AN: i see the light!
Disclaimer: Nope. Don't own a thing.
7th thread
April 23 198
-Library, non-fiction section, UPA-
He turned up as it was expected of him at the library. Casually, he sat at the study tables in the section and took out his assignments to look through. Occasionally, he would lift his head up to look about for signs of Alice Harai.
It was nearly three thirty. And Heero was still alone in the library. Was she playing him a fool? Or had something cropped up? He sighed and returned to his assignment. He had nothing to do on today anyway.
At five, he packed his stuff and walked back to his dormitory. (Since he completed his assignment, it was not a complete waste of time.)
-Block G, level 1, common hall of dormitory, UPA-
On his way back, he noticed something weird. The area was more crowded than usual. A few police cars were parked near the block. Some students were gathered near a sealed off area. A few were trying to get in while being blocked by the police.
"It's my room, you are sealing off! I need to see what is the problem! Let me in!" the girl screamed. Her friends behind her were nodding in agreement furiously.
"Oh. So that's why. If you want to know, can you follow me to that corner? We need to clear the crowd and get things done." One of the taller police pointed to the corner not far from the scene.
They moved to the corner quickly, there were some quiet whispers in the corner and then the agitated girl turned pale. The small crowd of onlookers was pushed to make a clear path as the paramedics went into the room. A girl was propped onto the stretcher, writhing in agony. Heero recognized her. It was Alice.
He rushed up to one of the police ushering the crowd, "Excuse me, I know the girl. May I know what happened to her?"
The police looked at Heero appraisingly. He drawled out in a low voice. "Am not supposed to tell ya or anyone but your eyes, I can trust those who've seen war, can't I?" He smiled at Heero, who nodded in surprise, "Look kid, keep it between you and me, ok? There was an attempted murder in that room. Somehow, it was stopped and the police were notified. That's all for the present. And since you know her, you don't mind we take down your testimony, do you?"
Heero shook his head while the police called out to someone blocked from his sight. Heero's eyes widened in surprise as the figure turned towards them. That green uniform was crisp and straight. No doubt about it, it was a Preventers standard issued uniform. He had not known about the job switch, that is the first surprise. The second one was seeing a good friend after such a long time, well, if half a year was considered long anyway.
The figure had shock written all over his face before it was withdrawn and a bright smile took its place.
"Duo." Heero greeted.
-Block F-G Parking lot, UPA-
"Heero! What a surprise to see you here." Duo smacked friendly pat on Heero's back. They walked to the parking lot to avoid the people.
"You knew I am in this school, the surprise should have been this." He pointed to the green jacket Duo had on.
"Haha. That's only because I gave in when Une begged me to join them. You don't know how desperate she sounded then, not one person could stand being Wufei's partner and she hadn't had a clue as to what to do for him. I am the next best candidate that came to her mind 'cept that I wasn't in Preventers. Then, that is." They walked towards a bench sighted near the parking lot.
"What happened to the salvage yard? And where's Wufei?" They sat on the wooden bench.
"That? Sold my shares to Hilde. You remember her, don't you?" Heero nodded. "She's been handling well without me nowadays. Found new and much more reliable partners." He forced a grin, "Wufei's busy on another case now or he would have came to see you."
"I thought you guys were partners why are you not on the same case?" Heero asked.
"I give up, man. Nothing ever escapes your eyes. I dutifully answer your question but you dig up more sore spots." Duo sighed dramatically and laid his head on the table attached to the bench. Heero waited for Duo, sensing the incompletion in his sentence.
"I am kind of suspended from the more touchy cases." Duo said, eyes downcast.
"Has it got to do with that 'thing' with Relena?"
Duo snapped his head up to look at Heero, expression slightly frightened. "You're not angry, are you? I swear there's nothing between me and her, you know?" Heero raised an eyebrow in amusement as he smirked and shook his head to Duo's questioning look. "Gosh, ok... That's cool. Well, err... yeah. It had lots to do with that 'scandal'." Duo waved his hands about drawing circles in the air.
"What exactly happened, Duo?" Heero laid a hand on Duo's nearest shoulder as if commanding Duo to look at his face. But Duo did not.
"Well, there's a lot... of, well, I don't know how to put it, man." Duo shook his head miserably.
"You can start by telling me everything." Heero looked back to the crime scene and quickly added, "If you have the time."
"Yeah, I do have a lot, actually. I sneaked out with the lot of Preventers coming for this case. Just helping out, rather then doing nothing, back at the office."
"Mind if you tell me about that too?" Heero pointed to the dormitory.
"Not really. No harm telling. Though, some stuff is classified information that we can't tell. But since when do I comply with those rules? And you're not any other guy, anyway."
Heero smiled.
"So, what happened?"
"The 'scandal'," he drew the quotation in the air. "or the case?"
"Whichever you feel like talking about first. You have to answer both either way,"
"Haha. Fine, I got it, The case first then." Duo's face turned grim, with his volume slightly lowered, he spoke, "You know, there was an attempted murder in that room. You know that girl, Alice, right?" A nod. "Well, it's sad to say, she isn't gonna live from all those injuries. The room is a bloody sight. You okay?" Duo paused to look at Heero in concern, Another nod. "Well, you don't know her that well, do you?" A slow nod of head. "Then, do you know she's the only daughter of a super wealthy merchant with heavy ties to Colonies"
Duo lowered his head. "Well, here's the deal, her family's heavily involved in Earth's politics since their dealings in business are usually based in colonies. Many politicians siding with Earth's side, you know most of them are still taking sides, are not really happy with them. The Harais are freaking rich, you know?" Duo sought out Heero's eyes. "Rich enough to buy a whole Colony. Now, some politicians fear that Harais connection to the Colonies may inevitably affect the stand of Earth and that if the Harais were to actively support the Colonies, laws will be passed in favor to the Colonies. You follow?"
Heero nodded, he had an idea where all these were going to lead to.
"So, many politicians have been sending warning signs in Harai's way. The incident, today, is, what we suspect to be, a threat gone too far."
"You mean, someone attempted a murder on Alice as a warning to the Harais to step out of politics?"
"Well, in short, that's it." Duo closed his eyes and sighed. "It's messier in peace, isn't it?"
Heero felt the question to be rhetorical and did not answer. They both sat in silence for a while.
"And the 'scandal'?" Heero spoke up.
Duo turned to look Heero in the face. He drew out a lazy smile. "You sure you want to know?"
Heero rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Well, since you insist. " Duo folded his legs up on the bench, sitting the Indian style, "Have you been checking your immigration reports or files?"
Heero deadpanned, "What has a the price of a broccoli got to do with the specs of a mobile suit?"
Duo rolled his eyes at Heero, "You are so funny, Heero, ha ha ha. I did, checked, you know. It wasn't by coincidence all of us are in Earth except for Quatre who has been well known to be the heir of L4's Winners' Enterprise. We are all one way all another tricked into staying on Earth, if you did checked, none of us are allowed back to the Colonies, except Quatre. Well, he's stuck there."
Heero gasped.
"I wasn't asked here because Wufei could not work with anyone except me, and Trowa circus was forcefully disbanded and made to turn to this bloody school to be kept on Earth. And you, you're recommended here so they can keep a close watch on you." Duo scowled, "Dammit. We are so damn gullible, you know?"