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Disclaimer: I don't own this anime
Chapter Twelve: Visions of the Blind Target: REMINISCE
(A/N: Some events came after the "Endless Waltz" and "Blind Target")
(Heero's POV)
As soon as they arrived at the colony, we had our little reunion formalities. Relena was so relieved of Quatre being there alive that she ran and hugged him. I didn't pay much attention to that scene because Duo and Trowa walked straight to me, anyway. We took all of our talking inside and I laid the things that I know about the people who are after the Gundams, the pilots and Relena.
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(Backtrack)
Inside the L3 colony, the 4 pilots and Relena settled their selves inside of one of the chambers. Trowa leans on the wall while Quatre stands in front of him and Relena sits down with Heero just besides her. Duo takes a chair sits down, and letting his chest rest on the back of the chair. "A new war, huh."
"That's what the one who after me said. However, Gundams shouldn't necessary in the peace that the Earth Sphere is approaching." Heero said.
"But they want 'em. In other words, they don't want peace." Duo lays his chin on his hand.
They were silent for a while. Heero turned his attention to the girl beside him. Relena just stares at her hands that are clasps and on lap. She couldn't understand why these people need to be such an obstacle of keeping the peace.
On the other hand, Quatre is still bewildered about the tragedy that happened on the colonial summit. He wanted answers as well. "Heero, tell us. Who are they?"
Trowa and Duo shot their eyes open to look at the guy who they assumed that did his homework before he decided for them to gather all at that colony. Even Relena looked up to him and prepared to listen like the others.
"There are many groups that never supported the United Terrestrial Federation. One of them being..."
"... Are the remnants of the White Fang."
There were no doubts on his words that made Relena staggered. She is indeed surprised that there are still members of the White Fang that they fought before are still carrying a grudge.
In Relena's mind, Zechs, her brother comes to mind. Like Noin, she never believed that her brother died along with Libra's downfall. But there are no shadows of his existence ever since then. Could be possible that he came back along with the remaining rebels?
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But when they are here talking, little that they know that there was someone not there to join the conversation. In the control room, the present assistant of the vice foreign minister is in there, and she is destroying the sensors.
With the sensors of the colony was sabotaged, the group wasn't warned about a shuttle that approaches the colony, inside is Ralph and his men. Ralph notices the same thing Chris did about this particular colony.
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The pilots thought of a plan to hold their keep. It will take a matter of time before the enemies find them there. Since most of the system of the colony was toast, they planned their defense with a little ingenuity.
Quatre and Trowa are manually locking down corridors. As Trowa hacks for the emergency lock codes, he noticed that Quatre hasn't gotten out of his silence ever since the talk with Heero.
"Quatre?"
With the sound of his name quickly perceived, he startled and looks at the person who called him. "Ah? What is it Trowa?"
"Hit the switch please, I'm sealing this door." Trowa requested. After an affirmative from the blonde, the doors slowly slide shut.
"All we have to do now is lure the enemy down this route...." Trowa pushes a button then looks back at his companion. He can sense that he still thinks about the death of the innocent people at the recent explosion. "Something's bothering you?"
"Ah... yes." Quatre just smiled at him for his concern and spoke. "What if it was because of me... that the colony representatives became entangled and got killed?" Quatre stood up.
Trowa maintained his kneeling position and looks at him in the corner of his eye. "Our targets haven't forgotten the oppression in the history of the colonies. They very much hate the earth."
Quatre was indeed born and raised in a colony. He knows the past squabbles of Earth and the colonies. But it wasn't earth that caused the trouble but the militarization and power struggles that threatened the balance of harmony between them.
He was the only one who chose to fight the oppression despite of his nature. Considerably he should be a hero of the colonies for being chosen by the Gundams to fight the evil sourcing from the blue planet.
"Maybe they thought I was a traitor, becoming Earth's lap dog."
"But you believe that you're doing this for the sake of the Earth and the colonies. You're the one with faith that earth and the colonies can work together, right?"
Quatre looks shocked. Trowa is correct.
Although he was that angry, he didn't hate the earth because of the people he met, the places he has seen and the things he had experienced. In the end, he hoped that the harmony that once lost could be retrieved somehow.
Along with the others, he too stepped down and took over the diplomacy of his people for peaceful negotiations with the Earth Sphere. All has changed him because he started to believe again.
"So it is your duty... to educate and spread that optimism. You should teach the others to see that option."
"You're right..."
Hoping that Quatre understands, Trowa clears out the equipment while the other communicates to mission control.
"Let's hurry. There's not much time."
Duo? How is it over there?
In the control room, Duo just realized that the sensors are not working. Since they needed the outer surveillance, he couldn't predict the ETA of any vessels that close by. "Not good. Can't use the radar." Out of the frustration, he can't help but to pound the controls. "And they'll be here any second!"
"Just as I wondered what you were doing.... you're lacking in alertness! Your perimeter surveillance is full of holes!"
Duo was shocked by that sudden yet familiar voice that came from behind. He knew that cracks of arrogance anywhere so he didn't waste time to look at the rear and see the last Gundam Pilot to arrive.
"The enemy's already at the outer hatch." Wufei leans against the entryway, arms folded.
"Yo, Wufei. You're late, almost thought they'd gotten you." Duo said while Wufei just ignored that witty retort.
"You're here now and the help is welcome. But, if you're going to join in, it's going to be one big welcoming committee."
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"Are you going with out me, Heero?"
"You'll be safe here. It looks like the pursuit force has already broken in..."
"But Heero!"
There they are again. Everytime something like this happens; they always bicker on who is going with who. Its not like Heero would just leave Relena just somewhere. He always takes the best location where there is the least harm. If he would not then it makes all of the protecting meaningless.
This is just one of those episodes that Relena wont take no for answer from here when it comes to being there beside him in the cross-fire. What is the point, anyway knowing that she is not that skilled like the guys that are "guarding" her? Still her longing outbalances her reasoning.
Heero wouldn't' resort to any violence in order for her to stay put. He has his own ways on making her just by talking her out of it. So if ever she gets aggravated like this everytime he leaves to protect her he would always say firmly...
"You must return alive.'
To Relena, the cause for her survival is as just. But just like Heero's habit of saying those words, she would ask gently like the answer couldn't be any more obvious...
"Do you plan to fight them?"
'That was the plan all along. After your safety's been guaranteed, we can destroy the forces, however..."
"Heero?"
"No matter what happens, don't come out. This is the safest spot that I can place you."
He found it easy enough that she is not being persistent like before making it hard for him to leave her alone. But there are no Gundams present here to serve as shock absorbers and serve as bulletproof garments. There is something else not present.
"Ah! Wait, Chris should be here..."
There are times that he wished that she could develop her sixth sense a little more. That way she could think and act cautiously about the ones who surround her. For now, that is a part of his job and not hers. She could be way too trusting.
"She has other things to do."
With that his last remark the door slides shut leaving only an echo of a girl's voice shouting his name.
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Somewhere within the corridors nearby, Chris hides her self beneath the shadows with a tiny transmitter in hand. She seems to be talking with somebody. Particularly, somebody from the new arrived shuttle.
"I've cut the radar, they don't know you've gotten in." "Are you all right, Chris? They don't suspect you, do they?"
"I'm just Vice Foreign Minister Darlian's secretary."
"True but... but for them to come to this colony... I didn't expect this."
"Yeah... Be careful Ralph. I'll look for the Gundams' hiding place.
"Yea, don't do anything rash either... be careful."
The White Fang forces spread out. Ralph ordered the A-team to go left while the B-team follows him to the right corridor.
As Ralph's team runs through those halls, he couldn't help but worry because it's too quiet. He hesitated to go even further and told his men to go back at the hangar and regroup.
Before they could make their bodies move, the hatch of the hall that they're in closes. Ralph dashes and skids through just before it shuts while the others didn't made it. He looks up only to face the barrel of a gun.
"An ambush, huh? So what do you plan to do with us?" Ralph remains still as Trowa just eyed him with a firm grip on the loaded arsenal.
"Nothing. Just don't bother us for a little while...."
"So all the Gundam pilots are together now. What do the Gundam pilots intend, gathered like this? Are the Gundams here?
"Why do you want the Gundams? They're not needed anymore. Their time is past." Another voice came out from behind them.
Ralph is stunned like he is seeing an avenging ghost back from the dead in front of him. "Quatre Raberba Winner? You're still alive after that blast?"
He couldn't believe these people in such a young age can be so hard to deal with. It looks like lady luck refused again to side with their cause. "Are Gundam pilots immortal?"
"So you were responsible for the bombing! Why!"
Ralph didn't have to think what words to say to the heir of the Winner house. "You've betrayed the colonies! The Winner family plans to sell out the colonies to Earth!"
Just as he predicted, there are people who did think that he is to blame. They do think of him as a sell out instead of fighting along side with the colonies.
It's not that they don't understand but they refuse to understand. If they happen to comprehend the things that he had realized from the previous war, things might have turned out differently.
Whatever the real reason for their demands, they just handled the situation wrong. With a lot of things on Quatre's mind, it seems that Ralph struck a nerve in a very bad day.
"If you hate me so, you should have targeted me alone! Instead of attacking me you involving innocent people! Do you say that's doing the right thing! How can you call that justice!
Ralph is lost for words. He is known to be the most gentle out of the five. But back then; he unmercifully blew up colonies by originally piloting Wing Zero out of his immense grief for his father's death due to the colonies' ignorance. Quatre can be very hazardous when he snaps.
Before anything worse could happen like Quatre taking the gun and shoot the guy on the spot, Trowa rests his hand on Quatre's shoulder. A single touch to signal him to refrain himself, Quatre breathes out and regained his silence and composure.
Trowa looks down at Ralph who is lucky to be alive after Quatre's sudden outburst. Besides, he doesn't want him dead, at least not yet. "Ralph, you're coming with us. You're going to be here for a while."
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Meanwhile, Chris wanders down a hallway following a sensor. She is still searching for any sign of the Gundams' presence. She stops in front of a hatch sensing a shift in the energy readings of her sensor.
As she is about to touch the keypad of the hatch, her own natural sensor sensed someone is around. She spins around and surprised to see 01 behind her.
"Ah...."
"Unless you input the code, the door won't open."
"Ah...um.... I seem to have gotten lost. I'll return to where Ms. Relena is... which way is it back to her?"
"I secured her. Relena's been evacuated to someplace safe. You're not going anywhere near her."
"Huh?"
"You want to look in here don't you?"
She sure knows how to act but unlike his girl who is locked somewhere; he is a much better judge of character. It would be rude of him though if he keeps Chris from doing her errands so he punched in the codes himself and let her look all she wants.
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"Heero managed to get in contact you too? I didn't know that." Duo said to Wufei. They are hiding out with their backs pressed against the wall to ambush any incoming white Fang rebels.
Duo has a gun while Wufei looks at a miniature monitor that shows the view of the corridor that their stationed. "I can't ignore something that has to do with Nataku. But I hardly expected to be working with you all again."
"It's not as if we wanted to meet like this. We are not needed in this day and age anymore."
"Can you be so certain?"
"What do you mean, Wufei?"
"The universe, as usual, is shrouded in an air of uncertainty. The situation out there is as disturbing as ever."
"Every age has the potential for war. There will always be conflict. But I'm hoping that the desire for peace will win out this time." Duo holds his gun up. "I'd like to believe that this is a new era and people really want peace now."
Wufei sees something in his monitor and shows it to Duo. "Even when you see these leftover White Fangs?"
Duo braced himself back in position. "That's the point... I don't think it's just colonial idealists running around. They are not exactly your typical renegade splinter group."
They started to hear a lot of footsteps coming through the corridor. Wufei hid the monitor as Duo waves for his signal to come out. "Oho... You know the plan?"
"Just who do you think you're asking?
"Right, I'm counting on you. Let's go partner!"
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She looks around the wide-open space but Chris couldn't find a single thing in sight. "It can't believe it! It's empty. There's nothing in here..."
He walks past her and halts to stand a few feet from her. He stands at the very spot where Wing Zero previously parked. "There are no Gundam units here in this colony. The Wing ZERO was but not anymore and moved it a while ago."
Then he comes close to the control panel that radiates the energy into her energy sensor and he pushes a button to turn it off. "There are many decoys like this. We won't hand them over to the White Fang."
The jig is up so it's no use hiding it up anymore. Probably the others found her out sooner as she has predicted. "So... you knew everything..."
"Have more care when making your transmissions. Your communication protocols are sloppy"
"Why didn't you kill me?""
Somehow he heard that line before. That was the same familiar line from Zechs when they clashed for the last time during Libra's downfall.
As much as he can, he never wanted to cause her anymore worries than he already has causing her. So each time someone she knows is messing with her in any way, he would rather let Relena be the jury, the judge and the executioner.
However, he knows her enough to act maturely and be the better person. That is just one of the reasons that he knows that she is mightier than him. She is just too kind.
"If you're going to do it, do it! I'm prepared to throw away my life for the sake of the colonies!"
Although sometimes, there are people who are too blinded by their cause that it's harder to resist especially when provoked. To make the decisions easier, he would just play these words over and over in his mind... for Relena.
Heero just stares at her and she takes a step back. It seems that great 01 might actually grant her death wish. In their briefing, he is considerably the most dangerous among the five pilots due to his unorthodox various actions and obvious reasons. How could the Vice Foreign Minister even get so close to this boy?
"Because I don't want Relena to be sad. If she lost her secretary she'd be upset. Besides, we can still use you."
"I'm not talking!"
He doesn't just blurt out the first reason to anyone. He knows it's a sign of weakness for him. He could have just say directly that she is still needed but he saying that he doesn't want her girl to be sad feels so relevant. Heero walks out of the room and stops at the front of the entrance. "We don't need you to get information. I can get that myself."
"Then why let me live?"
"The fighting over a long time ago."
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In the Control Room, everybody with Ralph tied up on a chair, are listening to the transmission sending from the colonial network. It seems that the Earth Federation, regarding the kidnapped Vice Foreign Minister Darlian, launched an investigation in regard to the involvement of the colonies.
"Tension is high since the colonial summit. People are in a buzz over the explosion. We should return her quickly or else things are going to get out of control." Duo said.
"The Vice Foreign Minister is very important personnel to the United Earth Sphere. If she were to disappear, they could never avoid the chaos."
"But we can't return her just yet." The door behind them slides open revealing Heero with Chris behind him.
"What? So she was one of them too." "Ralph!" she notices the man on bondage
"Chris."
"I'm sorry, my transmission was compromised. They managed to intercept it."
"No. Don't apologize. My plan failed because of my tactical error." He looks at the boys who are minding their own business and saying nothing. "What are you going to do with us?"
"Don't worry. We are not that barbaric. When we're done with your friends, we'd like you to take charge of them and ask for you guys to leave." Duo continued typing then the monitor shows an image of some rebels lying down on the halls.
"What are you trying to do?"
"Well for starters, we're hacking the communication circuits of your shuttle. It's easy for us to interrupt your transmission."
"Fools! It's locked! Those systems are impenetrable. You'll never..." before he could continue, Duo presses a button and the console reads: System: All Green. Ralph is shocked to eat his words that he said earlier.
"Done! Game's up!" Duo rejoiced.
"Look for the base's specifics and a record of all transmissions logs." Heero ordered.
"What are you expecting us to find?"
"Probably the mastermind behind the White Fang here with us."
"What are you talking about?" Chris said who is now confused.
"Although the White Fangs motives may be pure and noble, whether it's in accord with those orchestrating it, we can't say." Trowa explained.
"But we're all doing this for the colonies!" the girl exclaimed.
Some people don't realize this but colonial activists always bark out that exact sentence that it lost all meaning. If they can have a dollar for every time they hear it, they would be as rich as the Winner Zaibatsu. To such broad reason such as that, there is always an ulterior motive.
"Then why do you want the Gundams?" 01 asks the two captives "The Gundams are a unifying symbol of the colonies' defiance that we intend to gather the hearts of everyone to fight under!"
True that the Gundams were made and sent from the colonies. It is natural that colonial rebels would say out loud that they are fighting for the colonies or the Gundams are their flag carriers. Again, this is the same old record playing.
"Who said such a thing?"
"That's....
"Chris!" Ralph calls her out to stop her for saying any more.
Heero walks in front of her and looks at her dead straight on the eyes. "Do you believe that?"
"Do you think it's right to kill Relena?" Chris is taken aback by his question. She thinks of the official who tires her best to retrieve back the harmony of Earth and the Colonies. They are told to rid of that individual who they thought handing the colonies on a silver platter. But this is the very same woman who showed her nothing but kindness, patience and respect. She would never imagine that they would go that far for their jaded purposes.
"Ralph, it's time you and your colleague here knew the truth." Trowa said.
The truth?
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Quatre is wandering down a hallway and finds Wufei staring out an observation port. He decides to join him and stops right in front of the window with a vast view of stars scattered all over the black nothingness of space.
"Wufei... Why are you here...?"
"I was just thinking."
"Me too. Wow, you can see space from here. Look at the stars. It's so mysterious behind this piece of glass, is a world that living beings can't inhabit and devoid of life? Yet... it seems so gentle and feels like home to me."
"It's because you were born and raised in space. It is your home."
"Why do people hate?" "Because they're weak."
"I must ne too... I hate them and I can't forgive what the White Fang did."
"Don't say that! That's not true! You were chosen by the Gundams!"
"Wufei?"
"You must to be strong. That is righteousness is. Because it is just."
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"Relena..." Heero said as the others continue to work feverishly while Relena enters.
"Hey, welcome! I'd offer tea but we are pretty busy right now. Make yourself at home. Sorry it's standing room and there are no refreshments but you should be seeing something really nifty soon." Duo joyfully says to her.
Relena just smiled at Duo's "offer" and walks to where Heero is sitting. He didn't bother to look at her or even say anything as she lays a hand on his shoulder. "I know you don't like it. I'm sorry... but I really must speak to Chris."
"Ms. Relena."
"Chris, even though I know now who you are and what you have done, I cannot hate you." She said to her firmly.
"Ms. Relena, I..."
"Relena Darlian! You're constantly spouting peace, but is the peace you speak of not in the Earth's favor at our expense? You hypocrite!" Ralph returned a shot of his own that he's dying to say to her from the very beginning.
Heero didn't like the tone of the guys tongue but he decided not meddle just yet and let the insult to her pass. He already warned Relena about people like these before and he can only hope that she would handle such accusations the way she knows how.
"True, I know almost nothing about the day to day struggles of fife in the colonies. I might not understand the loneliness and sadness that colonists feel... However, but that is why I wish to understand, and I want the colonies and the Earth to understand each other. I'm putting all my effort into bridging that understanding."
After her speech, duo finally presses a button and an image comes up. "So that's the leader of the White Fang."
"Sogran was involved with the White Fang in the previous battle as well. He disappeared during the Libra drop." Trowa introduced
"Addressed to that Sogran is a large sum of money from a corporation on earth. His funding came from the Century Discover firm. It was involved in Mobile Suit production development under the Romefeller Conglomerate. In other words, they develop and produce mobile suits." Heero explained
"That's why he wants the Gundams. With that kind of technology, they can create more powerful Mobile Suits." Duo realized
"With that, they can wage a new war." Trowa added
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Inside the rebels' head quarters, Sogran is talking to the Century Discover Chief on his large video screen.
'The plan is progressing smoothly. Earth is blaming the diplomats for the disappearance of Vice Foreign Minister Dorian."
"They doubt the colony's sincerity?"
"We made it look that way. I've been keeping that idea in circulation. If the negotiations break down this way, chaos will ensue."
"That's when the White Fang will rise up in arms. Without the head of the Winner family and those busybodies, no one will be able to stop us."
"About that.... is the matter regarding the vice foreign minister Dorian and those Gundam pilots all right?"
"Leave it to us, and you concentrate on running your business."
"Don't waste all that money. I've invested a great deal in this. I'm going to the conference as an observer to look out for our best interests. I'll be looking forward to seeing those Gundams in the factory."
Then the transmission ends. Sogran reclines to his chair and notices another incoming transmission.
"That Petty bastard that can't think beyond turning misery into profit.... yes what is it?"
"Commander Sogran, Attack Unit 2 is about to reach its target shortly."
"There's no time. Hurry up and move in without delay."
"Roger that. Second Squad out."
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"What do you want? Have you come to laugh at me? What a bad joke. 'Peace, Independence, Freedom' I swallowed all his preaching! I must look like a fool." Ralph said to Trowa who enters his holding cell. " I... for what reason have I been fighting for?"
"I might have been jealous of you."
"What?"
"Back in the war, you had enemies you hated, and important people you wanted to protect. But I didn't have anything..."
"I thought you were an unwavering perfect soldier. You had no doubts nor have any distractions."
"As a weapon for war, yes. Now, I think that it was a sad empty way for a person to live."
"You've changed Trowa..."
'I can never regain my past but I can make my future. Ralph, you still have something you want to protect right?"
"Something to protect...."
In Ralph's mind, he imaged Chris. Maybe that's why the plan to rid off Quatre and Relena failed. Because there are always have friends to watch their backs.
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"What did you want to talk about, Heero?" Quatre walks in the security deck room where Heero told him to go. "This is the security deck... why here?"
"Because I am not the one who is going to do the talking." Heero pushes a button and an image appears. On the monitor are Relena and Chris.
"Ms. Relena... you truly think that Earth and the colonies can coexist?"
"I firmly believe it."
"I've never imagined I would see and come here again...."
"Chris, you were born on this colony, correct?"
"Yes. Ralph and I were raised here; it was a day without worries and comfortable enough. But it suddenly disappeared. I might have been young but I remember it well... Mobile Suits came and destroyed our homes along with my parents. Before a Leo could shoot me, Ralph took me to safety. That loneliness... that pain... it had nowhere to go but towards earth...
"It's so sad..."
Relena takes Chris's hands and looked at her with sympathy. "Ms. Relena"
"There was nothing but blame and hate. So that such sadness is never repeated...I must ask this of you Chris... so that the people of Earth and the colonies can live in peace... please lend me your strength. I need your memories, your trust, and your help.
"Will I be able to do this?"
"Having known sadness, you can be more compassionate. Great spirit and goodness often come out of great conflict and sorrow. A very dear friend of mine taught me that."
"She... Relena's very strong..." Quatre said after Heero turned off the screen.
"The strongest. I can't compare to her."
"I had lost sight of it. I'd forgotten something important. It takes great courage and strength to really forgive someone...
Heero remains silent. That's what he is expecting to his girl. She never realizes how much power she can produce on her words alone to convince anyone for the better. Somehow, however; she gets lost on her way too and will always insist for his help and he would gladly comply for her aid.
"Heero?!" Quatre startles at the sound of the buzzer blasting off
"Incoming!"
When all of them gathered inside the control room, a large number of Mobile Suit Units surrounding the perimeter is shown in the screen. It looks like the White Fang thought that Ralph's infiltration plan failed and dispatched a new unit.
With the colony's defense system is no longer operational and there are no Gundams to pilot with, they are nothing but sitting ducks. With one option left Heero activates the emergency self-destruct mechanism.
As soon as the Second Wave landed on the colony's outer walls, they sensed a huge energy shift and a bright big explosion welcomed them as shuttles barely escape from the intensity of the colony's destruction. Again the White Fang lacks the luck.
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As soon as word reached the Headquarters, The Century Discover Chief pays another chat to Commander Sogran. Obviously, he is not that happy to hear the news.
"What's the meaning of this Sogran? The colony self- destructed?"
"It means we weren't able to predict the Gundam Pilot's actions."
"I paid billions of money and you can't even get one Gundam!"
"What about the conference?" he changed the topic
"It's... about to begin soon."
"Devote yourself to creating as much wind and waves between the colonies and earth. You just want to return a war-torn state right? Without war between the colonies, you wont be in business, much less need a Gundam. Leave the rest to me.
"... All right. I won't forget those words! Don't let me down!"
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Inside another colony, diplomats from Earth and Colonial Representatives have begun the meeting concerning the current events that are causing panic. The Century Discover Chief is there to stir up the mix some more as the debate rages on.
"So you mean to say that the Colonies had nothing to do with Vice Foreign Minister Dorian's disappearance?" A diplomat spoke
"I didn't mean to say that, it's just..." a representative dared to answer
"Do you mean it'd be bad if they knew the truth? This reeks of a cover up!" The chief butted in
"What to you mean by that?"
"Excuse me and I'll clarify. Earth is not naïve. It's well known that the colonies oppose the unification. The Vice Foreign Minister is the key to the unification process."
With that from the businessman, the room rings with loud murmurs about the said allegations. But suddenly a female voice echoed and caused all of them to look at the door and hush up. The CD chief couldn't believe his eyes to see the Vice Foreign Minister with her Assistant.
"Everyone, please be quiet."
"Vice Foreign Minister Dorian!"
"I'm sorry to have caused so much worry for everyone. As you can see, I'm just fine. I will explain this situation; therefore there is no reason for the earth and the colonies to be opposing each other in this.
The CD chief senses trouble and tries to leave. But before he can even take a few more steps he is blocked by a certain boy whom he thought was dead.
"Where are you going, Century Discover C.E.O.? What's the rush? Don't you want to hear this?"
"Quatre Raberba Winner!"
"You seem surprised, did you think I was dead?"
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On the Earth's moon, Duo and Wufei infiltrated the Lunar Mobile Suit Factory owned by the said company under Romefeller.
"I see.... There is nothing wrong or secretive about having a factory on the moon. Lots of old companies do. I suppose that it shouldn't also be odd that a company under the Romefeller Conglomerate should have a factory on the moon. But we can't have them building Mobile Suits now during peacetime, can we...."
"I suppose we should expect that some people will stir up conflict just to make profit from it. It means we must eliminate the tricky bastard that intends to start an unjust war."
"Wufei?"
"We are destroying this place, aren't we?"
"Alright, not like we'd want to have counterfeit Gundams made here. Time to put an end to these cheap Gundam knock offs. Man, our affinity with the moon sucks. Well, let's finish things... And this brings things to a close...."
"I don't think so. We may have managed to avert it this time but the same thing will occur once more. Evil never dies."
"You're such a pessimist. Think happier thoughts, people aren't that idiots after all, man. After all they've had a chance to taste the pain. They know the pain of past wounds. Here goes!
"This time you will perhaps remember that silence saves lives. If you don't want to die, shut up."
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In the Sogran's HQ, he watches the newscaster reports in regard to the fire on the lunar factory, that it has been revealed to be an weapons manufacturing plant and the president of Century Discover has been physically taken into custody. "As one piece falls the whole plan collapses. Deviating from plans cause such inconveniences."
"And what plans would those be, commander Sogran?" A voice came from his rear and surprised to see the unexpected visitor.
"Ralph! You're alive!"
"Why did you gather the White Fang? For money?"
"I see, so I've been found out." Sogran pulls out a gun but it is shot out of his hand by Pilot 01 along with Pilot 03.
"That's enough, don't betray Ralph and the others any more." Trowa said
"You! I see.... This is what I should have expected. You Gundam pilots are good. How about it, won't you join me? With the Gundams, we can make conquering the Earth Sphere a reality. We can do what Treize and Milliardo Peacecraft weren't able to! For that I used the scum arms merchant, and encouraged those stupid rebels to get involved! All for one great vision!"
"You...!"
"There will be peace on the colonies... under my rule."
Ralph couldn't take his crap anymore and tries to pull a gun on Sogran. Trowa stops him before he does anything foolish. "Stop it, there's no need to soil your hands in this. His blood on them will accomplish nothing."
"Wait! Do you think you'll leave here alive?" Sogran shouted to the three males who are leaving his office.
"You should worry for yourself." Heero said as he drops a tiny round microphone
"What?"
"This conversation's been broadcast throughout the base. I don't think the naïve White Fang rebels will praise you for your ideal future anymore."
==================================
Quatre enters a room where Chris and Relena are sitting. He came from the mess that's goin on outside as the authorities take the CD chief in custody with media people tailing them.
"How are things?"
"Well not too bad. Things are still in a muddle but they agreed and came into understanding.
"Is that so?" She notices Chris is lost in her own little world, thinking. "Chris."
Ah? I'm sorry, as a secretary I shouldn't be like this.... "There's no need to worry... Heero and the others are with Ralph."
"It will get complicated now...There is still the matter of White Fang's forces.... and the unification process has been delayed; there are a lot of things to accomplish before we can not let it fall. We must all work together for peace.
==================================
Meanwhile, Trowa and Ralph trails back to the circus.
"Well then Trowa, I'll just make an exit now."
"You should stop for a bit .You could come along, there's coffee..."
"Stop it. I'll pass. It's better if I don't come anywhere near your current life."
"What will you do now?"
"Who knows? It looks like I'll have to get used to the idea of a world without war. Besides... I'm not alone..."
"Is that so? Be well..."
"Yeah."
"Trowa!" Catherine comes out of the tent and sees the two guys
"Go to her. Your duty lies here... with her. This is the place you must protect. And Trowa... Be careful. If you chose to use the name Trowa Barton you'll be found eventually. You can't keep it from them."
"Yeah."
"Welcome home Trowa! You're not hurt?"
"I'm home, Catherine..."
"That's so like you...But it's good that you made it back."
"Didn't I say I'd come back for sure?"
"That's true." She wipes her tears away and she watches Ralph walks away. "He seems to have changed..."
"He has. His battle has finally ended."
"Oh... Well, let's go inside! The ringmaster's waiting!"
===================================
Within Quatre at his office, he is talking to some people and excused himself as he spots a wall leaning Duo; waving at him from a small distance. He invited him inside for a cup of tea and Duo helped himself to feel right at home as always.
"I feel bad that. It seems that the settlement was pushed on you and Relena, nursing people past the crisis after all."
"Yeah but it's not so bad... Everyone is doing whatever they can... If we just keep at it, the unification will proceed. The remnants of the White Fang have broken up.... The mastermind of a new war was stopped.... Sacrifices were made... I can't forget it..."
"Quatre...."
"I'm fine. I know what I have to do. I've been thinking about it for a while. The Gundams are a very important facet and entrusted with our lives..."
"They are very dear partners..."
"Yeah... But... They're not needed in the coming age of peace."
"Quatre! You're not thinking of..."
"Duo, we're being forced into a decision"
Quatre: Before another incident like this happens....
Duo smiles slowly as he convinces himself with Quatre's idea. "That's the best way. All right. I've come to that resolution too."
"Thank you Duo."
"Don't give me that look. We're headed for an era of peace and this is proof of it."
"You're right."
=====================================
Within Wufei's colony, he sits in a temple in deep meditation. He opens his eyes to notice the door slowly creeks to open as a stranger approaches.
"Excuse me. I apologize for interrupting your meditations."
"No matter. I heard your footsteps coming from the corridor. Who are you?"
"I have come at the behest of a certain someone. A humble messenger."
"Messenger?"
"From someone who is closely related... to someone you know well. Lord Chang Wufei... I have a request for you with full confidence in you as a Gundam Pilot."
".... Tell me more. I'm listening."
==================================
The next day at the Circus, Catherine and Trowa are performing the knife throw. After the successful attraction, the audience gladly applauses as the lady knife thrower and the half masked clown take their bow. Trowa sees Quatre in the stands after he bends right up.
After the show was over and everyone left, the blonde takes a trip to the circus trailers and stops at the caged animals as he waits for a certain pilot 03. Quatre is petting the lion when the one he's waiting for stands beside him.
"Is it all right for you to be here alone? All the way out here?"
"I sort of forced the issue though my bodyguards didn't like it.. But I had to talk to you in person."
"Is it about the Gundams?"
"So you've been thinking about it too? They're dangerous and can't be allowed to fall into someone else's hands. So with our own hands, I think we have to...."
"Heavy-arms wasn't mine to start with."
"Trowa?"
"I have no objections. Return it to nothingness the way you think is best."
"Thank you Trowa..."
=================================
School. After Heero' class, he is tries to resume to live life as a normal person. As he walks through those same streets a voice came from nowhere. "I've found you, Heero Yui...."
Heero turns a corner and the person tailing him chases after him to find an empty alley. The chaser raises his hands as Heero stands behind him with a gun pointing at Duo's back...
"What are you up to?"
"Yo Heero, as dangerous as usual I see..."
"I asked, what are you up to?"
"Don't give me that scary face, I'm just a simple messenger today." He whips out a diskette.
Heero and Duo headed for the school library. They gain access for the use of a computer and view the diskette. The diskette compiles of Quatre's plan to send Gundams Wing Zero, Death-scythe, Heavy-arms, Sandrock and Nataku inside an automated asteroid for a one-way trip to the sun.
"There's the landing point and here is the time so don't be late in sending the Wing ZERO.
"Understood."
"..."
"What?"
"Nothing. I thought you might say that you wanted to manage it on your own or something like that... That's why I came out all the way here to persuade you. After all it's rather lonely to be by one's self."
"Quatre will do it well and manage to ensure there's nothing left."
"No objections huh? I hate how you're so emotional and chatty" he said sarcastically. "Oh, by the way, do you know where Wufei is? Have you had contact from him before, right? "I have no idea where he is. I sent him a mail using the Gundam circuit."
"So that was the only way to get in touch with him now? He scattered so fast after the Moon Base. Was he thinking of something? I wonder if he'll go along with the Gundam destruction?"
"..."
"I guess it's up to him to decide."
The streets are as busy as it's been like nothing happened. As they walk, they see Relena in another press conference that is being shown by a wide screen monitor of a building.
"Oho... the missy looks really well, isn't that good.
Heero is gazing at the TV with a kind of sweet expression as he thinks of her in the office, Relena sees the bear Heero gave her and picks it up for a hug.
But as everybody else having their own business, Wufei goes back to docking area where Nataku is hid. "Nataku, please lend me your strength once more. I must find an answer.
As he stares at the huge mecha, two shadows blot the floor to see the Gundam. An old man named Dekim Barton and a little red head girl that goes by the name Marimeia Krushenada. "Perhaps it is they who will show me the proper path.
(End of Flashback)
===============================================================
(Heero's POV)
So those guys want to know what happened to Relena and me back at that time and she is about to tell them. Well I guess it was the time that I decided to blow up the L3 colony before the enemy could reach us all. We were all running as well as White Fang soldiers prepare to evacuate in the shuttles at the hangar. As Ralph directs his men for the evacuation, He takes a look at Chris then averted his gaze to the Gundam Pilots having their own good byes. I remembered those guys went ahead and left her and me alone. What happened next was still a rush for me up to this very moment.
Since we did our "thing" together, I thought of transferring into another school on account of there are still girls who are trying to get "friendly" with me. But then again she refused because she wants me to have normal friends like any normal person and besides the fact that she trusts me not to do anything "out of line".
I told her to be careful and stay out of trouble, as I always but she just shrugs it off. She said she will be careful but she will do nothing on conforming to trouble. Without trouble, she won't have a chance to get close to me again.
Selfish Hag... but nevertheless, she is my selfish hag. So before I let her go with the shuttle, I told her that no matter happens to her I will always come running to take her out of harms way.
Oh that reminds me. I'm supposed to kill her now. Better get back to the hotel.
===============================================================
(Heero's Flashback moments before colony L3 explodes)
"It's all set. All that's left is to disappear in the confusion of the blast." Duo said.
"Everyone take care." Says Quatre.
"You too." Trowa replied
"I'll make sure to deliver Relena to the conference hall. I promise." He directs at Heero who remains silent.
"Well then, let's go!" Duo said as Wufei turns to walk away
"Eh? Wait up Wufei!" Duo said before he waves to the others.
Relena walks towards the remaining three pilots. Trowa and Quatre sensed an awkward situation that might about to happen and excused them selves to let the two have "their own goodbye".
"I'll go on ahead." 03 said
"I'll be waiting at the shuttle too..." 04 smiled
And then the moment of truth arrives. There they are, Heero and Relena alone in the corridor with nothing else around but the rumbling shuttles preparing to launch.
Heero looks down. This is just one of those times that they must part their ways once again. He can handle this kind of scenes with her only he can't say goodbye entirely. "Hurry up and go, there's no time."
Relena does feel kinda glad. At least he is not shooting out without her knowing or he is not pushing her away from a mobile suit. She is just so grateful to see him once again.
"Yes I know... please take care, Heero."
This she is able to say her words of concern for him unlike the past times that they go on their separate ways. To him, she should be the one who must take care so things like this wont happen again.
"There's no need to worry about me. You have other things to do. You need to stay focused. Concentrate on them instead."
She is not surprised that he still thinks that way and disregards her concerns for him like that. They already have their talks from the past but those events never helped them to learn and understand their feelings as they keep on with the same old things every time they encounter each other.
"You are a strong person... but please don't ask me not to worry for you... because I want to. I wish to do so."
Somebody please kick his brain.
"Relena...."
Relena starts to walk past him and he just stands there.
"I had better get going."
Thankfully something kicked in and Heero grabs her arm before she could go any further. She felt a little unbalanced as she was spun around and face the intimate closeness that he brought for them.
Uncertainty filled her mind as she locked eyes with him. As he holds her hand tighter, he moved his other hand to her waist to pull her closer.
"Relena.... I...."
He leans down to her face and guided his lips to hers for a kiss. That's kiss stands for everything that they shared together.
It's hard to imagine how a passionate display of affection could flash all of their moments together, especially from someone who feels so deeply about him as she is.
From the first time he met him, her first death threat from him, her first dance with him, the first rescue effort he did for her, the first gun he pointed at her, their first friendly talk, his first nicest words of admiration for her, and everything else that lead to this very moment... all wrapped up in their very first kiss.
Some people say that actions speak louder than words. Some people say that words are needed to express things so they can be understood better. Who knows... who care... it doesn't matter just as long as they are having one of their most wonderful moments ever.
For now, neither more actions nor more words are relevant. They can't afford every passing second of the self-detonation. Father Time is cruel to let them stop to make haste yet Sister Fate is kind enough to let them feel the other's lips with all the time in the world.
"Since when did you wanted to that to me?"
"I've been thinking about it for a while."
"And how long did you think I have to wait for your move?"
"I got a little impatient so you really don't have to get frustrated as me."
(End of Flashback)
===============================================================
Disclaimer: I don't own this anime
Chapter Twelve: Visions of the Blind Target: REMINISCE
(A/N: Some events came after the "Endless Waltz" and "Blind Target")
(Heero's POV)
As soon as they arrived at the colony, we had our little reunion formalities. Relena was so relieved of Quatre being there alive that she ran and hugged him. I didn't pay much attention to that scene because Duo and Trowa walked straight to me, anyway. We took all of our talking inside and I laid the things that I know about the people who are after the Gundams, the pilots and Relena.
===============================================================
(Backtrack)
Inside the L3 colony, the 4 pilots and Relena settled their selves inside of one of the chambers. Trowa leans on the wall while Quatre stands in front of him and Relena sits down with Heero just besides her. Duo takes a chair sits down, and letting his chest rest on the back of the chair. "A new war, huh."
"That's what the one who after me said. However, Gundams shouldn't necessary in the peace that the Earth Sphere is approaching." Heero said.
"But they want 'em. In other words, they don't want peace." Duo lays his chin on his hand.
They were silent for a while. Heero turned his attention to the girl beside him. Relena just stares at her hands that are clasps and on lap. She couldn't understand why these people need to be such an obstacle of keeping the peace.
On the other hand, Quatre is still bewildered about the tragedy that happened on the colonial summit. He wanted answers as well. "Heero, tell us. Who are they?"
Trowa and Duo shot their eyes open to look at the guy who they assumed that did his homework before he decided for them to gather all at that colony. Even Relena looked up to him and prepared to listen like the others.
"There are many groups that never supported the United Terrestrial Federation. One of them being..."
"... Are the remnants of the White Fang."
There were no doubts on his words that made Relena staggered. She is indeed surprised that there are still members of the White Fang that they fought before are still carrying a grudge.
In Relena's mind, Zechs, her brother comes to mind. Like Noin, she never believed that her brother died along with Libra's downfall. But there are no shadows of his existence ever since then. Could be possible that he came back along with the remaining rebels?
==================================
But when they are here talking, little that they know that there was someone not there to join the conversation. In the control room, the present assistant of the vice foreign minister is in there, and she is destroying the sensors.
With the sensors of the colony was sabotaged, the group wasn't warned about a shuttle that approaches the colony, inside is Ralph and his men. Ralph notices the same thing Chris did about this particular colony.
==================================
The pilots thought of a plan to hold their keep. It will take a matter of time before the enemies find them there. Since most of the system of the colony was toast, they planned their defense with a little ingenuity.
Quatre and Trowa are manually locking down corridors. As Trowa hacks for the emergency lock codes, he noticed that Quatre hasn't gotten out of his silence ever since the talk with Heero.
"Quatre?"
With the sound of his name quickly perceived, he startled and looks at the person who called him. "Ah? What is it Trowa?"
"Hit the switch please, I'm sealing this door." Trowa requested. After an affirmative from the blonde, the doors slowly slide shut.
"All we have to do now is lure the enemy down this route...." Trowa pushes a button then looks back at his companion. He can sense that he still thinks about the death of the innocent people at the recent explosion. "Something's bothering you?"
"Ah... yes." Quatre just smiled at him for his concern and spoke. "What if it was because of me... that the colony representatives became entangled and got killed?" Quatre stood up.
Trowa maintained his kneeling position and looks at him in the corner of his eye. "Our targets haven't forgotten the oppression in the history of the colonies. They very much hate the earth."
Quatre was indeed born and raised in a colony. He knows the past squabbles of Earth and the colonies. But it wasn't earth that caused the trouble but the militarization and power struggles that threatened the balance of harmony between them.
He was the only one who chose to fight the oppression despite of his nature. Considerably he should be a hero of the colonies for being chosen by the Gundams to fight the evil sourcing from the blue planet.
"Maybe they thought I was a traitor, becoming Earth's lap dog."
"But you believe that you're doing this for the sake of the Earth and the colonies. You're the one with faith that earth and the colonies can work together, right?"
Quatre looks shocked. Trowa is correct.
Although he was that angry, he didn't hate the earth because of the people he met, the places he has seen and the things he had experienced. In the end, he hoped that the harmony that once lost could be retrieved somehow.
Along with the others, he too stepped down and took over the diplomacy of his people for peaceful negotiations with the Earth Sphere. All has changed him because he started to believe again.
"So it is your duty... to educate and spread that optimism. You should teach the others to see that option."
"You're right..."
Hoping that Quatre understands, Trowa clears out the equipment while the other communicates to mission control.
"Let's hurry. There's not much time."
Duo? How is it over there?
In the control room, Duo just realized that the sensors are not working. Since they needed the outer surveillance, he couldn't predict the ETA of any vessels that close by. "Not good. Can't use the radar." Out of the frustration, he can't help but to pound the controls. "And they'll be here any second!"
"Just as I wondered what you were doing.... you're lacking in alertness! Your perimeter surveillance is full of holes!"
Duo was shocked by that sudden yet familiar voice that came from behind. He knew that cracks of arrogance anywhere so he didn't waste time to look at the rear and see the last Gundam Pilot to arrive.
"The enemy's already at the outer hatch." Wufei leans against the entryway, arms folded.
"Yo, Wufei. You're late, almost thought they'd gotten you." Duo said while Wufei just ignored that witty retort.
"You're here now and the help is welcome. But, if you're going to join in, it's going to be one big welcoming committee."
===================================
"Are you going with out me, Heero?"
"You'll be safe here. It looks like the pursuit force has already broken in..."
"But Heero!"
There they are again. Everytime something like this happens; they always bicker on who is going with who. Its not like Heero would just leave Relena just somewhere. He always takes the best location where there is the least harm. If he would not then it makes all of the protecting meaningless.
This is just one of those episodes that Relena wont take no for answer from here when it comes to being there beside him in the cross-fire. What is the point, anyway knowing that she is not that skilled like the guys that are "guarding" her? Still her longing outbalances her reasoning.
Heero wouldn't' resort to any violence in order for her to stay put. He has his own ways on making her just by talking her out of it. So if ever she gets aggravated like this everytime he leaves to protect her he would always say firmly...
"You must return alive.'
To Relena, the cause for her survival is as just. But just like Heero's habit of saying those words, she would ask gently like the answer couldn't be any more obvious...
"Do you plan to fight them?"
'That was the plan all along. After your safety's been guaranteed, we can destroy the forces, however..."
"Heero?"
"No matter what happens, don't come out. This is the safest spot that I can place you."
He found it easy enough that she is not being persistent like before making it hard for him to leave her alone. But there are no Gundams present here to serve as shock absorbers and serve as bulletproof garments. There is something else not present.
"Ah! Wait, Chris should be here..."
There are times that he wished that she could develop her sixth sense a little more. That way she could think and act cautiously about the ones who surround her. For now, that is a part of his job and not hers. She could be way too trusting.
"She has other things to do."
With that his last remark the door slides shut leaving only an echo of a girl's voice shouting his name.
=====================================
Somewhere within the corridors nearby, Chris hides her self beneath the shadows with a tiny transmitter in hand. She seems to be talking with somebody. Particularly, somebody from the new arrived shuttle.
"I've cut the radar, they don't know you've gotten in." "Are you all right, Chris? They don't suspect you, do they?"
"I'm just Vice Foreign Minister Darlian's secretary."
"True but... but for them to come to this colony... I didn't expect this."
"Yeah... Be careful Ralph. I'll look for the Gundams' hiding place.
"Yea, don't do anything rash either... be careful."
The White Fang forces spread out. Ralph ordered the A-team to go left while the B-team follows him to the right corridor.
As Ralph's team runs through those halls, he couldn't help but worry because it's too quiet. He hesitated to go even further and told his men to go back at the hangar and regroup.
Before they could make their bodies move, the hatch of the hall that they're in closes. Ralph dashes and skids through just before it shuts while the others didn't made it. He looks up only to face the barrel of a gun.
"An ambush, huh? So what do you plan to do with us?" Ralph remains still as Trowa just eyed him with a firm grip on the loaded arsenal.
"Nothing. Just don't bother us for a little while...."
"So all the Gundam pilots are together now. What do the Gundam pilots intend, gathered like this? Are the Gundams here?
"Why do you want the Gundams? They're not needed anymore. Their time is past." Another voice came out from behind them.
Ralph is stunned like he is seeing an avenging ghost back from the dead in front of him. "Quatre Raberba Winner? You're still alive after that blast?"
He couldn't believe these people in such a young age can be so hard to deal with. It looks like lady luck refused again to side with their cause. "Are Gundam pilots immortal?"
"So you were responsible for the bombing! Why!"
Ralph didn't have to think what words to say to the heir of the Winner house. "You've betrayed the colonies! The Winner family plans to sell out the colonies to Earth!"
Just as he predicted, there are people who did think that he is to blame. They do think of him as a sell out instead of fighting along side with the colonies.
It's not that they don't understand but they refuse to understand. If they happen to comprehend the things that he had realized from the previous war, things might have turned out differently.
Whatever the real reason for their demands, they just handled the situation wrong. With a lot of things on Quatre's mind, it seems that Ralph struck a nerve in a very bad day.
"If you hate me so, you should have targeted me alone! Instead of attacking me you involving innocent people! Do you say that's doing the right thing! How can you call that justice!
Ralph is lost for words. He is known to be the most gentle out of the five. But back then; he unmercifully blew up colonies by originally piloting Wing Zero out of his immense grief for his father's death due to the colonies' ignorance. Quatre can be very hazardous when he snaps.
Before anything worse could happen like Quatre taking the gun and shoot the guy on the spot, Trowa rests his hand on Quatre's shoulder. A single touch to signal him to refrain himself, Quatre breathes out and regained his silence and composure.
Trowa looks down at Ralph who is lucky to be alive after Quatre's sudden outburst. Besides, he doesn't want him dead, at least not yet. "Ralph, you're coming with us. You're going to be here for a while."
====================================
Meanwhile, Chris wanders down a hallway following a sensor. She is still searching for any sign of the Gundams' presence. She stops in front of a hatch sensing a shift in the energy readings of her sensor.
As she is about to touch the keypad of the hatch, her own natural sensor sensed someone is around. She spins around and surprised to see 01 behind her.
"Ah...."
"Unless you input the code, the door won't open."
"Ah...um.... I seem to have gotten lost. I'll return to where Ms. Relena is... which way is it back to her?"
"I secured her. Relena's been evacuated to someplace safe. You're not going anywhere near her."
"Huh?"
"You want to look in here don't you?"
She sure knows how to act but unlike his girl who is locked somewhere; he is a much better judge of character. It would be rude of him though if he keeps Chris from doing her errands so he punched in the codes himself and let her look all she wants.
=================================
"Heero managed to get in contact you too? I didn't know that." Duo said to Wufei. They are hiding out with their backs pressed against the wall to ambush any incoming white Fang rebels.
Duo has a gun while Wufei looks at a miniature monitor that shows the view of the corridor that their stationed. "I can't ignore something that has to do with Nataku. But I hardly expected to be working with you all again."
"It's not as if we wanted to meet like this. We are not needed in this day and age anymore."
"Can you be so certain?"
"What do you mean, Wufei?"
"The universe, as usual, is shrouded in an air of uncertainty. The situation out there is as disturbing as ever."
"Every age has the potential for war. There will always be conflict. But I'm hoping that the desire for peace will win out this time." Duo holds his gun up. "I'd like to believe that this is a new era and people really want peace now."
Wufei sees something in his monitor and shows it to Duo. "Even when you see these leftover White Fangs?"
Duo braced himself back in position. "That's the point... I don't think it's just colonial idealists running around. They are not exactly your typical renegade splinter group."
They started to hear a lot of footsteps coming through the corridor. Wufei hid the monitor as Duo waves for his signal to come out. "Oho... You know the plan?"
"Just who do you think you're asking?
"Right, I'm counting on you. Let's go partner!"
====================================
She looks around the wide-open space but Chris couldn't find a single thing in sight. "It can't believe it! It's empty. There's nothing in here..."
He walks past her and halts to stand a few feet from her. He stands at the very spot where Wing Zero previously parked. "There are no Gundam units here in this colony. The Wing ZERO was but not anymore and moved it a while ago."
Then he comes close to the control panel that radiates the energy into her energy sensor and he pushes a button to turn it off. "There are many decoys like this. We won't hand them over to the White Fang."
The jig is up so it's no use hiding it up anymore. Probably the others found her out sooner as she has predicted. "So... you knew everything..."
"Have more care when making your transmissions. Your communication protocols are sloppy"
"Why didn't you kill me?""
Somehow he heard that line before. That was the same familiar line from Zechs when they clashed for the last time during Libra's downfall.
As much as he can, he never wanted to cause her anymore worries than he already has causing her. So each time someone she knows is messing with her in any way, he would rather let Relena be the jury, the judge and the executioner.
However, he knows her enough to act maturely and be the better person. That is just one of the reasons that he knows that she is mightier than him. She is just too kind.
"If you're going to do it, do it! I'm prepared to throw away my life for the sake of the colonies!"
Although sometimes, there are people who are too blinded by their cause that it's harder to resist especially when provoked. To make the decisions easier, he would just play these words over and over in his mind... for Relena.
Heero just stares at her and she takes a step back. It seems that great 01 might actually grant her death wish. In their briefing, he is considerably the most dangerous among the five pilots due to his unorthodox various actions and obvious reasons. How could the Vice Foreign Minister even get so close to this boy?
"Because I don't want Relena to be sad. If she lost her secretary she'd be upset. Besides, we can still use you."
"I'm not talking!"
He doesn't just blurt out the first reason to anyone. He knows it's a sign of weakness for him. He could have just say directly that she is still needed but he saying that he doesn't want her girl to be sad feels so relevant. Heero walks out of the room and stops at the front of the entrance. "We don't need you to get information. I can get that myself."
"Then why let me live?"
"The fighting over a long time ago."
===================================
In the Control Room, everybody with Ralph tied up on a chair, are listening to the transmission sending from the colonial network. It seems that the Earth Federation, regarding the kidnapped Vice Foreign Minister Darlian, launched an investigation in regard to the involvement of the colonies.
"Tension is high since the colonial summit. People are in a buzz over the explosion. We should return her quickly or else things are going to get out of control." Duo said.
"The Vice Foreign Minister is very important personnel to the United Earth Sphere. If she were to disappear, they could never avoid the chaos."
"But we can't return her just yet." The door behind them slides open revealing Heero with Chris behind him.
"What? So she was one of them too." "Ralph!" she notices the man on bondage
"Chris."
"I'm sorry, my transmission was compromised. They managed to intercept it."
"No. Don't apologize. My plan failed because of my tactical error." He looks at the boys who are minding their own business and saying nothing. "What are you going to do with us?"
"Don't worry. We are not that barbaric. When we're done with your friends, we'd like you to take charge of them and ask for you guys to leave." Duo continued typing then the monitor shows an image of some rebels lying down on the halls.
"What are you trying to do?"
"Well for starters, we're hacking the communication circuits of your shuttle. It's easy for us to interrupt your transmission."
"Fools! It's locked! Those systems are impenetrable. You'll never..." before he could continue, Duo presses a button and the console reads: System: All Green. Ralph is shocked to eat his words that he said earlier.
"Done! Game's up!" Duo rejoiced.
"Look for the base's specifics and a record of all transmissions logs." Heero ordered.
"What are you expecting us to find?"
"Probably the mastermind behind the White Fang here with us."
"What are you talking about?" Chris said who is now confused.
"Although the White Fangs motives may be pure and noble, whether it's in accord with those orchestrating it, we can't say." Trowa explained.
"But we're all doing this for the colonies!" the girl exclaimed.
Some people don't realize this but colonial activists always bark out that exact sentence that it lost all meaning. If they can have a dollar for every time they hear it, they would be as rich as the Winner Zaibatsu. To such broad reason such as that, there is always an ulterior motive.
"Then why do you want the Gundams?" 01 asks the two captives "The Gundams are a unifying symbol of the colonies' defiance that we intend to gather the hearts of everyone to fight under!"
True that the Gundams were made and sent from the colonies. It is natural that colonial rebels would say out loud that they are fighting for the colonies or the Gundams are their flag carriers. Again, this is the same old record playing.
"Who said such a thing?"
"That's....
"Chris!" Ralph calls her out to stop her for saying any more.
Heero walks in front of her and looks at her dead straight on the eyes. "Do you believe that?"
"Do you think it's right to kill Relena?" Chris is taken aback by his question. She thinks of the official who tires her best to retrieve back the harmony of Earth and the Colonies. They are told to rid of that individual who they thought handing the colonies on a silver platter. But this is the very same woman who showed her nothing but kindness, patience and respect. She would never imagine that they would go that far for their jaded purposes.
"Ralph, it's time you and your colleague here knew the truth." Trowa said.
The truth?
==================================
Quatre is wandering down a hallway and finds Wufei staring out an observation port. He decides to join him and stops right in front of the window with a vast view of stars scattered all over the black nothingness of space.
"Wufei... Why are you here...?"
"I was just thinking."
"Me too. Wow, you can see space from here. Look at the stars. It's so mysterious behind this piece of glass, is a world that living beings can't inhabit and devoid of life? Yet... it seems so gentle and feels like home to me."
"It's because you were born and raised in space. It is your home."
"Why do people hate?" "Because they're weak."
"I must ne too... I hate them and I can't forgive what the White Fang did."
"Don't say that! That's not true! You were chosen by the Gundams!"
"Wufei?"
"You must to be strong. That is righteousness is. Because it is just."
===================================
"Relena..." Heero said as the others continue to work feverishly while Relena enters.
"Hey, welcome! I'd offer tea but we are pretty busy right now. Make yourself at home. Sorry it's standing room and there are no refreshments but you should be seeing something really nifty soon." Duo joyfully says to her.
Relena just smiled at Duo's "offer" and walks to where Heero is sitting. He didn't bother to look at her or even say anything as she lays a hand on his shoulder. "I know you don't like it. I'm sorry... but I really must speak to Chris."
"Ms. Relena."
"Chris, even though I know now who you are and what you have done, I cannot hate you." She said to her firmly.
"Ms. Relena, I..."
"Relena Darlian! You're constantly spouting peace, but is the peace you speak of not in the Earth's favor at our expense? You hypocrite!" Ralph returned a shot of his own that he's dying to say to her from the very beginning.
Heero didn't like the tone of the guys tongue but he decided not meddle just yet and let the insult to her pass. He already warned Relena about people like these before and he can only hope that she would handle such accusations the way she knows how.
"True, I know almost nothing about the day to day struggles of fife in the colonies. I might not understand the loneliness and sadness that colonists feel... However, but that is why I wish to understand, and I want the colonies and the Earth to understand each other. I'm putting all my effort into bridging that understanding."
After her speech, duo finally presses a button and an image comes up. "So that's the leader of the White Fang."
"Sogran was involved with the White Fang in the previous battle as well. He disappeared during the Libra drop." Trowa introduced
"Addressed to that Sogran is a large sum of money from a corporation on earth. His funding came from the Century Discover firm. It was involved in Mobile Suit production development under the Romefeller Conglomerate. In other words, they develop and produce mobile suits." Heero explained
"That's why he wants the Gundams. With that kind of technology, they can create more powerful Mobile Suits." Duo realized
"With that, they can wage a new war." Trowa added
=================================
Inside the rebels' head quarters, Sogran is talking to the Century Discover Chief on his large video screen.
'The plan is progressing smoothly. Earth is blaming the diplomats for the disappearance of Vice Foreign Minister Dorian."
"They doubt the colony's sincerity?"
"We made it look that way. I've been keeping that idea in circulation. If the negotiations break down this way, chaos will ensue."
"That's when the White Fang will rise up in arms. Without the head of the Winner family and those busybodies, no one will be able to stop us."
"About that.... is the matter regarding the vice foreign minister Dorian and those Gundam pilots all right?"
"Leave it to us, and you concentrate on running your business."
"Don't waste all that money. I've invested a great deal in this. I'm going to the conference as an observer to look out for our best interests. I'll be looking forward to seeing those Gundams in the factory."
Then the transmission ends. Sogran reclines to his chair and notices another incoming transmission.
"That Petty bastard that can't think beyond turning misery into profit.... yes what is it?"
"Commander Sogran, Attack Unit 2 is about to reach its target shortly."
"There's no time. Hurry up and move in without delay."
"Roger that. Second Squad out."
==================================
"What do you want? Have you come to laugh at me? What a bad joke. 'Peace, Independence, Freedom' I swallowed all his preaching! I must look like a fool." Ralph said to Trowa who enters his holding cell. " I... for what reason have I been fighting for?"
"I might have been jealous of you."
"What?"
"Back in the war, you had enemies you hated, and important people you wanted to protect. But I didn't have anything..."
"I thought you were an unwavering perfect soldier. You had no doubts nor have any distractions."
"As a weapon for war, yes. Now, I think that it was a sad empty way for a person to live."
"You've changed Trowa..."
'I can never regain my past but I can make my future. Ralph, you still have something you want to protect right?"
"Something to protect...."
In Ralph's mind, he imaged Chris. Maybe that's why the plan to rid off Quatre and Relena failed. Because there are always have friends to watch their backs.
==================================
"What did you want to talk about, Heero?" Quatre walks in the security deck room where Heero told him to go. "This is the security deck... why here?"
"Because I am not the one who is going to do the talking." Heero pushes a button and an image appears. On the monitor are Relena and Chris.
"Ms. Relena... you truly think that Earth and the colonies can coexist?"
"I firmly believe it."
"I've never imagined I would see and come here again...."
"Chris, you were born on this colony, correct?"
"Yes. Ralph and I were raised here; it was a day without worries and comfortable enough. But it suddenly disappeared. I might have been young but I remember it well... Mobile Suits came and destroyed our homes along with my parents. Before a Leo could shoot me, Ralph took me to safety. That loneliness... that pain... it had nowhere to go but towards earth...
"It's so sad..."
Relena takes Chris's hands and looked at her with sympathy. "Ms. Relena"
"There was nothing but blame and hate. So that such sadness is never repeated...I must ask this of you Chris... so that the people of Earth and the colonies can live in peace... please lend me your strength. I need your memories, your trust, and your help.
"Will I be able to do this?"
"Having known sadness, you can be more compassionate. Great spirit and goodness often come out of great conflict and sorrow. A very dear friend of mine taught me that."
"She... Relena's very strong..." Quatre said after Heero turned off the screen.
"The strongest. I can't compare to her."
"I had lost sight of it. I'd forgotten something important. It takes great courage and strength to really forgive someone...
Heero remains silent. That's what he is expecting to his girl. She never realizes how much power she can produce on her words alone to convince anyone for the better. Somehow, however; she gets lost on her way too and will always insist for his help and he would gladly comply for her aid.
"Heero?!" Quatre startles at the sound of the buzzer blasting off
"Incoming!"
When all of them gathered inside the control room, a large number of Mobile Suit Units surrounding the perimeter is shown in the screen. It looks like the White Fang thought that Ralph's infiltration plan failed and dispatched a new unit.
With the colony's defense system is no longer operational and there are no Gundams to pilot with, they are nothing but sitting ducks. With one option left Heero activates the emergency self-destruct mechanism.
As soon as the Second Wave landed on the colony's outer walls, they sensed a huge energy shift and a bright big explosion welcomed them as shuttles barely escape from the intensity of the colony's destruction. Again the White Fang lacks the luck.
=================================
As soon as word reached the Headquarters, The Century Discover Chief pays another chat to Commander Sogran. Obviously, he is not that happy to hear the news.
"What's the meaning of this Sogran? The colony self- destructed?"
"It means we weren't able to predict the Gundam Pilot's actions."
"I paid billions of money and you can't even get one Gundam!"
"What about the conference?" he changed the topic
"It's... about to begin soon."
"Devote yourself to creating as much wind and waves between the colonies and earth. You just want to return a war-torn state right? Without war between the colonies, you wont be in business, much less need a Gundam. Leave the rest to me.
"... All right. I won't forget those words! Don't let me down!"
==================================
Inside another colony, diplomats from Earth and Colonial Representatives have begun the meeting concerning the current events that are causing panic. The Century Discover Chief is there to stir up the mix some more as the debate rages on.
"So you mean to say that the Colonies had nothing to do with Vice Foreign Minister Dorian's disappearance?" A diplomat spoke
"I didn't mean to say that, it's just..." a representative dared to answer
"Do you mean it'd be bad if they knew the truth? This reeks of a cover up!" The chief butted in
"What to you mean by that?"
"Excuse me and I'll clarify. Earth is not naïve. It's well known that the colonies oppose the unification. The Vice Foreign Minister is the key to the unification process."
With that from the businessman, the room rings with loud murmurs about the said allegations. But suddenly a female voice echoed and caused all of them to look at the door and hush up. The CD chief couldn't believe his eyes to see the Vice Foreign Minister with her Assistant.
"Everyone, please be quiet."
"Vice Foreign Minister Dorian!"
"I'm sorry to have caused so much worry for everyone. As you can see, I'm just fine. I will explain this situation; therefore there is no reason for the earth and the colonies to be opposing each other in this.
The CD chief senses trouble and tries to leave. But before he can even take a few more steps he is blocked by a certain boy whom he thought was dead.
"Where are you going, Century Discover C.E.O.? What's the rush? Don't you want to hear this?"
"Quatre Raberba Winner!"
"You seem surprised, did you think I was dead?"
====================================
On the Earth's moon, Duo and Wufei infiltrated the Lunar Mobile Suit Factory owned by the said company under Romefeller.
"I see.... There is nothing wrong or secretive about having a factory on the moon. Lots of old companies do. I suppose that it shouldn't also be odd that a company under the Romefeller Conglomerate should have a factory on the moon. But we can't have them building Mobile Suits now during peacetime, can we...."
"I suppose we should expect that some people will stir up conflict just to make profit from it. It means we must eliminate the tricky bastard that intends to start an unjust war."
"Wufei?"
"We are destroying this place, aren't we?"
"Alright, not like we'd want to have counterfeit Gundams made here. Time to put an end to these cheap Gundam knock offs. Man, our affinity with the moon sucks. Well, let's finish things... And this brings things to a close...."
"I don't think so. We may have managed to avert it this time but the same thing will occur once more. Evil never dies."
"You're such a pessimist. Think happier thoughts, people aren't that idiots after all, man. After all they've had a chance to taste the pain. They know the pain of past wounds. Here goes!
"This time you will perhaps remember that silence saves lives. If you don't want to die, shut up."
===================================
In the Sogran's HQ, he watches the newscaster reports in regard to the fire on the lunar factory, that it has been revealed to be an weapons manufacturing plant and the president of Century Discover has been physically taken into custody. "As one piece falls the whole plan collapses. Deviating from plans cause such inconveniences."
"And what plans would those be, commander Sogran?" A voice came from his rear and surprised to see the unexpected visitor.
"Ralph! You're alive!"
"Why did you gather the White Fang? For money?"
"I see, so I've been found out." Sogran pulls out a gun but it is shot out of his hand by Pilot 01 along with Pilot 03.
"That's enough, don't betray Ralph and the others any more." Trowa said
"You! I see.... This is what I should have expected. You Gundam pilots are good. How about it, won't you join me? With the Gundams, we can make conquering the Earth Sphere a reality. We can do what Treize and Milliardo Peacecraft weren't able to! For that I used the scum arms merchant, and encouraged those stupid rebels to get involved! All for one great vision!"
"You...!"
"There will be peace on the colonies... under my rule."
Ralph couldn't take his crap anymore and tries to pull a gun on Sogran. Trowa stops him before he does anything foolish. "Stop it, there's no need to soil your hands in this. His blood on them will accomplish nothing."
"Wait! Do you think you'll leave here alive?" Sogran shouted to the three males who are leaving his office.
"You should worry for yourself." Heero said as he drops a tiny round microphone
"What?"
"This conversation's been broadcast throughout the base. I don't think the naïve White Fang rebels will praise you for your ideal future anymore."
==================================
Quatre enters a room where Chris and Relena are sitting. He came from the mess that's goin on outside as the authorities take the CD chief in custody with media people tailing them.
"How are things?"
"Well not too bad. Things are still in a muddle but they agreed and came into understanding.
"Is that so?" She notices Chris is lost in her own little world, thinking. "Chris."
Ah? I'm sorry, as a secretary I shouldn't be like this.... "There's no need to worry... Heero and the others are with Ralph."
"It will get complicated now...There is still the matter of White Fang's forces.... and the unification process has been delayed; there are a lot of things to accomplish before we can not let it fall. We must all work together for peace.
==================================
Meanwhile, Trowa and Ralph trails back to the circus.
"Well then Trowa, I'll just make an exit now."
"You should stop for a bit .You could come along, there's coffee..."
"Stop it. I'll pass. It's better if I don't come anywhere near your current life."
"What will you do now?"
"Who knows? It looks like I'll have to get used to the idea of a world without war. Besides... I'm not alone..."
"Is that so? Be well..."
"Yeah."
"Trowa!" Catherine comes out of the tent and sees the two guys
"Go to her. Your duty lies here... with her. This is the place you must protect. And Trowa... Be careful. If you chose to use the name Trowa Barton you'll be found eventually. You can't keep it from them."
"Yeah."
"Welcome home Trowa! You're not hurt?"
"I'm home, Catherine..."
"That's so like you...But it's good that you made it back."
"Didn't I say I'd come back for sure?"
"That's true." She wipes her tears away and she watches Ralph walks away. "He seems to have changed..."
"He has. His battle has finally ended."
"Oh... Well, let's go inside! The ringmaster's waiting!"
===================================
Within Quatre at his office, he is talking to some people and excused himself as he spots a wall leaning Duo; waving at him from a small distance. He invited him inside for a cup of tea and Duo helped himself to feel right at home as always.
"I feel bad that. It seems that the settlement was pushed on you and Relena, nursing people past the crisis after all."
"Yeah but it's not so bad... Everyone is doing whatever they can... If we just keep at it, the unification will proceed. The remnants of the White Fang have broken up.... The mastermind of a new war was stopped.... Sacrifices were made... I can't forget it..."
"Quatre...."
"I'm fine. I know what I have to do. I've been thinking about it for a while. The Gundams are a very important facet and entrusted with our lives..."
"They are very dear partners..."
"Yeah... But... They're not needed in the coming age of peace."
"Quatre! You're not thinking of..."
"Duo, we're being forced into a decision"
Quatre: Before another incident like this happens....
Duo smiles slowly as he convinces himself with Quatre's idea. "That's the best way. All right. I've come to that resolution too."
"Thank you Duo."
"Don't give me that look. We're headed for an era of peace and this is proof of it."
"You're right."
=====================================
Within Wufei's colony, he sits in a temple in deep meditation. He opens his eyes to notice the door slowly creeks to open as a stranger approaches.
"Excuse me. I apologize for interrupting your meditations."
"No matter. I heard your footsteps coming from the corridor. Who are you?"
"I have come at the behest of a certain someone. A humble messenger."
"Messenger?"
"From someone who is closely related... to someone you know well. Lord Chang Wufei... I have a request for you with full confidence in you as a Gundam Pilot."
".... Tell me more. I'm listening."
==================================
The next day at the Circus, Catherine and Trowa are performing the knife throw. After the successful attraction, the audience gladly applauses as the lady knife thrower and the half masked clown take their bow. Trowa sees Quatre in the stands after he bends right up.
After the show was over and everyone left, the blonde takes a trip to the circus trailers and stops at the caged animals as he waits for a certain pilot 03. Quatre is petting the lion when the one he's waiting for stands beside him.
"Is it all right for you to be here alone? All the way out here?"
"I sort of forced the issue though my bodyguards didn't like it.. But I had to talk to you in person."
"Is it about the Gundams?"
"So you've been thinking about it too? They're dangerous and can't be allowed to fall into someone else's hands. So with our own hands, I think we have to...."
"Heavy-arms wasn't mine to start with."
"Trowa?"
"I have no objections. Return it to nothingness the way you think is best."
"Thank you Trowa..."
=================================
School. After Heero' class, he is tries to resume to live life as a normal person. As he walks through those same streets a voice came from nowhere. "I've found you, Heero Yui...."
Heero turns a corner and the person tailing him chases after him to find an empty alley. The chaser raises his hands as Heero stands behind him with a gun pointing at Duo's back...
"What are you up to?"
"Yo Heero, as dangerous as usual I see..."
"I asked, what are you up to?"
"Don't give me that scary face, I'm just a simple messenger today." He whips out a diskette.
Heero and Duo headed for the school library. They gain access for the use of a computer and view the diskette. The diskette compiles of Quatre's plan to send Gundams Wing Zero, Death-scythe, Heavy-arms, Sandrock and Nataku inside an automated asteroid for a one-way trip to the sun.
"There's the landing point and here is the time so don't be late in sending the Wing ZERO.
"Understood."
"..."
"What?"
"Nothing. I thought you might say that you wanted to manage it on your own or something like that... That's why I came out all the way here to persuade you. After all it's rather lonely to be by one's self."
"Quatre will do it well and manage to ensure there's nothing left."
"No objections huh? I hate how you're so emotional and chatty" he said sarcastically. "Oh, by the way, do you know where Wufei is? Have you had contact from him before, right? "I have no idea where he is. I sent him a mail using the Gundam circuit."
"So that was the only way to get in touch with him now? He scattered so fast after the Moon Base. Was he thinking of something? I wonder if he'll go along with the Gundam destruction?"
"..."
"I guess it's up to him to decide."
The streets are as busy as it's been like nothing happened. As they walk, they see Relena in another press conference that is being shown by a wide screen monitor of a building.
"Oho... the missy looks really well, isn't that good.
Heero is gazing at the TV with a kind of sweet expression as he thinks of her in the office, Relena sees the bear Heero gave her and picks it up for a hug.
But as everybody else having their own business, Wufei goes back to docking area where Nataku is hid. "Nataku, please lend me your strength once more. I must find an answer.
As he stares at the huge mecha, two shadows blot the floor to see the Gundam. An old man named Dekim Barton and a little red head girl that goes by the name Marimeia Krushenada. "Perhaps it is they who will show me the proper path.
(End of Flashback)
===============================================================
(Heero's POV)
So those guys want to know what happened to Relena and me back at that time and she is about to tell them. Well I guess it was the time that I decided to blow up the L3 colony before the enemy could reach us all. We were all running as well as White Fang soldiers prepare to evacuate in the shuttles at the hangar. As Ralph directs his men for the evacuation, He takes a look at Chris then averted his gaze to the Gundam Pilots having their own good byes. I remembered those guys went ahead and left her and me alone. What happened next was still a rush for me up to this very moment.
Since we did our "thing" together, I thought of transferring into another school on account of there are still girls who are trying to get "friendly" with me. But then again she refused because she wants me to have normal friends like any normal person and besides the fact that she trusts me not to do anything "out of line".
I told her to be careful and stay out of trouble, as I always but she just shrugs it off. She said she will be careful but she will do nothing on conforming to trouble. Without trouble, she won't have a chance to get close to me again.
Selfish Hag... but nevertheless, she is my selfish hag. So before I let her go with the shuttle, I told her that no matter happens to her I will always come running to take her out of harms way.
Oh that reminds me. I'm supposed to kill her now. Better get back to the hotel.
===============================================================
(Heero's Flashback moments before colony L3 explodes)
"It's all set. All that's left is to disappear in the confusion of the blast." Duo said.
"Everyone take care." Says Quatre.
"You too." Trowa replied
"I'll make sure to deliver Relena to the conference hall. I promise." He directs at Heero who remains silent.
"Well then, let's go!" Duo said as Wufei turns to walk away
"Eh? Wait up Wufei!" Duo said before he waves to the others.
Relena walks towards the remaining three pilots. Trowa and Quatre sensed an awkward situation that might about to happen and excused them selves to let the two have "their own goodbye".
"I'll go on ahead." 03 said
"I'll be waiting at the shuttle too..." 04 smiled
And then the moment of truth arrives. There they are, Heero and Relena alone in the corridor with nothing else around but the rumbling shuttles preparing to launch.
Heero looks down. This is just one of those times that they must part their ways once again. He can handle this kind of scenes with her only he can't say goodbye entirely. "Hurry up and go, there's no time."
Relena does feel kinda glad. At least he is not shooting out without her knowing or he is not pushing her away from a mobile suit. She is just so grateful to see him once again.
"Yes I know... please take care, Heero."
This she is able to say her words of concern for him unlike the past times that they go on their separate ways. To him, she should be the one who must take care so things like this wont happen again.
"There's no need to worry about me. You have other things to do. You need to stay focused. Concentrate on them instead."
She is not surprised that he still thinks that way and disregards her concerns for him like that. They already have their talks from the past but those events never helped them to learn and understand their feelings as they keep on with the same old things every time they encounter each other.
"You are a strong person... but please don't ask me not to worry for you... because I want to. I wish to do so."
Somebody please kick his brain.
"Relena...."
Relena starts to walk past him and he just stands there.
"I had better get going."
Thankfully something kicked in and Heero grabs her arm before she could go any further. She felt a little unbalanced as she was spun around and face the intimate closeness that he brought for them.
Uncertainty filled her mind as she locked eyes with him. As he holds her hand tighter, he moved his other hand to her waist to pull her closer.
"Relena.... I...."
He leans down to her face and guided his lips to hers for a kiss. That's kiss stands for everything that they shared together.
It's hard to imagine how a passionate display of affection could flash all of their moments together, especially from someone who feels so deeply about him as she is.
From the first time he met him, her first death threat from him, her first dance with him, the first rescue effort he did for her, the first gun he pointed at her, their first friendly talk, his first nicest words of admiration for her, and everything else that lead to this very moment... all wrapped up in their very first kiss.
Some people say that actions speak louder than words. Some people say that words are needed to express things so they can be understood better. Who knows... who care... it doesn't matter just as long as they are having one of their most wonderful moments ever.
For now, neither more actions nor more words are relevant. They can't afford every passing second of the self-detonation. Father Time is cruel to let them stop to make haste yet Sister Fate is kind enough to let them feel the other's lips with all the time in the world.
"Since when did you wanted to that to me?"
"I've been thinking about it for a while."
"And how long did you think I have to wait for your move?"
"I got a little impatient so you really don't have to get frustrated as me."
(End of Flashback)
===============================================================