Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Family Ties ❯ Chapter 105 ( Chapter 105 )

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

“Family Ties”
January 2007 ShenLong
Chapter 105
[ESUN Headquarters]
Silence fell over the army all listening to the broadcast. Looks of disbelief were everywhere as the men struggled to comprehend what they’d just heard. As the words and meaning started to sink in, the disbelief soon turned to anger.
“It’s got to be some sort of trick.”
“Barton wouldn’t have said that – would he?”
“It’s Preventers way of trying to undermine and unsettle us!”
“But what if it’s true?”
“I saw those senators on the satellite.”
“The funds had to come from somewhere...”
Men began to shout at each other, throwing their thoughts around and questioning all they’d seen. It didn’t matter though how doubtful they were of the broadcast being genuine, in their hearts they knew it to be true. The words that had been spoken, the references to the way in which L2 was lagging behind in the rebuilding scheme only backed up what the people already could see for themselves.
As the realization began to settle in, the anger turned direction. No longer was it focused against the Preventer organization, but towards Barton himself. They had been conned, taken for a ride, fed lie after lie and like good little soldiers, they’d eaten it up.
“What the fuck do we do now?” asked one voice.
“I know what I’d like to do,” growled another.
“Barton should be made to pay for this.”
“Kill the bastard!”
Yells and shouts, all of them calling for Barton’s blood in many and varied ways, reverberated around the ESUN. The army was beyond angry, they were majorly pissed off and someone was going to pay.
“Barton isn’t here though, he’s back on the satellite,” someone stated, bringing them all back to the matter at hand.
“Let Preventer have him, he can rot in jail.”
“Yeah, leave him to Preventer,” came another voice.
“Fuck the bastard, he’s on his own. I quit!” yelled another.
“I quit too!”
Many voices all joined in, all stating the same thing. They were no longer going to be loyal to a man who deemed themselves and their home Colony expendable. The carefully constructed army began to fall apart, just as Une had hoped would happen once the broadcast was made.
And as her agents had also stated, that once the shit hit the fan, the army would disperse, each looking out for number one.
With a mass mutiny, the army decided enough was enough, Barton could go fuck himself. One by one, they began to leave, making their way through the building, ransacking it as they went as they needed something to take their frustration and anger out on.
As they began to filter from the building, they were met by Preventer agents and the police force.
* * *
[Preventer Headquarters]
With the broadcast from the box finished, Une waited for a moment, then she spoke again.
“People of the Earth and Colonies, I apologize for having made you listen to that, but this is the man that is responsible for your current state, the man who wanted to become the leader of the entire Earth sphere. I’m pretty sure I’m safe in assuming that Earth and Colony citizens alike have no wish to be governed by a man like this.”
“Barton is in custody, his men currently being rounded up and all will stand trial for their crimes. Thank you for your attention...”
Une nodded to Sky and Copper, both terminating the broadcasting. Once she knew she was no longer ‘on air’, Une leaned forward and rested her head in her hands, a loud sigh escaping.
“Are you all right, Commander?” Sky asked quietly.
“Not really,” Une replied. “But I’ll have to be to clean up this mess, won’t I?”
Sky smiled. “That was one hell of a broadcast, ma’am.”
Une grinned. “It wasn’t bad, was it?”
“All I can say is thank god the ESUN always recorded every incoming transmission,” Copper stated. “It proved to be more than helpful in this case.”
“Yes, we thank god for small mercies. Now, Sky, I need you to find out what is happening down at the ESUN headquarters.” Une stood up and regained her composure.
“Right away, Commander.”
* * *
[Preventer Shuttle Port]
“That’s everything, sir,” said the mechanic as he closed the cargo bay doors on the shuttle and handed over the clip board.
Agent Oil took the paperwork and checked it off against his own. “Thanks. I’ll get in touch with Storm and we should be ready to go.”
“Good luck, sir.” The mechanic left to attend to other pressing matters, Oil headed for the offices and where he knew Storm and the other agents would be.
Agent Mercury had finished his briefing and was collecting up all his paperwork. He smiled when Oil entered. “All set?”
“Yeah. Transport shuttle is fully loaded with all the requested gear. Personnel are boarding now. What about you?”
“All briefed and ready to go.”
“Where’s Storm?”
“He was doing a last minute flight plan check for us all and said he’d meet us by the shuttles in five.”
“Best get going then.”

The two agents left, making their way to the shuttles and Captain Storm.
Having spoken the last few words of advice, double checked all the paperwork and wishing the agents the best of luck, Storm left the area so the shuttles could close themselves up and head out to the launching mechanisms.
The four shuttles taxied out, the transport shuttle and one of the carriers lining up for the first launch. The catapult was locked into place and within a couple of minutes the first two shuttles were launched and on their way. Once the mechanism returned to its position, the remaining two shuttles taxied forth, locked on and were similarly launched.
“Shuttle 151, this is Preventer shuttle port, Captain Storm speaking. Do you copy?”
“Loud and clear, Storm.”
“Status?”
“Launch was text book, all controls are functioning normally. Flight plan is loaded and auto pilot about to be engaged. Once we have cleared the atmosphere, will engage booster rockets. ETA to satellite XRB 23 once boosters engaged, six hours.”
“Roger that, Mercury. Check in with HQ each hour,” Storm replied.
“Will do, Storm.”
“God speed and stay safe.”
“We’ll do our best. Shuttle 151 out.”
“Preventer shuttle port, out.” Storm sat back in his chair for a brief moment and prayed all would go well for the recovery team. Picking up his head set again, he asked to be connected with Headquarters.
“Preventer communications, Forest here.”
“Forest, it’s Storm from the shuttle port. Please let the Commander know that shuttles 151, 381, 246 and transport shuttle 134 have all launched safely and are on their way to the satellite.”
“Roger that, Storm. I’ll contact the shuttles shortly to confirm everything is still go ahead.”
“Thanks, Forest.”
“No problem. Communications, out.”
“Shuttle port, out.”
* * *
[Preventer Headquarters]
“Agent Salt has reported in that they have arrested eighty-five percent of Barton’s army, ma’am,” Sky informed the Commander.
“Good. What about the remaining fifteen percent?”
“Rounding them up now. They expect to have them all in custody in the next couple of hours.”
“The police?”
“Are assisting in transporting the prisoners to the local jails. They will interview and compile a list of all the members of the army over the course of the next few days.”
Une smiled at that. It would free her agents up to continue with more important work if the police were to do the more mundane but necessary paperwork. She made a mental note to send the police commissioner a bottle of scotch for his cooperation.
“Ma’am?”
“Yes, Forest?” Une turned from where she was still sitting in the small side room they had used to broadcast from.
“Captain Storm has reported in. All shuttles have launched successfully and are satellite bound. Would you like me to contact them?”
“Yes, please. I’ll be out in a moment, Forest. Once we have confirmed with the shuttles, I want you to contact the agents on the satellite; I wish to speak with them and give them further orders.”
“Roger that, Commander.” Forest left to do as he was bid.
“Think we might be getting to the end of this fiasco?” Sky asked.
“There’s still a lot to wrap up, Sky, but I think we can safely say there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and it’s starting to get a bit brighter.”
“About time,” Sky muttered.
“I second that, Sky.”
* * *
[Satellite XRB 23 Control Room & Shuttle 121]

“Shuttle 121 here, Sky. Air speaking,” Trowa said as the communication came through.
“I have the Commander on the line for you, Air. She has further orders for your team up there,” Sky stated.
“Roger that, Sky. One moment and I'll have the agents currently in the Dome on line too.”
“No problem.”
Trowa turned to Quatre who smiled back. “Already on it,” Quatre said before Trowa could say anything. “Ground team, this is Space, do you copy?”
“Day here, Space. What’s up?” asked Heero.
“We have the Commander on the line with further orders. Switch to frequency 24 to receive.”
“Roger that, Space.” Heero flipped the switch around until it read 24. “You guys all get that?” he asked the other agents.
“Yeah,” Duo replied as he changed the frequency to 24.
Wufei and Zechs were likewise adjusting their communicators.
“All set,” Zechs said.
“All agents ready to receive, Space,” Heero told Quatre.
“Roger that. Stand by.” Quatre turned back to Trowa. “Everyone is ready,” he confirmed.
“Sky, this is Air. All agents are ready to receive.”
“Thank you, Air. Handing over to the Commander now.”
Une moved a little closer to the transmitter. “Agents, I have some news for you all and orders. I take it you all saw the broadcast?”
Several affirmatives came back.
“The broadcast was effective. Barton’s army has revolted against him and abandoned their plans. Agents are currently arresting them.”
“Yes! About time something good happened,” Duo cheered. He turned to look at Barton who was sitting on the floor, his face showing just how angry he was with the turn of events. “Hear that, asshole? Your army has turned against you. You should have listened and quit ages ago.”
Barton gave the long haired man a scathing glare. It was bad enough that he’d been thwarted, but to have this bastard rubbing his nose in it too?! Barton swore under his breath, he would have revenge.
“I have agents on L2 scouting out the reactions there of the people to the broadcast too and expect a report in from them very soon,” Une continued. “Captain Storm has been in touch and the shuttles have launched as planned. All are currently on their way to the satellite. Agent Mercury is in charge of the shuttle teams and will be contacting you soon with an ETA and to get an update on the situation there. Agent Oil is in charge of the transport shuttle team and has all items on the inventory on board.”
“That’s a relief,” Trowa muttered.
“What are the orders, Commander?” Wufei asked.
“Whilst you’re waiting for the shuttles to arrive I want you to round up all of Barton’s men on that satellite and contain them in a secure area. Once the shuttles arrive, the teams will take over and begin the process of removing the prisoners to the shuttles ready to be transported back to Earth to stand trial. I don’t think you will have too much in the way of resistance if they have all seen or heard Barton’s speech earlier.”
“Roger that, Commander,” Wufei replied.
“Once that is in progress, I expect you to bring Agent Mercury up to date will all that’s been going on. Agent Oil and his team will need to be briefed on the damage to Shuttle 121. Agent Space?”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“What is the damage to the cargo area of the shuttle?”
“Cargo bay is pretty stable, only minor, external plating damage,” Quatre replied.
Une went silent for a moment.
“Commander?” Quatre prompted.
“Sorry. The cargo hold will be capable of transporting the Gundams back to Earth?”
“I can’t see why not if the damaged external plating is replaced.”
“Okay. I want those Gundams all locked down safely inside the cargo hold before the other shuttles arrive. Agent Wind?”
“Yes, Commander?”

“Once those Gundams are safely locked down, I want you to seal the cargo hold, use the black code to lock it down. I don’t want any agents other than you six to even know those Gundams are in there.”
“Understood, Commander.”
“Fire, once Mercury and Oil have been briefed, hand over the operation to them. You and Agents Day, Night, Air and Space are to return to Earth in shuttle 221. Agent Wind, you will remain on the satellite until the repairs to the Transport Shuttle 121 have been completed. Then you will pilot it back to Operations base.”
“Yes, Commander,” Zechs replied.
“Commander?” Duo interrupted. “What do you intend to do about the Gundams?” His voice held an edge to it, one that clearly stated Duo’s mood could easily swing either way depending on what Une’s response was.
“Agent Night, whilst I do not appreciate my orders being questioned by an agent, I can understand your reasons for doing so. Those Gundams will be returned to where they have been stored these past eight or so years. They will be repaired and maintained and remain hidden, hopefully they will never need to be used again.”
“I want to know where they are going,” Heero stated flatly.
“I am not at liberty to give you that information, Day,” Une growled.
“With all due respect, Commander, I feel we have a right to know. They are after all, our Gundams.” Wufei’s tone held a dangerous edge to it.
“Commander, I can assure you that none of us wishes to have to use the Gundams again, but as Fire pointed out, technically they are our property and we do have the right to know where they are being stored. I know I speak on behalf of all of us when I say we will not try to take them from storage, we just want to know where they will be,” Quatre explained, his diplomatic nature serving him well.
Une sighed. “Okay. I will leave it to Agent Wind to give you the coordinates and position of where they will be hidden.”
“Thank you,” Heero murmured, relief flooding his system as no doubt it was also flooding the other pilots’ systems.
“Once you are ready to leave the satellite, contact headquarters with all the details. Once you have landed safely at the Preventer shuttle port, I will expect you to come to Headquarters to report in and be checked over. The debriefing can wait for a few hours. Any questions?”
No one had any so the Commander bid them farewell. Once the communication was cut it was decided that Quatre would come into the Dome and help in the rounding up of all Barton’s men. Wind and Fire would assist him whilst Day and Night removed the prisoners from the control room to the section of the Satellite that Barton had used as a prison.
With everyone now sure of their role to play, Wind and Fire left the control room to meet up with Quatre and begin their part of the clean up. Trowa remained in the damaged shuttle, monitoring the airwaves and keeping in liaison between the two parties in the Dome.
Once they were alone in the control room, Heero took a moment to hold his lover and kiss him fondly. “Won’t be too much longer and we will be on our way back to Earth where Sally can take a good look at you,” he murmured softly into Duo’s ear.
“I wish Une would wait a day or two before the debriefing,” Duo sighed. “I really want to see Keitaro.” He’d missed his son so much and his heart ached to hold the tot in his arms again.
“I know you do,” Heero replied. “I want nothing more than to be safely back home with both you and my son too.” Heero ran a hand lightly over the soft swell of Duo’s abdomen. “And our new addition, if Sally tells us things are positive.” There was no question in Heero’s mind that they would be going ahead with the pregnancy, that is if there was one.
“God I love you so much,” Duo whispered. “Are you sure about this, Heero? There’s a lot to be considered if I am pregnant again.”
“I know there is, Duo. But I wouldn’t ask you to give the child up; no way would I do that. I love both you and Keitaro so very much and another little one could only bring more joy to our family.”
Family...
Duo found himself choking on the tears that wanted to escape. Yes, he had that something he’d always longed for; a family. “I don’t know whether to be hopeful that I am expecting again or hopeful that I’m not,” he replied.
“I don’t understand,” Heero said with a frown.
“After what I put you through whilst I was pregnant with Keitaro, I don’t think I have the right to ask you to do all that again.”
Heero chuckled. “I don’t care, Duo. I’ll gladly suffer through the mood swings, the hormonal imbalances, the constant need to visit the bathroom, the cravings...”
“If you’re so happy to put up with all that lot then I suggest you should be the one to carry the child,” Duo teased. “I for one am not looking forward to all the crap that goes with it. I’ve only just gotten used to seeing my toes again. Plus I’m kinda fond of my six pack, now it looks like I’ll have to put up with a keg again for a while,” he said with a rueful smile.
Heero laughed. “I’m sure it will all be just fine.”
“Easy for you to say,” muttered Duo. “You’re not the one that has his body hijacked.”
“No, no I’m not, but I will be there for you every step of the way.”
“I know you will, Heero,” Duo sighed and rested his head against the firm shoulder. “But there’s one hurdle we have to get over first.”
“And that is?”
“Sally. She may advise against carrying another child so soon. She did say that falling pregnant so soon after Keitaro could be very hazardous to my health.”
“We will cross that bridge when we come to it,” Heero stated firmly and pressed a kiss to the crown of Duo’s head. “Now, whereabouts are those cells in this Dome that we can use to confine these prisoners in?”
“Over that way,” Duo said with a nod of his head in the direction of the cells. “They’re about three corridors over.”
“Okay. I suggest we start forming this lot up into some sort of group then. Those that are uninjured can assist those with injuries that need the help.”
“Right you are, boss,” Duo snickered.
* * *
[Satellite XRB 23 – Main Hangar]
Quatre cautiously entered the main hangar of the Dome, immediately spotting the two Gundams standing like sentinels not far from the opening. The place was conspicuously deserted, but Quatre didn't lower his guard for a moment. He moved through the hangar, keeping to the shadows and behind cover should he need it. When he reached the far side and entry into the main Dome, he couldn’t help but smile.
No wonder the place was deserted, Wufei and Zechs had already rounded up those people present in the hangar section and had confined them all within a small room. Wufei acknowledged his presence and met him on the other side of the depressurization chamber.
“Looks like you guys have everything under control,” Quatre said as he removed his helmet.
“This is only those present in the hangar,” Wufei returned. “There are still quite a few of Barton’s followers loose in the Dome.”
“I see.”
“There wasn’t much resistance though, I think that little speech of Barton’s that the Commander broadcast has taken care of any loyalty to him.”
“Serves him right too,” Quatre stated. “What sort of a man would condemn an entire Colony? Especially when most of his followers were recruited from L2.”
“It doesn’t make much sense, I agree. But then again, the man’s intellect and sanity must be questioned too. No one in their right mind could possibly think they could take over the entire Earth sphere and Colonies.”
“You got that right, Wufei.”
“He will be tried before a court and pay for his crimes. Justice will prevail and be served.”
“Of that I have no doubt,” Quatre said with a smile. “Now, what is the plan and where are we headed next?”
“These men are secure in this room for now. Wind and I thought we would leave them there for the moment and move back into the Dome. We plan to search it in sections, grid by grid,” he replied and showed Quatre his palm top where the blueprint of the Dome sat, neatly divided up into those grids. “As we locate more men, we will take them into custody and find a safe place to hold them. Once we are sure we have everyone in custody we will start to move them to the cells Maxwell told us about.”
“Sounds like a good plan to me. What about Heero and Duo?”
“They are currently moving Barton and those arrested in the control room to the cell area. Once they have done that, they will proceed to sweep that half of the Dome and arrest any other personnel they find.”
“Right.” Quatre rubbed his hands together. “Then I suggest we get moving.”
Guns drawn and at the ready, Wufei, Quatre and Zechs began the methodical search of their section of the Dome.
* * *
[Satellite XRB 23 – Control Room.]
Heero and Duo managed to arrange their prisoners so that the able ones were assisting those that had been injured. After Barton’s words in the broadcast Une had played, there was little resistance from the techs and few soldiers. As predicted, they were all still shocked by Barton’s words and consequentially their loyalties had died. They were a pretty submissive lot now that the truth was out and both Heero and Duo held the slight fear that someone might try to turn on Barton and take revenge into their own hands; thus they kept a close eye on everyone as they shuffled into place.
Once they were all assembled into some form of order, Heero began to escort the injured out into the corridor where he had them line up against the wall and wait as Duo brought the rest out to join them.
Simons was supporting Barton, the tech really not caring much about his former boss. The game was up, they had been defeated and it was a foregone conclusion they would all stand trial. Barton would be going away for a long time and Simons was relieved at that. The man sure had a cruel streak in him and Simons was glad the plan hadn’t succeeded.
With one of Barton’s arms around his shoulders, Simons assisted him into the corridor and leaned against the wall. Barton was heavy – even more so as the man was partially unconscious.
Or so it seemed.
Simons found himself sliding down the wall, Barton pulling him to the floor as he declined to take his own weight.
Something out the corner of his eye caught Barton’s attention and the man turned his head slightly to see what it was. His eyes took on a feral glint, the corner of his mouth quirking up. He took a quick look to see where his captors were, noting that the one called Day was keeping a watch on the line of techs and right now his attention was at the doorway end of the line. Maxwell was just coming out with the last of the prisoners.
Barton took the slim window of opportunity and playing on his injuries, slipped sideways. As he did, his hand snaked out and grabbed the item that had caught his attention.
Feeling his ex-boss sliding away from him, Simons shifted and reached for the man, pulling him back up. “You okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine,” came Barton’s reply.
“Okay, everyone on their feet,” Heero barked out.
The prisoners all shuffled to comply – all except Barton. Simons was having a tough time trying to haul the other man to his feet, Barton not helping at all, in fact he was playing possum, eyes almost closed and giving the appearance he’d passed out.
“What’s up?” Duo snapped when he noticed Simons struggling to get Barton to his feet and began to move towards the pair.
“He’s unconscious and I don’t have the strength to lift him,” Simons grunted.
“Fucking asshole,” Duo muttered. “I’ll soon get him on his feet.”
Barton waited until the long haired agent was poised over him, hands reaching out to grab his shoulders – then he struck.
Duo reached for Barton, hands about to close on those shoulders when he caught the sudden movement. He tried to jump back out of the way, but it was too late.
There was the flash of metal before the knife found Duo’s abdomen and buried itself inside.
~ * ~
tbc...

AN: Please don’t kill me – if you do you won’t know what happens next. I’m quite happy to dodge the rotten fruit though and I swear I’m working on the next part now.