Chapter Twenty: Forgive us, Lord, for the Tricks up our Sleeves

*This is a quote from Saint Tails

Chase and Heero walked into the small airport hungry, tired, and dirty. The man at the front desk (and quite possibly the only man there) looked up. He smiled warmly.

He asked something in a language foreign to Heero's ears. Chase seemed to respond with ease as she smiled back. She continued to rattle on. All the Japanese man could pick up on were a few words scattered hear and there he had heard Odin Lowe use, but that had been years ago, and his former mentor had never taken time to explain or even tell what language it was.

Chase appeared to be discussing frivolous matters with the man. She still used her hands to explain, and that's the only clues Heero received. Finally, the young artist took on a more serious demeanor and ceased her chatter. She continued talking, in hushed tones now. The old man's eyes darted from one area to another as they continued. He looked suspicious of something. When Chase finished, he smiled.

He said something, almost as if finalizing. "As always," he said in broken English, "It is good to do business with you, Miss Thate."

She bowed slightly. "And you, Dimitri." Chase turned to Heero and motioned for him to walk with her.

"What was all that?"

"Russian. When I came back, I did not forget anything I had known. Many languages have faded into the back of my mind and have become rusty, but Russian has always been useful. Especially in America, where few people speak the language."

Heero smiled slightly. "What did you say to him?"

"Simply that we needed a place to stay for the night, a plane - double engine preferable - and food, and if he could provide, his salary would be dealt with as usual."

"How do you know him?"

"Long story, boyo," Chase said. "He's... not your average pilot. Let's just say I haven't lost all of my skills. When I want to get away from everything, I do. Anna doesn't even know how I do it. She's become slightly accustom to my disappearing acts."

"He won't ask questions?"

"He's got more to cover up than we do, Heero."

His dark eyes widened slightly. "That's a lot."

"A little bit here and there adds up quickly if you're not careful, but then again, some people are falsely accused."

He nodded. "So where do we stay for the night?"

Chase grimaced slightly. "You see that little house over there?"

Heero glanced. "I've seen worse."

"Seen better too, but it'll have to do."

"Beggars can't be choosers."

"And there's running water. That's an improvement from last time. We'll also have a place to hook the computers up. I'm sure 'Dimitri' will have a nice little arsenal somewhere that he could lend us."

"The friends you have, Chase," Heero muttered as he started for the house.

"Yes, the friends I have. Where would we be without them?"

"Still wandering."

A soft knock came at the door and Chase padded to it. She opened it up to see Dimitri.

"What can I do for you, Dimitri?" she asked in Russian.

"I just wanted to check on you, Miss Thate. Who is the man, if you don't mind my asking."

"My husband."

He grinned. "You don't need to pay this time, Miss Thate. My business picked up. I think it's almost become respectable, now that my name is clear."

"I am a paying customer, Dimitri."

"You cleared my name. I owe you what you ask."

"I can't swear the plane will come back in one piece."

"I understand that. I knew when you came that you weren't here for pleasure. That is Heero, isn't it?"

"Yes."

Dimitri smiled. "I'm happy you two found each other." He sighed heavily. "Don't tell him."

"I won't."

"I was almost worried when he walked in, that he'd recognize me."

"He didn't, I can assure you. He was so young. Why don't you come in and say 'hello'? For old times sake, ne?"

Dimitri shook his head. "No, Mrs. Yuy, I'm afraid I can't. It's been too long since I've seen that kid."

Chase nodded. "I can't tell you much, but I can tell you that a war is in the process, and I'll need someone to help us."

"What do you need, Chase?"

"Weapons. I know you have them. A former assassin would. And information."

Dimitri cocked an eyebrow. "Weapons I have. Information is hard to come by in this world."

"I know you, Mr. Lowe. You can pull most anything off."

Dimitri nodded. "You're right. What do you need?"

"OWN."

"Done. I'll have for you what I can by morning."

"Don't stay up too late," Chase said with a smirk as he turned to leave.

"Oh, and Miss Thate?"

"Hmm?"

"You're husband is waiting for you."

"I know."

"Keep him safe." That said, the old man headed out.

"What was that?" Heero asked as he pulled her close.

"He's got weapons... and information. We'll leave in the morning."

"Why did you ask for the apartment above the one General Victor picked out for you?" Cavel asked.

Anna set her bag down inside the door and flicked the lights on. "I do my own shopping. Besides that, there's the small fact I don't trust him. Fully furnished, this is nice."

"You don't trust the man who hired you?" he asked, sounding surprised.

"Kid, I don't trust a lot of people."

"Do you trust me?"

"Not yet. We'll work on that. You have to prove to me you're trustworthy."

"How do I do that?"

"Today we have mission." Anna said, glancing around for any obvious cameras or bugs.

"From Victor?"

"Nope, from me."

"You give yourself missions."

"Not usually, but this needs to be done." She said, appearing satisfied that they had privacy. It was a nice small apartment, only having a living room, a kitchen, one bathroom, and two bedrooms. It was small, but still roomy enough not to feel crowded.

He waited for a further explanation, but none was forthcoming. "So what are we doing?" he asked. It felt strange for him to be asking questions. He'd been taking commands for so long, it was different being his own person again.

"'We' won't be doing anything. I'll be breaking one of Victor's prisoners loose, and you'll be watching. You can supply information, too." Anna replied.

He stared at her as she moved around the living room and kitchen, further checking for cameras and bugs. "Let me get this straight. You walk in to Victor's office, get yourself hired, and plan to break one of his prisoner's out."

She looked over at him and grinned. "You got it, Sherlock."

"Why?"

"Because I want to know what kind of security he's got. I owe it to the person who has been captured. I haven't done anything like this in a while and I need to get in tune. Satisfied?" Anna answered.

"I guess. You have a strange way of thinking."

"Thank you. It's not the first time I've been told as much."

"So we go tonight." He concluded.

"Right. As soon as I change into something more...thief-like. Do you have an all black outfit?" Anna asked.

"Yes ma'am." He responded.

"Good. Pick a bedroom and change. And drop the ma'am, call me Mei."

"All right, Mei." He picked the bedroom closest to the front door and went to change.

Anna shook her head. "What have I gotten myself into? So much for me being the thinker." She muttered. She changed into her all black outfit in the bathroom and grabbed her small backpack. It held everything she could ever need for almost any situation. Bombs, security, capture, weapons, electric fences, and locks, bigger bombs...it was the ultimate be-prepared pack. And tonight, she was going to use it to rescue Meg Collins.

Cavel was still in his chosen room when the telephone rang. She instantly reached for her cell in the bag, and frowned when it wasn't there. That's when she realized it was the phone in the apartment.

"Hello?" she greeted, digging further into her bag. She knew it was in there somewhere.

"Miss Hoshimawari?" a female voice asked.

"This is she." Anna mumbled, still looking for the phone.

"This is Lydia, General Victor's secretary." She said, sounding nervous.

Anna sat up and paid attention. "What can I do for you?"

"General Victor would like for you to join him for dinner this evening." She said.

Anna nearly fell off the couch. No way was she doing the romance-the-villain trick. She composed herself. "Tell him thank you but no thank you. Tonight isn't good for me. Perhaps another time. Oh, and Lydia, tell him I said that if he wants me for dinner, ask me himself." She hung up the phone. "The nerve..."

Cavel came out of his room, clad in black sneakers, black baggy jeans with at least twelve pockets, and a black turtleneck. "Will this work?" he asked.

She raised an eyebrow. "That great, Kid. Fabulous. Do you have any weapons or tools?"

He dug around in his pockets and presented a pick lock kit, a bomb defusing kit, and a Glok. "That's it." He said.

"I'm sure it will do." Anna said wryly. It was almost more that she and Chase had started out with, with the exception of the gundams. The phone rang again.

"Yes?" she answered.

"Miss Hoshimawari?" It was Lydia again.

"Yes, Lydia?" Anna asked patiently.

"Um, I have another request from General Victor."

"What is it?"

"General Victor would like you to meet his head trainer tomorrow morning. Would that be satisfactory?" she asked.

"Yes, that's fine. Meet him where?" Anna sighed.

"He'll drop by your apartment." Lydia said.

"Fine. Thank you."

"Goodbye." Lydia said.

Anna hung up again and checked her watch. It was nearing one a.m. "Let's hit the road."

"Who was that?" Cavel asked.

"Lydia. Victor's secretary. I'm supposed to meet his head trainer tomorrow morning. You will too, by the way."

"Head trainer?"

"That's right, Tiger." Anna confirmed.

"I already know him. Commander Barton."

That got her interest. "Oh, really? Well, we'll have to get this done lickety split then, won't we? We want to well prepared for the Commander."

She shut off the light and shut the door behind them. "Well prepared indeed."

Jack Avis switched his heat radar on with a sense of excitement. It taken him exactly one day to get an exact location on the Yuys. He had been half-afraid he was going to let Trowa down, but in the end he had triumphed. He and his four men had the small airport surrounded. His machine beeped softly announcing its results. He leaned into his comm.

"All right. I have a reading. There are only three people in the area. There's one person in the airport building itself. There are two people in the house across the street." He said.

"The two in the house are the Yuys?" a man named Jerry asked.

"More than likely. Remember, split them up. Even if we only detain one, it's a successful mission. We cannot fail." Jack answered.

"We're ready, Lieutenant." Dana reported.

"Go." Avis commanded.

Dana and Jerry walked up to the airport and went inside. Jack and his other two men waited by the house. As planned, a few minutes later a huge crash sounded from the airport. Shouting and banging soon followed.

"All right, you two with me. We have all exits to the house covered?" Jack asked.

"Yes, Sir!" came the reply.

"Excellent. Remember, even if we only get one. They should come out to see what the noise is from their friend in a moment." Jack replied.

Chase stirred in her sleep. She awoke, and listened to the noises in the house, and then outside. Maybe she hadn't heard anything. Then she heard it again, a distinct shout. It was coming from the airport...

"Heero! Wake up!" she jolted up and reached for her gun.

Chase sprinted for the house. It was surrounded. Growling, she let a shot ring through the still night air.

"What's going on?" Heero demanded.

"Dimitri's in trouble. OWN."

"Great. Just what we needed."

"Go to the hanger and start up the plane. He might be coming with us, so make sure that we have enough room."

"And the ammunition?"

"Forget it. Our lives are more important." She glanced around. "And knowing Odin, there WILL be guns available," she muttered as she sprinted off toward the airport.

Heero looked at the small, two engine Baron that sat in the hanger. He glared at it. "She expects me to start that thing?"

He looked off to the side to see several machine guns lying in a heap in the corner. A smirk crossed his lips. "Dimitri came through after all."

Chase took out yet another officer with a foot in the face. "They just keep coming," she mumbled.

Suddenly she felt something cold against her back. "Don't move, Mrs. Yuy."

Chase stiffened. "Of course not."

Avis smirked. "One Yuy down, one to go."

Suddenly he felt a hard impact on the back of his head and he fell to the ground.

Chase turned quickly. "Odin!" she gasped.

"Come on. He'll come 'round soon enough."

She nodded and they sprinted towards the exit. "You know they'll be more outside!" Chase said.

When they did exit, they saw the group of soldiers scurrying about and yelling. They looked at each other, then looked at the soldiers. "What in space...?"

The Baron came down for a low pass and she saw Heero trying to maintain a decent altitude. Chase smirked. "Land it, ya moron! Before you kill everyone."

"And in one piece, kid," Dimitri begged quietly.

The Baron came down to a rough landing. (Though "landing" may not be the correct word...) Chase climbed in and shoved Heero into the co-pilot's seat. Dimitri climbed in the back and started preparing the weapons.

"Don't take offense if I'm frank with ya, boyo, but I NEVER want to be anywhere near you if you ever try to fly a Baron again!"

Heero smirked slightly as he looked back to the old man and weapons. "What do we have back there?"

"Plenty of weapons."

"My sketch pad!" Chase nearly screeched. "We left my art work!"

"Forget it, Chase, just keep flying," Heero said roughly.

Chase glared slightly, but accepted orders.

Avis growled slightly. They'd failed yet again. A young man walked up to him and held out a book of some sort. "Is this any help, sir?"

Avis looked at it. "A sketch pad?"

"I suppose so, sir."

Avis smirked. "Let's see if we can link Mrs. Yuy/Russell with whoever signed these pictures."

(A/N: Okay, the deal with this here is that Chase uses the alias Elise Thate to sell her mangas in Japan and her books in America, but not many people know that Jen Estes and Elise Thate are one in the same. ^_^)