Masquerade: Part 3
Trowa awoke suddenly and peered out into the thick fog. He was wrapped in Joe's black duster. They were on the ferry to Yutoland Island. They were both still in the semi's cab. It was four thirty in the morning, but Joe was alert. Wary was Trowa's revised opinion.
"Fifteen minutes. I'll part company from you and check out the old townhouse attached to the Nambu Estate. We'll meet two days later and I'll give you any information I can get my hands on," Joe said.
"Why are you helping me suddenly? Why get involved after years of atrophy?" Trowa asked.
"My friends, Ken and Jun, would be ashamed to think of what has happened to their children. We used to fight against everything she has become. I realized it's time I've finished my obligation to the Washio clan and go home to my parents," he said. Trowa trembled and met Joe's eyes. "It's not as painful as your blond friend perceives.
"Is that what Quatre felt? Your... death?" Trowa asked.
"Yes. It was a horrific death, but it was necessary. Many lives were saved," Joe said.
"What are you going to do after Washio-san and the Red Impulse is destroyed?" Trowa asked.
"I'll go to my parents. I've missed them terribly," Joe said.
"I never knew my parents. What was it like?" Trowa asked.
"Wonderful. To think that all of your flesh and soul are knitted together by the love of two separate creatures. It's amazing," Joe said. "They made a mistake and tried to defect. The organization they worked for sent an assassin. They were killed, but I lived... barely. I was eight years old. I've found forgiveness in my heart for them and want to see them again. I want to let them know I forgive them and love them."
Trowa nodded, looking at his refection, wondering who he looked like. Joe chuckled and said, "I'm worn out. Seeing you and your friends brought back memories. I realized that I've been staying for something that has grown away from me. I may as well help you do some good before I leave. Ken and Jun would want that. Here."
He handed Trowa a slender, long barreled gun with a sharp crescent piece above the handle. Joe said, "It's my old air-gun. One day, try it out. You might like it. I won't need it anymore." Trowa clutched it to his chest as Joe opened the semi's door. "By the way, until this is all finished, keep that air-gun with you at all times. It may save your life."
"Thank you," Trowa said.
"I'll get your breakfast and explain how it works. It's very complicated, but you'll catch on," he said. Trowa hadn't even realized that his stomach was rumbling.
"Ma'am," Trowa answered her final question about his adventure, leaving out the parts about the other Gundam pilots and his traveling companion. Washio-san and he were in a lavish study, sipping cognac in the middle of a stormy afternoon. Cherry blossoms waved against the dark sky. "Then I arrived," Trowa finished.
"Good. We have a special surprise for you. My other associate has decided to change our plans," she said. She offered Trowa a cigar that he promptly refused.
The petite, graceful woman took out a cigarette and lit it as she removed a computer disk. "While you were in the Oz asylum for your amnesia, one of the Gundam pilots made an enemy we were able to recruit. He's very talented in his own right and is eager to become a proper Gundam pilot. It would seem you're both are seeking revenge against Oz."
"I was under the impression I was to be the Vayeade pilot?" he asked, impassive on the outside, but wary over the new development.
"You are to be the Vayeade pilot, but we were able to resurrect Mercurius as well. It sustained less damage. Within two weeks, with round the clock attention, it will be fixed," Washio-san said.
Trowa nodded, recalling Quatre's description of the condition he had left the red Gundam in. Quatre was more concerned with Heero's welfare at the time, so his eyewitness account stopped abruptly at it burning uncontrollably. She smiled at Trowa and said, "I hope you like water."
Trowa quirked an eyebrow and waited. She said, "Get ready to load your Gundam up. We're going to the headquarters of the Red Impulse. Crescent Coral."
"It's amazing," Trowa said, watching the sea life float by. They were deep under the Sarruto sea in a cylinder-shaped base that was hidden beneath a man-made coral reef. Washio-san had told him that with modern technology they were able to resurrect this antiquated battle platform and update it into something truly formidable. It, being under the sea, wouldn't be detected. Everyone was more concerned with space colonies anyway.
"I call this the do-jo. Please have a seat while I go get the Mercurius pilot," she said.
Trowa sat on one of the three wooden benches in front of the plate window. He hated the stark white room, but waited patiently.
"Trowa Barton?" a man asked. He was tall and thin. He walked up to Trowa and held out his hand. Trowa rose and shook his hand.
"My name is Clark Trant. It seems we both have issues with Oz and the Gundam pilots. You'll find the Crossbone Vanguard will help you achieve those goals," Trant said.
"It'll be good to have help. So what is your experience anyway?" Trowa asked.
"I actually flew the Wing Zero and fought one of the Gundam pilots named Duo Maxwell," Trant said, his eyes narrowed. Trowa fought hard to kept his face schooled. If this man knew Duo's identity, it meant Duo and the other pilots were in terrible danger.
"The Red Impulse has already developed assassination plans for Relena Peacecraft and Treize Khushrenada. I wish I could oversee to him personally," Trant said with a lopsided smirk. He sipped on a cup of coffee in the private lounge of the Crescent Coral base. Trowa sipped on his own morning coffee and shook his head.
"Those plans don't concern you," Trowa chided lightly. For the most part, Trowa got along with Clark Trant. From time to time, the man would show his fanaticism. Especially, when it came to the subject of Duo Maxwell and the Gundams.
"We'll need these Gundams to hold the peace until the shift of power is made to the Crossbone Vanguard. That will be our concern. Understand?" He asked. Trowa nodded.
"I heard the leader of the Crossbone Vanguard and the Red Impulse are getting together to inspect our progress in two days. I've always hate inspections," Trowa said, trying to lead the man for more information.
"You were one of the unlucky ones who served under Lady Une, right? I heard she was harsh. These guys aren't military so it should be easy. Washio-san scheduled it for late afternoon. Let's go look at the itinerary and then we can make some plans," Trant suggested. Trowa nodded and followed the older man out of the lounge.
Trowa watched Joe nurse a whiskey in the darkened corner of the 'Jazz Box'. It was a somber, low-key bar with a sultry atmosphere. Trowa felt as if he had just stepped into a film noir as he listened to the soft torch music in the background.
Joe motioned to a waitress. He ordered two whiskeys. After Trowa was served, Joe slid a disk over to his side of the cozy table. It gleamed in the candlelight, but Trowa made out the words 'Fuzzy's Anniversary'.
"Happy birthday, Trowa. Its the last copy of the Gundam solvent that started this off. I destroyed the rest that I found at the Nambu estate. Blesh and his daughter disappeared out of the Red Impulse's grasp and Romefeller's. It looks like the Gundams are safe... for now," Joe said. Trowa slid the disk back over to Joe.
"I need a favor. Send it to Heero Yuy and tell him that the Red Impulse is going to make an attempt on Mister Khushrenada and the Queen. He'll take care of the rest. Also, there will be a big inspection in two days. They plan on sending me and Trant back into space," Trowa said. Joe took the disk and put it in his suit coat pocket.
"There is more you want?" Joe asked. Trowa nodded his head. Joe lit a cigarette and took in the sights around them. "This used to be a go-go club. Best bar in all of Yutoland City. My friends and I use to hang out here a lot."
"I can't imagine this was a go-go club," Trowa said. Joe smiled fondly. Trowa listened to him reminisce for a few moments before he drained his drink. Joe ordered two more.
"Oh yeah, before we go any further; do you know of a place called Crescent Coral?" Trowa asked. His olive skin blanched; it was all the answer Trowa needed. "Its where Washio-san has us training. They've made it into the Red Impulse's headquarters."
"I want to stop her," he said, gulping his whiskey. Trowa followed suit and nodded.
"Good. The last favor I need from you is to help me destroy it while the Crossbone and the Impulse are there in two days," Trowa said.
"Count on it," Joe said.
"Trant is practicing on the Zero-Two simulation," Trowa said, not looking up to see Washio-san. He fought the urge to flinch as she put her hands on his shoulders and put her lips next to his ear. Her lilac and tobacco scent overpowered his nose.
"You know, tomorrow morning is the inspection. This is the real thing. After the Crossbone gives their approval, you and Trant will head to space again and receive your orders," she said.
Trowa turned and stood, putting his chair between them. Her milky, jade eyes sparkled with glee. She said, "Make sure you're flawless tomorrow." Trowa nodded, calculating how long it would be to get the Vayeade armed.
She nodded, giving Trowa a wave as she sauntered out of the small practice room. Trant climbed out of the large black box and headed off for the dorms. Trowa went to hanger bay where Vayeade and Mercurius rested. Trowa had to ensure that Vayeade still had the shut down codes for the Mercurius programed in before his plans for tomorrow.
Trowa waited in the hanger bay next to Trant. They were dressed in the scarlet uniforms of the Red Impulse, only Trowa had Joe's gun in his holster rather than a regulation firearm. The Mercurius and Vayeade stood behind them majestically. Washio-san walked into the hanger bay with seven older men and one younger woman following her.
"Queen Beryl III, this is Trowa Barton and Clark Trant. Both former Oz pilots of top caliber," Washio-san said to the young woman.
"And these are genuine Gundams? Wonderful. I'm anxious to see them perform," she said, looking up at the red and blue Gundams.
"This way, Highness," Washio-san said, waving her hand towards the back door. The visitors all filed through the door, but Washio turned to Trowa and Trant. "We'll be watching on a monitor in the control center. Don't leave Coral Crescent air space."
"Yes, ma'am," They answered in unison. She left through the door at the back. Trant went over to the Mercurius and gave Trowa a thumbs up. The man grabbed the lift cable and mounted up in the red Gundam. Trowa grabbed his lift cable, but paused when he saw a navy and kidney colored flash by the door the visitors left through.
He kept his face schooled, realizing it was Joe in a strange costume with large dark wings and a dark blue visor. Trowa nodded to the Joe before watching him dart through the door and close it. Joe was on his way to do his portion of the mission. He was to seal off Crescent Corral and blow it up with the Red Impulse and Crossbone Vanguard leaders on it. Trowa's job was the simple one, take out the Mercurius and Vayeade along with Trant.
Trowa mounted up the Vayeade and followed Trant to the man-made island. The Gundams turned and faced one another. Trowa waited for Joe's signal. Trant's face flared on Trowa's screen.
"Barton, you know Washio-san never really trusted you. She figured out you are a traitor. Don't try anything!" Trant warned at Trowa's glower. "I already took off the override commands you had programmed in. After I'm finished with you, I'll hunt down the rest of those Gundam pilots. Yeah... Washio-san figured it out, that you're Zero-Three. Now you're going to pay. After all, the Crossbone only needs one Gundam."
"So it's a fight you want?" Trowa asked coolly, impassively. He crossed his arms and studied the man's intense face. Trowa's reflexes came to bear as the Mercurius came charging for him. Trowa moved the Vayeade hard left and turned the Gundam around to face the Mercurius as it passed by. He fired the beam cannon. The Mercurius's shields deflected the energy.
Trowa cursed silently; he couldn't afford this distraction. The Mercrius charged at him again. The Gundams traded mechanical punches and kicks. Trowa was feeling jarred. A rumbling from the island below them knocked the battling Gundams apart.
Trowa took the opportunity and fired at the Mercurius's cockpit as the whole world shook. Trowa hit the red Gundam squarely. Trant's voice was choked off when the Gundam exploded into a fiery ball. The Vayeade fell backward; Trowa was almost knocked unconscious. He quickly shook it off and unstrapped himself from the Vayeade.
He slapped the button for the self destruct and rapidly exited the Vayeade. The island was trembling violently around him. Explosions bubbled around Trowa with thick smoke blinding him. A vibrating at his hip caught his attention.
Trowa drew Joe's gun and looked at the handle. He slid the hollow handle of the gun open. He was surprised to see a red disk beeping and shaking at him. Trowa turned to his right; the beeping got more intense. He realized Joe had slipped a homing beacon in the air-gun. He ran towards the increasingly rapid beeping to find the edge of the island. A wave of relief swept Trowa when he spotted a small boat tied to the shore.
A horrible jarring explosion knocked Trowa to his knees. He knew instinctively it was the Vayeade. The cacophony around him paused for a moment. The island started to lurch to Trowa's left. He quickly dove for the motor boat and and cranked the engine.
Trowa didn't look back at the sinking island as he guided the boat towards Yutoland island. He breathed a sigh of relief for a moment. His mood shifted towards sorrow as he looked down at his inherited air-gun.
Trowa fell back on his twin bed. He hadn't even changed out of his Red Impulse uniform. He took Joe's air-gun and put it on the nightstand between his bed and the other empty twin bed.
He sat up, in spite of his weariness when Duo came into the room with his long, damp hair dangling in loose clumps around his shoulders. The American was bundled up in a thick bathrobe; he was whirling a hair brush against his hair.
"Trowa, I didn't know you came in. You look like hell. The bath is free, better get one before Wu-man gets back," Duo said. Trowa stood up and started to peel off the crimson outfit. "Hey, were is Joe? Did he get off safe?"
"Yeah, Duo. He made it home. By the way, he wanted you to have this," Trowa said, fishing around in his pocket. He handed Duo a moonstone and silver rosary.
"Wow. This is nice. I'll have to thank him," Duo said with a smile as he examined the religious strand in his hands.
"He knew you'd like it," Trowa said.
"Trowa, are you sure you aren't mad at me? I really want you to know I'm sorry I haven't trusted you like I should. Trust is a hard thing and I..."
"Duo, don't worry about it. We're fine," Trowa said.
"Oh, there is another mission. It came in while you were coming back from Yutoland. It's an Oz installation that needs sabotaging. That Lady Colonel will be there, so I'll take it if you're not up for it. I'll ask Wu-man and..."
"No, I'll go with you. It's my duty to destroy Oz," Trowa said. "Let me get cleaned up and we'll go."
End