Title: Five Pilots & A Girl: Life with GW Boys

Disclaimer: I don't own any Gundam Wing characters.

Chapter 22

The Zero System

For the past two weeks, Howard and Lizzy had managed to work hand in hand in upgrading the gundams for both Wing Zero and Deathscythe. Though Howard concentrated in the upgrades that came from the scientists, Lizzy focused in perfecting the Zero System and installing it first in Wing Zero as instructed by Dr J and Dr Reeds. They were very keen knowing the progress of the Zero System. Lizzy had the brains and talents similar of her father and it showed when the Zero System was installed in Wing Zero.

However, Howard expressed his concern to Lizzy that this Zero system of hers is way too destructive especially when he just saw the other day when she tested it out herself and collapsed afterwards. All he knows is that it has something to do with the pilot's brain being controlled to be the perfect soldier. He shuddered thinking about all the possibilities of a gundam pilot being emotionless and being in sync with a mobile suit.

"Hey Howard," Lizzy called from Wing Zero's cockpit. She saw Howard staring into space again. "What's up? Any news from Duo and Heero?"

Howard was put out of his reverie. "None so far," he called back. He sighed and continued what he was doing. It was really unfair that kids like her and Duo had to put up to so much for this war. . .

Meanwhile, Lizzy continued to tinker with Heero's Wing Zero. If Heero knew the things she did with his gundam, there will be hell to pay. That is why she is trying to complete the Zero system so that she can be finished with it before Heero comes back. Heero was informed that it will only be installed in his gundam but Dr J left out the part that she has to actually use Wing Zero to actually make the software itself. She only has the basic codes but she needs to customize it with the mobile suit first. And all the while, she fears for the pilots. She is torn between finishing the system and completely destroying it. Her father was very much against it. It was originally designed for mentally disabled patients to control their limbs with the use of the system but the other scientists thought other uses for it. She wanted the war to end and knew that these gundam pilots can do it that is why she is helping them out. But is it that really? Did she really wish to help the gundam pilots? Is she not just a pawn by the scientists? Or does she have ulterior motives herself? Like forgiveness for the death of Quatre's father. . .

Until now, she has not forgiven herself of that guilt. And now that she thinks about it, it might be the sole reason why she is helping the gundam pilots. Not to stop the war, not a pawn for the scientists, not even for the fact that she is starting to love them -

Her mind halted. Love? Is she allowed to have that feeling in this war-torn era? She is not supposed to fall in love with them. That will only make things complicated when she confesses her sins to them. She is an enemy. No matter what Dr Reeds tells her that it was not of her own will, the truth of the matter is that she is an enemy to the gundam pilots. She holds way too much secret of the Oz moles and now of the gundam pilots. If someone got a hold of her and orders her to execute the gundam pilots, she can actually do so. She can attack while they are asleep. It was all too simple. . .

Just then, her laptop beeped. There was a call from Dr J himself. Lizzy was surprised because it was usually Dr Reeds or Dr Masbi who will call her.

"Yes Dr?" Lizzy asked.

Dr J wasted no time in exchanging hellos and proceeded with his objective, "I understand that you have finished the beta version of the Zero System and had successfully installed it in Wing Zero. I want it to be tested immediately."

Lizzy was excited and voiced out her thoughts, "Does this mean Heero will return to the base?"

Dr J had a sinister look on his face that caused Lizzy to shiver slightly. "No. You will test the Zero System using Wing Zero. We found a small base nearby your area that threatens the Sanc Kingdom as well. Your mission is to annihilate that base using the Zero System. Heero is currently unavailable so you will take over for him."

Lizzy's mind short-circuited when Dr J started to mention that she will test out he Zero System using Wing Zero.

"Dr, you do understand that Heero will kill me if he sees me flying his gundam right?" Lizzy was actually making excuses at that time.

"That is your own problem. I'll send you the details then you must carry out the mission at exactly 1300 hours today." Then Dr J signed off. Cold as ever. Just like Heero Yuy.

Lizzy was devastated. At that time, she wanted to talk to either Duo or Quatre. They would know how to do this. This is the first time that she will pilot a gundam for a killing mission. She had used mobile suits before and knows the gundam inside and out but to actually pilot and kill people using it. . .

She called Quatre. She has exactly twenty minutes before she departs. However, no matter which number she called, none of the gundam pilots can't be reached. Which left her of no choice but to do what she's told. She devoid her mind of anything concerning the base. It was a mission and she has to obey it. However, her conscience was still too pure, being reminded of the days when she and other Oz moles killed and assassinated people who defy Oz. But a mission is a mission.

"Lizzy!" Howard called. He had a very worried look on his face.

Lizzy then stepped out of the cockpit and looked at Howard below. "Yes Howard?"

Howard glared at her. "So you're really going to do this?" Howard could not believe that the girl has a really calm face about all this. Makes him wonder if she had done it before. Destroying a base that is.

Lizzy paused then answered. "Yes Howard. I have no choice. It was a direct order from Dr. J."

Howard too received a call from Dr J to help out Lizzy should she need anything before her 'mission'. He figured out that since Lizzy looked deadset in completing her mission, she probably had experience before in doing the same thing.

"Very well," Howard said and sighed. "Let me know if you need anything!" Lizzy just bowed her head at that.

Lizzy returned to the cockpit. She doesn't need anything right now. What she needed is not here. For the first time in her life, she desperately wanted all the gundam pilots at her side. She was always strong when she is with them. If only she has a picture of one of them. And then she decided that as soon as she sees them, she will ensure to take a picture of all of them.

It was futile to pray but pray she did. Just like what Duo had taught her. He taught her that it was really worthless to pray that she kill people and complete her mission. He told her to pray that may she accept whatever lies ahead of her. Good or bad. Better or worse. Duo can be really deep when it comes to spiritual things though others see him as a happy go luck type. But it wasn't the time to think about the pilots and the past.

She studied her mission facts and inserted the Zero System disc again in Wing Zero. She wasn't entirely sure that she can withstand the effects of the Zero system especially after she collapsed just the other day. But a mission is a mission. She started typing into the control panel with the password given by Dr J then Wing Zero came to life...

-ooOOoo-

Mostly Duo's POV

In Sanc Kingdom, Duo and Heero were outside playing basketball. It was a good thing that Relena was nowhere in site. Relena, Duo knew, is still pinning for Heero's heart and wanted very much to joke that Heero already has a girlfriend in the persona of Lizzy Simons but thought otherwise. In fact, Duo is confused himself as to why he cares but at the same time hates Lizzy. Having no contact with her for the past two weeks makes him agitated already. He could not understand the fierce protectiveness he feels whenever she thinks she could be in trouble. There had been instances in the past, one when Heero suddenly came up to his prison cell in Oz with Lizzy in tow. He was furious inside at Heero for bringing her to such a dangerous mission. He can understand spying but an extraction mission? Then there was the case when she was pursued by those damn bikers for gang rape. It took a lot of self control for him not to go back and pulverize those goons who tried to touch her.

Then again, he wondered why he hates her at the same time. Especially when she kissed Quatre. Though Quatre did confess it was him who kissed her but Duo fought against it. Then unknowingly, his mind wandered on the possibility of him, Quatre and Lizzy making out. . .

"Ow!" Duo exclaimed and held his head. He cursed loudly for having his hentai dreams cut off rather violently especially when he's on top of Lizzy and Quatre at his back.

"Quit dreaming. We are playing basketball here." Heero said in his monotone voice and glared at him.

Duo ignored Heero's piercing Prussian blue eyes and looked around. He was brought out of his musings by Heero through hitting his head with the ball. The others were looking at him oddly for he was always energetic when it comes to playing and making absolutely sure he wins. He glared at everyone but then stopped at Heero who was coldly staring at him. It seemed to Duo that Heero was treating this basketball game as a mission. Duo smirked to that and showed to them just how Shinigami can be ruthless in winning, completely forgetting for the time being his thoughts and issues with the pilots and Lizzy.

-ooOOoo-

Mostly Heero's POV

The game ended in favor of Heero and Duo's team with a shocking 50-point lead. Heero rested at the railings of the patio that overlooks the ocean while he saw Duo busy chatting with his male and female fans. Not that he was jealous. He is not capable of feeling anything. His mission always comes first. Him surveying the area is a natural instinct in certifying that he and Duo are safe. Author's notes: Yeah right! Excuses, excuses…

Knowing that the area is secured, he allowed himself to think about the past events that could be useful for his mission. He could not understand why Dr J would send them to Sanc Kingdom to act as Relena's bodyguard disguised as students. Relena is perfectly able to handle herself in any situation. She is hard headed as he is though completely a baka at times for trying to solve war through complete pacifism. For the past two weeks, no real threat presented itself both to Relena and to them the gundam pilots. His eyes narrowed though at Noin who used to be an ex-Oz elite officer. She was always supporting Zechs but made a complete turn around by following Relena's footsteps on total pacifism. The only threat he could think of is the base he could see from where he is standing right now.

He turned away his vision from Duo and gazed towards the ocean. His arms rested on the railing. From an outsider point of view, it looked like he's just appreciating the vastness and beauty of the sea.

Just on the horizon, he could see the small Oz base. He and Duo had already checked out that base and could see minimal to no threat at all to Relena. It was actually suspicious that he or Duo didn't receive any order from the scientist to wipe out the base entirely. He was starting to be impatient but knew that he has no choice but to follow Dr J's orders.

"So, are we going there again or what?" Duo's voice cut off Heero's trail of thoughts.

Heero could not understand why he felt contented at that moment with Duo beside him gazing in the sea.

"No such mission," Heero replied though it sounded more like a grunt. He could hear Duo's soft chuckle as they looked out into the ocean.

Then Heero heard Duo sighed. "I could tell that you are thinking about our mission Heero but for once, just once, can you think about the feelings of others or just about us?"

Heero squashed the unfamiliar feeling he felt when Duo mentioned the words 'about us'. Dr J had taught him well not to succumb to any feelings.

Duo, sensing Heero is not answering, continued. "All I'm saying is that you should at least express some concern about what is happening around us lately. The chick back home is trying to tear our group apart during these most critical times and all you can really care about is your laptop and your damn missions!"

"Missions are important Duo, we are in a war. Feelings are for civilians." Heero's voice demands no further explanation and should be accepted as is but Duo was persistent.

"Still, I think you should tell everyone back home what happened between you and her," Duo at that point looked at Heero and added, "how the hell did you guys managed to get me out of that damn Oz base. Trowa told me at some time that when we returned, you mentioned that Lizzy knew the base damn well. Or if I may correct that, too damn well." Duo voiced out the last words using Heero's tone.

Heero became silent. He was not supposed to divulge information which could be either unnecessary or classified. In this case, it was really unnecessary. But at the back of his mind, he knew that it could be valuable information later to note that Lizzy knew the base too well for his own comfort. The route they took which provided minimal resistance but required high security passwords indicates that she used to either live there or been trained at that Oz base. He looked up her picture and name and found no trace even under strict and classified files. Plus at that point, they have not yet found out why those bikers planted a microchip in her belly. They had no chance to do so but knowing Quatre, he would probably make a research.

Duo nudged Heero joking Heero had fallen asleep standing up. Then Duo went closer to Heero's ear and whispered almost like a caress, "But what I really want to find out is how you of all people should know why she is a slut." Then Duo straightened out and said, "She did mention it to you Heero and clearly I saw, or rather we saw how you were rather upset - or should I say disturbed - when you thought she slept with the high ranking officials to gain such classified information."

Silence.

Duo was irritated. It was really worthless for him to even think of having a straight talk with Heero. It was actually more productive to talk with Trowa. "Fuck you," Duo cursed loudly and went away leaving Heero to his world and some of their classmates surprised at hearing Duo cursed to who they think was his bestfriend.

Meanwhile, Heero remembered that day clearly. When Lizzy answered that he should know of all people how it's not possible that she slept with high ranking officials, she was actually referring to that incident in the hotel's bathroom. He was sexually experienced as Dr J also deemed it necessary for his mission, much to his discomfort. He knew by the look on her face that she was innocent and actually confused by the feelings she had when he held her. It was a pure physical attraction not only on her part but on him as well. When he saw her naked, he didn't feel anything except to make sure that they are not found by the enemy. He held her so that she wouldn't take unnecessary actions, kill her if necessary but he felt aroused when she fully submitted herself to him by placing her head on the crook of his shoulder and placed her arms around him. He felt her soft skin against his own because he had just took off his shirt to also take a bath when he heard the noises in the adjourning room. It was normal for a guy like him to feel aroused but he was trained to suppress such feelings when necessary and he succeeded that time to prevent himself from taking her. Her body was soft to his touch right after taking that shower, he must admit. Plus the added fact of fear which mingled with her strawberry scent. He wondered if it was because of him or of the situation. Then when he kissed her . . . He had no choice. His hands were already occupied and needed for immediate action. Kissing her was the only choice to prevent her from emitting any sound. Later he realized that kissing her was dangerous for she was far too innocent and something inside him wanted to violate her. It was too sinful that someone as innocent as her is with him.

He cut himself off such thoughts. It was useless to remember such worthless details. He is a soldier with a mission. He thought of what Duo said and tried to think if Lizzy was tearing the group apart as Duo claims it. It is really pathetic that a girl could ruin their mission. Then again, if she did pose a threat to their mission, then he would simply kill her. Nothing more, nothing less. . . Again, he tried to squash an unfamiliar feeling creeping inside him. He was getting soft, he noticed especially when he started hanging around the braided baka. And being in the same room as that baka can push one's limit to the test.

He pushed himself off the railing and decided to follow where the braided baka went off but noticed that there was a black smoke coming out from the base. It was small from his point of view but knew by the distance that if he was near, it was of catastrophic proportion. His eyes caught something familiar.

Then he went from a brooding school boy mode to a gundam pilot.

The time: 1307 hours.

-ooOOoo-

Wing Zero's cockpit was hot to Lizzy's senses as she started the Zero System she perfected for the past two weeks.

ZERO SYSTEM INITIALIZED

ENCRYPTING FILES. . .

She was approximately 7 minutes away from the base, enough time for Wing Zero to -

Then she heard the familiar buzzing sound.

ZERO SYSTEM COMPLETE

START SEQUENCE

5

4

3

2

1

ZERO SYSTEM INSTALLED

Lizzy couldn't help but put her hands to her ears. It was inevitable. The Zero System will attack any person's brain. She mustn't collapse at this point. She survived last time with the simulation test though she passed out afterwards.

Preventing a shout from escaping her lips, she quickly typed in a series of codes that will show her the most effective way to annihilate the Oz base.

Immediately the Zero system showed her different futures, all were ruthless and gruesome. Mixing in her parents dying as well as the gundam pilots. Adding hurt and truthful events such as the downfall of her fellow Oz moles. She can't help it but scream at the same time as she arrived at the Oz base.

And in one futile effort to keep her sanity, the Zero system corrupted her mind with one effective and ruthless way to destroy the enemy. She closed her eyes by instinct.

Silence.

Then a beeping sound erupted, a clear indication that the enemy has spotted her and sent out mobile suits.

Lizzy's eyes slowly opened. What had been clear green eyes turned to opaque dark green eyes, devoid of any human emotion. Cold as ice. Eyes reflecting the scrolling words of the Zero System. She was in sync with Wing Zero. She moved in one fluid motion, wreaking havoc and destruction in her path with one goal in mind: to destroy the Oz base, drowning the sounds of cries and desperate efforts from the enemies to stop her attack.

-ooOOoo-

The wind was lapping hard at their school uniform as Heero and Duo proceeded to Howard's warehouse. Heero informed Duo in a calm but cold voice that he caught glimpse of a gundam or probably an advance mobile suit in the Oz base.

They then decided to get their gundams to investigate further.

Heero slammed the break hard creating dust along the way. He and Duo pounded the steel stairs leading downstairs to the secret location of the gundams. Upon entering, Duo swore while Heero glared hard at Howard who closed his mouth, preventing any explanation he has prepared when Lizzy left him.

It was clear to all present that Heero's gundam is missing. As Duo and Howard talked, Heero wasted no time in climbing Deathscythe. It was too late when Duo realized Heero took his gundam. The only thing that could be heard was Duo's swearing echoing in the now empty hangar.

-ooOOoo-

Heero was able to master the Deathscythe in no time especially since he had 'borrowed' parts from it before for his Wing Zero. Heero's eyes narrowed as he put two and two together. It didn't took him long enough to realize that it was Lizzy piloting his Wing Zero. The one thing he hated the most. Nobody takes his gundam without his permission. No one. He would rather self-detonate than have anyone mess with it. Only he and Dr J have access to Wing Zero which solidified his theory that Dr J has something to do with this. Lizzy is not the type of person to take off at her own accord.

Deathscythe's vid came up and shows Duo's face laced with suppressed anger. His clear violet eyes turned dark.

"Yuy, what you did is unacceptable and -"

"- You are too slow Maxwell. And besides, the only pilot who can beat Wing Zero is me." Heero glared back daring him to retort.

Just then, Howard's face came up from behind Duo and explained to Heero what happened concerning the Zero system. Heero just nodded. His face on mission mode. His theory was right. He made a grave miscalculation in estimating the girl. He thought she was just an ordinary gundam mechanic like Howard and a spy. What he didn't count on was that Dr J is also planning to use her as a gundam pilot.

"ETA in 1 minute," Heero announced. Both Duo and Howard saw Heero's forehead twitched.

"What's wrong?" Duo instantly asked.

But then they clearly saw the extent of the damage of the Oz base. It was completely obliterated. The smoke was caused by the explosion of the fuel tank and fire spread all over. Pieces of mobile suits scattered as if torn piece by piece. They didn't realize that a gundam can create such havoc in such short time. It was simply inhuman. . .

"What the hell - " Duo murmured.

Hell.

It was the perfect word to describe the Oz base. Fire everywhere, not a single human being alive. No traces of escape routes. All 140 officers and cadets instantly killed. Who knows if civilians were in that place. One thing is for sure, those who were present on that day are dead.

Heero opened the communication system and Lizzy's face showed up. Duo swore violently upon seeing Lizzy's emotionless face so similar like Heero's.

Lizzy looked up to the vid and saw Heero's face. Her eyes and face were devoid of any signs of familiarity.

She said in a cold voice that seemed to echo through the barren Oz base, "Enemy sighted, going in for the kill".

TBC