Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing.

Warning: language

Enter the Overseers

As was per usual whenever the circus made a stop and began to set up, Trowa found himself lending his talents to moving crates around and occasionally calming down some of the animals that were still not used to being moved about in their cages. He especially liked tending to the lions the most. He could stare at the feline predators for hours on in and would too had his more responsible trailer mate Catherine not shove another box into his hands for him to put away.

Taking a break from helping out, he noticed two of their hitchhikers watching the set up with a fascination usually associated with children. Both looked to be in their teens, even though Catherine had told him a little about the questions that the brunet with the braid asked her. Noticing that the two were watching the large Ferris wheel, he came up behind the two and laid his arms on both of their shoulders.

He inwardly smirked as he felt the two jump at his unexpected actions but before either of them could reprimand him, he said aloud, "Would you two mind helping us out a bit?"

"Like how?" the blond asked suspiciously, his green eyes eyeing him.

"You know, help set up some of the attractions," Trowa shrugged, "unload the equipment, stuff like that."

"What's in it for us?" the blond questioned, his suspicions not in the least abated.

"How about you get free admittance to everything here," Trowa suggested. "You get to see the main event under the Big Top, ride all the rides you want, eat all the food you can without paying, even play as many games that you can manage. How about it?"

"One minute," the blond said as he turned himself and his braided companion around to confer with each other. When they turned back around to face the unibanged fellow, both with glowing smiles on their faces, the blond said, "Buddy, ya gots yaself a deal."

---

After wandering around for awhile, Dorothy found herself looking around for her friends, including the two boys that had hijacked them. While she had no luck finding Heero and Relena, she did find the two boys.

Both of them were hard at work, a wonder in and of itself, helping to get the circus set up in time for tonight's performance. Standing a ways from them, watching the two with interest was none other that their benefactor, the unibanged man marveling at the feats of strength that Solo himself was doing. As she was taking all this in, Solo currently was carrying a section of bleacher-like seating that was to form a makeshift ring that would be covered by the large tent that was the Big Top, whistling all the while. Duo was following after him like a little puppy, lugging a podium awkwardly.

"How does he do that?" Trowa's voice asked from beside her, nearly causing the girl to have a heart attack.

"Don't do that!" Dorothy exclaimed. "You almost gave me a heart attack!"

"Sorry," Trowa apologized. "How about my question?"

"I don't really know myself," Dorothy answered honestly. "He's been able to do such things ever since I met him a couple days ago. Not only is he strong but he doesn't seem to feel pain whatsoever. I kicked him in his crotch and he didn't even flinch!"

"Ouch," Trowa commented, a hand straying protectively towards his own crotch.

"Then there's Duo," Dorothy continued. "There's something…strange about him."

"How so?" Trowa asked.

"When I first met him, he seemed like a really creepy kid," Dorothy explained. "The next day I see him, he acting completely different and he tried to kill me!"

"He did? How'd he try to do that?" Trowa inquired.

"I don't know what he did," Dorothy said, "but he just touched me and I felt like I was dying. Like all the life in my body was being zapped away…it was horrible… That's when Solo told him to stop and then we were attacked by those other boys."

Trowa had a look of contemplation on his face as he listened to the girl but then he suddenly interrupted her. "Other boys?"

"Yeah, one of them threw a fireball at Solo," Dorothy said.

Now a frown was marring Trowa's face, at least what could be seen of it. "And which one is Solo and which is Duo?"

"Solo's the blond," Dorothy pointed out as the two boys came back into sight, both empty handed. "Duo's the one with the braid."

Trowa's visible eye was narrowing to the point that Dorothy doubted he could see through it. However, the blonde girl could see that his gaze was focused more on Duo than on Solo, for what reason she had no clue.

"Hey Trowa! Come over here for a second!" Catherine's voice called out and the odd behavior that Trowa was showing vanished in an instant. Nodding at Dorothy, Trowa said nothing more as he walked away to answer Catherine's call.

Dorothy could only remain where she was as she watched the other walk away. Trowa's was strange, no doubt about it but what did it mean? Even since Solo and Duo had entered her life, she was beginning to look at things in a more broader light. She filed this little tidbit away to look at later when nothing else was going on.

"Hey sweet cheeks, ya just gonna stand there or are ya gonna get out of da way?"

The girl jumped and spun around to see Solo holding up a large crate with ease, Duo right behind him, the blond giving the girl an impatient look.

"Sweet cheeks?!" Dorothy demanded, looking cross.

"Are ya gonna move or not?" Solo said, raising an eyebrow. "We got things to do, ya know."

"Well excuse me for being a pest!" Dorothy huffed and crossed her arms over her chest defensively.

"You're excused," Solo replied and stepped to a side, walking around the girl and heading back to the area where the Big Top was being set up, Duo hot on his heels.

Gaping at their backs, the implied insult still running through her head, Dorothy growled and marched away.

---

Now Trowa was intrigued. Dorothy's story, as farfetched as it was, was something he took all too seriously. Yeah, he believed every word she uttered, so what? With the way the two long haired boys, Solo and Duo, were going about with their assistance, there was a grain of truth in what the girl said.

He wanted to know more and to do so, he was going to have to ambush the two, or maybe just one of them, and coaxed the information out. He didn't expect for that to be too hard because what reason would they have not to speak of it?

But there inlayed the problem. He just couldn't find the opportunity to actually ask one of them. The moment he had located Catherine, he was burdened with task upon task until it was evening and the citizens of the nearby town began to make their way towards them. They certainly were cutting it close, weren't they? Then again, this was the schedule that the Ringmaster himself had laid out for them at the beginning of this year's "season." Lots of stops but no lingering. Take advantage of all places to set up business. That was how they did things in this business.

And it wasn't something that Trowa didn't mind one bit. He supposed he was just the type of person who just couldn't stay in one place or something.

Nonetheless, before he knew it, it was time to get ready for the big show and he had to change into his costume. As he approached his and Catherine's trailer, he noted the disheveled appearances of their other two guests, Heero and Relena. He held back a snicker; he definitely knew what those two had been doing alright. However, he was a man of manners so he didn't comment on it, instead remaining silent as he entered the RV to get what he needed.

A couple hours later, he was just out of sight of the crowd, his and Catherine's act next up on the roster. Despite sneaking peeks of the crowd every now and then, he had yet to catch sight of any of the hitchhikers that they had picked up earlier. He had hoped that both Solo and Duo had taken advantage of his offer and would be out there, watching and enjoying the show. He still had to ask them his questions, after all.

---

"I hate clowns," Solo muttered, eyeing the individuals wearing too much make-up evilly. A childhood fear, really, but one that had yet to go away. Of course, that fear could probably be considered hatred right about now but that maybe because he had just received a miscellaneous pie to the face.

Damn it, why'd they have to choose front row seats anyway?!

As for Duo, the braided kid was absolutely dazzled by the display of talent, absentmindedly using his finger to wipe off the cream still on Solo's face and licking it off the small limb as it came into close proximity with his mouth.

At least somebody was enjoying his misery…

The blond was never as grateful as he was when the Ringmaster's booming voice began to introduce the next act and he was curious about that large board that the clowns had brought in. It was a very tall board and for some reason it had a target painted on it. That's when Trowa, as he had found out earlier, and his lovely partner came out into the spotlight, the former's eyes lighting up as they spotted him and Duo for some reason. He shrugged it off and crossed his arms expectantly, waiting for the next "act of wonder" to take place.

He watched in confusion as Trowa was being restrained against the target board but soon his puzzlement was dispelled as Trowa's partner held out a handful of very sharp and very pointy knives. Oh, this ought to be good.

"What's going on Solo?" Duo asked, his tongue finishing up another swipe of cream.

"Just watch," Solo told him. "This is gonna be cool."

Thwack!

Duo practically jumped out of his seat, literally, and Solo found no shame in laughing at his friend's shock. Yeah, that knife may have hit close to the guy's body but it was never close enough to actually cause any harm. In fact, that was the intention but Solo wasn't about to tell Duo that as he enjoyed it whenever the kid jumped with each Thwack.

"She ain't gonna hurt him, is she?" the boy asked, apparently worried for Trowa's well being. Thwack!

"Dun know," Solo replied, taking the opportunity to scare the wits out of Duo. "She might. Accidents do happen." Thwack!

Duo only answered in a whimper, biting onto his lower lip and shutting his eyes every time a knife was thrown. Solo sighed; now he felt guilty of all things. He placed his hand on the brunet's head comforting, feeling every wince the boy made.

---

Septum was not in a good mood. Today had not been going well for him, what with some freak natural disaster out west, the reports from the wars abroad, and the fact that they had run out of coffee was just making it a really shitty day.

Oh, and he had yet to contact or be contacted by Xavien yet. That was something he was going to have to do soon. The man had promised him results by the end of the week and he was in desperate need of something to show off.

"Ah, General, I've been looking for you."

Septum stopped in his tracks. That voice, that deep, Godforsaken, annoying voice. Right now he wanted to shoot something, but because he was still at the office, the Pentagon, he was going to have to reign it in, at least until he could get somewhere private.

"Admiral," he greeted, turning around to face the man who was only a few inches taller than but it was inches that Septum begrudged nonetheless. The Admiral, as Septum called him, was the famous Admiral Noventa, the pride of the United States Navy, a tall, white haired, kind yet strong man that many said could run for president and win just by reputation alone. Noventa was everything that he wasn't; he had the love and respect from all his subordinates, a great public image, even those facial wrinkles that made the Admiral look more like a kindly grandfather than a hideous hobo.

While it was no secret that Septum hated Noventa with a passion, Noventa didn't even seem to notice or acknowledge the animosity.

"Do have some time?" the Admiral asked, ignoring Septum's irritated look. "I'd like to speak with you about that project you've been overseeing, Project Maxwell I think it was called."

Not this again. The old man was treading into places he had no business being. Project Maxwell belonged to him and no one else. Besides, there was no way the navy was going to benefit from this, not on his watch!

"I apologize," Septum said though he was in no way apologetic, "but I'm afraid that I can't speak of it. You see, it's…extremely classified. I was just lucky enough to be selected to be involved with it."

"Really?" Noventa replied, raising an eyebrow in question. "I wasn't aware it was under the top secret label. In fact, it only has a firewall that can be passed with a level five special access clearance, which I have. Would you like to rephrase your previous statement, General?"

Septum gritted his teeth; this was just another thing that annoyed him about the Admiral. The man was just too smart for his own good. Well no matter, he was smarter that Noventa.

"Yes, I would," he said. "This is army matters, Admiral, not the navy. There's no need for your involvement in Project Maxwell, sir."

Instead of backing off like Septum hoped he would, Noventa chuckled instead. "Then I'm glad that I'm your superior. Last I recall, I was nominated by the President and confirmed by the Congress to be in charge of all happenings and dealings within the Pentagon, the President who also happens to be the Commander-in-chief of all the armed forces, including the army and navy."

"But that's in time of war!" Septum protested.

"And we are at war," Noventa said fluidly. "Have you already forgotten about the wars overseas?"

Septum wanted nothing more than to strangle this man and he would too if he knew he could get away with it. However, this was the Pentagon. There were people nearby and security cameras all over the place. There would be no way in hell he would be able to get away with the crime, especially since he didn't have many friends here to support him.

"I'll expect a report on this Project Maxwell by week's end, General," Noventa said as he began to pass by the General. "That would be Friday," Noventa added, stopping just as he was side to side with the other man. "Until then, Septum."

Remaining stock still in the hallway, Septum internally bristled. He had to keep a hold of his temper. Now was not the right time to unleash it. Marching swiftly, he headed towards his office where he locked the door and made sure there was no bugs in the recent vicinity that could pick up on the call he was about to make.

Sitting in his office chair, waiting impatiently with his phone up to his ear, he was mildly relieved when he heard someone pick up.

"Patch me in with Xavien," he ordered and after a couple more minutes of waiting, he was finally in contact with the man he wanted to speak with.

Xavien speaking.

"You better have something ready for me," Septum growled into the receiver. "Has that test been done yet? I need something and I need it now!"

Ah, General, just the man I been wanting to speak—

"I don't have time for your usual bullshit Xavien," Septum growled. "Noventa wants to know about Project Maxwell and he wants to a report by this Friday. There's no more time to delay this any longer!"

Well that's exactly what you're going to have to do, Xavien snapped back, startling the General. An unexpected problem has risen up and I am in the process of correcting it. Nothing you say or threaten is going to do anything to make it go faster.

"Bullshit!" Septum snarled. "You've had ten years to produce something! Now's the time to show what you've got. You really don't want me blowing your cover up to Noventa, do you?"

There was a pause before Xavien answered. Are you trying to blackmail me General?

"If that's what it takes," Septum growled.

Well, before you do that, perhaps you should know…

Septum paled as Xavien spoke to him. How…how in hell did that bastard know that? He thought he had taken care of that matter years ago! Now he was nervous but he wasn't out of cards yet.

"I'll stall him," he sighed into the receiver and he swore he could feel Xavien's smugness on the other end. "However," he continued, "I'm sending one of my close associates over to keep an eye on you and update me on what's going on, Xavien."

Excuse me, Xavien deadpanned.

At this, Septum smirked. "Don't think for a second that I don't know you're hiding something from me. General Katsaris will be there tomorrow, first thing."

Do you really want to know what's going on? Xavien snapped. A couple of our test subjects managed to escape and are being uncooperative in coming back, that's what's going on, General. You know that town out west that you've undoubtedly heard about recently? That's just the fallout of a battle that occurred between the two escapees and a team assembled to retrieve them.

"You mean it wasn't some freak storm?" Septum said into the phone, nearly awed. He had seen images of the damage but never in his wildest dreams could he have ever imagined that it was a byproduct of Project Maxwell…

That's correct, General, Xavien retorted. I told you that I don't deliver defective weapons. Right now, two of those weapons are opting to be defective and I want to know why, just as much as you do if not more so. Leave this matter to me and keep your little watch dog on his leash and I will produce as promised.

The comment aimed at his close friend Katsaris managed to cut through the little web that the other man had been spinning and Septum decided to rein in Xavien. "Katsaris will be arriving as scheduled," he growled. "Don't forget your place Xavien. Even if you take me down, I'll take you with me as well. Last I checked human experimentation was illegal. You have just as much to lose as I do so stop fucking around over there and produce.

Before Xavien could even utter a single word, Septum had slammed his phone back into its cradle but immediately picked it back up to make the needed preparations. He needed to call Katsaris and inform him of this development and arrange for transport. The rest would have to be done on Xavien's end.

Meanwhile, though, he was going to have to do some major wheeling and dealing to get Noventa off his back.

---

Xavien glared at the phone he held from which a dial tone rang out.

Damn it, things weren't going as he had planned… No matter, he would just have to compensate for this latest development. It shouldn't be that much of a deal. Not even Septum knew how far Project Maxwell went and he was determined that it would remain that way, for now at least.

However, he needed to get this all under wraps quickly before it could have the chance to fall apart. He had spent too long and expended so much energy into this that he wasn't about to terminate it now, not when he was so close too.