Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Family Ties ❯ Chapter 40 ( Chapter 40 )

"Family Ties"

 

January. 2007 ShenLong

 

 

Chapter 40

 

With patience and a steady hand, Duo finally managed to get the back off the small transistor radio. Setting the plastic aside, he scanned through the maze of wires and circuits, his mind working overtime as it traced the various components, figuring out what each small part did and how best he could alter it to send instead of receive.

 

On the bed, Nurse Brown watched through heavy eyes. Keitaro had finished his bottle, brought up the wind and was now snuggled against the nanny's side fast asleep. The pain pills had kicked in big time and not only was her wrist feeling less sore, but Margaret was also getting very tired from them.

 

“What exactly do you hope to do?” Margaret asked as she watched Duo fiddling with the small machine.

 

“I'm going to try and rewire this so that instead of receiving, it will transmit.”

 

“I see.”

 

“Sort of like reversing everything in it - or at least that's how it works in theory. I need to try and trace each wire, see which circuit it's attached to on the circuit board and then set it up to work in reverse.”

 

“Sounds complicated, and not very promising.”

 

“It is complicated, but I'd rather be doing this than sitting around and waiting for someone to try and find us.” Duo knew that the L1 ambassador's death would have been discovered by now and he hoped that somehow Heero had gotten the clues he'd left behind.

 

Heero...

 

Duo's heart ached for his husband. Heero would be frantic, of that Duo had no doubt. Even with the clues he'd left, that's presuming Heero had gotten them, his husband would be tearing apart earth and the colonies to try and locate them. If he could succeed in getting this radio to transmit, then he was hoping to send out a signal, an encrypted signal that Heero would understand.

 

He just needed to try and remember the transmitting level that Preventer used.

 

Diligently, Duo worked on into the night.

 

* * *

 

A knock at Une's door woke the commander. She raised herself from her desk where she'd fallen asleep and scrubbed at her face. Her eyes felt heavy and thick, her brain was muzzy and it felt like something furry was growing on her tongue. The knock sounded again. “Enter,” she managed to say as she did her best to smooth the wrinkles from her clothing.

 

“Morning, ma'am,” said Une's secretary and then stopped in her tracks as she took in her commander's appearance. “Excuse me for being so forward, ma'am, but did you stay here all night?”

 

“Yes, I did,” sighed Une.

 

“Ah. Would you like some coffee?”

 

“I think a change of clothes might be more to the point,” replied Une as she sniffed the air delicately. “I'll go get freshened up, and yes, a coffee would be most welcome.”

 

The secretary did as asked, leaving to fetch the commander's coffee whilst Une slipped into the small, adjoining room to her office and changed into a fresh set of clothes. All agents kept a change of clothes at headquarters, usually a second uniform as one never knew when they would need it. Change done, Une headed for the bathrooms for a quick wash and spruce up. Her coffee was waiting for her when she returned, along with a blueberry muffin. Silently, Une thanked her secretary.

 

Coffee in hand, Une made her notes based on the information she'd managed to glean from the reports she'd been reading through in preparation for the continued meeting with the ESUN heads later that morning.

 

* * *

 

Keitaro's soft whimpers as he stirred woke both Duo and the nanny. Duo moved to the thermos to make up a bottle for the child, thankful that the water was still quite warm inside. Margaret managed to get a diaper ready and keep the infant amused whilst waiting for Duo. Bottle made, Duo moved to the bed and began the task of changing his son.

 

Peeling back the tabs on the disposable diaper, Duo got a bit of a whiff of his son's offering and felt his stomach twist. “Ah, shit,” he said as he tried to swallow the extra saliva that was flooding his mouth and keep his contents in his stomach.

 

Hearing the expletive, Margaret looked up sharply and was about to chastise the young man when she suddenly stopped and took a good look at him. Duo didn't look all that well. “Are you okay?” she asked.

 

“Feeling a bit nauseous,” Duo replied honestly.

 

“I can change him if you wish?”

 

“It's okay, I'll be all right in a... ah crap,” Duo moved swiftly to the side and grabbed the chamber pot that was still in their room. His stomach rebelled and he spent a minute or so emptying the contents into the chamber pot. Finally finished, he grabbed a baby wipe and wiped his mouth and face. He picked up a glass and poured some cold water into it to rinse out his mouth, spitting the contents into the pot and then putting the offending item into the furthest corner he could find and covering it with a plastic bag.

 

Returning to his son, he noted Nurse Brown had finished changing Keitaro and was now feeding the child, a worried look on her face.

 

“I'm okay,” Duo reassured the nurse. “Don't quite know what sparked that off, I'm not usually affected by Keitaro's diapers.”

 

The nurse smiled. “Don't worry, it does happen from time to time.” She let the subject drop, but her mind continued to think on it. Duo did look a little pale, but otherwise he seemed okay. She decided to keep a close eye on the young man anyway.

 

With the nurse and infant occupied, Duo went back to the small table and picked up the radio. So far he'd managed to figure out just about all of the circuits and wires, and was fairly confident in his skills that he would be able to alter it sufficiently to send out some sort of signal.

 

* * *

 

Yawning widely, Quatre walked into the study and paused. Heero was still sitting at the computer, oblivious to anything around him. To the side, Wufei was sprawled in the other office chair, his neck at an awkward angle, mouth open and snoring softly. /Ouch! Chang's going to have one hell of a crick in his neck when he wakes up,/ Quatre thought.

 

Hearing the soft shuffling of feet, Heero looked up from the screen and spotted Quatre.

 

Eyes moving from the Chinese man to Heero, Quatre scratched his belly and asked, “Did you get any sleep at all last night, Heero?”

 

“No,” came the sheepish reply as Heero bent to his task once more.

 

Seeing the Japanese man so engrossed in the computer, Quatre walked over for a better look. “Did you manage to find something?”

 

“Sort of,” Heero replied. “I've cracked the ESUN database.”

 

“Ah.” Quatre was fully awake now.

 

“I'm tracing through the database to find out what that guy was up to. Whatever it was he was searching for was certainly important enough for someone to have murdered him.”

 

At that point, Wufei gave a loud snore, snuffled and coughed, waking himself up in the process. Raising his head, he winced and rubbed at his sore neck. “Shit, my neck's as stiff as a board,” he grumbled.

 

“Morning, Wufei,” Quatre said in his cheerful tone.

 

“Winner,” Chang replied and then turned his attention back to Heero. “How is it progressing, Yuy?”

 

“Slowly,” came the stoic reply.

 

“Anything yet?”

 

“Sort of. So far all I've managed to track him to the Colony rebuilding scheme which confirms my suspicion that he was possibly working with the same group that has sent their demands to the ESUN.”

 

“I see.” Wufei looked a little more alert and shifted in his seat, stretching his tired and cramped limbs.

 

“The computer is still following his tracks and I don't have the concrete proof at this stage to confirm my theory.” Heero turned around to face both men. He looked haggard, his face pinched and drawn, shadowing under his eyes and a light stubble over his chin all attested to the lack of sleep and worry over his missing family.

 

“I think you need a break, Heero,” Quatre stated kindly. “Leave the computer to do its thing, Trowa can keep an eye on it for you whilst you go get a shower and take a nap.” Quatre was careful to avoid saying 'sleep', knowing full well that Heero would refuse point blank. Quatre didn't blame him, if the roles were different and it was Trowa that was missing, Quatre knew he would be moving heaven, earth and the colonies to find him.

 

Heero gave himself a quick sniff and decided a shower was certainly in order. “I'll take a shower and return shortly.”

 

“Trowa's cooking breakfast, have your shower and meet us in the kitchen. You need to eat and then get a bit of a rest in. You won't be any good to anyone if you keep driving yourself like this, Heero.”

 

Knowing that what the blonde said was true, Heero relented. “Okay. I'll brief Trowa on what to keep watch for.” Standing, Heero took one last check on the computer then left to take a shower.

 

“I'm worried about him, Wufei,” Quatre said once Heero had left.

 

“I am too,” replied Chang.

 

“We need to find Duo, Keitaro and Nurse Brown and soon, otherwise I'm afraid Heero's sanity may suffer.”

 

With a sigh, Wufei walked over to the computer and sat down in Heero's vacated chair. “I'll keep monitoring for now. Barton can take over after breakfast and I'll check in with headquarters.”

 

Giving the Chinese man a warm smile, Quatre left to find his husband and bring him up to speed.

 

* * *

 

The heads were all gathered once more in the large conference room at ESUN headquarters. Une watched each one of them as they filtered in from the anti chamber and took their places, most holding cups of coffee and chatting amongst themselves. She rubbed her temples and tried to get her tired brain to focus.

 

Once all the members were seated, Une stood up and began her address. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have received the portfolio regarding the colony rebuilding scheme and I have taken the liberty of copying the relevant information for you all.” Une paused to open up one of the files she had brought with her. Sliding several pieces of paper out, she proceeded to pass them around the room.

 

Once everyone had a copy, Une continued. “I have spent the previous evening going through the file, matching up the various colonies, equipment purchased, invoices, deliveries and so on. All the information is there on those papers for you to read. I'd appreciate it if you would all take a few minutes to go through it.”

 

Speech over for the moment, Une sat and let the rest of the group read through the paperwork. All her research had shown her that all the columns matched - the incoming, outgoing, purchases and the like, all added up. But Une had a niggling feeling in the back of her mind; and it was to do with the information Relena had shared last night in relation to Duo.

 

Unfortunately, with Duo still missing, she had no way of verifying what exactly the agent was on to, but there were a few pieces starting to fall into place. With the ESUN heads all currently occupied with reading through the information, she decided to slip out and make a phone call.

 

* * *

 

Heero forced himself to eat, the food tasting like sawdust but it was necessary if his body was to continue to function. He also knew he needed to take a short nap, but with the computer so close to cracking what the deceased infiltrator had been chasing, he didn't want to miss anything of importance.

 

Wufei was monitoring the computer when Heero returned to the study. He nodded to his fellow agent and interpreted the glare he received in the right manner.

 

“You need to rest, Yuy.”

 

“I know,” Heero replied. “I plan on taking a nap here on the couch.”

 

Wufei frowned but knew better than to say anything further. He watched as Yuy stretched out on the leather couch in the study, pushing a cushion under his head. At least it was better than nothing.

 

Knowing what was going through his friend's mind, Heero spoke. “I won't sleep at all if I'm in my room.”

 

Chang conceded that, Yuy's room would remind him constantly of his missing husband and wouldn't be inviting for the man to sleep. Better he rest here. Wufei nodded. “I will wake you should anything come up.”

 

“Arigato.”

 

The computer continued its tracing, showing clearly that the infiltrator had been searching for specific files. Several of the ESUN heads' hard drives had been scanned and then left; obviously whatever it was he was after hadn't been in those databases.

 

Glancing over at the couch, Wufei let a rare smile grace his lips. Yuy was sound asleep. The smile soon faded though as Wufei observed the dark circles under his friend's eyes, the worry lined etched into that brow that didn't disappear whilst sleeping. Chang was worried himself over the disappearance of Maxwell and the family; but Heero...

 

He looked completely lost and shattered.

 

* * *

 

Une made her way into the anti chamber and picked up the nearest 'phone. She dialed the number to Heero and Duo's residence, waiting patiently whilst the call connected.

 

“Maxwell-Yuy residence.”

 

“Wufei? Is that you?”

 

“Yes. Is that you, Commander Une?”

 

Heero began to stir on the couch, the sound of the phone having partially woken him, Chang's voice bringing him to full alertness.

 

“Chang, I need to speak with Heero, it's important. Is he there?”

 

“Yuy here, commander.” Heero had heard the words 'Commander Une' and was instantly on his feet and heading for the phone. “Is there news of Duo?”

 

“I'm sorry, Heero. No news as yet, I'm afraid, but I do need to ask you something.”

 

“Go ahead, commander.” Heero's shoulders had slumped with the admission of no news on his missing husband and family.

 

“Relena said something about Duo needing a copy of the rebuilding portfolio, she managed to get him a disc copy and passed it on. Do you know anything at all about what he wanted it for?“

 

Heero swallowed. “I think I may, commander.” Heero explained about Duo's hunch that something wasn't right with the funding to the L2 colony and thus the checking into the fund allocation, purchases and so on. “From all his research though, everything added up.”

 

Une sighed. “I've just spent the past evening going over the same portfolio. All the figures add up, I can't find anything amiss at all.”

 

“Une, there's a little more to this.”

 

“There is? Care to elaborate?”

 

Running his hand through his wild bangs, Heero took a deep breath and began. “From what I've managed to learn from Duo's files, despite all the information adding up, he still wasn't convinced that all was well with the funding. He made some inquiries regarding the major fund supporters for the rebuilding scheme; both Quatre and Relena are large contributors to the fund. We have run preliminary checks, matching the donations against the expenditure.” Heero took another deep breath. “They don't add up.”

 

Une was silent for a moment. “They don't?”

 

“No, commander, they don't. In fact, there are several thousand credits missing. The information we have regarding the total figure for donations does not equal the figure spent. The inventories all add up, as do the products purchased and delivered.”

 

“I see. Any idea on where the missing credits are? They could be sitting in an account awaiting issue for more purchases.”

 

“They could,” Heero agreed, “but as yet we haven't found any evidence to support that theory.”

 

“Okay. You are continuing to investigate?”

 

“Hai, we are. We've also managed to hack into the ESUN database and I'm currently following the tracks of our murder victim.”

 

Une thought for a moment, then spoke. “I have to get back to the meeting. Gentlemen, I expect you to keep me updated on what you find.”

 

“Yes, commander.”

 

Wufei, who had been sitting quietly and taking in everything, suddenly spoke up. “Commander? Who are the senators on the rebuilding committee?”

 

“I'm not completely sure, Chang. I can ask Relena for you, she did mention someone's name before, but I can't recall what that name was.”

 

“Thank you. I think that information could help us a little,” Wufei replied.

 

“Okay. I'll find out from Relena and let you know as soon as I can. Now, I have to return to the meeting and see what these idiots wish to do. I'll be in touch.” Une cut the call and placed the receiver back in the cradle.

 

Heero hung up the phone and stared at Chang. “You onto something, Chang?”

 

Wufei shrugged. “Not sure. I think if we know who is in charge of the rebuilding portfolio then it will give us a better place to start further investigations.”

 

Heero cottoned on pretty quick. “Hn. I agree. I hope Une can get those names to us quickly, meanwhile, we continue with our deceased friend and the database.”

 

* * *

 

“All set?” Nolen asked Farrow as he walked into the small room they had set up with the computer equipment.

 

“Yeah. Ready when you are,” replied Farrow.

 

“You're positive this can't be traced?”

 

“It won't be. Trust me, I have it going through many different links, exchanges and loops it will take them months to find out where it originated from.

 

“Good. Let's make the call then.” Nolen sat himself down and pushed the button on the small communication device.

 

Farrow took up residence by the computer and began to type in commands. Within seconds the device connected.

 

* * *

 

Une re-entered the conference room and sighed softly. The room was abuzz with soft chatter, the many occupants talking amongst themselves. Ignoring the company for the moment, Une made her way to Relena.

 

“Relena?”

 

“Yes, Une?”

 

“Can you tell me who is in charge of and on the committee for the rebuilding scheme?”

 

Relena's brows drew together for a moment. “I think Senator Wainright is in charge of it. I can double check for you and have a list of the committee for you shortly.”

 

“Thanks, I'd appreciate that,” Une replied.

 

“I'll need to call my secretary and get her to make the inquiries for me, it shouldn't take long.”

 

“That would be wonderful. Whilst you do that and she's getting the information, I think we should get back to the task at hand.” Une made a point of looking at the surrounding company.

 

“Okay. I'll call her now.” Relena excused herself or a moment and went through to the anti chamber to contact her secretary, leaving Une to bring order back to the room.

 

The noise quieted as Une cleared her throat and called for everyone's attention. Once the room was silent, she began. “I take it you have all read the report?”

 

Several heads nodded and a murmur of affirmation rumbled through the room.

 

“Has anyone got anything at all to say about the portfolio? Maybe one of you has picked up something I have missed?”

 

“From what I can tell, all seems to be in order,” Senator Jefferies stated.

 

“I agree. The portfolio clearly shows that L2 has received the same amount of funding as the rest of the colonies,” Senator Kinsen said.

 

Une sighed. “That is exactly what I found. Now, the question is, what do you intend to do in regards to the demands from these... terrorists?” Une couldn't think of any other word that described the group they were dealing with.

 

“We won't bow to their demands. It's plain as day, here in black and white that L2 is receiving exactly the same as the other colonies. Why should we provide more funding to L2? If we do that then the other colonies will miss out on vital resources and before you know it, we will have another war on our hands,” Jefferies said in a calm, but firm tone.

 

“What is Preventer doing about it?” asked Kinsen.

 

“Preventer currently has agents working on trying to trace the call, trying to locate these people and take them out before anything else happens. I'm afraid I cannot divulge much more than that as it would compromise my agents and their work.”

 

“Then I suggest that Preventer moves a bit faster,” Jefferies smirked.

 

Doing her best to control the growl, Une took a deep breath and was about to speak again when one of the agents appointed to security knocked and entered.

 

“Yes,” Une snapped.

 

“Sorry to interrupt, ma'am, but there's a call come through that I think you need to take. The guy said he wished to speak with the heads of ESUN.”

 

Une frowned. “Okay, have it patched through to this conference room.”

 

“Yes, ma'am.” The agent disappeared.

 

Looking at Relena who raised an eyebrow in question, Une shrugged her shoulders and walked over to the small vid phone, the rest of the assembled senators all turned to see what the call was about.

 

The call was patched through, the screen cleared - or at least Une thought it did - and a distorted voice came through the speaker, along with a blurred image of a man on the screen.

 

“You wished to speak with the ESUN heads?” Une questioned. “Who are you and what do you want?”

 

“Ahh, Commander Une. I just thought I'd give you all a courtesy call to see how things are progressing regarding my demands for the L2 colony...”

 

~ * ~

 

tbc...