Chapter VIII

Miriallia looked at Zavey with a rather shocked look. "Excuse me?" she said.

"In your statement you said that you were interviewing Rykiel to get his reaction to the Zala-Attha meeting. You also said that there was going to be a press-conference with Rykiel and the rest of the journalists at 9:00, correct?"

"Yes. I fail to see what you're getting at, Mr. Zavey."

"You were around his apartment at about 8:50. Ten minutes is not a lot of time for an interview, especially considering your hotel is about twenty minutes away." Miriallia opened her mouth, but no words came out. She closed it and looked down at the ground. "Just as I thought." Miri reached down into her bag and brought in up onto her lap. She began to fumble around in the front pocket until she brought out the picture and handed it to Zavey.

"What's this?" he asked as he grabbed it from her hand and examined it.

"That's the reason why I went down there. Someone gave me this at the War Museum. Look at the back." Phil turned it over read the text.

"Do you know who it was who gave it to you?"

"Not a clue. Just some old man."

"Hmmm." The inspector paused before standing up. "Why don't we go back to that apartment." he said.

"Why?" she asked.

"There's just something I want to take a look at."

XXXXXXX

When the pair arrived back at the apartment building, Miriallia stuck close to the Colonel. He flashed his badge to the man at the desk. "Inspector Zavey, Military Police. I need the key to apartment 5B."

"I'm sorry sir, but the Securitate has sealed that room." Zavey looked smugly at the clerk, not changing his expression.

"The key." he said in a low tone. The clerk's face turned somewhat fearful before he turned to retrieve the key. Phil smiled as he grabbed it from him. "Thank you for your cooperation." The two turned and walked towards the elevators.

"That's not the same man who was there when I first came." Zavey raised his eyebrow.

"He wasn't?" Miriallia nodded her head. When they reached the apartment, Phil reached into his pocket for his knife, but relented when he saw there was no sticker on the door. He slid the key into the lock, and then ushered her in. When they were both in, he closed the door and walked over to the window. "Listen, I want you to leave tonight."

Miriallia looked surprised. "Leave? I can't leave."

"You'll have to. I don't care how late the flight is, I just want you on the next Shuttle back to Earth. This case is much bigger involves elements much bigger than you and me, and I don't want the Securitate after you." The chestnut haired women tried to raise her voice in protest, but was cut off as Phil twitched. "Oh shit." he said.

"What is it?" Phil ran over and grabbed her by the arm.

"They're here." he said. The two dashed out the door and down the hall towards the elevators.

"Who? The Securitate?" she asked.

"Yes." The two came to the main elevator but stopped as they approached it. "Wait!" Phil had looked up and seen the numbers changing. "No, use the other one at the end of the hall. Meet me outside, and hurry the fuck up!" He stopped at the door of the apartment after he had made sure that Miriallia was safely in the elevator, then went to work, carefully pasting the sticker back on. He then turned and began walking down the hall, pulling a small flask from his coat pocket, and uncapping it.

"You!" someone called out behind him. Zavey turned rather non-chalantly and looked behind. "What're you doing here?"

"Me?" he said in mock surprise. "I just wanted a nice drink in a quiet place." The man did not change their expression. "And I couldn't think of a quieter place than this." Just as he finished, the elevator doors opened and another man stepped out, this one being the man who had had met Miriallia the first time she had come to the apartment building.

"You're in over your head, Zavey." said the man behind him.

"Not quiet yet." he retorted. The colonel capped his flask and walked into the elevator.

"Peter rabbit would be wise to stay out of Mr. McGregor's garden." said the second man as he stepped out of the elevator. Phil stopped.

"Gentlemen." he said before turning around and bowing. "I bid you adieu." The inspector turned and walked back down the hall, deciding to take the stairs instead.

XXXXXXX

Miri got a ride back to her hotel from Phil. While she was in the car, he made sure that she used his computer to pull up a flight leaving early in the morning. She had finished packing her first suitcase under a feeling of great protest when a knock came at her door. It was a courier with a large bouquet of flowers. "Someone left these for you Ma'am." Miri grabbed them from the boy who also held a letter in his hand. "There was also this for you." he said as he handed it to her. "Shall I call you a cab, Ma'am." Miriallia didn't respond as she opened the envelope and unfolded the message.

Lesseps Station. Platform 9, 1:30 AM.

"Ma'am?"

"Yes, call for a cab." Miri folded the message, which she noticed was in the same handwriting as the message on the back of the photograph, and put it in her pocket, then collected her bag and quickly headed for the lobby.

When she arrived at the station, it seemed busy to her, especially considering that it was one-thirty-in-the-morning. She had an uneasy feeling as she stood on the edge of the platform and watched the train coming in. As the people filed out, she felt the heavy touch of a hand on her shoulder. She was startled and turned to see that it belonged to the old man whom she had received the envelope from.

"Ms. Haw?" he said.

"Yes?" she replied.

"I'm glad you came. Come with me." The two boarded the train and sat at the back in one of the corner seats.

"Who the hell are you?" she asked.

"My name Colbretti. General Markus Colbretti, and I need your help. I wish to seek asylum on Earth." Miriallia looked puzzled.

"Why do you want that, and what do I have to do with it?"

"Because I have a terrible secret that needs to be told, and when it gets out, I will be targeted. Thousands have been killed to keep it. I need you to arrange asylum for two people, me and my wife." The chestnut haired women look changed from one of puzzlement to concern.

"What is it? What's this secret?" she asked.

"I can't tell you right now." Markus was about to speak further when he stopped and looked over out the window. There was a police officer looking in the window. The train started up and the officer followed it, shouting something as it gained speed.

XXXXXXX

On the other side of town, Phil and Dearka were in former's patrol car, cruising back to headquarters. Zavey had insisted that his friend come drive his car because he had a bit too much to drink, but in reality was just too tired to drive. They had were about ten minutes out from the apartment complex when a face appeared on the screen of the video-phone. It was a dispatcher. "Attention all units, attention all units," he said. "Markus Colbretti, suspected art-smuggler and accomplice of General Tenko Rykiel last seen headed for von Braun station. All units please respond." The dispatcher disappeared and was replaced by a picture of the suspect with adjoining information. Phil rose from his slouched position and looked over the info.

"For what? A 65-year old art thief?"

"Not our job to ask questions." replied Dearka as he flipped on the sirens.

"Speak for yourself." said Phil as he un-holstered his pistol and pulled back the slide. Major Elthman pulled a u-turn and started racing towards the station.

XXXXXXX

There were more people at von Braun station than Lesseps, something which seemed to put Colbretti in a state of easiness. He scanned back and forth then stepped forward with Miriallia following close behind. He stopped then scanned the area again, this time his face changing to apprehension. Markus reached into his pocket and drew a pistol. "I'm sorry. I have to run." Markus took off and began running towards one of the stairwells.

"Stop!" Miri turned to see a group of six police officers running off after him. On the other end of the stairwell, Phil and Dearka had just arrived. Markus stopped when he saw the two and began firing, one of his shots making his way into Dearka's shoulder. The officer lurched back and fell against the concrete steps before Phil fired his only reply shot, which hit the General squarely in his chest. The old man staggered back and dropped to his knees then fell forward and hit the ground. By now, the six other police officers had caught up and two had run up the stairs upon seeing the condition of Phil's partner.

"I'll be fine. Just stitch me up and put me in a fucking cast." said Dearka. Phil smiled at his friend, ever the sarcastic one. He then turned and trotted down the stairs to inspect the damage. When he arrived at the bottom, though, he saw Miriallia running towards the scene, and immediately began running to intercept her. He managed to catch her before she could get within ten feet of the scene.

"What the hell are you still doing here?" he demanded as he took her by the arm and led up another stairwell towards the main entrance and approached his patrol car.

"I came at the request of that man you shot down there."

"Get in the car." ordered Phil in an angry tone. Miri didn't argue and simply stepped inside the vehicle. "Now, when we get back to headquarters and they question you, I suggest you keep your answers short, sweet, and to the point. And try telling the truth for once. You might have better luck."

"What?"

"I'm placing you under arrest. You'll be in protective custody until this whole mess is cleared up. Then, I'm taking you myself where you should have gone this morning, the airport!"


Other Characters

Some people who have reviewed my story want to know what's happened to some of the other main characters of the series. Well, here's a brief overview of their lives in the alternate universe.

Yzak Jule: After briefly serving as military governor of the occupied United States, Yzak returned to his normal duties in the military, eventually becoming a trainer for new Gundam pilots.

Athrun Zala: Choosing to remain in the military and wash his hands completely of politics, Athrun focused on using his technical skills for military applications, eventually gaining commissioned officer status and a job in the Technological R&D wing of ZAFT military intelligence.

Lacus Clyne: With ZAFT victorious in the war, Lacus fled the colonies and sought asylum in Moscow with the neutral Eurasian Federation. She was later assassinated by men working for Patrick Zala.

Kira Yamato: After the assignation of Lacus Clyne, Kira fell into a depression and declined an offer to act as defense minister in his sister's administration. He was later hospitalized after trying to commit suicide.

Murrue Ramius: After the withdrawl of Alliance troops from North America, Murrue remained in the military for another year before leaving to pursue her law degree. She became a lawyer specializing in juvenile law, and fought for age restrictions to be put in the Earth Alliance military.

Natarle Badgiruel: Natarle asked for a transfer to the military intelligence section of Alliance military. She was granted her request and soon began working for the POW debriefing unit. Eventually, she married Lt. Mu La Flaga.