Companions of a Kind – Wight Fang and OZ
"All of these reports do show both Caption Picard's view and Heero's on White Fang, my main question is where Heero formed his views," Quatre said to himself.
Trowa, are there reports of White Fang in the Companions databases?Quatre sent to the bridge. Wufei, Duo and Quatre were all reading through reports in the meeting room, while Heero and Trowa kept track of the situation on the bridge.
I never thought to look. I did glance at the ship's logs and the name is never mentioned... but then again if they are pirates keeping the records where they could be easily found would not be the smartest thing to do. OZ is reported like the Federation was.Trowa responded.
Heero do you know of White Fang through Cassandra?Quatre sent to Heero.
RogerHeero stated. Quatre was always surprised at how blank Heero's thoughts were... much like his face.
White Fang is only minutes from us.Trowa stated in Quatre's head. Quatre gave a mental acknowledgement before turning his attention to the records the three had just skimmed.
"White Fang is really tough, man," Duo said his voice semi serious. "Ever read that Robin Hood story Cat?" Duo asked.
"Of course! I loved that one," Quatre said happily. His mind immediately turned to the similarities and differences of the two groups of outlaws. "But they aren't really that similar. It's not always the rich they rob and they never give away what they take," Quatre said.
"I know, but at least we know that they have some moral code," Duo said. "OZ on the other hand seems to have only goals. They have been very busy in politics and do less fighting than White Fang."
"Hum, I have also seen that pattern. Casualties for battle are very low in both groups, but OZ's group is because of strategy while White Fang is ability," Quatre mused as his eyes skimmed what felt like the hundredth report
"We need to head to the bridge. The leader of OZ, Treize Khushrenada, seems like an honorable man," Wufie stated. He turned at motioned for Councilor Troy to lead them to the bridge. As they started walking Wufei continued.
"Although his ideals are not golden the way he achieves them are. I did not come across a record where a soldier on his side of the battle fell needlessly or an innocent was brought into the fight."
"Same here," Quatre agreed.
"Does Wufee have a crush?" Duo slurred, dodging out of Wufei's reach at the same time and hiding behind Quatre.
"My name is Wufei and I refuse to dignify that with a response," Wufei retorted. Quatre couldn't keep the humor out of his face at the two youths banter. Truthfully if Duo ever stopped Wufei would miss it and if Wufei ever stopped arguing back, Duo would miss it. They were friend; Wufei had even helped Duo get closer to Heero, despite them both being male.
"What do we know?" Quatre questioned as soon as the turbo lift opened to the bridge.
"White Fang uses star ships similar to Romulan war birds, except smaller. Standard weapons and no magic," Trowa stated. "They use hit and run tactics when fighting but are currently approaching uncloaked, which means they have no intent for battle. Wufei or you will be able to read their intentions better."
"OZ is coming with their white flag out. They have already tried to contact the Companion twice; both times they were intercepted by White Fang. White Fang has already hailed the Companion and did not get a response... they are on your equivalent of read alert," Heero dead panned.
"How did you know that?" Geordi suddenly asked. Quatre looked over at the man before looking back at Heero, just in time to catch the tail end of his shrug.
"The two ships are mere minutes apart," Data reported at the helm.
"Go to yellow alert. Quatre do you have men manning your ship," Picard asked, taking control of the situation.
"Don't worry about our ship," Quatre responded.
Heero, have Cassandra patch all communications through to the EnterpriseQuatre stated in Heero's head at the same time as he began speaking to Picard.
"All hails to us will come through your computer," Quatre stated. Before Picard could ask, Worf's voice called out.
"Caption we are being hailed by both OZ and White Fang, simultaneously."
"I think it would be best if we talk to both at the same time," Quatre stated. Picard didn't have to think long before he agreed. A few commands later the main screen on the bridge turned from its view of the Companion into two faces.
A man with long pail blond hair and clear blue eyes stood, back straight on the left of the screen. His tall body was hidden under a long gray trench coat that matched the plain metal of the interior of his bridge. His black boot covered feet were slightly parted, as if ready to fight at any moment. Only the white gloves that covered his fingers stuck out in the grays and browns.
On the right was another tall man, ginger brown hair was combed neatly on his head, a small peace of it accented his dark brown eyes. He was clothed in the old European uniform, high black armored boots covered his feet and knees before the white of his pants went up to the blue of his decorated coat tails. He could have been royalty by the way he held himself, legs crossed sitting in a big chair on a well lit bridge. Self confidence dripped off of both the captions.
"This is interesting, I hailed the Shiroy and I got the Federation. How can I help you, Federation," the blond one said. None of the surprise he was talking about showed on his face. It remained passive, neither a smile nor a frown on his clean shaven face.
"My name is Caption Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation ship Enterprise. And who might you be?" Picard answered smoothly.
"Zechs Merquise, caption of this vessel, Epyon, and all the ones in her fleet," Zechs answered just as smoothly.
"And what fleet would that be?" Picard asked, knowing the answer full well.
"If I need to answer that then you, caption, are not doing your job," Zechs answered. Quatre narrowed his eyes. Zechs seemed to have logic like Heero and what had he called the Companion? Shiroy or something.
"I'm sorry to intrude on this banter, but I believe we all know each others identities here. For clarification I am Treize Khushrenada and I need to know what the Federation is doing with weapons charged in the neutral zone?" Treize demanded in a smooth manner.
"Our weapons are powered in defense," Picard stated. "With pirates who don't listen to the laws coming at us we wanted to be prepared."
"Of course, White Fang is always a good escape," Treize stated. "I'm assuming we are all after these new planets that have surfaced in the Neutral Zone? Of course we are, and by the looks of it, Caption, you have already found some locals."
"Treize you over step your bounds," Picard stated blankly.
"Why don't we meet in person and talk this out," Zechs suddenly interjected. Although from what Quatre had seen he seemed perfectly happy just listening to the other two captions argue. Quatre felt Picard suck in a breath to respond but before he could Zech spoke again.
"Yes, I am aware that what ship to do it on will be an issue, so why don't we use the Shiroy. Once I get a hold of her there should be no problem."
"I will agree with that, Cassandra holds a strict ship and won't allow us to fight each other, not that civilized men would do that when they are just trying to meet each other," Treize nodded in agreement as a woman with two braided buns leaned down to talk to him.
"I can't do this any more! What is the Shiroy? How do you know the bitc... Cassandra?" Duo spat out, stumbling to not call Cassandra a fowl word. Quatre didn't look back at Duo as he studied the pictures of the two men. Both had narrowed there eyes at Duo's out burst but seemed slow to speak. When they did it was Zechs who answered.
"She is an old business partner and a freelance mercenary," Zech stated.
Quatre suddenly looked over sharply at Heero as he began communicating with Cassandra. The other three mages noticed Quatre's look as well and glanced at Heero. Duo instinctively moved closer to Heero but didn't get into his space, this would not be a time for Heero to lose control and knock him out. All people seemed to wait in suspense, the coms quiet.
What is going on?Quatre asked when Heero had stopped talking to Cassandra.
Cassandra is a mercenary, but her ship is now the Companion and belongs to usHeero stated. Quatre nodded, it was his turn to take control.
"My name is Caption Quatre. I command the Companion which was once the Shiroy but no longer. I would readily agree to meet with all of you on board my ship," Quatre stated confidently. That seemed to throw both the commanders for a loop for a moment; Treize was the first to gain his wits.
"And your conditions are?" Treize asked.
"None, there is little that you can do on my ship to disrupt it or the meeting," Quatre stated, his small body puffed up slightly. "We will be ready for you in half an hour."
"Will Cassandra be present at the meeting?" Zechs asked. Quatre glanced at Heero who shook his head.
"No," Quatre stated. Quatre frowned; a bad feeling had just made itself present in his uchuu no kokoro. But it was distant still.
"I see, we will speak more of this then, Zechs out," Zechs stated as his side of the screen when blank. Treize was less formal and more polite with his exit but soon his screen was blank as well.
"Caption Picard, thank you for your hospitality, but we must now take our leave," Quatre said appreciatively, his tone dark because of the approaching threat.
"Ya, I'll definitely be back to see how that holothing works," Duo said nodding knowingly.
Cassandra is beaming us upHeero stated in Quatre's head.
"I will send the transporting information to you once on board," Quatre said. He didn't get a chance to say more before the light of the transporters surrounded him and he was suddenly in the Companion's dark transporter room. He cocked his head to the side to see Cassandra at the controls.
He had not seen her in almost a year, but it didn't seem to matter because she hadn't really changed. Her bright green eyes and white skin stuck out at him. He scowled when he felt her communicate with Heero.
"You could talk to us..." Quatre started. But he didn't get to say much more as Cassandra turned and walked out the door. Quatre was grateful for Trowa's arm around his shoulders and he leaned into it.
"She scares me, it's like living on a haunted ship," Quatre shuddered and Trowa drew him in close.
"I will go send the three ships the coordinates," Wufei stated brining Quatre back to reality. "I suggest some one prepare the meeting room while Quatre thinks about what is to be said."
"That sounds good Wufei. Duo you take care of the meeting room. Heero I want to you and Trowa to prepare the Gundams. I have a funny feeling about this. Its not Zechs or Treize, although they are both dangerous in their own way, there is something worse heading for us. Something with ill intent," Quatre explained.
"You know why I hate your premonitions... because there always true," Duo said seriously. Quatre just nodded and turned toward the bridge. He had an hour, an hour to prepare for one of the biggest intellectual battles he would probably ever encounter.
mtc
"All of these reports do show both Caption Picard's view and Heero's on White Fang, my main question is where Heero formed his views," Quatre said to himself.
Trowa, are there reports of White Fang in the Companions databases?Quatre sent to the bridge. Wufei, Duo and Quatre were all reading through reports in the meeting room, while Heero and Trowa kept track of the situation on the bridge.
I never thought to look. I did glance at the ship's logs and the name is never mentioned... but then again if they are pirates keeping the records where they could be easily found would not be the smartest thing to do. OZ is reported like the Federation was.Trowa responded.
Heero do you know of White Fang through Cassandra?Quatre sent to Heero.
RogerHeero stated. Quatre was always surprised at how blank Heero's thoughts were... much like his face.
White Fang is only minutes from us.Trowa stated in Quatre's head. Quatre gave a mental acknowledgement before turning his attention to the records the three had just skimmed.
"White Fang is really tough, man," Duo said his voice semi serious. "Ever read that Robin Hood story Cat?" Duo asked.
"Of course! I loved that one," Quatre said happily. His mind immediately turned to the similarities and differences of the two groups of outlaws. "But they aren't really that similar. It's not always the rich they rob and they never give away what they take," Quatre said.
"I know, but at least we know that they have some moral code," Duo said. "OZ on the other hand seems to have only goals. They have been very busy in politics and do less fighting than White Fang."
"Hum, I have also seen that pattern. Casualties for battle are very low in both groups, but OZ's group is because of strategy while White Fang is ability," Quatre mused as his eyes skimmed what felt like the hundredth report
"We need to head to the bridge. The leader of OZ, Treize Khushrenada, seems like an honorable man," Wufie stated. He turned at motioned for Councilor Troy to lead them to the bridge. As they started walking Wufei continued.
"Although his ideals are not golden the way he achieves them are. I did not come across a record where a soldier on his side of the battle fell needlessly or an innocent was brought into the fight."
"Same here," Quatre agreed.
"Does Wufee have a crush?" Duo slurred, dodging out of Wufei's reach at the same time and hiding behind Quatre.
"My name is Wufei and I refuse to dignify that with a response," Wufei retorted. Quatre couldn't keep the humor out of his face at the two youths banter. Truthfully if Duo ever stopped Wufei would miss it and if Wufei ever stopped arguing back, Duo would miss it. They were friend; Wufei had even helped Duo get closer to Heero, despite them both being male.
"What do we know?" Quatre questioned as soon as the turbo lift opened to the bridge.
"White Fang uses star ships similar to Romulan war birds, except smaller. Standard weapons and no magic," Trowa stated. "They use hit and run tactics when fighting but are currently approaching uncloaked, which means they have no intent for battle. Wufei or you will be able to read their intentions better."
"OZ is coming with their white flag out. They have already tried to contact the Companion twice; both times they were intercepted by White Fang. White Fang has already hailed the Companion and did not get a response... they are on your equivalent of read alert," Heero dead panned.
"How did you know that?" Geordi suddenly asked. Quatre looked over at the man before looking back at Heero, just in time to catch the tail end of his shrug.
"The two ships are mere minutes apart," Data reported at the helm.
"Go to yellow alert. Quatre do you have men manning your ship," Picard asked, taking control of the situation.
"Don't worry about our ship," Quatre responded.
Heero, have Cassandra patch all communications through to the EnterpriseQuatre stated in Heero's head at the same time as he began speaking to Picard.
"All hails to us will come through your computer," Quatre stated. Before Picard could ask, Worf's voice called out.
"Caption we are being hailed by both OZ and White Fang, simultaneously."
"I think it would be best if we talk to both at the same time," Quatre stated. Picard didn't have to think long before he agreed. A few commands later the main screen on the bridge turned from its view of the Companion into two faces.
A man with long pail blond hair and clear blue eyes stood, back straight on the left of the screen. His tall body was hidden under a long gray trench coat that matched the plain metal of the interior of his bridge. His black boot covered feet were slightly parted, as if ready to fight at any moment. Only the white gloves that covered his fingers stuck out in the grays and browns.
On the right was another tall man, ginger brown hair was combed neatly on his head, a small peace of it accented his dark brown eyes. He was clothed in the old European uniform, high black armored boots covered his feet and knees before the white of his pants went up to the blue of his decorated coat tails. He could have been royalty by the way he held himself, legs crossed sitting in a big chair on a well lit bridge. Self confidence dripped off of both the captions.
"This is interesting, I hailed the Shiroy and I got the Federation. How can I help you, Federation," the blond one said. None of the surprise he was talking about showed on his face. It remained passive, neither a smile nor a frown on his clean shaven face.
"My name is Caption Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation ship Enterprise. And who might you be?" Picard answered smoothly.
"Zechs Merquise, caption of this vessel, Epyon, and all the ones in her fleet," Zechs answered just as smoothly.
"And what fleet would that be?" Picard asked, knowing the answer full well.
"If I need to answer that then you, caption, are not doing your job," Zechs answered. Quatre narrowed his eyes. Zechs seemed to have logic like Heero and what had he called the Companion? Shiroy or something.
"I'm sorry to intrude on this banter, but I believe we all know each others identities here. For clarification I am Treize Khushrenada and I need to know what the Federation is doing with weapons charged in the neutral zone?" Treize demanded in a smooth manner.
"Our weapons are powered in defense," Picard stated. "With pirates who don't listen to the laws coming at us we wanted to be prepared."
"Of course, White Fang is always a good escape," Treize stated. "I'm assuming we are all after these new planets that have surfaced in the Neutral Zone? Of course we are, and by the looks of it, Caption, you have already found some locals."
"Treize you over step your bounds," Picard stated blankly.
"Why don't we meet in person and talk this out," Zechs suddenly interjected. Although from what Quatre had seen he seemed perfectly happy just listening to the other two captions argue. Quatre felt Picard suck in a breath to respond but before he could Zech spoke again.
"Yes, I am aware that what ship to do it on will be an issue, so why don't we use the Shiroy. Once I get a hold of her there should be no problem."
"I will agree with that, Cassandra holds a strict ship and won't allow us to fight each other, not that civilized men would do that when they are just trying to meet each other," Treize nodded in agreement as a woman with two braided buns leaned down to talk to him.
"I can't do this any more! What is the Shiroy? How do you know the bitc... Cassandra?" Duo spat out, stumbling to not call Cassandra a fowl word. Quatre didn't look back at Duo as he studied the pictures of the two men. Both had narrowed there eyes at Duo's out burst but seemed slow to speak. When they did it was Zechs who answered.
"She is an old business partner and a freelance mercenary," Zech stated.
Quatre suddenly looked over sharply at Heero as he began communicating with Cassandra. The other three mages noticed Quatre's look as well and glanced at Heero. Duo instinctively moved closer to Heero but didn't get into his space, this would not be a time for Heero to lose control and knock him out. All people seemed to wait in suspense, the coms quiet.
What is going on?Quatre asked when Heero had stopped talking to Cassandra.
Cassandra is a mercenary, but her ship is now the Companion and belongs to usHeero stated. Quatre nodded, it was his turn to take control.
"My name is Caption Quatre. I command the Companion which was once the Shiroy but no longer. I would readily agree to meet with all of you on board my ship," Quatre stated confidently. That seemed to throw both the commanders for a loop for a moment; Treize was the first to gain his wits.
"And your conditions are?" Treize asked.
"None, there is little that you can do on my ship to disrupt it or the meeting," Quatre stated, his small body puffed up slightly. "We will be ready for you in half an hour."
"Will Cassandra be present at the meeting?" Zechs asked. Quatre glanced at Heero who shook his head.
"No," Quatre stated. Quatre frowned; a bad feeling had just made itself present in his uchuu no kokoro. But it was distant still.
"I see, we will speak more of this then, Zechs out," Zechs stated as his side of the screen when blank. Treize was less formal and more polite with his exit but soon his screen was blank as well.
"Caption Picard, thank you for your hospitality, but we must now take our leave," Quatre said appreciatively, his tone dark because of the approaching threat.
"Ya, I'll definitely be back to see how that holothing works," Duo said nodding knowingly.
Cassandra is beaming us upHeero stated in Quatre's head.
"I will send the transporting information to you once on board," Quatre said. He didn't get a chance to say more before the light of the transporters surrounded him and he was suddenly in the Companion's dark transporter room. He cocked his head to the side to see Cassandra at the controls.
He had not seen her in almost a year, but it didn't seem to matter because she hadn't really changed. Her bright green eyes and white skin stuck out at him. He scowled when he felt her communicate with Heero.
"You could talk to us..." Quatre started. But he didn't get to say much more as Cassandra turned and walked out the door. Quatre was grateful for Trowa's arm around his shoulders and he leaned into it.
"She scares me, it's like living on a haunted ship," Quatre shuddered and Trowa drew him in close.
"I will go send the three ships the coordinates," Wufei stated brining Quatre back to reality. "I suggest some one prepare the meeting room while Quatre thinks about what is to be said."
"That sounds good Wufei. Duo you take care of the meeting room. Heero I want to you and Trowa to prepare the Gundams. I have a funny feeling about this. Its not Zechs or Treize, although they are both dangerous in their own way, there is something worse heading for us. Something with ill intent," Quatre explained.
"You know why I hate your premonitions... because there always true," Duo said seriously. Quatre just nodded and turned toward the bridge. He had an hour, an hour to prepare for one of the biggest intellectual battles he would probably ever encounter.
mtc