Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Catching the Past ❯ Duo's Story Part B ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

DUO'S STORY PART B
CHAPTER 4



The first thing Duo became aware of was his throbbing skull. The more alert he became the worse it got until all he could think of was the pounding headache that had developed.
Trying to focus through the pain, he thought there was something he had to remember or do....if he could just think past this headache that was starting to center on the right side of his head. He reached up to see just what was wrong and found he couldn't move. That's when it started to come back to him. He lay there, for how long he couldn't tell, just resting. Resting and remembering.
Finding that as long as he took it slow he could move at least a little, he took a limited look around. He appeared to be in a room with one dim window. It was dark but not pitch black. A gleam of light showed through under his door. He was on a hospital bed and under restraint.
Cautiously testing the straps did absolutely nothing so he gathered his strength, braced himself against the pain in his head and pulled putting his all into it. That's when he rediscovered his hand.
Sagging back, fire creeping up his arm from his hand, he concentrated on taking deep breaths until he had forced everything to a dull roar at the back of his mind.
First off, he was going to presume he was caught. Why else would he be strapped down like a guinea pig?
The last thing he remembered was seeing Jez taking careful aim at Deuce's back and the thought that shot through his mind that he couldn't let Deuce get killed He'd tried to get between them as he was simply too far away to do anything else, and he'd succeeded. A searing pain skimmed along his head and everything went gray than black. Evidently Jez and Chance had decided that if they couldn't get Deuce, he was the next best thing and perhaps he was. After all, he had something both parties wanted.
However, with what he knew now about what it was in those vials, there was no way he was going to let anyone have it. Not on his life.
Grimly ignoring the matching throbs in his head and hand, he started working on his restraints. Normally, they wouldn't have been that hard but with the shape his hand and head were in he was just too slow. A sound at the door alerted him to the fact that he had company.
Deciding not to bother with the possum routine he kept his eyes open as four men came in. Jez, Chance, and two men he didn't recognize; one of which was in a white coat. That one started checking him over paying special attention to his head. Duo glared at him but as he could do nothing it was patently ineffective. At last the man in white straightened, satisfied.
"Ok, he's good to go" he stated simply and left.
On what, exactly, is he basing his opinion?! Duo thought crankily to himself. The man hadn't even so much as glanced at Duo's hand which felt a bit sticky.
The as of yet unidentified man regarded him coolly, completely disregarding Duo's Look. After this much time with Heero you'd think I'd could expect it to have a little more effect than this!!! Duo continued to grumble to himself. Jez and Chance fidgeted. At last the unidentified man flicked his finger at Duo, all without saying a word. Chance started forward with something a little too much like glee on his face. Undoing the restraints, Chance grabbed a fistful of Duo's collar and yanked him upright without any preliminaries.
Duo's headache came back full force and his knees threatened to fold under him as his vision narrowed and dizziness hit full force. He was seeing two of everything and was sure he was going down. Concussions can do that to you. Though he'd had worse.
Somehow he kept his feet from sheer stubbornness. The unidentified man was waiting impatiently at the door and with no options open at the moment, Duo moved his direction; Jez and Chance falling into place behind him. He was lead to an office like room and steered to a chair into which he was delighted to fall into as he wasn't sure how much longer he could have kept his feet. The boss man, for that's who it had to be, moved around behind a nice, hand carved mahogany desk and sat down, calmly folding his hands under his chin.
"So, Duo Maxwell. I never thought I'd have the pleasure so soon. If it's not one thing it's another, eh?" he spoke at last. Duo didn't like this. The man clearly knew him but he couldn't place the man at all. Duo studied the man steadfastly ignoring the two on either side of him.
"Don't know what you're talking about. Who are you?" Duo asked also steadfastly ignoring his pounding head.
"Ahh, yes. I was just another body then." the man tilted back in his chair.
"Of course, when I saw you, you had been bested by a mere girl. Though in the end you did manage to get away. Such a pity...you owe me for a good laptop." the man said with an oddly pleased look in his eyes that didn't do anything for his face. Duo scowled unhappily. The man was playing games with him.
"We were on our way to the moonbase, you blew our engine, took a suit...ahh, the light dawns. Yes, I was Hilde's commanding officer. But enough of that. You may call me Peter Piper." Peter leaned back contentedly. He never had imagined having such an opportunity as he had now. Duo had seriously damaged his career and caused him untold humiliation not only for escaping but for subverting his under officer and trashing the shuttle. He'd been stuck with compensation for the damages. Lower officer's pay wasn't exactly generous. And he'd worked so hard too, Oz had been the only life he'd known. Everything had gone downhill from there until he'd been released with a dishonorable discharge, a disgrace to the military and his father who was a staunch military man. He'd had plans, big plans and Maxwell had ruined them all!!!
And now here Maxwell was, practically handed to him on a silver platter. With an internal sigh Peter decided it was time to get down to business. He leaned forward.
"So tell me Maxwell, what's your gain in this?" he asked pleasantly. Duo didn't trust it one bit.
"World wide travel? You know, look at the scenery, see the sights, including the last two native apes in existence long thought to be extinct by...ooomph!" Duo reeled as Jez slugged him face full of fury as it dawned on him what Duo was insinuating.
Duo honestly thought his head would explode and for a minute he sagged, held upright only by someone's hands. Whose he had no idea. The world went very, very gray for a bit than slowly started to come back into focus again. He heard voices but for a very long moment couldn't make out what was being said. Then everything was quiet for a moment as his head was twisted upwards then dropped.
He hung there for several long moments until he found the strength to open his eyes. The room was getting crowded with two and sometimes three of everybody. Not good, another blow like that might do some serious damage. I hate to say it Duo my man, but you are in a serious mess here.
"I'd advise you to make some effort here Mr Maxwell before you get dropped. It would be terribly undignified to work a deal off of the floor wouldn't you say, hmmm?" Duo was beginning to hate that voice. He straightened somewhat supporting his weight on shaky arms against the chair.
"Let's try this one more time. Oh, and may I say that another blow just might do some serious damage...I'd suggest not provoking Jez again. So, will you answer my question?" Piper smiled at him, still maintaining the pretense of pleasantness.
Of course, with him it might not be a pretense... was the thought that flickered through the back of Duo's mind.
"What....was...question....again?" Duo ground out through gritted teeth. Piper was losing his smile. And was that irritation flickering in his eyes?
"What is your gain in this?" he repeated.
"In what?
"This! This cat and mouse game."
"Hilde wanted a calico for her birthday...too many rats arou....." this time Jez went for his stomach. Piper lost his smile altogether.
This time Duo would have hit the floor but someone had grabbed his braid...he's gonna pay for that...and held his head up. When he had partially recovered from the latest abuse, Piper came around the desk. He did not look pleased anymore.
"Mr Maxwell, I don't think you realize the severity of the situation. Kipling stole something from us and we are going to get it back! One way or another. It would be much to your advantage to cooperate with us. Namely, you'd keep your life." Piper looked at him through narrowed eyes, than put his pleasant face back on.
"I will ask you one last time. Think carefully Mr Maxwell. What is your gain in this? How are you involved with this Deuce Kipling?"
"Wellll...promise not to tell? For sure? Cross your heart and hope to die? It's like this...would you lean a little closer...I don't want anyone to hear...Ok...ready? I don't know yet. He did make mention of an ice cream cone...what do you think...is he trustworthy?"
Dead silence as Piper slowly straightened. His eyebrow beginning to tick furiously, Piper looked at Duo for a long moment. Uh oh, Duo m' boy, you just may have pushed him too far this time. Better get set cuz I think I'm in for hurricane Piper!
Piper slowly and deliberately moved back around his desk, sat down and then opened his mouth.
"Mr Maxwell obviously doesn't take us serious...he doesn't take me serious. Gentlemen, I want you to get full satisfaction from him; my only caution is to avoid killing him. He must be able to comprehend what's happening to him and when you're done do it again and when you're done with that bring him to me WHERE I SHALL FLOG HIM TILL HE SCREAMS FOR MERCY OR DIES AND THIS IS THE LAST TIME YOU MAKE A JOKE OF ME MAXWELL!!!" Piper was shrieking at the last and as Chance and Jez eagerly started for him, Duo braced himself, startled in spite of himself at the sudden switch in Piper's persona. It was going to be a long hard day.
Sorry Hilde, never got to say goodbye properly, hope you never see this maniac again, I think he's finally flipped out!!! Heero, you better take good care of her, guys watch your backs.
Halfway through the first round, Jez and Chance paused as Piper leaned over Duo to ask him viciously,
"Having fun yet Maxwell? I am!!" Duo somewhere managed to drudge up a half grin. It was all he could manage.
"9.4... Heero... still better..... good help is... hard to find... neh?" Duo could hear Chance snarl and as his vision narrowed down to nothing from Chance's blow, he laughed to himself at how susceptible they were to manipulation.

This time when Duo awoke, he ached all over. Well, this's one way to do it, if I hurt worse elsewhere I won't be thinking of my head! Duo mentally mumbled to himself. It really wasn't any consolation at all. But as he came around he became aware of one odd fact. He ached in a dozen places but he wasn't nearly as bad off as he'd expected to be. Not that he was ungrateful mind, but he had figured that even incompetent twits like Jez and Chance could do better than this.
He'd had worse as a child running the streets. Not for long though, he was a fast learner. It hadn't been long before he'd learned how to hold his own.
Prying his eyes open, he realized he'd been moved. He no longer rated a bed apparently.
And they stayed away from my face, that's awful nice 'n considerate of them.
This time it was several hours before anyone came. Duo dozed as best he could until he heard noise at the door. This time it was only Jez and Chance. This time it was Chance that came and jerked him up while Jez waited at the door. Jez couldn't seem to make up his mind wether he was happy or mad. Chance was just plain mad. It didn't help his disposition any when he ended up supporting Duo as his right leg didn't seem to be working quite right.
They ended up back at the office, only this time when they sat him down in the chair Chance went about tying him down firmly with way too much enthusiasm. Once again Piper settled down behind the desk. He stared at Duo, his pleasant facade firmly in place. It was getting on Duo's nerves big time.
"Well, Mr Maxwell. It seems I have a use for you yet. I regret my loss of temper earlier, rest assured that I am well pleased you are still relatively hale and healthy. I do trust you can look beyond my unfortunate temper and work with me towards a compromise suited for us both." he paused.
Unfortunate temper?! Hale and healthy?!! He wants to COMPROMISE??? HE'S NUTS!! TOTALLY INSANE!!!! Duo thought in sheer disbelief. The man was still waiting for a response.
"Compromise how?" was all Duo could get out at the moment.
"It's like this. Deuce Kipling has managed to totally slip my men. You, not only are a Gundam Pilot, but already know what he looks like and have spent a certain amount of time with him." Piper tilted the chair a bit looking up at the ceiling.
"In short, I want you to track him down and get our stolen item back. His state of health is of no concern to us." Piper was still looking at the ceiling. Duo mentally shook his head in disbelief.
"And if I refuse?" Duo asked. "How can you be sure you can trust me?"
"I have taken that under consideration. Dr Verden? If you please." Piper smiled at Duo. Duo had a feeling of dread deep inside.
The man in the lab coat entered the room. His face completely blank, he pulled out a syringe. Duo's face paled in spite of himself. He looked at Piper who just stared back dreamily.
"Y-y-you can't be serious! What are you doing? Just what are you playing at Piper?! Piper?!! Wait!" Duo said frantically, his voice rising he desperately tried to think his way out of this one. He started to struggle as Piper just nodded to Dr Verden who grabbed Duo's arm firmly and efficiently injected the whole syringe. Duo gave up struggling, it was making his hand throb worse and worse, to glare at Piper with promise in his eyes.
"You may go Doctor." Piper said pleasantly. He swivelled back to gaze coolly at Duo.
"That, Maxwell, was a wonderful concoction known as PSD23....ahhh, I see you're familiar with it. No doubt, you are from L2 after all." Piper nodded to himself.
"You see, Pratcher, the discoverer of this PSD23, was distantly related to me. I inherited all his notes and all his experiments. Now that I have firmly established myself in these wonderful times of peace following the wars there are hundreds of opportunities to gain wealth, power, influence...ahhh! The spoils of war indeed. But of course that wouldn't interest you would it Mr Maxwell? At any rate, there are always people willing to take power and of course there's always room to sell power as well." Piper dropped all semblance of geniality so suddenly is was like a switch had been turned off inside of him. Duo was feeling rather numb all over.
"What Kipling has in his possession, Mr Maxwell, was all of our samples of PSD23....all but one that is. So to lay it out for you Mr Maxwell.....you are going to die. You will die unless of course you find this Deuce Kipling and his stash and return it to me. You asked how I can be sure I can trust you...I can't of course. Gundam Pilots are amazingly resourceful and stubborn. I shall be sending one of my men with you. He will report back to me on a regular basis. If you so much as arouse his suspicions, Maxwell, you will suffer the consequences. And after I'm done with you I will personally hunt down Schbeiker at my leisure and you can imagine the rest. And if your fellow pilots get in on this, they shall go down as well. I believe we are finished here....Rip!" at Piper's call, a man entered. He was of medium height, well built without being bulky, with normal mousy brown hair cut in no particular fashion. He had a sense of stillness about him that was silently unnerving or would have been if Duo hadn't worked alongside Wufei and Heero so long. Jez and Chance were untying him but Duo didn't move. Something inside of him seemed frozen in disbelief.
"This is your 'partner' Rip. Watch him well. I don't want anymore disappointments." with that Piper got up and headed for the door with Jez and Chance falling in behind him like well trained bloodhounds.
Rip looked at Duo. Duo looked at nothing in particular still trying to absorb what had happened. Finally he looked up at Rip who looked back impassively.
What have I gotten myself into? What have I gotten them into? Still, Piper's making one major mistake, thinking he can take out Heero and the others. And Shinigami too. But that doesn't mean lives won't be wasted. I gotta do something but what? Can't think...that stuff....was it the real thing? I hate needles!!!
His scattered thoughts were interrupted then when Rip finally moved; pulling him to his feet roughly and guiding him to the door.