Author's Note: This is it. The action and suspense have returned. Things are going to begin to wind down to the inevitable conclusion but what will that be? Will it be a happy ending or a sad one? Only I know and I'm willing to tell, but only after a certain number of chapters. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing

Warning: slight language, death

The Incursion

Damn these wet suits were tight. Skin tight. And it had to go over the combat gear and clothes they were wearing.

And for Duo, in order not to get his braid wet, he had to tuck it in under the black rubber. Made a tight suit even tighter. He would be so happy when he got the chance to take this thing off. The others didn't seem to have the same problem as him, except for Wufei, and perhaps Trowa. Wufei didn't seem discomforted about his hair being tucked in but then again it was this small sliver of a thing compared to his braid. Trowa had tucked his bang in the suit and for the first time, he had a good look at what Trowa's face looked liked.

It was incredible, to say the least.

At least they didn't have to put these things on back at HQ. Yeah, all seven of them were at the launching point in the southern part of Sanc. It was really dark out this night, clouds covering the moon to boot. The sea itself was also dark so that would only add on to their camouflage. Luck was with them it seemed.

Now to check on the gear. Guns…lock and loaded…check. STUs ready for submersion…check. Oxygen tanks full of oxygen and ready to use…check. Knives, sharp and lethal…check. Lock picks…check. Porn-like see-you-later kiss with a promise to return left with Solo…damn right check. Comfort kiss from Quatre…got to get that done…alright, now it's a check.

One of the Preventers who would remain here handed him a small package which contained a syringe with an extendable needle. Glancing at the gift giver with a raised eyebrow, he asked a silent question.

"If you come into contact with the gas, inject that into your heart," the man told him. Duo's eyes narrowed but the man pressed, "Don't argue with me on this one. That shit just might save your life."

Grumbling to himself as he stashed the antidote on his person, it looked like he had everything; now to wait for the fearless leader to make some sort of morale boosting speech before setting off to do battle. Taking a good look at Wufei, a morale boosting speech might not be in the making. He was always so blunt with these things…

"Is everybody ready?" Wufei demanded. Getting six affirmatives, Wufei said, "Time to head out."

The STUs were guided into the water and turned on. So this was it. Time to get to business. Sliding water goggles on and biting down onto the nozzle that fed him air from his air tank, he took hold of one of the STUs and submerged underwater. Gripping onto one of the handles, his STU sped up, the hum of the small motor barely a hum in his hearing. Slowing down, he waited for the rest to join him before allowing Wufei to take the lead as they heading north.

It was dark. Thankfully, there were small headlights on the STUs whose light would go unnoticed at the surface as long as they kept themselves deep underwater. He was tingling with excitement and the rush that came to him whenever he was on a mission. He periodically glanced back at those behind him to take sure the others were keeping up. He wondered how long it would take them to get to their destination and how far they were currently. The seaweed covered ocean floor beneath could only entertain someone for so long.

What first clued him in on their whereabouts was the large, dark shape that hung overhead without warning. He knew that they were underneath the Siberia, there was no other explanation. So they were close. Okay, now to pay close attention to Wufei and see where he went. A few minutes after passing under the Siberia, Wufei stopped and turned off his STU. Getting close, Duo followed suit and waited for the others to join them.

Once they were all there, Wufei signed for someone to surface and make sure it was clear. Before Duo could volunteer, Trowa had taken that honor, turning off his air tank and making his way to the surface. If there was one thing Duo disliked, it was waiting.

Eventually, Trowa signaled that the coast was clear and one by one, the rest of the team surfaced. There was a cool breeze blowing in their faces, making the men feel colder than they already were as they quietly got out of the water and stripped themselves of their wetsuits. The moment he was free of the tight rubber suit, he immediately had his gun ready to fire if there were any enemies who happened to be near. As the others finished, he let his guard down only long enough to tie the end of his braid to his belt.

Thus he was the last one to dart out and take cover with the others by the side of the closest warehouse. Signing to Wufei, he asked where the first rocket was. Wufei signaled back, saying that it was a couple buildings over. Well that was just great. Looks like it was back to the same tactics used back on L2. Wufei began signaling his instructions to the small group as to what they were to do but then their luck seemed to sour.

Just as Wufei finished up, a couple patrolling terrorists turned the corner and ran right into them.

He and Trowa acted quickly, unsheathing knives and cutting out the men's throats as quickly as possible. Waiting to make sure the men were dead, Duo released the hold he had on his victim, exhaling some of his tension out as he did so. That had been close, too close. Barely here ten minutes and already discovered. At least no one else would learn of this knowledge anytime soon. But now what to do with the bodies? They couldn't just leave them here; someone was bound to find them just laying out in the open. It was decided that the corpses would be dumped back at the landing point.

Once that was accomplished, they moved forward with the ease and stealth of feline predators.

---

Katsaris gazed out into the dark ocean from the bridge of the Siberia.

His hardened eyes moved from side to side, as if he were reading the dark body of water. Near him stood his close friend and associate, Colonel Allen Ottsman. They had been comrades, sticking close to each other since their days at the military academy in New Edwards. When he had been discharged, Ottsman left with him, sticking close as he waited and bided his time. Ottsman had helped not only in the theft of the VX but had been the one in charge of sneaking it to Earth.

Glancing over at his bald friend, he asked, "What are the chances of them trying to take action against us?"

"They are most certainly trying to figure out a way to get around your threats while calling your bluff," Ottsman answered, his voice surprisingly soft for such a large man.

Katsaris chuckled to himself. "How rich. A bluff. If they only knew that I never make bluffs or idle threats."

"It seems they have forgotten that about you sir," Ottsman replied.

"Indeed but we can't take any chances. Have all patrols check-in and report in smaller intervals, lets say, every half hour. We can't be too careful. Those idiots will try anything to save their hides but we'll be ready for whatever actions they take. We only have a little more than two days until the deadline."

"I'll issue the orders."

"Do that. I'll get into contact with Grant and find out what's going on on his end."

Waiting until he heard his comrade's footsteps slowly quiet down, he reached over to a phone and made his call.

---

The team was just outside the first target. So far, no one had seen or caught them. The entrance into the warehouse was wide open but the rocket was positioned on the roof, in clear view of anyone who just happened to be looking. There would be guards, guaranteed, and they could only hope that they weren't keeping an eye out on the roof.

Entering one at a time, one team member would take a position, make sure it was secure, and hold it for others to go ahead and secure further positions. Quatre had just done his dash to a position when he found that he was next to a set of metal stairs that led to an upper level. Just as he was about to signal for one of his teammates to go ahead, he head the recognizable hiss of a communicator come from near the top of the stairs. He made a gesture for his teammate to stop and wait.

Straining his hearing, he was barely able to hear an order be issued out before one of the guards confirmed they had received and would implement immediately. However, as soon as contact had been broken, the next words he heard were clearer.

"The General is getting paranoid. Does he really believe those assholes are going to try something?"

"Check-in every thirty minutes? That's almost going over the line, man. Can't wait to get my ten mill."

"I hear that."

As the voice seemed to lower, Quatre then signaled to his comrades that they needed to go up and go up now. Trowa went up first, Duo following. The two were definitely the best at their craft. Quatre could feel his heart pounding as he waited for Duo and Trowa to finish and give out the all clear.

Looking up the stairs after a few agonizing minutes had passed, Quatre caught the signal and gestured for the others to come up. Upon reaching the second level, Quatre immediately caught sight of Duo and Trowa's handiwork but was unfazed by it. It wasn't the first time he had seen a dead man before. However, from where he stood, he spied another staircase that led to the roof and the rocket. Now would be the tricky part. How were they going to get to the rocket without attracting suspicion?

It seemed Trowa already had a solution. The guards, before their deaths, wore berets. Trowa had picked up the dead men's berets and put one on, tossing the other to one of the Preventers. Clever. The darkness outside would make it harder for anyone to identify that the two men going out to the rocket above were not friendly.

The time passed even slower than before. Quatre swallowed silently as he waited for his comrades to return. What was taking so long? He hadn't heard any disturbances from outside. He was really beginning to become paranoid when the two men return, signing that the mission was accomplished.

One down, seventeen to go.

Quatre didn't know if his nerves would be able to take this but if he recalled correctly, now was the moment when they split up. He could only hope that Wufei paired or teamed him up with Duo. He didn't want to lose track of his lover and friend now.

Fate and Wufei were being generous tonight. Indeed he was paired with Duo. Wufei, Trowa, and one of the Preventers would stick together while the other two were paired.

"Come back here in two hours," Wufei instructed, his voice low enough that it wasn't easy to hear. "Be careful, don't let anyone see you. Move out."

Now things were about to get interesting.