Episode 10: WAR!

Melanie came awake slowly. Due to her assassin training she managed to get out of Duo's grasp. Her body hurt, and she heard her brother kicking in the other room. Snarling softly to herself she got up and headed next door determined to make him do her bidding. Going towards the next room she let her brother out after shutting the door so Duo wouldn't be disturbed. Hauling the moron out of the closet she threw him on the ground. She left him bound but took out the gag. He coughed and sputtered as he tried to get rid of the foul taste in his mouth.
"Now you listen here Theron. I'm going to get you into this school."
"Why?"
"Our orders are now to protect the Peacecrafts."
"Bull crap!"
She turned on the light. He winced at the bright lights. The shuffling of paper made him squint to try and adjust to the bright light. He noticed in her hand was a signed contract of agreement with Mr. Peacecraft.
"This document is officia; therefore, when we go on our assigned missions you will go with one of the pilots as a body guard."
"I'm an assassin not a body guard."
"Well tough luck! You're a body guard now."
"I still will get rid of Duo if it is the last thing I do!" he snarled.
"Then you'll sign you're own death warrant."
She got up and cut his bonds. Hauling him to his feet the two moved swiftly down the hallway towards Mr. Peacecraft's office. As she predicted the man was up this early working diligently before breakfast. He wasn't startled by the knock on his door.
"Come in."
He however was shocked by who was thrown into a chair in front of him. Looking up Melanie was standing there with a irritated look on her face. The girl still looked pale and weak still but some color was creeping back into her face. He was greatful for that small saving grace Melanie needed to be on top of her game.
"So I assume this is Theron."
"Yes, I need him enrolled and briefed on his orders. I want his room as far away from Duo as possible."
"Melanie the only room I have to spare is right next to Duo's."
"Then I'll take that one, leaving Theron next door to Skye."
"We'll kill each other," Theron whined.
"Then so be it," Melanie snarled. "You've had this coming for a long time."
Mr. Peacecraft wisely stayed quiet as the two siblings squabbled. It was amusing thus far after about ten minutes of it he was getting irritated.
"That's enough!" Mr. Peacecraft snapped.
Both children glared at the other. "Now, I will brief him on his newest assignment. Now Melanie you and Relena are paired good enough?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good then you may leave."
"Yes, sir."
Melanie left the room. The pairs would be announced at the next briefing. The only reason he told her now was because she'd have to stay and watch from the side lines in Europe. Moving back towards her room she found Duo was still asleep. Sitting down beside him she nuzzled his neck. He moaned softly in his sleep.
"Melanie?" he asked tiredly.
He noticed how tired and sad she looked. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," she whispered softly into his ear. "I was just confirming the briefing tonight."
"Are we teaming up?" he asked lighting up to a blinding level.
The smile vanished as he saw the sad look in her eyes. She shook her head.
"Sorry they are making me stay with Relena."
Duo leaned up and nipped at her neck. Melanie shivered slightly at his touch. Her hands snaked up his shirt.
"Then lets make this morning one to remember," he whispered seductively in her ear.
"Duo, I..."
All words were swept away by his loving touch. They were lost together in the love they shared. Hours later they skipped class to sleep together until it was time to awaken for the briefing. Before the scheduled time they took a shower together. They separated so Duo could take his seat amoungst his fellow pilots. Relena and Melanie stood in the deepest shadows to listen. Skye and Theron leaned against the wall listening intently.
"All right you all as you know OZ is about ready to declare war against The Earth Sphere. I have called you all here to brief you on your partners and countries that will accept you into their borders. Pagan hand out the folders to the pilots."
"Yes, sir."
The older man handed the five files out. Each pilot had time to look over it. Skye and Theron were handed each a file as well. Looking over them briefly they only nodded.
"Now all of you are wondering why it is we have strangers amoung us this time. Skye, Theron and Sakura come here please."
The three in question came forward. The girls stood side by side whereas Theron stood behind them.
"This is Sakura. She's going to be the mechanic that's going to be traveling with Heero to Japan."
Relena suppressed a groan of disappointment. Melanie hushed her. Heero didn't look to happy about the decision to have a partner either. He'd rather do it alone than have to drag a dim witted girl around.
"Mission accepted," he growled.
"Skye you'll be traveling with Duo to America."
Duo would of died if he could have. After what he and Melanie did he was sure Skye wouldn't leave him alone about it.
"How long are these missions going to last?" Duo asked.
"The first run will be about two months then you'll be recalled to assess the situations and then sent back out with a different partner."
"Great," Duo groaned.
Melanie smirked inwardly at her lover's anguish. Relena's going to be the same way with her. Her face remained a stoic mask as she watched the proceedings. Melanie knew her sister would take good care of Duo or face her wrath.
"Quatre you and Trowa will be sent to Saudi Arabia to join up with the Maganac Corps, and they'll be expecting you."
"Yes, sir."
Trowa only nodded in agreement with the idea.
"All right Wufei you and Theron will be traveling to China for your mission."
Wufei muttered something about Injustice but otherwise agreed to the mission. Theron didn't like it anymore than the Chinese gundam pilot did.
"And last but not least Melanie and Relena will be based here in the Sanq kingdom."
Everyone but Sakura, Quatre and Duo blinked a few times. Melanie tried to bite back a laugh at the shocked looks of the others. Princess Relena Peacecraft is the pilot of Day Star. If they could of died they would have. Some looked as if they knew it was coming.
"Now that everything is settled go and pack and be ready to head out tomorrow."
Everyone nodded mutely and headed towards their rooms to do what they were told. The mansion was strangely quiet despite the shuffling of feet. Once the packing was done Duo went to Melanie's room to see his girlfriend standing on the newly fixed balcony the bad memories were washed away quickly as he took in the sight of his girlfriend. He watched her lean against the railing and stare up at the stars above. The moon bathed her in its pale light. He could almost imagin that she was a character from a vampire novel. A perfectly pale and equally beautiful creature. A small smile graced his features as he stood there. Shaking it off he softly knocked on the door.
"Melanie?"
"Come in Duo."
He came in slowly and shut the door. She still stood on the balcony. A red rose was twirling between his fingers behind his back. She turned to look at him. The moon light washed out her color almost making her look like death. Her eyes were haunted reaffirming the vampire thoughts. The haunted look reminded him of someone that held some great sorrow alone, which was probably the truth of the matter.
"Melanie are you all right?" he asked quietly.
"I'm all right it will just be hell without you here."
"Don't worry so much Melanie I'll come back."
A slow smile spread across her face. Carefully he presented her with the blood red rose. Gracefully she accepted the flower from her boyfriend.
"Thank you."
She pulled him forward into a passionate kiss. Duo picked her up and carried her to the bed where they had made love hours before. He began to nuzzle her neck gently but both were startled when Skye busted into the room.
"OZ has declared war over the Earth Sphere.!" she shouted.