Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Family Ties ❯ Chapter 104 ( Chapter 104 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

“Family Ties”

January 2007 ShenLong

Chapter 104

[Earth Sphere]

With the broadcast terminated, the people of the earth and those affected in the colonies began to come to terms with what they had heard or witnessed. Understanding began to dawn and accompanied by the gradual return of their 'world' to what they had come to enjoy and expect, the people calmed down.

Joy replaced anger, relief offset panic and celebration took over from the rioting. There was still a lot to do in regards to bringing their worlds back to exactly how they had been before the onset of the Firecell, but now there was hope on the horizon and a light at the end of the tunnel.

Barton's army however, continued in their march towards the ESUN headquarters.

Within half an hour of the broadcast, they reached their objective.

Surprisingly, they came across little resistance when they stormed the building. Only a couple of security guards put up any form of argument; and they were quickly subdued. The building otherwise was deserted, no sign of any senators or their staff, but they really hadn't expected to find anyone.

The army spread itself out, taking over the building and stationing men on the various floors as they worked out their next stage.

Originally they were to simply take over the building, round up any persons still remaining and hold them prisoner. With the building secure, they were to wait for Barton's arrival, the man had planned on bringing his team with him and from there they would take over the computers and ultimately the entire Earth Sphere.

Those plans had now changed slightly. The broadcast had clearly shown them that Barton was in custody, but it would only be a matter of time before the Preventers transported him to earth; and once they did, the army would break him free.

Until that happened, they would wait patiently and make their plans.

* * *

[Near Preventer Headquarters]

Sapphire waited patiently, glancing at his watch from time to time but not leaving his hiding place. He still wasn't sure just how safe he would be out on the city streets and wasn't about to try his luck.

Whilst waiting for his escorts to arrive, he allowed his mind to wander to the box he was guarding. It wasn't anything special to look at, had no compartments or the like to it and so he couldn't understand just what was so special about it.

Obviously the Commander deemed it extremely important and he was pretty sure he would find out later just what exactly why that was.

The sound of footsteps approaching had him on alert, gun drawn and ready to fire.

“Little boy blue, come blow your horn,” came a soft voice and Sapphire relaxed a touch.

“Sheep in the meadow and cows in the corn,” Sapphire replied and waited for a couple of seconds before stepping out from his hiding place. He recognized the two agents standing there and gave a relieved smile. “Am I glad to see you two,” he said.

“The Commander is going to be equally as happy to see you too, Sapphire,” Spice snickered.

“Any idea what it is she wants with that box?” Pepper inquired.

“Not a clue,” Sapphire responded. “I've been looking at the thing and trying to figure that out myself.” Sapphire held the box up for both the other agents to see.

Neither Spice or Pepper could see anything out of the ordinary with the box.

Spice gave a shrug of his shoulders. “Our is not to question why, ours is just to do or die,” he quoted.

“I'd rather skip the 'die' part if you don't mind,” Sapphire stated dryly. “I haven't gotten this far to pop my clogs before I get back to headquarters.”

Pepper chuckled. “Come on; let's get you back to the boss lady. She's got rather a lot on her plate right now and I'm sure she could use some good fortune.”

“How is it on the streets in the city now?” asked Sapphire as they made their way from the bushes in the park towards the vehicle Pepper and Spice had arrived in.

“Not too bad,” Spice replied, hand poised by his gun should he need it.

“Calmed down a lot since that broadcast of Barton's and the reversal of the Firecell by those agents on the satellite,” Pepper added, eyes ever vigilant.

“Let's hope this is the end of it all and we can get back to our normal lives and jobs,” muttered Sapphire.

“I agree, nothing like risking your life, taking out the bad guys and coming through when the odds are stacked against you. Who needs this Barton and his added extras,” Spice grinned.

Sapphire rolled his eyes.

The drive through the city to Preventer Headquarters wasn't anything like the one Une had experienced a few days back. Spice managed to get them through without anything untoward happening and soon enough the entrance to the Preventer parking area lay ahead. The doors were still closed and guarded, Une continuing with the security until such time as she was convinced there was no longer a threat from Barton and his followers.

Pepper radioed ahead and the doors began to open, several agents placing themselves in strategic positions should they be required.

Spice drove inside, the doors closing behind them and parked the car. The three agents got out, Spice nodding to one of the agents on guard duty. “Come on, we need to get you to the Commander as quickly as we can.

Box still in hand, Sapphire followed the other two into the building.

* * *

[Preventer Headquarters]

“Commander Une, I have Captain Storm on the line. He wishes to speak with you,” Sky informed the Commander.

“Can you put it through to my office, Sky?”

“Yes, ma'am.”

Une waited patiently for a few moments, then the light on her internal phone began to flash. She pushed the button. “Captain Storm?”

“Commander. All shuttles are fully fueled and prepared to leave. We only need to load the transport shuttle with the materials requested by the agents on the satellite and board the  crews and agents,” the man's voice came over the connection.

“Thank you, Storm. I have several agents on their way to the shuttle port now with their orders. They also have the orders for the rest of the crews and will brief them once they arrive. Their ETA should be in half an hour.”

“Roger that, Commander.”

“I've asked Agent Oak in communications to take down the inventory from Agents Air and Space and pass it on to you. I'm assuming he should have it by now. I trust you will be able to organize and oversee the loading of whatever is necessary?”

“Of course, Commander.”

“Good. Once the agents arrive and have briefed the teams, you are free to launch as soon as possible. I expect you to keep in touch with the progress of the shuttles and let me know the ETA  on the satellite. I'll have Sky give you the frequency to shuttles 221 and 121 so you can communicate directly with the agents currently on the satellite.”

“Understood, Commander.”

“Thank you, Storm and good luck.”

“Roger that. Storm, out.”

Une pressed the button to end the communication and sat staring at the wall for a moment. She wanted to give a huge sigh of relief, but allowed herself just a small one instead. They were still a long way from wrapping this case up.

Briefly she closed her eyes, clearing her head and then pressed the communicator button.

“Communications, Sky here.”

“Sky, I want you to pass on to captain Storm the frequency to the shuttles currently on the satellite.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“Tell Oak to hurry up with that inventory and pass it on to Storm as quickly as he can. Those shuttles are all ready to go and we need to get the transport loaded with the items those agents need.”

“On to it now, Commander.”

“Thank you.” Une pressed the 'end' button and reached for her coffee mug. A knock came on her door; raising her head, Une forgot about the coffee mug. “Yes?” she called out.

The door opened and a head peered around the jamb. “Commander Une, we have Agent Sapphire with us as requested.”

Instantly the weariness fell away and Une sat upright in her chair. Her eyes gleamed and a smile tugged at her lips. “Excellent. Bring him in, please.”

Spice opened the door fully and entered the Commander's office. Behind him, Sapphire followed and Pepper brought up the rear. Once all three agents were in the room, Une looked at Sapphire.

The agent in question stepped forward and set a medium sized, cream box on her desk. “I believe this is what you wished me to recover?”

Gazing at the innocent looking box, Une's smile widened even further. “Perfect, just perfect,” she muttered and then turned her eyes to Sapphire. “Thank you, Sapphire for getting this to me.”

“You’re welcome, Commander.” Sapphire took a breath. “Excuse me for being so forward, ma’am, but do you mind if I ask what is so important about this box?”

Agents Pepper and Spice listened eagerly. They were also curious as to the purpose and importance of the box.

“This, agents,” Une began, taping the box, “May just well bring about the complete defeat of Barton and his followers.”

The agents still had puzzled looks on their faces, but Une wasn’t about to elaborate any further.

“Gentlemen, you are all on three hours downtime, I suggest you use that time wisely and rest up. There is going to be a lot of work for us all very soon.” Une indicated they were all dismissed and turned back to the box.

The three agents left the office, still contemplating what the box could possibly do to completely stop Barton.

Once she was alone again, Une pressed the button on the internal communicator. “Sky, I need you and Sun to get the transmission equipment ready. I have a little announcement I wish to make.”

* * *

[Satellite XRB 23 – Preventer Shuttle 221]

“Can you think of anything else?” Quatre asked as he scanned the list of items necessary for the repairs to the shuttles.

Trowa ran his eye down the list and frowned. “I don’t think so. I’d say pretty much everything is there. The rest of the stuff we should be able to access here on the satellite.”

“Good. I need to get this off to Headquarters.” Quatre turned back to the console of the shuttle. “Do you think that with the reversal of the Firecell, I’d be able to send it through the computer system?”

“It would be quicker,” Trowa agreed. “Only one way to find out though.” Flicking a couple of switches, Trowa spoke into his headset. “Preventer Communications, this is Agent Air, do you copy?”

A couple of bouts of static were followed by a voice. “Agent Air, this is Agent Oak. I copy you.”

“Oak, I have the inventory of things needed for the shuttle repairs. Can you tell me if the computers are back on line at headquarters?”

“We have basic computer function, Air. The entire system will need a bit of an overhaul to be fully functional. May I ask why?”

“The list is quite lengthy and it would be easier to send it through the computer than to read it out over the airwaves,” Trowa replied.

“Good point,” Oak said. “Look, give it a try and I’ll let you know if we get it or not.”

“Okay. Stand by.” Trowa turned to Quatre. “Scan it in to the computer and then send it through to communications,” he informed the blonde.

“Roger that,” Quatre replied and set to his task. A minute or so later he was done. “All scanned and ready to send.

“Oak, we have scanned the information and will send through now.”

“Copy that, Air. Here is the address to send it through to.”

Quatre entered the address and then hit several keys and commands on the keyboard - the inventory was sent. “It’s gone,” he informed Trowa.

“Oak, information has been sent.”

“Checking now.” Oak carefully scrolled through the computer files, locating the one that the inventory should go into. He refreshed the page a couple of times. “Nothing as yet,” he told Trowa.

“Damn,” Trowa muttered.

“Hang on... Yes, it’s come through.” Oak opened the file and recited the items back to Trowa to confirm he had received the right information.

“That’s all of it, Oak.” Trowa breathed a sigh of relief, beside him Quatre grinned and slumped a little in his seat.

“Thanks for that, Air. I’ll get this through to Captain Storm at the Shuttle port right away. The shuttles are all ready to go and will be on their way once all this is loaded up.”

“You have no idea how good that was to hear,” Trowa replied.

“I’ll contact you again as soon as the shuttles have launched with an ETA. Sky has passed on the communication frequency to Storm and the shuttles will contact you themselves once they are closer to the satellite.”

“Sounds good to me,” Trowa replied.

“Oak out.”

“Air out.” Trowa turned to face his husband and blinked as his lips were taken hostage. When he was finally allowed up for oxygen, he found himself with a beaming Quatre almost in his lap.

“Finally, we’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Quatre smirked.

“Not soon enough if you ask me,” Trowa stated. “I can’t wait to get back home and relax.”

“After you’ve seen Sally.”

Trowa didn’t bother to argue, he’d only lose anyway.

* * *

[Preventer Headquarters]

Picking up the box, Une left her office and went directly to the communications sector. Once there Sky greeted her and led her through to the section that handled transmissions.

“Everything is up and running as per your request, Commander,” Sky informed.

“Thank you, Sky.” Une set the box down. “Could you have either Agent Copper or Agent Silver join me? I’ll need their help with this.”

“I’ll page them now, Commander.” Sky went back to the main communications room to put in the call.

Whilst Sky was busy, Une took a good look at the box. “I hope to god you have what I need in there,” she muttered.

“Agent Copper is on his way,” Sky informed when he returned.

“Thank you.”

“Is there anything I can do, Commander?” Sky asked as he gazed in curiosity at the box.

“Actually, yes there is, Sky. I need you to get in contact with the local police force and arrange for me to speak with whomever is in charge. We’re going to need their assistance and not just to help with the containment of the prisoners that will be coming in from the satellite.”

“Ma’am?” Sky raised an eyebrow in askance.

Une patted the box. “Trust me, Sky. You’ll know soon enough.”

“Okay, Commander. I’ll get in touch with the police now and schedule a time as soon as possible for you to speak with their boss.”

“Thank you, Sky.”

Moments later, Sky had the local police chief on the line. Une took the call in private, leaving Sky to keep an eye on the box. When she returned, she had a wide smile on her face. “That’s part B in place,” she stated.

“Part B?” Sky questioned.

“Yes. Sky, contact Agent Cinnamon and tell him Mother Earth said it’s time to move out and reap the harvest.”

“Yes, ma’am.” It didn’t make much sense to Sky, but he knew well enough by now that he would find out later just what exactly was going on. He left to continue with his orders.

As Sky left, Copper walked in. “You sent for me, Commander?”

“Yes, Copper. I need you to hook this box up to the transmissions equipment. I do not intend to broadcast right away so please refrain from that part. There’s information on this box that I need to access and check.”

“Yes, Commander.” Despite his curiosity, Copper had learnt not to ask questions. Walking over to the box, he checked the input and output jacks, grabbed a few leads and began to plug various leads into various sockets. After a couple of minutes, he was done and turned to the Commander. “It’s set to go.”

“Good.” Une moved closer. “Can you tap into the hard drive and bring up the contents on the screen for me, please?”

“Certainly.” Turning the equipment on, Copper cracked his knuckles, picked up the keyboard and began to type. The screen came alive as a list - presumably an index of contents - came up.

Une leaned forward and scanned down the list of contents. Her eyes were matching date and time with the name of the file. “Scroll down further,” she ordered and Copper complied.

They were almost at the bottom of the list when Une stopped. “That one. I’m pretty sure it’s that one,” she said and pointed to a file on the screen.

Copper dutifully clicked away and the file opened. The screen went fuzzy and then cleared. A picture of Barton appeared. The entire file was played, Une feeling her hackles rise once more, and then a feeling of satisfaction washed over her. “That’s the one,” she whispered.

Copper gave the woman a confused look, but didn’t argue. “What would you like me to do with it, Commander?”

“Hook it up to the broadcasting program. I wish to address the people first though, then we play it to the population.”

“Roger that, Commander.” Copper bent to his task.

“Sky?!”

The agent came running from the other room when he heard the yell. “Commander?”

“I’m about to broadcast. Please insure all lines are open and be on stand-by for me.”

Sky plunked down in a seat in front of a console and began to type commands into the computer. “All set, Commander. The camera is just over there.” Sky pointed to the small device on the opposite wall.

Une moved across the room and faced the small gadget. “Check I’m in the center of the line of vision,” she ordered.

Sky fiddled with a couple of joysticks, maneuvering the camera until it picked the Commander up dead center. “All set, ma’am.”

“Copper, be ready to roll when I say so.”

“Yes, Commander.”

“Sky, begin transmission...”

* * *

Everywhere in the earth sphere, colonies and satellites, in fact anywhere there were people and a form of receiver, be it vid screen, computer, radio, telephone, it suddenly became the window for Une’s broadcast.

“Citizens of the Earth sphere and Colonies,  my name is Commander Une and I am the head of the Preventer Organization...”

From earth and throughout space, people turned and listened. The colonials all paused in their business, focused on the woman who was speaking. Similarly, those on earth stopped to listen and on the satellite the transmission came loud and clear through shuttle and domes alike.

“As you are all well aware, we have had an attempt to take over the ESUN by a person called Dekim Barton. He has disrupted everyone's lives with his callous and cruel attempt to gain control. Preventer has managed to stop this man and you will have heard the earlier broadcast from him confirming his defeat. My agents have also managed to reverse the Firecell he thrust upon us all, as you will all be aware of now that most utilities and the like are back and functioning.” Une took a breath and closed her eyes for a brief moment.

“However, Barton had an army of men, an army he dispatched to the earth before he was brought down. This army continues to march forth, their intent to stick with Barton’s original plan...”

In the ESUN building, the amassed army was also listening to the broadcast, snorting and jeering in various places; all agreeing they would continue on and bring down the ESUN and rescue their leader.

“Citizens of the earth and colonies, I have something I wish to share with you all, especially those men in Barton’s army...”

“What the fuck is Une up to?” Duo muttered from where he stood in the control room.

“I have no idea,” Heero replied.

“I think we’re about to find out,” Wufei stated.

On the floor, Barton paled.

“Earlier in the week we received several broadcasts from Barton along with his demands. Believe me when I say that the ESUN and Preventer did not treat these demands lightly. Just before the Firecell was released, those of us at the ESUN headquarters received this private broadcast from Barton. I’d like to share it with you all...” Une nodded to Copper who tapped a few keys.

There was a little static, then the screens cleared and a broadcast began to play...

Barton’s face appeared on the screen, a self satisfied smile on his face. “Ah, hello again. It’s nice to see most of you together,” Barton began. “I take it you have had your meeting? Your hour is up and I’m ready to hear your decision.”

“Now see here.” Senator Lynch stood up and faced the screen. “I suggest you stop with all this bullshit and crawl back under whatever rock it was you crawled out from and stop playing games. The ESUN is doing a fine job of running the affairs of the earth and colonies without your interference.”

A gray eyebrow raised itself and a sharp bark of laughter followed. “Really?” Barton asked. “Seems to me the ESUN is making a mockery of everything. You lot don’t give a damn about the colonies, if you did then why are they still struggling?”

“They’re getting their funding, the rebuilding is in place and several schemes are being implemented to bring the economies back up to par,” Lynch snapped.

“Then you are delusional. When was the last time you visited a colony, senator?”

Lynch remained silent.

“If your mob hadn’t been siphoning off funds, especially from L2, then the colonies would be a lot more prosperous than they are right now,” Une interrupted.

Several jaws fell slack with that revelation.

Barton’s eyes narrowed and he glared at the Commander.

Une didn’t flinch. “Oh yes, Preventer is quite aware of your activities, Barton. We know you’ve had Richards and Wainright doing your dirty work for you, taking funds and using those funds to build yourself and your followers to what you are now. Tell me, have you informed the people of L2 of your activities? Let them know the reason they aren’t advancing as quickly as the other colonies is because you’ve stolen their funding?”

“Sometimes a sacrifice is needed, Commander. L2 isn’t all that important, in fact, I think we would be doing the entire sphere a favor in removing it from the picture. It’s only full of criminals, whores and drug addicts, and who is going to miss them?”

“How dare you!” Relena spat, her anger well and truly roused.

Une put a hand on the girl’s arm, warning her not to say anything further. Instead, she fixed her icy glare on Barton. “You would know, wouldn’t you, Barton? After all, isn’t that where you’ve recruited your army from?”

Barton’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know about my army?!” he demanded.

Une smirked. “Oh, I have my ways,” she replied. “I guess they’re not good enough to have a colony and exist, but they’re good enough to form an army and sacrifice their lives for a delinquent such as yourself. I wonder what they would think about their leader if they were to know the truth?”

Barton turned a rather deep shade of red for a moment before regaining his composure. “Enough!” he thundered. “I want an answer. Is the ESUN going to stand down or not?”

“No, Barton,” Lynch spoke. “The ESUN is not afraid of you and your stupid ideas. We will not stand down and allow you to take over; we will not be cowed by a dictator like you.”

The broadcast finished and for a moment there was complete silence everywhere.

Then once more, all hell broke loose.

~ * ~

tbc...

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