently.
Duo pulled Midii off to one side before entering; he brought forward a small computer and handed it to her. "As far as we can tell this is where he's being held." He whispered pointing to the room on the display.
She nodded looking up into his eager eyes, "what's the fastest route?"
He smiled, "I already have it memorised." Duo took the lead walking into the base with Quatre silently bringing up the rear. They met up with no one as they moved unnoticed through the halls, Midii began to find this very disturbing, a feeling of dread forming in the pit of her stomach.
"Do either of you find the lack of soldiers strange?" she questioned in a low voice.
"Yes." Quatre responded just as quietly, "but there's nothing we can do about it now."
"We're almost there as it is," Duo agreed.
They rounded the corner, and Duo picked up his pace making for a small nondescript door, the door they believed Trowa was hidden behind. Without power none of the locks worked, Duo quickly pried the door opened, and walked in Midii following close behind him. She stopped dead in her tracks as she looked upon the room, it was empty, but that was not what caught her eyes.
A lone chair sat in the middle of the small room it was made of solid metal, and had restraints at both the arms and legs, blood covered it in more than one place. A discarded syringe lay at the foot of the chair; Midii walked deeper into the room hands moving to her neck as she looked down at the chair. "What did they do to him?" she asked in a small voice, looking to Duo for the answer she knew he did not know.
Quatre brought a communicator to his lips, "Heero, he's not here, they must have moved him. Have you found anyone else in the base?"
"No" the was a long pause, "find Kain, he should have some answers."
"Right, how long till your finished?"
"Twenty minutes. Stealth no longer matters."
Duo drew his gun turning his back to the small room, "let's go." Midii's fingers closed about the handle of her gun before she even noticed, she brought it before her eye and cocked it. Kain would pay. They ran through the base making their way towards the central staircase, once there the flights of stairs seemed to be endless. But Midii's anger carried her; she stayed at Duo's side as they flew up the stairs.
"You know where Kain's room is?" she gasped out inquiringly through deep gulping breaths. Duo nodded silently not bothering to waste breath to reply. They made it to the top floor, and sped down the twisting halls Duo taking the lead, not hesitating in his choice of which hall to take. They finally came to a long straight corridor, which led to a set of double doors. Duo came to a stop just outside of them, catching his breath.
"Quatre." He reached out one hand and took the communicator, which was offered to him. "Heero is there any way to get power to the main elevator, we're going to run out of time up here."
"I'll see what I can do."
Duo crammed the small object into his pocket, straightening he walked forward and reached for the handle of the doors. They opened without a sound, and together the three walked in. A large desk sat at the other side of the room before massive floor to ceiling windows, the great leather chair was facing away from them. Midii took the lead then holding her gun out in plain sight, she stopped a few steps before Kain's desk and waited silently, he was aware of their presence.
The chair spun around slowly, Kain's cold eyes locking onto Midii's, he blinked in surprise, recognising her immediately. "I thought I got rid of you a long time ago." His voice grated on her bones and she was forced to suppress a shudder
She shrugged, raising her gun; "you thought wrong, where is he?"
"He? Oh you must mean the man who broke in two days ago." Kain paused studying her for a moment anticipating her reaction, "dead most likely, Argile took him, but where he went I have no idea."
"You lie." Midii all but shouted, he was only telling her that which she did not wish to hear. Duo stepped up beside her then and lay one hand on her shoulder, he then stepped forward and placed himself before her.
"You have a lot to answer for old man." He said calmly.
"Really, and who might you be?" Kain did not seem in the least bit perturbed, at their presence, or by the fact that they were all brandishing guns.
"Doesn't matter, why did you kill the Bèovel family?" there was a glint in his eyes that had not been there before as he looked down on Kain.
"I thought that would have been clear, money, and to be able to gain control of these colonies, to steer them towards a better future--"
Duo cut in. "Better for who?"
A small smile touched Kain's lips, "doesn't matter."
Midii shook he head, no longer able to put up with these useless questions, the past could not be changed nor did knowledge of it change anything now. What she wanted to know was exactly the opposite. "Who does Argile work for?"
"Clearly not for me," Kain replied in an offhand way. Midii fired at the leather beside his ear, and one eyebrow cocked, "most likely one of the organizations I gave money to."
"None of them have the type of gaols that involve taking a man hostage," Quatre stated quietly as if to himself.
"Not all my transactions, are accounted for," Kain seemed quite pleased with himself, and it took all Midii's self control not to shoot him now.
"Then who?" Midii bit off each word.
"If you made it this far I have full confidence that you'll be able to figure it out." He actually smiled then; Midii changed her aim to between his eyes and was about to pull the trigger when Quatre interrupted her.
"It's time." He said moving towards the door.
Midii remained where she stood unable to take her eyes off the smiling man before her, she wanted so much to end his life but something stayed her finger upon the trigger. She felt frozen, unable to either move or fire, Quatre was already running from the room, Duo not far behind. "Midii come on!" he called when he realised she was not following. She turned then and followed, slipping her gun behind her belt as she did.
"Where's the main elevator?" Quatre called back over his shoulder.
"Follow the hall the turn right, you can't miss it." Duo shouted back, he slowed he pace so that he was running beside Midii. He slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out the communicator. "Heero how long do we have?"
"About one minute, give or take."
"Shit, did you get the elevator working?"
"You're not down yet?" Wufei's voice came over the communicator in shock.
"It's working."
"All right, we're going to make it." Duo smiled to Midii as they raced around the last corner and came in sight of the main elevator, Quatre was already standing inside, pressing the first floor button hurriedly. Together the dashed in just as the doors closed.
Midii stood in the exact centre watching the numbers flash by above, she glanced over her shoulder for a second to see Duo leaning back in one corner eyes fixed on his watch. If she had not known the situation she was have thought him completely relaxed. The elevator finally came to a stop and the door began to slide open, "GO!!" Duo cried, as Quatre was already slipping through them, Midii burst forward seeing the doors out up ahead, they were so close.
"How long do we have?" she inquired legs carrying her as fast as she could move.
"We'll make it." Was all Duo would say.
By this time Quatre was already though the doors, the distance that before had seemed so short now seemed twice as long, and Midii could feel her strength waning. Duo stayed right by her side; "we're almost there! Come on!" Midii found her second wind and charged forward, she and Duo were through the door instantly. She could see the other pilots waiting a safe distance from the building, and seeing them she realised, though they were outside, they could not possibly make it.
Blazing white light illuminated both her and Duo from behind, and for a second time seemed to freeze. She could see everything, her shadow etched with painful precision on the ground before her, the rolling fire ball in the reflective glass before her, and Duo at her side, risking a glance back. The roar of the explosion filled her ears and she was thrown to the ground, pain lanced through her as she struck the ground. Midii could feel Duo's weight pressed closely against her, as the ground shook beneath her.
The ground stilled, and no sound filled the air, Midii tried to draw breath, but the pain forced it away each time. Duo groaned and came to his hands and knees still protectively over top of her. "Told you we'd make it." Midii pushed herself up turning to face Duo, she could see blood upon his face and arms, and tears came to her eyes at the sight of him. She reached out to touch him but found that her right arm would not respond. "You've dislocated your shoulder." He stated simply.
Laying one hand on her arm and bracing the other against her shoulder, Duo wrenched the bone back into place. Midii bit back a cry of pain and blinked away the blackness that threatened to overwhelm her. "You could have made it to safety with Quatre couldn't you?" she asked taking her right arm with her left hand.
Duo smiled, "if it had come to a race I'd of left both of you in my dust."
"Why didn't you?"
His eyes became fierce, "I won't leave a comrade behind."
"Duo! Midii!" Quatre called out into the dust of the fallen building
"Over here!" Duo shouted back, Midii could not find the breath to respond.
Heero came into view then, climbing hurriedly over the rubble that surrounded them. Midii looked about and found that they were actually half buried, and only luck had saved them. "Are you all right?" he asked kneeling beside them.
"Just a little banged up that's all." Duo replied, moving slowly out from under the rubble to stand, the back of his shirt was almost entirely shredded, blood covering him. Midii could hardly believe he called that 'banged up' only a Gundam pilot she supposed silently. Heero reached out a hand to help her to her feet, which she gladly accepted.
"What did you find out?" Heero did not remove his supporting arm once Midii was standing, for which she was very grateful. The full effect of what she just lived through had finally kicked in and her legs would not hold her weight on their own.
Duo shrugged, pain washing over his face, though he hid it quickly. "It seems that Kain was not entirely on the up and up with regards to who got his money. Anyway, is there a possibility that we can discover what transactions took place?"
"I could work backward, but I need a name," Heero said as they began to slowly work their way through the rubble.
"Argile," Midii breathed, wincing as her arm was jostled moving over a large pile of debris. "He was working for Kain up until two days ago. I always thought this was far too bold a scheme for him, it could be that Argile was whispering in his ear while working for another corporation."
Heero nodded silently, Prussian blue eyes as hard as always, Midii could tell nothing of what he was thinking. Duo wiped the blood from his eyes as they came in sight of Quatre and Wufei. "What part of one minute did you not understand?" the Chinese pilot asked his voice harsh.
Duo smiled, not in the least bit annoyed at the other man's attitude, "what's the fun of a mission if it's not life threatening? I think you're getting soft on us." Wufei glared daggers at the braided Gundam pilot before turning to climb into the van; he took the driver's seat. "We haven't lost him yet," Duo whispered softly into Midii's ear as they both seated themselves in the van.
As the van rolled slowly into motion, and silence settled over those seated within it, Midii could not see their faces, or the scenery that moved by. Her thoughts were trapped inwards on an imaged that had etched itself within her mind. A single room filled with motionless shadows, and a chair, one not meant for comfort, but rather containment. And on that chair, splash upon it like some perverted form of art, was blood.Trowa's blood. As the time slipped by a single tear slipped from Midii's eye, but she did not notice, she could not notice anything.
***
Argile moved down the halls of the base not paying any attention to those he passed, they were the least things on his mind. He seemed only able to think about one thing, the former Gundam pilot they had captured. The young man had changed drastically since he had first been brought in; nothing save his appearance, and deadly accurate skills remained the same. That was something Argile found rather disturbing.
The young man if he could even be called that, only recently turned eighteen, was more deadly than Argile could ever hope to be, with his entire life put into the study. There was a strange light buried deep in his eyes, that spoke of a former life not worth living, he did not seem effected by anything he saw of did. There was almost no limit to what he was capable of accomplishing, and no hesitation in his movements.
Argile had expected some resistance, but the pilot had given them none, he was fully ready to work entirely for them. And it was exactly this that he was going to report to his superior. His long strides carried him quickly through the groups of soldiers and facility workers; these men were unaware, for the most part only that which they needed to know was told to them. The rest was not their concern. Hell some did not even know what they were fighting for; it was the need to be a part of the lifestyle they had known that brought them.
The halls became less and less crowded the closer he came to the top floor and main office. The man in charge was not seen often, but during the times he had been around he had gained the full and complete support of his men, offering them a future they could all work towards. It was these plans that only Argile was privy to, however things had already turned out to be easier than he had first suspected. He came before a large set of double doors, with a picture of the earth and colonies carved into it.
Argile reached forward and hit a small button on the wall, almost instantly the doors swung opened and he walked in. The room was not very light, the curtains had been drawn and the lights dimmed, a large monitor on the wall to his right displayed an image of Triton, sparring with another man, he was clearly winning. The older man who sat behind the desk came to his feet and walked towards the monitor, his eyes impressed, he turned his back on Argile, "report."
"His talents as you have seen are almost without limits, he has accepted every mission we've given to him without hesitation." Argile scratched his chin, "it makes me wonder if this is all one big performance."
"No, that's not possible" the man did not move as he spoke, "I have had the opportunity to observe him for some time, he's not that good of an actor." Draken turned, "having him kill himself was one thing." he walked over to his desk and grabbed a white folder. "Give him this, with strict orders the terrorist must be killed." He handed the white folder to Argile.
"I'll be gone for some time." He continued pulling another folder across his desk, "If this mission goes well, give him this one." The folder he handed Argile was black; he knew the meanings of the colours all too well. He nodded silently and moved from the room to prepare for his meeting with Triton.
***
Triton sat alone in his room the lights on and the air warming his exposed skin. He had just finished a sparring match and was resting silently in his room, awaiting his next mission. His eyes stared forward at nothing as he tried to puzzle out questions that needed answering, but he could not remember them. Every time he tried Triton could only see a small girl with auburn hair calling his name, this puzzled him exceedingly.
He tried to remember who she was, but failed, her name would not come to him, even though the memories were so strong. What confused him the most was he could not recall one time that they had actually met. Triton shrugged coming to his feet; he walked across the small expanse of his room, and grabbed a black shirt from where it had been tossed over the back of a chair. He slipped it on but left it undone as he turned at the sound of his door opening.
Argile walked in calmly, face unreadable, but Triton sensed there was an unease about him. "We have a new mission for you." He said abruptly, stopping a few steps away from where Triton stood. He passed a white folder across the short distance. "Kill him."
Triton opened the folder and quickly read over the information that had been provided, concerning the terrorist's whereabouts. He flipped the first page aside, and his emerald eyes fell upon the picture of a young man with unruly brown hair and dead Prussian blue eye. Triton tossed the folder aside having committed everything to memory already. He half turned and reached for where his gun rested on a table, he slipped it behind his belt and once more turned to face his superior.
"All arrangements have been made, proceed to the shuttle bay." Triton nodded in silent response, and walked from the room. All terrorists would be destroyed.
***
The artificial sunlight filled the air around Triton as he calmly walked through the colony. He had arrived only hours before and was closing in on the terrorist. He was aware of everything around him though he blocked from his thoughts anything that was not an immediate threat. The people that moved though the streets paid him no mind, he passed through them, like just another shadow, his eyes firmly set on his target.
As he drew nearer to his destination, Triton cut away from the crowds and moved down a long shadowed alleyway. He moved through the shadows quickly not trusting in the security that they offered. Triton came to the end of the alley and stopped, his emerald eyes focusing on the large house ahead, he could not help but think it strange, to see such a fine house in such a crowded residential area. A large wall encircled the home, which was covered with ivy in more than one place.
The three-story house was richly built of white marble, and seemed entirely out of place surrounded as it was by the narrow brick apartment buildings. Triton however pushed that all aside and emerged from the shadows to cross the street, few people walked this street, making for fewer witnesses to his presence. Triton edged closer to the ivy-covered wall and eased his way around the back where he could not be watched. With no effort he vaulted over the eight-foot wall, and crouched low in the gardens on the other side.
For a time he did not move, simply waited silently, watching to see if any had noticed him. His emerald eyes panned upwards to rest upon the open door of a balcony, his only unguarded entrance into the house. Triton kept to the edge of the garden wall as he made his way towards the large home, and was pleased to find that the walls were rough, providing excellent hand holds. He scaled the walls in seconds and was over the rail of the balcony, eyes darting about.
Triton pulled his gun from behind his belt, and with one step he was at the opened door. Glancing in, his eyes fell upon a bedroom, the bed off to one side left for some time unmade. After assuring himself that the room was empty, Triton slipped in. He was hardly in the room before he heard footsteps coming down the hall towards the chamber he was standing in. Triton slipped into the shadows gun automatically trained on the door the terrorist would come through.
He was not made to wait long, the young man walked around the corner, seemingly unaware of Triton's presence. But as Triton began to squeeze the trigger, the former pilot stopped, and looked about suspiciously. Triton fired but the man seemed to know where he was waiting, and dodged to the side narrowly missing being hit. Triton stepped out of the shadows into the light, gun held in plain view.
Pain seared his leg but Triton did not glance down, he could not afford to take his eyes off the former pilot, he was too fast. Even with his astounding reflexes Triton had not caught the motion of the thrown dagger that now protruded from his leg. For an instant they simply stood there facing each other eyes like death. Triton fired the gun again but once more it struck nothing but mortar. He had not been expecting his opponent to be this fast, but as he had been taught he quickly compensated, rapidly firing of the rounds. The terrorist could not possibly dodge them all.
The second bullet struck home with a spray of blood, and the terrorist fell to the floor. Triton walked forward, face devoid of all emotion. His job was still not finished, there were more terrorists to take out, but for now he would focus on the task at hand. Raising his gun Triton looked down upon the struggling man, he was not yet dead. Aiming the gun at his head Triton fired ending Heero Yuy's life.
***
Midii was alone in her room, the lights off and darkness surrounding her, she sat on the edge of the bed cradling, her right arm in her lap. A week had passed and still they had not found Trowa, not even the smallest trace, and this man Argile was just as elusive. The whole situation seemed strange to her, since she did not think there was anyone out there that could avoid a Gundam pilot when they were trying to find you. But this man somehow managed it, Midii was more than aware that the Gundam pilots also felt this was a very strange turn of events but they could not figure out why.
The pilots would never give up though, no matter how frustrating the search might be. Draken was giving all the assistance he could, but there was little he could offer that the Gundam pilots could not do better, but at least he was trying. Midii sighed and looked up rubbing the back of her neck with her left hand, she had left the others some time ago to try and get some sleep. But she could find no rest now, not with Trowa still missing.
The door at the other end of the room opened and Duo walked in hands crammed into pockets, his face instantly became concerned when he say her sitting there. "How's the shoulder."
Midii looked up eyes carefully emotionless, she knew Duo felt guilty for her dislocating her shoulder, even though he had taken shrapnel in the back to protect her. "It's fine." She replied finally, moving her right arm away from her body to prove it, although she wore a reassuring smile to comfort Duo, she winced internally.
He smiled back warmly removing one hand from his pocket to switch on the lights, "what is it with you and Trowa? You're always sitting in the dark."
She shrugged noncommittally, the edges of her lips turning up in a small smile. Midii did not really feel like showing any emotion besides a smouldering anger, but Duo seemed always able to make her smile no matter what was happening. "I guess we just never think about it."
"Humph, an apathy towards light switches is more like it." He came to stand directly in front of her, his eyes held a determined glint much like the other pilots, they were all determined to get Trowa back and could not conceive that they might be defeated in this goal. "Come on dinner's ready, and you haven't eaten since yesterday."
Midii stared him for a time saying nothing, "How did you know that?"
"What, you don't think I have eyes? Besides my second home is the kitchen." He chuckled softly and extended one hand towards her, which she gladly accepted.
They walked in silence through the halls of the large home, the walls where covered with family photos, her crystal eyes fell upon a picture of Erik with his mother, a happy smile on his small face. She sighed, feeling the distance between them, she really missed the small baby in her arms. Duo glanced at her from the corner of one eye, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
Midii walked into the kitchen and saw that only Sally was waiting there, her head came up, as she and Duo walked in. "Where are the others?" Midii asked taking a seat across from the other woman.
"They ate and went back to work, Heero in particular is finding this hard to handle, as far as he's concerned they should have found Trowa days ago, not to mention the role of this mysterious Argile character." She sighed resting her head on one fist. "The fact that it's been a week only baffles them the more."
"I felt like we were so close, only a few days ago, but now." Midii trailed off, taking the plate of food that Duo offered.
"You can't lose hope now!" Sally interjected eyes going wide.
Midii smiled whimsically, "don't worry I haven't, I only wish I could have stopped him from going. None of this would have happened if he had not left to take care of Kain." Nothing was said for some time, as there was nothing to say. Midii was left to her own dark thoughts a sense of foreboding fell upon her in the kitchen, and she stopped seeing the people around her.
She felt as though a great void had opened within her, it had been there before but she had managed to push it away. Now however, with so many days passed, she could not shake the feelings of loss, which threatened to overwhelm her. Darkness swept across her vision and all she could see was her own hands resting on the table before her. She focused upon them alone, could they manage to save him? What had happened to him? Was he even still.
"Hey Midii, what wrong?" she was shaken from her progressively darker thoughts, by Duo's worried voice. She shook her head clearing the blackness from her vision, and looked up to Duo face, "Are you all right?" Midii nodded mutely not trusting herself to speak, she simply turned back to her meal and tried to eat what she could of it, though she was not in the least bit hungry.
Midii pushed her plate away and looked up, into the worried eyes of both Sally and Duo, she quickly looked down again, no longer wanting to meet their combined gazes. Climbing to her feet she moved towards the door, running one hand through her hair as she did. "Midii?" Duo called from behind.
"I'm going to get some sleep." She said turning back over shoulder for a moment eyes trained on the floor.
"Are you sure you're all right?" Sally inquired.
Midii nodded, "Yes, just tired," she turned then and silently left the room.
***
Heero sat alone in the living room, not a sound could be heard save the soft ticking of the keys on his laptop as he attempted to find Trowa. He had risen early that morning to continue his search, and now that it was nearing noon, he had still found nothing. It would be an understatement to say he was annoyed at the lack of progress, he was furious, and even that did not quite express what he felt. He could not understand how Trowa and Argile were eluding their search. With four Gundam pilots working on the situation they should have found him days ago.
But just as Midii had said almost two weeks ago something was not at all right with this situation. Heero looked up from his computer, eyes cold and found as he expected the room was empty, Wufei had left only moments ago, and Duo at least an hour, Quatre was out speaking with Draken. He turned his eyes back to the computer screen and continued his search.
Footsteps coming down the hall drew his attention from what he was doing, he glanced at the door way through the corner of one eye, while his hands continued to fly across the keys. Midii slowly walked around the corner hands clasped behind her back, head down as though she were in deep thought. She looked up as she came a few steps closer. "Any luck?" she asked taking a seat beside him. Heero simply shook his head focusing on the information that raced across the screen.
Midii nodded silently and looked off in the opposite direction, she dropped her head into her hands, "Where else can we look?" Heero knew it was a rhetorical "Are all the calls to Quatre's house recorded?"
Heero paused in his typing and turned to look at her, "On most phones yes, why?"
"I don't know, we've searched everywhere, and found nothing, maybe were looking to far afield." She shrugged coming to her feet, and turned back towards the door, Heero watched her leave, "I just feel the longer we wait the harder it will be to get him back." She left the room, head down.
Heero leaned back, and sat there contemplating what Midii had said. It was true they had searched every possibly place and person for Trowa, all except Draken that was. It did make sense as far as they knew from Kain someone had been working through Argile to orchestrate the assassinations of the Bèovel family. But did Draken have just as much motive as anyone else to want the colonies in his possession? This question intrigued him and he turned back to his computer, easily hacking his way through Quatre's security systems.
It did not take him long to find the phone records that he was looking for, and only a moment longer to activate the vocal recording. As the voices filled the room around him Heero's eyes changed from steel to a molten rage.
***
As soon as Triton returned to base he was handed another folder, containing another mission. This time it was black, but the colour made no difference to him, all the jobs were the same and they all held the same goal-kill all the terrorists. Triton could not remember clearly when the last time he had slept was, but that did not matter. He was more than capable of functioning with little rest, it had been an important part of his training.
He moved with a careful silence through the streets of the colony, a long leather coat billowing out behind him. Triton turned off the main street onto a side road, taking the long way around to his new destination. He had been thoroughly warned that there was more than just one terrorist present in the house but he was for now only to take out one. And in doing so he would instil fear and confusion within their ranks.
Casually leaning against a wall, he studied the security system that the terrorists had put in place, and he quickly found a way through. Triton glanced both ways without appearing to move, then shot forward, crossing over to the large home with no one watching. He slipped through the sizeable gap in and edged his way around the back of the house.
Pressing his back to the brick wall Triton pulled a knife from a sheath at his belt, and made his way towards the small door. Once there he ran his hands along the edges of the door looking for the wires that guarded against unwanted entrances. He found the thin cables, and quickly cut them re-routing them into a small computer that he pulled from his pocket. Slipping the knife back into its sheathe he reached for his silenced handgun.
***
Heero sat back in disbelief, anger boiling through him, as the voices once again filled the room.
-Draken, we have taken a Gundam pilot-
-Are you sure?-
-There's no doubt, no one other than a Gundam pilot could have accomplished what he did, he single-handily took out over a dozen guards. Do you want the testing to begin now?-
-Yes, yes I'm on the next shuttle-
The message ended and Heero had to consciously force his hands to unclench, what was most sickening about the situation was the fact that they had not known, that they had worked along side the bastard. Heero came to his feet and walked from the room looking for Duo, they were a step closer to getting Trowa back. And he wanted to get back to work now.
He quickly made his way towards the kitchen knowing that that would be the place to find the DeathScythe pilot. He was not entirely sure how to take care of the situation, everything had changed. He would have to let Quatre and the others know but for now simply finding Trowa would be enough. Heero picked up his pace; long strides carrying him down the seemingly endless halls.
***
Triton took hold of the doorknob and silently eased it opened, his gun held in an unerring grip before him as he walked in. Instantly his eyes fell upon the terrorist he had been sent to kill, Duo was leaning back in a chair with his feet up on the table, and appeared to be sleeping. He was completely unaware of his situation. Triton levelled the gun at the terrorist's chest and fired.
What would have been a perfect shot, ended up hitting the man in the shoulder. Luck was with this one Triton thought, the terrorist had awoken in just enough time to shift out of the way. Duo fell back to the floor crying out in pain and surprise. "Trowa.? Trowa! What the hell are you doing?!" Duo yelled. Triton stopped dead in his tracks, and actually took a step back, strange memories passing across his vision. He fought them off, running one hand across his eyes. What the hell's happening to me?
***
Heero heard the muffled but distinctive sound of a silenced gun being fired, followed only an instant later, by Duo's scream of shock and pain. Seconds later Heero had his own gun in hand and was racing down the hall, only a few yards from the kitchen. Throwing open the door he dashed through, but skidded to a halt when he actually saw who was in the room.
Prussian blue eyes fell upon Trowa standing across the room, gun held at his side and one hand over his eyes. His hands were trembling visibly; he seemed unaware of his surroundings. Heero glanced over to where Duo sat against the wall blood staining the front of his shirt and the tiles behind him. "Trowa?" Heero questioned softly, taking a careful step forward.
Trowa's head came up and his eyes were unusually dead, a cold gleam shone from deep within them. Heero did not lower his gun but he did ease the grip he had upon the trigger.a little. Trowa's eyes fell upon Heero completely and he took a shocked step back, eyes becoming wide as emotions tore through them. Heero took a small step closer lowering his gun slightly as he did. "Trowa, it's me.what happened to you?"
Once more Trowa covered his eyes with his hand, looking away. He was breathing hard and appeared to be in pain. But Heero did not rush to his aid; this was not at all what it appeared to be. He glanced over to Duo, the former pilot was watching Trowa with the same confusion Heero felt.
***
Triton brought his hand away from his eyes, the memories long forgotten passing back into the deepest recesses of his mind. When he looked up at the terrorist he had shot, he found the young man looking at something to Triton's left. He turned to look himself, and instantly regretted it.
Standing in the doorway gun in hand was the former terrorist Heero Yuy. He was supposed to be dead! Triton had killed him! The ground fell out from under Triton, as his once stable world was turned upside down. He's supposed to be dead! Triton screamed in his mind unable to take his eyes off him, he saw the man's lips move but he could not comprehend what was said. This was the impossible happening.
"Trowa it's me.what happened to you?"
Triton flinched back from the words, and once more covered his eyes as unwanted images bombarded his vision, blinding him completely. He witnessed times and places that could never have been, he had worked for Argile all his life. What was happening to him?
Anger washed over him, and he used it to push the images back locking them away to never be seen again. Triton brought his head up slowly eyes narrowing as he glared at Heero; "You're supposed to be dead." He said coldly.
"What are you talking about Trowa, he's standing right there isn't he?"
Triton swung around on the terrorist gun aimed between his eyes; "My name is Triton!" he was about to pull the trigger, when pain suddenly seared his right arm. His gun dropped from numb fingers as blood spilled down his arm towards the floor below. Triton caught Heero's movement out of the corner of one eye; he was slowly walking towards him. With one last look at Duo Triton ran out the door ignoring the blood that spilled down his arm.
***
Heero placed his gun back inside its holster at the small of his back as he slowly walked towards Duo. Questions raced through his mind but he had no answers for them, so he simply tossed them aside. He could hardly comprehend what had just happened, mind still reeling from the sight of Trowa standing there. What had they done to him? He had no answer for that either.
Taking hold of a small tea towel he tore it in half and knelt down beside his friend. Duo looked up, his eyes slightly pained, "What happened to him?" he questioned. Heero shrugged having no answer, and took hold of Duo shirt, pulling it opened; he pushed one half of the tea towel into the entry wound and the other half into the exit wound. Duo grit his teeth but said nothing.
Heero stood and extended his hand to the other man and pulled him to his feet. Duo took his left arm with his right and straightened, "Draken has him," Heero said bluntly.
"What?!" Duo moved to stand before him eyes disbelieving. "Draken was the one behind all of this?"
Heero nodded silently and began to walk out of the kitchen, Duo walking beside him. "He was the one controlling Argile, what his goals are I don't know but at least we now know why Trowa was so hard to find."
"They had him covering their tracks," Duo filled in, anger sparking into his lavender eyes. "That Bastard!" Heero nodded silently and continued to walk down the halls without saying a word, eyes harder than Duo's could ever hope to be. "So what do we do now?"
Heero looked over to the injured man, "Let Quatre know what happened, and get Wufei back here, knowing Trowa's been concealing himself we'll have an easier time finding him." He spoke without emotion, not really thinking about his words, his mind was on other matters, such as what he would do to Draken once they found him. Chances were that he would soon discover from his own sources that they now knew he was the one behind it. He would soon be as easy to find as Trowa had been.
Pulling open one door that looked like all the others Heero walked in, Duo only a step behind, lying on her bed though not at all asleep was Sally. She sat up the moment they walked in, and jumped to her feet when her eyes feel upon Duo. "What happened," She asked coming forward.
"We found Trowa," Heero said simply, when he saw her shocked and confused look he elaborated. "Draken was the one behind everything, he did something to Trowa to turn him against us."
Sally was already beginning to peel Duo's shirt aside when Heero turned to leave, "Where are you going?"
"To find Wufei, inform Quatre, and break the news to Midii," He stated hand on the doorknob.
"Hey let me tell her," Duo said pushing Sally's hands away.
Heero looked back over his shoulder, "Stay here and let Sally look after your shoulder, we may be making a strike on Draken soon." With that he left the room.
***
Duo looked at the closed door for a second before he made his way towards it, fully intent on telling Midii himself. "Duo where do you think you're going?" Sally inquired. Shouldering a bag and coming up behind him.
"To tell Midii what happened," he said, pulling the door opened.
"You heard Heero." Sally started to say, but Duo cut her off.
"Yeah I heard." He grated harshly, "and there's no way in Hell I'm going to allow 'Mr. No Feelings Perfect Soldier' tell her Trowa shot me." He walked out of the room.
"Duo, most people would hardly be conscious right now."
"Right, and how many times have we Gundam pilots proven how unlike most people we are?" Duo continued to walk down the halls.
"You should be lying down right now," Sally replied, her voice floating down the hall after him.
"Not a chance."
"Could you at least stand still for a few moments?" Sally pleaded.
Duo shook his head; "I'm fine, Heero telling her won't do any good."
"And you think walking in there covered in blood will?" Sally asked raising one eyebrow.
Duo glanced at her through one eye, he did not respond, but continued walking. Unfortunately he was not entirely sure where Midii was, so he headed towards her bedroom, with Sally right along side.
***
I do not own Gundam Wing..which really sucks!
I'm so sorry it's been so long, I just want to let you all know that this story will be completed, actually it's all written out, and only needs to be typed and edited. Thanks to all for being so patient ^_^ here's a nice long chapter for all of you
I'd also like to thank Midii Une You're the greatest ^_^ thanks so much for editing for me ^_^ !!!! You are the King of Men!!!!!!!!!!
***
Midii paced back and forth along the length of the living room, they had only arrived hours ago and already they were preparing to make a strike on Kain's base. The pilots were not wasting any time in bringing their friend back, they continued to ask questions to which she did not respond, in her mind she felt as though she had already said to much to Quatre. After this night she would have no ties with this man, Midii intended to see that end. Her anger at Trowa was gone now, and had been replaced with something she was not entirely familiar with.
They had left Erik on earth in the care of one of Quatre's many sisters, and already she missed him, the way he smiled and cooed when Trowa came into a room. It brightened her soul, to see the two of them together, and witness a side of Trowa few even thought existed. The artificial lights of the colony was slowly beginning to fade, Midii stopped pacing by the unveiled window and stared up at the sky to the other side of the colony, where Kain's base was located. Lights in the room came on suddenly causing Midii to turn as Duo walked in hands crammed down into his pockets. They had taken up residence in the Bèovel family's old home, it felt strange to her to be living in the house that they had been murdered in, but it was necessary.
"We're almost ready." Duo said coming to stand beside her, "we'll have Trowa back before the night is through you can be sure of that." He smiled, and she could tell he was trying to cheer her up, though she could not bring herself to respond, "come on, you make it seem as though we'll never find him."
Midii laughed slightly, "strange dream, which I can't seem to shake that's all." She rubbed the back of her neck, turning away from both Duo and the window.
"You wanna talk about it?" he gently asked.
"No" Midii smiled over her shoulder; "it was just a dream." A dream of Trowa trapped in a corner, mind torn, eyes bleeding with the horror of what he was being forced to face alone. Midii ran one hand through her hair, trying to banish the image from her mind forever.
"Well in that case, we had better meet with the others, so we can get started." Duo turned and started to walk from the room, braid swinging behind him.
Glancing out the window one last time, Midii quickly followed after, hands trembling, slightly, though she tried to stay them. One hand strayed back behind her to where she carried her gun, and her fingers gently stroked its cold surface. Kain would pay for what he had done to her and Trowa. She walked into the dining room where Heero, and Duo waited, Heero was typing as usual at his computer, but she was not sure what it was he was doing.
Quatre walked in slowly, a piece of paper held before him which he was reading intently, "how much longer Heero?" he inquired without looking up.
"Two minutes, if that." Was the monotone response.
"You're sure we'll have enough time?" Duo leaned back in his chair looking completely relaxed, as always.
"It may take them all night to finish the repairs. We'll be done well before then." Heero said his fingers never pausing in their motions.
Midii flipped a chair around and sat upon it, resting her arms upon it she dropped her head to them. "How is this all going to work?" She questioned finally, for the most part she was not too interested, her mind was only on the end results, but she knew it was important that she be aware.
"Simple," Duo spoke leaning forwards, dropping his feet to the floor, "you'll stay with Quatre and myself during the mission, Heero and Wufei are going to rig the base to explode and remove any of the resistance."
"You have taken into account that Kain has a high tech security system, haven't you?" she cocked her head to one side not entirely sure she liked the boyishly enthusiastic glow in Duo's eyes.
"Please, what do you think Heero's doing right now?"
"All right," Heero said standing, closing his laptop, just as Wufei entered the room along with Sally. S he was not going to be joining them but instead was going to try and make contact with Draken. Midii came to her feet with the rest of them and they all walked from the house, Sally spoke softly to Quatre before disappearing back into the large house. They all climbed silently into the nondescript grey van, and had soon left the Bèovel home behind.
Duo drove down the roads at a recklessly fast pace but Midii had not realised they were going that fast until she glanced at the speedometer. He handled the van smoothly, taking the less travelled back roads. Time slipped by, as did the scenery, and nothing was said, the pilots seemed focused and ready, but she thought to herself when had they not? As they drew nearer to the base Heero opened his computer and again began to type, his fingers racing with speed and precision.
As the van pulled to a stop a short distance from the base Heero hit the last key and all the lights went out, street lamps, houses, everything. She ducked low, glancing up at the side of the colony they had come from; nothing shone from there either. Midii turned to Heero with some surprise.
"Security doesn't work without electricity." He responded without looking.
"What about back up generators?"
"I took care of his." Heero placed his computer to one side and stepped from the van, shrugging a backpack over one shoulder, Wufei carried one much the same. They wasted no time covering the short distance to the base, Heero, and Wufei quickly slipped ahead, their feet carrying them silently.
Duo pulled Midii off to one side before entering; he brought forward a small computer and handed it to her. "As far as we can tell this is where he's being held." He whispered pointing to the room on the display.
She nodded looking up into his eager eyes, "what's the fastest route?"
He smiled, "I already have it memorised." Duo took the lead walking into the base with Quatre silently bringing up the rear. They met up with no one as they moved unnoticed through the halls, Midii began to find this very disturbing, a feeling of dread forming in the pit of her stomach.
"Do either of you find the lack of soldiers strange?" she questioned in a low voice.
"Yes." Quatre responded just as quietly, "but there's nothing we can do about it now."
"We're almost there as it is," Duo agreed.
They rounded the corner, and Duo picked up his pace making for a small nondescript door, the door they believed Trowa was hidden behind. Without power none of the locks worked, Duo quickly pried the door opened, and walked in Midii following close behind him. She stopped dead in her tracks as she looked upon the room, it was empty, but that was not what caught her eyes.
A lone chair sat in the middle of the small room it was made of solid metal, and had restraints at both the arms and legs, blood covered it in more than one place. A discarded syringe lay at the foot of the chair; Midii walked deeper into the room hands moving to her neck as she looked down at the chair. "What did they do to him?" she asked in a small voice, looking to Duo for the answer she knew he did not know.
Quatre brought a communicator to his lips, "Heero, he's not here, they must have moved him. Have you found anyone else in the base?"
"No" the was a long pause, "find Kain, he should have some answers."
"Right, how long till your finished?"
"Twenty minutes. Stealth no longer matters."
Duo drew his gun turning his back to the small room, "let's go." Midii's fingers closed about the handle of her gun before she even noticed, she brought it before her eye and cocked it. Kain would pay. They ran through the base making their way towards the central staircase, once there the flights of stairs seemed to be endless. But Midii's anger carried her; she stayed at Duo's side as they flew up the stairs.
"You know where Kain's room is?" she gasped out inquiringly through deep gulping breaths. Duo nodded silently not bothering to waste breath to reply. They made it to the top floor, and sped down the twisting halls Duo taking the lead, not hesitating in his choice of which hall to take. They finally came to a long straight corridor, which led to a set of double doors. Duo came to a stop just outside of them, catching his breath.
"Quatre." He reached out one hand and took the communicator, which was offered to him. "Heero is there any way to get power to the main elevator, we're going to run out of time up here."
"I'll see what I can do."
Duo crammed the small object into his pocket, straightening he walked forward and reached for the handle of the doors. They opened without a sound, and together the three walked in. A large desk sat at the other side of the room before massive floor to ceiling windows, the great leather chair was facing away from them. Midii took the lead then holding her gun out in plain sight, she stopped a few steps before Kain's desk and waited silently, he was aware of their presence.
The chair spun around slowly, Kain's cold eyes locking onto Midii's, he blinked in surprise, recognising her immediately. "I thought I got rid of you a long time ago." His voice grated on her bones and she was forced to suppress a shudder
She shrugged, raising her gun; "you thought wrong, where is he?"
"He? Oh you must mean the man who broke in two days ago." Kain paused studying her for a moment anticipating her reaction, "dead most likely, Argile took him, but where he went I have no idea."
"You lie." Midii all but shouted, he was only telling her that which she did not wish to hear. Duo stepped up beside her then and lay one hand on her shoulder, he then stepped forward and placed himself before her.
"You have a lot to answer for old man." He said calmly.
"Really, and who might you be?" Kain did not seem in the least bit perturbed, at their presence, or by the fact that they were all brandishing guns.
"Doesn't matter, why did you kill the Bèovel family?" there was a glint in his eyes that had not been there before as he looked down on Kain.
"I thought that would have been clear, money, and to be able to gain control of these colonies, to steer them towards a better future--"
Duo cut in. "Better for who?"
A small smile touched Kain's lips, "doesn't matter."
Midii shook he head, no longer able to put up with these useless questions, the past could not be changed nor did knowledge of it change anything now. What she wanted to know was exactly the opposite. "Who does Argile work for?"
"Clearly not for me," Kain replied in an offhand way. Midii fired at the leather beside his ear, and one eyebrow cocked, "most likely one of the organizations I gave money to."
"None of them have the type of gaols that involve taking a man hostage," Quatre stated quietly as if to himself.
"Not all my transactions, are accounted for," Kain seemed quite pleased with himself, and it took all Midii's self control not to shoot him now.
"Then who?" Midii bit off each word.
"If you made it this far I have full confidence that you'll be able to figure it out." He actually smiled then; Midii changed her aim to between his eyes and was about to pull the trigger when Quatre interrupted her.
"It's time." He said moving towards the door.
Midii remained where she stood unable to take her eyes off the smiling man before her, she wanted so much to end his life but something stayed her finger upon the trigger. She felt frozen, unable to either move or fire, Quatre was already running from the room, Duo not far behind. "Midii come on!" he called when he realised she was not following. She turned then and followed, slipping her gun behind her belt as she did.
"Where's the main elevator?" Quatre called back over his shoulder.
"Follow the hall the turn right, you can't miss it." Duo shouted back, he slowed he pace so that he was running beside Midii. He slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out the communicator. "Heero how long do we have?"
"About one minute, give or take."
"Shit, did you get the elevator working?"
"You're not down yet?" Wufei's voice came over the communicator in shock.
"It's working."
"All right, we're going to make it." Duo smiled to Midii as they raced around the last corner and came in sight of the main elevator, Quatre was already standing inside, pressing the first floor button hurriedly. Together the dashed in just as the doors closed.
Midii stood in the exact centre watching the numbers flash by above, she glanced over her shoulder for a second to see Duo leaning back in one corner eyes fixed on his watch. If she had not known the situation she was have thought him completely relaxed. The elevator finally came to a stop and the door began to slide open, "GO!!" Duo cried, as Quatre was already slipping through them, Midii burst forward seeing the doors out up ahead, they were so close.
"How long do we have?" she inquired legs carrying her as fast as she could move.
"We'll make it." Was all Duo would say.
By this time Quatre was already though the doors, the distance that before had seemed so short now seemed twice as long, and Midii could feel her strength waning. Duo stayed right by her side; "we're almost there! Come on!" Midii found her second wind and charged forward, she and Duo were through the door instantly. She could see the other pilots waiting a safe distance from the building, and seeing them she realised, though they were outside, they could not possibly make it.
Blazing white light illuminated both her and Duo from behind, and for a second time seemed to freeze. She could see everything, her shadow etched with painful precision on the ground before her, the rolling fire ball in the reflective glass before her, and Duo at her side, risking a glance back. The roar of the explosion filled her ears and she was thrown to the ground, pain lanced through her as she struck the ground. Midii could feel Duo's weight pressed closely against her, as the ground shook beneath her.
The ground stilled, and no sound filled the air, Midii tried to draw breath, but the pain forced it away each time. Duo groaned and came to his hands and knees still protectively over top of her. "Told you we'd make it." Midii pushed herself up turning to face Duo, she could see blood upon his face and arms, and tears came to her eyes at the sight of him. She reached out to touch him but found that her right arm would not respond. "You've dislocated your shoulder." He stated simply.
Laying one hand on her arm and bracing the other against her shoulder, Duo wrenched the bone back into place. Midii bit back a cry of pain and blinked away the blackness that threatened to overwhelm her. "You could have made it to safety with Quatre couldn't you?" she asked taking her right arm with her left hand.
Duo smiled, "if it had come to a race I'd of left both of you in my dust."
"Why didn't you?"
His eyes became fierce, "I won't leave a comrade behind."
"Duo! Midii!" Quatre called out into the dust of the fallen building
"Over here!" Duo shouted back, Midii could not find the breath to respond.
Heero came into view then, climbing hurriedly over the rubble that surrounded them. Midii looked about and found that they were actually half buried, and only luck had saved them. "Are you all right?" he asked kneeling beside them.
"Just a little banged up that's all." Duo replied, moving slowly out from under the rubble to stand, the back of his shirt was almost entirely shredded, blood covering him. Midii could hardly believe he called that 'banged up' only a Gundam pilot she supposed silently. Heero reached out a hand to help her to her feet, which she gladly accepted.
"What did you find out?" Heero did not remove his supporting arm once Midii was standing, for which she was very grateful. The full effect of what she just lived through had finally kicked in and her legs would not hold her weight on their own.
Duo shrugged, pain washing over his face, though he hid it quickly. "It seems that Kain was not entirely on the up and up with regards to who got his money. Anyway, is there a possibility that we can discover what transactions took place?"
"I could work backward, but I need a name," Heero said as they began to slowly work their way through the rubble.
"Argile," Midii breathed, wincing as her arm was jostled moving over a large pile of debris. "He was working for Kain up until two days ago. I always thought this was far too bold a scheme for him, it could be that Argile was whispering in his ear while working for another corporation."
Heero nodded silently, Prussian blue eyes as hard as always, Midii could tell nothing of what he was thinking. Duo wiped the blood from his eyes as they came in sight of Quatre and Wufei. "What part of one minute did you not understand?" the Chinese pilot asked his voice harsh.
Duo smiled, not in the least bit annoyed at the other man's attitude, "what's the fun of a mission if it's not life threatening? I think you're getting soft on us." Wufei glared daggers at the braided Gundam pilot before turning to climb into the van; he took the driver's seat. "We haven't lost him yet," Duo whispered softly into Midii's ear as they both seated themselves in the van.
As the van rolled slowly into motion, and silence settled over those seated within it, Midii could not see their faces, or the scenery that moved by. Her thoughts were trapped inwards on an imaged that had etched itself within her mind. A single room filled with motionless shadows, and a chair, one not meant for comfort, but rather containment. And on that chair, splash upon it like some perverted form of art, was blood.Trowa's blood. As the time slipped by a single tear slipped from Midii's eye, but she did not notice, she could not notice anything.
***
Argile moved down the halls of the base not paying any attention to those he passed, they were the least things on his mind. He seemed only able to think about one thing, the former Gundam pilot they had captured. The young man had changed drastically since he had first been brought in; nothing save his appearance, and deadly accurate skills remained the same. That was something Argile found rather disturbing.
The young man if he could even be called that, only recently turned eighteen, was more deadly than Argile could ever hope to be, with his entire life put into the study. There was a strange light buried deep in his eyes, that spoke of a former life not worth living, he did not seem effected by anything he saw of did. There was almost no limit to what he was capable of accomplishing, and no hesitation in his movements.
Argile had expected some resistance, but the pilot had given them none, he was fully ready to work entirely for them. And it was exactly this that he was going to report to his superior. His long strides carried him quickly through the groups of soldiers and facility workers; these men were unaware, for the most part only that which they needed to know was told to them. The rest was not their concern. Hell some did not even know what they were fighting for; it was the need to be a part of the lifestyle they had known that brought them.
The halls became less and less crowded the closer he came to the top floor and main office. The man in charge was not seen often, but during the times he had been around he had gained the full and complete support of his men, offering them a future they could all work towards. It was these plans that only Argile was privy to, however things had already turned out to be easier than he had first suspected. He came before a large set of double doors, with a picture of the earth and colonies carved into it.
Argile reached forward and hit a small button on the wall, almost instantly the doors swung opened and he walked in. The room was not very light, the curtains had been drawn and the lights dimmed, a large monitor on the wall to his right displayed an image of Triton, sparring with another man, he was clearly winning. The older man who sat behind the desk came to his feet and walked towards the monitor, his eyes impressed, he turned his back on Argile, "report."
"His talents as you have seen are almost without limits, he has accepted every mission we've given to him without hesitation." Argile scratched his chin, "it makes me wonder if this is all one big performance."
"No, that's not possible" the man did not move as he spoke, "I have had the opportunity to observe him for some time, he's not that good of an actor." Draken turned, "having him kill himself was one thing." he walked over to his desk and grabbed a white folder. "Give him this, with strict orders the terrorist must be killed." He handed the white folder to Argile.
"I'll be gone for some time." He continued pulling another folder across his desk, "If this mission goes well, give him this one." The folder he handed Argile was black; he knew the meanings of the colours all too well. He nodded silently and moved from the room to prepare for his meeting with Triton.
***
Triton sat alone in his room the lights on and the air warming his exposed skin. He had just finished a sparring match and was resting silently in his room, awaiting his next mission. His eyes stared forward at nothing as he tried to puzzle out questions that needed answering, but he could not remember them. Every time he tried Triton could only see a small girl with auburn hair calling his name, this puzzled him exceedingly.
He tried to remember who she was, but failed, her name would not come to him, even though the memories were so strong. What confused him the most was he could not recall one time that they had actually met. Triton shrugged coming to his feet; he walked across the small expanse of his room, and grabbed a black shirt from where it had been tossed over the back of a chair. He slipped it on but left it undone as he turned at the sound of his door opening.
Argile walked in calmly, face unreadable, but Triton sensed there was an unease about him. "We have a new mission for you." He said abruptly, stopping a few steps away from where Triton stood. He passed a white folder across the short distance. "Kill him."
Triton opened the folder and quickly read over the information that had been provided, concerning the terrorist's whereabouts. He flipped the first page aside, and his emerald eyes fell upon the picture of a young man with unruly brown hair and dead Prussian blue eye. Triton tossed the folder aside having committed everything to memory already. He half turned and reached for where his gun rested on a table, he slipped it behind his belt and once more turned to face his superior.
"All arrangements have been made, proceed to the shuttle bay." Triton nodded in silent response, and walked from the room. All terrorists would be destroyed.
***
The artificial sunlight filled the air around Triton as he calmly walked through the colony. He had arrived only hours before and was closing in on the terrorist. He was aware of everything around him though he blocked from his thoughts anything that was not an immediate threat. The people that moved though the streets paid him no mind, he passed through them, like just another shadow, his eyes firmly set on his target.
As he drew nearer to his destination, Triton cut away from the crowds and moved down a long shadowed alleyway. He moved through the shadows quickly not trusting in the security that they offered. Triton came to the end of the alley and stopped, his emerald eyes focusing on the large house ahead, he could not help but think it strange, to see such a fine house in such a crowded residential area. A large wall encircled the home, which was covered with ivy in more than one place.
The three-story house was richly built of white marble, and seemed entirely out of place surrounded as it was by the narrow brick apartment buildings. Triton however pushed that all aside and emerged from the shadows to cross the street, few people walked this street, making for fewer witnesses to his presence. Triton edged closer to the ivy-covered wall and eased his way around the back where he could not be watched. With no effort he vaulted over the eight-foot wall, and crouched low in the gardens on the other side.
For a time he did not move, simply waited silently, watching to see if any had noticed him. His emerald eyes panned upwards to rest upon the open door of a balcony, his only unguarded entrance into the house. Triton kept to the edge of the garden wall as he made his way towards the large home, and was pleased to find that the walls were rough, providing excellent hand holds. He scaled the walls in seconds and was over the rail of the balcony, eyes darting about.
Triton pulled his gun from behind his belt, and with one step he was at the opened door. Glancing in, his eyes fell upon a bedroom, the bed off to one side left for some time unmade. After assuring himself that the room was empty, Triton slipped in. He was hardly in the room before he heard footsteps coming down the hall towards the chamber he was standing in. Triton slipped into the shadows gun automatically trained on the door the terrorist would come through.
He was not made to wait long, the young man walked around the corner, seemingly unaware of Triton's presence. But as Triton began to squeeze the trigger, the former pilot stopped, and looked about suspiciously. Triton fired but the man seemed to know where he was waiting, and dodged to the side narrowly missing being hit. Triton stepped out of the shadows into the light, gun held in plain view.
Pain seared his leg but Triton did not glance down, he could not afford to take his eyes off the former pilot, he was too fast. Even with his astounding reflexes Triton had not caught the motion of the thrown dagger that now protruded from his leg. For an instant they simply stood there facing each other eyes like death. Triton fired the gun again but once more it struck nothing but mortar. He had not been expecting his opponent to be this fast, but as he had been taught he quickly compensated, rapidly firing of the rounds. The terrorist could not possibly dodge them all.
The second bullet struck home with a spray of blood, and the terrorist fell to the floor. Triton walked forward, face devoid of all emotion. His job was still not finished, there were more terrorists to take out, but for now he would focus on the task at hand. Raising his gun Triton looked down upon the struggling man, he was not yet dead. Aiming the gun at his head Triton fired ending Heero Yuy's life.
***
Midii was alone in her room, the lights off and darkness surrounding her, she sat on the edge of the bed cradling, her right arm in her lap. A week had passed and still they had not found Trowa, not even the smallest trace, and this man Argile was just as elusive. The whole situation seemed strange to her, since she did not think there was anyone out there that could avoid a Gundam pilot when they were trying to find you. But this man somehow managed it, Midii was more than aware that the Gundam pilots also felt this was a very strange turn of events but they could not figure out why.
The pilots would never give up though, no matter how frustrating the search might be. Draken was giving all the assistance he could, but there was little he could offer that the Gundam pilots could not do better, but at least he was trying. Midii sighed and looked up rubbing the back of her neck with her left hand, she had left the others some time ago to try and get some sleep. But she could find no rest now, not with Trowa still missing.
The door at the other end of the room opened and Duo walked in hands crammed into pockets, his face instantly became concerned when he say her sitting there. "How's the shoulder."
Midii looked up eyes carefully emotionless, she knew Duo felt guilty for her dislocating her shoulder, even though he had taken shrapnel in the back to protect her. "It's fine." She replied finally, moving her right arm away from her body to prove it, although she wore a reassuring smile to comfort Duo, she winced internally.
He smiled back warmly removing one hand from his pocket to switch on the lights, "what is it with you and Trowa? You're always sitting in the dark."
She shrugged noncommittally, the edges of her lips turning up in a small smile. Midii did not really feel like showing any emotion besides a smouldering anger, but Duo seemed always able to make her smile no matter what was happening. "I guess we just never think about it."
"Humph, an apathy towards light switches is more like it." He came to stand directly in front of her, his eyes held a determined glint much like the other pilots, they were all determined to get Trowa back and could not conceive that they might be defeated in this goal. "Come on dinner's ready, and you haven't eaten since yesterday."
Midii stared him for a time saying nothing, "How did you know that?"
"What, you don't think I have eyes? Besides my second home is the kitchen." He chuckled softly and extended one hand towards her, which she gladly accepted.
They walked in silence through the halls of the large home, the walls where covered with family photos, her crystal eyes fell upon a picture of Erik with his mother, a happy smile on his small face. She sighed, feeling the distance between them, she really missed the small baby in her arms. Duo glanced at her from the corner of one eye, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
Midii walked into the kitchen and saw that only Sally was waiting there, her head came up, as she and Duo walked in. "Where are the others?" Midii asked taking a seat across from the other woman.
"They ate and went back to work, Heero in particular is finding this hard to handle, as far as he's concerned they should have found Trowa days ago, not to mention the role of this mysterious Argile character." She sighed resting her head on one fist. "The fact that it's been a week only baffles them the more."
"I felt like we were so close, only a few days ago, but now." Midii trailed off, taking the plate of food that Duo offered.
"You can't lose hope now!" Sally interjected eyes going wide.
Midii smiled whimsically, "don't worry I haven't, I only wish I could have stopped him from going. None of this would have happened if he had not left to take care of Kain." Nothing was said for some time, as there was nothing to say. Midii was left to her own dark thoughts a sense of foreboding fell upon her in the kitchen, and she stopped seeing the people around her.
She felt as though a great void had opened within her, it had been there before but she had managed to push it away. Now however, with so many days passed, she could not shake the feelings of loss, which threatened to overwhelm her. Darkness swept across her vision and all she could see was her own hands resting on the table before her. She focused upon them alone, could they manage to save him? What had happened to him? Was he even still.
"Hey Midii, what wrong?" she was shaken from her progressively darker thoughts, by Duo's worried voice. She shook her head clearing the blackness from her vision, and looked up to Duo face, "Are you all right?" Midii nodded mutely not trusting herself to speak, she simply turned back to her meal and tried to eat what she could of it, though she was not in the least bit hungry.
Midii pushed her plate away and looked up, into the worried eyes of both Sally and Duo, she quickly looked down again, no longer wanting to meet their combined gazes. Climbing to her feet she moved towards the door, running one hand through her hair as she did. "Midii?" Duo called from behind.
"I'm going to get some sleep." She said turning back over shoulder for a moment eyes trained on the floor.
"Are you sure you're all right?" Sally inquired.
Midii nodded, "Yes, just tired," she turned then and silently left the room.
***
Heero sat alone in the living room, not a sound could be heard save the soft ticking of the keys on his laptop as he attempted to find Trowa. He had risen early that morning to continue his search, and now that it was nearing noon, he had still found nothing. It would be an understatement to say he was annoyed at the lack of progress, he was furious, and even that did not quite express what he felt. He could not understand how Trowa and Argile were eluding their search. With four Gundam pilots working on the situation they should have found him days ago.
But just as Midii had said almost two weeks ago something was not at all right with this situation. Heero looked up from his computer, eyes cold and found as he expected the room was empty, Wufei had left only moments ago, and Duo at least an hour, Quatre was out speaking with Draken. He turned his eyes back to the computer screen and continued his search.
Footsteps coming down the hall drew his attention from what he was doing, he glanced at the door way through the corner of one eye, while his hands continued to fly across the keys. Midii slowly walked around the corner hands clasped behind her back, head down as though she were in deep thought. She looked up as she came a few steps closer. "Any luck?" she asked taking a seat beside him. Heero simply shook his head focusing on the information that raced across the screen.
Midii nodded silently and looked off in the opposite direction, she dropped her head into her hands, "Where else can we look?" Heero knew it was a rhetorical "Are all the calls to Quatre's house recorded?"
Heero paused in his typing and turned to look at her, "On most phones yes, why?"
"I don't know, we've searched everywhere, and found nothing, maybe were looking to far afield." She shrugged coming to her feet, and turned back towards the door, Heero watched her leave, "I just feel the longer we wait the harder it will be to get him back." She left the room, head down.
Heero leaned back, and sat there contemplating what Midii had said. It was true they had searched every possibly place and person for Trowa, all except Draken that was. It did make sense as far as they knew from Kain someone had been working through Argile to orchestrate the assassinations of the Bèovel family. But did Draken have just as much motive as anyone else to want the colonies in his possession? This question intrigued him and he turned back to his computer, easily hacking his way through Quatre's security systems.
It did not take him long to find the phone records that he was looking for, and only a moment longer to activate the vocal recording. As the voices filled the room around him Heero's eyes changed from steel to a molten rage.
***
As soon as Triton returned to base he was handed another folder, containing another mission. This time it was black, but the colour made no difference to him, all the jobs were the same and they all held the same goal-kill all the terrorists. Triton could not remember clearly when the last time he had slept was, but that did not matter. He was more than capable of functioning with little rest, it had been an important part of his training.
He moved with a careful silence through the streets of the colony, a long leather coat billowing out behind him. Triton turned off the main street onto a side road, taking the long way around to his new destination. He had been thoroughly warned that there was more than just one terrorist present in the house but he was for now only to take out one. And in doing so he would instil fear and confusion within their ranks.
Casually leaning against a wall, he studied the security system that the terrorists had put in place, and he quickly found a way through. Triton glanced both ways without appearing to move, then shot forward, crossing over to the large home with no one watching. He slipped through the sizeable gap in and edged his way around the back of the house.
Pressing his back to the brick wall Triton pulled a knife from a sheath at his belt, and made his way towards the small door. Once there he ran his hands along the edges of the door looking for the wires that guarded against unwanted entrances. He found the thin cables, and quickly cut them re-routing them into a small computer that he pulled from his pocket. Slipping the knife back into its sheathe he reached for his silenced handgun.
***
Heero sat back in disbelief, anger boiling through him, as the voices once again filled the room.
-Draken, we have taken a Gundam pilot-
-Are you sure?-
-There's no doubt, no one other than a Gundam pilot could have accomplished what he did, he single-handily took out over a dozen guards. Do you want the testing to begin now?-
-Yes, yes I'm on the next shuttle-
The message ended and Heero had to consciously force his hands to unclench, what was most sickening about the situation was the fact that they had not known, that they had worked along side the bastard. Heero came to his feet and walked from the room looking for Duo, they were a step closer to getting Trowa back. And he wanted to get back to work now.
He quickly made his way towards the kitchen knowing that that would be the place to find the DeathScythe pilot. He was not entirely sure how to take care of the situation, everything had changed. He would have to let Quatre and the others know but for now simply finding Trowa would be enough. Heero picked up his pace; long strides carrying him down the seemingly endless halls.
***
Triton took hold of the doorknob and silently eased it opened, his gun held in an unerring grip before him as he walked in. Instantly his eyes fell upon the terrorist he had been sent to kill, Duo was leaning back in a chair with his feet up on the table, and appeared to be sleeping. He was completely unaware of his situation. Triton levelled the gun at the terrorist's chest and fired.
What would have been a perfect shot, ended up hitting the man in the shoulder. Luck was with this one Triton thought, the terrorist had awoken in just enough time to shift out of the way. Duo fell back to the floor crying out in pain and surprise. "Trowa.? Trowa! What the hell are you doing?!" Duo yelled. Triton stopped dead in his tracks, and actually took a step back, strange memories passing across his vision. He fought them off, running one hand across his eyes. What the hell's happening to me?
***
Heero heard the muffled but distinctive sound of a silenced gun being fired, followed only an instant later, by Duo's scream of shock and pain. Seconds later Heero had his own gun in hand and was racing down the hall, only a few yards from the kitchen. Throwing open the door he dashed through, but skidded to a halt when he actually saw who was in the room.
Prussian blue eyes fell upon Trowa standing across the room, gun held at his side and one hand over his eyes. His hands were trembling visibly; he seemed unaware of his surroundings. Heero glanced over to where Duo sat against the wall blood staining the front of his shirt and the tiles behind him. "Trowa?" Heero questioned softly, taking a careful step forward.
Trowa's head came up and his eyes were unusually dead, a cold gleam shone from deep within them. Heero did not lower his gun but he did ease the grip he had upon the trigger.a little. Trowa's eyes fell upon Heero completely and he took a shocked step back, eyes becoming wide as emotions tore through them. Heero took a small step closer lowering his gun slightly as he did. "Trowa, it's me.what happened to you?"
Once more Trowa covered his eyes with his hand, looking away. He was breathing hard and appeared to be in pain. But Heero did not rush to his aid; this was not at all what it appeared to be. He glanced over to Duo, the former pilot was watching Trowa with the same confusion Heero felt.
***
Triton brought his hand away from his eyes, the memories long forgotten passing back into the deepest recesses of his mind. When he looked up at the terrorist he had shot, he found the young man looking at something to Triton's left. He turned to look himself, and instantly regretted it.
Standing in the doorway gun in hand was the former terrorist Heero Yuy. He was supposed to be dead! Triton had killed him! The ground fell out from under Triton, as his once stable world was turned upside down. He's supposed to be dead! Triton screamed in his mind unable to take his eyes off him, he saw the man's lips move but he could not comprehend what was said. This was the impossible happening.
"Trowa it's me.what happened to you?"
Triton flinched back from the words, and once more covered his eyes as unwanted images bombarded his vision, blinding him completely. He witnessed times and places that could never have been, he had worked for Argile all his life. What was happening to him?
Anger washed over him, and he used it to push the images back locking them away to never be seen again. Triton brought his head up slowly eyes narrowing as he glared at Heero; "You're supposed to be dead." He said coldly.
"What are you talking about Trowa, he's standing right there isn't he?"
Triton swung around on the terrorist gun aimed between his eyes; "My name is Triton!" he was about to pull the trigger, when pain suddenly seared his right arm. His gun dropped from numb fingers as blood spilled down his arm towards the floor below. Triton caught Heero's movement out of the corner of one eye; he was slowly walking towards him. With one last look at Duo Triton ran out the door ignoring the blood that spilled down his arm.
***
Heero placed his gun back inside its holster at the small of his back as he slowly walked towards Duo. Questions raced through his mind but he had no answers for them, so he simply tossed them aside. He could hardly comprehend what had just happened, mind still reeling from the sight of Trowa standing there. What had they done to him? He had no answer for that either.
Taking hold of a small tea towel he tore it in half and knelt down beside his friend. Duo looked up, his eyes slightly pained, "What happened to him?" he questioned. Heero shrugged having no answer, and took hold of Duo shirt, pulling it opened; he pushed one half of the tea towel into the entry wound and the other half into the exit wound. Duo grit his teeth but said nothing.
Heero stood and extended his hand to the other man and pulled him to his feet. Duo took his left arm with his right and straightened, "Draken has him," Heero said bluntly.
"What?!" Duo moved to stand before him eyes disbelieving. "Draken was the one behind all of this?"
Heero nodded silently and began to walk out of the kitchen, Duo walking beside him. "He was the one controlling Argile, what his goals are I don't know but at least we now know why Trowa was so hard to find."
"They had him covering their tracks," Duo filled in, anger sparking into his lavender eyes. "That Bastard!" Heero nodded silently and continued to walk down the halls without saying a word, eyes harder than Duo's could ever hope to be. "So what do we do now?"
Heero looked over to the injured man, "Let Quatre know what happened, and get Wufei back here, knowing Trowa's been concealing himself we'll have an easier time finding him." He spoke without emotion, not really thinking about his words, his mind was on other matters, such as what he would do to Draken once they found him. Chances were that he would soon discover from his own sources that they now knew he was the one behind it. He would soon be as easy to find as Trowa had been.
Pulling open one door that looked like all the others Heero walked in, Duo only a step behind, lying on her bed though not at all asleep was Sally. She sat up the moment they walked in, and jumped to her feet when her eyes feel upon Duo. "What happened," She asked coming forward.
"We found Trowa," Heero said simply, when he saw her shocked and confused look he elaborated. "Draken was the one behind everything, he did something to Trowa to turn him against us."
Sally was already beginning to peel Duo's shirt aside when Heero turned to leave, "Where are you going?"
"To find Wufei, inform Quatre, and break the news to Midii," He stated hand on the doorknob.
"Hey let me tell her," Duo said pushing Sally's hands away.
Heero looked back over his shoulder, "Stay here and let Sally look after your shoulder, we may be making a strike on Draken soon." With that he left the room.
***
Duo looked at the closed door for a second before he made his way towards it, fully intent on telling Midii himself. "Duo where do you think you're going?" Sally inquired. Shouldering a bag and coming up behind him.
"To tell Midii what happened," he said, pulling the door opened.
"You heard Heero." Sally started to say, but Duo cut her off.
"Yeah I heard." He grated harshly, "and there's no way in Hell I'm going to allow 'Mr. No Feelings Perfect Soldier' tell her Trowa shot me." He walked out of the room.
"Duo, most people would hardly be conscious right now."
"Right, and how many times have we Gundam pilots proven how unlike most people we are?" Duo continued to walk down the halls.
"You should be lying down right now," Sally replied, her voice floating down the hall after him.
"Not a chance."
"Could you at least stand still for a few moments?" Sally pleaded.
Duo shook his head; "I'm fine, Heero telling her won't do any good."
"And you think walking in there covered in blood will?" Sally asked raising one eyebrow.
Duo glanced at her through one eye, he did not respond, but continued walking. Unfortunately he was not entirely sure where Midii was, so he headed towards her bedroom, with Sally right along side.
***