Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Family Ties ❯ Chapter 82 ( Chapter 82 )

“Family Ties”

 

January 2007 ShenLong

 

Chapter 82

 

[Preventer Shuttle 221]

 

With the communication to Une now cut, Duo slumped in the copilot's seat and closed his eyes. A soft hand to his shoulder had him opening them again and looking at Trowa.

 

“Come with me, Duo. I need to treat your wounds and here isn't a comfortable place to do it. There's a cabin back further that will do just right.”

 

Nodding, Duo allowed the tall man to lead him from the cockpit. He paused in the doorway though and turned to Wufei. “Thank you, all of you for getting me out of there.”

 

“No thanks needed, Maxwell,” Chang replied. “You seemed to be doing a pretty good job of escaping yourself.”

 

“Yeah, well, it was going along okay until Duric threw a spanner in the works.”

 

“Duric? Wasn't he one of...”

 

“Yeah, he was one of the mob that kidnapped my son,” Duo growled, cutting Wufei off. “I promised that bastard I'd kill him for what he did, what he forced me to do; and I don't lie.”

 

All three knew Duo's motto by heart. The man might stretch the truth a little when necessary, but he didn't lie; nor did he break a promise.

 

“We will talk soon. Go with Barton and let him treat you,” Wufei commanded.

 

“Yes, boss,” Duo replied cheekily.

 

“If you're not back by the time we get the frequency for the other shuttle, I'll call you.”

 

“Thanks, Wuffers.”

 

“It's WUFEI!”

 

The sound of snickering disappeared down the corridor.

 

Trowa stopped outside one of the cabins and pushed the door release. The door slid open and he ushered Duo inside. Quatre had followed them and hovered anxiously behind Trowa as the taller man put down the med kit and turned back to Duo.

 

“Hop up on the bunk and see if you can remove the shirt,” he requested and then turned to face his husband. “Quatre? Could you go back to our cabin and see if you can find some clothes for Duo to wear, please? I'm not putting him back in these after he takes a shower.”

 

“Sure,” Quatre replied and disappeared to find some clothes.

 

“Don't have time for a shower, Tro,” Duo stated as he began to undo the buttons on the shirt.

 

Green eyes turned back to the patient. “Why not?”

 

“Too much going on. It won't be long before Barton knows I'm gone and then all hell is going to break loose. We also need to be in touch with the other shuttle and formulate some sort of plan. Barton will release that Firecell and he will use his army and the suits to back him up. I know where those suits are being kept. If you guys have brought some sort of explosives with you I'd suggest getting back in there as quickly as we can, set some bombs and blow the shit out of those suits.” Duo grimaced as he peeled the shirt away from the bullet wound. The bleeding had stopped and the blood had dried causing the shirt to stick to the wound. With a growl, Duo yanked on the material, succeeding in pulling it free but starting the wound bleeding afresh.

 

“Let's wait for the communication with the other shuttle first, then we can let them know of your idea and go from there. Now, let's take a look at that wound.” Trowa moved closer and with a swab, began to clean up the blood.

 

Quatre returned a few minutes later with a pair of sweat pants and t-shirt. “That's the best I can do,” he said as he placed them on the bunk next to Duo.

 

“Thanks, Quat,” Duo replied.

 

The blonde smiled. “You're welcome. Can I help in any way?”

 

“There's not much you can do at the moment, but you can pass me things in a minute once I've finished cleaning this wound up.” Trowa's eyes never left the skin he was treating.

 

Duo could see the burning questions in Quatre's eyes and knew he would have to do some talking soon. “Quat, I know you want to know what happened, but I'd rather wait until we're back with Wuffers again as I don't want to have to explain things twice. I'm already going to have to be debriefed and there's some parts of this story I really don't want to have to go over too many times if I can help it.”

 

Quatre nodded. “I can understand that.”

 

“Duo? This is going to need a couple of stitches,” Trowa informed.

 

“That's okay, Tro, just do what you have to,” Duo replied with a sigh.

 

“Quatre, could you thread me a suture needle please whilst I inject a local anesthetic?”

 

“No problem.” Quatre set about the task whilst Trowa fetched a needle and the small bottle of anesthetic.

 

As gently as he could he injected around the wound. “That should start to go numb in a couple of minutes, Duo.”

 

“Okay.”

 

“What else is injured?” Trowa asked as he waited for the anesthetic to work.

 

Closing his eyes for a moment, Duo lowered his head and spoke softly. “Sprained ankle and a couple of possibly busted ribs.”

 

“Let's take a look at the ankle first.” Trowa removed the sneakers and socks. “Which one?”

 

Duo duly raised the injured ankle.

 

Carefully, Trowa manipulated the joint, rotating and bending it, noting when Duo flinched. “I think you're lucky and didn't break anything. Strapping it up should take care of it for now, but when we get back to Preventer I want you to let Sally take a look at it.”

 

“Sally will be on my case anyway,” Duo shrugged but didn't elaborate any further. Whilst he was still almost a hundred percent certain he was pregnant again, he wasn't sure if he should let on to the others about his condition. Knowing how much Quatre had fussed over him whilst he'd been pregnant with Keitaro, he wasn't sure if he could handle that again. Plus they were in the middle of a major crisis and when it came down to it they were going to need every single one of them to combat Barton and bring the man down. If the others knew he was possibly expecting again they wouldn't be so keen on having him out there and in the thick of things.

 

He decided to play it by ear, see how things panned out and keep his secret for now.

 

“Can you feel that?” asked Trowa as he poked around the bullet wound.

 

“No.”

 

“Good. Quatre, could you pass me the needle please?”

 

The suture needle was handed over and Trowa began to stitch. Duo looked away, he didn't need to see what Trowa was doing.

 

“Feeling all right? Hungry?” Quatre asked.

 

“All things considered, I'm not too bad, Quat. I'd kill for an orange though,” he replied and then shut up.

 

There was a distinct gleam in those teal eyes that had Duo worried he'd said too much. Knowing the blonde's uncanny empathy as well, and Duo was careful to try and keep his emotions neutral - along with his facial expressions.

 

“All done,” said Trowa, distracting the pair. He picked up a piece of gauze, covered the wound and then applied a bandage. “I'll do that ankle now and then check those ribs.” Picking up another bandage, Trowa carefully wrapped the injured ankle. “Okay, now for the ribs. Just lie back on the bunk for me, please.”

 

Duo reclined back and let Trowa poke and prod him around the rib cage. He winced a couple of times and Trowa frowned. When those fingers moved across his abdomen, Duo tensed.

 

Trowa's green eyes looked at him, boring deep into his own.

 

“Quatre, could you fetch me another bandage please? A long one to wrap Duo's ribs with.”

 

“No problem.” The blonde stepped away to locate a longer bandage.

 

Trowa leaned in closer and lowered his voice so only Duo could hear him. “You're getting a little bit of a belly on you, Duo. Is there anything we should know?”

 

Duo couldn't meet the tall man's eyes. “No, there's nothing that I'm sure about at this stage, Trowa.” It wasn't a lie, nope, not in the least; just a slight evasion of the truth.

 

“I see. Heero?” Trowa questioned, knowing full well how Duo was capable of manipulating the truth and avoiding answering questions he didn't want to.

 

Duo shook his head. “No. He's not aware of anything - yet.”

 

Violet eyes pleaded with emerald, Trowa's eyes softening as he spoke. “You promise to see Sally as soon as we make it back to earth?”

 

“I promise.”

 

“Then I shall plead ignorance should anyone ask.”

 

Knowing the Latin would keep his promise and not let on about Duo's probable condition gave the long haired man a measure of comfort. “Thanks, Tro.”

 

“Sit up and raise your arms as much as you can,” Trowa told him as Quatre returned with a long bandage.

 

Duo did as asked and within a few minutes his ribs were wrapped and he began to feel a lot more comfortable.

 

“Now, if you won't take that shower at least change into these,” Trowa said and handed over the sweats and t-shirt.

 

“Thanks.”

 

“We will wait just outside.”

 

Trowa stepped out of the cabin, Quatre with him and the door closed. Immediately the blonde was questioning his lover.

 

“Trowa, what is going on with Duo? I know there's more than he's letting on.”

 

“I haven't a clue what you're talking about, Quatre. Duo has a few injuries that I have treated. He's not said anything about any other injuries,” Trowa stated. It was the truth though.

 

Knowing how his lover could be just as evasive as Duo when it suited him, Quatre wasn't about to give up. “Is he pregnant again?” Nothing like coming right out with it.

 

Taking a moment to think first, Trowa answered very carefully. “I can't answer that, Quatre. I'm not a doctor and he hasn't said he is.”

 

“But there's a chance, isn't there?”

 

“There's a chance of a lot of things, Quatre. Right now I think we should be concentrating on what Barton is up to and figuring out a way to stop him.”

 

Trowa's answers frustrated Quatre, but he knew he wasn't going to get anything more from his husband. He would have to be content to wait. Duo opened the door and stepped out, looking a lot more comfortable than before. Before any of them could speak though, Wufei's voice came over the intercom system.

 

“Agents, we have the frequency for the other shuttle and need to make contact. Please report to the cockpit.”

 

Pushing the small button, Trowa replied, “On our way, Chang.”

 

* * *

 

[Satellite XRB 23]

 

The broadcast connection was cut and Barton sat back in his chair, fuming. Silence filled the entire control room, no one dared to speak lest they bring down the wrath of their leader on their heads.

 

After a couple of minutes, Barton turned in his chair. “Craven!” he barked.

 

“Yes, sir?” the head tech rushed over, skin pale.

 

“Set up for a broadcast to the entire earth sphere and the colonies.”

 

“Y-yes, sir.” Craven scuttled away.

 

“The fucking ESUN will pay for this,” Barton snarled.

 

“I take it you're about to release the entire Firecell program?” Zaheer asked.

 

“Oh, yes, yes I am. Let them all suffer,” Barton sneered.

 

“Ready to broadcast, sir,” Craven interrupted.

 

“Good. Showtime, people.”

 

Craven punched a few keys. “Broadcasting, sir.”

Barton stared straight into the camera and cleared his throat. “People of the earth sphere and colonies, listen and listen good...”

 

* * *

 

[Preventer Transport Shuttle 221]

 

“Well, shit about sums it up,” Heero replied, trying to keep the smirk from his face.

 

“We have to find some way of landing on that satellite without being detected,” Zechs replied absently as his mind tried to come up with some way of doing just that. “They're bound to have some form of radar.”

 

“I agree.”

 

“Any chance you could program the shuttle to avoid detection? You know, set up a cloaking device?”

 

Heero snorted. “Without the parts needed there's no way I could get this shuttle to cloak. I know I'm good, Merquise, but even I'm not that good.”

 

“Just a thought,” Zechs mumbled.

 

“There has to be a way, we just need to find it,” Heero mused.

 

“I'd suggest we speed up the thought process a little then, we only have about ten minutes left before we hit the satellite's air space.”

 

The shuttle's radio began to crackle.

 

“Incoming,” Zechs stated and fiddled with the radio dial.

 

“Preventer Transport shuttle PA 221, this is Preventer shuttle PA 121, do you copy?”

 

“Chang,” Heero muttered, his heart beating a little faster in his chest. “I hope they've found Duo,” he added in a whisper.

 

“Preventer shuttle 121, this is Preventer Transport shuttle 221, we copy,” Heero replied, his voice a little rushed.

 

“Yuy, is that you?”

 

“Hai. Have you found Duo?” Heero's heart almost stopped as he waited for Chang to reply. It wasn't Wufei's voice that came over the line though.

 

“Heero?”

 

“Duo?” Heero breathed. “Is that really you?”

 

“Yeah, it's me, Heero. I'm safe, the guys got me out.”

 

“Oh, Duo.” It was taking every ounce of his strength not to break down and cry with relief.

 

Duo found himself choking up, he'd missed his husband so much and to finally hear his voice - it was overwhelming.

 

“Look, I hate to interrupt, but we do need to discuss a few things,” Wufei said.

 

“Copy that, Chang.” Heero's voice returned to that of business.

 

“The Commander said you were on your way to the satellite, correct?”

 

“Hai. We expect to be in radar range within the next five minutes.”

 

“We?”

 

“Hai. I have Zechs Merquise with me.”

 

That little bit of information was met with stunned silence.

 

“Zechs?” Wufei whispered. “But I thought...”

 

“It's a long story, Chang. I will brief you on it later, when we have the time, right now we do have a few other things that are more important,” Zechs said, taking over from Yuy. “We are about to come within radar detection of the satellite, unfortunately, we do not have a cloaking mechanism fitted to the transport shuttle. Barton will know we're here very shortly.”

 

“I see.” Chang mulled that over.

 

“What the?” Trowa asked as the shuttle's computer began to beep.

 

On board the other shuttle, the computer there was doing a similar thing.

 

“Barton's Firecell,” Heero snarled as he noted what the computer was doing.

 

Duo suddenly interrupted. “That's it, guys.”

 

“What?” several voices questioned at the same time.

 

“Barton is obviously sending out the Firecell virus. Now is your chance to slip in under the radar.”

 

“I don't follow,” Heero replied.

 

“Barton is sending the Firecell. When he releases it, it takes a minute or two for the system he is running to switch over too. You have a small window of opportunity here, like I had when I got out of my cell. Whilst this virus is infiltrating, Barton's systems will be down for a minute or two as the new system kicks in. The radar won't be operating so you can sneak in now. By the time all is back up and running you should be almost ready to land,” Duo informed them all.

 

“You know, that might just work,” Heero said.

 

“Well, I suggest you start praying now that it does as we're entering detection range now,” Zechs muttered, eyes on the navigational system.

 

“But surely he will know we're here once we land?” Heero stated.

 

“If Howard has used the same basis for the cloaking device on this shuttle as he did with Deathscythe's hyperjammers then I think I can solve that problem for you too,” Duo replied.

 

“How?”

 

“We send you the coordinates to where our shuttle is parked. Land as close as you can then taxi over to us. We need to have your shuttle actually touch this one. If we can do that, the cloaking device will cover your shuttle too.”

 

“Will it work?”

 

“It worked with `Scythe during the war, I can't see any reason for it not to work with the shuttles,” Duo said. He hoped it would anyway.

 

“Worth a try,” Zechs said as Heero looked to him for confirmation. “What's the worst that can happen? Barton will find out we're here and he's going to do that anyway.”

Heero nodded. “Okay. Can you send through the coordinates now?”

 

“On their way,” Chang said as he pushed a few buttons and tapped a few keys on the computer keyboard.

 

“How long until you land?” Trowa questioned.

 

Zechs took a look at his screen. “About three minutes. Satellite is within visual now.”

 

Duo's heart did a small jump in his chest at the thought of seeing his husband again - very shortly.

 

“We will monitor your approach. Once you have landed safely and join up with us we can discuss things further,” Wufei offered.

 

“Thank you. I suggest we cut communication for now, we need to focus on bringing this bird in safe and sound,” Zechs stated.

 

“That is fine. I will leave the frequency open should you need to speak with us for any reason during your landing.” Wufei punched a few keys and brought up the screen to watch the approach and landing of the other shuttle.

 

“Roger that. Shuttle 221 out.”

 

The four in the shuttle on the satellite watched as the other, larger shuttle hovered on the screen, moving slowly but surely forward to connect with their own shuttle.

 

* * *

 

[Satellite XRB 23]

 

Barton sat back in his chair, a satisfied smirk on his face. “That should do the trick,” he stated simply. Everyone else remained silent.

 

The broadcast was finished, Barton having informed the earth sphere and the colonies alike that the ESUN refused to stand down, they would continue to rule as they had and that could only mean the colonies continuing in their repressed state. He'd sown the seeds of unrest, convinced the populations that the ESUN were not worthy of ruling, that they were only there to bleed as much as they could from the colonies. He reminded them of his earlier demonstration, that he could and would now hold control over everything.

 

The Firecell virus had been activated once more, sending the people into a panic, Barton not worried in the least of the consequences of his actions.

 

As predicted, the people panicked first, then the anger set in.

 

“Bring up the view screen,” he ordered.

 

Craven scuttled to do the man's bidding. The view screen popped up.

 

“I want to see it all, everything,” Barton demanded.

 

The screen broke into several smaller screens, each one displaying part of the earth sphere and the colonies. Barton had cut the power grids along with the communications. He'd left the other systems on line for now. He planned to switch between them all, turning some off, leaving others on, letting the people know exactly who had control now.

 

The people would do his work for him. They would take their anger and rage, vent it on those they saw responsible for their current state of living and force the ESUN to stand down.

 

All Barton had to do was assemble his army, his suits and wait.

 

The murmur of voices started once again in the control room as the techs continued to work.

 

* * *

 

[Corridor on Satellite XRB 23]

 

Chester sprinted through the corridors, speed of the essence as he made his dash to fetch a medic. Within moments he'd arrived at the medical bay and pushed his way inside. A medic looked at him and frowned.

 

“Slow down, soldier,” the medic snapped.

 

Chester slowed his haste and stopped. It took him a moment to get his breath back and then he spoke. “I need a medic immediately. One of our soldiers has been hurt.”

 

“Hurt? What are the injuries?” asked the medic as he went to grab a field bag.

 

“Chemical burns to the face,” Chester replied.

 

The medic grabbed a few items and shoved them in his bag. “Okay, soldier, lead on.”

 

Chester turned and broke into a jog, leading the medic through the corridors to where his corporal and the injured soldier waited.

 

*

 

Smith had taken off in the opposite direction to Chester, aiming for the section where any and all prisoners were being kept. He located the room the guards were using as a base and all but fell in the door.

 

“Hey!” called one of the guards. “You can't come in here.”

 

“S-sorry,” panted Smith. “I have a matter of urgency that needs addressing.”

 

“What are you rabbiting on about, soldier?”

 

“My patrol, we found another patrol all stuffed in a closet...”

 

One of the guards began to snicker.

 

Smith glared at the man. “It isn't funny!” he snapped. “This patrol, they were all dead, all except one. We have reason to believe that one of your prisoners has escaped...”

 

The head guard immediately stiffened. “I don't think so, soldier,” he snapped.

 

“Look, all I want you to do is check the cells. My corporal said something about the ones Barton was using for his suit project.”

 

The guard grabbed his key card and exited the office, Smith hot on his heels. The pair made their way down a corridor, the other guards following along behind.

 

The head guard stopped outside one of the rooms. “Stand back,” he ordered Smith. “You never know what they will do.”

 

Smith nodded and moved back, allowing one of the other guards to take up position on the opposite side of the door. With a nod of his head, the head guard swiped the card and the door opened. Both guards stepped inside, their stun guns at the ready.

 

The room was empty.

 

“Shit!” the head guard swore.

 

*

 

Penrose was making his way through the dome to the control room. He wasn't looking forward to informing Barton that they had found one of their patrols dead and that the cause of those deaths was most likely an escaped prisoner.

 

Idly he wondered how the rest of his group were faring.

 

All to soon he arrived at the control room. He paused outside the door and took a deep breath to steady his nerves. With a shaking hand, he pushed the small button to the side of the door.

 

“Yes?” a tinny voice questioned.

 

“Ah, Penrose here. I'm a patrol soldier and I need to speak with Mr Barton or Zaheer on a matter of some urgency.”

 

There was a momentary silence, then the voice was back. “Enter.”

 

The door opened and Penrose stepped inside the control room. He was met by a hulking man. Zaheer, he recognized.

 

Zaheer met the soldier, a dark look in his eye. “What is it, soldier?” he questioned.

 

“Ah, sir. My corporal asked me to let you know we have a situation. We found a patrol stuffed inside a closet in sector four. Five soldiers, four dead, one injured but alive. There was also another body with them, unidentified at this stage but my corporal believes it to be one of Barton's prisoners.”

 

Zaheer's head jerked up. At the same time the communications console beeped madly, indicating a call coming through from the prison sector.

 

Grimly, Zaheer turned to take the call. “Yes?”

 

“Zaheer, this is Preston here, head guard from the prison sector. We appear to have had an escape...”

 

~ * ~

 

tbc...