Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Endless Dream ❯ Prologue

Bekki's Notes: Here's the prologue for the new and improved Endless Dream! It's about time we stopped just talking about rewriting and actually did it, huh? Enjoy the chapter!

Kudos: Special thanks to everyone involved in this project! Golden Goddess and Marika Webster, the other Sansha authors who have offered incredible support and encouragement for this prologue! Storm, Sailorcelestial and Satan's Mistress for beta reading! You guys are the best!

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Endless Dream

Prologue

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April, A.C. 176

"We knew that this day would come, Ulysses. It won't be long now." The aging man stared out the window of his laboratory, gazing at the artificial spring day. The foliage of the trees danced in the gentle breeze that was produced by a weathering machine. Everything about this little world was artificial, and soon, the freedom of its people would be as well.

"With the assassination of Hiiro Yuy, his voice, along with the voice of the colonies, has died." He opened the window, blinking his eyes at the bright noonday sun. "We had so many hopes and plans for this new way of life. Years of hard work and the genius of the greatest engineers and scientists that humanity has ever known... all of it has been put to death with a single bullet."

"Jeremiah." The other man approached the first, sadness in his voice, but with a hint of determination. "We must accept what has come to pass and focus now on how to restore order to this chaos." He handed his mentor a small metallic box that seemed to be some sort of remote control. "Hurry now. We don't have much time."

With a sigh, wrinkling hands grasped the device. "Our plan must succeed, or the people of the colonies will be doomed to live under the Alliance's oppression." He pressed a button on the box and a slight humming sound could be heard from just outside the window. "Let's just hope that the others launch their satellites in time."

"Including us." Ulysses reached around and pressed another button. "We have five minutes until the barrier is initiated. It'll take three for the satellite to move safely out of range."

Jeremiah nodded and pressed the last button. Both men watched from inside the laboratory as a small boulder on the ground lifted a few inches and floated there. "Our last hope for freedom." He whispered before pressing the final button, launching the boulder into the sky. As soon as it was out of sight, Jeremiah reached out and carefully shut the windows. "It's back to work for us, Ulysses. There is much to be done."

The old man scurried about the room, gathering books and documents, along with tools and small boxes of raw materials. "Pay close attention, son. If we live through this adventure, you will no doubt earn your Honored Title as Master, and create wonders of your own. In the meantime, we have a people to deliver."

"Yes, Jeremiah." Ulysses always used his mentor's formal title while they worked. "I'll start on the software programming."

"Very well. We have one week until the first transmission. Let's have a good progress report for our colleagues, eh?"

~*~*~*~*~

August, A.C. 187

" Lagrange Point One - complete. Lagrange Point Two - complete. Lagrange Point Three - complete. Lagrange Point Four - complete. Lagrange Point Five - complete." Ulysses tapped his pen on the desk as he read off the last bit of information. "All suit structures are complete, Jeremiah."

"Wonderful." The older man approached the other, glancing over his shoulder at the monitor. "Very good. All that's left now is to install the software and we'll be ready to select our pilots."

Ulysses couldn't help the jolt of happiness that shot through him when he heard those words. For years, he'd been looking forward to when it would be time to install the software. "Actually..." He walked over to one of the drawers and pulled out a disk. "This is a little something that I've been working on for the last five years or so."

Jeremiah took the disk and slipped it into the slot on his computer console. "What is this, Ulysses?"

"Well, once we finished the basic system for the mobile suit software, I made a copy for myself and made some modifications in my spare time." He was silent as his mentor read over the files. So much work went in to this program. He'd spent long nights creating and perfecting this system. Five years of his work went into this and finally, it was complete.

Ulysses really did believe in this cause. He was aware of the risks involved in aiding such a revolt, but if they could pull this off, Jeremiah would be a hero, and as his apprentice, his name would go down in history.

This new program changed everything, though. It was designed to enhance not only the pilot's mental capabilities, but his physical as well. Above all, though, it would influence the pilot's mind to set aside fear and apprehension. He would take risks that a mortal mind would never allow him to take, and his judgment would be so much more accurate that there would be virtually no danger to the pilot. The program would enhance his sense of aggression and amplify his determination. This program would make anyone who used it invincible.

"This is absolutely incredible! What you've designed is like nothing I've ever seen!" Jeremiah leaned back in his chair, smiling proudly at his student. "You amaze me more and more, Ulysses. You're not far from your Honored Title."

To Ulysses, there was nothing better than receiving praise from his mentor. But this time, he felt that he deserved it. "Jeremiah, we can use this program on the suits! With their enhanced abilities, they'd be invincible. Our victory lies in this software!"

"It truly is a work of genius." Jeremiah stood from his chair and turned to face Ulysses. "But unfortunately, we won't be able to use it."

Everything seemed to get darker at that moment. Ulysses wasn't quite sure what to say. He wasn't expecting this sort of a reaction. Why couldn't they use it if he liked it so much? "I don't understand." His voice was as calm as he could muster, but he sounded just a little bit frantic. He couldn't bear the thought of all this work going to waste.

"This program that you designed is incredible, but to actually use it on a human being would be inhumane. You have no idea what the side effects would be." At this, the old man began to pace. "You've never studied electric psychology. What knowledge you do have of it has been put to good use in this, but it takes much more than five years and one apprentice to create a successful mind-manipulating program." He stopped and adjusted his glasses, "Besides, even if it had been done correctly, I don't think we could use it on this mission."

Ulysses felt his right hand balling up into a fist as the old man spoke. Never in his life had he imagined that he could ever be angry with Jeremiah, but right now, some negative emotion was running through him and it took all of his willpower to keep it at bay. "Jeremiah... if we use this program, we'll win this! So far, I know of no negative side effects. Besides, it'll only be used on five people! Five lives in exchange for millions!"

At this, Jeremiah frowned. "I wish you hadn't said that, Ulysses. I don't know what's gotten into you, but that mentality has got to go. The pilots are going to be heroes, not expendable dolls that we can subject to our influence." He sighed and shook his head regretfully. "I'm sorry, Ulysses. We can't use your program." He slowly returned to his seat and started tapping at the keyboard. "We can't leave this out in the open, either. If this program got into the wrong hands, there would no doubt be a great tragedy."

The younger man watched silently as his mentor shut down the program and locked it away in a secure file labeled `ZERO'. So that was what his mentor thought of his creation? That was what should become of his hard work? No. It couldn't be that way. That negative emotion was becoming harder and harder to control.

"I'm sorry, Ulysses. Your creation was amazing, but it's too dangerous to use." He stood to face the man as he spoke, but was met with a balled fist in his face. Jeremiah flew across the room and landed against the wall. He looked at Ulysses in shock as he cradled his cheek that was now bruised.

It was at that moment that everything changed. Jeremiah and Ulysses, mentor and student, both friends for so many years.... In that one moment, everything stopped. The anger Ulysses felt, and the betrayal Jeremiah had to face was what sparked the stubbornness in both of them.

"How could you do this, Jeremiah? You know how important a scientist's work is to him! How could you dispose of it so easily?"

"I had no choice, Ulysses. It's dangerous."

"But it works! I'll prove it to you!" He walked up to one of the computer consoles and stood beside it. "Not only does it enhance mental capabilities, but physical as well." That said, he reached down and lifted the console from the ground, holding the monstrous object above his head. "Five soldiers as strong as myself sent to save the colonies from this oppression! We would be invincible!"

It was at that moment that Jeremiah realized a terrible truth. Tears blurred his eyes as he managed to whisper his defeat. "You tested it on yourself... didn't you?"

"There was no one else to test it on! The people of the colonies think that we're mad! Spending all of this time chasing our dreams of freedom! I'm trying to help restore our reputations!"

"But this isn't the way, Ulysses. We're trying to save humanity, not manipulate it." Jeremiah closed his eyes and said quietly, "I'm sorry. I won't change my mind."

At those words, Ulysses felt his entire body begin to shake with anger. "I will not let you throw away my work! I poured my very being into this program and I won't let anyone take it away from me!" With that, he launched the piece of machine at the old man and watched as it landed on his vulnerable arm. Ignoring the strangled cry from the man that he would have called a father, Ulysses turned to leave, but stopped when he reached the doorway. "It takes more than your orders to stop my determination, Jeremiah."

~*~*~*~*~

May, A.C. 206

"According to your resume, Miss Jiaino, you have no prior experience in this field. What prompted you to apply for this job in particular?"

Tensei Jiaino squirmed a bit in her chair as she struggled to answer the interviewer's questions. She honestly had no experience, and didn't quite understand just how she expected to land this job in the first place. She really needed it, though.

"Well, I really don't see how this job can be so difficult. I'll really just be an extra pair of hands, right?"

The advice given her sounded reasonable at the time. A friend informed her that when interviewing for a job above your qualifications just smile, be polite, and wear a low cut blouse.

"Well, in a sense, yes. But it requires a certain grace to be Mr. Winner's personal assistant. You have to be ever-present, yet invisible at the same time."

The advice might have worked, too - if Hallaway wasn't a woman.

"Oh, I can do that, Ms. Hallaway. I'm quick and efficient, but quiet as a mouse!"

The dark-haired woman studied her interviewee carefully and sighed. "I suppose that I don't have much of a choice anyway. Three weeks, and you're the only person who's inquired about the position. That very well could be due to the circumstances of the times. You are aware that this job could get dangerous, right? Mr. Winner is a prime figure in the cause for peace. He could be in danger because of all that's been going on lately."

"Oh, I'm fully aware of the risks, m'am, and prepared to undergo any training necessary to better equip me to serve Mr. Winner in this time of danger."

Tensei couldn't blame the woman for being skeptical of her abilities. No one would think that someone as slight as herself would be capable of handling such an ordeal that these dangerous times threatened. She knew, though, that there was no other choice. For most wealthy men like Mr. Winner, three weeks was a long time to go without an assistant. The poor man probably hadn't worn laced shoes in all that time.

Tensei sat patiently as the woman fixed her eyes on the paperwork in her hands and quite possibly unbeknownst to her, she began to chew idly on her pen. It seemed that Hallaway was quite torn, but it didn't take long for the woman to finally relax and shake her head with a sigh. "We don't have much of a choice anyway. When can you start?"

"Right away, Ms. Hallaway." Tensei smiled as they stood to shake hands. "Don't worry, I won't let you or Mr. Winner down."

~*~*~*~*~

"How's she doing?" The Chinese man crossed his arms and leaned against the doorpost where he watched a young woman practicing in the sparring room.

"Quite well, actually." Came the reply from Sally Po. "She passed the physical examination beautifully and beat up three of our officers. By the way, you might want to call in some subs for the next few days."

Chang Wufei returned his attention to inside the room. "So, what do you know about her?"

Sally flipped through her folder. "Her name is Musha Eien. She's a twenty-two year old college graduate from L1's Local University where she studied all forms of martial arts. Seems to me it's more of an obsession than a specialty."

"But her heart is in it." Wufei commented promptly. "She must really believe in this cause to graduate from a university and then settle for a job as an officer for the Preventers…. I like this one. Let's give her a try."

"Sure thing." Sally smiled. "When do you want to start training her?"

"As soon as she's available." Wufei answered as he turned to get back to work. "Just have her stop by my office when she's through."

~*~*~*~*~

"Miss Relena, your husband is here to see you."

The young woman reached over and clicked on the intercom. "Please send him in. Thanks, Ruth."

She took a moment and straightened out her desk while she waited for Hiiro to make it to her office. She was actually a bit surprised that he'd come to see her. He was usually busy with his own work with the Preventers.

"Relena?" He was the only one allowed to enter without knocking besides Ruth, her secretary. In all truthfulness, it was because her office wasn't exactly the tidiest of places in the Sanq Kingdom. She'd always been a bit paranoid of what people would think of the Foreign Minister of Affairs being sloppy. It would be bad PR.

"Hey, Hiiro." The woman smiled and leaned forward on her desk. "What brings you here right now?"

Hiiro took a seat across from his wife, a grim frown set in his face. "I want you to reconsider my proposal. I really think that you're making a mistake by letting this go for so long."

Relena rolled her eyes with a sigh. "Hiiro, I do not need extra security. I've got my own security right here in this building. Put the Preventers to better use."

"You're not being reasonable, Relena. The times are dangerous and you're a key figure right now."

"Hiiro, we don't even know exactly what's going on. There's no reason to panic yet."

"It gives us every right to panic, Relena!" Hiiro rarely ever raised his voice at his wife. Only in times such as these, when he didn't get his way did he get so aggravated.

"People on the colonies have been taking up arms against people on Earth! If we're not careful, we could have another war on our hands."

"And that's why the Preventers receive generous funding, Hiiro. So that we don't have another war! I have nothing to do with it."

"But that's also why you're in such danger. Sanq's government is one of our greatest benefactors, and you have been an icon for peace for the last ten years. We don't just have to worry about those that are fighting, but the psychos that'll get pissed off that your ideals didn't last more than a decade! You hear about those kinds of fanatics all the time on the news!"

"Oh, for Pete's sake, Hiiro! Don't start with that again." Before she could continue, she got a buzz on her intercom.

"Miss Relena, you have a call from Mr. Winner."

"Thanks, Ruth. I'll take it in just a moment." She looked to Hiiro. "Can we discuss this tonight? I have work to do and you probably to, too."

"Fine." Hiiro stood, his frown never faltering. "We'll discuss it tonight. Be careful, though."

Relena couldn't help but smile a bit sympathetically. As much as his stubbornness aggravated her, she knew he only did it because he cared for her.

"I will, Hiiro. I'll see you tonight."

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