Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Endless Dream ❯ Ode to Chaos ( Prologue )

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Endless Dream

Prologue

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January 1st, A.C. 196 -

The war between the earth and its colonies finally came to an end, marking the dawn of a new era and bringing the hope for peace to all of mankind.

January 10th, A.C. 196 -

To finalize the end of the war and mark the official beginning of peace, the new Queen Relena Peacecraft announced that a grand gala would be held in which a representative from each colony and herself would sign a universal treaty.

February 3rd, A.C. 196 -

Just one week prior to the event, a small importing company in China was destroyed in a mysterious explosion. Experts suspected that it was a terrorist attack, so Queen Peacecraft decided to postpone the signing until the incident could be investigated.

Late February, A.C. 196 -

Though extra effort was put into keeping news of the attack quiet, rumors spread quicker than wildfire and the sense of security and safety all across the earth dwindled. More and more "random" attacks were reported, and soon many businesses started hiring mercenaries to attack competitors. Some claimed that these tactics were merely preventative measures.

March 4th, A.C. 109 -

Queen Relena Peacecraft addressed the people of earth, begging them to refrain from retaliating in a desperate effort to salvage the peace. However, her attempts were futile and the feuds didn't cease.

June, A.C. 198 -

Relena began a four-week tour of the earth, campaigning for peace. During that time, mercenaries grew in strength and wealth.

July 20th, A.C. 196 -

Queen Peacecraft and the representatives of the colonies planned to hold a secret meeting. Once the treaty would be signed they would be able to enforce stronger laws and hopefully squash the uprising rebellion against authority.

August 16th, A.C. 196 - Present Day

The night of the secret treaty signing has finally arrived. To ensure the safety of Queen Peacecraft and the other representatives, the Preventers were appointed to head up security, with the former Gundam pilots at the front line.



"Hikari, are you there?"

Another girl stopped what she was doing and adjusted her mouthpiece. "Yeah. I'm here. What's wrong?"

"I just want to know what's taking you so long. The meeting is about to start and I'm still staring at the floor of this shaft." This is what Hoshi lived for. crouching inside a ventilation shaft, spying on secret officials as they decide the world's fate. What could be better? Well, perhaps some action. She'd been waiting a long time to use her new katana and the fact that Hikari was taking too long to open the vent was not helping.

"Just a few more minutes, Hoshi. I'm almost in." She sighed as she typed away at her laptop. "Why do I feel like we're the bad guys, here?"

Hoshi smirked. "Maybe because we're the ones breaking in?" She could sense her friend's unrest and shook her head. "Hikari, don't worry. Just keep remembering that we're on the good side and you'll be fine."

He girl at the laptop just frowned. "But if Master U is wrong, we'll be taking the life of an innocent."

"Listen, Hikari." Hoshi's voice was stern and serious now. "We're in no position to question his judgment. Our job is to complete the mission, no matter what it is."

Hikari didn't respond, just concentrated on her work until there was a little beep. "Any second now."

She was right. The ventilation window snapped open and Hoshi grinned as she had a perfectly clear view of the meeting room. "Beautiful." she whispered.

"Alright, I'm coming right over." Hikari packed up her computer and slung the bag over her shoulder, swiftly and quietly maneuvering to the opening.

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Hushed conversation ceased as the young queen entered the basement of he old warehouse. She looked around tentatively, this having been her first time to ever see this secret place.

She had been surrounded by grand rooms and beautiful things her entire life - this room hardly seemed appropriate for such a grand event. On the contrary though, the hope and peace that this treaty promised seemed to cast a blinding light on the dreary darkness of this broken down building.

Her footsteps echoed through the scarcely occupied room. The only people were present were the five representatives from the colonies and their personal guards as well as the retired Gundam pilots and her butler and friend, Pagan.

A small smile graced Relena's lips as she sat in the chair that Pagan held out for her and took her rightful place at the head of the makeshift conference table. She glanced around the room to soak in her surroundings, and her eyes caught a rare sight.

There stood Hiiro, former Wing pilot and Perfect Soldier. He was watching her, staring at her with some same intense eyes that he'd used on her so many times before, but this time, his lips, instead of being firmly pressed to a straight crease, were curved into a small, but wonderfully noticeable smile. She knew that the smile, intended for her was for her eyes only.

The sound of one of the representatives clearing his throat brought Relena's attention back to reality. She had nearly forgotten about the task at hand. She merely smiled, slightly embarrassed yet still unfazed.

"Good evening, gentlemen." She was answered by five respectful nods before she continued. "I'd like to start off by thanking you all for your patience during these last couple of years. They've been very taxing on all of us, but nothing can stand in the way of our acquiring peace."

She could sense the agreement coming from the other men. This only served to calm her nerves and urge her onward. "Now, I know that there is much to cover, but I think that we should first discuss the issue of these mercenaries. Does anyone propose any solution?" She simply folded her hands and waited for a response.

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Hoshi sighed as she looked at her watch. 'Where are you, Hikari? Things have already started!' She was about to sit down when something tapped her on the shoulder. Instinctively, Hoshi spun around to attack but the hand that held her katana was rendered useless when another grasped the wrist and a second hand was clamped over her mouth.

"Surprise." Hikari only whispered, careful not to draw attention from the people below. "Did you miss me?"

"You're late." Hoshi's voice sounded displeased.

"Sorry, security is tight here. Who'd have thought, huh? This place in ancient."

"Yeah, yeah, and if we don't get going soon, so will this meeting be. Did you print out the assassin's profile?"

Hikari nodded and reached into her bag, holding up a small paper with a face printed on it. "This is the one. Mark Peterson. He's registered with one of the underground mercenary strings."

Hoshi scanned the room below and identified the man in the picture as the same one that stood behind the representative of L3. That made sense - his old bodyguard was found dead three days ago and they needed a quick replacement. 'Geniuses.'

"Hoshi, there are more guards than we anticipated. Are you sure that we can handle this?" Hikari's eyebrows furrowed slightly as she looked into the room. The girl had never been one for working against the odds.

"Don't worry. We're the best." Hoshi grinned, "We're invincible, remember?"

Hikari rolled her eyes. "That's because this is our first mission." She shook her head and reached into her bag, extracting a pistol. "You ready?" She clicked off the safety. "Because there it is."

The "it" that Hikari was referring to was the small gun that the target slowly slipped out of his coat - and it was aimed right for Relena. Hoshi just nodded and gripped her katana. "Let's go."

The gunshot came unexpectedly and immediately, everyone in the room was alert. Relena and the other delegates ducked as the bodyguards and former Gundam pilots immediately drew their weapons - all those but Mark Peterson, who's weapon was on the floor as he doubled over, blood pouring from the wound in his chest. Hikari had hit him dead on.

Hoshi seized that moment of confusion and jumped to the ground, her katana pointed at the wounded man. "Move and you'll die!"

"What's going on here?"! Relena shouted, jumping to her feet. "Stop this at once!"

"Relena, get down!" It was Hiiro - he was at her side in less than a second, standing protectively between her and the intruder.

Hoshi paid no mind to any of the guns pointed at her, but she did notice when a blade slid up against her throat. "Don't move, Onna." The owner's voice hissed. "You're under arrest."

Hoshi didn't move, only brought her eyes to meet those of the man that held the katana. "You have to catch me, first."

That was Hikari's cue. 'I was so hoping to not have to fight.' She thought to herself as she jumped from the shaft. But instead of landing gracefully, she fell right onto one of the former Gundam pilots.

"Quatre!" the braided one shouted and shot at the girl new girl as she scrambled away and stood to her feet., but the blonde pilot was quick and it took no time at all for the barrel of his gun to meet the side of Hikari's head.

"Hoshi, we have to go!"

"Not yet, Hikari!"

There was shouting, and chaos. It was at that moment that Relena reached over and pried Hiiro's gun from his hands, shooting it into the air three times. When she finally had everyone's attention - and shock, she addressed the room. "I want an explanation right now!!!"

"Queen Peacecraft!" It was Hikari, "Please believe me when I tell you that we mean you no harm! Peterson was a traitor!"

Concerned blue eyes studied the woman. Her dark hair and clothes didn't make her seem any friendlier. "Proof. I need proof of this." The strangers were silent, the other one even shifted uncomfortably. "I thought so." Relena said, disappointment clear in her voice. "You're both under arrest."

Before another word could be said or thought could be processed, an explosion rocked the building, causing everyone present to struggle for balance - effectively freeing Hoshi and Hikari from their captors.

One mighty kick from Hoshi sent Wufei flying to the end of the room. "Hikari! We're leaving!"

The other nodded and swung her foot, knocking the blonde pilot to the ground and taking off, dodging bullets with her friend. "I've started them remotely, we can leave immediately."

"Perfect!" Hoshi snapped one of her earrings off and threw it to the ground, filling the room with smoke, giving the girls just enough time to escape. When they finally reached the outside, Hoshi stared at the Gundams before them. "That wasn't so hard, was it?" She grinned at Hikari and sheathed her katana. "Now, the fun part."