AN: Well this is chapter 7. I know that the story may seem sort of slow. No action at all. I know I know you can yell at me but I promise that once I get to it, the action is going to come. The plot of the whole conspiracy needs to further develop. You will also see character relationships further develop within the next following chapters. Please I really hope that you are enjoying this story. Always R&R.

"… if any further attacks take place, I am begging all not to take any course of action until Preventers have thorough proof by whom the attacks were made. It is imperative that right now, we stand together. If the ESUN falls apart, all hope for peace will be diminished with it."

"Minister Darlian, as always you speak beyond your years, but I must ask you this: How are we as colonial leaders supposed to stand by and take open criticism from the people of Earth? What if the Earth decides to strike back against the colonies for something that we have not done?"

"I can assure you, Representative Clemens, with my presence on the colonies all will be well. I was also given reassurance by ESUN members that no course of action from Earth would be taken without my consultation."

Clemens rose from his seat and walked around his office. Though he believed fully in the young woman's intentions he was not quite sure she could control what was going to happen. He cleared his throat to speak,

"It is good that you have faith in the ESUN members, both of Earth and the Colonies. However, some people are more… stubborn in their beliefs than others. Such as Senator Pentane. He strongly believed that the colonies should be overruled by Earth."

Relena looked at the L4 representative sternly. She was confused. Pentane had simply wanted to find out who the rebel groups in the colonies were. She had never heard of the Senator wanting to control the colonies.

"Representative Clemens, I am afraid I do not understand what you are saying. From my understanding, Senator Pentane, before he died, had simply wanted to know the cause of the attacks. He, like so many others, believed it to be rebel colonial groups. Not once have I ever recalled him saying that the colonies…"

"Of course not," interrupted the old man. "Though you hold one of the highest positions in the ESUN, you do not understand all that goes on between the delegates. For years now we delegates have been fighting with one another. Pentane, although he never openly admitted to it, always held a grudge against the colonies and their very existence. I know this because he and I often held confrontations with each other. I never did approve of his ideas.

"Miss Darlian, the day of the attack on the ESUN conference, Pentane was going to suggest that the ESUN thoroughly investigate each colony using military action to find the terrorist groups."

Relena interrupted the old man,

"You know that I never would have approved of that. It is the business of the Preventers to commit to such investigations. If one like that were open to the public, conflict would surely be the result."

"Those were my exact thoughts, Vice Minister. However, before the meeting, Pentane had rallied the representatives from Earth to approve of his decision. Nearly all had approved. Therefore, we would have been out-voted on the matter and Pentane would have gotten his way…"

"Had it no been for his own death," finished Relena.

"Yes, you are catching on now."

Relena stood from her chair. It was time for her to take her leave. She had gathered all the information she needed. Perhaps a little more than she had expected.

"I would like to thank you for your time, Representative Clemens. Don't forget about the meeting on L1 within the next month."

With that Relena bowed to him and began to approach the door to exit from the office. But she was topped when the old man spoke to her once again,

"You must realize that conspiracies, such as this, have been unfolding since time began. Yet, the longer time passes on, the more complicated they become. I wish you luck on solving this Vice Minister Darlian."

Relena only nodded then left the room.

Once Clemens was assured that the young woman was gone, he let out a breath he never knew he had been holding. Despite her best efforts, he felt that she was bound to fail sooner or later.

"Believe what you will," he said his eyes narrowing at the door.

Heero was waiting for Relena outside of the office. He had taken up post by the door. After an hour of waiting, Relena finally emerged from the office looking tired yet determined to continue on with her busy day. She nodded to Heero, who in turn began to walk along side of her as they made their way to a car that waited for them outside. The car would take them back to Quatre's.

Relena climbed in first and was soon followed by the Gundam pilot who sat silently next to her. She cringed inside. She shifted carefully as far away from him on the seat as possible. It just felt so awkward for her to be with him after so long. She didn't know what to believe any more. Besides she had more important things to worry about than her own feelings at the moment.

Heero looked forward during the entire car ride. That was where he and Relena would meet up with Trowa and Quatre. Quatre was supposed to meet today with a few politicians on Relena's behalf. Relena wanted to attend the meeting herself, but felt it was more important to hold a private meeting with Representative Clemens.

Heero noted that she looked quite uneasy seated next to him. Ever since he had met with her again, she always seemed tense and nervous. Though she hid her emotions very well with a political façade, all Heero had to do was look at her blue eyes. They gave away everything about her: Her triumphs and tragedies, struggles and contentment.

Though Heero never was one of many words, the silence that had filled the car was unrelenting. He wished to know what was bothering Relena. Perhaps it was something that Clemens had told her. She seemed uptight.

"What happened?"

Relena looked at the young man seated next to her. She was startled that he had broken the awkward silence that had filled the car. He still faced forward, staring at a specific location that Relena could only guess. She answered him somewhat shyly,

"Representative Clemens spoke of a conspiracy that was forming in the ESUN before the attack on the committee took place. He said that Senator Pentane, of North America, devised a plan to have each of the colonies openly searched for any terrorist. Using military power of course."

This information received Heero's full attention. He turned his head to look at Relena; her eyes were downcast. She sighed and turned to look out of the window.

"An open search of the colonies would lead to war," he stated.

"I know, this is what baffles me. The colonies would surely disapprove. They already claim that they have no hand in these attacks what so ever. Yet each attack has led us to believe that rebel colonial groups who wanted total independence from Earth caused them."

Heero paused as if thoughtful. He then spoke again in his usual monotone voice,

"Pentane was eager to find the source of these attacks. He was also eager to start war. He clearly knew of the consequences that his decision would bring."

"Yes, but why would he want war? He was a member of the ESUN, a man who was elected to keep the peace. It doesn't make any sense," Relena exclaimed. "Clemens explained that Pentane rallied the members of Earth to vote for this decision. That way I would become out-voted in the matter so that there would be nothing for me to do to stop it. To think that this was all going on behind my back and I was too blind to realize it."

"What happened to Senator Pentane?" Heero asked.

Relena took a deep breath and looked at Heero in his deep Prussian eyes for the first time since they had met again. They were emotionless as always, but Relena thought she saw something else in them even if for a moment.

"He died in my arms the day of the attack. One of the eight members of the ESUN who died. The others were also from Earth, as you know. They must have been followers of Pentane."

Heero came to a realization.

"Relena, those members were probably deliberately targeted. Someone knew what they were up to and decided to put a stop to it."

"You mean… someone from the colonies?"

"Most likely. As you stated, most of the members from earth approved of the decision to use military action on the colonies. This would only result in casualties and war between the colonies and earth." Heero paused for a moment as he suddenly realized something else. "Relena, where did Clemens receive this information?"

"Well he never really explained that to me. He said that he and Senator Pentane never really approved of each other to begin with. That they had often held confrontations with each other."

Relena looked questioningly at Heero. He was staring at her unemotionally. Yet there seemed to be a small ring of triumph in his eyes.

"Heero what is it?"

"Relena, I think that we have reason to believe that Representative Clemens is a suspect."

Heero and Relena rushed into Quatre's study. A very startled Trowa and Quatre looked at the two in surprise.

"Contact Zechs at once," Heero commanded.

Quatre nodded and dialed the number on his Vidphone.

"Heero, are you sure?" Relena asked.

He never answered her because soon Zech's face appeared on the screen.

"Yes Yuy?"

"I believe that we have a suspect."

Preventers Space Base…

"Well this does make perfect sense. I believe that Heero is right and we should investigate him," stated Lady Une.

"It's the best lead we have so far anyway," said Noin.

"I agree," said Zechs. "Relena what do you think?"

Relena appeared on the screen. She looked tired, as if she had not slept in days. She sighed and took a deep breath before she spoke.

"At first I was reluctant to think that Representative Clemens, would do such a thing. Yet after hearing the facts, I believe that we do have reason to investigate. We are not openly accusing him anyway. We are simply taking the necessary precautions. Do what you will, please just keep us informed of what you find."

"Very well," Zechs replied. "Ah yes, Relena, Noin and I took the liberty to look into Bret Mavica."

"Yes well?"

"There was nothing on him. Perfect citizen. I still can not understand why you would suspect him of anything."

"I had my reasons Milliardo, and I still do. There is something about that man that I do not trust."

"Well without anything on him there's nothing I can do about it. Just try to avoid him Relena. Unless he does something, there is nothing we can do."

Relena only looked away from the screen, her eyes burning with anger. She knew that he was up to no good. It was in his manner. The way he walked, talked, and acted. Damn the others if they thought her foolish for her own thoughts.

"What is your schedule for tonight?" Zechs asked his younger sister.

When she did not answer Quatre stepped up and spoke for her,

"Relena and I are to attend a dinner party held at Senator Blake's home here on L4."

"Very well. Please be careful. Watch Relena closely. If anything should go wrong…"

"Milliardo, please. Everything will be fine. We shall remain at Quatre's for the remainder of the week, then travel to L2," Relena said somewhat agitated.

"All right, goodbye," said Zechs as he disconnected. He leaned back in his chair then rubbed his temples.

"Let's run over the facts please once more," said Lady Une.

Noin spoke up,

"Clemens is a colonial leader. All information, thus so far, had led us to believe that the attacks were caused by the colonies. Who better than a leader and member of the ESUN? He has the money to build mobile suits and find a place to store them. He knew of the plot that Pentane was planning on and also claimed that he never approved of Pentane and his beliefs. If he was truly behind all of this, what more could he ask for when Pentane and seven other ESUN members from Earth were suddenly killed in an attack?"

"Yes," started Lady Une "but we still need solid proof. I guess we shall just have to further continue this investigation and let time pass. Hopefully it won't be too late."

"Might I suggest, that once we have more information, we send our people in undercover to find out how we might stop this," Zechs said almost questioningly.

"Approved but until we can let's stay busy and get to work."

"Looking beautiful buddy," said Duo cheerfully as he worked on Deathscythe. At least what was coming along to be his old Gundam.

"How can you talk to that thing as if it were alive?" Hilde asked as she worked along side of him.

"Well babe, me and this guy go way…"

"Shut up Maxwell, before I knock you and your constant babble out," Wufei shouted form across the working bay.

"Awwww come on! Lay off, Wu-man. I was just trying to explain…"

"Injustice! Don't you ever call me that again!"

"Call you what?" Duo asked innocently.

Wufei looked as if he were about to explode, but he just mumbled something under his breath and continued to work. He couldn't believe that he had been turned into a mechanic. At least he was working on something that he loved. Something that was useful and would bring about Justice and peace.

Duo laughed at Wufei who had simple decided to ignore him. He looked over at Hilde who only smiled and shook her head. Duo winked at her, which to his surprise, made Hilde's cheeks turn pink. This only made the cheerful pilot laugh some more.

"Soon the Shignami will be back in action. Yes just like old times…. OUCH DAMN IT!" exclaimed the braided pilot as a bolt came lose and hit him in the head. "Jesus the same thing happened yesterday," he muttered.

"Look like the 'God of Death' is going to die before he reaches the battlefield," Hilde said smirking.

Duo was about to reply when Sally came walking in with an unexpected visitor. Duo sprang to his feet and ran to meet the man who was walking beside her.

"Thought we could use him at one point in time," said Sally dryly.

"Howard! How's it going?" Duo exclaimed shaking his hand.

"Pretty good, thought you would like a hand."

"Well we've got about ten mechanics each on each of the Gundams, but I suppose we could always use one more."

Howard smiled broadly. He always had liked the cheerful pilot.

"Great," he said, "show me where to go."

Somewhere in space…

Bret Mavica walked along gray corridors and hallways. The entire place was like a giant labyrinth, but if you were there as often as he was, you knew your way around. Soon he was at his destination. Mavica punched in a code on a key panel. A metal door opened revealing a small office along with a secretary.

"You may go on in, he has been expecting you," she told him.

Mavica nodded and waited as another door opened revealing a large room filled with nothing but a large desk and plush leather chair. A great bay window, which took up the entire back wall of the office, revealed all of space and the glittering stars in their glory and beauty.

Mavica stopped and waited patiently. The leather chair was turned so that its occupant may look out of the window, into space. Though the person in the chair never turned around to face the ESUN member, he spoke to him understanding his presence.

"The girl is more shrewd than I thought of her. She places herself in danger by visiting the colonies. Yet, at the same time, she is also managing to ruin my plans. She was supposed to have died at our attack. Yet she somehow survived. I suppose I shall just have to alter my plans slightly."

Mavica spoke up,

"Sir, with her presence on the colonies, war will not result. As long as she can hold an influence over the people, nothing we planned will happen."

"Then I have no other choice. I can not kill her. Murder would not prove of any use to us. She must resign in order for us to proceed as planned. Under her own free will of course."

"Sir?"

The man in the chair did not turn around to face his accomplice. He simply smirked to himself then once again spoke,

"Choose your man Mavica. I want one of our best. Tell him he is to bring the Vice Foreign Minister to me, tonight! If he doesn't then he shall suffer the consequences. I think he'll understand what I mean by that."

"Yes sir, I know just the man for the job."

Mavica saluted then turned to leave the office.

"Oh, one more thing," said the man in the chair.

Mavica turned around once more.

"Get some of our people into the Preventers. They think I don't know that they have a large spaceport. I want to know what they are up to."

"It's already been done sir," Mavica stated.

The man stood but still did not turn to face Mavica. He stared out of the window still, his eyes never leaving the stars.

"Good, I see that you know very well what I expect of you."

"I do what you would will me."

Although Mavica could not see his leader's face, he knew that the man was smiling.

"Of course you do," replied the man. " Make sure you keep the people of Earth on their toes. I want the Miss Darlian to know exactly what she is dealing with. Remember I want her tonight."

"Yes sir," with that Mavica exited the room.

AN: Hey this is where it's really going to start getting good! Please read all of the chapters carefully. Pick up hints and clues so that you can try to unmask the conspiracy. More is on the way. The next chapter will promise some good old action. More information will be given also regarding the enemy. Interactions between Heero and Relena will become more frequent as their relationship develops. Please read and review. Send any comments to WildRose1404aol.com thanks!