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Chapter 3

As Relena looked out her lavish bedroom, the only thoughts that occupied her head were of war. She remembered the fighting, the dying, the anguish of the people around her and most importantly, the sacrifice five young boys made to the colonies and earth. The past seemed like a great shadow, covering up the answers that might help solve future problems. Without a clear path, Relena was afraid that the people would be swallowed up in another war.

A knock on the door startled the young Vice Foreign Minister from her thoughts. With a soft "come in," Pagan entered the room, smiling at Relena.

"Miss Relena, a phone call for you. Mr. Winner is on the other line."

"Oh? Well then, transfer his call to my room, please."

"Very well. Anything else for you?"

After a pause, Relena seemed to come upon a great realization, for she looked at the aging man with a light in her eyes. "Pagan, what do you think of this dispute? The colonies are calling for blood and freedom, but that is just a hoax. They don't need the help of ESUN, which is true in itself, but now they believe they need to cut all connections with the earth. I'm…so lost."

Pagan looked upon the young woman with a small melancholy smile. She had grown so much that even he felt lost within the frantic rush of time. Relena no longer needed him as a shoulder to cry on, but perhaps she still needed him for the encouragement that she rarely received. Being a public figure that solved monumental problems takes a toll on those in charge and Relena was no different. Pagan could see in her eyes that she was struggling every second, for her natural instincts of helping people would never fade away. She would fight for the people until her very last breath.

"Miss Relena, before I give my answer to your question, I want to tell you that I am so very proud of you," whispered the wise butler, "you sacrifice your life for the millions of lives on both the earth and colonies. Without your commitment and caring, the people would be lost."

"But Pagan, how do you know this? What if I did not become Vice Foreign Minister? What then?"

"You think too much in the past when the present is all you need. Yes, the people made mistakes. Yes, they will continue to do so, but until then, people like you are the voice of reason. For instance, look at the Gundam pilots. Before, they were lost boys, trying to find their way in a world that only wanted their skills. They fought, they bled, and they killed, but out of it all they still fought to live. You helped them achieve that goal. Though you may not have been their main reason for survival, it was your encouragement that changed their attitudes. Don't forget that even the smallest favors can change a person forever."

Relena seemed to be pondering all the information, so Pagan quickly hurried on with his speech. He knew Mr. Winner would not mind the long wait on the phone, but he still felt an obligation to Ms. Relena's friends.

"To answer your question I will tell you simply that war is inevitable. Words alone will not soothe an entire populace. The people may respect you and heed your words, but when their convictions are as strong as steel, they will not bend. I'm sorry to say that Ms. Relena."

Relena stood rooted to the ground in anguish. Tears slipped down her cheeks gradually, leaving faint trails of glistening dew. She then walked slowly toward her beloved friend and enveloped him in a hug. He knew not what to do, but carefully returned the embrace and patted her back. Moments after the action, Relena pulled back and smiled at her oldest companion.

"I'm going to transfer Mr. Winner's call now, Ms. Relena. Would you like anything more?"

"No, thank you Pagan. I'm fine now."

The old butler made his way out and no sooner the dial started to blink. Relena picked up the phone and started at the interference on the other line.

"Relena," came a rough voice, definitely not Quatre's soothing tones.

"Who is this?" Relena challenged.

"Heero."

"Heero?"

"Yes. Get out of your house immediately. Do not grab anything, just get out. Head toward the airport, but when you hit the sign saying 'Road Closed', go down that road. Do you understand?"

"Of course. Who will be there to pick me up?"

"Trowa. If you don't see the black truck, then you know the drill."

With an audible click, Heero hung up the phone and Relena quickly hung up the other end. She grabbed a pair of shoes, slipped them on and quickly walked down her stairs. Pagan sat on the stool next to her marble counter. He held her coat, hat, purse, and sunglasses. Relena would later say that the butler never missed a beat and he always knew of the dangers in and around the house.

"Pagan, be sure to set the alarm and get out the back way," Relena whispered hurriedly, "and stay close to the river."

Pagan nodded solemnly and then hurried out the back way. Relena was already on her out the front door, trying as hard as possible not to look nervous nor suspicious. Crossing the threshold of her house took longer than expected and she practically ran to the gate. Punching in the security code, the gate opened and she proceeded out. Half an hour later, she came across the "Road Closed" sign Heero had mentioned and casually started walking down the dirt road. As she walked, she thought of Pagan and his well being. She hoped that he was safe and dry.

"Relena," came a quiet voice.

Relena turned around to see the familiar face of Trowa Barton. He was standing by a gnarled tree with his gun at the ready. In the distance, Relena could hear a high-pitched whistling sound. As each second passed, it grew louder and louder. Finally she was able to see a plane in the distance before a loud explosion shook the ground under her feet. In seconds Trowa was atop of her, shielding her from falling debris. The blast would later be a cause of early hearing problems for Relena, but at that moment, all she could think of was Pagan.

Trowa felt parts of a tree fall on top of his back and a rather large rock hit his left leg. He remained conscious in case the young lady was hurt too, which he was sure she was. Slowly rolling over, he took note of her cuts and bruises. The worst was her right foot, which he had been unable to shield. It stood at an odd angle and he knew for fact that it was broken. What troubled him the most was the young woman's silence. She stared off into space as if nothing had happened. At first he took it as shock until her scream ripped through the silence.

On the old resource satellite MOII, Quatre sat debating with other colony leaders. He talked fervently with each one on the terms of war and its aftermath. Suddenly a vicious headache broke through his mind and he fell to the floor in pain. The leaders all stood up suddenly and rushed to the young man's aid. Taking him to the medical bay, the only words they could make out were "Relena."

Tears coursed down Relena's cheeks as she turned over to look at Trowa. Her "human shield" had taken most of the damage and she could tell he was in a lot of pain. Slowly, she lifted his head into her lap after scooting around a bit. Though her ankle was killing her, she knew Trowa had to be helped first and foremost.

"Trowa, talk to me. Don't pass out. Please don't leave me alone."

"Don't worry (cough cough) I'm fine."

"Stop lying. Tell me where it hurts the most and I will try to position you better. You may have broken your spine."

"Don't worry about that. I can move my right foot, but I'm sure I have broken ribs and my left leg's been crushed."

"Did you bring a radio? A phone?"

"Yeah, it's in the truck about half a mile up that trail," wheezed Trowa as he pointed to a narrow path leading into the thick tangles of a nearby forest.

"I'm going. We both need medical attention and no one is going to find us way out here."

"Alright, stay to the trees. If you see anyone, hide. My other gun is in my boot. Take it and conceal it."

Relena carefully took the loaded weapon and stuck it in the waistband of her pants, then covered it up with her tattered blouse. Slowly she stood on one wobbly leg. Nearby she noticed amid the rubble and debris a large stick that would serve as a makeshift crutch. Hopping over, with a few stumbles on rocks jutting out of the ground, she picked up the new crutch and began her slow journey.

The broken young man could do no more than worry for the woman. She had an inner strength that none of the Gundam pilots could posses. Silently cursing his position, he shifted a little and laid his head on his arm, hoping she would make it out alive.

Navigating the trail on one foot and a twisted crutch proved harder than Relena had expected. She constantly faltered and had fallen onto her good knee at least five times, yet she persisted. If they made it out, then she could go look for Pagan. With the last of her strength, she pushed herself up a steep incline and fell down the other side only to discover the truck in flames. Fear settled into her chest as she stared at the horrid sight. Sinking into the ground, she fisted her hands at her sides and let out another heart wrenching scream.