Disclaimer: I don't own this series or any other series. I am just floating an idea. I am making no money, nor plan to, off this venture. If you think of suing me over this, then grow up. Ranma ½ belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Code Geass belongs to Sunrise and Bandai. In addition, reference to the Mobile Suit Gundam Series belongs to Yoshiyuki Tomino and Sunrise. Also I'm still a jobless man.


Babylon

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Chapter 4

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The Gundam They Called Zero


By Kagewaki Hitomi
"Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind."--John F. Kennedy
"Italics is radio communications."
"Bold and Italics is another language."
Quatre Raberba Winner was Born on July 20, 2000 a.t.b. to a Jordanian father and a Berber mother and is of Arab descent. He was born to a wealthy family in the White Sands in Chihuahuan Desert; and is the youngest of 10 children and only son. He is the sole heir to an enormous fortune, of the Fayez Foundation. His last name Winner (written in Arabic as Fayez) their original surname.

By the Time he was 15 he had joined the Military reluctantly. He is an exceptional as a Knightmare pilot. He fights for peace rather than just for the heck of it. Whenever he fights, he gives his enemies a chance to give up before resorting to violence.


Treize drove through a tunnel with Quatre in the passenger seat. His bag was in the trunk of the car. He turned down a secret passage on the right and curved before going straight. On the radio was playing Bebop a style of Jazz characterized by fast tempo, instrumental virtuosity and improvisation based on the combination of harmonic structure and melody. They drove on a straightaway road for 30 minutes before they came to a stop. It was a dead end with an electric key card reader on the left. He rolled down the window and swiped his card and the punched in 0222.

The door started to go in a mechanical whirl sound and he soon drove through, the door closed behind the car as they went further underground. Quatre turned to General Khushrenada and asked, "So, if you don't mind me asking sir. How much further to the base?"

"Were almost there." he stated. "Just a few more miles to go."

They drove for a couple of more minutes until they came to a hidden underground base. He pulled the car into his parking space stopping and turning off the engine. The humming of the electric engine died down.

"Grab your stuff. I'll show you to your office on the base." he said opening the trunk and Quatre grabbed his bag and closed the trunk. Then leading him to the elevator. "The underground base screeches from Lord Odysseus House to the Business district. This is where we are now at."

The elevator they entered started to go up when Quatre asked, "So, we live in our offices?"

"Well the answer is yes and no. Yes, in the fact our offices are here. And no in the fact that we have private quarters attached to our office."

"So, how many more will join the AEGIS?"

"There are three more people that I would like to join us."

"Who are they?"

"Ensign Johnny Ridden, Ensign Emma Sheen, and Rear Admiral Henken Bekkener."

"So, who will be recruited next, sir?"

"I don't know yet." he said as the elevator came to a stop and the doors opened.

"Oh."

They got off the elevator and into a beautiful hallway that had white ceilings and tan walls with burgundy colored carpet. They walked down the hallway to one of the other office he got to his office and opened the door He ushered Quatre into the room.

"Put your stuff down and let's go to my office."

"Yes, sir." he stated and placed his bag by the door.

Quatre closed the door and fallowed Treize to his office that was three doors away. He opened the door and allowed Quatre to walk in first and Treize closed the door behind when he entered. He then proceeded to his desk and sat down in the chair behind it. Quatre had taken a seat on a couch in front of a bookcase. He looked around the room and saw another bookcase stuffed with books and a table with six extra chairs.

Treize had already picked up his phone than dialed a number and said, "Dr. Haggard?"

"Yes?"

"I'm back. So, can you come to my office so we can schedule the test."

"I'll be there in a few minutes." he said before hanging up the phone.

"Treize hung up his phone and replied, "He'll be here in a few minutes."

Dr. Haggard entered the room and looked at both occupants in a semi-deep conversation on the politics of the current state of the empire. Treize saw him out the corner of his eye and ushered him to a chair next to the table. Dr. Haggard closed the door behind him and took a seat.

"Lt. Winner this is Dr. Haggard the Chief Engineer and one of the main people behind Wing Zero."

"Good to meet you Dr. Haggard." he said shaking each other's hand.

"It's nice to meet the pilot to my creation Wing Zero."

"Um…Thank you."

"So, when can we schedule the system test for?" asked Treize.

"How about tomorrow morning before lunch at around 10."

"That sounds good to me."

"Anytime is good for me."

"Excellent."


Treize lead Quatre passed two Knightmare's one was just a skeleton frame with only the armor missing. The other was the Tallgeese completely rebuilt. The only different was the torso and shoulders were painted and armor on the back. The head was completely the same the only thing different was the plum on the head. They continued walking until they came to the test area. They stopped in front of a cockpit.

"Here we are."

"So, is this the simulation?"

"Yes, this is it. Now take off your jacket."

"Yes, sir." he said and took of his jacket.

"Jump in." he replied and Quatre jumped in, then Treize leaned in a stuck sensors of the EEG to Quatre's head. He then stuck EKG sensors to Quatre's chest. "This is the monitor your heart and your brainwave patterns as it interface with the system. Got it?"

"I got it, sir."

"Very good."

Treize pulled his head out and closed the cockpit. It was pitch black around Quatre and he locked around waiting for the program to begin. It soon started he heard a beeping sound and five targets appeared as a red square box with a triangle overlapping it. He quickly started pressing a button on the left joystick.

Treize walked across the walkway to the control room. Dr. Haggard and his Assistance was a recent college graduate name Dr. Alfred Packard. Who was an inconspicuous tall and lanky man with brown hair and green eyes. Treize stood behind them both overlooking their shoulders. He crossed his arms over his chest.

"So, how the test going Doctor?"

"It's going good so far no problems yet."

"That's good Dr. Haggard."

"Dr. Packard I take it you're the creator of the KMP-003 Gundam Kyrios?"

"Yes, it will be a step up from other basic Knightmares like the Tallgeese."

"I hope it is a good as that analogy you provided."

"It will be, sir."

"So, how are Lt. Winner's brainwaves?" he asked.

"There good, sir." replied Dr. Packard.

"Not enough to make him crazy, but haven't reach the set parameters for it to work properly in the field."

"All right record all the data on this test."

"I'm already doing that Treize. I started when the test began."


Quatre just kept destroying every target as they appeared in front of him. His reaction time was becoming faster and faster then it usually was and soon realized was it him or the machine. Even though he was awake, his eyes were going thru R.E.M. sleep. The ZERO System was sending him data faster and faster, his brain couldn't keep up with the system. Then everything started to go golden around him. He's eyes then widen and he started to scream out.

Treize heard the scream and ran out of the control room fallowed by Dr. Haggard and Dr. Packard. He flipped open his SoftRola W260G and quickly dialed a 7-digit number. He watched as they opened the cockpit and pulled Quatre out. They tried to snap Quatre out of it, the phone on the other rang a couple of time before being picked up.

"Odysseus here."

"My Lord it's General Treize. Can you get down to the underground base right now?"

"What is this about?"

"Just get down here. This is something I can't talk about over the phone."

"All right I'll be there in a couple of minutes."

He flipped his phone closed, as the two Doctors were able to snap Quatre out of it. They helped him to sit up looking a little drowsy and was breathing shallow trying to suck in air. Quatre brought his head to look up at Treize and asked, "What is wrong with that OS System?"

"It's better to tell everyone here when Lord Odysseus gets here."

It took Odysseus five minutes to reach the control room. He entered the room and everybody was sitting around the room. He closed the door behind him and took a seat across form Treize. He waited for somebody to speak up at why he was called down here by Treize.

"You're wondering why you're here, sir?" asked Treize.

"Yes, what so important, that we couldn't talk about this over the phone."

"It's about the OS of Wing Zero." replied Dr. Haggard.

"What about it?" asked Odysseus.

"Since this is extremely sensitive the ZERO System is something that both me and Dr. Haggard created."

"What does ZERO stand for anyway?"

"The ZERO stands for 'Zone & Emotional Range Omitted' System." answered Dr. Haggard.

"What does it do per say, sir?" asked Quatre.

"In a nutshell it's a Bio-Computer. That interacts with the pilot's brain with the Knightmare's computer. The system can decrease the pilot's reaction time since there is no need for traditional visual interface. But there is a problem."

"What problem?" asked Odysseus.

"It's due to the direct computer-to-brain interface the human brain can't process the raw data, the system will cause the pilot to vividly 'hallucinate'. Moreover, I'm using that mildly while the pilot tries to process the possible paths that can be taken; as the pilot tries to figure it out, the system can overload the brain with too much statistics and estimated values, causing temporary insanity. That's why we are hoping Quatre is strong enough to handle the system."

"This system is dangerous. If it got out that we have created such an OS, people would be shocked by what we created. Plus if the enemy got such an OS it could kill a weak will person." muttered Treize.

"If this OS is so dangerous why did you two create it?" asked Odysseus.

"This is what we figured to be the worst case scenario. That is why we started now with the training of Quatre with the system. So, he can handle it and master it and be able to use the OS to its high capacity." replied Treize.

"Okay, but let's keep any information on this system in a secures safe on the base."

"Sure my Lord."

"Now I need a strong alcoholic drink."


December 10, 2015 a.t.b.

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Quatre training in controlling the ZERO System was getting better at handling the system. Only time will tell if he'll be able to handle the system in live combat. They had tested the system one last time before it would go into battle in a mere twenty-two days from now. Treize had just appeared on the platform next to Quatre.

"So, what are you going to do with the time off, before we head off into battle?" asked Treize.

"Go, home and visit my family and enjoy my time off. Before the upcoming war." he commented looking at Treize, before asking, "What about you?"

"I'm heading out to Area 11."

"Why?"

"My mother works at a boarding school over there. I think it's called Ashford Academy where she teaches High School classes."

"So, you're going to visit her?"

"Yes, I haven't seen her in a while."

"I guess I'll see you in two weeks, sir."

"Later, Quatre."

Quatre left the office to pack a bag for his trip. Treize dressed out of his uniform and dressed in a black three-button single-breasted business suit with a pink dress shirt and black tie. He put on a black trench coat over the suit than put on a pair of dark shades. He grabbed his suitcase and walked out of the office. He had to hurry somewhat to the airport he really did have a plane to catch.


He left the plane after landing in Area 11. He stretched after spending almost twenty-two hours on a plane. He left the airport, hailed a cab, and took it to hotel. It took him 15 minutes to reach the hotel. He exited the cab, grabbed his suitcase, and walked into the hotel checked in and walked to Ashford Academy. It didn't take him long to reach the school and walked thru the courtyard heading to the office. When he reached the office the he asked where could Ms. Khushrenada be found and was directed to the Student Council Office. He headed there and saw only three people in the room.

"Can I help you?" one of them asked.

"I'm looking for Ms. Khushrenada."

"She's not here yet."

"Alright, do you mind if I wait here then?" he asked.

"I don't see why not."

"Thanks." he replied walking to the table and taking a seat.

"Who are you anyway?" asked a boy.

He raised an eyebrow recognizing the boy as 11th Prince Lelouch vi Britannia then replied, "I'm Treize Khushrenada. Ms. Khushrenada is my mother."

He sat there in silence for ten minutes for his mother to arrive. Lord Odysseus also wanted him to see for sure if Lelouch was in the care of the Ashford family. 'You were right my Lord.' The opening door broke him of his thoughts.

He looked and saw his mother enter the room. Her looks hadn't really changed in the last 11 years since he last saw her. Her long auburn hair done in a bun. She wore a white knee length skirt and a blouse. In her hands, she carried some textbook and a notepad.

"Mother it's good to see you again after all these years." Treize replied in German.

"My soon you should have visited me more after you graduated from College." she replied in the same language.

"Sorry I was so caught up in my studies that I forgot to visit."

"We have a lot to catch up on. Six years ago both Henri and Meredith joined the military."

"I had kind of figured that they would. I hope they don't get involved with 'Der Allianz'."

"I hope not, but you never know." she said then switched to English and asked, "What are you doing now?"

"I teach at Princeton University." he replied not telling her he worked for Odysseus.

"A little birdie told me you also work for Odysseus, too."

"It's highly classified work mind you so I can't talk about it."

"I understand, son. You should really call La Flaga to catch up."

"I will when I have the time. You have his number?"

"I'll get it for you later. So, where were you recently?"

"Recently I was in Area 14 during the war."

"Doing what?"

"Top Secret. Hush-hush."

She asked her son to meet her at a restaurant in an hour and he left. He meets his mother at the restaurant they ate, drank, and talked well into the night catching on other stuff Treize missed and recent events.


December 28, 2015 a.t.b.

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Treize had returned to the homeland yesterday. He was sitting behind his oak desk with his back to the door. He had a glass of Scotch in one hand and a book in the other. Beethoven's Fifth Symphony was playing over in the record player in the background. He heard a soft knock on his door.

"Come in." he called out taking a sip of his Scotch and placed it on his desk.

The door opened and a young girl at around 15 years old walked into the room. She had long pink hair and done in two buns on each side of her head and cascaded freely down her back with violet eyes. She wore a loose sweater and a long dress. He looked at her and he could tell that she was very nervous to be here.

"What can I do for you Princess?" he asked.

"How do you know I'm a Princess?"

"Because only certain people are allowed to enter this building. So, what can I do for you?" he asked again.

"I'm looking for General Treize Khushrenada. Do you know where he's at?"

"You're speaking to him." he said as he closed his book and turned the chair around then placed the book on the desk. "Why are you looking for me?"

"We'll it's not officially announced, but we are to be married. You and I General Khushrenada."

He looked wide-eyed at her for what she just announces; because this was the first time, he had heard anything of this. He almost missed as the girl stepped out of the way to let someone in. That person was Odysseus and he quickly looked between the two of them a little confused at what was going on.

"Did I miss something Treize?"

"What, sir?" he asked coming out of his shock.

"I asked, 'Did I miss something Treize'?"

"Yes, you did sir. Why not ask Princess Euphemia about it."

"Euphemia dear why are you here?"

"Well brother, father told me that I was to marry General Treize."

Odysseus was shocked by what he just heard. He then looked back and forth between them wondering what father was thinking. Why engage Euphemia to Treize and why not just engaged Cornelia to Treize. He went take a seat by the table in front of Treize desk.

He sighed heavily and replied, "Euphemia can you leave us and closed the door."

"Okay." she said and closed the door behind her as she exited.

Odysseus turned to Treize and asked, "Do you have any hard liqueur?"

"No, but will Brandy do?"

"Yes, pour me a glass." he said as Treize poured him the drink before handing it to him.

"How does something like this happen my Lord?"

"I don't know Treize this is very surreal. I can't believe anything like this is happening."


Quatre had just returned from the holidays with his family. He rode the elevator up with Dr. Haggard and Dr. Packard. His suitcase by his feet he was currently dressed in AEGIS uniform only his coat was purple instead ant the coat tails only went to mid thigh. He was happy to finally be back, but they were going to war. He may like fighting, but he was in the military so he didn't have much of a choice.

"Did General Treize return?" he asked.

"Yes, he returned yesterday. Oh, My Winner did you know that five years ago General Treize slept with Second Princess Cornelia."

"Really I didn't know that."

"Not many people out of certain circles know this. If it got out that the General slept with Cornelia it would be a scandal, my dear boy."

"I guess."

The elevator dinged as they reached their floor and the doors opened. Quatre had already picked up his suitcase when the doors opened. They all saw a beautiful young woman waiting for the elevator all three stepped out and the girl got on she smiled and waved at them as the door closed. They waved back a little surprised that a teenager would be here.

"Who was that?" asked Packard.

"You need to get out Mr. Packard. That was Third Princess Euphemia li Britannia."

"Why is a Princess here?" asked Quatre.

"More than likely to visit Lord Odysseus." replied Dr. Haggard as they walked to Treize's office.

"What about General Treize?" asked Quatre.

"No, I doubt the General doesn't like woman that young."

"You never know." commented Dr. Packard.

"I have known Treize for five years. He likes women his age."

They made it quickly to General Treize's office and the door was closed. Dr. Haggard opened the door and walked in fallowed by Dr. Packard and Quatre who closed the door behind him. Inside the saw Prince Odysseus and Treize sharing a drink with each other. The stopped by the table.

"So, your back Quatre."

"Returning as per your instructions, sit."

"So, why was the girl here?" asked Dr. Haggard.

Odysseus looked at him and replied, "She is General Treize's fiancée, Euphemia li Britannia."

"My that is quite immoral General Treize. Was this you're doing Lord Odysseus?"

"No, this was my father- the Emperor's doing. He may know about Cornelia and Treize have slept together, but he still engaged Euphemia to Treize."

"Sir, how do you fell about this?" asked Quatre.

"Not good I'm trying to drink myself into a stupor. And it's not working."

"I guess so. When Cornelia finds out about this she'll be mad and want to kill you."

"I had been thinking about that. Why you think I'm drinking so much.

"This could be a problem when the fighting begins."

"Then we better get the Arcadia up and running. So, we don't have to stay here more then necessary."

"Running away, Treize?"

"I'm not running away."

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To Be Continued…In Babylon: Chapter 5: The Hawk, The Lightning, and The Goddess.


Author's Note: I finally finished and introduced another character from Gundam and another Mobile Suit from Gundam Wing. So, read and review. Kagewaki Hitomi signing out.