Author's Note: You all were probably thinking that I wouldn't let a rocket be fired, weren't you? Well, as a warning, don't expect everything to go perfect. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing

Warning: slight language

Katsaris' Offer

Duo found himself shoved into what seemed to be the captain's quarters. Glancing behind him, the braided one was dismayed to see that baldy was still there, watching him.

Damn it, he did not want to be here.

The two stared off at each other, both men refusing to break eye contact. Truth be told, Duo was too stubborn to start looking for a way out. If he could at least stare this man down, then it would feel as if this capture was not a complete disaster for some reason.

Without warning, Duo heard a noise, one that sounded like something ripping through the air. But what could it…

His eyes widened and he asked his guard, "What was that?"

Baldy showed no emotion on his face when he simply stated, "The General just launched a rocket."

Fuck.

This was not happening, it couldn't be happening! Dread was filling him to the core as time passed, seemingly confirming the worst. However, baldy was making no attempt at taunting him. He just continued to watch him.

Then, someone else entered, making his presence known by the sound of his voice. "Thank you for watching, Colonel. I'll take it from here."

Looking up, Duo watched as the bald colonel left leaving him with General Katsaris. Contrary to what Duo expected, he was a bit surprised when he saw no trace of smugness on the man's face. What was going on?

"Why?" he asked quietly, his voice barely cracking. The thought of so many people dying a horrible death was just overwhelming.

Surprisingly, no smugness came from Katsaris as the man answered him. "Things have not gone the way that I thought they would. It seems as if I have been betrayed."

Duo frowned. "Betrayed?"

"Yes, I had outside help with this," Katsaris answered. "However, Grant decided to cut me loose, along with the rest of my men. I couldn't let him get away with it."

"Grant?" Duo questioned, frown growing. What the hell was going on?

"You don't know?" Katsaris asked, raising an eyebrow. "Well, I don't feel like talking about it. Suffice to say, Grant has gone the way of the dodo. Now the question remains, what am I going to do about you and your friends? I could kill you all right now if I wanted to but…"

When Katsaris didn't continue, Duo ventured, "But what?"

"I admire how you were able to best my men and my security precautions," Katsaris admitted. "So, let's make a deal. Join me and I will pay you each one hundred million dollars for your services."

Duo stared. A hundred million? Shit, that was a lot of money. It was tempting, real tempting, but he had a job to do, a lover to return to. He had spent so much time evading the law, from the days of survival on the streets to being wanted by Oz as a terrorist. He couldn't do that again, not after having spent time in a single place without having to worry about whether or not today would be the last day of his life. But still, the offer was very tempting.

Apparently his internal struggle was visible to the General who seemed to take pity on him. "You seem to be stuck. I'll leave you alone for a couple hours and let you think in silence. Don't think about escaping though. If you do, I won't hesitate to fire another rocket. Kapesh?"

Duo didn't bother to answer and remained where he was as he felt Katsaris leave. Violet eyes flashing, Duo began to do something he should have done when he was first brought here.

He began to look for a way to escape, despite the General's warning. As tempting as the offer was, Duo had made his decision.

---

The other members of the team weren't as carefully handled as they were led to the brig.

Quatre felt himself shoved into their confinement, the Siberia's brig, the place where they would remain until they were either killed or let go. His suspicion was that the former was the most probable.

However, the focus of his attention was not for himself, but for Duo. Who knew what Katsaris was going to do to him, especially if their last encounter was still fresh in his mind.

The others were silent as well, the three Preventer agents sticking close together while Wufei and Trowa sat a ways away, enjoying each other's companionship. The blond Arabian couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. At least those two were still together. Who knew what Duo was having to go through?

He didn't have to glance over to know that they had two guards watching them. Both were speaking with one another and from the little snippets of conversation that he heard, he didn't like what they were saying. They didn't agree with Katsaris' orders to keep them alive, preferring instead to shoot them all now. Only the discipline instilled in them was preventing such a thing from happening but for how long would it last?

Time dragged on slowly, and with every second that passed, Quatre's dread grew. What was going to happen to them now? What was Katsaris up to?

Then without warning, the sound of someone clearing their throat caused him to look up towards the brig's entrance only to be shocked at the sight he saw before him. General Katsaris was observing each and everyone of them closely, as if he was trying to decided something.

"What do you want?" Wufei growled, dark eyes focused on the General.

That seemed to snap Katsaris out of a trance and allowed him to smile at them. "I was just admiring the individuals that were sent to spoil all my plans. I really admire you for what you've done and have accomplished thus far. So, I want to make a deal with you. I want you all to work for me until my deadline reached and in exchange I will pay each of you one hundred million."

Quatre felt his mouth drop open. He couldn't believe that he was hearing this. Was he being offered money to betray the government and the peace that he had worked so hard for? No, he couldn't do it. He already had all the money he needed. He didn't need another one hundred million to add to that.

But what about the others? They didn't have the financial security he did. Would this prove to be too much of a temptation for them? Looking over at Wufei and Trowa, he was at least able to confirm that neither of them would accept but that left the three Preventers agents.

"I'll take it."

His head snapped over to the three agents. One was standing up, looking the General straight in the eye while the other two were looking at their comrade in horror.

Katsaris nodded and motioned for the man to leave. Once the traitor was out of sight, he turned to the rest of them and asked, "What about the rest of you?"

They remained silent, staring defiantly at the General.

Katsaris simply shrugged and said, "Alright." Abruptly, he turned and left, leaving the remaining five in the dank prison.

---

Solo had caught up with Heero, no problem. The only thing that concerned him now was what the dumbass was up to.

Currently, the blond L2 native found himself in the large parking garage that was right next to the Preventers Headquarters. He saw that the Japanese man was finishing loading a van that was filled to the brim with weapons, making Solo think that Heero had been in the weapons locker more than once in the past hour or so.

Closing up the large vehicle, Heero continued to mutter to himself as he climbed into the van and starting it. Solo knew that there was no way he would be able to get on or in that van.

He would have to do the next best thing. The moment the van pulled away, heading down towards the bottom floor where the garage exit was located, Solo braced his arm and slammed his elbow into the driver's side of the nearest car. He couldn't help but think of the stupidity of the owner when there was no alarm but continued forth with his task. This hadn't been the first time he had hotwired a car before and it was a simple chore bringing back that knowledge.

Within seconds, he was heading out and soon found himself on the road, Heero's van just ahead. He was going to have to be careful now. Heero was a trained killer and would most likely notice that he was being followed but what other choice did Solo have?

Already, the beginnings of dawn were forming on the horizon, marking the beginning of the second day. He had a feeling he knew where Heero was heading but he had to make sure he was right before making the assumption.

He could only pray that Duo would not run into the psycho.