Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Family Ties ❯ Chapter 83 ( Chapter 83 )

“Family Ties”

 

January 2007 ShenLong

 

Chapter 83

 

[Satellite XRB 23]

 

“Escape?” snarled Zaheer. “How did that happen?”

 

“Umm... I'm not too sure at this point. I will need to investigate further, sir.”

 

“Preston, who escaped?” Zaheer's voice was low and held a dangerous edge to it

 

“Ah, two prisoners, both were assisting with the project. One was training army troops, the other I believe was programing mobile suits.”

 

“Fuck!”

 

“Sir? I have a search party -”

 

“What fucking good is that? Preston, check all the other prisoners, make sure no one else has escaped. I have something else I need to look into and then I'll come up there.”

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

Zaheer turned around and faced Penrose. “Take me to where you found the dead patrol,” he ordered.

 

“This way, sir.” Penrose turned and headed back the way he'd come.

 

*

Chester rounded the corner of the corridor, the medic on his heels. He saw his corporal up ahead and the injured soldier sitting with his back against the wall.

 

“What the fuck happened?” the medic asked as he approached and saw the carnage.

 

“We believe they were ambushed,” the corporal replied. “Patient is over here.” The corporal led the medic to where Barnes was sitting, slumped against the wall.

 

The medic knelt next to the inured man and began his examination.

 

“Any word from the others yet?” Chester questioned.

 

“No, but I don't think it will be too long,” the corporal replied as he glanced at the pile of bodies. He shuddered.

 

“Not a nice way to go,” Chester murmured as he looked over the corpses, noting the bullet wounds and knife wound to one soldier's gut.

 

“Could one of you fetch me some water please?” the medic asked from his crouched position next to Barnes.

 

“There's a bathroom down there,” the corporal told Chester and nodded down the corridor.

 

Chester took the container the medic held out and fetched the required water. The medic added something to the water and began to bathe Barnes' face.

 

“I need to get him back to the medical bay to treat these chemical wounds properly, not to mention the bullet graze to his thigh,” the medic informed.

 

“I'm afraid you will have to wait. We can't go sauntering off and leave these bodies here,” the corporal told the medic. “Besides, you can't manage on your own and there is still the possibility the unfriendlies are running around.”

 

“How long?”

 

“No idea, but it shouldn't be too long.”

 

The medic turned back to his patient and did his best to make Barnes as comfortable as possible until he could be moved.

 

* * *

 

[Preventer Transport Shuttle 221]

 

Zechs took hold of the yoke and began to bring the shuttle down towards the surface of the satellite. So far the ship was responding well and he breathed a sigh of relief that Yuy had had the foresight to reprogram.

 

The computer buzzed, Heero noting the information and then turning back to the window and watching as the surface drew closer. His hand was also steady on his own yoke, ready to assist if Zechs should need it. Heero doubted the blonde would, the man had been an excellent pilot - something he could attest to first hand.

 

“I hope what Maxwell said was true,” Zechs muttered.

 

“Barton will find out we're here sooner or later anyway,” Heero replied.

 

“True; but I'd prefer the later if possible. Almost there.” Zechs concentrated hard as the dull, dusty surface came ever closer. “You got the coordinates?”

 

“Hai.” Heero read out the coordinates to the other shuttle.

 

“I'll take us in as close as I dare to land and then taxi to the other shuttle.”

 

“I'll contact Wufei and ask him to talk us into position once we're on the ground.”

 

“Good idea.” Zechs replied.

 

Heero pulled his head set back on and adjusted the small microphone. Twiddling a couple of switches, he began his call. “Shuttle 121, this is shuttle 221, do you have a visual on us?”

 

The line was silent for a moment, then Wufei's voice was heard.

 

“Shuttle 221, we have a visual on you. You are currently fifty meters away from our starboard wing and a further two hundred meters from the surface. I would suggest you go into hover mode and lower to the surface where you are.”

 

“Roger that Wufei. I will inform Zechs.” Heero turned to the long haired pilot. “You hear all that?”

 

“Yes, I did. Am bringing the shuttle down now. Hover mode engaged and working.” Zechs flipped a couple of switches and eased the yoke. He continued to move the yoke around as he brought the shuttle in to land.

 

There was a slight jolt as the landing gear took the weight of the shuttle on the softish surface, Zechs immediately powering down the engines.

 

“Chang, we are down safely, request you guide us in towards you, we don't want to completely collide, just touch your wing tip.”

 

“Roger that. Continue forward for ten meters.”

 

Zechs eased the shuttle forward, following Wufei's directions to the letter, turning slightly when asked to and creeping closer to the other shuttle.

 

“You are now just a meter off our starboard wing tip. Continue to ease forward... A little more... just a little further... That's it, you're now touching.”

 

All four pilots gazed out the cockpit window as the other shuttle approached, inching its way towards them. Then, the wing tips touched and Duo held his breath. The transport shuttle shimmered and then faded from view.

 

Duo released that breath in a soft sigh. “Thank god for that,” he whispered.

 

“Shuttle 221, you are now cloaked,” Wufei informed the other pilot.

 

“Thanks, Chang,” Zechs replied.

 

“You're welcome. Are you two coming over here to us or should we come over there?”

 

“I think it would be best if we were to come to you,” Zechs said and then turned to see where Heero had disappeared to. He gave a soft chuckle. “We're definitely coming to you, Yuy already has his suit on.”

 

Heero had wasted no time. Once he knew the shuttle was cloaked he abandoned his seat to get into his suit. He had a husband to meet.

 

“Be there shortly,” Zechs stated. “Shuttle 221, out.”

 

“Roger that. We will be waiting. Chang out.”

 

Zechs double checked that all was powered down in the shuttle before heading aft to locate his own suit and get it on.

 

Heero waited impatiently for the pressurization chamber to finish doing its job. Once the hatch released, he was out the door and all but running across the satellite surface to where the other shuttle's hatch should be. He glanced at the palm top he carried, noting the coordinates and checking them against his current ones.

 

He was right on course.

 

Zechs followed the other pilot, an amused smile on his face. He didn't bother to check his own palm top, knowing all he had to do was follow Heero.

 

The open hatch was located and both men slipped inside, the hatch closing behind them and the pressurization process starting all over again.

 

On the other side of the chamber, Duo waited anxiously. He fidgeted, fiddled with his braid and ran a gentle hand over his belly from time to time. Quatre stood back and watched, the frown on his face growing more pronounced as he observed Duo's antics. He was still uncertain as to Duo's condition. He suspected the man was pregnant again, but he had no way of confirming it; and he wasn't about to simply ask Duo if he was expecting, he didn't fancy an irate Duo after him. No, much better to wait and watch for now.

 

Finally the hatch hissed open, Heero stepping into the other shuttle whilst his hands were busy removing his helmet. Cobalt eyes found what he sought and locked on target.

 

No one said a word. Trowa, Wufei and Quatre all remaining where they stood and keeping their silence. Their eyes though, were trained on the pair before them. Zechs paused in the hatch doorway, removed his helmet and decided to remain where he was for the moment.

 

Violet locked with blue as each man took in the form of his partner. Duo's mouth was slightly open, his body trembling as he gazed upon his husband With a soft cry, he launched himself at Heero.

 

Heero's arms opened wide and caught the man he loved, tightening around the slender form and holding Duo close to him. He buried his face in the crook of Duo's shoulder as he let the emotion run free. Tears coursed down his cheeks, breath hitching as he allowed himself to fully appreciate his lover in his arms once again. “I thought I'd never see you again. I thought I'd lost you forever,” he whispered out between sobs of joy.

 

“Oh, Heero. I didn't think I was ever going to see you again either. I love you so much,” Duo returned, his own tears of joy soaking the flight suit. Pulling his head back he gazed into the blue depths of his husband's eyes, the raw emotion he could see there mirrored in his own violet. Lips met in a bruising kiss, one borne of desperation and relief. Each man gave freely and took in return, the frustration and pent up emotions breaking free.

 

When they did surface for air, Duo's face lit up into a wide smile. “Pinch me, I can't believe you're here,” he said softly.

 

“In that case, you'd better pinch me too,” Heero returned and then swooped in for another kiss. This time the kiss was tender, loving and gentle. Breaking the kiss, Heero pressed another one to the tip of Duo's nose. He still held Duo in his arms, the other man's arms having encircled Heero's waist and refusing to let go. If Duo could have, we would have crawled inside Heero's skin.

 

A discrete cough to the side reminded the pair where they were and that they had an audience.

 

“I hate to break up the tender moment, but we do have a crisis to avert if possible here,” Wufei spoke, his tone was soft though.

 

Heero nodded.

 

“I suggest we all head to the mess room, we can discuss things better there as there's more room,” Quatre stated.

 

“Just as long as you stay away from the beverage making that will be fine,” Wufei muttered.

 

Quatre gave the other man a dirty look then with his nose in the air, led the way to the mess room.

 

* * *

 

[Preventer Headquarters]

 

Une drove as fast as she dared through the city streets. The car was locked for safety, not that Une planned on stopping if she could help it. Dodging around parked cars, stopped vehicles and several accidents, she called on all her driving skills to keep them safe.

 

“It's like a battle zone,” Relena commented as she hung on tight and gazed out of the window at the city streets.

 

Everywhere one looked there was some sort of carnage taking place. With the electricity cut, none of the traffic lights were working, all shops were vulnerable to anyone and anything. No electricity meant no alarms, no lights, no systems of any kind.

 

Shop owners were arming themselves with whatever they could find, doing their best to protect themselves and their livelihood from being looted. Police were on the streets, but they were overwhelmed, unable to do anything much at all other than keep themselves from being killed.

 

“It's insane,” Relena whispered.

 

“It's what Barton wants,” came Une's reply. “Take away all they are used to and the population will return to its baser instincts. Right now they are in shock, the reality of what is happening to them setting in. They will turn angry and vent that anger on anything and everything they can. Some will try to take advantage of the situation, not that it will do them any good as monetary wealth really doesn't exist anymore.”

 

“Banking, the economy?” Relena asked, her hand going to her mouth.

 

“I'm afraid there is no economy any longer, Relena. Barton has control over all the financial sector - effectively, he is the economy now.”

 

“What will happen?”

 

“The people will continue to riot, vent their anger on each other. Then they will start to think and if I'm guessing correctly, they will clear their rage long enough to realize that it's the ESUN's fault that they are in this situation. I'm certain Barton would have let them know that it's the ESUN boards failure to step down that is responsible for their current predicament. They will then take their anger to the ESUN and force the board to step down.”

 

Relena didn't question how the people would get the board to step down and let Barton take over, she already had a pretty good idea from the rioting. She shuddered. “Will we be safe at Preventer?”

 

“A lot safer than out here or back at your home,” Une replied. “Shit! Hold on!” Une saw the car at the last minute as it shot out of a street to her right and aimed to ram her. She yanked the wheel to the left and accelerated as fast as she dared.

 

The other car hit them in the rear fender. Une didn't stop.

 

“You okay?” Une asked.

 

A white faced and visibly shaken Relena nodded in the affirmative.

 

“Almost there,” Une stated and then pushed the buttons on her comm unit.

 

“Communications, Sun speaking.”

 

“Sun, it's Une. We're coming down the road to the gates now. Please advise agents on duty to let us in immediately. We're being targeted out here.”

 

“Roger that, Commander. Just drive straight in.”

 

“Thanks.” Une cut the call and concentrated on getting them to the entry gates of the Preventer garage.

 

Up ahead there were several groups of people, all seemingly on the rampage. They were standing in groups, yelling and shouting, throwing items at the walls of the Preventer building.

 

“Ah, shit,” Une muttered. “This is going to be tricky. Relena, keep low and cover your head.”

 

Spotting the rioting crowd ahead, Relena swallowed hard. As she took up the position Une had told her to, she asked, “Is there anything I can do?”

 

“Yes. Pray.”

 

Up ahead, Une could see the garage doors to Preventer beginning to open. The crowd spotted it too and switched their attention to the agents that were slipping out to guard the doors.

 

Bottles, cans, rocks and abuse were some of the things hurled at the guards. The agents took it all in their stride, using the riot shields to protect them from the worst of the abuse. When it came clear that the crowd were moving closer, the agents took up their weapons, warning the crowd to step back or they would open fire.

 

Une was almost at the gate. She braked to make the turn, the tires squealing in protest and the rear end of the car fishtailing for a moment before Une brought it back under control. The crowd turned their attention to the car. With Une having to slow down to enter the garage, the crowd seized the chance and began to clamber for the car.

 

For about thirty seconds Relena thought she was living her worst nightmare. The car was hammered and battered from all directions, voices screamed obscenities and abuse; then came the sound of gunfire. Relena's head shot up when she heard the guns, face pale and looking wildly around her. They had made it into the Preventer garage, the agents shutting the doors behind them as they fought to keep the crowd out.

 

Une accelerated as much as she dared into the garage, doing her best to dodge the angry mob and agents alike. Pulling into the garage she heard the sound of someone hammering on the roof of the car. She hit the brakes - hard. The man that was clinging to the roof of the car shot forward and rolled off the windscreen and hood of the car to land heavily on the concrete floor. Une was out of the car in a second.

 

She tore around the front of the vehicle and before the man had a chance to get his breath back, Une had him in an arm lock, his arm forced up his back to the point where it was quite painful. Relena watched with an open mouth from inside the car. Seeing the Commander spring into action had two agents aiming for the car and its occupants. The agents got there as Une was dragging the offender to his feet.

 

“Take him to the cells,” Une snapped and handed over the man. The agents cuffed him and dragged him off, Une watching them leave before turning back to the car and Relena. “Are you okay, Relena?”

 

“Ah, I think so,” Relena replied, still a little shocked at the other woman's sudden display. Her mind switched back to the agents and the gunfire she'd heard. “Tell me, Une, those agents, they opened fire on innocent people.”

 

“Yes, they did, but not in the capacity you're thinking,” Une replied.

 

“Oh?”

 

“They were using a combination of rubber bullets and canisters of tear gas. All non fatal.”

 

“I see.” Relena felt relief at that statement.

 

“Come on, Relena. I need to get back to my office and find out exactly what has been going on in my absence.” Une snatched her comm unit from the car, turned the engine off and passed the keys to one of the agents. “Could you park it properly for me, please?”

 

The agent took the keys, looking a little stunned but nodded anyway. “Yes, ma'am.”

“This way, Relena.” Une escorted the senator into the Preventer building.

 

* * *

 

[Mansion]

 

Nurse Brown looked at the many bags Harim and Raphel were bringing inside, dumping them on any available surface in the kitchen before stepping back outside to bring in more.

 

“Is all of this really necessary?” she asked as Harim placed the last of the bags on the floor.

 

“Yes, ma'am, I'm afraid it will be if what doctor Sally said is going to happen.”

“Hmm. I guess we should start to put it all away then. Keitaro is sleeping right now so I have another hour before he should wake from his nap.” The nurse began to empty out the bags, stacking the items on the kitchen table. Harim gave her a hand, Raphel leaving them to go check on the dogs and to see if the back up Magunacs had arrived.

 

The canned and dried goods found a home inside the large pantry. Margaret frowned when she saw the torches, batteries and the walkie talkies. The first aid kit was topped up and Harim double checked all the windows to the building had their security screens in place.

 

“Ma'am, I'll be going down to the basement to check on the generator and drop off the extra fuel. I'll bring in extra firewood too and the gas camping stove,” Harim informed the nurse and turned to go back outside to fetch the fuel cans and the gas cylinders he'd filled.

 

“Okay,” Margaret replied and with a frown on her face she went through to the lounge room. Stopping by the vid phone, she put in a call to Sally.

 

Sally grabbed her cell and noted the caller ID. “Sally Po. What can I do for you Margaret?”

 

Nurse Brown proceeded to grill the doctor on the necessity of all Harim had purchased. Sally assured her it was all a precaution, but there was every possibility it would become vital to their general well being if things progressed the way Une had predicted they would. Margaret had her doubts but went along with it to keep the doctor happy.

 

“I'm going to be coming back to the mansion, Margaret. Like I said before, I'm not leaving you and the baby alone.”

 

“I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself and the child,” Margaret huffed. “Besides, I have Harim, Raphel and goodness knows how many more of those Maguanacs here along with the dogs to keep me safe.”

 

“I know and that's another reason why I'm coming to stay. I want to feel safe too.”

 

Margaret laughed. She hadn't thought of it that way. “Okay, okay, I concede, you're more than welcome to stay here with me until this minor catastrophe is all over.”

 

“Good, `cause I was planning on staying regardless.”

 

“I'll see you for dinner then?”

 

“At this stage I should be there around five-ish,” Sally replied.

 

“I'll see what I can rustle up for dinner.”

 

“Thanks, Margaret. I'll see you later. Bye.”

 

“Bye, Doctor Po.” Margaret disconnected the call and stared off into the distance for a moment. Shaking herself from her thoughts, she walked over to the television and turned it on. Hopefully there would be a midday movie on, something decent she could watch whilst Keitaro played in his playpen - once he woke up that was.

 

There was a movie on, Margaret sat and watched the drama unfold until she heard the sounds of Keitaro stirring over the baby monitor. She got up from her chair and made her way to the staircase. Barney flew over form his perch atop the curtain rail and landed on her shoulder.

 

The nurse changed the child and carried him back downstairs to the kitchen. Harim had been back in she noted, the gas stove sitting in one corner all ready for use, if she should need it. She snorted softly to herself and rummaged around in the `fridge for the small container of food she'd placed in there the previous evening. Margaret always set some of their meal aside for the child, placing a portion in the `fridge for the child's lunch the next day, and giving him a portion for his dinner.

 

Keitaro gurgled happily in his high chair as he watched the nanny heating his lunch up. Barney flew over and landed by the high chair. Keitaro's eyes lit up and he reached a chubby hand forward, trying to grab the bird. Barney wasn't silly and knew about self preservation, he was sure to remain just out of reach of the infant.

 

“Pretty boy, pretty boy,” Barney chirruped.

 

Keitaro squealed in delight.

 

Margaret turned the television on in the kitchen so she could continue to watch her movie whilst feeding the child. Keitaro was quite happy to eat his lunch, Barney sitting to the side and whistling away, calling out from time to time and bobbing his head.

 

Having finished the bowl of food, Margaret took the dish to the sink to wash up, then returned with a wet cloth to wipe the child's hands and face. The movie was still playing, the nanny turning to watch as she wiped the infant clean. Putting the cloth to the side, Margaret was about to lift the child from his high chair and take him through to the lounge room when the television suddenly went blank.

 

The nanny paused and frowned at the screen. She picked up the remote.

 

“It's stuffed. It's stuffed,” chirped Barney.

 

“Barney! That's quite enough,” the nanny scolded.

 

The weiro simply fluffed his feathers and cocked his head to the side. Keitaro made a grab for the bird, Barney just managing to skitter out of the way. He gave an indignant squawk.

 

“Keitaro, no,” the nanny told the child, her attention back on the pair. “Barney, I'd suggest you move.”

 

The weiro, it seemed, agreed and flew off to perch on the back of a kitchen chair.

 

“People of the earth sphere and colonies...”

 

Margaret's head snapped back to the television where the screen was now showing the same bald man from earlier in the day. She frowned and pushed the channel buttons on the remote. The station changed but it didn't matter which channel she selected, the same man was on each of them. Margaret growled in frustration, then her eyes widened in shock as she listened to the speech.

 

`In case you missed my previous broadcast my name is Barton, Dekim Barton and I fully intend to be your new ruler. I have the ability to control everything in your lives, you will be totally reliant on me for power, transport, economy, food, water, communications - the list is endless. I had hoped to avoid all the drama, but alas, my hand has been forced. I requested that the board of the ESUN stand down immediately. I fully intend to put my own trusted advisers on the board to run things and keep them running smoothly, to benefit both the colonies and earth alike, but the ESUN declined and left me with no option. As of now I will release my Firecell, my virus and take control. I do not enjoy doing this, it pains me deeply to inflict this sort of suffering on innocents, but the ESUN cannot be allowed to get away with depriving the colonies of their rights, to prevent them from enjoying the same freedom and rights that the earth citizens enjoy.”

 

“The solution to this problem is quite clear. If the people of the earth and colonies wish to retain their current lifestyles, I'd suggest they insist that the ESUN board stands down. Once the board has gone, I will return the services to you all. Think about it, people. I will be in touch.”

 

The screen went black.

 

Margaret stared at it in shock, then her attention was taken by the sounds of the fridge and freezer turning off. She moved to the light switch and pushed. Nothing. Doing her best to stop the panic from building, the nanny went for the vid phone.

 

It was dead.

 

She pulled out her cell phone - the words: `no signal' stared back at her. It was then that Sally's words and precautions came home to her.

 

Sensing the tension building in the air, Barney summed it all up in two words.

 

“We're screwed,” the bird chirped.

 

~ * ~

 

tbc...