Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Family Ties ❯ Chapter 87 ( Chapter 87 )

“Family Ties”

 

January 2007 ShenLong

 

Chapter 87

 

[Preventer Transport Shuttle 221]

 

“How many?” Heero asked as he tried to pick up the incoming suits on the radar.

 

“Looks like five or six,” Zechs replied.

 

“I guess that someone has an inkling we're here,” Quatre muttered.

 

“Only five or six?” Duo questioned.

 

“That's all I can detect at this point,” Zechs replied.

 

“Hmm.” Duo's head cocked to the side as he thought.

 

“Duo? What are you planning?” Heero asked his lover.

 

Duo's face lit up into a positively evil grin. “I can take down five or six suits,” he said.

 

“But - “

 

“No, listen, Heero. I'll go out in Deathscythe and take them down. I can use the hyperjammers so they won't know what's upon them until it's too late. That way we might buy ourselves a little more time too.”

 

“Sounds like a plan to me,” Wufei stated.

 

“I don't know,” Heero began.

 

“Heero, I know you care about me, but I'm a good pilot, let me do this.”

 

“I think it's a good idea,” Trowa said. “Logically thinking, Deathscythe is the best one to take them down; with his hyperjammers in play it makes perfect sense to let him take them out.”

 

Seeing he was outvoted on this one, Heero gave a deep sigh and nodded. “Okay.”

 

Duo gave a wide grin before enveloping his lover in his arms. “I promise to be careful out there, Heero,” he said softly.

 

“I know and I trust you, Duo. I'm sorry if I seem a little overprotective, but I've only just gotten you back; I don't want to lose you again.”

 

“Shhh... It's okay, Heero, I understand.”

 

“Gentlemen, I think you need to get mobile somewhere in the next thirty seconds, these suits are coming in rapidly,” Zechs informed.

 

“On my way.” Duo departed the cockpit area, Heero with him.

 

“We need to contact headquarters and warn Une of what is coming, plus update her on the situation,” Wufei stated.

 

“No problem. I'll patch in the communications for you now,” Zechs replied.

 

“I think we should head to the cargo bay and be prepared to assist Duo,” Trowa said in his quiet tone.

 

“I agree. Once those suits are destroyed, Barton will know for sure that we're here and most likely release the rest of the suits,” Quatre replied.

 

“You two head for the cargo bay and get ready to deploy. I'll make the call to Une and bring her up to speed before I join you. Inform Yuy of the plan too,” Wufei instructed.

 

“On our way,” Trowa replied as both he and Quatre left to go to the cargo bay.

 

“Communications line is open and ready whenever you are, Chang.”

 

“Thank you, Merquise.”

 

* * *

 

[Preventer Headquarters]

 

“Shuttle 221 this is headquarters. We read you loud and clear,” Forrest said. Turning in his seat, he motioned to Agent Sky.

 

Sky walked over, the question in his eyes. “What's up?”

 

“Fetch the Commander for me, I have a feeling this is more than important and she left strict instructions we were to inform her immediately when either of these two shuttles called in.”

 

“Right on it,” Sky replied and left the communications room at a jog.

 

“Preventer headquarters, we need to speak with Commander Une urgently,” Chang informed.

 

“I have one of the agents fetching the Commander as we speak, Agent Fire.”

 

“Good.” Wufei paused for a moment then in a quiet voice he asked, “What is the situation really like down there?”

 

Forrest gave an audible sigh. “Not good, Fire. Since this Firecell was deployed the citizens have pretty much rioted. Everything is falling apart, nothing is working properly, the economy is crashing and the police and Preventer haven't a snowball's chance in hell of containing any of it. They're calling for the resignation of the ESUN senators.”

 

“I see.” Wufei frowned. “Where are the senators?”

 

“Not completely sure. From what I know, some are currently under Preventer protection in safe-houses Senator Peacecraft is here at Headquarters but as for the others, I really don't know all that much. The Commander was trying to get any available agents that are out in the field to come forth and protect those senators that are currently without any form of protection.”

 

“Doesn't sound too good at all.”

 

“It isn't, Fire.”

 

Commander Une entered the communications room at that point and Forrest informed Chang of her arrival, handing over the head set to the woman.

 

“Agent Fire, this is Commander Une. What information do you have for me?” Une demanded.

 

“Commander, we have a situation here.”

 

“Situation? What is going on, Chang?”

 

“Barton has decided to deploy his troops. There are currently eight shuttles en-route to earth with troops aboard. I do not know how many troops, but suffice to say, each shuttle is fully loaded.”

 

Une knew that would mean roughly eight hundred soldiers.

 

“I don't know how much of the data base Yuy managed to convert and if the radar systems are a part of the conversion, but the shuttles are on their way as we speak and I'm estimating they should arrive on earth somewhere in the next twenty-four hours.”

 

“Do you know where they were headed?”

 

“Negative. Going on what information Agent Night has given, I'd say it's a safe bet they're going to be landing at shuttle ports somewhere near the ESUN headquarters.”

 

“Damn. The transport systems are completely down, we have no way of monitoring any incoming shuttles.” Une thought hard for a moment. “I think we should try to get the remaining senators out of the danger zone.”

 

“I agree, Commander.”

 

“How is the rest of the mission coming along? Are you any closer to apprehending Barton?”

 

“Ah.”

 

“Fire, what is going on up there?” Une's voice held an edge to it and Wufei knew the Commander would want all the facts, no matter how bad they seemed.

 

“At this point we haven't managed to infiltrate the base and locate Barton. Our only way in right now is through the shuttle port and with Barton having his troops all assembled there for transport to earth, we haven't been able to risk it. We have had to move the shuttles as it is and are pretty sure that Barton knows we are here.”

 

“And what makes you say that?”

 

“Errr... we currently have six mobile suits on course for where the shuttles are cloaked.”

 

“Shit!”

 

Zechs' eyebrows rose at the expletive coming from the normally unflappable Commander.

 

“Agent Night is about to leave the shuttle in Deathscythe and take out the threat.”

 

Une gave a loud sigh. “Fire, I don't know the complete story going on with you all up there and right now I don't have the time for it either. I trust you all to use your discretion and do what you have to. I also expect you to locate Barton and the professor as previously stated. I will continue to monitor what is going on and also get things moving down here to have the senators all relocated to a safe place.”

 

“As you wish, Commander.”

 

“I don't know what we're going to do about this army though.”

 

Zechs picked up the second head set and put it on. “Commander?” Zechs butted in.

 

“Agent Wind?”

 

“May I suggest something here?”

 

“By all means, Wind. I'm fresh out of ideas at the moment.”

 

“This might sound a little crazy, but I'd suggest that Preventer does nothing in regard to the army. Get the senators to a safe place and guard them closely, let the army worry about keeping the people under control. Once Barton has been taken into custody I'm sure the army will fold like a deck of cards.”

 

“You do raise a valid point, Wind.” Une thought about the suggestion.

 

“Night did say something about the training with the troops not being up to usual standard and that the army was made up largely of criminals from L2,” Wufei stated.

 

“Once the army knows Barton is no longer in charge and that the Firecell is being destroyed, those criminals will revert to their former ways, disperse and disappear,” Zechs mused.

 

“I think you could be right, gentlemen. Okay, I'll see what I can do in regards to the senators and leave the army to its own devices, unless of course they try to attack any of the senators or Preventer headquarters.” Une paused for a moment. “I expect you to keep me updated with the progress on the satellite.”

 

“Of course, Commander.”

 

“Okay. Good luck, agents.”

 

“Thank you, and good luck to you too, Commander,” Wufei replied.

 

“Thanks, I think we're all going to need a miracle,” Une muttered. “Preventer communications, out.”

 

“Shuttle 221, out.” Wufei passed the head set back to Zechs who hung it with the one he'd picked up. He ran a hand over his face before taking a deep breath. “I'm going to the cargo bay to see what is happening with Maxwell and those suits. We will need to formulate some sort of plan for getting inside that base and locating Barton.”

 

“I agree with you, Chang. I'll stay here and monitor things unless you have something else you would prefer me to be doing?”

 

“No, I think staying here and keeping watch will be best.”

 

“No problem.”

 

“Thank you, Merquise.” Wufei gave a slight bow and exited the cockpit.

 

Zechs watched him leave, a small, amused smile on his face. Once Chang had disappeared, Zechs turned his attention back to the window, view screen and instrument panel where the mobile suits could be seen almost upon them.

 

* * *

 

[Cargo Bay - Shuttle 221]

 

Duo was quickly down the catwalk and by Deathscythe's hatch, Heero right behind him. The hatch opened with a hiss and Duo turned to embrace his lover.

 

“You be careful out there, Duo,” Heero said, his tone soft but full of worry.

 

“Don't worry, Heero. I'm not about to take any unnecessary risks. I have way too much to live for,” Duo replied.

 

“Come straight back in once you've finished those suits off.”

 

“Aye, aye, captain.” Duo pulled Heero closer to him and nuzzled the soft skin of Heero's neck. “Once this is all over I want to spend some time alone with you. Just you, me, a bed and a tube of lube.”

 

“I think that can be arranged,” came Heero's husky reply.

 

“Good.” Duo proceeded to kiss his lover senseless. “I'll be back before you know I'm gone,” he said as they broke the embrace.

 

Heero watched as Duo took his place in the pilot's seat, the hatch hissing closed. His lover gave him a warm smile and the thumbs up; Heero returned the smile and mouthed `I love you' to his partner before exiting out of the cargo bay so Zechs could open the doors.

 

Once Duo was in the pilot's seat, he quickly strapped himself in. He'd had to let the harness out quite a bit as he'd grown since he'd last been in the mecha. It was a tight squeeze, but he managed to fit in okay. Hands flew over the familiar console, pushing buttons and flipping switches.

 

The console glowed for a moment and then it began to light up as all systems came on line. Duo began the power up sequence for the thrusters and whilst they were coming on line, he contacted Zechs in the cockpit.

 

“Zechs, this is Night. Deathscythe is ready for engine fire up and departure. Please open the cargo bay doors.”

 

“Agent Night, confirm cargo bay is devoid of any other presence.”

 

“Cargo bay is all clear.”

 

“Thank you. Will commence door release.”

 

“Thrusters on idle, hyperjammers ready to go. This is 02, ready for departure.”

 

“Good luck Maxwell.”

 

“Thanks, Zechs.” Seeing the cargo bay doors starting to open, Duo increased the power to the thrusters and began the charge up for the thermal scythe. With everything set to go, he flipped one last switch and Deathscythe shimmered, then faded from view.

 

Watching from the observation deck on other side of the cargo bay, behind the safety of the bulkheads, Heero couldn't help the small knot of fear from lodging in his gut. His mind knew Duo was the best pilot for this job, Deathscythe had the cloaking ability that would allow it to sneak up on its opponents and render them useless before they knew what had hit them. It didn't mean he had to like it though.

 

As Deathscythe shimmered and faded from view, Heero swallowed the lump in his throat. “Come back safe to me,” he whispered as he pressed a hand to the thickened window.

 

With the cargo doors open wide, Duo engaged the thrusters and eased the huge suit from its resting place. He maneuvered the mecha towards the doors and ramp they now formed. He could see the inky darkness of space, the pale gray, powdery surface of the satellite and the incoming suits.

 

His brow furrowed as he stepped out of the shuttle and onto the satellite surface. He sincerely hoped that the code the professor had given him to install in the suit programs had done its job and corrupted the doll side of the suits. The only way he would know for sure though was when the rest of the suits were engaged in combat. With there only being six now, he wouldn't have a proper chance to see if the doll side had been taken out or not.

 

Hands gripped the familiar controls and Duo gave a loud whoop as he launched the mecha into space.

 

The incoming suits couldn't see anything untoward. Nothing showed up on their scanners and there wasn't anything to see through the small view ports either.

 

“I think this is a wild goose chase,” one pilot stated.

 

“I agree, but you know the boss.”

 

“Yeah. He won't be happy until we've checked the area out,” sighed another pilot.

 

“Any fool can see there's noth-” The pilot stopped in mid sentence and brought his suit to a stop.

 

“What is it?” asked another pilot.

 

The air in front of them seemed to shift and blur.

 

“Oh, fuck.”

 

All six suits came to a halt as their worst nightmare shimmered and appeared before them.

 

Noting exactly where the other suits were, Duo cautiously flew Deathscythe to meet them. He paused a few meters away and lowered his head as the mecha hovered. His eyes closed and lips moved in a silent prayer. A hand came up to touch the cross at his throat, a deep breath was inhaled and then released very slowly. The chestnut head came up, the eyes opened and the violet fire that sparked within promised nothing but the depths of hell.

 

The black Gundam hovered before the suits, Duo turning the hyperjammers off and allowing the suit to materialize. Engaging the loud speakers, he spoke in a calm but icy tone. “Shinigami has come for your souls.”

 

The six pilots looked on in horror at the now visible Gundam. The eyes glowed green then the cold voice, one that came from the depths of hell itself, spoke.

 

“Shinigami has come for your souls.”

 

Duo flipped the switch to the thermal scythe, the weapon humming and then flaring into life. Green fire danced from the end of the `blade' as Duo gave a couple of experimental swings.

 

Summoning up courage from only god knew where, the lead pilot raised his version of the buster rifle and shouted down his comm unit to the rest of the pilots. “All of you, attack. He can't possibly take down six of us if we all attack at once!”

 

The rest of the pilots drew on their leader's courage and raised their own rifles up.

 

“Attack!” came the order and the six suits shot forward.

 

Purple eyes lit up, the mouth curved into a feral grin as Shinigami took over. The scythe sliced through the air, swinging around and cutting neatly through the first suit. The end of the scythe was pushed backwards and connected with the middle of the suit that was coming in to attack from behind. Sparks flew around before Duo shook the scythe, pulled sharply and dislodged the suit. Spinning around, the thermal beam cut through another suit, then arced back to remove the arm of a fourth.

 

A rifle blast managed to connect with the back of Deathscythe, shaking the big mecha but not doing any damage. Duo rocked in his harness and bit his lip in an effort to stifle the moan of pain from his abused ribs when they were jarred by the restricting harness. Anger was written into every line of his face and he swung around to meet the other suit.

 

Back on the shuttle, the other pilots were all watching the battle outside with keen interest. Trowa and Quatre had joined Heero in the cargo bay as Duo had departed, Chang joined them a couple of minutes later. The four watched the battle outside through the viewing windows in the shuttle's fuselage. To watch Deathscythe suddenly materialize from nowhere was a chilling sight. The black mecha with its glowing, green eyes and thermal scythe looked as though it had come from hell itself.

 

Heero bit his lip as he watched the six suits attack. His natural instincts were to get out there and protect his husband, so to have to stand here and watch was simply agonizing for him. Quatre could feel the emotions conflicting within Heero and placed a gentle, reassuring hand on the stoic man's arm.

 

“He will be fine, Heero,” Quatre whispered to the blue eyed man as Heero looked at him.

 

“I know he will. He's an excellent pilot and I have no problem with his skills. I just...”

 

“It's hard, Heero, especially when you've just found him again. Trust me when I say he doesn't want to be apart from you either, that he wishes all this would just go away. Unfortunately, it won't.” Quatre gave Heero a sympathetic look. “Believe in him, Heero, trust him and with any luck all this will be finished soon.”

 

Heero nodded and looked back out the window where Duo was in full battle with the six suits.

 

Another lucky shot hit the big suit from the side, jolting Duo in the pilot's seat again. He gave a sharp gasp of pain before narrowing his eyes and turning to the suit that had managed to get the shot in. With a roar of anger, he dove forward, scythe swinging through the air and slicing the suit in two like it was a stick of butter.

 

Turning around, Duo lined up the remaining two suits. One was still sparking from where it had lost the arm, the other seemed to hang in mid air, unsure of what to do.

 

“Oh shit,” the pilot muttered as the glowing green eyes of the mecha turned slowly in his direction. Hands shaking, the pilot gripped his controls tightly and raised the buster rifle. He managed to send a jet of power at the black machine before his world exploded into green flame and white sparks.

 

Noting he was the only suit left, and disabled at that, the one armed suit paused in the air, deciding what to do. Mind made up, the pilot turned and fired the thrusters to full, doing his best to high tail it back to the dome and safety.

 

Seeing the last suit turn tail and run, Duo gave an evil laugh. “Oh no you don't,” he muttered and sent Deathscythe after the fleeing suit. The Gundam was far superior and soon drew alongside the retreating suit. Duo never paused; with Deathscythe still keeping pace, he raised the thermal scythe and brought it down.

 

The suit separated into two pieces, a shower of sparks and following explosion attesting to its end. Duo brought the Gundam to a halt and looked around. The pieces of the suits had either disintegrated in space or lay scattered on the surface of the satellite.

 

Satisfied with the job, Duo turned his mecha back to where the shuttles should be located.

 

“Shuttle 221, this is 02. Inbound and request coordinates for cargo bay doors.”

 

Zechs had also watched the battle from the cockpit and hearing the request, he was quick to reply. “02, this is shuttle 221. Will send coordinates through to you now.” Zechs punched a few keys on the console and sent the information directly to the mecha.

 

“Thanks, Zechs. Am approaching cargo bay now.” With the coordinates logged into the Gundam's data base, Duo let the mecha take over and practically `land' itself. Once the foot touched the ramp, the shuttle became visible to Duo again and he brought the suit inside and back to its resting place.

 

Once Duo was safely back inside, Zechs hit the buttons to close the cargo bay doors. The doors closed and sealed themselves, the pressure equalizing and then the all clear light flashed to let the other pilots know the cargo bay was safe to enter.

 

Heero was the first one into the bay area, aiming directly for the black machine and his lover. The hatch hissed as it opened, Duo unbuckling his harness and preparing to scramble out after powering down. Duo winced slightly as his ribs reminded him of their presence and he hoped he hadn't done any further damage to them.

 

Catching the slight wince, Heero frowned. “Are you okay? Did yo get hurt?” Heero extended a hand to his partner, Duo taking it and hauling himself out to stand next to Heero.

 

“I'm okay. Just got a little shook up and put more pressure than I would have liked onto my ribs,” Duo replied honestly.

 

Trowa caught the last part of the conversation as he and Quatre arrived. “I can take another look at them and re-strap if necessary.”

 

“Ah...” Duo could see the look in Heero's eye and swallowed. He'd neglected to tell his husband the true extent of his injuries.

 

“Duo?” Heero questioned. “I think we need to talk.”

 

“Errr... Yeah.”

 

“Now, Duo.”

 

“Okay, right with you Heero.” Duo sheepishly followed his lover from the cargo bay, tossing Trowa a look over his shoulder as he went.

 

Trowa simply shrugged. It wasn't his fault, Maxwell should have informed his partner of his injuries. Idly, Trowa wondered if Duo would also let Heero know of his probable pregnancy too.

 

Once they were clear of the cargo bay, Heero took Duo to one side. “Now, how badly have you been hurt? I want the complete truth too, no trying to evade with half truths.” Heero was well aware of Duo's ability to dodge the truth. Whilst he didn't out and out lie, he was a master of deception.

 

Knowing he wasn't going to get out of this one, Duo came clean and let Heero know all that had happened to him. “I'm fine now though, Heero. Trowa checked me out and fixed me up.”

 

“Hn.” Heero wasn't satisfied and grabbed the hem of Duo's shirt, pulling it up.

 

“Heero!?” Duo squeaked and tried to pull his shirt back down. “There's a time and place for everything,” he stated.

 

“Baka! I'm just trying to get a look at the strapping on your ribs, see if it needs redoing,” Heero replied with a shake of his head at his lover's antics.

 

“Ah, okay.”

 

With a soft snort, Heero proceeded to check Duo's ribs and the bandage that was wrapped securely around them. His fingers ran gently over the strapping and to the skin below. He frowned again when he noticed Duo's middle seemed to be a little bigger than usual and his mind shot back to Nurse Brown and her comments on Duo's condition. Straightening up, Heero pulled the shirt back down and raised his cobalt eyes to meet with cautious violet.

 

“Duo?”

 

“Yes, Heero?” Duo looked at his partner and knew he wasn't going to be happy with whatever it was Heero was about to ask.

 

Heero opened his mouth to speak, only to be cut off by the intercom system and Zechs' insistent voice.

 

“Gentlemen, we have incoming mobile suits, too many to calculate. I suggest you all get in your Gundams and prepare for battle.”

 

~ * ~

tbc...