Chapter 20- Questions, but No Answers
Tak flipped the switch on the communicator. The image that appeared was nothing but blue. He dialed the number and waited for Trieze to pick up. The image of Trieze came on the screen.
"Sir." Tak saluted.
"At ease, Tak. What is it." Trieze said smoothly.
"A problem, sir."
"Problem?"
Tak sat down; "It's Gilly, sir. She came back from the battle a wreck."
"Her first battle in a long time."
"No. She went after one of the Gundam pilots, and then she came back."
"What?"
"I think she had an encounter with one of them. I tried to talk to her about it, but she didn't remember what happened. Trieze, this has gone too far, we need to let her go."
"I'll have a look at her when I come up to join you."
"Sir, it may be too late by then."
"I won't be long."
"Yes, sir." Tak sighed.
"Don't worry for now. She's strong she can make it."
"There's something else she's hiding. I don't know what it is, but not even Sumire seems to know."
"Hmm." Trieze thought.
"We should give her back. She doesn't belong here. I hate letting her go, but it's for the best. This identity is all wrong."
"We'll see how things are when I come up. Until than, keep her away from unnecessary battles."
"Very well, sir."
The screen went black and Tak was trying to think of what to do, when Gilly came out into the open.
"My identity is all wrong?" Gilly asked.
"Gilly!" Tak jumped.
"What's going on Tak? Who am I?"
"I can't say."
"Tell me, now!" Gilly drew her gun.
"Honestly? I don't rightly know."
"Why are you doing this? I thought you cared for me."
"I said this once before, I serve under Trieze Kushrenada, I am loyal to him. I do not answer to his daughter, or rather the girl who is supposedly so."
"So that's all I am to you? Trieze Kushrenada's daughter?" She cleared her throat and spoke with great force, "So what was the plot, Tak? Keep her occupied so she couldn't figure out who she is?"
"No."
"Than what? Lie to her? Destroy her?"
"He was supposed to back out if things went wrong..."
"Well! Things did go wrong! Terribly wrong! Rather than just forgetting your mission, you've destroyed the life of someone! I don't even know my true name!"
"Your first name really is Gilly, and the reason you don't remember is because there's some sort amnesiatic drug running through your veins, and that's all I can offer you."
"I believe part of that."
"Which part?"
"My name is Gilly."
"Why?"
"I have sources."
"What sources?"
"Why do you care?"
"Because I care about you."
"Not enough obviously. If you truly cared, than you wouldn't do this to me."
"I told you, I'm loyal to Trieze."
"Than make a choice." Gilly folded her arms, gun still in hand.
"What?!"
"You heard me, make a choice."
"What choice?"
"You're loyal to Trieze Kushrenada, correct? But, supposedly, you care for me. Trieze Kushrenada or Gilly Hathaway?" The words were pushed out of her mouth by some unseen force.
"Hathaway?"
"I told you, I have my sources."
"You came to me earlier. You were in tears. I comforted you. You wanted more, but I went to Trieze, to have him lift this curse."
"And?"
"He'll be coming up soon, and when he does, he'll decide of his own accord whether it is best for you."
"I'll decide what's best for me! I am not his! I am..." Her breath caught in her throat, who was she; "I am Gilly Hathaway. I don't totally know what that means, but I will find out. That I do know." She put her gun away.
"I can't choose..."
"You can't, or you won't? Your indecision has granted you nothing. You are no longer for either. You have lost yourself leaving your heart torn." Gilly slapped him hard across his left cheek, "Before I go, grant me one thing."
Tak only starred at her.
"How is this drug able to stay in my system?"
"There was some sort of dart placed on you. I don't know where it is or much about it. It's simply there." He touched his cheek gently.
"Bastard. I hope you live a long time with the anguish of knowing I could never love you. I feel sorry for Sumire."
"Sumire? Why?"
"She loves you. I leave now." She turned around, than remembered something and turned back, "Chances are I won't see her again, so give her a message for me."
"For you?"
"For her."
"If it is for you..."
Gilly hit him again, "Finish that and you'll regret it. I'll allow you to do it for me, but it's for Sumire's sake."
"Very, well."
"Tell her to leave here." "What?! I can't do that!" "I'll probably wind up on a side that's opposing you. I will fight with no regret. If we wind up in a battle, I won't hesitate to kill her. But, I don't wish to kill my friend. She is in the dark, you are not. It is almost exactly like my dreams. I die if I choose your side, but my true friends don't deserve the death I will give them." "I'll let her know." "Good. I'm going. Try to stop me and die."
"Good-bye, my love."
Gilly didn't even acknowledge him. She convinced herself that she didn't care. Tears began to form in her eyes as she walked towards the hanger. No one would be able to help her, now. It hurt too much. She didn't want to love him, but he was so familiar to her. She longed for the one who could right all the wrongs and turn the darkness to light.
With the thought and hope that she might find him, Gilly boarded Knightsaber. She didn't know where she was going or exactly what she was searching for, but the desire kept her going.
* * * * *
Duo was infuriated with Hilde. When he got back on Peacemillion, all the other Gundams were there. Hilde was sitting on a crate, waiting for him. He was going to give her a verbal beating she would never forget. He sauntered up to her, his face was right in hers, and their eyes met.
"Duo, what happened?" She asked sheepishly.
"Do you have any idea what you've just done?!" He growled.
"No, I'm afraid I don't." Her voice was barely above a whisper, and very wary.
"You have just caused so much pain in the heart of Gilly Hathaway, that her situation has become even more grave."
"I'm sorry, Duo," Her words were full of tears, "I had no idea."
"I have stuff to do."
"She loves you." Her words shocked Duo, "That's why she ran."
"Yes."
"And what of you?"
"I feel the same."
Duo's words cut through Hilde like a knife. He didn't wait for a response, but angrily stomped out towards the control room. She watched him go unable to breathe the only thing stopping her from crying was the anger and hatred she felt for Gilly.
Duo reached the control room. Lt. Noin, Major Sally, Howard, and the four other Gundam pilots were in the middle of a conversation.
"Noin?" Howard was questioning.
"I honestly don't know what Ze-- Milliardo is thinking." Noin replied.
"Duo, where have you been?" Sally asked.
"I found out why Gilly is with OZ, or at least partially." He replied.
No response came from them. Duo continued.
"Once more, someone's been messing with her mind."
"Once more?" Quatre was concerned.
"It's a long story. Anyway, most of our hopes of getting her back are gone." He remembered what he saw.
"It's not all hopeless." A voice said as she walked through the door.
"Who the hell are you?" Duo asked, unaware of the angry tone he used when he turned.
"I am Lt. Col. Sienna Troit." She replied.
Duo shifted his weight, "What do you mean?"
"I worked for Trieze..." She began, but stopped when Duo went for his gun.
Duo drew his gun, but didn't hear the sound of anyone else doing the same. Even Heero stood still. Duo felt alone and confused. Noin walked up beside him and placed her hand on his arm.
"Duo, she has come here to atone." Noin assured him, "She was partly responsible for what happened to Gilly, and could not bear the weight of guilt on her shoulders."
"I want to help, Duo" Troit sighed.
"How?" Was Duo's response.
"I know why she is with OZ. I guess you could consider it kidnapping. I know I don't deserve your trust, but allow me to help. I want to right the wrongs I have done."
"Continue."
"By use of an amnesiatic drug, Trieze was able to control her. It has been causing her pain. Pain only another woman could see. I couldn't stand it any more, so I came her."
"What do you propose we do?"
"I suggest we remove the problem, but first we have to get her here, along with her Gundam, and all she left behind when she was captured."
Tak flipped the switch on the communicator. The image that appeared was nothing but blue. He dialed the number and waited for Trieze to pick up. The image of Trieze came on the screen.
"Sir." Tak saluted.
"At ease, Tak. What is it." Trieze said smoothly.
"A problem, sir."
"Problem?"
Tak sat down; "It's Gilly, sir. She came back from the battle a wreck."
"Her first battle in a long time."
"No. She went after one of the Gundam pilots, and then she came back."
"What?"
"I think she had an encounter with one of them. I tried to talk to her about it, but she didn't remember what happened. Trieze, this has gone too far, we need to let her go."
"I'll have a look at her when I come up to join you."
"Sir, it may be too late by then."
"I won't be long."
"Yes, sir." Tak sighed.
"Don't worry for now. She's strong she can make it."
"There's something else she's hiding. I don't know what it is, but not even Sumire seems to know."
"Hmm." Trieze thought.
"We should give her back. She doesn't belong here. I hate letting her go, but it's for the best. This identity is all wrong."
"We'll see how things are when I come up. Until than, keep her away from unnecessary battles."
"Very well, sir."
The screen went black and Tak was trying to think of what to do, when Gilly came out into the open.
"My identity is all wrong?" Gilly asked.
"Gilly!" Tak jumped.
"What's going on Tak? Who am I?"
"I can't say."
"Tell me, now!" Gilly drew her gun.
"Honestly? I don't rightly know."
"Why are you doing this? I thought you cared for me."
"I said this once before, I serve under Trieze Kushrenada, I am loyal to him. I do not answer to his daughter, or rather the girl who is supposedly so."
"So that's all I am to you? Trieze Kushrenada's daughter?" She cleared her throat and spoke with great force, "So what was the plot, Tak? Keep her occupied so she couldn't figure out who she is?"
"No."
"Than what? Lie to her? Destroy her?"
"He was supposed to back out if things went wrong..."
"Well! Things did go wrong! Terribly wrong! Rather than just forgetting your mission, you've destroyed the life of someone! I don't even know my true name!"
"Your first name really is Gilly, and the reason you don't remember is because there's some sort amnesiatic drug running through your veins, and that's all I can offer you."
"I believe part of that."
"Which part?"
"My name is Gilly."
"Why?"
"I have sources."
"What sources?"
"Why do you care?"
"Because I care about you."
"Not enough obviously. If you truly cared, than you wouldn't do this to me."
"I told you, I'm loyal to Trieze."
"Than make a choice." Gilly folded her arms, gun still in hand.
"What?!"
"You heard me, make a choice."
"What choice?"
"You're loyal to Trieze Kushrenada, correct? But, supposedly, you care for me. Trieze Kushrenada or Gilly Hathaway?" The words were pushed out of her mouth by some unseen force.
"Hathaway?"
"I told you, I have my sources."
"You came to me earlier. You were in tears. I comforted you. You wanted more, but I went to Trieze, to have him lift this curse."
"And?"
"He'll be coming up soon, and when he does, he'll decide of his own accord whether it is best for you."
"I'll decide what's best for me! I am not his! I am..." Her breath caught in her throat, who was she; "I am Gilly Hathaway. I don't totally know what that means, but I will find out. That I do know." She put her gun away.
"I can't choose..."
"You can't, or you won't? Your indecision has granted you nothing. You are no longer for either. You have lost yourself leaving your heart torn." Gilly slapped him hard across his left cheek, "Before I go, grant me one thing."
Tak only starred at her.
"How is this drug able to stay in my system?"
"There was some sort of dart placed on you. I don't know where it is or much about it. It's simply there." He touched his cheek gently.
"Bastard. I hope you live a long time with the anguish of knowing I could never love you. I feel sorry for Sumire."
"Sumire? Why?"
"She loves you. I leave now." She turned around, than remembered something and turned back, "Chances are I won't see her again, so give her a message for me."
"For you?"
"For her."
"If it is for you..."
Gilly hit him again, "Finish that and you'll regret it. I'll allow you to do it for me, but it's for Sumire's sake."
"Very, well."
"Tell her to leave here." "What?! I can't do that!" "I'll probably wind up on a side that's opposing you. I will fight with no regret. If we wind up in a battle, I won't hesitate to kill her. But, I don't wish to kill my friend. She is in the dark, you are not. It is almost exactly like my dreams. I die if I choose your side, but my true friends don't deserve the death I will give them." "I'll let her know." "Good. I'm going. Try to stop me and die."
"Good-bye, my love."
Gilly didn't even acknowledge him. She convinced herself that she didn't care. Tears began to form in her eyes as she walked towards the hanger. No one would be able to help her, now. It hurt too much. She didn't want to love him, but he was so familiar to her. She longed for the one who could right all the wrongs and turn the darkness to light.
With the thought and hope that she might find him, Gilly boarded Knightsaber. She didn't know where she was going or exactly what she was searching for, but the desire kept her going.
* * * * *
Duo was infuriated with Hilde. When he got back on Peacemillion, all the other Gundams were there. Hilde was sitting on a crate, waiting for him. He was going to give her a verbal beating she would never forget. He sauntered up to her, his face was right in hers, and their eyes met.
"Duo, what happened?" She asked sheepishly.
"Do you have any idea what you've just done?!" He growled.
"No, I'm afraid I don't." Her voice was barely above a whisper, and very wary.
"You have just caused so much pain in the heart of Gilly Hathaway, that her situation has become even more grave."
"I'm sorry, Duo," Her words were full of tears, "I had no idea."
"I have stuff to do."
"She loves you." Her words shocked Duo, "That's why she ran."
"Yes."
"And what of you?"
"I feel the same."
Duo's words cut through Hilde like a knife. He didn't wait for a response, but angrily stomped out towards the control room. She watched him go unable to breathe the only thing stopping her from crying was the anger and hatred she felt for Gilly.
Duo reached the control room. Lt. Noin, Major Sally, Howard, and the four other Gundam pilots were in the middle of a conversation.
"Noin?" Howard was questioning.
"I honestly don't know what Ze-- Milliardo is thinking." Noin replied.
"Duo, where have you been?" Sally asked.
"I found out why Gilly is with OZ, or at least partially." He replied.
No response came from them. Duo continued.
"Once more, someone's been messing with her mind."
"Once more?" Quatre was concerned.
"It's a long story. Anyway, most of our hopes of getting her back are gone." He remembered what he saw.
"It's not all hopeless." A voice said as she walked through the door.
"Who the hell are you?" Duo asked, unaware of the angry tone he used when he turned.
"I am Lt. Col. Sienna Troit." She replied.
Duo shifted his weight, "What do you mean?"
"I worked for Trieze..." She began, but stopped when Duo went for his gun.
Duo drew his gun, but didn't hear the sound of anyone else doing the same. Even Heero stood still. Duo felt alone and confused. Noin walked up beside him and placed her hand on his arm.
"Duo, she has come here to atone." Noin assured him, "She was partly responsible for what happened to Gilly, and could not bear the weight of guilt on her shoulders."
"I want to help, Duo" Troit sighed.
"How?" Was Duo's response.
"I know why she is with OZ. I guess you could consider it kidnapping. I know I don't deserve your trust, but allow me to help. I want to right the wrongs I have done."
"Continue."
"By use of an amnesiatic drug, Trieze was able to control her. It has been causing her pain. Pain only another woman could see. I couldn't stand it any more, so I came her."
"What do you propose we do?"
"I suggest we remove the problem, but first we have to get her here, along with her Gundam, and all she left behind when she was captured."