Last Resistance to Peace
Chapter 30

by Scarlet Eve

AC 205

June

Hilde ran down the tunnel leading towards the soldiers' barracks, occasionally glancing back over her shoulder. In her chest, her heart thumped wildly. She hadn't thought it would happen so soon, and now that it was happening, she wasn't ready for it.

Duo was being shipped off somewhere else.

That's what his brief message had said, when he asked her to come see him to say goodbye.

Duo appeared up ahead, running towards her. Hilde slowed her speed and they met halfway down the tunnel. Hilde threw herself into Duo's arms, and she hugged him to her tightly, her arms laced around his neck. He held her back, his arms crossing over her back.

"Where are you going?" she asked, her face pressed against his chest.

"Treize is sending us after Milliardo," Duo said. Hilde leaned back, her face surprised.

"How'd they find out?" she asked. Duo shook his head.

"Heero must have guessed. I didn't tell him anything," Duo said.

"This is terrible." Duo tried to smile and gave her another squeeze.

"Now that I've met you, I know I'll see you again," Duo said. "Perhaps after this war is over…" Hilde stared up at him, her eyes watering with tears. "Perhaps we'll find each other. But you, you have to stay with the Queen. Make sure she stays alive. I have a feeling she'll be important."

"Do you promise we'll meet again?" Hilde asked. Duo smiled that goofy smile that first attracted Hilde to him.

"I may run and hide, but I never tell a lie," he said.

Hilde laughed, then pressed her lips together with resolution and nodded her head. Duo smiled. He lowered his face towards hers, and their lips brushed together. Hilde tightened her hold on his neck and deepened the kiss. Duo held her in his arms, and for a brief moment, it was as if they were the only two in the world, and the only thing that mattered was the space between them.

AC 205

June

Something was happening, and Dorothy was determined to find out what.

Which is how she happened to have an OZ Lieutenant cornered in a shadowed hallway, her body positioned to keep the young man from slipping away too easily without causing more problems. Dorothy leered into him, her eyes narrow, her lips pressed in a line. The Lieutenant was pinned in place by her stare. He shook with fear.

"Tell me what is going on," Dorothy said. "Une has been gleefully prancing around this place, and I know she's up to something."

"I can't tell you," the Lieutenant sputtered. Dorothy inched closer, until their noses were inches apart.

"Yes, you can. And you will. You will tell me what she's planning," Dorothy said.

"Please, Miss Catalonia," he said, closing his eyes and turning his head to the side. Dorothy slammed a hand against the wall, next to the Lieutenant's head. "Alright!"

"That's a good boy," she purred, intent on breaking him down. Once he fell apart in her hands, he'd be putty. The Lieutenant shuddered again, and opened his eyes, in which fear glistened. Dorothy raised her eyebrows in expectation.

"You can't tell anyone what I told you, or I'll be court marshalled," he said.

"Oh, of course. I'd never tell anyone," Dorothy said. "And I know you won't tell anyone about this conversation." He shook his head.

"Une is planning to attack the Sanc Kingdom, now that the Gundam pilots are gone," he said. "I don't know when, but soon."

Dorothy's eye twitched, and she pulled away from the Lieutenant.

"Does Treize know about this?"

The Lieutenant shook his head. "I don't think so."

"Of course. He'd never consent to her attacking the Sanc Kingdom. I can't believe she'd do that under his nose." The Lieutenant shrugged his shoulders. Dorothy stepped back, returning the Lieutenant's personal space back to him. She gave him a hard stare. "This conversation never happened."

"Of course, Miss Catalonia."

Dorothy whirled away, hair flying out as she hurried down the hall. She didn't know how much time she had, and she needed to inform Queen Relena of the attack. Perhaps, if Dorothy made it in time, they could avoid unnecessary deaths. There was no reason for the general population of the Sanc Kingdom to be destroyed on the whim of one insane woman.

Leaving the OZ headquarters in her golden limo, Dorothy sped her way back to her quarters at the Romefeller Foundation manor. She rounded the corner into the circular drive that lead to the main entrance of the manor, nearly sending the front wheels of her limo onto the curb. The limo screeched to a halt, and Dorothy threw the limo into park and jumped out. Flying up the steps, she threw open the doors and entered the manor.

When she reached her personal quarters, she closed and locked the door behind her, and dropped into the chair in front of her vid-screen phone. She entered in the communication number to Queen Relena's office, which she had bribed a soldier into providing, and waited while the connection established.

Finally, the call was answered, and Queen Relena's face appeared. She looked worse for wear, and Dorothy's heart immediately went out to her.

"Dorothy. This is a surprise," Relena said, though there wasn't much excitement in her voice. Dorothy forgave her that.

"Pleasure to see you again, Miss Relena," Dorothy said. "I wanted to talk to you immediately. I just heard some distressing news."

"What is it?" Relena asked. Dorothy took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Lady Une is planning to attack the Sanc Kingdom, now that the Gundam pilots have left," Dorothy said. An expression of surprise and fear took over Relena's face. She frowned deeply.

"When?"

"I don't know, but I think you should begin to evacuate as soon as possible," Dorothy said. "Better safe than sorry."

"We can't defend the country," Relena said. "We have hardly any mobile suits left."

"I think Une knows that, and that's why she's choosing to strike."

Relena closed her eyes. "Thank you, Dorothy. I owe you my life for this information."

Dorothy waved a hand. "Just being a friend, Miss Relena."

The two women bowed their heads to each other, and made their goodbyes. Dorothy leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. The only thing left to do was to watch the fall out.

A/N: A little late to Sunday Funday, but I hope you enjoy anyway. :-)

-SE