Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Children of War ❯ Children of War ( Chapter 1 )

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

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing nor am I associated with it. (I can only dream about that.)


Children of War

Snow was falling covering the small village. Wufei stopped at the edge of a hill that over looked the small village and then quickly scanned the surroundings memorizing every detail. A thick forest surrounded the village amongst its many hills and valleys. The winter scene looked like it could be on a Christmas card. He wondered if this colony had any technology that was up to date. His partner, Sally Po was already heading toward the village. He shrugged shifting the weight of his backpack and began to follow her.
They traveled silently till they reached the village where they were greeted with resentment. Instantly Wufei stood poised ready to fight, daring any of the villagers to attack them.
"Get out of here. We don't want your kind here!" a young man angrily ordered. Next to him was a young woman cradling a baby protectively.
Sally placed a hand on Wufei's shoulder. "Wufei, don't. Care to explain why?"
"You are soldiers, and we don't like soldiers in our village. Soldiers bring war," the young man explained as he glared at them.
"We aren't here to attack your village we have come for a temporary place to stay," Sally persisted not surprised by their reluctance to let them in their village. She had seen this many times before. It was a common reaction anymore. At the same time other colonies welcomed the sight of soldiers.
"Well, you won't find a place here," the man replied, his tone strict.
"Then we should leave, if these weak people don't want our help. It's not worth staying here," Wufei commented glaring up at the spokesperson of the village.
"You know we can't leave, Wufei. It's been a long journey," Sally answered.
The young man sighed. "Since a snow storm has started we can't let you leave. You may stay till the storm is over and then you are not to return."
"Your hospitality is greatly appreciated," Sally stated. "And we will be sure to leave once the storm is over."
"Meiran, please show them to our home," the leader stated. Reluctantly the young woman with the baby led them to the largest house of the village, which was centered. Wufei kept his face expressionless as he and Sally followed the woman. Children ranging from young to teen gave curious glances some were even following. Sally smiled at the children. These children seemed to have no worries at all unlike her young companion. She wondered if Wufei ever yearned for a normal life like the children following them. In fact any of the Gundam pilots. Would they want a normal life?
"I can't believe you are letting them in here!" Meiran hissed in a whisper while the two soldiers where a sleep. "Jancen, these people are soldiers! They will bring us more trouble!"
Night had fallen long ago. Outside the window the snow was still falling. The snow was typical. It always snowed at this time of year. It was known as the dark period when there wasn't much sunlight. For those who weren't used to this often became depressed due to the lack of sunlight. Meiran wondered how these soldiers would react. At the moment she was more concerned about getting rid of them.
"Do you think I want to? My concern is for my people, for us. We are being watched; if we disobey they could destroy us all," Jancen stated.
"I know, but it's such a shame. They seem like nice people. And how can a young boy be such an expressionless soldier?" Meiran questioned. "Boys should be having fun."
"That is what war does, Meiran. We must do what these people ask us too. While you attended to them I contacted them. They ordered us to destroy them, for they are dangerous people. If we don't do this they will bring a war," Jancen said in despair.
"But if we do that we'll be like the people we hate."
"I know, but we have to."
Silently Wufei looked up at the ceiling. Meiran, the name haunted him in his sleep. Meiran was the name of his wife, whom had passed away. She was someone he had loved and had failed to tell her until it was too late. She was the reason why he was fighting. Why he continued to fight for justice, like she had done.
Now someone else had her name. The woman who had his wife's name strangely looked a lot like her. It disturbed him immensely, but he wasn't about to show it. His partner Sally knew nothing about this. She knew nothing about his wife. Was this some kind of omen? What did this mean? He closed his eyes, trying to figure this out. It only brought more frustration. He sighed.
Wufei awoke the next morning and quickly dressed in his winter gear. It seemed like it was just a minute ago when he fell asleep. He didn't care. He had a mission to complete. He ignored the howling wind and the heavy snowfall as he stepped outside. A thin layer of snow had already covered his shoulders.
Otherwise the village was quiet, as they stayed in their warm homes. Quietly Wufei walked down the paths, his footprints quickly being covered up. Once he had left the village, he pulled out some binoculars and began to scan the area around him. With the snow falling heavily, it was great to have heat sensors on them.
He and Sally knew that an Oz base was around here, but where was the question. It was the only reason why they came to this primitive colony. It wasn't very primitive but compared to the technology today it was.
Wufei placed the binoculars away after finding nothing. At the same time he had a feeling that he was being watched. Cautiously the soldier looked around, poised to fight. He found nothing. The snow still wasn't letting up, but continuing to get worse. He didn't care; his mission was to locate the base.
He continued down the forest that had surrounded the village. The base had to be somewhere around it. In reports there was some kind of metal from explosives found near this location. There had to be something.
"Put, your hands up and slowly turn and face me," a female voice stated.
Wufei heard the sound of a trigger being pulled. He narrowed his eyes. A woman was holding a gun. He was going to have to teach this woman a lesson. Just as he was told to do he held up his hand and turned around.
His attacker was a woman, but she was dressed in a black outfit, her face covered with a mask. She had the gun pointed at his chest. "Get out of this place if you know what's good for you," she ordered, her voice small against the howling wind.
Wufei took the opportunity and quickly spinning he kicked the gun out of her hand. "Weak woman! You let your feelings get in the way. You shouldn't be allowed to have a gun if you're willing to give your enemy a chance to leave," Wufei bitterly taunted as he glared at her his katana pointed at her throat.
"I never wanted to do this. I was forced to. My people don't want you here," the woman pleaded. "We don't want you here. You guys will bring us more danger. There are people who are looking for you and they will do anything to get what they want."
"Wufei!" Sally Po yelled. "No! If you kill her it will make it worse."
Breathing hard Sally reached to her partner in time, her breath visibly seen in the cold air. When she woke up the first thing she saw was that Wufei was already gone. She had a feeling of where her partner had gone, but she didn't have a clue about this.
Frowning, Wufei placed his katana away. Sobbing the woman pulled off her mask and found that it was the leader's wife. Tears streamed down her face. Wufei looked at her with dismay.
"Leave us alone!" the woman cried as Sally helped her to her feet.
"I would be glad to leave, but we were ordered here and until we finish what we have come to do, we can't," Sally said. "I just wish that you can accept us."
Wufei had no sense of what time of say it was as he stared out the window. He and Sally were left alone. Nothing had been said since they had headed back to their temporary place. "This is pointless," Wufei stated. "If these weak people don't want us here we should just leave them to Oz then."
Sally shook her head. "We can't leave. This is a perfect cover for us."
"I don't know about that. That woman seemed to know that there was something going. She said that there were people looking for us and that they would do anything to get what they want," Wufei stated.
It was Sally's turn to frown. "So they know about Oz, but now the question is did they inform them?"
"And if they know about Oz then they could know where the base is."
"You should have finished him off right there!" Jancen angrily stated.
"I tried, but that boy was right. My feelings got in the way. He seemed to mock me too," Meiran said, her eyes full of fear and concern.
*****
The snow had finally stopped at least for a while. It was decided that Wufei would go and search for the base and that Sally kept an eye on their two hosts. While everyone remained inside Wufei stepped out into the cold world. Yet, he wasn't the only one outside, as he thought he was.
A fleeting shadow hurried by. Silently Wufei followed behind it. This person was a rookie. Wufei could easily follow the fresh footprints left in the snow. At the same time he wondered if this person wanted him to follow him. Either way he was going, but he made sure to be on his guard. Wufei continued to follow the person deep into the forest. The snow was deeper in the forest, which made it harder for him to walk. The path they followed lead into a cave, which continued on to an underground passageway.
As soon as they entered the passageway more people could be seen wearing Oz uniforms. All of them were armed. Most of them were concentrating on their orders, some carrying supplies, others patrolling, and the rest attending to the mobile suits that were lined in neat little rows below Wufei. These weren't just any mobile suits; they were mobile dolls, a weapon that could replace any soldier with out the fear of death.
"Look what the snow storm brought in," a cold voice greeted. Quickly Wufei turned around to face a man slightly older then himself pointing a gun at his chest. Behind the Oz soldier, there were others each following the leader's movements. With them was the very girl who had tried to kill him earlier.
Taking quick aim Wufei pulled out his gun and fired striking the gunman in the chest. Yelling in pain and surprise the soldier fell to the floor. Wufei took no time in striking the others down, some where amongst the firing the woman had fled. Grabbing hold of the railing of the catwalk, Wufei swung and jumped down to the floor below. He wasted no time in planting explosives on the suits while he continued firing at the soldiers that were frantically scrambling to get to him.
One by one the explosives went off, setting a chain reaction. Alarms sounded in the background. Out from the clouds of smoke a figure jumped and spinning landed before Wufei. Wufei swung out his katana as the figure brought his sword down. "Trowa?" Wufei questioned as he recognized the face and strange hairstyle. The boy looked up not saying a thing nor acting as if he knew him.
Wufei suddenly found himself tossed into a prison cell. He wasn't the only one there. A young man groaned and sat up. Wufei immediately recognized the boy as a Gundam pilot. Like Trowa the boy had a strange hairstyle, typical for women but not for men. He seemed to like having his hair kept in a long braid that reached his waist. Wufei frowned and sat down in a corner.
"And a hello to you too," the Duo greeted smiling his usual smile. "So how did they get you?"
"I'm on a Preventor mission," Wufei bluntly stated as he stared up at the ceiling.
"Some people never change," the pilot muttered. Angrily he struck Trowa, "Such as people like you!"
His face emotionless, Trowa punched the pilot in the stomach. "It would be wise not to attack an officer; it would not get you anywhere, Gundam pilot." Silently Trowa turned and left.
The pilot grinned. "Mawhahah, I love the toys I get from him," he said holding a small device in his hands, once the guards left. "Even though you don't care to know, I was caught scavenging for ship parts around Oz territory. They were a little suspicious for my being around their territory. When they brought me in for questioning they found that I was a Gundam pilot, an added bonus for them."
"It is a wonder that Oz hadn't found him out," Wufei said as he turned to see what Trowa had given them.
Duo grinned, mischievously. "Why should I show you what I have? This doesn't pertain to you. You have your own mission. You work for the Preventors. You didn't even care about how I got here," he teased.
"Maxwell, we don't have time for these foolish games. What did Trowa give us?" Wufei asked making sure he kept his temper under control.
"I don't know if I want to show you." Playfully Duo tossed the small device from hand to hand. Accidentally he dropped the small device on to the metal floor, making a clattering sound.
"Maxwell!"
Duo sheepishly laughed. "Oops." Moaning he picked it up. His entire body ached from the severe beating he got when he was captured. "Alright, alright!" Grinning he turned the small device on. Before them were their Gundams.
"But we self detonated them after the a.c. 196," Wufei stated.
"The last time I checked, we did. These are exact replicas of all of them. Yet, Relena ordered that we don't have any kinds of military weapons anymore," Duo said puzzled.
Wufei frowned he never did approve of Relena's ways. His eyes widened when a new Gundam was displayed. This Gundam was a mixture of all five Gundams. It had some kind of qualities from each Gundam.
"Some how I don't think these Gundam's aren't on our side," Duo said, his eyes wide. "But I wouldn't mind having Deathscythe back."
"I knew there could never be peace. But I would like to know how they found the material needed to create these Gundams," Wufei said after a while. "I have heard that all was destroyed due to Relena's orders."
"Which, I seriously doubt that would have stopped Oz," Duo stated. "I wouldn't be surprised if Heero is already trying to find where these are located."
"I wonder if the Preventors have gotten wind of this."
*****
"This should be a piece of cake," Abdul stated as he and the Maganacs attacked the Oz transport ship that was carrying mobile suits.
"Ha, with you leading this expedition I don't think so," Ahmad replied as he concentrated on firing the turrets at the Oz vehicle.
"Since when did my plans ever go wrong?" Abdul said with a grin.
"Don't make me bring out the list," Ahmad retorted.
"I'm so glad you have faith in me."
"Here's an interesting question; if we're attacking an Oz space craft holding mobile suits during the time of peace, wouldn't you begin to wonder?" Auda questioned as he fired from another turret.
"Did you ever think there would actually be peace? It's a nice dream to have, but its never going to happen," Abdul commented.
"But that's why Master Quatre was fighting, along with the other Gundam pilots," Auda said. "That's why we're fighting."
"Peace is what everyone wants, but the only thing that we can possibly achieve is better communication and understanding among us," Rasid commented.
"And the first thing I want to do is get this huge gnat off us," Abdul said as he swerved the ship away from the ship's laser blasts.
"Whoa, what is this?" Auda cried out as a ship escaped the Oz vehicle.
"Well, it looks like its going to attack us," Abdul stated.
Before them the vehicle began to come into view. The vehicle was strangely familiar. It wasn't a typical mobile suit. It was a Gundam! Auda gasped in surprise. "SANDROCK!" he yelled as the Gundam came into full view and its sickles prepared to attack.
"Sandrock, what are you talking about?" Ahmad replied. "There are no more Gundams!"
"I suggest you look in the front because I know that I'm not seeing things," Auda said.
"But that's impossible!" Ahmad persisted, "The pilots self detonated them!"
The Gundam reflected off his sunglasses, as Abdul stared up at the Gundam. He could suddenly here an echo of his own words that "this would be a piece of cake" ring in his ears. Why did this always have to happen to him? Why? For once he just wanted to have his plans go the way they're supposed to go.
"This is what I feared," Rasid grimly stated. "Who ever is starting this is using the exact weapons used to bring peace only this time to bring war."
"Well we do at least have an advantage," Ahmad commented. "We know everything about Sandrock, its strengths and weakness."
"Yes, but is it the same with this one?" Auda asked.
"Well, we'll just have to find out," Abdul stated.
*****
Silently Heero watched from the balcony as down below Relena was delivering her speech. Relena smiled as she gave a quick upward glance where she knew Heero was. The Gundam pilot was no longer there. Relena knew that he was somewhere near by. The princess relaxed as she watched the crowd beginning to depart, once all the questions where answered. Sighing, Relena headed back to her office.
Sometimes she wished that she had some time to herself. In her office the sunshine poured through the large windows. A stuffed teddy bear sat on her desk. Relena smiled and picked it up. Gently she placed it back.
A shadow blocked the sunlight and Heero stepped before her. "I'm afraid that I will have to leave. The Preventors are having problems. Wufei and Duo have been captured," Heero softly stated.
"But why do you have to go?" Relena asked gazing into his eyes, which now held light in them. When she first gazed into them they were blank.
"My friends need my help. The Preventors are afraid that a battle might break out which could lead to war again." He then placed a file onto her desk. "These were sent in from the Maganacs just a few minutes ago." Pictures spilled out before her.
"These are Gundams, the ones you and your friends piloted," Relena stated puzzled as she picked up each picture. "The Gundams were destroyed and so was the material needed to make them. I don't understand."
"From their report the Maganacs have only seen Sandrock and they just barely escaped. But others have spotted the rest of the Gundams."
Relena closed her eyes. "It's starting all over again. I would never have dreamed this would be possible. Who would start such a thing? Oz is no longer in control."
Heero placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her, and realizing what he had done pulled it away. "That's why I have to go, to stop this before a war does start. If the public hears that Gundams are back we're not going to have a chance with anything. They'll differently want someone else to lead them."
"No, I'm not going to let this happen." Stubbornly Relena stood up and shut the file. Heero gave one last glance at Relena and then silently left the door. Relena followed him with her gaze till her couldn't see him. Sighing, she picked up the teddy bear. "Heero," she whispered.
*****
Sally looked outside into the swirling snow. Already it was getting late and Wufei still hadn't returned. She already knew what Wufei was up to, but something wasn't right. He would have given her some kind of report if he had found the base. The door opened and a blast of snow came in, bringing along Jancen.
Quickly, Sally pulled out her gun and pointed it at the surprised host. The young man held up his hands high above his head, his eyes wide with fear. "What did you do with my partner?" she asked in a threatening voice.
"What are you talking about?" he asked his voice quivering slightly.
"You know what I am talking about. Don't make me repeat myself," Sally replied.
"I'm not going to let you and your partner destroy my village. I will do what it takes to protect it."
"Looks like Oz is feeding you lies to bring you to their side. Unfortunately, Jancen, you are on the wrong side. Oz will only use you and once you can no longer provide them services they will toss you out. In other words, they'll just destroy your village. Oz has no feelings for anyone.
That is why my partner and I are here. We want to stop this from happening. We have seen Oz does this many times to others. You can help your village by showing me where your wife took Wufei."
"My wife? Why would she do such a thing? You saw how shouldn't kill him when she had the chance," Jancen replied, his mind a mass of confusion. Now he wasn't so sure whom he could trust. Oz seemed to have solutions to everything he needed. They seemed sincere. This Preventor was telling him that Oz was lying, where Oz said that the Preventors were the enemies.
"You can continue to deny this or you can cooperate. If you deny then your village will be in Oz's hands," Sally commented; her gun still trained on the young man.
"You can put the gun down. I'll help you," Jancen replied after a while.
Cautisouly Sally placed her gun away. "You made a wise choice." Quickly Sally began to wrap herself in winter gear.
"We can't go out there! A person could easily get lost in the blizzard."
"A blizzard is no concern for me. Right now it is finding the Oz base and Wufei," Sally replied as she stepped out the door. The snow swooped in absorbing her into the darkness. Timidly Jancen hurried off after her, still wrapped in the winter gear.
*****
Quatre looked around at the diplomats before him. He really didn't want to be at this meeting. For days they had been covering this conference. He wanted nothing more then to be at home relaxing. There was always some kind of trouble and for once he wanted no part of them. He hardly had time to himself. He had hoped that maybe he could live a normal life after the war had ended, but he was wrong. There were so many problems, especially after Relena ordered that all weapons of war be destroyed. She even went as far as to destroying the resources that were needed to make the Gundams. Quatre snapped back to reality when he heard his name.
"I don't see how you can talk of peace, Mr. Winner, when you destroyed an entire colony and relay station," a young man bitterly stated. His hazel eyes flashed with anger as he stood up from his chair.
Quatre winced at the comment. It had been such a long time ago. The young pilot found that no matter how hard he explained why he had done such a thing, that most people still didn't understand nor wanted too. They only wanted to see what they wanted. Yet, the comment brought some questions. The war had ended years ago. He couldn't really understand why this was being brought up.
"My people feel that we don't want your help. We feel that you're an unstable person, one that can't be trusted."
Quatre sighed. "I know what I did was wrong, and there's nothing that I can do to fix what I had done. There's not a day that goes by where I am haunted by my actions. The only thing I can do is to make sure it won't happen again. That's why I am standing before you."
"Then what can you do to justify these actions?" the young man haughtily said as he thrust a file into Quatre's hands.
The young pilot then sensed that something wasn't right a hint of danger coming. He closed his eyes for a second in hope to be able to pick up the clearer sense of the feeling. The feeling vanished. Opening them, he then peered into the files only to gasp in surprise.
The man standing before him raised an eyebrow, his thin lips in a frown. "These pictures look familiar I would think?"
"What are you trying to say?" Quatre said his mind a mass of confusion. "We personally self detonated our Gundams."
"That's what the space colonies and Earth also thought until you and the other pilots reigned an attack nearly destroying an entire colony, just a few days ago."
"That's impossible! Where are you getting this rubbish?"
"Look in the file and you'll find everything you need. And you talk about peace. Maybe you should have followed in your father's footsteps instead of fighting."
"My father has nothing to do with this," Quatre snapped, his eyes blazing. "You have no business of bringing him into this. He is not a part of this. I am. If you have anything to say, you say it to me!"
Startled, the young man stepped back. The pilot's reaction surprised him. He wasn't the only one. The other representatives in the room squirmed in their chairs. They all looked at him. When did he become their spokesman?
"Does anyone else have any questions?" Quatre asked keeping his voice calm, while inside he was turmoil of mixed feelings. He steadily gazed at each man.
"No, nothing at all, Mr. Winner," the young diplomat answered with a frown.
"Then the meeting is adjourned." Silently Quatre slipped out the door. To his surprise and relief Rasid was waiting for him. "Rasid, I am glad to see you." He greeted smiling.
"Unfortunately not on good terms. Master, Quatre, we need your service," the leader of the Maganacs stated, in a grim tone.
Quatre knew that this was connected with what the young diplomat had to say. "We can discuss this in the car." Rasid silently nodded and followed the Arabian.
Quatre didn't like one bit of what the Maganac leader had to say. He then handed Rasid the file that was handed to him. "You couldn't find any kind of information about this new Sandrock or those mobile suits that the Oz transportation ship was carrying?"
"No, but we believe that there is no pilot controlling these Gundams."
"No pilot? How can that be? Are these just like the mobile dolls?" Quatre questioned.
"It could be. The only thing that we were able to confirm is that they are exact replicas of the original Gundams."
"What is going on? What are they trying to pull?" Quatre silently questioned. The young diplomat seemed to play some kind of role in this. He wasn't sure what, but he knew that he was a key.
Night had fallen; silently Quatre sat on a windowsill as he looked up at the stars. He smiled, glad to be on Earth. The planet was so beautiful. Here he was accepted. In space he knew that he wasn't really accepted. Quatre closed his eyes as he tried to think of the problem before him.
*****
Trowa stared at the computer screen as he quickly typed away the codes as he cracked into other systems. Oz was back. Slowly over the years they had been secretly building military weapons. Yet, it is not Oz who is behind this task. Oz is not interested in war but only in the making of the mobile suits. There is nothing that informs me of what this group is or their reason why.
"Interesting," Trowa said to himself as a list of names came up. One name stood out. He had seen the name before many times in the Oz database. Trowa sighed and shook his head. "So many people have died to obtain peace, many who were innocent. Those innocent who have survived in turn use hatred to fuel their loss only to cause more destruction and pain. When will this cease?" Quickly Trowa stored the information onto a cd and slipped it into his jacket.
*****
"This is as far as I go," Jancen stated as he stood by the entrance of the Oz base. His voice was muffled by the headgear he wore to protect his face from the bitter, cold snow. Sally could sense fear in his voice.
"Thank you, I can handle this from here," Sally answered. Quickly she typed in the codes, that he had given her, and the door slid open. She heard a scream and turned around to find Jancen on the ground. She could tell that he was already gone. A gun was pointing at her. Easily she pulled out her gun and shot the Oz soldier. The body fell next to the Jancen's. Both were dead. After checking to make sure that there were no more guards around she stepped in. Half of the base was in ruins. There was still a film of smoke left over from the chain reaction of explosives. She knew that Wufei was here at least.
"Stop right there," a voice stated.
Quickly she spun around to find Trowa before her. The Gundam pilot was dressed in an Oz uniform. She held up her hands. "Do as I say and you won't get hurt," he stated as he led her down the catwalk. Instead of heading down toward the prison chamber, she found herself at the docking bay. "We're to meet Heero at M.O. 27. Wufei and Duo will be along shortly. There isn't much at this base any more," Trowa stated as he closed the ship's door and started it.
"You have found something more then mobile suits I gather?" Sally commented.
"The Gundams are back. Oz is not truly the enemy this time. They are only helping them."
"That's a new twist. I doubt you were able to find out who this enemy is?"
Trowa continued to stare ahead into the vast world of space. They were miles away from the small village and its colony. "I have a theory, but Quatre may know more about it then I would." Silently Sally watched the stars.
"So much for this base," Duo stated with his usual smile as they ran into the docking bay, just barely missing the huge explosions that followed him and Wufei. Already Wufei started up the only remaining ship. Before he blasted off Duo grabbed hold of the boarding ramp and climbed in, holding onto his hat at the same time.
"Couldn't you wait till I boarded the ship?" he asked breathlessly.
"If you weren't too busy playing around with the explosives, that never work for you, then you would have made it on time," Wufei simply stated.
Duo mimicked Wufei and rolled his eyes. "You have such faith in your partners."
"Heero is waiting for us at M.O. 27 where the rest of the pilots will be waiting."
"What did I say? I told you Heero would already be on this. All we have to do is find these Gundams, maybe use them ourselves, and blast the remaining Oz bases."
*****
"You must be kidding," Duo stated once Trowa gave them the full report. "We don't have a thing to worry about. Once the people see that we are behind the Gundams everything will be fine."
"Not exactly, Duo, " Quatre commented, his eyes full of sorrow. "Remember we aren't supposed to have any military weapons. Even though we will be helping the people they will see as enemies for we have broken peace."
"Which, contradicts everything we have fought for," Trowa added, his voice grim.
"So basically either way we loose?" Duo questioned.
Quatre nodded. "And I fear that this is my fault. None of this would have started."
"What are you talking about?" Heero asked confused by this sudden comment.
"It was when I had destroyed the colony after my father was killed," Quatre said lowering his head so no one could see his face. He concentrated on keeping his feelings in check. Now wasn't the time to shed tears. He had already mourned for his father and paid dearly for it.
"Quatre, its not your fault. It might not exactly have to deal with the destruction. It could just be a link," Trowa stated slightly surprised, for this was the first time in a while since Quatre had ever brought that up.
"And the soap opera becomes even more dramatic," Duo commented.
*****
The days were becoming grimmer as they passed on. Relena frowned as she sat in her chair in the office. The pale moonlight poured through the windows. She held onto the stuffed teddy bear that was her only comfort. She was unaware of a figure standing in the shadows.
"What happened to peace?" She asked herself. "We had fought so hard to achieve peace, and now its suddenly ripped out of our hands. Was this peaceful serenity only a trap? I have left them defenseless against these machines that had once helped us. Now they look for a new leader. I'm not going to let that stop me from doing what's right. I have to do something, but what can I do? Oh, Heero, what would you do to stop this?"
In the darkness Miliardo silently listened to his sister talk. He kept the mask he had carried with him behind his back. He wanted to comfort her, and let her know that there were still people on her side. After all, she was the stronger one. He didn't know how to comfort her. They were brother and sister, yet it had been a long time since they were apart. Now they were more like strangers. Silently he slipped out of the office, unnoticed. His main reason for visiting his sister, unfinished.
"Were you able to get the permission?" Kybo greeted once out of the room.
"No, but we'll still go ahead with the plan. Knowing my sister she would never have agreed to it in the first place," Miliardo replied.
"Then I'll inform the crew," Kybo said.
"How long shall it take to rebuild Tallgeese III?"
"Normally it would be finished in one more week, but considering that we have to get the Titanium alloy, from the black market, it'll take a month before the mecha is complete."
"That's not enough time. I'll get the alloy myself if that'll speed things up," Miliardo said with a frown.
"But will that be wise? You are Miliardo Peacecraft. If you are caught it could bring a full fledged war."
"Miliardo yes, but Zechs no," Miliardo answered and pulled out his mask and placed it on.
"Yes, sir!" Kybo said with a salute. "Tallgeese will be completed."
"Prepare my ship, as I will be leaving shortly."
*****
"Don't you ever sleep, Heero?" Duo asked yawning while he stretched. His hair, usually in a braid was in a loose mess. "It's two in the morning, you've been on that thing since the afternoon. I'm gong to take that away from you if you don't detach yourself from that laptop."
As usual Heero continued to stare at the small computer screen, his fingers flying away as he typed. "What are you doing up then?"
"The sound of the tapping of keys kept me up," Duo replied with his typical grin.
"While you were dosing the scientists have sent us some mail."
"Oh? What would they want with us anymore?"
"Gundams."
"Gundams?" Duo replied," Heero, you're not making sense."
"Here's a question, do you think the laws that Relena had set would ever stop the scientists?"
Duo laughed. "Hardly not. They never listened to anyone except for themselves. They know what they are doing."
Heero nodded. "Exactly. Apparently they have been secretly building the Gundams again. They knew that peace would never last. To keep these Gundams secretly they hid them in different areas of the universe. The scientists have sent me coordinates for each one."
"Really!" Duo said, his eyes wide. Now he was wide-awake. "You mean, I get to have Deathscythe again?"
"Although we may have the Gundams again it could risk Relena's rank as leader and also our positions. Remember there are already Gundams out there. People already fear them. If we have our Gundams they would look to us as enemies also."
"Not like they didn't see us as enemies before anyway. It'll be just like the old times."
"But I don't think that many want it to be like the old times," Trowa replied as he stepped into the room.
"And the midnight society is now beginning." Duo commented.
"I don't know about this," Trowa said. "Having the Gundams back would be a great aid, but it could be a bait too."
"These are the scientists we're talking about, Trowa," Duo said. "What could go wrong? They knew what was going to happen. They were only preparing for us."
"I never blamed the scientists, Duo. I am just saying the Gundams could spell more trouble, which is what Heero was saying. If we take the Gundams it would be a gamble for our lives and the people."
"I say we use the Gundams, despite what the people would think. After all they were against us before and were able to forgive us later," Duo suggested.
"I think this is something that all of us would have to vote on," Heero said. "There are some who might not agree."
*****
"I thought I killed you!" Wufei cried out from his cockpit in his beloved Nataku.
"Did you think I would go down that easily?" Treize replied in a taunting voice.
"No, it can't be. Treize is dead," Wufei muttered to himself. "What is this some kind of trick?" he shouted.
Treize laughed. "I am only what you think I am. I could be Treize if you wish."
"What are you getting at?" Wufei questioned, confused by the statement. He wasn't about to let it on that he was.
"It's time we finish our match, Wufei. This time an honorable fight."
Wufei glared at the Gundam before him, known as Tallgeese. "If you want an honorable fight we fight with our Gundams."
"A true warrior would fight on ground, but if that is what you wish."
Wufei screamed and attacked using his dragon fang. The Tallgeese blocked it with his thermal energy sword. The vast space became a world of blazing light and fire. Little by little the enemy Gundam was weakening. In no time Wufei would have him.
"Nooooooooo!" a familiar voice screamed. "Wufei, stop! You must not do this! Wufei, you'll trap yourself forever by falling this same path. You will never free your soul!"
"Quatre?" Wufei said softly surprised by the young pilot's entrance. "Stay out of this, Quatre! This isn't your fight!"
"Wufei, listen to me! What you're doing is a mistake!" Quatre continued to plea.
Near him, Wufei could see the Sandrock coming into view. Swiftly, Wufei sliced through Tallgeese, only in the last minute to find that it was Quatre and not Treize. Wufei screamed. Suddenly around him the scene changed. He stood in the center of a graveyard. What was going on? He questioned. What did this all mean? Hesitantly he studied the grave before him. He gulped as the tombstone read Quatre Winner. Involuntary his hands began to shake. Wufei then discovered some strange lettering on the fresh grave. He didn't understand what these letters meant. Suddenly the ground before him began to tremble and fall apart. Unable to grab hold he fell.
*****
Screaming Wufei sat up drenched in sweat. His heart pounded and his hands shook. He found himself twisted in the sheets. Once he was able to control the shaking he turned on the lamp next to his bed on the nightstand. He looked at the clock next to the lamp, which read two in the morning. Now that he was wide-awake, he decided to make himself some tea to help calm down his nerves.
He quickly found that he wasn't the only up. The least person who he wanted to be around was sitting at the table and drinking some tea. The Arabian had dark circles under his eyes as he nodded, greeting Wufei. Wufei had an eerie feeling that Quatre had the same dream. How, he wasn't sure, but if it were any of the other pilots he would be concerned. Quatre was an unusual pilot. There was something mysterious about him, that Wufei couldn't understand.
"What do you think that dream could mean?" Quatre questioned as he stared into his cup.
Wufei nearly dropped the cup he held in his hands.
"I don't know," Wufei, finally stated. "I've been trying to figure that out myself. Do you think this could be some kind of warning? Why would we suddenly have the same dream, especially one as dramatic as this one?"
"I've been asking those same questions myself, but I fear that this is some kind of warning. A warning that ties in with the growing problems," Quatre answered.
"Do you know what those strange letters meant?"
Quatre sadly shook his head. Both pilots continued to stare into their cups.
*****
"I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to get my Gundam. I'm tired of seeing all these battles, and having Deathscythe receive a bad reputation because of this," Duo finally stated as he walked out the room. "I just wish we didn't have to keep seeing people die. I thought that fighting in the war would stop this. Where are you, God? Father Maxwell said you were there, but I have never seen you yet. Nor have I seen you do a thing to stop all this pain and misery. I was hoping for once I wouldn't have to be the God of Death to stop this, but it looks like I'll have to become him again." Silently Duo reached around his neck and held the small cross in his hands. Tears threatened to fall and he blinked them away. He sighed and continued to his room.
Heero stared into the laptop's screen, trying to decide what to do. It would be the best way if they used the Gundams, but it could also threaten Relena's position. All of it was a risk. He decided that it was a risk to take. If a war was to start so be it. He knew that they weren't the ones the cause of it. Either was a war was bound to come. He couldn't just sit and do nothing. Heero yawned and shut the laptop off. He decided that in the morning he was going to retrieve his Gundam.
"So the scientists have rebuilt our Gundams?" Wufei questioned once Trowa had told them. "Who is going to use them?"
"I believe that most of us are going to, but it's more our choice," Trowa answered while he poured some tea for himself.
"I'm not going to," Quatre said. "I'm not going to fight with violence. I'm tired of fighting that way."
"So you're going to listen to what that diplomat said," Trowa commented.
"No, it has nothing to do with that. I just don't think this is the way to go about this. It's like a bait."
"That's what I said, but I feel that I have to do something, and fighting is where my skills are," Trowa answered.
"I just wish I knew what this was about," Quatre said.
*****
"Down with Peacecraft!" the crowd shouted below. Sadly Relena looked from her balcony. The sun was barely beginning to rise and an angry crowd had already gathered around the palace. "Your peace has only brought has war! The space colonies are now attacking us! It's time for a new leader!"
"How can you be certain that the space colonies have declared war on us? I know they did in the past, but things have changed. They were the ones who helped us achieve peace. Why would they want to bring war?" Relena questioned.
"Explain the Gundams! The Gundams were destroyed; all weapons of war were destroyed. Now they are attacking Earth!" a young man shouted.
"Earth is not the only place being attacked. Space colonies are also being attacked. They have had colonies destroyed. They are just as helpless as us," Relena answered in a strict tone. Angrily she looked down at the crowd. She couldn't believe how the people have reacted. In one swift movement they were ready to call for a new leader. If she let them have their way it would be their destruction.
She wasn't going to let them win. She wasn't sure what to do. She didn't want to allow weapons again. She wanted to fight with out them. Deep down she knew that that couldn't be the way. Although it would go against in what she believed in.
*****
"Miss Relena, there is someone here who wishes to speak with you," a servant announced.
"Who is this speaker?" Relena asked.
"She says that she is a representative of Oz. She wouldn't say anything else," the servant answered.
"Oz? Very well, I'll be there in minute," Relena replied. Ignoring the crowd below her she followed the servant.
A young woman sat in a chair beside Relena's desk. The Oz representative was dressed in a soldier uniform. She stood up and saluted Relena when she entered. Relena nodded acknowledgement and sat behind her desk. "Please state why you are here."
"My name is Joan Grey, and I have been sent here to propose an offer that Oz believes that may help you in your fight for peace," the soldier replied.
"Why would Oz be concerned in my business?"
"Like you Oz wishes to maintain the peace that has been fought for. We no longer want to control, but to only concentrate on our research. We know your beliefs, Miss Relena. We know that you don't wish to fight in another war, thus we propose to do the fighting for you."
" I don't want to fight, yet having others fight for me will still go against what I believe in."
"You must understand that you must do something," Grey stated.
Relena sighed and closed her eyes. "Your offer seems very tempting. If it is possible please allow my a few days to think this through. Is there a way I can contact you?"
"Should three days be enough? I can return in those days to retrieve your answer."
"Very well. In three days I will have concluded an answer."
"Oz will be waiting. It was a pleasure doing business with you," Grey said and standing she offered her hand. Relena reached over and shook it. The Oz soldier then saluted once more and left.
*****
"You're crazy!" Duo stated the next day, "Those places are practically impossible to get to and those scientists expect us to retrieve our Gundams there? They've gone completely over the wall."
Heero nodded. "These places that the Gundams are in, are in places that each pilot can reach. They are set at our levels. They would be difficult, but not by much, depending on our ability."
"Yes, if a regular soldier was to try and retrieve our Gundams they would not be able to," Trowa added.
"So your saying, if I was to try and retrieve Wing Zero, it would be a really difficult task for me, while for you Deathscythe would be easy?" Duo said to Heero.
"Which is why we get our own Gundams," Heero nodded. "Each of you have been given the coordinates of where your Gundam is located."
"Who isn't part of this?" Wufei asked.
Everyone glanced at each other. No one said a word. The only pilot not in the room was Quatre.
"I don't know about you, but I'm going to get my Gundam," Duo said.
"Quatre will be updating us on what's going on," Trowa said and left the room.
"He may not be with us not, but he will be," Wufei said silently once the room had emptied, as he looked out at the rising sun.
"Master Quatre, do you think it's wise not to have your Gundam?" Rasid asked as he walked alongside Quatre. Together both of them were heading toward the plane that Quatre was to board.
"It would be nice to have my Gundam again, but Relena needs someone's help. I figured I would go and join her. What if by fighting with our Gundams that we create another war? The people already want a new leader, but Relena is fighting to keep her position," Quatre explained. "Yet, if worse comes to worse, I have the coordinates of where Sandrock is kept."
Rasid silently nodded. "We were lucky to make it out from the last battle. I don't want anyone to go through what we had to. You had already said that that young diplomat could be a key behind this all."
"I am pretty sure of it. There is something about him that I can't place. I wouldn't be surprised if he was part of Oz."
"It doesn't have to be Oz, it could be a new group altogether."
"That's what I was thinking too, but I'm also certain that Oz is some how behind this too."
Silently Quatre looked out the plane's window as he watched the city below them begin to shrink as they rose higher and higher into the vast blue sky.
*****
Zechs approached the awaiting ship. He gave a small smile, for he was glad to be in space again. It was an easy ride. This ship was a fancy ship one of the latest designs. Zechs had no doubt that these people were able to afford this ship through their use of the black market. A figure approached Zechs and saluted him once he boarded the ship. Zechs returned the salute.
"It is a pleasure doing business with you, Lieutenant Zechs," the young man greeted. "I would have never thought of seeing you here, sir."
"With such supplies low, I unfortunately had to get services elsewhere. I don't exactly approve of getting my supplies through the black market, knowing its unreliability."
"Well, you can trust our services, sir. What can I help you with?"
"I am interesting in purchasing Gundanium alloy," Zechs stated.
The young man's face faltered slightly. "Gundanium alloy?"
"Is there a problem with that?"
"No, sir, not at all."
"Then I want the alloy delivered as soon as possible. I hope there aren't any difficulties in the delivery," Zechs stated.
"Trust me, there won't be," the young man stated. With a worried glance he watched the Lieutenant turn and leave.
"Do you actually trust this guy?" Kybo asked once Zechs boarded the ship.
"He's hiding something that much I do know. This is only the place that seems to have the alloy, so we'll see if they pull through. If not we'll destroy this place."
"One question if I may ask," Kybo stated.
"Which is?"
"Why are you rebuilding the Tallgeese?"
"I've questioned that myself, Kybo. I know peace isn't going to last and now with these Gundams out there, war will shortly be following. We have to have something to fight back. I see what Relena has in mind. I want to make that happen for it, but to achieve ultimate peace is impossible," Zechs answered after a while.
"So you're willing to bury Milliard Peacecraft again?"
"I'll do what it takes."
*****
Silently Noin sat at the control panel of her ship. The stars were so beautiful. She couldn't help but to smile at the serenity of space. It was rare to feel the serenity. She savored it when she could, for this was what she and many others had fought for. Noin reached around her neck were a necklace hung. It was a ring, which Zechs had given her before he departed for the Sanc kingdom.
This ring was a promise. Once he returned they would be together, not just as war partners but as a couple. She didn't want to see him leave again, for it always meant he was off to war or on some kind of mission. She was afraid that she would never see him again. She never voiced her fears, but only kept them to herself.
An alarm sounded, jarring Noin from her thoughts. Automatically she scanned the monitor. Something was coming toward her. It was a Gundam. "Wait a minute. How can that be?" she asked herself, as she looked once more. The mobile suit was moving closer towards her. She was able to confirm that it was a Gundam, and at the same time tell which one it was. The Shenlong. "Weren't these destroyed?" she questioned.
"Gundam pilot, state your reason for your presence," she ordered speaking into her headpiece. She only received silence. Noin had a sinking feeling that nothing was piloting this Gundam. "Could this be a mobile doll?" she asked herself.
The Shenlong then launched its dragon fang. Noin barely had enough time to dodge the attack. Knowing that it was useless against a Gundam, she fired lasers at the suit. The Gundam swiftly wove through the laser shots. "What ever or who ever this is, they are good," Noin stated as she launched some missiles.
"Nothing seems to penetrate this suit."
*****
Fires of missiles were fired off striking the Gundam. Noin turned to see another Gundam attacking. Except this time it was against the Gundam. Noin recognized this Gundam as Heavyarms. Quickly the battle was over and the Shenlong retreated.
"You ok, Miss Noin?" Trowa asked.
"I am now. Would you like to come aboard to rest and repair your Gundam?" Noin asked.
"I would appreciate that," Trowa replied.
Inside the ship Trowa saluted Noin. Noin returned the salute. "That Gundam was not piloted by a person," Trowa stated.
"That's what I quickly found out. Are these another version of mobile dolls?" Noin asked.
"We think so."
"But what about your Gundam? How come this isn't a mobile suit?"
"The scientists had secretly built these. I just had retrieved mine when I saw that you were in trouble," Trowa explained.
"I doubt you saw that I was in trouble, but more you sensed I was," Noin said with a smile. Trowa looked at her with a confused expression.
"Let me ask you this. Do you have a scar on your back? I know that this is a strange question, but I need to know," Noin asked.
Trowa paused for a second and then nodded. "How did you know?"
"I once had a brother, whom I lost in the war field. He was taking to the hospital, but I never saw him again. The only thing I knew was that he had a scar on his back," Noin said. In her eyes there was a deep sadness.
"Why would you assume that it was me though?"
"Your background fits perfectly," Noin stated. Hesitantly she reached for his hand and grasped it. Trowa looked into her eyes, trying to find some kind of answer. "You are my brother, Trowa. I can just tell. Just like the link you have with Quatre."
"Wait, how did you know that?" Trowa asked surprised, and stunned.
"I can see it between you two. It happens rarely, but you two were in need of someone to trust. Your friend, Quatre, had no friends his age and you were the first person that befriended him. While you had no one. Don't you see it in battles?" Noin stated.
Slowly Trowa nodded his head. "Never realized that, but how does that explain us?"
"We are brother and sister," Noin simply stated.
*****
"Oz has always been my enemy," Relena said softly to herself, as she tried to decide what to do. "Since 196 a.c. they had disappeared. Now they are back. They want to help me, but if I let them help me it'll still be going against what I believe in. I can't trust them. Everything they say is always the opposite of what they really mean.
Yet, at the same time they have changed. They're under a new leader. Still my heart tells me that I shouldn't trust them."
"Miss Relena, Miss Grey is here to see you," a servant stated, standing in the doorway.
"Bring her in," Relena answered.
"Good morning," Joan Grey greeted.
Relena smiled. "Unfortunately I can't accept your offer. By accepting it, I would still be going against my beliefs. I appreciate your help, but I just can't accept it."
"I wish there was a way in which we can persuade you to accept our offer, but seeing that you made up your mind, we are going to have to accept your decision. Let this be warning the people have become restless. They want something to be done about this. If you aren't careful a new leader will be selected," Joan Grey stated, with a salute she turned and left.
"Then it is something I should do," Relena said after a while. "It is time for me to step down, if it is what the people want."
Her heart was heavy, not wanting to do this. For so long she had fought for her people, always following the beliefs of her father. Then the people looked up at her, wishing for pacifism. Now they are asking for war against their unknown enemy.
*****
"Why is she doing this?" Quatre questioned as he listened to the speech that Relena had given. He had finally arrived at the Sanc Kingdom and was approaching the palace. The streets were crowded with people as they gather around the monitor that was displayed in the center of the kingdom.
"Regretfully I am stepping down as Queen of the World. I found that I am unable to take actions that the people wish me to use. These actions would go against the beliefs that I teach. Therefore, a new leader will step in, whom is Thanatos," Relena stated.
Quatre sighed. Why would Relena do such a thing? Now chaos will certainly follow. Who was this Thanatos anyway? Quatre watched to see a young man step up and take Relena's place. The young man was slightly older then Relena. He had short black hair, and was dressed in a business suit. He appeared cheerful, as he looked over the large crowd.
The person seemed knew to Quatre, yet at the same time familiar. He had seen him before and heard his name once or twice. His father had even mentioned him once. There was something about this character that Quatre didn't like. Sighing, Quatre left the crowd and headed toward the palace.
It wasn't long before he could actually see Relena. She smiled when Quatre approached her. "Relena, why did you step down?" he questioned right away.
Relena sighed, her eye were filled with sadness. "Why did I know you would ask that? I didn't want to step down, but it was the best thing to do. I couldn't watch my people be destroyed."
"But what about the other times? You held through before," Quatre pointed out.
"I know, but this time I knew my beliefs just weren't going to work. This is a new era. It's been a long time since people have seen a Gundam or a mobile suit. Now they're back. My beliefs won't be able to help this time. Before they were a source of hope for the soldiers and people caught in the war. Now they will only cause more problems," Relena answered.
"I guess you are right. I just have a bad feeling, like something is waiting to happen," Quatre said, "and this was what they were waiting for."
"I thought of that too, but for now there's nothing I can do about it. Tell me, Quatre, why are you here? Why aren't you fighting with the other pilots?"
"I felt that I was needed here, and that fighting with my Gundam would make the situation worse," Quatre replied with a smile, hoping to cheer Relena up.
"Oh, Quatre, you're so kind and generous. I don't understand how you became a Gundam pilot. I really appreciate your support. It means a lot to me, now that so many are supporting Thanatos's ways," Relena said.
"Who is this Thanatos? I have heard of him before, but I don't know him."
"Thanatos is a great man. He carries many of the beliefs that I follow, but at the same time he bends them. He reminds me of you in a way. You are willing to fight despite the fact that it caused you to go against your father's beliefs. The people love him. He seems to know what the people want," Relena explained.
"Well if he's what the people want, then I hope things will go well," Quatre said after a while.
"Why don't we get some tea and talk outside?" Relena suggested. "It's a beautiful day. In away I'm glad to not have so many responsibilities. I can be myself for one." Relena smiled and lead Quatre out of the office.
"That's true. We do have lot to catch upon." Quatre smiled and followed.
*****
Once again Trowa found himself posing as an Oz soldier. After the battle with the mobile doll version of the Shenlong, Noin had dropped him off at an Oz base, while she had gone to find the missing Zechs. Oz wasn't much a of a threat any more. There was no leader to hold the organization together. Now they were just little bases scattered across space. The Preventors were still taking them out one by one, seeing that they were still a threat.
Yet, recently a new leader had taken over Oz and slowly the organization was beginning to reform. The new leader was still unknown, but he did oppose as a threat. From what Noin had told him, Oz had already tried to employ its organization with Relena. She had refused.
At the same time another federation was being formed. It was much stronger then Oz, but more secretive. Trowa believed that these people were behind the building of the Gundam replicas. He also felt that they were connected with Oz.
"So tell me why would an Oz soldier be hacking through the computer systems?" a cold voice greeted.
Trowa didn't need to turn around to know that a gun was pointed at the back of his head. Slowly he held up his hands.
"Good now, turn around, slowly," the Oz soldier ordered.
Trowa turned to find a young boy standing before him. The boy must be at least three years younger then him, at least fifteen. The age surprised him, but not much. "Now follow me," he continued.
Obediently he followed the soldier; there was something about him that seemed to ask him to follow. The soldier then lead him to an empty room, and after making sure the room was safe, he placed his gun away. "I was informed by Miss Noin that you would be hiding in this base. It is because of her that I am helping you. Right now I am risking my life on this. This is what you will need," the soldier stated, holding out a cd.
"Why should I trust you," Trowa replied.
"You trusted me this far. You would have killed me right in that room, if you hadn't. I know quit a bit about you Gundam pilots," the soldier explained.
"You seem to know a lot about us for an Oz soldier."
"Let's say I have a great interest in you guys. You better go. It should be time for the next round of guards to go through."
Silently Trowa reached over and took the cd that the boy was holding out. Giving a quick salute, Trowa left the room in time for the guards to start turning down the corridor. Trowa returned the room he was in earlier, after getting rid of the soldiers that were in it. Hacking into the computers he looked through the files, until he found a photo of his Oz friend. "So you're name is Benton, once trained by Miss Noin. The question is who are you loyal to? Oz or Miss Noin? And can you be trusted?"
*****
"Zero, what do you have to say now?" Heero asked once he climbed into the cockpit of the Wing Zero. It felt good to be back in his Gundam. It was a comforting feeling. Here he can do something. He never thought he would be with this Gundam again. Especially since Gundams and mobile suits haven't been seen for years.
Heero closed his eyes, concentrating on what Zero was telling him. Suddenly his eyes flashed open. The alarm sounded. Something was coming toward him. "So you're still around, Zechs," Heero stated. Slowly approaching him was the Tallgeese II. "What is your reasoning for bringing about this model?"
"So you have also rebelled Gundam pilot 01," greeted Zechs. "I see that peace couldn't suit you either."
"You are wrong, Zechs. I am fighting for the Sanc Kingdom."
"The very reason I am," Zechs answered, "But things have changed. Relena is no longer in charge of the Sanc Kingdom."
"Zero has told me that. It has also told me that this new leader won't be the key to stop this developing war."
"Did you also know that our new leader has ordered that all Gundams are to be destroyed?"
Heero closed his eyes. "What is his reasoning for this?"
"He can't trust any Gundam. He doesn't know which is on our side or on the enemy's side. He states that he has his own plans to deal with these Gundams."
"Why is it that were always become the enemies?" Heero questioned.
"Right now in the people's eyes any weapon is an enemy. It is one of the reasons why Relena stepped down. Some one is manipulating the people, twisting their thoughts to go against us."
"I am surprised to see you here, Zechs," Heero stated.
"Then I wasn't the only one surprised. Maybe this time we can work together," Zechs suggested. "There is no need to fight among ourselves."
"Tell me, Zero, is there a future between us as partners?" Heero softly questioned. He was unsure of the reasoning behind Zech's suggestion. Zechs wasn't one to be too easily trusted. "Temporarily we can work together. Zero says that there isn't much to our team work."
"I believe that this is what Relena would like to see. I don't trust this new leader one bit. With us working together we can accomplish something."
"I agree."
*****
"Noin, it's good to see you again," Sally greeted once the ship arrived at the base. Alongside Noin was a young Oz soldier.
Noin smiled. "It's been awhile."
"A little too long. I knew that this peace couldn't last for long," Sally stated with a sigh. "Where's Zechs?"
Noin frowned. "He said he had some kind of mission that he needed to complete. I have a feeling that he couldn't take this peace any longer."
"A soldier never can."
"Where's Wufei?" Noin asked noticing that her friend's partner wasn't around.
"Apparently the scientists had secretly rebuilt the Gundams. Now the pilots are going back to retrieve them. They feel that they have to do something about these new mobile dolls," Sally answered. "Yet, Wufei seemed a little hesitant when he left."
"I gather he's still the same Wufei that I know?"
"The one and only. That boy will never open up. I sometimes wonder how I can deal with him at times. In a way he reminds me of my kid brother, one that I never had," Sally said.
Noin laughed. "I have to give you credit. You're probably the only woman he respects enough to be partners at least."
"How is Oz going now that you're in control?" Sally asked as they approached the base.
"Let's say they have changed from a corrupt organization to a more pure one. It's one thing I can do for Lady Une. She was the one who created the Preventors," Noin answered. "Unfortunately Miss Relena turned our offer down when we asked to help fight for her."
"Well there were supposed to me no more mobile suits," Sally pointed out.
"But one can never be so sure, especially with what's going on now.
"Hopefully we can put the fire out before it spreads."
"With the Gundams on our side we might be able to," Sally said with a hopeful tone. "I just wish that Miss Relena didn't step down."
"It might be what we need to stop this, though."
"I don't know about that one, Noin. I feel that this could be our destruction."