Welcome back to the updated Wired!!!

Ehehe......... Would anybody even remember this fic??? Let's see, it's been –2- years since I've even seen hide or hair of this!!! I AM SO SORRY!!! Guess I got excited by the new horizon of other fics that this got buried along the way. But no worries, it has now been officially resurrected, and hopefully I get to stick with this for a far longer time!

Coughs. Yeah, reviews would probably help with that! - Speaking of which, thank you so much to all those who have faithfully reviewed to this, even if I haven't changed a single thing for the last two years. How odd. But I swear, I love you guys! Your comments truly inspire a writer! And help lift dark spirits!

So on with the much-delayed fic, I suppose!

Shin: Gee, I guess I can't really hide the new prisoner's identity huh? Guess my secret's out. Darn.

Odin-chan (my coincidentally-named-Muse-who-in-reality-is-a-Siberian-Husky-stuffed-dog): It wasn't that hard to figure out!!!

Coughs Well, there's that.... Anyway, on with the show!!!

Warnings: same old, same old... Yaoi 2x1, AU and some OOCness

Oh and please take note of the times that pop up. It's because I might write a scene first, but it actually occurs a little later than then next scene. Now why would I do that? Shrugs. For dramatic flair? - So please forgive me if I boggle your mind a bit here.

This is also longer and very much more serious than the first two. It also has a lot of details, so I hope this makes up even a little for the long delay in writing this fic. Feel free to ask any questions if it confuses you, and I will try my best to answer them.

Disclaimers: No, I don't own Gundam Wing, and yes, I'm broke, so you can't sue! This is merely a product of a hyper-active imagination that refuses to listen to teachers during classes. Absolutely no profit is being made here.

Wired

Section Two: Conversations

AC 199, May 3rd

Preventers Detention Center

Section 10-C

10:09 Zulu time

Odin impatiently followed the four guards that flanked him on both his front and back. Not that he was in any form or mood to escape anyway. He smirked. At least the show of force on his behalf was quite amusing.

He passively let them lead him to various secured rooms, allowing his mind to take in the guard's voice, as he pointed out the cafeteria, communal shower rooms, the library (which seemed remarkably new and intact considering the place it was located), and finally, the different sectors of the prison.

He took in the heavy looking doors, which would no doubt deflect even minor bombs, and the galley, a thin walkway suspended above the entire prison area, enclosed by thick grills.

"There are different sectors in which we place the prisoners, each depending on the gravity of crime.... ... ..."

At this, the bored Japanese teen perked up, and finally dragged his wandering gaze back to the lead guard, who seemed to double as a tour guide as well. So far, he hadn't found any weakness in their prison facility, and maybe this tidbit of information can help him in his plans to escape. Afterall, having accomplices could cut his escape time in half. Not to mention better his chances of surviving.

"- would be for those with petty crimes, such as shop lifting, et cetera. Block B would be for the repeated offenders, and those with grave crimes but not so serious as murder. I suppose high-profile thieves would fall under that." The guide, a well-built man, whose name-patch on his fatigues advertised him as Otto, leered at the prisoner, which Odin studiously ignored.

He already knew that he was going to be placed in Block C, the fact so liberally printed in his gray prisoner uniform, which states him as Prisoner 10C-1601, and nothing else.

Perhaps the authorities hoped to break him by placing him together with the tougher criminals, but Odin already knew of such tactics, and he was fairly confident that it would not work on him this time around.

Instead, the teen looked towards the block of prison, from which most of its inhabitants were busy whistling at him, trying to provoke some sort of reaction. This, he ignored as well, even as he took note that Block B was quite full, at least having three-quarters more inhabitants than those residing in Block A. Both blocks however, were equally well-guarded, as he saw from the guards patrolling the areas from within the galleys.

Having failed in his subtle attempt at intimidation, Otto continued in his self-appointed task as a guide. "And of course, we have Block C, the home of the murderers, rapists, and the worst scum of the universe."

And there it was, Odin's first view of his new home.

At first, it looked quite similar to the first two Blocks they had passed by, but that was before he noticed the individual red lights that guarded each cell. The bars were if possible, even thicker that what he had previously seen, and the galleys were patrolled with more guards, whose hands he noted were almost always ready on the trigger of the rifles they carried. And what was made even more apparent was the lack of jeering he had received from most prisoners. Instead, the criminals who were stationed in Block C merely followed him with cold eyes, eyes that he saw were noting all the possible weakness in his guards and in himself. Eyes that were readily waiting for one mistake to spell their freedom.

When an insistent prod at his back forced him to move along, Odin Lowe Jr. willfully ignored the blatant stares and hoped that his own emotionless façade was intact, to avoid any hint of fear no matter how small from showing. This was one place he knew he could not afford to have any mistakes over, or he would sooner be dead before he can even hope to plan his escape.

With this knowledge firmly imbedded in his mind, the teen docilely allowed his guards to lead him towards a cell located near the far wall, stopping on the fifth room towards the left side. The inside of the cell can be fully seen due to the floor to ceiling bars, but luckily, each side of the room was made of strong concrete. At least, he would only have to deal with one homicidal cellmate, and not have to worry about any other inmate grabbing and trapping him from the sides. Afterall, it had occurred often enough in his previous cell not to be rightfully worried about it. He could see two bunk beds, one stacked above the other, a sink with no mirror provided, and a utility toilet which was modestly covered from the front view by a steel desk, heavy-looking and bolted to the ground. The entire room was blissfully darkened sufficiently enough so as to give an illusion of privacy, and for that Odin was at least thankful.

A gruff hand momentarily blocked the Japanese's vision as Otto swiped a card through the door of his cell, and as it swung open with a clang of green light, he heard the tall guard give his final advise to him for the day.

"Your new cellmate would be happy to fill you in regarding the policies in this place. I suggest you follow them to the letter if you want to survive" The light brown-haired guard grinned towards his smaller charge, before shoving Odin through the metal gates.

And the door closed on him with another loud metal clang.

Intense cobalt eyes immediately pinned ones of amethyst shade, even as their owners studied each other, one still standing where the guard has pushed him, the other leaning down from where he was situated in the top-most bunk.

To say the least, it was an interesting, if quiet meeting for the new cellmates.

AC 199, May 3rd

Preventers HQ, 5th floor, 1st Meeting Room

14:25 Zulu time

"And what do we have on Odin Lowe Jr.?" Lady Une, the head of the Preventers organization asked a bit wearily.

Leading an immense organization was a tasking job, even with the most competent workers one could possibly ask for. And while her instincts were nudging her to focus most of her and her agent's time on the National Treasury theft alone, there were still some paperwork that she alone had to attend to. At least, she had the foresight to delegate her best into the current investigation. That way, they would not be stretching themselves too thin working over multiple cases.

As it was, the team she had just recently formed was composed of Quatre Winner, Trowa Barton, Wufei Chang, Lucrezia Noin, and of course, Duo Maxwell, who was already undercover.

Lt. Noin, was the first to answer her question.

"A preliminary background search on an Odin Lowe Jr. gave forth no available biodata, except for a brief birth record that states that he was born on March 20 AC 180. No name of parents, no place of birth, only a signature of his physician – a Doctor Jackinson. Further searches show no record of schools attended, no baptismal record, no police record excluding the National Treasury incident, no visual record, virtually nothing on him until he was caught for the theft last February 25. Searches on his physician yielded nothing, so it is possible that the name he uses is merely an alias."

"Or perhaps, he just erased all his previous background", Trowa interjected.

Wufei nodded in agreement. "Possible, but why would someone as good as him conveniently forget to erase his sketchy birth record?"

"It is possible that he had just forgotten about it, or he had not gotten to it before he was caught since the copy we had unearthed was from the Public Records archive. Any other digital copy of it had long been destroyed", Noin replied.

Lady Une nodded towards the group as a sign to continue.

"His previous records from the Manhattan Correctional Facility in New America show that he was admitted on February 27 and placed in a minimum security block. No signs of aggressive behavior from him until the massive riot that March 8, where he managed to injure 5 fellow inmates. Until now, the real reason for the start of the riot is still unknown, however it has been confirmed that Lowe was right at the middle of the fights when the guards managed to subdue the prisoners. After this, he was sent to Nevada Correctional Facility for solitary confinement, where he remained until May 3. There was no other record in the correctional facility except for a brief comment by the warden that Lowe was naturally a quiet and reserved person, and most often avoids talking or mingling with the other inmates. As for the 2 other small outbreaks that occurred in the facility, it was quickly proven that Lowe was not its instigator, and the 5 inmates he individually managed to injure had been in self-defense. That is all."

A brief silence ensued around the oval room as everyone digested the information given, before Quatre raised a hand in question.

"What about the records on his hearing before he was sent to prison? Any data on that?"

"Unfortunately, the regional court that had handled his case, decided on a private hearing. As a result, those documents are sealed unless of course, an agent provides a warrant to open those files."

"See to it that an agent in the Manhattan sector follows up on that. I will sign the warrant once the meeting finishes", Une commanded to the Lieutenant, which was acknowledged with a nod.

"Any other – Oh good, Sally you're here."

A somewhat tall woman with her long light-brown hair tied into two twists, turned from the door she had just entered and gave a nod of acknowledgement to the occupants of the room.

"I'm sorry I'm late. There was some minor accident that I had to take care of before I had the chance to come up here."

As she walked towards a vacant chair situated near the door, she simultaneously shed off the white lab coat she had been wearing over her Preventer fatigues. She was Doctor Sally Po, a Preventers officer whose diploma states that she graduated with a PhD on Biomolecular science, with a Masters on Forensic Pathology. Though she most often spends her time in the laboratories, she has quickly proven her worth as an able leader, and hence, her double title as a Commander.

"Any luck with the sample?"

While she was not essentially a part of the team, she had been called up earlier by Lady Une to announce the results of the DNA strand they had earlier extracted from Odin Lowe, before he had been led to his prison block.

A DNA strand, as opposed to the fingerprint method of the past, points not only to the individual's identity. One could learn more of a prisoner's personality from the DNA strand, and as such, is generally preferred by the prison system nowadays.

"Lowe's strand merely proves that he is 19 years old, blood type B, with a mixed heritage of both Japanese and American origins. He is also inherently a genius. The Intelligence Quotient exam we had given him yielded to a score of 142, way above the normal baseline." She shrugs.

"He's 2 points higher than even Maxwell!" Wufei exclaimed, with something akin to shock.

AC 199, May 3rd

Preventers Detention Center

Section 10-C

11:03 Zulu time

"So, are we going to stare at each other the entire day?" Duo Maxwell asked, even as he flopped back down on his bed with a tired sigh. His back already ached from holding one position too long, damnit! Not that he would admit it out loud to his new companion of course.

"We can." Odin Lowe answered back quietly, a smirk tugging at a corner of his mouth. So far, the intimidation tactics of the long-haired teen had proved fruitless. 'Of course he wouldn't succeed', Odin thought to himself. Prisoner 10C-1502 had just initiated a staring match with him, a person who was used to staring right back, and winning.

When a groan sounded from the top bunk, Odin decided that he could finally move from the piece of wall he had claimed during the quiet match, and went to inspect his new bunk.

"Name's Duo Maxwell, by the way."

"Odin Lowe Jr." Said teen suspiciously sat on his bunk, and was rewarded for his caution when several springs that had pierced the thin mattress poked him rather painfully. With a grunt, he took out the mattress and began the painstaking task of fixing the springs underneath. Hopefully by nighttime, he would have fixed it enough to get a good sleep.

"You don't talk much, do you?"

Another grunt was his reply.

"Well, I suppose it is fair to warn you, that I would probably talk enough for the two of us if you keep up the quiet façade. Drove my former roommate up the wall, until he begged for a different cell. Last I heard from him, he was transferred to Block D, where he was quite happy for some while before he became insane from the loneliness. Ha! Served him right, let me tell you that. So you better answer enough Lowe, or I would just keep on yapping away, and that is not a pleasant thing."

"Block D?"

"Oh yeah, the tour never goes that far, I forgot! Yeah, there is a block D, it's just located quite far from here, I think. Isolated and all, so that most even forget that prisoners are still locked up there. That's the place where the guards put you in when you've caused enough trouble in the lower blocks. The confinement cells are supposed to be the punishment for making riots and killing other inmates, you know? From what I've heard though, the little prisoners that go in there never make it out of that place alive or sane. Makes it creepy enough that most inmates don't even dream of causing trouble. A pretty effective way of enforcing the peace around here, if I say so myself."

"Hn."

A flop from behind Odin made him stop his repairs for a while, as he turned to look at the braided teen that had landed behind him.

"Oh here, let me help you with that. At the rate you're going, you'll never finish fixing that before the lunch bell comes."

A furrowed brow was the only indication that Odin did not fully understand what Duo had just said.

"In here, lunch is a communal thing. We all have to go to the cafeteria and eat there at the same time, even if you don't feel like eating. The same goes for breakfast and dinner. Don't worry though, the place is heavily guarded so few fights had ever broken out there. Trust me, after some time, you'll appreciate that bell. It's the only time we are allowed to walk around, you know? Well, aside from the recreation time every Saturday that is."

"Ah. Where I came from, food was served inside the cells, to be taken out 30 minutes later."

"Hm, that's a pretty crappy way to get exercise. Do they allow you guys to have recreation time too?"

"Yeah."

'At least he talks enough to provide me with a decent conversation. Perhaps I will not be so bored with this mission afterall', Duo thought, with some amusement.

'At least he provides suitable information for me to work on, even if he likes to talk', Heero thought at the same time, even as the two worked on his bed in a rare show of partnership.

A/N:

Reviews? Comments? Suggestions? Please feel free to tell me!

Shin-chan