Story Four: Uneasy Alliances
Chapter One
by Heartfire
~*~
Almost like frost on the floor
Rising up, I gaze at the mountain bathe in
Moonlight;
Lying back, I think of my old home.
… the world is like a great empty dream.
Why should one toil away one's life?
That is why I spend my days drinking…
… I drink alone with none to share
Raising up my cup, I welcome the moon…"
- by Li Po -
~*~
{Heartfire's Note: Before you start, you must know by now that I RARELY put any notes at the beginning of a fic, unless I think I have to. PLEASE READ this. WARNING: Wufei's story is full of double entrende- that is, double meaning wherein the 2nd meaning is something related to sex/sexual innuendos. There are some nudity, profanity, and a potassium warning in some of the chapters—you will see and understand it later. There are no lemons, but it's a high rating of lime.}
…
'Alright… I played the mute-blind act long enough.' His barely contained irritation have chained his joints and muscles into tight springs ever since Une released him from his duty, and now, alone, they finally broke free. Without a glance at the woman to his right, he spoke with his no nonsense voice. "Spill, Une."
"Always to the point, Chang…" Une's soft voice was a soothing sound, enough to make a person want to trust her- if you're not used to her.
"You wouldn't just take me away from Relena." He kept his glare ahead. The soft fluorescent lights, showing the way. "And why the hell weren't you surprised when you saw Yuy here?"
"I thought you didn't like working for that 'weak onna'." Une hid a small smile. She could distinctly remember every word of annoyance, every word of displeasure Wufei had complained to her ears all those years.
Wufei nearly stopped and argued, but he caught himself. He will not let this woman get to him. "You know what I mean."
"So, I suppose that… working for the 'weak onna' was up to your level, then?" She couldn't help her tease. Who wouldn't when they could see the stiffening of his shoulders- just like that?
Wufei grunted. All right! Fine! So working for Relena wasn't the laid back job he first thought it would be. Actually, working for her had kept him on his toes, and he liked that, but if Une doesn't stop grating that fact to him…
"Enough with the witticisms, Chang." Une stopped in front of P-wing 27 and opened the door. "We have a situation at hand."
"You mean besides the one about Arche?" Wufei followed her then closed the door behind him. The conference room was empty and bare, other than the small projector in the middle of the room and the two chairs. It almost looked like an interrogation room, but he knew better. Wufei walked to one of the seats. "Besides the one that just happened today? Besides the one-"
"Wufei." Une turned and gave him a withering glare.
Her exasperated voice made him check in his sarcasm. Une never was the type of woman who's easily shaken, and he complied with her unspoken request. "What do you need me for, Une?"
"First, let me answer your question. I don't know why Heero Yuy chose to show up today but he was here a few days ago because I wanted him to work for us. I want him to create some… programs." Wufei's nod showed her that he knew what she was hinting about- the hackers.
"It was hard to locate him," God only knew how many times she thought they caught up with him, but he always escapes. "But I finally managed, a couple of weeks ago." Une turned on the projector in the middle of the room to signify that the subject was closed. The shaft of light bounced from the white cloth on the wall and the map of world appeared. "Mr. McGregor, Director of the Intelligence Alliance, had expressed his concern about the disappearance of many populace around various key places in the world."
Wufei frowned as he stared at the map in front of him. "Key places such as…?"
"Well populated areas." A new screen scrolled over the wall with red shades in different areas of the world. "China, Philippines, Indonesia, Kiev, France…" Une turned her head slightly to give a glance at Wufei. "Think of all the populated areas around the world and all of them had experienced a quick drain. Also, some colonies: Genesis, LeRues, and Somerset, to name a few." Different orbiting satellites showed on the screen, then the world map once again.
"They died, they caught a disease…" Wufei shrugged indifferently. He had kept an eye out even though his main focus was Relena, and he never saw anything that would warrant attention. "I don't see why you should concern yourself with a good resizing of the world population."
Une shook her head. "Those theories were speculated upon and they were set aside. There were no incurable diseases that could have caused massive deaths without the government's knowledge. Also, according to the reports, the ones who had gone missing were all able-bodied adults at the prime of their life. Look at these numbers." Une passed a paper to Wufei.
Mentally, Wufei computed the six digit numbers from all over the world and… his right eyebrow shot up. "A significant number." He forced his voice not to show surprise as he handed the paper back to Une. "Who did the computations?"
"Don't act brainless, Chang. It doesn't become you." She changed the picture on the wall. "Besides, having spent years beside Relena, you know more of politics than many significant others." Compliments are always a good boost to the male ego…
He tried not to preen and nodded towards the new map. "Why India?"
"India has the highest number of loss from all the others. The Intelligence Alliance already dispatched a team somewhere between…" Une reached for her laser and pointed to the picture. The red light seemed to burn a hole through the screen. "East Godavari and Indravati. The location is far away from the current active India since William doesn't want to rile people's speculation, especially when there are already many who speaks of being snatched away by Krishna, or some other boogeyman." Une faced Wufei once again. "What do you think?"
Wufie shook his head. "I think that this will be a wild goose chase." Opal eyes that showed wisdom and strength met Une's. "The statistics may not lie, but like the economy, there are many factors which could have affected such drastic number of disappearance."
Une bid her time. "It might interest you to know that there are large supplies of coal, iron, and lead around this area." Une drew a circle around a portion of India with her pointer. "Not to mention that the seclusion aided by government restrictions, forest regions, here, and the mountainous terrain, here, would have provided ample concealment if there were any secret military upraising. There had also been many questionable satellite discrepancies around this area."
"If." Wufei glanced back at the map while some auspicious benefits came to mind. One, he will have time for himself and no more worries about security for another person for the time being. That's Heero's job now and though he will miss that waif girl, he did his part in the matchmaking arena- something that was definitely not his forte. If anybody had asked his opinion, he would have said to knock those two on the head and lock them up in a warehouse. Two, he would be able to re-train and become fit once again. Three, he'd be away from all the misery of society. He grimaced as though he didn't relish the idea. "I'll take it."
"Even if you didn't, you wouldn't have had any choice."
He knew that, but Une rarely uses her rank over his decisions. Wufei stood up, ready to leave. He would like to pack and get ready, though Une would never know that. He won't give her that pleasure. "I know."
"Wufei, wait." Une stood up to stop him even when she knew she didn't have to.
Wufei turned and faced her. He saw a bit of uncertainty… Maybe the situation with Arche was getting too much? He sighed. He knew the situation and, sad to say, she's right. It was a good decision to send Quatre in place of Duo… That braided fool. Of course… he did approve of what that irritating baka had done to one of the spoiled rotten spawns of the Morley family.
"You will have fifteen men under your wing from the Red Patrol."
He couldn't stop the frown on his face. He was going to be given a patrol? No! He wants to do this on his own! "Red Patrol? Should I even ask why you're giving me fifteen of your best men for an 'IF' post?"
She didn't have to school her face to show her seriousness. It came along with a worry and bad premonition. Something stunk and both William and she could smell it… even if not many people could… "If this turns out to be more than expected, then I want to have the best already involved."
Slanted Chinese eyes didn't waver as thin lips formed the words she had been waiting to hear. "I work alone."
Une met his gaze with her own glare. "You do not have any choice."
He knew that he didn't… Damn… he doesn't want to work with a bunch of wailing men. He could tell that she wouldn't budge… Fine. Let her think she won. He will make sure that those men will feel his dislike. Wufei walked to Une, reached for the pointer, and then turned it on. The beam of red light settled Northwest of the area Une had circled before. "I want to see how good your men are. I want the team to be dropped at Chandrapur. We'll hike from there."
Une hid a smile, knowing exactly what he was thinking of. "They're your team now, Chang. Do what you will."
…
"Alright you spores!" Wufei leaned against the thin metal divider between the barge and controllers. The jesting and laughter stopped abruptly as everyone snapped in attention on their seats and looked at the glaring Chinese.
"Everyone listen up!" Wufei gave each one of them a glower that pierced their heart. "I don't want to hear any moaning, groaning, or crying out there! We are going to hike from Chandrapur to Godavari. From there, we're going to track those IA's. Everyone got that?!"
"YES SIR!"
A smirk appeared on Wufei's face. Already, he could tell the strengths and weaknesses in each of them and he's going to test them both ways. "Let's see what you Red Patrol are made of…" He turned around and sat beside the main pilot. He could tell that all fifteen were giving him a grimace, a smirk, or something worse with their fingers… He couldn't care less. He'd been through too many bullshit in his lifetime… Funny how all of them seem just the same age and yet- Wufei smirked- he's their superior in every possible way… 'Get ready guys… you're in over your head…'
…
"He's not human!" The gasping sentence came out as a surprise to Rusty, especially since he didn't think he had enough strength to talk. "Look at all of us!!! We look like hell!!!"
"God… I didn't sign up for this… Why did you put me here?" Kevin hoarsely whispered to the clear blue sky as he lay on the dry, chapped land.
"I thought you said that he was a good man?" Terrence asked the man beside him, washing his hands with a few drops from their canister.
"He is… well… good with respect to his profession…" PJ dropped onto the hot sand while he tried to gain back his breath.
Janus weakly glanced at Wufei. "Look at him…"
Jerome looked over and saw Wufei taking a whiff of the afternoon breeze without even a single drop of sweat! "Oh God, we're paired with Tarzan…"
"Guys, come on… Look at this!" Chris snapped his arms around him, the only one who seemed to have a bit of strength. "The clear sky. Trees… Nature at its best!"
Ian quickly threw a stone at him, but too tired, his aim went wide. "Yeah! And aching back, sore feet-"
A slap echoed from another side. "Bugs, mosquitoes. Thank God we're vaccinated!"
Chris shrugged then looked at Travis who was just sitting at the roots of a rubber tree, his back against the trunk, his face tilted to the radiant sun. Relaxing. Good, at least one of them seemed to be enjoying himself. "Yo Trav! You okay over there?"
A groan answered them before the man turned to his side. "Don't wake me up, mom."
Laughter erupted in the air and caught Wufei's attention. When he glanced back, everyone hushed. 'Guess everyone's tired… Good.'
"I'm going to check the land under the cliff." Rene whispered as he stood up.
"Rene! Will yah rest?! You want us to look bad?" Will complained in an irritated whisper.
"Aw hell, Will! Give it a rest! At least our leader is standing up to Commander Chang's expectations." Tyrone stood up then faced Rene. "I'm going with you."
Harry groggily stood up as Rene nodded. "I'll go with you, too."
Wufei watched as the troop leader and two of his usual comrades walked towards the edge of the cliff to map out their next course. If his calculations were correct… they should stumble upon the IA's camp sometime soon- Wufei nearly bolted to the boys when Rene's jaw dropped, Tyrone fell down to his knees, and Harry clutched his chest as if in a stroke.
Everyone who had been watching the trio stood up and ran to them, concerned. Wufei reached them before any of the other twelve.
"Gu… guah…" Tyrone tried to speak. Rene swallowed repeatedly and Harry couldn't seem to breathe…
The others reached the ledge and received the shock of their lives. The ones who could still move their jaws cried out-
"Oh my God!"
"I've died and gone to heaven…"
"That isn't a mirage, is it?"
"Maybe someone threw a bomb from the sky and we're just…"
"Are those…?"
"…Women…" The word was said in a sigh.
"Holy shit! Are those panties on that clothesline?!"
"And lacy bras…!"
Wufei, already able to harness his initial shock, tore his eyes away from the female utopia down below, and then faced his men. "ATTENTION!!!"
His men scrambled to stand in forced attentiveness. The straight line formed and Wufei glared at them. The scene below them caught his eyes once again. The camp of women who could be hikers with government passes, or missionaries, or-
A fluttering red flag made Wufei take a second glance at the center of the white tents. 'Hell no!' Wufei's eyes flared into an unquenchable fire. His men tried not to look afraid. Having spent two weeks with him was enough to be familiar with some of the commander's facial expressions, and what he could do to them! 'Une… you're going to have a lot of explaining to do!!!' How could she do this to him! How could she have forgotten to say this one damnable detail?! "Now listen up everyone!" He faced his men, fire ablaze in his eyes. "Those women down there are not to be looked, not to be touched, and not to be whistled at! Any verbal or physical actions towards them and you will all wish you never laid eyes on a single bust or butt."
Mental groans and expletives ran through their heads. "Does that mean we're going to go down there?!" The whispered exclamation reached Wufei's trained ears.
"Wilmore!"
Ian gulped and, with quivering knees, stepped forward. "Yes sir!"
Wufei walked to him then leaned down to glare at the young blonde. He could tell that the boy was tired… Perfect. "Squat."
Ian's eyes widened but did as was commanded. "Yes sir!"
"We are going to go down there and meet them." Wufei turned away so they wouldn't see his disgusted look. "They're the camp we're looking for." He could already hear their mouths drop to the ground.
"P-p-permission to speak, sir."
Wufei nodded. "Go ahead Hackett."
"We were supposed to meet the Intelligence Alliance camp. Does that mean that they are…?" His voice trailed off.
"Finish your sentence Hackett!" One of the things that irritates him the most is when people do not finish their sentences!
Rene gulped. "That they are the IA commando team?"
"Correct." Even though he wished he wasn't.
"Damn! A whole squad of women-!"
"Guillory! Squat now!"
"Yes sir!" Travis stepped forward and met his orders.
"We are going to camp here tonight and move out tomorrow morning at first light. UNDERSTOOD?!"
"YES SIR!"
The men gave sympathetic looks to their two sweating comrades then filed out to make their tents.
…
"Ping!!!" A shapely auburn ran inside the middle tent and nearly bumped into their commander. "Ping!" She grabbed the woman by the shoulders and started shaking her excitedly.
"Hey! Hey! Samantha! Careful. I need my arms. I would like them to stay attached to my body!"
"Oh… sorry! I'm just so excited!" Samantha took her hands away from Ping's body then started half pacing, half hopping in the small tent. "There are men up on the ledge!"
"Men?" Ping walked out of the tent, stared at the 'Half-Moon' ledge and saw the thin strand of smoke from a campfire. Whoever they were, they were not covering the fact that they're up there! Too confident that there were no danger, perhaps?
"Yes. Fifteen. One for each of us!" Samantha walked to Ping's bed and lay down on it, her long blonde hair falling like golden waterfall while a dreamy expression settled on her face. "Just think! Fifteen men for the picking."
"Careful now, Juliet. Your Romeo might not be there." Ping tapped her chin, trying to figure out who would be out at this side of India. She never received any notification, or event. "We're not sure if those are hairy creatures or… men."
Samantha sighed, rolling to her side and propping her chin on her knuckles. "Who cares?! They're men!"
"Are you sure there're fifteen?" She already started creating strategies in her head, knowing every twig and stone around the area. "Because if you're right, then we outnumber them by one."
"Well, according to Tarra and Christine, there are fiftee- oh!" Hands went over her perfect mouth while blue eyes gave an apology. "I was just thinking about the platoon- I didn't include the commander so, its actually sixteen."
"We're evenly matched." Ping walked to her desk to look at the map. She didn't really care who the strangers were. They could handle them easily, she's quite sure of it. "Tell Miondy to contact the base for any information we need to know then get Tarra and Christine to check them out again. Try to figure out if they're out here for a reason, or for leisure, then get the others ready with their guns. I don't want to take any chances."
"On my way, Ping." Samantha quickly hopped away from the bed, clicked her heels together, gave a mock salute, and then rushed outside.
Ping counted to ten before-
"Hey Ping…" Samantha's head popped back in from the space between her tent flaps. The blonde gave an embarrassed smile. "Yah think I could possibly go with Tar and Chris?"
'I knew it…' Ping grinned, unable to hide her amusement. "Fine. Go eat your heart out." Her troops could take care of themselves.
…
"Yes sir?" Rene stood inside Wufei's tent. Once again, left in awe as to how his commander was able to pack so much, still be at the lead, and have his tent up before any of them… Guess that's why he's the chief, right?
Wufei didn't look up from his desk as he studied the map for the hundredth time. "There are three pairs of eyes observing this camp. Make sure that none of your friends say anything significant."
Rene frowned. All of them already had their dinner, was able to clean up so they'd be presentable tomorrow, and he already had PJ keep two servings for his still squatting comrades… but through it all, he didn't see any spies. Then again, Wufei Chang was rarely wrong. "Yes sir."
Wufei nodded and Rene left. The moment the boy vacated his tent, Wufei walked outside once again and saw the still shadow figures against the trees. They were perfectly covered, but he knew they were spies. He glanced back at the two still squatting men and then mentally pushed them… As if he had telekinesis, the two finally dropped down to their knees and then onto their faces- dead to the world.
Everyone stopped and stared at Wufei. He glared at them. "Let them be your example. Remember! Be blind, mute, and deaf!" He's damn sure that his men knew what he's talking about. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Rene, walking around. His men snapped straighter than before. "Palmer! Boone!"
PJ and Jerome snapped in attention. "YES SIR!"
Wufei motioned to the two men on the ground. "Get them cleaned and into their bags."
"YES SIR!"
Without another glance at the men, he entered his tent. He hadn't expected to baby sit fifteen men. All his plans were ruined. Dammit, he wanted to be alone in this mission! That was one of the things he missed now that he works for the Preventers. And now! Those women… Damn it all.
…
The tent entrance fluttered open and Samantha entered once again with a beautiful Hawaiian following right behind.
"Report." Ping ordered, uninterested as she wrote in her logbook.
"They're cute! Handsome! Oh God! I've already laid my claim on that one tall blonde man. Don't you think he was hot, Christine?" Samantha sighed.
Christine grinned, enjoying a certain vision in her mind. "I want the tall, silent one."
Ping's pencil nearly broke in half, annoyed, but instead of snapping at the others, she just rolled her eyes. "Your descriptions are too vague, how will the others know whom you're claiming?"
Christine and Sam just giggled, not at all hearing the sarcasm outlined in her voice. "We've already got-"
"First dibs on the men since we were the first to see them."
Ping leaned back against her backrest. It was hard to stay mad at her friends, and just seeing their animated faces, well… it brought a playful smile on her lips. "You do realize that when I say report, I meant a real report and not some school girly gushes."
"Oh Ping! Come on! Why are you so serious all of a sudden? Besides, it'll be a nice change from that old priest who comes in every two months." Sam walked behind her and patted her back.
"Yeah, Minxie Lady. All the girls have been worried about you." Christine added as she sat on the makeshift table, her long midnight hair touching her legs.
Ping gave a repentant smile. "I apologize. I guess I'm just a bit stressed… a little angry, too…" Finally, her anger broke and she pounded her fist on the table. "William McGregor just had to involve the Preventers into my mission as if I couldn't handle it."
Christine touched her hand. They all know the ongoing tension between their commander and… well… the Director of the Intelligence. "He just wants to make sure that if there's anything to be truly concerned about, there will be a backup."
"Yes, I know that…" Christine, the team's voice of reason, spoke wisely once again. "But I'm still angry." Ping sighed then stood up and turned away from her friends. "I don't even know when those Preventers are going to show up." And start wrecking her life.
Christine and Sam glanced at each other. "Well… I think they're already here."
"What?" Ping turned and stared at them, green eyes with gold flecks widening.
"The men on the ledge had a structured event and they were following the commands of one man, snapping in attention like real soldiers- oh it was beautiful to watch them!" Christine wrapped her arms around her petite body.
Ping shook her head while dread seeped into her bones. "In other words… they're the Preventers."
"Yep. And they are probably going to come down here tomorrow morning." Sam whispered excitedly.
"I can't wait! I wonder what I should wear…"
Ping sighed. Her friends could be so dense sometimes… then again, they're the ones who keeps her sane. "Tell the others to keep their guns near and to go about with their daily duties tomorrow."
"If I'm going to have to point a gun at any of them, it'll only be to force him to make love to me." Sam sighed.
"Wicked love." Christine added as she licked her lips.
"Honestly!" Ping clapped her hands in front of them. "Girls! You're being imp-"
"Ping! Six months with no male contact is enough to drive a woman mad you know." Christine pointed out just as Sam nodded.
"Exactly!"
Ping gave up and threw her hands in the air. "I am pulling ranks right now! No one moves until I give the say so!"
Christine's and Sam's eyes widened. "But-"
"No buts! Everyone can look but no one should touch- and no verbal statements!"
The look on the two women's eyes rivaled that of a little kid asking for ice cream and Ping had to keep her iron grip on her lips. "You are both dismissed."
Sam and Christine snapped their heels together. "Yes ma'am." With a grimace, they left the room.
Ping took a deep breath, let it out slowly then faced her office. It was clean enough… Time to get ready for tomorrow and show whoever's in charge of that group who's really in charge in this mission.