Chapter 3
Duo glanced up as the door opened and their teacher walked in followed by a lass with long black hair and midnight blue eyes.
'This is going to be fun.' He thought.
"Class we have a new student." The teacher said, turning to the lass, "Please introduce yourself and take a seat."
"Raven Sohmara." The lass said.
Then to everyone's surprise, except five lads, Raven walked to the back of the class and sat in the empty seat between Wufei and Trowa.
The teacher began the lesson.
"So what lesson is this?" Raven asked quietly, "I wasn't actually told."
"Pacifism." Trowa answered, "We have to be here, but don't have to participate. So long as we're quiet."
"Just great." Raven muttered, "I walk into one of the most boring lessons in the Universe."
Silently cursing, she took out her laptop and began typing. Trowa noticed it was slimmer and slightly smaller then Heero's. But not small enough to be a hand held one.
She'd been typing for half an hour, before Wufei nudged her. Raven looked up at him.
"Miss Sohmara, I was wondering if you'd give us your opinion on Pacifism." Relena Peacecraft said, slightly irritated that she hadn't been listening to her talk.
"I rather wouldn't." Raven replied, "Because all I have to say, is that peace is just the end result, after all the fighting has stopped. It isn't something we are given. We have to find it ourselves."
"But what of gaining peace without fighting." Relena argued.
"Quite frankly I've given my opinion and am not going to change it." Raven stated, "So I'd appreciate it if you'll leave me be, so I can get on with more interesting things. As I wouldn't want to fall asleep like half the class has."
Relena went red. Raven just went back to typing.
An icon appeared alerting her to a new e-mail. Checking she found it was off Heero.
'Good telling off there. No one's ever spoke to her like that. Nor put her in her place. Well done to you. Heero.'
Raven smiled and replied;
'Well some one had to do it. Or her head would inflate too much. Got a question for you. If we get any assignments that need partners, in the same lesson. Fancy being mine? I'm not keen on the looks I've been getting. Would rather work with trigger happy you, then slimy creeps like them. Raven'
She sent it, a small twinkle in her eyes. She heard a small laugh and knew he'd read it. An answer arrived moments later.
'Sure. It'll get me away from Peacecraft. And from working with a hyper annoying Duo. It's agreed for all assignments. Mission Accepted. Heero.'
Raven covered her mouth with her hand as she laughed. Quietly she closed her laptop down and put it away, as the lesson ended. She walked out the room, happily talking with Wufei and Trowa. Preventing anyone getting near her.
At lunchtime, Duo, Trowa, Quatre and Wufei were sat in their usual place outside. They spotted Raven and Heero walking over talking.
"Hi guys." Raven said, as they sat down, "Heero's just made some lads wet their pants."
Wufei, Trowa and Duo laughed. Quatre smiled, giggling slightly.
"So what'd they do?" Duo asked, picking up a sandwich, "Jump out and say 'Boo'. 'Cos Heero's Death glare would send anyone running."
"Yet you don't." Wufei contradicted.
Duo shrugged.
"He stopped some lads from bugging me." Raven answered simply, a smile on her face, "Just the way he did was priceless."
Heero shook his head.
"Its part of our deal isn't it." He said, "I keep them away from you. And you do the same for me."
"Talking of which, you may wanna do something now." Trowa muttered, "Peacecraft is coming."
Raven's eyes glinted and she sat leant against Heero. The others smiled, and then got on with their lunches.
As Relena arrived, Raven reached for one of the small buns. Heero moved them out her reach, causing her to fall back into his lap.
"Heero you meanie." Raven laughed and hit his chest playfully, "I wanted one of them."
"Did you…" Heero smirked.
Relena coughed to gain their attention, fully aware Raven was still in Heero's lap.
"Heero I wanted to ask if you'd like to come with me to a party tomorrow night." She asked, "I 'know' you aren't working."
"I can't go." Heero answered, "Nor would I want to. Leave me alone Peacecraft."
"But Heero…" Relena whined, causing all five lads to cringe.
"Peacecraft get a clue." Raven said, reaching for the buns again, "Heero may not be working. But it doesn't mean he isn't busy."
Heero moved the buns again. Raven glared at him.
"How would you know Sohmara?" Relena argued, still annoyed with Raven in Heero's lap.
"Probably because I'll be busy doing something with her." Heero stated, finally handing over the buns.
Relena was about to retort, when Duo dived for the buns. This caused Heero to get knocked down over Raven. Their lips brushed briefly, yet only they noticed. Heero then got up and helped Raven up.
"Omae O Korosu Duo!" Both of them cried at him.
Duo gulped and ran off, with both of them at his heels. Leaving Wufei, Trowa and Quatre laughing at them. Relena stormed off.
The next night Quatre, Wufei, Trowa and Duo got a surprise. They were at the base talking with the Doctors when Heero walked in and headed straight for one of the high speed computers they used for hacking into systems.
"Thought you were busy with Rave." Duo said.
"He is." Raven replied walking in, and over to Heero, "He's helping me out."
"Raven…What…How…?" Quatre stammered.
Raven turned and faced him.
"I know you all are the Gundam Pilots." She explained, "I was asked by Lady Une to help you out. Although at first they threatened to expose my family."
"I told you that was just a ruse to get you here." Dr. O argued.
"Be thankful it was." Heero said, "Raven had already learnt of my gun and had it in her hand ready to use against you all."
The others looked at Raven shocked. Raven just shrugged.
"So I forgot my own gun." She muttered, "Anyway I'm just helping out on a few things I found out."
"In other words, I've given Miss Sohmara permission to use any and all of our facilities here at the base." Lady Une stated, as she joined the Doctors, "In return she has been aiding us out in many different areas."
"Which reminds me." Raven muttered, flicking through some papers she had in her hands, "Here it is. The next OZ base you have a mission to destroy is Lunefist Base, right?"
"That's right." Dr. J said, "Why?"
"Leave it alone." Raven answered, "It's a decoy. You go attack that. And we can say bye bye to the pilots."
Everyone spun round to face Raven.
"Are you saying they won't be able to destroy the base?" Lady Une asked.
Raven shook her head.
"Then explain yourself." Dr. G demanded.
"Lunefist base can be destroyed. No doubt the Gundams could destroy it." Raven told them, "Only it will take two hours to reach the base. Then approximately an hour to destroy it completely. However that is the decoy. Whilst they would be destroying the base, OZ troops would be setting up explosives in area D463. Exactly where your house is Quatre. You'd all return there, Mission complete. Explosives would go off. Bye bye pilots."
Several people had paled.
"How'd you find out?" Wufei asked.
Raven walked over to Heero's computer. He allowed her to take over. Everyone else stood round. Raven then began typing extremely fast on the keyboard. Before their eyes the others saw her get through seventeen levels of high security coding, and hack into the OZ network. She scanned through several pages of information. Then stopped on a bulletin.
"There you have it." Raven said.
The others read it over her shoulders.
"She's right." Dr. S muttered, "All of you would have been killed. And we wouldn't have known."
"So what now?" Duo asked, as Raven logged out of the OZ network, before she was discovered.
"It's obvious isn't it?" Raven answered, "You attack the base. Like you're scheduled to."
"But you said…" Dr. O said, confused.
"The pilots attack and destroy the base." Raven stated, "But don't return to area D463. Make sure there's a festival or something. Clear the area of people as discreetly as possible. That way OZ has no idea you knew. Plus I believe they've been watching that area for some reason."
"Miss Sohmara what are you planning?" Lady Une asked.
"Lady Une, it's Raven. Enough with the Miss Sohmara." Raven sighed, "I'm saying we should move the pilots to a different location. And allow OZ to believe their plan has worked. That way we can get more insight on what their really up to."
"I agree." Dr. J said, "How soon can you guys have your stuff ready to clear out of that house? The Maganacs can stay here. We could do with the extra help. But it's unwise for you to stay here."
"We can be ready within two hours, I believe." Quatre replied, rubbing his forehead, "We need to make sure not to leave any trace of identity behind. But where do we go?"
Raven smiled and walked over to him. She laid a hand on his shoulder.
"I wouldn't suggest any of this as a plan, if I hadn't thought of that as well." She told him, "There are five guest rooms going spare at my house. You're welcome to them."
All five lads looked at her shocked.
"What? Have I grown an extra head or something?" She joked, "The rooms aren't used for anything anyway. And it's an address for the college."
"Are you sure about this Raven?" Lady Une asked, "We can't have any problems arising fro…"
"Lady Une, as much as I would really like to listen to your little speech, you're starting to sound like Peacecraft." Raven interrupted sarcastically, "Besides it's just me and Evan living in the main house. There's plenty of room. And I do have the facilities they'd most likely wish to use. Such as a gym, library, and swimming pool. I do also have a weapons room if they wish to train with weapons."
"What!" Quatre cried, "I never knew you had a weapons room."
"Er… well you never really went near it." Raven muttered, "The door's always locked in case of guests. But Evan and I have keys."
"What about their fitness?" Dr. O challenged, "Swimming pools and gyms are all okay. But what about outdoors."
Raven smiled.
"There is an outdoor pool. And also fifteen acres of land. So I reckon they can run round that a few times to keep fit." She smirked, "There's a really nice waterfall just at the edge of our land. Deep pool of water beneath it as well. Nice and cool after a long run."
"It's up to the pilots to accept your offer or not." Dr. S said finally, "Although I must say it does sound great."
The lads looked at each other. All five knew they'd be better off at Twilight Manor then at the base.
"Okay. We accept your offer." Quatre sighed, "When do you want us to move in?"
"Whenever you're ready." Raven replied, "I only need to alert Evan to the fact. Oh Quatre, don't you have a dog?"
"Lela and Kane. Two collies." Quatre answered, "That's not a problem is it."
"Nah, just means Reba has some new friends." Raven smiled and headed out the door.