AN: Chapter 23. This part is full of action, suspense, emption, and excitement. Ok I think I might be getting a little too into this whole commenting thing. But oh well! Enjoy and tell me what you all think.

Quatre was making final preparations on the Gundam Sandrock. He made minor adjustments and made sure his cockpit was as comfortable as possible. He smiled sadly as memories from the past came back to him. Racing through his head were images of previous battles, his father's death, his sisters, the other Gundam pilots. He couldn't focus and he couldn't quite grasp the concept that they were going into battle once again. He was worried for although he would always be a soldier and warrior; he was not ready for a mission such as this. He hadn't been in training for a while and he feared he would not make it through the first fray.

Quatre adjusted his flight suit around his neck. They were getting ready to head out. He knew the Gundam team would need his strategic skills to make it through the battle. He prayed that his memory and thoughts would all come back to him in time.

He looked around the docking bay. Trowa was in a sitting position, poised in deep thought. Duo was adjusting his flight suit and mumbling curses about death. Quatre's heart ached for him. Without Hilde, Duo would destroy himself. Trying to push heavy thoughts aside, Quatre glanced over at Wufei who appeared to be doing some kind of meditation. Quatre smiled slightly and shook his head. Wufei was serious as always. At last Quatre glanced over to Heero. The Perfect Soldier was looking out of the giant bay window in the docking bay that overlooked the beauty of space. For a moment the blonde pilot wondered what was going through Heero's mind. He wondered if it was the mission, the battle, or Relena. Quatre knew that Heero cared for the girl; he was just too cold to show it. But from time to time, Quatre occasionally saw moments in Heero's eyes when he looked at the young woman. Moments when his soul would open up to the world and let everyone know that he was human after all. They were rare moments, but they did happen.

A hand came down on Quatre's shoulder. The blonde pilot turned around and met face to face with Rashid. He smiled warmly at his friend and companion. He was commanding the Magnuacs in battle. Rashid had helped him through so many times. Quatre knew the man could sense the fear inside of him. Rashid spoke quietly,

"Master Quatre, you know no fear. Confidence will be your only weapon out there on the battle field. With out it, you are nothing at all, even in a Gundam."

"I know my friend, but it feels like it has been so long. What if I should fail the others?" responded Quatre.

"When you are inside of that cockpit, inside that machine, you are home; though you may not want to admit it. But it is your fate to be a warrior and to fight in this machine. You and these other young men were chosen. You were chosen for this reason and for this purpose."

"To what?" cried Quatre. "To kill anyone who stands in our way?"

"To defend those who need your protection. To fight for an ultimate goal which we all strive for: Peace. This peace will not come if you do not kill those who object to it. Do not be so unsure of yourself, Master Quatre," finished Rashid.

Quatre looked away from Rashid's face briefly then up at his large Gundam. He hated his fate. He hated the burden that he would have to carry on his shoulders for the rest of his life. But it was his alone to bear. Yet, despite how much he hated the killing, Quatre knew that Rashid spoke the truth. It was his duty and his honor to protect the innocent. I was his destiny to control the Gundam Sandrock. He had to admit that the thrill of controlling such a machine was beyond compare. He had power, he had skill, and he had strength. Yes, the fate was his to bear. No one could handle Sandrock the way he did.

Enemy base...

Relena watched as Pentane circled her. She tried to hide the emotion that was burning inside of her heart. She wanted desperately to run and try to get away, but she knew that would only give them an excuse to kill her. She had to be patient and do as they said. She made a promise to stay alive, and in return she was promised that she would see him again. She had to be patient.

"Why have you not killed me Mr. Pentane?" asked Relena simply.

"I need you Ms. Darlian. You are the last thing that I need to complete my mission. With you, things will not be complicated they will be so much easier. You shall not become a martyr to the people of the Earth and colonies. That would only make them turn against me and make my organization look like bloodthirsty and power hungry savages."

"Are you afraid of the truth?" retorted Relena.

"I fear nothing!" screamed Pentane. Relena stood her ground despite the sudden outburst. She did not move a muscle.

Pentane surged forward at the young woman, "The truth?" he exclaimed furiously, "The truth is that the colonies have been nothing but a menace since they were created! You speak of peace and good will between Earth and the colonies. Well that may come sooner than you may think."

He turned away from her and motioned for Mavica to follow with Relena out of the office and into the hall. Pentane led them through several hallways and control centers until they finally reached their destination. It was a large control room, where numerous officers and other sorts of people were working. However, Relena could not seem to tear her eyes away from the largest thing in the room. Before her, inside a large docking bay below the control center, was a, large, beam cannon. She watched as it was wheeled into position by a team of mechanics.

"This, Ms. Darlian, is a device of special design," explained Pentane as he pointed to the weapon. "Scientists have been developing and building it for me, secretly, for several years now. As a matter of fact, I believe you may even know the man who designed it. His name is Dr. J. The very same man that helped develop the Gundams, as well as your body guard, Heero Yuy."

Relena couldn't help but gasp slightly. But Pentane continued to taunt her,

"Don't act so surprised Relena. I have been watching you for a very long time and have gotten to know your friends very well. I was indeed surprised that you were acquainted with the great Heero Yuy. But of his existence, I knew about him from the beginning. As a matter of fact, although he may not know it, I was going to buy him from Dr. J and use him as my own personal assassin. But the foolish Old Man would have nothing of it. It was not a loss though. I found that I did not need the boy at all once I discovered the plans for Dr. J's machine. So I took them because I knew he would not so willingly give me such thoughts and ideas. The man was too smart for his own good."

Pentane stopped to breathe then slowly continued,

"The fact is that this machine was the answer I was looking for. It will solve the many problems that exist in the universe today. Shall I demonstrate?"

"I think I can get the general idea," said Relena meekly.

"No, Ms. Darlian, I want you to get the full concept. Approximately, 2 hours ago, my team tracked a large asteroid that was heading towards our ship. It, like all asteroids, was probably debris from another planet or what not. You know how space goes, Ms. Darlian. This particular piece of rock is roughly two miles long."

Pentane motioned for Mavica to escort her to a large bay window. Relena looked and saw the rock of which he was speaking of. It was phenomenal just as Pentane had described. And it was heading right for them. Relena felt a knot rise in her stomach as an idea slowly crossed her mind.

"Take a good look, Ms. Darlian," said Pentane as he motioned for the weapon to be fired.

The next thing she saw was a bright and brilliant flash of red light that hit the asteroid head on. The whole station shook slightly and Relena almost lost her footing. She looked back out of the window and all that was left were small pieces of debris floating quietly in space. A sad expression crossed her young features as her thoughts were revealed to be true.

"You plan to destroy the colonies," she said sadly.

"I always knew you were a bright young woman. I suppose you'd have to be to be named Queen of the World at the tender age of fifteen. Or to become the Vice Foreign Minister and an Ambassador to both the Earth and colonies."

"What is it that you want of me?" she asked quietly.

"I was hoping you would ask me that," smiled Pentane wickedly. "As I said before you will not become the people's martyr. You will work for me for a limited amount of time or you can say goodbye to your precious friends aboard the Preventers space port. We know their location and we know that they would not be ready for an attack that would completely wipe them out in a mere 30 seconds. Their blood will be on your hands Ms. Darlian. They have no idea where you are. No help is coming for you. You are all alone. So who will it be? Your friends who mean the world to you and who may be the only ones to stop this war. Or the innocent people of the colonies, completely oblivious to what may happen to their pathetic lives within the next couple of hours. The choice is yours Ms. Darlian. Bret, my boy, escort her to the broadcast room over there."

Pentane turned on his heel and walked away. Mavica grabbed Relena roughly and walked her over to a little side room that overlooked the control room through a window. It was completely white and just as bare with absolutely no furniture save a single chair that was positioned right in front of a TV camera. Mavica forced her to sit. Relena made no attempt to struggle but simply looked away as he spoke to her,

"The plan is simple. In approximately an hour, your face will be broadcasted all over the universe from this room. Your job during this show is to announce your retirement from the ESUN as Vice Foreign Minister. If you choose to resist you can say goodbye to your friends as well as the colonies."

"And after I do so?" asked the young woman.

"Ms. Darlian, do you honestly think you will leave here alive?"

Bret Mavica turned and began to walk out of the room. He stopped at the doorway and spoke over his shoulder,

"By the way, there are cameras monitoring the room, and a guard shall be posted outside the door. So killing yourself is out of the question."

He slammed the door and at the same time managed to crush all of Relena's spirit and nearly all her hope. She clung to the arms of the chair desperately struggling to breathe. She knew they were watching her as she struggled to keep her composure. She knew they were enjoying every moment of watching her break down against her will. She clutched the dove pin that Heero had given to her. She often looked to it as a source of comfort at times. Her mind raced and her heart beat quickly and her once last shred of hope drifted through her mind. I know you can find me. Please hurry before it is too late.

AN: Action is on the way! Did you like it? Please give me some good feedback we are almost there!

Email: WildRose1404earthlink.net