AN: Here's chapter 22! I hope you enjoy it! Did u like the last one? I thought I had a pretty good surprise in their. Please keep sending feedback. I know that some of you are really enjoying my story and I hope u keep reading it. Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of the characters.
"Surprised, Ms. Darlian?" asked Senator Pentane as he approached the fearful young woman.
"But how? I mean… you… you died in my arms," stuttered Relena helplessly.
"Ms. Darlian, the entire thing was staged, one big act to eliminate some obstacles that were in my way." He turned around and walked towards the large bay window.
"You were behind all of it? You were the one who funded this organization and launched the attacks? I do not understand why a respected member of the ESUN would want to do such a thing. And against the Earth, from whence you came, none the less!" cried Relena. She felt Mavica hold her arms tighter as her anger grew.
Pentane turned and stared at her. His eyes penetrated her own. Relena grew fearful. Something was stirring inside of her, something deep and dark. She did not know what to do. She did not know what would happen next. She doubted she would even live to see another day.
"Ms. Darlian, did you honestly think that I would intentionally attack my home planet to harm others on purpose? Yes, people from earth were killed in the attacks, but their lives were not of any great significance, such as your own."
"But they were members of the ESUN and innocent civilians who…"
"Who were needed to cover up my master plan," interrupted the man. Relena grew silent and listened closely. "I attacked the Earth so that the colonies would be blamed. Tensions were so high it wouldn't have mattered either way. I staged my own death so that I would not be suspected in the investigation of the attacks itself. Bret, here, has been with me since the war. I taught him everything he knows about politics, people, fighting, and piloting mobile suits.
I have always hated the colonies, Ms. Darlian. They have been nothing but a menace since the days they came into existence. Always begging and pleading and wanting more. Never satisfied that anything was ever enough for them. They wanted more rights, more freedom. So we give it to them and they still feel as if the Earth has too much control. If they want independence they have to fight for it. Well let them," he paused for a moment then continued.
"I was sorely disappointed with the outcome of the Eve Wars. I was sure that the colonies would be annihilated, but to my avail, and to the avail of many of my followers, they were not. So I decided to take matters into my own hands. I began to build mobile suits and grow and army of men and women who believed in my cause. My numbers grew more and more as tensions began to rise again in the years following the war. The people of Earth wanted the colonies gone and the colonies want their independence. I will make them both happy."
Preventers….
"All right," said Lady Une. "Hurry I want everyone to gather around so that we might discuss this plan."
Hundred of Preventers were gathered in the docking bay for an important meeting discussing the mission. All were present: the Gundam pilots, the Magnuacs, Zechs, Noin, Sally, Howard, and anyone else affiliated with the Preventers. All eyes were on their leader. They all knew the extent of this mission, this battle. It would determine the future of both the colonies and Earth.
The Gundam pilots listened closely. They were dressed in their flights suits, ready to fight for the survival of peace and humanity. Each of their minds was on one thing or another. Heero watched with keen eyes as Lady Une slipped a disk into a large panel, the one that he had taken from the intruder who had attacked Relena then killed himself. That was only a few weeks ago, but two weeks could seem like two years. A large hologram appeared before him as data from the disk began to unfold. It was a large weapon; an atomic, gun-like machine that could destroy nearly an entire colony, or a large portion of the Earth.
"This is information that was obtained by the Preventers only a few weeks ago," began Lady Une. "It is a weapon, built by the enemy, its purpose is unknown. After researching, we have found it to be capable of mass destruction. If this weapon were to be used it would mean that the lives of millions would become forfeit."
She pressed a button and another image popped up. This time it was mobile suits, and one particularly large Gundam.
"These are the mobile suits that have been furnished. Their capabilities are like that of any other mobile suit, with the exception of planetary defenses installed on all of them. But with the help of this information, we have found a way to disable their system. As for the Gundam, known as Gehenna, we know very little. It is powerful and will prove to be more challenging than anything we will face. Its primary weapon, as far as we know, is large beam cannon. The other thing we have realized, from studying previous encounters with it, is the way the pilot controls the mobile suit. The pilot's skills are beyond what they should be. They match those of our own Gundam pilots you see before you. Yet, Howard, here, has been lead to believe that the zero system has been installed inside this Gundam."
Heero looked up sharply. He was the only other person he knew who had been able to master the zero system. Even after years of peace, he could still remember the mind boggling effects it had on his head. It had taken him time to conquer it. Now he used it almost as a companion, his aid against the enemy. It took a strong willed pilot to do so. Even the other Gundam pilots, such as Quatre, could not handle it.
"Now," continued Lady Une, "here is how we beat their system, as well as their entire organization."
Once again she switched images. This time, the entire enemy base appeared. It was titanic in size, almost as big as a colony.
"This is the enemy base. It is occupied by thousands of enemy troupes, as well as mobile suits. Our mission here today is to destroy it entirely. We also believe that the Vice Foreign Minister, Relena Darlian, is being held captive here. The Gundam pilots will lead the Preventers fleet, of mobile suits, in battle against the enemy's fleet. One person, whom I have chosen will infiltrate the base and destroy it in its entirety. This is how that task shall be accomplished:
In the center of the base, there is a large circular room. The only thing in this room is a large energy pillar, approximately 30 feet high and 15 feet wide. It is located in the center of the room. However, it is more difficult to get to than one may think. Surrounding this pillar is a pit, its drop is unknown. In order to get to the pillar, our man must activate a bridge that crosses to it. There is a code that does this. After that, our man must plant a bomb and leave the base as quickly as possible. The bomb will destroy the pillar and knock out the rest of the base entirely, destroying it as well. The explosion will be magnanimous. That is why I advise all pilots to remain as far away from the base as possible. The battle will begin as soon as we are able to figure out the coordinates of the enemy."
Quatre spoke up,
"Commander Une if I may say so, those shouldn't be difficult to locate at all. If I recall, we gave the Vice Foreign Minister a tracking device in the form of a dove pin, should a situation like this ever happen. If you give me a few moments, not only could we find where the base is located, but we could pinpoint the exact location of Minister Darlian as well."
"Yuy is this true?" asked Lady Une for confirmation.
"Yes Commander. We issued it to her only a few weeks ago. She has been using it ever since."
"Quatre, Trowa, hurry and set yourselves up. Find her location. Everyone else prepare for battle immediately. Hurry go!"
Preventers and mechanics alike scurried every where around the docking bay preparing to fight.
"Heero Yuy, I would like a word with you," said Une quietly as she pulled Heero aside.
He stared at her, knowing the task he was about to be ordered. She knew she didn't need to say anything to him. She knew he was the only one for the job. She knew all of this, but she still felt the need to make it official,
"You know very well that I have chosen you to infiltrate the base Heero. You know you are the only one who can do it and still have a chance of getting Relena out of there alive. We're all counting on you. Here," she said as she handed him a large plastic briefcase, "this is the bomb. Once you plant it you will have seven minutes to disperse. While you are escaping, several smaller explosions will detonate prior to the final blast. Please be careful. And Heero… bring her back alive. You know very well we can not go on without her."
"Mission…accepted."
Meanwhile….
As soon as he had been dismissed from the meeting, Duo had scampered quietly down to the infirmary, to look at Hilde, possibly for the last time in his life. He wanted to promise her that he would come out alive, but he didn't want to make promises he had not control of keeping. He wanted to survive though, to see her eyes and smile again. Each night he prayed that she would wake up, show some kind of brain activity, letting him know that she was still there and still fighting for him and for herself.
He walked into the room and watched as Hilde's frail form lie silently. The sound of the machines she had been hooked up to beeped steadily along. Sally had warned Duo that her condition had become worse. For days there had been no brain activity. This worried him and caused him to fall deeper into the hole he was digging for himself. He couldn't pretend none of this bothered him. For so long he had tried to hide things like that, but he knew that this was different. The others were beginning to see his anxiety build. He was at the point where he just didn't care anymore what they thought. He couldn't live with out her, he wouldn't live at all.
He knelt down next her and held her hand. She was so cold and limp. He brought his other hand to rest upon her forehead and bowed his head in prayer. He prayed to Father Maxwell to send his plead to the God he was so unsure of now. Brushing back her wavy blue hair away from her eyes, Duo stared at her serene, peaceful face. Despite the tubes hooked up to her helping her breathe, she looked comfortable and content to remain the way she was, like she hadn't slept for days and was making up for lost time.
"Hilde, baby, please don't leave me alone," said Duo quietly. "I don't think I could take it. No, I know I wouldn't be able to take it. You are the only thing I have left to live for. You are all I want. Without you, I feel so lost and so incomplete, like there's part of me missing. I hate feeling this way. I hate feeling like I am falling and there's no one to catch me. Hilde, please, baby, I don't want to be alone anymore. Please, won't you come back to me? If you can't I will find a way to come to you." Tears slid down his cheeks silently. He didn't even bother to wipe them away. He couldn't take his eyes off of her.
"Ahem, excuse me, Duo," said a voice quietly from behind him.
Duo turned around and stared at Sally Poe, who was standing at the doorway. She had a sad expression on her face.
"It's time for you to go, they have the location. They are waiting for you," she responded.
"Okay," said Duo. He stood up and bent down and gently kissed Hilde's forehead before he left the room, wiping his tear stained cheeks along the way.
Sally stared after him, tear coming down her own cheeks. She had heard everything he had just said to Hilde. Sally felt heartbroken for him and torn in two. If Hilde didn't show any signs of brain activity tomorrow, they would have no choice but to pull the plug. From what Sally could tell, the outcome did not look good. She watched Duo's retreating form then stared at Hilde lying on the bed. She silently prayed for a miracle.
AN: Hey how do u like it? I hope it was good. I almost cried when I was writing Duo's part with Hilde. I am such a sap and I don't like to be emotional over my own writing. I was like for God's sake snap out of it! LOL. What will happen next though? Keep reading to find out!
Email: WildRose1404earthlink.net