Last Resistance to Peace

Chapter 18

by Scarlet Eve

SUNDAY FUNDAY. If you haven't noticed, this fic is gonna be really long. #sorrynotsorry

A.C. 205

Late-March

The exhaustion coursing over Relena's body came in waves. Her hair, hardly washed at all in the last few weeks, hung down her back in a ponytail, brushing her back just below her shoulder blades. She'd given up dressing for her role as Queen and simply arrived in the conference room wearing leggings and a loose sweater, along with her slippers. She could feel the looks of pity that the other women in the room gave her. Sally, Noin, and the German soldier, Hilde Schbeiker sat at the conference table as well, working on laptops, making phone calls, or watching the news broadcasts. They were exhausted as well, but somehow managed to pull themselves together enough to look presentable.

The underground conference room, located near the command center for the Sanc Kingdom military, had become their war room. After the news of a mobile suit attacking OZ bases surfaced, Relena immediately went into lockdown.

The truth was that she had no idea who was piloting the suit, but she also didn't know whose side it was on. It was possible the pilot of the suit was a mercenary out to destroy anyone with military power, in spite of the irony.

But something about the entire situation bothered her, and she continued to stare at the source. In front of her, clipped inside a manila folder, was a blown-up picture of the mobile suit. The image focused on the symbol painted on the chest plate- that of a crossed sword and feather. The image was unfamiliar to her, but wondered if the Sanc Kingdom had used it at one time as a symbol. Relena dug into the family archives but could find no evidence that it had ever been used.

And, yet, the symbol plagued her thoughts.

The door to the war room opened, and Milliardo entered, looking as much a prince as he had before his imprisonment. He sat down beside Relena and rested a hand on her shoulder. "You need rest," he said.

"There's too much to do," she replied. She closed the folder and pushed it aside. "We have to be ready, should that mobile suit decide to attack this kingdom."

"What makes you think that will happen?" Milliardo asked.

"Because I don't know who to trust anymore." Relena hadn't meant it as a jab at Milliardo, but he flinched just the same. Across the table, Hilde, Noin, and Sally had stopped working, silently watching the siblings. She blushed and shook her head. "Except all of you, of course."

"The suit has only attacked OZ bases so far, and OZ is our enemy as well," Milliardo pointed out, but Relena shook her head.

"I can't assume anything. It doesn't mean that Sanc isn't on the list of targets," she said.

"I suppose."

Silence fell in the room and everyone returned to work. Beside her, Milliardo opened a laptop and began to type rapidly. She'd put him in charge of helping to monitor the local news outlets in the country, to see what they were saying. At any negativity or speculation, Relena wanted Milliardo to reach out to the concerned parties, to clear up any potential misconceptions. It was important that the Peacecraft family remain in the good graces of the people, especially after she was forced to join Romefeller.

A.C. 205

End of March

"And this is your recommendation?" Treize asked Une. He stood at the large window of his office, looking out over the lawns that extended from the Romefeller palace.

"It is." Une stood at attention on the other side of his desk, a manila folder tucked under her arm. A duplicate was on the desk, the papers spread out. Treize had flipped through the pages and rose to look out the window. Une knew he was contemplating the decision, and she couldn't fault him for that. It was a big decision, based on little evidence, and if they were wrong, could cause them more problems later on.

"It is against OZ policy to attack another member of the Romefeller foundation," Treize said.

"I know that, your Excellency," Une said. "But we are very sure that our guess work is correct."

"Hmm… guess work…" Treize repeated.

"I understand your reluctance," Une said, but offered no consolations. There were none. It was a huge risk, and had a high likelihood of two outcomes. One of which was not preferred. The other would put OZ and Romefeller in a better position.

Treize released a long sigh. Still facing out the window, he said, "Launch the attack."

-SE