Chapter 3: The Soldiers
When Trowa and Lady Une went to confront their demon.
"Left hand. Right hand. Keep it up. Good. Balance on your left foot. Now your right. Good, Trowa. I don't see any physical signs of your injuries," Sally said, observing Trowa do the simple motor skills test. He walked to the other side of the physical therapy room and launched himself in a series of back flips. Sally gave him a wry look, and said, "That wasn't necessary."
"I've been performing with the circus since then. Three times a day, five times a week," Trowa said. He walked over to a chair and stripped down the top of his flight suit. He wiped the perspiration off of his skin with a towel and sat. "I wish you would stop drugging me. I can sleep on my own."
"How did you know?" Sally asked.
"I'm very in tune with my body. I know when something is slowing it down," Trowa said. She pulled a chair in front of him.
"I'm sorry for that, but I was afraid for your mental health. Lets talk a little before you leave. Is that okay?" she asked. Trowa nodded. He knew all the Chinese woman wanted to know was the status on his amnesia. "Over all, do you think that you remember most every thing in your life. The important things?"
"No. I have three memories from childhood and I only remember one thing from when I was helping build Heavyarms. I don't remember anything from when I was on the Earth, but I have a handful of memories from when I was spying on Lady Une. All of them are distorted," Trowa answered.
"Trowa, that's terrible. You need to take yourself off rotation. Stay here with your sister and rest until you're whole, mentally and physically," Sally said.
"No. There is no time when things are starting to get dangerous up here. I have to stay and fight. Quatre and the others depend on me too much. Out here, fighting, I feel closer to finding myself. If I go back to the circus, Cathy will only try to shelter me too much," Trowa said. "Besides, I think I'm finally about to understand my purpose in life."
"What's that?" Sally asked.
"I don't know, but Noin's been trying to convince me that embracing a soldier's life is to embrace life as a protector. Maybe that is what I'm trying to put together," Trowa said. "Noin told me she had tried to impress that on me when we were in Antarctica. Maybe I'll finally start to internalize it."
Lady Une sat up on the examination table after the doctor left. She stared down at the hideous scar between her cleavage. She couldn't help feeling an attack to her feminine vanity.
"Colonel," Doctor Blaylock came in as she put her .45 back in it's holster, "Mister Khushrenada's car is here for you."
"Very well. Thank you," she said.
"Keep in mind the regimen you need to follow, Colonel. If you need me, call. I won't need to see you for a year," he said. She followed the scruffy blond doctor out to the front of the small private practice nestled in between two antiquated buildings. The doctor was one who took care of people with a lot of money and didn't want their business known. He was excellent and discreet. He helped her into the car and tugged at her elbow. "You dropped this, Colonel."
She took the photograph between gloved fingers. It was of her and Trowa Barton, standing beside a Leo mobile suit. She was dressed in a navy evening gown, complete with arm length gloves and pearl choker. He was in a formal gray suit that she had ordered for him. She clutched the picture to her as the car drove off.
That was the evening Trowa and her were kidnapped and held for ransom by a group called the Crossbone Vanguard. Her heart raced thinking of what they went through that night. It was hell on the both of them, but they came out of it closer.
"Trowa, I hope you didn't suffer," she whispered to the photo. She tucked it in the wide cuff at the end of her sleeve. She put her glasses on and prepared a scotch out of the mini-bar. It was her first drink in months. It made her think of Milliardo Peacecraft; it was the one thing they had in common besides Treize.
She hoped that Treize was right and that her fellow Colonel had put all of his personal animosity aside. She truly did regret the way things had developed between them. She vowed to make things right between her and Milliardo at the first opportunity. Treize would want that.
Middie didn't move anything except the hand under her pillow. She grabbed the switchblade and prepared herself. Another pillow was shoved over her face. Her hand swept up and into the attacker's stomach. He fell away easily with her knife buried to the hilt under the rib cage. She sprang out of bed and looked out the opened door to where her guards had been shot.
She took a gun from one of the women and made her way upstairs in the darkened palace. Avoiding the guards and other guests, she slowly made her way to Milliardo's room and slipped in. She was taken off guard for half a minute by how he handsome he was in the moonlight with his platinum hair spilt over his bare chest. He looked angelic; she shook off her dismay and became stoic.
"Colonel," she hissed at him. He awoke and stood instantly. He gave her a baffled look.
"Middie? What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Someone just made an attempt on my life. My guards are dead and so is the assassin," she said, lowering the gun as he approached her.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
His hands on her forearms brought her around from her tense and wary mode. She flung herself in his arms and pressed her face to his heart. Hearing it beat calmed her considerably, along with his hands rubbing her back. He finally said, "I need to go tell the officials and figure out who made the attempt. Wait here. Is that gun loaded?" She nodded. "Good kill anyone who tries that again." She watched him get dressed in tight white slacks and a red tee shirt. He pulled on his glossy thigh-high uniform boots.
"Please don't go. They might try for you next," she said, putting his robe on over her dark blue pajamas. He strapped his .45 to his side with hasty efficiency.
"If they do, they'll regret it. Now stay put," he said, leaving the room. He made his way to the upper level where the Queen's chambers were. He tried to knock on the door, but the guards made an issue of his abrupt appearance. Relena opened her door at the loud argument.
"Milliardo?" she asked with wide eyes as she finished tying her light pink robe.
"Relena, come with me now. There was an attempt on Middie's life and I will not risk seeing you hurt," he demanded.
"But, I..."
"No arguments! I'm still your older brother," he said. She obeyed him. He took her hand and lead her through the darkened hallways to his room. He opened the door and ushered Relena in. "You girls stay here. Middie, you know what to do."
Middie nodded and put her arm around Relena before she could try to stop Milliardo. He shut the door and locked it from the outside.
"He was with the ESA. I worked with him once before. We have... or had... the same handler," Middie said. She couldn't believe they would be as brazen as this. She thought that if she stayed at the Sanq Kingdom Palace that she would have some measure of safety. "I guess they wanted to save the pension?"
"Stop it, Middie!" Milliardo snapped, taking back the Polaroid of the assassin in the morgue. Middie and Relena were seated on his bed; he paced in front of them. He was hard pressed to keep all the Romefeller people from whisking Relena off and throwing Middie in jail. Milliardo couldn't trust anyone but himself with these girls, but he knew he had to hand them over soon.
"Well, I think I'll be going, Colonel. It's been wonderful," Middie said. She stood and walked towards the window. It was three stories up with lots of ledges. Piece of cake for her. She threw off his bathrobe and flung her leg out the window.
"Middie! No! Get back in here right now! Middie!" Milliardo shouted at her.
"No, Colonel! This is my life that's being gambled with! I only trust one person! That's Middie Une. Get it?" she asked, matching his volatile tone.
"Romefeller will hunt you down and they won't go to the expense of a trial this time! It's dangerous out there. At least in here I can protect you," Milliardo said, stalking over towards her.
Her delicate hand brought the gun to bear. Her eyes were placid. That's how he knew she wasn't playing. She had made her choice and was sticking to it. Relena ran in between the two and fixed Middie with a gaze of pure anger.
"How dare you draw on the Colonel when he's done nothing but put his career and reputation on the line for you! He stretched himself time and time again for you. This is how you repay him? Abandoning him to Romefeller is despicable. He could be jailed if he let you go. You aren't worth his best efforts if you go out that window and run away like a little coward," Relena said with smoldering eyes. She had said everything low and steady, but full of acid.
Middie gradually tossed the gun on Milliardo's bed. He watched Relena walk over to Middie and help her down from the window. The girls began to hug and tear up from the release of stress. Relena stood aside and let Milliardo take Middie into his arms.
"I'm going to go get some OZ soldiers and then we'll straiten everything out," Milliardo said.
"I call Middie Une to the stand," Milliardo said. Everyone watched the French girl take her seat in the witness box. She wore a powder blue dress suit today with her hair tied back. Middie took the oath to tell the truth and waited patiently. "Miss Une, I would like you to describe the circumstances around you leaving your family eight years ago and how you came to be a covert agent for the Earth Sphere Alliance."
"My mother left my father when I was seven. He had been disinherited from the Une family so it wasn't long before we hit on hard times. When I was ten, he was diagnosed with cancer. Within two years, we had lost everything. I had no choices because I had three younger brothers and my father to support. I ran into an ESA agent; maybe you can all it luck.'
"You see, I picked his pocket. He was impressed enough to offer me money to work for him. He became my handler and gave me assignments. He thought my looks and youth could be used to the ESA's advantage. It wasn't long before they trained me in different areas. I sent my money back to my brothers, but never went back to live with my family. I have no illusions; my handler is no friend of mine. My situation is too dangerous to involve my loved ones," Middie explained.
"Your father was originally aristocracy. Lower members of Romefeller?" Milliardo asked.
"Yes, until he married my mother. He's deceased now," she said.
"Your cousin is a high ranking OZ Specials officer?" Milliardo asked. Middie gave him a confused look. She had insisted that he not mention Ann.
"Yes, but I don't know her very well. After I joined the ESA, I had nothing to do with her," she answered.
"So if not for a horrible twist of fate, you might be sitting up in the audience. Maybe you would be wearing an OZ Specials uniform or even sitting where Miss Dorothy is?" Milliardo asked.
"Yes. More then likely," she answered, catching on to his ploy. She could have been one of their daughters.
"When did you join the ESA's covert operations force? What was your first official assignment?" Milliardo asked.
"It was soon after I met my handler. I infiltrated a military base and delivered food to the soldiers. I left a bomb behind. There were no survivors. It was how my handler broke me in. I did the same type of work for two years, exposing mercenary groups and unfriendly military bases to attack. After a mishap with a mercenary group when I was fourteen, I asked my handler to switch me to computer hacking and intelligence gathering. I grew to admire the Earth Sphere Alliance after some time and admire their goals," Middie answered. "I'm loyal to the ESA and always will be. I've sealed my allegiance with them."
"So at no time were you selling secrets to the terrorist organization named the White Fang?" Milliardo asked.
"Never. They're a pack of wild dogs with no leader to give them direction. God help both the ESA and Romefeller if they do. I know several disavowed spies on both sides that have thrown in with them," she said solemnly.
"Objection! I don't want her implying that we have spies?" Dorothy said, standing.
"Oh, you have assassins, but no spies? Please don't insult the World Court, Miss Catalonia," Middie replied.
"When have we ever assassinate anyone? Where is your proof?" Dorothy hissed back.
"Vice Minister Darlian spontaneously combusted I suppose," Middie said in a bored, caustic tone.
"Enough!" Everyone one stared at Relena in awe. "You, Miss Catalonia, will take your seat and keep to yourself until cross. You, Colonel Peacecraft, will keep your client on a civil track. Miss Une, if you mention Vice Minister Darlian again I will find you in contempt."
Relena took her seat and nodded to Milliardo. He walked over to Middie with an aggravated look. She had realized that she had hurt the Queen. That, in turn, had hurt Milliardo. She took a deep breath and looked up.
"I apologize, Queen Relena. I want to warn good peace-loving people of the threat moving against them," Middie said. Relena nodded. Middie was once again amazed by the Peacecraft resilience.
"My apologies as well," Milliardo said. "Miss Une, you maintain you never worked for the White Fang?"
"Never. The whole time I lived in Duke von Velum's household I was loyal to the Alliance. While I was there I discovered the White Fang. I know many in Romefeller want to turn a blind eye to them," she said.
"What were your discoveries?" Milliardo asked.
"The Duke was selling secrets to the White Fang. That's when my handler ordered me to look into the White Fang as well," she answered.
"Tell us your version of what happened after you started to investigate the White Fang," Milliardo prompted. "Keep in mind the sealed portions of your work product can't be revealed so that Romefeller's weapons development won't be made public."
"I started to dig and realized his son was trying to undercut the Duke's information brokering. I missed the fact that an assassin was sent in; I'm not sure by who. A personal matter had caught my attention at the time," Middie said.
"Just for the record, what was the personal matter?" Milliardo asked.
"My cousin, Lady Ann Une, was listed as K. I. A.," Middie said. "After I heard about Ann, I contacted my handler and was asked to go back to work. There was nothing I could do for her. It was January the fourteenth when I last had contact with him I arrived at the Duke's home around nine that night. I went upstairs to find he had been shot three times in the chest. May I have some water, Colonel?" Middie asked. Milliardo handed her a glass from their table. "Thank you."
"Please tell us what happened after that," Milliardo said.
"I went to see what happened, only to have the police run in suddenly and arrest me on the word of the Hans von Velum. Then I ended up here," Middie explained.
"Did you have any solid proof of Hans von Velum's dealings the White Fang?" Milliardo asked.
"I had discovered that he was meeting with a White Fang agent almost nightly for a little over a month. I only have my notes and observations on Quinze," Middie said.
"Did you hear him make any agreements with the White Fang?" Milliardo asked.
"No, just bar talk is all I can confirm without my work product," she said.
"Thank you, Miss Une," Milliardo said, sitting at the Defense table.
"We will resume testimony tomorrow. Court adjourned," Relena announced.
"I want to go be by her side. I wasn't fair how she and her brothers were treated by my family. I want to make amends because it is the honorable and noble thing to do," Lady Une said.
Treize looked over to Lady Une, who stood in front of the television after the broadcast. Her soft, hazel eyes were moist; he found it distressing. He didn't want to let her go after Milliardo had called him at five in the morning and told him about the attempt on Middie's life. There was no way he would lose Ann twice.
"Please stay," he said simply. Lady Une nodded after several long seconds.
"Mister Treize, I'll do anything you ask," she said.
"Get some rest, Lady Une. Tomorrow I have some things to discuss with you concerning a new project," Treize said.
"Colonel, may I come in?" Relena asked. He looked up from his desk to see Relena in the doorway of his guest room.
"Please call me Milliardo," he said. She nodded and stepped into his guest rooms. He stood from his desk and asked, "Would you mind taking a walk?" She nodded to him and stepped back towards the door. Milliardo escorted Relena out and locked the door. He held out his elbow to her. She took it and and let out a deep sigh. He froze and looked down at her.
"Uh oh. This is serious?" Milliardo asked. Relena nodded.
"For us? The rest of the world?" Relena asked, letting Milliardo choose the path. "What were our parents like? Who do I look like? What happened that night they were killed? Why were they killed?"
"Those are a lot of deep questions and you're entitled to know. Our family was killed because of the theory of total pacifism. It was the Earth Sphere Alliance that ordered it because Father didn't want to join the Sanq Kingdom with people who would continue to parade militaristic ideals while letting people starve in the streets. He and mother were working to free weaker countries that had already signed treaties with the Alliance, but changed their mind because they were suffocating under the heavy burden imposed on them. That is why our family died, Relena. I know others have told you their versions, but have faith in me," Milliardo said.
"I do," Relena said. Milliardo patted her hand.
"We're not ruined yet. We can still work at getting to know one another. Will you try if I promise not to verbally attack you any more?" Milliardo asked softly.
"Yes, please. I want that," she said. Milliardo turned and hugged her tightly.
"I only have my adoptive mother now. Heero is in outer space again and I feel so lonely. I feel as though ruling the whole Earth is too large for me," Relena said.
"Don't worry Relena. I promise I won't abandon you again. I want to make things work between us. I'm here now. You never cried very much when you were a baby. I see that you still are too strong to shed tears easily," Milliardo said. She looked up at him.
"I'm so sorry I hurt you. Please forgive me. I..." Relena started off.
"Hush," Milliardo said, giving her smile. "I understand. A friend helped me see your point of view. I've done you wrong. I'm the one who needs to apologize. I've not behaved in the way our parents would have been proud of. Forgive me?" Relena returned his smile. He returned her smile and said, "Lets go have a drink in the study and I'll tell you about our parents."
"That sounds lovely," she said. He put his powerful arm over her shoulder and guided her down the hall. They arrived in a small, private library with a fireplace, a small wet bar, and a cordovan leather couch.
"One thing before I tell you about our family, Relena," he began. She sat on the couch while he poured them both some scotch. Milliardo sat down and asked, "Are you in love with Heero Yuy?" She looked away with a blush after she took the drink from his hand.
"He used to mean everything to me, but I've had to put him aside while I work at creating peace for the Earth and space colonies. I will always love him, but I'm not sure he feels the same way," Relena said.
"Look away from him, Relena. We haven't finished our duel yet, and we won't stop until a winner is declared," Milliardo said.
"I will suffer at seeing you two try to kill one another again. Please, I beg you, if you even care a little for me, don't fight him," she said. Then she took her first sip of liquor.
"On that day, will you tell him to kill me like you did in Antarctica? Will you want to see me alive or him?" Milliardo asked. He took a sip of his own drink and studied her face. Relena sat back and stared at the fireplace. He said, "Don't say it. It would ruin things right now. We both need to put the issues of the Peacecrafts to rest so that we can go on with our lives. I just want to make sure you haven't set your heart on Heero Yuy. He's to twisted. His life was ruined before he had a chance to live it."
"Lets put talk about Heero Yuy aside. Lets try to become friends and then we can work on becoming brother and sister," Relena said.
"You are right. Let's see... I know... for my third birthday I begged mama and papa for a pony," Milliardo said.
"Did they give it to you?" she asked, smiling.
"Yes, but I kept falling off the damn thing, so stuck to my wagon," Milliardo said, refilling their glasses as Relena chuckled softly.
"So how's the trial going?" Noin asked Trowa as she floated down from her Taurus mobile suit.
"Fine. She testified today and did well. Something she said jogged my memory. I may dream about it tonight," he said, putting his flight helmet on. "Will you ask Quatre if he'll meet me in the mess hall after my patrol? I remembered how to play the flute and would like to try a Bach duet he said I was fond of."
"Not another musician. It's not fair!" Noin said.
"Sorry, Noin, you'll have to find your talent elsewhere. Have you tried drawing?" Trowa suggested.
"Oh you're very funny. Watch yourself out there, okay?" Noin said, before Trowa pushed off towards Heavyarms.
"Sure thing," Trowa said. He paused and turned around, "Noin?"
"Yeah, kid?"she asked.
"Colonel Peacecraft would have made you proud today. He was very noble," Trowa said. He fastened himself in Heavyarms's cockpit. "He'll make some woman a wonderful husband."
"OH... YOU... TROWA..., go away!" Trowa chuckled at Noin's purple colored face as he shut his the cockpit.
"Did you have a nice talk with Miss Relena?" Middie asked Milliardo.
He had the guards bring her to his room so they could plan out tomorrow's testimony. He could tell he had interrupted her preparations because she was in her bathrobe and had slightly damp hair. He came in and shut the door to his guest room. She was brushing her curls while seated on the window ledge.
"That's dangerous. Shut the window and draw the curtains now," he ordered, sitting in the wing back chair.
"I don't mind if you don't," she said.
"I do. Now, Middie!" His gravelly voice was lower then normal. She complied and sat on his bed. "Why do you take stupid risks? I don't understand you."
"I take them because I can. Fear only gets in the way of living," she said.
"What if you die? Didn't 'spy school' teach you that you only have one chance at it?" Milliardo asked, getting vexed with her for the fifth time that day.
"In 'spy school' you're told that someone else is always ready to replace you," she said, looking down at her hair brush. Her head jerked up at the shadow that fell across her. Milliardo stood in front of her. He put his hand on her warm, moist cheek.
"You don't believe that," Milliardo said. "You're not as callous or as cavalier as you act."
"You're right. Once I told someone I couldn't stand empty people. I was always afraid of growing apathetic like him," she said. She pulled her legs up and knelt on the bed so that she came face to face with him.
"Who was it? Must have been someone special for you to confess such a thing," Milliardo asked, stepping closer to the edge of the bed.
"The nameless boy I harmed," she said barely above a whisper.
They stared into each other's eyes. Milliardo drew her to him and kissed her deeply, she responded with equal ardor. He started to kiss down her neck. His hands traveled down to her hips when his mind screamed at him to halt. He forced himself back from the ardent embrace.
"What are you afraid of, Colonel?" she asked after slowing her breath down.
"It's not right. We shouldn't be doing this. You're too young for me... and I...."
"I've had lovers before," she said.
"I know, but I don't want to use this situation as an excuse to have an affair," Milliardo said.
Milliardo walked over to a wingback chair in the corner and sat down again; his eyes wouldn't leave Middie's. Her bathrobe hung off her shoulders and was parted enough to reveal her left thigh. She continued to kneel on the edge of the bed. The soft moonlight wavered along her curves, making her look more sensual. He wanted desperately to walk back to her.
"You can't separate your feelings for me from your duty to this trial. The two need not be tangled in your mind," Middie said, sliding down.
"Not only would it be unethical, but I'm seeing someone," Milliardo said, hoping to use Lucretia Noin as an excuse. His relationship with her was on the rocks right now, but he still had emotions towards her, no matter how buried he kept them.
"When did you last see your girlfriend?" Middie asked. She picked up her hairbrush and continued.
"A few months ago. Why?" he asked.
"Because you wouldn't have kissed me if your relationship was that serious. You have other reasons why you pulled away from me. Once you've worked those out, you'll be with me," she said nonchalantly.
"Mighty confident, aren't you?" he asked in irritation. She had seen right through him and knew his every move, but he couldn't see past what she wanted him to see. It was all so maddening and intoxicating.
"I'm Middie Une. Someone to contend with," she answered, giving him a sly smile. "I guess we should talk about tomorrow."
"There our a few points I would like you to clarify today, Miss Une," Dorothy said. She started pacing in front of the witness box where Middie was seated. "Yesterday you said you came to join the Alliance, but you gave only the barest details. Please tell us about your handler. Who is he and would he vouch for you?"
After Middie laughed, "My handler? I only know him as Mr. Kuryakin. He would have nothing to do with me if I were in trouble."
"I see. Does the Alliance have leverage over you?" Dorthy asked.
"I can't say," Middie answered.
"Set yourself free and let us know what they are blackmailing you with. That way, they won't have any leverage on you. It can't be that horrible of a confession," Dorothy said, leaning against her table now.
"It would risk someone's life. That's why I can't reveal it," Middie answered.
"Fine. I won't press you about all the treacherous acts you've committed before this. Lets go on to talk about the White Fang. May I ask what proof you have that they even exist? Nothing but innuendo," Dorthy said. The court buzzed excitedly as Middie gave her a shrewd look.
"I have no proof in my unsealed work product," Middie said.
"How do we know that this is not a total fabrication to save yourself from execution? This mythical man named Quinze from the White Fang and his assassin?" Dorthy asked.
"Wouldn't Romefeller be embarrassed if they didn't heed my warning?" Middie quipped back, leaning forward. "They are real and a threat to everyone on Earth."
"From all my sources, such a group never existed. I believe that you are trying to cover up a botched getaway from an assassination with a lie that the Earth Sphere Alliance wants us to believe so that we take our eyes off them. Isn't that the real menace, Miss Une?" Dorthy asked with a sly smile.
"No! The White Fang is real," Middie said, letting acid seep in to her voice.
"You said that you're allegiance is sealed with the Alliance. Would that extend to you being sacrificed here and now while they are making plans to move against us?" Dorthy asked.
"Nice theory, but you're wrong, Miss Catalonia," Middie said.
"Really? Then why...," Dorothy froze, seeing Middie lunge for her suddenly. They both tumbled onto the marble floor as a loud shot rang out.
Dorthy shook her head as the whole assembly went into an uproar. Middie rolled off her. Dorothy sat up and saw a bullet hole where Middie had sat a minute before. Milliardo now stood over them with his gun drawn.
A group of people whisked Relena away as the cameras swung around trying to catch the whole catastrophe. "Uncle Treize won't like this one bit," Dorothy said, standing beside Milliardo without another thought to the danger.
"He'll kill me," Milliardo mumbled, putting his gun away. He helped Middie up and smiled. "I think court will be adjourned for the rest of the day."
"Damn it! This hinders my questioning," Dorothy said. She glared towards the direction the bullet had come from. "Oh well. I'll start over tomorrow. Good day, Miss Une. Colonel." They watched Dorothy brush off her court dress and walk out.
"She is such a bitch. I hate her," Middie groused.
"When she was a child she wasn't this way. Her father was killed in a battle. A spy leaked information that was responsible for his death at the hands of the ESA. It's why she's so determined to have you executed. She never really recovered," Milliardo explained.
"I don't feel sorry for her. A lot of tragic things happen. People adjust and go on," Middie said, following Milliardo down a side hall.
Treize watched Lady Une from the third story window. She was putting her suitcase in the back of a yellow limo registered to his niece. They had watched the second assassination attempt earlier that morning. Lady Une had her things packed after lunch. She had refused to let Treize talk her out of going this second time. He decided to respect her wishes.
"God speed, Miss Noin," Howard said from the monitor on Trowa's left. They shut down the interior electrical and lowered the temperature to 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the small drop ship. Heero had insisted she and Trowa stay aboard the Peacemillion, but they couldn't sit by any longer after a second assassination attempt.
"Are you sure you want to come along, Miss Noin? It'll be dangerous for you," Trowa asked.
"I've talked to Miss Relena. She's granted me blanket immunity until the trial is over. She's worried that someone will try to kill Milliardo. I am too. Oh, Trowa, why is that man so stubborn sometimes? I know it's because of his pride, but damn it all!"Noin snapped.
"I can't believe how out of hand this whole thing has gotten," Trowa agreed, typing on the keyboard to bring up the radar.
"Have you remembered any more about Middie Une?" Noin asked.
"No, but I had a dream that was horrible. She slowly peeled off my skin and fed me to a pack of jackals," Trowa said. His impassive eyes were locked onto the porthole that slowly reveled the Earth. "With her testimony, I think that she indeed sold me out to the Earth Sphere Alliance. Did I mistreat her? Was life that bad for us?"
"Oh, Trowa, you could never harm anyone you love. I know you have a gentle soul. Whatever went on between you two couldn't have been your fault. Don't worry. We'll get to the bottom of this," Noin swore.
To be continued.