Best Laid Plans
"What is the meaning of this?" Lady Une demanded as Senator Lodge entered into her office unannounced.
"I'm here to tell you that you are being called before the Council next month on charges of misconduct," The Senator declared.
Une remained in her seat, refusing to show any outward fear but on the inside she was worried. Her gut felt like it was tied in a million different knots and she could feel her stomach roll. It was sheer determination that kept her from making a mad dash to the bathroom to let her breakfast up.
"Really?" Une raised a brow. "That's not surprising considering who is on the Council. Whatever you may think Senator the Preventers aren't omnipotent."
"This threat should have been seen sooner Commander," Senator Lodge sneered out her title. "It's was a gross inadequacy on your part that allowed this incident to occur in the first place."
Une did not know what to say but fortunately she did not have to say anything. At that moment Chang Wufei and Zechs Merquise came into the office, right on time for their scheduled meeting with their Commander. Zechs totally ignored the Senator's presence and Wufei observed the man as though he were some sort of lesser life form. Une struggled not to make a comment that would likely not endear her to anyone other than her own agents.
"What are you doing in here?" The Senator demanded of the two agents. "Can't you see we're in a meeting?"
"We have an appointment," Wufei cut in smoothly before anyone could comment. "You don't have one."
"Boy, do you know who you're talking to?" The Senator frowned.
"I know who you are," Wufei said. "But I am the last surviving member of the Dragon Clan of L5, which also guarantees me the same status you have but I am also a Gundam Pilot. And we have a meeting with the Commander."
The Senator looked unsure for a brief moment before a smile spread across his face, "Very well, I will observe."
He moved off to the side and seated himself on the tiny loveseat. Wufei snorted and took a chair beside Une's desk. Zechs remained standing, leaning his tall frame against the wall closest to the doorway.
The mood in the office was tense. Before Zechs moved to close the door Une could see Anders looking at her apologetically. She gave him a nod and then the door was shut. She turned her attention back to her two agents and tried to ignore the Senator which was a hard thing to do, but possible.
"Lady," Zechs said. "Let's get my sister on the phone. She needs to hear some of this information as well."
Une nodded and punched a button. The Vice-Foreign Minister picked up the connection herself and smiled when she saw Lady Une. Her face was also projected on the wall screen behind Une's desk so that the rest of the room's occupants could see her as well.
"Hello Lady," Relena greeted the head of the Preventers. "How are you this morning?"
"Well enough," Une stated in clipped tones. "I've been called before the Council on charges of misconduct. And yourself Vice-Foreign Minister?"
"Much better today," Relena said, the smile falling off her face. "Who delivered the charges, no never mind, I can see Senator Lodge now. Good day Senator. Zechs, Wufei, how are both of you?"
"Quite well Relena," Wufei bowed his head.
"My health is well sister," Zechs smiled briefly.
Une was pleased to hear that word out of Zechs' mouth. Oftentimes he would not even refer to Relena as his sister, afraid that his past deeds might somehow taint her. But he was slowly coming around.
"Senator Lodge," Relena addressed the man. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave this meeting. Vital information is shared here and you are not on the approved list."
"But I'm here to observe Commander Une's actions," The Senator weakly protested.
"Commander Une is one of the best military minds in the past century," Relena said. "Her actions have always been undertaken with the utmost consideration to preserve the highest quality of life for as many as possible. I insist that you leave."
There was little the Senator could do to protest Relena's words. He stood, straightened his jacket and left the room, slamming the door childishly behind him.
"So the opposition grows thicker," Relena shook her head. "My position is still secure but I don't know for how much longer."
"That's what I need to tell you," Zechs stared at his little sister. "I've learned that there are some who wish you out of power. A few of my sources believe that was the motivation behind Dorothy Catalonia's arrest and also why some in power are trying to force Lady Une out of the Preventers. They think it's possible that you and Quatre will be next."
"I'll do my best to fight this," Une drew in a breath. "Or to drag it out as long as possible."
Relena nodded. Une could see that her make-up had been expertly applied once again but not quite good enough. Relena seemed thinner, a small imitation of the vibrant leader she had once been. Une wondered if she had done the right thing, if perhaps she should have tried harder to get Dorothy released from prison before the opposition against her began, then perhaps everything would be different.
"Does anyone have any ideas?" Une asked feeling her own exhaustion creep in.
"I think perhaps I might talk with Quatre and also visit Dorothy again," Wufei was frowning while he thought. "They are the best at coming up with strategies that I know of and Dorothy has a sharp wit. Perhaps if we somehow got the two of them together they might be able to come up with something."
"Zechs?" Une brushed some of her loose brown hair out of her face.
"I'll see if I can perhaps learn of anything else Lady," Zechs' ice blue eyes were troubled, never a good sign in Une's opinion. "And if I can do anything else let me know."
"I think it might be best if you were made co-guardian of Mariemeia," Une stated. "If I am imprisoned they'll make her a ward of the government if Trowa does not step in. I know that you will safeguard her from the politicians. Please Zechs, don't let that happen to her. She deserves something better than that."
"Zechs," Relena spoke causing him to look up at her. "I think that it would be for the best, just in case Lady Une is no longer allowed to look after her. Please consider it."
Zechs looked over at Wufei who nodded and returned his steady gaze. When he turned back to Une she knew that he would agree to becoming Mariemeia's second guardians. She felt a wave of relief wash over her. Mariemeia deserved to have someone watch over her who had known Treize.
"What forms do I fill out?" Zechs gave a slight smile.
"See Sally for that," Une told him. "She'll need to give you a few mental exams and another physical before she lets you fill out the papers but I don't foresee any problems. Relena, do you think you could make sure they are approved?"
That was Une's greatest fear at the moment was that no one would be there for Mariemeia, or Marie as she had come to call the girl. Marie was currently at Une's house on base and she would attend the school set up for children of married couples in the Preventers, of which there were quite a few.
"I'll see to it myself," Relena offered with a happy smile.
"It's settled then," Une declared.
"Good," Relena said, cutting the connection before anyone could add anything more.
"I have the afternoon off," Zechs commented. "I'll see Sally then if she's not too busy."
Une nodded, pleased that Zechs was willing to go along with it.
"I'm still monitoring for Yuy and Duo," Wufei changed the topic. "There has been no sign of Duo anywhere. Yuy was last spotted in America but he has since disappeared."
"Divert your attentions to looking into Senator Lodge's background," Une told Wufei. "I want to know everything about him. And I mean everything and anything you can get Wufei. I also want you to meet with Dorothy and Quatre this week. Zechs, check with your contacts to see if you can get anything more concrete, see Sally and help Wufei dig around on Senator Lodge."
"How far do you want us to go with this?" Wufei asked.
Une knew precisely what that question meant. She considered telling them to avoid illegal means of gaining information before thinking the better of it. Wufei was a fairly competent hacker and she knew that he would take precautions not to get caught.
"Any of the more questionable means you use just be careful when employing their use," Une stated.
"Very well," Wufei bowed his head to mask his grin.
"No worries there Lady," Zechs said edging toward the door.
"I can see that Zechs," Une smiled for the first time that day. "Both of you get out of here, I'll deal with the irate Senator."
The two agents nodded and slipped out the door. Une barely bit back her sigh as the Senator entered her office.
'Treize, I don't know how much longer I can do this,' Une thought wearily, keeping her emotions from her face.
You're strong Lady. You always managed to surprise me with your strength. Don't let me down now.
'Never Treize-sama,' Une echoed in her mind. 'I'll never let you down.'