Chapter19
Raven sipped her drink and glanced down at the others dancing. They were at the club again. It had proved a hit after the re-opening and was packed nearly every night.
"Something bothering you?" Quatre asked, as he joined her.
"Peacecraft." Raven admitted, "If she dropped hints about the missions you were undertaking without realising, what could she do if she knew the truth about my family? But there's also everything else. Our True secret."
"I know it was a little weird to find ourselves slightly over powered at times. But we didn't really figure it out till Trowa caught one of her speeches and picked up on the hints she'd dropped. The mission we'd been about to go on was aborted." Quatre sighed, swirling his drink in his glass, "Raven how far are you at sorting out everything we discussed before? If this war begins before your ready, you'll find it hard to get up and running."
"I know. We're almost finished." Raven assured him, "Evan has several suppliers sorting us out with everything we need and want in the attic. And several other contacts are making the clothes Serena designed. Others are aiding Hotaru out with the gadgets she's made. Apart from that I have got myself further on the spells."
"I thought that was what you might have been doing in the library." Quatre smiled, "I admit I'm now on the fifth cabinet. What about you? I know there are twenty cabinets in there, not including the one with the family books and things in."
"I'm on the seventeenth." Raven confessed, "I pushed myself hard to learn as much as I could. Not just ready for the war, but to also strengthen the protections round the manor. For our benefit as well as the ones who work for us."
"Protections?" Quatre questioned, "The manor has protections."
"Our Fathers built them in when the manor was built. As well as afterwards." Raven told him, "They will protect the manor from outside forces if the need arises."
Quatre nodded and turned to pick up the bottle of wine. He then refilled his and Raven's glasses, before turning back round to watch the others dancing.
"Quatre, I don't wish to seem mean or anything, but I think we should watch what we say in front of Noin." Raven said.
"Why?" Quatre asked, "Have you noticed something as well about her?"
"Your Empathy." Raven smiled, "Yes I noticed something. She seems a little like Peacecraft with us having access to what you lads deal with. Not to mention she seems to spend a lot of time with Peacecraft. Although that could be something innocent. I still have to admit I am on edge about it all. You?"
"I sensed some form of unease from her." Quatre replied, "During the meeting we had and Peacecraft stormed out. That wasn't the first time though. I think she seems to think Peacecraft has the right idea of lowering our weapons to get our enemy to lower there's. But we all know it won't work. I am a Pacifist in my own right, but I know better then to think that will work to gain us peace."
"If that's what you sense from her then I will make sure to monitor her." Raven muttered, "Say nothing to the others about this. Let us discover what we can first. We don't wish to create tension when it could be nothing."
Quatre agreed and they both fell silent as they drank their drinks and watched the dancing.
Hotaru turned round before the mirror. The catsuit seemed to cling to all the right places but also allowed her to move freely.
"The middle of the back we made to be loose with slits to allow your wings out." Kerry told them, "It won't be seen by anyone, even if they get right up behind you. As for the colour we decided that black was the best option so you can be concealed. Although we did add a taint of your aura colour so you can be distinguished."
"What do you think Rave?" Serena asked, giving a twirl.
"There great. How many have you made for now?" Raven answered, "As we will need a few."
"I made sure they were hard wearing as well as protected from many things." Kerry smiled, "I can have a dozen each for you by the end of the week. Since I have the materials and the designs it won't take long."
"What about footwear?" Evan questioned, "It would be best to have something heeled for them, but also easy to move in and be able to conceal things in."
"We already have some items prepared." Lara smiled, removed the cover from a table.
Beneath it lay several pairs of boots. Some knee highs and some ankle high. All black.
"These we have made from stronger material but still have the same protections as the catsuit's." Lara explained, "The knee highs have a concealed strap in the inside for a dagger or thin blade knife. The heel also has a hidden compartment for any small item you wish to use. The heels are made to not break. The ankle boots have the same features as the knee highs, only they can only half conceal a knife inside them, due to their length."
Raven nodded, and looked over some designs.
"These masks you've designed for us." She asked, "How do they work exactly?"
"Only you can place the masks on and remove them." Kerry answered, "They answer to a DNA lock. Also they meld to your face, so you can't see the seam. There are three varieties. The first only covers the eyes. The second covers the eyes and partially covers the head. The third covers the head and eyes like a helmet. It would be best to have your hair tied up out the way so no one can recognise the length of it. You could possibly have a bun over it that conceals the colour as well."
"And the gloves that you say need to be put on before the catsuit." Hotaru checked.
"They allow your fingers free movement but will cause them to leave no fingerprints or marks of any kind behind." Lara told her, "It is better to put them on before the catsuit so that the ends are hidden beneath the sleeves of the catsuit."
"I think this will work well for us." Raven grinned, "The only other thing we need to work on is communications and some form of computer and bag to store what we want in. Not to mention a belt of some kind."
"We have belts made for the catsuits." Kerry remembered, "As for communicators I suggest you go for earrings or something similar. Computers if you can get one made would be best small and in a place they aren't likely to be discovered if you are caught."
Raven nodded. Serena and Hotaru then went to change as Raven gave a list of all the things they wanted more of. Both Lara and Kerry then left. Leaving Evan to tell Raven how much more work was needed in the attic before it was fully ready to be used as a base of operations. Not to mention how much more work was needed in the cavern to make it ready for all the others that would be helping them later on.
Raven watched as Heero, Trowa, Wufei and Duo ran out the manor. They were heading for the base. Having been called in for something by Lady Une. Quatre was remaining at home due to the fact he wasn't well. An excuse Evan had come up with for him. But helped out by a few spells from Serena and Hotaru.
Once they were out of sight she ran up to Quatre and Trowa's bedroom. There she found Quatre had finished getting ready and was just staring out the window.
"It is a little unfair for them to rush off and leave me at home." He told her, having noticed her enter the room, "I mean they could get in danger."
"Relax. I had you remain behind for a reason." Raven said, "Now come. It's time to show you the finished attic."
Quatre spun round to face her, shock written all over his face. He followed her out the room and up to the attic door. Raven unlocked it and they headed up.
"…I still don't think it right that we should have to…" Serena was arguing, before noticing them arrive at the top of the stairs, "Oh hi guys."
Raven shook her head and turned to Quatre.
"We have a section here with three computers. One for the security of the house. The other two for hacking and other things. The workbench down the middle is used for making new gadgets and other things, of which the cupboards and cabinets hold the supplies we need for them. This wardrobe here houses all our clothing to be used as Hells Angels. And the section over the other end, houses all the weapons we have to use."
Quatre wandered round looked. His eyes bulged at the amount of weapons he found in the weapon section.
"I think it's safe to say you're about ready to surface." He smiled, facing them, "Only how do you plan on revealing yourselves?"
"We plan on joining you lads during a mission." Hotaru answered, "Hopefully it'll be one where there are enough mobile dolls for us all to play with."
"The only problem is making sure you guys don't attack us." Serena sighed, "Which is what I was trying to point out earlier."
"I guess you won't be revealing your wings straight away." Quatre laughed, "Perhaps it would be a good idea if you defended some of us from taking blasts as we fight. Then the others will notice you helping us. That would probably be the best way."
Raven nodded and leant against the workbench.
"Quatre when we first reveal our wings you will have to be in your Gundam." She warned him, "We are fighters in spirit and it is shown by the colour of our wings. If we get injured then reveal our wings you will be compelled to reveal yourself and aid us. It is instinct due to you having the healing spirit."
"That's the thing. If we end up injured how the hell are we supposed to hide the injuries from the lads?" Hotaru puzzled.
"Easy I found out a few things in some of the books left by our ancestors." Raven smirked, "Once you two get to the fifteenth cabinet you will learn healing ways. However since Quatre has the healer spirit he can bypass the level magic and learn the healing spells already. Only the fighter spells he has to reach the level of first."
"And we have to go through each level first. That is so unfair." Serena complained, "I'm only on the ninth cabinet."
"Well I'm on the twelfth." Hotaru sighed, "Still a way to go before we can heal."
"I'm on the seventeenth." Raven admitted, "I can heal you both for now. Quatre is on the fifth, but can skip to the fifteenth cabinet and learn the healing spells in the rest of the cabinets. So there will be two of us able to heal. We don't have to worry about the healing side. Just the concealment side."
"Yeah how do you expect to hide yourselves going down the stairs dressed in catsuits?" Quatre questioned, having looked in the wardrobe.
"We had secret passages built into here, that lead straight downstairs. Although we added magic to them. Enter one and you can just about go to any room on the ground floor that has an exit." Serena smiled, "Plus they have a little warning built in so you know if anyone is in the room you wish to enter from the passageway."
"The other thing is we have several exits around the manor where we can exit without being seen by anyone." Hotaru added, "Not to mention all those who work here have been helping us out with it all. Seem extremely proud to see us getting ready for war."
"Because we are going to be protecting them." Raven said, "Mind you they also are glad that I have the securities alert as well. I warned them all of the set calls that get sent out before the manor goes into set modes. Each way they are protected, but also safe and secure."
The others shook their heads. Quatre closed the wardrobe and they all headed down out the attic with Evan locking it.
Dr J walked over to where Dr O and Dr G were discussing some changes that needed making with the Gundams.
"Where are Dr H and Dr S?" Dr J asked.
"Just coming." Dr S answered, as he walked over with Dr H, "Now what's so important that we need to meet away from everyone else."
"The fact you are meeting with me." Raven smirked stepping into sight.
The others glanced at Dr J knowing he knew about her.
"You said you had some knowledge for us alone." Dr J said, "Knowledge that doesn't need to be known by any others."
"Yes. You five know my family has the Genetic Weaponry skill." Raven stated, "This we have been using to aid you out in upgrading the Gundams for the lads and making sure they are protected better whilst out in the battle field."
The Doctors nodded in agreement.
"Well I will surely be killed for saying this, but we also plan on joining in with the fight." Raven told them, "Heero and the others wouldn't want us to. J you know I am involved with Heero. As is Hotaru with Wufei. You all know that we discovered Quatre to be our cousin as well. And that he is involved with Trowa. I have an inkling Serena may end up with Duo, but at the moment nothing concrete. We don't wish to allow them to fight whilst we remain at home. So we will fight as well."
"I understand what you're saying." Dr O replied, "But exactly how do you plan on fighting? The lads have Gundams. You don't. Plus the battles will be too dangerous for you to battle on the ground with simple guns."
Raven smiled and shook her head.
"As the Head of my Family I entrust you with the True Secret of my family." She said.
Stepping back a little, she unfurled her wings from her back. Causing the Doctors to gasp in shock and surprise. Making sure no one else was around, Raven furled them back in again.
"My family holds a Gene known as the Hells Angels Gene." She explained quietly, "If you possess the Pure Gene you gain wings. Like we have. This will allow us to fight without remaining grounded. As you saw my wings are black with a dark purple taint. My wings are black because I hold the Fighter Spirit of the Hells Angels Gene. It makes me more a Fighter then a Healer. Serena and Hotaru are the same as me. Although the taint to their wings is different. Due to it being based on our aura."
"You're telling us this all so we can aide you right?" Dr S checked, a grin appearing on his face.
"We wish to aide the lads and protect them as much as we can." Raven admitted, "We have everything we need equipment wise. And can get a communicator to you so you can get in touch with us. All we need from you is to be told where the lads are and if we are needed. Obviously we will be using code names so the lads don't find out. Will you be willing to do this? Behind all the others backs."
"Since your Gene is called the Hells Angels Gene, we can get away with calling you the Hells Angels." Dr H said, "As for your codename we will use the colour of your auras. As for doing this behind the others back. I think it's a good idea."
"We think that something is off with some of the people here, but can't be sure." Dr G explained to her, "Could use your help there. Which gives me an idea. Later on if you need them, we could design Gundams for you. Might not be able to make them though."
"I'm sure we have contacts able to do that for us." Raven smirked, "I'm grateful. And I understand what you mean. My family and I are weary about this place as it is."
"Okay you get a communicator to us and let us know the codenames of you all then we'll sort the rest out." Dr J chuckled, "Just make sure you show yourselves to be friends to the lads when you first appear. Or you may be in for a rough ride with them. I know for a fact Heero will shoot first and ask questions later. After all that's the way I trained him."
Raven nodded and stepped back into the shadows. She disappeared off quickly. Leaving the Doctors to think through everything and come up with a way to explain their appearance for when it would be needed. After all they weren't going to miss out on the opportunity to have more insight on what was going on then they were being permitted. It would help them prepare the lads more. All five couldn't help grinning or smiling as they thought about having the three lasses working in a way for them like the lads had a few years back. The three Hells Angels.
Raven and the others stood watching the television as the news reporter announced that a new branch of Oz had established and was now declaring war on the world. After stating that the peace was nothing more then forced silence. They all held up a glass of wine.
"Here's to the declaration of War finally being announced!" Raven said.
Everyone drank from their glass and sat down again. The television was shut off.
"So everything is ready for any possibility?" Evan checked.
"Yes. The securities are alert. The ones living and working here have been told and are on constant alert." Raven answered, "Now it's just a case of waiting and seeing what happens next. We're all prepared for any situation."
The others smiled; glad they at least had somewhere that they knew they would be safe during the war. As well as the fact that the others that worked for them were safe as well. It gave the lads the spirit to fight in the war. Little knowing that the lasses would be fighting as well. After all, when Raven had said everything was prepared, she wasn't just referring to the safety of the manor. She was also referring to the fact that they were ready. The Hells Angels were ready to surface.
That's all folks until part 2