Companions of a kind – to trade or not to trade?
Wufei straightened out the traditional Chinese top that he had replicated. The off white matched the off white of the low ankle gripping gei pants which gripped just above traditional black slippers. Underneath the top was a not so traditional dark blue tank top and his hair was pulled back in its usual pony tail. Wufei didn't put a lot of thought into what he looked like, but he did think about it.
He had in his former life as well. He was the son of the highest ranking clan on his planet. As such he always had access to books, literature, and anything he wanted. However as the son of a high station he had also several obligations, the most life changing one had been is betrothal to a rowdy warrior female name Marin.
Although able to fight, it was required of his station; Wufei's preferred weapon of choice was knowledge. And when Wufei expressed his true feelings, that his father's choice of a bride was wrong and ignorant, Wufei had been sent on border patrol to 'think'.
Patrol was easy, there was little fighting on his planet, most just worked to survive in the hot and hostile environment. He had been surprised to meet Duo. But that had led to one of the best sparring matches he had had in a while, which in turn had led to one of the most excellent verbal sparring matches he had encountered.
Quatre's ideals were noble and the challenges his proposition had put in front of Wufei were irresistible. This was also the only chance he would get to escape his fathers rule and not have to marry a girl that he had little interest in. Cassandra's intrusion had been unnerving but short. And once he was on the ship it felt as if he had been born to it, other than Maxwell's constant blabbering and teasing he had never felt like he fit in some where so well. And now that the map was completed he prepared to help Quatre make his ideals come to light.
The door slid opened with a slight hiss of the pressure release and Wufei stepped into the designated meeting room. His eyes narrowed at the bright green color that assaulted his vision but his eyes adjusted. Quatre, Trowa and Heero were already present. Duo and Cassandra had still to arrive.
Wufei easily pulled out one of the black, newly padded chairs, and took the seat across from Quatre, his notes on one of the mini computers in hand. Wufei heard Duo even before the door slid opened, his loud whistling of some obnoxious tune could be hear within three corridors.
"Hey guys, you're all early... were's Cas?" Duo said as he spun around the chair across from Heero before sitting down in it the wrong way.
"Not coming," Heero dead panned. Every head turned to him and Quatre was the first to speak.
"What do you mean not coming, it is her ship!" Quatre exclaimed.
"Three were no plans after mapping... 'I'm just along for the ride' were her exact words," Heero dead panned.
"You mean she does talk in complete sentences!" Duo said excitedly.
"That was not the point, Maxwell," Wufei calmly stated.
"I know Wu-bear, I was just making a joke, sheesh," Duo complained. Wufei could not control the angry red that came to his face. He sucked in a breath to 'calmly' tell Maxwell that his name was Wufei but before he could get to it Quatre's smooth voice stepped in.
"Stop, if Cassandra is not interested than we will move on with out her. Now that the planets are mapped we don't have a mission, as Heero puts it. However, life is very hard on the five planets we have mapped," Quatre started. He took a deep breath and looked each person around the table in the eye. "If we become a trading vessel, than we can give those planets that are lacking what others have in abundance."
The five went quiet. Becoming traders would mean that the ship would be known about her crew would be known and communication would be restored between the people who broke apart the planets in the first place.
"I think that's a great idea!.... NOT!" Duo said sarcastically.
"Do you have any reasons that it would be bad?" Wufei calmly asked. This was the main reason he had joined Quatre, peace between the planets and inter planetary travel could help many.
"Well let's see, it was their war that pulled apart the main planet in the first place. If people are given the ease of not fighting nature, than they will start fighting each other again. Oh and not to mention that ships haven't been seen in the voidus for over 300 years," Duo crossed his eyes and suddenly looked at Quatre. "Q-ball, Cassandra is the only one among us who doesn't come from voidus... how did she get in here?"
Quatre's eyes widened and he glanced around the room. Wufei's dark eyes studied Duo then Quatre and then rested on Heero. Even if he hadn't been told it was obvious that Heero represented both him self and Cassandra in most decisions.
"That is a very important question," Trowa stated as his eyes also came to rest on Heero.
"The magic protecting the voidus is failing, Cassandra has pure telepathy and found us, it will be a year before modern technology has the capabilities," Heero stated.
"And you didn't think this was important enough to tell us?" Duo asked in disbelief. "I mean it could only mean the end of life as we know it, for both the magical and the non-magical world. Nothing big."
"The data was in the computer," Heero dead panned. Duo let out an exasperated breath and stood to start pacing, his braid swaying behind him.
"Well this only changes everything," Duo muttered followed by several inaudible curses containing the words stone man, computers, and common sense.
"Yes it does," Quatre stated. "We must alert the planets and try and bring them back to friendly terms. That mission would be much easier if first friendly trade was set up between them."
"I agree with Quatre. Duo your planet is freezing and mine is burning up. Heero's needs water while Quatre's does not have enough land. Every planet has something to trade to balance them out," Wufei explained.
"Quatre's idea is the best plan to start the planets toward unification. No matter the group that discovers the planets, it will make things easier," Trowa interjected.
"But will they work together?" Duo asked.
"We can only know that by trying," Quatre said cheerfully. "So can I say that we have decided to become a trading vessel for the planets?" Quatre manly looked at Duo, although he peeked at Heero who had not said a word.
"Fine, whatever, I don't have anything better to do!" Duo said as he threw his arms up in the air. Quatre beamed and looked at Heero as Duo sat back down.
"I suggest that we start with 01, they are aware of the outside threat and are still on speaking terms with me," Heero stated. Wufei was surprised by this statement but didn't let on as Quatre's voice began making out detailed plans.
Once all plans were agreed on Wufei took his turn and explained the modifications they would need to the ship. The ship was a fighter, even the shuttle was a fighter and Wufei wanted to keep it that way but also make room for storage and transportation.
"That all sounds good, but you know what this ship really needs," Duo said once Wufei had finished explaining his planed modifications.
"What would that be Duo?" Quatre questioned before Wufei could snap at him.
"A name!" Duo exclaimed raising his hands off the back of the chair. Quatre gave a little laugh.
"Yes it does Duo, but that is a little less important than Wufei's modifications. Wufei you probably already know but Heero knows this ship inside and out. Leave your plans with him. Trowa and he will make all possible modifications... Cassandra is telekinetic. Use her as a resource for heavy lifting," Quatre ordered. "Unless others would like to work with the planets I will assume that Wufei and I are the only ones who will act as go betweens."
"What about me!" Duo asked indignantly.
"Duo you can help Heero and Trowa. I know that you are a good person but your necromancy staff will attract too much attention on a planet. We need a master at the helm of the ship while we are on the surface," Quatre tried to explain. Duo understood and nodded. With nothing more to be said the meeting was adjourned, the name less vessel soon to begin trading.
One week later Wufei, once again dressed in his now clean white robes walked into the shuttle bay. His eyes widened as he looked around the giant chamber.
"Cool isn't it!" Duo's voice yelled. "Heero is a fucking genius. We thought this would be impossible until Trowa reminded us that we still have staffs... you know technology sometimes makes even the best of us forget. Well anyway, Heero sealed the chamber with good air using his pure power while Trowa and melted it out and reinforce it again. We got this bay as well as most of the others on your list more than three times bigger... and you should see..."
Wufei tuned out Duo's voice as he inspected the room, he could see a few spots where the crude melting was apparent but it was well done over all. He turned at the sound of Quatre and Heero's voices.
"Wufei, this is very interesting," Quatre said as he beckoned Wufei toward them. Wufei glanced at Duo and narrowed his eyes. Duo was scowling at Quatre... Wufei blinked and when he looked at Duo again the usual smile was plastered to his face. Wufei decided to forget about it a hurried over to where Heero and Quatre were stopped. Quatre was once again in his robes, staff in hand.
"They turn any substance they target into tiny particles and send them at the speed of light to the appointed area, where the particles recombine. It's fast and works with our magic," Heero finished explaining.
"And we can target something so big is fills up this entire chamber?" Wufei questioned. Although he had missed the beginning of the conversation he understood what was being talked about.
"Yes," Heero stated.
"How do we know it is compatible with our magic?" Quatre questioned, his face concerned.
"Duo is functioning," Heero dead panned.
Quatre and Wufei both started prep Heero for more information but they weren't fast enough and Heero had already joined Trowa in the shuttle, the engines swiftly warming up. Quatre looked at Wufei who looked at Duo who was starring at the side of the ship.
"I'll bet he knows," Quatre said. Wufei nodded and followed the blond over to Duo. It was important that they could explain how they knew that magic was not affected by this form of travel.
Wufei almost forgot what he had wanted to ask Duo when his eyes met with what Duo had been staring at.
"Maxwell!" Wufei yelled so loud it echoed in the bay. Not two seconds later Heero and Trowa made an appearance on the seen, although they managed to stay calmer that Wufei.
"I was so board and the shuttle needs a name, its bad luck for it not to be named!" Duo exclaimed. "You like it, right Quatre?"
"Its interesting Duo," Quatre said, his voice straining to stay even. Drawn over an entire side of the shuttle was, maybe a lake with lots of greens in it. The only real distinguishable thing was the tidied words in the middle. They read 'Beta' with fish making up each word. Actually the words were quite interesting to look at.
"I was so proud of myself. I thought I would never come up with a name everyone could agree on but think about it. Beta is a science term, it's a type of fish, it's a math term, and computer term! And if you switch the't' and the 'a' you get 'Beat' and our shuttle will beat down any that go near it!" Duo exclaimed as he threw his arms up into the air.
"When Quatre said 'agree' I believe he meant we would all choose a name," Trowa stated. Duo put his hands down and blinked.
"That makes more sense, but what's wrong with the name Beta? Heero, you like it. I know you do. And besides I already covered the ship in spells to keep the paint from ever wearing off," Duo said smugly, all of the confusion and desperation gone from his voice.
"Fine Duo... just warn us before..." Quatre started.
"Then I'll start painting 'Companion' on the outside of the main ship while you guys are out," Duo stated. His eyes narrowed as he dared anyone to challenge his name choice this time.
Wufei slightly tilted his head. Companions was actually a decent name for the ship considering that it had brought the five of them together and now was helping all the planets in the Voidus... not that he would say that in front of Duo.
"That souds like a fine name Duo," Quatre said. "But Cassandra is still on board and it is still her ship..."
"She might as well not be. She's locked herself in some room some where with the samples. Heero says that its gona be a while before she comes out," Duo said, annoyed.
"That makes things much simpler," Wufei interjected. "Now explain how it is they we are positive that this transportation thing works without effecting magic."
"Oh, Mr. Noise (at this name Heero turned back to the shuttle Trowa in toe) didn't tell you, big surprise. Well we found this thing and I was just playing around with it to find out what is was and then Trowa tried to get me to stop and I ran thinking that he wanted to play but I must have hit something in the process because suddenly I started to disappear, spell on my lips and everything... and then suddenly I was in Beta, just me. But I was locked in for a minute because I couldn't figure out where I was but then the tidied feet..." Duo started to ramble.
"Duo that was dangerous! What if you had materialized in space or lost your magic?" Quatre interrupted both in worry and need to move on.
"But I'm fine," Duo stated. "If you would let me finish..."
"Yes Maxwell, it is apparent that you got out of the ship and then learned how to work the transporters either through your own means or by your usual leaching," Wufei growled. "We must move on now, or we will be late to our meeting."
"Yes, true," Quatre answered. Wufei heard Quatre saying good by to Duo (who was indignantly denying Wufei's words) as he walked into the shuttle. Heero and Trowa were calmly waiting for them, dressed in their normal casual ship clothing. The ride to the planets surface was quiet and smooth. Except for Quatre's double checking that Heero did not want to attend the meeting he had set up, quiet.
A group of people were waiting for them when the shuttle landed. Their greeting was not warm but was not cold either and they were offered food and water as Wufei and Quatre sat in a circle with two mean and a woman, all in their mid forties, while Heero stayed with the ship. Trowa on the other hand had refused to leave Quatre's side, becoming a silent body guard that Quatre wasn't not exactly pleased about.
Wufei was yet again amazed by Quatre's speech. His word choice was faultless and smooth, showing off his higher education with out offending those that he was speaking to. And his voice just sounded like one you could trust. Not much convincing was needed and Quatre turned the meeting over to Wufei to work out the logistics.
"You will bet starting the trade so I need a list of what you want and we will trade for that before coming back. If there is anything we have on board that you would like and we can afford to give away start with that to cut your losses. Our ship, the Companion, can carry a mile wide and deep worth of earth. We have workers who can help you carve out where you would like your first lake," Wufei explained.
"That sounds decent but we will constantly be down in actual trade. In return we would like to be the first to receive information on the goings on in the voidus, especially concerning it dissipation," one of the men said. Wufei looked over his muscled but lightly rounded form.
"I'm sorry that is the one thing we can't do," Quatre said. His voice was not sorry at all. "We can only give you the supplies that we have now and then trade your earth for double at first until everything matches up."
For a moment Wufei thought the trade was going to be off as the man's face turned a slight shad of red but the woman defused the situation.
"That is fine, just promise to warn us when the voidus has failed," she stated. Quatre genuinely smiled.
"Yes, of course," he said. Wufei's cold eyes watched Quatre finish the deal before the group went back to Beta. Quatre called out Heero. Wufei did not miss the cold looks that 01's people gave Heero as a tall and thin man led them to a clearing in the forest. Trowa used his earth powers to lift the dirt from the ground and Heero used his power to contain it.
//The Earth is ready to be transported// Wufei sent to Duo through their mind powers.
//Gotcha... how does this thing work again... oh wait that's it, just kidding, sense I DID help Heero figure out how this works and it was all MY initial exploring that let him get started// Duo started a running commentary in Wufei's head.
//Shut up and Energize Duo!// Wufei literally screamed into Duo's head.
//Ouch, I'm gona get a head ach Fei... fine Energizing// Duo responded grouchily.
Wufei watched in amazement, his anger at his nick name vanishing, as the giant power contained earth slowly began to dissolve, like it was in a tub of water, until is was gone.
//The Companion's got a lot of dirt now// Duo stated in Wufei's head. Wufei shook the amazement off of his face. Heero came up and stood next to Wufei while Quatre finished with the meeting and, with Trowa still playing body guard, headed back to the ship.
"Why has Trowa insisted on playing body guard for Quatre?" Wufei asked Heero as they walked back to Beta. There was silence for a moment and Wufei didn't think Heero would answer.
"Quatre is important to the survival of the Companion. Of us he is the physically weakest and needed to considerate on the task at hand," Heero dead panned. Wufei nodded, this explanation mad a lot of sense.
As Beta flew through space back to the Companion Quatre requested that they turn the lights on to see if Duo had really painted the name on this ship. Wufei growled as the lights hit Duo's handy work. The solid black that made up the shipps camouflage was broken, but not too badly, by the name painted in grays, browns and dark blues. Like Beta, the words were in fancy script that resembled graffiti.
"Well, we're home," Quatre said quietly as Heero turned off the lights and Trowa opened the docking bay. Wufei felt a little warmth in his chest at the word home. For home it was.
mtc
Wufei straightened out the traditional Chinese top that he had replicated. The off white matched the off white of the low ankle gripping gei pants which gripped just above traditional black slippers. Underneath the top was a not so traditional dark blue tank top and his hair was pulled back in its usual pony tail. Wufei didn't put a lot of thought into what he looked like, but he did think about it.
He had in his former life as well. He was the son of the highest ranking clan on his planet. As such he always had access to books, literature, and anything he wanted. However as the son of a high station he had also several obligations, the most life changing one had been is betrothal to a rowdy warrior female name Marin.
Although able to fight, it was required of his station; Wufei's preferred weapon of choice was knowledge. And when Wufei expressed his true feelings, that his father's choice of a bride was wrong and ignorant, Wufei had been sent on border patrol to 'think'.
Patrol was easy, there was little fighting on his planet, most just worked to survive in the hot and hostile environment. He had been surprised to meet Duo. But that had led to one of the best sparring matches he had had in a while, which in turn had led to one of the most excellent verbal sparring matches he had encountered.
Quatre's ideals were noble and the challenges his proposition had put in front of Wufei were irresistible. This was also the only chance he would get to escape his fathers rule and not have to marry a girl that he had little interest in. Cassandra's intrusion had been unnerving but short. And once he was on the ship it felt as if he had been born to it, other than Maxwell's constant blabbering and teasing he had never felt like he fit in some where so well. And now that the map was completed he prepared to help Quatre make his ideals come to light.
The door slid opened with a slight hiss of the pressure release and Wufei stepped into the designated meeting room. His eyes narrowed at the bright green color that assaulted his vision but his eyes adjusted. Quatre, Trowa and Heero were already present. Duo and Cassandra had still to arrive.
Wufei easily pulled out one of the black, newly padded chairs, and took the seat across from Quatre, his notes on one of the mini computers in hand. Wufei heard Duo even before the door slid opened, his loud whistling of some obnoxious tune could be hear within three corridors.
"Hey guys, you're all early... were's Cas?" Duo said as he spun around the chair across from Heero before sitting down in it the wrong way.
"Not coming," Heero dead panned. Every head turned to him and Quatre was the first to speak.
"What do you mean not coming, it is her ship!" Quatre exclaimed.
"Three were no plans after mapping... 'I'm just along for the ride' were her exact words," Heero dead panned.
"You mean she does talk in complete sentences!" Duo said excitedly.
"That was not the point, Maxwell," Wufei calmly stated.
"I know Wu-bear, I was just making a joke, sheesh," Duo complained. Wufei could not control the angry red that came to his face. He sucked in a breath to 'calmly' tell Maxwell that his name was Wufei but before he could get to it Quatre's smooth voice stepped in.
"Stop, if Cassandra is not interested than we will move on with out her. Now that the planets are mapped we don't have a mission, as Heero puts it. However, life is very hard on the five planets we have mapped," Quatre started. He took a deep breath and looked each person around the table in the eye. "If we become a trading vessel, than we can give those planets that are lacking what others have in abundance."
The five went quiet. Becoming traders would mean that the ship would be known about her crew would be known and communication would be restored between the people who broke apart the planets in the first place.
"I think that's a great idea!.... NOT!" Duo said sarcastically.
"Do you have any reasons that it would be bad?" Wufei calmly asked. This was the main reason he had joined Quatre, peace between the planets and inter planetary travel could help many.
"Well let's see, it was their war that pulled apart the main planet in the first place. If people are given the ease of not fighting nature, than they will start fighting each other again. Oh and not to mention that ships haven't been seen in the voidus for over 300 years," Duo crossed his eyes and suddenly looked at Quatre. "Q-ball, Cassandra is the only one among us who doesn't come from voidus... how did she get in here?"
Quatre's eyes widened and he glanced around the room. Wufei's dark eyes studied Duo then Quatre and then rested on Heero. Even if he hadn't been told it was obvious that Heero represented both him self and Cassandra in most decisions.
"That is a very important question," Trowa stated as his eyes also came to rest on Heero.
"The magic protecting the voidus is failing, Cassandra has pure telepathy and found us, it will be a year before modern technology has the capabilities," Heero stated.
"And you didn't think this was important enough to tell us?" Duo asked in disbelief. "I mean it could only mean the end of life as we know it, for both the magical and the non-magical world. Nothing big."
"The data was in the computer," Heero dead panned. Duo let out an exasperated breath and stood to start pacing, his braid swaying behind him.
"Well this only changes everything," Duo muttered followed by several inaudible curses containing the words stone man, computers, and common sense.
"Yes it does," Quatre stated. "We must alert the planets and try and bring them back to friendly terms. That mission would be much easier if first friendly trade was set up between them."
"I agree with Quatre. Duo your planet is freezing and mine is burning up. Heero's needs water while Quatre's does not have enough land. Every planet has something to trade to balance them out," Wufei explained.
"Quatre's idea is the best plan to start the planets toward unification. No matter the group that discovers the planets, it will make things easier," Trowa interjected.
"But will they work together?" Duo asked.
"We can only know that by trying," Quatre said cheerfully. "So can I say that we have decided to become a trading vessel for the planets?" Quatre manly looked at Duo, although he peeked at Heero who had not said a word.
"Fine, whatever, I don't have anything better to do!" Duo said as he threw his arms up in the air. Quatre beamed and looked at Heero as Duo sat back down.
"I suggest that we start with 01, they are aware of the outside threat and are still on speaking terms with me," Heero stated. Wufei was surprised by this statement but didn't let on as Quatre's voice began making out detailed plans.
Once all plans were agreed on Wufei took his turn and explained the modifications they would need to the ship. The ship was a fighter, even the shuttle was a fighter and Wufei wanted to keep it that way but also make room for storage and transportation.
"That all sounds good, but you know what this ship really needs," Duo said once Wufei had finished explaining his planed modifications.
"What would that be Duo?" Quatre questioned before Wufei could snap at him.
"A name!" Duo exclaimed raising his hands off the back of the chair. Quatre gave a little laugh.
"Yes it does Duo, but that is a little less important than Wufei's modifications. Wufei you probably already know but Heero knows this ship inside and out. Leave your plans with him. Trowa and he will make all possible modifications... Cassandra is telekinetic. Use her as a resource for heavy lifting," Quatre ordered. "Unless others would like to work with the planets I will assume that Wufei and I are the only ones who will act as go betweens."
"What about me!" Duo asked indignantly.
"Duo you can help Heero and Trowa. I know that you are a good person but your necromancy staff will attract too much attention on a planet. We need a master at the helm of the ship while we are on the surface," Quatre tried to explain. Duo understood and nodded. With nothing more to be said the meeting was adjourned, the name less vessel soon to begin trading.
One week later Wufei, once again dressed in his now clean white robes walked into the shuttle bay. His eyes widened as he looked around the giant chamber.
"Cool isn't it!" Duo's voice yelled. "Heero is a fucking genius. We thought this would be impossible until Trowa reminded us that we still have staffs... you know technology sometimes makes even the best of us forget. Well anyway, Heero sealed the chamber with good air using his pure power while Trowa and melted it out and reinforce it again. We got this bay as well as most of the others on your list more than three times bigger... and you should see..."
Wufei tuned out Duo's voice as he inspected the room, he could see a few spots where the crude melting was apparent but it was well done over all. He turned at the sound of Quatre and Heero's voices.
"Wufei, this is very interesting," Quatre said as he beckoned Wufei toward them. Wufei glanced at Duo and narrowed his eyes. Duo was scowling at Quatre... Wufei blinked and when he looked at Duo again the usual smile was plastered to his face. Wufei decided to forget about it a hurried over to where Heero and Quatre were stopped. Quatre was once again in his robes, staff in hand.
"They turn any substance they target into tiny particles and send them at the speed of light to the appointed area, where the particles recombine. It's fast and works with our magic," Heero finished explaining.
"And we can target something so big is fills up this entire chamber?" Wufei questioned. Although he had missed the beginning of the conversation he understood what was being talked about.
"Yes," Heero stated.
"How do we know it is compatible with our magic?" Quatre questioned, his face concerned.
"Duo is functioning," Heero dead panned.
Quatre and Wufei both started prep Heero for more information but they weren't fast enough and Heero had already joined Trowa in the shuttle, the engines swiftly warming up. Quatre looked at Wufei who looked at Duo who was starring at the side of the ship.
"I'll bet he knows," Quatre said. Wufei nodded and followed the blond over to Duo. It was important that they could explain how they knew that magic was not affected by this form of travel.
Wufei almost forgot what he had wanted to ask Duo when his eyes met with what Duo had been staring at.
"Maxwell!" Wufei yelled so loud it echoed in the bay. Not two seconds later Heero and Trowa made an appearance on the seen, although they managed to stay calmer that Wufei.
"I was so board and the shuttle needs a name, its bad luck for it not to be named!" Duo exclaimed. "You like it, right Quatre?"
"Its interesting Duo," Quatre said, his voice straining to stay even. Drawn over an entire side of the shuttle was, maybe a lake with lots of greens in it. The only real distinguishable thing was the tidied words in the middle. They read 'Beta' with fish making up each word. Actually the words were quite interesting to look at.
"I was so proud of myself. I thought I would never come up with a name everyone could agree on but think about it. Beta is a science term, it's a type of fish, it's a math term, and computer term! And if you switch the't' and the 'a' you get 'Beat' and our shuttle will beat down any that go near it!" Duo exclaimed as he threw his arms up into the air.
"When Quatre said 'agree' I believe he meant we would all choose a name," Trowa stated. Duo put his hands down and blinked.
"That makes more sense, but what's wrong with the name Beta? Heero, you like it. I know you do. And besides I already covered the ship in spells to keep the paint from ever wearing off," Duo said smugly, all of the confusion and desperation gone from his voice.
"Fine Duo... just warn us before..." Quatre started.
"Then I'll start painting 'Companion' on the outside of the main ship while you guys are out," Duo stated. His eyes narrowed as he dared anyone to challenge his name choice this time.
Wufei slightly tilted his head. Companions was actually a decent name for the ship considering that it had brought the five of them together and now was helping all the planets in the Voidus... not that he would say that in front of Duo.
"That souds like a fine name Duo," Quatre said. "But Cassandra is still on board and it is still her ship..."
"She might as well not be. She's locked herself in some room some where with the samples. Heero says that its gona be a while before she comes out," Duo said, annoyed.
"That makes things much simpler," Wufei interjected. "Now explain how it is they we are positive that this transportation thing works without effecting magic."
"Oh, Mr. Noise (at this name Heero turned back to the shuttle Trowa in toe) didn't tell you, big surprise. Well we found this thing and I was just playing around with it to find out what is was and then Trowa tried to get me to stop and I ran thinking that he wanted to play but I must have hit something in the process because suddenly I started to disappear, spell on my lips and everything... and then suddenly I was in Beta, just me. But I was locked in for a minute because I couldn't figure out where I was but then the tidied feet..." Duo started to ramble.
"Duo that was dangerous! What if you had materialized in space or lost your magic?" Quatre interrupted both in worry and need to move on.
"But I'm fine," Duo stated. "If you would let me finish..."
"Yes Maxwell, it is apparent that you got out of the ship and then learned how to work the transporters either through your own means or by your usual leaching," Wufei growled. "We must move on now, or we will be late to our meeting."
"Yes, true," Quatre answered. Wufei heard Quatre saying good by to Duo (who was indignantly denying Wufei's words) as he walked into the shuttle. Heero and Trowa were calmly waiting for them, dressed in their normal casual ship clothing. The ride to the planets surface was quiet and smooth. Except for Quatre's double checking that Heero did not want to attend the meeting he had set up, quiet.
A group of people were waiting for them when the shuttle landed. Their greeting was not warm but was not cold either and they were offered food and water as Wufei and Quatre sat in a circle with two mean and a woman, all in their mid forties, while Heero stayed with the ship. Trowa on the other hand had refused to leave Quatre's side, becoming a silent body guard that Quatre wasn't not exactly pleased about.
Wufei was yet again amazed by Quatre's speech. His word choice was faultless and smooth, showing off his higher education with out offending those that he was speaking to. And his voice just sounded like one you could trust. Not much convincing was needed and Quatre turned the meeting over to Wufei to work out the logistics.
"You will bet starting the trade so I need a list of what you want and we will trade for that before coming back. If there is anything we have on board that you would like and we can afford to give away start with that to cut your losses. Our ship, the Companion, can carry a mile wide and deep worth of earth. We have workers who can help you carve out where you would like your first lake," Wufei explained.
"That sounds decent but we will constantly be down in actual trade. In return we would like to be the first to receive information on the goings on in the voidus, especially concerning it dissipation," one of the men said. Wufei looked over his muscled but lightly rounded form.
"I'm sorry that is the one thing we can't do," Quatre said. His voice was not sorry at all. "We can only give you the supplies that we have now and then trade your earth for double at first until everything matches up."
For a moment Wufei thought the trade was going to be off as the man's face turned a slight shad of red but the woman defused the situation.
"That is fine, just promise to warn us when the voidus has failed," she stated. Quatre genuinely smiled.
"Yes, of course," he said. Wufei's cold eyes watched Quatre finish the deal before the group went back to Beta. Quatre called out Heero. Wufei did not miss the cold looks that 01's people gave Heero as a tall and thin man led them to a clearing in the forest. Trowa used his earth powers to lift the dirt from the ground and Heero used his power to contain it.
//The Earth is ready to be transported// Wufei sent to Duo through their mind powers.
//Gotcha... how does this thing work again... oh wait that's it, just kidding, sense I DID help Heero figure out how this works and it was all MY initial exploring that let him get started// Duo started a running commentary in Wufei's head.
//Shut up and Energize Duo!// Wufei literally screamed into Duo's head.
//Ouch, I'm gona get a head ach Fei... fine Energizing// Duo responded grouchily.
Wufei watched in amazement, his anger at his nick name vanishing, as the giant power contained earth slowly began to dissolve, like it was in a tub of water, until is was gone.
//The Companion's got a lot of dirt now// Duo stated in Wufei's head. Wufei shook the amazement off of his face. Heero came up and stood next to Wufei while Quatre finished with the meeting and, with Trowa still playing body guard, headed back to the ship.
"Why has Trowa insisted on playing body guard for Quatre?" Wufei asked Heero as they walked back to Beta. There was silence for a moment and Wufei didn't think Heero would answer.
"Quatre is important to the survival of the Companion. Of us he is the physically weakest and needed to considerate on the task at hand," Heero dead panned. Wufei nodded, this explanation mad a lot of sense.
As Beta flew through space back to the Companion Quatre requested that they turn the lights on to see if Duo had really painted the name on this ship. Wufei growled as the lights hit Duo's handy work. The solid black that made up the shipps camouflage was broken, but not too badly, by the name painted in grays, browns and dark blues. Like Beta, the words were in fancy script that resembled graffiti.
"Well, we're home," Quatre said quietly as Heero turned off the lights and Trowa opened the docking bay. Wufei felt a little warmth in his chest at the word home. For home it was.
mtc