Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Family Ties ❯ Chapter 102 ( Chapter 102 )

“Family Ties”

 

January 2007 ShenLong

 

Chapter 102

 

 

[Preventer Headquarters]

 

Once Une had finished her contact with the agents on the satellite, she took a moment to gather her thoughts, head sagging and eyes closing as she fought off the fatigue.

 

“Commander? Excuse me for being so forward, but you really should get some rest,” Sun stated.

 

“I wish I could,” Une replied, “But there's still a lot to be done and someone has to run this circus.”

 

“Is there anything we can do?” asked Sky.

 

“Yes, there is. Get on the airwaves now. I want any and all available agents in the building to meet in conference room one in ten minutes. Also contact the shuttle port and have them assemble all agents there in the same time frame as I wish to speak with them too.”

 

“Right on it, ma'am,” Sky replied.

 

“Sun, find where Senator Peacecraft is and have her meet me in conference room one in ten minutes.”

 

“Yes, Commander.”

 

“Where are Forest and Oak?”

 

“In the temporary living quarters.”

 

“Have them come back as soon as possible, you're going to need the help,” Une stated. A frown crossed her features. “Has anyone heard from Sapphire recently?”

 

“Not for a little while, Commander.”

 

Une picked up the headset again. “Sun, get Sapphire for me now, please.”

 

“Yes, Commander.” Sun turned back to his console and began to transmit to Sapphire. Within a couple of minutes he had the agent on the line. “Sapphire's reporting in, Commander.”

 

“Thank you. Agent Sapphire?”

 

“Commander?”

 

“Listen up. How far away from the ESUN building are you?”

 

“About five or six kilometers. Barton's army is not far ahead of me,” replied Sapphire.

 

“Okay. Sapphire, I want you to get ahead of Barton's army and get into the ESUN building before they get there.”

 

“Ma'am?”

 

“Sapphire, just follow orders,” Une snapped, her patience was starting to wear a little thin.

 

“My apologies, Commander.”

 

“Once you're inside, head for the conference room. Inside the conference room, beside the vid screen you will find a medium sized, cream colored box. Disconnect it and bring it here to headquarters. When you're about a kilometer away, call in so we can escort you in. Guard that box with your life, Sapphire.”

 

The agent knew better than to ask why the box was of such importance and accepted his assignment. “Roger that, Commander.”

 

“Good luck, Sapphire, and god speed.”

 

“Sapphire out.”

 

“Une out.” Slipping the headset off, Une was aware of two sets of eyes watching her. “Don't you two have work to do?”

 

“Ah, yes, Commander.”

 

“Then I suggest you get onto it. We have a lot to accomplish and not much time to do it in. Let me know immediately when Sapphire calls in. I'll be in conference room one.” Une stood up and left the communications room.

 

“You heard the Commander, we've got work to do,” Sky stated and turned back to his own systems to start. Sun rolled his eyes.

 

* * *

 

[ESUN Headquarters]

 

Sapphire ditched the motorbike under some bushes in the gardens surrounding the ESUN building. He'd been lucky so far and avoided any angry mobs. Cutting across country had helped his cause a lot and he had about an hour before the army he'd been tailing would reach the building. Realizing the Senators were no longer in residence at the building, the people had lost interest and moved on, although a few still straggled about.

 

Ducking through the shrubbery, Sapphire approached the building from the rear, making his way towards the service bay entry. He could see a couple of security guards through the window and moved silently towards it. He reached into his pocket for his Preventer ID and pulled it free. Sidling alongside one window, he rapped sharply on it, ducked and held up his Preventer ID. “It's Agent Sapphire from Preventer,” he called out.

 

Inside, the security guards almost jumped out of their skin when they heard the rapping on the pane. Yanking their guns from their holsters, they aimed at the window, certain they were about to be ambushed and were confronted by a hand holding up an ID badge. The introduction followed a second later.

 

“Show yourself, agent,” bellowed one of the guards.

 

Slowly, Sapphire raised himself up to face the window and the gun pointing directly at him. The guards checked the ID against his face and holstered their guns.

 

“I need to come in,” Sapphire stated. “I'll explain once I'm inside.”

 

The guards nodded and moved towards the door, one pulling his gun out again just in case. The bolts slid back and Sapphire slipped inside. Quickly he explained why he was there and what he needed. He also informed the guards of the approaching army.

 

“What the hell does the Commander want with that box?” one guard asked.

 

“I have no idea, but I need to get it and get back to Headquarters as quickly as possible,” Sapphire replied. “Any chance you can point me in the direction of the conference room?”

 

“I'll take you there,” said the second guard.

 

“Thanks.”

 

Seconds later, Sapphire was being led through the building towards the conference room.

 

* * *

 

[Satellite XRB 23 Control Room]

 

The steady click of keys had begun to wear on Duo's nerves, but he knew better than to interrupt. Heero and Hawkins were speaking in low tones between themselves, discussing options and typing in commands to the computers. They were working fast, doing their best to reverse the Firecell and have normality resumed as quickly as possible.

 

Wufei and Zechs had managed to round up all of the guards and the bunch were restrained and sitting in a row near the door. Duo helped with the techs, locating cords and anything else that could be used to restrain them. Picking his way through the debris, Duo had stumbled upon a tech who had squeezed himself in between consoles.

 

“Okay, you can come out of there now,” Duo ordered, holding the gun steady and pointing at the pair of feet that were just visible.

 

“Promise you won't shoot me if I come out?” came the plea.

 

“I won't shoot you. I've had enough of the killing. Come out now otherwise I'll be forced to drag you out,” Duo snapped.

 

“Okay, okay. Keep your shirt on.” The tech began to wriggle around and soon the legs attached to the feet appeared. Moments later the torso followed and as the arms came into view, Duo grabbed them and yanked the tech the rest of the way out.

 

“You!” Duo all but yelled when the tech was out of his hiding spot.

 

“Fuck!” Farrow replied and paled considerably.

 

Hearing he exchange, Wufei was quickly beside Duo. “What is it, Night?”

 

“This asshole,” Duo replied and shook the man in his grasp.

 

“What about him?”

 

“He's one from the original group that kidnapped me. He worked on the computers for Nolen,” Duo snarled.

 

“Is that true?” Wufei asked, his eyes narrowing.

 

Farrow thought he was going to be sick. He nodded as his voice had deserted him for the moment.

 

Wufei thought for a moment. “Tie him up tight, we're going to need him,” he said softly.

 

Duo raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean, Fire?”

 

“I”ll talk to you in a minute. Let's secure him first.”

 

Duo nodded, his curiosity bubbling just below the surface. He located some more cords and tied Farrow's wrists and ankles as tight as he dared. The tech was left with the other techs to ponder his fate.

 

Chang took Duo by the arm and led him across the room and out of earshot of their prisoners. “Night, you say he was part of the original kidnapping group, correct?”

 

“Yeah. There was him, Duric, Nolen and Murphy. The other one in their group, Cropp, he was the one that was murdered in the ESUN building, the one we found trying to hack the system,” Duo replied.

 

“Maxwell, was he there when you were ordered to assassinate the Ambassadors?”

 

“Yeah, he was,” Duo growled.

 

A soft smile began to form on Wufei's lips.

 

“Ummm... `Fei? What's with all the questions and the smile? You're starting to scare me here.”

 

“Agent Night, I don't know if you are aware of it or not, but there are charges pending against you back on earth for the assassination of the L1 and L3 ambassadors. Preventer forensics has matched your DNA with the DNA found at both crime scenes.”

 

Duo went cold all over. “Charges?” he whispered. “Chang, I had no option but to kill those ambassadors. If I didn't they were going to kill my son and Nurse Brown. They broke the nurse's wrist to prove they weren't kidding.”

“I know that, Night.”

 

Duo ran his fingers through his messy bangs. “Christ, `Fei, how much more do I have to go through?”

 

“Maxwell, I'm on your side here and I fully intend to make sure those charges are dropped.”

 

“Fucking good luck. They won't be happy until they have my ass in jail. Shit! I never asked for this, any of it and yet I still come out of it as the bad guy. I should have died in the Maxwell fire...”

 

“Agent Night! That's quite enough,” Wufei snapped. His heart was bleeding for Duo. The young man hadn't asked for any of this, all he wanted to do was live a quiet life with his husband and child, yet Fate had decided it wanted to mess with him yet again. As far as Wufei was concerned, Maxwell had suffered more than enough in his short life and Wufei wasn't going to stand by and let anything more happen to his friend.

 

“Face it, Wufei, I'm screwed.”

 

“Maxwell, you are not screwed. This tech, Farrow I think you said his name was?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“He's going to be your redemption.”

 

“How?”

 

“He was there, he knew what Nolen and the others were planning. He knew the orders and he will testify that you were forced to commit those assassinations.”

 

“And just why would he do that?”

 

Wufei cracked his knuckles. “Because I will ask him to.”

 

Duo suddenly snickered. “Anyone ever tell you, you have a way with people, Wuffles?”

 

“I believe you are the first. And the name is Wufei, I suggest you remember that unless you want your witness unable to speak.”

 

“You win, WuFei.”

 

* * *

 

[ESUN Building]

 

It didn't take long for Sapphire to reach the conference room and the cream colored box sitting beside the vid screen. Quickly, Sapphire removed the cords and plugs, picking up the box and tucking it under his arm.

 

“What's so special about that?” the guard asked.

 

“I have no idea,” replied Sapphire. “I was just ordered to get it and take it back to Preventer Headquarters.”

 

The guard grunted. “You said there was an army on its way here?”

 

“Yes. From what I know, Barton has sent them and I believe their intent is to take over the ESUN building.”

“What for? There's nothing of interest here now that Barton released that Firecell thing. The main computer isn't functional so there's no access to documentation or anything like that.”

 

“I really don't know. I haven't been told anything, and even if I did know I doubt I would be allowed to tell you,” Sapphire stated.

 

“Guess you're right.” The guard continued to walk. “Any idea on what we should do? Those of us that are left here?”

 

“It's still not safe outside on the streets so I'd suggest staying here, find somewhere to hide once the army gets closer. I'm not sure what Preventer or the police force, if there's any of them left, will be able to do to stop them, but if there is a way, you can be sure they will try.”

 

“Thanks, that's really reassuring,” the guard replied.

 

Sapphire gave the guard a smile. “Don't worry, something will happen to sort it all out.”

 

“I don't think I'll hold my breath,” the guard mumbled. “We're back.”

 

“Thank you for your help,” Sapphire said and then climbed back out of the window. “Try to stay low and safe.”

 

“Thanks. Good luck to you too,” came the guards reply.

 

Sapphire melted into the shadows and back to where he'd left the bike. Moments later he was roaring off in the direction of Preventer Headquarters, cream box safely shoved down the front of his jacket.

 

* * *

 

[Preventer Headquarters - Conference Room One]

 

Une looked to the faces sitting around the large table in the conference room and nodded to herself. She walked over to the head of the table and took her place. The chatter that had been present before now quieted as all present looked to their Commander.

 

“Agents, Senator Peacecraft, thank you all for coming at such short notice. Please, be seated.” Whilst everyone took their seats, Une reached for the com unit. “Agent Sky?”

“Sky here, Commander.”

 

“Are all the agents assembled at the shuttle port?”

 

“Yes, ma'am. I can patch through the audio just as soon as you're ready.”

 

“Thank you. Please do so now.”

 

The speakers attached to the vid screen in the room hummed to life, although the screen itself remained blank.

 

“Audio patched through, Commander.”

 

“Good. Preventer Shuttle port, can you hear me?”

 

“Yes, Commander. This is Captain Storm here. I have all available agents here with me as requested.”

 

“Perfect. Okay, everyone, I want you all to listen closely...” Une began to briefly explain to all the agents exactly what had happened, more for the benefit of those that were not completely aware of the situation.

 

“...The agents that were deployed to Satellite XRB 23 have reported in with favorable news. Barton's army of Mobile suits has been destroyed and those agents have successfully infiltrated the satellite dome. Barton has been arrested and one of the agents along with the professor who originally developed the Firecell theory are currently working at reversing the virus. If they are successful we should expect all systems on earth to return to normal and control over those systems return to those entrusted with them.”

 

There were several cheers at that news. Once Une managed to silence the agents, she continued.

 

“Right now we still have several problems we need to address. Captain Storm?”

 

“Yes, Commander?”

 

“I need as many troop transport shuttles as possible to be scrambled and ready to fly. I'll need all available agents to travel aboard those shuttles.” Une looked to the agents sitting around the conference room. “Volunteers?” she asked.

 

Every hand in the room went up. Une smirked.

 

“Good, I knew I could count on you all. The purpose is to fly to the Satellite and assist in the clean up. That means arresting and transporting all of Barton's men from the satellite back to Preventer. I will be speaking with the police force as we won't have enough room here in the cells to accommodate all of our guests. I will require a specialist team to recover all the electronic equipment and compile anything and everything we can use as evidence in our case against Barton. Storm, I will need a squad of mechanics, techs and shuttle maintenance crew ready to go as well. One of the transport shuttles was severely damaged during the altercation with the mobile suits and will need repairs. Agent Space or Air will be sending through a detailed report on the damage and I will forward it on to you so the men will know what they need in regards to tools and equipment. There are some materials and such already available on the satellite and we should have an inventory of that as well.”

 

“I'm on to it now, Commander,” came Storm's voice.

 

“There's one other thing...”

All eyes turned to the Commander.

 

“Barton managed to send an army here to earth. They have landed and were being tailed by an Agent Sapphire. It appears they are headed for the ESUN building and I'm guessing they intend to take it over in preparation for when Barton was to arrive on earth and take over leadership. Those troops are as yet unaware of Barton's arrest and the defeat of this elaborate plan.”

 

“How then are we meant to stop them?” asked Agent Pepper.

 

Une's face lit up in a feral grin - everyone in the room shuddered, all well aware of their Commander's former psychotic side.

 

“That, I am hoping won't be too much of a problem,” she stated quietly. “Once this Firecell is reversed, I will ask the agents on the satellite to persuade Barton to make another broadcast to the earth and colonies, one that will inform everyone that he is no longer a threat, that all systems are returning to normal and the ESUN will once again head the peace keeping force. Those agents remaining here on earth along with whatever other support we can get from the police, we are hoping will be enough to convince Barton's army that it's all over and surrender is their best option.”

 

Several agents looked skeptical.

 

“We do know that this army is made up largely of vagabonds, crime lords and the like from L2, the type of person used to only looking out for themselves. Once this goes down we believe that they will most likely turn tail and run. But should they decide to stay and fight, I have a little something extra that will persuade them to give it up.”

 

Relena looked at the Commander. “Are you going to share?”

 

“Not just yet,” came Une's reply. “Relena, I will need you to remain here at Headquarters so that once Barton's surrender is broadcast, you can speak to the people, calm them down and have them return to their homes whilst the rest of this mess is sorted out and some form of normality is restored.”

“Whatever you wish, Une.”

 

“Good. Is everyone clear on what we are doing?”

 

Several affirmative replies came back.

 

“Right. I'll now appoint Captains to each section of the assignment.”

 

* * *

 

[Satellite XRB 23 - Control Room]

 

With the prisoners all secure there wasn't anything for Wufei, Zechs and Duo to do other than keep an eye on them. Heero and Hawkins were progressing rapidly now in their attempts to reverse the Firecell and any interruption would most likely not be welcome.

 

Barton was still unconscious, his wounds having been temporarily tended to as no one wanted him to bleed out before he could be tried for his crimes.

 

With time on their hands, Zechs and Wufei had administered basic first aid to those of Barton's men that had been injured, Duo running interference and locating supplies. Those that hadn't been so lucky to survive the take over had been moved to a corner away from the rest of the group. No one really wanted to have corpses lying around in full view.

 

A soft grunt from Heero and a loud sigh from the professor had the three agents turning in their direction. Ignoring the fact that the pair were still working, Duo strolled over to the consoles to take a look at what was happening. He gave a low whistle when he watched the figures and codes all dancing across the screen.

 

“How's it coming?” Duo asked, the scrolling data moving too rapidly for him to keep up with.

 

Heero stretched to ease the kinks from his spine. “Almost there,” he replied and smiled at his lover.

 

“What exactly is happening?” Wufei asked, curious to know the intricate details.

 

Hawkins explained. “As you know, the Firecell program is basically a virus, one that infiltrates and changes the codes to run on a different file system, a system the master programmer has control over. In simple terms, we've uploaded another virus, this one will change the codes back to the previous operating file systems and hopefully restore all technology to the way it was before.”

 

“I see. How will we know if it has worked?” Wufei questioned.

 

“We contact Une,” Heero stated.

 

“But, didn't you change the programming on the communications systems?” Wufei asked with a frown.

 

“I did, but I didn't erase the other programs. The communications systems will work on either file system. I did the same with the shuttles when I reprogrammed them,” Heero said.

 

“Smart thinking,” Zechs appraised.

 

“That's my Heero,” Duo said smugly and squeezed his husband's shoulder.

 

“How long until we can try Une?” Wufei asked.

 

“Shouldn't be too much longer,” Hawkins said.

 

“Good. I've had enough of being on this hunk of junk. I want to go home, have a long soak in the tub and see my son,” Duo said with a hitch in his voice.

 

No one argued with that.

 

Five minutes later the computer console beeped and the data slowed down. Hawkins and Heero both averted their attention back to the computers.

 

“I'm pretty sure that's it,” Hawkins said.

 

“Only one way to find out for sure.” Heero looked at Chang. “Can you contact Une?”

 

Wufei removed the communicator from his pocket and pushed the necessary buttons.

 

“This is Preventer communications, Agent Sky here.”

 

“Sky, it's Agent Fire. I need to speak with the commander urgently in regards to the Firecell reversal.”

 

“One moment, Fire. I'll page the Commander for you, she's currently in a meeting with what available agents we have.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Sky paged the Commander and within minutes she was on the line.

 

“Fire? What have you got for me?”

 

“Commander, the professor and Agent Day believe they have reversed the Firecell, but we can't tell for sure from here. Commander, if you have access to a computer, or even your cell phone we need you to try and call someone or access the Preventer data base to confirm the Firecell has been reversed.”

 

“One moment, Fire.” Une reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. She noted the screen was its usual self, date and time displayed. With a shaking hand and thundering heart, she pressed Sally's number. The cell hummed for a moment and then Une could hear the ringing tone.

 

“Sally Po,” came Sally's voice, the surprise evident in her tone.

 

“Sally, it's Une. The agents have managed to reverse the Firecell, everything should start to come back on line and return to normal.”

 

“Thank god for that! “ Sally sighed.

 

Before the doctor could ask any questions, Une got in first. “Sally, I want you to remain where you are for now. I will contact you again very shortly and bring you up to date with everything and also to let you know what I will need from you. Right now I have a lot of other things more important to deal with.”

 

“I understand completely, Une. I'll wait for your call.”

 

“Thanks, Sally. Bye.” Une closed the cell, relieved that it was working and that the doctor had understood the situation and didn't pester her with questions. She would have time for that later. “Agent Fire?”

 

“Here, Commander.”

 

“The cell phones are working so the telephone systems are back on line.”

 

“Excellent. All other systems should be back now too, or if not, they should resume very shortly.”

 

“Fire, listen up. I want you and the other agents to get Barton ready for a broadcast. I want him to let the earth and colonies alike know he's been defeated, that this Firecell has been destroyed and things are returning back the way they were. I'm hoping a broadcast will convince his army here on earth that it would be foolish to continue with their orders and far better for them if they surrender now.”

 

“Roger that, Commander.”

“Contact me as soon as you have everything ready for the broadcast. I should be able to give you ETA's on the shuttles coming to collect the prisoners and continue with the clean up and gathering of evidence by then too.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“ Chang?”

 

“Yes, Commander?”

 

“Well done to all of you. Mother Earth, out.”

 

The rest of the group had heard the exchange. Zechs was smiling as was Wufei. Hawkins wore a look of relief whilst Heero remained impassive. Those that knew the Japanese man though could see the twinkle in his eye and slight curve of his lips which were the only indication of his own satisfaction.

 

Duo grinned from ear to ear and punched the air. “Yes!” he yelled. “About damn time we had a win!' He placed a loving kiss to Heero's lips. “Not long now and we will be home again, `Ro. Just you, me and Keitaro.”

 

Little did he know, fate had not finished with him yet.

 

~ * ~

 

tbc