Ummm, I was kind of lazy and didn't write for several weeks. But I will make it up! Promise!
Ch.10
Hans observed the Luxembourg mansion in his car through a pair of binoculars. "He is coming out." He reported into a 2 way radio. "The Duke is leaving in a black, unmarked car." He put away the binocular as the car he just mentioned roared past him. "Follow it!" He ordered the driver. Hans picked up the radio again as the car leapt into pursuit. "Report, all air units"
"Nothing suspicious sir. No sign of aircraft or vehicle within range of 10 miles."
"Good. Stay alert."
Treize glanced at the rear-view mirror. "Hmm. Helicopters and cars are following me. My commendations Seize, you really think of everything."
The airfield slowly came into view. It was part of an old air base used by the alliance. The only structure there was a large storage shed that was used for carriers. In the shed was a super sonic shuttle that looked out of place in such a broken down place. There were guards everywhere. Treize pulled up in front of the shed and stepped out of the car.
"Welcome, Duke Treize Kushrenada."
Treize looked at Hans coldly.
"Hans, I didn't come here to talk to you."
"Of course." He gestured towards the shuttle. "Lord Seize instructed me to take you to him. Please get in."
Accompanied by Hans, Treize walked slowly into the shuttle and took one of the 10 seats. A few minutes, half a dozen guards entered and took stood on either side of him. "Please make yourself comfortable, Excellency. I assure you, it will be a very short flight."
The plane ride was no more than 30 minutes. They touched down at a base skillfully concealed deep within the forest. Treize was escorted into the building.
Seize was waiting with 2 guards. He gave a nod to Hans and the soldiers. "Good job. You can go." He turned his attention to Treize. "Lord Treize. I am deeply honored." Seize bowed mockingly. "I didn't expect you to grace us with your presence."
Treize gave a small nod of acknowledgment. "I wasn't given much of a choice."
Seize smiled, ignoring the barb Treize's words. "I hope your trip here was pleasant. Perhaps you would care for refreshments?" A guard stepped forward with 2 glasses of wine.
Treize smiled back, his manners as good as his enemy's. "No thanks. I don't drink with traitors."
Seize's eyes flashed. But he did not drop his pleasant façade. "You judge me too harshly Brother. My goals are not much different from your own. I wish for peace as much as you do. The government right now is too unstable, too weak. There will never be peace if the ruling power can not maintain it. When I become the new ruler of the earthsphere, I shall have power that this democratic government will never possess. The aristocracy shall rise again with the Kushrenada family as its master. There will be no more wars because the dynasty will last for an eternity."
Treize shook his head. "You are hallucinating. The people will never accept a dictatorship."
"They won't at first. But they will see it's for they are own good at the end."
"You will cause chaos on earth and in space. Have you learned nothing from the War?"
"I learned that you need power for peace. You were too weak Treize. You were not able to control the colonies. You threw away the power that was in your grasp. I will succeed where you failed. But I am willing to give you a share of the power."
"If I help you."
"Yes. We don't have to be enemies. With your influence and my military, we will be invincible." Seize picked up one of the wine glasses. "Drink it if you are with me."
Treize reached out and caught the long stem of his glass. He brought it towards his lips, but suddenly tipped the glass, letting its' contents spill onto the floor. "No thanks. I like us better being enemies."
Seize glanced at the red wine spreading across the floor. "Why would you so carelessly spill the blood of your allies in such an unnecessary war?"
" Because it would be shameful for it to be recorded in the history books that I helped you in such a selfish goal. It would be an embarrassment to my descendants. Besides, I doubt you will be generous enough to share the spoils of war. I prefer dying a honorable death in battle than being stabbed in the back one dark night."
Seize shrugged. "Its' your loss not mine. I can tell you now that you have made a foolish choice."
"History will determine who was wiser." Treize's eyes hardened. "Let's dispense with the pleasantries. I didn't come here on a social call. Where is she?"
"You can see her after we make our deal."
Treize folded his arms across his chest. "No deals until I see she is okay."
Seize thought for a minute. "Very well." A guard disappeared into one of the hallways for a few minutes and emerged with Anne. She was pale and looked a bit shaken, but didn't seem to be hurt.
"Treize!"
Treize hugged her tightly as she threw herself into his arms.
"Why are you here?" She murmured.
"To get you of course."
"I have fulfill my part of the deal, now it's time for you to fulfill yours." Seize pulled out a piece of paper from his uniform and handed it to Treize. Anne looked nervously at him, but Treize gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. He silently skimmed over the contents of the paper. It was a will that gave everything to Seize when he dies including his title, money, and position as the head of Romeffelleur. He looked up from the document with an expression of amusement on his face. "Do you really expect me to sign this? Did you actually think that I would help you achieve your ambitions?"
In a single swift motion, Seize drew a gun from his jacket and pressed it to Treize's chest. "You have no choice."
Anne tensed, ready to strike. To everyone's surprise, Treize chuckled. "You are bluffing. If you could do without me, you wouldn't have taken the trouble of bringing me here. And guns are nasty things. You wouldn't want people to believe that I was murdered would you? . If you kill me, it would ruin all of your plans. I know you won't dare to pull the trigger." Seize's eyes snapped with fury. Anne held her breath as he glared at Treize. Finally, he lowered the gun and gave him an icy smile. "You are both right and wrong. I won't kill you, but I don't need you either. Don't think that you are indispensable. I could get what I need without you. But it would be easier and faster if you cooperated. I know you don't fear death, but what about the death of others? I'm sure you don't want to see your Colonel or your precious child hurt. Sign the will and I will spare both of them."
"I have difficulty trusting your words Seize. I know for a fact that I will never walk out of here alive if I sign this piece of paper. This is a matter between you and me. Don't involve innocent people in our private feud."
"This is not a simple feud Treize. This is war. The victors are those who break the rules. My destiny was set the day I killed our grandfather. My hands can not be stained more than they already are. I don't make empty threats. Perhaps you would understand better if I demonstrate." The barrel of his gun shifted to Anne. "I will count to three. There will not be a four. You have that long to save her, Treize."
Treize's mouth thinned into a line.
"One…"
Anne remained impassive. She gave Treize's hand a small squeeze and gave the slightest shake of her head. Don't' do it.
"Two..."
Beads of sweat started to form on Treize's forehead as his fists clenched in helpless fury.
"Three…"
With a smirk, Seize raised his arm to fire the lethal shot.
"Stop! I will sign it."
Anne watched in horror as Seize laughed in triumph. "I wouldn't have expected less from the aristocratic and honorable Treize Kushrenada."
Anne was nearly speechless with astonishment. "Treize Kushrenada, how could you?!"
Treize looked away from her and did not reply.
He placed his signature on the paper as Seize watched with gleaming eyes. From his uniform, he pulled out a signet and used it to seal the letter with a drop of wax. It was the family crest, a lion rampant with a single rose by its hind leg. Treize picked up the finished document and handed it to Seize who handled it carefully. He was surprisingly calm, not showing a single bit of nervousness. Seize bowed. "Thank you Lord Treize. You have been most helpful."
Treize merely gave a strange smile and nodded. There was the sound of running and a young soldier bursted into the room. He came to a stop in front of Seize panting for breath. "Sir! We are under attack by enemy soldiers!"
Seize's face reflected alarm and surprise. "Where?!"
"Right here." There was a click as the cold metal of a gun was pressed against his temple. The soldier's voice had suddenly became cool and emotionless. "Don't move if you value your commander's life." He warned the bewildered guards.
Treize leapt forward and snatched the document from Seize's fingers. He quickly tore it into shreds, letting the pieces float to the floor like snowflakes. "I don't think you will be needing this any longer, Seize." He grinned as the soldier pulled off his cap, letting long brown bangs fall into his emerald colored eyes.
"You are right on time, Officer Barton."
Ch.10
Hans observed the Luxembourg mansion in his car through a pair of binoculars. "He is coming out." He reported into a 2 way radio. "The Duke is leaving in a black, unmarked car." He put away the binocular as the car he just mentioned roared past him. "Follow it!" He ordered the driver. Hans picked up the radio again as the car leapt into pursuit. "Report, all air units"
"Nothing suspicious sir. No sign of aircraft or vehicle within range of 10 miles."
"Good. Stay alert."
Treize glanced at the rear-view mirror. "Hmm. Helicopters and cars are following me. My commendations Seize, you really think of everything."
The airfield slowly came into view. It was part of an old air base used by the alliance. The only structure there was a large storage shed that was used for carriers. In the shed was a super sonic shuttle that looked out of place in such a broken down place. There were guards everywhere. Treize pulled up in front of the shed and stepped out of the car.
"Welcome, Duke Treize Kushrenada."
Treize looked at Hans coldly.
"Hans, I didn't come here to talk to you."
"Of course." He gestured towards the shuttle. "Lord Seize instructed me to take you to him. Please get in."
Accompanied by Hans, Treize walked slowly into the shuttle and took one of the 10 seats. A few minutes, half a dozen guards entered and took stood on either side of him. "Please make yourself comfortable, Excellency. I assure you, it will be a very short flight."
The plane ride was no more than 30 minutes. They touched down at a base skillfully concealed deep within the forest. Treize was escorted into the building.
Seize was waiting with 2 guards. He gave a nod to Hans and the soldiers. "Good job. You can go." He turned his attention to Treize. "Lord Treize. I am deeply honored." Seize bowed mockingly. "I didn't expect you to grace us with your presence."
Treize gave a small nod of acknowledgment. "I wasn't given much of a choice."
Seize smiled, ignoring the barb Treize's words. "I hope your trip here was pleasant. Perhaps you would care for refreshments?" A guard stepped forward with 2 glasses of wine.
Treize smiled back, his manners as good as his enemy's. "No thanks. I don't drink with traitors."
Seize's eyes flashed. But he did not drop his pleasant façade. "You judge me too harshly Brother. My goals are not much different from your own. I wish for peace as much as you do. The government right now is too unstable, too weak. There will never be peace if the ruling power can not maintain it. When I become the new ruler of the earthsphere, I shall have power that this democratic government will never possess. The aristocracy shall rise again with the Kushrenada family as its master. There will be no more wars because the dynasty will last for an eternity."
Treize shook his head. "You are hallucinating. The people will never accept a dictatorship."
"They won't at first. But they will see it's for they are own good at the end."
"You will cause chaos on earth and in space. Have you learned nothing from the War?"
"I learned that you need power for peace. You were too weak Treize. You were not able to control the colonies. You threw away the power that was in your grasp. I will succeed where you failed. But I am willing to give you a share of the power."
"If I help you."
"Yes. We don't have to be enemies. With your influence and my military, we will be invincible." Seize picked up one of the wine glasses. "Drink it if you are with me."
Treize reached out and caught the long stem of his glass. He brought it towards his lips, but suddenly tipped the glass, letting its' contents spill onto the floor. "No thanks. I like us better being enemies."
Seize glanced at the red wine spreading across the floor. "Why would you so carelessly spill the blood of your allies in such an unnecessary war?"
" Because it would be shameful for it to be recorded in the history books that I helped you in such a selfish goal. It would be an embarrassment to my descendants. Besides, I doubt you will be generous enough to share the spoils of war. I prefer dying a honorable death in battle than being stabbed in the back one dark night."
Seize shrugged. "Its' your loss not mine. I can tell you now that you have made a foolish choice."
"History will determine who was wiser." Treize's eyes hardened. "Let's dispense with the pleasantries. I didn't come here on a social call. Where is she?"
"You can see her after we make our deal."
Treize folded his arms across his chest. "No deals until I see she is okay."
Seize thought for a minute. "Very well." A guard disappeared into one of the hallways for a few minutes and emerged with Anne. She was pale and looked a bit shaken, but didn't seem to be hurt.
"Treize!"
Treize hugged her tightly as she threw herself into his arms.
"Why are you here?" She murmured.
"To get you of course."
"I have fulfill my part of the deal, now it's time for you to fulfill yours." Seize pulled out a piece of paper from his uniform and handed it to Treize. Anne looked nervously at him, but Treize gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. He silently skimmed over the contents of the paper. It was a will that gave everything to Seize when he dies including his title, money, and position as the head of Romeffelleur. He looked up from the document with an expression of amusement on his face. "Do you really expect me to sign this? Did you actually think that I would help you achieve your ambitions?"
In a single swift motion, Seize drew a gun from his jacket and pressed it to Treize's chest. "You have no choice."
Anne tensed, ready to strike. To everyone's surprise, Treize chuckled. "You are bluffing. If you could do without me, you wouldn't have taken the trouble of bringing me here. And guns are nasty things. You wouldn't want people to believe that I was murdered would you? . If you kill me, it would ruin all of your plans. I know you won't dare to pull the trigger." Seize's eyes snapped with fury. Anne held her breath as he glared at Treize. Finally, he lowered the gun and gave him an icy smile. "You are both right and wrong. I won't kill you, but I don't need you either. Don't think that you are indispensable. I could get what I need without you. But it would be easier and faster if you cooperated. I know you don't fear death, but what about the death of others? I'm sure you don't want to see your Colonel or your precious child hurt. Sign the will and I will spare both of them."
"I have difficulty trusting your words Seize. I know for a fact that I will never walk out of here alive if I sign this piece of paper. This is a matter between you and me. Don't involve innocent people in our private feud."
"This is not a simple feud Treize. This is war. The victors are those who break the rules. My destiny was set the day I killed our grandfather. My hands can not be stained more than they already are. I don't make empty threats. Perhaps you would understand better if I demonstrate." The barrel of his gun shifted to Anne. "I will count to three. There will not be a four. You have that long to save her, Treize."
Treize's mouth thinned into a line.
"One…"
Anne remained impassive. She gave Treize's hand a small squeeze and gave the slightest shake of her head. Don't' do it.
"Two..."
Beads of sweat started to form on Treize's forehead as his fists clenched in helpless fury.
"Three…"
With a smirk, Seize raised his arm to fire the lethal shot.
"Stop! I will sign it."
Anne watched in horror as Seize laughed in triumph. "I wouldn't have expected less from the aristocratic and honorable Treize Kushrenada."
Anne was nearly speechless with astonishment. "Treize Kushrenada, how could you?!"
Treize looked away from her and did not reply.
He placed his signature on the paper as Seize watched with gleaming eyes. From his uniform, he pulled out a signet and used it to seal the letter with a drop of wax. It was the family crest, a lion rampant with a single rose by its hind leg. Treize picked up the finished document and handed it to Seize who handled it carefully. He was surprisingly calm, not showing a single bit of nervousness. Seize bowed. "Thank you Lord Treize. You have been most helpful."
Treize merely gave a strange smile and nodded. There was the sound of running and a young soldier bursted into the room. He came to a stop in front of Seize panting for breath. "Sir! We are under attack by enemy soldiers!"
Seize's face reflected alarm and surprise. "Where?!"
"Right here." There was a click as the cold metal of a gun was pressed against his temple. The soldier's voice had suddenly became cool and emotionless. "Don't move if you value your commander's life." He warned the bewildered guards.
Treize leapt forward and snatched the document from Seize's fingers. He quickly tore it into shreds, letting the pieces float to the floor like snowflakes. "I don't think you will be needing this any longer, Seize." He grinned as the soldier pulled off his cap, letting long brown bangs fall into his emerald colored eyes.
"You are right on time, Officer Barton."