Title: Why?
Author: Karina
Rating: PG
Pairing: Milliardo + Duo
Notes: Challenge 207. Baby Series 4 #78. Takes place approximately 10 hours following Thawing Out.
Spoilers: None
Warnings: Extended Length
Many thanks to ShenLong Deb for her work betaing this set of fics.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or the Characters from the series but the baby is mine.
Title: Why?
"Why you?"
He arched an eyebrow and glanced at his companion, more than a little surprised by the question. "Why me, what?"
Duo settled in the overstuffed armchair and made himself comfortable, restless blue eyes roamed the small study relentlessly. He looked unsettled, disturbed.
"Why did you go into the ice caves? I mean, you are the King. What have you got to do with a blocked outlet? How come they came to you, specifically? I'd have thought they would have their own experts..?"
Milliardo rubbed absently at his cheek, soaking in the warmth of the blazing fire. He supposed there was still a great deal Duo had to learn about Sanc and the responsibilities of the King.
"It was actually a rather astute means of cutting through a great deal of red tape. Normally Parks and Wildlife would have to go through a set number of application forms, appointments and questionnaires to gain permission to do what needs to be done. Especially as the use of explosives in such close proximity to New Port City is prohibited. It would have taken much longer than we actually have to get clearance through normal channels to use explosives to clear the blockage. If the drain channels from the ice caves remained obstructed during the spring melt, it could have been disastrous. The longer the blockage remains, the more dangerous the situation would present as the pressure of running water grows."
Duo pursed his lips. "So it was all to cut corners... But why you, specifically? They contacted Pagan, didn't they?"
Milliardo inclined his head, agreeing and sipped his brandy before replying. The liquid was warming and it was a rather fine drop, if he did say so himself.
"Yes, one of the officials with Parks and Wildlife was in the resistance with Pagan and knew he had my ear. He also knew my skill sets included engineering, and that I would understand the implications of what I would see if I went down there. The entire exercise was designed to allow me to see the problem, determine the best solution, and expediently expedite said solution."
'And said solution will be...?"
"I gave clearance for them to involve the Royal Engineers, who are experts in explosives. Most of them are ex Oz special forces with specialisation in engineering. At best I would think they will have eight to ten days to clear that blockage before the channels become unsafe to use."
"And just how long might it have taken if the 'usual' application process had been used?" Duo spread his hands to the fire, thinking it seemed colder tonight than it had over the last few evenings.
"Lets just say that everyone would have been praying the spring melts were less than in usual years. It's a bottleneck that could cause dangerous back pressure and it's relatively close to the outer facing of the cliff. They need to inspect the tunnels to make certain there will be no further rock falls before the melt. If the current fall is not cleared, or should there be a further fall, it is entirely feasible to imagine the pressure might build to the point it could take out a large section of the cliff face. The results would be catastrophic for certain sections of the city."
"What if you hadn't had any knowledge of engineering?"
"Then I would still have gone and taken with me a number of experts in the field. We have lost sections of the cliff in the past, Duo and the aftermath was tragic."
End
Karina Robertson 2013