Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Duo's Strategy ❯ Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing. Darn it.

Chapter Two

Duo stepped off the elevator and hesitated a moment before taking the hall to the left.

Gotta make this look good, he thought as he strolled down the corridor, even though he knew exactly where the Operations room was. After studying the plans for this station with Heero, he probably knew it better than 95% of the people on it.

Three armed guards approached from the other direction, looking him over and taking a firmer grip on their rifles. He could read the question in their eyes, "What was a mechanic doing on this level?"

"Hey fellas!" He made deliberate eye contact with them. After all, he had a legitimate reason to be here. "Can you help a guy out? I'm looking for someplace called Operations, am I going the right way?"

"Why do you want to go there?" one of the guards, a tall, dark haired guy asked, his face a blank mask.

"Oh, my boss needs a new AI chip for one of the AFC's. I found a fried one while I was getting one the of units ready, so I guess he figured I should get the replacement." Duo rolled his eyes and leaned forward lowering his voice. "This is supposed to be my coffee break."

"Who's your boss?"

"Brian Trebor, he's a floor supervisor in the hanger bay."

Duo watched the guard walk off after a nod to his two companions, presumably to check out his story. The other two stayed where they were and stared at him.

These guys are sure nervous Duo couldn't help noticing. He leaned his back against the wall and crossed his arms, staring at a point high on the opposite wall.

"So, did either of you have the meatloaf at lunch today?"

Neither answered.

"I did. What a mistake." He glanced at them momentarily. They hadn't moved. "I spent a half hour in the can regretting it. I mean what's the point in getting up in the morning if you can't enjoy your food?"

Silence.

"Exactly my point. There isn't one. Good food is one of life's true pleasures. Personally, I think anyone who can ruin meatloaf should be shot."

The word shot caused them both to shift their feet. A movement Duo noted with satisfaction. He was about to complain further when the sound of the other guard returning reached them.

"Your story checks out." He nodded at Duo. "Continue down this hall to the end. They're expecting you."

"Great! Thanks a million." Duo pushed off the wall and walked forward with a smile and a wave to the guards. "Nice talking to you fellas."

Duo reached a set of double doors a couple of minutes later. The security lock on the door had an infrared optical scanner and fingerprint sensitive keypad. Knowing that neither the scanner nor the keypad would recognize him, he took the direct route to getting the door open.

He pounded on it and yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Hello! Anybody in there!"

Within seconds the door slid open, revealing a very ticked off technician.

"Hi!" Duo turned the full force of his smile on the man, who seemed completely confused by the cheerful greeting. "I'm here for an AI chip. Did I come to the right place .." He stuck his head inside the room, taking a quick look around. Aside from a whole wall full of computers, complete with techs monitoring every move in and around the station, there were tables covered in AFC parts, bright overhead lights and even a Bunsen burner flickering underneath a purplish flask of fluid. "Or is this Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory?" He chuckled at his own joke, but the Technician paled.

"Shhh!" He nervously looked over his shoulder to see who might have overheard Duo's comment, which was just about everybody. "Don't say stuff like that. Dr. Mazurenko will get very, very angry and you don't want to see that."

"Oh, okay, sorry." Duo nodded at the tech in understanding, whatever the hell that meant.

Duo fought a start of surprise as the tech grabbed him by the arm and pulled him inside.

"Come in, I'll get you the AI chip you need." He looked around anxiously again. "And keep your voice down."

"Okaaay." Duo's exaggerated whisper made the tech cringe, but he shrugged it off.

"Stay here, I'll be right back." He left Duo standing by a cluttered table near the door.

Duo looked around with undisguised curiosity, there was at least ten lab-coated techs running round the room, scribbling on note pads. The table next to him held a variety of AFC parts, like several other tables around the room did. He stepped closer and poked his finger through them, smiling as an idea took shape in his mind.

"What are you doing?"

Duo whipped around as if he was a little kid getting caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"Nothing!" He shoved his hands behind his back.

The tech glanced up at the ceiling, looking like he was praying for divine intervention. Duo tried not to smirk. The guy was going to need it.

"I told you not to touch anything."

"I'm sorry." Duo moved away too quickly and ended up losing his balance. One arm swept across the surface of the table, knocking several items to the floor.

"Ahhh!" The techs eyes bugged out.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Duo immediately knelt down and began picking up parts and putting them back. "It was an accident!"

The Tech covered his face with his hands in frustration. He never saw Duo slip something small and metallic out of his coverall.

"Just get out." The tech handed Duo the AI and shoved him toward the door.

"But, the mess .."

"Never mind about the mess. Just go." One more push and he was in the hallway.

"I'm really sor.." The door slid together cutting off the rest of his obviously inadequate apology.

Knowing he was being watched by the video cameras in the hallway, he hung his head in shame and dejectedly walked back to the elevator and the hanger.

"Don't worry about it Sutter." His supervisor told him with a pat to one shoulder after he'd confessed about making the mess. "Those techs are wound too tight, everyone knows that. You got the AI chip, that's all that matters." He steered Duo back to the AFC that needed it. "Here get it installed and call it a day."

"Yes, sir." Duo straightened up and nodded at his boss. "Thank you, sir."

"Besides, I've seen you making calf eyes at that young lady over there." The supervisor threw his chin in Hilde's direction. "And vice versa. I'll bet she'll make you feel better."

Duo gave him a man-to-man smile. "I sure hope so, sir."

"Good. Back to work then."

Duo glanced over at Hilde. She was watching him with eyes that said a great deal. Too much, even. He wondered if she knew her feelings were written all over her face. The supervisor assumed the fear stamped on her features was there because it looked like he was in trouble. He couldn't know it was for other, more dangerous reasons.

Duo smiled at her and waved, trying to reassure her that everything was all right. She waved back and pointed at her watch. He held up all ten digits of his hands, indicating that he would be done in ten minutes. She nodded and went back to work.

Duo finished and wandered around the hanger one more time, hanging over shoulders and poking his nose near all kinds of AFC's as he went, finally ending up looking over Hilde's shoulder as she sealed her last hatch.

"There, all done." She smiled at Duo and winked. He was the only one who could tell her smile was forced and the wink for all the other mechanics or anyone else that might be watching them.

"Supper's being served in the cafeteria." Duo followed her closely as she turned in her tools. "I don't know about you, but .." He gave her a thorough once over, letting his eyes do all the things to her he wished his hands could do. "I'm hungry." No one who overheard him could mistake his tone or intent. He wasn't hungry for food.

Hilde's head came up and she stared at him with a combination of shock and fear for the briefest of moments before she smiled and stammered, "That's funny. I'm hungry too."

Duo put a predatory arm around her shoulders and drew her close to him, leaning down to whisper loudly in her ear, "Is it just me or do I hear the dinner bell ringing?"

A couple of the other mechanics turning in their tools sniggered.

Hilde's face grew red, but to Duo's relief she didn't pull away. He cringed inwardly at what he was going to have to do next. He hoped she would be able to forgive him.

*****

Hilde didn't know what to think.

On one hand Duo's arm felt really good over her shoulders as they walked out of the hanger. Warm and heavy, it gave her a sense of security she could hardly remember ever feeling. She wished he'd do it more often.

On the other hand, she knew it was all part of a play that they both had major roles in and the final act was about to begin. Duo was not holding her because he wanted to.

Duo checked his watch then glanced at her with a similar heated look to the one she'd seen on his face earlier in her room. But this one was not the expression of a man attracted to a woman. Rather, it was one of lust mixed with a grimace, like he was about to do something distasteful. Something he could hate himself for.

Hilde had never seen such an expression on his face before. "Duo?"

"Don't say anything."

His growl silenced her and she shivered. What was going on?

He glanced around before unceremoniously pushing her into a tight alcove. He backed her up against the wall, holding her there with his hands planted on either side of her head, the rest of his body hovering only an inch away from hers.

"Do you have everything you need with you?" His whispered voice was filled with tension.

"Yes, I've got it all." Not that there was much, but her pockets were full.

"Good cause we've got five minutes before all hell breaks loose on this floating pile of shit."

Her eyes got wide with fear. "What?!"

"Hilde, I need you to do exactly what I tell you to do, okay?"

She nodded. Of course she would do it, she trusted him more than anyone alive.

"When I tell you to, I want you to run to the first shuttle parked in the bay. Stay there until I join you or until it gets too dangerous to remain any longer."

"What do you mean? I won't leave you!"

"Hilde, if I don't get there in time, I'm already dead."

"No, I won't .."

"Hilde." He took hold of her shoulders and shook her gently. "Promise me."

She looked down, unable to meet his eyes any longer. "I promise."

"Good. Now, slap me."

She shook her head violently. "No."

"Do it!" he roared, deliberately scaring her.

Crack! The palm of her hand connected with the left side of his face, forcing his head around.

"Now, run," he whispered.

She couldn't. She stood frozen, staring at the red mark she'd made on his cheek.

"Run!" His yell galvanized her into action and she tore away from him, running, sobbing blindly as she went in the direction of the shuttle bay.

Oh God Duo! Why? Why do we have to do it like this? Hilde begged silently for an answer as she ran, shouldering aside startled techs and mechanics in her haste to do what he asked of her. She jumped into the shuttle and sealed the door shut, then collapsed against it in a heap of tears and recriminations.

*****

"Sir?" A security guard monitoring the shuttle bay called his supervisor over from watching another monitor. "A young woman just locked herself in one of the shuttles. Shall I have her removed?"

"Let's see her."

The guard punched a sequence on the keyboard and Hilde's tear streaked face filled the screen.

"Don't bother, she just had some kind of spat with her boyfriend. I'm sure she'll come out when she's done crying."

"Yes, sir." The guard tapped the keyboard again and Hilde's face disappeared.

******

Duo wanted to murder someone.

He wasn't picky, in the mood he was in, anyone would do.

He secretly hoped a security guard or five would stop him for questioning as he stomped toward that closet sized room housing the AFC's supercomputer. But no one said a word to him and no guards appeared to stop him. No one seemed interested at all in one angry mechanic walking around, seemingly aimlessly, punching the walls. The lack of response to his actions confirmed Duo's suspicions.

The bastards watched him corner Hilde.

They probably thought he demanded some weird sex act or something to make her slap him and run away crying. The fact that he wanted them to see a fight was irrelevant.

"Bunch of voyeuristic perverts," Duo muttered as he reached the room he was looking for. Time to plant the last bomb and get the hell out. Hilde was waiting.

He walked inside the room expecting the lights to be on, but they weren't. The door slid closed behind him.

He waited a few seconds to let his eyes adjust to the dark. It didn't take long. He had excellent night vision, a necessity for a guy who often worked in the dark. But before he could move a distinctly dissatisfied voice grated through the darkness.

"What are you doing in here?"

Duo turned his head in the direction of the sound and spotted the vague outline of a man standing in the corner.

"Oh, sorry. I must have stumbled in here by mistake." Duo surreptitiously reached into his coverall, pulling out his last bomb. He let it dangle between his fingertips as he backed up a step and bent down.

"A very large mistake to make young man."

The lights suddenly came on and Duo could see that the man confronting was none other than the mad scientist himself, Dr. Mazurenko.

"I gave orders not to be disturbed!"

"You all ready are." Duo barely breathed the words.

"What?!" Dr. Mazuerenko took a couple of angry steps forward. "What did you say?"

Oooops, the guy might be nuts, but there wasn't anything wrong with his hearing.

"Say, what is this place?" Duo asked with a smile. "There's no very much room in here and it's kinda stuffy."

"Who are you?" Dr. Mazuerenko growled, his face growing red with frustration. He took a few steps toward Duo, clenching his fists.

"Get away from that!" He demanded as Duo poked at the computer workstation nearest him. "I'll have you shot for this!"

Duo held up both hands in mock surrender. "Whoa, sorry. I didn't touch anything, honest." Dr. Mazuerenko looked like he was about to explode, which reminded him .. Duo checked at his watch. "Would you look at the time?" He smiled brightly. "Gotta go." He whipped out of the room and walked as fast as he could without running for the shuttle bay. He only had about one minute before the bombs started to go off.

Why did the guards have to pick now to try and stop him?

Four of them blocked his way fifty feet down the hall from the computer room. Duo shook his head as he approached them, not bothering to slow his stride at all.

"This is lousy timing on your part, fellas."

One of them sneered. He was the first one Duo took down.

A few well-placed kicks, a couple of punches followed by three knocks on the head and the four lay on the ground, groaning.

"I've been wanting to do that to someone. Thanks for volunteering," he told them as he walked away.

An explosion echoed through the satellite.

"Damn!" Duo ran.

More explosions went off, one every five seconds, just as he planned. Debris blew out into the hall in front of him and he was forced to take cover. When he lifted his head he found the way was blocked.

"I'll never complain about studying blue prints again," Duo said as he ran down an alternate route to the shuttle bay. Everyone was running now. Explosions continued to go off causing more and more chaos with every blast. Alarm bells clanged everywhere adding to the confusion.

A shout from behind him alerted Duo and he dived to the floor as a hailstorm of bullets struck the wall where his head had been. He rolled, pulling his out his gun and fired at the guards. They were dead before he regained his feet.

The satellite shuddered as another explosion took out one of the main stabilizers and Duo was thrown against a wall with enough force to knock most people out. He struggled to his feet and staggered into the shuttle bay. He knew he was out of time.

"Hilde!" He pounded on the shuttle door. "Open up!"

The door slid open and he shut and locked it before anyone else could jump in.

"Come on, let's get out of here!" he shouted as he ran to join her in the cockpit.

"The hanger doors are still closed!" Hilde yelled at him.

"They won't be for long," Duo said entering the cockpit and taking over the pilot's seat. He fired the engines and Hilde drew a frightened breath.

Another explosion blasted the doors and half the bay wide open.

"Time to leave." Duo piloted deftly the shuttle through falling debris and out into the safety of space. Behind them the satellite exploded into uncountable pieces.

Duo looked at Hilde. She was pale and sweat glistened on her forehead.

Duo shook his head regretfully as he turned to survey the destruction. "Well, that's one reference I won't be using on my resume."

Hilde stared at him blank faced for two whole seconds before bursting out laughing.