We own the sky, you and I...
(We own the sky... You and I...)
Take it tonight, fly for your life...
(Fly for your life...)
Just fly for your life...
It was about two weeks later when something finally happened to break up their routine.
"Duo, come listen to this."
"Yeah, just give me a minute, okay?" He was still braiding his hair after showering, getting the last strands woven together and making sure there were no whisps peeking out. He'd hit the pool and while he could have left his braid tied in, he wanted to make sure he took care of his hair while he still had the chance, before he was in the middle of nowhere without a good meal in weeks, let alone a shower with nice shampoo and conditioner.
"Hurry!"
Hurry? It must be serious. Quatre hadn't told him to hurry since they'd come to the safehouse. He tied off the last bit with an elastic and pulled on his shirt. When he got out Quatre was sitting near the pool with a morose expression. He'd brought the TV from a few rooms away outside, setting it on the nearest table with an outlet in reach.
"One after another, forces of the former Alliance military unjustly stationed in each of the colonies have been forced to surrender. With the new and powerful OZ organization, operations have commenced for the removal of space mines."
Duo leaned against the wall with a frown. What..?
"This should result in re-establishment of communication between the colonies."
He turned towards Quatre, but the other pilot didn't notice him. So he spoke up. "I thought OZ wanted to conquer the colonies no matter what it took them to do it."
"They do! And they're using the dirtiest method of all: If OZ used force, then the colonies would get ready to retaliate. But they'd be accepted if they used the guise of assistance."
The old carrot and stick, huh. Except the carrot was made of solid gold and the stick was hidden out of sight. Duo sighed, his frown getting deeper. The worst part was it would work. "Most people in outer space take things as they come. I doubt if anyone'll question OZ's plan."
Quatre stood, shutting off the TV. "I think it's time for us to go back to space. With our Gundams!"
Trading places with him, Duo sat down, leaning his arm against the table. "Good. Not to be ungrateful, but I've had just about enough of waiting around. What's the plan, Quatre?"
"The plan is, we need to contact the others. The two of us aren't going to manage it alone. We need all four of the remaining Gundams in space if we're going to counter OZ."
The plan was a shitshow. A planned shitshow, but planning to get in shit still landed you in it. Attacking a major top of the line spaceport like Singapore was suicide, and they were walking in the front gates.
But that was the point.
"We need to get their attention somehow. We need to tell the others they need to get to space. I've been hailing Trowa, but he hasn't answered me. We can't rely on him for help, and I have no way of contacting the other pilot."
The cranky one whose name they still didn't know. Duo had shrugged. He hadn't known how to contact him either, and even if he did he got the distinct feeling that guy would say no even with a flawless plan just to be contrary.
So it was just the two of them calling out into the void, hoping Trowa would hear them and figure out their message. And maybe by some miracle the other guy would get it through his thick skull too. Duo wouldn't lie, he wasn't thrilled with the plan. But he couldn't think of anything better besides splitting up and trying to sneak in, and that was another can of worms. Space was in no way easy to get back to right now, not with the colonies deciding to get all buddy-buddy with OZ. Sure, he could infiltrate a spaceport no problem, spin up an ID or steal one and get the cash to get back there, but there was the not-so tiny problem of getting Deathscythe up there with him. Commercial flights were a no-go with a Gundam and they didn't know any smugglers who weren't guaranteed not to hand them right over to OZ. Howard had a ship, but he had no idea where Howard was. And anyways, he wouldn't blame the old man for cutting his losses and disappearing at this point. Howard had already done so much for him.
He hoped Howard was alive and out of OZ's hands. Not hearing anything wasn't the best of news.
"..." He'd had to ask Quatre the obvious, as much as he didn't want to be a dick. "... You sure Trowa's even alive?"
"Yes. I'd... I'd know if he died. Trust me. And anyways, OZ would put it all over the news if they killed another of us. He's alive."
He was curious to know how exactly Quatre thought he'd know that, but in the end Duo hadn't asked. It was personal, and if he got too personal with Quatre Quatre would expect the same back. He didn't want to be open in that way. He'd already gotten too close to Heero. Quatre was good, better than someone born with a silver spoon had any right to be. Quatre deserved better than getting dragged into this, even if it seemed like the other pilot wasn't going to be bowing out any time soon.
Quatre had better not die doing this ridiculous stunt. He didn't know if he could take it if Quatre died too.
"This new spaceport isn't anything like their others! I can't get any closer at this rate!"
There were multiple Leos and Tragos keeping them both pinned down with suppressing fire and even worse, keeping their distance. Both him and Quatre needed to get in close to really start causing chaos. And even worse, they needed time to get onto a shuttle and their options were getting more and more limited with every explosion. Fire was already beginning to engulf the base, and while that red-hot glow would normally be satisfying to see at an OZ base it meant their clock was ticking down fast.
"I'll get us in, follow me! Let's go after the HLV equipment for mobile suit delivery!"
"Wait-" Sandrock was already rushing forward, charging at the Leos like a madman. Duo followed close behind. Quatre wasn't wrong; they needed to make it over there. Without those HLVs, no Gundam was getting into space.
Bullets just bounced off their Gundanium shells, but the missiles were a problem, and lo and behold, a Leo was already armed with some, firing on Quatre. The first shot glanced off his side, but threw Sandrock off balance- And the next collided with him head on, hitting the Gundam with enough force that it flew through the air, skidding on the tarmac and tearing up the concrete.
"Quatre!"
Several Leos descended on him, but Duo was faster, reaching Sandrock just in the nick of time. He cut two in half with his beam scythe, slamming the butt behind him and hitting a third Leo right in the viewport, then finishing the job with a clean cut.
"Don't overdo it, Quatre!" They had to be alive to get into space!
The other Gundam looked up at him, its green gaze seemingly acknowledging him. Quatre spoke up. "It's okay, we have to fight so that the other Gundam pilots will figure it out! They'll see us battling like this and see they need to go to space as well! That outer space is waiting for us!"
"Huh..." He was still on about that, even at a time like this? Damn. The kid had heart, Duo'd give him that-
"Shit!"
A missile hit him right in the left shoulder, sending him flying. He slammed the verniers to stabilize, digging his fingers into the ground. Deathscythe's arm trembled, and he was worried the fingers might actually give out, but after a few harrowing moments and the worrying screech of metal throughout them he finally stopped. He looked up and saw a bright red glow- Quatre had activated those heated blades of his (they were called 'shotels', apparently) and threw them, cleanly skewering two more mobile suits. A second, two... And they both exploded.
Man, those were cool.
"To outer space! Every one of us!"
Duo shuddered. He could hear Quatre through the radio, of course, but it felt deeper, stronger, than that. Like a compulsion, or a command even. Get to space. Go to space. Space was the place they needed to be.
He was trying, goddamnit!
He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. Whatever that was it wasn't important now. Right now, what mattered was making a hell of a scene and these Leos were going to play their part.
He fired his shield, drilling through a Leo's cockpit. He saw Quatre cutting through more and more mobile suits like they were paper. It was rough, but slowly, steadily, they were making progress.
But they had hours to go before they'd sleep.
It was exhausting.
Normally, he was in and out, striking key targets then getting the hell out of dodge. He was good at being elusive, not at drawn out combat. Sure, he could keep going, his scythe was at about half juice, but combat took every bit of focus he had. He had to be aware of every little bit of information coming through on his screens, every enemy's position, where their serious missiles were coming from and how to dodge them. He had to watch for gasoline and fire, for the few shuttles that had managed to escape their wrath so far. It helped having Quatre with him, but with so much raw information pouring in through his eyes he felt wired.
His head was pounding, sweat pouring down his face and caking his back even with Deathscythe's AC trying to keep the cockpit cool. He was feeling the ache behind his eyes of his body fighting off sleep in an attempt to stay alive. One slip up and he could die. Worse, Quatre would go with him. Somehow he knew, he knew, Quatre wasn't gonna cut and run even if things went badly south.
Heh. They could share a room in hell together if he didn't find Heero first.
Duo took down a communication tower, the structure falling on two slow Leos. At least they were exhausted too. It was a bloodbath on their end, even with the enhanced missiles they had loaded up and used against them. They had to be running out, because the barrages were getting fewer and farther between. They still had their guns, but regular bullets were still as useless as ever against Gundanium.
"Haah... Let's see..."
Was it enough yet? Surely that Trowa guy had gotten the message, right? Maybe even that cranky shitter figured it out with Quatre's message back there. Flicking a few switches, he checked his video feed, switching from his private channel to more common feeds. Images flooded the cockpit, showing both Deathscythe and Sandrock in all their battered glory.
Man, Deathscythe's paint was wrecked. Still, despite himself, Duo managed a small smile. Good. We made it into the news all over the world.
But there was something else. A flickering, unstable video feed coming in. He could barely read the newscasters' mouths, but they said something about 'response' and 'colonies'.
Huh? What's this?
His heart sank. He already had a sense of what was coming. He could feel it in his bones. But just like when Heero stood out on Wing, defiant 'til the bitter end, Duo couldn't look away.
It was one of the major colonies. One of the L1 colonies, or maybe one of the richer L2 sites. Definitely not V08744. Somewhere in D? Could be. Duo didn't know for sure, but its proximity to the Earth screamed L1. In any case, nothing good was coming out of it.
"We wish to publicly announce a decision made by the space colony area D. Mobile suits known as Gundams are currently going around destroying OZ's facilities. These Gundams have nothing to do with Colony Area D. We hereby declare that if the Gundams consider OZ an enemy, then we will consider the Gundams ours."
God damn it all! He knew it would be bad, but openly denouncing them right as they were going back to space? Fucking traitors! Duo hissed, firing his vulcans at a Leo that had gotten too close.
"OZ has treated us fairly. It didn't take long for us to settle our misunderstandings toward each other. We hope that the Gundams are defeated in this battle. We further hope that the other colonies will follow the example we've set with the declaration."
Bastard! How much was he paid, huh?! The suited rat on screen looked like exactly the type to fold for money. How much were the souls of the colonies worth in the end? How much?!
"I expected this, but even so it's still hard to swallow!"
He spoke for Quatre's benefit. His friend was silent. He bet Quatre was feeling much the same way, minus maybe some of his anger. But damn it, he couldn't help but get mad! How couldn't this educated son of a bitch on TV realize what was going on? How couldn't he see he was being played?
"... It's alright, Duo."
"What?"
"We came down to Earth all alone. It's okay if the colonies don't understand right away. I'm just happy knowing there are others fighting with the same kind of feelings that I have. That's more than enough."
Well it ain't enough for me! He never expected gratitude or fairness out of this world. He wasn't doing it so the colonies would say thank you and give him a damn medal. But it still made him furious that he'd get stabbed in the back this way. What was he fighting for, if the colonies wanted to roll on their backs and show OZ their bellies?
"Ngh-"
Sandrock had taken another missile right to the chest. Quatre cried out as he hit the ground.
"Quatre!" Duo looked away for a second- And it was a second too late. A second volley hit Deathscythe in the shoulder, throwing him off balance. He stumbled, and another volley sent him crashing to the ground in turn. He jerked forward, throwing his arms out to catch himself, and grunted as his harness caught him in the seat. He was lucky; if those straps gave he would have smashed his head on his monitor for sure.
The Leos slowly advanced with suppressing fire, while the other suits loaded up more missiles. They were running out of time.
Sandrock was struggling to rise. He heard Quatre through the radio, pleading with his Gundam. "C'mon Sandrock, stand up! It's way too early to be defeated yet!"
"Damn it... At this rate we're not gonna make it..."
Duo stayed down, catching his breath. He could move Deathscythe, but he was only going to get one chance at getting away. It was a battle of attrition, and now they were the ones on the back foot. OZ's bullets might be worthless, but those missiles sure weren't, and every moment they were on the ground was a chance for the Leos to get closer and closer. He might be able to stand, but what about Quatre? He couldn't leave him..!
"I still think what we're doing is probably a good thing... So why is it we have to die in a place like this..?"
He leaned against his monitor's cold glass with a sigh. Just a moment. He just needed a moment, just...
"That's because we are doing the right thing!"
What? Who was that? Duo looked around, but whoever was speaking had to be behind his Gundam.
"We are right. WE ARE!"
It's that guy! Duo recognized that voice now. It was that jerk from before, the last Gundam pilot whose name he still didn't know. The one with the dragon-armed Gundam. He tore into the Leos, crushing their heads with the screech of Gundanium on steel and dodging an oncoming set of missiles aimed his way. It was enough to take some of the heat off Quatre, and Sandrock managed to stand again, shotels in hand.
The dragon Gundam's pilot kept talking. "The ones who are right have to be strong. If this is all you guys can do, then so be it. The rest of us will take over from here."
Hey! Who the hell was he to talk? Man, even saving their asses this guy was completely insufferable. They'd been fighting for hours! He'd just gotten here! With the reprieve the other pilot gave him, Duo had Deathscythe get up, frowning at how long it took. Not good. Those bullets might have done more damage than he wanted to admit, or maybe it was the missiles. "The rest of you will take over?" Who was he talking about? Quatre's mysterious Trowa?
"Hmhm." He could just feel the smugness radiating off of the mystery pilot. "That's more like it." At least he had the courtesy of sounding somewhat relieved. Duo already knew he didn't like this guy, but there was that. "You'd have a hard time explaining it to your comrades if you were defeated here."
Wait. Comrades? With an S? Who-
"Duo, look! Tune into the news!"
Had Trowa gotten the message? Duo flicked the feed on, and after the briefest static Deathscythe picked up a broadcast.
The bright red Gundam with the gatling guns, Heavyarms, was unloading on some unfortunate Leos. But that wasn't all. He couldn't believe it. One, then two, then three separate feeds confirmed it; Wing was out in the skies, then on the ground, another spaceport trashed and surrounded by flames.
Heero? Heero!
He's alive!
Another burst of adrenaline shot through his body, kicking him back into high gear. He might be wiped, but Duo couldn't help but grin. Heero, that glorious bastard. He was alive! "They figured out we need help!"
"They got it... They understood our message..!"
It was all he could do not to keep staring at the screen. Heero was always a sight to behold in Wing, and right now he wasn't holding back. He fired that rifle of his over and over again, vaporizing everything in his path. Nothing could withstand that kind of firepower, let alone a dozen Leos. It brought a tear to his eye- Literally, Duo had to wipe his face and his laugh wavered. Not now, not here..! Later. He'd decide later whether he wanted to throttle Heero or kiss him, and in what order. That mystery pilot might be covering them, but they weren't in space yet!
"Duo! Get Deathscythe to the HLVs! I'll be right behind you!"
He shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Copy that, Quatre!" He trusted Quatre more than the other guy. The launch doors were still closed, but that was no obstacle for his beam scythe. He tore open both panels one by one, the steel just barely avoiding the craft. There were several HLVs below, more than they'd need.
"Good news, guys! Plenty of transports for all of us!"
"Great! Get them ready, Duo!"
He didn't need to be told twice. He dropped down the hole he'd torn in the spaceport, far below the fighting, and landed on one of the conveyor belts. Right. Where were the controls- There, not far, maybe 15 feet away. After laying Deathscythe out on the conveyor belt and popping the hatch, he patted his Gundam's controls, unbuckling himself from his seat and standing up.
"Hold on, buddy. I'll be right back."
There was no one to help him get out and he had to scramble over Deathscythe's metal edges, finally jumping down just below his Gundam's skirt panels. His ankles and wrists protested, but he was able to get up and keep going.
"We're goin' back home, buddy. Ain't that swell? Dunno what kind of welcome we'll be getting, but..."
Thank god there were standards when it came to launching both air and spacecraft. He'd never had to launch an HLV from an OZ base before. But starting up the conveyor belt was no problem, and Deathscythe was soon getting loaded up into the ship. His Gundam seemed to watch him as it was being loaded up, reassuring him all was well with its green glow.
"Alright. Now the pod!" He looked up, and to his surprise Quatre hadn't come down the hole with him yet. "Hurry up, Quatre!"
To launch these things he needed to get to the control room. Thank god it looked like all hands were up top in mobile suits, trying to keep them out. No one down here had tried to stop him yet and it didn't look like anyone was coming down now. He could have killed anyone trying to stop him, but every second was another second they risked reinforcements arriving.
The dragon-armed Gundam jumped down, going for one of the HLVs. Duo set them all to launch. He gave it five minutes. That should give them enough time to all get aboard and some decoy shuttles for OZ to target. Shit, that was a good point- How were they gonna stop OZ from shooting them down?
"Quatre! What are you doing?"
Sandrock stood on the edge of the hole, but Quatre wasn't jumping down. He stood, defiant, while the Leos kept firing on him.
"Hurry up, Quatre!"
But Sandrock wasn't moving. Had the Gundam somehow sustained critical damage? Was Quatre stuck in there, unable to escape? If he was, he had to help him! But Deathscythe was already loaded onto the HLV. Would he have time to get his Gundam out and reach him? No way would they both be able to take off, but it was Quatre's life at stake..!
But then, as he was worrying, torn between actions, he somehow heard Quatre, despite there being no radios around. "Don't worry about me! I'll back you two up until you take off."
"Have you lost your mind or somethin'?! We all have to make it up to space!"
This whole plan was Quatre's idea! He was the one who'd figured out what he needed to do! Now he was gonna be the big hero and stay behind? Who the hell was that helping out? They all needed to be there! They all were supposed to take on OZ together! It was happening yet again, another friend, another person he reached out to in this wretched world and he was going and throwing away his life!
"Quatre!"
His friend softly chuckled. "I know, that's why... That's why I have to back you up. So at least you two make it up into space... Nngh-" Sandrock swayed dangerously over the precipice, but still didn't fall.
"Please..! I can't take this much longer..!"
It was worse even than Quatre was making it out to be. Despite his words, through whatever means Quatre was talking to him, Duo could feel his real intent. Quatre was gonna go down swinging. He was gonna try to self-detonate. Another friend lost to the Reaper. Heero was back, but that didn't meant Duo wanted to trade in Quatre!
What a cruel joke. Finally, finally getting someone back, only to have another taken.
He grit his teeth and finally screamed in frustration, slamming his fist down on the catwalk's railing. "You damned fool!" And then he was gone, running towards the HLV. He didn't have much time. None of them did. Quatre's sacrifice had to mean something. He'd be a complete failure of a friend and ally if he didn't even manage to get up into space.
He got into the HLV just in the nick of time, slamming the door behind him. The thrusters started to light up, gaining speed. He just barely had time to yank on a space suit and get his helmet on before he was thrown back against the wall. It was all he could do to shove himself off it and grip onto the seat, using what felt like the last of his strength to get seated and strapped in.
God. He'd made it. Him and that arrogant jerk, at least. He didn't know about the others far away. And Quatre...
"... I'm okay... Duo, Trowa..."
"Quatre!" This time the sound was coming through his radio. Duo couldn't sit very far, but he sat straight anyways. "Quatre! Are you okay? How did you get out-"
"Later, please... Just... I'll explain later... In space..."
"Okay. Okay Quatre. Rest up, pal. You've earned it. Talk to you soon." He couldn't believe it. What a guy. Heh.
That was unexpected, and in a better way than usual as of late. Duo sighed and closed his eyes, leaning back. They'd done what they could, and some more than others. How had Quatre managed to get out of there unscathed? Hadn't all the HLVs taken off? Would OZ go after them and shoot them down?
How was Heero alive?
So many questions, and here he was with none of the answers.
... If OZ did shoot them down in the atmosphere, so be it. It sounded like a particularly awful way to go, but at this point there was nothing he could do about it anymore. He was putting his life in god or the reaper or whoever's hands at this point. It was on a higher power whether they lived or died.
To space.
A/N: And we've returned to the main plot. Soon we'll be getting to one of the parts I've wanted to write most. Hope you guys are enjoying it as much as I'm liking writing it.