AN: Here we go, chapter 18 and I am so excited to finish up this story! I can't wait. I promise the end is going to be good. Well in my mind it will be. But anyways we have a little ways to go before we can get there. So I guess I had better hurry up and finish write this story before some of my reader's murder me in my sleep for lollygagging. Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of the characters.

Chapter 18…….

"Lucrezia, please tell me some good news," sighed Zechs over the Vid-phone.

"Well, from the documents that we received from Clemens' estate, I can report that the warehouse he previously owned was bought by a man named Gabriel Pentane. Pentane, as you may know, he was a Senator and member of the ESUN representing Earth and the North American continent. However, he was reportedly killed about two months ago from an attack that opened during an ESUN conference. Relena was there, she knew the man well I should think."

 Zechs nodded his head, "I think I may have heard her speak of him several times. She said he seemed to be very powerful and influential. I understand that he owned a lot of money, so I suppose that would explain how he was able to afford the building. Yet I do not see the reason behind this. Why would a respected member of the ESUN wish to build mobile suits? Another thing that doesn't make sense is the fact that Pentane died during an attack. So someone must have inherited the building after his death because it certainly was not sold again."

"Well, here's the catch, Milliardo: the building was indeed inherited by another after Pentane's death… Bret Mavica. The man who also took over Pentane's position in the ESUN after he died. Apparently, after the war, Pentane took in Mavica sort of as a foster son. Mavica must have wanted more though. He has control of the base so he built mobile suits to attack the earth and put fear into everyone's hearts. He killed Pentane to gain power and now he's after everything else. If it means war and destroying the entire ESUN, I think he would do it. Don't you understand? This is the answer I think we have been looking for."

"Lucrezia there is no proof that Mavica built the mobile suits. Besides what about that large space port floating around God knows where? Is he behind that too?"

"Right now our proof is scarce but give me a few days and I will have it all sorted out. I have all ready reported my discoveries to Commander Une and the others. I suggest you do the same."

"We may not have that much time…"

"Which is precisely why I must be going," said Noin smiling slightly.

Zechs smiled and shut off the communicator.

Preventers….

Duo sat outside the infirmary with Wufei by his side. They were silent, more so than usual, a grim an unfriendly look upon each of their faces. For nearly 3 hours they had been waiting. Duo, because the girl he was sure he was in love with might be dying. Wufei, because he was waiting for the results that were about to come, and whether he would ever admit it or not, but to be there for his fellow pilot.

Finally, Sally emerged from a pair of doors. She looked weary and tired. Dark bags underneath her eyes and her hair slightly out of place from the efforts she had put into her patient in the past few hours. She looked with sad eyes to Wufei and then to Duo. Shaking her head and grabbing her hair in her hands she looked back again. Duo held his breath and prepared himself for the worst.

"Duo... she… she was able to pull through. But right now she is in a coma and I don't know when she will wake up. There is some brain activity though. Hopefully within the next few hours, maybe not for the next couple of days. Whatever happened to her though, while she was on the zero system, hit her extremely hard. She may not be the same again. I've never seen a case like this."

Duo shook his head and pleaded with his eyes the question that had been on his mind.

"Yes, you may go see her. Try talking to her; it might wake her up sooner."

Duo left in a quick steady pace through the doors and down the hall.

Sally wiped a hand over her forehead. She was tired. It had been a brutal day; she was surprised she had been able to make it. Not only did she almost lose a patient, but she almost lost a friend. The thought made her shake all over. Sometimes even she, a trained officer, couldn't handle the pressure. Sometimes it just became too much.

She reached out a hand to brace herself on the wall. A few tears rolled down her cheeks. She looked up to see Wufei staring at her. His gaze was transfixed on her own. She smiled slightly and wiped away her tears. She was about to turn away when she felt his strong grasp catch hold of her wrist. She stared at him.

"Onna, when are you going to learn that sometimes I just don't mind?"

Sally nearly broke down at his words and Wufei pulled her and hugged her tightly. He wasn't afraid right now. He wasn't afraid to let down his emotional guard for someone who needed help. Sally sniffled as she laid her head on his shoulder,

"My name is Sally," she said smiling slightly.

Duo approached Hilde's bed and lightly touched her pale hand. Sighing he pulled up a chair and sat down.

"You know babe, you sure are one hell of a fighter. I guess all that training with OZ did you some good. Please just keep fighting for me babe right now. I need you; I don't know what I would do without you. I don't know what I would do to myself without you. Despite what others may say, Shignami doesn't like to be alone anymore… I'm tired of being alone."

He watched Hilde's silent face as the machines helped her breathe. Once again he had let someone close to him get hurt. He was lucky that she had been able to bounce back from death twice now. He leaned in closer to her and kissed her lightly on the lips. He studied her face and memorized every nook and cranny. Sitting back in his chair, he sighed and just kept holding her hand. He didn't want to let her go ever again.

"Well, Mr. Clemens, you are not exactly off the hook but we are releasing you for now."

The ESUN member grunted as he was lead out of his holding cell. He had to leave as soon as possible he had an important conference the next day with all the ESUN members on Colony L1.

"Thank you Commander Une. I must say I am not exactly pleased with the treatment I have received, but I understand your motives."

"Very well, Representative. I am sorry to have detained you from your current position. Good luck tomorrow at the conference. I hope that something may be achieved."

"Good day, Commander," said the man as he walked down the corridor to his waiting shuttle home. He was tired, more so than usual. He was certainly not looking forward to tomorrow. He had an uneasy feeling inside of him like something was amiss. Tomorrow was not going to be a good day whatever happened. He could feel it. His stomach lurched and his heart was uneasy. What was the world coming to?

Enemy base…

Bret Mavica waltzed out of the large office smiling to himself maliciously. Now was his time. He walked through winding corridors until he reached some sliding doors. They opened, and he entered a large control room filled with officers running to and fro, working on computers and filing data, preparing for what they had been waiting for for several years now. An officer stopped from running around long enough to salute to Mavica. Mavica did likewise awaiting the man's report.

"Sir, we are ready to commence Operation Inferno. We just need the final word to start. Everything else is in place and ready to go."

"How is the Gundam Gehenna?" asked Mavica. "Is it ready for battle? Have you activated the zero system yet?"

"Sir, the Gundam is ready, but as for the zero system… Well, our mechanics and scientist never really fully understood the system. The man who created it, I believe his name was Dr. J, was a sheer genius. No one has ever seen anything quite like it and…"

"I did not ask for your opinion about it! I asked if it was installed and ready to go. I will need it tomorrow if we are to go into battle."

The officer looked down and stuttered slightly. He wasn't quite sure how to give this intimidating man a fair warning,

"Sir, all I am saying is that the tests that have been run with the zero system are disturbing. Some of the men who have tried it were in recovery for days one of them weeks. The effects it has on the mind are phenomenal. My point is that you, sir, have yet to be tested with the system. Without doing so, I as well as some others, are afraid to even let you fly Gehenna while it is activated."

"I am not like other men!" snapped Mavica. "I will use the zero system, and I will use it successfully. I am the most successful pilot and most accomplished soldier that this organization has ever seen! I will master the system!" Mavica turned sharply on his heel and walked away angrily.

"Yes sir," muttered the officer under his breath, "but will the system master you?"

Mavica did not hear these words. If he had the young officer would have been dead by now. Mavica looked to another soldier and asked him a quick question,

"Has our base on L1 been destroyed as ordered?"

"Yes, sir, that operation is currently underway."

"Have all the mobile suits been relocated here then?"

"Yes sir. The last of the completed suits have arrived and have been loaded into a docking bay as we speak."

"Very well then, carry on."

Mavica brushed past the soldier and sat down at an empty computer. He began to type furiously, his anxiety and excitement over coming him. Finally the image of a young woman appeared on the screen. Mavica narrowed his eyes.

"I will be seeing you soon… Relena."

AN: That's it! I know this chapter was a little shorter, but come on you know you liked it! The suspense is killing you I'm sure. LOL I'm sorry. This story is almost complete and I must say that the best is yet to come. Keep reading and reviewing! Email: WildRose1404earthlink.net