My People, My Slaves
The good guys dress in black remember that
Just in case we ever face to face and make contact
The title held by me MIB
Cause what you think you saw you did not see
Will Smith "Men In Black"
The young man smiled at the cute girl with bright red hair. She strode up to him and slipped a hand into the crook of his arm. The young man noticed that the other men around the shuttle port were looking at him with envy, he smiled even wider.
"So babe, did you get them?" He asked looking down at the petite girl.
The girl gave him a glare and he laughed.
"Always so tough Tahil," He shook his head. "You did get the tickets though right?"
"Of course," She said drawing them out of her pocket. "Are you really going to take me to Earth?"
"I told I would," The young man grinned at her. "Hilde isn't on this flight is she?"
"Nope," Tahil brushed some of her bright red hair out of her face. "She's leaving on a later flight. I told you not to worry about the details for the shuttle flights."
"It's not that I don't trust you," He reassured the girl. "I just have to be very careful."
Tahil merely nodded. She could understand that. She had grown up on the streets just as her companion had. She looked over at him and gave him a gentle smile of encouragement.
"It'll be a big surprise," Shinigami chuckled. "I'm taking you to see the Desert Prince and the Clown. You'll enjoy yourself. The Desert Prince is very charming."
Tahil could only nod. She had heard about each of those two from Shinigami but she did not really know who they were, he never gave her their real names. She only knew that they had fought in the war with him as his allies.
Shinigami reached down and hefted up three bags into his arms. He smiled indulgently at Tahil knowing that two of the bags were hers. They stood waiting for a few more moments until their boarding for their shuttle was called. She had made sure to get the seats reserved for the first class section. The shuttle was not very full and no one else was in the first class section. Shinigami looked over at her and just shook his head as he stowed their bags away on the empty seats across the aisle from them.
"What?" Tahil asked knowing that something was troubling him.
"Why first class?" Shinigami came back with a question.
"You've got a position of power now," Tahil crossed her arms over her chest. "Even if you don't act like it, it's time you started. You may not be in the spot light but that doesn't mean you're any less real and it doesn't detract from your power. You need to act the part when you're not slipping off to kill people or lounging around the Shadows."
Shinigami sighed and plopped down into the seat beside her. Tahil looked at him carefully thinking that perhaps she had gone too far this time. But it had needed to be said, he had a position and he needed to fill it.
"You're right," He leaned forward in his seat, putting his chin in his hands. "But this isn't me." He gestured to the empty first class cabin.
"It is just that you're too stubborn to see it," Tahil frowned. "You're not merely some street kid, you're our boss. Start acting like it."
Shinigami sat up. He looked over at her, staring at her but not really seeing her and then he gave a crooked little smile.
"You're one of my people aren't you Tahil?" Shinigami asked.
"Of course," She said.
"But you're not my slave right?" Shinigami looked at her expecting an answer.
"No I'm not," She was confused.
"Well I'm not yours either," He said leaning the chair back a bit. "My game, my rules. Remember that. But you're right; I need a different veneer to show everyone. And you're part of it."
"What?" Tahil sat up ramrod straight in her seat.
"You're my traveling secretary," Shinigami calmly informed her with his eyes shut. "Where I go, you go. After all, who would expect me to have only a young woman travel with me? You're perfect for the job and you're hired right here, right now. Congratulations."
"I don't want it," Tahil poked him hard in the ribs.
"Too bad," Shinigami caught her wrist before she could jab him again. "You're the only one who can criticize me so bluntly and not be afraid or try to cushion it. I need that."
She said nothing knowing that he was right. Tahil sighed knowing that she had gotten herself into this mess. Sometimes she painted herself into these corners without ever realizing until Shinigami caught her and extracted some new promise from her.
The shuttle landed near New Capitol in northern Italy. Tahil looked around herself as the debarked at the shuttle port. Shinigami came up right behind her with the bags in hand.
"Come on," He said walking over to a man she did not recognize.
Shinigami walked up and foisted the three bags off on another man. He motioned for Tahil to come up and he put a gentle arm around her shoulders.
"Lt. Danzig this is Tahil," Shinigami made the introductions. "Tahil this is Lt. Danzig. He runs my Earth-side operations for the most part."
Tahil nodded politely in greeting which Lt. Danzig returned. She looked around at all the trees and potted plants through the glass. The feel of gravity was different as well, a bit stronger and more steady. It was nice. She was relieved that Shinigami escorted her out to the waiting car.
The car took them to a modest four bedroom villa on the outskirts of New Capitol. Tahil loved the small garden in the back but paid it little mind because there were more pressing matters to worry about. She stayed close to Shinigami's side. On this trip she was his secretary and aide, a job she took seriously. Troy had made her promise that she would look after things as best she could.
Shinigami and Tahil spent the night in the villa with three of Lt. Danzig's men to act as guards. Security was tight but it always was when Shinigami slept outside of one of the bases. Lt. Danzig like Shinigami trusted very few people and was suspicious and ready for any attack.
The morning was sunny but with a slight overcast that seemed to please Shinigami. When Tahil asked him what his good mood was all about he brushed her off, eating silently looking out the window up at the sky.
"And now we meet with the Desert Prince to give him a bit of fortitude," Shinigami smirked. "After all, he'll be meeting with Catalonia and that won't be easy for either of them."
Tahil merely nodded. She knew who the Catalonia woman was; almost the entire population of the Earth and Colonies knew who she was and what she had done. Most of the Colonies sided with Shinigami over the injustice of her imprisonment and trail. They were willing to forgive her role as Mistress of the Mobile Dolls because of her help in protecting the former Queen of the World and also for her rallying of the people during Dekim's uprising. Tahil was curious about who the Desert Prince was. Shinigami spoke often of him and usually in a sort of fond and reminiscent way but she still could not figure out who he was.
The two of them stepped into the back of the car and it headed away from the villa.
"Now Tahil," Shinigami said as they drove through the streets. "The identities of the Desert Prince and the Clown are very important. I'm giving you a lot of trust here. You cannot call them anything other than their code names and you are not to tell anyone what their real identities are."
Tahil nodded silently. She could see that Shinigami was serious about this and she was not going to disappoint him.
The car drove through New Capitol and Tahil looked out the windows, seeing all the buildings that she had only ever seen on the vid-screen. Shinigami watched her with an indulgent smile. She blushed, feeling rather out of place Earth-side.
Shinigami signaled the car to pull over several blocks before their destination. He zipped up his black hoodie and tucked his braid down the back and drew the hood up over his head. Tahil could only make out his mouth and part of his nose, when he smirked at her she felt a shiver course through her body. Shinigami held out a hand for her as he sprang out of the car and she took it as she slid out after him. He shut the door and the car quickly pulled away from the curb leaving them alone.
Shinigami motioned for her to stay close and she nodded her understanding. He led her down the street until they were before a tastefully built mansion. He deftly climbed up a tree and swung himself a good fifteen feet up onto the retaining wall that was around the perimeter of the mansion. He lay down on the wall, his body blocked by the ivy to anyone who might be in the yard and held down an arm for Tahil. The girl looked up and down the street before she took a running leap and caught onto Shinigami's hand with her own. She hung two feet off the ground and she could feel Shinigami strain slightly as he held her in place and when she thought that he would have to let her drop he began to lift her up to the wall.
She managed to find a decent hand hold and hoisted herself up and onto the wall beside him.
"Just follow me lead and stay close and alert," He instructed softly.
Tahil nodded, excitement coursing through her veins. She gave no thought of whose home they were breaking into.
Shinigami led her through the gardens using the plants as cover and up to a low window. He pulled out an electronic device Tahil had never seen and shielded as much of it from her as he could while he tinkered with it. With a smile he popped open the window and climbed into the room, turning around to help Tahil inside.
The furnishings were rich and tasteful. They had a warm feel to them and Tahil felt immediately at home in the surroundings.
"Be on your guard here," Shinigami smiled at her as if he knew what she was thinking. "The Desert Prince might be kind but he has the heart of a warrior beneath all that polite gentleness he shows. He's going to be disappointed I managed to thwart his security again."
Tahil merely shook her head. She really had no idea what to expect but she followed Shinigami as he strode from the room like he owned the place. He had a tendency to do things like that. She noted that he stuck to the shadows as she followed after him. He slipped into another room, this one smaller and more disorganized. A large leather chair was turned around facing away from the door they had just entered into and there was another man with his back to them.
"Hello Shinigami," The tall man turned around and Tahil could tell that he was not much older than Shinigami.
"Trowa," Shinigami pulled back his hood and shutting and locking the door behind him. "Good to see you looking so well. Q-man you can come out from behind your papers."
Tahil gasped in shock as the chair swiveled around and she saw who sat in it. The blond Arabian regarded her with an amused expression before focusing solely on Shinigami and she felt like she was not even in the room for all the regard he gave her. But she said nothing.
"I pushed you into this," Quatre Raberba Winner said to Shinigami. "I forced you into becoming this. Is it really worth it any longer?"
Shinigami frowned at the heir of WEI, "Of course it is Quatre. Even if you don't want the information any longer that's fine. I'll do it on my own. But now you owe me Quatre. You owe me."
Trowa looked calmly upon the situation. Tahil was nervous, she shifted from foot to foot unsure if she should step outside. Finally Trowa looked over at her.
"Why don't you wait outside for a bit," Trowa suggested. "We'll let you back in once its safe."
Tahil nodded mutely and gratefully slipped out the door, shutting it behind her. Shinigami did not even notice her leave.
"You owe me Winner," Shinigami smiled thinly. "We're in this for good."
"He has a point Quatre," Trowa said softly. "Some of the things Shinigami has done were necessary. Without him things would have fallen apart."
Quatre remained silent, frowning that two of his closest friends were taking sides against him. He sagged down in his chair feeling bereft of support and Shinigami felt guilty for pushing the blond Arabian but he had no other choice. It was Quatre who was the strategist, Quatre who was the one with connections to the big players in politics. Relena could not be expected to soil her hands but Quatre's hands were already dirty.
"Now you listen carefully Quatre," Shinigami stepped forward pulling off the hoodie. "Relena's position is weak. I know, it doesn't look like it but it is. Dodd and some others are trying to get her removed albeit they're being quiet about it. Dorothy is just a stepping stone, there are bigger problems at work here and not even I can ferret them all out."
Quatre nodded, "There's more, something you're keeping back."
"It has to do with Colony L5-A00132," Shinigami hung his head. "It's being built by a private benefactor. The three people that I managed to get on the construction crew for the Colony all met with accidental deaths. No one from L2 is being accepted for the project. We can't find out anything on who is behind the funding of the Colony either. It's troubling but it has to take a back seat to Dorothy and Relena for now. That's the bigger problem. We need Relena where she is. And if they get rid of Dorothy they'll get Relena."
Quatre cursed in Arabic. Trowa stood stoically taking in the information. Shinigami stood there waiting patiently.
"Then we fight even harder for Dorothy," Quatre sat up straight.
Trowa moved to the door and brought Tahil back inside.
"This is my gift to you," Shinigami motioned to Tahil. "Tahil here is one of my personal aides. While I'm Earth-side I'd like her to stay around here in the background. It'll be the safest way to pass along messages."
"What will you be doing?" Quatre asked while Tahil remained silent.
"Trying to get to Dodd," Shinigami smiled evilly and Tahil backed away from him, for once afraid of him.
The other two former Gundam Pilots were impassive to the expression.
"Good luck," Trowa nodded.
"Thanks man," Shinigami grinned and the terrible expression was gone. "Is that arrangement ok with you Tahil?"
"If you need me here I'll stay here," Tahil nodded.
"Good," Shinigami looked over at Trowa and Quatre. "Keep your comm.-link with you at all times. Troy, Lt. Danzig or I will be calling you from time to time. If anyone else calls you say nothing and toss the comm after you destroy it. And if that happens make your way back to L2 to Troy."
Tahil nodded accepting her future instructions.
"Other than that listen to Quatre and Trowa until you receive instructions from me that differ," Shinigami concluded.
"Yes boss-man," She gave a tiny smile.
"You can go upstairs and take the bedroom that's the third door on your left," Quatre said with a polite smile. "I'm sure you're tired after your journey."
"I see what you mean," Tahil gave Shinigami a wink as she took the hint and left.
Quatre looked to Shinigami who merely shrugged and grinned.
"Well I better get going then," Shinigami said. "Tell Hilde to have fun. And also Quatre when you go and see Dorothy pass along her answer to me through Tahil and tell her I said hi and give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek."
Trowa snorted, "A kiss?"
"She needs it," Shinigami crossed his arms over his chest defensively. "Now can I go?"
Quatre nodded and the black hoodie came back on. Shinigami left back exactly the same way he had come without looking over his shoulder. His two former companions sat still for a long time after his visit thinking but he had more important things to dwell on other than their reactions.
Shinigami walked out away from the mansions and spotted the car waiting for him near a neatly manicured park. He climbed into the back seat and the car pulled away from the curb.
"So?" Lt. Danzig asked.
"Things are going to work out," Shinigami said. "We just need to work on Dodd. Do we have anyone close to Relena yet?"
"A few maids," Lt. Danzig reported. "We're attempting to feel out her secretary Aimee. We think she might be receptive to our cause but its slow going."
"It always is with those types," Shinigami leaned back, getting comfortable. "Where is Dodd now?"
"He's in Russia in St. Petersburg," Lt. Danzig answered promptly. "We've arranged for a car transport to take you there as soon as you wish."
Shinigami ignored Lt. Danzig in favor of staring out the window. There was much to consider in a short amount of time. He knew that Lt. Danzig was having a hard time despite whatever the man might say otherwise. The operations on Earth were spreading and he was considering if he should put someone else in a position of power to share the responsibilities. His choices were severely limited though.
"Thank you for speaking to Dorothy for me," Shinigami spoke at last. "I'll go to St. Petersburg now I think. I can sleep on the way. Let's just get this over with."
Lt. Danzig nodded in agreement. He knew better than to question Shinigami, he was the boss for a reason and Lt. Danzig never forgot that for a single moment. Shinigami was dropped off in a private parking garage where a limousine and a one car escort were waiting.
He climbed into the back of the limousine wishing Lt. Danzig good luck in his current assignments.
Shinigami sat back as the limousine began its journey. The guide vehicle stayed to the front at all times, leading the way. He was not used to traveling in such an open display of power and wealth. To him it screamed that he was a target and yet no one on the street corners seemed to look twice. He fit in with all the other big shots traveling around New Capitol and outside of it to their country estates.
"Driver," Shinigami said through the speaker. "Will we be changing modes of transportation? I'd prefer not to let Dodd know I'm coming."
"Of course," The driver answered back. "We are meeting up with a van in Prague. From there you will continue on to St. Petersburg. We are merely to get you out of New Capitol and away from the prying eyes of the Preventers without them suspecting anything."
"And this will certainly do the trick," Shinigami murmured to himself as he stroked the leather seat with a fingertip.
He felt slightly sickened with himself for riding in such opulence and for becoming used to it so quickly. He could not allow himself to be weakened by a luxurious life, or even the appearance of one. He sat back and thought hard. Would riding around in a limousine really change him that much, or would living in a mansion in the Shadows make him any less than what he was? He pondered those questions and finally came to the conclusion that he would always be from the streets even if he lived in a house with a white picket fence because he had those memories and lessons that he would always remember.
Shinigami slept soundly in the back of the limousine, only waking when the cars stopped for gas. The arrived in Prague and he slipped out of the back of the limousine. He walked around, stretching his legs as they waited for the van to arrive. It was only five minutes late but Shinigami was glad for the distraction, it gave him time to clear his head.
The van only had windows up front, something that he was glad for.
The drive up to St. Petersburg took several days and several bribed customs officials. Shinigami never saw one customs face which was rather amazing considering how many small countries they were passing through. It had probably taken a lot of favors to get this all set up with the customs officials. He knew that he owed Lt. Danzig something for this even if his good Lt. would never say so.
Shinigami did not even get to look around St. Petersburg and when the van stopped they were outside it in the country at Dodd's estate. The driver stopped the van and the passenger got out and opened up the back. Shinigami jumped down lithely into the grass and dirt. He took the briefcase from the passenger and gave him a wink.
"You boys did real well," He told them. "Do you know if my delivery will be on time?"
"It will be," The driver promised. "My cousin is making it. He said that he'll be out here at the time that was arranged."
"Good," Shinigami nodded. "That's it then, you're free to go."
He watched the van drive off and then turned his focus to the large sprawling house up the long drive. It was certainly not a mansion but a nice place to vacation to. Calmly Shinigami pulled his leather jacket on over his braid and pulled his black riding cap down low as he walked up the long dirt drive to the house.
He knocked on the door and it was opened by an elderly woman.
"Hello?" The woman spoke haltingly in English. "Can I help?"
"Yes, I'd like to speak with Mr. Dodd," Shinigami gave a polite smile to the old woman and she gave a little nervous giggle.
"He know you come?" The woman asked.
"Yes he knows," Shinigami lied easily.
The woman beamed at him and opened the door wider for him to enter. He walked into the house; it was crammed with art and expensive decorations that tried to overwhelm the people who entered through the door. It really was such a waste of money and design.
The old woman led him toward the back of the house. She pointed to a door and then waddled back to wherever she had come from. Shinigami slipped on his black leather gloves and opened the door.
Senator Dodd looked up and frowned when he saw the stranger standing before him.
"Who are you and what are you doing in my house?" The Senator demanded.
"I don't believe you're in any position to be questioning me," Shinigami chuckled humorlessly. "After all, you're the one who has some illegal dealings and is trying to cover it up; I make no pretense about who I am."
Senator Dodd stared at the smirking lips trying to figure out who the intruder in his home was.
"I wouldn't press that button," Shinigami pulled out a gun, aiming and cocking it. "And your security feeds aren't picking up anything at the moment, I took care of that." He held up a small black device which he tucked back into his pocket. "Now, we're going to have a little chat between to people of power."
"You're a terrorist aren't you?" Dodd said trying to think of a way to outsmart the young man before him.
"No I'm not," Shinigami shook his head. "You really should stop trying to figure out if you can bribe me or perhaps offer me some government favor to let you live. For the moment your life isn't in danger and you have nothing I want."
"What are you here for then?" Dodd said feeling the seeds of a negotiation being planted.
"I am here to deliver you a message from myself," Shinigami said leaning against the doorway. "I want to know why you're trying to bring down Relena Peacecraft and what you possibly hope to gain from it."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Senator Dodd breathed.
"You do," Shinigami stepped away from the door. "I know that you want Catalonia out of the way so you can bring Relena down. The only problem is that I won't let you."
"You have no right to threaten me," Dodd did not even pale and Shinigami knew he was up against someone much tougher than Rochambeau.
"Oh but I have every right," Shinigami gave a slight laugh. "Think about a few things Dodd. I know how to find you and when I come for you I'll make sure you tell me every sordid detail. Aside from that you can try to run and hide, you can try to act like I don't exist but I'm not merely some boogie man who only hides under the bed. When I come for you again it will be to kill you."
"Who do you work for?" Dodd demanded.
"Myself," Shinigami answered.
"You don't have enough power then," Dodd sneered at the young man. "You don't have the connections to get rid of someone like me."
"No I do," He answered calmly. "You see the Underworld hides many things, your death can be one of them. I don't care if you ever repent Dodd, because I am Shinigami."
Dodd sat up straighter in his chair and Shinigami merely smirked at him.
"Now I'm going to let myself out," Shinigami said. "But I'll be coming back for another visit, possibly the last one you'll ever have, unless you feel like talking with me before that time comes Dodd. You should be able to find me what with your connections."
Shinigami flung open the door and rushed from the house. He ran down the dirt drive as quickly as he could. While he ran he re-set the security feed. He laughed wildly as he vaulted the gate and saw the fast little car waiting for him, its engine purring.
He climbed into the passenger seat and looked over at the driver.
"Hey man I really appreciate you getting out here with the car," Shinigami smiled. "You did well at your last race last month. Coming in second isn't bad at all."
"I'll come in first next time," The driver said gunning the engine and roaring off. "I never knew that you followed races. I didn't think cars were much your thing."
"They are when I've got the time," Shinigami sat back as the driver brought the car up to speed at one hundred ten miles per hour. "For now I think I'm going to lay back and relax."
The race car driver merely nodded as he concentrated on the road. He drove all the way back to Prague where Shinigami once again met up with the limousine. He pulled out his private comm. and called Tahil.
"Hey babe," He teased her. "How're things with Quatre?"
"Well," Tahil said.
"I visited Dodd," Shinigami told her. "I gave him an ultimatum. Either he contacts me or the next time I come to see him he won't survive the visit."
"Should I inform the Desert Prince?" Tahil asked.
"Yes," Shinigami said. "I'll be hanging around New Capitol for a week. You can either stay here, be my liaison when I return to L2 or you can come back with me."
"I'll return with you," Tahil answered quickly. "It's not that I don't like it, it's just so unfamiliar. But I will return when you make your other Earth trips."
"That's what I was counting on," Shinigami said happily. "I'll see you later then."
He disconnected the call and managed to get inside the house on the outskirts of New Capitol and into a bed before he collapsed. In the morning he woke up to Lt. Danzig bringing in a cup of coffee. He smiled his thanks and began sipping at the hot brew slowly as he read over the files his good Lt. had brought to him.