Snippet Ten
Clearly Agent Sand had a different notion of 'camouflage' than he did. It wasn't a bad thing. In fact the young man's disguise was perfect, green shorts, tan shirt and diagonal sash bedecked with colorful patches, blue neckerchief bearing the familiar logo. Golden hair and a doe-eyed expression made him look harmless.
No wonder these boys had been so effective during the war. If any of his specials had caught Quatre on the perimeter they would have disregarded him completely. If he had been caught, as he was, decked out in cameo-gear with even his green hair tinted in darker shades to blend more easily with the branches, well, there was no mistaking that he was in fact an enemy combatant. Of course his objective had always been not to get caught and he hadn't, exactly…he'd even fulfilled the objective. Pity he hadn't seen that sharp branch. But the Lightning Count didn't give up.
As the youth approached something caught Zech's eye. Were those cornrows? He blinked in surprise almost falling out of his tree. Yes, Quatre Raberba Winner had criss-cross cornrows forming a pattern like a Belgian waffle across his scalp. Zechs smirked recalling just why Cousin Dorothy had been banned from the Kushrenada estate. Treize's father had not been amused.
Quatre paused seemingly catching his breath, facing away from the tree. "How badly are you injured Agent Wind?" The boy asked voice pitched so it wouldn't carry far.
"How did you…" Zechs whispered. He hadn't said anything when he radioed in for extraction.
The boy touched the ground with two fingers, "Trees do not generally bleed red, how badly Mr. Marquis."
"Flesh wound, right thigh, must have reopened when I climb up to avoid the patrol."
"Very likely, they are still out there, watching me at the moment. Were you an eagle-scout commander?
"Never had the privilege; though you pull it off well."
"It always pays to be prepared. Your uniform," Quatre informed surreptitiously leaving his knapsack behind as he pushed himself away from the tree. "I will lead the guard-dogs away."
"I appreciate the assist."
"The darker shadowing in your hair makes a nice effect. Like Heero's highlights only in reverse." Winner observed.
"Originality is often in the accents." Zechs quipped. "I like your braids too, suits you better than the glitter."
"Not dazzling enough?" The young blond smiled the tiny beads ending each braid glinted in the sun.
"Brilliant, in more ways than one, Agent Sand" Zechs chuckled softly.
"The rest of 'the troop' will be along shortly. Climb down and dress quick as you can and do be careful. Scout's teach first-aid but don't press your luck."
"Will do," Zechs answered.
"Hay you," Quatre called out to the watchers, "Do you have a radio I could use? Our Scout master is hurt. We fixed him up so he's all right, but he can't walk far. Can you call the ranger station?"
Zechs was less than graceful disembarking from the tree. Changing clothes was far from painless. Moments after his camo-gear went into the knapsack agents Dragon, Shadow, Sky, and Void emerged from the tree line.
"Poor jolly stuck in a tree…" Agent Shadow grinned "We get merit badges for this right?" he asked untangling his braid from the branches he brought to make a splint.
"I'll be sure to talk to Une." Zechs confirmed.
Agent dragon scoffed but had the wound cleaned bound and splinted in no time. The surprisingly strong arms of Agents Sky and Void lent support, helping him stand and together they ambled down the path.
"Hay Cattie!" Duo called out. Quatre was still chatting away with the four enemy soldiers.
"Hi guys, guess what, these fellows are ESU-guard on some kind of training mission. It's like capture the flag against the Preventers. Isn't that great? Officer Talbot tells me we can enlist when were18. We'd even get admission credits since we're scouts.
"Really? What if we decide to become Preventers? WuFei frowned running fingers through his red tipped locks, free of their usual tail, "I hear some of them are younger than 18?
"Rumor, something about kid-soldiers from the colonies, but, I never met any." The afore-mentioned 'Agent Talbot' smirked, "Here comes the jeep. We have to stay here and guard our flag back in the clearing. Officer Ripley'll run you back to the Ranger station. That is the Preventer base. Don't tell them where our flag is all right?"
"I didn't see anything back in the clearing." Quatre smiled innocently.
"You wouldn't, it's up one of the trees." One of the men explained as he helped Zechs into the jeep.
"Thank you." Zechs smiled as the boys climbed in beside him.
"So, Miss Ripley, you gonna try for the Preventers flag after you drop us off?" Duo asked "Its perfect cover."
"That's hardly fair." She laughed. "Though Agent Earth did tell Caption Mattox she was calling in her big-guns. It would serve them right if I did."
"You've got to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves Miss." Trowa smiled from behind his fringe of hair. "Ever heard the saying all's fair in love and war,"
Zechs couldn't help smirking as he fingered the enemies 'flag' in plain sight -- tied around his neck like a bandanna. "We do appreciate all your help." He smiled.