Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Family Ties ❯ Chapter 76 ( Chapter 76 )

“Family Ties”

 

January 2007 ShenLong

 

Chapter 76

 

[Preventer Transport Base]

 

Standing on the top of the small steps, Zechs took a deep lungful of air and glanced around him. He spotted Une and Heero at the base of the steps at the same time Heero whispered his name. Putting a smile on his face, Zechs quickly scaled the steps and stood before the Commander.

 

“Commander, Yuy,” he greeted.

 

“Agent Wind. Thank you for responding so quickly,” Une replied.

 

Heero was still in a state of shock and didn't say anything.

 

“Wind, if you will follow Day and myself, we have something of great urgency to discuss.” Une turned and began to walk towards the building sitting beside the bay.

 

Grabbing his kit, Heero followed along, casting glances at Zechs from the corner of his eye.

 

Zechs knew the agent was puzzled and shocked by his appearance, after all, he'd disappeared, presumed dead after the Libra incident and now stood here quite alive after all.

 

Stepping into a small office, Une closed the door and turned to face her agents. Looking directly at the pair, she spoke. “I suppose you both want answers?”

 

“Too fucking right!” Heero snapped. “Where the hell did you come from?” he snarled, turning to glare at Zechs.

 

To his credit, Zechs didn't bat so much as an eyelash.

 

“Agent Day! That will be quite enough,” Une growled. “Sit, the pair of you.”

 

Still glaring at Zechs, Heero sat, Zechs taking the other seat across the room from him.

 

Une looked from one to the other before speaking.”Gentlemen, I will keep this brief as time is of the essence here. Agent Wind, you can elaborate further at a later time if you wish.”

 

Zechs nodded.

 

Turning her attention back to Heero, she continued. “Agent Wind was not killed in the Libra incident as many believe. As you can see, he is very much alive and is also part of the Preventer team. His role in the organization though is classified and only a select few know of his involvement. I expect you to keep all knowledge to yourself.”

 

Heero grunted by way of reply.

 

“In brief, Agent Wind works mainly undercover with a select team, a handful of agents...”

 

“The Black Ops,” Heero finished for the Commander.

 

“Yes,” Une confirmed.

 

Heero had heard rumors that Preventer had its own division of Black ops, but could never find any evidence that the group existed to back those claims. Seemed he now had that evidence and he wasn't too sure he liked it either.

 

“One of Wind's assignments since he joined the group has been to look after a certain set of weapons.”

 

Heero frowned. He couldn't think of anything that would require such extreme measures to keep secret.

 

“Now it is time to bring those weapons into play. Day, Wind, we need to get you both to that satellite as quickly as possible. The very future of the earth and colonies depends on getting that cargo and yourselves to that satellite in the shortest time possible.”

 

Now Heero was even more confused.

 

“Gentlemen, we have wasted enough time with chatter. The cargo should be safely transferred to the hold of shuttle PA 121 by now and ready for launch. I suggest we check the cargo and send you on your way. I will give you the mission brief once we are aboard the shuttle.” Without further words, Une rose and exited the office.

 

Heero wasn't happy at all, he hated it when things were in shades of gray. He much preferred the black and white version.

 

Zechs was also in the dark, not knowing exactly what the mission was to involve had him feeling like a cat on a hot tin roof. Whilst he held no grudges against Heero, he knew the other ex-pilot wasn't exactly brimming with love for him either. There would be some serious explaining to do once they were in the air, Yuy would want to know all the details and Zechs was quite okay with explaining all that had occurred since his supposed demise on the Libra.

 

This could be a very interesting mission to say the least.

 

From the building Une turned left and made her way to bay fifteen where a large, Preventer transport shuttle stood. “Gentlemen, follow me.”

 

Still carrying his kit, Heero brought up the rear as the three ascended the steps and entered the shuttle. Leaving his duffel by the cockpit entrance, Heero walked along the narrow corridor to the rear of the shuttle and down into the cargo hold.

 

What he saw in that cargo bay froze him in his tracks.

 

* * *

 

[Satellite XRB 23]

 

Duo tossed and turned on his bunk, unable to get comfortable. Sleep eluded him, frustrating him further as he knew he needed to let himself rest. Eventually he gave up on sleep and simply lay there, allowing his body to relax and get some needed rest even though his mind refused to accommodate him.

 

He knew that Barton was close to releasing his Firecell and when he did he would need to be ready. Hopefully the door lock would free and give him that window in which to escape. He knew he would only have a couple of minutes at the most and wanted to be sure he didn't miss the opportunity.

 

With Duric insisting he come too, Duo was presented with another problem. He had no intentions of taking the man with him if he could help it. Problem was when that door lock released, assuming it did, he wouldn't have the time to kill Duric and make his escape. He couldn't kill Duric before though as he wasn't sure when the Firecell was to be deployed. It wouldn't look too good if their abductors were to arrive with their food to find Duric dead in the `cell'.

 

It seemed he would have to wait until they escaped the room and he could dispose of Duric once they were on the run. Assuming he could find somewhere safe, quiet and away from this group to do it that was.

 

He was giving himself a headache with all this thinking. Deciding he would just have to do what he usually did and wing it, Duo did his best to divert his brain cells to something else.

 

His hand drifted down to rest upon his belly, stroking over it softly. The small bump was there, not all that visible to anyone who was looking. In fact to another it would appear he was getting a bit of a belly from either drinking too much or over eating.

 

But Duo knew in his heart that it wasn't anything like that. He was now more certain than ever that he carried another child within and whilst that made him deliriously happy, it also made his stomach clench with fear.

 

He knew his body wasn't ready for this, not so soon after Keitaro; but it seemed he had no choice in the matter. And he would never even consider terminating the pregnancy.

 

No, he would have to do whatever he could to protect the little one and get them both home safe to his husband and son.

 

Keitaro.

 

Duo's eyes misted and a deep ache lodged in his chest as he thought about his son. He missed the youngster so very much. Even though Keitaro wasn't one yet, he wasn't that far off either. In the ten months that Keitaro had been with them, Duo couldn't imagine life without the bundle of joy.

 

He was perfect in every way. Duo wasn't biased either.

 

Drawing up the memories, Duo envisioned his son's face before him. The soft smiles the child gave, the blue eyes with a hint of violet in them and the soft, downy hair. Those thoughts brought him back again to the life growing within him.

 

Would the child be a boy or a girl? What color hair and eyes would he or she have? Would they take more after him or Heero?

 

To be honest, Duo didn't care, just so long as the infant was healthy and had everything it should then he would be happy. That sent him into another flurry of worried thoughts.

 

How could his child develop normally if he wasn't getting the right nutrition, exercise and careful monitoring that Sally could provide? How were the stress levels he was currently under affecting the unborn babe? This situation he was in couldn't be doing the growing child any good at all and that made Duo fret even more.

 

He would never forgive himself if anything happened to the child that was his fault.

 

Regardless of whether he could prevent it or not.

 

He gave a soft sob, tears welling in his eyes and escaping over eyelashes to run down his cheeks. Burying his face in the pillow, he did his best to muffle any noise that might escape. The last thing he needed was for Duric to wake up and start to question him.

 

“Fucking hormones,” he whispered.

 

* * *

 

[Preventer Shuttle 221]

 

There was a flurry of activity in the bowels of the Preventer shuttle as three agents got themselves ready to infiltrate the satellite dome once more. Skin tight suits were slipped on, an assortment of weapons and gadgets secured in many and varied places. Air tanks were double checked and a spare suit added to the collection.

 

With all the final checks done, Wufei deemed them to be ready. He double checked his palm top, bringing up the location they'd determined Duo to be in and with a last few words to his agents, the three slipped out of the shuttle and into the compression chamber.

 

Once the pressure had equalized with that of the satellite, the outer door opened and the three slipped silently onto the surface of the satellite, aiming for the hangar and the safety of sorts that it offered.

 

Sticking to the shadows, they managed to gain entry through the same pressurized area as before and quickly removed their helmets. Stashing the helmets and spare suit, they proceeded to melt into the shadows and make their way through the dome towards the residential section.

 

It was harder than they first thought. The satellite was now coming awake to a new cycle and people were beginning to make their way around the various structures. After nearly being sighted for the third time, Chang decided it was too risky to continue on as they were.

 

Motioning for the other two to follow him, he located a storage room and dived inside.

 

“We can't continue on as we are,” Wufei stated. “We need to find an easier way to get through. There's far too many guards and people around for us to pass through unnoticed.”

 

“What did you just say?” Trowa asked.

 

“I said we can't...”

 

“Not that, the last bit.”

 

“We need to find a way to pass through unnoticed?”

 

“Yes.” Trowa's green eye glinted.

 

“You have an idea?” Quatre prompted.

 

“What better way to move around than to be the obvious.”

 

“I don't follow,” Wufei frowned.

 

“We need to blend in. I propose we knock out three of the personnel and take their uniforms.”

 

“Ah. Good idea,” Quatre smiled.

 

“Wait here. I'll be back shortly.” Trowa slipped out of the storage room leaving the other two to ponder his idea.

 

Within five minutes he was back and dragging an unconscious form with him. Quatre raised an eyebrow.

 

“Don't worry, he's not dead, merely sleeping,” Trowa stated. “I'll leave you two to undress him whilst I go find another victim.”

 

With Trowa gone again, Chang and Winner set about relieving the man of his uniform.

 

Half an hour later, there were three unconscious men in the store room, all bound and gagged wearing nothing but their underwear.

 

The three agents put on the uniforms they'd commandeered over the top of their suits and prepared to resume their search for Duo.

 

“Down this way,” Wufei motioned, the other two strolling along behind him as if they completely belonged.

 

* * *

 

[Preventer Shuttle 121]

 

Heero stood and stared. He knew he must be doing a pretty good rendition of a stranded fish right now, but he couldn't help it, he was completely stunned. Safely secured in the hold of the large shuttle lay five Gundams

 

Deathscythe, Sandrock, Heavyarms, Shenlong... and Wing.

 

“H-how? W-w-where?” he stuttered.

 

Beside him, Zechs smirked.

 

“Agent Wind has been babysitting them amongst other things,” Une supplied.

 

Heero turned to look at the Commander. “Why didn't anyone tell any of us? I presumed they had all been destroyed after the war, given the peace that now rules.” It was a well known fact that after the war all forms of mobile suit had been outlawed along with most other large weapons of destruction.

 

“Agent Wind will fill you in completely on your way to the satellite, we don't have the time right now. Agents, if you will please return to the cockpit and prepare yourselves for take off I will bid you farewell and good luck. I will be in regular contact with you.”

 

“The mission?” Heero questioned.

 

“All the briefing is in here.” Une handed over a manilla envelope. “Agent Wind will pass on all other information he has whilst you are in transit, your orders are in the briefing contained in the envelope.” Une gave the pair one last look. “Please, do not kill each other, I need you both, Preventer needs you both.” With that she turned and exited the cargo bay, leaving the two agents alone.

 

“We had better get to the cockpit and prepare for launch,” said Zechs, finally breaking the silence and moving towards the exit.

 

“Fine. Once we are in space I want a full explanation,” Heero demanded, following Zechs back along the narrow corridor to the cockpit.

 

“I'll give it to you too,” Zechs replied. “Take your bag and put it in any one of the four remaining cabins. I've already placed mine in cabin five.”

 

Heero grunted and grabbed his duffel. Cabin one was the first he came to and he opened the door to find the standard room before him. He shoved his duffel into the small cabinet so it wouldn't float around when they hit zero gravity and returned to the cockpit.

 

Zechs was strapped into the pilot's seat so Heero took up residence in the co-pilot's. Strapping his harness on, he felt the small jerk as the shuttle was engaged by the tow vehicle and began to back up.

 

Grabbing the clipboard, Zechs began to check over the flight plan. Heero put on his headset and began to flip switches on the flight console, Zechs joined him a moment later, flipping the computer on and logging in the details of the flight plan.

 

Within five minutes the shuttle was placed on the end of the launch ramp and the tow vehicle released its hold, scurrying away and leaving the large transport shuttle to the mercy of the launch team.

 

The `chain' engaged underneath and flight control came over the comm unit.

 

“Preventer shuttle PA 121, this is Transport control. Do you copy?”

 

“Transport control, this is Preventer shuttle PA 121. We copy.”

 

“Shuttle PA 121, have you logged flight path into computer?”

 

“Yes, control. Flight path logged and ready to go.”

 

“Shuttle PA 121, bring your engines on line.”

 

Heero reached for the switches, flipped them and pushed the ignition button. The engines hummed and then gave a roar as they fired completely. “Engines fired,” he said.

 

“Shuttle PA 121, remain stationary until engines reach four hundred.”

 

“Roger control,” replied Zechs and began to ease the throttle forward. The engines increased their volume as the revolutions built within them.

 

“Two hundred, two-fifty... three hundred,” Heero began to recite. “Three-fifty... four hundred.”

 

“Control, shuttle PA 121 holding at four hundred.” Zechs checked the instrument panel, confirming the check as Heero asked him to recite their respective readings.

 

“Roger that PA 121. Please do pre-take off check and advise.”

 

Zechs read off the relative information to flight control, receiving an affirmative in reply.

 

“Shuttle PA 121, you are ready for launch. Initializing launch sequence now.”

 

“Roger that, Control.”

 

“Shuttle PA 121, you are clear for launch. Good luck, agents. Engaging launch mechanism; now.”

 

There was a sudden jerk as the launch chain drew taut, Zechs pushed the throttle forward and disengaged the braking system. The shuttle gave another jerk and then shot forward, gathering speed as the combined force of the engines and the launch chain drew it down the launch ramp and sent it catapulting off the end and into the atmosphere.

 

Both Zechs and Heero were pushed back in their seats as the forces of gravity warred with the speed and determination of the shuttle - the shuttle winning the battle. The pair remained strapped in their seats as the craft climbed higher and higher, breaking through the clouds and heading for the stratosphere.

 

Once the shuttle had broken through the ozone layer, it began to level out a touch. The automatic gravity kicked in and the pressure eased on both pilots, much to their relief. It didn't matter how many times they had ventured into space, it never got any easier.

 

“Transport Control, this is shuttle PA 121. Launch a success. Am switching over to the auto pilot and on course for the satellite.”

 

“Shuttle PA 121, this is Control. Read you loud and clear. Confirm successful launch and transfer to auto pilot. Preventer communications at Headquarters will be taking over communications in thirty minutes. You are requested to tune to frequency 54 which they will be monitoring.”

 

“Roger that, Control. Will switch over to frequency 54.”

 

“This is Transport control out.”

 

“Shuttle PA 121, out.” Zechs leaned back in his chair and slid the head set off. He turned to the instrument panel and flicked a few switches, then typed in a couple of commands. “Engage auto pilot.”

 

“Engaging auto pilot,” Heero replied and flipped the switch. Auto pilot engaged and running.”

 

“Thank you.” Zechs closed his eyes for a moment knowing it would only be a matter of seconds before Yuy would be demanding his answers.

 

Removing his own head set and checking the console, Heero turned towards the other pilot. “Okay, time to fill in the gaps, Merquise.”

 

“Fine. Bring the mission brief with you and we'll talk about this in the galley.” Zechs stood and left the cockpit, Heero right behind him.

 

Settling into their seats in the galley, Zechs offered Heero a tube of coffee, taking one for himself. “What is it you want to know?”

 

Heero grunted. “Everything. What happened to you after Libra? Where did you go? When did you end up at Preventer and how the hell did you manage to get your hands on our Gundams?” Heero glowered when he mentioned the Gundams and Zechs couldn't blame the man.

 

Heero was more than a little pissed off that Zechs had been babysitting the Gundams. Wing had always been like an extension of himself, an extra body part and Heero had tended to his Gundam with a dedication unseen. To even think that someone else had been near his beloved machine was intolerable. To know it was none other than Zechs Merquise... that was downright unacceptable.

 

“I suggest you get comfortable, this could take a little while.” Zechs helped himself to another tube, this one supposedly containing a beef stew. He grimaced slightly at the taste and then set the tube aside. He fixed Heero with his blue eyes and began his tale.

 

“When the Peacemillion crashed into Libra I was caught up in the shock wave; Noin found me. She brought me back to earth and found medical help. I was knocked about quite badly and it took several months, a few operations and a lot of regen before I could walk again.”

 

“When the medics had done all they could for me, Une contacted me. Seems Noin had joined her in Preventer and she was keen to have me on the payroll. But first I needed to continue to recover. She had me moved to one of Treize's estates, a safe place where I could continue to rest, recover and go through my rehabilitation without anyone knowing about me. In return, I joined her organization.”

 

Heero nodded. “I can see the logic in that. What better person to have in Black Ops than a dead man.”

 

“Yeah, it works quite well.” Zechs paused for a moment and took another swallow of the beef stew. “Shit, that stuff is just as foul as I remember it being. I would have thought they could come up with something more palatable by now.” He tossed the tube aside in disgust.

 

Heero couldn't help the snicker.

 

Zechs gave the other agent a smirk and then continued his story. “I joined the Black Ops and I've never regretted it. I can still contribute to the peace without people knowing what is going on.”

 

“And the Gundams?” Heero prompted. “After the war we all handed over our Gundams to Relena and the newly appointed ESUN council. She was arranging to have them all destroyed; at least that's what we were told. In fact, we saw the footage of their destruction."

 

Zechs cleared his throat. "Yes, they were supposed to be destroyed, but Une was wary of the fragile peace and instead, she had them removed without anyone knowing. The footage you saw wasn't the Gundams being destroyed, but some Aries and Taurus suits, modified to look like the Gundams."

 

Heero frowned as he recalled the footage. It hadn't been all that clear, shot at a reasonable distance so the figures were quite hard to see. Mainly the outline of the great mecha and not the individual things that would show what they were. It had been quite simple to fool those watching that what they were witnessing was the actual destruction of the Gundams when in fact it wasn't. "I see."

 

"Une had the Gundams transported to my residence and they have remained in storage there until now. Only Une, a few of the Black Ops and myself knew of their existence until now." Seeing the next question forming in Yuy's mind, Zechs got in first. "No one other than myself has touched them and I've only kept up basic diagnostic checks and maintenance.”

 

Heero grunted. “I'm going to the cargo hold to check them over.” Heero wouldn't be satisfied until he'd gone over Wing himself that Zechs hadn't interfered in any way with the mecha. He also needed time to digest all he'd been told.

 

“I wouldn't have expected anything less. I'll return to the cockpit and go over the mission brief. Call me on the intercom if you need me.”

 

Heero exited the galley and aimed for the hold, Zechs got up a minute later and with the manilla folder in hand, made his way back to the cockpit to read through the briefing.

 

* * *

 

[Satellite XRB 23]

 

“Ah, Hawkins. Kind of you to join us,” Barton said with a smirk as the professor entered the main computer room.

 

The professor didn't look too happy about it and stumbled slightly as the guard pushed him towards his console.

 

Rubbing his hands together, Barton gave an evil smirk and stood up. Facing the occupants of the room, he began to speak.

 

“Gentlemen, it's time to release the Firecell.”

 

~ * ~

 

tbc...