Disclaimer: Still don't own anything.

Chapter 2

For years the colonies had progressed with the aid of ESUN. Not until that river of help turned into a trickle that the colonies lashed back. They could not wholly survive on their own without the support of the earth. Though the people could never forget the war and Operation Meteor, they found themselves digressing into the past. Squabbles broke out among delegates and peaceful negotiations turned into brutal arguments. Humanity, no matter how hard it tried, found that fighting was the only solution.

Trowa Barton sat on a plush loveseat, watching the news from his small portable T.V. Images of the President of ESUN flashed by, followed by those of other important delegates. He smirked to himself in wry humor.

"Trowa, what are you doing? The show is going to start in half an hour." Trowa looked up to see his loving "sister."

"Honestly, there's nothing we can do. The world is going crazy and the colonies are tearing themselves apart. Before you know it, we will be back to square one."

Trowa leveled the T.V. with a glare. He knew what would happen if another war were to break out. They would lose themselves amongst the death and destruction, most likely for the last time. He shuddered inwardly and slowly turned off the T.V. Cathy had already left, leaving Trowa alone with his thoughts.

The performance had been magnificent and the crowd cheered louder than Trowa had ever heard. He hoped that the peaceful times would stay, but it seemed to be in vain. Smiling children, drawn into the clowns, trapeze, and wild animals, stared transfixed at all the wonderful fun. How innocence could be so easily lost frightened Trowa. He wanted out.

Quatre read through each speech carefully. He and Relena had scanned the archives of the ESUN's private library for five days straight. Looking at an interesting speech given by the late Tabitha Quail, he noted her eagerness to find peace and the flowing words sang to him.

"Quatre, have you found anything interesting?" came Relena's quiet voice.

"Yes, in fact I have. This speech given ten years before the war is quite intriguing. The woman, Mrs. Quail, was the Secretary of Defense at the time of the speech. She spoke of complete disarmament." Leaning over, Quatre gave Relena a full view of the speech.

"Good evening. Today's press conference shall be a continuation of the previous conference at Vienna. To start, I would like to introduce to you Tabitha Quail, the Secretary of Defense for the United States of America.

"Thank you. Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Your participation in today's conference has given me, and the United States, positive feedback. Your presence here shows the inner strength the people hold deep within themselves. It is this strength, this courage, that drives humanity to great heights. Without you, we (referring to ESUN) are nothing.

Yesterday a horrendous tragedy struck our homes. The bombing of Champs Elysees, Paris is a threat and tragic reminder of our pasts. We seem to forget that humans are more than puppets controlled by fate. We the people can forge ahead and create peace.

(Applause)

The people of Champs Elysees want no war though. I took a personal trip to see the people, the devastation, and the reconstruction. In my entire life I have never seen a stronger people. They bound together and started to create their lives anew. With no anger in their heart and grief fresh on their minds, they found that revenge, no matter how sweet, was not the answer. Their strength is what the world should found itself upon.

(Applause)

I only ask that the fighting cease. The world does not need another war. The colonies do not need another war. Nobody needs this war! Disarmament, complete and utter disarmament will be the only solution. When the people have nothing to fear but themselves and not the abominable machines that they have created, then we will have succeeded…"

Relena looked over at Quatre and smiled. This woman seemed to have the exact same pacifist ideas that she held, except she knew that disarmament at this point was useless. Instead, Relena hoped for treaties. She wanted countries and colonies to unite against common threats and avoid war instead of cause it. Looking over her shoulder, she noticed Quatre's stiff stance and wary eyes. Noting this, she stood up slowly, carefully walking up next to him.

"Relena, stay down. We are not alone."

Relena instead confronted the stranger with a deep frown and rigid body. She would not let Quatre be hurt, even if it meant her life. Cautiously, the unknown person stepped out from the shadows. Quatre let out a deep sigh. Trowa walked out from behind his hiding place. He noted the fear in Relena's eyes and Quatre's anger.

"Quatre, I've been expecting you," said the quiet young man.

"Yes, it seems you have. Now, if you would be so kind, tell us why you were lurking about in the shadows, scaring us out of wits."

"I wanted to test you."

Quatre looked indignant at this point. Carefully walking to his old war companion, he stuck out a hand of forced reconciliation. Trowa eyed Quatre's hand, and then shook it lightly. With their shaky friendship started once again, Relena spoke her thoughts.

"Mr. Barton, would you be kind enough to tell me why you are here?" Trowa's lips quirked up, then he frowned. Did the woman know of her danger and her blind ignorance?

"Vice Foreign Minister, I have found some information regarding the uprisings. It may be tough to take."

"Whatever you tell me, sir, I shall accept in all its entirety."

Trowa had to admire the woman's bravery. Not every person in the world could live like her. "The news I have acquired is regarding the former Gundam pilots, all of the colonies, and Operation Meteor." Relena tensed visibly, but Trowa continued. "The colonists, tired of the lack of attention to their problems, have gathered together to form protests and factions. A new faction called Eagle Storm has risen among the ranks as a leading terrorist group, in the eyes of the ESUN delegates of course."

"That's all true, Trowa, but what does that have to do with the past? We were all buried with our Gundams."

"Yes, we were, but some people have decided that its time to punish us and the demons we carry with us. Yesterday, at 0600 hours, a young man named Jin Nakahara committed an act of treason by informing the Eagle Storm leaders of our locations and giving blueprints of Ms Darlian's private estate." Looking over at Relena, Trowa noticed that she neither gasped nor cried. Her bravery was to be commended. "As of 0800 hours, the Preventers have decided that an act of terrorism by Nakahara will result in his immediate execution."

"But that will lead to rebellion and eventually revolution," Quatre whispered.

"True, but Eagle Storm's latest mission is to prepare the colonists for a second Operation Meteor. If they are pushed to the edge and the people willing commit to this act of suicide, then they will drop a colony onto Earth."

"Do you know which one? And if so, how will we handle this situation?" Relena questioned. Her diplomatic tone coming back full force, she shoved away the feelings of complete hopelessness.

"You should talk to the people. They see you as a beacon of hope and if your words bring them comfort, then maybe that comfort will turn into action and they will fight back. No matter how much you want peace, Vice Foreign Minister, it will never successfully happen. There will always be wars to fight and battles to win or lose. If it gives you any comfort, I did not think that a war would break out so early after the other ended."

"Relena, let's go. We need to make preparations for negotiations with the Eagle Storm leaders."

"You're right, Quatre, but if words do not work, then I am afraid, we may very well be committing to another war."

Together the three left the building, Quatre to his hotel, Relena to her home, and Trowa in search of Duo. If war came full circle, then every pilot of the dead Gundams would have to kill again.