Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Family Ties ❯ Chapter 93 ( Chapter 93 )

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"Family Ties"

 

January. 2007 ShenLong

 

 

Chapter 93

 

[Preventer Shuttle 221]

 

Zechs heard the sound of the comm unit beeping over the sound of the battle still being waged. Mind still focused on the battle and the suits he was engaged with, he hit the button. “Shuttle 221.”

 

“Zechs, it's Duo.”

 

“What's up?”

 

“Just checking in. Day and myself are safely within the Dome and on course for the control room. Have encountered a few unfriendlies on the way and managed to avoid detection so far. We also came across the two senators missing from the ESUN and wanted by Preventer to answer questions regarding the skimming of funds from the Colony Rebuilding Project.”

 

“I see.”

 

“Both senators have been apprehended and restrained and are now awaiting collection when it's possible.”

 

“Restrained? You didn't injure them, did you?” Zechs' voice was calm despite his churning stomach. He knew Une wouldn't be at all happy if any of her suspects were damaged too badly.

 

Duo snorted. “No, Zechs. The pair of them are perfectly fine, although they may need a good dose of mouth wash.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Don't worry, I'll explain later. Senators are in Dome one, section G sector 56.”

 

“Thanks, Night. I've made a note of that. Ah, shit!” Another blow managed to make it to the shuttle skin, rocking Zechs in his seat and setting off further alarms.

 

“You guys alright out there?”

 

“We're doing okay,” Zechs replied through clenched teeth. “Slowly knocking them all off, but I'm not too sure about the damage to shuttle and Gundams.”

 

“The other shuttle?”

 

“Still cloaked and as far as I can tell it's okay. I've not seen any direct hits to it at this stage.”

 

Duo heaved a sigh of relief. “With any luck it will remain that way and we will have some form of transport off this floating rock.”

 

“Where are you, you asshole?” Zechs muttered and scanned the atmosphere for the suit that had hit him.

 

“I'll leave you to it, Wind. Will report in again once we locate the control room. Night out.”

 

“Okay, Night. Good luck. Wind out. Come here you motherfucker, and take a dose of this!”

 

Chuckling softly to himself, Duo pocketed the com and turned to his partner. “Let's go.”

 

Nodding, Heero followed his partner back out and into the Dome.

 

* * *

 

[Satellite XRB 23 Control Room]

 

Those still present in the control room watched as the battle continued outside on the surface. No one dared to speak, just the occasional soft grunt and from time to time a wince passed through several of the room occupants as a suit was taken down or blast connected.

 

“How many are left?” Barton snapped, watching his mobile suit army being decimated before his eyes.

 

Craven scrambled to do a quick calculation. “Approximately one hundred and twenty suits, sir.”

 

“What!?”

 

Everyone ducked for cover.

 

Barton whirled around. “Are you sure?!” he demanded.

 

“Give or take five or ten,” Craven squeaked.

 

“Fuck! This can't be happening.” Barton's mind began to run wild with thoughts. This wasn't going the way he planned. “We might have to leave a little earlier than planned to meet up with the army on the earth,” he muttered as his eyes turned back to the screen.

 

“Sir?” Craven inquired as he heard the soft words.

 

“This is not going the way it should. That shuttle shouldn't have managed to land here without being detected; but it did. Those Gundams... they were destroyed, and yet they're here. I think it might be time to cut our losses and get out of here. We need to get to the earth, take the program with us and continue on from there. The citizens won't allow the ESUN and Preventer to continue on for much longer and we will need to be there to take over.”

 

“But what about the suits?” Craven dared to ask.

 

“Leave them. There's not much we can do. What the...?” Barton's eyes widened as he stared hard at the screen. Two Gundams had vanished. “Craven! How many Gundams are out there?”

 

“Um, fiv-...” Craven paused as his eyes scanned the screen showing the current battle on the surface. “There were five,” he muttered and did his best to maneuver the cameras to scan the battle area.

 

“I know there were five,' Barton smirked, “but there aren't now.”

 

“Shit. I only count three Gundams, sir.”

 

“Where the fuck are the other two?”

 

“Ah...”

 

Barton whirled around. “Sampson, take Tewson, Young and Peterson with you. Those two Gundams have disappeared and I have a feeling they can be found in the shuttle bay area. That means the two pilots are somewhere inside this structure. Find them and take them out. Let me know when that is done.”

 

“Yes, sir,” Sampson replied as he stood up and nodded to the other three men to follow him.

 

Barton rubbed his hands together and smirked as the four left the control room. Turning to Craven, he spoke. “Have the security cameras scan the Domes and locate those two pilots. Once you find them let Sampson know where they are. Once Sampson reports back in and confirms those two have been disabled I want you to contact the smaller satellite and have the last shuttle sent across.”

 

Craven nodded and turned back to his computer.

 

Barton took a seat and once more watched the battle outside. Zaheer stood in the shadows, watching and seething. He knew who was inside one of those Gundams that had disappeared, and he'd wanted the opportunity to kill that long haired freak. Right now, Zaheer was not amused with Barton's orders.

 

* * *

 

[Satellite XRB 23 Dome]

 

“Down here, Heero,” Duo whispered and turned a corner, keeping himself flat against the wall.

 

“Cameras,” Heero noted and also kept himself to the shadows. “I can shoot them out.”

 

Duo shook his head. “No. We do that and Barton will know exactly where we are.”

 

“Put them on a loop?”

 

“No time to stop and do that. It sounded like the guys were taking a battering outside when I spoke to Zechs. We need to get Barton as quickly as we can.”

 

“Okay.” Heero didn't look happy about it, but there wasn't a whole lot he could do about it right now. “Keep out of sight as much as possible then.”

 

“Yeah. Come on, this way.”

 

Heero continued to follow his lover along corridors, remaining out of sight of the cameras as much as possible. There wasn't any way they would be able to dodge all of them but they could hope and pray that any sign of them the cameras did pick up would go unnoticed. With any luck the attention of those watching the cameras would be focused on other things.

 

'Yeah and Une might dance the can can in a tutu' his mind laughed at him.

 

“Not far now,' Duo murmured as he went to step around another corner. “Ah, fuck!” The speed with which Duo back pedaled had him almost crashing into Heero.

 

“Duo?”

 

The sounds of yelling came from around the corner.

 

“Better find somewhere to make a stand; we've been sprung,” came Duo's reply as he spun around.

 

“Shit!” Heero exclaimed and looked around for somewhere to do just that. “Back there,” Heero stated and began to run. Duo glanced at where Heero had motioned and took off after his partner. The pair dived into the small alcove just as the four men came around the corner in a flat out run.

 

Heero and Duo both opened fire, sending the four scurrying back around that corner.

 

“Friends of yours?” Heero asked.

 

Duo grunted. “If memory serves me correct, the big guy is called Sampson; he was part of the crew that brought me here. The other three babysat both Duric and myself at various times.”

 

“Are they needed alive?”

 

“Preferable, but not completely necessary.”

 

“Hn. I'll try not to hit anything vital then.”

 

“I'm sure both Une and those guys would appreciate that,” Duo muttered, the sarcasm going right over Heero's head.

 

Sampson and the others were moving through the corridors keeping their eyes and ears open. “Any sign of where they are?” Sampson asked down his com unit.

 

“Negative,” came Craven's reply. “I'm still checking through the cameras and if I find anything I will let you know.”

 

“Thanks.” Sampson tucked the unit away and the four continued on their way. Rounding another corner, the group were half way down when Young's eyes opened wide. He saw a familiar figure for just a second up ahead before it disappeared back around that corner.

 

“That's him!” Young yelled.

 

“Where?” asked Sampson and pulled his gun forth.

 

“Up there.” Young pointed to the corner ahead and began to run. The other three followed, guns drawn and ready.

 

Reaching the corner, Sampson shot around, only to dive back again within a second, knocking Young over and almost sending Tewson and Peterson with him. Gunfire rang out, bullets whizzing past with a couple lodging in the Dome wall.

 

“Shit!” Sampson exclaimed as he picked himself up off the top of Young. A crimson stain was appearing on his right shoulder.

 

“You've been hit,” Peterson said, stating the obvious.

 

Sampson took a look at his shoulder, the bullet had creased his collarbone. “It's just a nick,” he replied and turned his attention back to the pair he was intent on capturing.

 

“What now?” Tewson questioned.

 

“Now we exchange bullets until we either kill them or disable them,” Sampson replied in a sarcastic tone.

 

Around the corner, Duo and Heero were having a similar conversation.

 

Barton must know we're in the Dome,” Duo stated.

 

Heero looked down his nose at his lover. “You think?”

 

Rolling his eyes, Duo continued. “We need to do something about them and fast. We don't have a lot of time.”

 

“We need to be careful too. The last thing we need is for a stray bullet to pierce the skin of the Dome.”

 

Duo visibly shuddered at that thought. If a bullet were to pass through the Dome skin it would be curtains for them all and personally he didn't fancy being sucked through a hole the size of a button and into the cold of space. “Yeah,” he muttered.

 

Heero took a chance and peered around the edge of the alcove... and ducked back immediately as a bullet screamed past his head, ruffling his bangs as it passed. “That was close,” he mumbled.

 

“Too close,” Duo growled and leaned forward to press a kiss to the back of Heero's neck. “Be careful, Heero. I love you too much to lose you.”

 

“Don't worry, Duo. I have no intentions of going anywhere if I can help it.”

 

“That's a comforting thought.”

 

“On the count of three.” Heero took a deep breath. “One, two, three...”

 

Guns drawn, the pair reached around the edge of the alcove and squeezed off a few rounds. They were lucky.

 

At the time they both fired, Tewson had taken the same moment to chance a glance around the edge of the corridor - and caught one of the bullets.

 

“Ah, fuck!” he yelped and pulled back, blood streaming down the side of his face. The bullet had caught him on the ear, removing a chunk of flesh.

 

“Here,” said a pale Peterson and pulling his shirt over his head,handed it to the other man. “Put that up against it to stop the blood.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

Over the course of the next five minutes, gunfire was traded between the two groups, bullets flying back and forth but neither side gaining any ground. Tewson took a second hit, this time to the arm which rendered him pretty much useless as it was his gun arm that took the bullet. Heero caught a nick to the back of his hand, and had to suffer through Duo's berating him for taking an unnecessary risk. Both groups paused for a moment to reload and take stock.

 

“End of round one,” Duo snarled. “Now what? We can't stay here all day and fire at each other.”

 

“I agree,” replied Heero and sat down.

 

“Huh? What are you doing, Heero? Now isn't the time to take a break you know!”

 

“I know. Keep your shirt on.” Heero slipped a hand inside his flight suit and began to feel around.

 

Duo's cheeks blushed red. “I don't think we have the time for that either.”

 

Heero gave his lover a glare. “It's not what you're thinking, baka!” He pulled an object from inside and held it out for Duo to see.

 

“Ah, sorry,' Duo said sheepishly.

 

“Think that will work?”

 

Duo took the object and studied it a little closer. “Only one way to find out,” he replied. “Cover me.”

 

Heero had to scramble to fulfill the request, sending off a volley of shots whilst Duo pulled the pin and tossed the item with deadly accuracy down the corridor.

 

Immediately the gas grenade was tossed, both men ducked back into the alcove for cover.

 

Young and Tewson snapped their attention to the item zooming through the air and landing with a clang at their feet.

 

“Ah, crap... RUN!” yelled Tewson and took off.

 

Peterson and Sampson were a little slower to react, staring dumbly at the cannister that suddenly gave a popping noise, then hissed and released its gas.

 

“Fuck!” growled Sampson and did his best to scramble away from the cannister. Unfortunately, Peterson was also doing his best to get away and not watching where he was going. In the ensuing melee, a gun was discharged and Peterson dropped like a stone. Before any of the others could check on Peterson they were overcome with the gas.

 

Heero's ears pricked up when he heard the gunshot and he looked inquiringly at Duo. Duo gave a shrug of his shoulders by way of reply.

 

“What sort of gas?” asked Duo.

 

“Sleeping,” replied Heero.

 

Taking note of the time, Duo watched the minutes tick by until five in total had passed. Raising himself to his feet, he offered a hand to Heero and pulled his partner upright. “Should be all clear now.”

 

“Hn.” Heero pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and passed it to Duo before retrieving another for himself and putting it over his nose. Whilst the gas should have cleared from the area completely, it wasn't worth taking any chances.

 

Duo gave his lover a 'look'. “Thought you said you didn't have spandex space,” he muttered as he followed Heero down the corridor, handkerchief over his nose and mouth, keeping close to the wall and gun at the ready.

 

Choosing to ignore the comment, Heero led the way inching cautiously along until they reached the corner. Duo dropped to a crouch, Heero reaching with his gun first around the corner and when nothing happened he followed it slowly with his head. Fingers were ready to squeeze the respective triggers at any second, but the sight that greeted Heero's eyes put a satisfied smile on his face.

 

“All down but unsure if disabled,” he told his partner. “Proceed with caution.”

 

The pair carefully slithered around and approached the first of the bodies lying on the floor.

 

“Sampson,” growled Duo as he poked the man's side with his foot. There was no response. He crouched by the man's side and felt for a pulse. “Unconscious,” he informed and removed the gun and spare clips from Sampson's form.

 

Heero had moved to the next prone figure, this one lying face down with a pool of blood rapidly enlarging around him. He felt for the pulse and removed the gun and clips. “Dead,” he told Duo.

 

Duo snorted. “Guess we know where those bullets went then.”

 

The pair moved further down the corridor to the other two figures. As they neared the hairs on the back of Duo's neck began to stand up. “Something's not right,” he whispered.

 

“Hn. They look to be sleeping,” Heero replied and inched closer.

 

Duo couldn't shake the uneasy feeling as they drew closer and all his senses were on alert and screaming at him to get the hell out of there. Heero pushed at one of the men with the toe of his boot, the body moving slightly but not stirring. As Heero turned to speak it seemed as if everything went into slow motion for Duo.

 

The other prone form suddenly raised a hand, the gun going off. Spotting the slight movement, Duo screamed. “Heero!” His feet were moving before he knew it and he slammed into his lover, sending Heero flying. The bullet shot past, clipping Duo's hip.

 

Heero was quick to react, the gun bucking in his hand as he sent four bullets in quick succession slamming into the form ahead and stilling it instantly and permanently. With the threat gone for the moment, Heero scrambled to check his lover.

 

“Duo? Are you hit?” Heero cried and began to run his hands over Duo's body.

 

Groaning, Duo pushed himself up. “I gotta stop doing this,” he moaned. “Fuck, that hurt.”

 

Spotting the blood on Duo's hip, Heero's attention was diverted and his hands began to run gently over the area. “Of all the stupid, fucking moronic things to do,” he muttered under his breath. “I think it's just a flesh wound, Duo,” Heero added a moment later when he'd had the chance to check his lover properly.

 

Duo glanced down at where Heero was prodding and poking. His skin paled and his heart jumped when he saw how close the bullet had come to hitting him in the abdomen. He batted Heero's hands away to check for himself. “Fuck that was close,” he mumbled. Duo's eyes glazed over slightly and he ran a protective hand across his abdomen, completely forgetting Heero was sitting next to him. “You okay in there, munchkin?” he whispered.

 

A hand settled on his shoulder and Duo froze.

 

Slowly, violet eyes wandered up to stare deep into cobalt that were looking at him with a burning question in them.

 

“Duo?” Heero said softly. “Is there something you wish to tell me?”

 

Duo swallowed - hard. “Ummm...” He knew he couldn't get out of this; it was time to come clean. “Ah, Heero... I don't quite know how to tell you this...”

 

“Try just coming out with it,” Heero replied dryly.

 

“Errr... You know just after I'd had Keitaro and we decided I'd like to keep my female bits, that a little brother or sister down the track might be nice to have for Keitaro...” Duo peered up through his bangs to see how Heero was taking this.

 

Cobalt eyes gave nothing away.

 

Duo ploughed on. “Well, I kinda think that idea might be a bit more of a reality. I'm pretty sure I'm pregnant again, Heero. I know Sally said I shouldn't have another child so soon after Keitaro, the risks are rather great, but I don't know how it happened... well I do, but I don't as we used protection and I played the role of seme... and I'm starting to babble now aren't I?” Duo shut up and gazed through his bangs at his lover and husband.

 

“Duo, it's okay,” Heero replied softly and placed a protective hand on Duo's abdomen.

 

“You -you don't mind?” Duo's eyes were wide.

 

“I can't say I'm not worried about you, or the child, for I am. This entire situation is putting all of us at risk, you even more so as Sally did say it would be dangerous for you to fall pregnant again so soon. But, Duo, I'm here for you all the way.” Heero's words were whispered and when he'd finished, he leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss upon those sweet lips.

 

“Oh, Heero.” Duo melted into the kiss. “I love you so much.”

 

They sat close together for a moment, just savoring the idea of becoming parents again, then Heero shifted.

 

“Come on, we need to get moving and locate Barton.”

 

“What about these guys?” Duo questioned and nodded to the four men.

 

“Two of them aren't going anywhere. The other two will be sleeping for a while yet. I don't think that one will be going far once he wakes up either, not with those wounds,” said Heero as he glanced towards Tewson. “As for the other one...” Heero stood up and taking his gun with him, he walked to where Sampson still lay unconscious. Raising the gun, he lined up his target and sent one bullet clean through Sampson's kneecap.

 

Sampson's body jumped but the man didn't wake.

 

“Heero!” Duo squeaked. “Une wanted them alive.”

 

“Hn. You didn't say anything about them being injured, just not dead if I could help it. He's not dead, just disabled, so what's the problem?” Heero shrugged and slipped the guns he'd commandeered from the group into his flight suit.

 

“I swear, you can be the one to front Une and explain, I'm pleading temporary insanity and citing medical reasons so she can't attack me,” Duo muttered. “I think even Une would draw the line at attacking a pregnant man.” Duo looked across at Heero.

 

“I don't know, Duo. She can be a psychotic bitch at times.” Heero replied, a smirk tugging at his lips.

 

“Thanks. Thanks a lot, ex buddy,” Duo huffed and tucked the two guns he'd retrieved into his flight suit, wincing as the hip wound made itself known again.

 

“Come on. The sooner we find and arrest Barton, the sooner we can be going home to Keitaro and Nurse Brown.” Heero turned and continued on down the corridor.

 

“That's one thing I love about you, Heero. Your compassion.” Duo muttered and followed along.

 

* * *

 

[Inside Duo's Abdomen]

 

The watery world it was living in cushioned the small baby against the violent movements its mother made from time to time. The loud noises that managed to permeate the womb still caused the fetus to jump from time to time, but the thumb in the mouth gave it a small measure of comfort.

 

Adrenaline began to flow across the placental barrier, flooding the fetus' blood stream and causing it to become restless.

 

Tiny limbs unfurled, little feet kicked out in protest as arms and hands flailed in the amniotic fluid. None of it did any good though, the adrenaline was still present and the small child felt 'pumped' up.

 

It tossed its limbs around some more, enjoying the movement and testing out undeveloped muscles.

 

Gradually the fetus wore itself out a bit and curled into a small ball once again. The thumb sought the mouth and latched on. The fetus began to feel sleepy, unaware of the dramas unfolding outside its sanctuary. It trusted its mother to keep it safe from harm as it drifted off into a restless sleep.

 

* * *

 

[Satellite XRB 23 Control Room]

 

“Shit!” Craven muttered to himself as he finally managed to pick something up on one of the cameras. He toggled the small machine and turned the camera around a bit to get a clearer picture. “Shit, shit, shit.”

 

Simons heard the soft expletives and turned in his seat. “Something up?” he asked.

 

“You could say that,” replied Craven.

 

“Anything I can help with?”

 

“Take a look.”

 

Simons got up from his own console and moved around to where Craven was standing. “Shit!”

 

“Exactly.”

 

“But, how? Are they dead?” Simons stared at the screen that showed Sampson, Young, Tewson and Peterson all lying prone in a corridor. There was a certain amount of blood spread liberally about and none o the men were moving.

 

“I don't know,” whispered Craven.

 

“Someone needs to go check. And let Barton know.”

 

“You volunteering?”

 

Simons looked across to where Barton was watching the decimation of his mobile suits outside the Domes. “I'll pass.”

 

~ * ~

 

tbc...